Tariffs come and go, but Luka is Forever (a Laker)

31 at the half, 45 for the game. Luka cooks the Mavs in front of Dirk, Cuban, and 20k of his best friends (minus Nico). David Adelman starts his title run with a W, Nuggets top Kings. West standings update: Clippers are the 5 seed! They best the Rockets in LA.

BASEBALL INJURIES…Cody Bellinger poisoned by hotel chicken wing. Returned to the lineup Wednesday (0-4, 3Ks). NFL COACH SPEAK…Jags first time head ball coach Liam Coen on Trevor Lawrence’s shoulder injury and availability:

“As we lead in, we're optimistic that we'll get there in terms of where we need to go.” Perfect.

Scott Van Pelt is adamant that this is Rory’s year at Augusta.

I’m not going to rehash every Luka, Nico, Pelinka, or AD angle. You’ve already witnessed the fallout of the single most shocking trade in NBA history. We will discuss Owners. Why are these dudes in the news? Are they meddling more than ever? Is this all because of the second apron?

I’m a big believer of Bill Simmons’ New Owner Theory. In short, new ownership always tries to make a splash. Usually, due to inexperience, they fuck it up. Matt Ishbia (Suns) is a recent example. Patrick Dumont (Mavs) might be the most infamous.

None of this absolves Josh Kroenke in Denver. Perhaps his lack of leadership is worse. At least he’s been around the block. But New Owner Theory is real. On the opposite end of the Luka trade, Jeanie Buss and her brothers ruined a half decade or more before they straightened the ship. Jeanie and Jim Buss presided over the Dwight Howard year. Drove the Lakers into the ground. Watched Magic Johnson take over only to quit. They grew up in the family business and couldn’t survive New Owner fate when Dr. Jerry Buss passed away. Optimistically, it’s possible for owners to improve with time. If I was in Dallas, I wouldn’t hold my breath .

On the horizon, two important teams are subject to change hands, Boston and Minnesota. Boston welcomes a new owner, faces a mammoth tax bill, and isn’t satisfied with one title. Will ownership get in Brad Stevens’ way? In Minnesota, Marc Lore and A-Rod fleeced Glen Taylor. But Taylor already shipped Karl Anthony-Towns to NY to save some dollars. Anthony Edwards is ascending. The roster competes. Some might suggest they’re a superstar away. Can Lore and crew resist the temptation to blow this up and chase Kevin Durant?