Zach Kram

NBA at @espn | formerly @ringer

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Sports are so cool

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

A bad instant replay ruling just ruined the most exciting USMNT World Cup run ever

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Let out an audible "wow" at the Mitchell Robinson/Celtics news, and then a much louder "WHOA" at the Walker Kessler/Lakers trade

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

I love the Kawhi Leonard trade (part 2) for the Raptors and think they're a bona fide contender next season. They had the best defense for a non-elite team last year and just added a true No. 1 option.

Grades and full analysis here:

https://t.co/A8sZhg6Fsp

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

I find rivals-to-friends athlete trajectories really moving, emotionally: Federer-Nadal, Evert-Navratilova, etc. They say a lot about the human spirit.

LeBron and Steph teaming up after all the Cavs-Warriors Finals seems almost too remarkable to come true.

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Made this chart while analyzing Austin Reaves' new max contract

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Grading the Giannis-to-the-Heat blockbuster (finally):

https://t.co/TFjcQlX6LZ

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

I've taken over grading duties at ESPN, where I'm assessing all trades, free agent signings and extensions this offseason.

I started out positive, with only high marks in the early going. That changed with Trae Young's new four-year, $212 million deal.

https://t.co/9fs4aA6Hiu

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

I announced the winners of a fake award that should exist: the All-Playoffs first and second teams, and overall Playoffs MVP.

Find out the 10 honorees here. (Hint: There are a whole lot of Knicks.)

https://t.co/PEswiqyLkj

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

At long last, the Knicks' title drought is over.

I wrote about Jalen Brunson's MVP-worthy finale, the unique way the Knicks built a championship roster, and what a disappointing end means for the rising Spurs.

https://t.co/PTMjhZAuTf

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

FOUL UP THREE

I wrote earlier this postseason that the NBA's worst-case scenario was the Finals being decided by a foul instead of a game-tying jump shot attempt. Well...

https://t.co/0D3TfP6xlQ

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

If the refs had called a flagrant on Wembanyama for stepping into Brunson's landing zone on that 3, he would've been suspended for Game 6 (if necessary)

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

The Knicks had 6 points in the paint and 0 points from their bench, yet they're down only 5 at halftime.

One half away from a championship.

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Two minutes into the second quarter, the Knicks have had more shots blocked by Wemby (5) than go in the hoop (4)

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

That half was the most fun I've ever had watching the USMNT. This is incredible.

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

https://t.co/IXl4LDiEXT

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Morning, NBA fans!

Live now for ESPN, I explored the anatomy of a historic Knicks comeback and a historic Spurs collapse. (Link in next post.)

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Oops, part 2

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Oops

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

My notes on this game have descended into increasingly incoherent scribbles

[Zach Kram @zachkram]

Presented without any opinion, just some context:

Karl-Anthony Towns led the league with 61 offensive fouls this season. No other player had more than 38.

In the tracking era, KAT has three of the five seasons with the most offensive fouls. (Giannis has the other two.)