Alex Whewell

Sports Media Student
NBA-focused • AFL, NFL, F1, Tennis, and Cricket
Analysing how sports teams are built and why they win

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

Starting this account to write more about sports.

My main focus is NBA analysis, with occasional thoughts from other sports.

I’m interested in how teams are built, not just game results.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

@formularacers_ @Independent Probably deserves another year, but if he gets beaten convincingly by Kimi both this year and next year, he should be let go, whether it’s for Verstappen or not.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

@PlayersChoice_ Charlotte would be a fun team with Ja, miles would have to be traded, slide Naz to the 4 and bring Moussa in as a starter.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

@HoodieBrunson Big loss for the knicks if they can’t sign him, none of those guys there are even close to providing the same level of rim protection.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

He is a restricted free agent so the Pistons can outbid everyone else, if no one else has the cap space for him than so be it.

[Evan Sidery @esidery]

Jalen Duren plans to explore sign-and-trade scenarios after contract negotiations have stalled out with the Pistons, per @sam_amick (https://t.co/bGbfYhcZEs).

There is a large enough gap in value from Duren’s camp and Detroit where he feels like it’s best to now play elsewhere.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

Jerome/Pippen
Coward/Spencer
Wells/KCP
Boozer/Aldama
Edey/Stew

and stacks of depth.

Genuinely could compete for a playoff spot in the west next season.

Oh, and they have 11 first round picks over the next seven seasons.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

The Memphis Grizzlies are quickly building one of the best young cores in the entire NBA.

Spencer - 26
Stewart - 25
Aldama - 25
Pippen - 25
Saunders - 25
Edey - 24
Wells - 23
Coward - 23
Clayton - 23
Small - 23
Mashack - 23
Hendricks - 22
GG - 21
Boozer - 19
Lopez - 19

[Matt @sixringsofsteeI]

Cameron Boozer
Karim Lopez
Richie Saunders
Isaiah Stewart

What a 24 hours for the Memphis Grizzlies

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

Lawson Humphries (Pick 63, 2023)

Ollie Dempsey (Pick 15, 2021 Rookie)

Jack Martin (Delisted FA)

Oisin Mullin (Ireland, Cat B)

are all similar, but different recent examples of Geelong’s successful list management and why they have stayed on top for so long.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

List management in the AFL is a bit different to roster construction in the NBA.

In the AFL, successful teams don’t just build through one age demographic, they have to master all three:

Veterans
Core Players (prime)
Youth

If one falters, they likely aren’t a contender.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

Geelong has mastered this strategy. This is why they seem to never rebuild. They top up with players from other clubs, they draft well internally, and find players who fit their system.

[Alex Whewell @alexwhewell_]

The NBA offseason is my favourite time of the year. Teams can make or break their long-term success from one good (or bad) offseason.

Some teams prioritise short-term contention, others commit to structural builds around age profile, cap flexibility, and internal development.