New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III is emerging as a rising star in the league. This season, the former first-round pick is posting career-best numbers in points, rebounds, and assists, despite his team’s struggles. Alongside star forward Zion Williamson, Murphy III is seen as a key part of the Pelicans’ future.

While New Orleans remains focused on building a competitive roster, Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green is less optimistic about the current state of the NBA. During last weekend’s All-Star Game in San Francisco, the four-time champion openly criticized the modern game.

The former Defensive Player of the Year described today’s basketball as “boring,” arguing that it relies too heavily on three-point shooting. Murphy III, however, disagreed with Green’s take and shared his perspective on the Kevin O’Connor Show.

“I don’t agree with that,” Murphy III said. “I think the game’s fun. I still have fun watching basketball; I have fun playing basketball. The trade deadline made ratings go up a lot, so people are more intrigued and tuned in.”

“The last two weeks before All-Star might be a little boring — everybody’s just trying to make All-Star — but the NBA being boring in general? I don’t know about that for sure.”

One could argue that the Warriors dynasty played a pivotal role in the rise of three-point shooting in today’s NBA, with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson among the greatest shooters in history.

By his own account, Trey Murphy III is already among the league’s top three-point shooters.

Early in his career, he became one of just five players in Pelicans history to make over 200 three-pointers in a single season. Standing 6-foot-9, his combination of size and athleticism makes him a nightmare matchup for defenders. He also showcased his athleticism by finishing second in the Slam Dunk Contest a few years ago.

Before the season began, Murphy III secured his future with the Pelicans by signing a four-year contract extension.

The New York Knicks won’t have the luxury of a slow restart after All-Star Weekend.

Their final five games of February will present significant challenges, including matchups against the Eastern Conference’s top two teams.

The No. 3-seeded Knicks (36-18) will first face the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10) on Friday after a warm-up against the Chicago Bulls the day before. They’ll then take on the No. 2-seeded Boston Celtics (39-16) on Sunday.

Beyond those tests, the Knicks will meet the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 26, a team hindered by injuries but expected to regain key players Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, and Kyle Lowry. Finally, they’ll close out the month with a Western Conference battle against the No. 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies (36-18) on Feb. 28.

What a successful stretch will mean for the Knicks

For the Knicks, a successful stretch would mean finishing above .500 and securing wins against at least two of the three title contenders—Cleveland, Boston, and Memphis. New York has yet to defeat the Cavaliers (0-1) or Celtics (0-2) this season but holds a 1-0 series lead over the Grizzlies.

Size will be a key factor in these matchups. Knicks bigs Karl-Anthony Towns, Precious Achiuwa, and OG Anunoby have an opportunity to make a defensive statement against Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey, Cleveland’s towering duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, and Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis alongside either Al Horford or Luke Kornet.

Defense will be the primary storyline, but offensive efficiency is just as crucial—especially against a Sixers trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Eric Gordon, all capable of scoring 25+ points on any given night. From a playoff perspective, New York could close the 2.5-game gap between them and the Celtics. Overtaking Boston would secure home-court advantage until at least the Eastern Conference Finals, potentially setting the stage for a deep postseason run.

Ex-Mavericks, Knicks guard set to attempt NBA return

Several former NBA players who took their talents overseas are now eyeing a return to the league. On Tuesday, Lonnie Walker IV officially secured his comeback, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, it appears that former Mavericks, Knicks, and Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. is looking to follow suit.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Smith is set to leave Real Madrid and intends to return to the NBA this season. With teams still finalizing their rosters for the stretch run, the 27-year-old sees this as the perfect time to land on a team in need of backcourt toughness.

A ninth-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Smith’s early promise faded quickly after the Mavericks acquired Luka Dončić in a draft-night trade the following year. Deemed an awkward fit alongside Dončić, he was eventually sent to the Knicks in the deal that landed Dallas Kristaps Porzingis. However, his time in New York was short-lived, as he was later moved to the Pistons in the trade that reunited Derrick Rose with the Knicks.

After brief stints with the Hornets and Trail Blazers, Smith carved out a niche as a defensive specialist with the Nets. Despite this, he went unsigned last offseason, prompting a move to Europe. Now, he’s looking for a fresh NBA opportunity—a chance to reignite his career and find a stable role back in the league.

Which team could use the services of ex-Mavericks/Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr.?

Any team in need of backcourt depth might find Dennis Smith Jr. an intriguing option. His athleticism and defensive intensity make him a spark plug at the point guard position, capable of injecting energy into a lineup. However, his offensive limitations—particularly his lack of perimeter shooting—remain a concern.

A team like the Knicks could see value in bringing Smith back, while rebuilding squads such as the Nets, Hornets, or Trail Blazers—all former teams of his—might also consider taking a chance on him.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has often been criticized for his reluctance to trust young players, particularly 2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

However, he has recently shown more faith in the Warriors’ young core, providing consistent playing time for Moody and Kuminga while also placing significant trust in rookie Brandin Podziemski from the start of his career.

Kerr has even taken it a step further by not only integrating 52nd overall pick Quinten Post into the rotation but also inserting him into the starting lineup as he looks to add more shooting—especially in the frontcourt, where several key Warriors lack perimeter respect.

Is Steve Kerr resuming his old ways when it comes to Quinten Post?

While Quinten Post had solidified his place in the Warriors’ rotation, his role has shifted in the final games before the All-Star break.

One might have expected Draymond Green’s return to create more opportunities for Post, given Green’s lack of floor spacing, but instead, it has pushed Steve Kerr back toward small-ball lineups.

Between January 31 and February 8, Post averaged 10.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 40.9% from deep in over 19 minutes per game.

However, in the three games leading into the break, he made just one start and saw his playing time drop to 11.4 minutes per game.

Despite still averaging 6.0 points on 44.4% 3-point shooting in that span, Kerr appeared to prioritize a more switchable defense and added versatility on the floor. While Post has worked to improve defensively, it remains a perceived weakness, limiting his minutes.

Many fans have expressed frustration over his reduced role, especially given his much-needed floor spacing for a Warriors team craving more shooting. The question now is whether Post will reclaim his starting role or if Kerr will stick to his tendency of deploying young players on a situational basis.

Warriors Forward Kevon Looney Proposes to His Girlfriend, Fitness Model Mariah Simone

Kevon Looney is officially engaged!

Following Valentine’s Day weekend, the 29-year-old Golden State Warriors star announced that he recently proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Mariah Simone.

“❤️💍 To Our Love, Always And Forever 💍❤️,” the NBA player captioned a joint Instagram carousel with the fitness influencer on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

The nine-photo upload showed off the couple’s romantic proposal, which appeared to be on a white sand beach with white roses and white candles leading the way to a neon sign that read, “Will you marry me?”

In the cover image, Simone beamed as Looney got down on one knee and presented her with a ring.

The soon-to-be newlyweds coordinated in elegant black formal attire.

After Simone said yes, she received an extravagant bouquet of flowers to celebrate the moment. The couple shared a kiss and posed for several photos to mark their engagement.

The final shot in the social media post showcased the stunning, oversized diamond on Simone’s ring finger.

“Happy Valentines Day to my Love @msfit.official CEO , runway model @mariahsmone ❤️💘💌 Keep pursuing your goals and setting the standard💰👸🏽,” the NBA star proudly said of his then-soon-to-be bride last week.

Looney and Simone consistently celebrate each other’s achievements in the public eye.

“Happy 29th Birthday my love, my best friend 🤍,” Simone began in the caption to her heartfelt post.

“Every single day I’m beyond grateful for your beautiful soul and the love you bring into my life,” she continued. “Here’s to another blessed year filled with even more love, laughter, joy, and unforgettable adventures!”

Simone concluded, “I love you @Looney ♾️❤️🎂.”