Lyon Prepares to Host Foreign Delegations for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Have you been enjoying the impressive performance of Coby White this season in Chicago? I certainly have. After a lackluster first four years, White has really stepped up his game this winter. With Zach LaVine out, White had the opportunity to shine and he has been consistently delivering excellent performances. Since November 30th, he has been averaging 22.4 points and 6.0 assists, while shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc on an average of 7.5 attempts per game. This is a significant improvement for White and he is taking advantage of his latest opportunity. He is driving to the basket more frequently (already surpassing his number of dunks from last season), making more plays, and adding excitement to Bulls games that can sometimes be slow-paced.ooooooop ???? pic.twitter.com/w67A4gtMg5

Tyrese Haliburton seals the victory.

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The images accompanying this text were created by Daniel Goldfarb for The Athletic and feature photographs from Andy Lyons and Barry Gossage from Getty Images.

Starters

The player has 6.8 points, a 56.3% field goal percentage, and a 55.6% 3-point field goal percentage.

I am aware that it may sound unbelievable, but the purpose of watching the NBA is to enjoy oneself. When you tune into a basketball game, you do not expect to be bombarded with advertisements for betting, or to complain about the Wi-Fi or streaming issues. You simply want to watch a game and have a good time. This is the reason we all engage in this activity.
Victor Wembanyama, alien, San Antonio Spurs

I aimed to assemble a group of the most enjoyable players I have observed. This is my personal selection, and I understand that others may have differing opinions. Unless I am able to develop an algorithm that quantifies all the elements that contribute to a player’s entertainment value, this remains a subjective choice.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 11, 2024

The tweet was posted by the official Chicago Bulls account on February 15, 2024.

There are many approaches to enjoying basketball. Some may prioritize efficiency, others may prioritize winning championships, and some may enjoy following the latest controversies and drama. Personally, I watch for the enjoyment factor and do not wish to see robotic referees and constant replay reviews. Human error can add an element of fun to the game.

He has the ability to dunk and shoot from any spot on the court, and can even block 10 shots in a single game. He resembles a talented Reed Richards and has been a joy to watch. His playing style is truly captivating, even the less exciting moments are still intriguing. It’s impressive to witness a 7-4 player effortlessly make a 3-pointer while dribbling, or fake out a defender with a cut to the basket for an alley-oop. He has elevated a mediocre team to be worth watching.

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 11, 2024

“Throw it up, Cason tosses it up and Dub tosses it down.”

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Playing defense can also be enjoyable! Suggs excels in this aspect and has the ability to disrupt the opposing team’s possessions by aggressively guarding the ball handlers. His relentless and sometimes daring approach showcases his talent, as well as his disregard for the physical limitations we face as humans. In a recent article, Michael Pina from The Ringer did an excellent job of highlighting Suggs’ impact on the Magic. However, Suggs’ contributions also extend to the entire league. In a time where offenses dominate, Suggs proves that playing solid defense is still possible and necessary.

Jarrett Allen, center, Cleveland Cavaliers

Is Cam Thomas not being guarded by any defenders?

Jalen Johnson is a small forward playing for the Atlanta Hawks.

The New York Knicks tweeted on February 4, 2024.

Jalen Suggs is a guard for the Orlando Magic.

Donte DiVincenzo is a shooting guard for the New York Knicks.

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Bench

Jalen Williams, a player in the wing position for the Oklahoma City Thunder.???????????? https://t.co/J4GZ89odtf pic.twitter.com/8szVrAqI3j

Coby White is a guard for the Chicago Bulls.
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“The Indiana Pacers’ official Twitter account, @Pacers, posted on March 5th, 2023.”

However, there are still rules in place. As mentioned last year, only one All-Star is permitted. While rules may not be exciting, they are necessary. Otherwise, the team would consist solely of star players like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry. The beauty of basketball is that being skilled at the sport often results in an enjoyable viewing experience. The team will have a starting five and a bench five, with a focus on including new players instead of those who were selected last year. With only 10 players honored so far, it shouldn’t be too difficult to avoid repetition. So, as much as I admire Jalen Brunson and Alperen Şengün, here are 10 fresh faces to appreciate this season.

“Alright guys, let’s get motivated and show our strength!” – @_bigjayy_ | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/RvMms5hA1O

Despite all the impressive moments, it’s the ordinary things that truly make Haliburton a joy to watch. For instance, in a previous quarter of the same game, he skillfully caught a grenade while being cornered with only five seconds left on the shot clock and proceeded to gracefully pull off a stepback fallaway 3-pointer. With Haliburton, you can always expect the unexpected, making him the undisputed captain of this year’s All-Fun team.

Allen is the forgotten hero in Cleveland. He’s an old-school kind of fun. He’s big and strong and he muscles people around. He’s a perfect example of why the NBA could do with some more physicality. But he’s also got a deft touch around the rim. He’s among the league’s best rim protectors and he’s 10th in dunks. He helped stand the Cavaliers up while they were missing Darius Garland and Evan Mobley earlier this month.

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I comprehend the responses towards this matter. Specifically, who? And, a male individual who is participating in 24 minutes per night for a team with only 15 wins? Both valid points. However, let’s remember that this is not a democracy, but a cheerocracy. Therefore, let’s move on from it. I first took notice of Camara during the Trail Blazers’ game against Philadelphia in October. He was quite bothersome on the court. It was impressive for someone who was just the 52nd pick in the draft. And since then, he has earned more playing time. Camara is a versatile player and tends to get in the way of his opponents. He averages one steal per game and can be a threat from the 3-point line. Although he does not excel in ball distribution, he makes up for it with his tenacity and energy.

The official Twitter account for the Oklahoma City Thunder, also known as OKC, tweeted on February 14, 2024.

It’s now time for the second edition of the All-Fun team. This is not comprised of the NBA’s top players, as that is what the All-Star teams are for. This is not solely based on individual statistics or team success. For that, you can refer to the leaderboards.

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 21, 2023

Johnson’s third-year improvement has been a valuable asset for the Hawks this season, serving as a strong foundation for their future. With an increase in minutes, not only have the Hawks benefited, but Johnson has also been a force to be reckoned with on the court. His explosive drives to the basket make him a threat every time he steps onto the court. Additionally, playing alongside one of the league’s top lob passers only adds to his skills. Standing at 6-9 and weighing 220 pounds, Johnson’s physicality adds power to his finishes. However, he is not just a dunker, as he has also proven to be a reliable 3-point shooter with a 36.1 percent success rate this season. Johnson’s versatility has greatly enhanced the Hawks’ game this year, making them a more captivating team despite a lackluster overall season.

Tyrese Haliburton, guard, Indiana Pacers

Toumani Camara, forward, Portland Trail Blazers

Haliburton has been a standout player this season, making headlines with his impressive performance. He has been the driving force behind the league’s most high-scoring offense (a hot take, but points are undeniably exciting). His exceptional passing skills benefit not only himself but also his teammates. He can be compared to a Tesla car with fully functional self-driving features. He is also a lethal 3-point shooter. His passing has resulted in 1,176 points for his fellow Pacers, despite playing significantly less minutes than other players in the top 10 for assisted points (441 less than the leader, Trae Young of the Hawks). Haliburton is known for his ability to pull up from far distances, execute a running hook shot, or even set up a teammate for a corner 3-pointer by throwing himself a pass off the backboard.

Cam Thomas is a skilled scorer, as the popular kids would say. He has stepped up to fill the void left by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s shots and is not afraid to take his own. It may not be the most efficient, but it’s entertaining to watch. At just 22 years old, he is averaging 21.5 points per game and his minutes and usage rate have increased significantly from last season. However, his shooting efficiency has not seen the same improvement. Despite this, we can still appreciate Thomas’ ability to score in bursts. In 44 games, he has scored 30 or more points in six games and 40 or more points in three games. In a league dominated by high-scoring offenses, it’s refreshing to see a player who can just go off and put on a show.

To start, being called “The Big Ragu” automatically puts you on the All-Fun team watchlist. Additionally, DiVincenzo has been a pleasure to watch in New York this season. He may not receive much recognition, but he is a disruptive force on the Knicks. DiVincenzo is a key part of Tom Thibodeau’s defense, constantly causing chaos and making plays. On offense, he has significantly increased his 3-point attempts, which is a signature of the Leon Rose-era Knicks. Despite playing fewer minutes, DiVincenzo has taken 16 3-pointers in a game twice this season. He is one of only 17 players to average at least one steal and seven 3-point attempts per game this season, putting him in the company of current or former All-Stars such as CJ McCollum, Bogdan Bogdanović, Terry Rozier, and Desmond Bane. This is a noteworthy accomplishment.

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 19, 2023

Cam Thomas, a player for the Brooklyn Nets who plays the position of guard.

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