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By TERRY LYONS BOSTON – “Good trouble” is a phrase popularized by the late Congressman John Lewis of Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, referring to necessary, nonviolent actions taken to challenge injustice and create meaningful change. Lewis encouraged people to engage in “good trouble” to fight for civil rights and social justice throughout his life. On a far less important scale, I see some “very good trouble” arising for the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend. The NBA All-Star Game and its accompanying annual rookie – or Rising Stars – game have been under fire from the critics of late, and rightfully so. After a “catch lightening” moment at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago when the quirky “Elam Ending” gimmick created quite a finish when Team LeBron came back to win the game, 157-155, against Team Giannis in a contest where East and West were thrown to the wind, the annual Mid-Season classic has been a yawn-fest. The players – exhausted from a weekend of non-stop promotions, sponsor commitments, interviews, photo and video shoots, practices, parties and after-parties – limp to the starting gate on Sunday evening drained of energy and any desire to win, place or snore.
Last year, the league went so far as to have joint meetings with the NBA Players Association and then orchestrate pep talks from some of the true legends of the game in order to create some rivalry and incentive to play hard and win. The players bought-in, but their games took the night off despite a major change in the format. About two months before the All-Star Weekend, the NBA announced that the All-Star Game would use a four-team tournament format with a championship, similar to the format used by the Rising Stars Challenge since 2022. Each of the teams will consist of eight players, with the traditional pool of selected all-stars drafted for the first three teams by NBA on TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith (who will be honorary general managers of each team, to be known as Team Chuck, Team Shaq, and Team Kenny, respectively). The fourth team in the tournament will be the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge, with their honorary general manager being Candace Parker (and therefore known as Team Candace). Two major problems arose:
Fast forward to the upcoming 2026 NBA All-Star Game and the NBA (and their new (but old) television partner NBC Sports) have vowed to try it again, this time with a format announced/confirmed just this week. On November 11, the NBA announced that the All-Star Game format for 2026 will feature a round-robin tournament with three teams:
Each mini-team will consist of at least eight players – all chosen regardless of position – Thank God. The games will last 12 minutes each, and the top two teams will advance to a championship game based on their records. The “good trouble” and the words “at least” used just above are the focus of this column. The NBA international team will be stacked, including the fact the consensus top five players in the league will all suit-up for the visitors. Take a quick look:
Now, the “good trouble” with the fact the following players are amongst the league’s Top 35 all-around players: Alperen Sengun (Hou/Turkey) Pascal Siakam (Ind/Cameroon) Josh Giddey (Chi/Australia) Domantas Sabonis (Sac/Lithuania) Nikola Vucevic (chi/Montenegro via Switzerland) Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK/Dominican Republic) Jamal Murray (Den/Canada) Deni Avdija (Port/Israel) Franz Wagner (Orl/Germany) Lauri Markkanen (Utah/Finland) Other NBA international players who are all pretty good and worthy of consideration: Daniels (ATL/Aussie); Ayton (LA/Bahamas); Edgecombe/Bahamas); (former NBA MVP) Joel Embiid (76ers/Cameroon; Nembhard/Mathurin (IND/Canada); Wiggins (MIA/Canada) RJ Barrett (TOR/Canada); Gobert (Minn/France); Sarr (Wash/France); Hartenstein (OKC/Germany); Schroder (Sac/Germany)-MVP of the FIBA World Cup); Porzingis (ATL/Latvia); Zaccharie Risacher (ATL/France) and OG Anunoby (NYK/UK/Nigeria). There are dozens of others. There are enough international players to change the format and easily field two international teams and go to a four-team tournament format with the winners of the opening round facing each other for the NBA All-Star title. The “good trouble” might just become “bad trouble” if the lone International team blows the USA club off the floor in the NBA All-Star finale. That said, as the early season games have proved-out, NBC Sports (and Peacock Network) have done a marvelous job of returning to NBA coverage with the focus squarely on the game. There are no gimmicks, no shouting halftime shows, no selling other shows or SportsCenter, no … nothing but Net. So, a one-sided all-star telecast is likely to get the same treatment, covering the best in basketball – no matter where the players come from. Here’s an example of a very recent stand-out moment from NBC’s coverage of the NBA: That was Marvelous! HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The National Basketball Retired Players Association struck a new partnership with the Harlem Globetrotters just as the Globies celebrate 100 years of basketball and entertainment excellence. The collaboration marks a new period of supporting former players and uplifting future generations.
This milestone partnership — led by Charles “Choo” Smith, Chairman of the NBRPA, Keith Dawkins, President of the Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios, and Antonio Davis, President & CEO of the NBRPA — embodies the enduring spirit of teamwork, joy, and service that has defined the Globetrotters for a century. “Being part of the Harlem Globetrotter family taught me the power of connection,” said Charles “Choo” Smith, NBRPA Chairman. “This partnership continues that legacy — bringing together generations of players to serve and inspire. It’s about unity, honoring where basketball has taken us, and using our collective platform to impact the next generation.” Antonio Davis, President & CEO of the NBRPA, added: “The Harlem Globetrotters have been cultural ambassadors and pioneers for basketball around the world. Partnering with them during their 100th anniversary is both an honor and a responsibility — one that reflects our shared mission to uplift, empower, and unite former players across every league.” Keith Dawkins, President of the Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios, echoed this sentiment: “Our Centennial season brings about the opportunity to expand our relationships across the global sport of basketball. With the NBRPA, there’s not only a shared history and commitment to our athletes but also for about where we are going in the future. From community events to special projects to our massive global tour, we are looking forward to expanding the reach, and power, of our collective efforts to garner larger audiences around the world.” As part of the new pact, the NBRPA and Harlem Globetrotters will launch a yearlong celebration highlighting the Globetrotters’ 100-year legacy, including:
The Globetrotters’ Centennial season will begin with a special event at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, December 14. TIDBITS & NUGGETS: The MLS approved a calendar change that will align the league with popular European and other global soccer league competition. The change calls for one more season under the current format, then a switch to the new format of a Summer of ‘27 to Spring of ‘28 schedule, moving away from the current February to November calendar. To help the transition, the MLS will play a compact 14-match season in the winter and spring of 2027 before adapting to the new gig. Overall, the shift aims to align with international soccer schedules, improve player transfers, and enhance the overall quality of play. THIS JUST IN: This week Massachusetts legislators discussed several proposals that could dramatically reshape the gambling landscape in the Commonwealth. According to the Boston Globe, one such bill, state Senator John Keenan’s “Bettor Health Act,” would ban all in-game prop bets and limit sports betting advertisements during sports broadcasts. Prop bets – wagers involving the outcome of a specific play or a single player’s in-game or final-game statistics – have come under fire as NBA and Major League Baseball players currently face federal charges that they allegedly conspired with organized crime gamblers and fixed their performances. The scandals have questioned the integrity of all sports and they’ve raised questions about whether prop bets should be restricted or banned. The leagues do not control the type of wagers gambling companies offer, but they do control the flow of live statistics from the various sports’ venues to the sports books. The leagues are spending significant resources on monitoring wagering trends and spotting potential fraud and even minor idiosyncrasies. CAN’T MAKE IT UP: The Texas A&M Aggies staged their biggest comeback in school football history, but one member of their law and order team wasn’t around to witness it. Instead he might find himself on the witness stand. No. 3 ranked Texas A&M trailed unranked South Carolina 30-3 at the half, but managed a miraculous comeback to win Saturday afternoon’s game at College Station, Texas, 31-30. … A Texas trooper who had an altercation with South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor after a Gamecocks touchdown and the un-named trooper was sent home from the game, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Harbor scored on an 80-yard reception in the second quarter and ran into the end zone tunnel, limping following the score. As he and three other players were walking back to the field, the trooper walked in between Harbor and another player and bumped into them as they passed each other. The trooper and Harbor turned around and the trooper pointed at Harbor with both hands and said something to him. Harbor was quickly pushed away by his teammate and they continued to the field. The public safety department issued a statement saying the trooper was sent home. “Our Office of Inspector General is also aware of the incident and will be further looking into the matter. No additional information will be released at this time,” the statement reads. REMOTE CONTROL KRYPTONITE: At this time of year, with dozens upon dozens of college football games scattered all over the cable/streaming tv guide, there comes a time when you stumble across a listing for a vintage motion picture and the remote control seems to malfunction. It just won’t go. Not a chance in hell you can get past the listing without pressing “OK” and watching a bit. Here are a few of the all-time classics, some with great scenes, others simply guy movies or great comedies: (Listed in no order)
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Sunday Notes
TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | May 5
While We’re Young (Ideas) Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with General Notes
By TERRY LYONS, Editor Digital Sports Desk
BOSTON – Everyone has their own Basketball Hall of Fame except the NBA. College Basketball opened its Hall of Fame & Experience in Kansas City while the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame opened in Knoxville. The International game has its hall in Switzerland. Only the NBA and WNBA have remained loyal to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in the birthplace of basketball, Springfield, Massachusetts.
The BHofF in Springfield proudly claims to represent all levels of the sport, and it regularly honors high school, collegiate, professional, wheelchair, international and contributors to the game at all levels – both men and women.
FIBA (Federation for International Basketball) recently announced their Class of 2024 and its a good one with the USA’s Reggie Miller and Serbian favorite Predrag Stojakovic the two standout names rightfully honored for induction.
The Class will be feted during the enshrinement ceremony, scheduled to be in Singapore in September. A total of seven players and one coach are being formally recognized for their outstanding contributions to the sport.
Said the official FIBA announcement: “Miller is a former Olympic and FIBA Basketball World Cup winner with USA who was especially revered for his NBA contributions across an amazing 18 seasons in the league. He tallied a spectacular 25,000 points, helped by 2560 three-pointers and that contributed to an eye-catching five NBA All-Star appearances.
“The Serbian, often referred to simply as ‘Peja’ won the FIBA Basketball World Cup gold medal in 2002 with Yugoslavia, as well as a FIBA EuroBasket title in 2001 when he was crowned MVP. Also an Olympian, Stojakovic attained plenty of success at club level, most notably winning an NBA Championship in 2011 with Dallas Mavericks. A three-time NBA All-Star, he also won the NBA Three-Point Contest twice.
“Latvian Skaidrite Smildzina-Budovska conquered the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup three times and the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket five times with Soviet Union. China’s three-time Olympian Miao Lijie starred at four editions of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and Croatian ace Danira Nakic-Bilic lit it up with Yugoslavia, competing in title games at the Olympics, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and FIBA Women’s EuroBasket.
Other inductees include Kirk Penney, who is being honored for serving New Zealand with distinction at two Olympic Games and four FIBA Basketball World Cups, while African basketball can celebrate Central African Republic colossus Romain Sato being on the list. The guard attained huge success at club level, including titles in Euroleague, Eurocup, the Spanish League and also four Italian championships.
Finally, American (turned Italian) play-caller Dan Peterson flies the flag for coaches in the 2024 Class. He masterminded the European Cup for Champion Clubs silverware in 1987 with Olimpia Milano, just two years after delivering the FIBA Korac Cup. Peterson also amassed five Italian titles and a host of individual coaching accolades.
Created in 2007, the FIBA BASKETBALL Hall of Fame has enshrined 184 outstanding Hall of Famers from 45 countries and all five continents to date. Its home is the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.
Class of 2024: Players
Miao Lijie (China)
Reggie Miller (USA)-(UCLA-Indiana Pacers)
Danira Nakic-Bilic (Croatia)
Kirk Samuel Penney (New Zealand)
Romain Sato (Central African Republic)
Skaidrite Smildzina-Budovska (Latvia)
Predrag “Peja” Stojakovic (Serbia)-(Sacramento Kings)
Class of 2024: Coach
Daniel “Dan” Peterson (USA)-(Italy)-(Milan)
HERE NOW, THE NOTES: For the first time in history, the Keeper of the Stanley Cup is a woman. Miragh Bitove, archivist at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto has been tabbed as the caretaker of the greatest trophy in sports. An art history and museum management major in college, Bitove went on to work as a Hall of Fame intern in 2003 before parlaying that into a job as an archivist at the venue. Now, 11 years later, she is the first woman in the role of the guardian of the Stanley Cup and general overseer on its annual celebration tour. … Each summer, the winners of the Cup, who have their name inscribed on the trophy, are able to take the Cup for a day – usually bringing it to their hometown – no matter how far away it might be. “Nothing like it,” she said to the AP. “There’s a glow.” … Phil Pritchard, the Hall of Fame’s vice president and the “Keeper of the Cup,” remembers when Bitove first arrived in the building. … “She had all the interest, all the background, everything that we’re looking for,” he said. “When you get someone like that, you don’t want to lose them.” … Bitove also has the game in her blood. While never a hockey player herself, the family tree includes great uncle Ted Kennedy, who won the Cup five times with the Toronto Maple Leafs between 1945 and 1951.
NUGGETS AND TIDBITS: The United Football League was formed this spring after the merger of the XFL and USFL. The new spring league operates under the combined ownership of RedBird Capital Partners, FOX (FOX Sports), Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson. The UFL currently has eight teams based in eight US cities, including: Arlington (TX), Birmingham (AL), Detroit (MI), Houston (TX), San Antonio (TX), Memphis (TN), St. Louis (MO), and Washington (DC).
The UFL is entering its sixth week of play and has yet to crack the code of success enjoyed by the NFL and the other traditional leagues and the spring football concept always seems far out of place, especially with the NBA and NHL Playoffs heating up and MLB in full swing.
Add to challenge for the rest of the summer and you’ll note the WNBA is opening training camps this weekend and everyone’s favorite superstar, Kaitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, opening with a road game in Frisco, Texas. That game was streamed on the WNBA App and the Fever’s first home preseason game was postponed due to an Indiana Pacers playoff game.
If the UFL goes up in flames, the concept of spring football will have run the gamut of the entire alphabet from the WLAF (World League) in Europe, and rapid-fire through (Donald’s Trump’s very own) USFL to the publicity strong XFL where “He Hate Me” – aka Rod Smart – started with the Las Vegas Outlaws and bounced around to five other pro franchises before taking his degree in kinesiology and setting sail.
The UFL uses up the final life of the cat called spring football. If this entity goes under, the NFL and its remote affiliates will need to re-think their approach to player development.The league is opening offices and shopping TV all across the globe. The NFL has strongholds in Germany and to a lesser extent in England/Scotland/Ireland.
Yet, unlike soccer and basketball, American football, as a participation sport, is not played very much outside of the United States and Canada.
If the current reiteration of the sport doesn’t translate to sales and TV eyeballs, the UFL might stand for and add to the Unemployment Fookin’ Line.
NBA’s BEST, TAKE 1ST ROUND EXIT: Sixty percent of the very best and most productive NBA scorers from the 2023-24 regular season have been eliminated from the ‘24 NBA Playoffs. Using the proven formula of adding the positive stats and subtracting missed shots shows that only four of the Top 10 in the league have advanced to the NBA Conference Semi-Finals.
Player, Team, Formula (Positive/Efficiency per game)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee, 41.192
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia, 41.105
- Luka Doncic, Dallas, 40.786
- Nikola Jokic, Denver, 40.416
- Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento, 36.000
- Anthony Davis, LA Lakers, 33.095
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City, 32.986
- LeBron James, LA Lakers, 32.667
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 29.877
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 29.703
LAX SELECTION SHOW TIDBIT: The NCAA brackets for the 2024 Men’s Lacrosse Tournament will be announced today, May 5, at 9:30 pm on ESPN2. … No. 2 Johns Hopkins was upset by Michigan in the BIG 10 semifinals on Thursday. Notre Dame, the unanimous No. 1 in the USA, will play in its fourth straight ACC Championship title game when the Irish take on No. 6 Duke at Noon ET on today, May 5 in Charlotte at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Irish have advanced to the title game in five of the last seven ACC Tournaments. The game will air on ACC Network.
KENTUCKY DERBY: It seems like just weeks ago that the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby took place and the favorite, Cannonade, rode to victory. Saturday, it was Mint Juleps for everyone as the 150th Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs in Louisville and Mystik Dan (18-1) was the winner in a three horse photo finish, one of the tightest in the history of the horse race. Mystik Dan paid $39.22, $16.32 and $10. Sierra Leone returned $6.54 and $4.64. Forever Young was another nose back in third and paid $5.58 to show.
Need the official recipe for the Official Mint Julep?
- 2 cups sugar (for Simple Syrup)
- 2 cups water (for Simple Syrup)
- Sprigs of fresh mint (Flavor Simple Syrup overnight)
- Fill Glass with Crushed ice
- 1 Tablespoon Simple Syrup
- 2 ounces of Kentucky Bourbon Whisky of Choice
Make simple or complicated syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight.
Make one julep at a time by filling a julep glass with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of the Kentucky Whisky.
Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
PODCASTING: Your favorite columnist participated in a special podcast which originated across the pond. Listen in.
Terry Lyons: NBA Growth & Navigating The Sports World
https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-3y8aq-15d5f41