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Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps

Senior NBA writer for @espn. Prior stops: @washingtonpost, @nypost. Proud St. Bonaventure alum.

Joined June 2009
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Tim Bontemps
 @TimBontemps
Jun 4
Here’s my official NBA Finals pick! Fired up for what’s going to be an incredible series. Can’t wait to see how it plays out. Should be a ton of fun. instagram.com/reel/DZJMeVZS-…

The Hoop Collective (@hoopcollectiveshow) • Instagram reel

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Dave McMenamin
 @mcten
Jun 19
Had fun looking back at this one on the occasion of the 2016 Cavs’ 10-year anniversary of their championship: the story behind the unofficial team mascot, Lil’ Kev espn.com/blog/cleveland-cava…

Cavs' new mascot isn't Kevin Love; it's Lil' Kev

Inspired by a Tommy Bahama model with a resemblance to Kevin Love and Love's State Farm commercial, Lil' Kev has emerged to inspire the Cavs.

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Jeremy Woo
 @JeremyWoo
Jun 17
As an exercise, combined the 2025 and 2026 drafts (and tried to remove hindsight from that process). Very subjective. Cooper Flagg at 1 but splitting hairs overall. Main takeaway...a lot of talent funneling into the league over the past two years. espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4897…

Let's combine the 2025 and 2026 NBA draft classes: Who would rank No. 1?

What if Cooper Flagg never reclassified? Here's where Flagg, Dylan Harper, Kon Knueppel would rank if they were in the 2026 NBA draft.

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Tim MacMahon
 @BannedMacMahon
Jun 19
The Hoop Collective with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps: Mike Breen joins to discuss the Knicks’ magical title run, major decisions coming for Clippers and Thunder youtu.be/Lm6N18j02Wo?is=LtJF…

Mike Breen Talks Why The Knicks Have Captivated NYC Major Offseason...

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon and ...

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Dave McMenamin
 @mcten
Jun 18
New story: Five big questions for the Lakers heading into free agency espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4909…

The five biggest questions the Lakers need to answer this offseason

Will LeBron return? How can they build around Luka? Here's what Lakers insiders are discussing as the draft and free agency approach.

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Tim MacMahon
 @BannedMacMahon
Jun 17
The Hoop Collective with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps hits on some of the biggest offseason questions: Where will Giannis land? What’s going on in Utah? Does LeBron return to LA? How can Lakers make long-term upgrades? youtu.be/k5gIhUIc-Jo?is=JoQ5…

Biggest Offseason Questions With HUGE Impact Across The NBA: Giannis, LeBron, Top Pick & More

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon t...

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Shams Charania
 @ShamsCharania
Jun 15
BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hire of Portland Trail Blazers interim Tiago Splitter as the franchise's new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Splitter succeeds Billy Donovan as the Bulls' coach after stepping into the head job and excelling in Portland last season.
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Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Jun 14
Jalen Brunson, the guard who couldn't be the centerpiece of an NBA champion, is validated. Karl Towns, considered too soft to anchor a front line, is justified. Mike Brown, fired four times and often overlooked in his own profession, is verified. espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4905…

'Every team has to go through a little chaos': How these Knicks attained legendary status

The New York Knicks, after 53 years of waiting, are finally NBA champions again. Here's why their path to glory wasn't easy.

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Tim MacMahon
 @BannedMacMahon
Jun 14
The Hoop Collective, Knicks championship edition, with @WindhorstESPN, @TimBontemps and @imanshumpert: youtu.be/PZXH2WzzRTs?is=s-P_…

REACTION: Knicks are Champions! Full NBA Finals Game 5 Recap Jalen Brunson’s HISTORIC performance

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon and ...

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Tim Bontemps
 @TimBontemps
Jun 14
New ESPN story: It's been 53 long years, but the New York Knicks – after decades full of near misses and futility – have delivered to their fans, in the most remarkable way, the thing they've wanted for so long: an NBA championship. espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4905…

Go New York Go: After a 53-year wait, the NBA title belongs to the Knicks

New York has delivered some of the greatest championships of the past 53 years. Finally, the Knicks have theirs.

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Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Jun 14
Just so this doesn’t get lost in the wash w/everything else. Interesting postgame scene from a team nobody thought would be here in the first place: espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4905…

Wemby: Losing in Finals 'biggest lesson of my life'

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama says he is "not running away" from the pain of losing to the Knicks in the NBA Finals, calling the experience "the biggest learning moment" of his life.

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From the great @StatsWilliams: To have 45 points in a close out Finals victory all-time: Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bob Pettit … And, now, Jalen Brunson. What a performance.
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And it is a flagrant foul. Knicks will now have a chance to cut the lead to five and also keep the ball.
Tim Bontemps
 @TimBontemps
Jun 14
This looks like a flagrant foul on De'Aaron Fox. If that's what is called, that could be a huge mistake by Fox here late in the half.
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This looks like a flagrant foul on De'Aaron Fox. If that's what is called, that could be a huge mistake by Fox here late in the half.
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Never a great sign, as it was in the first quarter for the Knicks, to have more turnovers (6) than field goals (4).
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After Mitch Johnson said he needed to make sure Victor Wembanyama got more rest in Game 5, he's already sat as much as he did in all of Game 4. Great sign for the Spurs that they have been able to build an early lead once again while also getting him some significant rest.
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As I've said several times in this series: Dylan Harper is San Antonio's second best player.
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It’s going to be quite a scene here in San Antonio tonight. Still about 45 minutes until the game starts and there’s tons of Knicks fans here. Seems like there will be more than at Game 4 in Philly. There’s competing chants on the concourse. Should be an electric atmosphere.
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Tim MacMahon
 @BannedMacMahon
Jun 13
The Hoop Collective’s Finals Game 5 preview with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps: youtu.be/4epCkbbznHw?is=bcil…

NBA Finals Game 5 Preview: Can The Knicks End It? Are The Spurs Done?

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon t...

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I am baffled at the reaction to this quote. He was asked if his teammates believe they can come back, and he said everyone believes they can do it. What else is he supposed to say - they believe they are going to lose? People are just looking for things to be mad about.
Tim Bontemps
 @TimBontemps
Jun 12
Victor Wembanyama on whether his teammates believe they can come back from down 3-1: “Everybody knows we are going to do it.”
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