The NBA Finals feels like it happened a year ago. The Summer League breezed by. If, like me, you wake up every morning with a sense of purpose knowing that there are live games to be played, then the past few weeks must have been nothing but a black void of space.
Thankfully, our favorite players are always on their phones, always game to share a bit of their lives on social media. In lieu of highlights, we get selfies. Before the high-level competition, we get a behind-the-scenes peek inside the lab. Those should be enough to keep us motivated for now.
Here are some of the top plays of the offseason:
Luka Doncic
Luka faced a series of heartbreaks that started in the playoffs and stretched throughout the Olympics. But, but, but, it’s not all bad news for the Dallas Mavericks superstar.
In early August, he posted this photo of himself signing a piece of paper that turned out to be the richest contract in franchise history.
The Luka Magic continues in Dallas.
Boban Marjanovic
Luka’s favorite teammate also got busy by representing Serbia in the Olympic qualifiers after the Mavericks’ disappointing playoff exit. His biggest offseason update for his Instagram followers, however, came in the form of a perfectly groomed mustache.
LeBron James
When the dust from the Space Jam hype settled, LeBron immediately went for a test drive with his new teammate, Russell Westbrook.
When the King posts a series of photos for his nearly 97 million followers, you know he’s always trying to send a statement. The statement is loud and clear on this one: he’s getting ready for the bounce-back.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Finals MVP wasted no time giving the Larry O’Brien trophy a personal tour in his hometown of Athens, Greece.
He then flew back to the States, worked on his baseball swing, and snuck in a bit of gym work. He was last spotted posing for pictures with fellow heavyweights.
Before TONIGHT's #AEWRampage broadcast at 10/9c on TNT, #AEW GM @TonyKhan will make a presentation to Finals MVP @Giannis_An34 of the @NBA Champion Milwaukee @Bucks + Greek Freak will be ringside for the World Tag Team Championship Eliminator Final #JurassicExpress vs #LuchaBros! pic.twitter.com/FzPTxdJ1fG
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 27, 2021
Jayson Tatum
The Mamba influence on Jayson Tatum just keeps getting stronger. He grabbed the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo wearing Kobe’s No. 10, then went home and got a new tattoo on his leg:
Jayson Tatum has a new 24 tattoo to honor Kobe 🙌
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 30, 2021
Mamba mentality.
(via @Samlimon_) pic.twitter.com/hMZ9KkhUXD
Jordan Clarkson
It seems like the league’s reigning Sixth Man of theYear just can’t stop throwing flames. Here he is with yet another new ink done:
And here he is doing what he does best, getting buckets:
JR Smith
JR was one of those players who were too good in high school and jumped straight to the pros. Now that the two-time NBA champ has a lot of time in his hands, he decided to get a degree in liberal studies at North Carolina A&T State University.
JR tweeting about his college life is definitely more compelling than the old Henny jokes.
Been up since 5am LA time working on my education assignments. One bad week will not spoil the semester. Lace your boots up put your head up and go to work. #StuccInMyGrind
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) August 30, 2021
Carmelo Anthony
Melo put on a purple Lakers shirt and went to work.
In the building. #STAYME7O pic.twitter.com/qn4rJZPxFc
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) August 31, 2021
Can the season come any sooner, please?
