Sports
Two Massive Questions That Will Define the NBA’s Second Half
Feb 3, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) battles for position on a foul shot with Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images The NBA season has reached its most boring part of the season, the All-Star break. With the falling popularity of the Dunk Contest, All-Star weekend has become more of an opportunity for players to rest than anything else.
However, the actual basketball being played this season has been wildly exciting. Many hate CJ McCollum for changing the CBA, making it harder for teams to retain their full rosters, but it has done its job in making the NBA as competitively balanced as it’s ever been.
Unlike years past when we were just waiting for the Cavs and Warriors to rematch in the Finals, this season has us asking a few questions before we finish the second half. Here are my two biggest questions that still need to be answered.
Are the Pistons the Real Deal?
After losing a tightly contested first-round series with the Knicks last year, many were hoping for a small jump out of the Pistons. Well, they’ve skipped that step entirely and have the best winning percentage in the NBA, and have the third-best odds to win the Eastern Conference.
At the start of the year, I highly doubted that the Pistons were real, but I’m done doubting them. When JB Bickerstaff took over as head coach, I looked at him as more of a floor raiser than a ceiling raiser, but he’s instilled a culture in Detroit that is one of the best in the league.
Cade Cunningham is playing at a first-team All-NBA level, and everyone around them has upped their game. Outside of that, it’s been the smaller moves that have been huge for Detroit. Daniss Jenkins has gone from an unused two-way player to a sharp-shooting rotation piece.
Duncan Robinson looked like he might be a bit of an overpay for Detroit, but he has become the exact floor spacer Cade needed. Then, of course, Jalen Duren turning into a walking double-double, and a perfect rim-running partner for Cade, can’t go unnoticed.
The Pistons didn’t look afraid of the moment last year, so I’m interested to see how they will look as heavy first-round favorites as we make it to April.
Could the Thunder be Vulnerable this Year?
Jan 21, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images If Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s injury has any long-term impacts, who’s going to lead the Thunder? Chet Holmgren is having a career year in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage. He’s doing this while also having the second-best odds to win the defensive player of the year.
He’s been great, but he’s not a guy I trust as a number one option, and hopefully he doesn’t have to be. On the other hand, Jalen Williams has had a bit of a down year. Besides Williams having the worst shooting splits of his career, OKC has simply been better when he’s been off the court.
There’s no doubt he’s still incredibly valuable, but I’m not sold on him being used properly. I think he would be better suited in a lower usage role, as he’s been a bit of a ball stopper for the Thunder.
Because of these concerns, I think there are some real threats to the Thunder’s crown—specifically, two threats in the Spurs and Nuggets. I also want to believe in the Rockets, but their lack of a true point guard and spacing concerns feel like too much of an uphill battle.
Victor Wembanyama is obviously great, but more than just that, he’s done a miraculous job at giving the Thunder fits. The Thunder rely on getting downhill, and that’s just not going to happen against Wemby. But they’re more than Wemby at this point.
De’Aron Fox has returned from injury and is back to playing like an All-Star. Not only that, but getting top three picks in back-to-back drafts and nailing those selections with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, most certainly helps.
Then with the Nuggets, they have Nikola Jokic, but more than having the best player on the planet, this might be the best team they’ve ever put around him. Jamal Murray is playing the best basketball of his career, and they’ve paired that with role players who work perfectly with Jokic.
Also, the firing of long-term coach Mike Malone was heavily scrutinized, but Adelman might have found the perfect offensive fit for Jokic. They slowed the game down significantly, going from 9th in possessions per game last year to 23rd this season. This change of pace has allowed them to work the ball through Jokic more and have him kick it back out to their perimeter shooters.
Both of these teams are much better suited to compete with the Thunder this year, but if OKC is at full strength, they’re still easily the team to beat this season.
Sports
Yale head coach Tony Reno steps down, cites health concerns
Oct 16, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Yale Bulldogs head coach Tony Reno yells to an official during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Tony Reno stepped down as head coach at Yale on Tuesday, citing health reasons for the end of his 14-year run with the Bulldogs.
Reno, 52, was hired as the coach of the Bulldogs in January 2012 and led the team to its first FCS playoff berth in 2025. He helped Yale overcome a 28-point deficit in the second half of a 43-42 victory over Youngstown State in the first round before the team fell to eventual national champion Montana State in the second.
“Given my current health situation, I have made the decision to step down as head coach of Yale Football,” Reno said in a statement. “When I arrived at Yale 14 years ago, I could never have imagined what this journey would become. The relationships formed, the moments shared, and the people I have been privileged to be surrounded by have changed my life and my family’s lives forever. I am deeply grateful to the players, the coaches, and the staff who gave everything they had to Yale Football.
“From the very beginning, I spoke about honoring the proud tradition of Yale Football and fully embracing the responsibility that comes with leading this program. Together, we pursued excellence and built something truly meaningful. I am incredibly proud of the foundation we laid and confident in the future of Yale Football. Serving as the head coach of this program has been the greatest honor of my life.”
Reno has guided Yale to five Ivy League titles and owns an 83-49 record during his time with the school. His win total trails only the legendary Carm Cozza in the history of the university.
“Coach Reno’s leadership has been truly transformational,” Bulldogs athletic director Vicky Chun said. “His impact on Yale Football, our department, and the university extends far beyond championships and wins — it lives in the countless people he has inspired. Coach Reno led with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, giving his whole heart to this program every day. He cared deeply about his players as people, challenging them to excel on the field, in the classroom, and in life. Coach Reno’s devotion to Yale and to the young men he coached was total, and his legacy will endure for generations.”
Yale immediately will begin a national search for the program’s next head coach.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Brooks Koepka adds Houston Open to return tour
Brooks Koepka looks over his putt on the 16th hole during Round 2 at the WM Phoenix Open on Feb. 6, 2026, at TPC Scottsdale. As Brooks Koepka carefully plots his path back to relevance on the game’s biggest stages, his return to the PGA Tour continues to provide a boost for the tour’s second-tier events.
The Texas Children’s Houston Open announced that Koepka has committed to the March 26-29 event along with Rickie Fowler and defending champion Min Woo Lee. Other marquee names who have committed to the Houston Open field include two-time 2026 winner Chris Gotterup, No. 26-ranked Si Woo Kim, Gary Woodland, Sungjae Im and Will Zalatoris.
However, it’s Koepka who will have the most on the line at Memorial Park Golf Course, which he played a significant role in helping re-design along with architect Tom Doak.
Koepka made his return to the PGA Tour with a tie for 56th at the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. He followed that up with a missed cut at the WM Phoenix Open, as he has drifted back to 257th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Currently ineligible for the tour’s signature events as well as The Players Championship, Koepka is attempting to work his way back up the world and FedEx Cup rankings through the second-tier events. His next start will come at the Cognizant Classic (Feb. 26-March 1), which the West Palm Beach, Fla. native considers his hometown event.
The Houston Open will serve as a warm-up to The Masters, which takes place April 9-12, and Koepka is exempt into all four majors through at least 2028.
The nine-time tour winner will return to the Houston Open for the first time since 2021.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Dominic Smith signs minor league deal with Braves
Sep 6, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Dominic Smith (7) is congratulated in the dugout by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images Journeyman first baseman Dominic Smith has joined the Braves’ spring training camp as a non-roster invitee on a minor league contract, according to multiple media reports.
Smith, 30, is a former first-round pick by the New York Mets in the 2013 MLB Draft. He played his first six seasons with the Mets, but has bounced between teams since, playing for the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants in the last three seasons.
In 2025, Smith played 63 games with the Giants, hitting .284 with five home runs, 12 doubles and 33 RBIs.
Smith hit a career-best .316 with 10 homers in 50 games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season with New York. Over 756 games spanning nine seasons, Smith has a .250 career batting average with 69 homers, 292 RBIs, 543 strikeouts and 185 walks.
He’s played 473 of his games at first base but also played 182 games in left field, although he hasn’t played there since 2021.
–Field Level Media
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