Tom Ziller
@teamziller.bsky.social
I write a daily NBA newsletter. teamziller.com
Wrote about the four teams that are furthest from preseason projections. www.teamziller.com/tier-busters...
Meet the tier busters
Four teams are way off from preseason expectations.
www.teamziller.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Wrote about the four teams that are furthest from preseason projections. www.teamziller.com/tier-busters...
Reposted by Tom Ziller
Our ULP strike has grown to 85 cities... and until Starbucks does the right thing, we'll continue to get stronger.
Pittsburgh, PA is holding down the line! ✊🔥
Pittsburgh, PA is holding down the line! ✊🔥
November 29, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Our ULP strike has grown to 85 cities... and until Starbucks does the right thing, we'll continue to get stronger.
Pittsburgh, PA is holding down the line! ✊🔥
Pittsburgh, PA is holding down the line! ✊🔥
Reposted by Tom Ziller
🗣️ ain't no power like the power of a union, cuz the power of a union won't stop!
We're EIGHTEEN DAYS into our national ULP strike and only getting louder. Let's hear it for baristas in Gardner, MA for holding the line! #nocontractnocoffee
We're EIGHTEEN DAYS into our national ULP strike and only getting louder. Let's hear it for baristas in Gardner, MA for holding the line! #nocontractnocoffee
November 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM
🗣️ ain't no power like the power of a union, cuz the power of a union won't stop!
We're EIGHTEEN DAYS into our national ULP strike and only getting louder. Let's hear it for baristas in Gardner, MA for holding the line! #nocontractnocoffee
We're EIGHTEEN DAYS into our national ULP strike and only getting louder. Let's hear it for baristas in Gardner, MA for holding the line! #nocontractnocoffee
The NBA Cup is giving us four high-stakes games on Friday. Cool! www.teamziller.com/pistons-celt...
How the mighty (Pistons) have fallen!
Detroit's win streak is snapped at lucky 13. Toronto and Oklahoma City stay cooking, though.
www.teamziller.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The NBA Cup is giving us four high-stakes games on Friday. Cool! www.teamziller.com/pistons-celt...
It's unlocked newsletter Wednesday (that's a thing, right?). Lots of links, some highlights, all your Cupstakes notes heading into a busy Cup night. www.teamziller.com/nba-cup-grou...
The Magic are back (don't tell Paolo)
The Battle of L.A. has been decided, the Wizards have won again and the 2025 NBA Cup group stage narrows into resolution.
www.teamziller.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
It's unlocked newsletter Wednesday (that's a thing, right?). Lots of links, some highlights, all your Cupstakes notes heading into a busy Cup night. www.teamziller.com/nba-cup-grou...
Wrote about the Pistons' miracle 2-year rise in the context of that other recent miracle 2-year rise that felt less like a miracle because it was so choreographed (talkin' about the Thunder). Two different ways to bake a cake. www.teamziller.com/detroit-pist...
The miracle of the Pistons
Detroit won its 13th straight exactly two years after it had lost its 13th straight amid a 28-game losing streak. How is this possible?
www.teamziller.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Wrote about the Pistons' miracle 2-year rise in the context of that other recent miracle 2-year rise that felt less like a miracle because it was so choreographed (talkin' about the Thunder). Two different ways to bake a cake. www.teamziller.com/detroit-pist...
kangzism is contagious
just finished kings-timberwolves. omg.
November 25, 2025 at 1:24 PM
kangzism is contagious
In the post-2000 NBA, James Harden is on track to be the best player without a title. CP3, to me, is the biggest WINNER without a title.
Wrote a bit about CP3, the ultimate winner. Also recapped a whole lot of basketball from the weekend: www.teamziller.com/chris-paul-r...
CP3 you later
Chris Paul will reportedly retire at the end of the season. He instantly becomes one of the NBA's biggest winners who never won a championship.
www.teamziller.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
In the post-2000 NBA, James Harden is on track to be the best player without a title. CP3, to me, is the biggest WINNER without a title.
Wrote a bit about CP3, the ultimate winner. Also recapped a whole lot of basketball from the weekend: www.teamziller.com/chris-paul-r...
CP3 you later
Chris Paul will reportedly retire at the end of the season. He instantly becomes one of the NBA's biggest winners who never won a championship.
www.teamziller.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Wrote a bit about CP3, the ultimate winner. Also recapped a whole lot of basketball from the weekend: www.teamziller.com/chris-paul-r...
My brief review of Nuggets-Rockets is that if Murray maintains this level and AG gets/stays healthy, HOU needs a ton more juice from KD on offense to compete in a series.
November 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
My brief review of Nuggets-Rockets is that if Murray maintains this level and AG gets/stays healthy, HOU needs a ton more juice from KD on offense to compete in a series.
Wrote about the reported mutual annoyance between LaMelo and the Hornets, and came up with a cursed trade machine slop sandwich that will haunt me all weekend. www.teamziller.com/lamelo-ball-...
LaMelo is not having a ball
The flashy star reportedly would be open to moving on from Queen City. This can go a couple different ways.
www.teamziller.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Wrote about the reported mutual annoyance between LaMelo and the Hornets, and came up with a cursed trade machine slop sandwich that will haunt me all weekend. www.teamziller.com/lamelo-ball-...
Wrote about how the cold, calculating Clippers didn't want to pay the price for Norm Powell, so now they are paying the price for trading Norm Powell. www.teamziller.com/norman-powel...
The cold, calculating Clippers are paying a different Norm Powell price
Los Angeles did the cap-savvy thing by trading their 32-year scorer before he needed an extension. The result is a 4-10 record.
www.teamziller.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Wrote about how the cold, calculating Clippers didn't want to pay the price for Norm Powell, so now they are paying the price for trading Norm Powell. www.teamziller.com/norman-powel...
Against my better judgment, I wrote about the Kings. 🔓 www.teamziller.com/sacramento-k...
November 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Against my better judgment, I wrote about the Kings. 🔓 www.teamziller.com/sacramento-k...
Not to beat a dead horse, but the Pelicans' decision-making has been an all-out disaster since June. www.teamziller.com/willie-green...
Good for Willie Green
Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver put a coach they didn't trust in charge of a roster no one could fully trust with a couple of huge bets on the line. How did it possibly go wrong?
www.teamziller.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Not to beat a dead horse, but the Pelicans' decision-making has been an all-out disaster since June. www.teamziller.com/willie-green...
Also: Draymond Green will hear "An-gel Reese" chants taking free throws at a road arena this season, and GMIB readers will know why.
Wrote about the Warriors and Spurs, whose Friday instant classic stuck with me, and who are on opposite ends of the development curve but could both disrupt the West playoffs www.teamziller.com/warriors-vs-...
Dangerous near death, dangerous in discovery
The Warriors and Spurs played two close games including an instant classic on Friday. The teams showed how dangerous they both are at opposite ends of the development curve.
www.teamziller.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Also: Draymond Green will hear "An-gel Reese" chants taking free throws at a road arena this season, and GMIB readers will know why.
Wrote about the Warriors and Spurs, whose Friday instant classic stuck with me, and who are on opposite ends of the development curve but could both disrupt the West playoffs www.teamziller.com/warriors-vs-...
Dangerous near death, dangerous in discovery
The Warriors and Spurs played two close games including an instant classic on Friday. The teams showed how dangerous they both are at opposite ends of the development curve.
www.teamziller.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Wrote about the Warriors and Spurs, whose Friday instant classic stuck with me, and who are on opposite ends of the development curve but could both disrupt the West playoffs www.teamziller.com/warriors-vs-...
Reposted by Tom Ziller
I’m excited for the USA vs World All Star format mostly because I want to see which guys denounce their heritage for a chance at an All Star selection, especially when there are contract incentives involved.
Like, does Sabonis play the “I was born in Portland” card?
Like, does Sabonis play the “I was born in Portland” card?
November 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I’m excited for the USA vs World All Star format mostly because I want to see which guys denounce their heritage for a chance at an All Star selection, especially when there are contract incentives involved.
Like, does Sabonis play the “I was born in Portland” card?
Like, does Sabonis play the “I was born in Portland” card?
I played out the new USA vs. USA vs. The World All-Star format and folks, let me tell you: we might see some Americans getting their asses wholly kicked. www.teamziller.com/nba-all-star...
November 14, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I played out the new USA vs. USA vs. The World All-Star format and folks, let me tell you: we might see some Americans getting their asses wholly kicked. www.teamziller.com/nba-all-star...
Reposted by Tom Ziller
No idea why the NBA YouTube page posted this now, but I'll see you in 22 minutes and 40 seconds
November 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
No idea why the NBA YouTube page posted this now, but I'll see you in 22 minutes and 40 seconds
Nikola Jokic had 52 in three quarters against a good center. He's shooting 78% on twos and 42% on threes. He's better than ever, possibly. There's a chance we're talking about him in the top-5 all time by the end of the season, if we're not already there. www.teamziller.com/nikola-jokic...
3-time MVP Nikola Jokic is somehow better than ever
He had 52 in three quarters and outscored the Clippers' starting five by himself.
www.teamziller.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Nikola Jokic had 52 in three quarters against a good center. He's shooting 78% on twos and 42% on threes. He's better than ever, possibly. There's a chance we're talking about him in the top-5 all time by the end of the season, if we're not already there. www.teamziller.com/nikola-jokic...
Reposted by Tom Ziller
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Desperately rooting for the Clippers to make a run and force a reluctant Jokic to put a 70 piece on their heads.
Tremendous levels of belt applied by Jokic... all game long
25 in first quarter
33 at halftime
52 entering 4th quarter
The Clippers defense is broken
106-90 Nuggets lead after Jokic went 7 for 7 in the third quarter
25 in first quarter
33 at halftime
52 entering 4th quarter
The Clippers defense is broken
106-90 Nuggets lead after Jokic went 7 for 7 in the third quarter
November 13, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Desperately rooting for the Clippers to make a run and force a reluctant Jokic to put a 70 piece on their heads.
The Pistons shouldn’t trade a bunch of stuff for Markkanen. They should trade some stuff for Zach LaVine and Dennis Schroder.
November 13, 2025 at 5:25 AM
The Pistons shouldn’t trade a bunch of stuff for Markkanen. They should trade some stuff for Zach LaVine and Dennis Schroder.