Napheesa Collier, Lynx cap comeback of all time. And welcome to NBA Tankapalooza 2025!

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Michael Jordan memorabilia auctions are great, but when will we get the Dennis Rodman estate sales?

WNBA Finals

Lynx storm back to win Game 1

I'll admit it: When the Liberty hit a 3-pointer with 5:20 left in Game 4 last night to take an 81-66 lead, I threw Game 1 of the WNBA Finals in the background (my iPad ) and switched the TV to “Thursday Night Football”. Minnesota was tied at 18 in the first half before getting within two points in the third quarter. The team just seemed to run out of energy or momentum.

Then the Lynx hit a couple of 3-pointers, bringing the game to single digits and completely cutting off the Liberty. Minnesota went on an 18-2 run, capped by a four-point play from Courtney Williams, to take an 84-83 lead with 5.1 seconds left.

Then, after a botched exclamation, you call that should After giving the Lynx possession, the Liberty finally got the ball to Breanna Stewart, who was fouled with 0.8 seconds left. She split free throws before Game 1 went into overtime. There was also a failed call that benefited the Lynx when Williams was blocked and the ball went away from her, so the poor refereeing at least tied it up.

With 8.1 seconds left in overtime, Napheesa Collier scored the go-ahead shot. Then Stewart had the opportunity to tie the game and send it to the second overtime after being pinned by Collier the entire game. But as time expired, she hit the backboard on a layup attempt and the Lynx stole Game 1 with a 95-93 win. Minnesota's 18-point comeback is the largest in WNBA Finals history.

Another look at the game winner from Napheesa Collier #phantomcam 🎥

The @minnesotalynx Take Game 1 against the Liberty 95-93#WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/rjk9Pfsw4h

– WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024

Game 1 went like this ⬇️

The @minnesotalynx The 18PT comeback represents the largest comeback in WNBA Finals history

They equalized the Liberty, who came back against the Comets to win 68-67 in Game 2 of the 1999 finals#WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/4855Eh5VWd

– WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024

What was the difference to the Lynx? It's the defense. They were wiped out in almost every way in the first quarter. But when Minnesota needed to make a run, it got deflections, blocks and a lot of plays that frustrated New York.

What do the Liberty need to change for Game 2? You must score within the 3-point arc. New York managed just 36 points in the paint and made 36.8 percent of its two-point attempts.

Who has to stand up for freedom? Sabrina Ionescu. She hit some big shots but missed just 8 of 26 points on her way to 19 points.

How should the Lynx adapt for Game 2? They must end possession on the defensive boards. The Liberty grabbed 20 offensive rebounds.

When is game 2? Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Enjoy!

When it comes down to it, Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride are a cold duo 🤝

McBride: 22 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST
Necklace: 21 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 6 BLK #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/oPNMxWltvP

– WNBA (@WNBA) October 11, 2024

Lots of tanks!

A good 2025 draft class means tanking is back

It often happens: teams that are unlucky or simply stuck in neutral see a prospect on the horizon and start putting their worst product on the market. They are willing to lose games if it means getting their next superstar. Several franchises did it just two seasons ago, with Victor Wembanyama as the historic prize. No one really made it last season because… well… look at the draft class.

But as John Hollinger noted this week, the year of the tank is back. The 2025 class is full of potential stars, and you don't have to do a lot of mental gymnastics to envision them as your franchise's savior. This course is awesome. Before we get into which teams should/could tank, these are the five players at the top of Sam Vecenie's latest 2025 mock draft:

Cooper Flagg | Forward | 6'8 | Duke: You know this guy. He is currently the top prospect in the class of 2025. He played for the USA Basketball Select Team to prepare the Olympic squad for Paris. He produces one freak highlight after another. Flagg will be a great defender almost immediately.

Ace Bailey | Wings | 6'7 | Rutgers: This is the other guy that more people will be talking about soon. He's also in the running with Flagg as the top candidate in the class and could even end up being the better one. Bailey is an elite shot creator but needs to convert that into higher quality shots. However, he is unreal.

Dylan Harper | Guard | 6'5 | Rutgers: He may be overshadowed by his Rutgers teammate (yes, Rutgers), but Harper is a fantastic point guard prospect. He's not a crazy athlete, but his footwork and ball skills are extremely good.

VJ Edgecombe | Guard | 6'3 | Baylor: Edgecombe is an absurd athlete. His jumping ability is ridiculous and he can have you on a high note in an instant. With development there is so much to use there.

Nolan Traore | Guard | 6'3 | France: Traoré is more of a project than the other four. However, his time as a professional and national player in France should help him a lot. If he consistently knocks down the jumper, he will be a star.

We know why – now we need to know who is fueling or should be fueling. Maybe you think that's not very sporty. In the family-friendly version of Marsellus Wallace's poignant words, “This is pride crying with you.” Here are my 2024-25 Tankapalooza candidates:

Washington Wizards: They don't have a franchise guy. Alex Sarr could be something. Bilal Coulibaly could be really good. However, you need a star.

Portland Trail Blazers: Even if you still believe in Scoot Henderson, he's going to need a lot of help. At least three of these guys should be better than Henderson, even if he reaches his potential.

Utah Jazz: You keep diving into the water of refueling when the pool party is about to end. Dive in! You can't keep missing guys because you want to win 30 games.

Chicago Bulls: You don't have that close to a franchise guy, and history has shown that you have to put fate squarely in your hands. Otherwise you'll screw it up.

Toronto Raptors: Last year you held out and still didn't get your first round pick. Try again.

Brooklyn Nets: Or maybe Ben Simmons is back in All-Star mode and you're good?

Charlotte Hornets: I am proud of your new regime and hope that it knows what it is doing. Other than that, there are none almost Enough talent in this squad.

Detroit pistons: Chances are you'll only end up with the fifth choice. But hey, there are five guys in this draft! (I don't mean burgers.)

Go once…

Spend some money on Michael Jordan memorabilia

Two items caught my eye when I read that “Colossal: The Ultimate Jordan Collection” was being auctioned at Sotheby's from October 23rd to November 4th. None of these items are likely to cost the $10 million that Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals Game 1 jersey fetched at auction in 2022. But to me, they're worth a lot more when you factor in their basketball history.

The first item is the game worn jersey from the 1996/97 season. According to Sotheby's, it was used in 17 games.

• We all have a moment from one of these games burned into our brains. This was the jersey MJ was wearing when then-rookie Allen Iverson crossed over him and buried the jump shot in his cup. Hearing Iverson talk about Jordan at the Hall of Fame ceremony is always a must. At Sotheby's the value is between 4 and 6 million US dollars. Honestly, I love Mike, but I won't offer more than $2.5 million for it.

The second point is the article For me: the American flag that Jordan hung over his shoulders during the medal ceremony in Barcelona at the 1992 Olympics.

• Why did Jordan hang that flag over himself? Patriotism? Gold medal winning celebration? The Team USA jackets were Reebok jackets, and we know MJ is forever a Nike guy, so he wasn't about to give Reebok free Jordan endorsement power. The flag was also signed by the Dream Team, but the pettiness and cleverness of the product placement is priceless.

I probably wouldn't spend eight figures to secure this, but you never know. I once spent $78 on a Moochie Norris bobblehead after budgeting just $30 to win the eBay auction.

Three other MJ items I would like to see auctioned off at some point:

1. A Michael's Secret Stuff bottle. Even though the movie Space Jam is truly awful to rewatch as an adult, this bottle would look amazing on my bookshelf.
2. His gold chain for the dunk contest. This man flew from the free throw line with the gold chain fluttering in the airstream.
3. His mansion in Chicago. It apparently sold after being listed in the $14.8 million to $29 million range. If it had been auctioned, I wouldn't have fetched more than $11 million.

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(Top photo: David Berding / Getty Images )