Jonathan Tjarks
The Ringer
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Past articles by Jonathan:
Does My Son Know You?
Waiting for a PET scan is pretty boring. The nurse brings you down a long hallway with a bunch of rooms on each side. Each is just big enough to fit a chair and a sink. They all look the same except for the picture on the wall. I’ve seen a pond, a lake, and some mountains. You walk into the room, sit down, and get injected with dye. Then you have to wait an hour for it to go through your… → Read More
Big-Man LeBron Might Be the Way Forward for the Lakers
It’s been an underwhelming season for Los Angeles, but perhaps moving one of the game’s most gifted playmakers to the 5 will change their fortunes → Read More
The Rookie Curve: Will the Cavs Choose Winning Now Over Their Future Cornerstone?
The big money Cleveland spent on its frontcourt could limit the development of Evan Mobley, the no. 3 pick → Read More
Meet the Most Interesting Sleeper in the 2021 NBA Draft
Kai Jones might be Texas’s best prospect since Kevin Durant, but you won’t fully appreciate his do-it-all game until you see him play → Read More
The Bucks’ Trade for P.J. Tucker Should Be Only a First Step
Tucker can help the Bucks, but Milwaukee still has holes to fill. To get Giannis and Co. over the top, the Bucks need to stay aggressive before the trade deadline. → Read More
Anthony Edwards Is Flashing the Potential the Timberwolves Need
The no. 1 pick was thrown into the fire this season, as a rash of injuries made Minnesota the worst team in the NBA. He hasn’t been efficient, but he’s shown athleticism and talent worth building around. → Read More
The Clippers Are a Potential Juggernaut Hiding in Plain Sight
Los Angeles has some of the most efficient lineups in the NBA, and looks primed to fix the issues that led to last season’s playoff collapse → Read More
Michael Porter Jr. Is Finding His Role
The talented second-year player is in an unconventional situation, but when the Nuggets move him to the 4 and take advantage of his big frame and excellent shooting, good things happen → Read More
James Harden’s MVP Case Is Growing Stronger
The former Rocket is making everything easier for his Brooklyn teammates, and has the Nets looking like one of the league’s best teams even with Kevin Durant on the sideline → Read More
The Next Hawks Coach Will Have to Solve the Trae Young Puzzle
Atlanta fired Lloyd Pierce after injuries caused the team’s playoff push to fizzle out. In the short term, the team needs to get healthy. In the long term, they need to figure out how to build an offense around their star guard. → Read More
The Rockets Are About to Begin the NBA’s Most Unconventional Rebuild
After 11 straight losses, Houston is looking at a lost season. With the trade deadline looming, it’s time to start shipping out almost anyone with value—including Victor Oladipo. → Read More
Anthony Davis’s Injury Is the Biggest Threat to the Lakers’ Repeat Chances
Dynasties only look inevitable in hindsight. In reality, even the strongest contenders can come undone by just one unlucky twist. → Read More
Time Is Running Out for Lonzo Ball on the Pelicans
While the youngest Ball brother is thriving in Charlotte, the oldest could be fizzling out in New Orleans. Can Lonzo prove he belongs? → Read More
LaMelo and the Hornets Are Making Noise in Buzz City
There’s been nothing fluky about Charlotte’s surprising start. All eyes are on the team’s rookie point guard, but there are plenty of other reasons for optimism, too. → Read More
NBA Teams Can No Longer Tank Their Way to the Top
You can’t just "Trust the Process" anymore. With new draft lottery odds, rebuilding NBA teams are finding out they have to do a lot more than just lose to ultimately win. → Read More
The Wizards Have Two Star Guards and
Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook may fit together, but the same can’t be said for the rest of Washington’s roster, including its recent lottery picks → Read More
Kemba’s Injury, Gordon Hayward’s Departure Could Unlock Young Celtics
With Gordon Hayward gone and Kemba Walker injured, Boston’s youth movement no longer has to wait. That’s a good thing, because Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart might be the best perimeter trio in the league. → Read More
The Rockets Break Ground on Their Rebuild With Westbrook-Wall Trade
The Russell Westbrook era in Houston is officially over. It’s only a matter of time until James Harden’s ends, too. Can the Rockets’ new front office pull off arguably the NBA’s most daunting rebuild? → Read More
2020 NBA Draft: Tracking and Grading Every Pick
Only three teams in the top 10 took home As. (Spoiler alert: One of them was not the Knicks.) We analyze and assess every pick from the first round. → Read More
The 2020 NBA Draft’s Safest Gamble
Patrick Williams hasn’t shown a lot, but the flashes the Florida State freshman has displayed could be enough to make him a lottery pick. Will one of this draft’s biggest unknowns also prove to be one of its biggest steals? → Read More