BBNBA Media Day: Reed Sheppard's mustache, KAT in NYC, and Mutombo recruiting Tshiebwe

Monday was Media Day across the NBA. All 30 teams set up shop in their respective cities as local and national reporters from all over the country popped in to see what’s in store for the 2024-25 season. Including rookies, a total of 32 former Kentucky Wildcats are currently expected to appear on Opening Day (Oct. 22) rosters. Training camp is officially underway with the preseason starting on Friday.

With so many former ‘Cats spread across the league, you didn’t have to search far before finding one of them making headlines. But you’re here so you don’t have to do that searching — I went ahead and did it for you. Below are the top storylines (some basketball-related, some not) I saw from a busy NBA Media Day.

Reed Sheppard’s mustache

Reed Sheppard‘s mustache stole the show at Houston Rockets Media Day as the rookie guard prepares for his first professional season. The No. 3 overall pick in the latest Draft, Sheppard was still rocking his signature messy hairstyle, but it’s impossible to not notice the caterpillar crawling across his upper lip. One social media user compared him to Ron Burgundy, and it’s now the only thing I can see.

.@reed_sheppard checking in from Media Day! pic.twitter.com/zHnCQ469Q1

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 30, 2024

You almost have to admire and respect the determination (or an impressive lack of interest in his facial features) for doubling down on the haircut fans of the Big Blue Nation used to rib him for by adding the mustache. It does complete the look — whatever look he was going for, that is. But when you have a Summer League as good as Sheppard had for the Rockets, you can get by with the I-just-rolled-out-of-bed appearance.

Sheppard’s new Rockets teammates and coach had plenty of good things to say about him too. Head coach Ime Udoka wants him to be an impactful piece right away while veteran point guard Fred VanVleet said “I wasn’t that good at 19” about Sheppard. Big things are expected out of the London, KY native in year one and beyond.

Anthony Davis sharing court with TWO versions of LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers made the most predictable move of the Draft back in the summer when the franchise selected Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, in the second round. Anthony Davis will share the court with both this season, although it’s likely that Bronny will spend plenty of time in the G League. Regardless, he’s excited to witness history. A father-and-son duo have never played together in NBA history.

“It’s historic. It’s powerful,” Davis said. “Bronny’s locker is across from mine so every time I walk in, it’s still surreal to me that he’s on the same team as his dad and I get to be a part of it and witness each and every practice, each game, each moment that they have, for at least this first year. I can’t wait until they step on the floor together and officially make history. But it’s been super dope to watch so far.”

Davis was a popular figure at Lakers Media Day, for obvious reasons. The future Hall of Famer talked about his new head coach JJ Redick and the game plan for this season (more three-pointers on the way?), how he feels more comfortable with the ball in his hands, and how he’s repeatedly snubbed from Defensive Player of the Year ballots.

But the best moment from Davis? Interrupting LeBron James’ interview with ESPN.

Anthony Davis during LeBron’s interview. 😂

pic.twitter.com/a6ulMAzsAj

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) September 30, 2024

Tom Thibodeau isn’t falling for the KAT bait

Karl-Anthony Towns was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the New York Knicks (with Julius Randle heading to Minnesota as part of the deal) on Friday night. However, the trade has not been made official by the NBA, meaning coaches/front office personnel from either team aren’t allowed to comment on it until it goes through. Towns was actually spotted at the Knicks facility on Monday morning and the trade is expected to be made official in the near future, but head coach Tom Thibodeau isn’t technically allowed to say anything about him.

This led to a funny moment when a reporter tried to work around that rule and get some comments on Towns from Thibodeau. The reporter asked Thibodeau if he could talk about coaching Towns when the two were in Minnesota together years ago. He didn’t take the bait though. “Good try,” Thibodeau responded with a smile.

Tom Thibodeau is asked about coaching Karl-Anthony Towns in the past:

"Good try" pic.twitter.com/Akp5ZIRUxm

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) September 30, 2024

On the flip side, KAT’s former teammate in Minny, Anthony Edwards, was able to comment on the situation. Edwards expressed how much he’ll miss Towns and the close relationship they had. The two played together for the last four seasons, making the Western Conference Finals earlier this year.

“I think everyone knows KAT my brother, so that definitely hurt. But it’s a business so I just got to roll with it,” Edwards said.

Rob Dillingham learning under Mike Conley

Let’s stick with Minnesota for another moment and talk about this fun “fact”. Timberwolves starting point Mike Conley was playing basketball as a senior in high school when Rob Dillingham, presumably the team’s backup point guard this season, was born. Conley has already taken Dillingham (the No. 8 pick in this past draft) under his wing by sharing advice. The two have lockers stationed right next to each other.

“It’s a blessing. You never know who your vet might be. I feel like it’s a blessing to have Mike Conley,” Dillingham said. “He’s a great dude all around. It’s even better when you’re learning from a great person. Mike gives me a bunch of tips because he came in a smaller guard and he made his way. He’s 18 years in. Really just learning from him and soaking everything up, you should want to do that because it’s Mike Conley. He’s done it.”

Conley is widely recognized across the league as a pro’s pro. He’s been in the NBA for a long time and has won everywhere along the way. He’ll be 37 in a couple of weeks. Dillingham is the plan moving forward at point guard with the Wolves and he couldn’t have asked for a better teacher before he gets there.

And oh yeah, Wolves general manager Tim Connelly said they’ve been “blown away by the work ethic” they’ve seen out of Dillingham so far. With Dillingham tossing lobs to Randle, Minnesota will be must-watch NBA action for Kentucky fans this season.

Dikembe Mutombo recruited Oscar to Georgetown

Early this morning, news broke of Dikembe Mutombo’s passing. The 58-year-old was a legend in the NBA both on and off the court. A native of the Congo, he actually tried to recruit Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe, also from the Congo, to Georgetown before Tshiebwe ultimately chose Kentucky. Mutombo, a former Hoya himself, wanted to get Tshiebwe at Georgetown so he could show him how to break some noses.

Jazz two-way player and Congolese Oscar Tshiebwe talks about how he reacted when he learned his countryman Dikembe Mutombo passed away… and also does a great impression of a phone call he received from him.

(Jazz fans will love Oscar.) pic.twitter.com/ZT3KnIw3Jp

— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) September 30, 2024

Tshiebwe says he never got to meet Mutombo in person, but the phone call the two shared is something Tshiebwe won’t forget anytime soon. He says he was “heartbroken” when he saw the news. His gravely voice impression of the finger-wagging shot blocker was spot on, too.

More BBNBA Media Day notes

• Bam Adebayo will be a team captain for the Miami Heat for the second straight season. He’s working to improve his three-point shot. Also for the Heat, Tyler Herro says he’s added 12 pounds of muscle and is now at 201 pounds — the heaviest of his career to start a training camp. Herro has dealt with availability issues over his professional career.
• Devin Booker‘s new head coach with the Phoenix Suns, Mike Budenholzer, was coaching the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 when the Bucks beat the Suns in the NBA Finals. Booker joked that Budenholzer “owes me a ring”. Alongside Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns will hope a healthy season for all three gets them back into title contention. Budenholzer certainly knows what it takes to get them there.
• Cason Wallace added some weight too for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He said at Media Day that he came into camp last season where teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (second in MVP voting last season, by the way) was “bumping me around”. Wallace, who was one of the top rookies in 2023-24, added 12 pounds of muscle (up to 205 pounds) of his own this summer and said there won’t be nearly as much bumping from SGA this time around.
• Keldon Johnson switched jersey numbers. He’ll wear #0 this season after wearing #3 for his entire NBA and Kentucky career. The reason for the swap? The San Antonio Spurs acquired future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul, who has worn #3 since entering the league in 2005. “He deserved to wear #3,” Johnson said.
• Raptors’ starting guard Immanuel Quickley gave the recently retired Derrick Rose a shoutout, saying Rose was a “great teammate” and that learning under him was an irreplaceable experience. Quickley received a five-year extension from the Raptors over the summer worth $175 million.
• Shaedon Sharpe is officially cleared to play for the Trail Blazers and says he’s feeling 100 percent going into year three as a pro, which will include some high expectations placed on his shoulders. After a good start, Sharpe played just 32 games last season due to injury. He also said he’s been studying lots of Booker film in preparation for the upcoming season.
• Jarred Vanderbilt recently had surgeries on both feet after playing just 29 games due to injury last season for the Lakers. He’ll begin a ramp-up phase in the preseason before his official return to the floor for the regular season, but says he feels “great” right now.