Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
It’s been 138 days since Brittney Griner was detained by the Russian Federal Customs Service. It’s time for her to come home.
Griner, who’s spent several WNBA off-seasons playing in the Russian Premier League to earn additional income, is under criminal investigation after customs officials claimed to have found hashish oil in her luggage in February 2022. Her trial began July 1, nearly five months after her arrest, and though the U.S. government’s belief that she’s been “wrongfully detained” by the Russian Federation means negotiations to get her home can proceed regardless of how the case turns out, Griner has no choice but to wait and wonder when she’ll be free.
To appeal for her freedom, Griner wrote a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden, which was delivered July 4. Griner’s wife, Cherelle, said they’ve not yet heard from Biden.
Below, you can read excerpts of the WNBA star’s powerful words (via ESPN):
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.”
“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”
“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”
Her fear that she might be imprisoned forever is chilling. But she still has hope that Biden can help bring her home.
Griner, by all accounts, is one of the most impactful basketball players of this generation. She is a WNBA champion, an Olympic gold medalist, a FIBA World Cup gold medalist, and an NCAA champion. She has led the league in scoring twice and blocks eight times.
It is hard to process the reality that she is facing, but reading her message gives strong context to this terrifying situation.
The Tip-Off
My colleague, Prince Grimes, wrote about a very cryptic tweet from Lakers owner Jeanie Buss:
“After consecutive disappointing seasons, they have a lot of decisions to make on how best to improve a roster with very little cap flexibility. Latest reports have LA tied to James’ former teammate Kyrie Irving.
All of that brings us to a tweet that Buss fired off late Sunday night about missing Kobe Bryant. Her mention of how much Bryant valued team goals over self interests left the internet in a frenzy. Was this truly a homage to Bryant, or was it a passive-aggressive message to someone else?”
My thinking is that Buss just misses Bryant, but who knows. Maybe it’s actually a subtweet?
Shootaround
— Projected starting lineup for Timberwolves with Rudy Gobert
— 10 undrafted college basketball stars who will get a shot at the NBA Summer League
— Grading the Celtics’ trade for Malcolm Brogdon, deal for Danilo Gallinari
— HoopsHype’s Yossi Gozlan ranks Donovan Mitchell’s trade destinations
