NBA Cancels Mideast Preseason Amid Tensions
The Call: The league’s pulling the plug on all preseason games in the Middle East for the first time in five years. Sources say the move’s tied to the U.S.-Iran standoff and the broader regional powder keg. No games, no risk—simple as that.
Why It Matters: The NBA’s been pushing global expansion hard, but when the geopolitical heat turns up, even the league’s deep pockets can’t buy safety. Last time they played in Abu Dhabi was 2023; now it’s radio silence until further notice.
Scout Legend Joins Weber State Staff
The Move: Kaleb Canales just landed Pat Zipfel, one of the NBA’s sharpest advance scouts, as his associate head coach at Weber State. Zipfel’s spent the last 25+ years in the league, most recently with the 76ers under Nick Nurse.
The Skinny: Canales and Zipfel go way back—two decades, to their Portland Trail Blazers days. Now they’re teaming up again, and Zipfel’s reputation for dissecting opponents’ tendencies could give Weber State a serious edge in the Big Sky Conference.
Bottom Line: Small-school programs don’t often snag NBA-caliber talent like this. If Zipfel’s scouting chops translate to the college game, Weber State might just punch above its weight this season.