Shaquille O’Neal officially announced his retirement on June 1, 2011, and it took the Los Angeles Lakers just two years to honor The Diesel by raising his No. 34 jersey in the rafters at Staples Center on April 2, 2013. In classic Shaq fashion, he gave Lakers fans one thundering messaged: “Can you dig it!” … [Read more…]
When Tim Duncan announced his retirement from basketball, there were no journals in the Players’ Tribune or made-for-TV specials or farewell tours. He revealed his decision in a one-page press release. His final game turned out to be a loss in Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference semifinals at Oklahoma City. When the final … [Read more…]
When you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. That was the prevailing thought in the basketball world when Kevin Durant, the 2014 NBA most valuable player and considered by many as the third-best player in the world behind Stephen Curry and LeBron James, announced on the Players’ Tribune that he was leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder … [Read more…]
The Philadelphia 76ers hold the No. 1 selection in this year’s NBA draft, and they have their eye on former Louisiana State standout Ben Simmons. Sixers coach Brett Brown knows Simmons and his family well. He coached Simmons’ dad, David, when he was with the Melbourne Tigers, so it makes perfect sense for Philly to … [Read more…]
The story of Cleveland’s sports history has been well chronicled and often mocked. For five decades, Northeast Ohio has suffered through some of the worst moments. The Drive. The Fumble. The Shot Over Ehlo. The Blown Save. The Decision. Well, Clevelanders. You can finally stop hoping and praying for the city’s 52-year professional sports team … [Read more…]
President George W. Bush famously said, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me, can’t get fooled again.” When Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green “accidentally” kicked Oklahoma City Thunder Steven Adams in the groin during Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, most of us gave Draymond a pass. So did the NBA. Green … [Read more…]
The Oklahoma City Thunder had the Golden State Warriors on the ropes but couldn’t apply the knockout punch. Facing elimination on the road in Game 6, the Warriors showed their championship mettle and stunned the Thunder with a performance for the ages. Klay Thompson lit up the Thunder for a playoff record 11 3-pointers, with … [Read more…]
Kobe Bryant played his last NBA game on April 13, 2016. It was the conclusion of a 20-year career — all with the Los Angeles Lakers — that included five championships, two Finals MVPs, two Olympic gold medals, 18 All-Star Game appearances, and one 81-point game. The Black Mamba may have said goodbye to basketball, but … [Read more…]
When it comes to basketball savants, few can compare to Jerry West. The “logo” won a championship as a player and executive, building two dynasties in Los Angeles. The 77-year-old Hall-of-Famer is without peer in terms of player evaluations. It took him just 20 minutes in a pre-draft workout in L.A. to figure out that an … [Read more…]
There are 30 teams in the NBA, but realistically speaking there are only a handful of teams capable of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy. If you’re a fan of the Sixers, Kings, Lakers, Nuggets, Nets and Hornets, it’s probably safe to book that reservation to Las Vegas or the Caribbean in June. Sure there are … [Read more…]