The Eastern Conference playoffs, also known as the Miami Heat Invitation, will tipoff this weekend with games on TNT and ESPN. Even though teams in the East may not have the same offensive firepower as teams in the West there are still some very intriguing playoff matchups worth watching. Here’s how the first round could … [Read more…]
The Western Conference is like an episode of “The Avengers.” It was action packed all season, and you had to be there at the end to get the full story. Oklahoma City and San Antonio are the top two seeds, but both enter the playoffs with some question marks. The Spurs hobble into the postseason … [Read more…]
I was fortunate enough to witness in person Kobe Bryant’s professional debut in the summer of 1996 at the Long Beach Pyramid. He was 18 at the time and played for the L.A. Lakers’ Summer League squad, along with fellow rookie Derek Fisher. Kobe was clearly the best player on the court that day and … [Read more…]
Arrogance and Kevin Durant don’t normally go together, but on Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors K.D. showed his edgier side. The play started when Russell Westbrook blocked Stephen Curry’s layup. Durant corralled the rebound and dribbled down the length of the court. He threw down a thunderous dunk at full extension, then pretended … [Read more…]
Kobe Bryant accomplished a rare feat at his age last night in the Lakers’ 113-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. According to Elias Sports, Bryant’s 47 points, five assists, and three steals made him the third player (since steals became an official statistic in 1973-74) to go for 45-plus points, five-plus assists and three-plus … [Read more…]
The pregame festivities at the 2013 national championship game between Michigan and Louisville took a backseat to five guys who for some reason have been anointed as God’s gift to college basketball. Meet Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, Jimmy King and — yes, most notably — Chris Webber, also known as “The Fab Five.” … [Read more…]
Michigan head coach John Beilein has no one to blame but himself after his Wolverines lost to Louisville, 82-76, in the 2013 national championship game at the Georgia Dome. The game was an instant classic, as both teams went at each other like two prize fighters in Las Vegas. Michigan threw the first punch when … [Read more…]
Last season when Oklahoma City had the devastating trio of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and James Harden the team’s rallying cry was “Thunder up!” This season, despite owning the second-best record in the Western Conference, the theme has been downgraded to “Thunder down!” So what gives? As good as Oklahoma City has been all season … [Read more…]
The San Antonio Spurs are limping down the stretch, and the 100-88 loss to Oklahoma City Thursday night was just the tip of the iceberg. Parker appeared to have hurt his leg against the Thunder, which explains his 1-for-6 shooting night and finishing with just two points. The Spurs are saying Parker has a shin … [Read more…]
Aaron Gordon is one of the most talented high school players in North America, and he certainly didn’t disappoint at the 2013 McDonald’s All-American Game in Chicago. The 6-8, 205-pound forward from San Jose, Calif. (Archbishop Mitty High School) shined the brightest in a game that has become more of a glorified scrimmage than an … [Read more…]