Commissioner Stern to step down in 2014

NBA Commissioner David Stern will retire on Feb. 1, 2014, 30 years after he took charge of the league. He will be replaced by Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver. The announcement came at an NBA Board of Governors meeting Thursday. Stern told owners during their two days of meetings of his plans, and the board unanimously … [Read more…]

Can anyone challenge Miami in Southeast?

The road to the 2013 NBA Finals got a little easier for defending champion Miami. Dwight Howard left Orlando and headed for Hollywood and Joe Johnson left Atlanta for Brooklyn. The defections gutted the Southeast Division, leaving the Heat without a legitimate sparring partner in the division. Unless Josh Smith turns into Dominique Wilkins overnight … [Read more…]

ATLANTIC POWER: Boston, Philly, New York stir 1980s echoes

I love the ’80s! It was a decade that introduced us to cable TV, Don Johnson’s white-pants-with-no-socks look, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” jackets, and Madonna’s “Like a virgin” anthem. It was also a time when the Atlantic Division was the gold standard of the NBA. The Atlantic featured Hall-of-Famers such as Larry Bird (Boston Celtics), Kevin … [Read more…]

Dragic, Scola lead post-Nash era in Phoenix

The Phoenix Suns traded Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason. It was a stunning move since the Lakers are a huge Pacific Division rival, but it was also a necessary move. The Suns are focused on rebuilding so they settled for a couple low-level first-round picks in 2013 and 2015 and … [Read more…]

Celtics acquire veteran guard Barbosa

The Boston Celtics had the Miami Heat on the ropes last postseason when they nearly pulled off the upset. The Celtics held a 3-2 series edge, but lost the final two games and the Heat advanced to the NBA Finals. The loss to Miami forced Boston to make some changes in the offseason, cutting ties … [Read more…]

Warriors hope for injury-free, healthy season

Bringing in Jerry West as an adviser, as well as minority owner, to the Golden State Warriors was a very smart decision. The legendary executive has helped remake the team in a short amount of time. Golden State started the purge last year when they traded volume scorer Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks in … [Read more…]

Expectations soaring for Clippers

The Clippers are tired of being the other team in Los Angeles. They traded for Chris Paul before last season, but it wasn’t enough. Not after Chauncey Billups was lost for the season with a serious injury when he tore his left Achilles tendon in February. So, they went out and upgraded the bench and … [Read more…]

Lakers pin title hopes on Princeton attack

After a second straight postseason where they lost in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers decided to go all in and make a run at a few more NBA titles. They started by trading very little (future low level first-round picks in 2013 and 2015, plus a couple of … [Read more…]

Why Carlos Boozer is on the heat seat

Tom Thibodeau’s defensive scheme can most likely keep the Chicago Bulls afloat until superstar point guard Derrick Rose returns from ACL surgery. But as good as Thibodeau is as a defensive wizard, he’ll need one of his overpriced starters to help on the offensive end. That means you, Carlos Boozer. Boozer has been a model … [Read more…]

FC Barcelona’s unbeaten streak vs. NBA

The Dallas Mavericks found out first hand just how good FC Barcelona Regal is, as the 2011 NBA champs went down 99-85 to the European powerhouse in an exhibition game at Palau Sant Jordi in Spain on Tuesday. It is Barcelona’s third win in three tries against an NBA team, beating the Phildelphia 76ers and … [Read more…]