NBA playoffs: Clear frontrunner emerges after L.A. Lakers get bounced in the first round

When Anthony Davis limped off the court with 6:35 left in the first quarter of Game 6 in the L.A.-Phoenix playoff series, the Lakers’ reign as NBA champions came to an end. Without Davis, the Lakers were unable to generate enough offense to keep up with the Suns and eventually ran out of gas. It … [Read more…]

Mamba memories: OMFB ranks Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant’s greatest basketball moments

Remember when Kobe Bean Bryant announced he was entering the 1996 NBA draft straight out of high school? He had his shades flipped above his forehead, looking sharp in his tailored suit. Let’s be honest. He looked like a cocky teenager who feared nothing and no one. Many thought Kobe would fall flat on his … [Read more…]

Why not Russ? Wizards guard Russell Westbrook breaks Oscar Robertson’s 47-year-old record.

Before Russell Westbrook came along, Oscar Robertson’s 181 career triple-doubles seemed unattainable. Even Magic Johnson and Jason Kidd both said no one will ever break The Big O’s record. But someone forgot to tell that to Westbrook. Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook made history on May 10, 2021, when he produced the 182nd triple-double of … [Read more…]

‘Conference of Champions’ busted many 2021 NCAA tournament brackets

It took one of the all-time great Final Four buzzer-beaters to eliminate the UCLA men’s basketball from the 2021 NCAA tournament. Jalen Suggs’ near-halfcourt bank shot in overtime lifted top-seeded Gonzaga to a 93-90 victory over 11th-seeded UCLA in the national semifinals. Suggs’ “banked robbery” (a great headline from the Los Angeles Times) ended one … [Read more…]

‘He’s a different breed’: Rookie of the year frontrunner LaMelo Ball has NBA, Hornets buzzing

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has dished out more than 200 assists in his rookie season in the NBA. But one particular assist stood out. It was early in the first quarter of a March 1 game between the Hornets and Trail Blazers in Portland. Ball was pushing the ball up the court on a … [Read more…]

Furious Five 2021: OMFB ranks the world’s 5 best basketball players

Each year OneManFastBreak.net ranks the five best players in the NBA. Let’s call it the “OMFB Furious Five.” It’s paying homage to the five styles of Chinese martial arts: snake, crane, monkey, praying mantis, and tiger. The ranking system is based on one man’s opinion and does not follow or conform to any standard format, … [Read more…]

Steve Nash, Brooklyn Nets excited to have James Harden. But how long will honeymoon last?

James Harden finally got his wish. He got traded to his preferred destination. For weeks the Houston Rockets tried to make the Harden marriage work, but in the end they had to cut the cord. The Rockets sent their superstar shooting guard to the Brooklyn Nets, joining his good friend and former teammate Kevin Durant … [Read more…]

2021 NBA forecast: LeBron’s Lakers reload for another title run, Giannis bucks trend

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are arguably the two best players in the NBA. LeBron is the reigning NBA Finals MVP, while Antetokounmpo has won the regular season MVP two years in a row. Statistically, they check nearly all the boxes. LeBron is entering his 18th season, while Antetokounmpo is entering his eighth. What LeBron has and what Antetokounmpo … [Read more…]

Missing rings: NBA most valuable players without a championship

James Harden is one of the most gifted scorers in NBA history, combining great skill with a touch of crafty. He averaged 36 points and 7.5 assists per game during the 2018-19 season. He powered the Rockets to 65 wins in 2018 and 53 wins in 2019. Harden’s Rockets came extremely close to knocking off … [Read more…]

Why LaMelo Ball is top prospect in 2020 NBA draft

Memo to rebuilding NBA franchises. When evaluating LaMelo Ball, let your eyes dictate. Ignore the noise. If you’re an NBA scout or executive, don’t judge LaMelo because of what you’ve read or heard about him. Don’t let your disdain for his outspoken father, LaVar Ball, influence your decision.  Don’t listen to the noise from pundits … [Read more…]