A message for Shaquille O’Neal: It’s been an incredible 18-year ride, Big Diesel. Thanks for the ferocious dunks. Thanks for the MVPs and the championships. And thanks for the great one-liners. You’ve been a huge force in the NBA for nearly two decades, a true dominant center the league may never see again. But, unfortunately, … [Read more…]
SUNS BETTER WITHOUT DIESEL
After tugging a 7-foot-1, 330-pound weight on their shoulders the past two seasons, the Phoenix Suns appear to have shed the Shaqles and are back to being the run-and-shoot squad that averaged 58 wins the previous four seasons. The cast of characters remain with one minor addition (Channing Frye) and one major subtraction (Shaquille O’Neal). … [Read more…]
NOT-SO-ROSY 2ND SEASON FOR ROSE
Whether or not Derrick Rose’s injured ankle is the main reason for his slow start, the reigning Rookie of the Year looks a bit timid and does not appear to be the same player who tore up the Celtics in the playoffs. Rose has been bothered by an inflamed tendon behind his right ankle, a … [Read more…]
BLAZERS LOSE ODEN FOR SEASON
Portland’s injury woes just went from bad to worse when starting center Greg Oden fractured his left kneecap against Houston on Dec. 5 and will likely miss the rest of the season. Before his year was cut short, Oden was among the league leaders in field goal percentage (60 percent) and blocks (2.3) and was … [Read more…]
GASOL SCORES IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
The atmosphere at Staples Center on Thursday, Nov. 19, was different. There was a sense of completeness. Pau Gasol is back and the rest of the league better beware because the Los Angeles Lakers now have all their stars aligned and they are scary good with Gasol in the lineup. The All-Star forward-center, who missed … [Read more…]
5 POSSIBLE TEAMS FOR IVERSON
Throughout Allen Iverson’s brilliant 14-year NBA career, he has always been able to bounce back from injury, adversity or controversy. After the Memphis Grizzlies terminated his one-year contract, the 10-time NBA All-Star is now out of work and can’t seem to find a team that will give him another opportunity. Iverson’s stint with Memphis lasted … [Read more…]
YEARS LATER, BRAWL STILL HAUNTS NBA
It was the NBA’s worst nightmare, a day that gave the sport a permanent black eye. Five years ago, on Nov. 19, 2004, the Indiana Pacers visited the Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich., to play the Detroit Pistons. As with every Pacers-Pistons game during that time, the game was very chippy and physical. With 45.9 … [Read more…]
JENNINGS’ EURO TRIP PAYS OFF
Two years ago, Brandon Jennings put his basketball career on the line when he signed with Italian club Lottomatica Virtus Roma of the Euroleague. At the time, the decision was considered both risky and a huge gamble financially. If Jennings’ European experiment fails and he falls flat on his face in the Italian ruins, his … [Read more…]
DUNK OF THE MONTH: WADE OVER VAREJAO
I know it’s only November but, I gotta say, Dwyane Wade’s dunk over Anderson Varejao last Thursday, Nov. 12, before a nationally televised game on TNT was just plain ‘ol nasty. The best part about the whole throw-down was the reaction of the Cavaliers’ forward, who looks like the Brazilian Carrot Top. D-Wade not ony … [Read more…]
NBA’S HOTTEST DANCE TEAM: LAKER GIRLS
Periodically, OneManFastBreak.net will feature one of the NBA’s hottest dance crews. To get things started, we’re recognizing The Laker Girls. The red-hot dance team of the defending NBA champions has long been considered the pioneer of dance teams in the Association. Back in the day, when the Lakers played at the Forum, the Laker Girls … [Read more…]