It’s disappointing that some of the world’s best players such as Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Steph Curry won’t be participating in basketball’s biggest international tournament. But their absence shouldn’t take away from the excitement and immense anticipation of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Jokic, the face of Serbia’s national … [Read more…]
Jamal Murray had an opportunity to tie the score as time expired in Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals, but his step-back 3-pointer against Jimmy Butler bounced off the rim. It was a shot Murray has made on multiple occasions. When he missed, he was more surprised than than disappointed. It shows the level … [Read more…]
Eventually, some team is going to break the streak. In the history of the NBA, when teams take a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven playoff series, the likelihood of having a shot at winning the series is about as improbable as correctly choosing all six numbers in the lottery. It’s a 1 in 13,983,816 chance … [Read more…]
NBA Hall of Famer and current NBA TV analyst Isiah Thomas offered the simplest and candid commentary on the 2020 NBA Finals matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. “The Lakers are bigger. They’re faster. And they’re stronger,” Thomas said. “When the player is bigger than you, he’s faster than you and he’s stronger … [Read more…]
Before Cleveland begins throwing a victory parade in honor of his royal highness, King James, there is still that 5-10 percent chance he could change his mind. But if Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com is 100 percent right on his 90 percent reporting that LeBron James will be returning to Cleveland to play for the Cavaliers, … [Read more…]
Erik Spoelstra sat in the stands inside Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas looking very relaxed. He happily signed a few autographs, scribbling “Coach Spo” on one program. Life is good for Coach Spo. He’s coming off a second championship season and one day before the start of training … [Read more…]
Gregg Popovich is old enough to be Erik Spoelstra’s dad. If the 2013 NBA Finals came down to experience and guile, Popovich would win hands down if you put a wager on basketball. You can bet US fans will pick Pop in a heartbeat. Popovich, 64, is the Garry Kasparov of coaches. He may be … [Read more…]
The Heat game plan for Game 2 was simple: wear down Tony Parker. Mario Chalmers heard the message loud and clear, as the fifth-year pro kept Parker busy on defense by being more aggressive because the best way to slow down a great scorer is to make him play defense. Chalmers drove to the basket … [Read more…]
Dwyane Wade is sick and tired of talking about his balky right knee, so bringing it up won’t ease his pain. “I’ve been talking about it for two months. I ain’t got nothing else to say,” the nine-time All-Star guard said about the bone bruise that has grounded him for much of the season. The … [Read more…]
TNT analyst and two-time NBA champion Kenny Smith believes LeBron James needed to be Superman four times for the Miami Heat to beat the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. LeBron has been more than Superman for the Heat. He has been Batman, Iron Man, and the Hulk rolled into one. According to Yahoo! … [Read more…]