Top five NBA Playoffs first round upsets (Associated Content)
Posted on | Saturday, April 30, 2011 | No Comments
The first couple days of the NBA Playoffs provided plenty of sizzle and storylines, chiefly the number of upsets and near-surprises that were featured, especially that the top seed Spurs and Lakers both fell. It marked the first time the top two seeds in a conference fell in the...
Magic Johnson Sam Jones Michael Jordan Jerry Lucas Karl Malone
Chris Paul really isn’t thinking about Charlotte, y’all (Yahoo! Sports)
If you want to know why some NBA players are at best cranky and at worst completely distrusting of media members, the quick interview Chris Paul gave Tuesday to the Associated Press is a good place to start. Mike Cranston, … Continue reading →
Scottie Pippen Willis Reed Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell
New CBA could keep Doc's son at Duke longer (Yahoo! Sports)
Austin Rivers has the skills to be a top draft pick. But the league's age-limit rule is keeping him out of the NBA.
Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Grizzlies 99, Spurs 91 (adds quotes) (Yahoo! Sports)
Once upon a time, it took the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies 7 1/2 seasons to win four games against San Antonio, suffering 21 straight losses to the Spurs at one point. Friday night in ear-bursting FedExForum, in the sixth game of a Western Conference first-round playoff series, the...
Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler Julius Erving
Neal's buzzer 3-pointer keeps Spurs alive (AP)
Just 1.7 seconds is all that remained for Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in what has been a wasted and humiliating dud of a playoff run. An undrafted rookie didn't let them go down that quickly. Catching the inbounds pass with 1.7 seconds left, Gary Neal forced overtime with a spectacular 3-pointer in the face of O.J.
Rick Barry Elgin Baylor Dave Bing Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain
Four coaches on Warriors list (Yahoo! Sports)
Now that Keith Smart is a piece of Golden State Warriors history, the team is looking for its next head coach.
James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar Nate Archibald Paul Arizin Charles Barkley
Randolph carries Grizzlies past Spurs, into semis (AP)
The Memphis Grizzlies have learned when Zach Randolph wants the ball, get him the ball. The power forward scored 17 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter Friday night, almost single-handedly knocking out the top-seeded Spurs in the Grizzlies' 99-91 victory that wrapped up their first playoff series win and an improbable berth in the Western Conference semifinals.
Hakeem Olajuwon Robert Parish Bob Pettit Scottie Pippen Willis Reed
Miami Heat bench show they're ready for postseason with 97-79 win over Toronto Raptors (Associated Content)
The Heat's reserves showed the NBA just why they should fear facing Miami in the postseason as they led the team from South Beach to a 97-79 victory over the Raptors in Toronto on Wednesday, April 13 to close out the season.
Dave Bing Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain Bob Cousy Dave Cowens
Best NBA players who were born in Africa (Associated Content)
Posted on | Friday, April 29, 2011 | No Comments
These are the best players in NBA history that were born on the continent of Africa . A player had to be born in Africa to make the list, not just have African parents. Emeka Okafor has Nigerian parents, but he was born in the United States and is not on this list.
Paul Arizin Charles Barkley Rick Barry Elgin Baylor Dave Bing
Houston Rockets fan list: Top moments of the Rick Adelman era (Associated Content)
Tuesday, the Houston Rockets announced that Rick Adelman would not be retained as head coach of the Houston Rockets after four seasons. Adelman went 193-135 as head coach of the Rockets in his four seasons, good for a 58.8 winning percentage and he led the Rockets to 55, 53, 42 and...
Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Miami Heat, out of the fryer and into the fire: Fan's take (Associated Content)
Although I am a diehard Detroit Pistons fan, my love for the game of basketball transcends borders and jerseys. Plus, I have some roots in Florida with many family members still living down there, where everybody is all about the Miami teams.
Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal Hakeem Olajuwon
Grading the Bulls' first-round playoff series: Fan perspective (Associated Content)
The Chicago Bulls finally put the Indiana Pacers away, but their 4-1 first-round playoff series win wasn't as easy as most folks expected. Despite the tight games, however, the individual performances by Bulls' players weren't that bad, given a few exceptions.
Scottie Pippen Willis Reed Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell
Spurs 110, Grizzlies 103, OT (write-thru) (Yahoo! Sports)
The San Antonio Spurs are still alive. Barely. Rookie guard Gary Neal's game-tying 3-pointer as time expired in regulation Wednesday night saved the No. 1-seeded Spurs from being eliminated in their Western Conference first-round series against the eighth-seeded Memphis...
Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing
Spurs 110, Grizzlies 103, OT (write-thru) (Yahoo! Sports)
The San Antonio Spurs are still alive. Barely. Rookie guard Gary Neal's game-tying 3-pointer as time expired in regulation Wednesday night saved the No. 1-seeded Spurs from being eliminated in their Western Conference first-round series against the eighth-seeded Memphis...
Wilt Chamberlain Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere
OKC Thunder take commanding 3-0 series lead against Nuggets: OKC fan reaction (Associated Content)
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from their first NBA playoff series victory since moving to the Midwest from Seattle. In just the team's third year in Oklahoma City, young stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and company are on the verge of going to the second...
Lenny Wilkens James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar Nate Archibald Paul Arizin
Bobcats Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
Bobcats owner Michael Jordan doesn't frequently give interviews, but when he does, the former NBA icon has plenty to say. Among his comments in a wide-ranging, season-ending interview with the Charlotte Observer:
• He said he's not cheap about player payroll and, "I want to spend money on a team that gets us into the top four. I would love to do that. That's all we think about."
• He believes the team had no choice but to trade Gerald Wallace, since it had hit a plateau on the fringe of the playoffs and there was no other way to proceed.
• He said the Bobcats would have reached the playoffs had Paul Silas started the season as coach.
Jerry West Lenny Wilkens James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar Nate Archibald
The Maloofs might not have the votes needed to move the Kings (Yahoo! Sports)
Posted on | Thursday, April 28, 2011 | No Comments
Who would have guessed it? The NBA owners are doing the right thing. Gavin and Joe Maloof might not have the votes needed to move the Sacramento Kings to Anaheim. Of course, the inspiration behind denying the Maloof's driving privileges … Continue reading →
Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond
Video: Dwight Howard again called for taking too long at the line (Yahoo! Sports)
You've got to be kidding me. It happened again ? Yes, it did. During the second quarter of an eventual 111-102...
Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas
Thunder come back to eliminate Nuggets in Game 5: Fan reaction (Associated Content)
For most of Game 5 of their opening round playoff series, the Oklahoma City Thunder looked like a one-dimensional team. They couldn't hit three pointers, Russell Westbrook was having an off-night and Kevin Durant was missing too many shots.
Rick Barry Elgin Baylor Dave Bing Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain
Dwane Casey 'cleared to interview' with Rockets (Yahoo! Sports)
Dwane Casey, an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks, has already had one chance at head coaching in the NBA: He...
Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham
Top five three-point shot makers in NBA history (Associated Content)
The NBA originally instituted the three-point shot "under a trial basis" for the 1979-1980 season. On October 12, 1979, Chris Ford made the first three-pointer in NBA history against the Houston Rockets at Boston Garden.
David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton
Worst playoff appearances in New York Knicks recent history (Associated Content)
The New York Knicks were swept by the Boston Celtics on April 24. After playing well in two games in Boston, the Knicks flopped on their home floor. The Celtics easily won two games at Madison Square Garden to advance to the next round.
Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens
Top five moments of the 2010-11 season: Local fan's take (Associated Content)
Last Wednesday night the Houston Rockets finished their season with a 121-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Houston finished the year 43-39, a one game improvement over last year, and fell three games short of the final playoff spot grabbed by the Memphis Grizzlies (46-36)...
Dave Bing Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain Bob Cousy Dave Cowens
Neal's buzzer three-pointer keeps Spurs alive (The Canadian Press)
SAN ANTONIO - Gary Neal caught an inbounds pass with 1.7 seconds left and forced overtime with a three-point heave as time expired, and the San Antonio Spurs staved off elimination by stunning the Memphis Grizzlies 110-103 on Wednesday night.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Nate Archibald Paul Arizin Charles Barkley Rick Barry
Fan reaction: Wade-less Heat denied by Bucks (Associated Content)
Posted on | Wednesday, April 27, 2011 | No Comments
The Miami Heat lost what should have been an easy game against the Milwaukee Bucks 90-85. The Heat, who were without one of their key players, Dwyane Wade, broke down defensively in the fourth quarter, allowing the Bucks to convert on over 56% of their field goals in the final...
Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing
History prevails as Lakers strike back against Hornets in Game 5: L.A. fan's take (Associated Content)
If it wasn't for a sloppy first quarter, my hometown Los Angeles Lakers would have come away with an even bigger blowout against the New Orleans Hornets on April 26. With the series tied at two games apiece, the Lakers were in desperate need of something to give them an edge...
Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin
NBA Roundup: A look at Saturday's playoff games (The Canadian Press)
Zach Randolph is known for being a beast in the paint. Now his feathery touch from outside helped the Memphis Grizzlies keep making history.
Wilt Chamberlain Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere
Most triple-doubles in the NBA by active players (Associated Content)
These are the active players in the NBA with the most regular season triple-doubles in their careers. A triple-double is recorded when a player gets double figures in three of the following categories - points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Karl Malone Moses Malone Pete Maravich Kevin McHale George Mikan
House scores 35 points, Heat beat Raptors 97-79 (AP)
The Miami Heat didn't need any of their Big Three to finish the regular season with a win. Eddie House scored a career-high 35 points, Juwan Howard added 18 and the Heat beat the Toronto Raptors 97-79 on Wednesday night. "That was one of the more enjoyable wins of the season," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Magic Johnson Sam Jones Michael Jordan Jerry Lucas Karl Malone
Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers Preview (Associated Content)
The Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers tangle tonight at the Rose Garden in a game that could help shape the opening-round matchup of the Western Conference playoffs for both teams. A win by the Lakers (55-23) combined with a loss by the Dallas Mavericks against the Los...
George Gervin Hal Greer John Havlicek Elvin Hayes Magic Johnson
Crawford scores 25, Hawks beat Magic for 3-1 lead (AP)
The Hawks are on the verge of getting back at the team that blew them out of the playoffs a year ago. The Orlando Magic can't figure out what's going on. Before leaving his hometown, though, Dwight Howard issued a challenge to his teammates. "If they don't believe we can still win," he said, "stay in Atlanta." No one took the Atlanta native up on the offer, so the...
Jerry Lucas Karl Malone Moses Malone Pete Maravich Kevin McHale
Fan's take: Does T.J. Ford have a future in the NBA beyond the Indiana Pacers? (Associated Content)
As the Indiana Pacers found themselves mired in a dark January that eventually led to the firing of head coach Jim O'Brien, point guard T.J. Ford found himself in the familiar position of riding the bench . And then he found himself in street clothes and off of the active...
Elgin Baylor Dave Bing Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain Bob Cousy
Thunder win Game 3 in Denver behind strong play from Ibaka (Associated Content)
Posted on | Tuesday, April 26, 2011 | No Comments
The Oklahoma City Thunder took Game 3 of their Western Conference matchup with the Denver Nuggets behind a big night from rising star, Serge Ibaka. His unlikely run to the NBA from the Republic of Congo culminated in a breakout performance on a night when his team needed a boost.
Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West
NBA notebook: Billups questionable for Game 3 (Yahoo! Sports)
New York Knicks point guard Chauncey Billups was diagnosed with a strained left knee and forward Amar'e Stoudemire has a pulled muscle in his back, their MRIs showed. The New York Posted reported that Billups might have injured a ligament in his knee.
Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond
Warriors Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
The Warriors finished the 2010-11 season with 10 more wins than they recorded last year, but does that mean they improved?
According to the NBA statisticians, they did. Their plus-10 figure improvement was seventh-best league-wide.
But a more thorough examination must dig deeper than that.
Last year's Warriors team, coached by Don Nelson, was ravaged by injuries. Four of the nine guys who played on Opening Night wound up missing at least 40 games. Star guard Monta Ellis, who was sidelined just twice this season, couldn't go 18 times.
If Ellis plays 80 games, like he did this year, how many more games does Nelson's club win?
The 2010-11 edition had almost a clean medical chart.
Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin Hal Greer
Bucks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
One of the biggest issues Bucks officials will have to address during the offseason is whether Brandon Jennings is their point guard moving forward.
Jennings had a terrific rookie season but showed little, if any, progress this season. Jennings shot the ball poorly—39 percent from the field—and his playmaking skills left a lot to be desired.
The 6-foot-1, 169-pound Jennings is also undersized and has had trouble matching up with the taller and stronger players at his position.
The Bucks will also try to obtain a proven scorer. They were hoping Corey Maggette would fill that bill, but after some nice early-season outings, he landed in Bucks coach Scott Skiles' doghouse and seldom layed down the stretch.
The Bucks are also likely to be on the...
Pete Maravich Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal
D'Antoni back in playoffs, 3 years after Suns' end (PA SportsTicker)
By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer
Bob Pettit Scottie Pippen Willis Reed Oscar Robertson David Robinson
Top reasons Sacramento deserves to keep the Kings (Associated Content)
In mid-April, Sacramento made its pitch to try and keep the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento would be the first team to move from its current market since the New Orleans Hornets arrived in the Crescent City from Charlotte in 2002 .
Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler
Free agents the Chicago Bulls might be interested in: Fan's look (Associated Content)
The Chicago Bulls are enjoying great success this season, but make no mistake: Management will be or already is looking for a starting shooting guard, be it through free agency, trade or the draft. If you've been reading the papers or fan forums this season, or have watched...
Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman
Dwane Casey 'cleared to interview' with Rockets (Yahoo! Sports)
Dwane Casey, an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks, has already had one chance at head coaching in the NBA: He...
Nate Archibald Paul Arizin Charles Barkley Rick Barry Elgin Baylor
Scoring too low in the NBA? Blame the old Pistons 'Bad Boys': Local fan's take (Associated Content)
Posted on | Monday, April 25, 2011 | No Comments
If you're an old-time NBA fan, similar to myself going back to the 1960s, you will notice how low the scoring has become in the modern game. Opposing teams used to both regularly crack the 100-point mark. Nowadays, scores are in the nineties and even down in the eighties.
Walt Frazier George Gervin Hal Greer John Havlicek Elvin Hayes
Magic lose Game 4 against Hawks, 85-88: Orlando fan reaction (Associated Content)
Turkoglu's big loss With seconds left in the game, Hedo Turkoglu lost the ball and missed a badly needed 3-pointer in order to tie the game. With all of the fan fare that Dwight Howard has received for making NBA history by winning the Best Defensive player of the year for the...
Karl Malone Moses Malone Pete Maravich Kevin McHale George Mikan
Worst playoff appearances in New York Knicks recent history (Associated Content)
The New York Knicks were swept by the Boston Celtics on April 24. After playing well in two games in Boston, the Knicks flopped on their home floor. The Celtics easily won two games at Madison Square Garden to advance to the next round.
Pete Maravich Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal
BDL, and the NBA’s, Defensive Player of the Year (Yahoo! Sports)
Dwight Howard won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award on Monday, an honor he is more than qualified to take. It's an honor he should have won unanimously, were it not for a series of ridiculous votes that … Continue reading →
James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar Nate Archibald Paul Arizin Charles Barkley
Active NBA players who have scored 50 or more points in a playoff game (Associated Content)
These are all the active players in the NBA today who have scored 50 or more points in a playoff game . One of these players played for my favorite NBA team, the New Jersey Nets, for five seasons and scored 51 points in a game for us, but he scored his 50 points in a playoff game...
Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin
Jordan hopes to pattern Bobcats after Bulls (AP)
Michael Jordan has found that while his 13 months as an NBA owner have been "fun," running the Charlotte Bobcats is more difficult and frustrating than his high-flying playing career. "I'm not saying I don't sit in a very tough seat, because I do," Jordan said Wednesday. "I come from a whole different perspective as far as impact when I was in shorts.
Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West
Thunder at Nuggets Game 3: OKC Fan's take (Associated Content)
After a close Game 1 and a blowout game two, the Oklahoma City Thunder look to keep winning as they take their opening-round NBA playoff series to the Pepsi Center April 23. If Oklahoma City keeps playing the way they did in game two, they will be hard to stop.
Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin
NBA Roundup: A look at Wednesday's games (The Canadian Press)
After learning they would not be heading to the post-season this year, the Milwaukee Bucks went out and played the role of spoiler to perfection.
Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier
Five things we never would have thought about the 76ers' 2010-11 season (Associated Content)
Posted on | Sunday, April 24, 2011 | No Comments
The Philadelphia 76ers dropped their regular season finale Wednesday night to the Detroit Pistons, 104-100, without Andre Iguodala (tendinitis) and Lou Williams (hamstring). Who cares? All the game, which featured lineups that dipped deep into both benches, could have done for the...
Elvin Hayes Magic Johnson Sam Jones Michael Jordan Jerry Lucas
76ers 86, Heat 82 (write-thru) (Yahoo! Sports)
The Miami Heat got caught looking ahead. Twice. Because of that, they find themselves in a holding pattern. Rallying first from an early 16-point deficit and then up six with 95 seconds to play, the Heat will have to deal with the Philadelphia 76ers a bit longer after falling 86-82...
Elvin Hayes Magic Johnson Sam Jones Michael Jordan Jerry Lucas
Griffin wraps up superb rookie season (AP)
The NBA is moving on to the postseason without its brightest young star. Blake Griffin put on highlight-worthy performances nearly every night, became an All-Star and single-handedly made the Los Angeles Clippers relevant again. He just couldn't get them to the playoffs in his rookie season. And as seasons go, that's nothing new for the Clippers, who went 32-50.
Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin Hal Greer
Brewer sparks Mavericks to rally past Clippers (AP)
Listless on both ends of the court, the Dallas Mavericks needed a jolt. Corey Brewer gave them a biggie on the court. Jason Terry gave a bigger one on the sideline. Terry ripped into teammate J.J. Barea during a timeout early in the second quarter, earning him a spot on the end of the bench. The Mavericks seemed energized by it, especially Brewer.
Hakeem Olajuwon Robert Parish Bob Pettit Scottie Pippen Willis Reed
write-thru Trail Blazers beat Mavericks 84-82 (Yahoo! Sports)
write-thru Trail Blazers beat Mavericks 84-82 PORTLAND, Ore. - Brandon Roy scored 18 of his game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter -- including a 10-foot bank shot with 39.2 seconds left for the game's final points -- to lift the Portland Trail Blazers to an improbable 84-82...
Walt Frazier George Gervin Hal Greer John Havlicek Elvin Hayes
Raptors lose 97-79 to Heat in finale (The Canadian Press)
TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors ended a forgettable season with one final loss Wednesday before heading into a summer of uncertainty.
Elvin Hayes Magic Johnson Sam Jones Michael Jordan Jerry Lucas
Chris Paul's Top 5 Assist Games in the NBA Playoffs: Hornets Fan (Associated Content)
New Orleans Hornets and Chris Paul Despite being the best point guard in the NBA, Chris Paul is fully capable of putting up 30+ plus points in the playoffs when the New Orleans Hornets need him to score. As a diehard Hornets fan, I have seen Chris Paul hit outside shots and drive...
Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler
Spurs Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
The Spurs didn't expect a cakewalk with Memphis, and it's been anything but two games into the first-round series. San Antonio did get back into the best-of-seven by winning Game 2, edging the No. 8 seed on Wednesday night.
Struggling against a lesser seed isn't anything to be ashamed of, according to San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, especially in the Western Conference.
"It doesn't matter who you get in the West, as far as playoff positioning is concerned," Popovich said. "It's going to be tough for everybody, it's going to be like that for a while."
The series now heads to Memphis for the next two games on Saturday and Sunday. The two Southwest Division rivals head back to San Antonio next Sunday in Game 5.
The Spurs were quick to point out after Game 2 that...
John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton
Knicks-Celtics notebook (Yahoo! Sports)
Posted on | Saturday, April 23, 2011 | No Comments
S VS. BOSTON CELTICS The percentages are now heavily against the Knicks as they head back to New York with an 0-2 deficit in their first-round series with the Boston Celtics. According to the NBA, only six percent of teams who have fallen behind 0-2 in a best-of-seven series have...
Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond
Chris Paul's Top 5 Assist Games in the NBA Playoffs: Hornets Fan (Associated Content)
New Orleans Hornets and Chris Paul Despite being the best point guard in the NBA, Chris Paul is fully capable of putting up 30+ plus points in the playoffs when the New Orleans Hornets need him to score. As a diehard Hornets fan, I have seen Chris Paul hit outside shots and drive...
Walt Frazier George Gervin Hal Greer John Havlicek Elvin Hayes
Grizzlies stun No. 1 Spurs for first playoff win (AP)
Zach Randolph raised his fists above his head. The Memphis Grizzlies carried the motto "Let's Make History" into the playoffs, and in a stunning Game 1 upset, they had already done it. Sixteen years after entering the NBA, the Grizzlies finally have a postseason win. Randolph had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Shane Battier hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 23.9 seconds left Sunday to give...
Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier
Bosh, Wade carry Heat past Charlotte, 112-103 (AP)
Dwyane Wade was back and attacking, his sore thigh almost forgotten. Chris Bosh had his biggest fourth quarter of the season. LeBron James controlled the offense, as he's done so many times. Though not easily, Charlotte was handled. And now the Heat can get ready for Boston. Bosh scored 13 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed 10 rebounds, Wade returned from injury to score 27 more,...
Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin
Call it a day: Five teams with no hope of making the 2011 NBA Finals (Associated Content)
Every team in the 2011 NBA Playoffs still has a theoretical hope of making the NBA Finals. Yet, knowledgeable fans know many are just spinning their wheels. Some teams and their fans still believe they can reach the pinnacle of the basketball world.
John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton
Rockets are after Dallas assistant Dwane Casey. We don’t blame them (Yahoo! Sports)
Dallas Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey has been the one who has gotten away for far too long, and it appears he might have yet another chance at a head coaching slot. ESPN's Marc Stein, who is in touch with all … Continue reading →
Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier
Playoffs fan reaction: The Magic fall to the Hawks in Game 1 (Associated Content)
Atlanta starts off the series, 93-103 The first game of the playoffs for the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks on Sat, Apr 16 at the Amway Center was disappointing to say the least for Orlando fans. How do the Magic fall behind when Dwight Howard scores 31 points of the...
Charles Barkley Rick Barry Elgin Baylor Dave Bing Larry Bird
Lakers show PSA after Bryant's anti-gay slur (AP)
The Los Angeles Lakers have debuted a public-service announcement at Staples Center in response to Kobe Bryant's anti-gay slur during a game last week. Bryant and four teammates appeared in the PSA released during the second quarter of Wednesday night's playoff game against the New Orleans Hornets.
John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton
Sixers regressing so far in playoffs: Local's take (Associated Content)
Posted on | Friday, April 22, 2011 | No Comments
The Philadelphia 76ers have made a lot of progress this season. But while the Sixers are back in the NBA playoffs, unlike last year, they have regressed a little bit so far in the postseason. Even us diehard Philadelphia fans knew that they had little chance against the Miami Heat,...
Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal Hakeem Olajuwon Robert Parish Bob Pettit
Celtics rest Garnett, Allen, Rondo vs. Wizards (PA SportsTicker)
By JOSEPH WHITE AP Sports Writer
Karl Malone Moses Malone Pete Maravich Kevin McHale George Mikan
Five reasons the Los Angeles Lakers will not win the NBA Championship: Fan analysis (Associated Content)
To win an NBA championship, everything has to fall in place. Though the Los Angeles Lakers have won the last two championships in the NBA, things seem to be falling apart as they head into the playoffs this year. Here are five reasons why the Lakers won't win the NBA...
Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West
Lakers' Odom wins award as NBA's top sixth man (Yahoo! Sports)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom has won the Sixth Man of the Year Award, ESPNLosAngeles.com reported, citing multiple sources. The Lakers have scheduled a 3 p.m. PT press conference for a presentation. The 31-year-old averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and three assists per...
Shaquille O Neal Hakeem Olajuwon Robert Parish Bob Pettit Scottie Pippen
Kings' possible farewell ends in loss to Lakers (AP)
Sacramento Kings fans made it feel like old times. Then, so did Kobe Bryant. Bryant's tying 3-pointer with 4.8 seconds left in regulation forced overtime, and the Los Angeles Lakers regrouped to hand the Kings a 116-108 loss Wednesday night in what might have been the last game ever in California's capital city.
Willis Reed Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes
Unusual effects of an NBA lockout: Fan's look (Associated Content)
Everyone is talking about the NFL lockout and what will happen to training camps, pre-season games and even a shortened season. The NBA playoffs are upon us and they will be played under the stigma of a pending labor dispute after the NBA Finals.
Scottie Pippen Willis Reed Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell
Timberwolves look to grow up in the offseason (AP)
David Kahn's "excavation" of the Minnesota Timberwolves last season produced 15 victories. His first season of "building" the Wolves toward playoff contention? Just 17 wins. So Kahn heads into his third summer as Timberwolves president with little momentum generated and the prospect that his first hire as head coach, the man he chose to team with in an effort to turn around...
Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond
Fan's take: Does T.J. Ford have a future in the NBA beyond the Indiana Pacers? (Associated Content)
As the Indiana Pacers found themselves mired in a dark January that eventually led to the firing of head coach Jim O'Brien, point guard T.J. Ford found himself in the familiar position of riding the bench . And then he found himself in street clothes and off of the active...
Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman
Most playoff games played all-time in NBA history (Associated Content)
Posted on | Thursday, April 21, 2011 | No Comments
These are the 10 players who have played in the most playoff games all-time in NBA history. Do you know who the number one player is? He was never an All-Star and came off the bench for more games in his career than he started, but he had an incredible knack of playing for winning...
Scottie Pippen Willis Reed Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell
NBA road teams display grit, surprise: Fan reaction (Associated Content)
Heading into Game 2 for the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trailblazers, and New York Knicks, I had very strong opinions about the outcomes based on years of experience devouring NBA playoff games. I was wrong 75% of the time.
Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar
NBA Notebook: Knicks' Billups might not play in Game 2 (Yahoo! Sports)
Chauncey Billups did not practice Monday after straining his left knee late in the 87-85 loss on Sunday and might not play Tuesday in Game 2 of the New York Knicks' first-round playoff series against Boston. "Chauncey is day to day," said New York coach Mike...
Shaquille O Neal Hakeem Olajuwon Robert Parish Bob Pettit Scottie Pippen
The new Pistons owner is not the new Pistons owner (Yahoo! Sports)
The man you see dancing in the picture above is Michigan-born businessman Tom Gores, and he looks about that smug in just about every photo you'll see of him. He's also just agreed to buy the Detroit Pistons off of … Continue reading →
David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton
Lakers 87, Hornets 78 (adds quotes) (Yahoo! Sports)
The Lakers got a laugh when their coach, Phil Jackson, suggested to them that the reason the NBA announced Lamar Odom's Sixth Man of the Year award so early in the playoffs was that the Lakers might have only one home game left this season to do a pregame ceremony for Odom.
Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin Hal Greer
NBA giving Sacramento another chance (Yahoo! Sports)
That loss last Wednesday to the Los Angeles Lakers might not be the last NBA game ever played by the Sacramento...
Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal Hakeem Olajuwon
Spurs 93, Grizzlies 87 (first lede) (Yahoo! Sports)
It took San Antonio some time to get re-acquainted with Manu Ginobili. Once the Spurs did, they were just able to hold off the Memphis Grizzlies. Returning to the court after missing Game 1 with an injured elbow, Ginobili keyed a game-changing run in the third quarter as San Antonio...
John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton
NBA Playoffs allowing James and the Miami Heat to prove the naysayers wrong? (Associated Content)
From their 10-8 November, to their 15-1 December and onward, the Miami Heat have been under what some may call an 'unfair microscope' facing much scrutiny from most everyone outside of the Miami-Dade area. This season, the Heat have laughed, gloated, pouted, fought, and...
Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal Hakeem Olajuwon
Five reasons the Los Angeles Lakers will not win the NBA Championship: Fan analysis (Associated Content)
Posted on | Wednesday, April 20, 2011 | No Comments
To win an NBA championship, everything has to fall in place. Though the Los Angeles Lakers have won the last two championships in the NBA, things seem to be falling apart as they head into the playoffs this year. Here are five reasons why the Lakers won't win the NBA...
Moses Malone Pete Maravich Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe
Fan reaction: Celtics edge Knicks in playoff opener (Associated Content)
Opening weekend of the 2011 NBA Playoffs brought with it eight close and exciting basketball games. The Memphis Grizzlies shocked the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Hornets upset the Los Angeles Lakers. After looking hapless for months, the Atlanta Hawks went to Florida and...
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Fan reaction: Celtics edge Knicks in playoff opener (Associated Content)
Opening weekend of the 2011 NBA Playoffs brought with it eight close and exciting basketball games. The Memphis Grizzlies shocked the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Hornets upset the Los Angeles Lakers. After looking hapless for months, the Atlanta Hawks went to Florida and...
Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens James Worthy
Fan reaction: Griffin and the Clippers nip the Grizzlies in Memphis (Associated Content)
When the Los Angeles Clippers score 82 points on the road against a team that is trying to lock up a playoff spot, it is hard to imagine coming away with a win. And yet, that is exactly what happened as the Clippers beat the Grizzles in Memphis by the narrowest of margins, 82-81.
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Monday's Sports In Brief (PA SportsTicker)
Dwight Howard became the first player to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in three straight seasons - and the voting wasn't even close.
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The Philadelphia 76ers can beat the Heat in round one of the NBA Playoffs: Fan trash talk (Associated Content)
Who believed the Seattle Seahawks could beat the world champion New Orleans Saints in the first round of the NFL playoffs in the 2010-'11 NFL season? Who believed the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadians could defeat the one-seed Washington Capitals in the first round of the...
Clyde Drexler Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin
Most assists in a playoff game in NBA history by player (Associated Content)
These are all the players in NBA history that recorded 20 or more assists in a playoff game . My NBA team, the New Jersey Nets, does not have a player of this list, but we just miss. On April 27, 2007, Jason Kidd had 19 assists for us vs the Toronto Raptors in a playoff game.
Robert Parish Bob Pettit Scottie Pippen Willis Reed Oscar Robertson
A farewell to Jason Williams, the once and future White Chocolate (Yahoo! Sports)
When most players retire, we look back on their accomplishments and consider whether or not they fulfilled their...
Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham Dave DeBusschere Clyde Drexler
Scoring leaders in the NBA in 2010-11 season (Associated Content)
Posted on | Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | No Comments
These are the top 10 scoring leaders in the NBA for the 2010-11 season based upon points per game. My NBA team, the New Jersey Nets, did not have any players in the top 10 but we had two players in the top 20. Brook Lopez averaged 20.4 points per game, good for 18th, while Deron...
Larry Bird Wilt Chamberlain Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Billy Cunningham
Dirk Nowitzki 28 for Mavs in Game 1 win (The Canadian Press)
DALLAS - Dirk Nowitzki knows how to take over a game when the Dallas Mavericks need him the most, and Jason Kidd can still make some big shots.
Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West
Oklahoma City Thunder beat Denver Nuggets in Game One of 2011 NBA Playoffs: Fan reaction (Associated Content)
Things got off to a rough start for the Oklahoma City Thunder in their first round playoff game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, April 17. Denver was on fire to start off the game, hitting basket after basket and the Thunder found themselves fighting from behind for most...
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Video: T.J. Ford, of all people, drains three-quarter-court buzzer-beater (Yahoo! Sports)
One month ago, T.J. Ford was told he didn't need to travel with the Indiana Pacers, that entering his enchilada recipe into a Betty Crocker competition was a better use of his time than hitting the road with the team … Continue reading →
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Dirk Nowitzki 28 for Mavs in Game 1 win (The Canadian Press)
DALLAS - Dirk Nowitzki knows how to take over a game when the Dallas Mavericks need him the most, and Jason Kidd can still make some big shots.
Karl Malone Moses Malone Pete Maravich Kevin McHale George Mikan
Dirk Nowitzki 28 for Mavs in Game 1 win (The Canadian Press)
DALLAS - Dirk Nowitzki knows how to take over a game when the Dallas Mavericks need him the most, and Jason Kidd can still make some big shots.
Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West
Most points scored in a playoff game in NBA history by player (Associated Content)
These are the top 10 players who have scored the most points in the NBA playoffs in one game. My NBA team, the New Jersey Nets, does not have any players on this list and the Nets were never the opponent in any of these games.
James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar Nate Archibald Paul Arizin Charles Barkley
Timberwolves' Kevin Love done for season? (Yahoo! Sports)
The Minnesota Timberwolves only have two more games this season and it is extremely doubtful that Kevin Love...
Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond
Pistons end season with 104-100 win over 76ers (AP)
Posted on | Monday, April 18, 2011 | No Comments
The 76ers hit the skids at the wrong time. Trying to win a series against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in the playoffs was already a burdensome task. Trying to beat them while playing their worst basketball since early November could make even one victory seem like an upset. Rodney Stuckey scored 29 points, Tayshaun Prince had 14 and the Detroit Pistons beat Philadelphia 104-100 on...
Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas
Nowitzki 28 for Mavs in Game 1 win over Portland (AP)
Dirk Nowitzki knows how to take over a game when the Dallas Mavericks need him the most, and Jason Kidd can still make some big shots. Nowitzki scored 18 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and the 38-year-old Kidd had a playoff career-best six 3-pointers among his 24 points as Dallas defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 89-81 Saturday night in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference...
Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal Hakeem Olajuwon
Scoring leaders in the NBA in 2010-11 season (Associated Content)
These are the top 10 scoring leaders in the NBA for the 2010-11 season based upon points per game. My NBA team, the New Jersey Nets, did not have any players in the top 10 but we had two players in the top 20. Brook Lopez averaged 20.4 points per game, good for 18th, while Deron...
Nate Thurmond Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens
Best Philadelphia 76ers playoff series wins (Associated Content)
The Philadelphia 76ers have traditionally been one of the best NBA franchises in history. Though they have had some lean years in the 1990s and 2000s, the franchise is full of basketball tradition. There have been several eras where the 76ers were at the top of the NBA.
Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton Isiah Thomas Nate Thurmond
If Knicks keep it close, it could be Melo's time (PA SportsTicker)
By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer
Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens James Worthy
NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Predictions (Associated Content)
A look at the first-round Western Conference matchups for the 2011 NBA playoffs: (1) San Antonio Spurs (61-21) vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies (46-36) Regular-season series tied 2-2 Spurs — Tony Parker, 17.5 ppg; Manu Ginobili, 17.4 ppg Grizzlies — Zach Randolph, 20.1...
Willis Reed Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes
Fan's NBA Eastern Conference first round preview: Forget the upsets (Associated Content)
There are a number of givens on which you can count when the NBA playoffs roll around...undeniable, immutable, inalterable truths. Elite teams in the first round generally do not become upset victims. There are, of course, some notable exceptions.
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Wednesday's National Basketball Association Capsules (PA SportsTicker)
Kyle Korver scored 19 points, Derrick Rose had 15 and the Chicago Bulls closed the regular season with their ninth straight victory, beating the New Jersey Nets 97-92 on Wednesday night.
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Jazz will have only 8 players active Wednesday (AP)
Posted on | Sunday, April 17, 2011 | No Comments
The Utah Jazz will have only eight players active Wednesday night for their season finale against the Denver Nuggets. Starting swingman C.J. Miles is the latest to join the injury list with a partial tear to a muscle in his left knee suffered in Monday's win at New Orleans. Veteran forward Andrei Kirilenko is out because of a bruised nerve in his knee.
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Video: Blake Griffin ends his rookie season with a bang (Yahoo! Sports)
Thirty-one points on 13-for-21 shooting, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, a steal, a block and a thunderous alley-oop in 40 minutes of work. That'll do, Blake Griffin. That'll do. Griffin's second career triple-double ? the first came last month in a … Continue reading →
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Video: Kurt Thomas drops Tyler Hansbrough with an elbow (Yahoo! Sports)
While attempting to snare an offensive rebound late in the third quarter of a surprisingly tight NBA Playoffs-opening affair between the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers, Chicago reserve big man Kurt Thomas got his elbow/forearm up high on Indiana's Tyler … Continue reading →
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Nowitzki, aging Mavs face Aldridge, rising Blazers (AP)
There was a time when Dirk Nowitzki was a young, rising star, a guy whose expanding skills were making his team more of a championship contender every spring. Now Nowitzki is at the point in his career where teammates talk about wanting to help him finally win a ring. Having been to the NBA finals and won an MVP award, it's the only thing that still drives him.
Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Walt Frazier George Gervin Hal Greer
Villanueva suspended 5 games for Cavs incident (The Canadian Press)
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Charlie Villanueva of the Detroit Pistons has been suspended for five games without pay for initiating an on-court altercation with Cleveland's Ryan Hollins.
David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton
Full spin ahead for NBA coaching carousel (Yahoo! Sports)
Several teams figure to be looking for new coaches before the start of next season, whenever that is.
James Worthy Kareem Abdul Jabbar Nate Archibald Paul Arizin Charles Barkley
Wednesday's National Basketball Association Capsules (PA SportsTicker)
Kyle Korver scored 19 points, Derrick Rose had 15 and the Chicago Bulls closed the regular season with their ninth straight victory, beating the New Jersey Nets 97-92 on Wednesday night.
Pete Maravich Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal
Full spin ahead for NBA coaching carousel (Yahoo! Sports)
Several teams figure to be looking for new coaches before the start of next season, whenever that is.
Magic Johnson Sam Jones Michael Jordan Jerry Lucas Karl Malone
Kahn says he is returning to Wolves, mum on Rambis (PA SportsTicker)
Posted on | Saturday, April 16, 2011 | No Comments
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI AP Sports Writer
Hakeem Olajuwon Robert Parish Bob Pettit Scottie Pippen Willis Reed
Fan's NBA Eastern Conference first round preview: Forget the upsets (Associated Content)
There are a number of givens on which you can count when the NBA playoffs roll around...undeniable, immutable, inalterable truths. Elite teams in the first round generally do not become upset victims. There are, of course, some notable exceptions.
Kevin McHale George Mikan Earl Monroe Shaquille O Neal Hakeem Olajuwon
Miami Heat bench show they're ready for postseason with 97-79 win over Toronto Raptors (Associated Content)
The Heat's reserves showed the NBA just why they should fear facing Miami in the postseason as they led the team from South Beach to a 97-79 victory over the Raptors in Toronto on Wednesday, April 13 to close out the season.
Jerry Lucas Karl Malone Moses Malone Pete Maravich Kevin McHale
76ers greatest playoff upsets (Associated Content)
In 2011, the Philadelphia 76ers will face the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. On paper, the Heat are the far superior team. With Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, the Heat have some of the best players in the NBA.
Wes Unseld Bill Walton Jerry West Lenny Wilkens James Worthy
Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for Denver Nuggets in NBA Playoffs: Fan reaction (Associated Content)
The Los Angeles Lakers broke their five-game losing streak, knocking off the No. 1 seed San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, April 13, 2011, effectively locking the Oklahoma City Thunder into the No. 4 seed heading into the NBA playoffs.This meant that the Thunder's loss to Milwaukee...
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Thunder Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
Slumps late in the season by the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks brought the second and third seeds in the Western Conference into play for the surging Thunder. But in the end, Oklahoma City (55-27) finished where it had been for most of the regular season: fourth.
"The West is so deep," Kevin Durant said. "It goes down to the last game of the season to really paint that playoff picture. That tells a lot about how good the West is and how good the league is."
The Thunder's first round opponent is Denver. The best-of-seven series begins with the first two games in Oklahoma City, which owns the homecourt edge. The Northwest Division rivals met four times during the season, with the Thunder winning three, including twice recently in less than a week.
"If we want...
Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman
Suns Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
The Suns team that ended a 40-42 season with a win over the Spurs had just five players that were on the team last May when Phoenix swept San Antonio in the Western Conference semifinals.
Many of the newcomers—Aaron Brooks, Vince Carter, Josh Childress, Mikael Pietrus—could be short-timers. Some of the survivors—Robin Lopez in particular—might not be around when training camp opens on the other side of an impending labor dispute.
But for the long-term survivors—starters Jared Dudley, Channing Frye, Grant Hill and Steve Nash—putting this season behind them can't come fast enough.
Losing Amar'e Stoudemire to free agency was compounded by spending 80 percent of the money it would have taken to keep him, on the likes of Childress,...
David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman John Stockton