Yesterday, this forum was devoted to discussion of the Defensive Player of the Year, and there was a ton of support for Tyson Chandler and LeBron James, with some love for Tony Allen and Paul George sprinkled in. Today we turn to the Most Improved Player award, which is somewhat of a wide-open field this season. I have an official NBA ballot to vote for the award, and I had been leaning toward Ryan Anderson throughout the season. I remember covering the
At this point of every season, even 66-game ones, I like to offer a little prayer of thanksgiving: Thank heavens that’s over! If you want to know who I ranked first, instead of copping out again with a 12-way tie, the answer is San Antonio. If you want to know who proved themselves to be best, that would be no one. Not that the regular season was going to tell much about the elite teams, unless one went 60-6. For all the opinions spouted from
In a game that both teams took somewhat seriously, Joe Johnson scored 28 points and Josh Smith (18 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST) made the most of his 31 minutes. Blake Griffin (36 PTS, 8 REB) and Chris Paul (34 PTS, 8 AST, 2 STL) were stellar in defeat, though CP3 is doubtful tonight with a mild groin strain. Jeff Teague (21) played well for the Hawks and Marvin Williams (11) returned to his sixth-man role. PHO @ UTA: The Jazz
So we finally come to the conclusion of the regular season. In terms of who’s making the playoffs, anyway. With only one spot – the eighth seed of the Western Conference – still left for grabs, the Utah Jazz sealed the deal on Tuesday night by defeating the Phoenix Suns for their fourth consecutive victory, on national television, and clinched the final available seed. They are not done either, as they still have a chance to move up to the seventh seed, albeit
NEW YORK — The penalty came in rather harsh. Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers was suspended for seven games by the NBA Tuesday for elbowing James Harden in the head, a punishment that could end the former Ron Artest’s season if the Lakers get knocked out of the first round of the playoffs in six games or less. “The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at
NEWS Rick Adelman says he did not have a problem with J.J. Barea’s comments that some Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t care enough after a recent loss. Thunder sixth-man James Harden was only able to watch most of his team’s shoot-around this morning. He spent most of his time being evaluated by the Thunder medical staff following Sunday’s concussion suffered at the elbow of Metta World Peace. NOTES The National Basketball Players Association, whose business practices are being questioned by President Derek Fisher, paid almost $4.8
Glen Grunwald has shed his interim label. The New York Knicks announced today that Grunwald has been named executive vice president and general manager. Grunwald had been serving in this role on an interim basis since July. “Glen has done a terrific job this season,” Knicks owner James Dolan said. “He is an intelligent, seasoned executive and we look forward to him continuing in the role of general manager for many years to come.” Grunwald joined the Knicks on Sep. 6, 2006 as the team’s
