“Nobody was expecting this,” Knicks head coach Mike Woodson said of his team missing the playoffs for the first time since 2010. “At the beginning of the season, nobody ever thought we’d be in this situation, in this position that we’re in right now,” said star forward Carmelo Anthony, who will not play in the postseason for the first time in his 11 year career. After coming into last year’s postseason as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the New
Transparency is a two-way street. For years, NBA media members – echoing the sentiments of its passionate fan base – wanted more transparency from Commissioner David Stern and his executive staff. Whether it was a lottery drawing, a suspension in the playoffs or a referee scandal, folks felt like they were entitled to an explanation. And they were. Stern grudgingly came around. He arranged for the media to meet with referees prior to the season about rules changes. He allowed the media
The 2013-14 NBA regular season is rapidly approaching its end. With the opportunity to improve records, season averages and postseason standing running thin, 14 teams took to the court to make a lasting statement. There were season-best performances from All-Stars, significant wins by contenders and a clash between two of the association’s best interior players. An embattled lottery pick set a career-high, a first-round selection from 2013 continued his breakout month and a dynamic player continued to post triple-doubles. Here’s everything that
The Indiana Pacers, finally, brought home a big win. During a two month slump that has caused the league, media, fans and Pacers themselves to question their capability, Sunday’s 102-97 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder should help them sleep easy. At least for a night. With the win, the Pacers positioned themselves to successfully claim home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Despite Friday’s crucial loss at Miami, because the Heat slipped up against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, the Pacers
Next time I write a blog for Sheridan Hoops, barring unforeseen circumstances, it’ll be the first day of the playoffs. This is what the whole season has been building towards, and it’s always a fun time. Every year has one of those “where were you when” moments. In 2012, I was mowing the lawn when Derrick Rose tore his ACL when he should have been on the bench, and I was debating whether or not to stay for the last
One of my favorite factoids involving NBA awards goes back to the ’50s and ’60s when the two premier legends in the history of pro basketball were dominating the game. Wilt Chamberlain was a mythical character – a combination of Paul Bunyan, Jack in the Beanstalk and the Incredible Hulk. Bill Russell was the ultimate winner — 11 championships in 13 seasons. Yes, I believe Michael Jordan is the best player ever, but Wilt and Russell were bigger than life and their legend
With the final days of the 2013-14 NBA regular season upon us, only one spot remains in the postseason. On Saturday, April 12, the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference was locked up and a seventh team in the Western Conference clinched a berth in the playoffs. Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s action. [Read more…]
Monday night. 10 p.m. Eastern. Memphis Grizzlies. Phoenix Suns. Only one of them can make the playoffs. The Grizzlies will be coming off a game the previous night against the Lakers. If they win that game, they’re a game up on the Suns. If they lose, the two teams are tied. Phoenix has to be praying the Lakers get the win, because they’ve lost all three games against the Grizzlies this season, and they need to claim the eighth spot