In choosing the All-Star reserves, the Eastern Conference is much less complicated than the West. But it appears that a backcourt position could be a point of contention. Kyle Lowry and Dwyane Wade are locked in as starters. Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan have the strongest cases among non-starters. [Read more…]
What is the takeaway from David Blatt’s shocking dismissal as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers? A few things, all of them related to the Cavs being weak-minded. (Hey, you make a move like that, and you open a window into dysfunction junction.) 1. The East is now a lot more wide open than people might have realized. Exhibit A was the Cavs’ mail-it-in effort in Saturday night’s home loss to the Chicago Bulls, with new coach Tyronn Lue explaining afterward that his
There are two NBA games at 3:30 Eastern, with the Thunder huge favorites in Brooklyn and the Mavericks visiting Houston. The injury list, always important, is critical in that one. Dwight Howard (ankle) is out, so Clint Capela $6000 will start again, with Terrence Jones $5200 getting extra run. [Read more…]
Every year, All-Star debate centers around a team or player. Player X was snubbed. Team Y needs more All-Stars because of their record. We could see a convergence of debate in the Western Conference frontcourt this season. Players that deserve consideration for these spots include Draymond Green, DeMarcus Cousins, Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge and Anthony Davis. [Read more…]
Some people perform best when there’s not as much pressure. You know, like when they’re not hearing their name and educational history shouted by an overzealous announcer in front of thousands of screaming fans. When they aren’t expected to “dab” or “quan-quan” as they greet their teammates after said introductions. Or when they don’t have to high-five the mascot on their way out to the center court, dap up their homies on the opposing team and listen to confrontational non-sequitors from Joey Crawford before tip-off. Don’t start
Whoever made the NBA schedule was a tricky fellow, especially when it comes to the Spurs. Through the middle of January, San Antonio will see both ends of the spectrum. Unfortunately for them, they will have to face the weaker grouping before the elite. In other words, they won’t need to up their game before facing the best the league has to offer. Thus far this season, San Antonio has shown that they are one of the best in the league
The original 10-game NBA schedule is down to eight, with postponements due to snow in Philadelphia and Washington. All eyes are on Cleveland, where LeBron James $9700 will break in new coach Tyronn Lue. The best value might be Kyrie Irving $6800, as it remains to be seen whether Kevin Love $7200 will be featured or forgotten. The Bulls dropped a 9-point decision in Boston last night despite 28 from Jimmy Butler $8500 and 27 from Derrick Rose $5800. Fatigue could be a
One of the main reasons so many fans were shocked by Cleveland’s decision to fire head coach David Blatt was that he and his players were guarded in their media commentary. [Read more…]