Finally, we have real basketball action. Yeah, it’s just the preseason, but it’s better than nothing. There are plenty of new story lines throughout the league, and preseason basketball can be a spark to light the fire in some upcoming rivalries. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. They aren’t exactly rivals, but with the “Decision” and “I’m Coming Home” stories that effected both teams similarly, every time the two face off against each other they’ll be under a microscope.
News broke last week regarding Nick Young of the Los Angeles Lakers going down with a thumb injury in practice. An MRI revealed that he completely tore the radial collateral ligament in his right thumb on Friday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Young, or “Swaggy P”, apparently injured his thumb when he was guarding Kobe Bryant in practice. The Lakers are hoping for a more definitive return date after he undergoes surgery, which was scheduled for today.
The 2014-15 NBA season boasts changes for many teams throughout the league. Of course there’s players switching teams every season, but this year it seems that teams are doing more to change the cosmetics of their franchises. With the Golden State Warriors again unveiling new sleeved uniforms, the Dallas Mavericks bringing about the first fan-based jerseys, and even the Cleveland Cavaliers with a new court with a silhouette of the city’s skyline that was showcased at their scrimmage Wednesday night, teams
The “hazing” – if that’s what you want to call it – of rookies and young players by veterans happens in almost all college and professional sports. Carrying bags or equipment, paying for meals and ridiculous haircuts are just a few examples of such hazing. Anything along the lines of giving them a small sense of embarrassment and humiliation usually works. One common approach by veterans is to somewhat emasculate the rookie. Whether it’s football, baseball or basketball, male athletes are
Over the summer, NBA players like to kick back and enjoy their time off after a long season. Most go on some sort of vacation with friends or family or just continue working on their game. Paul Pierce, however, hangs out with star actors on private planes. Okay, maybe it was just this one instance, but still. More and more, famous athletes and actors are seen together at parties and events as the line between sports and entertainment becomes more blurred. I’m
When Danilo Gallinari tore his left ACL at the end of the 2012-13 season, the Denver Nuggets’ hopes of a deep playoff run were essentially ended. Gallinari suffered the injury during a late season matchup with Dallas, and without its leading sharpshooter, Denver was upset in the first round by Golden State. After being diagnosed as an ACL tear, it was yet to be seen whether Gallo would be ready for any of the 2013-14 season after he underwent surgery. In
In February 2013, the Golden State Warriors were the first team in the NBA to wear “the first modern short sleeve NBA Uniform System” when they donned jerseys with sleeves in a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. These new fashionable jerseys were later worn by several NBA teams, most notably in matchups on Christmas. Over the weekend, the Warriors were at it again. The normal blue and yellow color scheme just doesn’t cut it in the Bay Area anymore. Well,
Friday brought about the first media days for a few NBA teams. The Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers were among the teams meeting the media before the start of training camp. The Heat are the defending Eastern Conference champions but are retooling. The Knicks are beginning the Phil Jackson era. The Spurs are trying to defend their NBA title. But no team got as much attention Friday as the Cavaliers. [Read more…]