The stories stopped popping about the same time the fireworks stopped exploding on the East Coast. And what do we have to start the day as we await Dwight Howard’s Dwecision? ESPN.com’s Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne, two of the best in the biz, would appear to be pushing the Dwight-to-Golden State angle hard if you merely glanced at ESPN.com’s home page or NBA page. That would leave them practically all alone in their current stance on the summer’s biggest free agency
As the entire basketball world had their eyes on Dwight Howard with free agency opening, the biggest move of Night One was made by new Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri — the same guy who fleeced the Knicks of half their roster in the Carmelo Anthony trade. Ujuri dumped Andrea Bargnani on the Knicks in exchange for Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, a first-round draft pick in 2016 (which the Nuggets have first dibs on in a pick-swap agreement) and two
My snap judgement on the 2013 NBA draft? David Stern emerged a winner, because the crowd embraced him. The Utah Jazz were big winners, because they got the best point guard in the draft, Trey Burke, and added a Frenchman with a 7-foot-9 wingspan. Biggest losers? The Celtics, maybe — although those three first-round draft picks could become valuable assets if the Nets go into the tank after 2-3 years of trying to win old, which didn’t work for the Knicks. A final
It is not often that you are eating dumplings in Chinatown at 3 a.m. on a Friday morning and learn that Kosta Koufos has been traded, but that true story only just added to the bizzarro nature of the 2013 Draft — the craziest draft night I have ever witnessed in more than 20 years of covering them. [Read more…]
BROOKLYN — You know that scene in the Exorcist where Linda Blair’s head spins completely around? That was what it was like to be at the 2013 NBA draft. David Stern got booed, then cheered heartily. Nerlens Noel sat slumped in his chair as the second, third, fourth and fifth picks were called — and his name was not attached. [Read more…]
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday that Larry Bird will return to the team as President of Basketball Operations. Bird agreed to a multi-year deal. Donnie Walsh, who held that position the last year, will be a consultant to the franchise and Kevin Pritchard remains as the Pacers’ General Manager. “We are all very happy to have Larry back,” said Pacers’ owner Herb Simon. “When he left last July, Donnie and I both told him the door would be open for him
WWCD: What will Cleveland Do? Or what Will Chris Do? Chris being Chris Grant, the GM of the Cleveland Cavaliers as they head into the 2013 draft with the No. 1 pick. The Cavs are working the phones trying to trade the pick, but their asking price sems to high. So if they keep the pick, what will they do? We have been saying for 10 days at SheridanHoops that they will select Alex Len of Maryland. Here is an explanation why he
I had the pleasure of going on the air in Charlotte this morning on WFNZ immediately after general manager Rich Cho came on the program. An excerpt of Cho’s interview was played, and wait until you listen to his nervous laughter before saying he is not “shopping” Michael Kidd-Gilchrist but is listening to offers. That, folks, is semantics. “Shopping” is a loaded word. “Listening to offers” is a more soothing statement. I went on to defend the story we posted yesterday about Kidd-Gilchrist,