Hard to believe that anyone’s role model in the NBA would be . . . the Cleveland Cavaliers? The little team that couldn’t? The franchise so unattractive that it could not even entice local sensation LeBron James to stay? The team that has lost its last three games by an average of 28.3 points per game? Admittedly, it is difficult to look up to the Cavaliers when they went from seasons of winning 66 and 61 games to winning only 19
Perhaps the most important trait that separates great ones from The Greatest of All Time is the relentless drive to be the very best. It is not a learned trait. It is natural. Kobe Bryant has it. Other current NBA players may have a dose of it, but it is negligible when compared to Bryant, who has spent much of his career – particular the late ’90s and early 2000’s – being compared to the fanatically driven Michael Jordan. To his credit, Bryant
Those who thought the NBA would be plagued by inconsistency because of the nutty compressed schedule have been unpleasantly surprised. The NBA has been very consistent. All you have to do is consult the NBA roundup in your local newspaper each day. In recent days, we’ve read that players either missed or will miss games because of: — Strained hamstring (Charlotte’s Corey Maggette). — Groin injuries (Chicago’s Rip Hamilton, Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey, Milwaukee’s Mike Dunleavy, New Orleans’ Trevor Ariza). — Back injuries (Dallas’ Jason
At the end of the 1952-53 season, the NBA recognized an individual player for the first time when it presented the Rookie of the Year award to Don Meineke of the Fort Wayne Pistons. Three years later, Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks won the first Most Valuable Player award. Later, the NBA either created or sanctioned awards honoring the best coach, executive, sixth man, defensive player, most improved player and even the best citizen . There has been one significant oversight,
With a new era in the NBA that features the league dictating the Clippers are blessed and the Lakers are not, it is obviously time for an advanced way of thinking that requires everyone to not only accept changes, but also embrace them. I read many predictions before games began on Christmas Day and it was clear that the majority of media has yet to adjust to the new NBA. I will have to admit that I made it only halfway
A strange phenomenon has occurred in the supersonic world of information that is currently embodied by Twitter. Everything is faster now – information, reaction, criticism and analysis. There used to be a 24-hour news cycle. Now it sometimes does not last 24 seconds. There seems to be, however, an unintended consequence. The faster the world; the quicker people forget. A few years ago, there was measured reaction to subjects of the day; now the norm is overreaction. And that’s fine. No complaints here.
When he visits NBA arenas during the season, David Stern often makes a grand entry into each team’s locker room before the game to mingle with the fellows, perhaps giving them a brief but very inspiring pep talk and showing them the king has his common-man side. Usually, the commissioner is welcomed with smiles and handshakes and appreciation. When you have a leader who helped the average salary balloon north of $5 million, it’s only proper to be respectful. Plus it’s
Although Greed holds a prominent position among the Seven Deadly Sins, there are times when it is a virtuous endeavor. Take the desire for multiple championships, for instance. The Celtics have 17. The Lakers franchise has 16. They want more. In those cases, no one can argue – Greed is good. Last year, the Dallas Mavericks played the 31st season in franchise history. They were a little more than a decade removed from residing in the inferno of the ’90s – a period when