Few individuals are appreciated less for their contributions to the world of sports as referees. Their brilliant calls go unnoticed, their missed calls are overstated and their consistency is nothing short of under-appreciated. Throughout the NBA, few men with the whistle have done as much for the game as Dick Bavetta. Bavetta, 74, made his NBA debut in 1975. Since then, he’s been the referee iron man. Albeit with little recognition amongst casual fans, this earned him the reputation of one of
As a member of Team USA’s national sports teams, athletes become more than just competitors. They become representatives of their country, both on and off the court. The U.S. men’s national basketball team will receive that honorable distinction when they represent their nation at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. [Read more…]
The Toronto Raptors are fighting vigorously to remain relevant in the NBA. While basketball takes precedent over all else, the organization has also made a clear effort to become more socially relevant. Part of that expansion has been the association with hip hop artist Drake. The Grammy award-winner was named the global ambassador for the Raptors, which instantly caught the attention of the entertainment world and all of its followers. On Monday, August 11, Drake earned the wrong type of attention for his hometown squad. He brought the wrath of
In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, LeBron James has returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a four-year hiatus in which he won two titles and made two other NBA Finals appearances with the Miami Heat, James signed with the squad that drafted him in 2003. Despite the unceremonious exit in 2010, James has been welcomed back to Cleveland with open arms. As a four-time MVP, it’s not too hard to see why Cavaliers fans are so eager to
On a day as somber as Friday, August 1, it’s hard to focus on anything but the tragic incident involving Paul George. One of the league’s premier players suffered a gruesome leg injury that shook the association at its core. When something like this happens, it’s hard to do anything but offer support. Regardless of how hard it may be, it is necessary to look forward and acknowledge that this impacts more than just George and the Indiana Pacers. The NBA will be altered
Monday, July 28 was a monumental day in the NBA. As written by our Chris Bernucca, Donald Sterling lost the Los Angeles Clippers via legal decision. That wasn’t the only news to shake up the league’s power structure. The NBA Players Association finally named a replacement to the embattled Billy Hunter. Unlike the response to the Sterling ruling, the optimism involved in this decision wasn’t quite as unanimous. The NBPA ousted Hunter from his position as executive director on February 16, 2013. In the 17 months
Seriously. Just trade Kevin Love and let this saga end already. The never-ending trade reports continued to flow in on Friday, July 25. The Minnesota Timberwolves power forward remains a player who’s on the trading block, but seemingly untouchable for an organization that would likely lose him for nothing in 2015 if he remains in Minnesota. According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio, Love has made it clear where he wants to be traded to. Multiple league sources told FOX Sports Ohio on Friday they are under the impression
Quietly but surely, the Detroit Pistons have been one of the most active teams in free agency. The organization parted ways with general manager Joe Dumars, replaced him with Stan Van Gundy and began padding its roster. As July comes to a close, two of the Pistons’ biggest names have purely uncertain futures: forwards Greg Monroe and Josh Smith. Monroe, 24, is one of the most promising big men in the league. The 6’11” ex-Georgetown Hoyas star averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds in 2013-14 and continues to