GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The best way for me to tell you about Derek Fisher’s first day on the job is to relate two conversations I had with him Tuesday at his introductory news conference as coach of the New York Knicks. One answer illustrated just how much the Knicks are a franchise being held hostage by a single player. The second illustrated just how there isn’t much of value on this roster aside from Anthony. I have been to more introductory news conferences
Game 1 of the NBA Finals was Miami’s for the taking. That’s not indicative if you look at Thursday’s 110-95 final score, which looks like an easy romp of a win for the Spurs. But the Heat led going into the 4th quarter and forced 23 San Antonio turnovers in the sweltering, air conditioning-malfunctioning heat at the AT&T Center. How can Miami rebound and continue its streak of 12 consecutive wins after a playoff loss? Here are five easy keys for
In a very loose way, history repeated itself Thursday and it will be fascinating to see if the end result is failure – or perhaps another classic. A friend covering the NBA Finals called after Game 1 between the Heat and Spurs and asked for memories of the infamous Lakers-Celtics game in the 97-degree heat of Boston Garden. Other than a slight mix up on the year of the game (initially I thought it was 1985; it was ’84) and the
SAN ANTONIO — On your left we have a bottle of Powerade, endorsed by LeBron James. It’s supposedly the stuff he drinks to stay hydrated. (Cue laughter.) On your right we have a bottle of Gatorade, endorsed by Dwyane Wade. When it was mentioned Friday in a question to LeBron James, he refused to speak of the product by name. Then again, the word “Powerade” never came out of James’ mouth, either, a day after “Crampgate” and the broken air conditioning system at the
SAN ANTONIO — Adam Silver was not convinced that the sauna-like conditions in the T&T Enter (get it? No AC) led to LeBron James’ cramps. “Did anybody else cramp up?” he asked me as he exited the arena. The new commissioner’s first game as David Stern’s successor is one that will live in infamy. It was sweltering inside the Spurs’ home arena on a day when the temperature reached almost 100 degrees outside and came close to that inside. How hot was it
I have always pondered the challenge of being an NBA coach, so here’s my attempt at coming up with three different key strategies for both coaches and teams to implement if they are going to win the championship. I personally feel that San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich is not only the premier coach in the game today, I actually believe he is one of the greatest leaders of any sport in the history of our country. On the other side you have Miami’s
Lance Stephenson is a free agent enigma and a polarizing topic amongst league executives. Stephenson, a tantalizing talent who led the league in triple-doubles (5), showed signs of immaturity during the playoffs with his antics toward LeBron James, leaving several executives split on his free agency value. The general consensus is Stephenson could command a yearly salary ranging from the $5.3 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to as high as $10 million. The mid-level exception indicates concern over Stephenson’s maturity level, while the $10
Jeanie Buss Jim Buss Toyota Sports Center 555 Nash St. El Segundo, Calif., 90245 Dear Jeanie and Jimbo, I know, it’s quiet around the Lakers facility these days, a l-o-n-g way from Sterling World Plaza in Beverly Hills, AKA, the Heart of Darkness, or, actually, in this case, Madness. I understand it’s been a hard time. You’re choosing a coach and it’s barely discussed. Of course, even if the Sterlings would stop duking it out in the press and leave you a little space, it still wouldn’t