The NBA season is barely under way, and already there is talk of some statement games having taken place. Those are the games that match up two teams that possibly have implications for later playoff matchups or showcase two rival players battling for recognition as King of the Hill. On Opening Night in L.A., the Clippers-Lakers “rivalry” started with the Lakers playing an inspired game and beating the “other LA team” that is poised to make a serious run at the
With preseason winding down, the excitement is building for the start of the NBA season — for the players, that is. The NBA preseason is a necessary part of the game as teams prepare for the long season. However that does not make it fun. If you want fun, think baseball Spring Training. Teams go to some wonderful part of the country for 6 weeks. The players move in, bringing their golf clubs and families. They ease into the season at
Figures lie and liars figure. I remember when I asked my accountant how much I made from my investments one year and his answer was, “How much do you want to make?” Then he dropped the line above. I don’t mean that he was a crooked accountant. As a matter of fact, the opposite was true. His reputation was so good that his clients were almost never audited. The point was that you can use statistics to prove whatever you want them
Is it an honor to go last? I hope that’s what Sheridan was thinking when he assigned my the final edition of our senior staff writers’ 10 Season Predictions. The funny thing is that I am enough of a senior citizen to have had each of our esteemed prognosticating vets (Sheridan, Mark Heisler, Jan Hubbard, Chris Bernucca, Peter May) cover me with a notebook and tape recorder in their hands. And now I am an ink-stained wretch just like them. Woo-hoo. [Read
The start of training camp is always a special time. Every team is undefeated and optimism fills the air. Players have been working out all summer with the anticipation of getting on with it. Many teams schedule special getaway experiences for team bonding and focus time. Two-a-day practices are hard enough without having to go home and deal with the kids and the house. Pat Riley used to take the Lakers to Hawaii for training camp to get away from it
NBA players recently held their annual meeting in Las Vegas and elected Chris Paul as the new president of the National Basketball Players Association. The union is in the middle of the most controversial period in its history, which is as old as the shot clock. It was founded by Bob Cousy in 1954 and finally recognized as the players’ exclusive union in 1964. I was a member for 18 years and worked with every executive director in its history. When Billy
The NBA is about to go through one of its most important transitions in history. In fact, it is going through several simultaneously. While some are dramatic and others symbolic, the final cumulative effect should be an evolution — not a revolution. The most public and obvious is the retirement of Commissioner David Stern and the ascension of Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver to that powerful post. While their styles are very different, the succession has been planned out and should be very
The Dwight Howard dramatics (but not the fallout) have finally ended after a two-plus year run with his commitment to the Houston Rockets. He has been the most sought-after free agent for the last 3 seasons because he is THE ONLY FRANCHISE CENTER IN THE NBA! What!?! [Read more…]