Happy April Fool’s Day, but I have no jokes for you. I am glad to have the month of March behind us, because the next our weeks are going to be riveting in the NBA with the playoff races the way they are. Remember, our body clocks and our minds are trained to believe that there are 10-12 days left in the regular season. But this is the post-lockout season, remember? So the drama will last an extra couple of weeks. That means that
No, that horrific shooting night for Kobe Bryant (3-for-21) wasn’t an early April Fool’s joke and he did hit a late, clutch 3-pointer to prevent the Lakers from losing. Jarrett Jack had been solid all afternoon despite a sore ankle (18 PTS, 10 AST) but missed a huge layup near the end. I was bullish on Carl Landry, a surprise — and very late — scratch with a sore ankle. Jason Smith (17 PTS, 10 REB, 2 BLK) held his
When Jeremy Lin sat out a playoff-implication game against Milwaukee due to a sore left knee on Monday, the absence was expected. When he sat out again two days later against Orlando, there was cause for concern. As teammates said, Lin is not the type of player to sit out games unless it was something serious. After avoiding the media prior to the game against the Hawks on Friday, it became clear something was amiss. Then suddenly, at least for now, the sensation
This week, there was a groundswell for Kevin Love’s inclusion in the MVP conversation. Thanks for joining us in 2012, folks. Love should should have been in it months ago. We know all the names that already comprised the conversation – LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul – with Tony Parker and Dwight Howard on the periphery. Those six candidates differ from Love in two ways. 1. They all play on winning teams. 2. This season, they all couldn’t wash Love’s socks. Yes,
NEW YORK — This might be the end of Linsanity as we’ve known it. The Knicks announced Saturday night prior to their game against Cleveland that Lin recently had an MRI that revealed a slight tear to the meniscus in his left knee. Lin will have a minor surgical procedure that will sideline him for 6 weeks. That means Lin will be unavailable before the beginning of May, when the playoffs will already be underway. The news is a major blow to the Knicks.
SACRAMENTO — His attitude was questioned in New Jersey. His spot on the bench seemed permanent in Houston. With the Sacramento Kings, Terrence Williams may have found a place where he is appreciated. The Kings today signed the swingman for the remainder of the season, according to a news release from Kings’ president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie. Williams, currently in his third NBA season, is averaging 7.5 points (.500 FGs, .286 3FGs, .667 FTs), 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per
When we last looked at Terrence Jones of Kentucky, we noted the significance of returning to school to become a more efficient offensive player. Last year, Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger made national news by deciding to forgo the draft and millions of dollars in a rather weak big man draft. His goal was to improve and to lead his team to the Final Four. He’s done both. What I love most about Sullinger is his combination of a strong mid-range shooting game along
The Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies are both jockeying for playoff position with little room for error. Saturday’s best game will test each team’s mettle as they try to prove they belong in the postseason. So far the Bucks have been pretty convincing. Milwaukee has won nine of its last 12 games and averaged 108 points over its last 10. In Monta Ellis’ first game with the Bucks on March 16th, Milwaukee set a season high with 120 points in a win over