The marriage started out so beautifully. Chris Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers from the New Orleans Hornets as Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan jumped for joy and proclaimed themselves as “lob city.” The team got off to a tremendous 19-8 start and looked destined to be an immediate contender. Soon after losing Chauncey Billups to a torn Achilles tendon, however, the team’s lack of cohesion became more apparent by the game. Caron Butler fell off the map, Griffin’s offense proved to be limited
Fantasy Spin: Friday March 23
There’s another Freeroll tonight on DraftStreet. Even if you haven’t been following my daily adventures there (scroll to the bottom of this page) you should give it a try. Just click the link to enter. Bragging rights against Chris Sheridan are valuable enough, but there’s also $350 in cash prizes and it’s completely free to enter. You just have to pick eight players who fit under a $100,000 salary cap. The rules are easy; winning is a challenge. Thursday Recap LAC @
Fantasy Spin: Tuesday March 20
Rookie Tristan Thompson had his best game as a pro with 27 points and 12 boards in 37+ minutes and solidified his new role as the undersized C for the Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving added 26 in his return to Jersey, where he was a high school legend just two years ago. Deron Williams scored 28 for the Nets and Gerald Williams exploded for 27, plus 12 REB, in an entertaining (if meaningless) contest. Deep leaguer alert: Donald Sloan, formerly of
Bernucca: Magic can make it right with Dwight
Earlier this week, LeBron James said his situation in Cleveland and Dwight Howard’s dilemma in Orlando were not comparable. So true. Where they differed most was that James ultimately made a decision – however foolishly elaborate and narcissistic it may have played out – while Howard was virtually paralyzed by indecision. When Howard finally made up his mind just hours before Thursday’s trading deadline and opted into the final year of his contract with the Magic, a cool breeze of relief wafted through
Fantasy Spin: Saturday March 17
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s not the NBA, but “Irishman” Kyle O’Quinn, wearing green, led Norfolk State to an enormous upset of Missouri in the NCAA tournament yesterday and is now on my draft list next season. In more current fantasy news, Zach Randolph is back. Finally. After injuring his knee in just the fourth game of the season, and teasing his owners for the last couple of weeks, Z-Bo returned by scoring 25 points and grabbing 9 REB, in
Fantasy Spin: Wednesday March 14
Klay Thompson started in place of the traded Monta Ellis, and scored 14 points. His value goes way up, but the Warriors may also unleash Stephen Jackson, potentially a great pickup if he’s been dropped. Nate Robinson started for Stephen Curry (foot, ankle) and had 17 points. Andris Biedrins also regains some fantasy value with Ekpe Udoh joining Ellis in Milwaukee. The Kings may have been overconfident, a luxury they can’t afford In Other News TOR @ CLE: Slowly but surely, Andrea
Tonight’s best game: Utah at Chicago
Two days after having their eight-game winning streak snapped, the Chicago Bulls host the Utah Jazz tonight in a game that should feature a lot of hard drives to the rim. Derrick Rose, one of the most athletic guards in the league, is mired in a mini-shooting slump in his last two games and may be feeling the burn of the lockout-shortened season. That, or being a part-time member of an injury-riddled backcourt. Rose shot just 6-for-22 against in a 99-94 loss to
Fantasy Spin: Friday March 9
It was mostly Dwight Howard, with 29 points and 18 rebounds, as the Magic won in Chicago. Jason Richardson added 18 (including four 3-pointers) before leaving with a sprained ankle. Orlando doesn’t play again until Sunday, giving him some time to recover. J.J. Redick would fill in if J-Rich can’t go. For the Bulls, Carlos Boozer had 26 but Derrick Rose shot 6-22 and Luol Deng was 1-9, then admitted the torn ligament in his left wrist might need some