In the brave new world of basketball analytics, trends and modules, a simpler stat surfaced this week that was utterly inexplicable. Two teams have lost 10 games this season in which they led after three quarters. One is the league-worst Philadelphia 76ers, who have no one on their roster who knows how to win a game. The other is the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have two of the supposed best closers in the game in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. [Read more…]
Sacramento Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins has drawn significant trade interest from the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, league sources tell SheridanHoops. Sacramento is listening, but the Kings are in a holding pattern and currently have no plans to make a deal despite sitting in 13th place in the 15-team Western Conference, the sources said. But should owner Vivek Ranadive, general manager Vlade Divac and coach George Karl decide to change course, they have been made acutely aware what is
The city of Portland is at a crossroads. With a new apartment complex on every block and thousands of new residents flocking to the land of fair trade coffee and cruelty-free, artisan baked goods, the battle between Old Portland and New Portland has Rip City searching for a new identity. In an ironic twist of fate, as the City of Roses undergoes an extended facelift, so too does its basketball team. Gone is four-fifths of the starting lineup that won 50-plus
Did Portland Trail Blazers center Chris Kaman make a cameo appearance as a cameraman during Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals? With the Golden State Warriors taking on the Houston Rockets in what would turn out to be a series-ending contest on Wednesday, most eyes were focused on Stephen Curry and company. Damian Lillard, however, noticed something else on the side, as you can see below: [Read more…]
BROOKLYN – A string of poor play may cost the Brooklyn Nets a playoff spot in the pathetic Eastern Conference. Their inability over the last several games – and throughout the season as a whole – to consistently beat winning teams could end up being the back-breaker for this ballclub. Despite being without Joakim Noah, the Chicago Bulls outscored the Nets 30-15 in the third quarter and ran away with a 113-86 laugher that cost Brooklyn the eighth spot in the East,
If you saw the little scuffle between the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, you know that it all started when Chris Kaman shoved Chris Paul in the back after a missed rebound opportunity. Kaman clearly pushed Paul with intent, and the big man explained the reason behind his anger with one photo that said it all: [Read more…]
Chris Paul suffered the wrath of the internet and twitter this week after an unpleasant night of trying to guard Stephen Curry on Tuesday. The good thing about the NBA, though, is that there is always another game to play the following night or soon after, and Paul took full advantage of this on Wednesday when he took his anger out on the Portland Trail Blazers with 41 points (on 13-of-21 shooting from the field), five rebounds, 17 assists, four steals and
Players have slumps, teams have slumps and even fantasy tipsters have slumps. On Wednesday night, I got Blake Griffin and Jeff Teague right, but watched in disbelief as the Jazz trounced the Bulls in Chicago. [Read more…]