Thursday’s three-game slate tips off with the much-improved Hornets hosting Toronto. The marquee matchup on TNT has the Thunder in Cleveland. [Read more…]
Fantasy Spin: Thunder-Cavaliers Clash Takes Center Stage
Rookie Rankings, Edition II: But I Am a Rookie, Really
Jabari Parker and Julius Randle have several things in common. Both were lottery picks in the 2014 NBA draft – Parker going second to the Milwaukee Bucks, Randle going seventh to the Los Angeles Lakers. Both were one-and-done college stars from powerhouse programs – Parker from Duke, Randle from Kentucky. Both were supposed to be among the legitimate contenders for Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, both suffered serious injuries that ended their rookie seasons shortly after they began and put them on
Rookie Rankings, Edition 1: Rebuilding Lakers Must Play Russell More
It’s time for the Los Angeles Lakers to get serious about rebuilding. The Lakers aren’t making the playoffs this season. They are 2-9, with losses already to Minnesota, Sacramento, Denver, New York and Dallas twice. One of their wins came against Brooklyn. The only thing between the Lakers and the bottom of the Western Conference is the New Orleans Pelicans, who have almost as many injuries as the 3rd Ranger Battalion. This is uncharted territory for the Lakers, who already have missed
Scotto: Kobe Bryant’s Legacy: “A Talented Overachiever”
NEW YORK – You don’t need a watch to know Father Time has caught up to Kobe Bryant. With that in mind, I asked Bryant what he wants his legacy to be when he retires. “As a talented overachiever,” Bryant replied with a laugh. “I really worked my butt off every single day to make sure I left no stone unturned and try to push it as much as I possibly could.” “My message has been consistent all the time,” Bryant said. “If
Five Things To Watch: Los Angeles Lakers
As the Los Angeles Lakers slowly and painfully transition away from the Kobe Bryant era, the franchise actually did the right thing in bottoming out last season. The Lakers went a franchise-worst 21-61 last season under first-year coach Byron Scott, losing 29 games by double digits. Forward Julius Randle was lost for the season with a foot injury in the opener, and everything went pretty much downhill from there. Los Angeles had the second-worst defensive rating and scoring defense while finishing 24th
Jordan Farmar Dishes On D’Angelo, Kobe, Lakers, Knicks
It’s not easy to take an 11-hour flight, but that’s what former NBA player and current Maccabi Tel Aviv point guard Jordan Farmar was getting ready for on Sunday afternoon as he slowly got dressed in the locker room inside Madison Square Garden. After a two-city tour in NBA arenas, Farmar and his teammates were about to head back to Israel, traveling even further away from his native Los Angeles. Farmar, 28, was born in Los Angeles and went to high
Tweet of the Night: D’Angelo Russell imitates Kobe Bryant after circus shot
It appears playing with Kobe Bryant still carries some perks. The 36-year-old Bryant, of course, has developed a reputation in his final years of being a turnoff to younger players. (Just ask Dwight Howard and Jared Dudley.) Fortunately for the Lakers, their No. 2 pick D’Angelo Russell doesn’t seem bothered. [Read more…]
NBA Las Vegas Summer League Roundup for July 17
The final 16 teams have been cut to eight, with a day off on Friday before Saturday’s quarterfinals in Las Vegas. Friday’s action will feature consolation games for the 16 teams no longer in the running for the highly coveted summer league trophy. Suns 106 Bucks 80 Phoenix outscored Milwaukee 56-28 in the second half en route to an easy win. The Suns’ stable of young guns all came through on Thursday. T.J. Warren scored a game-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, rookie