In the wake of the Pau Gasol news (torn plantar fascia, probably out at least a month), the fault lines, story lines and the overall basketball landscape in California continue to shift without any forewarning. Aftershocks, anyone? [Read more…]
That was hardly the tight defensive game we expected. The Bulls had seven players score in double figures and still lost by ten. Taj Gibson (10 PTS, 11 REB, 5 BLK) made another start for Joakim Noah (plantar fasciitis) while Carlos Boozer (10 PTS, 5 REB) played just 23 minutes in his return from a sore hamstring. [Read more…]
With the All-Star break on the not-so distant horizon, three of California’s teams are in various stages of a positive identity forge, while a fourth remains the stuck in “Fugitive-esque train wreck” mode. (Spoiler alert! The odd team out is the Sacramento Kings!) With that in mind, here’s a look at what’s brewing on the left coast. [Read more…]
Phil Jackson has been considered for the in-season vacancies with both the Lakers and the Nets. Both teams opted for an alternative to the most successful coach in NBA history. There were reasons why Jackson did not return to coaching, including this possibility: Could it be that Jackson wants to change his game plan and build a championship team from scratch? [Read more…]
The 2012-13 NBA season is at its mid-point (more or less), and for the California Four it’s been a first half of dominance, surprise, catastrophe, and upheaval. In that order. For more from California ,check out Mark Heisler’s latest Power Rankings. He is, shall we say … down, on the Lakers. Time to review the action, preview what’s next, and hand out some grades… [Read more…]
No matter what apologies Josh Smith (1-game suspension) issues, he and coach Larry Drew are not getting along. Internal squabbles often inspire other players in the short term; I changed my DraftStreet lineups to include Zaza Pachulia (13 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST) and he came up big. Al Horford (17 PTS, 13 REB) was also solid, but it was Jeff Teague — with a career-high 28 points and 11 assists — who led the fast-paced attack. Devin Harris (18 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB, 4
We are pleased to present another exclusive Sheridan Hoops Freeroll this Friday, where you could win $100 cash, with no entry fee, by picking an 8-man fantasy team for games of January 18 only. It’s free to join DraftStreet (click the top-left logo to get started immediately.) [Read more…]
Go figure. You take the great Chris Paul (kneecap) out of the Clippers lineup and they drop 99 on a very good defensive team. Eric Bledsoe (14 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL) did a fine job filling in at PG and that talented L.A. bench did the rest, with 16 apiece from Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford. [Read more…]