Every year, one of the more entertaining conversations around the NBA surrounds the race for the Sixth Man Award. While it’s never about the most shimmering and glamorous of superstars, the talk always turns to the most precious of commodities – a guy who can come off the bench and consistently inject life into his team. The award has gone to characters such as J.R Smith and Anthony Mason, stars such as James Harden and Kevin McHale, and champions such as Toni
One of the major contributions made by David Stern during his time as NBA commissioner was expanding the appeal of the game globally. As a result of this, China became the second largest market for the game outside of the United States. [Read more…]
There have been plenty of speculation around the league about a number of important free agents in the past couple of weeks – most notably, of course, LeBron James. James still has yet to make a decision (although our Chris Sheridan reports of a probable return to Cleveland), and not much else looks to happen with anyone else until he does. While the big guns take the necessary time to mull their options, other NBA players around the league are enjoying their time off
2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah led all vote getters for the NBA All-Defensive First Team. The NBA released the 2014 All-Defensive teams Monday afternoon. Leading the charge was the 2014 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, who led all vote getters. He was the only player to get triple-digit votes for the First Team, tallying 105 such votes as well as another 13 Second Team votes
An American legend died. No, we’re not talking about someone from the NBA or even the professional sports industry. However, her—yes HER, impact has crossed all sorts of socio-economic barriers—racial; gender; lower-, middle- and upper-class. Her works, as a poet and author did not just bring her critical acclaim and recognition. Her work helped inspire and mold minds. Dr. Maya Angelou, who was born April 4, 1928, died in her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina early Wednesday. She was 86 years old. Her
One of the consequences of the Donald Sterling scandal was that it delayed the official announcement of the Sixth Man Award winner. As the racism controversy was at its peak, the NBA postponed plans to present the award to Jamal Crawford, but news of the delay was reported far and wide. Today, there is enough calm in El Lay to finally make things official. Congratulations, J.Crossover. [Read more…]
Mike D’Antoni has coached his last game with the Los Angeles Lakers. With so much assurance from the front office throughout the year, most expected the coach to return next season. However, there were certain conditions he hoped Mitch Kupchak would agree to, and those conditions weren’t met. ESPN has details: The Lakers and D’Antoni have been discussing his future with the team since the season ended, multiple sources told ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne. Last week he asked them to pick up the
In a break with tradition, I am casting my NBA awards ballot after the 81st game, not the 82nd. It’s a rarity, but this season I will not hem and haw and sleep on it until the afternoon after the final day of the season. You’re welcome. I have been an official NBA postseason awards voter for nearly a decade, and it would have been longer if not for a rule at the Associated Press, where I worked from 1987-2005, forbidding