It’s time to get serious about the Golden State Warriors and their pursuit of 73 wins. Even before the advent of the 24-hour news cycle required media members to have an ironclad opinion 10 minutes after something happened, I have always been a more patient sort. Yes, a record 24 straight wins to start the season got my attention. But that is less than one-third of an NBA campaign. Over the course of 5 1/2 months and 82 games, teams slump. Teams
Without Draymond Green $10000 (rest) and despite 38 points from Stephen Curry $10600, the Golden State Warriors lost for only the third time this season. Tonight at home against the Lakers, Green remains questionable, with veterans Andre Iguodala $5000 and Shaun Livingston $3900 also candidates to rest. [Read more…]
There are two Saturday matinees, with Charlotte visiting the Clippers at 3:30 Eastern (a very early start local time) then the Bulls in Atlanta at 5:00. DraftKings offers Early contests on just those games; also closing at 3:30 are All-Day offerings on the full seven-game NBA slate. [Read more…]
As a personnel man, Stan Van Gundy has broken a lot of the so-called contemporary rules. Since being lured back to the NBA by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores in May 2014, Van Gundy has not exactly followed the usual NBA blueprint in rebuilding the once-proud franchise, which has not been to the playoffs in six years. Van Gundy has flat-out waived four veterans with fully guaranteed contracts, accumulating nearly $32 million in dead money to be paid over the next five
In 2014-15, the Detroit Pistons’ season broke down into three key sample sizes: 1. Pre-Josh Smith buyout (Oct. 29-Dec. 22). Detroit went 5-23, was 28th in offensive rating (97.6) and 24th in defensive rating (105.8). 2. Post-Josh Smith buyout, pre-Brandon Jennings injury (Dec. 23-Feb. 19). Detroit did a virtual 180, going 16-10 with the sixth-ranked offensive rating (106.4) while improving their defensive rating to middle-of-the-pack status (15th, 101.9). 3. Post-Reggie Jackson acquisition (Feb. 20-April 15). The Pistons closed the season 11-17 and regressed to the mean
The Western Conference produces more excitement than the East, thanks to several great teams and “too many” legitimate playoff contenders. The seventh and eighth seeds in the East are six games under .500, but out West, Phoenix is six games over yet far from certain to make the postseason. [Read more…]
Stuff happened on Monday. Kevin Durant (toe) was a late scratch, so Russell Westbrook triple-doubled. Anthony Davis, the Pelican with the giant wing span, ended the Hawks’ winning streak at 19. [Read more…]
We all know what the Philadelphia 76ers are doing. Call it whatever you want – tanking, rebuilding, deconstructing, hoarding – the 76ers are openly, unabashedly and intentionally sinking to the bottom of the NBA, because GM Sam Hinkie has convinced ownership that is the fastest way to get back to the top. Hinkie has constructed a roster that is inherently non-competitive. The Sixers have the fewest first-round picks and the most undrafted free agents of any team. Their highest-paid player makes $6.6