Here is how one NBA executive described Avery Johnson’s job security this morning: “The watch is on.” As in death watch. And it didn’t last long. “A flammable situation,” was how one Nets player, speaking on condition of anonymity, described it to SheridanHoops.com. “Jerry Sloan all over again.” [Read more…]
BROOKLYN – The Nets beat the 76ers 95-92 on Sunday, and Avery Johnson made some desperate changes to his team’s rotation in order to save his job. After losing the last three games and eight of their previous 10, Johnson decided changes needed to be made. He used the two days of practice after the loss to the Knicks to make those adjustments, notably removing Kris Humphries from the rotation. By doing so, not only is Johnson already abandoning a system that
Gregg Popovich and the Spurs got their money’s worth. Now, it’s a question of whether the refs should be fined. Helped by an egregious non-call late in overtime, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night 99-95, rallying from a 15-point deficit in the second half behind some great play from their well-rested Big Three. [Read more…]
Did Gregg Popovich screw the fans and the NBA by making the decision to sit out four of his starters for a nationally televised game on TNT, on a night where only two games were on the schedule? Because lets face it: no one is exactly clamoring to see the Heat take on a bunch of role players that casual fans know nothing about – the Spurs aren’t exactly the most popular team to watch to begin with. Hell, even the
BOSTON — The immediate question concerning Rajon Rondo is this: How many games is he going to miss for instigating the brawl between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets? But the broader question is this: When will people start to appreciate the fact that Rondo is a much, much better shooter than people give him credit for? [Read more…]
It’s the same old Spurs. When Kawhi Leonard went down, then Stephen Jackson got hurt, I thought Danny Green would become a fantasy star for at least a couple of weeks. It hasn’t worked out that way. Instead, the veteran stars have stepped up their games. Tim Duncan outscored Nikola Vucevic 13-0 by halftime and Tony Parker (14 PTS, 8 AST) was needed for less than 30 minutes. Manu Ginobili was brilliant as the sixth man, hitting 6-of-9, all from 3-point
What do players and coaches do when things go in the wrong direction? Take a shot, for one. And I’m not talking about a shot of Jack Daniels. Be it a coaching decision or a player’s poor play, the natural reaction is to take a shot at someone – directly or subtly – when the results are negative. Some will even take a shot at themselves at times, if it’s called for. The blame game is the theme of the stories around
