When a player signs a maximum contract in the NBA, everything changes in that moment, as he is automatically recognized as the face of a franchise. The responsibilities grow on and off the court, and whatever he does – big or small – is suddenly put under a microscope. That’s what Washington Wizards point guard John Wall can expect after signing a maximum contract worth $80 million over five years on Thursday, and he appears to expect nothing less. On Friday, Wall
Two-time NBA champion, four-time regular season MVP and the Miami Heat’s perennial All-Star forward LeBron James is not done building his legacy. The foundation was cemented when he won his first ring in 2012. Now, with two Larry O’Brien and Bill Russell trophies in his possession, the walls are up and he has secured his place as one of the league’s all-time greats. But, he is not done. LeBron has said numerous times in the past that his goal is to be the
We’re approaching the quiet period in the NBA offseason, but there’s still some news to be found. Today’s big topic is the Pacers making themselves even better, adding Luis Scola to be their third big. Click that link right there for Chris Sheridan’s take on what the trade means for Indiana, and, by extension, the other teams jockeying for position at the top of the East. The other news today is Gary Neal signing with the Bucks. This might not have
With little-to-no big name free-agents left on the board, the NBA has shifted into the dog days of summer. These next two months are when the superstar players take their time out of the limelight, relax, and hopefully improve their games for next season. Not a lot of action for the superstar players (unless you’re playing in the Drew League in L.A. or trying out for Team USA in Vegas) means a chance for the undrafted or unsigned players to put
Heat check: Now that LeBron’s talents are in South Beach, how long will they stay? July would seem to be either way too late or way too early to suggest the twice-defending NBA champion Heat’s fate is teetering, moreso because of a name from the past like Greg Oden. Unfortunately, it’s a new, head-hunting age. [Read more…]
During the recruitment of Dwight Howard, you often heard the name Chandler Parsons attached to the Houston Rockets anytime there was news about making efforts to convince the center to join them. Most of us took the news that Parsons had been talking to Howard everyday with a grain of salt with the mindset of “as if he can really make a true difference.” But as it turns out, the forward played an enormous part in helping Howard make his decision.
It’s July 23, and a vast majority of the free agents have found homes, meaning that the player movement portion of the offseason has nearly come to a close. So most fans would love to see where their team stacks up, right? Right. [Read more…]
Regardless of any lingering disappointment, the offseason for many NBA teams is an uplifting time. Young players are drafted. Veteran free agents are signed. Trades are made. New coaches are hired. Teams with a strengthened core, like Brooklyn, are confident they have done everything possible to take the final step to win a title. Teams such as Oklahoma City and Chicago, who were limited by injuries, are optimistic that if healthy, championship dreams are realistic. Teams that have been building, like Cleveland, are