For the first time in what feels like forever, there is legitimate optimism and unabated excitement over this season’s Sacramento Kings. For one, they stayed. I wish I were more excited about the basketball moves that the Kings made over the offseason, but make no mistake about it; Sacramento had a better offseason than any other NBA city. It wasn’t easy. A lot of very smart people put a lot of time and energy (and funds) into keeping this team out of
On September 8, 2013, former star Gary Payton will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The man they once called “The Glove” – a nickname given to him for the ability to shut his opponents down on the defensive end – sat with Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports to discuss how his speech will go down and the hopes of avoiding tears when all said and done. Along the way, Payton explained why he chose John Stockton as one of
Brandon Jennings Poor Brandon Jennings. Apart from Nik Pekovic, who should re-sign with the Wolves any day now, he’s by far the best player remaining in free agency, according to Moke Hamilton’s top 20 ranking. There’s plenty of other useful pieces remaining, obviously, but Jennings is the only guy who demanded $12 million, and who, before the new CBA, might have gotten that. But now, it seems like nobody wants him. And while he’s probably not worth
Hello and welcome to the Evening News. As the playoffs continue, we’ll keep you updated every evening. What’s happening today? Here’s the latest from around the league: [Read more…]
Well played, T.J. Simers. It was reported late Thursday evening that Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul is very upset with the organization for linking his name to the firing of Vinny Del Negro. Chris Broussard of ESPN has details: Chris Paul is upset with the Los Angeles Clippers organization because he is being widely blamed for the firing of Vinny Del Negro as the Clippers’ coach, according to a source close to the situation. [Read more…]
So are the Pacers legit now? Does playing the Heat close once and then beating them the second time make a team legit? Does it matter, when they comprehensively beat the Knicks in the last round? My answers: yes, not necessarily, and not really, but the Heat are a much better measurement of legitimacy. One thing can’t be denied, though: the NBA establishment is warming to the previously no-name Pacers. The reaction to Paul George’s dunk last night proves that. And what
It may be playoff season for 16 teams right now – well, 13 now that three teams have been eliminated – but it’s the offseason for other teams around the league, as they try to figure out the best course of action for next season. [Related: NBA players react to wild Game 6 between Warriors and Nuggets] The biggest news come in the way of hiring and firing of management positions, and we start with the biggest surprise – the hiring of Phil
The Los Angeles Lakers, although they finished the season on a very strong note, have greatly underachieved this season. We all know this. For that, most want to blame Mike D’Antoni for his inability to make better use of the talent he has. Any time you have four Hall of Fame-level players on the same team (which doesn’t happen very often), you have the responsibility of doing big things. If you don’t, the blame goes on you. It’s as simple as