Having been to nine NBA Finals, winner of five, Earvin “Magic” Johnson is more of an expert on what it takes to make it to the promised land than most, save for Bill Russell and Phil Jackson, among only a select few others. With the start of the 2014 NBA Finals just days away, Magic took to Twitter to share some insight into what it is going to take for the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat to win. [Read more…]
SH Blog: J.R. Smith’s return could mean Iman Shumpert leaving the Knicks
So I’ve been playing NBA 2K14 for a few weeks now, and I’m into late January in my Association mode. I’m playing as the Mavericks, for reasons I can’t really explain except by saying I thought playing as Monta Ellis would be fun. And it is. What’s more fun, though, is making minor trades and tweaking players’ minute allotments. Like, I just traded DeJuan Blair for Peyton Siva and Kyle Singler so I could reallocate Blair’s six minutes a game to
The Numbers Say… The Pacers’ Defense and Lakers’ Bench Joined Rare Company
After months of agonizing anticipation, the 2013-14 NBA regular season has finally begun. Three games ushered in the new year, and as one might imagine, the numbers were quite astonishing. No team posted numbers that were as impressive as the Indiana Pacers. Indiana won its season opener by defeating the Orlando Magic 97-87 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Paul George scored 24 points, Lance Stephenson added a surprisingly strong 19 and Orlando Johnson scored nine off of the bench as the defending Central
Tweet of the Night: Kendall Marshall Has “Old Man” Experience
It is bound to happen to most men. Whether it be their daughter or little sister, most guys typically make light of needing a shotgun to fend off the womanizing young beasts knocking down the door. It is the moment in most men’s lives that they fear before it ever comes, watching the little lady in their lives grow up and walk out the door [typically, this action involves some sort of dance (junior prom, senior prom, etc.)]. For Phoenix Suns guard Kendall
Five Things To Watch: Miami Heat
As the back-to-back defending NBA champions, one could say that the Miami Heat stand in the best position of any team in the league. That’s probably true, but the 2013-14 campaign also stands as one of the most pivotal seasons in team history. Why? After this season, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will all have the option to test the free agent waters. Although Wade said he wants to stay in Miami, perhaps a disappointing season with an aging core could
Video: Hamilton on Game 2 changes for Heat, Spurs
We know the Miami Heat have to be better in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night. But can the San Antonio Spurs be better? The Heat’s issues have been well-documented. LeBron James needs to be more of a scorer. Role players such as Udonis Haslem and Norris Cole have to contribute more than the collective 6-of-15 showing they managed in the opener. [Read more…]
Video: Which Role Players Will Play the Biggest Roles?
Shane Battier was benched in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers. Will he re-emerge as a key component for the Miami Heat, or will his minutes be handed over to Norris Cole — perhaps the only guard on the Miami roster who has the speed to defend Tony Parker end-to-end? And for the San Antonio Spurs, there has been a lot of talk about championship experience. But when you look a little deeper, that argument doesn’t hold water. [Read more…]
Bernucca: Spurs, Heat showing championships are won on the road
The Memphis Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers have gotten this far in the postseason by winning at home. But the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat are going to the NBA Finals by winning on the road. The Grizzlies and Pacers were very good home teams in the regular season. Memphis was 32-9 and lost just once at FedEx Forum after Feb. 8. Indiana was 30-11 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and went more than two months early in the season without a home