For the second straight year, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff push has been derailed by a season-ending injury. Last year it was All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, who went down in the first round with a knee injury as a result of a collision with Houston guard Patrick Beverley. This year it is forward Serge Ibaka, who suffered a left calf injury in the third quarter of Thursday’s clincher over the Los Angeles Clippers. Ibaka underwent an MRI on Friday that confirmed a left
Typically, there is an amazing tweet to talk about. However, this may be the exception to the rule. The folks at Bleacher Report took it upon themselves to put together an animated NBA adaptation of the hit HBO show, Game of Thrones. The ease with which the characters of the show—which is based on George R.R. Martin’s A Sword of Ice and Fire books—can be replaced with NBA teams and athletes is uncanny. The Miami Heat, being the two-time reigning champions are
I have already written a column imploring the Knicks to hire Mark Jackson and hire him immediately, which will turn Steve Kerr into Steve Who? The New York Times is reporting today that there are three primary candidates, Brian Shaw (who already has a job with the Nuggets), Luke Walton (who has never coached before), and Kurt Rambis, an assistant with the Lakers. The New York Daily News says also in the mix is Derek Fisher, who can’t really be interviewed right now given
It really all comes down to two questions as we look ahead to the Eastern and Western Conference finals: _ Do the Thunder have the Spurs’ number? _ Do the Pacers have any kind of chemistry whatsoever remaining, despite what that photo would suggest? You may remember the regular season. It ended a month ago, it was 82 games per team, and a couple of noteworthy things happened: Oklahoma City swept San Antonio, going 4-0; and the Pacers stood atop the Eastern Conference
The NBA doubled down Thursday on the controversial ending of Game 5 of Clippers-Thunder, fining coach Doc Rivers $25,000 for blasting the officials afterward. The fine was announced by NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn and came one day after the league came to defense of the officiating crew, whose replay ruling left most fans baffled by their decision. [Read more…]
Fresh off an appearance on L.A. radio, I went on the air in Oklahoma City today, too, and the mood was a lot different.Shocker, eh? As always, I do not have a rooting interest in who wins this series. Like always, I just hope for a good story. Well, today my wishes were answered as folks around the world debated the blown replay and the thrilling final moments of Tuesday night’s Clippers-Thunder game. That was the main topic of discussion in this
Doc Rivers is probably going to get fined by the NBA for saying the Clippers were “robbed” last night in Oklahoma City. That is the kind of comment that crosses the line, no matter how true it might have been. But what about referee Tony Brothers? Is he going to be publicly chastised by the league office for saying replays of the ball that clearly went off of Reggie Jackson’s hand were “inconclusive?” [Read more…]
Facing a 12-point deficit and a potential 3-1 series hole, the Los Angeles Clippers played quite possibly the most important 12 minutes of basketball in franchise history Sunday afternoon. If not the most important, certainly the best. Behind the brilliant play of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the unlikely hero, Darren Collison, the Clippers rallied to beat the Thunder 101-99, sending the series back to Oklahoma City tied 2-2. [Read more…]