Media pundits argue all of the time about which athletes contain the “clutch gene.” Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Ray Allen, Tom Brady, John Elway rank among the greats in the respective sports. Even players like Tim Tebow have garnered acclaim for playing big in the clutch moments. Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison has proven himself to be a major “clutch” player with ice in his veins. For three games in-a-row heading into the NCAA National Championship game, he has hit the go-ahead three-point
Scotto: Nets Want Raptors, Not Bulls in Playoffs
The Nets and Bulls are on course for a potential rematch of last year’s first-round playoff series. Is this the ideal scenario for Brooklyn? As they say in the borough, “Fuhgeddaboudit!” It’s been a frigid winter in Brooklyn, and a trip to the “Windy City” could dampen any hopes of the Nets springing ahead to the next round. [Read more…]
Raptors soaring and succeeding since Rudy Gay trade
The Toronto Raptors had no intention of making the playoffs this season. Head coach Dwane Casey admitted as much earlier in the season, but the talent on the team turned out to be above average in an Eastern Conference that turned out to be historically subpar. So general manager Masai Ujiri sent the overpaid Rudy Gay to Sacramento on Dec. 8 with the team in first place at 7-12, and the Raptors have turned into one of the East’s best teams. Toronto
Tweet of the Night: Joe Johnson reacts to All-Star reserve selection, Patrick Patterson upset with pick
The All-Star reserves were announced on Thursday, and while there were some snubs (there are always snubs), the players that made it were all deserving. Well, almost. To the surprise of many, Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets made the roster for the East. The Nets have played tremendously well in the month of January to bring their record up to 20-23, but it’s still a losing record, and Johnson is averaging 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists on the season
Tweet of the Day: Players React to Selection of All-Star Reserves
Finally. After much anticipation, and to some chagrin, the NBA’s coaches have submitted their list of reserves for the forthcoming 2014 NBA All-Star game in New Orleans, LA. Many of the All-Star reserve selections are expected, though there were a few selections (and snubs) that were unconventional, though deserving. In the Eastern Conference, Chris Bosh [Miami Heat], DeMar DeRozan [Toronto Raptors], Paul Millsap [Atlanta Hawks], John Wall [Washington Wizards], Joe Johnson [Brooklyn Nets], Roy Hibbert [Indiana Pacers] and Joakim Noah [Chicago Bulls] all join
Tweet of the Day: DeMarre Carroll Unhappy With Atlanta Weather
The intensely cold weather brought on by a polar vortex continues to freeze many Americans from the midwest across the southeast. Temperatures in midwest are so frigid that the penguins and polar bear in the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is being kept indoors. Atlanta Hawks small forward DeMarre Carroll came to the A-T-L as a free agent in the offseason. The past two stops for the “Junkyard Dog” were with the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets—both cold weather cities. Yet, the
Tweet of the Day: A Tale of Two NBA Quincys
Quincy is not the most common name among men in America. It actually ranks 633rd among male names in the U.S.. The most popular Quincy in American history is President John Quincy Adams, the sixth president in our nation’s history. There aren’t many men in the NBA that bear the name Quincy—only three, to be exact. Two of the three are actually in the NBA news this week. [Read more…]
SH Blog: Reactions to the Rudy Gay trade; Deron Williams on track to return soon
Leave it to the NBA’s reigning Executive of the Year to upstage Kobe Bryant’s return. Going into the Raptors’ game with the Lakers in the Staples Center, all the buzz was (rightfully) on Black Mamba’s return from a torn Achilles, but with the Raps shedding Rudy Gay’s contract, it seems like Kobe’s return has been kind of pushed to a side burner for now. Not the back burner, but it’s not all that’s getting talked about. [Read more…]