We’re a month away from the All-Star break, and we can write certain teams off, right. Such as the Orlando Magic — except for the fact that they just went into Staples Center and snapped their 10-game skid against a Los Angeles Clippers team that has the NBA’s best record. Or the Philadelphia 76ers, who just got done playing 12 of 13 on the road and followed a 10-6 start by losing 16 of their next 22 as they played 12 of
As we approach the halfway point, let’s review our preseason predictions. OK, how many of you had the Lakers at No. 11 in the West? I did – well, if you take away one of the ones. Who dreamed that it wouldn’t work with Steve Nash – perhaps the most skilled point guard ever, even if he was 38 – and Dwight Howard – the most dominating big man, even coming off back surgery – joining Kobe Bryant, even at 34, with defenses
At the end of the year, each MVP voter has to ask themselves one crucial question: What is going to be the overriding factor that determines who gets my first-place vote? [Read more…]
Who’s laughing now? For lack of anything better, local writers – of whom I’m one – have used that lords-of-all-they-survey-vs.-dregs-of-the-earth angle for Lakers-Clippers meetings since 1984, when Donald T. Sterling relocated his team from the mid-market paradise of San Diego, only to see it become the Promised Land’s village idiots. At the moment, the royals have traded roles with the village idiots, going into Friday’s meeting to see who’s whom here now. [Read more…]
David Stern, soon to be remembered as the NBA’s greatest commissioner – once he’s retired and everyone stops moaning about everything he does – once joked his ideal matchup was “the Lakers vs. the Lakers.” Actually, a league is best served when both conferences are balanced; when there are glamour teams involved at the end, but also when all teams have a fair chance. To see what glamour teams are worth, look at what the New York Yankees’ long run has done
Mamba is back. Can’t keep that guy down — and can’t keep him off this list anymore with the Lakers now riding a 4-game winning streak. [Read more…]
Meanwhile, on the other side of the tracks … Yes, we’re all used seeing to the Lakers and Clippers in separate strata but, aw, you guessed it. Just over a year since Chris Paul almost became a Laker and turned into a Clipper instead, we’re now also used to those La-La land-themed last-shall-be-first-and-vice-versa stories. Of course, the Lakers never really stop being the Lakers, and the Clippers never really stop being the Clippers – so far. [Read more…]
The Knicks are for real? Improbable as their comeback is, unlikely as they are to keep making 41% of the 29 threes they’re launching each game, yes, they’re for real. This is fabulous for the NBA, which has done as well in recent seasons as a recently scorned league can without a respectable team in New York. [Read more…]