NBA fans do an awful job of protecting the image of their favorite sport. This is not the NFL, which has been America’s pastime for a generation and can do no wrong in the eyes of its fans. The only time the NFL has an image problem is when a storm affects satellite reception. This is also not baseball, which has a considerable image problem with its collection of prima donnas on PEDS. But it also has more than a century of
At what point does public acknowledgement of mistakes stop being enough? It drew a lot of attention when Paul George was fouled on the final shot in a huge Indiana-Miami game and it wasn’t called. The latest one, featuring Monta Ellis grabbing both of Austin Rivers’ arms, was far more egregious, and the NBA has admitted it was the wrong call. [Read more…]
If you haven’t been watching Golden State basketball recently, why? Seriously, why? They’re just as fun to watch as they were last year, only now they play defense as well (fourth in defensive efficiency). They just knocked off two of the East’s three decent teams in the space of two nights. The Blazers have made the West a little more crowded at the top, but Steph Curry and Co. are showing that they belong right up there with those top teams.
After his team’s second win in three nights in the city of New York, John Wall was dressed impeccably in the visitors’ locker room, down to his $1,100 Red Bottom shoes, which elicited gawks and compliments from players and onlookers alike. But one thing was missing to complete his look: his gray bow tie. Unable to get help from teammates, Wall said the final piece to his outfit would have to wait. Wall seems to be as dedicated to his performance
Throughout the mess of the New York Knicks’ season thus far, one person who has remained essentially blameless is coach Mike Woodson. The Knicks – now 7-17 and 13th in the Leastern Conference – have fallen victim to poor roster construction, injuries, selfish play and bad luck, none of which could be pinned on Woodson. Not anymore. Monday’s 102-101 home loss to Washington gets dropped squarely in Woodson’s lap. And the next thing dropped in his lap may be a pink slip.
We’ve heard plenty about the issues Dwight Howard had with Kobe Bryant over the summer, and why he wasn’t happy playing with the demanding superstar. With the center back in town to face the Los Angeles Lakers – he already heard plenty of boos while playing in Staples Center against the Los Angeles Clippers this past Monday – perhaps it’s finally time to close this chapter of his story for good, for both himself and everyone else around the league. STORY
There have been some real surprising early returns to begin the season, starting with Andrew Bynum and Russell Westbrook. No one expected the center back any time soon, and Westbrook was supposed to be out for at least the first month of the season. Or was he? See what the point guard had to say about the timetable for his return, how Bynum’s knees have been feeling since his return, what LeBron James is set to accomplish and more below. STORY
Losing to the Philadelphia 76ers apparently makes folks lose their cool. After Friday’s loss to the surprising 76ers, Wizards coach Randy Wittman lost his and was fined $20,000 by the NBA on Monday. The fine was announced by NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn. Wittman was fined for using profane language in his comments following a 109-102 loss in the team’s home opener. Washington led throughout the first half, by 11 points midway through the third quarter and by