Two years ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder were the upstarts who gave the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers a serious run for their money in a first-round series that lasted six tough games. The Lakers emerged primarily on the strength of their veteran core and extensive postseason experience, while the Thunder went through growing pains that all young teams have. This time, the Thunder – two years wiser and perhaps still not at their ceiling – are the favorites, while
Notice a trend in the first round of the playoffs? Teams are missing and losing their star players. It is somewhat of an issue in the Western Conference, where the Los Angeles Lakers will be without suspended forward Metta World Peace for another four games and the Los Angeles Clippers will be without injured forward Caron Butler until perhaps the NBA Finals – if they get that far. Over in the East, there is a veritable All-Star team of sidelined players. Dwight Howard.
// csprtContainer(); // ]]> When I first saw Metta World Peace throw that elbow to James Harden’s head, I thought he would draw a two-game suspension at a minimum. In the 24 hours since, I have been wondering whether I set the bar too low. There was no word as of Monday afternoon from the league office on how long the former Ron Artest will be banned for his most egregious act since going into the stands and fighting fans during the infamous
Sports is always in search of something special – rivalries, dynasties, the greatest. In so many ways, the rivalry between the Lakers and Spurs should qualify as classic. But the reality of the NBA is that there is one true lasting rivalry – Celtics and Lakers. One franchise has 17 titles, the other 16. They have met 12 times in the Finals with Boston holding a 9-3 edge. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson was Lakers-Celtics. Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain is the NBA’s
So how many seasons are the Miami Heat going to act like the NBA championship is their birthright and merely a formality? Not one, not two, not three, not four … It’s sometimes hard to tell whether the Heat are bored, whistling in the dark or still trying to figure it out. But one thing is certain: the basketball they are playing right now is not good enough to win a title. “We all know we have to take a real big step forward as a
Remember Gerald Green? Yeah, you remember. After a side sojourn to China, the 2005 first-round pick of the Boston Celtics is now toiling in the D-League, where he is trying to resuscitate his career by proving he can do more than dunk. And he’s getting there. Green was named D-League Performer of the Week on Monday after leading the Los Angeles D-Fenders to a 4-0 week with a pair of 30-point games. He averaged 27.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, shooting 54 percent from
At least one player is figuring out a way to get paid during the lockout: @MettaWorldPeaceMetta WorldPeace Party!!!! Thursday!!! Chris Brown and Ron Artest!! T Raider promotions!! Star Power!yfrog.com/nuvd0spj
By Chris Bernucca This NBA lockout is a 12-inch stupid sandwich. The owners have been stupid in believing they could get back in one negotiation everything they have given away over the last 12 years. The players have been stupid in underestimating the backlash from a fickle fan base hit hard by a nationwide economic malaise. And both sides have been extremely stupid in coming close enough to shake hands, then refusing to with the childish insistence of “You first!” It is another in