The Oscars are over, and since I didn’t watch them or see any of the nominated movies, let’s get this Oscar-themed edition of the Most Improved Player Rankings under way! Because nothing says “balanced sportswriter” like a column full of misinformed pop culture references! The envelopes, please … Best Actor: Anthony Davis. This award goes to the best player in our group, and Davis is the clear choice there. He’s already one of the league’s best big men, and Pelicans fans have already started
Two days after celebrating his 25th birthday, point guard Jimmer Fredette will soon be celebrating a new opportunity in his young NBA career. Thursday afternoon, he and the Sacramento Kings agreed to a buyout that will enable him to sign with any team for the remainder of the season—so long as he clears waivers and signs with said team by the March 1 deadline (for playoff eligibility). [Schlomo Sprung: Free Agency Update] Fredette, the 10th pick of the 2011 NBA draft, was in
NEW YORK — DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended one game for throwing a punch two nights ago. He also he drew a $20,000 fine for failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection in the same game. Have a look for yourself as Cousins throws a cheap shot to Beverly’s lower midsection as the Rockets guard drives the lane to clear out space for an isolation play. Beverly looked toward an official to complain, but no foul was
February’s buyout season is becoming more interesting than the trade deadline itself. There’s a case to be made that the goings-on surrounding Danny Granger, Caron Butler, Jimmer Fredette and others could make a bigger impact than all those moves made one week ago. With Granger, Butler and now Jimmer Fredette (as the Kings announced) officially bought out and ancillary players like Beno Udrih, Earl Clark and Shannon Brown finding new teams, it’s time to really ramp up the races for players who
Does anyone want Danny Granger? How about Jimmer Fredette? Perhaps Caron Butler? And how about this: Someone — the Memphis Grizzlies — wanted Beno Udrih so badly they claimed him off waivers. This is the last week for contenders to shore up their playoff rosters with NBA players for a run they hope will last into June. It is becoming known as February Free Agency. The official NBA rule is that teams have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, March 1 to waive a
Could the Cleveland Cavaliers lose Kyrie Irving? This seems to be a recurring conversation. On January 31st, nearly four weeks ago, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst published a story regarding Kyrie Irving’s future and upcoming contract negotiations with the Cavaliers this summer. [Read more…]
Does anyone want Danny Granger? How about Jimmer Fredette? This is the last week for contenders to shore up their playoff rosters with NBA players for a run they hope will last into June. Teams have until March 1 to sign players eligible for the playoffs. The Los Angeles Clippers already made a big splash on that front by signing Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who had the final two years of his contract bought out by Orlando. It’s a good fit. The Clippers desperately
It’s part of my nightly routine. First, I sit on the couch and watch hours of NBA basketball, blankly staring at the screen like a zombie or Kevin from The Office. Then, after the final buzzer sounds on the last West Coast game, I flip over to channel 7 and zone out during a late-night mini-marathon of Kevin and all of his friends on The Office. It’s gotten to the point where last night, I dreamt that Dwight crashed the Most Improved Player