Two significant things will happen this NBA season: David Stern will step down as commissioner, probably five years too late. And for the first time in 20 years, the 76ers, Celtics and Lakers all will be out of the playoffs. We know the first to be true. The second is pure conjecture, but it’s more likely than not that three of the top NBA franchises in terms of tradition, history, titles and outsized personalities will be booking trips to ping-pong festivities
In today’s NBA news, Kings center DeMarcus Cousins gets a big contract extension, and we still have no timetable on when Danilo Gallinari will return from his knee injury. [Read more…]
News broke Monday that Shaquille O’Neal had bought a minority stake in the Sacramento Kings. While some may question the move, considering Shaq’s past battles with the Kings in the early 2000s, Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson is onboard. Congrats to former Laker and 4x NBA Champion @SHAQ on becoming a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings! — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 24, 2013 Owner Vivek Ranadive , you brought in a great champion, leader and somebody who can bring the community
Attention Lakers fans: Andrew Wiggins’ first game for Kansas is Oct. 29 against Pittsburg State. A couple weeks later, he goes up against Mike Krzyzewski and Duke at the Champions Classic in Chicago. He could be all yours, Lakers Nation, if the ping-pong balls drop correctly. And pick your own theory about which superstar free agent is going to come running to play alongside him and Kobe Bryant. We have heard all the speculation – everyone from LeBron James (ain’t happening)
In today’s news, Shaquille O’Neal has purchased a stake in the Kings’ new ownership group, the NBA and player’s union remain far apart in discussions for HGH testing reform, and Gilbert Arenas will head back to China rather than audition for the Clippers in training camp. [Read more…]
It seems like it was years, not weeks ago that Doc Rivers forced Boston’s hand and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. While many believe it was a poorly handled situation by Rivers — and it was — that does not mean he left with hard feelings toward Boston. After all, everyone follows the track, some are just better at hiding the trail. [Read more…]
For the first time in what feels like forever, there is legitimate optimism and unabated excitement over this season’s Sacramento Kings. For one, they stayed. I wish I were more excited about the basketball moves that the Kings made over the offseason, but make no mistake about it; Sacramento had a better offseason than any other NBA city. It wasn’t easy. A lot of very smart people put a lot of time and energy (and funds) into keeping this team out of
After four years in the league, one Rookie of the Year award, two coaches, no playoff appearances and constant rumors of ownership changes and relocation, Tyreke Evans wanted some certainty and stability. When July 1 came and teams had the chance to talk to the new restricted free agent, the first team that called and showed interest was the newly renamed New Orleans Pelicans. Sam Amick reported that Evans and the Pelicans had an “in-person meeting” the minute free agency began.