When asked recently about the trade value of Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson, one Western Conference scout summed it up in six brutally painful words: “He makes a lot of money.” After 15 NBA seasons and seven All-Star appearances, the 34-year-old Johnson has turned from a very good basketball player into just another contract a team can’t wait to get off its books. Mercifully for Brooklyn, Johnson’s contract expires at the end of this season. When it’s all said and done in Brooklyn—
Winless Brooklyn Nets Set To Endure Painful Season
BROOKLYN — If there was such thing as NBA purgatory, that would be where the Brooklyn Nets franchise is currently situated. At 0-4 with no first round pick next June (and no control of any first round pick until 2019), no hope for a real superstar on the roster until at least the summer and a lack of talent to compete in the Eastern Conference, it looks more likely by the day that this will be a painful lost season for
Rookie Rankings, Week 12: Galloway Recalling Linsanity for Knicks
When you think of words to describe the New York Knicks’ season, “fun” isn’t among them. If you’re looking for words beginning with the letter F, “frightening” and “failure” come to mind. If you’re looking for three-letter words, “bad” certainly works. As for four-letter words, well, I’m sure Knicks fans have used them all. But fun? Well, that’s how Langston Galloway sees it. “I’m just out there having fun,” the rookie point guard said after Wednesday’s win over Oklahoma City. “Just trying to play
Trade Autopsy: Mark Cuban Fleeced Phil Jackson
It’s been 175 days since New York and Dallas completed a six-player trade that sent Tyson Chandler to the Mavericks and Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert and Shane Larkin to the Knicks. Late in the afternoon on June 25, both teams looked like they upgraded in different ways in Phil Jackson’s first major deal as Knicks president. Dallas needed rim protection and added a familiar face in Chandler, a starter on their 2011 title team. New York needed a competent point guard in
Bernucca: Cavs Are More Than Fragile. They’re Flawed
Over the weekend, LeBron James called his slumping, underachieving Cleveland Cavaliers “a fragile team.” James is partially right. As a group, the Cavaliers aren’t dealing very well with the lofty expectations put upon them by pundits like me. Right now, they look like a typical front-running team that lacks mental toughness and gives in at the first sign of trouble. That was evident Saturday, when the Cavaliers sprinted to a 26-8 lead in the first eight minutes – and were overwhelmed thereafter
Fantasy Spin: NBA Games Start Early
Yes, it’s Sunday and that means the NFL to many of you. Good luck with your gridiron picks; here we stick to the hardwood in daily fantasy basketball leagues at DraftKings. [Read more…]
Tweet of the Day: 2014 Halloween NBA Edition
It’s that time of year again … Halloween. That means kids are trick or treating in costumes, seeking hordes of sweets, and adults are enjoying dress-up costume parties. Such fun and festivities does not preclude NBA athletes. [Read more…]
Photo of the Day: Melo Is No Taylor Swift Fan
The NBA season is less than 24 hours away now. The New York Knicks are apparently not happy with their final roster. They traded Travis Outlaw to the Philadelphia 76ers for Arnett Moultrie on Monday, in which they immediately waived him. The Knicks felt the need to add one more player after they waived Moultrie. No, it’s not Travis Wear. It’s Taylor Swift. Okay, obviously not for real. But, honestly, she’s probably taller than Shane Larkin, one of their backup guards..