The Toronto Raptors had no intention of making the playoffs this season. Head coach Dwane Casey admitted as much earlier in the season, but the talent on the team turned out to be above average in an Eastern Conference that turned out to be historically subpar. So general manager Masai Ujiri sent the overpaid Rudy Gay to Sacramento on Dec. 8 with the team in first place at 7-12, and the Raptors have turned into one of the East’s best teams. Toronto
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
The Indiana Pacers knew something early Thursday afternoon that the Oklahoma City Thunder — and the rest of the NBA — found out late Thursday night: The Miami Heat are still the team to beat in this league. Period. [Read more…]
Thursday in the NBA meant trades, at least it normally would. It was the trade deadline after all. Trade activity started slow, but picked up as the deadline drew near. A total of nine deals went down Thursday, add the two that occurred Wednesday and a total of 11 occurred before the clock struck at 3:00 PM. If you’re looking for all of the details, SheridanHoops has plenty of trade deadline coverage. Sheridan: Trade Analysis As Deadline Day Deals Go Down Schlomo: Trade Deadline
Once you have a reputation in the NBA, it’s extremely difficult to change it. Rudy Gay is among the players who best understands that. Known as an inefficient, overpaid player the last few seasons, Gay is now with the Sacramento Kings and has won over his coach, teammates, fans and even critics with improved play since his departure from Toronto in December in a seven-player trade. [Read more…]
Before the season, championship expectations were attached to both the Knicks and the Nets. The Knicks were coming off the team’s first season with at least 50 or more wins and a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals since the 1999-2000 campaign, when Jeff Van Gundy patrolled the sidelines, Patrick Ewing wrapped up his final season in New York and Allan Houston was in the prime of his career. The Nets were coming off their first trip to the playoffs in six years
Chris Paul returned to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. We don’t want to be party-poopers, but it probably should be pointed out that the Clippers were better without him. This does not mean that GM Gary Sacks should start exploring trade possibilities for a top-five player. And it doesn’t mean that coach Doc Rivers should go with the hot hand at point guard at the end of games. But it does mean that if the Clippers want to win a championship this
Portland is a unique, interesting and unconventional city to say the least. That unique and unconventional nature extends to their basketball team, where the Portland Trail Blazers are winning games at a high rate doing things their own way. While the league is trending toward discouraging players from long two-point shots, Portland embraces it. Portland plays their starters more than anyone else, hit more threes than anyone else and lead the league in free throw shooting. Is their defense lacking? Sure,