The New York Knicks spent the offseason – and the regular season – adding playoff-hardened veterans to challenge the Miami Heat for the NBA title. But it is some of those same veterans who are showing inexcusable immaturity in their first-round series vs. the proud Boston Celtics. Whether it be unnecessary elbows or dressing for a funeral or failing to defend their home court, the Knicks have let the Celtics back into the series. What once looked to be a sweep now
Life without Kobe Bryant for the Los Angeles Lakers began Sunday night, and it wasn’t so bad. In fact, it was pretty good. With Dwight Howard having a big game and Steve Blake somehow outplaying Tony Parker, the Lakers defeated the suddenly struggling San Antonio Spurs and need just one more win to clinch a playoff berth. [Read more…]
I have been asked this several times this season, and I have been wrong each time. But I now believe it is time to take the Los Angeles Lakers seriously. Why else would I elevate them nine spots to eighth in my latest NBA Power Rankings? [Read more…]
On Sunday, the New York Knicks appeared on their way to a third and telling victory over the Miami Heat this season. The Knicks had a 14-point halftime lead. The Heat’s 13-game winning streak was in serious jeopardy. And a third loss to New York would have more than a few folks wondering if Miami could get out of the Eastern Conference and repeat as NBA champions. But the Heat turned things around in the second half and rallied for a 99-93
On Thursday, the NBA trading deadline will be exactly five weeks away. One team everyone seems to expect to be active is the Los Angeles Lakers, who can’t quite figure out the right personnel mix for Mike D’Antoni’s offense. [Read more…]
Let’s, for a moment, put aside some of the perceptions about Deron Williams. Let’s forget that he eats coaches like they are M&M’s. Let’s dismiss that he complains about everything from set offenses to background lighting in arenas. Let’s overlook that he took a little too much enjoyment in swinging the sledgehammer of free agency. [Read more…]
The Los Angeles Clippers are Brooklyn Nets have always been treated like second-class citizens by NBA fans in their respective areas. The Clippers have long been the humorous alternative to the Lakers, while the Nets – whether in New Jersey or their new home – have been the running joke alongside the New York Knicks. [Read more…]
Earlier this week, Chris Perkins – our man in Miami – told us that the defending champion Heat aren’t ready to sound the alarms of concern over their recent play, which has looked a bit distracted. I spoke with Cinesport’s Noah Coslov about the same topic, hours after Miami’s dispassionate disposition continued in a last-second home loss to the Golden State Warriors. [Read more…]