How close Nuggets management ever came to consummating a deal is uncertain, and every round of speculation surrounding Kenneth Faried had presented like a hopeless plea on the outside. His youth and blend of athleticism and ferocious knack for the ball make him a self-starter. Read more »

Anthony Davis talks to RealGM about the model leaders on burgeoning teams, how he stays focused and the story behind finding out about his All-Star bid. Read more »

The Rockets didn’t promise Dwight Howard winning, as much as it promised the comfort and attainment of his own locker room to lead again. Read more »

As superstar players applied supreme caution healing from significant knee surgeries, Leandro Barbosa was steadfast and sought an unconventional technique – training with Brazilian soccer players, consuming their conditioning exercises. Read more »

With tremendous earning potential in the offseason, Eric Bledsoe could very well be motivated by returning as soon as the removal surgery permits, by proving his worth before free agency. No matter: The Suns believe in Bledsoe, and the front office has made clear it will match any offer someone could give him in July. Read more »

Paul Millsap had anticipated a prosperous collaboration with Al Horford, a cleverly run offense by Jeff Teague – not Horford’s second major torn pectoral injury in two years, Teague lost to an ankle injury for now, and, most of all, a charge to be “Do it all Paul,” as teammates call him. Read more »

From the moment he arrived to the Grizzlies, Zach Randolph imagined a cooperation with Marc Gasol defying NBA odds. An unorthodox, once ball dominant power forward, and a forgotten Gasol brother. Read more »

Not every 23-year-old rising star accepts his role being teetered. Astute and understanding, Klay Thompson held a calm demeanor as coaches debated the best course of action in camp, displaying exactly the type of self-starting and ego sacrifice the Warriors now integrate within their culture. Read more »

Michael Carter-Williams will never score with the frequency Allen Iverson did over an entire career, nor become the unique cultural icon, but he’s already shown Philadelphia flashes of the level of talent that made A.I. a legend there and the mental makeup to go with it. Now, he’s hearing about it, too. Read more »

For all of Toure' Murry’s persistence after an unheralded collegiate career, after a season in the D-League, he had wanted too much, too soon, sometimes. For all his humility, his quiet manner, he insisted how he maintained composure and found solace in continuing his growth. Read more »

Once last season’s NBA Finals ended, Boris Diaw spent reasonable time deciding on the player option on his contract with the San Antonio Spurs. For Diaw, the choice had been made simple far beyond the amount of money on the deal. Read more »

Aside from Derrick Rose, Tom Thibodeau has been the best thing that happened to this management core, a wise and franchise-altering hire three years ago, and now they shouldn’t let his future in Chicago spin and swerve and jeopardize in front of the NBA. Read more »

From 1997 to now, nothing has changed, as Gregg Popovich states exactly right: Tim Duncan is still the base of everything for the Spurs. As well conditioned as a year ago where the Finals were nearly in hand and still breaking records and chasing history at 37 years old. Read more »

As a second round draft pick placed onto the Nets, Tyshawn Taylor spent extensive time in the D-League, but teammates and coaches swiftly noticed his tenacious style on both ends of the floor. He’s put up four double-digit scoring performances in 14 games this season and has a growing relationship with the new coaching staff. Read more »

A year ago, Brook Lopez would always speak as the ultimate role player citing a need to get others a flow on offense, before himself. A year ago, the skilled seven-footer was pushed away from the block far too often and at times resisted constant feeds inside. No more. Read more »

Once the Grizzlies waived him in the 2010 training camp, Tre' Kelley played parts of two seasons overseas where he starred in Europe, and where he scored two 50-point performances in China. Through it all, his sights remained on finding a way back into the NBA, so he decided to return to the D-League with Austin. Read more »

Out of Boston and onto Brooklyn, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett understood leaders would be newly cultivated. As much as anything, Avery Bradley heard from them that being a foundational part of the Celtics’ rebuild wouldn’t be easy – that there’s a preciousness to patience, to discipline. Read more »

Derek Fisher has witnessed leaders forget about individual benchmarks and forfeit time away from the court for his five NBA championships. He’s pursuing a sixth now and in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Fisher knows there’s a commitment to fill any vacancy on the floor. Read more »

The Bucks executed a shrewd move in dealing for Nate Wolters, and the 22-year-old has the look of a steady, reliable point guard long into his NBA life. He doesn’t lean on his athleticism, but rather his elusive craftiness and smart decision-making, especially as a cautious passer early in his career Read more »

C.J. Miles is off to the best start of his career, averaging over 13 points and supplying Mike Brown with a potent shooter to surround Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Jarrett Jack. The Cavaliers held an option on the final year of Miles’ deal this season, but exercising it was a formality and he’s cozied into playing part in the team’s core. Read more »