Vivek Ranadive’s inability to allow the staff he hired to make basketball decisions will undoubtedly hinder the potential of the Kings. Read more »
Basketball Blog
The New Team Smell
Mavericks Regained Contender Status With Nostalgic Summer
The Mavericks enter the new season with a revamped roster and high expectations, thanks to the addition of Chandler Parsons and the trade to bring back Tyson Chandler. Read more »
Cleveland's Blind Spot: Contenders Without A Top-10 Defense
The Cavaliers will have no trouble scoring at an efficient rate with offensive talents like LeBron, Love and Kyrie sharing the floor. The real question is how good will the Cavaliers be on defense, particularly their interior defense? Read more »
Spurs Redefine The Essence Of Team Basketball
Gregg Popovich successfully implemented a system—where no single individual was bigger than his teammates—no matter how talented he was. Read more »
Rashard Lewis Must Produce To Keep Heat From Elimination
With Rashard Lewis’ emergence, Shane Battier and James Jones have been bumped from the rotation and the Heat success is contingent on Lewis continuing to knock down open shots. Read more »
The Present And Future Of Lance Stephenson
For all the trouble and ‘lines-crossed’ that Lance Stephenson brings to the table, it is easy to overlook that he is only 23 years old and still learning how to be a professional. In this day and age in the league, young talented swingmen don’t grow on trees, especially not one in the second round. Read more »
Leonard's Mission Impossible On Durant
Kawhi Leonard must force Kevin Durant into becoming a scorer rather than a playmaker. While Leonard was on the court against Durant during the regular season, he managed to hold him to nine assists and 15 turnovers along with shooting slightly under 47 percent and 1-8 from three in 48 minutes. Read more »
Unrealistic Expectations Creating Surge In Fired Coaches?
Coaches will always be the initial scapegoat when struggles surface, and usually the first one to face the consequences. Yet, the recent firings of coaches after strong seasons seem more like a coincidence more so than a new trend. Read more »
Names To Watch As Lakers Search For Next Head Coach
The list of candidates surfacing for the Lakers at least gives us a good idea of the type of direction they are looking to take the team in the short and long-term future. Read more »
Reggie Jackson Pulls Oklahoma City From Brink Of Elimination
Ever since James Harden was traded away, the Thunder have been frantically searching for that dynamic scoring option off the bench. Reggie Jackson played that role in Game 4. Read more »
Blazers Will Be Tough Out In Playoffs With Lillard Playing Mr. Big Shot
LaMarcus Aldridge has been the best player on the planet in the Blazers' first two playoff wins, but Damian Lillard remains the driving force for this club. Read more »
Spurs Remain The Surest Playoff Bet
Like Bill Belichick with the Patriots, Gregg Popovich conducts a strict system style of team ball consequently demanding respect and discipline from every player, no matter how valuable or invaluable they are to the franchise. Read more »
Al Jefferson Chases The Money Into The Playoffs
Al Jefferson has often been considered an overrated stat compiler in his career, but he has posted his best season and has the Bobcats in the playoffs. Read more »
Why Oladipo Deserves ROY Honors Over Carter-Williams
Victor Oladipo had analysts dubbing him as the preseason favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award until Michael Carter-Williams' stat-stuffing season began. Read more »
Reinvented Nets Keep It Rolling
The Nets have abandoned much of their halfcourt sets in favor of a more up-tempo pace and Shaun Livingston has been at the forefront of the new identity Jason Kidd has tried to establish. Read more »
Joakim Noah Saves Bulls' Chaotic Season
In this chaotic season for the Bulls—where injuries and trades defined their season—everyone figured they were left for dead. Since the beginning of the New Year, nobody could have predicted the Bulls quick turnaround led by the amazing evolution of Joakim Noah's game. Read more »
Heat Left Vulnerable With No Deal To Improve Bench
With the thinnest bench during the Big 3 era, Pat Riley may be forcing LeBron James to produce several 2007-esque performances to complete their threepeat. Read more »
Why It's Too Early To Write Off Anthony Bennett
Anthony Bennett admitted to be being "as surprised as anyone else" when he was drafted first overall by the Cavaliers and the start of his rookie season demonstrated why. The undersized power forward is gradually starting to show flashes of the athletic talent that made him look like a lottery pick last June. Read more »
DeMarcus Cousins, Kings Moving In Right Direction
The Kings have been going through major changes with a new coach, new personnel on the roster and a new ownership group. Perhaps most importantly, DeMarcus Cousins appears to be maturing and he's also become one of the NBA's most productive players. Read more »
Easy First Step For Pistons To Build Around Andre Drummond
Trading Greg Monroe for a traditional small forward, recoups value for a player not expected to be re-signed, moves Josh Smith to power forward, and allows the Pistons to surround franchise player Andre Drummond with the right system. Read more »