NBA Analysis
Thirty Histories: Detroit Pistons

by Colin McGowan

Rasheed Wallace and his Detroit teammates found each other at just the right time in 2004. It is the kind of Perfect Deal you dream about. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Toronto Raptors

by Colin McGowan

Vince Carter wasn't everything Toronto wanted him to be, but he was its first love. Like a lot of first loves, he was both singular and not enough, an unclipsable unit of measurement unto himself. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Denver Nuggets

by Colin McGowan

The Nuggets gave us a glimpse of what Carmelo Anthony could have been, and then he decided to become something else. Read more »
Should The NBA Just Move To China?

by Louis Keene

The real reason League Pass works in China but not in the USA is because the NBA moved to China a long time ago. The response to Daryl Morey's Tweet simply makes it unmistakable. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Chicago Bulls

by Colin McGowan

The Bulls drafted two potential star big men in 2001 and both of them were gone by 2006. A magnificent gamble didn't pay off at all. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Golden State Warriors

by Colin McGowan

At its root, the story of Latrell Sprewell and P.J. Carlesimo is of two cantankerous men getting in each other's way. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Washington Wizards

by Colin McGowan

Most of the things Antawn Jamison did occurred only in the imagination, or in the box score's sophistic columns, while you weren't paying proper attention. Read more »
Thirty Histories: San Antonio Spurs

by Colin McGowan

It all seemed premature and reckless when Gregg Popovich controversially fired Bob Hill in 96-97 and became head coach of the Spurs, until it was proven to be ingenious. Read more »
Ja Morant Enters NBA As Both Underdog And Favorite

by Micah Wimmer

Ja Morant was picked No. 2 overall in 2019, but not so long ago was accidentally found by a mid-major program. What might that mean for his NBA career? Read more »
Thirty Histories: Boston Celtics

by Colin McGowan

There were many junctures at which franchise and franchise player could have quit on each other- they even tried to, on a couple occasions- but in keeping the relationship intact, both eventually realized their aspirations. Read more »
What's On the Other Side Of Disappointment For Andrew Wiggins?

by Jonny Auping

Andrew Wiggins' game could be described as 'Kawhi Leonard trying to play through mono,' but he doesn't have to spend his whole career being disappointing. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Los Angeles Lakers

by Colin McGowan

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Thirty Histories: Charlotte Hornets

by Colin McGowan

It is difficult to describe the immensity of a young Larry Johnson. Because even he didn't get a firm handle on it, to use his blazing ability the way he might have if he had possessed it for a little longer. Read more »
Spencer Dinwiddie Among The NBA's Investing Class

by Micah Wimmer

It's impossible to tell at this point whether players such as Spencer Dinwiddie are establishing a new way of handling money that will become a more widespread trend, or if investing in tech is just the late 2010s version of starting a record label, a misguided indulgence that will pass and become a cautionary tale for future generations of NBA stars. Read more »
Thirty Histories: New York Knicks

by Colin McGowan

If Bernard King was never the best player in the league at any given time, he was the most powerfully adored. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Utah Jazz

by Colin McGowan

If Greg Ostertag is remarkable, it is for representing the stark limits of Jazz fans' capacity to appreciate players who looked like them. They wanted him to be Mark Eaton, and they would have exalted him had he cleared that relatively low bar. Read more »
Thirty Histories: New Orleans Pelicans

by Colin McGowan

The Pelicans' situation has been unstable ever since the franchise relocated from Charlotte in 2002, and especially since Katrina. This excruciating state of limbo unfortunately defines the Pelicans. It's difficult to say where they belong. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Philadelphia 76ers

by Colin McGowan

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Thirty Histories: Houston Rockets

by Colin McGowan

You get the sense Ralph Sampson, if he had been designed by NASA engineers rather than a cruel god, still would have ended up as one of the great Yeah, But guys of his generation: an immensely gifted, lightly snakebitten antecedent to Vince Carter and Chris Webber. Read more »
Thirty Histories: Miami Heat

by Colin McGowan

If you look at Pat Riley's first few years in Miami, you can resolve his contradictions pretty easily. The luxury is the ideal and the crushing work is the method. Read more »