Just NBA!: 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

59 minutes ago by TMZ Staff

Diminutive NBA baller Nate Robinson got himself in a jam early Friday morning ... when he was busted for pissing in public. The 5'9" former Slam Dunk champ was spotted by cops in White Plains, NY... urinating on the sidewalk across from City Hall. ...

Friday, June 10, 2011

Miami-area merchants hope to cash in on Heat, NBA finals

Memo to the Heat: Plenty of companies and entrepreneurial individuals are hoping to cash in on an NBA championship â€" so please turn this thing around. BY ADAM H. BEASLEY At the Playwright Irish pub on South Beach, there are grand plans for an NBA ...

Late-Game Collapses Dooming Heat in NBA Finals

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer If the Miami Heat are going to recover and win this NBA championship, they may want to put the Dallas Mavericks away before the final minutes. Otherwise, they could be in more than a little trouble. ...

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Dirk Nowitzki proving his toughness during 2011 NBA Finals

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters - Dirk Nowitzki drives past Mike Miller during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. By Michael Lee, DALLAS â€" Dirk Nowitzki has dealt with a torn tendon in his left middle finger since the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ...

The NBA Fined Gilbert Arenas 'for Being Awesome'

When informed of the fine, the Magic point guard took to â€" you guessed it â€" Twitter to express his frustration: 'yes the nba has fined meâ€¦.for being to awesome..so i can give you the shoes for FREE but gotta charge you for the jokesâ€¦ i cant believe i ...

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Somber mood prevails after second day of labor talks

By Steve Aschburner, NBA.com DALLAS -- The 2011 NBA Finals will shift cities again this weekend, with the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks determined to resolve this basketball conflict of theirs in a matter of days. The NBA owners, the players' ...

Finding a Niche for Enes Kanter

Enes Kanter is one of the great mysteries of the 2011 NBA draft. He's a player who has looked incredibly dominant in small glimpses, but about whom little is known due to the unique circumstances of his arrival in the United States. ...

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

NBA insider: LeBron James says Finals MVP irrelevant

By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY By Mark Humphrey, AP LeBron James told reporters the only hardware he's interested in is the NBA championship trophy. By Mark Humphrey, AP LeBron James told reporters the only hardware he's interested in is the NBA ...

The go-to plays of the NBA Finals

... even though the Mavericks are posting strong percentages in several key play types, Miami has the clear edge going forward. To read the full explanation of how each team is executing its go-to play types in the NBA Finals, become an ESPN Insider today.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Mark Jackson named new Warriors coach

By Rachel Shuster, USA TODAY The NBA is getting another first-time coach, and the TV ranks are losing one of their best analysts. By Kirby Lee, US Presswire Mark Jackson played 17 seasons in the NBA for seven different teams. ...

Mavericks feel the Heat in NBA Finals

It gave them a 2-1 lead in this highly exciting NBA finals, more importantly, they won the game that is seen as a preamble to the championship. This time, it was the Mavs turn to feel the pain and agony of the last-second curse: the players trooped ...

Sunday, June 5, 2011

NBA Insider: Mavs' Haywood misses Game 3 with strained hip

Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, the winningest NBA coach before Don Nelson passed him last season, received the 2011 Chuck Daly Achievement Award on Sunday. Wilkens ranks second all time in wins and first in games coached. For more information about ...

Mavericks' Haywood uncertain for Game 3

By Stephen Hawkins / AP Haywood, who came out of Game 2 of the NBA finals early because of a strained right hip flexor, spent much of the Mavericks' practice riding a stationary bicycle. Other than that, he was limited to spot-up shots and free throws ...

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Mavericks Fans Prepare For NBA Finals Game 3

On Sunday night, the Dallas Mavericks will take on the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the American Airlines Center. On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people came out to the "Gear Up For The Finals" event at Academy Sports and Outdoors in ...

NBA Finals: Game Three Preview

Through two games of the 2011 NBA Finals, it's come down to one simple acronym: ABC - Always Be Closing. The team that has demonstrated more composure to close out contests and finished strong has taken each of the first two games of this series. ...

Friday, June 3, 2011

NBA Finals: Miami Heat's Pat Riley wields influence out of the spotlight

They say Riley's handcrafting has been no less obvious on this year's Heat team â€" which arrived in Dallas on Friday tied 1-1 in the NBA Finals, which resume with Game 3 Sunday night â€" than the 2006 one he coached to his fifth NBA title and first for ...

LeBron James' Amazing Put-Back Dunk In NBA Finals Game 2 (VIDEO)

The two-time MVP sent the home crowd into a frenzy, but the Mavericks got the last laugh after pulling off one of the most amazing comebacks in NBA Finals history. Scroll down to watch the dunk.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

We're going to miss NBA big man Shaquille O'Neal

2, 2011 07:02 PM When we learned this week that Shaquille O'Neal had announced his retirement after 19 NBA seasons, we thought back fondly on his first visit to Phoenix, long before he stood up and pointed to his ring finger at US Airways Center. ...

NBA AM: The Ricky Rubio Effect

The Rubio Effect: The news that Ricky Rubio has decided to join the Minnesota Timberwolves next season will impact the NBA Draft in a number of interesting ways. The Timberwolves who are holding onto the #2 overall pick in the June 23rd NBA Draft have ...

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Many Names Of Shaquille O'Neal

We answer the big questions on Shaq's place in NBA history. D-Scott, of course, was one of Shaq's original running mates in Orlando and a pretty loquacious dude himself. So it came as zero surprise that "3D" didn't disappoint when I caught him on his ...

Stern: new NBA deal in time will be a "challenge"

NBA commissioner David Stern speaks prior to the start of Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball game between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, May 31, 2011, in Miami. Photo: Lynne Sladky / AP NBA Commissioner David Stern speaks prior to the ...

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Mavericks lead Heat 44-43 after uneven first half

The game is the opener of the best-of-seven NBA Finals, a series that continues with Game 2 Thursday night, also at AmericanAirlines Arena. There was little offensive rhythm through the opening two periods, with Dallas handling much of its offense ...

NBA Finals, Game 1: 5 things to watch

The NBA's Stats Cube tells us that Wade scored only a single field goal during the 30 minutes he shared the floor with Stevenson this season. When Stevenson took a seat, Wade exploded for 42 points in 50 minutes. But the Mavericks' most potent lineups ...

Monday, May 30, 2011

NBA Finals matchup the result of two big decisions

Tony Gutierrez/ Asscoiated Press - The Mavericks rewarded Dirk Nowitzki, right, for resigning with the team by filling out his supporting cast with players such as Shawn Marion, left, who have helped put Dallas in position to play for its first NBA ...

NBA Finals Storylines: Let's Hope for the Unexpected

Anyone my age or older might recall Super Bowl VI in 1973 when the Cowboys suffocated the Dolphins 24-3 and all, but the most recent of basketball fans can remember the 2006 NBA Finals when the Mavs could not deliver the knockout blow -- though they ...

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Cam Inman: Five games, then LeBron James' coronation

By Cam Inman Bay Area News Group Too bad a Connecticut Boys & Girls Club of America isn't hosting the NBA finals. Its gym in Greenwich served as the flash point for all this: LeBron James' championship bid with the Miami Heat. ...

Root for Dallas, lest the NBA turn into an AAU league

By Jim Burton Filed under E, for Easy Decision, is the question of which team Utah Jazz fans should root for in the upcoming NBA finals. While it may be somewhat distasteful for Jazz fans to align themselves with the Mavericks and their bombastic owner ...

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Dwyane Wade downplays injury concerns entering NBA Finals

Unlike the NFL, NBA teams are not required to detail specific injuries, even with the NBA Finals looming, starting Tuesday at 9 pm at AmericanAirlines Arena against the Dallas Mavericks. "Soreness from the contact and the nature of the series," was ...

NBA Saturday: Dirk Nowitzki's Second Chance

When the Dallas Mavericks lost the 2006 NBA Finals to the Miami Heat after leading the series 2-0, Dirk Nowitzki told those close to him that he would never let another opportunity to win a championship slip out of his grasp. Now, five years later, ...

Friday, May 27, 2011

Mike Brown's no-win new job as Lakers coach

Talk about what must be the ultimate in no-win situations, trying to follow the glided path of someone named Phil Jackson and his 11 NBA championships. "It's funny you say that because I texted Mike Brown last night," remarked TNT analyst and former ...

2011 NBA Finals: The Miami Heat are coming for the Dallas Mavericks

Those were the kind of moments witnessed by all in the Miami Heat's spectacular and nearly unbelievable comeback led by LeBron James(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) in the final 3:14 of the fourth-quarter in their 83-80 Game 5 victory in the 2011 NBA ...

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Mavericks believe additions of Kidd and Chandler give team big edge

The Mavericks had been dropkicked out of the NBA Finals by losing the final four games against Miami after being up 2-0. Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry were left to wonder when their next visit to the ultimate stage would happen. ...

Dallas Mavericks Advance To NBA Finals, Show They Are Complete Version Of ...

By Tom Ziller - NBA Contributor The Dallas Mavericks have advanced to the 2011 NBA Finals using just one star -- Dirk Nowitzki. The Chicago Bulls need to take notes. May 26, 2011 - In the era of two- and three-star NBA teams, the era of the Boston ...

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Miami Heat ready for a trip to NBA Finals

The Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) blocks the shot of Derrick Rose, middle, of the Chicago Bulls in the second quarter of Game 4 of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. ...

LeBron James, Best Basketball Player On Earth

By Andrew Sharp - Editor LeBron James carried the Miami Heat against the Chicago Bulls in Game 4, and aside from putting his team one win away from the NBA Finals, it proved once and for all... Love him or hate him, LeBron James is the best basketball ...

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

NBA players association alleges unfair labor practices

By Lance Pugmire NBA players on Tuesday filed an unfair labor practices charge against the league with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging "harsh, inflexible and grossly regressive 'takeaway' demands." The National Basketball Players Assn. ...

David Stern inconsistent with discipliine regarding gay slur: Fan reaction

Kobe Bryant(notes) became the poster boy for homophobic insensitivity when he lobbed a gay slur at referee Bennie Adams in the NBA Playoffs. The result of the incident was: a $100000 fine imposed by David Stern, an admonishment of Kobe in public by ...

Monday, May 23, 2011

For the Chicago Bulls, this is growing up

Chicago's Joakim Noah was fined by the NBA on Monday after making an anti-gay slur during the Bulls' loss to the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday. (Joe Skipper / Reuters / May 22, 2011) By Mark Heisler "He's 19 years old ...

Udonis Haslem Still Major Key to Miami Heat's Title Hopes

Udonis Haslem was once again an understated, yet crucial key to the Miami Heat's 96-85 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Game 3 of the 2011 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, as he complimented Chris Bosh's incredible 34-point performance with eight points ...

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Live NBA blog: Heat pull away in 4th Qtr., Bosh has 32

By Tom Weir, USA TODAY We're live-blogging Game 3 of the Heat-Bulls playoff series tonight. (Broadcast on TNT, starting at 8:30 ET.) The series is tied at 1-1, and tonight's game is at Miami. 10:48: Just under 5 minutes left. ...

2011 NBA Playoffs Preview: Heat to Take Control v. Bulls in Game 3

Reality struck Chicago back at its core: the Bulls are an incredibly talented team with a vast array of talent, an admirable defensive stronghold and one of the most gifted players in the NBA in Rose. All is well, but Miami shares the first two ...

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Cleveland Cavaliers inspire plenty of mock draft speculation, but not much ...

By Mary Schmitt Boyer, The Plain Dealer View full sizeBill Kostroun / Associated PressKyrie Irving is the heavy favorite by fans and NBA observers who offer mock drafts to become a Cleveland Cavalier. But since the team isn't announcing their plans, ...

NBA Saturday: The Mystery Man

By choosing to take one year off of basketball, NBA teams aren't sure what to expect from the Turkish prodigy and many question marks surround his game. "I've talked to a few teams and they're just trying to get to know me because they haven't seen me ...

Friday, May 20, 2011

Cleveland native David Lighty job hunting at NBA combine: NBA Draft Insider

CHICAGO â€" David Lighty went through plenty in his career at Ohio State, but he admits he has never been through anything more competitive or pressure-filled than the NBA combine and the process leading up to the NBA draft. ...

Sturm's Morning After: Game 2 - OKC 106, Mavericks 100 (1-1)

Not many NBA teams are able to span 27 days between playoff losses. But, the span will go no longer for the Dallas Mavericks as they were punched hard in the gut on Thursday Night at the AAC, dropping a 106-100 Thriller in Game 2 to Oklahoma City. ...

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Arizona forward Derrick Williams believes he's best in the class, not Kyrie Irving

CHICAGO -- Derrick Williams must have missed the memo, the letter explaining how this predraft camp is so often used as a mutual admiration society between the players slated to become the NBA's next best and brightest. The forward out of Arizona, ...

Duke's Kyrie Irving skipping athletic tests at NBA combine; agent says guard ...

1 draft pick will get medical tests at the NBA combine but is skipping the on-court tests and drills. Irving has been working out for two hours every day, said agent Jeffrey Wechsler. Irving likely will be selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, ...

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Who will be the top 5 picks in the NBA draft?

The Cavaliers are taking Duke's Kyrie Irving first overall, and that's about as set in stone as an NBA draft pick can be in mid-May. Past that, though, things get a little hazy. Will the Timberwolves take Arizona power forward Derrick Williams with ...

Charles Barkley says everybody in NBA has had gay teammates

By Tom Weir, USA TODAY Charles Barkley says he had gay teammates in the NBA, that it was no big deal, and that it's time for people to quit believing that gays face bigger obstacles in sports than elsewhere. "I didn't think it . . . they were gay," ...

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

As NBA draft approaches, Washington Wizards want to continue following ...

By Jason Reid, The Thunder has reached the Western Conference finals just three seasons after suffering a franchise-record 62 losses, relying on the serendipity of the NBA draft lottery, strong scouting, shrewd trades and an overall sound strategy to ...

NBA Playoff Schedule: Monday In Big D, Thunder And Durant Forecast

The Dallas Mavericks will finally be lacing up their shoes in anger on Tuesday night as the schedule wakes them from their eight-day hibernation and host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the 2011 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals. ...

Monday, May 16, 2011

NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Offer Exciting Matchups

I love the NBA, but I often tire of seeing the same old teams still playing at the end of the season. For a lot of years, it was the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics in the mix late in the season. Later, the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs ...

Suns president Rick Welts tells The New York Times he's gay

By Eric Freeman We've learned in recent weeks that the NBA still has a complicated relationship with anything other than the most heteronormative forms of sexuality. Kobe Bryant's unfortunate slur and his subsequent non-apology were not the league's ...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Watching the NBA playoffs provides reminders of what the Lakers don't have

That helped spur three consecutive NBA Finals appearances and two back-to-back championships. But fans may have wished, quietly, for a temporary Marc loan or that they'd just switch places for a bit, and we'd pretend not to see the difference (Paul is ...

Commentary: In NBA history, few 'small' guys measure up to Dwyane Wade

Wade finished a distant seventh in MVP voting, fell off the All-NBA First-Team after two seasons (getting trounced for the second guard spot by the statistically inferior Kobe Bryant) and fell off the All-Defensive Second-Team after two seasons ...

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Answering your NBA draft lottery FAQ

By Mary Schmitt Boyer, The Plain Dealer View full sizeAP photoWhen the Chicago Bulls won the NBA draft lottery in 1999, GM Jerry Krause couldn't contain his excitement for a No. 1 pick who eventually became Duke's Elton Brand -- who played all of two ...

Bull vs Heat: Analysis of NBA Conference Title Game

Wade led the Heat to the 2006 NBA title, and Rose is helping to respark the Bulls' championship magic of the 1990s. Better yet, the Bulls have secured home-court advantage throughout the playoffs after closing the regular season with the best record in ...

Friday, May 13, 2011

Through it all, Flea still bleedin' purple and gold

By Flea, for NBA.com 3. Ralph Sampson's absurd turn around Hail Mary from the free-throw line with micro seconds left on the clock to help the Rockets beat the Lakers in the second round in the mid 80s. 2. The Celtics coming back from like 30 or ...

NBA's Grizzlies inspired by fans in flooded Memphis

By Ron Higgins, Special to CNN Memphis, Tennessee (CNN) -- People thought that as bad the Memphis Grizzlies NBA franchise has mostly been since moving from frosty Vancouver to this steamy Southern locale 10 years ago, it would be hell or high water ...

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Jackson ready for life outside NBA

The Zen Master is stepping out with aspirations of traveling and other plans that don't include coaching in the NBA in the future. Phil Jackson met with the media Wednesday, likely as the last time as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. ...

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Lakers embarrass the NBA logo

Tom has covered every Summer and Winter Olympics since 1984, and has made numerous trips to the Super Bowl, World Series, Final Four and NBA Finals. In 2009, he put more miles on his bicycle than on his car. Michael McCarthy and Michael Hiestand have ...

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Sonicsgate, Kingsgate, and Why I'm Over the NBA

Because, let's be honest, half the fun of the NBA is the drama. They had Ego-exploded Gary Payton, Mullet-sporting Detlef Schrempf, stoner Shawn Kemp and then even stonier Vin Baker to name a few. It was a good little era, and I jumped in. ...

Anyone else think Phil Jackson isn't done yet? Lakers fan reaction

Phil Jackson is looking for his 11th NBA Championship and if he does win he will stand alone as the greatest NBA coach of all time. "My belief is that he'll retire for a while," Carlisle said at the final press conference carried by NBA TV, ...

Monday, May 9, 2011

Lakers' Next Coach

Jackson might've played coy in what was likely his final postgame press conference, joking "I haven't answered that, have I?" when pressed for a definitive statement on whether he'd coached his final NBA game Sunday. But Kupchack says he believes ...

Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins skips on senior season to stay in draft

DeAndre Liggins heard all he needed to hear to convince him that the time was right to jump to the NBA. So the University of Kentuckyguard will forgo his senior season and remain in the NBA draft, the school announced Sunday night. ...

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Kentucky G Liggins to keep name in NBA draft

Liggins announced Sunday he will turn pro rather than return for his senior season after talking to NBA scouts during a weekend camp hosted by the New Jersey Nets. The 6-foot-6 Liggins said it "was in the best interests of me and my family to stay in ...

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Boston College junior guard Reggie Jackson announced that he will remain in the NBA draft. Jackson had until today to remove his name from draft consideration if he wanted to retain his eligibility. Jackson currently is in New Jersey for a pre-draft ...

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Jones spurns NBA draft, returns to Kentucky

Forward Terrence Jones announced Saturday that he'll withdraw from the NBA draft and return for his sophomore year at UK. He joins Doron Lamb as high-profile freshmen to eschew the one-and-done approach under Calipari, who lost freshmen John Wall, ...

Jason Kidd talks about a last chance

By Calvin Watkins When you're 38-years-old and have played in the NBA for 17 seasons, you take nothing for granted. Jason Kidd is one of the oldest players in the league and he's now five victories away from his third appearance in the NBA Finals. ...

Friday, May 6, 2011

With Dallas Leading, Outspoken Owner Lowers the Volume

When his emotions are released â€" and they frequently are â€" the result is often a fine leveled at Cuban by the NBA Keep up with the latest news, on the court and off, with The Times's basketball blog. But Cuban is suddenly doing his best to remain ...

NBA AM: Lakers' Championship Run Nearing End?

The back-to-back NBA Champions haven't lost the first two games to start a series since the NBA Finals in 2008 -- the last year this team failed to win it all. The 2-0 deficit is even more alarming when you consider this is just the first time in the ...

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Lakers are done in NBA playoffs

Wilt Chamberlain spent a year with the Harlem Globetrotters before he won, Pau Gasol played professionally in Europe and David Robinson was a veteran rookie in the truest sense, serving two years in the Navy before making his NBA debut. ...

NBA Playoffs: Mavs Headed for Western Conference Finals?

Even after the Mavs took a 2-0 lead on the Portland Trail Blazers, I didn't think they had the stuff to make serious noise in the 2011 NBA Playoffs. And when the Blazers bounced back to tie the series at 2-all, I thought for sure the Mavs were free to ...

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Blake Griffin is unanimous choice for rookie of the year

The Clippers' power forward joins David Robinson and Ralph Sampson in an exclusive NBA club, but he wants to do more next season. By Lisa Dillman Next up for Blake Griffin: working on his free-throw shooting (Dad says), spending time at home in ...

Top five NBA Rookies of the Year

The Los Angeles Times reports Blake Griffin(notes) of the Los Angeles Clippers is the 2010-11 NBA Rookie of the Year. The power forward from the University of Oklahoma will join many legendary players who have won the award for their exploits in their ...

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Source: Clippers' Griffin NBA's Rookie of Year

By Ramona Shelburne Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin will be named the NBA's Rookie of the Year Wednesday, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly on the announcement. Good things come to those who wait -- just ask Blake ...

The NBA's Rattled Royalty

By David Roth AP Despite appearances, the Lakers' Pau Gasol was not bitten by the talking ball in the NBA's playoff commercials late in his team's loss to Dallas. Eventually, these things have a way of working themselves out â€" the NBA playoffs are not ...

Monday, May 2, 2011

Report: NBA crowns youngest MVP in histo

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose Monday night became the NBA's youngest ever MVP, the Chicago Tribune reported citing a source. The 22-year-old Rose had been favored to take out the award for months, having averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists in leading ...

Sacramento Kings set to announce future plans

Co-owner George Maloof said he and his family have made that decision, but are waiting to announce it until they discuss their decision with NBA officials, The Sacramento Bee reported. "We need to get with the NBA and inform them first," Maloof said, ...

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Paul Pierce should know better

By Jackie MacMullan ESPN NBA analyst Mike Brown talks about Paul Pierce's ejection and what the Celtics need to do to play better in game 2. MIAMI -- Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce climbed into a time capsule and vaulted himself back in history ...

NBA playoffs: Celtics vs. Heat in clash of the NBA's Big Threes

NBA playoffs: The Boston Celtics visit the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena Sunday for the first game of their second-round NBA Eastern Division playoff series. Tip-off at 3:30 pm Eastern time. Miami Heat's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Game ...

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Kevin Durant, Greivis Vasquez will play their roles â€” against each other ...

â€œWe've both come a long way and to end up playing in a series together in the NBA so young, you can't help but feel blessed.â€ There are other days to illustrate why Miami won't win it all this year, why Dallas is finally good enough defensively to ...

Sacramento's Last-Ditch Effort To Keep Its NBA Team

by Ben Adler The Sacramento Kings have until Monday to ask the NBA for permission to leave town. The team's owners are negotiating a move to Anaheim, which would give the Los Angeles area three NBA teams and leave California's state capital without a ...

Friday, April 29, 2011

LeBron's legacy is on the line this time

Boston Celtics fans try to distract Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) while he shoots foul shots during the first quarter of Game 3 in the second round of an NBA basketball playoff series Friday, May 7, 2010, in Boston. ...

The new NBA draft deadline is ridiculous

By Eamonn Brennan Let's just call a spade a spade: The NCAA's decision to further shorten the NBA draft early-entry deadline is one of the silliest, most cynical and least student-athlete-friendly decisions ever. Last year, the NCAA shrunk the ...

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Celtics-Heat premier matchup of the NBA playoffs?

It's a captivating clash of the 2008 NBA champion Celtics, a combination of heart, mind and soul, against the star-studded, meticulously built Heat trying to prove they are substance over hype â€" with the heart, mind and soul of a champion, too. ...

Indiana Pacers remain hopeful after reaching NBA playoffs this year

INDIANAPOLIS â€" The season-ending disappointment for the Indiana Pacers is different this year. The previous four years ended the same way: The Pacers missed the playoffs, and the immediate future was dim because the franchise was handcuffed ...

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

NBA playoffs turned upside down

Memphis owner Michael Heisley couldn't quite believe what he had just seen, as his eighth-seeded and new-to-the-playoffs Grizzlies dominated the top-seeded, battle-tested San Antonio Spurs to take a 3-1 first-round lead. "I don't know what to say," ...

(8) Memphis Grizzlies (3-1) at (1) San Antonio Spurs (1-3), 8:30 pm

1 seed in NBA history to lose a best-of-seven series in the first round when they host the upstart Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. The Grizzlies' Mike Conley led a balanced attack in Game 4 of the set on Monday, ...

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Sacramento shows NBA the money, awaits decision

AP Sports Writer FILE - This April 13, 2011, file photo shows Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson talking to reporters about the Sacramento Kings possible move to Anaheim, before the Kings played the Lakers in an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif. ...

Report: NBA players could decertify

The NBA players union already has enough votes from its members to decertify, should it decide to follow the strategy used by the NFL players union, CBSSports.com reported, citing unnamed sources. The NBA owners and NBPA are negotiating a new ...

Monday, April 25, 2011

2011 NBA playoffs: Los Angeles Lakers say Kobe Bryant suffered sprained left ankle

By Dave McMenamin EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a sprained left ankle and is officially listed as day to day, a team spokesman told reporters on Monday. For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the ...

2011 NBA playoffs: Los Angeles Lakers rookie Derrick Caracter reportedly arrested

For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the Land O' Lakers blog from the Kamenetzky Brothers. Blog Los Angeles Lakers forward Derrick Caracter was arrested in New Orleans on Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reported. ...

Sunday, April 24, 2011

NBA players, owners remain far apart in labor dispute

Bebeto Matthews/ AP - NBA Commissioner David Stern says the league plans to submit a revised proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement to the players' union within the next couple of weeks. By Amy Shipley, Sunday, April 24, 6:40 PM LeBron ...

2011 NBA Playoffs: More Bulls Fans At Conseco Fieldhouse Than Pacers Fans For ...

Also, factor in that, in NBA Playoffs history, only one No. 8 seeded team has ever beaten a No. 1 seed (Denver vs. Seattle). In addition, in NBA playoff history, no team has ever won down 0-3 in a best-of-seven series. Thus, yesterday afternoon ...

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Memphis now win at home, go up 2-1 over Spurs

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, of Spain, celebrates after a score against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball series on Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Memphis, ...

Confidence not a concern for Pacers despite trailing 3-0

Down 3-0 in a best-of-seven NBA postseason series is a lousy place to be. No team in league history ever has survived such a lopsided start, while 57 teams have turned three consecutive victories into sweeps. There is no more decisive outcome than 4-0, ...

Friday, April 22, 2011

NBA: Boston 113, New York 96

NEW YORK, April 22 (UPI) -- Huge scoring efforts by Ray Allen and Paul Pierce Friday, along with a triple-double from Rajon Rondo, sent the Boston Celtics storming past New York 113-96. The Celtics took a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal ...

NBA playoffs 2011: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban hit in face by object ...

By Tim MacMahon PORTLAND, Ore. -- An object thrown from the Rose Garden stands hit Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in the face during Thursday night's Game 3 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. News, notes and analysis of the Mavericks from ...

Thursday, April 21, 2011

David Stern envisions NFL-style replay system in the future for NBA games

By Brian Windhorst PHILADELPHIA -- After the first weekend of the playoffs included several officiating issues, NBA commissioner David Stern said he envisions the league going to an NFL-style replay system to reduce controversies in the future. ...

NBA AM: Optimism On The Labor Front?

Some Optimism On The Labor Front: One of the more common topics around the NBA Playoffs recently has been the state of the NBA with regards to its ongoing labor talks with its players. In a surprising turn of events, there is a growing consensus that ...

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Strong indications Kings may be in Sacramento next year

This isn't a half-court shot for Kevin Johnson, the former NBA player turned Sacramento mayor who's running point in his city's attempt to save their Kings. It's one of those shots from the old McDonald's commercials featuring Michael Jordan and Larry ...

Kentucky Trio to Test NBA Draft Waters

AP By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer Kentucky freshmen Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones and junior DeAndre Liggins have declared for the NBA draft. The school announced Wednesday all three players are going to gauge their prospects but have no plans to ...

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The NBA and offensive language

If Bryant had called Adams, who is black, the N-word, the five-time NBA champion probably wouldn't have been fined $100000. He likely wouldn't have had to make a public apology. And it's doubtful that the NAACP or any similar organization would have ...

NBA to Nuggets on Perkins' put-back: 'Whoops, our bad'

Well, wonder no longer, Eric and everyone else â€" the NBA's got your answer. And the league's super sorry, Denverites. "Kendrick Perkins was improperly credited with a basket that should have been ruled offensive basket interference with 1:05 remaining ...

Monday, April 18, 2011

NBA playoffs: Miami Heat is ready for sprint to Finals

By Jason Reid, Monday, April 18, 8:17 PM After one of the most interesting regular seasons in years, it was almost as if the NBA managed to ensure compelling postseason openers. The first weekend of play was NCAA tournament-esque, featuring intense ...

Sources: Dwight Howard defensive POY

By Michael Wallace ORLANDO -- Dwight Howard will become the first player in league history to be named the NBA's defensive player of the year for the three consecutive seasons, league sources confirmed Monday. Howard averaged 14.1 rebounds, ...

Sunday, April 17, 2011

NBA Playoffs: The Celtics survive the Knicks

Rondo isn'ta jump shooter or a volume shooter, but he's historically been one of the most efficient scoring guards in the NBA. It's no secret that the Celtics are an entirely different animal offensively when Rondo is on his game than they are when he ...

(7) New Orleans Hornets (0-0) at (2) Los Angeles Lakers (0-0), 3:30 pm

By Sports Network Kobe Bryant's offensive epithet and Andrew Bynum's knee have overtaken the headlines in Hollywood as the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers begin another journey toward greatness. The second-seeded Lakers will take on ...

Saturday, April 16, 2011

TNT and ESPN: Different looks at the same NBA game

Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley, top, help anchor TNT's zany coverage of the NBA; Mark Jackson, Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy help bring a big-game feeling to ESPN's coverage. (Erik S. Lesser / For The Times; Garrett Ellwood / NBAE / Getty Images) By ...

Bulls and Pacers kick off NBA playoffs

By Sports Network The 2010-11 NBA playoffs kick off in the Windy City Saturday when the top-seeded Chicago Bulls play host to the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals set in the United Center. On paper this looks like the ...

Friday, April 15, 2011

Trail Blazers, Mavericks share ghosts from past NBA playoffs

With a cluster of video cameras, microphones and tape recorders huddled around him following a Trail Blazers practice, Gerald Wallace discussed the NBA playoffs and the Dallas Mavericks. Then someone started to ask if Wallace had heard comments made by ...

The road to the NBA championship

We are two months away from crowning the kings of 2010-11, but the path to the NBA title is getting clearer. Which team has the trickiest path? Who should win the title? Who will? 1. Which top contender has the most difficult path to the NBA title? ...

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Interest in Miami Heat will intensify

The Heat's Big 3 brought a new level of excitement to the NBA, and expect it to grow even more intense during the postseason. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat stand during a free throw against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on April ...

Grant Napear And Jerry Reynolds Give Sacramento Kings A Teary Signoff

Fans of the Kings and any NBA fans with neophobia gathered last night to say their final goodbyes to the Sacramento Kings, who are rumored to be moving to Anaheim for next season, if there is a next season. The Kings wound up losing to the defending ...

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Ex-NBA player who came out post-career reacts to Bryant slur

By J. Michael Falgoust, USA TODAY John Amaechi, who played professional basketball from 1995-2003, including five seasons with three NBA teams, came out as gay after his playing career ended. The 6-10 center-forward wrote a book, Man in the Middle, ...

Kobe Bryant -- Homophobic Slur During NBA Game?

Kobe Bryant appeared to hurl a homophobic slur towards an NBA referee during a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game last night ... and it was all caught on tape. It happened during the 3rd quarter after Kobe got hit with a technical foul. ...

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

MVP smelling like Rose, but four others have case, too

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY The NBA MVP race looks cut and dry. Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is the winner, right? By Duane Burleson, AP Derrick Rose has helped transform the Bulls from a .500 team to the best team in the Eastern Conference. ...

Fan breakdown: Will Andrew Bynum fade in the NBA Playoffs?

The Los Angeles Lakers made an incredible run following the NBA All-Star break and now they have gone on an equally embarrassing five game losing streak on the eve of the NBA Playoffs. The Lakers winning streak was based on intense defense by ...

Monday, April 11, 2011

Lakers, your NBA champs, say worrying is for chumps

The Bulls ended up beating Portland in the NBA Finals. Seemingly everybody on the Lakers is blaming fatigue and foresight, their 17-1 run somehow only a distant recollection because of their ominous slide since then. "There's some subliminal part of ...

NBA AM: Lakers Searching for Answers

In one week, the Los Angeles Lakers went from being the hottest team in the NBA to one of the coldest. After winning seventeen of eighteen games after the All-Star break, the Lakers have now lost five straight and allowed the Dallas Mavericks to catch ...

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Cavaliers-Pistons Preview

Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers finished with the best record in the NBA. Now, they are simply trying to keep from having the worst. The visiting Cavaliers look to avoid a third straight loss when they face the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. ...

Gloria James Yells at Cops in Surveillance Video

Gloria James, mother of NBA superstar LeBron James, was clearly pissed with police the night she was arrested ... so the freshly released surveillance video clearly shows. The video, obtained by WPLG in Miami, shows Gloria in handcuffs in a holding ...

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Lawrence: Bulls' Rose the pick as NBA MVP

Who do you think deserves the NBA's MVP award? With the NBA heading into its final games of the regular-season, it's time to hand out the hardware. This isn't to say that Rose is not worthy of winning top honors. His body of work for the Bulls this ...

Memphis Grizzlies Clinch Bid For NBA Playoffs; First Trip Since 2006

The Memphis Grizzlies are going back to the NBA Playoffs. The Grizzlies clinched their bid for the 2011 postseason with a tight win over the Sacramento Kings in front of 16000 fans at the FedEx Forum. Memphis hasn't made the playoffs since 2006, ...

Friday, April 8, 2011

Billionaire Tom Gores to buy NBA's Detroit Pistons

DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Pistons announced Friday that billionaire California investor Tom Gores has agreed to buy the struggling NBA franchise, ending a drawn-out sale by longtime owner Karen Davidson that stretched back before the season. ...

Howard suspended, won't face Bulls

NEW YORK -- Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has been suspended one game by the NBA for receiving his 18th technical foul of the season. Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or ...

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Jayhawks' Morris twins declare for NBA draft

By AP on April 7th, 2011 NEW YORK (AP) â€" Kansas twins Marcus and Markieff Morris are skipping their senior seasons with the Jayhawks, choosing instead to hire an agent and enter the NBA draft. The forwards from Philadelphia led the team in scoring, ...

Fan debate: Top five NBA MVP candidates

Whereas D-Rose produces like 10 players in the NBA do, Wade belongs to a more distinguished class of roundball artists. By the way, it's not unprecedented for teammates to receive MVP consideration. In 2002, Shaq was third in the MVP race and Kobe was ...

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

New York Knicks slide past Sixers into 6th place in NBA Eastern Conference ...

Who would you prefer the Knicks play in the first round of the NBA playoffs? Makes no difference. The Knicks will lose to either team. Makes no difference. The Knicks will beat either team. PHILADELPHIA - Maybe in the grand scheme of things finishing ...

Departing Dawg: Is Trey Thompkins bound for NBA glory?

He has an NBA body and NBA skills. He's 6-foot-10, 245 pounds. So's Al Horford, although Thompkins wouldn't appear half as strong. He'll never be pressed into service as a center: Thompkins is a pure power forward, which isn'ta bad thing to be. ...

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

NBA, union wait on NFL labor ruling

By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY The NBA, its owners and the National Basketball Players Association will watch with great interest the outcome of today's Brady et al vs. NFL preliminary injunction hearing. By Tony Gutierrez, AP Antonio Daniels, ...

Monday, April 4, 2011

Dennis Rodman, Chris Mullin Named to Basketball Hall of Fame

Former NBA players Artis Gilmore, Arvydas Sabonis and Tom â€œSatchâ€ Sanders, longtime coach Tex Winter, college coaches Herb Magee and Tara VanDerveer, Women's NBA player Teresa Edwards and Harlem Globetrotter Reece â€œGooseâ€ Tatum also were elected, ...

NBA Draft Ping Pong Derby Leaves Cavaliers, Wolves Sprinting To Bottom

By Tom Ziller - NBA Contributor Apr 4, 2011 - There are a many great races that happen in the final weeks of the NBA season. While seeding battles and the skirmishes for the final berths to the NBA Playoffs in each conference are certainly important ...

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Knicks End Long Drought, Clinch Playoff Spot

by AP Enlarge AP New York Knicks' Landry Fields goes in for a layup during the first half of NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sunday, April 3, 2011, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Associated Press New York Knicks' Landry ...

NBA Sunday: Calipari Back to NBA?

Hours after Kentucky's loss the UConn in the NCAA semifinals, the New York Daily News' Mitch Lawrence is reporting that UK head coach John Calipari is interested in returning to an NBA bench sometime in the not-too-distant future. ...

Saturday, April 2, 2011

On occasion of Final Four, here's early look at NBA draft

By Mark Heisler, Tribune Newspapers In our annual salute to the NCAA tournament, here's our best guess at the first 20 players to be selected in the June NBA draft. The debate about No. 1 will depend on who gets the pick. 1 (T). ...

NBA Playoffs 2011: Lakers Move A Game Closer To Stealing Spurs' No. 1 Seed

1 seed in the West bracket of the 2011 NBA Playoffs on Friday. The Lakers beat the Utah Jazz at Staples Center to move to 55-20, while the Spurs lost an overtime thriller to the Houston Rockets to fall to 57-19. It was San Antonio's sixth consecutive ...

Friday, April 1, 2011

Rose, Bryant named NBA Players of the Month

By Sports Network The Bulls' Derrick Rose and the Lakers' Kobe Bryant have been named the NBA Players of the Month for March. Rose averaged 25.6 points and 7.1 assists during the month, guiding the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls to a 13-3 record. ...

NBA basketball inches to playoffs

Now that college basketball is entering its final weekend, it's time to start looking towards the NBA playoffs. For those of you that have been enthralled by March Madness and haven't been keeping tabs on the Association lately, this will prove as a ...

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Steve Kelley Come back, Isaiah Thomas. You're not ready for the NBA yet

At this point in his development Thomas, who is maybe 5 feet 7, is too small for the NBA. He's too small because he doesn't do any one thing well enough to survive in the league. At his height, a player either has to be the quickest guy on the floor, ...

NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins Reportedly Attacked by Ex-Referee

19: Retired NBA player Dominique Wilkins arrives at the The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) All-Star Gala in Los Angeles. NBA Hall of Famer and Atlanta Hawks television analyst Dominique Wilkins was attacked by a former referee after the ...

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

BC's Reggie Jackson explains his decision to declare for the NBA draft

Reggie Jackson is entering the NBA pre-draft process with an open mind. The junior guard declared for the draft earlier today, which is an almost automatic move for a player of his stature. By not hiring an agent, Jackson has nothing to lose. ...

Drew Sharp: If UM's Morris opts for NBA draft, he should stick with it

12:29 am Michigan's Darius Morris is considering entering the NBA draft. / Chuck Burton / AP BY DREW SHARP There are no innocent flirtations with the NBA draft. The league created an undergraduate advisory committee to help educate college players ...

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Anaheim city council approves funding for Kings

"Anaheim took a giant step closer to bringing an NBA team to Anaheim and the Honda Center," Anaheim mayor Tom Tait said. "I'm thrilled. Actually, a better word is stoked." Anaheim took a giant step closer to bringing an NBA team to Anaheim and the ...

Fan reaction: Miami Heat â€œBig Threeâ€ make NBA history and provide glimpse of ...

On March 27, 2011 the world caught a glimpse of the future of the NBA. For the first time in 40 years of professional regulation-length basketball, three players on the same team posted 30 points and 10 rebounds and none of them was a center. ...

Monday, March 28, 2011

Rose says tough defense key to winning

By Herb Gould hgould@suntimes.com Mar 28, 2011 09:52PM Derrick Rose's whirling-dervish moves to the basket are the talk of the town as well as the NBA. But the MVP front-runner points to something else when asked about the Bulls' hopes of making good ...

Rockets' NBA Playoffs Trip Likely Dashed By Huge Grizzlies Wins

Those wins, both after the team learned Rudy Gay would not return this season due to shoulder surgery, have greatly boosted the odds Memphis will find itself in the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2006. After the Grizzlies' win over the Spurs on ...

Sunday, March 27, 2011

NBA: Memphis 111, San Antonio 104

MEMPHIS, March 27 (UPI) -- Zach Randolph connected for 23 points Sunday and the Memphis Grizzlies downed San Antonio 111-104, handing the Spurs their third straight loss. Randolph also grabbed 11 rebounds. Tony Allen added 23 points and OJ Mayo ...

Derrick Williams Demures On 2011 NBA Draft Decision

By Tom Ziller - NBA Contributor Mar 27, 2011 - Arizona was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by a buzzsaw UConn team on Saturday, and Wildcats' star Derrick Williams -- a forward who exploded into the national spotlight with a huge performance against ...

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Saturday's NBA Capsules

ATLANTA â€" The Atlanta Hawks took control with 19 straight points early in the game and clinched a playoff spot by beating the New Jersey Nets 98-87 on Saturday night. Al Horford had 23 points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta, including six straight points ...

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson says third NBA team in Southland is 'ridiculous'

As the Sacramento Kings appear more and more likely to move to Anaheim, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson expresses doubts about whether Southern California can support a third NBA team. Asked Lakers Coach Phil Jackson of a third NBA team in the Los Angeles ...

Friday, March 25, 2011

Nikola Vucevic to leave USC and enter NBA draft

Nikola Vucevic, in announcing his intention to enter the NBA draft, says he is not 'testing the waters.' Vucevic led USC in scoring and rebounds this season. USC forward Nikola Vucevic, left, and Coach Kevin O'Neill share a laugh during a news ...

NBA AM: LeBron Can Relate To Melo's Struggles

LeBron Feels For Anthony: If anyone in the NBA can related to what Knicks' forward Carmelo Anthony is going through in New York, it's the guy that was supposed to be there in his place. For months it was believed LeBron James would be a Knick, ...

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Three Reasons Why a Third Los Angeles NBA Team Will Fail

And the Clippers, well, they are the Clippers. There are multiple reasons why a third NBA franchise will not work in Los Angeles, but three come to mind quickly and are the most obvious. Quick, name the starting five for the Sacramento Kings.

Derrick Rose No Better An NBA MVP Candidate Than Russell Westbrook

By Tom Ziller - NBA Contributor Sure, Derrick Rose is a candidate for NBA MVP. But if he is, so are Russell Westbrook and many, many more. Mar 24, 2011 - No one ought to feel entitled to tell others who they ought to consider an NBA MVP. ...

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

NBA Scouting Report on Fredette: Good but Not Great

Gerald Herbert/AP Jimmer Fredette, the nation's leading scorer at 28.8 points a game, led BYU into the Round of 16 after forgoing last year's NBA draft. By PETE THAMEL NEW ORLEANS â€" From conjuring up memories of Pete Maravich with his scoring binges ...

Suns Vs. Lakers: Triple-Overtime Classic Shows Best Of NBA Ball

The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns didn't just play a thrilling triple-overtime game on Tuesday night -- they played a thrilling triple-overtime game that was a wonderful example of how entertaining regular season NBA basketball can be. ...

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

When the Lakers re-signed Lamar Odom, did it change the NBA?

Lamar Odom has won a pair of titles with the Lakers, but had he not stuck around after the '09 season, the entire NBA landscape might look different today. But what if they'd gone the other way? What if Dr. Buss, presented contract figures by Mitch ...

Monday, March 21, 2011

Players Association disputes NBA's claims of broad losses

By Henry Abbott The National Basketball Players Association feels that only a "small number" of NBA teams are losing money and continues to say that it is not willing to put a hard salary cap into play when it negotiates a new collective bargaining ...

Kobe Bryant Goes Wild After Clutch Shot In Lakers-Trail Blazers Game (VIDEO)

The five-time NBA champion made a clutch fadeaway jumper to put the Lakers up by five. After the shot, the crowd went wild and Kobe went ballistic as he made his way down the court. "I do relish the opportunity to help us win from time to time, ...

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Round-the-Clock Purple and Gold

The NBA alerted the Lakers Sunday that Bynum will face a two-game suspension without pay for knocking Beasley to the ground with his right forearm as he drove to the basket late in the fourth quarter, a play that will sideline him Sunday against ...

NBA Sunday: It's the season of Love

By Andrew Aragon, Deseret News "I'm not upset about it, but it was a good run," Love said. "People mention that all good things come to an end. It just happened to be against the Golden State Warriors last (Sunday). I've said all along that things like ...

Saturday, March 19, 2011

A Big Matchup Highlights Texas-Arizona

It is the game footage that will be within close reach of NBA scouts and general managers for the next several months. It will remain on their desks or in their DVD players so they can study it frequently before the draft. It will not be put away. ...

Charlotte Bobcats (28-40) at San Antonio Spurs (55-13), 8:30 pm

The Spurs are an NBA-best 55-13 this season and 31-3 as the host. The home record ties the best start in franchise history, matching the 2004-05 squad that went 31-3 through the first 34 home games and finished the season a franchise-best 38-3 in the ...

Friday, March 18, 2011

Timberwolves-Lakers Preview

AccuScore has powered more than 10000 simulations for every NBA game for ESPN.com, each simulated one play at a time and minimum of 10000 times. For more, visit AccuScore. Were you at the game? Did you attend another game recently? ...

'Anaheim Royals' Trademarked By Sacramento Kings' Owners, According To Report

If the Sacramento Kings do indeed relocate to Orange County for the next NBA season, don't be surprised if the team changes its name to the Anaheim Royals. The Sacramento Bee reports that a lawyer with ties to the Maloof brothers, who own the Kings, ...

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Lakers fans worst in NBA, among worst of all sports

By Eric Freeman There are lots of much-maligned fans in the NBA, from the regular no-shows in Atlanta to the indifferent in Miami. But none draw others' ire quite like attendees at Lakers games, both for their Hollywood star power and a perceived sense ...

NCAA to NBA: Prospects to watch Thursday

So we'll be watching the games checking out some of the NBA prospects. If you want a great breakdown in that regard, check out Kevin Pelton's at Basketball Prospectus. We spoke with our man Joe Treutlein, Assistant Director of Scouting for ...

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Sacramento Kings owners Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof file trademark application ...

24, the Kings requested permission from the NBA to extend the March 1 deadline they were facing to formally file for a move to Anaheim, Calif., in time for next season. The extenstion allows the franchise to review its options with the NBA's Board of ...

Behind the scenes of Lakers' 4-game trip

By KEVIN DING The Lakers are pushing toward another NBA title, and here's a behind-the-scenes series of photos taken with Kevin Ding's cameraphone as he accompanied the Lakers through San Antonio, Atlanta, Miami and Dallas. ...

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Fear and loathing of David Stern

Sports 1 hour, 55 minutes ago The commissioner's office will never escape this truth: In so many ways, Donald Sterling has carried out the NBA ownership vision of David Stern. Treat the front office and coaches like necessary evils with bare minimum ...

NBA Referee Calls Foul On Reporter Tweet

While reporting on an NBA game between Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 24 of this year, Krawczynski posted the following tweet about referee Bill Spooner: Ref Bill Spooner told [Minnesota Timberwolves head coach] Rambis he'd ...

Monday, March 14, 2011

Pistons' defense allows highest shooting percentage in NBA

Opposing teams are shooting 48.4 percent from the field this season against the Pistons, the highest shooting percentage allowed by any NBA team. The Pistons have not allowed opponents to shoot a higher percentage from the field in 25 seasons. ...

NBA game results, March 13

The Bucks barely avoided the NBA record for fewest points in a half. Two field goals by Bogut in the final minute of the second quarter pushed Milwaukee's score from 18 to 22 - just three better than the league record for futility. ...

Sunday, March 13, 2011

The Sports Xchange

The Celtics didn't get to go to the White House as last year's NBA champions, but they did get to meet President Barack Obama this week. President Obama capped off a visit to Boston with a fundraiser at the Museum of Fine Arts, and a group of Celtics ...

NBA Sunday: What Happened to the Jazz?

Still, they're hoping that Baron's desire to play for a team he cares about will be enough motivation to get himself in proper shape and show he still can be a healthy, viable option on an NBA team. Blake Griffin helped make that happen earlier this ...

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Commentary: A win over the NBA-best San Antonio Spurs on Monday would say far ...

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) prepares to pass as Memphis Grizzlies' Tony Allen (9) and Mike Conley (11) defend in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Miami, Saturday, March 12, 2011. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, ...

NBA: Stern silences Magic coach Van Gundy

AP NBA Commissioner David Stern might have finally muzzled Magic coach Stan Van Gundy â€" at least for now. Van Gundy said before Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors that he has been told he can't comment anymore in the ongoing dispute with ...

Friday, March 11, 2011

NBA boss David Stern may go Godfather on Fredo Van Gundy

Earlier this week, Stan Van Gundy said he couldn't have an opinion on matters of the NBA because dictatorial commissioner David Stern does not tolerate dissenting opinions within his league. Well, Stern went on a national radio host Colin Cowherd's ...

NBA Round-up: Miami Heat snap losing streak with big win against Los Angeles ...

Jackson has made comments about Miami multiple times this season, adding fuel to the fire of what could be an NBA Finals preview. The Heat are now 3.5 games out of the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Boston Celtics by five ...

Thursday, March 10, 2011

NBA 411: NewsHeat, Perk, more

As far as I'm concerned, a stork drops off NBA ready players at training camp @DraftExpress about 2 hours ago @LarryCoon Not me. In fact, RT @DraftExpress: My least favorite part about this time of the year? All of a sudden, everyone becomes a NBA ...

Apple TV update boasts full MLB, NBA streaming

With its latest software update for Apple TV, Apple is now offering easy streaming of MLB and NBA games directly through its $100 media-streaming unit. All you need an active subscription to either service, and you can have unlimited access to every ...

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Cord Cutters: A First Look At MLB & NBA On Apple TV

I also have access to NBA League Pass Broadband â€" provided to us free by Turner so we could test out the service â€" so we took a look at that as well. The verdict? Games streamed on Apple TV look really good. While the quality is not quite true HD, ...

NBA roundup: Blazers extend Heat skid; Kobe Bryant moves up on scoring list

Dwyane Wade scored 38 points, and LeBron James added 31 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat, which is the 12th team in NBA history with a 12-game winning streak and a five-game losing streak in the same season. LA Lakers 101, Atlanta 87: ...

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Kobe Bryant passes Moses Malone for 6th on NBA scoring list

Jackson played against Malone and remembers the center's inauspicious start to his NBA career after Malone started his professional career in the ABA. "I think he was held scoreless at Madison Square Garden the first time [he played there], ...

Other teams recruiting Love?

By Mark J. Miller Kevin Love(notes) tied Moses Malone's NBA record last night when he recorded his 51st double-double of the season. While that is a pretty sweet feat for the 22-year-old, it would be nice if his heroics helped his team win some games. ...

Monday, March 7, 2011

Heat react to 'CryGate'

Follow the Heat and Lakers as these favorites shoot for the NBA Finals. Â» Visit Heat or 3Peat Central By CHRIS PERKINS You worry about the mental state of a team that cries after losing Game No. 63. Crying? After Game 63? Really? ...

NBA AM: Are The HEAT Coming Apart?

An Optimistic Turn: Some of you may be paying attention to the labor fight taking place in the NFL, and while the problems facing the NFL are starkly different than the problems facing the NBA, how this is playing out in the NFL could be helpful to the ...

Sunday, March 6, 2011

These Days, Everyone Can Stand the Heat

Aren't a Juggernaut, While the NBA Season Gets Only More Intriguing By JASON GAY Look, if they were great, you'd be bored. The Miami Heat did brush greatness, a couple of months ago, ripping off a run of 21 wins out of 22 games in which they thundered ...

New Jersey Nets beat the Toronto Raptors 137-136 at London's O2

Just two games into its new role as a regular season NBA venue and already London's O2 can boast a triple overtime classic which will have enthralled the tea-time TV audience back in the United States. By Brendan Gallagher 12:28AM GMT 06 Mar 2011 It ...

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Miami Heat seems to be cooling

Now a mere contender in the NBA, Miami just blew leads of 11, 15 and 24 in losses to new rival Chicago, new hype New York and old rival Orlando, respectively. Heat forward LeBron James and guard Dwyane Wade in the final seconds of a 99-96 loss to ...

NBA Saturday: Derrick Rose Has Priorities Straight

We work like we're in college or high school, which is important for an NBA team. We put a lot of work in and it's paying off. Everybody is different, but the identity of a team comes from their best player. We're just humble. ...

Friday, March 4, 2011

NBA's London Debut Is Greeted With Mixed Results

Matt Dunham/AP The Nets owner and Russian businessman Mikhail Prokhorov, left, posing with London Mayor Boris Johnson and Russian dancers, has researched what it will take to make the NBA a global brand and has taken his team to China, Russia and now ...

Sacramento mayor: Kings "likely" moving

By Mark J. Miller Former NBA player and current Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson likely never imagined that the Sacramento Kings would leave town while he was running the show, but it appears that that is what's about to happen. Yesterday, the day after ...

Thursday, March 3, 2011

NBA's Sacramento Kings a step closer to landing in Anaheim

By Rachel Shuster, USA TODAY Sacramento Mayor and former NBA guard Kevin Johnson, finishing a meeting with the owners of the Kings, announced to the news media Thursday that the NBA franchise looks "more likely they're going to be in Anaheim. ...

Jay-Z's NBA team comes to London

Jay- Z is bigging up the arrival of the NBA in the UK ahead of the first official league games to be played in Europe. The rapper is co-owner of NBA team The New Jersey Nets. They take on the Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena in London's Docklands on ...

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Los Angeles Lakers: NBA dynasty of the '80s

They participated in the postseason every single year of the decade and made it to the NBA Finals eight times. The Lakers established themselves as the NBA dynasty of the '80s by winning 111 playoff games and five NBA Championships during the decade. ...

NBA Daily Recap: Mavs, Terry Too Much For Sixers

Philadelphia (30-30), whose four-game winning streak was snapped, was led by Jodie Meeks who finished with 16 points (four 3-pointers). Here are the rest of last night's NBA scores with each squad's top performers.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Fan reaction: Mike Bibby the final piece to a Miami Heat championship puzzle

That being said, it appears my beloved Heat aren't coming away with empty hands during this week of changes in the NBA. Numerous media outlets, including ESPN, have reported veteran point guard Mike Bibby(notes), who was recently traded by the Atlanta ...

First Cup: Tuesday

On this night at Arco Arena, it didn't matter that the Kings were in the midst of a horrid season on the court or that they were in or near the cellar in NBA attendance since 2009. With the Kings owners pondering a move to Anaheim -- the team has asked ...

Monday, February 28, 2011

NBA power shift? Don't blame players

If you listen to the public and media reaction to recent player movement -- starting with LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire this past summer and continuing with Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams last week -- the NBA is going to hell in a ...

Good ratings, better games as NBA lockout looms

The NBA hasn't been this entertaining in a while. All of a sudden, hustle is in, the East is no longer the junior varsity, and players from top to bottom are putting on such a good show that most nights you'd swear everyone on the floor is angling for ...

Sunday, February 27, 2011

NBA Insider: No-shows further fray Pistons team in disarray

By Rachel Shuster and Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY The NBA's latest team turmoil is the Detroit Pistons, who won at home Saturday vs. the Utah Jazz after an apparent mutiny left them short-handed in a loss Friday at the Philadelphia 76ers. ...

NBA: Joakim Noah, Luol Deng lead Chicago Bulls past Milwaukee

AP With Joakim Noah back in the lineup, the Chicago Bulls are starting to feel pretty good about themselves. Fueled by Noah's 17 rebounds and Luol Deng's 19 points, the Bulls pulled away from the host Milwaukee Bucks for an 83-75 win on Saturday night. ...

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Gerald Wallace: New Blazer, known for toughness on the court, has soft spot ...

By Jason Quick, The Oregonian View full sizeThe Charlotte ObserverGerald Wallace (driving to the basket) has established himself as one of the toughest and hardest playing forwards in the NBA. Like she often does, Castleberry sent her youngest son a ...

Friday, February 25, 2011

NBA's buyout season commences

He hadn't been traded, but bought out, triggering the start of the NBA's in-season shopping spree for playoff contenders. Each year, the buyout market picks up as soon as the trade deadline passes, giving contending teams the opportunity to strengthen ...

Eye-Opener: Which NBA team made the best deal?

By Tom Weir, USA TODAY There was a flurry of 11th-hour deals before yesterday's NBA trading deadline, and now the field is set for the stretch drive and the playoffs. Here are the biggest moves made this week. Review the body swaps and cast a vote on ...

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Fan: Why Dwight Howard will determine the future of the NBA

We're one of the most talented teams in the NBA. We're a deep team. We've got guys who can do a lot of different things. But if we don't bring it every night, it's a waste of talent." Unless the Magic can play up to Howard's expectations or unless they ...

Apple's hot new star is singing a sweet Melo-d

By SELIM ALGAR, LACHLAN CARTWRIGHT and DON KAPLAN NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony hit center court in the Big Apple last night -- whipping Melo-mad New Yorkers into a frenzy over the prospect of returning his hometown to basketball greatness. ...

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Once steady Jazz suddenly singing a new tune

Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams scores past Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown in the first half during Game 3 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final playoff series in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 8, 2010. NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Utah Jazz, ...

Google's YouTube Says It's in Negotiations to Stream Live NBA, NHL Games

By Jun Yang - Wed Feb 23 09:29:23 GMT 2011 Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Western Conference All-Stars shoots against the Western Conference All-Stars during the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 20, 2011 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. ...

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Do White Sports Fans Require A White NBA Star?

by Bill Chappell Pau Gasol, left, of the Los Angeles Lakers, and LeBron James, of the Miami Heat, fight for a rebound during the NBA All-Star Game Sunday. TV ratings for the game were the highest since 2003. Pau Gasol, left, of the Los Angeles Lakers, ...

Justin Bieber Chats With Lenny Kravitz At The 2011 NBA All-Star Game

Over the weekend Justin Bieber attended the 2011 NBA All-Star Basketball Game in Los Angeles, California. At one point during the game singer Rihanna left her seat and singer Lenny Kravitz stopped by to say hello to Justin. ...