Kevin Durant, Greivis Vasquez will play their roles — against each other ...

“We'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.” There are other days to illustrate why Miami won't win it all this year, why Dallas is finally good enough defensively to ...

Read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/kevin-durant-greivis-vasquez-will-play-their-roles--against-each-other--in-nba-playoffs/2011/04/30/AFLio7NF_story.html

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.npr.org/2011/04/30/135867053/sacramentos-last-ditch-effort-to-keep-its-nba-team

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. ...

Read more at: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/29/2193343/lebrons-legacy-is-on-the-line.html

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 ...

Read more at: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/30366/the-new-nba-draft-deadline-is-ridiculous

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. ...

Read more at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2011-04-28-heatceltics_N.htm

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gg-B5zGpO2ZiUQhSwV6FlLFwjWPw?docId=6692388

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," ...

Read more at: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/memphis-grizzlies-san-antonio-spurs-nba-playoffs-turned-upside-down-042711

(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, ...

Read more at: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/27/2187891/8-memphis-grizzlies-3-1-at-1-san.html

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. ...

Read more at: http://washingtonexaminer.com/sports/nba/2011/04/sacramento-shows-nba-money-awaits-decision-0

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 ...

Read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6430021

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 ...

Read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6427455&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

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. ...

Read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6424369&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nba-players-owners-remain-far-apart-in-labor-dispute/2011/04/21/AFTuOqdE_story.html

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 ...

Read more at: http://indiana.sbnation.com/indiana-pacers/2011/4/24/2130129/2011-nba-playoffs-more-bulls-fans-at-conseco-fieldhouse-than-pacers-conseco-game-four

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, ...

Read more at: http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_17916799

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, ...

Read more at: http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/steve_aschburner/04/22/bulls-pacers-G4-advance/?ls=iref:nbahpt1

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2011/04/22/NBA-Boston-113-New-York-96/UPI-70101303524558/

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 ...

Read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=6407664&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

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. ...

Read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/news/story?id=6405846&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=19508

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 ...

Read more at: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/04/20/sacramento.kings/

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 ...

Read more at: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=13417582

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 ...

Read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/110419

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 ...

Read more at: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/NBA-to-Nuggets-on-Perkins-8217-put-back-821?urn=nba-wp1683

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 ...

Read more at: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=ec5b9a6b77f39ee677a5d4177a04ca30

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, ...

Read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/news/story?id=6381715

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 ...

Read more at: http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/17/21513/

(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 ...

Read more at: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/17/2171956/7-new-orleans-hornets-0-0-at-2.html

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nba-tnt-espn-20110417,0,7831979.story?track=rss

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2011/04/16/18016966.html

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/04/trail_blazers_mavericks_share.html

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? ...

Read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=5-on-5-110415

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/14/2168058/interest-in-miami-heat-will-intensify.html

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 ...

Read more at: http://awfulannouncing.com/2011-articles/april/sacramento-kings-moving-broadcasters-cry.html

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, ...

Read more at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2011-04-13-johnamaechi_N.htm

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. ...

Read more at: http://www.tmz.com/2011/04/13/kobe-bryant-homophic-slur-during-nba-game/

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. ...

Read more at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2011-04-12-nba-mvp-candidates_N.htm

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 ...

Read more at: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-8274387

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers-spurs-20110412,0,6166168.story

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=19401

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. ...

Read more at: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/preview/NBA_20110411_CLE@DET/cavalierspistons-preview

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.tmz.com/2011/04/10/lebron-james-gloria-james-miami-police-surveillance-video-arrest-battery-valet-fountainbleau-hotel/

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2011/04/09/2011-04-09_derrick_rose_chicago_bulls_guard_will_win_nba_mvp_but_dwight_howard_kobe_bryant_.html?r=sports

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, ...

Read more at: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/4/9/2100331/memphis-grizzlies-nba-playoffs

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. ...

Read more at: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/basketball/nba/wires/04/08/2030.ap.bkn.pistons.sale.7th.ld.writethru.1401/

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 ...

Read more at: http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post?id=4129

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, ...

Read more at: http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/04/07/jayhawks-morris-twins-declare-for-nba-draft/

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 ...

Read more at: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-8186527

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2011/04/06/2011-04-06_new_york_knicks_slide_past_sixers_into_6th_place_in_nba_eastern_conference_with_.html

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. ...

Read more at: http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2011/04/06/departing-dawg-is-trey-thompkins-bound-for-nba-glory/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog

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, ...

Read more at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2011-04-05-nba-insider_N.htm

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Dennis Rodman, Chris Mullin Named to Basketball Hall of Fame

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

Read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/dennis-rodman-chris-mullin-named-to-basketball-hall-of-fame/2011/04/04/AFwLm3fC_story.html

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/4/4/2088833/nba-draft-2011-cavaliers-wolves

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=135097835

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. ...

Read more at: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=19323

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). ...

Read more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sc-spt-0403-notes-heisler-nba--20110402,0,5785461.story

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/4/2/2086540/nba-playoffs-2011-lakers-spurs

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. ...

Read more at: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/01/2146347/rose-bryant-named-nba-players.html

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 ...

Read more at: http://www.dakotastudent.com/sports/nba-basketball-inches-to-playoffs-1.2137336