The Pelicans Are Running Out Of Time

0 comments by Joe Mags on 1/8/2016

On Wednesday, the New Orleans Pelicans, then 11-22, played the Dallas Mavericks, a team they had beaten twice this season and played three times overall. Dallas elected not to play four starters — Deron Williams, Wes Matthews, Zaza Pachulia, and the wizard Dirk Nowitzki — as their old legs were still reeling from a comeback […]

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 27: Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks defends against Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena on October 27, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading andor using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Eastern Conference is Deeper, Not Better

0 comments by Joe Mags on 12/17/2015

After their mind-melting third quarter against the Suns on Wednesday, the Warriors moved to 25-1 on the season — we are not worthy. Golden State sits 3.5 games ahead of San Antonio in second place in the West, and 7.5 games separate the Warriors and Thunder, who’s 17-8 mark is third-best in the conference. The […]

DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 16: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks and Deron Williams #8 sit on the bench during a preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Too Little, Too Late: Same Tired Lines Haunt Post-Title Mavericks

0 comments by Joe Mags on 12/14/2015

Watching the present iteration of the Dallas Mavericks, I’m distracted by what could have been. The final vestiges of Deron Williams, former Utah Jazz superstar, and earlier than that, consensus All-American out of Illinois, have brought the ex-All-Star back to his hometown to team up with another thirty-something in their closing stanzas as a professional athletes. Williams, only […]

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 07: Paul George#24 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates during overtime in the118-113 win over the Portland Trailblazers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 7, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

How Paul George and the Pacers can beat the 22-0 Golden State Warriors

0 comments by Joe Mags on 12/8/2015

After losing its first trio of games, there hasn’t been a better team in the Eastern Conference than the Indiana Pacers. Larry Bird’s reengineered contender — once a behemoth bruiser trading blows with LeBron James in the conference finals, now a sleek, offensive powerhouse — has hit a groove. Indiana owns the league’s third-best net […]

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 25: Mario Chalmers #6 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives with the ball against Patrick Beverley #2 of the Houston Rockets during their game at Toyota Center on November 25, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

How Mario Chalmers And An Uptick in Foul Shooting Have Revitalized The Grizzlies

0 comments by Joe Mags on 12/4/2015

The Spurs beat the Grizzlies down on Thursday, 103-83. For the umpteenth season in a row, San Antonio is very, very strong — its ever-ready offense now equipped with a bronzed defense that is holding opponents captive in a straight jacket as they sing for Brazil. It might be a three-team league this season. Golden State […]

CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 19: Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on October 19, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Kids Are All Right: Charlotte Choosing To Stretch Floor With Young Bigs

0 comments by Joe Mags on 12/1/2015

The Hornets have won 10 of their last 14 games, inserting themselves into the suddenly deep Eastern Conference playoff picture after a preseason injury to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist turned many critics against them. What skeptics couldn’t anticipate was a swift change in offensive philosophy that would enable Charlotte to become one of the more adventurous shooting […]

BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 11: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 11, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Big Shout, Indiana Pacers, For Taking Care Of Business

0 comments by Joe Mags on 11/23/2015

Indiana opened the season dragging on the floor, averaging 92.7 points per game in three losses to Toronto, Memphis and Utah. The team-wide small ball movement, mandated by team president Larry Bird, failed in a multitude of ways. The Raptors (41-32) and Jazz (47-34) crushed the Pacers on the glass, and Indiana surrendered 39 fourth […]

<> at Staples Center on November 19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Draymond Green Changes Everything For Warriors

0 comments by Joe Mags on 11/20/2015

The Warriors are the best team in the NBA on both ends, scoring 111.7 points per 100 possessions while placing the majority of their opponents in a chokehold. For much of the first half against the Clippers on Thursday, however, their in-state adversary got the better of the Warriors. Chris Paul, a game-time decision with […]

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MAY 07: J.J. Redick #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates a three-point shot with Chris Paul #3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on May 7, 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Chris Paul, J.J. Redick Availability Uncertain For Clippers-Warriors Round 2

0 comments by Joe Mags on 11/19/2015

On Wednesday, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said his starting backcourt is questionable for Thursday’s marque matchup in L.A. against the reigning champion Warriors. Chris Paul, always in the discussion for MVP, and J.J. Redick, the team’s best shooter, have both missed multiple games in a row with injury. The contentious rivalry between the NBA’s premiere offensive […]

PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 25: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies knocks the ball away from C.J. McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers as during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference quarterfinals during the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on April 25, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledeges and agrees that, by downloadingand or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Portland Pointers: Why The Blazers Are Struggling To Score

0 comments by Joe Mags on 11/17/2015

The first Blazers possession of the season was pure magic: Damian Lillard tosses the ball to Meyers Leonard, who seals his man and pitches to CJ McCollum. Moving right to left above the break, McCollum hands off to Al-Farouq Aminu, who uses a Mason Plumlee back screen above the nail to drive toward the basket. […]

during the preseason NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 7, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Not As They Appear: The Suns Didn’t Really Beat The Clippers Last Night

0 comments by Joe Mags on 11/13/2015

Phoenix rode Eric Bledsoe’s near triple-double (26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists) and Brandon Knight’s 14 for 22 shooting (including 6 for 10 on 3s) to victory on Thursday. The Suns were up 20 over the Clippers heading into the fourth quarter and eventually won, 118-104, behind the 63-point explosion from their starting backcourt. The victory, […]

CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 05: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder moves against Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on November 5, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Note to User: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Late-Game Insecurities Plague Thunder When It Matters Most

0 comments by Joe Mags on 11/10/2015

When Oklahoma City is truly humming, something the NBA has seldom seen the past three years, it is the scariest team in the NBA. If you slipped truth serum into Golden State’s cup, the Warriors would admit the Thunder’s combination of unrivaled star power, length, and explosiveness is the true antidote to the Splash Brothers’ poison rain. […]

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 03: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks carries the ball against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on April 3, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 110-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Giannis Stretching, Bucks Stumbling Out Of The Gate

0 comments by Joe Mags on 11/3/2015

Giannis Antetokounmpo was called for stepping out of bounds twice in the first six minutes of his season. That’s right — guys, he can barely fit on the court anymore. Soon enough, the other players will start making fun of Giannis for being “a big foot freak.” The Greek Freak, as he’s affectionately called, has broken out […]

SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 11: Lance Stephenson #1 of Los Angeles Clippers in action against Jeremy Lin #7 of Charlotte Hornets during the match between Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers as part of the 2015 NBA Global Games China at Universiade Centre on October 11, 2015 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)

Lance Starts Cold While Clippers Remain Red Hot

0 comments by Joe Mags

Lance Stephenson hit his first shot of his first possession as a Clipper — a 3-pointer no less — as the shot clock wound down against the Kings. The much-maligned wing was acquired on the cheap by Los Angeles to inject youthful athleticism to a dusty roster, and maybe, just maybe, he’d regain some of […]

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat shake hands during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on October 30, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James; Dwyane Wade

LeBron, Cleveland and Miami: How two teams have changed

0 comments by Joe Mags on 11/2/2015

There’s a palpable nostalgia seeing LeBron James on the floor alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Mike Breen and Hubie Brown, calling the game for ESPN, certainly noticed it on Friday night: the announcers were perplexed by LeBron and Dwyane, great friends and companions on four straight Finals teams this decade, performing a tried-and-true handshake […]

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