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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 5: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls dunks over Timofey Mozgov #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on April 5, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 99-94. 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)

Cavalier Couple: Basketball Chemistry, LeBron James, and Timofey Mozgov

0 comments by on 5/12/2015

The Cleveland Cavaliers publicly consider their mid-season trades — the first, the Twitter-breaking shuffle of shooting guards involving New York and Oklahoma City; the second, the acquisition of Timofey Mozgov from Denver — as one total move. Technically speaking, however, Cleveland dealt two first-round picks for Mozgov, at the time an unusual, if not wholly […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 19: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers shouts to Austin Rivers #25 in the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game One of the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 107-92. 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 Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Austin Rivers, Big Baby Davis, and the Importance of the Clippers’ Bench Against San Antonio

0 comments by on 4/28/2015

The general manager version of Doc Rivers has taken a heaping helping of heat for the fashion in which he constructed the 2014-’15 Los Angeles Clippers. After all, if you just shout out the name of a random Eastern Conference starter during the aughts, chances are GM Doc signed him for guaranteed money. He also […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 22: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers heads back on defense trailing the San Antonio Spurs during Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 22, 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 condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Spurs won 111-107. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Looking Glass of Blake Griffin: The Coexistence of Excellence and Agony for the Los Angeles Clippers

0 comments by on 4/24/2015

Be honest: How corny would it be if I started this piece with, “It was the best of times and the worst of times for Blake Griffin”? Then again, that’s exactly what we’re talking about, right? Griffin notched 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists on Wednesday, the first playoff triple-double for the franchise since […]

PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 21: Nicolas Batum #88 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 21, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 118-113. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

No fun and games: Nicolas Batum and Portland face the music in Memphis

0 comments by on 4/22/2015

I’m pretty sure nobody really thinks Nicolas Batum meant to hurt anybody with his recent motivational message that happened to include an inflammatory remark about Spanish players. It was a joke. People joke all the time. Let’s move on, right? Well, of course. This story is ultimately pointless. Marc Gasol said it best because he’s […]

MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 19: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trailblazers watches Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies chase a loose ball in the second quarter of Game One of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 19, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

The Best Game 2 Regression Candidates

0 comments by on 4/20/2015

It’s early. One game is too small a sample size. We are not supposed to overreact after Game 1 of a series. As each first round matchup heads into its second game, however, it’s important to point out regression candidates — the players that either overachieved or underachieved in the first game. These quote-unquote X-Factors can be the difference […]

the Minnesota Timberwolves the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 9, 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. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Why Clippers are so invested in DeAndre Jordan’s campaign for DPOY

0 comments by on 4/8/2015

Last week on NBA Twitter, an above-room-temperature exchange took place between Grantland’s Zach Lowe and Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey: Both sides make clean arguments. Morey recognizes that the Houston Rockets and its players are entrenched in the entertainment industry. Similar to films campaigning for its actors and actresses during Oscar season, it’s in the […]

Photo by Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Millsap to miss two games with mild shoulder sprain

0 comments by on 4/6/2015

The Hawks have been healthier than most teams, for which they must be thankful. Atlanta is one of three teams that boasts a starting lineup which has appeared in more than 50 games this season. Unlike the Clippers (Blake Griffin) and Warriors (Andrew Bogut), Atlanta hasn’t lost a starter for any extended period of time. […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 31: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers look for a rebound at Staples Center on March 31, 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. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Chris Paul: MVP also-ran extraordinaire

0 comments by on 4/1/2015

The Warriors, the best team in basketball by a large margin, beat the Clippers on Tuesday, 110-106. It was a tantalizing affair, perhaps a preview for an outstanding second round matchup this May. In the second quarter, Steph Curry, who may have actually attended Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, pulled off this fancy maneuver […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 19: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Los Angeles Clippers is fouled by Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on February 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 condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Tim Duncan, Defensive Player of the Year, and weaving award narratives

0 comments by on 3/30/2015

Let me start by saying Tim Duncan has been my favorite basketball player since I was flipping through Sports Illustrated Kids magazine each month as a boy. A life size poster of Timmy presides over my bed at my parent’s house, his simple expression and broad shoulders guarding my bedroom like a heavy-set bouncer at […]

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER18: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans waits on the court during their game against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on December18, 2014 in Houston, Texas. 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 Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Pelicans browing out gracefully

0 comments by on 3/27/2015

New Orleans wasn’t supposed to make the playoffs. The West didn’t appear to have any playoff vacancies, and if an outsider did crack the conference’s Top 8 slots, the best odds belonged to the Suns, not the Pelicans, considering that Phoenix missed the postseason with 48 wins a season ago. Yes, the Pelicans have Anthony […]

DENVER, CO – MARCH 13: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors supports his teammates from the bench against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on March 13, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Is the Western Conference overrated?

0 comments by on 3/25/2015

In last season’s triumphant Western Conference, 13 wins separated first-place San Antonio (62-20) from eighth-place Dallas (49-33), and ninth-place Phoenix, who won 48 games, missed the playoffs despite being, theoretically, better than all but two East teams. As of Tuesday, 17 wins separate the first-place Warriors (57 wins) and the eighth-place Thunder (40), and the Pelicans, in tenth-place […]

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs in action against Langston Galloway #2 of the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 17, 2015 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images)

Kawhi you gotta be so rude?

0 comments by on 3/23/2015

Here’s some things you already know. The Spurs, the defending NBA champions, are a contender. The Hawks, the top seed in the East, are heavily influenced by San Antonio — in the front office, on the court, and at head coach, where Mike Budenholzer and Greg Popovich have an elaborate history. And last night’s 114-95 […]

JACKSONVILLE, FL – MARCH 19: Rico Gathers #2 of the Baylor Bears dunks against the Georgia State Panthers during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 19, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Prospect look ahead: Rico Gathers

0 comments by on 3/20/2015

Many considered the Big 12 the best conference in the country this season. I wouldn’t disagree. While previewing the conference for USA Today Sports this fall, I looked at team after team — Iowa State to Oklahoma State to West Virginia — and thought “Wow, the Big 12 may get eight teams in the Big […]

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 5: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz dunks during their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at EnergySolutions Arena on November 5, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)

Why NBA fans love Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz

0 comments by on 3/17/2015

The NBA is full of fantastic mini-barometers used to measure just how closely one person is following along or not. Unlike following a popular TV show, where “I’m not caught up yet” is a permissible excuse for abbreviating any discussion (i.e. every dinner/coffee/party conversation in my proximity that ventures near Breaking Bad), sports fans are expected to […]

Photo by Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas isn’t down and out yet from the playoff race

0 comments by on 3/14/2015

Because the regular season is way too long, because the West is beyond every basketball fan’s wildest dreams, because the Mark Cuban/Rick Carlisle/Dirk Nowitzki train has been chugging along longer than any organizational foundation outside of San Antonio and because Rajon Rondo attracts blame like super models attract teenage boys. These are among the many reasons the […]

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