0 comments by Matt Zemek on 2/17/2016
Expectations — they are cruel beasts. Politicians in the midst of presidential campaigns have to manage them. Professional sports organizations must meet them or face the wrath of fans, accompanied in many cases by internal grumbling from players and even other employees. Any assessment of an NBA team’s season must be conducted in relationship to […]
0 comments by Matt Zemek on 2/16/2016
Which games defined the first half of the NBA season for the five teams in the Pacific Division? The answer for one team is resoundingly clear, but find out what the other four answers are below: * GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Monday, January 18 at Cleveland — W, 132-98 No game sent more shockwaves through the […]
Jan 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Celtics 118-113 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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Which games offered noticeable indications of where each Southwest Division team stood at the All-Star break? Let’s find out in these days before the beginning of the season’s second half. * DALLAS MAVERICKS: Monday, January 18 vs. Boston — W, 118-113 (OT) The Mavericks probably won’t get out of the first round of the playoffs… […]
Feb 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the ball in front of Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
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At the All-Star break, we take stock of what’s gone before us, waiting for trades to pop and for the second half to begin. Here are the five games — one per team — which captured the story of the Northwest Division. * DENVER NUGGETS: Tuesday, December 22 vs. L.A. Lakers — L, 111-107 The […]
0 comments by Matt Zemek on 2/15/2016
During the All-Star break, consider which games from the first half of the season gave shape and texture to the Atlantic Division. * BOSTON CELTICS: Wednesday, February 10 vs. L.A. Clippers — W, 139-134 (OT) What Brad Stevens is doing in Boston is nothing less than remarkable. Then again, Stevens has always done remarkable things […]
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Our survey of the most important games of the first half of the NBA season now shifts to the Central Division. * CHICAGO BULLS: Monday, January 25 vs. Miami — L, 89-84 No sequence from the first half of the season more perfectly epitomized the Chicago Bulls of recent years than a Saturday-Monday turnaround in […]
Portland Trail Blazers center Ed Davis (17) reacts after a play with forward Meyers Leonard (11) nearby, in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
0 comments by Matt Zemek
The two “halves” of an NBA season aren’t really halves at all. The first 41 games are played well before January ends, but the All-Star break doesn’t arrive until the second week of February, when more than 50 contests have come and gone. The season is better framed as a two-thirds marathon, followed by the […]
0 comments by Matt Zemek on 2/12/2016
It is eternally true that human beings are biased. Yes, bias can be dealt with and restrained, but reining in that impulse is a lifelong process. It is normally the case that we will be biased in favor of events, people, organizations, and other entities which enhance the reputation of our own communities. As a […]
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We did this for the Eastern Conference. Now, we’ll do it for the West. We’re tabulating overall back-to-back records at the All-Star break. Don’t worry about all-road, all-home, or combination back-to-back details; we’re giving you the overall totals, including records in “4-in-5” sequences for the teams which endured them. Find out if any team soared […]
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Here at Crossover Chronicles, we’ve been tabulating and tracking back-to-back splits throughout the season. At the All-Star break, we’re not going to bother to give February splits — most teams played just one in the month before getting a well-deserved rest. We’re also not going to present the home-road back-to-backs, all-road back-to-backs, or all-home back-to-backs. […]
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 25: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
0 comments by Matt Zemek on 2/10/2016
Peyton Manning said he was going to drink a lot of Bud Sunday night after winning Super Bowl 50. The Atlanta Hawks don’t need to drive Bud to drink (again). * It’s been one of the hot topics in the NBA this week: Are the Atlanta Hawks going to blow up their roster? It might […]
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All-Star Weekend is just about here, but while the NBA gears up for fun and festivities in Toronto, the serious business of the league — the occasion which demands our attention — is the upcoming trade deadline, February 18 at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Plenty of assessments will be made in the past tense once […]
Wade Phillips, defensive coordinator for the the Denver Broncos, arrives before the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) ORG XMIT: NFL227
0 comments by Matt Zemek on 2/8/2016
Super Bowl Sunday for the New York Knicks began with a game against Denver. All the while, it was another Denver team which — later in the day — offered a lesson Phil Jackson would be wise to heed. This is an NBA basketball website, but we can all appreciate that certain principles of coaching, […]
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Frank Sinatra knew about the workings and rhythms of the NBA: That’s life, that’s what all the people say You’re ridin’ high in April, shot down in May But I know I’m gonna change that tune When I’m back on top, back on top in June The opening lyrics from “That’s Life,” his 1966 hit, […]
Jan 5, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-187258 ORIG FILE ID: 20150105_pjc_sc6_313.JPG
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Our latest soap-operatic tale from Madison Square Garden begins with two other NBA franchises which are very experienced at failing to get out of their own way. The Sacramento Kings got blown out by the Brooklyn Nets Friday night, one dysfunctional organization losing to another. The Kings’ higher-ups were so incensed with that defeat that they […]
