On the Outside Looking In: Ranking The East Teams Most Likely to Break Into The Playoff Field

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 10/1/2015

Less than a month now separates us from the start of the 2015-16 NBA regular season. While the Cleveland Cavaliers are again expected to be the class of the Eastern Conference, there are a number of teams that earned lottery picks a season ago, looking to be playing basketball in May. Here’s a look at […]

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 09: Tobias Harris #12 of the Orlando Magic shoots over Mason Plumlee #1 of the Brooklyn Nets in the first half at the Barclays Center on November 9, 2014 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)

Magic’s 2015-16 Schedule Presents Early Tests

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 8/13/2015

The 2015-16 NBA schedule was released Wednesday and whether or not the Orlando Magic can take a huge step forward this upcoming season may be known early. The Magic have not won more than 25 games in any of the last three seasons, but will be led this season by a new head coach in […]

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 26: Dario Saric of Croatia (R) shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the #12 overall pick by the Orlando Magic during the 2014 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2014 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Foreign Influence Again Prevalent in NBA Draft

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 6/24/2015

In just over 24 hours, the NBA Draft will begin as teams hope to find the last piece to their championship puzzle or a cornerstone on which to build their franchise. While a pair of big men in Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke’s Jahlil Okafor are regraded as the top two players, the draft will […]

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers smiles after a play in the second quarter against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena on October 30, 2014 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)

Can LeBron James and the Cavs Finally End Cleveland’s Sports Suffering?

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 6/1/2015

The city of Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so it seems fitting to quote Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Tom Petty, who once said in a song, “The waiting is the hardest part”. For Cleveland sports fans, few words could be truer. There may be franchises that […]

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 26: Head coach Scott Skiles of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 26, 2012 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 Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Magic Hope Skiles Can Right Sinking Ship

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 5/29/2015

The Orlando Magic have again hired one of the franchise’s former point guards to lead the team, but this time, Orlando went with one with previous head coaching experience. On Friday, Scott Skiles was introduced as the team’s 12th head coach. An original member of the Orlando Magic, Skiles averaged nearly 13 points and over […]

ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 23: Paul Millsap #4 of the Atlanta Hawks congratulates Jeff Teague #0 after his steal and dunk against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Philips Arena on January 23, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Hawks Can Silence All Doubters vs. Cavs

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 5/18/2015

They easily won more games than any other team in the Eastern Conference this season and had four All-Stars, but that hasn’t stopped basketball fans from questioning the Atlanta Hawks’ status as a serious championship contender. Despite having the second longest active streak of playoff appearances behind only the dynasty that is the San Antonio […]

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 06: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after making a basket during the closing mintues of regulation against the Milwaukee Bucks at Verizon Center on December 6, 2013 in Washington, DC. The Bucks won 109-105. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Things Falling Into Place for a Wizards’ Finals Run

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 5/5/2015

The conference semifinals are underway and only two teams have yet to lose a game this postseason. One is the Golden State Warriors — the league’s best team during the regular season — and the other was the fifth seed in the lowly Eastern Conference, the Washington Wizards. After closing out the Toronto Raptors with […]

HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Houston Rockets calls a play against the Dallas Mavericks during Game Five in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2015 at the Toyota Center 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)

5 Takeaways From the First Round of the NBA Playoffs

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 5/4/2015

While most of the sports world was following the “Fight of the Century” Saturday night between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs was closing in dramatic fashion as Chris Paul banked in a one-hander with a second left to give the Los Angeles Clippers a stunning 4-3 first […]

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 10: Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 89-85. 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)

The Five Most Intriguing NBA First Round Match-ups

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 4/18/2015

The regular season is over and done and playoff basketball is finally here. The first round features eight 7-game series before the field is shrunk to eight teams. With the postseason getting underway, here’s a look at the five most intriguing match-ups of the first round: 5. East: Chicago Bulls (3) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (6) […]

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 19: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder takes a shot in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 19, 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)

2014-15: The Year of the Injured NBA Superstar

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 4/16/2015

The National Basketball Association’s 2014-15 regular season has come and gone. It featured a number of great stories as the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors turned out to surprisingly claim 1-seeds, LeBron James returned to Cleveland, the Hornets were Charlotte’s once again, Klay Thompson scored a record 37 points in one quarter, the Houston […]

DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 24: Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks makes the slam dunk against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Center on February 24, 2015 in Dallas, 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Five Overlooked Big Men Who Must Play Well in the Playoffs

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 4/6/2015

The regular season is coming to a close and the start of the NBA Playoffs are upon us. While the game itself is more perimeter-oriented than in most previous years, a number of teams will need big postseasons from their big men to ultimately make a run deep into the playoffs or at a championship. […]

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 16: Brook Lopez #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after making a second half basket against the Washington Wizards during the Nets 102-80 win at Verizon Center on January 16, 2015 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The East’s Race for 8th: Who Has the Edge?

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 3/31/2015

The race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference is the NBA’s most tightly contested postseason race as four teams sit within a game and a half of the No. 8 spot. The race isn’t one that likely will have championship implications as each of the four teams are well below the .500 […]

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)

Five Current Outsiders Capable of Making NBA Playoffs

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 2/19/2015

The All-Star break is over and the regular season will resume with two games on Thursday night. With fewer than 30 games to play for each team, the time is now to make a final playoff push. Here are teams that are currently outside of the NBA playoffs, but could make a push for a […]

MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 21: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on during a preseason game against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Arena on October 21, 2014 in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory copyright notice: (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Five Disappointing Teams at the All-Star Break

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 2/12/2015

A Thursday night contest between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls is the only thing keeping basketball fans from the All-Star break. While teams like Atlanta, Toronto, Golden State and Milwaukee have certainly overachieved at the break, there’s been a number of underachievers through the first 50-plus games as well. Here’s a look at five […]

DENVER, CO – JANUARY 07: Head coach Jacque Vaughn of the Orlando Magic leads his team against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on January 7, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Magic 93-90. 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)

Magic Make Right Move in Firing Jacque Vaughn

0 comments by Mike Ferguson on 2/5/2015

On Thursday, the Orlando Magic parted ways with head coach Jacque Vaughn following Wednesday night’s 110-103 loss to the San Antonio Spurs — the 10th straight for Orlando. The firing comes as little surprise as it was reported that the team had been leaning that direction for the last week, but now it is official. […]

Archives