Archives

The most important games of the first half: Atlantic Division

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 […]

The most important games of the first half: Central Division

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)

The most important games of the first half: Southeast Division

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 […]

2016 NBA Free Agency: The Top 5 Players At Each Position

I know the 2016 NBA free agency period is still a while away, but rumors are heating up about certain players and their potential futures (or lack there of) with their current teams. The 2016 free agency period will be a steady one. It’s not the best we’ve ever seen, but it’s still solid nonetheless. […]

The slam dunk contest is a showstopper, again

There is opinion. There is fact. There is sometimes opinion that is fact. And the fact is this: the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is the best individual event in team professional sports. Once again, it delivered Saturday night, won in spectacular fashion by Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Like it or begrudgingly want it […]

The NBA’s best All-Star showcase was hosted by the city without a team

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 […]

Back-to-back composite records at the All-Star break: West

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 […]

Back-to-back composite records at the All-Star break: East

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)

Hawking players? Atlanta should act on a relatively small scale

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 […]

Trade deadline overview: tweaks at the top, unloading for the underclass

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

What Denver (not the Nuggets) showed the Knicks on Super Bowl Sunday

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, […]

The Knicks, the Kings — two abruptly-broken things

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

What is the plan, Phil? It’s goink to be a fascinating summer in New York

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 […]

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

Oklahoma City changes the conversation in the West, especially Oakland

The Oklahoma City Thunder deserve the thanks and appreciation of the NBA community. They’ve just made this season infinitely more interesting. * The ability to witness greatness is truly a special thing. Seeing the Golden State Warriors march through the NBA with such beauty, skill and versatility is — verily — a privilege. We don’t […]

Dwyane Wade has found the fountain of youth

The last few seasons have not been kind to Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade. The perennial All-Star has dealt with numerous injuries as he’s gotten older. In the 2013-2014 season, Wade played in only 54 games and averaged 19 points, 4.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 32.9 minutes. In the postseason that year, Wade averaged […]

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