NBA TEAMS NEWS
MVP Kobe Bryant Highlights All-NBA First Team
NBA Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers headlines the First Team, as the NBA announced the 2007-08 All-NBA Teams today. - Read More...
Suns allow coach D'Antoni to talk to other teams
The Phoenix Suns granted permission for coach Mike D'Antoni to talk to other teams, with the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks ...
Suns Give D'Antoni Permission to Talk to Other Teams
"Taking the first step in what may clear the path to parting ways, the Suns have changed course over the weekend and given coach Mike D'Antoni permission to speak with other teams," reports Jerry Brown of the EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE. - Read More...
The Sunday Click -- Look Who's Still Playing
If you were told two weeks ago that one First Round series would go to seven games, it would probably take you eight guesses before you got the right one. But the Hawks are still alive, and the Celtics need more from Kevin Garnett in order to move on. A look at that series, as well as one at the Lakers and Jazz and epitaphs for some of the teams that have been eliminated, is in this week's Sunday Click. - Read More...
2008 Olympic Basketball Tournament Preview
SECAUCUS, NJ, April 28, 2008 -- The 2008 Olympic Draw took place Saturday in Beijing. Nine out of the 12 qualified teams were split into two groups that will compete in preliminary round play from Aug. 10-18. The three remaining slots in the competition will be determined in a 12-team tournament held in Greece from July 14-20. - Read More...
Current playoff runs began with smart drafting
Look at the playoff teams and you'll see evidence of shrewd drafting. It's no coincidence they're still playing, says Randy Hill.
NBA to explore 'unlikely' changes to playoff format
After another season of great imbalance between teams in the West and East, NBA officials are pledging to consider changes to the playoff format -- ranging from small to radical -- that could be implemented in time for next season's playoffs. - Read More...
Nuggets, Lakers Have Sense of Urgency
In the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Chris Tomasson writes "it's rush hour in Los Angeles. A new reason has emerged why the Lakers wouldn't mind making quick work of the Nuggets. The Lakers have seen Utah go to Houston and take a 2-0 lead. With a quick series possible and the Jazz being the Lakers' next possible opponent, a drawn-out series against the Nuggets would not be considered ideal. Fisher, whose Lakers won Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series 128-114 on Sunday, knows very well the importance of tonight's Game 2 at the Staples Center. He needs only to look at the numbers. In NBA history, teams having taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series are 191-13. That's a staggering winning percentage of .936.? - Read More...
Ties Broken for Order of Selection During 2008 NBA Draft
Four ties among teams that finished the 2007-08 NBA regular season with identical records were broken Friday through random drawings to help determine the order of selection for the upcoming draft. - Read More...
Redick Scores Career-High 18 to Lead Magic Past Wizards
J.J. Redick scored a career-high 18 points and Marcin Gortat had a career-high 12 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Magic to a 103-83 victory over the Wizards on Wednesday in a meaningless regular-season finale for two playoff-bound teams. - Read More...
Timberwolves Rule the Paint in Memphis to Notch Second Straight Road Win
In a game pitting two of the NBA's worst teams, the Timberwolves came out with confidence and showed more desire than the Grizzlies. - Read More...
Sources: Hammond grabs Bucks' offer to be GM
Various teams have tried in recent years, but it's the Milwaukee Bucks who have managed to lure John Hammond away from the Detroit Pistons to be their new general manager, according to NBA front-office sources. - Read More...
Hollinger: All-Defense teams
John Hollinger breaks down his picks for All-Defense teams. - Read More...
Shaq sits out game against Grizzlies due to hip
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal sat out Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies because of a right hip contusion. Teams officials said that O'Neal took a knee to the hip in the Suns' 105-98 loss against Dallas on Sunday. O'Neal, the 16-year veteran who was obtained earlier this season from the Miami Heat, averages 13.5 points and nine rebounds.
One of three will be the odd team out in West
You knew it would come to this in the Western Conference: Nine days, five games each, three teams. Dallas, Denver, Golden State. ...
First Carbon-Neutral NBA Game is Set Tonight in New Jersey
Rudy Larini of the STAR-LEDGER writes, "The Nets will be in their home white uniforms, while the 76ers will wear road black. But they will be playing green. The New Jersey Nets and British financial services company Barclays PLC are teaming up tonight to host what will be a National Basketball Association first -- a game in which all of the energy consumed by both teams and their fans in traveling to and operating the IZOD Center in East Rutherford will be offset by carbon emissions credits for energy-saving projects in Europe and Asia." - Read More...
How will Love and Hansbrough fare in NBA?
Tyler Hansbrough and Kevin Love carried their teams to the Final Four, but will they be good pros? Charley Rosen scouts both stars.
Jordan Jersey Still NBA's Best Seller
On SI.COM, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports "Michael Jordan is still on top as the NBA's leading salesman five years after he retired. Jordan has the best-selling jersey in the history of the NBA Store, the league announced Wednesday in kicking off plans for its anniversary celebration. Kobe Bryant was second, followed by Allen Iverson. Like Jordan, they also changed uniform numbers or teams, creating more interest in their jerseys. LeBron James was fourth and Shaquille O'Neal rounded out the top five. The remainder of the list included: Tracy McGrady, Dwyane Wade, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Tim Duncan." - Read More...
Michael Jordan jersey still NBA's best seller
Michael Jordan is still on top as the NBA's leading salesman five years after he retired. Jordan has the best-selling jersey in the history of the NBA Store, the league announced on Wednesday in kicking off plans for its anniversary celebration. Kobe Bryant was second, followed by Allen Iverson. Like Jordan, they also changed uniform numbers or teams, creating more interest in their jerseys. LeBron James was fourth and Shaquille O'Neal rounded out the top five.
Oklahoma Council approves potential lease for Sonics
Oklahoma City officials will try to convince NBA commissioner David Stern and representatives of four teams that the city is ready to permanently host a franchise. On Tuesday, City Council members unanimously approved a preliminary lease agreement with the Seattle SuperSonics, contingent on the team's proposed relocation.
Texas Triangle: Rockets Say Loss to Celts Sparked Their Turnaround
In his Texas Triangle blog, NBA.com's John Schuhmann offers a preview of tonight's Celtics-Rockets tilt, a matchup of two of the league's premier defensive teams -- one of which is hoping to extend its winning streak to 23 consecutive games. - Read More...
Test vs. Celtics looms in Rockets' bid for 23 in a row
After beating one of the league's top teams to take sole possession of first place in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets ...
Goodrich Doubts Lakers' 33-Game Streak Will Be Broken
Goodrich on Lakers' 33-Game Winning streak: "I don't think it's going to be broken." He was the leading scorer on two of the greatest teams in basketball history ? the undefeated 1964 National Champion UCLA Bruins and the 1972 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. The latter owning a record 33-game winning streak. So it's understandable that Hall of Famer and NBA TV analyst Gail Goodrich is looking upon with great interest (and admiration) on the Rockets streak of 20 wins in a row (and counting). - Read More...
Duncan, Spurs Edge Nuggets
Tim Duncan had 23 points and 18 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Denver Nuggets 107-103 on Monday night in the second meeting between the teams in four days. - Read More...
McGrady's 41 points pace Rockets to 18th straight win
Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets are making it look easy, even against the best teams in the Western Conference. McGrady ...
Suns' Kerr Issues Statement on D'Antoni
The Phoenix Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr issued the following statement. "As we have continued to convey, we value Mike D'Antoni as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and would like him to continue leading this basketball team. Because he has requested to speak to other teams about their head coaching vacancies, we have granted him permission. We will have no further comment until this process further evolves." - Read More...
Suns allow D'Antoni to talk to other teams
The Suns have granted permission for coach Mike D'Antoni to talk to other teams, with the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks the leading suitors. General manager Steve Kerr confirmed Monday that D'Antoni can speak with other NBA teams about coaching vacancies.
Lewis, Ratliff getting chippy after Game 1
The Detroit-Orlando series is not as intriguing as the other three matchups in the NBA playoffs. The Pistons and Magic are trying to change that. A day after Detroit beat Orlando 91-72 in Game 1 of their second-round series, players on both teams took verbal swipes at each other. Magic forward Rashard Lewis took down Theo Ratliff with a physical foul midway through the fourth quarter, and Jason Maxiell quickly got in Lewis' face with a menacing look and choice words.
East playoff series entertaining and unpredictable
It's hard to dispute that most of the best teams reside out West. But Kevin Hench says the best playoff ball has been in the East.
Knicks could give analyst carousel a spin
The revolving door between pro teams and TV analysts might be about to get a big spin opening up two of the top NBA jobs on ...
Basketball pioneer Robinson dies at 96
Basketball pioneer Will Robinson has died at 96. The Detroit Pistons say he died Monday in a nursing home in Harper Woods. Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek Dobek says Robinson had been sick for 15 months and in a nursing home for more than a year. Robinson was the first black coach of a Division I program, leading Illinois State in the 1970s. He joined the Pistons as a scout in 1976. Robinson discovered Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman, key players on Detroit's 1989 and 1990 NBA championship teams.
NBA Joins In on Malaria Awareness Day
The NBA Family has gathered to support the fight against malaria. NBA, WNBA and D-League teams are doing their part to raise awareness and support the efforts by donating auction items, hosting in-arena nights, creating netraiser teams, showing public service announcements, and more. - Read More...
Bibby calls Boston backers 'fair weather' fans
Mike Bibby thought the Celtics' crowd was loud in the playoff opener. He should get an even bigger earful in Game 2 after slamming the fans. Bibby called Boston's backers "fair weather" fans who jumped on the "bandwagon" when the Celtics grew from one of the NBA's worst teams last season into the one with the best record in the league this season. "I wouldn't say it's the smartest comment," Kevin Garnett said Tuesday.
Kidd Collects 100th Triple-Double, Mavericks Win
Jason Kidd had the 100th triple-double of his career and sparked a 30-8 stretch that sent the Dallas Mavericks past the New Orleans Hornets, 111-98 Wednesday night, and set up a first-round showdown between these teams. - Read More...
Teams battle for seeding on final day of NBA season
The teams are set. The seeds are not. There's a lot for the Spurs, Jazz, Rockets and Suns to play for on the final day of the season.
Kobe or CP3 for MVP? LeBron Pleads His Case
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James making strong case in tight MVP race. He's on a short list of front-running MVP candidates along with Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett. James, though, seems to be regarded by most media voters as no higher than the third choice. Bryant and Paul have led their teams to better records and are locked in a Obama-Clinton-like race to the wire. - Read More...
NBA Tip-Off: Hornets/Lakers
The top two teams in the West. Two of the leading MVP candidates. Marques Johnson says Friday's game in L.A. is a big one.
Bobcats Overcome Jefferson's 40, Beat Timberwolves
Jason Richardson scored 36 points and the Charlotte Bobcats avoided a collapse against one of the league's worst teams to hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-119 on Tuesday. - Read More...
Ewing to Join His Coach and Rival in Hall of Fame
In THE NEW YORK TIMES, Howard Beck writes "Patrick Ewing, who rescued the Knicks from their malaise in the 1980s and made them an Eastern Conference power in the 1990s, has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He will be inducted this fall, along with one of his most beloved coaches, Pat Riley, and one of his greatest rivals, Hakeem Olajuwon. Four others round out the Hall's class of 2008, which was announced on Monday: Adrian Dantley, a dominant scorer for seven N.B.A. teams; the Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson; the television announcer Dick Vitale; and Cathy Rush, a former coach and a force for women's basketball in the 1970s.? - Read More...
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2008 Announced
Hakeem Olajuwon, who led the University of Houston to three straight Final Fours and the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA titles; Patrick Ewing, who captured the 1984 NCAA title at Georgetown before capturing two Olympic gold medals and becoming an 11 time NBA All-Star; Adrian Dantley, an unstoppable offensive player at Notre Dame and in the NBA, Pat Riley, who has led two NBA teams to five NBA championships; women's basketball pioneer and Immaculata University coach Cathy Rush; dynamic ESPN television broadcaster Dick Vitale; and Detroit Pistons and Shock owner Bill Davidson were announced today as the seven members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2008. The announcement was made today in San Antonio, TX site of the 2008 NCAA Men's Final Four. - Read More...
Scorer's table: MVP choices follow winning formula
Mimicking the NBA's Western Conference, where five teams stood within 1 games of each other through the weekend's standings, ...
Mavs facing a short road out of playoffs
They can't beat winning teams. They can't win on the road. Mike Kahn says these last two weeks look bad for Jason Kidd's Mavs.
NBA Division Reports - 3.26.08
It was a bad week for some NBA teams, but it was particularly bad for the Dallas Mavericks as they lost their superstar player, Dirk Nowitzki. Obviously losing Dirk... - Read More...
Brand nearing return from Achilles' injury
Here's some potentially bad news for the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors and Hornets: Elton Brand is close to coming back. After missing the entire season recovering from a surgically repaired left Achilles' tendon, the former All-Star forward said Tuesday expects to rejoin the Los Angeles Clippers in time to play the final six games - all against those teams jockeying for spots in the tightly packed Western Conference playoff race. The Clippers playing spoiler? It may not be a joke.
Suns Seeking Unprecedented Wins
In the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, Paul Coro writes "the Suns are going where no other NBA team has had success this season. Phoenix opens a four-game, six-day road trip with Eastern Conference powers Detroit and Boston. Six other teams have faced the Pistons and Celtics consecutively this season, and none beat both. Chicago and Dallas were the only teams to go to Detroit and Boston successively and come away winless, with Dallas averaging 83.5 points in the games. If the Suns still are the NBA's hottest team after Monday's game at Detroit and Wednesday's visit to Boston, they surely will have earned the tag.? - Read More...
On the Mark: I'm sorry, Mrs. Alston. I was wrong
Playground legends can't lead teams to historic heights, right? Rafer Alston is proving the doubters — and Mark Kriegel — wrong.
Mavericks rout short-handed Heat
Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points before sitting out most of the second half, and the Dallas Mavericks stormed out to a huge early lead on the way to beating the hapless Miami Heat 98-73 Sunday night. Josh Howard added 15 for the Mavericks, who led by 20 points midway through the opening quarter and have beaten the Heat in each of the teams' past eight regular-season meetings.
Power Rankings Mail -- What About the Jazz?
The Jazz are right there among the top teams in the West, but can a team that is 15-20 on the road be included among those with a real shot at the NBA title? John Schuhmann tries to answer that question, as well as others about this week's NBA.com Power Rankings presented by adidas. - Read More...
West may be dominant, but don't forget East powerhouses
And now, the NBA geography fact of the day: The state of Texas has as many teams with a .600 winning percentage San Antonio, ...
All-Time Winning Streaks: Where Do Rockets Rank?
With their 117-99 victory over the Pacers on Wednesday, the Rockets broke the franchise for consecutive wins with their 16th straight. Houston is now tied with six other teams for the 10th longest stretch in NBA history. - Read More...