NBA News for 4/18/2008
The 2008 NBA Playoffs Are Here!
The Fig Cap: You think Kobe is pumped? Yes, fellow NBA fanatics, the NBA Playoffs kick off tomorrow and is there any better time for fans like us? NOPE! ... - Read More...
Wizards at Full Strength, Arenas Will Start Playoffs as Reserve
ESPN reports, "The Washington Wizards, who lost 225 man-games due to injuries this season, had a full contingent on the floor Thursday for their first practice in preparation for the opening-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Those taking part included Caron Butler, who sat out the final three games of the regular season with a bruised right knee, DeShawn Stevenson, who has been bothered by a sore back, and Gilbert Arenas, who has been coming off the bench since returning from knee surgery. Coach Eddie Jordan said only Arenas will be limited for Game 1 in Cleveland on Saturday. - Read More...
Yao Makes Progress in Recovery
Jonathan Feigen of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE writes, "Having returned from China and the periphery of the anticipation about the Beijing Olympics to Houston just before the start of the NBA playoffs, Yao Ming found a more modest source of happiness. He was pleased just to be permitted to take giant steps again between the two parts of his life. Yao returned to Houston and was cleared to stop using crutches in his recovery from surgery to repair the stress fracture in his left foot." - Read More...
Lakers' postseason hopes rest with L.O.
Kobe's going to be Kobe. Pau will pitch in. But the real key to the Lakers' postseason? Mark Kriegel says you're looking at him.
Sports figures say investment adviser bilked them
Basketball great Jerry West, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, the Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra and other athletes claim they were bilked out of $3 million by a Los Angeles investment adviser. - Read More...
Hollinger: How will the postseason turn out?
John Hollinger crunches the digits and forecasts who will win the NBA title. - Read More...
NBA owners OK potential Sonics move
The Sonics may soon be out of Seattle. Owners OK'd a proposal Friday that could move the franchise to Oklahoma City next season.
NBA Board of Governors Approve Sonics Move to Oklahoma City
The NBA Board of Governors today endorsed the recommendation of the NBA Relocation Committee and approved the move of the SuperSonics from Seattle to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season, subject to a resolution of the pending litigation. - Read More...
NBA owners approve Sonics' move to Okla. City
NBA owners approved the Seattle SuperSonics' move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season Friday, pending the resolution of litigation ...
Isiah fired as Knicks coach
Isiah Thomas couldn't win as coach with the players he assembled as president. Now, he's lost both jobs.
After tumultuous run, Knicks fire Isiah Thomas
While the New York Knicks will proceed without Isiah Thomas, he was not left entirely out in the cold. The beleaguered head coach ...
Arenas ends silence, promises 'trouble' for Cavs
Gilbert Arenas is finally speaking again. He sounds like the same ol' Agent Zero. - Read More...
Isiah out as Knicks coach
A lawsuit. Bitter fans. A last-place finish. A tumultuous coaching campaign came to an end Friday as the Knicks fired Isiah Thomas.
Kahn: Sad day for the Sonics
Looks like the Sonics really may be leaving soon. For Mike Kahn, the list of villains is long — and Clay Bennett isn't the worst of them.
Boston's Garnett misses practice to be with family
The Boston Celtics weren't concerned when Kevin Garnett missed his second straight practice for family reasons Friday. They know ...
KG misses second practice to tend to family issue
The Boston Celtics weren't concerned when Kevin Garnett missed his second straight practice for family reasons on Friday. - Read More...
Chandler: It's Playoff Time. Let's Go.
In his latest blog post on NBA.com, Tyson Chandler writes that he's amped up for the playoffs, and has a message for the Mavericks. - Read More...
I'll miss Isiah (sort of), but Knicks won't
Surprise! The Knicks finally fired Isiah Thomas as coach Friday. Charley Rosen says it would be hard to do a worse job than Isiah.
NBA Eastern Conference Season Review
The Fig Cap: "The regular season was a little easy... now the real work begins." With the regular season over, the About.com Division Reports Team is ready to relax and just... - Read More...
Knicks may be willing to keep Marbury
In his first meeting with new Knicks president Donnie Walsh, Stephon Marbury got no indication he's being shown the same exit door as Isiah Thomas, who will be removed officially as head coach in an announcement that could come today.
Wade Confident He Will Heal in Time for Olympics
Michael Cunningham fo the SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL writes, "Heat guard Dwyane Wade said he still expects to play in the Beijing Olympics this summer but understands that USA Basketball officials need assurance he will recover from treatment for left knee tendinitis. Earlier this week, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball's managing director, said he's 'curious' about Wade's physical condition and that he expects players to show up for the June 27 start of a pre-Olympics mini-camp 'in really good shape.'" - Read More...
McWilliams-Franklin on USA Roster for Good Luck Beijing Tournament
USA Basketball Women's National Team member Taj McWilliams-Franklin (Los Angeles Sparks) will join the U.S. squad in Beijing in time for the opening game against Australia in the 2008 Good Luck Beijing Tournament, USA Basketball announced today. Additionally, NBA TV, which will air the USA's April 20, 24 and 26 games live, will rebroadcast the three contests at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on those days as well. - Read More...
Around the Association Season Review: How the West Was Won
The stretch run for the Western Conference playoff race seemed to drag on in eternal bliss in the season's final moments before ending in a dizzying frenzy that encompassed almost every major storyline from this memorable regular season. - Read More...
If Shaq shows, it'll change dynamics in West
The Shaq of old ... or just old Shaq? Greg Boeck says the course of the playoffs could be determined by which one shows up.
NBA owners OK Sonics' move from Seattle to OKC
NBA owners have approved the Seattle SuperSonics' move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season, pending the resolution of litigation between the team and the city of Seattle. - Read More...
NBA owners approve the Sonics' relocation
NBA owners have approved the Seattle SuperSonics' move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season, pending the resolution of litigation between the team and the city of Seattle. The Sonics could begin playing in owner Clay Bennett's hometown as early as next season if they can get out of the remaining two years of their lease at Key Arena. Seattle has filed suit trying to force the Sonics to remain in the city until the lease expires in 2010, while Bennett wants to buy out the remainder.
Shaq vs. Duncan: Pivotal Matchup
Often in sports, the most intriguing matchups are when the favorite takes on the underdog, pitting David vs. Goliath. But an argument could be made that that the showdown of Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan is just as compelling, albeit a basketball version of Goliath vs. Goliath. - Read More...
Reports: Isiah out as Knicks coach
A season of turmoil has come to a head in New York. Isiah Thomas is out as Knicks coach after a 59-loss, last-place effort.
Arenas ready to be 'assassin' in playoffs
Gilbert Arenas is finally speaking again. He sounds like the same ol' Agent Zero. "I'm an assassin. I get buckets," the Washington Wizards guard said after Friday's practice. "I know I haven't played in a long time, but the shot is still there, so when I come off that bench, there is going to be some trouble." Arenas, usually a master of self-promotion, began a media boycott when he returned from a 66-game absence on April 2.
Knicks' overhaul continues with Isiah's dismissal
In one of the most anticlimactic firings in NBA history, incoming Knicks president Donnie Walsh announced late Friday afternoon he was relieving Isiah Thomas of his coaching duties. - Read More...
Memphis' Douglas-Roberts to enter NBA draft
Memphis junior guard Chris Douglas-Roberts said Friday he will enter the NBA draft. - Read More...
Isiah Thomas Fired as Coach of New York Knicks
Isiah Thomas was fired as coach of the New York Knicks on Friday, ending a year fraught with embarrassing episodes on and off the court. - Read More...
Timberwolves, Knicks win draft tiebreakers
Minnesota and New York both won tiebreakers Friday, increasing their chances of getting a higher pick in June's NBA draft. The Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies both finished 22-60, tied for the third-worst in the NBA, and the Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers went 23-59, tying for fifth-worst. The Wolves will pick one spot higher than the Grizzlies if neither gets a top-three selection through the draft lottery, same for the Knicks and Clippers.
Timberwolves, Knicks win draft tiebreakers
Minnesota and New York both won tiebreakers Friday, increasing their chances of getting a higher pick in June's NBA draft. The ...
Garnett misses 2nd practice prior to playoffs
The Boston Celtics weren't concerned when Kevin Garnett missed his second straight practice for family reasons on Friday. They know he'll suit up when it counts, in their playoff opener against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. "Even though he's away, he's tuned in to what we're doing," Paul Pierce said. "We're not worried because we know he'll be fine when he gets back.
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...
Rockies follow marathon game with drubbing of Astros
The Colorado Rockies didn't look tired on Friday night. Troy Tulowitzki had two doubles and three RBI, Garrett Atkins had an ...