In every issue of Dime, we run a feature called “The Baller’s Blueprint,” where we get up with different NBA players and have them break down their signature moves and skills. In the Blake Griffin issue, we had Rajon Rondo break down how he leaves defenders shook on the break …

“I like to use that fake behind-the-back pass either in transition, or when I have a wide open lane within the offense. Read More »

Up at the Dime/Levi’s draft suite last week, Tyreke Evans came through to get a haircut and take some photos before walking across the biggest stage of his life. And just as it’s been for his entire life, his brothers were there to help him along. We found this clip from E:60 on True Hoop last night, a look back at the foundation of one of this draft’s most unique talents.

What started out as a rumor Monday morning was confirmed by the Rockets’ team doctor by the afternoon, then immediately became the dominant story of the year for Houston: Yao Ming‘s broken left foot could not only take him out for all of next season, but also put his career in jeopardy. “At this point, the injury has the potential for him missing the next season and could be career threatening,” physician Tom Clanton told the Houston Chronicle. “One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery.” Read More »

When word came across the bottom line early last week that Yao‘s foot was healing behind schedule, no one blinked twice. Everyone was so focused on the draft, it didn’t really matter that he wouldn’t be back on Day 1 of training camp.

But now the Rockets are ready to push the panic button. Yao’s injury is far worse than those original reports made it out to be. And the draft has come and gone without any overture towards coming up with a suitable replacement for one of the League’s top two centers. Read More »

So here’s the deal with the Pistons, according to Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp: Rip Hamilton and Michael Curry now “barely speak to each other,” which began during the season when Curry moved Rip to the bench to make room for Allen Iverson and Rodney Stuckey. From Sharp’s column today:

But according to several accounts, what irritated Hamilton most was that Curry made his decision to start Iverson and bring Rip off the bench without privately telling Hamilton first. He announced the benching to the entire team prior to a practice. Hamilton took it as an affront to his new role as team leader in [Chauncey] Billups‘ absence. He grew sullen, truly turning into a whiny basketball diva for the first time in his career.

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There are two realities the Houston Rockets need to accept and address this summer: First, as much as it pains me to say it, Tracy McGrady will never be “T-Mac” again, the dude consistently dropping 30 points a night against any defense in the League and sitting right up there with Kobe and D-Wade in the two-guard hierarchy. And second, Yao Ming is not a reliable superstar and needs to have his minutes monitored closer than a baseball team monitors an ace pitcher’s pitch count. Read More »

It’s been a big week for the Cavaliers. First a Shaqtus was spotted blooming in Cleveland and then the drafting of Danny Green and Christian Eyenga and now pics have surfaced of the next shoe in the LeBron James signature line. Here we have it, the Nike Air Max Lebron VII. Read More »

After seeing this clip, I pre-ordered one of these.

I’m confused. I’m going to write this rumor off as not true, but I’ll break it down anyway. Our boys over at RealGM.com have the following story on their homepage right now:

“The Knicks offered the Timberwolves the eighth pick and forward Wilson Chandler for the fifth selection in last week’s NBA Draft. Minnesota declined, and used the fifth overall pick on Ricky Rubio. Reports indicate that New York would have used the selection on Rubio, not Stephen Curry.”

Can’t be true right? If so, the Wolves passed up coming away in the draft with Stephen Curry at the 6th pick, Jonny Flynn at the 8th pick (the Warriors didn’t workout Flynn and had no intention of taking him) AND landing Wilson Chandler. Read More »

Though Hedo Turkoglu wasn’t included in the Vince Carter trade, the deal pretty much guaranteed that he wouldn’t be back in a Magic uniform next season. Since he opted out of his contract on Friday, word is that the Blazers are one of the teams interested in Hedo’s services.

With Hedo out of the picture, Otis Smith wants to make sure that the Magic don’t lose ground in the East. VC isn’t enough. Read More »