Josh Smith is easily one of the top 5 most athletic players in the NBA. The combination of his size (6-9, 240 pounds) and insane hops are just a few of the reasons why he’s second in the league in blocked shots (2.4 bpg). That’s why I give Delonte West some major props for even attempting to bang one on J-Smooth. On a fast break during last night’s Hawks/Cavs game, D-West showed the world how you finish at the rim against a great shot blocker.

In the ’80s, it was all about the “Showtime” Lakers. Then it was MJ’s Bulls that ruled the ’90s, and the Lakers and Spurs took turns dominating the last 10 years. With a new year and a new decade on the horizon, it begs the question:

Who will be the team of the next decade?

The easy answer would be whatever team LeBron is on, or whatever team D-Wade is on. But it’s hard to say that when you don’t even know which teams (or team) that will be. Read More »

One 15-second sequence before halftime of Cavs/Hawks delivered the kind of excitement promised by a national TV matchup of the two best teams in the East (watch out for the batteries and water bottles being thrown by Boston and Orlando fans), but it was some unexciting basic defense that proved the difference down the stretch … Read More »

Earlier today it was reported by several sources (including the Minnesota Timberwolves) that Devin Brown had been acquired by the Wolves from New Orleans in exchange for Jason Hart.

Turns out that report was premature; Hart was traded by Minnesota, but instead he was sent to the Suns for Alando Tucker, a second-round draft pick and cash. Phoenix turned around and waived Hart. Read More »

Tonight, two of the Eastern Conference’s heavyweights will square off in the ATL. The Cavs, who are riding a four-game winning streak including a huge Christmas day road win against the Lakers, come into Philips Arena to face the up-and-coming Hawks. Read More »

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not KG, Kobe or LeBron‘s fault.

If you want to blame anybody, blame Carmelo.

Via my quick unofficial study, the rate of freshmen entering the NBA Draft and leaving college programs scrounging for talent has increased since the League enacted its age limit and one-year-removed-from-high-school rule following the ’05 Draft. Read More »

The Utah Jazz kicked off the trading season by sending Eric Maynor to the Oklahoma City Thunder for financial reasons. Not to be outdone the New Orleans Hornets have sent their regular starting 2 guard to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a player who played in one game all season. The Timberwolves announced today that they acquired Devin Brown and cash considerations from the Hornets in exchange for Jason Hart. Read More »

I always love when colleges put us behind the scenes with their programs and their players. Check out as All Access Jayhawks brings us Kansas senior Mario Little as he discusses Christmas with Bill Self and coach attempts to sing Bruce Springsteen‘s, “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town.”

Rarely is Kobe Bryant ever the victim of a chase down block, but Robin Lopez gives him the business on this play.

Beast of the Night: Rajon Rondo notched 30 points, 3 rebounds, 15 assists and 3 steals against the Warriors. He even hit a three, but also had 6 turnovers. Rondo shot 61 percent (11-18) from the floor and 78 percent (7-9) from the line. If he can hit more threes and shoot a higher percentage from the free throw line, Rondo could be one of the top-10 fantasy point guards. Read More »