Unlike some nights when you have to choose between five different games on League Pass, one on NBA TV and reruns of “Jersey Shore,” tonight was one of the few instances where everything came together. As the League’s top two teams and top two players squared off, all eyes were on Kobe vs. LeBron, and the League’s No. 1 and 1a did not disappoint … The mood was set before the jump, as “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana blasted from the speakers. Aside from perhaps “The Ride of the Valkyries” when the helicopters attack the village in Apocalypse Now, there’s nothing more epic … Read More »

The starters were announced a few minutes ago leading up to the big Cavs/Lakers game. (And if you haven’t heard, Cleveland was just dealt the bad news that Mo Williams will miss 4-6 weeks with a shoulder sprain.) First the East, then the West:

F – Kevin Garnett F – LeBron James C – Dwight Howard G – Dwyane Wade G – Allen Iverson Read More »

Something unexpected happened on the way to LeBron-vs.-Carmelo becoming the Magic-vs.-Bird of the text-message generation: Kobe Bryant got his own team and snatched Carmelo’s spot.

For the first year of the ‘Bron/’Melo pro rivalry, Kobe was still doing the sidekick thing with Shaq. Then Shaq left for Miami, Kobe went from being a top guy in the NBA to the top guy, and coupled with some public-image missteps by ‘Melo, the Kobe/LeBron rivalry was born. Read More »

I don’t think any one – including Allen Iverson – thought that the Grizzlies would be sitting at 22-19 through 41 games. But just like any good team, they’re looking to get better. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis is discussing a trade that would net Ronnie Brewer from the Jazz in order to improve their bench. A great basketball move for Memphis, and another cost-cutting measure by Utah. Read More »

Can you say contract year? There have been moments this season where Carlos Boozer has been looking like an absolute beast. Just last week, we posted this video of him giving Udonis Haslam the business. Last night against the Spurs, Boozer crushed rookie DeJuan Blair’s self esteem with this dunk. While he probably won’t be an All-Star, he’s definitely helping out his free agent stock by averaging 19.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Read More »

In case you didn’t know, I have a younger brother. And I don’t know about you, but I’d be furious if my bro crossed me up, let alone dunked on me. So while Brook was the No. 10 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Robin (who was No. 15) let his twin brother have some in last night’s game in front of their mother.

It seems like all the best sportscaster jobs go to former players and coaches. While most are definitely talented and deserve to be there, it does make it a little tougher for the Average Joe to break in. But that didn’t stop Gus Johnson. Gus is somebody who climbed up the broadcasting ranks the hard way. After graduating from Howard University, the Detroit native started off working for several local TV stations around the South. Today, Johnson is not only one of the top play-by-play broadcasters in the country, but he is also one of the hardest working. Read More »

The best one-two punches on a team aren’t always a big man paired with a small guard. Sure Stockton and Malone and Magic and Kareem, were two of the greatest combos in league history. But the league has had some pretty damn good backcourts over the years, from Isiah and Joe Dumars to Chauncey and Rip. Read More »

Who is the LAST celebrity you’d want to hang out with for one night?

Almost every time, when people find out what I do for a living, they want to know who I’ve met and who I’ve hung out with. And almost every time I tell them my story about kicking it with Ron Artest on a late-night trek from Rucker Park to a Korean restaurant in lower Manhattan, they seem shocked that nothing tragic happened: No brawls, no thrown beer cups, no drama.

If you only know the Ron-Ron you’ve seen on “Outside the Lines,” you wouldn’t expect him to be one of the coolest guys in the League; I’d say it’s because he still acts like a “normal” person instead of a celebrity. I’d hang out with him whenever and not be worried at all. Read More »

After Haiti was hit by a second earthquake yesterday morning (measuring 6.1), our good friends at UNDRCRWN have joined the rest of the world in the relief efforts. Enter the “Assist Haiti” t-shirt, where 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Yelé Haiti for the Haitian relief effort. Read More »