When the vacations – according to Brandon Jennings’ Twitter, he really needs one – and time away from NBA action ends for the League’s top ballers, they need a place to get some burn before training camp starts. For those who prefer to have something a little more elite than the local knee brace and elbow pad runs at the YMCA, they head to Bradenton, Fla., and IMG Academies. Read More »

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been writing a lot about players who are, or could be, considered “The Future” or “The Franchise” of their respective teams — from Andrew Bynum in L.A. to Rodney Stuckey in Detroit to George Hill in San Antonio.

Whether it’s a Lottery pick with high expectations (e.g. Bynum) or a little-known draftee who surprisingly shines on a big stage (e.g. Hill), a skilled 7-footer or a defensive-minded point guard, their backgrounds and profiles are diverse, but just about every NBA team has one or two young candidates who fit the bill. Read More »

As Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk succinctly put it, “This little video pretty well says it all.” When Dwight Howard is able to snatch Josh Smith‘s floater out of the air, then throw the outlet to White Chocolate who then throws the mid-court alley-oop to Mickael Pietrus, there’s really nothing you can do.

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Special shout-out to Dime reader Gunner J. Matthews for the Smack title, which was sent in right around the time the Hawks were getting the federal prison gen-pop treatment from the Magic in Game 1 of their series last night. Before tip-off, the NBA announced that 2012 All-Star Weekend will be held in Orlando. Then the Hawks celebrated by going on vacation … Dwight Howard posted 21 points, 12 boards and 5 blocks in the 43-piecing. Between alley-oops and spin moves on the block he dunked on just about everyone in blue, and Vince Carter (20 pts) even got some (barely) above-the-rim action … Read More »

Heading into tonight’s Magic/Hawks Game 1, the Orlando Sentinel put together what they’re describing as the “official trailer for this Parramore Pictures production of Stan Van Gundy’s Film — ‘A Dwightmare on Elmstreet’ — rated PG-13H. Atlanta Hawks strongly cautioned.”

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Two weeks ago, while the Celtics were destroying Miami in Game 2 of their first-round series and the announcers were telling stories to kill time, Reggie Miller recounted an incident from his playing days: While an opponent was shooting free throws, Jamaal Tinsley strategically tossed a towel in the air over on the Pacers’ bench within the shooter’s peripheral vision, drawing a technical foul. Reggie said he’d never seen that happen before or since, and wasn’t even sure it was a rule. Read More »

Last week, the NBA announced that 103 players, including 80 players from U.S. colleges and 23 international players, have filed as early entry candidates for the 2010 NBA Draft. While many of these submissions make sense, with only 60 people drafted and countless numbers of seniors automatically entered, the odds certainly aren’t favorable for just anyone to get picked. With that in mind, to come out as a freshman, you’ve gotta know what you’re doing. And this year’s class certainly does, as they’re almost all certainly first round picks. Here are the Top 8 Freshman in the NBA Draft. Read More »

He’s got the fat contract (a four-year, $57 million extension that kicked in this season), the impressive measurables (7-feet, 285 pounds), and the Hall of Fame mentor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). But other than some inconsistent runs where he occasionally looks like a legit beast, Andrew Bynum hasn’t done enough to show he should be the future centerpiece of the L.A. Lakers. Read More »

By the numbers, Rudy Fernandez‘s second year in the NBA was pretty identical to his first. His scoring was only down one bucket per game (8.1 ppg), his shooting percentage only dropped a few digits (37.8% FG), and his rebounds, assists, steals and blocks were almost exactly the same as his rookie year, when he was a second team All-Rookie pick and impressed some folks at the Dunk Contest.

Beyond the numbers, though, Rudy’s second year was a step back. Read More »

This is just crazy! If a 17-year old fan ran onto a NBA court, I doubt he’s getting tasered. Go at it in the comments section below and let us know what you think would happen.