When I tagged Tony Allen to be Boston’s most crucial X-factor in these NBA Finals, I was thinking more in the momentum-building, sparkplug-scorer role, with some solid defense thrown in for good measure. I wasn’t expecting TA to become this year’s Raja Bell.
The Celtics’ backup guard hasn’t done much offensively (4.3 ppg, 4-10 FG), but continues to earn playing time for his defensive efforts against Kobe Bryant. Read More »
Since 1985, when the NBA Finals changed to the 2-3-2 format, the ten times when the series was tied at 1-1, the team that wins Game 3 has always won the title. But forget all that: The Celtics cannot go down 3-1. To make sure that doesn’t happen, here’s what they must do:
KEY #1: Get Pierce going
Although Rajon Rondo has become the Celtics best all-around player, they simply cannot beat the Lakers without one of the “Big 3” having a big game. Boston fans are crossing their fingers that Paul Pierce can be the one to step up. Read More »
From reading the responses to the SportsEnemy Tee giveaway contest, I think a lot of people were disappointed by Ron Artest’s Chamberlain-esque stat line of 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and no steals (total of 7) in L.A.’s Game 3 win. In fact, not to call him out, but c’mon Raoul. A final tally of 37 combined points, boards, dimes, blocks and steals? You must have misread the rules. Read More »
After stealing the home court advantage in Game 3 on Tuesday night, the Lakers will be looking to drop the hammer on Boston tonight. If L.A. can find a way to get the job done in Game 4, the championship will be only a formality. No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals. But expect the Celtics to come out swinging. Here are the three keys the Lakers need to concentrate on to get a win:
KEY #1: Use their advantage inside
The Lakers margin for error greatly increases when they don’t get the ball into the paint. Read More »
With the World Cup opener less than 24 hours away, soccer fans across the globe are setting their DVR’s and scouting out bars open at ungodly hours just for a chance to watch the world’s very best stars. To keep you informed and prepared for the month-long tournament, here’s a list of players to watch out for and their playing style counterparts from the NBA: Read More »
With the FIFA World Cup set to begin tomorrow, it got me to thinking: Besides noted soccer aficionado Steve Nash, who else could take their game from the basketball court to the soccer pitch?
1. Steve Nash
During the offseason Nash resides in New York City, where he has trained with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer (MLS) and is known to drop in on random pickup games around the city. I’d have to think that alone makes him number one on this list, right? We all know Nash has good footwork, but could he be a pro? Read More »
By the numbers, Ron Artest is struggling right now. He’s shooting just 29% from the field and 50% at the free-throw line through the first three games of the Finals, averaging 7.7 points and 4.0 fouls per game. But looking beyond the numbers, Artest has been effectively making life difficult for Paul Pierce and continues playing his trademark lock-down defense during the playoffs. With the Lakers two wins away from another championship, their biggest ’09 offseason pickup is looking like a success.
We decided to chat with his Ron’s brother, New York City playground star and overseas pro Daniel Artest, to ask him what he thinks of Ron’s first season with the Lakers. Read More »
When the University of Texas-El Paso jumped into the Top 25 poll for the first time in 18 years, college basketball fans everywhere took note of the new kids on the block. The Miners made the Big Dance as the #12 seed in the West Regional, and although there was no magical 12-over-5 upset this time around, as UTEP fell to Butler in its opening game, no Miner stood out more in that matchup than junior Derrick Caracter.
Maybe it was the goofy mohawk shaved into his oversized head. Maybe it was the surprisingly agile feet for a man of nearly 300 pounds. Read More »
Everyone always talks about coaches being fired and hired at this time of year. What I find funny is that the men who pull the trigger on those hires and firings — the general managers, VP’s of Basketball Operations, or whatever other title teams have for their top basketball decision makers — often are the ones that need to go. Here are five top-level executives that need to hand over the keys, especially in this all-important summer of 2010: Read More »
After going 0-for-13 and missing all eight of his treys in Game 3, Ray Allen might need to watch this going into Game 4 tonight. In the sixth game of last year’s classic Celtics/Bulls first round series, Ray dropped 51 points (18-32 FG, 9-18 3PA) to go with three steals, three assists and five rebounds in a triple-overtime loss. With a championship on the line, Ray will take 0-for-13 if it’s in a win, but he needs to make shots tonight if the Celtics hope to even up the series.
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