Just a week ago, Daniel Orton was canceling workouts all over the country. It was even rumored the Oklahoma City Thunder had given the former Kentucky big man a promise with their 21st pick. Now, he’s probably going to wish he returned to Lexington. Read More »

We’re already here. The 2010 NBA season concluded just a few days ago, and we’re already taking the first step toward defining the League for 2011. The easiest way to handicap tonight’s NBA Draft (7:30 p.m. EST, ESPN) is with your standard mock draft, but it’s rarely ever that simple: Odds are, picks and players will be traded throughout the night and things will end up looking a lot different than any of us predicted. That said, this mock is a combination of what we think teams should do, and what we think they will do: Read More »

As I mentioned yesterday, John Wall’s first 30-second spot for the new Reebok ZigTech Slash will air during the NBA Draft on ESPN tonight. And it’s definitely worth a look. Also, see if you notice who makes a cameo in the ad. It wasn’t until I watched it a few times that I even noticed…

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Later on tonight, 60 ballplayers will live out a dream moment, while at least 60 more will feel the sting of getting pretty close to the dream but falling short. (Before re-focusing on making it the hard way.) That would be the NBA Draft, and as we get closer to the festivities at Madison Square Garden, the trade rumors and high-stock/low-stock speculation is running rampant … For the longest time it seemed the Nets were clearly taking either Derrick Favors or DeMarcus Cousins at No. 3, but yesterday Wes Johnson suddenly entered the picture: On one hand because he’s been killing in workouts, and because there may be a little handshake deal in place where if the Nets take Johnson, his agent will deliver them Carlos Boozer in free agency. Read More »

When I was at the launch party for NBA Elite 11 last night, it was great to see some of the NBA Draft prospects in the house. So while John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins were busying testing out the new game, I got up with Wes Johnson and Ed Davis less than 48 hours before they officially become NBA players. Check out the exclusive Q&A below: Read More »

After an unheard of 118 games (59-59) and more than six hours — and that’s just been the FIFTH SET — the ongoing epic match between Jonathan Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon was postponed earlier today for darkness. The entire match itself has stretched over two days and about 10 hours of playing time, and (I think) will finally be settled tomorrow.

I don’t know much about tennis, but I do know that at this point it’s not really about strategy between Isner and Mahut anymore; it’s simply a battle of endurance. Read More »

First there was Allen Iverson, leading the NBA into a whole new generation of basketball. Almost 15 years later, they’ve signed his heir apparent: John Wall. This morning, right outside Times Square, Reebok decided to go big with their new No. 1 as they unveiled the soon-to-be rookie’s signature shoe: the Reebok ZigTech Slash. Read More »

As I’m posting this my TV is stuck on the Wimbledon match between Jonathan Isner and Nicolas Mahut, the match that just passed its NINTH hour on the ticker with the fifth set currently 52-52. That got me thinking of the best marathon basketball games I’d ever seen, and the clear No. 1 was Syracuse vs. UConn, ’09 BIG EAST Tournament, six overtimes.

What is the best marathon game (in any sport) you’ve ever seen?

Following up one great trade yesterday, last night Bucks’ GM John Hammond pulled off another solid deal when agreed in principle to acquire Chris Douglas-Roberts from the Nets in exchange for a 2012 second-round pick. Here we grade the trade for both teams: Read More »

In the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine, John Wall mentions his various nicknames: “Jimmy,” “Great Wall,” “J-Wall” and “Dice.” None of these seem like they’ll actually catch on once Wall begins blowing by people in the NBA, so he needs a new nickname. Fast. Read More »