Beast of the Night: Andray Blatche finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block last night against the Nuggets. He shot 57 percent (8-14) from the field and 100 percent (9-9) from the free-throw line. Blatche is inconsistent but has a high ceiling. If you’re looking for more steady production, try to move him after he gets on another hot streak. Read More »

For about an hour, it looked like Tuesday would be the night that sparked 1,000 TV features and Internet columns about how the tides are changing in L.A., and the Clippers are seriously challenging the Lakers for local supremacy. The Clippers were outplaying the Mavs in the first half of a huge road game, while the Lakers had a dangerous Utah team on the schedule. The stage was set. But by the end of the night, status quo had been maintained … Read More »

It’s been a long time coming — certainly longer than anyone close to Philadelphia basketball circles would have predicted — but Mustafa Shakur is finally in the NBA.

The former Philly high school hero (co-MVP of the ’03 Roundball Classic with LeBron) and University of Arizona star (Elite Eight) once seemed like a lock for a long and prosperous career at the highest level. But as of last Friday, he had yet to suit up in an NBA game. Read More »

With NBA All-Star Weekend a few weeks away, exclusive All-Star kicks have been surfacing all over the place. But in the case of John Wall, you actually get to help him decide what to wear in the Rookie Challenge. Below you’ll find the top 10 finalists in the Reebok ZigTech Slash design contest. While the designers of these sneakers each win a pair of their customized shoe, Wall will pick his favorite from this group to wear in the game. Whomever’s pair is chosen flies out to L.A. with a friend to see him in action. Check ‘em out: Read More »

Things change quickly in the NBA. At the beginning of last season, T.J. Ford and Brandon Rush made up the Indiana Pacers’ starting backcourt on Opening Night. Today, both Ford and Rush are falling out of Indy’s rotation, and very well could be available for whoever wants them as the February trade deadline approaches.

Ford, the 8th-year pro who was once upon a time was knocking on the door as maybe a top-10 point guard in the NBA, has been in and out of coach Jim O’Brien‘s doghouse throughout his tenure with the Pacers. Read More »

Sports fans in cities like New York and L.A. don’t know how good they have it. With multiple franchises across the four major sports leagues, there’s always a team to cheer for or a game to go to. In Portland, Ore., on the other hand, everything revolves around the Trail Blazers. And this month, the Rose City’s illest sneaker spot, Compound Gallery, is holding a Blazers-inspired group show titled, Blazer Mania. Curated by 138creative founder Nathan Tabor, Blazer Mania showcases pieces from local and regional artists that touch on everyone from Brandon Roy to Rasheed Wallace to Kevin Duckworth. On view through the end of the month, if you can’t make it out, check out some of my personal favorites below. Read More »

Don’t think that the Year of the Point Guard only applies to the NBA. In college basketball, a bumper crop of ones is helping write the national narrative in a way similar to their pro counterparts: With diverse styles and circumstances that make it tough to pick exactly who is No. 1 on a daily basis.

Two of the front-running candidates for national Player of the Year are point guards. One of the top 10 teams in the country (according to the most recent Associated Press poll), at least five could arguably say their point guard is their best player. Read More »

John Salley will be the first one to tell you that he won “four championship rings, with three different teams, in three different decades and two different millenniums” during his 11-year NBA career. Apparently he’ll also be the first one to tell you about his 32-year-old sugar mama when he was 20 years old. In a clip from the Travel Channel’s new show, “The Traveler’s Guide To Life,” Salley gives us a hilarious glimpse into the pro lifestyle before he even cashed a check. Props to the Bull Durham reference too.

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If you didn’t cop Rajon Rondo‘s version of the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse, you should think strongly about getting his version of the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low. Maybe it’s the Celtics colorway, or maybe it’s the the No. 9 embellished on the heel, but either way I like it. Check ‘em out: Read More »

Sure Knicks rookie Andy Rautins has only played three NBA games so far this year, but that was to be expected. Why? Because after being the starting shooting guard at Syracuse last season, where he finished his career second on the school’s all-time list with 282 career three-point field goals made, Rautins has had to make the transition to the point. We got up with Andy recently to chat about his rookie season and Syracuse hoops. Read More »