Boxing promoters would’ve been proud. The Spurs and Grizzlies put together one long 15-round fight. It was like the end of the Departed. There were bodies everywhere. The Grizz couldn’t knock out San Antonio; the Spurs weren’t letting go. But Zach Randolph (31 points, 11 rebounds) wasn’t having it, and down the stretch he made the difference in Memphis’ series-clinching 99-91 win … The visitors finally came back to take the lead with just under five minutes to go after Memphis had two straight shot-clock violations. But immediately after the timeout, the Grizz jumped all over the Spurs, going on a game-changing 10-2 run, highlighted by two shots from Z-Bo that were straight out of Billy Hoyle’s repertoire. In the final minutes, it actually felt like Memphis finally broke the Spurs’ will. Did anyone EVER see that coming? … Read More »
Tonight will be the biggest game in Memphis’ history. It isn’t for San Antonio. Far from it. But they are playing for just as much, to save a dying era. Everyone knew this series was going to be a battle. But most figured the Spurs would find a way to get it done. Few honestly believed the Grizzlies had what it took. Tonight, they have a shot to prove they do.
If Memphis does pull this off, it instantly becomes one of the biggest playoff upsets in NBA history. Yes, it’s a great matchup for the Grizz, but we’re talking about San Antonio, veterans, All-Stars and champions, and owners of the best record in the West. They aren’t supposed to lose in the playoffs like this. Read More »
Just when you thought the high school basketball season was over, some of Chi-Town’s finest decided to hold a game. Tomorrow, the inaugural Chicago United Hoops Classic will feature premier prep school players from Chicago’s South and West Sides at the Sullivan Athletic Center on the campus of DePaul University. Here are the rosters: Read More »
In case you haven’t seen it yet, ESPN and ABC have produced this opening for their NBA Playoffs TV broadcasts. In the spot, the Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger and Jason Bonham (son of late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham) cover Zeppelin’s classic “Black Dog.” At the very least, it’s an opportunity to look at Nicole.
During Game 3 of the Thunder/Nuggets series in the Mile High earlier this week, something interesting caught my eye. It was something that I’ve seen in various NBA arenas over the past few years and it was sitting directly behind press row near center court.
Our friends over at Hoopmixtape drop gems on the regular. But their newest video is one of their best ones yet. Some people might question if Austin Rivers is the best player in the nation (Anthony Davis has something to say), but there’s no doubt he will be a major, major problem at the next level.
He’s gone from a No. 1 pick and a city’s great hope to an injured star whose career is in jeopardy. But to Greg Oden, that’s in the past – he’s looking up, and for good reason.Read More »
You could say it was a big year for Raymond Felton. After signing with the Knicks last summer, he became a co-captain alongside free agent signee, and fellow Class of 2002 friend, Amar’e Stoudemire. Leading the charge, Felton and STAT turned a team full of role players into a playoff squad, while franchise executives continued to plot their next move. And it was this next move that sent Felton – along with three other Knicks starters – packing in a trade for Denver’s Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. But before that trade, we got up with Ray in late January for this shoot in New York City’s Flatiron District for Dime #63 with photographer Chad Griffith. With a style that he describes as “simple, but with a little country swag,” Ray spent a few hours with us for the following fashion spread, all the while talking to Dime correspondent Erin Sharoni about hoops, sneakers and music.
As we said in Smack today, it’s going to be a long summer in Orlando. J.J. Redick is going to have to live with images of that bricked three for the next few months, or even longer if the lockout stretches into the fall. The Magic have to decide what to do with Jason Richardson now that his contract is running out. A team that looked lifeless and dreary at times in the first round will have to figure out just what went wrong, how they fell so far, so fast. Read More »
Yes, you read that headline right. And yes, you should be excited. If you got a chance like we did to see Justin Bieber hoop in the celebrity game during NBA All-Star Weekend, you know the kid can play. So after taking home MVP honors, it appears the scouts were watching – namely Mark Wahlberg. According to Mike Fleming of Deadline.com, Paramount Pictures is in negotiations for what could be the dramatic screen-starring debut of Bieber starring alongside Wahlberg. As he puts it, “The tone of the project is described as The Color of Money meets The Karate Kid.” Wax on. Read More »
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