The NBA announced that it will commence a lockout of its players, effective at 12:01 am EST on July 1, until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached with the National Basketball Players Association.

“The expiring collective bargaining agreement created a broken system that produced huge financial losses for our teams,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver. “We need a sustainable business model that allows all 30 teams to be able to compete for a championship, fairly compensates our players, and provides teams, if well-managed, with an opportunity to be profitable. Read More »

Numb though? Yes, as insane as it seems, Wesley Matthews told the Oregonian he played much of last season unable to feel his right foot. He tore a tendon in his ankle, then went out and scored 26 points the following night (a January win over the Suns) before playing the rest of the way with a flat tire. Read More »

You’d be surprised how many clothing brands I come across each month. And while there are many that are bound to be one-hit wonders, there are others that you see a bright future for in an overcrowded market. Major Look Boston is one of those brands. The streetwear company based out of Beantown and inspired heavily by 90s culture and hip-hop, features iconic logos, lyrics and phrases influenced by the past, while also looking forward towards the future. Read More »

I’m a little scared. A summer without around-the-clock NBA free agent news and tantalizing yet most likely unfulfilled trade rumors is looming, and a sufficient replacement has not yet revealed itself. Basketball, really, is my wife. Steady with exciting and sometimes frustrating wrinkles. Even if I have moments of doubt in the summer, I always come back to my greatest love. With the lockout nearly upon us, I thought about pouring part of my now partially empty soul into baseball. But I just can’t make the switch because baseball has always been my on-the-side fling. In small doses, it’s great. But 90% of the time I’m left wanting more. That rush of knowing every play matters because the clock is ticking. Dig yourself in a hole and there might not be enough time to crawl your way out. (Cut to Dirk and the Mavs shaking their heads and pointing to their championship rings. Well, bracelets. Or anklets. I don’t know.) Read More »

It’s finally here. 2K Sports has just released a first-look of NBA 2K12 that highlights the exciting 2011 NBA Finals between the Mavericks and Heat. In the screenshot – which you can see in all its glory after the jump – Dirk Nowitzki soars to the hoop at the American Airlines Center as LeBron James and Chris Bosh attempt to block the shot. Check it out: Read More »

Success or failure, call Jimmer Fredette‘s future what you will. The Sacramento Kings’ acquisition of the BYU guard with infinite shooting range has its number of haters, namely, those who think Fredette’s celebrity status (cult following) made him jump up the draft boards despite his ineptitude on defense (over-analyzed) and lack of pure point-guard skills (also over-analyzed).

At this point in the Kings’ limbo – should they stay or should they go – Jimmermania is exactly what the Maloofs need to keep their team relevant and in Sacramento. The risk was well worth the reward in this case, mostly because their choice in Fredette was the best for the business. Read More »

I guess they did it for old time’s sake. With the lockout all but a certainty now, the Kings and Cavs are set to complete a trade that could mark the last real NBA transaction for a long time. After dangling J.J. Hickson throughout the draft process, Cleveland turned around and are apparently sending him to Sacramento for Omri Casspi and a first-round pick. Read More »

I love Tyreke‘s game. I’m not entirely sure why. There are A LOT of people out there that question his shot-selection, his propensity to over-dribble or the 6-5 AI complex he sometimes has going on. Most of all, they question his vision. But I’ve always loved what he brings to the table: the physicality, the all-around numbers & the one-on-one ability that sits somewhere between “stupid” and “eye-opening.” Read More »

While most of the NBA’s Lottery teams were busy selecting first-round talent in last week’s Draft, the Clippers found themselves on the outside looking in. Yeah, in a perfect Clippers’ world, Cleveland’s No. 1 selection of Kyrie Irving could have possibly been theirs – a piece lost in the Baron Davis-Mo Williams midseason swap – instead, they were left searching for new talent in the second round with a pair of selections. Read More »

As many of you already know, Madison Square Garden, the World’s Most Famous Arena, is currently in the first stages of an estimated $800 million renovation. The transformation is currently underway, starting on the lower bowl, which will include an expanded concourse, revamped seating, new locker rooms, new media areas, and 20 new event-level suites. With an estimated completion date of October 2013, the arena will be transformed into a state-of-the-art venue, giving the old and iconic building a brand-new look. With that, check out a few photos of Carmelo Anthony getting a first-hand look at the construction after the jump. Read More »