While this might not be as good as Arizona’s or UConn’s intro video, any highlights set to Kanye look great in my book.

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Besides having an insanely fine wife, Steve Lavin is doing a phenomenal job at St. John’s. Coming into their matchup with Arizona last night, they were 3-0, full of life and full of potential. In a few of their wins so far, they’ve already stormed back from big deficits, letting their defense and athleticism do the talking, and with fifteen minutes left (down seven), it looked like it might happen again. They raced back, overwhelmed ‘Zona in pretty much every way possible and retook the lead. The ‘Cats didn’t have any standout performances, but they got solid games from a number of players, including Solomon Hill (15 points, six rebounds) and when they found their stroke at the end, they just had too much, winning 81-72. Read More »

When Nate Robinson and filmmaker T.J. Regan told us that State Of Nate was going to let us in on Robinson’s life, they meant it. In the fourth episode, Nate takes us behind the scenes of birthday celebrations for his son, daughter and mother.

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I’ll never forget watching Seattle’s run during the 2005 playoffs. They played the future champs – San Antonio – to a virtual tie in the second round, losing in six games but not before they nearly pushed it to seven. They were a fun team, really one of the last in Seattle to matter. Ray Allen was in his prime as an all-around player, and they gave minutes to a lot of memorable guys. Their front line packed more beef than an offensive line: Danny Fortson, Reggie Evans, Nick Collison and Vitaly Potapenko. But the biggest of them all was Jerome James. In 11 playoff games, he provided us with the first and the last glimpse of the Jerome James that mattered. Read More »

For a while, I didn’t really see Blake Griffin as a spokesman or comedian. It came from the interactions I had with him, and from seeing him on TV or in interviews. But lately, I’m talking ever since he burst onto the scene last season, he’s starred in more comedic spots than any player in the league. He’s had videos of himself as an intern, as a Jenga player and even had his own mini puppet murderer. Kia is giving him the freedom. Let’s hope they keep it up. Hit the jump for a second funny commercial.

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It’s been a few days since we last highlighted any excerpts or heard any reflections coming out of Shaquille O’Neal‘s mouth via his new book, “Shaq Uncut: My Story.” So you knew something was coming. And it did, with O’Neal going at one of his favorite targets in the world, Chris Bosh. O’Neal has been on Bosh for basically everything the last few seasons, and said in his book that Bosh is no star player, that the Miami forward received all of the accolades without actually earning them or winning anything. Read More »

Since we’ve been speaking so much on the top college prospects in the game lately, I went back searching for this game, Dwyane Wade‘s 29-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist destruction of No. 1-seed Kentucky in 2003. It was so unique. Wade went from being basically unknown nationally to one of the better prospects in the draft in a very short span. This game put him on the map. Still, how can we watch now and not see what was to come?

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The reactions to the lockout news of the past week have run the gauntlet. No one is happy, and for me, I’m really, really nervous. It’s not that we’re currently in a lockout. It doesn’t burn me up inside that we should have basketball and yet we don’t. I don’t walk around complaining all day, or spit venom at the people I think responsible. I’m more just nervous because players are more aware of what they’re owed than ever before. The owners are still treating them like novices, and it’s becoming increasingly clear the players’ understanding of the business is growing. That could mean a very long standoff. Read More »

As we wrote in Smack, Baron Davis has been pretty busy during the lockout. He’s in the midst of putting together a documentary called “American Schlub” that will focus on the downfall of men’s fashion. Davis’ new fashion trends are definitely different, and his look at one of the lockout meetings earlier this summer was very memorable: flannel lumberjack shirt with some goofy-looking glasses. He’s willing to take chances. Davis has been supporting the movement LAUNFD all summer and recently had a charity event with them. Dorell Wright, Craig Smith and Tina Thompson showed up, and so did we. Photos courtesy of Cassy Athena. Read More »

Is this the year for Miami’s redemption? The year LeBron turns it all around and rids himself of those evil demons? We may never know for sure. But at least in the video game world, 2011-12 is all about South Beach and LeBron James. Without the real NBA, I simulated a season to see what would happen. Of course, gamers know with stuff like this, there are always oddities (How did Antawn Jamison make an All-NBA Team? Or Dirk an All-Defensive Team?). But they seem to get the majority of stuff right. If we’re relying on NBA 2K12, then this year would’ve been all LeBron’s. Read More »