With the season already past the midway point, NBA GMs have their minds set on the NBA Playoffs. But for those teams that will be counting ping pong balls instead of playoff victories, the upcoming NBA Draft has many intriguing prospects that need to be recognized. So before March Madness takes over, Dime contributor Lucas Shapiro will be profiling players and giving them a team that would best fit their talent. First up was Kentucky’s John Wall, so now we’re on to Ohio State’s Evan Turner. Read More »
Monta Ellis must be pissed. Presuming the biggest reason he was left off the All-Star team was the Warriors’ sorry win-loss record, hearing the news that Chris Kaman of the almost-as-sorry Clippers is making the squad as an alternate is a tough pill to swallow — especially considering Kaman, a center, was named to replace Brandon Roy, a guard like Monta.
Over the weekend, it was announced Roy (hamstring) would be out through the All-Star break. Seeing as Chauncey Billups was just named to replace Chris Paul due to his knee injury, it would make sense that B-Roy would also be replaced by a guard, leaving Monta — the NBA’s sixth-leading scorer at 26.2 ppg who just dropped a career-high 46 on the Mavs last week — and Aaron Brooks as the two strongest candidates. Read More »
Why would LeBron want to join the Knicks when he has such a good time destroying them? Hosting NY last night, ‘Bron turned in another “I own these fools” performance, dropping 47 points (17-31 FG), six threes, eight boards, eight dimes and five steals. Whoever Mike D’Antoni threw at him — Wilson Chandler, Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries, Jake Sully, Jigsaw, etc. — got their eyebrows singed with a steady stream of jumpers. During one stretch in the first half LeBron scored 24 straight points. For anybody who still claims LeBron is limited to putting his head down and bull-rushing his way to the rim, watch this game … Read More »
Every postseason there are players who make names for themselves with big shots and timely contributions. Daniel Gibson, Ben Gordon and J.R. Smith are guards that have made splashes, and in Gordon’s case, secured a big contract because of his playoff performances.
Sure these guards have been big, but despite the fact that undersized big-men usually get no love on Draft Day and fall to the second round, they are the ones who have proven to be the most valuable to teams making deep playoff runs. I left Chuck Hayes and Carl Landry off this list because I’m not convinced the Rockets will make the playoffs, and Paul Millsap didn’t make the cut because the Jazz are going to lose in the first round. Here are four undersized big men who will help their teams make deep playoff runs this year: Read More »
Buy Low:
Kobe Bryant, as everyone knows, is very banged up right now. The Black Mamba’s lost some of his bite during the past month, thanks to poor shooting from the floor and the free throw line. But with All-Star Weekend on the horizon, expect Kobe to get enough rest to heal up a bit and bring sexy back before February’s done. Unless his fantasy owner is impatient, or if your league is incredibly shallow, you probably won’t be able to nab him for too little. Offering your second-best player might do the job though. Read More »
In the days leading up to All-Star break, you can always count on some of the vets who were selected for the game coming up with nagging injuries. If anything, it gives them a convenient excuse just in case they decide last-minute to skip the All-Star festivities and take the weekend for vacation.
So far you’ve got Steve Nash (back/abs), Paul Pierce (foot), Kevin Garnett (knee), Carmelo Anthony (knee/ankle), Dwyane Wade (back), Allen Iverson (personal), Brandon Roy (hamstring) and Kobe Bryant (everything) dealing with aches and pains, not to mention Chris Paul having already been scratched with a legit knee problem. Read More »
Beast of the Night:Deron Williams returned from a personal leave of absence and put up 18 points, 7 rebounds, 15 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers and hit a three. He shot 47 percent (7-15) from the field and 100 percent (3-3) from the free throw line. January was a forgettable month for Williams, who should get things rolling again in February. Read More »
