UCF didn’t want to talk Big East. They were also apparently sick of hearing about UConn’s 16-game winning streak as well. Whether they make the jump to the Big East soon or not, the Knights let their play do the talking: we deserve to be there. Down 17 with 16 minutes to go against the defending champs, a team that hadn’t lost a game in seemingly forever, and sporting probably the best backcourt in the country… none of it fazed UCF. Behind Marcus Jordan (yes, the son of MJ) and Keith Clanton (both dropped 20, Jordan added seven rebounds and assists), they stormed back and beat the No. 4-ranked Huskies 68-63. Read More »

The Raptors and Thunder are two teams heading in starkly different directions. The Thunder were one of the feel good stories of the NBA this past season. They have one of the best young cores in the League, and a team chemistry that is not often seen. On the other hand, Toronto struggled this past season with chemistry issues, underachievement, and now faces the likely loss of star forward Chris Bosh. While these two teams are going in opposite directions, they can both help each other greatly. Read More »

In the ’80s, it was all about the “Showtime” Lakers. Then it was MJ’s Bulls that ruled the ’90s, and the Lakers and Spurs took turns dominating the last 10 years. With a new year and a new decade on the horizon, it begs the question:

Who will be the team of the next decade?

The easy answer would be whatever team LeBron is on, or whatever team D-Wade is on. But it’s hard to say that when you don’t even know which teams (or team) that will be. Read More »

Beyond the growing reality that Carlos Boozer is turning himself into a Ted DiBiase-style villain — he might as well put Delonte West in the Million Dollar Dream and hire Kosta Koufos to be his Virgil every time he plays in Cleveland — the trade being discussed (last time we checked) that would send Boozer to the Bulls has bigger implications: All three teams involved would get better because of it. The rumored deal would give Chicago that low-post scorer (Boozer) they’ve been missing ever since Elton Brand left town; Portland would get an upgrade at PG in Kirk Hinrich; and Utah would get an athletic PF in Tyrus Thomas who can finish what Deron Williams starts, defend the rim, and run with Jerry Sloan‘s fast lineup. Read More »

Five teams who had good reason to stage those goofy, awkward draft-room celebrations, and four players who should go buy themselves something pretty …

1. Toronto Raptors They had one glaring need — an athletic SG/SF who can score — and filled it with DeMar DeRozan, who could be the second-best player in this Draft when it’s all said and done. The 6-7 highlight machine will sell tickets, too, which every NBA team could use right now. Read More »

In the final hours before the ’09 NBA Draft, it’s your turn to play front-office executive for your favorite team in that imaginary war room in your head.

Who do you want? What kind of impact will your pick have on the team next season? Where will he fit into the lineup? Do you want to keep your pick or trade it?

Tell us how your team can improve itself tonight …

During football season, one of my boys has made a habit out of sitting in front of his computer with a game in the background, betting $0.25 on virtually every play. Wagering a quarter that the Seattle Seahawks will run the ball for 3-6 yards is one way to amp up the intensity of the game.

I haven’t seen any gambling sites offer this same feature during NBA contests. The game is too fast-paced to place play-by-play bets. But the NBA Draft isn’t – in fact, it’s the perfect venue to throw your money away gambling online. Read More »

If Tyler Hansbrough ends up being selected within the top 15 picks on Thursday, he’ll have leapfrogged Stephen Curry, Jonny Flynn, and every other prospect as having made the biggest jump up the draft board.

Even if Psycho-T doesn’t have the upside of a Terrence Williams, Earl Clark, James Johnson, or B.J. Mullens, some teams are coming to see his high-octane effort as a unique, valuable skill in the League. Read More »

Lots of NBA Draft stuff populating the news this weekend, be it players moving up or down the board in this last stretch of workouts, teams making promises, or draft-related trade rumors. The Nets have been one of the toughest teams to figure out. Ever since they landed the 11th pick in the Lottery, we’ve seen them connected to eveyrybody from DeMar DeRozan to James Johnson to Tyler Hansbrough. There was even a short-lived rumor that had the Nets trading Devin Harris to Memphis for the No. 2 pick; its seems the only position where NJ satisfied is at center with Brook Lopez. Read More »

With just a under a week before the 2009 NBA Draft, after numerous individual workouts, teams are starting to figure out who they can see hanging out in their locker room and wearing their jersey. As long as unknown draft day promises don’t surface, this is how we see it all shaking out.

1. L.A. Clippers — Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma Team USA has already planned on inviting him to Las Vegas after the Draft and they know the type of talent they’re getting. Whether or not the Clippers keep or trade this pick, one thing is certain: Blake Griffin is going to be the No. 1 pick. Read More »