We’ve heard the rumblings and grumblings for a few weeks now, and as of late this morning it has shaken out: Byron Scott has been fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Read More »

Kyrie Irving (photo. @NikeBasketball)

Kyrie Irving didn’t have the typical childhood of a NBA star. He was born in Australia, moved to the States when he was two years old, and watched his mother die from organ failure due to a blood infection when he was only four. Kyrie tried to focus himself through basketball, using unique drills to become ambidextrous, and developing a wicked handle by covering the basketball with slick bags to heighten his touch. Watch him in this “Inside Access” video from Nike, where he spills the beans on what helped him become one of the best young players in the world. Read More »

With the NBA Playoffs less than a week away, the fans of 16 teams are prepping themselves for the excitement of the second season, each team just 16 wins away from calling themselves world champions. However, there are 14 other teams that will not be able to take part in the playoffs. There is hope though, because with every new season brings another 82 games where anything can happen and any team can make the rise from bottom feeders to playoff contender. Read More »

On a day that will forever be linked with sadness, death and despair, a backup point guard turned in the most heartwarming story on the NBA schedule. It was of little importance within the grand scheme of life, especially after spending hours trained to the television yesterday afternoon, but watching Norris Cole get extended minutes in his hometown and light up the Cavs was fun. Read More »

Ranking the NBA from worst to first…

30. Charlotte Bobcats (19-61) Last week: 30, - Maybe this is the year that they finally win the lottery. Unfortunately there doesn’t look to be any superstar prospects coming out. Classic Bobcats. Read More »

We make jokes all the time about Kobe Bryant‘s evolution from “human being” into “basketball cyborg” but last night, all of these 48-minute nights finally took their toll. We’d list the leg injuries he packed on over the course of the game against Golden State, but screw it. Let’s just say the dude’s entire lower body was a mess (and he ended up leaving with what is probably the worst injury of his career). Read More »

With the NBA Playoffs quickly approaching, the chase for the Larry O’Brien is about to jump into high gear. The teams in the East are set, but they are still jostling for positioning (unless you’re the Miami Heat). In the West, seven of the eight teams are set with it coming down to the wire between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 8 spot. The Heat have proven all year long that they are the team to beat when the second season comes around and will definitely have a very good chance of repeating as champs. Read More »

Ranking the NBA from worst to first…

30. Charlotte Bobcats (18-59) Last week: 30, - Maybe this will be the offseason that they finally find gold in the draft. Probably not, though. Read More »

If you made Carmelo Anthony into a Mortal Kombat character, he’d have it all. You could give him some knives, a couple of devastating 360 kicks, maybe even fire-breathing capabilities. But as all gamers know, no matter how nasty you are at putting characters on their asses, you still have to save your energy… can’t be in there button mashing. That’s the only thing New Yorkers are worried about right now. Read More »

Remember when I used to say I thought Deron Williams had the nastiest handles in the league? Eventually, Williams started to fall off, Kyrie Irving emerged and all of that was forgotten. Cleveland forgot too. Last night, as we mentioned in Smack, Williams had the play of the evening, hitting the Cavs with a ridiculous hesitation crossover and then finishing in the lane with a dunk. Read More »