Joe Johnson is absolutely balling right now. He dropped 24 in the first half of Atlanta’s blowout win in Toronto. After he closed the frame with a rainbow three from the top of the key, the ATL play-by-play guy yelled, “Nothing but the bottom of the sack.” It’s not even a question anymore whether he’s an All-Star. If he keeps this up, we’re only asking for him to give back $30 million to the Hawks, rather than $40 mill. 30 points on 13-for-18 from the field, in only three quarters … Tracy McGrady added 15 off the bench … Read More »

Miami’s pretty good when they put it together. The Spurs played perfectly through 24 minutes, and even got two ridiculous buzzer beaters from the same player, and yet it couldn’t stop them from getting completely stomped out on South Beach. After surrendering 63 first half points, the Heat responded with 71 of their own in the second half, LeBron and Bosh combined for 63 points and Miami ran away with the game, 120-98. Going into last night, the Spurs hadn’t won a road game all year. Miami had lost three in a row. One of the streaks had to end last night, and the Heat broke their visitor’s back. Read More »

The San Antonio Spurs were a surprisingly effective offensive NBA team last season. Though their window of opportunity is quickly closing, a prolonged offseason should be good rest for its two elderly stars. While the team as a whole is fairly fantasy-friendly, there are only three truly valuable fantasy assets. But don’t overlook some of the younger players who bring something to the table. Read More »

Kendrick Perkins was arrested early yesterday morning after he was attempting to start a fight with a club manager and was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and public intoxication at a Houston club. ‘Perk was apparently being pushed out of the back by a large crowd after trying to start a fight, and then continued to talk smack and start other fights as he went out. Our prediction on what actually happened? Perkins hit someone with the ‘Perk mean mug and everything broke loose. Read More »

NBA players may be locked out, and college basketball may not tip-off for another three months, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t hoops to watch.

After a regular season that featured overtime contests, a surprise appearance from Kevin Durant, and a 60-point performance from John Lucas III, Nike Pro City is just heating up as the playoffs begin tonight at Manhattan’s Baruch College. Read More »

Thousands of fans from the Queens and Long Island area decided to forget about the beach for one Saturday and instead watch basketball for a great cause. They packed the bleachers of St. John’s University’s Carnesseca Arena to catch pro ball players and college stars take the court in the Malone Mulhall Benefit Game. Despite the great show, an air of sadness, as well as hope, filled the arena. Read More »

Ever since Zydrunas Ilgauskas officially became a free agent, putting the pieces in motion to return to the only team he’s ever played for, the general consensus has been that this is a great move. The Cavs get insurance for Shaq and Anderson Varejao, and another weapon for their title run. But I’m sure some of the other players on the roster aren’t as excited about Big Z’s return. That is, because it means they’ll be hitting the unemployment line come next Monday. Read More »

While it’s been speculated for weeks, a source in Cleveland is saying that the Cavs have finally signed Leon Powe. One of my favorite Celtics (if not the favorite) for the past couple years, if Powe can recover from the torn ACL in his left knee, he could be the X-factor Cleveland was looking to add this summer. Read More »

It’s been a big week for the Cavaliers. First a Shaqtus was spotted blooming in Cleveland and then the drafting of Danny Green and Christian Eyenga and now pics have surfaced of the next shoe in the LeBron James signature line. Here we have it, the Nike Air Max Lebron VII. Read More »

*Reprinted from Dime #49′s NBA Draft Preview*

I’m not even talking about when teams Lucky Charm themselves into a superstar — a Gilbert Arenas, a Carlos Boozer, a Michael Redd — who inexplicably slips through the cracks into the second round.

Take them out of the equation, and the fact remains that every good NBA squad has at least two or three key guys who were drafted in the second round, or not drafted at all: Read More »