Beast of the Night: Elton Brand finally emerged and put up 19 points, 11 boards, 2 assists, 3 steals, 6 blocks and just 1 turnover while shooting 47 percent (8-17) from the field and 75 percent (3-4) from the line. This was vintage Brand and owners who have remained patient or bought low on him have to be giggling with joy right now. He’s not out of the woods just yet, but things look are looking way up for Brand and his owners today. Read More »

They fetched donuts, they rode the pine at times and they got their feet wet. Now members of last year’s rookie class are ready to contribute. Of course we know that this year, Derrick Rose will continue his rise to that Deron Williams/Chris Paul point guard status and O.J. Mayo will build on his sensational rookie campaign. But there are several sophomores who have flown under the radar that you might need to start keeping tabs on. Here’s my five. Read More »

Last year we debuted the “Highs and Lows” system — previewing the NBA season by predicting the respective ceiling and basement for each team. Same theme, different season…

Added: Blake Griffin, Rasual Butler, Sebastian Telfair, Craig Smith, Kareem Rush

Lost: Zach Randolph, Mike Taylor, Fred Jones, Paul Davis Read More »

Unless your name is Monta Ellis, everybody comes to media day with a positive outlook. All the players and coaches say all the right things and deny any issues may lie beneath the surface. And that’s how it was yesterday between Baron Davis and Mike Dunleavy at the Clippers’ media day. Last year, the two had several mini falling outs - stemming on their disagreements on what offense to run. It was no secret Davis wanted Dunleavy out. Read More »

He can’t shoot a free throw worth a damn (38.5 percent), but the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan can wreck shop in the paint. The 21-year-old center has some big moments as a rookie last year. In a game against the Lakers back in January, Jordan exploded for 23 points and 12 rebounds. A few nights later versus the Lakers he collected 20 boards. In just 14.5 minutes, the big man out of Texas A&M averaged 4.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 1.1 bpg.

As Marcus Camby reaching near the end of his career, coach Mike Dunleavy is counting on Jordan to continue to develop this season. We caught up with DeAndre over the phone yesterday as he finished his workout at the Clippers’ practice facility. Read More »

There is something about second round players that I just really like. Maybe it’s because they come into the league hungry and with a big chip on their shoulder for being overlooked. Most play with a sense of urgency because unlike the Draft’s first thirty, there is no guaranteed paper. Last year, second rounders like Luc Mbah a Moute, Mario Chalmers and DeAndre Jordan made some noise. Here are five late round rookies who are going to GMs pay for passing on them. Read More »

Yesterday, I wrote a post about the Nets and how they had one of the best young cores in the league. It got me thinking about all the other top young teams, so I decided to rank them. I know “young core” is kind of a vague term that technically could include CP and the Hornets, the Jazz and the Magic. So I set up a couple of parameters.

By young core, I mean players who have not accomplished much yet in their young NBA careers and are still paying dues. I’m talking about players and teams that are not quite ready to contribute anything big this upcoming season, but will be right there in the mix two or three years down the line. All of these players are relatively young, have no more than three years in the league and have not been all-stars or major contributors in the playoffs. Read More »

Just about every year, the first day of NBA free agency is headlined by stories of team executives calling players (or their agents) — and sometimes showing up at their front door — at 12:01 a.m. in an effort to get first crack at the guys they feel will get them where they want to go. Last year it was Elton Brand and Baron Davis getting the rocks-at-the-bedroom-window treatment; the year before it was Rashard Lewis and Mo Williams.

This year? Chalk it up to the slumping U.S. economy, or everyone looking ahead to 2010 (when LeBron, D-Wade, Bosh, Amar’e, etc., could be available), but there doesn’t seem to be any “Gotta get him!” free agents out there. Read More »