Cincinnati Basketball does not need this. After somehow bouncing back from THIS MESS last season, their image seemed to greatly improve as they made serious runs in the Big East Tournament and then the NCAA Tournament.

All of that progress could potentially be undone though if there is any truth to the latest accusation that Cincy ballplayers assaulted a nightclub bouncer on Saturday night after he asked them to leave a VIP section. Check out this local TV news report: Read More »

As broken down in Sunday’s Smack, the Sixers lost a hard fought Game 1 against the Celtics Saturday night. Although fingers can be pointed at Lou Williams for his poor shot selection and also at Doug Collins for his poor clock management and substitutions, the Sixers may have actually lost the game because their biggest fan was ejected in the first quarter. Read More »

The second round did not start well for Miami. The Pacers looked to be more game for an East semifinal than Miami, the team with the MVP (LeBron) who’d just accepted the award before the game from David Stern. The building was loud, even by TV — and South Beach — standards. But it was like Indiana came out with Bose headphones on, with Roy Hibbert (17 points) and David West (17 points, 12 boards) knocking out all the noise and knocking down all the shots in the early going. Well, every drama needs three acts, and the second, an abdominal injury to Chris Bosh, beget a third, where James and Dwyane Wade took over and stole Game 1 in the process. Read More »

It doesn’t take much to rile up the NBA’s version of Ghostface Killah, Kevin Garnett. After his first basket last night in Boston’s Game 6 win over the Hawks, he was already stringing together expletives, and using them in every way possible: as nouns, adjectives and probably even verbs. After the Old Ticket finished the night with 26 points and 14 rebounds, he led off his presser with a shot at Atlanta owner, Michael Gearon Jr. Read More »

So this Swizz Beatz video for “Street Knock” (featuring A$AP Rocky) dropped yesterday, and lo and behold, there is Allen Iverson. Now, I have zero problems with A.I. making a cameo in this video. What I 100 percent have an issue with is A.I. being reduced to the role of Hot Sauce: Read More »

For anyone who’s sat on the press side of a podium at a press conference, you know how rarely a notable moment comes out. Mostly you hope the player or coach isn’t completely devoid of anything quotable. The pure candor of a Russell Westbrook moment of this weekend doesn’t come along often, regardless if the media likes it or not. But today is a special day because it’s the decade anniversary of the best press conference. Ever. Read More »

In my 10+ years doing this, it still amazes me that more players don’t shut down reporters left and right for asking stupid, antagonistic questions, because it happens every day. I can’t tell you how many locker rooms, press conferences and media events that I have been to where some guy trying to get a rise out of a player just to get a headline will ask something ridiculous.

So, good for Russell Westbrook for not falling into a reporter’s trap during a press conference over the weekend. Read More »

What goes into being the best shooter on the planet? For Ray Allen, the obvious answer is “jumpers.” Lots of them. Every single day.

Yesterday, the Boston Celtics posted a video to their YouTube channel called “The Routine.” Shot by team photographer Brian Babineau, the short film gives you a little look into the kind of work Ray puts into that ratchet on a daily basis. Read More »

Yesterday, we debuted the first in a three-part interview series with the Knicks’ Tyson Chandler, where Tyson talks about his toughest NBA matchups (the insight into dealing with Tim Duncan is great).

In Part II, Chandler talks in detail about Kevin Garnett, Chandler’s post idol growing up, and about how KG, knowing his idol status, tried to kick Tyson’s ass when he came into the League: Read More »

Yes, the Knicks lost last night to the Miami Heat. Yes, they’re about to be swept out of the first round. Yes, they haven’t won a playoff game in more than 4,000 days (look it up). At least J.R. Smith will always have this: Read More »