The New Jersey Nets are making a run at the wrong side of history. After starting 0-12, Lawrence Frank’s squad is inching closer to tying the ‘88-89 Heat and ‘98-99 Clippers for the worst start in NBA history. No doubt about it, the Nets are horrible. They have been playing without star Devin Harris, who has been out with a groin injury since Oct. 30, and have been forced to rely on a roster filled with young players. While more losses are definitely in the cards for this Nets team, the question remains will they go 0-18? We took a look at their upcoming schedule to find out. Read More »
With most of their guys back healthy from the flu and various other injuries, the Cavs smashed the Mavs by 30 last night at the University of Pittsburgh gym. (Since when do Cleveland teams get love in Pittsburgh?) Mo Williams had 16 points and 11 assists, LeBron put up 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting and seven dimes, and Big Z scored 16 off the bench … Dallas was the team playing short-handed, as Dirk, J-Kidd and Jason Terry were given the night off, and Josh Howard and Shawn Marion are still banged up. So the starting five looked like this: J.J. Barea, Matt Carroll, Quinton Ross, Drew Gooden and Erick Dampier. Pretty sure the Pitt Panthers squad would be able to give that lineup at least a decent run. Hell, put Sam Young and DeJuan Blair back on the squad and they might pull off a W … Read More »
The NBA preseason is underway, meaning it’s time again for Dime’s team-by-team season previews. Last year we debuted the “Highs and Lows” system — predicting the respective ceilings and basements for each team. In other words, what is the realistic best-case and worst-case scenario for the 2009-10 campaign?
Added:Jordan Hill, Darko Milicic, Toney Douglas, Gabe PruittRead More »
The Knicks rolled out what might be the worst NBA starting lineup you’ll see all year (Chris Duhon, Larry Hughes, Jared Jeffries, Al Harrington, David Lee), but they still managed to beat the Nets in yesterday’s preseason opener for both teams because, frankly, the Nets also have high potential to stink. Harrington led NY with 23 points, Lee had 20 and nine boards, and Wilson Chandler came off the bench for 21 points. Chandler is expected to take over that starting SG spot soon enough, but he’s been a little banged up in training camp … Nate Robinson was curiously quiet, coming off the bench for 17 minutes and scoring six points. Read More »
On Friday, we broke the story that Stephen Jackson wanted out of the Bay. After missing the postseason for two straight years, Captain Jack expressed his desire to leave the Warriors and catch on with a playoff team. He listed five teams he’d want to suit up for in ‘09-10: the Mavericks, Cavs, Spurs, Rockets and the Knicks.
Thank Oscar that the program directors at NBA TV decided to start showing some of the best games from the ‘08-09 season in neat little one-hour increments this week, otherwise the general inactivity these days would draw a basketball fan stir crazy … The NBA free agent landscape is like combing through the used CD rack at a store that’s already been raided by the broke college students: There’s still some interesting, slightly attractive product, but nothing too great. Case in point: The most intense “bidding war” lately has been over C.J. Watson — a second or third-string PG on most teams — and that just ended since the Magic pulled out of negotiations and it’s looking like C.J. is headed back to the Warriors … Meanwhile, David Lee is the biggest name left on the board that anybody seems to want (sorry, A.I.). Read More »
During the Redeem Team’s run to gold, LeBron emerged as Team USA’s ring leader. From an outsider’s perspective, he, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Carmelo and Dwyane Wade seemed like the closest clique.
The Grizzlies have a golden opportunity this summer. With more cap space than 90% of the League and three draft picks (two in the first round), Memphis could turn their young, promising roster into something much more if they make the right moves. With the economy adversely affecting a lot of teams - making everyone wary of taking on new money, Memphis could seize this opportunity to get a big-time talent in exchange for a package of picks.
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