After another subpar shooting start in tonight’s Game 2, Carmelo Anthony exploded in the second half, finishing with 32 points on 50 percent shooting. He also delivered perhaps his best dunk of the playoffs: a mean, two-handed facial in Jeff Pendergraph‘s mug. The backup Indiana big took the hit, fouled ‘Melo and still ended up on his ass. Check out the lady in the stands beside Patrick Ewing handing out a serious dunk face. Read More »

We feel like we’re at a basketball buffet this time of year. Between conference tournaments and early NBA games, we could easily have our fill by 7 p.m., and yet there we go, back for seconds and thirds as the night goes on. Given that many choices it truly means something when a game can hold our attention and Miami’s 21st win in a row, 107-94 over Milwaukee, kept us zoned in. Read More »

For you, Monday was either the day before the start of the NBA season, or just the start of another long work week. But for every fringe guy in the League fighting for a job, Monday was Cut Day … The axe fell on Magnum Rolle (Pacers), Marqus Blakely (Clippers), Chris Quinn (76ers), Brian Skinner (Bucks) and his Stupid Beard (Bucks), and Patrick Beverley (Heat), to name a few. But the coldest cut of all was the Blazers getting rid of Jeff Pendergraph. Read More »

Don’t look now, but it’s happening again. Last season, the Portland Trail Blazers were about as injury-plagued as any NBA team could get. Their ideal starting five — Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden — averaged just 56 games played apiece over the 82-game schedule, bolstered in large part by Miller somehow staying upright for the entire season. Not to mention the Blazers also saw key reserves Joel Przybilla and Travis Outlaw suffer significant injuries, and it seemed coach Nate McMillan was rolling out patchwork lineups every night. Read More »

At the start of the season, there was no question that the Blazers had the most post depth in the League. But then the injuries hit. First Greg Oden fractured the patella in his left knee, and then Joel Przybilla ruptured his right patella tendon. As both of these happened in December, Portland hoped that 2010 would bring them some good news. But after going 5-5 in their last 10 games, and Utah jumping them in the Northwest Conference standings, it’s time to make a move. Read More »

Working at Dime Magazine, a ton of headlines, news and opinions pass through our website each week. Everyday a new story breaks and we change our focus to the next game on the schedule. Before this week gets started, I’ll take the time to reflect on what the NBA taught me last week. Read More »