First-time nominees for the 2013 Hall of Fame were revealed today by NBA.com, a list that includes just one big name but many more, lower-profile influencers on the game as it’s played today. Gary Payton is the headliner on this ballot, though this is just one step to join the Hall, whose results will be revealed at the NCAA Final Four in April. Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Trail Blazers founder Harry Glickman, longtime coach Del Harris and Vlade Divac, among others, are some of the nominees. Read More »

Nearly 30 years ago, Michael Jordan came back too soon from the only major injury of his career, and even today, Bulls’ chairman Jerry Reinsdorf counts his fortunes every night before he goes to sleep. Okay, he probably doesn’t do that. The man has buckets of money. He sleeps fine at night. But he still says the team listened too much to Michael about his body, and ended up taking a risk by bringing him back before the doctors said he was ready. Jordan had missed 64 games with a broken left foot before coming back to finish the season. The ruthless assassin in him told everyone he was indestructible, and could play even when a few doctors weren’t so sure. Read More »

While Phil Jackson is still trying to figure out Phoenix’s zone defense in time for Game 5 tonight, his name is being circulated wildly in coaching rumors. The Bulls, Nets, and Cavs have all either (allegedly) reached out to Jackson or put him on their coaching wish-list. Jackson’s contract with the Lakers is up after the season, and the Lakers have made it known that they want Phil to take a paycut from his $12 million salary. With a possible paycut looming, Phil could land elsewhere this summer, and any team looking to sign LeBron needs to scoop him up. Read More »