Shaq. Shaqfu. Shaqtus. The Big Shamrock. Shaq-deezy. The Diesel. Superman. And of course, Kazaam. Shaquille O’Neal retired today after 19 seasons, the Big Shamrock himself finally calling it quits via the new social media platform Tout (never heard of it) – leaving us with one of, if not the most dominant, big man careers of all-time. Forgot what Shaq was before he started looking like a “before” picture from a Nutrisystem commercial? We’re talking four rings, fifth all-time in scoring, three Finals MVPs, a 58% career field-goal percentage, one MVP, Rookie of the Year, thirteen 20 and 10 seasons, and one famous late-night club freestyle where he requested his favorite former teammate share how his “ass tastes.” Read More »

Dirk Nowitzki‘s scalding destruction of the Thunder last night was one of the best shooting performances in NBA history. It was so good, Dirk had people suddenly vaulting him into the discussion with the best players ever. While Nowitzki will ultimately be considered one of the 20 best players in the game’s history, he needs a capper. He needs that ring. That way when he walks into a room, Barkley and Malone and Reggie all have to shut up. Amazing right? Read More »

Jason Kidd is the NBA’s ultimate chameleon. It’s been 17 years and he’s still reinventing himself. He’s gone from a suped-up jet called “Ason” to the league’s most dangerous and valuable guard to a three-point shooting, shut-‘em-down-defensively old vet. Malcontent to team leader to grandpa. From Dallas to Phoenix to New Jersey and back again to Dallas. Full circle. Read More »

Daaaaaaamn. That’s all a fourth grader could say. And it wasn’t even like I actually spoke the words either; my nine-year-old cheeks would’ve gotten smacked if I had. I was young, but I wasn’t stupid. Still, I knew special when I saw it. Allegany Community College. Cumberland, Maryland. Steve Francis was ill even before the NBA, even before Maryland. Back then, in case you forgot, The Franchise was just beginning his takeover. Read More »

Everyone is looking up at someone; there is always a standard set before you that you strive for in everything. Artists want to make the next Mona Lisa, politicians want to be the next JFK and point guards strive to be the next Magic Johnson.

A friendly debate sparked one day over who was the better all-time point guard, Jason Kidd or Gary Payton. Not a conventional argument, as most do not see Payton with the likes of John Stockton, Oscar Robertson or Magic, but the debate got so intense (me for Kidd, my buddy for Payton) that I had to look into it. After a few hours of digging, that turned into a few days of research and data collecting, there is a legit debate. Read More »

A little piece of Utah died today. The announcement that Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is resigning after 22 and a half seasons with the team came as a shock to those outside of the organization and marks the end of an era for the NBA. We will likely never see a coach who sticks around with one team as long as Sloan, not to mention one who defines his team’s identity as much as Sloan.

When Sloan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, Dime reader and Jazz fan/blogger Amar penned this piece on the legacy of a true pro’s pro: Read More »

On his way to four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs and two league MVPs, Tim Duncan has become fairly adept at good timing. He’s the 7-footer who steps out and hits a three-pointer when his team needs a trey. He’s the alleged slowpoke who darts across the lane like a jaguar and blocks a shot when his team needs a stop. He’s the star who plays his best in the biggest games — like posting 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks in a decisive Game Six of the NBA Finals. Read More »

The Utah Jazz are struggling. Last night’s 29-point loss to the Lakers was the team’s 5th straight defeat, and while Deron Williams and Co. are still only a game and a half behind the Thunder in the Northwest Division, they have dropped to 6th place in the Western Conference.

Utah could use a little help going into tonight’s tip-off with the West-leading Spurs (ESPN, 9:30 p.m. EST). Last time I looked, Karl Malone and John Stockton are both in pretty good shape and wouldn’t need to re-learn the playbook, but Jerry Sloan will probably explore some other options first.

If you’ve ever met Rajon Rondo, then you know why some people misconstrue his confidence for cockiness. But when he told that he was the best point guard in the NBA for the cover story of Dime #56, I knew he wasn’t kidding around. Now, Rondo is talking about the impossible, telling Chris Tomasson of NBA FanHouse that he can average 20 assists per game this season. Read More »

Who do you want your offense to run through with the game on the line? Counting down from 30th to 1st (one per team), I’ve ranked the League’s go-to guys…

DERRICK ROSE, Chicago Bulls The end of the era was about four years ago. The funeral was held over the past week.

Once upon a time, “score-first” point guards ran the NBA. At a time when quickness became more coveted than size, and the influences of Michael Jordan (long-term) and the AND 1 Mix Tape style (short-term) took hold, men like Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, Stephon Marbury and Baron Davis thrived. Read More »