The power forward position in the NBA is crazy. Think about it: Sometimes you have seven-footers playing PF while guys who are 6-9 play center. There’s no other position where 20-and-10 is the standard, and there’s no other position as deep and talented. Power forwards win MVPs and championships – it’s that simple. Malone. Barkley. McHale. Rodman. In the modern era, these guys redefined the game. And the scary thing is, the players carrying the torch today are doing everything they can to make us forget them. Read More »

When the NBA released its schedule for the 2011-12 season back in July, we all got excited. I mean, who wouldn’t? A new season means a fresh start before any true delusions of grandeur set in. “Believe me, the T-Wolves could go 82-0!” “Why wouldn’t the Magic trade us Dwight Howard for Theo Ratliff?!” “I bet Blake Griffin will dunk from out of bounds this season.” Although I can’t tell you exactly who said these things, just know that they’ve all been said. Somewhere. But until a new collective bargaining agreement is in place, these conversations won’t be happening near an NBA area any time soon. Read More »

Despite the fact that Yao Ming is gone from the NBA, the Houston Rockets will be virtually unchanged next season – assuming they can re-sign its only free agent (Chuck Hayes) when the NBA resumes. New head coach Kevin McHale shouldn’t really hinder the production of these players, who formed a surprisingly effective offensive machine in 2010-11. With a potent backcourt, a blossoming swingman and some intriguing fill-ins, the Rockets have more than their share of fantasy appeal for the next NBA season. Read More »

There’s little doubt you heard Derek Fisher advising players to get ready for the season. Fisher is denying that he sent texts to players reminding them to stay in shape because a resolution was working itself together, but it got many fans in a tizzy. We honestly won’t believe it until we’re watching games on opening night. Negotiations have a funny way of going sour right when everything seemed all good. Either way, we’d love to see the season start soon since fall is fast approaching. Just give us something more official than vague texts, tweets and quotes … Minnesota might finally have a coach. Yesterday afternoon, Kevin Love tweeted out: Houston, we have a coach. Then later into the night, it was confirmed that Rick Adelman has agreed in principle to coach the T’Wolves. This is huge for them. Read More »

Jason Terry is one of the more personable guys in the whole league, and always an excellent interview. As long as he’ll be around the game, he’ll be a magnet for media. But what about his peers? Do they love him as much as we do? Apparently so. The JET is hosting a “Championship Birthday” celebration for himself next week when he turns 34. There will be entertainers and ballplayers there, mingling about for $40 ($30 if you’re a groupie). But somehow Lil’ Kim will be there, Jadakiss will be there and so will Gorilla Zoe. We thought this was a championship party? Read More »

Right after the Rockets hired Kevin McHale as their new head coach, he made one thing clear: Houston had to get big. So with the corpse of Yao Ming coming off the books this summer, they started by acquiring Donatas Motiejunas (7-0), Marcus Morris (6-9) and Chandler Parsons (6-9) on Draft Night to pair with Luis Scola (6-9) in the frontcourt. But apparently that was only just the start. They want Andris Biedrins. Read More »

While most of the trade chatter out of Memphis has centered around Zach Randolph and O.J. Mayo, apparently there is only one player Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is looking to deal: Hasheem Thabeet. According to Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the trade would bring Shane Battier back to the Grizzlies in exchange for Thabeet. But apparently it’s not that simple: Read More »

Beast of the Night: Josh Smith gave his owners some love on Valentine’s Day with a line of 27 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals and one three-pointer. He shot 65 percent (11-17) from the floor, 100 percent (4-4) from the free-throw line and had five turnovers. Smith is averaging season-high marks in his shooting from the field, scoring, rebounding and steals so far in February. He’s also shooting free throws a lot better lately. Read More »

Losing was the theme of the day in the NBA. In Denver, Carmelo Anthony turned in his best effort of the season, but just as you’d expect in this strange trip for the Nuggets, his team still lost the game at home to a Lottery-bound opponent … On his way to dropping 50 points (16-24 FG, 16-18 FT) on the Rockets, Carmelo treated Shane Battier like an assistant coach in a practice drill, and when Houston tried to mix it up, ‘Melo made Chuck Hayes look like Chuck E. Cheese. ‘Melo added 11 rebounds and 3 blocks … But somehow it still wasn’t enough. Read More »

While a slew of buckets from their two All-Stars helped, at the end of the day, it was the Lakers’ defense that allowed them to pick up a big road win against the best defensive team in the West and quiet some of that “What’s wrong with L.A.?” talk for at least a weekend … Kobe Bryant and Co. went into last night’s game at New Orleans needing a statement win against a good team. Read More »