These are strange times in the NBA. Strange times, indeed. We want to believe this whole fiasco revolving around the Chris Paul-to-the-L.A. Clippers trade is over. But we know, and y’all know, it isn’t. That’s what happens when a league is forced to trade one of its most visible and valuable assets. That’s what happens when there are accusations someone screwed around with the amnesty waiver process to make sure Chauncey Billups ended up a Clipper. That’s what happens when reporters ask a GM from Houston who thought he had a trade done last week, to comment on what exactly happened and the man backs off saying he isn’t allowed to speak on it. Read More »

No one can accuse Derrick Rose of lacking self-confidence. “Why can’t I be the MVP of the league,” Rose famously asked last September, before becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history last season. This year, he’s still not concerned with anybody else, and is now talking about bringing multiple championships to his hometown. Read More »

You’d think with an electric point guard and an authentic Aussie around, the Milwaukee Bucks would be a pretty exciting NBA team. Dig into the team’s statistics from last season and you’ll find otherwise. There isn’t much else in Milwaukee besides some middle-round value, and the most valuable fantasy player the Bucks have to offer is bogged down by serious physical limitations. Maybe Captain Jack can turn the ship around? Read More »

Professional athletes are involved in a cutthroat business. In a profession where people believe too much is guaranteed, so much is not. Marquis Daniels is one of the recent players who fell tragically to the “what have you done for me lately” mentality. In a routine regular season game in February, Daniels collided with the Magic’s Agent Zero and the famed parquee floor of the Boston Garden. After being rendered temporarily paralyzed, doctors told Marquis that he bruised his spinal cord and, on top of that, was suffering from spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal cord. Read More »

It’s been a long road for Michael Redd. From somebody to nobody to somebody to nobody to forgotten, the man once described as the missing link for Team USA may still have a few years left in him. Two devastating knee injuries have limited him to just 61 games the past three seasons, and have had the public wondering for close to two years whether they were career-ending. Now the man who twice averaged over 25 points a night just wants to get back in where he can, and hopefully win some games. Read More »

The media doesn’t often come to a consensus, but regarding this year’s NBA Draft class, there seems to be widespread agreement: it blows. From bloggers to radio show hosts to television pundits, everyone is saying this could be the weakest draft class in years.

“I tend to think that there’s so much media out there that there’s no way we’re going to think just one way,” says basketball analyst Jay Bilas. “Sometimes it pays to be contrarian in the media. [But] you just don’t hear the contrary view this year.” Read More »

Her name’s Amy and she’s just one year old. But yet the NBA’s Empire State Building says if he ever comes back, ever overcomes the foot/ankle problems that have crumbled his foundation, it’ll be his tiny daughter that’ll be the reason. Yao Ming wants his baby girl to see him play. He wants her to see more than YouTube videos and more of him in the flesh, playing like he did from 2003-09. She’s his motivation, his Shooter. Read More »

It’s crazy the difference a year can make. Last season, Brandon Jennings led the Bucks to the playoffs and a near first round upset of the Hawks. Averaging 15.5 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, I made the argument that he – not Tyreke Evans – deserved to win NBA Rookie of the Year. (Unfortunately it didn’t turn out that way.) But after last year’s run, all signs pointed towards Jennings being the fearless leader for a young Bucks squad for the foreseeable future. That may no longer be the case. Read More »

Since we know Steve Nash is starring in his own self-titled documentary, presumably on what it means to be Steve Nash, what other NBA players need their own movie? We’ve heard enough about LeBron and Kobe and Shaq and MJ and Magic and Bird. What about Matt Bonner and his penchant for living the wild life? How about an entire documentary dedicated to the life of James Harden‘s beard? Kendrick Perkins‘ scowl? These are the real stories, the stories that need to be told. Read More »

Daily Fantasy Diagnosis: 2.16

Beast of the Night: Channing Frye posted 31 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, one steal and hit six three-pointers last night. He shot 75 percent (12-16) from the field, 50 percent (1-2) from the free-throw line and had two turnovers. Through seven games in February, Frye is averaging 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.1 threes and 1.1 blocks per game. The rebounds and threes will come down a bit before the end of the month, but there’s no denying Frye’s turnaround from his struggles earlier this season.

Lines for Discussion: Read More »