Going into this season, I honestly didn’t see much in store for the Dallas Mavericks. When we were putting together Dime’s NBA season preview for issue #53, one of my write-ups left on the cutting room floor was titled, “Last Chance Workout,” focusing on the Mavs. And while my Dallas team preview on this site put their ceiling at Western Conference Finals, I was thinking their destination was closer to the basement: “Quiet first-round exit.” Read More »

Even though there was no NBA game action last night, there was tons of activity in the League. As we mentioned yesterday in Smack, while there were certainly some memorable plays in the tune-up games, this preseason will be known for two things: a lack of “real” NBA refs and injuries. Thankfully the former has been cleared up after the NBA reached an agreement with the referees, but unfortunately the latter seems to be an overwhelming reality for many of the League’s standout players … On the eve of the season opener, which includes a matchup between the Lakers and Clippers in a battle for Los Angeles (well, not really), it appears the Clippers will be without their superstar. Announced late last night, Blake Griffin may miss up to six weeks with a stress fracture of his left patella. Suffered during the Clippers’ last preseason game against the Hornets on Friday, this is horrible news for the No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year favorite … Read More »

When I heard this weekend that new Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis was mostly likely going to add Bill Laimbeer and Reggie Theus to his staff, this got me thinking: If there was a 3-on-3 tournament amongst the NBA’s current coaching staff, who would win? Read More »

In a Wednesday press conference to confirm that Michael Curry will be back coaching the Pistons next season, team president Joe Dumars admitted he hasn’t been patient in the past with Detroit’s coaches, something he needs to do with Curry.

“The fact that we made so many changes for a first-year coach, I had to step back and be a little more patient than I have been,” Dumars told reporters. “During the season I said to myself, ‘What affect is this having on him as a first-year coach.’ I tried to put myself in his shoes.” Read More »

Facing a must-win Game 2 on their home court, the Celtics were clicking for the most part. Ray Allen shook off his Game 1 stinker, Rajon Rondo was dominant in posting a triple-double, and Big Baby played the game of his life (26 pts, 9 rebs). Boston even neutralized Derrick Rose after he torched them in Game 1. They really would have been good money and won convincingly if it wasn’t for Ben Gordon … Read More »

What message did Rick Carlisle need to communicate to his team before facing off against the Timberwolves at home yesterday? With a one game edge on the eight-seed Jazz and the season finale coming up against the Rockets (Dallas is 1-2 vs. HOU this year), this was a must-win game, right? God knows nobody wants to draw the Lakers in round one.

But Carlisle’s crew didn’t put forth a top-notch effort last night. They blew a 13-point lead against the T-Wolves, only to pull out the win because of a boneheaded mistake by Sebastian Telfair. So should Carlisle have to explain his team’s shoddy effort for the vast majority of the night? Read More »