Remember the guy in the “Quitness” video who accused LeBron James of waiting “until the last week of free agency” to make his Decision — when the truth was LBJ actually ended his process the first day he could legally sign a contract?

That guy must hate Carmelo Anthony right now. While the basketball world waits for ‘Melo to either get traded or stay in Denver for the rest of the season, the drawn-out process is visibly affecting the rest of the League. Read More »

Apparently karma is is a b**** who gets you every time, even when you’re merely basking (publicly) in the misfortune of those who originally wished misfortune on you. The day after LeBron sent the tweet heard ’round the world, his Miami Heat found themselves doing a pretty good impersonation of the Cleveland Cavaliers — allowing the lowly L.A. Clippers to drop 44 points in the first quarter while shooting over 70 percent from the floor — on their way to a rare loss … Without Dwyane Wade (31 points), Miami might have been down 30 at the half. Read More »

Just when you thought Carmelo Anthony should start looking for property, elementary schools and good barbers in New Jersey, the Houston Rockets have re-entered the discussion as a potential destination for ‘Melo in the seemingly inevitable trade from Denver.

Yesterday morning, several reports made it appear to be a lock ‘Melo was headed to the Nets — who, along with the Nuggets and Pistons, just had to work out some minor details of a proposed three-way trade that also involved Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and maybe or maybe not Al Harrington, among others. Read More »

Maybe it was because the tease of Kevin Garnett’s return from injury turned out to be just a tease. Maybe it was because Kevin Martin (wrist) sat out as a late scratch. Maybe it was because Marquis Daniels (19 pts) led Boston in scoring and Jordan Hill played starter’s minutes for Houston. Or maybe it was because the BCS National Championship Game made it so nobody was really thinking about the NBA last night. Whatever the reason, Rockets/Celtics felt like a preseason game, and the C’s appeared appropriately disinterested … Read More »

Even the richest man in the world wants something else. And when an opportunity like Christmas pops up on the calendar, that rich man isn’t shy about asking. And if that rich man has an influential role in running an NBA franchise, now is the time to turn those requests into results.

As the season reaches the two-month mark, the haves are distancing themselves from the have-nots, and yet all of them need something. Here are five NBA teams whose wish lists to Santa Claus have been revealed: Read More »

Don’t be surprised when, before the February trade deadline, Miami and Orlando are attached to trade rumors involving guys like Jodie Meeks and Lou Williams. Don’t be alarmed when Erik Spoelstra and Stan Van Gundy begin consulting Doug Collins like he’s Robert Duvall in The Godfather, or when Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard suddenly sidle up to Andre Iguodala like he’s their new best friend. The reason? Apparently the Sixers have the secret to keeping the Celtics in check. Read More »

We know everybody is trying to push this renewed Celtics/Knicks rivalry (or whatever Paul Pierce wants to call it), and we appreciate NBA TV giving us some 1985 Celtics/Knicks action during the workday yesterday. But what’s up with Pistons/Hawks? There has to be something in the archives with Isiah, Dumars, Dominique, Spud, Rodman and Kevin Willis. Matter of fact, we wouldn’t mind some 1997 Grant Hill vs. Mookie Blaylock re-runs … Last night’s Hawks/Pistons game had plenty throwback appeal. Read More »

One of the best-kept secrets of this young NBA season: Wizards games are sneaky exciting. Actually, forget that: Washington is lunge-forward-in-your-chair WOW sometimes — in part because they have explosive athletes on their roster, and because their “defense” allows the opponents to shine. Last night was a good example, as the Wizards made a predictable road loss to the Lakers entertaining when it had no business being that. The first half was highlight-overload, as Lamar Odom (24 points) finished plays with multiple facials while Kobe Bryant (32 points) knifed into the lane for buckets. Read More »

Ranking the NBA from worst to first…

30. Sacramento Kings (4-14) Last week — Lost to Indiana, lost at L.A. Lakers, lost to Dallas It’s not exactly ideal when, during the last two minutes of a close game against one of the NBA’s elite teams, your announcer says something like “Beno Udrih wants the basketball,” and it’s supposed to be a reason for optimism. The losing streak is at seven. Read More »

The Spurs have worn a lot of labels over the years, but we can’t recall a time — even during the Stephen Jackson era — when “explosive” was one of them. Going into last night’s game against New Orleans with the 4th-highest scoring offense in the League, the Spurs went HAM on the Hornets in a 25-point rout that was as good a show of offensive execution as you’ll see this NBA season. Tony Parker (19 pts, 6 asts) was able to turn the corner on Chris Paul and set up floaters for himself and open looks for shooters like Richard Jefferson and Matt Bonner, as six Spurs hit for double-figures, and surprisingly Manu Ginobili wasn’t one of them. Midway through the second quarter, San Antonio was making 75 percent of their field goals while putting N.O. to bed before halftime … Read More »