Just when you began to wonder if Kevin Durant was getting too much hype this summer, he went out and proved he’s worth every bit of it. After dropping 33 points on Russia to lead Team USA to the World Championship semifinals, yesterday KD went off again on Lithuania, hanging 38 points (14-25 FG, 5 threes) and 9 boards on the previously-undefeated squad to lift the U.S. to the gold-medal game with another double-digit W … Durant (who wrote 9/11 messages on his shoes) was on fire early and carried the U.S. offense throughout. Read More »

As millions across the globe tune in to the season finale tonight, the Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes for a 16th championship will rest largely on the shoulders of Spanish center Pau Gasol. The 7-footer, who has dominated the Boston Celtics’ frontcourt to the tune of 18.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, is representative of a gradual change in the NBA. The intense skepticism that formerly accompanied each and every foreign selection has begun to fade, with increasing success enjoyed by many recent imports. But as David Stern’s tentacles continue their surge across the globe, resulting in countless preseason camps held overseas, an influx of European sharpshooters, and even the newest issue of Dime China that just hit the office, there remains one team seemingly impervious to the stretching of the League’s global boundaries: the Boston Celtics. Read More »