Is there anything better than playing for a coach that doesn’t just ask – no, he demands – that you be yourself on the court? It’s the ultimate for a player, whether it’s high school jayvee, college basketball, overseas or even at the very top in the NBA. This carefree attitude is especially important with young players (specifically point guards), many of whom don’t know how to run an offense, and don’t have the belief or confidence in themselves to command the ball and put people in the right positions. Rick Adelman knows this, and says he’ll allow his Spanish import, Ricky Rubio, to have all the freedom in the world this year. Read More »
Los Angeles, with its inhabiting hoop masses engulfed in all things Lakers and Blake Griffin, may not be the ideal fan surroundings for a die-hard Portland Trail Blazers supporter. But when you’re making the sort of moves – both on and off the court – that 33-year-old actor and basketball junkie Joel David Moore is making, L.A. is not so bad. Read More »
During a troubling time in the state’s sports scene, Arizona’s aficionados are comforted by the grace in his fadeaway jump shot, the unnatural ease by which he floats through the lane and the work ethic he puts on display hours before the US Airways Center is even near capacity. Steve Nash isn’t just a two-time MVP or a seven-time All-Star, he’s the face of not only a fading Phoenix Suns team, but of a city whose professional sports identity has withered away in recent years as iconic stars like Luis Gonzalez, Randy Johnson and Kurt Warner quietly walked away when their ticking clocks finally wound down.
But with Nash’s Suns falling further behind in the Western Conference standings (15-21), currently sitting in the uncomfortable position of 11th place, where does Suns owner Robert Sarver and Co. go from here? Perhaps Chris Webber was right: It may finally be time to “Free Steve Nash.” Read More »
Terry Porter was a very good NBA player and a decent coach, but unfortunately he’s struggling with this new interviewer gig. During last night’s Blazers/Heat game, Porter the sideline reporter spent a few minutes with Brian Grant in one of the Rose Garden luxury suites, stumbling and mumbling for a while before eventually asking Grant about how LaMarcus Aldridge has “transformated” his game into that of a legit post player.
Grant did a smooth job of finding the nicest possible way to say, “The whole NBA is softer than the top of a baby’s head compared to my era, so I guess Aldridge is ‘tough’ by today’s standards.” Read More »
The Phoenix Suns have rolled through three general managers, three coaches and a slew of All-Stars and talented role players since 2005. After the sale of the franchise from long-time sports owner Jerry Colangelo to businessman Robert Sarver, this question looms: How much time does a team under new ownership need to settle down?
Composing winning teams in the NBA means team ownership must pair talented players with adaptable coaches. But championship-caliber teams keep those pieces static. Retaining players and coaches requires that the ownership have patience and trust in everyone in the organization –- no panicking allowed. Read More »
When I was in Texas last week for Austin City Limits, I stayed with my buddy from college, Craig. Now as a fellow writer and hoops enthusiast, you can understand how excited he was to tell me that former NBA great Terry Porter was joining the basketball staff as a volunteer assistant coach at our alma mater Lewis & Clark College.
For me, this was going to be huge! Not only was it going to put my school on the map, but I was going to ride the wave to stardom. I immediately hit up the school to schedule an exclusive interview with Porter – Who can turn down an alum? – but all I got back in return was bad news. Read More »
As the NBA trading deadline approaches, no name has been thrown around more than Amar’e Stoudemire. An All-Star starter two years running and once thought to be the future of the Phoenix Suns, now it appears certain that if Amar’e isn’t traded this month, he’ll sign with another team in free agency this summer.
Back in Dime #52 (Oct. 2009), Amar’e talked about facing criticism, injuries, falling short of a championship, as well as the trade rumors that have followed him for the last year. Read More »
I’m hoping to go to my high school’s basketball scrimmage tomorrow and pull the same move that KG did in this vintage Nike commercial. Maybe it’s just me, but I did not remember Terry Porter being in this commercial. Hilarious.
You know how it goes when comparing one basketball player to another: Before too long, somebody plays the “What if” game, i.e. “What if Player X was on Player Y’s team,” or vice versa.
To clarify: Our NBA Fantasy Finals have nothing to do with the stat-driven “fantasy basketball” you play online. We’re taking NBA Finals teams throughout history and pitting them against each other to see what you think would happen. Assume both lineups are healthy, and the older team gets homecourt. Today it’s Reggie vs. Clyde in what sounds like the World Series of Dominoes, but really isn’t …Read More »
-->