Tag Archives: basketball
Getty Images
This video, uploaded to YouTube by “antisocial215,” uses clips of Spurs and Thunder swingmen Manu Ginobili and James Harden to show just how similar their beautiful games are — both are left-handed, deceptively athletic, good shooters and ball-handlers, and both use their superior basketball IQ and on-court grace to do some absolutely gorgeous things on the basketball court. Bask in the glory of this video, and get even more excited for the Western Conference Finals.
AP
Here is our daily look around the NBA — links to stories worth reading and notes to check out (stuff that did not get its own post here at PBT) — done in bullet point form. Because bloggers love bullet points.
• LeBron James and Kobe Bryant made Forbe’s list of the World’s most powerful celebrities. Of course, they are no J-Lo.
• Steve Nash is dominating and craft in the business boardroom, too.
• Walter McCarty, the former Kentucky star who played and coach in the NBA, is now focused on his music.
• McCarty needs to hook up with Warriors’ vice president and general counsel David Kelly, better known as hip hop artist Cap D.
• Still bitter? Former Laker Jordan Farmar tweeted he would have made that last-second shot Steve Blake missed Wednesday night. So would Jamaal Wilkes, it matters about as much.
• Dallas coach Rick Carlisle says the goal this summer is to make Dirk Nowitzki Dallas’ second best player.
• Is Mike Budenholzer the best and most overlooked lead assistant in the league? A guy who should be getting more job interviews than he does? I agree with Ziller here — yes. If you’ve been Gregg Popovich’s right hand for years, you deserve a shot in the big chair.
• USA Basketball head honcho Jerry Colangelo reminds Mark Cuban and the rest of the NBA owners that Team USA in the Olympics has been a big part of the international growth of the league — meaning it’s put a lot of money in their pockets. So stop complaining.
• C.J. Watson just had surgery on both of his feet to relieve his plantar fasciitis. That man played through a lot of pain.
• Al Harrington had knee surgery this week.
• Andrei Kirilenko apparently hurt his ankle during the Russian League finals, we don’t think it’s severe but details from Russia are few.
• CSKA Moscow was upset in a dramatic EuroLeague final by Olympiacos Piraeus. In a classy move, the owners of CSKA sent a letter the next day to Olympiacos congratulating them. I’m guessing Micky Arison didn’t do that for Mark Cuban last year.
The Miami Heat are just one road loss away from facing a Game 7 in the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs, but they sure did look like a championship team on Tuesday night, when they absolutely dominated the Indiana Pacers en route to a 115-83 win.
There’s really only one way to describe this game: everything went exactly right for the Heat. The Heat haven’t been getting much help from their supporting cast or been able to implement their “Pace and Space” offense throughout this series, but they got contributions from all of their rotation players, made their threes, got out on the break, played great defense, and got great performances from both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade while playing suffocating defense. This is the Miami Heat team that we all imagined when LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade announced that they were joining forces. This is the team that looked like an absolute juggernaut. Even though the Heat have a long way to go before they get out of this series, let alone get to the Finals, but on Tuesday night the Heat looked like they can beat either the Spurs or the Thunder.
Let’s go through it: The game started off with the slumping Shane Battier hitting a few wide-open threes, which was the best possible thing that could have happened for them. Battier was in full “No-Stats All-Star” mode on Tuesday, making 4 of his 5 three-point attempts and playing great defense on David West, which allowed the Heat to effectively mitigate the loss of Chris Bosh for at least one night.
LeBron James was in MVP mode once again — he had every aspect of his game working, and finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists on 12-19 shooting from the field. He made outside shots, he worked in the post, he punished the Pacers on the fast-break, he made pinpoint passes, and he crashed the boards hard on both ends. He also made what could be the best pass of the playoffs when he grabbed an outlet pass one-handed, and, while falling out of bounds, hit Wade with an absolute laser beam pass right on the numbers for an easy fast-break dunk.
Dwyane Wade was in rare form as well — he slithered to the basket at will, made some impossible shots around the basket, and even mixed in some outside shots.
There are times when it looks like the offensively challenged Joel Anthony looks like a waste of a roster spot for the Heat, let alone deserving of the 5-year contract they gave him, and there are times when Anthony looks like one of the best bargains in basketball. Tuesday night was an instance of the latter. Anthony showed and recovered brilliantly on pick-and-rolls, kept the Pacers from getting the ball to their bigs in good positions, got 4 blocks, and even made 3 of his 4 shots from the field.
Udonis Haslem has his mid-range shot working again, and gave the Heat great energy, but was a source of controversy after the game. In the 1st half, Haslem delivered an extremely hard foul on Tyler Hansborough shortly after “Psycho T” was called for a Flagrant-1 foul on Dwyane Wade. Haslem was called for a Flagrant-1 foul and was not ejected, but if his foul on Hansborough wasn’t a Flagrant-2, then I’ve frankly never seen a Flagrant-2 foul in my life, and there may be a possibility that Haslem will be suspended for Game 6.
It was a physical game all-around — Dexter Pittman will almost certainly be suspended for a brutal elbow on the Pacers’ Lance Stephenson in the waning moments of the game, and Danny Granger missed most of the 2nd half after he twisted his ankle after landing on LeBron James’ foot after launching a jump shot. (Some Pacer fans may say that LeBron pulled a “Bowen” on Granger to cause the injury, but it certainly looked unintentional to me — if LeBron slipped his foot under Granger’s foot intentionally, he’s the league’s best actor as well as its best player.)
The Heat shot 61% while holding the Pacers to 34% shooting from the field — the Pacers kept themselves in the game early by making some long jumpers, but they were never able to establish their big men against the Heat’s swarming defense, and the offense fell apart completely after Granger had to go to the trainer’s room.
One game can change everything in the playoffs, and the Heat aren’t done with the Pacers yet, and there are no such thing as “statement games” in the playoffs. Still, this was a darn impressive performance from the Heat, and the Pacers definitely need to find some answers before Game 6.
Getty Images
UPDATE #3 9:45 PM: Oklahoma City Police have made an arrest in the case. From the AP:
Police say Rodney Hill was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon, but no other details have been released. Capt. Dexter Nelson says the shooting didn’t appear connected to the playoff game, which Oklahoma City won to advance to the NBA Western Conference finals.
Basically, it looks like a fight outside a bar escalated and there just happened to be thousands of people around exiting a game. It had nothing to do with the team. Still the Thunder will be under pressure to step up security for future games.
UPDATE #2 5:13 PM: Oklahoma City Police are now saying that the shooting was not related to the Thunder game at all. From the Associated Press:
Police Capt. Dexter Nelson said Tuesday that there have been no arrests in the Monday night shooting. Nelson says witnesses reported seeing a group of females in an altercation with a group of males just before the shooting about 11:30 p.m. Monday.
Men and women fighting? I thought that only happened in New York?
Obviously (even before this report) this was not on the Thunder, this was on people who look for trouble and used this as an excuse. Sadly, it happens everywhere (see: soccer hooligans). That said, the Thunder said they would work with police to up their security for future games, including Thunder Alley where games are shown outside the arena.
UPDATE 8:45 AM: The final tally was eight people injured — seven of them shot and one person was critically wounded, plus a pregnant woman was punched in the abdomen — according to the Oklahoman. There have been no arrests in the case. Yet.
The incident took place just a few blocks from the arena where the game was played. Police estimate there were about 5,000 people in the area when the shooting took place. The area is where a lot of people park or go out after the games. There have been growing crowds — in addition to the packed building about 5,000 people watched the game on a big screen outside the arena, an area called Thunder Alley. The shootings did not take place in the arena or Thunder Alley but did involve the crowd from the game.
It’s unfortunate this kind of thing happens, but it’s not unprecedented. For example, the Lakers used to show playoff games on a projection outside Staples Center when it first opened more than a decade ago (the Shaq/Kobe Lakers era) but stopped after fan violence following a win.
2:27 am: Multiple people have been wounded by gunfire near the Thunder’s arena in downtown Oklahoma City in the wake of the Thunder win over the Los Angeles Lakers. A win that sent them to the Western Conference Finals.
From the Oklahoman:
Multiple people were shot downtown shortly after the Thunder game let out Monday night, police said….
One person was shot in the back, another in the upper arm and a third in the hand, according to police radio traffic. Victims are still turning up to hospitals. The victims’ conditions are not yet known.
Two suspected shooters are in custody at the Bricktown Harkins Theater, Oklahoma City police Capt. Lisa Camacho said.
We don’t have a lot of details yet, we don’t know about the suspects or their motives. That said, there no excuse. It grows frustrating to see every time a team wins — hockey in Vancouver, college basketball in Lexington and the list goes on around the world — there seems to have to be violence afterwards.
PBT will update this as we get more information.
Reuters
We told you already — via our man Matt Steinmetz at CSNBayArea.com — who would be on the USA Select team. But now it is official, USA Basketball announced it Monday.
The USA Select team are the guys brought in to scrimmage and practice against the Team USA Squad going to London this year for the Olympics. The guys invited to the Select Team are the guys team USA is looking at for future Olympics.
Here is the team:
DeMarcus Cousins — Kings
Jeremy Lin — Knicks
Klay Thompson — Warriors
Kyrie Irving — Cavaliers
John Wall — Wizards
DeMar DeRozan — Toronto
Paul George — Pacers
Gordon Hayward — Jazz
Kawhi Leonard — Spurs
DeJuan Blair — Spurs
Ryan Anderson — Magic
Taj Gibson — Bulls
Derrick Favors — Jazz
Getty Images
UPDATE 8:45 AM: The final tally was eight people injured — seven of them shot and one person was critically wounded, plus a pregnant woman was punched in the abdomen — according to the Oklahoman. There have been no arrests in the case. Yet.
The incident took place just a few blocks from the arena where the game was played. Police estimate there were about 5,000 people in the area when the shooting took place. The area is where a lot of people park or go out after the games. There have been growing crowds — in addition to the packed building about 5,000 people watched the game on a big screen outside the arena, an area called Thunder Alley. The shootings did not take place in the arena or Thunder Alley but did involve the crowd from the game.
It’s unfortunate this kind of thing happens, but it’s not unprecedented. For example, the Lakers used to show playoff games on a projection outside Staples Center when it first opened more than a decade ago (the Shaq/Kobe Lakers era) but stopped after fan violence following a win.
2:27 am: Multiple people have been wounded by gunfire near the Thunder’s arena in downtown Oklahoma City in the wake of the Thunder win over the Los Angeles Lakers. A win that sent them to the Western Conference Finals.
From the Oklahoman:
Multiple people were shot downtown shortly after the Thunder game let out Monday night, police said….
One person was shot in the back, another in the upper arm and a third in the hand, according to police radio traffic. Victims are still turning up to hospitals. The victims’ conditions are not yet known.
Two suspected shooters are in custody at the Bricktown Harkins Theater, Oklahoma City police Capt. Lisa Camacho said.
We don’t have a lot of details yet, we don’t know about the suspects or their motives. That said, there no excuse. It grows frustrating to see every time a team wins — hockey in Vancouver, college basketball in Lexington and the list goes on around the world — there seems to have to be violence afterwards.
PBT will update this as we get more information.
Reuters
J.R. Smith has choices to make, and like most NBA players the decision will really be about the money. He just may be more naked about it.
Smith has a one-year option with the Knicks for next year at just a shade under $2.5 million. Conventional wisdom is that Smith would opt out of that deal because he could make more and get a longer-term deal, either with the Knicks (who can give him a 20 percent raise off that deal) or elsewhere.
But ESPN is reporting Smith’s father is pushing him to stay in New York because Smith has some serious financial issues, reports ESPNNewYork.com (via IamaGM).
A source told ESPN New York that Smith’s father, Earl, is going to make a strong case for his son to stay in New York, but “it’s very clear that the money is the biggest factor with him.”
In fact, when Smith chose the Knicks over the Clippers in mid-February after coming back from China, a source said the Knicks’ higher offer ($2.443 million to the Clippers’ $1.4 million veteran’s minimum) was the deciding factor because he was financially broke. Therefore, Smith will likely opt out and ask for the 20 percent raise. At that point, the ball will be in the Knicks’ court to re-sign Smith, who’s already said publicly that he wants to return next season.
Smith has earned $25.7 million in salary over his eight year NBA career, plus picked up a reported $3 million playing in China during the lockout.
I imagine we will hear a denial to the report soon, but it would explain the decision to play for guaranteed money during the lockout when the NBA was no sure thing.
This also means you can bet Smith opts out and if another team steps forward with $3 million a year or more they can get him. Smith runs a bit hot and cold on the court, but at that price is still a bargain. Either way, expect him to opt out.
Getty Images
Make no mistake, if Miami doesn’t win Game 4 they aren’t coming back to win this series. Even if Chris Bosh had a miracle recovery. Even if Pat Riley replaced Erik Spoelstra and brought in Phil Jackson as an assistant. The Pacers are good and they are not losing three in a row.
The Pacers are not backing down. Danny Granger is not backing down from LeBron James — the last two games the two star wing players for their teams have had to be separated by teammates (not that they were actually going to fight, this is the NBA).
But they are jawing. From ESPN:
“I’m not no monster. This ain’t no horror movie,” James said in response after Miami’s practice. “I’m not trying to scare nobody. I’m trying to play basketball. He’s got to hype himself up to say he’s not scared of me. Have I ever been intimidated by anybody in this league? I don’t think so. I go out and play my game and let my game do the talking.”
Granger was more reasonable.
“That’s part of basketball. That’s part of two men battling,” Granger said after the Pacers’ practice Saturday. “I’m not going to back down from anybody and he’s not going to back down from anybody. And when you get that, you’ll get some altercations.”
But that’s the sideshow.
If the Heat are going to win Game 4 they will need a vintage Cleveland “LeBron against the world” playoff performance from him. Because the team thing the Heat did at points in this season (think before the All-Star break) has been blown up.
Specifically, the Pacers are destroying the Heat’s pick-and-roll. For one, Chris Bosh is out injured and that has hurt the pop option for the Heat big. If you don’t have to respect the guy setting the pick you can do a lot more defensively.
What this has allowed the Pacers to do is not trap off the pick-and-roll, rather they have laid back. As Dwyane Wade or LeBron James turn the corner off the pick, they have space, as Jared Wade points out in a great post at eightpointsnineseconds.com.
LeBron has attacked still, put up a floater in the lane had been relatively effective. Wade has struggled all series, he is not knocking down the jumper he is given and has not figured out how to effectively attack with Hibbert in the paint.
Which is why it all comes back to LeBron and his need to step up and have a monster game. He needs to attack, he needs to hit the jumper he is give, he needs to create for others. It is on LeBron. Wade has given him the reins to this team and now is the time for him to just grab them and go.
Can he? Will he? The Heat’s playoff chances depend on it.
Getty Images
Make no mistake, if Miami doesn’t win Game 4 they aren’t coming back to win this series. Even if Chris Bosh had a miracle recovery. Even if Pat Riley replaced Erik Spoelstra and brought in Phil Jackson as an assistant. The Pacers are good and they are not losing three in a row.
The Pacers are not backing down. Danny Granger is not backing down from LeBron James — the last two games the two star wing players for their teams have had to be separated by teammates (not that they were actually going to fight, this is the NBA).
But they are jawing. From ESPN:
“I’m not no monster. This ain’t no horror movie,” James said in response after Miami’s practice. “I’m not trying to scare nobody. I’m trying to play basketball. He’s got to hype himself up to say he’s not scared of me. Have I ever been intimidated by anybody in this league? I don’t think so. I go out and play my game and let my game do the talking.”
Granger was more reasonable.
“That’s part of basketball. That’s part of two men battling,” Granger said after the Pacers’ practice Saturday. “I’m not going to back down from anybody and he’s not going to back down from anybody. And when you get that, you’ll get some altercations.”
But that’s the sideshow.
If the Heat are going to win Game 4 they will need a vintage Cleveland “LeBron against the world” playoff performance from him. Because the team thing the Heat did at points in this season (think before the All-Star break) has been blown up.
Specifically, the Pacers are destroying the Heat’s pick-and-roll. For one, Chris Bosh is out injured and that has hurt the pop option for the Heat big. If you don’t have to respect the guy setting the pick you can do a lot more defensively.
What this has allowed the Pacers to do is not trap off the pick-and-roll, rather they have laid back. As Dwyane Wade or LeBron James turn the corner off the pick, they have space, as Jared Wade points out in a great post at eightpointsnineseconds.com.
LeBron has attacked still, put up a floater in the lane had been relatively effective. Wade has struggled all series, he is not knocking down the jumper he is given and has not figured out how to effectively attack with Hibbert in the paint.
Which is why it all comes back to LeBron and his need to step up and have a monster game. He needs to attack, he needs to hit the jumper he is give, he needs to create for others. It is on LeBron. Wade has given him the reins to this team and now is the time for him to just grab them and go.
Can he? Will he? The Heat’s playoff chances depend on it.
This is the play everybody is talking about in the wake of Boston’s 82-81 loss to Philadelphia. Even though this play did not decide the game. Sorry Celtics fans, it didn’t — Rajon Rondo‘s missed jumper, Ray Allen‘s missed jumper had you down 3 when this play took place. You already put yourself in a hole. This just didn’t let you bail yourself out.
Watch the play, Paul Pierce comes off a Kevin Garnett screen and KG holds onto and leans out into Andre Iguodala, freeing up Paul Pierce who gets the ball at the top of the key. Garnett was called for a moving screen, Philly got the ball.
I’ll grant you this — that call is rarely made with 10 seconds left in the game.
You see this kind of call made all the time in soccer and hockey — it is a foul but it is let go if it doesn’t lead to a scoring chance, however if it does lead to a scoring chance the call is made. This clearly led to a scoring chance and for me it is an illegal screen. It seems an inconsistent call with some of the play already allowed by the refs in this game, but it is a foul.
Hat tip to Eye on Basketball for the video.
