Game Day Open Thread: Game 3 - Hornets @ Spurs
Game 3 of Hornets-Spurs takes place in San Antonio this evening. Our Hornets took the first two games of the series in New Orleans, leaving the defending champs desperately in need of a win tonight. Essential info... Game Time: 8:30pm Central.TV: ESPN nationwide.Radio: KMEZ 102.9 FM in New Orleans…
May 08, 2008, 9:15 PM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Jazz on hand to see Kobe Bryant and his trophy
By JANIS CARR The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES The number of television and still cameras on the court Wednesday might have outnumbered the cars on the nearby Santa Monica Freeway. They, like the 19,000-plus at Staples Center, were there to capture the image of one man with one award. The MVP…
May 08, 2008, 9:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Andrew Bynum could still avoid arthroscopic surgery
LOS ANGELES — Andrew Bynum was evaluated as having made “slight improvement,” according to Lakers spokesman John Black, after having his left knee examined Wednesday by specialist Steven Gecha in New Jersey. Gecha advised Bynum to wait 3-to-4 weeks to see if there is further…
May 08, 2008, 8:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Better with Pau Gasol than Andrew Bynum
After beating Utah in Game 1, the Lakers have gone 13-1 on their current run of the most important games of the season and are 27-5 with Pau Gasol on the floor. These numbers trump all that they did with Andrew Bynum blossoming and the Lakers emerging. Bottom line: The Lakers are far more of a…
May 08, 2008, 8:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers lead Jazz at the half, 63-49
LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant might be the NBA’s most valuable, but a few other Lakers showed in the second quarter how valuable they are to the team. With Bryant on the bench for the first six minutes of the second quarter, the Lakers maintained a double-digit lead on the Jazz and led, 63-49, at…
May 08, 2008, 8:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 3: Pistons and Magic
That’s what Chauncey’s controversial three-pointer looked like from the stands. (Well, that’s what it would’ve looked like from the stands if you’d been boozing for the first three quarters — that’s pretty blurry.) Personally, I have to agree with A.…
May 08, 2008, 7:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Where do fans outside of Detroit go to watch Pistons games?
I don’t know the answer to that question, but if you do, I’m hoping you’ll tell us. I know there’s a group of readers in Portland who get together to watch games, and I’m hoping to help anyone else who’d like to meet up with fellow fans in other cities to do so.…
May 08, 2008, 7:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Kobe to get MVP trophy Tuesday
The NBA will officially announce Kobe Bryant winning the NBA MVP award Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. So all you Kobe fans who feared the evil media would never give your guy this well-deserved honor can rest easy.
May 08, 2008, 7:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Where do fans in D.C. watch Pistons games?
(What’s this about? Read this.) Pistons fans are everywhere, they just need to find each other! If you know where fans in and around Washington D.C. get together to watch games without feeling outnumbered and/or having to argue with the bartender to change the channel, tell us in the…
May 08, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Where do fans in Chicago watch Pistons games?
(What’s this about? Read this.) Pistons fans are everywhere, they just need to find each other! If you know where fans in and around Chicago get together to watch games without feeling outnumbered and/or having to argue with the bartender to change the channel, tell us in the comments. If you…
May 08, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
“Hoosiers” in Utah
EL SEGUNDO — Hard to view the tall and long Lakers, winners of 14 of 15 games and 10 consecutive, as the tiny underdog going to Salt Lake, but that’s how much is being made of Utah’s home-court advantage. The Jazz are 39-5 at home this season (one of the losses came against the…
May 08, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Did Jameer do that on purpose?
The “Jameer Nelson did that on purpose!” theory that floated around the comments in last night’s game thread has made it’s way to TrueHoop. For what it’s worth, I’ve viewed the replay several times and still lean toward it being incidental.
May 08, 2008, 7:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Where do fans in New York watch Pistons games?
(What’s this about? Read this.) Pistons fans are everywhere, they just need to find each other! If you know where fans in and around New York get together to watch games without feeling outnumbered and/or having to argue with the bartender to change the channel, tell us in the comments. If…
May 08, 2008, 7:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Where do fans in L.A. watch Pistons games?
(What’s this about? Read this.) Pistons fans are everywhere, they just need to find each other! If you know where fans in and around Los Angeles get together to watch games without feeling outnumbered and/or having to argue with the bartender to change the channel, tell us in the comments. If…
May 08, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Pistons, Magic, Game 2
I’m at the game for FanHouse — leave your thoughts in the comments.
May 08, 2008, 6:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Sonics to host mini-camp
The Sonics will host a mini-camp for NBA Development League players and other professionals from overseas looking to latch on to an NBA roster next season. The invitation-only, two-day camp will take place on Thursday and Friday at the team’s practice facility, the Furtado Center. Sonics…
May 08, 2008, 6:45 PM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
Pistons go up 2-0 on Magic
I have all sorts of stuff from last night’s game going up at FanHouse this morning. Before the game, Rashard Lewis told me that the brewing war of the words between he and Theo Ratliff was over and done with: “I’m a basketball player, I go out there to play basketball and not to…
May 08, 2008, 6:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Billups wins J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
Congrats to Chauncey Billups: “The Pistons’ three-time All-Star point guard was named Monday as the 2007-08 recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association. The award, named for the second commissioner of the…
May 08, 2008, 6:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Just wondering ...
-- Will Sam Vincent’s departure increase the likelihood of Emeka Okafor staying in Charlotte long-term? Okafor is too nice and too circumspect to broadcast it when he’s upset with a coach. But it was obvious during portions of last season...
May 08, 2008, 6:15 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Tacoma's own Paul Brogan
Sonics fan and Tacoma native Paul Brogan was on KJR with Mitch in the Morning spitting lyrics and kicking knowledge on the Mariners' losing ways and his passion for the Sonics, among other things. Take a look at Brogan in his environment here. Listen to his interview with Mitch here. And view…
May 08, 2008, 6:15 PM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
Game 4 will be on FSN, ESPN
Yesterday I tried to clarify the TV situation for Saturday’s Game 4 but all I ended up doing was causing more confusion. So disregard what I said before, here’s what you need to know: if you’re anywhere in Michigan, FSN Detroit (and FSN HD) will broadcast a pre-game show at 4:30…
May 08, 2008, 6:00 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Larry Brown will make life interesting
We’ll find out once and for all if Raymond Felton is a point guard. Brown is hard on point guards, forcing them either to excel or fizzle out. I’m confident Phil Ford will remain on the staff, not just because...
May 08, 2008, 6:00 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Rasheed calls Dwight his “intern”
Just like last year, Rasheed Wallace has taken Dwight Howard under his wing by offering advice.
May 08, 2008, 5:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
'This isn't going to work'
My not-quite-a-year covering Sam Vincent: The guy wasn’t boring, if simply because you could never predict what might come out of his mouth. If it was Tuesday, he’d cruise into the media room for his pre-game group interview, swearing he’d...
May 08, 2008, 5:45 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Official: Sonics hire Weaver
Here's the press release from the Sonics. Seattle SuperSonics general manager Sam Presti announced today that Troy Weaver has been named assistant general manager. Weaver was the Director of Player Personnel for the Utah Jazz in 2007-08. He originally joined the Jazz as head scout and served in…
May 08, 2008, 5:45 PM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
In which Arnie Kander heals Chauncey and delivers babies
Chauncey Billups was still sore at practice this morning but the training staff doesn’t seem too concerned. From A. Sherrod Blakely: “I’ve seen about 2,000 hamstrings,” said Arnie Kander, Detroit’s strength and conditioning coach. “I look at this as being nothing…
May 08, 2008, 5:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Johnson takes unusual approach
Bobcats majority owner Bob Johnson showed up at the Observer newsroom Monday, looking for support on a rather bold suggestion: That Charlotte’s business community hasn’t done enough to ensure the financial success of the local NBA team. Wow. This isn’t...
May 08, 2008, 5:30 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Stray thoughts on the road to Lotteryville:
Ever wonder how a team could shoot 62 percent overall and 56 percent from 3-point range and be thankful to win by two? The Bobcats managed that Tuesday, exposing what has become a perpetual flaw. They will never be dependable...
May 08, 2008, 5:15 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Wallace could shut down for season
Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace is leaning toward shutting it down for the rest of the season. He missed his second straight game Tuesday with a groin injury that he says is affecting abdominal muscles. He said he won’t play...
May 08, 2008, 5:00 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Tonight's Bobcats' game switching to Fox Sports Net
The Bobcats are starting to release details of their TV/naming rights deal, to be formally announced later this afternoon. Heads-up for tonight: The switch from News 14 to Fox Sports Net is IMMEDIATE. So the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves...
May 08, 2008, 4:45 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Integrity, and a laudable body of work
I plan to write more extensively about this in tomorrow's Observer, but here's a quick impression of Bernie Bickerstaff's tenure with the Bobcats: He's a man of exceptional integrity and candor. And the Bobcats will be worse for his absence...
May 08, 2008, 4:30 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
OPEN THREAD: Day 20 of the 2k8 NBA Playoffs
You won't be seeing this tonight... Yet another way to... "Make It Rain!" But that doesn't mean it ain't worth the jump! It's the 20th day of the 2008 postseason and hoops junkies worldwide are in good hands. No true Warrior fan would root for the Lakers, but against the Jazz…
May 08, 2008, 4:15 PM ET from Golden State Of Mind
Hornets-Spurs: Thursday News Wrap
Game 3 of Hornets-Spurs is in the immediate future (8:30p.m. Central on ESPN), and we've got the usual dose of news, notes, quotes and anecdotes form around the web. You gotta love technology. To start, Tommy Beer has nothing less than a fascinating read over at HoopsWorld.com, giving you about…
May 08, 2008, 4:00 PM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Hornets - Spurs Game 4: What to Watch For
1) The Three Point ShotSo far, the Hornets defense has worked perfectly. Designed to try and pack the paint and lull the other team into shooting deep shots, the Hornets allowed more three point attempts in the season than any team in the playoffs other than Toronto. This has held…
May 08, 2008, 12:45 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Sonics to hire Weaver as Assistant GM
The Sonics will announce the hire of Utah Jazz head scout Troy Weaver as the team's new assistant general manager today, according to NBA sources. Weaver will replace Scott Perry, who left after a season with the Sonics, returning to the Detroit Pistons as vice president of basketball…
May 08, 2008, 11:45 AM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
Lakers hold off Jazz, 109-98
By JANIS CARR The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES Don’t call this series over yet. The Lakers held off a late charge Sunday by the Utah Jazz to claim Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, 109-98, at Staples Center. “We avoided a game in which we could of easily come up on the…
May 08, 2008, 03:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
More D'Antoni
There's a pointless and fun tool that was posted amongst the SBNation brethren that allowed us to count comments by user on a post. Here's what's been produced in the weeks worth of D'Antoni talk: Total Users: 74 Total Comments: 913 Total Threads: 3 Top 10 Commenters: your friendly…
May 08, 2008, 03:30 AM ET from Blog a Bull
Lakers defeat Jazz, 120-110, in Game 2
By JANIS CARR The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES On a night when the NBA celebrated Kobe Bryant’s magnificence, the other Lakers starters shined right along side him in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. Three other Lakers scored in double figures to go with Bryant’s game-high 34…
May 08, 2008, 03:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
The Lakers have truth in advertising
LOS ANGELES Our team. Our time. Our MVP. At least that’s what the purple and gold t-shirts said that fans were given Wednesday as they entered Staples Center. And true to the advertising, Kobe Bryant led all scorers in the first quarter with 10 points as the Lakers led the Utah Jazz, 33-18, after…
May 08, 2008, 03:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers continue to dominate Jazz, 93-83
LOS ANGELES Utah guard Ronnie Brewer, a second-year player out of Arkansas, wants to make a name for his self. He wants to be known as a great defender. This, however, was not how it’s done. Brewer repeatedly got burned by Bryant in the third quarter, at one point, trailed several feet behind as…
May 08, 2008, 02:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Utah Jazz: Dead or alive?
LOS ANGELES For much of the first half and the first five minutes of the third quarter the Jazz didn’t show much life. They fell behind by as many as 17 points shortly after the second half started. Then they went on a 9-0 run to trim the lead to 10 and eventually pulled to within, 68-60, before…
May 08, 2008, 02:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Jazz on hand to see Kobe Bryant and his trophy
By JANIS CARR The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES The number of television and still cameras on the court Wednesday might have outnumbered the cars on the nearby Santa Monica Freeway. They, like the 19,000-plus at Staples Center, were there to capture the image of one man with one award. The MVP…
May 08, 2008, 02:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Andrew Bynum could still avoid arthroscopic surgery
LOS ANGELES — Andrew Bynum was evaluated as having made “slight improvement,” according to Lakers spokesman John Black, after having his left knee examined Wednesday by specialist Steven Gecha in New Jersey. Gecha advised Bynum to wait 3-to-4 weeks to see if there is further…
May 08, 2008, 02:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Better with Pau Gasol than Andrew Bynum
After beating Utah in Game 1, the Lakers have gone 13-1 on their current run of the most important games of the season and are 27-5 with Pau Gasol on the floor. These numbers trump all that they did with Andrew Bynum blossoming and the Lakers emerging. Bottom line: The Lakers are far more of a…
May 08, 2008, 02:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers lead Jazz at the half, 63-49
LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant might be the NBA’s most valuable, but a few other Lakers showed in the second quarter how valuable they are to the team. With Bryant on the bench for the first six minutes of the second quarter, the Lakers maintained a double-digit lead on the Jazz and led, 63-49, at…
May 08, 2008, 02:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Kobe to get MVP trophy Tuesday
The NBA will officially announce Kobe Bryant winning the NBA MVP award Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. So all you Kobe fans who feared the evil media would never give your guy this well-deserved honor can rest easy.
May 08, 2008, 02:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers take control of game, lead, 54-41, at half
LOS ANGELES Kobe cont’d. Can’t talk about the Lakers without mentioning the All-Star guard. It simply can’t be done. Not when he scored 24 points in the first half to lead the Lakers to a 54-41 halftime lead against the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Not when he…
May 08, 2008, 02:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers hold off Jazz, 109-98
By JANIS CARR The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES Don’t call this series over yet. The Lakers held off a late charge Sunday by the Utah Jazz to claim Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, 109-98, at Staples Center. “We avoided a game in which we could of easily come up on the…
May 08, 2008, 01:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers lead, 25-24, after the first quarter
The chants now are more than wishful thinking. Nearly every game – home or away this season — Lakers fans have chanted “MVP” whenever Kobe Bryant is around. Now, they can say it with some authority. Bryant is expected to receive his first MVP award this week, probably Wednesday. (Might…
May 08, 2008, 01:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
The Lakers have truth in advertising
LOS ANGELES Our team. Our time. Our MVP. At least that’s what the purple and gold t-shirts said that fans were given Wednesday as they entered Staples Center. And true to the advertising, Kobe Bryant led all scorers in the first quarter with 10 points as the Lakers led the Utah Jazz, 33-18, after…
May 08, 2008, 01:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers rested and ready for Jazz
To rest or not to rest? That’s the question that could be answered quickly in today’s Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center. The Lakers have been off for six days after sweeping the Denver Nuggets, while the Utah Jazz is coming off a close first-round series against the…
May 08, 2008, 01:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Utah Jazz: Dead or alive?
LOS ANGELES For much of the first half and the first five minutes of the third quarter the Jazz didn’t show much life. They fell behind by as many as 17 points shortly after the second half started. Then they went on a 9-0 run to trim the lead to 10 and eventually pulled to within, 68-60, before…
May 08, 2008, 01:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Jazz on hand to see Kobe Bryant and his trophy
By JANIS CARR The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES The number of television and still cameras on the court Wednesday might have outnumbered the cars on the nearby Santa Monica Freeway. They, like the 19,000-plus at Staples Center, were there to capture the image of one man with one award. The MVP…
May 08, 2008, 01:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Jazz-Lakers series schedule
Game 1 - Sun May 4 Utah at L.A. Lakers, 12:30 p.m., ABC Game 2 - Wed May 7 Utah at L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m., TNT Game 3 - Fri May 9 L.A. Lakers at Utah, 6 p.m., ESPN Game 4 - Sun May 11 L.A. Lakers at Utah, 12:30 p.m., ABC Game 5 * Wed May 14 Utah at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT Game 6 * Fri May 16…
May 08, 2008, 00:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Better with Pau Gasol than Andrew Bynum
After beating Utah in Game 1, the Lakers have gone 13-1 on their current run of the most important games of the season and are 27-5 with Pau Gasol on the floor. These numbers trump all that they did with Andrew Bynum blossoming and the Lakers emerging. Bottom line: The Lakers are far more of a…
May 08, 2008, 00:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers have better D; Jazz better on the boards
If it’s the Lakers vs. Utah, as we still have to expect, we’ll get to spend some quality time with Ross Siler, who left covering the Lakers for the L.A. Daily News late last season to go cover the Jazz for the Salt Lake Tribune. Surely some of you used to read Ross’ stuff. Does he…
May 08, 2008, 00:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Andrew Bynum could still avoid arthroscopic surgery
LOS ANGELES — Andrew Bynum was evaluated as having made “slight improvement,” according to Lakers spokesman John Black, after having his left knee examined Wednesday by specialist Steven Gecha in New Jersey. Gecha advised Bynum to wait 3-to-4 weeks to see if there is further…
May 08, 2008, 00:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
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