The more you know: the Bulls own a traded player exception
Thanks to Bulls Beat (#38) for alerting me (sorry if this is old news to some, skip and grumble) to a pretty important fact when considering the Bulls options this offseason: a $5.2m trade exception resulting from the Wallace/Hughes crapswap. How? You can read about it, courtesy of "Tommy…
May 15, 2008, 10:45 PM ET from Blog a Bull
Game Day Open Thread: Game 6 - Hornets @ Spurs
Alright, so we've got Game 6 in San Antonio tonight. The Spurs need the win to stay alive and force a deciding Game 7 on Monday. Victory for the Hornets would put us in the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. Tyson Chandler and David West are apparently healthy enough to…
May 15, 2008, 9:15 PM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
After Game 5, Kobe Bryant’s back no worse for wear
Here was what Kobe Bryant had to say after playing 41:03 of Game 5 (and then taking a long time afterward to lie on the training-room table for treatment on his sore back): “I feel OK. It feels really, really tight right now.” “I knew I wasn’t 100 percent healthy, so I…
May 15, 2008, 8:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Mitch Kupchak: second-best in the NBA
LOS ANGELES — Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak finished second to Boston’s Danny Ainge in the NBA’s Executive of the Year balloting of league executives, conducted by Sporting News. Ainge got 18 of the 47 votes cast; Kupchak got 14 votes, followed by New Orleans’ Jeff Bower, who got 12.
May 15, 2008, 7:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Random Jazz fan: “We kicked your …”
EL SEGUNDO — Win or lose, this will be the Lakers’ last trip to Salt Lake City for awhile, which is just fine to them. Phil Jackson complained about the noise level there in advance of the team’s Game 6 trip: “I’m almost pretty sure it’s over the safety…
May 15, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Chauncey Billups is (finally) ready to play
Chauncey Billups will be on the court for the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, whenever that may be. From Joanne Gerstner of the Detroit News: Billups, who has missed nearly three playoff games with a strained right hamstring, said Thursday he’s ready to play again. Billups practiced…
May 15, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Lindsey Hunter’s advice to Rip Hamilton
This is kind of funny. From Krista Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press: Hunter said after the game that Hamilton’s shot selection can anger him. “Hopefully he’ll be settled down a little more (in the next round),” Hunter said. “I’m telling him, ‘You’re…
May 15, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
OPEN THREAD: Day 14 of the 2k8 NBA Playoffs
Sheed ain't never done nothin wrong "And that's why the chicken crossed the road" Looks like a blind barber cut Sam D's hair The second round is almost here! Philly's gone fishing after getting blasted last night. I guess Detroit can turn it on whenever they want to against…
May 15, 2008, 6:00 PM ET from Golden State Of Mind
OPEN THREAD: Day 13 of the 2k8 NBA Playoffs
The 1st round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs is almost over and aside from the title bouts of Al Horford vs Paul Pierce, Deshawn Stevenson (Fear the Untrimmed Beard ) vs Mr. Overrated, and the not so super Soulja Boy vs The Most Overrated Rapper Alive, I'd have to say it's been a…
May 15, 2008, 5:45 PM ET from Golden State Of Mind
Offseason Q&A: Tim Kawakami (San Jose Mercury) Part 3 of 4
Onto part 3 of our Q&A with Tim where we talk about last summer's dream, Bring KG to the Bay! J-U-M-P. ********** Golden State of Mind: More so than any other member of the media you know all about the Warriors pursuit of Kevin Garnett last summer. KG just…
May 15, 2008, 5:30 PM ET from Golden State Of Mind
OPEN THREAD: Day 12 of the 2k8 NBA Playoffs
HIGHLIGHTS: Day 11 of the 2k8 NBA Playoffs Houston is a little tougher than people thought they would be. I've been dead wrong. I thought they'd just cancel the series after game 3 and not humiliate the Rockets anymore. But the Rockets are showing some life. Dikembe played extremely well…
May 15, 2008, 5:15 PM ET from Golden State Of Mind
OPEN THREAD: Day 27 of the 2k8 NBA Playoffs
HIGHLIGHTS: Day 26 of the 2k8 NBA Playoffs Gimme a J! Gimme a U! Gimme a M! Gimme a P! What's that spell? Over in the East we've got the Pistons heading to their 6th straight Eastern Conference Finals (on a side note- where are all those clueless critics who called for Joe…
May 15, 2008, 5:00 PM ET from Golden State Of Mind
Hornets-Spurs: More Blowouts than a Hair Salon
So far, everyone appears to be stumped as to why the Hornets-Spurs series has been an excercise in blowouts. Greg Popovich certainly has no answer for it according to his post-game comments from game 5.Being prone to thinking about the Hornets, especially when I'm feeling…
May 15, 2008, 4:30 PM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Hornets-Spurs: Thursday News Wrap
Game 6 goes down this evening in San Antonio, with the Spurs needing a win to avoid elimination at the hands of our Hornets. Here's the usual bunch of notes, quotes and anecdotes from around the web... Let's start it off with updates on the injuries to Tyson Chandler and David West.…
May 15, 2008, 4:15 PM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
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 15, 2008, 1:00 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Tapscott would be perfect in Atlanta
The Atlanta Hawks need a general manager, and I have their man: Ed Tapscott. No finder’s fee necessary, guys, I just want one of the smartest guys in basketball back in a prominent position in the NBA. Tapscott was the...
May 15, 2008, 12:45 AM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Ah… The Bittersweet Taste of Ambivalence
As you are no doubt aware by now, the Knicks have hired former Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni to be their new head coach (4 years/$6 million per). Opinions are flying in from pundits, bloggers, fans, and onlookers. Opinions, it should come as no surprise, cover the spectrum. Some are…
May 15, 2008, 08:00 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
D’Antoni to be Knicks New Coach
Mike D’Antoni has agreed to become the new coach of the New York Knicks. Four years for $24 million. Wow. I think Mark Jackson is probably a better choice, if only because D’Antoni, like Brown, seems better suited for a team that’s already good, but D’Antoni will certainly bring an…
May 15, 2008, 07:45 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Dumars talks about the playoffs, Stuckey and Tay’s block
As I’m sure many of you have already seen, Joe Dumars sat down with Keith Langlois for a rather lengthy Q&A for Pistons.com on Wednesday morning. Every time he does this I want to quote the entire article on DBB, but instead I’m just going to pick a handful of highlights and urge…
May 15, 2008, 07:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
NBA News and Notes for May 3rd
* Wow, the Celtics and the Hawks are heading for a Game 7! The Celtics will almost certainly win this Game 7, but the sheer fact that they are going to a Game 7 is stunning to me, and must be quite surprising/depressing for all Celtics fans (it is too bad that Simmons’ next column [...]
May 15, 2008, 07:30 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
NBA News and Notes for April 30
Wow, a lot of big news in the NBA today! The biggest is that both Mike D’Antoni and Avery Johnson are going to be on the coaching market. This makes Donnie Walsh look pretty good for not making a coaching decision already, as it’s not every year that two former Coaches of the Year fall…
May 15, 2008, 07:15 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Lakers maintain the lead at halftime, 61-54
LOS ANGELES The Lakers had four of their starters on the bench to start the second quarter, including Kobe Bryant. They all were back on the floor less than four minutes into the quarter and the Lakers clinging to a slim three-point lead. The difference was evident by the scoreboard. Less than a…
May 15, 2008, 07:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
In defense of Flip
Kelly Dwyer pens a rather solid defense of Flip Saunders (not that he needs much defending these days). (via LB in the comments)
May 15, 2008, 07:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
NBA News and Notes for April 29th (Updated 8:03 PM)
* The biggest news of the night has to be the Atlanta Hawks taking two in a row at home from the Boston Celtics, to go back to Boston tied at two games apiece! Joe Johnson was simply amazing in the fourth quarter, hitting incredibly difficult shots and also getting to the basket with [...]
May 15, 2008, 07:00 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Bryant starts strong as Lakers take early 29-26 lead
LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant took the floor for the tipoff, took and made the first shot, a 3-pointer. He took the second shot, a fade-away jumper for a 5-0 lead. His third try was a miss, clanging off the rim. Bad back? Not Kobe. He quickly put to rest any concerns about his ailing back. At least…
May 15, 2008, 07:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
McDyess’ sad story
This was mentioned briefly in the comments, but one of the reasons that Antonio McDyess’ performance on Tuesday was so remarkable was because it came just hours after he learned about the passing of his grandmother. Ryan Pretzer of Pistons.com tells the story.
May 15, 2008, 06:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Changing the Playoff Format
If there’s one thing that stuck out in my mind when making my first round picks for ESPN’s Geek Smackdown, it’s that the East largely consisted of lopsided battles while the West had a couple of really close series. All 8 Western teams finished with a winning percentage of .600 or…
May 15, 2008, 06:45 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Lakers hold off Jazz, 111-104
LOS ANGELES If Kobe Bryant was hurting, imagine how the Utah Jazz is feeling after watching the Lakers guard score 26 points in Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center. Bryant’s routine output, combined with Lamar Odom’s 22 points and 11 rebounds and…
May 15, 2008, 06:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Thomas Told to Stay Away
According to Fox Sports, Isiah Thomas has been “barred from having any contact with the team.” As I said earlier, even if Thomas stayed on the payroll he would have no ability to undermine the current leadership. This story seems to validate that thought. If anyone from MSG is reading…
May 15, 2008, 06:30 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Game 6 scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Pacific time
The Celtics’ ongoing inability to win on the road in the playoffs has ensured the Lakers another late start time for TV on Friday night in Utah: The Lakers-Jazz game on ESPN will start at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific time) after the Celtics-Cavaliers. Phil Jackson said the other day that it seemed the…
May 15, 2008, 06:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
2008 Playoffs: Game Ones
OK so the Spurs and Suns go double OT, the Jazz beat the hottest team in the West, and the Sixers steal game 1 from Detroit. I really only caught the Houston/Utah game on tv, and it seemed that the Rockets dug themselves a big hole and spent their energy trying to catch up. My [...]
May 15, 2008, 06:15 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Don’t worry, Kobe Bryant will play in Game 5
By JANIS CARR The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant’s back must not be dire. Otherwise, Lakers coach Phil Jackson wouldn’t have been so casual about his star player’s status for Wednesday’s Game 5 at Staples Center. First clue? Jackson showed up to pregame press without his…
May 15, 2008, 06:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Coach of the Year Needs a Do Over
Coach of the Year is my least favorite NBA award. I tend not to get terribly upset by MVP balloting, as most of the time the choice is among numerous deserving candidates. Although I am firmly in the camp that believes MVP awards by definition should go to the “Most Outstanding Player”,…
May 15, 2008, 06:00 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Reflections on Game 4 (Lamar Odom did a “sack dance”!)
Sorry for the hiatus, but my laptop rendered itself completely useless late Saturday night in Utah, leaving me to write and file my story about the Lakers’ overtime loss via my PDA, which I tried to view as an interesting challenge. Anyway, after a productive jaunt into the office today to…
May 15, 2008, 06:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Statistical Analysis Request
So, I’m watching both of the games tonight, and in both of the games, a team has the ball down either 5 or 6 points with about half a minute left. In both instances, the announcers were stating “You don’t have to go for a three here,” and in both instances, the teams did…
May 15, 2008, 05:45 AM ET from KnickerBlogger.Net
Lakers, Jazz tied at 81 after three quarters
LOS ANGELES There was a Lakers player on the floor, having been knocked to the ground as he drove to the basket. It wasn’t you-know-who. Lamar Odom took a hard fall and had to have treatment on his chin midway through the third quarter. He came back in moments later and with Kobe Bryant helped…
May 15, 2008, 05:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 4: Utah 123, Lakers 115 OT
Kevin Ding is having technical difficulties. In the meantime, for a synopsis of Game 4 between the Lakers and Utah Jazz, click here
May 15, 2008, 05:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
After Game 5, Kobe Bryant’s back no worse for wear
Here was what Kobe Bryant had to say after playing 41:03 of Game 5 (and then taking a long time afterward to lie on the training-room table for treatment on his sore back): “I feel OK. It feels really, really tight right now.” “I knew I wasn’t 100 percent healthy, so I…
May 15, 2008, 05:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Mitch Kupchak: second-best in the NBA
LOS ANGELES — Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak finished second to Boston’s Danny Ainge in the NBA’s Executive of the Year balloting of league executives, conducted by Sporting News. Ainge got 18 of the 47 votes cast; Kupchak got 14 votes, followed by New Orleans’ Jeff Bower, who got 12.
May 15, 2008, 04:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 5 Aftermath: Wednesday News Wrap
The Hornets took Game 5 at the Hive last night, securing a 3-2 series lead and putting the defending champion Spurs on the brink of elimination. Today, they had to delete all the porn off the internet so everyone would have room to talk about it. Here's what I found... We'll open it up with…
May 15, 2008, 04:30 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Game 5 scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Pacific time
The Celtics’ Game 3 loss in Cleveland ensures there will be a Game 5 in that series to be played Wednesday night before Game 5 in the Jazz-Lakers series … so TNT will have a doubleheader that night with the Lakers’ game at Staples Center starting at 7:30 p.m.
May 15, 2008, 04:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
The Hornets beat the Spurs; lead series 3-2
Man, both these teams suck on the road.The series swung back to New Orleans tonight and our Hornets were back in business, using a massive 28-11 third quarter to sting the Spurs and put ourselves back in control. David West was nothing short of monstrous on the night, Chris Paul was Chris Paul, and…
May 15, 2008, 04:15 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Lakers maintain the lead at halftime, 61-54
LOS ANGELES The Lakers had four of their starters on the bench to start the second quarter, including Kobe Bryant. They all were back on the floor less than four minutes into the quarter and the Lakers clinging to a slim three-point lead. The difference was evident by the scoreboard. Less than a…
May 15, 2008, 04:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game Day Open Thread: Game 5 - Spurs @ Hornets
Here we go, folks.The Hornets will host the Spurs tonight for a pivotal Game 5. Win, and we have two shots to take the series. Lose, and there's a good chance there will be no more games at the Arena this season. So make no mistake: this one is big.Stuff to know... Game Time: 8:30pm Central.TV:…
May 15, 2008, 04:00 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Bryant starts strong as Lakers take early 29-26 lead
LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant took the floor for the tipoff, took and made the first shot, a 3-pointer. He took the second shot, a fade-away jumper for a 5-0 lead. His third try was a miss, clanging off the rim. Bad back? Not Kobe. He quickly put to rest any concerns about his ailing back. At least…
May 15, 2008, 04:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Hornets-Spurs: Tuesday News Wrap
Big-massive-huge Game 5 between the Hornets and Spurs goes down at the New Orleans Arena this evening. Here's a billion links before the madness consumes us...From Chris Colston in USA Today...The team that wins Game 5 in a best-of-seven that was tied 2-2 has gone on to win 118 of 141 series…
May 15, 2008, 03:45 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Lakers hold off Jazz, 111-104
LOS ANGELES If Kobe Bryant was hurting, imagine how the Utah Jazz is feeling after watching the Lakers guard score 26 points in Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center. Bryant’s routine output, combined with Lamar Odom’s 22 points and 11 rebounds and…
May 15, 2008, 03:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 6 scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Pacific time
The Celtics’ ongoing inability to win on the road in the playoffs has ensured the Lakers another late start time for TV on Friday night in Utah: The Lakers-Jazz game on ESPN will start at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific time) after the Celtics-Cavaliers. Phil Jackson said the other day that it seemed the…
May 15, 2008, 03:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Hornets-Spurs Game 5: What to look for
1) Defensive adjustmentsWhat worked so well in games 1 and 2 - the double on Tim Duncan - is no longer working, and tonight I expect Byron to try a different sort of defense. The Spurs countered the double by playing Tim and Manu on the same side of the floor, having Tony deliver, clear and…
May 15, 2008, 03:30 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Don’t worry, Kobe Bryant will play in Game 5
By JANIS CARR The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant’s back must not be dire. Otherwise, Lakers coach Phil Jackson wouldn’t have been so casual about his star player’s status for Wednesday’s Game 5 at Staples Center. First clue? Jackson showed up to pregame press without his…
May 15, 2008, 03:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 4 Aftermath: Monday News Wrap
The Spurs dismantled the Hornets in San Antonio last night and tied things up at two games apiece. Ryan wrapped it up here at Hornets247 last night. Time now to scour the web and see what's being said... We'll jump it up with Jim Eichenhofer's recap over at The Official...San Antonio…
May 15, 2008, 03:15 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Reflections on Game 4 (Lamar Odom did a “sack dance”!)
Sorry for the hiatus, but my laptop rendered itself completely useless late Saturday night in Utah, leaving me to write and file my story about the Lakers’ overtime loss via my PDA, which I tried to view as an interesting challenge. Anyway, after a productive jaunt into the office today to…
May 15, 2008, 03:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
The Spurs beat the Hornets: Series now tied 2-2
For the second game in a row, I got recap duty - and true to form from the regular season, whenever I get to write the recap it's never a happy one. I've managed to write a recap after a winning game one time all season. I'm not a supersitious man, but if this continues Ron may end up…
May 15, 2008, 03:00 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Lakers, Jazz tied at 81 after three quarters
LOS ANGELES There was a Lakers player on the floor, having been knocked to the ground as he drove to the basket. It wasn’t you-know-who. Lamar Odom took a hard fall and had to have treatment on his chin midway through the third quarter. He came back in moments later and with Kobe Bryant helped the…
May 15, 2008, 03:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 4: Utah 123, Lakers 115 OT
Kevin Ding is having technical difficulties. In the meantime, for a synopsis of Game 4 between the Lakers and Utah Jazz, click here
May 15, 2008, 03:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game Day Open Thread: Game 4 - Hornets @ Spurs
The Hornets will look to bounce back from their Game 3 loss tonight when they take on the Spurs in San Antonio. A win for New Orleans would give them a 3-1 series lead heading back home. Stuff to know... Game Time: 7:00pm Central.TV: TNT nationwide.Radio: KMEZ 102.9 FM in New Orleans and the…
May 15, 2008, 02:45 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Phil Jackson says Carlos Boozer is still pushing guys
SALT LAKE CITY — Before heading up here, Phil Jackson was asked about getting fined by the NBA for criticizing referee performance at Utah Jazz home games, and he smiled and said: “I have amnesia about that situation.” Perhaps that moment in the final minutes of the game Friday…
May 15, 2008, 02:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Hornets-Spurs Game 4: What to look for
1) Defense, Defense, DefenseHere's the truth about this series: The Hornets have scored whenever they wanted to against the Spurs vaunted defense. Even after the Spurs made some adjustments against the Hornets last game, the bugs still scored at a fast clip. It's part of…
May 15, 2008, 02:30 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Mitch Kupchak: second-best in the NBA
LOS ANGELES — Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak finished second to Boston’s Danny Ainge in the NBA’s Executive of the Year balloting of league executives, conducted by Sporting News. Ainge got 18 of the 47 votes cast; Kupchak got 14 votes, followed by New Orleans’ Jeff Bower, who got 12.
May 15, 2008, 02:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
For the sweater crowd
I labled this Reinsdorf quote as amongst the 'good' portion of what he said regarding the coaching search: "I can't worry about perception. I have to worry about making the right decision. This is a very critical hire." But do the Bulls need to worry about perception? (So far they haven't…
May 15, 2008, 02:15 AM ET from Blog a Bull
Hornets-Spurs: More Blowouts than a Hair Salon
So far, everyone appears to be stumped as to why the Hornets-Spurs series has been an excercise in blowouts. Greg Popovich certain has no answer for it according to his post-game comments from game 5.Being prone to thinking about the Hornets, especially when I'm feeling…
May 15, 2008, 02:15 AM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Game 5 scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Pacific time
The Celtics’ Game 3 loss in Cleveland ensures there will be a Game 5 in that series to be played Wednesday night before Game 5 in the Jazz-Lakers series … so TNT will have a doubleheader that night with the Lakers’ game at Staples Center starting at 7:30 p.m.
May 15, 2008, 02:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers maintain the lead at halftime, 61-54
LOS ANGELES The Lakers had four of their starters on the bench to start the second quarter, including Kobe Bryant. They all were back on the floor less than four minutes into the quarter and the Lakers clinging to a slim three-point lead. The difference was evident by the scoreboard. Less than a…
May 15, 2008, 02:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 3: Jazz 104, Lakers 99
SALT LAKE CITY — And then the NBA’s only perfect postseason team was no more. The Utah Jazz and its stellar home-court advantage collaborated for the Lakers’ first playoff loss in seven outings, with Utah power forward Carlos Boozer breaking out of his slump with 27 points and 19…
May 15, 2008, 01:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Bryant starts strong as Lakers take early 29-26 lead
LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant took the floor for the tipoff, took and made the first shot, a 3-pointer. He took the second shot, a fade-away jumper for a 5-0 lead. His third try was a miss, clanging off the rim. Bad back? Not Kobe. He quickly put to rest any concerns about his ailing back. At least…
May 15, 2008, 01:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 6 scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Pacific time
The Celtics’ ongoing inability to win on the road in the playoffs has ensured the Lakers another late start time for TV on Friday night in Utah: The Lakers-Jazz game on ESPN will start at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific time) after the Celtics-Cavaliers. Phil Jackson said the other day that it seemed the…
May 15, 2008, 00:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Don’t worry, Kobe Bryant will play in Game 5
LOS ANGELES Kobe Bryant’s back must not be dire. Otherwise, Lakers coach Phil Jackson wouldn’t have been so casual about his star player’s status for Wednesday’s Game 5 at Staples Center. First clue? Jackson showed up to pregame press without his tie and joked about it. Second clue?…
May 15, 2008, 00:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Some late-season props for Lamar Odom
SALT LAKE CITY — Somewhat lost under the wave of Kobe Bryant MVP hysteria and the impacts of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum before that has been a pretty fine season from one Lamar Odom, who turned it up in a major way the second half of the season once his surgically repaired shoulder got…
May 15, 2008, 00:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
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