Lakers looking to become America’s Idol once again
LOS ANGELES Hmm-m-m… Wondering whether Phil Jackson will be able to keep his mind on Game 1 of the Western Conference finals with American Idol finale taping across the street at the Nokia Theater? Jackson said he’s not exactly a “fan” of the glorified karaoke show but he does watch it weekly. “I…
May 23, 2008, 11:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Ariza to play tonight?
By CURTIS ZUPKE The Orange County Register LOS ANGELES - Lakers forward Trevor Ariza will be dressed for tonight’s game and could play, Coach Phil Jackson said. “There’s a chance,” Jackson said in his pre-game press conference. Jackson said “I don’t know”…
May 23, 2008, 10:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Chauncey Billups: I have to be more aggressive
Chauncey Billups expects to be more aggressive in Game 2. From Keith Langlois’ blog: Billups said he came out of Game 1 feeling pretty good physically and expects not only he, but backcourt partner Rip Hamilton, will attack more often in Game 2. “I’m going to – I probably will,” he…
May 23, 2008, 9:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Charles Barkley is TNT’s spiritual leader
Not relevant, just funny. On a side note, Barkley has had a rough week, but he’s handled it like a champ. Hat-tip to Awful Announcing for the vid, of course. (Update: bummer, video has been removed)
May 23, 2008, 9:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Rodney Stuckey is the next Rodney Stuckey
From Drew Sharp in the Free Press: “They’re trying to fit these young point guards into an old mold that belonged to somebody else,” Pistons veteran Lindsey Hunter said. “They’re creating their own mold. People say that Chris Paul is another Isiah Thomas or Nate…
May 23, 2008, 9:00 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
It’s all tied up
I say this without hyperbole: last night’s game was the most entertaining playoff game Detroit’s played in years. It was competitive throughout, the big names on both teams showed up and it came down to the very end. (And, of course, the Pistons won.) But of all the things that went…
May 23, 2008, 8:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Kicking off mock draft season
Now that the lottery is done, mock draft season is officially underway. Here’s Chad Ford’s first. The highlights: Michael Beasley to the Bulls at No. 1, Chris Douglas-Roberts to the Pistons at No. 29. (Update: whoops, I forgot the link the first time)
May 23, 2008, 8:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
No suspension for Rip Hamilton, but cross your fingers for Rasheed Wallace
This is old news, but just to be thorough, the NBA fined Rip Hamilton for throwing an elbow at Kevin Garnett in Game 1. This is actually good news, since there was a small (okay, tiny) chance that Rip might have been suspended. That said, it doesn’t sound like there’s any hard feelings…
May 23, 2008, 8:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
DBB on HoopsAddict
As mentioned earlier, I was a guest on Ryan McNeill’s Hoops Addict podcast earlier this week, along with Natalie from Need4Sheed, Jeff from CelticsBlog, Kurt from Forum Blue & Gold and Holly from SLAM Magazine. Check it out.
May 23, 2008, 7:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Glen Davis has soft hands
Seriously? You’re a rookie in the Conference Finals and you agree to an article in which you explain your manicure? Nowadays, Big Baby, who got his name for his size and sensitivity during his elementary years in Louisiana, has a daily regimen of moisturizing, brushing and buffing himself…
May 23, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Bynum’s knee surgery deemed a success
LOS ANGELES Lakers center Andrew Bynum underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday in New York and Phil Jackson seemed relieved. “I think Andrew is glad he did it,” Jackson said. “I think there is a sense of ‘let’s move forward and get on with this’ and start…
May 23, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Press conference transcripts
Human Victory Cigar has transcripts of last night’s post-game press conferences by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Flip Saunders, Doc Rivers and Tayshaun Prince.
May 23, 2008, 7:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Lakers hold off Spurs, 89-85
LOS ANGELES After three tedious quarters, the Lakers shook themselves out of their malaise and pulled off an improbable 89-85 victory Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. The Lakers climbed out of a 20-point hole in the third quarter and survived two…
May 23, 2008, 7:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Rasheed sings Guns N’ Roses
I know a lot of you guys saw it, but here’s Rasheed Wallace channeling his inner Axel Rose in the final seconds last night. More silliness detailed at FanHouse.
May 23, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Spurs and Lakers and even keels
LOS ANGELES — Let’s give some props to the Spurs for the way they’ve dealt with a really bitter defeat. They’ve dealt with it like the champs they are, really. That kind of not-too-high, not-too-low mindset while doing the job is what got them to be champs in the first…
May 23, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
OPEN THREAD: Day 34 of the NBA 2k8 Playoffs
The Lakers need to win. At home, the referees seemed to believe this, too. Up by 4 with about 1.20 left, Tim Duncan grabbed a rebound which Lamar Odom, from behind, hacked Duncan rather hard across his shoulder swooping all the way down to his elbow. As a result, the ball…
May 23, 2008, 6:45 PM ET from Golden State Of Mind
Meet Detroit’s Big 3
Thanks to DBB reader Monday for sending that in (long-time readers of the site may remember his previous handiwork), and Rob G for providing the inspiration. And of course, here’s a PDF version if you want to decorate your cubicle.
May 23, 2008, 5:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Lakers close gap, 72-65
LOS ANGELES All that antsy-ness that Coach Phil Jackson talked before the game about finally showed up with five minutes left in the third quarter of Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Apparently tired of being run over and outscored, the Lakers eventually got their offense in gear after…
May 23, 2008, 5:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Prepared to go the distance
Unlike the previous two rounds, when I at no point planned for a Game 6 trip back to Denver and when I don’t think I would’ve had to make a Game 6 trip back to Utah if not for Kobe Bryant’s back injury, I’m ready for this Lakers series to go the full seven games. It’s…
May 23, 2008, 5:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Spurs lead Lakers, 51-43, at halftime
LOS ANGELES How are things going for the Lakers in the first half of Game 1 of the Western Conference final series? Consider that Brent Barry, the Spurs’ 36-year-old reserve, has the same number of points that the league MVP does. Things didn’t go well for the Lakers in the first half and…
May 23, 2008, 5:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lakers trail, 27-24, after first quarter
LOS ANGELES Vladimir Radmanovic already had started back on defense just as a pass was directed his way and the ball sailed out of bounds. His error drew a disparaging look from Coach Phil Jackson. But the Lakers coach couldn’t have been too upset with the forward, not any more than the rest of…
May 23, 2008, 4:45 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Jermaine O'Neal: Buyer beware
I suspect we'll hear a lot this off-season about Indiana Pacer Jermaine O'Neal being available in trade. At first glance, he'd be a great addition to the Charlotte Bobcats -- a scoring big man who can play power forward or...
May 23, 2008, 4:30 PM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Who is the best-dressed Laker?
The Lakers clean up nicely, as these pictures illustrate. Who is the best-dressed Laker? Derek Fisher Jordan Farmar Pau Gasol Kobe Bryant Lamar Odom Sasha…
May 23, 2008, 4:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Lonely fan protest in OKC
A sad but funny photo of one Sonics fan who made his way down to Oklahoma City to protest the move of the Sonics to the Ford Center. It's a Friday heading into Memorial Day Weekend, so if you're at work you really can't be doing anything productive today, right? So I've rounded up some reading…
May 23, 2008, 2:30 PM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
Ford thinks Rose will be the pick (and other draft tips)
[From the Fanposts. I inferred the same things Ford did from that podcast -ed.] One of the stops on the Paxson Media Tour after winning the lottery was a podcast sitdown with Chad Ford. After hearing the usual Pax speak about wanting a leader, Ford has done a 180 (its a free preview insider…
May 23, 2008, 2:15 PM ET from Blog a Bull
More about the Hornets and Drafting
Following up on my previous draft post, I wanted to address how the Hornets, as an organization, have done with the draft, and what we can hope from our pick. This year, we only hold the 27th selection of the draft, since our second round pick will be going to Seattle.In general, the…
May 23, 2008, 1:45 PM ET from Hornets247.com Blog
Four Concerns I have with Beasley
[From the fanposts. -ed.] I simply don't value high scoring 3/4 tweeners very highly. Based on watching the NBA, NBA history, and statistics, I don't believe they're as valuable when it comes to actually winning games as their offensive skill set suggests. For a forward to be a…
May 23, 2008, 11:45 AM ET from Blog a Bull
Pistons @ Celtics, Game 2
This isn’t a must-win, but it’s still damn important. I put together a preview of sorts at FanHouse, and I’ll also be live-blogging the game. Do your thing in the comments — I’ll see you when this gets tied up.
May 23, 2008, 09:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Pistons lose Game 1, and that’s OK
Game 1 didn’t go off as well as I’d hoped … but it did play out just as I expected. As far as I’m concerned, the first game was always about regaining rhythm, not taking control of the series. Boston was flying high off an emotional win, and in front of a frenzied crowd,…
May 23, 2008, 09:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Be Like Theo!
Pop quiz: After last week’s Game 5 win over the Magic, I talked to Theo Ratliff about a) how the Pistons were able to contain Dwight Howard; b) the challenges posed by the Cavs and the Celtcs; or c) his signature sports drink line. You know me, focusing on the important stuff.
May 23, 2008, 09:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Doc or Flip?
From the Boston Herald: He doesn’t listen, but he hears. Doc Rivers knows that even with his team just three wins away from a trip to the NBA Finals, his job approval rating among many fans generally runs along a fine line between acceptable and get him the hell out of here. I bet you could swap…
May 23, 2008, 09:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Finally: Pistons and Celtics in the ECF
It’s exactly what everyone predicted at the beginning of the year: the revamped Celtics against the experienced Pistons. After reading countless predictions (this might be my favorite), it’s time to just play the game. There’s no shortage of live blogs going on (ahem,…
May 23, 2008, 08:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Chauncey Billups: I have to be more aggressive
Chauncey Billups expects to be more aggressive in Game 2. From Keith Langlois’ blog: Billups said he came out of Game 1 feeling pretty good physically and expects not only he, but backcourt partner Rip Hamilton, will attack more often in Game 2. “I’m going to – I probably will,” he said. “I…
May 23, 2008, 08:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Charles Barkley is TNT’s spiritual leader
Not relevant, just funny. On a side note, Barkley has had a rough week, but he’s handled it like a champ. Hat-tip to Awful Announcing for the vid, of course. (Update: bummer, video has been removed)
May 23, 2008, 08:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Rodney Stuckey is the next Rodney Stuckey
From Drew Sharp in the Free Press: “They’re trying to fit these young point guards into an old mold that belonged to somebody else,” Pistons veteran Lindsey Hunter said. “They’re creating their own mold. People say that Chris Paul is another Isiah Thomas or Nate…
May 23, 2008, 08:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
It’s all tied up
I say this without hyperbole: last night’s game was the most entertaining playoff game Detroit’s played in years. It was competitive throughout, the big names on both teams showed up and it came down to the very end. (And, of course, the Pistons won.) But of all the things that went…
May 23, 2008, 07:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Kicking off mock draft season
Now that the lottery is done, mock draft season is officially underway. Here’s Chad Ford’s first. The highlights: Michael Beasley to the Bulls at No. 1, Chris Douglas-Roberts to the Pistons at No. 29. (Update: whoops, I forgot the link the first time)
May 23, 2008, 06:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
No suspension for Rip, but cross your fingers for Rasheed
This is old news, but just to be thorough, the NBA fined Rip Hamilton for throwing an elbow at Kevin Garnett in Game 1. This is actually good news, since there was a small (okay, tiny) chance that Rip might have been suspended. That said, it doesn’t sound like there’s any hard feelings…
May 23, 2008, 06:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
DBB on HoopsAddict
As mentioned earlier, I was a guest on Ryan McNeill’s Hoops Addict podcast earlier this week, along with Natalie from Need4Sheed, Jeff from CelticsBlog, Kurt from Forum Blue & Gold and Holly from SLAM Magazine. Check it out.
May 23, 2008, 00:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
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