Look out behind you!
What Kevin Garnett doesn’t know quite possibly may hurt him. (more…)
May 28, 2008, 10:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Embrace the “combo guard”
People say the phrase “combo guard” like it’s a dirty word, but guess what: most of the league’s elite point guards are in reality combo guards. Personally, I’d prefer this stay our little secret: it’s why guys like Rodney Stuckey fall out of the lottery and into…
May 28, 2008, 10:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Pistons try to put Celtics on the ropes
First, in case you missed it: yes, Boston’s locker room was sweltering on Monday. Were the Pistons playing tricks on the visitors? Probably not … but I’m curious to see if the ghost of Red Auerbach turns off the Pistons’ hot water after the game. With a win tonight the…
May 28, 2008, 10:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Stat geeks everywhere love Amir Johnson
Count the Basket compares and contrasts the results of several advanced player rating systems, (including some I’ve never even heard of) … I took a look at seven popular player ratings. Two basic linear weights metrics based on boxscore stats - John Hollinger’s Player Efficiency…
May 28, 2008, 10:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
A Sunday “stake” dinner, led by D-Fish and Kobe
SAN ANTONIO — The Lakers left the arena and in a demonstration of how much closer a team they are than in previous seasons went out to eat. A group led by Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher went to a postgame dinner late Sunday night and ran through the disappointments of Game 3 further. “We…
May 28, 2008, 7:30 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Phil’s free-throw solution for Kobe
SAN ANTONIO — Kobe Bryant took 23 foul shots in a single game against Utah last round. He has six foul shots through three games against San Antonio this round. A big part of it is that San Antonio’s strategy is flat-out not to foul Bryant, but after studying some film Phil Jackson has…
May 28, 2008, 7:15 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Foul play, Pop’s blunder and Kobe’s free throws
Forgive this intrusion into my man Kevin Ding’s world, but I just wanted to bring your attention to some bonus Lakers material available elsewhere on OCRegister.com: ** Did Derek Fisher foul Brent Barry? You can make the call by clicking here. ** Lev’s leftover observations from…
May 28, 2008, 7:00 PM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
The Microwave was patient
John Stoll of the Wall Street Journal got nostalgic about the way sports used to be. I’m not a huge fan of these “it was better back then” type of articles, but I’ll give him a pass for including this anecdote from when he was nine years old: “Vinnie!” I yelled…
May 28, 2008, 6:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Doc Rivers: “They had a no lay-up rule”
From my FanHouse post about Game 4: “Give them credit because I just thought they were much more physical than us the entire game, in every way,” said Doc Rivers. “They bumped us up the floor, they bumped us, every cut we made there was body. Every time we had a chance to get to…
May 28, 2008, 6:30 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Just in case more motivation was needed …
… Deadspin has it: (Update: Should have figured — you can pre-order a Detroit shirt, as well.) Also, here’s a portion of Dan Shaughnessy’s column from Monday’s Boston Globe: Can’t help it. The Celtics are ahead of the Pistons, and the Lakers are ahead of the…
May 28, 2008, 6:15 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Have the Pistons made a promise to DJ White?
It’s that time of the year. From DraftExpress: D.J. White may [have] a promise from the Detroit Pistons at the end of the first round, according to sources with ties to the player. The Pistons have the 29th overall pick and may like the way White’s length and toughness fit into their…
May 28, 2008, 6:00 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Talking to CelticsBlog’s Steve Weinman
There’s no love lost between Celtics fans and Pistons fans, and it’s been that way for decades. That said, I’d buy the guys at CelticsBlog a beer any day. I made a cameo answering a few questions over there earlier today, and CelticBlog’s Steve Weinman returned the favor…
May 28, 2008, 5:45 PM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Hawks to hire former Sonics GM Sund
According Atlanta Hawks beat writer Sekou Smith, the Hawks will announce former Sonics general manager Rick Sund will replace Billy Knight as general manager of the Hawks today. Read more about it here. Sund was general manager for the Sonics for six seasons, which included two playoff appearances…
May 28, 2008, 5:45 PM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
OPEN THREAD: Day 39 of the 2k8 NBA Playoffs
I know how much everyone loves seeing the Lakers celebrate The Champs are on the ropes! Manu Ginobili where have you been? 1 good game and 3 stinkers. I'll throw this series on his shoulders. His play is the reason the Spurs are down 1-3. Had he given them anything at all yesterday, the Spurs…
May 28, 2008, 5:15 PM ET from Golden State Of Mind
More depositions available
I’m sifting through depositions today, but decided to come up for air and post a few links on what is happening down in Orlando at the NBA pre-draft camp. I’ve had a couple of people ask about making some of the depositions available. Initially when I received them paper copies were…
May 28, 2008, 4:30 PM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
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 28, 2008, 12:30 AM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
NBA rule is well-intended but flawed
I don't know if O.J. Mayo did take tens of thousands in gifts from the representative of an agent. I do know this: The accusations ESPN made about the former Southern Cal freshman are plausible. They'd be plausible for any...
May 28, 2008, 12:15 AM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Another coach's take on Brown's system
I had a long chat Friday with an NBA assistant coach about how Larry Brown and his priorities would affect the Bobcats, both collectively and individually. This guy’s team uses a variation of the defensive system Brown prefers. The assistant’s...
May 28, 2008, 12:00 AM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Knicks headed for Gallinari?
As you try to line up who will be gone before the Charlotte Bobcats' ninth overall pick in the NBA draft, check out who was missing from the first night of the pre-draft camp: The Knicks, at No. 6, had...
May 28, 2008, 11:45 AM ET from Bobcats: Inside the NBA by Rick Bonnell
Paul Pierce: Game 5 is a “must-win”
The Pistons never use the phrase “must-win game” unless they’re literally at risk of being eliminated. A lot of fans don’t agree with it, but now I see why they do it. From the MetroWest Daily News (via CelticsBlog): While no one was particularly happy with the Game 4 effort…
May 28, 2008, 08:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Baby eating tipping point?
A certain Baby Eater t-shirt made not one but two appearances in the mainstream media today: this Detroit Free Press’ gallery from last night’s game plus this column in the National Post.
May 28, 2008, 07:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Doc Rivers may be colorblind
Doc Rivers literally didn’t know how many jerseys the Celtics have.
May 28, 2008, 07:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
McDyess should be the face of the Pistons …
… because if he were, there’s not a person alive who could say they’re cocky, arrogant, complacent, or any other negative adjective commonly affixed to this team. Witness his post-game press conference: For more on Miggidy (and video of Maxiell annihilating KG), head to…
May 28, 2008, 07:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Pistons try to pull even
Optimism seems to be in short supply right about now, which in hindsight is a bit odd considering this isn’t even the first time this postseason that the Pistons have been down 1-2. With one win tonight, the Pistons get a clean slate. Maybe Chauncey Billups is toast, or maybe he’ll only…
May 28, 2008, 07:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Billups isn’t ready to sit … but should he?
As much as I’d like to pretend otherwise, it’s officially time to ponder whether Chauncey Billups is healthy enough to make any kind of sustained impact in this series. I thought he turned a corner in Game 2, but in hindsight it seems more likely that a) Game 2 was a mirage; b) he…
May 28, 2008, 07:01 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Celtics @ Pistons, Game 3
I used to do that all the time … in the third grade. Just saying. Rajon Rondo and the Celtics will have to learn a few new tricks if they’re going to take back command of the series tonight at the Palace. If you’re going to the game, don’t forget about the whole…
May 28, 2008, 07:01 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Look out behind you!
What Kevin Garnett doesn’t know quite possibly may hurt him. (more…)
May 28, 2008, 06:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Vote Wallace-Kander ‘08!
President Sheed and the Hebrew Heron / FanHouse
May 28, 2008, 06:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Embrace the “combo guard”
People say the phrase “combo guard” like it’s a dirty word, but guess what: most of the league’s elite point guards are in reality combo guards. Personally, I’d prefer this stay our little secret: it’s why guys like Rodney Stuckey fall out of the lottery and into…
May 28, 2008, 06:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Appreciating Flip
This already made it’s rounds in the comments, but for those who missed it, check out Ian Thomsen’s “5 Reasons Detroit can be champions” on SI.com. There’s a lot of good stuff there from Joe Dumars and Flip Saunders, including this nugget explaining how Saunders keeps…
May 28, 2008, 06:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
The Microwave was patient
John Stoll of the Wall Street Journal got nostalgic about the way sports used to be. I’m not a huge fan of these “it was better back then” type of articles, but I’ll give him a pass for including this anecdote from when he was nine years old: “Vinnie!” I yelled…
May 28, 2008, 06:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Mike D'Antoni and Avery Johnson available?
[ed. note: this is 'reportedly' going to be a big day in terms of possible coaching changes. Both D'Antoni and Johnson saw their teams bow out of the playoffs last night, and could both be fired today. Majoyenrac already started a fanpost thread on this, those thoughts are below.] …
May 28, 2008, 03:30 AM ET from Blog a Bull
Doc Rivers: “They had a no lay-up”
From my FanHouse post about Game 4: “Give them credit because I just thought they were much more physical than us the entire game, in every way,” said Doc Rivers. “They bumped us up the floor, they bumped us, every cut we made there was body. Every time we had a chance to get to…
May 28, 2008, 03:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Clueless like a fox
Heat beat writer Ira Winderman has an interesting take on the post-lottery Pax: Sorry, but still not sold on Chicago's John Paxson not being sold on who the Bulls plan to draft at No. 1. Somehow, one would think a season's body of work would mean more than anything Paxson will learn…
May 28, 2008, 03:15 AM ET from Blog a Bull
Just in case more motivation was needed …
… Deadspin has it: Also, here’s a portion of Dan Shaughnessy’s column from Monday’s Boston Globe: Can’t help it. The Celtics are ahead of the Pistons, and the Lakers are ahead of the Spurs, and by this time next week we could be knee deep in Magic/Larry throwback…
May 28, 2008, 03:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Sonics attorneys ask judge to silence Levy, Alexie
BY ERIC D. WILLIAMS Eric.williams@thenewstribune.com In the federal court case pitting the City of Seattle against the Seattle SuperSonics ownership group, attorneys for the team filed a motion seeking to silence the testimony of two local celebrities who are familiar faces at the team’s…
May 28, 2008, 02:45 AM ET from Sonics Insider by Frank Hughes
Kickin’ back in the Whicker chair again
SAN ANTONIO — Just a heads-up that Spurs-picking Register columnist Mark Whicker and I had another cyber-chat about the Lakers-Spurs series today, if you want to check it out and hear a couple anecdotes about a certain former Laker and current Spur. The debut installment of the weekly Whicker…
May 28, 2008, 02:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Game 4: Lakers 93, Spurs 91
SAN ANTONIO – It was either a mess of uncalled fouls or just the sort of intense scrum it naturally should be when one is trying to wrestle away another’s belt. When it was over, the young Lakers had a firm hand on what reigning NBA champion San Antonio is wearing and a 3-1 lead in the Western…
May 28, 2008, 02:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Have the Pistons made a promise to DJ White?
It’s that time of the year. From DraftExpress: D.J. White may a promise from the Detroit Pistons at the end of the first round, according to sources with ties to the player. The Pistons have the 29th overall pick and may like the way White’s length and toughness fit into their team’s overall…
May 28, 2008, 01:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Game 3: Spurs 103, Lakers 84
SAN ANTONIO – The Spurs’ big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker had quite a homecoming party to take Game 3 of the Western Conference finals pretty easily. That’s because the Lakers’ big three wasn’t much after Kobe Bryant’s 30 points. Lamar Odom swung dramatically from his big Game…
May 28, 2008, 01:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
The internet loves Rodney Stuckey
I have a history of latching on to certain players and overstating their worth before they really deserve it (OMG Delfino! Free Amir!), so I don’t want to do that with Rodney Stuckey. Instead, I’ll let the rest of the internet do it for me … From Dr. Lawyer Indian Chief at Free…
May 28, 2008, 01:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
NBA Finals set for June 5-19, “that girl” Gasol and contact time for Kobe
SAN ANTONIO — Detroit’s Game 4 victory over Boston ensures the NBA Finals will not be moved up on the calendar, so here is what it is set to be, according to the NBA master schedule: The NBA Finals will begin with games June 5 and 8 in Detroit or Boston. The next three games would be…
May 28, 2008, 01:30 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Yes’sir!
There are some things as a Pistons fan I wrongly assume other NBA fans also know. This is one such example.
May 28, 2008, 01:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Game 3 halftime: Spurs lead, 49-39
SAN ANTONIO — So getting back to what Kobe Bryant was saying Saturday about Manu Ginobili missing some easy shots … Ginobili actually is hitting some pretty tough ones now. He is 5 of 6 from 3-point range and 7 of 11 overall from the field, and his 22 points have lifted the Spurs to a…
May 28, 2008, 01:15 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Baby eating tipping point?
A certain Baby Eater t-shirt made not one but two appearances in the mainstream media today: this Detroit Free Press’ gallery from last night’s game plus this column in the National Post.
May 28, 2008, 01:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Kobe: Manu Ginobili “has missed some pretty easy shots”
SAN ANTONIO — It’s the time of the season when the players are inevitably hurting, as Derek Fisher tried to quantify for his wife after the last game: “This is our 102nd game of the season, including preseason.” The most relevant “ow-ie” we’re dealing with…
May 28, 2008, 01:00 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
It’s hard being a Pistons fan in Boston
I usually don’t link to comments made on other blogs, but this is worthy of an exception. From BW in response to Dr. LIC’s ode to Rodney Stuckey at Free Darko: I watched the game from a bar in Boston last night… and as the 4th quarter wound down, I couldn’t keep in my…
May 28, 2008, 00:45 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Game 4 halftime: Lakers lead, 53-47
SAN ANTONIO — Luke Walton started slow but finished the first half awfully strong. Walton’s aggressive post move against Manu Ginobili helped the Lakers to a 6-2 finishing run before halftime. Walton got an early run in Game 4 because of Lamar Odom’s two early fouls, but Walton…
May 28, 2008, 00:45 AM ET from Lakers: Locker Talk by Kevin Ding
Doc Rivers may be colorblind
Doc Rivers literally didn’t know how many jerseys the Celtics have.
May 28, 2008, 00:30 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
McDyess should be the face of the Pistons …
… because if he were, there’s not a person alive who could say they’re cocky, arrogant, complacent, or any other negative adjective commonly affixed to this team. Witness his post-game press conference: For more on Miggidy (and video of Maxiell annihilating KG), head to…
May 28, 2008, 00:15 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
Pistons try to pull even
Optimism seems to be in short supply right about now, which in hindsight is a bit odd considering this isn’t even the first time this postseason that the Pistons have been down 1-2. With one win tonight, the Pistons get a clean slate. Maybe Chauncey Billups is toast, or maybe he’ll only…
May 28, 2008, 00:00 AM ET from Detroit Bad Boys
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