Category: NBA (Page 358 of 595)

      Bynum returns, Lakers beat Nuggets

      April 10, 2009 /

      Andrew Bynum returned from his knee injury Thursday night and posted 16 points (on 7 of 11 shooting) and seven rebounds in just 21 minutes, helping the Lakers defeat the Nuggets, 116-102. I watched his first few minutes of play and he looked like his old self, though his stamina still needs work.

      If Bynum comes back at or near 100%, the Lakers are clearly the team to beat in the West. In fact, they’re the team to beat without him, so the addition only pushes them further ahead of the pack. Barring a major setback (to Kobe, Pau Gasol, Bynum or Odom), it’s doubtful that the Lakers will run into any serious problems in the West. Are there teams that can win a few games and maybe push a series to a Game 6 or Game 7? Sure, but I just don’t see anyone in the West upending a healthy Laker squad.

      NBA, NBA Finals

      Five things that need to change about college basketball

      April 9, 2009 /

      Despite the rather lackluster 2009 NCAA tournament, March Madness is – historically speaking – the most exciting sporting event in the country. Still, as I watched the games this year, I noticed that a few things need changing. Here are my top five gripes about college basketball:

      1. No more one-and-dones.
      I understand why the NBA wants an age limit, but the one-year-out-of-high-school rule is hurting the college game. Amongst the major programs, there is little continuity season to season and it has thrown blue-chip recruiting on its head. Some of the best coaches in the college ranks are reluctant to recruit the top players because they know they’re just going to have a hole to fill the following summer.

      Players should be able to declare for the draft directly out of high school. But if they decide to enroll in college, they must stay a minimum of two seasons. Typically, high schoolers that are good enough to be drafted are good enough to stick in the league. If a high schooler enters the draft (but doesn’t hire an agent), he can always pull out and enroll in school if it doesn’t look like he’s going to be drafted in the first round. This is the same rule that college players have to follow. (And yes, I realize that this is the NBA’s fault, but it’s still a problem for college basketball.)

      Roy, back up three feet. Your guys will be able to hear you just fine.

      2. Get the coaches off the court.
      One thing that drives me nuts about college basketball is the leeway that the officials give head coaches. They’re allowed to stomp around the sidelines like petulant children, throwing hissy fits anytime a call doesn’t go their way. Okay, so maybe the refs are instructed to give the coaches some slack on the proverbial leash, but that doesn’t mean that head coaches should be running onto the court to shout instructions to their teams. It seems like every game there is a near-collision between an official running downcourt and a head coach that is stepping on the sideline (or is on the court all together). I’d like to see the official call an automatic technical if he sees the coach step on the sideline – that would clean this up really quickly.

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      College Basketball, NBA, NBA Draft

      Early entries keep coming

      April 9, 2009 /

      Arizona junior Jordan Hill will skip his final year and enter the NBA draft. Hill averaged 18.1 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats and the 6’10” power forward is projected to be a top 5 pick. His teammate, Chase Budinger, already declared for the draft…Wake Forest sophomore Jeff Teague will make himself eligible for the draft but won’t hire an agent, so there’s a good chance that he’ll return for his junior season…USC junior guard Daniel Hackett will enter the draft and hire an agent, ending his career at Southern Cal.

      Mock drafts: NBADraft.net, DraftExpress

      College Basketball, March Madness, NBA, NBA Draft

      David Thorpe hands out his All-Rookie awards

      April 8, 2009 /

      Scout.com’s David Thorpe (via ESPN) lists the top NBA rookies from the 2008-09 season.

      All-Rookie First Team

      Derrick Rose, Bulls: Among rookies, he is second in scoring and minutes per game and first in assists. He was handed a ton of responsibility immediately and handled it all with grace and professionalism. And though he went No. 1 overall, he probably exceeded the expectations of most people.

      Russell Westbrook, Thunder: Only rookie to rank in the top 10 among rookies in scoring, rebounding and assists. He is also second in steals and first in free throws made and attempted. He willed his team to some terrific wins and showed incredible promise.

      O.J. Mayo, Grizzlies: First among rookies in scoring and minutes, and is already considered one of the league’s top jump-shooters. He also competes hard on defense and appears to be very professional.

      Kevin Love, Timberwolves: Already one of the league’s top rebounders, he is competing with Speights for the rookie PER crown. He is also a smart interior defender and should be a strong starter for years to come.

      Brook Lopez, Nets: He’s been nothing short of a revelation. One of the top free-throw shooting centers in basketball, he is an excellent scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. He has been probably the most productive rookie of the class, and he can become a cornerstone center, which is one of the most valuable positions.

      It’s hard to argue with any of these choices. I was a little surprised to see that neither Rudy Fernandez or Michael Beasly made the first team, but both players made Thorpe’s second team. Thorpe also hands out awards for All-Defense and All-Offense, as well as a few other miscellaneous awards.

      NBA

      Blake Griffin is turning pro

      April 7, 2009 /

      Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, who collected a bunch of Player of the Year awards for his fantastic 2008-09 season, has announced that he will enter the NBA Draft.

      “It’s tough to walk away from something like this but at the same time, it’s a big opportunity and I felt like I was ready for it this year,” Griffin said.

      After declaring last year that he would stay at Oklahoma for at least one more season, Griffin said he wanted to be able to contribute immediately in the NBA before he would turn pro.

      “This is the right decision. In my mind, it’s a no-brainer,” [Oklahoma head coach Jeff] Capel said. “It wasn’t a decision to really debate because it’s the right one, and it’s the best thing for Blake.”

      This isn’t a surprise. Generally, when a player is in line to be the #1 overall pick, he goes pro. There is just too much at stake for him to play another year at the college level. Plus, he needs to get while the getting’s good. There’s no telling when this tough economy is going to force the league and the Player’s Association back to the bargaining table — reduced rookie salaries might be a part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

      From what I’ve seen of Griffin, I think he’ll make an excellent pro. He has ideal height and length for a power forward and can jump out of the gym. His face up game needs some work, but he’s strong in the post and is already a terrific rebounder.

      College Basketball, NBA, NBA Draft, News

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