NBA

Celtics 112-88 76ers: Tatum has 51 as Sixers sent home, Boston return to ECF

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics celebrates breaking 50 points against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023...

Jayson Tatum broke Stephen Curry’s record for most playoff points scored in a Game 7, as the Boston Celtics blasted their way beyond the Philadelphia 76ers after an eventful third quarter – punching their ticket back into the Eastern Conference finals, where Miami await for the third time in the last four seasons. Continue reading “Celtics 112-88 76ers: Tatum has 51 as Sixers sent home, Boston return to ECF”

NBA

As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel

Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse against the Portland Trail Blazers during NBA...

As is often the case come playoff time, there are many storylines and prospective scenarios that can play out a variety of ways over the postseason – with subsequent front office decisions often riding on the success or failure of a franchise or specific players in certain areas. This year is no different. Continue reading “As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel”

NBA

Given historical trends, Jason Kidd’s concerns about the Luka Doncic usage rate are natural

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks stands on the court during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 12, 2022 at the American...

Luka Doncic continued his excellent start to the campaign with a 42-point triple-double helping Dallas eventually overwhelm Portland with a 117-112 victory on Saturday night. With one of the highest usage rates in NBA history, and considering the conundrum which his Mavericks team still haven’t yet solved surrounding the supporting cast, Jason Kidd’s public concerns make sense for a 23-year-old they don’t want to burnout before it matters most in the postseason. Continue reading “Given historical trends, Jason Kidd’s concerns about the Luka Doncic usage rate are natural”

NBA

Curry, Tatum-Brown tandem reinforce belief all is well during season-opening victories

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors checks out his ring on ring night prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 18, 2022 at...

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 35 points as the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics got off to a winning start at home to the Philadelphia 76ers, before reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry crowned ring night for the Golden State Warriors with a 33-point outing – alongside seven assists, six rebounds and four steals – to beat the troubling LA Lakers.
Continue reading “Curry, Tatum-Brown tandem reinforce belief all is well during season-opening victories”

NBA

Now or never? Big things expected from Embiid, Harden and Maxey in big upcoming season for 76ers

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 and Tyrese Maxey #0 stand over James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 28, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

After a forgettable end to their postseason campaign last season, the Philadelphia 76ers have improved over the offseason and are again nicely positioned to right the wrongs of previous years. Joel Embiid is a top-three MVP candidate, James Harden a perennial All-Star and Tyrese Maxey their burgeoning young star. So how are their fortunes going to change this term?
Continue reading “Now or never? Big things expected from Embiid, Harden and Maxey in big upcoming season for 76ers”

Archives

NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as 21-22 season into business months

Nikola Jokic of Team LeBron and Joel Embiid of Team Durant talk during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022...

A few weeks removed from the All-Star break and now into the home straight for another eventful NBA season, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown earlier this month – discussing multiple topics including: under-the-radar players, intriguing offseason storylines, the MVP race as well as why he has a surprise team emerging from the West come playoff time. Continue reading “NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as 21-22 season into business months”

Archives

Joel Embiid’s masterful Milwaukee night reinforces his MVP credentials, with Harden to come

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers is defended by Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February...

Leading the league in points per game and posting a monstrous 42-point double-double against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks overnight, Joel Embiid is a clear MVP favourite before this All-Star break. With James Harden still to integrate after last week’s big trade, how will the dynamics shift as the big man hopes to end years of playoff frustration? Continue reading “Joel Embiid’s masterful Milwaukee night reinforces his MVP credentials, with Harden to come”

Archives

Nets 109-121 Bucks: Giannis drops 31 in return as Brooklyn’s slow start proves costly

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 7, 2022 at Barclays Center in...

On his return from a non COVID-related illness, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo produced another matchwinning display – 31 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in 27 minutes – as the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks picked up where they left off on opening night with another double-digit road win against their fierce Eastern Conference rival Brooklyn Nets. Continue reading “Nets 109-121 Bucks: Giannis drops 31 in return as Brooklyn’s slow start proves costly”

Archives

Victim of circumstance: Stephen Silas’ future under increasing pressure in Houston

Head Coach Stephen Silas of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center on November 14, 2021 in Houston,...

Per detailed reports with informed sources via Bleacher Report today, the Houston Rockets hierarchy are thinking about possibly sacking their head coach Stephen Silas amid a miserable run of results for the ball club – 15 straight defeats – in what has rapidly become a tough rebuilding job, a stark contrast to the squad at his disposal once initially appointed last year. Continue reading “Victim of circumstance: Stephen Silas’ future under increasing pressure in Houston”

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Work to do: Nets head coach Steve Nash declares his team aren’t at elite level yet

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets, Patty Mills of the Brooklyn Nets and Head Coach Steve Nash of the Brooklyn Nets talk during a game on November 16,...

After being blown out 117-99 by the Golden State Warriors during Tuesday’s primetime TNT slot, Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash reaffirmed something we already know: he doesn’t believe his team are in the same category as many championship-calibre teams right now – including the Warriors and defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. They have plenty to do.
Continue reading “Work to do: Nets head coach Steve Nash declares his team aren’t at elite level yet”

Archives

Naive or not, Kevin Durant’s visualisations of Kyrie Irving are echoed by many

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets high fives Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets during Round 2, Game 2 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 7, 2021 at...

Kyrie Irving’s public anti-vaccination stance has caused tension aplenty, especially as the New York laws require him to get a shot if he wants to participate in home practices or games this season. Kevin Durant admitted his visualisations of his All-Star teammate may be naive, but they represent a belief echoed by many with the new campaign less than two weeks away now.
Continue reading “Naive or not, Kevin Durant’s visualisations of Kyrie Irving are echoed by many”

Archives

Back to work: Lakers win Andre Drummond race after he agrees buyout

Andre Drummond of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse...

After agreeing to a buyout on Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond has joined the Los Angeles Lakers for their postseason push – despite a competitive race for his services with the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers among four other teams to meet with the 27-year-old this past weekend before his final decision was made.
Continue reading “Back to work: Lakers win Andre Drummond race after he agrees buyout”