NBA

NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more

Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against the LA Clippers on December 27, 2022 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario,...

The February 9 trade deadline is just a week away, and Rui Hachimura’s surprise trade move to the LA Lakers last month – January 23 – hasn’t exactly caught fire as far as opening the floodgates for moves across the league. That much should change though before long, so here’s a round-up of the latest news and chatter, including the Clippers’ search for a guard. Continue reading “NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more”

NBA

NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls look on against the Boston Celtics during the second half at United Center on November 21, 2022 in...

More than a third of the way through the NBA regular season, title contenders and tanking teams have largely been identified. As for the cluster of teams flickering in the middle, the race to February’s All-Star break will decide where their future lies. I spoke to NBA expert Jack Brown for another Q&A, featuring Chicago’s issues, best Victor Wembanyama landing spots and more.
Continue reading “NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch”

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”

NBA

Ambitious Siakam and reigning Rookie of the Year Barnes poised to charge for tenacious Toronto

Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors and Pascal Siakam celebrate during the first half of their NBA game against the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank...

When they’re not battling one another for rebounds, one-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam and reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes appear primed to share the responsibility as a key part of a sneakily good Toronto Raptors side this coming season – which features Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr – keen to learn from past errors while improving their core unit. Continue reading “Ambitious Siakam and reigning Rookie of the Year Barnes poised to charge for tenacious Toronto”

NBA

After agreeing reduced $68.6m deal, will 76ers and Harden hum along into true title contention?

James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Miami Heat during the first half in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at FTX...

Details of James Harden’s two-year contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers emerged overnight, confirming what was first reported: the 10-time All-Star guard agreed a reduced deal to help the franchise sign more quality players in their attempt to go all-out for a NBA championship charge this coming season. Will his bullish comments prove prophetic or not? Continue reading “After agreeing reduced $68.6m deal, will 76ers and Harden hum along into true title contention?”

NBA

After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?

Victor Oladipo of the Miami Heat celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 97-94 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round to advance to...

After posting his second-highest scoring total since eventually joining Miami in a trade from Houston 13 months ago, is two-time All-Star shooting guard Victor Oladipo now ready to be their x-factor as the postseason deepens, with questions over Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler? Continue reading “After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?”

NBA

NBA: Storylines intensify as playoff permutations remain for multiple teams in final week

Paul George of the LA Clippers dribbles past the defense of CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at Crypto.com...

A 12-game slate overnight kickstarts a manic week across the league, as teams and their star players look to solidify strong playoff seeding. Phoenix have long tied up top spot in the West, but what about the other contenders? In a rapidly-changing East, which of the top four teams will ultimately rule the roost? Which teams will avoid the play-in, going straight to the playoffs?
Continue reading “NBA: Storylines intensify as playoff permutations remain for multiple teams in final week”

NBA

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”

NBA

Nuggets to extend DeMarcus Cousins’ contract, 76ers sign Cauley-Stein to 10-day deal

Willie Cauley-Stein of the Sacramento Kings faces off against DeMarcus Cousins of the New Orleans Pelicans on October 26, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in...

DeMarcus Cousins, who has split time with Milwaukee and Denver this term, is poised to have his contract fully guaranteed for the rest of the campaign. Meanwhile free agent center Willie Cauley-Stein, a former teammate of Cousins in Sacramento, has a golden opportunity to settle himself into a big man role with a championship-contending team out East in Philadelphia. Continue reading “Nuggets to extend DeMarcus Cousins’ contract, 76ers sign Cauley-Stein to 10-day deal”

NBA

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, Specials

Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider

Tyrese Haliburton of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with teammates Terence Davis and Maurice Harkless after a play in the second quarter against the...

Tyrese Haliburton has now recorded six games with 20+ points this season — five have come since December 17, with franchise guard De’Aaron Fox missing four outings during that stretch after entering the league’s health and safety protocols. Given the startling statistics with and without his backcourt partner, do Sacramento have a potential long-term issue on their hands? Continue reading “Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider”