NBA

NBA trade deadline day – a week on: A look at moves, winners and losers plus new season projections

New Nets players Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson watch from the crowd after being traded for Kevin Durant during the game against the Chicago Bulls at...

February 9 is now in the rearview mirror, with All-Star weekend almost upon us. After the Kyrie Irving move to Dallas opened up a series of trades – both small and significant – I take a look at them in this piece, assessing where that leaves some ball clubs as well as specific players who’ll find themselves in differing situations over the coming months – like the pair above in Brooklyn. Continue reading “NBA trade deadline day – a week on: A look at moves, winners and losers plus new season projections”

NBA

NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up

Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on...

It’s NBA trade season, so speculation is predictably in full flow as teams – whether championship contenders, pretenders or rebuilding teams – are all involved between now and the Feb. 9 deadline. Will any team satisfy Toronto’s big expectations in an OG Anunoby trade? What about Bojan Bogdanovic in Detroit, or the silence coming from the Suns about wantaway wing Jae Crowder? Read about all of that and more, with some free agent chatter to finish. Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up”

NBA

Atlanta, Detroit and Portland all early suitors in Deandre Ayton sweepstakes

Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western...

After a promising season ended with a forgettable postseason collapse on May 16, the cloud hanging over Deandre Ayton’s long-term future in Phoenix appears to be clearing this summer: multiple teams are readying themselves with lucrative max contract offers for 2018’s no. 1 pick. Continue reading “Atlanta, Detroit and Portland all early suitors in Deandre Ayton sweepstakes”

NBA

Conference Finals set after Celtics, Mavericks dominate their respective Game 7 duels

Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics reacts during the fourth quarter in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals against...

With their Game 1 clash vs. the Miami Heat set for tip-off in a few hours’ time, here’s a quick refresh: Boston Celtics, armed by a new career-high display from Grant Williams, overcame a 3-2 series deficit to knock out the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Hours later, Dallas did similar but in enemy territory, stunning the Phoenix Suns in a historic blowout win. Continue reading “Conference Finals set after Celtics, Mavericks dominate their respective Game 7 duels”

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”

Archives

As rumours continue, All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis wants out of Indiana

Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers shoots over Pat Connaughton of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on...

As speculation continues rumbling about the Indiana Pacers’ desired long-term direction, their two-time All-Star power forward Domantas Sabonis reportedly wants a change of scenery in 2022. Sacramento and Phoenix have been previously linked with a possible trade deal, while the league-leading Golden State Warriors are among interested suitors for the 25-year-old. Continue reading “As rumours continue, All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis wants out of Indiana”

Archives

Suns 107-110 Kings: Barnes’ dagger three ices game as Sacramento show their maturity

Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings reacts after hitting the game-winning three-point shot over Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA...

Unbeaten in pre-season but overwhelmed by Stephen Curry and Donovan Mitchell recently, the Sacramento Kings overcame adversity by executing big plays late on to emerge victorious and ice a hotly-contested clash against the reigning Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns. Continue reading “Suns 107-110 Kings: Barnes’ dagger three ices game as Sacramento show their maturity”

Archives

Phoenix licked their Finals wounds, but now signals time for more work

Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns pose for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 27 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix,...

All-Star guard Devin Booker had the uneviable task of travelling with two newly-crowned NBA champions en route to the Tokyo Olympics, his head coach Monty Williams was in reflective mood after watching the Bucks blast back from 2-0 down while star PG Chris Paul shunned other offers to agree an expensive extension in the desert. So, what’s next for the Suns? Continue reading “Phoenix licked their Finals wounds, but now signals time for more work”

Archives, Specials

Bucks 106-98 Suns: Giannis’ iconic 50-piece carries Milwaukee to first title since 1971

Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks hug after winning Game Six of the 2021 NBA Finals against the...

Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a seven-point deficit early after half-time to surge back ahead of a spirited but inefficient Phoenix Suns effort. Clinching their first NBA title for 50 years with a raucous Game 6 home atmosphere to savour, Mike Budenholzer’s men did it the hard way.
Continue reading “Bucks 106-98 Suns: Giannis’ iconic 50-piece carries Milwaukee to first title since 1971”

Archives

Devin Booker unapologetic on criticism of Suns’ injury-impacted NBA Finals run

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns holds the Western Conference Finals Trophy after the game against the LA Clippers during Game 6 of the Western...

During Monday’s NBA Finals media conference, the Phoenix Suns’ star shooting guard was bullish when asked about what many believe has been a fortunate run to the league’s showpiece event – profiting against three Western Conference teams suffering pivotal injuries.
Continue reading “Devin Booker unapologetic on criticism of Suns’ injury-impacted NBA Finals run”

Archives

Phoenix Suns 120-114 LA Clippers: Booker brilliance helps hosts gladly snatch Game 1

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns smiles during the game against the LA Clippers during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2021 NBA...

Devin Booker had 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists as the All-Star guard seized the initiative and lead by example in Chris Paul’s absence to record his first career triple-double, earning a hard-fought 1-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers – who had big games from Paul George and Reggie Jackson, but eventually ran out of shooting steam down the stretch. Continue reading “Phoenix Suns 120-114 LA Clippers: Booker brilliance helps hosts gladly snatch Game 1”