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

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

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

Masterful or misguided? Beal and Lillard’s latest contract extensions predictably raise questions

Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the first half at Capital One Arena on...

Bradley Beal became the 10th player in league history to receive a no-trade clause as part of his five-year, $251m max contract extension with the Wizards. Ten days later, another All-Star – Portland’s franchise star Damian Lillard – inked a two-year, $121m max vet deal to remain with the Trail Blazers, now under contract until the 2026-27 season. Will these decisions age well? 
Continue reading “Masterful or misguided? Beal and Lillard’s latest contract extensions predictably raise questions”

Archives

Regret or satisfied? Bradley Beal hints at re-signing with Wizards this coming offseason

Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards reacts during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on January 29, 2022 in Memphis,...

Three-time All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal acknowledged, when quizzed, that he’s leaning towards re-signing with the Wizards this summer. Turning 29 in June and eligible for a five-year, $246m extension if he declines next year’s player option, will the franchise star live to regret his indecisiveness or be truly satisfied with how things have unfolded in recent seasons?
Continue reading “Regret or satisfied? Bradley Beal hints at re-signing with Wizards this coming offseason”

Archives

Wizards’ Bradley Beal keeping all of his options open ahead of free agency

Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 8, 2021 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit,...

This coming offseason, Washington Wizards’ star shooting guard Bradley Beal is set to become an unrestricted free agent – which inevitably will see multiple franchises circling as they try convincing him to leave a market he’s remained in since he was drafted ten years ago. As far as he’s concerned, every option remains available to him as far as his next career step goes… Continue reading “Wizards’ Bradley Beal keeping all of his options open ahead of free agency”

Archives

Lakers agree trade deal for Wizards’ Russell Westbrook, featuring three-player package

Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 28, 2021 at Capital One Arena in...

After a disappointing playoff campaign, the Lakers have again been bold as they try to return top of the NBA food chain once more with this trade. But amid questions over the perennial All-Star guard’s fit in Southern California, is Russell Westbrook the answer to their problems? Continue reading “Lakers agree trade deal for Wizards’ Russell Westbrook, featuring three-player package”

Archives

Even after everything, 76ers’ high asking price for Ben Simmons isn’t a surprise

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during Round 2, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs on June...

Even after everything – including a forgettable postseason – the 76ers have a high asking price for any interested suitors looking to take advantage of Ben Simmons’ situation in Philadelphia. Considering he’s a three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive team selection and only turned 25 last week, this latest news update on his future shouldn’t be surprising despite his struggles. Continue reading “Even after everything, 76ers’ high asking price for Ben Simmons isn’t a surprise”

Archives

Wizards 110-107 Warriors: Bradley Beal’s spirited surge saves Wiz blushes

Watch Bradley Beal drain game-winning 4-point play, Wizards top Warriors

All-Star SG Bradley Beal didn’t need telling he struggled – but stepped up when his teammates relied on him most, scoring six points in the final 6.1 seconds to push the Washington Wizards past a determined Golden State Warriors effort with a 110-107 victory on the road overnight. Continue reading “Wizards 110-107 Warriors: Bradley Beal’s spirited surge saves Wiz blushes”

Archives

Oklahoma State’s star freshman Cade Cunningham declares for 2021 NBA draft

As expected, the highly-rated point guard Cade Cunningham today announced he will enter this summer’s NBA draft after averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 27 games under head coach Mike Boyton this term. Continue reading “Oklahoma State’s star freshman Cade Cunningham declares for 2021 NBA draft”

Archives, Specials

Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic deadline day trade a necessary gamble

Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls attempts a shot over Nikola Vucevic and Dwayne Bacon of the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on February 6, 2021 in...

Aaron Gordon’s trade request this week incentivised an ambitious Orlando side to embrace rebuild mode with key duo Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac both sidelined with ACL tears. Chicago are 1.5 games behind the eighth seed out East and now boast having two true All-Stars for the first time since 2014-15 – when they were eliminated by LeBron James in the postseason. Continue reading “Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic deadline day trade a necessary gamble”

Archives

NBA Previews: Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls, struggling Wizards travel to Timberwolves

Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 144-97 win over Miami Heat

Read on for two NBA previews as the action continues in what has been an unpredictable start to the new season. Milwaukee target an emphatic response following their defeat in Miami when hosting the Chicago Bulls, who snapped their struggles with successive wins against a dismal Washington Wizards (0-5) side. Can Scott Brooks’ men finally prevail away in Minnesota? Continue reading “NBA Previews: Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls, struggling Wizards travel to Timberwolves”