It is very easy to overlook the Washington Wizards. They are in contention for the title about as often as the Earth is under threat of alien invasion, they haven’t had an outsized personality in the locker room since Gilbert Arenas was telling Javaris Crittendon to “Pick One,” and they will undoubtedly be kept off national television next season because they just aren’t sexy. But you know what? They could very well contend for the best record in the Eastern Conference. Many
A little more than a week ago, even as Chris Sheridan assured me LeBron James was going back to Cleveland, I dismissed his assurances and wrote a column saying the exact opposite. How could James leave a situation with a guaranteed berth in the Eastern Conference Finals – at worst? How could he play for an owner who called him a coward and a traitor? How could he play for a coach who had never coached in the NBA and who he had
Yes, there are still free agents out there and teams still have slots to fill. But most of the big names are gone, and most of the contenders are done reloading, retooling or rebuilding for the 2014-15 season. With that in mind, here is another edition of the Three-Man Weave, looking specifically at the balance of power in the Eastern Conference and how it has shifted. 1. Which team is the favorite in the Eastern Conference? [Read more…]
Some things are bigger than sports. The 2014 ESPYs were held live at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, July 16. Recording artist Drake hosted the annual award show, which pays homage to the greatest sports moments and performances of the year. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder won Best Male Athlete and Comeback Athlete of the Year to represent the NBA. Kawhi Leonard was honored for the Best Championship Performance and Gregg Popovich won the Best
After coming off one of his best seasons ever and winning the Sixth Man of the Year award over Jamal Crawford in 2013, J.R. Smith spiraled down in the wrong direction last season. Due to off-season knee surgery, Smith had no time to work on his game or stay in shape. Consequently, he started the 2013-2014 season comically bad, scoring 11.7 points on just 32.8 percent shooting in November and 12.4 points on 36.8 percent shooting in December. To be fair, Smith
Universally acknowledged as the Motor City, Detroit has enjoyed much of its professional sporting success through the Tigers, who have won four World Championships and 11 pennants since the team’s inception in 1901. Despite owning four NFL Championships the Lions are one of just four teams to have never won a Super Bowl, with their last Championship coming in 1957. The Lions have struggled over the last two seasons and have failed to post a winning record since 2011, which
Lance Stephenson, seen posing with $1 million in cash, will be cashing in upwards of $27 million in Charlotte. Lance Stephenson has chosen to turn down longterm offers to stay in Indiana for the Charlotte Hornets. The reports seem as perplexing as his on-court behavior. He was being offered five years and $44 million guaranteed to remain with the Pacers, but opted for three years and $18 million guaranteed—the third year is a team option. While it may seem puzzling to
After welcoming its first ever professional sports title with a Seahawks Super Bowl victory this past season, the city of Seattle has plenty to cheer for moving forward. The impressive play of the Mariners this season has also generated a strong buzz throughout the league, prompting both fans and opposing teams to acknowledge them as a contender after a nearly 13-year playoff drought. The Seahawks remain a heavy favorite to make another deep playoff run this season after demoralizing the