NHL Teams with Toughest Schedules Heading into All-Star Break
January 11th, 2017 by Allan Mitchell No comments »
The NHL schedule has reached the halfway point for most teams, but the truth is that not all schedules are created equal. Some clubs have ripped through the toughest parts of their seasons, while others have long stretches of danger ahead.
It is difficult to be exact in terms of identifying which teams have the toughest schedules over the rest of the season, but a shorter period of time offers us insight. Most teams play seven or eight games between now and the All-Star break, giving us a good look at the next several weeks. It is important because so few teams have lost track with the pack, so these games over the remainder of January are going to be important for playoff contenders.
Here are the teams that face the toughest challenges in the time between Jan. 12 and the NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 29.Begin Slideshow
Re-Drafting the 2016 NBA Draft Class at the Midseason Mark
January 11th, 2017 by Grant Hughes No comments »
Halfway through the 2016-17 NBA season, it's time for some revisionist draft history.
Let's do the whole first round over.
First things first: If you're picking at the top of the lottery, you're almost never in a position to consider need. (What would have happened to the San Antonio Spurs over the last two decades if they'd looked at the 1997 draft class, seen Tim Duncan sitting there and said, "Nah, we're good. We've already got David Robinson!"?)
However, in extreme cases—like the one involving a Sacramento Kings team that already had DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein (as well as needs at every other position)—I will probably go in a direction other than adding two more project centers in the first round.
For the most part, though, this is about using the skill and potential we've seen since the draft to reset the order. It's vital to keep a big-picture perspective here. Upside is still the ...
NBA Offseason Review: Looking Back at the Biggest Deals and Signings
January 11th, 2017 by Dan Favale No comments »
Already forgotten all the mayhem from the NBA's offseason? Probably, but you shouldn't have.
Yesterday is critical to whatever you see today.
We've had a half-season to monitor the league's most lucrative free-agent signings. Now it's time to hunker down and see how the most expensive pacts are panning out. Finding new digs is always riskier than returning to old ones, so our scope will be limited to players who switched teams during the summertime frenzy.
We will also be focusing on the 10 priciest annual salaries, sorted alphabetically, that resulted from the spending craze—because, you know, more money equates to stronger feelz.Begin Slideshow
Kevin Garnett Hired by Clippers as Consultant: Latest Details and Reaction
January 11th, 2017 by Timothy Rapp No comments »
The Los Angeles Clippers have hired former NBA power forward Kevin Garnett as a consultant, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times and Bill Oram of the Orange County Register.
The Clippers also shared a video Wednesday of Garnett working out with the team's big men, which will be his role in Los Angeles:
For Garnett, 40, it's a reunion with head coach Doc Rivers, who coached him with the Boston Celtics for six seasons, including the team's 2007 title-winning campaign.
In total, Garnett spent 21 seasons as an NBA player in stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. He was a 15-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA first-team selection, the 2003-04 Most Valuable Player and the 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year.
In Los Angeles, he'll work with talented big men Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Marreese Speights and Luc Mbah ...
LeBron James Reportedly Frustrated by NBA Officiating This Season
January 11th, 2017 by Adam Wells No comments »
Despite his team owning the Eastern Conference's best record at 28-9, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James is not pleased with how referees have treated him this season.
Per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin, James is becoming "increasingly frustrated" with some non-calls following the Cavs' 100-92 loss against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night:
James' frustration boiled over with 2:09 remaining in the first quarter, when he shouted at referee Tyler Ford and was assessed a rare technical foul -- just his second of the season -- after Utah's Shelvin Mack fouled James and put him on the foul line after an and-1 layup. While James got that call from Ford, he was upset from his previous trip down the court, when he felt like Mack fouled him on another layup attempt and there was no whistle.
James reportedly heard Jazz head coach Quin Snyder direct Mack to foul him rather than give up an easy basket, according ...
Derrick Rose: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Knicks PG’s Future
January 11th, 2017 by Joseph Zucker No comments »
Derrick Rose's future with the New York Knicks may be up in the air after the three-time All-Star failed to show up for his team's defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.
Continue for updates.
Report: Trust Between Knicks, Rose 'Eroded' After His Brief Absence
Wednesday, Jan. 11
The New York Daily News' Frank Isola spoke to sources close to Rose on Tuesday who said he considered leaving basketball altogether during his brief hiatus before returning to the team.
The Knicks announced Tuesday that Rose was back and received an undisclosed fine. Head coach Jeff Hornacek confirmed Rose will start Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, per Isola.
ESPN.com's Ian Begley reported the Knicks had been considering re-signing Rose, who is in the final year of his deal, but the relationship between Rose and the team has "eroded," casting further doubt on his long-term future in the Big Apple.
On one hand, it wouldn't be a great look for ...
NBA Mock Draft 2017: Full Predictions at the Start of the New Year
January 11th, 2017 by Jonathan Wasserman No comments »
As the NBA standings change, so does the projected 2017 NBA draft board.
Given the number of quality point guards and the fact most lottery-bound teams are already set at the position, fit could play a big role in determining where each prospect gets selected next summer.
UCLA's Lonzo Ball continues to roll, Duke's Harry Giles has returned from injury and Creighton's Justin Patton has officially broken out. Plus, a number of international prospects made strong impressions in December at the U18 European Championships.
The board will remain fluid as we get deeper into conference play. More competitive matchups create additional opportunities for prospects to move the draft-stock needle.
Taking team needs into consideration, here's a look at where things stand at the start of 2017.
The order is based on the NBA standings heading into Jan. 10, 2016. Draft-pick trades were accounted for. Begin Slideshow
James Harden Has 2 Triple-Doubles This Season with 40 Points and 15 Rebounds
January 11th, 2017 by Daily Facts No comments »
Fact: James Harden had 40 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in the Rockets' 121-114 win over the Hornets on Tuesday night, his second triple-double this season with at least 40 points and 15 rebounds. All other active players have two such combined games in their careers. (Vince Carter, Russell Westbrook).
Bleacher Report will be bringing sports fans the most interesting and engaging Cold Hard Facts of the day, presented by Coors Light.
Source: B/R Insights Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
NBA Player Power Rankings: B/R’s Top 30 Small Forwards at the Halfway Point
January 11th, 2017 by Adam Fromal No comments »
Does LeBron James still take the cake among the NBA's top small forwards?
There's no doubt the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar is defending his championship with another stellar season, but plenty of contenders are coming for his crown. Even with Kevin Durant qualifying for our position-by-position rankings as a power forward, James has to deal with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler, among others.
Plus, a number of youngsters are moving up the hierarchy in an expeditious fashion.
By analyzing the work these players have done in 2016-17, as well as their reputations from previous seasons and the expectations going forward, we're putting the top 30 small forwards in order. The goal is to identify the players we'd most want to build around for the remainder of the campaign, so long-term upside and prowess in the distant past are irrelevant.Begin Slideshow
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Betting Odds, Analysis, NHL Preview
January 11th, 2017 by OddsShark.com No comments »
Two of the NHL Eastern Conference’s best teams over the previous few seasons will be in the spotlight Wednesday night as the Pittsburgh Penguins (26-8-5) and Washington Capitals (26-9-5) meet at the Verizon Center.
Washington is listed as a small home favorite at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark to try to extend its winning streak to seven and end Pittsburgh’s at five.
The Capitals halted the Columbus Blue Jackets' winning streak with a 5-0 rout at home last Thursday and have since followed up that victory with two more on the road versus the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens by a combined score of 5-1.
Washington goaltender Braden Holtby has been outstanding between the pipes during the streak, allowing only two goals in four starts, with backup Philipp Grubauer picking up the other two wins.
The Penguins have also been rolling lately and sit tied with the Capitals in second place in the Metropolitan Division ...