TNT Launching NBA Coverage Exclusively Featuring Former Players
January 19th, 2017 by Tim Daniels No comments »
TNT is set to introduce "Players Only" commentary teams for its NBA coverage during Monday night broadcasts starting in late February.
The Associated Press reported Thursday the three-player groups, which won't feature a traditional play-by-play voice, will be Brent Barry, Derek Fisher and Grant Hill, as well as Greg Anthony, Kevin McHale and Richard Hamilton. Lisa Leslie and Dennis Scott were selected as the sideline reporters.
Here's a look at the complete schedule of games for the "Players Only" format:
Turner Sports executive vice president and chief content officer Craig Barry provided a statement to the Turner Pressroom about the goal behind the new experiment.
"Our new Players Only franchise will allow us to provide a unique and compelling narrative surrounding the game through the distinct perspective and collective experiences of the former NBA player," he said. "We believe this original approach will offer deeper insights into the game, both on and off the court, along ...
NBA Seattle Expansion: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Potential Franchise
January 19th, 2017 by Tim Daniels No comments »
The city of Seattle is working to set up discussions with the NBA to update the league on its arena development process as it seeks a future expansion franchise.
Continue for updates.
Conflicting Reports About NBA, Seattle Situation
Thursday, Jan. 19
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times provided comments from Benton Strong, a spokesperson for Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, on Monday about the project's current status. He downplayed a report from the 16 Wins A Ring blog about "ducking" calls from the NBA, and he stated the city also wants to talk with the NHL.
"There is absolutely no truth to that whatsoever," Strong said. "If anything, we are trying to get together on a call with both commissioners to keep the lines of communication open."
The 16 Wins A Ring post cited sources who said the league was taking a more serious look at expansion after completing a new CBA in December. It pointed toward ...
Dwight Howard Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Hawks C
January 19th, 2017 by Adam Wells No comments »
A few months into his three-year contract, the Atlanta Hawks have had discussions about trading center Dwight Howard.
Continue for updates.
Hawks, Pelicans Discussed Howard
Thursday, Jan. 19
Per ESPN.com's Zach Lowe, the Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans had exploratory trade discussions about Howard after the two teams played each other Jan. 5, but this was before Atlanta "pulled everyone off the market."
The Pelicans' interest in Howard was the result of exploring options to move Anthony Davis off the center position, reducing the physical stress that position takes on his body.
However, Lowe did note it's unclear how much interest the Pelicans actually had in Howard, and the team did not have "unanimous support" in potentially acquiring the eight-time All-Star.
The Hawks have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games to put their season record at 24-18, fourth place in the Eastern Conference. That hasn't stopped the front office from making bold moves, though.
The team traded Kyle ...
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds, Analysis, NBA Pick
January 19th, 2017 by OddsShark.com No comments »
The Los Angeles Clippers (29-14) put their seven-game winning streak on the line Thursday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-28) as small home favorites. The Clippers will be starting another stretch without one of their star players, as point guard Chris Paul will be out 6-8 weeks following thumb surgery.
Point spread: The Clippers opened as 2.5-point favorites, while the total is at 206.5 points, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NBA pick, via OddsShark computer: 105-97 Clippers (NBA picks on every game)
Why the Timberwolves can cover the spread
Los Angeles is just 3-9 straight up when playing without Paul and Blake Griffin since the beginning of last season, and that will be the case again here against Minnesota. The Timberwolves will have a huge edge at point guard with Ricky Rubio and Kris Dunn, and last year's Rookie ...
Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks Betting Odds, Analysis, NBA Pick
January 19th, 2017 by OddsShark.com No comments »
The New York Knicks (19-24) will try to build on a big road win over the Boston Celtics when they host the Washington Wizards (22-19) on Thursday as small home underdogs.
Despite playing without Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles), the Knicks rolled to a 117-106 victory at Boston on Wednesday behind a team-high 30 points from Derrick Rose.
Point spread: The Wizards opened as 2.5-point favorites; the total is at 219, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NBA pick, via OddsShark computer: 110-100 Wizards (NBA picks on every game)
Why the Wizards can cover the spread
The Wizards are riding a three-game winning streak both overall and versus New York, losing just once in the series dating back to the 2013-14 season. Washington has also covered the spread in the past three meetings along with eight of the last 11, including a 119-112 win as a five-point home favorite on ...
Identifying the Ideal 2017 NBA Trade Deadline Target for Each Team
January 19th, 2017 by Adam Fromal No comments »
Every NBA team has something to aim for during trade season.
They're all seeking ways to improve their standing before the Feb. 23 deadline, though some are wishing for pingpong balls and others are trying to win a championship.
For all the organizations that should be targeting a specific player, a handful of others must go down more unorthodox routes. Maybe their ideal target is simply the patience to play out the entire season with the current roster. Maybe they're looking for a taker who will help them offload one of their overpaid contributors.
But everyone has something to strive for.Begin Slideshow
Midseason Player Grades for Each San Antonio Spurs Player
January 19th, 2017 by David Kenyon No comments »
While the Golden State Warriors' superteam development, Houston Rockets' resurgence and Russell Westbrook's nightly triple-double pursuit have garnered the most attention, the San Antonio Spurs have slipped into the NBA's shadows.
What's new, right?
During the last month, San Antonio has posted an 11-4 record to reach the halfway point at 32-9. The team has stayed within three games of the Warriors in the Western Conference.
Also in the stretch, the Spurs waived Nicolas Laprovittola and retired two jerseys of franchise legends: Tim Duncan and Matt Bonner (OK, retired his flannel). How are their replacements faring?
Individually, the players are basically matching the collective success, though each one is not graded on an identical scale—it's unfair to judge Kawhi Leonard and Davis Bertans using the same criteria. Grades are based on previous production, current role and expectations.Begin Slideshow
Stung by Departure of Durant, Russell Westbrook Is Learning How to Lead
January 19th, 2017 by Kevin Ding No comments »
OAKLAND, Calif. — Believe it or not, Russell Westbrook has mellowed.
Doubt it all you want—and after he vowed to take vengeance on Golden State's Zaza Pachulia late Wednesday night, skepticism would be understandable—but Westbrook has matured. He has become more understanding. He has evolved into much more than a venom-spitting, ruled-by-emotion caricature.
That's why he has been able to have one of the greatest seasons in NBA history. And yes, why he can be an even better player as he gains even better control of his incomparable fire.
Those flames of emotion were stoked after the Thunder lost to the Warriors 121-100, when Westbrook watched a postgame replay of Pachulia's fouling Westbrook hard and then standing over Westbrook's fallen body like some heartless hit man.
"He hit me kind of hard, but it's all right," Westbrook said. "I'm going to get his ass back, straight up. I didn't see [the play] until just now, ...
10 NBA Players Most Deserving of Their 1st All-Star Nods
January 19th, 2017 by Dan Favale No comments »
To paraphrase the Blink-182 song "Dammit": To earn your first NBA All-Star bid, well, I guess this is growing up.
Snagging that initial spot in the Association's annual February showcase is a rite of passage for stars, so this cornily butchered lyric isn't wrong. The All-Star exhibition has become a glorified playground exercise, but we still use selections as a form of validation for both past and present players.
Familiar faces dominate the superstar parade, and this year won't be an exception. First-time participants will be few and far between. But that doesn't mean there aren't a number of worthy newcomers—they exist in excess.
The extent to which every one of these players should be considered will be determined by experience, season-long availability, depth at their respective positions and individual performance. Many of these names won't actually get the call to play in the Feb. 19 soiree.
Any one of them, however, could be picked ...
NBA All-Star Game 2017: TV Schedule, Live Stream for Starting Rosters Reveal
January 19th, 2017 by Paul Kasabian No comments »
The Baseball Hall of Fame's 2017 class was announced Wednesday, just one day before the NBA All-Star Game starters will be revealed.
The back-to-back timing, while coincidental, is appropriate, as sports fans love nothing more than arguing about who should and shouldn't be in a Hall of Fame and who should and shouldn't be an All-Star.
(These two go neck and neck with debating power rankings and mock drafts, as well as embarking on the annual tradition of screaming loudly on television and social media about which mid-major got screwed out of the NCAA men's basketball tournament for a power-conference school.)
Below you'll find the starting lineup announcement information, the latest voting results and some thoughts on who should start.
Starting Lineup Announcement
When: Thursday, Jan. 19
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Live Stream: TNT Overtime
NBA All-Star Fan Voting (as of Jan. 12)
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Frontcourt
Team
Votes
Frontcourt
Team
Votes
LeBron James
CLE
1,066,147
Kevin Durant
GS
987,479
Giannis Antetokounmpo
MIL
963,110
Zaza Pachulia
GS
823,376
Kevin Love
CLE
473,328
Kawhi Leonard
SA
630,766
Joel Embiid
PHI
457,300
Anthony Davis
NO
567,201
Jimmy Butler
CHI
400,448
Draymond Green
GS
464,319
Guards
Guards
Kyrie Irving
CLE
971,362
Stephen Curry
GS
990,390
Dwyane ...