Category: NBA Basketball

What I saw in the Lakers/Blazers game

Brandon King

The Lebron James era in Lakerland was officially rolled out in games that count last night against Portland. Though the Lakers came up short, losing 128-119, I saw a lot of positives ,and a few negatives ,out of this iteration of Los Angeles. The caveat to this analysis is that this is just after one game so the right activities can be stopped and the wrong ones can be perpetuated. Overall Effort and Intensity Though Luke Walton’s Lakers clubs have not been successful in terms of wins and losses, one…

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SST NBA Power rankings

Brandon King

10. Portland Trailblazers 2017-18 record:  49-33 2017-18  Season outcome: L 4-0 to Pelicans in 1st round of playoffs Key Losses: Ed Davis, Shabazz Napier, Pat Connaughton Key Acquisitions: Seth Curry, Nik Stauskas, Gary Trent Jr, Anfernee Simons Things broke exactly right for the Portland Trailblazers to ascend to the 3rd spot in the Western Conference last season.  Teams like the Jazz, Nuggets and Timberwolves left a path for Portland to step into a higher position than was expected. It also helped that the Blazers remained relatively healthy, as only the Oklahoma…

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Spurs’ starting point guard Derrick White tears plantar fascia

Brandon King

The injury bug is kicking the San Antonio Spurs, at least the point guards, right in the tushy. Sunday, starting lead guard Dejounte Murray was lost for the season with a torn ACL and now recently named starting point guard Derrick White has also went down with an injury. According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Expree-News, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich initially indicated Friday that White would be out six to eight weeks with a heel injury. However the team announced later than an MRI revealed a tearing of…

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Legendary coach Tex Winter does at 96

Brandon King

Tex Winter, the architect of the triangle offense that helped power three-peats in Chicago and Los Angeles, died Wednesday at the age of 96. Coach Winter learned the complex system from its inventor Sam Barry while he played for the Hall of Fame coach at USC. Winter gained prominence as an assistant coach under Phil Jackson being with Jackson for nine NBA titles.  Winter also spent 30 years as a head coach in the collegiate level, most notably as the head man at Kansas State. While he was at the…

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Jimmy Butler calls players only meeting

Brandon King

After yesterday’s explosive Timberwolves practice, I wondered what would be the next attraction added to what is becoming a three ring circus. It looks like an explanatory meeting is the latest saga of All My Timberwolves. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Jimmy Butler initiated a players-only meeting. Butler made his issues with management known with the team and that he “would compete with them”. However, his primary message was that he’d be the one to lead the club. Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: Several players spoke up in players-only meeting,…

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Jimmy Butler shows up and shows out at Timberwolves practice

Brandon King

If nothing else, the protracted Jimmy Butler-Minnesota Timberwolves divorce has been a boon for team content. The smoke, the back and forth on social media has been tragically entertaining to watch what was potentially a team on the rise become a toxic dumpster fire. As a trade had not been reached as the season loomed, Jimmy Butler would be expected to report to the team and when he did, high-grade accelerant would be added to that fire. That fire was fueled Wednesday. Butler showed up unexpectedly to Timberwolves’ practice (he…

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Miami offered Josh Richardson and first round pick for Jimmy Butler

Brandon King

The Jimmy Butler trade fiasco languishes into its third week, two things are abundantly clear-the Army Corps of Engineers cannot rebuild the bridge between Butler and the Timberwolves and whenever they ultimately move Butler, they will not get back fair market value back or even as much talent and assets they sent to acquire him in the first place. The later seems to already be playing itself out in their talks with the Miami Heat. The Heat offered Josh Richardson and a protected first round pick in exchange for the…

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Timberwolves preparing to start season with Jimmy Butler on their roster

Brandon King

Although Jimmy Butler still wants to be dealt, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been slow in acquiescing to this request.  This seems to be in part because the team President and Head Coach, who are the same person, do not want to trade him and the Wolves not getting a offer they deem satisfactory enough to warrant pulling the trigger. It appears the club is planning to start the 2018-19 campaign with the All-Star guard on their roster, according to Jon Krawczynski of the Athletic. Butler was at the Timberwolves’ facility…

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Lonzo Ball to play Wednesday in Vegas

Brandon King

After dealing with a nagging knee injury that cost him 30 games of his rookie campaign , Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball had surgery in July to remove the torn meniscus in his left knee.  In his absence, offseason acquisition Rajon Rondo has been operating as the starting lead guard. Acccording to Mike Trudell of Spectrum, Lonzo Ball will make his preseason debut Wednesday when the Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors in their next preseason game. Lonzo Ball said he’s playing tomorrow. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter)…

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