International Business Times

Are The Memphis Grizzlies About To Shock The Basketball World And Claim An NBA Title?

DeanJones — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:24:34 GMT

In the end, it was an absolute demolition job.

The Memphis Grizzlies continued their fairytale post-season by destroying the Western Conference favourites, the Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-1 to advance into the Conference finals. The 88-84 victory to ensure their advancement was typical of the gritty determination they have shown throughout the season. Now, the team who had recorded just one Playoff series win in their history until this season, has a real chance of winning the West and quite possibly an NBA Championship.

The Value Of Kevin Garnett And Paul Pierce

glenn.davis — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:39:49 GMT

Since the conclusion of the Boston Celtics’ season the hype from veteran reporters and bloggers alike has been to blow up the Celtics by trading Kevin Garnett and either waiving, trading or using the amnesty clause to remove Paul Pierce from the team. The thought process being that by trading Garnett and Pierce the Celtics would receive younger players who in return would fill the rebounding and scoring void needed to pave the way to the Celtics 18th NBA title.

NBA: The Golden State Warriors; On the Mark, (Jackson) Ready, Get Set, Go!!!

andre.mccarter — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:38:35 GMT

The Golden State Warriors have tied their NBA playoff series 2-2 with the veteran San Antonio Spurs winning game four in overtime 97-87. Both teams have won games on the opponents’ home court. There is no question this playoff series is in the mode of ready, set, go! How did this unlikely Warriors team get on the Mark?

NBA Playoffs: 3 Keys For Chicago Bulls To Bounce Back Against Miami Heat In Game 4

thaddeus.novak — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:44:44 GMT

The Chicago Bulls trail two games to one in their uphill playoff battle against the top-seeded Miami Heat. If the Bulls want to extend the series beyond five games, Monday’s Game 4 at the United Center becomes a must-win.

Beating Miami is always going to take a healthy dose of luck, but the Bulls can maximize their chances by following this formula:

1. Play smart

After A Fourth MVP Award, Could LeBron James Go Down In History As The Greatest Ever?

DeanJones — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:16:36 GMT

You didn't have to be Nostradamus to predict this one.

LeBron James, NBA Most Valuable Player.

NBA Playoffs: 4 Key Storylines To Watch In Chicago Bulls’ Series Against Miami Heat

thaddeus.novak — Sun, 05 May 2013 23:51:48 GMT

The Chicago Bulls survived a Game 7 on the road to advance in the Eastern Conference playoffs and face the top-seeded Miami Heat. The injury-ravaged Bulls don’t look likely to pose much of a threat to the prohibitive championship favorites, but that doesn’t mean the series won’t be worth watching.

NBA Playoffs: Andrew Bogut’s Play Powers Golden State Warriors Into Second Round

glenn.davis — Sun, 05 May 2013 21:29:48 GMT

The Golden State Warriors 2013 first round playoff victory against the Denver Nuggets will in all likelihood be remembered as the series that Stephan Curry took over and won for the Warriors. While it is true that Curry’s play was the catalyst to the Warriors victory, they could not have done it without center Andrew Bogut.

Bogut, who was an impact player in the paint for years with the Milwaukee Bucks, earned All-NBA third team honors in 2010. However, because of injuries to his elbow and ankle he has missed 120 games over the past two years, which has made him a forgotten man.

NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls’ Blueprint For Beating Brooklyn Nets In Game 7

thaddeus.novak — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:58:34 GMT

A short-handed Chicago Bulls squad fell at home to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday to set up Saturday’s Game 7 at the Barclays Center. With the status of two starters still up in the air, the Bulls face an uphill battle on the road if they hope to advance to the Eastern Conference semis.

For Chicago to pull out the win, Tom Thibodeau will need his team to follow these four steps:

1. Let Nate be Nate

The Los Angeles Clippers & The Memphis Grizzlies Face “Big Boy” Growing Pains:

andre.mccarter — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:31:50 GMT

The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies in a hard fought seventh game during the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs. The Clippers went on to the second round of the playoffs which was unchartered waters for the Clipper organization. In the second round of the 2012 NBA playoffs, the Clippers were swept by arguably the most seasoned “Big Boy” team in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs.

Knicks Must Get Their Mojo Back Or Risk Humiliation Beyond Their Wildest Dreams.

DeanJones — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:09:35 GMT

It was almost too good to be true wasn't it?

Looking for their first Playoff series win in 13 years, the New York Knicks appeared to be in cruise control. After all, no team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit and emerged victorious in a seven game series.

However, as every Knicks fan knows, nothing is ever quite that simple.

NBA Playoffs: Injuries Having Impact On 2013 Postseason

glenn.davis — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:03:04 GMT

Injuries have often adversely affected teams with a realistic chance of winning an NBA championship. Most notably in recent history, between 2009 and 2012 the Boston Celtics suffered injuries to key players that greatly decreased their probability of winning championships. Likewise the Chicago Bulls lost Derrick Rose to injury in Game one of their 2012 Eastern Conference Quarter-final series against the Philadelphia 76ers which essentially killed any chance they had of winning a title last season.

Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets: 4 Key Players to Watch In Saturday’s Game 4

thaddeus.novak — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 02:00:46 GMT

The Chicago Bulls have a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series as they host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. After an ugly defensive win in Game 3, Tom Thibodeau’s team would be happy with more of the same as they try to outslug Brook Lopez and company.

These four players will have huge roles in determining which team comes out on top at the United Center in Game 4:

MarShon Brooks, Nets

Golden State Warriors News: David Lee Done For The Season

glenn.davis — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:47:58 GMT

David Lee’s season is over. An MRI has shown the All-Star forward suffered a tear to his right hip flexor in Saturday’s Game one loss to the Denver Nuggets. Lee has been a pillar of strength for the Warriors all season long. He led the NBA in the regular season with 56 double-doubles and averaged 18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.

With The NBA Playoff Underway, My Predictions Are The San Antonio Spurs Will Win NBA Championship

Greg Wattley — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 01:10:19 GMT

The NBA playoffs got underway this weekend and it’s going to be epic.

In a recent blogs back in March I recall saying March Madness as the greatest spectacle in sports, and I stand by my words—but I would also like to add, the NBA playoffs is right up there with March Madness.

Boston Celtics Playoff Preview: Five Keys To Celtics Victory Over The New York Knicks

glenn.davis — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 01:48:44 GMT

Regular Season Records: Boston Celtics 41-40 vs. New York Knicks 54-28

The 2013 NBA playoffs have finally arrived and it is time to see if the Boston Celtics are real contenders for this year’s NBA title. They enter the postseason as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Their first opponent will be the Atlantic Division champion and second seeded New York Knicks.

NBA Playoff Preview, West; Old And New Rivalries Set To Steal The Show.

DeanJones — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:51:27 GMT

It's that time of year again. We are at the business end of the NBA season, the Play-offs. Here we will take a look at the match ups in the Western Conference, where the Oklahoma City Thunder will once again look to assert their dominance and make a return trip to the finals.

- Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs Houston Rockets (8):

It just had to be, didn't it?

NBA Playoff Preview: Eastern Conference. Knicks & Celtics Headlines A Stunning First Round.

DeanJones — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:31:43 GMT

It's that time of year again. We are at the business end of the NBA season, the Playoffs. Here we will take a look at the match ups in the Eastern Conference, where the defending champions the Miami Heat look primed for another deep run in the post season.

- Miami Heat (1) vs Milwaukee Bucks (8)

The Los Angeles Lakers Come Up Swinging On the Count of One

andre.mccarter — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:54:40 GMT

The Los Angeles Lakers have hit the ground hard various times throughout their 2012-2013 season. The team went 0-8 during the preseason. Early in the season, the Lakers fired their head coach Mike Brown for lack of team production and progress? Many fans were then upset when the Lakers’ management appeared to have snubbed fan favorite Phil Jackson. Jackson had given some indication that he would consider returning to the Lakers. No returned phone call to Phil Jackson and the rest is history.

End Of Season NBA Awards: LeBron The Runaway MVP In Another Stellar Season.

DeanJones — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:32:00 GMT

With another dramatic NBA season drawing to a close, this column takes a look at the main contenders for the big awards that are on offer:

Most Valuable Player:

- LeBron James, Miami Heat.
- 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG.

Derrick Rose Should Not Return This Season

glenn.davis — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 20:58:53 GMT

In all likelihood Derrick Rose’s potential return to the Chicago Bulls for the upcoming NBA postseason would be a useless endeavor. Rose who has not played since tearing his ACL in the first game of last season’s Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers would not be in game shape when the playoffs begin on April 20th. His lack of game activity this season would put him at a disadvantage, as he would be playing against men who have been active all season and ready for the rigors of the postseason.

Possible Torn Achilles For Kobe Bryant

wayne.thomas — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 06:44:06 GMT

A teary eyed Kobe Bryant gave possibly his last postgame interview of the season, early Saturday morning, after a 118-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant described the injury that forced him to leave the game as probably being a torn achilles.

Kobe Bryant Is Intent On Dragging The Lakers Kicking And Screaming Into The Playoffs.

DeanJones — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:39:48 GMT

After so long watching the 'Black Mamba', is anybody surprised?

When the business end of the season comes along, Kobe Bryant can always be counted on for match-winning performances when it matters most. Last night was no exception. With the Lakers just half a game ahead of the Utah Jazz for the final Play off place in the Western Conference, it was critical that they continued their good form on the road against an inexperienced Portland side.

Thanks to Bryant, the Lakers were able to do just that.

Los Angeles Lakers News: The Los Angeles Lakers Start An Early Playoff Run For Their Lives: Five, Four, Three Two One Or Your Done!

andre.mccarter — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:14:13 GMT

On Sunday, April 7th, The Los Angeles Lakers lost their regular season, round four “Thriller In Manila” bout to the much improved, “Lob City” Los Angeles Clippers 109-95. The Clippers swept the Lakers all four regular season games.

Carmelo Anthony & Kevin Durant Duel For Scoring Title

pables21 — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:21:54 GMT

Kevin Durant just cannot catch a break. The league's most prolific scorer is about to complete a historic 50-40-90 shooting season, one of the most amazing in NBA history. Yet LeBron James from the Miami Heat is considered to be the unanimous choice for MVP.

At least Durant was locked in to win the league's scoring title for a fourth consecutive season. It would serve as a nice consolation prize for the league's most dangerous scorer, who had led the NBA in that category for most of the regular season.

AND1's Resurgence Continues To Influence Hoops Culture

gina.antoniello — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:07:37 GMT

At its inception in 1993, AND1 set out to change the landscape of basketball by bringing those in the shadow, into the spotlight. They brought notoriety to those who innovated on the court, stayed true to their style, and exuded passion for the game that was contagious. AND1 created a brand of basketball that became instantly iconic in the 90’s. The Mix Tapes became an immediate craze, showcasing streetballers and ballhandling, and eventually, some of the best dunkers in America.