Washington Wizards play-by-play announcer Steve Buckhantz has a trademark expression called, “Dagger!”  When the listeners hear it, they know the game is over, and its time to either change the channel or go to the nearest bar to sulk. The Detroit Pistons were able to administer two “daggers” during their 103-97, Game 2 victory.
During Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics played with remarkable poise. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce hit big baskets and the team defense of the Celtics did not allow a single Detroit Pistons player …

On Wednesday night at the Staples Centre, the San Antonio Spurs led Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals by 20 points with 5:54 left in the third quarter. For a team that had been pushed to the brink of elimination by the upstart New Orleans Hornets the week prior, the situation was unbelievably amiable.
The defending champions had struggled mightily on the road in the Crescent City, getting blown out in the first three games there. Conversely, the Lakers had been perfect at home in the postseason. To be …

Last season I spoke very strongly in favor of Kevin Durant being drafted first overall. Portland had Zach Randolph in the middle and, at the time, the team had no strong options on the wings. When they traded Randolph to draft Greg Oden, I shrugged it off because you can’t go wrong with a guy like Oden. A big like him is a safer bet, usually, even though Durant’s ceiling is higher.
This year, the draft debate is even tougher to call. Derrick Rose, a player who will be an instant …

Just a quick note to let people know I’ll be a guest on Sean Duade’s show on WSRQ 1220 Saturday afternoon. His show runs from 3-4 pm EST and I’ll be on the show from 3:40-4:00. If you don’t live in Sarasota, Florida you can still listen to the show online by clicking here.

Off the opening tip in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the first play the Boston Celtics ran was specifically designed for Ray Allen. He came around the screen, Rajon Rondo passed him the ball, he squared up for a wide open shot, and much like he had done in the previous series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he missed.
With about 4:31 left in the second quarter, Allen again found himself wide open. This time squared his shoulders perfectly, shot the ball with that laser quick release of his and …

What is the difference between loving an NBA player one minute and hating him the next? Between rooting as hard as humanely possible for the guy one year and then cursing his name half a decade later?
Context.
Context is everything. As sports fans, we invest heavily in the games we watch and our opinions are formed, in large part, by the circumstances surrounding the contests. I know for an absolute fact that Derek Fisher is as fine as human beings come and that his family has been through the ringer and …

With the Conference Finals kicking off tonight I was able to chat with a handful of writers and bloggers to get the inside scoop on the final four teams left standing. With knowledgeable and passionate writers representing three of the four remaining NBA teams, as well as Holly MacKenzie from Slam Magazine providing a league wide perspective, this is one of my favourite Podcasts so far.
Some of the highlights from this podcast include:
* Matt from Detroit Bad Boys and AOL Fanhouse talking about how important stealing a road win early …

In Gina Prince-Blythewood’s film Love and Basketball there is a series of scenes in which Lena Wright and Quincy McCall, a girl and boy who grow up together and fall in love around their shared passion for basketball, play one-on-one games that reflect the changes in their relationship in their basketball lives. As preteens they battle on the court over the fact that he cannot accept being beaten by a girl; as young lovers they play strip basketball, connecting their physical love for the game with their physical love; as …

This week’s Buzzer Beaters has the scoop on what Raptors scout Masai Uruji was doing Nigeria, what players go through in pre-draft workouts, an interview with the fans who created the now famous Eva Longoria poster, details on the O.J. Mayo situation and a ton of other articles to make sure you know all the latest basketball news from the past week.
* Doug Smith on The Star had a great article about Raptors scout Masai Ujiri taking part in basketball development in Nigeria.
* Speaking of international hoops, Alex Johnson has …

Kobe Bryant’s back was hurting coming into Game 5 Wednesday night in Los Angeles and carrying his team, even metaphorically, was likely to prove difficult.
Luckily for Bryant he only had to do so for three quarters and then his teammates strained in the fourth to shoulder the load.
The Lakers’ 111-104 victory at Staples was lead, as always, by Bryant, who fought through back spasms (and uncharacteristically sloppy ball-handling) to put up an incredibly efficient 26 points, 7 assists and 6 boards. But it was the help he got that secured …