With NBA Armageddon (aka the Finals) getting underway by the Riverwalk in Texas, I harkened back to (actually, I just remembered), some of the great role players San Antone has had over the years.
As I was telling one of my boys the other day, the Spurs, for over a decade now, has been a “money in the bank” team when it comes to playoff time. One of the major reasons the Spurs always seem to have it together have been their role players, and in 2003 (the first NBA Finals …

In the annals of NBA playoff history, most remember the high profile matchups towards the month of June, more so than the early round, 4-games-to-one whoopings. Every once in a blue moon, you get something in the first round that gets you hype for the whole ride (i.e. this year’s Warriors, who should play in leather vests and mohawks next season). Everyone remembers Dikembe on the Sonics’ home floor celebrating as his eight-seed Nuggets destroyed Shawn Kemp and Gary Paytons’ flow, but few remember the climax to the bitter, bitter …

By Brian Taylor
The memory was still fresh in my head today when I wrote this.
It was a Monday morning a few weeks ago, and the NBA was in the midst of a huge shakeup. The heavily favored (and in most circles, already-crowned) Billionaire Boys Club of Dallas was looking at the prospect of “going fishing” with E.J., Kenny Smith and Sir Charles, when a fresh face appeared on ESPN’s morning broadcast, with the following tagline underneath:
“Has Dirk gotten treated unfairly by the fans now that his team is losing?”

I removed …

By Brian Taylor
Okay people, I know that 99.9% of basketball fans know what happened to Drazen Petrovic, but I’m writing this to shed light onto a fantastic talent that was tragically taken from us almost 14 years ago.
What made me think about Drazen today? Simple. Look at the playoffs today and check out the plethora of foreign talent that’s landed (and done well) on NBA rosters. The Suns have the Brazilian/Canadian connection with Barbosa and Nash, the Cavs’ Sasha Pavlovic is stepping up to annoy “Vin Weasel”, Yao Ming, Dirk …

By Brian Taylor
Looking at the NBA Playoffs this year has reaffirmed my love for good, post-season basketball. Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave, or even worse, watching the NHL, you know that this year has been bonkers. The odds on, super destroyer Dallas Mavericks played Tyson to Golden State’s Buster Douglas, while Miami felt the 2006 edition Larry O’Brien trophy was just fine, thank you. It’s almost an NCAA tournament like atmosphere, where there really aren’t anymore overwhelming favorites left.
So, to honor a team that got salty and left …

By Brian Taylor
Welcome back people! I took a brief hiatus to mourn the passing of the Wizards’ 2006-2007 season, but now that the Cavaliers have finally euthanized my squad, I can focus my attention back to bringing you the best (and worst) of the Ghosts of Basketball Past.
The center position is one of immense scrutiny, as he’s usually the tallest guy on the court, and he never has an on-court, counterpart teammate (there are always 2 guards and 2 forwards). When these guys are good, even marginally, they’re highly …

By Brian Taylor
This goes out to both Ryan and my man Rashad who must have ESP, because both requested this one.

Welcome back Hoops Addicts for another spine-tingling edition of “Hey! Whatever Happened To.” I’m your host B Teezy and this week we’ll be looking at a classic example of how NOT taking care of your body can “hold you back, like bad credit.” We’ve looked at the colossal Kevin Duckworth, and had the tragic tale of Vin “and Tonic” Baker last week. The guy we’re profiling this week was so …

By Brian Taylor
What’s goin on hoops fam? Coming up with a “Hey” these days is getting more challenging by the week, but what fun would the game be without a lil writer’s block every now and then? So from here on out, yours truly, B Teezy, will welcome all suggestions for the upcoming “Hey” articles. Drop me an email at brianptaylor1911@yahoo.com, spammers will be shot on sight. If you have a good suggestion, my panel of judges (read: “me at the office”) will decide who gets profiled for the …

By Brian Taylor
So far this year, the one team that’s been kicking arse and taking names is Dallas, who has made a move to solidify their average frontcourt with the NBA’s version of Dick Clark. This is a guy who I saw along with the Human Highlight Film in Atlanta twenty years ago in the playoffs against Larry Bird. He’s a testament to physical fitness and he’s gonna go for one more ring in Big D.
I’m talking about Willis, Kevin Willis.

By Brian Taylor
As the March Madness fairy brings lots of games and goodies to sports fans everywhere this week, I’m continuing my quest to remind some of you readers out there of the stars of yesteryear, that may (or may not) have made it to the league.
Everyone knows my disdain for that school in Durham, NC. No, I’m not talking about UNC Central, I’m talking about the Evil Empire, also known as Duke. It’s true that I can’t stand those guys, but they manage to recruit like crazy and stay …