Written by Nick Metallinos Monday, 29 April 2013 19:00
Good players become great during the playoffs, that's where reputations are forged and legends created. While it may be a little premature for Stephen Curry to be mentioned as one of the post-season's greatest performers, the young Golden State guard announced to the NBA world that he is more than capable of stepping up for his team when they need him the most. Curry battled a sore ankle in the first half of Sunday's game which had coach Mark Jackson pondering whether he should shut down his point guard for the night.
"It was almost like a boxer that knew he was on the ropes, because it was just a matter of time" Jackson said. "I told him I don't need him to be a hero. Talk about smart coaching. And I...
Written by Nick Metallinos Monday, 29 April 2013 03:58
Andrew Bogut puts JaVale McGee on an Australian poster. The Warriors set to go up 3-1 in their series against the Nuggets and Bogut continues to prove how valuable he is to the team when he's healthy.
Written by Nick Metallinos Saturday, 27 April 2013 15:46
The bad news for the San Antonio Spurs is that Tiago Splitter is out for 7-10 days with an ankle sprain, the good news is that they should sweep the crippled Lakers and have plenty of time to rest before they face the winner of the Denver and Golden State series. Splitter injured himself during the second half of Friday’s Game 3 drubbing in Los Angeles.
He had five points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. Splitter is averaging 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in his first season as a...
Written by Nick Metallinos Saturday, 27 April 2013 15:20
New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith was ejected for an elbow to the head of Boston Celtics guard Jason Terry during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. The foul was ruled a flagrant-2 on the floor and Smith quickly ran back to the locker room.
The NBA league office will now review the play and determine whether Smith should be suspended for Sunday's Game 4. After the game the Sixth Man of the Year winner said there was no malicious intent, he was simply trying...
Written by Nick Metallinos Friday, 26 April 2013 17:38
Kevin Durant doesn't like finishing No.2, and it appears his rival LeBron James doesn't either. James said finishing runner-up to Marc Gasol for Defensive Player of the Year award was upsetting. This is the second time that James has finished runner-up in the D.P.O.Y, the last time was to Dwight Howard - then with the Orlando Magic.
"It sucks," James said Thursday as he prepared for Game 3 of the Miami Heat's first-round playoff series against...
Written by Nick Metallinos Friday, 26 April 2013 16:57
The NBA championship has been blown right open, leaving the door open for Miami to coast to back-to-back titles with news that Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook being sidelined indefinitely. Westbrook has sustained a torn meniscus in his right knee during the Game 2 encounter with the Rockets. There is no timetable set for his return, and Thunder GM Sam Presti says the player's health comes first.
“Our players' health is our first and foremost concern. The...
Written by Nick Metallinos Friday, 26 April 2013 13:47
Doc Rivers opinion that the calls by referee Derrick Stafford on Kevin Garnett were horrendous have cost the Boston coach $25,000. The fine was handed to Rivers by the league office on Thursday.
From ESPN.com:
Doc Rivers was fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson announced on Thursday.
Rivers voiced his displeasure in his postgame news conference.
Written by Nick Metallinos Friday, 26 April 2013 13:36
The biggest weakness the Boston Celtics have right now in facing the New York Knicks is the lack of a true point guard to get them set up in their offense, according to Knicks guard J.R. Smith. Celtics coach Doc Rivers has been using Avery Bradley, a defensive speciliast, but not a true point. Smith says Rondo's absence is felt on the court.
"When Rondo is out there, they are in a certain flow," Smith added. "When he is not out there, they sort of don't know...
Written by Nick Metallinos Thursday, 25 April 2013 20:09
Say what you will about this first-round series between the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers being the least watchable of the entire playoffs, but Pacers center Roy Hibbert certainly did his best on Wednesday night to give fans and viewers a highlight to remember.
Hibbert dunked all over Hawks forward Ivan Johnson who could just stand helplessly as the 7'2 Hibbert soared in for the jam.
Indiana won the game, 113-98, to take a 2-0 lead in the...
