Latest News Updates

Irving unanimous pick to NBA All-Rookie team (The Associated Press)

NEW YORK (AP) Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving of Cleveland is the lone unanimous choice to the NBA's All-Rookie team.

 

The Jamaican national team reminds me that it has multiple NBA players (Ball Don't Lie)

Last Thursday, I wrote a post discussing reports that Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, who has made multiple appearances in international competition as a member of the Jamaican national basketball team, was seeking his release from that club in the hope of becoming part of Team USA this summer. In it, I wrote that Hibbert was the island nation's "only legitimate NBA player (unless you count Patrick Ewing Jr., maybe, and you shouldn't)." This did not sit particularly well with the Jamaica Basketball Association , according to a statement emailed to me Tuesday by JaBA communications director Keisha Hill: Dear Mr. Devine, We at the Jamaica Basketball Association have read with interest your article on Mr. Roy Hibbert seeking a release from the Association to play for the USA Team. It is a good article however we would like to clarify a statement that was made in reference to our international players. In your article as highlighted below you stated that Patrick Ewing Jnr is the only other legitimate player that is involved with our national programme. [...] This statement actually misses a few key facts, which we hope you will correct.

 

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers face uncertain future after early playoff exit (Yahoo! Sports)

The Lakers will likely need to make some changes after losing to the Thunder in the second round.

 

NBA roundup: Orlando fires coach Van Gundy, GM Smith (The SportsXchange)

The Orlando Magic said so long to coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith on Monday.

 

David Stern changed the competition committee to push new rules, report says (Ball Don't Lie)

NBA commissioner David Stern holds a lot of power, but he can't make new on-court rules on his own. That job falls to the league's Competition Committee, an appointed group of owners, general managers, coaches and one player who decide how to improve the sport. In some cases, that involves introducing new rules — in others it means abolishing existing ones. For years, the Competition Committee consisted entirely of general managers. Last week, Stern changed the format and created a new nine-man group including Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. To most observers, the list looked perfectly normal. However, a new report indicates that Stern might have changed the committee to push through a few of his own preferred rules. From Mitch Lawrence for the New York Daily News (via EOB ):

 

Lakers' Blake, wife target of attacks on Twitter (The Associated Press)

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Lakers guard Steve Blake and his wife received multiple online threats after he missed a big shot late in Game 2 of Los Angeles' second-round playoff series with Oklahoma City.

 

As Heat, other super teams show cracks, Spurs still rolling in playoffs (Yahoo! Sports)

The Heat loaded up on star power to chase a title. The Spurs have shown internal development can build a stronger team framework.

 

NBA players set to lead Brazil's Olympic team (The Associated Press)

SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil's men's basketball team will be led by NBA players Nene, Leandro Barbosa, Tiago Splitter and Anderson Varejao when it returns to the Olympics for the first time in 16 years.

 

Coaches, owners have new voice in suggesting changes (AFP)

Rick Carlisle, coach of the reigning champion Dallas Mavericks, and Dan Gilbert, the club owner spurned by LeBron James, are among 10 people named on Wednesday to the NBA's new competition committee.

 

Kyrie Irving Wins NBA’s Top Rookie Honor, Praises Cleveland Cavaliers: Fan Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

It is hard to deny that rookie point guard Kyrie Irving made a huge difference for the Cleveland Cavaliers this past season. Ever since LeBron James left town for a warmer climate and what he deemed to be a better chance at an NBA Championship, Cavaliers' fans had been looking for a reason to stay positive. When Cleveland won the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery and the rights to draft Irving, the future looked bright again for a once strong franchise that had the rug pulled out from under them.