Mar
9
2010
Phil Londen
One of the things we admire about great coaches is their ability to take in hundreds of different variables and quickly assess which are the most important. Even more impressively, they make these decisions in fractions of a second under incredible duress and despite adversity. But that is human nature. We are hard-wired to make sense of a lot of data quickly in pressure (read: survival) situations.

Image Courtesy of John Marcus
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1 comment | tags: Avery Johnson, Bill Polian, Bill Simmons, Brian Burke, Daryl Morey, Mark Cuban, Michael Lewis, Sloan Conference | posted in General
Mar
7
2010
Oleh Kosel
It’s the final countdown! Before I get into this week’s list, I’ve got to keep harping over these guys whose ownership is just over 40%: Carlos Delfino, George Hill, Taj Gibson and Drew Gooden. Hill looks to be primed to finish the year like a beast thanks to Tony Parker’s broken hand. Gibson has excellent prospects as well as Joakim Noah isn’t even close to being a force in the paint anytime soon. Lastly, Gooden and Delfino seem they’ll be able to continue their multi-cat ways.

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12 comments | tags: Al Thornton, Anderson Varejao, Andris Biedrins, Anthony Randolph, Anthony Tolliver, Antonio McDyess, Ben Wallace, Carl Landry, Carlos Arroyo, Carlos Delfino, Chris Hunter, DeJuan Blair, Drew Gooden, George Hill, J.J. Hickson, James Singleton, Jason Terry, Jason Thompson, JaVale McGee, Joakim Noah, Jonas Jerebko, Kris Humprhies, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Mario Chalmers, Quentin Richardson, Rafer Alston, Rodney Stuckey, Rodrigue Beaubois, Ronny Turiaf, Roy Hibbert, Shaquille O'Neal, Spencer Hawes, Taj Gibson, Terrence Williams, Tony Parker, Will Bynum, Yi Jianlian, Zydrunas Ilgauskas | posted in Preview
Mar
3
2010
Oleh Kosel
With yet another NBA trade deadline coming and going, a lot of excitement and hope was generated among the fans and media. Some teams were looking for that final piece that makes them championship material. Others simply were looking for a player that helps them get into the postseason. Lastly, there were a few who look at this time of the year as the highlight of the season as their team struggles to even be competitive on a nightly basis so might as well position themselves for the upcoming lottery. Whatever the reasons, all fans hoped their team would have made a trade or two that improved future prospects. Question is, how often can these deadline deals really be coined successful?

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2 comments | tags: Aaron Brooks, Adonal Foyle, Al Thornton, Allen Iverson, Andray Blatche, Anthony Johnson, Antwan Jamison, Ben Gordon, Brad Miller, Brendan Haywood, Brian Cook, Caron Butler, Chris Bosh, Chris Webber, Chris Wilcox, Daequan Cook, DeMarre Carroll, Drew Gooden, Dwyane Wade, Francisco Garcia, Hakim Warrick, Hasheem Thabeet, Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, James Singleton, Jason Thompson, JaVale McGee, Jermaine O'Neal, Joakim Noah, Kenny Thomas, Kevin Durant, Kevin Martin, Kirk Hinrich, Kyle Lowry, Luol Deng, Mario Chalmers, Mike Conley, Omri Casspi, Pau Gasol, Rasheed Wallace, Shawn Marion, Spencer Hawes, Taj Gibson, Tyreke Evans, Tyronne Lue, Tyrus Thomas, Zach Randolph | posted in General
Feb
28
2010
Oleh Kosel
Everyone ready for the home stretch? We’ve got 3 weeks left before most fantasy playoffs begin in Week 22. However, don’t view this as a time to coast as it could be more important than ever to pay attention to your teams. Whether you’re fighting to make the playoffs or simply looking to make those final tweaks to bring home a championship, the moves you make now could potentially decide your entire seasons. So FOCUS!

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52 comments | tags: Al Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, Anthony Tolliver, Antonio McDyess, Bill Walker, C.J. Watson, Corey Maggette, Craig Smith, Darko Milicic, DeAndre Jordan, DeJuan Blair, Drew Gooden, Elton Brand, George Hill, Jamal Crawford, James Singleton, Jason Smith, JaVale McGee, Joe Johnson, Luc Mbah a Moute, Marreese Speights, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Nicolas Batum, Richard Jefferson, Ronny Turiaf, Roy Hibbert, Sergio Rodriguez, Taj Gibson, Thaddeus Young, Tracy McGrady, Wilson Chandler | posted in General
Feb
22
2010
Phil Londen
When one door closes, another one opens — or so the saying goes, anyways. With the trading period closed in the NBA, it is time to scour the waiver wire and see if the trades opened up any doors for your fantasy teams. As my distinguished colleague Oleh pointed out in his breakdown of the fantasy fallout from last week’s trades, there is plenty of value to be had as a result of trades, injuries and everything in between.

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4 comments | tags: Al Thornton, C.J. Watson, Carl Landry, Chris Duhon, Don Nelson, Donte Greene, Eddie House, Hakim Warrick, James Harden, Jason Thompson, Joakim Noah, Jonas Jerebko, Kevin Martin, Mario Chalmers, Mike D'Antoni, Monta Ellis, Omri Casspi, Rasual Butler, Sergio Rodriguez, Spencer Hawes, Taj Gibson, Tracy McGrady, Tyrus Thomas | posted in General, Preview
Feb
19
2010
Oleh Kosel
Wondering what will be the effects of all the major deals prior to today’s deadline? Well, worry no more as Justin and I are here to help clear up any confusion. I’ll handle the relevant fantasy perspective while Justin will tackle the realistic implications in a subsequent article. If we happen to miss anything or you simply have a question, as always, feel free to leave a comment below.

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16 comments | tags: Aaron Brooks, Al Thornton, Andray Blatche, Antawn Jamison, Beno Udrih, Brendan Haywood, Carl Landry, Carlos Delfino, Caron Butler, Chris Duhon, Chris Kaman, Chuck Hayes, CJ Miles, Craig Smith, David Andersen, Donte Greene, Drew Gooden, Eddie House, Erick Dampier, Francisco Garcia, Gerald Wallace, Jared Jeffries, Jason Kidd, Jason Thompson, JaVale McGee, John Salmons, Josh Howard, Juwan Howard, Kyle Korver, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marcus Camby, Mike Conley, Nate Robinson, Nazr Mohammed, OJ Mayo, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Ronnie Brewer, Sergio Rodriguez, Steve Blake, Toney Douglas, Tracy McGrady, Travis Outlaw, Trevor Ariza, Tyreke Evans, Tyrus Thomas, Tyson Chandler, Wesley Matthews, Zydrunas Ilgauskus | posted in Fantasy
Feb
16
2010
Justin Phan
All the hype surrounding the collaboration between Mark Cuban and Jerry Jones in bringing the 2010 All-Star Game to Dallas wasn’t completely misguided, as the event drew a record crowd of 108,713 people to Cowboys Stadium. The entirety of the weekend proved to be more of a letdown than anything though, with two events in particular standing out as big-time busts.

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17 comments | tags: Andray Blatche, Brendan Haywood, Caron Butler, Chris Duhon, Craig Smith, Danilo Gallinari, Dar Tucker, DeAndre Jordan, DeShawn Stevenson, Drew Gooden, Dunk Contest, Flip Saunders, Gerald Wallace, H.O.R.S.E. competition, JaVale McGee, Jerry Jones, Jerryd Bayless, Jordan Hill, Kevin Durant, Marcus Camby, Mark Cuban, Nate Robinson, Nick Young, Rajon Rondo, Shannon Brown, Steve Blake, Toney Douglas, Wilson Chandler | posted in Preview
Feb
16
2010
Phil Londen
The All Star break is always a good time to start reviewing and analyzing the current season, as we are starting to acquire large enough of a sample size to begin to make decent judgments. With the season over 60 percent complete, the Coach of the Year (COTY) race is starting to take shape, with two coaches in particular rising above the rest of the pack: Atlanta’s Mike Woodson and Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks. However, this season there are a decent number of qualified coaches so we’ll break down the other hopefuls and also examine the COTY’s recent (and in some ways dubious) history to get a full picture of this season’s race.

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5 comments | tags: Allen Iverson, Alvin Gentry, Andrea Bargnani, Atlanta Hawks, Avery Johnson, Bob Knight, Byron Scott, Coach of the Year, Darren Collison, Dirk Nowitzki, Eric Maynor, Greg Oden, James Harden, Jason Kapono, Jeff Pendergraph, Jermaine O'Neal, Joel Przybilla, Josh Smith, Kevin Durant, Larry Brown, Lebron James, Lionel Hollins, Marcus Thornton, Michael Jordan, Mike Brown, Mike Woodson, Nicolas Batum, Patty Mills, Paul Westphal, Rick Adelman, Ron Artest, Rudy Fernandez, Sam Mitchell, Scott Brooks, Serge Ibaka, Terry Strotts, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Zach Randolph | posted in General
Feb
12
2010
Phil Londen
When discussing the best shooters in the game today, two names are commonly mentioned more often than others: Steve Nash and Ray Allen. Both are proficient from virtually anywhere on the court, including from the free throw line and from downtown. They are often in the games during clutch situations and both players have an impressive portfolio of clutch shots on their resume. Even more telling, both players are often heralded for their jump shots by coaches and analysts alike.

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29 comments | tags: 50-40-90 Club, Anthony Morrow, Beno Udrih, Dirk Nowitzki, Jim Calhoun, Jose Calderon, Kevin Durant, Larry Bird, Luke Ridnour, Mark Price, Mike Miller, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Steve Kerr, Steve Nash | posted in General
Feb
9
2010
Phil Londen
During a recent Suns-Jazz game back in January, Suns color announcer Eddie Johnson mentioned that Utah is one of the toughest places to play on the road. While this is merely one isolated example, it represents a common perception throughout the League and there are loads of anecdotes that mirror EJ’s comment. The notion of Utah as an elite home team is a perception that is worth investigating to determine whether it is actually true both historically and currently and also to examine the reasons for home court advantage in general. It is also relevant because Utah happens to be one of the two hottest teams in the League right now and is poised to make some noise in the playoffs.

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7 comments | tags: Amar'e Stoudemire, Chris Paul, Denver Nuggets, Dwight Howard, Eddie Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Utah Jazz | posted in General