Scott Howard Cooper
NBA.com
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Past articles by Scott:
2017-18 Season Preview
This is either the new direction the Clippers need after or the first steps of the dismantling they hoped for years to avoid. Or both. Chris Paul forced a trade and Doc Rivers was removed as head of → Read More
2017-18 Season Preview: Los Angeles Lakers
Now the Lakers really have a new beginning, with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka off their first summer running basketball operations, Lonzo Ball in place as another piece of the future and the hope → Read More
2017-18 Season Preview: Pacific Division
More than the Pacific Division belongs to the Warriors, of course. The Western Conference does. The entire league does, for the second time in three years. The new season begins the same way the last → Read More
2017-18 Season Preview: Golden State Warriors
Won the championship in June. Re-signed starters Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Zaza Pachulia as well as key reserves Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston in July. Added Nick Young and Omri Casspi as → Read More
One thing is certain, the Golden State Warriors are strong favorites to win third title in four years
OAKLAND – They will take the Pacific Division with ease, a participation ribbon in their universe. They open training camp Saturday with a cushion the size of San Francisco Bay to win the Western → Read More
2017 Hall of Fame: Euroleague legend, cast of NCAA standouts get their due
He is Nick Galis to some and Nikos Galis to millions of others. He’s either an American who became a basketball sensation in Europe or a Greek superstar who happened to be from America. He’s a → Read More
Danilo Gallinari embracing pressure as he joins LA Clippers
LAS VEGAS – He had the world, make believe or not, off his right shoulder and sudden pressure from every direction, and Danilo Gallinari didn’t flinch Saturday at how much his life had instantly changed. Hide from the new level of expectations? Gallinari invited it. He practically craved it. He chose the Clippers as a free agent, a deal ultimately finalized in a sign-and-trade with the Nuggets… → Read More
Summer Standouts: Day 1, Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS — A look at top performers from Day 1 in Las Vegas: Malik Beasley, Denver Nuggets His plan to go from a minor role as a rookie to part of the rotation in his second season began with 29 points and six rebounds in the 102-99 loss to the Rockets. Malik Beasley goes for 29 points for Denver.Cheick Diallo, New Orleans Pelicans One of the top rookies in Las Vegas a year ago opened the 2017… → Read More
On the Clock: Q & A with NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe
The number of Draft candidates who used the NBA’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee broke triple digits this year for the first time, a sign of how prominent the program has become combined with the → Read More
LA Clippers looking to add D-League affiliate
Chances are good the LA Clippers will start a D-League team in Southern California next season, with the possibility that the latest piece in what has become a massive growth spurt by the minor league will have immediate international implications. While the Clippers have not finalized a deal, it is known they continue to work toward an expansion franchise for 2017-18, with multiple people close… → Read More
For Charlotte Hornets' Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, goal is to stay healthy
It was the solitary moments that jumped out. How he could hardly sleep as Sunday night bled into Monday morning, getting four hours of sleep at most at the team hotel as the anxiety of finally being able to play again took over. Then came now, after his Charlotte Hornets lost to the Dallas Mavericks in a meaningless exhibition later Monday that was anything but meaningless to Michael… → Read More
Warriors motivated by failure, molding new cast members
Three-one. The taunts will come as the Warriors move from arena to arena, some in a verbal assault raining down from the seats and some, in buildings that allow homemade signs, as written jabs. At one stop in particular, Cleveland, messages will likely be accompanied by laughter that is especially loud and mocking. Three-one! Maybe not Saturday as Golden State opens exhibition play against the… → Read More
Scrutiny begins for Durant as Warriors open camp
Sept. 26, Monday, was the same as July 7, the day Kevin Durant was officially introduced as a Warrior. He was in the practice facility, but not to practice. He put on a No. 35 Golden State game jersey, only not to play. Another day of ceremony. → Read More
Kerr tempers expectations as team expects growing pains
Yes, he is still the coach of the Warriors, the team that won a record 73 games last regular season followed by a second consecutive Western Conference title. And, yes, his team is the one that led the league in scoring and then added Kevin Durant. Point taken, though. There is possibly, if not likely, an adjustment period ahead with the arrival of two new starters, one of those newcomers will… → Read More
Timing could benefit trio in quest for Hall of Fame
The last best chance for Kevin Johnson for the Hall of Fame, plus Tim Hardaway with a steeper climb and Chris Webber from far back in the pack, begins now in a fortunate bit of timing for three candidates who need an opening and may have found one. → Read More
Like old times, vintage Iverson tardy and candid
He cried while answering an innocuous question and sneered at another, smiled, gave many thanks, boasted, offered loooong contemplative answers, and wore jeans, a T-shirt, layers of gold chains and a Yankees cap to go with the official formal sport jacket presented once he rolled in late, all in 31 minutes Thursday afternoon, all at the Hall of Fame. → Read More
Hulking career on, off court made O'Neal truly dominant
Shaquille O'Neal broke things. → Read More
Despite pain, rugged center Beaty always showed up
Zelmo Beaty will be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on Sept. 9 in honor of 12 seasons in the NBA and ABA, a recognition that will undoubtedly trigger memories among those who knew him as a center who pushed himself through searing pain in his knees, a low-key leader willing to mentor others and a good guy who put the game first. → Read More
Garretson's systematic approach leaves lasting legacy
Of course the discipline. Darell Garretson insisted on it. He lived it. → Read More
Izzo impacts NBA world without ever coaching in it
He could have become the Cleveland Cavaliers' coach in 2010, but turned it down amid concerns LeBron James might bolt a few weeks later for, say, Miami and leave behind a crater in the middle of the Cleveland locker room. → Read More