Fran Blinebury
NBA.com
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2017-18 Season Preview: Southwest Division
The once all-around toughest division in the NBA will be top heavy for the second straight season with the Spurs and Rockets chasing Golden State for Western Conference supremacy, while the Grizzlies → Read More
2017-18 Season Preview: Memphis Grizzlies
The Grit-and-Grind era, which put Memphis in the consciousness of the NBA, came to an end when the Grizzlies were beaten in the first round of the playoffs by the Spurs. It was the climb up → Read More
2017-18 Season Preview: San Antonio Spurs
Some things never change. The Spurs are coming off their 20th consecutive year in the playoffs and 18th straight season of winning 50 games. It was 61 victories that clinched No. 2 seed in the → Read More
2017-18 Season Preview: New Orleans Pelicans
The Alvin Gentry Era in New Orleans has been marked by a glut of injuries, slow starts and a failure to contend for the playoffs. Season No. 3will provide little room for excuses as the team → Read More
2017-18 Season Preview: Dallas Mavericks
Coming off their worst season since Mark Cuban bought the team in 2000, the Mavericks are still stuck between the twilight of the Dirk Nowitzki Era and a total rebuild. Harrison Barnes has shown → Read More
Detroit Pistons rookie Luke Kennard ready to prove himself on defense
Every rookie has something to prove at Summer League, some more than others. Luke Kennard arrived in Orlando not only as the Piston’s top pick in the 2017 draft, but the top suspect in the eyes of coach Stan Van Gundy. Not long after Kennard was the No. 12 choice on draft night, the no-holds-barred Van Gundy picked his defense apart. “He’s got to get a lot better, and quite honestly, in my… → Read More
After 24 years, Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander selling team
The Houston Rockets are for sale. Team CEO Tad Brown made the announcement at a news conference that owner Leslie Alexander decided to sell the club in the past few days. Brown told reporters in Houston that Alexander told him: “It can wear on you after so many decades.” Alexander bought the Rockets prior to the 1993-94 season for $85 million. Forbes recently valued the franchise at $1.65… → Read More
Houston Rockets introduce 9-time All-Star Chris Paul with championship hopes in mind
Storylines have a way of taking on a life of their own. Like the one that says Chris Paul is moving to Houston to help James Harden close the deal in the playoffs. Sure, and maybe he can also show him how to grow a beard. That's because, if anything, their career NBA resumes say it's CP3 who needs a GPS and a bit of renewed hope to finally get past the second round. While Harden has been unable… → Read More
James Harden's record contract extension lays groundwork for 'super team' In Houston
MVP votes and championships notwithstanding, James Harden finally found a way to get past Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry where it counts most. Houston signed Harden to a four-year contract extension for about $160 million Saturday, according to league sources, giving him a total six-year deal with $228 million guaranteed. It's the richest contract in NBA history and will keep Harden in a… → Read More
New York Knicks expected to intensify efforts to move Carmelo Anthony
Now that the Knicks have been able to welcome Tim Hardaway Jr. back to New York with a $71-million free agent contract, they are expected to increase their efforts to move Carmelo Anthony. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com, the Knicks do not want to play Anthony and Hardaway Jr. together in the same lineup and so may be more motivated to pursue a deal with the Rockets: > The Knicks'… → Read More
Summer Standouts: Day 4 in Orlando
ORLANDO —A look at top performers from Day 4 in Orlando: Henry Ellenson and Luke Kennard, Detroit Pistons The last two first round draft picks of the Pistons provided a 1-2 punch with 18 points apiece against Miami. The big man Ellenson continued to show off his improved outside shot make three from three-point range and Kennard sent the game into overtime with a pair of clutch free throws.… → Read More
Summer Standouts: Day 3 in Orlando
ORLANDO —A look at top performers from Day 3 in Orlando: Josh Huestis, Oklahoma City Thunder After struggling badly with his shot (3-for-14) in the summer league opener, the former first round pick of the Thunder (2014) came back to shine in a win over the Knicks. He connected on 11-for-17 for 26 points in 27 minutes and also pulled down seven rebounds. Dwight Buycks, Dallas Mavericks Coming off… → Read More
Kawhi Leonard says he'll play for San Antonio Spurs in Game 6
SAN ANTONIO — Despite a left ankle injury that forced him to sit out a portion of the fourth quarter and all of overtime in the Spurs’ 110-107 win Tuesday night, forward Kawhi Leonard vowed to play in Game 6 at Houston on Thursday. “Yeah, I'm going to be able to play,” Leonard said. “It was frustrating because I wanted to play. But I was happy seeing my teammates out there putting in a good… → Read More
San Antonio Spurs Find Parker-Less Identity In Game 3 Win Over Rockets
HOUSTON — For a Spurs franchise that has a whole wide world of experience, this might as well have been drifting ashore on an undiscovered island None of them had ever been in a place like this, taking the court for a playoff game without Tony Parker as their point guard. “It’s a little bit strange, a little sad too,” Manu Ginobili had said at the morning shootaround. “We have no precedent.”… → Read More
San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker recalls past glories with quality Game 1 performance
SAN ANTONIO — What began as a low murmur when he first took possession of the basketball grew into loud buzz like a sky filled with locusts when he crossed over mid-court. By the time he got all the way to the rim to finish or pulled up to stab in a jumper, it was a full-throated roar. “M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!” came the chants from those highest corners of the AT&T Center down to the front row… → Read More
San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard refocuses MVP race with another clutch performance
SAN ANTONIO -- "M-V-P! M-V-P!" The chant goes up on a regular basis in so any different arenas that it's almost becom → Read More
Embiid looking to expedite 'The Process' with playoff talk for Sixers
Maybe it’s a natural high that should be expected from a rookie enjoying his first pain and injury-free season in more than two years. Perhaps it’s the giddiness that comes from being at such a lofty spot in the standings, relatively speaking. But after the 76ers won on the road over the Nets Sunday for a 10th win that matched last year’s full season total, Joel Embiid was expanding talk of “The… → Read More
Duncan shows up at Spurs practice
Well, that was fast. → Read More
Harden focused on leading team after tough season
The door swung open and James Harden burst into the room in full song as he made his way to the podium on media day. A far cry from a year ago when all the Rockets did was wail the blues. → Read More
Iverson's adventurous journey to Hall has bumps along way
The road was long and filled with potholes, bumps and detours, but never recrimination. You either accepted Allen Iverson for who he was or he simply moved onto the next possession, the next crossover dribble, the next game. → Read More