(This article originally ran at The High Screen on Nov. 13, 2014) By: Joe Mags When Atlanta walked off its home floor Wednesday night with a 100-97 victory over Utah, Mike Budenholzer did what all victorious coaches do in the NBA — they wave across the floor to the opposing coach and walk to the locker room. But as Bob Rathbun and Dominique Wilkins discussed during the … [Read more...] about League of Extraordinary Copycats: Atlanta beat Utah at San Antonio’s game
NBA
Enter at your own risk: NBA stats this early can be dangerous
(This article originally ran on The High Screen on Nov. 8, 2014.) By: Joe Mags It is bad practice to attach merit to the numbers less than two weeks into any season of any sport. Particularly in the NBA, “small sample size” is an assumed prerequisite with any extreme statistic, good or bad, until early-December.In fact, making observations of any kind in any context can … [Read more...] about Enter at your own risk: NBA stats this early can be dangerous
Cleveland sneaks out a victory in first battle against Chicago
(This article originally ran on The High Screen on Nov. 3, 2014.) By: Joe Mags The Bulls and Cavaliers, in some order, were rightfully fixed atop every Eastern Conference prediction. The reasons why are self-explanatory. Chicago won the East in consecutive seasons in 2011 and 2012, amassing a 75.7 winning percentage the last two seasons where latter-day MVP Derrick Rose … [Read more...] about Cleveland sneaks out a victory in first battle against Chicago
Dirk, Dallas back in NBA Finals discussion
(This article originally ran on The High Screen on Sept. 1, 2014.) By: Joe Mags The NBA belongs to LeBron James, the Larry O’Brien trophy is with the San Antonio Spurs, and coverage of the Association has never been more heavily focused on what happens off the court than what happens on it. I mean, for God’s sake, there were a few days this past summer when the … [Read more...] about Dirk, Dallas back in NBA Finals discussion
Eric Bledsoe to stay in Phoenix
(This article originally appeared on The High Screen on Sept. 25, 2014.) By: Joe Mags The Suns are spending $29.3 million on the point guard position in ’14-‘15, the most of any team in the NBA, according to spotrac.com. Much of that can be attributed to Phoenix amping up its bench with mighty-might scoring guard Isaiah Thomas and first round pick Tyler Ennis. But what … [Read more...] about Eric Bledsoe to stay in Phoenix