By Nick Steblenko Before I begin this week's column, let's flashback to last week for a moment. Remember how I was touting the Warriors as a much improved team from last season? I even threw in this little bit... "After beating the Blake Show, and soundly might I add, it is not so difficult to see the Warriors in a favorable playoff match up later this season." Well now … [Read more...] about Rudy Gay and the Plight of the Griz
NBA
A sobering losing spell, reality-check coaching fire, and one extraordinary third-quarter have turned corner on Nets season
By Joe Manganiello After Brooklyn's milestone third-quarter in Philadelphia last night, the Nets are finally starting to validate all of the hype they entered the season with. Yes, the Nets did have a pair of five-game winning streaks in November to get out to an 11-4 record. But a 3-10 slide to begin the month of December buried the Nets under the Knicks in the Atlantic … [Read more...] about A sobering losing spell, reality-check coaching fire, and one extraordinary third-quarter have turned corner on Nets season
Chris Paul and an NBA in-season pop quiz
By Joe Manganiello As the season’s tenth full week comes to a close, plenty about the NBA landscape has been confirmed. But ’12-’13 has already proven to be an odd season, or at the very least a season filled with unexpected storylines. The Los Angeles Clippers have the second-best record in the league. The New York Knicks, coming off consecutive first round exits, … [Read more...] about Chris Paul and an NBA in-season pop quiz
Christmas: A special day for basketball watching with family
By Joe Manganiello On a holiday that stresses the gift of giving, the NBA so graciously gives its fans the gift of five powerhouse basketball games. The “Christmas Day Special,” deemed by ESPN/ABC sports, is only bested by all-star weekend as the height of the NBA’s regular season. From noon until the early morning, NBA basketball was on the big T.V. in my family room. My … [Read more...] about Christmas: A special day for basketball watching with family
Christmas Day: Who wins, who loses, and a dash of holiday humor
By Joe Manganiello Here are my quick, objective picks for Christmas Day games: Celtics at Nets. Never mind the home court advantage for the Nets. The C’s will ride out the animosity from the Rondo/Humphries altercation to the tune of a 96-89 victory. Player of the game: Rajon Rondo, who will outscore Deron Williams and put up a triple-double. Surprise of the … [Read more...] about Christmas Day: Who wins, who loses, and a dash of holiday humor