Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green are among the first that come to mind when discussing the NBA’s best defenders. But you might want to add Brook Lopez into the mix. The Milwaukee Bucks center primarily is known for scoring as an effective stretch-5, while his twin (Robin) is usually…
By Bob Bajek
Bob Bajek is an award-winning investigative journalist and TBW staff writer who has extensive experience in news and sportswriting for various outlets including Bleacher Report, The Chicago Tribune and Pro Football Weekly. He firmly believes Drake spread the Gospel of Steph before his official coming... and fans need to forgive the Warriors after providing free tacos for four NBA Finals.
The Numbers: Hassan Whiteside Leads NBA in Blocks, Rebounds
Hassan Whiteside experienced some ups and downs with the Miami Heat. He had turned in a couple of statistically dominant seasons from 2015-17, especially, but the athletic 7’0”, 265-pounder was moved to the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade last summer after both parties needed a change of scenery. He promptly turned back the clock,…
The Numbers: Zach LaVine’s Increased Range
The Chicago Bulls don’t have much going for them the past couple seasons, but at least they can always count on Zach LaVine getting buckets. LaVine added to his game this past offseason after the front office told him to start taking more threes instead of long twos. The 6’6” high-flier already could jam and…
The Numbers: Vince Carter Plays Most NBA Seasons, Third-Most Games
When a 21-year-old Vince Carter joined the NBA in 1998 as an athletic wonder, the Toronto Raptors knew they were getting a great player. Little did they know that VC would play a record-breaking 22 years and the third-most games (1,541). Only Robert Parish (1,611) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,560) logged more NBA appearances. Vinsanity changed…
By The Numbers: Mitchell Robinson’s 3-Point Shot Blocking
New York Knicks fans haven’t had much to cheer about the last couple years, but young center Mitchell Robinson has been a joy to watch. The 2nd year player is already a master shot-blocker, routinely putting his 7’0 frame, 7’4” wingspan and 9’3” standing reach to good use. Mesh that with athleticism and great ball…
NBA, WNBA Continue Fighting for Social Justice
George Floyd’s murder last month at the hand of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin appears to have jolted much of America’s collective conscience from an apathetic slumber. People of all ages, races and backgrounds have taken up their First Amendment rights of assembly to redress grievances—namely the extra-judicial killing of unarmed Black men by America’s…
NBA G League Primed to Take Next Step
The NBA G League has steadily grown throughout the years and is primed to reach unprecedented levels in 2020-21. The league now boasts 28 team-affiliated franchises and a new elite talent squad featuring premiere young players who decide to bypass the NCAA’s rapidly outdated—and some might say, indentured servitude model—to receive better training and actual…
NBA Draft 2020: Don’t Sleep on DePaul Forward Paul Reed
Front offices long to find sleepers in the NBA Draft. Teams often overlook them because said players lack ideal size, don’t play meaningful games against the right competition and/or have a limited offensive repertoire. Smart scouts and general managers look past ideals and notice key traits such as how athleticism, basketball IQ, tools and marked…
3 Key Bulls ‘The Last Dance’ Disrespected
NBA Nation just finished consuming ESPN/Netflix’s riveting 10-part documentary The Last Dance. While the five-week Michael Jordan-centric show hit many of the highlights, die-hard Chicago Bulls and ‘90s NBA fans have longed for more. Most of Jordan’s teammates received shoutouts, ranging from dedicated episodes for Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, to specific segments for Horace…
The Numbers: David Robinson Posts NBA’s Last Quadruple-Double
Triple-doubles used to be uncommon, even as Russell Westbrook, James Harden and LeBron James have recently produced a spike in them. But San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson long ago one-upped these luminaries by recording the NBA’s last quadruple-double. Only three other players have ever registered such a feat: Hall-of-Fame centers Nate Thurmond and Hakeem…