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…
The last time Team USA played in an international tournament was an embarrassment. The inaugural FIBA World Cup took place in China this past summer and, after taking home the gold in the previous five events, the Americans finished seventh. They lost back-to-back games against France and Serbia to close out the tournament. It was…
Anthony Davis is one of the best pick-and-roll bigs of this generation. He’s now paired with perhaps the greatest passer of all-time in LeBron James, a special athlete with an insane command of any defense he’s facing. The duo is as vaunted in one action as any in recent memory. But something is also strange…
Dwight Howard’s career was crashing more dramatically to Earth than a victim of his facial dunks. Ever since abruptly leaving the Orlando Magic in 2012, injuries, team in-fighting and the modern game passing him by systematically sapped powers from the wunderkind once known as Superman. No longer more powerful than a locomotive and leaping over…
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel has some critical decisions to make around his starting lineup. LeBron James and Anthony Davis unquestionably have first-unit spots locked up. Danny Green, a low-usage three-and-D wing who fits perfectly alongside those two, should likewise be guaranteed to start. That leaves the point guard and center spots up…
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) and special guest Gerald Bourguet (@geraldbourguet) of The Step Back preview the Pacific Division ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season. How will D’Angelo Russell fit next to Stephen Curry? Who starts alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the Los Angeles Clippers? Can Dwight Howard…
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss Dwight Howard signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Caris LeVert’s extension with the Brooklyn Nets and whether Joe Johnson is worthy of an NBA roster spot. Will Howard actually embrace a smaller role with the Lakers, or will he become…
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania dropped unexpected and unwelcome news about Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins. Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a possible knee injury and will undergo further testing today in Los Angeles, league sources tell ESPN. Cousins was working out in Las Vegas on Monday when…
This NBA season has been defined by endings. Its community has celebrated the end of Dwyane Wade’s career all season long. The same can be said for Dirk Nowitzki, though an official announcement about his future didn’t come until Tuesday. We’ve been treated to and unified by vintage shots, heart-warming tributes and Paul Pierce slander.…
