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…
Tagged JaVale McGee
NBA Film Study: The LeBron James, Anthony Davis Pick-and-Roll
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…
NBA Film Study: Scouting for Opponents’ Tendencies
Scouting reports are especially vital at the highest levels of basketball. They prepare players for personnel tidbits, identify an opponent’s best or most frequent sets, and unify the team in a direction for how to attack both. Those reports will have a video and written component most times, so different learners can digest the information…
50 Important Predictions for the 2019-20 NBA Season: Part 1
The 2019-20 season is almost here, so it’s time to be bold about what we think will actually happen. For some, these predictions may not seem incredibly bold while they may be preposterous to others. But basketball is back, and that in itself is worth celebrating: 1. Ben Simmons makes 11 three-pointers Let’s dive right…
L.A. Lakers Have Anthony Davis. So Now What?
It took a public negotiation, a failed Magic Johnson pep talk and a regime change. Months passed, countless Twitter jokes were made and a LeBron-less postseason ensued. It was easy to be down on the Los Angeles Lakers in the midst of their turmoil. But of course, that’s before you remember they’re the Los Angeles…
Must the L.A. Lakers Be Destroyed?
Some great movies are made, and also ruined, by the plot twist. The script for the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2018-19 season had the hype necessary for fans to watch, care and enjoy a bag of buttery and heightened expectations with their ‘ great time out’ at Staples. The storyline was not only intriguing. It was…
Revenge of the Old-School Big Man
The ‘90s are fashionable again, and it isn’t just overalls, matte lipstick and 25-year anniversaries of classic hip-hop albums. Old-school centers might just be nudging their way back into the NBA game, reclaiming their spot from the clutches of the stretch-4. Some teams are having early success with the throwback style this season, but how…