On May 5, 1995, Clyde Drexler (41) and Hakeem Olajuwon (40), both grilled up 40 burgers in beating the Utah Jazz during Game 4 of their first-round series. It was just the third time in NBA history that teammates went for 40 in a playoff game. Drexler added six assists and nine rebounds; Hakeem added…
Tagged Los Angeles Lakers
The Numbers: Earvin Johnson Brings the Magic with 21 Dimes
On June 3, 1984, Earvin “Magic” Johnson dropped 21 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-1 series lead in the NBA Finals. To this day, that stands as the Finals record, and the only two other occasions where a player broke 20 dimes also belongs to Johnson: June 4, 1987, against the Celtics;…
NBA Podcast: Ranking the Top Power Forwards in 2020 NBA Free Agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen and Bryan Toporek discuss the top power forwards in the 2020 NBA free-agent class. What is Anthony Davis’ best contractual option in free agency? Is Brandon Ingram a no-brainer max player? Which teams should go after Danilo Gallinari and Davis Bertans? Should the Denver Nuggets try…
NBA Podcast: Ranking the Top Shooting Guards in 2020 NBA Free Agency
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen and Bryan Toporek discuss the top shooting guards in the 2020 free-agent class. Should Evan Fournier decline his $17.2 million player option? If so, where should he sign this offseason? What about Tim Hardaway Jr.? Which teams should be interested in Malik Beasley? Will Kentavious Caldwell-Pope…
How New York Knicks Can Maximize Julius Randle
Rewind to last summer for a moment. This was supposed to be the era of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant for New York Knicks fans. But when the time came for superstar free agents to bite at the opportunity of playing in Madison Square Garden, no one budged, leaving team brass to scramble after next-tier players. …
The Numbers: Kobe Bryant’s 48 in 48
The 2001 Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason run was arguably the most dominant in history as they went 15-1 to get the middle title of their three-peat. During that run, Kobe Bryant had one of the best playoff performances of his career, scoring 48 points on May 13 to finish off the sweep of the Sacramento…
Meet Jim Barnett: Across Six Decades as an NBA Player & Broadcaster – Part 1
Jim Barnett has been a staple on Golden State Warriors broadcasts for 35 years. But before that, he logged 11 NBA seasons as a player for seven teams (1966-1977). From guarding Oscar Robertson and Jerry West to being coached by teammate Bill Russell, to being strong-armed by Red Auerbach and playing a supporting role alongside…
The Numbers: Shaq’s Double 40-20s During 2001 NBA Playoffs
On May 6, 2001, Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angles Lakers dominated against the Sacramento Kings, going off for 44 points and 21 rebounds in leading the Purple and Gold to a 108-105 Game 1 victory during the Western Conference semifinals. Two nights later, in Game 2, he had 43 points and 20 rebounds, becoming…
BbA 10: Favorite Centers of the 90s; Meet Bob Bajek
In this 10th episode of TBW’s Basketball by Association podcast, Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes are joined by Bob Bajek to reminisce about their favorite paint patrollers of the 1990s. Inspired by Bob’s “The NBA I Grew Up Watching: When Centers Ruled the League”, they look back on why they loved (or hated) luminaries…
NBA Podcast: Top Offseason Questions for Clippers, Kings, Lakers, Suns & Warriors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top offseason questions for every team in the Pacific Division. How much should the Los Angeles Clippers pay to re-sign Montrezl Harrell? What should the Sacramento Kings’ walk-away price be for Bogdan Bogdanovic? Is Anthony Davis a lock to…