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…
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…
The 1995-98 Chicago Bulls projected Invinci-Bull-ity to me growing up. As their great collection of talent produced championship after championship, my 7- to 10-year-old-self believed my heroes were Unbeata-Bull. Their success somehow became my success, quickly fostering my love for basketball and the NBA. The Bulls’ sheer dominance was just a matter of fact. NBA…
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…
The NBA’s rapid evolution into a positionless game within the past five years has changed basketball forever. This development offers a more open floor and skillful game that showcases players’ otherworldly athleticism through off-the-ball movement, teamwide defensive switching concepts and by stretching defenses horizontally with long-range shooting way past the arc. Even with such positive…
The early 2000s was a time of great transition for me personally. Graduating from high school and into college, I wasn’t the highest achiever in class, but I was beginning to come into my own and find my feet as a person. Basketball was also slowly beginning to grow in popularity as a sport in…
Lebron James is missing the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2005, but don’t be fooled: “The Lebron Era” isn’t over quite yet. His absence, however, does provide someone else an opportunity. A chance to declare, on an international stage, in no uncertain terms, “I got next.” Giannis Antetokounmpo—just 24, leader of the NBA’s winningest…
