Tom Petty’s 1989 angst-filled anthem Free Fallin’ perfectly represents a Golden State Warriors that team governor Joe Lacob once told the 2016 New York Times was light years ahead but who now looks to be in plummet a mere three years later. The 2018-19 NBA season should’ve been a fait accompli coronation for the Warriors, who…
When you think of zone defense, the first thing that comes to mind might be high school or college basketball. The NBA has always been a predominantly man-to-man league, as it’s a more effective long-term antidote to the most prolific offenses on the planet. However, zone defense has crept into many coaches’ game plans during…
Remember when I urged everyone not to panic about the Golden State Warriors’ slow start to the 2019-20 season? About that. On Wednesday, superstar guard Stephen Curry broke the second metacarpal in his left hand, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. He underwent surgery Friday and will be re-evaluated in three months, according to Shams Charania…
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the fight between Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry’s broken hand and Kendrick Nunn’s hot start. What led to the fight between Towns and Embiid? Should Philadelphia 76ers fans be concerned about Embiid’s immaturity? Should the Golden State Warriors…
When we discuss players’ legacies, we consider the totality of their careers. That includes things like All-Star appearances, championships and All-NBA nominations. It also includes the sum of their statistical achievements. And as the NBA has carved out its history, there are certain milestones that garner admittance into the Hall of Fame and/or help people…
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…
The NBA and its fans love awards. The league loves handing them out, and the fans and media love talking and debating about them all season long. From the All-NBA and All-Rookie teams to the slew of individual honors handed out at the end of the season, there are a bunch of different trophies up…
The 2019-20 NBA season is just around the corner. After an offseason chock-full of player movement, the title race appears as wide-open as it has been in years. Over the coming weeks, we’ll will examine one big question hanging over each team heading into the season, continuing with the Pacific Division where a dynasty will…
When the Golden State Warriors open the 2018-19 campaign in their new digs at the Chase Center, they’ll do so with a new-look roster as well. Thanks to injuries, free agency departures and trades, Steve Kerr will have a much different rotation to work with, even if the core seems familiar. Several familiar faces won’t…
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) rank the top 10 duos in the NBA today. Where do Russell Westbrook and James Harden rank after joining forces this summer? How high are Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the wake of the former’s Achilles injury? Which L.A. duo…
