What does Daryl Morey, traveling on business in Spain, do with his downtime? He watches the D-League on the Internet.
When Chris Andersen isn't eating environmentally savvy lapel pins, he's sprinting up the stairways of legendary outdoor Rocky Mountain amphitheaters being yelled at by the high-energy dreadlocked men.
Rob Mahoney of The Two Man Game on how Dallas lost to the Magic: " It was just a matter of time before Orlando’s defense came around. Dwight Howard (18 points, 20 rebounds, five blocks) is one of the league’s most influential defensive forces, and every block (and even goaltend) made the Mavs more and more nervous around the basket. Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood passed up looks at the rim due to Howard’s very presence, and many more Mavs faked themselves out of a rhythm as they approached the basket. There are certain award races this season that have discussions or arguments involved. Defensive Player of the Year is not one of them. No player in the league has a more profound impact on the defensive end, and that’s just as obvious in what he does do (block shots, get mad rebounds, show aggressively on screens) as what he doesn’t (deter opponents from coming in the lane, alter shot selection)."
Carmelo Anthony vs. referees. He sure had a tough night, call-wise, last night.
When Bird rights don't fly: Don't assume that LeBron James can make a lot more in NBA salary by staying in Cleveland. For instance, if he played in Florida, the lack of state income tax could easily make up the difference. Larry Coon digs in.
After wearing it for some time to treat his bad back, Larry Bird took off his fiberglass body brace, and shot it.
The Nets' improved play coincides with more passing, or at least more assists.
Video of Rocket draftee Sergio Llull vs. Timberwolves draftee Ricky Rubio.
Actual Canadians vs. the idea that Chris Bosh is sure to leave Toronto this off-season.
Coach of the year is a tough award to hand out, because we don't get to see most of what a coach does. Yucca man, on SLC Dunk, makes the case for Jerry Sloan, and in so doing uses the Thunder as an example of what we don't know: "Are they good a) because Scott Brooks’s strategy, preparation, and teaching have made the team click, b) because Durant is a once-in-a-lifetime talent and the players have developed themselves into a team, or c) because Sam Presti put together the right kind of guys?"
Manu Ginobili tweeted a link to this tremendous talk by Adora Svitak. The point: Let's all try to be more appreciative of the good kind of childishness. Also, you know how some players promote things like Vitamin Water? Ginobili, who recently inspired me to watch "Food, Inc." promotes brainy non-fiction video.
Sports fans tend to be Republicans, but of that big group, NBA fans are reportedly among the most Democratic-leaning.