Life after LeBron is looking brighter now that the Cavaliers have extended their incredible draft lottery roll with the top pick in this year's draft. This gives them the option to take Nerlens Noel or trade down. Here's how we see the rest of the first round shaping up. More»

The Bobcats are changing their nickname when they really need to change their unofficial motto: "Everything seems so right, and yet everything goes so wrong." Bad luck in the lottery and the draft, combined with poor decisions, is a franchise-killer. More»

It's hard to believe now that Miami was Dwyane Wade's team even after LeBron James signed in 2010. Times have changed, though, and heading into the Eastern Conference Finals, Wade is trying to re-establish his stardom on LeBron's Heat. More»

For Tim Duncan, now in the fourth stage of his career, many things have stayed the same since he won his first title. But to take home another trophy this year, he and the Spurs will have to out-defend the Grizzles in the Western Conference Finals. More»

NBA owners voted to keep the Kings in Sacramento, meaning Seattle needs either expansion or another relocation candidate to emerge to bring the Supersonics back. Seattle deserves an NBA team, but it must keep waiting -- possibly for a long time. More»

These are not your 2012 Pacers. Paul George and the Pacers are coming into their own, just in time, as they look to knock the Knicks out of the NBA Playoffs. This team has a strut, a sharper sense of purpose, a feeling that anything is possible. More»

The Western Conference Semifinals have made one thing clear: The Thunder can't win in the playoffs without Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant may be the league's second-best player, but Memphis is too tough for him to carry OKC by himself. More»

After signing a big contract in the offseason, Roy Hibbert underwhelmed this year for the Pacers. But he's turning it on when it matters most. And now the tallest guy on the floor (once considered the stiffest) is finally noticing how high his ceiling is. More»

Shorthanded and against the ropes, the Bulls are doing everything they can to try to knock LeBron James off his game. They're out for blood, and they call it playoff basketball. The problem? LeBron and the Heat aren't about to become rattled. More»

Three years ago, Amar'e Stoudemire was one of the biggest prizes of an all-time great free-agent class. Now he's just getting in the way. The banged-up forward is set to return Saturday, but the New York Knicks barely have a role for him anymore. More»

Stan Van Gundy, Brian Shaw and Mike Malone: It's more about these guys than Phil Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy. Where will these hot commodities end up? We analyze the needs of the most likely teams in the market for a new head coach. More»

As criticism of Derrick Rose builds, a somewhat unlikely savior has emerged in his place for the Bulls: Nate Robinson. The embattled 5-foot-9 guard has put his fearlessness on display, coming through when it matters most and taking his job seriously. More»

Oklahoma City and Memphis made it this far after trading James Harden and Rudy Gay. Maybe they weren't exactly the heart and soul of their teams, but they were at least the liver. Both teams have thrived -- but the playoffs are a different beast. More»

How could anyone not notice Joakim Noah? Over the last week, he's announced his arrival in these NBA playoffs with the subtlety of a thunderstorm. His energy and leadership pushed the depleted Bulls beyond into an expected grudge match with Miami. More»

LeBron James has just finished an incredible 16-month stretch in which he's won a pair of MVPs, a championship, a Finals MVP, an Olympic gold medal and 27-straight games. The scariest part? This may just be the beginning. More»

Take your time reading this, because I know how you're feeling right now. Dizzy. Disoriented. Wobbly-kneed. The first round of the NBA playoffs was a wild ride. Well, here's some good news: The next round promises to be quite a snooze-fest. More»

Break out the brooms? Not so fast. The Celtics and Rockets were on the brink of getting swept out of the playoffs by the Knicks and Thunder, only to come back and win the next two. Now, they have their eyes on history-making comebacks. More»

George Karl is in a familiar situation on Thursday night: facing first-round NBA playoffs elimination. While Karl's career has been stigmatized, he's done more with less this year, and maybe we should ask if he's been a victim of circumstances. More»

With Russell Westbrook out, Kevin Durant has to be the man in Oklahoma City from here on. What's a superstar to do when there's no reliable sidekick to provide support? Can he create shots for others -- while making all the big ones himself? More»

When the NBA's relocation committee decided Monday against recommending the Sacramento Kings' proposed sale to a group planning to move them to Seattle, the little guy won. Mayor Kevin Johnson. Sacramento. The citizens of the city. So how did they pull it off? More»

The Lakers and Celtics once made a habit of reaching the NBA Finals, sometimes together, epically so. But that seems like ancient history now that L.A. has been eliminated from the playoffs and Boston remains on the brink. What's next for each team? More»

The NBA playoffs are shifting to different cities, and everyone would be thrilled if they shifted to a higher gear in the process. The first week has been dreadful, lacking in drama, and we may have to wait a week for compelling basketball. More»

The Cavaliers reunited with Mike Brown, hiring the head coach they fired in 2010 when they were still trying to keep LeBron James. So what does Brown's return mean for Cleveland's hopes of luring back LeBron as a free agent in the summer of 2014? More»

One year ago Jeremy Lin suffered from overexposure during 15 minutes of fame, and now in a curious twist, he's in danger of being exposed for what he is. Is Lin more than just a nice pick-and-roll guard, or can he carry the Rockets in the postseason? More»

The Celtics have run out of gas, and they'll probably fall to the Knicks soon. And then what? They had the perfect chance to start rebuilding when Rajon Rondo went down, but pride wouldn't let them. Now they have some hard decisions to make. More»

L.A. has two teams heading in opposite directions, one fading, the other flourishing. Wouldn't it be weird if the city is hosting the NBA Finals in two months and the Lakers aren't involved? Better question: Would Kobe tweet about it? More»

Basketball in late April through June is a proving ground of sorts. So we've assembled a list of those with something to prove, those who'll rise or fall, who can make a difference with their teams and maybe their own futures. People on the spot and in the spotlight. More»

In the East, it's Miami, followed in the distance by … um … well … er … your guess is as good as mine. At least that's how it appears, anyway, for a conference dominated all season by one team, while the others kissed the ring. But there could be one or two challengers. More»

The playoffs in the West should bring out the best in every team, only because it'll take their best to get beyond the first round in most cases. That's good for us, bad for some 50-game winner with reasonable visions of reaching the conference finals. More»

Kobe Bryant's not coming back soon, and when he does, he may not be the same player as before, so the Lakers are placing their fate and franchise in the hands of Dwight Howard and praying he doesn't treat all that trust like a free throw. More»

As for the MVP of the 2012-13 NBA season, unless LeBron James grabs his hamstring between now and June, there won't be too much suspense. But the other awards? The ego-gratifying, money-making, individualistic awards? Much tougher call. More»

On Sunday at the Masters, always one of the most compelling days of the year in sports, Tiger Woods will wear red and feel a little blue. Unless he has the final round charge of his life, won't we all experience some level of emptiness by sundown? More»

Kobe Bryant's injury means his season is done -- and, likely, the Lakers are too. But more than that, we're left to deal with the heartbreaking sight of the star walking away from the game limping, with no guarantee of coming back the same player again. More»

The NBA playoffs start a week from Saturday, and the quality of the games will soar along with the intensity. But right around now, we get an idea about what could happen in the postseason, based on a few clues. Who's hot -- and who's not? More»

How did it feel to win? This needs to be asked of everyone, because everyone won on Monday: Louisville, Kevin Ware, Rick Pitino, Spike Albrecht, Luke Hancock, John Beilein, Trey Burke, you, me. Everyone but the refs. More»

Nobody carries more weight and responsibility in college hoops than Trey Burke. Not only is he going to be asked to do it all against Louisville in the NCAA title game -- he'll be asked to erase the tarnished memory of another Michigan point guard. More»

Freshman Mitch McGary is the last player Michigan expected to rely upon in the NCAA tournament -- and, out of nowhere, he's now the most accomplished big man left on the floor as the Wolverines prepare to face Louisville for the title. More»

Louisville isn't a Cinderella in the NCAA tournament, but Kevin Ware's injury made them sympathetic, and put the Cardinals on a Disney-like roll to the title game, one that continued with Saturday night's win over Wichita State. More»

Corruption, greed and scandal in college sports may never end. But while the sport burns, here in Atlanta we find one of college basketball's favorite sons on a frantic search for redemption, one that he might eventually find at the Georgia Dome. More»

Jim Boeheim is a rarity in sports today. Not only has he won 920 games and made his fourth Final Four, but he's done it all at one school. And despite whispers to the contrary, the Syracuse coach doesn't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. More»

They aren't the original Fab Five, but if they win two games at the Georgia Dome, these Wolverines will bask in fabulosity anyway, allowing Michigan to come full circle and return to basketball glory 20 years after the program went down in flames. More»

Kevin Ware brought back memories of when Shaun Livingston had the mother of leg fractures. Six years, eight teams, two leagues, two surgeries and many self-doubts later, Livingston is back on the court -- and wants to serve as inspiration for the still-healing Louisville kid. More»

After two anticipated and then controversial games, in which both teams alternated sitting their All Stars with "injuries," the two best teams in basketball -- the Spurs and the Heat -- will meet at full strength for the first time in the playoffs. More»

The Miami Heat's winning streak finally ended at 27 games on Wednesday at the hands of the shorthanded Bulls. While the streak was a nice winter storyline, the attention of LeBron James and the rest of the Heat now turns to the ultimate prize. More»

After winning Arnold Palmer's tournament, which he has done eight times now, Tiger Woods is back at the top of the golf rankings -- without necessarily being back as the player we once knew. It's good for him, frightening for the field and reassuring for the sport. More»

Forget the Nuggets' 15-game winning streak. The more impressive number is nine -- that's how many wins combined they have against the strongest teams in the West. It could mean that George Karl's unselfish squad is primed for a long playoff run this spring. More»

While Dennis Rodman has been busy palling around with Kim-Jong Un and hoping for an audience with the new Pope, the Oklahoma family that took him in as one of their own almost 30 years ago wants to know what happened to him. More»

It's audition time. By having the biggest sporting platform after the Super Bowl, gifted college hoops players get to showcase their skills on national TV, before millions of fans and in front of every NBA team during the NCAA tournament. Who are the top 20 prospects? More»

Every game qualifies as a meaningful one for the Miami Heat these days. Now that their winning streak is one-third shy of the NBA record, the spirit of June has invaded the regular season and given LeBron and company a chance to flirt with NBA immortality. More»

Kobe Bryant took what seemed to be a cheap shot by the Atlanta Hawks' Dhantay Jones. But you watch: Not only will Kobe rub some dirt on his bum left ankle, he'll be competing with a vengeance soon. After all, the fate of the Lakers depends on him. More»

Three years after it was revealed that UNC legend Dean Smith suffers from Progressive Neurocognitive Disorder, the former players from his 1993 championship team continue to visit -- attempting to remind their former mentor of an unforgettable moment. More»

Dwight Howard returned to Orlando, this time as a member of the suddenly successful again Lakers -- and was magic, going 25-of-39 from the line and scoring 39 points. Is this the type of performance the Lakers can expect from the center in the stretch run? More»

When Dwight Howard returns to Orlando on Tuesday night with the Lakers, he'll surely receive a less than warm welcome from Magic fans. But while Howard clumsily left for Los Angeles, the Magic share in the blame for wasting his best years. More»

Thanks to several moments that made us smile and laugh, here in a dominant season where they have no peer in the East if not the entire NBA and are earning our full respect, is it possible the Miami Heat are finally feeling some ... love, too? More»

How many NBA players, given the choice, would spend their winters in Wisconsin -- with a team that hasn't won a playoff series in 13 years? That'll be the summertime decision facing the Bucks' trio of J.J. Redick, Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings. More»

Jerry West has been involved in basketball for a sixth decade now, never straying from a game he helped popularize (that's his silouette on the league's logo). Recently we picked the man's brain on his Golden State Warriors, the evolution of the NBA -- and the secrets to his success. More»

The next coach fired in the NBA will have at least stayed on the job longer this season than Mike Brown. So there's that. What can we expect this summer? More patience, less guts? Lots of openings or just a scattered few changes? Read on to find out. More»

As the Lakers continue to flirt with a sub-.500 record, the pressure mounts on Jim Buss. Taking over basketball duties from his late father, Jerry, as the face of the Lakers' front office, Jim has a suspect roller coaster of a resume and the future in his hands. More»

Andrew Bynum is inching closer to making his debut for the 76ers, and whenever that happens there will be huge stakes, all in such a small window. How can you watch an All-Star with his history of injuries and not wonder what the future holds? More»

The Houston Rockets could miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year. But Daryl Morey, the nerdy general manager with the high IQ and low patience, does have the pieces and a plan in place which he hopes can make his team a championship contender in the not-too-distant future. More»

Rockets coach Kevin McHale aptly described the player most in demand during an NBA trade deadline stretch that had more fizzle than sizzle. His name? Cap Room. The big name traded was J.J. Redick, but flexibility was on everyone's mind. More»

A weird and uneasy atmosphere filled Philips Arena on Wednesday, in what could've been Josh Smith's final game with the only NBA team he's ever known, and afterwards Smith ducked questions about the looming trade deadline. More»

The NBA trade deadline is more about moving dead presidents than living players. It's a money game, especially with the restrictive rules of the salary cap set to kick in this summer. That said, here are some players and teams to focus on. More»

Lakers owner Jerry Buss enjoyed the kind of life we would imagine for a visionary, a genius, a negotiator, a businessman and a playboy. And we're better off for him having produced and created a hoops culture that to this very day still influences the game for the better. More»

When the highlight of All-Star Weekend in the NBA is a 50 year-old retiree blowing out birthday candles, you know that the festivities lacked some fresh spark. Still, Chris Paul sizzled, Kyrie Irving impressed and Kobe got the last laugh against LeBron. More»

Billy Hunter discovered what it's like to be on the receiving end of a world-class spanking when the NBA's stars united to oust him as the executive director of their player's association following charges of questionable spending and staffing habits. More»

Is LeBron James, who's been on a historic run for over a seaon, the best ever? Charles Barkley puts the 28-year-old on a level with Michael Jordon, but Jordan is waiting for LeBron to win more titles. In the meantime, let's relax and enjoy the ride. More»

Kevin Garnett, who has a no-trace clause with the Celtics, is spending his All-Star weekend saying he plans to stay in Boston, now that his team is back on its feet after Rajon Rondo's season-ending knee injury. More»

With Michael Jordan turning 50 comes the startling realization that many of the NBA's young stars, less than half his age, never saw him play in his prime. But even if the influence isn't direct, the impact he's made on the game couldn't be clearer. More»

Sorry, NBA, but Valentine's Day is over. As much as we love the league and the best basketball in the world, it's far from perfect and has a lot of room to improve, from the number of teams and games to the officiating to owners to moody superstars. More»

There's a lot to enjoy in the NBA right now. So we offer up a Lover's Guide to the league, citing blissful examples that make the game good and special and keep the heart fluttering fast, from LeBron to the Gregg Popvich, Ricky Rubio to Charles Barkley. More»

We're quick to react when something is offensive to us personally -- but when it's potentially offensive to others, we don't get too worked up. That explains why there's no groundswell of support to change the Redskins' name. More»

This weekend in Houston the NBA will celebrate the past, present and future for three days of All-Star pomp and excess. Until then, we'll try to do our part by listing the top 15 active players in each of three age groupings. More»

Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard are wired differently -- just don't tell Kobe that. The demanding star got his wish when Howard returned Thursday night in Boston, but the Lakers lost big, and the season continues to look like a lost cause. More»

'I take pride in this,' says Tony Allen, the best all-around defender in the NBA. 'This is what I do. And not too many people want to do what I do. It's high risk and low rewards. There ain't no glamour, magazine covers, hype and definitely no money.' More»

Tim Duncan is having one of the best seasons of his career. But at the age of 36, time may be running out for both him and the Spurs, whose title draught has lasted for six years and whose competition has gotten more fierce. More»

The Grizzlies, a top-four team in the West, got rid of leading scorer Rudy Gay in a three-team trade with Detroit and Toronto. Welcome to the new reality in the NBA, where improving your team doesn't necessarily mean improving your record. More»

In the NBA, a wonderful and surprising story is developing in Chicago. The Bulls without Derrick Rose are not only doing fine -- but they're actually thriving. And they could be the team to beat in the East once their star returns. More»

The era of the Big Three is drawing to a close in Boston now that Rajon Rondo is lost for the season with a torn ACL. Rather than trying to regroup and survive, the Celtics must come to grips with a harsh reality: It's time to tear down and rebuild. More»

Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett made for the latest in a long line of NBA dustups that carried over into the world outside the lines. We count down the sport's 10 biggest feuds, ones that were more than just fleeting intensity. They were personal. More»

NBA fans get a passing grade for their All-Star votes, but who should join the starters in Houston? Before the coaches name the reserves Thursday, we give our picks for who most deserves to fill out the rosters in a deep field of candidates. More»

The best way to describe the first half of this NBA season is to say: The second half almost has to be better. During this brief midseason intermission, we take a look back and give a shout out to the best and worst teams, players and executives. More»

The 49ers are Super Bowl bound, but it hasn't always been easy. They've changed starting quarterbacks in the middle of the season. They've handled devastating losses. And they just pulled off the biggest comeback in NFC Championship Game history. Now they're hungry for more. More»

Believe it or not, his teammates have seen a different side of him off the field. But on it, Matt Ryan has held a reputation for being calm and confident since high school, and it's helped him lead the Falcons to within one win of the Super Bowl. More»

There's a bit of Drew Bledsoe in both NFL conference championship games. Not only is Bledsoe's former backup, Tom Brady, aiming for another Super Bowl, but when one looks at Alex Smith standing on the sidelines of Colin Kaepernick's incredible season, it's hard not to think of Bledsoe. More»

When the conversation goes from 'Can they win the title' to 'Can they make the playoffs,' you get a pretty good idea of how crummy the Lakers are right now. They’re interesting for all the wrong reasons. Will they be able to turn things around in time? More»

For one agonizing quarter, it looked like painful history would repeat itself for the Falcons. But Matt Ryan stepped up, Tony Gonzalez hauled in the catch of his career -- and a booming 49-yard kick sent the city of Atlanta into a state of long-awaited euphoria. More»

Josh Smith was booted from practice and suspended, but that's the least of the tough decisions the Hawks face regarding their talented top scorer. The borderline All-Star is an asset the Hawks can't afford to let slip away... but can they afford to keep him? More»

The stretch run to the NBA's February trade deadline has begun, and teams will be desperate to plug holes and find difference makers. At the center is the Lakers, who may be willing to do almost anything and will certainly be trying to get rid of Pau Gasol. More»

Any way you look at the Kings' potential move, there’s nothing that’s good or noble, even if poetic justice is eventually served to Seattle. In the process, the Maloofs will fill their pockets with piles of money, cutting a deal to satisfy their huge, empty egos. More»

After a mediocre start to the season, the Celtics are finding their mojo again with big wins against the top teams in the East, including the Knicks. But can do their aging stars have enough left in the tank to make another title run? One thing's for sure -- they won't be pushed around. More»

He was once the franchise savior. But now Amar'e Stoudemire is coming off the bench for the Knicks, who are searching for ways to transition a former star back into the lineup, while at the same time nervously wondering if this will come at a cost. More»

In Denver on Tuesday, the Clippers lost a game for the first time in five weeks. In December they ran the table, and ran their winning streak to 17 before going 0-for-2013. But the truth is, the Clippers weren’t tested much while they were winning. More»

The SEC has dominated college football the last few years, so the rest of the sport has had to take what it can get. On New Year's Eve, a motivated Clemson team notched a big win for the ACC with a last-second field goal to beat SEC power LSU. More»

In the NBA, there's a difference between teams that are losing and teams that are losers. Some, like the Bobcats, losers of 18 in a row, and the Wizards are easy to categorize. But several others are lousy in record only and still have time to fix their problems. More»

In Baton Rouge, Bama is a four-letter word. As the Tigers prepare to take on Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Monday, they must shake off tough losses against Nick Saban's crew (including last year's title game) and wonder what might have been. More»

Deron Williams' coach body count is rising, and the Nets' Avery Johnson was the latest whack. Sometimes it’s not so wrong to chase off a coach. But shouldn’t a player have done something in this league first? Like, win something? More»

While the Lakers look to be righting their ship, the Clippers remain the team to beat in Los Angeles — and maybe the entire NBA — with 14 straight victories and the league's best record. And they're not only winning, they’re doing it with style. More»

Not everybody has forgiven LeBron James for how he left Cleveland. But from the MVP to a championship to Olympic gold, nobody turned public opinion quite like LeBron in 2012, and it all traces back to June 7 and a defining moment in Boston. More»

Lorenzen Wright, found dead in Memphis two years ago, and his father, paralyzed after being shot while coaching a pickup basketball game, were both victims of gun violence. Herb Wright, always the coach, is speaking out against America's gun culture. More»

Here in this heightened stage of alert where the welfare and health of children have never been greater, you can tell how swollen the issue is by the size of the lump in Rockets coach Kevin McHale’s throat, who lost his daughter Sasha a month ago. More»

Jeremy Lin never seemed to lose while playing in New York, and in that sense, nothing’s changed. It took less than 60 seconds for Knicks fans' cheers to turn to boos, but Lin played well in a Rockets win, if not as well as he did in February. Will he ever? More»

His transformation from an Ivy League longshot into a global overnight sensation was only slightly more amazing than the Knicks’ ability to live and thrive without him. Jeremy Lin is gone from New York and, amazingly enough, largely forgotten. More»

After a 34-0 blowout win against the Giants, the Falcons are tied for the best record in football. But while they're accepted as one of the NFL's best teams, the idea of the Falcons being the team to beat in the playoffs is met with arms folded, not open. More»

RG3 may be brilliant, an amazing quarterback, and a phenomenal football player. But that's not enough for those who have accused the Redskins' QB of not following the little 'Black Book' more than the team's playbook. More»

Are the sub-.500 Lakers, who fell to the Knicks on Thursday, headed for a lost season? Much depends on when their injured stars return to the lineup, and how quickly they can learn new coach Mike D'Antoni's system, even without those stars. More»

You could create an All-Star or even a championship team with the half-dozen or so major players sitting out with injuries. The question is, how many will seriously upgrade their own team when they return? What can we realistically expect? More»

After Josh Brent was charged with DUI in the car crash that killed teammate Jerry Brown Jr, this second NFL tragedy in a week has many questioning what these young athletes are thinking -- or even if they are thinking at all. More»

Thursday's 20-point trouncing of the Heat showed that the Knicks are set to win three or four titles, at least. That is, if you're reading the papers in New York, and if you read it, it must be true. But which teams really stand in the Knicks' way? More»

Gregg Popovich's style is so admired, his and R.C. Buford's draft and team management so well-liked, that the Spurs' family tree now extends into more NBA franchises than any other -- seven GMs, four coaches, and 10 assistants once worked for San Antonio. More»

For former NFL player and Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel, the football field that made him a star is not what makes him special. Instead, the opportunity to serve the less fortunate by leading Desire Street Ministries drives the one-time quarterback. More»

By sitting Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was looking to protect his team, not compromise the integrity of the game. David Stern has valid concerns, but his 'substantial sanctions' are a bigger problem. More»

The Thunder beat the Rockets in James Harden's return to Oklahoma City, although the crowd gave him a nice ovation. But while OKC and Harden are doing well without each other, it's far too early to render a verdict on this blockbuster trade. More»

Most people, as they grow older, they get wiser. Donald Sterling gets luckier. Once the joke of the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers have become a destination franchise. Problem is, no one wants to root for the man who's still signing the checks. More»

New York's basketball has been more hype than hoop of late, but maybe that changes now. Maybe the Knicks and Nets, building on their first intra-city NBA game, will rejuvenate the sport in this town. Why shouldn't this be the start of something? More»

Our look at the NBA's trending topics starts with Steve Nash, whose return is critical for the Lakers' struggling offense. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez might be giving the Nets more value at center than Nash's new L.A. teammate, Dwight Howard. More»

The Lakers have provided their own theater of the absurd, toggling between extremes one month into the season, but they aren't the only ones. Here are other surprising developments of the young NBA season you may not have seen coming. More»

New Yorkers aren’t easily impressed -- unless the Knicks are leading the East before Thanksgiving. A lot could go wrong, but led by an MVP-caliber Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks are playing smarter, defending harder and looking like a contender again. More»

Every fall, the Wildcats start over. They roll out a team filled with freshmen who look raw at first but will eventually figure it out in time to make a strong tournament run ... and leave for the NBA. But the Cats usually manage to age gracefully and quickly. More»

He was the second-best player involved in last summer’s Dwight Howard blockbuster, maybe even the grand prize. Andrew Bynum may soon measure up to all that, but right now his bum knee is keeping him from even suiting up for the Sixers. More»

Mike D'Antoni is not Phil Jackson, and that's fine, because nobody is Phil Jackson -- perhaps not even Phil Jackson anymore. The Lakers got the Beamer instead of the Benz, and you know who’s complaining in the organization? That’s right. Nobody. More»

The perception is that Phil Jackson walked away from the Lakers’ job two summers ago -- when, in truth, he hobbled. His 67-year-old body turned coaching into a chore. But everything else is still there: desire, confidence, and ability to connect with superstars. More»

The Lakers didn’t just push the panic button, they pounded it harder than a Kobe Bryant stare after losing four of five games to start the season. Coach Mike Brown was fired on Friday, and now the Lakers can't afford to make another mistake. More»

The most interesting race in the NBA involves healing powers. The Knicks, Pacers, Bulls and Sixers are all staring at the clock in the doctor’s office and tapping their fingers, but so far the Knicks have surprisingly risen above the drama. More»

Dwight Howard is unhappy with the NBA's decision to remove the center designation from All-Star ballots, but the possibility of including three forwards represents progress for an event that's supposed to be all about entertainment anyway. More»

Brandon Jennings is the most gifted player from the 2009 NBA draft to be denied an extension from his rookie-scale deal. The Bucks say he's part of their future, but now his open audition begins. See what else is trending this week in the NBA. More»

James Harden has only just arrived in Houston, and there’s still plenty to prove. But he brings a buzz to the Rockets in a star-driven league, and if he is truly capable of a leading role, they will look even smarter for prying him from the Thunder. More»

Before the Heat's opening night win, Ray Allen approached the Celtics' bench and reached out to touch a cold shoulder -- Kevin Garnett never even acknowledging a former teammate turned traitor. Boy, it’s gonna be a great year in the NBA. More»

It's tough to keep a great team intact in the NBA, something OKC just learned. But in the West especially, no contender can ease off the gas. The conference is deep and dangerous, and come playoff time, the possibility of a surprise seems strong. More»

The Heat supposedly shed their outlaw status last year, but now that they're the champs, the target on their back has only become bigger. The rest of the East is gunning for Miami, but which of its conference foes have a real shot this season? More»

James Harden, Sixth Man of the Year, beard aficionado, is now a Rocket. The Thunder traded the guard after failing to extend him, leaving OKC with just a Big Two, Houston with an intriguing backcourt and the NBA's labor deal with a big win. More»

There won’t be tears shed for David Stern when he steps down in 2014. The NBA's value soared during his tenure, but commissioners are like referees: If they're discussed, it's rarely positive. And Stern, unfortunately, found himself trending a lot lately. More»

Some who settle in Brooklyn are too proud to admit it wasn't their first choice. Not the Nets. Eager to move into the glitzy Barclays Center, they have finally found a home in the 718. And we're all witnesses to a marriage made in hoop heaven. More»

The Tigers swept the Yankees in the ALCS and are going back to the World Series. Detroit can sense it about this team. Whether the next task is beating the Cardinals or the Giants, Motown thinks it can be done. Ain’t no mountain high enough. More»

Evander Holyfield will celebrate his 50th birthday on Friday, but the surprise party is for the guests. A day after the ex-champ revealed he was finally ready to hang up his gloves, he told Sports on Earth he's had a change of heart. He's not done yet. More»

Justin Verlander was brilliant again, extending his scoreless streak to 23 innings, throwing 132 pitches and bringing the Tigers within one win of the World Series. But Tuesday's game and this series are not about what you expected to happen. More»

After more than a year of hate and criticism, LeBron James has finally re-earned the respect of fans. He has a ring now. And three MVP awards. And two Olympic gold medals. But for the King, it's still not enough. There are places he still wants to go. More»

The 2012-13 NBA season isn't shaping up to be terribly suspenseful. But all's not lost. We’ll get some drama, one way or another, and a good portion will be generated by the league’s 25 Most Intriguing People for 2012-13, as voted on by … well, me. More»

Teams that want to be considered special don't need a 55-yard field goal to beat the Raiders. At home. With one second left. But the Falcons needed all of that to remain the only unbeaten team in the NFC. Why doesn't their game match their perfect record? More»

Those who learn from Bill Belichick were supposed to take everything from him except fashion tips. Well, for a variety of reasons, his three students in Kansas City haven't followed the same path as the patriarch. And Chiefs fans have had enough. More»

The perfectly scripted ending had confetti flying, not bottles. Chipper Jones' career finished with an error-filled loss in an NL wild card game that created more rage than joy. This may have been his finale, but this is not how he'll be remembered. More»

Royce White deserves understanding for struggling with an anxiety disorder, but the Rockets deserve none if they weren’t prepared to deal with it. They are in this together, and when they drafted him, his issues became their issues. It's up to Houston now. More»

The NBA installed a new anti-flopping policy, but let's be real: There are plenty of reasons why this new rule will, at best, only catch the sloppy floppers who are too amateur to pull it off. The true artists, meanwhile, will continue to pull a fast one on the refs and the league. More»

Kobe Bryant is now teammates with an ex-Orlando center who's outgoing, playful, dominant and can't shoot a lick from the free-throw line. Ten years ago that would've been a problem. But not now. He and Dwight Howard swear this isn't Shaq Act II. More»

Our long national nightmare is finally over, but for all the outrage and embarrassment, little will have changed. The replacement refs will be cut loose, the real ones will return and the NFL will carry on unscathed. And, yes, we'll all still watch. More»

The jobs of pro sports commissioners are coveted, financially rewarding, definitely challenging and in the last two or three years, you could add: thankless. But they’re running the risk of being depicted, fairly or not, as bumblers who aren’t enhancing the game, only the pockets of the owners. When exactly did the sports commissioner become a public pin cushion? More»

Billy Gillispie resigned at Texas Tech on Thursday after one season and eight wins, citing health concerns, but of course that was the ending we all saw coming. You cannot describe what happened to him as just a downfall. But what the heck went wrong? More»

It doesn't take instant replay to figure it out: The lockout has gone on long enough. Not even Peyton Manning could save Monday Night Football from the replacement refs. Let the real refs feel the love. More»

With an 0-for-3 playoff history and one too many near-misses and collapses, the Matt Ryan may be the one NFL quarterback who most desperately needs a postseason win. So January can't come soon enough for him, but waiting is only half the battle. More»

A measure of suspense is stolen from September with baseball's new wild-card format. Suddenly, it just got tougher to choke away a chance for the playoffs. That total collapse we saw from the Braves last year won't happen again … or will it? More»

Whatever happened to the White Sox and Tigers from April until now has very little to do with what comes next. Because this stage of the season isn’t about the best team. It’s about the hottest. More»

Braves fans won't soon forget Sunday night, when Chipper Jones blasted that walk-off homer to beat the Phillies. Even at 40, one of the best switch-hitters of all-time still has it. But after 18 years, he's ready to trade the big leagues for the backyard. More»

The struggling Yankees looked to A-Rod for a boost in Tampa on Monday, but not even the return of their three-time MVP was enough. What was once a 10-game AL East lead is now down to one over the Orioles, and the Rays are close behind. More»

'Who Dat?' has left New Orleans. 'Who Dey?' has taken over. The Saints, however, are trying hard to avoid their city's new us-against-them mentality, because after Bountygate and its lingering drama, they have good reason to just do their job. More»

The season hasn't even started yet and new Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is already getting pummeled -- by questions. Expectations are high in the Mile High City. Can the 36-year-old live up to them, and keep himself on the field? More»