NBA Nation
By John L. | #THISISWHYWEPLAY
Every NBA Team's Best and Worst Current Contract
You take the good, you take the bad, bake in an NBA spin, and what do you have?<p>The best and worst contract from every team.<p>Inventorying each squad's crowning jewel and bookkeeping blemish is always pertinent in the aftermath of free agency. But this compilation is especially important now, with the …
NBAComparing prime Tony Parker and modern-day Kyrie Irving
The NBA Twitter landscape never fails to provide interesting ideas, and recently this gem emerged:<p>Prime Tony Parker was better than Kyrie Irving is …
NBALeBron James is a goner, thanks to Dan Gilbert
The King is prepared to take his final bow in Cleveland.<p>Months of turmoil over the Cavaliers’ front-office and roster decisions have led LeBron James …
BasketballLeBron James' Relationship with Cavaliers Ownership Reportedly 'Beyond Repair'
As many NBA fans wonder whether LeBron James is entering his last year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a source told longtime NBA writer Chris Sheridan the four-time MVP is already planning for his exit.<p>"This will be LeBron's final season in Cleveland," the source told Sheridan. "He is 100 percent …
BasketballWhy Your Team Won’t Win the NBA Finals
The summer is a time for optimism for most NBA teams. But with the season starting early this year, we're already creeping up on opening night. That …
NBAShould Golden State Warriors Join the Paul George Sweepstakes Next Offseason?
The mere whisper of Paul George in the Bay Area a year from now proves the Golden State Warriors have reached the <i>Jurassic Park</i> stage of organizational omnipotence.<p>Isn't that right, 1993's Jeff Goldblum?<p>The Warriors <i>could</i> do this.<p>The Dubs have achieved such success, have done the improbable so many …
NBAReport: Spurs Interested in Kyrie Irving Trade, Kyrie Open to Contract Extension
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving would reportedly be willing to sign a contract extension if he's traded to the San Antonio Spurs, but the uncertain future of superstar Cavs teammate LeBron James makes that particular blockbuster deal less likely.<p>On Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of …
BasketballWho's got next? Forecasting six teams on the rise | NBA.com
“Who’s got next?” is one of basketball’s eternal questions, as essential at the playground or the local YMCA as it is at the game’s highest level, in …
NBAAs power moves become NBA norm, will the Warriors resist increasing options?
As much as sustaining success, avoiding temptation may be the biggest remaining challenge for this club<p>Three years ago, when the Golden State Warriors won their first NBA championship since 1975, there was a lot of talk about luck. Most of it seemed to be harmless jabbing or taken out of context. …
BasketballAs great as LeBron James has been, why has he been on so few truly great teams?
The King is undeniably one of the best players in NBA history, but not many of his teams are all-time greats<p>If we accept LeBron James is one of the two greatest players ever, players in that category make their teams elite -- even among champions -- and James' brilliant passing and standout defense …
NBAEvery NBA Team's Best and Worst Offseason Move so Far
The red pens and gold stars are coming out.<p>Without fail, each of the NBA's 30 teams made at least one praiseworthy move during the 2017 offseason. Finding one is tougher for some franchises than others, but it's impossible to go through the entire summer without doing some positive things for an …
NBAAll-Overpaid NBA Free-Agency Team
Not every NBA free agent suffered from this summer's stifling, 2016-correcting market. For some of them, the offseason was quite nice.<p>Too nice.<p>This All-Overpaid free-agency team should not be confused with the league's absolute worst deals. Some of them are, but that list takes into account …
NBAThe Warriors Might Actually Try To Make A Move For Paul George Next Year
The Warriors are loaded and can stay that way for a long time to come thanks to the incredible timing of when all of their current stars’ contracts come up — and the kindness of Kevin Durant to take a massive pay cut. Steph Curry was the first to ink his max deal this off-season, with Durant …
BasketballCome at LeBron James, You Best Not Miss
Since he came home three summers ago (as told to Lee Jenkins!), LeBron James has revamped his public image, played three of the best Finals series …
BasketballThe Best NBA Teams Since 2000: Who Ranks with '01 Lakers, '17 Warriors?
The 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, were the first truly great team of the 21st century. Most recently, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green led the Golden State Warriors to the 2017 title, leaving behind one trounced opponent after …
NBAWho Ya Got on the Wing, Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant?
Choosing between Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard used to be easy.<p>It was a simple question of offense versus defense. Figure out which side of the floor meant more to you, pick the guy who crushed it on his specialized end, and you were done.<p>Everything's more complicated now. Leonard added …
NBAFormer Cavs GM explains why Irving wants to be traded
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images<p>Former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin worked closely with and had the trust of …
BasketballA history of Doc Rivers' uncreativity
Doc Rivers had all the power in the Clippers' front office, and he used it to bring in ex-players and guys who randomly had career highs against his team.<p>The time as Doc Rivers the GM has come to an end, as he was let go of front office responsibilties and will now only be the head coach of the Los …
BasketballIf Kyrie Irving gets his trade, how much bigger would his role realistically grow?
The Cavs star already handles the ball as much as most franchise players do<p>What does Kyrie Irving actually want?<p>On July 7, the Cleveland Cavaliers star reportedly requested a trade. His rationale, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, was that he wants to be the focal point of a team rather than …
NBAChallenging the Warriors Might Be Financially Impossible
The Golden State Warriors are as much an anomaly on the books as they are on the court. The NBA’s salary cap spike in 2016 made it all possible; what …
NBAThe Cavaliers mess shows why the NBA must end the conference system
With the impending end of the Cleveland dynasty in the East, the NBA must look into doing away with the current system altogether<p>Over the past few years LeBron James has been firmly in control of the Eastern Conference: his teams have made the NBA finals every year since 2011. But we could soon see …
NBADefending Champion Warriors' Greatest Challenges Reside Within
If Steve Kerr opts for showmanship as a tool in the Golden State Warriors' latest title defense, he should start the first day of training camp by gathering his team (preferably in a darkened room with eerie music piped in for effect) and promising to reveal the greatest threat to its burgeoning …
BasketballMatt Barnes: People focus on hating LeBron instead of 'witnessing history'
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images<p>Golden State Warriors veteran Matt Barnes thinks more people need to bow down to the King.<p>"I think …
BasketballMatt Barnes talks Kevin Durant, hypocrisy when it comes to player movement
Barnes pointed out the difference between when a player is traded and when he signs as a free agent<p>It's been more than a year since Kevin Durant decided to join the Golden State Warriors in free agency, leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder in search of his first NBA title.<p>He helped the Warriors cruise …
BasketballThe looming Kyrie Irving trade would leave the Cavs with a unique problem that won't be easy to solve
<i>Video by CBS Sports</i><p>Kyrie Irving has reportedly asked the Cleveland Cavaliers for a trade, likely ending the super-team Cavs as we know them.<p>According …
NBAEric Bledsoe, Josh Jackson, Pick Thought to Meet Kyrie Irving Trade Price
The Cleveland Cavaliers are seeking a king's ransom in exchange for Kyrie Irving, and one league source told Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon he believes the Phoenix Suns have the assets necessary to facilitate a deal.<p>On Saturday, the source said if the Suns were to offer point guard Eric Bledsoe, No. 4 …
NBANBA Desperation Meter: How Worried Should Your Team Be After Its Offseason?
Ideally, NBA teams come out of the offseason with a sense of fulfillment.<p>They've made the right draft picks. They've acquired the right players through free agency. Each time an opposing organization made a call to discuss trades, they handled the situation as advantageously as possible. And as the …
NBANext summer could be the wrong time to be an NBA free agent
Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera, fresh off committing to a couple of maximum contracts worth a total of $247 million, fired off a tweet the night …
NBACavaliers execs reject Irving trade talk, deny team in chaos
AP Radio AP Radio News:<p>INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) -- Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert spent more than 30 minutes presenting a positive portrait of his franchise.<p>The reality is that the Cavs are troubled.<p>In his first public comments since Kyrie Irving asked to be traded, Gilbert would not confirm whether …