Basketball

2:48pm Saturday, May 19, 2012: Kobe Bryant does not seek your approval - InsideHoops
Ball in his hands, season on the line, and failure promised Kobe Bryant a summer of scorn. For everything that comes with the responsibility of greatness, Bryant can live with the cutting criticism, the besmirching of his legacy, the volume rising on those determined to diminish him in the context of his contemporaries. In losing, [...]
1:34pm Saturday, May 19, 2012: Kobe Bryant lets his guard down after mismatch with Derek Fisher - InsideHoops
After the Lakers’ 99-96 win, Bryant and Pau Gasol exchanged a few laughs about that stretch while sitting next to each other on the interview podium. Gasol was asked by a reporter if he was surprised that Bryant scored so easily on Fisher. Before Gasol could complete a sentence, Bryant interrupted. “Surprised,” Bryant said incredulously. He then dropped [...]
1:01pm Saturday, May 19, 2012: Greg Oden recently underwent a controversial knee procedure - InsideHoops
In an effort to revive his NBA career, Greg Oden recently underwent the controversial knee procedure that superstars Kobe Bryant and New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez say helped prolong their careers, according to sources. Oden, whose career with the Portland Trail Blazers was derailed by four knee surgeries, had the noninvasive procedure done in New [...]
10:23am Saturday, May 19, 2012: Brian Scalabrine hopes to continue NBA career - InsideHoops
Paul Pierce glanced across the dressing room before yesterday morning’s shootaround and spotted Brian Scalabrine, microphone in hand, interviewing Greg Stiemsma. “Smooth transition,” said Pierce. “Smooth transition.” Scalabrine is still technically a reserve forward for the Chicago Bulls, a designation that will last at least until the end of next month when his contract runs out. And [...]
10:17am Saturday, May 19, 2012: Suns assistant Bill Cartwright will not return - InsideHoops
The Suns plan to match offers to restricted free agent Robin Lopez in July but would have someone different mentoring the center if he returns next season. After four seasons with the Suns, assistant coach Bill Cartwright’s contract will not be renewed. Cartwright was hired by then-General Manager Steve Kerr, a former teammate, and then-coach Terry [...]
10:05am Saturday, May 19, 2012: Kobe leads Lakers past Thunder in 99-96 thriller - InsideHoops
With their Game 2 collapse still fresh in their minds, the Los Angeles Lakers avoided a sequel with the only game plan they’re confident will work against the younger, faster Oklahoma City Thunder. They got slow. They got into the paint. And they got to the free-throw line 42 times, incredibly making all but one of [...]
11:19pm Friday, May 18, 2012: 76ers beat Celtics 92-83 in Game 4, tie series - InsideHoops
Andre Iguodala snapped a tie game with five straight points in the final 90 seconds to help the Philadelphia 76ers storm back from 15 points down and stun the Boston Celtics 92-83 on Friday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Sixers were a team reborn in the second half and played like [...]
2:12pm Friday, May 18, 2012: Atlanta Hawks exercise 2012-13 option on Coach Larry Drew - InsideHoops
Atlanta Hawks Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund announced today that the Hawks have exercised Head Coach Larry Drew’s contract option for the 2012-13 season. “Larry did an outstanding job this season in guiding our team to the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference, despite a condensed schedule and unfortunate injuries,” said Sund. ”The Hawks have [...]
11:09am Friday, May 18, 2012: Pau Gasol wins 2011-12 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award - InsideHoops
Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers has been voted the 2011-12 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, named after the second commissioner of the NBA and presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association and given annually to the player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community. Gasol [...]
10:30am Friday, May 18, 2012: Ronnie Brewer hopes to stay with Bulls - InsideHoops
With Jimmy Butler a more affordable option, Brewer figures to be the odd man out, but he hopes his run in Chicago doesn’t end after two seasons. “I liked the situation I was in with the Bulls,” Brewer said. “I feel like we have a great team. The chemistry was bar none compared to the other [...]