Donaghy’s Allegations Threaten Stern, the NBA and Beyond

Tim Donaghy's initial allegations of game-fixing have finally come to light. Interestingly, what was known months ago is being divulged just weeks before his July 14 sentencing date. The timing of the release of allegations cannot have been accidental as it has allowed the conversation surrounding Donaghy's claims to be framed in a way that casts the deposed official and his [read more...]

The Fall of a Non-Dynasty

When the San Antonio Spurs swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals, it seemed to cement their status as the latest NBA dynasty – at least in the all-important court of public opinion. After all, winning four championships in nine years is a special achievement. And the Spurs are a lot of things. They're an incredibly well run franchise. [read more...]

How the Lakers Will Fare in the Western Conference Finals

For the Detroit Pistons 1989-1990 capped off consecutive runs that ended in Chuck Daly's team holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy. For the Chicago Bulls 1989-1990 marked consecutive seasons losing to Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals. After that season, after losing 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Pistons Bulls head coach Phil Jackson' team understood the leader's message and [read more...]

Spurs Win and A Brief Conference Finals Preview

So I get out of the Rush only to find out that the San Antonio Spurs won game 7 in New Orleans. Excuse me while I puke in the corner. This next part will be posted on www.411mania.com later this week, but here is a brief preview of the NBA Conference Finals. (1) Boston Celtics vs. (2) Detroit PistonsCeltics in 7: Until [read more...]

Game 7’s to Decide Who’s for Real(Hornets vs. Spurs)

In a classic series between two quality teams, the Hornets have been able to dominate at home as the Spurs have squeaked by the team from New Orleans, except of course for Game 6. In the game, the Spurs were once again looking like the team that has won four championships and the Hornets looked like the inexperienced team searching [read more...]

Sources: Bulls promise not to fire D’Antoni until Valentine’s Day

I don't know if it's a match made in heaven, but it sounds like there is a love affair brewing between Suns' head coach Mike D'Antoni and the Chicago Bulls. It is Splitsville in Phoenix -- apparently both parties agreeing to "see other people" -- and D'Antoni is on the prowl after a disappointing exit in the NBA [read more...]

This Season’s NBA in Many Ways Resembles Another in the Distant Past

Every NBA pundit tells us that this season's Western Conference teams are like no other in NBA history. Should Denver win tonight at home against Memphis, every playoff team in the West will have won 50 games. Golden State, the 9th-place team in the West, ends its season tonight at home against the Seattle SuperSonics. Should the Warriors win they [read more...]

A New Home For Big Ben

Best. Trade Deadline. Ever. As bad as the 2007 NBA Trade Deadline was, the 2008 version has been historic. One future Hall of Famer, Shaq, has already been traded and another, Jason Kidd, is on the verge of switching teams. Past All-Stars Shawn Marion and Pau Gasol have new homes, as does former number one pick Kwame Brown. Two former stars, [read more...]

Hart Surgery: Seventh Heaven

Well, I suppose I should have kept my mouth shut about these NBA playoffs. A week after declaring this year's version the worst I'd ever seen, we saw two of the best games in playoff history. First the Lakers amazing win over the Spurs in Game 5 out West. I know I talked about it last week, but I cannot stress enough how big [read more...]

Hart Surgery: End of the Lake Show?

Most of the time, the sports world is a continuous spectacle. Season bleeds into season, sport merges with sport, and rarely does anything really stand out. Occasionally, an event will transcend like the Olympics, or a heavily anticipated title fight - but rarely does it involve a major sport. I would argue, however, that Game 5 Thursday night between the Lakers and Spurs is such [read more...]

Hart Surgery: Three things that make me happy about…Basketball

Three things that make me happy about the new NBA season… 1. The Wild Wild West- For the first time in recent memory, I am interested in the product the NBA is putting on the floor. I feel like Seinfeld in the episode where he discovered his emotions - all of a sudden, "I care!" To be fair, I don't really care - not about [read more...]

Hart Surgery: Chew on This

The last week has been an absolute blur to me. Driving back and forth from Syracuse to Bethlehem, PA, on Friday. Flying to Jackson, MS, on Sunday. Driving to Memphis, Tupelo, Oxford, and back to Jackson Monday and Tuesday. All this travel has left me weary, and struggling to focus on a topic for discussion for this week's column. Figuring [read more...]

Hart Surgery: The Lonely Hart Club

Friday is Valentine's Day. In honor of its passing, I thought this week's column should be Valentine's-themed. Like most years, I will be spending this Valentine's alone. It doesn't bother me much - yet. But more and more, I am starting to realize one very difficult fact: I will never, ever find a woman.I am now 24 years old. This [read more...]