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...]

Phil’s Quest for 10

When Game 1 of the historic 2008 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics tips off on Thursday night, the answers to many questions will finally come to light. Does Kevin Garnett have the inner-drive to dominate a defender who has one-third of his skills? Can Lamar Odom fill the Finals X-Factor shoes that Robert Horry [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...]

Gone Yard: The Mike & Manu Show

You do something better than anybody else on earth. Maybe it's rolling back your eyelids and making zombie noises. Maybe it's spelling words like "antidisestablishmentarianism." Maybe it's wooing the ladies with lines of solid-gold bull. Whatever it is, my friend, you do it better than anybody else--so why aren't people clamoring for your autograph? Fame. It's the coin of the realm [read more...]

Team USA Exporting their Wins

8/16/2004 8:00:00 AM American hoopsters have become like Hollywood political pundits, and not simply because none of them have degrees. Both are convinced that fashionable is focal, and perhaps bears greater gravity. Both, however, miss the point. Style does not rule out stupidity, and dunks still count like lay-ups. And after Team USA was pummeled by Puerto Rico on Sunday, 92-73, [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...]