HoopsHype.com Columns

[ C L I P P E R S ]
Don't hold out hope
by Peter May / June 26, 2009
It's a sunny day for Blake Griffin and the Clippers. Just don't think there will be many more ahead for them.
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[ D R A F T ]
What's the best class ever?
by Chris Tomasson / June 22, 2009
This year's draft class doesn't look very impressive. Can't say the same about those in 1970, 1984, 1996 or 2003. • Read more

[ F I N A L S ]
Why the Lakers won
by Eddie Johnson / June 15, 2009
Orlando had more talent, but experience was on the Lakers' side. That was a huge factor no matter what Stan Van Gundy says. • Read more

[ F I N A L S ]
L.A. back on top
by Chris Tomasson / June 14, 2009
The Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA title and Kobe Bryant, MVP of the Finals, got his first championship ring without Shaquille O'Neal. What were the main reasons for LA's great success? An impressive frontline, an opponent that choked in crunch time and, most of all, Bryant's superstar play. • Read more

[ F I N A L S ]
Choking again?
by Chris Tomasson / June 13, 2009
Three years ago, the Lakers were also 3-1 in a playoff series and they blew it. Could it happen one more time?
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[ F I N A L S ]
The to-do list
by Eddie Johnson / June 8, 2009
What do the Lakers need to finish the series off? What must Orlando do to rebound? Eddie Johnson speaks his mind about that and more. • Read more

[ F I N A L S ]
It's that old Zen again
by Roland Lazenby / June 7, 2009
The triangle offense of Tex Winter and Phil Jackson has reached a special level for the first time in years.
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[ F I N A L S ]
It's Orlando's year
by Eddie Johnson / June 3, 2009
Eddie Johnson is expecting greatness from Dwight Howard at the Finals. That could mean a title for Orlando.
• Read more

[ P L A Y O F F S ]
The best/worst postseason in NBA history
by Mark Heisler / May 31, 2009
Playoffs are boffo with great series every round – in between T's, flagrants, upgrades, downgrades and suspensions. • Read more

[ C A V A L I E R S ]
Brown looking for answers
by Peter May / May 28, 2009
Orlando has proved to be an incredibly tough matchup for Cleveland. Mike Brown better figure things out soon. • Read more

[ T I M . F L O Y D ]
A man of character
by Paul Shirley / May 26, 2009
Former Bulls head coach Tim Floyd is now in the midst of the OJ Mayo scandal at USC. Paul Shirley, who played for him at Iowa State, just wants you to give the man the benefit of the doubt. • Read more

[ C H U C K . D A L Y ]
A genuine guy
by Mark Heisler / May 9, 2009
Chuck Daly had to pay his dues to get to the top of his profession, but he didn't change one bit.
• Read more

[ R O C K E T S ]
Crossroads ahead
by Eddie Johnson / May 1, 2009
The Rockets finally made it to the second round and it was without Tracy McGrady. What does that say about the team and T-Mac's future? • Read more

[ P L A Y O F F S ]
Does it really have to end?
by Peter May / April 29, 2009
Boston and Chicago are giving us one of the most exciting playoff series ever. Too bad it will soon come down to a conclusion. • Read more

[ P L A Y O F F S ]
Game 1 thoughts
by Eddie Johnson / April 20, 2009
Eddie Johnson speaks his mind about the first games of this year's playoffs.
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[ P I S T O N S ]
Is Iverson running out of answers?
by Marc Narducci / April 4, 2009
After being derailed by a sore back, Allen Iverson has posed more questions than answers about his future.
• Read more

[ C A V A L I E R S ]
The team to beat
by Eddie Johnson / March 28, 2009
Cleveland is Eddie Johnson's pick to win the NBA title this year and it's not only because of LeBron.
• Read more

[ A W A R D S ]
Rose leads rookie hunt
by Marc Narducci / March 24, 2009
Chicago’s Derrick Rose, the top pick in the 2008 draft, is the leading Rookie of the Year contender.
• Read more

[ C O A C H E S ]
The season of the interim coach
by Chris Tomasson / March 21, 2009
Interim coaches are usually in the tough position of trying to make bad teams look good. But that sometimes leads to nice head coaching careers.
• Read more

[ A W A R D S ]
MVP race not a two-man show
by Eddie Johnson / March 17, 2009
Dwyane Wade is not the top player in the NBA to Eddie Johnson, but he thinks the Heat's All-Star guard should be the MVP this year. • Read more

[ B O B C A T S ]
Brown does it again
by Mark Heisler / March 15, 2009
Larry Brown is rebounding from the Knicks' disaster by making the Bobcats relevant for the first time.
• Read more

[ W E S T ]
Challenging Lakerland
by Peter May / March 7, 2009
The Lakers appear to be head and shoulders ahead of the competition in the Western Conference. But wait for the playoffs. • Read more

[ S U N S ]
Return to Seven Seconds or Less
by Eddie Johnson / February 27, 2009
The Suns are back playing the type of basketball they most enjoy. How far will that take them?
• Read more

[ T R A D E S ]
Yawn day
by Eddie Johnson / February 20, 2009
As is often the case, the trade deadline went by without anything major happening. Eddie Johnson is disappointed. • Read more

[ S P U R S ]
One more parade?
by Marc Narducci / February 16, 2009
After a poor start, the San Antonio Spurs are up to their old dominating ways. The Spurs are expected to contend for an NBA title, but can they win one?
• Read more

[ T R A D E S ]
Will Stoudemire have a new home?
by Marc Narducci / February 12, 2009
As the Feb. 19 trade deadline approaches, Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire is one of many big names who could be changing addresses.
• Read more

[ P L A Y E R S ]
The Top 25 (again)
by Eddie Johnson / February 7, 2009
Eddie Johnson gives us his updated list with the Top 25 players in the NBA. • Read more

[ P H I L . J A C K S O N ]
Zen? How about rapture?
by Roland Lazenby / January 27, 2009
Phil Jackson retiring in 2010? Take that one with a grain of salt, says Roland Lazenby.
• Read more

[ D A N N Y . G R A N G E R ]
Old Man Moves
by Eddie Johnson / January 24, 2009
Pacers forward Danny Granger could be flashy, but chose to be effective. That's one of the reasons why Eddie Johnson loves him so much.
• Read more

[ R O C K E T S ]
Best team no one ever saw?
by Mark Heisler / January 17, 2009
The Houston Rockets have a major issue and it's not togetherness. Their most pressing decision is what to do with Tracy McGrady, says Mark Heisler. • Read more

[ M A G I C ]
Drawing attention
by Eddie Johnson/ January 14, 2009
Everyone’s attention is centered on the great starts of the Lakers, Cavaliers and Celtics, but Eddie Johnson loves to watch the Orlando Magic. • Read more

[ D I S A P P O I N T M E N T S ]
Lowered expectations
by Marc Narducci/ January 12, 2009
A surprising number of well-known players have gotten off to disappointing starts this year, says Marc Narducci.
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[ C E L T I C S ]
Take the gamble
by Peter May / January 3, 2009
There's not much downside to the Celtics signing Stephon Marbury, so why not take a flier on him?
• Read more

[ G U N S ]
Why pack heat?
by Eddie Johnson / December 31, 2008
It makes some sense for athletes to carry guns if it's truly for protection. Although nothing protects you better than common sense, Eddie Johnson says. • Read more

[ A W A R D S ]
James the early MVP frontrunner
by Marc Narducci / December 30, 2008
Cleveland’s LeBron James leads an impressive and lengthy list of NBA candidates through the first 30 games. • Read more

[ S U N S ]
Breaking the fun machine in Phoenix
by Roland Lazenby / December 19, 2008
Steve Kerr's Suns are no longer fun to watch and it's a painful transition now. But is it a transition to something good? • Read more

[ M A G I C ]
What Dwight can learn from Tiger
by Dennis Hans / December 18, 2008
A common flaw among lousy golfers illuminates Dwight Howard’s inability to progress as a shooter.
• Read more

[ 7 6 E R S ]
Underachieving team looking to regroup
by Marc Narducci / December 15, 2008
The 76ers have fired coach Maurice Cheeks and still hope to salvage what has been a highly disappointing season. • Read more

[ P I S T O N S ]
Still a bright future
by Peter May / December 9, 2008
The Iverson stimulus plan is not working in Detroit. No big deal, says Peter May. • Read more

[ K N I C K S ]
Another mishandled situation
by Peter May / November 30, 2008
The Knicks could have easily saved themselves from the embarrassment of more Marbury moments, according to Peter May. • Read more

[ M A V E R I C K S ]
Being Mark
by Mark Heisler / November 23, 2008
The Mavs have gone from awesome to average in just a couple of years. Mark Cuban has options, but they may not be all that intriguing. • Read more

[ K N I C K S ]
Breaking ties is inevitable for Knicks and Marbury
by Marc Narducci / November 2, 2008
Once the face of the franchise, Stephon Marbury is no longer a part of the Knicks present or future. • Read more

[ P I S T O N S ]
Jury is out on Iverson trade
by Eddie Johnson / October 28, 2008
Dealing for Allen Iverson makes sense on a couple of levels, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to work out for well Detroit. • Read more

[ W A R R I O R S ]
In Nellie we trust?
by Roland Lazenby / November 3, 2008
It looks like a stormy season ahead for the Warriors. Can veteran head coach Don Nelson right the ship?
• Read more

[ P L A Y E R S ]
The Top 25
by Eddie Johnson / October 28, 2008
Eddie Johnson ranks the best 25 players in the NBA. • Read more

[ D R A F T ]
About the dough
by Peter May / October 26, 2008
NBA commissioner David Stern wants age limits. But the central issue is not age... It's money. • Read more

[ D E P R E S S I O N ]
Coming out a hard thing to do
by Sam Smith / October 19, 2008
Delonte West is the last one on a long list of players dealing with depression while in their prime. Being in the NBA doesn't make the problem any easier, says Sam Smith. • Read more

[ L A K E R S ]
The Lakers and Lamar, a basketball lament
by Roland Lazenby / October 3, 2008
Lakers' camp began with controversy surrounding Lamar Odom. Roland Lazenby gives his point of view.
• Read more

[ C L I P P E R S ]
Back to the old days
by Mark Heisler / September 25, 2008
The Clippers' golden era lasted just one season and may not be back soon. Not even with Baron Davis on board. • Read more

[ K N I C K S ]
Lipstick on a pig
by Peter May / September 21, 2008
The Knicks of 2008-09 are not very different to the Knicks of 2007-08. Thinking long term, that may not be such a bad thing. • Read more

[ B U L L S ]
Take the money, Ben
by Sam Smith / September 18, 2008
Ben Gordon should understand he's getting no Luol Deng money and take what the Bulls have to offer, says Sam Smith. • Read more

[ E L E C T I O N S ]
Players getting in the game
by Sam Smith / September 10, 2008
Pro athletes usually stay away from politics. Why is that changing a little bit this election year?
• Read more

[ D A N N Y . A I N G E ]
The risk taker
by Peter May / August 29, 2008
Celtics honcho Danny Ainge doesn't mind taking gambles. And who can blame him? • Read more

[ O L Y M P I C S ]
Humble team conquered gold (and hearts)
by Mark Heisler / August 25, 2008
With the Ugly American act out of the door, Team USA's impressive play in Beijing was even more enjoyable to watch. • Read more

[ R O C K E T S ]
Artest worth the headache?
by Mark Heisler / July 31, 2008
The Rockets will acquire a great talent in Ron Artest. But maybe also a chemistry-killer. • Read more

[ O L Y M P I C S ]
Future looks golden
by Peter May / July 3, 2008
With better preparation than in previous tournaments and the greatest amount of talent in many years, Team USA is looking to put past failures behind. • Read more

[ E U R O P E ]
The great escape
by Sam Smith / July 22, 2008
The day is coming when a true NBA star will decide to leave the NBA for Europe, according to Sam Smith. • Read more

[ 7 6 E R S ]
Philly moves to the front
by Eddie Johnson / July 11, 2008
Are the Sixers now good enough to challenge the big dogs in the East? Eddie Johnson thinks so.
• Read more