Archives › Kurt Helin
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NBA finals, Lakers Celtics: Talking Derek Fisher, the day after
Jun 9, 2010, 4:25 PM EDT
Leave a commentAfter practices on the off day, everybody was still talking Derek Fisher. Even Derek Fisher.
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David Stern is just fine with the officials, what are you talking about?
Jun 9, 2010, 3:39 PM EDT
If there is one thing the NBA loves, it’s when the officials become the story. Fans are talking about it. Players have been fitted with the shock-collars of heavy fines, which were applied liberally in the first rounds so now guys hold their tongues. The coaches try to be subtle. Doc Rivers was ironically complaining…
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You knew the little general was going to get a job somewhere this summer. Looks like he got a prime one. ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting via twitter that the Nets have reached a verbal agreement with Avery Johnson on a contract to become their next head coach. The talks didn’t last long, which is…
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NBA instant replay: Do we need more of it? A PBT roundtable discussion
Jun 9, 2010, 2:08 PM EDT
The star of the NBA finals Game 3 — just after Derek Fisher but ahead of Brian Scalabrine — was instant replay. The officials went to it constantly down the stretch of a close game. Good, because they got the calls right, sort of; or bad because it disrupted the flow of the game? We’ve…
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Tom Izzo is reaching out for advice on what to do — stay at Michigan State or make double his current salary and coach the Cleveland Cavaliers.? We and pretty much everyone else has suggested that Izzo’s decision has to hinge on LeBron James. Izzo talked to former Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote (the guy…
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Rumor: Miami Heat free agent target order: Bosh, Stoudemire, then Boozer
Jun 9, 2010, 11:53 AM EDT
This is probably what everybody surmised, but now we have a little confirmation. According to a report in the Miami Herald, the free agent the Miami Heat are targeting first is Chris Bosh, who will certainly demand the max salary. His versatile inside game and ability to run the floor should be a good fit…
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“He is a basketball player and a great one and his interests are aligned with our interests. But this concept that this franchise has been handed to a player who is running it and making the decisions is just completely and totally false” –Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, refuting stories that LeBron James is making…
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NBA finals, Lakers Celtics Game 3: Bynum "tweaks" knee, says he is "questionable" for Game 4
Jun 9, 2010, 10:57 AM EDT
Andrew Bynum has been key for the Lakers this series, occupying and scoring some on Kendrick Perkins on offense (so Perk isn’t pushing Pau Gasol around) and protecting the rim on defense. He is the key reason the Celtics are shooting below 50 percent at the rim — on layups and putbacks — in the…
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Lest there was any remaining doubt, let it be known that Amar’e Stoudemire wants to get paid. He told the kids at his basketball camp in Phoenix yesterday that there is “no chance” he would exercise his $17.5 million option for next season. He will become a free agent if the Suns don’t re-sign him…
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NBA finals, Lakers Celtics Game 3: Talking Derek Fisher's makes, Ray Allen's misses
Jun 9, 2010, 9:25 AM EDT
Phil Jackson sounds like most coaches after one of his players goes one on four — good thing he made it. Doc Rivers sounds frustrated and you could tell the Lakers won because Kobe was back to using full sentences in his press conference.
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The Hornets have one of the best open-court decision makers and scoring forces in the league in Chris Paul. Yet the Hornets did not run under Byron Scott. They played at the 28th fastest pace in the league (of the 30 teams) Scott’s first year. After that their pace ranking still was never fast: 21,…
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Harlem Globetrotters offer LeBron James, Dwyane Wade ownership to come play
Jun 9, 2010, 8:37 AM EDT
Well, there’s one offer Mikhail Prokhorov or Dan Gilbert can’t make. The Harlem Globetrotters have already reached out to LeBron James and made him an offer — part ownership of the team. Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported this via twitter. In a serious effort/marketing move, the Harlem Globetrotters are making a pitch…
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NBA finals, Lakers Celtics Game 3: Derek Fisher does what Derek Fisher does and the Celtics pay
Jun 9, 2010, 1:17 AM EDT
Here is the basics of the scouting report every team gets on Derek Fisher: Don’t let him catch and shoot, particularly late in games. Make him shoot off the dribble, hit pull up jumpers, do that and he will miss. So what did Fisher do in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the NBA…
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NBA finals, Lakers Celtics Game 3 halftime: Lakers 52, Celtics 40
Jun 8, 2010, 10:32 PM EDT
If you told Celtics fans before the game that Kevin Garnett would have 15 first half points, they would have thought they would be destroying the Lakers and started celebrating. But the Celtics are down a dozen at the half, 52-40. Outside of Rajon Rondo (4-7) and KG (7-9) the Celtics are 5 of 24…
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<a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=bf9c5ff1f4″ >NBA finals, Lakers Celtics Game 3</a>
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Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant talks about the team’s coaching search, which has nothing to do with what LeBron James wants. Nope. Not a thing. Don’t think that for a second. In the first few seconds he dances around the Tom Izzo question like a pro.
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Haddadi may not play for Iran this summer, will stay in Memphis instead
Jun 8, 2010, 6:29 PM EDT
While the world’s top national teams — including Team USA — are focusing on Turkey this summer and the FIBA World Championships, there are a number of other events drawing other teams. Like the 2010 Asian Games. Iran will be taking part in that, playing basketball, but they may not have their best player, Hamed…
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Don Nelson staying in Maui, not involved in Warriors draft preparation
Jun 8, 2010, 4:30 PM EDT
Don Nelson is in Maui right now. For the record, I wish I were in Maui right now. I’d be a much better blogger in Maui. Or at least I’d have the best tan of any NBA blogger. Which really is a pretty easy honor to achieve. But I am not the coach of an…
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Ray Allen got all the love last game, well deserved love at that. The man with the pure jumper was shooting it as well as anyone ever has. It was beautiful basketball. But he’s not why Boston won. The Celtics won because they took back the paint. On offense the Celtics got 46 shots in…
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For the first three rounds of the NBA playoffs, Game 5 returns to the home court of the higher seed. Game 6 is at the lower seed’s building, then the teams travel again for a Game 7, back to the higher seeds home court. The 2-2-1-1-1 format. But not for the NBA finals. Then the…
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UPDATE: 12:50 pm: Clipper team president Andy Roeser spoke with Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times and refuted these claims. She tweeted his response and added a comment: “Mr. Sterling has never expressed a desire to sell any part of his team. Because it is an asset of remarkable value, it’s true that there…
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NBA finals, Lakers Celtics Game 3: Officiating is already the story, and tip off is eight hours away
Jun 8, 2010, 12:45 PM EDT
My plea has fallen on deaf ears. After seeing 134 free throws through the first two games, after seeing the officiating and fouls called play a key role in both games, the announcement of the referees for Game 3 has led basketball fans everywhere to say, “Are you kidding me?” In Boston and Los Angeles,…
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The Cavaliers are doing a little coaching tango with Tom Izzo, Michigan State’s legendary college coach. An offer is on the table, according to reports. But Izzo’s no dummy — he’s not going to sign up for a rebuilding project in the NBA. He’s only making the leap if he has a shot at a…
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With all due respect to the great Tom Ziller, not many people choose Sacramento. It’s a place people end up. It’s a seat of power (California’s capital), but as a metropolitan center, well… let’s just say it’s lacking. You don’t hear major free agents to be raving about the nightlife in Sac Town. Not like…
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NBA finals, Lakers Celtics Game 2: Rajon Rondo's block from behind
Jun 8, 2010, 9:22 AM EDT
Before we move on to Game 3, let’s look back really quickly at one of the signature plays of Game 2: Rajon Rondo’s block from behind. Two things to take away from this. First, Rondo’s recovery is amazingly quick. Just a fantastic play. Second, Ron Artest should have taken the three he had, not passed…
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Video: Bosh: 'We'll see who hits first'
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Video: Clippers, Celtics discussions 'can't be wrong'
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Video: Elliot looks ahead to Game 6
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Video: The Hype: How much would you pay to punch someone?
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Video: If Heat lose, 'all hell will break loose'
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Video: Green breaks NBA finals 3-point record
