Basketball Topics

| May 29, 2013

Paul caused Del Negro's departure

by Sam Smith

The Los Angeles Clippers in 2012-13 had the best season in their franchise history, including their times in Buffalo and San Diego. They won a franchise-most 56 games, including 17 straight that was the best in the NBA in four years until the Heat ...

| May 15, 2013

Stern in tough spot regarding Kings

by Sam Smith

They have called David Stern “King David” around the NBA at times, though quietly when he was nearby. It’s been a successful reign for Stern, who said he will step down next February as commissioner. But Stern may need the wisdom of King Solomon ...

| May 1, 2013

Woodson beating odds with Knicks

by Sam Smith

Mike Woodson likes to tell the story of how he first got into NBA coaching, which was something of a symbol for his basketball life. Woodson had finished up a solid, if unspectacular, playing career with a half dozen teams after being drafted by ...

| Apr 17, 2013

Kobe's greatness won't let him quit

by Sam Smith

Well, at least we know Kobe Bryant isn’t retiring. One of the underlying stories of this NBA season — and, of course, it had to involve the Los Angeles Lakers, as almost everything did — was Bryant saying how with the final season of ...

| Feb 20, 2013

Buss' contributions to NBA won't be forgotten

by Sam Smith

Dr. Jerry Buss, the legendary Basketball Hall of Fame owner of the Los Angeles Lakers who died Monday, was by vocation a chemist, the Dr. before his name for his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Southern California at age 24. Smart man, ...

| Feb 6, 2013

Harden the loser in trade from OKC

by Sam Smith

The Houston Rockets are going to make the playoffs, and without trading for James Harden there basically was no chance they would. The Oklahoma City Thunder still are among the top five contenders for the NBA championship, but not likely as strong a contender ...

| Jan 23, 2013

Garnett an enigma despite unquestioned greatness

by Sam Smith

So why are so many people applauding a guy who makes fun of cancer patients, calls other men’s wives sluts and punches opponents in the groin? Well, there aren’t that many people applauding Kevin Garnett, who has been accused of those crimes and misdemeanors, ...

| Dec 26, 2012

Bulls keeping pace in East with Rose on mend

by Sam Smith

If the Chicago Bulls are this good without point guard Derrick Rose —not great, but good — then could they really be serious title contenders even this season? You’d, of course, have said no chance coming into the 2012-13 NBA season, and anytime in ...

| Dec 12, 2012

Knicks may live up to hype this time

by Sam Smith

There’s an old question you hear around the NBA sometimes. It goes like this: What’s the definition of a dynasty? Answer: When a family in China governs for hundreds of years. Or when a New York sports team wins three games in a row. ...

| Nov 28, 2012

Cerebral Paul a true renaissance man

by Sam Smith

You don’t hear much profound in sports locker room these days, even about sports. You hear about “rhythm,” and “momentum” and playing them “one at a time.” So it was a delight to listen to Chris Paul the other day. The Los Angeles Clippers ...

| Nov 14, 2012

Brown wasn't only problem for Lakers

by Sam Smith

Sam Smith covered the Chicago Bulls for the Chicago Tribune for nearly 25 years, including all six of the team’s NBA titles with Michael Jordan. He is the author of the best-selling book “The Jordan Rules” and now writes for bulls.com. He was honored ...