30. Hakeem Olajuwon – Pau Gasol Both international players have a thousand moves inside the paint. And they shoot that perimeter shot with ease. These franchise players have the ability to take over a game. Olajuwon won two titles for the Rockets in the mid-90’s. But Gasol’s game has deteriorated as of late, maybe due [...]
35. Bill Walton – Tim Duncan Both these guys have two things in common – heart and leadership. Though each expresses their leadership in different ways. Duncan is a leader by example. Day-in-and-out, he does what is necessary for the team. Walton, on the other hand, is the vocal type. But both big men are [...]
No one ever expected that Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Howard will become an NBA All-Star. Hell, no one ever expected that he’ll be able to play in the NBA at all. Not even his parents. Howard grew up with an ailment. He had deformed legs. He had to undergo surgery just to have his legs [...]
Every avid NBA fan would like to have an authenticated jersey, basketball or any sports item worn by their favorite player. Everyone wants these items signed. Even a sports illustrated magazine where the cover icon is Michael Jordan, has to be signed by Jordan himself. For me, it is a must. But getting them signed [...]
I am a huge Red Bull fan, but I extremely question the management’s decision not to lend superstar center Enrico Villanueva to the Philippine team for the coming FIBA-Asia competitions. Apparently, Red Bull would be able to loan the up-and-coming star center for the SEABA jousts, which is just a qualifying tourney for the FIBA-Asia. [...]
40. James Worthy – Jerry Stackhouse Coach Avery Johnson has inculcated into the mind of Jerry Stackhouse what his role is in the much-talented Dallas team. He has emerged as a great supporting player for Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard. And he has readily embraced it, becoming a spark off the bench for the Mavericks’ [...]
Even though the Phoenix Suns got their butts kicked, 83-105, by the Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons last night, I still believe they passed their toughest week ever, winning two of three games against perennial playoff-bound teams. Phoenix started their week by routing the Houston Rockets, 103-82, last March 12. Leandro Barbosa, the prime candidate [...]
Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson’s day could not get any uglier than this. Before his Lakers were blown out by the Denver Nuggets, 86-113, Jackson was fined $50,000 for sticking up for his star Kobe Bryant. Bryant was once again suspended for an inadvertent elbow, his second suspension for the same offense. Kobe loves [...]
Experts have been affirming all around the league that the battle for the coveted MVP plum has already been conceded to the Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki. Even fellow candidate Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns is giving his vote to Dirk. Nowitzki has career-highs in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, almost in all categories [...]
The top two teams in the NBA face-off in Dallas, when the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks collide in perhaps this week’s most anticipated game. The Mavericks, though hold the edge, as they defeated the Suns in both contests this season. This includes a 101-99 victory when Dirk Nowitzki hit an eighteen-footer over Amare [...]