In terms of true legitimate NBA superstars, I can’t remember a series that featured more than the 1997 Western Conference Finals. Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Stockton – these guys weren’t just Hall of Famers, these were guys you could argue were among the one or two greatest ever to play their position.

As they have for about the past 100 years, the Jazz looked unbeatable on their home floor and jumped out to a 2-0 series lead. When the series shifted back to Houston, the Rockets fed of their home crowd all the way to a 118-100 blowout. It looked as if Game Four could be the turning point in the series as Utah would either take a commanding 3-1 lead heading home or watch Houston knot things up at two games apiece. [Read more...]

With the 2009 NBA Playoffs behind us and the 2009 NBA Finals about to begin, we were again reminded this year of how much the postseason has to offer basketball fans. A number of unbelievable games, we also had some great storylines including Dwyane Wade’s return to the playoffs following a one-year hiatus, we had one rival upset another rival in the Spurs-Mavericks series and we had what some are arguing could be the greatest series of all time in the matchup between the Celtics and Bulls. And just think, that was from the Opening Round alone!

Some have argued that the greatest playoff series of all time can’t take place in the first round because the chips aren’t as high, but I disagree with that philosophy. While I think a first-round series needs to stand out a little bit more to be in the discussion, I don’t think it’s fair to rule one out completely. Plenty of teams which have advanced all the way to the NBA Finals have been pushed to the brink on the Opening Round. Why would the impact of that series mean any less than the Semifinals matchup taking place just one round later? [Read more...]

“All Access” at NBA.com recently caught up with Phoenix Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire for an exclusive video interview.  The three-time All-Star was not asked to discuss his on-court talents, but was instead quizzed on another skill: spelling.

Upon entering the league, Stoudemire’s name was often spelled incorrectly by many media personnel as Amare or Amaré. After Amar’e set the record straight with the media, NBA.com quickly turned the tables by asking him to spell the names of other players around the league.

Rolling easily through the first three names (two of them being Suns teammates), Amar’e stumbled toward the finish. The most difficult name for Stoudemire was that of a former high school teammate Kelenna Azubuike. When asked to spell the name, Amar’e admitted, “I am not even going to come close to knowing how to spell his name. It’s hard to pronounce his name.”

“Mike and Mike” in the Morning took on a new personality Monday morning as Suns forward Grant Hill played the role of co-host on the show. Substituting for Mike Golic on the ESPN Radio program, Hill discussed what it was like playing against the league’s best players, his favorite memories in basketball and his everyday life. [Read more...]

While Suns fans usually only get to enjoy the signature style of play-by-play man Al McCoy for a few hours every game night, one lucky pair of Phoenix fans got their own in-person experience recently – dining with the Hall of Fame broadcaster. [Read more...]

Every March, basketball fans salivate over the NCAA tournament.  They spend hours filling out brackets, discussing the merits of the “play-in” game, hating Duke and pretty much bringing corporate America to a screeching halt.  Many call it the best time of the year to be a basketball fan.  Not me.

I like March Madness – don’t get me wrong.  But the greatest basketball tournament of any season is the NBA Playoffs.  It’s the only one featuring the best players in the world competing for the most prized championship in the game.  Ask Carmelo Anthony if he’d trade his NCAA title for a chance to hug the Larry O’Brien Trophy while soaked in champagne.  I doubt he’d think about it for more than a second (sorry Coach Boeheim.)  This year’s edition of the Playoffs has been outstanding so far (thanks Bulls and Celtics!)  And so I’ve put together my favorite things from the 2009 Playoffs – so far. [Read more...]