Quick Thoughts on Giannis’ 0-4 Start & The Grizz’s 5-0 Start

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We’ve been off the grid for a bit, but we’re back and ready to delve into some hoops minutiae. Today, I was wondering about the Heat and the Grizz and how hot or cold starts to the NBA season have turned out. The Heat started 0-4 but have won their last two games. The Grizzlies are 5-0 and the only undefeated team in the NBA.   How real are these starts? Before the season, there was wide variation in expectations: some thought that Giannis Antetokounmpo plus Erik Spoelstra equaled a … [Read more...] about Quick Thoughts on Giannis’ 0-4 Start & The Grizz’s 5-0 Start

Revisiting the 1972-73 Knicks

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As you probably heard, the Knicks are on the verge of their first title since 1972-73.  That got me thinking about that last title team.  While they are well-remembered for winning a second title for the Walt Frazier-Willis Reed core, most nostalgia focuses on the 1969-70 title and the epic Finals against the Lakers.   Indeed, in 1996, Roland Lazenby wrote in “The NBA Finals: A Fifty-Year Celebration,” the 1972-73 team was “so efficient that 20 years later Walt Frazier said he … [Read more...] about Revisiting the 1972-73 Knicks

Revisiting Shawn Kemp for Vin Baker

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By popular demand, we are going to do an examination of the October 1997 three-way trade where the Sonics sent their star power forward Shawn Kemp to Cleveland and received back Vin Baker (the Bucks, acting as an intermediary, received Terrell Brandon and Tyrone Hill from Cleveland).  This trade portended imminent decline for both the Sonics and Kemp.   The story, in brief, is that Kemp was angry about his contract and forced a trade.  When the trade happened, Kemp and Baker both … [Read more...] about Revisiting Shawn Kemp for Vin Baker

Revisiting Michael Jordan’s 63-Point Game

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Hard as it is to believe, we are now at the 40th anniversary of the highest scoring playoff game in NBA history: Michael Jordan’s 63-point masterpiece against the Celtics.  The story of the game is well known.  Boston would prevail in double-overtime and Larry Bird famously remarked that the performance was “God disguised as Michael Jordan.”   A lot of good stuff has been written and broadcast about this game but I thought there was a little bit of meat on the bone to gnaw at.  With … [Read more...] about Revisiting Michael Jordan’s 63-Point Game

NBA Playoffs 2025-26 Quick Thoughts

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The playoffs are here again, and it’s time to examine some of the key questions that stand out—FAQ style…. Yes, the Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites, but are they prohibitive favorites? OKC lapped the field again, going 64–18 despite some key injuries and a general sense that they eased up after their amazing start. Their 2024–25 squad had the best SRS ever.  This team ranks “only” sixth best in NBA history. For a little context, here are the top ten SRS teams and how they fared in the … [Read more...] about NBA Playoffs 2025-26 Quick Thoughts

Revisiting Wilt’s Knee Injury Comeback

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Last night, ten months after a catastrophic Achilles injury, Jayson Tatum made his amazing return to the court.  He put up 15 points, 12 boards, and 7 assists in only 27 minutes.  While it is premature to say Tatum is totally back to pre-injury form, early returns are quite encouraging.  In our current argumentative culture, the question came up whether this return is the most impressive return from major injury.   I’m agnostic on this question but it did inspire me to go back and … [Read more...] about Revisiting Wilt’s Knee Injury Comeback

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