February 21, 2013
Otter Shootaround: Yo, This Sea Otter Has Ups
So much amazing is happening, and the Shootaround crew is here to help you keep track of it all. You’ll find takes on moments you might’ve missed from the previous night, along with ones you will remember forever. And also ones that happen in zoos. Dr. Dunkenstein Shout-out to Grantland copy editor Dave Mesrey, who […]
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What We Know About Bruce Arians’s Quest to Keep the Kangol Industry Afloat
Most of the news from the first day of this year’s NFL combine has been standard podium fare. The Bears haven’t started contract talks with Jay Cutler. Greg Schiano is channeling Lovie Smith. Jeff Ireland still sees a role for Reggie Bush in Miami. But amid all the news was an inspirational story that might […]
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The 5 Worst Blunders of the First Leg of Champions League Knockout Matches
The UEFA Champions League is home to the highest caliber of football in the world. This is not about that. Welcome to the worst blunders of the week in the UEFA Champions League. Ball to Hand? Let’s start at the San Siro, where AC Milan upset Barcelona, 2-0. This was a fascinating match, where Barca […]
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The Non-Roster Invitees Chronicles: National League Edition
On Wednesday, I covered 15 players with compelling backstories who’ve been invited to spring training with American League clubs. Per that article: “These are the NRIs, the non-roster invitees promised almost nothing — not a job, not a major league deal, nothing more than a chance to come to camp, overcome often astronomical odds, and […]
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Q&A: Coach John Giannini on La Salle’s Chance for a Big Five Title
The last time the La Salle Explorers won an outright Big Five title — the longstanding championship of the Philadelphia college basketball scene — was the 1989-90 season. They made the NCAA tournament that year, and again in ’91-92, but in the 20 years since, it’s been an elongated dry spell. In fact, the only […]
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NBA Shootaround: Revenge of the Beard
So much amazing is happening, and the Shootaround crew is here to help you keep track of it all. You’ll find takes on moments you might’ve missed from the previous night, along with ones you will remember forever. Man on Fire (All GIFs by @HeyBelinda) When James Harden returned to Oklahoma for the first time, […]
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NBA Trade Deadline Day Shootaround
Join your Shootaround crew for some fake trades, pipe dreams, and beautiful, dark, twisted, deadline day fantasies. The Book of Revelation Golden State Warriors get: Devin Harris (Hawks), Earl Clark (Lakers), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Aaron Brooks (Kings) Los Angeles Lakers get: Josh Smith (Hawks), Andris Biedrins (Warriors) Atlanta Hawks get: Pau Gasol (Lakers), Tyreke Evans […]
Read moreAbout Last Night: Lakers Win One for the Doctor
In case you were out learning that what you thought was Oscar Fever is actually just an untreated strep infection, here’s what you missed in sports on Wednesday. In their first game since the death of longtime team owner Jerry Buss, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics, 113-99, at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant, […]
Read moreFebruary 20, 2013
Seven NBA Role Players Who Could Help a Contender at the Trade Deadline
As Thursday’s NBA trade deadline inches closer, plenty of big names — from Dwight Howard to Josh Smith — are dominating the rumor mills. It’s easy to get caught stargazing, hoping against hope your team acquires an elite talent, but even though they lack the excitement of their higher-profile counterparts, a deal for one of […]
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Men in Blazers: FA Cup, Robbie Rogers, and Arsenal Falls Apart
The FA Cup rumbled on, spewing out everyone’s favorite once-mighty-club-now-on-the-brink-of-yet-another-trophy-less-campaign. After falling to Blackburn 1-0, could Arsene Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal finally be entering its endgame? In this week’s pod the Men in Blazers examine what’s wrong at the Emirates, ponder whether they’d enter an open relationship with Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, and celebrate Oldham’s goal-line […]
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The Non-Roster Invitees Chronicles: American League Edition
Heading to Florida or Arizona to catch some spring training games? Planning to catch the games on the tube while walking precariously and making chomping sounds? You’ll need to know who you’re watching. Unlike in the regular season, when you become all too familiar with your favorite team’s designated cipher, recognizing players during spring training […]
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Q&A: Keith Smart on the Art of Coaching Boogie Cousins and the Kings’ Defensive Struggles
Keith Smart is in the stretch run of another disappointing Sacramento season, his first full year in charge after taking over for Paul Westphal seven games into last season. (Hey, remember Paul Westphal? Or did you kind of forget he ever coached the Kings? You did, right?) Smart is a defense-first guy presiding over the […]
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Money Walks: On Mayweather’s Selection of Guerrero … and Showtime
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Floyd Mayweather’s ascent to his position as king of the boxing box office is that he’s done it without being an exciting fighter. Rather, he convinces fans to pay for his fights by distracting them from what will actually happen in the ring. He’s a master manipulator, the likes […]
Read moreThe Final Word on Some NFL Bets
There’s one final piece of business left to cover regarding the 2012 NFL season: my preseason Over/Under bets. As Jonah Keri begins to break down this year’s MLB Over/Under opportunities, it’s time for me to look back and see how my preseason bets would have finished. I say “would have” because, as I mentioned in […]
Read moreMr. Russell’s House: Bill Russell and Bill Simmons
NBA legend Bill Russell tells Bill Simmons about the time he was coaxed out of retirement to play for the Lakers, the racial tension he felt in Boston, and why he never wanted his number retired. (Excerpt from the NBA TV special “Mr. Russell’s House.” Check your local listings for airtimes.)
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NBA Short-Attention-Span Power Rankings: The Great Flight North!
A survey of the players and teams making moves in last night’s NBA action. 1. Joe Johnson Hey, guys, maybe you weren’t in the last meeting, so I just want to catch you up. Apparently, the Barclays Center fills up on a cold Tuesday night when Milwaukee comes to town, the crowd actually rocks out […]
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Indiana–Michigan State: A College Basketball Reacclimation
Eight years ago, college basketball was the most important thing in my life. Wait, wait. I worry what you just heard was “Eight years ago, I really liked college basketball.” What I said was: “Eight years ago, college basketball was the most important thing in my life.” When I was 17, sports were everything, and […]
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The Match Play Championship: A Primer on February Madness
“Wednesday at the Match Play Championship is the most underrated day in golf,” said Chris Reimer, the communications manager for the PGA Tour, and I cursed in my head for two reasons. First, he was absolutely right. Second, I realized at that moment that I would have led this post with that exact same idea, […]
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About Last Night: Hoosiers in Charge
In case you were busy finding a Belgian who could fence $50 million worth of diamonds, here’s what you missed in sports on Tuesday. Indiana got its first win in East Lansing since 1991 with a hard-fought 72-68 win over the Michigan State Spartans. Missed free throws down the stretch hurt the Spartans, as they […]
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