May 23, 2012
Grantland Network Podcast: Men in Blazers
This weekend’s Champions League final featuring Chelsea and Bayern Munich started slowly, but at the end of a penalty shootout, Chelsea, battered and bruised, stood the victors. And in this week’s podcast, the Men in Blazers analyze the game with a fine-tooth comb, considering everything from David Luiz’s IQ to the invisible hand of Lady […]
Read moreNBA Playoffs Shootaround: Miami Throws Some ‘Bows
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. Scenes From the Miami Heat Locker Room, Post–Game 5 Dexter Pittman: “Hey LeBron, did you see what […]
Read moreMiddle Relief: The Red Sox’s Endless Outfielders
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Middle Relief, our midweek look at news and nonsense from around the majors. When Scott Podsednik jogged to center field in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Orioles, he thrust the Red Sox into rarefied air. No, he didn’t win the game for Boston — Baltimore […]
Read moreKings Win! And Everyone Is Super Chill About It!
Here is a video of the Official Team of L.A. Live the Only Team Still Currently Playing at L.A. Live, the Los Angeles Kings, beating the Phoenix Coyotes to advance to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1993.
Read moreAbout Last Night: Pacers Running Out of Time
In case you were out living a life of leisure, here’s what you missed in sports on Tuesday. The Miami Heat routed the Pacers 115-85, taking a 3-2 series edge and battering the self-proclaimed Pacer tough guys along the way. “It’s always a tough moment when I remember that I’m a dork,” said Tyler Hansbrough. […]
Read moreMay 22, 2012
Scenes from Sixers-Celtics Game 5
Walking down the back hallway of the TD Garden toward the media scrum arranged around Doc Rivers before Monday night’s Celtics-Sixers game feels a tiny bit like being in an unpretty NBA version of one those long Wes Anderson panning shots crammed full of highly detailed mise-en-scene and all that. Looking to the rooms on […]
Read moreThe Greatest Hits of Stan Van Gundy
On Monday, Stan Van Gundy was fired from his job as coach of the Orlando Magic. After the emotional tractor trailer jack-knifing that was this Magic season, this move was inevitable. It was a day of housecleaning for the franchise, as they also relieved general manager Otis Smith of his general management duties. Somewhere, no […]
Read moreKyrie Irving and the NBA Recess
If the Twittersphere has taught us one thing, it’s that athletes can be completely absurd individuals. The NBA lockout was a prime opportunity to observe how millionaires spend their non-basketball time, and while every day of these NBA playoffs is thrilling, once this seemingly endless process of crowning a champion is complete, it will, once […]
Read moreLakers-Thunder Game Notes: The Big Three, Scapegoats, and Phil Jackson Critics
Despite Kobe Bryant’s 42 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their series on Monday night, ending the Lakers’ season and setting up a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. If you didn’t catch Monday’s game, here’s five things you missed.
Read moreWhat’s Behind Drew Doughty’s Playoff Success?
It’s been a tough couple of years for 22-year-old Drew Doughty. The Los Angeles Kings defenseman recorded 59 points as an NHL sophomore in 2009-10, establishing himself as a premiere offensive defenseman. But with just 40 points in his 2010-11 campaign and 36 this year, he hasn’t been able to match his initial scoring pace. […]
Read moreNot Screwing Up: The Thunder Guide to Success
Between efforts to stamp a time of death on the Laker dynasty Monday night, conversation occasionally veered toward figuring out how the Thunder had so easily dispatched their veteran opposition. Speed? Explosiveness? Sure, that might have had something to do with it, but the Thunder were fast two years ago, too, and the Lakers were […]
Read moreNBA Playoffs Shootaround: Russell Westbrook Explains the Universe
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. Actually, Dennis Hopper, Russell Westbrook Can Land on a Fraction, Man There are basketball shots that DO […]
Read moreGiancarlo Stanton, You’re No Roy Hobbs
If you missed the action in Miami on Monday night, here’s video of Giancarlo Stanton hitting a grand slam and temporarily breaking the Marlins’ new scoreboard. Watching that clip, it’s hard not to think about the scene from The Natural in which Roy Hobbs’s home run smashes the lights at the New York Knights’ Stadium […]
Read moreAbout Last Night: Lakers Beat the Traffic to Summer Vacation
In case you were out living a life of leisure, here’s what you missed in sports on Monday. Russell Westbrook scored 28 points and Kevin Durant added 25 and 10 boards as the Thunder eliminated the Lakers and advanced to the Western Conference Finals with a 106-90 win. As he walked out of the building, […]
Read more