Harlan Schreiber

Recently, Charles Oakley sounded off about the modern NBA, letting us know that he did not think the game has progressed to his liking since he retired about a decade ago.   Oakley’s complaint is that the modern players lack something: “I don't know what it is. They just roll you out there like a basketball. That's why ... you see the same teams in the finals or winning 55 games. Strong teams, strong-minded coach. Just the players, they don't think it, they don't know how to play together.   So … [Read more...] about Back In My Day

With so much going on in the home stretch of the NBA season, for some reason, what caught my eye is the weird season that Steve Novak is having.  It was only two years ago that Novak was key component on a very good Knicks team as the guy shooting corner threes when Carmelo Anthony was doubled (after which Novak would celebrate with the famed “Discount Double Check Belt” celebration).  Since leaving New York, minutes have been hard to come by for Novak.  Now, Novak has really retreated to his … [Read more...] about Steve Novak Does Not Like Two-Point Land

Deflate Gate is a mostly silly NFL controversy, where the New England Patriots were accused of deflating footballs to help Tom Brady throw the ball more easily.  What does this have to do with the NBA?  Well, pretty much nothing.  Well, almost nothing.  A few writers have stumbled upon a 1986 article by Sam Smith that quoted Phil Jackson admitting that the old 1970s Knicks deflated basketballs to help establish the slower pace the Knicks wanted. The thrust of the articles mostly noted that … [Read more...] about Deflate Gate Sucks In Phil

This time of year, NBA writers’ thoughts turn to the All-Star game.  Some feel real passion about this subject and write long and well-reasoned articles about who the best players in the NBA really are and how they should be recognized.  I can understand that perspective but I am firmly of the opinion that the game is not particularly interesting or meaningful.  By extension, the process by which players are chosen doesn’t interest me that much either.   The NBA All-Star game is probably the … [Read more...] about All-Star Picks

Just yesterday, Kobe Bryant was diagnosed with a torn labrum and some have speculated that he likely could miss the entire season.  What impact will this have for the Lakers?  Not much to be honest.  First, there is no indication the Lakers are any worse without Kobe.  Indeed, 82games.com has Kobe at -2.6 in simple rating (please consider all the usual caveats about +/- and small sample size).  In addition, it really probably is for the best if Kobe sits to avoid wear and tear in a directionless … [Read more...] about Remember Dwight’s Labrum?