eastern-conference-finals Page 7 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Is a small-market, slow-build dynasty even possible in this era of basketball?
A single championship does not a dynasty make, despite Kevin Durant’s comment this summer that the Bucks were “forming somewhat of a dynasty.” ...

Trae Young feels disrespected — and that’s a good thing
The Atlanta Hawks blasted the Dallas Mavericks in their season opener, 113-87, with Trae Young racking up 14 assists and Deandre Hunter holding Luka to 18 points on almost as many attempts (17). Afterward, Young had a message for the haters:...

2021 NBA Southeast Division Preview: The Hawks are going to break your heart
The Atlanta Hawks appeared in the franchise’s second Eastern Conference Finals last season, and their fans are preparing for what they think could be another long playoff run this year. In 2015-16, the Hawks ran into LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East Finals, resulting in a 4-0 Cav...

Dominique Wilkins is owed an apology and the only asterisk I’ll accept in sports
Dominique Wilkins is owed apologies from a lot of you people. ...

Hear me out: Ben Simmons for Kyrie, straight up
Ben Simmons has attempted 34 three-pointers in his four-year NBA career, which is about how many shots from downtown Kyrie Irving attempts in five games. As point guards go, the two former No. 1 overall picks could hardly have more different games....

Read 'em and weep: Here are the worst droughts in modern sports, non-title edition
The White Sox have won their first division title since 2008, which doesn’t really feel right, because they’ve only had two truly awful seasons in the last decade and a half, and power in the Central is rarely concentrated anywhere for too long, but it’s true. It would be a weird thing to lie about....

Julius Randle’s extension is perfect for both sides
The perfect contract: You rarely get that in sports. Of course, we may revisit this down the line and think otherwise, but for now, for this moment in time, Julius Randle’s extension with the New York Knicks is perfect for business....

Let’s pick apart this list of the NBA’s 22 best point guards
It’s time to break down and analyze the latest sports ranking list. This time we have the top 22 (??) point guards in the NBA as ranked by hoopshype.com. Wondering why hoopshype chose to rank the top 22? ...

Sixers had no choice but to 'supermax' Embiid, but they just blew their shot at a title
As great as Joel Embiid has been thus far in his career, he hasn’t exactly been an iron man of any sort during his time in the NBA. That didn’t stop the Philadelphia 76ers from cashing out the player that many think is the best center in the league, with a four-year, $196 million extension....

Viral photo depicting entire ‘AAU team’-turned-pro is fake news, but here’s the real story behind the squad in it
Ever heard the one about the entire AAU team that made it to the NBA? Of course you haven’t, because this isn’t the beginning of some corny joke....

It’s okay to find the feel-good in Kemba Walker’s return to New York
From the land of chopped cheese and quarter waters emerged the coldest motherfucker to come out of New York City playgrounds and gyms since Sebastian Telfair in 2004. And that same guy is now a New York Knick, bringing it full circle 10 years after being drafted into the NBA, and after hitting possi...

Isaiah Thomas sure looks like he can still ball
When last seen on an NBA team, PG Isaiah Thomas suited up for the New Orleans Pelicans on a 10-day contract. Thomas played in just three games, scoring 23 points in 48 total minutes....

The Knicks’ low-risk offseason is a smart long-term strategy
Is it a coincidence that The LOX and Dipset had a classic Verzuz at MSG Theater less than 12 hours before Kemba Walker agreed to a deal with the New York Knicks? Probably not....

Keeping John Collins was key for the Hawks' championship hopes
The Hawks just helped secure their core for the next 4-5 years. And who knows where the ceiling is....

Deadspin fixes NBA free agency, Part IV: Power Forwards
Charles Barkley once said, “What do you call a power forward that only averages six rebounds per game?” Someone said, “what?” And the answer was, “A small forward.” That was funny as shit....

Deadspin waffles: Why the Bucks will win Game 6… aaand why they won’t
Jeff Teague is on the verge of winning a championship. ...

Giannis is the Shaq of this era
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most physically dominant player we’ve seen since Shaquille O’Neal....

The Bucks bench is in a tough spot
Because the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t getting the necessary consistency from Giannis Antetokoumnpo’s co-stars, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, their bench has been unfairly forced to overcompensate, and they haven’t....

Despite 0-2 hole in NBA Finals, Giannis has already won
Most thought he would never be here....

Jrue Holiday is better than what he showed in Game 1
In a continued theme of searching for consistency amongst Giannis Antetokounmpo’s All-Star caliber running mates, Jrue Holiday is next on the clock....