Hoops Links News & Rumors

On this date in 1992, Magic Johnson, playing for the first time since announcing his retirement on Nov. 7, 1991, scored a game-high 25 points and dished off for a game-high nine assists to lead the West to a 153-113 win over the East in the All-Star Game at the Orlando Arena.  For his memorable effort, Johnson was honored with the second All-Star Game MVP award of his career.

Got a great basketball blog post that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Atlas Bowled talks Kyle Lowry and instant replay.
• Keep It Cavalier comes to the defense of Dion Waiters.
• Legion Report runs down some trade candidates, starting with Omer Asik.
• Go Hard Sports Blog looks at Canada’s 2016 squad.
• Sporty Reporty talks Rajon Rondo.
• Mavs Outsider says Dallas can’t get caught up in scoreboard watching.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, email it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

On this date in 1996, the Bulls’ 99-84 road win over the Lakers – with Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson meeting on the court for the first time since Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals – set, at the time, a record as the highest-rated NBA game ever on cable TV.  The telecast on TNT earns a 7.1 rating and a 13.1 share, being viewed in an average of 4.75 million homes.  The rating mark stood until the May 21, 1996 Bulls-Magic playoff game.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Atlas Bowled offers a primer on economics in the NBA.
• Hoop76 says the Sixers shouldn’t trade Evan Turner…yet.
• Legion Report wonders how long the Lakers’ struggles will continue.
• Bucksketball breaks down Brandon Knight‘s game.
• Cowbell Kingdom bids farewell to David Stern.
• Hardwood Paroxysm talks Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, email it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

On this date in 1991, Rockets guard Vernon Maxwell became the fifth player in NBA history to score 30 points in a quarter, joining Wilt Chamberlain, David Thompson, George Gervin, and Michael Jordan.  Maxwell, who finished with 51 points, hit for 30 in the final quarter of the Rockets’ 103-97 home win over Cleveland.  Gervin holds the NBA record for scoring the most points in a quarter (33) in San Antonio’s 153-132 loss to New Orleans on Apr. 9, 1978.

Got a great basketball blog post that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  This week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Shaw Sports asks if O.J. Mayo can still be a star player.
• It’s Boston Sean talks All-Star snubs.
• Bucksketball looks at some interesting splits for the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
• Salt City Hoops says injuries are now the only constant for the Jazz.
• A Wolf Among Wolves wants to help Kevin Martin.
• Bullets Forever discusses the future of Marcin Gortat in Washington.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, email it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

On this date in 2000, Michael Jordan, who led the Bulls to six NBA championships as a player, returned to the NBA when he joined the Washington Wizards as part owner and President of Basketball Operations, overseeing all aspects of the team.  In 2001, No. 23 made his return to the hardwood with the Wizards.

Do you have a great basketball blog post that you want featured on Hoops Links?  Send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  This week’s links..

• Lakerholicz is impressed with Kendall Marshall.
• Dime Mag explains why DeMar DeRozan should be an All-Star.
• It’s Boston Sean says the Knicks knew what they were getting into with J.R. Smith.
• 48 Minutes Of Hell believes that the Spurs are the best in the West.
• Warriors World looks at the Mark Jackson situation.
• Long Distance Jayhawk delivers an after battle report.
• Hawks Hoops is on All-Star watch for Jeff Teague.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, email it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

On this date in 2000, Ray Allen of the Bucks, Grant Hill of the Pistons, and Alonzo Mourning of the Heat were selected as the final three members of the 2000 USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team, scheduled to participate in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Named previously to the USA Men’s Senior National Team were Vin Baker and Gary Payton of the SuperSonics; Tim Duncan of the Spurs; Kevin Garnett of the Timberwolves; Tom Gugliotta of the Suns; Tim Hardaway of the Heat; Allan Houston of the Knicks; Jason Kidd of the Suns; and Steve Smith of the Trail Blazers.  Shockingly, this loaded team would barely eek out a semifinal win over Lithuania and had to fight hard to top France for the gold medal.

Got a great basketball blog post that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Secret Rival looks at the three-year cumulative wins lottery proposal.
• Quadruple Double peers into the crystal ball to check out the 76ers’ future roster.
• Keep It Cavalier examines the Luol Deng deal from the Cavs’ perspective.
• iSportsWeb looks at what the Eric Bledsoe injury means for the Suns.
• It’s Boston Sean runs down his big board (1-10) for the 2014 draft.
• First And Ten Sport is on board with the Nets, tie or no tie.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

On this date in 1988, Hall of Famer Pete Maravich died at the age of 40 after suffering a heart attack while playing in a pick-up game in California.  Pistol Pete, one of the most dazzling talents to ever grace the hardwood, became one of the youngest players ever inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and was regarded by John Havlicek as “the best ball-handler of all-time.”

Got a great basketball blog post that you want featured on Hoops Links?  Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Keep It Cavalier looks at the logistics of a possible Andrew Bynum trade.
• Celtics Life wants to know what’s going on with all of these blown leads.
• 48 Minutes Of Hell looks at the Spurs’ needs and concerns in the New Year.
• Knickerblogger isn’t doing cartwheels over Jeremy Tyler.
• Hawks/Hoop casts their All-Star ballot for Jeff Teague.
• Bourbon Street Shots says Eric Gordon can’t play with Jrue Holiday.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, email Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

On this date in 1999, the late Wilt Chamberlain became the first player to have his number retired by three teams when the Warriors retired his No. 13 jersey at halftime of their game against the 76ers.  The No. 13 jersey was presented to Barbara Lewis and Yvonne Chamberlain, Wilt’s sisters, and Oliver Chamberlain, his brother.  Chamberlain’s number had already been retired by the Philadelphia 76ers, where he was part of the 1967 NBA championship team, and the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was part of the 1972 title team. Chamberlain spent six years with the Warriors organization, averaging 41.5 points and 25.1 rebounds in 429 games.

Got a great blog post that you want featured on Hoops Links?  Send the link to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  This week’s look around the blogosphere..

• Hoop76 revisits the Jrue Holiday deal with New Orleans.
• Keep it Cavalier explains why Anthony Bennett should go to the D-League.
• Shaw Sports wonders about Andrew Bynum‘s future.
• The Brooklyn Game says it’s okay to be a little checked out on the Nets.
• Pounding The Rock wonders if Tiago Splitter needs new tricks.
• 48 Minutes Of Hell breaks down the Spurs’ break down of the Mavs’ D.
• Cavs: The Blog says don’t go home with hope.

On this date in 1949, in his 13th game as a Celtic, Tony Lavelli scored 26 points as Boston beat the Minneapolis Lakers, who were on their way to a second straight NBA title.  At halftime, the versatile Lavelli treated the 5,206 fans at Boston Garden to an accordion mini-concert, one of about two dozen performances he gave around the league for which he was paid $125 per concert by the NBA.

Here at Hoops Links, we wish Shaquille O’Neal would have done the same with rap concerts during his playing career.  Got a great basketball blog post that you think is Hoops Links worthy?  Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  This week’s links..

• Hoop76 makes the case for Tony Wroten playing the two next to Michael Carter-Williams.
• Keep It Cavalier wants the Cavs to land Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin.
• Red94 discusses the development of Dwight Howard.
• Bucksketball wonders if Herb Kohl will find the investor he’s looking for in the Milwaukee area.
• 48 Minutes Of Hell praises Gregg Popovich.
• Gothic Ginobili asks: What if the Spurs traded Manu Ginobili?

Got a suggestion for this feature?  Email Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com

On this date in 1994, the NBA announced that it was changing the statistical minimum needed for a player to qualify for the three-point field goal percentage title from 50 to 82.  With attempts from downtown skyrocketing, it was a necessary move.

Here at Hoops Links, we’re never afraid to pop it from beyond the arc.  Got a great basketball blog post that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Hoop76 isn’t thrilled with the Sixers’ efficiency on offense.
• Keep It Cavalier discusses the three-headed monster in Cleveland.
• Hoops Heads looks at the players who are really worth tanking for.
• Suite Sports looks at how the Rudy Gay deal affects the Raptors.
• Red94 still doesn’t think the Rockets will trade Omer Asik.
• Forum Blue And Gold looks at the Lakers’ latest identity change.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, please email Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.

On this date in 1999, Rockets forward Charles Barkley’s storied career came to an end in Philadelphia, when he attempted to block a shot by the Sixers’ Tyrone Hill.  Barkley, who scored 23,755 points (13th in NBA history) and grabbed 12,545 rebounds (14th in NBA history), tore the left quadriceps tendon away from the kneecap in the first quarter of Houston’s 83-73 loss to Philadelphia.  After the game, Barkley held a news conference and paid tribute to former teammates Julius Erving, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, and Bobby Jones, who Barkley said initiated him in the ways of the NBA in his early years with the 76ers.  Barkley would return to play token minutes in the last game of the regular season, which would then be the final game of his career.

Got a great basketball blog post that you want featured on Hoops Rumors?  Send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the blogosphere..

• Toronto Sports Daily has 12 reasons why a small market finals would be great.
• Hardwood Paroxysm talks Derrick Williams and expectations.
• The Brooklyn Game went on the YES Network to discuss the current state of the Nets.
• Posting and Toasting wants to know what happens if Mike Woodson gets canned.
• Raptors HQ says the Raptors showed a lack of identity in their loss to Phoenix.
• Orlando Magic Daily talks Maurice Harkless and more on their latest podcast.
• Red94 wonders if Thad Young is really an upgrade.
• Peachtree Hoops explains the Hawks’ options when it comes to the Nets’ picks.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, email Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.