Hoops Links News & Rumors

On this date in 1991, Isiah Thomas became Detroit’s all-time leading scorer, with 15,493 points, after scoring a game-high 22 points in the Pistons’ 94-87 win over Houston at the Palace of Auburn Hills.  Thomas passed previous leader Bob Lanier on Detroit’s all-time scoring chart.

Got a great blog piece that you want featured in next week’s edition of Hoops Links?  Send it to HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Queen City Hoops tips their cap to Jeff Adrien, a pleasant surprise for the Bobcats.
• Red94 says the Rockets have forged an identity for themselves.
• Bourbon Street Shots explores some ways the Pelicans can fix the small forward position.
• Blazer’s Edge wonders if tankers will become trade partners for Portland.
• RaptorsHQ explains the Raptors’ struggles step-by-step.
• SBNation has some ideas for how the Knicks can bounce back.
• Celtics Life says the Boston vets know their role.
• The Brooklyn Game wonders if things will improve from this point for the Nets.
• Keep It Cavalier is finding it hard to keep it positive.

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

On this date in 1999, A.C. Green of the Lakers tied former ABA and NBA star Ron Boone for the longest consecutive games played streak in professional basketball history by playing in his 1,041st game when the Lakers host the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.  Green became the NBA’s all-time iron man when he played his 907th consecutive game while a member of the Dallas Mavericks on November 20, 1997, passing Randy Smith, who played in 906 consecutive games for Buffalo, San Diego, Cleveland, and New York.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Keep It Cavalier tries to diagnose what’s wrong with the Cavs’ offense.
• Red94 talks Terrence Jones‘ emergence in this week’s podcast.
• Hoop76 breaks down the Sixers’ pack the paint defense.
• 48 Minutes Of Hell says Kawhi Leonard has to pick it up.
• Blazer’s Edge talks Wesley Matthews and more in the weekly mailbag.
• Bourbon Street Shots presents part two of small sample size theater.
• Raptors Republic comes to the aid of Kyle Lowry.
• Celtics Life explains why Derrick Rose‘s injury should have no impact on Rajon Rondo‘s return.
• Ballin Europe might have the buzzer beater of the year.

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

On this date in 2000, Suns guard Jason Kidd tied the NBA record for turnovers in a game when he turned the ball over 14 times in a 90-85 loss to New York.  John Drew of the Atlanta Hawks committed 14 turnovers at New Jersey on March 1, 1978.  That’s the kind of sloppy play that Kidd doesn’t endorse as head coach of the Nets.

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..

• Red94 brings us another installment of DwightLife.
• 3SOB talks about what’s up ahead for their Grizzlies in their latest podcast.
• Blazer’s Edge wonders if C.J. McCollum’s return might give the offense a much needed boost.
• Hardwood Paroxysm discusses Kevin Martin and the importance of having the right coach.
• Raptors HQ wonders if trading Kyle Lowry might solve some of their problems.
• Grizzly Bear Blues wants to see Memphis do a better job of guarding the perimeter.
• Posting And Toasting ponders life without Iman Shumpert.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

On this date in 1990, the Suns routed the Nuggets 173-143 to tie a record held by the 1959 Boston Celtics for the most points scored in a non-overtime game. The Suns had 107 points in the first half, breaking the mark of 90 set by the Nuggets three days earlier in a 161-153 loss to San Antonio. Suns Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons also picked up his 700th career coaching victory, becoming only the seventh coach in the history of the league to reach that mark.

Here at Hoops Links, we totally endorse running up the score.  Do you have a great basketball blog post that you want to be featured in next week’s edition?  Email it to me here.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Hoop76 debunks the myth that tanking doesn’t work.
• Celtics Life wonders if Rajon Rondo will be the answer to the club’s late-game woes.
• Toronto Sports Daily is reading between the lines.
• 48 Minutes Of Hell explains how success from mid-range is still possible for Tony Parker.
• Blazer’s Edge says Portland has to communicate better on defense.
• Bourbon Street Shots gives us their early take on the Pelicans.
• Raptors Republic says Gerald Henderson‘s performance on Wednesday is indicative of a larger issue.
• Red94 has another installment of Dwight Life.
• Ballin Europe delivers an early season update out of EuroLeague.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

On this date in 1960, Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record for the most free throw attempts in a game with none made when he missed all ten of his tries against Detroit.  Chamberlain’s dubious record would last more than 40 years before another dominant center, Shaquille O’Neal, broke it by missing all eleven free throw attempts against Seattle on December 8, 2000.

Here at Hoops Links, we know the importance of converting at the charity stripe.  Got a great basketball blog post that you want featured in next week’s edition?  Email it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere..

• Mavs Outsider takes a look at Gal Mekel‘s journey.
• Keep It Cavalier gets us familiarized with Jarrett Jack.
• Hoop76 goes out on a limb for some 76ers predictions.
• 3 Shades Of Blue sat down with Kosta Koufos.
• Gavin’s Sports Columns makes some bold predictions for the 2013/14 season.
• The Brooklyn Game was reminded of the Nets’ N.J. days in last night’s loss.
• Red94 wonders if the first few games of the year are an indicator of what the Rockets will look like.
• Hardwood Paroxysm looks at the hidden meaning behind Hack-A-Dwight.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

On this date in 1976, the Nets made the worst deal since the island of Manhattan was sold for $24 in wampum.  The Nets, in need of money to help facilitate their move from the dying ABA to the NBA, sold Julius Erving to the 76ers for $3MM.  Dr. J led the Nets to two ABA titles, but they’ve yet to win an NBA championship to this day.  Meanwhile, Erving helped the Sixers capture the 1983 Larry O’Brien trophy.

Got a great blog post that you think should be featured in Hoops Links?  Send it to me at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.  Here’s the best from around the basketball blogosphere this week..

• Hoop76 asks if the Sixers should sign Jason Collins.
• Daily Thunder has some questions for OKC.
• Blazers Edge previews the Kings.
• The Brooklyn Game looks at Malik Allen‘s new venture for college recruiting.
• Keep It Cavalier recaps the Cavs’ preseason outing against the Pistons.
• RaptorsHQ looks at Toronto’s most must-see opponents this season.
• Queen City Hoops previews Bismack Biyombo.
• Red94 has some random thoughts on the Rockets’ upcoming season.
• 48 Minutes of Hell talks renewal for the Spurs.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

On this date in 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA at a news conference in Deerfield, Illinois.  Jordan’s retirement after nine seasons came less than four months after he helped lead the Bulls to their third consecutive NBA Championship with a six-game victory over Phoenix in the 1993 NBA Finals. H is nine-year totals included 21,541 career points, seven straight league scoring titles (1987-93), an NBA record-high career scoring average (32.3 ppg), and three regular season and three NBA Finals MVP awards.  Sometime afterwards, Jordan was kidnapped by the Looney Toons and joined forces with them to help defeat the alien versions of Muggsy Bogues,  Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, and Larry Johnson.  

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..

• Bleed Green talks about the expectation level for Jeff Green this year.
• Blazers Edge is hoping for LaMarcus Aldridge 3.0.
• Daily Thunder says that Russell Westbrook is OKC's side animal.
• Celtics Hub tries to clear up some of the confusion over Boston's lineup.
• Grizzly Bear Blues profiles Tayshaun Prince.
• Raptors HQ caught up with Amir Johnson.
• The Brooklyn Game looks at Gary Forbes' attempt to hook on with his hometown team.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

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On this date in 1983, the NBA and the Players’ Association established a landmark program in sports to battle drug abuse, providing treatment and rehabilitation that also mandated expulsion of repeat offenders and players convicted of using or selling drugs.  

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..

• Hoop76 explains why Evan Turner might be in line for a career year. 
• Daily Thunder has some big questions heading into training camp.
• The Two Man Game looks at the Mavericks' narrative.
• Red94 previews the season ahead for the Rockets.
• Celtics Hub wonders if Jared Sullinger can be a center.
• Silver Screen And Roll wants to hear less from the Buss family.
• Blazers Edge asks if Portland's guards can play together.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

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Twenty-one years ago, USA Basketball announced the "Dream Team" for the 1992 Olympics.  Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, and John Stockton were named to the greatest basketball team ever assembled.  Christian Laettner and Clyde Drexler would be named to the team in May of the following year.  

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..

• True Sports Blog explains why the Trail Blazers will make the playoffs this season.
• Fear The Sword tries to figure out who the young Cavs can learn from.
• Grizzly Bear Blues profiles Jerryd Bayless.
• Hoop76 runs down the most polarizing 76ers of all-time.
• The Two Man Game discussed the Mavs fan experience with some input from Mark Cuban.
• Bourbon Street Shots gets weird in their breakdown of the Pelicans.
• Roundball Mining Co. is ranking the Nuggets from bottom to top.
• Daily Thunder says OKC needs Russell Westbrook.
• Queen City Hoops breaks down offseason addition Al Jefferson.
• Raptors HQ spoke with inRecruit co-founder Joseph Rocco.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.

This week 14 years ago, the NBA Board of Governors approved several playing rules modifications for the 1999-2000 season. The modifications had been recommended by a special committee of current and former players, general managers, coaches and other basketball experts the previous June and were tested in several NBA summer leagues.  Among the rule changes: the 24-second shot clock would be re-set to 14 seconds if certain violations occur with less than 14 seconds remaining.

Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..

• Celtics Hub can't wait to get rid of the former Nets that came over in the blockbuster.
• Posting And Toasting looks for silver linings in the J.R. Smith situation.
• The Brooklyn Game wants you to get to know the Pelicans a little better.
• Silver Screen And Roll explores the Lakers and the novelty of losing.
• Rufus On Fire looks at some potential lineups.
• Red94 asks how the Rockets will beat the Atlantic Division.
• The Two Man Game goes over the money plays.
• Cavs The Blog sizes up the Celtics and 76ers.
• 48 Minutes Of Hell supports the Spurs' deals for Tiago Splitter and Manu Ginobili.
• Blazers Edge asks if analytics enhance the NBA experience.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached here.