the NBA

He took the Portland Trailblazers to the NBA Finals twice, only to be thwarted by the Pistons' Bad Boys and Jordan's Bulls.

As the NBA draft approached, the grim truth about Yao Ming's(notes) broken left foot hung like an anvil over the Houston Rockets.

Bryant said the Lakers' edge and attitude they had while winning the NBA title a year ago is back.

Thunder became the NBA the last 25 years, first in rebounding advantage in the case of losing such a great team.

As it was, Ariza played a few acclimatizing minutes late in the Western Conference finals and was only minor assistance in the NBA Finals.

If he continues to improve (and cuts down on the turnovers) expect to see him mentioned alongside the top five PGs in the NBA very soon.

Durant is a great scorer -- maybe the best in the league -- but LBJ is one of the greatest all-around talents the NBA has ever seen.

One of the top golfers in the NBA, Dawson resides in Houston with his wife, Sharon. Sharon has a daughter, Elizabeth and a son, Michael.

And given where the NBA salary cap is probably heading, which NBA team is going to be in a position to sign two max players?

Not quite the bold front-door takeover that Bain had envisioned for the NHL, but the backdoor seems to be working just fine for the NBA.

The majority of the NBA fans believe that the comparisons are foolish and that Jordan is still much better than Kobe.

The new Laker's Barcelona roots reveal a man who knew early in life where he wanted to go (the NBA) and would let nothing stand in his way.

The NBA is turning into a more low-post presence game and that's also why you see so many point guards having so many assists.

For the number that I'll wear in the NBA, I'm keeping it a secret for right now. . . what I can tell you is I'm already planning it.

He's already made at least one commercial, demonstrating the kind of charisma that will help him adapt quickly to the NBA and to America.

Nash looked more like an outsider, trying to make a living in the NBA by helping various teams he would feature in as a role player.

Also, he has repeatedly stated that his dream was to be a professional baseball player. . . not make it to the NBA.

Without a strong supporting cast or a calming coaching presence, Yao found himself struggling to find his place in the NBA.

A year ago, Pau Gasol had never played in the NBA finals, so he was excited just to be there.

The organization could take such a bold approach since the Rockets had one of the best off seasons in the NBA.

Ricky Rubio seems to have accepted that if he plays in the NBA, it will be in Minnesota as a member of the Timberwolves.

Lakers coach said, this was a great opportunity for Sun to gain additional playing time while still being able to continue on the NBA level.

It would be as if a disabled player could play in the NBA but not have to run up and down the court.

But just when the Lakers looked ready to accelerate into the fast lane and not exit until the NBA Finals, they went into a skid.

With all of these miscues, the only recent admission by the NBA in a crucial game was in the Dallas-Denver series.

Teams have the ability to assign players with less than two years of experience to the NBA development league.

No, he never even made it to the NBA (and I don't even know if the late Mr Jordan Senior played basketball at all).

There is no doubt that Kevin already had all the tools to be a star in the NBA.

My buddy who doesn't follow the Rockets but follows the NBA, said he thought Mobley was really a cool guy.

He might be more important defensively, because the Lakers must control Parker's penetration and keep the NBA finals MVP out of the paint.

For one thing, Yi isn't going back to China to waste a year he could be using in the NBA to prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Rockets are barely in game mode, but the Bobcats are sorry. If we were playing any other team in the NBA tonight it would be trouble.

But you had the best record ever in the history of the NBA playoffs, yu should be proud of that.

Although most people admitted he was the first person in the NBA, but he never relax.

The good thing about the NBA is that you have no time to ponder about that loss as you already have to look ahead to the next game tonight.

So far, January is proving to be Yi's worst month in the NBA, in terms of raw production.

How can anyone argue that Yao is not the best center in the game? He keeps this up and he'll be the best player in the NBA.

All three of those teams won the NBA title, while the Rockets have virtually no shot (hey, I said I was sorry . . . but I'm not crazy).

Despite a ballooning interest in basketball, there is no doubt that Yao was the centerpiece of the NBA's allure in China.

Being so young you've achieved a career in the NBA and helping out the community with your foundation. What would be your next goal in life?

Four years later, we still find ourselves asking who the dominant big man in the NBA is in terms of centers.

So in the last five weeks, the NBA has lost two of the great big men of this era and two of the most unique figures in league history.

Toronto was a bad offensive team last, but it was the worst defensive team in the NBA.

Very few players in the NBA have their own signature shoe and I am honored and humbled that Peak picked me to represent them in my own shoe.

One way is by using statistics. But the most common argument in the NBA seems to always include the number of rings on their fingers.

POWER forward. I doubt any player in the history of the NBA kept himself in better shape and had more power than The Mailman.

Now all we have to do is agree on who's the best player in the NBA this season which should be really easy and not cause any fights at all.

Over the years of the NBA's most important market for granted is United States, but China's large population, is the NBA's largest market.

He was leading the NBA in field -goal percentage (63. 6 percent) and was among the best in rebounds and blocks when he got hurt.

By the same token, Howard's leading the NBA in blocks is by no means indicative of his true defensive value.

Bynum was quickly becoming one of the best centers in the NBA, and Trevor's athleticism gave the Lakers weapons that are unmatched.

"I was chatting to him while he was boarding the plane that took him to the States to see the NBA final, " Eto'o said.

We invited him to discuss pop music with us, but he introduced a new topic immediately, that was, the NBA finals the week before.

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2006-07, Camby comes to the Clippers with a reputation as one of the top defenders in the league.

If you only started following the NBA, you'd think Kobe and Ron-Ron were the best of friends and have been teammates for five or more years.

The NBA season usually begins in late October but owners and players so far have failed to agree on a new labor deal.

The Yao Ming Effect is also influencing the CBA, which actually has no professional connection with the NBA.

Back in early January, Houston was 10th in the West and widely considered one of the NBA's most disappointing teams.

But a spokesman for the NBA said Mr Huang has never owned a stake in an NBA team or even been involved in discussions to invest in any team.

In Los Angeles and Orlando, I attended the NBA finals, and I enjoyed going to matches of the NFL and MLB, " added Del Piero. "

With all of the new faces, this time may be as important to the Rockets as any other team in the NBA.

He said this was a new start in his basketball career. He would do his best to learn from the NBA and improve himself.

With the current Lakers squad poised for a shakeup and a lockout looming in the NBA, Jackson chose a good time to move on.

I think it would be selfish of myself if I was talking about the NBA through the course of the year.

But Jackson and Winter's teams have been the only ones in the NBA to run it exclusively.

That's the way it goes in the NBA Draft. You hope for the best and then make the best out of what you get.

I say it takes Scola about a week to adjust to the NBA and send Hayes to the bench.

I'm grateful to the Chicago Bulls organization and to the NBA for providing me with so many great opportunities.

He was one of few first year players to make the NBA All-Star team.

Suddenly, he was a 7-footer with good footwork who could catch the ball and finish, a rare talent in the NBA these days.

This season, Kobe has decided to lead by example and become the epitome of a superstar in the NBA.

Compare that with the NBA, where some owners may actually prefer to forgo another unprofitable season if it results in a better deal.

If David Stern could arrange it, he would have Kobe playing every playoff game to the very last possible date for the NBA this June.

Some of these players may be great, some may be flops, but all of them will be given a chance to prove himself at the NBA level.

After winning the NBA Championship last June I decided to take three of my childhood friends to China.

The NBA has cancelled the first two weeks of its regular season after team owners and players failed to reach agreement on a new contract.

"Before we give him the mantle as the best center in the NBA, let's relax a little bit, " Charles Barkley said afterward.

AP reports that Allen Iverson, among the NBA's biggest stars a few years ago, is considering joining a Chinese team.

Prove they aren't the same team that lost to the Celtics by 39 the last time they met, in the NBA you-know- what .

Basketball player Wang Zhizhi, for example, paid a heavy price for trying to forge his own way in the NBA in the US.

Over the years, basketball pundits have described Yao as a "finesse player" who had trouble banging inside with the big men of the NBA.

What's up, Sina Fans. The NBA did a video on me that I thought you would like.

Basketball and the NBA in particular is full of folk heroes and bigger than life characters that never lived up to their potential.

There's no doubt Michael can still be an effective player in the NBA.

The NBA season is so grueling and long and the body takes quite a beating.

Many of the NBA's 83 foreign-born players say reading was always the main form of entertainment in their home countries.

As the NBA prepares for Sunday's All-Star Game, international players are becoming an increasingly prominent force on the court.

Age is one important factor influencing of prolificacy, the TNB of first born is less than the TNB of the still-born, so does in the NBA.

"Last year we kind of had a cakewalk to the NBA finals, it feels good to be tested a little bit, " he said.

As you may know, the NBA requires players who do not play to wear sport coats or blazers on the bench.

After listening to player complaints, including more than a few from the Spurs, the NBA switched back to leather Monday.

And his most recent Lakers squad made it to the NBA Finals three years in a row, winning twice.

Besides, this series won't be decided by the NBA proving it has a separate set of rules for Kobe Bryant.

You just can't roll with the big three and a bunch of old dudes and expect to beat the best teams in the NBA.

At this point, both players and owners enmeshed in the NBA talks will be embarrassed if they back down.

You lost the best center in the NBA and the post game that comes with him.

Kobe was the best player on the second best team in the NBA. LeBron's team was just average.

English origin: Indiana has won its first game in the NBA finals against the LA Lakers, a game the Pacers had to have.

But I just now how the NBA-business works. And the older you are the slimmer your chances are.

Mr. Yao's injury is a risk, too, for the NBA, which already counts China as its second-biggest market in revenue after the U. S.

He is the ONLY MVP (one-time or more) I have EVER heard of, that talent wise is arguably not a top 10 player in the NBA.

With Artest now gone to Houston, Salmons and Martin could make up one of the most explosive scoring tandems in the NBA next season.

The NBA will be back in Taiwan again next month for an NBA Cares community outreach event.

"It was a great challenge, " Bryant, the NBA's Most Valuable Player, told reporters.

And he's pretty much acknowledging that he thinks we are the best team in the NBA when takes that "accept the challenge" stance, .

Those numbers in turn add up to rising TV ratings and sales figures for the NBA.

That's just the business of the NBA. You do things to try to benefit your team, make your team better, sometimes you don't.

Also new in 2006, the NBA team jerseys will now be manufactured by Adidas after the company purchased Reebok, the previous uniform supplier.

Bynum is one of the better talents in the NBA . . . when healthy.

Clearly, the NBA more or less used to condone this type of behavior. Players could rough each other up and play on (see Jordan Rules).

I was three years older, but after that I thought, "Some day I could be good enough to play in the NBA, too. "

Yi was impressive at last month's Asian championship and many expect him to land a new offer once the NBA labor dispute settle down.

Given his chance, Lin seized the NBA spotlight with both hands, and has inspired the Knicks with a string of stunning performances.

teams of the NBA, you see a totally different Lakers squad than you see against, say, the Thunder.

Yao Ming is not only a good image within the NBA but he provides a good platform for companies to promote themselves.

Should his defense and free throw shooting improve to anywhere north of average, he'll have an argument to be the best player in the NBA.

The Blazers have been beset by so many injuries this season that the NBA granted the team an exemption to carry 16 players on its roster.

Many consider him the best all-around player in the NBA, so he probably can live with that.

And in the cutthroat world of the NBA, results are all that matter.

It doesn't let me forget what it took to get there and how hard I had to work to finally make it to the NBA.

I'm slow, can't jump, and I'm under six feet tall. My chances of playing professional basketball in the NBA aren't looking so good.

I am excited to join the NBA and look forward to representing such an iconic brand as we grow the game both on and off the court.

Facts Ben is the first undrafted player ever to be voted into the starting lineup of the NBA All-Star Game.

Mailman "Karl Malone wants out of Utah Jazz when the NBA lockout ends, the NBA League 's premier forward said today during his radio show. "

San Antonio struggles to score at times, but its defense might be the NBA's best overall.

Manu Ginobili, the NBA's top sixth man, will carry the flag for the Argentinian delegation at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games.

Bryant who was once the clear cut poster boy for the post Jordan era of the NBA, is now the most polarizing figure in all of sports.

The deal, subject to the approval of the NBA, is to be announced on Monday.

3 the CBA excellent organization with the NBA elite organization defender defender in height difference compared in weight and a gap.

Ialways believe that he is able to help his team to win the NBA champion.

The rockets will begin their journey of the NBA playoff from the road, that will face the TrailBlazers on the Portland Rose Garden.

The NBA Finals kick off a week from today in San Antonio .

The 41-year-old was mostly just enjoying what was expected to be his final season in the NBA.

NBA badge is the best NBA fans to wear ornaments , as the NBA fanatics, must be own !

After all, McGrady is what the NBA calls a star, even though he never has been as far into the playoffs as Ben Gordon.

Yao, the NBA's tallest player, would need big-time help from his smallest teammate.

However, unlike his native China, the NBA's intensity demanded their big men to be both unforgiving and aggressive.

In the U. S. , the NBA is sponsoring a grass-roots teaching program called iHoops to improve basketball fundamentals at the youth level.

The only good sales job I had during college was selling baseball tickets for the NBA Rockets.

Heritage events became popular in the U. S. about a decade ago, when the NBA began signing more talent from overseas.

But if your goal is to rack up big vote totals for the NBA All-Star Game, there's another answer: Be a Houston Rocket.

It must be understood this is only summer league play, meaning Yi is not facing the best the NBA has to offer.

If he weren't playing with the NBA's breakout superstar, Blake Griffin, maybe Gordon would've gotten more credit.

It also said his deal included a clause allowing him to return to the NBA when the league's contract issues are resolved.

And if the NBA goes that route, Wade has decided to go somewhere else.

I mean, it's the signature shoe for Tracy McGrady, one of the most exciting and most talented players in the NBA.

Jason: Alright, I apologize. But I really need back home on time for the NBA final game! Today is Laker vs. King!

Jones said she got a call from someone in the NBA, asking if she would possibly be interested in the WNBA.

When a contract runs out in the NBA a player becomes a free agent.

He kind of established some credibility as a player that wasn't drafted in the first round, but belonged in the NBA as a young player.

Along with Paul, Williams is one of the top point guards in the NBA.

For Americans, he's affable demeanor and witty repartee are a welcome antidote to the antics of the NBA's bad boys.

Under his watch, one of the best brands in the NBA was nearly destroyed.

At only six feet tall, Allen Iverson is one of the shortest players in the NBA.

West (31. 3 ppg) was as irrepressible as ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA scoring race.

Barkley: I think the NBA has been very fortunate to have David Stern, and I'm not just blowing smoke.

But even on this divisive issue, China's rise as a primary market for the NBA is apparent.

Weaknesses: He is a very streaky shooter and scouts have observed that he needs a quicker release on his jumper to get it off in the NBA.

For three seasons running, the NBA team with the best regular-season record hasn't even made it to The Finals.

Sure the Cavs are in a position to win the NBA title in '09, but that's not what I'm talking about.

Sure, Houston gets to go home, but Detroit, Dallas and Orlando, three of the NBA's top teams thus far, won't go quietly.

You know, the team that just advanced to the NBA finals in spectacular fashion.

Draft pick by the Lakers two years ago, the last year after joining the Lakers, Sun Yue of the NBA does not smooth the road to go.

He could become a top point in the NBA within a few seasons.

The NBA Closer is written by Matt McHale, who's starting to get a very bad feeling about these playoffs.

My beloved Clippers are seen here visiting the White House after dispatchingtheHeat in 5 games at the NBA Finals. A man can dream, can't he?

Q: Did you feel like the NBA and your skeptics left you for dead this offseason?

Barnes, like Bell, ranks among the few players in the NBA with the gumption to get in Kobe's face.

NBA Today keeps everything fresh and up to date based upon what is really happening in the NBA.

There is a good chance that at least a third of the NBA's 30 teams in the NBA will lose money this season.

Dirk Nowitzki was named MVP of the NBA Finals for his huge role in leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first championship.

Following Jackson with an aging core almost assures failure, but so few jobs in the NBA are ever happily ever after.

Through this umbrella program, the NBA, its teams and players have committed to donating $100 million to charity in a variety of ways.

For did not participate in the NBA All-Star team, this time 3-4 days is their perfect vacation.

Last month David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA, fined Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant after he unleashed a slur toward a referee.

Basically because I believe that this time is different from the other two eliminations that I played in the NBA.

He is a true warrior, a fearless leader and has one of the best work ethic in the NBA!

It is a bit much, but it is normal for the NBA to take such course of action.

He'd gotten better and better through the years, developed a polished low-post game and understood the ways of the NBA.

But let's hope it stays at a minimum between these two because these days the NBA is marketing "King James" with unprecedented efforts.

It should be noted, however, that in order to survive in the NBA, even the most prolific scorer must be able to play a modicum of defense.

The NBA rulebook states that a player must be ejected for "An elbow foul which makes contact above shoulder level. "

DeVos has also owned a number of professional sports franchises, including the Orlando Magic of the NBA.

By the age of 16, his dream was to play basketball professionally in the NBA.

'The back-and-forth between the NBA and China's national team destroyed his health.

Derek Fisher is the president of the NBA Players' Assn . and he will attend meetings in Phoenix.

The NBA star was encircled by cheering fans as he walked out this stadium.

But forget the numbers. No player in the NBA is asked to do more for his team on a nightly basis.

"He don't guard like that in the NBA, but he did tonight and I was impressed, " Barbosa told ESPN. com.

Before he turned the NBA on its head, the 26-year-old Iverson was a football hero.

Despite this, Goodrich had a good career with the Jazz, and would retire from the NBA before the team moved to Salt Lake City.

Despite Kobe Bryant's scoring reputation, the Lakers were not regarded as one of the NBA's best offensive teams before the season began.

But according to Walton, league executives, and scouts, Yao Ming is not the best center in the NBA.

'Hopefully the NBA. ' He dunked a wing into a dish of hot sauce.

Leads all players in the NBA in double-doubles over the last six seasons.

Team relocation is not unique to the NBA. Some NHL, NFL and MLB teams have left their adoring fans to make new ones.

The NBA star Tracy McGrady appeared in a Fox TV news program presenting the weather with forecast host Amy Freeze.

Yao said Amy is one incentive for him to return to the NBA.

we're one of the slowest teams in the NBA and should be lose to them in the playoffs, I wouldn't feel ashamed.

Bowen is limited offensively but he remains one of the NBA's finest perimeter defenders.

All of these features packed along with the NBA 2K realistic simulation that you all love.

At last, this paper makes response spectra analysis and time analysis of a concrete beam bridge using the NBA program.

He was the NBA's first dominant big man, but life literally cut him down to size.

The Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets have been two of the NBA's hottest teams recently.

But come Thursday night at the NBA draft, Thompson's anonymity could end if he goes from draft sleeper to top-10 pick.

In the National Basketball Association, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat for the NBA championship.

The mavericks victory, its biggest hero is the team leader dirk nowitzki. . . The NBA finals six games are down an excellent performance.

This summer league sponsor Southwest Airlines did walk away from the NBA, yet the league added a new partner in banking giant BBVA.

The events at last night's game were shocking, repulsive and inexcusable -- a humiliation for everyone associated with the NBA.

But there's no question that the TV's going to be repaired before the NBA finals.

The NBA season is a little over two months away, but it's never too early to start looking ahead.

If Crawford does stay with the Lakers, he'll probably play some in the NBA Development League for the Lakers' D-Fenders team.

The Shanghai native, who stands at 7-feet, 6-inches, was the NBA's top overall draft in 2002, when he was signed by Houston Rockets.

Tammy : A student there lost a bet on the NBA finals and then ran naked across the football field.

The NBA title for the San Antonio Spurs gives their center 37-year-old David Robinson a storybook ending, to a long and prosperous career.

Those fans outside the cities wiped off the NBA map would enjoy a more competitive landscape.

Michael Jordan used to reign as the supreme player in the NBA.

After all, Michael Jordan was once Stern's ally in his long-term efforts to unify, and expand, interest in the NBA.

ALLEN Iverson was once the troublemaker that the NBA did not want. He went to prison for fighting.

By contrast, the NBA runs clinics, road shows, junior leagues and brings in a steady stream of players.

He was hurt but is with strong will pertains to pitch, quickly get the NBA fans around the world love.

That was a good experience to have before coming to the NBA.

While the Spurs' time in the NBA is dwarfed by the amount of time the Lakers have been around, their championship pace is too.

In the NBA, LeBron James swears by his siesta.

Making basketball appeal to a global audience has become a priority for the NBA.

For two consecutive years at the NBA dunk contest, we have seen this big guy's superior jumping ability and wonderful ideas.

So he thinks the NBA's monthlong Noche Latina promotion is a natural move to honor the Latin communities across the country.

Michael Jordan was acknowledged as the best basketball player in the NBA.

By not admitting mistakes and fining people for disagreeing with calls the NBA is lending credence to the conspiracy nuts.

They got tri-tower, and can keep twin tower on the court any time. Once Marc Gasol and Hamed Haddadi get use to the NBA rule.

The fourth chapter introduces the NBA season NBA season, mass media transmission characteristics.

The NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic occupy fourth and fifth spots followed by English Premier League champion Chelsea.

This month's case in point: the latest scuffle between the NBA's players association and the teams' owners.

The NBA is Where Amazing Happens and the experiences recounted in this book are truly amazing.

Representatives from the NBA and the players' association have completed a meeting to discuss a new collective bargaining agreement.

So it's my distinct pleasure to first turn the spotlight on the NBA's most diligent man-to-man defenders.

This is one of the games (playing in the NBA) that I've been looking forward to for a long time.

Money is not what I want from the NBA. My first-year salary will sustain my expenses for a lifetime.

Minnesota: 1989 joined the NBA, to Minnesota in a number of ferocious wild animals, "Minnesota" name.

The Houston Rockets are in uncharted territory, having finally escaped the first round of the NBA playoffs.

In figures released yesterday, Bryant's jersey was the NBA's No. 1 seller. Marbury's ranked seventh.

The NBA's highest-scoring team will look to do so when it takes on the league's top defensive club Tuesday night.

That year, the New York knicks playoff eastern eighth on black eight miracle, unexpectedly scored in the NBA finals.

Ultimately, however, the 17-year-old Bryant made the decision to go directly into the NBA, only the 6th player in NBA history to do so.

He's not only the best coach for this team, but quite simply the best coach in the history of the NBA.

The NBA Playoffs always begin in late April, with eight teams in each conference qualifying for the playoffs.

Once I figured out I could play in the NBA, I also figured I could be an All-Star.

But I, too, wondered: Could Yao adapt to the rough-and-tumble world of the NBA?

Michael Schwartz, Valley Of The Suns: The NBA is a player's league, and you need stars to make deep playoff runs.

It would be more than a decade before the Pistons and Bulls were again major figures on the NBA scene.