Basketball Players

A look at Wilt Chamberlain's achievements and his astounding basketball statistics.

Oct 27, 2005 - David Friedman

Kobe and Phil have reunited—-will it feel good? Can Seattle stay alive in the playoff chase after enjoying surprising success in 2004-05? Quick, read Part II of the Western Conference Preview before I make another reference to a 1970s song lyric!

Oct 12, 2005 - David Friedman

Picking San Antonio to win the West is boring, predictable—and the only rational choice, particularly with Amare Stoudemire on the shelf for at least four months. Part I of the Western Conference Preview tells you which teams have the best chance to dethrone the Spurs if the defending champs falter.

Oct 12, 2005 - David Friedman

Miami is stockpiling name talent, New Jersey has the best 6-7 and under squad and LeBron finally has a worthy wingman. The NBA season is just around the corner and Basketball Spotlight is the place to go to find out who will be the elite teams in the Eastern Conference this year.

Oct 12, 2005 - David Friedman

“Play the right way” makes its Broadway debut while Milwaukee hopes to drive a Ford to the playoffs. You’ve heard of being a legend in your own mind—Orlando is a contender in its own mind. Atlanta and Charlotte have excellent title chances—in the NBDL. Yes, it’s Part II of the Eastern Conference Preview, with bonus coverage of the Road to Secaucus.

Oct 12, 2005 - David Friedman

Who is the greatest basketball player of all-time? There is not a simple answer to that question, but this series will look at the careers of the most prominent candidates for this title.

Sep 9, 2005 - David Friedman

We love him, we love him not...NBA observers can't decide what to make of Antoine Walker and his game, which even his coach described as "quirky" after a big playoff win. Part II offers some more food for thought about the man that veteran columnist Bob Ryan calls "the most polarizing player in Celtics history."

Aug 5, 2005 - David Friedman

Do you like Antoine Walker's game? Half of the people watching NBA games probably agree with you. Do you not like Antoine Walker's game? Well...half of the fans watching NBA games probably agree with you, too. Why is Walker's game so loved--and so hated?

Aug 4, 2005 - David Friedman

Basketball Spotlight correctly picked both NBA Finalists and the winner of 9 of the 15 NBA playoff series. Before turning our attention completely to the 2005-06 season it is worthwhile to briefly look back at the 2005 NBA Finals.

Jul 14, 2005 - David Friedman

The NBA Finals are here at last and the two combatants are no surprise to Basketball Spotlight readers. Will the Detroit Pistons match the "Bad Boys" by repeating as champions or will San Antonio Spurs' star Tim "Big Fundamental" Duncan tie Shaq "Diesel" O'Neal by winning his third championship?

Jun 8, 2005 - David Friedman

The showdowns that basketball fans have awaited all season are here at last--Miami versus Detroit and Phoenix versus San Antonio to determine the Eastern and Western Conference champions respectively. Basketball Spotlight breaks down both series, explaining who will win--and why.

May 21, 2005 - David Friedman

Two NBA second round series featuring contrasting styles of play will begin on Monday. Phoenix and Dallas can both be expected to regularly surpass 100 points in their Western Conference Semifinal matchup, while the Detroit-Indiana Eastern Conference Semifinal figures to feature a lot of scores in the 90-85 range--or lower.

May 8, 2005 - David Friedman

The second round of the NBA Playoffs begins on Sunday. Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal will lead the Miami Heat against the explosive Washington Wizards in one Eastern Conference Semifinal, while the first Western Conference Semifinal to get underway is a battle between San Antonio and Seattle, two teams that each breezed through the first round with 4-1 victories.

May 7, 2005 - David Friedman

It's "bracketology" NBA-style, part II, as Basketball Spotlight breaks down the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs, picks who will make it to the Western Conference Finals and predicts who the 2005 NBA Champion will be. The next installment of "bracketology" NBA-style will appear after the conclusion of the first round of the playoffs.

Apr 21, 2005 - David Friedman

NCAA basketball fans use the term "bracketology" to describe their efforts to forecast the outcome of March Madness. Basketball Spotlight offers its own version of "bracketology" NBA-style, with a preview of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs and a prediction of who will eventually meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Apr 21, 2005 - David Friedman

Dallas Mavericks' assistant coach Del Harris has coached successfully at many levels--high school, college, NBA (1994-95 Coach of the Year) and overseas (he won three national championships between 1969 and 1975 in Puerto Rico). Before the April 3 Cleveland-Dallas game, Harris discussed playoff preparation and the blossoming of Dirk Nowitzki as an all-around player.

Apr 11, 2005 - David Friedman

Hall of Fame Coach Pete Carril distinguishes between "coaches" and "teachers." Carril loves to teach and in this interview he explains why one of the most important skills to teach basketball players is how--and when--to use the dribble most effectively.

Apr 7, 2005 - David Friedman

Hall of Fame Coach Pete Carril guided Princeton to the 1975 NIT Championship. He is the only NCAA Division I coach to win more than 500 games without using athletic scholarships. Now an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings, Carril spoke with Basketball Spotlight at Gund Arena before the Kings-Cavaliers game on April 1.

Apr 6, 2005 - David Friedman

The conclusion of a three part series examining James Silas' career breaks down how he developed his deadly offensive game. It also looks at the paradox of the Spurs awarding Silas a commemorative ball for scoring 10,000 points for the franchise but not recognizing that accomplishment in game programs and record books.

Mar 17, 2005 - David Friedman

Hall of Famer Bob Lanier is legendary for his sweeping hook shot and his size 22 sneakers. He has dedicated himself very passionately to community service, as he and NBA Senior Vice President Kathy Behrens explain in this interview that was conducted during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Mar 16, 2005 - David Friedman

Before James Silas had the opportunity to show the NBA his full array of skills a devastating preseason knee injury took away nearly two years of his career and a great deal of his explosiveness. This is the second part of a three part series examining Silas' career.

Mar 8, 2005 - David Friedman

James Silas earned the nickname "Captain Late" after a string of 20-point fourth quarter performances. The best guard in the ABA during that league's final season, he seemed poised to become a superstar in the NBA when the leagues merged in 1976. This is the first part of a three part series examining Silas' career.

Feb 28, 2005 - David Friedman

"The Art and Science of NBA Defense" looks at the evolution of NBA defensive philosophies and techniques through the observations of players and coaches. Videotape and computer technology have revolutionized the game in the past decade, allowing coaches to scout opponents and "self scout" their own teams. Player and team tendencies are relentlessly identified and aggressively attacked. This article also includes some observations by Joe Caldwell about the NBA Champion Detroit Pistons. Caldwell played for current Pistons coach Larry Brown as a member of the ABA's Carolina Cougars.

Feb 2, 2005 - David Friedman