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2 months ago | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
2 Coming off a loss and an underwhelming NBA Finals performance against the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, LeBron James once again found himself on the brink of elimination the following year against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was Game 6, with the Miami Heat trailing 3-2 in the series.
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2 months ago | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
11 Nobody is generating more trade buzz than Jimmy Butler. The Miami Heat superstar is at odds with Pat Riley and the organization, with tensions escalating to the point of Butler being suspended indefinitely. As time goes on, speculation continues to build about where he might end up. The Heat appear to be doing their due diligence with the trade deadline approaching.
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Jan 27, 2025 | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
9 The Oklahoma City Thunder have been without sophomore Chet Holmgren for most of the season. Holmgren played in just 10 games, averaging 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game on 50.5% shooting before being sidelined with a hip injury. Despite Holmgren’s absence, the Thunder have been incredibly successful and haven’t appeared to take a massive hit. Currently, they hold the best record in the NBA with an impressive 37-8 standing.
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Jan 25, 2025 | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
23 The Defensive Player of the Year award has always been a dream for many elite defenders in the NBA, including Anthony Davis. Despite being one of the best in the league, Davis has often shared his frustration about never winning the award. This season, he knows his chances might slip away once again. The reason? Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 big man is blocking everything in sight and making opponents think twice about stepping into the paint or scoring over him.
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Jan 24, 2025 | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
12 After missing two seasons due to injury, Lonzo Ball is finally making more frequent appearances on the court for the Chicago Bulls. This season, he’s averaging 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on 36.5% shooting from the field. Lonzo hasn’t yet returned to his pre-injury form. Nonetheless, his name continues to be a hot topic in NBA circles, especially in trade discussions.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
18 The GOAT debate has made its way back into the spotlight, largely thanks to Scottie Pippen, who returned with a fresh round of hot takes and insider info on the “PBD Podcast.”Pippen has offered his take on the debate many times over the years. And why wouldn’t he? As Michael Jordan’s former teammate, he’s been right at the center of the discussion. But what’s interesting is how Pippen’s choice seems to change each time he addresses it.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
4 The GOAT debate has made its way back into the spotlight, largely thanks to Scottie Pippen, who returned with a fresh round of hot takes and insider info on the “PBD Podcast.”Pippen has offered his take on the debate many times over the years. And why wouldn’t he? As Michael Jordan’s former teammate, he’s been right at the center of the discussion. But what’s interesting is how Pippen’s choice seems to change each time he addresses it.
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Jan 20, 2025 | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
17 The Milwaukee Bucks have had their highs and lows this season. They came out as the big winners of the NBA Cup, but they’re still winless against the top three teams in the Eastern Conference. Even so, the Bucks aren’t a team to overlook. Sitting at 23-17 as the fourth seed, they’re still in a solid position. But they don’t seem content to just stay the course and look ready to make a move that could elevate their title chances. Jimmy Butler might just be the key piece.
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Jan 17, 2025 | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
6 Naming an all-time starting five isn’t new, but scaling it down to pure hoopers brings an entirely different flavor to the table. You know, players who have everything in their bag, excel in one-on-one situations, have a touch of streetball, play an aesthetically pleasing game, and create highlights that make you hit rewind. Just a blend of skill, flair, and effectiveness. As a pure hooper himself, Durant knows exactly who fits the mold.
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Jan 15, 2025 | 
opencourt-basketball.com | David Guillermo
11 The Defensive Player of the Year award is one of the most prestigious honors in the NBA, but for one thing, it is often skewed in favor of big men. In fact, only eight perimeter players have ever won the DPOY award, with just two of them being point guards. With big men holding a clear advantage in this category, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jalen Williams has proposed a solution he believes would make the award more inclusive for all players.
