HOOP March/April 2014 by HOOP

LeBron James

Chris Paul

Blake Griffin

Kevin Durant

MAR/APR 2014

What the

Blazes Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge have set the Portland Trail Blazers on a championship path.

WARM UPS

Feel free to cut out these majestic frames to make your very own ninepage ďŹ&#x201A;ip book of the John Wall dunk from the Slam Dunk Contest.

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WARM UPS

Denver’s Kenneth Faried presents a staunch obstacle to any would-be scorer. Toronto’s Terrence Ross—a former Slam Dunk champ, we should add—loves a challenge when he goes to the rim. If you don’t already know the outcome of this photo, then we suggest you hit up the NBA channel on YouTube.

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If basketball rims had feelings, this one would be curled up in the fetal position as Phoenix’s Gerald Green makes his ﬁnal approach.

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UA.COM/BASKETBALL The NBA identiﬁcations are the intellectual property of NBA Properties, Inc. And the NBA member teams. ©2013 NBA Entertainment. Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images. All rights reserved.

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THE GAMEPLAN

MAR/APR 2014

FEATURES

38 Re-Blazing an Old Trail

60 Heady D and His Boy

What Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge are doing in Portland is nothing new. An All-Star guard-big man combo bringing championship hopes to the Pacific Northwest? Old hat. What is new is there is hope that with the in-his-prime Aldridge and the on-the-come-up Lillard, the Trail Blazers will have a bright future for a long time to come.

44 Stop & No If you’re playing against the Pacers, you’ll likely have to pass two checkpoints in order to see two points. First there’s Paul George, the long-armed and nimble defender who gives you little daylight on your way to the basket. If you happen to get past him—or more likely, George funnels you a certain way—you’ll have to face the full eclipse of Roy Hibbert shielding the basket. Together, they form the stingiest duo in the NBA.

The Sacramento kingdom has fallen on rough times since the peak days of contending for titles a decade ago. But a new era is on the horizon. With new ownership, the most famous being Shaquille O’Neal, and talks of a new arena to follow, there is renewed optimism. Much of the hope also falls on the budding tandem of DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas. The former is one of the most talented and the latter is possibly the most underrated in the game.

66 Counting By Twos We took a deep look at the duos in the League today and ordered them from 1 through 30. No easy task.

Poster Russell Westbrook is this issue’s pinup.

52 Can’t Miss Having a lights-out threat from the three-point line puts great pressure on any opposing defense. Defender have to always keep a man nearby to defend the shot, giving the offense a predictable hole to exploit. Now imagine a team with two guys capable of dropping a three at a moment’s notice with equal accuracy? Then you would have the Golden State Warriors backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Cover photo shot exclusively for HOOP by Sam Forencich. 010

THE GAME PLAN MAR/APR 2014 DEPARTMENTS

2 Warmups 14 The Point 19 Jumpball Staring 5: Atlanta’s Kyle Korver is known for the three, but here he goes for five; Peripheral Vision: Inside Stuff’s Kristen Ledlow; First Five: DeMarre Carroll, Miles Plumlee, Shaun Livingston, Josh McRoberts and Jared Sullinger; In His Shoes: Dirk Nowitzki on playing 16 years in the NBA; Transition Game: Tony Parker has not changed much; Head2Head: Dion Waiters vs. Bradley Beal; Numerology: The 123s of the NBA.

36 24 Seconds with Jeff Teague There is a good chance that you have gone through more basketball sneakers than the Atlanta Hawks point guard.

86 Call Out Where good deeds get noticed.

88 Stepback Michael Jordan vs. the San Antonio Goliaths.

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73 Check It Spin Moves: The only thing longer than Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name is the list of things that interest him off the court; Game On: A look at the top 10 games to play on your next-gen gaming console; The Goods: We were inspired by innovative and interesting design in our choice goods this issue; Gear Check: A roundup of the best fitness devices that you can wear; Wear: Springtime footwear and apparel.

THE POINT There is something enthralling when two individuals come together. Whether it’s in music,1 movies,2 comic books,3 sports4 or even food,5 when two things come together in synergistic fashion, it defies even the set laws of math.6 Basketball has seen its share of tandems that have been the basis of multiple championships and plenty of excitement. Bill Russell and Bob Cousy7 were the originators and formed the first half8 of the original Boston dynasty. Those two were so good that they stymied a duo as accomplished9 as Elgin Baylor and Jerry West from a championship during their 11-year run together. Walt Frazier and Willis Reed formed a Gotham duo10 to win two titles in the early ’70s, but the League wouldn’t see another elite pairing until Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were united in purple and gold11 in the ’80s. Of course, the Lakers’ main nemesis during that decade were the Boston Celtics headlined by Larry Bird and Kevin McHale,12 who captured three titles during the same span of time. The next decade saw what might be considered basketball’s greatest duo: The dominance of Michael Jordan with the overall brilliance of Scottie Pippen as his tag team partner. They were fitted with six rings and at times, looked like they could run two vs. five and still beat the competition. The new century welcomed Y2K duos Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant13 along with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.14 Which brings us to the current great duo in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. They’ve got the prerequisite double championship and while they’ve dropped off slightly,15 particularly with Wade’s iffy knees, they’re still the ones to dethrone.16 Championships aside, as a fan, there’s much satisfaction with watching two players whose games complement each other. Whether it’s watching the perfect execution of the pick-and-roll, a pinpoint lob pontificated with a godly dunk, a no-look bounce pass finding its way into the waiting hands of a streaking finisher, a center blocking a shot that ignites a fastbreak led by the point guard, a pair of perimeter ball hawks preying on steals, or even the unspoken secret connection between two players that turn improvisational plays into choreographed highlights, there are few better displays of teamwork coming together17 than on the basketball court.

Ming Wong #2

BONUS POINTS 1. OutKast 2. Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. Also Woody and Buzz. For basketball flicks, you can’t beat Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes from WMCJ. 3. Power Man and Iron Fist were pretty underrated. 4. They were adversaries, but Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier undoubtedly elevated boxing and each other. 5. Peanut butter and jelly is obvious, but I’m going with bacon and avocado. 6. 1+1=3 7. Six titles in seven seasons together. 8. Russell went on to win five more with his new partner in rings, John Havlicek. 9. The pair combined to average 55.5 ppg, 19.5 rpg and 10.2 apg over 10 seasons (not counting Baylor’s last two seasons where he played just 11 games). 10. Frazier also teamed with Earl Monroe to form a pretty memorable Knicks backcourt for five seasons. 11. The two hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy five times (’80, ’82, ’85, ’87, ’88) 12. To be fair, those Celtics teams (and to an extent, the Showtime Lakers) were defined by their deep rosters, but Bird and McHale were the two main players. 13. The last duo to threepeat. 14. The pair copped three rings (’03, ’05 and ’07) in five seasons. 15. Reflected in our rankings of current duos on page 60. 16. With a Finals victory in June, LeBron and Wade will become just the fourth duo to pull off a threepeat. 17. Let’s not forget everything we don’t see: the practices and training with and against each other that serve as the foundation to their greatness.

Volume 42, No. 3 Editor-in-Chief Ming Wong #2 Design Director Kengyong Shao #31 Assistant Editor Phil D’Apolito #14 Online Editor Darryl Howerton #21 Editor-at-Large Jeramie McPeek #4 Copy Editor Trevor Kearney #8 WNBA Editor Lois Elfman #40 Senior Writer Michael Bradley #53 Contributing Writers Russ Bengtson #43, Alex Bracetti #44, Jon Cooper #10, Brandon Edler #36, Jim Eichenhofer #12, , Anthony Gilbert #1, Brian A. Giuffra #17, Vincent Goodwill #5, Melody Hoffman #34, Steve Hunt #29, Andy Jasner #27, Holly MacKenzie #32, Brett Mauser #25, McG #93, Jacques Slade #22, Earl K. Sneed #23, Duane Watson #7 Illustrator Matt Candela #52 Retired Numbers #6, #11, #13, #30, #99 Professional Sports Publications 519 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10018 Tel: (212) 697-1460 Fax: (646) 753-9480 Executive VP Operations Jeff Botwinick Executive VP, Business Development Martin Lewis Executive VP, Sales Steve Farkas Executive VP, Sales Mitch Gibbs Executive VP, Team Relations Dave Gerschwer Executive Administrative Director Julie Wong Manager, Marketing Services Aron Sawyer Production Manager Jaime Ziegler

NBA Publishing/NBA Photos Executive VP, and Executive Producer, Production, Programming, and Broadcasting Danny Meiseles Senior VP, Multimedia Production Paul Hirschheimer Senior VP, Entertainment & Player Marketing Charlie Rosenzweig Senior VP, Marketing Communications Mike Bass Senior Director, NBAE Production John Hareas President, Global Operations and Merchandising Sal LaRocca Sr. Vice President, Global Merchandising Group Vicky Picca Senior Director, Global Merchandising Group Matt Holt Senior Coordinator, Global Merchandising Group Brandon Eddy Senior Coordinator, Global Merchandising Group Greg Brownstein Coordinator, Global Merchandising Group Wonnie Song Manager, Global Media Programs Felecia Groomster Senior Directors & Senior Official NBAE Photographers Andrew D. Bernstein, Nathaniel S. Butler Vice President, NBA Photos Joe Amati Director, Photos Imaging David Bonilla Official NBAE Photographer Jesse Garrabrant Senior Photo Editor Brian Choi Photo Coordinator Kevin Wright All NBA photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of NBA Entertainment. All WNBA photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of WNBA Enterprises. All NBDL photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of NBDL Enterprises. HOOP is published bimonthly, December through June, by PSP. © 2014 Professional Sports Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of publisher is prohibited. To subscribe to HOOP, call (800) 829-3347. PRINTED IN THE USA

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THE

F l i g h t P l a t e I n n o va t i o n i s b u i l t fo r t h e a t h l e t e w h o a s p i re s t o f l y like the Greatest of All Time. What will you do in Flight Plate? Lo c k d ow n yo u r o p p o n e nt w h e n i t m atte r s m o st ? D ef y t h e l aw of gravity ? Explode to the rim? Define your own legacy. Take Flight .

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STARTING 5

KYLE KORVER

JUMPBALL

ATLANTA HAWKS Kyle Korver has never been loud or flashy. Just reliable. In 11 NBA seasons, he’s quietly gone out every night, or close to it—he’s averaged about 74 games played per year—and done his job, which, on the offensive end, includes popping up at different areas around the perimeter, just behind the three-point line, ready to fire. His accuracy on threes has made him the standard of consistency when it comes to three-point shooting and led to his being selected by USA Basketball for its team pool for the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team. The 32-year-old forward made history on Dec. 6 when he hit a three at 5:29 of the first quarter. The three-pointer gave Korver at least one three-point field goal made in 90 consecutive games, breaking the record held by Dana Barros that had stood for 17 years (and Korver is still going at time of this writing). Korver has ranked among the League’s elite three-point shooters from the day he arrived in the NBA with Philadelphia—the Sixers acquired him in a draft day deal from New Jersey, which drafted him in the second round of the 2003 draft, 51st overall. Whether with the Sixers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls or Atlanta Hawks, Korver has always been the perimeter threat that could be counted on to loosen up collapsing defenses. Here are his favorite teammates.

SHOOTING GUARD: Deron Williams TEAMMATES IN UTAH FROM 2007-08 THROUGH 2009-10 “Deron, when he’s healthy and right, has the least amount of holes in his game of any point guard. I’ll put him at the two because he can play off the ball. He can come off down-screens, he can shoot spot-up shots, he can move without the ball, he can guard twos. He’s a good defender. He doesn’t have a weakness to his game. He can shoot, he can pass, he’s a pass-first guard but he can still score when he needs to. He’s a good defender, rebounds, plays really smart.”

POWER FORWARD: Al Horford TEAMMATES IN ATLANTA FROM 2012-13 THROUGH PRESENT “He’s another guy who just knows how to play the game. He’s a very efficient player, very smart, doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He’s a clutch player. He plays on both ends of the floor. He’s one of those guys that you’re always aware of what he’s going to do but it’s still hard to stop him. He’s just so good at playing off the point guard, picking and popping or picking and rolling, just taking whatever the defense is giving him.”

CENTER: Joakim Noah TEAMMATES IN CHICAGO FROM 2010-11 THROUGH 2011-12 “Jo’s just the ultimate competitor. He’s all-out every game, every play. He never takes a possession off. He’s a great defender and a great teammate. Jo’s very vocal but in a good way. He’s not just yelling nonsense. He gets excited and cheers and yells to the crowd a little bit but he’s a good communicator on the floor. He’s one of those guys that if you don’t play with him, if he’s not on your team, you really can’t stand him but when he’s on your team you love him. He’s just a great guy to have in the locker room, a great guy to have on your team.”

POINT GUARD: Derrick Rose TEAMMATES IN CHICAGO FROM 2010-11 THROUGH 2011-12 “It starts off with his example. He’s a superstar but he doesn’t act like it. He carries himself really well. He puts so much pressure on the defense with his ability to get to the basket. He’s so athletic and strong. He’s an MVP. He’s a great player. He plays with a chip on his shoulder on the court but off the court he’s a great guy. He’s someone you just want to be around.”

SMALL FORWARD: Luol Deng TEAMMATES IN CHICAGO FROM 2010-11 THROUGH 2011-12 “He’s a great guy, a great teammate. He’s a glue guy. He’s a great defender. He plays the right way. Luol’s one of those guys that you don’t have to run any plays for. At the end of the game, you look at the stat sheet and it’s all full. He’s a little bit of everything. He’s just a really good player.”

WILD CARD: Andre Iguodala TEAMMATES IN PHILADELPHIA FROM 2004-05 THROUGH 2007 “He does everything. He’s just a great all-around player. He’s a glue guy, great defender, great passer, plays hard every night.”

019 SCOTT CUNNINGHAM; JESSE D. GARRABRANT (2); ROCKY WIDNER; SAM FORENCICH; DERON WILLIAMS; NBA PHOTOS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

JUMP BALL PERIPHERAL VISION

KRISTEN LEDLOW NBA INSIDE STUFF CO-HOST You’re likely familiar with NBA Inside Stuff co-host Kristen Ledlow, but prior to pairing up with Grant Hill, she has had various roles in sports media as a writer, sideline reporter and radio and television host. Ledlow is a passionate basketball fan and despite playing ball since the age of 8, lost a free-throw competition to Shaquille O’Neal.

When did you know you wanted to work in sports? It was actually when I was in middle school or so that I remember watching a woman interview Michael Jordan, and for some reason it clicked to me in that moment that that woman right there is getting paid money to do that. I could do that, and from then on I have not wanted to do anything but exactly what I’m doing right now. What was your first job working in sports media? When I was in college I got paid a very little amount of money to do play-by-play for the men’s basketball team, for our local university channel at Southeastern University. My first actual gig once I graduated in sports was while I was anchoring a local news show in Tallahassee. ESPN Tallahassee who covered all Florida State athletics contacted me and I started sideline reporting for the Florida State football team, and then did some play-by-play for the Florida State men’s basketball team. It kind of spiraled from there. You co-host The Morning Show with Jason, Randy and Kristen on 92.9 FM in Atlanta and co-host Inside Stuff. How do you balance your work schedule? It’s a lot easier to have a job that doesn’t feel so much like a job. If I had a regular job, I would be doing all of this anyway. I would be reading all of these articles, following all of these stories, watching all of these

games, even if I wasn’t getting paid to do it. But it is a balancing act, learning to do a great job in everything that you’re doing—between the radio show, the NBA TV show, outside commitments that involve work and just having a personal life with family and friends and relationships. You’ve been a writer, field reporter, TV host and radio host. What role do you enjoy the most? I really enjoy the hosting aspect when it comes to sports media and entertainment. Once I realized that it didn’t have to just be hard-hitting news, because of the direction that sports media has gone in, you have the ability to be a personality and to have fun and to talk trash and to pick sides. So any hosting role within sport media has been my absolute favorite and right now I’m getting to do both on the radio and with NBA TV. As part of your introduction on Inside Stuff, you challenged Shaq to a free throw contest on Inside The NBA and lost. How much did that sting and are you looking for a rematch? Yes, I am absolutely looking for a rematch and Shaq and I actually discussed this not too long ago. We’re planning to do a three-point style rematch, because both of us always really had problems with free throws. You’re just feeling it or you’re not when you’re playing the game of basketball and I was a rhythm shooter. I was kind of the catch-and-shoot guard from a foot and a half outside the three-point line and Shaq was the guy grounding and pounding inside. We talked about this; we tried to analyze our problems with free throws and we decided that basically it takes you completely out of your rhythm for a sec and you have to think and focus so hard on this one shot that’s right in front of you, it makes it a lot tougher. So what we’ve decided is the rematch is going to be three-point style, caching and shooting from outside of the arc. It will definitely be as entertaining, but hopefully that will highlight my strength. Can you share any funny stories about Grant Hill? I think the funniest thing about Grant that people don’t know and they don’t get to see behind the scenes, is that he’s always dancing, which is hilarious. When we’re shooting the show, we have a few minutes between every segment and they’ll play in our ears music from both of our generations. So they’ll play some of the 80’s/90’s stuff for Grant and

they’ll play more current stuff for me. It’s funny to watch both of us immediately react, we’ll both start dancing. I tell the guys all the time, ‘You have to be recording this stuff and throw it online, and if Grant’s embarrassed, that’s just too dadgum bad!’ That to me is the coolest thing about Grant, he’s laid back, he’s fun loving, people don’t even get to see that side of him. Merely because I haven’t got them to post the videos yet, but trust me I’m on it. Did you watch Inside Stuff growing up? Yes, I certainly did. It’s a really cool thing, getting to grow up looking at a woman like Summer Sanders, because she hosted Inside Stuff at the time when I was really watching. So growing up and idolizing women like her and thinking, ‘Wow that right there is a dream job.’ And now getting to actually to do that job, I feel truly blessed. I loved the show because it was a segue between the diehard NBA fan and the NBA superstar. At the time there was no social media and that was your only way to get to know these NBA superstars and to get to know the guys that you loved. When you’re a kid deciding who you’re going to be a fan of, besides the obvious of going with your hometown, you want to pick the guys that it seems like you would hang out with. Now, all these years later that we’re bringing the show back and it’s in the social media age, now fans get to be involved. I already know more about these players off the court than when Inside Stuff was first on the air, but now they get to be involved not only with me, but with Grant. We get to take them behind the scenes, we get to take them inside of their homes, we get to show you which guys are good at fishing and which guys are good at ping pong and what they like to do when they’re not playing ball. I think that’s what people love about the show coming back, because not only does it appeal to the young adults who watched it back when it was on the air, but now we have this entirely new audience of young teenagers who weren’t old enough to watch it the first time around, and now get a behind the scenes look. Have you ever had a “boom goes the dynamite” moment? [laughs] Absolutely. I think every sportscaster has a few of those “boom goes the dynamite” moments. What’s funny is, you think that you’re really good at it when you start. I kept all the tapes and was like, “I really got a future in this,” which is definitely the right attitude to have. But when I go back and look at some of my stuff now, I look at it in disbelief that I ever thought I was doing a good job. Which is funny cause I’ll probably go back to stuff that I did a year ago and think, “My goodness Kristen, what were you thinking?” But absolutely I had plenty of those boom goes the dynamite moments early on, and that’s the only way to become successful in this business, so you get it to where you want to be. DUANE WATSON #7

020 COURTESY TURNER SPORTS

FIRST FIVE

DeMarre Carroll forgets things, sometimes even the previous play. But his selective memory is always by choice and part of what he considers an important part of the mental equipment necessary to perform his job of trying to shut down the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant. The 27-year-old, 6-8, 212-pound forward, who is in his fifth NBA season with his fifth NBA team,1 is a smart guy,2 who might borrow from Hamlet’s Polonius to describe his approach to shadowing the NBA’s best scorers: “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” “You know they’re going to hit shots but your biggest key is to try and wear them down,” says Carroll. “What I try to do the whole game is to wear them down and make them miss shots that they were hitting in the beginning of the game.” Trying to wear down LeBron and KD means staying on the court with them. For the Birmingham, Ala. high school legend,3 that means occasionally forgetting what just happened but never forgetting to keep working hard. Carroll never needs a reminder for that. His relentlessness and tenacity as a lockdown defender earned him the nickname “Junkyard Dog”4 in college5 and Atlanta Hawks rookie head coach Mike Budenholzer has been so thankful for the way Carroll performs his thankless task he awarded the forward with a starting role. “We all wanted DeMarre to be part of our program. His defensive intensity and effort are excellent,” says Budenholzer. “He embraces the challenge of guarding the best players in the League and he makes it as difficult as possible on them. That fuels our team’s defensive energy, our team’s defensive identity. Then offensively, he’s been an improving shooter.” Carroll is thankful for the opportunity in Atlanta and has taken advantage. But he’s not going to look too deeply into the hows and whys of his best year.6 He’s focused on doing what he does: stopping others from doing what they do. “I’m just going to keep it simple,” he says. “Like the Junkyard Dog does.”

BY JON COOPER #10

DEMARRE

CARROLL FORWARD - ATLANTA HAWKS

BONUS POINTS 1. DeMarre was originally drafted by Memphis in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft (27th overall). He’s since played with Houston, Denver and Utah prior to signing with Atlanta on 8/3/13. 2. As a senior at Missouri in 2009, Carroll was named Academic All-Big 12, recording a 3.70 grade-point average. That means more to him than being First Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 Conference Tournament MVP, which he also was in ‘09. “A lot of people don’t really know how smart I am,” he said, with a laugh. “I am very, very smart.” Carroll played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Vanderbilt, transferring to Missouri after his sophomore year to play for his uncle, Mike Anderson. 3. DeMarre led John Carroll Catholic High School in his native Birmingham to back-to-back Class 6A state championships his final two years and to a 67-3 overall record over his high school career. 4. The original NBA “Junkyard Dog” was Jerome Williams, who played nine seasons from 1996-2005. 5. Carroll earned the nickname “Junkyard Dog” from Anderson while he was at Mizzou. “My uncle gave it to me just for doing the little things, the blue-collar things, basically doing what junkyard dogs do.” 6. Carroll doubled his career-season-high for starts, blew past career three-point field goals attempted and made, and defensive rebounds prior to the All-Star Break, and was on pace to set career bests in points, minutes played, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, total rebounds, assists, and steals.

021 SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

JUMP BALL IN HIS SHOES

DIRK NOWITZKI ON HIS 16 YEARS IN THE NBA

At the beginning you come in, you want to establish yourself, you want to make a name for yourself. All-Star Games are great when you’re young, but once you’re older and have done all that, it’s really about winning a championship. I was lucky enough to help this franchise win in 2011 and the feeling of winning, the feeling of being the best team, being part of the best team, it’s indescribable. It’s great. To see the excitement in the city when we won it, the parade. That’s something I would love to have again before I retire. It’s the only thing that’s still driving me—winning and get back up there one day. With everything else, I’ve had a great ride. There’ve been some ups and downs, disappointing playoff losses, some great playoff runs, but really it’s all about winning. All my career, I played to win a championship, and then I won one and it was

unbelievable. I want to win another one. I see where that drive kicks in where you want to win two, three, four, if you can. It’s the best feeling for that one year, you were on the best team in the world. It’s amazing. I had some disappointing playoff losses. The one in ’06 when we were in the Finals, that one really hurt. We were up 2-0 and then we ended up losing. That was a tough one. We won 67 games the next year and we lost in the first round to Golden State. Those playoff losses drove me and I kept working in the summertime to keep getting better. Losses build character for sure. They drove me to work even harder, motivated me to work harder each year to get better. My role models were always my parents. I was able to grow up in a great family. They were all athletes— my sister played sports, both of my parents played sports. Seeing how they worked, how they approached their sport...they were always role models to me. I think I got my work ethic from them. Every year they drove me to get better. It’s tough sometimes. I still take losses pretty hard, even in my 16th season. You learn how to deal with them a little better. In the beginning I wouldn’t sleep, sometimes at all, I was so pissed off. It got a little better, but still losses are tough. I definitely sleep better after wins than losses. When your lose, you lie in bed trying to go to sleep and all of the stuff you didn’t do runs through your head, “I should have done this, I should have done that.” I still take losing pretty hard and I guess that’s another part that drives me a bit because I hate losing so much. Sixteen seasons in…it kind of feels forever, but then I also say the time flew by. Just look at this season, we’re already halfway done. Feels like we just had training camp. It really flies by if you have fun with what you’re doing. If you love your job, the time does fly. I was always the young guy, the talented German wonder kid and stuff and then all of a sudden you’re one of the old guys. Me, Vince [Carter] and Trix [Shawn Marion], we’re the oldest on the team. It’s been a

crazy ride, it’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed every minute. Probably going to do it a couple more years and then slowly let some of the younger guys do it. As time goes on…I think you appreciate a winning team more. Last year was the first time we missed the playoffs in like 12 years. I needed knee surgery and it was a tough year for us as an organization. Before that we had like 10 or 11 50-win seasons. You take winning for granted a little bit. As you get older, the young guys don’t know any better, but it’s hard being on a winning team. It takes a lot of work, a lot of commitment from everybody, the staff, the team. For us it’s important for us to get back to winning ways, and hopefully make the playoffs. It’s important, but as you get older it’s even more important. To be in Dallas this whole time, I feel very fortunate. Obviously when Cuban bought the team, the franchise wasn’t the best when I first got there. They hadn’t made the playoffs in a while then Mark bought the team and he turned everything around. Bought us a new arena, new plane, we stayed in nice hotels. I think he turned the culture of basketball in Dallas completely around. He made it into a winning city and a winning culture again. Now I have a family, I have a little one, first one, this summer. Obviously, I just spent time with my family because I knew once things started back up we’d be on the road a bunch. Before that, I [did a lot of] traveling in the summers. Go home to Germany for a couple of months, see my family, parents, sister and her kids. I like traveling a lot when I have time in the summers. Still a dream…it’s a grind, but we all know that. The NBA’s been around long enough. What’s fun is competing. Sometimes the travel gets a little old, but to compete, once the ball goes up and the young guys are trying to get at you, and you’re trying to hold your own and help your team win, that’s what’s fun. It’s been a crazy ride, enjoyable. Hopefully I can do it a couple more years and then call it a day. DIRK NOWITZKI #41 AS TOLD TO HOLLY MACKENZIE #32

TRANSITION GAME

TONY PARKER

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022 JENNIFER POTTHEISER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES; D. CLARKE EVANS (4); GARY DINEEN; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN ; SAM FORENCICH; ROCK WIDNER (2)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES; JED JACOBSOHN; LISA BLUMENFELD; RONALD MARTINEZ; DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES SPORT

H M\ @H8\침<A-D침- \ "AM\=!A \ HA\G ?AM6

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JUMP BALL FIRST FIVE

BY McG #93

During a midseason tilt against the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd watched his reserve point guard in amazement and began to ponder “What if?” What if that one night in 2007, Clippers guard Shaun Livingston had landed solidly on his left leg, his ACL, MCL, PCL, kneecap, and lateral meniscus still in perfect condition? Would Livingston, then only 21,1 continue to mature into a franchise point guard?2 Though the Nets lost to the League-leading Pacers that night by one point, Livingston has helped turn Brooklyn into a playoff contender, able to compete with the League’s best.3 Says Kidd: “The way he played [I] was sitting there saying is this what it would’ve been if he didn’t have that injury?”4 After Livingston wasn’t re-signed by the Cavs5 last season, Kidd set his target on the 28-year-old guard. “I just saw the talent, his IQ and also just his ability to work through adversity,”6 says Kidd.7 “During the season you’re going to have that and I thought he could be someone that I could lean on.” Coaches, GMs, players and fans can ponder the “What If?” scenario forever. Livingston won’t. The Nets are happy to have him now and he’s thankful to have finally found a home to showcase the skill and heart that injuries could never take away.

BONUS POINTS 1. Livingston was the fourth overall pick in the 2004 Draft out of Peoria Central High School. He said Peoria, underrated as a basketball hotbed, is known for two things: Caterpillar tractors and Richard Pryor. 2. Would L.A. ever have needed to trade for Chris Paul? 3. Since the calendar turned to 2014, the Nets are 19-7 (through 2/23), largely due to starting a smaller lineup, where Livingston plays alongside Deron Williams. 4. Livingston did not land solidly, his left leg contorting into a ninety-degree angle. The stomach-churning replays show teammates running away in shock and yells of “Get the paramedics.” At the time, there was some talk by doctors of amputating the leg. 5. After the 2007 injury, Livingston inspiringly made it back to the court, yet couldn’t stick. He jumped around to Miami, Oklahoma City, Washington (twice), Charlotte, Milwaukee and Cleveland. 6. Livingston said he hopes to be an inspiration to youngsters back in Peoria. Recently, a tornado ravaged the town in November. Livingston set up fundraising efforts. “It means the world to see somebody who grew up in your hometown, your block, your neighborhood, come from where you’re from and make it, in [the] sense of playing at the highest level,” he says. “It gives them hope. I take pride in that and hopefully I can continue to inspire and help.” 7. As a prep star, Livingston’s point guard skills were often compared to Kidd’s.

14 SHAUN

LIVINGSTON GUARD - BROOKLYN NETS

024 NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

RAZOR SHARP SINCE 1996

For years, Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson was known for his dominant presence on the court. His silky smooth jumper made him a headache for opposing teams and his hard-nosed style of play inspired a shoe just as aggressive: The Rail. Glenn Robinson and The Rail, Razor Sharp Since 1996.

JUMP BALL HEAD 2 HEAD

Bradley Beal vs. Dion Waiters Drafted one after the other with the third and fourth overall picks, Bradley Beal and Dion Waiters, respectively, were the top two shooting guards in the 2012 NBA Draft. They each also share a backcourt with former No. 1 overall picks that play point guard, and wear the #3. With so many similarities, which player distinguishes himself from the other?

01 Scoring: Neither guy is shy about shooting the ball. Beal averages one shot less per game than franchise player John Wall. While he has a good enough jumpshot and can get to the basket, the 20-year-old Beal still needs to learn how to harness both more efficiently in the pros. He settles for too many long two-pointers and struggles to get to the line (2.1 attempts per game). What prevents Beal offensive efficiency from bottoming out is that he’s very good from three-point range (.428 this season); if only his field goal percentage was as good (.411). Like Beal, Waiters plays alongside a point guard that carries the offense in Kyrie Irving. And like his Head2Head counterpart, Waiters needs to cut out the 18-22-foot jumper that defenses practically beg offenses to take. As he showed in his one-on-one duel vs. Tim Hardaway Jr. in the Rookie Challenge, Waiters can get hot and carry a team for stretches, but in between those moments of feast, there will be periods of famine. Advantage: Beal

02 Floor Game: Because they both play with such ball-dominant points, Beal and Waiters don’t get much of an opportunity to showcase other parts of their game. Neither Beal nor Waiters are equipped to back up their backcourt mate at the point, but Beal does show more potential as a playmaker. As wings on the break, Beal is also slightly more effective, either stopping at the three-point line (his stroke was good enough to compete in the Three-Point Contest during All-Star) or being aggressive going to the basket. Waiters can be very creative around the basket, but he tends to shy away from contact, opting for more difficult shots. Also, on drives to the hoop, Waiters is more prone to getting stripped or blocked as he tends to keep the ball low on his hip with a lower release point. Advantage: Beal

Dion Waiters Guard, 6-4, 225 pounds Cleveland Cavaliers 026

03 Defense: While it’s conceivable that one or both players can one day develop into defensive stoppers, that time is clearly not now. Keep in mind both are still second-year players who have cut their NBA teeth on bad—and with that, usually poor defending—teams. Waiters at best is a poor defender and sometimes lapses into a nonexistent one, and this is playing for a head coach, Mike Brown, with a reputation for defense. While the results are slightly better, Beal still has a way to go before garnering any All-Defensive Team votes. Not blessed with great length, Beal does his best to stay in front of his man. Advantage: Beal

BY MING WONG #2

Leadership: Waiters and Beal are not looked upon to lead their teams, especially since the pressure and conch of leadership falls squarely on each of the second-year players’ backcourt mate. In the early part of the season without Wall, Beal did show some flashes of guiding the team to wins, but has taken a backseat upon Wall’s return. Waiters has been battling rumors (none of them substantiated) of bristling with Irving in Cleveland, but the two have not shown any friction on or off the court. Still, Waiters is perceived as a shot-happy player, a characteristic that makes for unhappy teammates. Advantage: Beal

Intangibles: As talented as Wall is, it speaks volumes that the Wizards coaching staff will sometimes entrust the ball in Beal’s hand in the crucial moments of a game. Besides giving Beal some on-thejob training, it makes the Wizards that much tougher to guard in close affairs knowing that they have two options. With Irving nearing elite player status, Waiters hasn’t had many chances to take the big shot, but it’s pretty certain that he won’t shy from the spotlight. But paramount to everything is that Beal is more open to improvement and playing with his all-world backcourt mate, while Waiters is hesitant to run alongside his. Advantage: Beal

Bradley Beal Guard, 6-5, 207 pounds Washington Wizards

Waiters Beal PPG

14.3

17.0

APG

2.7

3.5

RPG

2.9

3.8

BPG

0.2

SPG

0.8

1.0

FG%

.421

.411

3PT%

.363

.428

FT%

.675

.823

PER

12.7

14.4

Stats as of 2/14/14

The Verdict On the surface, Beal and Waiters seem like similar players playing in situations that mirror each other. A look deeper reveals that is not quite the case. To be fair, we only have about a season and a half to gauge these two young players, but given the evidence, Beal is in the lead right now.

027 ALLEN EINSTEIN; LAYNE MURDOCH JR.; DAVID LIAM KYLE; JENNIFER POTTHEISER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

JUMP BALL FIRST FIVE

BY JERAMIE McPEEK #4

When the Phoenix Suns acquired Miles Plumlee from the Indiana Pacers last summer, he was called a “throw-in” by most media members reporting on the trade1 that shipped veteran Luis Scola to the Pacers. Now the second-year center is called Plum Dog, Sky Miles, Professor Plumleee or MC Plumlord, depending on which nickname2 you like best. Oh, and he’s also called a starter for the NBA’s Cinderella team this season3—a team that many suggested was in tank mode after all of the offseason wheeling and dealing. Like his new team, though, the 6-10 Duke alum has surprised4 almost everyone, aside from GM Ryan McDonough. Plumlee quickly won over Phoenix fans with his continuous hustle and demoralizing blocks on defense, his effective jump hook and powerful, yet impressively athletic dunks on the other end. “I’m getting there,” assesses the 25-year-old, who was averaging career-highs of 9.5 points and 8.6 boards at press time. “I’ve just got to keep the confidence going. The more I really know my own game, I think that’s when I’ll call for the ball more. But I’m still a team player and I like to take it when it comes.”

BONUS POINTS 1. The Suns received the Pacers’ 2014 first-round pick, shooting guard Gerald Green and Plumlee for Scola. 2. Plumlee has made such an impact that he has had a whole host of nicknames suggested this season. His personal favorite, however, is MC Plumlord, which is also his Xbox screen name. 3. Miles is also older brother to Nets forward Mason Plumlee. 4. The underdog Suns swept the season-series with Plumlee’s former Pacers team.

MILES

PLUMLEE CENTER - PHOENIX SUNS

028 ALLEN EINSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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JUMP BALL BRACK-IT

EIGHT THINGS. ONE UNDISPUTED CHAMP.

BEST PURE SHOOTER IN NBA RAY ALLEN VS. KLAY THOMPSON The old gun vs. the young pistol. A 6-year-old Thompson was likely struggling with layups when Allen made his first NBA three-pointer in 1996. But since entering the NBA fold in 2011, Thompson has shown signs he can one day match the master. Thompson has bettered Allen from three-point range in their first three seasons. Thompson eclipsed 200 triples in his second year (a feat that Allen didn’t pull off until his fifth season) with 211, is on pace to beat that this season, and has still yet to shoot below 40 percent from long range. But before we get carried away with the upstart, Allen shoots 40 percent from deep, and that’s over 18 years. Respect due.

DANNY GREEN VS. MARCO BELINELLI We imagine the post-practice shooting contests between Green and Belinelli (and really a few of the Spurs) to be pretty entertaining and filled with just the sound of the ball ripping through the net. Belinelli has been a solid shooter since coming to the NBA from Italy. He’s hovered near 40 percent from three all career before “slumping” to .357 last season. Green, meanwhile, has found life in San Antonio as a marksman. The Spurs’ system has afforded Green a lot of open looks and to his credit, he’s been knocking down 43 percent of his threes over the past two seasons. And let’s not forget his torrid 55 percent three-point shooting during the 2013 Finals. While he remains reliable, Green has fallen back to Earth since that series and Belinelli has been lights-out this season (see recent ThreePoint Contest) with a larger body of work. Bellissimo.

KYLE KORVER VS. ANTHONY MORROW Morrow might have some holes in his game, but his shooting is airtight. He’s bounced around five teams in six years, but at every stop, Morrow has given the team on his chest a 43 percent option from three. As a rookie, he led the League with a .467 mark and if he gets enough attempts, he’s on pace to do it again with a .485 mark after 46 games this season. Over his 11-year career, Korver has been defined by two things—being a doppelganger for Ashton Kutcher and shooting threes—and good thing for him the latter has endured. A .422 shooter from deep, Korver has never dipped below .375 in any season, and he’s having one of his best seasons to date. Kutcher, er Korver, to the next round.

STEVE NOVAK VS. STEPHEN CURRY The very definition of a specialist, Novak has attempted about 1,600 field goals in his NBA career; more than 1,200 have been from beyond 23 feet. For good reason; he makes them 43 percent of the time. Novak struggled early on to get burn with four prior teams before being a semi-cult figure in New York (in two years as a Knick, Novak shot 45 percent from deep) for his “discount double check” he would unfurl on occasion after a big triple. He’s struggled with playing time this year in Toronto, but his three-point marksmanship remains a bankable .403. Curry has entered superstar stratosphere this season. His shooting has “slipped” a bit (.409 from three compared to his career .438) as defenses are keying in on him. Flawless victory. 030

ALLEN VS. BELINELLI

BY MING WONG #2

Outside of a sequel to He Got Game, there’s much left for Allen to prove. Two rings, all-time three-point king and owner of the tautest calves in recent NBA memory, they’re all things Allen can stake claim to. As nice as his stroke may be and as fine a season he might be having (on pace for career-highs in field-goal and three-point percentage), Belinelli has a long way to go before he can even orbit Allen’s airspace, unless we’re talking hair and beard game.

KORVER VS. CURRY His record-setting three-point streak spans 118 games (and still going at time of this writing) and before you denounce that as “easy” or “lucky,” think about what it’s taken for Korver to accomplish that. He’s had to stay healthy. He’s had to train his legs—the foundation for any good shooter—to be strong so he can maintain strength throughout a long game and even longer season. He’s had to be just as focused on defense in order to stay on the floor. He’s had to work hard at efficiently attacking the screens set by his teammates and getting to his spots. He’s had to develop thick skin—literally—as defenders will resort to a hard foul or shot to throw him off stride or rhythm. Least of Korver’s concerns is the shot itself, whose outcome is sometimes at the whim of the basketball gods. A streak no one besides him in this elite eight has come close to approaching. Curry is seemingly always in a zone. He’s like the Dude Perfect crew without the heavy editing. Dad Dell blessed him with good genetics and opened up opportunities to nurture his prodigy, but credit Curry for getting himself there through endless repetition. Watch him during an average night and you’d be astounded at his rate of makes from distances (not to mention against longarmed close-outs from defenders) that would make even the biggest gunner think twice. Catch him in a zone (Curry’s regular mode would be a “zone” for average shooters) and he’s like a fired-up player in NBA Jam, minus the scorched nets. Curry hits the moneyball, gets to the finals.

ALLEN VS. CURRY When Allen knocks down a shot for the last time from beyond 23 feet, he’ll likely become the charter member of the NBA’s 3K club in threes. And the biggest one of his career isn’t even included in that total: the Game 6 banger that tied the game, and eventually led to the Miami repeat. Watch that play again and the amazement happens before he flicks his wrist: how he instinctively backpedals to the three-point line once the rebound was secured by Chris Bosh; how he never once looks at his feet to see if they were behind the line; how even with all the pressure of the moment, he coolly shoots it like the millions of shots he’s taken in the past. Curry has the makings of supplanting Jesus Shuttlesworth. Yes, he has the benefit of playing in a more three-happy era. No, the form of his shot is not nearly as majestic as Allen’s, but it’s every bit as effective, and five years in, more effective. Curry notched his 800th triple this season at 25 (in spite of missing 56 games in 2011-12), making him a good bet to shatter 3K, assuming his career has as much durability as Allen’s. Curry is also the only shooter in this tournament that has the ball in his hands most of the time with the ability to set up his own shot, which means he often has to shed a usually quick defender off with a dribble move and still get into his shot. As good a shooter he is, Curry is almost as good a point guard, which says volumes. He entered the League strictly known for his stroke and he’s now entering Chris Paul/Derrick Rose comparisons. A shooting contest between Allen and Curry would make the perfect intriguing undercard to a LeBron James-Kevin Durant one-on-one battle. If Curry got hot, he’d turn it into a game of Pop-a-Shot like Ricardo Reyes on Jimmy Kimmel, beating anyone who has ever picked up a basketball. If Curry slipped up just a bit, he’d likely fall to the everconsistent Allen. We think Curry catches fire, at least on this page.

BEST PURE SHOOTER:

STEPHEN CURRY 031 ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (3);LAYNE MURDOCH (2); GARRETT ELLWOOD; ROCKY WIDNER (2); NBA PHOTOS; JOE MURPHY; ALLEN EINSTEIN; MELISSA MAJCHRZAK (2); FERNANDO MEDINA; CHRIS COVATTA/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

JUMP BALL NUMEROLOGY

he s , t zlie 4 1 riz 8/ G st 1 me / 2 is u a n h j g O mp ted in a nta e M mp ow tla te r A a . t a th the ng low ee t ti d fr ins set cor t a , e s ag ks A r we aw B lo e H N he e th at w t c h 5 ne as sin ra t 4-5 w r e 5 e It be ck 19 Le m lo e ey nu t-c th tn e s o in ur re e sh an Co e f zzli g . n i be son e lo Gr a th e . se de s th -76 a a 9 m ow , 7 r on th l w il st

40/40

The Philadelphia 76ers became the 2nd team in NBA history to lose by 40-plus points in two straight games. On 2/9/14 the 76ers lost 123-78 to the Clippers and on 2/10/14, fell to the Warriors, 123-80.

73 19

On 1/16/14 the Houston Rockets scored a scorching 73 points in the 1st half against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the 2nd half, the Rockets managed only 19 points as the Thunder won, 104-92.

62 10

Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chandler Parsons sets the NBA record with 10 threes in a half on 1/24/14. Parsons connected on all but 1 of his 11 attempts.

Carmelo Anthony sets the singlegame scoring record at Madison Square Garden with 62 points on 1/24/14.

20 x 2 The Portland Trail Blazers became the 1st team in NBA history to hit 20 or more 3s in a game twice in the same season. 032 SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES SPORT

BY JIM EICHENHOFER #12 FIRST FIVE

JOSH

MCROBERTS FORWARD - CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

Just about the only constant during Josh McRoberts’ seven-year NBA career has been change. The 26-year-old has already played for five different teams,1 moving from Portland to Indiana to the Lakers to Orlando to Charlotte since his pro debut in ’07. Sometimes change can be good, though, particularly when the 6-10 power forward was traded to the Bobcats midway through last season.2 The Indianapolis native3 has carved out the biggest role of his career in North Carolina,4 which led to him re-signing in free agency with the ‘Cats. He’s now an every-game starter on a team trying to cap a rapid two-year turnaround, from worstever status to postseason qualifier.5 “It’s great to get the kind of opportunity I’ve been getting here in Charlotte,” the adept passer and rebounder says. “Obviously that’s the goal, to reach the playoffs. Guys have put the time in to improve, and having Coach [Steve] Clifford and his staff has really taken us in the right direction.” Fittingly for McRoberts’ time in the League, another change is coming this summer, though this one mercifully won’t include moving vans: Charlotte is regaining the nickname “Hornets” for the first time since ’02. “There’s a lot of momentum being built with the name change and it’s exciting to kind of turn things around here and get wins,” McRoberts says. “The bottom line is people will be excited about us and continue to support the team as long as we start to win. If we can get in the playoffs and build off that, I think we can really get the city of Charlotte behind us.”

BONUS POINTS 1. McRoberts appeared sporadically in the NBA playoffs in 2011 and ’12 for the Pacers and Lakers, respectively. 2. He was dealt by the Magic to the Bobcats in exchange for Hakim Warrick. 3. McRoberts was an AAU teammate of Greg Oden, Mike Conley and Eric Gordon. 4. He also attended college in the state, playing two seasons at nearby Duke University. 5. Prior to McRoberts’ arrival, the Bobcats set a league record for futility with a 7-59 record in 2011-12. Midway through 2013-14, they were in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

033 ROCKY WIDNER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

JUMP BALL DANCE LIFE

LICIA PISTONS DANCERS Do you remember that moment that you knew when you wanted to dance? I started dancing when I was about 6 years old. I went to a performing arts school, and started off in musical instruments. I played the saxophone. But I saw the girls dancing on stage and I knew from that moment that I wanted to be a dancer, and ever since then I’ve never stopped. What part of game night do you look forward to the most? Definitely player introductions; that’s the first time they get to see the players on the floor as well as the dancers and we have our mascot there. Plus it’s a great way to get the game going. What’s the biggest misconception about dancers? We’re all beauty and no brains. A lot of us have fulltime jobs, a lot of us have graduated college, a lot of us are still attending college. It’s bad that a beautiful woman can’t be smart and intelligent. Brandon Jennings had to go to Europe to make it to the NBA. How hard is it to make it onto the Pistons Dancers?

It is very, very difficult. Our audition process is about a week long, you have to go to boot camp. But even before auditions, you have the total package, which is your body. You have to eat well, and maintain your fitness, work out—some girls work out three, four, five times a week. You have to know how to dance; our style isn’t easy and we’re very versatile, so you have to know all different dance styles, as well as have a nice body and a great personality. If they made a Pistons Dancers blooper reel, what would they include in Licia’s portion? We definitely have to maintain a smile and keep our posture on the sidelines while the game is going on, but I am just such a huge basketball fan that I drop my pom-poms or slam them down if we miss a shot, or somebody gets fouled. I’m

just so into the game, making faces and getting upset, when I’m supposed to be smiling or cheering. Do you have a pregame routine? I do a little exercising and I have an addiction with Coca-Cola. I have to have a Coke before every game. Since you like to cook, if the Pistons won the NBA Championship and you were in charge of the celebratory meal, what would you make? My celebration meal would definitely be spaghetti and pork chops. That recipe has been passed down in my family for generations and that is my ultimate favorite meal to make. It’s just good. I know it’s not the healthiest meal, but it is delicious. So if putting on your Pistons Dancer uniform is like a super heroine costume, what would your super power be? Twerking, definitely. [laughs] Hands down. DUANE WATSON #7

FIRST RIDE

ROY HIBBERT’S FIRST RIDE The first car I bought in the NBA was an ’07 black Escalade. I still have it. It’s the only car I have. I’m frugal, I don’t like to spend money. I have about 40,000 miles on it, not bad. I have road trips and drive back to D.C. in it all the time. Everything’s the same, except I had the seats pushed back like three inches and pushed down two inches, giving it a lot more leg room. But before that, I used to drive my mom’s ’04 Ford Taurus. It would break down from time to time. It didn’t accommodate my 7-2 frame, but it was a car that she’d let me borrow from time to time. ROY HIBBERT AS TOLD TO MCG #93

034 COURTESY DETROIT PISTONS; BILL BAPTIST/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

FIRST FIVE

BY MELODY HOFFMAN #34

Boston Celtics Jared Sullinger has gone from a rookie surrounded by Hall of Fame veterans1 to a sophomore who has been called upon to lead his team on and off the court. He has answered the challenge with “Celtic Pride,” crashing the boards and scoring around the rim. In the month of January alone he recorded eight double-doubles and was the team’s leading rebounder. “My team looks upon me to score the basketball a little bit more [than last year] and they’re looking for me to be more of a leader, so my role has tremendously changed,” says Sullinger, who is averaging 13 points and 7.9 rebounds.2 “I think it’s better for me to grow up now than later.” After a win over Toronto in January, fans began to compare Sullinger to former teammate Kevin Garnett after Sullinger became the first Celtic since KG to mark above a 20-point, 20-rebound performance.3 “It’s a blessing… and an honor. It’s pretty huge to be recognized with him4 because he’s a Hall of Famer,” says the Ohio State University alum. However, this season hasn’t been without its share of adversity for Sullinger. He has been playing with a bruised hand this season that has hampered his shooting accuracy. Yet, Sullinger says playing through injuries5 has always been a part of his game and not an excuse. “When you have a father like my father and brothers like my brothers you pretty much have no choice but to play through the pain and play through the soreness. I’m so used to it growing up in my household. You had no choice but to be tough when you play basketball.”

BONUS POINTS 1. Sullinger went from running rookie errands for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce last season to being one of the more senior members of the team this year. 2. Last season, Sullinger averaged 6 points and 5.8 rebounds. 3. Sullinger scored 25 points with 20 boards, which helped the Celtics to snap a nine-game losing streak with the win over Toronto at home. 4. As a rookie, Sullinger said playing with Garnett last year was one of his best experiences. “Playing with Kevin Garnett, you watch him and see how he does things; I tried to follow his lead and learn from him. He’s definitely one of the best teammates I’ve had in my life.” 5. Last season, Sullinger only played in 45 games for the Celtics, missing the last two months because of back issues that began in college. In high school, he says he finished a game on a broken foot and has broken his nose twice during a game.

7 JARED

SULLINGER FORWARD - BOSTON CELTICS 035 BRIAN BABINEAU/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

JUMP BALL 24 SECONDS

with JEFF TEAGUE HOOP: Have you replayed the final moments of that game on NBA 2K14 yet? TEAGUE: Nah, I haven’t had that opportunity. I play the game almost every day, but none of my friends pick the Cavs when we play [laughs]. HOOP: What other games do you play? TEAGUE: Madden, Call of Duty. I’ve been playing Battlefield lately. I really like that game. HOOP: Xbox One or PS4? TEAGUE: I have both. I like to play hockey and FIFA on PlayStation. I like the controls; I can be a little more efficient. But all my friends play Xbox, so when we play Call of Duty or 2K, we play on XBox. HOOP: We were going to ask if you play with friends or online. TEAGUE: Battlefield I play online. You can have like 50 people playing, which is pretty fun. For the most part, when I play 2K, I play against friends. But I have played a couple guys online that are really good. HOOP: Do they realize they’re playing an NBA player when they play you online? TEAGUE: No, because I’m under my best friend’s gamer tag. I play as myself sometimes, and I’m like, “You can’t guard Teague. He’s killing you guys.” And they’re like, “Jeff Teague’s not that good.”3 It’s funny. HOOP: Do you bring a console with you and play teammates on the road? TEAGUE: Shelvin Mack has one that he brings, so we play it on the plane every road trip. HOOP: We hear you’re pretty competitive. TEAGUE: I hate losing. When we play cards, checkers, anything, I always want to win. My friends get a little mad at me. They’re like, “It’s just a game,” but if I lose I’m going to rematch you until I win. HOOP: Have you always been competitive? TEAGUE: Yeah, me and my little brother,4 our older brother made us like that. He always made fun of us if we lost. I think we were both really competitive because of that.

HOOP: You recently hit a game-winner1 in double-OT to beat Cleveland. What was that experience like? TEAGUE: That was fun. It was the first one of my career. It was a great game throughout, a battle back and forth. I was just happy that I was able to knock down the shot to get us a victory. HOOP: What was going through your head? TEAGUE: I couldn’t see the shot go in actually, because I fell back onto the court. So when Kyle [Korver] picked me up, he was like, “We’re getting out of here!” I was just happy the game was over. HOOP: How many times did you see that shot2 afterward? TEAGUE: Just once. We have so many games, you can’t celebrate one win. You’ve got to get ready for the next. 036

HOOP: We hear you are addicted to Candy Crush? TEAGUE: I was, but I’ve stopped. I couldn’t beat level 69, so I just gave it up. I would’ve broken my phone. I couldn’t take it anymore. HOOP: What are some of your favorite apps? TEAGUE: Temple Run, Instagram and Twitter. Other than that, I don’t really get on my phone that much. HOOP: We saw you posted an Instagram of you playing Monopoly with friends. TEAGUE: Yeah, I play that a lot. I win every time, though. My dad is really good, so he is the only one that gives me any competition. All of my friends, I destroy them.

BY JERAMIE MCPEEK #4

HOOP: Do you play the My NBA Edition? TEAGUE: No, I like the traditional.5 My friend actually bought me the Billionaire Edition, but I didn’t like it. HOOP: What’s your strategy? TEAGUE: I go for all of the lower properties. You can put houses on them quicker. All of my friends want to go for Boardwalk and Park Place, but it takes a long time to put houses on those, because they cost so much. So by the time you’ve put one house on yours, I’ve put four on mine and you’re going broke. HOOP: Smart. What piece do you play as? TEAGUE: I’m the shoe. HOOP: We should’ve guessed that, based on your shoe collection. TEAGUE: I have a crazy amount of shoes. I just signed with adidas last year, so my collection is really growing. I’ve got so many shell toes, and I just got a couple pairs of Mutombos, so I’m excited about those. HOOP: How long have you been collecting? TEAGUE: I started when I was a junior in high school. An older cousin took me to the store and bought me a couple pairs. Ever since then I’ve just been trying to collect them. HOOP: Do you wear the shoes you collect, or do you just buy them just to have and keep? TEAGUE: I wear every one of them once, and then I just put them up and talk about them with my friends. I’ve got a big shoe closet. Lots of young guys will hear that I have a shoe collection, so I’ll bring them into my shoe closet6 and wow ‘em a little bit. HOOP: How often do you change shoes for games? TEAGUE: That’s the crazy part. I wear the same shoes every game (pictured, right). I’ve been wearing them for a year and a half now. They’re the adidas Crazyquick low. They’re almost done. I probably have like five more games in them and then they’re going to rip. HOOP: That’s pretty unusual. TEAGUE: Yeah, everybody talks about ‘em. There’s almost a hole in the shoes. So once the hole comes all the way through, I’ll get ‘em framed. HOOP: Why not change? TEAGUE: Actually, I used to have like 212 pairs of them, but somebody at the Hawks gave them away, because they thought I was going to wear new shoes the next year. I told them they could, but when I got the new shoes, I didn’t like how they felt. I had the one pair7 left, so I just kept wearing them. HOOP: Couldn’t they get you more? TEAGUE: I called adidas, but they said they stopped making them. So I decided I gotta ride ‘em out. JENNIFER POTTHEISER; SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

BONUS POINTS 1. Teague’s 18-foot jumper bounced high off the rim before falling through, moments after the horn sounded, giving Atlanta the 127-125 road win. 2. Jeff may not want to see it more than once, but you can watch it again and again at NBA.com. 3. We think the folks behind the NBA 2K series need to take a closer look at Teague. He should be higher than a 75 player rating. 4. Jeff’s younger brother Marquis is in his second season as a reserve guard for the Chicago Bulls. 5. Parker Brothers released the original Monopoly board game in 1935. Since then, there have been hundreds of special editions and spin-offs sold. 6. Teague tells us he has a shoe closet in Atlanta and another, larger one at home in Indiana. 7. The guard’s beloved shoes are the same ones he wore during the 2013 playoffs. His favorite pair in his collection, though, is the Air Jordan 6, released in 1991 when Teague was just 2 years old.

037

Re-Bla an Old Trail L

aMarcus Aldridge didn’t have to make the pass. He was in great position at the top of the key to drill the jumper. And, besides, Damian Lillard had already missed a layup. Why not make the most of Nicolas Batum’s offensive rebound and kick-out to pad the numbers? After all, Aldridge is The Man in Portland,1 a three-time All-Star2 who is gaining traction in the discussion for the best power forward in the NBA.3 When frontline talents get the ball in the big leagues, it goes up. So, what did Aldridge do on a late January Thursday night against visiting Denver? Fired a pass4 back through the lane to an open Lillard, who converted the reverse layup, of course. Aldridge may be an All-Star, but he’s a Trail Blazer first, and that means the extra pass is always a possibility. In fact, it’s a likely event. And it’s smart to feed Lillard. Aldridge may be Portland’s leader off the court, but when the game begins, it’s the point guard’s team. And like Don Corleone,5 he isn’t one to forget a favor. The next time downcourt, Lillard reciprocated with a nifty behind-the-back bouncer. Aldridge missed the shot, but the message was quite clear. Portland is winning because of the selfless way it is playing, and Aldridge and Lillard, the Blazers’ two AllStars, are setting an example of how to play team ball.

038

azing Following the lead of LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers are rediscovering the path to glory.

BY MICHAEL BRADLEY #53 PORTRAIT BY SAM FORENCICH

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“Passing is contagious,” Portland head coach Terry Stotts says. “We have a group of guys who have been successful and have been rewarded with wins because of how they are playing together. It feeds on itself. Every player on the team is involved in that style of play.” Batum, Wes Matthews, Robin Lopez, Mo Williams and the other Blazers have had big hands in the team’s success this year, but it is obvious that the rush to the top of the Western Conference is due to the combined efforts of Aldridge and Lillard, one of the League’s most impressive young pairings. In just their second year together, the two have lifted Portland out of the Lottery morass by playing team ball, but at the same time establishing themselves among the best at their positions. Though Aldridge has a six-season head start on his second-year teammate, it is clear that Lillard has the potential to emerge as a consistent standout—and it’s unlikely his achieving that status will require a long trip. To win big in the NBA, a team needs at least two stars, and Portland was third in the West as of early February because it had Aldridge and Lillard.6 “LaMarcus and Damian are central parts of the best offense in the NBA right now,” Portland GM Neil Olshey said at that time. What makes this story so unique is that the Blazers are thriving as a fully developed team, not just as a support system for a pair of All-Stars. Portland has depth, pounds the glass—particularly on the offensive end—is deadly from three-point range7 and shares the ball with an almost unusual enthusiasm. None of that would be possible, however, if both Aldridge and Lillard were committed to themselves rather than the whole. Sure, Aldridge is posting career highs in points and rebounds,8 and Lillard has become more aggressive offensively9 as well, but they are doing so within a team concept that works. When we saw Portland at the end of the 2012-13 season, it was slipping away on a 13-game losing streak on its way to a second straight year out of the playoffs. Today’s team resembles that bunch in uniform only, and winning sure makes those black-and-red threads look sharper. The renaissance is due to a variety of factors, from offseason roster enhancements and improved communication lines between management and players (particularly Aldridge) to a more attractive environment in which the team operates. Mostly, though, it’s about Aldridge and Lillard, who have forged a partnership that allows each to thrive as a player and a leader—not always an easy thing to do. “He’s the leader of the team,” Lillard says, “but if I have something to say, it has to be said.”

It seemed that the lights hadn’t even been turned out in Moda Arena last April 17 after the Blazers’ season-ending, 99-88 loss to Golden State when the talk started about how difficult it would be for Portland to keep Aldridge happy and engaged for the final two years of his contract. Forget about re-signing him. Aldridge was perceived as frustrated and unhappy— and hadn’t masked those feelings too well. That meant trouble for Olshey, whom many thought would have to trade the power forward rather than risk losing him with no compensation. Instead of letting the drama percolate in the media, the GM went to work quietly. He sat down with Aldridge and asked him what the team needed to do improve the roster and complement his skills. In other words, he treated him like a true star. Elevating a player to that status in the NBA shows as much commitment as a fat new contract—not that the money isn’t really nice, too. “It meant a lot,” Aldridge says. “It showed they were invested in me and still cared. They wanted to see if they could do things to make me happy. To show interest in my happiness was big. 040 SAM FORENCICH; (2)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

“It was a case of both sides working together, trying hard to compromise and find a middle ground. It showed interest. Now we’re winning, and I’m fine.” The most important thing for Aldridge was getting some interior help. Even though he is a solid 6-11, 240, he is not a center. But often during the last few seasons, he was drawing defensive assignments against opposing pivots—work that wore him down and limited his effectiveness at both ends. The Blazers’ move to sign Lopez barely registered during an offseason dominated by Dwight Howard frenzy, but it was one of the most important moves made by anyone in the League. Lopez is a robust 7-0, 255 pounds, and he is well suited for handling the middle.10 His arrival means Aldridge is matched against power forwards at both ends of the court, and that has allowed him to be more productive offensively. Aldridge is particularly tough on the defensive boards, but he also has a vast array of offensive moves. Against Denver, he was able to work in the low post, fill the lanes on the break and shoot the jumpers that he gets while working the pick-and-roll with Lillard. His shooting percentage (47 percent in early February) could be a little higher, but that is largely nitpicking right now. “If you look at LA’s career, he has been remarkably consistent,” notes Stotts. “Home and road. Win or loss. Year-to-year. Last year, he made a jump in rebounding, and this year, he’s made a jump in scoring. His desire to get better shows.” As Aldridge takes his place among the top players in the NBA, he does so with little fanfare. Part of that is the Pacific Northwest ethos, which does not emphasize self-aggrandizement. His quiet personality adds another layer to his somewhat anonymous emergence. Now that he feels the Blazers have his interests at the core of the franchise, he is even more comfortable with his place on the team and in the League. “I just understand who I am and what my game is about,” Aldridge says. “I know where my shots come from. As you get older and understand the game at a different level, you can take your game to a different level.” Aldridge’s contract expires after the 2014-15 season, and while all parties involved understand that trying to do a deal now is not financially

041 LAYNE MURDOCH (2); RICHARD ROWE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

a starter on this year’s Western All-Star team, but his votes nearly quadrupled (160,197 to 609,172) from last year to this year. Aldridge is ascending, and he’s doing it in a place that is built for him to thrive. And people are noticing. “It means a lot for the coaches to vote me onto the team,” he says. “Those are the guys who see your game firsthand. It means my hard work is paying off.”

feasible for anybody, there is a growing sense that the power forward isn’t going anywhere. Although a lot can change in 16 months, just as it did in six over the course of the most recent offseason, Aldridge’s recent indications are that he would prefer to be a Blazer for a long time to come. In mid-January, he told the Portland Tribune, “I would like to re-sign here.” That no doubt brought smiles to fans, teammates and management. The goal now is for Portland to continue to improve—and involve Aldridge in that process—so that his contentment will grow. As that happens, Aldridge will continue his development. This is his prime, and it’s pretty clear that he is maximizing the possibilities that come from the convergence of talent and opportunity. He wasn’t voted

When the Blazers were considering drafting Damian Lillard in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft, they weren’t as concerned about his Weber State pedigree11 as they were with everything he did during his four years with the Wildcats. And he did a lot.12 “Everybody wants to put the stigma of a small school program on its players, but they rarely see the positives that come from playing there,” Olshey says. “You can’t defer to your teammates at that level, because they don’t have four McDonald’s All-Americans13 on the team. Players from those schools come into the NBA saying, ‘I want the ball at the end of the game,’ because they did it for three years at schools like Weber State. “[Lillard] played 100 games14 where he had the ball at crunch time.” The funny thing is that when Lillard arrived in Ogden,15 head coach Randy Rahe wondered whether he would be able to give the young point guard the basketball at all. During open gym in the summer before the 2008-09 season, Rahe noticed that Lillard wasn’t playing all that hard. So, he told him. “He was stunned,” Rahe says. “I told him it looked like he was coasting, so he took it to another level.” By the time Lillard left Weber State, he was a first-rate scoring point guard who was committed to winning and had gone from a player who seemed to be floating through his workouts to one Rahe worried would exhaust himself. Every morning during the season, Lillard would put

PAST MEETS PRESENT: BILL WALTON AND LIONEL HOLLINS When the 1976-77 season dawned, Bill Walton and Lionel Hollins were entering just their second season together. A year earlier, when Hollins was just a rookie, Portland didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. But Jack Ramsay arrived to run the team, and the Blazers, triggered by their inside-outside tandem, went all the way. Ramsay cranked up the Portland offense and made the most of Walton’s myriad high-low skills and Hollins’ two-way excellence. The Blazers swept the Lakers in the Western finals and then overcame a 2-0 deficit against Philadelphia to capture the world championship. Portland featured a free-flowing offense that highlighted its players’ multiple talents. The team passed like few in the League and was deadly in the open court. Finally healthy in his third professional season, Walton displayed the versatile game that had made him one of the greatest collegians of all time. He scored from everywhere on the court, passed like a point guard and attacked the boards. Meanwhile, Hollins was capable of scoring from long range while still getting to the basket. Perhaps the most important feature of the team was its unselfish attitude. The Blazers were always on the lookout for the open man and reveled in taking the best shot on the floor in any situation. More than 35 years later, things look pretty familiar. Portland is a highlyefficient offensive machine, because its whole roster is committed to sharing the ball and making the most of opportunities. But it begins with power forward LaMarcus Aldridge and point man Damian Lillard, this generation’s Walton and Hollins. Without their willingness to sublimate themselves at times for the good of the team, the Blazers wouldn’t be winning. It may be unrealistic to expect a title this season, but thanks to Aldridge and Lillard, basketball is fun again in Rip City.—#53

042 NATHANIEL S. BUTLER; DICK RAPHAEL; NBA PHOTOS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

BONUS POINTS 1. Aldridge is slowly creeping atop the franchise leader boards; he’s No. 7 in games played, No. 4 in minutes, No. 2 in field goals, No. 5 in free throws, No. 5 in rebounds, No. 7 in blocks. 2. His third All-Star selection ties him with Brandon Roy for third-most All-Star Games for Portland. He trails Clyde Drexler (8) and Sidney Wicks (4). 3. Right now the discussion is between Aldridge, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, and if you count him as a PF, LeBron James. 4. Aldridge is on pace to set a career high for assists this season. 5. For the uninitiated, Don Corleone was the seminal character in the epic Godfather series. 6. Aldridge and Lillard became the first Blazer All-Star duo in two decades. The last was Drexler and Clifford Robinson in 1994. 7. As of the All-Star break, the team is tops in total threes made and fourth in three-point percentage. 8. If he keeps it up for the rest of the season, Aldridge is on pace to secure the first 20-10 season of his career. 9. As well as at the end of games, as evidenced by his back-to-back, end-of-game shots to steal victories on 12/15/13 against Detroit and 12/17/13 vs. Cleveland. 10. The nearly double-double output of 10.7 ppg and 8.4 rpg 11. Portland is no stranger to the mid-major university. In the 1973 NBA Draft, Portland selected Bob Davis of Weber State in the second round. 12. Lillard averaged 18.6 ppg and 3.5 apg in his Wildcat career, was a two-time Big Sky Conference Player of the Year (2010 and ’12) and finished as the school’s No. 2 all-time scorer. 13. Lillard was not a highly regarded prep player at St. Joseph Notre Dame (the same high school attended by Jason Kidd) in Alameda, Calif. 14. It was 104 games, to be exact. 15. Ogden, Utah is where Weber State is located. Population: 82,825. 16. There have only been three other unanimous selections in NBA history: Ralph Sampson (1984), David Robinson (’90) and Blake Griffin (’11). 17. Pretty good from deep as a rookie (.368), Lillard has upped it to .404 this season. 18. Lillard was just 6 when Kobe entered the NBA in 1996. 19. Diehard Blazers fans will recall that was the year that Portland went a full seven games against the eventual-champion Lakers in the West Finals. 20. At the time of this writing, the Phoenix Suns are the only other team besides Portland in the West playoff field that has not been in the playoffs in the past three years.

himself through a 45-minute game-speed workout. He would then practice with the team in mid-afternoon and return to the gym at night to make between 200-300 shots. And despite growing evidence throughout Lillard’s senior year that he would be a first-round draft pick, the guard never acted like he was bigger than the team. Rahe says Lillard never cared about anything but winning— “If I said ‘We’re going to put you in the corner, and you’re going to score six points, but we’re going to win,’ he’d say, ‘That’s OK,’” Rahe says—and was committed to getting his teammates shots, despite his ability to score in bunches. “The beauty of this kid is that he’s humble, and he was exemplary in that area,” Rahe says. “He never made it about him. He buddied up with the 10th, 11th and 12th guys on the team.” When the Blazers drafted Lillard, they made it clear that he would be the team’s starting point guard. Olshey didn’t go out and sign a veteran

backup, in case Lillard struggled. Last season, backups Nolan Smith and Ronnie Price combined to play 25.2 percent of the league-leading 3167 minutes Lillard logged. There would be no easing into the NBA life. Lillard was in charge from the minute he donned that Blazers draft cap and shook now-former NBA Commissioner David Stern’s hand. “Everyone in the gym knew he was the starting point guard,” Olshey says. “The other players didn’t have to worry about an incumbent or choosing who their guy was.” Management’s faith in Lillard allowed him to make mistakes, learn the game and become the League’s unanimous Rookie of the Year.16 “It meant a lot to me,” he says of the decision to hand him the team. “They had confidence in me, and when people have that confidence in you, you want to prove them right.” Lillard averaged 19.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg last year and has become a better three-point shooter17 this season. He is still working on developing the fine balance between creating for himself and setting up his teammates, but it’s clear he is becoming a top-tier point guard in a League that is filled with them. Kobe Bryant sure thinks so. When All-Star voters put Bryant in the balloting lead, despite his injury, he instructed them to look elsewhere. “So, my advice would be to focus on younger players, the Damian Lillards of the world, because they’re deserving to be out there and play that weekend,” Bryant said. Needless to say, Lillard was happy for the endorsement. “That’s respect,” he says. “As long as I’ve been watching,18 I’ve never seen him that outgoing about other players.” Lillard had better get used to the attention, because as he and Portland continue to grow, others will be providing their approval. It’s just another step forward for the latest Oakland point guard, who is proud to have continued the city’s proud backcourt lineage (Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Brian Shaw) by progressing from a lightly recruited prep player to an All-Star. “All of those players were talked about when I was in middle school and high school, and to be mentioned in that group is an honor,” Lillard says. “I grew up talking about those point guards.” Now, people from Oakland and all around the NBA are talking about him.

Aldridge and Lillard have traveled far in their two years together, but there are more steps to take on their journey. Helping Portland become a regular-season force, especially when it has missed the playoffs seven of the last 10 seasons, is a significant accomplishment. “It has brought us a little bit of respect,” Aldridge says. “But people don’t believe in us yet. We are a hot team, but we have to keep it going. Then, people will believe.” If the Blazers are to gather esteem from the rest of the League, they will have to do it in the postseason. That’s where duos like Aldridge and Lillard go from merely exciting to worthy of universal respect. Since Portland hasn’t won a playoff series since the ’99-00 campaign,19 it’s unrealistic to expect a gigantic leap, particularly in the stacked West. But the team is on the move, and its dynamic tandem is the main reason for that. Good times certainly lie ahead. “Certain teams have had regular season success, and they get into the postseason and they’re not as good,” Lillard says. “This is our first time20 making a name for ourselves, and people are excited and respect us for that. But we might have to wait until next year to prove ourselves in the playoffs.” The Blazers might have to wait. But the way Aldridge and Lillard are playing, that delay isn’t likely to be very long. 043

SAM FORENCICH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

STOP & In order to combat the (almost) impossibleto-guard P&R (pick-and-roll) offense, you need P&R (Paul George & Roy Hibbert) defense. BY DARRYL HOWERTON #21

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& NO

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ick-and-roll is to offense what Paul Georgeand-Roy Hibbert is to defense. The way the P&R used to work was:1 big sets screen on small, ballhandler rubs off screener and either steps back for a jumper if opposing big stays put or takes it to the hole when challenged and then either shoots, passes to the slip-screening big or swings ball to threepoint shooter left open by another defender who came to help in the paint. It’s pretty impossible to defend,2 really. Unless you’re Paul and Roy. Nowadays, nobody defends the pick-and-roll—or any other offensive attack, for that matter—better than the Indiana Pacers center, the favorite to win 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year honors, and his MVP candidate teammate, an All-Defensive small forward.3 For starters, let’s analyze the anatomies. You have the giant Hibbert, standing at 7-2, 290 pounds, with a 7-4 wingspan. There is nobody with dimensions as big in the NBA today, nor anyone as imposing in the paint as the man who rates as “the best rim protector in the game,” according to Pacers head coach Frank Vogel and official stats at stats.nba.com.4 Then out front on the perimeter, you’ve got the superathletic 6-9, 220-pound George, who takes on all the top wings in the game—from LeBron James to Kevin Durant— and has the size and speed to keep up with those athletic wonders on the outside as well as the in. Plus, with George’s 6-11¼ wingspan, the All-NBA wing is able to defend the opposing ballhandler in such a way that he can chase them away from the jump shot and funnel them into the paint to Hibbert. “I think our relationship all goes hand in hand,” says the 23-year-old George. “Roy knows I have his back. I know he has my back. I know I can pressure up on the perimeter because I have a rim protector behind me.” What makes the Pacers' D so special is that Hibbert is equally adept at keeping near his man cutting through the paint—until he receives help from a perimeter teammate— while also meeting the ballhandler in the lane to shut off or alter any attempts at the rim5 from there. “To tell you the truth, it depends on who I’m guarding,” explains Hibbert, differentiating the challenge of guarding pick-and-roll tandem Durant and screener Kendrick Perkins, or James and pick-and-pop specialist Chris Bosh. “If there’s a pick that isn’t a pick-and-pop threat, I can stay on the ball a little bit longer, help him out. If there’s a guy who can pick-and-pop or rolls or for lobs, I’ve got to make sure myself, someone gets to him. It really depends on the matchups. Paul does a really good job of bringing the player to me, so I can usually take care of the rest of that at the rim.”6 Inevitably, with long arms behind and in front of him, the ballhandler avoids the rim with Hibbert there (who’s also thwarting any rolls to the basket by the opposing screener). With George’s long arms ready to deter any jump shot, he’s then left with just the option of swinging the pass to the side, to one of three spot-up shooters at the three-point line. But Pacer teammates George Hill, Lance Stephenson and David West— each an All-Defense candidate7 in his own right—are so good at help-and-recovery D, they are able to close out on shooters off the line, forcing them to shoot low-percentage, long two-pointers8 most of the time. These fundamental truths are all backed up by another Vogel commandment: The Pacers never rotate to a two-point shooter off a three-point shooter. It is the continued improvement upon these foundational principles, performed by these savvy athletes, that have transformed the Pacers into not only one of the 046 CHRIS TROTMAN/GETTY IMAGES SPORT; NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

best NBA teams in 2013-14, but also one of the best NBA defenses of all-time, currently ranking fourth in defensive rating during the threepoint shot era.9 And it all starts with P&R stoppers, P&R. “This is a stingy group,” says George. “Every possession we try to get a stop. This is not a team where we allow letups. We’re not a team that allows a possession where we feel we can give up points. We try to take away as many points as we can. “The great thing about our defense, everybody can guard 1-through-5. We take a lot of ownership to guard guys. It’s great to be on a team, especially having a big guy like Roy to protect the paint. It makes my job a lot easier. It allows me to really pressure up on the wings.” With NBA offensive efficiency numbers being broken this season, the Pacers are an anomaly—standing out for their defensive presence, while the rest of the League spreads their offense through pick-and-roll attacks more than ever, generating more threes, shots at the rim and free throw attempts than ever before.10 The Pacers were great on defense last year, leading the League in defensive efficiency (96.6 points per 100 possessions), but even that number pales in comparison to the 2013-14 squad, which allows a mindblowing 93.9 points per 100 possessions. This is no doubt a byproduct of chemistry established by the Pacers’ nucleus, which has six players who have played 5,000-plus minutes11 in Indiana uniforms, continuity that only the championship-contending Heat, Spurs and Thunder can better. But it is also the fruition of a vision planted by Vogel three years ago when he first took over the Pacers, prognosticating during the introductory press conference, “We’re changing the identity of our basketball team drastically. We are a power post team. A blood-and-guts, old-school, smash-mouth team that plays with size, strength, speed and athleticism.” The defense took to that style immediately, thanks in part to the big body frames of the roster he inherited, supplied by Hibbert, George, West (69, 250, 6-10 ¾ wingspan), Stephenson (6-5, 230, 6-10 ½ wingspan), Hill (6-3, 188, 6-9 wingspan) and Danny Granger (6-9, 228, 7-1 ½ wingspan). But with the offense losing a valuable component Granger, a former All-Star small forward,12 to a left knee injury for most of 201213 and the start of 2013-14 (Granger was subsequently traded to Philadelphia in exchange for Evan Turner on Feb. 20), the Pacers have struggled to be a threat offensively the past two seasons, despite leaps in improvement from both George and Stephenson13 (Indiana averaged 102.8 and 101.1 points per 100 possessions in 2013-14 through January and 2012-13, ranking 19th in offensive efficiency both seasons). Even so, George has made major strides in his offensive pick-and-roll development, getting more handoffs and catches at the elbow to enhance his game. “His confidence is growing,” says Hibbert. “He feels like every shot is going in and most of the time, it’s true. He’s made bigger strides on defense as well.” And therein lies the true secret to the success of these Pacers. 047 CHRIS TROTMAN/GETTY IMAGES SPORT; RON HOSKINS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Yes, Stephenson has become a beast in transition and an offensive joy to watch when he gets going on the fastbreak, or even when he creates his own drives14 from 20-plus feet away from the basket. But if these guys played average D, they would only be a .500 team. Simple as that. By working hard every practice and studying hard on their iPad game plan, these Pacers have been able to take their D and their games to parts unknown. Remember, these Pacers’ defensive numbers were only bested by teams who were allowed to hand-check their opponents, before the 2004-05 season.15 Nobody does better on brains, brawn and hands-free D than these men. “When you have this knowledge, it’s still just about being more aggressive,” says George. “Now we kind of understand how to read guys. “After a couple of times of going to the basket and getting your shot blocked, or taking that physical contact Roy dishes out, you’re not going to want to go there no more. So I know my job is easier on the perimeter to pressure up because I know he’s not trying to get to the basket at that point. And for Roy, it’s the same thing. After so long, he can relax down there. Worry about his guy, worry about blocking out, not so much on rotating. It makes his job easier.” That is why you see improvement every year. Not to mention, the Pacers have the most unusual set of worker bees in the NBA. Did you know that five—five!—different players on this team at some point in their careers finished first or second in the voting for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award? That is unheard of. But you’ve got George and former Pacer Granger winning MIP awards in 2012-13 and 2008-09, respectively, with Stephenson being named by

PAST MEETS PRESENT: JERMAINE O’NEAL AND RON ARTEST The 2003-04 Indiana Pacers had the NBA’s best record (61-21), played history-making defense (ranking fourth all-time in defensive rating during the shot clock era since 1979-80), had a man who finished third in the NBA MVP voting (Jermaine O’Neal) and another who won the League’s Defensive Player of the Year award (Ron Artest a.k.a. Metta World Peace). Sound familiar? The 2013-14 Indiana Pacers are on pace to have the NBA’s best record, play history-making defense (ranking sixth all-time in defensive rating during the shot clock era), have a man who is predicted as a top three NBA MVP voting this season (George) and another who is a favorite to win the League’s Defensive Player of the Year award (Hibbert). It doesn’t get any more similar than that. “Defensively, I think in order to be a great team you got to have an anchor in the middle, which they do have in Roy Hibbert,” says the 6-11 O’Neal, now a 35-year-old backup Golden State center who—along with veterans Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala—is instrumental in the Warriors’ new emphasis on D. “You got to have a perimeter guy who can really cause havoc on the perimeter and I think they have that in Lance Stephenson and Paul George and also at point guard as well with George Hill. David West is not the most athletic guy, but he’s a very physical power forward in the paint and he too covers a lot of ground in a short period of time. “As a shotblocker, I always look at how well the perimeter can defend and keep guys out of my chest. The perimeter guys keep a blanket over their guy where they can’t see you. A lot of times when the ballhandler can see, it’s a direct drive and normally it’s a foul on the big man. When you have guys who can really defend, that makes a world of difference.” New York Knicks 34-year-old small forward Metta World Peace, who was Ron Artest in those Pacers days, says there haven’t been too many wing-center tandems as good as those two Pacers were 10 years ago. “Back then,” Metta says, “I felt I was the best player in the NBA. Jermaine, too. He felt he was the best.” O’Neal concurs, saying, “I think you have to feel that way. Me and Ron—we did believe that. We were both really fighting for Defensive Player of the Year even though we were on the same team. We had so many players with that attitude. Jeff Foster, who was able to defend in the low post as well, and get out and show on the perimeter. Al Harrington. Jamaal Tinsley. That’s what you need—that type of competitiveness. That’s something that you need to be able to contend for a championship. “If you want to compare teams, I think the similarity is that the 2014 Pacers and the 2004 Pacers have balance at every position that can make it very difficult for you to score. And both teams really protected the paint very well.”—#21

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ESPN.com as the favorite to win the 2013-14 MIP. On top of that, you’ve got Hill tying for second as a San Antonio Spur in 2009-10, West finishing second as a New Orleans Hornet in 2005-06, with Hibbert getting MIP votes in both 2010-11 and 2011-12. These men not only have a history of working, they get awards for hard work. Not to mention this sort of come-up attitude breeds a team full of hunger. “I always want to get better,” says George, who has elevated his scoring and PER averages in each of his four NBA season. “I always pick up something to get better at. I just think it’s a hunger in me. I take every day to get better. And I try to work hard to get better. I want to reach for the moon and for the stars as far as really untapping everything that I can do on the floor. It’s just wanting it—wanting to be the best player in this league.” Hibbert is the other side to the same coin. He may not be a top three MVP candidate like George, but Hibbert is the likely favorite to win the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year award, according to a 2014 poll16 from experts at ESPN. “My determination every season has really helped,” says Hibbert. “I haven’t really done anything differently, except for being one year older, one year stronger. I think I’ve been doing the same thing I’ve been doing the last year.” “If I ever have a down couple games, or down practice, sometimes I go back and look at the highlights from my first year or two17 on YouTube and see I’ve come a long way. I reflect from time to time to keep my spirits up when I’m having a rough week. It’s always good to see where you come from and see that you have more work to do.” Hibbert considers the moment a bit longer and pinpoints another common thread that has kept the Pacers on the upswing the past three-plus seasons. “Coach Vogel,” he says, referencing the man who took over a 17-27 Pacers team in 2010-1118 and finished on a 20-18 kick, before taking his three subsequent squads to 42-24 (2011-12), 49-32 (2012-13) and 38-10 (2013-14 so far) all the way to elite status. “He does a good job of keeping us focused. Always positive. Very positive guy. He wants us to believe in everything. He inspires hope and belief.” George takes that point to another level. “A lot of coaches are blessed with offensive talents.19 What Coach Vogel did was highlight every players’ strengths into the offense and allowed us to play our game, play at our tempo and just gave us that freedom to be us. “Coach Vogel put a lot of work into us. A lot of time into us. He changed the whole culture of this locker room. He deserves most of the credit20 why we’re so good this year. He understands this is a business, but along the way you’ve got to have fun.” When George is pondering this last point, he is in an empty gym, save for 15 Pacers and another dozen or so people milling about. It is 30 minutes after Vogel blew his last whistle and every last Pacer is still here, relaxing, recovering, spread out in empty chairs all around the court. George takes another big swig off the water bottle in hand, before saying, “Yeah, yeah, I mean, it’s Coach. Coach works hard. We work hard here. “I think the best thing for us is our practices. We’re practicing against tough competition every day. We don’t have no choice but to get better and take our games to another level. It’s what we created. Our whole environment, our whole locker room. Everybody’s in for one another. We’re all working hard for one another. And we’re improving as a team.” The proof is in the Pacers.

BONUS POINTS 1. It’s gotten more sophisticated and exotic, but this is a fundamental P&R. 2. Imagine a game of rock, scissor, paper. 3. In ESPN.com’s 2014 Winter Forecast, the panel voted George third for MVP and Hibbert first for Defensive Player of the Year. 4. Defensively, Hibbert had the lowest opponent field goal percentage at the rim (.415) of any center or power forward who played at least 1,000 minutes, as of 2/5/14. 5. Despite having the best defensive percentage against shots at the rim, opponents still challenge Hibbert 9.8 times per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA for most attempts. 6. The most emphatic example is the dunk block on New York’s Carmelo Anthony during last year’s playoffs, a feat he duplicated during a regular season battle this year. 7. Perhaps the best testament to all five men’s candidacies for All-Defense is that they all rank amongst the top 15 NBA players in Defensive Win Shares (as of 2/5/14): George ranks first (4.0), Hibbert ranks third (3.5), West ranks seventh (3.2), Stephenson ranks eighth (3.2) and Hill ranks 13th (2.6). 8. The most inefficient shot in basketball is the 18-22 foot jumpshot. 9. Basketball-Reference.com’s Defensive Rating estimates points per 100 possessions. In its three-point shot era rankings (1979-80 through present), today’s Pacers rank fourth (as of 2/5/14): 1. 2003-04 Spurs 94.1; 2. 1998-99 Spurs 95.0; 3. 2003-04 Pistons 95.4; 4. 2013-14 Pacers 96.4; 5. 1998-99 Hawks 97.1; 6. 2003-04 Pacers 97.2. 10. See “123” story in Nov/Dec 2013 issue of HOOP, which can be read online at hoopmag.com. 11. The Spurs have seven players who have played 5,000-plus minutes for their franchise (Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Matt Bonner, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter), while the Pacers (Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, Paul George, David West, George Hill and Lance Stephenson), Heat (Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Shane Battier) and Thunder (Kevin Durant, Nick Collison, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins) each have six. One other NBA team has five, while the remaining 25 teams have four or less. 12. In the five seasons before his injury-plagued two seasons, Granger was a reliable 21.7-ppg scorer who topped out at 25.8 in 2008-09. 13. George, who won the 2012-13 Most Improved Player award, has seen a jump in 2013-14 in his Player Efficiency Rating from a previous-best 16.8 to 21.3, while Stephenson’s PER has gone from a previous-best 11.8 to 16.0. 14. Stephenson ranks fourth in the NBA in field goal percentage on drives—defined as non-fastbreak touch that starts at least 20 feet from basket and ends up within 10 feet of hoop—for players who have 100-plus drives: 1. LeBron James .638; 2. Manu Ginobili .611; 3. Kevin Durant .584, 4. Stephenson .573. 15. Beginning that season, the NBA instilled more restrictions against hand-checking and other subtleties to open up offenses. 16. In ESPN.com’s 2014 Winter Forecast, the panel voted Stephenson first as its 2013-14 Most Improved Player. 17. Hibbert struggled his first two years. He was blocking shots, but struggled with foul trouble, averaging an abysmal 6.4 fouls per 36 per minutes. 18. Vogel was an assistant for three seasons on the Pacers bench before the unexpected promotion. 19. Besides coaching, Vogel is also talented at other things, once appearing on Late Night with David Letterman as a kid during his Stupid Human Tricks segment where Vogel spun a basketball on a toothbrush while brushing his teeth. 20. Vogel was awarded for his first half success with the honor of coaching the East All-Star squad.

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The sweet-shooting backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson just

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here are times when Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson don’t just seem to be competing against other NBA teams. When this dynamic shooting duo gets on a roll, it looks as if they’re shooting for a deeper purpose. It’s like they’re shooting against the parameters of the game. Curry1 and Thompson2 have proven to be the most formidable shooting combination in the League this season. The argument can easily be made that they’re the most lethal shooting backcourt in the history of the NBA. Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott of the Orlando Magic in 1995-96? Jerry West and Gail Goodrich of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971-72? Curry3 and Thompson4 have connected on more three-pointers in a single season than both of those combinations. There have been other strong backcourts

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with with deft shooting touches like John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek with the Utah Jazz and Mark Jackson and Reggie Miller with the Indiana Pacers.5 But to have two pure three-point shooters6 like Curry and Thompson seems to be unprecedented. “There’s no tandem that’s done it in the history of the game over 82 games like these guys,” says Jackson, now the head coach of the Warriors. “That’s an extended period. They have a body of work. I think too much is being played of [the three-point shooting], but at the end of the day it’s my belief that these two guys are incredible shooters. That can’t be debated. “Reggie and myself were a solid backcourt. I was never a three-point marksman.7 Steph and Klay are flat-out incredible shooters.” During some practices, Curry will shoot at one end and Thompson will do the same at the opposite end. We've never witnessed it, but we’d imagine sitting at midcourt with eyes closed to sound like a symphony of synchronized swishes. They’ll have some three-point shooting contests.8 Not many shots will clang off the rim.9 From any point beyond the arc, shots will splash through the net. Each player will hit 15-20

triples in a row. Sometimes, more. Who wins more often? “It kind of depends,” Curry says with a smile. “It’s close. It’s a fun thing we do.” “If I have a better breakfast, I usually win,” Thompson says. “I think we stay motivated because it’s a bragging rights type of thing. It’s all in good fun. I support him and he supports me. It works in the long run for us.” Watching the sharpshooters go to work is always intriguing to their teammates. It’s never, ever stale. “It’s cool, man,” Warriors guard Andre Iguodala says. “I mean, these guys don’t miss. It’s amazing. Swish, swish, swish, swish. To have them on the same team is special. I know when I look for them on the court, there’s a great chance the ball is going in the basket. In practice, it’s neat to watch. Shooting is an art10 and they show you that every single day.” Not only do they knock down a record amount of three-pointers, but they shoot the ball at such a high percentage.11 There have been incredible scoring duos through the years, but this pair's combination of range and accuracy is remarkable. “Records are going to continue to be broken,”12 says Atlanta Hawks forward Elton

Brand. “These guys are two of the best shooters I’ve ever seen from long distance. It’s almost like you’re surprised when one of them misses. They shoot the ball and their form is perfect. You expect the ball to go through the basket even if you’re playing great defense. It makes them tough to guard because they’re both such great shooters. “You can’t focus on one and leave the other open. They’re both capable of hitting a number of shots in a row.13 That makes the Warriors a dangerous team.” How true. The ever-improving Warriors advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals last season and seem primed to be a contender over the next decade. Especially with Curry and Thompson staying healthy and shooting at a ridiculous pace,14 like they’re currently doing. In the postseason, guard play is always huge. “These guys are such great shooters that it opens things up for me inside,” says Warriors forward-center David Lee. “There aren’t many rebounds when they shoot. Our team as a whole is improving every day. The direction of the franchise is exciting to all of us. We’re getting more confident all the time and everyone in

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here gets along and is focused on the same goal. We all want to win, whatever it takes. We’re doing it together and we’re on the same path with the same goals. “We had a nice run in the playoffs last season. We want to keep that momentum going. It’s harder in the playoffs. Everything gets more intense. The defense picks up. We’re excited about where we’re headed and we all want to win a championship.”15 Are the Warriors16 on their way? Ask players around the League and they see a team that could easily partake in a parade one day in the not-so-distant future. “You can see by the way they play and how hard they play,” says Los Angeles Lakers 40-year-old guard Steve Nash,17 a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. “Not just that, but they play the right way and their coaching staff obviously has them going in the right direction. They’re such a talented group. They’re a team that’s tough to play against because they’re so well-balanced inside and out. They can beat you from outside and they have solid post players, too. “Curry and Thompson are incredible shooters, just incredible. At times, it looks effortless almost. They have perfect form and they can

each knock down many shots in a row. More than that, they can beat you off the dribble18 and hit off-balanced, tough shots. I think this team is going be in the mix for quite some time.” The Sixers play the Warriors twice a season and that’s enough to realize what lies ahead in the future. “The Warriors are a team that gets up and down the court at a fast pace and they can beat you in a variety of ways,” says Sixers forward Thaddeus Young. “They can pull off a 10-0, 12-0, 15-0 run just like that. It’s dangerous because you think that you’re playing well and then you look up and they can pull off a big run. Having two guys like that in the backcourt is like a key that starts the engine. Those guys get them going. I see a team that can contend and compete for a title one day soon.” Curry, a former star at Davidson,19 was selected by the Warriors with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. Thompson joined the backcourt when the Warriors took him with the 11th overall selection in the 2011 draft from Washington State.20 Just like that, the direction of the franchise was altered. Curry and Thompson have been dropping

three-pointers at a record pace and are likely to be doing that if they stay together. The record books could be rewritten in a plethora of ways. “They were born to be shooters, born to shoot the basketball at an incredible rate,” Jackson says. “I’m not sure I can think of two others in the same backcourt who were born to shoot the basketball like this. John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek were good shooters. I think that’s close, but not there. I think as a tandem, as a duo, Curry and Thompson are incredible. I’m not sure there’s another duo that can outshoot them.” Curry revels in all the comparisons. The same goes for Thompson. In the end, winning is all that matters. They enjoy the discussions. But they’re focused on the big picture. “Nothing is better than winning and putting yourself in position to compete for a title,” Curry says. “Since we were all playing from high school and earlier, we were playing to win. If I score 52 points and we lose a game, I’m not happy. We’re a team in every sense of the word. It’s exciting when Klay and I get hot. Truthfully, if David or Andre gets on a roll, and we win, it’s great. 055

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“I love everything about the Warriors, my teammates, our fans, the organization. It’s a great place to be. I’m in for the long haul and this is very exciting to be a part of the climb and the chase to a championship.” Thompson echoes similar thoughts.

“Being on the court with Steph and my teammates is special,” Thompson says. “I know I’m going to get great looks at the hoop. I like playing with these guys. It’s a fun group to be around and we are all on the same page in terms of where we’re going. We are looking at

wins and how we can get there and keep going in the playoffs. I came into a perfect situation here and I’m honored to be in the same backcourt with Steph.” Players are ultimately judged by championship rings. It’s not always a fair

PAST MEETS PRESENT: TIM HARDAWAY AND MITCH RICHMOND Long before Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson came on the scene, another stellar backcourt duo carried the Warriors: Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond. Combined with Chris Mullin, they were known as Run TMC. During the 1990-91 season, small forward Mullin averaged a team-best 25.7 points per game. Richmond (23.9) and Hardaway (22.9) weren’t far behind. Richmond and Hardaway put up huge numbers every season. They scored a lot of points. They won a lot of games. Earned the Warriors plenty of fans outside of the Bay Area. There are plenty of parallels with the two narratives. Unfortunately, the explosive duo only lasted two seasons, beginning in 1989-90, before Richmond was traded in 1991. But to this day, they remain legendary. In their third year together, the Curry/Thompson auo has already surpassed the original T and C. But when it comes down to comparisons, were they as dangerous as Curry and Thompson? Time will tell. “It may not be always fair, but winning a title validates a lot,” says San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker. “You need a whole lot to go your way, though. When you’re talking about comparisons from present to past, it’s hard to figure out. I’d love to play with either of those backcourts. It’s hard to say which is better. They’re both top-notch, that’s about all I can say about that.” Richmond and Hardaway each had long, successful careers. It’s probably fair to wait until Curry and Thompson go through the rest of their careers before looking at comparisons. It is fun, however, to look at the similarities. “Having these types of discussions are what makes sports fun,” Lakers guard Steve Nash says. “It’s great versus great. Time will show when all their careers are finished, but that’s a long way down the road. These guys are young and they’ll be in their prime for quite a while. Comparisons are always hard because so many factors come into play. It’s fun to talk about. Run TMC was amazing. These young sharpshooters with the Warriors are amazing. I can say this: it will be fun and exciting to watch it all play out.”—#27

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comparison because it takes a team to win. Some of the most prolific players in NBA history have put together remarkable careers but fell short of a ring, like Charles Barkley and Miller. Other players played for years until it finally happened, like Dirk Nowitzki and Julius Erving. It can take a while and patience is needed.

“Winning a ring brings so many factors together,” Erving says. “I came close a number of times and came up just short. You can see the finish line, but you can’t quite cross it. We were able to get it done in 1983 largely because we added Moses [Malone]. Then we didn’t win another one, so you don’t know. You just have to keep pushing.”

BONUS POINTS 1. Curry’s father, Dell, was a standout guard at Virginia Tech and played 16 seasons in the NBA for five different teams, including 10 years with the Charlotte Hornets. 2. Klay’s father, Mychal was a former No. 1 overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft who played 13 successful years with three teams, winning two NBA titles with the L.A. Lakers. 3. In his three years at Davidson, Curry connected on 41 percent of his triples. 4. As a junior at Washington State, Thompson finished the season by setting the program’s single season scoring record with 733 points. 5. A few other standout scoring backcourts that come to mind: Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe, Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, and Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton. 6. The duo combined to shoot 1,126 three-pointers in 2012-13. 7. Jackson owns a career mark of 33 percent from long distance. He did assist on a bunch of shots though, giving him the third all-time mark of 10,334 dimes. 8. It usually works like this: The first person to make seven from each of the five spots (two baselines, two elbows and the top of the key) around the arc wins. Also, first to miss two shots in a row automatically loses. 9. The person tasked with rebounding would have it pretty easy: Just stay underneath the net. 10. It’s certainly rubbed off on Iguodala. A career .332 shooter from three, AI has been making them at .381 this season. 11. In almost three seasons they’ve maintained a .423 three-point percentage. 12. Too late, Curry/Thompson already own the record for most threes by a duo (483), set last season when they beat the previous mark of 435 by Orlando’s Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson in 1995-96. 13. Curry and Thompson each hit a three-pointer in 30 consecutive games earlier this season, establishing a new NBA record. 14. Curry hit 608 treys through the first 250 games of his career, becoming the first player in NBA history to accomplish the feat through his first 250 games. Kyle Korver had hit 500 triples. 15. Thompson won a gold medal in the 2009 U-19 World Championship in New Zealand, as he averaged 7.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in nine games while hitting a stellar 51.6 percent from beyond the arc. 16. The Warriors were tied with the San Antonio Spurs at 2 in the West Semifinals last season before the Spurs pulled away with wins in Game 5 and 6 for a 4-2 series win. 17. Nash knows shooting. He owns career shooting marks of .490 (field goal), .428 (three-point) and .904 (free throw). He’s also accomplished the .500/.400/.900 shooting marks in five seasons. 18. This season Curry has flashed more of his ballhandling skills and is as likely to put his man on skates as pop a three in his face. 19. In three seasons at Davidson, Curry averaged 25.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 32.6 minutes in 104 games, leading Davidson to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore. 20. Thompson left Washington State ranked first all-time in school history in three-pointers (242) and third in points (1,756) and scoring average (17.9). In both his junior and sophomore seasons, Thompson was named to the All-Pac-10 Conference First Team.

Curry and Thompson are very young, so that helps immensely. The window of opportunity should be there for a while. They’ll need some luck and some pieces added in the ultra-tough Western Conference. The backcourt duo’s shooting prowess will always be there. “Having those guys here is a big reason why I wanted to come here,” Iguodala says. “How could you not? Young players with that kind of talent who are unselfish makes your team better in every way. When we get out in the open court, it’s fun. The game is fun when you’re able to execute like we can. Those two guys in the backcourt are the ones who move us along. They’re amazing to watch in practice. You almost find yourself stopping what you’re doing when they get going and make like 20 or 25 in a row.” Game recognizes game and no one knows shooting better than Miami Heat guard Ray Allen. What’s it like seeing young standouts like Curry and Thompson? “Amazing,” Allen says. “They’re smooth. They don’t need a lot of space to score. They’re accurate and can score from any point on the court. Fun to watch. As an older, veteran player, it’s very cool to watch these young guys develop. They’re going to be hitting threes for a long time coming. In the same backcourt, it’s something else. You don’t usually see that. Two guys who can hit from anywhere? That’s tough to guard at all times.”

058 NOAH GRAHAM (2); NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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he NBA has always put a premium on skilled big men. Scouts and coaches have been saying, “You can’t teach height,” since Dr. James Naismith nailed up some peach baskets.1 This is true, of course, but in recent years there has been a shift that has seen the point guard position become increasingly important. A terrifyingly deep talent pool has only magnified the impact of the floor general. The Sacramento Kings have managed to nab one of the League’s most talented and promising young players at each of these two positions. In Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins, they have a duo that is improving on a nightly basis. “With Isaiah and DeMarcus, they have those two positions in the NBA you’re always trying to find,” says former Kings head coach Keith Smart. “The point guard who can give you something every night and a big guy who can give you something every night. Now, you start building around them.”2 While the two are continuing to learn how to maximize the benefits from playing alongside one another, the paths3 that led Cousins and Thomas to Sacramento couldn’t have been any more different. Cousins wears his professional athlete status everywhere his 6-11, 270-pound frame chooses to go. He cannot slip into any room unannounced, nor was he ever able to blend in with the crowd. It has been like this for him since adolescence. Also with him since high school was the belief and expectation that he would make it to the NBA. It would be hard to fault anyone for placing such a natural expectation upon a high schooler4 when he was Cousins. His talent demanded it. Sitting at a table for media availability the day before the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins was calm and collected and ready as ever to explain why he was the player NBA teams should build around. With a measured tone, Cousins said what others wondered silently. "I'm the best player in the draft,”5 Cousins said. "I believe I'm the most dominant. I believe, out of this draft, I'm the biggest game changer. Just the best talent.” To watch him for even a quarter is to know the unassailability of that self-assessment. And it makes it easy to see why the Kings selected Cousins with the fifth overall pick, despite questions surrounding his leadership and maturity. That physically imposing frame—the one that makes bystanders double-take whenever he walks by outside of a basketball arena— also makes opponents think twice about heading into the paint to get tangled with him. It’s the first thing you take note of on the floor, but Cousins has it all. The ability to run the floor like a guard, seeming to shape-shift on the fly, court vision paired with passing ability and the hands that leave coaches and teammates wondering what/how that just happened.6 060

Heady D and His Boy With DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas as franchise cornerstones, the Sacramento Kings are looking to be royal again. BY HOLLY MACKENZIE #32

061 ROCKY WIDNER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

“I honestly don’t think he understands right now how good he can be,” says Thomas. “That’s what’s scary about the potential that he has. He’s so good and can improve7 so much with the talent that he has. Since I've been in the League I’ve said it: I believe he’s the most talented big there is in the NBA.” While Cousins was a fifth pick widely regarded as the most talented player in the draft, Thomas was a different story. The undersized guard had to convince teams and general managers he was even worth using a draft pick on. Despite three successful years at the University of Washington, Thomas went through his predraft process with a chip the size of a boulder on his shoulder as he tried to prove he could play on the pro level. Unlike Cousins, who looks the part of professional basketball player from 94 feet away, Thomas at 5-9 stands shorter than some of the talent evaluators gauging his NBA prospects. His ceiling was considered to be fellow University of Washington alum Nate Robinson,8 a reserve guard that could score in bunches. One year after the Kings selected Cousins to pair with former Rookie of the Year winner Tyreke Evans, they selected Thomas with the 30th pick in the second round. Thomas, the starting point guard for the Kings, was the last player selected in the 2011 draft. Taking a flier on the talented guard from Tacoma, the Kings had no idea that he would become the most productive point guard of the 2011 class outside of top pick Kyrie Irving.9 “People always ask me about the draft and being the last pick but it’s more than that to me,” says Thomas. “After the draft no one was the No. 1 pick, no one was the last pick anymore. When the games started, that went out the window. I don't think about it much, I just go out there and try to put a stamp on each game.” Always having to prove his place on the court left Thomas wired to light up whomever he faced each night. Cousins never had to prove his talent, but did need to show he could keep his emotions in check to remain on the floor when his team needed him most. Together, the two are learning how to be leaders of an NBA team, while also figuring out how strong of a 1-2 punch they can be. “We’re still learning,” says Thomas. “Everything’s a process, but we’re comfortable with each other. We’re learning where he likes to get the ball, where I like to get pick-and-rolls set at. It’s fun playing with a guy so talented like that. It takes a lot of pressure off myself.” 062 ROCKY WIDNER (2); LAYNE MURDOCH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Cousins was rewarded for his talent in September when the Kings committed their future to him, signing him to a four-year, $62 million deal. “He’s a very loyal guy,” says Smart. “If he’s on your side, he’s on your side. He’s going to give you what he has.” Thomas is only in his third year in the NBA, but he is proving himself to be one of the best young point guards in the League, averaging better than 20 points and six assists per contest. Each still has so much room to grow. “Teams aren’t just focusing on me, they’re focusing on him and it makes the game a lot easier for me,” says Thomas. “When you have a talented big like that, [who] can not just post up, but can dribble the ball, pass the ball and also shoot the midrange jumper, it makes it a lot easier for me.” While a Google image search of Thomas brings up photo after photo of the guard with a smile plastered across his face, doing the same for Cousins results in a collection of, well, not smiles. Thomas laughs when he is asked about the intensity Cousins brings to the court each day, and divulges that Cousins is much different than his interactions with the media would have one believe. “His competitive nature gets him a little bit on the court, but his teammates like him, they respect him,” says Smart. “He’s a jokester. He’ll be walking up and down the plane, having fun with guys.” Thomas echoed Smart’s words. “He’s a funny guy, always cracking jokes,10 always talking. He doesn’t really shut up. You guys see the side of him where he’s angry all the time on the court. That’s just how he plays with his emotions on his sleeve. When he’s off the court he’s 100 percent the opposite of what he is on the court.” As a player signed with the Kings through 2018 and the face of the franchise, Sacramento would be happy to know Thomas described his pick-and-roll partner as a great teammate. “He’s someone you want to be around,” says Thomas. “He’s someone that lights up a room.”11 As Cousins works to show he can be depended on and his temper can be kept in check, Thomas is working to show he can transition from explosive scorer12 to a reliable leader of an NBA team. “I’m still learning how to do it and how to pick and choose my spots,” says Thomas. “Learning when to be aggressive for myself and when to

063 ROCKY WIDNER; BILL BAPTIST/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

get others involved because it can be tough. It’s something I’m gradually getting better at, but it’s something I’ll be learning my whole career.” While the learning curve has been a steep one for Thomas, his dedication to watching film and studying his opponents has helped speed up the process. “The more years you get [under your belt], the easier it gets because you understand what players are doing, how they’re guarding you and just what you can get,” says Thomas. “It’s a learning process, but it’s also fun. I’m a student of the game. I love to learn, I love to watch other point guards in the NBA and try to take pieces of their game and put them into mine.” Growing up using Nate Robinson, Damon Stoudamire and Allen Iverson13 as inspiration, Thomas is now getting used to the next crop of undersized guards telling him he is their role model. It isn’t a responsibility

he takes lightly. “To switch positions and be the guy that other little guys look up to, that’s a blessing from God,” says Thomas.” I just want everybody to know that anything is possible if you put your mind to something and work as hard as possible, as hard as you can, to get whatever you want to get in life. Your dreams can come true because each and every day I’m living my dream of playing in the NBA.” “Being the only guard under 6-foot to be a starting point guard in the NBA right now,14 it’s a blessing from God and I definitely don’t take itfor granted.” While Thomas and Cousins had different paths into the NBA, there is a common thread that ties them together. “Both are competitors,” says Smart. “Both want to win. Both have that

PAST MEETS PRESENT: CHRIS WEBBER AND JASON WILLIAMS It’s been awhile since the Sacramento Kings have had a point guard/big man combo like Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins. As Cousins and Thomas attempt to bring the Kings back to the height of the Chris Webber/Jason Williams glory days, it’s fun to compare the two duos but important not to lose sight of the fact that the two are indeed quite different. Sure, Webber and Cousins are both extremely skilled big men with great hands and the ability to run the floor, but Thomas and Williams are on opposite ends of the point guard spectrum. The transition from reserve scorer to starting point guard has been Thomas’ main goal this season. Williams made his name —and career— off of his passes. Thomas is proving to be more than capable at running an NBA offense, but acknowledges that it is a new challenge for him and he’s learning to balance his scoring with assisting. Former Kings head coach Keith Smart discussed the differences between the two point guards in further detail. “He’s different than Thomas, because he was a passer,” Smart says of Williams. “He trusted the pass, but he was taller [than Thomas is]. Sometimes people will ask why he didn’t make a pass, but there’s a big difference trying to make great passes when you’re 5-9.” While Cousins can shoot, pass, score, and run the floor, Thomas is figuring out how to mesh both parts of his game together and meet the expectations of a starting point guard. One thing he does have in common with Williams, though? The ability to command the attention of his teammates. “Leadership and toughness, [Thomas] had those when he walked in the door,” says Smart. “He has that personality that a team will follow. People will gravitate toward him. He’s vocal, outgoing and has a big smile, but he’s the ultimate competitor when he plays.”—#32

064 DANNY BOLLINGER; ROCKY WIDNER; LAYNE MURDOCH JR./NBAE/GETTY IMAGES; JED JACOBSOHN/GETTY IMAGES SPORT

BONUS POINTS 1. Basketball was born when Naismith invented the game as a way to keep his students active during inclement weather. 2. The center-point guard tandem might be the most fruitful among NBA dynasties: Bill Russell/Bob Cousy; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Magic Johnson; Tim Duncan/Tony Parker. 3. Cousins hails from Mobile, Ala., while Thomas’ origins are Tacoma, Wash. 4. Cousins was selected to play in the 2009 McDonald’s All-American game; he scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. 5. In that draft, Kentucky teammate John Wall was the No. 1 overall pick. 6. Like another dominant big man, Shaquille O’Neal, before him, Cousins has flashed the ability to grab a rebound and lead the occasional fastbreak. 7. If things go accordingly, Cousins should notch his first 20-10 season this year. After 46 games, he was averaging 22.5 ppg and 11.7 rpg. 8. Thomas and Robinson are actually good friends. 9. At No. 1 overall, Irving was taken 59 picks before Thomas. 10. Before the season, Thomas and Cousins were locked in a Twitter “war,” with each player trading playful barbs and photos at each other’s expense. 11. Cousins has visited children in hospitals in Sacramento and lent efforts to the recovery after tornadoes ravaged his home state of Alabama. 12. On 1/19/14, Thomas notched his career-high in points with 38 against the Thunder, and then equalled that mark against the Pacers three games later. 13. All three were/are diminutive guards that stood under 6 feet, but scored big. 14. Thomas is almost right: Denver’s starting point guard Ty Lawson stands 5-11. 15. After his 18-week-old bulldog died as a result of a bee sting in 2012, Cousins paid tribute to it by writing “R.I.P. Roscoe” on his sneaker. 16. Cousins owns four pitbulls.

desire to be really good at their positions.” The rebuilding process is rarely easy. Since coming to Sacramento, each has had to adjust expectations and learn how to focus on the long-term rather than experience a roller coaster of emotion with each win or loss. Losing is tough and losing more than you’re winning is deflating and can weigh on even the most positive player. Still, Thomas refuses to allow the frustrations that can accompany the rebuilding process to let him lose sight of the situation he is in. “I love the game of basketball,” he says. “I try to keep a smile on my face each and every day no matter how good or bad it may seem with wins and losses. I try to be the same person each and every day and let my energy rub off onto everybody else because I know I’m blessed to be here and everybody isn’t fortunate enough to be in the situation I’m in.” While there are still lessons for Thomas to learn, his teammates are thankful he’s successfully mastered gratitude and the art of a much-needed assist. After spending a season and a half coaching Cousins, Smart stressed that the side of Cousins that is often highlighted during intense-game situations or terse interaction with media isn’t the only side, nor the one that his teammates see day to day. “He’s a pet lover,” says Smart. “He loves his dog.15 When you get someone that loves and has affection towards animals,16 that shows you that person has a heart that’s different. You have to care for something. I think that’s what he wants more than anything, to care for someone that’s unconditional. He’s trying to become that really good player, that solid teammate.” In the frustrating stretches of the season, it’s a genuine desire to become better that helps to keep things in perspective. And as the growth of Cousins and Thomas continues, so goes Sacramento’s championship hopes. 065 ROCKY WIDNER (2)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

COUNTING Putting a number on the duos of the League. 9

Compati bili Upside: ty: 10 5 Defens e: Offens 7 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 8 5 Defens e: Offens 10 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 8 2 Defens e: Offens 9 e: 9

6 5

1. CHRIS PAUL & BLAKE GRIFFIN

2. PAUL GEORGE & ROY HIBBERT

3. LEBRON JAMES & DWYANE WADE

With the growth of Griffn this season offensively and Paul remaining the elite point guard, the 1-2 shot of Paul/Griffn leapfrogs the competition. They complement each other, entertain the hell out of the crowd and are the reason why the Clippers have a good shot at a title.

Speaking on strictly defense, this pair would dominate the feld. If Hibbert can develop a dependable inside go-to move, we could see them become the best duo in the League.

A healthy Wade and this combination is every bit as formidable as Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen at turning defense into offense in spectacular fashion.

Compati bili Upside: ty: 7 7 Defens e: Offens 4 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 7 4 Defens e: Offens 6 e: 7

Compati bili Upside: ty: 8 7 Defens e: Offens 5 e:

7. DAMIAN LILLARD & LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE Lillard and Aldridge have come on strong this season as a duo to be reckoned with. Outside shooting is a strong suit with the two. If they can improve on inside scoring and defense, they can move up to the top fve.

066

8. STEPHEN CURRY & KLAY THOMPSON

9. MIKE CONLEY & ZACH RANDOLPH

When it comes to range and accuracy, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Curry/Thompson with everyone else fghting for a distant second place.

Had we paired Marc Gasol (missed action with injuries) with Conley, the Grizzlies combo would give George/Hibbert a good run defensively. Still, you can't discount the dependable rebounding and scoring that Randolph brings alongside Conley's underrated point guard game.

NOAH GRAHAM; RON HOSKINS; JESSE D. GARRABRANT; SAM FORENCICH; ROCKY WIDNER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES; KEVIN C. COX/GETTY IMAGES SPORT

IN TWOS 10 9

Compati bili Upside: ty: 7 7 Defens e: Offens 7 e:

Compati bili 1 Upside: ty: 10 1 Defens e: Offens 7 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 8 7 Defens e: Offens 6 e:

They’re no longer the thoroughbreds they once were, but don’t overlook this championshiptested duo who’ve had the most games played together. As they showed in last year’s playoffs, in a seven-game series, they are still every bit as dangerous.

Once Westbrook can prove he’s over any concerns with his knee, this pair jumps to the top of the list and maintains their lofty perch for the rest of the decade.

Compati bili Upside: ty: 7 8 Defens e: Offens 5 e:

If Howard can be more the free throw shooter that Harden is, and if Harden could be more the defender Howard is, this pairing would go up as high as No. 1 as they’re a deadly combination on the pick-and-roll.

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 4 Defens e: Offens 3 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 7 Defens e: Offens 6 e:

6. DWIGHT HOWARD & JAMES HARDEN

5. TONY PARKER & TIM DUNCAN

4. KEVIN DURANT & RUSSELL WESTBROOK

3 7

10. DEMARCUS COUSINS & ISAIAH THOMAS This is a percolating pair worthy of League Pass views as they have great potential to break into the top duos. The only thing that stands in the way is Thomas’ size on defense and Cousins improving his shot selection and temper.

11. DIRK NOWITZKI & MONTA ELLIS

12. DEMAR DEROZAN & KYLE LOWRY

Ellis has been a pleasant surprise in Dallas and ft in better than some predicted. Individually or as a pair, the two will give up points, but they can just as easily get it back on the other end.

It was supposed to be a year of rebuilding and looking forward to the upcoming draft, but the Toronto backcourt has surprised and kept them in playoff contention. DeRozan has gained confdence as a scorer and playmaker while Lowry has fnally found a home in Toronto and is rewarding them with a career season.

ROCKY WIDNER (3); ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES; CHRISTIAN PETERSEN; SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES SPORT

067

Compati bili 1 Upside: ty: 8 1 Defens e: 5 Offens e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 3 Defens e: Offens 5 e: 6

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 2 Defens e: Offens 7 e:

6 5

13. KOBE BRYANT & PAU GASOL

14. JOAKIM NOAH & CARLOS BOOZER

15. DERON WILLIAMS & JOE JOHNSON

During their back-to-back title run, the Bryant/ Gasol pairing was as good as any in basketball. They played well off one another and operated the triangle to perfection.

Derrick Rose would’ve made any Bulls pair better, but as it stands, the Bulls have to rely on their frontcourt of Noah and Boozer to eke out wins. Noah inspires with his heart and hustle, especially on the defensive end. Boozer is not as bad as some make him out to be on defense and is still a reliable scorer.

Injuries to Williams and advancing age in Johnson (he’s mostly a jump shooter) doesn’t leave much potential in this pair.

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 5 Defens e: Offens 5 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 7 8 Defens e: Offens 6 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 7 8 Defens e: Offens 4 e:

16. CARMELO ANTHONY & TYSON CHANDLER Last season, Anthony and Chandler looked like a solid Gotham duo, but Chandler hasn’t looked the same defensively, which in turn exposes more of Anthony’s shortcomings on D. Melo scores in bunches. A good thing, since Chandler hardly ranges beyond his layup or dunk.

068

17. KEVIN LOVE & RICKY RUBIO

18. JOHN WALL & BRADLEY BEAL

This has been billed as the next coming of Karl Malone and John Stockton, but it has not quite come to fruition, largely because of Rubio’s inconsistency.

The potential for this backcourt is high. We might be getting ahead of ourselves to make comparisons to Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe or Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, but that’s how talented the DC duo is. In time, this could be a very high-scoring backcourt.

HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES SPORT; GARY DINEEN (2); NATHANIEL S. BUTLER; DAN LIPPITT; GLENN JAMES; NED DISHMAN; LAYNE MURDOCH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 8 Defens e: Offens 8 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 7 8 Defens e: Offens 7 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 6 Defens e: Offens 5 e:

6 5

19. ANDRE DRUMMOND & GREG MONROE Twin towers setups are not groundbreaking (Hakeem Olajuwon/Ralph Sampson, Patrick Ewing/Bill Cartwright), but have mostly been short-lived. The 23-year-old Monroe and the 20-year-old Drummond have youth on their side. Individually, each has fashed potential. It’s only a matter of playing alongside each other.

20. KYRIE IRVING & LUOL DENG

21. ANTHONY DAVIS & ERIC GORDON

The problem in Cleveland has been fnding a suitable partner for Irving. It seems like it’s been a nonstop audition to fnd a mate for the All-NBA-caliber point guard. Deng is still getting used to Irving, but being a glue guy and having played with a great PG before, it could work.

Davis was expected to make a jump in his second year and with his All-Star selection, he didn’t disappoint. Gordon was supposed to be the high-scoring sidekick, but he’s regressed a bit.

Compati bili Upside: ty: 5 4 Defens e: Offens 5 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 7 Defens e: Offens 6 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 5 2 Defens e: Offens 5 e: 5

25. KEMBA WALKER & AL JEFFERSON

26. TREY BURKE & GORDON HAYWARD

27. JAMEER NELSON & ARRON AFFLALO

Walker is a mile-a-minute guard, while Jefferson prefers a more plodding style where he gets fed in the post.

Hayward is having another year of improvement, showing fashes of all-around brilliance with his 16-5-5 numbers. In Burke, the Jazz might have found their point guard for the next decade.

Despite the Magic being in rebuilding mode, the team is still relying on the only player left from its Finals appearance in 2009, Nelson and journeyman Affalo to teach the young roster.

070

NATHANIEL S. BUTLER; NOAH GRAHAM; ROCKY WIDNER (2); SCOTT CUNNINGHAM; BARRY GOSSAGE (2)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 6 Defens e: Offens 4 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 5 5 Defens e: Offens 5 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 5 5 Defens e: Offens 5 e: 7

6 5

22. TY LAWSON & WILSON CHANDLER

23. PAUL MILLSAP & JEFF TEAGUE

24. GORAN DRAGIC & GERALD GREEN

Lawson is still a tough-nosed guard who is diffcult to bottle up, but he hasn’t found a complement on the Nuggets. One day it’s Chandler, another day it’s someone else, making it that much harder for the 5-11 Lawson.

A largely unknown pair, the Hawks’ duo has kept Atlanta in the thick of the East despite the loss of Al Horford. Millsap seemed to develop a three-point shot overnight, while Teague has suddenly lost his touch.

Dragic was one of the best players to not be selected as an All-Star and has done a pretty good impression of longtime Suns favorite Steve Nash in Phoenix. Dragic was supposed to be paired with Eric Bledsoe had it not been for a bum knee, but Green has flled in admirably, especially in the dunk department.

Compati bili Upside: ty: 6 6 Defens e: Offens 6 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 5 5 Defens e: Offens 6 e:

Compati bili Upside: ty: 3 5 Defens e: Offens 3 e: 5

4 5

28. MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS & THADDEUS YOUNG On a roster that many thought would challenge futility records, MCW and TY have been standouts. Carter-Williams has proven that his all-around game can overcome his lack of shooting while Young (a solid performer throughout his seven seasons) is having a career year scoring the ball.

29. RAJON RONDO & JEFF GREEN

30. BRANDON KNIGHT & OJ MAYO

Rondo is still getting his sea legs after ACL surgery. Rondo at 100 percent would make any partner better. For Green, a top-fight point guard would aid in making his game more consistent.

The Bucks are in disarray and it’s refected in their backcourt mates who are both new to the team and each other. No surprise poor shooting and turnovers have been a result.

KENT SMITH; MELISSA MAJCHRZAK; FERNANDO MEDINA (2); STEVE BABINEAU (2)' GARY DINEEN; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES; CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES SPORT

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CHECKIT 74 SPIN MOVES 76 GAME ON 78 GOODS 80 GEAR 84 WEAR

SPEAK EASY

Standalone speakers are typically rectangular pieces of equipment that enable music to sound good, or at least an improvement on the stock amplifcation from the smartphones, tablets or other portable devices that our music is increasingly consumed from. While simple in concept, many speakers fall short in either form or function. Rare is the one that checks off both boxes like the Wren V5 (more on page 78).

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Giannis Antetokounmpo

There isn’t a rookie in the League with more interest surrounding him than Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. The same can probably be said for his potential, too. Whether it’s his hands, measuring out to just shy of 15-inches long, a 7-foot-3 wingspan to complement his 6-10 frame (the 19-year-old has grown over an inch since being drafted by the Bucks last June), or the way he can cover the court in the blink of an eye, everything about Antetokounmpo is intriguing. It doesn’t hurt that he has embraced every part of his first year in the NBA with an unabashed excitement that feels like a breath of fresh air. Moving from little-used rookie at the beginning of the season to a semi-regular starter by its midway point, Antetokounmpo is turning heads around the League, earning respect from his teammates in Milwaukee and growing his fan base worldwide with each tweet.

AS TOLD TO HOLLY MACKENZIE #32

TV SHOWS/MOVIES

I don’t really watch TV, I just watch movies. I watched yesterday, Lone Survivor. It’s a new movie and it’s a really nice movie. It’s about… the war in Afghanistan. [My favorite movie is] Coming to America, with Eddie Murphy. (Asked which actor would play him in a movie with which leading lady: “Will Smith and Halle Berry.”)

VIDEOGAMES

NBA 2K14 on PS4. I play myself on there and it’s fun to do that.

TECH

I call [family] on the phone. They call me, they call me on Skype. They’re eight hours ahead. They’re very excited and happy, and after every game, I get messages from my mother. (Ed Note: Antetokounmpo’s family recently relocated to Milwaukee from Greece. His older brother, Thanasis, is currently playing for the Delaware 87ers, while his parents and two younger brothers are now in Milwaukee with him.)

FAVORITE MUSIC

Pop, hip-hop. I listen to anything. Nothing pregame, though.

DOWNTIME

SOCIAL MEDIA

@G_ante34 on Twitter, giannis_ante34 on Instagram

I like to watch movies. The other thing you can do in every city you go is try to learn the city—see things, go around, walk, bike. I usually do that alone. Over Christmas, with my brother, we watched movies, went bowling and played pool.

CURRENT OBSESSION Smoothie King

074 ILLUSTRATION: MATT CANDELA;

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GAME ON

BY ALEX BRACETTI #44

The 10 Best Next-Gen Games

NBA 2K14

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Forza Motorsport 5

NBA Live 14

2K Sports

Activision

Microsoft

Electronic Arts

Available for: PS4 and Xbox One

Available for: Xbox One

Available for: PS4 and Xbox One

Visual Concepts carries over the remarkable gameplay featured on its current-gen versions and mates it with astonishing nextgen visuals unmatched by any sports title out there. Step onto the court with any NBA team or play Euroleague ball with 14 teams, while admiring the realistic animations of the players and stadiums.

Infinity Ward delivers the most immersive Call of Duty title to date supported by a difficult, lengthy campaign and robust multiplayer modes that encourage squadbased carnage. Marvel over astonishing graphics and blazing firefights taking place on land, underwater, or in space. Dynamic online maps remain the heart of the series.

Titanfall

inFAMOUS: Second Son

Killzone: Shadow Fall

MLB 14: The Show

Electronic Arts

Sony

Available for: Xbox One

Available for: PS4

What makes this multiplayer-only title the most anticipated next-gen shooter? How about pitting gamers in a man vs. mech warzone filled with awesome gameplay elements and killer deathmatch modes. Execute unique abilities like running up walls as a pilot or utilize vortex blockers to repel gunfire when sitting in a Titan. We’re sold.

Sucker Punch’s third-person superhero game combines high-octane action with a humorously wild storyline featuring a graffiti artist bearing superpowers, who’s also labeled a bio-terrorist by the Department of Unified Protection. Set off nuclear bomblike attacks in large-scaled destructive environments on the quest to restore peace in the locked-down hell of Seattle.

Every console launch warrants a killer app, and for the PS4, it’s clearly Shadow Fall. Developer Guerilla Games creates an immersive warzone filled with diversely stunning landscapes and smoother, wellexecuted action unprecedented in previous entries. A rich multiplayer experience offers more entertainment and higher frame rates than the single-player campaign.

Backed by an enhanced graphics engine, newly intuitive player creation system, and pre-draft prospect showcase, Sony pitches the most authentic baseball game to date. This year’s version now offers yearto-year saves so you won’t have to start Franchise or Road to the Show seasons from scratch. Batter up!

Not exactly the comeback season we expected from EA’s basketball series, Live 14 does introduce updated control mechanics that show promise in future outings. Spearheading the baller experience is the new BounceTek dribbling system, which improves ball handling and lets players pull off crossovers and signature moves by the NBA’s best.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Dead Rising 3

Konami

Available for: Xbox One

Available for: PS4 and Xbox One

The third title in Capcom’s other zombieapocalyptic franchise takes action-horror to new levels of absurdity—presenting a massive open-world flooded with more zombies, loonier hijinks, and the wildest weapons customization system ever created. Drag in a second player via multiplayer to eliminate the threat and increase your chances of survival.

Ground Zeroes serves as a prologue to the upcoming Phantom Pain—set in the mid-’70s where Big Boss infiltrates Cuban soil to rescue key characters. Explore a stunningly designed open world where employing brutal stealth tactics and gunfire is a survival must, leading to the re-transformation of the Big Boss character.

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Car purists can live out racing fantasies on the Xbox One exclusive, jumping in the driver seat of over 200 amazingly designed supercars. Superior handling makes it possible to drive harder across tracks, where as multiplayer invites players to accelerate their experience levels with tokens through special races.

Capcom

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CHECK IT

GOODS

Wren Sound Systems V5

At about the size of your thumbnail, the Atom exaggerates on its name, but makes good on the amount it can hold. While miniscule in size (we really recommend tethering it on some kind of lanyard lest you risk losing it) the Atom flash drive can store 32 GB of data and transfer it quickly, thanks to its USB 3.0 interface which can reach up to 5 GB per second, 10 times faster than the previous USB 2.0 spec.

As the lines between laptops and tablets continue to get blurred, the Flip 11 finds home in the gray area between the devices. In a none-too-subtle move, the casing “splits” down the rear of the display, allowing the Flip to convert from traditional laptop with full keyboard to a Windows 8-running tablet—albeit a somewhat thick and heavy (2.8 pounds) one. The body is all brushed aluminum (as is the back of the display) and also comes available in 13, 14 and 15-inch sizes.

There are few speakers in the marketplace that can hit the modern/future/retro aesthetic like the V5. The clean silver grill of the front satisfies every tech enthusiast while the bamboo finish on the on the top and back in a leaf-shaped profile will please any fan of modern and retro design (the bottom is a functional rubber piece that serves as an anti-slip anchor). Setup is a breeze (the V5 is available for AirPlay [Apple] or PlayFi [Android]) on your WiFi network (there’s also a 3.5mm audio jack in rear). The V5 has good range; high notes and midrange were crisp and gave the music life. Bass-heavy tracks might give it some trouble, but not enough to dissuade you from this almost perfect speaker that packs high-end sound and design into an affordable package.

$24.99

$799

$399

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Mushkin Atom

Sony Vaio Flip 11

Soma Water Filter

Born of Kickstarter funds, the Soma water filter is an elegant replacement to the plastic pitchers with filters destined for the landfill. The elegant hourglass-shaped glass carafe makes it a showpiece, and the biodegradable filter inside (made of vegan silk, coconut and PLA food-based plastic) can be tossed into your compost bin, with a replacement filter delivered to your doorstep at the end of its lifespan (every 60 days) for $12.99.

WHERE TO BUY: Soma water filter: drinksoma.com; Stadler Form Robert: stadlerform.ch; Nest Protect: nest.com; Sony Vaio Tap 11: store.sony.com; Mushkin Atom: poweredbymushkin.com; Wren Sound V5: wrensound. com; LG G Flex: tmobile.com

LG G Flex

On the heels of its successful and covetable Thermostat, Nest (recently purchased by Google) is making the natural segue into your home with the Protect, a “smart” combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector. Like the Nest, the Protect can link up wirelessly with your home network and through the free Nest app, and be synced and controlled via your smartphone or other portable web device. Each additional Protect (every home should have multiple smoke and carbon monoxide detectors) can communicate with one another once linked on the same network. When smoke or carbon monoxide danger is detected, a voice will warn you of what and where the danger is coming from. Silencing the alarm requires just a wave of the hand, but we found that pressing the button is assuredly more effective.

Smartphones have gone through many improvements and changes over the past 10 years, but the silhouette has largely remained the same: rectangular and flat. As the name suggests, the G Flex is a curveball, literally a curved (an optimized curvature of 700mm) faced phone that makes talking into one more natural with the contours of the human face. Not satisfied with bending it like Beckham, the power switch and volume toggles sit on the rear of the phone (taken from LG’s G2). Speaking of the back, the Android-based G Flex also sports a first-for-smartphones self-healing finish (this coating was previously used on cars) that will “heal” itself like Wolverine from superficial scratches and blemishes (think keys and coins sharing space with the Flex; not knives or skidding across the pavement). From our tests, it works as billed. Minor scratches magically disappear before eyes (it works better in higher temperatures). We thought the 6-inch large screen would make for a more immersive media experience, but it wasn’t noticeable, while the G Flex’s curve does make for more ergonomic phone calls (no more moving the phone in front of your face to “shout” into the mic).

$130

$672 (or $28 per month over two years)

$649.99

$49 05

Nest Protect

Stadler Form Robert

Resembling your subwoofer, the Robert is an air cleaner and humidifier wrapped into a design-conscious package. An internal spinning wheel catches the dust, pet dander and other aerial particles from the air and the rear 1-gallon water tank disperses moisture. There are no additional consumable filters to buy and the enclosed silver ion cube in the unit keeps mold and other germs at bay. The touchscreen controls on top are easy to navigate and the Robert makes a perfect housemate since it runs whisper quiet.

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CHECK IT

Adidas

GEAR

D Rose 4.5 Price: $140 Weight: 12.75 oz. The collar features GeoFit for a customized molded fit to the ankle. Like the D Rose 4, the 4.5 utilizes SprintFrame construction, but the materials were modified a bit. Mesh panels around the SprintWeb open up the side panels for more ventilation.

Doing away with the embossed D Rose logo from the 4, the 4.5 features a metallic logo that is glued onto the ankle.

New to the 4.5 is the metallic dubray with ROSE type on one side and D Rose logo on the flipside.

The heel counter remains unchanged, serving to lock the rear of the foot.

OUR TAKE: It’s disappointing that Derrick Rose will not be wearing his midseason signature model update as the D Rose 3 and 4 (and their point-5 updates) have been two of the best shoes in the series. Being an excellent on-court shoe (we reviewed it in our Nov/Dec 2013 issue), adidas wisely didn’t make too many tweaks on the D Rose 4. The basics of the 4 are carried over—the midsole/outsole combination, heel counter and GeoFit ankle collar, along with SprintWeb and SprintFrame—but the upper was just slightly modified. Performance-wise it didn’t change much, but from a fit perspective, the 4.5 feels a little more conformed to the foot since the new SprintWeb pattern cradles the foot more. The mesh side panels provide some much needed ventilation, but came at the cost of the toe box perforations that were on the 4. Curiously, the 4.5 added two ounces of weight, but at 12.75 ounces, it’s still a very light shoe. Guards will undoubtedly appreciate the D Rose 4.5. Its lightweight and low profile ride, combined with the responsive outsole, make for a killer performance sneaker for a player seeking speed.

Cushioning on the 4.5 remains untouched, a combination of EVA midsole and adiPrene.

The biggest update to the shoe is on the upper. The D Rose 4.5 uses a new hybrid skin of mesh and synthetic material with SprintWeb technology.

A carryover from the D Rose 4 and adidas’ Crazyquick, the outsole remains unchanged.

Kickin It with Nick Young There’s something fitting about a player known as much for his fashion choices as his on-court game playing in Los Angeles. If ever there was a player meant to play in Hollywood, that player is Lakers guard Nick Young. The 28-year-old California native and USC alum has bounced around the NBA during his seven seasons in the League, but welcomed an opportunity to suit up for his hometown Lakers this year. Things have been dreary in La-La Land this season. Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash have missed most of the season, and Pau Gasol, Xavier Henry and Jordan Farmar have traded time off as well. In a season of strangeness for the Lakers, Young has been the player to bring excitement to the court and flashiness off of it. Known for wearing well-known classics and stop-you-in-your-tracks customs alike, Young’s collection has a little of everything. We recently caught up with him to talk about his kicks game.

What’s the most important thing a game shoe has to have for you to be able to choose it?

How do you choose what you’re going to wear in a game?

I see what my young fella DeMar [DeRozan] is doing. He’s always got different J’s on every game. Oh, man, he’s got a nice collection. The whole team up here [in Toronto] really be doing it big. The red and black color scheme works with everything. Nate Robinson, he does his thing. Monta Ellis, too. There’s a lot of people.

Just got to feel it, you know? I go through them with my “shoe keeper” [laughs] and he’ll talk it through with me. I see the response I get from him. That’s the fun part, I enjoy going out there in a different pair of shoes every game.

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Still gotta be comfortable. They’ve got to have a lot of grip because I don’t want to get out there slipping and falling all over the place trying to move.

You wore a pair of custom purple patent leather Jordan 11s in the Christmas game. Would those be your favorite pair you’ve worn this year? Ahh, I liked them but they were slippery so I had to change them at half. They were probably the best ones I’ve had this year, besides the Kobes. I just love the Kobes. I love playing in Kobes.

Which players around the League are you checking to see what they’re wearing?

Reebok

Pump Revenge The internal sockliner is easily removable so custom orthotics can easily be incorporated.

Price: $129.99 Weight: 14.25 oz.

3D FuseFrame construction is similar to parent company adidas’ SprintFrame which gives the shoe intergrity while shedding weight.

The iconic Pump air bladder system gives the shoe a custom snug fit.

The mesh on the lateral side panel (perforations are used in the medial side) and tongue for ventilation.

OUR TAKE: Sticking with Reebok’s formula this season, the Pump Revenge is another update to a popular legacy model for the brand, the Shaq Attaq. Of the “remixes” Reebok has done (the Q96, Pumpspective Omni), the Pump Revenge might be the best. It follows the Shaq Attaq’s lines, but uses newer, lighter materials, 3D FuseFrame construction and mesh panels to update it. The toe box remains the same, as does the tongue. Reebok did drop the cut of the shoe to a mid and inserted DMX Foam for performance reasons. Performance-wise, the Pump Revenge has its highlights and things we wish could be improved. The herringbone outsole provides great traction and the outsole was extended on the medial forefoot side to provide more responsive toe-offs in both directions. We do wish the outsole had more flex though. As for cushioning, DMX Foam is a nice addition, but we think it could use some more. The spongy and thin removable sockliner is lacking, and although it could easily be swapped out for something aftermarket. At $130, though, it could been better out of the box.

DMX Foam in the midfoot provides cushioning.

What were your all-time favorite shoes growing up? Growing up, when I was a kid, it was MJ. Jordans, always. Any Jordans, and probably the Deions [Deion Sanders’ Nike Air Diamond Turf].

Now that you’re in the League, what is it like to be able to go get any pair of shoes you want, or to have them delivered to your door when you decide you need to have them? It’s still fun. Some shoes that I can’t find and I just get lucky on, I still get really excited about. I can’t wait to get them. The Christmas ones were exciting for me. I thought, “Uh oh, I’m about to kill ’em with these.” I laid them out, already had them all planned and I was just ready for everybody to see them and see what everybody was going to say.

Would you say shoes are an extension of the whole fashion package you’ve got going on? It’s my whole thing. Swaggy P. My shoes is my swag. —Holly MacKenzie #32

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CHECK IT GEAR CHECK

Fit to Wear

Basketball requires conditioning to stay in tip-top shape all season long. With wearables becoming the hottest trend in fitness tech, ballers now have the luxury of maximizing workout efficiency, while keeping up their high-profile appearances during practices. And you can fit right into the lineup by rocking these body-worn gadgets on the court to help track your conditioning and progress.

03 05

Nike+ Fuelband

$150

Fitness trackers remain the must-own wearable at the moment with Nikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next-gen FuelBand playing trendsetter to the movement. Combining style with substance, the smart band carries over most of the features from its predecessor and introduces upgrades in the form of Bluetooth 4.0 for seamless data synchronization and longer battery life. The Sessions feature oversees workout activity, whereas Nike+ Groups will link you with others to compete and collaborate on meeting health goals. The black PVD-coated design and stainless steel frame help ensure waterproof protection in highlight-reel fashion. 03 01

Spree Headband

$300

No one sweats harder than a baller. Revisit the archives and watch Patrick Ewing at the foul line for proof. The Spree makes use of the precipitation dripping from your dome by analyzing it to keep tabs on temperature, burnt calories, distance, heart rate, speed, and more. Data can be transferred from the headband to a computer via USB cord, which opens the lane to customize workouts and evaluate training goals. Its water-resistant design protects the eyes from any streamed sweat as well. 082

Skulpt Aim

$150 - $200

Distinguishing body muscle from fat is harder than draining a halfcourt shot. But for the baller looking to stay toned up all season long, the Skulpt Aim serves as a digital wingman. The handheld device measures muscle quality from key body areas (abs, biceps, triceps, and thighs) with 12 electrodes and syncs the collected data onto a personal online dashboard, which displays accomplished goals, body-fat percentage, and more. Placing it near muscle tissue informs users workout progress.

Push Band

$149

Physical strength holds serious weight on the hardwood. Here is a hi-tech bicep strap made to assess your strengths and weaknesses at the gym. It tracks lifting exercises by monitoring balance, speed and tempo, along with forceful lifts and reps. The Kickstarter-funded project even optimizes workouts by contributing analytical insight such as loss of stamina after a number of sets and switching off weights to minimize the chance of injury. Compare metrics with others by sharing results on Facebook or Twitter.

BY ALEX BRACETTI #44 08

Razer Nabu

$100 06

Under Armour Armour39 Module and Chest Strap $100

LG Heart Rate Earphones

est. $180 Basketball requires intense cardiac output. So rather than strapping a heart-rate monitor to your chest during treadmill runs or suicide drills, LG’s created a pair of earbuds that measures metabolic rate and maximum oxygen consumption, while making it possible to hear music simultaneously. Adding to its wide feature set is an accelerometer that measures a wide range of biometric data from calories burned to distances walked. Let’s not forget these are actual headphones, ones engineered to deliver hi-fi sound and screen phone calls on the go.

The sports apparel specialists step outside of their comfort zone and enter the wearable field with this performance monitor, which focuses solely on workouts and nothing more. Working in unision with your smartphone, the Armour39 straps around your chest and measures maximum heart rate, recovery rate, and ventilatory threshold before Under Armour even begins the number crunching process. It also tracks heart rate and workout intensity levels. 07

Reebok Checklight

$150 Concussions remain the biggest concern in professional sports. While the NBA has a protocol in place off the court, the League has no in-game solution made available for players. Reebook carries the solution. Its head-impact monitor bears multiple sensors capable of collecting data milliseconds before, during, and after collisions to the head. Severity of impact is determined with a green, yellow, or red light located on the back of the skullcap.

Razer managed to take the functionality of a smartwatch and squeeze it into a fitness tracker—offering more data, notifications, and built-in gesture controls than any other digital wristband. Standard attributes like calories burned and steps taken are present, but it’s in the Nabu’s productivity features where the device proves its all-star status. The social wearable flaunts dual screens, a small LED that displays public icons and a larger LED for caller/messaging info. Not to mention it allows users to program gestures to active commands. Over 10,000 developers are signed up to create apps for it, meaning a huge selection of iOS and Androidcompatible programs are on the way. 09

Sensoria Smart Socks Bundle

$200 Some of the most common injuries in basketball are foot related. Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming would know best. Plantar fasciitis can really muck up greatness. These smart socks have textile sensors at the bottom that work with a Bluetooth anklet to provide real-time feedback for users no matter the activity. It sends alerts of improper foot techniques, along with activity progress such as steps taken, speed, tempo, and weight distribution. All data is viewable on any iPhone, Android, or Windows Phone 8 smartphone via dedicated mobile app. 083

CHECK IT 04

WEAR

Converse Aero Jam

Stance Fusion Basketball

Larry Johnson aka “Grandmama” made the Aero Jams famous 20 years ago and now they’re back. With the exception of React Juice cushioning found in the originals, everything remains intact: the leather upper, removable lace cover and the gradient color effect on the midsole. Also: They still pair well with a flowery granny dress.

Your on-court footwear may be on point, but it’s time to step your sock game up. SFB has the makings of a good performance sock— moisture management, traction, compression and cushioning—but let’s face it, they look boss, which ups your game from the bottom up.

$109.99

$18 (per pair)

adidas Originals

Part of its Blue Collection, this windbreaker and graphic tee (pictured inside windbreaker) combine classic pieces in the adidas heritage but mix in geometric prints, tech enrichments, rich textures, colors and modern tailoring.

adidas Originals Leopard Windbreaker

Adidas is showing off its wild side with leopard print around the pockets and 3-Stripes on the arm of this 100 percent polyamide ripstop windbreaker.

$95

Windbreaker: $130 T-Shirt: $45

adidas Originals Top Ten Hi “Cities Pack”

The Top Ten is back in a big way this year for adidas. They were given the name since they were originally designed for the top 10 ballers of the late ’70s, headlined by Rick Barry. The game has long since passed the Top Ten, but it remains a sneaker icon.

$100

03 06

New Balance CM1600

Part of the Elite Edition pack, this CM1600 is inspired by the vintage cars and posters of great world car races like Le Mans and Monaco. The luxurious materials and bold colors reflect the vibe and speed surrounding the races.

$129.95

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New Balance M996

For NB’s latest Made in USA collection, they drew inspiration from nature, specifically the splendor of the American National Parks. The collection draws from the green and brown forests, blue skies and lakes and the bright hues of nature that put the trail on your feet.

$150

Canada Goose Moraine Shell

As its name suggests, Canada Goose is more known for its arctic gear, but the Moraine Shell makes for a good transition piece for the changing seasons. The fully seam-sealed lightweight jacket is waterproof to ward off the spring rain and wind, and in combination with the four-way stretch fabric, this is a perfect solution for the active outdoor enthusiast.

$675 08 05

WHERE TO BUY: Converse Aero Jam: finishline.com; adidas Originals Top Ten “Cities” Pack, Leopard Tee, and Windbreaker, Blue Collection Windbreaker and T-Shirt: adidas. com; New Balance M996, CM1600: newbalance.com; Canada Goose Moraine Shell Jam: canada-goose.com; Reebok Blacktop Battleground: reebok.com; Stance Fusion Basketball: stance.com

adidas Originals Leopard T

The claws come out on this tee. The back of the shirt (pictured) features a brazen leoparded-out Trefoil while the bottom is dotted with a random pattern of dots and mini Trefoils.

Reebok Blacktop Battleground

$35

Reebok is continuing its dive into its archives with another stunner: the Blacktop Battleground. Older ‘heads can remember the tank-like hoop shoes that required you to “come strong or don’t come at all.” Those new to the game will appreciate the ’90s stylings of the Battleground.

$125

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CALL OUT

At 6-11 and 245 pounds, Minnesota’s Nikola Pekovic is a bear of a man. Here he is posing with one —albeit a slightly cuddlier one— and some kids during the Minnesota Timberwolves Fastbreak Foundation WolvesCare (in partnership with HopeKids) initiative that assists kids with life-threatening illnesses.

The Grizzlies bruising duo of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph welcome Charvis Brewer to the Grizzlies’ weight room as part of the Make a Wish Foundation.

DAVID SHERMAN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Two of the best power forwards in the game should know a thing or two about doing heavy lifting and boardwork. As evidenced by their power tool and lumber work during the NBA Cares Day of Service “PLAY” with KaBOOM during All-Star 2014, Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge prove that point.

JOE MURPHY/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Three-Point Contest champ Marco Belinelli shows he’s got a good stroke off the court as well, displaying a fluid touch with a paintbrush while working on a mural as part of NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service “LEARN” at the Joseph S. Clark High School in New Orleans. GARY DINEEN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

BILL BAPTIST/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Denver’s J.J. Hickson is at the head of the class at North High School in Denver to talk about Black History Month with students. GARRETT ELLWOOD/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Utah rookie Trey Burke addresses a huddle of children during a basketball clinic with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake. MELISSA MAJCHRZAK/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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STEP BACK

January 15, 2002: MCI Center, Washington Four games prior to this one, Michael Jordan became the fourth player in NBA history to reach the 30,000-point plateau. Jordan would ﬁnish his career with 32,292 points, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) in the 30K club. Last season, Kobe Bryant also notched the milestone, making it ﬁve players in the exclusive club.

This was the ﬁrst season back from his second retirement for Jordan and the ﬁrst as a member of the Washington Wizards.

David Robinson was the No. 1 pick in the 1987 NBA Draft but delayed his NBA debut for two seasons due to his active-duty obligation with the Naval Academy, which spawned the “Admiral” nickname.

Jordan and Duncan would meet again a month later at the 2002 All-Star Game. This was the rare time that Jordan is pictured without his trademark knee brace. Beginning early in his career, Jordan took to wearing a knee brace, often folded over once, below his left knee. It was a mainstay during his Chicago years, but it often disappeared as a Wizard.

It was Robinson’s 13th season in the NBA where he averaged 12.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

This was the last game of a torrid scoring stretch for Jordan where he averaged 31.4 points per game over seven games.

Robinson and Jordan were teammates on the legendary Dream Team in 1992.

The basketball gods blessed the San Antonio Spurs with another No. 1 overall pick, 10 years after the Robinson selection: Tim Duncan in the 1997 NBA Draft. The 2001-02 season was statistically Duncan’s best season as a pro. He averaged 25.5 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 3.7 apg and 2.5 bpg and went on to win his first MVP. Unfortunately, the Spurs got upended by the eventualchampion L.A. Lakers in five games in the West Semifinals.

Both Robinson and Duncan would win Rookie of the Year in their debut seasons, with Robinson taking home the 1989 honor while Duncan would win it in ’98. 088

Jordan averaged 22.9 ppg, the lowest mark of any season where he played the majority of games.

There are few photos of such accomplished players taken together on the court. Combined, Jordan, Robinson and Duncan have 12 NBA Championships, 8 MVPs, 9 Finals MVPs, 35 All-NBA and 31 AllDefensive selections.

The Air Jordan 17 was inspired by an Aston Martin and jazz music, and came enclosed in a metal carrying case along with a $200 retail price tag.

The Wizards’ starting ﬁve outscored the Spurs’ quintet 87-82, but managed just 4 points off the bench as the Spurs prevailed 96-91.

Jordan scored 20 points in the game, but struggled with his shot as he was just 5 of 21 from the ﬁeld. He made it up by getting to the line 16 times, sinking 10 of them.

GLENN JAMES/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

A CUT ABOVE SINCE 1994

Lightning struck every time Shawn Kemp stepped on the court. His larger than life persona set a new pace for basketball, and his groundbreaking athleticism inspired a shoe just as bold: The Kamikaze I. Shawn Kemp and The Kamikaze I, A Cut Above Since 1994.

The NBA identifications are NBA intellectual property. ÂŠ 2014 NBAE Photo by Rocky Widner / Getty Images

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