By Diara Fowler |Staff Writer| As the professional basketball season kicks off, many hopeful fans anxiously await, hoping their team making it to the National Basketball Association (NBA) finals this year. "Even though I grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, I've always been a fan of the Golden State Warriors as I have many family members up towards the Bay Area," said business major Arin Tanji. The Golden State Warriors began their 2016-2017 season with a 4-1 record. Holding hope and courage from their first four wins, they strive to make it back to the championships again this year. The Golden State Warriors finished their season in second place last year, making it to the … [Read more...] about NBA fantasy lineups and dream matchups
NBA
NBA: Trade Deadline
By Nathaniel Lastrapes |Staff Writer| The 2015 NBA trade deadline was the most active it had been in years, drastically changing the state of the league. The most sought-after player on the trading block was point guard Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns. Dragic is set to become a free agent after the 2014-15 season, where he will be a hot commodity while seeking a maximum contract from a team. The Slovenian point guard is averaging 16.3 points and 4.1 assists per game and he brings a plethora of intangible assets to his team. The evening prior to the deadline, Dragic made his intentions of leaving the Suns during free agency clear, forcing the organization's hand to trade him … [Read more...] about NBA: Trade Deadline
NBA All Star weekend
By Emmanuel Valadez |Staff Writer| The 2015 NBA All Star Weekend and it was one to remember for many years. NBA All Star Weekend is a weekend-long festival that occurs once a year, and it gives all of the players and coaching staff of the NBA an opportunity to rest during the grueling season. The festival consisted of several events and special performances by famous artists such as Ariana Grande, Christina Aguilera, and Nicki Minaj. This year's All Star Weekend took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Three-Point and Slam Dunk contests were two very popular events this year. The Three-Point contest had some of the best shooters in years, such as … [Read more...] about NBA All Star weekend
Kobe out for season
By Shelby Hancock |Staff Writer| The Los Angeles Laker's shooting guard, Kobe Bryant faces a third consecutive season out of the game. In their game on Wednesday Jan. 21, against the New Orleans Pelicans, Bryant tore his rotator cuff according to ESPN reporter Baxter Holmes. Bryant, 36, was forced to play the game left handed, ending in a 96-80 loss for the Lakers. In his 19 seasons Bryant averaged a 25.4 points per game. This season Bryant averaged 22.3 points per game according to ESPN. This season Bryant played in 35 games and shot 37.5 percent, far below his career mark of 45.4 percent according to the LA Times. Many coaches started to realize Bryant wasn't playing … [Read more...] about Kobe out for season
Kobe Bryant in his prime
By Javier Rodriguez |Staff Writer| After 19 seasons of NBA play, recent Achilles and knee injuries, and considering the fact that he is 36 years old, Kobe Bryant is still defying Father Time and hushing critics. Most recently named the 40th best player currently in the NBA by ESPN, Bryant is proving that low rating wrong by leading in NBA scoring as he reaches 32,001 career points, which makes him about 290 points away from Michael Jordan's career points (32,292). Skeptics are quick to doubt Bryant's ability. However, Bryant lets the negative talk fuel his drive and ambition. Maybe he wasn't at his best during Friday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs when the Lakers lost … [Read more...] about Kobe Bryant in his prime
Cavaliers Win Again
By Donte Medder |Staff Writer| Coming into this years draft with only a 1.7 percent chance of winning the number one pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers did just that, securing the pick for the third time in four years. After suffering through 49 losses in the 2014 season, the Cavaliers were most likely to pick around the ninth spot in this year’s draft. The Milwaukee Bucks, who had the worst record in the NBA this year, have to settle for selecting second. This years amazing depth of talent includes franchise changing talent. Freshmen Phenoms, Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid, and Andrew Wiggins are all but locked in to be the first three off the board. Parker, who spent a year at Duke, is … [Read more...] about Cavaliers Win Again
NBA players shoot for championship
By Elizabeth Piraino |Staff Writer| The NBA playoffs are in full swing as teams are finishing up each of their series. The Brooklyn Nets series with the Miami Heat at American Airlines arena came to an end in a losing effort. Unfortunately for the Nets, the Heat came through with less than five minutes to play to end the game and eliminated the Nets. Miami was down by eight points with 4:49 left in the game and came back with 12 unanswered points. The Heat put the game away for good when Ray Allen, the NBA 3-point leader, sank a three-point shot with 32-seconds to play. The Nets came within one point of tying the game when Joe Johnson hit a three-point shot with 11 seconds left to … [Read more...] about NBA players shoot for championship
Durant gives humble MVP speech
By Gina Miranda |Staff Writer| Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City’s shining star was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). The 25-year-old forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder also won this year’s scoring title for the fourth time in five years. Durant's acceptance speech was heartfelt, humorous, and reminiscent of his humble beginnings as a young basketball player. A tearful and barely audible Durant publicly thanked his mother for being the motivating force behind his success. "We weren't supposed to be here, you made us believe, you kept us off the street, you put clothes on our back, food on the table, and when you didn't eat, you made sure we ate," Durant continued, “You … [Read more...] about Durant gives humble MVP speech
Who will lead the Lakers to victory?
By Donte Medder |Staff Writer| After leading the Los Angeles Lakers to their worst season since 1960, Coach Mike D’antoni resigned. The Lakers struggled losing 55 of the 82 games in the 2014 season. Injuries to star players such as Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash and many key players missing time such as Nick Young and Jordan Farmar contributed to the losing season. Many felt that D’antoni was never the man for the job. “I am so happy D’antoni left; there was no defense and no leadership,” said junior at CSUSB Taylor Statham. “We need someone like Mark Jackson,” Statham continued. The search for D’antoni’s replacement began immediately according to Lakers General Manager Mitch … [Read more...] about Who will lead the Lakers to victory?
Donald Sterling, Clippers owner permanently banned from the NBA
By Gina Miranda |Staff Writer| Donald Sterling became the NBA’s biggest villain on April 29. Sterling, the franchise owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, received a lifetime ban from the NBA. An audio recording of Sterling barking racist remarks about African-Americans went viral this weekend wreaking havoc on the NBA and its affiliates. Adam Silver, the newly appointed commissioner of the NBA held a press conference to establish order within the NBA. “Accordingly, effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA,” said Silver. “Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, he may not be … [Read more...] about Donald Sterling, Clippers owner permanently banned from the NBA