Saturday Slam: The Chicago Bulls should have gone for a 7th title

(Photo: Jack Smith, AP)

Upon finishing The Last Dance, one of the burning questions that remains is whether or not the Chicago Bulls should have gone for a 7th title. Jerry Krause, who was the general manager of the Bulls during their dominant run created a lot of tension between the players and the front office, especially during their final year together. What created so much tension was the fact that the players all knew that the 1997-98 season would be the last year that they would be together. If you watched the 10 part ESPN documentary, you would know that the name "The Last Dance" comes from the nickname that head coach Phil Jackson gave to that season.

They knew this would be their last time together because of Krause and his desire to begin the rebuilding process. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson all would have preferred to give it another go after they won their 6th title. If it was up to them, they would have all come back and chased a 7th title.

While every dynasty must come to an end and front offices need to think about the future, it's odd that Krause was so quick to shut the door on a run for a 7th title. Hell, Krause told Jackson before the season started that he could go 82-0 and he still wouldn't be back. Regardless of how successful the 1997-98 season was to be, it was to be the last that Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen would all be together.

What makes it odd is the fact that the Bulls were still kicking butt. They were just two seasons removed from their historic 72-10 season. While there were some signs of them slowing down a bit, they were still the best team in the NBA. We've often seen players choose on their own to walk away when they're at their peak, but it's another thing for an organization to do so. Especially when that organization historically hasn't been very good.

Before Michael Jordan came onto the scene, the Bulls were not a very good team. They were mediocre to bad. They were the least popular team in Chicago and there was very little buzz around them. The arrival of Jordan changed that, turning them into a franchise that gets mentioned in the same sentence as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. For them to think that it was totally cool to prematurely end Jordan's run was ludicrous and to this day has proven to be a mistake.

Since Jordan's retirement, the Bulls haven't come close to sniffing another NBA championship. The Derrick Rose era was a little exciting, but fleeting. The Bulls are back to being a bad franchise and there is no sign of them changing course anytime soon.

Going back to the 1997-98 season, considering the success that they were having, the Bulls should have at least remained open to the possibility of one more go with Phil and the gang. When you have such a good thing going, why not ride it out and see how far that wave can take you? 

What makes it all the more difficult to justify the early disbandment is the fact that the 1998-99 season was a lockout year in which only 50 regular season games were played. Jordan and Pippen would have gotten some extra time to rest up and that may have made the difference in their quest for a 7th title. On top of that, the 8th seeded New York Knicks won the Eastern Conference crown. It's hard to think that Jordan and Pippen wouldn't have disposed of them rather easily. As for who they would have met in the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs proved to be a great dynasty in their own right, but at the time, they were sort of the new kids on the block with Tim Duncan leading the way. In hindsight, one would have to pick the veteran Bulls to snatch one from the Spurs, giving Jordan seven rings and Duncan four.

Now, I don't think the Bulls would have won an eighth title had they come back in the 1999-2000 season given the emergence of the Shaq and Kobe Lakers. The Bulls would have had no answer for Shaq inside and with even more mileage on them, it's fair to wonder if that series would have even been much of a fight. Still, it is fun to think about Jordan's Bulls going up against Shaq and Kobe's Lakers. I mean, had the Bulls actually won, that would have put the Jordan/Kobe debates to rest, right?

To wrap this all up, I think it's clear that the Chicago Bulls should have gone for a 7th title. They had the greatest player of all-time, perhaps the greatest coach of all-time, and would have had a shortened season to give them an edge. Perhaps all things do happen for a reason and that it's fitting things ended the way that they did, but all the same, it does feel like this team had one more dance in them.

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Wednesday Windmill: Charles Oakley has every right to go after James Dolan

                                         (Credit: Kevin Coles. Click here for source) 

On Wednesday, New York Knicks legend Charles Oakley was arrested and ejected from Madison Square Garden after an altercation with security during the Knicks' home game against the Los Angeles Clippers, a game the Clippers won 119-115. Bleacher Report provides a good run down of the events that transpired, that you can read here.  Oakley has reportedly harbored feelings of ill-will towards Knicks owner James Dolan for quite some time and the Knicks claim that he directly attacked Dolan, a claim that he denies.

I don't want to get into whether or not Charles Oakley actually attacked James Dolan or if the New York Knicks overreacted to his presence. I wasn't at the game and we have conflicting stories of as to what happened. What I do want to express is my opinion that Charles Oakley has every right to be upset with the direction of the New York Knicks and if he is so passionate about the sorry state of the team that he would go bananas at Madison Square Garden, I say good on him.

When I think of the New York Knicks, I still think of Patrick Ewing, John Starks, and Charles Oakley. I remember their fierce battles with the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic in the 1990s and look back at those days as if they were billions of years ago. It feels like an eternity since the Knicks were relevant and quite honestly, their owner James Dolan should feel embarrassed that he has let such a storied franchise essentially rot and decay for the last 15+ years.

Sadly, it appears as though James Dolan doesn't give a hoot about the Knicks' pathetic state. He seems content to watch the team continue to flounder as Phil Jackson continues to show the rest of the NBA that he is not cut out for an NBA front office job. Dolan, a bloated doppelgänger of George Zimmer, has made a fool of himself and the Knicks for far too long and it's about time a Knicks legend flies off the handle in disgust.

What I want to make clear is that I am not indicting Charles Oakley of going bananas at Madison Square Garden. I have no proof that his arrest was justified. What I am saying is that if he did in fact unleash a tirade of epic proportions directed at James Dolan, he has my full support. While NBA owners do have full control of their teams, it doesn't make their actions pertaining to the franchise justified or morally acceptable. NBA owners may own a team, but they don't own everything that pertains to that team. They don't own the history, the legacy, or the significance that a team has to its city. That stuff belongs to the fans and the city that the team resides, which is why Charles Oakley has every right to be upset.

Unlike James Dolan, Charles Oakley literally put his blood and sweat into the Knicks every time he stepped on the floor in a Knicks uniform. Charles Oakley proudly represented the Knicks while Dolan has made a mockery of them and turned them into one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NBA. James Dolan probably eats nothing but donuts and coffee judging by his disheveled and sloppy appearance and what's even worse is that he's probably ok with it. If anything, he's probably happy being a rich bum that owns the Knicks without a clue of as to how to make them good. He might as well go to games with a propeller hat on his head and tell jokes at halftime because that's all  that he's good for.

At the end of the day, whether or not Charles Oakley actually attacked James Dolan is neither here nor there. The big story is that we are once again talking about another controversy in the New York Knicks organization and that has to stop. We've seen Derrick Rose evaporate for a period of time, we've heard Carmelo Anthony trade rumors float around, and now we have a team legend reportedly vent his frustrations while at a game. Dysfunction and controversy cannot continue to follow this Knicks team and whether he likes it or not, it's ultimately up to James Dolan to put a stop to this nonsense and get the Knicks back to prominence.

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Wednesday Windmill: The Derrick Rose situation is just another sign of New York Knicks dysfunction

Dysfunction seems to follow the New York Knicks wherever they go. On Monday night, Derrick Rose went A.W.A.L., not showing up for the Knicks' home game against the Pelicans and nobody in the Knicks organization had an immediate answer for his whereabouts after the game. Knicks president Phil Jackson didn't talk to the media after the game or provide any sort of explanation for what had happened to Derrick Rose, leaving Knicks players and head coach Jeff Hornacek to answer difficult questions that they really didn't have answers to. This whole situation is just another sign of incompetency and ineptitude in New York. Sadly, having a player seemingly vanish is just the kind of thing that would happen to the New York Knicks.

What's an especially bad look in all of this is that it was Joakim Noah that broke the news that Derrick Rose was ok, not Phil Jackson or team owner James Dolan. While it is true that Derrick Rose should have alerted somebody in the Knicks organization that he wasn't going to be present for Monday's game, Phil Jackson or James Dolan should have been the ones to address the Derrick Rose matter head on, not putting their players and head coach in an awkward situation.

                                          (Credit: Image via NBATV on YouTube. Click here for video) 

It appears as though the Knicks' dysfunction in the front office is leading to dysfunction on the court. The Knicks have lost 9 of their last 10 games and are now 17-22 overall, which makes them 11th in the Eastern Conference. Despite having some quality players in Carmelo Anthony (21.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game), Derrick Rose (17.3 points and 4.5 assists), and Kristaps Porzingis (19.8 points and 7.6 rebounds), this Knicks team is not able to gel and one has to wonder how much of that has to do with having a front office that isn't in very good communication with its players or coaching staff. In addition, there have been reports that Derrick Rose may not be getting along well with head coach Jeff Hornacek, so it appears as though the dysfunction truly is extending onto the court.

The sad thing with the New York Knicks is that they have their priorities all out of whack. They should be focusing on building around Kristaps Porzingis and making him the center of attention, but instead, they are dealing with all of this Derrick Rose drama and trying to do all they can to keep Carmelo Anthony happy. Honestly, I don't expect that to change so long as they have the same yahoos in charge. The Knicks really need a change of ownership and a brand new front office to take the franchise in a different direction. Phil Jackson isn't the answer and James Dolan sure as hell isn't the answer, either. New ownership needs to take over in order for this team to become contenders again. It's that simple.

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Saturday Slam: Will the Los Angeles Lakers ever win another NBA championship?

     Will the Los Angeles Lakers ever win another NBA championship? They've won 16 in their storied history, so on the surface, this question seems like a stupid one. Due to their rich history and location, most people would say it's not a matter of "if" but rather a matter of "when" the Los Angeles Lakers once again climb to the top the basketball world. However, when looking at the current state of the team (15-54) and the ever-changing climate of the NBA, it become a lot less clear that the Los Angeles Lakers will inevitably become a championship contender in the near future.

     What has to alarm the Los Angeles Lakers is to see teams like the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder contend in the Western Conference while they continue to suck. Even more frightening is the fact that they are becoming less and less of a destination for top free agents. Hell, they lost the most dominant big man since Shaquille O'Neal to the Houston Rockets because he didn't like all the distraction and pressure that came with being in Los Angeles.

     While the Los Angeles Lakers continue to bank on landing top free agents because of their brand and location, they keep on failing to land the quality of talent that they think they deserve to get. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Stephen Curry, the biggest stars of this generation, are highly unlikely to ever wear a Los Angeles Lakers uniform. Those guys are much more likely to stay where they are or go to a team that is a lot closer to winning a championship such as the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that shares the same building and city with the Lakers.

     If you think the concept of the Los Angeles Lakers never winning another NBA championship is ridiculous, let me introduce you to the New York Knicks. The Knicks play their home games at Madison Square Garden a.k.a The Mecca of basketball and they haven't won a championship since 1973. What's even more disturbing is the fact that New York Knicks have only won two NBA championships in their history, the other coming in 1970.

     If I wrote a blog post about the New York Knicks never winning another NBA championship, you would likely agree with my thesis or at least not find it to be all that objectionable. If I reframed this current blog post under the premise that the Los Angeles Lakers could become like the New York Knicks, that too would likely jibe with you, unless you are the most hard core Lakers fan who still believes Kobe Bryant has it in him to lead a team to a championship.

     If the New York Knicks, who play in the biggest market of all, have failed to win a championship for 40+ years, who is to say that the Los Angeles Lakers don't have a similar fate? Most Lakers fans believe that their team will soon rise from the ashes and once again win another NBA championship because winning championships is all that they've ever known. The Del Harris era has been erased from the minds of most Lakers fans, who think of the Pat Riley era and then the Phil Jackson era. So while the Del Harris era existed, Lakers fans feel as if they went from Magic & Kareem to Shaq & Kobe to Kobe & Gasol without any break in between.

      In essence, this is the first era where it doesn't feel like a championship is coming anytime soon and Lakers fans at the moment are handling this by going into denial. It's one thing for fans to go into denial like this, but what is worse is that it appears as though the entire organization is going into denial. The organization is just expecting the basketball gods to magically make things better for them because they are the Lakers and unfortunately for them, that's not how the real world works.

     So, to answer the question I posed at beginning of this blog post, I will respond by saying that it is not clear that the Lakers will win another NBA championship because their management is incompetent and the NBA is a lot more friendly to nontraditional powerhouse teams. The NBA doesn't want the Lakers to fail, don't get me wrong, they love it when they are winning, but at the same time, the NBA wants to have a healthy 30 team league where every franchise feels as though they have a chance to win a championship if they apply themselves.

     30 years ago, the NBA was not this way. It was a league with 6-8 championship contending teams and the Lakers and Celtics were always in that pool of contenders. But times have changed and it appears as though the Lakers are yet to accept this. They still want things to be like they were in the 1980s where everybody wanted to play for either them or the Celtics. But now, with so many great options and franchises to choose from, NBA free agents feel less drawn to Boston and Los Angeles and more inclined to either stay put or go elsewhere. Until the Lakers find a way to adapt to the new climate of the NBA, odds are good they'll remain stuck in mediocrity and ineptitude.  
   

   

Wednesday Windmill: Could Kevin Durant really go to the New York Knicks?

     Could Kevin Durant seriously leave a good situation in Oklahoma City for a quagmire in Gotham? On the surface, the concept of the New York Knicks landing Kevin Durant seems absurd. The Oklahoma City Thunder are viewed as serious contenders to win the 2015-16 NBA championship while the New York Knicks are in rebuilding mode.
     
     It would take a miracle for the Knicks to snatch KD away from OKC, right? Well…maybe not. While I still have my money on Kevin Durant staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the summer of 2016, I do think it's possible that the Knicks land him.

     The first reason why I think it's possible that the Knicks land him has to do with the fact that perhaps the Thunder won't want to overpay for him in 2016. Don't get me wrong, the Thunder would love to retain Kevin Durant, but due to all of his injury issues and the presence of Russell Westbrook, it's possible that the Oklahoma City Thunder will let Kevin Durant go if the New York Knicks are willing to pay him a vast chunk of change that they themselves aren't willing to pay.

     Secondly, it's possible that Kevin Durant will like the situation in New York better. Carmelo Anthony will be there as a second scoring option and Kristaps Porzingis may be another superstar in the making. If Phil Jackson can make a couple of additional tweaks to the roster, odds are good that Kevin Durant will like his chances of winning a title in New York better than his odds of winning a title in Oklahoma City.

     Third, it's possible that Kevin Durant wants to get away from Russell Westbrook. They both claim to be friends, which is probably true, but all the same, there does appear to be a power struggle going on with both of them on the floor. Durant believes the Thunder is his team and Westbrook believes the Thunder is actually his team. It's hard for those kinds of mentalities to coexist and unless they find a way to win the NBA title in 2016, it just might be time for them to go their separate ways.

     In conclusion, I think it is very possible that Kevin Durant goes to the Knicks. The team is hungry for a championship, Phil Jackson appears to be building a quality team to go around him, and Russell Westbrook may be causing more friction than meets the eye. While I still think Durant will stay with the Thunder, I think it would be very foolish of us to rule out the possibility of Durant taking his talents to the Big Apple.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

   

Wednesday Windmill: John McEnroe is a great addition to the Knicks' organization

     New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson has made the decision to hire John McEnroe as a team consultant. Jackson has given the tennis legend free rein to advise the team in any capacity that he wants including draft choices, trades, and salary cap related moves. "He is a passionate fan with a brilliant mind for sports. I figured he would be a great addition to our organization, especially since he knows what it takes to win championships in New York City." Jackson was alluding to McEnroe's four US Open championships, which were all won in New York City.

     In my opinion, as crazy as it sounds, this move just might do wonders for the Knicks. First of all, John McEnroe is a brilliant analyst of tennis, so it stands to reason that he is also a brilliant basketball analyst, judging by all the Knicks games he attends. Secondly, John McEnroe has tremendous pride in New York City, and will instill that same pride in Knicks players. Third, McEnroe can be a guy who Phil Jackson can go to if he needs somebody to yell at his players.

                                         (Credit: Edwin Martinez. Click here for source)

     "Mac's ability to yell at people is truly a talent. He possesses the ability to really get in the face of people and make them feel inferior and worthless", said Knicks head coach Derek Fisher. "With Mac, there are no excuses, and we need to have a no excuses kind of mentality." Carmelo Anthony also lauded McEnroe for the same reasons, adding "There are days when I need somebody to get in my face and remind me that I have no championships and only one appearance in a conference final."

     The only concern I have with this hire is whether or not John McEnroe will really have the time to be effective with his role given all the tennis he has to cover for ESPN. However, Phil Jackson doesn't seem to be worried about that: "We are fine with him continuing on as tennis analyst. The key thing is that he is welcome to text message me at any time with his advice and also is welcome to go wherever he pleases at Madison Square Garden at all times."

     McEnroe will have free rein to access the owner's box, locker rooms, and every other square inch of the legendary arena. "Having the freedom to walk into the locker room and yell at the players with impunity really excites me", McEnroe said. "I'm also excited to have access to the owner's box and see what James Dolan keeps in his refrigerator."

     "I think just having him around will do wonders for our team", said Knicks owner James Dolan. "Our players certainly will have extra motivation to step up their game knowing that John McEnroe could be there waiting for them in the locker room with an earful of complaints and criticism."

     "Does it make me want to play harder? Absolutely", said Andrea Bargnani, a player who has often been criticized by the New York media. "McEnroe has told me many times that I am over-paid and lazy. Knowing he could be there at my locker after a game will certainly motivate me to play even harder."

     In conclusion, I think hiring John McEnroe is a great move for the Knicks. The Knicks don't have a lot to be hopeful about, and adding a legendary sports figure to their front office is definitely exciting. In addition, McEnroe is one of the brightest and most articulate minds in all of sports. I can guarantee that he has great ideas that the Knicks will benefit from. Happy April Fools!

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

Daily Dunks: 2/23-3/1

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source and full image)

Here are my Daily Dunks for February 23-March 1, 2015. Throughout the week this page will be updated with NBA news and scores until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Utah Jazz signed point guard Bryce Cotton and forward Jack Cooley to 10-day contracts (Click here for details).

#2. The Nets plan to sign power forward Thomas Robinson to a 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#3. The Kings hired Vance Walberg as an assistant coach (Click here for details).

#4. Carlos Boozer won't pursue a buyout from the Lakers (Click here for details).

#5. Bulls power forward Taj Gibson is dealing with a hand injury (Click here for details).

#6. Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony played most of the season with a partial tear in his knee (Click here for details).

#7. Erik Spoelstra says Chris Bosh should be released from the hospital soon (Click here for details).

#8. Phil Jackson criticized the Knicks on  twitter (Click here for details).

#9. Rajon Rondo is working with the same shooting coach that works with Dirk Nowitzki (Click here for details).

#10. JaVale McGee hopes to remain with the 76ers (Click here for details).

Monday's NBA Final Scores: 

Rockets 113 Timberwolves 102. Jazz 90 Spurs 81. Grizzlies 90 Clippers 87. Heat 119 76ers 108. Pelicans 100 Raptors 97. Bulls 87 Bucks 71. Nuggets 110 Nets 82. Celtics 115 Spurs 110.

Tuesday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will undergo surgery on his right knee for another meniscus tear. He is out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#2. Thomas Robinson won't go to the Nets. The 76ers scooped him up on waivers (Click here for details).

#3. Thunder small forward Steve Novak is out indefinitely due to an appendectomy (Click here for details).

#4. Report: The 76ers were willing to trade anybody at the deadline including Joel Embiid (Click here for details).

#5. A mansion in Los Angeles was robbed by four masked bandits. The owner was Earl Watson (Click here for details).

#6. Anthony Mason's condition is improving (Click here for details).

#7. Cavaliers small forward Shawn Marion is out two weeks due to a left hip strain (Click here for details).

#8. Kendrick Perkins has officially signed with the Cavaliers (Click here for details).

#9. The Pistons claimed small forward Shawne Williams off waivers from the Pelicans (Click here for details).

#10. Lakers point guard Ronnie Price will undergo an elbow operation on Wednesday. His season is over (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Final Scores: 
Warriors 114 Wizards 107. Cavaliers 102 Pistons 93. Thunder 105 Pacers 92. Mavericks 99 Raptors 92.

Wednesday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Larry Sanders has no plans to return to basketball in the near future (Click here for details).

#2. The Bulls have been talking to Nate Robinson (Click here for details).

#3. Derrick Rose's injury isn't initially believed to be as serious as his injury last season (Click here for details).

#4. Steve Blake plans to exercise his $2.1M player option next summer to stay with the Trail Blazers (Click here for details).

#5. The Pistons signed point guard John Lucas III for the rest of the season (Click here for details).

#6. Wizards small forward Paul Pierce (bruised knee) was a DNP. He is day-to-day (Click here for details).

#7. Mavericks point guard Rajon Rondo was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team (Click here for details).

#8. In his first game back with the Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett had 5 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 19 minutes.

#9. Craig Sager will return to the sidelines on March 5 (Click here for details).

#10. In his debut with the Bucks, Michael Carter-Williams had 7 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals.

Wednesday's NBA Final Scores: 

Timberwolves 97 Wizards 77. Lakers 100 Jazz 97. Kings 102 Grizzlies 90. Heat 93 Magic 90. Hawks 104 Mavericks 87. Celtics 115 Knicks 94. Pelicans 102 Nets 96. Hornets 98 Bulls 86. Rockets 110 Clippers 105. Bucks 104 76ers 88. Suns 110 Nuggets 96. Trail Blazers 111 Spurs 95.

Thursday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Heat signed Michael Beasley to a 10-day contract (Click here for details).

#2. Andre Miller is interested in re-signing with the Kings (Click here for details).

#3. Phil Jackson is going to be fined for tampering (Click here for details).

#4. Pacers small forward Paul George has returned to practice. He could be back in a couple of weeks (Click here for details).

#5. Richard "Rip" Hamilton officially retired (Click here for details).

#6. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has undergone surgery on his knee. Part of the meniscus was removed. He should be back in 4-6 weeks (Click here for details).

#7. Kings guard Darren Collison needs surgery to repair a core muscle injury. He'll be reevaluated in 4-6 weeks (Click here for details).

#8. Report: George Karl has full control over the Kings' personnel. He wants Ty Lawson and is willing to trade DeMarcus Cousins (Click here for details).

#9. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James had 42 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists against the Warriors.

#10. Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook had a triple-double: 39 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Thursday's NBA Final Scores: 

Cavaliers 110 Warriors 99. Suns 117 Thunder 113.

Friday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Report: If Ray Allen returns to the NBA this season, it won't be to the Cavaliers (Click here for details).

#2. The highest bid for the Hawks is around $800M (Click here for details).

#3. The NBA will release reports of officials for the last two minutes of each game (Click here for details).

#4. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (rest) didn't play.

#5. Baron Davis is plotting an NBA comeback (Click here for details).

#6. Kings center Demarcus Cousins (ankle/hip) didn't play (Click here for details).

#7. Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons is still dealing with an ankle injury and won't play on Saturday (Click here for details).

#8. Thunder guard Russell Westbrook had a triple-double: 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.

#9. Rockets forward Terrence Jones had 26 points and 12 rebounds.

#10. Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas had 28 points and 7 assists.

Friday's NBA Final Scores: 

Warriors 113 Raptors 89. Bulls 96 Timberwolves 89. Clippers 97 Grizzlies 79. Jazz 104 Nuggets 82. Pacers 93 Cavaliers 86. 76ers 89 Wizards 81. Hawks 95 Magic 88. Celtics 106 Hornest 98. Knicks 121 Pistons 115 (2OT). Pelicans 104 Heat 102. Rockets 102 Nets 98. Spurs 107 Kings 96. Lakers 101 Bucks 93. Trail Blazers 115 Thunder 112.

Saturday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Anthony Mason passed away at the age of 48. May he rest in peace (Click here for details).

#2. Early Lloyd, the NBA's first black player, passed away at the age of 86 (Click here for details).

#3. Warriors center Festus Ezeli was suspended 1 game for grabbing the throat of Raptors power forward Tyler Hansbrough (Click here for details).

#4. Chris Bosh has been released from the hospital and is progressing towards a recovery (Click here for details).

#5. Wesley Johnson says he hopes to re-sign with the Lakers (Click here for details).

#6. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (ankle/hip) is unlikely to play on Sunday (Click here for details).

#7. Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (shoulder) won't play on Sunday (Click here for details).

#8. Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook underwent a procedure to repair a fractured cheekbone. He won't play Sunday and is out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#9. Trey Burke had 23 points off the bench for the Utah Jazz.

#10. Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Saturday's NBA Final Scores: 

Grizzlies 101 Timberwolves 97. Jazz 82 Bucks 75. Wizards 99 Pistons 95. Hawks 93 Heat 91. Knicks 103 Raptors 98. Nets 104 Mavericks 94. Spurs 101 Suns 74.

Sunday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. The 76ers waived center JaVale McGee (Click here for details).

#2. Kevin  Garnett bought 1,000 tickets for fans to an upcoming Timberwolves home game (Click here for details).

#3. Rockets GM Daryl Morey has made some proposals to change the trade rules of the NBA (Click here for details).

#4. Warriors point guard Stephen Curry had 37 points against the Celtics.

#5. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James had 37 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists against the Rockets.

#6. Rockets shooting guard James Harden had 33 points 8 rebounds, and 5 assists against the Cavaliers.

#7. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan scored 9 points and grabbed 26 rebounds against the Bulls.

#8. Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard had 31 points against the Kings.

#9.  Hornets point guard Mo Williams had 23 points and 11 assists against the Magic.

#10. Thunder center Enes Kanter had 16 points and 15 rebounds against the Lakers.

Sunday's NBA Final Scores: 

Warriors 106 Celtics 101. Clippers 96 Bulls 86. Rockets 105 Cavaliers 103 (OT). Pacers 94 76ers 74. Hornets 98 Magic 93. Trail Blazers 110 Kings 99. Thunder 108 Lakers 101. Pelicans 99 Nuggets 92.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

Will Phil Jackson Turn The Knicks Into A Serious Contender?

                                                    (image from npr.org) 

     Phil Jackson is known for being one of the most brilliant basketball minds of all-time. He has 11 NBA Championship rings as a head coach, and has coached the greatest players in the game, coaching Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on the Bulls in the 1990s and Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant on the Lakers in the 2000s. Championship success seems to ooze out of him like a fine white wine oozes out of grapes. He has this almost mystical aura about him that seems to be a magnet for success. Nobody else seems to have that aura, and yet everybody wants it. That is why the New York Knicks have decided to hire Phil Jackson as their President of Basketball Operations. They hope that with Phil Jackson running the ship, they too will have some of that championship magic rub off on their own organization. It should be noted that Phil Jackson played for the Knicks during his time as an NBA player and also was a member of their only two NBA Championship teams, which won the NBA Finals in 1970 and 1973. The Knicks hope that in his return to the Big Apple more championships will follow. While one can't guarantee that Phil Jackson will bring championships to the Knicks, one can be confident that he'll put the team in a great position to contend for a title.
     The reason why I'm confident he will have a such an impact on the Knicks is because he has had a powerful impact everywhere he has gone. If he had a powerful impact on both the Bulls and Lakers, why doubt his ability to have a similar impact on the Knicks? Plus, both the Bulls and Lakers were in similar boats as the Knicks are right now before he started coaching them. Both teams had a talented super star who needed proper coaching, and the Knicks have that same kind of player in Carmelo Anthony. I'm not saying that Carmelo Anthony is Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, but I am saying that he is a talented player who certainly could be molded into a championship player with the right pieces around him. I am confident in Phil Jackson's abilities to know what Carmelo Anthony needs around him to succeed.
    Phil Jackson is sure to know what Carmel Anthony needs around him because he has both coached superstars like Carmelo Anthony and also been around great front offices who put together quality teams around their superstars.  Phil Jackson knows that the key to Michael Jordan winning 6 championships was more than just having Scottie Pippen as his right hand man. They key was having guys like John Paxson, Horace Grant, and Dennis Rodman around him to fulfill niche roles. Phil Jackson should be able to find guys to fulfill similar roles on the Knicks with Carmelo Anthony as the centerpiece.
     It's no guarantee that Phil Jackson delivers a championship to the New York Knicks, but it can almost certainly be a guarantee that he'll do a great job and put them in a great position to win a title in 3-5 years. Remember, unlike other guys who have taken a stab at being general managers, Phil Jackson has already been in management as a coach and on top of that he has been around great front offices for many many years. Those who say this is a risky hire don't understand that the resume he has to succeed at this job is actually very strong.

----Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord