While a lot of the focus has shifted to officials, the Open Floor podcast would prefer to focus on the basketball court and comment on Kevin Durant's amazing start to the NBA playoffs.
He was nicknamed "The Dominican Michael Jordan", ranked above Allen Iverson in high school and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated: former phenom Felipe Lopez's rise through the basketball ranks was more than a sports story but a tale about immigrants in America.
If the Sixers have any shot of defeating the Raptors in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Jimmy Butler is going to have to continue making life miserable for anyone trying to beat him.
Kawhi Leonard scored 35 points in Game 2 vs. the Sixers, but the Raptors's supporting cast needs to better augment their superstar to beat Philadelphia.
While Damian Lillard has been the story of the NBA playoffs so far, his running mate C.J. McCollum has been lights out and has elevated his game to new heights.
What possible litigation could Kings coach Luke Walton be facing after being accused of sexual assault and sexual harassment by former Spectrum SportsNet reporter Kelli Tennant? The Crossover examins the case.
James Harden makes his living at the line. But while the Rockets star is a master of drawing fouls, he’s yet to figure out a way to adapt when the referees swallow their whistles in the postseason.
Slowing down James Harden has proven to be a nearly Herculean task this season, but Andre Iguodala and the Warriors managed it, if only for 48 minutes, in their Game 1 win over the Rockets.
Kawhi Leonard has been delivering for the Raptors all year long, but he took it to another level in Game 1 of their second-round series against the 76ers. His 45-point, 11-rebound performance is a reminder of just how dominant he can be.
The Clippers struggled to defend Kevin Durant, using multiple defenders and schemes throughout their first-round series against the Warriors. In the end, Durant went supernova and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
Russell Westbrook came under fire after the Thunder lost their first-round series to Damian Lillard's Trail Blazers. The OKC star is often controversial, but was there much to criticize about his Game 5 performance? The Open Floor podcast considers.
As their series with the Clippers becomes tighter, the Warriors are forced to make more tough decisions. That has extended to the rotation, where Golden State is being forced to stretch its limits in ways no one expected.
Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz have outpaced expectations in his first two NBA seasons, making the postseason in the tough West. But what comes next? We consider the future in Salt Lake.
After a year of rehabilitation and trying to get his confidence back, Gordon Hayward has found himself in a groove as the Celtics prepare to face the Bucks in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
How does Adam Silver feel about dropping the NBA’s age minimum to 18? How about the problem with abusive language from fans? The Commissioner joined the Crossover podcast to discuss some of the league's current issues.
The Thunder's future is unclear following another disappointing first-round playoff exit. So what's next? If Oklahoma City wants to improve, the change must start with Russell Westbrook.
The Clippers refused to quit attacking, which has proved a perfect counter to the nonchalant Warriors. While Golden State is talented beyond measure, Doc Rivers' group demands their complete attention.
With the formality of the first round behind us, it's now time to venture into the gauntlet of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Bucks, Celtics, Raptors and Sixers could all have the future of their franchises on the line.
Paul George—and observers everywhere—couldn't believe their eyes when Damian Lillard shot from 37 feet to clinch a first-round series for the Blazers. Now, as everyone knows, Lillard's outside shot has no limits.
Several teams experiencing success in the NBA playoffs are doing so with the help of major in-season additions. The Crossover takes a closer look at the Blazers, Rockets and more.
Damian Lillard entered the playoffs with the world expecting a war—but the often overlooked star annihilated Russell Westbrook and the Thunder to became an NBA playoffs legend.
Without resting, Damian Lillard had 34 at halftime on 12-of-18 shooting, including six threes. Then he hit an immortal series-winner to slay the Thunder.
Marty Blazer testified that he paid football players from seven schools, including Alabama and Michigan, to persuade them to hire him as a financial advisor.
Brooklyn Nets minority owner Joe Tsai was fined $35K by the NBA for making public statements supporting GM Sean Marks for protesting against missed calls. Here is why an owner claiming that NBA games aren't fair is a particularly worrisome perspective for the league.
In a fast-changing NBA landscape, Mike Scott continues to evolve. He entered the NBA intent to play bully ball but soon learned he functioned better on the perimeter. That ability to adjust is emblematic of Scott's basketball journey.
Are D'Angelo Russell and Donovan Mitchell victims of their own hype? The Open Floor podcast tracks the progress of the rising stars and debate whether either one has a edge on the other.
With the early-entry deadline passed and the college basketball season long gone, it's time to take stock of the players remaining in the NBA draft. The Crossover extends its list of prospects to the top 100 in an effort to do so.
The NBA playoffs don’t need reform, they just need a little patience. While there are plenty of theories on how to make the postseason more entertaining, it’s going to be tough to beat the next two weeks.
Damian Lillard is on the brink of winning the first-round battle between the two point guards, and Portland’s superstar seems to have his team on a better path to long-term success.
Spurs guard Derrick White won MVP at Portsmouth two years ago and that helped turn him into a first-round pick. Which players boosted their stock in a similarly positive fashion this time around?
Russell Westbrook made just five of his 21 shots against the Trail Blazers on Sunday night, and his woes have put the Thunder on the brink of elimination without any solution in sight.
The Clippers are competing about as well as one could expect from an eight seed against the Warriors, but they're winning in one important category: Proving to be a superb future free-agent destination.
OKC bounced back to win its first game of the series on Friday, as the intense rivalry between point guards Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard continues to build.
The Sixers played—and dominated—without Joel Embiid in their Game 3 defeat of the Nets. If they spend more time without him, the key to success is kicking up the pace and letting Ben Simmons run wild.
After Magic Johnson's shocking exit, Jeanie Buss must avoid past mistakes in front office search. So who is the best candidate to run the team? The Lakers job is a complicated one.
Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick picked up the slack in Joel Embiid's absence, combining to score 86 of the Sixers' 131 points in a Game 3 victory over Brooklyn.
If the Celtics are going to live up to expectations this postseason, they’re going to need Jayson Tatum to do the same. The young wing will ultimately decide Boston’s ceiling.
Kyrie Irving couldn't wait to play in the playoffs for the Celtics. After a challenging season that has questioned his leadership and commitment, the All-Star is showing Boston what he can do on the NBA's biggest stage.
Mike Budenholzer helped Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks morph into an offensive powerhouse this season—and they haven’t shown any signs of showing down through two games in the playoffs.
When Joel Embiid was apologizing for his flagrant foul against Jarrett Allen from Game 2, 76ers teammate Ben Simmons turned the situation into a laughing matter.
The golf course isn't the only place where we might see some breakthrough Tiger performances this year. Which of the SEC's Tigers could be king of the jungle?
Overwhelming preseason favorites to reach the Finals, the Celtics are finally getting the most out of the league's deepest roster now that the playoffs are here, but the No. 4 seed is still facing many questions. And there will only be more to come this summer.
The personal stakes were high for DeMarcus Cousins after he signed with the Warriors in the offseason. After suffering a season-ending quad injury, it's unfortunate he won't have a chance to prove himself in the playoffs.
The Clippers’ rambunctious point guard has been hounding Kevin Durant through two games of their first-round series. Here’s how Beverley has harassed one of the greatest scorers of all time.
DeMarcus Cousins is expected to miss the rest of the NBA playoffs after exiting Monday's game against the Clippers with a left quad injury. While losing him creates a hole in the frontcourt, Golden State shouldn't panic just yet.
The Clippers, a ragtag group that refuses to back down, completed a historic comeback against one of the best teams in NBA history. With the odds stacked against them, they entered Oracle and made it their own.
The Warriors lost a 31-point lead Monday night—and potentially DeMarcus Cousins for the rest of the postseason. The Crossover examines four critical injuries that will impact the playoffs.
How will the NBA playoffs factor in the free agency decisions of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and more? The Crossover examines what's at stake for the Celtics, Raptors, 76ers and Warriors.
PG-13 was in the MVP conversation until a shoulder injury derailed his shooting touch. Now, his health is the Thunder’s biggest concern against the Blazers.
Player narratives are built during the NBA playoffs. Which stars will shine? Which stars will disappoint? The Crossover on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ben Simmons and the players facing the most pressure this postseason.
The NBA playoffs are here and what a start to the postseason it was. The Crossover parsed through all of the action and came away with 10 takes on the weekend that was.
It was only the first game of a potential seven-game series full of storylines but the Blazers put the Thunder on notice early and didn't relent on the way to a statement-making win in Portland.
The Clippers experienced the full force of the Warriors, with Stephen Curry dialed in from three as he led Golden State to a 121–104 win in Game 1 of their first-round series. As expected, Los Angeles is woefully outmatched in Golden State.
While it'd be easy to overreact after a Day 1 rife with upsets, it's not quite time to bury the Raptors, Sixers and Nuggets. But there are signs of concern for all three teams that could see them continue to struggle in the NBA playoffs.
New quarterbacks headlined many of the spring games this weekend, with programs like Oklahoma, Ohio State and Penn State breaking in new signal-callers this offseason.
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets have major competition in the Western Conference. Are they up to the task? The Open Floor podcast considers this question and many more.
The Lakers have parted ways with Luke Walton, who was placed in a tough position as LeBron James's coach and Magic Johnson's employee. Pulled in more ways than he should have been, Walton never had a fair shake as Lakers coach.
Dwyane Wade’s final home game for the Miami Heat was an emotional affair, with tributes pouring in from his family, friends and former teammates, and even Barack Obama.
With the official ballots out of the way, it's time for The Crossover to highlight the finer points of the game and focus in on alternative awards. Here, we discuss LeBron's blocked shot, Brook Lopez's three-point bombing and more.
The Celtics have struggled to live up to expectations and Kyrie Irving has admitted that he has not handled his role as a leader as well as he could. Can Boston turn things around in the playoffs?
LeBron James was vilified for "The Decision" when he announced he was taking his talents to South Beach. But when he decided to return to Cleveland, he decided to do things a bit differently, opting to pen a personal essay in Sports Illustrated that sparked his media company—Uninterrupted.
The NBA playoffs are here and the SI NBA staff made its predictions. As is often the case, the East has more questions than the West. Who will challenge the Warriors? Our writers make their picks.
The Warriors are closing in on dynasty status—but they’re still keeping things loose amid all the pressure, drama and rumors. Here are some outtakes from a roundtable with Steph, KD, Klay, Iggy and S. Dot.
With James Harden having a transcendent year and LeBron having a troubling one, SI's All-NBA and All-Defensive teams have plenty of intrigue this season. We present selections and explanations for every spot.
Will the Bucks cruise past the Pistons? How will Boston fare without Marcus Smart? Will Kawhi morph into Playoff Kawhi? The Crossover previews the Eastern Conference's first-round matchups.
The 2018-19 awards race has been marked by tight battles, with Giannis vs. Harden, Luka vs. Trae and more brewing all year. SI's writers make their picks from the list of close calls.
The NBA playoffs have arrived and the takes are burning. Will Golden State regret getting its playoff wish granted to face the Clippers? Can Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks continue to look like the team to beat in the East? The Crossover delivers the biggest questions for each first round series.
Dwyane Wade answers every question we could pose to him, covering the all-time shooting guard debate, LeBron's decision to leave Miami and his relationship with Erik Spoelstra.
The Clippers, who will represent the city of Los Angeles in the playoffs, are in primed position. Can they capitalize on their recent success and use free agency to surpass LeBron and the Lakers?
Magic Johnson's surprising decision to resign as the Lakers' president of basketball operations made it clear that the organization is exactly as dysfunctional as it seems. So what does L.A. need to go back to its winning ways? They need someone who could make cold decisions and make high stake calls.
A Hall of Famer Knows: Even the best basketball careers must end. Charles Barkley congratulates Dirk Nowitzki on a 20-year run that changed the way the game is played.
If the Raptors flipped Pascal Siakam for Draymond Green in the NBA playoffs, who would benefit more: Toronto or Golden State? The Open Floor podcast debates.
The 2018-19 season was a messy one for stars across the NBA, with LeBron, Kyrie and Kevin Durant all getting in on the action. With plenty of players to choose from, we zero in on the player who had the messiest year in the league.
Kyle Korver's commentary on privilege and institutional racism drew widespread praise. While it was a big step in his development, if everyone went through a similar internal monologue this moment wouldn't feel more monumental than it really is.
The NBA postseason is in very good hands but without LeBron James, the narratives won't be there. The Crossover on the King's disappointing season in L.A. and why he will be missed in the 2019 NBA playoffs.
We have reached the end of the regular season and with the postseason starting this Saturday, The Crossover breaks down the best and worst case scenarios for each playoff team in the latest edition of power rankings.
At once nearly obsolete and out of the league, NBA big men have evolved and created their own revolution behind players like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic.
After Victor Oladipo's season-ending knee injury, the Pacers were expected to drop out of the playoff race, but Nate McMillan's tough approach has kept them afloat in a top-heavy Eastern Conference.
In a wide-open Eastern Conference, the Raptors have a patchwork group of veterans hoping to fill the Finals void left by LeBron James's move to the Lakers.
The first weekend in April brings with it several high-profile spring football games, and as always, quarterback play will be a subject of national fascination.
After the season from hell, the next phase for the Wizards should begin with the recognition that firing a general manager won't be enough to fix everything that's been disappointing in D.C.
D'Angelo Russell and Pascal Siakam are both having breakout seasons and have their respective teams in the playoff hunt. But who has the edge in the Most Improved Player race?
This week's mailbag looks at coaches who could stick around in their current place for a long time, the ideal broadcast team and Lynn Swann's status at USC.
When he decided to come back for one final season with Miami, Dwyane Wade said he wanted to make an impact. At age 37, all he’s done is keep the surprising Heat in the playoff hunt, outdunk his younger teammates and stun the champs—a fitting run from one of the NBA’s grittiest all-time greats.
Coaching against Giannis Antetokounmpo is hard. But so is coaching him. How do you maximize the talents of a player with tools no one has seen before? If you’re Mike Budenholzer, you take your principles and double down on them. Then you watch the W’s pile up.
Duke has been eliminated from the NCAA tournament and Zion Williamson's lone college season is done. How will this transcendent talent look in the NBA?
James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the frontrunners for the MVP but what other guys deserve consideration? The Crossover on the top second-tier candidates.
In the latest edition of power rankings, The Crossover hands out superlatives and spotlights some players who likely won't get the recognition they deserve.
With the 2019 NBA draft class taking shape with Zion Williamson leading the way, Sports Illustrated's The Front Office takes a glimpse into the future and analyzes the best prospects in the 2020 class.