U.S. slaughters Angola 121-66

By Brian Mahoney
September 6, 2010


Istanbul, Turkey — Before it can win a world championship, the United States needed to start looking like a world champion.

Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups and the rest of the Americans finally had that appearance Monday, powering into the quarterfinals with a 121-66 victory over Angola.

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Team USA crushes Croatia 106-78

By Matt Dollinger, SI.com
August 28, 2010


Team USA got its gold-medal campaign off on the right foot Saturday, disposing of an overmatched Croatian team and coasting to a 28-point victory in its first game of pool play at the 2010 FIBA Worlds.

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Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets look ready to part ways

By Adrian Wojnarowski
August 26, 2010


Denver, CO — Carmelo Anthony wants out of Denver, and World Wide Wes delivered that message to the Nuggets with all the delicacy of a jackhammer at Sunday morning services. Do yourself a favor and trade him, the agent told the organization weeks ago.

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Jordan tries again with Brown, this time with Bobcats

By The Associated Press
August 23, 2010


Charlotte, NC — The draft decision helped define both men in harsh terms: Michael Jordan was a failed executive, Kwame Brown a bust as a player.

Now, nine years after Jordan took Brown with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they're reuniting in hopes of shedding both labels.

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LeBron says he isn’t sure Gilbert ever cared

By Tim Reynolds
August 17, 2010


MIAMI, FL — Adding a new layer to the rift between LeBron James and Dan Gilbert, the NBA’s two-time reigning MVP and new Miami Heat forward has told GQ magazine that he isn’t sure the Cleveland Cavaliers owner “ever cared” about him during their time together.

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Granger injures finger as U.S. resumes training

By Brian Mahoney
August 10, 2010


New York, NY — The U.S. national team brought its injury bug east.

Indiana forward Danny Granger dislocated a finger on his right hand Tuesday as the Americans scrimmaged during the opening day of their training camp in New York.

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Isiah Thomas back with the Knicks as a consultant?

By Brian Mahoney
August 6, 2010


New York, NY — Even after losing all those games and an embarrassing sexual harassment lawsuit, Isiah Thomas has a place with the New York Knicks.

Thomas was rehired Friday by the team as a consultant, two years after he was fired as its coach and president.

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Predicting Team USA Basketball's final roster

By Chris Mannix
July 30, 2010


When Jerry Colangelo took over Team USA Basketball in 2005, he faced the daunting task of rebuilding a crumbling empire. With the help of coach Mike Krzyzewski and a core of young players willing to make an extended commitment to the team, Colangelo re-established the U.S. as a global force in basketball, punctuated by a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics.

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Bulls' Rose impoves his threes

By Chris Mannix
July 24, 2010


Las Vegas, NV — Since coming to the NBA after being the top pick in the 2008 draft, the Bulls' Derrick Rose has quickly established himself as a premier point guard. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Rose possesses a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism that makes him virtually impossible to contain.

Next season, however, Rose could be even tougher to defend. A consistent three-point shot has been the one missing weapon from Rose's repertoire.

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Mike Miller signs 5-year deal with the Heat

By The Associasted Press
July 15, 2010


Miami, FL — Miller signed his long-awaited five-year contract with the Heat on Thursday, becoming the latest player to take less money than he could have made elsewhere to play for Miami.

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James’ ‘Decision’ earns rebuke from Stern

By Marc J. Spears
July 13, 2010


Las Vegas, NV — Stern said Monday he has no problem with James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami – and he has no reason to think the Heat engaged in tampering to get him. But he does wish James had chosen a better platform to announce his decision, particularly because he didn’t give the Cavaliers more notice he was leaving.

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LeBron picks Miami

By Tom Withers
July 8, 2010


Perhaps the most hysterically-hyped free agent in sports history, James announced Thursday night on national TV that he plans to leave Cleveland to join the Miami Heat for a chance to play with Wade and Bosh.

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2009
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Bosh joins Wade and signs with Miami Heat

By Adrian Wojnarowski & Marc J. Spears
July 7, 2010


Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have decided to sign with the Miami Heat while continuing to recruit LeBron James to help them form an All-Star triumvirate that threatens to shift the NBA’s balance of power.

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Cleveland ties could still bind LeBron

By Adrian Wojnarowski
July 5, 2010


Cleveland, OH — They turned that downtown office building into a public parade of billionaires and builders of dynasties, entertainment icons and what-are-they-doing-here Clippers. The big, wide world took turns marching into the heart of Cleveland to make dramatic presentations to a hometown hero in a T-shirt, shorts and sneakers.

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Knicks near deal with Stoudemire

By Adrian Wojnarowski & Marc J. Spears
July 2, 2010


New York, NY — Amare Stoudemire and the New York Knicks are making progress in talks on a five-year, $100 million max contract and a deal could be completed as soon as this weekend.

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Prokhorov selling the Nets to LeBron James

By Adrian Wojnarowski
June 30, 2010


East Rutherford, NJ — The presentation of New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has been designed to reach LeBron James on his deepest and most superficial of levels. The self-made mogul has carefully crafted a detailed and daring plan to make James a billionaire. The Nets will show him the map of the world, where the mogul has gone in China and India and Russia to make his billions and convince James that there’s a blueprint here for him too.

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Primer to the 2010 free-agent class

By Ian Thomsen
June 29, 2010


At long last, July 2010 is almost upon us. By the middle of the month, the most dynamic free-agent class of modern times will have been dispersed. Here's what to look for in the meantime (all figures are based on a projected salary cap of $56.1 million):

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Top 30 prospects for 2011 NBA draft

By Jonathan Givony
June 24, 2010


With the 2010 NBA draft taking place on Thursday night, it's time to take a look at the next crop of NBA hopefuls. Here's a far-too-early ranking of the top 30 prospects for the 2011 NBA draft.

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Lakers defeat Celtics in Game 7 for 16th NBA title

By John Cherwa
June 17, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — Release the balloons. Ah, better make that purple and gold confetti.

In a game of two very tired teams, the Lakers exorcised the ghosts of past failures by winning the NBA championship Thursday night against the Boston Celtics, 83-79.

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Lakers cream Celtics in Game 6, 89-67

By John Cherwa
June 15, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — As if there was any doubt, the NBA got its way Tuesday night in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. And by getting its way, it could only mean getting a Game 7 involving perhaps the two most storied franchises in the game.

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With backs against the wall, the Lakers fail to answer

By Bill Plaschke
June 14, 2010


Boston, MA — This is no longer a series, it is a stereotype, the resilient Celtics boxing around the retreating Lakers, 92-86, Sunday at TD Garden to take a three-games-to-two lead.

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Celtics turn up the defense in 96-89 Game 4 win over Lakers

By Baxter Holmes
June 11, 2010


Boston, MA — The Celtics guard dove toward hardwood, risking possible high-degree floor burns, and furiously snatched the ball away from its previous owner, who clearly wasn't that attached to it anyway.

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Odom improves his value to Lakers bottom line

By Marc J. Spears
June 9, 2010


Boston, MA — Odom’s “lexicon is broad, and it’s just like the boat I’m in,” Sigel said after he and his entourage greeted the Lakers forward following Game 3 of the NBA Finals. “I can’t sacrifice my integrity to make songs like, ‘Where dey do dat, whey dey do’ or just simple stuff because that’s not in me to do that type of record. And I think [Odom] is real underappreciated because people can’t differentiate his talent.”

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Celtics even with Lakers with a103-94 victory in Game 2

Mike Bresnahan
June 7, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — Forget redemption.

The NBA Finals have now become a reclamation project for the Lakers, who lost the home-court advantage, a one-game lead and Game 2 itself, a bad triumvirate on a decidedly off night for the franchise.

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Tougher Lakers beat Boston 102-89 in NBA Finals opener

By Greg Beacham
June 4, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — Ron Artest proved it in his opening-minute scuffle with Paul Pierce, tumbling to the ground with a vise grip on the Celtics star’s elbow.

Kobe Bryant emphasized it one last time with a rub-it-in 3-pointer in the waning seconds of an NBA finals opener that was already a rout.

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Gasol motivated by Finals ‘smackdown’

By Marc J. Spears
June 1, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles Lakers had eliminated the Phoenix Suns to secure their third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, and Pau Gasol was on his way to the team bus. He knew where he was headed, but also where he had come from. Gasol is increasingly recognized as the game’s greatest power forward, but he hasn’t forgotten that more than a few people questioned two years ago whether he had the mettle to help Kobe Bryant win a championship.

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Lakers beat Suns, rematched with Celtics

By Bob Baum
May 30, 2010


Phoenix, AZ — Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers are in the NBA finals for the third straight season after he wrapped up a magnificent Western Conference finals with a 37-point performance in a series-clinching 111-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

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Artest's miracle shot leads Lakers past Suns 103-101

By Greg Beacham
May 28, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — A path through the lane suddenly opened up before Ron Artest. Kobe Bryant’s missed 3-pointer dropped right into his hands, and Artest’s awkward layup banked neatly through the net as the buzzer sounded on Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

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Howard, Nelson step up to avoid sweep, keep Magic hope alive

By Ian Thomsen
May 25, 2010


Boston, MA — What took so long? That was the only surprising element of Orlando's stubborn 96-92 overtime victory Monday night in Game 4 of the Eastern finals. It was an exhibition of Dwight Howard's strength, Jameer Nelson's leadership and their team's balance and depth. Now that the Magic have avoided a sweep, the next question is whether this win may lead to three more that would be far more memorable.

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Stoudemire's 42 helped, Phoenix over Lakers, 118-109

By Bob Baum
May 24, 2010


Phoenix, AZ — Amare Stoudemire had been criticized for just about everything: his defense, his rebounding, even his desire.

The Phoenix forward listened calmly all week, then responded with a monster game. Stoudemire attacked the Los Angeles Lakers relentlessly, matching his career playoff high with 42 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to power the Suns to a 118-109 victory Sunday night. The win sliced the Lakers’ lead in the Western Conference finals to 2-1.

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Celtics cream Magic 894-71, lead 3-0 in series

By Jimmy Golen
May 23, 2010


Boston, MA — There were still 20 seconds left in the game when Paul Pierce decided he didn’t need to see any more and headed to the locker room.

In the hallway, he repeated aloud: “One more. One more.”

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Lakers down Suns 124-112

By Lee Jenkins
May 20, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — After the Lakers fell to the Celtics in the NBA Finals two years ago, and Pau Gasol finished his exit interview back at the team's headquarters, he walked down to the weight room that he so often ignored, and told the trainers he was committed to getting stronger. If he ever saw Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins in a similar situation again, he had to be ready.

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Kobe's 40 puts Lakers over Suns 128-107

By Mike Bresnahan
May 18, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — Kobe Bryant's knee looked fine, no doubt about it. So did the Lakers, indisputably.

Instead of getting run off the court, the Lakers simply ran through the Phoenix Suns with a convoy of Bryant, two power forwards and a message to the remaining NBA heavyweights in a laughably easy 128-107 victory Monday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

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Celtics take Game 1 of Eastern Finals, 92-88

Associated Press
May 16, 2010


Orlando, FL — The hair is a little grayer. The ankles and knees no longer so sturdy. Even with a roster full of aging superstars, the Boston Celtics are still standing tall.

Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Orlando Magic, 92-88, yesterday in the Eastern Conference finals opener.

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Underdog Celtics eliminate James and Cavs in 6

By Jimmy Golen
May 14, 2010


Boston, MA — The Boston Celtics sent LeBron James and the Cavaliers back to Cleveland to admire all of their regular-season accomplishments and ponder their future.

It’s the Celtics who are still in the chase for an NBA title.

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LeBron James' moment of truth still awaits

By Adrian Wojnarowski
May 12, 2010


Cleveland, OH — This isn’t important enough to LeBron James. That’s the uncompromising, unconquerable truth. Everything has come too easy to him, and he still doesn’t believe that winning championships takes a consuming, obsessive desire that borders on the maniacal. He is chasing high school and college kids on recruiting trips for his fledgling marketing company, medicating his insecurities with unending and unfolding free-agent dramas.

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Rondo, Celtics beat Cavs to even East semifinals

By Brian Mahoney
May 9, 2010


Boston, MA — Those “MVP! MVP!” chants are usually reserved for LeBron James or one of Boston’s Big Three.

Rajon Rondo earned every one of them Sunday.

The Boston point guard had 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists, and the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-87 on Sunday to even the Eastern Conference semifinal series at two games apiece.

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Lakers beat Jazz 111-110 with Bryant's 35

By Doug Alden
May 8, 2010


Salt Lake City, UT — Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher hit back-to-back 3-pointers during an 8-2 run in the final minute and the Lakers held on for a 111-110 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night that put Los Angeles on the verge of sweeping the Western Conference playoff series.

The Jazz had two chances to win it in the final 4 seconds, but Deron Williams missed from the top of the key and Wesley Matthews’ tip just before the buzzer bounced off the rim.

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Magic beat Hawks 112-98, take 2-0 series lead

By Antonio Gonzales
May 7, 2010


Orlando, FL — Maybe all the Orlando Magic needed after a slow start was a slap in the face.

Dwight Howard came back from a bloody nose to finish with 29 points and 17 rebounds, and the Magic beat the Atlanta Hawks 112-98 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

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Boston over Cavs 104-86 in Game 2

Tom Withers
May 4, 2010


Cleveland, OH — LeBron James better make sure his new MVP trophy isn't missing. The Boston Celtics stole everything else.

Rajon Rondo tied a team playoff record with 19 assists, Ray Allen scored 22 points and the Celtics, playing with renewed confidence and looking very dangerous despite their years, opened a 25-point lead in the fourth and then survived Cleveland's comeback for a 104-86 victory on Monday night to even their semifinal series at 1-1.

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Lakers fought for 104-99 over Jazz

By Frank Hughes
May 2, 2010

Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles Lakers continue to delicately walk a tightrope. They also continue to remain upright. Despite getting a scare from the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of their best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series, the Lakers walked out of Staples Center with a hard-fought 104-99 victory Sunday afternoon for a number of different reasons.

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Celtics will need everything against the Cavs

By Britt Robson
May 1, 2010


This series becomes a lot more interesting if the Celtics have indeed "flipped the switch" and can harken back to a semblance of their championship form of two years ago. But we can't use their drubbing of the hapless Heat as proof: If Boston's defense allows the Cavs as many good shots as it gave Miami, the Celtics might get swept, because Cleveland won't clank them.

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Upstart Thunder pushes Lakers to the limit

By Jeff Latzke
April 29, 2010


Oklahoma City, OK — One dominating performance by the defending NBA champions wasn’t enough to rattle Scott Brooks and his young Oklahoma City Thunder.

After appearing vulnerable during the first four games of their playoff series, the Los Angeles Lakers regained control with a blowout victory in Game 5 that gave them a 3-2 series lead and chased away talk they were a slow, aging bunch.

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Magic beat Bobcats 99-90 to complete their sweep

Associated Press
April 27, 2010


Charlotte, NC — As the final seconds ticked down, Dwight Howard was back in his familiar spot on the bench and coach Stan Van Gundy was steamed at his superstar for fouling out again.

Then the buzzer sounded and the Orlando Magic became the first team to advance in the NBA playoffs.

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Wade's 46 puts Heat over Celtics 101-96

By Frank Hughes
April 26, 2010


Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade apparently wasn't ready for the season to be over. Wade, playing in what conceivably could have been his final game with the Heat, scored a scintillating 46 points to give the Heat a 101-92 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon. This is how Miami extended the series to a fifth game.

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Blazers downed the Suns 96-87

By Frank Hughes
April 25, 2010


Portland, OR — With Brandon Roy channeling Willis Reed, the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 96-87 to tie their best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Roy was inspirational, for sure, and it was one of several factors that played into the outcome of this game.

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Hawks', Bucks', long wait almost over

By Colin Fly
April 23, 2010


Milwaukee, WI — Jerry Stackhouse expects to get a call from Josh Smith very soon, and the Bucks veteran will tell the emerging 24-year-old power forward just how proud he is.

Stackhouse worked out in the offseason with Smith and the other Hawks in Atlanta while trying to return to game shape.

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Magic take 2-0 series lead edging Bobcats 92-77

By Anotnio Gonzales
April 21, 2010


Orlando, FL — The Dwight Howard-Vince Carter combo again wasn’t perfect— just good enough to win.

Carter finished with 19 points, Howard scored 15 and the Orlando Magic took a 2-0 series lead with a 92-77 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.

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Johnson, Smith lead Hawks past Bucks in Game 2

Associated Press
April 20, 2010


Atlanta, GA — High-flying Josh Smith dominated on the inside. Joe Johnson stepped up from the outside when the Hawks needed him.

The result: Atlanta has a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series for the first time in 40 years.

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LeBron, Shaq lead Cavs over Bulls, 96-83

By TOM WITHERS
April 17, 2010


Cleveland, OH — LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have only one goal, and they moved one step closer to their objective on Saturday.

Cleveland’s superstars, separated for a large chunk of the regular season, combined for 36 points and seven blocks as the Cavaliers opened the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 96-83 win over the Chicago Bulls.

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2009
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NBA playoff picture is far from clear

By Chris Mannix
April 13, 2010


The last days of the regular season are for resting up, setting rotations and preparing scouting reports for future first-round opponents, right? Not if resting players could cost you home-court advantage -- an important factor considering teams with that edge have won 74.5 percent of playoff series since the 16-team format began in 1984 -- and the only thing you know about your first-round opponent is that you, well, have one.

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Bulls blowout Raptors 104-88, take 8th spot in East

Associated Press
April 11, 2010


Toronto, ON — A message in the Chicago locker room read: ''How bad do we want it?'' The way Joakim Noah played, it was easy to tell.

Derrick Rose scored 26 points, Noah had 18 points, 19 rebounds and matched a career-high with seven assists and the Bulls beat Toronto 104-88 on Sunday night to take a one-game lead over the Raptors for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

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The best NBA of 2009-2010

By Ian Thomsen
April 9, 2010


Here is how I'm planning to fill out my official ballot early next week ... with a few extra awards thrown in. (Note that voters are asked to select their top three choices for each award except MVP, which requires five players, and the All-NBA team, which involves 15 players. Media do not vote for the All-Defensive team or Executive of the Year, but I've still included my picks.)

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Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen are Hall of Famers

By Kelly Dwyer
April 6, 2010


Didn't you hear? It's second-tier year at the NBA Hall of Fame. By the time September rolls around, and Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen are actually inducted, David Stern and coach Mike Krzyzewski and the whole iHoops crew will likely have that idea trademarked and we'll have to capitalize the line.

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