Van Gundy, Otis out in shakeup, but where do Magic head from here? The Magic overhaul begins as Stan Van Gundy is fired and GM Otis Smith departs. Questions about Dwight Howard's future remain, but Ken Berger says in the meantime good candidates abound for Orlando's job openings. Kobe relishes challenge of inspiring Lakers, deciphering Thunder Kobe Bryant admires the Thunder almost as much as he wants to beat them. Although they fall just short of putting the Lakers in an 0-3 hole, Ken Berger says Bryant is actually enjoying the task of trying to defeat them. Garnett delivers pain, brings playoff MVP-worthy game, attitude to Celts When Kevin Garnett busted into the NBA he was a kid playing on Jordan's court. Ken Berger says today Garnett is hands-down the playoff MVP and maybe, just maybe, the Celtics might ride his fury to another title. Knicks too busy putting on show to give Phil Jackson a call Phil Jackson reportedly has the itch to coach again. However, no NBA team has inquired about the Zen Master's availability. Ken Berger says the Knicks would be wise to make the call, but winning isn't their priority. World Peace returns in time to help Lakers' season continue The Lakers pass their test in Game 7 and move on to the next round. Ken Berger says L.A.'s poise is back as is the old Ron Artest, who returns just in time to help save the day. After Clippers let one slip, Paul faces toughest challenge yet After letting Game 6 slip, the Clippers -- trying to reverse their mostly miserable fortune -- face a Game 7 in Memphis. Ken Berger says it'll be Chris Paul's biggest challenge yet. For Lakers to dominate inside, others must join Kobe in hitting from outside Kobe Bryant scores 43 points while his backcourt mates miss 21 of 32 shots in a Game 5 loss. Ken Berger says if the Lakers' other guards can't make shots, Nuggets defenders will stick tight to Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Paul's rescue in Game 4 typifies what he has done with Clippers franchise Chris Paul saves the Clippers from an ugly loss in Game 4. Ken Berger says it's not unlike what he has done since joining this franchise, which recently seemed beyond saving and now is on the cusp of winning a playoff series. Game 3 just one more instance of LeBron saying 'no' to Knicks LeBron James spurned the Knicks with 'The Decision.' Game 3 is just more of the same as LeBron's Heat cruise to a 3-0 series lead. Ken Berger says when it comes to LBJ and the NYK, LeBron comes out on top. When scene is dire, Pierce gives Celtics exactly what they need Things couldn't look worse for the Celtics with Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen sitting out. Ken Berger says Paul Pierce's 36-point performance in Game 2 gives Boston exactly what it needs -- a win. Amar'e hand injury latest low point in Knicks' agonizing season The Knicks are in a world of hurt. It continues when a frustrated Amar'e Stoudemire lacerates his hand punching at a fire extinguisher after a Game 2 loss. While the series returns to New York, Ken Berger says the damage is done.
April
Devastating Game 1 injuries might be product of shortened season The NBA postseason gets a major shakeup after knee injuries to Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert. Ken Berger asks if the real culprit is the inability to work out a deal for an 82-game schedule. Finals picks? Bulls still fave from East, but Lakers over OKC in West The MVP blush may be off Derrick Rose, but the Bulls should push past Miami to the NBA Finals. While Chicago remains his fave in the East, Ken Berger says he now likes the Lakers coming out of the West. Season awards: In strange season, no player more consistent than LeBron In a shortened, injury-riddled season, Ken Berger says LeBron James' consistent greatness makes him the MVP, while Kyrie Irving is a slam dunk for top rookie. But settling on a coach among plenty of worthy choices isn't easy. Union infighting could make ugly labor battle look civil Just when you thought the bickering was done after the lockout, along comes this Derek Fisher mess in the NBPA. Ken Berger says this internal battle within the union could get messier than the labor fight with the owners. Back surgery only certainty in season of intrigue for Howard Dwight Howard has been anything but decisive this season, but there's nothing flimsy about spinal surgery. Ken Berger says this is a fitting conclusion to a bizarre saga. Woodson could (but won't) make Knicks better using Amar'e off bench The Knicks are rolling under Mike Woodson. He stands to get an asset back in Amar'e Stoudemire. Ken Berger says Woodson should play it smart by using Amar'e as the sixth man, but Woodson fails to see the logic. Another city lurks even as Maloofs insist Kings won't leave Sactown George Maloof now says no to a new arena downtown, demanding an agreed-upon plan be renegotiated. The Kings co-owner insists the team won't leave Sacramento, but Ken Berger says another city is already lurking. As playoffs approach, Heat and Knicks have same problem After all this time, LeBron and D-Wade are still figuring how to coexist. Carmelo has been great, but Ken Berger says the Knicks will have the same problem when Amar'e returns. And the two could meet in the playoffs. Kings fiasco another look into the ugly art of NBA deal-making The Maloofs agreed to an arena deal in Sacramento. Now, despite Mayor Kevin Johnson's unlikely feat of raising $255M, they're backing out. Ken Berger says welcome to NBA negotiations, where nothing seems to add up. Postups: Listing the best executive free agents on the market Will Donnie Walsh leave New York to run the Pacers again? Will Steve Kerr leave TV for another GM gig? With front-office overhauls on the way as the season winds down, Ken Berger runs down the top executive free agents. Van Gundy plays the honesty card in game of poker he can't win Stan Van Gundy leakes that he knows Dwight Howard wants him fired. Howard denies it only to find out SVG tipped off the media. Ken Berger says Van Gundy understands he's playing a coach vs. superstar game he won't win. Postups: Free-agent class of 2012 looking bare after Williams It's not the Summer of Dwight we once expected. Instead, Deron Williams stands as the only player worthy of a max deal. Ken Berger says whether he stays with the Nets or leaves will alter the landscape of free agency. If Heat are to change their fate, they have to change their ways Dwyane Wade is practically unstoppable with the ball in his hands, and LeBron flashes Magic Johnson-like playmaking skills. That has Ken Berger wondering why Mario Chalmers is running the point.
March
Gasol back on track, even as strong Lakers wallow in discontent Fragile psyche, listless play. That was Pau Gasol before the trade deadline. Afterward? Ken Berger says the Lakers forward is relaxed and engaged -- exactly what the Lakers need more of headed down the stretch. Quarterly Report: Could lockout-shortened season lead to upsets? In the last lockout-shortened season, pandemonium reigned in the playoffs. Will history repeat? Ken Berger runs down the five most likely teams to pull off an upset and also dishes out his third-quarter awards. Now is Anthony's time to show he can carry Knicks forward The Knicks have had several strange chapters in this lockout-shortened season. But Ken Berger says Carmelo Anthony is poised to help them go above and beyond. All he has to do is embrace the moment. Stoudemire's absence should benefit Melo, but not necessarily Knicks Amar'e Stoudemire is sidelined indefinitely. That means Carmelo Anthony should get more touches -- and points -- but Ken Berger remembers the Knicks went nowhere last April while Stoudemire struggled with back problems. Postups: With Howard in Orlando, Nets must rethink their options What's that old saw about the best laid plans? Worse than getting punked by Dwight Howard, the Nets now face free-agent drama of their own making. Ken Berger says Deron Williams is worth the risk, but a tempered risk. Howard's loyalty to Magic debatable, but at least he stands up for himself The flip-flopping is over. Dwight Howard commits to the Magic through June 2013. Ken Berger says not only does Howard save his team's short-term fortunes, he also temporarily restores his reputation. No-fun Knicks struggle against Sixers, fall to 0-5 in March After another loss by the no-fun Knicks , the one voice that mattered the most resonated in the locker room. How far it carries will determine whether the Knicks make the playoffs or undergo an even more extensive transformation than the building in which they play. Will he stay or will he go? It all depends on what Howard wants most Which factors will dictate Dwight Howard's future? More money? More exposure? More endorsements? A star to team up with for many seasons to come? If so, Ken Berger says the Nets -- soon to be in Brooklyn -- have it all. Enjoy that Knicks-Celtics OT thriller? Best make that memory last The Celts and Knicks thrill again. But with threatened dismantling in Boston, angst over Knicks chemistry and likely poor playoff matchups, Ken Berger says it'll be a while before we see it again -- if ever. Fact and legend surround Wilt's 100, and that's part of the charm A box score, play-by-play audio and fuzzy eyewitness accounts. That's how we know what happened 50 years ago when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in one game. Ken Berger says the mystery only adds to the legend.
