MORE FROM Mitch Lawrence

Sorry, Toronto: Heat vs. Cavaliers is the Eastern Conference finals we all still want

The feud between Pat Riley and LeBron James would be tremendous on a big stage. So Heat-Cavaliers is the big attraction in the East. Toronto would spoil the party.

Mitch Lawrence

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Up next for Pacers: Small-ball coach not afraid to ruffle player feathers

Frank Vogel's downfall was that he was too nice to his players and Larry Bird wants them to be accountable.

Mitch Lawrence

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Rockets' best coaching candidate is Jeff Van Gundy, if he wants to return

Jeff Van Gundy was fired by the Rockets nine years ago but is the perfect coach to get James Harden in line.

Mitch Lawrence

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Knicks can only wish Phil Jackson handled coaching search like Nets' Sean Marks

The Nets were desperate to steal headlines from their big brothers. No longer. Now they look like the competent ones.

Mitch Lawrence

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Stephen Curry is going to get screwed by at least one MVP voter

There has never been a unanimous NBA MVP, and someone will make sure Stephen Curry doesn't become the first.

Mitch Lawrence

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Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony don't agree on coach; that's the Knicks' biggest problem

Carmelo Anthony has consciously not endorsed Kurt Rambis to be the next Knicks coach. Now he wants in on the decision-making.

Mitch Lawrence

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Warriors are the NBA's real throwbacks because they care about every game

Everyone's resting these days. Not the Warriors. They warm this old-school fan's heart.

Mitch Lawrence

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The NBA in New York City has never been worse

The Knicks and Nets having losing records, aren't making the playoffs and don't even own their draft picks.

Mitch Lawrence

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DeMar DeRozan's free agency will tell us whether to take the Raptors seriously

The Raptors say they aren't worried about the past stars who left.

Mitch Lawrence

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Damian Lillard takes Blazers' leadership with an Oakland swagger

When the Blazers lost five of their top six players, Damian Lillard filled the gaps.

Mitch Lawrence

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Knicks fans thirsty for Mike Conley are set up for disappointment

Marc Gasol's injury has created a story line that the Grizzlies may not be able to hold on to their point guard.

Mitch Lawrence

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Sean Marks only took Nets' GM job with guarantee of 'more power and control'

Mikhail Prokhorov and his team in New York have meddled with the Nets for years. Sean Marks would have none of that.

Mitch Lawrence

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Kobe Bryant needs to jump for the opening tip at the 2016 NBA All-Star Game

And 6-foot Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry would be the perfect player to oppose Kobe Bryant in the circle.

Mitch Lawrence

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Kristaps Porzingis, like Knicks' playoff hopes, hits wall, but summer outlook is bright

The idea of playing with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis could help the Knicks land a point guard, if not Kevin Durant.

Mitch Lawrence

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Healthy Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook can't keep Thunder from terrible timing

Every step forward for the Thunder seems to be two steps forward for the Spurs and Warriors.

Mitch Lawrence

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Knicks' upgrades are obvious but still not close to finished

Their 18 wins already have topped last season. But that should not be the magic number.

Mitch Lawrence

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Karl-Anthony Towns has the kind of support Jahlil Okafor needs

Kevin Garnett has been a stabilizing force in the Timberwolves' locker room.

Mitch Lawrence

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Jerry Colangelo gives 76ers crucial credibility with NBA agents and other teams

Jerry Colangelo can repair bridges that Sam Hinkie tore down with his process.

Mitch Lawrence

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Lakers need to free D'Angelo Russell, even if he's not that good yet

D'Angelo Russell is starting, but too often, Byron Scott is not letting him play through mistakes late in games.

Mitch Lawrence

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DeAndre Jordan probably will be spared old-school levels of hate in Dallas

LaMarcus Aldridge returns to Portland, too. But ask Kiki VanDeWeghe — the NBA arenas are much safer places for visiting players now.

Mitch Lawrence

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Bucks' new owners, Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens, studied Spurs' path to success

Milwaukee has a young and exciting team, a new arena and owners willing to commit to success in the city.

Mitch Lawrence

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Stephon Marbury's 'mistake' was leaving Flip Saunders' Timberwolves

Flip Saunders, who died Sunday, tried to warn the point guard and Kevin Garnett not to miss their opportunity together.

Mitch Lawrence

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Kobe Bryant and LeBron James must scale back their minutes and egos now

Two of the greatest players of the past 20 years now must figure out how to preserve themselves, even at different stages in their careers.

Mitch Lawrence

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