1. Aaron Brooks, Weary Houston Rockets Can Rest During All-Star Weekend

    When Kobe Bryant announced Thursday he would not play in tonight's NBA All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium, it opened the door—a third time—for Houston Rockets starting point guard Aaron Brooks...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 532 reads 4 comments

  2. Painful Losses Mount For Houston Rockets

    Hallelujah. The All-Star break has arrived. Even the Rockets could not have guessed they would need it this much. Kyle Lowry sprained his left ankle and the team's offense cratered...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 171 reads 0 comments

  3. Chris Paul as Drew Brees: Will New Orleans Save Hornets Star, Too?

    The Saints marched into Miami and pantsed the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 Sunday night. As Drew Brees hoisted the Super Bowl's MVP trophy and New Orleans celebrated its first-ever pro sports ...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 655 reads 6 comments

  4. Kleeman's Jump Hook: Why I Hate the NBA Trade Deadline

    For many NBA observers, Feb. 18 is a holy grail of sorts—a date worthy of endless speculation and praise. So many readers flock to pieces that discuss this event, in fact, that Bleacher ...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 322 reads 3 comments

  5. TimVP: I Still Believe in Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs

    The milestone came on a shot that rarely appears on a Sports Center highlight reel. Tony Parker nearly fumbled the ball out of bounds but gathered himself enough to bounce it awkwardly to Tim Duncan, who was open at the top of the key...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 608 reads 10 comments

  6. Houston Rockets Should Back Away As Trade Deadline Approaches

    The Houston Rockets have lost nine of 14 and four of five in a six-game homestand many thought the team might sweep. Instead, the squad found itself a few plays away Friday night from the brink of getting swept...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 1,378 reads 4 comments

  7. Kevin Durant: What the Young All-Star Can Teach LeBron James and Dwyane Wade

    I remember the first time I saw Kevin Durant play at the University of Texas. No one could forget such a stunning first impression. At 6'9,'' with a bothersome 7'5'' wingspan, he could do it all...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 1,233 reads 9 comments

  8. Kleeman's Jumphook: Atlanta Hawks Take Flight After Long Wait

    Once upon a time, the Atlanta Hawks stockpiled lottery and first-round picks, many of whom were stunning athletes, hoping the future would someday look brighter than a Dumpster in a dark alley...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 106 reads 0 comments

  9. Five Things the Houston Rockets Must Do To Secure a Postseason Berth

    When Yao Ming announced he would miss the 2009-2010 season, joining fellow All-Star Tracy McGrady on the inactive list, expectations for the Rockets plummeted...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 888 reads 1 comments

  10. Milestone Hex: Losses Mar Recent Achievements For Three NBA Stars

    I am not the superstitious sort. A recent string of unfortunate losses amidst individual triumphs in the NBA, however, has me rethinking my belief in happenstance...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 194 reads 0 comments

  11. Spurs Will Pay Later for Inexplicable Loss To Jazz, Series Sweep

    The good news: Tim Duncan did not reach the 20,000-point milestone on such a dreary, disgusting night. The bad news: The Utah Jazz swept a season series against the San Antonio Spurs for the first time in the Duncan era...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 209 reads 2 comments

  12. Kleeman's Jump Hook: Better H.O.R.S.E. Lineup Would Cure My Slam Dunk Boredom

    The NBA's All-Star Saturday Night will arrive sooner than you think, and the evening's would-be highlight is shaping up to be lamer than a wedding proposal at a packed stadium and duller than a plastic knife trying to cut through steel...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 199 reads 3 comments

  13. Dallas Mavericks Sometimes Play Like Contenders, and That's a Problem

    "Day and night, night and dayUnder the hide of meThere's an oh such a hungry yearning burning inside of meAnd this torment wont be through." --performed by Frank Sinatra, written by Cole Porter One night and day can indeed make all the difference...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 339 reads 5 comments

  14. Blake Griffin's Injury Will Impact 2010 NBA Draft: Bad News For Bigs

    Blake Griffin will undergo season-ending surgery, the L.A. Clippers announced Wednesday afternoon. The forward will spend the rest of the year on the mend in a sport coat, having played zero ...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 1,750 reads 4 comments

  15. San Antonio Spurs' Bench Could Help Close Gap Against Los Angeles Lakers

    The real test for the revamped San Antonio Spurs will come next month at the Staples Center, when the Lakers should have Pau Gasol back...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 603 reads 0 comments

  16. Tony's Team: How Tony Parker Controls the Spurs' Chances Against the Lakers

    Long-time San Antonio Spurs followers know better than to blame 2004 on Derek Fisher alone. He nailed a heartbreaking jumper with 0.4 seconds left in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals to give the Los Angeles Lakers all the momentum...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 346 reads 1 comments

  17. Kleeman's Jump Hook: Lessons from the Gilbert Arenas Gun Play Debacle

    "You got to stick to your guns What's right for you, ain't right for everyone Ain't right for everyone You got to stick to your guns What's right for you, ain't right for everyone Ain't right ...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 438 reads 4 comments

  18. Spurs Gut-Wrenching Loss to Mavs Feels Like 2006 All Over Again

    Manu Ginobili threaded a gorgeous pass between two Dallas Mavericks defenders to Dejuan Blair, who slammed the ball with authority as he was fouled. The rookie forward swooshed the free throw, affording the San Antonio Spurs a 13-point third-quarter lead.

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 114 reads 0 comments

  19. Houston Rockets Face Telling Stretch as Schedule Eases

    Phoenix Suns Center Channing Frye dribbled up to the three-point line and stopped, with two Houston Rockets defenders waiting to snuff a potential fastbreak drive to the cup...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 402 reads 2 comments

  20. Kleeman's Jump Hook: Portland's Juwan Howard Is NBA's Biggest Surprise

    When The Oregonian first reported the Portland Trail Blazers would audition Juwan Howard to serve as a backup to LaMarcus Aldridge, I admit I chuckled a bit...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 325 reads 8 comments

  21. January Schedule Presents Opportunity for Surging San Antonio Spurs

    The San Antonio offense took the night off in Toronto, and some foul free throw shooting sunk the Spurs against the defenseless Raptors...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 508 reads 1 comments

  22. Hibachi Blogosphere: Wizards, NBA Will Pay For Gilbert Arenas' Stupidity

    Gilbert Arenas owes me nothing. I'm just a 24-year-old teacher who moonlights as a pro bono hoops scribe. I bang out NBA columns on this site because doing so pleases me...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 274 reads 2 comments

  23. See Ya, Tracy? Why a Not-So-Fast Impasse Could Keep T-Mac in Houston

    The Houston Chronicle reported Monday that the Rockets and Tracy McGrady agreed Tuesday to seek a trade for the disgruntled guard. So, that's it folks. He's gone, packing his bags as I write this...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 2,845 reads 12 comments

  24. Unwrap This: What Santa Kleeman Delivered To Some NBAers

    I made a list. You better believe I checked it twice. The objective: separate the NBA's naughty from the NBA's nice. Santa Kleeman completed some late deliveries to players, coaches, GMs, and one group of rambunctious fans...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 103 reads 1 comments

  25. Will The Houston Rockets Land On National Television?

    When the NBA released its national TV schedule this fall, the Houston Rockets joined four other teams deemed not worthy of an appearance on ESPN, ABC, or TNT. The Toronto Raptors and Oklahoma City were each slated for one national TV appearance...

    Robert Kleeman Written by Robert Kleeman about over 3 years ago 1,614 reads 7 comments