NBA News report 3/27

[RichardMoss]

Before Lakers, Hawks face slumping Pacers
by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Before the Hawks take on the Lakers and Cavaliers later this week they open it against the Pacers, who are at the other end of the win-loss spectrum.
Well, the Pacers used to be there at least. Now they are threatening to finish well enough to decrease their chances in the draft lottery while only delaying their official elimination from the playoffs.
The Pacers were 7-7 since Feb. 27 entering the weekend, the best record among the NBA's 10 worst teams over that time. They had won four in a row and five of six before playing Utah on Friday.
The Pacers had the league's fourth-worst record before their surge, and the team that finishes in that slot has an 11.9 percent of winning the overall No. 1 pick. After the 7-7 stretch they dropped to eighth in the lottery standings, which would mean a 2.8 percent chance of winning the top pick.
While some Pacers fans might want to see the team dial it down and aim for a high draft pick, coach Jim O'Brien said he has no plans to play his rotation guys less minutes because "tanking" hurts the game

[flyingillini]

Thanks for the great report Flacco!

[RichardMoss]

Cleveland Cavaliers Can Learn From Past Disappointments Of Lakers, Bulls
by The Los Angeles Times

As the Cleveland Cavaliers continue their quest for a first-ever NBA championship, they would do well to learn from history.
There was a time when the "close, but no cigar" shoe was on another foot-that of the Los Angeles Lakers, now one of the league's most storied franchises.
Having won five titles while playing in Minneapolis, the Lakers joined the growing sports landscape in L.A. prior to the 1960 season. Their excellence continued on the West Coast, but championships didn't. The Boston Celtics had other plans.
The Celtics were in the midst of a championship streak that would stretch to eight consecutive seasons, and 10 of the next 11.
It was a much smaller league in those days. Even by the end of the 1960s, it was still only half the size it is today.
Nonetheless, six times in that decade, the Lakers played the Celtics in the finals. Six times, they came up short. After Bill Russell retired in 1969, the Lakers lost one more title series for good measure, to the New York Knicks in 1970.

[blowseq]

Thanks!

[playersonly69]

Not bad information

[lacesout]

Nice info, thanks!