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The article discusses ex-National Basketball Association (NBA) player Brian Grant's battle with Parkinson's disease, and it mentions his desire and his playing style during a 12-year NBA career. Grant's former role on the Portland Trailblazers basketball team is examined, along with illnesses involving athletes and information about Grant's medical treatments which involve vitamins and a variety of potential medical cures.

The article offers information on football player Jamal Crawford, discussing his career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Topics discussed include the teams that he has played for including Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Clippers; and the encouragement provided to teammate Austin Rivers by him at Clippers.

The article discusses the success of high school freshman basketball player Niccolo "Nico" Mannion who resides in Phoenix, Arizona as of 2017, and it mentions his athletic ability, his popularity on the Instagram photograph sharing service, and the author's claim that 15-year-old Mannion might be a basketball prodigy. Mannion's potential future in American college basketball and the National Basketball Association (NBA) is examined, along with NBA player Steph Curry and free merchandise.

The article discusses former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Robert Swift who is attempting to resurrect his basketball career and repair his family life after years of drug abuse. Swift's heroin- and methamphetamine-related problems are examined, along with his former life as a millionaire basketball player who played for the Seattle SuperSonics team beginning in 2004. Swift's parents Bruce and Rhonda Swift are mentioned, along with Robert Swift's basketball skills.

The article discusses the effect of model and reality television personality Gia Allemand's suicide on her boyfriend at the time Ryan Anderson, a professional basketball player. Topics include details on Ryan and Gia's relationship, details on Ryan's career including his draft by the New York Nets and current position for the New Orleans Pelicans, and details on Gia's diagnosis with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

The article presents information on professional basketball player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Topics include details on the effect of Kobe's knee injury, details on the championship titles and most valuable player (MVP) awards he has received throughout his career, mention of Bryant's contract with the Lakers, and mention of his tentative plan to retire in two years. The article also discusses Bryant's trip to China, his daily activities during the trip, and the Chinese citizens' idolization of Bryant.

The article focuses on forward Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Durant's winning of the NBA's 2014 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is considered, as is his emotional acceptance speech in which he gave credit to his mother and teammates. A dilemma for Durant is examined in which while his individual excellence is universally recognized, the NBA's historic standard among fans, players and other personnel for evaluating star players is NBA championships won by their teams.

The article focuses on center DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers team in the National basketball Association (NBA). A dramatic improvement in Jordan's performance in the 2013-2014 season in which he leads the NBA in rebounding, is examined, and largely attributed to his relationship with the team's new coach Doc Rivers, who convinced Jordan to focus on defense and rebounding.

The article focuses on high school basketball coach Mike Allen of Gunderson High School in San Jose, California. Allen's 2011 suspension of five starting players and a subsequent boycott of the team by almost all its players are examined. Player Ryan Tran, who was one of those suspended, and who then returned to the team for the 2012-2013 season, is examined as an illustration of the ambiguities of the situation, and expresses mixed opinions on Allen.

The article features Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, members of the Golden State Warriors basketball team. They are described as the greatest shooting backcourt of the National Basketball Association (NBA), having broken several three-point shooting records. The possibility that Curry and Thompson could score close to 600 three-pointers each during the 2013-2014 season is addressed. The professional basketball careers of the men's fathers, Dell Curry and Mychal Thompson are also cited.

The article examines some details in connection with professional basketball player Brian Williams who went missing off the coast of Tahiti in 2002. A Polynesian man who works on the front desk at Sofitel hotel remembers Williams who stayed in one if the over-water bungalows in 2002. Williams changed his name to Bison Dele to honor his Cherokee and African heritage and walked away from his contract with the Pistons.

The article focuses on basketball player LeBron James of the Miami Heat team of the National Basketball Association (NBA). James' skills on both offense and defense are examined by considering his ability to play all five positions on a basketball team, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center. Former NBA center Bill Walton and NBA coach Mark Jackson discuss his abilities at center and point guard.

The article focuses on basketball player Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A disparity is considered between Duncan's status as one of the NBA's most successful players in his 15-year career and his relative lack of fame compared to other NBA stars, and is attributed to Duncan's conscious decision to avoid publicity. Duncan's relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is considered as an element in the Spurs' success.

The article focuses on basketball player Antoine Walker. Walker's decision to play for the Idaho Stampede team of the minor league National Basketball Association (NBA) Developmental League is considered in terms of his past success in the NBA with the Boston Celtics team. It is noted Walker declared bankruptcy in 2010 despite professional earnings of over $100 million. Walker admits to mistakes during his career, but states he is content with his status as a minor league player.

The article focuses on basketball player Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Griffin's ability to shoot by dunking the basketball is discussed through the literary device of considering opposing players who were defending Griffin when he dunked the ball. It is noted that veteran star players in the NBA including Kobe Bryant have praised both Griffin's ability and his competitive nature.

The article profiles basketball player Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, who plays in the position of forward. A discussion of problems that Smith has with shooting three point basketball shots, and of changes that he has made to his game in an effort to to avoid shooting them, is presented.

The article focuses on Kevin Durant, U.S. basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder team of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It mentions the two things Durant was famous for, including being the national college player of the year as a freshman at the University of Texas in Houston. Based on detailed statistics from HoopData.com, Durant is finishing a higher percentage of shots at the rim as well as getting fewer shots intercepted. According to assistant coach Ron Adams, the player is constantly asking for feedback, even during games.

The article looks at basketball team and winners of the 2009 National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers. The author focuses on the Lakers' team captain, Kobe Bryant, who was named most valuable player of the playoffs. His performance during the 2009 NBA playoffs is reviewed. Bryant was shown to have made nearly twice as many assists during the playoffs as any other player.

The article discusses professional basketball players Kobe Bryant and Shane Battier. Bryant's team, the Los Angeles Lakers, played against Battier's team, the Houston Rockets, at the 2009 National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs. The author focuses on the effort of Battier to guard Bryant on defense.

The article focuses on basketball player Dwight Howard, a center for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Howard's desire to match the accomplishments of his role model Shaquille O'Neal is matched by O'Neal's disdain for his younger rival. Howard's cheerful personality is compared with the strength and willpower needed to excel at his position.

The article focuses on basketball player LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). James has had the best season of his career in the 2008-2009 season, and the Cavaliers have been one of its most successful teams. James physical athletic ability is linked to increased experience to make him perhaps the most talented player in the league.

The article reports on the friendship between professional basketball players Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. Born in Canada, Steve Nash helped German born Nowitzki transition into American culture. Both began playing for the Dallas Mavericks at the same time and the details of their friendship are explained. Their on court styles are described as atypical of the average professional basketball star.

The article profiles National Basketball Association (NBA) player Yao Ming. He plays center for the Houston Rockets basketball team. Basketball analysts say Ming is the first truly dominating "supersized" basketball player. He is over seven feet tall. Ming is a five-time NBA All-Star. He missed 32 games in 2007 due to injury.

The article reports on Miami Heat basketball player Dwayne Wade and his performance during the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff game. Wade, who grew up in Chicago, Illinois and attended Marquette University, played the final playoff game while recovering from the flu and scored 10 points in 9 minutes. Sales of his jersey with the number three have increased, the three being in reference to Wade's choice of representing the Holy Trinity. Wade donates 10 percent of his salary to his Chicago church.

This article profiles Miami Heat basketball player Dwyane Wade. Wade, the Heat's leading scorer, is featured prior to the Heat's appearance in the 2006 National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals. Wade's unique abilities, work ethic, and unassuming demeanor are praised. Wade is also compared to former basketball player Michael Jordan, both by talent and approach to stardom.

The article discusses Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Lebron James as the team prepares for the 2006 NBA playoffs. The 21-year-old James is the leader of the Cavaliers and a candidate for 2006's Most Valuable Player award, and fans are anxious for him to prove himself in his first NBA playoffs.

The article follows three days in the life of National Basketball Association rookie Chris Paul. While Paul is gaining a reputation of potential greatness, his team, the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, has gotten no air time on major television networks. The article shows Paul on the court and off; he has his thumb wrapped after a torn ligament, scores 41 points in two games, talks about his celebrity crush over lunch, and receives glowing praise from teammates and coaches.

The article focuses on the art of rebounding in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The article reviews the success of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. The article includes comments regarding Howard's abilities from an unnamed Western Conference scout. The author discusses how centers like Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons and Marcus Blount of the Boston Celtic have reintroduced the importance of rebounding to the game of basketball.

This article discusses the efforts of Indiana Pacers shooting guard, Reggie Miller, to lead his team to the playoffs in his final season in the NBA. As Miller conducted his unique pregame ritual, the seats slowly turned yellow with fans. They came in part to see their surging Pacers, but judging by the jet roar at Miller's pregame introduction and the raft of number 31 jerseys, they largely came to see a 39-year-old shooting guard in the final days of his final NBA season. Miller did not disappoint them, showcasing a repertoire against the Washington Wizards that has changed little in two decades. The performance might have been dismissed as a rare blast from the past were it not for the fact that Miller has been just as impressive all season. Miller's revival couldn't have come at a better time for the Pacers. Between suspensions and injuries the team had lost 396 player-games through Sunday. Miller has responded in dramatic fashion. Shortly after the Nov. 19, 2004 brawl in Detroit, which resulted in the suspensions of O'Neal (15 games), swingman Stephen Jackson (30 games) and All-Star forward Ron Artest (the balance of the season), Miller dropped 23 points on the Warriors and 32 on the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite entreaties to stay, Miller hasn't wavered since announcing on Feb. 10 that he'd retire, saying there won't be any "Michael Jordan thing going on." In many ways, though, this year has provided an opportunity for Miller to go out with a flourish.

This article profiles Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards basketball team. At 6'4" and 205 pounds, Arenas is powerful enough to bull his way to the basket, as fast as anyone in the league, and able to dunk on anything that might get in his way. He can hit both the midrange jumper and the three, a rare combination in the dunk-or-distance NBA. Arenas believes his strength comes from not lifting weights: "I'm mentally strong." And though he watches tape of opponents, he does so selectively: "I have the mind-set that a guard can't stick me. So I watch the bigs and see how they like to play. If you're a shot blocker, then I jump into you. If you take charges, then I pull up for the midrange." Though Arenas will tell you he always knew he'd succeed--in February 2005 he became the first player from the 2001 draft class to make an All-Star team--he might be the only one. He left Arizona after his sophomore season but wasn't taken until the 31st pick.

This article discusses the challenges faced by Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, as the team lost most of its top players prior to the 2004-2005 season. For a few moments it seemed like old times at the Staples Center. The Spurs were in town, led by the metronomically consistent Tim Duncan, and the Lakers were mounting a second-half comeback, spearheaded as always by their superhero, Kobe Bryant. As Los Angeles started to turn the tide, the capacity crowd cheered. In years past this was the moment when one of the Lakers stalwarts would step forward to make a big play, be it Shaquille O'Neal swatting a shot into the third row, Rick Fox draining a jumper, Derek Fisher taking a charge or Karl Malone roaring to the basket. Instead, point guard Chucky Atkins dribbled the ball off his foot. On the next offensive play, forward Caron Butler caught a pass along the sideline and bobbled it out-of-bounds. And two possessions later center Chris Mihm--O'Neal's replacement--ran a give-and-go with Bryant but overestimated the go by about five feet, throwing the ball to a surprised Spurs defender. Who, the fans could be forgiven for wondering, were these guys? Atkins, Butler and Mihm sounds more like a law firm than part of a Lakers dynasty. In the interest of fairness it's still very early, as new coach Rudy Tomjanovich has pointed out repeatedly, and the Lakers are not only incorporating nine new players--right now Bryant is the only returning starter--but are also missing three of their top seven. Say what you want about Bryant, you won't be the first. O'Neal called him a "clown" and a "joke." Former coach Phil Jackson described him as a "callous gun for hire." Even Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen, motivated by who-knows-what, chimed in this preseason by saying that Bryant would be "very selfish" this year. Thus, it's not surprising that Bryant, who is nothing if not sensitive to criticism, has made a concerted effort to win over his new teammates.

The article profiles Spurs player Manu Ginobili, an Olympic idol and the highest-paid athlete in Argentina. In San Antonio he is known for his clutch shooting, creative passing and slicing drives to the basket. In Argentina Ginobili long ago ceased being merely a talented shooting guard. There, he is not only the country's finest basketball player and an Olympic hero, but--in a country wracked by economic turmoil--he is also living, dribbling proof that anything is possible. Even his fellow members of the Argentine national team call him the One and Neo, nods to the destiny-bound hero of The Matrix. When the NBA season begins this week, he will resume the privileged life of a multimillionaire professional athlete in the U.S. It began in August 2002, after the national team upset the U.S. at the world championships in Indianapolis and finished second to Yugoslavia. His popularity soared even higher after the Spurs won the 2003 title. Ginobili averaged 7.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in his rookie season, winning converts Stateside with his headlong energy and rococo spin moves. This summer Ginobili experienced something of a personal triple crown: domestic, economic and professional success. In July he married Marianela Orono, the daughter of a former Argentine basketball star and the only woman he ever seriously dated. They tried to have a small, private ceremony, but the media crashed the affair. After averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a starter last season, Ginobili signed a six-year, $52 million deal with the Spurs in July, making him the highest-paid Argentine athlete. In July police intercepted a phone call between members of a kidnapping ring and learned that Ginobili's father was on a list of targets. At the time Manu and his parents were on vacation in the Patagonian Andes.

Focuses on basketball player Sebastian Telfair, who is likely to become the first point guard to go directly from high school to the National Basketball Association. Inside the gym at Lehman College, Brooklyn's Lincoln High and Manhattan's Wadleigh Secondary School are about to tip off in the second round of the Public Schools Athletic League playoffs. The crowd is here to see Sebastian Telfair, Lincoln's 6-foot point guard, nicknamed Bassy. Telfair has posed for magazine covers, hung with Derek Jeter and Jay-Z and played on ESPN2, making him basketball's second-most-hyped high schooler ever, behind his friend LeBron James. In interviews Marbury often mentioned his young cousin, as did Telfair's brother Jamel Thomas, who played at Providence and now serves as Sebastian's personal coach when he's not playing in Greece. INSET: NINE MORE WHO MIGHT GO PRO.

This article focuses on the unexpectedly impressive performance of Michael Redd in the National Basketball Association All-Star Game. It's two p.m. on Friday of All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. On one side of a cavernous ballroom, reporters crowd three deep around the tables of Shaquille O' Neal and Kobe Bryant, pressing forward as if stageside at a Springsteen concert, tape recorders held aloft. Amid the chaos, there is a pocket of serenity in the back of the room, where Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd, a first-time All-Star, is sitting patiently at his table, wearing a blue button-down shirt, jeans, white sneakers and--no doubt breaking a clause in the Players Association contract--not a single piece of jewelry. Redd's confidence was on display on Sunday in the East's 136-132 loss. Though he was the last player to get in the game, he managed to hoist 12 shots in 15 minutes, hitting three three-pointers and scoring 13 points.

Focuses on the impact of talented forwards Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest on the Indiana Pacers basketball team. League-best record of the Pacers at 35-13; Contrast between the two players' tastes, work habits, and playing styles; Background of each player; Failure of the two to click as teammates during their first year on the team; Performance of each player in the 2003-2004 season.

This article focuses on the unexpected success of the Utah Jazz following the departure of veteran players John Stockton and Karl Malone. Imagine turning on the CBS news one night and, instead of Dan Rather sitting there, in all his square-jawed solemnity, there was some bony Russian kid with a spiky hairdo. Then imagine quickly surfing in search of Tom Brokaw--steady old Brokaw--only to see, occupying his chair, a baby-faced Puerto Rican with an earring. For 17 years Salt Lake City was the domain of John Stockton and Karl Malone, the city's own Rather and Brokaw--or, to use a sports analogy, its Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. Now, in the wake of those two Dream Teamers comes 22-year-old Andrei Kirilenko, a power forward with swizzle-stick arms, and 24-year-old Carlos Arroyo, a vagabond point guard. Behind the coaching of a rejuvenated Jerry Sloan and the play of Kirilenko and Arroyo, Utah was 9-6 through Sunday and had already beaten such Western playoff contenders as the Houston Rockets, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Timberwolves (twice). Even with Arroyo sidelined by a sprained left ankle, Utah players ran the floor, hustled like crazy, threw alley-oops for dunks, swatted Yao Ming's shots against the backboard and--in a definite Stockton and Malone no-no--had the gall to be animated during a fourth-quarter scoring burst.

Kings' center basketball player Brad Miller is seven feet tall and fabulously wealthy, having signed a seven-year, $68 million contract in July. Undrafted out of Purdue five years ago, he is now an All-Star center playing for a championship contender in Sacramento. Though Miller gets along with just about everybody in the league, he considers only a handful of players to be good friends, among them Indiana forward Jeff Foster, Hornets guard David Wesley and Warriors forward Brian Cardinal. Even if teammates seldom share his passion for lippers of Skoal and fine beverages like Keystone Light, the 261-pound Miller has in fact fit in well. The very qualities that make him a throwback player--his passing, pick setting, shooting from the high post and physical defense--have made him both sought-after by G.M.'s and valued by teammates. Yes, he is slow, unathletic and, by his own admission, "unlikely to dunk on people," but he's become more coveted each season, since he started as a scrappy reserve with the Hornets, then became a steady role player for the Bulls and finally emerged as an All-Star with his home state Pacers last year, averaging 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds.

The taunts fell on Jason Kidd like verbal shrapnel. After a week-long wait by Boston Celtics fans for Kidd to come to town and a buildup fit for a prizefight--including comments about the domestic-assault charge against Kidd (subsequently dropped), inflammatory remarks from a respected "Boston Globe" columnist and enough drama that 36 media members crammed into a FleetCenter hallway for a five-minute pregame Q and A with New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott--Kidd tore down the floor as he always does, like a motorcyclist weaving through rush-hour traffic, and hit his first two jump shots. On Monday night Kidd returned to his usual transcendent self, racking up 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the Nets completed their sweep with a 110-101 double-overtime victory in Boston to advance to the conference finals, where they will face the winner of the Detroit Pistons-Philadelphia 76ers series. After "Globe" columnist Bob Ryan said during a May 4 TV spot that Kidd's wife, Joumana, was an "exhibitionist" whom he'd like to "smack"--a poor choice of words under any circumstances but especially so in this case, considering that Jason was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault of Joumana in January 2001 (the charge was dropped after he agreed to undergo anger counseling and paid a fine)--the Nets rallied around their point guard.

Focuses on the University of Louisville Cardinals basketball team during the 2002-03 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season. Performance of the team through their first 20 games of the season; Praise for guard Reece Gaines; Intensity displayed by second-year head coach Rick Pitino; Expectations for the remainder of the season.

Focuses on Chicago Bulls players Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry. How both players stand seven feet tall; Expectations for both as the Bulls attempt to rebuild their team; Plans for the 2002-03 National Basketball Association season.

Focuses on the way that the New Jersey Nets may defeat the Indiana Pacers. Need for intimidation from Kenyon Martin of the Nets; Fouls which have been committed by Martin during basketball games; Belief of coach Byron Scott that Martin plays physically and with emotion.

Analyzes the power forwards of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association, who are credited with making the west a stronger conference than the east. Comparison of power forwards playing styles in 2002 to those of previous years; Playing abilities of Rasheed Wallace, Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and others.

Profiles Jermaine O'Neal of the Indiana Pacers. His record for points per game and rebounds; His leadership position on the team; Support he receives from his high school coach, George Glymph; Idea that O'Neal acts older than his age.

Profiles Pau Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies. How he came from Spain to play basketball in the United States; Idea that Gasol felt lost when he first started playing in the U.S.; View that basketball in Europe is more team-oriented; Details of the trade of the Grizzlies for Gasol; Comparison of Gasol to Kevin Garnett.

The article profiles Utah Jazz forward, Carlos Boozer, and his close relationship with his wife. Sometimes, love is serendipitous. Other times, it looks up your number in the student directory, calls you out of the blue and asks if you want to go out that night. That is what happened to Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer in 1999, when he was a 17-year-old freshman registering for classes at Duke. A 21-year-old North Carolina State student named CeCe Blackwell, in Durham visiting a friend, saw the tall, muscular Boozer--the Blue Devils' top incoming recruit--at the university bookstore and liked what she saw. So she cold-called to ask him to dinner, and, as Carlos says happily, "We've been together ever since." Throughout Boozer's journey from Duke to the Cleveland Cavaliers to Utah, CeCe--whom he married in 2002--has been by his side. She watches film with him, rebounds his practice shots and analyzes his play after games. Last summer she also sat in on every meeting during his controversial free-agent contract negotiations.

Reports on the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association and their efforts to make the playoffs. Impact of adding point guard Gary Payton; How the Bucks' front line may prevent them making the playoffs; Strengths of Milwaukee's team including its collection of outside shooters; Average number of points given up by the Bucks since they traded for Payton suggesting they are not playing good defense.