NEW YORK -- One of the best basketball leagues in the country right now — if not the best — is nine blocks from my house on the lower East Side of Manhattan.

On any given night, the Nike Pro City League at Baruch College features several NBA players, plus a mix of other pro and college players going at it before capacity crowds of about 2,000 fans.

On Tuesday night, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder went mano-a-mano with John Lucas III of the Chicago Bulls (pictured courtesy New York Times). Lucas III, out of Oklahoma State, poured in a game-high 60 points to Durant’s 41, but Durant led The Franchise to a 146-143 overtime victory.

Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers (13 points, 15 rebounds) and Sundiata Gaines of the Nets (18 points) also played for The Franchise. (more…)

Rafer Alston and Kenny Anderson are two of the most well known and talented point guards ever to come out of New York City.

Now the two former NBA players are looking to transition into coaching.

Alston, 34, was just hired as the new head coach at Humble (Texas) Christian Life Center, replacing former coach Carlos Wilson, who’s headed to coach at Tyler Junior College.

“I’ve had a good career, long career, 11 years,” Alston said of a career that included stops in six NBA cities and a stint in China. “I had fun. I can’t complain about my NBA career. It’s been wonderful.”

Alston, the former Cardozo High star known as “Skip to My Lou,” said he wasn’t ruling out a possible return to playing professionally overseas or in the NBA, but he realizes that is unlikely. (more…)

Derrick Rose, this year’s NBA MVP, and LeBron James, winner of the
two previous MVP awards, highlight the 2010-11 All-NBA First Team.

James was the lone unanimous choice, receiving all 119 first-place votes. Joining
James and Rose on the First Team are Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. (more…)

Former Michigan star Robert “Tractor” Traylor was found dead of an apparent heart attack at age 34 in his apartment in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, according to a Facebook posting by his team in Puerto Rico.

Police in San Juan said in a statement the 6-foot-8, 300-pound Traylor was found on the bedroom floor of his oceanfront apartment.

Traylor was taken by the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 6 pick in the 1998 NBA Draft and dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks for Pat Garrity and German prospect Dirk Nowitzki. (more…)

Here's the complete schedule for the first round of the NBA playoffs:

San Antonio vs. Memphis

Game 1 - Sun April 17 Memphis at San Antonio	12:00PM	1:00PM	TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 20 Memphis at San Antonio	7:30PM	8:30PM	NBA TV
Game 3 - Sat April 23 San Antonio at Memphis	6:30PM	7:30PM	ESPN
Game 4 - Mon April 25 San Antonio at Memphis	TBD	TBD	TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 27 Memphis at San Antonio	TBD	TBD	TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29 San Antonio at Memphis	TBD	TBD	TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1 Memphis at San Antonio	TBD TBD	TBD (more...)

Kobe Bryant has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for his anti-gay slur Tuesday night.

“Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and
inexcusable,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said.

“While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated.  Accordingly, I have
fined Kobe $100,000.  Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.” (more…)

Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, the reigning NBA  Rookie of the Year, and Los Angeles Clippers rookie forward Blake Griffin,  the  only  player  in  the NBA averaging at least 20 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2011 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, Feb. 18, in Los Angeles All-Star Weekend.

The participants in the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected
by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.

Joining  Evans  on  the Sophomore team are: San Antonio Spurs center DeJuan Blair, Golden  State  Warriors  guard Stephen Curry, Toronto Raptors guard DeMar  DeRozan,  Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson, Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue  Holiday,  Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Serge Ibaka, Milwaukee Bucks  guard  Brandon  Jennings, and  Portland  Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews. (more…)

NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers’ coaching change could spell good news for Brooklyn’s Lance Stephenson.

And Roy Hibbert, Tyler Hansbrough and Paul George, too.

“I think a lot of times the young guys are going to be the ones that help you win the most,” Pacers interim coach Frank Vogel said Sunday, according to the Indy Star. “I can’t play all 15 guys. That’s one of the challenges of being a head coach.

“I think our fans should be excited. This is going to be an exciting part of the second half of the year.” (more…)

NEW YORK — In his lone season at Kentucky, DeMarcus Cousins was part of a team that won 35 games and lost just 3.

Less than halfway into his rookie season in the NBA, his Sacramento Kings club has won just 9 games while losing 28.

“It’s been a tough process,” the 6-foot-11 Cousins said after putting up 16 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks in the Kings’ 93-83 win Friday over the Knicks at MSG.

“I don’t want to say I’m getting used to it because nobody wants to get used to losing. I’m kind of taking a positive take to it. I mean, I know we’re growing as a team, we’re a young team, we’re full of potential. Let’s just get better every game and that’s what we’re doing.” (more…)

There will be a new Slam Dunk champion
crowned on Feb. 19, at Staples Center when
four first-time contestants vie for the title: Blake Griffin, Brandon Jennings, Serge Ibaka and JaVale McGee.

Each of the four participants will work with a former player to create and practice dunks.

Griffin will match up with TNT analyst and two-time Slam Dunk participant (1990, 1991) Kenny Smith; Jennings will practice with NBA Legend Darryl Dawkins; McGee will work with NBA TV/TNT analyst and five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber; and Ibaka will prepare with Thunder teammate and 2009-10 NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant. (more…)