AGRI Biz

Building a team through the draft is a lost art in the NBA. While the NFL treats its entire draft like an actual regular season game, the NBA's version is mostly done after the first 20 picks—well before every team has has a chance to make at least one selection. Someone forgot to give that memo to Kevin Pritchard, the embattled General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers. Even before taking over as ...

If you are a Golden State Warriors fan—or just a fan of basketball—then news of the Warriors now being up for sale should have you mildly excited. The Bay Area, one of the largest markets in the country, is an untapped goldmine for basketball. Fans saw it in 2007 when Oracle Arena became one of the most hostile places to play during the NBA playoffs, and the Warriors became the media darlings ...

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are watching your next Kevin Durant highlight on ESPN's "Sportscenter." First, Durant—the blossoming young superstar out of the University of Texas —is only 21-years-old. Second, he is only in his third season in the league after pulling a one-and-done deal with the Longhorns in 2006-07. Third, his numbers at this age and stage of his career (29.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 ...

It seems as though every NBA General Manager who has gotten his team fitted for championship rings this past decade has said these magic words on at least one occasion: "Let's make a deal." Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak could not get those words out of his mouth soon enough when he landed Pau Gasol from Memphis two years ago. Celtics boss Danny Ainge could not say those words enough when he was ...

Somebody needs to wake up Donnie Walsh and the New York Knicks. Come to think of it, don't bother. It is already far too late. But if you get a chance, here are some things you can tell Mr. Walsh and his brass: No NBA team, based on previous precedents, should ever -- ever -- bank on free agency as a way to get better. And the single most effective way ...

When a team usually acquires a star player -- say, a future Hall of Famer -- in an overwhelmingly one-sided trade, there's no doubt that they won that deal. Or so it would seem. There was no way the Cavs were losing this one. They gave up basically a sack of basketballs for Shaquille O'Neal, who even at age 37 was an All-Star center and a nightmare to defend in the ...