Every year in the NBA, a young player is selected to be the Most Improved Player, or the MIP.  This player must be a player that is still in the infancy of his NBA career and have a breakout year.

He can be somebody who was already good and then made great strides, or somebody who finally got a chance to start and played amazingly.

Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi would like to play for the Memphis Grizzlies or any other team willing to offer him a contract. However, the political tension between the U.S. and Iran could be in the way of the 7-foot-2 basketball player from ever slipping on an NBA uniform.

The league office told every team that they are prohibited from discussing a possible contract with Ehadadi unless the American government gives the NBA a license that will allow teams to contact Iran’s best player.

The Southwest Division was the toughest division in the NBA last season, with four of the five teams collecting 50 or more wins.

The point guard position may be the most difficult to play in basketball.

In the modern game, the point guard obviously has to have great game vision. But moreover, he also has to be an athletic guy and a potential scorer.

Top PGs in the game are able to deliver the ball, provide help rebounding, and score when their team needs it. An outstanding point guard make his teammates better and absolutely changes a team.

The Olympics are in full swing and couldn’t get better in my opinion, and not only in basketball, but every other event also! But still, you’re not here to read about that are you? No basketball is the thing, so let’s have a look.

In 2006, the Dallas Mavericks completed their march to the NBA Finals. They reached to the final series after an impressive Playoff statement. Then they faced Dwayne Wade’s Miami Heat. Everything was rolling after the first couple of games played at Dallas. The team coached by Avery Johnson clinched both, and moved to Florida to close the Finals.

In the third game, the script was the same. With 6:31 to play in the fourth, Dallas was more than 15 up. But then, the lights turned off. Wade appeared as a genius, leading his team to an impossible victory. The Mavs didn’t overcome the upset, and the Heat won three more in a row, clinching his first NBA title.

A little over a year ago, the Chicago Bulls seemed to be a team on the rise and figured to be a contender in the softer Eastern Conference.

Today, they couldn’t seem further away from that goal.

Ever since the man called Michael left (and even a bit before) the Chicago Bulls front office has been subject to mockery and loathing. In my mind at least, there is nothing worse than when a team is ruined by guys in suits. Perhaps the 90’s Bulls had had their run either way, and perhaps it was time to let someone else win a ring, but even so the way that team was unceremonisly torn apart is still a great tragedy in NBA history.

The Atlantic Division suddenly became interesting last summer after the Boston Celtics pulled off two miraculous trades that landed them Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Just months earlier, star forward Paul Pierce was showing his aggravation to the media and insinuating that his abilities might be better served in another city. Celtic GM, Danny Ainge, must have received the message, and as a result he crafted a trio that would eventually win the NBA Title in 2008.  

The 2008 summer has also featured significant changed for the Atlantic Division, but not by the Celtics. Boston did lose 6th Man forward James Posey, but will rely on the lineup of Garnett, Pierce and Allen with Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins to lead them into the new season.

The NBA off-season is still in full swing, and even though you are probably completely engrossed in Michael Phelps run for eight gold medals (the 4x100 was amazing) or the run for redemption for USA Basketball (they took an easy win against Greece).

However, the NBA is still around, and even though you may not notice it, there is still plenty of news for you to be keeping track of over the past few days. Here is a rundown of the NBA news you may have looked over.