2014 Year in Review: NBA

Both on and off the court, the NBA had people talking a lot in 2014.

Whether it was some big trades, or an ownership scandal, to the Spurs typifying superb team play, 2014 was another year to hold dear in the history books.

Here, we delve into the biggest moments and storylines of the year in NBA.

Carmelo drops record-breaking points at the Garden

Too Easy: Carmelo dismantled the Bobcats scoring almost half the Knicks' points. Image: ThisIsMelo.com

Carmelo Anthony torched the Cleveland Bobcats' in a record-breaking performance at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks' forward scored 62 points, and checked out with 7:18 remaining of the game. He set a franchise-record for most points scored by an individual Knicks' player. New York would go on to trample all over their opponents, winning 125-96.


Garnett, Pierce return to Boston

After they both were involved in a big-money deal to join the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce stepped back onto the court to a rapturous applause in the TD Garden. "The Truth" scored a dozen in his first game playing as the opposition in Massachusetts. A night charged on emotion would ultimately conclude with Kevin Garnett putting the final touch on a layup as the visitors pipped the Celtics to win 85-79.


Donald Sterling

One of the hottest news topics of the year revolved around Los Angeles Clippers' owner, Donald Sterling. Late in April, a damning audio recording released by TMZ presented racial remarks from the 80-year-old, which would soon cause a furore from social media. Other NBA owners would also speak out, urging commissioner Adam Silver to take action. After comments made by president Barack Obama and the revealing of a second audio tape, the writing was on the wall. Sponsors dropped out, the players even did a silent protest. Days later, Adam Silver made a defining move to his tenure as the commissioner, banning him indefinitely from the organization while also hammering a fine of $2.5 million. 


NBA Playoffs

On a thrilling road to the NBA Finals, an abundance of amazing moments were in store in a post-season to remember. San Antonio Spurs—who would ultimately become Champions—were pushed to the limit by fellow Texans, the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki put on some solid performances but was outmatched by counterpart talisman, Tim Duncan. Elsewhere in Texas, the Houston Rockets were stunned by the Portland Trail Blazers in an exciting series. LaMarcus Aldridge exploded out the blocks, putting out big numbers including 30+ in his first two games. Ultimately, it would come down to the rising prodigy Damian Lillard, who nailed a buzzer-beater in Game 6 to send the Oregon-based side through to Round 2.
The Clippers and Warriors continued to develop quite the rivalry in 2014, and at the core of that was their Round 1 series in which saw a share of the news stories and plenty of brilliant basketball. Golden State were outlasted by the 3rd-picked Clippers following a nervy Game 7 finish. Finally in the West, Oklahoma City met in a big clash with the physical Memphis Grizzlies. It was a series packed to the max with over-times and Oklahoma would prevail after Game 7.

Clippers would ultimately top the Warriors. Image: Getty

Over in the East, the Indiana Pacers would manage to bring an end to their oscillating form by topping the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7. In possibly one of the more over-looked series' of the Eastern conference playoffs, it was tightly-matched until the Pacers used homecourt advantage in their final game. The Washington Wizards' 2014 saw them make quite the moves and that included dismissing Chicago Bulls. Nene was involved in a moment of madness resulting in a suspension, but the Wizards would win the series emphatically, 4-1.

The series hinged around Nene and Boozer. Image: FanSided

Toronto Raptors were shoved by the Brooklyn Nets in a 7-game series that went down to the wire. Paul Pierce's playoff experience was extremely valuable to them, and in Ontario for the final game they would end up prevailing. Miami Heat ordered themselves a few days off after they were no match whatsoever for the Charlotte Bobcats with a clean sweep.

Image: CBS Miami

Both 1 & 2 picks would make their conference finals. The San Antonio Spurs found things much easier to dismiss the inexperienced Trail Blazers, and they would meet OKC after Kevin Durant and Co. breezed past the Clippers. Indiana ended the run of Washington at ease, while Miami did the same against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Spurs dismissed the Blazers at ease. Image: FanSided

Conference finals

San Antonio Spurs booked a date in the NBA Finals as they defeated Oklahoma City Thunder over the course of 6 games. Inside the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Thunder did all they could in order to force a seventh and final game, however they would still crash out in the heat over overtime. Due to ankle pain, Tony Parker exited the game missing the second half, but Duncan—scoring 19 points, crashing 15 rebounds—and the likes of Diaw and Ginobili saw them through to a five-point lead which they'd cling onto after the overtime period had finished.

League MVP Kevin Durant was kept at bay by Tim Duncan and the Spurs. Image: The Guardian

Miami Heat, the reigning back-to-back Champions would move in to touching distance of a "three-peat" as they saw off the Indiana Pacers. For a third-straight season, Indiana's post-season ended by being outclassed by the Heat.

Image: IbiTimes

NBA finals

Once more, the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs would meet on the decorated stage that is the NBA Finals. This time, however, there would be no repeat of the Game 7 triumph that ensued in Miami. Instead, San Antonio would dominate and have their moment.
Spurs began their run in a comprehensive 15-point victory. LeBron James was left frustrated as his game-high 25 points was not enough at the AT&T Center. A close win in Game 2 would level out the series, where LeBron would again come up with a game-high points total, only larger as he wouldn't suffer from cramp. A powerful comeback levelled the series.
From then on in, San Antonio would take control. Winning by double digits for all three games, an avalanche from Ginobili, catalysed by the presence of Finals' MVP Kawhi Leonard, would set Popovich's side on course for victory.
As the time ticked, sweet victory was felt all across the Texan state. An embrace from LeBron and Popovich would be followed by the Heat's No.6 making his way off the court as a Miami player for the last time. It was Father's Day too—a time to mourn after his father died in a shooting—and "Kawhi, you can smile now" were words reverberating around the sporting World as the finals MVP celebrated on an emotional day. The Spurs were Champions again, demonstrating the best of team basketball and defining a bright future.

LeBron returns home

It was clear for all to see that the Miami Heat wouldn't be the same after taking a big blow in the NBA Finals. With LeBron James' free-agency looming, it was set to be a gripping time for the news surrounding the association. He revealed the decision with an "I'm coming home" announcement to join the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a big postseason for the Cavs, they also managed to acquire one of the league's best power-forwards in Kevin Love.


Opening night

After a long summer, the NBA was back to action and was off to a big start. Reigning Champions the San Antonio Spurs battled hard against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in a close game, pipping their fellow statesmen 101-100. Tony Parker brought up the goods late, propelling the Spurs to victory, with shooting from beyond the arc and creativity inside the paint as Spurs laid some of the bricks ahead to their long road to a title.
Anthony Davis kickstarted a big season by dismantling the Orlando Magic as he would post 26 points, 17 rebounds, 9 blocks, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Other action included a big game at the Staples Center, with the Los Angeles Lakers falling to a rejuvenated Houston Rockets. An altercation between Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant—the first time they met since they were together on the Lakers—was a big storyline to come out of the game, but Houston would end up routing.


Kobe's records

The latter half of the year was bitter-sweet for Kobe Bryant. Not only was he stuck in a side struggling to find their feet in the course of the season, but during a November game on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies, he broke the record for most missed shots in the history of the league. However a month later, Bryant surpassed Michael Jordan with a free-throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the NBA All-Time scoring list.


Texas tandems bolstered

Late in the year, the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets received huge boosts to their squads. Rajon Rondo signed with the Dallas Mavericks, leaving the Celtics, providing an all-new dimension to the Mavs and looked strong in his first few outings. A few days later, Josh Smith was released from the Detroit Pistons, ending up playing for the Houston Rockets, and again, doing very well in his attempt.

Image: AOL.com

Another year to remember, but now we look ahead to what lies in the future. We'll see you on the court in 2015.