Craig Cochran

Craig Cochran

Joined: Apr 28, 2020

Craig is a big-picture NBA writer with an affinity for tying hoops and pop culture together within his conversational columns.

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 28: Harry the Hawk, mascot of the Atlanta Hawks, dunks during a timeout in the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Brooklyn Nets at Philips Arena on January 28, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Craig eats crow, part 1: The Atlanta Hawks are playoff bound

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks after a steal against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Russell Westbrook deserves his roses whether you love him or hate him

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts end of the game after losing to the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on April 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Should the Los Angeles Lakers panic over their playoff situation?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors stands for the National Anthem before their game against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center on October 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Warriors: Steph Curry is scorching the earth like only he can

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 10: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors has the ball stolen by Tony Allen #9 of the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on December 10, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Ranking the five greatest defenders in NBA history

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 16: LeBron James #2 of Team LeBron dribbles the ball while being guarded by Giannis Antetokounmpo #24 of Team Giannis in the fourth quarter during the 69th NBA All-Star Game at the United Center on February 16, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Lampson Yip - Clicks Images/Getty Images)

The NBA All-Star Game brings with it the return of the Elam Ending

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on before being introduced against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Capital One Arena on February 11, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal might be too loyal for his own good

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 15, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets: Could trading Kyrie Irving be the next order of business?

WAHINGTON - NOVEMBER 10: Steve Francis #3 of the Orlando Magic talks with referee Rodney Mott #71 during the game against the Washington Wizards on November 10, 2004 at the MCI Center in Washington D.C. The Wizards won 106-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Steve Francis symbolizes the value of understanding the misunderstood

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after receiving his 2020 NBA championship ring during a ceremony before the opening night game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

NBA predictions 2020-21: Our individual award winners and Finals picks

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 10: A spotlight shines on James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets as he reacts on the bench during a timeout in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center on March 10, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Honesty hour: James Harden represents the NBA at its worst

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 01: General Manager Danny Ainge and Gordon Hayward

Boston Celtics: Pump the brakes on the hype for their huge trade exception

Phoenix Suns Devin Booker. Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns: Chris Paul trade will elevate Devin Booker to new heights

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - JULY 31: Players kneel behind a Black Lives Matter court decal before the start of a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic on July 31, 2020 at The HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images)

All the President’s men: How the NBA swung the Presidential election

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers reacts against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 23, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers: Despite Doc Rivers hiring, Sixers are still a sinking ship

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat observes the playing of the national anthem prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Arena on October 23, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Miami Heat: Tyler Herro is the NBA’s most compelling paradox