Top 5 NBA stories of 2012

From LeBron James' victory parade to the soap opera that is Dwight Howard to the return of basketball to Brooklyn, there were a lot of major headlines that highlighted the NBA in 2012.

But none topped a Cinderella-like story that grabbed everyone's attention from New York City to the Far East.

Here are the best of the best from the NBA this year. – By Marc J. Spears

TOP STORIES: Boxing | Golf | MLB | NASCAR | Olympics | NCAAB | NCAAF | NFL | NHL | Soccer | UFC

1 - 5 of 5

1 - 5 of 5

2 of 5 photos

4. Lakers coaching craziness – The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Mike Brown just five games into the season after the team started the season 1-4. The expectation was that Brown would be replaced by Phil Jackson, who won five titles coaching the Lakers. Jackson was interested in the job, but there were questions about how much power he wanted, money and staff members. The Lakers, however, went a different direction, hiring up-tempo coach Mike ... more
4. Lakers coaching craziness – The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Mike Brown just five games into the season after the team started the season 1-4. The expectation was that Brown would be replaced by Phil Jackson, who won five titles coaching the Lakers. Jackson was interested in the job, but there were questions about how much power he wanted, money and staff members. The Lakers, however, went a different direction, hiring up-tempo coach Mike D'Antoni. Things haven't gone very well with D'Antoni at the helm, though, as the Lakers continue to struggle despite the offseason acquisition of Dwight Howard. less