Popovich was named the N.B.A.'s coach of the year after guiding his varied group to the league's best record, but even after such a successful regular season, he was not certain his players could go this far.
This year, the Knicks enjoyed one of the most successful regular seasons in franchise history, most of which was played with Carmelo Anthony at the power-forward position.
The Rangers' most successful regular season in nearly a decade ended not with an Atlantic Division title but with a closed-door meeting.
Cashman said he thought the Yankees were more talented than they were last year, but noted that the 2011 Yankees had a very successful regular season.
Steve McNair announced his retirement Thursday, ending a 13-year career in which he was selected the co-most valuable player, led the Tennessee Titans to the Super Bowl and orchestrated the most successful regular season in the Baltimore Ravens' history.
He won three Premier League titles and became an England regular during a successful seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge but injuries eventually led to him falling down the pecking order.
The stand will not be a breeze, but it will be a respite of sorts for the Rangers, who are battling a minor slump in what has been a successful regular season.
Fisher is standing firm, leaving a vast rift that is consuming the union's attention just as the N.B.A. is wrapping up a surprisingly successful regular season after the 149-day lockout.
Met first is Marianne (Holofcener regular Catherine Keener), a successful poet of the type who's known Joni Mitchell for years.
On a team basis, the Canucks remained a successful regular season team, winning their second consecutive Presidents Trophyy.
