Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA league pass is awesome, but nothing beats a good TNT double-header.

Tonight, we get a great TNT double-header.

The night starts off with Cleveland at Miami. I’ve written this before, but LeBron vs. Wade is the best head-to-head matchup to watch in the NBA right now. These guys always bring out the best in each other.

Continue reading "Great TNT Double-Header Tonight"

Have you looked at the league leaders yet this season?

There are some familiar faces atop some of the big categories. Kobe leads the league in scoring. Nash leads the league in assists. Rondo leads the league in steals. 

Continue reading "New Era of NBA Bigs?"

Last week in “Fun With Box Scores” I took a look at about ten different things that jumped out from the previous week’s box scores. 

It was the initial plan to roll out ten more fun little facts that I discovered while rummaging through the box scores this week, but I came across one box score that was so unique that I don’t feel like any other stat line from the week is worthy of being in the same post as this one. 

Continue reading "Fun With Box Scores"

For the third straight season, the young, potential stud, center for the Los Angeles Lakers has hit the ground running and has shown flashes of being an all-star caliber center in the NBA. 

Continue reading "Andrew Bynum: The Oldest 22-Year-Old in the NBA"

he mighty T’Wolves down the stretch, but it certainly wasn’t because of Lopez. 

Los Angeles Lakers 

I know they were playing the Clippers, but the champs didn’t miss a beat. This could have been the most lopsided seven-point game I’ve ever seen. 

Continue reading "First Impressions"

Happy New Year!

With the new NBA season set to tip off with four games tonight, here are some of the things I’ll be watching for in tonight’s action.

Boston @ Cleveland, 7:30pm

I can’t wait to see LeBron again this season. Last year, coming off the Olympics, you could see that his focus was on improving defensively. Now, without a summer in the spotlight, I’m curious to see if he’s made any improvements to his already unreal game. Is this the year we finally see LeBron use his Karl Malone-like body to beast on people inside?

Continue reading "NBA Opening Night Quick Thoughts"

Disappointing news for NBA fans everywhere, courtesy of yahoo: 

"LOS ANGELES (AP)—Blake Griffin’s (notes) NBA debut has been pushed back indefinitely after the Los Angeles Clippers revealed late Monday night that their No. 1 overall draft pick has a broken left kneecap.

Continue reading "Disappointing First Impression of Blake Griffin"

le used in the story was none other then the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson of the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers.  The story claims that Phil is a bad winner because we wore a hat with X, the Roman numeral 10, once the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic in the finals last month. The X stands for his unprecedented tenth title as a head coach, exceeding the great Red Auerbach.  So why is the hat showing bad sportsmanship? Every time Michael Jordan won a title, he always held up the fingers of the championship, 1 through 6. Nike made a special shirt for Kobe Bryant’s fourth championship that he wore at the Lakers victory parade. Therefore by default, MJ and Kobe are bad sports too?  Why should Phil, or any athlete for that matter, have to mask what they have accomplished? It’s not like he ran around the court refusing to shake the other teams’ hands, yelling he is the best. The hat was not just a way for Phil to show off, but a gift to him. It wasn’t a gift from Nike or any other sponsor, but rather a gift from his children. He wore a gift showing off his accomplishment from the people that matter the most to him. That’s a bad sport if I’ve ever seen one! 

Continue reading "Los Angeles Lakers' Phil Jackson a Bad Winner?"

This comes a week after the Los Angeles Lakers pulled their original two offers off the table. As reported by ESPN, the free agent is seeking a $10 million a year contract with multiple years.

Continue reading "Odom and Champs pick up contract talks"

10) They were spotted in Kobe's escalade at an 'N and Out drive-through. And yes, they both got "animal style."

9) When on road trips in Denver, Kobe's got Artest covered for booty calls.

Continue reading "Top 10 Reasons Kobe and Artest will work out"

Almost exactly a year ago I wrote and published my first blog in this here forum of journalistic excellence and opinionated sports debate. I recounted the pitfalls of a thoroughly disappointing Lakers-Celtics Finals, one that should have been steeped in drama, history and haymakers but was instead hampered by flops, bricks, and poor decision-making. I find it fitting to sit here on this most unceremonious of anniversaries (does anyone still read this? if you’re out there, send money) and begrudgingly opine on yet another, equally disappointing Finals. 

Continue reading "Another Disappointing Finals"

NBA FINALS; Orlando Magic give LA a Battle of a Game, but Lakers Take It in Overtime!!!!
  Orlando came out of the gate a little sloppy, but so did the Lakers. Last night LA did not control the paint. This game was was a real fight and a really good game.  After the 1st period it was 15-15, an even game. The Magic really shut down Kobe in the first half, and played really great defense all around. D. Howard was getting his rebounds, 16 a game high and made some nice moves to help out the Magic's offense, scoring 17-points and 4 assists, a lot better than last game, and at half it was a 5 point LA lead.

Continue reading "Lakers in Overtime"

Western Conference Finals Game 5: Another Battle But Kobe Makes Right Decision For Lakers Win!!!!! As I wrote in my last couple blogs teamwork wins, and LA and Cleveland have not been playing as a team, either Bryant or James wins it for their team or they have lost because Orlando and Denver have been playing with teamwork for the whole playoffs.

Continue reading "Lakers Teamwork brings a Home a win"

Or is it dilemmi? Either way.

As the entire NBA world eagerly awaits the potential match-up of Kobe and LeBron in this year's finals, they also can't help observe it's getting increasingly difficult for them to get there. The Magic and Nuggets are hitting their strides at the right time, with bench players stepping up at crucial moments, Van Panic and Karl making good coaching moves, and both team's point guards acting as the leaders they can be. Even if the current and future MJ's of our time average 50 a game for the rest of the playoffs, it won't matter. That's not how you reach the Golden Summit (Yes, I just used "Golden Summit" as an analogy for the Finals. Deal with it. I like it.).

Continue reading "Kobe and LeBron facing similar dilemmas"

When Mark Cuban told Lydia Moore that her son, the Nuggets' Kenyon Martin, was a "thug" after Game 3 of the Nuggets-Mavs series, he crossed a line. I thought I'd point out the Top 10 Things he MEANT TO SAY to Ms. Moore:

Continue reading "Top 10 Things Mark Cuban MEANT TO ..."

Steroids has officially gone postal.

The list of all-star players who have been revealed to be using steroids: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Alex Rodriguez, now.......MANNY RAMIREZ.

Continue reading "Manny being Manny: The Latest twist ..."

If Kobe Bryant expects to win a championship this June, he needs to trust his teammates more. If he doesn't, the Lakers will not only struggle to win the Finals, they may have trouble even getting there. Last night's loss to the Houston Rockets, putting them down 1-0 in the series, is to me, enough cause for concern. Phil Jackson needs to sit down Kobe and tell him the same thing he told Jordan: trust your teammates more.

Continue reading "Memo to Kobe: Be like Mike"

Say Swine Flu keeps spreading. Say it gets worse, like "Outbreak" worse, and the majority of people in the US get it, including LeBron James. I still don't think I could beat him one-on-one. Even if it was first to score. Or if we played "PIG." Remember when Jordan had the flu in the '88 playoffs, and he dropped 47 against the Knicks, AT the Garden??? We spectators/bloggers/sports fans seriously over-estimate the flu. If LeBron had swine flu, not only would he stuff me like a Quizno's Torpedo, he would still be able to beat the following athletes/teams:

Continue reading "LeBron could beat me with Swine Flu"

I'm a Kobe fan. Huge Kobe fan. He's practically my generation's MJ. Nothing against MJ, I just never saw him play much. I went to the United Center once, when I was seven, and all I remember is Scottie Pippen's crew-cut and cotton candy. Also, I'm from D.C., so the fact that MJ ruined the entire development and chemistry of an up-and-coming Washington Wizards team, just so he could milk a little more limelight, doesn't really sit well.

Continue reading "Why Lakers fans should worry about ..."

I never had the opportunity to personally attend any of the classic Celtics-Lakers games of the 80s. I was actually only in the old Boston Garden twice, and neither occasion was for basketball. I can’t even claim to remember watching any of the historic battles live on television since I was just six when the decade ended. ESPN Classic provided me with the handful of Bird vs. Magic matchups I have seen, and while I could still feel the intensity between the two great franchises, the suspense was lacking because I already knew the outcomes prior to sitting down.

Continue reading "Lakers-Celtics: Waiting for Round Three"

starters by the fans:

G – Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

G – Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

F – Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

F – Amar’e Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns

Continue reading "The Sports Don Reveals His Western ..."

The story reads that on Christmas Day in 2008, two great teams, the Los Angeles Lakers (24-5) and the Boston Celtics (27-3), came together to play. One would imagine the goal was simply to win. However, the two teams seemed as if they were competing for something else besides a win. From the jump ball, the Lakers appeared to be on a mission to redeem themselves from last year’s NBA Finals. The Celtics played it as if it was just another game on the way to their ultimate goal of repeating as World Champions. The Lakers won the game with a score of 92-83, but the game can’t be told by the final score. It is told by what each team was playing for: another step in the right direction and redemption. The Celtics learned that they can be beaten. And, the Lakers got their redemption, for this was their Championship game.

Continue reading "The Laker's Championship Game v. ..."

The Kobes and the LeBrons, excuse me, I mean, the Lakers and the Cavs met for the first time this season a week ago today in Los Angeles, and while the home team won by 17 in an uneventful game where James matched his number in points and Bryant’s 20 weren’t even a team-high, it did give basketball’s so-called pundits another opportunity to debate who’s better: Kobe or LeBron.

Continue reading "Kobe versus LeBron - The Battle for Superiority"

It's odd, I have my site at bostoncelticsnews.com, and I have only posted one thing NBA related. Well, how about I make it two? 

On MLK night, the Lakers took it the Cavs. If this game didn't showcase why the Lakers are the best team in the league right now, I don't know what does. For the average person who just looks at the NBA as a whole, the Lakers are the team right now. But, as Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend. Breaking it down, here are my rankings for teams that I think have the best shot at winning the championship. 

Continue reading "NBA Wrap-Up"

Anyone catch that Spurs Lakers game from last night?  It was a fantastic, wonderful game from tip-off to final buzzer.  It came down to the last possession, and there was a certain exchange that I found to be quite delightful that may just come in handy sometime later this year...  

Continue reading "A Quick Aside... (NOT!)"

The Celtics finally lost, and although many in the sports world would have you believe that the sky is falling, I for one am not entirely convinced.  Give credit to Kobe and the Lakers, they played hard on Christmas day and earned their win.  They were physical with the Celtics and very aggressive on both ends of the floor, forcing Boston turnovers and making big shots when it counted, but I'm not worried, and I don't believe that the Lakers have redeemed themselves at all for the turd egg they laid in last season's Finals.  Since when does winning one regular season game at home count as a statement game?  How does one victory on National TV even come close to making up for a humiliating 39 point ego-ectomy (to use the basketbawful terminology) of a defeat in basketball's biggest game of the year or the three embarassing losses that preceeded it?

Continue reading "Are They Who We Thought They Were?"

lphia Sixers

6) Toronto Raptors

7) Washington Wizards

8) Miami Heat

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) Los Angeles Lakers

2) New Orleans Hornets

3) Portland Trailblazers

4) Utah Jazz

5) San Antonio Spurs

Continue reading "PREDICTIONS for the NBA 2008-2009 SEASON"

Are you like me? Are you thinking that last week’s NBA Finals should go down as one of the biggest disappointments in league history? Lakers-Celtics was supposed to rekindle the drama and mystique of the Finals; a match-up steeped in tradition, the best team from each conference squaring off in a best-of-seven, no-holes-bared, knockout, high-caliber glitz-fest. The glitz was plentiful, but the high-caliber basketball never really materialized.

Continue reading "Disappointing Finals"

;d like to offer my most sincere apologies for the delay in between the axe murdering defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers at the hands of the Boston Celtics, but seeing as it was their NBA record 17th title, and the first since 1986 (can’t say I remember that one), I thought that instead of immediately pumping out a sloppy reaction column to the Celtics’ 39 point mop-the-floor-with-Pau-and-Kobe victory, I’d spend two days getting hammered in celebration and then pump out a sloppy reaction column later (that’s it boy, show off those $100,000 liberal arts study skills!).  So without further ado, let the praise, adulation, and probably more than a few sick burns commence!

Continue reading "Defense Dominates"

I'm somewhat at a loss for words today (surprising, no?).  All I can say is that the Lakers got lucky last night in more ways than just the favorable officiating (Kobe just about hacked Paul Pierce's arm off on the decisive steal, but the game was not lost there).  The Lakers are lucky that KG missed two crucial free-throws (which, should the Celtics lose will become the mother of all albatrosses hanging around the Big TIcket's neck), and especially lucky that 3 of 5 Celtic starters are hurt during the biggest games of the entire season.  Knowing that, the Lakers should be ahead, they should be cruising to a championship, but they aren't.  The Celtics botched game five and spoiled a brilliant performance by Paul Pierce that could have, and should have clinched the series. The bad news for LA is that the Celtics know that, and they won't let it happen again.

Continue reading "Redraw"

?  You mean to tell me that the Celtics rallied from an 18-point halftime deficite to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-91 and put a hammer lock on this series?  And Kobe only scored 17, in LA?  You can't be serious.

Continue reading "Hallucinating in Tandem, or Real?"

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.  I’m way too burned out on the Celtics/Lakers nostalgia trip to really engage this, but I think that this is worth pointing out (mostly because it’s an opportunity to poke at the national sports media for their laughably predictable analysis and Finals picks).  I just find it somewhat strange that after so many years of going for the same fools gold, the talking heads of the Association can’t figure anything out. 

Continue reading "Cyclical History and Boxing Tips"

Sorry about the delay in the game one post, but it wasn't until very recently that I was able to pick my jaw back up off the floor after Thursday's game one 98-88 Celtics win in game one of this year's NBA Finals.  As giddy as I am about the Celtics' win, I am equally terrified for the health of Paul Pierce's knee and Boston's future in this series.

Continue reading "Joyful Panic"

That putback dunk by Kevin Garnet said it all. This game was very competitive. Celts win 98-88. I like watching it and I wouldne mind seeing it again but with a little more Kobe. I dont know what happ

Continue reading "Boston Celtics Take Game 1"

The two most successful teams in NBA History will be going at it in the NBA Finals tonight. The Celtics already own 16 championships while the Lakers are sitting at 13 championships. Each team will be looking to become one game closer to another ring. This will be the most exciting NBA Finals that we have witnessed in recent years. I like to call this years NBA Finals “Star-Studded”:

Continue reading "Lakers vs Celtics Matchups"

     With the game on the line. The Boston Celtics host the The Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals. This is not a repeat of the 1987 NBA Finals  (that featured both teams) although the teams are built similar. The Celtics have the "Big 3" with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in comparison with Robert Parish, Kevin Mchale and Larry Bird. Three great players, two diffrent teams. The Celtics have to play aggressive on the offenssive end of the court, while maintaining their league's best defense in order to win. The Lakers, who are bringing in Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom are also built to that 1987 running team of Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar. This 2008 NBA Finals looks to be very exciting!!! The Lakers must slow down the Celtics offense in order to win!!! I belive that Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins will have bigger impacts than Derek Fischer and Vladimir Radmanovic. The Celtics will win Game 1 but look for the Lakers to compete with great intensity. I think the Lakers will be a better bet for Game 2. My Prediction: The Boston Celtics will defeat The

Continue reading "Who will win Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals?"

In no way do writers of the Suffolk Voice condone underage drinking, so this game is intended for adults 21+. With that being said, this drinking game will guarantee to get you blackout drunk by halftime if you follow all the rules. It is highly recommended that you record this game as you are watching it so you don’t miss what will undoubtedly be a great series. 

Continue reading "The NBA Finals drinking game for Celtics fans."

Today, the Celtics are about to play game one of the NBA Finals against the longtime rival Los Angeles Lakers. Even with the recent news on the Patriots taping incident (I will not say “spy gate” ever again), and the Red Sox playing relatively well, the Celtics dominate the headlines.

Continue reading "Celtics NBA Champs? Yes Please."

Paul Pierce v. Kobe Bryant. Period. These two will be lighting up the scoreboard the whole series. Expect to see a couple of 40 point games. However this series is not just about the scorers. It wi

Continue reading "NBA Finals - Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers"

e plans for the Celtics to employ against the mighty and dangerous (they're just mighty dangerous!) Los Angeles Lakers.

One of the biggest keys for the Celtics is staying aggressive on offense.  I know, that's really insightful and descriptive (I was going to say cliché...), but don't worry, baby birds, I'll feed you.  If the Celtics can stay aggressive on offense and continually drive to the basket and get shots in the paint, they'll be attacking the Lakers softest and most exploitable spot, their interior defense and big men.  You are now undoubtedly protesting by saying something along the lines of "Pau Gasol is down there, and he's long, athletic and a Laker now which means no fouls get called on him!"  Right you are, but whom, I ask you, is behind Pau Gasol in the Lakers rotation?  Ronny Turiaf and DJ Mbenga, that's who. 

Continue reading "Middle Men"

id chunk on the Tivo) to catch some classic NBA Finals match ups between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.  The games will be a smattering from the 1980s era of Bird v. Magic, and will be airing starting this Monday and continuing through Wednesday.  These games have something for everyone, short shorts and good shooting for my mom, passing and good defense for dad, and good, competitive basketball that everyone can and should enjoy.

Continue reading "Get Psyched!!!!!!!"

ad of being downright cocky and picking the Celtics to win the title.  That good reason is the Los Angeles Lakers, which is also the same reason that I'm not so giddy about the Celtics' prospects in the Finals this year.  The Lakers are really good, and they've shown it too, ripping through some of the fiercest competition in recent NBA history with ease en route to a Finals berth.

Continue reading "Throwback"

Today's tangent is inspired by Raymond (shockingly, with me on this one) and Matt Stauffer, who has posed a challenge to me by asserting that the Celtics will lose to either Detroit or the winner of the Western Conference for a few key reasons.  Following the game one victory for Boston, I thought I'd address a few of his concerns (convenient that I waited until a resounding Celtics victory to start talking smack, isn't it?).  Hey, hey, easy now, I'm not fixin' to start a war or anything, in fact I respect the feedback and the fact that somebody is actually reading my posts (anyone else? ...Beuller?).  I'm only out to address the argument and provide as complete a rebuttal as I can, so without further delay, let's get started.

Continue reading "Hungry Like the (Former) Wolf"

Don't blame me for this, it's just that time of year.  Sadly, the Celtics are still in cruise control and I have to do something to fill the void between now and Saturday.  So, for lack of anything better to write about, I suppose I'll put my two bits in about the various award races going on in the NBA.  If I eventually tail off and stop writing mid-sentence, it's because I'm just as bored with the subject as you'll be (actually, if you stick with it longer than I do, I'll be impressed!).  And I suppose it is the popular question du-jour, so let's get down to it.

Continue reading "Award Tour"

  No 'd,' there you have it (Look what my college degree gets me!).  Maybe that's why the Los Angeles Lakers (no "d" there either!) don't play it very well.  I don't even need to back that statement up, either (but fear not, I'm going to!).  The proof is in the pudding, and by pudding I mean last night's loss to the Trail Blazers in Portland.

Continue reading "There's No 'D' in Los Angeles"

No NBA yesterday, instead I had to settle for March Madness, boo hoo.  It was a great game, and despite the loss I still think that Derrick Rose is the best player in college right now and should be the no. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft.  He's incredibly athletic, has a great sense of the game, a high basketball IQ and most importantly is, by all accounts, an excellent leader and teammate.  Michael "Beastly" is incredible as well, I just think Rose's ability to make his teammates better and his upside are tremendous.  Also, Chris Douglas Roberts and Mario Chalmers were amazing, to put it mildly.

Continue reading "A Pu-Pu Platter of Coming Attractions"