Magic Beats Lakers 96-94

wire

146

-1

2010-03-07T19:55:00-05:00

Playerpress

92 7846 There may not be any need to panic inside the Los Angeles Lakers locker room after this, their third straight loss, but as they near the end of the season (18 games remain), this is not how they want to roll into the playoffs. In a regular-season game that meant much more to the still-sour Magic after a humiliating Finals defeat to these same Lakers less than a year ago, Orlando proved they could compete with the reigning champs.   This game got chippy, with several technical fouls called and plenty of trash talking from both sides. In the Magic’s 96-94 win, all five of Orlando’s starters reached double digits in scoring, led by Vince Carter with 25. Dwight Howard tallied 16 points and 15 rebounds, but the real story was LA’s lack of balance. Kobe poured in 34 points and Gasol added 20, but the rest of the team was virtually invisible. Orlando held the Lakers to just 37% shooting and out-rebounded them 50-39.   All three of LA’s losses have been on the road, at Miami (111-114), at Charlotte (83-98), and in Orlando. The good news for LA is their next game, Tuesday night, will be back at Staples Center, where they are 29-5 on the year. The bad news is they are only home for one game, then its back on the road for three. After Toronto visits LA, the Lakers travel to Phoenix, Golden State, then Sacramento.   Sunday’s loss at Orlando marks the first three-game skid for LA since Pau Gasol joined ranks with Kobe Bryant. 76.97.188.228

2010-03-07T19:55:00-05:00

7846-magic-beats-lakers-96-94-

Yes 66.249.68.236, 123.125.66.79, 88.162.35.120, 72.35.114.71, 174.36.241.157, 67.195.115.214, 142.166.170.100, 82.166.163.11, 82.165.36.19, 208.20.225.67, 207.200.116.8, 222.66.117.15, 72.44.54.68, 128.242.241.134, 174.129.95.55, 204.236.198.91, 216.24.142.47, 72.49.66.43, 89.151.84.35, 67.207.201.144, 79.99.6.106, 71.80.125.9, 38.99.98.102, 67.202.5.6, 208.74.66.39, 208.74.66.36, 70.37.70.228, 84.59.137.191, 59.148.211.162, 68.204.120.99, 82.166.163.13, 130.160.212.158, 97.120.184.232, 97.13.97.178, 67.195.113.247, 97.205.36.42, 72.118.113.20, 216.178.40.13, 194.100.2.65, 24.182.45.21, 96.246.117.182, 74.201.117.226, 38.104.134.114, 69.36.233.15, 67.202.40.158, 69.171.160.120, 68.202.7.5, 64.101.71.11, 76.97.188.228, 89.151.116.52, 216.24.142.46, 67.207.201.163, 85.114.136.243, 70.37.87.67, 67.207.201.145, 208.74.66.62, 174.143.235.139, 64.246.135.98, 89.151.116.54, 74.208.125.5, 64.13.147.187, 65.52.25.231, 70.37.70.230, 64.233.172.6, 216.129.119.81, 204.236.203.128, 99.244.207.158, 89.151.116.59, 71.22.164.109, 142.166.170.104, 142.166.170.102, 204.236.236.41, 91.121.85.14, 83.149.199.54, 24.10.71.222, 66.249.67.238, 174.129.93.37, 174.129.19.27, 190.186.79.39, 203.81.72.200, 66.172.194.105, 190.7.196.162, 184.73.226.116, 123.125.66.97, 66.249.67.18, 67.16.94.2, 74.86.244.212, 87.250.252.241, 142.166.170.103, 148.168.40.4, 192.17.194.3

Magic Beats Lakers 96-94

No L.A. Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Orlando Magic, Vince Carter, Dwight Howard , NBA

Magic Beats Lakers 96-94

2380

featured columnist

wire

146

2010-02-22T20:37:00-05:00

Playerpress

77 7631 After missing five games over the last 18 days, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is set to return to the court on Tuesday night in Memphis.  It will be Bryant's first game since February 5th. "I'll be good to go," Bryant said after practice on Monday.  "It's probably about 80-85 [percent] right now and the rest of the percentage is just made up through regaining strength," Bryant added.  Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, "I thought his movement was good." Jackson and Bryant said that the guard's minutes would not be limited in his return on Tuesday, but Wednesday's game against Dallas could be an issue, since that will be games on back-to-back nights. The Lakers went 4-1 in Bryant's absence and he seems intent on not disrupting the team's chemistry.  "I think now everybody is playing with a pretty good rhythm," Brant said.  "So the key is just to keep it going." 68.81.166.28

2010-02-22T20:37:00-05:00

7631-kobe-bryant-ready-to-return

Yes 66.249.68.187, 123.125.66.87, 96.246.112.236, 211.43.152.54, 211.43.152.58, 216.24.142.47, 64.13.147.187, 89.151.116.54, 70.37.70.228, 65.52.26.149, 66.249.85.3, 67.202.5.6, 75.101.170.136, 208.74.66.39, 64.246.135.98, 142.166.170.104, 142.166.170.103, 142.166.170.21, 75.101.232.27, 70.37.87.67, 72.13.91.40, 75.101.197.164, 79.99.6.106, 173.201.21.41, 216.24.142.45, 174.21.234.55, 75.101.139.240, 97.102.195.227, 174.37.205.76, 142.166.170.100, 83.149.199.55, 67.195.37.188, 72.44.34.118, 67.195.112.88, 216.24.142.46, 66.249.67.215, 83.149.199.54, 204.236.236.41, 76.97.188.228, 72.44.61.86, 66.249.68.98, 89.151.116.61, 204.236.198.91, 70.37.70.230, 208.74.66.61, 208.74.66.38, 94.23.51.159, 72.44.48.172, 75.101.249.213, 188.40.157.21, 174.129.137.163, 38.99.96.233, 87.250.252.241, 67.195.112.99, 79.182.41.225, 66.249.68.143, 67.195.115.214, 67.195.114.230, 123.125.66.121, 24.182.45.28, 142.166.170.101, 65.200.199.106, 64.13.222.190, 66.249.67.120, 216.129.119.11, 66.249.68.81, 66.249.67.154, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.68.184, 66.249.68.178, 67.195.113.247, 119.63.198.59, 95.24.251.28, 216.129.119.43, 66.249.68.172, 195.113.214.213, 66.249.68.236

Kobe Bryant Ready to Return

No Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis, Dallas,

Kobe Bryant Ready to Return

2378

featured columnist

wire

146

2010-02-16T18:01:00-05:00

Playerpress

121 7519 It has been announced that guard Kobe Bryant of the Lakers will not be available to play in the game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. <o:p> </o:p> After missing the teams last three games and missing the All-Star Game while Bryant was recovering from a high left ankle sprain, he took part in a full practice on Monday. <o:p> </o:p> The Lakers' training staff was not pleased with how his sprained ankle responded after Monday's full practice. In addition, Bryant’s condition to his ankle appeared to get worse on Tuesday after going through the full practice on Monday. <o:p> </o:p> Lakers coach Phil Jackson said on Monday that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city> looked a bit rusty, but he did not make any reference that the ankle could possibly still be giving the Lakers guard any problems. <o:p> </o:p> "He hasn't played in two weeks, so there's a lot of things that he was trying out and trying to figure out, passes that went awry and shots that he was reluctant to shoot, but he'll come, he'll come," <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city> said. <o:p> </o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place> admitted that he did not have the strength in his ankle that he wanted and that his status is now day-to-day. He will be looking to get back on the court against the Celtics on Thursday. Shannon Brown will once again start in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>’s place tonight. <o:p></o:p> 76.97.188.228

2010-02-16T18:01:00-05:00

7519-kobe-bryant-out-for-warriors-game

Yes 96.246.112.236, 66.249.68.184, 216.24.142.47, 64.13.147.187, 208.74.66.42, 208.74.66.36, 67.202.63.158, 89.151.116.52, 65.52.22.222, 72.13.91.40, 204.236.198.91, 64.246.135.98, 70.37.70.230, 142.166.170.104, 67.202.7.134, 216.121.78.19, 174.143.235.139, 174.133.61.66, 69.60.24.3, 67.202.10.201, 186.137.25.72, 64.233.172.6, 142.166.170.101, 75.101.147.15, 76.97.188.228, 64.62.134.170, 142.166.170.102, 123.125.66.96, 71.165.144.23, 192.65.141.10, 12.49.176.130, 174.36.241.149, 190.209.129.73, 82.225.222.187, 82.165.36.19, 98.124.104.52, 174.21.243.205, 98.14.4.109, 192.45.72.26, 61.223.66.215, 76.20.7.98, 64.74.213.142, 201.143.136.55, 83.149.199.55, 169.234.94.111, 119.93.23.65, 174.129.129.160, 142.166.170.100, 64.80.157.226, 38.99.96.233, 76.219.75.79, 121.1.11.120, 67.161.49.78, 67.195.37.188, 83.149.199.54, 194.100.2.65, 119.111.41.81, 220.255.7.198, 128.83.120.100, 70.3.119.85, 115.147.229.215, 82.43.158.155, 71.63.254.225, 174.129.95.55, 216.24.142.46, 204.236.206.142, 174.143.213.49, 75.101.170.136, 72.30.142.248, 125.60.241.208, 125.214.255.43, 72.44.48.172, 190.42.212.196, 166.205.137.115, 75.65.13.128, 208.54.14.52, 76.245.63.193, 203.126.227.2, 69.231.60.62, 174.129.48.204, 89.37.243.52, 203.45.63.220, 75.101.232.109, 203.84.180.156, 75.101.190.114, 222.255.28.54, 207.62.136.137, 166.205.137.176, 75.101.235.76, 24.182.45.21, 66.249.67.206, 66.249.68.187, 174.129.222.187, 174.129.58.57, 67.195.112.114, 87.237.196.231, 38.100.8.50, 66.249.68.214, 75.149.118.5, 79.99.6.106, 87.250.252.241, 67.218.116.131, 123.125.66.83, 216.129.119.11, 66.249.67.44, 142.166.170.103, 67.195.112.88, 66.249.68.175, 66.249.68.251, 67.195.115.163, 72.30.142.237, 66.249.68.236, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.114.230, 67.195.113.247, 95.24.251.28, 66.249.68.172, 216.129.119.43, 67.195.112.172, 38.100.41.67

Kobe Bryant out for Warriors Game

No LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, NBA

Kobe Bryant out for Warriors Game

administrator

wire

146

2010-02-08T16:50:00-05:00

Playerpress

64 7354 The LA Lakers could be missing two starters in their game tonight against the San Antonio Spurs..<o:p></o:p> <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=110">Kobe Bryant</a> who sat out Saturday's game against the Portland Trailblazers, did not participate in the team's shoot around and spent the time undergoing "diagnostic tests" on his sprained left ankle, according to Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2748">Andrew Bynum</a>, who suffered a bruised right hip that caused him to sit out the second half of <st1:city w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city>' win in <st1:city w:st="on">Portland</st1:city> on Saturday, is probably not going to play, according to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p> "He had some discomfort and can't move very well," <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city> said. Bynum is also dealing with a swollen left knee that he injured last week against the Bobcats when he collided knee-to-knee with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Charlotte</st1:place></st1:city>'s <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=378">Stephen Jackson</a>.<o:p></o:p> <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city> said Bryant is still a game-time decision as the Lakers await the results of the tests, which included a MRI, on the ankle. <o:p></o:p> <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city> said the tests were administered on Bryant, "just to make sure."<o:p></o:p> Bryant told <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jackson</st1:place></st1:city> approximately an hour before tip-off  Saturday that he thought he should sit out and rest the ankle, ending his consecutive games played streak at 235. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> 76.97.188.228

2010-02-08T16:50:00-05:00

7354-lakers-could-be-without-bynum-and-kobe-tonight

Yes 66.249.68.204, 123.125.66.132, 174.37.205.67, 206.114.19.3, 142.166.170.100, 67.195.37.188, 75.65.13.128, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.97.126, 99.60.153.40, 24.24.141.169, 66.249.67.142, 155.247.134.211, 212.90.208.207, 142.166.3.122, 173.111.150.42, 97.93.19.48, 207.154.59.124, 68.28.179.120, 24.90.195.156, 69.109.120.123, 72.44.54.68, 189.115.138.192, 206.72.109.38, 123.125.66.79, 64.13.222.190, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.112.99, 38.99.97.10, 87.250.252.241, 64.184.179.77, 216.129.119.11, 119.63.198.57, 76.214.108.9, 63.215.202.234, 66.249.67.44, 66.249.68.155, 38.100.8.50, 142.166.170.102, 38.99.97.65, 66.249.68.187, 142.166.170.104, 67.16.94.2, 66.249.68.175, 66.249.68.251, 67.195.114.230, 67.195.112.172, 142.166.170.103, 66.249.68.236, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.68.81, 66.249.68.184, 66.249.68.233, 123.125.66.120, 216.129.119.43, 95.24.251.28, 66.249.68.172, 207.46.195.242, 66.249.68.210, 67.195.113.247, 202.138.159.167, 66.235.124.56, 207.46.195.223, 66.249.65.36

Lakers Could Be Without Bynum and Kobe Tonight

No Lakers, Kove Bryant, Andrew Bynum, NBA

Lakers Could Be Without Bynum and Kobe Tonight

administrator

article

146

2010-02-02T12:13:00-05:00

Playerpress

89 7224  Kobe Bryant set the all-time record for points scored by a Laker.  <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2010020129&prov=ap">Bryant got the record, but Memphis got the win.</a>  (Yahoo sports) Bryant passed Jerry West.  For those young ones out there, West is the player who was the model for the silhouette on the NBA logo.       The Lakers were coming off a win over the Celtics.  <a href="http://playerpress.com/articles/kobe-bryant-lifts-lakers-over-rival-celtics">JT3 wrote about the win over Boston.</a>  The Lakers may have experienced a bit of a let down after the win against their rival.  A little tip for friends of Las Vegas is that sometimes teams suffer a bit of a let down after a big game followed by a lesser opponent.     In passing Jerry West, Bryant moved up to 14th on the all-time list.  Next at number 13 is Reggie Miller, and Bryant will probably also pass Alex English at 12 before the end of the season.  Bryant is second among active players, former teammate and current rival Shaquille O'Neal is currently in 5th on the all-time list.     At the top of the list of players is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played many seasons with the Lakers.  But he also spent a long part of his career in Milwaukee, and is only 3rd place on the Lakers all-time list.     74.110.96.156

2010-02-02T12:13:00-05:00

bryant-breaks-record

Yes 123.125.66.60, 174.36.228.154, 66.249.65.114, 67.195.114.42, 205.156.136.229, 66.249.68.204, 66.249.67.142, 75.101.176.194, 75.101.195.195, 72.215.148.50, 76.97.188.228, 204.236.198.91, 89.151.116.61, 65.52.22.222, 70.37.70.228, 174.129.155.45, 174.129.141.199, 75.101.197.164, 208.74.66.61, 208.74.66.62, 75.101.139.240, 174.129.157.222, 83.149.199.55, 204.76.113.51, 66.249.68.8, 38.99.97.126, 174.129.139.3, 68.98.35.96, 69.63.178.251, 68.2.175.74, 174.133.61.66, 63.215.202.234, 205.142.218.90, 67.195.112.85, 123.125.66.75, 205.188.116.143, 71.238.127.100, 87.250.252.241, 76.125.232.28, 203.131.250.162, 174.37.205.76, 142.166.3.122, 38.100.41.105, 67.195.37.188, 66.249.67.44, 38.99.96.171, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.112.114, 216.129.119.11, 67.195.112.99, 119.63.198.55, 66.249.68.149, 38.99.97.10, 64.184.179.77, 72.67.50.109, 66.249.68.155, 198.82.62.79, 89.165.79.32, 70.10.237.6, 62.75.218.97, 142.166.170.103, 203.84.180.156, 66.249.68.187, 98.198.249.150, 87.237.196.231, 38.100.8.50, 75.149.118.5, 65.55.106.185, 38.99.97.65, 87.231.127.151, 67.195.112.88, 66.249.68.122, 67.195.115.214, 123.125.66.97, 205.209.170.10, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.114.230, 67.195.112.172, 207.46.199.47, 67.195.113.247, 66.249.67.151, 38.99.96.233, 95.24.251.28, 216.129.119.43, 66.249.68.172, 207.46.199.53, 38.100.41.67, 67.195.110.150, 67.195.115.42

Bryant Breaks Record

No Lakers all-time scorers, Bryant, West, Abdul-Jabbar

Bryant Breaks Record

793

writer

wire

146

2010-02-01T17:43:00-05:00

Playerpress

107 7212 Kobe Bryant is only 28 points behind Jerry West on the Lakers all-time scoring list. If he can score 29 on Monday night against <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Memphis</st1:place></st1:city>, he will take over the lead as the Lakers all-time leading scorer.     <o:p></o:p> As Bryant moves closer to that milestone, the Lakers look to finish up their longest road trip of the season with a fifth consecutive victory and their sixth straight win over the Grizzlies.   <o:p></o:p> Bryant, who's been bothered by a stiff ankle lately, has 25,164 points during his stellar 14-year career. All have been with the Lakers. This season Bryant is averaging 28.0 points per game.     <o:p></o:p> "I think it's a remarkable thing," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "He's pursuing it, and he's aggressive as an offensive ballplayer and he's going to be scoring for a while." <o:p></o:p> 76.97.188.228

2010-02-01T17:43:00-05:00

7212-7212-7212-7212-7212-bryant-needs-only-29-to-be-lakers-all-time-scorer

Yes 76.97.188.228, 123.125.66.122, 64.191.203.34, 216.24.142.47, 174.129.155.45, 174.129.89.199, 85.114.136.243, 64.13.147.187, 211.43.152.49, 89.151.116.59, 67.207.201.151, 65.52.22.215, 211.43.152.52, 208.74.66.42, 67.220.192.215, 208.74.66.61, 67.202.5.6, 91.121.89.155, 75.101.197.164, 64.246.135.98, 72.13.91.40, 74.201.117.226, 69.36.233.15, 38.104.134.114, 66.249.65.114, 216.39.58.17, 71.68.13.93, 174.129.104.29, 216.129.119.81, 174.37.205.86, 174.21.243.205, 166.90.142.9, 98.137.72.252, 98.137.72.217, 83.149.199.55, 128.211.235.87, 24.10.71.222, 66.249.65.77, 67.195.114.42, 38.99.97.126, 209.20.84.80, 72.44.54.68, 72.30.142.161, 68.171.234.160, 75.101.176.194, 75.101.195.195, 174.129.155.116, 79.99.6.106, 72.44.48.172, 67.202.10.201, 174.96.92.3, 64.13.222.190, 174.129.139.3, 66.249.67.44, 67.195.112.85, 66.249.68.204, 66.235.124.57, 123.125.66.61, 87.250.252.241, 24.125.18.194, 99.13.117.241, 67.218.116.131, 67.162.41.130, 203.131.250.162, 174.37.205.76, 142.166.3.122, 38.100.41.105, 216.129.119.11, 67.243.152.19, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.96.171, 67.195.112.99, 66.249.68.149, 38.99.97.10, 64.184.179.77, 66.249.68.155, 66.249.68.184, 216.24.142.46, 216.24.142.45, 72.44.33.181, 38.100.8.50, 66.249.68.187, 66.249.68.21, 174.37.205.87, 142.166.170.102, 38.99.97.65, 174.37.205.67, 142.166.170.100, 174.37.205.68, 174.36.228.154, 142.166.170.101, 123.125.66.126, 66.249.68.236, 67.195.112.172, 66.249.68.81, 24.175.32.139, 66.249.67.120, 216.104.15.134, 67.195.115.214, 67.195.114.230, 66.249.67.226, 216.129.119.43, 38.100.41.67, 67.195.110.150, 174.129.152.208

Bryant needs only 29 to be Lakers all-time scorer

No Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers, NBA, Phil Jackson

Bryant needs only 29 to be Lakers all-time scorer

231

featured columnist

article

146

-1

2010-01-31T18:58:13-05:00

Playerpress

122 7200 How much needs to be said when you mention Lakers vs. Celtics? These two teams have combined for 32 of the 63 championships and they are the last two champions with the Celtics winning in 2008 and the Lakers were champions in 2009. The Celtics swept the Lakers during the regular season on their way to the championship and the Lakers returned the favor by sweeping the Celtics in their two meetings last season. While the Lakers have owned the top spot in the West with a record of 36-11, the Celtics have struggled a little bit this season at 29-15 winning only 13 of their 20 home games after only losing a total of 6 last year. So would the Lakers continue to roll or would the Celtics get a much needed win over rivals from Los Angeles?The Lakers would jump on the Celtics early as they streaked out to a 30-19 lead after the first period, shooting over 60% from the field. The Celtics behind Rajon Rondo would storm back in the second quarter as they ran off 15 consecutive points to take a 49-40 lead with just over two minutes remaining and would settle for a 52-47 lead going into the half. Kobe Bryant had just nine points on 4 of 10 shooting.   The Celts would still led by seven (73-66) going into the final period but they had ample chances to put the Lakers away in the third quarter and failed to due so; something that would come back to haunt them. The Celtics would lead by eleven in the fourth but the Lakers would close within in 89-88 in the closing seconds. Kobe Bryant who had struggled for the entire game would put Los Angeles up 90-89, hitting a tough jumper over Celtic guard Ray Allen with seven seconds remaining in the game. On the Celtics last possession, Paul Pierce would drive the to the lane and passed to Ray Allen on the left wing and Allen's shot would miss to preserve the win for the Los Angeles Lakers.   For the Celtics it would be their third consecutive loss after falling to the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and now the Los Angeles Lakers. With this defeat, the Celtics fall to the fourth spot in the East trailing Cleveland, Orlando and Atlanta. While there's a lot of basketball left to be played this year, the Celtics are going to have to turn things around quickly if they want to contend in the Eastern Conference. 75.204.140.249

2010-01-31T18:58:13-05:00

kobe-bryant-lifts-lakers-over-rival-celtics

Yes 123.125.66.129, 67.195.114.42, 67.195.111.172, 174.36.228.154, 66.249.68.204, 71.116.132.84, 76.208.131.177, 72.44.54.68, 66.249.67.142, 142.166.3.122, 198.208.251.23, 76.97.188.228, 174.129.157.195, 85.114.136.243, 204.236.198.91, 174.129.90.99, 89.151.116.56, 208.74.66.38, 216.24.142.47, 208.74.66.39, 67.220.192.215, 72.44.33.181, 174.129.107.161, 67.202.63.158, 72.13.91.40, 174.129.104.29, 128.8.120.42, 83.149.199.55, 128.241.112.231, 38.99.97.126, 174.133.61.66, 72.44.48.172, 142.166.170.51, 67.176.69.220, 70.246.255.157, 75.101.174.137, 72.44.38.12, 68.105.253.71, 142.166.170.101, 4.78.248.3, 74.110.96.156, 66.249.65.77, 66.249.67.44, 205.142.218.90, 91.205.175.4, 209.20.84.80, 68.98.35.96, 113.128.1.109, 123.125.66.117, 67.218.116.131, 75.101.176.194, 142.166.170.104, 67.250.57.47, 87.250.252.241, 67.195.37.188, 98.201.163.240, 203.131.250.162, 67.195.112.114, 209.147.62.115, 174.37.205.76, 142.166.170.103, 66.235.124.54, 66.135.56.37, 67.195.112.99, 216.129.119.11, 74.58.149.158, 71.109.0.119, 38.99.97.65, 174.127.132.155, 66.249.68.149, 99.241.214.249, 38.99.97.10, 174.129.237.157, 64.184.179.77, 67.232.131.149, 66.249.68.155, 89.165.79.32, 174.121.2.2, 87.237.196.231, 38.100.8.50, 66.249.68.187, 142.166.170.102, 72.178.46.71, 84.82.60.228, 67.195.112.88, 206.74.10.244, 109.41.38.61, 87.231.127.151, 75.101.195.195, 67.16.94.2, 66.249.68.251, 66.249.68.143, 123.125.66.87, 66.249.68.236, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.114.230, 207.46.199.37, 205.209.170.10, 38.99.96.171, 67.195.112.172, 24.175.32.139, 66.249.67.120, 216.104.15.134, 66.249.67.75, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.68.184, 66.249.68.233, 38.99.96.233, 66.249.68.172, 66.249.67.235, 216.129.119.43, 66.249.68.210, 38.99.98.121, 67.195.110.150, 207.46.204.196, 98.119.232.7, 67.195.113.247, 69.171.163.188, 66.249.67.18

Kobe Bryant Lifts Lakers Over Arch Rival Celtics

No los angeles lakers, boston celtics, kobe bryant

Kobe Bryant Lifts Lakers Over Rival Celtics

1110

writer

article

146

-1

2009-12-23T18:13:00-05:00

Playerpress

144 6704      Prior to 1960, the Lakers called Minnesota, The Land of 10,000 Lakes, home. Fast forward 50 years and a thousand miles, the “Lakers” are still NBA royalty, only now they perform in front of celebrities in the City of Angels, as opposed to the Paul Bunyan’s of the world.       The franchise was born when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen bought it in 1946, immediately moving it from Detroit to Minneapolis. The Lakers had immediate success, winning back to back championships in their first two seasons led by the great George Mikan. Prior to the move out west, they managed another three titles. <o:p> </o:p>      When owner Bob Short moved the team to LA in 1960, they became the first NBA franchise to call the west coast home. Fifteen championships, 14 Hall of Famers (and four HoF coaches), eight MVPs, and 2,992 wins later, not all of which were in LA of course, the Los Angeles Lakers can legitimately claim the honor of being the greatest franchise in NBA history. <o:p> </o:p>      Yes, the Celtics have more championships, with 17, but no one in history has more wins or a better winning percentage than the Lakers. They also have more Finals appearances than anyone (30). Their 33-game winning streak during the ‘71-‘72 season is not only the longest the NBA has ever seen, but the longest any major professional American sport has ever witnessed. <o:p> </o:p>      I’m not here to talk about the past though (thanks to Big Mac for that quote). I’ve said before that I have no interest in sports history. I am very much a believer in what have you done for me lately. Well, lately, the Lakers have back to back Finals appearances, and barring nothing less than the apocalypse, they will notch number three this year. <o:p> </o:p>      The Lakers have the best player in the game, Kobe Bryant. We all know about the super Spaniard, Pau Gasol, and the offseason addition of Ron Artest. Derek Fisher, at his advanced age of 35, is still out there mixing it up with the youngsters. Andrew Bynum is healthy, for now, and Lamar Odom, as inconsistent as he can be, is still the most difficult matchup in the entire league. <o:p> </o:p>      I’m not even sure you can call Phil Jackson a coach anymore at this point. To me, his title should be Head Suggestor, because that’s really all he does, well, that and call a timeout every once in a while. This is not an article chronicling Jackson’s successes as a coach, but it is hard to argue that he is not the greatest coach ever, what with his 10 rings and all. Some people are just blessed with greater fortune than the rest of us. <o:p> </o:p>      I’ll give you three guesses as to who has the best record in the NBA, but the first two don’t count. At 23-4, the Lakers are already four games up in the Western Conference, ahead of fellow division leaders Dallas, then Denver (4.5 back). The Celtics have just five losses in the East, and like LA, are 9-1 in their last 10. Should we be gearing up for another Boston-LA Finals? David Stern sure hopes so. Anything but a Detroit/San Antonio rematch, right? <o:p> </o:p>      Why are the Lakers the odds-on (and off and everything in between) favorite to get back to the Finals? Remember way back in elementary school when the teacher said there was no such thing as a dumb question? Well, she lied, this is one of them. Instead of why are they so good, maybe we should ask what don’t the Lakers have going for them? <o:p> </o:p>      They don’t have the superstar who can score at will. Oh, wait. Okay, but they don’t have two legit seven footers that clean the glass every night. They have that, too? Well, surely they don’t have a lockdown defender. What’s that? I’m wrong again? I hate being wrong almost as much as I hate losing. I know what they don’t have. They don’t have the experience; the veteran leadership. Huh? The team is full of that? Unlike Phil, I’m all out of suggestions. Do you have any? <o:p> </o:p>      As a team, they do not rank in the top 10 in field goal percentage, three-point shooting, or free throwing. So what? They are tops in rebounding and third in assists. They average over 103 points per game which is good enough for seventh in the league. Where they separate themselves however, is on the defensive end. <o:p> </o:p>      They allow less than 95 points a night, only four other teams can say that. Whether they are getting favorable calls, which we all know never happens, or LA is just that good, teams only average 22 free throws against them in 48 minutes; only the New Orleans' Chris Paul's allow fewer. There is only one team in the league that holds their opposition to under 30% shooting from beyond the three-point arc, I'll let you guess who (this is why Orlando is no match for this year’s LA team, or last). If the Lakers hold their opponents to such a low percentage from long distance, it should be no surprise that they are tops in FG% against as well. <o:p> </o:p>      They say defense wins championships. The Lakers do it better than anyone. I say you can't win if you don't score. They are very proficient at that also. They can play up-tempo with teams like the Suns and they can grind it out against the likes of the Spurs and Cavs. This team has every necessary ingredient that makes up an NBA championship roster. They may no longer be “Showtime”, but they can definitely still put on a show. <o:p> </o:p>      Kobe isn’t leaving, Pau just got his three-year extension, Ron Artest signed on for three years as well, Andrew Bynum is still a baby (at 22, he’s the youngest player on the team), and Lamar Odom signed a new contract this offseason just like Artest. Owner Jerry Buss and GM Mitch Kupchack know a good thing when they see one I guess. If you think this team isn’t a dynasty <s>in the making,</s> think again. 66.224.21.233

2009-12-23T18:13:00-05:00

la-lakers-is-it-too-early-to-crown-their-ass

Yes 74.98.182.41, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.233, 67.195.112.159, 71.167.239.102, 142.166.3.122, 174.37.205.67, 174.36.241.155, 142.166.170.21, 98.216.154.141, 174.129.157.222, 76.191.148.7, 67.195.111.172, 24.207.53.223, 66.249.68.55, 63.215.202.234, 119.63.198.53, 38.99.98.21, 38.99.98.168, 142.166.170.104, 123.125.66.103, 67.195.115.155, 174.127.132.155, 142.166.170.103, 71.92.253.92, 72.30.142.161, 218.28.29.236, 66.249.67.84, 87.250.252.241, 67.11.88.91, 66.249.67.91, 123.125.66.25, 75.72.43.6, 195.42.102.25, 85.25.124.4, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.67.185, 207.241.228.152, 71.183.35.11, 68.55.164.79, 74.53.3.132, 79.107.59.64, 38.105.83.12, 66.249.68.143, 67.195.115.172, 72.193.163.97, 24.126.200.217, 70.92.171.11, 92.241.182.23, 66.249.65.109, 66.249.65.119, 65.55.207.99, 123.125.66.91, 202.131.30.147, 216.129.119.11, 216.105.223.2, 66.249.67.162, 38.98.19.111, 65.55.207.23, 66.249.68.137, 67.218.116.131, 67.202.15.176, 65.55.106.111, 67.195.114.42, 66.150.224.245, 71.57.183.211, 173.73.186.159, 66.249.68.248, 66.249.67.136, 216.129.119.43, 67.195.114.62, 66.249.68.202, 205.209.170.11, 69.115.241.123, 66.249.68.245, 209.202.168.75, 66.249.67.218, 65.55.106.234, 141.165.190.89, 66.249.68.149, 76.22.169.192, 65.55.106.228, 61.247.222.82, 67.195.115.47, 65.55.106.211, 85.23.34.51, 113.128.1.109, 38.100.41.105, 38.99.96.28, 67.195.112.114, 91.205.175.4, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.112.99, 123.125.66.93, 65.55.207.134, 24.166.254.31, 66.249.68.204, 123.125.66.125, 123.125.66.59, 98.207.28.7, 186.137.25.72, 38.99.97.10, 64.184.179.77, 98.235.69.244, 89.165.79.32, 65.55.106.114, 65.55.110.212, 66.249.68.155, 119.63.198.26, 87.237.196.231, 38.100.8.50, 142.166.170.102, 38.99.97.65, 208.115.111.245, 65.55.207.29, 202.131.30.148, 67.195.112.88, 75.205.101.186, 66.249.67.133, 208.115.111.244, 64.132.195.50, 66.249.68.187, 193.41.187.115, 66.249.67.44, 109.41.38.61, 67.16.94.2, 66.249.68.26, 142.166.170.101, 66.249.68.236, 38.99.96.171, 65.55.107.237, 207.46.199.31, 67.195.112.172, 67.195.115.214, 67.195.114.230, 24.175.32.139, 66.249.67.120, 66.249.68.178, 123.125.66.97, 66.249.68.172, 65.55.109.243, 38.100.41.67, 67.195.110.150, 207.46.195.228, 67.195.113.247

LA Lakers: Is it too Early to Crown Their Ass

No NBA, Lakers, Kobe, Odom, Pau, Gasol, Bynum, Artest, dynasty

LA Lakers: Is it too Early to Crown Their Ass

428

writer

article

146

2009-12-17T06:52:00-05:00

Playerpress

170 6615  Today we start our count of how many game winners <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city> the Cobra Bryant will hit one on one at the end of games. <o:p></o:p>  I first give all props to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city> he has to love that shot every day and twice as much when he’s number 1 on the highlights on Sportcenter.   I know I am not the only one who notices that guy is like half the size of Kobe Bryant with that much time on the clock lets please all start to learn what double team means. I love seeing buzzer beaters just like anyone but really are u going to have that many chances to beat L.A. lets at least lets someone other the Cobra bite you over and over.   The count is really like 3 or so but we will give it Number one 1 since I am just starting today (12/17/09). 76.97.188.228

2009-12-17T06:52:00-05:00

kobe-game-winner-12172009

Yes 76.30.97.44, 66.249.68.195, 63.215.202.234, 123.125.66.107, 174.37.205.91, 142.166.3.122, 209.220.105.67, 67.195.111.172, 174.55.120.26, 66.249.67.229, 76.97.188.228, 70.37.66.245, 89.151.84.34, 174.129.107.161, 75.101.197.164, 208.74.66.39, 85.214.151.180, 88.198.69.113, 89.151.116.59, 64.233.172.6, 75.101.242.214, 83.149.199.55, 67.220.192.215, 209.66.200.45, 69.63.178.247, 69.63.179.33, 65.52.18.116, 206.53.147.78, 89.151.116.52, 67.195.112.159, 174.133.61.66, 75.82.157.83, 128.241.112.231, 65.2.200.46, 67.218.116.131, 142.166.170.102, 206.53.153.164, 75.36.98.4, 174.47.230.126, 119.63.198.43, 76.172.7.231, 66.249.68.233, 24.124.82.44, 142.166.170.100, 209.202.168.81, 212.227.136.205, 64.38.3.50, 78.101.96.62, 24.160.188.104, 65.2.55.83, 67.195.115.155, 218.28.29.236, 192.234.2.90, 66.249.67.91, 87.250.252.241, 38.99.98.21, 67.184.208.105, 74.6.8.89, 174.127.132.124, 142.166.170.104, 173.67.109.110, 71.41.201.38, 24.205.178.82, 195.42.102.25, 142.166.170.103, 85.25.124.4, 65.55.207.117, 69.235.203.252, 75.176.182.162, 76.17.33.67, 76.172.244.57, 70.161.78.211, 70.72.212.65, 76.168.215.161, 24.165.84.153, 69.108.76.204, 166.137.139.243, 66.235.124.55, 124.106.131.25, 85.25.124.167, 216.106.64.83, 67.195.115.172, 76.251.103.145, 76.104.239.252, 66.249.68.219, 74.53.3.132, 38.105.83.12, 84.180.207.236, 66.249.68.166, 66.249.68.143, 65.55.207.78, 67.202.15.176, 123.125.66.54, 92.241.182.23, 66.249.65.109, 91.205.175.4, 65.55.106.182, 217.14.6.210, 202.131.30.150, 66.249.68.137, 67.195.114.243, 65.55.207.133, 65.55.215.74, 66.249.67.162, 66.249.67.53, 67.195.112.41, 38.100.8.50, 66.150.224.245, 66.249.68.248, 216.129.119.43, 69.115.241.123, 67.195.114.42, 66.249.68.245, 65.55.216.55, 209.202.168.82, 209.202.168.74, 67.195.114.62, 66.249.68.149, 74.249.138.109, 216.129.119.11, 216.73.222.229, 65.55.207.71, 66.249.68.204, 71.201.189.234, 76.171.176.230, 198.53.239.56, 67.127.100.245, 68.155.102.131, 24.127.49.136, 66.249.65.114, 85.23.34.51, 65.55.107.182, 61.247.222.83, 113.128.1.109, 66.249.67.44, 67.195.115.47, 65.55.106.160, 67.195.112.85, 123.125.66.89, 70.162.209.219, 38.100.41.105, 38.99.96.28, 38.99.97.126, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.112.114, 67.195.112.99, 64.184.179.77, 62.75.218.97, 65.55.106.158, 66.249.68.225, 66.249.68.56, 67.195.112.88, 77.88.51.39, 202.131.30.146, 208.115.111.244, 67.16.94.2, 67.195.112.172, 123.125.66.118, 142.166.170.101, 38.99.96.171, 208.115.111.245, 66.249.68.81, 24.175.32.139, 66.249.67.120, 216.104.15.130, 67.195.115.214, 67.195.113.247, 38.99.96.233, 207.46.199.49

KoBe Game Winner (12/17/2009)

No Kobe, Buzzer, Sportscenter

KoBe Game Winner (12/17/2009)

1924

writer

article

146

2009-10-28T11:23:00-04:00

Playerpress

167 5837 As the NBA opens the book on the 2009-2010 season one thing is certain: the great teams are going to absolutely dominant while the bad teams might have historic loss totals. This trend extends beyond the NBA and into the NFL and MLB as well.<o:p> </o:p>  As the NBA opens the book on the 2009-2010 season one thing is certain: the great teams are going to absolutely dominant while the bad teams might have historic loss totals. This trend extends beyond the NBA and into the NFL and MLB as well.<o:p> </o:p>   The Lakers are the team to beat for now, a potential 60-win team with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Ron Artest. The San Antonio Spurs have reloaded with the additions of Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess to go along with the big three.<o:p> </o:p>   The Denver Nuggets will be a contender after last year’s Conference Finals appearance and a mega star in Carmelo Anthony. Maybe Chris Paul pulls a miracle with the New Orleans Hornets or this is the year Greg Oden and the Blazers put it all together.<o:p> </o:p>   The Eastern conference will be decided by the Celtics, Cavs, and Magic; all three will get 50-60 wins. Shaq, Vince Carter, and Rasheed Wallace will all be counted on to play second or third fiddle (or fifth in Wallace’s case) to young guns and veteran all-stars. All three teams are head and shoulders above the rest of the conference.<o:p> </o:p>   The rest of the NBA doesn’t have a shot. The Memphis Grizzles, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, and Oklahoma City Thunder all enter the new season with virtually no shot of winning anything more than a high draft pick (bad news Knicks fans considering you don’t have one).<o:p> </o:p>   Ok, maybe one of the above teams surprise and sneak into the play-offs. The reward will be a juggernaut one seed that wipes 82 games out of your memory in the span of one week. If you are counting at home, 10 teams go into the season with slim to none chances, a third of the entire league!<o:p> </o:p>   The same can be said about the NFL. The bottom feeders are historically bad. The Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers all stink. They stink like a soggy sock after you step in a puddle.<o:p> </o:p>   That’s nine of 30 teams that are incredibly awful. Vegas is currently in shambles because they can’t set a line high enough on these terrible teams. I used to be afraid of any line that was higher than two touchdowns. Now it is a lock every freaking week. And the good teams are covering with ease! Week 7 was considered by many Vegas experts as the worst in terms of lost money EVER.<o:p> </o:p>   Baseball is usually about the have’s and have not’s. Oh the Yankees are in the World Series? Big surprise. With the exception of the Tampa Bay Rays last year, the MLB is as predictable as a FOX news anchor’s reaction to Obama’s new plan on marijuana. The list of small market teams with little to no chance is staggering.<o:p> </o:p>   So what happened? Why did we arrive at this point? Well like most other occurrences in 2009, blame the economy.<o:p> </o:p>   The sports landscape has shaded the country and its financial state. Teams like the Yankees, Lakers, and Patriots have enough money to weather the storm. They can still take risks without worrying about losing all their assets and fan support.<o:p> </o:p>   C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J Burnett for more than some entire team’s pay-rolls? Sure we have our own T.V. station.<o:p> </o:p>   But most teams don’t have this luxury. The Cincinnati Reds need a shortstop, left fielder, and a catcher. The GM Walt Jocketty was told that they might be cutting payroll for next season. They will be the guy at Wal-Mart sticking his head half way down the bargain bin looking for that hidden steal of a washed up cheap veteran.<o:p> </o:p>   The Yankees will buy that Ed Hardy $100 T-shirt because they saw a commercial that made the shirt look stylish.<o:p> </o:p>   Over half of professional sports teams can’t take any risks. They have to think conservative because a couple of wrong moves mean your team could land in L.A., Las Vegas, Canada or even England.<o:p> </o:p>   The Memphis Grizzles cut their entire scouting department this summer in order to save a few bucks. The Cleveland Indians within the past year and a half had both pitchers set to start Game One of the World Series (Sabathia and Cliff Lee). But due to financial constraints and free agency, they had to sell them for 60 cents on the dollar.<o:p> </o:p>   NFL teams are dealing with potential blackouts that prohibit the hometown fans from even viewing the product. The 5-and-2 Cincinnati Bengals need Chad OchoCinco and a grocery store to bail them out and buy a few thousand tickets at the 11th hour for two separate home games. Not even winning is always the cure.<o:p> </o:p>   This years NBA season will be extremely predictable. The cream of the crop will dominate all season, and a team like the Kings will struggle to reach 10 wins in front of half empty arenas.<o:p> </o:p>   The NFL is facing a scenario where a few teams could end up either winless or with a one in the victory column. This is coming after the Lions already had to suffer the all-time embarrassment of having to endure a winless campaign last year.<o:p> </o:p>   MLB is featuring the defending champs versus the all-time franchise. Teams like the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and Cleveland Indians enter each year knowing everything has to go right for them to have a chance at the postseason.<o:p> </o:p>   Something isn’t right. Let’s hope this is nothing but a phase, much like the economic downturn.<o:p> </o:p>   In 2009, the rich get richer and the poor go broke. The middle class has vanished. Fan emotions run off the feeling of hope with a “ya never know” mentality. It has become next to impossible to have any.<o:p> </o:p>   Without hope in sports—fans get apathetic—they mock the team that they have invested so much time and money into.<o:p> </o:p>   The Redskins were once a proud and historic franchise. Now they have billboards pleading the owner to step down. They can be compared to the filthy rich CEO that blows his money on unnecessary material things that ultimately makes him look like a selfish jerk.<o:p> </o:p>   Here’s to hoping that the term “apathetic” doesn’t become a household word in the sports world. Until then, enjoy the Nets and T’Wolves barnburner Wednesday night, or the Rams vs. Lions Sunday showdown. 76.97.188.228

2009-10-28T11:23:00-04:00

where-has-parity-gone-in-sports

Yes 173.50.79.224, 66.249.67.136, 174.129.81.149, 200.126.226.16, 66.249.68.248, 76.97.188.228, 123.125.66.44, 174.37.205.76, 83.149.199.55, 216.24.142.47, 67.218.116.163, 66.249.67.228, 209.249.53.52, 65.222.217.211, 38.108.180.140, 166.205.4.62, 67.218.116.131, 141.52.175.32, 216.129.119.11, 67.195.115.163, 67.195.113.245, 216.129.119.43, 66.249.67.67, 67.218.116.134, 208.43.229.67, 174.46.170.179, 66.249.68.67, 119.63.199.19, 66.249.68.245, 98.210.107.191, 66.249.68.227, 162.95.148.251, 69.162.70.146, 204.185.139.31, 38.105.83.11, 38.108.180.44, 66.235.124.54, 72.30.142.161, 67.202.15.176, 194.36.10.7, 66.249.67.238, 67.195.37.107, 216.129.119.13, 129.234.193.194, 65.26.25.21, 38.98.19.111, 89.253.70.223, 85.225.95.253, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.68.242, 67.218.116.132, 72.14.164.107, 216.3.67.99, 67.195.114.233, 85.17.211.164, 67.218.116.130, 216.129.119.44, 72.65.221.106, 67.202.34.153, 66.249.67.174, 67.218.116.164, 207.237.51.137, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.68.246, 146.95.25.210, 198.100.2.138, 188.92.75.82, 216.129.119.14, 216.129.119.41, 67.218.116.133, 67.218.116.166, 38.108.180.165, 66.249.67.206, 205.209.170.2, 70.73.37.12, 67.195.112.159, 65.55.106.139, 66.249.65.200, 66.249.65.199, 208.43.229.68, 123.125.66.110, 209.202.168.80, 38.100.41.66, 66.249.68.230, 67.195.115.155, 65.55.106.232, 66.150.224.245, 66.249.68.85, 66.249.67.85, 95.108.157.251, 163.1.5.153, 65.55.106.234, 93.174.93.222, 142.166.3.122, 66.249.67.251, 67.195.111.172, 65.55.207.47, 212.227.136.205, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.233, 123.125.66.102, 123.125.66.33, 66.249.68.193, 195.42.102.25, 85.25.124.4, 65.55.207.119, 66.249.67.229, 207.241.228.152, 74.53.3.132, 65.55.106.137, 38.105.83.12, 67.195.115.172, 66.249.68.143, 38.99.98.165, 92.241.182.23, 128.2.212.85, 82.193.97.66, 202.131.30.146, 66.249.68.137, 123.125.66.65, 67.195.114.42, 91.205.175.4, 65.55.207.120, 65.55.207.123, 66.249.67.35, 67.195.115.47, 96.255.52.7, 66.249.68.149, 61.247.222.82, 68.190.229.221, 66.249.68.204, 113.128.1.109, 195.210.57.83, 65.55.106.108, 67.195.112.99, 38.99.96.28, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.207.22, 67.195.112.114, 123.125.66.80, 64.184.179.77, 65.55.106.227, 130.209.239.6, 38.100.8.50, 142.166.170.104, 142.166.170.102, 208.115.111.244, 207.81.42.6, 67.195.112.88, 65.55.207.96, 173.183.76.143, 67.195.112.172, 67.195.115.214, 65.55.109.61, 207.46.12.210, 66.249.68.81, 208.115.111.245, 24.175.32.139, 66.249.67.120, 216.104.15.134, 67.195.113.247, 61.247.222.83, 123.125.66.87, 95.24.251.28, 67.195.110.150, 65.55.104.24, 38.100.41.67

Where Has Parity Gone In Sports??

No NBA, MLB, NFL, New York Yankees, Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Greg Oden, Chris Paul, Denver Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony

Where Has Parity Gone In Sports??

912

writer

wire

146

2009-07-22T18:26:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

788 3928 Kobe Bryant of the NBA’s Champion Los Angeles Lakers is a great basketball player. There is no doubt about that. On the court, he really knows how to use the ball, a man who truly knows how to compete on the court.  Off the court though, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>’s life has been full of adventures and he continues to show the world that he likes to compete off the court as well. These past few years for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city> have been quite an exciting adventure, and I am not talking about his escalades on the basketball court or his NBA Championship. I am talking about his escalades with his personal life, which if you ask me is in a shambles, and this man has absolutely no class what so ever. <o:p> </o:p> First of all, back in 2003-2004, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place> was accused of raping a girl. Shortly after <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place> was accused of sexual assault and he outright admitted that he cheated on his wife, he turned around and bought his wife Vanessa Bryant an eight-carat diamond ring. I’m sorry honey, here is a just a little something so that I can buy your forgiveness. I promise I will never do it again. Yeah Right! More on that later. <o:p> </o:p> Then earlier last year, he is seen in numerous amorous pictures in public places with 18-year-old Lakers girl Vanessa Curry.  Bryant has adamantly denied that the affair with Curry ever happened. No sooner then you could snap your fingers, Bryant quickly sent off a legal letter to the website that started spreading the so-called rumor in the first place.    <o:p> </o:p> The site that started it all, much to the dismay of Bryant, TheDirty.com, replied to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place> that due to his past indiscretions with women and the pictures that were circulating, that a court of law was not very likely to find the story they released as libelous. They also stated that the story they posted was 100% accurate and true and that they had the evidence and pictures needed to prove it. <o:p> </o:p> I tend to agree with them, not too mention the fact that getting the law involved would only bring out a lot more attention to the so-called affair rumor than it was already getting from the media. <o:p> </o:p> Then the city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city> got into the foray. <o:p> </o:p> Remember the Eva Longoria poster that an opposing fan continued to flash in order to distract Tony Parker in a San Antonio Spurs playoff game last year? <o:p> </o:p> On the other hand, how about the opposing fans of the Dallas Cowboys, which had the Jessica Simpson masks that they used in an attempt to psyche out Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo during an important NFL game last season? <o:p> </o:p> Well, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city></st1:place> got into the swing of things during last years NBA finals as well. During the first game of the NBA Finals in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city></st1:place>, Celtics fans were looking for any possible advantage that they could against the hated and despised Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. <o:p> </o:p> Therefore, they made life size cutouts of Vanessa Curry, the so-called lover and mistress of Kobe Bryant. I am not sure that it had anything to do with the outcome, but the Celtics won the championship in six games with three of the wins happening in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>. I do not think that the <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city> fans holding up Vanessa Curry cutouts did any good as far as getting into <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city>'s head though; he averaged 28 points in the three games in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city></st1:place>. <o:p> </o:p> It was probably pretty funny to see though, but given the fact that he played a half a season while standing trial for raping a girl, I would have to say that this stunt was fairly petty to Bryant. <o:p> </o:p> Then there was former teammate and fellow superstar Shaquille O'Neal who took a shot at his former teammate <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place> one night as a rap artist. <o:p> </o:p> While Shaq was free style rapping, he basically came out and flat out accused Bryant of ruining his own marriage. Yes indeed, there was Shaquille O'Neal, blaming Kobe Bryant for ruining his marriage and pleading him to "Tell me how my ass tastes," along with insulting <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>'s game on the court. Shaq then dropped the line, "I'm a horse, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place> ratted me out, that's why I'm getting divorced." Oh nice rhyme and dig the knife in deeper Shaq. <o:p> </o:p> That line was most likely in reference to a comment Bryant made during his much publicized 2003 rape case, when he told the police in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Colorado</st1:state></st1:place> that he "Should have done what Shaq does and pay his women not to say anything." <o:p> </o:p> And then, there he was, five years later after begging forgiveness from his wife with an 8 carat ring, the lesson was not learned and now with the Lakers cheerleader scandal hanging over his head. Some people just never learn. To quote Bugs Bunny, “What an Ultra Maroon”. <o:p> </o:p> Now let us move forward to this year. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place> and Vanessa Bryant’s maid, Maria Jimenez, is suing them for mistreating her while she was in their employ. <o:p> </o:p> She claims that Kobe’s wife Vanessa "badgered, harassed and humiliated" her, continually "yelling, screaming and criticizing her in front of Kobe, their children, employees and other people in the house." <o:p> </o:p> The final straw came when the maid made the mistake of putting an expensive blouse of Vanessa's in the washing machine. At that point, Vanessa supposedly demanded that the maid put her hand deep into a bag of dog poop in order to get the price tag for the blouse out. <o:p> </o:p> Moving forward, Bryant’s attorneys are attempting to put a gag order on the maid in order to prevent her from talking so much to the media about the occurrence.   <o:p> </o:p> Apparently, the maid has been telling everyone and anyone who will listen all about the Bryant’s and how they abused her.  <o:p> </o:p> <st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city> and Vanessa Bryant are in a battle with the maid, who filed legal papers citing <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>'s anti-SLAPP statute basically asking the courts for permission to trash the Bryant’s, to anybody who is willing to listen. <o:p> </o:p> That is usually part of the norm when it comes to suing celebrities. The only problem with this is the fact that the maid signed a confidentiality agreement with the Bryant’s when she was hired. <o:p> </o:p> Bryant’s attorney says the maid is dreaming if she thinks the confidentiality agreement is not binding. <o:p> </o:p> Maria Jimenez, the maid, wants to make one thing perfectly clear: It's her lawsuit and she can talk about the details if she damn well wants to, even despite the confidentiality agreement she signed with the Bryant’s when she took the housekeeping job in the first place. <o:p> </o:p> The Bryant’s then filed papers saying the opposite, that the maid could sue them, but that she could not speak to the media or anybody else about it. Yeah right, that will do the trick! <o:p> </o:p> And last, but not least, and much to the joy to some of you, even more recent events. At this years ESPY awards, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city>’s wife Vanessa’s dress sure showed everyone why he needed an 8-carat ring in order to beg for her forgiveness. He needed something large enough to match her cleavage and her breasts! <o:p> </o:p> Her dress was so tight and skimpy on the frontal portion, that along with the massive cleavage she was showing off, her nipples were sticking out the sides of the low cut dress. She was definitely a nominee for the ESPY’s newest award, the Janet Jackson imitation award. <o:p> </o:p> <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kobe</st1:place></st1:city> was nominated for the Best Male Athlete and Best Championship Performance at this year's ESPN-sponsored ceremony, and he lost both awards to swimmer and midnight toker Michael Phelps. His wife however definitely picked up the JJ award and the Most Eye Popping Mountainous Cleavage award. <o:p> </o:p> Personally, when you take into account all of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Kobe</st1:city></st1:place>’s off the court antics, infidelity, and extremely greater then thou attitude, all I have to say is that the man is a complete jackass. 0.0.0.0

2009-07-22T18:26:00-04:00

3928-3928-3928-3928-3928-3928-kobe-bryant-unbelievable-

Yes 66.249.68.248, 24.116.107.90, 174.46.170.180, 72.30.79.93, 65.55.106.107, 65.55.105.211, 216.109.3.134, 72.30.78.232, 70.225.72.10, 66.235.124.57, 74.100.77.3, 24.30.31.48, 209.249.53.48, 65.55.106.156, 67.195.115.163, 65.68.181.10, 70.121.185.253, 208.115.111.246, 174.127.132.10, 71.79.42.243, 66.249.67.67, 74.111.207.239, 65.55.207.71, 67.195.113.245, 66.249.67.133, 38.108.180.44, 67.195.115.89, 66.249.68.245, 68.4.68.61, 70.176.231.155, 66.249.68.227, 66.235.124.56, 38.105.83.11, 66.235.124.8, 174.46.170.185, 67.195.112.109, 89.253.70.223, 66.249.67.238, 71.1.155.215, 174.129.143.254, 65.55.106.162, 115.238.66.253, 216.150.39.109, 174.129.114.74, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.114.233, 72.14.164.107, 85.17.211.164, 66.249.67.27, 98.201.38.235, 75.101.181.32, 83.167.62.172, 85.25.124.167, 71.115.94.103, 174.17.83.225, 216.129.119.43, 124.115.0.108, 65.55.106.137, 81.86.131.166, 98.14.124.58, 63.215.202.4, 67.202.8.198, 115.147.13.121, 137.87.66.2, 99.156.32.19, 38.108.180.165, 64.220.27.130, 68.28.243.117, 67.195.112.159, 71.112.12.66, 67.195.115.184, 65.55.207.99, 71.236.150.106, 63.215.202.234, 206.83.86.2, 66.249.65.200, 208.74.116.9, 99.164.120.120, 123.125.66.15, 68.93.100.66, 68.36.120.175, 79.103.110.115, 72.91.15.85, 124.115.0.107, 208.43.229.68, 207.189.121.45, 98.28.110.250, 174.16.65.91, 123.125.66.107, 72.11.87.42, 207.189.121.46, 216.57.96.1, 209.202.168.80, 67.195.115.155, 77.88.50.40, 38.100.41.66, 75.6.175.47, 66.249.68.230, 76.173.220.190, 69.58.178.30, 65.55.110.197, 208.65.40.97, 66.249.68.172, 66.150.224.245, 173.3.56.167, 64.107.190.2, 163.1.5.150, 174.139.1.211, 71.131.186.53, 95.108.157.251, 72.11.87.61, 71.21.83.174, 66.249.68.178, 142.166.3.122, 66.249.68.152, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.182, 67.218.116.131, 12.3.61.131, 66.249.68.195, 76.30.97.44, 66.235.124.55, 143.248.140.72, 24.62.134.68, 206.53.153.164, 66.249.68.233, 76.119.160.46, 72.193.76.204, 64.12.116.67, 72.179.170.88, 212.227.136.205, 71.103.29.32, 87.250.252.241, 71.203.240.183, 65.55.207.78, 76.106.91.225, 166.137.10.47, 88.195.190.226, 142.166.170.103, 75.214.17.101, 66.249.67.131, 124.115.0.167, 67.202.15.176, 123.125.66.102, 123.125.66.112, 173.89.173.141, 24.252.196.179, 66.249.67.91, 195.42.102.25, 85.25.124.4, 65.55.207.102, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.67.108, 207.241.228.152, 66.249.68.219, 74.53.3.132, 38.105.83.12, 67.195.115.172, 66.249.68.143, 174.132.242.42, 65.55.110.16, 65.55.207.123, 208.115.111.244, 208.115.111.245, 38.99.98.165, 92.241.182.23, 206.194.127.112, 69.58.178.26, 83.145.242.143, 123.125.66.124, 91.205.175.4, 98.109.176.52, 66.249.65.109, 38.98.19.111, 82.193.97.66, 202.131.30.149, 66.249.68.137, 64.183.18.220, 66.249.67.53, 65.55.216.53, 199.216.95.253, 123.125.66.70, 65.55.207.21, 67.195.112.41, 98.227.218.198, 71.238.254.92, 76.231.84.166, 67.195.114.42, 174.127.132.160, 38.101.148.126, 98.211.137.112, 68.171.235.184, 75.47.225.83, 190.120.238.117, 67.195.115.47, 65.55.106.139, 66.177.42.138, 66.249.68.149, 174.91.43.254, 66.249.68.204, 61.247.222.82, 96.42.4.101, 66.249.65.114, 216.48.130.11, 208.108.129.143, 113.128.1.109, 199.91.37.33, 67.195.112.85, 208.108.129.145, 67.195.113.235, 166.137.11.28, 190.120.226.29, 38.100.41.105, 38.99.96.28, 99.41.52.201, 123.125.66.65, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.112.114, 65.55.110.73, 124.169.189.51, 128.118.160.115, 189.115.138.192, 38.107.191.88, 65.55.207.54, 74.195.64.22, 24.125.237.186, 38.99.97.10, 67.195.112.99, 64.184.179.77, 65.55.108.241, 216.15.65.45, 66.249.67.206, 66.249.68.155, 66.235.124.54, 65.55.106.161, 99.71.95.237, 66.249.68.187, 38.100.8.50, 174.36.228.154, 142.166.170.102, 174.37.205.67, 142.166.170.100, 174.37.205.68, 77.88.51.39, 142.166.170.101, 123.125.66.93, 66.249.67.44, 67.195.112.88, 65.248.129.126, 66.249.68.175, 192.175.182.25, 67.195.112.172, 67.195.114.230, 66.249.68.81, 24.175.32.139, 66.249.67.120, 67.195.115.214, 95.24.251.28, 67.195.110.150, 67.195.113.247, 86.147.74.254, 66.249.67.18, 174.129.152.208

Kobe Bryant- Unbelievable!

No Kobe Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, Vanessa Curry, Shaquille O'Neal, Maria Jimenez, ESPY's

Kobe Bryant- Unbelievable!

231

administrator

article

146

2009-07-07T03:13:00-04:00

Playerpress

532 3746  10 Reasons why I hated Ron Artest last year, but have taken a liking to the new small forward for the Lakers.   In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he roughed up Kobe.   <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will rough up people who rough up Kobe. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he was a black-eye on the league, an arrogant, unapologetic man with anger issues and an attitude problem. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will play hard for the Lakers, as he has done for his four other teams, with the utmost confidence of a champion and the colorful personality of a Laker. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he shot only 40% from the field, taking shots away from Yao and TMac. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will relieve the scoring load on Kobe and Pau by averaging double digit points and hitting a higher percentage of three-pointers than Rashard Lewis, Paul Pierce, and Mike Bibby as he did last season. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he shaved the Rockets logo and those crazy designs in his hair. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will start a regrettable but fun hair fad that will sweep the nation. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he forced his bottom-feeding team to trade him or suffer the consequences of an unhappy Artest. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will reveal that he broke free from Sacramento to purely spite the Sacramento Queens, sending them straight to the lottery this past season, thus endearing him to fans who still remember Vlade flops, Fox vs. Christie, and Horry for 3. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he forced the Lakers to a Game 7 in the 2nd round even without Tracy McGrady or Yao for much of the series. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will remind people that he has the talent to take a team of Aaron Brooks and Luis Scolas to a Game 7 without the team's two superstars. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he wore crazy jersey numbers in the 90s. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will spur the clothing industry in particular and the US economy in general with sales of his 98.6 jersey.  (Yes, that's a decimal.  After all the stuff Artest has done to David Stern, I think Stern will just take a shot of Jager and say "why the *bleep* not Ron?" <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he has on-court antics that make him seem scarier than Ron Dominique. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he does the goofiest things, making him more like Ron Burgundy. (Exhibit A: A hilarious <a href="http://cbs2.com/sports/ron.artest.lakers.2.1069858.html">story</a> about a chance meeting between Kobe and Artest after Game 6 of the 2008 Finals.) <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he played good, physical defense against the Lakers. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will play good, physical defense against opponents of the Lakers. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2008-09, I hated Ron Artest because he didn't play for the Lakers. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">In 2009-10, I will love Ron Artest because he will play his guts out for the Lakers. <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; min-height: 14px;">  <p style="margin: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">Welcome RonRon.  Welcome to LA.  You will be cheered, you will be loved, so please don't make me hate you.  C'mon, I'm easy to please.  I even liked JR Rider gosh darnit. 0.0.0.0

2009-07-07T03:13:00-04:00

ron-artest-my-love-hate-relationship

Yes 66.249.68.248, 83.167.62.168, 174.46.170.179, 65.55.207.96, 72.30.78.232, 76.247.104.42, 66.249.67.67, 83.167.62.172, 67.195.115.163, 71.107.61.253, 66.249.67.72, 200.71.149.82, 66.235.124.59, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.245, 67.195.115.89, 65.55.107.181, 74.125.74.131, 67.195.113.245, 38.105.83.11, 66.249.68.227, 64.233.173.2, 38.108.180.44, 66.249.68.242, 65.55.106.181, 72.14.164.107, 67.195.112.109, 85.17.211.164, 66.249.67.27, 124.115.0.24, 85.25.124.167, 216.129.119.43, 65.55.106.228, 123.125.66.21, 69.122.71.169, 38.108.180.165, 67.195.37.172, 206.83.86.2, 67.195.112.159, 65.55.106.183, 66.249.65.200, 124.115.0.161, 65.55.106.230, 67.195.111.172, 66.235.124.8, 114.76.244.173, 144.118.52.133, 63.215.202.234, 123.125.66.42, 65.55.106.184, 38.100.41.66, 209.202.168.81, 209.202.168.73, 66.150.224.245, 163.1.5.150, 66.249.68.172, 95.108.157.251, 65.55.207.120, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.68.178, 66.249.68.152, 142.166.3.122, 66.249.68.195, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.68.233, 212.227.136.205, 123.125.66.52, 67.195.115.155, 87.250.252.241, 124.115.0.25, 65.55.106.139, 123.125.66.19, 123.125.66.47, 195.42.102.25, 85.25.124.4, 208.115.111.246, 65.55.110.125, 65.55.106.180, 67.195.115.172, 38.105.83.12, 66.249.68.199, 99.161.189.222, 66.249.67.108, 174.132.242.42, 208.115.111.244, 66.249.67.245, 65.55.207.137, 208.115.111.245, 38.99.98.165, 92.241.182.23, 65.55.110.215, 123.125.66.103, 38.101.148.126, 66.249.65.111, 65.55.207.26, 82.193.97.66, 202.131.30.147, 65.55.106.137, 67.195.115.176, 123.125.66.60, 38.100.8.50, 67.195.114.42, 66.249.67.53, 71.238.254.92, 66.249.67.91, 65.55.106.134, 67.195.114.62, 76.125.60.170, 76.30.151.9, 66.249.68.204, 202.131.30.149, 67.195.115.47, 65.55.207.118, 113.128.1.109, 123.125.66.79, 24.9.123.226, 190.120.226.29, 38.100.41.105, 38.99.96.28, 65.55.110.36, 67.195.112.99, 123.125.66.57, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.112.114, 64.184.179.77, 66.249.67.44, 66.249.68.187, 142.166.170.102, 142.166.170.104, 61.247.222.83, 65.55.106.108, 67.195.115.214, 123.125.66.59, 67.195.112.172, 95.24.251.28, 208.115.138.254, 139.139.67.70, 207.46.204.178, 71.62.208.206, 66.249.68.8, 67.195.113.247

Ron Artest: my Love-Hate Relationship

No Ron Artest, Lakers, Kobe

Ron Artest: my Love-Hate Relationship

934

writer

article

146

2009-06-17T09:54:00-04:00

Playerpress

363 3521  There has been a big news story lately about 15 NBA titles for the franchise in Los Angeles.  However, I have done extensive research in L.A. newspaper archives, and can find no record of titles 1 through 5. And that probably is because they do not exist.  There were 5 championships won by another NBA team called the Lakers, but their home was in the land of lakes, Minnesota.  Now I know I have not witnessed 17 NBA   Boston championships.  In fact, I have only been around for 7, or well...6.  For the 7th I was, at the time, the player to be named later.  But there are many people who can tell you about all 17 Boston Championships.  And they were all in Boston. Or take the case of my favorite team, the Red Sox, with 7 World Series Championships.  Now it would be incredible to find a fan who was even alive for all 7, since they span from 1903 to 2007.  But there are Boston newspapers that celebrate each victory.  Technically, the 1903 team was called the Pilgrims.  But in 1912 they were the Red Sox, so there are at least 6. Which comes to the next point, as Bill Shakespeare once said, "What's in a name?"  Why is the L.A. franchise called the Lakers?  Where are the lakes in L.A.?  Are there 10,000 of them?  My suggestion for a nickname would be the Fakers, for all the fans who suddenly appear when things are going well.  Give Jack Nicholson credit, he is there through thick and thin.  The rest are Fakers.  Or how about the L.A. Stars? Send the Lakers team name back to where it was stolen, Minnesota, land of lakes.   It's in the Bible, after 50 years you are supposed to return property that is not rightfully yours.  There are several team names that should be returned.  The Jazz are playing in Utah?  Send the name back to New Orleans now that they have a franchise again.  I've only been to Utah to get a connecting flight.  Now I admit, the Utah Connecting Flights is not the greatest name, but the team never won anything anyway, so the name kind of fits. When looking at stolen team names, another curious case is the Baltimore NFL franchise.  The Baltimore Raven's website includes history stats for the Baltimore Colts.  The Colts lost an NFL championship to the Cleveland Browns in 1964.  The Browns eventually left Cleveland and went to Baltimore to become the Ravens because the Colts had gone to Indianapolis.  The Indianapolis Colt's website includes history stats for the Baltimore Colts. Confused?  Naturally.  So one solution is to just do what it says in the book of Leviticus and have all of the teams return to where they originally were.  But fear not, fans in L.A.  You still get credit for 10 titles. 0.0.0.0

2009-06-17T09:54:00-04:00

l-a-wins-10th-title

Yes 174.46.170.181, 66.249.68.248, 65.55.106.203, 72.30.78.232, 83.167.62.168, 173.50.79.224, 174.129.114.74, 174.129.81.149, 66.249.67.136, 38.98.19.111, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.67.133, 38.108.180.44, 66.249.67.67, 65.55.207.52, 38.105.83.11, 66.249.68.227, 67.195.113.245, 66.249.68.242, 72.14.164.107, 85.17.211.164, 67.195.112.109, 85.25.124.167, 65.55.106.208, 66.249.68.246, 216.129.119.43, 67.195.112.30, 202.180.34.186, 65.55.106.235, 38.108.180.165, 67.195.114.233, 67.195.112.159, 206.83.86.2, 77.88.51.29, 83.167.62.172, 66.249.65.200, 123.125.66.102, 67.195.115.155, 65.55.106.138, 38.100.41.66, 209.202.168.81, 209.202.168.73, 66.249.67.85, 67.195.111.172, 66.150.224.245, 66.249.67.149, 95.108.157.251, 163.1.5.153, 67.218.116.131, 142.166.3.122, 212.227.136.205, 66.249.67.91, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.106.109, 123.125.66.54, 123.125.66.28, 195.42.102.25, 65.55.207.26, 85.25.124.4, 66.249.68.193, 66.249.67.229, 65.55.232.33, 67.195.115.172, 38.105.83.12, 208.115.111.246, 66.249.68.143, 208.115.111.244, 208.115.111.245, 38.99.98.165, 92.241.182.23, 82.193.97.66, 202.131.30.148, 67.195.114.243, 66.249.68.137, 123.125.66.134, 67.195.112.41, 91.205.175.4, 71.238.254.92, 67.195.114.42, 66.249.67.49, 67.195.114.62, 76.28.185.141, 65.55.106.206, 66.249.65.115, 67.195.115.47, 113.128.1.109, 38.100.41.105, 65.55.107.194, 67.195.112.114, 123.125.66.79, 61.247.222.46, 64.184.179.77, 65.55.207.120, 66.249.68.149, 130.209.239.6, 67.195.112.99, 65.55.110.42, 38.100.8.50, 65.55.207.50, 38.99.97.65, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.115.99, 202.131.30.150, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.112.172, 67.195.115.214, 123.125.66.76, 67.195.113.247, 95.24.251.28, 207.46.204.187, 67.195.110.150

L.A. wins 10th title

No NBA, Los Angeles, Lakers

L.A. wins 10th title

793

writer

article

146

2009-06-14T23:33:00-04:00

Playerpress

470 3489  It wasn’t easy. But what championship ever is, the Los Angeles Lakers are NBA Champions for the 15th time second only to the Boston Celtics who have 17.  <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Although at times the Lakers struggled especially against the Houston Rockets, Kobe Bryant said that this series would make his team stronger; he was right. They beat the Rockets in seven and it seems like from that point on the real Lakers showed up.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">They took care of the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals and defeated the Orlando Magic in five games to win the title. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">But the hard work started last season after they were embarrassed by the Boston Celtics in last year’s finals by 39 points, from that point on, Bryant and the Lakers were determine not only to make it back to the Finals, but to win it all as well.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Unlike last year, when the experts questioned their toughness after they were manhandled, this team stepped it up. It was no longer the Kobe Show, it was the Lake Show again. It was Lamar Odom coming alive finally and playing like he can play.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">It was Pau Gasol taking up the slack when Kobe would go to the bench for a rest and showing why he was the second best player on this team. No one can question his toughness any more.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">It was Trevor Ariza when the Lakers were down by 12 at halftime of game four stepping up and bringing a spark to this team when they needed it the most. He also did it again in game five when the Lakers were down by nine.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> It was the veteran Derek Fisher who struggled throughout the playoffs making big shots as he normally does to help bring home the championship. Though some thought he should have been benched, Phil Jackson believed in Fish and stayed with him because he knew eventually, one of those shots would go in.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">And finally it was Kobe Bryant showing why he is one of the best players of all time. It has been a long time since he has won a championship and most experts didn’t think he would do it without Shaq on this team. People question his heart, maturity and even his talent. But he hung in there and kept playing hard.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">There were times when Bryant didn’t seem to have the maturity to win another championship, but as he has got older he not only matured, but his game has gotten better. He learned to play within himself and to trust his teammates, when he did that, the results were a fourth NBA Championship.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">What can you say about Phil Jackson? Sometimes he doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he coached two of the best players of all time with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, but neither won championships until Phil arrived. He stands alone as the ONLY and I mean ONLY coach in a major US sport to win 10 championships.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">With all that said there is only one thing to say:</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Ladies and Gentleman, your 2009 NBA Champions the Los Angeles Lakers.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div>   0.0.0.0

2009-06-14T23:33:00-04:00

hard-work-and-determination-bring-15th-championship-to-the-lakers

Yes 66.249.68.248, 174.46.170.181, 174.119.17.7, 65.55.106.156, 83.167.62.168, 65.55.207.53, 66.249.67.136, 66.249.68.245, 38.108.180.44, 67.195.115.163, 24.160.177.37, 65.55.106.113, 72.30.78.221, 38.105.83.11, 66.249.68.227, 67.195.113.245, 67.195.115.89, 66.249.68.242, 72.14.164.107, 85.17.211.164, 65.55.106.229, 67.195.112.109, 124.115.0.23, 83.167.62.172, 85.25.124.167, 72.30.161.224, 24.24.184.198, 174.129.87.184, 216.129.119.43, 67.195.112.30, 66.235.124.8, 65.55.106.204, 38.108.180.165, 99.37.70.239, 63.215.202.234, 64.53.197.223, 66.249.67.120, 67.195.112.159, 124.115.0.22, 66.249.65.200, 202.180.34.186, 65.55.115.176, 65.55.115.175, 123.125.66.113, 65.55.207.75, 209.202.168.74, 123.125.66.16, 67.195.115.155, 38.100.41.66, 66.150.224.245, 65.55.207.102, 163.1.5.150, 66.249.68.172, 95.108.157.251, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.68.178, 67.195.111.172, 142.166.3.122, 67.218.116.131, 142.166.170.103, 207.42.16.1, 66.249.68.233, 212.227.136.205, 87.250.252.241, 24.60.83.175, 195.210.57.83, 123.125.66.110, 123.125.66.48, 195.42.102.25, 85.25.124.4, 65.55.109.231, 66.249.67.229, 208.115.111.246, 66.249.68.219, 38.105.83.12, 67.195.115.172, 66.249.68.143, 123.125.66.116, 208.115.111.244, 38.99.98.165, 92.241.182.23, 65.55.106.210, 66.249.65.109, 66.249.65.119, 82.193.97.66, 202.131.30.149, 66.249.68.137, 208.115.111.245, 66.249.67.53, 66.249.67.162, 91.205.175.4, 123.125.66.70, 67.195.114.42, 67.195.112.41, 71.238.254.92, 66.249.67.239, 66.249.68.164, 67.195.115.47, 65.55.106.181, 123.125.66.97, 61.247.222.45, 173.69.165.173, 113.128.1.109, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.112.114, 123.125.66.127, 67.195.112.99, 64.184.179.77, 61.247.222.83, 65.55.207.76, 38.100.8.50, 220.181.94.231, 67.195.112.88, 88.196.82.82, 67.195.112.172, 67.195.115.214, 65.55.232.16, 66.249.68.81, 207.46.199.30, 67.195.114.230, 123.125.66.132, 123.125.66.119, 207.46.204.227, 95.24.251.28, 202.131.30.148, 67.195.110.150, 67.195.113.247

Hard Work and Determination Bring 15th Championship to the Lakers

No NBA, Los Angeles, Lakers

Hard Work and Determination Bring 15th Championship to the Lakers

487

writer

article

146

2009-06-10T14:20:00-04:00

Playerpress

356 3418 Vintage Kobe in Game threeThe first quater of game three was vintage Kobe bryant, hitting well-defended, impossible shots including an and 1 on a three pointer with time running out in the first quater. another welcome sight was the offensive strategy of the Orlando Magic stretching out the defense and creating one on one situations for Dwight howard under the basket. id like to see the same for the Lakers but in my opinion they dont have the personell to pull this off. i feel they need a dominating power forward that crashes the board with authority and a "pure" three point shooter, this will create driving lanes for kobe and you would see a higher level of play and excitement from Kobe and the lakers. at the half the orlando magic led by 5 points, set up by a finals record 75% shooting from the field. but it was the fantastic play of Alston and turkogu of the Magic that provided the spark needed to to keep Orlando a half step ahead of Kobe bryant and the Lakers throughout the game. as the pace heated up in the 4 quater the lakers tied up the game with 2:33 left in the gamebut with a little over a minute left in regulation rashad Lewis hit a clutch two-pointer, wich he had done several times in the game at critical times. but not to be out done, it was "Super Man" Dwight Howard that poked the ball away from Kobe trying to split the double team (with about 40 seconds on the clock)that sealed the fate of the Lakers at  the end of the game. although im a Laker fan im glad Orlando won, they played fantastic and didnt deserve to be 0 - 3, event tho it almost happened. 0.0.0.0

2009-06-10T14:20:00-04:00

for-all-the-kobe-haters-game-three-update

Yes 66.249.68.248, 65.55.106.158, 74.114.84.161, 38.98.19.111, 174.46.170.179, 65.55.106.184, 72.30.78.221, 66.249.67.136, 38.108.180.44, 66.249.67.67, 83.167.62.172, 38.105.83.11, 65.55.207.26, 174.142.82.13, 67.195.115.163, 67.195.115.89, 67.195.112.109, 72.14.164.107, 204.185.144.211, 66.249.68.242, 85.17.211.164, 72.30.161.224, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.68.246, 67.195.114.233, 216.129.119.43, 65.55.207.122, 38.108.180.165, 67.195.112.159, 67.195.115.184, 209.249.53.162, 209.249.53.34, 202.180.34.186, 66.249.65.200, 66.249.67.120, 123.125.66.105, 209.249.53.71, 38.100.41.66, 209.202.168.81, 209.202.168.73, 66.150.224.245, 173.123.63.224, 66.249.67.174, 95.108.157.251, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.67.229, 142.166.3.122, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.111.172, 212.227.136.205, 87.250.252.241, 67.195.115.155, 24.107.224.70, 71.11.236.241, 65.55.207.120, 123.125.66.106, 123.125.66.36, 195.42.102.25, 85.25.124.4, 66.249.68.193, 65.55.110.241, 208.115.111.246, 38.105.83.12, 208.115.111.244, 38.99.98.165, 92.241.182.23, 66.249.68.135, 66.249.65.72, 91.205.175.4, 61.247.222.83, 82.193.97.66, 67.195.115.172, 64.50.91.194, 66.249.68.137, 65.55.216.10, 208.115.111.245, 66.249.68.144, 123.125.66.117, 38.100.8.50, 66.249.67.53, 71.238.254.92, 66.249.68.245, 66.235.124.57, 65.55.216.54, 76.98.123.105, 98.221.226.255, 76.22.83.117, 67.195.115.47, 202.131.30.146, 66.249.68.149, 67.195.114.42, 68.190.229.221, 113.128.1.109, 38.100.41.105, 38.99.96.28, 67.195.112.99, 38.99.97.11, 64.184.179.77, 67.195.112.114, 65.55.207.76, 130.209.239.6, 67.195.37.188, 61.247.222.46, 65.55.106.138, 67.195.112.88, 67.195.114.230, 207.46.204.242, 66.249.68.43, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.110.121, 207.46.195.218, 95.24.251.28, 202.131.30.150, 67.195.113.247, 66.249.67.18, 66.249.67.141

for all the Kobe Haters! game three update

No NBA, Los Angeles, Lakers

for all the Kobe Haters! game three update

854

writer

article

146

2009-06-07T18:12:00-04:00

Playerpress

608 3366   <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">I know you guys saw this coming, but I just had to respond to another Kobe Hater. I never understood exactly why Kobe is hated. Let me take that back; I kind of do understand it.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div>  <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Kobe first of all is rich. He is one of the richest athletes in the world. Who wouldn’t want his life? He lives in the second biggest market in the world, plays for the second most honored basketball team in NBA history and considered one of the best if not this best in his profession.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Why the hate? Because he wants to model his game off one of the best of all time Michael Jordan. God forbid that that he actually wanted to be like his idol growing up. He wants to be called one of the greatest players of all time and that for many is a sin.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">He’ll never be like Michael is the cry, I got news for you people; he is the Michael Jordan of this generation. I know it’s hard for some people to accept, but let’s take a closer look shall we. He has three rings, going for his fourth and he isn’t even 31 yet so he has a few more years left in him to do it with a fairly young team so for those of you who think this is it, think again.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">He is the best closer in the game period. When it’s crunch time, Kobe is the best. Whether it’s taking the last minute shot or carrying his team to victory when needed. Michael use to do that as well. In fact, you can argue as he has gotten older, his game has gotten better because he has learned to share and trust his teammates more. Michael had to do that with Scottie Pippen.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">He also has Michael’s old coach in Phil Jackson. Jackson also gets a bad rap for winning with talented players though people refuse to say or recognize at times that Kobe,Shaq,Michael or Scottie never won without Phil either. Kobe also wants to win. What player doesn’t play this game without wanting to be the best and wanting to win? </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Kobe is not perfect. He has acted like an ass at times, but consider how old he was at the time too. He made mistakes in his personal life as well, guess what? So did Michael. It has been reported for years that Jordan had girlfriends in different cities; difference is the media protected him because of who he was. Not to mention his gambling habits as well.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">So, for those of you who don’t think Kobe will never been Michael Jordan, newsflash: He already is. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> 0.0.0.0

2009-06-07T18:12:00-04:00

memo-to-the-kobe-haters-he-is-still-the-best

Yes 95.169.186.32, 66.249.68.248, 174.46.170.179, 173.88.159.112, 82.231.61.186, 65.55.207.75, 216.174.21.51, 83.167.62.168, 66.249.67.133, 67.195.115.163, 38.108.180.44, 75.101.251.42, 66.249.67.67, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.68.227, 38.105.83.11, 72.14.164.107, 66.249.68.242, 85.17.211.164, 217.14.6.210, 67.195.112.109, 163.150.22.158, 66.249.67.27, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.68.246, 65.55.207.46, 216.129.119.43, 38.108.180.165, 67.195.115.184, 65.55.207.27, 67.195.112.159, 202.180.34.186, 123.125.66.104, 38.100.41.66, 66.150.224.245, 209.202.168.82, 95.108.157.251, 205.209.170.2, 163.1.5.153, 83.167.62.172, 66.249.68.152, 142.166.3.122, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.68.195, 67.195.111.172, 206.53.153.164, 66.249.68.233, 212.227.136.205, 87.250.252.241, 123.125.66.55, 123.125.66.18, 195.42.102.25, 85.25.124.4, 66.249.67.91, 65.55.110.170, 65.55.207.30, 66.249.67.108, 66.249.67.229, 38.105.83.12, 67.195.115.172, 208.115.111.244, 208.115.111.245, 38.99.98.165, 92.241.182.23, 66.249.68.143, 202.131.30.150, 82.193.97.66, 66.249.65.71, 91.205.175.4, 66.249.67.175, 123.125.66.126, 94.75.231.12, 71.238.254.92, 67.195.114.42, 66.249.67.239, 65.55.207.122, 65.55.107.180, 66.249.68.164, 71.162.251.219, 85.23.34.51, 61.247.222.82, 65.55.106.205, 66.249.67.44, 38.99.96.28, 66.249.68.204, 67.195.112.99, 65.55.106.135, 64.184.179.77, 67.195.112.114, 130.209.239.6, 129.234.193.111, 38.100.8.50, 65.55.106.210, 61.247.222.45, 66.249.68.187, 87.231.127.151, 95.24.251.28, 66.249.68.155, 207.46.195.230, 66.249.68.8

Memo to the Kobe Haters: He is still the best

No NBA, Los Angeles, Lakers

Memo to the Kobe Haters: He is still the best

487

writer

article

146

-1

2009-06-07T08:49:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

758 3361 Drop the act Kobe. I'm not buying it.    First there was Jordan. He coined the tongue out of the mouth. He was Mr. Cool. A smooth pump of his fist when he nailed a game winning jumper was all he needed. There was no question of whether it was a genuine reaction. Jordan was all natural.   Next came Tiger. In a sport where serenity and calmness were of the utmost importance, he let emotion run free. Woods perfected the fist-pump and it became an instinct for him everytime an improbable putt fell in the cup. Tiger is all natural.   Now, in the 2009 playoffs, the cameras seem to always find Kobe's scowl. His baracuda like jaw juts forward and a somewhat awkward and painful expression is created. There is a difference in the intensity of an athlete and an athlete looking mad. Kobe looks mad. Kobe is artificial.   Please tell me I am not the only one who is not buying what Kobe is trying to sell. The difference between Jordan and Woods, and what Kobe is doing now, is the authenticity of it. Cameras simply always found M.J. and T.W., Kobe is seeking the camera out. He holds the grimace as long as possible so that every possible spectator, photographer, and cameraman can admire his tenacity and determination. What a joke.   As good as Kobe Bryant has been in the playoffs, his acting definitely could use some work. The problem Bryant has, is that no matter how talented he is, he will never be Michael Jordan. Even with my belief that Jordan was the better overall talent, it was the aura of Michael that set him apart from every player before or since. Kobe's attempt to create an image for himself is so apparent that no one can endear his or herself to Bryant. Jordan and Woods sucked people in with the ideal they represented. Perhaps its not too late for Kobe. Maybe the original Joker that sits courtside could give him a lesson or two in acting. 0.0.0.0

2009-06-07T08:49:00-04:00

kobe-please-stop

Yes 66.249.68.248, 65.55.106.230, 83.167.62.168, 65.55.207.98, 174.46.170.181, 72.30.142.117, 208.115.111.246, 65.55.106.227, 123.125.66.99, 65.55.207.135, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.67.133, 38.108.180.44, 66.249.67.67, 66.249.68.245, 75.101.251.42, 65.55.106.209, 38.105.83.11, 65.55.207.24, 67.195.115.89, 66.249.67.72, 66.249.68.227, 67.195.112.30, 89.253.70.223, 115.238.66.253, 76.246.61.20, 66.249.68.242, 72.14.164.107, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.67.117, 65.55.207.101, 85.17.211.164, 65.55.207.23, 69.58.178.29, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.68.246, 65.55.207.77, 216.129.119.43, 67.195.114.233, 65.55.106.159, 202.180.34.186, 66.249.67.27, 38.108.180.165, 67.195.37.172, 67.195.115.184, 66.249.67.239, 66.249.67.120, 66.249.68.193, 67.195.112.159, 65.55.104.74, 208.43.229.68, 65.55.207.22, 123.125.66.47, 209.202.168.80, 195.210.57.83, 67.195.115.155, 38.100.41.66, 65.55.207.29, 69.58.178.30, 66.150.224.245, 95.108.157.251, 67.218.116.131, 206.53.153.164, 65.55.207.133, 67.195.111.172, 87.250.252.241, 212.227.136.205, 66.249.67.229, 65.55.109.209, 65.55.106.181, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.106.138, 65.55.109.86, 123.125.66.36, 123.125.66.45, 195.42.102.25, 85.25.124.4, 65.55.51.70, 24.130.41.29, 66.249.67.108, 207.46.199.194, 207.46.199.184, 207.46.199.183, 38.105.83.12, 207.46.199.185, 65.55.51.69, 207.46.199.178, 208.115.111.244, 38.99.98.165, 92.241.182.23, 65.55.207.121, 207.46.199.190, 69.58.178.26, 91.205.175.4, 82.193.97.66, 202.131.30.149, 67.195.114.243, 207.46.199.180, 65.55.106.180, 174.129.151.126, 75.101.221.72, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.115.172, 123.125.66.126, 66.249.68.137, 71.238.254.92, 66.249.67.49, 67.195.114.42, 67.195.114.62, 65.55.207.28, 66.249.68.164, 65.55.207.137, 202.131.30.147, 76.0.188.38, 67.195.115.47, 65.55.110.43, 72.85.236.243, 85.23.34.51, 113.128.1.109, 66.249.67.44, 38.100.41.105, 38.99.96.28, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.207.25, 67.195.112.114, 67.195.112.99, 65.55.207.100, 189.115.138.192, 38.107.191.89, 123.125.66.78, 64.184.179.77, 65.55.106.208, 67.195.112.241, 66.74.45.146, 38.100.8.50, 216.129.119.11, 88.196.82.82, 87.231.127.151, 207.46.195.223, 207.46.204.233, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.112.172, 65.55.110.94, 66.249.67.151, 66.249.68.37, 123.125.66.63, 65.55.231.97, 61.247.222.45, 95.24.251.28, 67.195.115.214, 74.12.52.197, 66.249.67.209, 67.195.110.150, 66.249.67.18, 67.195.113.247, 66.249.68.236, 66.249.67.248, 66.249.67.91

Kobe, Please Stop

No NBA, Lakers

Kobe, Please Stop

842

writer

article

146

2009-05-27T11:51:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

822 3202 So, the great Jerry West thinks that Lebron James is better then Kobe Bryant huh? Not so fast Mr. West. I know you, ESPN and the rest of the media are loving on Lebron and think he is the greatest thing since slice bread, but let’s take a closer look shall we?  <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">I will agree that Lebron was the best player in the NBA this year. I don’t question that at all, but to pronounce that all of a sudden he is better then Bryant is not exactly correct.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">What makes Kobe better then Lebron at this point is number of championships won. Yes, I know there are people out there that won’t give Kobe credit for the championships won because he did it with Shaq, but Shaq has won only one other championship himself without Kobe and arguable with the third best player in the NBA in Dewayne Wade.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Kobe has not had another legitimate big man since Shaq left for Miami years ago and yet he made it to the NBA Finals last year without a true big man on his team and might do it again this year. Kobe didn’t have a Steve Nash, Wade or anyone else for that matter that could pick up the slack when he has an off night.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">And yet his team, despite being tied with the Denver Nuggets, is still on the verge of winning this series and going to their second NBA Finals without Shaq. Lebron for all his greatness and hard work might be bowing out soon. Lebron is suffering through the same thing with the Cavs, not having a Scottie Pippen type player on his team to take up the slack.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">But if you are the best player in the NBA, shouldn’t you be able to take up the slack yourself? When the Lakers were down to the Nuggets in game three, Kobe put the team on his back and they won the game. That is what great players do; they pick up their teammates when they are down. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">For all his faults, Kobe seems to do that for the Lakers. Lebron had a great shot the other night, but Kobe has been doing that for awhile. He is the true “Closer” in this league even West admitted that. When the Lakers needed him to step up, Kobe seems to do it more often then not. Kobe was making those type of shots before Lebron came into the league.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">I’m not saying Lebron doesn’t step up either, but if you are the MVP of the league, you don’t turn the ball over seven or eight times as he did last night. So, before you start passing out greatest player of all time plaques to Lebron, let’s see him win a few championships first.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Photo Credit: Jeff Lewis / Icon SMI</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> 0.0.0.0

2009-05-27T11:51:00-04:00

lebron-better-then-kobe-not-so-fast-my-friend

Yes 66.249.68.248, 72.30.142.117, 174.46.170.180, 208.115.111.246, 72.30.79.93, 123.125.66.45, 71.96.208.57, 75.101.181.32, 174.129.101.63, 72.30.78.232, 65.55.106.131, 24.93.183.154, 66.249.67.136, 67.195.115.163, 95.71.101.206, 66.249.67.72, 66.249.67.133, 67.202.15.176, 66.249.68.245, 38.108.180.44, 75.101.251.42, 66.249.67.67, 67.195.115.89, 173.22.235.182, 38.105.83.11, 174.46.170.182, 66.249.68.227, 68.28.83.112, 89.253.70.223, 115.238.66.253, 67.195.112.109, 66.235.124.54, 72.14.164.107, 65.55.106.111, 67.195.114.233, 66.249.68.242, 85.17.211.164, 69.58.178.29, 67.195.112.30, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.68.246, 208.108.129.141, 66.249.67.27, 114.25.178.97, 216.129.119.43, 65.55.207.52, 38.108.180.165, 174.127.132.10, 67.181.152.38, 67.195.37.172, 67.195.115.184, 66.249.65.200, 67.195.112.159, 208.43.229.68, 98.148.67.94, 63.215.202.234, 66.249.67.69, 123.125.66.108, 67.195.115.155, 124.77.96.171, 38.100.41.66, 209.202.168.81, 209.202.168.73, 66.150.224.245, 66.249.68.172, 95.108.157.251, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.68.178, 142.166.170.103, 142.166.3.122, 65.55.207.138, 67.218.116.131, 206.53.153.164, 65.98.224.6, 65.98.224.5, 212.227.136.205, 87.250.252.241, 83.167.62.172, 67.195.111.172, 65.55.106.186, 66.249.67.91, 66.249.67.108, 67.195.115.172, 24.187.104.157, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.207.71, 208.115.111.244, 208.115.111.245, 38.99.98.165, 65.55.218.160, 82.193.97.66, 65.55.110.134, 66.249.67.87, 66.249.67.175, 66.249.68.228, 67.195.114.42, 71.238.254.92, 66.249.67.229, 91.205.175.4, 66.249.67.239, 66.249.67.35, 66.249.68.164, 65.55.207.118, 66.249.67.218, 67.195.115.47, 67.195.112.85, 85.23.34.51, 67.195.112.114, 65.55.207.21, 67.195.37.188, 64.184.179.77, 65.55.106.180, 129.234.193.111, 66.249.68.155, 38.100.8.50, 66.249.68.187, 66.210.187.162, 67.195.112.88, 87.231.127.151, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.114.230, 207.46.199.52, 67.195.112.172, 66.249.68.37, 95.24.251.28, 67.195.110.150, 67.195.113.247, 98.154.26.251, 66.249.68.236

Lebron better then Kobe? Not so fast my friend!

No NBA, Los Angeles, Lakers

Lebron better then Kobe? Not so fast my friend!

487

writer

article

146

2009-05-26T08:37:00-04:00

Playerpress

291 3189 Dahntay Jones could not have learned his obscene playoff antics from his college coach Mike Kryzewski. Jones, a 2003 graduate of Duke University, played for “Coach K” and the Blue Devils after transferring from Rutgers in his home state of New Jersey. His defensive tactics and strategies of Kobe Bryant in the Western Conference Finals has garnered him more attention then he deserves.  Jones was first noticed on the court when he decided to give Kobe Bryant a two-handed shove in Game three. Color Analyst for ESPN Jeff Van Gundy stated during the game, “fouls are usually determined based on how hard the player falls or lands on the ground, Kobe kept his feet, so it was not a technical.” This being said and taken with a grain of salt can be true in most cases however, the NBA later retroactively ruled the blatant push to be a flagrant foul. <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">It was almost as if Dahntay Jones didn’t care that he was playing outside of the rules against Kobe, because in Game four, Jones was at it again. Late in the third quarter Kobe Bryant was running to the basket to track down a rebound and out of nowhere, Jones’ right foot kicks out to stop the speeding Bryant. Bryant responded after the game with, “I just fell on my face for no reason”. Obviously he was being sarcastic as he later stated, “I'm a klutz!” Reporters also asked head coach Phil Jackson whether the play of Jones was legal, and he responded simply with, “It was unsportsmanlike.”  </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"> Not to mention, the blatant trip was not even called by the officials. During the playoffs, and especially in the Conference Finals, the whistles have been raining down all over the court for good defensive plays (example: Dwight Howard’s clean block on Lebron James). In that same game, both the Magic and Cavs combined for 58 personal fouls and 86 free-throw attempts.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"> Dahntay Jones has been seen “outdoing” himself in the last two games to slow down one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers by any means necessary, Game five in Los Angeles will be very interesting. The Nugget’s fans rained down on Kobe with boos every time he handled the ball. How will the stars in the crowd and the die-hard fans in Los Angeles welcome Dahntay Jones when the starting line ups are announced? Will the fans have an opportunity to boo Jones, or will NBA Commissioner David Stern suspend the ill-mannered guard for the epic Game five tilt? As of “high noon” on Tuesday it has yet to be determined!</div> 0.0.0.0

2009-05-26T08:37:00-04:00

what-to-say-about-dahntay-jones

Yes 158.144.44.198, 123.125.156.132, 190.102.206.48, 174.46.170.181, 123.125.156.138, 66.249.68.248, 72.30.78.232, 66.249.67.67, 216.129.119.43, 202.188.222.2, 114.127.246.36, 67.16.94.2, 67.195.115.163, 222.124.212.196, 202.44.4.85, 66.249.67.133, 75.101.251.42, 202.54.61.99, 38.105.83.11, 78.187.212.242, 65.55.207.77, 67.195.115.89, 195.2.216.186, 173.30.53.76, 66.249.68.242, 72.14.164.107, 211.144.106.50, 67.195.112.109, 85.17.211.164, 200.222.64.170, 69.58.178.29, 210.51.10.197, 123.133.132.247, 119.145.136.236, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.68.246, 96.25.160.122, 67.195.112.30, 201.73.141.178, 189.14.192.91, 74.137.48.46, 200.177.228.4, 67.195.37.172, 65.55.207.26, 200.196.189.34, 123.138.18.114, 75.125.226.154, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.67.120, 67.195.112.159, 77.88.51.29, 66.249.65.200, 219.90.91.69, 83.167.62.168, 123.125.66.47, 67.195.111.172, 38.100.41.66, 66.249.67.85, 69.58.178.30, 66.150.224.245, 209.202.168.82, 65.55.106.137, 66.249.68.172, 95.108.157.251, 163.1.5.153, 67.195.115.155, 66.249.68.178, 142.166.3.122, 67.218.116.131, 130.149.228.9, 130.149.228.8, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.233, 66.249.68.193, 66.249.68.150, 65.55.109.143, 66.249.67.227, 208.115.111.245, 38.99.98.165, 65.55.106.229, 69.58.178.26, 82.193.97.66, 66.249.68.137, 67.195.114.42, 67.195.114.62, 91.205.175.4, 66.249.67.35, 65.55.106.203, 67.195.112.114, 67.195.37.188, 64.184.179.77, 65.55.106.155, 38.100.8.50, 208.115.111.244, 67.195.112.99, 66.249.67.187, 66.249.68.88, 95.24.251.28, 66.249.68.66, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.67.209

What to Say about Dahntay Jones

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article

146

2009-05-14T10:03:00-04:00

Playerpress

259 3069 I noticed lately that a lot of the media, namely Charles Barkley, are jumping off the L.A. Lakers bandwagon to jump on the sexy pick for the Western Conference the Denver Nuggets.<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">I realize that the Lakers haven’t exactly impressed in the playoffs this year, in fact they have looked downright terrible at times versus the Houston Rockets, but don’t kid yourself they still are the Lakers.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">They proved that the other night by blowing out the Rockets. When the Lakers play like they can play, they are pretty much unstoppable. Ask the Rockets. Kobe didn’t have to score 40 or 50 the other night and they STILL won. What does that tell you about this team?</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">The Nuggets have been impressive don’t get me wrong and they are much improved since trading for Chauncey Billups, which by the way what were the Detroit Pistons smoking when they traded him for an old Allen Iverson.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">But the Nuggets cannot play defense to save their lives. They scored 124 points last night and still gave up 110 to the poor Dallas Mavericks who should still be playing if the Refs didn’t screw up that call the other night. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">I feel sorry for poor Dirk Nowitzki he deserves better. He plays his guts out and still has nothing to show for it. While Mavs owner Mark Cuban is busy trying to get into fights with opposing team’s players and their moms, he needs to try to get some help for Dirk, but I digress, back to the Nuggets. </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Their lack of defense plays right into the Lakers hands. You know the Lakers are not a team that likes to play that rough and tumble style of basketball; they would rather run up and down the court and outscore you.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">Also remember people the Boston Celtics went through the same thing last season in the playoffs. They struggled in every one of their Eastern Conference series, but when they got to the NBA Finals, they took care of business.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">While the Lakers I believe only lost one game throughout the whole Western Conference playoffs last year and guess what?, they lost in the Finals. The Lakers needed to be challenged to see if they have enough heart to go all the way. I think if anything this will toughen them up for the Finals. It wouldn’t shock me at all if the Rockets' series goes to seven games along with the Nuggets.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">But before you go punching your tickets for the Denver Nuggets to head to the NBA Finals, keep in mind the road to the Finals more then likely will go through L.A.</div> 0.0.0.0

2009-05-14T10:03:00-04:00

dont-kid-yourself-folks-the-lakers-are-still-the-lakers

Yes 213.93.147.235, 174.46.170.179, 174.46.170.181, 66.249.67.67, 67.16.94.2, 65.55.207.140, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.67.133, 67.195.113.245, 65.55.110.218, 67.195.112.109, 72.14.164.107, 85.17.211.164, 66.249.68.242, 65.55.106.137, 67.195.112.159, 66.249.67.120, 65.55.207.53, 66.150.224.245, 95.108.157.251, 83.167.62.168, 87.250.252.241, 67.195.115.155, 67.195.111.172, 208.115.111.245, 38.99.98.165, 91.205.175.4, 207.241.228.152, 66.249.67.175, 67.195.114.42, 66.249.68.161, 67.195.115.47, 209.202.168.77, 209.202.168.76, 209.202.168.78, 209.202.168.79, 85.23.34.51, 67.195.112.114, 209.202.168.80, 64.184.179.77, 67.195.37.188, 38.100.8.50, 208.115.111.244, 67.195.112.172, 95.24.251.28, 66.249.68.40, 67.195.115.214

Don’t kid yourself folks, the Lakers are still the Lakers

487

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