Lakers Flourishing With Bynum posted by Lakers News

The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers will always be a  basketball betting favorite to win the title, as they’ve lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy five times since 2000, and have gone to the Finals seven times in total. The Lakers are starting to surge just in time for the postseason, and having  Andrew Bynum playing near the top of his game is a huge, literally and figuratively, asset to have.

The oft-injured Bynum started the season on the sidelines because of knee problems, and coach Phil Jackson has brought the 23-year-old center along slowly. But over the past month, Bynum is showing why the Lakers have always been so reluctant to include him in any trade talks, averaging 12.2 points, 13.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game on 30.7 minutes. Bynum also received a two-game suspension for a flagrant foul on Minnesota’s Michael Beasley in a win on March 18th. The Lakers have gone 12-1 in March heading into a showdown on Thursday with Dallas, and Bynum will be looking to continue a run in which he’s snatched 10 or more rebounds in eight games this month.

When Bynum is being a force in the paint at both ends of the floor, you have to make the Lakers the favorites in the West. The Lakers can play tougher on the perimeter and send everything towards Bynum, who will at least alter the shot, and he’s learning to stay out of foul trouble, although he did have two games this month in which he had five fouls. That keeps Bynum’s minutes down, and keeps him from getting into a rhythm. On the offensive end, Bynum is averaging 3.2 offensive rebounds a game, which gives him the chance to get putbacks and dunks (he’s shooting 57.5% from the field on the season), and you can give him the ball in crunch time because he shoots a decent percentage from the line (69.0%). That will only create more space for the likes of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, and if the Lakers are firing on all cylinders, Bynum is going to be a major factor in the run for a third consecutive NBA champion.

Miami Heat Could Be A Bust posted by Richard Kagan

It's come down to this.  A coming out party for the 3 star players of the Heat:  LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, was wierd.  It was over-the-top and unfortunate.  If this is an example of giving the players their due props, then the Heat are already in trouble.  They haven't won anything.  You'd think they won the NBA title.  Heck, they haven't even played together, won a game together, fought together or sweat together.

I'll say this, when it came down the crunch time against the Celtics, where was Lebron?  He all but disappeared in game 5.  Looked dreadful, out of sync, like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. 

This whole deal with the Heat is all hype and flash.  It's alot of smoke and flash.  The Heat will be interesting to watch.  Everyone will expect them to win every game they play.  After about 10 games, playing for them won't be fun anymore.  The Heat could collapse under the weight of the over-sized egos on the team.  They may have to turn to Pat Riley to coach these guys, but he can;'t make them play together.  Not too many teams will be able to test them, but they will be tested, and then we will see how good they are.  One coach will find a way to neutralize LeBron, and the other parts won't work as well.  A coach has to understand physics and the laws of human nature and there aren't too many coaches that come to mind.  Phil Jackson can find a way to beat the Heat.  He has Kobe and Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.  The Lakers and the Heat will be something to see.

Lakers Watch (7/1/10) posted by TP&G Blog

There is still nothing major yet to report regarding the Laker off-season moves, but this so-called exciting job fair is starting bad. Really, really bad with too many non-top-tier players (and counting) getting offered ridiculous contracts.

What the 2009-2010 Season Taught us About the Lakers posted by TP&G Blog

Plans of dethroning the Lakers are well underway, and in less than 24 hours the first step will being. But before we start watching how next season will shape up for our back-to-back champs, let's take a look at some of the highs and lows that brought the Lakers to one of the most epic NBA Finals in history and cement another Laker legacy:

• Jerry Buss has always been a businessman who knows his craft but never ever takes whatever or whoever makes his Lakers one of the most respected franchise in sports history. That includes sticking with the players who win him another championship. He may have tried to put on his poker face with Lamar Odom last sumer, but we all knew he would help Lamar win that poker game only because he hates fixing something that isn't broken. However, Odom may have made Buss regret not sending him on a one-way bus fare to Miami by being too inconsistent in this year's playoffs. Another thing about Buss: he demands the same generosity from the players he give charity to. The way Odom stunk it up in the post-season, he just might be the first victim of Buss' budget plans for next season.

Three-peat is highly possible for Lakers in next NBA season posted by nbaball

THE BOLD declaration of Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant that the team will attain its third straight crown in the next season of the National Basketball Association is highly possible. Basketball experts said three-peat might be hard to achieve in the face of the tough competition in the NBA but if the Lakers will continue to play its full potential it is very possible.

The basketball experts said one thing going for the Lakers in its quest for a piece of NBA history is the fact that almost all of their important players will be back for the team to defend their crown. Bryant the heart and soul of the Lakers had an existing contract to play for the Lakers for many years to come.
With the superstar guard still part of the Lakers roster, the team will remain solid for years to come. Aside from Bryant other Lakers players who will be back to defend their crown are superstar center Pau Gasol, versatile power-forward Lamar Odom, veteran point-guard Derek Fisher, rising young center Andrew Bynum and defensive specialist Ron Artest.

Gasol had been a vital factor in the Laker's tough victory against its arch rival Boston Celtics in their best of seven NBA Finals.
The Spanish center provided front-court scoring and defense to frustrate and defeat the determined Celtics who was able to send the game into a deciding game seven. Odom although undersized as a power-forward still contributed big for the team with his ball distribution and clutch plays against the trough defense put out by the Celtics.

Fisher for his part provided efficient veteran leadership to solidify and add more spunk to the defending champion. Bynum for his part was a steady center who provided quality minutes in terms of scoring and defense for the team. Newly acquired Laker Artest is himself had a big contribution for the Lakers victory with his tough defense against the top scorers of the opposing team particularly in the NBA Finals against Celtics superstar forward Paul "Truth" Pierce. With those players mentioned back in Lakers uniform in the next NBA season it would very difficult for other NBA teams including the Celtics to defeat the defending NBA champion. To achieve their desired three-peat the Lakers however need to resign Lakers coach Phil Jackson to coach the championship team again in the next season of the premier professional basketball league in the planet.
Continue reading "Three-peat is highly possible for ..."

Father's Day, Fútbol, and Prince Albert? posted by Amari Harris

Good morning brave souls.

Once again, it has been an unreasonably long time since I’ve done this but I’ve had quite a bit on my plate for the last couple months.  I’ve officially started my education in the law and I’m also the captain/coach/coordinator/quarterback/cornerback for my flag football team.  Ok, that’s only two things but cut me some slack.  I have to make time for Paul, Jack, and Evan.  But I am digressing.  You don’t want to hear about what’s going on in my life (you selfish bastards!).  You want to hear about men in little shorts, playing with balls that they throw or kick in a whole, a goal, or sometimes even into the hands of another man (gross).  

So where do I begin?  Well, if this were an international blog I’d have to start with globes most beloved sport and the World Cup.  Everybody loves the soccer and everybody loves the World Cup.  People come out of the wood works to pick the team they think is going to go all the way and 9 times out of 10 they can’t even name the goalie.  But me, I’m an honest Joe.  I mean I’ll keep track of who is moving up in the standings, but I may watch a total of 5 minutes of this dreadfully dry activity over its duration. I’m not going to pretend I like soccer or know anything about it for that much.  With that said, I bought an ITALIA World Cup t-shirt because it looks good on me and girls love Italy…I think.  

My goodness, I forgot two very important administrative announcements before I started this thing.  First I’d like to wish all of the

SOX SWEEP D-Backs, ... ... ...celtics lose championship... ... ... posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

The Sox just swept the worst team in the NL West. Wooooooooo.

 It just figures that the one time I'm actually rooting against the Sox, they win. When the Celtics play before the Sox, and the Celtics win, the Sox win. When the Sox play before the Celtics, and the Sox win, the Celtics lose. It's an incredibly stupid statistic, but no less accurate for its stupidity concerning the 2010 season. So, when the Sox won last night, I knew whatever vestige of hope had remained was squelched. That didn't stop me from rooting any harder for the C's... I was standing in my buddy's living room for the last 5 minutes of that game because I was too hyped up to stay in my seat.

 2010 Celtics, thanks for the effort. You took us on one hell of a roller-coaster this post-season. I didn't expect you to get past the Cavs. I did expect you to get past the Magic, especially after the Refs tried to give that series away.  I'm not even going to comment on the officiating of the Finals. If you watched and had half a brain in your head, it was obvious what was going on.

 So let's talk about the tragedy of this loss. Without Perk, the Celtics still had a 13 point lead in the 3rd quarter. Celtics defense held the Lakers to just 32% shooting from the field. If anyone wearing green had pulled down just two or three more rebounds, the Celtics would have their 18th banner. Instead, KG has 3 rebounds for the entire game. That's just not a Championship effort. Not in a game 7, on the road. Certainly not with your only true big man dressed in a green button up shirt with a bum knee on the sideline.

Pierce is no prophet in Celtics loss to Lakers in game 3 of NBA Finals posted by nbaball

There is no doubt, Boston Celtics superstar forward Paul "Truth" Pierce is one of the top players in the National Basketball Association today.
Despite his NBA superstar status, there is one thing certain Pierce is just a heck of a professional basketball player and not a prophet.
This developed after Pierce failed in his prediction that the Celtics will sweep the next three games of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles which would be held at the Boston Garden.
In game three of the much talked about NBA Finals, the Lakers beat the Celtics 91-84 at the home-floor of the latter through the heroics of Lakers veteran point-guard Derek Fisher.
The defeat foils Pierce prediction that the Celtics will beat the Lakers three straight in their own home-floor.
Pierce made the bold prediction earlier after Pau Gasol committed a hard foul on Kendrick Perkins with 1:12 remaining in Game 2 and the Celtics leading, 97-90, Pierce, as he
helped his teammate off the floor along the baseline near the hoop, was heard on video replays yelling, "We aren’t coming back to LA!"
The Celtics evened the NBA Finals at a game apiece with a 103-94 victory in game two of the NBA Finals.
It is not the first time that Pierce made a bold prediction regarding the outcome of an NBA playoff series.
Pierce also predicted after a Game 2 victory against the Magic in Orlando, which gave the Celtics a 2-0 series lead, that they will close the series at home.
He even posted a message on his Twitter account saying the Celtics to sweep the Magic.
Continue reading "Pierce is no prophet in Celtics loss ..."

Game 7 Necessary... posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

So much for Prophecy. Now we've got a broken Perk and a game 7.  Well, here's game 6...  

Kobe Misses a 3

KG for 2

Kobe for 2

Rondo for 2

Bynum with the hook for 2

Ray for 2 with a tough jumper

Fisher flops and Perk is called for a foul. Least he doesn't get to shoot

Artest misses a 3, Bynum rebounds and misses a hook, ball out, Celtics Ball

Rondo misses a 3 at the end of the shot clock

Artest makes a 3, Lakers go up 1

Perk has his pass intercepted by Fish,

Fish with the Layup

KG misses a tough shot, deflects a pass at the other end and the C's end up with the ball.

Ray loses the ball to Fisher, who throws the ball out of bounds

Ray for 2 and 1!!! Makes it, Tie Score with 8:02 left in the first

Gasol misses an easy shot but gets the benefit of a bullshit foul on Ray Allen. Gasol misses the first but makes the second

RAY ALLEN FOR 3!!!

Kobe for 2 off the jumper

Perk is blocked by Gasol,

Kobe for 2

Rondo fouled by Fisher. Non shooting foul

Ray misses a 3

Kobe for 2...

Bad pass is stolen by Kobe, Gasol with a running layup..

Rondo misses another jumper (why is Rondo taking so many jump shots already?...) Perk is fouled hard on the rebound and is down. We better BREAK Bynum for that. C'mon Perk. Get up Perk. Perk is the Keystone of the Celtics defense. C'mmmmon Perk.

Oh that's not good. That's horrible.

Well, let's go Sheed

KG with the open J

Kobe for 3

KG for 2 off a nice pass to him in the lane

3-2 Celtics. See you in L.A. posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

No minutes for game 4, though it would have been a hell of a game to write during. Instead, I watched the game on an almost wall-sized television with some buddies, Nothing better than seeing a life-sized Glenn Davis drooling in hi-def.

However, I'm back for Game 5, and a hell of a game it will be.

Start Growling

Get those goose bumps

And here we go

Lakers win opening tip

Bynum takes a bad shot and misses

C's rebound, KG for 2

Fisher misses a 3.

Pierce with the easy lay up on a 3 on 1 break

Kobe misses, KG rebounds

C's move the ball well but Ray misses a short jumper

Bynum misses, Gasol rebounds, misses, KG rebounds

Rondo with the 20 ft jumper

Artest misses a 3, Bynum rebounds, makes the shot and 1. Misses! KG rebounds

Pierce misses a open jump shot

Pierce called for a foul on an out of control Fisher. Garbage. Fish makes the first. Makes the second

Moving screen called on KG...

Fisher for 2. Tie game 6-6

Pierce misses a wide open 3.

Bynum on the alioop off Kobe's pass. Lakers go up 2

Rondo misses a long jumper in and out

Artest misses a jumper. KG with the rebound

KG for 2 off a nice pass from Pierce

Fisher for 2 on a difficult jumper.

PIERCE IN ARTEST'S FACE 10-10

Pierce and Perk block Bynum. Jump Ball. Bynum wins the jump but a 24 second violation. CELTICS BALL

KG WITH THE JUMP HOOK OVER GASOL!!

Bynum for 2

RONDO WITH A SILLY SPIN FOR 2

Pierce called for a foul on Fisher's long jumper.

Create-a-Caption: It’s important to look your best during the playoffs (Ball Don't Lie

A gentleman always breaks out his finest threads for special occasions like Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals; these Oklahoma City Thunder fans have given us all something to which we can aspire. Whether they inspired the postgame sartorial choices of lead guard Russell Westbrook remains an open question, as does what these three splendid Sooners were thinking and talking about as they watched their squad beat up on the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Since the question's open, it's up to you to answer it. Best caption wins a gentleman's entrance to a fancy soiree . Good luck. In our last adventure : Chris Paul is beside Blake Griffin, and Blake Griffin's beside himself. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Cavaliers' Irving selected NBA's top rookie(The Associated Press)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Once Kyrie Irving finished cracking jokes, thanking Cleveland's fans, his teammates and coaches, he looked down from the podium at the person who promised this would happen. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Chris Paul is the L.A. Clippers' savior -- but there have been others in the NBA (RealClearSport

Chris Paul joins a list of players who turned struggling franchises around. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Finally, an Oklahoma City Thunder rap anthem that barely mentions the Thunder (VIDEO) (Ball

I count a total of four references to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Lost Boys' "Blue and Orange," the "ultimate OKC Thunder Anthem" that — while not really new, as it appeared in highlight clips during OKC's playoff run last year — is making the rounds in advance of the team's Game 2 tilt with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night: 1. The first rapper, a gent named Michael Garner, calls himself "Thunder true" at 0:45; 2. The second, whose name appears to be K-Yeags, says that "round here, we Thunder up" at 1:51; 3. The anchor leg of this rap relay, Grazie, confirms the Thundering up at 2:49; 4. Grazie then brings it on home with the song's first actual reference to a player on the team, Kevin Durant, at 2:55: "Damn right, we never miss / KD, no bricks." You'd think a track intended as a power jam meant to connect with Thunder fans and spur pride in a squad that looked murderous Monday night might actually have some connection to the team beyond the shirts worn by the dudes rapping, but apparently, you'd be wrong. Oh, well. The shirts are nice! [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Lakers' Ebanks, Bynum fined by NBA (The Associated Press)

NEW YORK (AP) The NBA has fined Lakers forward Devin Ebanks and center Andrew Bynum for separate violations during the team's second-round series against Oklahoma City. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports