You might not know it, but they're both focused on the same thing: winning
"About time," said Matt Barnes, as he held up his new Los Angeles Lakers jersey. After seven seasons with seven different teams, Barnes has always dreamed of returning to L.A.
"It’s a lifelong dream to be a Laker. Growing up in California in the 1980’s, you had no choice but to love Laker basketball. I grew up a huge Showtime fan … Magic, Worthy, Kareem, Byron Scott. It’s come full circle now. I’ve had a hell of a road to get here, but I’m very happy to be a Laker."
Once he actually steps on the hardwood, Barnes will become the first NBA player to play for all four of California's NBA teams. Although the Lakers have had more important moves this off-season - getting Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher back were definitely more significant - Barnes is the most meaningful addition to an already talented championship roster.
With Luke Walton's injury possibly sidelining him for the upcoming season, the Lakers desperately needed a formidable backup small forward. They found the right piece in Barnes. Barnes, who also attended UCLA, is an intimidating perimeter defender with commendable offensive abilities.
His defense can be so intimidating, however, and often gets under the skin of opponents. The Lakers were no exception. In a regular season game between the Orlando Magic and Lakers last season, Barnes got caught up in a spat with Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom. After the game, Odom proceeded to call Barnes "a monkey," and Barnes rebutted with a tweet, likening Odom to a baby. Despite past tension, though, all is forgiven now that Barnes is wearing purple and gold.
"He's a teammate now," Odom said while in Las Vegas for USA Basketball training camp on Saturday. "That was an on-the-court issue and he has a Lakers jersey on now, so it will be no big thing."
At his press conference, Barnes acknowledged that "Me and Kobe are cool. We've been cool. I think, you know, the media kind of made it more than it was. We were just two competitors competing...neither of us backed down...Now I'm fighting with him and I couldn't ask to fight with a better competitor."
It's no secret that Bryant has been trying to court his former enemies this off-season. Although an initial push to sign Raja Bell was unsuccessful, the Lakers managed to sign Barnes. There's no doubt that general manager Mitch Kupchak deserves praise for making the deal go through, but Bryant should get some credit for his part in making the signing happen, too.
In a radio interview last week, Barnes revealed, "Kobe's been the driving force behind this and I've been talking to Kobe back and forth like we were boyfriend and girlfriend for the last two weeks...He sent me a crazy text message today saying something like, 'Anyone crazy enough to mess with me is crazy enough to play with me.'"
If Lakers fans still can't find themselves rooting for Barnes, one must consider several things. First of all, the Lakers are the defending champions. Barnes was able to tussle with the Lakers and give the team a hard time last season, but in the end it was the Lakers, not Barnes, who came out on top. By the same token, he has given up millions of dollars to come to L.A. in search of his first ring and "be a small piece to win [championship] number three." It might sound cliche, but he really does want to win.
What's more, with Barnes on the Lakers, Bryant will have to match-up with one less reputable perimeter defender. Although Bryant is still lauded by many as the best player in the game - most recently by Michael Jordan - research has proven that he has his share of difficulties against good defenses. Statistical analysis indicates that Bryant is the 16th-best producer against "above-average defenses," between Danny Granger and Corey Maggette, respectively.
Heading into the season, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking pretty good. Although the Vegas odds currently have the Heat as the favorites, Barnes offered his own opinion. “To find three perimeter defenders like myself, Ron and Kobe in the league on the same team … I’d say Miami has a lot of firepower offensively … we have the same offensively, but we’re tough on D as well. So I can’t wait.”
Halftime Hype interrupts the NBA free agency period to provide soccer coverage.
Despite the fact that the 2010 FIFA World Cup ended last weekend and the United States' team was eliminated a couple weeks prior, soccer fever has not ceased in the U.S. In Landon Donovan's return to the MLS on July 4, he returned to a sell-out crowd at the Home Depot Center.
Today, the San Jose Earthquakes play the English Premier League's Tottenham Hotspurs. In the upcoming week, the New York Red Bulls will play in the Barclays New York Challenge, whose other participants include Manchester City and the Hotspurs from England, as well as Sporting Lisbon of Portugal. Next month, the Los Angeles Galaxy will play host to world-renown Real Madrid at the Rose Bowl.
There also appears to be international interest in playing for a MLS team. Last Thursday, former French international Thierry Henry was formally welcomed to the New York Red Bulls. Recently, there have been rumors of other players heading for the MLS, too, including AC Milan's Ronaldinho possibly joining the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Madrid's Raul close to a deal with the Red Bulls.
These rumors circulate after the MLS has already attracted several big names in the soccer world. English international David Beckham made headlines around the world when he left Real Madrid to play for the Galaxy in 2007.
Other recent international MLS transfer include, Swiss striker Blaise Nkufo, who recently played for Switzerland at the World Cup, joining the Seattle Sounders; Ghanaian midfielder Anthony Obodai moving to the Houston Dynamo; Costa Rica's Álvaro Saborío, who has scored 18 goals in 53 caps, heading to Real Salt Lake; and reports are that Giancarlo Maldonado, Venezuela's all-time leading goal-scorer, will become a member of Chivas USA.
For some, it's become redundant to hear about how soccer is progressing in the United States. However, it is the honest truth. A stronger domestic league is another step toward U.S. Soccer establishing itself as a reputable organization.
On most weekends throughout the year, it's easy to spot kids playing games for their local league at parks or wearing their soccer jersey during the day. Plus, Americans coined the term, "soccer mom."
Recently-minted New York Red Bull, Thierry Henry
The United States' play in the World Cup raised interest in soccer to an entirely different level, though. People who knew virtually nothing about the sport began passionately rooting for the U.S. team. When Landon Donovan scored a late goal against Algeria to advance the U.S. to the Round of 16, even casual fans were jumping for joy. Soccer was no longer a game played in physical education classes during middle school; Americans were finally relishing the "beautiful game."
The momentum will likely continue. With international clubs visiting the United States and well-known international players joining MLS clubs, American interest in soccer will only continue to grow. Now, it's just a matter of when players decide to join the MLS and if those players can be kept in the MLS.
Many players on the United States' 2010 World Cup roster have MLS experience. Unfortunately for the MLS, only four of the team's 23 players currently play for a MLS club. What's more, with Landon Donovan's play for Everton when he was on loan and his performance in the World Cup, he could very well receive international offers that are too tempting to pass up. If America's hero decides to leave the States, it would be a huge loss for the MLS.
Regardless, it seems that MLS Commissioner Don Garber is aware of the issue, and on Thursday commented, "He's become a real soccer hero...MLS needs soccer heroes, and we have a great American soccer hero playing for us in LA, holding the torch for the sport in our country, and that's very important. I don't believe that it's something we can do without."
"Landon is in my view the greatest player of our generation and an incredibly valuable part of our history but also of our future. He proved in England last year on loan and he proved in South Africa that he's a world-class player and he's also proved that he loves our league and really has accepted the mantle of really being one of the leaders of the sport. It is my hope and my expectation that we have him for the rest of his career because I think the contributions that he makes are invaluable to our future success."
For now, though, rest assured the MLS is in a good position. With more expansion teams on the way, the league will have 19 teams by 2012. A wider demographic and the attraction of more international players will open up an even broader realm of possibilities for soccer in the United States.
"The Road to History starts now!" LeBron James tweeted after arriving in the Sunshine State. Ever since 2008, NBA fans everywhere pondered where James would be after his contract expired. Would he stay with his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers? Or would he explore his options and play outside of Ohio? In the end, his choice to play for the Miami Heat, will forever be remembered as the most publicized free agent spectacle in NBA history.
In reality, the Road to History began weeks ago. In the process of selecting his next destination, James demonstrated his control over the media and impacted the league for years to come. "The Decision" and all the hype surrounding it will not be paralleled for several generations.
When ESPN announced its one hour special, "The Decision," devoted to King James and his big announcement, many questioned the purpose of it. First and foremost, what was the need for an excessive hour long conference? Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy put it best when he said, "It takes 15 seconds to say I’ve decided."
Was it seriously necessary to hear James answer fifteen questions before he dropped the bombshell? The suspense was at an overwhelming pinnacle when millions tuned in at 9 P.M. Eastern Time. The 30 minute delay was extremely frustrating.
Also, there's concern over the ethics. James hand-picked his interviewers, Jim Gray and Mike Wilbon. Did ESPN cross the line by allowing James to have total control? Then again, he utilized his power for a good cause by donating commercial proceeds during the one hour special to charity.
However, by securing the slot on ESPN and having his every demand met, James showed everyone just how much power he has over the media. They are willing to bend over backwards to meet the King's requests. Mr. James, you want one hour of national coverage and the millions of dollars in ad revenue during those sixty minutes? No problem.
The big picture question is: Was it appropriate for James to reveal his decision on national television? After all, this past week, Kevin Durant, a top three or four player in the association, simply disclosed the details of his contract extension via Twitter. No press conference was necessary.
Perhaps the more important issue is whether the medium of his announcement was the proper way to bow out of his native city. The outrage over his decision would have certainly been less if he didn't embarrass the Cleveland Cavaliers organization and fans on national T.V.
In general, outside of ratings, "The Decision" special was not a success. Honestly, James and Gray came out flat. It seemed like James didn't even want to be there, funny since his side arranged for the special. I understand that there's a lot of pressure on the man, but c'mon, the least you can do is smile here and there. What's more, rather than being engulfed in a captivating atmosphere, the interview was conducted in a "libary-like setting," as ESPN Around the Horn panelist Woody Paige described it.
One can't understate the emotions in Cleveland right now. When fans are burning jerseys, that's pretty extreme. What's more, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert really raised eyebrows with his extremely bold open letter to Cavaliers fans. Among Gilbert's comments included references to James as "narcissistic," the King's decision as "cowardly betrayal," asserting that James possesses a curse, and going so far as to say: "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before self-titled former 'king' wins one."
One can understand where Gilbert is coming from, but he clearly chose an ill-advised way to articulate his passion. Psychologically, what Gilbert is doing makes sense. He is identifying a scapegoat in order to tame the disappointment and anger in Cleveland.
In brief, James let his hometown fans down. That's the way they feel in Ohio. The player didn't even bother to notify the Cavaliers of his departure until one of his representatives contacted the organization at approximately 9:01 P.M. ET, minutes before James revealed his decision to the world. The short notice leaves Cleveland without the chance to pursue any other big name free agents, as most have been signed in "preemptive strikes" by teams, as named by ESPN's J.A. Adande.
Regardless, such disparaging remarks about a franchise player will surely make free agents hesitate to play for an owner like Gilbert. Personally, I would be extremely impressed if Gilbert delivers on his promise and the Cavs win a title before James.
Beyond all the hype are the implications on the NBA itself. The Miami Heat are now a super team, the circus act that everyone will want to watch on the road. The expectations are nothing short of a championship, according to the latest Vegas odds, the Heat being the favorite to win it all.
Nevertheless, there are still many other circumstances to think about. As of now, the Heat don't even have an entire starting five under contract. Plus, who's to say that none of the triumvirate will be injury-free? Will issues arise among young, confident players and an equally youthful coach? Or, if Pat Riley decides to sit on the sidelines, will ego issues present themselves? There's the possibility that James, Wade, or Bosh won't see eye to eye with Riley, take it to the media, and Riley refuting with "I've won championships. Where are your rings?" Who knows, maybe the trio will engage in star wars among themselves or argue with the role players. In case anyone forgot, there is only one basketball to go around.
The new Miami Heat should send some goosebumps throughout the Eastern Conference, but not all the Eastern teams need be frightened. The Celtics, a team which has appeared in two out of the last three finals, will have the same nucleus and head coach that got them to within four points of a Game 7 championship victory on the road. The Orlando Magic have a formidable roster, themselves. Amar'e Stoudemire and the Knicks are a team to be reckoned with. When adding Carlos Boozer to a Chicago Bulls squad that already has Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah makes for a dangerous combination.
At the end of the day, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the team to beat. As two-time defending champions, the Lakers aren't worried at all about the recent transactions in the East.
Is James' decision to join Wade and Bosh good for the league? At first glance, no. Half the teams in the league will only see the super-team once in their local arena, and with the purchase of hefty ticket charges at that. The balance of power is completely off. The three fan bases of Toronto, Cleveland, and Miami have now been condensed into a smaller knit Heat nation.
Think again, though. From training camp until March, having three superstars on one team doesn't appear to be good for business. Come April, though, when the playoffs begin and tens of millions tune in, that's when the real money is made. If there's another matchup that can remotely compete with a seven game series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, with loads of hype and profit, it would have to be a Lakers team with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Ron Artest versus a Miami Heat squad featuring Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade - and the likely possibility of a sideline battle between Phil Jackson and Pat Riley.
Overall, there were many components to "The Decision." LeBron James demonstrated how tight of a grasp he has on the media and how influential his moves are.
This week is definitely one of the most important in sports history. Between the FIFA World Cup Finals featuring the Netherlands and Spain, Lebron James' decision to play for the Miami Heat, as well as the other free agent moves in the NBA, there are plenty of topics to discuss. Tune in for Halftime Hype's analysis this weekend.
It's no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are practically polar opposites. Other than the arena they play in, the two NBA teams have little in common. At this point in time, the two organizations are also in a very different situation with regard to free agency. However, they are both in pursuit of the same thing: a title.
With a 16th championship banner on the way, the Lakers know exactly what it takes to win. While a multitude of teams are holding their breath for LeBron James, the Lakers breathed a deep sigh of relief on Thursday after Phil Jackson said those magic words: "Count me in." Fans woke up with a smile on Friday, opening the Los Angeles Times' "Sports" section to the headline, "He's Rested and Ready."
Almost immediately after the Lakers won Game 7, questions circulated about Jackson's future. Did he honestly have anything left to prove? Did he have it in him for one more run? On Thursday, he assured everyone that he did. Jackson shared,"I got a message..that said 'Phil, you've got to come back, there is a need to fulfill the prophecy. You know 12 [titles] is a holy number and 11 just doesn't fill that.'"
If there were any doubts about whether the Lakers would be a championship-worthy team next season, they have been erased. For now, the organization won't have to take a risk with a new coach at the helm. With the Zen Master back for more, even a team with Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade can be overcome. As the saying goes, "third time's a charm."
"It is time to get back to the challenge of putting together a team that can defend its title in the 2010-2011 season," Jackson said in a statement released by the team. Indeed, a "challenge" it will be, especially since nearly half of the champs are free agents.
So far, it has been reported that the Lakers have signed guard Steve Blake to a four-year contract for a total of $16 million. Earlier this week, the Times reported that the Lakers have contacted two of their guards, Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown. RealGM.com also cites the Lakers having interest in Celtics' reserve, Tony Allen; Celtics' guard, Nate Robinson; Wizards' shooter, Mike Miller; former Rockets' star, Tracy McGrady; Bucks' guard, Luke Ridnour; Magic forward, Matt Barnes; and Wizards' guard, Randy Foye.
There have also been reports of mutual interest between the Lakers and the Warriors' Raja Bell. Recently, there were also rumors of mutual interest between the organization and point guard Earl Watson. Although after signing Blake, it seems less likely the Lakers will pursue Watson, who attended UCLA.
The Clippers are also trying to assemble a winning squad. Then again, with the Clippers' luck, one never knows how the end result will turn out. In 2004, Kobe Bryant told the Clippers to have a jersey ready for him, changing his mind after a conversation with the Lakers' owner, Dr. Jerry Buss. The Clippers can only hope things will end differently in their pursuit of another big name, LeBron James.
The Clippers met with LeBron on Friday, leaving with a feeling that the meeting went "very well." Representing the organization were general manager Neil Oshley and president Andy Roeser. Owner Donald Sterling was not present at the meeting.
While it may seem funny, the Clippers actually have a lot to boast. In his presentation to James, Oshley emphasized, "we clearly have the best team already in place for him to join, we have the best city, the best arena, the best practice facility – overall the best situation."
What's more, the Clippers even produced a DVD for the King. The video highlighted life in L.A., along with the team's state-of-the-art practice facility and footage of the Clippers themselves. "We felt if we couldn't bring LeBron to L.A., we'd bring L.A. to LeBron," Olshey said.
A scenario that has not been heavily dwelled upon is a potential signing of Celtics' forward Paul Pierce. The two parties apparently have mutual interest, one can assume that Pierce's Los Angeles roots play a large part. (Update: It appears as though Pierce is coming closer to a deal with the Celtics.)
In addition to pursuing players, the Clippers are also searching for a head coach. The front-runners for the position are reportedly Vinny Del Negro, head coach of the Bulls last season, and Mavericks assistant, Dwane Casey. At this point in time, it's unclear who the Clippers will go with but a decision will be made soon.
All in all, the Lakers and Clippers - two teams in two extremely different positions - have a challenging, but exciting offseason ahead of themselves.