Halftime Hype

The Experiment: Game II

2011-09-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

The following is a recap of last night's U.S-Costa Rica friendly that I wrote for He Wrote. Here it is:

As the saying goes, “Success is a journey, not a destination.” The United States men’s national soccer team proved that yesterday with a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in a friendly played at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. The game marked the team’s second under the guidance of their recently hired manager, Juergen Klinsmann. After a 1-1 draw in a friendly with Mexico last month, fans were hoping for a better showcase from the American squad. However, it is important to remember that these initial friendlies are experimental exhibitions; in theory, the outcome is meaningless and the coach has an opportunity to get acquainted with the players and mess with formations.

Despite the disappointing result, fans can take solace in the fact that the team is gradually picking up on Klinsmann’s attacking style and improving its amount of possession. During the Bob Bradley era, the Americans were restrained under a conservative approach in which the primary focus appeared to be defense – though they were not necessarily masters of that, either – and goals seemed to be an afterthought, or perhaps a bonus for good play. Obviously, the objective in soccer is to score and Klinsmann is still in the process of recruiting the right players, as well as showing the U.S. team the patience and tactics necessary to get that ball into the net.

Contrary to the last few years, the U.S. dominated the game early on. During the first half an hour, the Americans looked like Spain from the way they owned possession. In fact, the team’s most threatening opportunity came in the sixth minute, in which Donovan got a dangerous shot off that was just slightly right of the goal. Although the team was patient with possession, the fact that they could not materialize translated into increasing momentum for Costa Rica. Leading up to halftime, the visitors showed signs of life, though American goalkeeper Tim Howard heroically prevented any score before halftime.

The second half was a completely different story for the U.S. In typical American fashion, the opponent scored the first goal and the Red, White, and Blue were forced to play catch-up yet again. As desperation heightened, so did emotions. The teams got tangled up a couple times, but order was soon restored, albeit with questionable yellow cards to Brek Shea and Sacha Kljestan.

On the bright side, aside from not connecting for a goal, the U.S. executed the way it was supposed to. In hindsight, both Klinsmann and the players were acknowledged the result, but expressed satisfaction from the overall play.

“You get chances in front of the goal and they don’t go in,” Torres said. ”Overall though, we had a lot of possession, attacked a lot from the wings and we played well.”

As with any game, certain players stepped up while others did not represent themselves well in front of their new coach. Midfielder Jose Torres was the MVP of the U.S. squad, having done a brilliant job in maintaining possession as well as making smart passes. Juan Agudelo once again proved to be a spark off the bench and deserves to start. While Klinsmann chose not to pair him with Altidore in the front this time around, do not be surprised to see Agudelo and Altidore play alongside each other in the near future.

As for the veterans, midfielder Maurice Edu, who was robbed of a goal in the 2010 World Cup, played in control but needed some more help from his teammates. Altidore looked fit as ever and had some good chances, but he still needs work on creating a goal. Donovan had an off-night, but was arguably the most effective player after Torres. Carlos Bocanegra, in his 95th cap, proved to be a beneficial veteran presence, but will he last another World Cup cycle?

On the other hand, Brek Shea was not as impressive as he was against Mexico and made some rather lazy passes on what could have led to potentially threatening attacks. Edgar Castillo has stood out but for the wrong reasons in the past two friendlies, to the point where fans may start to miss defender Jonathan Bornstein. Timmy Chandler was a decent call-up, but Steve Cherundolo is certainly a more worthy starter. It was tough to evaluate Robbie Rogers; he continued to move well off the ball, but admittedly squadered the ball in some dangerous positions.

The experimentation will continue on Tuesday when the squad heads overseas to play in a friendly against Belgium. Who knows, maybe back-up goalkeeper Bill Hamid will finally see some playing time. There will definitely be different players in the mix with Donovan heading back to join the L.A. Galaxy, while midfiedlers Kyle Beckerman and Clint Dempsey, as well as defender Steve Cherundolo join the team in Belgium.

“Every game you learn a lot things,” Klinsmann said after the match. “The players come away from this game with a lot of good information. Every situation they saw out there was different and it was a challenge for them…Belgium will be another good experience for them. We want to try to develop that style of play that we are confident on the ball and that we try to pass our way through difficult situations and tight spaces. It will take time.”

New Yorkers Saving L.A.

2011-04-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

After a hiatus, Halftime Hype returns...

The playoffs have come around and guess who's been leading the Los Angeles Lakers thus far? If you guessed Kobe Bryant, you're incorrect. The native New Yorkers of the squad, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest, have kept their team afloat. Indeed, Pau Gasol has shot a poor 4-for-19 from the field (21%), while Bryant only scored 11 points on 3-for-10 shooting in Game 2.

Interestingly enough, throughout the course of the season, Odom and Artest probably received more criticism than any of their teammates. In fact, when Odom won the Sixth Man of the Year award on Wednesday, Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke wrote of how the forward's new reality show would provide a major distraction. Although Plaschke's column was credible, the versatile Odom responded with a commendable 16 points on 8-for-12 shooting.

True, Odom did not have a notable outing in the first game of the series - 10 points, but only one board to show for 30 minutes of playing time. However, unlike the rest of the team, the media, and Lakers fans, he wasn't phased by a Game 1 loss to the lowly Hornets. When everyone flipped out about Gasol's no-show, Odom shrugged it off.

"There isn't a player in the world who plays a sport that hasn't had a bad game," Odom told reporters.

Then there's his buddy from Queens, Artest. The former defensive player of the year has been averaging 15.5 points, 45.5% shooting, a couple three's a game, and 8.5 rebounds during the series. The 11 boards Ron grabbed on Wednesday night was a season-high. Yes, this is the same guy who began the month with point totals of 7, 5,9, and 2. There were multiple dry spells during the season, too. About a month before the All-Star break, TNT analyst Charles Barkley asked, "Does Ron Artest know the season has started already?"

Well, Artest is certainly aware that the playoffs have started.

"Ron was probably the best player we had out there," Coach Phil Jackson said after Game 1. "Kobe had a lot of points, but Ron was, I thought, keyed and ready to go and played well."

In retrospect, if someone predicted Gasol would average 8 points and 5.5 rebounds in the first two games, I would be skeptical of the Lakers' chances. If someone told me that Odom and Artest would be the key players, I would laugh. Sure, Bynum has been big - that was to be expected. Okay, Bryant scored a ton in Game 1. Yet, it is interesting that the players who constantly received flak for their unimpressive stat sheets during the season are the ones being praised during the playoffs.

The Lake Show Goes On

2010-11-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

Last night's Lakers loss, in which the team squandered a 19-point lead, certainly did not exemplify how defending champions are supposed to play. However, before everyone jumps to conclusions - "Lakers-haters" that includes you too - the game must be put into context.

First and foremost, the Lake Show is missing the entire cast, with injuries to starting center Andrew Bynum and back-up Theo Ratliff. What once appeared to be depth at the center position with 'Drew, Ratliff, and recent draft pick Derrick Caracter, has dwindled down to the rookie.

What if Bynum had been available in a game like this? Well, I would rather not think about it, because he would probably sustain an injury against the brutal Utah Jazz. However, a sturdy, big body like Ratliff could definitely do a better job holding his own against the likes of Al Jefferson than Caracter could. In all seriousness, though, the presence of a veteran seven-footer - either Bynum or Ratliff - in addition to Gasol would have made a tremendous difference on the boards.

Also, the Killer B's took a break. Rather than extending leads like they usually do, Phil Jackson's "Renegades" could not produce a spark off the bench. In fact, Steve Blake shot 0-7. To make matters worse, Utah's bench was feeling it, lead by a 11-0 run from Earl Watson and Ronnie Price.

It wasn't just the Lakers bench who shot poorly. Derek Fisher was 1-7 and Ron Artest was 3-8, missing a crucial three-pointer in the closing minutes. Whereas, on the other end, Deron Williams had a stellar performance and Al Jefferson hurt the Lakers in the post. Kobe Bryant is the greatest, but even the Black Mamba needs help guiding his squad to a victory. What more can you ask from a guy who scored 14 consecutive points, including a trio of three's, for the team toward the end of the game?

Perhaps most irritating were the shot-clock malfunctions in the final minutes. Trailing by 2 points, the Lakers fast-break opportunity was interrupted with 27 ticks remaining because of a shot-clock error.

"What was going on there?" Jackson asked after the game. "That stopped a break on our part. ... Fish had a nice rhythm going on a transition with a 3-point deficit, and it stops the ball and starts it out of bounds. It's not right; it's just not right."

The verdict: Don't take this game too seriously. Utah is one of the most difficult places to play in the entire league for any team. The bench was due for a bad game and with a decent, but not impressive output from the starters the team was bound to lose.

Nights like this happen - except for the shot-clock malfunctions, which were an unfortunate coincidence - and there's not really much that can be done about them. Tribulations on the road are part of a 82-game season. For the Lakers, it's just a matter of moving onto the next one: what should be an easy home victory Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.

The Black Mamba is a Soldier Too?

2010-11-18T21:28:00.000-08:00

Is Kobe Bryant promoting guns and violence? That is what the sports world is busy debating at the moment. In case you haven't heard, the Black Mamba was in an ad promoting the recently-released video game Call of Duty: Black Ops. The fact that he was holding a gun has caused quite a controversy.

Some are infuriated by a lack of response from Commissioner David Stern. Others simply feel that the most popular player in the NBA should not be smiling with an armed weapon. Whatever the case, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

However, at the end of the day, we're talking about a video game. Think of Allen Iverson's practice rant and just substitute "practice" with "video game." Why are we obsessing over the man's role in an advertisement for a friggin' video game? Are there not more important things to worry about? I guess not.

For those that think Stern should chastise Bryant, keep dreaming. If anything, Stern will kneel and kiss Kobe's feet for all the jersey sales he has racked and his impact on the league's TV ratings. Plus, the ad doesn't concern the commissioner; it is a personal endeavor on Bryant's part.

Could the ad be misconceived? Of course, but that does not mean people are going to say, "Oh, look, Kobe is shooting a gun. Guns are cool!" Bryant's involvement is only to encourage people to buy a video game - not purchase a rifle. Plus, it's not like the superstar's involvement completely changed the potential success of the video game.

Call of Duty was benefiting from heavy word-of-mouth advertisement as well as other ads without the NBA player. Upwards of six million people have bought the game thus far. Clearly, those who wanted the game were going to get their hands on it, with or without Kobe Bryant being in an advertisement.

For Bryant's sake, his life might have been easier if he had decided not to participate in the campaign. Why take a chance with your image? Then again, #24 has never been one to care what others think about him. Exhibit A: His "Hate it or Love it" campaign with Nike.

LeBron Still Thankful for Akron

2010-11-17T16:49:00.000-08:00

While the latest hobby may be to bash LeBron James, his Thanksgiving endeavors are admirable. In case you haven't heard, the Miami Heat star is organizing 700 Thanksgiving dinners in his native city of Akron, Ohio. Perhaps it is time to step back, take a break from our criticisms of the former Cleveland Cavalier, and appreciate his charitable efforts.

Sure, some may argue that James is simply trying to improve his image. However, if his hour-long "Decision" special and recent Nike commercial have been any indication, the man could care less about his PR.

In sports, it's too easy to fixate on players as athletes and overlook who they are as human beings. For example, the past few years, Jazz fans have consistently been hostile to their former point guard, Derek Fisher. Fisher, now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, was forced to migrate to L.A. because of the medical facilities it offered for his daughter, Tatum, who has a form of eye cancer. It didn't matter that Fisher was taking a multi-million dollar pay-cut or that he was leaving for the sake of his child's life; people still give him a tough time in Salt Lake City.

In case you are new to the blog, I am not an avid supporter of LeBron James. There are numerous moments, and my previous posts will attest to this, where I disagree with his actions and egotistic antics. Heck, even James himself has expressed he would have done "The Decision" differently. Regardless, James deserves praise for reaching out to Akron. We're talking about the hometown "fans" that burned his jersey. His native brethren have even posted signs dubbing him "2010 NBA Traitor of the Year."

“I’ve always said when I was growing up, being in a small city like Akron, that if I ever became successful or was ever blessed enough to give back to the community, I’ll always do that,” James said before the Heat faced the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. “Especially around holiday times, when you’re supposed to be with your family.”

This time, James certainly made the right "decision."

Kevin Garnett Needs to Zip His Lip

2010-11-04T16:14:00.000-07:00

Even in trash talking, there is a certain line that must not be crossed - a line which the Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett is apparently unaware of. As an athlete, Garnett is allowed to talk smack and rattle up opponents, even anger them if need be. However, a reference to a medical illness, especially to a disease which one is born with and basically has no control over, has no place in trash talk.

If you haven't heard yet, the Detroit Pistons' Charlie Villanueva tweeted on Tuesday: "KG called me a cancer patient, I'm pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he's tossing it like it's a joke."

Garnett, in what appears to be a statement his PR staffers worked hard on, answered back with "My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact 'You are cancerous to your team and our league.' I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball."

For the record, Villanueva suffers from Alopecia Universalis, a disease that results in hair loss on the body. Personally, I am starting to theorize that Garnett has a disease in which he cannot shut his mouth. In the 21st century, athletes are long past the "role model" responsibility. It is bad enough having Garnett romp around the court yelling, I'll bet several expletives, the entire evening. Now, he's making cancerous references too?

Let's pretend to take Garnett's word for it and say you did not mean to call Villanueva a cancer patient. Why even blurt out that he's cancerous? You obviously have eyes that can see that perhaps Villanueva may have some health issues, if you aren't already aware of it from being one of his NBA colleagues. By dubbing him "cancerous", Garnett was very likely playing off the assumed pun that Villanueva is a cancer patient, thus taking a shot at the Piston for his illness.

Surprisingly, Garnett has people in his defense. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers have backed their player, even turning the tables to criticize Villanueva for divulging the matter on Twitter.

"Both players have completely different stories," Ainge said. "One guy has a Twitter account where he blurts things out, that's the first thing. Doc said he heard what KG said and I believe Doc. Doc isn't going to say that if it's not true. I believe Doc and I believe KG."

Really, Ainge? You believe Doc Rivers? We're talking about the same coach who said this past summer that "[the Lakers] have not beaten our starting five. Our starting five against the Lakers starting five has a ring," when in reality the Lakers played without starting center Andrew Bynum against the Celtics in the 2008 Finals and starting forward Trevor Ariza was playing limited minutes due to injury. I would not trust Rivers, especially with facts.

Really, Ainge? You believe KG? Have you seen this guy during an NBA game? He just keeps mouthing away at everyone. Between elbowing and tripping players, he still has the nerve to continually verbally jab on and on. Sometimes it feels like the technical foul was made for the man and his emotions. I would not be surprised if KG actually said Villanueva was an f'ing weak cancer patient. His mouth simply knows no limits. For goodness sake, he starts fights out of nothing.

Here's the right thing to do Ainge: Instead of coming off as defensive and attacking Villanueva, you should just approach Garnett for a brief chat. Remind him that cancer is no joke. Fans may be entertained by his emotions, but at the end of the day, they also demand a degree of civility and sanity.

Garnett would most likely reassure you that he did not mean any harm by his comments, which is extremely debatable. When you make your appearance on public radio, rather than saying what you said, you should reassure fans that you've spoken with Garnett, he told you he did not have any bad intentions, and apologize if anyone misinterpreted the comment.

All I have to say is that I honestly hope Garnett is sorry. In spite of the fact that he has a cancer patient in his family, he should be aware of the struggle at hand. Indeed, "the game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball." Garnett would be best served to take his own words to heart and starting acting accordingly.

Opening Day Observations

2010-10-27T16:11:00.001-07:00

The NBA season kicked off yesterday with plenty of hype surrounding the opening day. The defending Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics, won an 88-80 home victory over the Miami Heat, a team which some pundits expect to set records with a 73+ win season. On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Lakers began the evening with a ring ceremony and concluded with a 112-110 win against the Houston Rockets.

Although the games were entertaining, it's crucial to note that it was Day 1. The Heat's Big Three of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh had barely played three minutes together prior to Monday. Adjustments will be made and players' conditioning will improve - and that goes for every team. However, with that said, there were some observations to be made:

The New Technical Foul Policy - With more discipline regulations in place for this season, some personnel complained that the modifications would have a detrimental effect. TNT commentator and former player Reggie Miller asserted that sometimes, especially in a playoff atmosphere, players just need to vent and will then proceed down the court. One can certainly understand the arguments against the rules.

Whether you agree with the new rules or not, the games did seem to go by faster. It was awfully nice the delay of players holding on to the ball and chatting with the officials. Plus, as Commissioner David Stern pointed out, a call is never changed by a player's subsequent argument. On the flip side, the conspiracy theorists may claim that it affects the referees' future calls but that's another debate.
The Big Three, Nay Miami Heat, Are Not Invincible - Despite injuries which limited the Big Three's preseason minutes together, all the off-season hype caused many to have great expectations. Last night, the trio did not deliver. Sure, James was the high man with 29 points, but that's not the area of concern. Between James and Wade, there were 14 turnovers. Additionally, Bosh only had 8 points - as many as Udonis Haslem - on 3-11 shooting. Furthermore, Wade, easing his way back from injury, was even less less efficient with 13 points while only connecting on 4-16 field goals.

Outside of the Big Three, Miami's roster is not deep at all. Joel Anthony, who started at center, and Arroyo, who started at point guard, are just not enough to support the establishment in place. It helps to have perimeter threats in Mike Miller and Eddie House, but until they mesh and play influential roles, Miami still has some work to do.

Taking into account that a) it was the first game of the season b) it was a road game c) it was against the Celtics, it's easy to justify the squad's struggles. In fact, the Heat bounced back with a win against Philadelphia today, in which Wade scored 30 points on 10-20 shooting. The point is that talk of shattering the 72-win record or the 33-game winning streak is far-fetched.
Rondo's Relevance - Once considered to be the area of concern in the Celtics' lineup, he's now arguably the best of the starting five. If you haven't noticed, when he's out there, every play goes through Rondo. On a fast break, he can outrun the opposition and take it to the cup or find Shaq for an alley-oop. In a half court set, he has an eagle's eye in finding Ray Allen on curls and delivers bulls' eye passes. Defensively, don't even think about throwing lob passes. Once it's out of your hand, it is a Rondo interception.
Lakers 3.0 - While the media concentrated on South Beach, the Los Angeles Lakers added depth to an already stunning roster. Just when you thought general manager Mitch Kuptchak was out of tricks, he selected two of the best prospects possible in Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks. To replace an inconsistent Jordan Farmar and help share point guard duties with Derek Fisher, the Lakers found the perfect replacement in Steve Blake - who hit the key three-pointer to win last night's game. In the long run, Fisher won't need to overextend himself during the regular season and will be fully prepared, as he always is, to hit the big shots come playoff time.

While DJ Mbenga was a fan favorite, he simply can't get the job done remotely as well as veteran Theo Ratliff. The former All-Star will be particularly crucial during Bynum's absence and can mentor the young fella once he gets back on the court. To counter Miami's array of perimeter threats, the Lakers combated by signing the gritty Matt Barnes. Between Barnes and Blake, L.A. has also spread the floor with long-range shooters.

In spite of injuries to Bynum and Kobe Bryant, it's incredibly helpful to have the ultimate Swiss Army knife in Lamar Odom, who's in great shape after competing in the FIBA World Championships during the off-season. The new and improved Lakers also features Shannon Brown, who added an impressive perimeter touch. No longer exclusively a dunker, he is capable of knocking down mid and long-range jumpers.

Overall, this new squad is much deeper and more improved. The juxtaposition of those in search of another title along with the new acquisitions hungry for their first ring should work well to L.A.'s advantage.
Don't Rule Out the Bigs - Amidst age and injuries, many have been too quick to bet against the credibility of the Celtics' Shaquille O'Neal and the Houston Rockets' Yao Ming. Yet, as fans saw last night, O'Neal is still a Big Diesel as he finished plays around the rim. Ming, who will be limited to a maximum of 24 minutes a game, still had a presence in the paint, which is all the Rockets ask. Just having his 7'6" frame alone is intimidating. If he can make some plays too, like he did last night, well, the Rockets' circumstances are that much better.

And so it begins, the "most anticipated NBA season ever," according to Commissioner David Stern. With the numerous storylines surrounding the league and a lockout supposedly looming in the future, this season - playoffs included - looks to live up to the hype.

Review: Clint Dempsey - The Fighter

2010-10-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

After captivating fans with his chronicle of the United States' men's national team in the past three World Cups, "Dying Bravely" filmmaker Nick Butler has produced another great piece, "Clint Dempsey - The Fighter." In my review of Butler's previous work, I praised his excellent ability to tell a story and reveal things that a casual fan may not have known - qualities he continued to exemplify in his latest montage.

The video revolves much around the early death of Clint's sister, Jennifer, a nationally-ranked tennis star in the works as well as emphasizing Clint's resilience. There's no doubt that soccer is a physical sport, but few players, nay athletes, have taken as many hard knocks as Dempsey. Among the most intriguing parts of the video was a shot of Clint in his high school yearbook. Asked where he'd hope to be in five years, Clint answered, "Playing professional soccer in Europe." Well, let's just say the Fulham starter went on to accomplish his goal.

Interestingly enough, the production was commissioned at the request of Dempsey's brother, Ryan, who was impressed with "Dying Bravely." Since it was uploaded on October 11, it has attracted over 7,200 views and struck a chord amongst soccer fans everywhere. The video was surely well-received by Ryan, who shipped an autographed cleat and sports bag signed by Clint himself.

"I meant it to be a gift to Clint, my sister, my family, and to people out there who have run into obstacles or tragedy on their journey to achieve their own goals," said Ryan Dempsey. "I wanted something that showed how close my brother and sister were so people could better understand the motivation behind Clint's success. But I also wanted it to show moments in the games where things weren't going Clint's way in order to demonstrate what it takes to keep fighting on. It's been said that soccer mirrors life in so many ways. In my opinion that's the main theme between the two."

"Over 90 minutes, mistakes will happen. Your body will get tired or hurt. That never automatically means that the game is over. Those that want it bad enough, will shut out the pain and will forget the mistakes and will continue towards their goal. Even if you don't win or acheive your goal, you want to be able to look back and say that you didn't quit. The pain that's caused by looking back and saying 'I didn't give it all I had when i had the chance' is worse than any physical or emotional pain you'll ever feel in a game."

Overall, the video cast a unique light on Dempsey, casting him as the hard worker that he is while touching on his emotional past. Butler actually included sound bites from Clint, as well as motivational recordings from the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Billy Bob Thornton. He continued to do a brilliant job of synchronizing the music and the clips, another element which interested Dempsey.

In the end, Ryan Dempsey and this blogger left with the same thought: What an amazing video made by an equally amazing filmmaker. "I'm hopin' Nick continues with his soccer career," advised Dempsey, "but also keeps the idea in the back of his head that maybe a career in film wouldn't be a bad idea."

Boston Bunch Could Trump Miami Heat

2010-10-16T18:47:00.001-07:00

With all the hype surrounding South Beach, one would have thought the Miami Heat have already won a championship or two. However, truth be told, the regular season has yet to begin. Las Vegas was prompt to pick the Heat as title favorites almost immediately after "The Decision." Nevertheless, it's easy to forget that the Eastern Conference is home to several elite teams, notably the Boston Celtics, who present some daunting obstacles for LeBron James & Co.

Contrary to how it may seem, the Heat are not a complete package. Perhaps former ESPN analyst and current Fox Sports radio personality Stephen A. Smith put it best. During the Q&A session of a speaking engagement last week at Beverly Hills High School, he said:

"LeBron, D-Wade, Chris Bosh - sensational athleticism. Eddie House, Mike Miller - [who are good] shooters. Mario Chalmers, a decent point guard. They don't have a big man. They have Udonis Haslm, whose undersized. Juwan Howard, whose old and undersized. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, whose slow, big, scrubby."

"You need a couple of big men. They don't have that."

Smith would then provide a defense for the Celtics and an interesting point about their post match-up against the Lakers.

"What you have with Boston: You have Ray Allen. You have Paul Pierce. You have Rajon Rondo. Then look what they went out and did. They got Shaquille O'Neal [and] Jermaine O'Neal. They got Kendrick Perkins coming back midseason - he'll be healthy by then. You have Glen 'Big Baby' Davis, whose shorter but a big, wide body.

You've got KG, who'll be better this year because after you have micofracture surgery, they say that you actually get better as you age...So whatever we saw from KG last year, he'll be better healed this year.What you have are [several] 7-footers and a small, miniature, wide body to throw at Pau Gasol and a one-legged Andrew Bynum."

Essentially, the Boston Celtics did not mess with a recipe for success that got them to within four points of a Game 7 victory on the road. Rather, they kept their nucleus in tact and added a couple key big men. Plus, as Smith mentioned, his sources have disclosed that Rasheed Wallace may be salvaged, too. In that case, the Heat has a long way to go - at least a couple months of regular season action - before it can back up the mass of hype.

Christmas (Speculation) In October

2010-10-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that December 25 is more than two months away, hype for the yule-tide Lakers-Heat showdown has already begun. For the Los Angeles Lakers, the team will want to avenge last year's epic letdown to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. On the other hand, the Miami Heat would love to see Lakers fans boo their home team and throw foam fingers on the court in the midst of a blowout.

"Last year, we fell all over ourselves," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of the Lakers' loss.

Of course, Jackson also views the game as a drag.

"This game is always a game we're not excited about," he said. "We know Christmas is a very tough day to play on. Our players, they're usually coming back from a road trip. They have families, little kids, and it's all part of the experience."

Indeed, the Lakers did not have a merry Christmas last season. However, things will likely turn out differently as the Christmas Day matchup is arguably the most anticipated regular season game in NBA history. Not only are the Lakers a better team, but they understand the significance of the game.

With that said, regular season games - even a Christmas Day battle of epic proportions - always mean less to a team coached by Jackson. Furthermore, those who see the game as a barometer between two title favorites should think again. The Lakers fall to the Cavaliers did not foreshadow anything whatsoever, as L.A. won their sixteenth franchise title, while Cleveland only managed to advance past the first round. In the end, the Lakers will surely give it their best effort, but don't take anything from the game other than a modification to the team's record.

Odom Could be Crucial

2010-10-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Throughout the Los Angeles Lakers' tour of Europe, the best player was not Kobe Bryant, who shot a combined 2-19 (10.5%) in two games. Neither was it Pau Gasol, who followed up a seven-point, five-foul, four-turnover effort against the Minnesota Timberwolves by shooting seven-for-21 against Regal FC Barcelona. The best performance came from Lamar Odom, who spent the off-season helping the United States win a gold medal at the FIBA World Championship.

In spite of the team's poor play, it was easy to overlook Odom's rather remarkable statistics. Against the Timberwolves, he scored a game-high 17 points in 27 minutes. He continued to impress with 12 points and 18 rebounds in a hefty 41 minutes against FC Barcelona.

Odom's performances are especially noteworthy because he will be filling in the void left by an injured Andrew Bynum until November or December. Time and again, Odom has proved to be an extremely useful Swiss Army knife; he has always stepped up in Bynum's multiple absences in the past few years.

When Bynum suffered a knee injury in the 2007-08 season, it was Odom who plugged the hole with averages of 15.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists in the center's absence. The following season, when Bynum got injured (again) in January, Odom would go to average 16.5 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 0.9 steals in the month of February.

The one memory that truly stands out from that season was Odom taking over in Cleveland. His 15-point third quarter leapfrogged the Lakers from down 12 to a 10 point victory. The Lakers had managed a road win against LeBron James & Co. on the shoulders of Odom.

There are many games in which fans wish to see the Odom from Quickens Loans Arena in February 2009. However, one must understand that Odom's role has never been clearly defined - just like his position. He's capable of playing virtually all five spots, but on a team with Bryant, Gasol, and Artest, among others, he can't crack the starting five.

Fans continually assert that he's inconsistent, whereas reality dictates just that. On certain nights, he doesn't need to put up more than 10 points. On other nights, he'll have no problem grabbing boards and running coast-to-coast. It's not a matter of turning his game on; it all matters on the circumstances.

For his part, Odom realizes that. He's heard the "inconsistent" label too many times to count. He simply responds by saying he's playing within his role, which changes each night. However, with Bynum out for the next two or three months and Bryant still healing from a knee injury, the Lakers must have the versatile World Championship Odom. In order to stay top dogs, the Lake Show will need the Odom from February '09 .

The Ballots Are In

2010-10-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

The NBA's general managers have cast their votes. Although the current Vegas odds have the Miami Heat winning the title, 63% of the league's general managers believe the Los Angeles Lakers will follow through on a three-peat. In contrast, only a third of GMs think the Larry O'Brien trophy is headed to South Beach.

They certainly have the resources to do so. On the sidelines, the team has Phil Jackson, who was voted best coach by 39% of GMs. In the post, they have Pau Gasol, who is tied with Dirk Nowitzki after receiving 29% of the votes. Of course, there's always Kobe Bryant. 79% voted picked Bryant as the player they most want taking the shot with the game on the line. Furthermore, 86% of GMs say that the Black Mamba is the best shooting guard.

Bryant was also voted second-most likely to win the MVP award with 26% of the votes. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant finished first with 67% of the executives backing him.

Other results/facts (Source: Truehoop):
* The Wizards' John Wall, this year's top overall pick, earned 68 percent of the vote as this year's likely rookie of the year. Last year's top pick, the Clippers' Blake Griffin, will also be a rookie after missing a season to injury, and received 29 percent of the vote.

* For the first time, Deron Williams (50 percent) of the Utah Jazz was voted as the top point guard in the league, overtaking the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul (36 percent).

* The Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki (29 percent) and Lakers’ Pau Gasol (29 percent) finished tied as the best power forward in the league, replacing the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, who had been selected as the best at his position for the past eight years.

* The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard (96 percent) was voted as the top center.

* The Heat’s James (68 percent) was named the best small forward.

* The Lakers’ Bryant (86 percent) was voted the best shooting guard. Bryant is currently the only player to have been selected as the best at his position every year of the survey.

* Thirty-nine percent of GMs believe the Heat will be the most improved team in 2010-11 while 14 percent of general managers feel the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards would be the most improved teams.

* For the ninth consecutive season, Bryant (79 percent) was also selected by GMs as the player they most want taking the shot with the game on the line.

* Nowitzki (57 percent) was voted the top international player.

* Durant (56 percent) was voted as the top player GMs would sign to start an NBA franchise.

* The Boston Celtics (100 percent) were unanimously picked to win the Atlantic Division, Chicago Bulls (82 percent) in the Central Division and the Miami Heat (74 percent) in the Southeast Division. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers (96 percent) were predicted to win the Pacific Division, the Dallas Mavericks (71 percent) in the Southwest Division, and the Oklahoma City Thunder (63 percent) in the Northwest Division.

* The Magic’s Dwight Howard was voted best defensive player (78 percent).

* The Bulls’ Derrick Rose was voted fastest with the ball (21 percent).

* The Suns’ Steve Nash won the vote as best passer (75 percent).

* The Clippers' Griffin tied the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook as the most likely to have a breakout season (15 percent).

* The Oklahoma City Thunder were called the most fun team to watch (52 percent).

* The Celtics’ Ray Allen was voted the best pure shooter (54 percent).

* The Utah Jazz were voted the team with the best home court advantage (46 percent).

Awaiting the Superclasico

2010-10-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

The beauty of the Honda Superclasico is that no matter where L.A.'s teams sit in the standings, the rivalry remains. Tonight the L.A. Galaxy will play in what is considered a "road" game against Chivas USA, although the teams share the same arena, The Home Depot Center. For the Galaxy, a victory tonight is crucial in their support of the Supporter's Shield. On the contrary, Chivas USA, who is already eliminated from the playoffs, will try to earn their first victory over the Galaxy since 2007.

“These games are special in the sense that standings – where you are in the table – don’t really matter,” said Chivas USA left back Ante Jazic. “It’s just 90 minutes of battling and scrapping. We want to win this SuperClásico.”

For the Galaxy, three points would boost them back to first place in the Western Conference, as they currently trail Real Salt Lake by one point. The main objective will be to stay focused, particularly against a team like Chivas that has nothing to lose.

"With teams like this, there is nothing to lose," the Galaxy's Landon Donovan said. "We just have to make sure that they know we're the team that's headed to the playoffs."

What truly defines the Superclasico just as much as the rivalry is the atmosphere. With the match being broadcast nationally on ESPN2, this isn't just your typical MLS game.

“The atmosphere has a European flavor to it,” said Jazic. “Not just on the field, but in The Home Depot Center stands. Just the tension in the air is electric and everyone feels it. That’s special because it doesn’t happen often in MLS.”

Behind 'Dying Bravely'

2010-09-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Pride. Bad luck. Hope. Disappointment. Those are all descriptions of the past decade in U.S. Soccer. All those emotions are best captured in "Dying Bravely," an awesome chronicle of the United States' in the past three World Cups dating back to 2002.

For recent followers of the national team, the montage provides a brilliant prologue to South Africa. For long-time supporters, the video does an excellent job of recapturing the peaks and the valleys of the United States' journey.

The video also portrays recurring themes, notably the poor officiating the U.S. has suffered, in a truly fascinating way. It is lengthy in the sense that surpasses 11 minutes, but how else could one do justice to U.S. Soccer's pursuit? As Brian Strauss of AOL Fanhouse said, "It's well worth your time, and pays appropriate homage to a team well worth remembering."

The video has been posted on numerous soccer sites and even garnered a reaction from the national team's very own Stuart Holden, who commented on a soccer forum saying, "Cool video!! Thanks!"

I was so impressed with the video, I decided that to get in touch with the filmmaker. It turns out that the montage was produced by Nick Butler, a senior at Satusma High School - which is all the more impressive. Although he took breaks in between, Butler shared that he spent a month of his summer working on the montage. Personally, I wondered what motivated him to do so.

"One reason I was making videos was because I’m actually on a forum right now," Butler said. Every six or so months they do a video competition. I did one a previous year and I decided to do another one. I figured I’d do one about the USA getting in the World Cup."

After about two days, the video started attracting a plethora of views and promotion through Facebook and Twitter. Butler admits that he didn't expect his video to attract so much attention so rapidly, but he's quite pleased. Among those who noticed his video was the brother of a national team player, who has asked Butler to make a montage of his sibling. At this time, I can't disclose the specific player, but the video should be up in the next week.

Overall, the video is an amazing recollection of the United States successes and pitfalls, with a particular emphasis on the emotional aspect. Take the time to watch the montage - it's worth it.

Atmosphere a Bullish Sign

2010-09-24T23:47:00.001-07:00

No Thierry Henry. No problem. The New York Red Bulls strolled into Los Angeles and earned a 2-0 shutout of the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, ending the Galaxy's three game unbeaten streak.

However, what is even more important than the final score is the atmosphere. For once, the hype surrounding a MLS game materialized. Finally, rather than feeling like a match in an inferior league, the game had a vibe filled with intensity. This is what soccer is supposed to feel like.

Being involved with sports and having lived in Los Angeles my entire life, I have seen games of all L.A. sports team besides the NHL's Kings and if you count them, the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim." From firsthand experience, I can say that, for the most part, the best atmosphere belongs to a Lakers game at Staples Center. On a night like this one, though, the L.A. Galaxy were the Lakers of the MLS - with just as much excitement in the crowd as at a Lakers game.

Sure, the Supporters' Section and Riot Squad are present at every home game. Yes, they are always quite literally drumming up support. But, unlike most MLS games, the Home Depot Center was hosting a sold-out crowd. Never mind that the L.A. Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter, and the Red Bulls' Henry were missing. The 27,000 fans in attendance were hooting and hollering the entire evening.

At every game there are always passionate and knowledgeable fans asserting their thoughts (example: "C'mon so-and-so, tighten the back line"). In addition to having plenty of those types of fans in attendance, I sat next to the ultimate soccer type: a witty Englishmen, who always had something funny to say, albeit with a few curse words in between.

Among the many humorous things he shared:
"My son is better than you - and he's pretty bad"
"Forget club, you can't even ref AYSO"
To the Galaxy's goalkeeper, Donovan Ricketts: "Ricketts, if I had a daughter she would marry you"
"There's a spot for you on Liverpool. You can play for England."

The Galaxy's match against the Columbus Crew on September 11 had a great vibe, too. After each and every one of the Galaxy's three goals were scored, the moments that ensued were somewhat surreal - the loud, celebratory music blasting while hugging and jumping up and down with the fans next to you.

Despite all that, though, the game versus the Red Bulls was just something else even if the Galaxy didn't score a single goal. Nothing can compare to the buzz during tonight's match; loud and continuous chants alongside the constant battering of thunder-sticks at a MLS game is a rarity - and a special treat at that.

This kind of intensity is exactly what American soccer needs. If it can continue to hype up rivalries and boast some big-name players here and there, the interest will only continue to skyrocket. It's crazy to think that about how exciting the atmosphere was when this was, in reality, just another regular season game. Imagine the intensity of a MLS Cup Final!

Which Beast in the East Can Trump the Lake Show?

2010-09-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, ESPN Los Angeles' Land O'Lakers blog published an article answering the question: "Which Eastern Conference team is the Lakers' strongest challenger?" Halftime Hype will now give its' spin:

Some will say that the situation in South Beach is sunnier that Los Angeles. Their Florida counterparts in Orlando, would likely favor the Magic. Others will claim that the Boston Celtics, who should really be in the midst of their "Last Hoorah" if they weren't last season, will prevail. However, everyone agrees that those teams are the beasts of the East, the only ones who can challenge the Lakers.

To pick the Celtics as the Lakers' strongest challenger in the East would be the most conservative choice - and, at this point in time, perhaps the most realistic. As ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin said, "The C's were about half a quarter away from beating L.A. to win the championship last June and added the O'Neals in Shaquille and Jermaine."

Last time around, pundits were quick to cast off the Celtics prior to the playoffs after their dismal regular season performance. To make the same case for this season could prove to be poor judgment and turn out to be incorrect later. However, I am confident injuries will arise with this Boston squad. It will come down to how the Celtics can work around that adversity.

Despite any individual opinions of the Lebron James free-agent debacle, one must acknowledge the Miami Heat's legitimacy as a contender. Having three of the NBA's top ten players, all of whom won an Olympic gold medal together just a couple years ago, certainly puts you in the championship discussion.

Nevertheless, if the Celtics are a realistic pick on the basis that they have proven their talent, the Heat are an unrealistic choice for the same reason. Playing on an Olympic gold medal team is extremely different from an 82-game season, followed by intense playoff series. Chemistry issues may emerge. With expectations already so high, there is no margin for error. Plus, as with the Celtics, injuries are always looming. Wade is certainly familiar with the trainer's office. Bosh and James were both affected by injuries last season.

You can't bet against such a dynamic team, especially since the Lakers have had difficulty with explosive, offensive teams in the past (see: Oklahoma City Thunder and losing a 3-1 series lead to the Phoenix Suns, etc.) The big question marks for the Heat will be how the Big Three mesh as well as how much the supporting cast can contribute.

The Orlando Magic pose a threat, but, in my opinion, to a much lesser degree than either the Celtics or the Heat. They must be left in the discussion, though, in spite of Dwight Howard (enough said), an aging but still effective Vince Carter, an All-Star point guard in Jameer Nelson, sharpshooters in Rashard Lewis and J.J. Redick, not to mention the offensive-defensive threats of Mickael Pietrus and Quentin Richardson.

For the most part, the roster remains the same as in the past couple seasons. That's exactly why they are still in the discussion. The team is capable of making a deep run, but equally capable of disappointing in the playoffs.

The Verdict: Having improved from an already daunting roster last season, it will be hard for any team to challenge the Lakers. On paper, they can match up with Miami. Although the Celtics upgraded a roster that got them to within four points of a Game 7 on the road, last I checked the concept a time machine still remains a sci-fi fantasy. Orlando is dangerous, but history says to bet against them. That said, the wisest pre-season pick, with the primary criteria being experience and proven play, would have to be the Celtics.

U.S. Hoping FIFA Convinced By "Many Strengths"

2010-09-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

Harold Mayne-Nicholls, left, the head of the FIFA Inspection Delegation, with Sunil Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer and chairman of the USA Bid Committee. Photo by Howard Smith, ISI

Will the United States host a World Cup? A question on everyone's mind and one that will be answered on December 2. Until then, one can only hope that the FIFA Inspection Delegation was impressed by what the U.S. has to offer. As Sunil Gulati, President of U.S. Soccer, said, "“I think virtually all decisions in our lives, when there are candidates or elections, come down to the ability to convince people. This was a technical inspection tour...Clearly some people will have made decisions between now and then, or have already made decisions."

There were many highlights of the Inspection Delegation's trip to America. The Delegation arrived in New York on Labor Day afternoon, greeted by a mass of enthusiastic children, I'll bet under "The Game Is In US" banners that were hanging on 55th Street. In the evening, they were treated to a warm reception at the St. Regis Hotel, featuring New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

One of the notable stops was Cowboys Stadium, where the delegates were accompanied by Cowgirls cheerleaders, walked around the stadium, and viewed a video on the largest high-definition video screen in the world. Asked to reflect on the visit, Gulati said, "Watching the reaction of the FIFA members, I would say they were overwhelmed."

Other memorable moments included a breakfast at the White House with senior staff of the Obama administration; appearances by U.S. men's national team manager, Bob Bradley, and ESPN soccer commentator and former national team captain, John Harkes, at a visit to George Mason University's training grounds; meeting the Houston Rockets' center, Yao Ming, during the Delegation's visit to Houston.

Despite having planned "an incredibly ambitious schedule" with visits to five cities across America in three days, David Downs, the Executive Director of the USA Bid Committee, shared that the tour was often five to ten minutes ahead of schedule.

Although Harold Mayne-Nicholls, head of the FIFA Inspection Delegation, seemed mostly pleased with the inspection, he did mention concern over transportation. "There might be, on a later stage, additional needs for public transportation to cater to foreign fans," Mayne-Nicholls said.

However, Downs reassured that transportation would not be an issue. "It’s very easy, because of the capacity of our roadway system and the size of the parking lots in the stadiums, to institute shuttle bus service. My understanding is that the most recent Super Bowl, which took place in Miami at one of our stadiums, consisted of 900 shuttle buses both operating on loops from parking rides and going in and out of downtown Miami and downtown Fort Lauderdale service the capacity crowd and they were moving…30,000 people in and out of the stadium per hour, more than sufficient to handle the load of a World Cup match. So we don’t believe it will be a problem."

On the Bid Committee's side, Downs believes everything went well. Sure, it would have been great to go to a beautiful city like Seattle and watch a Sounders match, he admitted, but in spite of the time restraints, that was not possible. "The biggest regret is not so much what was specifically executed, but the fact that they were only here 3 ½ days and one of those days was a travel day."

Although the tour seems to have gone rather well, there are no guarantees for the United States. Many believe that FIFA will opt for a European nation to host the 2018 World Cup. In that case, the U.S. would be in a less competitive pool with South Korea, Qatar, Japan, and Australia for the 2022 bid. Even then, FIFA may decide to potential first-time hosts Qatar or Australia.

Nevertheless, with the United States having hosted a World Cup in 1994, a relatively recent time period, it is imperative that the Bid Committee emphasizes how much soccer has progressed in America in the last 16 years. Gulati gave his thoughts on the issue at the beginning of the tour, saying "I think some of the international community underestimates the passion for the game in the United States. When we start talking about the landscape in the U.S. they’re surprised by it. They are surprised that we have 16 teams and are growing in MLS. They are surprised that Americans were the No. 1 ticket buyers for the World Cup."

"They are surprised that you couldn’t get into bars in a lot of major cities at 10 a.m. to watch World Cup games. They’re surprised that the TV rights for the World Cup were the single largest in the world. When you look at all those things happening in a relatively short time since the 1994 World Cup, you can see the extraordinary success story. "

With the inspection over, the next phase for the Bid Committee is to prepare a presentation for FIFA, which will be shown on December 1, the day before the host nations will be declared. Downs has shared that fans can expect "big video elements" as well as some "impressive speakers." Hopefully, the United States can capitalize on its "many strengths."

"B-Team" is Best Team

2010-09-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

The United States so-called "B-Team" won the FIBA World Basketball Championship in a 81-64 over Turkey in Istanbul on Sunday. The win gave the U.S. a berth in the 2012 London Olympics. With instant offense from the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, as well as the veteran leadership of the Denver Nuggets' Chauncey Billups and the Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom, the United States won its first World Basketball Championship in 16 years.

Without intimidating height and any star-studded members of the 2008 Olympics Gold Medal team, many were skeptic of the United States' potential, hence the term "B-Team." In fact, only three players on the U.S. team had previously played for the national team.

The young faces, however, proved to be a nice breath of fresh air. The United States went undefeated, with only one game that came down to the wire, a 70-68 victory over Brazil. After that narrow win, Durant would go on to say, "We need this game. The atmosphere was great, Brazil did a great job, they put pressure on us. It's a learning experience for us. It's the game we needed."

From that point on, it was mostly easy sailing for the U.S. The championship game was no different. After trailing 17-14, Team USA gained control of the game. Nevertheless, Turkey is to be commended for going so far as to earn its first FIBA World Championship medal. During the past few weeks, fans rallied around the host country and the team impressed many.

USA Head Coach Mike Kryzewski praised Turkey's run, saying "I want to congratulate the Turkish team for a truly perfect tournament. They epitomized what a team should be and we had to be at our very best to beat them. It was a terrific tournament and [Istanbul was] a truly wonderful city. I’ve never seen a country celebrate a team better than Turkey. It created a great atmosphere for the tournament."

Despite being only 21 years old, Durant was undoubtedly the United States' leader. Durant, who led the NBA in scoring last season, averaged 22.8 points throughout the tournament. Additionally, he set the record for most points in a FIBA World Championship game by an American by scoring 38 points in the United States' 89-74 victory over Lithuania in the semifinal.

Odom, one of the elder statesmen on Team USA, now has extra bragging rights since he has earned a NBA and FIBA championship - in the same year. In a telephone interview with the Los Angeles Times' Broderick Turner, Odom shared his thoughts on such an honor: "The thought of being a world champion twice in one year is cool, you know? I could brag to Kobe [Bryant] and tell him this is something he doesn't got."

After winning the gold medal, the "B-Team" nickname is no longer symbolic of inferiority, but is representative of "best team."

Galaxy Gain Sole Possession of Top Spot

2010-09-12T01:36:00.000-07:00

Both stars saw action in the Galaxy's 3-1 victory on Saturday night

The Galaxy no longer share first place, proving why they are the best team in the MLS with a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center. Both clubs, the leaders of the Western and Eastern Conference, entered the game tied with 44 points. However, the night belonged to the Galaxy, who benefited from the return of Juninho and David Beckham.

Juninho, who had been out for personal reasons, did a brilliant job of finding his unmarked teammates. When asked about his return, manager Bruce Arena said "He’s an excellent player. We really missed him...Tonight he played well, and obviously it’s great to get him back.”

Instead of conceding early goals to the opponent, the Galaxy were the ones who came out aggressive. In the 13th minute, Edson Buddle scored from the top of the box off an assist from Landon Donovan. Buddle, who leads the league in goals scored, earned his 14th goal of the season.

Fans really knew their team was playing well when Dema Kovalenko scored, his first goal with the Galaxy. Landon Donovan threaded a pass to Kovalenko, who found the net in the 35th minute. Kovalenko, renowned for his feisty tackles, is not known as a goal-scoring threat. The assist was also Donovan's second of the game, raising his league-leading number of assists to 14.

Arena began the second half by substituting Chris Birchall for Edson Buddle. The move was solely for precautionary reasons, as Buddle was feeling cramps in his legs. "He is ready to go and will be fine," Arena reassured.

The Galaxy's offense continued, nonetheless. In the 55th minute, Galaxy midfielder Alex Cazumba lobbed a free kick from about 40 yards toward the far post, connecting with Jovan Kirovski for a header.

In the 70th minute, David Beckham, who had not played for the Galaxy this season due to a torn Achilles tendon, returned to a standing ovation. Beckham had not played a MLS game for 289 days, his last match being the MLS Cup Final on November 22, 2009. Although he proved some rust in receiving a yellow card after only four minutes, his passing was excellent as usual.

After the game, Arena dwelled on the Englishman's presence. “David’s presence helps our team in the locker room, on the training field and on game day," Arena said. "It is remarkable that he is back on the field in this short period of time. September 15th is six months, and at his age, to put in the kind of effort to come back and for the players to see that is inspirational to the team.”

Unfortunately for the team, the Galaxy would not leave with a shutout. The Crew's Andres Mendoza, who entered the game as a sub in the 63rd minute, made the most of his one-on-one with Galaxy goalkeeper, Donovan Ricketts. He scored the Crew's lone goal in the 85th minute.

Buddle gave his thoughts on sole possession of the top spot. “We’ve led the league all year and we wanted to hold on to that. Who knows what the mood would have been like if we would have lost that game and let Columbus take the lead," he said. Indeed, much to the Galaxy's pleasure, nobody will ever have to know.

Previewing the Potential MLS Cup Match-up: LA Galaxy vs. Columbus Crew

2010-09-11T00:53:00.000-07:00

Beckham (pictured above) may see some playing time against the Crew on Saturday night

Saturday's game between the LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew will serve as the Galaxy's most important match since the last season's MLS Cup Final against Real Salt Lake. Despite the LA Galaxy's recent slump, a victory at home against the Crew would surely energize the squad.

"This for us is a championship game," the Galaxy's Landon Donovan said. “If we want to be where we want to be, we need to have home-field [advantage] throughout the playoffs in the West, and this is a team we might play in the final if we get there. This is a very, very big game for us.”

Indeed, the game features a potential MLS Cup match-up, with both teams leading their conferences - and the league - with 44 points. Although the Galaxy were once far ahead of the competition, there is now a three-way tie for first place between the Galaxy, Crew, and Real Salt Lake. However, as Donovan pointed out, a tight race to the finish might actually be a good thing.

“This is good that it’s happened this way," Donovan said. "It’s good now that we have some competition. For a long time we’ve been six, eight, 10 points ahead of everybody and it makes you relax a little bit.”

In addition to MLS Cup implications and bragging rights, the match may also mark the return of David Beckham. Beckham, who was activated from the disabled list earlier this week, has not appeared in a game for the club since last season's MLS Cup on November 22, 2009 after suffering a tear in his left Achilles tendon nearly six months ago.

“I think I could possibly be on the bench,” Beckham said Thursday.

Ultimately, whether or not Beckham plays is up to manager Bruce Arena. Unfortunately for the Galaxy and its fans, Arena did not share the same optimism as Becks. On the prospect of Beckham getting playing time: “I don’t think that’s likely," Arena said.

With or without Beckham, if the Galaxy are still after the Supporter's Shield, they must step up their game. The team's last win came nearly a month ago, a 1-0 road victory on August 14 against the New York Red Bulls, who featured their newly-minted designated player trio of Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry, and Rafael Marquez.

Then again, the Galaxy are tied for best in the MLS for a reason. “We’re not playing the best right now but someone once told me the standings don’t lie,” Donovan said. “Over the course of the season, we’ve been the best team – but right now we’re not playing the best. We still feel like we’re a team that’s good enough to win.”

USA Bid Committee Ready for FIFA Inspectors

2010-09-02T13:19:00.001-07:00

With the FIFA Inspection Delegation arriving for a three-day tour next week, one might wonder: Could the United States host a World Cup? David Downs and his colleagues at the USA Bid Committee, attempting to bring the tournament to America in 2018 or 2022, strongly believe so. From the facilities to the fans, Downs outlined how the United States would be a perfect host for the World Cup.

As executive director of the USA Bid Committee, Downs has been spending the summer trying to get support for the USA's bid. As many supporters may know, he's been busy sending messages asking fans to join Go USA Bid. Today, all the hard work really paid off, as the number of fans supporting the USA's bid surpassed 1 million. Granted, that figure does not account for a large percentage of the nation's population, but, as Downs pointed out, for a grass-roots campaign with no major marketing, it's a great success.

The committee has scheduled a jam-packed itinerary for FIFA's inspectors. Obviously, Downs mentioned, three days is not much time to showcase the entire arsenal, but there will still be plenty of attractions to impress FIFA. Throughout their inspection, the delegation will visit New York, Washington D.C., Miami, Dallas, and Houston.

The United States "abundance of resources" will definitely be a point of emphasis. With regards to stadiums, Downs shared that FIFA will see a variety of venues. Some will be close-roofed, others will be open. The facilities will also vary in size; some will be bigger than others.

However, the Bid Committee will take the delegation to more than just a handful of stadiums. "It's more than just going down and inspecting the pitch," Downs said. The delegation will also view convention centers, which, among other things, as stations for international broadcasting.

Along the way, the delegation will also be accommodated to luxurious hotels, which could potentially be used by World Cup personnel in the future.

During the United States' run in the World Cup, fans may have noticed former president Bill Clinton, an honorary chairman on the Bid Committee, cheering in the crowd. Asked if celebrities would be involved in the presentation, Downs could not give specifics, but assured that dignitaries will be involved.

For U.S. Soccer, there's not much of a preference between hosting the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Downs said that generally, when one is going to do something exciting, it's always great to enjoy it sooner. Nevertheless, if the United States was awarded the honor of hosting the World Cup in 2022, it would provide more time to develop even better facilities and progress soccer in America.

To join over a million fans in supporting the United States' bid to host a World Cup, go to http://www.gousabid.com/.

Media's Thoughts to Bradley's Extension

2010-09-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already read Halftime Hype's post about Bradley's extension, here it is.

Obviously, there are many different opinions on whether or not extending Bob Bradley's contract was the right decision. Here are some excerpts of them:

From Ives Galarcep at Fox Soccer: The harsh reality is Bradley must do better over these next four years if he is going to prove Gulati’s decision to be the right one. He must construct a team better equipped to avoid the early-game blunders that have plagued the United States. He must rebuild his defense and he must continue his search for reliable goal-scoring talent. And when 2014 comes, if Bradley is still the head coach, he must learn from the lessons learned in 2010 and use that experience to build a team capable of reaching the levels many believe the U.S. men’s national team can reach.

From an interview with Fox Soccer's Christian Miles: "I think US Soccer made a good decision by extending Bradley's contract. Bradley is a fine and capable manager who fulfilled US expectations at South Africa. However, despite my personal admiration of the current US boss, who was able to get this current crop of players to closely realize it's potential, Juergen Klinsmann would have been an excellent choice to progress US Soccer. The German has demonstrated his ability to lead a national program through his efforts four years ago, while guiding his native country to the World Cup semifinals."

I don't think it's a matter of foreign versus American, rather it's who is the best man for the job. Klinsmann is not a typical foreigner that has no existing knowledge of the working of soccer in the US. He's lived in the US for years and is familiar with soccer in this country. He has also taken a role with the LA Galaxy in the past. With an extensive US background and fresh methods that brought success to Germany, I have no doubt Klinsmann has the capability of taking US Soccer to the next level."

From Yahoo! Sports' Martin Rogers: "Whatever Bradley does between now and the next World Cup, it will never be enough for those who love to bash the United States head coach, his methods, his philosophy and his decisions.

And it needs to stop...For those who simply can’t bear the fact that Bradley remains in charge, ponder this: Perhaps your ire should be directed not at the man, but at the federation that decided to hand him the keys not once, but twice."

From Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl: "Bradley did a good job in his first four years. My skepticism over his reappointment has less to do with Bradley than with any coach in this position, even ones who got historic performances out of their teams like Lippi in 2006 or Arena in '02. The history of World Cup second acts, especially over the last 16 years, is not a particularly good one."

Bob Bradley Back for More

2010-08-31T19:43:00.000-07:00

On Monday, the U.S. Soccer Federation finally decided on a manager, opting to extend Bob Bradley's contract through 2014. After the United States' early exit against Ghana in the past World Cup, it was unclear if he would continue to manage the national team. In the ensuing weeks, Bradley would eye possibilities in Europe and U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati would make his own assessment. Ultimately, the two sides rejoined forces.

In a conference call with members of the media today, Gulati began by saying, "I think Bob’s done a great job of putting a group of players together and not just at the World Cup, in developing that group over three and a half to four years and we’re looking forward to building on that." It seems like Gulati exemplified the famous saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Although Gulati had initially expressed disappointment after the United States was knocked out, he clarified that the disappointment was not specifically in the coaching. "the disappointment part, as I stated then, was not in the team or Bob’s efforts or winning the group, obviously, the disappointment was that we all, always want one more game."

In a nutshell, the general vibe from Gulati is that the United States reached pre-World Cup expectations and he was proud of the respect U.S. Soccer gained during Bradley's tenure. However, after winning the group and with interest in U.S. Soccer at an all-time high, he foresaw a deeper run. Obviously, the team would not subsequently receive "one more game."

Perhaps the two most important questions were 1) What was the key factor in bringing Bradley back, and 2) Did Gulati speak with other managers?

"What was the most decisive factor was experience, the record over the last four years, in games that mattered especially," Gulati said. As for exploring other candidates, Gulati would make a point of not commenting on the matter.

When asked if he, indeed, met with Jurgen Klinnsman to discuss managing the national team, Gulati would not confirm. “We’re here to talk about Bob’s appointment as national team coach. I’m not going to talk about any conversations that we may or may not have had with any other candidate. We are going to talk strictly about our national team coach... That’s all we’re going to be talking about today.”

Another thought-provoking debate is whether or not the Federation should consider hiring a foreign manager. Until things dramatically change, the best soccer is being played in Europe - meaning the world's top managers are there, too. Someone like Klinnsman, who guided Germany to third place in the 2006 World Cup, could be a tremendous asset to U.S. Soccer. Having had a greater exposure to premier leagues and teams, he may have an edge in knowing how to beat the best.

By the same token, there can be cultural barriers to hiring a foreign coach. For example, the United States is not under as much pressure as, say, Spain. The demands are simply different. Moreover, there's the question of whether or not a foreign coach could identify with U.S. players. Perhaps Ruud Gullit's stint as manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy was the best example.

In an interview after the World Cup, Landon Donovan chided in on the debate: "I'm a little skeptical of foreign coaches in our league and in U.S. Soccer just because of how different our league is and our players are than other players around the world. So in theory sometimes it sounds sexy to have a guy like Ruud Gullit or in this case, who knows?

You could bring in [Fabio] Capello and I'm not sure you would get the results you wanted because there's so much to our league and our players than people realize. So it would be a little risky to do that unless you find the right person who really cares and understands and wants to learn about our league and our players."

Interestingly enough, in the same interview, Donovan said he would also be fine if Klinnsman, whom Donovan had played for while on loan to Bayern Munich, ended up manager of the national team. Well, today the most important opinion, that of Sunil Gulati, was expressed.

“Do I think there are some natural advantages to having a coach who understands the American system? The answer is yes. That does not mean there aren't also advantages to having a coach who has coached in the Premier League, or Serie A or two World Cups or whatever else it might be."

Different candidates bring different attributes. I don't think there's any doubt that having knowledge of the American setup is a plus. I said that four years ago and I think that's the case now. That doesn't mean we wouldn't consider an international coach, it just means they'd have a different set of strengths. In this particular area it would likely be a weakness since they would not have the same experience here [in the United States].”

Bradley, who also participated in the conference call, had recently been linked to job offers in Europe. Now that he will be back for a second cycle with the national team, there are questions of staleness. After all, he's already been around for four years. Will the players still be as responsive?

Bradley addressed staleness, in part, by citing Sir Alex Ferguson as a role model. “Obviously, it’s been noted at times where I’ve said I’ve been lucky to spend some time at Manchester United. And when I see someone like Sir Alex Ferguson, how he continues to know how to keep his environment fresh and sharp, I think that is what coaching is about. Your credibility is put to the test every day as a coach, regardless of whether you’ve been on the job four years or four days. I understand that. That’s part of the profession."

With the manager situation settled, Bradley can now focus on coaching the national team, while Sunil Gulati and the Federation can work on their securing a World Cup in the United States. FIFA's inspectors will arrive in America next week.

Asked about his vision for next four years, Bradley identified an experienced nucleus, the development of young players, and play against tough competition as keys to success. Although he wouldn't set a goal for the 2014 World Cup, but mentioned that success in tournaments such as the Gold Cup and Confederations Cup are imperative.

The next games for the national team consist of a friendlies against Poland on October 9 and versus Colombia on October 12. Both games will be played in the United States. Soccer fans should be open to a surprise or two, as Bradley stated that he is eyeing younger players.

"Every fixture date gets assessed: whether there are days of training leading into the game, who the opponent is, what the schedule is for players in MLS or abroad. We put all those things together and try to find the right time and place to introduce players into the national team."

Certainly the next fixture date in October gives us opportunities. There are players out there we have watched, and we do a thorough job of keeping track of players around the world as we go through games with the idea of looking for players who we believe can be moved into our program.”

Overall, it seems like the decision to extend Bradley's contract was a good one. Gulati recognized Bradley's rather remarkable achievements, primarily the United States' victory in the Gold Cup and reaching the final of the Confederations Cup. Who knows if Klinnsman could do a better job, with the risks being much higher. Bradley provides valuable stability, which might turn out to be just what the national team needs. I guess we'll have to wait and see in the next four years.

Doc Needs to Get Head Checked

2010-08-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

As a head coach in the NBA, one must be extremely aware of various statistics and facts. Evidently, Doc Rivers is not. In an interview with ESPN 980, Rivers forgot a key detail or two about his match-up against the Lakers in 2008. Here's what he had to say:

"They still have not beaten our starting five. Our starting five against the Lakers starting five has a ring...We will be back strong and Perk will be there next year if there's a game seven."

Rivers has clearly forgotten that Andrew Bynum did not play in the 2008 playoffs. You read that correctly: 0 minutes. In fact, in May 2008 Bynum underwent arthroscopic surgery on his kneecap. C'mon Doc, even a quick look at Wikipedia would have revealed that. Already Doc isn't looking too sharp. Since Bynum - the Lakers' starting center - was out, Rivers is factually incorrect in his assertion that his starting five "against the Lakers starting five has a ring."

In addition, Trevor Ariza was coming off an injury at the time and only averaged 6.63 minutes throughout the '08 Finals and didn't even play the first game. To elaborate:

Game 1: Did not play
Game 2: 0-1 from the field, 0 points, and 2 rebounds in 7:19 minutes of playing time
Game 3: 2-3 from the field, 0-1 for three-pointers, 4 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in 8:49 minutes of playing time
Game 4: 2-2 from the field, 1-1 on three-pointers, 1-2 on free throws, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in 8:43 minutes of playing time
Game 5: 0 shot attempts, 0 points, 0 everything except for 1 foul in 1:15 minutes of playing time
Game 6: 1-3 from the field, 1-2 on free throws, 0-1 for three-pointers, 3 points, 1 rebound in 9:04 minutes of playing time

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Basically Ariza, who was a starter last season and showed us he's capable of scoring with a 14.9 points per game average, was virtually nonexistent. In spite of Ariza's limited minutes, the Lakers assigned Vladimir Radmanovic to guard Paul Pierce, who would later win Finals MVP at the end of the series. Congrats, Paul, you managed to do well against a guy who Lakers coach Phil Jackson dubbed a "space cadet." In Pierce's defense, he also deserved an Academy award for his brilliant acting skills in, what is fair to assume, faking an injury then coming back to score 15 points in the third quarter.

On another note, as Trey Kerby of Yahoo! Sports pointed out,"the problem with saying that is that the average age for Boston's team is measured in tree rings. And there are a lot of tree rings on the inside of those old oaks. And when there are that many rings, injuries start happening." In other words, obviously when you have older players on your team, injuries are nearly inevitable.

There's no questioning Doc Rivers as a coach or as a person. From what one sees on T.V., he seems like an intelligent and gracious man. His comment, though, was downright arrogant - and extremely incorrect.

Kobe-Eminem Parallels

2010-08-20T18:02:00.001-07:00

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and rapper Marshall Mathers, a.k.a Eminem, are two very different people, with the most glaring difference being their occupations. However, after listening to Eminem's tracks multiple times and keeping up with the Black Mamba, there are certain connections between Mathers' lyrics and Bryant's career. Above all, "Not Afraid" seems to best represent the Black Mamba's tenure in the Association.

Exhibit A: "Not Afraid"

"Yeah, it's been a ride/I guess I had to go to that place to get to this one"

Kobe Bryant has been through a lot during his career. Initially he was known as Shaq's sidekick, the "second fiddle" of a three-peat dynasty. He then experienced tough transition, going from making the Finals one season to missing out on the playoffs the next year. Eventually, he worked his way up to becoming the best player in the league. In brief, Bryant's adversity and experience helped him reach where he is.

"I don't give a damn/What you think, I'm doing this for me"

Bryant, especially in recent years, has disregarded the media and unnecessary side drama or hype to achieve his goal of winning championships. #24 has had plenty of labels placed on him and has received plenty of criticism, at least twice as much as anything LeBron James received until his decision. Yet, he continues to tune it all out. He's fine with the media's impression of him.

After the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 Finals, when former teammate Shaquille O'Neal rapped about how Bryant hadn't won a ring without the Big Fell, Bryant could have came back with a response. Instead, when pressed on the matter, he simply said "I didn't take it any kind of way whatsoever." In an article by Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Bryant exemplifies the lyric best when he said "If I had to do it over again, I would’ve just let people talk and say what they had to say, and as time goes on, they would’ve seen what was what."

"For better or worse/He's married to the game"

There's no doubt that Kobe Bryant has one of the best work ethics in sports history. He works on his game every day. Last offseason, fresh off winning a championship, Bryant was learning post moves from all-time great Hakeem Olajuwon. Among his many methods of training, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times notes 5 A.M. film study, playing through 235 games, and martial arts training. Just look at his workout schedule. Enough said.

"His gift is a curse"

Sometimes, Bryant's determination, "his gift," can take the form of a double-edged sword. During many games, Bryant can just will the ball to the basket (i.e. 81 point game, 62 point game, etc.). Nevertheless, there are also games where Bryant's determination causes him to carry the Lakers and/or mess up the flow of the offense.

During those times, Bryant can become too selfish, which is particularly bad if his shots aren't going down. Lakers fans are familiar with these nights. These are the games when he has viewers thinking "OK, he's warming up." Pretty soon, it's the end of the game, he never really warmed up, and the result, in most cases, is a loss.

This was most evident during the 2005-2006 season when he averaged a whopping 35.6 points per game, but for a Lakers squad that didn't make it past the first round. The most recent example of Bryant's determination coming up short was Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. After the game, Bryant proved to be a great example of Eminem's lyric when he remarked, "You know, I just wanted it so bad. I wanted it so, so bad....And the more I tried to push, the more it kept getting away from me."

"You said you was king, you lied through your teeth/For that [expletive] your feelings, instead of getting crowned you're getting capped"

Perhaps this lyric would be more applicable if Bryant were in a feud with LeBron James, but the premise works nonetheless. "King James" is said to be the top dog in the NBA, many claiming that Bryant has "passed the torch." Instead, it's Bryant who has been "crowned" with the championships - not James.

"This...black cloud still follows me around"

Unfortunately for him, Kobe Bryant has not enjoyed a relatively stress-free career. Kobe had many downers in the early 2000's, from being accused of sexual assault to a feud with mentor and teammate Karl Malone over things said to his wife, being referred to as "uncoachable" ironically by his current coach Phil Jackson, as well as being blamed by many for Shaq's departure in spite of their constant clashes. Those moments all contribute to Bryant's greater "black cloud." No matter how much time goes by, those events will always reside in the shadows of Bryant's career, with haters quick to label him as a "rapist" and/or "ball hog."

"Haters can make like bees with no stingers, and drop dead"

To prove this, I refer you to Bryant's "Love me or hate me" campaign.

Exhibit B: "No Love"

"It's a little too late to say that you're sorry now/You kicked me when I was down/[Screw] what you say/You ran me into the ground"

Obviously, this applies to Shaq's attempts to forgive and forget their feud. Jay Mariotti's piece for Fanhouse is the perfect application of this lyric. Many NBA fans will recall the All-Star game two seasons ago, when O'Neal was trying to make amends with Kobe, whom he had insulted in a rap gone mainstream only several months prior.

O'Neal has moved on, even tweeting after the Finals: "Congratualtions kobe, u deserve it. You played great . Enjoy it my man enjoy it. And I know what yur sayin rt now 'Shaq how my ass taste'"However, it's quite obvious that Bryant still isn't ready to receive Shaq's olive branch. After Game 7, when asked what the championship meant individually, Bryant replied: "I just got one more than Shaq...You guys know how I am, I don't forget anything."

"These fools can't drool or dribble a drop anymore/And you can never break my stride/You never slow the momentum at any moment I'm about to blow/You'll never take my pride/Killing the flow, slow venom and the opponent/Is getting no mercy, mark my words/Ain't letting up, relentless"

Despite the recent injuries that have slowed Bryant down, when he's hot Kobe Bryant "ain't letting up." Some may argue that LeBron James is the best scorer in the game, but let's not kid ourselves. It was Bryant who once scored 81 points, the second-highest point total in NBA history. It was also Bryant who outscored an entire team through three quarters in his 62 point game. Additionally, Eminem's reference suits Bryant, nicknamed "The Black Mamba," a reference to an extremely deadly snake.

On defense, Bryant certainly doesn't "let up." He's a 10-time All-Defensive Team selection. Enough said.

Exhibit C: "Space Bound"

"Nobody knows me, I’m cold, walk down this road all alone/It’s no one’s fault but my own. It’s the path I’ve chosen to go"

Kobe Bryant has not been a revealing figure when it comes to his interactions with the media. His "inner circle" has dwindled throughout the years and there are very few who actually know the guy. He has typically served the media with curt answers. At the end of the day, he's the one who has decided to keep mum - and it's worked out pretty well.

Exhibit D: "Crack a Bottle"

"It disgusts me to see the game the way that it looks/It's a must, I redeem my name and haters get mushed"

Inside Bryant's head, he's thinking "How do they give so much attention to LeBron? To D-Wade? I am the best player."Some people might not realize, every day he strives to be the greatest player to ever play the game. With every championship, he proves more and more haters wrong. When he won the championship in 2009, he could finally say he led a championship team without O'Neal's assistance. Now that he's won another championship - left LeBron in the dust - he can continue to make a debate out of the "best player" argument. And, as well all know, Bryant has "one more than Shaq."

Ed. Note: This post was inspired by Jeff Weiss' "If the Lakers Were Rappers." Here's some much appreciated praise from the inspiration, himself:

"Just had a read and its very cool stuff. Sharp analogy drawn and you support it well."

Wheeling and Dealing Continues

2010-08-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Just when many thought there no big moves left in the offseason, a four-team trade was made involving the Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Hornets. In the trade, Courtney Lee was dealt to Houston, Trevor Ariza will be a Hornet, the Nets got Troy Murphy, while Darren Collison and James Posey will be heading to Indianapolis.

With the addition of Collison, the Pacers have resolved their need for a point guard. Last season, when Collison started in spite of Chris Paul's injury, the former UCLA standout averaged 21.6 points per game, 8.3 assists, and 49.6% shooting from the field. Posey, also sent to Indiana, is a formidable three-point threat. Having won a title with both the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, respectively, he will also bring a valuable veteran presence.

The Kobe Beef blog also touched on the financial benefits of the deal: "Although the Pacers took on the bloated contract of Posey’s salary (two years remaining at #13 million) it will save the team $4 million on their overall payroll. This is something the organization is very apt to do considering that they claim they can no longer afford to pay the yearly leasing fee for using the Conseco Fieldhouse."

Since Indiana could not trade injury-prone point guard T.J. Ford, the Pacers offered to buyout Ford's contract for $5 million. "I'm not taking a buyout," Ford told the Indianapolis Star. Ford is set to make $8.5 million this season, having picked up his player option.

The Houston Rockets received the type of scrappy player coach Rick Adelman loves with the acquisition of Lee. Lee, who appeared in the 2009 NBA Finals as a member of the Orlando Magic, also has a good shooting touch. In the process, the Rockets got rid of Ariza, who struggled with his shooting percentages, and his contract. From a business perspective, this is a fantastic decision for the Rockets. The team will save $10 million this season and plenty more down the road.

The New Orleans Hornets received Ariza in the deal. The move pleased Paul, who had a conversation with his new teammate. "He was excited," Ariza said. Paul said,"I’m all about winning. I’ll do everything to win. I’m just more hungry now. Just getting to the playoffs is not good enough for me." Ariza, of course, won a championship with the Lakers and is a multi-faceted player. Although he struggled with his efficiency, he has great range, can drive to the basket, and is a commendable perimeter defender.

In the least influential component of the deal, Troy Murphy is now a member of the New Jersey. Nets. Perhaps The Kobe Beef put it best: As for Murphy heading to New Jersey, well, he will be as invisible as he was when he was with Indiana. He is one of the better players in the league but no one gives him much credit or attention because he has played in small markets for much of his career . Over the past couple of seasons he has become a double-double machine averaging 14.45 points and 11 rebounds. Avery Johnson will likely try and use him as a poor man’s Dirk Nowitzki."

Overall, the deal seems beneficial for all parties involved.

United States a Step Behind Brazil

2010-08-11T00:14:00.000-07:00

In the first game since the World Cup for both teams, the United States men's national team suffered a 2-0 loss to Brazil at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Despite an experienced United States cast and a youthful Brazilian lineup, the Americans could not find a way to score or protect their own goal.

The United States opened the game with good defensive pressure on Brazil and, literally, hit the ground running. Three minutes into the game, Edson Buddle threaded a no-look pass to Landon Donovan, who rushed into the box. Donovan received pressure from both sides and a shove as his shot deflected off Brazilian goalkeeper Victor. The shove could have resulted in a penalty kick, but the referee allowed play to resume.

Asked to reflect on the missed opportunity, Donovan said, "It was unfortunate because the guy fouled me. I think Silvio realized it was a foul. I tried to stay up. They always encourage us not to dive and you try to do the right thing but you have to rely on the referee to make the call, so maybe next time I'll go down and get the sure penalty."

The United States would eventually cave, though. In the 28th minute, Neymar successfully headed Andre Santos' cross for the first goal of the game. Neymar was able to distance himself from U.S. defender Jonathan Bornstein and guide the ball into the lower left corner from 10 yards out.

When asked about the first goal, Bornstein would go on to say, "They got down our right side and the guy swung a good ball in. I was running back toward the goal and all of a sudden I saw the ball curling in. I tried to jump to it but it was curling away from my head and went straight to their player."

Only a few minutes later, Brazil began celebrating again when Pato kicked the ball through the net in the 32nd minute. However, while in the process of scoring, Pato collided with U.S. goalkeeper, Tim Howard, and the referee waved the goal off.

In the stoppage time of the first half, the United States would take another hit. Ramires got the ball to Alexandre Pato, who was scored in a one-on-one opportunity against Howard. The United States found itself familiar position, trailing heading into halftime.

The United States had its share of chances, but simply was not able to convert. One one occasion the United States actually scored. After receiving a short corner kick from Donovan, Sacha Kljestan lobbed the ball to Michael Bradley, who headed a shot into the net. The goal was waived, though, because Bradley was in offside position.

On another play, Victor had to use his arsenal of reflexes to catch Kljestan's free kick just outside of the penalty area. Toward the end of the game, a goal seemed inevitable when Jonathan Spector bent in a cross to substitute Herculez Gomez in the 85th minute. This time, Victor stopped yet another play by steering the ball clear of danger.

The recurring theme for the United States since the World Cup has been conceding goals early and playing catch-up for the majority of the game. It's true, giving up a goal in the 28th minute is better than conceding one in the fourth minute, as the U.S. did against England in the Group Stage of the World Cup. Nevertheless, in order to improve, it is imperative that the United States tighten up its back line and capitalize on its chances.

Before the game, the 2010 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees were honored on the field. Bruce Arena, Thomas Dooley, Predag “Preki” Radosavljevic and Kyle Rote Jr. were this year's inductees.

Many were likely pleased with U.S. coach Bob Bradley's roster, as well as his starting lineup. Bradley, who was under scrutiny for his opening lineup in the World Cup loss to Ghana, gave the LA Galaxy's forward Edson Buddle the start over "all-speed, no finish" striker Robbie Findley. Buddle has led the MLS in scoring for most of the season, currently in the lead with 11 games in 18 games.

American midfielder Benny Feilhaber started the game, too. Feilhaber was very efficient as a substitute for the United States in the World Cup. However, he had a relatively quiet night against Brazil and was substituted for Kljestan in the second half.

Another U.S. starter, the LA Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez, received his first cap for the national team against Brazil. His teammate, Donovan, thought Gonzalez, the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year and a MLS All-Star this season, had a satisfactory performance.

"He did okay," Donovan said. "All things considered, he did alright. I think he realizes that to play at this level, it takes everything. And that means, all the proper preparation, every play has to be right, especially when you’re playing a team like that. All in all, though, I think he did pretty well and it was a pretty good experience for him.”

There was plenty of influence from Los Angeles on yesterday's U.S. roster. In the starting lineup, there were three LA Galaxy players: Buddle, Donovan, and Gonzalez. Additionally, Captain Carlos Bocanegra, Bornstein, and Feilhaber are all former UCLA Bruins.

For the most part, the United States had a veteran squad, with 15 of the 23 players on the roster having been to the World Cup. On the other hand, Brazil had a much younger group, with 14 players having had one international appearance or less prior to the friendly.

At the end of the day, Brazil got off to a good start, while the United States may have experienced a poor ending. Brazilian manager Mano Menezes won in his debut, while Bradley lost in perhaps his last game as coach of the U.S. national team.

"My contract is through [to] the end of the year so it's no problem for me," Bradley said. "I'll be thinking later tonight about those games and like I have said there will be discussions."

Preview: United States vs. Brazil

2010-08-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

Only a month after an inspiring run in the World Cup, the United States men's national team may recall what could have been when the team plays host to Brazil Tuesday at New Meadowlands Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tomorrow's game, the first match since the World Cup for both teams, is set to begin at 5 PM Pacific Time and will be televised by ESPN2 and Univision.

Depending on the outcome of the game and how events play out, the game could boost the United States' chances of hosting a World Cup. The U.S. Soccer Federation is bidding to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022. A good turnout, preferably a sell-out crowd, and an American victory, may come a long way.

Unlike other friendly matches, tomorrow's exhibition serves as a good gauge for U.S. Soccer. Brazil has traditionally been a soccer superpower and if the past is any indication, history is not on America's side. The United States has a 1-14-0 all-time record against Brazil dating back to 1930, and a 0-3-0 record since Bob Bradley became coach of the national team in 2007.

Speaking of Bradley, his future with the national team may partially hinge on the outcome of the friendly. There have been rumors of Bradley possibly leaving the national team to manage a club overseas, another national team, or even an MLS club. However, The Washington Post's headline captured it best: "Bradley's Long-Term Coaching Plans Remain Hazy."

For tomorrow's match, Bradley has opted to go with an experienced cast. In fact, fifteen of the players on tomorrow's roster were members of the United States' World Cup squad. Since FC Shalke's Jermaine Jones and Columbus Crew's Chad Marshall were both unavailable for tomorrow's game, their positions on the roster were given to Villareal's Jozy Altidore and the LA Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez.

The United States has proven it could play with the best. Last year in the Confederations Cup semifinals, the U.S. shut out Spain, who were ranked #1 in the world at the time and went on to win the World Cup, in a 2-0 victory. In the finals, the team nearly beat Brazil, holding a 2-0 lead at halftime, only to see the Brazilians rally for a 3-2 defeat.

For Brazil, the game will mark the debut of their new coach, Mano Menezes. Tomorrow will be Menezes' first step toward building a championship-caliber roster for the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. Menezes addressed his concerns when he said, "I have three main objectives to work on: the 2011 Copa America, the Olympics, and the 2014 World Cup, which is obviously the big one as far as we're concerned."

Menezes roster will feature 11 players in search of their first cap. Despite a youthful lineup, the Brazilians remain formidable foes. AC Milan striker Pato and Santos FC striker Neymar will be present, as will four World Cup veterans in Robinho, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, and Ramires.

Prior to the World Cup, the United States' Landon Donovan told FIFA, "We feel that we are good enough to play any team in the world if we play our best." In that case, tomorrow will be a matter of whether the U.S. can play its best.

Galacticos Overcome Galaxy

2010-08-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Galaxy could not hold on to a first half lead as Real Madrid rallied its way to a 3-2 victory Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in front of 89, 134 fans in attendance. The Galaxy, who began the game with their typical starters, scored two goals in the last five minutes of the first half against Real, who opened the game with a cast of mostly reserves.

It's worth being noted that Real's "reserves" are nothing to scoff at. The Galaxy's Gregg Berhalter put it best when he said, "When you look at both [starting] 11's, you would take both of those 11's any day."

Todd Dunivant scored the first goal of the game in the 41st minute, the benefactor of a scramble in front of the net. In stoppage time, the Galaxy were awarded a penalty kick after Real's Royston Drenthe kicked the Galaxy's Juninho in the chest in the penalty area. Landon Donovan would subsequently make the penalty kick, burying the ball into the bottom left corner. Despite heading into the locker room with a 2-0 lead at halftime, as history will show, the exhibition was a tale of two halves.

The first half also marked the conclusion of a noteworthy career when the Galaxy's Clint Mathis was subbed out in the 27th minute. After the game, the former U.S. international reflected on his playing days. "It was a great opportunity for me to finish my career with the same team and in the stadium where I started. It was an emotional day."

In the second half, Real brought in its notable stars, including Iker Casillas and Christiano Ronaldo, not to mention Xabi Alonso and Gonzalo Higuain, who would make the greatest contribution to the game.

Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez would later describe Real as "just flying in the second half. It was just amazing to seem them play at that speed."

On the other hand, the Galaxy rested their starters after the first half, opting to put their younger players on the pitch during the second half. Basically, as a friend of mine pointed out, the second half was a match-up between MLS reserves against elite European starters.

Shortly after halftime, Real's Higuain connected on a near perfect pass from Christiano Ronaldo in the 52nd minute. The Galaxy gave up their lead for good when Higuain scored again when he kicked the ball from the right side of the penalty box, resulting in a successful 15-yard shot landing in the upper corner in the 62nd minute.

Real wasn't done just yet. Higuain almost earned a hat trick, but the Galaxy's second-string goalkeeper, Josh Saunders, who replaced Donovan Ricketts at halftime, tapped the ball out. Unfortunately for the Galaxy, the ball managed to land in front of Alonso, the recent World Cup champion, who launched a goal traveling past the head of Saunders and into the net.

Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol summarized the contrast in the halves when he said, "The game definitely had two halves to it. Unfortunately we ended up down by two goals and went into the break losing. We reorganized during the break and ended up winning the game."

In the end, both sides enjoyed the game. Real Madrid midfielder Pedro Leon said, "The team responded well to turn a potentially negative result into a positive result and we leave here on a positive note." Despite taking a hard knock, when asked to dwell on the game, the Galaxy's Juninho confessed that, "It was the greatest experience of my career."

The result didn't matter much to the Galaxy, as head coach Bruce Arena would say after the game. "Our motivation in the game is to put on a good show and to allow people in our league to see Real Madrid. The result is not that important as much as putting on a good exhibition and allowing fans to enjoy themselves."

As for the game being a barometer to compare the MLS to European competition, the Galaxy's Michael Stephens realized soccer in America still has a long way to go. "It was a great experience playing guys of their caliber to gauge yourself against the highest. Anything you do you want to be able to see how you match up against the best. It shows how much there is to improve."

Preview: LA Galaxy vs. Real Madrid

2010-08-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Galaxy will receive a test of sorts when the team hosts world-class Real Madrid at the Home Depot Center on Saturday night. Galaxy manager Bruce Arena and his squad will face Real's star-studded cast, coached by one of the best managers in the world, the recently hired Mourinho.

The exhibition comes at different times for the two teams. The Galaxy, along with other teams in the MLS, are in the middle of their season. In fact, the Galaxy traveled to play the Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday in a CONCACAF Champions League game. Prior to that game, the Galaxy also had played the Chicago Fire at home on Sunday.

In a phone interview on Thursday, when asked if the Galaxy's busy schedule would take a toll on the team's performance versus Real, ESPN analyst Alexi Lalas said, "The Galaxy and the players understand how to travel and regenerate physically and emotionally...It's part of being a professional athlete. It's not ideal in terms of traveling back across the country, but one thing you learn when you play in the United States is how to prepare to recover from the type of travel that exists in our league."

On the other hand, Real Madrid, like many European clubs, is still in the midst of its preseason training. However, Real also had a match on Wednesday, winning 3-2 against Club America, a Mexican soccer team, in an exhibition played in San Francisco. Make no mistake, though, this isn't entirely a vacation for the personnel. Throughout the past couple of weeks, the team has often been training twice a day at UCLA.

Asked whether the MLS teams have the advantage in these summer exhibitions, since the European clubs have not started their season yet, Lalas noted that is "not always the case."

"Maybe to a certain extent, but I think that sometimes in preseason, players play a little looser. Also, younger players...that more hungry, get the opportunity to show it. So it doesn't always work out where the team that is in season is always the better team. For the Galaxy to be playing against Real Madrid while they are in the middle of the season, maybe it's a little bit of an advantage."

Unfortunately, Real's Brazilian star, Kaka, will not participate in the game this Saturday after deciding to undergo surgery this week to repair a meniscus injury. Contrary to certain reports declaring that Kaka's injury could have ended his career, manager Mourinho believed otherwise.

Real Madrid's Christiano Ronaldo, above (Photo credits: itfilms.com)

"I cannot say this is a dramatic injury because dramatic injuries finish with the careers of players. This is not a dramatic injury," Mourinho reassured the media in a press conference on Friday.

Although many tend to focus more on the world-renown players in international exhibitions, Mourinho is quite a star himself. Having won practically every championship possible during his coaching career, Mourinho is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, manager in the world.

At the end of the day, though, fans are buying tickets to see the Real Madrid's stars on the pitch. With the exception of Kaka, that's exactly what they'll get. The roster include goalkeeper Iker Casillas, also in the net for the World Cup-winning Spanish national team; Christiano Ronaldo, one of the best soccer players in the world and perhaps the most marketed soccer player on the planet; Sergio Ramos, a top defender who plays alongside Casillas for "La Furia Roja"; and many more.

Real Madrid certainly has nothing to lose in the game, and, according to Lalas, actually gains several benefits by playing against the Galaxy.

"For Real Madrid, it's their preseason. They get the opportunity to play in front of a big crowd, spread their brand, and play against a good team in the Galaxy. If you're a coach, in preseason you want to challenge your players and not just go out and play against teams that you walk all over."

The Galaxy has several of its own players to boast, if not as highly. Landon Donovan, lauded as an American soccer hero for his late goal against Algeria in the World Cup, will be on the pitch. Another World Cup player, Edson Buddle, will also represent the Galaxy. Plus, the Galaxy's back line features Omar Gonzalez, recently called upon to replace defender Chad Marshall in the United States' friendly against Brazil on August 10.

Perhaps most notably for the Galaxy, the friendly will be the final game for Clint Mathis, a former United States national team player, who will retire after the match this weekend.

“I’ve always said I wanted to retire with the team I started, and that’s here with the Galaxy,” Mathis said after his final training session. “I was fortunate to come back here and that’s the first stadium that used to be our home stadium, the Rose Bowl."

Galaxy and former United States national team player, Clint Mathis (pictured above), will retire after Saturday's game

From the Galaxy's perspective, Saturday's friendly presents a great opportunity to play against a world-class side in Real Madrid. As Donovan said on a local radio show, the game has "significant meaning to it...Not many players get a chance to play against Real Madrid. It's a big massive club, one of the biggest clubs in the world."

These types of international exhibitions also tend to exemplify a certain amount of marketing, particularly for the foreign team. For example, at the MLS All-Star game, in which the MLS All-Stars lost to Machester United 5-2, there were plenty of fans wearing United's red jerseys among the sold-out crowd of over 70,000. Similar to the World Cup, international soccer competitions always seems to energize U.S. crowds - and have Americans reaching for their wallets. You can bet that the notable European clubs benefit financially every time they make a trip to the United States.

When pressed about whether the emphasis of the international exhibitions is on marketing or if the matches are, indeed, good for soccer, Lalas thought the latter.

"It's good for soccer to bring quality teams and to bring big stars but I think both the MLS teams and the international teams see benefits in terms of their brand. The Galaxy will get as much out of this game as Real Madrid will, in terms of the perception of their brand. I think it's advantageous to both teams, but there's certainly a marketing and a branding component to these games, and a financial component.

"Look , you know, Real Madrid's not playing for free. While it appears it was strictly about branding and money for these teams coming over, I think thankfully now they not only get the money that they need, but also the competition playing against MLS teams...the type of competition you want in a preseason."

The Galaxy are certainly familiar with international competition. Last summer they hosted other world famous clubs, falling to Barcelona in a 2-1 loss and a breaking even in a 2-2 draw versus AC Milan. Interestingly enough, during his tenure with Chelsea, Mourinho coached against the Galaxy in an international friendly on July 22, 2007. Mourinho and his squad won the game 1-0, defeating the Galaxy in David Beckham's debut.

At the time, Lalas was also general manager of the Galaxy. He recalled several things about the international match.

"You have to balance the different aspects of wanting to make sure that your team goes out and puts on a big game with the recognition that younger players...need to get time...I always looked at it as you're representing your club and it's an opportunity to send a message to your fans and to your market that you can play against big competition. You don't want to waste those opportunities because it all goes into the perception of your brand and, once again, the relevancy and credibility that you have within your market."

On paper, the game may just be a meaningless friendly. In reality, the Galaxy will have to shoulder the credibility of the MLS and demonstrate that the best of the MLS can compete with the best of Europe.

The Big Diesel Still Fueled

2010-08-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

Shaquille O'Neal still has a job. "The Big [insert nickname here]" signed a two year, $3 million deal with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. In the last few years, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has done a great job of finding the right pieces to improve his team. However, with O'Neal there are always questions to be answered.

First of all, will he be able to lay low? It's no secret that O'Neal loves attention. At this point in his career, though, more often than not he will be on the bench. After all, with the exception of the 2004 Los Angeles Lakers team with O'Neal, Kobe Bryant Gary Payton, and Karl Malone, the current Celtics roster is the most star-studded O'Neal has played for. Whereas he was only overshadowed by LeBron James in Cleveland and by Steve Nash and A'mare Stoudemire in Phoenix, he will now have to take a backseat in the media to Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and probably even Ray Allen and Jermaine O'Neal.

If he can handle receiving less publicity than he's ever had to, O'Neal has already fulfilled a share of his duties.

Then there's the matter of how O'Neal will fit. After last season, it was clear that the Celtics needed more depth at the center position and O'Neal could be an asset as a second-string or third-string center. It will be particularly interesting to see how coach Doc Rivers juggles Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal in the rotation.

In addition to the two O'Neal's, both former All-Stars, the Celtics have two other centers in recent signing Semih Erden and veteran Kendrick Perkins. One shouldn't expect Erden to step on the hardwood too often, but Rivers has a tough task ahead of him in figuring out the rotation.

Perhaps Rivers will try playing them both throughout games, possibly creating a Twin Towers tandem similar to the Pau Gasol-Andrew Bynum duo that defeated the Celtics in Game 7 last season.

Another question on everyone's mind is, will he be able to stay healthy? In the past six seasons, O'Neal has missed 492 regular season games. In fact, just last year, he was out for 29 games. It's almost a sure bet that he will be injured at some point next season. Fortunately for the Celtics, they signed Jermaine O'Neal.

The main concern is how much O'Neal will be able to contribute. O'Neal impressed many in the playoffs last season with averages of 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 22 minutes. Nothing too impressive, but definitely a key contribution - a contribution much more than anybody had expected.

At 38 years of age, though, many are skeptical of just how much fuel is left in "The Big Diesel." In his 19 seasons in the NBA, O'Neal has picked up quite a bit of mileage. Especially with the minutes he'll play, I cannot see O'Neal averaging more than 10 points and/or 5 rebounds.

Regardless, having won nearly every award and accolade possible, O'Neal is not worried about statistics, nor should he be. He was brought to help the Celtics in the paint and assist the team in their pursuit of another championship. At the end of the day, as long as he continues to be a force to reckon with, he has filled his job description.

Lastly, what will his nickname be? Throughout his career, O'Neal has had the most nicknames in NBA history, and possibly in all of sports. He has been called everything from "The Big Fella" to "The Big Diesel." During his tenure with the Phoenix Suns, he was dubbed the "The Big Cactus" and "The Big Shaqtus" while with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was sometimes referred to as "The Big Witness" alongside LeBron James. At times, when O'Neal was in touch with his inner philosopher, he preferred to be nicknamed "The Big Aristotle."

Other nicknames include: "Shaq Fu," also the title of a video game he was featured in; "Dr. Shaq," a title he received after earning his MBA; and after making 12-12 free throws in two games , he proclaimed himself "Shaqovic," a play on the surnames of Serbian players (i.e. Sasha Vujacic, Vladamir Radmanovic, etc.), who tend to be good shooters.

Luckily, O'Neal's new fanbase will have a chance to advise him on a nickname. I can't wait to hear some of them.

"Lifelong Dream" Come True

2010-07-27T17:04:00.000-07:00

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.”

Soccer Fever Still Trickling Throughout U.S.

2010-07-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

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.

Aftermath of "The Decision"

2010-07-09T19:43:00.000-07:00

"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.

Miami Thrice and FIFA Finals...

2010-07-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

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.

A Tale of Two L.A. Teams

2010-07-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

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.

Stars and Stripes Take a Bow

2010-06-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Will the United States leave the World Cup with their heads held high? Not necessarily, but there are numerous reasons why they should. When the United States initially arrived in South Africa, the experts predicted the Americans to reach the Round of 16, but not surpass it. When they stepped off the pitch after their game versus Algeria, the pundits were scrambling to revise their predictions. However, with a 2-1 loss to Ghana's "Black Stars," the Stars and Stripes will have to wait another four years to defend the legitimacy of U.S. Soccer.

When asked if the tournament was a success, U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said, “I think the first thoughts for all of us are simple. We felt that in the first round we showed a lot of good qualities, you get through the first round and give yourself a chance now to go far. We felt that we had that ability and we’re disappointed that we didn’t get past this game and continue to test ourselves.”

Immediately after the game, there were plenty of "what if'" scenarios. What if Bob Bradley had chosen the same starting lineup that he used against Algeria? You know, the only one that didn't concede an early goal in the World Cup. What if U.S. striker, Charlie Davies, who was injured in a devastating car accident last year, was healthy and available for the World Cup? He has certainly been a savvy goal-scorer for U.S.A..

What if Robbie Findley had sent the ball through the net instead of shooting right at the keeper during his dangerous one-on-one sequence? Simply put, the U.S. advances. What if Oguchi Onyewu, who suffered a patellar tendon rupture after a World Cup qualifier last year, was 100% and able to play in the game versus Ghana? His height and big frame are always an asset. What if Jozy Altidore was not substituted after 90 minutes? After all, he had created some dangerous plays.

What if the United States had won? Then it would have made the quarterfinals and played Uruguay, probably the most favorable quarterfinal match-up one could ask for. Soccer fever in the U.S. would have been even higher than it already was during the group stages. The United States could have gone farther than England!

After awhile though, one realizes that the "what ifs" are an exercise in futility. The team's journey leaves as much disappointment behind as it does excitement. Some said this was the best U.S. team ever. However, in the next four years, new players may emerge for U.S.A. and the squad's young players will gain more experience and confidence.

At the end of the day, one has to thank U.S.A. for the memories. Fans won't forget Day 1, when the United States showed it's ready to play with a 1-1 draw against the country who created the sport, England. Nor will they forget the sheer joy of rallying down from 2-0 at halftime to finish with a tie, an incredibly historic feat. Nothing will replace Landon Donovan's "magic moment," which likely added millions to the U.S. bandwagon. The words of commentator Ian Darke will always ring in fans' ears: "Donovan has scored! Can you believe this?!...You could not write a script like this!" The reactions to Donovan's goal in the 91st minute were truly memorable.

Whether Bob Bradley will be involved in the United States' future is questionable, but it seems like he grasps the reality of it all. “We always understand the responsibility we have as a national team to show how far the game has come in the United States, to fight for respect. We certainly felt that we moved things along with our performance in the Confederations Cup. As we went through the first round, we felt that we were continuing to go in that direction. But it comes down to every match now that gets tested over again, for tonight all we can do is look hard at ourselves and continue to try to move the game forward.”

Although the U.S. concluded its run in the Round of 16, the team's lasting impact is as though the Americans finished first. Whereas the Yanks had been the butt of jokes when it came to soccer, they proved to be more than mediocre. Additionally, millions of Americans have recently come to enjoy the game of soccer and support the United States, notably Bill Clinton. If people had disregarded the United States' bid for a World Cup in 2018 or 2022 before, now it is at least a reasonable possibility. U.S. Soccer still has a long way to go before it becomes a powerhouse, but it is definitely a team to be reckoned with. Thank you, United States.

"U.S. Soccer is UnStoppAble"

2010-06-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

The United States is, perhaps, the most interesting team in the World Cup. At the moment, cultural history and recent success are at odds. For the first time in 80 years, the United States finished first in its group. In fact, one soccer fan held up a sign that read "U.S. Soccer is UnStoppAble" during the United States' victory over Algeria. Around the world, casual fans may wonder when the Americans - the people who refer to the sport as "soccer," instead of the practically universal "football" - became so good. However, for those who have been living under a rock, U.S.A. has evolved into a "team to be reckoned with."

The U.S. team has created headlines ever since its opener versus England, which resulted in a 1-1 tie. Ironically, when the groups were drawn, the cover of one English tabloid read: England, Algeria, Slovenia, Yanks (E-A-S-Y). Regardless, the experts knew that things were quite the contrary, the U.S. being a particularly formidable opponent.

When asked whether England's 1-1 draw with the United States came as a shock to English fans, ESPN analyst and former English player, Steve McManaman, shrewdly argued otherwise. “I think probably with people who are not avid followers of football, it was probably a shock. The intelligent fan…will know that

U.S.A.

was certainly very successful here in [South Africa during] the Confederations Cup. We knew that they lost to

Brazil

in the final. We knew that they beat

Spain

. They had the experience at playing at some of these stadiums. They had the experience of playing at this time of the year… The English team, the English fans, as much as they may laugh and joke about it, will never underestimate the

U.S.A.

”

This reality may have one wondering: "Why is the United States being praised so highly for simply advancing past the group stages if they are actually a strong team?" In the midst of all the reports celebrating U.S.A.'s advancement, few articles have chosen to take another perspective. Not to fear, there was at least one writer who decided to argue the other side of things.

Bill Plaschke, a sports columnist of the Los Angeles Times, wrote "We should have won that game [versus Algeria] because we were clearly the better team. We should advance to the Round of 16 because, well, we're the 14th ranked team in the world...We give soccer excuses it doesn't need, then shower it with praise for a job it hasn't finished. We treat American soccer like a precocious prodigy instead of a burgeoning powerhouse....

"In any other national team sport, if one of our teams is good enough to reach the world's final eight in 2002, we would expect nothing less eight years later...Now if the U.S. team can win two more times and make the Finar Four for the first time? Well, that's something. That's progress. That's an awakening. That's big boys soccer."

Despite some flawed logic, I do understand what Plaschke is trying to say. At the same time, there are plenty of facts and records to insist that what the United States has accomplished so far deserves the praise it has received. In the grand scheme of things, contrary to Bill Plaschke's belief, USA has actually made a great deal of progress.

According to information released by U.S. Soccer, the USA won its group at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1930 (that's 80 years ago), and for the first time ever in a four-team group. The win against Algeria marked the first point and win for the U.S. in the third group game at the World Cup in eight tries. Secondly, the 1-0-2 record also represents the first time the United States has gone unbeaten in group play during a World Cup."

Plus, Tim Howard posted the first shutout by a U.S. goalkeeper in the World Cup since the famous 2-0 victory against Mexico on June 17, 2002, in the Round of 16 in Korea/Japan. After playing Slovenia, the United States became only the fifth team to come back from two goals down at halftime to draw a match. You get the point. The United States may not be far in the tournament yet, but what the team has achieved so far is still special and praiseworthy.

What's more, the United States finished first in the group, a feat which the Americans had not accomplished since 1930. At first glance, it may not seem like a big deal. Most pundits and fans alike predicted that the U.S. would at least make it to the Round of 16. Interestingly enough, it appears that the winner of Group C, the United States, and the second-place finisher, England, will have very different schedules because of their standings.

Instead of facing a dangerous German team on Saturday, the United States will play a fairly inexperienced Ghana squad. Additionally, without diminishing the quality of the teams in the tournament, if the United States defeats Ghana, it will play either Uruguay or South Korea. By contrast, if England can come out with a victory against Germany, it will likely have to compete against a major soccer power, Argentina, and, according to some, the world's best player in Lionel Messi. The road to the semifinals seems much more difficult for England, while a final four appearance for the United States is looking more and more likely..

Another reason why the United States is so intriguing is the drama and hype it has created. After England scored in the fourth minute, Americans everywhere were shaking their heads. Yet, the 11 players on the pitch for the U.S. always kept their heads up, stayed the course, and things turned out pretty well in the end. In the next game, the U.S. conceeded early again and went into halftime trailing 2-0. In true American spirit, though, the U.S. rallied, tied the game, and actually could have won if it weren't for a questionable disallowed goal. Then, against Algeria, when it seemed like it just wasn't the Americans' night, the United States on the brink of elimination and on the verge of failure, Donovan sent the ball through the net in the 91st minute. To quote commentator Ian Darke, "You could not write a script like this!"

Sure, the United States may not have the most talented players in the tournament. It's true, their defense allowed early goals in two out of their three games. On the other hand, the United States may also be the most mentally tough team in the World Cup.

After his "magic moment" against Algeria, Donovan spoke of just how confident his team is."We believe we can beat any team in this tournament. Given our experiences from last year [at the Confederations Cup] we think we can do really big things, we're going to go for it."

In a press conference, Thursday, this week, U.S. forward Jozy Altidore elaborated on another aspect of the United States' mental toughness, resiliency. "I genuinely feel that we never feel that we are out of a game. In the 91st minute, Landon [Donovan] is out there clapping and getting the guys together...People are still pushing forward, trying to sort out plays. It's just great to see that we are never out of a game."

With each game more exciting than the previous one, the United States has managed to entertain millions, advance to the Round of 16, and, perhaps most importantly, become more confident. The U.S. can no longer be overlooked on the global stage. How deep they will go in the tournament is still unknown, but with the United States' experience, mental toughness, and so-called "American spirit," the sky's the limit.

What About L.A.'s "Other" Team?

2010-06-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

With the Lakers winning their sixteenth championship, holding a massive parade, and questions over Phil Jackson's future, it's easy to forget about L.A.'s "other" team. The Los Angeles Clippers have seemingly always operated in the shadow of the Lake Show ever since the team moved to Los Angeles in 1984. However, there is reason to believe that (relatively) happy times are just around the corner - which made me wonder what the happiest Clippers fan was thinking. Of course, I am referring to Clipper Darrell.

Darrell Bailey, who is known to Clippers fans as "Clipper Darrell," has been a season-ticket holder for the last ten seasons. He is probably the most vocal, humorous, and supportive fan in the history of sports. He is at every Clippers home game, a streak of 386 consecutive games snapped this year when he was hospitalized. (Fortunately, he's all better now.)

Whether you're sitting courtside or in the upper deck, you can clearly hear Clipper Darrell's voice. Among his infamous chants is "U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi, you ugly!" when a Clippers opponent is shooting free throws. One chant that I vividly remember was "We want Chucky!" to former Lakers point guard Chucky Atkins.

In addition, to having a distinct voice, Clipper Darrell also has a unique wardrobe. He attends every Clippers game in his signature red and blue suit and Clippers cap. Plus, as reported by Yahoo! Sports, he spent $12,000 to Clipper-ize his BMW. (FYI: He owns a body shop.) Honestly, you can't miss him.

Having seen so many games up close, I figured he may have an interesting perspective on things - and he didn't let me down.

As history shows, the Clippers have not been particularly successful when it comes to draft picks and free agency. The team also lacks camaraderie, which is what Clipper Darrell identifies as the reason why seemingly talented Clippers squads of the past never materialized. In fact, Bailey said in a telephone interview Tuesday, this week "I think they should trade the pick for a veteran." Interestingly enough, some reports have the Clippers following his advice, while certain reports state otherwise.

The Clippers are also among many potential suiters for LeBron James. Perhaps Clippers Nation, the name of the Clippers' fan base, made the best pitch by staging a rally, organized and led by Clipper Darrell, for James. When asked how far the Clippers could go with LeBron James, Clipper Darrell instantly said they could win it all.

In addition to the Clippers' pursuit of LeBron James, the team is also in search of a new head coach. This past season, the organization broke ties with general manager and head coach Mike Dunleavy, whose tenure with the C's, according to Clipper Darrell, "was good at first and then it went downhill." Clipper Darrell believes that current Lakers assistant coach, Brian Shaw, is the right candidate to take over the position. One may sense that Clipper Darrell's suggestion stems in some part from his apparent friendship with Shaw. Nevertheless, with Phil Jackson stating today that he is "leaning toward retirement," Brian Shaw may very well coach the Lakers next season.

At the moment, Clippers Nation has plenty to look forward to. Barring any freak accidents, Blake Griffin will be ready to go this season. Baron Davis will be back running things at the point. There will be a new coach, a fresh voice to guide the players. What's more, there will be new players, possibly a superstar like LeBron James. Who knows? Maybe next season the Clippers will be in a position to fulfill Clipper Darrell's prophecy of a "Championship, baby!"

What a Great Lake Show

2010-06-18T22:57:00.000-07:00

As predicted at Halftime Hype, the Lakers won in 7.

After all the hype, one of the most-storied series in NBA history, an epic duel between a mix of star-studded individuals known as the Los Angeles Lakers against a seasoned and unified cast referred to as the Boston Celtics, finally concluded. When the smoke cleared and the confetti dropped, it was official: the 2010 championship caps and t-shirts were being handed to the Lakers. Kobe Bryant had "one more than Shaq." Ron Artest somewhat successfully filled Ariza's void. Derek Fisher may be aging by the minute, but he proved that his leadership continues to make a dramatic impact. Lamar Odom, whose versatility is the basketball equivalent to a Swiss Army knife, didn't let a marriage to a reality TV star get in the way of on-court ambitions. Pau Gasol was anything but a "softy." However, this championship was special equally as much for its statistics (#16, Kobe's fifth, etc.) as for its journey.

I remember attending a Lakers game the year right after Shaq had been traded. It was April 17, 2005, the last home game for the Lakers. The Mavericks were in town to play Kobe & Co., who didn't make the playoffs for the first time since the 1993-94 season. The Lakers were down by quite a bit, rallied, but still ended up losing by two, 114-112. It was after that game, and several times throughout the course of that season that I wondered what Charlotte Bobcats fans have been pondering for years, "Why should I continue supporting this team?" There was no particular indication that things would get better. Phil Jackson was on hiatus, calling Kobe "uncoachable" in a book he published about the '04 season, The Last Season. With Rudy Tomjanovich's resignation and assistant Frank Hamblen's miserable tenure as interim head coach, things couldn't have gone worse. But unlike Charlotte Bobcats fans, I had an answer to my question: These are the Los Angeles Lakers. They are practically the identity of the NBA. Kobe Bryant, one of the most talented basketball players ever, is on our team. A super-rich owner is pulling the strings. The legacy and significance of this team is just too great. Things will turn around."

And they did. Nevertheless, it's almost funny to think about how things, indeed, could have gone much worse. The organization was on the verge of collapse when Kobe demanded "bring new players in, or I'm out." During his rampage, he also declared that he was open to the idea of playing on Pluto, which would subsequently lose its status as a planet. With tensions flaring, it would have been so easy for General Manager Mitch Kuptchak to abide by Kobe's demands and indeed "ship Bynum's a-- out" or outright trade Kobe. At the time, Kuptchak was one of the most despised - and misunderstood - men in Los Angeles. In fact, at a season-ticket holder event, one fan asked the GM to resign. I don't know how he kept going, but he did - and God bless him for it.

Mitch Kuptchak slowly and secretly repaired the roster. Phil Jackson was back on the sidelines. Kwame Brown and Smush Parker were gone. Derek Fisher was back. Trevor Ariza was acquired. Andrew Bynum developed - making Kuptchak look like a genius for drafting him. Kobe eventually won an MVP award. The Lakers would advance to the NBA Finals, and #24 found yet another source of motivation: Shaq's amateur rap taunting the Black Mamba ("Kobe, tell me how my a-- taste"). Two Lakers championships and a couple NBA Finals MVP trophies later, the stakes have reversed. Two years it ago, as Kobe has admitted, Boston was clearly the better team. This year, as the record shows, the Lakers held the upper hand.

Although the end result of this season and last season were the same, the unique paths to the title were quite different. In '09, the Lakers actually seemed to care about the regular season. This year the Lakers played like high school seniors: as long as your results/grades aren't too poor, you could still get to your destination (the college you want to go to, in the case of a high school senior; the NBA Finals in the case of the Lakers). Last year, the Lakers were also under more pressure to win a ring. Frustration was mounting and Kobe could not let another year go by without adding jewelry; that ring belonged to the Lakers. This season, it was "been there, done that. Don't stress about this loss; focus on the title." Still, in both circumstances the Lake Show finished as the best in the West.

Despite winning a championship in '09 and '10, the two Finals' series differed immensely. The Orlando Magic didn't pose a threat at all to the Los Angeles Lakers. All-Star and starting point guard Jameer Nelson was injured for part of the series and Dwight Howard just couldn't do it all by himself. All the talk of Kobe not being able to win without Shaq was all gone. After seven long years, L.A. could finally raise another banner. On the other hand, this year was all about defending the title and proving that the previous championship wasn't a fluke. There were whispers about how far Boston could have gone if Garnett wasn't sidelined for part of the playoffs. Kobe and the Lakers proved they would have none of it, though. They sealed the deal by earning another ring after Game 7. Now, Kobe has surpassed the man who, to him, was nothing but a Big Bully.

The main difference, however, was Ron Artest. Plenty of folks doubted how effective he could be when he first came to Los Angeles. Even Kobe wasn't sure if Ron could replace Trevor's role. Regardless, word on the street was that Phil Jackson had lobbied for the acquisition. In hindsight, Ron didn't have a particularly memorable season. He was lost on the offensive end and had a big defensive game seemingly once every blue moon (do people still use that expression?). He was an "enigma" as Andy Garcia narrated in the documentary of the Lakers 2009-2010 season, The Association.

There was no question about his desire to win, though. During the ring ceremony at the season opener, Artest stayed in the locker room, "sick to his stomach", according to his agent. As written in Lee Jenkins' article for Sports Illustrated, "It's not that he didn't want to see the rings (he downloaded photos of them onto his phone)...It's that he didn't feel he deserved the privilege. Even in the days leading up to the Finals, when ABC asked the players to pose with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, Artest refused to touch it." What's more, Artest, in a way, had predicted this championship long ago. After the Lakers lost to the Celtics two years ago, Ron met up with Kobe in the locker room - or more specifically, when Kobe was in the midst of a shower - and ensured that #24 wouldn't be let down again. Ron would come to the rescue. Indeed, he did. He stepped up in the playoffs, forced Durant and Paul Pierce into tough shots, and even had some notable offensive games of his own (Game 3 against Utah; Games 1 & 6 vs. Phoenix; Games, 1, 6, and 7 in the NBA Finals). Without him, who knows how Game 7 would have ended.

At the end of the day, the Lakers have won their sixteenth championship and fifth in the last ten years. Everybody made key contributions. Whether it was the dominant post presence of Pau & Bynum or the leadership and clutch shots by Fisher, Kobe's brilliance or Artest's stellar defense, General Manager Mitch Kuptchak's organization of the roster or Dr. Jerry Buss' willingness to open his check book, Phil Jackson's genius or Lamar Odom's acceptance of coming off the bench, there were many pieces to the puzzle. The quest to defend the title was a formidable trek and, as history will forever show, the Lakers were successful.

For All the Marbles

2010-06-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

After months upon months of preparation, plenty of playoff games of enhancement, alas all the blood, sweat, and tears will be defined by a single game. The greatest rivalry in the NBA will conclude another chapter in its storied history in a mere 48 minutes of play. After four quarters, "there can only be one." Whoever wins tomorrow at Staples Center in Los Angeles is the 2010 NBA champion, simple as that.

Each team has come a long way. For one, the Boston Celtics were plagued by old age and immense scrutiny from the media. At times, "The Big Three" looked three steps slow, gruesome seasons in the association starting to make an impact. At the same time, Beantown found a new hero in Rajon Rondo, the point guard who has orchestrated the Celtics' offense, made hustle plays, and stepped up when the "three party" couldn't. At 50-32, the fourth-seeded Celtics were surely not the same Boston squad that finished first with 66 victories en route to a title in '08. Yet, the team persisted and, with the way the media, pundits, and fans had dismissed them, accomplished a truly great resurgence throughout the playoffs.

The Los Angeles Lakers have also undergone their fair share of trials and tribulations. At one point or another, pretty much everyone on the Lakers' roster has spent time recuperating an injury with trainer Garry Vitti, most recently Andrew Bynum, who is playing with a torn meniscus. With every coming game, there were always nagging concerns: Can Derek Fisher stay in front of his man? Is Kobe okay? Will Lamar show up? Does Artest know what's he doing? With multiple frustrating road losses, an overdose of Bryant heroics, and a miserable close to the regular season, Lakers fans were understandably worried. Fortunately, the Los Angeles Lakers are only win away from a 2010 parade down Figueroa.

From how things have played out, the Lakers definitely hold the upperhand going into Game 7. Besides the fact that it's a home game, Pau Gasol won't be tamed by the intimidating presence of Kendrick Perkins. Plus, even though it is repetitive, it bears repeating: the Lake Show has the best closer - and most determined - player in the NBA, Kobe Bryant. Who would bet against Kobe Bryant in a Game 7 with an NBA championship on the line - in L.A.? The Black Mamba will back down to nobody in his pursuit for another ring (see: Kobe's eyes, Kobe's facial expressions, etc). Don't get me wrong, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, KG, and Rasheed Wallace will likely make it tough. However, with a title on the line, there's no way I'm choosing them over one of the best defensive players in the league, Ron Artest; a world-class Olympian on a silver-medal team, Pau Gasol; the clutch skills of Derek Fisher, another 7-footer in Bynum, and above all, the one & only, Kobe Bryant. Have the T-shirts and caps ready for the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow.

Comparing Lakers-Celtics to USA-England

2010-06-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

What a great time to be a sports fan. The NBA Finals, now tied at 2-2, feature the greatest rivalry in the league. Simultaneously, the FIFA World Cup, arguably the largest sports stage in the world, is underway in historically significant South Africa. Among the more hyped match-ups is Team USA vs. England. From one perspective, there are plenty of differences between the Lakers facing off against the Celtics and the Yanks vs. the Brits. However, from another point of view, there are certain similarities.

First of all, there is a historical significance to each rivalry. With the United States and England, obviously you have the colonial period and the revolt from British rule. In that sense, USA vs. England is a clash between enemies. On the other hand, in modern times, the United States and England have been allies. Look no further than World War II, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill united to defeat the Nazis. In a way, it's kind of like competing against your best friend; it's a great feeling to hold the upper hand against a buddy, not to mention bragging rights.

With Boston and Los Angeles, the history lies in the actual competition between the teams. Jerry West once said that the Celtics-Lakers rivalry really wasn't a rivalry until the 80's, because the Lakers lost the first 7 match-ups between the two teams. Ironically, the Finals match-up in 2008 is what makes 2010 better; the rivalry now has a modern touch. In '08, fans and the media had to rewind two decades to justify the hype. Now, you just have to scroll back a couple years. In the words of Eminem, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers "chewed up and spit out and booed off stage"; the Lake Show had some ugly episodes.

In my opinion, Landon Donovan of Team USA also identifies with the Celtics' Rajon Rondo. Both are rising stars that have recently earned a lot of attention. Ever since Landon Donovan went on loan to Everton in the past year, he has caught the eyes of soccer pundits around the world. Similarly, in the last season and throughout the playoffs, Rondo has proven to be Boston's best player, when only a couple of years ago he was arguably the worst player in the starting lineup. In terms of skill, both are also exceptionally skilled at creating scoring opportunities for their teammates, as well as for themselves.

By the same token, I would compare England's Wayne Rooney to the Lakers' Kobe Bryant. Both are leaders and arguably the best players on their respective teams. If their teams aren't successful, as in they don't meet expectations, they will suffer the most. They are also both talented scorers, and though they have a vast repertoire, scoring is what they're renowned for.

Overall, England vs. USA and the Celtics vs. the Lakers are two very unique and historic match-ups that share some - not many, but some - similarities. Oh, and Game 5 of the NBA Finals and England vs. USA are both in the same weekend! What a great time to be a sports fan.

2010 NBA Finals Preview: Lakers vs. Celtics

2010-05-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

The NBA Playoffs are a long and intricate odyssey, with a fair share of superb play and clutch shots. At the heart of it, though, it's a competition searching for the best of the best, ultimately crowning a champion. That's where the NBA Finals come in. The Los Angeles Lakers are officially the best of the West, while the Boston Celtics have emerged as the Eastern Conference champions. Despite the fact that both teams faced off against each only two seasons ago - with the C's winning championship #17 - it would be foolish to compare this year's match-up to the 2008 Finals.

Significance
For one, each team has at least one significant addition since '08. The Lakers signed one of the best defenders in the NBA, Ron Artest, and the Celtics acquired a 6'11" power forward with championship experience and a jumpshot in Rasheed Wallace. Plus, Bynum was barely around in the '08 playoffs, mostly recovering from an injury. Not to be forgotten is the Celtics' Nate Robinson, who put on a show in Game 6 versus Orlando. In the process, each team also lost an influential player. Los Angeles gave up the chance to re-sign Trevor Ariza, who made game-changing plays for the Lake Show during their '09 title run, and Boston no longer has Eddie House, a streaky three point ace who greatly contributed to momentum.

Additionally, the returning players on each team have changed, whether they have a different role or ability to perform. In 2008, point guard Rajon Rondo was the worst player in Boston's starting lineup. Now, he's arguably the best. On the flip side, Lakers point guard Derek Fisher was never speedy Gonzalez, but these days he's had a great deal of difficulty keeping up with the numerous quick guards in the league. Ray Allen, who didn't have a very rigid role, is now declared the X-factor: If he has a good game - at least, scoring-wise - then the Celtics win. If not, the game is up for grabs. A couple years ago, Lamar Odom was a starter. However, with the Lakers' bench in a state of flux and the acquisition of Artest, Odom is currently the 6th man. At the power forward position, an aging Kevin Garnett is no longer as aggressive as he once was, while Pau Gasol has rapidly shed his "softy" tag (see: 2010 Western Conference semifinals, Lakers vs. Jazz) .

This series also has a different significance than it had two years ago. Back then, Kobe had just received the MVP award and was still trying to prove he could win a title without Shaq. Meanwhile, the Celtics were attempting to fulfill their championship prophecy, formulated the previous offseason after the acquisition of Garnett and Ray Allen. This season, Kobe & Co., who acquired championship experience, are motivated by revenge. On the other hand, the Celtics want to prove the naysayers wrong, specifically those who doubted them during the regular season.

For certain players, the Finals - or rather winning - hold a different significance. If the Celtics win it all, Rondo will be credited with leading his squad to a title. He's been a champion before, but never a leader. If the Celtics come up short, Rondo's performance in the playoffs won't be remembered outside of Beantown (and Orlando, Cleveland, and Milwaukee). Thinking about it from the other side, this may be Derek Fisher's last championship. Considering that he may retire after this season, the 2010 NBA Finals are pretty special.

Then there's the superstar, Kobe Bryant. What does this mean for him? Instead of Shaq, Kobe has Lebron in mind. The pundits and most fans have dismissed Kobe Bryant as the best player in favor of "King James." As Fanhouse's Bethlehem Shoals blogged, if Kobe wins, people will have to rethink their opinions. Is Lebron really the best? He still hasn't won a ring, and Kobe just led his squad to a championship. Imagine how Kobe, who performs at such a high rate without any motivation, will play with the "best player" debate secretly fueling him.

Analysis
Contrary to what some may say, this series - and thus, the NBA championship - could go either way. Boston boasts a unique physicality that has challenged L.A. and a productive bench, while the Lakers have Twin Towers and a former Defensive Player of the Year, as well as the best closer in the game.

The point guard match-up is definitely an advantage for the Celtics, since Rondo will always be several steps ahead of Fisher. It is imperative that Rondo use his quickness to create plays and drive, rather than utilizing his newfound jumpshot. Fisher can't keep up on a run to the basket, but he has no problem sliding his feet and contesting jumpers. The question is how often Doc Rivers will turn to Nate Robinson, who recently showcased his repertoire, and whether Phil Jackson will resort to Jordan Farmar or Sasha Vujacic as Fisher's backup. Both are quick, but neither Farmar or Vujacic have a high basketball IQ. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, Derek Fisher ought to be pretty fatigued by now. He's had to chase Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, and Steve Nash. Phil Jackson must sub in Vujacic and Farmar for the well-being and stamina of Fisher. In spite of this disaster, Rondo should get the best of the Lakers' PGs.

Nevertheless, Kobe Bryant may end up guarding Rondo, too, with Fisher switching to Allen. In that case, Rondo will have to exploit his other options. Ultimately, if Rondo - the key to the Celtics offense - isn't effective, the Celtics don't stand a chance. Of course, that's easier said than done.

The game's greatest closer, L.A.'s Kobe, and the catalyst, Boston's Ray Allen, occupy the shooting guard positions. The only way Ray Allen can score while matched up against Kobe is with the assistance of screens. If Allen's teammates can provide a good pick, and Ray can run at the right angles, then he'll get his shots. But don't expect him to perform too well, which should really concern the Celtics. On the opposite end of the floor, Ray will have to guard Kobe, one of the most difficult defensive assignments ever. However, Ray doesn't get enough credit as a defensive player as he should. Even though Kobe sank the shot, you couldn't ask for better defense from Ray Allen on Kobe's game winner in Boston earlier this season. Kobe wins this match-up hands down.

At the 3, the Lakers' Ron Artest will defend the Celtics' Paul Pierce. Artest is undoubtedly the main difference between the unsuccessful '08 Lakers squad and this year's team. Sometimes, Ron Artest's defense can turn the game into a 5-on-4, simply by taking the opposing small forward out of the game. That said, Paul Pierce is a talented offensive player who shouldn't be underestimated (neither should his acting abilities). When he gets hot, his jumpshot is hard to stop. The disadvantage is that because of Artest's defense, Paul Pierce wouldn't be a reliable clutch player, causing the Celtics to look elsewhere during crunch time. Typically, I would say Pierce gets the advantage over Artest, because of his offense, but Artest has recently showed he can put up points too. This match-up is a tie.

What a great power forward match-up. Pau Gasol, and at times, Lamar Odom, against Kevin Garnett. Pau has beefed up and KG has aged, but is still effective. This is the time for Pau to prove people wrong. Two years ago, he heard it all. The Olympian was said to be "weak" and a "softy". In case you didn't catch him during the Lakers-Utah series, this is not the same Pau Gasol. Although Pau has gotten stronger, Kevin Garnett is still an intimidating and effective player. He, just like Pau, is capable of making mid-range jumpers. And at the heart of it, they're both excellent power forwards, which implies that they are good rebounders and have a dominant post presence. Two years ago, I would have given the edge to Boston. But a clash between Garnett and the new Pau Gasol is a tie, at least on paper.

The center position is really what won Boston the championship in '08. Pau was playing out of position and Perkins gave him hell. Everybody saw Perkins' excellent defense against Dwight Howard, and I wouldn't expect anything less of him against Bynum. The injury-plagued Bynum has only scored more than 13 points twice during the playoffs and that's against the likes of Nenad Kristic, Kyrlo Fesenko, and Jarron Collins. Perkins has come a long way, but still doesn't exactly stuff the stat sheet. What he does do is frustrate his opponent and hustle, which outdoes Bynum. But he also outdoes Bynum in technicals; one more T and Perkins is suspended. Regardless, Big Baby is also a good defender and is, in many ways, similar to Perkins. Nonetheless, I don't think Big Baby is as effective as Perkins. The only reason the Lakers can be optimistic is because of the height advantage. If Bynum can exploit that, expect some big games. I don't. The Celtics' centers have the advantage in this matchup.

Lastly, there's the bench. Almost any bench is better than the Lakers'. It's more than just a matter of talent. The Celtics' reserves are smart players. The Lakers' bench sometimes makes decisions that cause one to question their competence. Oh, and their defense needs a lot of work. If you're the Celtics, don't be discouraged if you're facing a double-digit defecit; the Lakers' reserves are very forgiving. In fact, they'll let you right back into a game - just to make things interesting, of course.

The Verdict
In 2008, the Celtics had home court advantage and an overwhelming advantage at the 1,3,4, and 5. Now, they barely have advantages, and slim ones at that (except for the bench). Home-court advantage is ultimately a deal breaker. According to John Schuhmann of NBA.com, "The team with the first two games at home has won 19 of the 25 Finals since the NBA switched to the 2-3-2 format in 1985. The Celtics have already won five road games in these playoffs, but the Lakers are 8-0 at home thus far at Staples Center." Plus, the Lakers have the best clutch player in the game, Kobe Bryant. My prediction: Lakers in 7.

Lost Legacy in Cleveland

2010-05-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

Decades from now, records will show that Lebron James was the Most Valuable Player two years in a row. They will also show that those awards were won during his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the records will also show that Lebron James did not win any championships in Cleveland. Whether you were in the Cavs' front office, Head Coach Mike Brown, a fan, or one of LBJ's teammates, you not only expected better, but deserved more. As the records in the media will prove, somewhere in the mix, Lebron lacked proper prioritization between basketball and business. In the process of contemplating his future, Lebron lost track of the immediate present.

One can imagine the collective disappoint in Cleveland right now, which Lebron may not be sensitive to because of his surroundings. Don't get me wrong, I just mentioned that the people around him must be frustrated. At the same time, they enlarged Lebron's ego to a point of no return. The media are people around him too, and he must understandably feel good about himself whenever he watches his array of highlights on ESPN, now known as LebronTV, according to rapper Wale.

Few members of the media have criticized him, particularly his offseason endeavors. "While Lebron spent his summer visiting music moguls and furthering his international brand via clothing and shoe chains, Kobe spent days in Houston refining his game by learning new post moves from one of basketball's all-time big men, Hakeem Olajuwon," as eloquently written by The Bleacher Report's John Haverford. Did anyone dare mention that he's been too distracted from the game during the regular season? Did the pundits ever stop proclaiming him the best player in the NBA? No, he's only been criticized after everything has crashed and burned. For his benefit, Lebron should welcome feedback, whether it's good or bad, to help keep things in perspective. Quite simply, the media has provided "The King" with a pedestal too high for his own good.

Two conflicting enterprises: Lebron James the brand,

and Lebron James the player

As a talented 24 year old who's within reach of becoming a billion dollar athlete, the next team he signs with is obviously a big deal. It's not something that should be spoken about candidly in press conferences, especially not before your contract year. I can understand how a youngster like Lebron could get caught up in the question, "Where are you headed?" After all, it can totally change the league's dynamics. In the end, the media is always going to be pushy for answers. Part of Lebron's job as a player is to stay focused, but he was already talking about his next destination over a year in advance.

The current frustration with James should be in equal parts directed toward this season's shortcoming as well as how much more Lebron could have devoted to the game and his team, and thus, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Didn't Lebron James learn from the Cavs' fall to Orlando last year? Despite the mediocrity of the Eastern Conference, there's no cruising to the NBA Finals. It almost seems like Lebron's teammates desire a ring even more than LB himself, and that shouldn't be the case. I wonder what it's like to be a Cleveland Cavalier. Unless you're Mo Williams, you'd never get any attention and barely be given the opportunity to succeed, since so many plays are drawn up for Lebron. Think about the young players like Jamario Moon and JJ Hickson who still strive to get better. They don't receive nearly much attention, but fulfill their job description. Lebron should've done the same thing.

If you're Head Coach Mike Brown, you've received the blame when times are tough and completely disregarded when things go well. Don't you deserve some more credit when you coach a team to 61 regular season wins? Shouldn't you draw praise for keeping everybody grounded, even when Lebron is strolling around with a New York Yankees cap? The person who really deserved more, though, is the Cavs' owner, Dan Gilbert. You're not paying Lebron James millions on top of millions to drop dead after the first round. Your team's best player shouldn't openly discuss with the media that he wants to leave your squad. You shouldn't have to bare "witness" to that.

A question for Cleveland fans: Would you rather see Lebron dance, have handshakes, look like he's having tons of fun, and then only withstand the first round or would you like to see Lebron with a signature glare, a fire in his eyes, grit his teeth when it's time to step up, and win a championship? The good times you've had choreographing dance moves with your teammates, is nothing compared to the joy the entire city of Cleveland would feel if you were to win the title. Believe it or not, the Most Valuable Player award is exponentially more meaningful if your team is successful. It's apparent that Lebron is still trying to figure out the limits of individuality in the team sport that is basketball.

The fact that Cleveland didn't get far is not solely Lebron's fault and isn't the end of the world. Lebron is an intelligent person and knows his playing days will come to a conclusion. He deserves to be commended for his business-savvy just as much as for his basketball abilities. From the day he was drafted until now, he has brought pride to Cleveland and established the Cavaliers as legitimate contenders. He has undoubtedly earned his MVP awards. It's great to see that Lebron has the brains to supplement his athletic nature. Perhaps, he could've followed the footsteps other player-businessmen, such as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, who devoted much time to their brands after their playing days.

There's no doubt Lebron James works hard. He wouldn't be where he is, considered the best basketball player in the world, if he didn't. Countless articles and commentaries have chronicled how amazing he is, especially for his height. The issue so many are starting to have with LBJ is that he should have and could have worked harder; it's mind-blowing to think he had the potential to be even better. When Kobe Bryant won MVP but went on to be embarrassed by the Celtics in the NBA Finals, what did he do? The next season he came back with a burning desire, won a ring, and silenced all his critics. As I mentioned in this post, LBJ was too caught up in expanding Lebron James the brand, instead of perfecting Lebron James the player. Instead of silencing critics, Lebron has created them.

Celtics>Cavs = Celtics>Lebron

2010-05-13T23:14:00.001-07:00

New post about tonight's events, probably going to be about Lebron's shortcoming, will be up ASAP. Until then, relish this.

Will the Suns be Mooned?

2010-05-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

I hold off on any Lebron material since it's still premature. A Cavs/Lebron-related post will be posted after the series is over.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns - or Los Suns, whatever you prefer - are beyond familiar with each other. Besides the fact that they are both in the Pacific Division and play each other four times every season, they also played each other for two consecutive seasons in the first round of the playoffs. As the record shows, the Suns were victorious in both encounters and historical in one series, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the #7-seeded Lakers. The other and more recent series, the Lakers' loss in 5 games, ignited a wildfire in Kobe Bryant, which resulted in the acquisition of Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher.

Clearly, this time, things are very different. Shaq has come and gone for the Suns, Steve Kerr has assembled a dangerous supporting cast, A'mare has been a force to be reckoned with, Nash at 35 (with one eye) is better than most point guards, nay players, in the NBA, and the Suns are arguably the hottest (pun intended) team in the NBA after the All-Star break. The Los Angeles Lakers are no longer the underdog but defending champions, with the game's best closer, a clutch point guard, a coach on the verge of retirement, and have replaced their Kwame Brown-Chris Mihm front court with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

All that said, no rational person should believe that the Suns will beat the Lakers. Not. A. Chance. For every argument against the Lakers in this series, there is an even better counter favoring L.A. Kobe Bryant is battling multiple injuries and won't be 100%. Well, he just posted 30 points or more during the Lakers' sweep of the Jazz while connecting on 46 of 88 shots (about 52.68%). Plus, nobody on Phoenix is capable of remotely slowing him down. And he's going to be even more difficult to defend since he's well rested.

The Lakers are old, thus slow, and can't keep up with the Suns. Then how did L.A. win the season series 3-1, outscoring the Suns with an average of 11.67 in the Lakers' victories? Oh, I know, because the Lakers have a frontcourt of two talented seven-footers, one of them a starting center for the second best country in FIBA, and the Suns have...Robin Lopez and Jarron Collins. Not to discredit Lopez and Collins, they're good players that shouldn't be cast out because they aren't big names. After all, Serge Ibaka had his way with the Lakers and he's not considered a particularly elite big man. However, I'd take Gasol and Bynum over almost all other PF-C combos in the league.

Steve Nash will exploit his quickness against Derek Fisher. First of all, that's been the excuse opposing teams have used 82+ times this season. And, in many cases, opposing point guards have had the best of D-Fish, statistically anyway. In reality, though, Steve Nash and Derek Fisher are both 35. What will trouble the Lakers is Nash running off screens. Then again, the Lakers have young, quick guards in Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar who have the quickness to match Nash. And if there's only one thing Vujacic is good at, and at the moment it seems like there's only one, its running around screens. Plus, Vujacic has been in L.A. for a few years now and has become a pretty skilled actor. His showmanship could easily result in moving pick and offensive fouls against Phoenix.

And those are just (baseless) arguments against the Lakers. There are plenty of arguments favoring the Lakers and against the Suns. Notably, Grant Hill matched up with Ron Artest? Grant Hill should expect to end his season very quietly...

One thing I'll give to the Suns is the presence of A'mare Stoudemire. After standing up to the Utah Bruisers, I mean, Jazz, Pau Gasol has definitely shed his "soft" tag. But neither Gasol nor Bynum are as strong as A'mare and if Phoenix racks up offensive rebounds, they should automatically result in second chance points. The only other thing I can credit the Suns with is their efficient reserves. These days, it seems like any bench is better than L.A.'s. Robin Lopez and Amunson provide a nice spark and hustle play, Jared Dudley is one of the top "stealers" with a well-rounded game, Goran Dragic just scored 25 points in a quarter and 26 points in 17:27 of play, making 5/5 from downtown, Channing Frye is a 6'9" forward with a shot, and Leandro Barbosa is a "Brazilian blur" when he's on the floor.

If you're on the Suns, you can't afford to lose home games. It's extremely difficult to beat the Lakers at Staples Center, but if the Suns can get momentum with home wins, the series can change dramatically. Potentially, a Game 7 is within reach. But I doubt it. With the defending champs having gotten their act together against Utah, I'm picking Los Angeles in 5.

Has the Commissioner Gone Too Far?

2010-05-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

If you were watching the Celtics-Cavs game yesterday, you know that one thing was missing: Danny Ainge the fan. The Celtics’ general manager was recently fined $25,000for waiving his towel in a futile attempt to distract the Cavs’ JJ Hickson when JJ was shooting a free throw. The question circulating around the league has been whether or not Ainge acted inappropriately, and the league offices believe he did cross one boundary or another. But is the Stern administration, with a particular emphasis on David Stern and Stu Jackson, taking it too far with the recent deluge of fines?

There’s no doubt David Stern is managing the league – as commissioner, he’s supposed to, right? What I’m debating, though, is if he’s starting to micromanage the NBA. Earlier in the 2000s, Stern enforced a dress code, with controversy over the rule specifically targeting the NBA’s well-populated demographic of African-Americans. However, after some analysis it seemed like Stern’s policy made sense. After all, it is the National Basketball Association and with so many people tuning in, do you want to be the leader of a thug league? As a testament to how many people followed the league, the rapper Nas referred to the commissioner as “David Stern with his fashion issues” in his song “Hip Hop Is Dead.” Regardless, not that I’m a psychologist – though I do try to read Malcolm Gladwell whenever I get a chance – it seems like people are primarily judged by three things: their appearance, their actions, and what they say.

Needless to say, it’s awfully difficult to control people’s actions and what they say. Yet, he’s come very close with his implementation of fines. His sarcastic “make my day” phrase makes me wonder how he feels whenever Phil Jackson opens his mouth and/or when Mark Cuban blogs. I could wrap my head around the fines when there were issued for misconduct on the court (thus, restricting actions) but I don’t know if it’s justified, or even constitutional, to fine personnel for comments or for just being an ordinary fan.

I argue the first amendment right, “freedom of speech”, overrides the current discipline policy, laws being something David Stern is well aware of. According to the book, Great Jews in Sports, “he began handling legal business for the National Basketball Association in 1967 as an attorney with the law firm of Proskaur Rose Goetz…Persuaded in 1978 by [NBA commissioner Larry] O’Brien, Stern left to become the league’s general counsel. Two years later, O’Brien created the position of ‘Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs’ and gave Stern the job.”

But I guess currently the prevailing argument is for defamation. When the refs are criticized, the credibility of the league is criticized, which makes the criticism defamatory. If the players think the game was poorly officiated, so what? The next time they encounter the same ref(s), they’ll notice a grudge and keep quiet to avoid further bad calls. My opinion, like that of others, is very likely influenced by Tim Donaughy’s actions as an official, the existence of grudges proved when he documented that many officials held a grudge against Allen Iverson, thus resulting in unfair calls. By handing out fines, it’s almost like a settlement: trying to keep someone quiet because you know you’re guilty. In this sense, the fines are defaming the league’s credibility.

As for Danny Ainge and waving a towel, the league should appreciate the passion. Every GM should be spotted banging thunder sticks when the opponent is shooting free throws and love their team as much as the fans. If teams’ front offices show up to the arena and proved how much of a fan they are and just how much they support their team, the players and coaching staff would undoubtedly feel more appreciated. And when the players and coaches are, chances are the results will be better. So, David Stern, if you want to keep issuing your fines, you should bill the Utah Jazz’ Energy Solutions Arena for “Fisher sucks” chants, take action against the people who printed the “Fear the Deer” shirts, frown upon the Thunder’s fans for being fans, and from now on have the Golden State Warriors play in front of an empty crowd at home.

Seperation of Sport and State

2010-05-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Unless you've been living under a rock, haven't turned on the TV, or both, you are aware of the new, controversial Arizona law allowing police to check if you're "legal" at, pretty much, any given time. The Phoenix Suns, however, have decided to share their political views by wearing "Los Suns" jerseys tonight in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. That's a big forum to share opinions on. Is it the right one, though? Should there be seperation of sport and state?

At times, sports have been used for more than just entertainment (and betting). In some cases, they've been used by politicians to make a statement. During the Cold War, President Jimmy Carter ordered a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As you can imagine, an Olympic games without the United States is like cereal without milk - decent, but could be much better. That was countered by a Soviet boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In other cases, commonfolk have used sports to make their voices heard. Nearly two years ago, on the same stage, the Beijing Olympics was shadowed by the protests for more basic rights in Communist China.

Sports have also been used for genuinely good political purposes, too. The most notable demonstration of this is Nelson Mandela's unification of South Africa through rugby, as documented on the big screen in Invictus and on the small screen in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, The 16th Man.

The most similar and recent example that I can think of that corresponds with the "Los Suns" declaration, is members of the Iranian national soccer team wearing green wrist bands during a match in support of the revolutionary "Green Movement." In an attempt to show that they too were "Down with the dictator" Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, they also empathized with plenty of Iranian people. It seems like the same situation is going on here. The Suns represent the many American people who view the Arizona legislation as unconstitutional and/or going against American values.

But then there's the other side of the arguement. Should the Suns be wearing the "Los Suns" jerseys? Definitely. If not to protest the immigration law, then certainly it's more than appropriate to wear the jerseys on Cinco de Mayo. Then again, the Suns let it be known that the law was the major reason for wearing the jerseys. Is it ethical, or even more so, is it appropriate of a sports franchise to get involved in politics?

Each situation is different. With the Iranian soccer team, election-rigging warrants political rebellion. But Arizona lawmakers and representatives - the ones who devised the law - for the most part, are chosen by the people. However, the law targets illegal immigrants, who clearly didn't have a vote. Personally, I believe that in a country like the United States, the Suns have every right to exhibit their freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Plus, our nation's president meets with the champions of major sports, so there's really no issue in the political aspect.

Awards Analysis: Part 2

2010-05-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

This past week, it was announced that the Sacramento Kings' Tyreke Evans is the 2009-2010 Rookie of the Year and that the MVP award goes to none other than Lebron James. Both recipients were extremely deserving. That said...

Tyreke Evans might have not even been in the running for the Rookie of the Year award if it weren't for Kevin Martin's lengthy injury and subsequent trade. Tyreke Evans would have never been able to make as much of an impact if the Kings' former star, Martin, was still in Sacramento. If Martin weren't injured, there's no doubt that the Rookie of the Year award belongs to Stephen Curry. But in the end, a 20-point scorer in Martin was replaced by another 20-point scorer in Evans. According to USA Today, "Evans became the fourth rookie ever to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game, joining Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James in an exclusive club." No matter what your cirmcumstances were, that's impressive.

What clinches the award for Evans, though, was his consistency. The other rookies simply couldn't sustain their efforts as well as Evans over an 82 game span. Sure, Brandon Jennings had 55 points in his seventh regular season game, but that means nothing when he shoots so poorly so frequently. In Jennings' 82 games, he scored less than 10 points twenty three times. That's not getting the job done. As for Curry, well, he was up there with Evans. I guess the prevailing arguement is that Evans is more crucial to the Kings' success than Curry is to the Warriors' success - although neither team made the playoffs, so I can't associate them with success. It also helps that Blake Griffin was injured for the enitre season and wasn't given the oppurtunity to make his case. Overall, it's hard to vote against a rookie who averaged 20 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds - every game.

In the MVP race, everyone knew Lebron would win it. In fact, there was even talk about LBJ being the only unanimous recipient of the Most Valuable Player award. Statistics don't always do justice, but in this case, they most certainly do; James finished the regular season with averages of: 29.7 points on 50.3% shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1 block, and 1.6 steals. That's just insane. Those stats say a lot about a player. His points show he's a scorer; the percentage indicates he must be a good shooter; the rebounds prove he boxes and hustles to hunt down misses; the assists signify that despite the fact that Lebron is a forward, he can find the open man better than many guards; and the blocks & steals illustrate his daunting defensive presence.

You have to be a truly amazing player to win MVP for two consecutive years. But I don't expect Lebron's streak to continue. A healthy Chris Paul or D-Wade or a more dominant Durant should snag the MVP trophy next season. I particularly believe that Durant has a great shot at stealing the award from Lebron mainly because they're somewhat similar players in the sense that they can be amazing forwards or just as easily be amazing guards. They have such a diverse skill set that they could totally swith their style on a game-to-game basis. One game, Durant or Lebron could be remembered for their rebounds and finding the open man, while the the next game fans will recall their ability to steal the ball and put points on the board. And that actually goes for Paul and Wade, too. There are too many other talented players in the NBA for Lebron to win the MVP award for a third consecutive year.

2010 Awards Analysis: Part 1

2010-04-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

Breaking news! Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks was named the NBA's Coach of the Year. And in the most obvious selection in NBA history, Dwight Howard was awarded Defensive Player of the Year. While Dwight clearly deserved his honors, the Coach of the Year recipient could've easily gone to another candidate.

In a previous post, I mentioned D-Howard's amazing stats. But I'll just repeat them anyway; Howard finished the regular season with averages of: 18.3 points per game, 13.2 rebounds per game, 2.8 blocks per game, 61.2% shooting from the field, and 0.9 steals per game. That's just ridiculous. Traditional names like Ron Artest and Shane Battier remain in the discussion, but nobody came remotely close to impacting the game like Orlando's big man. Additionally, Howard became the only player to lead the league in blocks and rebounds in the same season twice.

As far as the Coach of the Year award goes, though, Brooks, Scott Skiles, and Nate McMillan (the trio who finished in the top 3 for Coach of the Year votes) all deserved it. When the Thunder started out 3-29 last season, it's a big turnaround to be playing as an 8 seed in the NBA playoffs only a season later. Plus, Brooks modified the Thunder to make them the dynamic team they are now. What's more, he's helped his young cast consistenly improve, especially the rookies.

Then again, Scott Skiles has done a great job in Milwaukee in spite of Michael Redd's long absence(s). To be able to mold a starting lineup with no true leader other than rookie Brandon Jennings into a 7 seed is slightly more impressive than scoring an 8 seed primarily with Kevin Durant, a top 3 player in the NBA, and Westbrook, among the fastest, if not the fastest, guard in the league. However, when 50 wins is the criteria to make the playoffs in the West and the East appears to consist solely of one NBA team, the Cavs, and a bunch of Junior Varsity squads, it's difficult to reward the East over the West.

If I were giving out the Coach of the Year award, there's no doubt in my mind that it belongs to the Trailblazers' Nate McMillan. Despite all the constant injuries, the Blazers are sitting on the 6 seed in the Western Conference and may end up moving past the first round. Meanwhile, the Thunder and Bucks are 0-2. And the beginning of the season was rather tough for the Blazers, too. Andre Miller came in to training camp out of shape, much to the chagrin of McMillan. Regardless, they got past their initial drama and Nate tinkered with his pieces well enough to create a rather formiddable backcourt and an effective bench. Still, the Blazers didn't settle down 'til after the trade deadline when Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake were sent to L.A. for Marcus Camby. So, for pretty much the entire year, McMillan has modified the lineup in a successful manner, weaving his way around injuries, chemistry issues, and a trade. Why didn't he win Coach of the Year?

50-Win Club: Western Conference Playoff Preview 2010

2010-04-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Note: Temporarily, I believe the Eastern Conference doesn't deserve a playoff preview. First because it's way too easy to make the playoffs in the East and second, it;s too predictable: eventually, everyone will surrender to the Cavaliers.

The NBA playoffs have practically arrived; let the excitement begin! The Western Conference was particularly competitive this year, the mandate for playoff participation being 50 regular season victories. In contrast to the twenty games that separate #1 and #8 in the East, only 7 victories separate the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers from the #8 Oklahoma City Thunder. When looking at the West, it's clear that if a lower seed wins a series it would hardly be regarded as an "upset". From Los Angeles down, every squad seems like a threat, if not a contender.

Here's a look at the first round:
#1 Lakers vs. #8 Thunder

Although the Lakers went 3-1 against the Thunder this year, their most recent meeting resulted in a sound defeat and, in the biggest understatement possible, they haven't closed out the regular season on a good note. Then again, Andrew Bynum is returning and a well-rested Kobe, despite his litany of injuries, is extremely dangerous. In order for the Thunder to win this series, OKC point guard, Russell Westbrook, has to exploit his mismatch. Derek Fisher is great, but any young guard is capable of running circles around him - and Westbrook is no different.

Of course, Durant also has to come through. Even though he'll probably be matched up against Artest, Ron Ron, for the most part, has yet to prove himself. Occasionally he lets us have a peek at his defensive skills (i.e. vs. Carmelo Anthony), but for every successful moment he's had, there have been at least three other times where he let the Lake Show down. What's worse (for the Lakers), is that Durant feels that Lakers Coach Phil Jackson was "disrespectful" to him by remarking about how the refs have awarded him with so many free throws.

The Lakers have a simple game plan: pound it inside! Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are overwhelming for any team, but especially Nenad Kristic and Jeff Green. No disrespect to Green and Nenad, but I can't see them stopping L.A.'s twin towers. If they rack up the "points in the paint" stat, there should be no need for late-game heroics from Kobe.

Prediction: Lakers in 5. Kobe Bryant is just too good and too intelligent of a player to let this series go past 5 games, but with the Lakers' inconsistency, a 6 or 7 game series is always possible.

The Texas Two-Step: #2 Mavs vs. #7 Spurs

If this was a match-up of the old Spurs - by old, I mean Spurs teams of previous years - versus the current Mavs team, then this would be an extremely exciting series. But Dallas has beaten the Spurs in 3 out of their four regular season match-ups. Both teams have finished the season well, though. The Mavs have gone 23-6 since acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, while the Spurs finished off the year with 18 victories in 28 games (18-8).

In order for the Spurs to win, everyone has to be on their A-game. First of all, George Hill has to exploit his youth against the much older Jason Kidd. He may not be known for quickness, but against Jason Kidd many players have the potential to be track stars. Parker, on the other hand, is notorious for his speed and should have no problem toying with J-Kidd. Ginobli must be a defensive presence. If he can contain Caron Butler, that's already a huge step toward victory. Richard Jefferson needs to get the best of Shawn Marion. Jefferson is a better scorer, so if he can knock down shots and can cause Marion to need help D, the Spurs will have plenty of opportunities.

Additionally, Antonio McDyess and DeJaun Blair need to guard the post as if their lives depended on it. Dampier and Haywood aren't anything too special, but if they aren't defended (well), they can be dangerous. And in the match-up everyone is waiting for, Tim Duncan has to be willing to roam around the perimeter. Although the ideal situation is letting Dirk take threes instead of mid-range jumpers, Nowitzki ain't bad from downtown. Duncan can't slack off and has to guard him no matter where he ventures off to.

The Mavs have to play smart - smarter than the Spurs. That's easier said than done, of course. Dirk has to establish himself as a three-point threat, command double teams, and create looks. Defensively, he can't allow any easy baskets for Duncan. Tim has a wide variety of post moves, but he should have to take contested looks. Kidd can't try to score against a taller, faster Hill. Instead, he must do what he does best: pass. Butler really has to exploit his match-up. There's no way Ginobli can outperform this guy. Butler is just too agressive for Ginobli - offensively and defensively. Shawn Marion has to stay in front of Jefferson and make him a non-factor. Not to be forgotten are Dampier and Haywood, who need to crash the boards. Rebounds, rebounds, rebounds. The Spurs might not execute 100% on their first possession, but give them a second chance and they'll burn you.

Prediction: Mavs in 6. The Mavs are too dominant for the Spurs, who take the term "veteran squad" to the extreme.

#3 Suns vs. #6 Trailblazers

Give me a piggyback ride or else...

It sounds repetitive, but the Suns are a hot team, finishing the year with 14 wins in their last 16 games. In contrast, Portland had 3 losses in February alone. Both these teams deserve tremendous credit for getting this far, especially Portland. The Trailblazers have faced a deluge of injuries, with pretty much everyone on their roster hurt at one point or another. I remember reading that a Bulls writer wrote: "If you're a center for the Trailblazers, why get out of bed in the morning?" Props to Nate McMillan and the entire Trailblazers crew for hanging tight, and not only making the playoffs, but finishing as a #6 seed. Now that's an accomplishment. With regard to the Suns, they're not what they used to be - and Steve Nash certainly isn't as young as he used to be - but they've maintained focus (i.e. Amare after the trade deadline) and got a high seeding.

If you're a Trailblazers fan, you must be disappointed to hear about Brandon Roy's surgery, which will keep him out for 1-2 weeks. Anyway, Andre Miller will have to step up and has the difficult task of chasing Nash.

Ultimately, though, the only way to defeat Phoenix is to make it a half-court game and exploit height advantages, particularly in the post. Marcus Camby may not be as young & flashy as Amare, but he's certainly a presence. If Camby is able to dominate in the post, whether it be by rebounding, scoring, or both, the game/series changes dramatically. Then, Amare and Jarron Collins start picking up loose ball fouls and get called for blocking. That means Louis Admunson and Channing Frye are in, which is when you can really run away with the game. No disrespect to Frye and Admunson. They're great players who are part of the reason why the Phoenix bench is as good as it is. But I'd take Lamarcus Aldridge & Marcus Camby over Frye & Admunson any day.

Last note for Portland: defend the perimeter. Shooting threes is almost like a layup drill for the Suns. You can't let them scorch you from downtown.

From the Phoenix perspective, the Suns have to get Portland in foul trouble. In spite of all their injuries, the Blazers are not a deep team, and could really struggle without Camby down low or without Andre Miller calling plays. Which means Amare and Jarron Collins have to stay out of foul trouble. It's also imperative that the Suns keep running. The best thing the Suns can do is tire the short-manned Blazers. The Phoenix Suns are capable of beating any team in a track meet (with a possible exception of the Golden State Warriors) and fatigue will take its toll throughout a playoff series.

Prediction: Phoenix in 5. This could potentially end up a 6 game series, but I don't expect Portland to win more than 1 game.

#4 Nuggets vs. #5 Jazz

This series undoubtedly seems like the most competitive. The Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz are two of the league's most physical teams and their opponents always prepare for bruises. Neither team has "underdog" status in this match-up, as is the case with most #4-#5 pairings. There's no doubt this series will amount to "all that Jazz". Sorry, that was a cheesy joke. Seriously, though, I foresee these two squads battling it out in a Game 7.

Unfortunately for Utah, Andrei Kirelinko is injured, meaning that their only true threat is the 1-2 punch of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer - although I shouldn't proceed that phrase with "only." The tandem is the main reason why the Jazz became #5. In order for their success to continue, however, they'll need to keep in mind a few things. First of all, Boozer won't be very effective in the post considering that the paint belongs to Birdman and Kenyon Martin. Boozer, as well as his teammates, will have to use their range. Mid-range and outside game will be crucial. If the Jazz can consistently knock down jumpers and then command attention, they should start driving. But I'd think twice before I tried to dunk or take a lay-up if Chris Andersen is in the way.

Lastly, Deron Williams must remember the age difference between him and Chauncey Billups. Billups may be the most complete point guard in the league in terms of his skill set, but he certainly isn't the fastest. If D-Will resorts to his nice moves and quickness, he'll get the best of Billups.

As a Nuggets strategist, I would try to get Ty Lawson into a rhythm during this series. If he and Billups could effectively switch off at the point guard position, the juxtaposition of quickness and intelligence/experience, then Deron Williams' head will be spinning. Just like the Lakers, the Nuggets have to dump the ball into the post. One decent move from Birdman and Mehmet Okur will go flying. By the same token, Birdman has to play good D on Okur, particularly on the perimeter. As a big man, sometimes it can be difficult to go beyond the free-throw line, but Andersen must stay in front of Okur at all times. Mehmet loves to get those easy 3s in trasition, but Birdman has to make sure they're contested.

Final comment for Denver: Carmelo has to take advantage of his mismatch. C.J. Miles is a formiddable opponent, but 'Melo can take him any day. Once Carmelo has the ball, he has to be agressive and offensive-minded. He can't settle for jumpshots; if nobody can stop him, he might as well drive. And once he attracts a double team, he can kick it out to Chauncey, who'll make a good decision.

Prediction: Denver in 7. The Jazz are strong but aren't stacked enough to take on a Nuggets team of J.R. Smith, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Andersen, Chauncey Billups, and Ty Lawson. Utah's players are among the most underrated in the league, but sometime the intangibles aren't enough.

Playoffs Previews on the way...

2010-04-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Just been waiting for the right time to post - and it's almost come. Tonight will definitely be influential in making playoff predictions. Here are the game I'll be keeping an eye on and why:

Update: I made a mistake. A Bulls win tonight (which they got), clinched the 8th seed for Chicago. Toronto only had a chance if the Bulls lost and they won.

1) Cleveland @ Atlanta: Although it's a longshot, the Hawks and Cavs may end up playing against each other sometime after the first round. Also, another oppurtunity for Lebron's supporting cast to showcase its talent.

2) Milwaukee @ Boston: I'd like to see how Boston and Milwaukee look coming into the playoffs. The Celtics just lost to Chicago last night and haven't been looking too sharp lately. The Bucks haven't been a good road team at all this season (17-23), but let's see if they can pull off a W tonight.

3) San Antonio @ Dallas: With a win vs. the Mavs, the Spurs could potentially move from #7 to #6. A loss (and a Portland win) pretty much keeps them at #7.

4) Phoenix @ Utah: Besides the excitement of Nash vs. D-Will, these teams have identical records with Utah holding the tiebreaker for the #3 seed. A victory for Phoenix will cause a swap in seedings (Utah=#4, Phoenix=#3).

5) Golden State @ Portland: The Warriors are 7-33 on the road, so this should be an easy win for the Trailblazers, but hey, nothing is ever certain in sports.

6) New York @ Toronto: A win for the Bosh-less Raptors keeps them in the running. A loss (and a Chicago victory) will end Toronto's playoff hopes.

7) Chicago @ Charlotte: The current #7 and #8 teams, respectively, in the East. A Bulls loss really helps out the Raptors, who are presently a game behind for the 8th seed, though if I'm not mistaken, Chicago has the tiebreaker.

Plenty to watch for, which means plenty to write about - soon.

The Lake Show, a No Show: Present & Playoffs

2010-03-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

That's the difference between the regular season and the playoffs

The 2010 Los Angeles Lakers. The defending champions. The team that just went 2-3 on a road trip, losing by double digits to Atlanta & Oklahoma City and tanking against New Orleans. Suddenly, things aren't going so well in Lakerdom. Cleveland, on the other hand, is feeling a whole lot better...

There's no doubt that the Los Angeles Lakers are the most talented team, at least on paper. Save Derek Fisher, all the starters make for a tough matchup on both ends of the court. The Lakers couldn't ask for a more versatile sixth man than Lamar Odom (though, they could ask for a more consistent one). So why have the Lakers been playing like the Clippers lately?

First of all, there's the conventional excuse: fatigue. After 70 NBA games and countless practices & workouts in between, you can imagine these guys are worn out. The more relevant reason, though, is that they are now firmly out of reach of both the Cavs and rest of West. Right now, they could care less about losing games here and there, or as Kobe described it, "lollygagging".

That's not to say the losses don't affect them. Frustration mounts (see Kobe's face and Sasha Vujacic v. Coaching staff). And confidence rises - for the opposing team(s). The Lakers' three potential 1st round matchups relish times like this. Oklahoma City is still smiling at its score vs. the Lake Show. Portland, already notorious for prevailing vs. the Lakers at the Garden, must be extremely giddy after the Lakers' recent road trip. And San Antonio now has a little hope. Oh, and every other team in the hunt, to one degree or another, now believes they have a shot versus L.A. When you're playing bad, one of the worst things you can do is help the other team play better. Remember that, Lakers.

However, the playoffs and regular season are totally different beasts. For some, the playoffs are a destination. For the Lakers, they're supposed to be part of the journey. More than anyone else in the league, unquestionably more so than Lebron James, Kobe Bryant wants to reach the destination - scratch that, SUCCEED in his destination. Make no mistake, KB will go to great lengths to win an NBA championship - and he will demand the same from his team. The Lakers may have a roadbump or two, but there's no question they'll emerge as the Western Conference champions. I guess you could argue that this isn't a convenient way to enter the playoffs, performing sub-.500 on a road trip. But, then again, expect the Lakers to step up.

It's all a matter of beating the Cavs. Despite the fact that the Cavs aren't exactly a guarentee (who remembers Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals last year?), their chances of making it to the NBA Finals are just as high as the Lakers, if not higher. Assuming the Finals are between the Lakers and Cavaliers, without fully acknowledging the "step-up in the playoffs" factor, the Cavs have the edge. And it's simply because the Lakers can't perform away from Staples.

The Show must go on - now it's a matter of stepping up.

Best Big Men 2009-2010

2010-03-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

In the midst of all the "Who's the best player?" talk, I've decided to stray away from Kobe, Lebron, and Durant(?). Rather, I want to examine the best big men in the game. As of late, it seems like the consensus is that Dwight Howard is invincible. Can't say I agree with that. My point of view is that the requirements for a center are to rebound, score (mainly in the paint), and block. Dwight Howard can certainly do that. But so can, say, Samuel Dalembert. Of course, some meet those requirements better than others. Here are the best big men by category...

Best All-Around Big Man: Chris Bosh
Unfortunately, Bosh hasn't gotten very far in the playoffs and maybe consequently, remains extremely underrated. All big men can - at least, they should be able to - score within a few feet of the basket. Personally, I believe that in order to be the best big man you need to have some range. As fun as dunks are, everyone else can dunk too; just because someone is fun to watch doesn't mean they're necessarily the best. In contrast, Bosh has proven he has the mid-range game to distinguish himself from all the other 7-footers in the league. He is capable of knocking down threes - maybe that's he'll incorporate in his game more next season. All that said, the gold-medal Olympian is averaging a completely unnoticed 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block a game.

Best Shooter: Dirk Nowitzki

No doubt in my mind, Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best big men in NBA history when it comes to shooting. At about 7 feet, it's remarkable that he can drain mid-range fadeaways and pop threes. He's basically a shooting guard in a big man's body. In late-game situations, he's not a formiddable clutch player, but how do you defend him if he's taking the last shot? At seven feet, he has(/should have) no problem shooting over a top defender like Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest, who he towers over. That's not to say he's only an offensive threat; he's capable of playing good D too - he's averaged 0.9 steals and 1 block this season - but everybody knows the reason he's made it big is because of his shot.

Best Defensive Big Man: Dwight Howard

Defensively, I don't know if there's anyone better that Dwight. He can tussle with anyone in the league. The way he blocks shots can simply be described as "emphatic," sending the ball well off course; just his presence intimidates teams when they step in the paint. At the defensive end, nobody has better stats than him: 13.3 rebounds, 1 steal, 2.7 blocks. However, the reason why I don't crown him the best all-around big man is because he can't shoot from more than several feet out and can't hit a free-throw if his life depended on it.

Most Underrated Big Man: Marcus Camby

I'd give this title to Bosh, but he does get some credit - he just deserves a ton more. Very few, however, are cognizant of Marcus Camby's game. The Clippers basically acquired him for nothing (1 or 2 second-round picks, if I'm not mistaken) and Portland was smart in trading for him. He's much younger than he looks (26 years old) and is 4th in rebounds (averaging 11.6 boards this year) and 5th in blocks (averaging 2.1 this season). Yet, does anybody know that Camby is a top 5 rebounder/blocker in the NBA? No! What's more, Camby works wonders in the post and can shoot the mid-range jumper just as easily as he can dunk. This dude really deserves more praise.

Best Up-and-Coming Big Man: Andray Blatche

Ever since February 9, Blatche has only had one game where he scored less than 12 points. Lately, he's been showcasing all his talent: rebounding, a block or two, points, pretty good free throw shooting, generally acceptable FG% - the whole package. Nobody was really familiar with him before, but now it seems like he's on everyone's radar. Earlier this week, there were some reports about tension with Head Coach Flip Saunders, but it appears that everything was more or less worked out. So far, he's been the lone bright spot for the Wizards.

2009-2010 Observations

2010-03-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's that time of year again. NCAA March Madness has begun - as well as the dog days of the NBA season, as exhibited by their play (Phoenix 152-114 victory over Minnesota the lone exception). After tens of grueling games, tiresome road trips, and hours of practice, NBA players probably want a spring break right about now. For the multi-dimensional basketball fan, March is the bittersweet month when the up-and-coming superstars give 110% and the current pros are left hovering around 85%. Have no fear though, the NBA playoffs commence in about a month (April 17), with plenty of entertaining college action to serve as amusement until then.

However, in spite of my local (UCLA) college basketball team and often dominant presence resembling nothing close to dominance, I have found myself out of the loop this season when it comes to NCAA basketball. Therefore, I've spent more time examining the NBA game and reflecting on the season - despite the fact that it's not over yet. My observations:

Positive Surprise: The Charlotte Bobcats

Perhaps the biggest surprise this year, the Bobcats will likely qualify for NBA playoffs - for the first time (in their six-seasons as an NBA franchise). The Charlotte Bobcats are actually one of the top three defensive teams in the league if you judge them by their Defensive Efficiency ratin g (a measure of how many points allowed per 100 possessions). The Bobcats' backcourt is rather effective, too. The tag-team of Raymond Felton and Stephen Jackson has been working offensive wonders, not to mention D.J. Augustin coming off the bench. Oh, and I simply can't praise Gerald Wallace enough. Then again, props to Larry Brown for spearheading the progress from the sidelines.

Negative Surprise: New Jersey Nets

Who knew a starting cast of Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Trenton Hassell, Yi Jianlian, and Brook Lopez would go on to become the worst team in NBA history (assuming they don't win three more games). Currently 7-61, it was clear from the start that they weren't the most talented bunch, but c'mon; the worst team in NBA history? Now that's crazy! For now, "amazing" definitely doesn't happen in NJ.

Contention Hopes Gone Awry, But Still Hopeful: Boston Celtics

Wow. I remember talking to several people who thought Boston really had a good shot of winning it all. I always insisted that the starting lineup was too old to actually find their way in the NBA Finals, but instead could do some damage and prove to be a road block for the Cavs, or whoever ends up representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Regardless, the crew of KG, Rondo, Allen, Pierce, and Rasheed haven't been too shabby at 43-24. It's just that last season they were second in the East by 4 games, but are presently behind the #1 Cavs by 10 games; their winning percentage last season was an elite .756 in comparison to this season's .642 (the C's still have 15 games remaining to bring that percentage higher).

Rookies

They have certainly been influential members of the NBA. The many guards, as well as Omri Casspi, Demarre Carroll, Demar DeRozan, Taj Gibson, and as of late, Toney Douglas, have proven that they "got game." Disregarding Blake Griffin, whose been out and will continue to be out for the entire 2009-10 season, the Rookie of the Year Award must go to either Tyreke Evans or Stephen Curry. Although, I must add, Tyreke probably wouldn't have been remotely as sucessful if it hadn't been for Kevin Martin's injury (in the similar way that Taylor Swift would have likely remained an obscure in the grand music world if it hadn't been for Kanye West's antics).

Hello Goodbye

2010-03-04T21:53:00.001-08:00

Hello Hamed, goodbye Hasheem. When news broke out that Memphis' Hasheem Thabeet was headed to the D-League, many spent their time pondering how a #2 pick in the draft could go from the penthouse to the outhouse so rapidly. Others wondered if the Grizzlies' fate would've differed had they chosen a different draft pick (i.e. Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Jordan Hill, Demar DeRozan, etc.). However, not very many, it seems, focused on the new backup center, Hamed Haddadi. Hamed, the first Iranian player in the NBA, is to Iranians what Omri Casspi is to Israelis. From HoopsHype:

It’s a rag-to-riches tale.

Kid plays soccer in a poor country, turns to
basketball at 13, doesn’t even have shoes at the beginning, but ends up
excelling to the point that he’s called to play pro ball in America.

That’s the story in brief of Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi, who became
a trivia answer last season as the first Iranian ever to make it into the NBA.

One year and a half later, though, Haddadi has done little to be
remembered for anything else.

Stuck behind All-Star Zach Randolph,
double-double machine Marc Gasol and shot-blocking rookie Hasheem Thabeet,
Haddadi’s playing time has actually gone down a notch this season – 4.8 mpg, 0.9
ppg, 1.6 rpg – compared to the last one, where he averaged 2.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg and
0.6 bpg on just 6.3 minutes per game.

“I’m not happy that I’m not
playing,” Haddadi said. “But I’m happy that I’m in the NBA and winning games.”

Currently in his sophomore season in the league, Hamed's had an interesting journey to his destination as backup center. Interestingly enough, issues arose prior to his arrival in the NBA. The teams had to "seek clearance" to sign him, due to legal matters related to his home country, Iran. Before he stepped on American hardwood, the hype was there. The 7-footer - 7'2" to be exact - scored 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in an Olympic game vs. Manu Ginobli's Argentine team. What's more, this Iranian center averaged double figures in the Olympics! In the Beijing Games, he was averaging 16.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Nevertheless, nothing can compare to the rigors of the National Basketball Association.

Despite multiple offers, including one rumored to have come from FC Barcelona (crazy to think that Hamed Haddadi could have been playing with Ricky Rubio), Haddadi signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. After mere months, Haddadi was demoted to the Dakota Wizards of the Developmental League. Within a month, though, he was called back. Regardless, even to this point, Hamed hasn't received very many minutes. In fact, at one point, Hamed made his Facebook status (written in his native Persian language, of course) "I'm tired of not playing." Furthermore, earlier this season, Clippers broadcasters were suspended for making fun of his appearance, among other things dubbing him "Borat."

Finally, more playing time is in sight. With Hasheem Thabeet temporarily gone, Marc Gasol will be replaced by... Hamed Haddadi. Hopefully he can make the best of his playing time and who knows, maybe one day the "first Iranian player in the NBA" will be more than a "trivia answer."

Be Back ASAP

2010-03-02T00:49:00.001-08:00

Found this saved on my computer; probably have used it on this blog before.

Still funny, though

My apologies for my absence in the last couple weeks. I've only had to time to watch a few NBA games and read local Lakers & Clippers (wooh! beat the Utah Jazz tonight!) coverage in the Los Angeles Times. About a week after the trade deadline I sat down to draft a piece, but there was already too much trade deadline analysis out there - many more insightful than what I could've written. Hopefully, this week I'll have time to talk NBA. In the meanwhile, if you have any special requests for a topic, feel free to comment this post and let me know.

Be back as soon as possible - hopefully, in the next few days.

2010 All-Star Weekend Recap: Where Amazing Takes A Break

2010-02-15T18:34:00.000-08:00

I'll elaborate on trades (i.e. the Mavs-Wizards deal) after the trade deadline on Thursday. RealGM.com already has my head spinning with rumors.

creativity [kree-ey-tiv-i-tee] –noun: the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination

All of the above was nowhere to be found during a three-day period dubbed as "NBA All-Star Weekend." I wasn't actually in Dallas, so I can't comment on the array of parties, but there was nothing particularly flashy - or creative - about this year's events. When the venue is getting more attention than the event, something's wrong. Sure, Cowboys Stadium can fit A LOT of people. But is it neccessary to pack 108,000+ people into a dome to watch a basketball game? In one word, as my cousin described it, the whole thing was "wack."

The celebrity game may be the most boring event of all. I'd like to elaborate on my opinion, but, truth be told, I barely watched it. I will praise whoever selected the teams, as it was nice to see memorable retired players come out for another hoorah, as well as participation from a few Harlem Globetrotters. Judging from the small snippets I saw, the league may want to consider limiting the Friday game solely to former NBA players or having former NBA players face off against Globetrotters. Although, and I'm sure many will agree, it was fun(ny) to see Mark Cuban out there. On Friday night, it was nice to finally see the rooks win for a change. Although, it was equally impressive to see Russell Westbrook score 40 points. At halftime, The dunk-in between Eric Gordon and DeMar DeRozan was somewhat interesting. Personally, I thought Eric Gordon was more creative and had better dunks, but he needed multiple attempts and DeMar didn't.

The following day, the 2nd annual H-O-R-S-E competition was a disappointment - for the second consecutive year. I question the motives behind Omri Casspi's selection, but, what the heck, let the foreign rookie get involved in All-Star weekend. Anyway, due to time constraints, the contest turned into a three-point shootout, with Kevin Durant beating Rajon Rondo (who didn't see that coming). Saturday's festivities continued with the Shooting Stars Challenege, a respectable way to hype people up. I haven't done enough research on the WNBA participants, so I can't be too sure when I say this, but the squads seemed pretty fair. The only thing that perplexed me was seeing the bigs from Team Sacramento and Team Los Angeles, Chris Webber and Pau Gasol, starting off shooting from behind the arc (position 3), rather than a mid-range shot (position 2).

The Skills Challenge, for the first time in recent history, may have been more enjoyable than the Dunk Contest. Props to Steve Nash for winning despite his age and fatigue from participating in the Winter Olympics opening ceremony then flying to Dallas - less than 24 hours before the Skills Challenge. I'm still trying to figure out how a jetlagged 36 year old beat players more than a decade younger than him. But right when things were starting to get exciting, the three-point shootout toned down the mood. When you think about it, there's nothing stirring about watching six players take some wide-open shots from behind the arc. Of course, the league leader in three-point percentage, Paul Pierce, went on to win. A half-court shootout may have been a little more climatic, but that's just another idea for the league.

At last, fans were free to relish the highlight reel of highlight reels: the Dunk Contest. Besides Gerald Wallace, I knew all the other contests were capable of putting on a show. In the end, though, the whole thing went awry. Shannon Brown, hyped by legions of fans at LetShannonDunk.com, was the most disappointing of all. Some actually favored him to win it all, yet he probably could've produced better dunks in a game. Nate Robinson was mildly impressive, but Lebron James, had he participated, could have very well provided more showmanship, as well as more creative dunks. Charles Barkley had the best line of the night when he quipped that "maybe nobody's gonna win [the Dunk Contest]."

Then there was the game itself. Without Shaq and/or Kobe for the first time since '97, the game lacked personality and talent. During the starters' introductions, a friend watching the game with me remarked: "They should let Shaq play in the All-Star Game every year just to make it funny." Honestly, it wasn't the same without Shaq trying to imitate the Jabawokees. I don't know how much more interesting Kobe could have made it, but I'll bet he could have gotten the West a W. At least there were less "snubs." Numerous injuries allowed otherwise deserving players to participate. It was a surprise to see so many first-timers. Who else was surprised that it was Deron Williams' first All-Star game? Regardless, I, for one, appreciated the fact that it was a competitive game, though it could've used a better ending. Imagine if Carmelo had made that three for the win?

As for the performances at the All-Star Game , the acts were satisfactory. Usher undoubtedly fit the demographic and although I didn't think his songs were particularly amazing, the choreography made up for it. Although I enjoyed her performance, Shakira's discography strays away from that of the typical NBA fan's. To conclude halftime on a good note, Alicia Keys showcased her vocal abilities, despite the fact that she wasn't much of an adrenaline-pumper.

Not to be forgotten was the actual site of All-Star Weekend, Cowboys Stadium, massive enough to seat the 108,713 obersvers in attendance. The only people who may feel more disappointed than fans, are the fans that paid to see the events live at Cowboys Stadium. Ever since I saw tape of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or Lew Alcindor as he was known then, and his UCLA teammates versus Houston University at the Astrodome way back in the day, I've never understood the motive behind playing basketball in a large dome or football stadium. It just doesn't fit. Even though the players were amazed by the scene surrounding them, basketball was meant to be played in its own facility. During the Final Four, the sight of coaches and reserves lower than the court was simply strange. During NBA All-Star weekend, it was even stranger. However, it seemed like the players and fans both enjoyed the venue, so I guess the people that mattered weren't that alienated by it.

Was this All-Star Weekend relatively memorable for the fans? Not really. Without the presence of Kobe Bryant, humor from Shaquille O'Neal, a proper venue, and an all-around lack of creativity or excitement, the NBA gave many fans forgettable performance upon forgettable performance. At most, the 2010 All-Star Weekend will be remembered historically for its attendance record and little else.

The Lake Show: Emphasis on the "Show"

2010-02-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

Vince Carter may have read the last post (or not), in which I claimed he was "no longer what he used to be", as he thunderously countered with 48 points, the highest individual point total in the Magic's franchise history. On that note...

It's seemingly always been a hypothetical scenario, lingering in every fan's mind for the past few seasons: Are the Lakers still a "good" team without Kobe Bryant? Now, interestingly enough, some are briefly pondering whether or not the Lakers are a better team without Kobe? To answer the latter question simply, "No." However, whether or not the Lakers have been a little more fun to watch is an interesting question. This thought came into my mind in large part because of the Lakers' "Bench Mob", who have reincarnated and shown that they are actually a talented bunch, capable of stepping up when they're called upon.

I was actually talking to a friend about the Lakers' bench only a couple weeks ago, when I wondered how virtually the same bunch went from the "Bench Mob" to the Bench Slobs. (Indeed, I have used the tag "bench mob sucks" in one of my previous posts). Yet, in the absence of Kobe Bryant, and for that matter, starting center Andrew Bynum, the guys starting on the sidelines have awakened. Jordan Farmar is proving he's still a heady playmaker who can chip in points. Sasha Vujacic made a few impressive shots last night, one from behind the arc at the conclusion of the first quarter. Lamar has really picked up the slack, grabbing a whopping 22 rebounds versus Portland on Saturday night, tying his career-high. My favorite amongst the Bench Mob happens to be Shannon Brown, who can be described in Mark Jackson-speak as a "big-time player" capable of making "grown-man moves" as well as hitting jumpshots. He has really proven his worth as an off-guard for the Lakers and I think he could easily be an All-Star in the near future.

Not to be forgotten, though, are the typical starters. Pau's 21 points and 19 rebounds (and 8 assists, almost a triple-double!)- while matched up against Tim Duncan - speak for itself. Derek Fisher, who has his moments against the league's quick, small guards (i.e. Aaron Brooks, Tony Parker, Rajon Rondo, etc.) has showcased his offensive savvy with great decisions in Portland and a satisfactory sum of 13 points against Tony Parker & Co. Most impressive, at least in my opinion, has been the play of Ron Artest. Everyone is aware of his defensive prowess, but I, personally, have been waiting on him to score consistently this season. He's shot very well, particularly from downtown, the last couple of games. Hopefully, he can keep it up.

But if the Lakers are playing so well, why shouldn't they be considered a better team without Kobe? After all, their margin of victory without #24 is 14.5 points. Look closely, though, and you'll notice that they played against Portland and San Antonio, not exactly the league's elite. And despite the fact that the Lakers beat Portland in Oregon for the first time in 5 years and the satisfaction of a W against the Spurs, that doesn't make them a better team. In order to a be a better team, they'd have to prove they play better without Kobe Bryant against the league's best. They have not proven that, nor will they. They wouldn't stand a chance against the Cavaliers or the Celtics, or maybe even Orlando and Atlanta, without the league's best player - of course, I'm referring to Kobe Bryant (not Lebron James).

Has Kobe's absence been good for the team? Yes. Now, I may have a different opinion if the Lakers had lossed both games, but I'm sure that, at one point or another, the thought of playing without Kobe has crossed the minds of every Laker at least once. Instead of wondering if they would be successful, the Lakers have proved they can win games without their star. Having done so also boosts their confidence very much. Although it's only been two games, the two victories have shown that the Lakers, depending on their opponent, could very well handle a first round playoff series without Kobe, if only for a couple of games.

Do King James & Co. Really Have the Throne?

2010-01-31T20:27:00.000-08:00

As spectators everywhere marveled at Kobe Bryant's game-winner versus the Boston Celtics (in Boston) on Sunday, after the game, I couldn't help but look forward to the NBA Finals. Honestly, it doesn't seem like there's a team in the Western Conference that could defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff series. Sure, they may encounter a speedbump here and there, but nobody else in the West is capable of truly challenging the defending champs. Which got me thinking about the Eastern Conference. Despite the fact that the Boston Celtics are currently 7 games behind the Cavs, the two teams seem like the frontrunners in the East. Of course, we can't forget about the Atlanta Hawks.

On paper, Boston is undoubtedly the most talented team in the East and right there with L.A. They just seem like the more disciplined team. They already had the vets among the Allen-Garnett-Pierce triumvate, but Rasheed Wallace adds championship & NBA Finals experience. Furthermore, the development of Rajon Rondo has been a huge factor toward the Celtics' success thus far. One of ABC's commentators, I believe it was Van Gundy, noted today that in the past the vets weren't quite comfortable with Rondo facilitating the offense.

But, of course, things have changed. Rondo has emerged as a rising prospect in the league, a walking double-double if you will. If only he could hit his free-throws. In addition to this already talented cast, at center may be one of the most underrated players in the league: Kendrick Perkins. With his big frame, he's able to give his opponents trouble en route to averaging 2 blocks per game. Offensively, when a guy is shooting over 63% he deserves his props.

However, as good as they may be, the Celtics' vets are just that - veterans, experienced but old players. They have become increasingly injury-prone, and this squad hasn't proven that they are able to consistently win without one of their key pieces. Plus, in the last two seasons it's taken the Celtics 7 games to advance out of the first round. That kind of fatigue can't be good.

Then, I remembered the Cleveland Cavaliers. When you have one of the best players in the game, you're bound to make a solid run for the cup. Although analysts claim he doesn't have much help, I'm not buying it. Anderson Varejao is a hustle player who can ultimately change the outcome of games. Shaq, though he no longer dominates, still has a physical presence that frustates the opposition. To make it a 1-2 punch in the frontcourt is Big Z, who has range and height. Oh, and let's not forget about Mo Williams, a good playmaker equally capable of scoring as he is passing. J.J. Hickson has been a great boost as well. Anthony Parker is able to come in and chip in a few points here and there. Jamario Moon has some of the best hops in the league. Lebron may not play alongside star-studded talent, but he does have some good pieces among him.

One of the things that stands out when contrasting the Cavs with the Celtics is how they've faired against the defending champs. Whether or not the Cavs managed to catch the Lakers off guard (twice!) or they were just pure victories, they were still able to defeat them handily on the road and come away with a victory at the Q. The Celtics, on the other hand, weren't able to hold a double-digit lead vs. the Lake Show...at home. As Lebron has said before, the Lakers serve as a "measuring stick", and in this sense, the Cavs have faired better than the fellows in Beantown.

Everything considered, though, Lebron is the heart and soul of the team. If you're able to negatively alter his game (easier said than done), the Cavs won't have a chance of winning a playoff series; throughout the course of multiple playoff games, if the opposition can at least wear Lebron down, chances aren't that great for the Cavs. Then again, the Cavs are looking extra hungry this year and with Lebron's free agency approaching, Cleveland is doing the best it can to go for the gold.

Now the Atlanta Hawks are one special team. Having gone all the way to seven games with the Celtics in the same year as their championship run just two seasons ago, this team always excities me. On the flip side, though, it took them seven games to defeat a mediocre Miami squad last season. Nonetheless, this is a different team, in small part because of Josh Smith's maturity as a player.

What's so great about the roster is the youth. This team is among the Eastern Conference elite and the average age of a member of the starting lineup is about 26 years old. Make sure not to sleep on these ballers. Running the point is the experience of Mike Bibby, the former Sacramento Kings player who is capable of nailing down a long-range jumper just as easily as throwing up a floater. Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are probably two of the most underrated players in the league, both of whom can create looks for themselves at will. Josh Smith, who has grasped an understanding of his capabilities, has no problem flying for a jam or, just as lovely, a monstrous block. Al Horford is a terrific rebounder and shotblocker, who has proven his abilities from Day 1.

All in all, you don't want to mess with this Hawks team. In the playoffs, leaving their court with a win is no small task, either. The names on the roster might not stand out at first, but the game of the Atlanta Hawks shouldn't be underestimated.

Despite a somewhat impressive record, my judgement has convinced me not to bring up the Orlando Magic. For some reason, they seem like they lack the heart and fluid-ness required to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Vince Carter is no longer what he used to be. Dwight Howard can't hit free-throws. Also, has he thought of adding some range to his game. Rebounding, shot-blocking, and dunking make up a great skillset, but it's ok to take a shot out of the paint every once in awhile.

Who knows, I could be totally wrong about these predictions. The Hawks may be upset in the first round and the Magic might face off against someone other than Lakers. Right now, though, Boston seems like the disciplined team, the Cavs have the most heart, and the Hawks are not to be forgotten. Can't wait until June already!

The Real Show

2010-01-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

"I love the daunks"

For the past few years, it seems like the Dunk Contest is the main attraction of All-Star Weekend -aside from the All-Star Game itself, of course. This year happens to more exciting than the rest, though. In the past, Dwight Howard managed to earn high scores simply because he was a big name. Exhibit A: Superman doesn't even dunk, but throws the ball in a massive leap. Impressive, but not a dunk. Exhibit B: By far one of the stupidest and least creative dunks I've ever seen, Dwight puts a higher hoop and just jumps. This year, with Nate Robinson being a possible exception, none of the contestants have achieved superstar status.

Furthermore, there has been a new addition to the festivities. A dunk-in between Clippers guard Eric Gordon and Raptors forward Demar DeRozan will determine the fourth contestant. At the surface, it sounds like an amusing idea. Although after some thought, I realized it can only hurt Gordon and Dear; it would give the other three contestants - Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown, and Nate Robinson - an advantage. Dear and Gordon will have already demonstrated some of their creative dunks, which will require either Demar or Gordan to practice more creative dunks with just one day to prepare.

Regardless, this year's contestant's are very amusing and the dunk-in method may prove to work out better than last year's fan voting. Honestly, I believe everyone knew Russel Westbrook deserved a spot more than anyone else, but Rudy Fernandez was just too funny in the commercials. With his thick Spanish accent, you couldn't help yourself; you just had to laugh.

This year was somewhat unprecedented in the way fans showed their support - at least, for Shannon Brown. It's not a secret that he has hops. The only question was if he'd be able to show them playing alongside Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom. Fortunately, he did. But throughout the season, fans showed their support for the Michigan State alum at letshannondunk.com. Quite interesting.

Overall, it seems like there's a little more buzz for this year's contest in small part because of the Lebron James debacle. He declared that he would participate if selected, then backed out. To add more hype to the frenzy, Shaq decided to become LBJ's manager and announce his client would only play if Kobe, Vince Carter, and other stars also participated - to which Kobe Bryant chuckled. For those that are disappointed that Lebron backed out, don't be. He would've automatically won and it would have been just another accolade for him. Let other rising stock receive popularity and get a ticket to All-Star Weekend. After all, Lebron is already participating in the All-Star Game itself.

With such diverse players, this year's Dunk Contest seems like it'll meet the hype, if not surpass it.

The Season Remaining for the Clips

2010-01-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

There was finally hope. After seasons of being L.A.'s "other" team, the Clippers were one game away from the .500 mark. Then came the losses. Simultanesously, though, the announcement was made: the hyped Blake Griffin would follow the footsteps of another recent #1 pick, Greg Oden, by sitting out his rookie season. For the Clippers organization and its fan, the news of Griffin's surgery was devastating. However, how will his absence really affect the team? Will they finally soar above .500? Or will they tank their effort, with the intention of receiving a high pick in the lottery?

It amazes me how this team lost to the Lakers by 40 points(!), yet managed to lose by a single point the following night to the Cleveland Cavaliers. When you look at the season so far, the Clippers have beaten two of the league's elite in the (surprise, surprise) Lakers and Boston Celtics. That proves that this team has heart - even without Blake Griffin. I don't think anybody ever suggested not giving 100% in the first place, but I'd like to let the Clippers know they must keep fighting.

There's no question that the Western Conference is a tough landscape. Making the playoffs if you are based east of the Mississippi River (the exception being New Orleans) is always a tall task. And knowing the Clippers, they will likely find some way to miss the #8 seed. However, there's always the possibility that they'll come through. In order to do so, there will be several factors.

First of all, the team cannot afford to continue losing leads. They had a 13-point advantage over the Cavaliers. Obviously, no one person can be blamed for this bad habit. Although I ever analyze a team, one of the immediate things I look at is the player at point guard. Theoretically, to succeed in the game of basketball, a team needs a talented big man equally as much as it needs a skilled point guard. The point guard, much like percussion in music, has the power to dictate the flow of a game. Baron Davis, at this point, should be experienced enough to properly orchestrate his team. He is certainly talented enough to hit shots and expand leads, or at the least, maintain them.

I also believe that the season remaining should dictate whether or not Coach Mike Dunleavy should be allowed to stay with the organization. Mike is a very respectable man, but at the same time, I think many can agree with me when I say he's been given too many chances. Even without Blake Griffin, the team showcases one of the best frontcourts in the NBA between Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman, an All-Star in Baron Davis, great perimeter shooters in Steve Novak and Rasual Butler, a sturdy & young big man in DeAndre Jordan, a dependable scorer in Eric Gordon, as well as a great ballhandler in Sebastian Telfair. On paper - and in video games - the Los Angeles Clippers are a scary team. If you can't even hit .500 with those pieces, then you shouldn't be around.

Whether the Clippers' shortcoming lie in karma or a curse, as Phil Jackson claims, or not, I commend the Clippers on the entertaining wins they've had thus far. Furthermore, I urge that the squad plays on, hopefully en route to an NBA playoffs appearance.

As for next season, things can only get better.

What's up with the Lake Show?

2010-01-09T18:12:00.001-08:00

With two Lakers losses, one against the hometown rivals, the Clippers, and at the hostile Rose Garden against the Portland Trailblazers (technically, the Clippers game was a "road" game for the Lakers). The Lakers haven't loss consecutive games in quite some time and have been bailed out too many times by clutch performances from Kobe. The question on the minds of many fans is whether or not the Lakers are still the NBA's best.

According to their 28-8 record, the Lakers are still officially the most successful team in the NBA. There's no doubt the Lakers deserve credit for that. However, as analysts have been eager to point out, the squad hasn't proved itself on the road, especially in Portland, where they last won in 2005. Then again, the absences of Gasol and Artest have definitely taken a toll.

To be the best, though, you have to win against the other great teams in the league, as well as lesser opponents. The entire Lakers team came in to the Christmas Day matchup versus the Cavs with an unacceptable attitude. They downplayed the game simply because they weren't playing the Boston Celtics. Here's some news: The Cavs were third place in the Eastern Conference coming into Christmas Day - meaning they are still an elite team. On December 30, when I was on Correy Costelloe's Home Turf on December 30, merely 5 days after the horrible loss, the Cavs trailed Boston by only half a game for #1 in the East. At the moment, Cleveland is ahead of Boston by 1 game for best in the conference.

However, there's nothing that can be done to reverse what's already happened; rather, there are certain improvements that can be made to have a better future. Understand that no particular individual is at fault for the Lakers' few and rare shortcomings.

Zen Master

The coach of a team, equally as much as a point guard, directs a team's course of action. Phil Jackson, as intelligent and experienced as he is, still makes mistakes from time to time. He has declared he will be more active in the first halves of games to prevent the Lake Show from falling behind early. Well, it's about time!

Kobe

As I was listening to 710 ESPN Los Angeles before the team's loss in Portland, Jalen Rose made a good point, some to the effect of "Why is Kobe Bryant still taking 30 shots?" Honestly, when you play alongside such a stacked roster, you shouldn't need to hoist so many shots. Additionally, Rose noted that Kobe is trusting his teammates less. Everybody on the Lakers has something to offer; their talent would be put to waste if they didn't get enough touches. Especially powerful is the Lakers' tall frontcourt, which needs to be utilized more often.

Andrew Bynum

I'm still in the process of wrapping my head around his Playboy incident, but there are 2 very distinct Bynums on the is hardwood. One Bynum, typically seen in Gasol's absence, exhibits his offensive savvy through an array of post-moves and drops steps, in addition to hustling on the defensive end, and grabbing rebounds. Another Bynum, usually present when Gasol is, has no inclination to grab rebounds, gets into foul trouble, and attempts forced shots, if he shoots at all.

The Bench

A couple seasons ago, the Lakers' "bench mob" was renown around the league as skilled unit that could take over for the starters and not only maintain a lead, but extend it. Unfortunately, this is no longer true. The second five has failed to perform well on either end of the court. Offensively, they just can't get a rhythm going, which surprises me. Adam Morrison, as funny as he may look at times, is a great shooter. Shannon Brown can create a shot for himself and was known for his defensive skills during his tenure at Michigan State. Jordan Farmar has the quickness and range to be effective. Josh Powell is a sturdy forward down low, who is also capable of knocking down a mid-range shot. DJ Mbenga, who still needs to work on lowering his fouls, is a daunting center with the ability to alter every shot, if not get a hand on it. And Lamar Odom would be a starter on almost any other team in the league. It's just a matter of coming together and playing as a team.

Although there were certainly other elements involved in the Lakers' avoidable falls, I will remind everyone that they are still the best team in the NBA and remain three games ahead of the Dallas Mavericks for the lead in the West. It's not that they're doing anything wrong, heck when you're 28-8 most criticism is considered nit-picking. It's just that the Lakers can be better.

Analyzing the Swap

2009-12-30T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hello, readers. You may have heard me on Corey Costelloe's radio show, Home Turf, on 1230 AM ESPN Bakersfield earlier today. If you did, leave a comment and let me know what you thought. If you didn't or just really enjoyed my commentary, I'll try to post an .mp3 soon. Until then, best wishes for a Happy New Year!

With Ron Artest recently injured, it came to me: Did the Lakers make the right decision by signing him or should they have stayed with the same cast and resigned Trevor Ariza? And depending on who you ask, the answer varies. I'm sure Houston Rockets fans are very happy that their team is in the playoff hunt without T-Mac and Yao. Then again, Lakers fans can't argue with a 25-6 record, one loss coming in Artest's absence. It seems like both teams found the right piece. However, the question at mind is whether or not the Lakers made the right decision.

Just to clarify, during the offseason, the Lakers made offers to both Artest and Ariza. It just so happened that Artest responded sooner than Trevor. Some may point to the stat sheet and note that Ariza has statistically performed better than Artest in free throw percentage, steals, blocks, point, rebounds, and three pointers made. But the Lakers didn't sign Artest for his stats, per se. They signed him for his ability to defend. And these past few games, although played against the higher-scoring offenses in the league, have shown that his defense is rather valuable.

To address Ariza's amazing stats, though, I'd like to say that he wouldn't be able to attain those numbers as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Even with Kobe Bryant, Pau, Lamar, Bynum, and Pau, there's still only one basketball to go around. There's no way that Ariza would be able to average 16 points a game. In fact, he'd be doing a good day's work if he consistently scored 10. Nevertheless, Trevor is a great guy, and I'm glad to see him succeed in a new role with the Rockets.

Ariza's performance after departing the Lakers reminds me of another (former) Rockets player, Von Wafer. When Von played for the Lakers in the 2005-2006 season, he only averaged 4:30 and that was only in the sixteen games he played, albeit during garage time of the arguably the worst Lakers season in a decade. Despite the fact that Kobe and Lamar were pretty much the only threats on that team, he was never given a chance to show his game. I remember when my friends and I would play pickup games and dub the least-talented participant "Von Wafer" (it was either that or Slava Medvedenko). Anyway, when fans finally saw his entire repertoire in Houston last year, he averaged 19:23 in 63 games, quite an increase in playing time. He also proved he was a good shooter, 44.7% from the field and 39% from behind the arc.

What I'm trying to say is that Lakers fans shouldn't just read the newspapers and assert that GM Mitch Kuptchak made a mistake. The Rockets got exactly what they needed - and so did the Lakers. While Ariza was capable of guarding a quick forward, teammate Lamar Odom rightfully told reporters that Ron can guard anybody from the 1 to the 4 (positions). It's likely too early to embark on a complete assessment, as surely there are still some Artest antics that await us. At the moment, though, it's safe to say that the Lakers made the right decision.

Reviewing A Not-so-Merry Christmas

2009-12-26T11:25:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas Day. Since Chanukkah ended, so I've just been counting the days 'til the next big holiday: New Year's.

Having five NBA games on Christmas Day was definietly an interesting experiment for the league. At first, it makes some sense. The NBA was trying to reach a wider demographic, so by scheduling more games, 10 teams - not the typical 4 - were involved. Therefore, it's logical to assume more fans would watch the games or come to the arenas to support their team. However, critics had voiced their opinions. Commentator Jeff Van Gundy believed the games weren't as special, sacrificing quality for quantity.

I, for one, wasn't sure what to make of it. Often times, for some reason or another, nationally-televised games are close. That certainly wasn't the case yesterday. The average margin of defeat, seperating the winners from the losers, was 14.4 points. The majority of games were lost by double digits, excluding the Magic's 9-point loss to the Celtics. If they had been closer, there would be reason to believe that the 5-game lineup could be considered a success.

Ironically, the closest game was probably one of the lesser viewed nationally, between Miami and New York. Unless you were a dedicated fan on the West Coast, you probably didn't tune in to watch the Heat play against the Knicks at 9 AM. Understandably, though, this game didn't really concern anybody on the West Coast, and as long as people on the East Coast were watching at noon, all was well. Gallinari continues to prove he's more than a three-point threat, successful on all his seven free-throw attempts and collecting 8 rebounds. As commentator Marv Albert used to say, the "high man" for the Knicks had to be David Lee with 19 points (9-14 shooting) and 16 boards. The Knicks, much like the Magic, however, had a difficult time from the perimeter, successful on only 5 of 28 threes (17.9%). It also didn't help that Al Harrington, who played 32 minutes, went 5-for-20. For the Heat, the storyline was, as usual, dominated by D-Wade (30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) with a touch of Beasley (19 points on 7-for-16 shooting) and Jermaine O'Neal (11 points, 8rebounds).

The Celtics-Magic game was arguably the matchup of the day, considering that the Cavs blew out the Lakers in a sleeper. It was genuinely exciting to watch the two best teams in the Eastern Conference battle it out, as the Celtics pulled off a road win. Credit to Boston, for prevailing in the wake of Paul Pierce's surgery. Rajon Rondo had an amazing performance, finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists - the only lowlight was his 8 turnovers (giving him a 1:1 assist/turnover ratio for the game). Despite Vince Carter's 27 points on 10-20 shooting and 4 steals, I had expected the Magic to win handily and exploit Pierce's absence. On the plus side for the Magic, they did convert on 20 out of 24 free-throw attempts (83.3.%), which means they did capitalize in that sense. On the contrary, I'm surprised the phrase "Hack-a-Rondo" hasn't been coined yet, as he really needs to work on his foul shots. What really seemed to kill the Magic was a tendency to settle behind the arc, hitting only 5 of their 26 three-point attempts (19.2%).

The much-hyped matchup with the Cavaliers facing the Lakers in Los Angeles ended badly - especially for the Lakers. With 4:04 remaining, and the Lakers trailing by about 20 points, Odom was ejected after receiving his second technical, Phil Jackson picked up a T after he neglected to insert a sub, and fans hurled foam fingers followed by a water bottle or two. It was just that kind of day for L.A. Kobe had a rare off-night, shooting 11-for-32 (34.4%), despite hitting all 12 of his free throws with a broken finger. Well, he wasn't totally off with 9 rebounds and 8 assists, which compensated for the play of...Derek Fisher, who finished with 0 assists, acted out of line with a technical foul and foul out of frustration against Mo Williams, followed by some jawing with Lebron James. Bynum and Gasol scored a combined total of 15 points, and according to Kobe, were simply "outworked." Artest fouled out with several minutes to go.

On the other hand, if you were a Cavs fan, you probably relished every moment of it, with contribution from Shaq (11 points, 7 rebounds), Lebron (26 points, 9 rebounds, 4assists), and most surprising, Mo Williams (28 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds). You have to be happy with your reserves, who outscored L.A.'s reserves 31-17. Overall, just a frustrating Christmas for the Lakers and their fans, with the complete opposite holding true for the Cavaliers and their fans.

The Clippers @ Phoenix game wasn't much better, especially for Angelenos, who had to endure yet another embarassing defeat on Christmas Day. Premier center, Marcus Camby, had to leave the game early with an injury and Eric Gordon could not hit a shot, going just 4-for-15. The Clippers' reserves, similar to those of the Lakers, didn't fare much better, only making 12-of-37 (32.4%). The highlights for L.A. were Kaman's 19 points and 10 boards, along with Rasual Butler's 22 points and 7 rebounds, both players increasingly becoming more relevant for the C's. For the Suns, seven players scored at least 12 or more points, showing that their bench deserves its due credit. Statistically for Phoenix, the notable players were Amare (26 points, 9 rebounds), J Rich (18 points, 8 rebounds), and of course, even at 35 years of age, Steve Nash (14 points, 8 assists). Off the bench, Admunson also managed to grab 10 boards. The story of the night, though, belonged to Grant Hill, who banked a three with three quarters of the court seperating him from the basket at the buzzer before halftime. The Clippers, who were almost at .500, now have an uphill battle ahead of them, with a record of (12-17).

Lastly, the Portland Trailblazers rode Brandon Roy's 41 points all the way to a 107-96 victory over the Nuggets. Despite 32 points and 9 rebounds by Carmelo and an impressive 12 points and 14 rebounds by K-Mart, Andre Miller's 14 rebounds and 8 assists, along with other contributions, allowed him to prevail over his former team. It was fair game until the fourth quarter, where Steve Blake drained five 3's in the last four minutes. Though the Nuggets could have used more contributions from their bench, reserve J.R. Smith mustered 20 points, although he it took 23 field-goal attempts to get there. Not to be forgotten are Birdman's 5 blocks, proving yet again that swatting the ball may, indeed, be the only thing he's good for.

At the end of the day, I, as I'm sure many of you all, was tired. Five games was simply too much, even though I didn't watch them all. Three games is acceptable, but anything more is pushing things a little too far. I couldn't watch SportsCenter, as ESPN once again decided it had nothing else to do than glorify Lebron James and nothing else and I didn't find much consolation in the rather odd Saturday Night Live Christmas Bash that I had been looking forward to. Anyway, lesson learned - hopefully.

Yule-games

2009-12-24T16:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all readers out there!

As a Jew growing up in America, the holiday season is very different from everybody else. Besides the stark contrasts in the holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas, Americans glorify a mascot commonly referred to as Santa Claus, while the closest resemblance in Judaism consists of Judah Maccabi (excuse me if I mispelled his name). Being Jewish has enabled myself, along with many others, to profit from such things as Christmas sales, Christmas music (many songs of which were composed by Jews), and quite possibly the grandest treat of all, Christmas day NBA matchups.

They seem to have an unprecedented aura to them. For the last several years, every Christmas, I've closely watched my beloved Lakers and their respective opponent battle it out, at a time when the players and coaches would much rather relax with their families. I truly noticed the intensity of these games when the Lakers played against the Miami Heat in '04. The sheer animosity between Shaq and Kobe was just so entertaining. During the previous week, Shaq had compared himself to a brick wall and Kobe declared that he would be a Lamborghini - speeding past the proverbial brick wall. It was just great - until Shaq and Kobe became friends again on an MLK Day match-up.

Anyway, just last December the Lakers took on the Boston Celtics in another epic clash. Still relishing their championship victory, the C's were riding on a strong winning streak as they rolled with their heads hung high into Staples Center. Having given up a 24-point lead in the NBA Finals mere months prior, as well as the series, the Lakers were ready for revenge. It was the ultimate storyline. As well all remember, the Lakers won. But, at the end of the day, the atmosphere in the arena made it seem like a trophy was at stake.

Typically, in the past there have been a couple of Christmas day games. Tomorrow, however, there are a seemingly unparalleled total of five games, each with their own unique plotline. At noon ET, the games kick off with the Miami Heats at Madison Square Garden against the gradually improving New York Knicks. These teams don't have any agressive history other than a nasty Knicks loss during the season opener. The highlights of this game should mainly consist of D-Wade's presence and the Knicks wearing green jerseys.

Next, Boston faces off against the Magic in Orlando, featuring two Eastern contenders. If the Lakers vs. Cavs game headlines the Christmas festivities, this game comes in a close second. I'm looking forward to seeing the battle of the bigs with KG vs. Superman. Interestingly enough, Boston has a 12-1 road record, while the Magic are 12-2 at home. The main catalyst will be Paul Pierce's absence, which should allow Vince Carter to have a game-changing presence. A side-show to observe in this game would be Rondo vs. Jameer Nelson, one rising player against an All-Star guard.

Then, the game we've all been waiting for, the Cleveland Cavaliers playing against the Los Angeles Lakers - in L.A. Shaq eyeing Phil Jackson. Shaq vs. Kobe. Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum vs. Shaq, and most noteworthy of all, Lebron James vs. Kobe Bryant. Some fans may recall the confrontation Shaq and Andrew Bynum had. Well, now I'd like to see how the big men clash, whether it be Gasol or Bynum against the Big Diesel. This game is even more exciting than the Miami-Lakers games of the past, as before it was limited to Shaq vs. Kobe, now it's Shaq against Kobe and Kobe vs. LBJ. Granted, this game won't be an indicator of who's better between LBJ and KB, but it will intensify the debate.

Following the game of the decade, the Clippers are hoping Angelenos still have enough left in them to root for the Clippers as they journey to Phoenix to take on the Suns. Coincidentally, the Brazillian Blur, Leandro Barbosa, is expected to play his first minutes since November. This may be the most under-publicized match-up of the day. Baron Davis vs. Steve Nash and Chris Kaman/Marcus Camby vs. Amare Stoudemire. Baron is no longer the spectacle he was in Golden State and Steve Nash may not be as exciting as he used to be, but these are still two of the league's best point guards going at it. For those who haven't followed him, Chris Kaman is proving himself to be a legit post threat and Marcus Camby is still the dauting rebounder and shotblocker of years' past. Nevertheless, Amare Stoudemire has only improved his game since the run-and-gun days, and with well-seasoned post moves, it would be reasonable to assume that whoever has the most points in the paint will ultimately win this game.

The day concludes with the Denver Nuggets looking for a win in Portland against the Trailblazers. This game really doesn't make much sense to me, in terms of fan appeal, except for Andre Miller playing against his old team(mates). Other than that, I would analyze Brandon Roy vs. Billups and Aldridge vs. Nene. Chauncey has done an amazing job in his tenure for Denver so far, but so has Roy. Both can score and get assists. Tomorrow, they will probably be forced into some one-on-one situations and that their decisions will surely affect the outcome of the game. Also, the young Aldridge will have to manage against a big, well-experienced, and probably stronger Nene in a fight for rebounds. I take back what I said; this may turn out to be a good matchup after all.

Generally, the NBA always delivers some form of Christmas entertainment or another. And as you're unwrapping presents or feasting or watching the Saturday Night Live Christmas Bash, like myself, don't forget to watch the NBA's gifts to you.

The Decade to Come for the NBA

2009-12-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

As I've been looking through recent issues of periodicals, the "decade in review" seems to be as unavoidable as when news broke out of Michael Jackson's death - which made top ten lists for something or another. Although, I feel that what's just as important as reflecting upon the last ten years, is pondering the next decade. Obviously, there's no accurate method of predicting what is to come for the NBA. However, using the 2000s as a "decade in review" definitely helps.

Who will become the face of the league in the next ten years? Often times, it is the best player, the most-talented individual who fans would mention if they had to associate the league with a sole star. Presently, that would be Kobe Bryant. At the Beijing Olympics his greeting was practically as loud as the roar the native Yao Ming received. Nonetheless, for some time now, zealous Lebron fans have claimed James is the league's best. At the least, we can admit that LBJ is on track to surpass Kobe in the very near future - possibly by next year. In the next few years, Lebron James, and maybe even Dwyane Wade, will become the two most popular ambassadors of the NBA.

Then, there's the thought of how the league's other promising players will end up. As of late, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings, and even Omri Casspi have been making some noise. Last season, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and O.J. Mayo blossomed into stars, while some, like Jason Thompson, are shining and still full of potential. Channing Frye is showing he can score in Phoenix. Not to be forgotten is Monta Ellis, who has no trouble surpassing the thirty-point barrier. Ultimately, it's these players who will inherit the next puppet battles from LBJ and KB.

This also gives a small sense of what direction the league is headed in, in terms of players. The relevance of the big man is all but gone, as basketball is being monopolized by the guards. As a result, big men are sure to be more highly-coveted. Players like Mareese Speights and Bynum, oh, and Greg Odom - legitimate post threats - are an endangered species. Post play is no longer what it used to be. I'm not suggesting that all thirty NBA teams will resort to :07 seconds or less offense or arrange their line-ups for "Nellie ball", because, ultimately, if we don't produce enough homegrown big men, there's another stream.

The other source for 7-footers may end up having been originated overseas. The other day, I was watching a Euroleague game with FC Barcelona on NBA TV, and there is such a large talent pool to choose from. With that said, the Euroleague, as well as other emerging basketball leagues around the globe, house a wide variety of players - not just big men, as we saw with Ricky Rubio and not as directly, Brandon Jennings. For a long time, the NBA was the only place to observe basketball how it was meant to be played. That's no longer true. The Euroleague has offered new prospects, and for those who have watched Euroleague play, has become a decent alternative to the NBA.

What's yet to be seen is whether or not the NBA will continue its reign as the top league in the world or will co-rule with the Euroleague. Personally, I'd like to see more European action be made available to viewers here in the U.S. On the other hand, that would cause it to compete with the NBA. And the moment when fans opt for the Maccabi Tel Aviv match instead of the Toronto Raptors game (also somewhat foreign since based in Canada), that's when David Stern has an issue. What would be even better than being able to watch foreign squads through a television set, though, would be to watch them battle it out live in an arena. If NBA teams can play in foreign arenas during the preseason, why shouldn't foreign teams be able to do the same? After all, the offseason is more or less the same for pro basketball leagues around the world.

Another thing to watch is the relevance of NCAA basketball and the D-League. Right now, for some, going to college to qualify for NBA play has become a joke. As Phil Jackson admitted earlier this week, many college players make an effort during the first semester to be academically eligible for basketball, only to tank second semester and treat class as a joke before they leave for the NBA. College should be a place where players can actually improve their game and develop a multi-faceted skill set so draftees 1-60 can make an immediate impact upon their arrival in the NBA. The NCAA shouldn't be taken lightly as a series of games to pad stats and count down the days 'til it's over.

As for the NBA's developmental league, I don't know how many people are aware it even exists. The average fan probably has never heard of it. Things were going in the right direction when Rod Benson, a D-League player, began blogging for Yahoo Sports's Ball Don't Lie. However, after a workout with the Pacers, he was forced to abruptly end his blog, and the NBADL hasn't gotten much publicity since. The D-League doesn't have a simple marketing issue; it has unrecognized talent that at the least, deserves to be seen. As the Developmental League is an NBA enterprise, it could market itself by putting D-League games on NBA TV or make it a free ad-on to League Pass. I don't have league pass, but I'm sure there's slots of D-League and Euroleague play on NBA TV because the only major programs are All-Access with Ahmad Rashad and the one game on each day. Maybe the D-League could use an All-Star weekened, if they don't already have something similiar that I'm not aware of.

Lastly, the next decade will surely have differnt contenders. With this summer's upcoming, blockbuster free agent market, the balance of power will change. Not to come off as a homer, but it's hard to imagine the Lakers as a non-threat with Bynum's contract being extended, Pau Gasol extension all but done, and a new contract for KB already in the works. Other than that, the rest is fair game. I'm not ready to declare that whichever team has Lebron will be a contender as that hasn't been the case in Cleveland, but if there's a team with Lebron and D-Wade, which has been rumored, though very unlikely, that could be a successful team.

If I were to begin predicting actual teams right now, I'd have to start with the teams of the future stars. As Brandon Jennings continues to become a better player, Milwaukee can only become a better team. The other players in Wisconsin ain't bad, themselves. The Turkish native, Ersan Ilyasova, can be a decisive X-factor and Bogut is capable of producing double figures. Philadelphia, though not performing very well this season, is a team looks to be on the rise. With a young nucleus of Iguadola, Williams, and Speights, along with promising talent in Green and Holiday, Philly is at liberty to succeed as it pleases. I would suggest Golden State, but there must be better coaching in place in order to succeed. EDIT: Also, the young guys with Oklahoma City seem to have a bright future.

Overall, the next decade will be very different, to say the least. New players will emerge as those born prior to '80s begin to filter out of the league. The day Steve Nash and Kobe retire will be a sad one, but when the leaders of the new era prove that they can prosper in the same endevours, there will certainly be few regrets. In short, we should welcome the new decade as we have with each one before it: with open arms and high hopes.