Lakers With Artest Could be Great or Terrible

Posted on September 5, 2009 by Dino Gomez

The Los Angeles Lakers are only a few months past this most recent NBA championship. Of Course they took the title for a fourth time in the last decade and did so by way of a Hall of Fame coach and arguably the best 2-guard in the league.

However the Lakers had other key players that more than contributed to their 2008-2009 title. Pao Gasol did major work for them in the post while Lamar Odom provided the versatility that all teams desire from a power-forward. Lets not forget Trevor Ariza who was an amazing defensive stopper for L.A. and who came up with a few big time steals in the playoffs to seal victories for the team.ron-artest-lead

So the question begs if the Lakers had such a great chemistry on their team and perfect fit players at every position, why did they let Ariza go and bring in Ron Artest? Of course Artest may be an upgrade on the court but Ariza for this specific team is more valuable. You don’t have to worry about Trevor causing problems off the court, in the locker room, or with the media. With Artest you definitely do. Ariza also made all the plays you would have wanted him to make without taking away from Kobe’s brilliance.

Here is why Artest is probably the worst off-season acquisition the Lakers could have made. Bringing in a fellow all-star who desires and expects attention and setting him next to Kobe is simply a bad idea. It was different bringing in Gasol who is humble and isn’t a media whore. But Artest is going to want interviews and the spot light and photographs and I bet he will do what is necessary to make sure he gets all of that.

Championship caliber teams are always about chemistry and not simply about talent. Remember when the Lakers had Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton all on the same starting roster. That did not work out for them. Surprising as it is you need a balance of players that compliment each other and that are not just individually talented.  The lakers had that last year and by getting rid of Ariza for Artest they may have lost it all. It will be exciting to see.

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Rasheed Wallace chooses Boston Celtics

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Dino Gomez

Rasheed Wallace was one of the leagues best available free agents until this evening when reports surfaced that he has officially chosen Boston as his next location to play. Wallace was considering San Antonio, the Orlando Magic, and the Dallas Mavericks as other possibilities but in the end it looks like he chose Boston in order play alongside Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. Immediately the discussion on ESPN is whether Wallace will provide the lift the Celtics need to return to an NBA final. My answer is contingent upon whether Cleveland adds any more pieces to their team.Rasheed_Wallpaper_NBA

Right now I would imagine an Eastern Conference final featuring Boston and Cleveland with Boston slightly edging out Lebron and the big Diesel. However if the Cavaliers add anything more, I mean anything more like a better towel boy that keeps the players better hydrated, then it would seem the duo of Shaq and Lebron with solid complimentary players would still be too much for Boston to handle. Lets face it those Boston stars are getting up there in age. Not to say that Shaq isn’t but that is only one player compared to the core starting 4 of Boston. On paper Boston does looks better, on the court Cleveland does. This Celtics line up can be compared to that of the Los Angeles Lakers a few years back when they had 4 future hall of fame players in the starting line up: Kobe, Shaq, Malone, and Payton. That line up also looked amazing on paper but did not on the court. The NBA championship teams of the most recent years tend to be built around a perfect mesh of young talent and clutch veteran play. Big news that Wallace has chosen Boston but still no upgrade for the Celetics. Trevor Ariza would have been a better fit there with the defense that he brings, his youth, and his low-key profile.

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Jordan and Magic in Michael Jackson videos

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Dino Gomez

It is with our deepest regret that Michael Jackson passed away recently. He was truly an amazing person, talented singer, and special dance artist. It seems necessary that we give him our second commemoration here at our site since news broke of his death.

As mentioned in a previous article, Michael Jackson, is easily the most famous individual to ever walk the planet. His name and his legend rides amongst political leaders and presidents from the past and from the future. Due to his strange remaining years it is understandable that some people have trouble recognizing his brilliance.

To put into perspective how amazing Michael Jackon was, Michael Jordan, admitted he was nervous upon meeting this pop star at a time when Jordan’s excellence himself was unprecedented.What happened was Jackson invited Jordan to be included in a music video for his most recent single at the time, Jam. Jordan of course excepted and was featured in a role shooting baskets with the pop star for that video. Besides Jordan, Magic Johnson and Eddie Murphy are among the list of many other famous individuals who accepted taking a part in Jackson’s music videos.

Recently there has been an abundance of media attention directed at the news of Jackson’s death. Some people understand why and some others don’t. For those who do not, I want to help you understand how great Jackson’s legacy is. This guy was yes: crazy, insane, and definitely troubled in his later years but if you can focus on how much he did when he was in his prime, then you should have no problem realizing why he commands so much attention. Watch this following video and leave comments if you feel that Lebron, Kobe, Dwight, Obama, or recently featured Adriana Lima commands this reaction or anything similar from people of different countries all over the world. In the following video citizens jump, dive, stab, cry, shout, lounge, faint, piss, and become hysteric at either the mention or sight of Michael Jackson.  I would like to advise, the following video is gnarly.

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General Commotion

Posted on July 3, 2009 by stone86

Reports surfaced yesterday that Ron Artest is close to signing a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.  I guess that playoff friction between Kobe and Ron is a thing of the past.  Artest will likely take the starting spot vacated by Trevor Ariza, who is reportedly very close to becoming a Houston Rocket.  The Cavs will now have to look elsewhere to upgrade their backcourt size, as both Artest and Ariza were primary targets.  How this affects Lamar Odom is, as of yet, unclear; details of his negotiations have been sparse.  What is clear though, is that Lamar is seeking a contract in the $10 million a year range.  The Cavs could be looking in that direction, but Lamar’s salary would be more than what the Cavs would’ve likely paid either Artest or Ariza.mmmm grub

Hedo is no longer an option for the Cavs either.  Reports today claim that Hedo in Portland is a done deal. (Portland Dominos Pizza locations get ready.) Terms of the contract are unknown since the league has yet to announce the salary cap for the upcoming season.  Keep tabs on the situation in Portland, where rumors suggest Rudy Fernandez is unhappy with the possibility of diminished playing time.  The minutes were thin at the shooting guard and small forward positions last year, and that’s bound to be exacerbated by the addition of Turkoglu and return of Martell Webster.  Stay tuned.

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Richard Jefferson Traded to Spurs!

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Dino Gomez

Richard Jefferson was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the San Antonio Spurs today in what I will immediately call a Blockbuster trade. With Jefferson at the small forward position on a previously contending Spurs team, all of a sudden they are youthful again. Well they are more youthful because they recieved Jefferson and dished out Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, and Fabricio Oberto. Jefferson was the only other player in the league besides Kobe Bryant to play in every game the last two seasons and average over 20 points a game. He is not only good but durable. The addition of Jefferson makes the Spurs the best team on paper positions 1-4. The starting line up next year will have Tony Parker at Point Guard. Manu Ginobli or rising star Rodger Mason at shooting guard. Richard Jefferson at small forward and Tim Duncan at Power forward. The only whole in the starting lineup will come at the center postion where Drew Gooden and Matt Bonner will have to do work.  Just imagine how amazing the NBA playoffs will be next year with the Nuggets, Lakers, and Spurs choosing dominance in the Western Conference and possibly Shaquille O’neal and Lebron representing the East.

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What does this Lakers Championship really mean?

Posted on June 20, 2009 by Dino Gomez

An article by David Peterson.

I have heard it over a hundred times…”Kobe can’t win a championship without Shaq“. ESPN made sure to tagline this past finals series between the Lakers and Magic as Kobe’s quest for a ring of his own. But can the Lake87746142AB051_LAKERS_NUGGETSrs recent title be watered down to simply acknowledging that Kobe led the re-built Lakers back to the top of the NBA world? I would like to argue otherwise.

There is no doubt that Kobe Bryant was dominating in the playoffs and deserved finals MVP honors. However, without the addition of Trevor Ariza, the stronger play of Lamar Odom, and a healthy Andrew Bynum, the Lakers would have been in the same spot as last year, when they walked out of TD Banknorth Garden with green and white confetti falling to the court. The fact is this: Kobe is Kobe, a dominant, consistent, top 5 player in NBA history. However, he alone cannot win an NBA title. Jordan had Pippen, Rodman, Harper, and Kukoc. Kobe now has Pau Gasol, whom Magic Johnson calls “the second best skinny big man in the NBA behind Kevin Garnett“, as well as Trevor Ariza, who is the most athletic player on the team and who came up with some of the biggest steals in playoff history. Throw in strong play from Lamar Odom and an emerging star in Andrew Bynum, and you have a team with no visible weakness or flaws.

This Lakers team, and this championship season, is much more than Kobe getting the Shaq monkey off his back, it’s the beginning of another Lakers dynasty. This team is built to win two more titles within the next three years. Now it’s just up to Mitch Kupchak to keep the team together and Phil Jackson to somehow find another finger for his next ring. Parting words of wisdom: WARNING-don’t ever leave Fisher open for a crucial 3, you will get burned!

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Parody of Kobe and Lebron Puppet Commercials

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Dino Gomez

It’s not often that a commerical or series of commercials earns as much hype as the Kobe and Lebron Nike puppet commercials has over the past few months. I think it’s safe to say all sports fans, basketball or not, has seen these Nike ads or at least heard about them. Recently it was brought to attention that a parody was created of the puppet ad in which Kobe and Lebron have to babysit lil Dez their downstairs neighbor. This remix will of course not make it to television as it is classified as inappropriate so I’m glad you found it here. It’s a funny one.

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Kazaam!!! Lebron and Shaq Together in Cleveland

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Dino Gomez

kazaam-shaq-shaquille-oneal-sunsWow what a story this will be if a trade between Phoenix and Cleveland puts Shaquille O’neal in a Cavaliers uniform next to his buddy Lebron James next year. My immediate thoughts tell me Shaq loves the spot light and values his reputation as one of the most dominant big men to play the game. It seems he will do anything to further his career. After all if this trade works out, Cleveland will make the fifth city that The Big Diesel has played for in his career. Normally the league’s best players stand still during trades but Shaq makes it clear through his 7 foot 300 plus pound frame and booming voice that he gets what he wants and he doesn’t want to play for losing teams. He would rather pack his bags for the Eastern Conference, provide impressive interior play for the Cavaliers next year, take a back seat to the King himself (a.k.a Lebron James), make it to the NBA Finals to face his old team The Lakers, and rage on skinny Pao Gasol and youngin’ Andrew Bynum in the post on national television for a series to ultimately make Kobe Bryant admit he is still the most dominant big man in the league today. Based on history I’m guessing this trade is much more imminent that ESPN reporters explain. All Shaq has to say to make it happen is: Kazaam.

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Here’s to you, Lakers Fans

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Dino Gomez

I’ve been saving this one for a little time but I feel it is now an appropriate time to pull it out since according toYahoo, the Los Angeles Police department is already preparing for a Lakers celebration parade. This is for you mad dog. Viewer discretion is advised.

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A True Game Summary?

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Dino Gomez

LAKERS1-1It is amazing how many sports reporters manipulate the summary of a sports game. Not just reporters but “professional” analysts as well tend to select specific stats to use and always omit others in order that it looks like they know exactly what there talking about.

This evening I found an article on a very popular site that I felt was very biased in the way in which it was written. The reporter simply did not include the correct information to make his argument fair. With this in mind I dug up the stat sheet for the first two games between the Lakers and Magic to produce some other stats to show you below. It’s always good to hear the rest of the story.

  • Dwight Howard has only 6 field goals in the first two games combined.
  • Howard has been to the free throw line 7 more times than Kobe in these first 2 games.
  • Kobe has 40 more shots than Howard in the first 2 games of this series.
  • Both Kobe and Howard had 7 turnovers in game 2.
  • Rafer Alston A.K.A. Skip to my Lou and J.J. Reddick were 1 of 10 from three point distance in game 2.

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