Lakers wheeling and dealing

With the trade deadline looming, the Los Angeles Lakers have been doing some retooling to their roster. Earlier today it was reported that the Lakers sent Luke Walton and a first round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for point guard Ramon Sessions and  forward Christian Eyenga.

There also has been confirmation by Ken Berger of CBSsports.com that the Lakers will be sending Derek Fisher and a first round pick to the Houston Rockets for forward Jordan Hill.

What this does for the Lakers is give them a servicable point guard in Sessions that is capable of scoring, and they add a rugged big body in Hill that can give Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum a rest for a few minutes. He won't score like them but he can play defense and rebound.

In a Western Conference where the only legitimate threat is Oklahoma City, the Lakers appear to be getting a makeover for another run at the Finals.    

Kobe won't chase rings

Some say Kobe Bryant is headed toward the twilight of a brilliant NBA career. I can't tell by the way he's playing and putting the Los Angeles Lakers on his back this season. Bryant is showing those that are ready to hand the torch to LeBron, Wade, or Derrick Rose that he's still capable of performing at a high level. Whether the Lakers will remain a high level team is a different story.

The Lakers have declined a bit this season. The bench is weak, Pau Gasol plays like he saw the ghost of Maurice Lucas, they're looking for an upper echelon point guard, and are still looking to make a blockbuster trade. So if the Lakers happen to go down the tubes, there will be Kobe trade rumors. But Bryant vows to remain a Laker for life, no matter how bad things get. Bryant told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he wouldn't  leave L.A. to chase another title or chase additional rings.  


“Why would I want to go somewhere else, that ship sailed in (2007),” Bryant said. “If there was ever a time I was going to move to go play someplace else, that was it. I’m not going to jump ship to chase a sixth ring, it’s just not going to happen.


“It’s going to happen here or it’s not going to happen.”


“You think I’d hang around and average 18 points, 19 points… hell no.”


Translation: I'll be the alpha dog in L.A. until i decide I want to retire and I'll never go anywhere to be a role player.

I'll give Bryant credit. He plans on being there for better or worse when most will leave a team to go chase titles.  


    

Kobe: Paul,Rose Have That "Killer Edge"

The Los Angeles Clippers may have upstaged the Lakers last night, but as far as this season and beyond remains to be seen. Chris Paul had a good game against their co-tenants, scoring the 33 on 12-for-22 shooting from the field and six assists. Not bad in his first game against his L.A. counterparts.

You can count Kobe Bryant impressed with his performance.

"He's a dog," Kobe told reporters. "He's going to fight to win, and not too many teams can deal with him.



"Chris Paul is really the only other guy in the league, other than Derrick Rose, who has also that competitive edge," he continued.

A high compliment from someone who has that competitive fire in him at all times. The only player that had that edge like Kobe was Michael Jordan. There are others that like to win (Dwayne Wade, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Kevin Durant). But Kobe loathes losing.

I really haven't paid attention to Paul in that vain, but you see it in Rose, albeit in a quiet way.

Reckless Driving

Apparently Andrew Bynum still has to learn the rules of the road. After being pulled over back in November 2010 for going 110 mph in a 55 mph zone in his Ferrari and parking in a handicapped space while grocery shopping in July, Bynum racked up two more tickets...this week.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Bynum was pulled over Tuesday for driving without a license plate and having illegally tinted tail lights. Bynum walked away with a fix-it ticket. But it was not lesson learned, because today Bynum was pulled over in his Porsche 911 on the freeway for going over 80 mph. Bynum was cited and released.


Maybe it's time for Bynum to consider hiring a chauffer or maybe taking a cab or bus to get around since he can't follow the simple rules of the road.

Luke Walton To Be An Assistant Coach At The University Of Memphis

During this NBA lockout some players are going overseas, some are playing in glorified pick up games to keep their skills sharp, and some (Delonte West) have considered jobs at Home Depot.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton has gone into coaching. According to a report by Jason Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Walton will be named the third assistant under head coach Josh Pastner. Walton played at Arizona while Pastner was an assistant in Tucson. The Walton hiring will make him the third member of the Arizona connection, along with assistants Jack Murphy and Damon Stoudamire.

Walton will be charged with coaching the Tigers' post players. Pastner said Walton will also be involved in recruiting for as long as he's with the Tigers. Walton will remain with Memphis until the lockout is over.

Considering his diminshed role with the Lakers he might just stay there. Pastner does know there is a risk involved since the lockout could end at any time, but he seems very excited about the prospect of having an active NBA player on his staff.

"We're really excited about it," Pastner said. "You're talking about a guy who's played with the Lakers for eight years, has been a part of four NBA Finals, (has) two (championship) rings and has been in the huddle with Phil Jackson, who's arguably one of the greatest coaches in all of sports."


"It is a risk in the sense that the lockout could end at any time, but I felt the reward outweighs the risk," Pastner said. "(Walton) wants to coach. He wants to make a difference. He's really excited about this. He's going to be able to come in and help with the bigs. It's going to be great."

This could pay off big for Memphis in the recruiting department as the Walton name has some credibility in basketball circles. Walton will be in Memphis this week to help with the Tigers' individual workouts. Let's hope he's not a know it all like his father.


  

Samaki Walker's Poor Attempt At Hiding Drugs From The Police

Kids don't take this statement to heart, well at least some of it. If you are going to do drugs and at some point if you are approached by police, give up the goods, do not try to eat them. Apparently former NBA player Samaki Walker thought that eating them to hide them from police would be a good idea.

Arizona authorities allege former NBA basketball player Samaki Walker tried to eat marijuana as a Department of Public Safety officer approached his 2002 Mercedes-Benz during a traffic stop Thursday in Kingman.



Officials said about 10 grams of marijuana was seized from the vehicle with some prescription drugs and eight bottles of liquid steroids.


 Walker, who had a 10 year NBA career, most notably with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, after being drafted ninth in the 1996 NBA draft still plays professionally in Syria. He says he had the steroids to help improve his athletic ability. Steroids are legal in Syria.

Walker was booked on drug charges; bond was set at $2,000, and an Aug. 5 preliminary hearing was set.


Even though he wasn't a top of the line NBA player I know he made some money. So what was he doing still rolling around in a 2002 Benz. I know he could afford some kind of upgrade.

First Rodney White and his underground bunkers, now this.      

Kobe Bryant Sued By An Ohio Woman

Kobe Bryant just doesn't have it when it comes to women. First there was the rape case in Colorado now Bryant is being sued by an Ohio woman for breaching a marriage proposal.

Selina Miller who claims residence in Columbus, Ohio and Santa Ana, California, filed a lawsuit in Orange County on June 24 claiming that on May 1, Bryant gave her "a completed and signed agreement" and that his subsequent behavior "comports with unfair business and no good faith efforts."

Ok Kobe how do you explain this one to Vanessa. I don't know if a trip to Zales is gonna bail you out if this has any shred of credibility. I don't think it does, but in this crazy world who knows.

"The plaintiff, Selina Miller, request [sic] breaching party, Kobe Bryant, to correct his failure to provide plaintiff with the purchase of a ring," reads the four-page suit.



Miller also stated why the National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar might not have given her a ring: "The defendant, Kobe Bryant, states he communicated with person [sic] stating Selina Miller is a prostitute."

When Miller was contacted she says Kobe repeatedly visited her for "intimate relations". She seems bitter that there were other women Bryant frolicked around with and got more of a reward than she did. She even mentioned that someone had an STD but wouldn't mention any names.

"He likes playing games with women more than people know," said Miller. "I'm upset because he promised me a ring [during one visit], and then some other people influenced him, and I didn't get it. He thinks he can stop by my house any time he wants to. There are other women, too. One of them got a ring."


Miller says she wants to sue Bryant for some money he owes her. She filed a previous lawsuit against Bryant and the NBA for invasion of privacy, but an Ohio judge ruled that the lawsuit was "frivolous" and "not plausible".

I know Bryant isn't this stupid to travel down this road again. and I don't he would put anything in writing so it could come back and bite him in the ass. 






   




 

Quote Of The Week: Ron Artest

Everyone knows that Ron Artest says and does some crazy things. He's done it again recently when he was kind of praising new Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown.

“I think it’s good,” Artest said. “Mike Brown is a guy who got LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the championship with just LeBron and a bunch of old ladies in canes. I don’t know how he did that, I don’t know how he did that, but he’s a great coach — I played for him in Indiana. He was a great defensive mind. Rick Carlisle did all of the offense, and Mike Brown did all of the defense.”


Ouch! I know the Cavs were limited around LeBron but damn. That's worse than what ESPN's Doug Gottlieb labeled Michigan State before the NCAA Tournament, when he called the Spartans "Kalin Lucas and those other dudes". At least they got the distinction of being called dudes.

 (Thanks, Larry Brown Sports)

Scot Pollard Calls Phil Jackson Overrated

It didn't take long for the Phil Jackson haters to come out after the Los Angeles Lakers were ousted by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA playoffs. Scot Pollard, formerly of the Sacramento Kings and other NBA squads, voiced his opinion on the all time championship coach.

“Oh man. I just think he’s one of the most overrated coaches of our time. He’s only had the greatest players of our era on his teams. Put him in charge of the Sacramento Kings this year, and I don’t mean to offend Sacramento fans, but put him on a team with no Hall-Of-Famers on it at least no one that has established themselves as a Hall-Of-Famer already, put him as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers right now and let’s see how he does next year with no Hall-Of-Famers on the team. That’s all I’m saying.



I respect his championships, I respect his ability to get egos in line and get them in the same direction, but I just think he’s overrated because he’s only had the greatest players of our generation.


All I’m saying is I would like to see Phil Jackson coach a team that doesn’t belong in the playoffs. … I think if you put him in charge of a team without at least one or two future Hall-Of-Famers on it and I’m not sure he’s going to get you a championship ring. I doubt that.”

I see where Pollard is coming from on this subject and has a good argument. When Michael Jordan had his two year hiatus, the Chicago Bulls were competitive but not a true championship contender. On the other hand they weren't thought of as a true contender until Jackson got to Chicago. You can also argue that    

A Knock On The Lakers

If the series with the Dallas mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers needed a little spice, here it is.

 

You gotta love the animated Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki, looking like they belong in "Toy Story".

Mo Williams Calls Derek Fisher Hines Ward Of The NBA

Call me out for this one. I guess I haven't paid much attention to Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher has done over the years. He's made big shots and has been a solid player, but I've never fashioned him as a dirty player.

Don't say that to Los Angeles Clipper guard Mo Williams. After being downed by the Lakers, again, 112-104, Williams called the Laker guard the Hines Ward of the NBA.

That came about because of center Chris Kaman's ejection with 28.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Kaman and Fisher collided on a screen near the three-point line, and Kaman ended up pointing angrily at Fisher, motioning for him to meet in the hallway after the game. Who does Kaman think he is Rasheed Wallace?

"There was no reason for that," Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Chris was just setting a good screen, a legal screen. Fisher came up high with the elbow. So the NBA will look at it, and they'll make those decisions."

Phil Jackson disagreed with Del Negro's assessment of the play. "Fish doesn't take kindly to that…" he said.

Kaman took the wise man's way out by not talking about it at all. "I'll get myself in trouble if I talk about it. I'd rather not do it", Kaman said.

Williams took to the Twitter route to get his two cents in.

"If yall didn't know, D Fish is the Hines Ward of the NBA," wrote Williams. "I don't know if that's a compliment or not. But don't let that nice guy fool u."

I don't think that's a compliment. Ward was called one of the dirtiest players in the NFL.

















  

Phil Jackson Not A Fan Of The Way The Heat Plays

Count on Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson to stoke the fire before a game. The Lakers play the Miami Heat tonight and Jackson told reporters that he's not a fan of their style of play. This isn't the first time Jackson has taken shots at the Heat. Jackson questioned Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's job security earlier this season.

Jackson said the Heat rely on 1-on-1 basketball and likened it to an X-Box video game. I partially agree with that because the offense really revolves around Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. My problem with Jackson is why can't he concentrate on his own team.

“I’m not a big fan of the style that Miami plays,” Jackson said. “I like to see everybody involved in the game.”


It's easier to get everyone involved when you've coached cold blooded assassin's (Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan) and a one man gang (Shaquille O'Neal). Everyone just has to fit into their role and embrace it. The Heat haven't figured out who will play what role. It would also help to have a decent point guard and center.

“I think that’s really important to basketball,” Jackson said. “That’s what I’m trying to preach as a basketball coach, even though we have a guy that dominates the ball in Kobe (Bryant). Their basketball is very much standing with Xbox games or whatever those games are. Basketball’s not a 1-on-1 game. It’s a team game.”


When you have Kobe, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom it can make being a coach a lot easier.

The Heat don't play team ball and never will. Jackson has earned the right to criticize any team in the NBA and anyone with a brain realizes that. Even if the Heat played team ball they don't have what it takes to win an NBA Championship. They don't have a center or point guard not to mention a bench.


The reality of the situation is that LeBron quit on the Cavs in the Celtics series and that is his nature and it won't change. Wade and LeBron don't fit without a point guard that is a great ball handler, passer and defensive skills that demand their respect. That point guard is in Boston. Even with this being said there simply isn't enough basketball's on the court at one time and thats why Bosh is crying. Miami would have been better off with just the acquisition of Bosh. Sometimes less is better. Bosh would have complimented Wades's game. LeBron takes away from his game. Maybe Derrick Rose knew something we didn't, even though he says he never said he didn't want to play with LeBron.


 

The Knicks Would Be Wise To Wait On Melo

I was talking with one of my co-workers yesterday and we were talking about the neverending Carmelo Anthony rumors. More specifically about the Lakers trade rumor. The question was why the New York Knicks were trying so hard to land Anthony. I can understand the Lakers trying to pry him out of Denver. They could bridge the gap between Kobe Bryant's eventual decline and pass the torch to Melo. I can dig it. The Knicks, not so much.

I read a post from a fellow blogger whose site name escapes me right now where he put together a three team trade involving the Lakers, Nuggets, and Knicks where all three help themselves in the process. It's too much to explain so please excuse me for not breaking it down. My problem rests with New York. Melo wants to be there and the Knicks want him. It's a match. Everyone knows why Anthony wants to get out of Denver as soon as possible. It's simple, he wants to get paid before the new CBA (collective bargaining agreement). I can understand that. He'll only sign an extension with the Knicks. If I'm Donnie Walsh I just wait until the offseason to sign him and give up nothing. I know the Knicks want out of Eddy Curry's contract and can get rid of it in a trade. But why give up Wilson Chandler or Danilo Gallinari? I know the Knicks would like to get rid of Anthony Randolph, which would be good because maybe they recoup a first round pick in the process. Getting rid of Randolph makes the most sense since there is a logjam at his current position. I wouldn't be in a hurry to include Chandler or Gallinari. They've shown me something this year and if Melo comes to New York one of them would be a major player off the bench, something you always need in the NBA. The Knicks would also boast one of the better frontlines in the league.

I don't see why the Knicks are in such a to make this trade. I would wait to sign him and not give up a thing. I just don't see why they would want to give up a few core young players to get one in return. It's not like they would be a threat to win the title this year with him.The only way I make this trade is if this is the first step in some kind of master plan where the Knicks somehow get Chris Paul out of the Bayou or some other major player. Other than that, save your chips and play them elsewhere. It may get you more than you think.

Quote Of The Week: Ron Artest

Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest needs to watch what he eats. Here's Ron explaining his vegan lifestyle to ESPN.com.

"About 80%. I like pork chops".

If that's considred being a vegan in your house Ron, maybe I need to get an invite over there. Pork chops, bacon, steak, sausage. I'd eat all day over there.

Quote Of The Week: Phil Jackson

You know Phil Jackson is known for a lot of slick talk. Here's what he said about the team's rookies. And you know he never plays rookies.

"We like them as people, it's just that they're inexperienced...and have no purpose on earth".

Nice way to build confidence in your young players Phil.

Call me crazy but Artest may have been Lakers' MVP

I know there will be millions calling me crazy,but Ron Artest may have been the true Finals MVP for the Lakers.It may not show in the offensive statistics, but you can't deny the job he did on Boston's Paul Pierce.Pierce who was the Finals MVP two years ago against these same Lakers, was locked up by Artest.Pierce,the self proclaimed best player in the world, really never got it going offensively in this years finals.Lacking a scorer and one on one option in the halfcourt,kinda doomed the Celtics.Kevin Garnett was a shell of himself and Ray Allen was hot for only one game.They needed Pierce to step up and Artest didn't allow him to do so,save for game 5.Besides the defensive job he did on Pierce, he also stepped up with a timely shot or two. "Crazy" Ron will never be known as an offensive force, or even a dependable option,but he showed that he can step up in the face of pressure and is a teammate that can be counted on, on both ends of the court. Kobe Bryant will always be number one in Lakerland while he's there,but at least Kobe knows Ron has his back.

Some Lakers need to stop playing scared

Kobe Bryant is right.His teammates need to man up and play ball. Despite being the defending champions, some Lakers aren't getting rid of the notion that they're soft. Going into a possible season ending Game 6, Bryant seemed to questions some of his teammates' toughness. I really don't like to see a player calling out his teammates,but in this case Bryant may be right. No one besides him seemed to show up for Game 5. Andrew Bynum gets a pass because he's basically playing on one leg. I'll also give "crazy" Ron Artest a pass since for the first four games, he had Paul Pierce shackled. But the rest of the gang needs to step up if the Lakers stand a chance to make it to Game 7 and attempt to sweep the next two games. Pau Gasol seemed to shed the soft label after last season's finals, but he hasn't done anything to change my opinion of him. A good player, but a traditional European softy. Lamar Odom has regressed to floating, the story of his whole career. The rest just haven't made the most of their opportunities. Bottom line, if the Lakers want to live to see another day, tonight is the night to lay it all on the line, because tomorrow may be too late. 

Will the Lakers be "the family circus"

An early season 94-80 loss to the Dallas Mavericks have Mark Cuban and a few others saying I told you so. I know it's early in the season, but the Lakers looked bad last night, in the process making Mavericks owner Mark Cuban seem prophetic. During the preseason he said that the Ron Artest signing would open the door for others in the Western Conference. True things weren't working last night but i'm sure Phil Jackson will get everything straightned out and Kobe Bryant will make sure everyone stays on the same page. Another potential distraction is Lamar Odom. With the high profile marriage to reality tv Khloe Kardashian, he'll have more cameras following him than he had before. Odom usually keeps out of the spotlight, now he's being thrust into it. Hopefully he can keep his mind on his game and not crumble under the increased attention he gets away from the arena. An immense talent, he's always had a tendency to drift and disappear during games. Although this seems like a recipe for trouble i think the Lakers will overcome this circus atmosphere to remain kings of the west until proven otherwise.