It was no surprise that the Lakers got eliminated from the postseason in the first round, especially when Kobe Bryant went out with an injury. But getting swept out... that's just icing on the cake.
The Spurs beat the Lakers last night 103-82 and completed their 4 game sweep of the Lake Show. Tony Parker was one of five Spurs players to get into double digits in scoring netting 23 points. Dwight Howard of the Lakers only got 7 points as he was ejected early in the third quarter after receiving his 2nd technical for arguing with the officials.
Please, please, let that be how Dwight's career in LA ends.
Dwight and the Lakers season does end with a lot of questions left to answer, most notably, will Howard return to the team next year or go somewhere else. He will be a free agent this off season and can choose to go anywhere he wants to. If I was him, I'd go to Brooklyn or Dallas. You know, to a team that actually knows what they are doing. Hell, the Bobcats might a better choice right now.
Okay, that last one might be a bit of a reach, but almost any franchise would be better for Howard than the Lakers. Not having to clash with Kobe (who might not be up to par when returning from injury), or having to play with a coach that knows nothing about using big men or playing defense, or having to play for management that isn't big enough to hire the right coach for you. Staying in such a place would be madness, Dwight.
But alas, Dwight might stay in LA anyway out of guilt. He really needs to stop caring about what other people think. We hate that about him so much.
Showing posts with label Lakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lakers. Show all posts
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Kobe Out with Torn Achilles
Add injury to insult.
During last night's 118-116 win over the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers lost the Black Mamba. In the 4th quarter, Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles on his left leg. While he will have a MRI later today, the expected news from the team seems to be a "probable" or "complete tear." Kobe has been ruled out indefinitely with his season over.
Kobe's chances of a 6th ring just took a big hit. While he will likely try and mount a comeback, his return is obviously unknown with next season in jeopardy. Recovering from this injury can take a few months to a year. Bryant will be 35 if he manages a comeback sometime next season which will likely be a lost cause as well.
If you're the Lakers, this might be the best time to try and make the transition into the Dwight Howard era. Assuming, of course, Howard wants to stay in LA.
P.S. Look at that. Suddenly teams want to play the Lakers in the 1st round of the postseason.
During last night's 118-116 win over the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers lost the Black Mamba. In the 4th quarter, Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles on his left leg. While he will have a MRI later today, the expected news from the team seems to be a "probable" or "complete tear." Kobe has been ruled out indefinitely with his season over.
Kobe's chances of a 6th ring just took a big hit. While he will likely try and mount a comeback, his return is obviously unknown with next season in jeopardy. Recovering from this injury can take a few months to a year. Bryant will be 35 if he manages a comeback sometime next season which will likely be a lost cause as well.
If you're the Lakers, this might be the best time to try and make the transition into the Dwight Howard era. Assuming, of course, Howard wants to stay in LA.
P.S. Look at that. Suddenly teams want to play the Lakers in the 1st round of the postseason.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Bulls Snap the Heat's 27 Game Winning Streak
The streak is over.
The Miami Heat's 27 game winning streak has ended in Chicago at the hands of the Bulls. The Chicago defense and the noise of the sixth man proved too much for the Heat as they were playing from behind for practically the entire game. The Bulls went up by as many as 9 within the final minutes and would win by a final of 101-97.
Luol Deng scored the most for Chicago with 28 points along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Carlos Boozer managed 21 points himself along with 17 boards. LeBron James had 32 points in the loss while Bosh had 21 points and Dwayne Wade had 18.
The streak ends in Chicago at the hands of a Bulls team that hasn't played with Derrick Rose all season long and did not have Joakim Noah available for tonight's game. They are definitely talented enough to beat Miami on any given night but it still felt like a small shocker.
As to the streak itself, it was a shame it ended 6 games short of the record 33 game winning streak set by the 71-72 Lakers. I was sort of rooting for Miami to break the record as it was the only thing drawing my attention to the NBA right now. The regular season means so little for most teams that a streak like this gave it meaning and purpose. Now we'll have to wait until the postseason to see meaningful basketball in the NBA.
P.S. Do I NOW have to put my clothes back on?
The Miami Heat's 27 game winning streak has ended in Chicago at the hands of the Bulls. The Chicago defense and the noise of the sixth man proved too much for the Heat as they were playing from behind for practically the entire game. The Bulls went up by as many as 9 within the final minutes and would win by a final of 101-97.
Luol Deng scored the most for Chicago with 28 points along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Carlos Boozer managed 21 points himself along with 17 boards. LeBron James had 32 points in the loss while Bosh had 21 points and Dwayne Wade had 18.
The streak ends in Chicago at the hands of a Bulls team that hasn't played with Derrick Rose all season long and did not have Joakim Noah available for tonight's game. They are definitely talented enough to beat Miami on any given night but it still felt like a small shocker.
As to the streak itself, it was a shame it ended 6 games short of the record 33 game winning streak set by the 71-72 Lakers. I was sort of rooting for Miami to break the record as it was the only thing drawing my attention to the NBA right now. The regular season means so little for most teams that a streak like this gave it meaning and purpose. Now we'll have to wait until the postseason to see meaningful basketball in the NBA.
P.S. Do I NOW have to put my clothes back on?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Howard Still in LA and No Major Trades Done
The trade deadline in the NBA has passed and no major deal has been done. Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks, who was cited several times as the most likely player to move, is staying in place despite all the offers that the team received for him. The Hawks will take their chances with Smith in the summer. Josh, on the other hand, might end up somewhere else anyway with max money on his mind.
Dwight Howard was another player not traded away, not that many expected him to be traded from the incompetent Los Angeles Lakers. GM Mitch Kupchak has stressed that Howard is indeed the future of the Lakers despite the fact that Howard can walk for nothing this summer. There is a little hope considering that the Lakers won an emotional game against the Celtics last night 113-99. Howard scored 24 points and got 12 rebounds in the win.
There were a number of smaller trades around the NBA. The most notable player among them was J.J. Redick who was traded to Milwaukee as part of a 6 player deal between the Bucks and the Magic. And no, Redick looks nothing like Josh Reddick (I wish). There were 8 deals in all on Thursday.
Not great non-moves from the Hawks or the Lakers. Both teams are taking huge risks in hoping that their players will come back to them for another contract. Without them committing long term means a bleak future for those organizations.
That goes double for the Lakers who are putting their entire future on Dwight Howard. Nothing has really gone right in LA so far that would convince Dwight to stay long term: they hired Mike D'Antoni over Phil Jackson, he and Kobe Bryant don't get along, and the Lakers are not even over .500. To add on to that, Howard never wanted to go to LA in the first place. Likelihood is that this summer he will still want to skip town and head for either Brooklyn or Dallas.
I do have to give credit to Dwight Howard. For a guy that wants to be liked, he sure knows how to cause unrest wherever he goes.
Dwight Howard was another player not traded away, not that many expected him to be traded from the incompetent Los Angeles Lakers. GM Mitch Kupchak has stressed that Howard is indeed the future of the Lakers despite the fact that Howard can walk for nothing this summer. There is a little hope considering that the Lakers won an emotional game against the Celtics last night 113-99. Howard scored 24 points and got 12 rebounds in the win.
There were a number of smaller trades around the NBA. The most notable player among them was J.J. Redick who was traded to Milwaukee as part of a 6 player deal between the Bucks and the Magic. And no, Redick looks nothing like Josh Reddick (I wish). There were 8 deals in all on Thursday.
Not great non-moves from the Hawks or the Lakers. Both teams are taking huge risks in hoping that their players will come back to them for another contract. Without them committing long term means a bleak future for those organizations.
That goes double for the Lakers who are putting their entire future on Dwight Howard. Nothing has really gone right in LA so far that would convince Dwight to stay long term: they hired Mike D'Antoni over Phil Jackson, he and Kobe Bryant don't get along, and the Lakers are not even over .500. To add on to that, Howard never wanted to go to LA in the first place. Likelihood is that this summer he will still want to skip town and head for either Brooklyn or Dallas.
I do have to give credit to Dwight Howard. For a guy that wants to be liked, he sure knows how to cause unrest wherever he goes.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
See Kobe: Sharing is Good
A slightly new approach have given the Lakers new life
The new strategy seems to be one that hasn't been done before on the team: Kobe passing the ball. Over the last three games, Kobe Bryant has scored just 49 points but has 39 assists. This last game, Kobe had 14 points and 11 assists as the Lakers beat the Hornets 111-106. These last three games have been wins for the Lakers in which the 2nd one was a win against the OKC Thunder by 9. Lakers have a 3 game winning streak but are still 5 games under .500 at 20-25.
It loos like Kobe being "Team Friendly" is best for the team right now. Before this winning streak, Kobe was attempting over 20 shots a game for four games in a row and they lost all four. Kobe gets a bunch of assists and doesn't shoot more than 15 shots a game and they win three in a row. Now this might not get the Lakers in title discussion again but it certainly does get them back in the postseason talk.
P.S. Congrats Kobe on finally PASSING the ball.
The new strategy seems to be one that hasn't been done before on the team: Kobe passing the ball. Over the last three games, Kobe Bryant has scored just 49 points but has 39 assists. This last game, Kobe had 14 points and 11 assists as the Lakers beat the Hornets 111-106. These last three games have been wins for the Lakers in which the 2nd one was a win against the OKC Thunder by 9. Lakers have a 3 game winning streak but are still 5 games under .500 at 20-25.
It loos like Kobe being "Team Friendly" is best for the team right now. Before this winning streak, Kobe was attempting over 20 shots a game for four games in a row and they lost all four. Kobe gets a bunch of assists and doesn't shoot more than 15 shots a game and they win three in a row. Now this might not get the Lakers in title discussion again but it certainly does get them back in the postseason talk.
P.S. Congrats Kobe on finally PASSING the ball.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Lakers 7 Games Under .500 at Halfway Point
Okay, I was wrong about the Lakers. So was Dwight Howard.
The LA Lakers have been well below par up to this point with last night being another example of that. They were on the road as they played the Bulls and they were actually keeping pace with Chicago, despite sloppiness, that is until the 4th quarter. The Bulls managed a 18-4 run and would win by twelve 95-83. This marks the Lakers sixth straight road loss and their third straight loss.
This was also the Lakers' 41st game of the season which means we are halfway through the pre-postseason. "The Lake Show" is the worst show to watch on TV and that includes "1600 Penn." They are 12-19 under Mike D'Antoni and are 17-24 overall. They might be scoring a lot of points averaging 102.6 per game but D'Antoni still doesn't knows what defense is. They are the 5th worst in the league in points with opponents averaging 101.4 points per game against them.
The worst case scenario for the Lakers used to be getting into the playoffs but not as one of the top 4 seeds. Instead, they are living out Washington's best case scenario and you know what? They are still 4 games back of the 8th seed.
Defense
Noun
Insanity
Noun
1. The state of being seriously mentally ill; madness.
ex. See Jim Buss.
2. Extreme foolishness or irrationality.
ex. Again, see Jim Buss.
The LA Lakers have been well below par up to this point with last night being another example of that. They were on the road as they played the Bulls and they were actually keeping pace with Chicago, despite sloppiness, that is until the 4th quarter. The Bulls managed a 18-4 run and would win by twelve 95-83. This marks the Lakers sixth straight road loss and their third straight loss.
This was also the Lakers' 41st game of the season which means we are halfway through the pre-postseason. "The Lake Show" is the worst show to watch on TV and that includes "1600 Penn." They are 12-19 under Mike D'Antoni and are 17-24 overall. They might be scoring a lot of points averaging 102.6 per game but D'Antoni still doesn't knows what defense is. They are the 5th worst in the league in points with opponents averaging 101.4 points per game against them.
The worst case scenario for the Lakers used to be getting into the playoffs but not as one of the top 4 seeds. Instead, they are living out Washington's best case scenario and you know what? They are still 4 games back of the 8th seed.
Defense
Noun
- The action of defending from or resisting attack.
- Attempted justification or vindication of something. Example: Jim Buss defended the move of hiring Mike D'Antoni saying "he fit the team the way we wanted to work it."
Insanity
Noun
1. The state of being seriously mentally ill; madness.
ex. See Jim Buss.
2. Extreme foolishness or irrationality.
ex. Again, see Jim Buss.
Monday, November 12, 2012
D'ANTONI? REALLY?!?!?!
When you thought the next coach was going to be Phil again, some other guy comes out of the nosebleeds to shock the team.
When the Lakers fired Mike Brown for starting off the season 1-4, the thought was that the team would go to Phil Jackson (again) to be the head coach. After several days of rumors (and I'm sure discussions) Phil Jackson will not be coming out of retirement to coach the Lakers. The reason not to hire Phil back wasn't because they didn't want him or beg him to come back, it's because they would kiss his a** long enough (or to the equivalent of kissing his a** by giving in to contract demands of $10-15 million annually and the options to skip certain road trips).
Instead the Lakers decide to go with Bachelor #doesn'tbelieveindefense. Mike D'Antoni will be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mike and the team agreed to a 4 year deal as head coach with the 4th year being a club option. D'Antoni was the former head coach of the Phoenix Suns which included Steve Nash who is now a Laker. After that, D'Antoni was head coach of the New York Knicks from 2008-2012 until he resigned in March earlier this year due to the teams performance.
New York worked so well with Melo and Amare so there is no reason why D'Antoni shouldn't work out in LA, right?
The thing about Mike D'Antoni is that he is an offensive coach and that's pretty much it. While that formula has shown to work well enough to get to the playoffs and a bit further, it has not won him a championship. Defense is needed to win titles. Plus, we don't know how his system will work with people not named Steve Nash, particularly Dwight Howard who could become a free agent at the end of this season.
It's definitely a risk hiring Mike D'Antoni as head coach but a glamorous looking one if the offense can perform at a high rate. Now I might be wrong about D'Antoni but so far his system hasn't won a title or gotten him to the NBA Finals. It might be put to the test for the last time in LA.
When the Lakers fired Mike Brown for starting off the season 1-4, the thought was that the team would go to Phil Jackson (again) to be the head coach. After several days of rumors (and I'm sure discussions) Phil Jackson will not be coming out of retirement to coach the Lakers. The reason not to hire Phil back wasn't because they didn't want him or beg him to come back, it's because they would kiss his a** long enough (or to the equivalent of kissing his a** by giving in to contract demands of $10-15 million annually and the options to skip certain road trips).
Instead the Lakers decide to go with Bachelor #doesn'tbelieveindefense. Mike D'Antoni will be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mike and the team agreed to a 4 year deal as head coach with the 4th year being a club option. D'Antoni was the former head coach of the Phoenix Suns which included Steve Nash who is now a Laker. After that, D'Antoni was head coach of the New York Knicks from 2008-2012 until he resigned in March earlier this year due to the teams performance.
New York worked so well with Melo and Amare so there is no reason why D'Antoni shouldn't work out in LA, right?
The thing about Mike D'Antoni is that he is an offensive coach and that's pretty much it. While that formula has shown to work well enough to get to the playoffs and a bit further, it has not won him a championship. Defense is needed to win titles. Plus, we don't know how his system will work with people not named Steve Nash, particularly Dwight Howard who could become a free agent at the end of this season.
It's definitely a risk hiring Mike D'Antoni as head coach but a glamorous looking one if the offense can perform at a high rate. Now I might be wrong about D'Antoni but so far his system hasn't won a title or gotten him to the NBA Finals. It might be put to the test for the last time in LA.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Lakers Fire Mike Brown After 1-4 Start
... Or the Lakers could panic now and fire their head coach.
That's exactly what they did earlier today when the Lakers fired Mike Brown after one full season, a few miserable games this year as head coach, and one powerful Kobe death stare that leaves Medusa envious. When the team acquired both Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, there was talk that Brown was going to introduce the Princeton Offense to the team as a way to create offense. It didn't seem to work at all. The team started 1-4 which was not adequate to Lakers fans despite the fact that Steve Nash has been injured for most of that stretch. Either way, they fired Mike Brown and are now looking for a head coach... or leaving Phil Jackson a bunch of messages on his machine.
So what about the team as of now. Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will take over for tonight's game vs. the Warriors. I am no expert on the Lakers but my feeling is that Bickerstaff will be just an interim coach and not a permanent replacement for Mike Brown. I'm not kidding about "calling Phil Jackson" comment. They might just want to go to Phil and beg him to come back. If that doesn't work, start kissing his a**. They have no where else to go right now.
Whatever they do to solve this vacancy, it better be good. Kobe is old and getting older, so is Steve Nash, and the so called "Future of the Lakers" (Dwight Howard) might just leave after one season on the team. How this season goes for the Lakers could determine how the team will look for the foreseeable future.
That's exactly what they did earlier today when the Lakers fired Mike Brown after one full season, a few miserable games this year as head coach, and one powerful Kobe death stare that leaves Medusa envious. When the team acquired both Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, there was talk that Brown was going to introduce the Princeton Offense to the team as a way to create offense. It didn't seem to work at all. The team started 1-4 which was not adequate to Lakers fans despite the fact that Steve Nash has been injured for most of that stretch. Either way, they fired Mike Brown and are now looking for a head coach... or leaving Phil Jackson a bunch of messages on his machine.
So what about the team as of now. Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will take over for tonight's game vs. the Warriors. I am no expert on the Lakers but my feeling is that Bickerstaff will be just an interim coach and not a permanent replacement for Mike Brown. I'm not kidding about "calling Phil Jackson" comment. They might just want to go to Phil and beg him to come back. If that doesn't work, start kissing his a**. They have no where else to go right now.
Whatever they do to solve this vacancy, it better be good. Kobe is old and getting older, so is Steve Nash, and the so called "Future of the Lakers" (Dwight Howard) might just leave after one season on the team. How this season goes for the Lakers could determine how the team will look for the foreseeable future.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Lakers Start Season 0-3 with Loss to Clippers
The Lakers are expected to be a title contender this season but so far they haven't looked like one.
The Lakers have lost to the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers so far this season. Game 3 on the schedule had them playing a home game (technically) to their in town (in house) neighbors the Clippers. Kobe Bryant showed up huge in this game scoring 40 points. More was needed, however, from his teammates. The Clippers would still win this game by ten 105-95. Five Clippers were in double digits with points, two of them were off the bench. Lakers now fall to 0-3 this season.
Should the Lakers start to worry about their chances on winning a title? The fans shouldn't but the team might want to pick up a few more practices together. Sure, Steve Nash did not play in this game but even when he was there they still need some work. The Lakers need some time to get there chemistry working. If they are still dropping games like these last three come January, then start to worry.
Until then, take some of Dwight Howard's advice and be patient.
The Lakers have lost to the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers so far this season. Game 3 on the schedule had them playing a home game (technically) to their in town (in house) neighbors the Clippers. Kobe Bryant showed up huge in this game scoring 40 points. More was needed, however, from his teammates. The Clippers would still win this game by ten 105-95. Five Clippers were in double digits with points, two of them were off the bench. Lakers now fall to 0-3 this season.
Should the Lakers start to worry about their chances on winning a title? The fans shouldn't but the team might want to pick up a few more practices together. Sure, Steve Nash did not play in this game but even when he was there they still need some work. The Lakers need some time to get there chemistry working. If they are still dropping games like these last three come January, then start to worry.
Until then, take some of Dwight Howard's advice and be patient.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
2012-13 NBA Season Preview: Lakers vs. Heat in Finals
That's pretty much it.
There were quite a few moves this off season which included Jeremy Lin going to the Rockets, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash going to the Lakers, and the Nets moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn after realizing that the smell couldn't be helped with Febreeze. Howard and Nash to LA are definitely the biggest among them shifting the power quite a bit in the Western Conference. It realistically gives the Lakers a fair chance of getting back to the finals but nothing is guarenteed as the Thunder are still a good team, even without James Harden. Sure, the Lakers lost their first game of the year to the 'Dirkless' Dallas Mavericks but it will take any team some time to get adjusted with their players. The time to panic is later.
The Eastern Conference still has the Miami Heat as the favorite and perhaps much more so now that Ray Allen has taken his talents to South Beach from Boston. The Celtics are still a playoff team (for what it's worth) but they are no longer contenders with the Heat for a spot in the NBA Finals. Heck, I thought they weren't Finals contenders last year.
Quite frankly no team in the East hold a candle to the Miami Heat. The Sixers improve with Andrew Bynum but they aren't ready for the challenge. The Nets will just be happy getting into the postseason in order to sway some fans. The Knicks aren't contentious either and will just be happy to win another playoff game. Lastly, the Bulls only have Derrick Rose on a team that can't win a playoff series without him. The Eastern Conference is a joke and the NBA should just hand the title to the Miami Heat now. Fans of any other Eastern Conference team shouldn't even go to a single game this season just to show their displeasure with how blatantly one sided their conference is.
Looking at the NBA year after year, it's too predictable for me. There are only three legitimate contenders for the NBA title: the Heat, Lakers, and Thunder (Dark horse HA HA HA). The other 27 teams have no chance. For a disclaimer warning: I also don't like Basketball that much, watching it (NBA Finals as well) or playing it. My point is still accurate.
Who is my pick for the NBA title of the Lakers and the Heat? The Heat. Enjoy wasting your time watching regular season games fools.
There were quite a few moves this off season which included Jeremy Lin going to the Rockets, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash going to the Lakers, and the Nets moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn after realizing that the smell couldn't be helped with Febreeze. Howard and Nash to LA are definitely the biggest among them shifting the power quite a bit in the Western Conference. It realistically gives the Lakers a fair chance of getting back to the finals but nothing is guarenteed as the Thunder are still a good team, even without James Harden. Sure, the Lakers lost their first game of the year to the 'Dirkless' Dallas Mavericks but it will take any team some time to get adjusted with their players. The time to panic is later.
The Eastern Conference still has the Miami Heat as the favorite and perhaps much more so now that Ray Allen has taken his talents to South Beach from Boston. The Celtics are still a playoff team (for what it's worth) but they are no longer contenders with the Heat for a spot in the NBA Finals. Heck, I thought they weren't Finals contenders last year.
Quite frankly no team in the East hold a candle to the Miami Heat. The Sixers improve with Andrew Bynum but they aren't ready for the challenge. The Nets will just be happy getting into the postseason in order to sway some fans. The Knicks aren't contentious either and will just be happy to win another playoff game. Lastly, the Bulls only have Derrick Rose on a team that can't win a playoff series without him. The Eastern Conference is a joke and the NBA should just hand the title to the Miami Heat now. Fans of any other Eastern Conference team shouldn't even go to a single game this season just to show their displeasure with how blatantly one sided their conference is.
Looking at the NBA year after year, it's too predictable for me. There are only three legitimate contenders for the NBA title: the Heat, Lakers, and Thunder (Dark horse HA HA HA). The other 27 teams have no chance. For a disclaimer warning: I also don't like Basketball that much, watching it (NBA Finals as well) or playing it. My point is still accurate.
Who is my pick for the NBA title of the Lakers and the Heat? The Heat. Enjoy wasting your time watching regular season games fools.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Dodgers Miss Playoffs, Owners Look to Waste more Money
Earlier tonight, the LA Dodgers got booted from the playoff hunt by their rivals, the San Francisco Giants, losing 4-3. They were trying to chase down the Cardinals to force a tiebreaker but were unable to do so. Despite trading for Shane Victorino, Hanley Ramirez, and over $250 million worth in players from the Red Sox, they are left on the outside looking in.
After this disappointing season, the parent company of the Dodgers, Guggenheim
Partners, is now exploring the possibility of buying AEG which is a sports and entertainment company. AEG owns the LA Kings, Part of the Lakers, the LA Galaxy, the Staples Center, and the Home Depot Center. They are also the main guys in charge of the Farmer Field project hoping to lure an NFL team to LA for their ultimate destruction... I mean financial success. Early estimates indicate that AEG could sell for more than $7 billion.
Sure, $2 billion on the Dodgers, over a quarter billion for new players, and now 3 times all of that for more teams in LA. Sounds like more money well wasted. I'm sure this is a fine investment for this large financial group but it seems like a lot to take on in a short period of time. Maybe you should get the Dodgers in the playoffs first before expanding.
After this disappointing season, the parent company of the Dodgers, Guggenheim
Partners, is now exploring the possibility of buying AEG which is a sports and entertainment company. AEG owns the LA Kings, Part of the Lakers, the LA Galaxy, the Staples Center, and the Home Depot Center. They are also the main guys in charge of the Farmer Field project hoping to lure an NFL team to LA for their ultimate destruction... I mean financial success. Early estimates indicate that AEG could sell for more than $7 billion.
Sure, $2 billion on the Dodgers, over a quarter billion for new players, and now 3 times all of that for more teams in LA. Sounds like more money well wasted. I'm sure this is a fine investment for this large financial group but it seems like a lot to take on in a short period of time. Maybe you should get the Dodgers in the playoffs first before expanding.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Superman Staying in LA as part of Four Team Trade
The big story this NBA off season has been centered around Dwight Howard and where he was going to end up despite the fact he handicapped himself by signing a one year extension with the Magic. However, Dwight has managed to overcome that handicap.
With the Nets pulling out of trade talks, the one team that was still in it was the Lakers, a team that Dwight initially didn't want to go to. Talks continued anyway as Howard was rehabbing from an injury in LA. It seemed that talks were going on forever until we finally had a deal. Sources are saying that Dwight Howard is indeed going to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a 4 team trade. As part of the deal, the Nuggets get Andre Iguodala, the Sixers get Andrew Bynum (not the Magic) and Jason Richarson, and the Magic get Arron Affalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, and Moe Harkless, the 1st pick of the Sixers. The Magic also get a protected 1st round draft pick from each of the three teams mentioned.
The trade is done and Dwight's days in Orlando are now officially over. Central Florida can breathe knowing officially they have nothing... at least right now. They will definitely be hoping for the something in the future but they now don't have a headline for Orlando. Anyone want to see Al Harrington?
I can't help but notice the interesting moves around the big guys or lack of moves. Andrew Bynum is going to Philly while Pau Gasol manages to stay in LA. Gasol mixed with Dwight Howard will certainly be a fun combo to see down low. I hope that Kobe will be happy and stop whining for new pieces to make up for the fact that he's older and realizing that he always needed a big guy to win a title. I don't think MJ needed someone better than him to win at least half his titles for him.
OK. That last sentence, I'll admit, was a little sour grapes and jealousy. But to be fair, I wonder if this actually makes the Lakers the favorite in the Western Conference. This move mixed in with adding Steve Nash certainly makes them a contender, there is no doubt about that, but I wouldn't count out the Thunder just yet. They had a good season last year and are certainly going to get better. It certainly makes things look a lot more interesting.
P.S. WHO TOOK KOBE'S RATTLE?!?!?!
With the Nets pulling out of trade talks, the one team that was still in it was the Lakers, a team that Dwight initially didn't want to go to. Talks continued anyway as Howard was rehabbing from an injury in LA. It seemed that talks were going on forever until we finally had a deal. Sources are saying that Dwight Howard is indeed going to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a 4 team trade. As part of the deal, the Nuggets get Andre Iguodala, the Sixers get Andrew Bynum (not the Magic) and Jason Richarson, and the Magic get Arron Affalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, and Moe Harkless, the 1st pick of the Sixers. The Magic also get a protected 1st round draft pick from each of the three teams mentioned.
The trade is done and Dwight's days in Orlando are now officially over. Central Florida can breathe knowing officially they have nothing... at least right now. They will definitely be hoping for the something in the future but they now don't have a headline for Orlando. Anyone want to see Al Harrington?
I can't help but notice the interesting moves around the big guys or lack of moves. Andrew Bynum is going to Philly while Pau Gasol manages to stay in LA. Gasol mixed with Dwight Howard will certainly be a fun combo to see down low. I hope that Kobe will be happy and stop whining for new pieces to make up for the fact that he's older and realizing that he always needed a big guy to win a title. I don't think MJ needed someone better than him to win at least half his titles for him.
OK. That last sentence, I'll admit, was a little sour grapes and jealousy. But to be fair, I wonder if this actually makes the Lakers the favorite in the Western Conference. This move mixed in with adding Steve Nash certainly makes them a contender, there is no doubt about that, but I wouldn't count out the Thunder just yet. They had a good season last year and are certainly going to get better. It certainly makes things look a lot more interesting.
P.S. WHO TOOK KOBE'S RATTLE?!?!?!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Howard, Will You Sign Extension or Not if Traded to Lakers?
The Dwight Howard trade rumors continue to unfold and conflicting reports seem to coming out as a result. Sources recently revealed that Howard would sign a long term extension if he was traded to the Lakers. This seemed to indicate that a trade to LA was imminent and around the corner. However, these reports seem to have doubt attached to them. Howard's agent is apparently refuting reports that Howard would sign an extension if traded to the Lakers. The agent then stated that Howard intends to explore free agency at the end of next season no matter who trades for him, including the Nets.
Here's the thing: DWIGHT COULD BE EXPLORING FREE AGENCY RIGHT NOW IF HE DIDN'T OPT IN FOR NO REASON!!! This whole story still has me trying to figure out why he opted in for another year. Anyway, the whole real conclusion to this story is that it seems that we are nowhere closer to finding out where Dwight Howard is going to play this season. Perhaps there is some truth to both stories. Maybe Howard hinted to the Lakers that he would be open to hearing extension talks or hearing them when free agency came around.
It's still all speculation at this point but it's starting to make me want to start pulling hair out of my head. I'm sure that I'm not the only spectator that feels like this.
P.S. Any significance to commenting on Nets within this story? No. I think he still wants to go to Brooklyn but just wants to make a PR point with this story.
Here's the thing: DWIGHT COULD BE EXPLORING FREE AGENCY RIGHT NOW IF HE DIDN'T OPT IN FOR NO REASON!!! This whole story still has me trying to figure out why he opted in for another year. Anyway, the whole real conclusion to this story is that it seems that we are nowhere closer to finding out where Dwight Howard is going to play this season. Perhaps there is some truth to both stories. Maybe Howard hinted to the Lakers that he would be open to hearing extension talks or hearing them when free agency came around.
It's still all speculation at this point but it's starting to make me want to start pulling hair out of my head. I'm sure that I'm not the only spectator that feels like this.
P.S. Any significance to commenting on Nets within this story? No. I think he still wants to go to Brooklyn but just wants to make a PR point with this story.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Steve Nash Joining the Lakers
Hope you all had a great Fourth of July and enjoyed the fireworks and the Hotdogs. Well, at least "a" Hot Dog before Joey Chestnut crashed your parties.
While the USA was enjoying the holiday, the Lakers were working and they got some work done. One of the biggest free agent names is going to the Lakers to join Kobe Bryant. Steve Nash, one of the best PG's in the league, has just joined the Lakers through a sign-and-trade through the Suns. In exchange for their participation, the Suns get 4 draft picks over the next few years that include a couple first round picks. This comes after the fact that both the Knicks and the Raptors showed interest in Nash.
Steve Nash going to LA means a lot for the Lakers. It adds a significant piece to the puzzle but does it add enough for a title run? Sure, Nash's presence makes them better but will they be able to get by OKC? What about the Spurs? I am hesitate to say that this move makes the Lakers a favorite for a title but I think it keeps their title contender status alive (barely).
While the USA was enjoying the holiday, the Lakers were working and they got some work done. One of the biggest free agent names is going to the Lakers to join Kobe Bryant. Steve Nash, one of the best PG's in the league, has just joined the Lakers through a sign-and-trade through the Suns. In exchange for their participation, the Suns get 4 draft picks over the next few years that include a couple first round picks. This comes after the fact that both the Knicks and the Raptors showed interest in Nash.
Steve Nash going to LA means a lot for the Lakers. It adds a significant piece to the puzzle but does it add enough for a title run? Sure, Nash's presence makes them better but will they be able to get by OKC? What about the Spurs? I am hesitate to say that this move makes the Lakers a favorite for a title but I think it keeps their title contender status alive (barely).
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