Courtesy of sofiak111 from WebShots.com

I really hate this time of year when basketball and football isn’t in season. Sorry baseball fans, but I just can’t watch a whole game unless I am there in person.

Well, what I really hate is the free agent period. It flat out sucks. Its all about money. Agents only have their interests in mind and advise players poorly. Players get caught in the media frenzy about how much they should make or where they should go, instead of making their own educated decisions.

Case and point:  Lamar Odom. Lamar is in his basketball prime and he has a good offer from the Lakers to stay with his championship team. I know it isn’t as high as his asking price but who has 10 plus million to offer Lamar? I can’t think of a team willing to pay him more than the mid-level exception since everyone is cutting costs and saving money for next year’s free agent class. This mean the Lakers are willingly to pay him about 3 million more than any other team, but he scoffs at the idea. His agent should be jumping for joy and telling him to sign, even maybe asking for more incentives; instead he decides to advise Lamar to wait. Well this is sad and poor advice.

What is to stop Jerry Buss from taking the offer off the table? Nothing! Jerry is known not to take crap from players that offer little in return. I am not saying Lamar isn’t a good player but if you think about it, Jerry will be spending 16 million a year to keep Lamar under league salary cap rules.

Quite frankly he isn’t worth that much!

Lamar has a habit of not playing every game and every Laker fan knows this. I really do like the guy and feel he is important in our quest to repeat.  Lamar, if you are reading this, please consider the Laker offer and quit listening to your agent. I know it isn’t as much money as you would like but look at it from an overall perspective. Jerry is willing to pay 16 million total to keep you and you have another chance to win a title. This is a whole lot better than a few extra bucks that you probably can pick up through extra incentives.

Artest brings proven defensive skill, rebounding and added offense.  Some claim that he’s Kobe’s Rodman as Dennis was to Jordan.  Like Rodman, in addition to his basketall skills, he brings other intangebles.  If you don’t know what I mean, you should check out several videos below:

Viewer discretion advised for his rapping skills:

Courtesy of mandalin88 on Webshots.com

Have you guys been checking out the latest news in the NBA lately?  If not, then you should be keeping up as these developments have a major impact on fantasy basketball in the fall.  Other than Ricky Rubio drama and the obvious Blake Griffin first pick by the woeful Clippers, the trades in the offseason have been interesting.  It is like trash turning into gold.  Its not even finding a needle in a haystack.  Its magic!

So why do I have a picture of Pau Gasol?  He is the first trade in recent times that follows this “gold from trash” pheonomena.  You could say Mitch Kupchak (or was it Jerry West) started a trend.  Some teams are dumping major salary to get under the cap due to economic times (or is it 2010 free agent bonanaza?)  Other teams are taking advantage, using the trade to beef up their rosters making them contenders for the 2010 championship.

Here is the wrap-up of what has happened so far in the “trades sector.”  Its hotter than a muggy summer day in Hotlanta:

1.  Spurs trade for Richard Jefferson:  With this trade, they automatically get a reliable and legitimate third scoring option after Duncan and Parker.  If Manu Ginobli is healthy next season, this team is downright scary.  As a Laker fan, this is horrifically disappointing, especially when Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are not resigned yet.

2.  Shaq hanging out with King James:  This deal is sick!  Shaq will try to win a fifth championship and doing it with the future king of the NBA, Lebron.  This deal is absolutely a win now situation.  We all know how the Cavs got dismantled by Orlando’s Dwight Howard, so this deal makes perfect sense.  Even if he plays only 30 games this season and all of the playoffs (thanks to jadamusss for that assessment), it’ll be worth it.  Plus Shaq is “off the books” in terms of salary after next season anyway.  An added bonus.

3.  Poof, the Magic are all stars, literally with Vince Carter!:  If Hedu Turkoglu resigns with the Magic, they will have players that have all played in the All-Star Game at one point or another in their career.  This move is to continue the success they were riding on when the Magic got to the playoffs and it gives them another player that can create his own shot.  The Magic are making sure they can neutralize the effect of the Shaq trade.

4.  Amare Stoudamire to Golden State?:  Though this trade has yet to happen, this would be another big one.  Why?  Amare being coupled with Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette would absolutely make the Warriors automatic contenders due to their offensive prowess.   Amare already knows how to play in a fast paced system and would fit naturally in Don Nelson’s running game.  This team, if this trade does happen, would score probably in the upper 90s to 100s almost every night.  It would be fun to watch.

Trash for Gold.  We’ll see if these plans work out or will the teams saving money by dumping salary win in the end in 2010?  Only time can tell, but I”m looking forward to next season already.  Can the Lakers play ball in this new landscape?  I certainly hope so.  Get to work Mitch!

Indeed, the Lakers are Kobe’s Lakers.  He is the unquestioned leader and he believed that running “his” team would lead to the championship.  Today we find that it is true, though I’m not so sure a healthy Boston Celtics team would necessarily foster the same result.  The Lakers of 2009 are quite different from the Lakers 0f the early 200o’s.  Obviously, one major difference is the leader of that team was Shaq.  Kobe was only playing second fiddle at that time.  That is important because the Lakers of old were a team of Phil Jackson’s image, the triangle offense, with Shaq in the middle, Kobe playing the versatile guard and Derek Fisher running the point.

As we know, the Lakers were in shambles after the spat between Shaq and Kobe at the end of their run.  Both wanted the lead role, but there can be only one.  The Lakers chose Kobe over Shaq for the obvious reason of age and for future considerations.  They bet on Kobe’s potential on bringing more championships, but early on it looked like a failed plan.  Shaq came to the Miami Heat (by way of trade) and soon won a championship with Dwayne Wade.  Kobe meanwhile languished in mediocrity and even missed the playoffs.  Luckily Lamar Odom came from the Shaq trade that paid dividends this year.

However, that would later change.  It basically happened when Kobe demanded a trade out from the Lakers the summer before last.  He believed the Lakers did not have the right pieces around “him” to win a championship.  Luckily, Mike Kupchak (and possibly Jerry West back in the shadows) traded for Trevor Ariza (from Orlando) and Pau Gasol (from Memphis), teammates who do not necessarily need leading roles to win.  Rather than asking for the ball, they played crucial supporting roles (steals, rebounds and some points) that eventually allowed allowed Kobe to win one without Shaq.

“KobesLakers” is also evident in the Lakers style of play.  Though they generally played the same triangle offense as before, one could see that at times the Pick and Roll and Isolations were mixed in.  Kobe normally took over in the 4th quarter.  He would “jack up” shots that sometimes were not high percentage, but were for him they amazingly were.  The Lakers played more loose with the structure of the triangle.  Kobe as recently seen on Tv would do some of the “coaching”  as well.  So Phil won his tenth championship by allowing Kobe to essentially run the Lake Show.

So in this small synopsis, Kobe won because the system and the Laker teammates around him played second fiddle.  Though their were some ill-advised shots and missed free throws by the “man”, allowing Kobe to be “Kobe” eventually led to a championship.

I would like to say that this type of thinking is unique and odd for sure.  KobesLakers got the job done and Los Angeles will have a parade tomorrow.  The question that I’d like to bring up is, how long will KobesLakers last?  Will it go on after Phil Jackson retires (because you know it looks like there’s nothing else to prove for him and he looks tired out there with his achy hip)?  That will be the true testof KobesLakers basketball when Phil leaves.  Maybe Kobe will be a “player-coach” like Bill Russell.  It looks as though he might be already.

Whatever will happen, the present is for celebrating.  Are you taking notes LeBron and the Cavaliers?

Tony Stewart:  Though I don’t care much for NASCAR racing except when they race in Sonoma (with its non-oval track), I have to admit that Tony pulled out an exciting victory.  To race from worst to first is a splendid feat.  He got himself into this position by crashing his car in practice a couple days earlier.  That meant he had to use a new car and start from the back of the pack.  No matter, a will to win will always get you there.

Tiger Woods:  When  its Sunday on the golf course, you can never count Tiger out.  Its actually when he plays his best, especially when he’s coming from behind!  Its like an extra feline sense, Tiger’s sixth sense so to speak.  He’s on the prowl on the fairways and pounces you on the greens.  If you thought surgery could keep him down, then you are surely mistaken.

Roger Federer:  With Rafa (Rafael Nadal) out of the Roland Garros, the door was open for Roger to finally capture the French Open.  Many people in this position would have choked under the weight of such a great opportunity.  However like a true champion, he fought through the tournament with his power serves and solidly hit, spot-on forehands.  There were tough matches, but the gusto to glide on red clay with zest is what makes Roger so great.

Lakers:  So Kobe was a bit disappointing in the fourth quarter in game 2 of the NBA Finals, it does not mean disaster when you have teammates like Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.  They picked up his so-called slack, if you call 29 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds slacking off.  Whatever the game and whatever the case, the Lakers will pull it out even if drama is on display.  When Courtney Lee of the Magic missed the game-winning layup at the end of regulation, the Lakers went to work and showed how it is to finish off the game in overtime.  Pau did the scoring in overtime, Lamar kept them alive in regulation and Derek practically sealed the deal with his steal at the end.  Lakers should and can win in any situation.  The “ring” is near!

Aside:  Have you checked out the latest Kobe Bryant song by Lil Wayne? If not, here it is, a heart of a champion:

A couple weeks ago, this might have been unimaginable, but with the schizo nature of the Lakers and the Cavs needing a miracle shot from King James just to stave a 0-2 start to the Magic, anything is possible.  I have to admit, the NBA Conference Championships are shaping up to be a doozy.  I expect the Finals to be spectacular either way.  Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard may be advertising underdogs, but they might blow the door wide open if they both make it to the Finals.  What an alternate reality that would be?!

In respect of such a moment, I have posted two commericals on these budding superstars.  Just don’t expect me to believe that’s going to happen.  Go Black Mamba!  Let’s tarnish the shine off those Nuggets!

Most Likely to Succeed:  Lebron and the Cavs

Not too long ago we thought about Lebron James leaving Cleveland due to the horrific nature of his team.  Who knew that all he needed was a drop of cough syrup in the form of Mo Williams.  With that addition with better team play others, Lebron is poised to possibly capture his first NBA title.  I know this is blasphemy from a Laker fan, but objectively speaking, King James is ready to rule.

Most Likely to be a Drama Queen:  Los Angeles Lakers

Not too far from Staples Center is the headquarters of the movie capital of the world, Hollywood.  Being situated so close to the stage, does it make you wonder if they had some pointers in manufacturing drama during the Western Conference Semis?  If you ask me, they were probably trying to generate ticket sales from forcing and yes I said forcing a game seven.  Why else do you think the Rockets could make it this far without Yao Ming even with Aaron Brook’s stellar play.

Most Likely to Surprise:  Denver Nuggets

With a frontline sported by the likes of the Birdman Chris Anderson, a healthy Nene and a sick-nasty Kenyon Martin, the Nuggets have the opportunity to do what they’ve never done ever, which is make the NBA Finals.  The calming and gentile influence of Chauncy Billups has gotten this offensive machine a rhythm to be reckoned with.  I hope the Lakers have their eggs all in a dozen or they will be scrambled by Carmelo Anthony.

Most Likely to Threes:  Orlando Magic

If Dwight Howard and the Magic are to have any chance of making the NBA finals (which is highly unlikely in my book), they need to shoot threes like nobodys business.  JJ Redick is the key.  They need a third powerful three point shooter other then Hedu Turkoglu and Skip to my Lou Rafer Alston.  With Dukie basketball not translating well into NBA basketball, my guess is the King will kill the Magic in 5.  Give the Magic credit, they’ll finally get a win against the untouchable Cavaliers.

Courtesy of mmksportbasketball from Webshots.com

Why did he take that shot?  Why the double screen?  Phil should’ve drawn up a different game plan for the last shot!

Oh hey!  Its me and I guess I’m back again.  If you don’t already know, both jadamusss and Iare diehard Lakers fans.  So you might think that this blog posting might be a tad bit “biased,” but whose really objective in their analysis of sports these days.  Most of analyst make their decisions based on their gut and then throw in stats that fit their agenda.  Like I said, Kobe should’ve taken a better shot!

Since we’re on the subject of shots, I thought we’d go over the West and do a subjective analysis.  It should be consensus that the Western Conference plays better basketball and with a style that is easy on the eyes.  The Eastern Conference is all about scrappy and sometimes ugly play marked by stout defense.  The West plays for great shots, aka finesse plays and generating these shots through fastbreak generating defense.  Let’s see which games are must see and who is predicted to win by yours truly (again, in order of worse to best; see The Beastly East):

San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks:  What do you get when you add Jason Kidd to Tim Duncan?  Really old people!  These teams play slow and solid basketball, but you have to admit Dirk Nowitski has some fantastic shots (sometimes).  Like I said, they play slow basketball and Dallas should have never traded away Devin Harris.  Old basketball means it doesn’t matter which team gets past the first round.  They’ll be killed by their next opponents (Denver or New Orleans) who play speedy basketball.  I would like to guestimate that the Mavs take this series because the Spurs cannot replace to loss of Manu Ginobli.

Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Hornets:  This is the next game up the chart of excitablility.  The both play a brand of basketball that is brash and is dependent on streaky offensive runs.  If this was last year, I’d give the nod to Chris Paul and the Hornets, but they have been lukewarm for some odd reason this year.  Therefore, my pick  are the Nuggets with better play from the PG position (Chauncy Billups) and having a better defense with the Birdman, Chris Anderson.

Portland Trailblazers vs Houston Rockets:  This series might go seven games.  It’ll be fun to watch the young Blazers meet with the veteran play of Yao Ming and the Rockets; a clash of styles.  With the addition of Ron Artest, PG play from Aaron Brooks and the lost of Tracy McGrady, you have formidable play from the Rockets that might take them past the first round.  If that is any hint, let me say it louder:  Rockets will win this series!  Also, I have vested interest because the Lakers can handle the Rockets better then the Blazers.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz:  The king and current ruler of basketball, Kobe Bryant, along with his Laker teammates will take this one.  I’m not biased either.  Even though the Jazz play a bland pick and roll game, I still put this game atop the leaderboard because of beautiful style of basketball the Lakers play.  Its like watching the Brazilian soccer team in the World Cup: just pure beauty and finesse.  Okay, I’m a serious sports analyst, the Lakers will win!  Haha, okay, I’m really not, but just watch. They shall win.  If you don’t believe me, just ask the experts.

Go Lakers!

Anyway, what I’m really discussing in this “aftermath” post is the analysis of the spectacle that is known to be called the Super Bowl.  So my predictions, er I mean Lucky’s predictions were close but alas I did not end up with the cigar.  I guess I’ll have to try my luck in basketball then.  Not to give an overly blatant excuse in support of the prediction but, if you looked at the Las Vegas odds hovering around 6 to 7 points this past weekend in favor of the Steelers, you’d say my prediction was on cue.  Since the game ended with a 4 point victory by the Steelers, people betting on the Cardinals actually won.  In essence, the predictions were actually projected for the betting cr0wd..hehe.

Okay despite my efforts to mold the results in my favor, the predictions were actually pretty good. If you look back at the “SuperBowl Sick’ems” post, you’ll find that I did say Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu would not have effective games and that foresight came true.  My only downfall, ahem I mean Lucky’s downfall is that I forgot to factor in James Harrison, only the NFL defensive player of the year, and Santonio Holmes, now known as the Super Bowl MVP.  I guess defense indeed wins champsionships and a good team has players to always take over the game when their stars are injured.  Hey what’s going on with the Steelers and their recievers getting MVPs at the big game (Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes)?  Is this a conspiracy?  Are they actually better then Randy Moss and T.O.?

As for the game itself, it was Super Bowl worthy.  It was a delight that we would have such a good game right after last year’s momentous Giants vs Patriots  game.  As I was referring earlier about Super Bowl MVPs, it reminds me of last year’s award recipient, Eli Manning. He did not deserve the MVP trophy, rather it should have been awarded to the Giants Defense or at the very least, David Tyree with his incredible catch.  Hey that catch was better then Holme’s catch and that netted Santonio with the MVP trophy. (Plus, David had 2 TD touchdowns in last year’s game).  As you can see, I believe the NFL has a consipiracy to mold its image in a certain manner by interfering with the game (see Karlos Dansby’s supposed Roughing the Passer Penalty).

As for the entertainment outside “the game,”  I’d say with the economy tanking, the commercials generally tanked as well.  Some were funny (see CareerBuilder’s spot:

), but most were a big disappointment.  The trailers for some upcoming movies such as GI Joe and Star Trek looked too good to be true (and might still be when they come out).  Here’s the trailer for GI Joe again for those who like me thought that trailer went too quick, you can find it here.

Bruce Springsteen probably played a good show, but he looked old and tired on stage.  At least he didn’t make it “too” boring like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (truly heartbreaking).  I guess the NFL is playing chicken and putting old acts out there for its halftime event, thereby completely ignoring the 18-25 crowd.  I know, they’re scared from what happened with the “Janet” incident, but at least make the show relevant to the fans that will make their enterprise grow for the upcoming generations.  Now that’s true marketing.  That is the coveted age group.

Well that is my aftermath analysis of the past Super Bowl.  I hope you enjoyed the season as I did.  I look foward toward next Fall (and not the fake football of the Pro Bowl), but for the time being, let’s hope Andrew Bynum recovers soon for the Lakers.  We need a championship in LA.

Roger Mason Jr?  Well not exactly, however he’s been making some clutch shots lately (at least three games and counting now).  I guess you could say that he’s filling in nicely for the now retired Big Shot Robert Horry.  Some are even calling Big Shot Mason.  I wouldn’t get ahead of myself that quickly.  He’s only been in the starting lineup this past few months over Bruce Bowen (the man who can shoot threes but not free throws).  Only time will tell if he lives up to the “big shot” billing.

Lebron James?  Maybe.  While I was watching NBA highlights on ESPN today, I saw Lebron miss a possible game winning shot at the end of regulation.  In overtime, the Cavaliers lost to the inconsistent Bulls.  He’s hit some good shots before, but as we all know there have been times where he’s been a bit “scared” and allowed another teammate to take the shot.  Kind of odd don’t you think since he’s an “all-star.” So no, Lebron is not clutch just yet, but he could be one day.

Kobe Bryant?  Why of course!  In today’s game, whose hit more clutch shots and willed his team to survive and ultimately win.  He’s the team’s killer instinct that closes out games that all championship teams have.  Do I sound overly biased against my journalistic credentials?  I guess you’ve just found out that I’m a Lakers fan.  Hey if you had Kobe on your team, you’d feel the same way.  So for this post I’d like to pay tribute to Kobe and to do so correctly, I would like to show a video of his 81 point night where he overcame the Toronto Raptors to lead the Lakers into victory:

Okay, okay.  I would like to be as objective as I can so you would like to return to this site.  The true meaning of clutch is none other than “the man” on the NBA logo, Mr. Jerry West.  He comes through to the clutch on the field as well as off it (see Kwame Brown-Pau Gasol steal).  Here too I pay homage to Mr. Clutch:

Go Lakers!