Archive for June, 2011

Define Irony: Scottie Pippen hails LeBron James as the new Jordan when in reality he’s the modern Pippen. What makes sports great is that the truth is revealed in real time before the eyes of millions. You can have all your muddled arguments for the best to ever play the game. So long as the name James doesn’t come up in the discussion I’m willing to listen. Let’s get something straight. There will never be another MJ. It’s impossible to duplicate both his accomplishments and importance to the game of basketball. With that being said the man to come closest [...]

It was a tumultuous first year in Los Angeles for Matt Barnes and it’s not getting any easier going into his second. Signed last off-season to help bring energy and effort off the bench, Barnes saw his season take a turn for the worse once he went down with a knee injury. Though he returned to the court late in the regular season and participated in the playoffs it was clear Barnes’ knee was still a lingering issue. An MRI on Thursday revealed good news for Barnes as it appears his injury is showing signs of improvement. But he’s still [...]

At his introductory press conference Matt Barnes was the only player in attendance. Kobe Bryant refuses to discuss his hiring publicly even though the two have met privately. He has yet to coach a game and most are already calling his appointment as head coach a mistake. About the only person that seems to have his back is the guy that hired him but you’ve got to think that even Jim Buss must have some doubts at this point. Nobody ever said replacing Phil Jackson would be easy but Mike Brown couldn’t have possibly imagined it would be this impossible. [...]

Not that it comes as much of a surprise but it appears the Lakers will have an entirely new coaching staff from top to bottom next season. Jim Buss insists that he’s not trying to distance himself from Phil Jackson. Instead Buss is happy to let Mike Brown take the fall. Before Brown was even introduced as PJ’s replacement Jim Cleamons was reported to be on his way to Puerto Rico to coach the island nation’s national team. Now Chuck Person is said to be on his way to Houston for an interview with the Rockets after taking a couple [...]

According to the Spanish Basketball Federation, Pau Gasol plans on playing in the European Championships this summer. Good for Gasol! He needs it. As you’ll recall Pau opted not to play for his country last summer. We know how well things began for Gasol and we know all too well how terribly they ended. This is the best possible thing Pau could do. Instead of stewing on his lackluster playoff performance Pau can jump back in the saddle and hopefully rediscover his All-Star form. Of course right now nothing is official. Gasol has only voiced his desire to play. The [...]

There is no doubt that Shaquille O’Neal’s place in hoops history was cemented long ago. His four rings, three Finals MVP trophies and #5 spot on the all-time scoring list all but guarantee a Hall call in the near future. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment of all was his ability to transcend Wilt Chamberlain’s infamous belief that “nobody roots for Goliath”. Say what you will of Shaq. Over the years he’s done as much entertaining as he has enraging. His playful antics have long toed the line between good humor and immature behavior. A favorite of the press O’Neal spit [...]

There are no secrets here at LSL. I’m not a Mike Brown fan. Didn’t like how he handled business in Cleveland. Don’t think he’s the man for the job here in Los Angeles. Let’s set the record straight though. I’m no hater. Naturally I’m rooting for Coach Brown to find success as the man that dared to fill Phil Jackson’s shoes. In his introductory press conference you got a glimpse into exactly why Jim Buss was so enamored with Coach Brown after one interview. But as Bill Plaschke states more eloquently and succinctly that I can, Brown certainly can talk [...]