Archive for September, 2011

Derek Fisher didn’t get off to a great start in handling his duties as the union president during the current lockout. His decision to take a family vacation during the initial negotiations didn’t sit too well with many. Granted the vacation was previously planned out. But then that only raised the question as to whether or bot Fish was planning on not being in the Finals this year. That’s an entirely different topic. On the matter as to whether or not one of the game’s most respected players is taking his duties seriously Fisher is making it clear what his [...]

Here’s a new wrinkle in the latest fad that is NBA player going to Europe during the lockout. Well, actually this really has nothing to do with the lockout. This story involves Lamar Odom and a potential move to Europe next season. Odom fired off the following Tweet to Pau Gasol today. Make of it what you will. @paugasol it’s ya boy @RealLamarOdom ! My dude really want 2 talk 2 u! Really thinking about going 2 play in Europe after this season! For those not knowing Odom is still under contract with the Lake Show. In fact he’s got [...]

The Gasol Brothers didn’t have their best game during the EuroBasket 2011 tournament but the 20 combined points between Pau and Marc were more than enough to manhandle a depleted French squad. The Spaniards rolled into the quarterfinals with a 96-69 win that was blown open thanks to a 27-4 run in the third quarter. While it was nothing like Pau’s 26-point domination of Serbia, the Lakers All-Star has certainly done his part to put his country in position to play in the 2012 Olympics. Of little consolation, yet none the less noteworthy, Dirk Nowitzki and Germany were officially eliminated [...]

He might be retired but that doesn’t mean Phil Jackson still can’t cash in on his hoops fame. While there is no doubt PJ will make plenty of cash doing the motivational speaker thing I’m sure the Zen Master would much prefer to cash in with a few endorsement deals on the side. Thankfully for Phil the folks at Audi have a grasp on what makes for good humor. Observe Jackson’s appearance in the ad below as evidence.

Finally there is some serious movement on ending the NBA lockout. While we’re still nowhere near a definite resolution there is, at least, an honest effort being made by both sides. Naturally it took the threat of lost revenue to get the fire lit but so be at as long as those coals stay hot. After some intense sessions this past week the two sides are reported to be getting together again next week. The good news is that the future session are said to be widened as more members on both sides will be in the room. Again this [...]

It most definitely doesn’t make up for the embarrassing L the Mavs and Dirk Nowitzki handed Pau Gasol and the Lakers in the playoffs. But Spain’s 77-68 Gasol-led victory over Germany yesterday helps. Despite his bum ankle, Pau put in work on Dirk. It was a slow start for Gasol who dropped all 19 of his points in the second half. Still, Pau’s total game was on display as he abused Nowitzki on the block with his deft low-post arsenal, showed good range on his jumper and even ran the floor. As you’d expect Gasol was no match for Dirk [...]

When you’re Kobe Bryant everything you do becomes news. When you’re Kobe Bryant in the midst of an NBA lockout everything you do, don’t do, consider doing and wish you hadn’t done becomes news. So far during this uneven off-season we’ve mused on such scintillating topics as why Kobe hasn’t spoken of Mike Brown, if Kobe will play in Turkey, whether or not he accosted a man at church and now we’re spiraling into new territory as Kobe’s social media moves are hogging headlines. Today the sports world was abuzz as Mamba officially joined the world of Twitter…briefly. After promoting [...]

He’s made miracles occur in mere fractions of a second. He’s dealt with personal tragedy and strife off the court yet still found a way to dig deep and play his best ball on it. There isn’t too much adversity Derek Fisher hasn’t faced only to emerge triumphant. Now he’s facing a task so daunting even he has to have his doubts. As the NBA’s Player President, D-Fish is the face of the men currently locked out by the owners. Much more than a figurehead title, Fisher’s role in the labor negotiations is as contentious as being the voice of [...]

With the eyes of an entire continent watching, now is not the time for Pau Gasol to play like he did against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Playoffs. No matter how much Gasol downplays it you know he’s out to prove something. Maybe he feels he’s got nothing to prove to the fans. But he most definitely has something to prove to himself. Gasol’s epic playoff fail was as uncharacteristic as finding Tim Tebow doing blow with Derek Fisher. Never mind those off-court rumors. Gasol has been around the game too long to know what happens [...]

Pau Gasol is trying to rediscover his game. You know those sick skills of his that did a LeBron James-esque Houdini in the playoffs? Yeah those skills! The ones that had fools like me calling for Gasol to get some MVP love. In order to get his game back on track Pau has taken to playing for his country in the EuroBasket championships. Until yesterday things had been going pretty well for Pau. The Spanish national squad is favored to emerge as Europe’s top team and had been playing much like Pau’s professional team – up and down. During the [...]