Daily Entry (Sunday, November 08, 2009 10:52 AM)

1406154 Today is Sunday Night Football but the Broncos are not playing until tomorrow. Hopefully they can bounce back from there first loss of the season and beat the Steelers. Also the Lakers play the Hornets today at Staples Center. It should be an easy win for them but they should play hard anyway. Daily Blog Entry-Leave a comment                                                                 Sunday, November 08, 2009 10:52 AM true

2009-11-08T18:04:15Z

98124 1 Daily Entry (Sunday, November 08, 2009 10:52 AM)

2009-11-08T18:04:23Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DelCastillo32/blog/posts/98124

2009-11-08T17:40:39Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1406154 DelCastillo32's Blog

2009-11-08T17:40:39Z

9472019

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DelCastillo32/blog DelCastillo32 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DelCastillo32 20253 1.  Is Blake Griffin simply Greg Oden 2.0?  Bad news for Clippers fans.  Don't count on him playing in 2009. 2.  Will Pau Gasol play on opening night?  He's had perhaps the busiest 15 months of all professional athletes, dating back to the 2008 Olympics.  He deserves a big break.  We may not see him until next week.  Either way, the Lakers shouldn't worry.  Their opening 3 games are at home, with the only tough game on Friday vs. the Mavs. 3.  Who will be the man on the Rockets tonight?  Look for Ariza to have a larger offensive role.  But also look for this team to completely dominate the Blazers on the defensive end.  I'd be very surprised if either team scores 90. 4.  Which Gilbert Arenas will show up tonight?  Don't jump on the Wizards bandwagon just yet.  The litmus test is to see if they are .500 come Christmas--with Arenas still playing. 5.  How many Kardashians will be at the Lakers game tonight?  This may be the first marriage ever where I think I want it to end in a divorce.  Lamar, Lamar, Lamar.  I really don't want to be seeing 79 camera views of the Kardashian sisters every $#!@% Lakers game. 6.  Will Shaq play defense tonight?  Sure.  He might even play defense until Christmas.  But he'll also want a slice of the offensive pie.  Trust me, the less Shaq gets in 'bron's way, the better off the Cavs will be. This looks like a bizarre relationship between Shaq and Lebron that is getting dangerously close to being illegal in 37 states. The love affair won't last 'til Valentines Day, though. No way does Shaq's work ethic last that long, and when the Cavs are third in the East come February, LeBron better start LeTaking over his team again. Never underestimate the prima of Shaq's donna. Mmmmm...Raspberry Kool-Aid... true

2009-10-27T08:00:50Z

97389 2 NBA Opening Day Questions

2009-10-27T15:50:34Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/kurtnaphansen/blog/posts/97389

2008-04-18T18:32:41Z

Although I have an extensive interest in many sports, this is primarily an NBA blog. All things Lakers, Jazz, and the rest of the NBA. Expect me to hate on the Celtics and Cavs a bunch, too. 20253 Lakers blog

2009-10-27T08:08:43Z

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http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/kurtnaphansen/blog kurtnaphansen http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/kurtnaphansen 20253 36 hours left.  I've never been more excited for the opening of any season, any sport.  The combination of being on the heels of the Lakers winning the NBA championship, of all the trash talk from Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Spurs and even Blazers fans, and of a very new interesting development with the addition of Sheed to Boston, Shaq to Cleveland, and Artest to LA. Without further ado, here's my preseason predictions: West: <ol> <li>LA Lakers (66-16)</li> <li>Denver (56-26)</li> <li>San Antonio (54-28)</li> <li>Utah (54-28)</li> <li>New Orleans (53-29)</li> <li>Dallas (52-30)</li> <li>Portland (51-31)</li> <li>Houston (48-34)</li> </ol> <div>East:</div> <div><ol> <li>Cleveland (64-18)</li> <li>Orlando (58-24)</li> <li>Boston (56-26)</li> <li>Toronto (48-34)</li> <li>Philadelphia (45-37)</li> <li>Chicago (44-38)</li> <li>Atlanta (40-42)</li> <li>Miami (37-45)</li> </ol> <div>Another year with a huge discrepancy between the West and the East, with the exception of the elite three from the East still posing a threat.</div> </div> <div> </div> <div>Playoffs:</div> <div>Round 1:  Lakers over Houston (4-1), Denver over Portland (4-2), San Antonio over Dallas (4-3), Utah over New Orleans (4-1).  Cleveland over Miami (4-1), Orlando over Atlanta (4-0), Boston over Chicago (4-2), Toronto over Philly (4-0).</div> <div> </div> <div>Round 2:  Lakers over Utah (4-3), Denver over San Antonio (4-1).  Toronto over Cleveland--yes, you read that right--(4-2), Orlando over Boston (4-2).</div> <div> </div> <div>Conference Finals:  Lakers over Denver (4-1); Orlando over Toronto (4-2).</div> <div> </div> <div>NBA Finals:  Lakers over Orlando (4-2).</div> <div> </div> <div>Regular Season MVP:  Kobe</div> <div>Coach of the Year:  Worst award in all sports next to the Heisman, so who cares.</div> <div>Rookie of the Year:  Jonny Flynn, Minnesota</div> true

2009-10-26T12:17:00Z

97320 0 NBA Preseason picks

2009-10-26T12:17:00Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/kurtnaphansen/blog/posts/97320

2008-04-18T18:32:41Z

2009-10-27T08:08:43Z

1588617

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/kurtnaphansen/blog kurtnaphansen http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/kurtnaphansen 1242399 Why are so many people picking lakers as repeat??  Is it cuz they won it last year, and have the same lineup?????? Well what about Celtics last year, what happened to them?? They had the same lineup.  Even with KG, they still werent the same team as the champions 2 years ago. Im pretty sure most people picked them for a repeat.   Why not pick whichever team wins the championship as repeats every year??  Just because Lakers won it last year and kept everybody during the offseason doesnt mean their going to win it again. Or is it becuase they got Artest? Well thats another argument.  But I'll say Ron isnt going to make a big difference.  What did he do in Houston? Not only that, but look at the other teams in the nba. Boston, Orlando, Detroit, and the CAVS!!!! got a whole lot better.  Doesnt that make Lakers chances a whole lot slimmer?? All Im saying is, if your picking Lakers for a repeat just because they have the same players as last year, your sadly mistakened.  Thats the dumbest reason ever to pick them. true

2009-09-22T21:57:29Z

95053 1 Why Lakers???

2009-09-22T22:01:19Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/LebronJamesNo.1Fan/blog/posts/95053

2009-06-04T11:32:35Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1242399 LebronJamesNo.1Fan's Blog

2009-06-04T11:32:35Z

7067678

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/LebronJamesNo.1Fan/blog LebronJamesNo.1Fan http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/LebronJamesNo.1Fan 906434   Now that the season has a few more months until it begins, we all have to sit and wonder, "Will we do it this time? Will we make it to the promise land and hush all our doubters". The rumors could all go away if we made the right moves this season. So I am sitting here left to consider if we did it this time? Have the Cavs made the key moves to take this once forsaken team to that of the Chicago Bulls just before they broke out and defeated the bad boys of Detroit. Let's review our key acquisitions during the off season. Leon Powe: At power forward, Powe can be a positive later down the road but much could only be said about him "before" he had two bad knees. So we will wait and see what he can do on the court when the time comes. In the locker room he is said to be a great guy and we know he has the grit and experience from winning a ring in Boston to bring to the table. He takes nothing away from our chemistry. I give this an incomplete "I". Jamario Moon: An athletic "natural" Small forward who at the very least will allow our team to run and gun if we ever play a small ball line up again. Think about when we used LeBron at the 4 and 5 (although in limited times). We may be looking at a small ball team of Mo Williams, Delonte West, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon and LeBron James. Crazy? No not really when you consider last season's injury bug the dwindled roster to 3rd string players getting big playing time. Look at the games last season against CHI and NOR where James played center. It's interesting to say the very least. We are talking about a high flying act that could run with the best of them and LeBron won't be the only one scoring this time. I would be remiss if I didn't use Hollinger's unbaised scouting report. He is the statistical NBA guru so it's a plus to me. John writes: "Moon came from nowhere to take over the starting small forward job and gave the Raptors two things they desperately needed -- rebounding and shot-blocking. He led all small forwards in both overall rebound rate and defensive rebound rate, and ranked second at the position in blocks per minute. While he wasn't asked to do much offensively -- his usage rate was only 54th among the league's 63 small forwards -- he was at least somewhat competent from outside, hitting 32.8 percent of his 3-point attempts. And when he went to the rim he was money. Moon made 66.7 percent of his shots in the immediate basket area, the eighth-best mark in the league. Among perimeter players, only LeBron James and Grant Hill were better. However, for a player this athletic his free-throw tally was disappointing -- just 1.1 per game, and 55th among small forwards in free-throw attempts per field-goal attempt. An outstanding leaper who was invited to the dunk contest, Moon is dangerous in transition and on alley-oop plays in the half court. He's also a decent midrange shooter (41.1 percent on long 2s last year) and foul shooter, so opponents have to play him for that." His highest PER was 15.21 and 7.2 pts, 4 rebs and 1.2 ast are a welcome breath of fresh air when compared with Pavolic highest PER of 12.17 and 4.6 pts, 1.9 rebs and 1.1 ast. For this addition to a bench that already has two previous starter bolstering our depth I'm giving this athletic, mid range knock down shooter an "A" because he could very well be our key spark off of the bench. Anthony Parker: OK so he isn't a spring chicken. That said, at 33 he is still known for his defense of players more athletic then him. He does have a high basketball IQ and compared to the guy he in essence replaced at SG, Wally Szczerbiak, he avg 10.7 ppg to Wally's 7 ppg and 3.4 ast to Wally's 1.1 ast. Oh and lets not leave out Parker's highest PER 14.69 compared with Wally's 17.84 (To be fair, that was Wally's first year and he hasn't been the same since. His highest PER in the past 2 years was 14.02) I can say with out a doubt that is welcomed considering his 2 years on Wally. Hollinger's report: "Parker again was the lone rock in Toronto's shaky perimeter corps, playing all 82 games, defending passionately and hitting 43.8 percent of his 3-pointers. His season was basically a carbon-copy of the one he delivered a year earlier, which is no mean feat for a guy who turned 33 in June and spent much of his prime toiling in the wilds of Europe.   Offensively, the Raptors used him even more than in his first season up north, adding nearly a point to his 40-minute scoring rate, and he also upped his rebounding numbers. However, too many of those shots were jumpers, and as a result Parker's free throws plummeted to 1.5 per game. Despite a fairly prominent offensive role, he ranked just 56th among the league's 63 point guards in free-throw attempts per field-goal attempt. Though Parker remained among the better defenders at his position last season, his defensive impact wasn't nearly as noticeable as it had been two seasons ago. He doesn't have great size or athleticism, but he's both dogged and smart. However, at 33, there's a concern that he might be losing a step at that end. Offensively, let's just say he can shoot accurately from pretty much every spot on the floor. Parker ranked in the top 10 in shooting on non-layups from both the left side (10th) and the right side (5th), and was, by a wide margin, the best in the league from straight on (see chart). Though he barely qualified for the leaderboard in terms of attempts, he was so good on his few tries that he could have missed 30 straight and still cracked the top five." So we added two complementarily pieces in Parker and Moon. One is a knock down shooter from outside while the other is "money" inside. Is this getting you excited yet? The main benefit in Parker is his size at the 2. We now have a 6'6" guard with the ability to play solid defense on guards larger than Delonte West.   If I'm a betting man we shouldn't go down hill from here. Oh and if we do, Parker only has one more year on his contract. That's going to allow us flexibility just in case some team wants to shed cap room come the trade deadline. Because of his age and his defensive prowess reaching it's peak I am a bit fearful of what we are getting. Like Wally we have to wonder if TOR is secretly laughing at us like BOS must have been during that playoff elimination two seasons ago when we took Wally off their hands. I'll give this pick up a "+C". Shaquille O'Neal: Now we get to the BIG IF. Yes, that's our new nick name for the Big Aristotle (Since he'll never read this blog I'm safe from any rap songs being dedicated to yours truly). I look at Shaq as being our new and improved version of Ben Wallace. Call it the silver lining point of view. While the world around us suggest Shaq is too old, too stuck in his lazy ways, too... you fill in the blank with your own complaint. I suggest that it doesn't matter. I loved that his imposing size and willingness to step up in big games will at the very least give us a person on offense that teams "won't" ignore. Shaq has many pluses to bring to the table. <ol> <li>His passing ability. Shaq still is one of the best passing big men in the league and that won't change in time thankfully. Two great passers on our team makes me smile.</li> <li>His ability to clean up on the boards is leaps and bonds better than Wallace and imagine if Ilgauskas were to come in and play some power forward with Shaq (Albeit a slow front court, we run a slow offense. No harm no foul).</li> <li>Shaq is experienced with what a winning team lacks and he will bring 4 rings of experience we didn't have before. The Diesel locker room element is welcomed.</li> <li>You can smile about the fact that Shaq is a scorer (A true beast among men on offense). His baby hook shots, footwork in the low post and his ability to force his way to the hoop for put backs. We know this; the league knows this. But now I'm done smiling.</li> </ol> Shaq has a few (ok, a lot) of negatives. If it weren't for his ability to will himself into 2004 Superman we would be completely out of luck. Shaq has been called out for his poor pick and roll defense and his slow transition defense. We can also expect that he will at best improve marginally from the free-throw line this off season. If teams (and they will) implore the age old hack a Shaq defense we will have to sit the big guy. No worries. Ilgauskas would be able to handle the latter end of the game. Outside of that, (I know, I just told the crew of the titanic don't worry it's only a leak) we have to recognize this isn't just any player. It's SHAQ. Here's the bright side people. Look at what he replaced. Ben Wallace was giving you slow lethargic un-Big-DETROIT-Ben-like attempts, at intimidating while on defense. We know Shaq will knock you on your butt if you come into the paint even if he doesn't block your shot. That's a plus in it's self. This is more about what Ben was not, than what Shaq is. Remember when we played BOS in the playoffs and they wouldn't even cover Wallace? That had to hurt his ego but it didn't exactly do wonders for the rest of the guys either. We picked up a guy who "has" to be covered. Shaq can be just as intimidating in the hole as anyone on defense. Before you say, "well he is slow" We run a slow paced offense. He will have plenty of time to get to his spots. Look at these numbers: Shaq 17.8 pts, 8.4 rebs, 1.4 blks and 1.7 ast (Last seasons PER 22.33) Wallace 2.9 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.3 blks and 0.8 ast (Last seasons PER 12.18) Not really much of a question there. Now crew... doesn't that look more like a leak to you? I thought so. Now let's patch it up, and keep it moving. Hollinger writes this about Shaq's 07-08 season. "Everything you need to know is under that column labeled TO, and it speaks to why the Diesel can't be a go-to guy on the blocks anymore. Shaq turned the ball over on 18.5 percent of the possessions he used, a staggering figure for a primary offensive weapon, and his turnover ratio was actually even higher in Phoenix than it was in Miami. Only eight players had a higher turnover ratio than Shaq, and their names are a who's who of guys whose teammates try to make sure they never touch the ball: Alexander Johnson, Joel Przybilla, Jason Collins, Dominic McGuire, David Harrison, Kendrick Perkins, DeSagana Diop, and Hilton Armstrong. In particular, he committed 36 offensive fouls in just 61 games, but he also found plenty of other ways to give the ball away -- most notably 3-second violations. I don't have data for this, but it wouldn't shock me if his total last season set some kind of record. He wasn't finding the open man, either. Talk to any scout and he'll tell you the value of Shaq is that he can draw a double-team, but he was actually fairly useless in this department last season. Shaq had the third-worst pure point rating in basketball; only Eddy Curry and David Harrison were worse. His ballooning turnovers overwhelmed a couple of pieces of good news from his season. First, he focused much more on rebounding in Phoenix and posted his highest rebound rate in eons, ranking 17th among centers. Second, both his TS% and free-throw percentages were his best in five years, albeit on a much lower quantity of shots. O'Neal's poor conditioning has made him a target on defense, where teams routinely attack him with screen-and-rolls and force him to try to pick up a dribbler coming off the pick. At the beginning of the season he was so lethargic that often he couldn't even stay with the screener as he ran out top, let alone pick up the dribbler. By the end of the year he was in better shape and was a bit more adept at handling this play, but it's still a major vulnerability. Additionally, he's become very foul prone, committing 5.48 per 40 minutes -- putting him in the top third among centers. Offensively, O'Neal is a behemoth who gets deep post position and can convert short bank shots in the paint area. However, he picks up numerous 3-second violations and offensive fouls attempting to get position. Additionally, he's a horrendous foul shooter who has a bad habit of committing lane violations -- he was called for this three times in one game." Now close your eyes, Wait! You can't hear me say open them so just squint... Although he is the oldest of the additions to our roster I give this acquisition an "+A". [Stop squinting] Shaq adds much needed girth to the front court and provides a stable go-to-guy in the paint when teams lock down on LeBron. His passing abilities allow for LeBron to move without the ball. Shaq frees up allot of pressure put on Mo Williams when LeBron leaves the floor not to mention Shaq has 4 rings that will speak volumes in the locker room. This is great sense we have a few younger guys willing to listen.   In all we made improvements to our front court girth and rebounding, backcourt defense and size, and improved our bench to a credible threat when we rest our starters. I would say the total report card is an "-A/+B" (Depending on how Powe turns out). We got stronger in key areas but the price was age. So it's fair that I say "Only time will tell". true

2009-08-23T09:01:02Z

92295 2 Cavs Off-season Report Card

2009-08-26T20:16:59Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eQ2.0/blog/posts/92295

2008-08-16T23:31:54Z

By Eric Young 906434 eQ2.0 Telling It Like It Is...

2009-08-24T18:51:49Z

3431964

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eQ2.0/blog eQ2.0 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/eQ2.0 1279958 With the NFL first regular season game fast approaching, shouldn't you have the best NFL betting system that has a win rate of +60% ? Now lets be honest. Most, if not all of us, bet on the NFL. Wether you fill out parlay cards, wager on NFL games via a bookie or online sports book. Hell, even if you play fantasy football, that's a form of betting on the NFL because in the end, you win something. Well, why not have the best NFL betting system on your side. Are you really ready for NFL season? Head on over to www.love2wager.com and see how the best NFL betting system can make you some money in this weak economy. The beauty of it all is not only will you learn this incredible NFL betting system, but with the NBA season right around the corner, you'll get the greatest NBA betting strategy too that went a perfect 79-0 last NBA season. That's right folks, NO LOSSES. But wait, there's more. You'll also get the incredible MLB betting system that is a perfect 32-0 this season as of 8-14-09. Plus, you'll get a lifetime of FREE picks. Yes! FREE PICKS! Now when was the last time you got anything for free....exactly! Go today to www.love2wager.com and take the gamble out of gambling. Hurry, before this limited time offer is no longer available. GO! false

2009-08-14T15:29:09Z

91509 0 NFL season opener fast approaching....Are you ready?

2009-08-14T15:29:09Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/love2wager.com/blog/posts/91509

2009-07-10T18:33:36Z

A blog to keep users updated on sports betting, betting on sports, baseball betting, betting on football, basketball betting, free picks, betting systems and betting strategies. Plus insight on betting techniques for almost every professional sports. 1279958 love2wager.com's Blog

2009-08-14T21:06:35Z

7294192

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/love2wager.com/blog love2wager.com http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/love2wager.com 1233718 Disclaimer: (Purely off the top of the head kind of writing for this blog post...) The simple answer to the title question is yes.  Unfortunately in America, even at a time when schools are cutting down on summer school, extracurricular activities, many people are losing their jobs or being laid off (me), and troops off in Iraq don't have the proper equipment, the state of Florida can still manage to pay a college football coach $4,000,000 (Look at those zeros).  It isn't Meyer's fault they offered him $4,000,000 and who in their right mind would turn it down, yet it's a painful reminder of how much sports means to our country, and I'd say it means too much.  Urban Meyer will be recruiting from some of the poorest parts of Florida, who will then play for a coach whose salary can surely help out the people in their hometowns who are most in need. Again it is not Meyer's fault, nor does he deserve to be criticized for how much he earns.  The criticism should be layed on our shoulders, for caring so much about a sport in which a man can make four million dollars in this economy for coaching a college football team.  We spend money every year on a sports team that really does not matter in the grand scheme of our lives.  We the Sportsnation put sports on this pedestal where its not abnormal for a thing like this to happen. I am at fault too.  At no point in time did my job search get any easier because of how many wins the Lakers were from winning the championship.  They didn't even bother to send me a paycheck or a ring for being apart of the Laker Fan Club.  We spend so much our time and energy focusing on sports when some other part of our life is being neglected.  So if anyone decides to criticize Urban Meyer for his salary he should thank himself for contributing to Meyer's salary.  All of the jersey sales, the tickets to go see the Gators live, the flight to go see the Gators play Georgia in The Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party have all helped.  And if you're a Florida fan, enjoy Meyer for the amount of time you're program will be able to keep him.  We all know he'll be a Golden Domer before the end of the next decade anyway.  true

2009-08-05T03:48:24Z

90732 0 Does Urban Meyer Deserve 4 Mil a Yr?

2009-08-05T03:48:24Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/AB2324/blog/posts/90732

2009-05-16T14:03:17Z

1233718 AB2324's Blog

2009-05-16T14:03:17Z

7156137

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/AB2324/blog AB2324 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/AB2324 1233718 Simmons, Stein and Bucher had a podcast last week giving a huge thumbs down to the Ariza for Artest swap.  Here are four reasons I think they are wrong: <ol> <li>Artest is a better defender against LA's most likely title challengers.  Ariza had his most problems against LeBron James, Paul Pierce, and Carmelo Anthony because of his lack of strength.  Artest is 6'7 260 and is strong enough to handle all three of those guys.  His lateral quickness has diminished yet he is still a good defender.  Simmons said he no longer is an elite defender unlike Rodman, who still was in '96.  Rodman wasn't in his defensive prime either, unlike in his younger days when he would guard Jordan or Drexler.  In '96 he guarded David Robinson, Alonzo Mourning and other power forward/centers.  Artest is now in the same stage of his career, where he can guard the bigger small forwards and some power forwards.</li> <li>Much is made of Ariza's 48% 3pt shooting during the postseason however Ariza is a career 30% 3pt shooter.  I can safely assume through five years of his career Ariza is strictly a streak shooter who cannot create his own shot.  Who in Houston will set up Ariza for his open looks now that Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady wont be available at the start of the season?  Artest is also a streak shooter but at least he can create his own shot.  Simmons also made a point about how Artest is 3rd to last in FG% among shooting guards and small forwards.  This is primarily because Artest was a second and sometimes a first option on offense, meaning forced shots and contested shots.  He will be a fourth option behind Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum when he plays in LA, meaning teams won't be able to gameplan to stop Artest, allowing him easier shots against lesser defenders.</li> <li>Ariza didn't even start most of the year, and in fact, Luke Walton had to tell Phil Jackson to start Ariza instead of himself.  Would Walton have put up the same numbers Ariza did if he would have started instead?  Also, the triangle offense due to its spacing allows many lesser players to play the best basketball of their careers.  B.J. Armstrong (Who made the '94 All-Star Team), Randy Brown, Toni Kukoc to name a few are all examples of players who played excellently in Tex Winter's Triangle Offense then struggled to find their game elsewhere.</li> <li>Artest is also known for breaking off plays routinely.  So what.  Doesn't every number one or two option on a team do this on several occasions during the course of a game?  In LA, he wont have the ball in his hands enough to make those decisions.  With Bryant, his buddy Odom, and Phil Jackson, enough discipline will be able to keep Artest from doing his own thing.  He has more respect for his teammates and coach now than ever before, and he sees the light at the end of the tunnel of his playing career, which means he'll be more of a team player.</li> </ol> Artest might not be the perfect fit in LA, but he will be bring a tough attitude and win at all costs mentality that have only been displayed by Kobe and Derek Fisher.  Artest has realized his dream of living in LA and playing alongside Kobe, and is motivated to play his best basketball in years.   Ariza turning down LA to go to Houston for the same money is going to be one of the worst moves of his career.  How can someone pass up the LA lifestyle to go to Houston, and go there for the same amount of money he would have made if he would have stayed playing and living in Hollywood?  Regardless, with Odom back in the fold I am starting to wonder whether I can pre-order my 2009-10 Laker Championship Shirt. true

2009-08-05T02:59:51Z

90730 0 Simmons is Wrong: Ariza for Artest Good for LA

2009-08-05T02:59:51Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/AB2324/blog/posts/90730

2009-05-16T14:03:17Z

1233718 AB2324's Blog

2009-05-16T14:03:17Z

7156137

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/AB2324/blog AB2324 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/AB2324 1291338 so i am a ron artest fan 100 percent    and now that he has moved to the lakers i am glad for him  he has a chance to win a title for once  but the problem is  is that every one like the lakers    and ppl say ' oh ur a lakers fan now '   but u see i dont wana b a lakers fan i wana b an artest fan   he is the number 1 guy i follow in the nba so  im not a bandwagon jumper i just follow the man  artest around.     true

2009-07-25T21:01:08Z

89935 0 not jumping on the bandwagon

2009-07-25T21:01:08Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/duffman%20zac/blog/posts/89935

2009-07-25T20:58:09Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1291338 duffman zac's Blog

2009-07-25T20:58:09Z

6022670

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/duffman%20zac/blog duffman zac http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/duffman%20zac 1258464 Background Both MJ and Kobe possess type-A/cutthroat personalities.  They both relish in killing the competition.  But their backgrounds and career-trajectories couldn’t be more different.  Michael came from a lower middle-class background in North Carolina.  He came from a stable environment with caring parents and an older brother.  During his earlier years, the events that gave Michael an extra chip on his shoulder that he would use for the rest of his career is (1) he was trying to get out his older brother Larry’s shadow in terms of academic and athletic accomplishments (2) his older brother toughened up Michael by giving him bloody noses during pick-up games and his father toughened him up with his trash-talking in the garage (3) Leroy Smith ended up getting the last spot on the varsity team instead of him during his sophomore yr in high school.  Michael also went to North Carolina for 3 years and received great mentorship with respect to understanding the fundamentals of basketball and how to live life from Dean Smith.  He was drafted into the NBA at the age of 21 to the Chicago Bulls.  He spent 7 years of carrying the load for his team where he earned all types of individual accomplishments and endured all types of growing pains during his early and mid-twenties with his father at his side.  He sets multiple scoring records, wins every type of individual award, and flirts with averaging a triple double for a season. In his late twenties, Phil Jackson came into the picture and helped him mature into a leader of a NBA championship team.  Scottie Pippen came into his own as a Hall of Fame caliber player and became the on-floor manager on both sides of the court and was the guy whom MJ can lean on for certain stretches of a game.  At this time, cable TV was becoming big but the internet and a gazillion 24 hour news channels weren’t around to be fed.  After he won his first championship in his late twenties, he was a Messiah with regard to the media.  And with his upbringing and the events that led to this moment, he knew how to appear to be regal when he was on television, magazines, and newspapers.  People adored him like how people used to feel about FDR, JFK, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson in the mid ‘80s, Pope John Paul II, Princess Di, The Beatles, Muhammad Ali, Joe DiMaggio, and Babe Ruth.  He played the part of King for three straight championship seasons.  When he was 30 years old, he was starting to burn out with being the Golden Goose.   Also, he conquered all of his peers and a gambling scandal was starting to wear him down.  At his time, his father, who was his mentor and best friend, was senselessly murdered by two men who hijacked his car.  So, at this point, he decided to take a break from being Air Jordan.  He retired from the NBA and got on the road and played Minor League Baseball for a year and a half.  At this time, he wasn’t the best player on his team; he was just one of the fellas trying to make it to the big leagues. At the age of 32, Jordan came back to the NBA.  During his sabbatical, Hakeem ruled the league and up-and-coming teams like the Magic were making a splash.  The old lion came back to rule the jungle…and he did with an Iron Fist.  With his new hunger, wisdom, refined on-the-court skills, and two years worth of rest on his legs, the Bulls had the most dominant 3 yr stretch that any professional team has ever had in any sport.  And with respect to the media, he was even more confident and assured…never missing a beat or a cue with respect to handling that part of the game. At the age of 35, he stepped down from being King again…and it turns out for good.   true

2009-07-25T20:29:50Z

89930 0 Comparison of Kobe and MJ's backgrounds - Part I

2009-07-25T21:20:53Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/larssantini/blog/posts/89930

2009-06-13T23:15:25Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1258464 larssantini's Blog

2009-06-13T23:15:25Z

7209496

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/larssantini/blog larssantini http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/larssantini 1158718 The Lakers made a great but difficult decision on wednesday July 8 by letting forward Trevor Ariza walk and sign with the Houston Rockets. To the casual fan it looks like money was the issue but as a die hard laker fan and angelino I can tell you it goes way deeper than that.  The lakers always keep a "peep" on the future and by letting Ariza walk they are opening the door foor Sun Yue a highly toutes chinese prospect with the same attributes that Ariza provided except.... experience.  Even though the lakers replaced Ariza with Artest who could demand more minutes, and is a better playe.r RonRon is 30 so instead of seeing what Ariza could have matured into Sun Yue who is 24 himself...oh dont worry the lakers will pick up his option and he will get the chance to grow into I think a better player than Ariza even though i'm going to miss the guy Yue is a better ballhandler than Ariza which is a flaw of my dude that I think is under the radar an wanted him to improve on if we brought him back, You guys in Houston will have to keep me posted. That's on the court and team stuff... now to the business side the Lakers could have easily gave Trevor a few more bucks and shipped Morrison's unproven and unworthy contract out of town and not even felt Trevor's demands with Adams contract off the books. So it's never about the money when it comes to the Buss family it's all about respect and unfortunetly what the Buss famly thinks it is what you deserve. To be honest coming into this off season I didnt think that  ownership would pay for both Odom and Ariza especially with bynums contract about to kick in, to further that I thought they would offer odom less than the deal he got so when the terms came out I was very suprised.  The 09-10 season will be one fueled off development, the future... and championship admirations something that only one team can have. true

2009-07-24T04:31:04Z

89824 1 The Future Is Yue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-24T04:43:07Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/yg24/blog/posts/89824

2009-01-07T16:42:28Z

1158718 yg24's Blog

2009-01-07T16:42:28Z

5035972

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/yg24/blog yg24 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/yg24 1288362 Yesterday, I made comments in regards to Lamar Odom's situation. I had said that he was not acting as one of the brighter players in the league. But I was wrong in the part of saying he is not smart. He is however, unwise in leaving the Lakers hanging for so long. It's very much like what Manny Ramirez did with the Dodgers. I'm not sure what it will come down to, but in the end it is my belief that L.A. is where he should return. There's not many opportunities to play alongside one of the greatest players in the game. Sure, Lamar can play alongside D-Wade (who is also a phenomenal player) but right now Kobe and the Lakers (with Ron Artest and Pau Gasol) are poised to make a run at some championships in the coming years. I would also like to make a correction to the point I made about the East and the West. The West is stronger in regards to how talented the teams are and most teams will have a tough time establishing or breaking into a playoff spot. The Lakers transcend that issue, as they are the favorites to once again make the finals. The East, while an easier conference to make the playoffs in, really comes down to two or three teams who have a legit shot to make the finals/win the championship. I just don't think that Miami fits the bill, and this would be regardless of if they get Odom or not. true

2009-07-23T02:04:35Z

89738 0 Update to Lamar Odom

2009-07-23T02:04:35Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/n8dogg2987/blog/posts/89738

2009-07-22T05:06:25Z

The place to read about the Giants, 49ers, and Lakers 1288362 n8dogg2987's Blog

2009-07-23T07:10:14Z

7507982

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/n8dogg2987/blog n8dogg2987 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/n8dogg2987 345790 After hearing the news that LO is not accepting the offer that Dr. Buss and the Lakers  offered him (3 years for 27 million; 9 mill a season) disappointed and frustrated me. It's disappointing because he won't be in a Laker uniform next season. It's frustrating because he's a prima donna. Same thing goes to Kobe as well. As much as like the Black Mamba, he too is a prima donna because he could've opt out and signed again but at a lesser amount in order to serve his teammates. My goodness! If Kobe really wanted a ring next year he could've at the very least given up 1-2 million a year. LO should learn a thing or two from his childhood friend Ron Artest. What LO or his agent is looking for is 10 mill per season for 5 years. Get real LO your inconsistencies does not even deserve 10 mill. Your friend Ron is worth 10 mill a season and what was he satisfied with? 6 mill a season. If LO is saying that he needs the money to provide his family I only have one question to ask.  What are you providing your family with? Families these days are content with 9 mill a season; they hardly make a mill a year. Pathetic! You ought to be ashame of yourself. Why don't you just accept the money that Dr. Buss is offering because it is clearly the best offer you can get in the market now. Do you really want the mid level exception for 5 years or do you want 27 mill over 3 years and in your final year prove to the market that you are worth 10 mill or what ever you are looking for. Clearly, you are not worth 10 mill with your inconsistent play over the season and Dr. Buss has the right to be frustrated with you. If you could produce an average of 15 pts., 10 reb., and 5 assists then you deserve that 10 mill and 5 years you or your agent are looking for, clearly you can't. If LO bails LA, I hope he gets a contract that is inferior to what Dr. Buss offered him. If LO bails LA, I hope he is content on getting his #### whooped by the Lakers next season and seasons after that. If LO bails LA, I hope he regrets his decision when the Lakers repeat as champs next year without him. If LO bails LA, and finds himself in a crappy team, and finds that the Lakers repeat as champs, he should regret in letting his agent decide where he should go and what he deserves. Eating candy like a kid clearly shows he is acting like one. true

2009-07-15T07:04:51Z

89177 1 LO not in LA?

2009-07-16T16:42:10Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/dud3lov3/blog/posts/89177

2008-05-31T17:48:17Z

Providing the Bittersweet and Sour 345790 The Lemon Tree

2009-10-26T03:50:20Z

2570709

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/dud3lov3/blog dud3lov3 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/dud3lov3 1280521 Will the Los Angeles Lakers win the championship game once more next season, or will another team take over? true

2009-07-11T23:19:47Z

89000 0 Los Angeles Lakers Championship

2009-07-11T23:19:47Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/americankido/blog/posts/89000

2009-07-11T08:38:57Z

Basketball 1280521 americankido's Blog

2009-07-11T08:46:30Z

7437819

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/americankido/blog americankido http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/americankido 1280521 I think it was wrong for the Los Angeles Lakers to trade Trevor Ariza to the Houston Rockets, for Ron Artest. Trevor Ariza is one of the main players who helped the Lakers win the Championships. Just trading him like that is wrong, and he actually enjoyed being a Los Angeles Laker, and he diserved to stay. true

2009-07-11T08:42:10Z

88965 2 Ron Artest Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers

2009-07-11T17:36:24Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/americankido/blog/posts/88965

2009-07-11T08:38:57Z

Basketball 1280521 americankido's Blog

2009-07-11T08:46:30Z

7437819

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/americankido/blog americankido http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/americankido 1272248 With everyone abuzz about what is going to happen in 2010 I think some teams have failed to realize that there are some bargains out there. i.e. Ron Artest going to the Lakers for a reported 3 years 18 million Say Wha? Yes, it's true... the rich don't just get richer in politics or on the stock market. They get richer in NBA as well... Though some may characterize Ron Ron as being a bit of a head case, for the most part he behaved in Houston. I mean... other than calling out his new running mate Kobe Bryant in the conference semi's. Anyway, for basically the mid-level exception Ron Ron is a steal! Who is his agent anyway? Jackie Chan? Sounds like the agent can't even speak english allowing Artest to take this cheap offer. In the end I believe Ron Artest loves LA. Otherwise, he would have taken more money elsewhere where he could still contend.  Other free agents who may have to settle for basically the mid-level Rasheed Wallace, Jason Kidd, Trevor Ariza, Mike Bibby, Andre Miller, Allen Iverson and Shawn Marion These guys are not the best players in the league; however, in any other economy they'd be getting more cash. Heck! Even Josh Childress is making 7 million a year in Europe. GM's better not get used to this, because with only a few teams wanting to dish out cash this summer teams are paying #### on the dollar for NBA talent. If I was an agent, I would tell these guys to take a one year deal at the mid-level, so that they would have a chance to cash in 2010, when teams will be throwing around money like Pac-Man at the club. true

2009-07-03T05:51:13Z

88511 2 NBA Cheap Agency is almost Free this year... Say Wha?

2009-08-03T15:43:02Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DedaloRafael/blog/posts/88511

2009-06-28T00:41:57Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1272248 DedaloRafael's Blog

2009-06-28T00:41:57Z

7352905

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DedaloRafael/blog DedaloRafael http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DedaloRafael 345790 Vince is gone to Orlando to try and help Dwight. Shaq is gone to Cleveland to try to get the "King" his crown. Orlando and Cleveland are the favorites for now. Everyone says either one of these teams are going to win it all. Well, what about the Celtics. They almost beat Orlando without KG. With a healthy KG, and his fellow comrades, I wouldn't count them out, ever! For me, I'll pick, a healthy Celtics over a Lebron-Shaq, and a Howard-Carter team anyday of the week. But as for the championship goes, it's Lakeshow all the way! With Shaq gone, and Nash wanting to play for a championship caliber team, where does he go? Stay with the Suns, who is not an elite team or a contending team to say the least because of their GM Kerr. Corollary to Nash's situation is STAT's situation as well. Will the Suns depart with Amare? The NBA is getting its moves and it's looking pretty darn well and interesting for next season. Now that Cleveland has Shaq they are now looking for someone with length to play the wing. They're looking for someone like Matt Barnes, someone like Shawn Marion, somebody like Trevor Ariza. Boy if they do get Ariza from the Lakers, then it leaves the Lakers with no choice than to sign L.O. and someone to replace him...say, Ron Artest. That would be a dream scenario for me. Ron a Laker. Wow! My mouth is watering already. God Damn! Wouldn't that be awesome if Ron was a Laker alongside Kobe. If only Dr. Buss signed Ron...(sigh)... I'll just have to keep on dreaming. true

2009-06-25T23:40:18Z

88112 0 NBA Offseason

2009-06-25T23:40:18Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/dud3lov3/blog/posts/88112

2008-05-31T17:48:17Z

Providing the Bittersweet and Sour 345790 The Lemon Tree

2009-10-26T03:50:20Z

2570709

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/dud3lov3/blog dud3lov3 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/dud3lov3 1270737 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!              I know probably nobody is going to read this because I'm new to being an ESPN member and this is actually my first blog.  But this answer is obvious- NO!  Yesterday, I saw a couple of blogs that said,"The Spurs are now the best dynasty ever for making the Richard Jefferson trade."  When I saw that, I said in my head,"What, you've gotta be kiddin me!"  So then I thought,"Now I have to write a blog post about those stupid remarks."  So now here I am about to tell you why those comments are probably the stupidest things I have ever heard.           1st of all, the Spurs aren't even the best basketball dynasty of all time.  The Bulls, Celtics, and the Lakers all have more NBA Finals championships than the Spurs.  The Bulls have 6, the Lakers have 15, and the Celtics have 17.  The Spurs have .... 4.  The Spurs only need 14 more titles until they would be considered the best basketball dynasty ever (and honestly I don't think Richard Jefferson is going to have 14 rings when he decides that it's time to retire.)  Secondly, the Spurs are definitely not the best sport's dynasty of all time.  There are 21 teams in the NHL, NFL, and the MLB with more championships than the Spurs.  Oh and by the way, I can tell you what franchise is the greatest sport's dynasty ever.  The answer is ................................... the New York Yankees who have 26 World Series titles.  So Spurs you have got a log way until you catch up.  And once again, da bronx win!!!  true

2009-06-24T23:54:08Z

88067 2 Spurs, best dynasty of all time???????? answer is .........................................

2009-06-25T00:39:51Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/d2%20fan%20of%20da%20bronx/blog/posts/88067

2009-06-24T05:45:57Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1270737 d2 fan of da bronx's Blog

2009-06-24T05:45:57Z

7329830

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/d2%20fan%20of%20da%20bronx/blog d2 fan of da bronx http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/d2%20fan%20of%20da%20bronx 1258464 I believe Bill Simmons' is partially correct in his assessment of Kobe Bryant . Kobe Bryant does run astray from the game plan at times in the 4th quarter . He does make the game harder for himself by at times not fully utilizing his teammates. But there's a reason...Kobe is a flat-out GUNNER. It's completely in his blood and DNA. He's not Magic Johnson/Larry Bird/Bill Walton/John Havlicek/John Stockton/Tim Duncan/Scottie Pippen/Bill Rusell/Kevin Garnett. Those players are conduit-flow/coach-on-the floor type guys who are able to manage traffic on the floor while being world-class teammates. Kobe is in the mold of Michael Jordan/Rick Barry/Wilt Chamberlain...offensively gifted ball-players who need to jack up at least 20+ shots a game in order to successively feed their need to dominate ball games. And all of those players, like Kobe, are not the best teammates in the world. Michael Jordan was an overdemanding jerk, Rick Barry was an obsessive-compulsive neurotic jerk, and Wilt Chamberlain was a completely narcissistic jerk. Kobe has a little bit of each of those guys' personalities with respect to how he treats his teammates. But in retrospect, Kobe has made tremendous strides over the course of the past couple of seasons in terms of maturity and at least meeting halfway in terms of integrating his teammates into the gameplan. Remember...from '00 to '04, Kobe showed as much individual brilliance and personal B.S. as anyone who ever played in the league. His stubborness was ranked second to none in terms of not following a gameplan (i.e. choosing not to dump the ball in the post with Shaq in his prime). He felt like he should have been the number one option since he was the most hard-working and talented ball-player in the league...so therefore he doesn't have to pay his dues in terms of learning the game behind the game. The game behind the game is learning how to read traffic and picking his spots in terms of either setting up his teammates or dominating a possession. He had this control-freak neurotic need of dominating every possession in order to control the game. And everyone knows you cannot win basketball games that way. From 2005 to 2007, those were the transition without Shaq years. These are the years in which he tried to collect individual accolades to distant himself from Shaq's shadow. And these are also the years where he had to learn how to play with his teammates. From 2008 to 2009, those are the years in which Kobe developed 'a' trust in his teammates. I stress 'a' since I don't believe Kobe will ever show a 'complete' trust in his teammates...it's just not in him. He will always have a 'moment' in which he jumps into 3 defenders to jack up a shot to win the game...instead of using a hot teammate to set himself up for an easier shot. That's the way the ball rolls with him...one can say 'take it or leave it...that's Kobe.' But on the other hand, Kobe doesn't go 1-on-5 as nearly much as he used to due to the talent on the roster. And he showed that he had great trust and respect for 3 players on the roster. Those three guys are Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol, and Trevor Ariza. Pau was the sturdy second option that he needed, Fisher provided the additonal leadership and experience in the locker room, and Ariza was the reliable go-to-guy in terms of pressure defense and clutch threes. So all in all, Kobe is not perfect. I could tell when Kobe won the championship, he was genuinely emotional and felt validated as a ballplayer.  And he was also somewhat awkward as well in terms of his interaction with his teammates and coach.  Like there's a part of him that wants to belong ...and another enigmatic part that was a loner who feels the need to isolate himself because he takes things too personally.  Like I said before, 'take it or leave it...that's Kobe'.  With the '09 championship at hand, he's certifiable top 12 and and arguably top 8 of all-time. Warts and all. true

2009-06-20T19:30:37Z

87775 2 Reply on Bill Simmons' online article "Kobe '09: Change we can believe in?"

2009-06-20T23:01:09Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/larssantini/blog/posts/87775

2009-06-13T23:15:25Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1258464 larssantini's Blog

2009-06-13T23:15:25Z

7209496

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/larssantini/blog larssantini http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/larssantini 1268563 I know everyone asks this question, but what do yall think now? Lebron was better than kobe on points, rebounds, and assists, while kobe led his team to the finals and won, shutting up all critics who said he couldn't win it without Shaq. Comments? true

2009-06-19T17:47:34Z

87721 0 Who's better, Lebron or Kobe?

2009-06-19T17:47:34Z

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/christman2525/blog/posts/87721

2009-06-17T16:33:00Z

Just Another Fan Profile Blog 1268563 christman2525's Blog

2009-06-17T16:33:00Z

4933081

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/christman2525/blog christman2525 http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/christman2525