30 Dec 10 Kobe Bryant Signs a Three-Year, $90 Million Contract Extension with L.A. Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Kobe Bryant to a three-year contract extension on Friday, reportedly worth $90 million. Therefore, the 12-time NBA All Star is set to remain in purple and gold up through the 2013-2014 season."We are extremely pleased that we were able to reach an agreement Seattle Seahawks jersey
and come to terms on the extension at this time," said Lakers general manger Mitch Kupchak. "Kobe has been a cornerstone of the Lakers for well over a decade, helping to lead us to four NBA championships and in the process developing into one of the greatest players in basketball history."The 31-year-old shooting guard is currently in his 14th season with the team, and when the deal expires he will be nearly 36.Ever since Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat following the 03-04 season, Kobe has been given the keys and put in the driver's seat of one of the most decorated franchises in NBA history.Up until today, Kobe has responded perfectly while cruising along victory lane. Over the past six seasons, the Lakers have accumulated a record of 207-121 (.631)In 06, he managed to score a mind-boggling 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, second only to Wilt Chamberlain 100-point performance back in 62. Later, in 08, he won the league MVP, yet fell short of a championship when his Lakers lost to the Celtics in the Finals. St. Louis Rams jersey
Despite the setback, he bounced back the following year and led the Lakers to their 16th NBA title. This season, he averaging 27.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists this season, and is, once again, an MVP candidate.More importantly, the team is the favorite to get back to the promised land, where they would have the chance to repeat as champions.Even if they don so, the franchise has set itself up for success in the near future.In December, the team locked up Gasol by signing him to a three-year, $60 million extension. That, along with Kobe signing, will ensure that the dynamic trio of Bryant, Artest, and Gasol stays intact for at least four more seasons, which ultimately means bad news for the other 29 teams in the league.I think it a great decision on the Lakers part to secure Tennessee Titans jersey
Kobe future in L.A.Today, in professional sports, there is no loyaltyproven on numerous accounts such as the Brett Favre saga.I think it critical to give a player, let alone a sure-fire Hall of Famer, such as Kobe Bryant, the respect he deserves. He has been an intricate ingredient to the team success over the past 14 seasons, and Im glad he will continue to be, as I wish him, and the Lakers the best of luck moving forward.

29 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs: Preview Prediction: Atlanta Hawks Vs Milwaukee Bucks

Atlanta Hawksvs.Milwaukee BucksSeason Series: Atlanta 2-1* This is just one of the eight match-ups in round one, for all eight preview click below *NBA Playoffs - Previews and Predictions - All Round One Match UpsIn three years, theAtlanta Hawkshave done a complete flip. Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
In 2007-08, they went 37-45, clinching the 8th playoff spot, and gave Boston a scare in the first round, but eventually lost in game 7. In 2008-09, they went 47-35, clinched the 4th spot (quite a bit behind Cleveland, Orlando and Boston), and beat Miami in game 7 before getting swept by LeBron and company in round two. This year they are 53-29, have clinched the 3rd spot ahead of Boston, and will face the Milwaukee Bucks.Something tells me that this year the Hawks won't allow a seven game series to happen in the first round. The Hawks have improved greatly in the last 82 games since the Cavaliers swept them. Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford together, are amazing. Add younger stars Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin William to the mix and you have one extremely talented young team. Heck, even their starting point guard Mike Bibby has been good putting up over 9.0 points a game, but he isn't your normal point guard, as he ranked over 30th in the league in assists.No one believes in the Atlanta Hawks though (outside Atlanta).I am sure many people will take them to beat the Bucks, but after that won't even consider touching them against the Cavaliers, Magic or Celtics just because the Hawks don't have an 'as-well' known house-hold name on their team... But, don't be fooled, there is a reason these guys have won over fifteen more games than they did two seasons ago. The Hawks don't need someone like LeBron, Kobe, Howard, Garnett, Wade or Anthony to win games...they win by playing hard-nosed gritty basketball and as an entire unit, do it extremely well. Should be noted though, late in the season Joe Johnson has been battling a thumb injury and missed a few games, but they expect him to play. In all honesty though, this Atlanta squad is Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
way too talented to not win this first round matchup, and if it goes past five with Andrew Bogut gone...I'll be shocked.TheMilwaukee Buckshail from the Central Division, sit a ways back behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, and aren't ever really talked about (unless you live in Milwaukee but even then, in past years you'd probably rather of cheered for Prince Fielders' Brewers or the Aaron Rodgers' pivoted Packers just up the I-43). Since 1990 the Bucks have made the playoffs seven times and had a decent stretch between 1998 to 2006, making it six of the eight years during the time and appearing the in Eastern Conference Final in the 1999-2000 season (lost to Philadelphia). It seems during the George Karl era, the Bucks were at their best with a variety of players over the years such as Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, Anthony Mason, and Tim Thomas. Once they decided to trade Ray Allen with 'Flip' Murray, even though it increased play time for Michael Redd, the team went straight downhill for a few years. In those six-out-of-eight years that they made the playoffs, they only got past the first round in 99-00'. It wasn't until the 2005 draft pick, Andrew Bogut, was surrounded by not only Redd (who is now injured and out for the season) but also 2009 draft pick, promising point guard, Brandon Jennings, as well as picking up John Salmons via trade.This season was looking like it could be one of the best in modern franchise history for Milwaukee... that was until this (if you don't like watching gross videos and haven't seen this, I am warning you; viewer discretion is advised... ...you may just puke during the replay).(CLICK THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE POST TO WATCH THE VIDEO, AS WELL)Alright, so you see that, you puke and...Damn. Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
It's going to be extremely hard to beat Atlanta. They have Salmons, who has been a beast since joining the Bucks and is smashing his old stats ten-fold, which is important with Redd injured. But Jennings is going to have to do something un-human like and players like Kurt Thomas and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (say that five times fast) have got to be Bogut-like. Not possible. Unfortunately without Bogut, their season ends here.TheCoach's Pick:ATLANTA in FIVE

28 Dec 10 NBA Playoffs: Cleveland's Playoff Hopes Lay with Antwan Jamison

Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesLeBron James is the best player on the Cavs, and probably the best in the league. We all know that.He's going to consistently put up great stats. We all know that.Yet, somehow, even with a superhuman effort from James, the Cleveland Cavaliers haven't looked very strong Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
in the playoffs. Or at least not strong enough to beat the Boston Celtics.Boston could easily be up 2-0 right now. Cleveland hasn't played well at all. LeBron has played well, but he hasn't received any support.It's deja vu. The Cavs finished with the number one seed once again, but LeBron isn't receiving any help in the playoffs.I'm not saying that the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to lose to the Boston Celtics. I'm saying that they should be concerned and they must wake up.Cleveland needs someone to step up. Someone to help the King.At the trade deadline, Antwan Jamison was acquired to help out as a secondary star for LeBron James. He finally meshed with the team, and when he's playing well, this Cavs team is nearly unstoppable.The thing is, all of the Cavs role players have been inconsistent.Mo Williams hasn't been anything special, and I don't think that will change. He's just not a good playoff player, and I doubt he will step up. Shaquille O'Neal is washed up, and he can provide sparks at times but isn't enough toReebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
secure a win.Antwan Jamison however, is a very capable player and needs to step up. He needs to be a leader. He has to play well in order for the Cavs to move on.With LeBron being defended the way he is, somebody needs to step up. Antwan Jamison has to be that somebody.

27 Dec 10 Wall, The Right Choice For Washington

What was a surprising and exciting time for the Washington Wizards organization yesterday,after they found out they will pick first in the 2010 NBA draft, questions started flowing around "well who do you pick? Kentucky's guard John Wall or Ohio State's guard Evan Turner.Both are exceptional players andReebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
will be franchise players where ever they go, but for Washington they can not pass on Wall. After what transpired this past season with point guard Gilbert Arenas, and him being suspend for the remainder of the season for bringing guns into the teams locker room and withhis immaturity over the years you have to take the promisingWall.Wall is being compared to most people by Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, he has the atleticism,has great size and is a pass first point guard. Wall struggles with his jump shot,but head coach Flip Saunders and assistant coach Sam Cassel can help him improve his shot.Wall biggest challenge if he is drafted by Washington, would be coexisting with Arenas. Arenas is phenomial playerhe loves the attention, media, the spotlight. If the two are going to going to Reebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
coexist, Arenas would have tochange his role and understand that he is no longer the franchise player anymore as he wants was.Arenas and Wall would fit together in the back court,but both of them has to make their teamates better if they want to contend with the top teams in the league.

26 Dec 10 2010 NBA Playoffs: Chants for Beat LA Start Now

Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesYou can find the original article at LOSCY.--After a jubilant night of celebratory rhetoric, I have no doubt that I fell asleep with a sneaky little grin on my face. I escaped to a REM cycle feeling like I got away with something; like WE, as fans, got away with something.I mean, we did get away with something: so many had given up championship hopes, but there were some that were holding out for that small glimmer of hope. Back on March 2, I had written the following:We just aren a top five team, and thatReebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
difficult for many of you (including me) to get over. Our record against top 10 teams in the league have been atrocious. We have given up the most second half double-digit leads in the association this season. We have been three games under .500 in the last two months. Nothing in this paragraph should make anyone excited about the playoffs.But, therein lies the key: this team can be looked at as a legitimate, viable contender for the title. Critics, writers, players, coaches, and most importantly non-Celtics fans have all ready moved on. Anyone who is anyone that follows basketball realizes that the Celtics have a lot of wrinkles that need ironing out, yet the iron itself isn even plugged in. Only the stubborn fans remain cemented in a block of naivet This is just as likely to happen as the optimistic side of me that thinks this team has two more deadly gears in them that theyve shown flashes of so far this season.Yeah. They had the gears. They showed em. We got away with something: making people think that the Celtics weren going to do it; and then just like that, did it.Two ways to be really happy about last night win: watching the team play you knew things were clicking, and seeing their numbers on paper you knew things were clicking. When you can both feel and see that a team is playing well, it makes you feel all warm and cuddly inside. On paper:Every single Celtic player that saw minutes finished with a positive +/- rating. All the way from Glen Davis with a +2 to Pierce with a +13, there was no outrageously large gap between players. This meant that every single mixed lineup on the floor last night worked in favor the Celts; what a feeling.Pierce was an efficient 9-15 from the floor, finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals. What a game for him to carry into Game 1 of the Finals. As much as I want Rondo to play at the level where we could be a Finals MVP, I desperately want Pierce toReebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
lead the way to further help cement his legacy into Celtic lore forever.The Celtics out-rebounded the Magicians 45-35: whoa.The Celtics once again outscored the Magic 20-12 on fast break points (transition, transition, transition)The Celtics shot 81 percent from the stripe (22-27), whereas ORL was 59 percent from the same location (16-27)Despite 40 points in the paint for ORL (compared to 26 for the C), the Magic couldn get clean looks in the paint and were scoring on such terrible looks (still managed to finish at 43% FG, but really had to work for it)While watching, you couldn help but notice the clean rotations on defense; they were crisp. While Dwight got his looks either by post or by air-mail lobs, the Celtics did such a great job staying home with the ORL shooters on the wings. This caused so many of the Magic jumpers to be jumpers on the run and moving away from the hoop. You have to mainly credit Rondo, Ray, and Pierce for forcing the Magic to shoot on the run THEN getting back into the middle to snatch a rebound (while the bigs boxed out Dwight high-school-style).What even more impressive is how willing everyone on the floor wearing white was willing to RUN in transition. For an old beat up team, they knew they had to push the ball to fluster Orlando when getting back on defense and forcing mismatches wherever and whenever possible.Why were we so nervous after being up 3-0 only to see our team lose two straight and be a game away from being on the verge of an almost historical collapse of epic proportions? I mean, really, is it even necessary to run through all of the very-very-berry-bad thoughts about dropping a series when you were up three to zip?Part of the reason that the amped up anxiety before Game 6 rest in one simple case: in a sense, the Celtics were unexpectedly on the doorstep of reaching the Finals for the second time in three seasons. And then all of the sudden, the Celtics couldn close the door They couldn close out the series. So in a sense, the pain of seeing a team that no one thought could make it past the Eastern Conference Semis lose in the Conference Finals after being up 3-0 Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
seemed like it was almost too much of an impossibility even for a fictionalized story. Could this have put the Buckner experience to rest as one of the biggest disappointments in Boston fan history?You know what? Who cares? You know why? It didn happen.The Celtics won. The Celtics won. The Celtics are returning to the NBA Finals where they will compete for the Larry OBrien Trophy with the best team in the West: it better be the Lakers. I don want the Suns. I want the Lakers. We all want the Lakers. Bring on LA so the Celtics can Beat LA.

25 Dec 10 Miami Heat Evolution: A Champion Is Starting To Take Shape in Miami

Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesMiami is rolling and it will only get better as they get healthier.During the Miami Heat current five-game win streak I noticed a few trends.Forget who they are playing. It how they are playing.Being a fan of this Heat team, I must be greedy. Expectations are still high and will remain so as long as the names Dwyane Wade and LeBron James appear in the same lineup.The first trend is clearly the level of energy and urgency to which the players are exerting on the court. No longer do they look like they couldn give a crap about theoutcome. More specifically, the Heat core stars have really picked it up on both ends of the floor.Whatever happened during that postgame meeting in Dallas has done wonders.James and Wade have taken their defensive play to anotherNew Orleans Saints jersey
level. As a result, Miami is scoring easier baskets in transition. Miami defensive efficiency rating is tied for tops in the league with the Boston Celtics. When you get stops, you can run.A Bucks announcer said it best last night when Wade stormed down the court after a Milwaukee miss and dished it to LeBron for a thunderous slam in what seemed like two seconds:If you miss and don come up with the rebound, the game will be over in about three minutes. What he said didn exactly compute correctly from brain to mouth, but we get the jist. Wade and LeBron on the break is an unstoppable nightmare.Overall, Miami is the most efficient team in basketball. They have the biggest margin between points scored per 100 possessions and points allowed per 100possessions.The reason you cannot use simple stats like points scored and points allowed is because not all teams play at the same pace. Some have more possessions than others. Points per possessions puts everyone on equal ground for comparison.It time to give credit to the coachLet give some credit to the coach, Erick Spoelstra. He took round after round to the face during the Heat mediocre play. He is now one of the reasons this team looks to be on the right track.For example, If you watched the Milwaukee game last night, more specifically the first half, you probably noticed several facts. Fact one, Miami is not only moving the ball more, but moving bodies too.More movement equates to more pressure on the defense. They have to know where James, Wade and Bosh are at all times. If those players are standing around it makes it easy.In the first half last night, there were sets I had never seen a Heat team run before. There was movement, wait for it, AWAY from the ball. There was less dribbling and more passing. I was shocked.On one play I counted four passes around the perimeter leading to an easy dump to Bosh on the block for a layup. And it was when Wade and James were on the floor together! Then at times Wade or James would run their own dribble-drive offense and do what they do best, score. Both strategies have proven to work, but it that they starting toexperimentthat has me excited.This team has realized it unlike any team in the history of basketball.It time for an unconventional approach. Forget an identity on offense. The reason Miami can be one of the most dominant teams ever is because they can exploit you in avarietyof ways. Most teams have New York Giants jersey
limits in the types of sets they can run.The 2010-11 Heat is a new breed, a genetic mutation.They can play slow. They can play fast. They can go one-on-one or they can run sets based on ball movement andweak-sidecutting. They can go small and they can go big.They have the league most versatile and talented player in LeBron. They have one of the most feared scorers in NBA history in Wade. Bosh adds anotherdimension. He can beat a team from the perimeter just as well as from the block. Did you see that sky hook last night?They have shooting in James Jones, Eddie House, Mike Miller (when he returns) and, wait for it, Carlos Arroyo. They have muscle in Erick Dampier and Jamaal Magloire. They have mismatch potential at center with Zydrunas Ilgauskas. They have contagious energy in Joel Anthony and Juwan Howard.No, they don have a dynamic point guard. No, they don have a 35-minutes-a-night center who going to give you 20 and 10. And for that I say who cares?Focus on what this team has.I saw at least three plays last night in which Wade cut away from the ball to the basket for easy buckets. LeBron found him of course with his impeccable vision. Wade is starting to realize he can do just as much damage off the ball as he does on.LeBron and Dwyane are proving the critics who said they could never work wrong. They are the two best basketball players in the world and yet still people doubt they can make this work.Come on, stop being silly.It like Riley handed Spoelstra aLamborghini(Wade), a helicopter (Bosh) and a tank that turns into a submarine (LeBron) and said Go play. Have fun with your toys, Eric.Experiment with various lineup combinations and roles through out the regular season. Treat the 82-game stretch as a tuneup for the playoffs. A trial run, if you will. Figure out what works best and what doesn while there is margin for error.So there were some rough patches early. It not every season where a team has to incorporate a completely new group of players including two previous ball-dominant stars like Wade and James.The early troubles, both on and off the court, will actually help this team over the long haul.They proved they can overcome adversity. They proved they can take whatever blows the media, players or fans dish out. They faced the most hostile crowd in NBA history last week and transformed them into a cage full of mutes in a matter of minutes.This team is, without question, going to be amazing. They are already excellent defensively and will only get better. Millerreturnsin a matter of days and you better believe Udonis Haslem will be back in time for the playoffs. Don ever challenge that man will power.They New York Jets jersey
are playing without their fourth and fifth best players!They are not like the Showtime Lakers or the Bad Boy Pistons. They are not like Jordan Bulls or Bird Celtics.They are the Miami Heat, a team infused with the type of talent the world has never seen on the same roster, minus international play or All-Star games.Pat Godfather Riley had a vision. That vision is now becoming reality.It a reality for all of basketball to enjoy and cherish because nothing like this will ever happen again. You can hate them, you can love them, but this team is destined for greatness.The only obstacle in their way is themselves.Related Posts:VIDEO: Miami Heat Dynasty 2010Miami Heat: 10 ways James and Wade can thrive togetherMiami Heat Breakdown: The Most Dominant Offense EverMiami Heat Lineup VariationsHeat: On to the next oneThis article is also featured onMIA Sports Guy

24 Dec 10 Kobe Bryant, LeBron James Get Bulletin Board Material from Jordan, Ron Artest

Michael Jordan has never been afraid to jabs at others.Chris Trotman/Getty ImagesWho is better? Always a highly debated question discussing NBA players. Michael Jordan and Ron Artest certainly added to the discussion with their recent comments about Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. San Diego Chargers jersey
When asked about where Bryant ranks among the all-time great NBA players, Jordan had an interesting take. "It's hard to say," Jordan said while promoting a video game. "If you were talking about guards, I would say he has got to be in the top 10." If he was trying to stir things up with his comments, he pulled out the blender. While Bryant's place in history is subject to debate, he is dangerously close to his Airness's six championship rings and could very well match Jordan come June. No matter how anyone feels about his game, championships speak for themselves. If Jordan's six rings make him the best player ever, five places Kobe in elite territory. Jordan is clearly right when he says that Bryant is a top 10 guard of all time. His five championships are equal to Magic Johnson's total, and many believe Earvin is one of the top five players ever—possibly the best point guard to put on a uniform. He has more rings than Larry Bird, Shaquille O'Neal, and Tim Duncan. To say he's a top 10 guard is pretty obvious, San Francisco 49ers jersey
even if his road to the rings may have been different than others. Is Jordan disrespecting Bryant by saying he's only a top 10 guard and not a top 10 player of all time? Probably, but that's just how Jordan is wired. Just look at his Hall of Fame speech. Instead of thanking people, he made sure everyone remembered each time he beat them. Jordan has never been afraid to alienate others, in order to promote his own position in the game's history. Meanwhile, Ron Artest recently said that the two toughest players to guard in the NBA are Bryant and Kevin Durant. However, that wasn't the controversial part of the statement. After mentioning Kobe and Durant, Artest's math skills became self-evident. "I can only count to two," he said. It's clearly acceptable to say that Bryant and Durant are the two toughest covers in basketball, but the fact that he refused to even mention LeBron James in the conversation will generate buzz. The media and fans alike, have made sure the Lakers know the situation in Miami and the defending champs seem to be getting a little annoyed. Championships are not given out in October and the Lakers seem to revel in that fact. Artest isn't as stupid as he tries to make himself seem. By not including James in his statement, Seattle Seahawks jersey
he's taking the passive/aggressive approach to smack talking the NBA's newest paper champion. The fact remains, that the Lakers are the two-time defending top dogs and will remain there until a new king is crowned. Artest's jabs towards James and the Heat are justified. His arithmetic? That's another subject.