Los Angeles Lakers Pre-Game Report by Jeff Little

It’s the season opener for the 2010-2011 Los Angeles Lakers; but before the journey to repeat commences the squad will receive their championship rings for last seasons exploits. This past off-season was the quietest off-season ever for a two-time defending champion in any sport.

The Lakers have no problem with being under the radar with all the pressure being on a certain team that plays in the east. While the majority of the NBA was enamored with a super team being assembled with the three biggest names in free agency landing on the east coast.

The spotlight, scrutiny and high expectations will hover over the Heat all-season and like it or not the move ushered in a new era in the NBA. The super team that Miami is chasing is already assembled and in place on the west coast. However, the purple reign is far from over, but it has improved. The purple and gold didn’t rest on their laurels and stand pat. The two-time defending champion Lakers retooled and are now two deep at every position.

The Additions of veterans Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff and impressive rookies Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter provide a needed mixture of versatility, experience and youth. The Lakers bench was a weakness last year and now should add better outside shooting as well as produce 35+ points per game.

The additions have also extended the careers of Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher as well as provide the Lakers with the ability to match up with anyone. Facing the Rockets; the Lakers have to prepare to play two different teams; one with Yao Ming and one without.

It has been widely publicized that Yao will be limited to 24 minutes per game. Yao is a huge presence in the post and will get the majority of his touches in the half-court offense the Lakers have to minimize his impact on this game.

Los Angeles needs to control the tempo and not allow the Rockets to get out and run. It is a must that all five Lakers get back on defense to eliminate transition baskets. Los Angeles will have to do a good job defending the screen and roll as well as rotating out to their three-point shooters. Los Angeles needs to control the boards and play defense without fouling.

It is imperative that the Lakers take care of the ball, limit their turnovers. The Lakers can out-work the Rockets with a combination of excellent ball and player movement.  When the Lakers do a good job of sharing the ball; effectively moving it from the strong to the weak side and moving the defense in the process, they’re tough to beat. The Lakers need to trust their offense and get into a rhythm early. Los Angeles will run their offense through Pau Gasol in the post and he needs to accept the challenge and be much more aggressive.

 

Prediction: Lakers 102 – Rockets 94

Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST

Television –

• Los Angeles: TNT
• Houston: TNT

Radio –

• Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
• Houston: 1140 AM KHTK (Gary Gerould)

Injuries –

Lakers:

• Andrew Bynum (Knee) Out
• Luke Walton (Hamstring) Out
• Theo Ratliff (Knee) Listed as Day-to-Day

Rockets

• C Yao Ming (Foot) Listed as Day-to-Day
• PG Kyle Lowry (Back Spasms) Listed as Day-to-Day

 

Jeff Little is the mid-day host of the Locker Room on the Sports Journey Network.  Based out of Los Angeles, he is also a writer for Laker Nation.

With the “Answer” there are more questions By Reggie Williams

Published reports are circulating that Allen Iverson is suffering from an alcohol and gambling addiction. This disturbing information arrives on the heels of a report that Tawanna Iverson, Allen’s wife of 8 ½ years, filed for divorce citing the marriage was “irretrievably broken.” On the day that Mrs. Iverson decided to call it quits with her high school sweetheart, Mr. Iverson’s working relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers was terminated; that marriage may also be irretrievably broken.

With A.I., who has affectionately been known throughout his career as “The Answer,” there appears to be nothing but questions.

During this 2009 off-season the Cleveland Cavaliers picked up Shaquille O’Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers scooped up Ron Artest, the Boston Celtics grabbed Rasheed Wallace and the Orlando Magic snatched Vince Carter for a run at the 2010 NBA championship, but the only teams remotely interested in the talents of A.I. were the Memphis Grizzlies and that other Los Angeles team – the Clippers. The question that bears asking is: what was wrong with A.I. that teams, potentially one player away from competing for a championship, wouldn’t covet a sure 1st Ballot Hall of Famer with some game left in his tank?

The question that bears asking is: did Mrs. Iverson asked for a divorce because Mr. Iverson indeed is dependent on gambling and alcohol and the destructive behavior that accompanies such addictions has made their marriage “irretrievably broken?”

The question that bears asking is: why might A.I. have a drinking and gambling addiction; is it because his once brilliant career is heading south in a runaway Toyota Prius?

The question that bears asking is: has A.I. penchant to “keep it real,” – cornrows, tats and cronies who may have never understood that A.I. was a brand name with whose potential was limitless, really kept him in a dark place where now he seems to be stuck?

The question that bears asking is: those cronies that A.I. “kept it real” with, will they “keep it real” and support the dude who supported them or will A.I. become contagious to them like his hometown boy Michael Vick became infectious to his “keep it real” boys?

The question that bears asking is: can one of the hardest, toughest players – arguably the hardest and toughest player when you consider his stands just 6 feet and weighs a buck-sixty, end his career has a quitter. He quick on the Grizzlies after just 12 games; quick on the Detroit Pistons the year prior and while Messiah, his 4-year-old daughter, has been ill and I do believe family is far-far, way far more important than basketball – it’s fair to ask did he quick on the 76ers using his daughter’s illness for cover?

The question that bears asking is: what does the next chapter of the Iverson’s novel read when one considers that A.I. is on the verge of a divorce; his wife will probably seek a handsome alimony – does he have it? Will the next chapter reveal that he has failed to endow any assets into a subsequent career after pouring his heart and soul into a 13-year career? Will the next chapter become even more compelling when A.I. has to compete against a divorce and a declining career all while the troubled star allegedly battles the gripping addictions of gambling and alcohol.

The question bears asking: will A.I. fight the way he did when he would challenge a 7-footer in the paint, or will he become a fade away memory?

For 10 years (1996-2006) whenever Iverson stepped on the court he provided the answer. During the course of his first 10 seasons in Philly Iverson scored 28.9 ppg, dished out 5.5 assists and made victims of opponents with 2.3 steals per game. He led the League in scoring four times (one of only four players in League history to capture at least four scoring titles); named League’s MVP in 2000-01; a 10-time All-Star and two-time All-Star game MVP. Iverson was named to seven All-NBA Teams and if we “keep it real,” he’s public perception wasn’t as rebellious as the reputation that preceded it. Unfortunately now, there’s nothing but questions swirling around the Answer.

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, is reachable at rwilliams@itsflawless.com

There’s no gold in Denver By Reggie Williams

Entering last Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets trailed the Lakers by 4 ½ games in the loss column for the No. 1 playoff position in the Western Conference.

Having provided L.A. with two of their 15 loses, the Nuggets appeared poised to swagger into the Staples Center to take a commanding season series lead, with just one game remaining against the “Champs.” The plot was set for this matchup that has developed into, at least, a semi-rivalry launched last season in the Western Conference Finals. But after watching the Nuggets cough up – did I say choke – an 11-point third quarter lead it appears that the Nuggets may not have all that it takes to win the coveted gold.

To begin with, despite what’s been said, Carmelo Anthony really isn’t an MVP candidate. This was proven when Courtney Kirkland, one of the game’s official, whistled Melo for his sixth foul with 2:13 remaining in the hard fought matchup. Not only was it an absolutely ridiculous call, it was a call that would have never been whistled on Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.

While Kirkland’s phantom call was indeed egregious, nothing beats the nefarious performance down the stretch by Chauncey “Big Shot” Billups, considered one of the game’s headiest point guards.

With 6:12 left in the game Aaron Afflalo converted on a 3 from the right corner. For the next 5 minutes and 22 seconds no Nugget other than Billups attempted a shot. At the 5:30 mark, Billups threw up a shot from the arch with 19 seconds left on the shot clock (fortunately he was fouled by Derek Fisher). On the next possession Mr. Billups throws up a second three, this time with 16 seconds remaining on the shot clock. Billups converted the shot, but that was the second consecutive possession that he attempted a shot without anyone on the team, including Melo, the MVP candidate, touching the rock. Melo, on the ensuing possession was called for an offensive foul. The following possession Billups attempted and converted a shot; 13 seconds remained on the shot clock, again Mr. Point Guard was the sole Nugget to touch the rock on that possession. With 2:53 left and the Nuggets trailing by a 3, Billups with 19 ticks left on the shot clock hoisted an unbelievable terrible 3-point attempt. He was off balance as he attempted the shot and not one teammate was in position to haul down a missed attempt. Needless to say, no one touch the ball but Billups on that possession.

Billups wasn’t finished with his atrocious display of leadership.

With Denver down by just five points and 2:26 remaining, Billups pulled up once again, attempted and missed a shot from the arch – 21 seconds remained on the shot clock. During that 5 minute and 22 second span Denver, under the leadership of Billups, either committed a turnover or launched a questionable shot.

Billups’ performance in and of itself was pitiful, but what made it more shocking were two sideline reports broadcasted during the game. First, in an interview with Billups, he challenged those analysts who anoint Steve Nash, Chris Paul and Deron Williams as the League’s best point guards. Billups argued that it is he who is the “most complete” point guard in the League. He definitely didn’t demonstrate the gamesmanship of a complete point guard on Sunday. When Billups collects his check for that game he should wear a mask because he straight jacked the organization.

In the other report, George Karl during a timeout – about seven minutes left in the game – instructs his team to discontinue forcing up the first shot that they get.

“Run the entire shot clock out if you have to get a good shot; not to take a bad shot and not to turn the damn basketball over,” implores Karl.

Sitting directly in front of Karl was Chauncey Billups with a look of “I got it coach.” Billups may have heard Karl, but he definitely did not understand his instructions.

The Nuggets, right now, have the tools needed to win the championship – a superstar who can flat out get it done, good role players like Afflalo and Birdman Anderson; tough players like Kenyon Martin and Nene, and a proven point guard in Billlups. But if they continue to lose the battle of intelligence, they’ll find that you can’t find gold when there is no mind, and Denver has proven that they are capable of playing mindless.

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, is reachable at rwilliams@itsflawless.com

Cold Blooded Curry By Reggie Williams

Yesterday after the show Lake – you know Mr. Lewis (CEO of Sports Journey Network) – and I found ourselves engaged in a conversation on the explosive exploits of Kevin Durant. As fate would have it we must have placed the curse on him because later on that evening his string of 29 consecutive games of scoring 25 points or more ended.

Lake suggested that Durant was one of the five best shooters in the game today. I agreed. We then took an attempt to name who those five sharp shooters were. Of course Kobe “The Black Mamba” Bryant led the conversation. Before coming up a little lame with additional shooters, Ray Allen and Carmelo Anthony were added to the list. We probably should have included Dirk Nowitski and Joe Johnson.

How could any knowledgeable basketball fan argue with those six choices?

Well, approximately one hour following that phone conversation I thought, ‘what in Boone’s Farm Wine’ was I thinking. How in the world could I, we, exclude the dude with, by far, the coldest stroke in the League today, and who will maintain possession of the coldest stroke for the next 10 to 12 years?

There is a rookie out in San Francisco who dons No. 30 on his jersey and is employed by the Golden State Warriors. His name is Stephen Curry. There is no one in the League (sorry Black Mamba, Jesus and Melo) with a purer jumper than Curry’s – hands down. His stroke is pure honey – its Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

I watched him drop 32 on the Atlanta Hawks converting on 13 of 18 shots, and I peeped him struggle against the Los Angeles Lakers a few nights earlier missing 17 of 21 shots including nine of 10 shots from the arch. But regardless if he is dead on fire or misfiring that dude can flat out shoot.

The true testament to Curry’s (who strokes the rock even better than his dad Dell Curry) string music can be seen not when he comes off a screen or a pick-n-pop, but when he’s dribbling in the open court. Defenders are so conscious of his stroke that if Curry gives a slight head fake or hesitation, especially around the arch, it usually forces the defender to attempt to quickly close out on him leaving them vulnerable to be driven to the hoop on or for the sharpshooter to attempt an uncontested 17 foot layup – 2 points.

Mr. Curry, the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, is currently scoring 15.3 ppg, connecting on 45 percent from the field and 41 percent from the arch. He accomplishing these impressive numbers with very few plays called for him.

Hey Lake, here’s a thought for you. Think of what the Oklahoma City Thunder would truly accomplish this year had they had the nerve to select Curry instead of James Harden! The starting lineup would comprise, Durant and Jeff Green at the forward spots; Nenad Krstic at the five, Russell Westbrook at the point and butter at the two. That’s a helluva lineup. With Curry position in the corner on one baseline; Durant above the arch on the opposite side and Westbrook in the middle with the rock the Thunder would be unstoppable.

In the three games that the Thunder played against the Warriors Curry has outplayed Harden, scoring 59 points on 22 of 39 shooting (56 percent), while Harden scored 38 points on 10 of 28 shooting or 35 percent.

Thanks for the call Lake. The conversation definitely started churning my general manager’s hat.

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, is reachable at rwilliams@itsflawless.com

King Kobe! by Lake Lewis

Earlier in the year after watching Kobe Bryant drop 42 points on the Chicago Bulls in the “place that Mike built”, I could not help but think that he was a victim of the guy who won those 6 championships in Chi-Town.  Having watched his late game heroics against Memphis in his first game back after being out of action for a few weeks, Kobe Bryant in any era of basketball could be mentioned as perhaps the greatest of all time.  But we now must say “could have” and that’s because any player who plays after Michael Jordan will never get their just due.  Just like we date things in history from BC to AD, we now need to start looking at basketball history the same way.  There is the before Jordan era (BJ) and the after Jordan era (AJ).  Depending on when you played will determine how fans can place you historically.  I have said on numerous occasions as great a player Kobe Bryant is I can not put him in my top five as of yet.  When I actually said that on my radio show was during last years NBA Finals that Kobe and the Lakers won in convincing fashion over Orlando.  At the time I had Kobe ranked seven on my all time NBA player list.  That’s right I had him trailing Jordan, Magic, Bird, Chamberlain, Russell, and Kareem.  No one can argue that these guys at best can be mentioned with Kobe.

What keeps these players at the top of most NBA fan lists is that these guys played (BJ).  Kobe is the lone victim who is playing (AJ).  Sure LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Carmelo Anthony are great young players now, but they are not benefiting from playing in the Jordan era.  Kobe is the last link to this greatness.  He actually played against Jordan and had the torch passed to him directly.  This helps his cause along with his great game to be mentioned along side the greats.  All of the players that are on my list had one two special things in common.  Dominance on the floor, and championships.  At no time is Kobe the second best player on the floor.  Never!  He is at worst the second best player on a particular night if things are not going well.

Here lie the problems with me putting him ahead of these great players at this point in his career.

1. He has benefited from a water downed league where he does not have a legitimate rival to his greatness.  Until James and Wade came along there was no other player who had the burden Kobe has to carry Jordan’s torch.  This may not seem fair to Kobe but that is the way it is.
2. There has been only one “dynasty team” opposing Kobe’s Lakers during his entire career.  That team is the San Antonio Spurs.  All of the great players mentioned above had two and sometimes three “dynasty teams” that they had to conquer in order to win their championships.  Magic and Kareem’s Lakers teams had to go through Boston and Detroit.  Bird’s Celtics had to go through the Lakers, Detroit, and finally MJ’s Bulls.  Michael Jordan’s Bulls had to go through Boston, Detroit, L.A., and to a lesser extent Utah who had a great team.  Chamberlain and Russell had to go through each other and the Lakers when Wilt was playing in Philadelphia.
3. Until last year when LeBron won the MVP there had not been a player or non-center to rival Kobe’s greatness.  Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal are the only players that could be mentioned with Kobe but the world would have liked a real rival from the non-center position.

Should Kobe win another championship which is highly probable I would have to put him in the top three trailing only Jordan and Russell?  His career averages of 25.2 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assist put him in this select category.  More importantly he will have 5 NBA Rings to back that.  That is where only the true greats can be mentioned because they dominated and won championships.   Take nothing away from Kobe because he did not choose which era he was going to play in.  He has been a true student of the game and has never shied away from greatness.  When he plays the best players in the game you can see him take it upon himself to show those players that he is the “man”.  This is what all of the games greats have done over time.  They would rise to the occasion to show that they could not be equaled.  At least in the (AJ) era Kobe is establishing the (KB) era.  That’s not such a bad deal is it?

Lake Lewis is the President and CEO of the Sports Journey Broadcast Network.  He was a host on ESPN Radio 1060 Orlando, ESPN Radio 1080 Melbourne and the Drive Time host ESPN Radio 1240 Maryland and WMET 1160 in Washington DC

James will wear blue and orange in 2010 by Reggie Williams

With 1.9 second remaining in the game and the Cleveland Cavaliers trailing by a 2-point field goal, LeBron James, upon securing the inbound pass from Anthony Parker, slipped, regained his footing and then hoisted a 30-foot attempted that rimmed out.

The missed 3-point attempt resulted in the Cavs losing 118-116 to the Denver Nuggets, just their 12th lost in 55 games.

After missing the winning shot James, looking upset, disappointed and like he wanted to cry, hurried off the court. He failed to congratulate his boy Carmelo Anthony, who moments earlier converted the winning basket with James guarding him. James also ignored his teammate Shaquille O’Neal, who tried to dap him up as he exited the court.

Now if King James gets this bent out of shape with a loss, especially considering that the Cavs were and are the procurers of the best record in the League, what would make someone believe that he will go suit up with the dysfunctional New York Knicks.

Folks who believe James will take his sword to New York need to just stop it.

If it wasn’t for the eternal ineptness of the Los Angeles Clippers the Knicks would be the laughing stock of the League. Larry Brown gets fired as the head coach after just one season. Isaiah Thomas in the midst of that firing found himself on the hot seat by being sued for sexual harassment. Stephon Marbury, who would eventually become entangled in a bitter and ugly divorce from the Knicks, was engaged in the Thomas lawsuit; and then just last year the Knocks – I mean Knicks, hired Mike D’Antoni, who was unable to win anything of significance with a more talented roster in Phoenix. Since 1999 when James Dolan, chairman of Madison Square Garden, took over the reign of my favorite team as a child growing up, the Knicks have compiled a record of 348-472. They have taken stock in the bottom tier of the League since Dolan’s inaugural year when they won 50 games and played in the NBA Finals before losing to the San Antonio Spurs. Needless to say, but I will, the losses have been plentiful, while the wins have been few.

With all these facts, how I ask, do New Yorkers and many pundits believe James will exit Cleveland in 2010 and land the new “Flight 23” on the runway of Two Pennsylvania Plaza at basketball’s Mecca?

I don’t get it and here’s why!

The Mission

King James has an intense desire to win. That was obvious as he pouted after losing a regular season contest. In that fire to win the Lawrence O’Brien trophy, James is nearer to accomplishing that goal with the Cavs than he’ll be with the Knicks. While analyst continue to yap about Bron-Bron not having anyone to play with in Cleveland, I submit that if James is a varsity player and his teammates play like the J.V., then those dudes playing at the Garden must be the intramural squad. Yes the Knicks have $21 million in cap space and could add on some other attractive free agents, and the Cavs are paying the luxury tax, which means they really need to win now, but it’s my guess that no other marketable free-agent is interested in coming to the Big Apple to become rotten in Dolan’s barrel.

The Mecca

If New York remains the Mecca of basketball it’s only because of reputation. There hasn’t been a championship team in New York since 1972; New York hasn’t fielded an All-Star in 10 years (can you guess who they were?), nor have they had a player be named to the All NBA team since 1996-97. At this point Chicago, Los Angeles or San Antonio is more of a Mecca than New York. As a matter-of-fact, Cleveland has been to the Finals in more recent years than the Knicks – Cleveland, with James, is more of a Mecca.

The Money

This is a no-brainer. This ain’t the New York Yankees or the MLB were any team can throw any kind of cheddar at a free-agent. No team is able to back a brinks truck up to James’ bank with more cash in it than the Cavs. However, is money really a part of the equation?

The Meticulous Notoriety

Once upon a time an athlete, a la Reggie Jackson or Wayne Gretzky, coming to New York meant a tremendous boost in fame and fortune. Buy did we forget that James, who entered into the League as famous as those already in the League, signed a $90 million contract with Nike and a multi-million deal with Sprite before he left Akron. Madison Avenue executives can MapQuest their way to Cleveland. Derek Jeter plays in New York with the most prolific baseball franchise ever. He’s won several World Series; is articulate, debonair and has that New York swagger, yet he possesses no more commercials or endorsements deals than James does. So what is the draw for James? Oh yeah, and how many times have you seen the Knicks playing on TNT or ESPN in the last seven years?

If there is truly a reason for James to pack up his talent and move East will someone school me because I’ve yet to hear one! The Cavs have a lot more time remaining on the clock. James will continue to don blue and orange in 2010; except it will be Cavalier blue and orange, not the blue and orange of the Knicks. But the Cavs’ management need not miss their attempt to convert shots on enhancing roster moves for the years moving forth.

Reggie Williams, an award-winning editor and journalist, is reachable at rwilliams@itsflawless.com

End to Beginning Answer by Lake Lewis

How can a 10 time NBA All Star, Former league MVP, 4 Time scoring champion, perhaps the best little player, and cultural phenomenon not find a job in the NBA?  If your Allen Iverson you may ponder how these accomplishments mean nothing to the NBA General Managers who have decided he is no longer of value.  Just a few years ago he was being touted as perhaps a 6ft reincarnation of Michael Jordan for his scoring prowess.  He was nearly unstoppable on the court despite usually being the smallest player on the floor.  The defender that is stopping Iverson now is not a defensive stopper the likes of Ron Artest or a team that plays great defense like the San Antonio Spurs.  The defender that has put the clamps on Iverson is his success plus his huge ego.  As this article is being written the breaking news is that Allen Iverson will meet a second time with the Philadelphia 76ers regarding a possible return to the franchise that drafted him as the #1 overall pick in 1996.  If a return is near this could be the proper send off for one of the NBA’s all-time greats.  Or, this could be the continual disintegration of an athlete who has had to overcome many obstacles in his very public, speculative, life.

Iverson has been at the center of media stories since he was a two sport athlete in Virginia.  Public scrutiny would follow him to Georgetown University because he had a past.  He was pardoned by then Virginia Governor Doug Wilder for his involvement in a Hampton, Virginia bowling alley brawl.

As the center piece for the 76ers Iverson was known to dominate the ball and at times be untouchable.  We all remember after the 2002 season concluded for the 76ers following a playoff loss Iverson gave his famous “We talkin bout practice” rant.  A rant that was a meltdown of his relationship with then 76er Head Coach Larry Brown, and to a greater extent, the pressures of being famous for the wrong reasons.  Iverson in my opinion was propped up as the poster child for the NBA’s infusion with hip hop culture.  His cornrows, tattoos, and do-rags, were welcomed in the hardest streets of urban America and were jeered in the suburbs by whites as well as blacks.  In all, Iverson had a cult following for his brashness and unique sense of self.  He never stepped outside of himself to be something that he was not.

Could this have been a curse that is now following him?  I don’t think his past or his “cultural” sensitivities are what are at the root of him not landing with another team.  Teams like the New York Knicks who were once set to sign Iverson after his release from the Memphis Grizzlies, have taken a pass.  This is more so because Iverson suffers from an inflated ego that any Hall of Fame player has.  You can’t be great and not think that you can dominate a game at anytime.  This is Iverson’s downfall now.  He can’t remove himself from wanting to start and from being the #1 or #2 options on the floor.  This is why his stay in Denver and last year in Detroit were short lived.  Memphis chose to go with younger players in a building for the future phase.  Thus making his stay in Graceland short lived.

Should Iverson indeed return to the 76ers this would be a great story for his fans as well as the people of Philadelphia.  He embodies all of the characteristics that Philadelphia sports fans come to love in their athletes.  Both have never been the same since their split in 2007.  Questions that will arise are going to be will Iverson be willing to share the ball with the new A.I. in town Andre Iguodala?  Will he be able to split minutes with exciting, young guard Louis Williams when Williams returns from injury (broken jaw)?  With a career scoring average of 27 points per game and 11 years of service in Philadelphia, it is not hard to see why the 76ers are interested in bringing him back.  He would or should I say “will” be a draw for a team that ranks near the bottom of attendance in the NBA.  With his return imminent.  As a fan of Iverson it would be great to see him play like the Hall of Fame player he is, and embrace the role of a player who can share the ball and court with younger players who need a leader?

Lake Lewis is the President and CEO of the Sports Journey Broadcast Network.  He also was a host on ESPN Radio 1060 Orlando, ESPN Radio 1080 Melbourne and the Drive Time host ESPN Radio 1240 Maryland and WMET 1160 in Washington DC.

The Orlando Magic Define Resiliency

By: Ross Benjamin

Since the beginning of the 2009 calendar year and up until 2 weeks ago there was much anticipation for what seemed to be the inevitable NBA Finals. A meeting between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers seemed to be a foregone conclusion. The story lines surrounding this much anticipated and taken for granted series left some Hollywood scripts looking like an elementary student’s daily diary.

You had the two best players in the NBA that were going to be opposing each other in Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. One player was the 2009 MVP of the regular season and the other being arguably the best player in the world. These teams had the best records in the NBA during the regular season and were the overwhelming consensus of being the isolated elite pair due for a collision course in June.

Then along came the upstart Orlando Magic to spoil the party. This was a club that won 59 games during the regular season. Yet the pundits and experts still deemed them to be a year or two away and not ready for the big stage.

There was the unexpected struggle in the 1^st Round versus Philadelphia who entered the playoffs having lost 6 of their last 7 games to end the regular season. They proceeded to dispose of the Seventy-Sixers in 6 games. This series etched in stone the tag that has stuck with them throughout their playoff run and one that fits them like a glove. The Magic have defined resiliency in every sense of the word. It started in the close out Game 6 of this series when they won by 25 on the road without their suspended young superstar Dwight Howard.

Next up for the Magic was the defending World Champion Boston Celtics. Orlando held a 2-1 lead in the series with Game 4 being played at home. They were on the verge of taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series only to see a buzzer beating shot by Glen “Big Baby” Davis seemingly pull their heart right out of their chest to even the series at 2-2 and in the process relinquishing their home court advantage. The Celtics ran with that momentum winning Game 5 in Boston and seemingly took the will to win away from Orlando. The Magic was sure to fold the tent up and most likely in Game 6 was the popular opinion of many. Even the eternal optimists concluded that if they were able to salvage that game at home there was no way they were going to win Game 7 on the road versus the most historic franchise in NBA history. They proceeded to win Game 6 overcoming a 4^th quarter deficit and then hammered the Celtics by 20 in Game 7 on the road.

The Magic had now advanced to the Conference Finals with the monumental task of having to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland not only was the #1 overall seed in the NBA Playoffs, had lost only 2 games at home all season long, and had swept their first 2 playoff opponents winning by 10 points or more in all 8 contests. The popular opinion was Orlando might be able to crack through and win 1 game at home during the series and ride off into the sunset being complacent with the fact they had a successful 2008-2009 campaign. However the Orlando team and coaching staff never received that memo. Orlando ruined the party that the NBA Executives, media, and neutral observers had hoped to see. Orlando prevailed in 6 games and the dream series that many had anticipated between the Lakers and Cavaliers dissolved quicker than General Motors stock. If not for a miraculous 3-point shot at the buzzer in Game 2 by Lebron James you can make a legitimate case that Orlando should have swept the series. Orlando overcame a 16-point deficit in Game 1 to win. That was then followed in Game 2 by overcoming a 23-point deficit only to seemingly once again get their heart torn out on a buzzer beating shot. This series final story line was resiliency prevailed over invincibility.

At the time of this writing the Orlando Magic trail the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1 in the NBA Finals. The Magic’s resiliency has been put to a test and will continue to be put to a test for however long this series goes. Orlando dropped 2 of the 3 games in overtime. In Game 2 they rebounded with a great effort after being soundly beaten by 25 points in Game 1. They missed a golden opportunity to gain a split in the series when rookie Courtney Lee missed a lay-up at the end of regulation time. The Lakers then proceeded to prevail in overtime. Once again the pundits thought this would be too much heartbreak for the inexperienced Magic team to overcome versus a team with vast playoff experience. The resiliency continued in Game 3 with a Magic win. The Magic had Game 4 in the palm of their hands with their 23-year old superstar going to the foul line with 11 seconds to go and a 3-point lead. Dwight Howard proceeded to miss both free throws and leave the door ajar. The veteran Derek Fisher no stranger to hitting big shots at this time of year did exactly that. Fisher tied the game with 4 seconds to go by hitting a contested 3-pointer to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Lakers once again escaped from the brink of defeat to prevail in the extra session.

This resilient bunch looks like they finally may succumb. The overriding factor being that they are facing a team that is been on this big stage before. Their star player having won 3 NBA Championships already and was making his 7^th appearance in the NBA Finals. Their veteran guard who hit the 3-point tying shot to send the game to overtime in Game 4 also has 3 rings in his possession. Their head coach on the verge of winning an unprecedented 10^th World Championship.

Do the Magic have one more drop of resiliency left to continue on? Have they finally lost the will to fight back after another gut wrenching defeat? Has adversity finally slowed the heartbeat of a team that had the look of one that would survive for an infinite time? The answer to all of these questions might be yes but can you really blurt that response out confidently and emphatically? The story lives on for at least one more game. Good stories are always dominated by happy endings. This tale may be in the minority in regards to the last chapter. However that doesn’t take away from the quality of the book. You can rest assure of one thing. The next time you hear the word resiliency used to describe a sports team you can’t help but think of the 2008-2009 Orlando Magic. No matter win or lose that fitting description will be forever cast upon the memory of their remarkable ride.

LeBron is no King, Just the MVP

Just when I am ready to declare my fan ship and loyalty to one of today’s top athletes, the player does something so classless, and immature, that it makes me stick to being an unbiased Sports Journalist.  What we seek from the new millennium athlete is humility.  Is that too much to ask?  In an error where making double digit millions in a single year is the norm, fans are increasingly becoming frustrated with the “I don’t care” approach of many of today’s top athlete’s.  I’m not going to harp on what it was like “back in the day” when athletes had to work second jobs when their respective seasons would end.  I’m not going to speak on former tough guys playing damn near maimed.  Nope, I’m not going to do it!  But what I will mention is why did LeBron James throw away a lot of respect he had worked so hard to garner.

In case you have been on another planet; James did not shake the hands of the Orlando Magic players, not a single one of them, after the Magic had just disposed of James and his Cleveland Cavaliers.   After the game 6 defeat in the Eastern Conference Finals, James hurriedly walked towards the locker room without doing the honorable thing which is to acknowledge the opponent that has just sent you home.  James had just finished putting on one of the more remarkable NBA Playoff series from a statistical standpoint.  He averaged 38pts, 8 asst, and nearly 8 rbs but could not get help from teammates in the very lopsided series.  This is not about his exploits on the court because we are witnessing (excuse the pun) something really special being created.  This is a rare player that has power and grace to go along with an uncanny basketball IQ.   What this is about is a temporary fall from grace.  Yes, I understand that James is only 24.  But since when did 24 become so young that you don’t know right from wrong?  We are talking about LeBron James!  A young man that knows his place and worth in basketball perils.  What he did was cut open the spirits of those and I am in that group, of fans and media, who enjoy watching and covering the guy.  Surely he can not be this bratty and pretentious.  No this was a mistake as in a mistake by the lake.

Since the fiasco James has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for not meeting with the media after the loss.  And more importantly he has had to face the public backlash for his lack of sportsmanship.  It goes without saying that anyone over 30 years of age remembers the greatness of Michael Jordan.  I am in my late 30’s and I still to this day get offended when fans push Kobe, LeBron, or even Dwayne Wade in my face as possible equals of Jordan.  My how we forget what greatness was?  Yes Jordan had his share of off the court troubles but on the court and in everything relating to basketball, he was flawless.  Would Michael Jordan overlook and opponent?  Even after his tough year in and year out losses to the  Detroit “bad boys” Pistons, he would shake Isaiah Thomas’s hand, even though I’m sure he wanted nothing more than to break it.  It was that same Isaiah Thomas that walked off the court with his bruised, and battered, Pistons without shaking the hands of Jordan and the Bulls when they issued a sweep in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals.  This was seen as a major slight of Jordan and his breakthrough.  I venture to say that Thomas in some ways has never recovered from that mishap.

LeBron James owes the public and his fans an apology.  I am a former athlete who usually defends today’s athlete tooth and nail.  Listen to any of my past shows and you will hear me numerous times say these guys are still human.  However, in this case James failed to do something that he himself has had hundreds of athletes do to him.  That is to simply man up and say congrats to your opponent.  He went on to say to the Cleveland media that “You guys know me, I am a winner, and it’s hard to shake someone’s hand when they just beat you”.  I understand what he means but it is still no excuse to not do it, as hard as it may be.

After his fine by NBA Commissioner David Stern, James had the Commissioner issue this statement.  “He asked that I express to the media, the Magic and the fans his apology, and particularly (to) the young fans because he knows he has a responsibility to all of our fans, and that sportsmanship is appropriate, whether you win or whether you lose. He understands why it was necessary for me to fine him $25,000.”  Ok so again I say, LeBron you need to man up and do this yourself.  This is once again another sign of how some and I say some because it is not all athletes.  But some do not get it!  I think LeBron does get it but had an epic brain freeze.  I hope he can recover from this and continue on his quest for a championship and ultimately Jordan’s crown.  But before he does he needs to remember that the public demands perfection on the court, field, diamond and ice, but also demands humility.  Is that too much to ask?

Lake Lewis, CEO and Founder of the Sports Journey Broadcast Network can be heard on his daily radio broadcast from 3-6pm, Monday-Friday on the Sports Journey Network and several other affiliates around the United States.

Trade deadline passes with a whimper

Worth a lot if you can find it.

All bark, no bite. That’s normally how the NBA’s trade deadline goes. This year was no different as a litany of mega-stars were in the news, but just a handful actually changed area codes.

Uhaul was on red-alert, but in the end just a few major moves were made.

The Sixers were not involved in anything, as their bargaining chip, Andre Miller, went down with a calf injury last night. That pretty much assured him he would remain a Sixer for the remainder of the year, which isn’t a bad thing considering last night without him.

Miller’s contract expires after this year, so the Sixers are still in the drivers seat regardless. They can resign him, or let him walk and reap the benefits of cap space in this dingy economic crisis we have on our hands.

As for the rest of the field, a few big moves went down on Wednesday, some of which included former 76ers and others with Philly ties. By my count at least 8 players (nine if you count Joe Smith’s recinded trade) were moved at the deadline that were drafted or played for the Sixers, or have Philly ties.

In one of the bigger transactions of the day, Larry Hughes was sent from the Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks. In exhange, the Bulls recieved Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Roberson. Thomas is a former Villanova star and was a 76er for a year and a half to start his career. Hughes was drafted by the Sixers in the 1998 draft, but he too lasted just over one year with the team. Coincidence? I think so.

Hughes will be the two-guard Mike D’Antoni has coveted since they gave up on Jamal Crawford earlier in the year. Hughes will disappoint as usual and shoot a low percentage, something D’Antoni wont like. Thomas is an underachiver as well, but thats ok, he will be playing a backup role in Chicago.

Kyle Lowry’s name had been in the headlines as well, as the Grizzlies looked to unload the backup and had entertained deals from Orlando and Miami, among others. He ended up moving to the Houston Rockets in a three way deal that involved Orlando as well. Lowry will now have a chance to start for the Rockets and will get a shot at the playoffs for the first time.

John Salmons was dealt to the Chicago Bulls with Kings teammate Brad Miller for Andres Nocioni and others. Salmons was on the Sixers from 2002-2006 and was part of the deal that netted the Sixers Chris Webber. Salmons is a very good offensive player and should fit in nicely with the Bulls.

Other former Sixers Calvin Booth and Michael Ruffin were also involved in trades as Booth heads to the Kings and Ruffin goes from the Bulls to the Kings to the Blazers in two separate deals.

Malik Rose, the former Drexel standout was also dealt. He moves from the Knicks to the Thunder for forward Chris Wilcox.

Thabo Sefalosha is a name you may not know, but was actually a Sixers draft pick 2006. He was dealt on draft night to the Bulls for the 16th pick, which ended up being Rodney Carney. Sefalosha moves from Chicago to Oklahoma City for a future first round pick. The Bulls were busy, no?

And finally, our dear friend Joe Smith, who made two tours to Philly, was nearly traded from the Thunder to the Hornets in a deal involving Tyson Chandler. That deal was nixed after OKlahoma City’s team doctors found something wrong with Chandler. Smith is now looking for a buyout so he can join a contender.

And that’s As the Trade Deadline Turns here at Thinksixers. Hope you enjoyed the lack of a trade deadline as much as I did.