Results tagged “la” from Robert Littal Presents The Infamous BlackSportsOnline

We've all heard the names before. "Ball hog", "Arrogant", "Selfish." The only thing is the "haters" were right. The Lakers most recognized player, jersey number 24 (formerly known as 8) was all those things however that was pre-MVP Black Mamba. While you can count on Kobe to be the go to man and put up 50+pts on a given night to carry his team to victory (see the 61pt record setting performance he dropped on the Boston Celtics at the Garden back in February) you can also rest assure that he will dish the ball out to you to let you get your shine on (ahem, see Lamar Odom, Trevor Azria and Paul Gasol game performances of late).

There's valid hate then there's hate from disgruntled ex-Lakers' players jobless or otherwise. Ask former Lakers' guard, Smush Parker. "Tell em, why your mad son! tell 'em why you're mad!"

An NBA season is a long season. With eighty-two games, and when you're a team of championship caliber, sometimes you typically expect to play at least sixteen more...if you're lucky.

Last year, the Celtics and Lakers got to that level, and it wasn't because one player carried them there. It wasn't because a two-man tandem scored majority of the points - it was because each basketball club had a good, respectable team.

Thirty-six games into the season, the Lakers have the best record, second best home-record, the highest scoring team in the league, are nearly invincible in their division (8-1) and 9-1 in their last ten games. Things are good, right? As it turns out, not particularly, as today the Lakers embark on their biggest test of the year. With a back-to-back in Texas starting tonight against the Rockets and Spurs, and finishing the week off with Orlando on Friday, the Lakers have a lot of work to do. Let's also mention that the following Monday, Lebron comes to town.

The Lakers came into the season as one of the deepest teams in the league. They had a second string that played staggering defense, and numerous 15-0 runs to kill games. They were running on an unbelievable level of energy to show everyone that they aren't that team that folded in June motivation. Now...the Lakers are running on electric stimulation, and are being hindered by

Every year Forbes puts out a list of highest paid franchises. Some of the rankees come as no surprise given the Cleveland Cavaliers have the next face of the league and the Lakers are poised to return to NBA Championship glory, but other rankees in the top five slots would blow even the seasoned sports fanatics' mind. With a #20 ranking toting only $114 million in revenue, it's no wonder the Trailblazers are baller blockin' Darius Miles from signing with other teams,. See where you favorite NBA squad falls on Forbes coveted NBA MVP Teams.

#1 New York Knicks

Team Value $613 mil
The New York Knicks are owned by Cablevision Systems, who bought them in 1997 for $300 mil.

The Knicks won only 34% of their games under Thomas and spent a league high $424 million on players over four years. The out-of-control spending also meant the Knicks had to pony up $126 million in luxury tax payments. Despite the on-court problems, the Knicks continue to regularly sell out the Garden at outrageous prices. Thanks to the addition of VIP boxes boasting a private wait staff and flat-screen TVs in upwards of $800,000 per season, the New York Knicks enjoyed a lucrative $208 million dollars in revenue in 2008. Something to look forward to granted the team is only worth a lowly $35 million currently.

Major corporate sponsors are T-Mobile, Foot Locker (nyse: FL), Coca-Cola (nyse: KO), Continental Airlines (nyse: CAL), Anheuser-Busch, American Express (nyse: AXP).

#2 L.A. Lakers

Team Value $584 mil
The Los Angeles Lakers are owned by Jerry Buss and Philip Anschutz (Net Worth: $8 billion), who bought them in 1979/1998 for $20 mil/$268 mil.

It's no wonder why the Lakers are #2 in the land of most paid NBA Franchises. The Lakers sold out all their games last season and attending a home game at the Staples Center amounted to taking a stroll down Hollywood's Walk of Fame with the increase in celebrity sightings. Thanks to astronomically priced courtside tickets at $2,500 a pop, loyal fanfare, Kobe's MVP award, and a renewed rivalry between long time rivals the Boston Celtics, The Lakers franchise enjoyed revenue to the tune of $191 million last year and a $91 million dollar boost in value from $79 million in 2007 to $170 million in 2008

Major corporate sponsors are Toyota Motor (nyse: TM), American Express (nyse: AXP), PepsiCo (nyse: PEP), Anheuser-Busch, Adidas. Naming rights sponsor is Staples (nasdaq: SPLS).

This video beyond a prediction also gives dating, gambling, eating and life advice, so you should definitely check it out.

If you are interested in the written version just keep reading (video way more interesting though).

In twist of fate more topsy-turvy than a ride on Cedar Point's Magnum, New York Knicks' president Donnie Walsh, threw a curveball into the midst of the Crawford-Harrington deal by dickering and dealing Zach Randolph into the equation. A long way from his low scoring, lackluster performance days trailblazing in Portland, Zach has been putting up numbers, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Since his girl chasing years at Michigan State, including a flirty encounter with yours truly, I always thought Zach's boyish mannerisms, baby face and under developed talents were better suited for posting up opponents at the Breslin Center than out rebounding opponents at the Rose Garden so nobody other than fellow Spartans, friends and family are as pleased as I am at his evolution into a NBA caliber offensive rebounder and scorer. If there was one decent decision made in the Isaiah Thomas era, it was acquiring Randolph in 2007. Although pleasantly surprised at the 260 pound power forward-center, Walsh just couldn't imagine a foreseeable future including Randolph in newly crowned Knicks' coach Mike D'Antoni's run and gun style of offense, opting instead for a more versatile and inexpensive Al Harrington of Golden State fame.

"Al is a true NBA veteran who possesses multi-positional skills," D'Antoni commented. "He will fit perfectly into our system and will help us win some games immediately."

Here's the rundown of the two trades: The Knicks acquire Cuttino Mobley (2 years, $18.9M), Al Harrington (2 years, $19.2M) and Tim Thomas (2 years, $12.5M) while sending Zach Randolph, Jamal Crawford, and Mardy Collins packing - Zach Randolph (3 years, $48M) and Mardy Collins (2 years, $2.8M) to the LA Clippers and Jamal Crawford (3 years, $28M) to Golden State Warriors. The Clippers in addition to acquiring Randolph and Collins, may have to give up a future second round draft pick. This undoubtedly is a power play to clear up cap space in the tune of $78.8 million, saving roughly $27.5 million as Thomas and Harrington's deals will fall off New York's payroll by summer 2010 to strategically position the Knicks in the rat race also known as the 2010 free agent class. New York has a nice fat chunk of cheese to woo a certain number 23 and possibly another illustrious player who will remain anonymous but has been known to go by the nickname "The Flash."

"I think that opening up cap space down the road for us is a big plus on our side and I hope our fans understand that that can give us an opportunity to make the team better according to the plan that I've outlined,"Walsh was quoted as saying. "So I'm trying to be true to what I said from day one, and that's what I'm doing."
With the Nets postponing their move to Brooklyn due to an unfinished arena, expect the Knicks to be a front runner in snatching up free agents left and right in a class that not only includes Lebron, Bosh and Wade, but potentially high profilers Shaq, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire, Dirk Norwitzki, Yao Ming, Tracy Mcgrady, Manu Ginobili, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, among others! Will Lebron take a bite of the Big Apple? As much as money talks, Lebron will follow suit where he feels he can fulfill his desire to win a championship. All I can say it's no wonder why Eve found this fruit so tempting.

Hello New York!

I have been meaning to talk about this for a couple of days but between NFL players being shot and Floyd Mayweather getting robbed among other things it has been pushed to the back burner. Now that I have a little time let me make something clear.

"Oscar De La Hoya is scared of Antonio Margarito"

I am a huge Manny Pacquiao and if I had to put money on it right now I would predict he would beat De La Hoya even though he is coming up in weight. De La Hoya who is always claiming that he wants to fight the best decided it was better *coughs* easier *coughs* to fight a "Lightweight" as oppose to the true "Welterweight" champion.

The reason is simple:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Manny is going to bring in big dollars which is great for Manny he deserves to get his piece of the pie but De La Hoya already has big money. If Floyd has 7 million dollars worth of jewelry hanging around De La Hoya owns the Jewelry store he bought it from and all the jewels in it if you are feeling what I saying. So what is more important for the sport of boxing a bigger payday or the most interesting matchup?

Fact of the matter is De La Hoya is taking the "easy" fight for the most money which won't be the first time he has done such a thing and even though he has hinted at retirement probably won't be the last.