Metta World Peace just dropped an atomic bomb on Lakers head coach Mike Brown.

Even though, this isn’t the first time I have heard this, it isn’t something that you should take to the media.  Here is what he had to say.

“I’m trying to win,” World Peace told CBSSports.com. “And right now, coach is a stats guy. His background is video coordinator or whatever. So he’s all stats. But Ron Artest is all feel. He doesn’t understand that. Having me in (Thursday night’s Celtics) game at the end, he was worried about me shooting bad from the free throw line. And I was like, ‘I could care less because I’m gonna get a stop at the end of the game.’ He didn’t understand the rhythm that we had—me, Fish (Derek Fisher), Kobe (Bryant), Pau (Gasol) and Drew (Andrew Bynum). I’ve been through games where I would have two points, go 1 for 9 and we’d win. That’s what matters. Stats are for people who need stats.”

“If I could count how many times another team went away from the best player when I was on him, I’ve got to be like No. 1 in the league,” World Peace said, per CBS Sports. “That’s not a stat, and coach doesn’t … you would have to play basketball to feel that. When Phil Jackson was here, that’s why I was in the game, because he understands that. Philly and Utah, I was on the bench because of stats. … I think he just has to get a better feel of the players.”

Hard to be a killer if you can’t make free throws.

One of the reasons Shaq and Kobe worked so well when they weren’t trying to beat each other up, was that Shaq could dominate for 44 minutes and Kobe could come in and close the show.

I wonder at times does Dwight even know what type of player does he want to be.  I appreciate him want to embrace the killer role, but you can’t just talk about it you have to demand it.

“I do want the ball more in the fourth quarter,” a frustrated Howard told FOX Sports exclusively after the game. “I want to become a closer. The only way you get there is by getting the ball and have coach have the confidence in giving me the ball.

“That’s how Kobe (Bryant) and the rest of the great fourth-quarter players got that way. It’s trial and error. When Kobe first got in the league, it took him a while to become the killer he is in the fourth quarter now. That’s because he went through that phase where he had to learn what shots to take and just get confidence in taking shots in the fourth quarter.

“That’s one thing that I want for myself, so I can become the guy who finishes games for my team. I want to be that guy whose team wants him to close games out for them. Coach just needs to have confidence in me.”

This was after a Magic win.  Wonder what he would have said if they would have loss.

Right now, it doesn’t matter what Howard says about the Magic or Stan Van Gundy because we all know that………..

DWIGHT GONE!!!!!!

I thought Iverson said he was willing to do anything to get back into the NBA?

I guess anything except humble himself and go to the D-League for a couple of weeks to prove he can still play.  This is according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

Iverson was nearly a member of the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, but he apparently wasn’t willing to meet their demands. Not only he have had to practice, according to Smith, he would’ve had to do it while wearing the jersey of their D-League affiliate L.A. D-Fenders.

The Lakers also put in a waiver claim on Jeremy Lin, but teams with worse records were ahead of them.

AI in my mind doesn’t really want to put in the work, to get back in the league in my opinion, he still sees himself as the Allen Iverson’s of old, but that isn’t the case.

Part of being the Villain isn’t just making the shot, it is what you do after the shot.

Kobe Bryant can miss 100 shots, but when he hits that one it is something special and the reason why? He has the villain role down pact.

Watch Darth, nail the baseline jumper and then stare down the Raptors’ bench. It is the Raptors so it is kind of funny, but still this how you hit a game winner.

Does anyone know why Boozer is painting on his hair to look like Malcolm X, back when he was Malcolm Little?

Inquiring minds want to know?

Is it because his son is a Heat fan? How long before Lebron starts using this?

We need Robert Stack (RIP) to come back because this is a true Unsolved Mystery. Get on your job Bulls media.

*UPDATE*

As the game went along Jermaine Jackson errr Boozer’s hair began to melt.

Lebron is 100% correct.

Fans can pretty much say anything they want, but as a player there isn’t much you can do.  I believe if a fan threatens you or challenges you to a fight, you should be able to kick their ass.

Because at the end of the day, we are all men and if you want to talk with your chest out, you should be able to defend yourself.

Unfortunately, because of the society we live in,  athletes are handcuffed and there is no reason to lose millions of dollars because a fan has beer muscles, but if they were allowed to beat up a few, many others wouldn’t be as bold.

Deadspin.com notes an NBCWashington.com report with details of the exchange.

LeBron just got into a verbal altercation with a fan. Spoke to the fan. Wanted to give Heat PR time to comment on the LeBron fan altercation. I’ll update you if they end up doing so, but here’s the story.

I saw a Wizards fan and LeBron in a heated conversation on the sideline during the game Friday night. I spoke to the fan and got his side.

Fan Bob Moore made a comment to LeBron about Delonte West and LeBron’s mom… [According] to Moore, LeBron said “The only reason you talk s*** is because you know I can’t come off the court right now and beat your a**.”

Also according to Moore, LeBron continued “But if I had a free pass, I’d kick your a** right now. Moore replied “I’m right here baby. Let’s go” before security stepped in.

As I have said before Lebron is an easy target because he doesn’t stand up for himself. He is too busy trying to be politically correct.

What he told the fan is how he really felt, but if the media asked him what he thought about fans who heckled him, the answer would be a lot different.

I understand because Lebron’s net worth is based off his image, but at some point you have to let players, fans and media know you can’t be walked over.

He needs to learn that lesson before he can truly develop the killer instinct he needs to win a title.

Common sense tells you that once Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire come back that Jeremy Lin will have to take a back seat.

He isn’t going to be able to get off 20 plus shots like he has been doing.

What you hope is that Melo and Amar’e see what is going on and blend into the system, because what they were doing before wasn’t working.

Lil Wayne who has shown he knows nothing about sports, decided to rain on General Lin’s parade.

Hard to take someone who wears white fuzzy UGGs seriously, but this is just Wayne’s opinion. All Lin can do is keep playing at a high level and that is best way to quiet critics.

If you’ve checked your Twitter timeline anytime over the past week, you’d be hard pressed not to have come across at least one tweet about the latest NBA phenomenon, Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin. I’m as guilty as anyone of getting caught up in the hype – I snatched Lin up on both my fantasy basketball teams after he torched the Nets and quickly renamed my teams “General Lin’s Army” – but one comparison in particular has really bothered me: the one’s calling Jeremy Lin the NBA version of Tim Tebow.

In fairness to the lazy, uncreative people making this comparison, they are both professional athletes that have experienced surprising success, and are devout Christians. Lin himself undoubtedly fueled the fire by acknowledging that he sees Tebow as somewhat of a role model with the following statement:

“I actually want to be able to do some of the things that he does in terms of the amount of charity work and the non-profit work, and the way he impacts people off the field. I think that is what is most inspiring to me about him.”

That’s a fine goal to have, and Tebow should be commended for the way he has used his celebrity to affect positive change off the field, but let’s not ignore the key phrase in that quote “off the field”.

On the field, Lin and Tebow have very little in common, aside from their fiery approaches to playing the their respective games. Whether people realize it or not, Lin is a highly skilled basketball player that has a long track record of success against superior competition dating back to his high school years. The he-came-out-of-nowhere angle seems to be an easy way out for the talent evaluators and analyst who, if we are being completely honest, overlooked Lin’s potential largely based on his ethnicity, because the talent and production were always on full display. Don’t believe me? Check out this ESPN article on Lin from December of 2009.

Stereotyping aside, the biggest problem I have with the Lin/Tebow comparison is that the success of the individuals, and the teams they play for, are happening for very different reasons. Tebow came into the NFL with lots of questions about whether he could succeed at the quarterback position, and despite the epic comebacks, long winning streak, and upset playoff victory, Tebow has done very little to answer those questions heading into 2012. Credit the Broncos’ coaching staff for adjusting the offense to mask his limitations, and for fixing a defense that was one of the league’s worst in 2010, but despite the hype, there is a less obvious connection between Tebow’s performance and the Broncos’ ability to win the AFC West and a Wild Card game against the Steelers.

Lin, on the other hand, has succeed for one reason and one reason only: the kid can hoop! He doesn’t have elite athleticism or any other physical tools that give him an obvious advantage over his competitors. What he does have is a high basketball IQ, a genuine love for the game, and a skill set that fits perfectly into coach Mike D’Antoni’s system. The Knicks have won four games in a row with Lin starring in all for victories, and unlike Tebow’s fourth quarter heroics, Lin has done it for entire games. With New York all-stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire out for all or most of all four games, you can draw a direct correlation between Lin’s exceptional play and the Knicks’ team success, something that is still up for debate with Tebow and the Broncos.

I’m cheering for Lin to succeed, just as I hope that Tebow can have a long and successful career as an NFL quarterback. Unlike Tebow, however, Lin already has the skills, the Knicks just need to keep the rock in his hands.

Contact Geoff at geoff@popflyboys.com, follow him on Twitter @snglemarriedguy, and read more of his takes on sports and pop culture at popflyboys.com

Times are tough when you have to woo Gilbert Arenas.

I find it a bit odd, that there are reports that Kobe sabotage a potential Dwight Howard trade, but is pushing for Gilbert to come.

Maybe, because Gilbert is no threat to Kobe’s Alpha Dog standing on the team, but at this point Kobe needs to figure out a way to get a marquee player to the Lakers if he wants that 6^th ring.

According to Ken Berger of CBS, Kobe Bryant has contacted Gilbert Arenas, recruiting him to the LA Lakers.

There have been reports that the Lakers are considering Gilbert, but now that their ringleader has reached out to him, it seems like a real possibility.

The Lakers have had a sub-par season thus far, and the point guard slot is clearly their weakness.

Anything is better than Derek Fisher and Steve Blake at this point, but with Gilbert it is either going to be a success or he will flame out miserably.

I think those are the options the Lakers are weighing.

I am sure ESPN didn’t mean to show this.

I am also sure someone is going to get offended.

My messages to those people, stop being so sensitive and enjoy the General Lin ride.  Sometimes you have to understand the intent, before you get your panties in a bunch and the intent was to celebrate Lin’s skills, not offend anyone.  Lin had a monster game against the Lakers and if Kobe didn’t know who he was before, he knows him now.

Kobe isn’t stupid he knows what is going on, he just likes to play with the media.

Kobe is the most competitive basketball player on the planet, he is acutely aware of everything that is happening around him in the NBA, so I don’t believe any of these comments.

After the Lakers’ dramatic 88-87 overtime win against Boston on Thursday, Bryant was asked for his thoughts on Jeremy Lin and the craze surrounding the guard that has been dubbed “Linsanity.”

“What? No idea,” Bryant said. “I know who he is but I don’t really know what’s going on too much with them.”

When further prodded by reporters, Bryant added, “I don’t even know what he’s done. Like, I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I’ll take a look at [the tape] tonight though.”

The way Kobe’s mind works, he was be especially locked in to make sure General Lin doesn’t shine when the Lakers play the Knicks.

Sort of an orientation.

Look for Kobe and the Lakers to try bring some reality back to Lin and Knicks.

Lebron is such an easy punching bag, because he doesn’t fight back.

Which is interesting because if you ever met him, he is a physically imposing  guy that no one is intimidated by.

But back on topic, Lebron needs to let the hair go, before he starts looking like George Jefferson.

It is time, he already wears a 7x headband, if he continues at this pace he will have to play with a Wave Cap on.

The Nets really should be more concerned about getting Dwight Howard or they won’t have to worry about their luxury boxes, you know why?

Because no one will be in them.

Unless there are some die hard Kris Humphries fans out there.

Here is what Jigga has in mind.

Forks need to be heavy, [Jay] told his small audience. …. Forks, Jay-Z said, need to have substance. A plastic fork? Please. Even stainless steel was out of the question.

he Nets are set to begin marketing 11 luxury suites that will be known as “The Vault at Barclays Center,” a small, high-end space on the event level of the arena. Yes, Jay-Z chose the forks—in addition to offering his input on the Champagne ($300 bottles of Armand de Brignac), the layout (asymmetrical) and much of the décor (lots of black and shimmering metallics).

The Vault was conceived as a collection of uber-suites, part club scene and part Kasbah, replete with a VIP entrance framed by a 15-foot sheer curtain. The first tenant? Jay-Z himself.

Part of the aesthetic, Sharples said, was based on the metal bottles of Armand de Brignac, which is sponsoring a communal 2,400-square-foot bar at the center of the space.

Before Michael Vick got put away for killing Scooby Doo, he was infamous for another reason.

He checked himself into hotels under the alias Ron Mexico.  The reason we know this is because Vick was hit with a sex lawsuit back in 2005 (You can read it here).

At that point Ron Mexico became synonymous with something else that I am not going to get into.

Considering the precedence LeBron’s alias is sort of week.

The Miami Heat are in D.C. to play the Wizards on Friday, and this morning NBC Washington’s Sarah Schorno tweets, “I learned last night that LeBron apparently uses Gordon Gekko as his hotel alias.” And if that’s true, it’s just so, so perfect. Sometimes it seems like LeBron’s in on all the Global Icon jokes, and he’s just playing along at this point.

By the way my alias in Max Power, Max is short for Maximum.

I love GRONK’s attitude.

In essence, he doesn’t care what you think and is going to do what he wants to do.  Youthful ignorance is a beautiful thing.  If he wants to dance like Jersey Shore guys after the Super Bowl or take pictures with Bean more power to him.

Salty media and fans won’t like it and you know what I say to that?????

GRONK had the greatest statistical season for a Tight End in the history of the NFL and he played in the Super Bowl with a seriously injured ankle.

If anyone deserves some slack it is him.

So stop high horsing and let GRONK live.

H/T Larry Brown Sports

Combination of the Knicks being so bad, Lin being so good and the power of social media have made Jeremy Lin an overnight sensation.

So of course he gets his own Fathead.

Cavs owner of Dan Gilbert who owns Fathead wants some of that Lin money.

Good news for Lin, he is no longer sleeping on his brother’s couch and has found him an apartment.
Maybe he will put his own Fathead on the wall.

Buy yours today.

I believe that Tim Tebow’s calling will be more off the field than on it.

In the end, I think he will just be an average quarterback at best, but you can’t deny the profound impact he has on just about everyone he meets.

I saw in Indianapolis during the Super Bowl, he is just one of those types of guys.

General Lin has taken the NBA by storm and it isn’t surprising he has a Tebow story as well.

In an interview with 95.7 The Game in San Francisco Lin had this to say about Tebow:

“Actually a lot of inspiration just because [Tebow's] such a polarizing figure but I think the things he says in interviews, his approach to the game is just unbelievable and I respect him so much. I want to be able to do some of the things that he does in terms of the amount of charity work and the non-profit work, and the way he impacts people off the field. I think that is what is most inspiring to me about him.”

I hope Lin keeps it up, seems like a nice guy and his story is amazing.

Hopefully when Carmelo comes back he doesn’t screw it up.

Kobe isn’t an idiot.

Kobe isn’t a fan.

He knows who is the most talented player in the league is.  If Lebron would have listened to my advice and signed with the Lakers, in my opinion he would have a ring and would have average a triple double last year.

He needs someone like Kobe, he has Wade, but Wade isn’t the same Wade as 2006 and I think Bron sees that now.  He can party with Wade, but he could have been a GOD in LA.

Kobe also offered an answer that would be surprising to some when he was told he could pick any player in the league to join him to create the sport’s top duo. ‘It’s a tough question because I’ve played with a lot of great players being on the Olympic team,’ Bryant said. ‘I think that the player I would probably play with the most where the pieces would fit would be myself and LeBron [James], believe it or not, because he’s more of a facilitator and I’m more of a scorer. … He’s a modern version of what Oscar [Robertson] was. He just puts up genius numbers.’”

I have said many times that Lebron James could have been Oscar Robertson 2.0 the Beast Mode version, but when he went to Cleveland they tried to make him into Michael Jordan and while they had success, ultimately I thought that was a mistake.

In Miami, he plays more of a Big O type game, but it has been an adjustment.

Just remember, Lebron can get out of his Heat deal in 2014, around the same time Kobe will be in his final years as a Laker, just something to ponder.

It was 80′s night in New Orleans, so they brought out Will Ferrell to do the player introductions.

Pretty funny.

My favorite?

“He major in Econ, but he minored in LOVE!!!”

The players didn’t seem to enjoy it as much as I did.

Lebron definitely has a future in acting.

He is one of the most underrated floppers in the NBA.  Unlike many others, when Lebron flops, he normally gets the call.

The key to an effective flop, is to sell it, even minutes after it happens.  Look at Lebron still reaching for his neck, even after the foul has been called.

Dwight Howard barely grazed him, but you would think, he took a Jack Bauer punch to the throat.

Come up on stage and get your Oscar Lebron.