Los Angeles Lakers Guarantee 2013 NBA Playoffs

Los Angeles Lakers one of the most storied franchises in American sports history are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the NBA playoff picture. Despite one of the best rosters in the NBA the Lakers are fighting to sniff the NBA playoffs. As NBA fans and media question the Lakers ability to turn things around over the later portion of the season Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash remain confident of a NBA playoff appearance. When discussing the issue in a recent Sports Illustrated interview Kobe Bryant said "It's not a question of if we make the playoffs. We will,” Bold statement by the NBA's worldwide spokesperson as #24 has never been a individual short on confidence or will. Seeing the glass more than half-full is the way Bryant has always viewed life in the NBA.  After Bryant's playoff guarantee fellow teammates Nash and Howard were asked about the statement and responded "Yeah, I guarantee it, too," Nash said and Howard responded with "I'm not going to sit up here and say, 'No, we're not going to make it,' " Howard said. "We got to have faith, and if we don't, we're not going to make it, but I believe that we're going to turn this around and we're going to be great."

The Lakers currently sit 3 1/2 games behind the James Harden led Houston Rockets and sit 4 1/2 games outside of 7th place Utah Jazz. Los Angeles Lakers 27-29 are 7-3 over their last 10 games and starting to click on the court. Howard seems to have his explosive bounce and first step back after a nagging shoulder and back injuries. While a lot of media focus surrounding the NBA's best big man remains on what he will do during the upcoming off season. General Manager Mitch Kupchak is confident that Howard is the center piece and future of the Los Angeles Lakers. With the NBA trade deadline passed and gone Howard seems more inclined to stay in Los Angeles. The relationship between Howard and Kupchak is based on trust "He just told me to trust him, so I’m going to trust him and go out there every night, play as hard as I can" Howard said.

 

Now with chemistry starting to mesh and injuries to Nash and Howard on the mends the focus for the Lakers is making the playoffs. Trust is no longer a issue as the Lakers stars are starting to align, the only issue is timing. Do the Lakers have enough time to make a true run at the NBA playoffs, with 26 games remaining in the 2012-2013 season? The passing of Owner Dr. Jerry Buss gives the Lakers a sense of urgency to live up to the legacy and tradition started by the late owner who quoted the reason he bought the Lakers was to surpass the Boston Celtics. The day after his passing the Lakers dismantled the Celtics in his honor and a NBA Championship in 2013 places the franchise at 17 Championships tying the Celtics.  Dr. Buss will be truly missed.....

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Brooklyn Nets: Phil Jackson Power, Money and a Legacy

Drafted by the New York Knicks in the 2nd round of the NBA Draft 1967. Phil Jackson was a member of two NBA Championships in the "Big Apple" 1970 and 1973 as a top reserve member off the bench. These days in Phil Jackson's NBA career are lesser known by many, Phil even missed the 1970 NBA Championship photo shoot.

 What is known to a greater extent is the coaching prowess and intelligence that helped meta-morph and catapult the careers of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal to new levels.  Hired by the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under Doug Collins in 1987. In 1989 after the departure of Collins, Jackson was promoted to head coach. From  1989 - 1998 Jackson coached the Bulls to two "three-peats" equaling six NBA Championships in a nine year span. The greatest span in modern NBA franchise history. 

First three-peat included the Bulls knocking off arch nemesis Detroit Pistons. The only franchise standing between the Chicago Bulls and the NBA Championship.  Detroit Pistons were the bullies and Phil Jackson was the young coach with the ultra talented NBA superstar Michael Jordan. When the "Bad Boys" Pistons implemented the famed Jordan Rules, Jackson responded with the Triangle Offense a modified version of the Triple Post Offense ala University Southern California and Basketball Hall of Fame coach Sam Barry. 
Phil Jackson's and Bulls assistant Tex Winter "Triangle offense" produced NBA Championship victories against Magic Johnson and the Lakers, Clyde Drexler's Portland Trailblazers and Charles Barkley high octane Phoenix Suns.  

During the off-season of 1997- 1998 off season tensions and contractual arguments grew between Bulls GM Jerry Krause and Phil Jackson. Tensions led to Krause announcing prior to the season that Jackson would not be returning to the Chicago Bulls "I don't care if it's 82-and-0 this year, you're fucking gone." Krause told Jackson. The Bulls did not finish 82-0 but the final season of the Jordan era concluded in dramatic fashion with the Bulls defeating Karl Malone and John Stockton's Utah Jazz marking NBA Championship number six. 

After retiring for a season Phil Jackson took his talents to Hollywood joining the Los Angeles Lakers earning roughly $6 million per season to maintain the ego's of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. In the first season Jackson coached Lakers to 65-17 regular season and to the NBA Finals defeating the Indiana Pacers this was only the beginning to Jackson's third NBA Finals "three peat" as the Lakers won two additional NBA titles versus Philadelphia 76ers (2001) and New Jersey Nets (2002). 

Jackson's departure from Los Angeles after the 2003-2004 season included several spats. Spat #1 Contract agreement Jackson was looking to double his salary from $6 mil to $12 mil. Spat #2 Kobe Bryant it is well documented that Kobe was a hot head a "me-me first player" usually deviating from the Triangle Offense to play one on five basketball against the other team. Spat issue #3 the departure of Shaq when the Lakers traded the greatest center in NBA history to the Miami Heat the writing was drying on the wall.  Immediately following his departure the Lakers and Bryant fell hard and during the 2005 season the Lakers rehired Jackson.  

The period from 2005-2007 presented Jackson with many obstacles the Lakers roster was mediocre at best. Even with a squad of Smush Parker and Kwame Brown Jackson was still able to coach Lakers to two playoff appearances. During 2007-2008 season LA Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies made a blockbuster trade as Lakers obtained Pau Gasol. With two stars to run the triangle Jackson was able to produce three more trips to the NBA Finals. Though it was not Jackson's usual trifecta Lakers won two out of three NBA Finals losing and then winning against the Boston Celtics and defeating Orlando Magic. 

Look over Jackson's career and you will notice several attributes and key elements first his a well disciplined winner prepared to handle any challenge. Only challenges he encountered included greedy, zealous, power hungry GM and owners the other issue was Kobe Bryant. 

Jackson understands his worth and command value it would take at least a minimum of $15 mil per season to pry Jackson out of retirement. Nets owner Mikhail Dmitrievitch Prokhorov Russian Billionaire and  political figure has no problem shelling out $15 million per season. 

Second major issue was the behavior of Bryant causing a distraction so damaging Jackson requested to Lakers ownership and management that Bryant be traded. This hints to Deron Williams the "Coach Killer" who could not understand or get along with NBA Coaching legend Jerry Sloan causing the longest tenured coach in American Major League sports to retire from his coaching post with the Utah Jazz. Over two decades of coaching history. Does Jackson want to inherit the "Coach Killer"? 

Third point of notice every Jackson team had a superstar a player that was at the top of the league in individual talent. While the Nets have a good unit Williams and Joe Johnson will never be mistaken for Jordan or Bryant.

Fourth Point does destroying Jackson's Legacy come with a price tag? It is often the coach looking for work with a organization that is worth more than the individual employee. In this case Jackson has 11 NBA Championship rings his legacy is remarkable and that may be worth than what the Nets can offer the Zen Master to tarnish his legacy. Brooklyn Nets are not a true threat to the NBA Championship the organization has zero, yes zero NBA Championships and only four division titles. Why would Jackson bring his legacy to Brooklyn?

Why Would Jackson Bring His Legacy to Brooklyn? Phil  Jackson is a Kingpin when it comes to coaching in the NBA and a Kingpin only cares about power. How much is Prokorhov willing to grant Jackson could be the key to any serious negotiations.... 

2012 Men's Team vs. 1992 Dream Team Debate Continues...

Via Sports Cipher X 

The London Olympics have finally kicked off from Olympic stadium in beautiful England the firework display was a treat. Watching and viewing the Queen and the James Bond skit was wonderful and to the unbelievable remarks given by American Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. All is safe in peaceful in the beautiful surroundings of London. Now the battles and competition can start as old rivalries continue China vs. Japan Mens Gymnastics and great rivalries coming to a end Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte in Mens Swimming. The Women's competitions of Allyson Felix  (USA) vs. Veronica Campbell Brown (Jamaica)  and of course one of our favorites Australia vs. Great Britain for Medal "Lord of the Rings" medal count supremacy. 


Yet, one debate rages on, a debate so debatable that legends have spoken out and we will never truly experience the outcome. It's the debate of the 1992 USA Olympic "Dream Team" the greatest team ever assembled in the sport of basketball vs. the 2012 USA Mens Basketball team. Debates and conversations from Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley describing how the 1992 Dream Team will never be touched on the court to Kobe Bryant and "now" LeBron James quoting that the 2012 Mens Team could beat the 1992 version. 


The original Dream Team led by Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird defeated Olympic opponents by an average 43.8 pts and a gaudy number even for a team full of NBA Hall of Fame players. The international competition was not the same compared to 2012.  International players have evolved in the sports of basketball over the last two decades and Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski agrees when asked about the difference. Krzyzewski is also Head Coach at Duke University and was an assistant coach on the 1992 Dream Team that dominated the world in Barcelona. 

So even with improved international play omitting the 43.8 pts per game winning average the comparisons between the two teams continue with the question of what would have happened had the 1992 Dream Team faced the 2012 Men's Team led by Bryant, James and Kevin Durant. Navigating the roster the #1 weak spot for the 2012 Men's Team is the depth chart. Team USA 2012 players have been hit with a rash of unfortunate injuries Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard have all been removed or replaced on the Men's Team for the 2012 Olympics. 


#2 Weak spot the interior post game, the Dream Team was comprised of several dominating big men. David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley a list of the greatest power forwards and centers to ever set foot on any basketball court. To compare the down low post game of the 1992 team to the 2012 squad would be cruel and down right murderous. 2012 Men's team post players include Tyson Chandler, Anthony Davis and Kevin Love serviceable players on NBA teams but not 1992 Dream Team qualified. 


The two weak points listed are just an example of why the debate that continues to fuel fire should be extinguished with liquid hydrogen. The only real question is with the high level of competition would the Dream Team average more 20 point wins vs. 40 point wins if faced with the Marc and Pau Gasol's of Spain or the Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola Argentina. How far has international competition gone and where is it going. I agree with the words of Bryant when addressing NBA Commissioner Stern's comments of a 23 and younger team "only" being allowed to enter the Olympics. "It's a stupid idea," Bryant told reporters. 


Truly with international players Tony Parker (France), Anderson Vareajo (Brazil), Serge Ibaka (Spain) etc... the USA fielding a 23 and under team would be ridiculous and put the USA at a great disadvantage in an American dominated sport. 

Bottomline: 1992 Dream Team would out perform the 2012 USA Men's Team, International competition has increased around the globe and a 23 yr old and younger USA Men's Team is no Dream Team for America it's stupid, it's a nightmare. The last and only Dream Team to ever play was in 1992 all other teams are simply USA Men's Basketball Team's.


Of course this last statement must be added NBA 2K we have a request to help with some of the virtual debates. "In honor of the 2012 London Olympics, JMC Sportsbook would like to propose a valuable 2K13 feature include the Dream Team and all the USA Men's Teams since 1992 for the soon to be highly anticipated sports game of the year NBA 2K13 just a thought"

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Kobe Bryant vs. Derek Fisher: The Hunt for Six!

Kobe Bryant the "Greatest Lakers" of all time confessed by both Magic Johnson and Shaquille O'neal is on a quest to capture his 6th NBA Finals Championship. Kobe Bryant was drafted in the 1996 NBA Draft "Charlotte Hornets" and debuted in his first NBA game November 3rd 1996 versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kobe was scoreless in his NBA debut logging 6 minutes of play but over the next 15 years his career would go on to be the story of legends. The all time Lakers great is looking to join Michael Jordan with 6 rings and win more Championships than any player in the post Jordan Era.

Kobe Bryant "Black Mamba" is not the only player in the NBA seeking his sixth NBA championship ring. Long time friend and former Lakers teammate Derek Fisher now of the Oklahoma City Thunder is quietly on a mission of his own. Fisher drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers 24th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft has won 5 NBA  Championships and has been a key member of the Lakers last 5 championship banners hanging in Staples Center.

Fisher has also played for the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz. In both stints Fisher has been unable to win an NBA championship without playing next to his 1996 rookie teammate Kobe Bryant. Ditto for the Black Mamba for years Kobe and Fisher have meshed together like a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. "No one just eats a Jelly Sandwich" the two players together have produced 7 trips to the NBA Finals and won 5 NBA championship rings since 2001.


Now in the 2012 NBA playoffs the two compadres will be known enemies each searching for their sixth NBA championship. Ask Kobe about the subject and he will probably deny he ever thinks about it "it's just a question in the wind"  Well hopefully those winds are the Santa Ana winds that tend to blow through the greater Los Angeles area instead of the Thundering thud from Oklahoma City. We all know that some where deep inside of the competitive mind of Kobe Bryant he knows the real score is 5-5. Not only must he make a statement against up and coming OKC Thunder but he wants to remain the best in every way possible and that includes receiving his sixth ring before Fisher.

In the main plot there's the L.A. Lakers vs. OKC Thunder in the sub plot there's Kevin Durant vs. Kobe Bryant but not on the list, not on the club brochures or team websites is the battle from within a small tug o' war between two very close friends. The Race to 6            has begun!

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Los Angeles Lakers: For Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher Breaking Up is Hard to do...

Playing in the NBA for 15 years, you've won 5 Championships been to 7 NBA Finals. You look around the locker room noticing all the reporters standing around in their usual format asking questions to teammates sitting at their locker. You over hear a few questions and answers being thrown around between players and media staff and then it hits you, the moment you notice your childhood (rookie) friend is missing. Things start to become a little bit more blurry as the new coach enters the locker room and he approaches you, yes the rumors are true. The teammate you knew and loved for 15 years is gone, the team co-captain, heart and soul has been traded. Man breaking up is hard to do....

Kobe Bryant has won 5 Championships in the NBA 1 with the basketball player formerly known as Ron Artest, 2 with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, and 3 with the most dominating "Big Man" to ever play the game Shaquille O'Neal. Yet, none of those 5 Championships could have been accomplished without one of the most clutch players in Lakers history Derek Fisher. 

Derek and Kobe came to the Lakers the Summer of 1996, they were both rookies playing together in the back court entrusted with wearing the historic Purple and Gold of the Los Angeles Lakers. Derek was never an NBA All-Star and he didn't have to be. Derek Fisher was more than an All-Star he was a Champion, a player his teammates could depend on to make tough shots and smart decisions. He ran Phil Jackson's Triangle offense better than any point guard in Phil's coaching history.

When Kobe was double teamed and the Lakers needed a big shot Derek used his leadership and championship pedigree to knock down the big one's. If Kobe's game on the court was off, Derek was the only one with enough determination to get in Kobe's ear. Kobe and Derek's relationship meshed like the "Purple and Gold" on their jersey's. Derek was more than just a back court roommate of Kobe on the court, he was his best friend. 

One day Derek's jersey will join the highly regarded panel of West, Chamberlain, Baylor, Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Worthy, Goodrich, O'Neal (next season) and Lakers legendary announcer Chuck Hearn hanging from the rafters of the Staples Center. Next to Derek's #2 jersey will be Kobe's #24. The summer of 1996 will always be remembered as the summer the Lakers created a 5x Championship back court combining the super uber talented skills of Kobe with the professional leadership of Derek Fisher. 

For nearly 15 years, Kobe has been the on court talent and Derek has been the locker room voice of the Los Angeles Lakers. Now separated due to time but forever remembered and meshed in the Purple and Gold of the historic Los Angeles Lakers.