Video: Magic Johnson talks how he helped Dwight Howard get to LA
Web Extra: Magic Johnson on Dwight Howard
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Playing in the Red: The New NBA
As a Dallas Maverick fan, I have to wonder why teams like L.A., Miami, New York, and even Brooklyn can acquire the players that they have under the new collective bargaining agreement, yet a team that has operated well above the salary cap since Mark Cuban took over can not. Those teams have made a decision to operate in the red and a NBA championship is worth it. The new agreement was supposed to level the playing field by requiring a much higher luxury tax for teams over the salary cap. What has happened is the plane between contender and non-contender has grown exponentially. At the start of the 2012-13 season, the number of teams with a legitimate chance of winning it all is few and far between. Struggling franchises are finding it hard to attract top free agents and additional revenue streams to compensate for increasing their payroll. The original thought that low salary cap teams will be the go-to destination if a superstar wants to make big money was totally wrong. Lebron i...
5 Reasons why Dwight Howard should be a Laker
It is tradition - Throughout NBA history the biggest of the BIG MEN have made their way to Los Angeles to wear purple and gold. Mikan, Jabar, O'neal, and Chamberlain seem to come to mind. He already lives in LA - Dwight Howard spends his off-season cruising, eating, and living it up in LA. That is going to be impossible if this deal does not get done. NBA Titles - No doubt he has a better chance with the Lakers to get a few titles than with Brooklyn, Houston, and Orlando. It is a Laker tradition. Steve Nash & Kobe Bryant - Howard will finally be around veteran guys that can absorb some of the spotlight. Their leadership would help him fully develop into a global star. Heir to the Throne - Kobe plans to retire in two years. By that time, Dwight's star power should be in another galaxy. Perfect timing to be the next all-time great "Laker" in the franchise's rich history.
Derek Fisher returns to Staples Center to face Lakers; Bynum and Kobe Comments
This will not be Derek Fisher's first time returning to LA to face the team that drafted him in 1996. Fisher spent two of his 16 seasons in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. Every other season he has donned the purple and gold. Ironically, his return in 2005 propelled Derek to a career high 29 points. His return now after being traded to the Rockets, then bought out, and now joining the best team in the west in Oklahoma City is different. Fisher is nearing the end of his NBA career and the move to remove him from the Lakers was purely a salary cap play. A new salary cap that Fisher, president of the NBAPA, spent the entire off season debating with NBA owners to end a lockout with a shortend 66-game schedule. Although the Lakers brought Fisher back last time he left, this feels final. Last week after the Lakers beat the Mavs handily in Dallas I asked Andrew Bynum about not having Derek on the roster. He said he was happy the he ended up with a contender like the Thund...
Drinking Games: Lakers vs Clippers
Here is a list of 5 great drinking games for tonight's Lakers vs Clippers preseason match-up Alley-Oop - Take a shot every time Chris Paul throws an alley-oop dunk to Blake Griffin. Be warned, this could be a long night Star Gazer - Take a shot every time they show a celebrity in the crowd. This is only for people with a high tolerance level Say My Name - Take a shot every time the broadcast mentions "Dwight Howard" or "Lamar Odom". Depending on the score late in the game, this may get you trashed. I'll Pass - Take a shot every time Kobe passes the ball. Great game for light drinkers. I'm too old for this - Take a shot every time Chris Paul makes Derek Fisher look like father time. This is also for high tolerance level drinkers. Enjoy and drink responsibly.
Chris-Paul-goes-to-the-Clippers; The-Audacity-of-the-NBA
Wow. So Chris Paul can go to LA as long as he does not become a Laker? Something smells... ESPN Report Y! Sports Report
Angels sign Pujols and Wilson; Rangers are still AL West favroite
C. J. Wilson has helped the Rangers control the AL West the last two seasons. His record against AL West teams is 21-8. Albert is agurably the best player in baseball. The Angels are still an old team. Sure the rotation of Weaver, Heron, and Wilson makes them better, but look at the Phillies. They have the best rotation in MLB and did not get it done last year. The Rangers still have the true core of their success with Hamilton, Cruz, Andrus, Kinsler, Napoli, Feliz, Ogando, and you can even add Beltre to the list. Jon Daniels has to sign some key players over the next two years as their free agency approaches. You can lose C. J., but you can't lose Hamilton or the chance to make a mid-season move similar to the last two seasons that have really been the key to back-to-back AL West Championships. The AL West Pennant still goes through Arlington.