Los Angeles Lakers show interest in Knicks' Iman Shumpert, Tyson Chandler

With Pau Gasol struggling again and their backcourt hit by the injury bug, the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly called the New York Knicks about possible reinforcements.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that the Lakers have inquired about Knicks guard Iman Shumpert and center Tyson Chandler.

Shumpert has been getting the cold shoulder from the Knicks after enjoying a solid season last year. With the Lakers short on point guards and Kobe Bryant playing with the ball in his hands a little more, the Lakers are looking to Shumpert to help hold the fort until Jordan Farmar, Steve Blake, or Steve Nash comes back.  

The Denver Nuggets and Tornto raptors have also been discussed as possible trade partners for Shumpert.

As far as Chandler goes, the Knicks say they aren't willing to move him but anything is possible, especially of they find a sweetheart of a deal. Why the Lakers would want to take on Chandler's contract and his health concerns are beyond me, unless they would take on Gasol.

Is Chris Webber a Hall of Famer?

The Basketball Hall of Fame debate seemed to start earlier this summer, when a couple of former superstars who had brief stints with the Detroit Pistons ended their careers: Allen Iverson (reportedly) and Tracy McGrady.

An ESPN writer has added one more name to the debate, and not only is he someone who’s eligible for voting next year, but he’s someone we watched grow up, literally.

The person under grantland.com scribe Zach Lowe’s microscope is Chris Webber. The former Mr. Basketball/Fab Five star/No. 1 overall pick/ex-Piston (again, briefly) was, and still is, a divisive character. In fact, Lowe alludes to this, but mostly crunches the numbers to say C-Webb is a Hall of Famer.

“Here is the total list of players who piled up at least 17,000 points and 8,000 rebounds, while averaging at least four assists per game with a career PER (player efficiency rating) above 20: Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Bird and Webber. There's some unfair cherry-picking there, since Webber barely exceeds all those thresholds. But cutting the criteria still produces a ridiculously elite list of just 11 guys, all current or future Hall of Famers — plus Webber.”

Lowe goes on to concede that Webber’s shortcomings include his lack of a world championship — though he was the best player on those early-2000s Sacramento Kings that nearly knocked off the Lakers. And he mentioned, more in passing, his short, yet dazzling, culturally impactful and tainted college career as a Wolverine.

Also presented in Webber’s case file was the fact that his numbers tended to decline a bit in the playoffs. But much of Lowe’s argument hinges on Webber’s talent level, especially as a passer.

If you haven’t yet, read Lowe’s analysis and his 17 stray thoughts, mostly on his NBA career. And no, none of his half of season in 2007 with the Pistons, where he averaged 11.3 points and 6.7 assists on a bad knee factor into this Hall of Fame equation.

Robert Parish thinks it's awkward for Paul Pierce to be playing for the Nets

As a basketball fan it just won't seem right watch Paul Pierce in a Brooklyn Nets uniform. Just like it was strange watching Hakeem Olajuwon and Karl Malone in a Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers uniform. It just doesn't seem right after watch him play for the Boston Celtics for so many years.

Longtime Celtic great Robert Parish knows a little about being in a different uniform. Parish spent his final years as a member of the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls.

In an interview with Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, Parish said that Paul Pierce being on the Nets 'will be awkward' and he also compared Pierce's situation to his last few years in the NBA.

“Just accept the fact that it is going to be awkward initially. That’s all. Because he has worn the Celtics green for so long and it is going to be really awkward for him. But it was time for a change and what I do like about what the Celtics did for Pierce and Garnett, they didn’t send them somewhere to another situation that is not going to be successful. They sent them someplace where they are going to win. Garnett and Pierce have earned that right.” 

Parish spoke about his time in Charlotte and how he felt about it.

“Un-com-fortable,” Parish said (of wearing the Charlotte uniform). “In my mind, I would always be a Celtic. I was very thankful and humbled that the Hornets saw fit to allow me to play a couple more years, but the only time I thought of myself as a Charlotte Hornet was game time. Other than that, when the jersey came off, I still felt like I was a Celtic.”


When Pierce eventually goes into the basketball hall of fame he'll more than likely go in as a Celtic. But as long as the Russian billionaire is cutting the check in Brooklyn I'm pretty sure Pierce won't be feeling too awkward.

Only when he comes back to Boston.

Kobe Bryant calls Floyd Mayweather "Bobby Fischer with gloves"

After his victory over Robert Guerrero Saturday night, Floyd Mayweather impressed another fight fan from afar.

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was impressed with the way Mayweather handled his business. Bryant tweeted: @FloydMayweather is like Bobby Fischer with gloves #vino".

Bryant is referencing the great chess master, who many considered to be the greatest chess player of all time.

"I told him this is chess, not checkers," Mayweather said.  

Lakers teammate Metta World Peace agreed with Bryant's assesment of Mayweather.


"They have a lot in common," World Peace told Yahoo! Sports. "When you get great athletes and look at them you see these similarities in the way their mind works.

"There is this focus and mindset that comes from knowing you have the physical and technical ability to outperform your opponent, that you are starting out with that advantage already in your pocket. From there it is about executing when it matters and they have both done that time and time again."

Even after the layoff and having to shake the ring rust, Mayweather is still at the top of his game.

Pau Gasol will go to Germany to get treatment on knees

This season has turned out to be a huge struggle for the Los Angeles Lakers, and with the team down 0-3 heading into Sunday's game 4 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, it seems probable the suffering will end soon.  The biggest reason as to why it has been such a tough year is because of all the injuries the members of the squad have experienced, as the team never was healthy enough to develop the proper team chemistry necessary to cause serious damage.  One player who has dealt with his fair share of injuries is 7 footer Pau Gasol.  Currently, the big man is playing through soreness in his knees due to tendonosis, and it seems he may consider flying to Germany this summer to undergo the legendary platelet-rich plasma procedure.  Via Mark Medina of the LA Daily News:

Gasol was asked if he might consider going to Germany in the offseason to undergo a derivation of the platelet-rich plasma procedure.

"I have to do something to regenerate the tissue," Gasol said, "so I don't have to play with this pain."

'I'll go to wherever I need to go," Gasol said. "It's a possibility.'"

I refer to the procedure as "legendary" because Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant underwent the exact same process on his injured right knee in July of 2011.  The procedure did wonders for the Mamba, as his knee did not bother him at all the next season and he was able to run up and down the floor smoothly.  Hopefully for Pau Gasol, the PRP therapy will work the same way it did for Bryant and he no longer will have to play through constant knee pain.

It is worth mentioning Gasol will also be playing through the pain from the torn plantar fascia in his right foot he suffered in February.  In addition, it seems the power forward suffered a torn ligament in his right middle finger and will be playing game 4 with a splint.  Via the OC Register's Kevin Ding on Twitter:

"Pau told and showed me yesterday he tore a ligament in his right middle finger in Game 3. He plans to wear a splint today."

Just add this to the list of injuries which have destroyed any hope of the team succeeding in the postseason.

Phil Jackson ready to go back to work

Apparently former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson has had enough of retirement. After nearly two seasons in retirement, Phil Jackson has become increasingly interested in working in the NBA next season, according to sources familiar with his thinking.

Jackson turned down the Brooklyn Nets coaching job earlier this and has said that he's finished coaching. That still won't keep teams that are interested in his services from asking. Jackson is reported to be interested in a front office job taking on a role similar to Pat Riley's in Miami or Larry Bird in Indiana.

Jackson has been mentioned for a front office job for the ownership group in Seattle attempting to buy the Sacramento Kings.    

The Nets provide the best opportunity to come in and have wide-ranging powers. GM Billy King has been Mikhail Prokhorov's man in the rebuild, but there's a way to give Jackson president powers while keeping King as the point man on deals. It would be interesting and innovative to see Jackson as part-time coach, full-time president, without having to do the actual negotiating. But if anyone's willing to make exceptions and put the money together for a part-time coaching position for Jackson so he doesn't have to travel with his health issues, it's the devil-may-spend-er Prokhorov.

Jackson has never held a front office or personnel position so that may be a deterrent in hiring a man with 11 championship rings to his credit

Eddie Jordan reportedly taking the job at Rutgers

Los Angeles Lakers assistant Eddie Jordan will be heading back to Rutgers and taking the head coaching position according to sources close to the program. Jordan was previously a head coach of NBA teams in Washington, Sacramento and Philadelphia.

Jordan is expected to be announced as the new coach this week. Reports had Jordan meeting with Rutgers officials this weekend and was signing a deal next week. This gives Rutgers some hope as they move into the Big Ten next season after the Mike Rice scandal.

Jordan was the East Regional MVP for Rutgers in the 1976 Final Four, and holds school records for assists and steals. He served as an assistant at Rutgers for five years in the 1980s. Prior to his retirement from the NBA in 1984, Jordan also won a world championship as a Laker.

Ben Howland and Bob Hurley Sr. had also been interested in the job. The school had it's sights set on Rhode Island's Danny Hurley, but he signed an extension to stay there.

Jordan is well versed in the Princeton offense and will bring some defensive principles with him that will be needed in the ultra competitive Big Ten. He'll need to recruit well and use his NBA connections to get players to the New Jersey school.

Raptors' Andrea Bargnani finished for the season. Could amnesty be next?

The Toronto Raptors fans have had enough of former overall number one pick, Andrea Bargnani. They've had their wish granted because Bargnani is finished for the year with an elbow injury.  The same elbow that cost Bargnani some court action this year.

Bargnani missed 26 games earlier in the year with wrist and elbow injuries. He’s now suffered a new injury in the same elbow — an “avulsion sprain” — that will sideline him 3-4 weeks.

Fans would love to see the big man shipped out if town. General manager actively tried to trade Bargnani before the trade deadline but couldn't find any takers. It appears the Raptors might be stuck with a player who has disappointed them one too many times.

There could be hope though. The idea of Bargnani being waived via the amnesty clause has been floated out there. It might be difficult to part ways with a player once thought of to be a cornerstone of the franchise. But  the decision is made a lot easier since Bargnani has two years and $22 million left on his contract.

If Bargnani is set free during the offseason is there still a place for him in the league? While some may say he should go back to Europe, I think he could excel in a place where expectations for him to carry a team aren't so high.

In my opinion, I really think Bargnani would fit in well with the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs have an international flavor plus he could play under Tim Duncan for a few years. Think about it, the Spurs have earned Nazr Mohammed a few extra paychecks. It damn sure wasn't his time in Detroit that did it.

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls could possibly be a landing spot for Bargnani. More so the Bulls where he could come in as a sixth man.

No one knows what's going to happen but one thing is for sure. Bargnani more than likely is headed out of Toronto.

Howard says his poor conditioning led to losses

Dwight Howard hasn't been a big hit with the Los Angeles Lakers so far. The team has been in disarray for most of the year and hasn't clicked at all. The Lakers are in danger of missing the playoffs and Kobe Bryant isn't happy with the losing.

Being new in town, Howard has received his fair share of blame. Howard has now accepted some of the responsibility for the Lakers poor season. Howard told Ramona Shelbourne of ESPNLosAngeles.com that his lack of conditioning costs the Lakers some games this season.

"You've got to have energy and I want to bring that energy every night," Howard said in a revealing interview Saturday afternoon. "That's my job. They count on me to be that guy. I just know how much more effective I will be when I'm in better shape. And, unfortunately, it's cost us a lot of games."

"I knew that would be a process. The better shape I'm in, the more active I can be and the more I'm able to do on the floor," he said. "But it was a struggle at first because I just didn't have it in the tank, especially on defense."

That can't sit well with Braynt. He made a big deal out of Shaquille O'Neal delaying surgery on his toe and being out of shape when he came to camp.

It's true that Dwight has had back surgery and didn't have a full training camp/preseason to get ready but his poor attitude hasn't helped the team either.

As much as I liked the trade of Howard to the Lakers,I said he was too big of a goof to mesh well with Bryant who takes this game ultra serious.  

I'll give Howard some credit for taking some of the blame for the Lakers' woes and not pointing fingers elsewhere.

Kobe Bryant passed on a trade to join the Pistons in 2007

According to a report by yahoo.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Kobe Bryant was very close to becoming a Detroit Piston back in 2007.

At the time the Los Angeles Lakers were a mess and Kobe was on one of his get me out of here rants. The late Jerry Buss had a meeting with Bryant at Buss' home and was informed that a deal was on the table.

Bryant would have had to waive his no trade clause and Detroit wasn't on his list of destinations. The reported deal would've had Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson, Richard Hamilton, and a first round pick going to Los Angeles for Bryant. The Pistons denied the rumors at the time.

Bryant says that he wouldn't have left the Lakers for anywhere.

“It hit me that I didn’t really want to walk out on Dr. Buss,” Bryant said Monday, adding it probably wouldn’t have mattered if it was Chicago, Dallas or New York either.  

It would've been interesting, but I don't think Bryant would've stayed in Detroit too long. Not a knock on the city, but I just couldn't see Bryant meshing well with what the team had at the time. Also what would have Bryant done once he hit free agency?

We can play the 'what if' game with that scenario.  

Chris Paul says Clippers still don't own L.A.

Despite having a better record than their Staples Center neighbors (Los Angeles Lakers), clinching the season series for the first time in 20 years and handing them a 24 point beatdown before the All-Star break, Los Angeles Clippers point guard, Chris Paul still isn't convinced.

The Clippers have been the talk of the NBA for most of the season but Paul won't have none of it. Especially when it comes to talk about being the kings of L.A. He won't buy into the hype.

"We have definitely not taken over the (Los Angeles) Lakers' popularity in L.A. And I don't see that happening anytime soon," point guard Chris Paul said Friday in Houston. "It is what it is. At the end of the day it's all about winning ballgames. And that's what we're trying to do."

It sounds like Paul is more concerned with the bigger picture of trying to get the Clippers into uncharted waters rather than being the talk of the town. The NBA isn't a popularity contest to Paul. He wants to win big. But I'm sure that Paul and his teammates are relishing the fact that they are looking down at the Lakers in the standings, but they'll all say the right things when asked about it.

Rubio would take Pau Gasol on his team

Minnesota Timberwolves guard, Ricky Rubio is standing up for Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol. Rubio doesn't think it's right that Gasol is being brought off the bench and playing limited fourth quarter minutes in some games. Rubio or Gasol don't think it's right that Earl Clark has been starting in his place.

Gasol has also been the subject of trade rumors the past two years and Rubio would gladly take him on his  Timberwolves squad if the Lakers don't want him.

 "He proved to the league he is one of the best," Rubio said. "He can pass. He can shoot. He can rebound. He can do a lot of things. I think if you use him in the right way he is a top player in this league. If they don't want him, we are more than welcome to get him."

"It's been the last two years that it seems like they don't want him, but actually they need him," Rubio said. "He's a great player. He can do a lot of things and he had some issues with the knees, too. It's been a lot of years without resting for him. But he's a veteran. He knows how to play."

Even though Gasol is having a tough year, the Timberwolves would have to give up something of significant value (Kevin Love) to get Gasol. Minnesota has been mentioned as a possible trade partner, but I don't see it happening. No matter how much Rubio wants his fellow countryman on his team.

Gasol has said that he wants to remain a Laker, but he must swallow his pride and just play ball. Maybe if he focused on that and blocked out his distractions, he and the Lakers can turn their season around.

Kobe doesn't take charges

There has been a big deal about flopping recently and David Stern isn't happy about it. On the flipside of that subject Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant told reporters not to expect him to take any charges.

"We got a couple guys that take charges, but for the most part, the one guy that took a charge is now playing in Oklahoma," Bryant told reporters after practice Tuesday, referring to Derek Fisher. "I don't take charges. Metta (World Peace) don't take charges. Steve (Blake) will take a charge every now and then, but most everybody else just stands up and plays." 


Standing up and playing didn't help them in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder and they could've used some charges to help them out last night. Bryant says he doesn't take charges to preserve his health and credits it to his longevity in the NBA.


"I learned from my predecessors," Bryant said. "(Scottie) Pippen had a (messed) up back taking charges. (Larry) Bird had a (messed) up back taking charges. I said, 'I'm not taking charges.' I figured that ... out at an early age.



"I've seen Michael (Jordan) not take one ... charge, and he's healthy his whole career, and the same thing with Magic (Johnson). I might not be the smartest guy in the room, but I can figure that ... out."


I do agree with Bryant and he is a season vet and one day he'll take another one and it won't be by accident.  

Jim Buss wants Kobe to be a Laker for life

While the Los Angeles Lakers made some deadline day moves to compete for another championship, Lakers exec,Jim Buss says he wants Kobe Bryant to be a Laker for life. That's a shocker. Who in the Lakers front office wouldn't want Kobe to remain with the team until he calls it quits?

The problem is placating Kobe and putting a competitive team around him. I guess Buss has it all figured out.

"I think about a lot of things to improve this team, to figure out how to manage the finances of it," said Lakers executive vice president of player personnel, Jim Buss, as a guest on the "Mason & Ireland Show" on 710 ESPN on Friday. "One thing I haven't thought of is Kobe being somewhere else. I don't know why that question has ever come up and I'd like to squish that one."


While it's hard to imagine Bryant in another uniform, it's had to say that Bryant will be able to compete at an elite level for the duration of his career. A caller on the show Buss appeared on went as far as saying that Bryant and the Lakers had a short window of opportunity to win a sixth championship. Buss thinks that Bryant has a lot left to give and won't sell him short.

"I might disagree with you that Kobe only has three or four years left, but we'll see," Buss said. "As you see, we make trades and our whole focus isn't to win a sixth (championship). I'm not sure I would stop there for Kobe; I would go to seven or eight if we can. ... I think Kobe is going to be a Laker for life and I'm pretty sure he's not going to hang them up after two years."    

The only way Kobe leaves Los Angeles is if the Lakers are in so much disrepair that he doesn't want to stick around for a rebuilding job. His competitive juices will keep him in the game for as long as he desires.

Lakers wheeling and dealing

With the trade deadline looming, the Los Angeles Lakers have been doing some retooling to their roster. Earlier today it was reported that the Lakers sent Luke Walton and a first round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for point guard Ramon Sessions and  forward Christian Eyenga.

There also has been confirmation by Ken Berger of CBSsports.com that the Lakers will be sending Derek Fisher and a first round pick to the Houston Rockets for forward Jordan Hill.

What this does for the Lakers is give them a servicable point guard in Sessions that is capable of scoring, and they add a rugged big body in Hill that can give Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum a rest for a few minutes. He won't score like them but he can play defense and rebound.

In a Western Conference where the only legitimate threat is Oklahoma City, the Lakers appear to be getting a makeover for another run at the Finals.    

Kobe won't chase rings

Some say Kobe Bryant is headed toward the twilight of a brilliant NBA career. I can't tell by the way he's playing and putting the Los Angeles Lakers on his back this season. Bryant is showing those that are ready to hand the torch to LeBron, Wade, or Derrick Rose that he's still capable of performing at a high level. Whether the Lakers will remain a high level team is a different story.

The Lakers have declined a bit this season. The bench is weak, Pau Gasol plays like he saw the ghost of Maurice Lucas, they're looking for an upper echelon point guard, and are still looking to make a blockbuster trade. So if the Lakers happen to go down the tubes, there will be Kobe trade rumors. But Bryant vows to remain a Laker for life, no matter how bad things get. Bryant told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he wouldn't  leave L.A. to chase another title or chase additional rings.  


“Why would I want to go somewhere else, that ship sailed in (2007),” Bryant said. “If there was ever a time I was going to move to go play someplace else, that was it. I’m not going to jump ship to chase a sixth ring, it’s just not going to happen.


“It’s going to happen here or it’s not going to happen.”


“You think I’d hang around and average 18 points, 19 points… hell no.”


Translation: I'll be the alpha dog in L.A. until i decide I want to retire and I'll never go anywhere to be a role player.

I'll give Bryant credit. He plans on being there for better or worse when most will leave a team to go chase titles.  


    

Kobe: Paul,Rose Have That "Killer Edge"

The Los Angeles Clippers may have upstaged the Lakers last night, but as far as this season and beyond remains to be seen. Chris Paul had a good game against their co-tenants, scoring the 33 on 12-for-22 shooting from the field and six assists. Not bad in his first game against his L.A. counterparts.

You can count Kobe Bryant impressed with his performance.

"He's a dog," Kobe told reporters. "He's going to fight to win, and not too many teams can deal with him.



"Chris Paul is really the only other guy in the league, other than Derrick Rose, who has also that competitive edge," he continued.

A high compliment from someone who has that competitive fire in him at all times. The only player that had that edge like Kobe was Michael Jordan. There are others that like to win (Dwayne Wade, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Kevin Durant). But Kobe loathes losing.

I really haven't paid attention to Paul in that vain, but you see it in Rose, albeit in a quiet way.

Reckless Driving

Apparently Andrew Bynum still has to learn the rules of the road. After being pulled over back in November 2010 for going 110 mph in a 55 mph zone in his Ferrari and parking in a handicapped space while grocery shopping in July, Bynum racked up two more tickets...this week.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Bynum was pulled over Tuesday for driving without a license plate and having illegally tinted tail lights. Bynum walked away with a fix-it ticket. But it was not lesson learned, because today Bynum was pulled over in his Porsche 911 on the freeway for going over 80 mph. Bynum was cited and released.


Maybe it's time for Bynum to consider hiring a chauffer or maybe taking a cab or bus to get around since he can't follow the simple rules of the road.

Luke Walton To Be An Assistant Coach At The University Of Memphis

During this NBA lockout some players are going overseas, some are playing in glorified pick up games to keep their skills sharp, and some (Delonte West) have considered jobs at Home Depot.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton has gone into coaching. According to a report by Jason Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Walton will be named the third assistant under head coach Josh Pastner. Walton played at Arizona while Pastner was an assistant in Tucson. The Walton hiring will make him the third member of the Arizona connection, along with assistants Jack Murphy and Damon Stoudamire.

Walton will be charged with coaching the Tigers' post players. Pastner said Walton will also be involved in recruiting for as long as he's with the Tigers. Walton will remain with Memphis until the lockout is over.

Considering his diminshed role with the Lakers he might just stay there. Pastner does know there is a risk involved since the lockout could end at any time, but he seems very excited about the prospect of having an active NBA player on his staff.

"We're really excited about it," Pastner said. "You're talking about a guy who's played with the Lakers for eight years, has been a part of four NBA Finals, (has) two (championship) rings and has been in the huddle with Phil Jackson, who's arguably one of the greatest coaches in all of sports."


"It is a risk in the sense that the lockout could end at any time, but I felt the reward outweighs the risk," Pastner said. "(Walton) wants to coach. He wants to make a difference. He's really excited about this. He's going to be able to come in and help with the bigs. It's going to be great."

This could pay off big for Memphis in the recruiting department as the Walton name has some credibility in basketball circles. Walton will be in Memphis this week to help with the Tigers' individual workouts. Let's hope he's not a know it all like his father.


  

Samaki Walker's Poor Attempt At Hiding Drugs From The Police

Kids don't take this statement to heart, well at least some of it. If you are going to do drugs and at some point if you are approached by police, give up the goods, do not try to eat them. Apparently former NBA player Samaki Walker thought that eating them to hide them from police would be a good idea.

Arizona authorities allege former NBA basketball player Samaki Walker tried to eat marijuana as a Department of Public Safety officer approached his 2002 Mercedes-Benz during a traffic stop Thursday in Kingman.



Officials said about 10 grams of marijuana was seized from the vehicle with some prescription drugs and eight bottles of liquid steroids.


 Walker, who had a 10 year NBA career, most notably with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, after being drafted ninth in the 1996 NBA draft still plays professionally in Syria. He says he had the steroids to help improve his athletic ability. Steroids are legal in Syria.

Walker was booked on drug charges; bond was set at $2,000, and an Aug. 5 preliminary hearing was set.


Even though he wasn't a top of the line NBA player I know he made some money. So what was he doing still rolling around in a 2002 Benz. I know he could afford some kind of upgrade.

First Rodney White and his underground bunkers, now this.