Back in 2008 the New Orleans Hornets were an uplifting success story in the NBA. Chris Paul was making a strong case for the MVP and the Hornets won 56 games. They finished second in the West, and were only a game back of the first-place Los Angeles Lakers.
Even though they took a dip in the second round against the more experienced San Antonio Spurs — they were only one win away from the Western Conference Finals — the Hornets were finally making an impact in New Orleans, after leaving Charlotte in the early part of the decade.
The following season, the Hornets only won 49 games and lost in a downright embarrassing fashion to the Denver Nuggets in the first round and last season things took an even stronger turn for the worse.
Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower fired head coach Byron Scott just nine games into the season. The team finished last place in the Southwest Division, winning 37 games and missing the playoffs.
The 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers visited Jimmy Kimmel Live Friday night, just like they did last year. Again, and as always, Kobe Bryant is the focal point of the interview, but don’t think that Ron Artest, DJ Mbenga and Derek Fisher didn’t get their moments as well.
The one thing I noticed in this interview, and the same thing with last year’s is that Kobe makes sure everyone on that stage gets their moment. He knows the interview tends to focus on him, and everyone is talking about how he has his fifth ring, but I am very impressed with how Kobe is “pimping” his teammates to us. He is letting the world know that all of those guys are great players and vital to the team’s success. He’s making sure that all of the guys get to speak up and be a part of the interview and get their moment.
When people think of Kobe stereotypically, and maybe based on his past — they would never think he is like this, and with that, I hope people realize it. Kobe is the best player in the world right now, and on top of that, he’s proved to be a great leader and fantastic teammate. This team is obviously a great team, and loaded with some stars, but they also seem like they all truly like each other, and that is one of the best parts of seeing a team win a championship, a team that likes each other and actually supports one another, even if they’re playing with one of the biggest superstars the game has ever seen.
Perhaps, Kobe’s teammate love is most known when Kimmel starts up his Adam Morrison jokes, Bryant quickly talks about how important Morrison is to their team. That’s a testament of Kobe’s maturity, he’s definitely grown and that’s why his team has won titles back-to-back.
Watch the all five parts of this interview, there are plenty of hilarious moments, plus Artest is probably the first person in television history to wear a bluetooth headset during an interview. Maybe once and for all the bluetooth headset will not become a characteristic of a douchebag…wait…it still is, just not in Artest’s case. Also, Derek Fisher isn’t shy when talking about his…while, just watch the interview, it’s hilarious and Kobe continues to make fun of DJ Mbenga, who we all know and love.
Unfortunately, Pau Gasol didn’t make the trip to Kimmel this year, he was “deported.”
Here I am breaking down Game 7 of the NBA Finals, which tips off in just over an hour. I know, I’m a nerd and a terd, but it’s still worth watching. Check it out, and get ready to watch a game.
I’m hoping for an overtime thriller, but check the video for my prediction.
LAKERS OR CELTICS? ONE GAME DECIDES IT ALL.
I LOVE THIS GAME.
Note: I apologize that the quality of this video isn’t superb, next week when I get my iPhone 4, all of that will change.
While scouring YouTube, I came across this fantastic video which takes in-depth look at Lamar Odom‘s struggle in this year’s NBA Finals. The guy who makes these videos is exceptional. His analysis gives you plenty of examples throughout, highlighting key plays and really giving a great explanation of what is happening on the court. He’s very talented at putting these together and more importantly, he’s incredibly knowledgeable and completely on point.
With the Lakers on the verge of losing to the Celtics in the NBA Finals for the second time in three years, you can place your bet that eyes are on Odom right now. Mr. Kardashian has had a bad series, and as pointed out in the video, with Andrew Bynum on the mend, he is more critical than ever for the Lakers. He’s arguably the second most important player on that team, next to Kobe Bryant. He sets a tone for the bench, and also can do so many different things on the court at a variety of positions.
Odom must have a big game Tuesday night, along with Ron Artest, Pau Gasol and Bynum who all owe Bryant quality performances after they all pretty much stunk up the joint Sunday night in Boston. On the flipside, Kobe had moments of pure greatness in Game 5, but he also owes his team a dominating historic fourth-quarter performance in Game 6 — his fourth-quarters in this series have been nothing to brag about.
Hopefully you’ve been watching Jimmy Kimmel Live’s NBA Finals specials before each game on ABC. If not, you’re missing out. You know that I’m a big Kimmel guy, and these specials are just one of the few reasons why.
Kimmel has found an LA bus boy, Ricardo, who is incredibly talented in the area of arcade pop-a-shot. Looking at Ricardo, one would think that he’s not the best basketball player in the world. We don’t know how good his crossover is, but one thing is for sure — he’s one of the best pop-a-shot players in the galaxy.
I’m quite talented at pop-a-shot myself, but of course, I’m one of the worst basketball players you’ll ever meet — but I do have a good +/-, check my $tat$.
As for Ricardo, so far he’s put beatdowns on Charles Barkley, LeBron James and evenKobe Bryant. Don’t believe the hype? Check the videos, these are straight up beatdowns and he doesn’t crack under pressure either.
It might be a small stretch to say that the Lakers “had” to win Game 3, but I wouldn’t say it was out of the question. With the series back in Boston, and the Celtics having stolen home court, the Lakers wouldn’t be in a good position if they were down 2-1 with two games left to play in Boston.
Luckily, they don’t have to worry about that. The Lakers stole the first game on the road, and have regained control of this series after a 91-84 victory. When the Lakers needed big shots down the stretch, it wasn’t about Kobe Bryant. Tuesday night was all Derek Fisher. Fisher was incredible, as always in the clutch, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter.
I can go on and on about how instrumental Fisher is to this team, but you should already know that by now. If you don’t, expect a write up coming soon.
Fisher was emotional during the post-game interview. Anyone who has the audacity to make a crack at Fisher, realize that if he punched you in the face, you’d have four championship rings imprinted on your forehead. Hell, if you wait another week, you might have five — so chill out tough guys, real men cry and Fisher is a helluva man.
You read this blog. You know that I love “He Got Game.” Last night, Ray Allen did just that, have game. He was incredible and he had a record setting performance during Sunday night’s Game 2 103-94 victory.
I’m going to be honest with you, I didn’t see the first half. I’m not going to lie and say I did and talk about each shot he was hitting — I’m not Mitch Albom. In fact, I only saw five of his 32 points. That’s not saying much, but I did see the record setting 8th three-pointer that he hit in the game.
I was visiting a friend who lives a ways away and we went to see a movie. I knew it would interfere with me watching Game 2, but I figured catching the second half would be enough. Well, “Get Him to the Greek” was great and I laughed quite a bit, but I missed out on one of the best first halves a player has ever had in the NBA Finals.
When I walked out of the movie theater I grabbed my phone to see that the Celtics were up 52-39. I was pretty surprised, but when I opened the box score, my draw dropped to the floor. Allen had 27 points in the first half! I couldn’t believe it, and obviously I knew that his three-ball had to have been dropping. I called my friend’s brother to get a quick recap, “Jesus is 7-for-7 from three!”
Kobe Bryant is going for pure greatness, his fifth championship. To honor this moment and all the great moments of his career, Nike put together this fantastic new ad. It’s not just about Kobe, this commercial brings back some incredible memories. You will be watching this one over and over.
If this commercial doesn’t get you pumped for tonight, then you might want to get checked out by a doctor.
When the NBA Finals start Thursday night, it will be the 12th time that the Lakers and Celtics have met in the Finals. In the 11 previous meetings between the two teams, the Celtics have won nine — the first eight, starting back in 1959, and the last meeting between the two, back in 2008.
Last season, the Celtics may have been in the Finals, but the injury to Kevin Garnett saw them packing early and unable to defend their title. Of course, the Lakers made it back and took the title home running through the Magic.
Now the two teams meet again, each winning one of the last two titles and both thinking that they can beat one another.
The Celtics have the mindset on the Lakers of “You still haven’t beat us,” even if the Lakers have been the better team the past 23 months.
The last time the two met in the Finals was that 131-92 Boston victory, a 39-point loss for the Lakers in a closeout game (what separates Kobe Bryant from Michael Jordan — Jordan was 6-0 in the Finals). A loss that is definitely on the minds of the Lakers, and if we know Bryant, he’s probably watching those highlights right now. That’s his drive.
So what’s changed since 2008, and who’s going to come out on top?
Change your NBA franchise? Recent NCAA POY. A.Davis,Jimmer,E.Turner,Blake,Tyler H,KD,Redick,Bogut,Jameer,TJ Ford,JWill,Shane,KMart,Brand.(via Twitter)5 hours ago
Posted by JaCoB 
