RIP Jerry Buss

NBA All Star Game 2012-2013

The NBA All Star game is a showcase of some of the best basketball talent in the world. Some people say it is a glorified pickup game...but I am guessing these people never played in a pickup game. I have played this game at various levels and sometimes the intensity and skill set to survive and win a pickup game are second to none.

The last few years these games have been quite competitive and I think the credit for that goes to Kobe Bryant. He plays hard. Every game. He relishes competition and wants to rise above. This game though he seemed content to play the part of the elder statesman...distributing the ball and making plays...until the fourth quarter. The game was suddenly close and the stage seemed to be set for Lebron to take over. Then this happened... The entire arena was filled with oohs and aahs. I have never seen Lebron get blocked like that. Moments later, Kobe delivered another block...this time on a layup. The Mamba had made his mark.

15 All Star appearances and still going hard every single minute. Respect.

Lakers vs Heat and a whole lot of UFC

The Lakers vs Heat was a good game which came down to the last minute or so. The Lakers season has been up and down and I think they can take something away from this loss. The team is getting there and forming an identity. Waiting for the good times to start...

I have been watching a lot of UFC lately, thanks to Sony Six. These guys are absolute awesome athletes who leave everything they have in the octagon. I had been away from the UFC for a bit but now back into it full time. One of the fighters who has really caught my eye is Jon 'Bones' Jones. The guy is an incredible fighter...strong, versatile and unpredictable. He is a young fighter and the future of the sport.

There will be a fight with Anderson Silva sometime over the next couple of years...that will be one for the record books...

a dismal start

This new look Lakers team is damn exiting on paper but on court it is looking like a bunch of guys just playing ball together. No rotation. No set plays. Worse yet, no defence. It is just frustrating for a Laker fan to see these guys just go through the motions. Maybe its time for a Kobe session in the locker room. Dwight said you got to be good before you can be great. Lakers...be good...

Steve Nash is a Laker

'Steve Nash is a Laker'

I read this headline and did not know what to think. Steve Nash. A Laker. I have not been a big fan to Steve Nash. Not that he does not have game. I always despised the fact that he got back to back MVP's when, in my opinion, he did not deserve the second one. And the fact that the Lakers and Suns have been in some gritty playoff battles over the years. So yeah, Nash as a Laker was something which did not sink in fast. But when it did...I could not help but think what a great pick up this was. Nash has great court vision and he will help the non triangle offense to be fluid. The big men will get more touches. Kobe will be effective off the ball. And Nash has a great jumpshot. The only thing lacking...some D but then no one can guard any of the fast guards in the west without help defense anyway.

So Steve Nash...a Laker....welcome to Showtime!

Tim Duncan - war horse

It is quite apt that Tim Duncan is a Spur. All these years in the NBA and he is still going hard at it every single game. This year the San Antonio Spurs have come together like no other team in this lockout shortened season. They are injury free and playing some beautiful basketball. It looks like they are going to win the championship this year and it seems like destiny that they win all lockout shortened season. Mr. Fundamental. War Horse. Champion.

gut check time

What was a 3-1 series lead has now become a tied series. Against the Nuggets. This Laker team has been all over the place this season and it is even more apparent in this current series against Denver. There have been only flashes of the team which can be dominant and a serious contender to the title. Everything else has been sub par. Suddenly game 7 has become a must win for Kobe and crew. Metta World Peace will be back for this one. Will he be the x-factor putting the Lakers over this Denver hump? Will have to wait and see.

Its gut check time.