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Author Archive

Olympics Basketball 2012: Pau Gasol Makes a Case for a Different Trade

Pau Gasol marched into London’s Olympic Stadium on Friday night hoisting his country’s flag and ferrying its expectation of a basketball podium finish on his back. The Spaniards arrived at the global apogee of hoops tournaments with devastating cohesion, interior ... (Continue reading)

Phil Jackson’s Quest For Fourth Three-Peat Makes Rest of NBA’s Mission Clear

The 2010-2011 NBA regular season tips off tonight with more story lines than a Quentin Tarantino flick. Amidst the sepulchral, perhaps chilling, backdrop of an imminent lockout, 30 teams will commence liftoff, and a handful consider themselves worthy of championship ... (Continue reading)

Kobe Bryant, Lakers’ Championship Chase Could Get Ugly for Rest of NBA

The reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers would not repeat flew off the sports editorial runway like planes at LAX. Ron Artest was too crazy. He took so many "what the hell were you thinking" shots that it was clear he wasn't ... (Continue reading)

Lakers vs. Celtics, Game 5: Rubik’s Cube, All-Kobe Bryant Offense Dooms L.A.

One by one, in the span of 10 mesmerizing third quarter minutes, Kobe Bryant fired off shots like smart missiles. He bagged a stepback triple. Ray Allen was there. Didn't matter. He canned a floater with Kevin Garnett's hand inches way ... (Continue reading)

Pau For Pound: Gasol Delivers L.A. Lakers’ Opening Statement

The insults pelted Pau Gasol more than any other Laker in 2008. They weren't catcalls. That wasn't good-natured ribbing. Boston fans threw rocks at the L.A. team bus as it left TD Garden. Those who questioned the Lakers' toughness threw figurative ones. They saved the ... (Continue reading)

Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak’s Spain-Sized Heist Still Steals the Show

Kobe Bryant grunted, then pumped his fists in celebration.   He mouthed “yeah boi” in Grant Hill’s direction before running back on defense.   Somehow, even as he delivered another 40-point playoff outing, this night wasn’t about him.   The L.A. Lakers routed the Phoenix Suns ... (Continue reading)

Lamar Odom Ends Free Agency Standoff With an Easy Choice

Lamar Odom may relish the sweets more than an athlete in his sport of choice should, and his play can be as uneven and dissatisfying as a chicken fried steak in France. He's not an idiot. If we learn anything from his no-surprise decision ... (Continue reading)

Pau Gasol Purges The “F” Word From His Resume

No por mucho madrugar amenece mas temprano. Time must take its course. For years, its seven letters topped his resume in underlined, bold print. Its indignity shaped his reputation. He waited and worked for 12 months until, at long last, he could destroy ... (Continue reading)

LA Lakers Title Recipe Mixes Zen, Kobe, and Unruffled Architect’s Plat

The loudest night of Kobe Bryant's career began with silence. Coach Phil Jackson said everything his team needed to hear before tipoff of Game Five, which the Los Angeles Lakers won 99-86, by saying nothing. Call it rambunctiousness through meditation. After the clock expired and ... (Continue reading)

Lakers-Magic: In Moment of Truth, Derek Fisher and the Lakers Leave No Doubt

This is why Phil Jackson keeps 34-year-old Derek Fisher around. Some wanted him to go away or play behind Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar. Distraught Los Angeles fans cried that his slow, methodical approach to the game would be torched until the Lakers melted. He ... (Continue reading)