Lakers Reach Out To Fans Regarding Cancellation of Preseason

One team who certainly does not want the NBA season to start any later is the Lakers. Not only is LA eager to atone for its early playoff bounce last season, but Jerry Buss has one of the most profitable teams in the league. The last thing he wants to do is miss games.

But as I would hope you have realized by now, this lockout is now about the teams such as the Lakers, Knicks, Mavericks or Heat. This labor dispute centers mostly around small-market teams--more specifically, small-market teams with relatively new owners. 

Regardless of who is spearheading this work stoppages, let's just hope a deal can be reached in the very near future. Too much money and too many jobs are on the line for some type of agreement not to be reached.

In the interim, teams are doing whatever they can to stay in the good graces of their season ticket holders. One way the Lakers are trying to do it is by updating their fan base on the latest developments of the lockout.  Below, you will find the latest correspondence between the Lakers and their fans, courtesy of an e-mail from team senior VP Tim Harris:

We appreciate your patience as the NBA and the NBA Players Association negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. Since an agreement has not been reached at this time, the league has canceled all preseason games.

The league will continue to work toward a new collective bargaining agreement so that we can get back to enjoying the excitement of NBA basketball.

Lakers fans are the passion that drives the team and we appreciate your support and your continued loyalty to the Lakers.

Sincerely,

Tim Harris

Senior Vice President, Operations/CMO

Dirk Nowitzki Channels Larry Bird Against Heat

MIAMI-- It’s not wrong, cliche or lazy to compare Dirk Nowitzki to Larry Legend.

Sorry, it’s the only comparison that’s remotely accurate.

Thursday night inside American Airlines Arena, the Germanator impersonated The Hick from French Lick, stunning the Heat with a rope-a-dope-like finishing barrage.

Yes, Thursday night’s Game 2 of the NBA Finals calls for Larry Bird and Muhammad Ali-type hyperbole. The Mavericks’ rally and Nowitzki’s brilliance are worthy of references to a “Legend” and “The Greatest.”

Trailing by 15 points with a little more than six minutes to play, Dallas closed the game and evened this best-of-seven series with a breathtaking, where-did-that-come-from 22-5 run.

Dallas 95, Miami 93.

foxsports.com:  The stuff of legends from Nowitzki

HS HOOPS STARS LEARN THE ROPES ON AND OFF THE COURT AT THE 18TH ANNUAL NBPA TOP 100 CAMP

 

--The Highest Percentage of Top-Ranked High School Players Ever Assembled at a Single Camp; 18 of the Nation’s Top 20 Ranked Players Confirmed To Attend, 48 of the Top 50-- 

 

New York, NY (June 2, 2011)—The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced today that the 18^th Annual NBPA Top 100 High School Camp, which exists to prepare up-and-coming players for life on and off the basketball court, will take place at the University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville from Wednesday, June 15 through Saturday, June 18. Showcasing the country’s elite high school basketball talent, the roster – which includes an unprecedented 18 of the top 20 players – features the Class of 2012’s Andre Drummond, Shabazz Muhammad, Kaleb Tarczewski, Cameron Ridley, Ricardo Ledo and several others. The Class of 2013 standouts include Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Nerlens Noel, to name a few.

 

The Camp offers a unique and valuable curriculum designed to prepare players for competition and life at the next level. The training includes a sophisticated Skills Development Program, highlighted by its Mentoring, Personal Development and Education component. In addition, every camper participates in a series of group discussions and classes on topics ranging from stress management to sex education, handling recruiting pressures, dressing for success, and other life-lesson subjects offered by expert trainers and counselors, as well as NBA players.     

 

On the court, players face off against each other daily in top-quality competition during practices and games. As part of the NBPA’s Coaching Development Program, current and retired NBA players work intensively with campers, coaching teams, teaching basketball fundamentals and leading skill development stations in one-on-one and group settings. The Coaching Development Program is an advanced opportunity for players who desire to explore the coaching profession as their next career to learn coaching skills such as studying game film, scouting players and creating a coaching game plan. Players scheduled to participate include Tony Allen, Raja Bell, Steve Blake, Caron Butler, Brian Cook, Keyon Dooling, Maurice Evans, Stephen Graham, Royal Ivey, Eduardo Najera, Gary Neal, Ime Udoka, Reggie Williams, Tim James, Awvee Storey, Chucky Atkins and Luke Walton.

 

The Camp, started in 1994, added the Parents Coaching Parents Program in 2003, a diverse educational program available to parents or guardians who attend the camp. This interactive program creates a “team approach” between parents and players, and informs parents about the recruiting process and beyond. This rapidly growing program has dramatically increased in parent attendance in each of its seven years. 

 

Billy Hunter, NBPA Executive Director says, “The NBPA Top 100 Camp offers a personalized game plan for every camper that attends. Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to proactively educate these talented student-athletes about the keys to success in all walks of life, from the basketball court to the classroom and beyond.”

 

“As the Top 100 Camp continues to grow, so does our talent pool. This year, the competition on the court will be more competitive than ever as we work with the country’s greatest high school athletes. In addition to the tremendous group of basketball stars, our expert educators, coaches and mentors will certainly enhance the learning experience for the young men, says Tim McCormick, Camp Director. “Campers will learn from the pros and compete against the best, while receiving invaluable guidance about developing into successful players and people.” 

Wilkes Snubbed By Hall of Fame.. Again!

Dennis Rodman is a Hall of Famer, but Jamaal Wilkes is not? 

The Worm is in, but Silk is not?  Seriously? 

It may be hard to believe, but it’s true.

Rodman let it slip Friday night during his Pistons jersey retirement ceremony that he had been asked to fly to Houston for Monday’s announcement of the latest class to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Wilkes, unfortunately, found out recently that he is, once again, not invited to attend.

This is not a knock on Rodman, who was a tremendous player during his NBA career, but his overall basketball resume falls well short of Wilkes’.

Some might argue that Rodman earned his place in the Hall by being one of the best rebounders of all-time and one of the best defenders of his generation. I have no argument with that rationale. 

However, Wilkes was also one of the best of his generation at every level of competition.

As a prep All-American at Santa Barbara High School, Wilkes led the Dons to a championship.

At UCLA, Wilkes became a two-time All-American en route to winning two national titles under legendary coach John Wooden, averaging 15.0 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 51.4 percent from the field.  He was named to the 1972 NCAA Tournament All-Tournament team, and helped the Bruins win a NCAA record 88 games in a row.

During his 12-year NBA career, Wilkes won Rookie of the Year honors in 1975 (from a draft class that included Bill Walton, Bobby Jones, Maurice Lucas, and George Gervin), earned three trips to the All-Star game, and played on four championship teams.

Wilkes wasn’t just a winner at every level; he was a star at every level. 

Plus, the last time I checked, it’s the “Basketball” Hall of Fame, not the Defense, Rebounding, or NBA Hall of Fame.

Just because Rodman earns praise for being one of the best specialists the game has ever seen, it doesn’t mean Wilkes should be overlooked because he was a better well-rounded basketball player.

And if you want to talk about defense, you might want to go back and review the film, stats and quotes regarding Wilkes ability to shut down opposing players.  Marques Johnson likes to tell the story that after his first day of practice at UCLA, after being the top-rated recruit in the country, he called home crying to his father because Wilkes wouldn’t let him get a shot off during practice.

Johnson’s father responded by saying, “Boy, stop crying. Wilkes is the best defensive player in the country!”

After Johnson dried his tears and rose to the challenge of facing Wilkes in practice every day, he went on to become the first-ever recipient of the John Wooden Award signifying the best player in college basketball.

And speaking of Wooden, who won 10 national titles and coached tens of All-Americans at UCLA, he was once asked to describe his ideal player. This was his response: “I would have the player be a good student, polite, courteous, a good team player, a good defensive player and rebounder, a good inside player and outside shooter. Why not just take Jamaal Wilkes and let it go at that?"

Could there be higher praise for a player?  Don’t forget, John Wooden is in the Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach. I believe the man knew a little something about talent.  Or as the kids like to say, game recognizes game. Especially Hall of Fame game!

Lakers are turning it on, but is it the right time?

By Billy Witz FOXSportsWest.com

LOS ANGELES — It's hard to erase the embarrassment in Cleveland, whitewash the Christmas Day debacle, or forget the days when the Lakers would rarely beat anybody that harbored any real ambitions.

But maybe it's time to slap a new label on everybody's favorite slackers.

How about Overachievers?

Don't look now, but the Lakers – at 53-20 after winning 15 times in 16 games since the All-Star break – are likely to surpass last year's win total of 57, and have a shot at finishing with the second-best record in basketball.

foxsportswest.com: Lakers Are Turning It On, But Is It Right Time?

Tyler Honeycutt Declares For NBA draft

By Victoria Sun 
FOXSportsWest.com

The UCLA men's basketball team lost one of its key contributors on Monday when Tyler Honeycutt announced he would be turning pro.

The Los Angeles native said he made up his mind Sunday after talking with his family, advisors and coaches.

"We finished out on a good year, for the most part I finished strong and I'm pretty hot right now and I feel this year being considered a weak draft is a good reason to leave," Honeycutt said via a teleconference Monday afternoon. "The biggest factor that would keep me from going is the team next year and how good we could be.

"We could be a great team, but I feel like what's best for me is to leave this year."

Honeycutt averaged 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game as a sophomore this season for the Bruins. The 6-foot-8 forward led or tied for the team lead in rebounding in 10 games and shot 36.2 percent from 3-point range.

foxsportswest.com: Tyler Honeycutt Declares For NBA Draft

Too Slick, Too Loud, Too Successful Why John Calipari Can't Catch A Break

The NCAA hasn't held him accountable for any major violation, and dark rumors about his recruiting methods have never stuck. Still, no matter what good the Kentucky coach does—visiting the sick, helping at-risk kids—he's assumed to have an ulterior motive. 

S.L. Price 

There was a time, early on, when it seemed easy to peg John Calipari. Back in the late '80s he was just another pretty face, one more Pat Riley clone with the slick hair and dazzling patter, the just-so suits and shoes. Talent flocked to him, but he radiated a knockoff's flimsiness: too much talk and an ambition about as subtle as sharkskin. Opposing recruiters wanted to beat him bloody. Opposing coaches tried to sabotage his hiring. Omens? His first game as a head coach, the scoreboard caught fire. You just didn't figure Calipari for the long haul.


These days, of course, he is basketball's great survivor, the ever-moving (Gas up the private jet!), ever-hustling (four McDonald's All-Americans for 2011!), ever-tweeting (1.1 million followers!) head coach of the University of Kentucky. And while his eight-year, $31.7 million contract—the richest in the college game—is the most obvious measure of his success, it's hardly the most telling. Like the sharpest scavenger after a storm, Calipari has prospered more than any other coach in college basketball's broken system, gathering up top recruits, winning 30 games a season and then happily waving his one-and-done players goodbye. Last spring an unprecedented five Wildcats, four of them freshmen, went in the first round of the NBA draft. And if this season has been a relative struggle, most of Kentucky's rivals would gladly take a morning after that includes a 22--8 record, a No. 15 ranking, a 34-game home winning streak and more than enough talent to play deep into March.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1182972/index.htm#ixzz1HZrsPx6c

UCLA Pauley Pavilion Original Center Court Jump Circle Up For Auction

Laguna Niguel, Calif. (March 16, 2011) -- One of the most important pieces of basketball history ever offered at public auction, the original (1965-82) UCLA Pauley Pavilion center court section (jump circle), will be part of an internet auction presented by SCP Auctions, it was announced.  Bidding will be open to registered bidders on www.scpauctions.com on Friday, April 15 and conclude on Saturday, April 30. 

Measuring 12 feet in diameter, this original round section of the Pauley Pavilion court was ground zero for one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports for 17 seasons. Home to UCLA athletic teams since 1965, the original court was the home of eight NCAA men’s national championship teams and the Bruins’ first women’s NCAA national championship team in 1978.

Since its replacement in 1982, the original Pauley Pavilion jump circle has been carefully preserved in storage. In 1998, it was displayed as the centerpiece for an event held in Pauley Pavilion, attended by the legendary coach John Wooden and dozens of former UCLA greats, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Sidney Wicks and Walt Hazzard. Wooden and each of the players in attendance signed the original jump circle, knowing it would later be sold at auction by a UCLA alum that chooses to remain anonymous. A large portion of the proceeds from the sale will be dedicated to funding medical research.

The first basketball game played at Pauley Pavilion was Nov. 27, 1965. In the scrimmage, the Bruins’ varsity team, led by guard Mike Warren, lost to an amazing freshman squad featuring Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), who came to UCLA in large part due to the construction of a new arena.

In the decades that followed, some of the top names in the history of college basketball, including Walton, Wicks, Marques Johnson, Ann Meyers, Denise Curry and Pete Maravich, and coaches such as Wooden, Dean Smith and Denny Crum, graced the court at Pauley.

Nothing enhanced Pauley's reputation as arguably the nation's most famous collegiate sporting venue more than the tenure of Wooden. “The Wizard of Westwood” as Wooden was known, built an incomparable basketball dynasty at UCLA against which all others are compared, and usually pale. His UCLA teams won 10 national championships in a 12-season stretch from 1964 to 1975. This court was home to 8 of those 10 UCLA titles under Coach Wooden including 7 consecutive (1966-73).

From 1971-74, UCLA won 88 consecutive games, still the NCAA men’s record. Four of Wooden’s teams finished with 30-0 records, including his first championship team, which featured no starters taller than 6-feet-5. Three of his other championship teams were anchored by Alcindor, the 7-foot-2 center. Two others were led by Walton, a three-time national player of the year.

The original jump circle offered by SCP Auctions remained in Pauley from its opening in 1965 until its replacement in May 1982. During those 17 seasons, the most memorable events in UCLA basketball history, and some of the greatest records in NCAA sports were set. These include:

• - Eight of ten of UCLA's NCAA championship seasons under Coach John Wooden including seven consecutive (1966-73)
• - A combined record of 148-2 under Wooden
• - A stretch of 98 consecutives home victories for UCLA men's basketball
• - Wooden's last coaching appearance at home on March 1, 1975
• - UCLA's first women's national basketball championship in 1978

SCP Auctions, Inc., has been a leader in auctions and private sales of important sports memorabilia and cards since 1979. The Southern California-based firm has handled some of the most significant individual items and prominent collections in their field, such as the record-setting sale of the T206 Honus Wagner card graded PSA 8 (sold for $2.8 million), Babe Ruth's bat used to hit the first home run in Yankee Stadium (sold for $1.265 million), The original 1919 Contract of Sale of Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees (sold for $996,000), and the private collections of Hall of Famers such as Honus Wagner, Tony Lazzeri, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, Casey Stengel, Pee Wee Reese, and Ernie Banks. For more information, visit www.scpauctions.com or call (800) 350-2273.

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LEXUS AND L.A. CLIPPER BARON DAVIS DO GOOD FOR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN: CHALLENGES CELEBRITY FRIENDS TO RACE IN THE LEXUS CT 200H

(Los Angeles, CA) February 10, 2011 – Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis is teaming up with leading luxury automaker Lexus to raise funds for his foundation, Rising Stars of America (RSOA).  On Thursday, February 17^th at 4 p.m., Davis will host The CT 200h Challenge at 1220 S. Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles.  The Challenge will consist of a competitive race in Lexus CT 200h hybrid vehicles driven by Davis and his celebrity friends.

Presently, Davis is challenging fellow celebrities via his Twitter handle, @Baron_ Davis, to race on a specially constructed obstacle course near the Staples Center.  Celebrities from TV, film and sports will compete in the all-new CT 200h to achieve the fastest time.  The winner will receive either a year lease of the CT 200h or have the opportunity to donate the lease of the vehicle to a charity of his or her choice.

The benefit to the RSOA foundation will result from $1,000 awarded to Davis for each celebrity who participates in the competition.  RSOA is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 that utilizes athletics, mentorship and positive role modeling to teach kids life skills as well as ethical and social values.

Celebrities who accept Davis’ challenge will be among the first to drive the all-new Lexus CT 200h.  This sporty hybrid delivers a dynamic, fun-to-drive experience not seen in hybrids before.  With four different drive modes, including Sport, Normal, ECO and an all-electric EV mode, the CT offers true personalization of the driving experience.  While it features Lexus luxury throughout, it also leads the luxury class in fuel economy with a 42 mpg city/highway combined rating.  

The CT 200h Challenge is open to the public. Live music will be played by DJ Skee and an assortment of Twitter-based food trucks including The Komodo and Sweets will be on hand.  For more information please visit www.facebook.com/Lexus and click on the CT 200h tab.

LAKERS TO CONDUCT YOUTH BASKETBALL DAY CAMP FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IN LOS ANGELES

EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers will hold “Camp Lakers 2011,” presented by dazadi.com, a youth basketball day camp for boys and girls ages 9-18, this summer in two sessions, it was announced by the team.  Camp will take place at the Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles and will run from 9am to 4pm each day. Session one will be held June 28-July 1; session two will be held July 5-8. 

 

“Camp Lakers provides young basketball players with an excellent and unique opportunity to improve their skills and participate with players from all over the world,” said Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak.  “Our experienced staff encourages the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and determination, values that are necessary both on and off the court, and we are happy to once again conduct camp at the Roybal Learning Center.”

 

The Roybal Learning Center, located in downtown Los Angeles, features eleven full indoor and outdoor courts on a campus that is less than three years old.

 

The cost will be $350, per session; lunch will also be provided daily to each camper.  Net proceeds from the camps are used by the Lakers for charitable purposes.

 

Approximately 7,500 campers have attended Camp Lakers over the past eleven years, and the camps have sold out every year.  It is anticipated that this year’s camp will sell out by late May.  For more information, please call the camp hotline at (310) 426-6055, email camps2011@la-lakers.com or visit the Lakers website at www.lakers.com. 

Blake Griffin Should Be An All-Star, Period!

The NBA is set to announce the reserves for this year's All-Star Game live on TNT on Thursday and Blake Griffin should be named.

Ironically, Griffin and the Clippers will be en route to Atlanta - home of the TNT studios - when the announcement is made. The rest of the league could know if Griffin makes the All-Star Game before he even does, although there shouldn't even be an "if."

Griffin is having an All-Star season. What else does this kid have to do?


foxsportswest.com: Griffin Should Be an All-Star

Blake Griffin Named Rookie Of The Month.. Again

NEW YORK, January 3, 2011 – The New York Knicks’ Landry Fields and the Los Angels Clippers’ Blake Griffin today were named the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played through December.

Among Eastern Conference rookies Fields ranked second in scoring (8.8 ppg), third in rebounding (7.9 rpg) and led all rookies in steals (1.23 spg).  He started all 13 games for the Knicks during the month, scored in double figures in six games and recorded five games with 10 or more rebounds.  

Griffin led all rookies in scoring (23.0 ppg) and rebounding (13.5 rpg).  He also ranked third in steals (0.87 spg), second in assists (3.9 apg) and first in minutes (38.5 mpg).

Here is a recap of the month for both Fields and Griffin:

Landry Fields, New York Knicks

Dec. 5 @ Toronto: Scored 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 116-99 win over the Raptors.  

Dec. 12 vs. Denver: Tallied 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in a 129-125 victory over the Nuggets.

Dec. 22 vs. Oklahoma City: Registered 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in a 112-98 win over the Thunder.

Dec. 25 vs. Chicago: Posted 14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and one block in a 103-95 victory over the Bulls. 

Blake Griffin, LA Clippers

Dec. 1 vs. San Antonio: Scored 31 points, and added 13 rebounds, four assists and one block in a 90-85 victory over the Spurs.

Dec. 18 @ Chicago: Recorded 29 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in a 100-99 victory over the Bulls.

Dec. 26 vs. Phoenix: Posted 28 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in a 108-103 win over the Suns.

Dec. 29 vs. Utah: Tallied 30 points, 12 rebounds and two assists in a 103-95 loss to the Jazz.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month were Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins , San Antonio’s Gary Neal and Washington’s John Wall.

Building upon its already strong appeal to the nation’s youth and as Official Partner of the NBA, T-Mobile is showcasing the NBA’s youngest players -- the Rookies -- through the T-Mobile Rookie Program.  Highlights include rookie awards presentations such as the T-Mobile Rookies of the Month and T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players.  During NBA All-Star 2011, T-Mobile and the NBA will host more than 3,500 students from the Los Angeles Unified School District to watch the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam from the best seats in the house at STAPLES Center on Friday, February 18.

Blake Griffin Named Rookie of the Month

Los Angeles Clippers’ rookie forward Blake Griffin today was named the NBA’s Western Conference T-Mobile Rookie of the Month for games played from the start of the season (Oct. 26) through November. The New York Knicks’ Landry Fields won the award for the Eastern Conference. 

Griffin leads all rookies in scoring (20.2 ppg) and rebounding (11.6 rpg).  He also ranks second in minutes per game (35.5 mpg), fourth in assists (2.6 apg) and third in field goal percentage (.520).  On Nov. 20, Griffin scored 44 points, the most by a Clipper since Elton Brand scored that many in February, 2006. He also led the team with 15 rebounds and a season-high seven assists.
 

Fields ranks fourth among rookies in scoring (10.8 ppg), second in rebounding (7.1 rpg), eighth in assists (1.6 apg) and second in field goal percentage (.544).   He started all 19 games for the Knicks this season, leads all NBA guards in rebounds and is the only rookie in the top eight in scoring.   

Here is a recap of the month for both Griffin and Fields: 

Blake Griffin, LA Clippers
Nov. 20 vs. New York: Scored 44 points, and added 15 rebounds and seven assists in a 124-115 loss to the Knicks. 

Nov. 22 vs. New Orleans: Recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds and four assists in a 99-95 victory over the Hornets. 


Nov. 25 vs. Sacramento: Posted 25 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a 110-82 win over the Kings. 

Nov. 28 vs. Utah: Tallied 35 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in a 109-97 loss to the Jazz.
 


Landry Fields, New York Knicks

Nov. 12 @ Minnesota: Registered 16 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in a 112-103 loss to the Timberwolves. 


Nov. 16 @ Denver: Tallied 21 points, 17 rebounds and two steals in a 120-118 loss to the Nuggets. 


Nov. 23 vs. Charlotte: Scored 14 points in addition to seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in a 110-107 win over the Bobcats. 

Nov. 28 @ Detroit: Posted 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 125-116 victory over the Pistons. 



Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month were New Jersey’s Derrick Favors, Philadelphia’s Evan Turner, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and Washington’s John Wall. 

Eric Gordon's Returns To Indy Have Not Gone As Planned

It's been said that you can always go home again, but when you are a professional athlete, playing in front of your friends and family can be quite the burden.

As a standout at North Central High School, Clippers guard Eric Gordon played himself into one of the best players the city of Indianapolis has ever produced.  During his senior season in which he led North Central to the Indiana 4A championship game, Gordon averaged 29 points and six rebounds a game on his way to earning Mr. Basketball honors as the top prep player in Indiana.   
 
In a state where basketball is king, Gordon became part of the state's basketball royalty.

foxsportswest.com: Gordon No Homecoming King

LAKERS CENTER THEO RATLIFF HAS SUCCESSFUL KNEE SURGERY

  

El SEGUNDO – Los Angeles Lakers center Theo Ratliff underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to perform a partial meniscectomy on his left knee, it was announced today.

 

The surgery, which took approximately 30 minutes, was performed by Lakers team orthopedist Dr. Steve Lombardo of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Group.  Ratliff is expected to be out a minimum of 4-6 weeks.

 

Ratliff signed with the Lakers as a free agent this past summer on July 22.  In eight games this season, he is averaging 0.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.63 blocks in 8.4 minutes. 

 

One of seven players in NBA history to capture the blocked shots title three or more times, Ratliff ranks 18th in NBA history in career blocked shots (1,968) and owns career averages of 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.43 blocks and 25.4 minutes in 808 games.               

 

 

 

Patience A Virtue For Clippers Fans

As the Clippers were on their way to starting the season a very disappointing 1-10, the moans and groans from Clippers Nation were coming fast and furious. Despite LA's recent rash of injuries, most fans viewed Monday's matchup with the Nets as a very winnable game. After all, New Jersey won only 12 games last season.

Of course, counting W's before a game is played is always a risky proposition. It may be cliche, but anybody can beat anybody on any given night. How do I know? That's what Oklahoma City players were saying after the Clippers beat them for their lone win of the season thus far.

Back to Monday night for a moment. I realize for some fans, being patient is not one of their strong suits, and when it comes to Clippers fans, most are sick and tired of being patient. And who could blame them?

However, don't let your lack of patience cloud your perspective.


foxsportswest.com:  Patience A Virtue For Clippers Fans

Bledsoe Running Away With Unexpected Opportunity

Imagine that your company is holding this huge showcase at the convention center.  Thousands of people are going to be there, and your boss has given you a role in the event, albeit a minor one. 

Shortly after you arrive at the venue however, you discover a major change to your role.  On the schedule of events, your name is now listed as the emcee for the showcase instead of your company vice president.  You will now be responsible for making sure that all the presentations run smoothly and seamlessly.

Not exactly the way you would want to make your company-sponsored public speaking debut, right?

Well, that's sort of what happened this week to Eric Bledsoe, who made his first career NBA start with just a couple of hours notice Monday against San Antonio.

Considering the circumstances, not much was expected of the Clippers rookie point guard except from Bledsoe himself.


foxsportswest.com: Bledsoe Makes Most Of His Chance

Colin Cowherd Goes Off The Wall With Rant On Wizards Rookie

Too often these days, we are quick to criticize people and their actions without ever having met that person or learned more about what led to their actions.  In a microwave-infused society, the speed of the reaction seems to be more important than the accuracy and/or fairness of the reaction.

Such ill-advised impatience usually results in a greater chance of someone not only saying something stupid, but appearing to have a one-sided, self-serving agenda.  The latest example of this trend is ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd’s rant on Wizards rookie John Wall doing “The Dougie” during pregame introductions Tuesday night.

Cowherd went off about Wall saying, "Before the game started, he spent 34 seconds doing the Dougie. That tells me all I need to know about J-Wow. Then he opened his mouth later and confirmed it: not a sharp guy. All about him."

Actually, Colin, Wall is anything BUT "all about him".

Wall Pass:  Cowherd Called Out

Going 1-on-1 With Baron Davis

Coming into this Clippers season, there were two questions fans were constantly asking and they usually came in the following order:

1)  How’s Blake’s knee?

2)  How’s Baron’s attitude?

If you saw Blake Griffin play in any preseason games this month, then you already know the answer to No. 1.  He’s definitely 100% healthy and ready to go.

As far as No. 2 goes, however, that one may not be as easy to answer with any confidence.  Since training camp opened, Baron Davis seemed to be saying and doing all the right things, except for that little issue with his conditioning, or lack thereof.

Regardless though of what Davis was saying to the media, I wanted to talk to him face-to-face and away from other reporters to get a true sense of his emotions going into this season.

Here’s part of that conversation.  Judge for yourself.

foxsportswest.com:  Going 1-on-1 With Baron Davis
 

Upstart Could Be Lakers Biggest Challenge

One of the most discussed topic of this NBA preseason is who will present the biggest challenge to the Lakers quest for another three-peat. 

Will it be LeBron, Wade and Bosh in Miami? 

What about Boston and the Big 3 plus Shaq? 

Or will the most dangerous challenge come from within the conference?  If you ask the Lakers, the answer just may be the latter.

No diehard Lakers or Celtics fan will ever forget last year’s epic seven-game series, which ended with the Lakers cutting down the nets for the 16th time in franchise history thanks to an 83-79 win in the deciding game.  Considering how physically and emotionally draining that series seemed to be, one might argue that the Boston series was the Lakers’ most difficult postseason series in 2010. 

Well, one might be wrong.


foxsportswest.com: Upstart Could Be Lakers Biggest Challenge