Hooped Up

One of the biggest benefits of winning an NBA championship last year, is the obligatory visit to the White House to meet the President the this year. Especially if the President in office is Barack Obama and not that other guy that use to “run things” before.

Being a huge hoops fan, Barack Obama was probably the first President to actually watch the playoffs and finals with interest and he commended the defending champion Lakers on defeated Orlando in last year’s NBA Finals for their 15th NBA title. When they visited the White House to meet me.

“Nobody exemplifies excellence in basketball better than the Los Angeles Lakers,” Obama said. “I want to congratulate everybody who helped make this team what it is, from the assistants to the front office staff to the trainers and the ticket-takers, all the fans back in LA who bleed purple and gold. You all should be very proud.”

The President also commended the Lakers on their efforts to help earthquake victims in Haiti.

See video of the Lakers visit to the White House after the jump.

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George Lopez, he a good dude! It’s a rare thing when Kobe Bryant does a talk show, but for Lopez who is a big Lakers fan too. Bryant has no problem shooting the proverbial breeze in front of a live studio audience looking totally relaxed. They talk about the Black Mamba watch (soon to be in a Freshly Dipped segment), golf, and Bryant fields questions from members of the audience who play for the Lakers and don’t play for the Lakers. Great interview!

Opening night in the NBA finally came and with that, the Lakers hardware and banner ceremony did too. That is some sweet Shaq-free jewelery!

Another van glorious season of NBA basketball is about to begin and Hooped Up does a quick and dirty preview of all 30 clubs.

This summer, Rasheed Wallace said the Boston Celtics could win more than 72 games in the ‘09-10 season. Well, I’m thinking that if anybody in the league is going to win at least 70 games. It’s the Lakers. Read More »

Rafer Alston of Orlando and Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers have each been suspended for the next game of their playoff series.

In the Magic’s 112-94 loss on Tuesday night, Boston’s Eddie House was celebrating as after making a shot when Alston reached out and slapped him in the back of the head. Each received a technical foul after standing face-to-face for a few seconds before referees intervened. Read More »

It was act a fool night yesterday in the NBA and even straight laced Derek Fisher got involved in the fun. Unfortunately for Fisher and the Lakers, his body check on Luis Scola might cost him a fine and suspension for game 3 of the Rockets versus Lakers series. Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar, it’s star time fellas.

NBA disciplinarian Stu Jackson has a long day ahead of him, but of all the scuffles and incidents from Game 2 of the Lakers-Rockets playoff series, he has narrowed his focus on the elbow thrown by Lakers guard Derek Fisher at Houston forward Luis Scola, according to a league source.

Fisher will probably be suspended for Game 3 of the best-of-seven series Friday in Houston. The series is tied at 1-1 after the Lakers’ 111-98 victory Wednesday at Staples Center. Jordan Farmar or Shannon Brown would start in Fisher’s place.

Fishers knucklehead move and his explanation after the jump.

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Lakers guard Derek Fisher obtained a temporary restraining order Monday against a woman who has allegedly stalked him for years and changed her last name to Fisher, according to court papers. The woman, Symone Fisher, has allegedly sent a number of e-mails, messages on social networking sites and letters to the Lakers star claiming to be his wife Read More »

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