Hooped Up

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!

The Lakers are back on top and yesterday Kobe Bryant and the Lakers played show and tell with the Larry O’Brien trophy in front of thousands of fans yesterday at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. Sure Kobe Bryant had some interesting things to say when he addressed the crowd, but a Mark Madsen inspired dance would had been so much better instead.

Then again, only Mad Dog can dance like he hit his head on something.

Puppet Kobe finally won his 4th championship and he’s celebrating every chance he gets. Just not in from of puppet LeBron proving that even puppets have etiquette.

Now crank up the Montell Jordan and dust off that two step.

Kobe Bryant is officially one of the best players in the NBA of all-time. He’s won four NBA titles, an MVP trophy, a slam dunk title, two scoring titles, named an All-Star 11 times and even brought Brandy to his prom when Moesha was just about to jump off. Yet, Kobe Bryant may also be one of the most hated athletes in sports today.

Well, on Sunday after he won his first NBA finals MVP award handed to him by and named after Bill Russell and raised his first Shaq free Larry O’Brien trophy. More haters were born.

So if being one of the best is reason to hate somebody, you can officially hate Kobe Bryant now. If you’re a player congratulator, then cop the “You Can Hate Me Now” tee by K1X and let those haters choke on that Haterade they be guzzlin’ daily.

Wheaties has been apart of the NBA finals since pimpin’ been pimpin’ and before the champagne was done in the Lakers locker room. Wheaties unveiled  their latest box on the championship cereal track. Sun Yue and Adam Morrison should be happy that this was a team picture, otherwise everybody would assume they got their championship rings via eBay.

Somehow, I don’t think the General Mills marketing team had pre-printed Orlando Magic cereal boxes ready in the warehouse just in case.

Via Ball Don’t Lie

After 5 games, the Los Angeles Lakers finally closed out the series with the Orlando Magic beating them 99 – 86 and a lot of history was made in the process.

The Lakers won their 15th NBA championship in franchise history, Phil Jackson won his 10th NBA title surpassing Red Auerbach for the most all-time, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher won their fourth championship and Bryant also became the first recipient of the finals MVP award named after and presented by Bill Russell.

Kobe Bryant was Kobe Bryant and finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Pau Gasol had 14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. While Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza combined for 32 points, 15 rebounds and 3 steals.

Dwight Howard had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. While Rashard Lewis lead the Magic in scoring with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Complete highlights after the jump.

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The NBA on Friday quickly completed its review of Mickael Pietrus’ two-handed shove into Pau Gasol’s back in the final seconds of Game 4 of the NBA Finals and ruled that no further action will be taken against the Orlando Magic swingman.

A next-day video review of the play was automatic because Pietrus’ shove was deemed a flagrant foul, with league rules mandating that all flagrants are subject to review for possible fine, suspension or reclassification.

Although it was initially believed that the Frenchman was at risk for nothing worse than a fine, Pietrus’ foul — the first flagrant foul of the NBA Finals — could have resulted in a suspension for Sunday’s Game 5 in the worst-case scenario.

ESPN

Right behind Robert Horry and Michael Jordan. Derek Fisher is the other guy you don’t want to leave open for a three-point shot especially in the clutch. Too bad the Orlando Magic got that memo a tad late.

This game was over at the half and Josh Powell and DJ Mbenga sightings confirmed that, with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in foul trouble but somehow the Magic still dropped the ball and let the Lakers creep up on the side of them to steal game 4. In the third quarter the Lakers outscored the Magic 30 – 14 closing the deficit at half and then finally in the fourth with 04.6 left on the clock. Fisher hit his first three of the game to force overtime and then he hit another three to put the Lakers ahead for good to seal the game. Read More »

Nick Anderson isn’t dead and neither is Orlando’s hope of winning its first NBA title. After two NBA finals appearances in their franchises history, the Orlando Magic finally got their first victory ever and more importantly they avoid going down 0-3 to the Lakers.

Last night the Magic were lights out shooting 75% from the field in the first half and 62.5% for the game which were both NBA finals records.

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The Orlando Magic were so close to their franchises first NBA finals victory and now they are as far away from it as possible. The Lakers won game 2 in overtime 96 – 101, and the real bad news for Orlando is that the Lakers are 38 – 1 all-time record when holding a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven playoff series.

In the final seconds of the 4th quarter after a clutch defensive play, Hedo Turkoglu threw a perfect alley-oop pass off an in bound play to Courtney Lee to win the game, but Lee put a tad too much Mustard on his shot off the glass and the Lakers lead by Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant shut the door in OT.

Gasol finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds. Bryant lead the Lakers with 29 points and Lamar Odom showed up again with 19 points and 8 rebounds.

For the Magic, Dwight Howard had 17 points, 16 rebounds,  4 steals and 4 blocks. Rashard Lewis lead all scorers with 34 points hitting clutch shots down the stretch to keep the Magic within striking distance. 

Orlando is now 0 – 6 all-time in NBA finals. Game 3 happens on Tuesday.

Complete highlights after the jump.

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