Hooped Up

Lakers re-establish swagger against Denver
Only the Lakers, content to be good rather than great in typical behavior for a defending champion, can decide when they’ll bring their best and make a stand.

They made their choice and their stand in the second half Sunday at Staples Center, pushing back the Denver Nuggets, 95-89. The Nuggets were eliminated by the Lakers the past two postseasons but then won the first two regular-season meetings between the teams.

With a defense led by Ron Artest against Denver star Carmelo Anthony, the Lakers held the Nuggets to 37 second-half points and overcame a nine-point halftime deficit. The effort was meant to quell notions that the Nuggets could threaten the Lakers this season.
OC Register

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Christopher “McLovin” Mintz-Plasse tries to find his way to the 2010 All-Star Game in Dallas with some help from LeBron James.

Next year I gotta try this.

Much like every single album that has come out in the last 10 years, the 2010 all-star reserves list has been leaked and Yahoo! Sports has obtained the list to be reveled Thursday night in their NBA logo sports mug.

The Eastern Conference reserves include Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics, Toronto’s Chris Bosh, Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace, Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Atlanta’s Joe Johnson and Al Horford.

The Western Conference reserves include Utah’s Deron Williams, New Orleans’ Chris Paul, Los Angeles Pau Gasol, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki , Zach Randolph from Memphis and Brandon Roy from the Portland Trail Blazers.

David Lee, Carlos Boozer, Marc Gasol, Josh Smith, Chris Kaman, Monta Ellis and Chauncey Bilups will all have to wait for next season.

H/N Yahoo! Sports

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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Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol is set to make his long awaited return to the court Thursday when the defending NBA champions host the Chicago Bulls. Having missed the team’s first 11 games because of a hamstring ailment, the seven-foot Spaniard trained Wednesday and declared himself fit for his first regular season game on the Lakers.

Pau Gasol was a guest star on CSI: Miami and because I was glued to the NBA, I have no idea what happened this sunny episode. All I know is that judging how skittish this successful video company owner and 7′0″ Bentley driver is, he probably did it and when Horatio took off his sun glasses music played on cue.

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 »

A new season is fast approaching and you need you know, nay — you demand to know! Who’s the best at each position in the league on a nightly basis in the ‘09-10 NBA season. So with your mind and excel sheet ablaze trying to figure out that riddle to no end. I’ve decided to take one for the team, by putting together a  list of the Top 5 players in the league by position heading into the ‘09-10 NBA season.

Up next, the power forward spot. Read More »

Since 2008 Pau Gasol was named Euroscar Player of the Year, FIBA Europe Player of the Year, EuroBasket MVP, All-NBA Third Team, and won a silver medal in the Olympics along with his first NBA championship. So you could say its been a pretty good year for the man from Barcelona.

You could also say that it’s only right that Gasol finally has a pair of sneakers that are tight too. The Nike Hyperize Pau Gasol PE’s are white based with gold accents on the midsole, gold laces and a gold Swoosh. The lining, outsole and mid panel are all Laker purple with the mid panel featuring white Flywire. Scoop them up in November.

See more of them after the jump Vato.

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After breaking his finger Monday, Pau Gasol underwent surgery today and will be out of action for the Spanish team for a few weeks.

Gasol’s injury was first reported by a Spanish website, Marca.com, which said he is expected to be sidelined for three weeks. Gasol was preparing for the European championships.

Black said he wasn’t given a timetable for Gasol’s recovery, but said Tellem told him there were no problems involving the surgery.

Since the Lakers usually begin training camp towards the end of September, Gasol should be good to go for game one of the NBA season. That’s great news for the Lakers and terrible news for every other team.

Via LA Times