SBNation.com User Blog: KingJafi

Why Miami and LeBron still doesn't make sense.

KingJafi — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:14:37 -0000

Why Miami and LeBron still doesn't make sense.

This is a great piece I think addresses one of the things that really irked me about LeDiva agreeing to play in Miami. Having lived in Miami and knowing the city, something with the move was just off for me. Miami is not a city where an athlete who is the face of a professional league and endorsement machine signs to play. It just didn't make any sense and is still a little surreal to me. The rules are simple, either you stay with your team or you sign to play in New York or LA. Unfortunately for Mr. James, he couldn't have screwed it up worse...but he's obviously too fried and narcissistic to understand that he did. After reading this, you'll see the player, the entourage, the city, the team, and the endorser all play off each other and the result is still something that doesn't seem right.

How does this guy still have a job?

KingJafi — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:37:13 -0000

Just when I thought it was safe to go back and read the Sentinel, I come across this. How does Brian Schmitz still have a job? Constructive criticism is one thing but straight up negative resignation makes no sense, especially from the local beat writer. I don't know what this guy has against the Magic. I don't know if he's trying to be cutting edge or facetious or what; but if any of the players read his stuff, who knows what they are thinking. It is a real morale booster going into the playoffs if you ask me. Let me sum up Schmitz' article, the Magic shouldn't even dress for the playoffs cause they've already lost.

The team's problems aside, there is no need to bash what is going on with this team the way Schmitz does. To an extent, the Magic have been unlucky the last few weeks...they've also had a very unfavorable schedule littered with home and away back to backs and long home and road stretches, so the team is kind of worn out as is. Add to that the fact they have been locked into the 4th spot with no real room to move up (or even down really) since the beginning of March along with the injuries and inconsistent lineups and you have what's going on now. But to tear it all down with pessimism like Schmitz does and print it in the local paper is wrong. The day this guy retires, will be a glorious day in Orlando Magic history.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-schmitz-bucks-0406-20110405,0,7588206.column

Duhon Out. Wish J-Will Was Still Around. Who Can Be Signed?

KingJafi — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:02:56 -0000

Let the speculation begin. Seems like Duhon is out for the foreseeable future. Magic are obviously going to need a (point) guard for the playoff run considering they are already thin in the guard depth as is. Who's available? Who's around? Could this spell the return of AJ to the Magic? Thoughts? Concerns? I wish they had never waived J-Will (or J-Will ask for his walking papers) because in my opinion there aren't too many serviceable PGs with enough experience out there.

Duhon Injury May Prompt Free Agent Signing

"I love Orlando...the city has been very good to me and I would love to finish my career here. I...

KingJafi — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:34:13 -0000

"I love Orlando...the city has been very good to me and I would love to finish my career here. I want to win a championship and I want to win it in Orlando. That’s all I’ve been thinking about."

Most forthcoming statement thus far. This not a slam dunk but close.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2011-03-07/dwight-howard-says-he-would-love-to-finish-his-career-in-orlando

Dwight responds to rumors.

KingJafi — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:59:29 -0000

Dwight responds to rumors.

I gotta give Vanek credit for this one as he posted it in the comments of one of Evan's articles and Evan asked him to post it as a FanShot. Personally I am sick and tired of hearing about this Dwight leaving stuff. It honestly is not an issue in the Magic locker room and has been drummed up more by the national media hungry to have another LeBron/Melo like drama unfold. These quotes from Dwight are the most positive thus far. And as I've been saying all along...imo...he's not leaving.

From Silver Screen and Roll: "The Suns made 22 three-pointers in 40 attempts, the second-most...

KingJafi — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:36:52 -0000

From Silver Screen and Roll:

"The Suns made 22 three-pointers in 40 attempts, the second-most threes made in a single game in NBA history. The Orlando Magic hold the record by making 23 three-pointers in a game against the Sacramento Kings on January 13, 2009. The common thread on both teams is Hedo Turkoglu, who made five threes for the Suns tonight and hit three three-pointers for the Magic."

Long live the Magic's 3 pt record and Hedo Turkoglu.

Habs Waive Dustin Boyd

KingJafi — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:47:30 -0000

Habs Waive Dustin Boyd

Au revoir Dustin Boyd?

Leafs Nation Angry At Dion?

KingJafi — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:40:54 -0000

Well this happened quicker than I thought...

I haven't hid my displeasure towards Daz and all his decisions since trading Phaneuf back in January. I also haven't hid my displeasure regarding the Phaneuf trade itself. While trading Phaneuf wasn't my beef, the trade and return itself I thought was not exactly what the market would of yielded for the defencemen. Anyhow, I find the fact that the fans are booing Dion and Brian Burke is already having to step and defend the guy quite humorous. First of all, what did Leafs Nation think they were getting? Second of all, what possesed them to name this guy captain? Flames fans know all too well with this guy that jersey sales and popularity don't necessarily equal excellence and efficiency on the ice. So even though I may not be thrilled with what remains of Dion Phaneuf on the Flames roster....I get enjoyment that Leafs fans are already scratching their heads like we all were a year ago.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=339620

Well this happened quicker than I thought...

"When we step on the floor, we're not friends anymore. And we're trying to take their heads off."

KingJafi — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:24:27 -0000

"When we step on the floor, we're not friends anymore. And we're trying to take their heads off."

-Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard on the Magic's game tonight against the Miami Cheat

Flames vs. Sabres 12/27/10 - FREE TICKETS!!

KingJafi — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 04:47:08 -0000

M&G Nation:

Holidays come early if you read Matchsticks and Gasoline. I have a pair of tickets to the Flames game on December 27 against the Sabres and given that I am in Florida and don't plan on heading up to CGY till at least the spring (yes, for the playoffs), I won't be able to attend. So I've decided to offer them up to the first taker. Here's how this is going to work...if you're interested, email me at kingjafi@gmail.com (I know, real original email address). The first email I receive gets the tickets. Fair enough?

Go Flames Go

(Oh yeah, I also have 4 tickets to any Hitmen game, but I'll put those up later. Stay tuned.)

M&G Nation:

Go Flames Go

(Oh yeah, I also have 4 tickets to any Hitmen game, but I'll put those up later. Stay tuned.)

Flames claim Mikkelson, send Brodie to the farm.

KingJafi — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:18:57 -0000

Flames claim Mikkelson, send Brodie to the farm.

First prospect to go back to the farm. Daz claims Mikkelson from Anaheim's waivers.

You knew these articles were coming...but still, I'm pissed.

KingJafi — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:39:42 -0000

You knew these articles were coming...but still, I'm pissed.

I know its been rehased over and over on BFTB, but these articles just irk me. It's two fold actually...1) this is the same media that was praising the Bolts for disgarding LT in the first place, that now want to claim everyone was stupid for overlooking his talents...and 2) I will never understand why he couldnt of been resigned for a smaller amount of money to take on a diminished role (was he really that big of a negative in the locker room?) Ahhh what can you do...

Djourou Falling Out of Favor?

KingJafi — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:39:31 -0000

Has Johan Djourou already fallen out of favor with Wenger? I am curious because he dressed for the Blackpool match but did not play. The following week he did not dress for Blackburn and he wasn't on the injury report. Since then there hasn't been any news pertaining to JD20 or any mention that maybe his rehabilitation from last season's injury might still be ongoing. Djourou was also left off the Switzerland roster for the current round of Euro qualifiers. Anyone know whether his absence is injury related or that he is quite possibly not high on Wenger's list. Personally, I hope he is still getting into form following a devastating injury...I think Djourou is a dynamic player with solid defense...it would be a shame for Arsenal not to use him this season. Let the discussion begin...

Poll

Has Johan Djourou fallen out of favor with Arsène Wenger?

Yes, JD20's time as a Gunner is coming to an end.

2 votes

No, it is probably injury related more than anything.

8 votes

Djourou's time will come, it's just not now.

1 votes

11 votes | Poll has closed

Wenger Nixes Fabregas Return To Barca

KingJafi — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:26:32 -0000

Wenger Nixes Fabregas Return To Barca

Cesc will definitely be gone by next summer.

Throwback Allen Bailey

KingJafi — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:45:35 -0000

From a 2008 ESPN article about physical specimens:

Allen Bailey, Miami, DE: A sophomore, Bailey might be the No. 1 on this list next year. The powerhouse Georgia product is one of those rare talents with a background made for legends. Like the time he once killed an alligator with a shovel. Bailey, who wowed Miami coaches with his smooth transition from linebacker to defensive end, was almost as impressive in Miami's spring workouts where he weighed in at 286 pounds with 8 percent body fat and vertical jumped 38.5 inches and power cleaned 375 pounds -- numbers that surely are adding to the Bailey folklore around Coral Gables.

"He's about as freakish as they come," Miami strength coach Andreu Swasey says. "He's like a big Willis McGahee. At almost 290 pounds, the guy is sculpted like a Greek god. I expect him to break a lot of records around here before he leaves. He will be a 41 or 42-inch vertical jump guy, run in the 4.5s or low 4.6 and clean 400."

Also, check out this interesting read from when Bailey was being recruited. Who's Nick Saban?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2748054

From a 2008 ESPN article about physical specimens:

Also, check out this interesting read from when Bailey was being recruited. Who's Nick Saban?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2748054

When will he just go away?

KingJafi — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:39:21 -0000

Is it just me or is Shaquille O'Neal going to forever be a pest to Magic fans? Now that it looks like he is going to Boston, it is yet another example of this guy being against us than neutral to us. Joining the Lakers spoke for itself. Then he goes to Miami (our in state rivals) and wins a championship. Phoenix was blah, but he still started that whole master of panic/beef with Dwight fiasco. So even as a Sun he found a way to stir the pot. Then he joins Cleveland because we beat them in the Conference Finals the year before and that didn't sit well with him obviously. Now he joins the one team that we couldn't hang with due primarily to size. I don't know about you guys, but I like our chances in a 7 game series against the Heat better than I do against Boston. Why couldnt he just sign with Atlanta where he would be a complete non-factor against us and we'd finally get the upper hand on him. To make matters worse, the guy freaking lives Orlando, a city he called a dried up pond!! I'm quite honestly so sick of this guy and wish he could just retire and go away for good. What are your thoughts? Is this guy just destined to forever haunt us?

Poll

Are you sick and tired of Shaq tormenting your existence as a Magic fan?

Yes, why can't the guy just go away!

61 votes

No, everyone knows he's a has been and Magic fans shouldn't sweat it.

85 votes

The guy has never tormented me because I don't recall the Shaq years anyways.

17 votes

163 votes | Poll has closed

Chris Duhon

KingJafi — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:48:50 -0000

What's this I'm hearing about Chris Duhon? Have the Magic really signed him? Aside from the ESPN story that I link below, there is no mention on the Sentinel site or any other Magic blog. If Duhon's agent is telling the truth, I guess that's the new Magic PG and we can stop talking about CJ Watson. But honestly? Duhon? We tried going after him a few years ago and he chased the money. Turned out to be a situation that played in the Magic's favor. He didn't play well as a Knick, wonder how much better he will with the Magic. Anyways, I'm sure there will be much analysis to come on this in the upcoming days if it does indeed break.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5357340

Captain Phaneuf

KingJafi — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:48:39 -0000

Captain Phaneuf

Seriously? Phaneuf the captain of the Leafs? It took Burke and crew a whole season to figure this one out? Ladies and Gentlemen, Dion Phaneuf the face of the Maple Leafs franchise. Good luck with that one Leafs Nation.

Game 5 Tickets For Sale!

KingJafi — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:28:55 -0000

I'm selling two tickets to Game 5. Section 114 Row T. I am selling them for face because I already have my personal seats and need to unload them. This is the best deal you'll find cause you aren't dealing with any shipping/service/tax charges, etc and all other online tickets are going higher than face. $390 for the pair. Please comment on this fan post if you're interested or email me at kingjafi@gmail.com. Go Magic!

Yzerman to Tampa, Daz still in Calgary.

KingJafi — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:48:35 -0000

Yzerman to Tampa, Daz still in Calgary.

So Tampa Bay, you know that crappy hockey market that beat the Flames to win a Stanley Cup, gets Steve Yzerman as their new GM. Well as a Floridian Flames fan, let me tell you Tampa isn't as crappy a hockey market as everyone up north wants to claim it is and landing Yzerman is proof itself. Sadly, Flames Nation has to sit on the sideline and watch other teams better themselves. Daz!!! I curse you!!! Call the Tampa Bay Lightning a circus all you want, they just further legitimized themselves today.

Sports Guy on The Magic after Rd 2

KingJafi — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:45:24 -0000

In conjunction with today's theme that only some of the members of the national media take the Magic's chances of winning it all seriously, The Sports Guy dishes out this jab in his Round 2 Awards (this after he mocks the Amway Arena, Magic fans, and the city of Orlando in general):

THE GEORGE LOPEZ'S LATE NIGHT SHOW FOLLOWING CONAN O'BRIEN'S LATE NIGHT SHOW AWARD FOR "MOST LAUGHABLY UNLIKELY SCENARIO THAT MIGHT ACTUALLY HAPPEN

"The Suns! The Magic! It's the 2010 NBA Finals on ABC!"

THE SUE ELLEN MISCHKE AWARD FOR "BIGGEST INFERIORITY COMPLEX"

To the Magic fans, who somehow took that last award personally. Whaddya mean it was laughably unlikely??? We're killing everybody! We whupped Cleveland in five games last year! We made the Finals last year! We have one of the best five players in the league! We have the best inside/outside game! We have the deepest team! We have a healthy Jameer, which we didn't have last year! WHY THE HELL IS THIS SO LAUGHABLY UNLIKELY????

Well, the odds were something like 40-1 for a Suns-Magic Finals heading into the playoffs. That's one reason. But the Magic fans are right -- it shouldn't have taken an 8-0 romp through the first two rounds to make some people take the Magic seriously. Still, it's hard for me to imagine them winning the actual championship for the following reasons (not counting Vince Carter and their arena, as mentioned earlier):

1. Their best player, Dwight Howard, cannot push a grocery cart through an aisle or walk a across the street on a crosswalk without bowling over three people.

2. Their key guy for defending Kobe Bryant (Matt Barnes) had a crucial dinner scene in "Basketball Wives" two weekends ago.

3. Before Game 2, the Magic handed out "Karate Kid II"-type noisemakers, which the fans proceeded to bang for three straight hours (and left me feeling like I had a mild brain tumor afterwards).

4. There are enough similarities between the 2002 Kings and 2010 Magic that someone could get a 1,200-word column out of it. Some definite "even though they had the best team on paper, they couldn't pull off four wins against an inferior big-market team, partly because nobody stepped up when it mattered, and partly because the league didn't want them to win" potential. I'm just sayin'.

5. Now that Tiger Woods is in seclusion, their No. 1 celebrity fan is this guy (a picture of Loud Guy).

As much as I'd like to recognize Loud Guy as a the modern day celebrity Magic fan. The real celebrity Magic fan is and will always be Fat Guy. Of everything Simmons dished out in his column, that reference I found the most offensive.

I guess I'll actually find these jokes funny if the Magic win a championship this season.

THE GEORGE LOPEZ'S LATE NIGHT SHOW FOLLOWING CONAN O'BRIEN'S LATE NIGHT SHOW AWARD FOR "MOST LAUGHABLY UNLIKELY SCENARIO THAT MIGHT ACTUALLY HAPPEN

"The Suns! The Magic! It's the 2010 NBA Finals on ABC!"

THE SUE ELLEN MISCHKE AWARD FOR "BIGGEST INFERIORITY COMPLEX"

1. Their best player, Dwight Howard, cannot push a grocery cart through an aisle or walk a across the street on a crosswalk without bowling over three people.

2. Their key guy for defending Kobe Bryant (Matt Barnes) had a crucial dinner scene in "Basketball Wives" two weekends ago.

3. Before Game 2, the Magic handed out "Karate Kid II"-type noisemakers, which the fans proceeded to bang for three straight hours (and left me feeling like I had a mild brain tumor afterwards).

5. Now that Tiger Woods is in seclusion, their No. 1 celebrity fan is this guy (a picture of Loud Guy).

I guess I'll actually find these jokes funny if the Magic win a championship this season.

Bolts Clean House. CGY won't be next.

KingJafi — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:52:27 -0000

So the new owner in Tampa Bay has cleaned house less than 12 hours after their last game. Obviously this is a team that has missed the playoffs three years in a row and the owner wants to make sure he's chosen the people that will work for him; so, I don't expect the Flames to follow suit. But I'd be eager to see how quickly some sort of movement happens at the Dome. Deep down inside I think Daz will be spared but my bet is the "will he be fired or not" soap opera will drag out for a few weeks in Calgary. Additionally, I'm worried that if Daz is fired...they hand everything over to Butter. I just don't think there will be a full house cleaning a la Tampa Bay. The sad thing is even with this house cleaning in Hockey Bay, their future looks brighter than ours imo. Thoughts?

Bulldozers Spotted Outside St Pete Times Forum

Motivation to win the West

KingJafi — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:00:31 -0000

Motivation to win the West

Hopefully knowing what their head coach has been going through for the last few weeks will serve as serious motivation for the Nuggets to get it done in the West this year. Lakers have everything handed to them, it's about time a team wins the West that deserves it.

Things just keep getting worse for the Oil.

KingJafi — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:53:55 -0000

Things just keep getting worse for the Oil.

One glass of wine and a black Ferrari. Bhulin Wall partying on the Olympic break. Either he was trying to numb his back pain with alcohol or he was really pissed that Plushenko got jobbed by the judges last night. Or was it the Russian loss to Slovakia...nah, can't be...the guy no longer gives a shit about hockey.

Kippy must be saying "what the....?"

KingJafi — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:53:38 -0000

Kippy must be saying "what the....?"

Believe it, the first two goal scorers for Finland in this young Olympic hockey tournament are none other than The Joker and Nicky Hagman. Yeah...I know, its Belarus...but it's still kind of ironic for Flames fans.

Ray Ferraro Gives His Two Cents

KingJafi — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:16:47 -0000

Ray Ferraro Gives His Two Cents

For what it's worth, Ray Ferraro gives his opinion on what's wrong with the Flames. He points out the obvious (going into the season, it was clear Calgary would have trouble scoring) and he throws some zingers at JB4 (calling him overpaid).

Darryl: The Joker Is Staying

KingJafi — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:58:54 -0000

Well kind of...

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/calgary-flames/says+Flames+want+keep+Bourque+Jokinen/2443767/story.html

I don't know if this is a lot of hot air and just PR jargon considering the guy is still a member of the Flames, but Darryl Sutter announced that it is his goal to prevent The Joker from making it to unrestricted free agency and resign the Finn. These statements were made on the record at the Flames Fan Forum yesterday and a full audiocast can also be heard at Fan960.com. A lot of it seems like Darryl and Ken King just fielded questions from fans as simply a fan involvement initiative so I wouldn't hold too much to anything they said. But a particular gem that the Herald article points out:

"We didn’t keep Jokinen over Cammi," admonished Sutter. "We got (defenceman) Jay Bouwmeester over Cammi." (a statement which is true and today seems kind of ironic considering the scoring funk the Flames are in)

Take it for what it is...D.Sutt obviously won't recognize that he is not resigning a current player to fans. But to say he is going to to do everything to prevent The Joker from reaching July 1 is kind of a bold statement. Talk amongst yourselves...

Well kind of...

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/calgary-flames/says+Flames+want+keep+Bourque+Jokinen/2443767/story.html

The McGrady Trade: 5.5 years later.

KingJafi — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:05:18 -0000

What's going on in Houston these days with McGrady is nothing new to the Orlando Magic or their fans. As annoying as it was back in 2004, when the Magic had to lose a star AGAIN, I'm so happy the franchise ridded themselves of this guy. Today all Tracy McGrady represents to the Magic is McGrady's cousin Vince Carter (I'll get to that later) and indirectly Dwight Howard. No, McGrady isn't the reason the Magic took Howard over Okafor (McGrady definitely wanted none of that)...but McGrady is the reason the Magic had the 1st pick. For those of you that can't remember, McGrady quit (which he later confessed to) on the Magic around this time of year 6 years ago cause they were on some 19 game losing streak or something and in the process cost a coach, who later won a championship, his job. In hindsight, maybe it would of been better to trade McGrady then and keep Doc but the flipside is the Magic ultimately got the 1st pick so I'd say this situation worked out great for both the Magic and Mr. Rivers. But back to McGrady....the mediocrity continued....McGrady picked Okafor and refused to play with Dwight (you can find a Sentinel quote on that) and kept running his chatterbox to the max much like his is doing today more than 5 and a half years later. In any case, you all know what happened next, in that McGrady was traded, but I'm sure you haven't really examined the trade closely to see where both parties stand today. For all intents and purposes, the trade has practically nullified itself across the board. Ironically, a lot of the same players involved in what I call "the trade tree" were swapped and ended up playing on both teams (Francis) or the same team (James). Another funny coicidence is because of this trade, Trevor Ariza has played for the Magic and Rockets and in the process won a championship against the team that traded him. I guess he can thank McGrady's selfishness for a ring and huge contract (No, his skill had nothing to do with any of that. *wink*). Truth is the NBA works in funny ways and the McGrady deal has essentially boiled down to the this:

Vince Carter for Brian Evans, Kyle Lowry, and whatever the Rockets get for TMac this time around.

Here's how I get there:

Orlando gets:

Cato ---> traded to Detroit for Darko ----> left via free agency to Memphis

Mobley ----> traded to Sacramento for Doug Christie ----> quit on the Magic and immediately retired

Francis ----> traded to New York for Penny Hardaway (immediately released) and Ariza ---> traded to LA for Maurice Evans (left via free agency to Atlanta) and Brian Cook ---> traded to Houston for Rafer Alston (Houston also got Kyle Lowry in deal) ----> traded to NJ for Vince Carter (Note: Francis eventually made his way back to Houston before being released)

Houston gets:

Reece Gaines ---> traded to Milwaukee for Mike James ---> left via free agency to Toronto

Juwan Howard ---> traded to Minnesota for Mike James (yes, the same guy Gaines was traded for) ---> traded to New Orleans for Bobby Jackson ----> traded to Sacramento for Ron Artest ----> left via free agency to Los Angeles in essentially a free agent swap for Trevor Ariza

Tyron Lue ---> traded to Atlanta for Jon Barry ---> released by Rockets and retired (Lue eventually made his way back to Orlando)

Tracy McGrady ---> ?

So my wishes to McGrady are: happy trails my disgruntled friend...hopefully you get out of the first round with your new team...I know the Magic are better off without you and thanks for hooking us up with your cousin.

Vince Carter for Brian Evans, Kyle Lowry, and whatever the Rockets get for TMac this time around.

Here's how I get there:

Orlando gets:

Cato ---> traded to Detroit for Darko ----> left via free agency to Memphis

Mobley ----> traded to Sacramento for Doug Christie ----> quit on the Magic and immediately retired

Houston gets:

Reece Gaines ---> traded to Milwaukee for Mike James ---> left via free agency to Toronto

Tyron Lue ---> traded to Atlanta for Jon Barry ---> released by Rockets and retired (Lue eventually made his way back to Orlando)

Tracy McGrady ---> ?

Lakers to win more than 72 games? Please, enough already.

KingJafi — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:53:25 -0000

I may be the biggest Laker hater on 3QC, but even a moderate fan should be scratching their head regarding the statement above. Considering I really stop going to ESPN.com once the NBA season starts to avoid the homerism that exists on that site considering all things Lakers and Kobe Bryant (and maybe a little Boston Red Sox), I chose to go to Yahoo! to see last night's boxscores. What do I come across?

"Can Lakers surpass 72"

I'm blown away, though I shouldn't be considering in this modern internet news age such hype around a major market team like the Lakers is almost unavoidable. Yet, I am offended as a basketball fan that this crap is even mentioned. Let's point out a few things:

1) The 95-96 Bulls team was something else. They were filled with seasoned veterans that clearly understood their role. Yes there was a Jack Haley and a Dickey Simpkins but the Lakers have deadweight of MBenga, Vujabitch, Morrison, Powell, and some other randoms. That Bulls team was fluid in that their execution was flawless. This Lakers team almost lost to a depleted Rockets team in 7 (ironically if Ron Artest stop shooting, the Rockets could of won) and caught some major breaks against our beloved Magic. But now that their X factor in Ariza is gone and replaced with a guy who takes double the shots, is a suspect team mate at best, and thinks he communicates to the deceased Michael Jackson (rest in peace), the Lakers are going to surpass the greatest record in NBA history? Please. You have arguably the best defensive player ever in Dennis Rodman; Artest while a good defender is not even close. I'll take Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc anyday over Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Ron Harper, enough said. Then there's Michael Jordan. As good and talented as Kobe Bryant is, he will never be as good as MJ. He can wear one number higher than him on Team USA and the Lakers, but he is not better than Michael Jordan. Nor is he a better teammate or leader than MJ. I digress...my point is to even suggest that this Lakers team can accomplish what the 72-10 Bulls accomplished is comedy.

2) Fair enough, if the media wants to make outlandish comments like that...then they should also suggest that the Magic and Celtics (notice how I leave out the Cavs, but probably should include them) have just as much of a chance if not better to surpass 72 wins. What the geniuses at Yahoo! forget is that the Celtics and Magic play in the East and if any team will surpass 72 wins it will be an Eastern team by default just because they play worse teams more frequently. The final tally? All the aforementioned teams will get close to 70 wins but that's about it.

In the end though, it will be the Magic or Celtics that take home the golden ball. Sorry Laker fans (and every member of a national media organization), your team's luck ran out in June.

"Can Lakers surpass 72"

In the end though, it will be the Magic or Celtics that take home the golden ball. Sorry Laker fans (and every member of a national media organization), your team's luck ran out in June.

Iron Mike on OTR

KingJafi — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:46:12 -0000

Anyone catch Mike Keenan on OTR? Any thoughts? It was a pretty harmless interview and encompassed the usual generic questions and answers. One thing I found interesting was his answer to Regher's comments re Keenan's coaching style having no business in today's NHL. Keenan's response was that he was shocked to read the comments and didn't understand why they were made considering he had a good relationship with Regher and it was Regher who "sought him out" for a meeting about the team late last season. Then later in the show Keenan's answer to the rapid fire question "which Flames member was happy to see you go?" was Regher. No idea if I'm reading into to this too much or if there really was a rift between coach and player last year. Nonetheless I was glad there wasn't any Flames bashing on Iron Mike's part and happy to see Bubba on the Panel.