NBA Fines Lakers’ Jackson

Phil Jackson received an official reprimand and a $50,000 fine from the NBA yesterday for his comments about an apparent “witch hunt” against Kobe Bryant.  Kobe, who has been the focus of much “dirty player” scuttlebutt among the media, called such claims “ridiculous.”
 

Jackson and Bryant defended their actions and elbows in a media conference Wednesday, reiterating Kobe’s innocence amid recent league-mandated suspensions and a retroactively assessed flagrant foul.
 

Said Kobe Bryant, “It’s insulting. I don’t need to be a dirty player. If you talk to my teammates, talk to other coaches, talk to other players, they all say the same thing. It’s just something that people want to continue to talk about, no matter how many players say I’m not (dirty).”
 

Kobe could be referring to the shared comments last week of Korver, Jaric and Ginobili, the three players involved in the elbowing incidents, who have stated that they didn’t believe Kobe’s actions deserved any punishment outside of an offensive foul.
 

Of course, players in professional sports will often times downplay the offenses of fellow athletes, so as not to create enemies on the court or sound like a crybaby.
 

If you would like to follow “Elbowgate” live, you can get Lakers tickets at StubHub.com for a first-hand view of all action and re-action.  


 

Permalink - Posted in General on March 15, 2007 - Post a comment

Walton, Odom to Return vs. Denver

The Lakers return to action tonight against the Denver Nuggets with a few familiar bodies back in uniform.  Lamar Odom and Luke Walton are both expected to play, perhaps even start in their first games back from injury.
 

Luke Walton might start because Brian Cook is hampered by an injured ankle.  Walton will probably test his own ankle as the game progresses, and will want to keep his muscles and ligaments from cooling off.
 

Lamar Odom knows that at times his sore shoulder will be painful while performing certain maneuvers.  He will attempt to play through pain for the sake of the Lakers until his body fully recovers, as he simply cannot sit on the bench and watch his team fall any farther.   
 

Lakers tickets to the Portland game on Friday could allow you to see the home game return of two players the Lakers have definitely missed in the past few weeks. Of course, if Walton and Odom re-injure themselves, StubHub.com might not be selling Lakers playoff tickets this year.


 

Permalink - Posted in General on March 15, 2007 - Post a comment