Pretty Package

Trade talks between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers have come to a crawl. The Lakers are experiencing separation anxiety with Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. These guys would have to cross over to the dark side in order to get Jermaine O’Neal and Troy Murphy. There’s also slight mention of Kwame Brown being traded with the Laker package. Brown is mentioned more like a stocking-stuffer than a full present with a pretty bow on top. This is probably because instead of a bow on an enticing offer, he has post-surgery wrap on his left ankle. But with one year left on his contract of $9.1 million, he maintains some allure for teams with soaring payrolls.

Odom on the other shoulder. Pardon, on the other hand. No, shoulder was correct. This guy had a powerful start last season, averaging 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. But he recently went through a second shoulder surgery. Now, both may have been successful surgeries, but how long before we start trading robots? Then, of course, we have second-year Bynum, promising a lot, but not necessarily delivering on his 10th draft-pick potential. Is it time to say “adios” to these fellas and “hola” to one of the top point leaders in the league? WWKD: What Would Kobe Do? You’ll just have to get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets from StubHub.com and see who will be our new governors of Lakerland.

Counting Sheep

Okay, take your pick, counting sheep or watching this year’s NBA Finals. You’ll experience the same sleep-inducing qualities with both. Well, the score was a little tight near the end of game three. But so far, the most poignant moment was Duncan’s potential foul on LeBron James as he went up for a potential game-tying shot. That would have brought both teams to whopping scores in the mid 70s.

What does all this mean for our Lakers? Well, for starters, the San Antonio Spurs will have one more NBA Championship under their belt in the last 10 years than our Lakers. That is, if the Cavs don’t  pull a Boston Red Sox move and come back after being down by three. Sure, the Spurs are a talented team with well-thought out plays. But will these finals be a true measure of champions, or simply an odd-ball season? One thing’s for sure. It will be interesting to see the Spurs and Lakers match up next season. Stay supportive. Root nice and loud and get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets from StubHub.com.

Power of Veto

Despite all that’s been happening, Kobe Bryant still has the ball in his court. His no-trade clause allows him to reject any trade deal. Kobe absolutely can not be traded by the Lakers without his full consent. He acquired the no-trade clause in his contract by having more than eight seasons and having played for the same team for at least four seasons. These are only a couple of the reasons why Kobe is just one of a handful of NBA players with these no-trade provisions. And Buss would do well in remembering how fickle Kobe has been lately, keeping in mind that a team cannot reacquire a player they’ve traded during the same season unless the player has been waived.
This no-trade clause is one of New York Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas’ biggest concerns. There’s no doubt he’d like to put together a superstar package with a big ol’ ribbon on it and snatch up Kobe. But apparently he’s been working the phones, maintaining communication, and attempting to keep offer-pipelines full. “It’s safe to say we’re active on the phones, trying to improve our team, whatever ways we can,” Thomas said. He also commented on his first-round pick, “My intention is to keep it, but if I could find a way to make our team better, move the pick and get a better player, I’m not hesitant to do that…I haven’t seen anything [offered] to move it.” Don’t miss out on next season’s action. Get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets from StubHub.com today.

Kobe to Go Coast to Coast?

We’ve heard a lot about the back-and-forth business of Bryant. To trade or not to trade; that is just one of the questions. But there hasn’t been a whole lot of mention of specific teams where Kobe may land. And as amazing as he is, it’s easy to empathize with team executives when we imagine that they may just not want to deal with him after all this hoopla. However, with stellar Stephon Marbury pressing Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas for a perimeter shooter, Kobe may find himself going coast to coast.

“It would be great to have a guy like Steve Kerr,” Marbury stated. “To get a shooter, somebody like that style of player, that’s something you don’t have a lot of in the league, shooters like Kerr, Glen Rice. It would be great to get somebody to shoot the ball and keep people honest.” Thomas was even reported to have started putting together an offer to bring Bryant aboard during his brief trade-request period. But Thomas and Marbury both understand it comes down to business at the end of an NBA day, and haven’t held anything against Kobe for his trade-request withdrawal. No bridges burned means that Kobe may one day find a new home on the coast where the sun rises. Be sure to stay up on the  action. Get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets today from Stubhub.com.

Is Igudola Coming to Lakerland?

Bynum must be feeling like a piece of meat by now. This guy sees his name splashed all over papers, blogs, and TV reports on a daily basis. All of them discussing his trade possibilities, dangling him like bait on a hook. On the other hand, Bynum could see this as a positive, that he’s even worthy to be considered as a significant weight to tip trade scales. But still, he must be feeling a tad powerless and anxious about such an uncertain destiny.

Father Laker Jim Buss recently reported that Philly plans to “rebuild and clear cap space.” “A center who would have been a top 5 pick in this year’s draft (Bynum), should be enough to get conversations started. Igudola isn’t expensive at all…Of course, LA would have to include someone, and as long as their name isn’t Lamar Odom, Kobe’s Lakers should be open to the consideration.” Along with just Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Tracy McGrady, Igudola averaged at least 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the 2006-2007 season. Do we want Igudola to join the Lakers’ squad? At this point, sure, why not? Make sure to give all the support you can, and get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets from StubHub.com.

Lakers Raise Ticket Prices

The Los Angeles Lakers have raised their ticket prices yet again, according to a report on espn.com. Courtside seats will now go for $2,200 to $2,300 per game. Tickets in six lower level sections will increase from $220 to $230.  The increases are 4.5% for both types of ticket.  I suppose none of the fans can get upset, with all the championships the Lakers have been winning lately.

What’s that? You say the Lakers are an underachieving group of overpaid no-names who stand around and watch Kobe Bryant do all the work?  You say that Kobe Bryant is demanding that the Lakers either fix the problem or trade him in the off-season?  You’re saying the Lakers haven’t done anything remotely respectable in the Western Conference since they traded Shaq?  Well, screw it.  You’re paying more for tickets next year anyway.  Deal with it.

You can buy your Los Angeles Lakers tickets at www.stubhub.com. 

Kobe’s Antics a Parody of Himself

I hope you all read The Onion as much as I do. If you do, you probably read a piece that really hit home, titled “Kobe Bryant Demanding Things Again.” The Onion, of course, gives fake news and tongue-in-cheek commentary about daily events, but this one, I thought, really summed up Kobe.

It sometimes can get a little comical when we read about the same things happening over and over again. Kobe acts like a princess. Young actress parties too much. Ann Coulter says something bigoted. It all gets a little tiresome sometimes, which is why we need online papers like The Onion and fake TV News shows like The Daily Show to point out the obvious stuff that never gets said.

However, we also like to come back down to reality, where we can still get real-life, awesome Los Angeles Lakers tickets at StubHub.com.

Lessons on the Court

Apparently, Kobe can learn a few things from Cleveland’s LeBron James. One of Kobe’s biggest complaints was that he had little to work with on the Los Angeles Lakers. But LeBron’s stellar performance amidst a seemingly average crew of teammates and malignant management brings into question whether Kobe is simply making excuses. Has Kobe committed his head to the clouds? Has being the league’s best player skewed his perception a tad?

Of course, it’s easy to point a finger from the couch side of the TV. Like when we all cursed Kobe for ousting Shaq; now only to find it was Jerry Buss behind that decision. But comparing superstars and their performances is probably the closest we’ll get to answers aside from being in Kobe’s head. But considering Bryant’s seesaw-demands as of late, getting inside his head probably wouldn’t provide too many answers either. The point is, not just Kobe can learn something from LeBron and the Cavaliers. This may be the dawning of a new NBA day - a time where even the low man on the NBA totem pole becomes inspired all over again, realizing that he too can contribute. Even the superstars need to look to other players as a reminder of what’s truly possible on the court. Make sure you catch the action on the court and get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets today.

Buck Up Bryant

It’s getting more and more difficult to continue to hold Kobe in the highest light. After voicing his discontents on so many levels, and taking on his present wishy-washy attitude, it’s tough to believe Kobe is still one-hundred percent about our beloved Los Angeles Lakers. This ominous shadow forming over Kobe does, however, make it easier to see other players.

Players such as LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Dwayne Wade, and Kevin Garnett are getting a little more positive light. Bryant’s mood swings and calls for action have made these other players seem much more honorable and respected; on the court and off. We’ve got LeBron bringing the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals, Duncan playing the major role in the Spurs’ third NBA Finals in five years, and Wade’s smiling and polished public persona. Meanwhile, dear Kobe is simply giving us a big, fat headache. Come on bud, buck up! This will surely be a paramount season, so get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets today.

Kobe to Run with Bulls?

That’s right, more Can-I-Get-a-Trade-Kobe news coming at you. The latest trade talks show that if Kobe is freed from the Los Angeles Lakers, he’ll hop on the Chicago Bulls force. But of course, with all the back-and-forth trade talk shenanigans, this is really just pure speculation at this point. After all, if Kobe’s no-trade clause can’t hold him back, what can? Plus, his ability to veto any deal simply thickens this plot to a gruel.

The Bulls make a probable landing pad for Kobe with their high likelihood of being contenders this season. Kobe has been expressing his discontent with the Lakers seeming to be building a team for the future instead of the present. So the Bulls’ immediate contender capability makes them very appealing to Kobe. Plus, the Bulls have some youngsters on the team that could serve as a nice dowry for the trade of King Kobe.  But NBA regulations and the Bulls’ dire need for an inside corner may stymie the trade. Either way, you’ll want to make sure you get your Los Angeles Lakers tickets soon.


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