NBA FASTBREAK #1

During the Laker's championship run with Shaq, Kobe, and Phil there was often squabbles over shot selection, touches, running the triangle and who's team it really was. Shaq often let his feelings be known verbally through the media and Kobe often showed how he felt by his aggressive or passive play on the court. Phil often sided with Shaq, but he knew that Kobe had a legitimate gripe when they often butted heads. Even though they won 3 rings together they could have accomplished so much more if they each would have put aside their egos. Shaq believed the offense should go through the big man and Kobe felt that he was a better offensive weapon because he was the one putting in the work in the off season. During the third leg of the Laker's three peat Shaq uttered a phrase that I have not forgotten to this day. "You have to feed the dog if you want him to guard the yard. That's code for if you want rebounding and defense then feed me that rock and I will work harder. Right or wrong that statement has stuck with me to this day. Phil and the critics should have blasted Shaq, but instead they backed him by saying Kobe shot to much and that Shaq definitely should be the first option. This logic has baffled me, because guys like Ben Wallace, Dikemebe Mutumbo, Alonzo Mourning, and Dwight Howard don't use touches as a means to determine the amount of effort they are going to put out on the defensive end.I can never remember Scottie and Horace saying fuck this MJ is doing all the scoring let him shut the paint down by himself.The reason why I bring this up is because, Gasol and Bynum have both questioned their touches and have used this as an excuse to defend their lackluster play. I know you are saying that plenty of teams would love to have two seven footers like Bynum and Gasol, but even when Dwight Howard doesn't deliver on offense his rebounding and defense is always there. Last night the Lakers won against the Clippers and Gasol and Bynum not only received their touches, but they came up big on  the defensive and on the glass.It has all of us asking where has this effort been all year. It is sad, but Kobe Bean Bryant knows what he has to do. If he wants the dogs to guard the yard he damn sure better feed them the rock.

• MVP WATCH:
• 1) LEBRON JAMES:29.1 PPG 8 REB 7 AST- HE IS GRADED ON WHAT HAPPENS IN JUNE.
• 2) KOBE BRYANT:30.2 PPG 6 REB 6 AST- THE MAMBA HAS TURNED BACK THE CLOCK AND SHOWING EVERYONE WHO THE BEST REALLY IS. 7TH BEST?
• 3) DWIGHT HOWARD:19.7 PPG 15.6 REB 2 BPG- MODERN DAY BILL RUSSEL
• 4) KEVIN DURANT:25.7PPG 7.2 REB 3.3 AST- A MATCH UP NIGHTMARE
• 5) KEVIN LOVE:25.3 PPG 13.7 REB 1.1 STL- THE BEST POWER FORWARD IN THE BUSINESS
• POWER RANKINGS:
• 1)BULLS 15-3:EVEN INJURIES CAN'T STOP THE BULLS
• 2)HEAT 11-5: ARE THEY BETTER WITHOUT DWADE
• 3)THUNDER 13-3: DURANT AND WESTBROOK ARE ONLY GETTING BETTER
• 4)DENVER 12-5: DOING ALL OF THIS WITHOUT MARTIN,J.R.SMITH AND CHANDLER
• 5)MAGIC 11-4: RYAN ANDERSON AND HEDO ENOUGH SAID
• 6)PACERS 11-4: NAME THEIR STARTING FIVE
• 7)SIXERS 11-5: TALENTED TEAM BUT WHO IS THEIR GO TO GUY
• 8)CLIPPERS 9-5: WIN SOMETHING BEFORE YOU TALK TO THE LAKERS
• 9)HAWKS 12-5: STILL WINNING WITHOUT HORFORD
• 10)SPURS 10-7: POP CALLED HIS TEAM SOFT
• ROMEO'S THOUGHTS:
• If the Ron Artest who showed up last night against the Clippers shows up the rest of the year the Lakers despite their poor PG play could win it all. When Artest plays with that don't fuck with me attitude he energizes the team and the fans. Opposing players then think twice about fucking with Gasol and the Lakers seem to match his energy by diving for loose balls and playing with physical toughness.
• I don't care how tough you say Chris Paul is he wouldn't have gone back at Kenyon Martin or Ben Wallace if they did what Pau Gasol did to him.
• LaMarcus Aldridge is the best player you have never heard of. Imagine him, Brandon Roy and Greg Oden together.
• Who in their right mind wants to become involved in that mess called the Wizards?
• Smart move by the Magic to not offer Ryan Anderson an extension when clearly he benefits from playing with Howard and he might not be there next year.
• Bosh Spice and Queen James are a better fit together than Dwade and Queen James.
• The Lakeshow should go after Mr. Intensity himself Kevin Garnett next year when he becomes a free agent. Put him with Artest and Kobe and you have three trash talking intimidating motherfuckers. Not to mention you know he wants another ring.
• It's bad enough A PIMP NAMED STERN gave the Clippers CP, but he gave them Chauncey Billups also. Who was involved in this secret bidding shit? The Lakeshow doesn't have a PG and the Clippers have three. CP, Mo Williams, and Billups
• The Knicks need Steve Nash and they need him now. DantoniCarmello Anthony.
• The Celtics are done and it all started with the trade of Kendrick Perkins. Personally I think he is overrated but he is one of those glue guys that teams need to win championships. The C's have not been the same since the trade and only Rondo has the ability night in and night out to play at a high level.
• All this Clippers love makes me sick and all you dick riding bandwagon jumpers will rue the day that you bet against the Mamba.
• For my money coach Pop is the best coach in the business and how he wins with Duncan,Manu,Parker and a bunch of no names amazes me.
• There is a rumor out there that Queen James does not like the disciplined style of team president Pat Riley and that when his contract is up he is considering a return to Cleveland.You mean James has a problem abiding by team rules and respecting authority. Go figure.
• Signs that I'm done with the NBA. Eric Gordon turned down a 4yr 60 million dollar contract that Kevin Love just signed. Westbrook just signed a 5yr 78 million dollar deal. Enough of this lunacy. When guys make money like Queen James, but can't carry his jock that's a problem. Kobe and LeBron are the two guys that I know that sell out buildings but guys like Gordon and Love think people come to see their ass. Guys demand money for putting up numbers and organizations cater to them while complaining to the fans and raising ticket prices. What the fuck was the purpose of the lockout.
• I'm out like the Terps on GARY WILLIAMS night. Way to honor the coach that won you a national championship by losing to Duke at home.