Ron Artest has signed a mid-level exception to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Artest will receive $18 million over three years.

Artest is a skilled enforcer that mixed it up with Lakers star Kobe Bryant on multiple occassions during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. He will add an extra toughness as the Lakers try to defend their championship.

This comes on the day we learned that the Lakers weren’t interesting in giving forward Trevor Ariza more than the same mid-level exception.  Ariza has signed a new deal to play with the Houston Rockets.

So basically the Rockets traded Artest to the Lakers for Ariza.  Perhaps it will be a win-win for both, but for now I am going to chalk this one up as an advantage to the Lakers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were also interested in signing Artest.

[image: wenn.com]

The Los Angeles Lakers won the 2009 NBA Finals on Sunday night in Game 5 against the Orlando Magic. The championship title is the 15th overall for the Lakers in their storied history.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to the championship and was named MVP of the Finals.

“It felt like a big old monkey was off my back,” Bryant said. “It felt so good to be able to have this moment. We tried not to envision it too much because you just get too excited. You try not to think about it, just think about playing the game, and for this moment to be here and to reflect back on the season and everything that you’ve been through, it’s the top of the list, man.”

Many will remember the 2009 NBA Finals for Derek Fisher’s two clutch shots in Game 4, the great defensive play of Trevor Ariza, the coming out party of Pau Gasol, and the inspired play of Lamar Odom.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson made history by winning his 10th championship. He was previously tied with the late Red Auerbach with nine.

The 15th title for the Lakers is second most in NBA history. The Boston Celtics, with 17 titles, have the most overall.

It took nearly twenty years but Nike has finally relented and produced the ‘Air McFly’ athletic shoe that first made its debut on the feet of Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) in the popular Back to the Future films of the last 80’s.

Nike had Kobe Bryant be the official spokesperson to release the new shoe to the public.

The film, which largely took place in the year 2015, introduced viewers to many a futuristic wonder, but none were so iconic as the light blue high-tops worn by Michael J. Fox. Ever since the film premiered, folks have been begging Nike to produce the shoes for the masses. Now, Nike has finally obliged… sort of.

The shoes were recently reveled at an event headlined by Kobe Bryant. Ever the showman, the hoopster even arrived in a DeLorean. Fans lined up way in advance, but according to Wired, many went home disappointed. Nike only made 350 pairs of the specially designed kicks, not nearly enough to satisfy the fans.

Well if you are one of the lucky 350 people that landed a pair of the new/old Nike Hyperdunk Supreme (Nike’s new hip name for the shoe) then congrats.  If not you can try you luck out on eBay.

I just checked and there was a pair on the online auction site for $1,055.00 with 42 bids so far.

Congrats to the Boston Celtics on winning the 2008 NBA Championship in a landslide over the hapless Los Angeles Lakers. I watched every game but don’t have too much to say about this series besides the following:

Kobe Bryant made Ray Allen and Paul Pierce look like multiple All-Defensive Team winners.

In 22 seasons combined Allen and Pierce have never made a single All-Defensive Team.

Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa is a bit of a hot head and shin skinned according to ESPN reporter Laura Lane. Vanessa Bryant went on a cussing and screaming spree against Lane after the Lakers-Spurs playoff game.

Laura reported that Vanessa singled her out near the Lakers’ locker room at the Lakers game. Vanessa screamed the F word at her. Her two Bryant daughters, aged 5 and 2, stared at their Mom as she mouthed some accusations against Laura Lane.

Vanessa did not like Laura writing about her, her daughters and their schedule. Other reporters told Laura that Vanessa was known to display anger at journalists. Laura wrote about her experience. She said that she did not answer any of Vanessa’s accusations.

Here is what ESPN reporter Laura Lane said Bryant screamed at her after the Lakers-Spurs game

Last night, I got cussed out by Vanessa Bryant. Seriously. At the Lakers game. In front of her kids. In front of the Lakers locker room. It was awesome. She is mad about an article I wrote where I mentioned her. That means one of two things - she either reads the ESPN blog or she has herself on Google alerts. Both are fantastic.

So as I’m walking out of the Lakers locker room after some post-game interviews with the players, I pass Vanessa, who is sitting outside the locker room as usual with her two girls.

“Laura!” she screams (yes, she apparently knows my name). “F— you! You f—ing b—-!”

Lane had posted the info on her Blogger blog, ‘Ride the Fast Lane’, that has now disappeared. I have a feeling the big heads at ESPN said delete the entire blog now or you will be checking Big Brown’s stall for poop at the Preakness Stakes next weekend.

One does have to feel a bit for Vanessa though. TheDirty.com’s report (and updated report)of Kobe’s most recent affair with a Laker cheerleader is likely weighing heavily on her mind. No telling if Kobe did cheat with the Laker skirt or not. If we see Kobe showing up to Game 4 with a brand new tattoo then we can assume he is guilty as charged.

Deadspin has compared Vanessa to Susie Green.

go on reading »

The latest commercial featuring Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant for his new Nike basketball shoe. In the video Kobe jumps over a kiddie pool full of snakes after a midget and skateboarder fail in doing so. The snake jump is probably a CGI masterpiece but is funny regardless.

Earlier this month the video of Kobe jumping over an Aston Martin hit the net as well.

The L.A. Times is reporting that Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will win his first MVP Award when the NBA announces the winner next week in Los Angeles

Sources familiar with the outcome who were not authorized to speak publicly about the award until the official announcement from the league said Commissioner David Stern will be in Los Angeles next week to present the trophy to Bryant.

The award, selected by NBA writers and broadcasters, figured to go to either Bryant or New Orleans guard Chris Paul, who guided the Hornets to second place in the Western Conference in the regular season.

Kobe wins the award in his 12th NBA season.  He averaged 28.3 points 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

Personally I believe Chris Paul was the MVP and I named him Bumpshack’s MVP in my 2007-2008 NBA Awards.  I can’t find much argument with Kobe winning it though.  The NBA usually awards its veterans with the MVP Award and Kobe had never won the award before this year.  Paul is likely to win several MVP’s in due time.

Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant jumps over an Aston Martin car coming full speed at him in this Nike ad for his new shoe. A very cool ad and some even better video editing.

Watch Kobe Jump over a Snake Pool

Kobe Bryant is denying rumors that he and his child bride Vanessa are getting a divorce.  Kobe is currently training with Team USA for the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying tournament later this month.

The NBA player has been traveling in Europe with his family, which includes two young daughters, and has been working out with Team U.S.A.  He tells Kevin he has no idea how the rumors got started because he and Vanessa are happily married.  He goes on to tell Kevin that he initially wasn’t going to respond to the reports but then felt compelled to set the record straight.

Kobe initially said things were great, then two hours later said they were getting a divorce, then the next day said it was such bliss they are living in, then said they almost choked each other to death, and finally today he said they are happily married.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant scored 50 points for the fourth consecutive game on Friday night against the New Orleans Hornets. Bryant is only the second player in NBA history to accomplish the task. The other player to do it being the immortal Wilt ‘The Stilt’ Chamberlain. Wilt holds the record with seven straight 50 pointers.

On a side note the Lakers won the game 111-105 over the Hornets. It was the first time this year that L.A. has beaten N.O. The Lakers have won all four games during Bryant’s streak and now have a record of 37-32.

Kobe’s Points By Opponent During The Streak

• March 23, 2007, New Orleans Hornets (31-38), 50 points
• March 22, 2007, Memphis Grizzlies (17-52), 60 points
• March 18, 2007, Minnesota Timberwolves (29-38), 50 points
• March 16, 2007, Portland Trailblazers (29-40), 65 points

The combined record of these four teams is 106-168 (0.387%) but who is looking at that. Kobe will have a chance to make it five in a row on Sunday night against the Golden State Warriors.

via BumpSports.com