(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

- Last night Kobe Bryant passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become 2nd to Jerry West on the Lakers all time scoring list. Pau returned to the floor and went for 24 pts and 13 rbs as MY (yeah they're mine again, smile) Lakers whooped the Bulls and also reminded everyone exactly why playing the Lakers should pump a bit of fear into your heart! Joakim Noah had a nice game with a double double, Derrick Rose had 20 points and 6 assists. Let's hope the Bulls start winning or he finds his shot so he can finally get that haircut! He looks extremely grungy on the floor. ICK

 - The Hornets beat the Suns and there are whispers that they're a better team without CP3. They're 2 and 1 since he's gone out with an ankle sprain and 2 and 2 since Byron Scott was fired. Yeah ok, whatever...

 - AI cleared waivers yesterday. Knicks were the rumored destination for him but now it looks like that's not going to happen. Let's be honest, this would be a move to generate ticket sales. The Knicks are going nowhere this season and don't have much laid out as far as direction and leadership on the floor. He certainly couldn't make things worst there but, if they're passing on him, looks like AI may simply fade into the darkness (at least for this season) 

A view from the sideline 

 - My former favorite blogger Gilbert Arenas has finally joined twitter but there's a catch, he's said he won't post until he has 1 million followers. ::blank stare:: Mmmmk in the meantime the nasty rumor circulating on the blogs is that Gilbert's fiancée' Laura Govan has been cheating on him with Shaq for approximately the last 5 years (SCANDAL of the highest order). Shortly after the offending e-mails were leaked, Shaq's wife Shaunie filed for legal separation in California. Perhaps that explains Gil's 1st tweet which was a twitvid that makes mention of Shaq in a very Unique way Check the video Here:

Gilbert's 1st Tweet

Yeah, I don't know either ::Kayne West shrug::

Oh yeah the Wizards blew out the Cavs on Wednesday night in DC. Shaq was out with a shoulder strain... Some implied he was scared, my question is, scared of what? How often have you seen NBA players really throw blows on the court... exactly.

The Thunder are a fun team to watch on the court. But I bet you didn't know a few guys on the roster have Boy Band aspirations, Check Kevin Durant, Jeff Green & James Harden's performance:

Say Ah with KDurant, JGreen & JHarden

  

Who’s the next coach to go??

- Lawrence Frank, Nets- New owner coming in, team has had a lot of early injuries so maybe that will buy him time. Nets have yet to win a game this season.

- Mike Dunleavy, Clippers - Cheap ownership might save Mike's job as Donald Sterling hates to spend $$, injuries to #1 pick Blake Griffin and guard Eric Gordan might buy him time but most likely Sterling's cheapness will be the real reason he keeps his job.

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- Are the Bengals about to become my next team of choice? I already mentioned how entertaining Ocho Cinco is but his team has shown that they are serious contenders for Miami in Feb (or is it Late Jan.? I'm not sure) Sunday, they beat the Steelers for the 2nd time this season; they're 5 and 0 against teams in their division. I'll put them on my maybe list as someone I might be interested in later on down the line.

- Last Thursday was the debut of Thursday night football. Something I will never see unless I watch online because Time Warner and the NFL can't kiss and make up. The Bears loss and according to my twitter timeline that night, Cutler sucks!

- The Rams played the Saints on Sunday (that's like 2 guys you're dating ending up at the same open gym run) That means you cheer for everything! It was actually a close game but the Saints escaped (yes escaped they really almost lost this game) unfortunately for the Rams "Almost doesn't count" 

- America's team (That would be the Cowboys as I was informed) lost to Green Bay. Yep, I have nothing of substance to add on that. 

-Denver lost to somebody wack. Was their heart was cut out after last weeks Monday Night Football loss?

- The marquee match up of the weekend was the Colts vs. The Pats. The Pats lost, This is a HUGE rivalry that I have absolutely Zero interest in. Someone please share with me why I NEED to care about it. 

- So last night as I was getting ready to go out to dinner (Sushi at Nobu. LOVE IT!) I flipped to MNF, it was half time and nobody had bothered to score. So I didn't bother to check and see what teams were playing or who won. Take THAT underachieving football teams (ok I think it was the Browns and the Ravens but honestly, I was so put off by that, I kept it moving to the Bucks & Mavs in overtime NBA action) 

* Stuff from the Sidelines 

- Larry Johnson has signed with Bengals. Do they really need him?

- Dwayne Bowie WR for the Chiefs has been suspended for violating league policy on performance enhancing products. Really, people are still getting caught up in this in 2009?

- The Buffalo Bills have fired coach Dick Jauron. yeah that's what usually happens when your team SUCKS. lol 

Week 10 Highlights

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- I have to start with Brandon Jennings going for 55 on the Warriors Saturday night. Brandon went from high school to overseas for a year, toughed it out and now is showing the League that he had a reason to talk Sh*T and let doubters know he was better than Rubio!

Let's also not forget that he crushed Kareem's rookie record with Bucks for most points scored (It's only Nov.) And he's smart with his funds!! He purchased a Ford SUV because he wants to be smart with his money oh and the best part, He's FROM LA!!!!

- Dwyane Wade does it again, hits the game winning 3 with .10 seconds left in the game.Miami over New Jersey, that lost had to hurt as it would've been the Nets 1st win. The Heat was my team on the East for awhile (back when they had the rivalry with the Knicks). Guess I'll keep my red & black pom poms!!



- The Thunder have a great core, they're fun to watch and Kevin Durant will be an All-Star SOON. Saturday night they shocked the Spurs (Tony & Timmy were back in action can't blame that). The Spurs looked really old playing the kids. I told you they're on the downside.

Of course Sunday night I had to go against them as they were playing the Clippers. Clippers WIN (redemption for their lost to OKC on wed.) Fun game to watch, be sure to catch a few Thunder games this season. You won't regret it.
- The Lakers were bitch smacked (you like how they went from MY Lakers to THE Lakers, fickle fan j/k) on Friday night by the Denver Nuggets. Expect trouble from them all season right into the playoffs. Not to mention this dunk on DJ Mbemga (this seems to happen to him a lot) Oh yeah Ty Lawson is only 5'11, DJ is 7'0.


So after that embarrassment on Friday, of course I expected the Lakers to redeem themselves on Sunday against the Rockets. Trevor Ariza was presented with his ring by Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant. Classy move by a first class organization. But then what do THE Lakers do, Lose. Le sigh.

Ok, I know Pau is still out, Ron Artest is still getting acclimated and Kobe has a groin strain but must the losses be so dramatic? No excuses but like I said earlier, it's only November.



- More trouble for the Hornets, not only do they have a new coach, they're best player CP3 (Chris Paul I shouldn't have to tell you that) is out with an ankle sprain. There's no timetable set for his return at the moment. Hey New Orleans at least you have the Saints right?? I'm kidding... kinda

- So is Memphis the home to exiled 30 plus point guards now? They signed Jamaal Tinsley to a 1 year minimum deal. Guess everybody fully understands what they're getting into this time around right? Ummm has AI received a buyout yet? Placed on waivers?? NO??? yeah that's what I thought.

- Captain Jack escapes the bay, FINALLY. Stephen Jackson has finally been traded. I'm not even sure who really benefits from this trade. Stephen and Acie law were traded to the Bobcats in exchange for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic. Now who is Nellie going to ride this season?

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Ok, here's 1 way the NFL beats the NBA. Bye weeks! A random week off.

So I took this week off. That wasn't the plan, I actually watched a game or 2 but I was distracted by basketball soooooooooooo. No update this week.
But, I do have a few highlights:

- Ocho Cinco being fined $20K for what was obviously a joke is ridiculous. Understood they want to send a message before his "fun" becomes a problem for them but he's entertaining DAMN IT!!

- Larry Johnson was waived; maybe he should just become a full time video vixen.

I'll be back on point for week 10!

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-DWade's dunk on Varejao off the break last night was SICK! OMG he stepped over him. Wooowwww



- That was a GREAT game on so many levels!
- If LeBron decides to go to Miami, that would be scary.

- The timing of LeBron bringing up a possible number change was interesting. So was Jordan being courtside with Pat Riley. Pat Riley's plan seems more likely. It worked in Boston right?

- Random thought, I think I've always had a weird crush on Pat Riley. LOL

- The Lakers and Ron are starting to figure it out and Pau's not even back yet.

- Shannon Brown is getting it done! 2 crazy dunks then he stepped back and hit the 3. He was the real prize in that trade. But Kobe nicknaming him Go Go gadget Calf muscles??? :Pause: No more nicknames Kobe; Please and THANK YOU.



- Really you want to take the entire #23 out of existence of the league?? At this point do we really think anyone doesn't understand the importance of Michael Jordan to the game. There is such a thing as overkill. We've reached it.

- Byron Scott first coach cut. Who didn't see this coming, apparently Chris Paul... Alrighty then.

- Charles Barkley is clearly STILL Bitter at the Rockets. Wow that's a long time to be mad. And did he throw Scottie Pippen under the bus or what? WOW

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Friday night Kobe Bryant scored his 24,000^th point. The youngest in NBA History to do so. He did it on a night when the Lakers were playing the Memphis Grizzlies whose starting line up did not feature Allen Iverson the former #1 pick of the 1996 draft, I bring that up because Kobe went #13 in that same draft.

2 Superstars in what was the pivotal draft that defines the moment when my love for basketball became REAL. Obviously Kobe & AI’s careers at this point are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum.

It made me look back at who came out of that draft and where they are almost 14 years later.

#1 Allen Iverson AI accepted a 1-year deal as a 6^th man for the lottery bound Grizzlies, and not even 2 full weeks into the season is back home in Atlanta. Early last season he was traded from the Nuggets to the Pistons, the Nuggets ended up in the Western Conference finals, the Pistons… Let’s just say that AI ended up taking his ball and going home early last season too. It hurts me because I’ve stated before, AI was my absolute FAVORITE. Now, he just seems like a guy that hasn’t realized the world has moved on without him. It’s not 2000 “Chuck” things change it’s time for you to evolve.

#2 in that draft, Marcus Camby, still in the league, playing for the Clippers.  Probably not going to see a ring when it’s all said and done. The Clippers crushed the Warriors on Friday and returned home Saturday to beat the Grizzlies (8^th seed I see it for them)

#4 Stephon Marbury. If you’ve been here before, you know the joy he’s brought me over the summer with his videos (“I’m doin me, I’m doin meeee, throw ya 1’s up in the air) Lost, check my early post  HERE Starbury has pretty much killed any chance he has of being back in the NBA.

#5 Ray Allen, finally got his ring 2 seasons ago. He’s in Boston, they had their first lost to the Suns over the weekend. 7 and 1 on top of the Atlantic division isn’t a bad place to be

#6 Antoine Walker. In major trouble with the IRS. The Rock Star lifestyle will wreck you if you aren’t careful.

#10 Erick Dampier, he’s still hanging on in Dallas, They’re sitting on top of the Southwest division at 4 & 2.

#13 IS The Black Mamba, let’s just take a moment to review what he’s already done early in the ’09-’10 Season. 40 points or more in 3 of his last 5 games. (that’s 99 career games with 40 or more points scored). In the game Friday, he scored 41 points without a single 3 pointer and only 3 made free throws. I’m just stating facts people.

#14 Peja Stojaković. I remember Peja back when the Kings were actually entertaining and the Lakers Northern rivals. Currently he’s with The Hornets who seemed to have reached their peak 2 years ago. Last night they were blown out by my Lakers and sitting second to last at the bottom of the Southwest division. Byron Scott deathwatch has officially started.

#15 Steve Nash, 2 time MVP, no championships but the Suns look like they’re having a resurgence now that the “Shaq project” is behind them. They gave the Celts their 1^st lost on Friday and their record is 6 and 1.

#17 Jermaine O’Neal. Currently with the Heat, O’Neal spent part of his summer in Chicago with Tim Grover (training Guru) looks like he’s ready to actively contribute to the Heat this year. At 5 and 1 the Heat are on top of the South East division and gave the Nuggets their first lost of the season. Campaign keep DWade is in full effect!

#20 Zydrunas Ilgauskas Still sitting tight with the Cleveland but all is not well in Cavalier land. Shaq was traded there this summer and as expected, it’s not really a fit. Cavs currently at 4 and 3. LeBron watch, FULL BLAST with updates every 12.2 nanoseconds. Le sigh

#24 Derek Fisher… well you know where he is, with his 4^th ring.

A few notables from that year that went undrafted and are still in the L

- Ben Wallace & Chucky Atkins, both currently back with the Pistons. At 3 and 4 2^nd to last in the Central division. And now Tayshaun Prince is out indefinitely with a back injury, I think Detroit needs to go into rebuilding mode.

So there you go, a little history mixed in with the current NBA standings. Since I took a throwback approach, let me end it by saying 


I LOVE THIS GAME!!!

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Week 8, the halfway mark of the season... I have no clever analogy to insert for this week, it felt like work this week. Hmmmm wonder if that means I'm about to tap out??

Week 8 Wrap up:

- In what some deemed the battle of the least (I did not name it that) The Rams (my team yes I'm still riding it out with them) finally got their first victory of the season! ::applause applause:: Maybe they can finish the season out strong and go on a tear! I'll check their schedule to see if that's likely.

- The Broncos lost to the Ravens. No emotional attachment whatsoever to either team. ::Kanye West Shrug:: Sorry

- In addition to the Saints, my new bandwagon team is the Eagles. DeSean Jackson is the TRUTH! My Ex old team the Giants lose to the Eagles, I love it when an EX trumps a current! ::Smile you love it too::

- I think the Vikings won again (How lazy am I that I refuse to go check LOL) I'm trying to care but it's just not happening, I don't know what to tell you!

- The Cowboys won and the only reason why I still have love for them is because of their cheerleader's legacy and their great stadium that I'll see for the first time in February (Of course I'll be seeing it as an NBA stadium but that's beside the point)

- Last Night's Monday Night Football match up was my new beau The Saints over the Falcons. I'm telling you this football dating thing is GREAT, because it allows me to be fickle and drop losers. Something tells me I won't be dropping the Saints for awhile though.

My hope is that this is just a phase for me. You know after the newness and excitement wears off in a relationship and you start looking at things for what they REALLY are. Then you make the choice to stay in it or go searching for greener grass. Since my only grass option is hockey (sorry I can't see myself watching more than A game of that... actually maybe not even a whole period) I may as well string football along for a bit longer!

Did you notice I didn't mention the Chargers, 49'ers or Raiders? All west coast teams? Yeah I just noticed too. Oh well Reggie Bush, DJack & SJack are all from the west coast (or in Steven's case close enough, I'll give Vegas a pass) so that's me still "reppin my city"! 

In Honor of the Rams win this week, I present you with Running Back Steven Jackson's game highlights:
Steven Jackson's Week 8 Highlights

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It's finally here! The kick off to the 2009- 2010 NBA season! Tonight the Lakers will raise yet another championship banner and be presented with their rings. I'm SOOO very excited about that but it's a new season now, we’re reloaded and ready to begin our quest to a repeat title.


So as we celebrate the start of the season, I'd like to present my top 5 picks in each conference (in no particular order) plus some teams I feel worth watching for entertainment purposes only.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. The Lakers, nothing else needs to be said, if you're a frequent reader of my blog, you know my love for the Lakers and why I love them. Plus they're The Champs!!

2. The Denver Nuggets. I actually LOVE the Thuggets (I picked that up from someone on twitter, nothing wrong with a little thug love in hoops) The Nuggets are a big threat. Carmelo can score at will; Chauncey at point guard gives them a steady distributor. They have a nice bench and weapons like JR Smith & Kenyon Martin. What's not to love?

3. The San Antonio Spurs. For some reason, I don't like the Spurs. I feel like they're a boring team to watch but you simply cannot overlook Tim Duncan's skill set, a Healthy Manu and Tony Parkers's speed. They're not ready to slip away quietly.

4. The Utah Jazz. Deron Williams, Boozer, they'll be their usual middle of the pack selves. I'm indifferent about the Jazz. Another team I really have no interest in watching but I respect talent so there you go.

5. This is going to shock some, I see the Portland Trailblazers as a top 5 team in the west. They're a young squad that's been together for awhile, I think Andre Miller can be a steady back up at point guard. Great pieces. A few heartbreaks, they're READY.
I'm not sure who the last 3 slots will go to, logic says, Houston, Dallas & The Hornets but I honestly feel the Clippers have a chance to sneak in at the 8th spot although the news that we've Lost Blake Griffin for 6 to 8 weeks makes me wonder if the Clipper curse is back just in time for Halloween.

Not sure what's going on with the Hornets right now. Chris Paul is obviously amazing but something is still missing.


EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. The Boston Celtics. As a Laker fan, I'm programmed to HATE the Celtics but I have an affinity for their squad and how they came together, put egos aside and WON. Paul Pierce is from where??? INGLEWOOD so you already know how that makes me feel. KG's passion, Ray Allen's stroke and Rasheed Wallace's intensity, I like their team so I will cheer for them as long as they aren't playing the Lakers or Clippers.

2. The Cleveland Cavaliers. Let me be clear in saying I don't think the Shaq/LeBron paring is going to work. Having said that, LeBron is THE KING so there's no way he'll let them slip out of the top 5. But this won't be the year Bron gets his ring and Shaq gets his 5th.


3. The Orlando Magic. I have to be honest, I'm iffy on them. I know they went 8-0 in preseason but I can't help but feel like the addition of Vince Carter was a mistake. Regardless, they’re still top 3 in the east.

After the top 3, the drop off for me is sort of interchangeable depending on random variables:

The Hawks & Heat make the most sense at 4 and 5. I'm not really sure WHAT is going on in Detroit and Chicago (I don't think they know for sure either). The Wizards continue to have injury issues (this time it's Antwan Jamison who will start the season in a suit) Eh, I guess I'll have a better point of view once I'm able to catch a few games.

There you have it, Jill's Semi predictions. I guess we'll be referring back to this post often to see if my thoughts come to fruition. Guess what NFL, DADDY'S HOME!!! ::POW::

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Like I mentioned last week, while I have developed an appreciation for the pigskin (Does that sound as lame as it felt for me to font that?) My heart truly lies with Basketball. Perhaps my anticipation for this day to finally arrive explains why I was once again "tardy to the party" in posting my week 7 wrap up. OR was it my boredom watching the games on Sunday, I'm undecided... Here's your Week 7 Wrap up:

- When I made the decision to watch football this season, a friend suggested I follow the Saints as they have the excitement I crave and a West Coast byproduct in Reggie Bush. Clearly I made my selection based on sentimental reasons however, the Saints are THAT DEAL!! This team came back from being down 24-10 at the half to score 22 points in the 4th quarter (remember what I said about the 4th quarter!) And Reggie Bush's dive into the end zone was rather exciting! USC’s finest right there (for a moment we'll forget about his whole Khardashian involvement. Saints win


- The Vikings & The Steelers was the other marquee match up of the weekend. I watched, I vaguely remember some excitement but much like last week, it's extremely blurry. The champs won this. Outside of admiring Troy Polamalu's hair (USC, you already know my flow) I simply wasn't moved. I recognize that I should've been. Le sigh

- The 49ers Rookie hold out Michael Crabtree played Sunday. Word is he did pretty well but the niners LOST to the Texans. I don't think that was what people envisioned happening.

- Rams... Deep Sigh yeah, another lost. 17 in a row dating back to last season. Guess I like the Underdog. These are the rough patches of fandom.

- Yeah the Giants lost too, I might be hopping off their bandwagon and on to the Saints. I explained last week that I am merely dating football and not in a committed relationship with it so I reserve the right to date UP for whoever is hot right now!

- The Bengals beat the Bears. A little bit of redemption going on in this game as Cedric Benson was cut by the Bears. Bengals WIN.

- As the Jets had their way with the Raiders, for some odd reason, Mark Sanchez decided he was hungry and needed a hot dog to make it though the game. Ummm where did he get it from and why did he think that was a good idea? You know I ride for my west coast guys but, I have nothing for that one. Guess winning gives you an appetite.

- Monday Night Football. Last week you recall my excitement When Saints Player Lance Moore did the "Reject" in the end zone after his touchdown. Now granted his execution was poor but still I appreciated the effort. Last night Long Beach native DeSean Jackson gave you the REAL version on his 2nd TD of the night. This was after his 70 yard touch down. He was "ALL THE WAY TURNT UP" (that would be west coast Jerkin slang for, he was extremely excited) Eagles over the Redskins 27- 17.





Last little bit of football related news. Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs has been suspended indefinitely for comments he made about his coach via Twitter as well as a gay slur he used in the locker room when addressing the media (he also made the same comment on twitter apparently). I LOVE LOVE LOVE Twitter but I don't understand what some of these guys aren't getting. If you are that emotional when reading your replies, perhaps you should avoid the responses. There are certain basic things you simply cannot do if you want your career to continue and thrive. It's pretty cut and dry. But the way Larry's name always pops up in random scandals, I guess we just must face the reality that his "smarts" are solely on the field.

The Best of week 7 Plays courtsey of NFL.com
Week 7 Top Plays

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Until this morning, I had never heard of Steve Phillips. Apparently he is the former GM of the New York Mets and his current role is as an analyst for ESPN. How he was brought to my attention is because of this New York Post article which contained the letter his Jump off sent to his wife
Letter from Brooke (Steve's Jump Off) to his wife

I said it this summer when the Steve McNair case came to light and I'll reiterate it here, Men we get it, some of you have a need for extracurricular activities. I'm not going to tell you its wrong or any of that; I'm just asking that you stop clouding these women's reality. Be HONEST, I promise you half of them will still give you what you're looking for. The truth will allow you to be drama free. And what's up with the name Steve, it's must attract the "Tick Tick BOOM" type (that's a crazy stalker type)

From what I've read, this wasn't Steve's first time cheating OR getting caught but the whole "Fatal Attraction" aspect of it has finally pushed his wife over the edge and they're divorcing. Oh and my final tip, if you're going to cheat, Please cheat up. There's nothing worst than the sidepiece being exposed and she looks Half man, Half underwhelming. Did you middle age Cats learn nothing from Bill Clinton's embarrassment?

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