The wild and wooly in the NBA
Chris Paul ultimately landed in Los Angeles but not to be in regal purple and gold, but to be clothed in patriotic red, white and blue of the Clippers. If David Stern won’t be dipping his smelly fingers on this development, LA’s other ball club can officially compete with the Lakers in Tinseltown.
CP3 complements Blake Griffin well and vice versa. Just imagine Griffin’s frequent flying with CP3 directing the floor. And since Chauncey Billups officially became a Clipper a few days ago, there won’t be any vacuum in the point. They also have Caron Butler just in case.
With Lamar Odom’s transfer to Dallas, Mark Cuban definitely has the last laugh. The Mavericks got Odom for practically nothing. In addition, Delonte West and Vince Carter add depth to their roster. Odom, Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion will form a strong frontline for Dallas and it looks like they are on the right track to defend the NBA title.
The Lakers are on the verge of blowing up and it looks like the ghosts of 2004 have come back to haunt them. The ‘reign of error’ that is Jim Buss has messed up a system that could have only need some minor tweaks and a few adjustments. They could have added someone to replace Derek Fisher and another big man to spell Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.
It all began with Phil Jackson’s retirement and the wholesale cleanup of the coaching staff then this.
Odom requesting for a trade is but normal for a guy who thought he was “disrespected” by the organization with a transaction involving them that they’re made unaware of.
As for Gasol, he’s still in limbo, unsure if he’s gonna be a Laker till the official tip off begins 10 days from now. Yup, his game was mediocre the last time around but you can’t blame the guy if he won’t give his all this time, considering that he almost became an ex-Laker.
Bynum has taken things more realistically and says he will continue to play wherever he might be, reasoning that everything is all business. And to be real about it, why won’t the Lakers trade the Artest formerly known as Ron-Ron and preach World Peace somewhere else. And why can’t they waive Luke Walton and his contract?
Unless Mitch Kupchak does a masterful move of biblical proportions, the Lakers won’t even figure in the Western Conference Finals. This statement is a personal opinion and I’m open for a debate. Their recent signings of Jason Kapono, Josh McRoberts and Gerald Green didn’t make a splash in Laker Nation. Ok, maybe some ripples.
The LA Clippers are well poised to steal Showtime from the Lakers and it is not far fetched that CP3 and Blake Griffin, the NBA’s new dynamic duo, will battle Dallas for Western supremacy.
In the Eastern Conference, the Orlando management officially ended trade talks concerning Dwight Howard by declaring to all, he is not available. Superman will remain in the Magic Kingdom for this season and will still wear the team’s blue and white.
New Orleans, in lieu of CP3, got point guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminou, center Chris Kaman and a 2012 first-round draft pick. Although they lost a marquee player, the Hornets have become deeper with the added personnel.
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This season’s GUV Cup is nearing its end game and tomorrow we will know who reigns supreme in the Men, Women and children’s division. The usual teams dominate the tournament and it is not wanting in excitement. Check the games at the CICC.
Although I sometimes find myself there when Liloan plays, I have had my share of complaints as to player eligibility. If this thing had been addressed in the previous stagings of the tournament, this won’t be as gubot as this has been now.
As per sources, a team that was declared questionable and therefore disqualified was eventually allowed to play upon the intervention of the high and the mighty, and as of this writing is gunning for an outright championship slot. The guys running this league, are without question, experts in this sport. This controversy and other alleged lapses is a monumental collapse on their part and could cast a dark shadow on the noble purpose of this tournament.
Here’s hoping that the tournament’s next edition will have these problems addressed and settled.
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Each day, the moment we wake up from slumber, is always a blessing from God. I am particularly blessed with a loving and supportive family, relatives, friends and acquaintances in my 50 years of existence on this planet. Last week, I was swept away with the well-wishes of tsunami-like proportions and I am grateful. Special mention to the Sportswriters Association of Cebu headed by Mr. John Pages and my fellow sportswriters Nimrod Quinones, Rico Navarro and Atty. Jingo Quijano for the publicity.
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