Summer Runs @ The Point

I made my way through the pitch black doors located on Cahuenga Blvd, and almost tip-toed my way into the building not knowing what to expect. The first doors revealed displays of various exclusive Nike shoes and a retail store located adjacent to the gymnasium.

Out into the sunlight, another pair of doors lead to the gym, aka "The Point". I sat myself on the small bleachers, and immediately noticed the stark white and black contrast of the ceiling and hardwood floor.

It's reminiscent of Nike's "The Second Coming" commercial shot at the Air Force base. It's also the site where Kobe held the release of his second signature shoe, the Zoom Air Kobe 2.

Maybe it's the distinct color scheme of the gym or the fact that there are familiar-looking old-timers in the stands, cheering and jarring at the younguns that gives the venue a serious tone about it. Either way, there is some serious ball being played here.

The Say No Classic attracts some of the best college players in California every year. And this year is no different, as hungry players are out to prove themselves among like-minded athletes. Players are vying for perhaps a starting position on their respective team next year, or just out there to prove to themselves that they belong. With the exception of a few chuckles here and there, the players, coaches, and spectators are very much focused on the game. A loose ball or an alley-oop seemingly get just as much rise out of this educated crowd.

Don't blink because you'll probably miss a beautiful assist or quick low-post move.

In attendance to watch are former UCLA alums like Jordan Farmar and Arron Afflalo.

Next week, word is that Nick Collison will be playing on the 4th and 5th. I'll report back on his play following the games.



















Brief Player Analysis: Lorenzo Mata

UCLA senior listed at 6'9" 240lbs.

Strengths: His defense and rebounding are what stands out. He has great length and agility for his size. A very capable rebounder. Good recognition of the open man and has great passing skills out of the low block. Has great intensity, and will dive for loose balls. A decent finisher when he's close to the rim, and could be a great role player like Marcus Camby if he develops a better offensive game.

Weaknesses: He has yet to show much on the offensive end. He seems uncomfortable with the ball. He needs to develop a better low-post game and learn how to move off of screens. His ball-handling can also improve. Since his offensive skills are limited, this will ultimately decide whether he is NBA quality or not.





















Point guard, Jordan Farmar of the Los Angeles Lakers. Word.

Return and Regression

Derek Fisher's return to Los Angeles is like welcoming home a battle-worn sergeant. Fisher has as many stripes on his chest as he does last second heroics in the form an effortless three point stroke. When all seemed lost in the Shaq-Kobe media fiasco, he was the voice of reason. If the days in the Hollywood limelight and garnered accolades weren't enough, he took his game to Salt Lake City where he became the heart and soul of a rejuvenated and inspired Jazz team; sinking huge jumpers in an eventual win over the red-hot Warriors.

His story was the high point in the NBA season filled with yet another round of on-court violence and the introduction and disposal of a wacky regulation ball.

Los Angeles was the right destination for Fish, who was seeking the best possible treatment for his daughter's medical condition above all else. He agreed to a 3-year, $14 million deal with the Lakers.

So there isn't much else to say, besides the fact that he is an asset to any team trying to become a contender. Laker fans are going to embrace his return. And you can bet Staples Center will be rocking when you see him take that charge in the fourth quarter.

With Fisher, what you see is what you get.


Which brings us to the second topic of the day.

Apparently, what we saw, wasn't what we (as NBA fans) got. Just when I thought sports scandals couldn't get any worse with the Michael Vick dog fighting accusation, we hear about an NBA referee fixing games to his liking to swing the gambling odds in his favor.

David Stern didn't look too happy in his press conference, that's for sure.

ESPN is all over this. And why wouldn't they be? This is another major U.S. sport making a major misstep. Calling this "isolated case" of game-fixing a misstep would be an understatement though.

This has everything to do with the image and credibility of the game, and nothing to do with an individual inclination for sports betting. But we're talking about an NBA official, who's duty as a professional referee is to uphold a certain integrity and objectivity to the games on display.

We're not watching WWF here. We're talking about the fans, franchises, and players generating hundreds of millions of dollars every year based on real unscripted basketball games.

I really do hope this case is as isolated as Stern wants us to believe. Otherwise, we're headed for a long hot summer. And you thought your neighborhood was scorching? Try sitting in David Stern or Mitch Kupchak's seat right about now.

Bryant = Gold (well not yet)

Alright so it's officially on. Kobe Bryant began training for the Team USA squad to play in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We all remember what happened several years back when Team USA got Bronze in the '04 Olympics, with Manu and his Argentinian teammates playing a beautiful and composed brand of basketball which blew the US squad out of the water.

In the '06 World Championships, Team USA again failed to win Gold, settling for yet another 3rd place finish. And this "team" composed of star athletes like Chris Paul, D. Wade, Lebron, and Carmelo, headed by none other than legendary Duke Coach, Mike Kryzewski was supposed to be the team that got the US back at the top of the basketball world. Instead, it displayed once again, a lack of experience, cohesiveness, and ultimately a lack of synergy. All of which proved insufficient against the highest international play. Times have changed since the days when star-struck international players were flattered just to play against the likes of Magic, Jordan, and Bird. The international level of play has undoubtedly risen within the past decade, and the world can now more than hold their own against what the US has to offer.

Enter Kobe Bryant.

Arguably the game's #1 player had yet to lace up his kicks for any international play, due to his microscopic knee surgery last summer. He's looking to more than make up for it as Team USA starts its Tournament of Americas games, which is a qualifying event for the '08 Olympics in Beijing.

Haters and lovers alike, have waited for #8, err, #24 to don a Team USA jersey forever. If there's one thing most NBA fans can agree on, it's that TEAM USA needed savvy veterans to give this team a backbone. And most will agree that Bryant is the player's player.

If Lebron James is the King, Kobe Bryant is the Emperor. His versatile game combined with his intense determination is exactly what this team was missing. So what does he exactly bring to the table? Well, for starters, he's a one-man army; possibly the greatest offensive player in the history of the game. He plays with an intense desire to win, and that means getting it done on both ends of the court. Whether it's a timely defensive stop or his game-ending heroics, he's proved himself in these last few years that he is basically, the man. The best player in the premier basketball league in the world.

And it looks like the committee responsible for assembling the initial 17 players was smart enough this time around to include proven winners like Tayshaun Prince, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, and Amare Stoudamire. Assuming most of these players will stay for the final 12 man roster to compete in the Tournmant of Americas starting late August, it should give Team USA plenty of firepower to push for basketball supremacy once again.

If the below pictures are any indication, it looks like the US has finally got around to gathering the pieces for what may possibly be, a modern day Dream Team.

And at the time of this editorial, KB hit the game-winner in an all-Team USA exhibition match. I believe he means business.

In the NBA off-season

This is my first post in this basketball-related blog that I'm about to start. Hopefully this will be a platform of sorts to improve my writing skills. I'm gonna try to keep it as business-casual as possible, and refrain from using words like "that dope shit" because after all, the intent of this blog is to improve my writing skills.

But what's a blog without a little street swagger ya dig?

So it's been too long since the NBA entered its off-season. We've already seen big player movement with teams like Portland and New York, swapping marquee names like Zack Randolph and Steve Francis. We've seen both the Lakers and Pistons resign their solid pieces to the puzzle in Luke Walton and Chauncey Billups.

But of course, the blockbuster deals have yet to happen. I'm talking of course about any notable Laker acquisitions at the power forward/center position. From what I've read, I get the impression that there's a greater likelihood that Kevin Garnett will be heading out of Minnesota than Kobe Bryant leaving LA. And KB is running out of excuses, as the Lakers just signed Derek Fisher.

So there's quite a few questions to be answered within the next several months.

Is Kobe staying?

Where will KG land?

Which teams will position themselves at a title run?

How will the incoming rookies fair in the upcoming season?


All of these questions I'd like to discuss, as the days go by,
and the regular season gets closer. I can't wait.