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Palace Brawl

This is where is all began for Ron Artest. The brawl at Detroit’s Palace of Auburn Hills (which also known for it’s first ever WNBA brawl Sparks vs Shock) placed a label on Ron that he has been unable to shake some 5yrs later. Since this unfortunate incident has happened, Ron has played on two other teams, Sacramento and Houston. Now he is playing for the world champion Los Angeles Lakers, and most are sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for this team to implode, simply because it has added Artest. I want everyone to take a closer look into what people and who people think Ron Artest is…then ask yourself if what you have seen, really who you think he is?

I posted the video above so that people can go back and look at what really took place on that unfortunate evening 5yrs ago. After watching it, where was the backlash for Ben Wallace, who intiated everything. Emotions truly began to run high after he took exception of that foul by Artest, which looking back was really not that hard of a foul, considering some of the things we have seen in the NBA. My goodness who remembers the clothesline McHale gave Rambis, or more recently when Raja Bell clothesline Kobe, and their was none of this type of behavior that followed. But more importantly what did Ron Artest do: he backed away, allowed the refs to do their job, and laid down on the scorers table, Ben Wallace threw a towel at him, he did nothing, fans were shouting obscenities, he did nothing, then out of no where he gets hit with a bottle and beer is thrown all over him. Understand, none of us know how we will react in these situations, we hope that we would make the right decision, but who knows. So Ron held it all in, through Ben Wallace antics, and snaps and let’s loose when he gets hit in the head with a bottle, by a fan. We all know the rest of the story. But does that incident make Ron Artest a thug? A hoodlum? An enigma?

Artest Karoke

Then their is this Ron Artest. Singing Karoke with his friends…having a ball on twitter. Interacting with the fans as only he can. He is so open about everything from his upbringing to his marriage, and subsequent divorce. He is all over the world doing rap concerts, and now he is as they he said, “hoodalizing espn” is their a greater personality in the league…maybe Shaquille O’neal, but overall the guy has been giving a bum rap.

Their are countless videos on youtube from this year since he has joined twitter, where he has given out his phone number and asked the fans to call him, and he talks to them. He gave the fans a email, that he answers questions from. I know I know u saying, it’s all just for show. I beg to differ, because one thing is for sure, he really could care less about what people think about him, if you are not in his inner circle.

Ron is simply passionate about what he does. He has been playing this game (basketball) most of his life, and you can see it in his HEAD most of the time…lol. He simply wears his heart on his sleeve. He has no problem adapting to his surroundings, it’s when people continue to remind him of where he came or who he use to be, is when the problem arise. Ron has shown since then that he is able to handle his composure in crucial times…like last season playoffs versus the Lakers, when he was elbowed by Kobe Bryant, the did not swing out on Kobe, he did however make sure that Kobe knew he wasn’t going to take that. To me that’s great playoff basketball. Yet, that outburst piled the label of “thug” on him even more.

I will end this by saying The Enigma that is Ron Artest, every sports team needs to have. Every championship basketball team that I have seen, has at least one “passionate” player on their team. It’s that person who is willing to kick up dust, make the hard foul, get a technical, trash talk, maybe even provoke the star player on the other team in order to get them out of their game. This player does whatever it takes to win. The Celtics have Kevin Garnett, The Heat has Dwayne Wade, the Bulls had Dennis Rodman, even the Nuggets have J.R. Smith, and now the Lakers have two: Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest. So where Kobe may have been the most hated Laker by opponents, enter courtside left Ron Artest to take all that pressure off of Kobe Bryant. Every opponent, no matter what they say, were praying that this duo would never happen. Now it’s here, and NBA be warned…we have found “Peat” he is wearing #37 purple and gold. Welcome to the Lakers Ron Artest.

LakersNation it’s that time again. It’s the preseason of the 2009-10 season, so we are about to begin our quest to find “peat.” The last time “peat” was spotted was in June of 2002 in New Jersey. The Lakers wrapped “peat” up, and brought him back to Staples Center…to be put on display for the NBA world to see. But somehow he “escaped” and has not been heard of since. LakersNation could he have finally returned to his home? Has he become tired of wondering the cities of the NBA, searching for potential spots to call home if only for 2yrs?Possibly! Yet, “peat” knows one thing for sure, that his home has been wherever Phil Jackson has coached, and returning back to the Staples Center as the prodigal son, understanding that no matter where he goes, he has a home in LA with the Lakers.

Peat we have been awaiting your return, and though you hid yourself from us in that 07-08 season, (attempting to make us extremely upset) like a “jealous lover” by flirting with the boys in green, you came to your senses and now on the 100+ mile(games) journey back to your inheritance. No one loves you more, or appreciate you the way the LakersNation does. Always remember that, thought the grass may seem “greener” on the other side, it will never possess the royal presence, nor the true character of what a champion is. We have searched the cities over, and now that we have found you, it is our intention to “marry” you, and never let you go…at least not before all that your name “peat” represents: Dominance,Dynasty,The Best,& my favorite Lakers.

I can’t wait to see you around this time next season when you are introduced back to society, and most importantly to your family. Peat welcome home, sincerely LakersNation.

LakersNation it’s almost that time again. In 7 days our world champion LA Lakers will take to the “court” for media day. All the guys back (sans Trevor) in the same setting to begin the 2nd of 5 possible titles. When the media lights go off (which is never in LA) the battle will begin: Adam Morrison vs Sasha “mis-chine” Vujacic! Nation this is a legitimate battle this year. Sasha will not be able to rest on his knowledge of the triangle alone. he is going to have to bring that 3pt shot to the court.

Summerleague Highlights Adam Morrison has his “leg” back and that stroke is looking good. Watching Adam during summerleague play (it’s to be considered) because Adam was the “name” on that team. According to Lakers.com Morrison averaged 20.8pts/5rbs a game. He shot 42% at a clip of 29-69 from the floor, including 8-19 from 3. Most importantly he was showing no ill affects of that acl tear over a year ago.

Sasha on the other hand, struggled the entire 2009-2010 season, including the playoffs. I won’t even take the time to put up Sasha’s numbers because if you are a fan, you don’t want to be reminded of those performances. His summer has not gone the way he hoped. He went to play for his “home” squad, the Slovenian national team dismissed him. Sasha was having issues with his knee and felt that the team doctors for the National team was not giving him the proper treatment, so they sent him home. So his season was probably the worst he has had since getting consistent playing time, ends up getting hurt, so dismissed from the National team (all while being a world champion), so your confidence may be shaky right now. But I will say this, he is passionate about this game. He scrambles hard on the defensive end, he just needs to play under control.

Sasha better not sleep on Adam, we know they have had a few “verbal” confrontations in practice Adam vs Sasha so I expect this to be a great battle to see who becomes Kobe’s backup…lol.

I have no words for this union. It’s no secret that I am and have always been a Los Angeles Lakers fan, and re-signing Lamar Odom helped to solidify our championship hopes…but this has me “worried” a little bit. How is Lamar focusing on up coming training camp, with all this fiasco going on? I know my girl over at Necolebitchie.com think Lamar is trying to garner attention, but I don’t think that’s it at all. Lamar Odom plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, the world champions and getting attention is no problem. We can see that from the daily up to the minute for 31 days of his free agency. But I surely don’t understand how this man, who was dating Academy Award nominated Tarij P. Henson earlier in the year, decides to date and marry (in less than a month) Khole Kardashian…and without a pre-nup? Now I am a firm believer in when you are ready to marry someone, you are saying I trust you with all that I have…but I’m just not sure about this? But like a friend said…who knows how much the Kardashians are worth? So for this fan right here…long as Lamar does not allow this to interfere with our championship run…whatever! Cause we all know that he is a very emotional guy.
E Hollywood has already dumped 300k to pay for this ceremony.

Why are they rushing? Is someone pregnant?

Laker fans this just in- Jordan Farmar wants to be a starter, whether as a Laker or for another team. Well then Jordan it seems fairly simple to me, “take Fisher’s spot”. It’s no secret that Derek Fisher (who is 35yrs old) has no problem taking a back seat to Jordan or Shannon, as long as the team continues to win. He was more than ready last season for Jordan to take the reigns, but unfortunately Jordan was injured, forcing Fisher to play extended minutes. As Laker fans we all know the potential that Farmar has, but the problem has been consistency. He has averaged around 18minutes a game since he has been in the league, and though the intelligence for the game is there, consistency on defense as well as offense has not added up the way the Lakers or Phil Jackson would like in order to play him extended minutes in lieu of the aging Fisher.

“I’ve talked to Mitch a bunch of times and he says he’s got a ton of offers and didn’t consider trading me. It’s just you have to entertain all the offers you get. Since I haven’t got traded, it means they want me here.”

“Derek’s had a great run. He’s probably going to be the guy starting off. I just want to continue to push him.” Jordan was quoted saying.

But what I need for Jordan to understand, and take very seriously is who is pushing him: SHANNON BROWN! Matter of fact that may be the other way around. Jordan must understand that “tenure” does not automatically mean that you are next in line. Shannon Brown came onto this team just being “grateful” to be here. His whole perspective of being on this Laker team is whatever they want me to do, I’ll do it. His big smile, and eagerness to please has already stapled him in my heart as one of our best role players. Attitude takes you a long way, and we all have watched Jordan sulk and pout when his playing time was not what he desired it to be, but you have to be deserving of the time Phil Jackson gives. All I’m saying is Jordan while you have already pegged yourself as the obvious choice for the next point guard of this star-studded roster, don’t look over your shoulder, rather look to the right of you-standing there is 6′4 211lbs of defense/offensive muscle athletic and most of all “happy to be here”. His name is Shannon Brown.

Shannon Brown\’s Amazing Block of Mario West

Lamar Odom vs Kevin Garnet \”Eye Dance\”

Hello Lakers Nation. I’m telling you guys I cannot wait for this season to get started. It will be the “drive for 5″ for Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, Ron Artest hard defensive efforts will have finally paid off for him, and Phil Jackson will ensure that no other NBA coach ever catches him with an unprecedented 11th NBA Championship. I know I know, the season hasn’t even started yet and I have visions of Larry O’Brien trophy dancing in my head, but if you are reading this, I’m sure you have been seeing the same visions..lol.

Now let me tell you why I see green. In the summer of 2007, while my emotions were all over the place because of the situation going on between the Laker Brass and Kobe Bryant, my vision for the first time was just making it to the playoffs so I could be watching my boys play past April. I have been a Laker fan for a long time, and I could not remember the last time I felt that way, but not knowing if Dr.Buss would really ship Kobe off for a “group” of players that could not equal his talent all together, kept me up praying at night. I’m not kidding guys, the Lakers consumed me until training camp started and I seen Kobe still in purple and gold. I did not know how Andrew Bynum would react to Kobe’s infamous video…it was rough.

Somewhere far off, in a land where the sun barely shines, leprechauns run wild, Ray Allen signs, and our Get Garnett campaign died. A three-headed monster was created. The monster popped up everywhere, on sportscenter commericals, on nba.com, even in my dreams…what a nightmare.

I watched the first home game of the season versus the Rockets, and heard the crowd boo Kobe! Yea you read correctly, Kobe was booed in Staples Center, but by the end of the second quarter those boo’s turned into cheers once again. Kobe Bryant was once again putting on a show(45pts/8rbs/4ast/4stl & record 27FT Attempts) for the crowd of entertainers, and die-hard fans. That type of display, even the haters would have to applaud. Andrew Bynum showed his great potential in that game with 14pts/13rbs, yet did not look like a “monster” the way the boys in green did.

December 30,2008 I watched my nightmare unfold right before my eyes. The celtics dominated the Lakers on every level. (did i just write that) Kobe was 6-25, and Bynum was on the bench, fouling out after 22minutes with 8pts/2rbs. While the 3headed monster combined for 74pts/20rbs. They were at that moment championship ready. But then a funny thing happened on February 1,2008: The acquisition of Pau Gasol. I won’t even take the time to explain how “prayer” really works…lol. The Lakers acquired Pau for nothing of significance, and you could see the joy return to Kobe’s eyes. Just like that, it wasn’t just the resurgence of the Celtics, but the Lakers as well, and now the discussion of rivalry could really begin. Well we all know how that ended.

2007-08 saw the boys in green take home the Larry O’Brien trophy, where it trapped under some “rainbow” of hope that it would never depart. Only for 2008-09 to roll around and it returned to it’s rightful owner. Where it proudly sits with it’s 14 other friends, draped in the colors of royalty.

No matter how many more rings we win in the next 5 seasons (uuumm 5), if we don’t meet up with this 3headed monster, their will always be that lingering question of-how tough were the Lakers really? They never truly got to match up with a team like the Celtics to really test them? blah blah blah.

Even with the re-tooling of the Cavs and Magic, I still see “green” coming out of the east. Kevin Garnett has issued the “challenge” saying “the Celtics are going to win the next 2 NBA championships. Would someone please bottle up whatever drugs he taking so we can sell them…lol. Starting line-ups: Lakers-Fisher, Bryant, Artest, Gasol, & Bynum vs Celtics-Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, & Perkins. I hope they understand that the Lakers just got even more intense in the defensive area, and rondo will not have a field day against us, as most seem to think. Fisher minutes will certainly be limited this year during the regular season, and Shannon Brown is more than able to play Rondo. Oh and KG, Gasol is a totally different animal than you experienced before. The battle of the benches pits Lamar Odom vs Rasheed Wallace, and I won’t take the time to explain Lakers advantage their. If Wallace starts, their bench is non-existent (Marquis Daniels, Shelden Williams, Eddie House vs Josh Powell, Lamar Odom, and Farmar)…advantage Lakers. So there you have it…I see green.

Lakers vs Celtics 2009-10 NBA Finals

Results Lakers in 6

all stats via lakersuniverse.com

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Hello LakerNation. I had to take a “small” haitus after all that drama between Lamar Odom and the Laker brass. I’m telling you my emotions were like a yo-yo during those 31days! But now that we have our entire team back in tact, sans Trevor Ariza (good luck in Houston, except against us) we can finally enjoy the rest of the summer, and our Championship Trophy! Wheww. Now we have another (marketing) ploy by the big cactus, or is this really the “hope” of Shaquille, that after this year in Cleveland he will be looking to see if becoming a Laker is an option again. LakerNation what do you guys think about this? For me, I don’t believe that it’s a “marketing” scheme to promote his new show ShaqVS, I really believe this is what Shaq wants, to end his career wearing the purple and gold. LakerNation you don’t have to remind me of the “idiotic” things Shaq has done or said following the break up between he and the Lakers, and I know that “we” Laker fans don’t forget easily, yet Shaq’s time as a Laker returned our team to prominence again, post Magic era. One thing is for sure, that if Shaq can defer to Wade, and now Lebron, surely he can defer to the man Kobe Bryant; in which he himself declares is the best in the business! What we all must remember about Shaquille, it’s his desire to be the winning est big man next to Bill Russell.

I do believe that his desire to become the most dominant big man ever (which he perceives will only happen if he can get more rings than Kareem) is enough to humble him to play the role he is assigned, and to be a great teammate in the process. We talk about how will Kobe feel if Shaq returns, and honestly now that Kobe has won without him, I believe he would have no problem having Shaquille on his bench. The Kobe we see now, is nothing like the Kobe who even took the time to beef with Shaquille. Kobe knows this is his team, along with everyone on it.

I know some mentioned about Pau’s minutes possibly being taken away with an addition of Shaquille, that will never happen. We would be the only team in the league with 4 seven footers, 5 if you want to add Lamar’s wing span in the mix..lol. We all know how effective he can be when playing limited minutes (his time with the Suns he played every other game), just think of him sitting where Mbenga is right now. Shaquille knows that (oh the irony) he needs Kobe to win another ring, so the marketing you see from him in reference to the Lakers will all be “good”. I love it! If he came, we know it will be a one year deal, and no matter what he wants, he knows that he won’t get Dr. Buss to pay him anything outlandish, so we shall see. This is Hollywood, and beyond Kobe Bryant, drama sells tickets to Laker games. The haters come hoping they lose, and bandwagoners just to say they were there, others for the story line of who the Lakers are playing that day, and the die-hards just because. I definitely know that ticket sales would be up…lol. One thing Dr. Buss does love more than his pride, and that’s his money. Will Shaq ever be a Laker again? I wouldn’t doubt it.

LakerNation how hard will winning a NBA Championship be without Lamar Odom? Let’s start back last year and take a look at the Lakers vs Celtics. We all know the result of that finals, and we made it there with no Andrew Bynum or fully healthy Trevor Ariza, and on the shoulders of Kobe Bryant we still managed to squeeze out two victories. That finals had an on target Sasha V hitting three’s from everywhere and we still only managed the two victories…against a team with three superstars and an emerging point guard, but moreover role players who new their jobs.

I am hearing how the Lakers will become like the fourth best team in the league if we do not re-sign Lamar Odom. I don’t agree with that. Denver, Houston, and Utah has pretty much remained the same, with the exception that the Rockets could be out of the playoff running altogether depending on the health of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. So that leaves the San Antonio Spurs: They signed Richard Jefferson which was huge for them, and gives them a big four-Jefferson, Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili…competitions yes, but I still don’t believe they can beat us in a seven game series. So with Bryant, Gasol, Bynum, and Artest we definitely can still win the west. Now let’s talk about the East.

According to most sports reporters, without the re-signing of Odom, the Lakers are at best the fourth best team in the NBA, behind Cleveland, Boston, and Orlando. Actually the way I see it, with Lamar we would run through the playoffs with only a couple of bumps along the way, like the team in 2001 that went 15-1 in the playoffs. Without Odom, the road will be more like the 2000 championship. Yet the result can be, will be the same. Honestly the celtics is the only team who I see will be standing between the Lakers and their 16th NBA Championship. Cleveland improved by getting Shaquille Oneal, but that’s it, and I don’t think Shaq gets Lebron past a healthy Kevin Garnett and crew. Now Orlando has greatly improved offensively, yet they lose a lot with ball handling because Hedo set up a lot of their offense. We shall see in that aspect. Nonetheless, the Lakers with Ron Artest is at worst the even with the Boston celtics for best teams. The benches will determine who is the best. Like I said Lamar Odom just puts us over the top.

With Lamar on the team…it ensures that trophy stays in LA. Remember these are just my thoughts on the situation. Without Lamar we become “even” with the rest of the league, and with Kobe Bryant on our team, I can accept that.

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=109750@kcbs.dayport.com a link to the latest on L.O. situation.

LakerNation here we are in the 3rd week of free agency and so much has happened and changed with our championship team! We all watched “David Lee” Trevor Ariza’s agent attempt to bluff the organization and he was quickly replaced! Jeff Schwartz has also taken an approach with the organization that was not in his client’s best interest, and has Lamar back-peddling a little to repair any bridges that may have been burned when he nor his agent responded to the 4yrs 9mil offer the Lakers placed on the table for the soon to be 30yr old forward. According to thelakersnation.com Dr. Buss is still upset with the way the whole thing was handled, so now we all must wait to see what happens!

Yet to me it seems that this thing has gotten personal. If you have followed the Lakers for any amount of time during free agency period, you would know that when things can not be settled with Mitch, it brings Dr. Buss into the picture, and that does not always go well for the player. 2007 Kobe Bryant was tired of being as he described “the scape” goat for the franchise letting go of Shaquille Oneal, and the fact that he did not have the players he needed to be competitive in league! So after Dr. Buss tried talking to him, Kobe still insisted, and Dr. Buss quickly began entertaining the offers for Bryant. It was never that Dr. Buss did not want Kobe, but he would not be bullied or chumped by a player, I mean he does own the team. Andrew Bynum’s agent the aforementioned David Lee also went into “bully” status with Bynum, only the fact that it’s hard to find centers with Andrew’s skill and potential anywhere, is the only reason a deal got done, yet as we could see with the dealing of Trevor’s negotiations that Dr. Buss was not going to allow him to get away with it a second time, so out goes Trevor, and in comes Artest(which is a complete upgrade in my opinion) though I definitely loved Trevor as a Laker. Mildly put, Dr. Buss gave Lamar a great opportunity here in LA, when even some of us fans wanted to see him shipped out of here, as he failed to become Pippen to Kobe’s Jordan, but he sure as heck turned out to be a great Toni Kukoc, even better I would say. So hopefully Lamar “made nice” with Dr. Buss and on Monday morning he will officially put back on the purple and gold!

Cause I would really hate to see him on the other end of this mamba strike! I can understand he wants to secure his family legacy financially, but as a player I’m sure he also wants to be a winner! He is in the right place at the right time to see that happened. He endured the frustration of not making the playoffs, and then being ousted in the first round two years in a row, to the acquisition of Pau Gasol, which truly allowed him to do what he does best on the court, and that’s be versatile. In Miami, the pressure will be on him again to be a second scorer behind Wade, because Oneal is has not played an entire season in years now. The difference for Lamar in this scenario is it’s Wade, and legitimately that’s it, so he would be called on for big numbers night in and night out, no days off. At least in LA he has Kobe and Pau to take the slack if Bynum is unavailable for whatever reason.

Lamar please take a moment and think about cementing your legacy beyond the money: How about with more championship rings? You have already surpassed the Miami Heat franchise in final appearances…lol, and you are tied with Wade for rings, with the most potential to get another one. There is nothing stopping Miami from going ahead and acquiring Carlos Boozer, so tell me why it hasn’t happened yet? Are they waiting for you? And if so, why? Being that even without you, having Boozer on that team will be an upgrade. We know he will be getting his guaranteed $12mil, with you being offered the mid level, so how can you be so sure that they will add him after you sign? Maybe it’s nothing…I’m just offering what if’s here…lol. Lamar take the “risk” that’s a sure thing…with the Lakers you are guaranteed to be battling it out in the playoffs for a long time, WCF and Finals..you know the system(finally), and most importantly you are loyal to those who have been good to you. You said yourself you did not want to burn bridges with the Lakers because they have been too good to you. So what is there to think about…sign and the team will go into making sure you don’t regret it! Lamar Odom a Los Angeles Lakers 4 Life? I hope so.

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What’s up Laker Nation? It’s a “sad” time right now, because Lamar’s EXIT from the WORLD CHAMPION LOS ANGELES LAKERS seems imminent right now. According to lakersnation.com the negotiations to re-sign the 6′10 forward are now looking bleak, even though the offer that at one point went from around $7mil to $8mil and now $9mil is obviously being “balked” at by Lamar and his agent! This is not a good thing when I begin to read quotes from Mitch Kupchak saying: ”

Kupchak was asked whether he was ready to give up on the talks.

“Perhaps,” Kupchak said. “I’m surprised it’s taken this long to get to this point. Obviously, I have a lot more information than you guys do.” Apparently Dr. Buss is growing frustrated as well and is even thinking of pulling the offer off the table and letting Lamar walk! Their are also talks that Miami would like to have the versatile big man back at 5yrs $34 million…which makes no sense at all to me. Cause if you take a 5yr contract at $6.2mil a yr, vs say $9mil for 3yrs…that just don’t add up. (Though the reports are saying that the Lakers are offering Lamar aroun $9mil the length of the contract has NOT been said, I just put that in to make a point…lol). And the point is this…WHAT’S WRONG WITH LAMAR ODOM AND TREVOR ARIZA? Do they really believe that they can bully Dr.Buss into doing these outlandish deals? Here Lamar is, probably the MOST VERSATILE big man in the NBA, but was labeled “most likely NOT to live up to his potential”, until Pau Gasol enters stage right! Even then, Lamar only played to his potential when Andrew Bynum went down, he also played well in the WCF’s and the Finals, but the Lakers played over 100gms, does being good in 50 of them constitute a stand-off with the #1 team in the NBA? I would think not!

Honestly I think the only reason the Lakers had not already cut off the negotiations is because Kobe Bryant was quoted as saying “they better bring Odom back!” Well Kobe I would say that if Lamar Odom does not QUICKLY accept the offer of $9mil from Dr.Buss he will be in some obscure spot watching you play in the finals next year wishing he had kept his word, and accepted the pay cut and became a Laker4Life! And it is not the fault of the Los Angeles Lakers if this does happen. Dr. Buss has demonstrated many times that he will pay luxury taxes to build a formidable team, but he has also shown that he will not bow down to “bluffs” by agents or players! When Kobe seemingly would not budge about being traded, he was granted that wish (lucky for him it did not happen), Trevor Ariza on a team who will be lucky to win 30gms next season if Yao does not return, and now you in Miami only means another losing year for Dwayne Wade, because the east is beasting right now. Lamar, Dwayne, and Jermaine has no chance over their. I feel like he is about to Latrell Sprewell us…remember he said this contract is about his “legacy” or his “kids and his kids kids”…dang they can’t EAT off of $9mil a year…smh. Ok maybe that was a lil harsh, but LakerNation I know ya’ll can feel my pain right now. Just when I started to take up for Lamar (cause I would have actually traded him for Ron) and believe that his heart was Purple & Gold this happens. Somebody tell Lamar that negotiations mean you ask for $10 mil I offer you $7 and we meet in the middle somewhere…NOT I ASK 4 $10 AND IF I DON’T GET IT I WALK!

So whose fault is it if Lamar Odom does not re-sign with the Champions-LAMAR ODOM! Just like it’s been said, this (NBA) is a business and Dr. Buss has been doing this over 30yrs. and he has 10 championships to his credit…and one day players that get the opportunity to don the purple and gold will realize that! Lamar thank you for the 5yrs of inconsistency…but 8gms of playoff magic! Ron, sorry your only chance to play with your long-time friend is looking bleak, but know it’s not a reflection of the team you are playing for, rather Lamar’s inability to maintain his legacy at the clip of $9mil a year!

sidenote: Lamar don’t you understand that if you remain a Laker for the duration that Ron Artest is their you will save possibly 2yrs of life for your NBA career? Cause your minutes would be interchangeable with Ron’s…wow, that’s a thought.

visit these great sites: thelakersnation.com, lakersvolssparks.blogspot.com for even more great laker coverage…and start ur own blog right here…:-) soundoff