Los Angeles Lakers: 2019-20 NBA Champions

They set themselves up with plenty of time to digest the magnitude of their accomplishment in those last game moments by building the second-largest halftime lead in the NBA Finals history. The ending was a long time coming in that sense—and in many other ways, too. After the final buzzer and just before the confetti flew, LeBron James reveled in the embraces of teammates on the court, and Anthony Davis sat alone nearby with his eyes buried in a towel.

Led by James and Davis in their first season together, the Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship Sunday with a 106-93 rout of the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. It was a unique accomplishment for this tightly knit group isolated for 95 consecutive days in Florida, playing a season that covered more than a calendar year because of the pandemic.

James spoke afterward about the incomparable elation of seeing teammates become champions—and explained how his personal sentiment is shaped by how long his journey goes.

“Live about the process,” James said, “and see the results. … We all live for that moment.”

It was a long time coming also for the legions of Lakers fans, who are frankly unaccustomed to going a decade without an NBA championship and rejoicing at the return to glory now.

The Lakers’ only other such drought in the past 50 years started after their 1987-88 NBA championship won in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s age-40 season, the penultimate season of his career. It’s fair to start wondering whether James, who turns 36 in December, can produce that kind of excellence in longevity. It would likely see him overtake Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time leading scorer despite losing much of 2019 to injury and 2020 to the pandemic.

James was this team’s true captain, offering “must-win” text messages to teammates to spur their Game 4 and Game 6 victories. He delivered 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists against just one turnover Sunday after urging his teammates to “treat it like it was Game 7.”

James made the most of this entire bubble opportunity the NBA created to finish his second Lakers season. He became the only players besides Abdul-Jabbar and legendary Boston Celtics Bill Russell and Sam Jones to appear in 10 NBA Finals series. Once there, he earned his fourth Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award, but his first with the Lakers—a distinction that matters to him.

James came via free agency to join the list of great Lakers champions rather than shiver in fear of their shadow. It’s why in a long embrace with Lakers governor Jeanie Buss on the court Sunday that James said he offered this sentiment: “I’m proud to be a Laker.”

It’s why Buss said on the Spectrum SportsNet postgame show about James: “A Laker through and through.”

Unlike many of his peers who went anti-bandwagon when it came to successful franchises, James has long been a fan of the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys and Lakers.

“I’m a supporter of winners,” he once said.

James had said last week that it’s particularly meaningful for him to help Buss to her first championship as Lakers governor. He referred to her as “an incredible owner” and “a powerful woman.”

“I’m just honored to be a part of it,” James said. “I love the history of the game, and I've read so much about Dr. Buss and his teams and his success. To be playing while his daughter is the owner of the team, I think is pretty cool.”

James averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists in the NBA Finals in his 17th professional season.

“He’s the greatest player the basketball universe has ever seen,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said Sunday night.

The clinching victory showcased several facets of the jewel that Vogel polished this season: players starring in their roles, bouncing back after any defeat, suffocating defense played till exhaustion.

Rajon Rondo had told everyone in the team meeting Saturday: “If we’re going to win a championship, it has to be with defense.”

That’s how the Lakers’ lead swelled to 28 points by halftime, with surprise starter Alex Caruso adding to the team’s perimeter agility.

The last time the Lakers won a title, Rondo was on the other other team. He is the only player on either the Lakers or Boston Celtics from the 2010 NBA Finals who is still an active player in the league—and on Sunday he again looked an awful lot like the same player as back then. Sharp with decisions and his finishes at the rim after puppeteer mastery in manipulating the Heat defense to create the openings he sought, Rondo finished with 19 points and four assists off the bench.

Davis added 18 points, but his all-out defense and 15 rebounds were crucial. As usual, it all revolved around Davis and James.

Recalling that previous lull in championships for the Lakers, after Magic Johnson led them to the 1988 title, it wasn’t until 2000 when the Lakers won again. It was because of what Shaquille O’Neal came to call in himself and Kobe Bryant the “greatest Laker one-two punch ever,” which is saying something.

Johnson, whose work in the front office with Rob Pelinka turned the direction of the franchise, helped bring James to town—and Pelinka did the deal to trade for Davis. The traditions of tremendous Lakers tandems and dominant big men certainly continued with this title. But Davis was someone who ranked first in the league in loose balls recovered while towering at the rim, too.

The harmony between the two set the tone for this team. James even said after winning the title: “I want A.D. to be better than me.”

“Respect. True friendship,“ said Davis, who won his first championship at age 27—same as legendary winners James and Michael Jordan. “We’re just two guys who want to win. We were able to do it tonight.”

What they did was something Jerry Buss mentioned often wanting to accomplish: a 17th all-time title, matching the Celtics for the most in league history. The Lakers returned to the top, creating yet another formula for building a team around two stars, and committing to find an ultimate positive at a time in the world when there had been plenty of negative.

“It’s remarkable,” Kyle Kuzma said. “We are such a mentally tough team. Everybody sacrificed something for the betterment of the team.” 

Mamba Forever

Waves: In Memory Of Kobe Bryant

#RIPKobe #MambaForever #LakeShow #NBA #RIPLegend

Los Angeles Lakers look to regroup with extra practice

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The sky might seem like it's falling in Laker Land these days, but coach Mike D'Antoni still has his sense of humor intact, albeit with a sardonic edge. 

With his team about to play eight of its next nine games on the road after having already lost nine of its past 10 overall, can D'Antoni see a light at the end of the tunnel? 

"There is a light," D'Antoni said after practice Thursday. "It could be a train coming. That’s what it is, maybe." 

Rather than accept the perhaps inevitable destruction that awaits the Los Angeles Lakers' season further down the tracks, D'Antoni tried to get his team heading in a new direction with added instruction. L.A. originally planned to use Thursday as an off day coming off a set of back-to-back games on the road, but D'Antoni decided following the Lakers' 113-99 loss in Houston on Wednesday night to bring the guys into the gym the next day. 

"Normally, we would take the day off, but it’s a good time to come in and get treatment and watch film and just gather ourselves a little bit," D'Antoni said. "We don’t want to get fragmented. I don’t think we will, but that’s definitely something where we got to keep our spirits up, keep our head up and know that, ‘Hey, all we can do is the best we can do,’ and I think the guys understand that." 

They also understand that the deck is stacked against them so much at the moment -- from injuries, to a brutal January schedule, to even the overall strength of the Western Conference -- that it doesn't seem like they are supposed to have much of a chance from night to night. 

"I’ve figured it out," D'Antoni joked. "The national anthem is really jinxing us. Every time they play it, we don’t play well." 

Oh, say can you see a team in turmoil? Not so fast. 

"We have a great group of guys," Wes Johnson said. "I think everybody has a good sense of humor and everything, just trying to stay positive as much as possible because it's easy to go off the deep end." 

While the locker room might not be a lost cause, games keep being lost for recurring reasons outside of injuries. 

First of all, there's the 15.2 turnovers per game that L.A. is averaging, which puts it No. 25 out of 30 teams in the dubious category. 

"That’s probably the No. 1 factor in why we’re losing," D'Antoni said. "We’re giving up between 25-35 points every game on points off turnovers. When we get half-court defense set, we’re in the top half [of the league defensively]. We’re 30th in points in transition [allowed], we’re 30th in second-chance points. Those are two things that are killing us." 

Part of the turnovers problem has been trying to integrate Kendall Marshall into things as the new starting point guard. In Marshall's first two starts, he had 32 assists against just four turnovers. In his two starts since then, his assist-to-turnover ratio has been 14 to 12. 

"He’s a certain type of point guard that if you don’t set the pick-and-rolls right, if you don’t space the floor, if you don’t give him a chance -- because God gave him the ability to have an unbelievable vision and passing ability, but we’re closing the floor up on him and if we do that, he’s going to turn it over," said D'Antoni, who mentioned he is toying with the idea of playing Jodie Meeks even more at the point. "That’s not his fault. That’s a team fault." 

Another team fault? Flat third-quarter performances, like how the Lakers were outscored 33-15 in the third in Houston. 

"We just got to sustain the effort," Pau Gasol said. "We have to bring up a notch the concentration and really be assertive ... We got to come out sharper in the second half. It doesn't matter what we did in the first half." 

In a similar vein, the Lakers are trying to adopt the mentality that all their troubles from the first half of the season so far don't mean that they cannot begin to improve, starting Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers. 

"It's more than just a game, than a regular game, because they're our neighbors. They share a building," Gasol said. "They've been playing well. They have been a strong team the last two years -- stronger than us, I guess -- so it is a meaningful game, especially when we have lost a few games here and we're not in a good streak at all." 

Because if they don't turn it around against the Clippers? 

"If we turn it over, ESPN will be filled with highlights with those guys, the way they run," D'Antoni said. 

"The NBA is unrelenting. They’re coming at us. Everybody is happy we’re on fumes, but we have to find the energy and the mental awareness and let’s go get ’em. They got Chris Paul[right shoulder injury] down, so, why not? Let’s take advantage of it.
"

Friday Morning Quarterback

Reading some posts from disgruntles Celtics supporters...page is here.

NOISE wrote:
F U Lakers - YOu Didn't Deserve this one....ONce again, you need the ASsistance of the FREEBIES to win.

They Gave you this - Celts got Screwed!!!!!!!!
6/17/2010 11:56 PM EDT

My thoughts: Really? Really?

dreweagle09 wrote:
Boycott the NBA next season!
6/17/2010 11:44 PM EDT

My thoughts: Nonsense. Not gonna happen.


NOISE wrote:
FU Magic Johnson - go EAT another Donut you FAT F&&K
6/17/2010 11:57 PM EDT

My thoughts: Guy's a mouthful, innit he?

FrancoBeck wrote:
I'll close by saying that the officiating & the ABC/ESPN crews and D. Stern have just ended the run of a great sport....you found a way to fix it and ruin it....what a Disgrace!!!!!
NBA is now DEAD!!!!!!
6/17/2010 11:58 PM EDT

My thoughts: Correction: TRANSFIGURED. Moron.


oem67 wrote:
Sorry but that headline is laughable....David Stern and his hand-picked lackeys deny Celts the title they earned. What other league would the disgraced Joey Crawford have a job in? He owes Stern plenty and he paid off tonight.
6/17/2010 11:59 PM EDT

My thoughts: Uh, if my Lakers lost that, we would be saying the same thing, so...suck it.


FanB4Orr wrote:
As I thought throughout the day, David Stern you should be very proud. You got what you wanted:

Free throws: 37-17 Lakers

Two evenly matched teams and this is what your referees come up with? You should be ashamed. I thought the Fakers were going to spend the whole 4th quarter at the free throw line.

Joke. Your league is a joke. Why did the Celts bother to play????
6/17/2010 11:59 PM EDT

My thoughts: Because they can?

yorgi wrote:
nba wanted hollywood. stern wanted hllywood. this has been the most disgusting 4th quarter ever!! kudos to our players playing 5 vs 8 all series long. they couldnt do it 5 vs 5 for 3 quarters and so back up came in the 4th. Stern congratulations you always get what you want. Shame on you. Hope someone from our team has a word about this. dont let this pass. espn shame on you. drooling over the lakers.. espn you work for america not los angeles. disgusting. to hell with all of you!
6/18/2010 12:01 AM EDT

My thoughts: Is there a bridge for you to jump already down in BEantown?


dreweagle09 wrote:
This is nothing new. This has been happening for years.

Don't ever buy anything with the NBA logo on it. Don't watch the games ever again.

Embarrass David Stern any chance you get. Embarrass "writers" who insist there's no foul play.

Our eyes don't lie to us. We trust our instincts. The game was f'n fixed!
6/18/2010 12:01 AM EDT

My thoughts: It's a touching irony that this person will no doubt follow the Celtics next year, going against his own advice.


dreweagle09 wrote:
FanB4Orr,

We've been saying this since the playoffs started. I know basketball and how its played.

For people who are still not convinced that the NBA is fixed, what more evidence do you need?

The Refs bailed the Lakers out at every possession in the stretch. They took the game out of the C's hands. In what other sport is this allowed?

6/18/2010 12:04 AM EDT

My thoughts: Every sport for you, so long as you believe it to be a controversy. Paranoid schmuck.


Bruins877 wrote:
Is there a more despicable harlot than Kobe's wife? Your husband raped a chick but hey he bought you a diamond ring at least.
6/18/2010 12:05 AM EDT

My thoughts: You single?


yorgi wrote:
all you laker trolls, u will always be our customers as long as we re 5 on 5. nthing will change that. ever. learn your history you texting fashionistas
6/18/2010 12:06 AM EDT

My thoughts: lmfao np kthxbye


potomus wrote:
WaikikiJim? The "Good Guys", really? An accused rapist, confirmed adulterer, and a thug named Artist, who, if he wasn't a carjacker in shorts would be doing hard time for felonious assault. You're a truly warped human being.
6/18/2010 12:07 AM EDT


My thoughts: Speak for yourself, you hippo.


dreweagle09 wrote:
Any writer who fails to mention the egregious nature of this game as the sole reason for the outcome should endure our wrath. Ryan, CHB, Julian, Gasper, etc. Let them hear you tomorrow! Flood the comments with your anger.

And let's walk away from this criminal organization called the NBA forever.

Let them burn.
6/18/2010 12:08 AM EDT

My thoughts: Join the Mafia and get shot already.


terry180 wrote:
The game was fixed. I hope some day we are going to find out that those referees were paid. Corrupt losers.
6/18/2010 12:13 AM EDT

My thoughts: It's called a salary. Now they may be making more than what you will ever make in your lifetime, but a salary is still a salary, see.


KJACLA wrote:
This isn`t for all Celts fans,this is for the whiners"Shut the heck up"
6/18/2010 12:18 AM EDT

My thoughts: Someone with common sense speaks.


MagnificentBastard wrote:
Awww poor wittle socalpatsidiot...feel free to move back to New England.

We know those folks are perfect and have such caring love for everyone and share all things together for the greater good and we are sorry wretches who wallow in our own despicable sinfulness. We even hate ourselves and look up to you New England types because you are so much better than us.

But here's the thing OUR TEAM WHIPPED YOUR TEAMS BUTT!

CHEW ON THAT ALL OFF SEASON, you arrogant chump! I know it burns...please, let us all know how much.
6/18/2010 12:24 AM EDT

My thoughts: Seconded.


ksm1616 wrote:
Congrats LA, you are now right next to the Yankees in my book, and you too Kobe, you are now on the same level with Purple Lips, Arod. I absolutely hate you, deep to the core. You are no MJ, and never will be. You are lucky Derek the Flopper made his 3 and Artest finally showed up. It's sickening to lose after outplaying the lakers for 3.5 quarters. This one is going to hurt for a long, long time. I am proud to say I refuse to watch the postgame and celebration. KG played his tail of tonight too. But, again, we were out rebounded.
6/18/2010 12:25 AM EDT

My thoughts: Thanks for the motivation...prick.


studiocity2 wrote:
It's amazing what a bunch of losers a lot of you sound like. I wasn't rooting for either team, but just wanted a good game, which we got. To say that David Stern fixed the game so the Lakers would win is so stupid and juvenile. It doesn't even make sense. Even if the NBA were corrupt as many of you say, all David Stern would want is a seven game series. Once he got to that why would he care who wins. The NBA doesn't make any extra money because the Lakers win. As for the foul discrepancy, sometimes that happens. I watched the game and it seemed pretty even to me as far a bad calls go. The fact is that the Celtics did foul a lot more. It was obvious. I bet if the foul calls would have been in the Celtics favor, and the Celtics won no Celtic fan would say the win was tainted and the Lakers got screwed. Quit being such poor sports. The Celtics lost this one. Get over it.
6/18/2010 12:25 AM EDT

My thoughts: Another poster with common sense. A rare species, perhaps endangered, in Bostonia nowadays.


justbipit wrote:
The NBA is a shell of what it used to be.......say what you want, the product is awful. The first half looked like a pickup game at the local Y. The second half looked like a pickup game at the local jail. Lakers were the better team...more talent...home court....good breaks......but man those officials really went over the top in the fourth quarter.......typical NBA for the past 20 years....and I hate BOTH of these teams.
6/18/2010 12:30 AM EDT

My thoughts: Soooo...what team do you exactly cheer for then?


dudeasp wrote:
WE NEED TO GET LEBRON JAMES! I HATE THE LAKERS, AND KOBE BRYANT. THIS MAKES ME SICK. WE NEED A BIG TIME PLAYER TO REPLENISH OUR TEAM. WHY CAN'T WE GET LEBRON JAMES?
6/18/2010 12:30 AM EDT

My thoughts: *snicker*


Scooter69 wrote:
Hey MagicJohnson, dude, get a life, it's just a game. It's sad that this is your entire life. We feel bad for you and hope someday you'll leave Mom's basement.
6/18/2010 12:31 AM EDT

My thoughts: What's with your fascination with "Mom's basement?" Can't you think of anything more original, you hopeless dolt?


plattsburghsox wrote:
Kobe ***** random women....
6/18/2010 12:40 AM EDT

My thoughts: Lies! That's Tiger Woods. Get your facts straight!


SPO1 wrote:
I told you before Massachusetts, it’s a CURSE. As long as a Republican is in Ted Kennedy’s senate seat you people will NEVER have a championship team. Your sports heart will be taken to the edge of ecstasy and then broken over and over until you morons do right by Ted Kennedy. Remember, the MAN who worked SO HARD for his constituents and the nation? Now you Conservative wackos need to come to your senses and kick the Republican Party to the curb before they ruin EVERYTHING!

HEY, did anyone notice how much Texas Republican Representative Joe Barton resembles the banjo playing inbred kid in the movie “Deliverance”? lol

How can any Great American stick up for BP? As far as horrific damage to the USA goes Joe Barton might as well have taken sides with Osama bin Lunatic and Al Qaeda… When one really thinks about it, Republicans have done more damage to our beloved USA than any Middle Eastern terrorist. Freak’n traitors!

cyberbitchslap2.blogspot.com
6/18/2010 12:42 AM EDT

My thoughts: Controversy exists in many forms.


SoxFanInOR wrote:
@MagnificentBastard - "But here's the thing OUR TEAM WHIPPED YOUR TEAMS BUTT! " Yeah but you had nothing to do with it!

Celts fans...cheer up, only a couple a more months before football season and I am sure Danny will retool. Boston is still a huge market with great revenue and wealth, we will be able to take care of our needs in free agency. LA on the other hand, has the entertainment industry which, as we know is declining. It wont be too long before most of it is comoditized and no longer centralized in LA and these dopes will be left cheering for the Clippers as the Lakers move to Mexico City!
6/18/2010 12:42 AM EDT

My thoughts: Not happening.


NOISE wrote:
It's EASY when you are sent to the LINE 37 times to 17.

There is the DIFFERENCE! The 4th Qtr ESPECIALLY was a JOKE! IT Started with KOBE"s 3 freebies on that Pathetic call on Ray Allen - Kobe is the only guy I know that they send him to the line for 3 free throws - Twice in this series. After this - then the PARADE to the LINE started again! Just like Game 2 there (but b/c Ray Allen hit all those 3's we somehow won)....

F***K Kobe's Legacy - he couldn't hold Jordan's Jock! Kobe S*cks A** - Becareful Ladies in LA LA land-
6/18/2010 12:50 AM EDT

My thoughts: Green with envy, you rat?


jumpinjimmyt wrote:
M-Bastard,

Good night to you and go to bed, tweener. For such a huge victory, you should be out celebrating with your peeps, why on the m-board?? Apparently, the turn the lights out in your "mobile community" at 1 am.

6/18/2010 1:10 AM EDT

My thoughts: Why not? Tch...


socalpatsfan12 wrote:
Magic, enjoy your mudslides, earthquakes, and fires that burn down your mobile homes...
6/18/2010 1:15 AM EDT

My thoughts: Try harder with your smack, amateur.


MagicJohnson wrote:
Man, Doc Rivers won't let that "Our starting 5 still hasn't lost" thing go...hahahah. This is going to eat at him for a while.
6/18/2010 1:17 AM EDT

My thoughts: It probably is right now! Aaaaahhhh! <3


denrog wrote:
Hey Laker fans on the Celtic Blog.
Why don't you go out to a bar or club and party? You might meet a girl & get a life.
Sadly Kobe will never be thought of as highly as MJ or Magic.
LakerJohn, a Laker fan with class. Congrats!
6/18/2010 1:27 AM EDT

My thoughts: Some of them already have. Boring retort, as well as "Mother's basement." Played.


Scooter69 wrote:
Kobe desreve credit? A rapist deserves credit? A fan beater desreves credit?
6/18/2010 1:52 AM EDT

My thoughts: Yes. He does.


Scooter69 wrote:
Let's review David Stern. LA population almost 10 million, Boston population 600K. Kobe a marketing gem (even though a rapist). The math is easy FTA 37-17.
6/18/2010 1:57 AM EDT

My thoughts: Wank.


LABOY wrote:
denrog wrote:
I feel a little bit sorry for you.

====

No need to feel sorry for us. Of course, the Boston fans bloggers were just as bad...but because you are a Celtics fan, you are blinded by this. Wake up and smell the coffee. The Beantown bloggers here are no Angels!!!!!
6/18/2010 2:20 AM EDT

My thoughts: I'm glad you weren't putting Anaheim's team in the mix here when talking about the disgruntled Bostonian chavs...


SingleMalt wrote:
Why can't any of the spoiled babies on this Blog simply acknowledge that the Celtics got beat by a physically better team instead of:
1. blaming the refs
2. accusing the NBA of a conspiracy
3. finding fault with (pick any of them) a Celtic player's perceived performance?

Face it guys: you are so used to your team playing thug basketball all season long that it becomes expected. When your coach won't (or can't) make the adjustments necessary to contain a physically superior (longer, quicker, and can finish layups), all you can do is rely on beating up the other team. This is Celtic basketball.

Too bad the refs didn't go for it.

37-17 couldn't be more accurate.



6/18/2010 2:47 AM EDT

MY thoughts: Another guy with common sense...maybe they are not so rare after all...


JakeFitzy wrote:
"LABOY wrote:
SoCalGirl2 wrote:
I'm sitting here trying to think of one good thing to ever come out of Boston..."

---

I've lived in both places and can honestly say that LA is a F-in dump. Boston has more history and character than LA will ever have. You can have your fake city filled with dbags, gangbangers and posers.
6/18/2010 2:47 AM EDT

My thoughts: Shove it. We don't want you setting foot on our city again, hater.


LABOY wrote:
PV-Mike wrote:
Why do all the referees in every sport cheat Boston teams.
Baseball wants the Yankees,NFL cheats so Peyton Manning can beat the Pats and NBA cheats the Celtics so Lakers can win.
All major sports cheat against the Boston teams. Heck also look at the NHL giving Philly 4 straight games too.
I think there needs to be an investigation into tonight's cheating lead by Tommy Heinsohn and a six pack of beer!

+++++

Because Boston fans are completely pathetic and dillusional! If they dont win, there has to be some external forces or some organization conspiring against their teams. Because there is no way in heck that any Boston teams could lose to any other teams in any sports.

There is a reason why...outside of New England, the Boston fans are the most hated in all professional sport cities!!
6/18/2010 2:48 AM EDT

My thoughts: Paranoid they are...confirmed!


MagnificentBastard wrote:
Kobe as rapist, LAkers have a fan beater, comments about AIDS and Kobe's kids, snarky crap about how LA is an awful place, Laker fans are jerks, how much better the Celtic organization is, Boston is, etc.

God I LOVE the rancid bitterness spewing from depressed, degraded, downtrodden, beaten, agonized, enraged Celtic fans. Come on, ladies, release your hatred, release your rage on us, the refs, the city of LA, the fans of the Lakers so that we can truly bask in your agony over losing tonight. With every enraged comment, it just shows us how devastated you really are...and we celebrate your pain.

He who laughs last, laughs best...and I am rollin' on the floor now!
6/18/2010 2:49 AM EDT

My thoughts: You're not the only one...I am gasping for air as I post this!


LABOY wrote:
Whinercop wrote:
I'm kind of put-off by the seemingly dumbshit, crude Laker fans with no humility here. I mean, c'mon A-H's, check it out: Boston has owned our azzez from the beginning of time and now we're gloating in a chicken-ship way? Stop taking your stupid pills until this thing blows over. For God's sake, are you honestly that freakin' stupid? How do you survive with such S for brains? It's embarrassing to the rest of us West, Wilt, Gail, Happy, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Byron, Shaq, Kobe, Pau and RA fans. Stop it and conduct yourselves with a little class. That was an amazing game 7!

=====

Class? Why dont you read some of the posts AFTER the Celtics lost....taking personals shots at the LA, slinging insulting names, etc....I think its called...sore loser!! You can lose with class...and the Boston fans didnt show that here....

I dont usually post...I reply...so when a Boston fan post a rude reply...I reply back in the same way...

As for the game...yes it was an ugly game both sides and it was because both teams played suffocating D.....Lakers just wanted it more at the end...
6/18/2010 3:09 AM EDT

My thoughts: Tell it like it is, LABOY.


RiotNrrrd wrote:
Gtunnell wrote:

"In the future I would keep the microphone away from Paulina Pierce. That dude has some serious maturity issues. It's one thing to talk trash on the court, but its an entirely different ball game when you say it to reporters."

You mean like how Kobe threw Shaq under the bus after the game today? Stay classy, Kobe.
6/18/2010 4:27 AM EDT

My thoughts: Wrong team. Snack-O-Meal plays for the Chavs-er, Cavs. Ingrate.

Quick hits, April 16, 2010

This Laker team could be in for a rough postseason. I warned the folks about the Lake Show crashing into the finish line, and my fears were realized on Wednesday. This team just may not have it. Facing the facts, whether you like or not, is generally your best option.
---

Woo-hoo, I am closing in on finishing the write-up and presentation slides for my IS 600 capstone. I can't believe it. Even though I don't expect my grade to be too high, the effort and attempt to get the others on my team to contribute has to be considered and given more weight. Let's see what happens.

---

So now I have this new person on topix who I am now waging a little flame war with. His name is Kratos, and I am enjoying going tit for tat with this s.o.b. Stay tuned.

---

Holy cow! I'm now a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Tomorrow, after my presentation...I will be heading off to the HDC to cover another game. Already notified the people up top to reconsider the decision. I hope that my credential is not denied.

Quick hits, January 23, 2010

On the mad countdown to World Nutella Day, the boredom of having a single class, and the lagging Lakers.

World Nutella Day is in two weeks. TWO BLOODY WEEKS! Well, now it's less than. I am wondering two things. One: when will this storm finally pass? And two: when are my K-ON plushinhas (pronounced plush-een-yas; yes, I just love that nh in Portuguese) getting over here? I need them for the shot involving a Nutella jar.

I'm a bit nervous here. As it stands, they are still in transit. I am aware that they could arrive well after WND, and that would be a drag. But if they do arrive, are they going to be in tip-top condition? Azusa is not going to available for the shoot; she won't be setting sail for the Beach until March at the earliest. Nothing I can do about that.

But I have plans about the Hokago Tea Time and their crazy antics with Nutella. I would imagine that a number of chocolate desserts Tsumugi Kotobuki of K-ON! brings are made with Nutella.

Those whose minds have been in the gutter since childbirth will know where this is going. What? You don't have a clue? Ask Mugi the yuri-obsessed blonde ditzmistress for the details. She'l fill you eeen.

---

So I am now in Week 2-3 of my Disaster Recovery course. I am learning some stuff about the analysis phase and documentation this, recommendation that. And for some hare-brained reason unbeknownst to me...I am bored.

I want to travel for once. But it's cold. It's too warm and feels too good in my classroom. I need to crawl under a kotetsu right now, but all I see are chairs, tables, a projector screen, a few laptops, fluorescent lights and a projector.

Did I mention a professor and students? I am so bored.

---

The Lakers still can't beat the likes of the Cavaliers. I literally exploded when they stumbled again. Once could swear I was on meth when I screamed like one of those Huntington Beach punk bands.

I love punk rock. I don't know how much more I could handle. I think I could handle a lot more...if my other family members didn't intervene.

But to hell with their ineptitude. How will they successfully defend their title if they can't beat the Beasts from the East?

---

I'm happy for Rachel Alexandra. I knew she was going to win the Horse of the Year Award. Zenyatta had no chance.

New Year's Day 2010 Quick hits

Kobe Bryant knows how to open a new year in dramatic fashion. A buzzer-beater against the Sacramento Kings lifted the Los Angeles Lakers to a 109-108 win. Heh. Old hat for the Black Mamba come playoff time?

---

People on deviantART can't tell me that my gallery is just desktop screenshots now. I took plenty of photos of the Rose Parade for your enjoyment/web design use because those folks special (aside from those ungrateful art-thief-hunting bastards who I choose not to tolerate), nuff said.

---

AFC Wimbledon and Melbourne Victory wasted their games to open the new year with defeats, but Long Beach State's men's basketball team took the cake in terms of futility. This team is on a dangerous path, losing in overtime to UC Riverside 68-66.

Dan Monson, how dare you waste the nonconference gauntlet tonight. Epic fail. Again, I say, EPIC FAIL! When you cannot beat the Sisters of Mercy with your team's shooting (and on top of that, not learning your lesson from the LMU disasterfest), the Changi Prison guards need to give your players a caning or two.

One last time: E.P.I.C. F.A.I.L. Make 'em run suicides for the plan backfiring on you.

---

Ohio State was going to win the Rose Bowl. Oregon fell victim to the SI jinx, 26-17.

Quick hits, December 27, 2009

I became Kenji Harima for a night. I had this dream that I was with Eri Sawachika. She was dressed in a short purple top, denim hotpants and leather boots. I said, "I just want to be friends with you. I already like Tenma and Yakumo and we just want to be friends." She then spread her legs, bit her finger like Kuroko Shirai and playfully said, "Liar. But I like you." All of sudden she took her clothes off and we copulated.

My mind was spinning. My heart was melting. And I came. My god, that felt good.

---

The USC Trojans...oh man! Dave Shinskie would only make for a Pac-10 QB backup getting peanut minutes in garbage time. They win the Emerald Bowl 24-13. Exuberant N-gelenos love Emerald Nuts. And I is one of 'em.

---

Lake Show, you give me heart-attack. Nyyaaaaargh!
But we win, 112-103, over the Sacramento Kings in double overtime.

---

Bring on 2010. I have decided to go to the Rose Parade on Friday.

---

Is it just me, or do I get a feeling Mikoto Misaka could be an at-large selection in the ISML a SECOND straight year?

The Los Angeles Lakers Got The Job Done!

They won.

---

Magic prove no match as Kobe, Lakers claim 15th NBA crown


TEAM STAT COMPARISON
LOS ANGELES ORLANDO
Points 99 86
FG Made-Attempted 35-80 (.438) 34-82 (.415)
3P Made-Attempted 8-16 (.500) 8-27 (.296)
FT Made-Attempted 21-28 (.750) 10-16 (.625)
Rebounds (Offensive-Total) 13-47 6-36
Assists 13 20
Turnovers 8 11
Steals 6 6
Blocks 8 3
Fast Break Points 11 18
Fouls (Tech/Flagrant) 20 (1/0) 23 (1/0)
Largest Lead 18 9
TOP PERFORMERS
LOS ANGELES ORLANDO
K. Bryant
Points: 30
Reb: 6
Ast: 5
Stl: 2
Blk: 4
R. Lewis
Points: 18
Reb: 10
Ast: 4
Stl: 1
Blk: 0

GAME LEADERS
LOS ANGELES ORLANDO
Points K. Bryant 30 R. Lewis 18
Rebounds P. Gasol 15 R. Lewis 10
Assists K. Bryant 5 R. Lewis 4
Steals K. Bryant 2 R. Alston 2
Blocks K. Bryant 4 D. Howard 3
·
Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Kobe Bryant pulled Phil Jackson close, embracing his coach and looking him straight in the eyes. After all they'd been through, this was their moment, their championship, their time. This was the one to top all the others.

The one without Shaq.
The one to pass Red.
Bryant's seven-year chase of a coveted championship is finally over. He's got his fourth title, and Jackson his record 10th. One year after failing in the finals, Bryant and the Lakers have redemption, and all the rewards that go with it.
Perfect 10


Phil Jackson can light his own victory cigar. With the Lakers' title-clinching Game 5 victory on Sunday, he passed Red Auerbach for the most championships by a coach in NBA history.


10 Phil Jackson Bulls (6), Lakers (4)
9 Red Auerbach Celtics
5 Pat Riley Lakers (4), Heat (1)
5 John Kundla Lakers
4 Gregg Popovich Spurs
2 Seven Tied

The Lakers earned their 15th title on Sunday night as Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol added 14 and 15 rebounds in a 99-86 Game 5 win over the Orlando Magic, who ran out of comebacks.
It took longer than Bryant expected, but he has stepped out of former teammate Shaquille O'Neal's enormous shadow -- at last. His fourth championship secured a strong case can be made for Bryant being the league's best player since Michael Jordan hung up his sneakers.
Bryant, who averaged 32.4 points and was named finals MVP, said the can-he-win-without-Shaq talk annoyed him.
"It was like Chinese water torture," he said. "I would cringe every time. I was just like, it's a challenge I'm just going to have to accept because there's no way I'm going to argue it. You can say it until you're blue in the face and rationalize it until you're blue in the face, but it's not going anywhere until you do something about it.
Sheridan: Night To Remember

Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson sat sad-faced on the Magic bench, watching the Lakers celebrate their 15th NBA title. Why? Because they plan to use the pain of losing as motivation for next season, writes Chris Sheridan. Story

"I think we as a team answered the call because they understood the challenge that I had, and we all embraced it."
O'Neal, now with the Phoenix Suns, was glad to see Bryant win another title.
"Congratulations kobe, u deserve it," O'Neal said on his Twitter page. "You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it."
Bryant's former coach now stands alone.
Jackson, the chilled-out, bow-legged Zen Master who won six league titles in the 1990s with Jordan in Chicago, now has won four with Los Angeles and broke a tie with legendary Boston coach Red Auerbach as the winningest coach in finals history.

"I'll smoke the cigar tonight in memory of Red," Jackson said. "He was a great guy."
Bryant and Jackson, whose relationship strained and briefly snapped under the weight of success, are again at the top of their games.
Together.
Jackson, who once called Bryant "a selfish player" now sees the 30-year-old in a far different light.
"He's learned how to become a leader in a way in which people want to follow him," Jackson said. "That's really important for him to have learned that because he knew that he had to give to get back in return, and so he's become a giver rather than just a guy that's a demanding leader. That's been great for him and great to watch."
Nothing was going to stop Bryant, who spent the postseason scowling, snarling, baring his teeth and all but breathing fire at anything in his path. For weeks, the All-Star has worn his game face. His daughters called him Grumpy. Only when the victory was his in the final seconds did he allow himself to smile.
"I was just completely locked in," he said. "I was grumpy for a while and now I'm just ecstatic, like a kid in a candy store."
After the final horn, Bryant leaped into the air and was quickly engulfed by his teammates, who bounced around the floor of Amway Arena. Bryant then gave his long, heartfelt hug and shared a few words with Jackson before sweeping up his little girls, both wearing gold Lakers dresses, into his arms.
It was just as he dreamed.
"It finally felt like a big old monkey was off my back," he said. "It felt so good to be able to have this moment. For this moment to be here and to reflect back on the season and everything that you've been through, it's top of the list, man."

High Five

Kobe Bryant was impressive throughout the NBA Finals, averaging 32.4 points against the Magic. His 162 total points were fourth-most all-time for an individual player in a five-game finals series.

Most Points 5-Game NBA Finals Series, All-Time
Year Player Pts PPG
'01 Allen Iverson, PHI 178 35.6
'65 Jerry West, LAL 169 33.8
'01 Shaquille O'Neal, LAL 165 33.0
'09 Kobe Bryant, LAL 162 32.4
'91 Michael Jordan, CHI 156 31.2

Bryant had come up short twice in the finals before, in 2004 with O'Neal against Detroit, and again last season against the Celtics in the renewal of the league's best rivalry. The Lakers were beaten in six games, losing the finale in Boston by 39 points, a humiliating beatdown that Bryant and his teammates had trouble shaking.
They went to training camp with one goal in mind. This was going to be their season, and except for a few minor missteps, it was.
In the locker room afterward, Bryant made sure Jackson got a champagne shower.
"He took his glasses off, threw his head back and soaked it all in because this is a special time," Bryant said. "For us to be the team that got him that historic 10th championship is special for us."
After beating Utah in the first round, Los Angeles was forced to go seven games against Houston, which lost center Yao Ming to an injury. The Lakers then took care of Denver in six games, setting up a matchup with the shoot-from-their-hips Magic, who made their first visit to the finals since O'Neal took them there in 1995.
Orlando will be haunted by moments in a series that swung on a few plays and had two overtime games.
After losing Game 1 by 25 points, the Magic had their chance in Game 2 but rookie Courtney Lee missed an alley-oop layup in the final second of regulation. In Game 4, Dwight Howard clanged two free throws with 11.1 seconds, and the Magic allowed Derek Fisher to nail a game-tying 3-pointer to force OT.
Howard, the Magic's superhero center, was hardly a factor in Game 5. He scored 11 points, took just nine shots and never got a chance to get going. Rashard Lewis scored 18 points, but was only 3 of 12 on 3s for Orlando, which after living on the 3, finally died by it.
The Magic went just 8 of 27 from long range.
"I thought our guys fought hard," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "But they just had an answer for everything."
Orlando was trying to become the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals. They had rallied to knock off Philadelphia and Boston, and then upset LeBron James and Cleveland in the conference finals. The Magic always felt they had a shot at history.
Bryant, though, wouldn't be denied his place.
Orlando's magical mystery tour came to a quick end.
"It hurts," Howard said. "It hurts a lot. But you can learn a lot from losing. Sometimes you've got to lose to win."
As teammates, Bryant and O'Neal were nearly unbeatable on the court. Off it, there were problems.
The pair won three straight titles together from 2000-02, but the Bryant-O'Neal dynasty became dysfunctional as both fought for control with Jackson publicly siding with his All-Star center. It all eventually crumbled in 2004 when O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat.
Bryant was blamed for the breakup, and as the years passed, his many critics said he couldn't win one by himself. He couldn't, but the addition of Gasol, who came over in a stunning trade from Memphis last season, filled O'Neal's massive void at center and gave Bryant help.
Fisher, who has four rings himself, came back to L.A. after stints in Golden State and Utah and became a steadying force. If not for his two key 3-pointers in Game 4, this series would still be going.
The Lakers were anything but The Kobe Show.
They got help from their entire roster as Odom, Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum, who missed most of last season and the playoffs with a knee injury, came through.
It all came together.
"To have the attitude of we're going to become a better defensive team, a better rebounding team and then to actually do it and to see it all happen, it feels like I'm dreaming.
"I can't believe this moment is here."
Game notes
Jackson received a congratulatory phone call from Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. ... Bryant had five assists and led the Lakers in each game.
Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

Brother of the Bride

A little aside: Slumdog Millionaire won 8 Oscars including Best Picture, as expected, Heath Ledger won best supporting actor and the Lakers escaped Minnesota.

I never wanted to be a celebrity. I want to live a life of being well-known without being the toast of the tabloids. But as I woke up on the 22nd of February 2009, I was a bit scared that there would be some type of scene from The Graduate where the lovable loser steals the bride away while locking out the rest of the crowd with a cross, or a scene where the altar blows up as the bride and groom escape, from Mula Sa Puso (From The Heart).

Thankfully, my worst fears were not realized on Sunday. Before the wedding, I went on a pre-wedding lunch from MCDonald's. I had a Angus Third-Pounder Deluxe, some fries, a few nuggets and a Filet-O-Fish. Yes, I was THAT hungry.

I took a drive across Terminal Island and around the Palos Verdes Peninsula with my parents, and we went to this place called Wayfarers Chapel. It's a nondenominational place with views of the ocean, the cliffs of the peninsula, Catalina Island, and a grotto full of trees.

In my barong tagalog, I took plenty of photos with my cell phone. My older sister, in her simple bridal outfit, my new older brother, and the bridal party (including my good friends Linda and Chanda, supervisors at my job with Maritz Research).

There was a feel of Kenny G's "Silhouette," and I thought, "I feel out of place. They are playing some porn groove jazz, and I am in a Ramones mood. They're thinking 'Silhouette' and I am more like 'Blitzkrieg Bop' and 'Cretin Hop'! Yikes!"

When priest at the chapel made it official, I pumped my fists in celebration and let out a whoop and a holler. Now, even though this was a church, I felt that I had to get that out.

After the ceremony, we went to the Reef restaurant for some dancing. My sister and brother did their best to impersonate Dancing with the Stars. They needed a bit more practice, but the effort was there. Afterwards, I made my speech, wishing the two of them all the best on their journey, even asking the crowd if they are picking Slumdog Millionaire to win Best Picture.

I visualized the entire speech and the reaction. It was as expected. A loud "Kampai!" resonated from the crowd. The rest of the night saw my sister and brother get cash pinned to them, some cake and prime rib, and a few glasses of wine and a flute of champagne on the side.

That was the most alcohol I drank ever in one day. My sister had her first sip of sake. She felt a bit tipsy, and that was expected. I like my onee-chan when she is drunk. She looks cute when she is sloshed beyond inhibition. It's true.

The rest of the night was consigned to dancing, drinking, break dancing, more drinking, running around tables, watching the little boogers get down, some air guitar, electric and cha-cha slides, still more drinking and more photos. Near the end, I asked Mike (the name of the DJ) if I can look at who won Best Picture. It was Slumdog, and I let out a huge barbaric yawp after finding out.

And that was pretty much it. The next day, both my sister and brother went off to the Bahamas for some honeymoon kinkyness.

As for me, I prepared for my Accounting exam.

Quick hits, June 12, 2008

Rest in peace, Jim Gray. 86 years, and countless memories. Well done. We hope to see you again...one day. Till then...we will miss you.

---

So, I find out, in between the Socceroos prepare to trump Jorge Fossati's plans yet again down in Doha, stabbing rampages who want blood (and got it), planning for yet another visit to USC as a grad student, and the Galaxy rebuilding from scratch, that sandwiched between a couple of NBA Finals ties at Staples Center is a Sparks game. The ladies were at home to face the Detroit Shock, a team that, with their ace Cheryl Ford, had given us problems, especially when we faced them in the WNBA Championship Game/Series.

They didn't give us any problems this time. 80-73 victory over Detroit. Now, if only Boston had a women's team...

---

Rick Dutrow: "I feel like a loser."

Advice: Abstain from listening to the Beatles and Beck Hansen. And I'll tell you why Big Brown finished last. He pulled off a Cincinnatus on you. See, he doesn't want the glory of following Seattle Slew and Affirmed. He's gonna go his own way. Big Brown doesn't need the attention. In the end, Big Brown decided to go in a different direction. He doesn't believe that he should make history. He's a horse with humility as well.

And I knew this was coming all along. Admit it. You're not a loser. Denying the inevitable just made you feel like one.

---

I believe that L.A. does not have the divine right to finish second to anyone. I just found out that the Clipper Spirit Dance Team finished second to the Miami Heat. Ugh. Boston rebounding in the series with the Lakers would make it a clean Eastern sweep, for sure.

---

I am so glad I am staying away from Blair Field. The Armada are playing some uninspired ball at the moment. While it puts our futility against teams like Fresno State and San Diego in perspective, one would think that with some early blowouts to begin the year, the guys would be running the table in the South.

You wish.

---

Speaking of wishes, I wish for more yuri. I don't know why. I just think that young high school women making each with each other and loving it is a stimulus package that has been tried and true. Same with yaoi for the OLs and hags in the throes of menopause. It's THAT effective.

Don't believe me? Get some and boost your hormonal libi-er, leverage. I mean it. No, seriously.

---

My eyes have gone bleary again. Aghh.

Four wins away...

Let it be known that my guys are four wins away from heaven, and four losses away from hell. Oh that number four. Mercy.

Quick hits, May 25, 2008

Good ol' Belmont Shore. Rip up the NYAC apart, boys. Yeah!

---

Less than three days remaining until Commencement at the Beach. I am keeping a cool and calm demeanor.

---

Big Brown. Cracked hoof. Bloody hell.

---

Curse those Lakers. Better check the game tape, boys; this could become a Best-of-3 in a hurry.

---

So we finally show up for once in a 12-3 annihilation of Cal State Fullerton. One has to feel for UC Irvine; in spite of a ballpark that is holding its own; alas, it will not host a regional since both of us aren't going to let them. I am still a bit disgusted at not being able to defeat Irvine at the Blair, as well as our ineptitude on that road trip from hell.

If we get Illinois-Chicago in our regional, hallelujah. Redemption time! Good luck, noble Dirtbags.

---

On the premise of four nervous cities, a festival of hits, and other happenings

This will be a long blog entry. One which I am stunned to post. Read below for all the details.

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The combined length of all the labels must be at most 200 characters.

My ass!

Today was the day of Kaleidoscope 2008. This is a tradition at Long Beach State. The very first time I went here was over a decade ago, when I was a seventh grader at Stephens Middle School, playing with the Pandrummonium Steel Drum Band/Ensemble. I was one of the original members of that band, by the way. But everything looked the same: banners flying, bands playing, the usual suspects setting up shop (USU Program Council, SLD, Associated Students, etc.). One booth that I stopped by was this booth for CRUNK, an energy drink pioneered by Atlanta's very own Lil' Jon. His son is an avid hockey player. (I won't go into much detail on the hockey-the Habs lost-but I may delve deeper on the original version [the FIELD version] next entry). I tried the sugar-free version. It was a run-of-the-mill, ice cold medicine-type of drink. I probably wouldn't want to buy something like that, although I was glad to investigate about the brew, which featured, among ingredients in its "proprietary" formula horny goat weed (YES, it does exist). Actually, I felt sorry for those guys in the booth. I'm not too much a fan of Lil JOn, but to market a drink that literally SUCKS has to be a humbling experience.

That was before I witnessed some history in the making. Brooke Turner, the younger sister of Michelle Turner, set a new record for strikeouts in a single season, sitting down 11, and relegating Meredith Cervenka's old record to second place, in a 2-1 victory over UC Riverside, who were very feisty to begin with. We took the series after Bridgette Pagano drove in a 2-run homer over the left field wall to make it 4-3 in the second game. If these ladies don't get a regional berth, let alone bid (Mayfair Park A Go Go), the NCAA can kiss my ass. I'll even send the Eiken Club to boob-slap the selection committee into submission, fate willing.

Meanwhile, back at Blair Field, another ridiculous festival of short balls, long balls, and foul balls caught (and dropped) by salty old farts who still have it culminated in Kurt "Wide Load" Wideman dropping the ball, enabling "Sugar" Shane "The Pain" Peterson to drive in the winning run in a 14-13 victory for the Beach. Yes, football has returned to the Beach. Football scores, that is. The chicks were digging the long ball, the alums were scooping the foul balls, and I scolded a bloody idiot of a booster for failing to give a high five to me. Sit with the Tigers if you would like to be that way. I'm not obliged to even fake a smile to those cellar-dwelling punks. Actually, I thumbed my noses at a few other Tiger supporters who were clearly fairweather to the core. That's why we have seats behind home plate, so you can make up your bloody minds, you indecisive wanks.

Overall I did 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14=107 push-ups for the men soon to be in a box. As well as the others. Well, I guess CRUNK had its benefits. Somewhat.

While most of the local teams were rolling (Beach Tennis will face of against the Zots tomorrow for the crown after taking out the Gauchos 4-0), I knew that women's water polo was going to be the goats of the day. I was surprised that I was actually RIGHT. The swiss cheese porn girls from Northridge edged us, 8-7. This year has gone to hell for Cat von Schwarz, and she knows it.

---

This leads me to my premise of four nervous cities.

COLUMBUS, OH and UNIVERSITY PARK, PA should be nervous, in spite of winning their respective tournaments. Pepperdine stunned BYU in five. While both of them swept Ball State and George Mason (respectively), Shawn Patchell's men had a letdown to be damned for all time: after going up 2-0 in 30-28 wins, the Waves proceeded to win Game 3 32-30, Game 4 30-27, and complete the rally 15-8. The question for these cities is this: who gets the Waves, and who gets the at-large team? I'll give you this: the team who DOES NOT get Pepperdine should be considered lucky. Somewhat.

LONG BEACH, CA and PROVO, UT should also be nervous. Both teams shared the regular season title, yet both of them fell to Pepperdine. Uh oh. The question for these cities is this: who gets to be the at-large team, and who will they face? The Cougars have more wins, and advanced farther, but the 49ers defeated the Cougars in both meetings at Wally's House.

I would see the situation to be this:

Penn State vs. Pepperdine

Ohio State vs. Long Beach State

If even Mark Pavlik's boys can't solve the Amazing Australian Alien, a.k.a. Paul Carroll, then this tournament will turn on its head in a hurry.

---

Meanwhile, down at the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy were back to their winning ways, taking down Chivas USA 5-2. A brace from Alan Gordon and a hat trick from Landon Donovan sealed the Goats' fates. Also, Toronto FC continued their climb, and Chelsea fought back to set the deciding week to be next week in the Barclays Premier League down in England. And the Lakers...well, it was just the same old stuff driven down Denver's throats.

Also, in about a few hours from now, the USA women's field hockey team faces Belgium in a game that will determine Lee Bodimeade's fate. Well, it HAS to, with a berth in Beijing on the line. More on that next entry.

Super Tuesday Stimulus Packages

As the deadline to file those income taxes passed, all those who filed it ahead of the deadline got the stimulus packages they were waiting for. Of course, I was treated to a few stimulus packages myself.

First off, the Dirtbags picked themselves up from the unfortunate series against Irvine, and roughhoused Pepperdine, 10-0. Earlier that day, Aldershot Town FC clinched promotion to the Football League, 16 years after being blasted off the face of the footballing world, drawing 1-1 with Exeter City. Also that day, the Lakers clinched the Western Conference #1 seed, beating the Sacramento Kings 124-101, the Avengers defeated the Blaze this week by the score of 79-62, the Angels defeated the Rangers 7-4, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals 4-2, the Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Colorado 14ers 102-95, and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins, 1-0, to put the stranglehold on the series, as it goes back to the Bell Centre.

But what really got me feeling all chipper today was the Mighty Roos. Who are the Mighty Roos, you say? well, they are this hockey team from Australia, and they beat China, 1-0, to clinch the gold medal in their side of the world. Out there, it is winter by now, if not late autumn. And these guys are just a tournament away from qualifying for Vancouver 2010, and skating with the big boys!

Now, some of you may be thinking, wait a minute, how can Australia have a national ice hockey team, when they are known more for their summer sports? Well, ice hockey has been played in Australia for more than a century. It was in 1908 that the International Ice Hockey Federation was founded, and it was in 1908 that ice hockey was first played, in Adelaide, SA. So, the timing of the event, held down in Newcastle, NSW, couldn't have been any better.

One wonders if some disgruntled North American expatriates inject some fresh new blood into a team that is gaining a huge chuck of momentum after gaining the gold medal that eluded them before (they were second place to South Korea [yes, they DO have a hockey team there, too]). Remember Dale Begg-Smith? Yeah, you know who I'm talking about. He could have given Canada another mogul gold. Instead, due to logistics that were unfavorable to the ad master, he gave Australia Winter Olympics Gold Medal Number Three. Having the Mighty Roos qualify for Vancouver 2010 can only make the presence of Winter Olympic sport in Australia that much more significant, that much more credible, and that much more validated.

Congrats Australia. The world is watching you now.

3 April
Australia Win Gold With Perfect 1-0 Win

Australia is Number 1 in Division II Group B

By Peter Lambert, Ice Hockey Correspondent

No longer is ice hockey a novelty in Australia. A magic tournament ended with a fairy-tale ending, as the Mighty Roos Australian Senior Men’s Ice Hockey team closed down the Chinese national team 1 goal to nil in Newcastle, New South Wales Australia. The Aussies were perfect through the tournament, winning each of their five games in regulation time; their last two games in shut-outs, denying their opposition a single goal. Australian goalie Matt Ezzy was awarded ‘Best Goalie of Tournament’ for his feat in winning four games from four played, and allowing only four goals by him throughout the tournament.

China started out strong but almost immediately shortened their bench to their top six players. The Aussies held off the early assault, and then scored on their first opportunity.

Melbourne’s Lliam Webster poked his own rebound through the goal pads of China’s Yu Yang, with assists going to Andrew White and tournament MVP Greg Oddy.

From that point the Chinese never seemed like they had what they needed to win. Both teams hit the posts but the Aussies also won in that phantom category; 5 to 1 in the almost-goals.

Captain Anthony Wilson hold aloft the tournament winners plate as
IIHF Official Dr Hans Dobida presents him with his gold medal.

The Australian win means many thing, but the significance of happening on the Centenary of ice hockey in Australia, and the Centenary of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and on home soil made it a very special occasion for the capacity crowd. With volunteers and players included, rink management estimated an unprecedented 1200 people in the rink to witness the victory.

Veteran defenceman Tyler Lovering came out of retirement when he heard about the bid to host the tournament in Australia. Now he has a World Championship Gold Medal in his collection.

‘I had to work really hard to get back into the Australian team.

‘It’s been 10 years that I’ve played on this team.

‘We have a fantastic team of guys, I couldn’t be more proud.’

Team Manager Ross Noga was justifiably elated as he packed his players aboard their bus to head off and celebrate the milestone achievement.

‘100 years of ice hockey in Australia, 100 years of ice hockey of IIHF, you can’t beat this.

‘Here in Newcastle, in front of the home crowd. The crowd was fantastic with the hair colour, painted faces, the “Aussie Aussie Aussie” chants, the flags, it doesn’t get any better.’

The Australian team will break up after their celebrations on Monday, but with little chance for much rest as the Australian Ice Hockey League starts this coming weekend. All players in the Aussie squad belong to one of the eight clubs and may be back in training as soon as Tuesday.

The Australian ice hockey community is already buzzing with the challenge of competing with Division I countries. The task is a mammoth one but not one person involved will believe that it is impossible.