A picture is worth a thousand words. Athletes now a days have it all. Fame, fortune and notoriety. We are quick to judge them on a bad game. A stupid comment. Or perhaps when they break the law. In Gilbert Arenas’ case, he has apparently done all of the above minus the bad game and replacing it with being an idiot.

Commissioner David Stern suspended Gilbert yesterday indefinitely without pay until the conclusion of the NBA’s investigation into his alleged incident in the Wizards locker room with teammate Javaris Crittenton. Now how this story all came about took more turns than Tiger Woods did in his driveway on Thanksgiving. Gilbert says that he received permission from the Wizards to keep his four guns (notice I said four) at the Verizon Center locker room. After that, he and Crittenton were having an argument over a gambling debt Gilbert owed him. Crittenton allegedly pulled out his own gun, chambered a round, but did not point it at Gilbert. Now after the reports were revealed, a criminal investigation had started. That’s when Gilbert started to do what only “Agent Zero” knows how to do. Be funny.

Now he went on his twitter account (which I do not follow) to laugh off the event and make fun of the media storm that had started over it. I do not care what he says on his twitter account, but what I do care about is the arrogance he has shown over the event. It wasn’t more than eight months ago that WR Plaxico Burress shot himself with a hand gun that wasn’t registered in the state of New York. He has since been sentenced to two years in prison. We thought that was the greatest example for the modern athlete. This statement should be played through their heads before they go somewhere:

“If I have to take my gun with me, do I really need to go?”

My biggest problem is that Arenas never got it. He released a lawyered apology for the incident. Then proceeded to make fun of it (pictured above) before the Wizards game Tuesday night. After the game, he said that his teammates were telling him to do the finger pistol display. He of course had to apologize for it and was still joking with reporters saying he is more scared of Commissioner Stern than the police investigators because the commissioner is “mean.” The following morning Stern came down on Arenas with the only form of punishment suitable for the situation. Stern said something very poignant in his statement:

“Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game.”

“Perhaps worse.” Does that mean possibly Gilbert’s contract could be voided? Who knows. That possibility is there and for what. A stupid incident that could have been avoided. Is it really worth it to throw everything away for storing your guns at your employers facility? If I asked my boss:

“Is it all right if I store my shotgun in the storage closet? I don’t want my newborn to be sleeping next to it because I kept it in the crib.”

I can imagine what the reaction would be and I can assure you I probably wouldn’t be working there anymore. If it is true that the Wizards were asked and agreed to let Arenas store his guns in his locker. There should be some layoffs galore at that franchise. I mean this is a slap in the face to owner Abe Polin’s memory. Abe changed the nickname of the team from the Bullets to the Wizards because of gun violence. Now in a terrible sense of irony, the threat of it has entered the teams locker room. For Gilbert to try and laugh it off is an outrage. He does need to sit for a while and hope this is the most severe punishment he gets out of it.

Now this isn’t the end of this story by a long shot. Until the police and NBA are done with their investigations, it will still be a top story. We still don’t know about Crittenton’s involvement if it is true about him bringing his own gun. New Jersey Nets guard Devin Harris said that 70-75 percent of NBA players carry guns. That is a staggering number. Question you need to ask yourself is, are you really surprised? This is not a knock on owning a gun. It is your inalienable right to own a gun. It is also your responsibility to know the laws in your state about owning a gun. I understand the need for the people who are constantly in the public view to protect themselves and their family. I get that. What I don’t get is how you think you are invincible to your actions. Crittenton deserves the same wrath if what he did is true. The Wizards need to clean house (not roster related) and root out the retards allowing this. Gilbert can think of a new nickname while he is away. Agent Zero doesn’t suit him anymore.

Follow me on twitter: @TalkinSportsLB

Game 7 Western Conference Finals Blazers vs. Lakers June 4, 2000

If you are a fan of Portland or of LA, you would know these two don’t like each other. You can go as far back as 1977 when Portland swept the Lakers out of the Western Conference Finals en route to their only championship. But I digress. I’m here to talk about the year 2000. This was already a heated rivalry before this playoff matchup. The Lakers had Shaq & Kobe to go along with names like Horry, Green, Rice, Harper and Fisher to name a few. Adding Phil Jackson to coach was a stroke of genius as we all know. Portland had assembled a roster of All-Stars. Pippen, Wallace, Stoudamire were part of the starting lineup with Sabonis (you remember him) and Smith. Wells and Schrempf came off the bench. This was a great series that was all Lakers in the first four games. Final scores starting with game 1: 109-94, 77-106, 93-91, 103-91. Game two was won by Portland. The Lakers had home court, but when game five started, Portland was motivated to push the Lakers to seven games with victories in games five and six. Game five’s final 96-88 came in LA and game six 103-93 came in Portland. Would this supposed dynasty in LA start or would it crumble before our eyes after being up 3 games to 1?

Both teams to start Game 7 were going back and forth. Portland had an early 23-16 lead after the first quarter. As with all game seven’s, the stars were not going to rest for very long. Portland was going to count on Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace and Steve Smith to win it for them. The Lakers were counting on Shaq and Kobe, but Glen Rice, Robert Horry and another person which I will reveal shortly were instrumental in helping LA pull it off. Portland continued with a good second quarter, but LA was only down by three. 39-42 Portland at halftime.

The third quarter could not have gone any better for Portland. They got out to a great start building at what point was a 15 point lead. 29 points were scored in the quarter by Portland to the 19 scored by LA. 58-71 Portland going into the fourth quarter. I remember thinking that I must be dreaming. This is a nightmare. They were up 3 games to 1 just a few days ago. Now they are about to let the Portland Jail…I mean Trail Blazers advance to the Finals. Of course I wasn’t the only one thinking that. Staples Center was silent like much of LA. There was no worries though. When you have great players, they will shine at the right moment in a game.

Now the player that I have not mentioned yet that was instrumental in the Lakers comeback was…give up. Brian Shaw. I know, who would’ve thought that. Shaw dropped almost all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter including 9 from the three point line. That got the crowd back in it and more importantly Shaq and Kobe. Rice was hitting big shots, as was Horry aka Big Shot Bob. Now Portland had no idea what was going on because before they knew it, they were only up by 5, 4, 3, 2…see where this is going. The play that gave the Lakers the lead for good will be etched in Lakers fans memories forever. “Kobe drives down the lane. Here comes the double team, Kobe lobs it up in the air. There’s Shaq SLAM DUNK!!! Lakers take the lead.” That was my best attempt at imitating what the call might have been from Chick Hearn. Final 89-84 Lakers to the Finals. LA scored 31 in the fourth quarter to Portland’s 13. A collapse by the Blazers, but a championship performance by the Lakers.

Now why is this game a bigger moment than any of the Lakers finals games this decade you ask. Well, for one, most of the Lakers finals games were blowouts. There were a few exceptions. 2000 Game 5 at Indiana, 2001 Game 1 against Philadelphia. That’s pretty much it. The main reason is that this was the start of what would be the dynasty everyone expected out of these Lakers teams with Shaq and Kobe. They had to earn it of course and what better way to earn it than beating an arch rival to get to that championship. This was the start of something every Lakers fan wanted to see. An excuse to take a day off from work to celebrate in the Lakers championship parade.

* – indicates playoffs
(R) – indicates rookie
# – indicates new to team
MVP – LeBron James – Cavaliers
Rookie – Tyreke Evans – Kings
Coach – Nate McMillan – Blazers
Defensive Player – Dwight Howard – Magic
Most Improved – Josh Smith – Hawks
Sixth Man – Ben Gordon – Pistons
Executive – Ernie Grunfeld – Wizards

Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers*
2. Boston Celtics*
3. Orlando Magic*
4. Washington Wizards*
5. Atlanta Hawks*
6. Toronto Raptors*
7. Philadelphia 76ers*
8. Miami Heat*
9. Detroit Pistons
10. Chicago Bulls
11. Charlotte Bobcats
12. Indiana Pacers
13. New York Knicks
14. Milwaukee Bucks
15. New Jersey Nets

Cavaliers – 1st in Central
Projected Starters
C Shaquille O’Neal#
F Anderson Varejao
F LeBron James
G Anthony Parker#
G Mo Williams
Three man rotation
F Jamario Moon#, C Zydrunas Ilgauskas, G Delonte West

The best in the east last year have gotten considerably deeper this year. Parker and Moon are good players that will help against bigger lineups eg: Orlando. Shaq has now found his newest best friend in LeBron who both expect nothing short of a championship. Is this LeBron’s last year in C-town?

Celtics – 1st in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C Kendrick Perkins
F Kevin Garnett
F Paul Pierce
G Ray Allen
G Rajon Rondo
Three Man Rotation
F Rasheed Wallace#, F Glen Davis, G Eddie House

The Celtics really didn’t, but had to improve to keep up with the other contenders moves. Bringing in Rasheed was the right move, yes I said it. He brings more front court depth to a team that needed it last year with the injury to Garnett. Oh and KG is healthy too.

Magic – 1st in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Dwight Howard
F Brandon Bass#
F Rashard Lewis
G Vince Carter#
G Jameer Nelson
Three man rotation
G Mickael Pietrus, F Matt Barnes#, C Marcin Gortat

The defending champs of the Eastern Conference dropped off a little bit. It’s hard to believe, but Hedo Turkoglu (Raptors) is a better fit than Carter. This team is still formidable with Howard and a healthy Nelson. Bringing back Gortat was big and Barnes was a nice pickup to strengthen the bench.

Wizards – 2nd in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Brendan Haywood
F Antawn Jamison
F Caron Butler
G Mike Miller#
G Gilbert Arenas
Three man rotation
G Randy Foye#, G DeShawn Steveson, F JaVale McGee

This team got better with one trade. Getting Miller and Foye for four players that wouldn’t have done much for the Wizards was the steal of the offseason. New coach Flip Saunders has those two plus a healthy Arenas to work with. The Wizards will give the top three in the east nightmares before the season ends.

Hawks – 3rd in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Al Horford
F Marvin Williams
F Josh Smith
G Joe Johnson
G Mike Bibby
Three man rotation
G Jamal Crawford#, G Maurice Evans, C Zaza Pachulia

It’s time for this team to come into it’s own this year. Last year they realized with a good bench to complement the starters, they could be a top four contender. They improved the bench with the acquisition of Crawford from Golden State. Smith is looking to bounce back this year and bringing back Bibby will help keep the balance on offense.

Raptors – 2nd in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C Andrea Bargnani
F Chris Bosh
F Hedo Turkoglu#
G DeMar DeRozan (R)
G Jose Calderon
Three man rotation
G Jarrett Jack#, G Antoine Wright#, F Amir Johnson#

Toronto can go with a big lineup or a small lineup and either would still work. The bench has a lot of new faces, but getting Jack was big. He can spell Calderon on the point and can be counted on to score as well. Turkoglu is a big piece missing that will help take pressure of Bosh. Being in a contract year, will Bosh perform to standards before he tests the market?

76ers – 3rd in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C Samuel Dalembert
F Elton Brand
F Thaddeus Young
G Andre Iguodala
G Louis Williams
Three man rotation
G Willie Green, F Jason Kapono#, F Marreese Speights

They went back to the classic logo and are looking to make some noise in the conference. Brand has to be healthy to do that. Kapono was a great addition to the bench. His 3 point shot will be a welcome sight. At the point is Williams who is not a traditional point guard, but can score when needed. Iguodala must build on last season emerging as the team leader.

Heat – 4th in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Jermaine O’Neal
F Udonis Haslem
F Quentin Richardson#
G Dwayne Wade
G Mario Chalmers
Three man rotation
F James Jones, F Michael Beasley, G Daequan Cook

With Wade the Heat will always be contenders, but can he really do it without a legitimate number two with him? O’Neal is no longer in his prime, but can still contribute. Richardson was acquired for his scoring ability and his expiring contract. Will Beasley emerge after a tumultuous offseason? That could be the deciding factor in the free agent class in 2010.

Pistons – 2nd in Central
Projected Starters
C Kwame Brown
F Charlie Villanueva#
F Tayshaun Prince
G Richard Hamilton
G Rodney Stuckey
Three man rotation
G Ben Gordon#, C Chris Wilcox#, F Jason Maxiell

Besides the Wizards, the Pistons have improved drastically with their moves. Gone are Rasheed and Iverson. In are Villanueva and Gordon. Wilcox and Ben Wallace were great additions that will shore up the depth in the frontcourt. This is the make or break year for Stuckey to prove he is the point guard now and for the future. Prince and Hamilton are the constants that will not disappoint.

Bulls – 3rd in Central
Projected Starters
C Joakim Noah
F Tyrus Thomas
F Luol Deng
G John Salmons
G Derrick Rose
Three man rotation
G Kirk Hinrich, C Brad Miller, G Jannero Pargo#

It’s the same team from last season and that’s why they’re hear. Everyone above them made moves, but the Bulls made their move last year acquiring Miller and Salmons at the deadline in February. Signing Pargo was a nice move, but they will miss Gordon (Pistons). Hinrich will have to accept his role or start looking for a new residence this February.

Bobcats – 5th in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Tyson Chandler#
F Boris Diaw
F Gerald Wallace
G Raja Bell
G Raymond Felton
Three man rotation
G D.J. Augustin, F Vladimir Radmanovic, G Gerald Henderson (R)

Usually by the second year, if it gets to that, Larry Brown has found his rotation that suits his style. He might have found it this year. Unfortunately it won’t get them far in a deep conference. Chandler is a nice player, but now they don’t have a low post scoring option (Okafor). The bench has depth, but Henderson and Radmanovic can’t be counted on as the lone scoring options.

Pacers – 4th in Central
Projected Starters
C Roy Hibbert
F Troy Murphy
F Danny Granger
G Dahntay Jones#
G T.J. Ford
Three man rotation
G Mike Dunleavy, C Jeff Foster, G Earl Watson#

This is actually one of the deeper teams in the east. The only things lacking are experience and chemistry. Bringing in Jones will ignite them on the defensive side. Bringing in a veteran point in Watson was the right move. Granger should continue to develop into one of the rising stars in this league. Dunleavy be will out for the first two months, but should be a great bench play for the Pacers.

Knicks – 4th in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C David Lee
F Al Harrington
F Jared Jeffries
G Wilson Chandler
G Chris Duhon
Three man rotation
G Nate Robinson, G Larry Hughes, C Darko Milicic#

It will be amazing to see the over turn this roster will see next season. For now though they have to rely on Duhon and Harrington to ignite the offense. Mike D’Antoni has no defensive stoppers and has to outscore to win games. Robinson is a great bench player, but the rotation will suffer because not many players can keep up in the uptempo system in place.

Bucks – 5th in Central
Projected Starters
C Andrew Bogut
F Hakim Warrick#
F Luc Mbah a Moute
G Michael Redd
G Luke Ridnour
Three man rotation
G Charlie Bell, F Kurt Thomas, G Brandon Jennings (R)

You would think that any team that gets its two best players back would be primed for a great season. Not for Milwaukee which is still in rebuilding mode. Bogut and Redd will be back to their old selves, but who will carry the load? Warrick was a nice find, but not what they needed. Bell is great being the sixth man, but will Scott Skiles give rookie point guard Jennings the time to develop into the player this team needs?

Nets – 5th in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C Brook Lopez
F Yi Jianlian
F Bobby Simmons
G Courtney Lee#
G Devin Harris
Three man rotation
G Rafer Alston#, C Tony Battie#, G Chris Douglas-Roberts

The pieces are in place for the future. It won’t be this year for the Nets. Harris and Lopez are potential All-Stars on this team. That’s as far as you go though. Lee was a nice addition in the Vince Carter trade, but Alston and Battie will probably not be around long enough to make an impact. Douglas-Roberts could emerge this year as a great perimeter player.

Lakers – 1st in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Andrew Bynum
F Pau Gasol
F Ron Artest#
G Kobe Bryant
G Derek Fisher
Three man rotation
F Lamar Odom, F Luke Walton, G Shannon Brown

The defending champs have actually gotten better. That’s hard to say now a days in the NBA. Gone is Ariza and in is Artest. Age is the big difference between the two. So is attitude, but Artest should fit in nicely with the rotation of Odom and Walton at forward. Kobe and Phil Jackson have their work cut out for them, but in Phil’s last season they really don’t have to do much.

Spurs – 1st in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Matt Bonner
F Tim Duncan
F Richard Jefferson#
G Roger Mason Jr.
G Tony Parker
Three man rotation
G Manu Ginobili, F Antonio McDyess#, G Michael Finley, exception(F DeJuan Blair (R)

If the Lakers didn’t bring back Odom, the Spurs would be the favorites. That’s how good these guys are. When the Spurs got bounced from the playoffs by Dallas, everyone including me wrote the Spurs off as contenders. Oops. Jefferson was a great acquisition. As was McDyess, but how did they end up with Blair in the second round of the draft? Parker and Duncan have new toys and are looking to play with them often.

Trail Blazers – 1st in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Greg Oden
F LaMarcus Aldridge
F Nicolas Batum
G Brandon Roy
G Steve Blake
Three man rotation
G Andre Miller#, F Travis Outlaw, G Rudy Fernandez

The breakout team of last year is looking for a division crown this year. Oden is healthy. Aldridge and Roy have extensions. Miller was added as the veteran presence they sorely needed last year. The deepest team in the west has a chip on their shoulder that will be hard to break come playoff time.

Mavericks – 2nd in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Erick Dampier
F Dirk Nowitzki
F Shawn Marion#
G Josh Howard
G Jason Kidd
Three man rotation
G Jason Terry, F Drew Gooden#, F Tim Thomas#

This team seems to always stick around and contend. Credit to the front office to not give in and continue to put a winner out there. Nowitzki heads into a contract year that should give him a happy retirement. Bringing in Marion was the right move. He takes pressure off Howard to score and also brings a needed defensive presence Rick Carlisle has been looking for. Gooden and Thomas are great additions for a bench that relies heavily on Terry to produce.

Nuggets – 2nd in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Nene
F Kenyon Martin
F Carmelo Anthony
G Aaron Afflalo#
G Chauncey Billups
Three man rotation
G J.R. Smith, C Chris Andersen, G Ty Lawson (R)

The team that rose to second place in the conference last year will fall slightly this year with the Spurs, Blazers and Mavericks all making significant moves to their rosters. The loss of defensive stalwart Dahntay Jones (Pacers) will hurt them, but as long as Billups and Anthony continue their consistent production they should be fine.

Hornets – 3rd in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Emeka Okafor#
F David West
F Julian Wright
G Morris Peterson
G Chris Paul
Three man rotation
F Peja Stojakovic, F James Posey, C Hilton Armstrong

The Hornets look different this year as they try to incorporate the youngsters they have into the rotation. Stojakovic will come off the bench this year to reduce the wear and tear on his back. Okafor was a great pickup that takes pressure off West to be the low post scorer. Paul will have the reigns to find the open teammates that make him the best point guard in the game today. Expect big seasons from Okafor and West with Paul giving them the ball.

Jazz – 3rd in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Mehmet Okur
F Carlos Boozer
F Andrei Kirilenko
G Ronnie Brewer
G Deron Williams
Three man rotation
F Paul Millsap, G Kyle Korver, F Matt Harpring

This is no doubt the last year this group stays together. Boozer and Okur will be free agents. Harpring will most likely retire. That means the future is really in the hands of Williams and Millsap. Utah was lucky to get Millsap back. They will be a force to be reckoned with, but they will probably be an early first round exit in the playoffs.

Thunder – 4th in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Nenad Krstic
F Jeff Green
F Kevin Durant
G Jame Harden (R)
G Russell Westbrook
Three man rotation
F Nick Collison, G Thabo Sefolosha, G Shaun Livingston

Yes the Thunder will make the playoffs. The teams behind them have dropped off. Houston doesn’t have Yao. The Suns are a better version of the Knicks. The Clippers and Warriors are well, the Clippers and Warriors. Durant is ready to take the scoring title from the likes of Wade, LeBron and Kobe. Westbrook is poised for a repeat of last years rookie campaign. Harden was the right pick for this team in need of scoring at the wing. The bench is the lone weakspot, but they can score with the best of them.

Suns – 2nd in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Channing Frye#
F Amare Stoudemire
F Grant Hill
G Jason Richardson
G Steve Nash
Three man rotation
G Leandro Barbosa, F Earl Clark (R), F Jared Dudley

The Suns after the half season experiment of a half court offense changed in the middle of last year to the fast break offense that made them famous. It was too little too late, but it did get them 50+ wins every season. It won’t happen this year though. Nash and Stoudemire are the best pick and roll players in the game today. Richardson needs to be more active on both ends. Hill isn’t getting any younger. The entire bench scoring rests on Barbosa’s shoulders.

Rockets – 4th in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Chuck Hayes
F Luis Scola
F Shane Battier
G Trevor Ariza#
G Aaron Brooks
Three man rotation
G Tracy McGrady, G Kyle Lowry, F Carl Landry

If Yao was healthy, these guys would be in the playoffs. That’s how far they drop without him. McGrady won’t be around til December at the earliest. He would better serve them coming off the bench I believe. Scola and Brooks got them through the first round of the playoffs last year, but Ariza will be counted on to score as well. With the big contract come big expectations.

Clippers – 3rd in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Chris Kaman
F Marcus Camby
F Al Thornton
G Eric Gordon
G Baron Davis
Three man rotation
G Ricky Davis, G Rasual Butler#, F Blake Griffin (R)

All the hopes and dreams of a franchise can’t rely on one players shoulders. Especially a rookie. These are the Clippers though. Griffin will come off the bench and will contribute immediately on the boards. Kaman needs to stay healthy to lessen the blow to the front court. Baron Davis needs to bounce back in a big way. Thornton needs to continue to develop into a rising star before he most likely leaves when the time comes.

Warriors – 4th in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Andris Biedrins
F Anthony Randolph
F Stephen Jackson
G Stephen Curry (R)
G Monta Ellis
Three man rotation
F Corey Maggette, G Anthony Morrow, F Ronny Turiaf

So much talent is going to waste here in Oakland, California. Jackson and Ellis have publicly questioned the coach and front office. Things can only go up from here. They won’t though for the darlings of the league two seasons ago. Curry was a good pick for them. It probably wasn’t the right fit though. Ellis plays the same way as Curry. Score first, pass later. Without a true point guard this team will struggle to stay consistent.

Grizzlies – 5th in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Marc Gasol
F Zach Randolph#
F Rudy Gay
G O.J. Mayo
G Mike Conley
Three man rotation
G Allen Iverson#, F Darrell Arthur, C Hasheem Thabeet (R)

Lots of offense from the Grizzlies this year. Will it result in more than 25 wins? Probably not. Iverson’s attitude will be a key for them. He says he’ll come off the bench. What happened in Detroit though? Mayo, Gay and Randolph can score 20+ a game. Defense is and will always be their achilles heel though. Memphis could surprise, but they are a year or two away.

Timberwolves – 5th in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Al Jefferson
F Kevin Love
F Ryan Gomes
G Ramon Sessions#
G Jonny Flynn (R)
Three man rotation
F Damien Wilkins#, F Corey Brewer, G Wayne Ellington (R)

New coach in Kurt Rambis and a new lease on life. With the fiasco in the draft over Ricky Rubio, the Wolves look to develop what they have if Rubio does decide to come over. Flynn was a great pick in the draft. Sessions is an underrated signing that will help offset the expectation of Rubio’s arrival. Getting Jefferson back healthy is huge for them. He is developing into one of the best post scorers in the game. He has to be there for the Wolves to have success.

Kings – 5th in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Spencer Hawes
F Jason Thompson
F Desmond Mason#
G Kevin Martin
G Tyreke Evans (R)
Three man rotation
F Andres Nocioni, G Francisco Garcia, G Beno Udrih

The Kings really have no where to go but up after last season. Worst record in the NBA and losing out on the first pick. Evans though was a solid pick. Considering he’s not a true point guard, he is a good ball handler. Hawes needs to be involved more in the offense. He has the potential to be a 20-10 a game center. Martin is the leading scorer and lone star for the Kings. Nocioni is well suited to being the sixth man. This is still a learning curve for Sacramento.

There comes a time when someone will say enough is enough. Well, Lakers owner Jerry Buss came to that point last week when he reportedly removed the Lakers offer of 3 years at $9 million a year from the table for free agent Lamar Odom. Now how did it get to this point? When the Lakers essentially had no plans of bringing back Trevor Ariza, they at least had a back up plan in Ron Artest. I am in no means saying I’d rather have Artest, but it was a decent move when you lose Ariza. But in the Odom situation, what would the back up plan be. Ric Bucher of ESPN said when news of this broke two names I would never imagine being Lakers. Joe Smith and Drew Gooden. Ewww. No disrespect to them, but if those are the options to replace Odom you can forget it.

Cooler heads have to prevail here. Dr. Buss needs to put the offer back on the table and wait for Odom to realize that will be the best offer for him. What happened to the team player in Odom when he said,

“As long as I can keep going to the NBA Finals, count me in.”

The best offer Lamar could get is from Portland. They still have plenty of cap space, but surprisingly have shown little interest in Odom. Dallas and Miami have talked to Lamar, but can only offer the mid level exception of just under $6 million a year to him. Now if you do the math that is only $3 million more than the Lakers offer for two more years. Plus, Miami and Dallas are not considered power houses to win a title. Do you want to win or not Lamar?

It has been reported that in the last twenty four hours Jerry Buss has talked to Lamar and that Miami has already offered him a contract of $34 million over five years. If Jerry puts another year on his offer, he will have to take it. Personally, I would not be holding out like this. It’s the freaking Lakers. That three year deal is very good. Plus you’ll be playing for the Lakers. Not their JV cousins aka the Clippers. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of athletes coming out to essentially say it is not about the money, I just want to win. The real translation is that it is always about the money and I do want to win at the same time. You can’t have both, well most of the time. Think real hard about it Lamar and don’t forget that I had your back with your candy addiction. Free candy as a Laker should be the incentive for his new contract Jerry. Where’s Wonka when you need him?