IT’S official; the Lakers are Andrew Bynum’s team. What other conclusion can be drawn after he recorded twice his age?
As Jerome James prepared for Achilles surgery and Channing Frye patrolled the perimeter for Portland’s second unit, the 21-year-old, whom Isiah Thomas said would’ve wilted in New York in explaining his reason for passing on this HS kid, went for a career-high 42 vs. my Paper Clips.
Bynum had never seen 30 in a game before. He added 15 boards and four blocks, relegating Kobe Bryant’s triple-double – 18, 10 and 12 – to sidebar status.
Feeling his oats, Bynum completed his career night by attempting to take home Vanessa.
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Lemme see if I have this correct. When the Lakers met the Celtics, the nitworks claimed it was a potential Finals preview.
When the Lakers met the Magic, the nitworks claimed it was a potential Finals preview.
When the Lakers met the Cavaliers, the nitworks claimed it was a potential Finals preview.
By my standing eight count, the only outposts to which the nitworks have not romantically linked the Lakers in a potential Finals preview are Merrill Lynch and the Washington Generals, whose owner, Red Klotz, by the way, is still hitting halfcourt set shots in Margate, N.J.
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An entrenched Bucks source does not believe Michael Redd will be traded this season.
“We need to make the playoffs this season to regain our fan base,” the source informed.
Yet the vultures continue to circle.
“Everyone is interested [Portland, San Antonio and Dallas, etc.], but their offers are pure [garbage],” said Deep Dish.
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Can it get any worse for the Mavs, whom the Bucks barbecued by 34?
“They couldn’t miss. It was crazy,” Mark Cuban e-mailed. “Damon Jones hasn’t played [all season], walks in and downs a three. Even in trash time, their scrubs didn’t miss. Only thing that didn’t happen was Dan Gadzuric hitting a three. When their [bleep] went in and ours didn’t, it got out of hand and we yanked everyone.”
The Mavs owner put the kibosh on reports of Josh Howard being traded specifically to the Heat, but anywhere actually.
“And you can quote me,” he told his team’s .com reporter.
Way I hear it from an L.A. informant, Dallas offered Howard for Shawn Marion in a complicated four-team trade involving Oklahoma City and Charlotte. When the Mavs couldn’t get Raymond Felton in the deal, it was reduced to its lowest denominator – Matt Carroll and Ryan Hollins for DeSagana Diop, whom Charlotte thought it had last summer when the career backup center was free. Dallas offered more, $36 million for five years.
“I see us making small deals,” Cuban texted. If those interested in his bench, think Dallas’ disappointments (Jerry Stackhouse, no doubt) for yours.
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Bill Russell’s wife, Marilyn, passed away after a tough bout with cancer. They were inseparable at every NBA event for as long as I can remember
On that disheartening note, longtime Bulls broadcaster John “Red” Kerr is ailing with prostate cancer. After working the microphone for the first seven or eight games this season, the 33-year veteran and expansion team’s original coach (of the year, 1966-67, gaining entry to the playoffs) was forced to stay close to home.
A ceremony honoring Kerr’s service to the franchise has been moved up from April to the second week of February. A statue in his likeness, sculpted by the same artist who carved Michael Jordan’s image, will be placed outside the United Center in the same vicinity as His Airness.
Conspicuously absent from the Hall of Fame as a contributor, Kerr was a better-than-average center (13.8 points, 11. 2 rebounds) for 12 seasons with Syracuse, Philadelphia and Baltimore. His biggest achievement in my eyes, though, was recognizing the greatness of Julius Erving and George Gervin as GM of the ABA Virginia Squires long before anyone else.
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Should Olympiacos luck out and fail to work out an arrangement with the Knicks to sign Stephon Marbury (Barack Obama’s first mistake as president was not to shut him down before Guantanamo) as a replacement for injured Josh Childress, its options are Jamaal Tinsley, Jason Williams and Steve Francis.
Feeling the need for a small forward better than Bobby Simmons and the urge to break up their backcourt so Vince Carter and Devin Harris stop competing against each other for points, the Nets actively pursued Larry Hughes as reports claimed; Carter would’ve moved to the frontcourt. However, the key to signing off on such a deal – unmentioned in everything I read – was Jersey’s insistence either Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah be included.
From what I’m told, Kirk Hinrich is not available, as numerous outlets continually speculate. The Bulls are a better team now that he’s back in the mix, a forward observer underlines.
“He is the closest thing to a leader we have. His tough play along with Andres Nocioni brings out the best in the others who are certifiably soft.”
This just in: Governor Paterson has decided to select a Kennedy for the Senate – Goo Kennedy.