Lakers reportedly went at each other in team meeting
Hollywood
The soap opera that is the 2012-13 Los Angeles Lakers apparently took another juicy turn Wednesday as players “went at each other a little bit” during a team meeting in Memphis, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
According to a person who witnessed the meeting, things got a little heated when Kobe Bryant asked Dwight Howard if the big man liked playing with the Lakers star.
Here’s how things played out, according to the report:
Coach Mike D’Antoni started it by saying he was tired of reading newspaper stories about players questioning his offense or wanting more touches. Bryant and Howard each fell under that category after the Lakers’ lifeless 95-83 loss Monday in Chicago: Bryant said the offense needed to slow down while Howard expressed displeasure after taking only five shots.
D’Antoni then told the team to stop worrying about offense and start playing better defense. The Lakers are fifth in scoring (102.6 points a game) but 26th in defense (101.4 points a game).He then asked players to speak up. Steve Nash went first.
Nash, in his first season with the Lakers, said he didn’t care how they played, whether it was via pick-and-roll or fastbreak or whatever. He just wanted everybody to be comfortable in the system. It was seen as a sacrifice by Nash, who played four seasons under D’Antoni’s run-and-gun offense in Phoenix and won two NBA MVP awards while doing it.Bryant also spoke up, acknowledging he could be “hard to play with” and asking Howard if that bothered him.
Howard’s answer was unclear, though he did not engage Bryant in nearly as vocal a manner as Bryant engaged him.”He didn’t go back at Kobe,” said the person who witnessed the meeting.
The meeting apparently didn’t help the Lakers on the court as they fell to the Grizzlies on Wednesday night for their fourth straight loss.
Chris Paul, Steve Nash, & Magic Johnson in new NBA promo
Check out “The Disappearing Act”, one of two new NBA BIG commercials directed by Spike Lee, featuring Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, and Chris Paul. CP3 bursts on and off the court in a puff of smoke, so fast that at one point he leaves the court and appears at a table in a diner with other point guard greats, Magic and Nash.
Steve Nash Reacts To Grant Hill Clippers Signing
Who Farted
New Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash posted a photo on Twitter of his reaction to finding out former teammate Grant Hill had chosen to play in Los Angeles, just not with the Lakers but the Clippers.
Steve Nash Gets Handed A Beer On Freeway By Laker Fans
Newly signed Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash is finding it rewarding to be a Laker and his start as one is off to a glorious start. A group of Laker fans traveling on the LA Express way were so excited to see Nash they handed him a Keystone Light, yes a Keystone Light.
Steve Nash Channels Inner Batman
Steve Nash has always been somewhat of a comedian behind/front of the camera. Nash’s new workout video, he channels his inner Batman in preparation for his new venture as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Why does Nash have that enlarged size photo of his head in his house?
Dirk Nowitzki Says Kevin Durant Way Ahead Of His Curve
- I Like That There Are Sponsors For This
After leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a Game 1 win over the Miami Heat Kevin Durant reminded some of Dirk Nowtizki. They’re both sharp-shooting forwards in the 7-foot territory, and Nowitzki was dominant in the Dallas Mavericks’ six-game win against the Heat in last year’s NBA Finals.
Nowitzki, however, scoffs at the comparison.
“KD is way ahead of my curve,” Nowitzki said.
“He’s arguably the best player in the league right now,” added Nowitzki, who said he’s been watching the NBA playoffs intently since Dallas was swept by Oklahoma City in the first round. “I see a guy that really has no holes.”
Dirk said more specifically of the differences in his and Durant’s games, “He’s way more of a 3-man than I ever was. He handles the ball way better on the break than I ever did. He’s got deeper range. And he’s doing all this at 23. He’s won the scoring title three times in a row, so that he means he won the first one at 21. I barely got through my rookie year. When I was 21, Gary Trent was still killing me in practice. …
“For me, at the beginning of my career, I was basically a third or fourth option. We had (Michael Finley). We had Steve (Nash). We had Nick Van Exel that one year (in 2003). Then we got rid of everybody and it was kind of my team, so I had to grow into the (closer) role. I never had to take big shots when I was 20 or 23. Once everybody left, it took me awhile to get used to being in that position. But now I like being in that position. I like to be in that situation. Everybody is looking at you to get it done at the end. And it’s a great feeling when you do.”
Steve Nash Wouldn’t Mind Playing For Miami Heat
Blood In Blood Out
Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash made it clear he’s sick of losing and hungry for a championship. The two-time NBA MVP, a free-agent this summer, told The Dan Patrick Show on Thursday he’s “not coming back to the Suns if there isn’t improvement.”
While many NBA superstars have requested trades and left teams to join other stars, Nash has been loyal to the Suns organization. But that doesn’t mean the 38-year old won’t entertain other options, particularly with teams capable of winning an NBA title.
When asked about joining the Miami Heat if LeBron James reached out to him, Nash provided a surprising answer.
“I would listen,” he said. “(James) is phenomenal. I love what they’re doing there. A lot of people don’t like them because they put all that talent there. But they’re professional, they play hard, they play together. Their coaching staff has done a great job, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them.”
The Suns are 25-26 this season. Nash is averaging 12 points and 11 assists a game while shooting 62.7% from the field. Miami is not projected to have much salary cap space next season, so if Nash was to take his talents to South Beach he would have to take a significant pay cut.
Shaquille O’Neal Says Steve Nash Not Deserving Of Two MVPs
Shaqeeta Don't Play
Shaquille O’Neal sat down for an interview with Vibe and had a lot to say. Among his targets this time was Phoenix Suns MVP guard Steve Nash as well as Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.
But he’s even critical of himself this time, giving a low grade to his performance as an analyst on TNT’s NBA studio show. He also admited that his move from Orlando to L.A. in 1996 was partially motivated by his aspirations in the entertainment industry.
There’s a long-simmering feud between Shaq and Dwight Howard, which Shaq apparently has no interest in letting go of. He tells Vibe,
“If I played now, I’d be averaging 45 and 19. People always try to compare Dwight Howard to me. There is no comparison?”
Shaq is also miffed that he was named NBA MVP just once, while Nash earned the distinction twice.
“Steve Nash is my boy, but I don’t see how the fuck he got it twice,” Shaw says. “I was taught never to complain because you can’t beat the system. People know who the real dominant guy was.”
Shaq, meanwhile, was asked if the entertainment industry in L.A. factored into his decision to play for the Lakers.
“I went to L.A. for Jerry West and, of course, the opportunities. I was doing music, movies, producing movies,” he tells Vibe. “Best decision I made in my life. …”
“It was a young, medium-level juvenile delinquent fulfilling his dreams. I really never wanted to do an album. ‘Man, I’m not that good’ but Jive gave me $5 million. I couldn’t turn that down. First movie I got was ‘Blue Chips’, $3 million. ‘Kazaam’, $6 million. I’m never turning that stuff down. Ever. When I went into the studio with my favorite rappers, I got their respect. That was enough for me.”
Asked to evaluate his performance on TNT, Shaq said, “I’m at a low ‘C.’ I’m learning and will only get better. I just want to keep people entertained. I don’t want to be talking with the big vocabulary and all that bullshit. I’m short and to the point. I’m very educated and can give you somewhat of a vocabulary, but I don’t get to the philosophical side.”
Sacramento Kings & NBA Close To Arena Financing Deal
Limbo
NBA commissioner David Stern and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson announced a joint work plan Wednesday for the two sides to reach an agreement to finance a new arena by the March 1 deadline. Johnson, Stern and the Maloof family, which owns the Sacramento Kings, will meet during this weekend’s All-Star festivities in Orlando, Fla.
If the final details are resolved in time, a term sheet will be announced March 1 and the Sacramento City Council will vote on the plan at its March 6 meeting, possibly avoiding the relocation talk that surrounded the team last spring when it almost moved to Anaheim.
“I feel very confident that we as a city are going to be able to do our part,” Johnson said at a late afternoon news conference at City Hall with six council members standing behind him. “The city controls its own destiny.”
The major sticking point in negotiations remains how much the Kings will contribute. Under the proposed agreement, the city of Sacramento will raise about $190 million to $230 million by leasing out parking garages to private investors, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Another $75 million to $100 million is expected from the Kings and $40 million to $60 million from arena operator AEG.
The remaining gap will be covered by some combination of a ticket surcharge, advertising around the arena, allocating a portion of the city’s existing transient occupancy tax or a sale of three or four parcels of city land.
The final price tag for AEG depends largely on the team’s contribution. The Kings portion would include upfront cash and donating back the land around the franchise’s current suburban Sacramento arena, estimated at about $25 million. AEG’s contribution will be impacted by the splits with the team in arena-related revenue.
Johnson and Stern still have some disagreement on how much, if any, of AEG’s portion is included in the Kings’ contribution. Major points for the city also include making sure rates don’t soar if the garages and street parking are sold to private investors, and getting Sacramento County’s agreement to use a parking garage near the arena site.
The two sides are making progress and hope to bridge the gap to finance the estimated $406 million arena, which would open for the 2015-16 season in the downtown Sacramento rail yards. The Kings nearly moved south to Anaheim last year, twice extending the relocation deadline and struggling to gain approval from league owners.
Johnson made a desperate pitch to the NBA Board of Governors last April to give the city a final chance to come up with an arena plan. He also bought time by presenting more than $10 million in commitments for new advertising, ticket purchases and other financial support from regional businesses for this season.
Despite attempts by Anaheim and Seattle to swoop in and lure the Kings, Stern said the league is making every attempt to keep the franchise in California’s capital.
“We appreciate the work of the City of Sacramento and (our) discussions have been constructive,” Stern said in a statement. “Our hope is that current momentum continues in a way that we’re able to reach a deal by March 1 that makes sense for all parties.”
Johnson described the discussions as having “great momentum,” but disagreed with Stern on a key point: the portion of the arena cost that should be counted as coming from the Maloofs.
Stern said in a TNT interview Tuesday that contributions from arena operator AEG should be included as part of the Maloofs’ share, but Johnson was adamant that the city hired AEG and the Maloofs’ contribution should be considered separately.
“This is where a feisty point guard and the commissioner get into a little bit of a spirited discussion,” said Johnson, a former All-Star with the Phoenix Suns. He said he last talked to Stern after the city council meeting Tuesday night.
Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof haven’t been involved in negotiations. The league is bargaining with Sacramento officials on the franchise’s behalf and will present the final proposal to the team.
The NBA could force the Maloofs into bringing in investment partners or even sell the team if the owners walk away from a plan that has the league’s approval.
Southern California billionaire Ron Burkle remains interested in buying the Kings. And Christopher Hansen, a hedge-fund manager based in San Francisco and a Seattle native, is also making proposals to bring an NBA team to Seattle.
The Maloofs insist they’re not selling the team. A Kings spokesman said the team is refraining from comment until the NBA and the city complete a proposed plan.
At the very least, the latest development shows progress. A year ago, Sacramento “needed to sink a full court shot” to keep the Kings from relocating to Anaheim, Johnson said.
“Now I think we’re on the free throw line,” he said. “Shaquille O’Neal is not shooting the free throws for us. We could go with Steve Nash.”
Steve Nash Makes Pitch For Winter X Games
Phoenix Suns all-star guard & MVP is a comic genius, yet this video is kind of a miss, wants to make his pitch for his inclusion into the Winter X Games. Nash and his sponsor vitaminwater think they have the right move to get it done. Introducing the “Corn Chopper.”
Teammate Jared Dudley has become a great co-star in Nash’s videos and he doesn’t disappoint here.
NBA Players Withdraw California Lawsuit
Grandstanding
NBA players have withdrawn one of the two antitrust lawsuits they filed last week against the league, with the NBA office charging that the group, led by lawyer David Boies, was, “forum shopping,” or looking for a jurisdiction that had a history of ruling favorably on labor issues.
The suit included Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant as plaintiffs, and will be consolidated with the other suit, filed in Minnesota, Boies said. Additional plaintiffs Steve Nash, Baron Davis, Rajon Rondo, Sebastian Telfair and Anthony Randolph have been added to the suit. The judge in the case ruled that the case would not be heard until next March, which would be well after the entire NBA season could be canceled. “This should permit us to expedite the case,” Boies told reporters.
The league saw it differently. “We assume that Mr. Boies was not happy with either the reassignment of the case from Oakland to San Francisco or the fact that the new judge scheduled the first conference for March 2012,” said Rick Buchanan, NBA general counsel, in a statement released by the league. “This is consistent with Mr. Boies’ inappropriate shopping for a forum that he can only hope will be friendlier to his baseless legal claims.”
The goal of the lawsuits is to force the NBA owners to end the lockout, which has been ongoing since July 1 or at least to get a judge to order the two sides back to the negotiating table. The sides last discussed a new collective bargaining agreement nearly two weeks ago and at present, there are no further plans to meet.
NBA World All-Star Classic Set
They Playing Basketball
ESPN is reporting that the NBA World All-Star Classic, staring eighteen top-tier players, including Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant, will begin a world tour Sunday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. News of the tour broke last week, but contractual and logistical issues had to be worked out, and a formal announcement is expected imminently.
The tour, branded the World All-Star Classic, will also hit O2 Arena in London on Nov. 1 and 3, the Cotai Arena at the Venetian Hotel in Macau on Nov. 6, and Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 8 and 9. Organizers are considering adding a fifth city and are doing some last-minute tinkering with the other stops and dates.
The official announcement is expected today and other stars could include, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Carlos Boozer, Tyson Chandler, Steve Nash, Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo and Chris Kaman.
Players will be paid from six figures to $1 million, and some proceeds will go to charity, according to reports. Atlanta businessman Calvin Darden is the tour’s main organizer.
Hope Solo vs Steve Nash In FIFA Soccer 12
Soccer star Hope Solo and the NBA’s Steve Nash play FIFA Soccer 12 for bragging rights. Nash, who considers himself a combination of a gorilla and a leopard is a pretty good trash-talker.
The game will be released on Sept. 27.
Are You Nash Enough?
If you can prove you are man enough to be Steve Nash you could get a chance to appear in a new Vitaminwater promotion with him.
Justin Bieber Crosses Over Steve Nash
Phoenix Suns guard and two time MVP Steve Nash got crossed up and beaten baseline by teen pop idol Justin Bieber. Nash preoccupied with someone setting a pick to his left and never being big defense is one thing but he still got froze by the Biebs.
Dirk Nowitzki Now Most Marketable NBA Player
I Like That There Are Sponsors For This
After leading the Dallas Mavericks to the franchise’s first title Dirk Nowitzki has become the NBA’s most marketable player, according to a Nielsen/E-Poll. Miami Heat LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both fell out of the top 10 after the defeat to Nowitzki and the Mavericks.
The N-Score measures name and image awareness, appeal and personality attributes such as sincerity, approachability, experience and influence. Nowitzki topped the survey with an N-Score of 132. Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant was second with a score of 83. James score fell from 131 to 26 and Wade’s dropped from 117 to 34.
Here’s the Top 10 Most Marketable NBA Players
1. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks, 132
2. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, 83
3. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns, 68
4. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics, 65
5. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs, 51
6. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks, 47
7. Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns, 41
8. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls, 41
9. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers, 40
10. Vince Carter, Phoenix Suns, 38
Steve Nash Steals Parking Spot From Old Lady
Steve Nash takes his parking very seriously and no grandma on earth driving a Toyota Prius can stop him.
Phoenix Suns Steve Nash Believes NBA Players Would Accept Gay Teammate
Blood In Blood Out
Phoenix Suns superstar Steve Nash told The New York Times that a gay player in the NBA would be not be that big of a deal.
“If a player in the locker room came out, it would come and go quickly, too. I really don’t think it’s a big issue anymore. I think it would be surprisingly accepted, and a shorter shelf life than maybe we would imagine. I think the time has come when it should happen soon. I think it will be something that won’t take on this life of its own. It won’t be the O. J. trial.”
Earlier this month, Nash filmed a video in support of same-sex marriage that was produced by the Human Rights campaign.
Phoenix Suns President Reveals He’s Gay
Ground Breaking
The New York Times is reporting that Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts that he wants to break down one of the last significant social barriers in sports and reveled that he is gay. Welts declaration is the latest development on a subject has gained attention in the sports world recently, after Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant’s use of a gay slur on the basketball court and NHL player Sean Avery’s public support of same-sex marriage.
Welts talked to NBA commissioner David Stern, WNBA president Val Ackerman, Hall of Famer Bill Russell and Suns guard Steve Nash before discussing his sexual orientation with a reporter from the Times, the newspaper said. All of them offered Welts their support.
“This is one of the last industries where the subject is off limits,” the longtime executive told the paper. “Nobody’s comfortable in engaging in a conversation.”
The 58-year-old Welts, who began his career as a ball boy for the Seattle SuperSonics, spent several years with Stern in the league office. He was the architect of the All-Star weekend and helped raise the NBA’s profile before leaving for the Suns front office.
The Steve Nash Documentary Trailer
Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash, who directed a documentary last year for ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, is going to be the subject of a film. Here is a sneak peak at “Nash” with an intro by actor Owen Wilson.
Just made my must see list.
Phoenix Suns Steve Nash Sells Some Toyota’s
In typical Steve Nash fashion the Phoenix Suns guard can’t just sell you some Toyota’s without some kind of twist at the end. The guy is hilarious, want further proof revisit this video he did with Landon Donovan HERE.
Nicki Minaj Gives Phoenix Suns Steve Nash Lap Dance
On April 15, we posted the video of rapper Nicki Minaj giving New Orleans Hornets Chris Paul a lap dance on stage of the latest tour stop of the I AM Music tour. Well she’s back at it again and this time when the tour made a stop in Phoenix it was Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash who became the lucky man. Starting to wonder if she has a thing for point guards?
Still jealous.
Phoenix Suns Steve Nash Steve Nash Wears Wrong Shorts To Start
Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash likes to dress casually and acts the same way on the court but accidentally dressed in the wrong pair just before the start of their game last night in Chicago against the Bulls. Then he went out and dished out 16 assists.
Did Steve Nash Divorce His Wife Because She Slept With A Teammate?
Can't Teammates Leave Teammates Wives Alone
Here in San Antonio we are all to familiar with the tales of one Spur hooking up with anothers wife but it appears those stories are more common than we think. If you remember Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash filled for divorce with his wife the day after their baby was born which caused people to talk of the timing of it all. Serval websites are running with the posts that it appears his now ex-wife Alejandra Amaralla gave him good reason when the birth of their baby was of African-American descent.
The identity of the father is alleged to be one of Nash’s former teammates that was part of a huge trade that went down this season. The former teammate is alleged to be Jason Richardson, who was traded to the Orlando Magic and who also acquired Gilbert Arenas from the Washington Wizards later that day. Arenas was said to have gone through a similar situation a few years back when he found out NBA ambassador Shaquille O’Neal was seeing his woman when the Big Diesel was a teammate of Nash.
Oh how things come full circle.
