A+ for Mitch Kupchak

My Lakers have greatly surprised me by managing to pull off two coups which instantly put them back into championship contention. First, nobody, myself included, could not see Steve Nash coming to LA, especially given our cap restrictions. However, Mitch Kupchak, the same GM who landed Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown, did it again and gave up 4 draft picks, which will most likely be late picks anyway, and pulled off the improbable by landing Nash. Not only do the Lakers upgrade from Ramon Sessions, they also add  a legit 3 point shooter, something they lacked the past two seasons. In addition, the laker bench was abysmal the past two seasons as well. What does Mitch do? Goes out and signs Antawn Jamison for a one year, veterans minimum deal. While Jamison is 36 years old, he is still a reliable scorer, which is something the lakers need off the bench. He averaged 17.2 points a game last year for Cleveland as a primary option. It is a seemless transition for Jamison, who came off the bench in his one season in Dallas. Playing with Kobe, Nash, Bynum, and Gasol, he won't have to be a primary threat, but he can come off the bench and just play his game. He should be able to provide an instant boost off the bench in terms of scoring and leadership. It is not a stretch to see him average about 11 points, 6 rebounds a game, while providing another potential shooter who can stretch the floor. We still need a back up shooting guard and its reported that the lakers are in talks with Jodie Meeks, another 3 point threat who will further bolster the bench and give Kobe a much needed rest. Whether or not, Dwight Howard ends up in LA is anyone's guess but while that saga has been going on, Mitch Kupchak has silently improved the Laker roster and has instantly put them back into the championship conversation for very little cost.

Done with professional sports...

Ok, I've had it up to here with the NBA and NFL.....If grown men who get paid millions of dollars for playing a sport can not compromise like real men with greedy owners who don't want to shell out extra $, then I'm done with professional sports or as I'm going to call it, faux sports. It is not as authentic as college sports because players in college play for the love of the game and not another paycheck. Not to mention, nothing can replace the thrill of college football and basketball rivalries and marching bands.....So, this was the last straw, I'm done watching professional sports and can not wait for college football to return....

The Mavs did it and I couldn't be happier...

The Dallas Mavericks closed out Lebron James and the Miami Heat today in game 6 of the 2011 NBA finals, 105-95. What really makes me happy about this is that not only does Lebron not win the championship, but true class acts like Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd finally won the rings that they deserved. Not to mention, the contributions of Jason Terry, JJ Barea, Tyson Chandler, Brian Cardinal, and Shawn Marion demonstrate a true team effort, as opposed to Miami relying on three all stars and the occasional help from Miller and Chalmers....Dallas is the epitome of what the NBA should be all about, trusting your teammates and that winning an NBA championship requires a total team effort. Once again, Congratulations Dallas, you guys earned it. Miami, boo hoo, you guys will have a lot more years to win one (unfortunately) than Dallas does so you guys can wait til next year (although if it was up to me, they would never win one). This is Alex, signing out...

One Step Closer....

The Dallas Mavericks are one step closer to the franchise's first ever NBA championship. Their lights out shooting that they are known for had finally returned in game 5 and now they stand within one win of a championship. The problem? Games 6 and 7 are in Miami. However, Dallas has proven to be a very good road team this postseason...If Dallas plays as they did in game 5, they should find themselves wrapping it up in 6...However, their road to the title only gets tougher as they will face a desperate Miami Heat team trying to save their season. Here's hoping that Dallas wraps it up in 6....Til next time, this has been your sports fanatic Alex, signing off.

Stacey King is the best commentator in professional Sports

If you are following Chicago Bulls basketball on local Chicago television, then you are familiar with the following phrases: "I wanna go higher!", "Give me the hot sauce!" or "Did you not get the memo?". Well these are all done by the great Stacey King, who to me is the most entertaining commentator in all of professional sports. Whether its him questioning why Goran Dragic tried to block a Derrick Rose dunk and as a result got posterized, or demanding Hot sauce when Kyle Korver drains a 3 or clowning Dwayne Wade for getting destroyed by Taj Gibson, he certainly adds a great deal to Bulls basketball and my only regret is I'm not in Chicago where I can follow his broadcasts more often....That's why there is the magic of youtube :P. This is your sports fanatic, Alex, signing off...

Monta Ellis on the block....

Apparently, Golden State has put Monta Ellis on the trade block...Golden State has been talking to a few teams apparently, including Philadelphia (possibly for Andre Iguodala), the Lakers, Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis and Orlando....I am interested to see how this plays out...I think he could be a good fit for LA seeing their lack of a solid point guard....However, there is the issue of playing with Kobe Bryant...Atlanta could possibly deal someone like Josh Smith and end up with a solid backcourt tandem of Teague and Ellis...Orlando might part with someone like Turkoglu or Jameer Nelson (Keep in mind, I do not know the players contracts and how they fit the CBA trade regulations). Chicago might have to part with someone like Joachim Noah or Luol Deng. Pairing Ellis with Rose would potentially form a very potent backcourt. I'm interested in seeing how this plays out....

Blazers possibly trading up for Kemba Walker?

One rumor I have been hearing is that Portland may look to package Andre Miller and their number #21 pick to try to land Kemba Walker. I think that would be a solid move, however I don't believe it is likely to happen. In any case, I believe Portland is in a solid position because at #21, someone like Darius Morris, Marshon Brooks, or Shelvin Mack could fall into their lap and either of those players would be a solid pick up.