Even Kobe Bryant himself, was caught laughing at the “Stay Schemin’” lyric!

CAPTION THIS: NBA Players Pose With 102-Year-Old Grandfather

Kobe Bryant Gets A New Mansion [PHOTO]

Source: MediaOutrage & NecoleBitchie.com

Kobe Bryant’s new home is located in California’s Orange County, and has reportedly been under construction for two years after being built from scratch.

See more photos of Kobe Bryant’s new house at TMZ.

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Vanessa Bryant cashed in on Kobe Bryant‘s fortune, allegedly raking in $75 million after their divorce settlement. Not only did she receive (almost) half his wealth, she snagged all three of their residences, including: the home where her mother lives, the estate she and Kobe shared and the lavish property currently under construction.

We hate to say it (actually, we don’t) but that is just too much! With three houses, she worth more than him now!

Click here, for the full article.

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Check out Yeezy the pitchman in the video below!

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Bryant came into the Sunday game needing just four points to reach 28,000,  but he didn’t get it until he hit a free throw with 10:43 left in the third quarter.

The Lakers fell to the Nuggets 99 to 90 bringing their record on the season to 3 wins and 3 losses.

READ MORE AT ESPN.COM

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Even with rumors of infidelity and an impending ( not to mention costly) divorce on his plate, Kobe Bryant hasn’t slowed down in the groupie department.  In an interview with Madame Noire, “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Sheree Whitfield admits that she’s been crushing on Bryant ever since he joined the league, admiring his athletic prowess and personal style.  What was Kobe’s  most irresistible quality? Sheree replied “When he would get on T.V. and say ‘Ladies, I’m married, so respect this.”

Riiiiight… and we all know how well that turned out.

Watch interview in entirety HERE

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Kobe Bryant

Crying won’t save you this time, Kobe! Even after catching a “rape case,” which  was just proof to the world of how much of a cheater you are, your wife Vanessa stayed by your side. She didn’t even write a “tell-all” book exposing your lies which would have only benefit her! And let’s face it, you weren’t going to divorce her if she had, because she’s entitled to half your worth. After 10 years of your relationship negligence, Vanessa smartened up, opened the market up!

Vanessa Bryant Files For Divorce From Kobe

4 lumps of coal for you!

**Editors Note** amazing basketball player none-the-less!

Casey Anthony

I don’t want to pull the “If Casey Anthony were black” card, but I must! If Casey Anthony were black, she’d be rotting in a prison cell with 23-hour lock down. The 22 year-old mom claims her two year-old daughter, Cayless Anthony, accidentally drowned in a pool and because of her tumultuous upbringing she didn’t tell authorities about her baby girl’s death. This was after she lied about a fictitious nanny kidnapping little Caylee.

Witnesses even confessed that Casey’s car smelled like a dead body. To much dismay, Casey was acquitted of first degree murder and charged with four misdemeanor counts of providing false information to a law enforcement officer.

100 lumps of coal for you… F that, give her the whole coal mine (minus the diamonds)

Herman Cain

Damn son! You were on your way to possibly becoming the second black President of these United States of America! Then, the four Becky’s you “got your perv on with” came out the closet. I’m not sure if the nation was ready for an inter-racial couple anyway, oh wait…your married to a black woman!

White Women Rally For Herman Cain On Creepy Website

5 lumps of coal for you!

Kimbella

As noble as Kimbella claims her attempts were, in divulging private information that would crush Emily B’s existence, she still makes the “Naughty List” simply because “we don’t believe you, you need more people!” Frankly, if Kimbella wanted to be a woman and tell Emily about her past romp with Fabolous, she should have pulled her to the side, during a less joyous time and exposed herself as a groupie then. Doing it during a celebration in a room of females that haven’t known you longer than 20 minutes seems quite malicious.

2 lumps of coal for you!

The 12 Days Of Ratchetness: Kimbella Gets Her A$$ Beat!

Kim Kardashian

(You know you made the list!) Kim Kardashian is stunning, so much so, that she can reel in probably any man she pleases. She’s so beautiful that Kris Humphries fell for her charm and married her (I refuse to believe they actually had sex, so I’m not going to say it was the intimate nights they privately shared). Kim, from there, after silently convincing Kris Dumbhries to say “I Do,” divorced him then claimed she didn’t make a dime off her highly publicized (over the top) wedding.

How long were they married? 72 days…

Yeah, 72 lumps of coal for you!

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The Daily News reported:

“According to our source, Lathan, 40, who’s the voice of Donna Tubbs on “The Cleveland Show,” came to the concert with a girlfriend, and Bryant, 33, who was with teammate Matt BarnesKim Kardashian , Beyoncé and Jake Gyllenhaal were among the other celebs in attendance. and a bodyguard, were initially seated on adjacent couches in the club-like friends-and-family VIP area behind center stage.

Eventually, Lathan and Bryant ended up standing next to each other, and that’s when our source said the actress, who was drinking champagne, became progressively more flirtatious with the NBA star, who stuck to soft drinks, presumably because he’s in training. Lathan, attired in a sexy white-chiffon dress over what appeared to be a black bra, was “whispering in his ear” and at one point stroked the ballplayer’s face. “It seemed like a pretty intimate gesture,” says the source.

At one point she left her seat and when she came back, she made sure she was standing next to Kobe again,” says the source She also danced to Jay-Z and West’s performance in front of Bryant.

“She was throwing her head everywhere. Her hair was like slapping him in the face,” laughs the source, who adds that at one point, one of the straps of Lathan’s dressed slipped enticingly off her shoulder. When West performed “All of the Lights,” Bryant and Lathan danced together.”

Sanaa responded on Twitter saying:

Can a girl have some fun at a jayz/kanye concert w/out being linked 2 a breakup? I AM NOT, NEVER HAVE BEEN, INVOVLED W/KOBE IN ANY WAY.

Anybody who pays attention knows I’m not his type… Blank stare. #blackgirlsrock #dontbelievethelies

How Kobe’s Wife Found Out About His Alleged Cheating

Vanessa Bryant Files For Divorce From Kobe

The teammates supposedly knew about some of his bad behavior, told their women, who went back to Vanessa with the details. Bossip.

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On one hand, Kobe’s basketball career may not be the same since he has the distraction of an endless amount of groupies coming at him. On the other hand, Kobe may continue to be one of the NBA’s best, now that he has his freedom.

Do you think Kobe Bryant’s divorce will help or hurt his basketball game? Enter your vote in our poll below!

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The 28-year-old California native has appeared in lad mags like Stuff, Maxim and Show. She was also the February 2009 Playboy Playmate of the month. Let the sex tape rumor watch begin. See more pics at Fullcourtpumps.com.

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Citing irreconcilable differences Bryant filed paperwork in Los Angeles. A source told TMZ that Kobe was allegedly unfaithful to Vanessa and she’d had enough.  We can’t imagine what could be worse than the sexual assault charges he made her live through in 2003, but maybe looking at that $4 Million apology ring everyday  got to be too much.

SEE THE COURT DOCUMENTS AT TMZ.com

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Lamar has been silent since all of the trade rumors about him have begun circulating heavily. Take a look at Kobe’s comments about his friend and teammate Lamar leaving the Lakers in the video below.

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72 Hours in Los Angeles

While nothing can be as funny as Shaq rapping, “Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes,” Shaq has thrown many  shots Kobe’s way over the years. Vibe.com compiled 10 of the most offensive for your weekend barbershop debates.

Shaq vs. Kobe 4

The Year: 2000

The Jab: During a private team meeting, Shaq reportedly got up and said, “I have something to say. I think Kobe is playing too selfishly for us to win.” He also talked to management frequently during the 1999-2000 season, telling them that he didn’t think the Lakers could win an NBA title with Kobe on the team.

Our Reaction: At this point, it’s amazing that Lakers management didn’t trade either Shaq or Kobe. If all of the media reports about their hatred of one another is true, how did these guys manage to win their first title together in 2000?

READ THE FULL LIST OF 10 AT VIBE.COM

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So I’m on edge because I don’t have a new deal, and Kobe is on edge because he might be going to jail, so we’re taking it out on each other. Just before the start of the ’03-’04 season the coaching staff called us in and said, “No more public sparring or you’ll get fined.” … Phil was tired of it. Karl Malone and Gary Payton were sick of it. … So what happens? Immediately after that Kobe runs right out to Jim Gray and does this interview where he lets me have it. He said I was fat and out of shape. He said I was milking my toe injury for more time off, and the injury wasn’t even that serious. (Yeah, right. It only ended my damn career.) He said I was “lobbying for a contract extension when we have two Hall of Famers playing pretty much for free.” I’m sitting there watching this interview and I’m gonna explode. Hours earlier we had just promised our coach we’d stop. It was a truce broken. I let the guys know, “I’m going to kill him.”

Read more excerpts at Deadspin.com.

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Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Paul Pierce are among the players rumored to begin globe trotting for the fans if more NBA games are canceled. According to ESPN the tour is scheduled to begin Oct. 30 and end Nov. 9 and will make stops in Puerto Rico, London, Macau, and Australia. Two games each will be played at sites in London and Australia.

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Several players have already been playing in exhibition games and summer leagues to stay in shape  and keep the fans from rioting. Negotiations are currently at a stalemate and Commissioner David Stern is threatening to cancel games through Christmas if an agreement is not reached soon.

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Kobe Bryant’s knee looks like it’s in game-time shape. The Los Angeles Lakers All-Star rained in 43 points during  South Los Angeles’ famed Drew League. Bryant underwent an offseason platelet-rich plasma therapy procedure on his troublesome right knee. If there is an NBA season he’ll be on a revenge mission after getting bounced out of the playoffs by the reigning champs, The Dallas Mavericks.

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Be Sure to check out TUD’s #BlackMusicMonth

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Kobe said it and set the sports world ablaze. It also cost him $100,000. Isaiah Washington said it. He lost his job and has all but vanished from Hollywood. It’s been made more than clear that homophobia and the word faggot is a terrible and disgusting word that refuses to be tolerated except for in one place –the music world. Particularly in rap music.

You don’t have to search far or hard to find homophobic rap lyrics, the use of the word fag, faggot, or the legendary “no homo”. But the reason I decided to voice my opinion on this matter is because recently the music world has fallen in love with a 19 year rapper by the name of Tyler The Creator of Odd Future and I for one can’t climb on board this train. Why? I’ve listened to Tyler’s work and there is no doubt he’s a very talented kid but to see people whom I respect or who’s opinion I consider valuable shower such high praises on him with such hateful and irresponsible lyrics like “Come take a stab at it faggot, I pre-ordered your casket” or “You silly rabbit faggot, tricks are for kids so we go abracadabra” starts to make me question the validity of their intellectual understanding. Why is this acceptable?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of rap music and will be the first to tell you I’m guilty or reciting misogynistic and nasty rap lyrics from Eminem down to Lil Wayne. However, since majority of rap lyrics are compiled with female conquests, newly acquired wealth and rags to riches stories of ghetto survival, you or I probably wont have much luck changing that. But for rappers who are held up and regarded as role models to the youth in many communities, there comes a certain level of responsibility with the way they use their instrument especially when it comes down to word choice. I mean even Nicki Minaj, who’s fan base is comprised mostly of women and gay men casually uses the lyric “N*gga you softer than a homosexual”. How do you deliver a direct insult to the very people who pay your bills and made you famous and that’s ok?

Why is it that Shonda Rhimes(creator of Grey’s Anatomy and ‘giver of the ax’ to Isiah Washington), the media and NBA Commissioner David Stern can immediately recognize the error of Kobe Bryant’s ways, recognizing how far and wide the tentacles of destruction reach from the word faggot, yet label heads and record executives aren’t inclined to do the same with their artists? For those who argue its artistic censorship, why is it not for Kobe or Isiah? They’re both entertainers as well — one theatric and the other athletic.

I would most likely attribute it to the fact that no one is brave enough to go against the machine and the fact that not enough rap fans will never complain or stop listening. Couple that with the fact that it’s no secret that statistically, the black community is anti-gay so why would they care about homophobic lyrics(granted majority of rap is consumed by white people)? Just look at the way Grant Hill was attacked by black people on Twitter when his “Don’t Say Gay” PSA aired during the playoffs. But everyone black, white, blue, or green has a responsibility in this matter.

CONTINUED AT TRAVON FREE’s BLOG [CLICK HERE]

Travon Free is a comedian, actor, and writer who has been seen on such shows as Chelsea Lately, Tosh.0, Party Down, House, Southland, in various commercials and has opened for comedy mentor and friend Russell Peters on multiple occasions.

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“Ok let me put a end to this right now before it goes any further. I DID NOT SLEEP with @PauGasol woman!!! First and last time addressing it!”

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The two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers bowed out of the 2011 NBA Playoffs and their run at a three peat in stunningly embarrassing fashion: a 122-86 shellacking to the Dallas Mavericks. The beatdown completed a 4-game sweep, the first ever Phil Jackson-coached team to get the broom.

Never mind the fact that the Lakers failed to play any defense beyond the 3-point line, allowing the Mavericks to hit 20 3′s tying a playoff record, LaMar Odom and Andrew Bynum decided to play like bush-leaguers as the game was winding down. Bynum’s foul was most egregious because he made no attempt on the ball and did not plan to, and it was against a player half his size in JJ Barea who was in mid-air and could have been seriously hurt the way he crashed to the court. To add insult to the punk move, Barea still made the shot he was attempting.

Bynum, who spoke out earlier in the series about trust issues amongst his fellow teammates (mainly the lack of help when Bynum leaves the man he is guarding to assist on the pick and roll), made no apologies for the foul afterward. While he was clearly frustrated, anger is never an excuse for trying to intentionally hurt another player. That behavior is not what Phil Jackson’s teams are about and not how the Lakers organization has represented themselves throughout their history. That being said, here are my predictions of what will happen to the Lakers this upcoming offseason.

5) Brian Shaw will be new Lakers head coach

Shaw is a former Lakers player who has played with Kobe Bryant and under Phil Jackson during the first title run at the turn of the century. Shaw has bided his time as an assistant under Phil for six years. Shaw was one of the front runners for the vacant Cleveland Cavaliers position before Byron Scott was hired and, most importantly, he has Kobe’s stamp of approval.

4) Kobe will demand changes going forward

While the Lakers have been blown out in elimination games before, most recently in Game 6 of the 2008 Finals against Boston, but never have players reacted in such a classless way. Kobe was visibly disgusted with Bynum’s foul on Barea and repeatedly said that fouls like that “should never happen” during his post game press conference. No one, save for Phil Jackson, is more hurt and humiliated by how the series played out. When asked about what the team needs to do in the offseason to get better, Bryant coldly said “that’s up to Mitch,”  referring to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak. Let’s not kid ourselves. Similar to when Shaquille O’Neal was sent packing to South Beach, Kupchak and upper management of the Lakers will approach Kobe with any possible changes they will make. Kobe will have final say on everything which is not a good look for a few players to be named later.

3) Phil Jackson will not coach again

As the cameras followed Phil Jackson off of the court after his worst playoff series in 20 years as a coach, even Phil haters had to admit the NBA Finals won’t be the same without seeing Jackson in his booster seat.

Jackson, 65, definitely did not envision getting swept and embarrassed by his players as the way he would end his decorated coaching career. That gives some people reason to believe the Zen master will return to coaching, after taking a year off, to come full circle with the New York Knicks, the team he won a championship with as a player in the 1970′s. I am here to tell you this will not happen. Jackson has happened to inherit ready-made teams in his career (Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on the Chicago Bulls, Kobe and Shaq on the Lakers and finally Kobe and Gasol) and while the Knicks have two superstars in Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamire, Jackson’s star players played lockdown defense. Anthony and Stoudamire are not committed to defense at all and are not being held accountable for it. If Mike D’Antoni decides to stop being stubborn and hire a defensive-minded assistant coach that can whip STAT and Melo into shape on the defensive end, MAYBE Phil takes on the challenge after D’Antoni’s contract is up. Remember the last “New York” kid that said coaching the Knicks was his dream job? Larry Brown lasted one season fighting with Stephon Marbury and bolted.

2) Bynum and/or Gasol will be traded

Bynum had a bounce back season in 2010-11 showing the potential that kept the Lakers from including him in any rumored deal for Carmelo Anthony. He was the best player in the playoffs for L.A., but the other players, for whatever reason, failed to get Bynum the ball on a consistent basis. That frustration boiled over (see aforementioned foul) and may have been the final straw in a good, but injury plagued tenure in Tinseltown. The rumors swirling is that Bynum could be dealt straight up for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

Pau Gasol will be on the move after a 2011 playoffs where he never scored his season average (18.8) in points in a single game and only reached his rebounding average (10) once. Add to that the allegation that a teammate’s wife caused his fiancee to dump him being the reason for his poor play and the “Gasoft” tag gets magnified. If the unnamed teammate happens to wear #24, Gasol will definitely be sent packing. This has shades of LeBron James last year in Cleveland letting personal issues with teammates affect his play. Gasol has to be stronger than that. He was the piece that helped Kobe get back to the top three years ago, but there is no defending quitting on the court.

1) Dwight Howard will be the center for the Lakers in 2011-2012 season

Dwight Howard’s teammates in Orlando left him hanging. Because Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, and Gilbert Arenas, among others, forgot how to shoot , the Magic were bounced in the first round in 5 (!!) games. Howard, who scored 75 points and grabbed 35 rebounds in the first two games of that series, was justifiably upset. The Magic made the Finals in 2009, lost in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2010, and took two steps back in 2011 going out in the first round. Openly speaking about the possibility of playing with Kobe, Howard has fans in Mickey’s backyard nervous. After all they loss one franchise center (Shaq) to L.A. for virtually nothing in 1996, a move which set the franchise back a few years. The aforementioned trade for Bynum would not hurt either team financially and Kobe would be getting the best pivot in the NBA. Howard has no history of injury which immediately makes him a better option than Bynum. Expect bringing Superman to L.A. to be one of those talked about moves (see #4) Lakers brass runs past Kobe.

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L.A. was getting all they could handle through two games with New Orleans and the Celtics needed two last second baskets at home to take a 2-0 series lead against the New York Knicks who, were virtually without Chauncey Billups and Amar’e Stoudamire in Game 2. After the first round both Boston and L.A. have moved on after flipping the proverbial switch (or twisting the ankle in Kobe’s case).

The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder both looked impressive in their series and Atlanta shocked the world by dispatching of Orlando as easily as they did. Up 3-0 on Indiana, the Bulls struggled againsnst the #8 seed. Derrick Rose has been all world in the series, but Chicago will need more production out of everyone else going forward. The Bulls have won the NBA title in every season in which the team won 60 games or more. The 2010-11 Bulls won 62 games. No pressure. As round 2 begins today here are my updated predictions.

Eastern Conference

#1 Chicago Bulls vs #5 Atlanta Hawks

I had Orlando winning this round, but unfortunately Orlando center Dwight Howard was the only player that got off the bus in the series against the Hawks. I was encouraged to see Atlanta adjust their gameplan against Superman, refusing to double team and staying home on the 3-point shooters of the Magic. Jamal Crawford, the leading bench scorer in the playoffs, worked his magic (no pun intended) throwing in dagger 3′s with regularity. Joe Johnson showed the urgency and intensity necessary in the closeout game 5 and Al Horford was a man amongst boys down low. All of that being said, the Bulls are overjoyed that Atlanta took care of Orlando because they have owned the Hawks in the regular season (a blown double-digit lead in ATL notwithstanding). I expect this to continue as Joakim Noah will cancel out Al Horford’s energy. The Hawks will be hurt by the loss of Kirk Hinrich, who pulled his hamstring in Game 5 of the previous series, as he would have been key in containing Derrick Rose defensively. Rose can do his usual damage on offense and get by Atlanta but Carlos Boozer has to come out of the witness protection program and give him some help or Atlanta will make it a tough series.

Prediction: Bulls run wild and win 4-2

#2 Miami Heat vs #3 Boston Celtics

This is the series everyone has been waiting to see. LeBron has already been asked about his alleged quitting against Boston last season and he is saying he takes this series personal (whatever that means). This series is why Pat Riley flashed the rings at LeBron last July. This series is what the Miami Heat team as we know it had been training at military bases for. The Celtics limped into the playoffs as they did last year and looked old in the first two games against the Knicks that had everyone in New York talking upset. Boston showed up to Madison Square Garden and turned back the clock to 2009 becoming the first team to make it to the second round this year in the process. Jermaine O’Neal (not the O’Neal I expected to contribute) must have thought he was back in Indiana the way he held down the middle for Boston on both sides of the ball. They will need him to show up again in this series if Shaquille O’Neal can’t go. These aren’t the Knicks, however. The Heat play defense, and Mario Chalmers will not be on skates and jumping out of the way of Rajon Rondo in the paint (hello, Toney Douglas?). History is on Boston’s side as 8 of the last 9 teams to sweep an opening  round series have gone on to win the conference semifinals. Ray Allen has torched the Heat to a tune of 57% shooting. Wade will need to step up offensively and score more than 12 points a game for the Heat to win. This is the Heat’s Detroit Pistons of 1991, the Piston’s Boston Celtics of 1989 (the Jordan-led Bulls had to overcome Isiah Thomas’ Bad Boys and Thomas had to get by Bird’s Celtics to get to the proverbial “next level”).

Prediction: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have never beat the Boston Celtics in a playoff series. That ends this year. I am sticking with my upset pick. Heat burn Celtics in 7, 4-3.

Western Conference

#2 Los Angeles Lakers vs #3 Dallas Mavericks

The Lakers struggledwith the upstart Hornets without David West. They cannot afford to take a game off in this series. Jason Kidd is not as fast as Chris Paul, but you can’t call him”Ason” anymore. Kidd has hit some clutch 3′s all year and he can still get his teammates the ball in the right places. Although Kobe brought out the ’97 dunk contest hops in game 5 against Emeka Okafor, it is highly unlikely he will repeat that against the likes of Tyson Chandler and Brendan Heywood. The Mavericks are 15-0 this season when Dirk Nowitzki attempts 10 or more freethrows in a game, but with the Lakers bigs inside Dirk may forget to drive to the basket and settle for jumpshots, not necessarily a bad thing if the shots are falling. Andrew Bynum showed last round why the Lakers refused to entertain including him in Carmelo Anthony trade talks as he was the most consistent player for L.A. against New Orleans.

Prediction: the Lakers will get by the Mavericks 4-2.

#4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 Memphis Grizzlies

I’ll admit the Grizzlies know more than I did going into the playoffs. They asked for San Antonio and made sure they got ‘em. In the process they made Tim Duncan look like a shell of himself and kept Richard Jefferson out of the series entirely (did he even play?). They dominated the series so thoroughly that it took two miracle shots by Manu Ginobli and Gary Neal in Game 5 just to force overtime or the series would have ended earlier. Zach Randolph has come a long way from his “jailblazer” (with Portland) and “black hole” (with New York) ways of the past. He has remained a big-game scorer and rebounder, but has passed effectively averaging over 5 assists in the SanAntonio series. While the Grizzlies handled the Thunder in the regular season winning 3 out of 4 games, Kevin Durant is on a mission. I thought he would be derailed by a veteran SanAntonio squad, but Memphis has opened the door for him to have a deep post-season run. The key matchup is Tony Allen against the unstoppable Durant. Allen has become the heart and soul of the team since Rudy Gay went out with his shoulder injury and that playoff experience and toughness gained from his time with Boston will take the Grizzlies far in this series.

Prediction: I will give the Grizzlies a little more credit as they showed me something against SanAntonio. OKC has the bigs to withstand Marc Gasol and Randolph and the five inch height advantage Durant has on Allen will be the difference. Oklahoma wins the series 4-3 in 7 hard fought games to set up a rematch with the Lakers for a chance to go to the Finals.

Check back after Round 2 for my updated predictions of who will make the NBA Finals.

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NBA Playoff Preview: Can the Heat Win It All?

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After 82 hard fought games it is time for the NBA’s ”second season.”  This is what fans have been waiting for ever since LeBron James stunned the basketball world by announcing he would be taking his talents to South Beach. While the team he left behind (Cleveland Cavaliers) went on to win 42 fewer games without him (19-63 down from 61-21 with James a year ago), James only went on to finish second in the league in scoring and led the Heat to 58 wins, putting him in the discussion for his third straight MVP award. Ask James and he’ll tell you that means nothing. After being accused of quitting on the Cavs last season against Boston and going out in unsportsmanlike fashion to Orlando in 2009, King James wants everyone to witness him carry the Heat to the promised land and put all the doubters to rest. To do that he will have to do what he couldn’t do at the end of last season and 3 out of 4 times this season with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in tow: beat the Boston Celtics. Will he succeed? Check out my predictions on this and the rest of what promises to be one of the best NBA Playoffs ever.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

FIRST ROUND
1 Chicago Bulls vs 8 Indiana Pacers

When the Indiana Pacers fought to make the playoffs they were probably expecting to face the Miami Heat, who they beat earlier in the year. Instead they got a Bulls team clicking on all cylinders led by MVP front runner Derrick Rose. The Bulls won 62 games this season and locked up home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. The Bulls only won 60 games five other times in franchise history (hint: all in the 1990′s) and each time they went on to win the NBA title. Read on to see if I think they will make it six, but they will get off to a good start.

Prediction:  The Bulls finally get out of the first round (not being a #8 seed helps that way) in a sweep 4-0.

4 Orlando Magic vs 5 Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks won the season series 3 games to 1, however I am not sold on an Atlanta team that lost by more than 30 points on their home floor three different times. Al Horford has made strides this ear but he is not a true center and will be overmatched by Orlando center Dwight Howard. Atlanta is a mystery to me. They play well enough to be a mid-level playoff team (more a testament to the weak Eastern Conference) but you never expect them to progress to title contender. They are getting no respect and it feels like they don’t really care. I can’t take a team seriously if the road team’s fans are louder than the home fans in your own gym. Joe Johnson is a quiet superstar and may need to change that perception (especially since he signed a huge contract to stay for five years when he could have went elsewhere) if the Hawks are going to go anywhere in the future. I just want to see him get mad and carry the Hawks for once. It won’t happen this year, however. Not even this round.

Prediction: Orlando shows regular season matchup is a fluke taking out the Hawks 4-2.

3 Boston Celtics vs 6 New York Knicks

This will be the most interesting series in the first round of the East playoffs. These two teams haven’t met in the playoffs since 1990 where the Knicks upset the favored Celtics in a best of 5 series by winning the final three games. This current crop of Knickerbockers have the tools to repeat history. The loss of Kendrick Perkins will be glaring for Boston if Shaquille O’Neal is not productive coming off a calf injury. The Knicks have the best closer in the game in Carmelo Anthony and a confident Amare Stoudamire. Chauncey Billups’ championship experience will help the Knicks, but will they play any semblance of consistent defense? Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have been down this road before but never without Perkins. Rajon Rondo the best player on the team a year ago is reportedly playing hurt and is still sulking over Perkins’ departure. This will be the longest series of the first round only because the Knicks potent offense will win a few games by default, especially over a Celtics team that has the lowest scoring average in the entire league (90.2 ppg) since early March. Boston has been doubted before and they took all that talk of their demise all the way to the NBA Finals last year. They still play something called good defense and will win the series in seven only if Shaq is a factor and Rondo returns to form, otherwise the Knicks pull the upset.

Prediction: Boston has yet to lose to the Knicks this season and have come too far to go home early. They will move on 4 games to 3.

2 Miami Heat vs 7 Philadelphia 76ers

With all the hype, drama and media coverage that bordered on overkill (there are at least two national media outlets that have season-long sections dedicated to the daily exploits of The Miami Heat — ESPN’s “Heat Index” and USA Today’s “Heat Check”) The Maimi Heat’s season starts now. All eyes will be on the new Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to see if LeBron can back up the tough talk from the narcissistic pre-season coronation/pep rally in July that introduced the trio to the Miami faithful. They get off to a great start against Philly who are a nice story, but will not be able to match up to the firepower of the Heat.

Prediction: Heat burn the Sixers 4 to 1.

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

1 Chicago Bulls vs 4 Orlando Magic

This series is a tough one to call. The Magic are playoff tested. The return of Hedo Turkoglu along with the experience of Jason Richardson (a Western Conference finalist last season in Phoenix), Gilbert Arenas, and Jameer Nelson will be a factor in this series. Chicago may be the #1 seed, but losing to Orlando would not be considered an upset in my opinion. Orlando will win this series, however I give Chicago an outside chance only if Derrick Rose gets Dwight Howard in foul trouble with his signature acrobatic drives to the cup thus leaving the middle open for Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer to go to work. Orlando has their own point to prove with Miami getting all the press and prestige in the “sunshine state” and their veteran leadership will trump youth this year, not for lack of effort from Mr. Rose.

Prediction: Orlando stops the Bulls 4-2

2 Miami Heat vs 3 Boston Celtics

When the NBA season tipped off in October with the first installment of Heat-Celtics everyone watching figured this would be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately the Chicago Bulls had something to say about where these two teams would end up so the showdown comes one round early. I hate to beat a dead horse, but the absence of Kendrick Perkins effectively brought Boston back to the pack in the East. Miami reportedly loved the deal as shown in the last regular season meeting where Miami did as they pleased in the paint en route to a 100-77 win. The series won’t be as lopsided as the depth of the Celtics bench will keep the games competitive. Again, the effectiveness of Shaq (or any big other than Kevin Garnett) will swing the series. Former Heat Jermaine O’Neal will have something to prove in this series against the team that let him walk and will have a decent series.

Prediction: In another seven game marathon, the Miami Heat will upset the Celtics 4-3 and send Doc Rivers into retirement. Let the finger pointing (and rebuilding) begin in Beantown.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

2 Miami Heat vs 4 Orlando Magic

Ironically this will the toughest test for the Heat. Dwight Howard will be the only thing standing in the way of a trip to the NBA Finals for LeBron James and the Heat. For the Heat to win this series they have to get contributions from a bench that has been invisible all season. The Heat should have Udonis Haslem back by this point giving them a much needed body to bang with Howard, but the three-headed monster of Erick Dampier, Joel Anthony, and Zydrunis Ilgauskas have to use their fouls to frustrate Howard. Technical fouls accumulated in the regular season are wiped clean in the post season so unless Howard has a major meltdown that gives him 7 techs, he isn’t missing any time.

Unlike the Bulls series, getting Howard in foul trouble will not matter as the Magic have proven they can beat the Heat without Howard touching the ball on offense (as witnessed in the classic comeback from a 24-point deficit back in March). LeBron may have flashbacks to the 2009 Conference Finals with Turkoglu alongside Richardson, Arenas, and (wait for it) Ryan Anderson taking the place of Rashard Lewis behind the 3-point arc. The Magic live and die by the 3 pointer and if they are on it could extinguish the Heat. LeBron has personal incentive (proving Orlando general manager Otis Smith wrong) to make the Magic disappear, but his exploits along with Wade and Bosh may not be enough without consistent play from the Ringo Starr’s on the bench.

Prediction: Orlando upsets ”The Heatles” denying LeBron a trip to the NBA Finals 4-2 in year one of “The Process”.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

FIRST ROUND
1 San Antonio Spurs vs 8 Memphis Grizzlies

This is the matchup the Grizzlies wanted for reasons only known by the team itself. It has been reported that Memphis tanked the last few games to assure themselves of the 8th seed and avoid facing the Lakers. Spurs forward Tim Duncan responded simply ”we see what’s happening”. Uh oh, bulletin board material. This series won’t go more than five. The Grizz are still without their star Rudy Gay, lost for the year with a shoulder injury, and while super sub Tony Allen has been playing out of his mind the last few weeks and Memphis boasts the fourth best record in the Western Conference since the All-Star break, the Spurs have their own Big 3 in the aforementioned Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli. Even though Ginobli hyperextended his elbow in the regular season finale, they won’t need him in this round.

Prediction: Spurs move on 4-1

4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs 5 Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets traded away the face of their franchise and didn’t miss a beat en route to a 50-win season. If that doesn’t put coach George Karl in the discussion for Coach of the Year I don’t know what does. The Nuggets have no standout superstar yet share the ball effectively in a way not seen since the Detroit Pistons of the 2000′s. The Thunder have two superstars in the NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. OKC also has Kendrick Perkins. It is hard to believe one man can swing the balance of power from one conference to the next, but it goes to show how important a serviceable big man is to a championship contender. Perkins brings the toughness that can offset Nene and any antics by Kenyon Martin.  The players that came over in the trade from the Knicks will be fun to watch, but the Thunder’s defense will prove to be too daunting.

Prediction: Thunder bury the Nuggets 4-2

3 Dallas Mavericks vs 6 Portland Trailblazers

This will be as exciting as the Knicks-Celtics series. The Dallas Mavericks have been a Jekyll and Hyde team known to excel in the regular season only to flame out in the playoffs. Their inability to get out of the first round the last few years is the reason why former Mavs coach Avery Johnson is currently wasting away in New Jersey. Since blowing a chance to go up 3-0 on the Miami Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals, the Mavericks have not gotten past the second round, losing in the first round twice. Not having Caron Butler hurts but Shawn Marion and Jason Terry lead a formidable bench which will be needed to help Dirk Nowitzki. Portland has a snubbed all-star in LaMarcus Aldridge an emerging star in Wesley Matthews, the high energy of Gerald Wallace, and their star player Brandon Roy currently coming off the bench (?!). They have not moved past the first round since 2000, but they will give Dallas all they can handle.

Prediction: Dallas hears the whispers of another collapse and because of it they will respond to the perceived disrespect by advancing in a tough series 4-3.

2 Los Angeles Lakers vs 7 New Orleans Hornets

Andrew Bynum only has a bone bruise in his hyperextended right knee. That means he will not miss significant time, if any at all in the playoffs. That is bad news for the rest of the Western Conference. The Lakers may not even need Bynum in this series as the Hornets will be without star forward David West. That leaves Emeka Okafor on an island against the size of the Lakers. Chris Paul will do his best but the Hornets are undersized and overmatched against the two-time defending champs.

Prediction: Lakers win 4-1.

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

1 San Antonio Spurs vs 4 Oklahoma City Thunder

The experience of the Spurs and the multiple big men (Antonio McDyess, Dejuan Blair, Duncan) they can throw at Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka combined with the neutrilization of Kevin Durant’s offense by Manu Ginobli will make the difference here. This series may go the distance as Durant and Westbrook try to set up a rematch with the Lakers in the Conference Finals, but the Spurs will prevail.

Prediction: Spurs win 4-3

2 Los Angeles Lakers vs 3 Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks got the first round monkey off their back, but reality will set in. The Mavericks will not have an answer for Pau Gasol, LaMar Odom and Bynum and there is a guy by the name of Kobe Bryant who will command a double team at some point. While Dallas has come a long way defensively they rely on their offense to dictate the pace of the game.

Prediction: Lakers advance 4-2

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
1 San Antonio Spurs vs 2 Los Angeles Lakers

Unlike the Eastern Conference, the West holds to form with the two best teams meeting for the chance to play in the Finals. San Antonio, like Boston, defied age and logic during the regular season being the last team to lose 10 games in a year where they were supposed to be in the middle of the pack. These teams are evenly matched, their regular season was a wash. Both teams have game changing superstars and a deep bench. It comes down to Kobe and Phil. Kobe has the nastiest killer instinct since Jordan and I can’t see him losing this series. Losing the #1 seed to the Spurs is just another challenge for the Black Mamba which is a bad omen for San Antonio.

Prediction: Lakers go back to the NBA Finals after a hard fought 7 game slug fest 4-3.

NBA FINALS

Orlando Magic vs Los Angeles Lakers

Probably not the team from Florida Commissioner David Stern had in mind to face the Lakers in the NBA Finals, but in a rematch of the 2009 Finals the experience of the Lakers produces the same result. It was Kobe Bryant’s mission statement to send coach Phil Jackson off with his fourth three-peat while simultaneously earning his sixth ring tying him with Michael Jordan. Again, the challenge is what drives Bryant and his will to win elevates the rest of the team to victory.

Prediction: Lakers complete the three-peat 4-2, possibly pushing Dwight Howard closer to Tinseltown after next season.

**Bonus**

AWARDS SEASON:

MVP: Derrick Rose (Runner-up: LeBron James)

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau, Chicago (Runner-up: Gregg Poppovich, Spurs)

Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin (Runner-up: John Wall)

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard (Runner-up: no one worth mentioning)

Sixth Man of the Year: LaMar Odom (Runner-up: Jamal Crawford)

5 Reasons The Miami Heat Will NOT Win The NBA Title This Season

2. A line judge at the 2009 US Open felt Serena Williams’ wrath when the tennis champ disputed a call. Williams was fined $10,500 for her transgressions but received no suspension from the USTA. Her outburst not only caused controversy due to her harsh language, but it raised the issue of whether a double-standard exists in tennis where male players are given more leeway to argue calls. In fact, there’s a history of male players like Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi who’ve ranted at officials and received what amounts to a slap on the wrist and fines of $1,000. We’re not saying Williams is right for barking at the official, but there’s got to be equity in punishment between the sports’ male and female stars.

READ AND WATCH THE FULL LIST AT BLACKVOICES.COM

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72

points given up by the New York Knicks to the Dallas Mavericks by HALFTIME of a 127-109 loss on Thursday night (Mar 10th).
The Knicks are an enigma on defense. They can shut down the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz, but give up at least 115 points twice to Cleveland and this matador effort to the Mavs. Head coach Mike D’Antoni has to prove his style of play can win a title.

52

consecutive double-doubles recorded by Minnesota Timberwolves center Kevin Love on Wednesday (Mar 9th) breaking the overall consecutive record set by Moses Malone over two seasons.
Congratulations to Kevin Love. When you consider post ABA/NBA merger Hall Of Fame big men like Karl Malone, David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar have not come close to that number, Love’s feat is more impressive.

24

points Chris Bosh scored against the Lakers one day after stating publicly that he needed the ball in certain areas of the court (read: low post) to be effective.
Bosh bounced back nicely after the stinker in Portland (3-11 FG, 7 points). Glad he backed up his talk because he might not have gotten the ball again from LeBron if he didn’t produce.

15

baskets made by Carmelo Anthony (including the above game winner against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 9th) in the final 30 seconds to either tie the game or give his team the lead in the past 8 seasons.
The Knicks have their own closer. Only Kobe Bryant, also with 15, has as many since 2003.

8

game winning streak after the NBA All-Star break for the Los Angeles Lakers before falling to Miami 94-88 on Thursday (Mar 10th). That is good for a tie for third on the all-time list of Lakers winning streaks post All-Star Break (the other three Lakers teams went on to the NBA Finals).
The Lakers have flipped the proverbial switch and are locked in for the run to the playoffs. Kobe wanted that win against Miami on Thursday night which is probably why…

2

hours Kobe spent shooting jumpers in America Airlines Arena after the game against the Heat was over.
I am not aware of something like this happening while a player was on the road. Kobe is focused, man.

1

vote of confidence given to Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra by GM Pat Riley. In response to if he was getting rid of Spoelstra this year because of the losing streak Riley said “it ain’t gonna happen.”
Riley is no fool. He knows this team is not built to win this season. Once they get size down low, a point the team will most likely address in the offseason, Spoelstra (a.k.a. Julius Caesar) better watch his back for a slick-haired Brutus.

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Spotted @ WoooHa.com

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25.2

Average points per game Carmelo Anthony brings to the New York Knicks this season

22

number of assists (including a sick bounce pass alley-oop to Blake Griffin) John Wall tallied in the Rookie-Sophomore game on All Star Friday night (Feb 18).

7

consecutive seasons averaging 20 points a game for Carmelo Anthony, tying him for third (with LeBron James) on the active list behind Kobe Bryant (11) and Dirk Nowitzki (10).

96

The number of 3-Point buckets James Jones–winner of the Footlocker 3-Point Contest– has made this season

4

NBA All Star Game MVP trophies for Kobe Bryant (which is one more than Shaquille O’Neal has) tying him with St. Louis Hawks big man Bob Petit for most all-time.

3

basketballs dunked by JaVale McGee AT ONE TIME during NBA Slam Dunk Contest on All Star Saturday night (Feb 19).

5

the number of judges Pam McGee kissed before her son dunked.

2

career Nascar starts it took for rookie Trevor Bayne to win his first race…the Daytona 500!

2

players in NBA All Star Game history to notch a triple-double: LeBron James (above) and Michael Jordan.

1

the number of cars Blake Griffin jumped over to win the 2011 Slam Dunk contest.

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