Here's that article I mentioned about Stephen Jackson...it's from Ric Bucher of EPSN-The Magazine. Very interesting...

A CLEAN LOOK

People have lots of ideas about Stephen Jackson. Almost none of them are quite right. by Ric Bucher .

Stephen Jesse Jackson has been marked by three life-changing altercations. Most people know of two of them—or think they do—and, as a result, have tagged him Exhibit A in the case for the NBA as a safe harbor for stone-cold thugs. There was the nationally televised brawl three seasons ago in Auburn Hills, when Jackson followed Ron Artest into the stands and fought with fans, earning him a 30-game suspension and the NBA an everlasting scar. Two years later, Jackson was in the news again, charged with criminal recklessness for firing a gun outside a strip club. But those events look different in the light of the third, which occurred long before either. It's the one in which he didn't take part, and the only one in which he wishes he had.

---

The housing project in Port Arthur, Texas, now quaintly named Gulf Breeze, was known simply as Longs 15 years ago. Donald Buckner Jr. took the younger half-brother he called Stevie a lot of places but Longs was not one of them. Stevie understood, well aware of what drugs and poverty could drive folks to do; no one grows up in a town surrounded by six prisons and misses that lesson. Stevie was a 14-year-old burgeoning basketball star when Donald hooked up with a new girlfriend living in Longs. Only she had an ex who hadn't conceded that their relationship was over. Donald visited her one night and the ex called him out to settle it Port Arthur style. "In my neighborhood, no one minded catching a fair one," says Jackson, "and my brother didn't back down from anyone." So they fought, with Donald getting the best of it until the ex's brother and a cousin jumped Donald from behind, attacking him with a bottle and lead pipe. By the time Stevie heard about the fight, Donald was lying comatose in an ICU, 17 staples in his head. Stevie was bedside when a single tear slid down Donald's face as he exhaled for the final time. "You can't tell me seeing his brother die that way hasn't had an effect," says Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh. "To me, it's why he is always coming to the help of his teammates."

Adam Weiss

And before you write this off as one more athlete apologia, consider this: Security tapes outside that Indianapolis strip club show a group of men, one with a hand in his back pocket and another under his shirt, approaching Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley and threatening to "spray his car," Walsh says. (The two groups had exchanged words inside.) When a scuffle broke out, Jackson retrieved his licensed 9mm from his car and fired it in the air to scatter the combatants. The men ran for their car and Jackson walked to his. Thinking the confrontation over, he barely had time to jump as the attackers' gray Chrysler plowed into him. Jackson flipped over the windshield, landed on the trunk and fell to the ground before, as he recalls, he choked on his blood and passed out.

That part of the story didn't garner much attention. Walsh knew the details, but he also knew they wouldn't matter to fed-up Pacers fans. First the brawl, now this? So he built a package around Jackson and got back a quartet of choirboys from Golden State. "Jack got booed every time he stepped on the court," Walsh says. "I didn't want to trade him; I had to."

Jackson was raised a devout Baptist—his grandfather rebuilt a church where he worked as a deacon—and he believes in a God who keeps a running score. As he sees it, all that went wrong in Indiana was a test. That the chaos landed him in Oakland—a city that feels like a bigger Port Arthur—on a team with a personality as fiery as his and with a coach who respects him enough to make him a captain, is proof he passed that one. "God spared me because I wasn't there for any drama," he says. "He knows what could have happened, and didn't."

As Al Davis can attest, Oakland has a soft spot for outlaws. Jackson's new franchise was filled with men seeking redemption: Baron Davis, who had battled two head coaches in New Orleans; Don Nelson, who had ruined the Warriors in a previous stay as GM/coach; even Chris Cohan, whose purchase of Golden State had coincided with a 12-season
playoff drought, the longest in team history.

Their collective frustration evaporated last spring amid a sea of yellow shirts inscribed "We Believe." Davis and Nelson got the props after the Warriors toppled the Mavericks, the regular season's juggernaut. But it was Jackson who put all 6'8" and 218 pounds of himself under Dirk Nowitzki's chin, mad-dogging the league MVP into a playoff career-low 38% shooting, while scoring 33 in the series clincher.

Over the summer, Jackson did his time for the gun charge—100 hours of community service. He picked up roadside trash, assembled carnival fences, counseled inmates and reflected on the tricky gap he'd shot to get to the NBA. After wasting a scholarship to Arizona in 1996 when he couldn't score high enough on his entrance exams in five tries, he was stranded in Phoenix until then-Suns GM Bryan Colangelo saw him playing pickup and decided to make him a second-rounder. But the Suns released him at the end of camp, and what followed were two broken feet—one while playing for Australia's Sydney Kings, the other trying out for the Bulls—and stints in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. By Jackson's estimate, he was cut by 15 teams before sticking with the Nets in 2000.

So don't tell the man he doesn't belong in the league—"A lot of people think I'm just an athletic thug"—or that he's bound to flip out again. As Jackson (who received a seven-game suspension for the gun charge) sat on his couch in early November, watching the Warriors lose their first rematch with Dallas, he heard his former Pacers teammate, TNT analyst Reggie Miller, say, "I'll give him a clean slate until something happens." Jackson leaned toward the TV and barked: "Nothing's going to happen! You gonna be waiting a long time!"

---

Judy Jackson worked graveyard at a refinery so she could spend days shepherding Donnie, Stephen and sister Bianca to school and church. But Donald Sr., according to Stephen, didn't let fatherhood get in the way of running in the streets. Jackson inherited both parents' inclinations, a fact hidden by a demeanor more street-lovin' than God-fearing. The hunched shoulders and tattooed arms, the splay-footed shuffle and a smile that borders on a sneer—not to mention the languid launch of a three in an opponent's grill and the high-risk, high-dribble crossover—radiate a get-off-me-chump 'tude. Of course, fans take one look and think, Well, no wonder. "I've told him he's his own worst enemy," Walsh says. "How he looks isn't who he is." Walsh's advice has had little effect, although Jackson no longer keeps a red bandanna in his locker as a shout-out to his Blood-haunted hood.

"I'VE TOLD HIM HE'S HIS OWN WORST ENEMY," SAYS PACERS CEO DONNIE WALSH. "HOW HE LOOKS ISN'T WHO HE IS."

Fans also don't see the respect Jackson has from every coach and teammate he's had. "Love him," Tim Duncan says of the man he considers one of his all-time favorite teammates. "He's had his issues, but he's got the right thing in mind." No matter how many minutes he played when he was with the Spurs, Jackson would kick chairs and sling towels whenever coach Gregg Popovich pulled him from a game. Still, says Popovich, "I know his heart. He's a sweet man."

The Warriors, who have seen both sides of the man, have done their best to cultivate his accessibility. When the Oakland Public Library passed on having Jackson as a guest reader in a kids' program, the team suggested that this told kids there are no second chances. Jackson ended up being such a hit when he read that his picture will grace the library's annual report. More recently, a request to photograph the new tattoo on his torso, two hands holding a gun framed by a church window, was stiff-armed by his squad. The artwork symbolizes his hope of never having to use a firearm again.

Back in Port Arthur, he's a one-man economic development program. His music label, Secret Society Entertainment, signed a handful of local rappers. His school, the Stephen Jackson Academy, is "An Education Your Child Needs with the Care He Deserves," as the banner over the door of the three-story building states. Running K-6, it will reopen next fall after a year hiatus, and ground will soon be broken for a gym. All of it has been funded by Jackson. "Stephen is finally maturing," his mother says. "What I have a problem with is, if you learn from your mistakes, shouldn't that count for something?"

It's not that easy. The two faces of Stephen Jackson are so distinct he has names for each. Stack Jack, a nickname his rappers hung on him as the man with stacks of cash, is the hyperanimated side, forever riding to the rescue, on the street or in the game. Stephen is the relaxed, charitable jokester. "The guy everybody loves," he says. Almost everybody. On Halloween, Jackson's high-rise pad was busy with friends and team officials. While waiting for the first group of trick-or-treaters, he tried to get a kiss from Sofia, the 14-month-old daughter of a front office member. Stephen leaned forward, lips pursed. Sofia pulled back, turning her head as if she'd been presented with a forkful of liver.

Goodbye, Stephen. Hello, Stack Jack. Triggered by the snub, he donned a mask, a crazed clown with snaggled teeth and a bulbous nose, and stuck the terrifying mug in little Sofia's face. Sofia, without hesitation, kissed the clown. "Let me see this again," Jackson said. When he took off the mask, Sofia turned away, squinching her nose; when he put it back on, he got another smooch. "Ain't that a … I've got to put on a mask to get a kiss," Jackson said, his lips twisting as if Stephen and Stack Jack were wrestling in his mouth.

It's a battle not likely to end soon. While it might cost him the affection of most, Jackson says keeping Stack Jack around is vital. "He's the better basketball player."

Had to meet with my lawyer about my divorce from the Bruins. After three years, the mental abuse has become too much. Year after year, I yearn for a mentally tough point guard in the big game, and it's just not there. My point guard misrepresented our relationship, and the #### is up. The 1st Half Tyler Hansborough is the kind of pro I expect him to be....OK, it's official, I have the man crush, baller style, thing for Monte Ellis. Everybody saw on national TV today what I have been talking about. A couple of weeks ago, I wished for him to start shooting threes.....he's starting to shoot them...beware....this kid is 21 years old. OK....is Mike Woodson now a good coach? Not. I don't know...Atlanta has always been like that hot girl behind the bleachers trying to get you away from your girlfirend. Looking a little bit more sexy...looking at you with do me eyes....but it's all just a tease....I didn't get a chance to do my due-diligence on the pickups for you guys like I wanted to...here's my pick up list from my free agent pool...keep in mind that mine is based if you might kill me in FG fna FT, you are not here....Biedrins, Quinn, Azibuke...interesting here....Captain Jack is in a funk right now, and Nellie must ease back a little bit...Jackson is costing them games....Garcia (again)...Scola, L.Powe, D.Brown, J. Childress....I hate to admit it, but Phoenix looks good with Shaq....I am just waiting for reality that the Big Cactus will revert back to the Big Injury...nobody can question Shaq when he's healthy...just a little Laker reality check for us...what I can't figure out, is how Riley couldn't figure out how to use Shaq better? Or least had a better plan for managing the squad through the rough spots....I don't know, I don't micro-manage....just stating stuff that seems extremely obvious to me.....I love Riles, but he might be losing his touch a bit from the coaching side. Have a good week, and may your fantasies mirror your realities...hey, this may become my signoff!

I usually don't come right a game and say anything, but, man, what a game! Who was wearing no. 7 in gold? That was some playoff Lamar there, for sure. If I can, I usually have the volume off while I watch games...that's how much I can't stand announcers...the ONLY ones that I have love for right now are Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson...they are great...in one NCAA tournament game, I actually heard Billy Packer say, "He's only 6 assists away from a triple-double." He was serious, and it was only about five minutes left in the game. Plus, when you grow up on Chick, the others pale in comparison. I bring this up to say that I knew that the Lakers would win this one. Dallas shot almost 60% in the first half, while the Lakers shot 52%. So their shots were falling, and the averages had to catch up with Mavs....out of three fighting for the 8th spot, I have to say that I am root more for Denver and Golden State more than Dallas....ask me that two or three years ago, i would have been rooting more for Dallas...why? I have love for players...I love B. Diddy. Watched from hight school to UCLA to now. I love A.I. I love Marcus Camby. Started to love 'Melo last year (after he addressed his shot selection). I have a love/hate thing with Stephen Jackson. I have to go find you guys this article I read about a month ago that would explain a lot about Stephen Jackson. I hate to say it Dallas fans, but you know that's it over for Avery Johnson. I know I am using the word "love" a lot, but that's because I'm two-and-a-half Belvedere and Red Bulls into my night. Hurry up and come home, baby!! I always appreciated Avery, the classic underachiever while playing while playing. I remember going to a Warrior game while Avery was there, and he was the backup to somebody, I can't remember. I may have been Hardaway on the decline, can't remember. Anyway, Avery came off the bench, made some pivotal plays, and the Warriors won. I was able to shake his hand as he was about to hit the tunnel (floor seats!) and I told him, "YOU CAN TAKE HIS JOB!! IT'S YOURS!!" Then I think he was traded to the Spurs, and the rest is history. And while I am reminiscing (and probably mispelling), to my boy Kelly from Santa Cruz, our $1 million bet from 1992 still is good. THE JAZZ WILL NEVER WIN AN NBA TITLE!!!!!! I, unlike most professional journalists, will return to the scene of the crime if I am wrong. The truth is, I am not wrong too much (or at least I am good at picking my spots). I think the last time I was wrong was when I told anyone who would listen that Ryan Leaf would be a better pro than Peyton Manning. Hey, when I am wrong, I can pick-em!!! For my fantasy heads, tonight obviously was good or bad for you. I am heated...Ricky D drains 9 threes....nine!..I love Ricky D...he always looks like he's just told a joke, or he's played a practical joke on somebody.....why did I pick up Earl Watson?...because Gilbert didn't come back and Drew got hurt...Marvin Williams is doing fine for me this week, though... I had eight of my ten guys going, and I could only manage 11 threes on the night....I am second in 3s, but I am about 20 back, so I am officially giving up on that category as I will settle for 2nd there....man, since J'Oneal has come back, he has stifled my Granger/Murphy two-headed monster. Either tomorrow or Sunday, I will put together a list of last ditch-waiver wire scraps for you all...I have a pretty good handle on the minutes and rotations right now.....Another great show...Two and a Half Men....I have a lot of Charlie-like tendencies...gotta go...the hotness is here...

I would be remiss as an American  if I didn't acknowledge the anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. I will not go on some diatribe about his greatness. I just request a moment of reflection from everyone.

After reading the Hoopsworld.com article about my Lakers, I got to thinking about defining moments. It's hard to keep these moments in your memory when we are innundated with so much visual content. As I was reading the article, I'm thinking, yeah, we got the pieces, but can we get over the hump this year and win it all. All of factors come to mind....Stars are born in the playoffs, health, the bench, home court advantage....I love our squad, but can we do it? Can we do it with the talent, or will we have to rely on the unparalled will, heart, and desire of a superstar? There is only one bona-fide superstar on the Lakers, let's make no mistake in that. Paul Gasol is a great, great player. This year's playoffs can make him a superstar. The defining moment that came to mind for me is Game 7, 2000 Western Conference Finals....down by sixteen, getting thumped, Kobe going 1 on 4, Nicholson's pissed, Laker Nation is HEATED, those jerks Pippen, Sheed, and S.Smith smirking and talking 'ish...then Shaq dove into crowd to get a loose ball, and then it started...scratching, gnawing....and then it happened...."The Lob". In my mind, that play does right down there with "The Catch", "The Drive", or any other famous "The......" that exists...here's a tight reminder of the good ole days to get you ready...everybody in LA start putting the flags on the whips now!.....I am so ready for this I can taste it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY06eaFaplw&NR=1


Please comment with your defining moments!

Here is a copy of an article by Eric Pincus of Hoopsworld.com regarding the state of my Lakers. Mitch Kupchak held court at the team annual town hall meeting for season ticket holders. Nothing really surprising in the article, mostly confirmations of the obvious, but there some inside tidbits:

The Los Angeles Lakers held their annual Town Hall Meeting at STAPLES Center on Tuesday night, opening the doors to an optimistic crowd of Laker season ticket holders. 

Much has changed since last year's meeting in which General Manager Mitch Kupchak was viewed skeptically while the Lakers struggled through a difficult regular season. 

Having survived the turmoil surrounding Kobe Bryant this summer only to orchestrate the Pau Gasol trade, Kupchak was greeted with tremendous support.

Kupchak told the group that his first contact with the Grizzlies was in February of 2007 around the All-Star Break.  He had checked in with then President of Basketball Operations Jerry West about Gasol's availability.  While nothing came of the initial discussion, the seed was sown.

Kupchak credited team owner Jerry Buss for making the move for Gasol's hefty contract.  While a number of other franchises had interest, the Lakers were the one to step forward with the financial resources.

"A lot of teams didn't have the ability to do [the deal]," said Kupchak.  "Their owners just wouldn't do it."

The combination of draft picks and young talent (Javaris Crittenton) along with Kwame Brown's expiring contract was the best package the Grizzlies were able to find at that moment in time.

Considering Gasol was on the block for many months, a number of teams had the opportunity to make their best offer.  Last Town Hall Meeting, Kupchak had talked about finding the exact right player in the exact right moment when his value is at a low point. 

When the time came, the Lakers acted decisively and were fortunate to land a significant piece at a fantastic price.

(Speaking of Jerry West, Kupchak said he didn't think the Laker legend wanted to work in the NBA again.  At the same time he said West will go crazy doing nothing.  Kupchak left the door open to the possibility that West could return in some capacity at a future date without suggesting anything was in the works at this time.)

After the team was knocked out of the first round of the playoffs last season by the Phoenix Suns, Kupchak found the Lakers in dire straits with Bryant demanding a trade.

"You can imagine how many calls I got this summer," he joked.

Kupchak was sympathetic to Bryant's plight this summer, saying the Laker star's sole motivation was to put himself in a position to win.  The team is now confident they've provided Bryant with the best possible opportunity; both with the moves they made (Gasol and Ariza) and the ones they didn't (Bynum).

Kupchak reaffirmed, "I've always believed he'd end his career in Los Angeles.  I told him this too.  I can't imagine him anywhere else.  That's what I believe."

He also talked of telling Coach Phil Jackson at STAPLES Center a couple of days before the trade that they had a chance to trade for Gasol.  He said the deal ran into an unspecified glitch that made it take an additional day.  Jackson didn't find out about it "until the deal was basically done."

The team couldn't be happier with Gasol and how quickly he's assimilated into the triangle offense.  Kupchak credited his size and passing ability as key factors.  Gasol would finally return from an ankle sprain the following night, Wednesday, helping the Lakers to beat the Portland Trail Blazers.

Kupchak described his inner circle as Assistant General Manager Ronnie Lester and ex-Laker Assistant Coach Bill Bertka.  Also active in the process is Jim Buss who is very involved, but to date defers to the team's basketball people.

The Laker GM also noted his inclusion of the unofficially retired Aaron McKie in the Gasol trade wasn't the first time he'd used that loophole.  Best guess he meant the inclusion of Chuck Person in the Horace Grant/Patrick Ewing/Glen Rice multi-team trade early in the decade.

Kupchak suggested the league might adjust that rule this summer but he admitted given the bylaws, he'll just find another loophole as needed.

Even when Kupchak's reputation was at an all-time low (after trading Shaquille O'Neal and Caron Butler), a number of league sources described him as one of the sharper general managers when it comes to understanding the nuances of the NBA's complicated salary cap.

While his drafting was once suspect, a big part of the Lakers' success has been the development of their young players.

Kupchak reminded the crowd that a couple of decades ago, prospects would finish college and sit for most of their rookie seasons.  Now players come into the league so immature, it takes more time for them to emerge as consistent contributors.

"You have to have patience to wait.  That's hard to do," said Kupchak.  "[The fans] want to see the team compete and you want to be entertained today."

Kupchak noted how young Sasha Vujacic, Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar were when joined the team. 

"I think the patience to wait a little bit was the key with Sasha.  When we drafted him he was only 19 years old.  Our coach had the courage to stick with him when he missed a lot of shots," said Kupchak. 

"The good thing about Sasha is that he's a gym rat," he continued.  "His first two or three years he didn't have a problem shooting the ball; they just didn't go in."

Kupchak said the team intends to keep both Vujacic and Turiaf who are restricted free agents this summer.

Bynum impressed Kupchak this summer when the Laker center had a complete plan prepared which included time at the team's facility in July and later an intensive individual workout program in the city of Atlanta.

When Bynum returned for training camp, he had "definition to the way he looked. He no longer looked like an overweight kid.  He had a newfound confidence that we had not seen before."

"If he stays healthy and continues to work as hard as he did this summer," said Kupchak, "he's going to be a wonderful center in this league for years to come."

While Chris Mihm had just returned (ankle) and Gasol was on the precipice, Kupchak said Bynum was still a couple of weeks away.  The team would rather get him back before the playoffs but that may prove to be impossible.  Trevor Ariza (foot) is even further behind.  At best he'll return midway through the first round of the playoffs.

Kupchak also praised the play of Lamar Odom, including him as one of the team's four stars (with Bryant, Gasol and Bynum).  Kupchak noted that Odom's representatives have echoed that the Lakers haven't seen the real Lamar yet.  He's had offseason surgeries and personal tragedies to deal with that have held him back.  Kupchak said he's liked what he's seen from Odom the past couple of months.

Considering how much the team has invested in the current roster, Kupchak intimated he didn't expect the team to be a significant player in this summer's free agent market.  At best they'd be looking for a veteran to play 10-15 minutes a game, assuming they keep both Vujacic and Turiaf.

While he said Dr. Buss is willing to pay the luxury tax, Kupchak wouldn't speculate what the future holds for Odom past his current contract (expiring after next season).  The team would like to see what they have at full strength before making any long-term decisions.

As it is, the Lakers are amidst one of the most competitive battles in history for playoff position in the Western Conference.  Kupchak admitted to scoreboard watching, expressing disappointment that the New Orleans Hornets had just beaten the Orlando Magic moments before he came out to speak to the fans.

He spoke very highly of Chris Paul though he noted that in his opinion Kobe Bryant is this year's MVP.

As far as the Suns, "I was as curious as everyone else was," said Kupchak.  "You don't think that a player like Shaquille [O'Neal] will fit into a team like Phoenix."

"I think the team's play the first two or three weeks after the trade reflected what everyone thought would happen.  As of late they've played much better.  I'm not prepared to say whether the trade has worked or hasn't worked."

If he had his pick of first round opponent it would be the Houston Rockets.  While he complimented their play, especially during their tremendous 22-game win streak, Kupchak believes they'll miss the injured Yao Ming in the playoffs.

"If I was to pick a team, I'd pick one that is missing one of the best players in the NBA." said Kupchak.  "Without that young man, the Rockets are one of those teams."

Unfortunately the Lakers fell upon hard times recently, losing back-to-back games against two non-playoff teams.  If the Lakers aren't careful, they could forego home court advantage and face a more difficult matchup in the first round of the playoffs.

Kupchak gave his take on the recent slump.

"We've lost our best defensive player in Trevor Ariza and then we lost three centers.  Chris Mihm was not really with us the whole season.  Andrew Bynum went down in January and Pau Gasol about three weeks ago," said Kupchak.  "When you lose your best defender and you don't have any centers left, you're forced to go to the next available player.  Ronny Turiaf, who's not really a center and is a bench player, but he's been forced to start and guard like [Erick] Dampier with Dallas who 7'1" 310 lbs.  There's really no adequate backup for Ronny Turiaf.

"First and foremost I think it's incredible that our coach was able to get these players to win as many games as they did (in particular the road trip in Texas when we beat Dallas and then we beat Utah); two huge games for us without Pau, without Andrew, without Mihm and without Trevor.

"But when you do that, everybody on the team is giving a little extra.  That's how you win games like that; you band together and everybody gives a little extra.  After so many games of giving a little bit of extra, you kind of reach a point when you can't give anymore.  There's a natural let down.  In other words, your talent shows through.  I think that's what happened with Charlotte and Memphis.  We kind of got to the point where we just couldn't sustain it. 

"Defensively if we can get Andrew and Pau back, if we get beat on the perimeter it's not going to be easy layups anymore.  They'll be a Ronny Turiaf and Andrew Bynum - or a Ronny Turiaf and Pau Gasol - or Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in the paint.  Trust me, shooting percentages will go way down when you drive in the paint and are looking at Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol."

Now that the team is gradually getting healthy, the hope is that they finish in a favorable position for a long playoff run.

Ultimately the Lakers and Kupchak will judge this season's success on how well the team does in the playoffs. 

"I would like to see our players get a chance to play together and to be healthy.  I think we're as good as anybody if we're healthy.  We're a little bit concerned about getting players back so close or into the playoffs," said Kupchak.  "That's when it really pays to have a coach like Phil Jackson."

The Lakers at 51-24 are currently seeded third in the Western Conference slightly behind the New Orleans Hornets and San Antonio Spurs (both teams they face before season's end).  Despite having won nine more games than they won all of last season with seven still to play, the team has yet to clinch a postseason berth.

If they can get their full roster on the floor for the playoffs, the Lakers could be a very dangerous team in a seven game series.

Kupchak is confident.

"I think we have a great mix of veteran players.  We have size and length.  We have a player that when the clock is running down and you need to get a basket," said Kupchak.  "I think the pieces are there.  I don't think we're too young.  I think we have a nice mix of players." 

"I'll take my chances.  I don't think we're outmatched by any team in the West."

April 3, 2008 - Man, they gave
my baby Ramiele the boot on American Idol last night. NOOOOOOO!!!! She
still was one of the better singers, plus she's cute as all get out. I
would have thought that the Filipino support would have kept her in the
mix. I have say that for quite time, I have believed that the judges
comments after the performances sway the voting. Is this just obvious
to me? Anyhow, I will try to give some quick injury updates, as it's
coming down to wire...For those of you in weekly leagues like me, you
are stuck, but for you daily guys, don't get stuck with an unnecessary
donut...Shawn Marion...done...his back spasms incredibly turned into
plantar fasciitis...I got a question...with all the D-Leaguers playing
for the Heat, who's playing in the D-League games?...Antawn
Jamison...shoulder in a sling after hurting it last night....unofficial
word is that he will miss a couple of games...Deshawn Stevenson...hurt
his ankle in that same scrum with Jamison....he doesn't miss games, but
you need to monitor.... Yi Jianlian, knee sprain...expected to miss
Friday's game..if he's in your lineup, you can't be in the mix....Drew
Gooden..abdominal...will miss the game tonight, and despite what he
says, may be shut down for the season...Beno Udrih, back...will not
play tonight, and you know the rest.....I forgot to mention yesterday
that Pau Gasol is back after missing nine games...man, what is it with
Mo Williams...how quickly they forget....he was the one that made TJ
Ford expendable in Milwaukee, and now, he hasn't played in the 4th
quarter at all for the last two games, and his minutes are down over
the last four....maybe it's a shut it down thing, but I don't think
so...with Sessions hitting that game winner last night, if we see Mo
sitting more, expect some grumbling...the NBA truly is a "what have you
done for me lately" league....good luck, and I hope your fantasies
mirror your reality.

April 2, 2008 - Agent Zero is
back! Makes his first four shots, including 2 threes, before missing at
the buzzer at the end of the first. Oh, what could have been...Gilbert
reminds me of a young me, except for the extensive wardrobe and a
difference of a few million dollars. I am rooting for the Wiz to be a
dark horse in the east, with the eventual thumping coming in the finals
against my Lakers. Like I said earlier, Granger doesn't seem to play
well with O'Neal around....1-7 from the field and 1-4 from the line
with 3 fouls in the first half...ouch...killing my run at FG%..Murphy's
minutes seem safe for now, as coach sees that Murph has been balling,
and Jeff Goldblum...errr, I mean, Foster, will be shuttling minutes
with O'Neal for now...there are guys like Foster in the
league...dependable lap dogs who lets the coach dog them...they play a
lot, they play a little, they don't play at all, it's all good...off
the top of my head, my all "Just happy to be here" team: Foster,
Gadzuric, Humphries in Toronto, D. Lee, both Collins brothers...http://www.thedirty.com/?p=19356
My boy Matt Leinart...partying like a rock star....what else would you
expect? Nothing abnormal there....it's a beer bong, not a bong
bong....I always called it the tube anyway....Granger killed me
tonight, but at least I didn't have Dunleavy...if you are in a league
that counts turnovers that big 8 didn't help....EB and the Agent came
back tonight, as did Dirk...once again, I told you guys that I didn't
think he would be out as long as they were saying.....man, I love the show, The Moment of Truth...it has got me stuck....on Fox right now at 8:35 pst...it's the season finale....what people will do for money......