—– Tony Moustakelis

As if the good news of the Ron Artest signing wasn’t enough to fully satisfy the needs of Lakers fans, the news of Phil Jacksons return should be. Before Phil made it on to his summer home in Montana, he proclaimed that he would fulfill his two year contract and return for a 19^th season as a head coach. Jackson will be looking to expand his record setting championships as he goes for number 11. But could it be his last?

Jackson, who turns 64 in September, is nearing the end of the road. According to a source close to the situation, stated to me recently.

“Jackson is nearing the end; he is kind of losing it. He thought that Sun Yue would be the full time starting point guard next year (09-10 season). He also said that Adam Morrison would be his secret weapon in the finals.”

Jackson has been up to the many challenges of his career, using it as motivation to keep going. Jackson was one of the only people that got through to the troubled Dennis Rodman. Many great coaches were unable to control the wild child. Instead of shunning him away, as many did in the past, Jackson embraced him and guided him. He used different tactics, a laid back, non-controlling approach that seemed to work. When Rodman would yell and scream, Phil would sit down and just stare at him.

Now Jackson has another thing coming for him. A man who has been compared to Rodman throughout his career, Ron Artest has been an uncontrollable figure. He has led the league in technical fouls; he has been ejected for on the court confrontations, and has been labeled as a dirty player. All leading up to his famous brawl in Detroit in November 2004, that will stick to his reputation.

“Obviously, everybody close to Phil is equally thrilled with that news,” said Todd Musburger, Jackson’s agent. “He’s excited first that his health is what it needs to be. It’s going to be an exciting year. This move that they just made [for Artest] is filled with intrigue.”

If indeed this is Jackson’s last season, he will be leaving a team that he helped keep together. When Bryant first expressed his displeasure in the press about the Lakers organization, it was Jackson who was the mediator of the situation. Jackson was someone that has guided Bryant, and helped get him to MVP honors in 2008, and again topped it off in 2009 with an NBA championship without Shaquille O’Neal.

While many hope that this is not the last run for Phil, when reality hits it may be.

“The present agreement between Phil and the Lakers runs though the 2009-10 season,” said Musburger. “There is a comfortable and positive relationship between Phil, Dr. Buss, his sons that are in management, and certainly Mitch Kupchak, that if both sides feel an extension is something they want, then obviously it could happen. But for the moment, there’s another terrific season to look forward to and nothing formal planned on seeking answers beyond the coming year.”

Jackson has done it all, through 6 championships with the Chicago Bull, and now 4 with the Lakers. Jackson has placed himself at a plateau making it difficult for anyone to surpass him. With three three-peats, and a winning percentage that’s astounding, Jackson, if he leaves the game, will surely be missed.

Embrace this season basketball fans, because you maybe witnessing the last year of a great one, a one of a kind legend, and hall of famer. The day he announces his retirement, will be a day that the basketball world will have another black hole to fill.

tonymoustakelis@gmail.com

David Lee? Wait are we talking about the New York Knicks player that led the league in double doubles last year? A player that you would think would be talked about this off season because of his free agency? That’s not the case, seems the other David Lee is getting more attention. A man who has made himself notorious with many, especially in the eyes of beloved Lakers fans when he tried to pull a Scott Boras with the most historic franchise in all of basketball.

The question now is, did he do the Lakers a favor by his little stunt? In some eyes yes he did, because in turn the Lakers got a proven winner in Ron Artest.

A player who has shown that he is a brilliant player with an amazing skill set that goes beyond his famous defensive ability in which he is so known for. A player that can not only lock down the team’s top player, but that can score when called upon. I’m not just talking about just a spot up shooter (see Vladamir Radmonovic). But a player that can create his own shot. He can wear you down with his big 6 7’ frame by posting you up and pounding it in the inside. He can spot up and shoot the three, contested or not. Go off the dribble and shoot. Though again known for his defensive ability, that is only one aspect, one mere dimension of his all around game. His rebounding is exceptional, and it will be welcomed with an already strong front line of Andrew Bynum, and Pau Gasol.

The defense will be the gem in this whole acquisition. It helps out more then just what you see on paper, or a stat sheet. Artest’s defense ability will help Kobe Bryant in the present as well as in the future. Instead of Kobe having to guard the opposing teams best player night in night out, that duty now can be passed on to Artest. Think of it, Kobe Bryant in the 2010 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Lakers can have Artest on Lebron the whole time with Kobe there to switch over. What a two headed nightmare for the opposing team.  The wear and tear on Kobe can be minimal with him having to carry less of a load. Therefore in the end it leads to him performing better and more efficiently on the offensive end.

Losing Ariza will hurt the Lakers because he had the speed and the quickness added with the youth for the long run. But when you sink it all in, Ariza went to a team where he won’t hurt you too much, and you won’t have to face him much at all. He went to a Houston team that seems to be going only down hill. With your two franchise corner stones in question, there isn’t much to look forward to.

Not taking anything away from Ariza as a player, but he wont shine as much as he did in Los Angeles. The wide open three pointers that were given to him in the playoffs as a result from the double teams on Kobe will not be present. He will have to work to create his own shot on the perimeter which he has proven he can not do night in night out. Especially on a team where he is going to be one of the main focal points of offensive production.

Artest going to a championship team, where he gets to live in one of the most beautiful cities, with the most marketable team. Ariza goes to a Houston team with no bright road ahead. A lost opportunity for a man that could have been such a marketable figure. He is losing more then just another shot at a ring here. It should paint an interesting picture. But having Artest on a team and being able to say he is the 4^th best player on the roster? That is unheard of, but wait this is Lakerland, when we thought we seen it all, we are again proven wrong. Welcome to LA # 37.

Tonymoustakelis@gmail.com

Click on the link below to see his official press release:

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/090703philjackson.html

By signing Ron Artest the Lakers are hoping to strengthen their pursuit in repeating as Champions.

Updates to come!

Bynum falls to the floor in agony after colliding with Kobe Bryant.

Andrew Bynum is re-living his worst nightmare.  Barely more than a year after suffering a season ending left knee injury, Bynum is injured again after Kobe Bryant collides with him in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies.  The injury to his right knee occurred near the seven minute mark of the first quarter as Bryant drove to the basket, stumbled and fell into Bynum’s legs.  Bynum immediately fell to the floor clutching his knee and howling in agony.  He was later carried off the court and to the locker room by teammates.  An x-ray taken at the arena during the game was negative and his injury was classified as a sprain.  An MRI will be conducted on Sunday in New York by Dr. David Altchek  who conducted his prior surgery.

Unfortunately, much like last year, Bynum’s injury comes at an inopportune time.  The Lakers are in the midst of an increasingly tense run for the best record in the league and home court advantage throughout the playoffs.  Bynum also seemed to be hitting his stride looking fully recovered from last year’s injury and playing much improved in his last five games averaging close to 20 points a game, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks and solidifying himself as a force in the middle.

After the game Bynum felt optimistic about his injury saying it felt less painful than his previous injury.  He also stated he was able to put weight on the knee and was simply using the crutch as a precautionary measure.  Bynum mentioned he did not hear any type of pop and that he was able to avoid a potentially worse injury by lifting up his leg and bending it at the last second prior to Bryant tumbling into him. 

As soon as information is released by the Lakers about Bynum’s injury I will update you with the results.  Let’s all hope that his injury is minor and that he will be able to return to the lineup soon.  Go Lakers!