Guns in NBA Arenas – Gilbert Arenas signs with the Memphis Grizzlies

March 25, 2012 Leave a comment

Former all-star Gilbert Arenas signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday after trying out for both Memphis and the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the season.

Gilbert gone from Hero to Free Agent Zero

Arenas was once one of the deadliest (and most popular) guards in the NBA but Gilbert has been more Zero than Hero the last couple of seasons. Bringing guns in the arena when he was a member of the Washington Wizards was a bonehead move and began the downward spiral of his career. The Orlando Magic took a chance on him but Arenas averaged career lows and looked slow and old on the court during his stint there. The Magic jumped at the chance to waive Gilbert under the new amnesty clause this offseason and not suprisingly nobody in the NBA claimed him off of waivers.

Derek Fisher, Gilbert Arenas, Lakers, Agent Zero, Hibachi, Fisher trade, Lakers trade, Arenas Lakers

Turns out neither of these shoot-first point guards will be making a championship run with the Lakers this postseason.

Some Memphis BBQ, Hibachi-style

It had been thought that a playoff contender would take a flyer on Gilbert mid-season if the teams suffered any injuries at the guard position. Sure enough, the Lakers put Arenas through a private workout after both Derek Fisher and Steve Blake were ineffective at the point guard position earlier in the season. The Lakers eventually decided not to sign Arenas who sources say looked decent in his workout, even though Kobe Bryant was reportedly on board with the signing. Gilbert then worked out for Memphis, a team loaded at guard making a signing seem unlikely. However, Arenas signed a contract for the remained of the season this week as the Grizzlies continue to make a playoff push in the hectic Western Conference. Hibachi!

Lakers fans, do you think Arenas will be an asset for Memphis come playoff time? Should the Lakers have signed Gilbert while they had the chance?

Filed under 2011 Free Agency, FREE AGENTS, LAKERS BLOG Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sessions with Ramon – Lakers Coach Brown down to start Sessions

March 23, 2012 1 Comment

It’s Friday Lakers fans…who’s down for some Sessions? I’ll tell you who, Lakers Head Coach Mike Brown! Coach Brown has finally decided to start Sessions at Staples Center on this fine Friday evening and Lakers fans couldn’t be happier.

Here’s how the conversation probably went down today at Lakers practice:

Coach Mike Brown: “Ramon, please sit.”
Ramon Sessions: “Sure Coach, what is it?”
Coach Mike Brown: “I’m gonna get you high today.”
Ramon Sessions: “Excuse me?”
Coach Mike Brown: “You heard me. I’m gonna start you today.”
Ramon Sessions: “Okay. Why?”
Coach Mike Brown: “‘Cuz it’s Friday, Steve Blake ain’t earned the job, and you ain’t got shit to do. And we’re playing the ‘Blazers’!”
Ramon Sessions: “I’m ready Coach.”

And with that conversation begins the Ramon Sessions starting point guard era. Lakers fans have a right be excited, as Sessions in the starting lineup gives the Lakers a legitimate shot at winning the 2012 NBA championship.

‘Top Ramon’ Sessions: Instant Noodles, Instant Offense

Since being traded to Los Angeles for Luke Walton and Jason Kapono, Sessions has provided instant offense off the bench at a previously-weak point guard position for the Lakers. In just four games with the team, Sessions has already been filling up the stat sheet including a 17 point, 5 rebound & 9 assist explosion against the defending champion Mavericks on Wednesday night. I love Derek Fisher, but I’m not sure D-Fish scored 17 points all season. Lakers fans had already been calling for Coach Brown to start Sessions, going as far as using Twitter (#startsessions) to get the message out.

Ramon Sessions, Lakers, Lakers trade, startsessions

Nothing like starting Sessions on a Friday Lakers fans...

Ramon eager to get in Plays and Film Sessions

Sessions has been eager to learn the playbook since being traded to the Lakers during the NBA trade deadline. Upon learning of the deal, he reportedly e-mailed Lakers assistant coach Chuck Person to learn a few plays right away before arriving in Los Angeles. After the Lakers beat up the Mavericks on Wednesday 109-93 in Dallas, Sessions used his off-day to come to the Lakers facility with a handful of coaches to absorb as much of the playbook as possible. His work ethic and determination along with his stellar play has payed off quickly as Coach Mike Brown will start Ramon Sessions at point guard tonight against the Portland Trailblazers.

Lakers fans, do you think Ramon Sessions starting at point guard makes the Lakers a legitimate contender for the NBA championship?

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Lakers @ Rockets preview: Houston, We have a Mamba

March 20, 2012 Leave a comment

Kobe Bryant had arguably his worst game in a Lakers uniform (3-20 FG, 7 TO) as the Jazz stunned the Lakers at Staples Center Sunday night. Only their third loss at home all season, the Lakers look to bounce back on the road against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. Here are 4 pregame story lines for tonight’s game:

Houston in Lone-Star State

Okay Lakers fans, this is getting ridiculous. The Lakers hit the road to travel to Houston where they once again face a team missing multiple star players. The Rockets will be without guards Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin in this Western Conference matchup which means Houston will be without two of their best three players and Luis Scola will have a huge load to carry tonight. The Lakers need to take advantage of these fortunate breaks, especially against teams like the Rockets fighting for a playoff spot.

Dragic Houston’s New “Rocket Man”

Despite the absence of Lowry and Martin, Lakers point guards Steve Blake and Ramon Sessions will have their hands full with Rockets point guard Goran Dragic. Dragic has been sensational since replacing Lowry in the starting lineup and has averaged double digit assists as Houston’s new “Rocket Man.” The Lakers interior defense needs to be strong tonight as Dragic will look to get Luis Scola and Courtney Lee as many easy buckets as possible.

Kobe to lose Black Mamba mask

Maybe the plan was to lose the Mamba mask in Houston all along or perhaps Kobe Bryant is just superstitious after having his worst game as a Los Angeles Laker. Whatever the reason, Kobe is going to play tonight without the Mamba mask for the first time since Dwayne Wade’s hard foul. It will be interesting to see how Bryant bounces back after his terrible shooting night, especially without the protective mask. Stay tuned Lakers fans.

Ramon Sessions, Jordan Hill, Derek Fisher trade, Lakers trade

New Lakers Ramon Sessions and Jordan Hill should get key minutes tonight in Houston. Wake up Jordan!

Lakers and Rockets Trade Places

Speaking of new faces, the Lakers and Rockets were busy at the NBA trading deadline and will showcase some of their acquisitions tonight. The Lakers traded fan favorite Derek Fisher to Houston for Jordan Hill, who should see his first minutes as a Laker. Fisher has since been bought out by Houston but they will have their new big man Marcus Camby to match up against the likes of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. And of course new Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions will play an instrumental role in getting his teammates involved while keeping Dragic in check.

Lakers fans, do you think the Black Mamba Kobe Bryant bounces back from his worst shooting night in a Lakers uniform? Do you think ditching the Mamba mask will negatively affect his performance tonight?

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