| |
|
ALL QUIET ON THE LAKERS FRONT
By Nicholai R. Roska
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 18 May 2011
LOS ANGELES. The only major thing to report about the Lakers is that there is nothing to report.
Coach Phil Jackson is off to retirement, counting both his blessings and his money. The Zen Master plans to split his time between fishing in Montana and visiting LA, where four of his five children live.
After having "wasted" a year of his life, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers suddenly have nothing but more free time in their hands. Though the Lakers normally don't take vacations this early, their families, especially the kids, probabaly don't mind it.
Andrew Bynum is inarguably the saddest Laker of them all. Not only is the 7-foot-1 center no longer a part of this year's playoffs, he will also miss the first five games of the 2011-12 season.
As a consequence of his assault on Dallas guard JJ Barea, Bynum was suspended by the NBA without pay, which means he will lose nearly $700,000 in salaries. He was also fined $25,000 for removing his shirt while exiting toward the locker rooms at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas.
I know designer shirts can be really quite expensive. But I didn't know having no shirt at all can be so expensive as well.
This time of year, this City of Angels is normally high on Lakers fever. Instead, rabid sports fans are stuck with watching the not-so-awesome LA Dodgers, who are plodding along the baseball season with a 19-23 won-lost slate.
There is still basketball at Staples Center on June 1. It is, however, the WNBA variety as the LA Sparks host the Lynx from Minnesota. It will be one heck of a game, no doubt, but it's not the Lakers.
The search for a new coach has yielded nothing important to report, either. All four candidates -- Brian Shaw, Chuck Person, Jeff Van Gundy and Rick Adelman -- have yet to speak with Lakers management.
The quest for a 3-peat is done. Dead on arrival in Round 2 of these 2011 playoffs. And for avid Laker fans, the emptiness follows the sadness, because what promised to be weeks of heart-stopping, awe-inspiring basketball has simply turned into a long summer of discontent. (NRR)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Date set for Manny-Money 2
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Doors open for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
