Today Shaquille O Neal lost his special deputy's badge in Maricopa County because of his ridiculous freestyle mock of former teammate Kobe Bryant. What poor judgement from Shaq and even poorer judgement by the Sheriff ; Doesn't he realize that we need intimidating figures like Shaq in the police force to make sure films like Kazaam and Steel never see the light of day again? In case you missed it or you're like me and want to watch it again...here it is for your viewing pleasure.
Oh that video will never get old...wish i could say the same for Shaq. Wouldn't be surprised if David Stern wrote the lyrics to that freestyle as this is sure to boost the NBA's ratings next year. If you think Kobe's angry, you're wrong. He knows exactly what it's like to make records and drop some hoop hyperboles in the rap game. Check out his first performance on national TV.
For some real underground bball rap with beautiful lyrics and a good message, make sure to check out our favorite 80's PSA from Magic and the Lakers.
I'm still recovering from that constipated comeback from the Lakers. Not one to harp on superstition but do you find the following a bit odd? 1)The Curse of #17 The Celtics 17th championship won on the 17th day of June with their MVP, #34 (multiple of 17) Paul Piercing the lowly Lakers without the likes of their young stud Andrew Bynum (#17). And by the way, this is Phil Jackson’s 17th year as an NBA head coach.
2) I Love LA We featured Randy Newman's "I Love LA" on our June '08 mixtape, anticipating a Laker win in the NBA Finals. It would have been too good to be true. Lesson- Don't count your eggs before they hatch. 3) Losing Voices Lakers have yet to recapture a title since they lost their voice (Chick Hearn) and the NBA lost theirs (the NBC network). The game and the Lakers season may be in the refrigerator now but imagine what a difference an intro would have made if we had heard New Ager John Tesh's "Roundball Rock" instead of the ABC/ESPN's over the top outtake .. compare the two below
Don't mean to disappoint all of you NBC ballers but the ABC/ESPN contract expires at the 2015-2016 season. This video demonstration and these telling stats are brought to you by Nate Jones, the budding bball super-agent to be. Go and Check out his blog , www.jonesonthenba.blogspot.com, for the best NBA analysis in the land.
Two weeks ago, the Lakers traded up for Pau Gasol. The following week, their Pacific division rivals, Phoenix Suns answered with a trade of their own, moving Shawn Marion to Miami for Shaq. Tonight marks a new chapter in what has now become basketball's best rivalry. Take a look at how it gets better with age.
1989 Playoffs - Lakers beat Suns 4-0 Magic's Lakers sweep past the Suns on their way to the '89 Finals
1990 Playoffs - Suns beat Lakers 4-1 Suns beat the Lakers in a playoff series for the first time in 6 tries.
1992-93 Regular Season - Suns sweep season series Dan Majerle hits a 3 pointer from several feet behind the line as time expires to beat the Lakers and give Phoenix it's first ever regular season series sweep of the Lakers.
1993 Playoffs - Suns beat Lakers 3-2 8th seeded Lakers, the only team to make the playoffs with a losing record, threaten to make history and topple the the top-seeded suns, winning the first two games of the best of 5 in Phoenix. Check out this classic cut edited from Game 2 of the first round from the NBA on NBC featuring commentary from Magic Johnson.
In the press conference after the game, Phoenix coachPaul Westphal predicts a Suns comeback finishing the series with 3 consecutive wins. Unfortunately his foresight proved him right.
1996-97 Regular Season - Lakers Sweep Season Series Shaq and Derek Fisher make their Laker debut against the Suns, beating them by 14 in the regular season opener at the Forum. 2000 Playoffs - Lakers beat Suns 4-1 A young Kobe Bryant hits one of his first of many playoff daggers, this one coming in the face of the bleached Jason Kidd and the Suns in game 2.
2006 playoffs - Suns beat Lakers 4-3 GAME 4-Kobe once again comes through in the clutch with a miraculous layup in traffic to force overtime and a signature jumpshot at the buzzer to give the Lakers a comfortable 3-1 cushion over the Suns.
Game 5-Kobe rings Raja's Bell with an elbow to the dome.Minutes later, Raja retaliates with an excessive and unnecessary flagrant clothesline on Bryant with 7 minutes left in what will be a convincing Suns win in game 5 in Phoenix.
Game 6-After Tim Thomas' clutch game-tying three pointer with seconds left in regulation at Staples Center, the Suns survived to live another day, winning Game 6 in overtime to extend the series to a seventh and deciding game in the land of the Sun.
Game 7-Anti-climactic finish to one of the best series of the 2006 playoffs as the Suns won Game 7 by 31 points. Phoenix becomes only the 8th team to overcome a 3-1 deficit by winning the final 3 games of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs to give Phil Jackson his first series loss in the first round of the playoffs in 15 seasons.
2007 Playoffs - Suns beat Lakers 4-1 Phoenix wins series again, this time an almost uncontested match with a healthy Amare Stoudemire.
2007-08 Regular Season - Lakers currently leading series 2-1 Lakers spoil Suns home opener, demoralizing Phoenix and their home faithful by21 points. Phil Jackson and Mike D' Antoni perpetuate their sideline banter.
Christmas Day - Lakers hand Suns a Christmas treat beating them 122-115 with a break-out nationally televised performance from the Lakers young center Andrew Bynum. Check out the highlights below.
As soon as I heard the rumor of Phoenix's answer to the Lakers Pau-werful trade, I spontaneously purchased tix to the Laker game in Phoenix on February 20th. This should make things very interesting in the Western coference. Suns and Lakers have had a rivalry since the Magic-less Lakers and Sedale Threatt-ened to take them out of the first round of the '93 playoffs. Speaking of '93 and Shaq and the Suns...yesterday marks the 15th anniversary of Shaq's backboard breaking dunk in Phoenix.
Critics have questioned Shaq's stamina and whether he can keep up with the Suns speed.
Shaq's reaction - "I'm very upset...you just don't really want to see me upset.. but when i'm upset i'm known to do certain things like win championships".
For more of these antics from one of the most charismatic characters in the sports world, i recommend a viewing of O' Neal's introduction to the Phoenix franchise below.
Stay tuned to another Final Countdown to this renewed rematch between Shaq and Kobe in the coming days before the big game.
Today Shaquille O Neal lost his special deputy's badge in Maricopa County because of his ridiculous freestyle mock of former teammate Kobe Bryant. What poor judgement from Shaq and even poorer judgement by the Sheriff ; Doesn't he realize that we need intimidating figures like Shaq in the police force to make sure films like Kazaam and Steel never see the light of day again? In case you missed it or you're like me and want to watch it again...here it is for your viewing pleasure.
Wouldn't be surprised if David Stern wrote the lyrics to that freestyle as this is sure to boost the NBA's ratings next year. If you think Kobe's angry, you're wrong. He knows exactly what it's like to make records and drop some hoop hyperboles in the rap game. Check out his first performance on national TV.
