So where do I begin? William Henry Parker, also known as Smush, was recently acquired by the Miami Heat. After two season with the Los Angeles Lakers the organization decided he was not worthy of trying to resign a contract. But whats funny to me is what he had this to say to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in his recent signing. “D-Wade is more of a people person than Kobe,” Parker said of Bryant, his often-mercurial teammate. “I’m looking forward to jelling with Wade, and playing with him. He’s going to be a great teammate.” Smush Parker was picked up by Miami as a back up to Jason Williams and the most interesting part was he wasn’t there first choice. The Miami Heat tried to acquire Mo Williams who ended up resigning with the Milwaukee Bucks. Ok so the Heat went to Plan B — Smush Parker? Huh No. Actually, there second choice was Steve Francis who decided to reunite with the Houston Rockets. The real reason Smush was picked up by the Heat was because they ran out of options. I mean come on any other off season and Smush would be still looking for work in this league. (more…)

Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. was awarded National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award winner along with outspoken historian Dr. John Hope Franklin and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Museum president Beverly Robertson said Johnson is not being honored as a basketball superstar. “He is being honored for dedicating a significant amount of time, energy and resources to empowering disenfranchised African-American communities across America.”

Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers superstar, who retired after announcing he was HIV positive, has remained a public figure. He played for the U.S Olympic “Dream Team,” became part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, is a regular TV analysis on TNT and opened a chain of movie theaters in minority neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area. Since Magic’s last season as a Laker in 1995-1996, Magic has focused much of his attention on the Magic Johnson Foundation. The Magic Johnson Foundation’s mission is to help empower children, young adults and inner-city communities by funding community-based organizations to help meet their needs. The foundation also donates to groups that provide HIV/AIDS prevention to poor communities.

Its great to see Magic being awarded for his contributions to the African American community as well as the HIV/AIDS communities. Magic Johnson was my favorite player growing up and was devastated when I heard about him retiring from basketball. When I was younger I got a chance to see him in person and even though he was unable to give me an autograph he still remains my favorite player. With the way the NBA is now it is rare to actually see a player that cares more about his community than himself. Magic was unselfish on and off the floor and things haven’t changed since his retirement. I really am glad that Magic has stuck around the Los Angeles organization but its too bad his loyalty to the Laker organization hasn’t rubbed off on Kobe Bryant.

Finally the Los Angeles Lakers have a real point guard by agreeing in principal with Derek Fisher to a 3 year contract worth 14 million. Derek Fisher is returning back to the team that drafted him 24th overall in the 1996 draft. Fisher is not signed yet because the Utah Jazz have yet to file the proper paperwork to terminate his contract. This process will probably not be final until sometime next week. Derek Fisher asked to be released from his contract with the Utah Jazz so that he can concentrate on his 11-month-old daughter, who has cancer in her left eye. With this signing Derek Fisher will be a sure starter for the Los Angeles Lakers opening game tip off, at least we know one of the 5 starters.

Luke Walton made it official Thursday by signing his six year $30 million contract.

Luke always said that Los Angeles was where he always wanted to be. He and his agent were willing to explore other options around the league due to Luke having a pretty credible season the last go around. But the Lakers jumped on him quick and put together a deal that made him content and that was that. “…we took that offer because this is the place we wanted to be,” he said on Laker am570 radio.

Luke definitely sounded happy and excited completing his deal that would basically solidify him as a Laker until the end or latter of his career.

Here’s the audio from the interview:

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David Vassegh talked to Kobe one on one at his Basketball Academy @ LMU on July 5th.

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Here’s some video on Kobe flying out kids from New Orleans to his camp.

Well its been a month or two since the primary Kobe ruckus has happened.

I blogged back then that I thought this was a great move by Kobe, which I still think. But it sure doesn’t seem like it even made the Lakers management flinch, to the point where Mitch Kupchak said on AM570 Laker radio that the Lakers did not consult or even contact Kobe about the NBA draft, where in the first round they drafted early entry candidate Javaris Crittenton with the 19th overall pick. Crittenton attended one year at Georgia Tech, the 6-5 guard finished his career with the Yellow Jackets averaging 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 32 games played.

Wow, for all the stuff Kobe was talking about; no communication, no solid backcourt help, and no trust–that really made things a lot worse.

The reason why I say that is because I see this as kind of a weird situation, even though I am an all out Kobe supporter-I still feel a bit weird about everything, especially about Mitch proudly saying on radio that they didn’t talk to Kobe about the draft. I thought at least they would speak with their star player about a potential improvement to the squad, and that was one of the things Kobe was complaining about when he was on his radio rant a month back.

I am sure for the true Laker fan, they understand the situation-and understand why Kobe did what he did. BUT for the average FAKER fan, this looks like Kobe is being a crybaby and not knowing what he wants (to stay in LA or not). I believe a lot of this has to do with the emotions involved with being pissed off at Laker management, but at the same time I believe Kobe should have had a level of intelligent reputation management.

But at the end of the day, like the commercial says- Either Love him or hate him.