Strike of the Black Mamba

I absolutely love this picture.

Blake Griffin Jumps Over a Car

This dunk was crazy, I wish he had a better pass so he could do something with it, or if he jumped over the roof. But nonetheless, this kid is something.

Shannon Brown's Incredible Slam at MSG

This one still has me jumping out my chair screaming. Runway 12 clear for takeoff!

Chipmunk Feat. Chris Brown - Champion

Some flavor from the UK. Hot track, check for the remix with J. Cole (couldn't find a no tag version). Breezy killing the vocals on this one.

Road Sweet Road

When all things looked like they were coming crashing down in La La Land last week with losses to Boston and San Antonio at home, the Lakers took off for the annual Grammy road trip with some "experts and pundits" writing the Lakers falling stock. The lousy outcomes against the Celtics and Spurs were followed by the overnight breaking news of the Melo-Bynum trade talks. These eventually swept through the sports world and was the topic of discussion on every sports talk radio show and daytime sport shows on ESPN. All these stories, headlines, and worries can all go back to the all important saying in sports - winning cures everything. And for now, it seems like with back-to-back statement road wins in Boston and New York, the critics are temporarily silenced.

Were the Lakers concerned with losses to Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and San Antonio (2x)? Slightly, but not nearly as much as the sports world was. The fact is, it is still February. Games in November and December are not going to make or break a back-to-back championship winning team. To say that a team that has won 2 championships with 3 consecutive NBA Finals appearances has forgotten how to win against the good teams is ridiculous.

To take a look back at history, the last time the Lakers were in position to go for a 3-peat was the 2001-2002 season. Through the first 54 games that season, the Lakers record was 38-16. So far this season, the Lakers have played 54 games, and their record? Yes, you guessed it, 38-16.

Phil Jackson has admitted multiple times this season that it is hard to get a team that has won 2 championships motivated every night. Most people have trouble grasping themselves around this theory. "They're professionals, this is their job, they should go out and try to win every game." The fact is, it does not work like that. This team knows its capabilities, and the regular season for a team like this is simply about growth and execution. Losses in December do not translate to losses come May and June when the games really count. What you want is your team to assess and learn from the losses. You want to see a team go on a stretch where they gain momentum and confidence in one another. This Grammy trip looks like it might be one of those stretches where this team comes together and really gets an assessment of where they are and where they need to be come May and June.

The win in Boston was important just because they were able to make adjustments from a week and half ago against one of the best teams in the league. In their first meeting, Kobe took it upon himself to push the team offensively. He had a great individual effort scoring 41 points while shooting over 50%, but the rest of the team struggled badly. Gasol went 5-13, Artest 1-10, and Fisher 1-6 with no big grabbing more than 7 boards. The Lakers were out rebounded 43-30, a very important stat. Last year in the Finals, the team that won the rebounding battle won every game. Last night, the Lakers came out with a different look. Kobe only took 3 shots in the first half trying to facilitate for his teammates. It worked in leading the Lakers to a big run at the end of the second, and in the second half Kobe came out looking to be more aggressive offensively scoring 20 of his 23 points in the second half. Most notably, he put the game away in the 4th dropping 3 daggers on the Celtics (and Henry Abbot thinks he's not clutch). The Lakers also won the rebounding battle 47-36 and outscored the Celtics in the paint (the Celtics lead the league in points in the paint).

There is no doubt much of the Lakers success relies on Pau Gasol. Since Kobe's "black swan" talk with Gasol, the Spaniard has come out with a purpose. Maybe a little butt-kicking in January was what was needed to awake the champions. I see the Lakers finishing this road trip strong heading into the post-All Star Break the team to beat.

Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said ft. Skylar Grey [AUDIO]

Lupe's lyrics are amazing, one of the best lyricists in the game. I wish people would give this kind of stuff more play instead of guys like Waka Flocka. This is what hip hop is missing. This is what hip hop needs to gain respect from White America.

California Love Hats

I needa get one of these

Green and Yellow

As you guys know, the big game is tomorrow. It's going to be green and yellow all day tomorrow. (and i'm going to get my preseason pick right)

Unbreakable | A Unisex Fragrance by Khloe and Lamar

Right after I wrote a post defending Lamar on his snub...there is no way I can defend this, absolute comedy

LO - the Snub

With the All-Star starters and reserves announced, there was undoubtedly going to be snubs. The biggest snub this year has to be Lamar Odom. Afterall, Lamar getting snubbed almost seems fitting. It always seems that Odom is getting the short end of the stick with the officials. He always seems to get called on ticky-tack fouls while getting very few calls when he is fouled hard. As he does in the game, Lamar will have to shake this snub off and continue his spectacular play in the second half of the season for the Lakers.

Let me just put what Lamar is doing into numbers. This season Lamar is averaging 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds coming off the bench. The 15.5 points is LO's highest point average since 2007. He is also shooting a career high 56% from the field and a career high beyond the arch at 38.3%. Lamar has certainly improved his jump shot and has brought life off the bench for the Lakers this year. He has been LA's most consistent player (yes, more consistent than Kobe).

I don't have a problem with Blake Griffin being chosen because the kid has been spectacular throwing up 23-13 a night while turning one of the NBA's worst franchises a complete 180. Kevin Love is having himself a fantastic season as well putting up 21-11 a night, but his team has the worst record in the Western Conference. I think for that reason alone, LO should have gotten the nod over Love. Another scenario I would have been ok with is not having Carmelo Anthony in the All-Star game. Unfortunately he was voted in by the fans (something that needs to be taken out, the fact that Melo and Yao were voted in is ridiculous). Melo has been down in production this year in points and field goal percentage in an overall lackluster performance with all the trade rumors.

Lamar Odom should be in the All-Star game because his number speak directly to the success of the Lakers this season. It would have been great to see LO get treated by being able to show off on Sunday evening along with the other NBA stars in front of his home fans.

Nokia N96 Bruce Lee Limited Edition

This has to be one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time. Bruce Lee plays ping pong with nunchucks and wins. RIDICULOUS

Blake Griffin rocks the Staples Center

Blake Griffin did it again last night. I can't wait to see this guy All-Star Saturday night, this is just plain ridiculous.

Lakers Need a Win

The Lakers need a win in a big way tonight. After losing to Miami, San Antonio, and Boston so far this season, this is about time the LakeShow gets a statement win. They have to be able to protect their home court, especially against the best team in the league (record wise), the San Antonio Spurs. I'd really like to see the Lakers make a good push towards the all-star break this coming week and ride some momentum into the second half.

I think Pau Gasol is the key for the Lakers at this point. He really needs to step up. He played well on Tuesday night against the Rockets and finally had a big game against Luis Scola putting up 26-16 with 6 offensive rebounds. This came after Kobe had a talk with Gasol after the Boston game telling him he had to be selfish. Kobe said Gasol needed to go from the white swan to the black swan, and that definitely is true if the Lakers want to have a chance to bring home the three-peat. Gasol will have a big test tonight matching up against the best power forward of all time, Tim Duncan.

San Antonio is a team that just flat out executes, and that's why they are so difficult to beat. They bring in no-name guys (George Hill, Gary Neil) who fit into the system seamlessly. The Spurs have been running a different offense this year, which is more guard-oriented instead of dumping it into Duncan each time down and running the offense through him. They also have brought Ginobli into the starting line up, and he has been on a tear. The key for the Lakers will all start at the defensive end. Kobe and Ron will have to pick it up on Ginobli, force him baseline and force him to make a play. If the Lakers continue to run Chuck Person's new defensive scheme, this is a team that can be contained.

Lamarcus Aldridge last game dropped 40 against the Spurs and was able to secure the win for the Blazers. I don't think Kobe going for a big 35-40 point game will be a winning formula for the Lakers tonight. LA needs to get the big men involved and make Duncan, Blair, and Splitter work on defense. If two out of the three big men (LO, Gasol, and Drew) can secure 10+ rebounds, shoot a high percentage with (18-22 points each) the Lakers will win this game.

As far as all the trade rumors go in LA, there always are going to be trade rumors. The Lakers have made a commitment to try to bring in the best talent to give the team the best opportunity to win. Personally, I don't see the Lakers trading away Artest. His defense was key in winning the championship last year. The thing that is bothering Ron is the shots. He has always been a top 2 or 3 option before he got on the Lakers, but he is now 4th or 5th at best. Ron understands his role and he will fulfill his part if it means another championship. Phil has expressed that he would like to get the team more quick, and that most likely means bringing in a guard. I don't see a blockbuster trade in the making but Walton, Blake, Smith are all on the trade block. I would like to see the Lakers bring in a quick guard that can hit open shots.

I don't think the Lakers should part ways with Bynum yet either. He's shown strides in improving this year and I think he will continue to get better. His defense has been stellar so far as well. His knee will continue to hurt, its a given. This team can win this season with Bynum. With that said, he's one major surgery away from being shipped out of LA. If they decide to pursue Dwight Howard, I believe they should wait till the end of this season.

LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett & Goon Rock - Party Rock Anthem Top Quality

So I'm back on this thing

This song has been stuck in my head this whole week. Absolutely love LMFAO! (shake that)