Sources confirmed a RealGM.com report from earlier Monday that the Magic have continued to pursue Golden State's Monta Ellis as a complement to Howard. ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reported Feb. 29 that Orlando had targeted Ellis as an ideal player to try to pry from the Warriors as a means of placating Howard.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith can’t be serious.   

Smith believes acquiring Monta Ellis from the Golden State Warriors would convince Dwight Howard to play out his contract and re-think signing an extension with the Magic.

So Smith is working overtime to swing a deal for Ellis. He’s talking to the Warriors, of course, and will even involve the New Orleans Hornets.

This won’t be enough, though.

Say the Magic land Ellis. All they have is a temperamental scorer who injured himself riding a moped, slammed Stephen Curry before ever meeting him, and sexually harassed (allegedly) an ex-employee of the Warriors` PR staff.

Translation: Ellis is a shot-happy combo guard with baggage. Sounds familiar, right?

Last year, Smith, in an effort to appease Howard, traded for Gilbert Arenas. The Hibachi resembled a broken down charcoal barbeque, struggling with his weight, shot, and role.

Howard will see right through any deal for Ellis. He’ll see Smith and the Magic for exactly what they are: desperate. And he’ll opt-out in July and leave as a free agent.

Smith and the Magic must accept the inevitable: Howard is gone. It’s time to cut the best deal possible.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

One source close to the situation told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that the Magic have promised Howard that they will add a quality player before Thursday's deadline and that Howard can decide the fate of both GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy at the end of the season if he signs an extension.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: There’s a popular television show called Intervention where families confront a sick individual battling an addiction.

Perhaps you have seen it on A&E. Perhaps not.

Hopefully, someone in the Orlando Magic ownership group has seen Intervention. And hopefully, they confront President Alex Martin about his disease: appeasing Dwight Howard.

Sure, Howard is the top center in the NBA, but he has yet to win a championship, an MVP trophy, or even develop a go-to move on the offensive end.

He is raw, immature, and has handled his pending free agency like a teen pop diva. Annoying teen crooner Justin Beiber is more professional than Howard.

Still, the Magic continue to give Howard whatever he likes, or whatever they think he’ll like in order to have him stay.

They’ve assumed several bad contracts in an attempt to give Howard a worthy supporting cast. Gilbert Arenas, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu all backfired and destroyed the team's financial flexibility.

Recent reports have surfaced that the Magic are chasing Monta Ellis because they think a shot-happy, crass combo guard will convince Howard to play through 2013 and sign a long-term extension.

HoopsVibe has given our opinion on Ellis before. He's not the answer.

Today, reports are surfacing that Magic President Alex Martin has told Howard he can decide the fate of coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith.

Sadly, the inmate is now running the entire asylum.

Van Gundy and Smith may deserve to be fired. This is not Howard’s decision to make, though.  He is the player. Van Gundy is the coach. Smith is the manager.

If Martin offered to fire Van Gundy and Smith to appease Howard, then a point of no return has been established.

Simply put, Howard can't return. Suppose he signed an extension with the Magic. No coach, executive, or teammate would criticize him because doing so may get them fired, traded, or released.

Bottom line: good organizations do not operate in such a fashion.

So Magic ownership must intervene. They must empower Smith to immediately get the best possible package for Howard - even if that’s 80 or 90 cents on the dollar - because keeping him would encourage dysfunction.

Then ownership must review how the entire organization, top to bottom, has handled 'Howard-gate' and make changes. Appeasing an NBA superstar is a disease that must be cured.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.  

Howard would not address the future beyond this year and said he understood there was some risk for the Magic, but hoped they’d roll the dice and keep him in Orlando.

“We’ve been talking for a while and I told them, I want to finish this season out and give our team and give our fans some hope for the future but I feel they have to roll that dice,” sad Howard. “It might be tough but I feel like we’ve got a great opportunity but they’ve got to roll it. “

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Dwight Howard ‘wants’ it both ways.

The All-Star center ‘wants’ to finish the season with the Orlando Magic, but doesn’t ‘want’ to sign a long-term extension.

In other words, Howard ‘wants’ the Magic to assume all the risk. He ‘wants’ his current team to play the odds, telling the front office to ‘roll the dice’ following the Magic’s win over the Heat.

Here’s the thing: well run organizations don’t ‘roll the dice’ or give their star employee what he `wants`, no matter how great he is.

Simply put, the Magic can’t allow Howard to finish the year without having his name on an extension.

`Rolling the dice` would result in Howard opting-out of his contract on July 1st and bolting as a free agent to the New Jersey Nets or Dallas Mavericks.

Under this scenario, the Magic get nothing back. And the Nets and Mavericks would have given up nothing but money to get him.

In fact, some, like NBATV analyst and former coach Sam Mitchell, believe this is why Howard asked to finish the season in Orlando. 

He has already decided to sign with the Nets, but doesn’t want to weaken his next team by having them give up assets in a trade.

In other words, Howard has half a foot in Orlando and a foot and a half in New Jersey. 

Bottom line: the Magic must cut a trade.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

In a Wednesday night conference call with Orlando Magic officials before the team’s game in San Antonio, Dwight Howard told the Magic that he is not prepared to surrender the option to become a free agent at season’s end, according to sources with knowledge of the discussion… During the call, sources said, Howard told the Magic that staying in Orlando is his first choice. But he also made it clear that he was not prepared to relinquish the (Early Termination Option) ETO in his contract that allows him to become a free agent.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: We thought we had closure -of some sorts. Well, we were wrong.

Reports Dwight Howard would opt-in and spend 2012-13 with the Orlando Magic are apparently false.

Howard, reportedly, intends to opt-out of his contract in July, become an unrestricted free agent, and, in all likely-hood, leave the Magic to sign with the New Jersey Nets or Dallas Mavericks.

Here’s the bottom line: what Howard wants no longer matters. Who cares if he opts-in or opts-out?

This saga has gone too far and the Magic can‘t build around a player who allows his personal situation to overshadow, clutter, and take away from team goals.

Consider that Howard-gate 2012 has utterly hijacked the Magic’s season. Otis Smith, Alex Martin, or whoever is in charge must deal Howard -even if that means getting 90 cents on the dollar.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Dwight Howard just texted me that he has signed the waiver of his Early Termination Option.

Link

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It's official. No more back-and-forth. And, for now, no more speculation.

ESPN scribe Chris Broussard is reporting that Dwight Howard has signed the opt-in clause, meaning he'll likely spend 2012-13 with the Orlando Magic.

A few things worth noting:

1) GM Otis Smith and the Magic must decide if they want Howard, after all. The center's flip-flopping created a sopa opera that made LeBron James and 'The Decision' look good.

The entire organization took a backseat to Howard's selfishness. Franchise face or not, he has some apologizing to do and should start with fans and teammates.

2) If they stick with Howard, the Magic have time - but not too much - to find a co-star. If they fail, the same saga could occur next year when Howard's contract expires.

3) The Magic and Howard must reflect on how they handled this situation. Both team and player have looked unprofessional. And both team and player must learn from their mistakes.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Nets send Okur, Shawne Williams and a 2012 draft pick protected thru No. 3, sources tell Y! Nets trying to surround Deron Williams now.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Too little, too late.

The New Jersey Nets have acquired Gerald Wallace because they believe he’ll convince point guard Deron Williams to sign a multi-year extension.

Williams can opt-out of his contract this summer and become a free agent. The Nets, who are moving into a shiny billion dollar stadium in Brooklyn, have hitched their wagon to the star table-setter.

Wallace makes the Nets good, but not good enough for Williams.

D-Will wants a legit co-star  - like dare I say it, Dwight Howard who will play with Orlando for another year - to stay with the Nets long-term. Wallace, a fourth star on a contending team, isn’t of the same ilk as Howard.  

The Nets have a rapidly shrinking window to do something significant or Williams likely signs with his hometown Dallas Mavericks this summer.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

"You read it here," King said. "Dwight Howard had agreed to be traded to the Nets, but had a last minute change of heart and stayed with the Magic." In subsequent tweets, the veteran newsman declined to reveal his source and said "if Dwight wants to comment, I can't tell Dwight what to say."

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Remember Larry King?

King was a legendary reporter and CNN interviewer before giving way to Piers Morgan, the humorous Brit’ and former gossip rag editor.

While the ‘Larry-Legend’ of the talk-show circuit was dialled in with presidents, kings, dictators, rock stars, comics, and actors, it remains to be seen how connected he is to the world of the NBA -especially with a superstar like Dwight Howard.

So I’m not sure how to take his tweet that Howard agreed to a trade to the New Jersey Nets before changing his mind and opting-in with the Orlando Magic for 2013.

It’s entirely possible, though. Remember, Howard changed his mind like a Hollywood socialite changes shoes.

Initially, he wanted out of Orlando, even requesting a trade. Then he wanted to stay. Then he wanted a trade. And then he wasn’t sure.

The flip-flopping and speculation continued until Howard surprisingly opted-in on trade deadline morning, which was followed by an awkward press conference.

Of course, the Magic had to protect themselves, so they surely pursued a trade with the Nets, while also trying to convince Howard to stay.

Fortunately, for the Magic it worked. Howard is staying. For now.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Which suggests that the Bulls, if they're that high on Pau, are bound to try to trade for him again. Nor have they abandoned hope of courting Dwight Howard via trade, sources said, despite Howard's longstanding coolness toward the idea of relocating to Chicago and the extra season he just committed to Orlando by opting in for the 2012-13 season.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick: The Chicago Bulls make the most sense -if Dwight Howard wants a championship.

The Bulls have Derrick Rose, the 2011 regular season MVP and a premier NBA player. And Rose, who is in his early 20s, will get even better.

Bottom line: the athletic point guard is exactly the kind of co-superstar Howard has been searching for.  Yet, he kyboshed any chance of joining the Bulls when he declared he wasn’t interested in a 'Windy City' partnership.

The reason: nobody knows -including Howard, himself.

Initially, there was speculation Adidas, who sponsor Howard and Rose, discouraged a Bulls-Magic trade because they didn’t want their two biggest names in one market. There was also speculation the Bulls couldn’t put together a package that suited the Magic.

However, the most likely scenario is that Howard’s flip-flopping alienated the Bulls and Magic -making a blockbuster deal between these eastern powers impossible.

For a Bulls-Magic trade to occur, Howard has to get past his indecision and decide what he wants.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

“I don’t have a scenario in my head where I wouldn’t,” Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel after he was asked whether he wants to return. “They’re going to have to make decisions. But I’m a basketball coach and I know this: I don’t want to go anywhere else. I mean, I love Orlando, and this is where I want to be. And I want to coach.”

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The superstar is in denial mode. The GM is downplaying everything. And the coach just wants to return next season.

Yes, the Orlando Magic are a mess.

Instead of worrying about the upcoming playoffs, Dwight Howard, Otis Smith, and Stan Van Gundy are pre-occupied with what will happen next.

For Howard, that means changing the Magic for the 2012-13 season. For Smith and Van Gundy, that means keeping their jobs and continuing to blame Howard.

So much is unknown in Central Florida. However, two things are crystal clear.

First, the Magic have no chance at beating the Chicago Bulls and/or Miami Heat in a best of seven series with Howard’s situation hanging over them like an ominous rain cloud.

Second, Howard opting-in for 2013 was supposed to bring closure to the Magic. Clearly, it hasn’t. The reports and rumours continue to flood the internet, while anonymous sources continue to speak out.

Perhaps all involved would have been better off if Howard was traded last March at the deadline.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Howard has been advised to cease all basketball-related activities for the next 10 to 15 days as playing could further extend the injury. Howard would miss the remainder of the regular season if he follows that advice, but it has not been determined if he will attempt to play through the injury.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Dwight-Drama continues.

For months, there was speculation about Dwight Howard’s future with the Orlando Magic, which placed the club in a holding pattern.

One minute, Howard wanted to stay in Orlando. One minute, he wanted out. And then, he wasn’t sure.

The situation came to a head before the trade deadline, where Howard, after much cajoling and strong-arming, opted-in for 2013.

There was a clumsy press conference. There was talk of ‘loyalty’. There was a reconciliation so awkward it belonged on the Desperate Housewives series.

It seemed all was solved in the short term. Then the rumblings and rumours started again. The Magic threatened to trade Howard to the Lakers unless he opted-in (yes, you read correctly, Howard did not want to go to L.A.). Reports surfaced that Howard wanted coach Stan Van Gundy fired.

Even retired CNN talk show host Larry King weighed-in, tweeting that a source told him Howard was nearly a Net at the trade deadline.

And now this …

Howard has been diagnosed with a back injury. He can’t play for a couple of weeks. His Orlando Magic sit at sixth in the Eastern Conference and are sliding down the standings.

The playoffs are not guaranteed. If they do secure a top-eight seed, they will likely face powerhouses such as the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat.

The Magic`s season is ending badly. And the future for player and team doesn`t look good, either.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
 

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard told team owner Rich DeVos that he won't play for coach Stan Van Gundy anymore, WKMG in Orlando reported on Thursday. Howard was angered that Van Gundy publicly divulged that the superstar center asked management to have him fired, WKMG said, citing sources.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Dwight Howard is an All-World talent, but the Orlando Magic must wonder if he’s worth the trouble?

Consider Howard's past year: he requested a trade several times; he then told the world he wanted to stay with Orlando; he somewhat reluctantly opted-in for 2013; and has asked ownership several times to fire Coach Stan Van Gundy and/or GM Otis Smith.

Howard is arguably the league’s top defensive player and center; however, his personal situation has hijacked the season. His every move, word, and comment has dominated the news.

It’s created a massive distraction. Think Carmelo Anthony with the Denver Nuggets in 2011 and LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010. Except there’s no end in sight to Howard’s ‘Indecision’ because he opted-in for 2013, which means the saga will continue.

Unless the Magic take action. For instance, the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum for Howard. Smith should see if that deal is still available because Bynum is amost Howard's equal and has room to improve.

Most importantly, such a move would bring closure. The current situation with Howard can’t continue.

--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

“It hurts (emotionally),” Howard said. “That’s the first thing — it hurts. And then with people saying and thinking I’m quitting on my team. This is a real issue. I tried to play through it and it just made my back worse.” Howard has been complaining of back problems since early March, but it wasn’t until Los Angeles-based spine surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins examined him last week that the herniated disk was discovered. Howard received an epidural to alleviate the pain at that time, and the plan was that he’d rest and rehabilitate his back for 10-14 days before deciding if he could return to play or further treatment might be necessary. But his back has worsened and both Watkins and the Magic’s medical staff determined that surgery is necessary.

Link

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I’m not sure if Dwight Howard is a fan of the Steve Miller band, but he should’ve ‘taken the money and run’ by signing Orlando's max’ money offer earlier this year.

Howard has a sore back. Today we learned that All-Star needs surgery and will be out indefinitely.

His injury throws a wrench in things for player and team. Howard can no longer act like a Mongolian despot and demand the Orlando Magic fire their entire staff, which may or may not have included the dude hawking hotdogs in the stands on game-days. Meanwhile, the Magic will likely stop negotiating an extension until they know their center can make a full recovery.

Everything is on pause. Well, almost everything.

Another club could seize the moment and try to acquire Howard. Perhaps the Magic take a little less than market value to get a wonky Howard and his growing attitude out of Central Florida.

Of course, that club would have to be convinced that Howard can recover. And the Magic would have to have an epiphany and realize their franchise face is more trouble than he’s worth.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

LeBron is the leading vote-getter on the NBA All-Defensive team.

HoopsVibe's Very Quikc Call: Not sure he'd be my first pick, but he should definitely be on the squad.

Rumor: If the Brooklyn Nets land the #1 lottery pick, Deron Williams is pressuring them to trade for Dwight Howard.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The kid's got beef before he's even in the league.

Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard Brawl?

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Seems Howard has just about out lasted his welcome with Jameer in Orlando.

Andrew Bynum hints he may be headed to Orlando.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Does everyone only communicate through twitter?

The Nets have reportedly entered into contract talks with their own Brook Lopez.

Hoopsvibe Very Quick Call: It's now or never for Dwight Howard to Brooklyn Nets deal.

Lopez, a restricted free agent, is reportedly talking to the Nets about a max deal; either 4 years for $58 million or 5 years for $78 million. The other thing to consider is that if another team puts in an offer to Lopez, he can't be part of a trade to another team. Also, if he doesn't agree to a sign and trade it would stop a deal for Howard until December 15th, because that is when players who signed with teams in the offseason can be traded.

Believe it or not, the Howard to Nets saga has been going on for about a year now. If it doesn't go down now, how awkward would it be for him to spend the season in Orlando? Speaking of awkward, if the Nets are forced to rely on their own "in-house" guy in Lopez, would that make things weird and screw up chemistry? Either way the Nets need a back-up plan in case they don't actually trade for Howard, and Lopez is it.

But how much worse would that be? Or, would it even be bad at all? We all know Lopez missed all but five games last season due to a foot injury, which is never what you want to have your big man suffer through (see Rik Smits, Yao Ming). But when healthy, Lopez has produced, with career averages of 17.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 1.6 bpg. But obviously, Lopez is nowhere close to the defensive player Howard is, or the rebounder. But he is a solid big man.

The other question is, if the Nets do actually get Howard, are their enough basketballs to go around to keep everyone happy? Joe Johnson has to shoot a lot to be productive. Deron Williams likes to score as much as any PG in the league. Gerald Wallace likes to score. Howard needs to be the center of attention at all times, so even though he's saying he wants to go to the Nets, could he even handle being an after thought on the offensive side? How long would it take for him to complain about that?

If Dwight Howard going to the Nets has any chance of happening, it's going to have to happen NOW.

Rule change means Dwight Howard will wait for free agency.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Dwight Howard wouldn't think of signing a contract extension to help complete a trade.

Howard is under contract through the 2012-2012 season. If he is traded and signs an extension now, the maximum number of years that contract can be is for three years. 

Howard's agent recently explained why the new change in the labor agreement directly impacts Howard's decision. The new rule change affects players signing extensions before free agency and in Howard's case it makes no sense to sign an extension to help a trade. The new rule made it better for players to hit free agency, instead of extensions. This allows them to get more lucrative long-term deals. Signing now would likely cost Howard about $40 million.

Andrew Bynum is expected to follow the same painful path as Howard. Bynum could sign a three-year deal for $60 million or wait a year and sign a deal worth $100 million. Easy to see why under the new rules it's enticing to wait that extra year, hit free agency, and cash in.

It looks more and more like Dwight Howard will refuse to sign an extension to facilitate a trade. Orlando can't be blamed for wanting to get the best deal they can for Howard and Howard can't be blamed for wanting to cash in next year for $100 million. The problem is these two understandable issue make a Howard trade extremely difficult. 

For more info, updates, and gossip follow @HoopsVibe

and Mike's babbling sports tips @MikeBrouillet

Photo Credit: AP NEWS

Dwight Howard has officially been traded to the LA Lakers in a four team deal.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Are we dreaming? Did this deal actually, finally go down? I almost don't believe it.

Top 10 Reasons: Why LA will win the championship next year.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: No, all 10 reasons aren't Dwight Howard

Who is the Best Laker's center of all-time.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Dwight, you're not even in the top 4.

Kupchak brings Dwight Howard to Lakers

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call:  This is only the most recent in a career of shrewd moves since Kupchak became the Lakers general manager.

Dwight Howard is adjusting to LA just fine thank you.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: LA's not Orlando Dwight. If you date Ciara people are going to find out.

Charles Oakley calls Dwight Howard a big cry baby

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: I'd love to see these to bigs battle for a rebound. My money's on Oakley.

Dwight Howard tries to make-up with Orlando with a full page add.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Any true Orlando fan isn't buying this load of BS.

Top Ten Definitively Worst NBA Nicknames

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Do you really want to be called Boobie, Pooh,  or Bimbo? Really?

Here are the worst of the worst. If you're looking for a nickname on the blacktop do not ask one of these ballers for advice. I repeat, do NOT ask one of these NBA players. Here you go, the 10 worst NBA nicknames ever.

#10 Harold "Baby Jordan" Minor

Yes, he could leap through the roof, but with his NBA career only lasting 4 seasons comparisons to Jordan seem a bit absurd.

#9 Jameer "Crib Midget" Nelson

It's hard to view this nickname as anything but offensive. We know it's playful, but this one is simply weird.

#8 Vernel "Bimbo" Coles

We can only hope this isn't the type of nickname that got passed on to his daughters. What kind of grown man wants people calling him Bimbo to his face.

#7 Craig "Eggs" Ehlo

It's tough to be a dominating force in the NBA with a nickname like Eggs, but Ehlo actually managed quite a respectable NBA career. Ehlo reported got the nickname from John Lucas because when they played together in Houston they would play one-on-one for breakfast.

#6 Damon "The World's Greatest Shooter" Jones

I am a believer in positive thinking, but this just ridiculous. Jones isn't even in the top 10,000 NBA shooters of all time, let alone #1. Lucky for him though, he made another prestigious list. With a self-dubbed nickname like this, he was destined for the Worst Nickname List.

#5 David "DaWhite Howard" Lee

Anytime your nickname is referencing how you are the white version of a great black player you have the recipe for a Top 10 Worst Nickname. David Lee does not disappoint. Yeah, Dwight Howard is a beast in the game and Lee has his moments, but lets not get carried away her folks.

#4 Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic

The only way this nickname works is if his ex-girlfriend and mega-hot tennis pro / model Maria Sharapova gave it to him. She didn't and he rides the pine, so take it easy there Sasha. Your first name is feminine enough, don't try to overcompensate with your forced nickname.

#3 "Pooh" Richardson

I'm not sure what could be more demeaning than pooh. This Timberwolve's nickname is literally calling himself pooh, as in shit. Not The shit, just shit. 

Although we are a fan, we have to say we don't want to be called Boobiey all day long. Just think of the scenarios: "Looking good Boobie. Use your head Boobie. Do you need some water Boobie." It just seems wrong.

#1 Corey "Bad Porn" Maggette 

The logic behind this one actually makes sense if the judgment does not. Corey apparently got the nickname "Bad Porn" because of his ability to penetrate the oppositions defense at will, so for all that penetration people started calling him Bad Porn. Yuck.

Top 10 Reasons LA Won't Win the Championship This Year.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Even with Dwight and Nash many don't pick the Lakers to win this year. Here's why.

Below are the Top 10 reasons Los Angeles won't win the title this year. This is drawing from other teams of similar build as well as an analysis of their existing pieces. Los Angeles is loaded with talent, but talent doesn't always equal championship rings and these are the reasons why.

#10 Metta World Peace is wild.

World Peace is a solid defender, but his offense is sketchy and his ability to control himself in pressure situations is horrible. Look for him to have another incident this year as he continues to age and get more frustrated with his slowing body. It's not a matter of if, but simply when World Peace will go nuclear.

#9 Pau Gasol is weak.

Gasol simply doesn't pay with the heart of a champion. Now that he is the 3rd or 4th option in the offense it won't be as glaringly obvious, but having people on your team and on the court that lack desire is a killer to team moral. Look for Kobe to continue to get pissed with Pau.

#8 Dwight can't shoot free throws.

When the game is on the line Dwight can't touch the ball. This is the same problem the Clippers have with Blake Griffin. The Lakers can overcome this by simply having everything flow through Kobe and Nash, but having your key big man not able to touch the ball is a serious weakness.

#7 Nash's defense sucks.

Steve Nash is a wiz at no-look passes and floaters in the lane, but lateral movement and man-up defense isn't one of his strengths. This will be exploited when he is matched up with speedsters like Russell Westbrook. This will be a key matchup the Thunder will exploit. This is why the Thunder are still stronger than the Lakers out West.

#6 Dwight's attitude

Dwight is known as a happy-go-lucky guy. He has always been much stronger and more talented than his competition. Unfortunately, this has made him weak. Dwight is not tough. He does not have the heart of a lion like Kobe. He has the heart of a kitty like Pau. This lack of mental toughness will be spotlighted in the playoffs.

#5 Kobe pressing

Kobe want's his sixth championship more than anything. He knows time is running out on both his career and the Laker's ability to hold this squad of players together. Look for Kobe to up in Pau and Dwight's faces early in the season. This could backfire with Dwight who isn't used to being scolded publicly.

#4 Mike Brown needs a spine

The Zen Master not only knew how to win, he knew how to let his leaders lead, but also how to keep them within his system. Mike Brown is no Phil Jackson and doesn't command the type of respect needed to keep massive egos in check. If things get bumpy early in the system look for Mike Brown to start catching some of the heat.

#3 No Toughness.

The toughest player on the Lakers is Kobe followed by Steve Nash. Where LA doesn't have grit is underneath. They lack the big men with muscle that are willing to both hit the floor and set a bone-crushing pick. Their big men are more pretty and gritty. Teams like San Antonio and Oklahoma City that don't suffer from this same prima donna mentality will exploit this lack of toughness.

#2 LA wants results.

Look for the temperature to be turned up as the Lakers struggle early in the season. They may even loose some early games to the Clippers and be threatened with losing the crown of their home town. Los Angeles has extrememly high expectations for the Lakers and if things start going south look for egos to get bruised and fingers to start pointing.

#1 First year together.

The Miami heat didn't win the first year their Big Three united in South Beach. The Lakers are no different. No matter how much talent a team has, it takes time for players to find their roles and fit together. The Lakers have the advantage of having winners already on the roster, but so did Miami. Look for the Lakers to win in year 2, but not their first year with this grouping of players. 

It always looks awkward to see a tall person dance.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Watching Dwight Howard dance is no exception.

Hipster glasses invade the NBA.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: From the dual Hipster capitals of the world Silver Lake, CA & Austin, TX geek chic is in.

By now, any fan or follower of the NBA is familiar with the article, Brian Windhorst, NBA writer for ESPN.com, published on Thursday about the Lakers eyeing Lebron James.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Talk about Lebron doing anything and expect the pot to get stirred.

Three different games mark the beginning of the 2012-13 NBA regular season Tuesday night.
 
Hoopsvibe's quick call:  After an interesting offseason, let the games begin.

Opening night's most famous appendage is only rivaled by D Howard's back.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Kobe is keeping the Mavs on their toes as they prepare for tonight's game.

Laker fans scratch their heads to figure out what happened.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Money can buy Dwight Howard, but it can't buy wins. Mavs top Lakers 99-91 is season opener.

After losing their first three games of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers finally managed to get a win.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  The season has only just begun, but the Lakers definitely started off worse than expected.

The Lakers are off to a 1-4 start and everyone wants to know why.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: It takes time to gel.

Apparently, even Phil Jackson was shocked that the Lakers decided to hire Mike D'Antoni instead of the Zenmaster himself.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  So are we, Phil.  So are we.

The Lakers lost to the Grizzlies Friday night, falling to 0-4 on the road.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Kobe can't do everything; Gasol and Howard will need to be consistent on offense if the Lakers want to win games.

Which Laker now has to pay for the lawyers his baby mama's using against him?

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: This one is only getting uglier by the second. She's broke, he's loaded, and they had a kid. That's a recipe for some serious gold digging.

The Lakers lost again last night, and their performance has been so sub-par lately that hearing them lose is no longer coming as a surprise.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  They are going to have to step up their game in a lot of areas if they want to be a competitive team in the Western Conference this season.

On the Lakers' 9th win of the season, Kobe Bryant surpassed 30,000 points in his career.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Kobe hitting 30,000 is an amazing milestone, but I bet the entire organization is just happy to get a win.

Under the leadership of Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers got their tenth win of the season.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  The Lakeshow might not win a game if it wasn't for Kobe.

The early returns from all-star balloting are in and "Sir Charles" is not pleased.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Fan voting may not be flawless but what is a better solution?

Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki is getting fed up with his team because he's now publicly expressing his discontent with the organization.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Dirk has a point.  The Mavericks' management has failed to make any good moves in the past few years.

Magic Johnson just made it clear (on National TV) that if he was Lakers CEO Jim Buss, he would trade Dwight Howard.
 
Hoopsvibe's quick call:  It's very obvious that Magic isn't the biggest fan of this Lakers team.  And rightfully so.

The fans have spoken.  Here are the East and West starting lineups for the 2013 NBA All-Star game.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Most of these ballers deserved it, but a few are questionable.

Trade Rumor: Brooklyn Nets are making a play to get Howard using T-Wolves and Kevin Love.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: This rumor sounds ridiculous, but with the Lakers playing horrible and continuing to make haphazard moves who knows.

It's just amazing how poorly this has worked out.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: The Lakers are a trainwreck that keeps having new accidents.

Should Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni ever have removed Pau Gasol from the starting lineup?

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Not after Pau's performance last night.

Josh Smith wants to be a free agent.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Which means a trade during this season is unlikely for a few reasons.

Lakers filed an official complaint with the league for excessive hard fouls on Dwight Howard.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Is this going to turn into quarterbacks in football where no one is allowed to touch star players? This is ridiculous.