HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Right or wrong, fair or not, NBA players from Europe and South America have a reputation for flopping.

It started with Vlade Divac, the OG of the flop. And it continues with San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili. Adding to this legacy is the Denver Nuggets’ Rudy Fernandez.

During Denver’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Fernandez hit the ground like he had been shot after supposedly taking a Matt Barnes elbow to his dome.

Replay showed Barnes, who received a technical, didn't touch him. And Fernandez, of course, was just fine. Anyway, watch Fernandez flop and get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

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No deal is imminent, but the Lakers view Sessions as a candidate who could help their depleted backcourt.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I like Ramon Sessions. You like Ramon Sessions. And the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks both like Ramon Sessions enough to call the Cleveland Cavaliers and inquire about his availability.

Sessions, however, isn’t the answer. At least long-term.

The Lakers and Knicks must view the former D-League star as a stop-gap until this summer when both franchises can make a decision about the one-spot.

Perhaps the Lakers then push for free-agent-to-be Deron Williams. Perhaps the Knicks sign ageless wonder Steve Nash for the mid level exception.

Either way, Sessions will fail in L.A. or New York if either team acquires him and expects the jitterbug point guard to be a mid-season saviour.

Sessions, while talented and dynamic, isn’t capable of jumping into the Staples Center or Madison Square Gardens pressure cooker and rectifying things at, say, the trade deadline.

(Of course, both clubs have options. The Lakers recently sent Rafer Alston to their D-League squad, while Baron Davis may help when he gets healthy.)
 
Sessions would help the Lakers and Knicks.  But he wouldn’t be the answer.

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Howard stated that there was "no way" he would give up everything he has in Orlando to go to the Lakers and be the third option, a source close to the situation said. Howard certainly wouldn’t mind being a third piece on a star-studded team, similar to the situations in Miami and Boston. However, he was turned off by Bryant's presentation as it suggested something totally different.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Dwight Howard isn’t interested in being the Third Wheel for the Los Angeles Lakers behind Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

After all, Howard is the current franchise face and superstar for the Orlando Magic. Being the third amigo, the ‘Tyson Chandler’ of the purple-and-gold, wasn’t a selling point for the NBA‘s best center.

Howard was expecting co-star status when meeting Bryant this summer to discuss joining the Lakers. Instead Bryant told Howard he’d have to wait until he retired, which wasn’t especially appealing.

So Howard has turned his attention elsewhere. His initial wish list -which started with the Nets, Mavericks as well as the Lakers - has expanded to include the Bulls and Celtics.

And if Howard ends up elsewhere, Laker-nation may blame Bryant.

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

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kobe Bryant notched 28 points to pass former teammate turned rival Shaquille O’Neal for fifth on the NBA’s All-Time scoring list.

Of course, Bryant won’t be happy with the personal accomplishment, as the Philadelphia 76ers beat his Los Angeles Lakers 95-90.

Watch the video, and get at HoopsVibe News with thoughts in the comment box below.

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

“omg! I’m not getting mixed up in this kiddy drama spit, bro. too old for that spit,” Bryant responded via email. "How do you think I feel at my age having to chase down this stuff,” I answered. “I understand your position. But if it’s untrue, any of it, and allowed to circulate throughout the league, which already is happening, I would think you’d want to say it’s not.” “It’s not true,” Kobe responded.

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“Well, if there were a way for us to get a 25-year-old, All-Star, ball-handling guard we’d love to do it," said Kupchak to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com. "But that’s not likely in February. So you look at other alternatives, and see if it’s better than what you have. That’s all.” Rajon Rondo is the player that fits that description, possibly the only one in the NBA.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The NBA's two glamour franchises, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, are open for business

The Celtics are looking at trades that can give their 'Big Three' a boost, and also help their rebuilding program when Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce finally retire.

The Lakers are 14-11, which doesn't cut it with Kobe Bryant and the celebs' at Staples Center expecting a championship every year.

But Rajon Rondo for Pau Gasol seems unlikely.

Adding Rondo helps the Lakers, but there's no reason the Celtics would swap him for the older Gasol. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak would have to sweeten the pot because a straight Rondo for Gasol deal isn't happening.

Here's what's interesting about this scenario: Rondo's name is again in the rumor mill.

Two months ago, Rondo was supposedly heading south to the New Orleans Hornets for point guard Chris Paul. That rumor upset Rondo, which forced the Celtics into denial mode.

Now Rondo may head west to the purple-and-gold. And he'll be upset with the latest reports.

So, will the Celtics deny, deny, deny or admit to taking offers for their lightning quick guard?

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

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Is Linsanity bigger than Tebow time?

Well, the Jeremy Lin story went up another notch with the Harvard grad dropping 38 points and 7 assists in the New York Knicks win over Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers last night.

Watch the video and tell us what Lin will do against Ricky Rubio and Minnesota Timberwolves?

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Kobe Bryant would give his approval for the signing of Gilbert Arenas, according to two people familiar with the situation. Bryant reportedly reached out to Arenas recently to let him know he’s on board with Arenas joining the Lakers.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: 'The Man' has given his approval.

Word is Kobe Bryant will support the Los Angeles Lakers if they sign Gilbert Arenas, the controversial shooting guard who was recently released via the amnesty clause by the Orlando Magic.

On the surface, this doesn’t look like a big deal. Arenas is a free agent. The Lakers are struggling. Seems a match, right?

Well, consider the context. Bryant, despite his recent denials, met Dwight Howard this summer to tell the All-Star post he’d be the third option if he joined the Lakers.

Translation: the purple and gold are Bryant’s team until he retires. There will be no passing of the baton under the Black Mamba's watch.

So Bryant likely relayed a similar message to Arenas and his people when he reached out to the former Washington Wizard.

After all, Arenas will see whatever team he signs with as an opportunity to salvage his career and reputation. And such an approach won’t help the Lakers climb the Western Conference standings.

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

Allen Iverson, who sources indicated the Lakers had some interest in as long as he was willing to go to the NBA Developmental League for a few weeks first, is not the answer. He's simply not a point guard. The Lakers are also said to be interested in former Toronto Raptors point guard Rafer Alsotn, who helped the Orlando Magic reach the NBA Finals in 2009. But who knows if that will materialize into anything?

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: According to the rumor mill, Gilbert Arenas is no longer ‘The Answer’ to the Los Angeles Lakers’ point guard woes.

Reports indicate the purple-and-gold may think Allen Iverson is ‘The Answer’ -if he`ll report to their D-League affiliate for a conditioning stint.

A few things worth noting:

First, Iverson to the Lakers was first reported by ESPN scribe Stephen A. Smith, who has a personal and professional relationship with the former MVP from their time in Philadelphia.

So consider the source, and ask if Stephen A. is tossing Iverson a solid and keeping him relevant by even suggesting the Lakers had interest?

Second, Iverson always refused a bench role. He wouldn’t do it for Detroit. And he wouldn’t do it for Memphis. Worst of all, he wouldn’t do it for a contender.

It’s hard to believe he’d report to the D-League under any circumstances -even if there was the chance of joining the Lakers.

Third, Smith is right. Kobe and company need a pass-first point guard, not a shooting guard in a point guard’s body and big personality like Iverson.

The Answer’ isn’t the answer for the Lakers’ woes.   

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s still has ice in his veins. Always has, in fact.

This weekend Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant showed he still has ice in his veins by nailing a game-winning jumper against the struggling Toronto Raptors.

Click the video and see what we’re talking about.

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"There's talks and rumors every day. Today I was reading it was Minnesota is really interested in trying to put a good package together," he said. "[Other teams are] calling, and it seems like things are just waiting for the right offer to come along, for [the Lakers] to pull the trigger."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Pau Gasol should feel uncertain about his future.

Two months, the Los Angeles Lakers nearly included him in a three team trade for New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul.

During the lockout, reports surfaced that the Lakers had offered Gasol to the Minnesota Timberwolves for franchise face Kevin Love.

Recently, rumors have swirled linking Gasol to the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard, and the Lakers are still apparently talking to the Wolves.

So, why the trade chatter?

Well, the Lakers are expected to win a championship every year. Hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy is the only way to satisfy the ‘celebs’ at Staples Center and Kobe Bryant, their franchise player and the NBA’s Alpha Male.

Right now, the Lakers stand little chance of meeting such expectations. And Gasol can still fetch a pretty-penny on the trade market, which would help the Lakers rebuild on the fly. 

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

The Lakers' front office knows Kobe Bryant is looking for it to improve the roster, and GM Mitch Kupchak has been working the phones. He's spoken to Minnesota about Michael Beasley, and sources say the Lakers are intrigued by the Timberwolves' small forward. The Lakers were actually in discussions with Minnesota about a potential trade for Beasley before the season started. If they would have been able to pull off the deal for Chris Paul, there is a good chance that a trade for Beasley would have followed.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It makes sense.

Acquiring Michael Beasley would be wise for the Los Angeles Lakers because the NBA’s glamour team is old and stale.

With Shannon Brown in Phoenix and Lamar Odom doing the reality television thing in Dallas, the purple-and-gold struggle to get easy hoops in the open court.

Beasley, despite having off-court issues, can flat-out score. He can hit the three, get to the hoop, and post up opposing forwards on the block.

Moreover, superstar Kobe Bryant could mentor Beasley and steer him away from off-court temptations in Los Angeles and the trappings of Hollywood.

Most importantly, the Lakers need a jolt if they’re to rebuild on the fly, contend in the Western Conference, and capitalize on the final years of Bryant’s career.

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

He also dismissed the circulated rumors of him privately urging management to pursue trading Carlos Boozer for Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol. “I heard it after the game [on Monday] and that’s something that I wouldn’t say to anyone,” said Rose. “It was all false and that’s something I’ll never do. I’m good with the teammates that I have. I’ve always been saying that. We’ve been winning games and we’re not in the position to look to trade anyone right now. “I talked to [Boozer] a little bit, but I think he already knew that [the rumor] was false,” continued Rose. “It’s something that I wouldn’t do to anyone. It was all false.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Perception is reality.

And the perception outside the Chicago Bulls’ locker room is that 2011 MVP and franchise face Derrick Rose quietly, or not so quietly, asked management to acquire Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol.

Gasol, if acquired, would help. He’d provide scoring and passing down-low -something Carlos Boozer has failed to do since signing with the Bulls.

Here’s the problem: the Bulls would have to give-up Boozer to get Gasol.

Rose and Boozer know this. And these two know they must work together.

So, Rose has to cover himself by publicly denying the rumour to reporters and saying he’s good with his current teammates like Boozer.

Privately, something different could have been said between Rose and Bulls management.

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

CSNNE.com has learned that the former Boston Celtic forward plans to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Wallace hasn't played in an NBA game since Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, alerting the C's shortly before the game that he planned to retire. Although he had two years remaining on his contract, Wallace and the Celtics came to terms on a buy-out of the remaining years believed to be worth about $1 million.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Signing Rasheed Wallace works on many levels for the Los Angeles Lakers.

First, if in shape, the former All-Star provides depth down-low, giving the purple-and-gold three massive posts in Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Wallace.

Second, coach Mike Brown will love Wallace’s defense, specifically his ability to help and communicate with teammates.

Third, Wallace, most importantly,  can serve as a short-term stop-gap if the Lakers trade Gasol before the trade deadline.

Make no mistake about it, the Lakers will move the Spanish four if they can land a point guard to run Brown’s offensive sets. The club isn’t getting enough from the inconsistent Steve Blake and aging Derek Fisher.

So Wallace is, reportedly, the Lakers` latest move. He won’t be the last -as they attempt to rebuild on the fly.

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

“I can tell you for a fact the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum and the Magic do not want him,” said a Western Conference executive.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Thanks but no thanks.

Reports indicate the Orlando Magic turned down the Los Angeles Lakers’ offer of emerging All-Star Andrew Bynum for established franchise-face Dwight Howard.

Perhaps the Magic were fearful of Bynum’s health. Perhaps the Magic were holding out for more. Or perhaps, the Magic were hoping Howard would sign an extension.

Bottom line: Magic executive Otis Smith screwed up.

Smith must cut his losses and trade Howard for the best possible offer. And Bynum, a terrific young five, is the best the Magic can get.

The alternative is to wait until summer when Howard opts-out of his contract and likely leaves Orlando as an unrestricted free agent.

Howard prefers Dallas, L.A., and New Jersey/Brooklyn to Orlando, and he has twice asked Smith for a trade.

The Magic braintrust must face reality and accept that Howard is gone. Then they should call the Lakers back and ask if Bynum is still available.

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

The city of Sacramento and the Kings announced a tentative deal today to build a new arena in the downtown railyard. More than half the money would come from leasing the city's parking to a private operator, but the team's owners say they've also agreed to pay $75 million upfront.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Good for Sacramento fans.

Today, the city of Sacramento and the Kings announced they had reached a deal on financing a new arena, ending any chance the team would move to Anaheim or Seattle.

Good for Kings-nation. A decade ago, Sacramento was a basketball-mad market, with a highly competitive team and intense fans.

In fact, other teams, specifically Phil Jackson and the Lakers, mocked the Kings for the cowbells and hooky building.

Bottom line: the Kings are staying. They can plan for the future, focus on winning, and get back to being a great franchise.

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

Mavs decide they need Lamar Odom ASAP for tonight's game against Utah. D-League stint canceled. Story w/Jeff Caplan going up now.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Mr. Khloe Kardashian will not have to 'lower' himself by reporting to the D-League, after all.

The Dallas Mavericks did send Lamar Odom to their minor league affiliate, the Texas Legends, for a conditioning stint after his return from personal leave.

The Mavericks, it turns out, need Odom for tonight's match against the Utah Jazz, so he's been recalled.

Here’s the question: is Odom ready to contribute?

He has spent months whining like a reality TV diva about his beloved Lakers including him in the nixed Chris Paul trade. Odom could have stayed with the purple-and-gold but forced a move to Team Cuban.

The versatile swing has had a reduced role in Rick Carlisle’s rotation. All his numbers are down.

Odom must improve to earn decent money next summer when the Mavericks buy out his contract to chase chase free agents Dwight Howard and/or Deron Williams.

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

With the NBA trade deadline looming in 11 days, the Hornets remain open to trading veteran center Chris Kaman, according to league sources. But Kaman said he doesn’t care what the Hornets may decide to do before the trade deadline.“I dont care what they do,’’ Kaman said. “So if they want to trade me, trade me. If they want to keep me, keep me. I don’t care, but not in a disrespectful way. I just know I can’t control that part of it, so it something I don’t care about.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Chris Kaman isn’t at fault for this. Commissioner David Stern and the 30 owners he represents are.

Remember, Kaman came to the Hornets from the Clippers in the Chris Paul trade. The Hornets, who are owned by the NBA, had to accept an inferior package from the Clippers after Stern vetoed a blockbuster swap involving the Lakers and Rockets.

Stern nixed Paul joining the Lakers because he was concerned about the optics of a glamour team getting a superstar days after ushering in a supposedly more equitable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Instead of getting a package of Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Lamar Odom, Goran Dragic, and a first round draft pick, the Hornets accepted Kaman, Eric Gordon, and other pieces.

All for optics.

Gordon has been injured. And Kaman, who struggled behind Emeka Okafor, was told earlier in the year by management to go home and wait for a trade. He recently returned when a trade couldn’t be found.

The bright side to this saga: Kaman’s $14 million per year contract expires at the end of the regular season.

So, the Hornets will get cap space if a deal can’t be found.

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

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has always been lauded for his self-motivation and drive to be the best. It's a good thing he has that internal ambition, because according to Bryant, he's gone through his 16-year career without a true rival on the exterior to push him to succeed. "I didn't have one," Bryant said after scoring 38 points in the Lakers' 115-107 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Gee, Kobe Bryant, tell us how you feel?

Bryant has every right to say he measures himself against Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, and not LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Bryant, like Jordan and Johnson, won many championships, while James and Wade combined have one championship.

And Bryant played seven seasons in the NBA before James and Wade were drafted as part of the highly touted 2003 class.

This wasn’t about hoisting the Larry O’Brien championship trophy, though. This was about an edge -as Bryant’s Lakers faced James and Wade’s Heat in a much-hyped nationally televised game.

Fans were especially curious to see how Bryant would respond to Wade’s hard foul during the 2012 All-Star game in Orlando.

Bryant, in typical Black Mamba fashion, took no offense to the foul, which broke his nose and gave him a concussion. He simply proved his point by leading the Lakers to a 93-83 win over the Heat.

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Lakers front office telling people that "nothing is happening" with Pau Gasol, league sources say. For now, anyway.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Los Angeles Lakers want great, not good.

So it doesn’t matter that Pau Gasol was an integral part of the purple-and-gold winning two championships. To stay great, the Lakers must make changes -and that likely means parting with Gasol.

In the last year, the Spaniard has been linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves, included in Dwight Howard trade talk, and nearly sent to the Houston Rockets as part of the nixed Chris Paul deal.

Bottom line: Lakers’ management are willing to sacrifice their All-Star so they can rebuild for another championship on the fly.

Fair enough. What if the Lakers can’t trade Gasol for a superstar before the deadline?

Then Kobe and company will have the unenviable task of pushing for a championship with a disgruntled second star.

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

Oklahoma City is not in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. Not giving up Harden/Ibaka. Not happening.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Why break up a good thing?

The Oklahoma City Thunder were wise to kybosh the Orlando Magic’s offer of Dwight Howard for James Harden and Serge Ibaka.

After all, Harden and Ibaka are key components of a young Thunder squad that currently has the NBA`s best record and seem poised for greatness.

There’s no point in breaking up their core for the temperamental Howard, who has little interest in re-signing with small market Oklahoma City.

Howard wants a major market to maximize marketing opportunities. Like Los Angeles. Like New York. Maybe Dallas -if he can partner with Deron Williams.

Oklahoma City, even though their building an incredible legacy, isn’t right for Howard.

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

The Chicago Bulls are exploring avenues to acquire Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol before Thursday's trade deadline, according to sources close to the situation.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies and then went on to win consecutive championships.

Perhaps the Spanish post will be the missing piece for the impressive Chicago Bulls. The Bulls reportedly want the skilled Gasol to complement 2011 MVP Derrick Rose.

And they’d be willing to sacrifice Carlos Boozer to get the perennial All-Star. But what’s in this trade for the Lakers?

Well, the Lakers aren’t interested in a straight Gasol for Boozer swap, so the Bulls are calling the league trying to find a third team to involve.

Of course, the clock is ticking. Thursday at noon eastern is the trade deadline.

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

Cavs send Ramon Sessions & Christian Eyenga for Luke Walton & 2012 Lakers first rounder. LAL gets right to swap '13 1st rounder w/Heat pick.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s not Chris Paul or Deron Williams, but Ramon Sessions is a clear upgrade at point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sessions is the kind of drive-and-kick table-setter Coach Mike Brown has long coveted for his offensive sets. Expect him to get minutes and eventually supplant veteran Derek Fisher as the starter.

All it cost the Lakers was Luke Walton,  a fan favourite who was out of Brown’s rotation, and a lottery protected first round draft pick.

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The Lakers have traded Derek Fisher and a first round pick to the Rockets for Jordan Hill. The pick sent to Houston was acquired by the Lakers from the Mavericks in the Lamar Odom trade. The Rockets accumulate yet another draft pick, while the Lakers get younger and save on the luxury tax.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: This will be a hard sell.

Rather than trade veteran Pau Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers sent franchise stalwart, co-captain, and good guy Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets for young forward Jordan Hill.

On-court, this makes sense. Fisher is 38 years old and would have sat behind Ramon Sessions -who the Lakers acquired at the deadline in a separate trade.

Off-court, this is much more complicated. Fisher and the Lakers won five championships together in large part because of the table-setter's professionalism and clutch shots.

Best of all, Fisher has a personal and working relationship with Kobe Bryant, the club's franchise face and Alpha Male. In fact, Fisher was one of the few people who could call out Bryant.

So this transaction could have a big impact in the Lakers' locker room.

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The Lakers initially tried to trade Odom to the New Orleans Hornets in a deal for Chris Paul in December. The proposed trade upset Odom, and after the NBA vetoed the deal, Lakers officials said Odom told them he wanted out of L.A. Odom now says the trade wasn’t his doing. “Everybody knows that,” he said. “It was something that they were willing to get done no matter what. I think it is OK for them to admit that.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Lamar Odom, get over it.

Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise you loved, traded you -more than once, in fact.

After all, Commissioner David Stern and the NBA nixed a three team deal that would’ve sent you to the New Orleans Hornets for superstar Chris Paul.

Then things got fuzzy. You say the Lakers continued shopping you, while the Lakers say you refused to report after ‘Paul-Gate’ and demanded a trade.

Bottom line: you ended up on the world champion Dallas Mavericks.

There could be worse things than playing for Team Cuban. However, you've pouted, played poorly, taken a leave without permission, tried for a buyout, and had to apologize when you didn’t get a buyout.

Instead of focusing on the present, instead of doing everything to help your struggling Mavericks, you insult the Lakers in an interview.

Not surprisingly, your play has suffered. And so will the market for your services when you become a free agent in July.

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

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant spoke to reporters on Friday for the first time since the team traded his longtime backcourt running mate, Derek Fisher, following the Lakers' 97-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. His words were measured. While some expected Bryant to unleash a tirade after management parted ways with Fisher, considering the pair won five championships together and came into the league together as rookies in 1996, Bryant's message to the media was more somber than sharp. "Very difficult," Bryant said. "I'm not used to it because I've been with him my entire career, aside from that little stint that he had away from us. So, it's very different for me. It's pretty weird."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It was difficult for his heart. It wasn’t difficult for his head.

Kobe Bryant was saddened by news the Los Angeles Lakers sent teammate and friend Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets on trade deadline.

After all, Bryant and Fisher have history.

They entered the NBA together as rookies with the Lakers in 1996. They played together for 13 of their 16 seasons. They won five championships together. And they also lost together.

Key word: together.

Along the way, they became close friends with Fisher having the clout to criticize, and even call out, Bryant.

Father Time finally caught Fisher. Even Bryant knew his 38-year old friend could no longer compete with the table-setters in the Western Conference.

Instead of doing the expected and trading Pau Gasol on Thursday, the purple-and-gold moved Fisher after acquiring Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers.  

Make no mistake about it, Sessions is an upgrade at point guard. He can attack the basket and is better at staying in front of elite 'ones' like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook on defense.

That only makes the loss of Fisher somewhat easier to handle.

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Fisher is said to be strongly interested in joining the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat, according to one source close to the situation. The San Antonio Spurs, sources told Stein, have not yet ruled out pursuing Fisher because their planned signing of former Portland Trail Blazers guard Patty Mills has been held up by the fact that Portland has not yet renounced rights to Mills.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Can a 38-year old guard averaging less than six points per game be the difference between winning and losing an NBA championship?

Well, the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, and Oklahoma City Thunder think so. All are chasing Derek Fisher, an unrestricted free agent after receiving a buy-out courtesy of the Houston Rockets.

Fisher, of course, won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers before getting dealt to Houston at the trade deadline.

Chicago, Miami, and Oklahoma City want Fisher to play limited minutes and serve as a mentor in the locker room.

Miami, perhaps, has a slight edge over Chicago and Oklahoma City. Remember, the Heat nearly signed the veteran two summers ago before he re-upped with the then defending world champion Lakers.

Fisher won’t forget that James, the game’s greatest star, met him at Miami's airport and tried to convince him to migrate east to South Beach.

And perhaps James’ lobbying will pay dividends this time around.

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Derek Fisher is in advanced negotiations with the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Western Conference leaders after clearing waivers, according to sources close to the situation. Fisher is scheduled to clear waivers at 6 p.m. ET Wednesday. One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com that Fisher is "very close" to committing to sign with the Thunder once he becomes a free agent.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Can we chalk one up for small markets?

It appears the Oklahoma City Thunder have beat the Miami Heat for Derek Fisher’s services, signing the table-setter for the remainder of the season and playoffs.

Fisher was recently bought-out by the Houston Rockets, who acquired the five-time champion at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Apparently, the veteran favours the Thunder because it would allow him to stay in the Western Conference, where he has played his entire 16-year career.

This development is surprising. Remember, Fisher forged a relationship with superstar LeBron James and the Heat when he looked at signing with Miami as a free agent in July of 2010.  

Expect Fisher to back-up and play next to All-Star Russell Westbrook. He’s expected to sign with the Thunder Wednesday evening after clearing waivers. 

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Free agent Ronny Turiaf finalized an agreement with the Miami Heat, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The rich got richer on Wednesday.

Yesterday, the Miami Heat signed veteran center Ronny Turiaf, who was bought-out by the Denver Nuggets after getting dealt by the Washington Wizards.

Turiaf will provide energy, rebounding, and defense. He'll also allow Chris Bosh to sit on the elbow and face up opponents.

Best of all, his championship experience with the Los Angeles Lakers will help the Heat during the playoffs.

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We have a good relationship," Bryant told the "Mason & Ireland Show" on 710 ESPN on Thursday when asked about Jim Buss. "People misunderstand that relationship. We have a good time. We've had dinner together and things like that. He's a great guy and he wants to do the right thing and he wants to help us win a championship. The biggest thing, which was the same with his father, who he has learned from, is that he's not going to make rushed decisions. He's going to be patient and he's going to take his time."The one thing I will say about him and about the Lakers' organization is that it's one of those franchises that always seems to land on its feet. Always seems to make the right choices. Always seems to make the right decisions, even the tough ones."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kobe Bryant approves of Jim Buss … for now.

Bryant, the straw that stirs the drink for the Los Angeles Lakers, apparently likes the job Buss is doing in the owner-executive chair.

This is good for Buss. His survival, and the survival of the Lakers, depends on Bryant supporting management.

It doesn’t matter if the Buss family owns the team. Bryant - arguably, the greatest Laker ever and a once in a generation talent - is in charge.

Bryant’s comments are surprising, though. After all, the Lakers have made no secret of their desire to cut costs, which led to Lamar Odom getting sent to the Dallas Mavericks.

There were rumors Pau Gasol was getting traded. The chatter will resume this summer if the Lakers don’t win the west.

Still, all seems well in Laker-ville. Ramon Sessions is a terrific addition, adding speed and quickness on both ends of the floor.

This is just a moment, though. And moments change rather quickly with the NBA’s glamour team.

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A group that includes former Lakers star Magic Johnson and longtime baseball executive Stan Kasten agreed Tuesday night to buy the Dodgers from Frank McCourt for a record $2 billion.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s a Hall of Fame point guard. And he’s fast becoming a Hall of Fame businessman.

Reports indicate a group led by Magic Johnson have succeeded in buying the iconic Los Angeles Dodgers for a record $2 billion. The amount is the highest ever paid for a sports franchise.

Look for Johnson to be the frontman for the group -as he's clearly comfortable in front of the camera and using his vast connections in and around the Los Angeles area. 

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"Our goal is to win a championship. Tim Duncan and I haven’t got a lot of time left. The Spurs made the right moves by signing Stephen Jackson, Boris Diaw and Patty Mills. We have a complete team now. We know we can beat everybody in the West, we proved it by beating OKC two times already. Winning another title is something we can do this year. (…)

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: In the last month, the San Antonio Spurs have added Boris Diaw, Stephen Jackson, and Patty Mills to take, perhaps, their final run at an NBA championship.

This has All-Star point guard Tony Parker excited -and with good reason.

The black-and-silver has accumulated a potentially potent mix of youth and experience. They still have their ‘Big Three’ in Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, while DeJuan Blair, Kwahi Leonard, Gary Neal, and Tiago Splitter are all young and athletic.

The key could be Jackson. If he finds his past form -something that shouldn’t be too difficult as he won a championship with the Spurs in 2003- then Gregg Popovich’s crew could give the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers competition out west.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Charles Barkley once said the difference between good and great is confidence.

Who is more confident than the great Kobe Bryant?

Last night, he missed his first fifteen attempts from the floor but still took and made the game-winning three-pointer to beat the determined New Orleans Hornets last night at Staples Center.

Click the video below and watch Bryant go to work on Jarrett Jack.

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Bynum exited the game with 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in 31 minutes. The Rockets built a seven-point lead in Bynum’s absence and went on to winby five. It was eerily similar to the last time the Lakers played the Rockets, in Houston last month, when Bynum was ejected late in the third quarter for picking up his second T and the Lakers went on to lose 107-104.

“I’m disappointed because we told him, ‘You got one technical; don’t pick up your second,’ and he acknowledged us, and he went out and picked up his second when I thought he could have helped us win the ballgame,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said. Bynum did not speak to reporters after the game. “He acknowledged us, and it happened anyway,” Brown said. “When you have that, that is concerning. … Call it whatever you want to call it. It’s not right.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Andrew Bynum has to be smarter than this.

The Los Angeles Lakers star center can’t showboat and/or trash talk at the expense of his team. Bynum must realize doing so and getting ejected hurts his team.

After all, the massive seven-footer anchors the middle on both ends of the floor. When an older Kobe Bryant struggles to score, Bynum becomes the first option.

So Bynum getting two technical fouls yesterday against the Houston Rockets was selfish. Without the star center, the Lakers lost 107-104 and fell further behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference standings.

Bynum has a history of such acts. He once jostled with Shaquille O’Neal.  When supposedly injured he was pictured partying at the Playboy mansion. And last summer he got busted parking in a handicap spot.

The Lakers will need more from Bynum if he is to become their superstar and franchise face.

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Odom tried to find an ounce of humor in the sad situation, but the reality is it appears Carlisle is done with the spin, done with the positive reinforcement and maybe even done putting Odom on the floor with nine games left that are so vital to the defending champs' postseason hopes in this strange, strange season. "I can’t read it," Odom said of the immediate future. "It is what it is. What can I do? Coach is always right."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Lamar Odom became a target the moment he went on TV for something other than basketball.

People fall in love. And Odom fell in love with Khloe Kardashian. But he didn’t have to be part of her reality world, hawking their relationship and various lifestyle products on the ‘E’ network.

Being such a public figure means perhaps he gets more of the blame than he deserves for the Dallas Mavericks’ poor play.

Make no mistake about it, Odom has been disappointing since coming over from the Los Angeles Lakers in a pre-season trade.

But what did Team Cuban expect?

Odom -- when unfocused and uninspired -- is a soft player. There was no way he could do any of things Tyson Chandler did for the Mavericks’ championship run.

Of course, the Mavericks never really wanted Odom. They wanted his contract, which they’ll buy-out at season’s end in order to chase free agent point guard Deron Williams.

Here’s what Odom should do: contact his former brother-in-law Kris Humphries. The Nets’ power forward, after an acrimonious divorce to Kim Kardashian, has kept a low profile, given up on being a second-rate celebrity, and focused on basketball.

Odom should do the same. His career, as a basketball player, depends on it.

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Brooks has never subscribed to sitting players. He has likened the strategy to “cheating the game” and the fans. And on Sunday, he confessed that his team's youth plays a part as well. “If we had a bunch of veteran guys in their 30s, there's no question things would be different,” Brooks said. “But our guys, if you take out some of the guys, they'll think I'm benching them twice a game. They want to play every minute. They love to play and they want to keep playing. It's like pulling teeth to get five or six minutes out of them per half.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Scott Brooks may be right. But it doesn’t matter.

In a way, resting players for the playoffs is cheating fans and, in turn, the game. Still, Brooks, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s head coach, isn’t a caretaker or advocate for basketball.

He has one job: to win. He is accountable to Clay Bennett and the other owners of the Thunder, who want to win.

So Brooks -- although his intentions are good -- should focus on getting the most from his players and beating the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and all other foes in the Western Conference.

Simply put, nothing else matters -like the good of the game.

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Lamar Odom's brief and bumpy ride with the Dallas Mavericks has come to an abrupt end. The Mavericks and Odom spent Easter Sunday working out a parting, according to sources close to the situation, that frees the struggling Odom to leave the team immediately without actually being released.

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HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: The Dallas Mavericks and Lamar Odom parted ways on Easter Sunday, ending a short, unsuccessful run together. The Mavericks have struggled to find their form, while Odom never accepted the Los Angeles Lakers trading him -even though he requested a change after the nixed Chris Paul trade.

The Mavericks will likely be fine. In fact, the defending world champions may be better without Odom and the circus that surrounds him.

After all, the former Sixth Man of the Year contributed little on-court, so the Mavericks will simply give his minutes to other players, buy-out the final year of his deal before July, and use the cap space to chase Deron Williams this summer.

Odom will take a hit, however. He was distracted all year and few teams will have interest in signing him after the debacle in Dallas.

Of course, the few teams that do have interest in Odom will then have to decide if they want the reality TV monster known as Khloe and Lamar in the locker room.

The answer is likely no.

Since shacking up with a Kardashian about two years ago, Odom has been distracted and confused. Perhaps he needs to return to being a basketball player.

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"I just thought my body was maybe messed up," World Peace said. "I was like, 'Yeah, 15 years is a lot of years. I got two more years on my contract and I could potentially be done.'" World Peace was having trouble getting lift, even on wide-open layup attempts. "It controls your foot, the downward motion," World Peace said. "So, if L4 and L5 is not working, or is compressed or inflamed, you might try to jump, but your foot, it's not going to move. It's not going to react."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s funny that Ron Artest was considering retirement because he looked retired earlier this year with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The former Defensive Player of the Year was out of shape, couldn’t click with Mike Brown’s offense, and seemed uninterested in basketball.

His body was on-court. His mind was else.

Of course, Artest had a lower back injury and couldn’t perform as expected, especially on defense where he typically guards the other team’s top swing.

There`s another interesting development: Artest has assumed part of the leadership void after Derek Fisher was sent to Houston at the trade deadline.

Who would have though this was a possibility six years ago when Artest walked on the Indiana Pacers and forced a trade to the Sacramento Kings?

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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.

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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.

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“These fans really believe in me in this place and they really know basketball. They’ve seen the greatest of greats come through here,” he said. “It’s unreal. In my whole career, it’s never been like this, being noticed. You’re on ESPN every night or TNT. You’re with Kobe Bryant out there in the backcourt. I want to be here. I don’t know what that means or how that’s going to happen. It ain’t no secret. I’ll tell anybody that. I tell [Lakers General Manager] Mitch Kupchak. I tell my agent. I want to be here. Period. For a long time.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Ramon Sessions will probably be back in Los Angeles Lakers next season.

After all, Sessions likes the Lakers. And the Lakers like Sessions, the dynamic point guard they acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the trade deadline.

Why would Sessions, who claims to be living a dream playing next to Kobe Bryant, decline a player’s option for next year? Why risk a good thing?

Well, money. Sessions wants a raise on the $4.6 million he’s due in 2013 and greater security with a long-term pact. Things can change and twelve months from now he may not have the same leverage.

The Lakers will pay Sessions this summer -if his demands are fair. His ability to attack the hoop and lightning-quick feet have provided another dimension to coach Mike Brown`s system.

That said, things are always somewhat fluid at Staples Center. Executives Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak are constantly trying to improve, which may include chasing free agent Deron Williams this summer.

It’s unlikely Williams ends up in Los Angeles. Dallas is home. And Team Cuban has been hoarding cap space in hopes of signing the perennial All-Star to a max’ money pact.

Stranger things have happened, though. For instance, nobody thought the Lakers had the assets to acquire Chris Paul. And they did. Twice.

Commissioner David Stern stepped in to nix the trade and appease militant email writing owners like Cleveland’s Dan Gilbert. Paul was then shuttled off to the Los Angeles Clippers for a sub par package.

So Sessions is taking a risk, albeit a small one, by refusing to opt-in. The impossible -- like the Lakers signing Williams -- has a way of becoming reality with the NBA`s glamour team.

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If this is something that Bryant does take to heart, the Lakers, now that they have a major upgrade at point guard — Sessions for Derek Fisher — appear fully capable of coming out of the Western Conference. And while Bryant's stint on the bench has allowed his teammates to build their own confidence, it has also allowed his legs to rest. "This is a blessing in disguise for him to rest, heal up," World Peace said.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: So, what happens now?

The Los Angeles Lakers have won four straight games with  Black Mamba on the sideline in an expensive, dark suit.

To be fair: the purple-and-gold are 4-1 without Bryant, their franchise face, All-Star, perennial MVP candidate, and long-time Alpha Dog.

With Bryant sporting an injured shin, the Lakers have found their groove. Andrew Bynum has become an even greater beast. Pau Gasol is loving the extra touches. Metta World Peace is playing like a young Ron Artest -minus the outbursts. Even Matt Barnes has found his old form.

Bottom line: the Lakers have chemistry.

Whenever Bryant returns, he must fit with teammates and not disrupt the good vibes that have circulated Staples Center during his absence.

If that means deferring, so be it. If that means looking inside more to Bynum, so be it. If that means contributing in ways besides scoring, so be it.

Then, in the fourth quarter, with the game on the line, Bryant can become the end-of-game assassin we know.

--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.

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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.

Kupchak is one of the Blazers' top targets in their quest to land an executive with experience running a franchise's basketball operations, sources told ESPN.com.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Mitch Kupchak, things are weird with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The owner’s son, Jim Buss, is your boss despite having no experience as a basketball executive. The superstar, Kobe Bryant, is a raging Alpha Male who can’t accept that the team is better with Andrew Bynum as the top option. Speaking of Bynum, his lack of maturity is obvious.

And we haven’t even mentioned Metta World Peace, Matt Barnes, coach Mike Brown‘s offense, the press, or the rapid fan base that demand a championship every year.

Still, the Lakers quirks are nothing when compared to the mayhem of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers lost two of their top three players, Greg Oden and Brandon Roy, to injury. Long-time coach Nate McMillan was recently fired. The club is starting over.

Sadly, the on-court mess wouldn’t be the biggest challenge. That would be eccentric owner Paul Allen.

Remember, Allen fired executive Kevin Pritchard moments before the draft and casually told his former executive to stick around for the team's pick. The club spent months searching for Pritchard’s replacement. They supposedly had their man in Richie Cho, but fired him a year later for being too quiet.

There's a reason the Blazers haven't hired a replacement: no decent executive will take the gig. They don't want the mess, melodrama, and headache.

So Mitch, stick with the Lakers. The devil you know is better than the devil you don't.

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“It was short lived, too bad it couldn’t work out but things happen for a reason. My life has been so crazy the last couple years, as far as issues with my family, as far as going through personal tragedy. And I felt like God was saying, ‘You know what Lamar, I’m going to give you a little time. A little time to step back and soak everything in….”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Lamar Odom is not Socrates or Dr. Phil, but he was rather introspective when discussing his fall with the Dallas Mavericks.

In case you’ve been living in a cave: the Los Angeles Lakers included  Odom in the nixed Chris Paul deal, Odom got mad and demanded a trade, and the purple-and-gold obliged by sending him to the Dallas Mavericks for a paltry trade exception.

Odom was a peculiar fit for the defending world champs’. He was out of shape. He’s also a finesse player and Rick Carlisle’s bunch needed grit to replace Tyson Chandler. And his reality TV relationship with Khloe Kardashian didn’t help matters -even though Mavericks owner Mark Cuban runs the Shark Tank and was an epic failure on Dancing With The Stars.     

Then there were the cap implications. The Mavericks only acquired Odom to buy him out at year’s end and use the financial flexibility to chase free agent Deron Williams.

Add it up and Odom struggled miserably in the Lone Star State. Fans booed him. Teammates questioned him. And he had a run-in with Cuban before being told he was on paid vacation.

To be fair, there was much we didn’t know. Odom’s marriage, even if it’s a reality TV spectacle, was stumbling. And his cousin was murdered.

So the forward needed some personal time. Hey we’ve all been there.

Don’t count Odom out, though. He’ll have a few offers this summer and will surely take the Mini-Mid level exception to join one of his two former teams in Los Angeles.

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“On that play, I just dunked on Durant and Ibaka, and I got really emotional, really excited. And it was unfortunate that James had to get hit with the unintentional elbow. I hope he’s OK. The Thunder, they’re playing for a championship this year. So I really hope he’s OK, and I apologize to the Thunder and to James Harden. Such a great game, and it was unfortunate so much emotion was going on at that time.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Metta World Peace’s elbow to the dome of James Harden has caught the attention of the suits at NBA head office and will surely result in a forced vacation and/or fine.

But the rapper, philosopher, and part time comedian’s poor judgement should alarm the Staples Center faithful. After all, the old Ron Artest -- the troubled and emotional forward for the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets -- got flagrant foul twos.

The Lakers supposedly got a mellow, friendlier Artest, albeit a less productive one on-court. For the most part, Metta World Peace has been like Barney when compared to the dude who rushed the stands and started the Malice N’ the Palace at Detroit.

That’s why his elbow was so surprising. It was unprovoked. It was intentional -regardless of what he says. And it could have been the difference between the Lakers winning and losing against the Thunder in what will surely be a playoff preview.

Recent reports indicate that Harden has a concussion. And Metta World Peace, to his credit, apologized.

Bottom line: the purple-and-gold aren’t as deep as the squads that captured back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. They can’t win with Metta World Peace on the sideline for any amount of time, so these sorts of slip-ups can’t happen.

Hopefully, it was a one-off. And Metta World Peace doesn’t turn back the clock again and become the old Ron Artest.

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

Blake is 6-10 and what, 240 or something? He’s a big boy. He should know how to defend himself out there,’ Evans said.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The NBA has an unwritten rule called ‘Know Your Place’.

This rule is simple: a scrub like Reggie Evans can’t publicly call out a superstar like Blake Griffin.

Did Mike Smrek ever bust Magic Johnson’s chops to the L.A. Times? Did Stacey King ever tell the world that Michael Jordan should stand up to Rick Mahorn, Bill Laimbeer, and the Detroit Pistons? Mark Madsen replied ‘yes sir’ to every request from Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. 

Evans should consider precedence before going on the record with his criticism of Blake-Zilla. Of course, the journeyman is right. Griffin should defend himself. Just like Evans and every other Clipper should defend him, too.

Such a conversation should happen behind closed doors in the the locker room. Instead, it’s gone viral, which is the worst scenario for all involved.

Media and fans will be watching every time an opponent raises a hand to Griffin. And the only thing these young Clipper needs to be worrying about is the playoffs.

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The Lakers’ Metta World Peace has been suspended for seven games without pay for striking the Thunder’s James Harden in the head with his elbow, the NBA announced today. [...] “The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said. “We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations.”

The suspension will begin with the Lakers’ next game at Sacramento on April 26. The remaining games of the suspension will be served over the next six games in which the player is eligible and physically able to play, including this season’s playoffs.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Justice wasn’t merciful.

Today, the NBA dropped the hammer on Metta World Peace by suspending the Los Angeles Lakers forward seven games for his lethal elbow to the head of Oklahoma City Thunder swing James Harden.

Harden is listed as day-to-day with a concussion and could return tomorrow or miss several months. There’s no set timetable for such an injury.

Peace, to his credit, immediately apologized to Harden and the Thunder, but tried to say the incident was an ‘unintentional’ outpouring of emotion after a dunk.

Say what?

The NBA, specifically Vice President Stu Jackson, deserves criticism for past rulings -just ask Phoenix Suns fans about the bitter taste from the Amar’e Stoudemire suspension so many years ago. This, however, is not one of them.

Peace’s elbow, intentional or not, has taken out the Thunder’s third best player and designated game-changer off the bench. Their chances at a championship aren’t the same.

The only fair punishment is to have Peace sit for a lengthy period. One or two games wouldn’t be 'stern' enough, especially if Peace returned to the court while Harden recovered.

So the NBA got this one right. Sadly, two of the league’s top teams, the Lakers and Thunder, won’t be at their best when the playoffs begin.

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Is Kobe Bryant's huge salary killing the Laker's chances in free agency?

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Allen, Garnett, and Pierce all took pay cuts to win, why not Kobe?

Kobe Bryant talks about retiring in 2 years.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Kobe won't retire until he's forced out of the game. Anyone that thinks different is crazy.

A feud between Steve Nash and Jason Richardson makes Lakers pass on Richardson.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It pays to get along even in the NBA. Shocking!