More Laker Drama

A day after a rumor had come out that Ron Artest wants out of LA, the Lakers are now having to deal with Kobe Bryant calling out PoopFace (Pau Gasol)...

"When I'm out there being aggressive and doing my thing, he needs to follow suit and just be just as aggressive which is hard for him because it's kind of against his nature. But I think tonight was a good step," Bryant said.

"Even when he was in Memphis and he was the go-to guy, he was always very nice. Very white swan. I need him to be black swan (ESPN)."

As true as this statement might be the Lakers are really getting into a bad habit of calling their players out through the media. So far Phil Jackson has called out Kobe, Artest, and Bynum. Kobe has called out Gasol, and even the owner has got into the mix saying that the Lakers defense has been hurting because they are "too old".

Wow, and we still got a lot of the season left. The Lakers can certainly get back on track, but it is looking more and more like they could implode. If we were picking today I'd still say the Lakers are the most likely to make it to the Finals, even with how well the Spurs have been playing. I just trust Kobe more then any other player, but there are certainly cracks in the foundation of this franchise and this could get ugly quick if they keep using the media to air out their dirty laundry.

Artest Confronts Phil Jackson

"Ron Artest has tried to be on his behavior since joining the Lakers last season. On Tuesday, Lakers coach Phil Jackson confirmed that Artest reverted to his old ways recently, confronting the coach at a recent practice because he felt Jackson was embarrassing him in public.

Artest was not pleased that news of the incident was leaked. "I've worked too hard to have something like this come out," Artest said Tuesday, prior to the Lakers' win over the Pistons. "My image is very important to me — whatever image I have left — and this hurts, this really hurts."

Added Artest, who apologized to the team for the confrontation: "I've tried so hard not to be part of any controversy, not to be part of any conflict, for this to come out now, that's weird, and it's really hard (WEEI)."

Maybe for the first time ever I don't really blame Artest. Phil Jackson has been shooting off his mouth a lot this year, and I am totally against calling out your players in the media. Jackson has already done this to Kobe this year, and now he has been all over Artest. I feel like Artest has tried to change, he is definitely still crazy, but I do feel like he is at least trying. On the other hand Jackson seems be under the thinking that this is his last year and he isn't going to take anyone's shit, and will let everyone know if a player is screwing up.

From a Celtics' perspective (or anyone in the West) they have to be loving this. There is a lot of fighting in that locker room right now, and they just haven't looked right in awhile now. I still think they will figure it out, but in the beginning of the season I thought this team would be unstoppable.

And LeBron Wonders Why We Hate Him

I don't have much sympathy for athletes complaining. And LeBron's recent anti-playing-on-Christmas quotes really pushed a button with me.

"If you ask any player in the league, we'd rather be home with our families. I think the people that even set the games up would rather be home with their family during this day. It's not just a regular holiday. It's definitely one of those days that you wish you could wake up in the morning with the kids and open up presents. The fans, we always say it's good for the fans. But the fans get an opportunity to see us all year. We've got TV games all year. We've got a TV game on Thursday (in Phoenix). I don't care for it too much."

Cry me a river. LeBron's life is 365 days of Christmas every year. He's paid millions to play basketball for 6 months, get knocked out of the playoffs, then spend the summer filming obnoxious commercials. I'll take that deal, even though it includes a trip to LA on Christmas. Hell, I don't have that life, and I'm still working a few hours on Christmas. Why? Because I live in the real world and need money.

And fuck Phil Jackson, too. He's against the Christmas game for religious reason. He'll get all pious and rail against TV dollars ruining a Christian holiday. Funny how he doesn't moan about TV money when he gets paid by the Lakers (who get money from the NBA, that comes from the TV stations).

If Jackson had any stones, he'd take the Christmas game off and spend it in church. Just like how Koufax refused to pitch on Saturdays.

I get why these guys don't want to spend their holiday away from family. But they are in the entertainment business. The rest of us spend holidays in homes, with family, and it's nice to have something on TV for everyone to enjoy.

And this is my biggest problem with LeBron. He doesn't get what it is to be a normal human being. He doesn't get why people hate him for The Decision. He doesn't get that maybe he should just say "I'd rather be with my family on Christmas, but I don't make the schedule, and I'm looking forward to playing the Lakers."

Bill Belichick should tutor stupid, spoiled athletes like LeBron. Teach them important phrases like "it is what it is," and "we need to play better and coach better," and "they have a pretty good team over there."

So fuck you, LeBron. I hope the Grinch rapes you.



-The Commodore

Phil Jackson Leaning Toward Retirement

Pompous prick, fucking douche bag, cunt face asshole, only winning titles because he was brought into a system faggot, take your zen and shove it up you faggy ass.

Die!!