Kobe’s Back but Round One Goes to Achilles

Los Angeles Lakers superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant made his long-awaited return from his highly-publicized Achilles rupture on Sunday night, but round one of Bryant’s battle clearly went to Achilles. The odds – and history – suggest that Bryant will finish out the remainder of his career as a shell of the high-flying aerial acrobat he’s been throughout his career and walk away from the game as more of a cerebral veteran that will need his mind and experience to win games as much or more than he ever relied on his nearly unmatched athletic ability. Stay tuned Eye on Sports basketball lovers as Bryant’s continuing saga is sure to captivate roundball fans for the remainder of the season. 

Kobe’s Contract to Cripple Lakers Near-Future?

Kobe Bryant may be one of the greatest 

players in NBA history, but the Lakers

overpaid their aging leader in what could 

be a franchise-crippling move.

Don’t get me wrong Eye On Sports hoops fans, I love Kobe Bryant as a player, no matter how the Los Angeles Lakers superstar shooting guard performs in his comeback from a dreaded Achilles tendon tear. However…I’m also a realist and I have to say that I am a bit stunned that the Lakers would commit a whopping $48 million to Bryant over the next two seasons, particularly knowing the precedence that has been set for players that have suffered Achilles ruptures like Bryant’s.

Having said that, let me also throw in the fact that, even without an injury, I’d be unwilling to pay Bryant that astronomical figure as he enters the final twilight of what has been a sure-fire Hall of Fame career.

Why?

It’s simple really. By committing approximately $24 million per year to Bryant over the next two seasons, it’s undoubtedly going to be tough for L.A. to surround Bryant with the type of talent he’ll need in order to overcome the Spurs, Thunder and likely the Clippers as well, over the next two seasons.

Could the Lakers theoretically still find a way to land expected free agent CarmeloAnthony in the near future?

Yes, they very well could. However, L.A. would still find itself in big economical trouble, having to surround Bryant and Anthony with a bunch of mediocre, mid-level talent that would be willing to play for something close to the league minimum. Either way, giving Bryant $24 million a year to finish his career as a Lakers legend wasn't a very bright thing to do if this franchise is serious about getting back into legitimate championship title contention. 

Lakers pull off top trade!

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired 

veteran point guard just before last 

week's NBA trade deadline.

I’ve been saying for years now that veteran point guard Ramon Sessions is far and away a starting point guard in the NBA – and should have been given the opportunity to become and stay one several years ago.

Now moving further into his fifth season in the league, it looks like he’s going to get the opportunity to do just that as the starting point guard of the Los Angeles Lakers.

L.A. added the underrated – and apparently underappreciated – floor leader by trading veterans, Luke Walton and Jason Kapono, along with their 2012 first round draft pick, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for the 25-year-old Sessions.

Now, Eye On Sports hoops heads, just remember you heard it here first …. Ramon Sessions will average at least 16.0 points per game and a hearty eight assists per night – before moving into all-star contention as early as next season! I genuinely believe that Sessions has the stuff to be an elite point guard in the NBA for years to come.

Buss-ted! Jim’s No Jerry!

Dr. Jerry Buss (L) and son, Jim Buss (R).

The Los Angeles Lakers have had their share of problems in this fast-paced, shortened NBA season, but NBA insiders know that the team’s issues are far from just on-court problems.

No, L.A.’s problems start in the front office with Jim Buss, son of famed Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss.

The younger Buss has clearly made some head-scratching moves since taking over more of the day-to-day operations from his 78-year-old dad, but clearly, he’s no chip off the old block.

The open-minded communication that once flowed freely through the Lakers front office has been replaces by more silence and cyncism than anything else – and the team’s on-court play has suffered because of it.

Recent reports say that Kobe Bryant is no fan of the younger Buss – and that feeling is shared by many in the Lakers’ organization. Unfortunately, when you’re the son of a legendary NBA owner – and one that was born into inheriting the family business – then there’s no way out of this problem for the Lakers now – and likely – no time soon.

What do you think about Jim Buss? Can the ‘son’ ever match the ‘father’s success?’

Leave your thoughts in the comments section and have a great day!

Beasley to Lakers Too?

Forward Michael Beasley.

Not only are the Lakers prepared to sign Wallace, but rumors say they are also in the market for enigmatic Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley. L.A. will reportedly part with a first round pick for the natural born scorer as they revamp their roster in hopes of making a big postseason push.

What are your thoughts on Michael Beasley? Sound off in the comments section and have a great, sports-filled day!

‘Sheed’ To La La Land?

Rasheed Wallace

Sweet-shooting big man Rasheed Wallace is apparently itching to get back in the NBA after retiring following the 2010 NBA Finals. The former Celtics forward apparently plans on joining Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to CSNNE.com, Wallace is in the best shape he’s been in for ages.

What are your thoughts on Rasheed Wallace and his imminent return to the NBA? Sound off in the comments section and have a great, sports-filled day!

Beasley’s still got value!

Minnesota Timberwolves
forward Michael Beasley.

While Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley hasn’t quite attained the superstar status that is worthy of being the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the now, fourth-year scorer did have a surprisingly solid season for the T-Wolves a year ago – and still holds plenty of trade value despite his on-court shortcomings.

Recent reports say the Los Angeles Lakers are one of several teams that may or may not be interested in the sweet-shooting former Big 12 Player of the Year. Supposedly, L.A. was already interested in adding Beasley before the season began and I believe the move would be a good addition – if they don’t give up the wrong player or two in return.

Beasley averaged 19.2 points per game last season and has never played fewer that the 73 games he played in a year ago. Beasley’s scoring average has increased in each of his three years in the league, so it’s quite possible that the once, highly-coveted collegiate superstar could still evolve into a more consistent perennial all-star.

Whether the Lakers acquire Beasley or not, one thing’s for sure … time will tell just how good Beasley turns out to be!

Okay LeBron, Come Back to Reality!

Celtics legend Larry Bird
says  play with Kobe Bryant
and not LeBron James
if you want to win
and NBA championship.

Clearly, LeBron James missed the entire point of what Bird was hinting at. Bird was saying that Kobe Bryant is a cold-blooded killer on the court that wants to rip your throat out while James is more playful in nature and not nearly as competitive in the game’s most pressure-packed moments.

If LeBron thinks that Larry Bird only picked Kobe Bryant over him because of his five titles, then he’s even more out of touch with reality than Eye On Sports believes.

Hell, I‘ll go on record right now to say that Bird would rather chase an NBA Championship with Dwyane Wade faster than he would with LeBron!

Um ….. Okay LeBron!

LeBron James has more daily
drama than a soap opera these days.

LeBron James seems to think that Larry Bird said he’d rather have Kobe Bryant as a team than himself because Kobe has five NBA titles and he has none.

"It's simple, (Kobe) has five rings and I have none so it's easy to say that," James said. "If I had five rings and Kobe had none, it'd probably be the other way around” he said about Bird’s selection.

Larry Legend's Bird’s Eye View!

Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird
says  he'd rather play with
Kobe Bryant than LeBron James.

Anyone that knows me, knows I worship the ground that former Boston Celtics superstar Larry Bird walks on.

Having said that, I can’t begin to express how happy I am that Bird pretty much told basketball fans everywhere what knowledgeable NBA followers already knew – that LeBron James is a lot of fun, but if you want to win championships, Kobe Bryant is the far better choice to get the job done.

Bird did an interview with sports writer Bill Simmons a couple of days ago, and Simmons asked ‘Larry Legend’ to weigh in on the Kobe vs. LeBron talk and which player would he prefer to team up with.

While Bird’s answers on the subject probably aren’t much of a shock to those that really know the game, hearing the words from such a respected legend really hit home – and made James look like … well …  like LeBron James.

Polarizing Miami Heat superstar
LeBron James has plenty of detractors these  days.

"Well, probably Kobe, because of the fact that ... well, of course he wouldn't have been shooting as much as he does now ... but his desire to win, his dedication, to always get better, uh, and he's just, he's just tough," Bird said. "He's just a tough cat.

"But, if you want to have fun, like I did with Bill Walton, play with LeBron. It would have probably been more fun to play with LeBron, but if you want to win and win and win, it's Kobe. Not that LeBron's not a winner, just that [Kobe's] mindset is to go into every practice, every game, to get better."

While Bird tried to clean up his words an not offend James, the point that James is not a leader – or winner – was emphatically driven home by the widely-beloved Bird.

Kobe’s Got a sense of Humor!

Los Angeles Lakers superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant had this to say after on feeding seven-footer Pau Gasol for a huge 3-pointer late in Wednesday’s road win over Utah.

"You think Tebow prays? When that ball left his hand, I must have said 30 Hail Marys."

I’ve got to say Eye on Sports fans … for a guy that’s never been known for his sense of humor, that was priceless … just priceless!

Just Say it Mike! … Kobe’s Better, More Serious!

Maybe it’s me, but I’m thinking Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown sounded funny as hell in trying to explain the difference between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, while clearly hinting that Kobe’s more serious nature makes him the better player. Brown coached James with the Cleveland Cavaliers for five years and is in his first season with Bryant and the Lakers.

"They're both competitive," Brown said on Wednesday. "They both want to win. There's just a different feel to the two guys. It's hard for me to put into words."

Wait, Eye on Sports readers, there’s more!

"They're both obviously guys that know how to perform at a high level," Brown said. "Their games are different. On both ends of the floor they're very different, but especially offensively (ya’ think?). LeBron is a guy that's still learning and still growing and the reality of it is, being down there with Dwyane Wade is helping him and every year, every game he's getting better."

Hold on hoops heads … did Brown just say that LeBron is still learning … in his ninth season?

Did Brown just also say that being with D-Wade is “helping” LeBron?

Last but not least, the new Lakers leader touched on each superstar’s nature.

"They're different," Brown added. "Different personalities. LeBron, he's a guy that likes to laugh and joke and he knows, obviously, when there's a time to be serious but he's youthful. I guess that's probably the word. Whereas Kobe is not as much. Kobe is more serious-minded and so-on and so-forth. But Kobe knows how to have fun in his own way, too."

Now, maybe it’s me, but it seems that Mike Brown just said that LeBron is “youthful” needs “help” in the form of Dwyane Wade – and isn’t nearly as serious as Kobe Bryant.

Now Mike, tell us something we didn’t already know!

Shaq Still Smoking Strong Stuff

Would somebody please tell me what the hell former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal is smoking these days?

If you ask me, Shaq has totally lost his mind. First he’s ripping on Kobe Bryant in his new tell-all book, “Shaq Uncut” then he takes a shot at former head coach Pat Riley and Lakers’ legendary Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Now, the ‘Big Idiot’ is proclaiming that Kobe Bryant is “probably the greatest Laker of all time.”

The four-time NBA title winner appeared on KTLA’s morning show to promote his book when he uttered his most recent foolish comments.

“Based on what he’s done, he’s probably the greatest Laker of all time,’” O’Neal said on Monday . “If he gets another championship, he’ll tie with Kareem. That will put him up there.”

“It’s a different kind of great,” O’Neal said of Bryant when comparing the gifted shooting guard to himself. “He had the skills to be an all-around player. I’m just a big man so I just do big-man stuff. I’m just in the big-man category.”

Maybe it’s me, but I’m wondering if O’Neal has ever heard of another five-time NBA title-winner by the name of Magic Johnson – or maybe he’s never heard of Jerry West the player that the NBA logo is made from.

All I’m going to say is that while I’m looking forward to the upcoming NBA season, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing or hearing O’Neal on TNT television – and I can just imagine the banter between Shaq and the outspoken Charles Barkley,