Magic Johnson - Photo LeeLee from Atlanta, Cropped by Noble Story MAGIC DOWNS LeBRON

The Los Angeles Lakers with Magic Johnson won five titles - Maxi Basket photo

NBA

NBA NEWS - NBA BASKETBALL RETURNS TO MEXICO IN OCTOBER - July, 2010
NBA Mexico Game 2010 Features San Antonio Spurs Versus Los Angeles Clippers in Mexico City Preseason Game

NBA BEAT - MAGIC JOHNSON DOWNS LeBRON JAMES - July, 2010
DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS - The reality is that Johnson as great as he was had problems playing with players that would take the spotlight off of him. As a rookie Kareem Abdul Jabbar had to put him in his place as to who was the Lakers top dog - NBA salary cap for 2010-11 season

NBA NEWS - AFRICAN-BORN NBA PLAYERS LEAD FIRST BASKETBALL WITHOUT BORDERS CAMP IN SENEGAL - July, 2010
NBA players and coaches unite for elite basketball instruction and extensive community outreach

Sports Notes EXTRA EXTRA Part 2 - LEBRON JAMES - FROM HERO TO ZERO IN CLEVELAND- July, 2010
James had the seven year itch of trying in vain to win an NBA title he decided to move on and sign with the Miami Heat where teamed with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh he wouldn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders. The question is WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? - DAN GILBERT'S OPEN LETTER TO THE CLEVELAND FANS - FIFA TOP 10

Sports Notes EXTRA Part 4 - SPAIN WINS WORD CUP TITLE - July, 2010
SPAIN WINS ON GUTS & RESOLVE - It was a hotly contested affair that included some unwarranted foul play. When Iniesta scored the goal in the 116th minute the Netherlands were down to only 10 men - Uruguay's Diego Forlan won the tournaments Best Player Award (Golden Ball) - Thomas (The Fuel-er) Muller wins the Golden Boot and the Best Young Player Awards - Paul the Octopus proved right again - NBA - SAY WHAT!!! A CLEAN HEAT HOUSE 4 LeBRON?

Sports Notes EXTRA Part 1 - THE LEBRON JAMES GAME IS OVER - THE HEAT IS ON!!! - July, 2010
THE THREE AMIGOS ARE TOGETHER - After weeks of meetings and speculation LeBron made it known where he will play next season. To some it was a surprise and questioned his decision making to others it was a no brainer - South American's pissed & dissed - FIFA'S BAD CALLS SOLUTION

NBA NOTES - THE JAMES GAME SPARKS NBA MERRY-GO-ROUND - July, 2010
SIGN ON PLEASE - The three amigos LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade are living large in the free agent market. It's been mentioned that they would like to play together but that becoming a reality is unlikely. With whom the coach is being a factor makes for very slim pickings for the three amigos. Can NBA coaching changes make a difference in their decision making?

Sports Notes EXTRA EXTRA - LAKERS WIN NBA TITLE UGLY - WORLD CUP FLIP FLOPS - June, 2010
The USA World Cup team is experiencing mixed success and a controversial decision from ref Kouman Coulibaly without an explanation to disallow a third U.S. goal against Slovenia - England favored by many is on the edge of disaster - Lakers Win NBA title UGLY - BIG BABY

NBA BEAT - LAKERS vs. CELTICS - A HEATED RIVALRY - June, 2010
THE TITLE HEAT IS ON!!! - As the Lakers sharpen their elbows the Celtics will have to toughen their chins to get through this series to add another title to their history of domination of the lads from Hollyweird.

NBA NEWS - EVANS NAMED ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - May, 2010
SACRAMENTO’S TYREKE EVANS received 67 first-place votes (491 points) from a panel of 123 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Golden State’s Stephen Curry finished second with 391 points and Milwaukee’s Brendon Jennings finished third with 204 points

NBA BEAT - WIZARDS WIN DRAFT LOTTERY OVER FAVORED NEW JERSEY NETS - May, 2010
1st CHOICE NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST CHOICE - Michael Jordan who many consider the best ever NBA player was chosen 3rd in 1984. Kobe Bryant was chosen 13th out of high school in 1996.

NBA NEWS - AARON BROOKS WINS MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD - May, 2010
The Houston Rockets Brooks received 403 of a possible 615 points, including 62 first-place votes, from a panel of 123 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder (17 first-place votes)

NBA NEWS - HOWARD DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - May, 2010
The 6-11 center became the first player to lead the league in rebounding and blocks (1973-74 was the first season blocks were kept as an official statistic) in consecutive seasons, averaging 13.2 rebounds and 2.78 blocks

NBA NEWS - CLEVELAND'S JAMES AND ORLANDO'S HOWARD HIGHLIGHT ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM - May, 2010
Oklahoma City's Durant Earns First All-NBA First Team Honor - James, who earns First Team honors for the third straight season and fourth time overall, was second in the NBA in scoring (29.7 ppg) and averaged 8.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks, leading Cleveland to an NBA-best 61-21 regular season record. James' 8.6 assists were the highest assists average by a forward in NBA history (Larry Bird, 7.6 apg, 1986-87)

Sports Notes - WANYE ROONEY & LeBRON JAMES from TEENAGERS TO IMMEDIATE SUCCESS IN THE PROS - May, 2010
Never mind injuries Wayne Rooney is an all grit footballer who has toughness, skill and determination. If it's someone you want to watch your back then Rooney is the man - What is behind the drive of LeBron James rise to fame and success? After winning his second consecutive NBA MVP Award there is something that has driven him to his success which is captured in a film documentary More Than A Game

NBA NEWS - LEBRON JAMES WINS MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD - May, 2010
James Named MVP for Second Consecutive Season - James totaled 1,205 points including 116 first place votes, from a panel of 122 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada

NBA NEWS - EVANS, JENNINGS, CURRY HEADLINE ALL-ROOKIE TEAM - May, 2010
The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.

NBA NEWS - JAMAL CRAWFORD WINS SIXTH MAN AWARD - April, 2010
In order to be eligible for this award, players had to have come off the bench in more games than they started

NBA NEWS - PHOENIX’S GRANT HILL WINS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD - April, 2010
In order to be eligible for this award, players had to have come off the bench in more games than they started

Sports Notes - WHO's THE BEST JOSE MOURINHO OR PEP GUARDIOLA?- April, 2010
The question is who is worthy and will take over Ferguson's best club manager's throne? - LAKERS THE BEST? GO FIGURE...

NBA NEWS - ROSE & DURANT PLAYERS OF THE MONTH - April, 2010
CHICAGO’S DERRICK ROSE AND OKLAHOMA CITY’S KEVIN DURANT NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH for games played during April

NBA NEWS - VAN GUNDY & CARLISLE COACHES OF THE MONTH - WILLIAMS & CURRY ROOKIES OF THE MONTH - April, 2010
ORLANDO’S VAN GUNDY AND DALLAS’ CARLISLE NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE COACHES OF THE MONTH - NEW JERSEY’S TERRENCE WILLIAMS AND GOLDEN STATE’S STEPHEN CURRY NAMED ROOKIES OF THE MONTH for games played in April

NBA NEWS - SPOELSTRA & GENTRY COACHES OF THE MONTH - JENNINGS & CURRY ROOKIES OF THE MONTH - April, 2010
MIAMI’S SPOELSTRA AND PHOENIX’S GENTRY NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE COACHES OF THE MONTH - MILWAUKEE’S BRANDON JENNINGS AND GOLDEN STATE’S STEPHEN CURRY NAMED ROOKIES OF THE MONTH for games played in March.

NBA NEWS - WADE AND STOUDEMIRE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH - April, 2010
MIAMI’S DWYANE WADE AND PHOENIX’S AMAR’E STOUDEMIRE NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH for games played during March.

NBA NEWS - Dwyane Wade and Manu Ginobili PLAYERS OF THE WEEK- April, 2010
MIAMI’S DWYANE WADE AND SAN ANTONIO’S MANU GINOBILI NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK for games played March 22-28.

NBA NEWS - PIERCE AND GASOL NAMED PLAYERS OF THE WEEK- March, 2010
BOSTON’S PAUL PIERCE AND L.A. LAKERS’ PAU GASOL NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK for games played March 15-21.

Sports Notes - KEVIN ROONEY HOT - ENGLAND NOT - March, 2010
A LOOK IN THE MIRROR - England is coming apart at the seams as the John Terry scandal has yet to be resolved. The playboy image of the squad far outweighs what it takes to win the World Cup. When it comes to extra marital comparisons the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers have some skeletons in its closet.

NBA NEWS - BOGUT ROY NAMED PLAYERS OF THE WEEK- March, 2010
MILWAUKEE’S BOGUT AND PORTLAND’S ROY NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK for games played March 8-14.

NBA NEWS - JAMES AND BOOZER NAMED NBA PLAYERS OF THE MONTH - March, 2010
CLEVELAND’S JAMES AND UTAH’S BOOZER NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH for games played in February

NBA NEWS - JEREBKO AND COLLISON ROOKIES OF THE MONTH - March, 2010
DETROIT’S JONAS JEREBKO AND NEW ORLEANS’ DARREN COLLISON NAMED T-MOBILE ROOKIES OF THE MONTH for games played in February

NBA NEWS - SKILES AND BROOKS NBA COACHES OF THE MONTH - March, 2010
MILWAUKEE’S SKILES AND OKLAHOMA CITY’S BROOKS NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE COACHES OF THE MONTH for games played in February

Sports Notes MAX - FREE JOHN TERRY & - February, 2010
BAD KARMA FOR JOHN TERRY - NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND WINNERS - WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND - IS FLOYD MAYWEATHER AFRAID OF PACQUIAO? - MARK McGWIRE WIRED OR NOT IS NO LONGER THE QUESTION

Business & Sports - Counterfeit NBA All-Star Merchandise - February, 2010
Fact vs. Fiction League prepares for record-setting All-Star Game, educates consumers on prevalence of counterfeiters in North Dallas

NBA NEWS - ALL-STAR STARTERS - February, 2010
CLEVELAND’S JAMES IS TOP VOTE-GETTER IN 2010 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING - Becomes First Player to Top 2.5 Million Votes Three Times - L.A. Lakers’ Bryant Leading Vote-Getter in West - Surprisingly voted in was Allen Iverson the 2001 and 2005 All-Star Game MVP

NBA NEWS: Jordan Brand to Host Chris Paul’s Summer 2009 China Tour - August, 2009
Outstanding Team Jordan Athlete & Olympic Gold Medalist visits Tianjin and Guangzhou

NBA NEWS: NBA WILL PLAY ITS FIRST-EVER GAME IN TAIPEI - July, 2009
Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers to Tip Off at the Taipei Arena on October 8th

NBA NEWS: NBA SALARY CAP FOR 2009-10 SEASON SET AT $57.7 MILLION - July, 2009
The 2008-09 Salary Cap was $58.68 million and the tax level was $71.15 million.

NBA NEWS: 25 Players Expected For USA Basketball National Team Mini-Camp - July, 2009
USA Basketball Showcase To Be Held July 25 In Las Vegas -- Toronto Raptors head coach Jay Triano, Utah Jazz assistant coach Tyrone Corbin, Detroit Pistons assistant Dave Cowens, former New Orleans Hornets assistant Kenny Gattison, and innesota Timberwolves assistant Jerry Sichting, would serve as the staff for the 2009 USA Basketball Men's National Team mini-camp.

NBA NEWS: NBA FAN EXPERIENCE - July, 2009
Los Angeles Clipper Baron Davis and New York Knicks City Dancers Highlight NBA Jam in Mumbai

NBA DRAFT: THE 2009 NBA DRAFT - June, 2009
The Los Angeles Clippers won the first overall pick. The draft is scheduled for Thursday June 25th to be held in New York City at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

NBA NOTES Part 2 : THE LAKERS 15 NBA TITLES - June, 2009
During the 52 years of the NBA the Lakers franchise has won 15 NBA titles. The questions are: How did it start? What team was the best? Who had to overcome the stiffest competition? Read on…

NBA NOTES: ORLANDO SUFFERS MONTEZUMA'S REVENGE LAKERS WIN TITLE - June, 2009
LAKERS GO FISHEN TO WIN THE TITLE - KOBE MVP -The series was over after game four when Orlando gave up a 3 point lead with less than a minute remaining. The bite, the fight the fierce light in their eyes was gone after game four… IT WAS OVER. Orlando Suffered From the Shoulda Woulda, Coulda Disease

NBA NEWS: TV SCHEDULE FOR NBA PLAYOFF FINALS - June, 2009
Schedule for USA and Southeast Asia. . The NBA Finals feature the Los Angeles Lakers featuring Kobe Bryant verses the Orlando Magic with Dwight Howard aka Superman.

NBA BEAT - NBA PLAYOFF FINAL - June, 2009
NBA FINALS ORLANDO MAGIC vs. LOS ANGELES LAKERS -The media went wild about their wish to see a Cleveland Cavaliers verses the Los Angeles Lakers finals featuring a Kobe Bryant verses LeBron James match up they will have to settle for Kobe verses Orlando with Superman aka Dwight Howard.

Sports Notes - MAN U MESSI'D UP - BARCELONA CHAMPS - MAY, 2009
On the day Messi was the superior performer over FIFA Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo who was displeased by the Ferguson's game plan - IS REAL MADRID FOR REAL? - ORLANDO MAGIC'S DETERMINATORS - FIFA TOP 10

NBA AWARDS - DANNY GRANGER WINS NBA MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD - May, 2009
In his fourth year, Granger was the league’s fifth leading scorer, averaging a career-high 25.8 points – 6.2 points higher than 2007-08 (19.6 ppg) and 9.4 points above his career average (16.4 ppg) – and becoming the first player in NBA history to raise his scoring average by at least five points in three consecutive seasons.

NBA AWARDS - CLEVELAND'S LEBRON JAMES HIGHLIGHTS ALL- NBA FIRST TEAM - May, 2009
Joining James on the First Team are Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

NBA AWARDS - DENVER’S CHAUNCEY BILLUPS WINS NBA SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD - May, 2009
A 12-year veteran, Billups was one of six divisional winners, which included Boston’s Ray Allen, Detroit’s Antonio McDyess, Golden State’s Ronny Turiaf, San Antonio’s Michael Finley and Washington’s Antawn Jamison. Billups received 82 first-place votes (2,478 total points) of a possible 336.

NBA BEAT - NBA PLAYOFF OUTLOOK - May , 2009
As we see it the finals will pit the Lakers against the Cavs with Cleveland taking the title. They have a strong combination of youth, size, well rested and are hungry. The down side is too much rest can result in rust, the lack of sharpness in skills and a competitive game mentality.

NBA AWARDS - DWIGHT HOWARD, KOBE BRYANT HEADLINE NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM - May, 2009
Howard edged Bryant (53 points overall and 24 First Team votes) as the leading vote-getter. Also selected to the All-Defensive First Team are forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (47 points), New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul (36 points) and Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (35 points).

NBA AWARDS - DENVER’S MARK WARKENTIEN NAMED NBA EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR - May, 2009
The Nuggets just completed their fifth 50-win season in the team’s NBA history, while qualifying for the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. Denver won its sixth division title since joining the NBA in 1976, including the second in the last four seasons.

NBA AWARDS - CHICAGO'S DERRICK ROSE, MEMPHIS' O.J. MAYO HEADLINE NBA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM - May, 2009
The voting panel consisted of the NBA's 30 head coaches, who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.

NBA AWARDS - LEBRON JAMES NAMED NBA MVP - May, 2009
James totaled 1,172 points including 109 first place votes, from a panel of 121 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. James, the first Cavalier to win the award, led Cleveland in scoring (28.4 ppg, second in the NBA), rebounds (7.6 rpg), assists (7.2 apg, fourth), and steals (1.7 spg, eighth).

NBA AWARDS - DERRICK ROSE NAMED NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - April, 2009
Rose led first-year players in assists (6.3 apg) and was second among rookies in scoring (16.8 ppg), to go along with 3.9 rebounds in 37.0 minutes. Rose shot .475 from the field and .788 from the free throw line. He started 80 of 81 games

NBA AWARDS Part 3 - JASON TERRY WINS 2008-09 NBA SIXTH MAN AWARD - April, 2009
In order to be eligible for this award, players had to have come off the bench in more games than they started. A sixth man in 63 of 74 games played this season, Terry averaged 19.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.6 minutes. He shot .463 from the field, .366 from beyond the three-point line and .880 from the free throw line.

NBA AWARDS Part 2 - ORLANDO’S DWIGHT HOWARD WINS 2008-09 NBA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD - April, 2009
THE BIG D - The 6-11 center aka SUPERMAN led the NBA in rebounds and blocks, averaging 13.8 boards and 2.92 blocks. He also averaged 20.6 points on .572 shooting from the floor.

NBA AWARDS - CLEVELAND’S MIKE BROWN NAMED 2008-09 NBA COACH OF THE YEAR - April, 2009
Brown Wins Red Auerbach Trophy After Leading Cleveland to Franchise-Best 66-Win Season

NBA NOTES - CELTICS WOES - April , 2009
The defending NBA champion Boston Celtics opening game loss in the first round of the NBA playoffs indicates that the road for a repeat title will be rough and hard to come by for the 17 time NBA champs with Kevin Garnett out injured - IS CHARLES IN CHARGE? BARKLEY THAT IS

Sports Notes - NBA PLAYOFFS BEGIN - APRIL, 2009
Key Player Injuries Rule Outlook - The defending champion Boston Celtics finished with the leagues third best record 62-20. Their hopes are bleak as their star player Kevin Garnett is deemed out for the playoffs due to an injured knee - The noise surrounding 14 time All Star selection baseball player Alex Rodriguez reached frenzy - FIFA TOP 10

NBA BEAT - NBA'S NO TITLE LOSERS - DAY WAS ROBBED? - April , 2009
If this were a scene from the GoodFellas film da (the) boys would say about some NBA players, "Day was (They were) robbed. We are of the opinion that the Lakers are the worst three-peat NBA title winning team ever on a short list that includes the Boston Celtics of the 60's and the Chicago Bulls of the 90's. Their success is tainted by an NBA fixed game scandal

Business & Sports - Cartoon Network Partners with NBA - March, 2009
Cartoon Network Partners with NBA Partnership to Develop Long- and Short-Form Programming for all Platforms My Dad’s a Pro is First Series in Development

NBA NOTES - AGAIN - ARE THE LAKERS THAT GOOD OR IS THE NBA THAT BAD? - March , 2009
The Lakers were the first to qualify for the NBA playoffs this season but the question is do they have the talent to win the title? - The main man responsible for orchestrating the Boston Celtics title winning team last season was forgotten.- Though being slight of build for a center at that time RED KERR was a hard worker. He had to go up against some of the best centers who ever played the game including Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

NBA BEAT - GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP REIGNS AT NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND - February , 2009
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were voted to share the games MVP trophy. - The lyrics to a Jim Croce song warns 'Don't tug on Superman's cape,' but there was one fearless slam dunk competitor who ignored that advice. For his deeds Dwight Howard proved that he is a TRUE SUPER MAN.

NBA NEWS: LAKERS’ BRYANT RECLAIMS NO. 1 SPOT AS NBA’S MOST POPULAR JERSEY - February, 2009
BRYANT RECLAIMS NO. 1 SPOT ON LIST OF NBA’S MOST POPULAR JERSEY –Los Angeles Lakers’ Team Gear Popular Among Fans. Garnett drops one spot to No. 2 while the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James holds on to the No. 3

NR TOP 10 - JANUARY, 2009 - NBA AND BUSINESS EMERGE
Though our popularity has been largely based on our sports, television and travel coverage the most recent ratings indicate that there is a growing readership from those interested in business and technology. What next? Stay tuned.

Sports Notes EXTRA - MAN CITY DEAL WENT KAKA - January, 2009
KaKa stepped up and became a role model for doing things right and valuing integrity and loyalty when he turned down a reported US $158 million transfer fee and US$500,000 a week wages - NBA TRIVIA - RONALDO SECOND IN THE TOP NEWS OF THE MONTH - FIFA TOP 10