Despite a massive Los Angeles police presence Thursday night, sporadic violence broke out near Staples Center after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Crowds hurled bottles and other objects at police, smashed marquees, jumped on vehicles, broke windows, and set rubbish dumpsters and vehicles on fire along Figueroa Street north of Staples Center and on Flower Street.

Police fired non-lethal rounds to disperse the crowd at Figueroa and Venice Boulevard after several small fires were set, as well as at 11th and Hope streets. At 7th and Flower, a car believed to be a taxicab was engulfed in flames.

And not a one of these trash brains was involved in the win. I will never understand the mindset of people who destroy property because a freakin’ sports team won a game. Big deal! Did they find a cure for cancer? No. Did they end childhood diabetes? No. Did they find a way to eradicate HIV/AIDS? No. So, excuse me while I question the sanity of morons who go out into the streets after a flippin’ game, break windows, burn cars, STEAL, and beat the crap out of fellow celebrants. The mob mentality is alive and well in Los Angeles.

Real classy folks.  And I’ll leave it at that.

By now I’m sure most of you have heard that Lebron James feels EVERY NBA player that currently wears #23 should change their numbers, and the NBA should retire the number to honor Micheal Jordon.  Really? Why? Micheal Jordan has made over $500 million dollars with NBA contracts, and endorsements.  I’m of the opinion the NBA has already done more then enough for Micheal Jordon.

This is part of his interview that I have the most problem with.

“There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade, you name all the best players in the league right now and the last 10 years, there would be none of us without Michael Jordan”

And without players like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain (just to name a few)  there would have been no Micheal Jordon.  The above mentioned players numbers have not been retired by the NBA. They have been retired by the teams they played for, as Jordon’s number has by the Bulls.  I’m wondering if this movement has anything to do with the fact that Micheal Jordon was in the stands for last nights Cavs / Heat game?

James later goes on to say he will change his number to 6 at the end of the season, in honor of the number he wore in the Olympics.  Bill Russell (former Celtic great) wore the number 6, and for the record that number has not been retired by the NBA either (has been retired by the Celtics).  Considering the fact that Bill Russell played during a very race hostile time in this country, I would think that should move him to the front of the line for numbers being retired by the NBA.  If we measure a players worth by championships won, then Russell needs to grow an extra finger to sport the 11 championship rings he has.

Every era is going to have its own legends, in any given sport. This is why I have such a problem with these *Greatest Of All Time* lists.   Yes Micheal Jordon helped to elevate the popularity of the NBA. For anyone 30 years old or younger, Micheal Jordon is the NBA.  However you can not discredit what other players have done, nor can people continue to place  Micheal Jordon on this God like pedestal .  He was a tremendous player, that made traveling an art form. He took merchandising to a whole new level.  Every player wanted to be like Mike, why not be like themselves instead?

There has only been two players in the history of professional sports to ever have their numbers retired by the sport.  One being Wayne Gretzky and the other being Jackie Robinson. Gretzky was the GREATEST player to ever put on a pair of skates, and Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. Does  James really want to put Micheal Jordon’s resume up against those two??

]]> http://www.ickscorner.com/2009/11/bravo-lebron-shakes-head/feed/ 5 http://www.ickscorner.com/2009/07/newest-laker/ http://www.ickscorner.com/2009/07/newest-laker/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:20:15 +0000 Ick http://www.ickscorner.com/?p=3492

Ron Artest signed a 5 year $33 million dollar with the Lakers and it leaves me wondering only one thing, why? Sure Ron Artest was on his best behavior in Houston, but most Rockets fans would agree he disappeared during the playoffs. As I write this post another question comes to mind. Why did Artest sign with the Lakers for about half his asking price when in talks with the Rockets? Artest wanted over $60 million on a 5 year deal to stay with the Rockets. The chance at a NBA Championship must be worth about $30 million dollars to Artest.  I guess only time will tell is this was a good signing by the Lakers.

With the begining of free agency come big name free agents. Rasheed Wallace is leaving Detroit where he won a NBA Championship in 2004, to sign with the Boston Celtics. It remains to be seen if Wallace will be playing with Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, after trade rumors surfaced last month. If the Celtics are smart they will add Wallace into the mix with Rondo and the big 3.

Hundreds celebrated in the streets outside Staples Center after the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA title win Sunday night, with some revelers damaging police cruisers, throwing rocks and bottles at officers and setting bonfires in the street, authorities said.

About 25 people were arrested, most part of a rowdy crowd that split off on to surrounding streets after police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, officer Karen Rayner said.

Several police cruisers were damaged and reinforcement officers were called in from throughout the city to help disperse the crowd, Rayner said.

Los Angeles police said five officers were hit by debris and had minor injuries.

Los Angeles Lakers fans pose by a burning newspaper stand while celebrating their teams victory in the NBA Finals over the Orlando Magic in downtown Los Angeles.

A group of people take goods from a shoe store in downtown Los Angeles after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to win the NBA title.

So, in answer to your query, Ick, yes….they did riot, acted like total assholes, and found any excuse to destroy and steal!

I wonder how nice it was for Kobe to wake up this morning with the *Shaq Monkey* finally off his back.  Laker fans were probably rioting in the streets as the Lakers close out thier series with the Magic to capture the NBA Championship. Congrats Lakers!

If your interested in reading how the Kobe Vs Lebron debate is now over, check this link out.

Just in time for their one and done playoff appearance, you can buy your very own Dirk Is My Homeboy t shirt to show  your support. If Dirk was really Mark Cuban’s homeboy, he would do him a favor and trade him to a team that actually has a chance to win a championship!

This shirt is also offered on the same website. Now if I was Lebron James, and Nike I would be alittle upset about this one.  Anyone remember this ad campaign by Nike?

Cleveland’s LeBron James and the LA Lakers‘ Andrew Bynum were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week.

James led the Cavaliers to a 3-1 record during a weeklong West Coast swing. He averaged 30.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 2.3 steals in the four games. He posted his twelfth double-double of the season with a 33-point, 14-rebound effort Jan. 24 in a win against Utah.

Bynum averaged 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.25 blocks per game while leading the Lakers to a 4-0 record during the week. The fourth-year pro had a career-high 42 points and 15 rebounds in a Jan. 21 win over the LA Clippers.

Bynum had point-rebound double-doubles in three of the Lakers’ last four games.

A weekly award.  Aren’t y’all impressed?

Ok, so I’m trying to take up the slack for the Ick in law.  What do I know about sports?  Well, the players get payed WAY more than any of ‘em are worth, but other than that….   Hey…gimme a break.  I’m doin’ the best I can, ok? 

I laugh everytime I see this commercial on ESPN..