Input your search keywords and press Enter.Few other phrases irk Lakers fans like that one. "Paul Pierce wheelchair" might come close, along with "Deee-troit basss-ket-balll" and, for the slightly older generation, "sweltering Boston Garden."But the two words uttered by then NBA Commissioner David Stern, through a league spokesman, bother Lakers followers more than any in these free-fallin' days of history-making. They were the reason supplied for vetoing the Lakers' trade for All-Star point guard Chris Paul in December 2011, the one that sent Lamar Odom into a tailspin, Pau Gasol into continual glance-over-shoulder mode and the franchise into a slow, steady, shocking decline.------------FOR THE RECORD: Lakers timeline: In the Feb. 28 Sports section, a chart listing key dates in the Lakers' recent history said Kobe Bryant fractured a bone in his knee in December 2014. It was December 2013. The chart also stated that All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge bypassed the Lakers to sign with San Antonio in July 2014;
Aldridge signed with San Antonio in July 2015. How did this happen, the Lakers as league laughingstocks next to the Philadelphia 76ers? First, a quick trip to happier times. If ever there was a picture suitable for framing, a pose ready-made for bronzing outside Staples Center, it was Kobe Bryant after the Lakers won the 2010 NBA Finals.He hopped onto the scorer's table amid a purple-and-gold confetti storm, cradled the basketball in his left arm and screamed uncontrollably for several euphoric seconds.The Lakers had just beaten the hated Boston Celtics in Game 7 at Staples Center, moving within one championship of the 17 already claimed by the Celtics. On a more individual note — and a personal one too, because everything was personal for Bryant back then — he moved within one championship of the six owned by Michael Jordan.What wasn't to like about the Lakers? They were back-to-back NBA champions with the best coach of all time, Phil Jackson. Bryant was a still-spry 31 years old and Gasol seemingly had plenty of miles to spare on his odometer.
Odom was a smooth and versatile sixth man, Metta World Peace a top defender and young Andrew Bynum a shot-blocking, rebounding force when healthy. Slowly and sadly for one of L.A.'s sports treasures, the corrosion began to appear not long after the trophy was handed out and champagne sprayed on that June night.Jackson was soon diagnosed with treatable but energy-sapping cancer and had only one season left in him as a coach. The 2010-11 Lakers campaign was marked by an embarrassing second-round playoff sweep by the Dallas Mavericks, symbolized by Bynum body-slamming diminutive guard J.J. Barea and stalking off the court bare-chested after getting ejected in the final game.There were signs of Bryant's body starting to wear down during that series, and in the off-season he went to Germany for an innovative knee procedure. It represented a tear in Superman's cape even though it led to another two years of top-flight basketball for Bryant.Then the Paul trade arrived.The 2011-12 season was delayed because of a labor lockout that lifted just in time for a slate of Christmas Day openers.
Sensing a need to restock the roster and capitalize on Bryant's last good years, the Lakers acquired Paul from New Orleans for Odom and Gasol. The three-team trade was nixed because of "basketball reasons" by Stern, who acted on behalf of a New Orleans franchise that had been purchased temporarily by the NBA when its owner fell into financial hardship.No one seemed more surprised by Stern's rejection of the deal than Paul, who simply wrote "WoW" on Twitter that day.The Lakers would have shifted overnight from finesse, precision and depth in the frontcourt to speed and athleticism in the backcourt.They tried to rebuild another way in July 2012, after a nondescript season came and went with another second-round playoff defeat. Two-time most valuable player Steve Nash was acquired for two first-round draft picks and two second-round picks in a deal that still haunts the Lakers. They traded for center Dwight Howard a month later, seemingly fit for the future and a bright 2012-13 season.
But Nash was injured in his second game, symbolic of his meager contributions during a three-year, $28-million contract. The lighthearted Howard never came close to jelling with the ever-demanding Bryant.As the Lakers languished in the standings, devastating news came from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on February 18, 2013. Lakers owner Jerry Buss died at 80 of kidney failure after a bout with an undisclosed form of cancer, leaving the Lakers without their patriarch.The Fragment Design x Air Jordan 1 released back in December of 2014, and was one of the top shoes of the year. Holding a retail price of $185 USD, the shoes are so high in demand they are currently selling for upwards of $2,000 on the resell market. The Fragment Design x Air Jordan 1 will be restocking at UK retailer END. The 2 year old sneaker is posted on its Launches system. Make sure to register for their online raffle below. The draw closes Friday January 20th at 7AM EST. Talk Kicks is a talk show dedicated to discussing the latest news in sneakers, sports, music and world news.
With co-host Mic Nice we bring unfiltered attitude and blurt out the truth, even if you dont want to hear it. Check out Talk Kicks on Sound Cloud and our live broadcasts on You TubeTop Ten Where Hip Hop and Basketball Collide. Hip Hop Artists Stalley and Danny Brown profess their love for this adidas icon. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Triumphant return of an adidas classic. Air Jordan 4 “Python Green Glow” Custom. JBF jumps in to make the Air Jordan 4 realize their potential. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Python Green Glow kicks ass. Nike Long Training Sleeve. Should definitely keep that shooting arm cozy. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: AI made them host and Kobe turned them into a must have. New KD 6 Gear Arrives.Same classy Nike KD 6 gear. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: With Kevin Durant tearing the league apart again, it's a perfect time for this. NBA Holiday Socks for the Bold. Official NBA licenses candy cane holiday socks.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: I don't have the swagger to pull these off, but if you do all eyes will certainly be on you. KD “New Year” ID For Kevin Durant. Nike fast to capitalize on 2014 with some New Year KD VIs. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: I always welcome customization and new colorways. Drake Joins Team Jordan. Jordan brand scoops up one of the hottest rappers in the game. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Not sure Drake's style is a match for mine, but I am curious what his final product will look like. Arctic Green LeBron 11s Land For Xmas. LBJ has gotten some hot for under your tree. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: These are are a great combination of holiday cheer and dope kickology. BrandBlack Gets in the Holiday Spirit Nothing says Christmas day kicks like the Jamal Crawford Crossovers. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The best part about them is they'll sitll look dope come New Years Eve. Stephen Curry Reps Under Armour
The best shooter in the NBA teams up with the best sports apparel. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Crazy 1 Basketball Shoe Returns HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Love them or hate them, this is a shoe you remember. Nike Air Trainer SC II Set For 2014 Release Vintage Bo Jackson Kicks are always in style HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: These were always cool and still are. Keep ankle support front and center, but add some color to the game. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Got to love Ektio expanding its pallet of colors. NBA Lifts Ban on Strength Tape Yes, the NBA can ban anything they darn well please, but thank god they actually fix their mistakes sometimes. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: ENDEVR looks to be the strength tape of choice in the NBA. Adidas set to drop Attitude 1.10.14 The Beast in the Borough is Back. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: These have become a modern-day classic. Very much looking forward to their re-invention for 2014.
Top 5 Free NBA Apps With this collection of apps you never have to be separated from the game you love. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: With apps like these free who would ever pay? EWING GUARD – SPARKLING GRAPE/SCUBA BLUE – YELLOW Ewing Athletics go bold with this outspoken colorway. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Not sure you'll catch me wearing this around L.A., but I do truly dig the forward aesthetic. Mutombo 20th Anniversary Kicks Now Available Adidas re-release the original Dikembe Mutombos. HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: If anyone deserves a re-release it's Mutombo who was one of the all-time great defenders and all-time great humanitarians . From “Blame Jon Koncak” to Why Bill Simmons Hates Rick Barry; Three Years Of Writing For HoopsVibe In three years of writing for HoopsVibe, I covered a lot of ground. HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: When I first started writing for HoopsVibe three years ago, the NBA lockout was looming and we were all powerless against it.