A Lakers vs. Cavaliers Championship Series Is No Slam Dunk

Khloe Kardashian poses for a wedding picture

Most people think the Los Angeles Lakers will be meeting the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.  However, I’m not one of them.  Even though training camp just opened a couple days ago, there are already major issues for both the Cavs and the defending champs.

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian’s wedding was only a precursor of things to come.  In case there is a shred of doubt, the Lakers have officially gone Hollywood.  According to this SI.com article, DJ Mbenga and five other players have publicists. 

Yes, you read that correctly: DJ Mbenga.  As far as I’m concerned, the fact that Mbenga has a publicist is the leader in the clubhouse for the funniest/most ridiculous NBA story of the year.  It’s so funny that I’m giving serious consideration to notifying FANSIDED editor Adam Best that I will be leaving Pacman Jonesin’ to start a blog called DJ Mbenga’s Publicist.  Look out Deadspin!

Here are a few quotes from Lamar about the man woman he just couldn’t live without: 

“I fell in love, and the reason I knew that I was in love was how I felt when I wasn’t with her or [the thought that] she was no longer in my life,” Odom said. “I’ve never had a problem meeting women but I finally met the one that I knew if I had lost her, it would hurt the most.”

“That’s what happens when people like you and you let them in,” Odom said. “I could easily be defensive and not tell people about me and just be a basketball player, but it just so happens that I’m good-looking and I have a personality that I don’t mind sharing.”

The Lakers still have as much talent as any team in the league, but it really sounds like the circus is going to be in town all season long.  Just wait until the ring leader of that circus, Ron Artest, starts acting up.  Once that happens, the 2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers are sure to put the Ringling Brothers to shame. 

In Cleveland the big story continues to be Delonte West.  I really hate to pile on West because it’s quite clear that he has significant mental health issues.  However, Cavs fans appear to be in his corner…at least for now according to this blog. 

To:  DWest@betterhavemydonuts.com

From:  Clevelandfans@haventwonsince64.org

 Subject:  We support you, but you have to get it together, right now

Delonte,

We have a lot of love for you in this town.  We know you’ve been the only player not named LeBron James to deliver in each of these past two post seasons.  We know you can guard just about any perimeter player in the NBA.  We know you can hit the three, and we love when you go so hard to the basket that it causes AC to say ‘that’s how you take the ball to the hoop when your from DC, Fred.’  Off the court, we think you might be the funniest professional athlete to play here, ever.  We’ve watched your Jim Rome correspondent piece ten times, and we have even ranked our top five favorite lines from your KFC Freestyle.  When you left camp last season, and publicly admitted your battles with depression, we were moved by your willingness to put yourself out there, and inspire as many people as you did.  As last season went on, we were happy for you, not only because it was your best season in your career, but also because it appeared you were winning those personal battles.  When you got arrested, nobody around here was mad.  We knew your battle wasn’t going to be won easily.  We knew there could be set-backs. We cared and were worried about you personally, but we were still not worried about you as a member of the Cavaliers.  We knew you’d get through it, learn from it, and be better for it in the longrun.  But after you skipped practice today, we have to admit, we’re a lot little worried.  You see, this is kind of an important season around here.  We haven’t won a championship in forty five years, and if this season blows up in our face, and a certain someone leaves as a result, we might not win one for another forty five.  Did you see the Browns’ game Sunday? So what I am saying here is this: you have to get a hold of yourself, and you have to do it today, we really need you to.  Whatever support and help you need Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers will provide it for you, but you have to take them up on it.  This city will continue to respect you, support you, and love you, but you are going to have to respect us too.  We don’t have another forty five years to wait, and we need you right – body mind and spirit - right now.  We have too much riding on this thing. 

Sincerely,

Cleveland Sports Fans   

Only time will tell if West is able to make any sort of meaningful contribution to the team this season.  However, if he isn’t able to play then it likely will be yet another disappointing year for LeBron and Co.