Shaq joins LeBron in blockbuster NBA trade

Two of the biggest stars in the NBA will be teammates next season after a blockbuster trade which sees Shaquille O'Neal move from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers of league MVP LeBron James.

The 37-year-old O'Neal is one of the all-time greats of basketball, winning four NBA championships, three straight with the Los Angeles Lakers and the other with Miami Heat.

James is widely recognized as the sport's current superstar, but the 24-year-old has been left frustrated by Cleveland's failure to win the championship.

He stormed off the court after their loss to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals, not even shaking hands with 2008 Olympic teammate Dwight Howard.

The trade, which sees Phoenix get center Ben Wallace and guard Sasha Pavlovic, has been talked about since February but finalized on Thursday night.

"I was elated about the trade because I get to play with one of the greatest players to ever play the game in LeBron James," O'Neal was quoted on the NBA's official Web site www.nba.com.
O'Neal averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds in 75 games for the Suns last season and believes he still has much to offer the NBA.

"My numbers are not good enough to retire. Three more years left," O'Neal wrote on his Twitter blog.

His career averages are 24.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots, with his peak seasons coming as he led the Lakers to three straight titles from 2000-02.

The Lakers traded him to Miami where he spent three seasons, helping them to the NBA Championship three years ago.

He has played in Phoenix for the past two years, restricted by injuries in his first season.

The Cavs, powered by James, won 66 regular season games and their first eight in the playoffs before coming unstuck against the Magic.

They will be hoping that O'Neal will be the final piece in the jigsaw to land the first American sports championship for Cleveland in 45 years.

Source:CNN

Tags: Sports, NBA, shaq, phoenix suns, orlando magic, championship, o'neal

Read more »

Lakers take NBA title with win over Magic

The Los Angeles Lakers secured their 15th National Basketball Association (NBA) title at the Amway Arena on Sunday after a 99-86 win over Orlando Magic in Game Five gave a 4-1 victory in the best-of-seven finals

Leading light, Kobe Bryant, capped a fantastic finals weighing in with 30 points, five assists and six rebounds to pick up the personal accolade of Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the first time in his career en route to the win.

Teammate Trevor Ariza netted 15 points while Pau Gasol added 14 in a dominant performance by the west-coast side. The victory was also the tenth career title for head coach Phil Jackson, a feat that sets a new NBA record as the 63-year-old surpasses the previous mark set by former Celtics coach Jacob "Red" Auerbach.

Jackson was delighted to have set a new milestone as an NBA coach but was typically philosophical when speaking to the club's Web site: "To have won ten is a remarkable achievement, however, I've always said that it's the journey that's really important."
Bryant spoke of his relief in a post-match press conference, that by winning his fourth title he had put to rest the notion that he could not win another title without former teammate Shaquille O'Neal.

"I don't have to hear that criticism anymore, that's the biggest thing for me," he said.

The Lakers fell at the final hurdle last year when they were beaten 4-2 by the Boston Celtics in the finals, a loss which had an impact on all the players and provided inspiration for 2009's victorious run according to the 30-year-old shooting guard.

"After last year we had the attitude that we wanted to become a better defense team, a better rebound team and we've done that. It feels like I'm dreaming right now. From the standpoint of responding to a challenge, it feels good to have proved people wrong."

Magic's 23-year-old center Dwight Howard said that despite the loss his side had much to be proud about: "As a team it think we started out great (this season) - we did a lot of things that nobody believed we could do at the start of the season.

"They (the Lakers) played like they wanted the win, with Kobe leading the way. Our goal was in reach and we were only three games away from being the NBA title holders. It hurts a lot but you can learn a lot from losing."
(Source:CNN.Com)

Tags: La Lakers, Orlando Magic, Kobe Bryant, finals, NBA, MVP, Basket Ball, o'Neal

Read more »

Lakers VS Orlando

Los Angeles Lakers escaped back to the NBA final round begins on Thursday (4 / 6). Years ago when they lost from the Celtics, they are sure this year will be the Orlando Magic.

Last year's Lakers defeat Celtics shame. In the 6 games they even lose the points that much difference, 92-131. "We understand it's less and will now try to redeem it," said Phil Jackson Trainer.

In the final year, Pau Gasol does not appear in the NBA final. Currently he is appearing in the final berambisi strengthen the Lakers. "The team is very focused and hungry," said Gasol. "This year we have a mission. We have entered the final, now is time to work hard, this is the difference," he added.

Different from the year ago, Lakers have the advantage as the host first. Games 1 and 2, Thursday and Sunday, will be played at the Staples Center, before the next three games played in the cage in the Orlando Magic.

"Of course having fun, the benefits to host the first. However, it is not the only advantage in the match with a series like this," said Phil Jackson. "Orlando is a team that has tandang best record in the league in the last two years," he added.

Lakers after the final pass to beat Denver Nuggets in the semifinal round, while the Orlando Magic Cleveland Cavaliers surpass.

NBA finals schedule:
Thursday, June 4: Orlando at Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, June 7: Orlando at Los Angeles Lakers
Tuesday, June 9: Los Angeles Lakers at Orlando
Thursday, June 11: Los Angeles Lakers at Orlando
Sunday, June 14: Los Angeles Lakers at Orlando
Tuesday, June 16: Orlando at Los Angeles Lakers
Thursday, June 18: Orlando at Los Angeles Lakers
(kompas.com)

Tags: NBA, Basket Ball, La Lakers, Orlando Magic

Read more »

Playoff NBA "Lakers Balas Rockets"

Los Angeles Lakers berhasil menundukkan Houston Rockets di game kedua babak semifinal Wilayah Barat dengan skor 111-98, Kamis (7/5/2009). Hasil ini membuat kedudukan sama kuat 1-1.

Pertandingan yang berlangsung di Staples Center, Los Angeles, berlangsung keras. Guard Lakers, Derek Fisher, dan forward Rockets, Ron Artest, di keluarkan dari lapangan pada insiden yang terpisah.

Fisher melakukan pelanggaran mencolok 13 detik sebelum kuarter ketiga berakhir, setelah dia bertabrakan dengan Luis Scola yang sedang membawa bola.

Tujuh menit menjelang berakhirnya kuarter empat, Artest dikeluarkan dari lapangan setelah terlibat perseteruan menggunakan gerak tubuhnya dengan Kobe Bryant.

Tertinggal di game pertama membuat Lakers mengambil inisiatif serangan sejak awal pertandingan. Pada kuarter pertama mereka sudah unggul 39-25.

Tuan rumah bermain sedikit mengendor di kuarter kedua. Hal ini dimanfaatkan dengan baik oleh anak-anak Houston yang mencetak 32 angka tambahan. Tembakan tiga angka Bryant di 4, 5 detik sebelum kuarter dua usai membuat Lakers mengakhiri babak pertama dengan skor sama, 57-57.
Lakers kembali menekan di kuarter ketiga, sementara Rockets sedikit kehilangan tekanannya. Kedua tim bermain ketat dan Lakers unggul empat poin saat kuarter ketiga selesai, di kedudukan 81-77.

Di awal kuarter pamungkas Lakers sempat unggul dengan skor 99-86. Namun tembakan tiga angka Aaron Books sempat memangkas jarak Rockets menjadi 90-99. Akan tetapi sejak itu tim tamu tidak berdaya. Laga selesai dengan skor 111-98 untuk Lakers.

Bryant menjadi top performer dengan 40 poin, sedangkan rekannya Pau Gasol mendulang 22 poin dan 14 rebound. Dari kubu Rockets, Artest menghasilkan 25 angka untuk timnya, dibantu Carl Landry (21 poin, 10 rebound), dan Yao Ming mendonasikan 12 poin plus 10 rebound.

Kedua tim akan kembali bertanding dalam game ketiga pada Sabtu (9/5/2009) WIB di markas Rockets. Pada pertemuan terakhir kedua tim di Toyota Center pada 11 Maret silam, Lakers menang 102-96.
(detiksport.com)

Tags: NBA, sports, Lakers, Rockets, Basket

Read more »