Week in Review: Lakers, Bob Knight, Hank Steinbrenner, and More

I thank you for giving me some of your time. I hope I am able to entertain with my rapid take on the past few days in the world of sports.

The Streaking Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers (42-18) defeated the Dallas Mavericks (39-21) 108-104 in overtime Sunday at the Staples Center to continue their run of dominance since acquiring power forward Paul Gasol in a trade completed early last month.

When Lakers center, Andrew Bynum, returns from his knee injury in late-March, he will team with Gasol and forward Lamar Odom to formulate one of the most powerful frontlines in recent NBA history.

The Lakers formidable trio, coupled with the brilliance of Kobe Bryant, should allow Los Angeles to waltz their way through the brutal Western Conference and into the NBA Finals come June.

For the first time since the 2004 season, the Hollywood Fakers are authentic and I expect the franchise to earn their 15^th championship banner when this campaign’s in the books.

Knight Line

ESPN executives announced last week that they have hired Bob Knight to work as a guest studio analyst leading up to and during the NCAA Tournament.

There is a provision in Knight’s curious contract that prohibits any of his new colleagues from ever referring to him as a “member of the media.”

The polarizing bully, who hasn’t won a championship in 21-years, never ceases to amaze with his unjustifiable sense of entitlement and elitism.

Bob Knight, who won more NCAA Division I games than any other coach, knows the game of basketball as well as anyone.

But, he is a miserable excuse for a man and I predict that he won’t be a quality “member of the media.” Good luck, Bristol. You made your own bed and now you have to sleep at Knight.

The Incredible Hank

New York Yankees part-owner Hank Steinbrenner grated the New England region this week when he attacked the notion of “Red Sox Nation.”

“Red Sox Nation? What a bunch of (expletive) that is,” said the brazen chain-smoker. “This is a Yankee country. We’re going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order.” 

Hank Steinbrenner is truly a remarkable man and one needs to hope that Time Magazine has seriously considered nominating him as their “Person of the Year.”  

The sports world has been convoluted since the Sox inexplicably won the World Series in 2004 and it’s a testament to Big Hank’s character that he is going to take it upon himself to reestablish normalcy in the world of athletics.

After all, the Bronx Bombers on their lonesome have as many championships (26) as the Celtics (16), Sox (7) and New England Patriots (3) combined. 

Crash Landing

The New York Jets molested the pooch last week when they traded the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Jonathan Vilma, 25, to the New Orleans Saints for a conditional pick in the 2009 draft.

This mindless trade illustrates why the Jets are the league’s red-headed-step-children and it furthers my speculation that I will die before I ever witness a Jets Super Bowl victory.

Gang Green’s brass jettisoned the talented linebacker because they contend that he is ill-suited to play in their 3-4 defensive schemes.

If Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini was really a genius he would adapt to his personnel instead of stubbornly employing a system that clearly is not in the best interest of his team.

Instead of adapting, Mangini and General Manager Mike Tannenbaum swapped the 12^th overall pick of the 2004 draft for what essentially amounts to a one-month supply of beef jerky.

J-E-T-S Why?! Why?! Why?! 

One Degree of Separation

Kudos to Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, 24, for enrolling in the 2008 spring semester at the University of Texas to complete his degree.

Young, who signed a $58 million contract in 2006 with the Titans, is expected to graduate this May.

I am not convinced that Young will be a superstar in the NFL. Nevertheless, the league needs more men like Young and the “Lone Star State” should be proud that they produced such an upstanding gentleman. 

Once again, htanks again for your time. Without your readership, I’d have absolutely zero reason to write.