Stop saying Championship

I believe in the sports Gods. I think announcers jinx free throw shooters. I think guaranteeing wins backfires more often than not. I think overconfident fan bases are set up for failure.
I've heard the word championship thrown around a lot recently by Laker fans and I cringe every time I hear it.

Why did the Lakers game 7 win against Portland in 2000 feel so good? Because no one thought the Lakers could come back from 16 points down so late in the game. Because it was spontaneous joy.

Sure I hope the Lakers win the cham*&^%$@#^ but it's hope at this point. The Lakers have a good team. They're a contender. But there's a lot of contenders in the West and nothing is guaranteed. Just ask the New England Patriots.

Plus it's a lot more fun when you think they can't and they do. Sure the Lakers may be the favorites, but act a little bit more surprised. Who would have thought they would here at the start of the season?

Shout out to Jordan: Hard to believe a kid I once guarded just tied his career high for the Lakers who won their ninth straight, topping the Blazers 96-83.
By the way Farmar was +32, while Derek Fisher was -19. Kudos to Phil Jackson for sticking with the hot hand in the fourth quarter.

The Bayless over Gordon corollary continues: Eric Gordon, in front of a bunch of NBA scouts went 4-16 against Ohio State with 7 turnovers.
"I think he's going to have to work on his mid range game," ESPN's Steve Lavin said.
Safe to say, Jerryd Bayless' mid range game is doing just fine.

Conspiracy theory: The Nets cut Jamaal Magloire. The Mavs need a center after they trade DeSagana Diop to the Nets. Magloire is reportedly going to sign with the Mavs. Hmmm?

When I saw this video, all I could say was: OMG

From 11 am shooter to 7:30 p.m. shooter:

3-pt shooting percentage this season for Sasha Vujacic.
Month	3FG-3FGA	Pct.
Nov.	8-25	32%
Dec.	11-27	40%
Jan.	14-32	43%
Feb .	28-55	50%

Less of Mo:
Arizona redshirt junior Mohamed Tangara will skip his final year of eligibility.
As a former Arizona beat writer, I can honestly say Mohamed was the nicest athlete if not the nicest person I have ever met. Whatever he decides to do with his life, I wish him the best of luck.
Here's a story I wrote about his trip back to his home in Mail.

NFL Combine News: Spencer Larsen was third among linebackers with 27 reps on the 225 pound bench press.

Joel ain't no Chick:
My friend Julia's mom says Joel Meyers doesn't know basketball. So I started taking notes of mistakes he makes. Here's a small one from Tuesday's game:
Meyers: "Steve Blake was a good shooting guard in college."
Point guard, shooting guard, I guess they're all the same. Must have forgot about Juan Dixon.

I feel giddy:

hooshies (4:20:34 PM): yo

romoballa (4:20:37 PM): yp

hooshies (4:20:38 PM): are you giddy?

romoballa (4:20:38 PM): yo

hooshies (4:20:46 PM): i haven't felt this way in quite a while

romoballa (4:20:49 PM): for today's game

romoballa (4:20:55 PM): or in general

hooshies (4:20:57 PM): nah, jus giddy in general

romoballa (4:21:44 PM): hell ya

romoballa (4:21:49 PM): i have been since the pau trade

romoballa (4:21:56 PM): it's been like a month of giddiness

hooshies (4:22:17 PM): i can't help but think of the next few years

romoballa (4:22:21 PM): i just want to temper this feeling though

hooshies (4:22:26 PM): Bynum, Pau, Odom, Kobe, Farmar

romoballa (4:22:27 PM): too many people r talkin championship

hooshies (4:22:28 PM): oooooweeee

romoballa (4:22:40 PM): i don't want this to lead to a big dissappointment

romoballa (4:22:54 PM): thats why i tell people that there are so many good teams in the west

hooshies (4:22:57 PM): ya

romoballa (4:22:57 PM): its gonna be tough

hooshies (4:22:59 PM): same

hooshies (4:23:13 PM): i try not to think about rings, cuz then u get ur hopes up

hooshies (4:24:31 PM): but i'm pumped

romoballa (4:25:03 PM): exactly

romoballa (4:25:09 PM): im enjoyin the ride

hooshies (4:25:30 PM): i'm jus excited man

As always, an updated Lakers +/- (through 57 games) Lakers: 40-17 1st in West

Fisher +244
Kobe +465
Turiaf +65
Odom +314
Gasol +154
Mihm -16
Walton +141
Bynum +236
Farmar +185
Radmanovic +225
Brown -44
Vujacic +109
Crittenton -40
Karl -3
Ariza +5
Mbenga +1

Up next: vs. Miami Thursday 7:30 p.m. PST TNT