Spurs Not Ready to Give Title Up

The San Antonio Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, beat the young New Orleans Hornets 91-82 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs arranged a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Spurs were anchored by their three superstars, however, it wasn't only the three who delivered the blows against the Spurs. Bruce Bowen, Michael Finley and Robert Horry delivered big three's in the crucial third quarter, a quarter that determines who will win the game in this series.

Tony Parker added 17 points, including a crucial jumper in the final minute, as the Spurs held off a late rally to become the first team in this series to win on the road. Tim Duncan had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs, seeking to win back-to-back titles for the first time.

The Spurs aren't ready to give up their title just yet. The defending champs showed that they are still the champions and until someone beats them, they won't go away. The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers showdown will be an exciting match-up as Kobe Bryant brings in a new crew of Lakers to regain NBA Supremacy from the Spurs.

Spurs Fans are classless

Derek Fisher…Key to Lakers’ Success?

Johnny Ludden wrote a column in Yahoo! Sports about Derek Fisher being the "Most Valuable Teammate." It was something I have never thought about when thinking of the Lakers' success story this season. I always attribute it to Kobe's passion for the game, or Gasol's addition to the team. But thinking about it, Fisher might be the 2nd biggest factor for the Lakers' winning ways. In 1996, the Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher Lakers career started. They won 3 championships together then the Laker Dynasty pieces went their separate ways. Kobe stayed on, and the Lakers weren't winning that much.

Last season, when Kobe was eliminated, Derek Fisher was deep into the playoffs. Then came the news on Fisher's Daughter's cancer. Fisher needed to move to a city where there are facilities that can cure Fisher's daughter. He moved to L.A.

Kobe was delighted to have his most trusted teammate back in a Laker uniform. Fisher was the veteran presence they needed. Now, he has played big for the Lakers. Unfortunately for the Jazz, it was Fisher, the guy they let go for his daughter's cause, who nailed the dagger in game 2 of the Lakers-Jazz series.

The Lakers is often about Kobe Bryant, but after reading Ludden's column, this duo may somehow be likened to the famous quote about Jordan and Pippen, "Michael never won a ring without Scottie." The Lakers is not just about Kobe Bryant, it can also be about Derek Fisher.

Spurs Not Ready to Give Title Up

Kobe Bryant Will Be Named MVP

Finally, after 12 years in the NBA, one of the most explosive players in the game's history will finally win his first, and much deserved, MVP award. Reports are saying that he will be awarded by David Stern in L.A. next week. Chris Paul is probably the player who came in second. Paul might have won the MVP award if he was playing like this in other years. His MVP-like season however was overshadowed by Bryant's brilliant handling of the Lakers' trade fiasco, and the way he turned the Lakers around into a championship caliber team.

Lakers Sweep Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers brought out their brooms in Game 4 of their playoff match-up with Denver as they beat the Nuggets 107-101. This series has been the only sweep of this season's post-season.

The Nuggets tried to get back into the game through the efforts of J.R. Smith. But Smith's efforts weren't enough. Kobe Bryant then took over when it mattered most scoring nine points in a row in the 4th quarter and lead the Lakers to a 107-101 win over the 8th seeded Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers didn't really have a good game, but the Nuggets didn't take advantage of the Lakers' sloppy game. Aside from J.R. Smith, none of the Nuggets seemed pumped up to win this game against L.A.

Lakers Offering Kwame, Radmanovic and Farmar to Nets for Kidd; Denver interested too

The Lakers want to ship in premiere point guard Jason Kidd to Los Angeles. In exchange, they're willing to send Kwame Brown, Jordan Farmar, and Vladimir Radmanovic, along with a couple of draft picks. The Nets however doesn't want to acquire Radmanovic's long term contract.

The Denver Nuggets are also in the hunt for Kidd. The Nuggets would give up a big man (which the Nets badly need) in either Nene, or Kenyon Martin, plus Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith.