Helping Hand

Rockets guard Tracy McGrady will change his uniform number to No. 3 to promote his “3 points Darfur” initiative, with an announcement expected this week. McGrady put in the paperwork for the uniform change midway through last season and had received league approval. He was making the switch to his high school number to bring attention to his Darfur Dream Team campaign and 3 Points documentary. Newly acquired Trevor Ariza will wear No. 1 but could not show the uniform at the news conference last week while details of McGrady’s uniform change were completed. This is something that everybody can respect that an athlete such as himself is trying to help third world countries. I commend T-Mac [& other athletes too]. I am hoping he can make a return this season.

[Sign] & Trade Winds

CBSSports.com has learned that the Bulls and Pistons may yet revisit Detroit's agreement with Ben Gordon and instead investigate a sign-and-trade that would send Allen Iverson to Chicago. Iverson apparently is invigorated by the prospect of getting past the Detroit experience. He wrote on his Twitter account Thursday, "For those of you who thought that I was done, think again! ... My only preference will be to play for a coach that knows what I bring to the table and that I am going to bring it every night." Gordon goes from Chicago to Detroit would benefit Gordon and the Bulls. Gordon would get an extra year, and thus more money, by signing with the Bulls and getting traded. The Bulls, who currently are getting nothing for losing him, would get Iverson.The Grizzlies, Bobcats and Heat are also said to be interested in signing Iverson.

In other news: Hedo Turkoglu has reached an agreement in principle to join the Portland Trailblazers Toronto Raptors; According to a report from Lakers.com, Phil Jackson will continue to coach during the 2009-10 season; Jason Kidd is expected to notify the Mavericks on Monday that he is going to accept their contract offer and stay with Dallas; Magic are not likely to match the Mavericks' reported mid-level offer to center Marcin Gortat, and are now pursuing Rasheed Wallace; Trevor Ariza has agreed to a multi-year deal to join the Rockets, according to ESPN's Marc Stein

Bye [maybe] LA

Ok, so the Cavs lost on getting Villanueva but they have a chance of getting another piece for their team.This time the name is Trevor Ariza. the Lakers are currently unwilling to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception. ESPN's NBA analyst Chris Broussard, is saying that Ariza is getting pushed hard by Cavs coach Mike Brown to make the move East to play with LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Other teams are the Raptors, Blazers, Clippers and Rockets are also in prusit of Ariza. Wonder if they can land that other player that they need.

You're a Champ [again]

Definitely give a BIG congrats to Kobe [Finals MVP] on winning number 4 and his first without Shaq. And another congrats to Phil Jackson who became the #1 coach with 10 championship rings. Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol added 14 and 15 rebounds in a 99-86 win in Game 5 over the Orlando Magic. Even Shaq was happy for the Kobe saying this on his twitter page: 

"Congratulations kobe, u deserve it," O'Neal said on his Twitter page. "You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it."

The climax of the game was when Derek Fisher hit a 3-pointer and Ariza hit two 3-pointers on a 16-0 run that took less than three minutes. Another reason why the series is over is because the Magic ran out of magic shooting 8 for 27 downtown.Phil maybe done now that he has 10 and he may want to go out on top. Also Jackson's contract is up and he's hinted at retirement. Bryant doesn't believe it though. 

Rashard Lewis led the Magic with 18 points, but 10 of them came in he fourth quarter and he shot 6-for-19. Dwight Howard finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Move of the Night

One Win Away

At halftime I thought for sure that the Lakers would have lost an oppurtunity to go up 3-1 but there was still another half to be played. That is when the rally started for the Lakers who won in OT 99-91. Give all the credit to Kobe Bryant, I meant the role players. Trevor Ariza scored 13 points in the third quarter to lead the spark and hit a big three to tie the game. Then you have Robert Horry, [sorry] Derek Fisher who hit the big shot to send the game into overtime. Then Fish hit another one to close the casket for the Magic who blew their chances to steal one again. The reason why the Magic are one game away from being eliminated instead of tying up the series: Free throws! [we won't even blame it on the last play]. If they learn to make those [Dwight & Turkoglu] they would have closed the game out. Now they have to win 3 straight games. OH WELL! On Sunday the Lakers will look to close them out in 5 games. 

Notes: Kobe responded from Game 3 by scoring 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists; Odom & Gasol had a big game on the defensive side; Howard had a good game [besides the FTs] scoring 16 points and 21 boards; they went to the line 17 to the Lakers 0 in the 4th; Van Gundy should really rethink his play calling too [haha..full court trap..with a 3 point lead?]; and will when he learn to put his best players on the floor [Alston played 0 min in the 4th and OT and Lee played only 7 min] ha good stuff!

Welcome Back!

With a 119-92 victory, the Lakers will be moving on to the NBA Finals next week[2nd straight season]. The Lakers played an almost perfect game which was surprising compared to their recent games where they had problems winning back to back games. Any other team would have celebrated tonight's victory, not the Lakers though. They knew they were suppose to return back to the Finals, they are focused on winning it this year. What may help them in the Finals is the fact that they have been tested a lot more than last year's run. I mean they are really focusing, Ariza said he will not sleep until they win that ring. Kobe played superb though scoring 35 points on 12 of 20 shooting, 6 rebounds, and 10 dimes. He played so great George Karl said that Jesus would have had trouble guarding him. Now I don't know if I wouldn't take it that far [Karl better watch himself] but Kobe played extra good. Of course you have to give his team credit because they are the reason they are advancing. He had help from Ariza [17], Gasol [20], and they key Odom [20]. You have to blame the Nuggets for not winning this series because if they would not have turnover the ball at the end of Game 1 & 3 they would have swept the Lakers. Oh well good season though Nuggets

Note: Today was Carmelo's birthday. I am sure he is "thanking" Kobe for the present. Oh yeah almost forgot have to give credit to JR Smith. He had a great night and that's why I thought they would win. Billups only had 10 which was definitely not enough. 

Nuggets Lose it at Home

Game 3 [in which I thought the Nuggets would take] the Lakers came away feeling a little bit better about themselves after winning 103-97. Tonight was not a 1 or 2 point final score but the game still was not decided until the end. Not to be out done by his counter partner, Kobe scored 41 to lead all scorers. Pau Gasol continued to step up for the Lakers has he chipped in 20.  Denver was leading by 8 until the Lakers Kobe sparked a comeback scoring 13 4th quarter points [you could blame JR Smith since he did draw a technical]. Bryant hit a 3 himself that was big because it put the Lakers up 96-95. What sealed the game was a repeat of Game 1. Trevor Ariza stole the ball for what looked like the Nuggets ran the exact same play & got the same result. Ariza would make the two FTs to put the Lakers up 99-95. If the Lakers could have made some more of their FTs the game could have been a little less stressful as they went 31 for 45 [68%]. It may have been from something in Denver because they all looked exhausted after the game [even Kobe missed some FTs]. I mean I understand this is the playoffs but they looked more tired than a high school team after first day of tryouts. The Lakers did catch a break as they held Melo to just 21 points [shooting 4-13]. Billups had a decent game but not enough points to lead his team to a victory [18 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists]. Game 4 will be in Denver again and will be big because anything but a win for Denver may wrap this series up. The key will be their front court picking up their shooting percentages [30.6%] and they keep people out of foul trouble.

I love the NBA Playoffs still! Especially after Lebron & Kobe keep going back and forth with their performances. I wonder what Lebron will have in store for his fans & the NBA tomorrow.