Los Angeles Lakers Superstar Kobe Bryant Gets Offer To Play in Italy

While the NBA lockout is still not over, plenty of NBA players are being offered to play for different countries. Even a superstar like Kobe Bryant has also been given an offer from Italy to play. Kobe Bryant has been offered a $6.7 million, one season contract to play for the Italian team Virtus Bologna, appealing to his childhood memories of growing up in the country.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar spent part of his youth in Italy while his father played there. He speaks Italian, prompting Bologna to hope he might return if there's an NBA lockout.

Virtus Bologna general manager Massimo Faraoni tells that he's been on conference calls between Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, Bologna president Claudio Sabatini and main sponsor Canadian Solar, which would provide the cash for such a deal.

"I Think the fact that he's lived in Italy makes this appealing to him," Faraoni said.

Virtus has given Bryant four different contract options, stretching from the 1 year deal to two month and one month options, and a per game deal that would come out to $739,640 per home game.

All of the offers are pretax and would allow Bryant to return to the Lakers immediately if the lockout ends.

Spanish Basketball Star Ricky Rubio will finally Suit up for Minnesota Timber-Wolves

Finally Ricky Rubio will play for the T-Wolves. The Highly rated Spanish point guard will leave REgal Barcelona to play for the Minnesota Timber-wolves in the NBA next season.

"I have finally decided to go to the NBA. I have a dream that now can become a reality," Rubio told a news conference in Barcelona last Friday. The 20 year old Spain international was selected fifth in the draft by the Timberwolves in June 2009 but at the last minute decided to stay at home for two more seasons to be better prepared for the rigours of the NBA.

Rubio is the latest Spaniard to make the transition to the NBA, following brothers Pau and Marc Gasol, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies respectively. Rubio has been compared in appearance and style to American former NBA player Pete Maravich, a five time All Star, known as "Pistol Pete" and who died in 1988 aged 40.

I have only seen Rubio play, when US battled Spain, but was able to handle himself good against the NBA powered US team. I hope he can improved more once he will enter the NBA, especially his physique and shooting.

Boston Bows to Miami in Overtime in Game 4

Now its the Boston Celtics who is in danger of bowing out of the playoff. Its looks like this year, is the year of the young, well if you consider the Dallas Maverick young after dethroning the Lakers via sweep and the surprising YOUNG Memphis Grizzlies upsetting the no.1 seed in the west the San Antonio Spurs.

The Miami Heat won in overtime 98-90 against the Boston Celtics, and is now in a commanding 3-1 lead and things couldn't be better for the Celtics as game 5 will be played in Miami.

After the Jordan era with bulls the Spurs, Lakers and Boston are considered the top dogs in the NBA. Since the last championship of the Bulls in 1998, these 3 teams especially the Spurs and Lakers have won multiple titles spanning from 1999 to 2010. With the spurs winning it 4 times (1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007) and the Lakers winning it 5 times (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010). The Celtics, Heat and Piston won it once during this stretch.

But now we are witnessing the birth of a new top dog, in the East we have the power trio of Miami Heat ( that if they close out the Celtics in game 5) and the young Bulls with their MVP Rose (that if they can get past the pesky hawks, they are now tied 2 games a piece). In the west the Dallas Mavericks (well they have been a powerhouse team through these years but never seem to win it. I think they have a great chance this year) the team that sweep the defending champs. And the young Memphis Grizzlies who have upset the number 1 seed Spurs and is now leading the also young Thunder 2-1.

Most Assists in one quarter in the NBA

Steve Blake of the Portland Trailblazers recorded 14 assists in the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on February 22, 2009. Blake matched the marked set by John Lucas of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter of a game against the Denver Nuggets on April 15, 1984.

Most NBA Championship Titles won by a Coach

Well if your a basketball fan, I'm sure you already know who this person is. In 2009 Phil Jackson won his 10th NBA title as head coach, surpassing Red Auerbach nine titles. Jackson won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls in 1991-93 and 1996-98, and four with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000-02 and 2009.

Top 10 Highest Paid Players in the NBA 2009-2010

1. Tracy McGrady
Houston Rockets
$23,239,561

2. Kobe Bryant
LA Lakers
$23,034,375

3. Jermaine O'Neal
Miami Heat
$22,995,000

4. Tim Duncan
San Antonio Spurs
$22,183,218

5. Shaquille O'Neal
Cleveland Cavaliers
$20,000,000

6. Dirk Nowitzki
Dallas Mavericks
$19,795,714

7. Paul Pierce
Boston Celtics
$19,795,712

8. Ray Allen
Boston Celtics
$19,795,712

9. Rashard Lewis
Orlando Magic
$18,876,000

10. Michael Redd
Milwaukee Bucks
$17,040,000

SUNS, MAGIC AND LAKERS ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND VIA SWEEP

Phoenis Suns won against the San Antonio Spurs 4-0, the Phoenix suns finally gets to defeat their long time nemesis the spurs, not even with Steve Nash having to play with an almost close right eye can stop the suns. Well for the aging Spurs it's a sorry loss, having acquire Richard Jefferson is still not enough to for the Spurs. For the Suns their reward for having defeated the Spurs is the defending Champs, The Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers sweep the Utah Jazz 4-0 but compared to the other two who advance to the next round, the Jazz really put up a good fight against the champ. But I guess having been push to the limit by their first round opponent the Thunder, the Lakers where just to focus to be defeated in this one. My favorite game is the game 3 between the two, wooow it was a see saw battle right to the very second. But i guess that loss really took the wind out of the Jazz. With the Lakers win, all they need to do is defeat the Suns to go back to the NBA finals.

On the East the Orlando Magic has yet to be defeated on the playoff, they are already 8-0 after sweeping the Atlanta Hawks 4-0. this one was just a lopsided match, I didn't even bother watching the game, after seeing how the Magic demolish the Hawks. And maybe with the addition of Vince Carter and a healthy Jameer Nelson, maybe this time they'll win it all. But that remains to be seen since their other opponent the Cavaliers and the Celtics are lock in 2 games a piece and by the look of things maybe we'll be seeing another game 7 showdown between these two.

MOST PLAYOFF GAME APPEARANCES (INDIVIDUAL)

If youre a basketball fan, you should know this one, call him whatever you want, but for me his Mr. Big Shot himself Robert Horry. He has made 244 appearances playing for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonion Spurs from 1992 to 2008.

FIRST COACH TO WIN TITLES IN NBA AND WNBA

Paul Westhead is the first and, to date, only coach to win championships in both the NBA and WNBA. Westhead guided the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA title in 1980 and the Phoenix Mercury to the WNBA title in 2007.

GREAT WALL CRUMBLING

Yao ming at 7 foot 6, is the tallest in the NBA today. Yao is reportedly suffering from a career threatening injury. Rockets center Yao Ming underwent a medical evaluation by Rockets Team Physician Dr. Tom Clanton today which revealed that the hairline fracture in Yao’s left foot has not responded to the current treatment program. A bone scan conducted Wednesday night at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute revealed that the hairline fracture on the top of the foot has not yet healed.

The hairline fracture was discovered following the Rockets’ May 8th loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The original treatment plan called for Yao to cease all physical training and to use a walking boot in order to immobilize the foot and promote healing.

I sympathize with Yao. I think his injury was the result of not having too much rest. Forcing himself to play for the Chinese team in the 2008 Olympics in hopes for a gold medal or maybe was it China who force him to play, or the maybe the patriotism in him.

Yao will be lucky if he could play this season or maybe the next season. It would be a big blow to the rockets to loose Yao and especially for the NBA fans.

TOP 10 MOST POINTS IN A SINGLE GAME

1. Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors
vs.
New York Knicks(March 2, 1962)
100 points


2. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
vs.
Toronto Raptors(January 22, 2006)
81 points


3. Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors
vs.
Los Angeles Lakers(December 8, 1961)
78 points


4. Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors
vs.
Chicago Packers(January 13, 1962)
73 points

Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco Warriors
vs.
New York Knicks(November 16, 1962)
73 points

David Thompson, Denver Nuggets
vs.
Detroit Pistons(April 9, 1978)
73 points


7. Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco Warriors
vs.
Los Angeles Lakers(November 3, 1962)
72 points

8. David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
vs.
Los Angeles Clippers(April 24, 1994) 71 points

ElginBaylor, Los Angeles Lakers
vs.
New York Knicks(November 15, 1960)
71 points


10. Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco Warriors
vs.
Syracuse Nationals(March 10, 1963)
70 points

NBA MOVERS

Ron Artest is going to LA to join the defending champion LA Lakers. The Lakers and Rockets who swapped players by agreeing to terms with Lakers free agent forward Trevor Ariza, whom Artest will be replacing in Los Angeles. The deal will be for five years at the mid-level exception, based on last season's $5.585 million amount for the mid-level, Ariza would get around $32 million. During the 2nd round of the 2008-2009 West playoff Artest and Bryant where at each others neck, both of this players will be glad to be on the same side this coming season. For me this deal is a good one, since Ron Artest is a much better player compared to Ariza, though Ariza was a big factor in the Lakers winning the championship. Artest who average 17.1 points, 1.5 steals and 3.3 assists a game last year compared to Ariza 8.9 points, 1.7 steals, 1.8 assists.

BASKETBALL TRIVIA

YOUNGEST PLAYER TO SCORE 9,000 POINTS

At 22 tears 252 days, Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the youngest player in NBA History to score 9,000 career points. He reached the mark while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 18, 2007.


YOUNGEST PLAYER TO REACH 20,000 POINTS(CAREER)

While playing for the Los Angeles Lakers on December 23, 2007, Kobe Bryant reached 20,000 career points, at the age of 29.


YOUNGEST PLAYER TO RECORD 3,000 REBOUNDS

At 21 years old, Dwight Howard is the youngest player in NBA history to record 3,000 career rebounds. He reached the mark while playing for the Orlando Magic on November 16, 2007.