Tuesday, March 31, 2015

How many Points Does Kobe Bryant score on average in a game?


Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He entered the NBA directly from high school, and has played for the Lakers his entire career, winning five NBA championships. Bryant is a 17-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. He has led the league in scoring twice, and he ranks third on both the league's all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists. (Wikipedia 2014)

Seasons played from 1996-99, Bryant's scored point on average more than doubled from 7.6 to 15.4 points per game. In the 2001–02 season, Bryant played 80 games for the first time in his career. He continued his all-round play by averaging 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. In the 2002–03 season, Bryant averaged 30 points per game and embarked on a historic run, posting 40 or more points in nine consecutive games while averaging 40.6 in the entire month of February. In 2007-08 play offs, Bryant became the youngest player (29 years, 122 days) to reach 20,000 points, in a game against the New York Knicks. Bryant is often cited as one of the most dangerous scorers in the NBA, and holds numerous scoring and shooting records including the second highest single game scoring performance with 81 points and the most single game three-pointers made with 12. (Wikipedia 2014)

Monday, March 30, 2015

Top Ten highest paid NBA Players of 2014-15 ESPN


This blog will cover the top ten highest paid NBA players in 2014 with the amount of money that each player received. NBA is a highly lucrative career and surely the numbers don’t lie. The top ten NBA players’ salaries of this year as well as their ranks according to ESPN are as follows:

1.

       Kobe Bryant
Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Salaray: 23,500,000

1.    

          


            Joe Johnston
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Salary: $23,180,790


1.      

     





      Carmelo Anthony
Team: New York Knicks
Salary: 22,458,401

1.      




       Dwight Howard
Team: Houston Rockets
Salary: $21,436,471

1.      



       Chris Bosh
Team: Miami Heat
Salary: $20,644,400
1.     


           
             LeBron James
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Salary: $20,644,400
1.     




            Chris Paul
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Salary: $20,068,563
1.      


      Deron Williams
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Salary: $19,754,465
1.     



             Rudy Gay
Team: Sacramento Kings
Salary: $19,317,326
1.       

       Kevin Durant
Team: Oklahoma City thunder
Salary: $18,995,624

These are the top paid NBA players in 2014-2015 according to ESPN

Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Highest Paid NBA Players of 2014 - 2015


Have you ever thought about the highest paid NBA players in the league right now? If so, this list will present you with the players you have been wondering about. As you will read, some of the most famous basketball players aren’t some of the highest paid NBA players. Although, there are many well-known names atop of the list, there will be a few that surprise you. Below are the players in the NBA with the biggest contracts.

1.       Kobe Bryant – Kobe is one of the most famous basketball players and one of the league’s greatest players. Kobe makes $23.5 million a year from the Los Angeles Lakers. (ESPN,2015)




Figure 1 - ESPN

2.       Amar’e Stoudemire – Amar’e is in the final year of his contract, and this is the biggest year in terms salary. Amar’e is making a whopping $23.4 million. (SportRac,2015)



Figure 2 – SB Nation

3.       Joe Johnson – Joe is an amazing scorer in the NBA and he was rewarded for his play with his contract. Joe Johnson’s contract is worth $23.1 million. (ESPN,2015)



Figure 3 – Brooklyn Eagle Sports

4.       Carmelo Anthony – Melo plays in one of the biggest markets in the league, and he has been outstanding for the past few seasons. Melo makes $22.4 million this year. (ESPN,2015)



Figure 4 – USA Today

Here is a video of the highest paid players of 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lBiJyJpdpQ



There they are, the top four highest paid NBA players. Who would you like to see get paid the most?

Saturday, March 28, 2015

The Last Championship by the LA Lakers

For the 15th time in Lakers history they do it again. Back. To. Back.

Figure 16 – Lakers Nation
It was hard to believe that the Lakers players and more so Kobe Bryant would ever win the championships again since the dynamic duo and great plays done by Kobe and Shaq. They opened the playoff finals with an amazing start of 102-89 in game 1 but they fell short in game 2 with the loss of 103-94 to the Boston Celtics players. They regained confidence in game 3 thanks to Fisher’s 11 point come up in the last quarter but was not long lived as the Celtics players conquered through the Lakers turf in game 4 and 5 of the finals. The Lakers then took up a notch and send the Celtics players back home with a 89-67 loss sending the finals to the final game 7 of the 2009/2010 NBA season with clutch three-pointers by Fisher and Artest as well as the game play focusing on Gosal and Kobe in the third quarter to take home the championship title.


Can any other team keep up the hustle like the Lakers? 











Figure 17 – Lakers Nation

Friday, March 27, 2015

Who Is The Best Basketball Player?


The world of basketball is very dynamic. Games are being played, players are being traded, and getting injured, setting records and the media glorifies it all. Above all this activity, there is great debate as to who is the best basketball player.

The best basketball player is solely based on opinion alone due to the fact that there is no clear answer. We can only declare the best in our minds. We can’t judge on championships. We also cannot judge based on stats. There are a diverse number of players to choose from, that it always works out that there is someone with more or less of any measurable trait.

 


Figure 14 – Off the Record Sports

In my opinion, the greatest player I have ever seen play is Kobe Bryant. As a child, I would watch Kobe on TSN and he was clearly a star. Still to this day, Kobe Bryant 2014 is still a star. Injuries aside, he can still put up around 20 points a game (ESPN, 2015). In addition, he has the championships to enhance the argument for being the best basketball player.



Figure 15 – Sport Absorb

This topic is entirely subjective. Now I ask the reader, who is the best basketball player?

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Who is your Favorite Player on the LA Lakers?

I ask this question a lot and always seem the get the same answer, so let me ask you guys this. Who is your favorite Lakers player?
 Figure 15 - AdWeek
I can bet that for more than half of you the answer is Kobe Bryant, and if I am right I want specific reasons to why he is your favorite Laker. This also goes for those who did not pick Kobe. Give me some insight about your Lakers player so I know what that player has to offer or offered to the team to lead him to be your favorite. Tell me something we don’t always hear on the media.

Each player has a go to man, someone they rely on to guarantee a basket. Who is your Lakers player’s go to man?

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

How Famous Basketball Players Inspired Me



Ever since my youth, sports have always been included in my life. Sports are fun to play, they’re a great release from reality, and they can become inspiring. My favourite professional sport, is basketball. I am fond of basketball because famous basketball players are people who you can admire.

Basketball has helped me shape myself into the person I want to become. When I look at NBA pictures, I see numerous aspects of the professional culture. For example, when I see LeBron James, I see a man who has achieved at the highest level. Presently, LeBron has won 2 championships and has been awarded the MVP four times (Land of Basketball, 2015). His level of success something I try to replicate and apply too my life.



Figure 12 – Brothers on Sports

Since trying to be as great as LeBron, I have seen a noteworthy improvement in certain aspects of my life such as school. My marks have improved greatly from a moderate average, to an average of a higher standard. With this new average, I may be able to get accepted into university, one day.



Figure 13 – Urban Splatter

NBA pictures are very symbolic to me in this respect, they represent success. When I graduate from Sheridan, I hope to achieve the success similar to an athlete like LeBron James. It is my aspiration. If sport was not a part of my life, I would be lost in this world.

Have any famous basketball players inspired you before?

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Lakers Memorabilia

In need of Lakers gear or just want to stay up to date? Click here and you can’t go wrong with the Lakers store.

Figure 13 – Lakers Nation

I have noticed in the past that there is a high demand for NBA clothing and accessories but the major issues that buyers face is the cost and where to find these products. Here I have posted a link that goes directly to the
LA Lakers official website where individuals can get Lakers gear as well as staying up to date with games, standings, and being connected to the Lakers live social media pages about their up and coming events. This link provides great deals and discounts on some products and also allows the users to visit their sponsored retail brands to discover new clothing and apparel through Lakers store.


Would you recommend this link to your family or friends? What can be improved on this website?

Monday, March 23, 2015

Who Has Earned The Most Money From Lakers Basketball?


The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the NBA’s most celebrated franchises. Over the years, Lakers basketball has been synonymous with winning teams, championships, celebrities and star players. None of the team’s success could be solidified if it wasn’t for their star players.

There have been many great players in a Lakers game; Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, but a question that many people ask is: who has made the most money? In short, the answer is Magic Johnson (Food World News, 2014). Magic Johnson’s net worth is approximately $500 million.




Figure 10 – The Broken Celebrity

For the duration of Magic’s career, he made $25 million a season for twenty five years. Magic was the highest paid player in the history of the league during those years. After Magic retired from the game, he became an advocate for HIV/AIDS as a public speaker, and began investing in businesses. Some businesses he invested in were Dodgers baseball, Starbucks, and Lakers basketball. At one point in his business endeavours, his investments were valued over one billion dollars (Food World News, 2014).



Figure 11 - WBRZ

As a business student, Magic Johnson is somebody I aspire to be. He has dedicated his life to a cause and has done wonders for the world. He has become more than a mere player in a Lakers game. If you were in Magic Johnson’s place, what would you do with your money?

Sunday, March 22, 2015

How to Buy Lakers Tickets

Today I will make all your lives easier, just follow me and in no time you will have a pair of Lakers tickets.

 In this post I will be providing you all with some information on how you can get tickets to LA Lakers games. There are many ways to getting tickets to a game, scalpers which are people who have extra tickets and can be found selling them near the Staples Center (where the Lakers always play), box office which is located inside the Staples Center and once tickets are up for sale they can be purchased, and finally and most convenient way is online through Ticketmaster. Go ahead and grab a few friends and be on your way to the next LA Lakers game.


How do you get your tickets? Are there cheaper places to get tickets?

Figure 14 – LA Lakers Tickets

Saturday, March 21, 2015

How To Buy Laker Tickets


There is no basketball experience that compares to going to watch your favourite team play live. The NBA is not the most popular sport in America, however, they still find a way to fill the arena to capacity. Laker tickets can become a hard ticket to purchase. Depending if the opponent is a popular team, or if the opponent has a good record, tickets may be hard to buy. Conversely, if the team isn’t playing that well over the course of the season, you have great chances of purchasing tickets.



Figure 8 - NBA

In the rest of this post, I am going to illustrate the process of purchasing Laker tickets.

1.       Go to the Los Angeles Lakers’ official website

2.       Choose which Lakers Game you want to go to by looking at the schedule

3.       Click buy tickets on the right-hand side of the webpage next to the game you have selected

4.       Choose the section you would like to sit and watch the game

5.       Select the price and number of seats you would like to purchase

6.       Click “Find Tickets”

7.       Select any additional packaging and parking options and then click next

8.       Enter your personal information and credit card information

9.       Print tickets or pick-up tickets in the mail or at the Staples Centre (Los Angeles Lakers, 2015)



Figure 9 – That’s My Ticket

Once you purchase your Lakers Basketball tickets, you will be in for an incredible basketball experience. I personally know that when I go to basketball games, I have a fun and exciting time! If you could see and team play, which team would you choose?

Friday, March 20, 2015

Everyone wants to be a Laker

If there is one NBA team everyone wants to be part of it is the Lakers.

When watching the Lakers basketball whether it’s a regular season game or the playoffs, the excitement is everywhere with the crowd in the stadium and the fans watching at home. One exceptional thing the Lakers franchise has done is to make them the one team everyone wants to watch and be on, which is with the famous basketball players they have had on their teams throughout the franchise history as well as the number of playoffs they have won. Everyone is dying to be part of the winning team and Lakers have done a great job holding their position as a team that does not know the meaning of losing. The amazing players, the skillsets, and best of entertaining the audience have been their top priority.

What does it mean to you to be a Laker? Is it within you to wear a Lakers uniform?


Figure 12 – L.A. Taco

Thursday, March 19, 2015

The Jumpman 23 Flu Game


Jumpman 23 or as most people call him, Michael Jordan, was the best player to ever grace the hardwood. Michael had it all, he was well-rounded, could sink all the buckets and stop anybody on defense. This didn’t prove he was the greatest though, it was his achievements and clutch moments that proved to everyone Michael Jordan was one of the greatest of all-time.



Figure 6 – Huffington Post

One great moment from Jumpman 23 was the flu game. During the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan was set to play a game against the Utah Jazz. It was before the game, that he ate some pizza. Later on during that day, Michael started to feel sick with an illness called the flu. However, Jordan Air would not take the night off.



Figure 7 – FreshnessMag

Michael Jordan would go on to play the game and persevere through the illness. The Bulls would earn the victory after 38 points behind Michael Jordan (Huffington Post, 2014).  This was one of the most famous moments in basketball history. It is still recalled on talk-shows and during in-game-commentary. This moment is so reminiscent of the Jordan-era in the NBA. Jordan Air proved time and time again that he is best. This was just another example of why. What do you think Michael Jordan’s best moment?

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Which LA Lakers Player has earned the Most Money?

Money is a big deal when talking about NBA all-star athletes but who has been the richest Laker to date?

There have been a number of famous basketball players in the history of NBA but taking a closer look into the Lakers basketball, we are not very surprised to find the answer that we are looking for. Yes, you guessed it, the player who has earned the most $$$ is one and only Kobe Bryant.  


Figure 11 – CBC Sports

He has an initial contract for $23.5 million over a 3 year and just extended it for another 2 years for an additional $14 million. Sounds pretty insane don’t it? But that’s just from the Lakers basketball, his net worth is valued at over $140 million and at one point was the highest paid NBA player.


Is Kobe Bryant worth $140 million? Does he deserve $23.5 million or should he reduce his pay to bring in better players to win more playoffs?

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Kobe’s Best Performance as a NBA Player


On December 30th Sunday night season play offs, Kobe Bryant best performance as a NBA player was a highlight of the 2014-15 season for his exceptional performance. (NBClosAngeles 2014)
On a historic note, Bryant became the first NBA player to score more than 30,000 points and pass off more than 6,000 assists. Asked about it after the game, he said he did not know he was about to make history but managed to take a sly shot at his critics: “It means I pass more than people say.” To date, only four NBA players have recorded triple-doubles in the 2014-15 NBA season. Notably, all four of those players were point guards: Michael Carter-Williams, Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry. (NBClosAngeles 2014)
Bryant's final box score was the most impressive in the set: 31 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds. Further, he recorded a block and only committed two turnovers. Also, he made 11 of 24 shots he took. To date, no player in the 2014-15 season has performed at this elite of a level in any game. So, this all leads to the same question: How is Bryant, who is not on a maximum level contract, considered overpaid? Something doesn't seem quite right with the current salary cap system, as Bryant appears to be punished for getting older and still retaining his ability to perform at a high level.

But that is an argument for another day. For this day, one should simply smile that a certain 36-year-old messed around and got a triple-double. (NBClosAngeles 2014)

Link to Official NBA Rosters

The NBA is a league that’s built on generations of stars. So many great players have played on the NBA hardwood; Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley are a few of those greats. But, back in the older generations, the common man didn’t have access to the internet. The internet has changed the way fans view the game of basketball and look at famous basketball players. With the internet, the common man can view NBA Rosters right from the comfort of his home.

Through this new lens, the common man can view many different aspects of the game. Firstly, you can look at player information, including a brief biography that shows characteristics about the player. Most importantly, you can now analyse the player’s stats. Now, anyone can read a player’s averages in points, assists, rebounds and any other stat you require to read (NBA, 2015).


Figure 5 – Wanna Dunk

To view the NBA Rosters click here, and search through the page.

There are many other websites that have created pages for rosters online. However, I recommend that you visit the official NBA website because it is updated by the people who work for the NBA.

These websites have changed the way we view basketball and famous basketball players. What do you like most about these websites?


 

Top 10 Richest Basketball Teams

We all love talking about how much basketball athletes are getting paid but ever wonder who the top 10 richest NBA teams are?

We only hear about how much money basketball athletes are making but we don’t take in count that the teams are the one that actually pay them. Every NBA team is given a yearly budget through the board of directors which they then need to determine how much each player will earn based on their contract deal. Here is a list of the top 10 richest teams in the 2014/2015 NBA season:

·         Brooklyn Nets - $87,692,185Figure 1 – The Fox is Black



·         LA Clippers - $84,863,452
Figure 2 – Rap Basement


·         Cleveland Cavs - $82,158,280
Figure 3 – 10 TV


·         NY Knicks - $81,225,135 Figure 4 – The Waiver Wire


·         Toronto Raptors - $81,074,903Figure 5 – Rogers Red Board


·         OKC - $80,458,440
Figure 6 - Koco


·         New Orleans - $80,304,811

Figure 7 - Bloomberg

·         LA Lakers - $77,345,994
Figure 8 – Westside Today

·         Dallas Mavs - $76,785,367
Figure 9 –KETK NBC

·         Miami Heats - $75,228,892

Figure 10 – The Blaze


How do you feel about NBA teams getting this much money to pay their players? Where do you think this money comes from?