Tag: Andrew Bynum

Mahinmi takes verbal potshot at Kobe

And we just thought the rivalry between the World Champion Dallas Mavericks and the former champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, was simmering.

First, we had the dust-up late in the regular season between Jason Terry and Matt Barnes.

Throw in Andrew Bynum’s clothesline and resulting suspension for waylaying J.J. Barea at the end of Game 4 in Dallas’ four-game sweep in the Western Conference semifinals.

And now, even backup Dallas center Ian Mahinmi is getting into the act of throwing dirt on the old champs.

Despite the tumbling reputation of Miami’s LeBron James, Mahinmi told  (hat tip to Hoops Hype.com) that the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant remains in a class by himself as the NBA’s most arrogant player.

“Kobe is super arrogant but everybody loves him,” Mahinmi said. “To me, Kobe is more arrogant (than LeBron James).”

Something tells me those comments will be relayed to Bryant between now and the end of the lockout.

And it will just make that first game between the Lakers and Mavericks that much more intriguing and highly anticipated once it ends.

Kawhi and his tweaked mechanics should result in a more accurate shot

Kawhi Leonard entered the NBA Draft with some of the most freakish athletic attributes of any of the potential draftees.

Leonard is a physical marvel whose wingspan of 87 ¾ inches is larger than Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who is more than five inches taller than the Spurs No. 1 draft pick. And Leonard’s hands are 11 ½ inches wide, which is the size of Shaquille O’Neal’s hand.

But Leonard has gone to the laboratory for ESPN’s Sports Science to by tweaking his trajectory with a change he hopes will result in a better shooting percentage once he starts playing with the Spurs.

The Sports Science crew details how he is diligently working on keeping his shooting elbow high with a straight elbow to the rim as a way to improve his shooting consistency.

That’s a change from college, when Leonard’s elbow tended to flare out. But his work since declaring for the NBA Draft has improved his release angle in a way which should result in a bigger target for his shooting attempts.

It’s a high-tech way to improve his shooting mechanics, which was considered his major weakness coming into the draft.

Leonard’s diligent work in trying to improve is another sign the Spurs might have gotten a steal with the 15th pick of the draft. But he’ll have to remain patient this summer as he awaits his first NBA training camp and his opportunity to work with the Spurs staff.

Peeved Kareem wants his Staples Center statue

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is wondering why he hasn’t been immortalized outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles along with a group of Los Angeles sports icons.

Abdul-Jabbar, who helped lead the Lakers to five world championships and still leads the NBA in career points, told the Sporting News by the lack of a statue outside the home of his former team.

“It’s either an oversight or they’re taking me for granted,” Abdul-Jabbar told the magazine.

There are five statues for Los Angeles-area icons outside the arena recognizing Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Chick Hearn, Wayne Gretzky and Oscar De La Hoya. Abdul-Jabbar believes he should be next.

“I am highly offended by the total lack of acknowledgement of my contribution to Laker success,” Abdul-Jabbar told the magazine. “I guess being the linchpin for five world championships is not considered significant enough in terms of being part of Laker history.”

Abdul-Jabbar had a couple of interesting tweets Wednesday that showed he’s not backing down on his comments.

“Magic waited 8 years to be honored in that way,” . “So maybe I am chopped liver?”

Abdul-Jabbar has been involved with the Lakers in recent years as he helped  develop center Andrew Bynum.  

But the Los Angeles Times reported last month that Abdul-Jabbar’s contract as a part-time assistant coach along with those of other Lakers’ assistants and scouts after they expire when the expected lockout begins.  

“Rumor has it that I will be getting a statue,” . “A caveat for all my fans — don’t hold your breath. Lakers don’t care about me.”

He : “Its not about a getting a statue because I’m over it – it’s about RESPECT! Lakers have given me the absolute minimum of respect.”

Quick question for Spurs Nation.