Tuesday, 17 August 2010

THROUGH THE WIRE: NEWS (08/17/10)

LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 29:  Adonal Foyle #31 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 29, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 96-85.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by: Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

One of the better centres of the last ten years and a presence on defence Adonal Foyle is calling it a career after 13 seasons deep in the L. The 35 year spent the bulk of his paint dominating career in Golden State but retires for the Orlando Magic, who he spent his last three years with. Foyle also passed through Memphis during the 2009 season. Foyle was a presence on the boards and on defence. He could also finish nicely around the basket. He will be missed but knee troubles have kept him from contributing more. Foyle has mentored Dwight Howard some and is part of the Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame thanks to the charity work he has contributed to the Kerosene Lamp Foundation. Foyle is also first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association but now his playing days are over he will be expected to resign this position. Foyle clearly was an asset to this league in many ways and his career speaks more volumes than his career averages of 4.1 points and 4.7 rebounds.

Feb. 04, 2010 - Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA, EEUU - LOS ANGELES (CA, USA), 03/02/2010.- Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant (L), chats with legendary US basketball player Jerry West, during the homage that Lakers paid Bryant for being the maximum scorer of the team's history, prior to the NBA basketball match played against Charlotte Bobcats in Los Angeles, California, USA, 03 February 2010. Lakers won 99-97.

A legend as a player and a legend in the front office, Jerry West has hinted at a desire to return. Jerry West will always be immortalised on the court as part of the NBA logo but now West is looking at returning to running a team. 'Mr. Clutch' came up big for the Lakers both on the court and in the office and he also did great things in Memphis, which then in turn did great things (Gasol) for the Lakers, hmmmm! West right now could be part of the Golden State Warriors chain of command thanks to his great relationship with Oaktown boss Larry Ellison. The role that Jerry could have is more up in the air than George Clooney but whether he becomes a Team President or owner West can certainly give any team a hell of a lot.

Jun 22, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Magic Johnson waves to the crowd during the 2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers championship parade on Figueroa Street. Photo via Newscom

With one Laker legend looking at a return another may be looking for a new role outside California. Magic Johnson, who has been with the Lake show for such a long time may soon disappear at the chance of running his own NBA team. The greatest floor general of all time would definitely be more than capable of running any team. Now with the hints at a possible split with the Lakers now beig public knowledge one thing that wont be vanishing anytime soon is the messages left in Earvins work inbox. Magic insists he'll be a Laker for life, (he sure will, his jersey is in the rafters and his memories in his fans hearts) but he will look into running another team if the opportunity arose. The word is still 'probably' more than 'definitely' but there is a feeling in that smoggy Los Angeles air that Johnson and the Lakers are approaching the end of an era. So no Magic in LA? The 'Showtime' must go on.

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