DeANDRE JORDAN Feature-OUTKAST

DeAndre Three Stacks.


By TIM DAVID HARVEY

When MVP candidate and leading Point Guard Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers descends down court he has a lot of options at his disposal if he doesn't feel like scoring himself. To his left you might find leading scorer and 'Sixth Man Of The Year' runner Jamal Crawford, to his right defensive maestro and underrated offensive talent Caron Butler. Then there's the rest of the other former Laker STAPLES on the 'other' side of L.A. (Chris Paul was a Laker for albeit two minutes and about two tweets), guys like Lamar Odom, Matt Barnes and Ronny Turiaf. Figure in fellows like Eric Bledose, Willie Green and the rest of the 'Tribe Called Bench' on a quest for the ring, or valuable veterans like Grant Hill and Chauncey Billups coming back into play. Then of course there's arguably the most exciting and entertaining offensive dunker and rim rocker around, the monster known as Blake Griffin.

Still sometimes Paul may toss the ball and the alley in the air and find the oop of a guy that looks like he's dunking over entire teams and courts, not just Brandon Knight. A big man with Nike like air taking the wind out of Pistons, opponents sails and sneakers as he soars and scores a simple two made beautiful in the form of an ugly dunk. This signet has become a swan. The former passed up draft pick (35th?!) and bust labeled guy is taking it all out on the critics like his former joked on team is taking it out on Los Angeles and the league. Hyland is taking the high road, no more D-League dunks, no Bakersfield Jam. Just check out the famous three tiers of Hotel Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles across from the STAPLES Centre, which is now just as much the Clippers home as it is the Lakers. Even the spirit of Chick Hearn can see it from his street. They aren't Lakers players up there. It's Chris Paul flanked by Blake Griffin and the other guy cleared for take off in Lob City...DeAndre Jordan.

"incredible physical specimen", <  "not productive",

All together now, even Kobe can see from his Nikes that DeAndre 3000 is no outcast. He belongs here like his Clippers team in the Laker building that now needs to add a Clippers Pacific Division banner to the Shaquille O'Neal's retired jersey and the rest of the purple and gold rafters. Dropping bombs over basketball in this battle of Los Angeles the love that below is now booming like a Speakerbox in this shared collection. This big boy is more than big dunks. A 20 and 10 prototype who raises the spirits more than 'Hey Ya'! Hey young world, shake those polaroid pictures and instagram those iPhone ones. If basketball is beauty then I think I'm in love again.

"defensive potential", < "poor fundamentals",

With a hustlers blood and shutterbug feet in the blood and bruised paint, each royal flush from DeAndre breaks his opponents. Soaring like Jordan, vibrating the rim and slamming like Shaq, Phil Jackson would be proud if he was back in L.A. Sorry Mr. Jackson the Clippers are for real. The won't apologize a thousand times even if they didn't mean to make anyone cry. Just look at the backboard, somethings got to give with the way this guy moves the rim, flip rocking the rock with boom from the tomb. In this war of L.A. with shine blockers on the former shade cool Laker side, Andre's no bust, waking up a former broken Clipperland like a rooster. It's night, night for the catcalls and the Clipperholics former sorrows. These beats by Dre sound good beyond the references.

"incredible upside", < "mediocre footwork",

There's more to this art of storytelling, Laker Hollywood divorce however like there's more to this rebounding and defensive specialists game then top ten dunks and punks 'stank you' very much. Be cool, here's 'Part Two'. A day in the life of DeAndre Jordan is complete with hustle and flow and the hard work that puts his blue collar name in the households of his famous roll call of Hollywood teammates as he rolls with his four brothers in a town that has too many stars and basketball teams. Through all the music, movies and Laker legacy howeverthe mighty D may be the most entertaining. Don't listen to the critics 'vicious lies and dangerous rumors', just watch as this boy ascends and descends from the basket. He's got the shoes for running and the raspberry blowing dunks that do tremendous damage to the naysayers. The apple of the Clippers eye is like a CPU out there, he's that techincally good down the lines.Y'all scared to what this guy can do, as he rises like elevators. Me and you, your mama and your daddy too. They could all get it when the ball is raised to the rim in De's hands as flashbulbs and corn pops courtside.

 "high bust potential",<

We all thought it'd be Dwight Howard or at least Blake Griffin provoking this reaction. It almost makes no sense at all but the whole world is watching another Jordan now when it comes to the peaches. It 'Aint No Thang' for Dre Jordan though and his liberation. So fresh and so clean. Shawn Kemp aggression, with a better attitude. Kenyon Martin rawness with basketball purity. It's almost poetic. How the roses are all for De' here with little for the rest of his star-studded, much loved and talented Clipper side. Still in this players ball it's DeAndre Jordan that has 'git up and got something' and ignited the gasoline of the dreams of the other side of Californian roundball. Last year this excited young kid, in his sweats and warm ups, warmly hugged Blake Griffin on the stars cover shoot for 'Dime' magazine. Now with his star brothers back, the posters and the billboards belong to him and his team. Next come the payoffs and the playoffs. DeAndre will be leading the way. Number one with a dunk.

"freakish athlete",>

THE LEBRON SERIES-THE NUMBER 23

Streaking Talents From South Beach To Ohio.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

You all know the script. The revolution was televised. Two years back, decisions where made and talents where taken. Some to South Beach and some for granted. Tears of frustration where shed in Ohio, ones of joy in Miami. Billboards fell as Voltron was formed. Rocks where thrown from all sorts of angels. Fans, critics, some of the greatest players of all time. Even with a new group of 'Superfriends', the king had to watch the throne for a year as Dallas proved they where the real Mavericks of the NBA. That was until this seasons past. Our Iron-Man had his Avenger year with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Now the MVP and champion and number 6 for the Miami Heat, LeBron James has nothing left to prove. He just has a legacy to make...his legend is set.

Still there's no stopping the former number 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers as he and his new side are on the winning streak of their lives. 27 games and counting, with Jerry West even betting they can best his Lakers 33 game burst. No wonder the 6th sense of the NBA is drawing comparisons to the original 23, Michael Jordan. Sure Kobe's career is better all-time and Kevin Durant is the next one but as of right now it's LeBron James, time and tide. He is the best active player right now. It's his league. Still as we begin 'The LeBron Series' to go along with our 'The Jordan Series' and 'The Kobe Series' trilogy, let's look at the number 23. This is no joke, no Jim Carrey film. Yes man, this is serious. It all connects, like Jordan's influence and basketball's inspiration.

Last week LeBron and his white hot heat hit the road with a winning streak of 23 games. This is where their talents where taken to Cleveland, Ohio, where number 6 came back home to a place where his number 23 jersey was burned to the ashes with his decision departure not one, but two years back. LeBron knows what these people did two Summers back...because he knew what he did to them. Hurt feelings, bitter rage, bloody Tarantino delicious sub-plots everywhere. It was all set up to be the match-up of the moment for NBA TV. The former number 23 came back to town with a winning streak of 23 games. It looked like the sick-note, Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Anderson Varejao less Cavs wouldn't stand a chance.

Still, you can't doubt the heart of a Cavalier, especially a hurt and down-trodden one. It all looked like revenge was about to be a dish served up on the Twitter feeds, as Cleveland cooled off the hot Heat. Everyone from the friend you follow to Stephen A. Smith, couldn't believe it as the hash tags and the hate was at the ready. LeBron and his boys where down 27, days before they extended their streak to 27. How strange would it be if it was 23? The Cleveland Cavs looked to blow-out Miami quickly at the Quicken Loans Arena. They had the King and his subjects on the ropes, but like Ali, the greatest came back swinging. Before their eyes, LeBron put the Cavs to bed before the lights where out.

Chick Hearn could see the jello cooling in the fridge. The heat caught lightening and struck down and bottled up their greatest nemesis of recent times. This is why LeBron James is the MVP and his Miami Heat team the NBA champions.With all respect to the valiant Cavaliers their former number one pick and his top team where just too, damn much. Going forth into the final quarter, Miami where still down by nine, but LeBron's 11 of Miami's first 12 then extinguished the blow-out. With a game-high, MVP, triple-double, legendary line of 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists 'Bron erased Cleveland's greatest lead and what could have been their greatest moment of all time. Clevaland could have proved a point and truly showed their one-time King the door, but in the end like Jay-Hova, the takeover belonged to Jay-Z's best basketball friend. As an excited Cavs fan raced on court with a t-shirt reading 'We Miss You. 2014, Come Back', it said it all. As did LeBron's non-reaction. It's not all hate in Cleveland. Some just want their former love back.

Still LeBron took his talents, team and new 50 plus day winning streak back to Miami, where the team look to make history on their way to another championship, by way of breaking a few more records. With Kobe's new super Lakers team, recovering from a similar first-season slump, all roads look clear for the formidable Florida foundation of LeBron and company. Oklahoma are close and the beats of the East, including former rival New York are better than ever, but really no one looks like they could even touch the hem of the King's Heat shorts. They may be close but it's no 23, M.J., victory cigar. The crown and the throne isn't for the taking...it's his. All Cleveland can do is watch. they shouldn't have made him mad (like he did them). It's personal now and it's a problem. Now the only solution looks like LeBron adding another ring to his finger. The rest of the league can kiss their hopes goodbye. The hot streak looks like it's only going to be cooled off by champagne. Next rounds on you LeBron. Here's to you.

THE JORDAN SERIES-SWEET CAROLINA

The First Shot.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY.

(The latest in 'The Jordan Series' and part three of our trilogy that started with 'Money'-Ball' and '45', also a prequel to our first Michael Jordan piece 'The (Real) Last Shot')

"I knew the magnitude of the game, but I didn't fully comprehend what it meant. It was 1982 and I was a Freshman at North Carolina".-Michael Jordan From 'For The Love Of The Game'.

Let's take it back. Back before the championships and the MVP's, the legend and the legacy. Let's take it back before Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time in the NBA. Let's take it back to the NCAA college days. Where a star was born when Kobe and LeBron where just pee-wee basketball tall kids. Before Michael donned a Chicago Bulls jersey (or even before he wore a Washington Wizards one or a baseball one) with the number 23 (or 45) he was gifted with a North Carolina baby blue and white one. Before Scottie Pippen and 'The Worm' Dennis Rodman where his teammates, Sam Perkins and 'Big Game' James Worthy where. Before Phil Jackson and Doug Collins (twice) where his coaches, Dean Smith was once. Before Patrick Ewing was a great rival in New York he was one in Georgetown. Before he made out of this air making deals with sneaker companies bearing his name this Converse baller had tar on his heels. Before Nike turned him into a symbol, this basketball king was a prince in his formerly known college years. It was all made with a made shot that sent North Carolina and it's young star to the Cinderella stories of basketball history.

Number 23-15 Footer-Left Wing-Right Time-Spare Change Seconds-MONEY.

My sweet Carolina that was a sweet shot that carried them home. The kid out of Brooklyn moved to Wilmington, North Carolina with his family to look to cut down nets in college. Daydreaming of hitting the winning shot and the first of many clutch, greatest hit numbers of his life, his dad James knew he would do it like he dreamed of his son playing baseball. Some things where just meant to be. Like Mike-now owner of the Charlotte Bobcats-moving back to North Carolina this week in a mansion where his money and basketball making dreams began. The now 50 year old and leader of the NBA's top 50 built a basketball house during his home dorm time in N.C.

From a toddler to taking giant sneaker steps this Brooklyn born boy was raised in Carolina and on the basketball playgrounds was where he spent most of his days. At Emsley A. Laney High, Mike played baseball, football and basketball at school. Still, by the time college called it was clear which of the Holy Trinity of American sports the God of hoop dreams would choose. Still, can you believe this 5 foot 11 kid was deemed to small to play with the big boys? Can you believe this greatest basketball player ever got cut? Then again this is a world where Sam Bowie is taken higher than you in the draft. It's a crazy world. One that in the 1990's Michael owned...but it all started it the late eighties.

A kid so competitive he would keep his dorm mate up all night until he won a game of Monopoly. If you thought he was a late night nightmare on the board game, wait until he got on the boards of the hardwood floor come prime-time, game-time. There was no playing around there, these are the beginning accounts of how Money would eventually become big business. It was more than dollars, it was a basketball sixth sense that invoked even higher spirits in those face-painted, brass band players. A chorus of North Carolina cheers, led by the pied piper of basketball and fellow later icon to Chicago like R. Kelly. Before 'Space Jam', Mike believed he could fly and take this game out of this world. You hadn't seen nothing yet folks.

The All-American put up McDonalds numbers in High School, (29.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 10.1 assists) making everyone else look elementary like my dear Watson. Before over a billion where served in the big leagues, M.J. majored in cultural geography before redefining another one all around the world. From a junior, to a sophomore and then the freshest prince of freshman Michael Jordan's three years in college made him a star in the making for a formidable future like the other M.J.'s, Magic Johnson or Michael Jackson and it was a trick shot out of the bag at the end of a fourth quarter thriller that made Air rise above them all.

More than the prestigious Naismith and Wooden awards. More than the prolific 17.7 points per on 54.0% shooting, and 5.0 rebounds per game came a night in history which the greatest describes as the major turning point of his basketball career. NOT his college career, BUT his basketball one. Before Chicago, before Nike, before Larry O'Brien and before the hall came the college corridors of young American dream making fame. Before all that came a pass he received on the right wing with 15 feet and even less seconds to go. A perfect fluid rise of a prototype shot for a perfect wet jumper from basketballs ultimate figure, kissing the trailing net as this young kid back pedaled-as Ewing's Georgetown (like his Knicks) backed-down-with the same confidence that would define his shrugging, smiling and sometimes finger-wagging career.

Before Mike downed Byron Russell and the Utah Jazz for his last Chicago championship winning shot of NBA history, Jordan drained a defining final one of NCAA legacy in college. More than a game ending winning shot. More than a Georgetown goodbye. This was the start of something. Something that at the time only Michael and his proud father James Jordan watching could see before all eyes where on him. It all started here. The first shot.

"Your life will never be the same after that shot. Your life is going to change son".-James Jordan.

THE KOBE SERIES-VINO

Better With Age.


By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Somewhere in past times in the heart of Italy a young mix of European flair and the things American dreams are made of is growing and fermenting between good food and soccer skills. Decades later after ageing for 16 years, through championships and father time, a death of a dynasty and a whirlwind of Hall Of Fame personnel, the one thing that stands the test of time in all its potency and purity is Vino. Vino being Kobe Bryant's new nickname, lapped up by him pouring through his new Twitter feeds to find a fan who understands the final chapter of his career just as well as he does.

Getting even better with age, the former eight wonder of the world, wearing the number 24 still has venom in those Black Mamba fangs. It's venom tinted with vino for a deadly but tempting taste. Cold blood red seeping out of the Celtic green bottle to purple and gold coronation. Sure these days it's LeBron's bubbly stung tear winning league and Jordan comparisons, but the only one who could ever even come close to the 'money'-ball ballpark of the greatest is Kobe 'Vino' Bryant. Still crushing opponents like grapes, still always going down smoothly like Burgundy scotch. Even if his Hall Of Fame, dream team turned nightmare teammates are playing like champagne pretenders instead of contenders.

Shaq and Kobe part two but with just the arguments. World Peace in a world war. Gasol on the bench and Steve Nash on the last quarters of his career. No Phil Jackson. No Derek Fisher. No hope against Oklahoma. No playoffs even? We'd love to say no problem but Laker family Kobe has 99 problems right now, but at least a bitch of a downside of a career 'aint one for the Jay-Z of the league. Even if this hero is watching the throne from a Hawkeye Avenger distance. The dark knight will rise again. Age won't water this guys talent down. He's playing like he's been kept in a cellar for years now just waiting to be uncorked to get it popping. Now left to breathe through the bad times he's ready to take his team from the cellars and the basements of the Western conference to the royal box and high-rises his franchise is used to.

To Kobe. Until Vino is drinking champagne from a glass again. There's a quart of diesel and some Zen blessed in this wine, passed down through the ages. Like the Magic/Mike hybrid way he's played of late, able to switch it up like he's able to fill any statistical category when needed. Making new moments, memories like classic moments of spirited NBA's past. There's memories of 81, that was a good year, like the trifecta of championships, when Kobe, Shaquille and Coach Phil really where the holy trinity of professional basketball. These days the 'afro may be gone, but the hops aren't. Rising like yeast through all the sobering problems Kobe's passion is still a dark red. No rose here, or mild white wine. The Black Mamba will still drink from the reservoir of his talents until his career see's the toast or the roses.

You don't need to hear it from the grapevine that the Lakers are in deep trouble. Elimination trouble. This could be the worst 'best' team ever of things don't change. This isn't like Shaq, Kobe, Payton and Malone. They played through all their troubles...and brilliantly too. Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace must have the bottle to follow their aged and experienced leader through the vines. Times are hard, this is no secret...but Kobe is the truth. 100 proof like vodka, but just a little more classy. Red wine certified. The stuff of prestige. Prestige belongs with NBA royalty not lottery balls.

The American dreams, cultivated in Italy didn't come this far to lose. So as Laker fans are drowning their sorrows at night to all sorts of intoxicants, Kobe remains alive and well through it all, playing some of the best ways in his career during the hardest times. Raising a glass to the memory of the recent dearly departed Dr. Jim Buss (rest peacefully), giving his legacy, the voice of Chick Hearn and the words of Jim Murray hope as they look down with pride. Kobe won't rest until the critics labels wear off and the blood red passion he's given this game results in glasses clicking with celebration. It's not about the past, it's not about the future. It's about right now and right now Vino is still tried and tested, pouring and scoring. Time to let it breathe.

JERRY-A TRIBUTE TO JERRY BUSS

In Loving Memory.

by TIM DAVID HARVEY

'Rest In Peace Dr. Jerry Buss. Your Laker legacy lives on'. That was my Twitter tribute to the legendary, late owner of the Los Angeles Lakers who sadly died this week aged 80 years old. The Twitter feeds have been running with tributes for days from everyone from ex-Lakers to sportswriters and celebrities and fans alike. Still, a man who built a team for the decades ages before hash tags, top trends and social media dominated every world, (even the sports one) deserves more than 160 characters in his honor. This is for Jerry.

Today it doesn't matter that the Lakers are fighting a losing battle. It doesn't matter that the dream Dwight Howard trade is turning into an uncertain nightmare. It doesn't matter that Steve Nash is getting older before our eyes. Today it doesn't matter that Pau Gasol is on crutches, weeks away from giving this team hope. It doesn't matter about D'Antoni, or Phil Jackson. Today it doesn't even matter that Kobe Bryant is still on the best form of his career, no matter how great that is. Today is in remembrance. Today is for a man as legendary in Laker legacy lore as the Magic's, Kareem's, Shaq's, Wilt's, Baylor's, Worthy's and first namesake West's. Today is for Jerry Buss.

We're sure he's up there talking in purple and gold colors with the voice of the Lakers Chick Hearn and the word of Los Angeles basketball Jim Murray. Watching down as his proud daughter and Buss family continue his vision for the future of the Lakers. A future this man built time and time again. Bringing his mustache and long hair to Hollywood and buying the Lakers off the Lakers Red Auerbach (complete with cigar) of the time Jack Kent Cooke. A man who came into Los Angeles in a Mercedes, with a playboy lifestyle perfect for this city and a hard work dedication paramount for this style and substance franchise. A man who left this town and sport as one of the greatest owners in basketball or any professional sport...ever.

A man who brought the slick Pat Riley and Showtime to the movie city, making Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the big blockbuster everyone wanted to see. A man who convinced Jack Nicholson and all the stars of stars that this game and team was something they'd want to pay a lot over and over again to see every night. A man who brought Shaq and Kobe, Phil Jackson and three more championships in when everyone thought Riley, Magic and 'Cap where as good as it would get. A man that swung a trade for Pau Gasol when everyone thought it was over and another one for Dwight Howard when they thought it was all done and dusted. A man who even ignited the Sparks and the WNBA with Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker. When it's all said and done, in the history of this team you could never count them out thanks to Jerry. Sure it's players and coaches that win championships thanks to general managers, but it's men like like Jerry who owned all the success too. That's why he richly deserved to hoist every gold trophy he held. A man who was always there to help and guide.

A man who was more than the money that brought him the Hollywood lifestyle. He earned everything he made. Coming from poverty to perfection and showing he had more heart and soul then the straight business world basketball is turning into now. This is the same Doctor who earned his doctorate before his 24th birthday...on the side. His 10 championships was his real estate but like Earvin Johnson he was a man of may hats, maybe that inspiration of Jerry's trick of the trade rubbed off on Magic. A poker player that donated 7.5 million to USC, an all round guy. A man who took his $67.5 mill investment into an influence and inspiration that can't be quantified.

A man who deserves his place in the Hall Of Fame without ever wearing a jersey. A man who needs his own dedicated banner raised to the STAPLES rafters with the retired jerseys. A man who even deserves his own bronze sculpture with the rest of the immortalized Lakers statues outside the back of STAPLES. Give him a street name, nearby, a banner on Hotel Figureou even. A man who from the Forum to downtown L.A., the white and purple Mitchell and Ness trim to the new era jerseys was still here. No throwback, even now in his tragic passing all he's done will last generations like his famous family. This man is the Los Angeles Lakers. Let's hear it for him. This is for you Gerald Hatten Buss. Thank you. Rest peacefully.

EARL CLARK Feature: MY NAME IS EARL

E.C. Does It.


By TIM DAVID HARVEY

"We are losing Los Angeles"! Nick Nolte's grumble in the latest cop and robbers classic motion picture 'Gangster Squad' may as well be applied to the current state of the damsel in distress that is the L.A. Lakers. This Summer blockbusters where made to take this Hollywood team back up to the Miami Heat talents of the NBA. Yet almost halfway through this season this gang of All-Stars is losing it's city, players (the alumni of Lamar Odom, Matt Barnes and the always what could have been of the nixed Chris Paul) status and STAPLE to the Clippers of all teams.

There's no surprises in this league these days but a few years ago you would have scoffed at this notion. Just like the fact that the best team the Lakers have ever had on paper is the worst performing team in the Kobe era (we hear you Ben Collins of SLAM, 'L.A. Noire' is THE article). Just like the idea that at 34 years of age Kobe Bryant would be playing some of the best basketball his career...then again that's not too hard to believe, it is Kobe after all. The remaining years of his career deserve better. It seems like the pairing of Bryant and Howard really is the new Bryant and O'Neal as these two inside and out stars are fighting like Shaq and Kobe's. If that isn't enough of a one-two punch for you, the great Steve Nash isn't getting any younger and right now the down and out Pau Gasol isn't getting any healthier.

This team shouldn't be like this. Not a team that can leave the likes of Metta World Peace and Antwan Jamison on the bench. Now it seems like the only new stars on the floor are the ones surrounding the team logo midcourt (great look by the way). Just think Phil Jackson was even one stroke of a pen away from fixing this mess before the Lakers traded Mike Brown for D'Antoni. Now everyone wants him and almost everyone else ran out of the door faster then one of his plays and on a 'Buss' out of Los Angeles.

It's not all bad however and there is light at the end of the STAPLE Centre. Besides this is L.A., where dreams are made and the NBA where teams get it together after the All-Star break. Consistency and staying together is the key. The "wrecking ball" has swung enough. Its about Springsteen blue collar hard work in a movie star city. Haven't they learned from Boston time and time, decade and decade again? Some get it, Kobe of course and some others will...eventually we hope. There's a silver lining in this playbook however and like Bradley Cooper possibly winning an Oscar its a real, pleasant surprise. There's one guy in the middle of this hangover that Kobe can be proud of right now. His name is Earl Clark.

Part of the mega Dwight Howard package deal that's an even better piece then the projected, reliable point backup of Chris Duhon. Hell, right now Earl Clark is the best thing about the Dwight Howard deal. That is until Dwight finds himself and commits to not just escaping from Los Angeles once he's a free man this Summer. The 6 foot 10, 225 pound, 25 year old is a prototype, prime-time role player. Wearing the number 6 and standing next to Kobe with a smile. It hasn't looked this good since Eddie Jones. This guy, sure is no All-Star, but he's one of those glue guys the Lakers should really keep hold of and not let go like they've done countless, foolish times before. The winning x-factor Trevor Ariza comes to mind (Devin Ebanks your closer than everyone thinks). Besides this is a team that was better off with Odom, Bynum and Fisher, then Howard, Nash and Jamison.

Straight out of Plainfield, New Jersey this kid knows that 'boss' hard work and is set to ignite the Lakers like gaslight. The Earl of Los Angeles is beginning to show not only his new city, but the league that his 14th pick out of Louisville is more than a sleeper...it's justified. A points, rebounds and steals man with athleticism in limited minutes can maximize his time and potential. Just reference his 22 points and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes against storied last decade Laker rival San Antonio. In a breakthrough game this young buck earned his spurs in a wild-west showdown. This once raw talent is ready now and is an off the bench burner who can give the microwave tasting Lakers a healthy kick.

"Phenomenal" is how Mike D'Antoni put it...and he's right. The walking double double machine had three in six games and has more than made up for the losses of Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and last years Laker sleeper Jordan Hill. This frontcourt force has been formidable enough to be a well deserved, more than most starter and his rise on the slumping Lakers gives hope to a purple and gold side of the city that recentely has had to look to the STAPLE ceiling with rolled eyes and a sigh for inspiration. This is a banner year for Earl Clark. Sure he can't do it on his own, not even Kobe can, but amongst all the doubt and uncertainity at least the Black Mamba has some more venom in his fangs. He has a sure thing in Clark. Some say the Lakers are finished and this year they may be right, but right now with Earl they have a little more fight in what's been a losing battle. Now that's at least a start.

RUDY GAY Feature-TORONTO STAR

Rudy T. Dot.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Welcome to Toronto Rudy Gay! There is a lot to see here in this unique and underrated city that plays home to the Toronto Raptors. The only remaining Canadian franchise in the National Basketball Association ever since Rudy's former Memphis Grizzlies team left the North of Vancouver hoops extinct. Now Gay's fall from Graceland takes him from the Presley rock n roll of the West to one of the greatest cities on the East Coast and even the world. Read all about it in the local Toronto Star. There's a new franchise face for those Maple Syrup bottles at 26 years of age, that is still in the golden era, prime of his career.

This writer lived in the beautiful Canadian city of the T-Dot in the fall of 2006 and I'll tell you, its one for the travel journals. Back then the Raptors where really something too. Behind the then withheld South Beach talents of Chris Bosh, the Raps where like an East Coast Phoenix Suns (of the fellow Canadian Steve Nash time). With a foreign supporting cast of hot rookie Andrea Bargnani, speedy guard Jose Calderon, hot shooter Anthony Parker and garbage man Jorge Garbajosa, and guys like veteran Mo-Pete and dunk contender Fred Jones they lit a European flair and style of play that ignited their run and gun up the Eastern Conference. It was all good and looking like the new face of Eastern dominance until coaches got fired, players got injured, traded and other LeBron James deciding factors came into play.

It's just what happens in the NBA or life. This writer was meant to stay in Toronto for a good year and build a life there, but when I look outside my door this morning, there's no snow. Go figure. Teams look like the next big-thing then one wrong move in this business oriented league can turnover the fortunes. Still just as quickly as a team can give up, they can get the ball back and now with their latest trade the T-Dot Raps have their first legit star since Chris Bosh left like Vince Carter did, like he promised he wouldn't do. Canadian fans then where left like that shrieking girl with the flashlight in Jurassic Park..."He let us". Tracy McGrady, Vince and Chris may have dunked all over the future, formidable hopes of this ballclub and it's city but with Gay, it's a new, happy day now.

As soon as you drive into the city from Pearson, you see one of the worlds largest free-standing structures in the CN Tower. From the very top of this landmark you can catch one of the worlds greatest views. Still, it's Rudy's turn to watch over the city now. More than 6 years later, it could be like 2006 again behind a guy that was drafted 8th overall that year. So long as the rebuilding Raptors get the complimentary pieces that could help Rudy roar these guys back into the park of East Coast contenders. So long as his career is more primetime then the downtime of Hakeem Olaujawon or Jalen Rose. Fortunately the ever underrated Rudy Gay is built to lead, so don't look for him to struggle like complimentary players like Shawn Marion and Hedo Turkoglu who had too much of a burden to bear with the cold up north during their winters in Toronto.

If you take a boat out to the inspiring Toronto Islands you'll have a sight to behold in the skyline of the city beyond Lake Ontario. It's almost as amazing as catching a glimpse of Rudy Gay running the lay-up line and hammering home a Slam Dunk worthy winning jam. This is a guy that over 82 games, shows his $82 million contract worth. A guy that Memphis where confident that could take the horns of the their franchise once Spanish star Pau Gasol left in 2008. A guy who the Raptors should keep their claws into despite trade rumors linking him again with Gasol and his Los Angeles Laker team. A 20 point, 6 rebound guy who even tied Memphis Grizzlies legend Shane Battier in all-time steals and if he continues here for the next decade at least could well break many Toronto ones.

Toronto is the Canadian city that never sleeps. Known for its shopping almost as much as New York, London, Tokyo or Seoul. Even the ice-cold Winters won't stop this city with an underground network of boutiques. Nothing going to stop Rudy Gay or his new Toronto Raptors team from rising up from the underground too. You think this team will end up closing down and following Vancouver? Or end up being the next Seattle Supersonics, before the Sacramento Kings became the new them? Sure retiring commissioner David Stern's plans to expand the NBA into Europe and Africa may have been limited to a few exhibition and regular season games but it isn't over yet. The last remaining Canadian franchise and it's new star have something to show, prove and say. They are here to stay, behind Rudy Gay. It's Toronto time!