By Guest Blogger, Kori Ellis

After weeks of negotiating, Jackson has agreed to a two-year extension with the Lakers that will keep him under contract through the 2009-2010 season. Reportedly, Jackson will make $24 million over those two seasons.

Jackson, 62-years-old, has nine championship rings as a coach and if he would have left the Lakers, that would have been a devastating blow to the franchise. Kobe Bryant is already not on the greatest of terms with the organization and if Jackson had decided to leave the Lakers, Bryant likely would have followed him out the door.

Can Jackson add to his championship collection over the next two seasons? Probably not. The team is playing well this season but they aren’t considered a true championship contender. Kobe and company are good enough to make the playoffs and maybe make it to the second round, but that’s the ceiling for the Lakers.

The only way that changes in the next couple of seasons is if Andrew Bynum can continue improving to the point to where he’s a legitimate star. Right now, Bynum is a very promising 20-year-old center. He’s averaging 11.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for the Lakers in 25.6 minutes per game. For the Lakers to truly become contenders again, Bynum is going to have to take the next step and be co-star on the Lakers next to Bryant.

Post from: NBA Obsessed

By Guest Blogger, Kori Ellis

With San Antonio, Dallas and Houston in the Southwest Division, everyone expected the division race would be a dogfight this season.

With the reigning champs and the Mavericks back with virtually the same rosters as last season, and Houston making some nice offseason additions in Luis Scola and Mike James, it’s hard to predict who will be on top at the end of the season.

But one other team has jumped into the fray in somewhat of a surprise. After being riddled with injuries last season, the New Orleans Hornets currently sit at 8-2, tied with San Antonio for the best record in the division and second best record in the league.

Who Have They Beat?

This season, the Hornets have defeated the Trail Blazers, Nuggets, Lakers, Nets, Grizzlies and Sixers twice by an average margin of more than 12 points.

Their two losses came at Portland, a 93-90 defeat on November 7th, and a 97-85 loss to the Spurs two nights later.

Who’s Hot?

David West and Chris Paul are leading the way for the Hornets. West is averaging over 20 points and nearly eight rebounds a game. Paul has been extremely impressive, tallying 19.5 points and 10.8 assists on nearly 51% shooting.

But it’s not a two-man show in New Orleans. Stojakovic is healthy and averaging over 13 points a night, despite struggling with his shot inside the arc. And Tyson Chandler is doing big things for the Hornets. The 25-year-old is averaging 11.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 shots a night.

As a team New Orleans is averaging nearly 100 points a game. If they can remain healthy and tighten up even more defensively, they could be right in the mix at season’s end.

Some Chris Paul love …

Post from: NBA Obsessed