NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

Magic Johnson is always smiling

This is a world gone bonkers. Two conservative radio talk show hosts are accused of saying that Magic Johnson faked AIDS.

According to a partial transcript and audio clip posted on a media watchdog site, mediamatters.org, the remarks came after a caller asserted that health care isn’t a basic right. Perry responded by asking about treatable diseases that a person can live with for a long time “if you just get some basic drugs.”

Baker responded, “Like Magic Johnson?”

Perry replied, “Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS.”

Baker said, “You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?”

Perry replied, “I’m convinced that Magic faked AIDS.”

“Me too,” Baker said.

Johnson was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and then retired from the NBA at 32.

source

These guys are idiots. Magic has the HIV virus. He is extremely competitive and yet had to retire early from the NBA because of the virus. Earvin is now a very successful business man worth millions of dollars.

Magic is a huge hero at my school Michigan State University, where he led the team to an NCAA Basketball National Championship as a sophomore. There is a statue erected outside of the stadium of Magic. He is remembered in the area, because he grew up there and has family roots there. He has never forgotten where he is from.

He is an outspoken spokesperson in the battle against AIDS.

After announcing his infection, Johnson teamed up with his physician Dr. Lynn Montana to help educate the world’s youth about the risks associated with HIV.[14] Johnson also set up the Magic Johnson Foundation to help combat HIV,[75] although he later diversified the foundation to include other charitable goals.[76] In 1992, he joined the National Commission on AIDS, but left after only eight months, saying that the commission was not doing enough to combat the disease.[75] He was also the main speaker for the United Nations (UN) World AIDS Day Conference in 1999,[76] and he has served as a United Nations Messengers of Peace.
source

Photo source Newscom

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Kevin Duckworth died of an enlarged and failing heart.

The police statement says the heart disease had combined with high blood pressure to result in “marked enlargement of his heart, which had been failing for some time.”

source

It seems almost poignant that the gentle giant, Kevin Duckworth, would die because his heart was just too big.

For more on Kevin Duckworth:

Duck Dead at 44

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Pau Gasol brings scoring to the Lakers

The Lakers essentially traded less than nothing to the Lakers for Pau Gasol.

In an unbelievable pickup the Lakers are right back in the hunt for the NBA Championship.

Wait a minute, is Pau that good?

No, but that is the beauty of it all, Pau Gasol does not have to be that good.

Right now he is a fill in for Andrew Bynum. When Bynum gets back you have a Pau Gasol that can put up points in the triangle offense, get some rebounds, give the Lakers more length, and present a mismatch on the floor at all times.

Have you ever seen this guy play?

He has a funky release on his jump shot, but it consistently goes in. Pau can knock down mid-range after mid-range jump shot with that funky release.

Other GM’s in the league are shaking their heads.

Around the league, the reaction of executives and coaches was unanimous: What a nightmare for us. When reached with the news, one Western Conference executive said simply, “Are you kidding? (Expletive) me.” source

They just realized that you will not get Kobe in a trade from the Lakers, he is going nowhere now and that the Lakers are for real. Suddenly Lamar Odom is a distant fourth option on this team.

Kobe celebrated by putting up 47 points on the Raptors.

David Stern

Think of the wild thoughts going through the Commissioner’s head right now. He has the golden memories of all those Boston LA series with Larry Bird of the Big Three vs. Magic Johnson and Kareem Jabbar.

Now, Stern is thinking Kevin Garnett of the Big Three (Ray Allen, Paul Pierce) vs. Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum.

Stern is smart enough to see he role the Pau plays in this and also to see the immense marketing dollars.

Funny how a single trade of a guy that no one was talking about can change things so quickly.

As for Memphis? They are just unloading salary and cleaning house. They are pathetic and know it. Time to start over.

NBA Basketball Fan Question Has Mitch Kupchak delivered?

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Danny Ainge can’t help but be happy these days

Who can forget all the epic battles with the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston had an unbelievable starting lineup with Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge complementing the big three of Robert Big Chief Parish, Kevin McHale, and Larry Bird.

When my Pistons played them, it was pick your poison. Stop Parish, McHale and Bird would score. Stop McHale, Parish and Bird would score. Stop B…well, you never really stopped Larry Bird.

NBA Basketball Robert Parish factoid Did you know that Robert Parish played in 1,611 NBA games? More than any other NBA player.

Now there is a new trio in town with some connections to the old group. Kevin McHale pulled the trigger on the trade that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston. Danny Ainge is the GM in Boston and also picked up Ray Allen in another off season trade. Larry is still around as well, as GM of the Pacers. Read more

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Willis Reed against the Boston Celtics

You have heard in Isiah Thomas - sad state of Knicks I about Isiah and James Dolan the owner, so now it is time to discuss the importance of the New York Knick franchise.

To open this discussion, you will be taken back, back, far back in the past to what some would call the early glory days for the NBA, when several of the Legends were formed. The Old Ones were playing in the league.

This was a time when TV had very few games on at all and even if you were lucky enough to get a chance to catch a game; it was not usually your local team. How odd that must seem now to the saturated television menu available these days, where sometimes an entire season plus interview shows, pre-game shows, and post-game shows are available.

No, in these days, there was a Saturday or Sunday afternoon game and it usually involved the Boston Celtics, New York Knickerbockers, or Los Angeles Lakers. Read more

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Isiah looks on in disbelief as the Knicks crumble

How does this guy keep his job?

Oh, this has nothing to do with the harassment suit.

(And how does he get out of any fines on that one?)

Isiah has sunk the Knicks to new depths of despair, but there is more to this story.

Enter James Dolan

The owner of the Knicks may be more of a problem than Isiah. Jim Dolan is the guy that hired Isiah and keeps him on the job. Jim Dolan is the guy Read more

NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

Al Sharpton is demanding Isiah issue an apology for this comment he made in court.

In a videotaped deposition introduced at his sexual harassment trial, Thomas said: “A white man calling a black female ‘bitch,’ that is wrong with me. I am not accepting that. That’s a problem for me.”

But, asked whether he would be as angry if the same words came from a black man, Thomas said, “Not as much.” source

“I’m sorry to say. I do make a distinction,” Thomas said.

Al said he was going to lead protests at Madison Square Garden where the New York Knicks play.

Isiah as usual tried to weasel out of it. Read more

Followup to Isiah Thomas - from the peak to the valley.

Whatever happened to the Isiah we all loved as a Piston.

He was fiery and focused and always found a way to beat you.

Now Isiah is not just a bad General Manager, he has elevated his game to a bad person.

 And still he gets off.

NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game NBA Basketball.

It is time to play four quarters of basketball.

Pre-Game - Isiah is in court for sexual harassment.

Keys for the game:

• How did it come to this?
• How did Isiah Thomas get there?

1st Quarter - Isiah Thomas has been to the mountain.

His college team, Indianapolis University, wins the NCAA tournament with Isiah as the star point guard playing for the always rough and tumble Bobby Knight.

Isiah leaves after his sophomore year to join the Pistons. Many teams are doubtful because of his size. In the Early Years, it is all Isiah and Kelly Tripucka.

2nd Quarter - Chuck Daly comes in to coach and Jack McCloskey is added as General Manager. The talent level grows with each new addition by Trader Jack, while Chuck applies his masterful system of keeping the players hungry and happy.

The Pistons win two titles. Isiah is the team leader; the heart and soul of the team. He uses Bill Lambeer as his enforcer in the locker room.

Half Time - Isiah once scores 25 points in a playoff game against the Lakers in one quarter! More astonishing, he does it on a severely sprained ankle.

Thomas makes the list of 50 All Time players in the NBA.

3rd Quarter - Isiah retires from the Pistons and owner Bill Davidson has a fight with him and kicks him out of the organization.

Isiah does a poor job of coaching the Pacers and GM Larry Bird kicks him out of the organization.

4th Quarter - Isiah becomes the worst GM in history (until Matt Millen of the Lions) for the New York Knicks. He continuously signs selfish players for too much money. He has a great eye for talent and a lousy eye for teammates that sacrifice for one and other.

For whatever reason, the Knicks do not kick him out.

Post Game: Isiah goes to court for sexual harassment.

He said an incident in which he allegedly dragged the plaintiff by the arm and accosted her after a loss to the Jazz never happened. In fact, according to Thomas, he spoke with Garden president Steve Mills after that game and didn’t even raise his voice. Browne Sanders might or might not have been present, Thomas said.

Thomas’ testimony began on Tuesday afternoon and will resume on Wednesday, when he is expected to continue to deny that he sexually harassed Browne Sanders.

Isiah has reached rock bottom.

He said - She said

Browne Sanders testified that Thomas subjected her to a hostile work environment by lacing conversations with profanities and treating her harshly during his first year on the job, before reversing tactics and smothering her with inappropriate sexual advances in his second year.

Thomas testified that Browne Sanders made his job more difficult and got in his way by trying to undermine his authority. He said he always treated her with respect and never directed any profanities at her. source

Rock Bottom.

NBA Basketball Fan Question - Did you see this coming?  What has happened to Isiah?

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