Mike Brown Gets A Warm Welcome at Lakers' Press Conference

Story by L.T. Willis



Buss Family and Lakers new head coach Mike Brown.
Photo by T.G Sports' L.T.Willis

I see why the Lakers hired Mike Brown to become the new head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers during his press conference at the Toyota Center in El Segundo. You there was going to be a media frenzy with all the tv trucks that were park outside to see the Lakers new coach. At the beginning of the press general manager Mitch Kupchak cleared the air on why the Lakers had to hire a coach so fast."With all the coaches jobs open in the NBA we had to make a decision on who would be the best coach for the Lakers before all the good coaches were hired by other teams. From this sports writer opion Mike Brown pass with flying colors during his press conference on how well he handle the media. Even i will admit that some of the media personnel from other media outlets don't ask or say the brightest things Mike Brown handle it very well.

Mike Brown hired as the new head coach for the Lakers. Photo by
T.G. Sports' L.T.Willis



A reporter said to Mike Brown that when the word came out that you was hired as the Lakers new head coach a lot of people wasn't happy. Mike Brown in return ask the reporter "were you happy the Lakers hired me?" Everyone in the media room were laughing as Mike Brown showed he has a sense of humor. The reporter reply" yes i am happy they hired you". Everyone has a right to their opion but i was hired to help the Lakers continue their winning ways. I ask Mike Brown two question that was on my mind what was going thru your mind when you heard that the Lakers hired you as their new head coach? "That's a good question i realize how bless i was to be the new head coach for the Lakers and working for a elite organization. My second questions was what was his feelings about coaching Lebron James and now Kobe Bryant?

Mike Brown having fun at his press conference. Photo by
T.G. Sports L.T.Willis



 

"I have been bless to coach Lebron James in Cleveland and now Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles."Kobe and i have talk several times about the direction i want to take the team and that the players will always be welcome to express how they fell and i will be open with them as well as hold each player accountable. I want this to be a family environment next season, how ever at the end of the day i am still the head coach and i will make the final decisions on what i think is best for this team. Right now the players  on this team are not very happy about how their season ended and are very hungry to get back to work to compete for another NBA title.



Jim Hill  gives Mike Brown a warm welcome to Los Angeles.
Photo by  T.G.Sports' L.T.Willis



My Lakers 2011-2012 Upgrade Plan





Story by L.T.Willis





Dirk Nowitzki Photo by Eric Wade EW/Gems Images.





                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Reflecting on the Lakers'season a quote was on my mind from the Batman Move Dark Knight when Commissioner Gordan said when he was driving Batman's man car," I've gotta get one of these" we need a Dirk Nowitzki a big man who can light it up from the outside to keep teams out of the zone defense. I don't care if we have to travel to France, Spain or Europe and of course money would be no object. Second we need two Ray Allen type guards one as a starter and one to come off the bench. Two shooter who don't care if you can get close enough to take their DNA they will still make shots and must be able to play defense.



Ray Allen Photo by Eric Wade
EW/Gems Images





Tyronn Lue and Dwight Howard. Photo by Eric Wade
EW/Gems Images.





The Lakers' defensive problems is not their big men in the middle, but stooping guards fro getting to the middle of the paint on defense and kicking the ball out to wide open shooters. For that problem we need Tyronn Lue type guards with speed and quickness that will allow players to stay with their own man and don't have to help on defense by rotating. Now i know people been saying we need to go after Dwight Howard i'm not sure about that move just yet till we address our problems with our bench on offense and defense.



Paul Pierce
Photo by Eric wade 29 Gems Images.





Also we need a player like Paul Pierce who will come in a strike fear into the defense heart, a player that can take you off the dribble, pull up fro a jump shot and play solid defense. Now if we can get these type of players on our roster by next season, we still have the best finisher in basketball and that is Kobe Bryant, and even Kobe needs help to win more championships. Now the last part of my upgrade would be hiring Brian Shaw as the new coach of the Lakers. Don't know why the Buss Family and Mitch Kupchak are looking at a list. Brian Shaw has championship rings on his fingers and how many coaches can say that on their list.



The Los Angeles Sparks' Media Day

Story by L.T.Willis

Jantel Lavender and Spark's coach Jennifer Gillom having a good time with
the media at the Sparks' Media Day.





The Los Angeles Sparks Media Day at St.Mary High School in Inglewood was full of fun and excitement as players,coaches and Sparks' personnel had a chance to share with the media about the up coming 2011 WNBA season. My one on one with Jantel Lavender was not only a honor for me but a real treat.There have been thousand of women and men college basketball players, for her to be name The Big Ten Player  of The Year 4 times is truly remarkable. She is very excited by being on the team with Tina Thompson, Candace Parker, DeLisha- Milton Jones and the rest of here team mates. She told me that some of her goals was to lead the league in rebounding and block shots.She is amaze how quickly the players have bonded during raining camp and can't wait till the season starts. Now what surprise me was when i  ask her what was her favorite food she told me Sushi.

Sparks' Joe Bryant and T.G. Sports' Nick Hamilton having fun during
the Sparks' 2011 Media Day.



Now i just knew she was going to say soul food. I ask her how does it fell to be coach by Joe Bryant. She smile and told me he's been sharing tibbets that has really helped her ,but also the other players on the team as well and that have been having really good practices. Now the other buzz during media is the return of Candace Parker who miss half of last season with a shoulder injury and to me she look like she was in the best shape i seen her since she  came in to the lead. No one was more excited to see her than her team mates Tina Thompson and DeLisha-Milton Jones and the coaching staff for the Sparks.

Tina Thompson, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Candace Parker.
Photo by Eric Wade EW/Gems Images







The Sparks also sign Ebony Hoffman this season that will really be a big plus for the Sparks' who is in need of of another big body who can shoot the ball as well as take defenders of the dribble and plays good defense  will   give the  the Sparks another post player to go along with Candace Parker. Kristi Toliver who is back for a third season should really strecth other teams defense as she is a threat from 3 point range. Second year Natasha Lacy will give them the speed that they really need at the point guard position.With Chanel Mokango 6'5, Jantel Lavender 6'4, Candace Parker 6'4, Courtney Paris 6'4, Tina Thompson  and Ebony Hoffman the Sparks will deepest front court in the WNBA. Here is a video interview of Sparks' President Mike Levy about the up coming season.