The Luka Doncic Trade

I thought this theory good enough to post about, and it aligns with my speculation that a side deal was done between the owners of the Lakers and Mavericks.

This particular theory is that the new majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks wants to relocate the team to Las Vegas, where the owners live and have their casinos. The team would become the Las Vegas Mavericks. To achieve this goal, they need to destroy the team in Dallas first, thus justifying the move. 

LeBron James has stated that he wants to own an NBA team in Las Vegas, so he's been sent Doncic to get more titles with, then he comes in as part of the ownership group of the Mavs in Las Vegas. 

It sounds a bit farfetched for my liking, but looking at the facial expressions of the Mavs coach, Jason Kidd at the announcement of the trade, we can assume people were told a pack of lies and that something went on behind the scenes. Personally, I prefer as a piece of speculation, that some kind of stadium deal was done between Adelson and Buss.

Another spin on this is that Las Vegas is being used as a bargaining chip to try and get gambling through the Texas legislature. This could have some legs, but I wouldn't think casinos would be welcomed in Texas, so this looks as if the Mavericks are off to Las Vegas if this is the strategy being used:

Steven Adams and Lakers

The rumour linking the Houston Rockets big man, Steven Adams with the Los Angeles Lakers makes a lot of sense. Adams is coming to the end of his deal, and he would fill a hole left by the departing Anthony Davis. Adams is a good rebounder and one of the best NBA rebounders on offense. He comes in handy when setting blocks, he's like a brick wall. 

In a lineup alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic (and other sharpshooters), he'd play a valuable role obtaining possession and making space available. The Lakers need to do the deal.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/lakers_trade_rumors_interest_in_centers_like_steven_adams_robert_williams/s1_17074_41697104

And on the subject of THE trade that became world news, I found this the best description of why it happened:

https://defector.com/no-but-seriously-why-did-the-mavericks-trade-luka-doncic

I'd add, with Miriam Adelson now being in charge at the Mavericks, did she and Jeannie Buss of the Lakers have a conversation to one side about the financing and construction of a new stadium for the Lakers, now that Steve Ballmer has built his new stadium for the Clippers? Did Adelson want to jettison Doncic from the roster, and what are his politics in relation to Israel exactly?

GOP Looking Like Los Angeles Lakers

With some key races in the US midterm elections yet to be declared, the GOP is looking a bit shabby. They're like the LA Lakers, packed with stars but cannot win a game. At this rate they could even end up without a majority in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. They talked a big game but when it really mattered, they're just a bunch of old men. The exception of course is Ron DeSantis who cleaned up. 

Throw Donald Trump out of the party. He holds no elected office and has too much influence. 

NBA Season 2020/21

Despite the NBA trying to corner the market in being the PC League gone mad department, I'm still a sucker for punishment and will be following them again this year. I list my picks for the season below. I'm never better than 50/50 on this, so be warned if betting on them: 

Summary: 

Looking Good

 

Houston Rockets 

Atlanta Hawks 

Don't Discount

 

Los Angeles Lakers 

Miami Heat 

Disappointing

Los Angeles Clippers (perennial under-achievers) 

Washington Wizards (ball hog Russell Westbrook will kill them) 

Surprises

Portland Trailblazers 

Toronto Raptors

Lakers Win Number 17 in 2020

In the year of Kobe Bryant's tragic death, the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA have won their 17th championship. This places them first in terms of all-time championship wins. First because they've made more finals appearances than the Boston Celtics who held top spot with 17 but have been to the finals fewer times. 

If you're a basketball fan it is a fitting tribute to Bryant. But as a Houston Rockets fan, I didn't want to see the Lakers take the all-time greatest spot. Naturally, I want the Rockets to be there.

The star for the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler looks to be a great talent. So long as he stays free from injury, we're going to be hearing a lot more of this man.

Lakers Cruising to Another NBA Championship?

The 2020 NBA finals look as if they may be a procession for LeBron James and his LA Lakers team. They've just crushed the Miami Heat in the first game of the series. The Heat were the Eastern Conference 5th seed and are suffering injuries amongst key players. So, this series may become a snore fest.

If the Lakers take the title they'll leapfrog the Boston Celtics and take first spot on the list of NBA title winners. That's because they've appeared in more finals than Boston. The way it works, the Lakers tend to win about 50% of their finals appearances, while the Celtics tend to win theirs. A lot of Lakers haters do not want to see that top spot held by the team from Los Angeles.