Los Angeles has long been known as the city with the enticing bright lights of Hollywood and its star-studded population, so it’s only natural that we’d be famous for loving winners. This brings us to what’s going on in the City of Angels right now with the LA Lakers holding a commanding 2-0 series lead in this year’s NBA Finals – citywide euphoria and anticipation for another championship parade with streets full of happy Purple and Gold fans.

When it comes to winning traditions, few franchises in sports as a whole – let alone the NBA – have one as longstanding and proud as the Lakers. Their hated rival Boston Celtics are the only team with more titles (17 to LA’s current 14), but the Lakers have the most Finals appearances with 30 and most playoff wins. Given that reputation, there’s not only an expectation of championships, but an almost cocky belief that title 15 is a done deal. Get in your car and drive any part of LA County from the Valley to Long Beach and you’re guaranteed to find hundreds of car flags, jerseys, hats, crazed fans and more, all gearing up for a new banner at the Staples Center. Read the full story

It’s the first week of June and that means it’s time for the NBA Finals. (Full Schedule) Despite the universal assumption that a Kobe V. LeBron battle of the titans was going to happen, and much to the chagrin of David Stern and the Nike puppet campaign, the King and his jesters court were ousted by a hero turned super villain (at least in Cleveland) – Dwight “Superman II” Howard and his Orlando Magic.

The Magic have lived up to their name this postseason, surprising everyone outside of Florida by continuously beating teams that they were supposed to lose to and showing they weren’t afraid of a little adversity. They dealt with losing hard-fought games at the buzzer (LeBron, Big Baby, Iguodala and Thaddeus Young all did it to them these playoffs) that would have shaken most teams into losing confidence. They handled a semi-controversy when Dwight called out Stan Van Gundy and they went into two of the most difficult road arenas in the NBA and won critical games (games 1 and 7 in Boston, game 1 in Cleveland to break the Cavs 8-game undefeated streak.) So far the Magic have overcome every challenge placed in front of them, leaving them with just one last adversary: the Los Angeles Lakers.

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So here we are in the middle of May, waiting for what most NBA fans figured was a guaranteed Finals showdown between LeBron and Kobe. As much as it seemed like destiny, there are still a few bumps in the road, especially with the way the Los Angeles Lacklusters, scratch that, Lakers have been playing.

If you would have asked most people which Western conference team would have coasted to the Conf. finals with a nearly flawless record behind a dynamic perimeter player and great production from its frontline, I highly doubt anyone would have envisioned someone other than the Lakers. Just look at the criteria: Kobe – great perimeter scorer, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom – great frontcourt.

There’s no doubt as to who would be the easy Western champion right?

Unfortunately for fans of the purple and gold, the answer to that question hasn’t been LA. Not by a long shot. Instead, much to the enjoyment of those in the mile high city, it’s been the Denver Nuggets.

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The Baltimore Ravens pasted the Miami Dolphins 27-9 Sunday at Dolphin Stadium using their great defense led by Ed Reed. When the game was over the Ravens were greeted by the Olympic king and Baltimore native Michael Phelps. There’s even a brief Rachel Nichols cameo.

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMfXkMX0J-w[/youtube]

I was watching ESPN’s Monday Night countdown before the Dallas/Buffalo game when Ed Werder talked of a list that Bill Parcells gave to Tony Romo.. A list so powerful, that Romo reads it at the beginning of every season and the end of every season. Apparently, the information’s not quite as useful during the season… Anyways, ESPN gave Bill Parcells a segment to divulge the contents of the magical scroll, and he presented his quarterback commandments.

1. Press or t.v., agents or advisors, family or wives, friends or relatives, fans or hangers on, ignore them on matters of football, they don’t know what’s happening here.

2. Don’t forget to have fun, but don’t be the class clown. Clowns and leaders don’t mix. Clowns can’t run a huddle.

3. A quarterback throws with his legs more than his arms. Squat and run. Fat quarterbacks can’t avoid the rush.

4. Know your job cold. This is not a game without errors. Keep yours to a minimum. Study.

5. Know your own players. Who’s fast? Who can catch? Who needs encouragement? Be precise. Know your opponent.

6. Be the same guy everyday. In condition, preparing to lead, studying your plan. A coach can’t prepare you for every eventuality. Prepare yourself and remember, impulse decisions usually equal mistakes.

7. Throwing the ball away is a good play. Sacks, interceptions, and fumbles are bad plays..Protect against those.

8. You must learn to manage the game. Personnel, play call, motions, ball handling, proper reads, accurate throws, play fakes. Clock, clock, clock, don’t you ever lose track of the clock.

9. Passing stats and td passes are not how you’re gonna be judged. Your job is to get your team in the endzone and that’s how you’re gonna be judged.

10. When all around you is in chaos, you must be the hand that steers the ship. If you have a panic button, so will everyone else. Our ship can’t have panic buttons.

11. Don’t be a celebrity quarterback. We don’t need any of those. We need battlefield commanders that are willing to fight it out everyday, every week, and every season, and lead their team to win after win after win.

Video of Parcells Courtesy of Fanhouse

Gotta love Parcells having 11 commandments.. Take that, take that, God. Bill went on to say that Romo’s been paying attention.. There are plenty of quarterbacks that haven’t been paying attention though. Most notably Matt Leinart(#11), Jon Kitna (#7), and Jared Lorenzen (#3).

Tags: Bill Parcells, NFL, Monday Night Football, ESPN, Commandments, Tony Romo

Jason Whitlock interview. Courtesy of The Big Lead

These guys are 50 Centin’ their way into the game. I imagine this is how Lawrence Taylor feels…. Courtesy of Your Blog Blows

Roger Clemens was a waste of money. Courtesy of Larry Brown Sports

South Florida qb Matt Grothe hates Facebook. Courtesy of Sports By Brooks

Damn..Ron Zook got guns and he might be taking ‘em to the Rose Bowl. Courtesy of Deadspin

Some kickers that could have benifited from the lamest strategy of all time. Courtesy of 100% Injury Rate

C.C. Sabathia is trying to be like Doc Gooden. In a good way. Courtesy of One More Dying Quail

Karl Dorrell doesn’t care about black quarterbacks. Courtesy of Bruins Nation

Let’s slow down on all of the LaRussa to the Yankees talk. Courtesy of Signal To Noise

Golf Girl TV. Courtesy of Golf Girl’s Diary

Tags: Jason Whitlock Interview, New York Yankees, Black Quarterbacks, Sports, Facebook, Roger Clemens

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX5xM8EyCgE[/youtube]

There are three things men can do that will automatically call their sexuality into question. If we get busted in the men’s room trolling for sex, drive a convertible Volkswagen Rabbit, or are a member of a cheerleading squad, eyebrows are sure to be raised… Not that there’s anything wrong with any of those 3 activities, I’m just saying.

Tags: Male Cheerleader, Sports, You Tube, Cheerleader Blooper