BASKETBALL

In the NBA, after a big win over the Blazers, the Lakers called a “Player’s Only” Meeting.  That’s rare in the NBA for just the players to talk amongst themselves.  What was it about?  Most likely it’s in response to Kobe’s public feud with general manager Mitch Kupchak.  This is in regards to Kupchak stirring up the team by not being clear about the future of Pau Gasol with the Lakes.  Kobe said, “Trade him or don’t”.  Kupchak responded saying he can’t discuss things publicly, he’s working on something, and he can’t say anything more as not to upset things.  There’s a very good chance that Kobe needed to talk to the Lakers about staying focused even though things could change dramatically very soon.

Elsewhere in the NBA, after Monday Night’s game at Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets, Jeremy Lin had some words in the hallway with Kris Humphries (the former Mr. Kim Kardashian). Fans at MSG typically boo Humphries because they were annoyed by Humpries public marriage and romance with Kardashian that they believe was inauthentic and done for money.  Knicks fans don’t like that.  But, in the hallway after the game, Lin actually had some nice words for Humphries, saying, ” Hey, I don’t know why they boo you, but I think it’s crap, and you’re playing really well”.  Kris Humphries appreciated this and said that he thought Lin was a nice guy and that it’s great when good things happen to nice people.  Jeremy Lin is certainly a man of high character.

FOOTBALL

Finally, in the NFL, it’s been 11 days since former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was tapped as Pittsburgh’s new offensive coordinator.  But, Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he has yet to hear from Haley.  It’s very odd for an offensive coordinator not to talk to his quarterback, especially since Big Ben will be responsible for running ever single play Haley draws up.  Perhaps Big Ben is thinking that there are some major clientele moves coming that head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t want Roethlisberger to know about.  It’s said that the Steelers might try and move star wide receiver Mike Wallace (too expensive) for some draft picks. Perhaps they don’t want Big Ben’s opinion on that.  In any event, this is a pretty strange circumstance, and it would be understandable to believe there may be something fishy brewing in Pittsburgh.