Player of the Week #1 - Dwyane Wade

Difficult start for Miami was successful after loss to Boston with 3 wins (Philadelphia, Orlando, New Jersey). Wade has constant performance and lead the Miami star team to the consecutively wins.



"The balance is what we are here together for," Wade said, "to have an opportunity to make the game easy on everyone and we're doing it. We're playing great team basketball and we're still not where we want to be, but we're making sure everyone gets an opportunity."

Week #1: Dwyane Wade

• Boston L (13-5-6-3-0)
• Orlando W (26-6-3-0-2)
• Philadelphia W (30-7-4-3-2)
• New Jersey W (17-6-7-2-1)

other candidates:
Chris Paul 3 wins, 20p - 9a -5r
Pau Gasol 3 wins, 25p-10r-5a-2b

Other performances:

• Monta Ellis 46pts
• Kevin Durant 88pts (30,30,28)
• Joakim Noah 19 & 17 reb
• Rajon Rondo 24 & 17 as
• Mike Conley (MEM) 7 & 4 st
• Josh Smith 6 & 5 bl
• Kevin Martin 17/17 tf
• Luis Scola 36p + 16r
• Triple double: Rajon Rondo (10,10,24), Brandon Jennings (20,10,10)

Dementieva announces retirement

Elena Dementieva retired from tennis after a loss 6-4, 6-2 to Francesca Schiavone at the WTA Championships in Doha. The 29-year-old Russian reached two Grand Slam finals, won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics and helped the growth of tennis in Russia.

Place of birth: Moscow
Date of birth: October 15, 1981
Residence: Monte Carlo
Height: 1.80 m
Weight: 64 kg
Turned pro: 25 August 1998
Retired: 29 October 2010
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

After Anna Kournikova in the late 1990s, Dementieva was the first of the current wave of Russians to reach the Top 20 in 2000. She stayed in that elite for 524 of the next 529 weeks, including this week, and she spent an amazing 328 career weeks inside the Top 10 (peaking at No.3 for five weeks in the spring of 2009).

Dementieva seemed to get better and better with age, her most treasured title, the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, coming at age 26, and her two Top 5 finishes coming at 27 and 28 (at the end of the 2008 and 2009 seasons).

In addition to 16 WTA titles, Dementieva reached another 16 finals, including Grand Slam finals at the French Open and US Open in 2004. Dementieva reached the semifinals or better at Grand Slams nine times, doing it at least once at every Grand Slam.

Dementieva was part of the first all-Russian Grand Slam final, losing the French title in 2004 to Anastasia Myskina. Later that year she reached her only other Grand Slam final this time at the U.S. Open with Svetlana Kuznetsova. Dementieva competed in 46 consecutive Grand Slams until she missed this year's Wimbledon because of a calf injury.

Dementieva is a two-time Olympic medalist, having captured Gold in Beijing (2008) and Silver in Sydney (2000). Dementieva also represented Russia in 18 Fed Cup ties, leading them to victory in 2005.

Singles
Career record: 575–271
Career titles: 16 WTA
Highest ranking: No. 3 (6 April 2009)

Grand Slam:

Year	Australian Open	French Open	Wimbledon	US Open	Win-Loss	WTA
1996						624
1997						355
1998				LQ	0–1	182
1999	2R	2R	1R	3R	11–6	62
2000	3R	2R	1R	SF	8–3	12
2001	3R	2R	3R	4R	8–4	15
2002	4R	4R	4R	2R	10–4	19
2003	1R	1R	4R	4R	6–4	8
2004	1R	F	1R	F	11–4	6
2005	4R	4R	4R	SF	14–4	8
2006	1R	3R	QF	QF	10–4	8
2007	4R	3R	3R	3R	9–4	11
2008	4R	QF	SF	SF	17–4	4
2009	SF	3R	SF	2R	13–4	5
2010	2R	SF		4R	9–3	9

WTA Championships: SF (2000, 2008)
Olympic Games: Gold medal (2008), Silver medal (2000)

Dementieva's success wasn't just limited to singles. She won six WTA doubles titles (including the WTA Championships in 2002 with Janette Husarova) and reached another seven finals. Her doubles career-high was No.5.

This season she overcame shoulder, calf and ankle problems to qualify for the WTA Championships for 10th time. But after 12 years competing at the highest level, the Russian, who celebrated her 29th birthday earlier this month, decided to retire.

SLAMonline Top 50 NBA Players

My top players:

1. LeBron James
   
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Kevin Durant
4. Dwyane Wade
5. Dwight Howard
6. Chris Paul
7. Carmelo Anthony
8. Dirk Nowitzki
9. Chris Bosh
10. Monta Ellis
    

SLAMonline TOP 50 PLAYERS

Player	Team	Position	2009	2010
LeBron James	Heat	SF	1	1
Kobe Bryant	Lakers	SG	2	2
Kevin Durant	Thunder	SF	8	3
Dwyane Wade	Heat	SG	3	4
Dwight Howard	Magic	C	5	5
Carmelo Anthony	Nuggets	SF	7	6
Chris Paul	Hornets	PG	4	7
Deron Williams	Jazz	PG	11	8
Dirk Nowitzki	Mavs	PF	9	9
Pau Gasol	Lakers	PF	14	10
Brandon Roy	Blazers	SG	10	11
Derrick Rose	Bulls	PG	18	12
Chris Bosh	Heat	PF	13	13
Tim Duncan	Spurs	PF	6	14
Steve Nash	Suns	PG	22	15
Amar'e Stoudemire	Knicks	PF	16	16
Rajon Rondo	Celtics	PG	27	17
Joe Johnson	Hawks	SG	20	18
Paul Pierce	Celtics	SF	17	19
Carlos Boozer	Bulls	PF	32	20
Danny Granger	Pacers	SF	21	21
Tyreke Evans	Kings	PG	NR	22
Chauncey Billups	Nuggets	PG	19	23
Russell Westbrook	Thunder	PG	NR	24
Al Jefferson	Jazz	PF	23	25
Andre Iguodala	76ers	SG	26	26
Josh Smith	Hawks	PF	40	27
Rudy Gay	Grizzlies	SF	44	28
Kevin Garnett	Celtics	PF	13	29
Tony Parker	Spurs	PG	15	30
Manu Ginobili	Spurs	SG	29	31
Gerald Wallace	Bobcats	SF	NR	32
Brook Lopez	Nets	C	NR	33
David Lee	Warriors	PF	NR	34
Stephen Curry	Warriors	PG	NR	35
Zach Randolph	Grizzlies	PF	NR	36
Brandon Jennings	Bucks	PG	NR	37
Yao Ming	Rockets	C	NR	38
Andrew Bogut	Bucks	C	NR	39
Monta Ellis	Warriors	SG	NR	40
David West	Hornets	PF	31	41
LaMarcus Aldridge	Blazers	PF	39	42
Joakim Noah	Bulls	C	NR	43
Jason Kidd	Mavs	PG	45	44
Al Horford	Hawks	C	NR	45
OJ Mayo	Grizzlies	SG	46	46
John Wall	Wizards	PG	NR	47
Lamar Odom	Lakers	PF	33	48
Gilbert Arenas	Wizards	SG	34	49
Ray Allen	Celtics	SG	36	50

Roger Federer's 64th title ties Sampras

Roger Federer beat Germany's Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-3 to win the Stockholm Open and match Pete Sampras' total of 64 career titles.

Since 1968, only Jimmy Connors (109), Ivan Lendl (94) and John McEnroe (77) have won more singles tournaments than Federer and Sampras.

Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam winner, won his 50th match of the year Friday. He became only the fifth man, and the first since Sampras, to win 50 matches in at least nine straight years in the Open era.


Federer, the 16-time Grand Slam winner, continues to reach new milestones with every season. On Friday he won his 50th match of the year, becoming only the fifth man, and the first since Sampras, to win 50 matches in at least nine straight years in the Open era.

Most singles ATP titles in the Open Era (1968-present):

1. Jimmy Connors 109 (160 finals)
2. Ivan Lendl 94 (146)
3. John McEnroe 77 (108)
4. Roger Federer 64 (92)
5. Pete Sampras 64 (88)
6. Bjorn Borg 63 (87)
7. Guillermo Vilas 62 (104)
8. Andre Agassi 60 (90)
9. Ilie Nastase 57
10. Boris Becker 49 (77)

• Thomas Muster 44
• Rafael Nadal 43
• Stefan Edberg 42
• Mats Wilander 33
  
• Andy Roddick 29
• Lleyton Hewitt 28
• Carlos Moya 20
• Nikolay Davydenko 20
  
• Novak Djokovic 18
• Andy Murray 16
• Juan Carlos Ferrero 15

Masters Events (since 1990)

1. Rafael Nadal 18
2. Andre Agassi 17
3. Roger Federer 17
4. Pete Sampras 11
5. Thomas Muster 8
6. Michael Chang 7

2010-11 Lakers Preseason

The Lakers need to play a little more consistently in the regular season then be healthy and stay healthy through the playoffs.

What preaseason games show:

• Kobe Bryant is not 100 percent healthy
• Andrew Bynum's presence is missed
• Lamar Odom is in a good form after world championships title
• Shannon Brown looks ready to take a noticeable step
• Last season of coaching for Phil Jackson
  
• Sasha Vujacic is getting married
  

Player	G	MPG	PPG	REB	APG	SPG	BPG	PARBS
Pau Gasol	8	29.6	17.0	7.8	2.3	0.8	1.5	29
Lamar Odom	7	31.7	10.9	10.7	4.0	1.4	0.6	28
Kobe Bryant	7	21.6	12.6	3.9	3.0	0.3	0.0	20
Ron Artest	8	26.9	10.8	3.4	2.6	1.9	0.8	19
Shannon Brown	8	24.3	12.3	2.5	1.5	1.5	0.5	18
Matt Barnes	8	19.9	6.4	3.5	2.1	0.9	0.6	14
Steve Blake	8	21.6	5.5	1.5	3.6	0.8	0.1	11
Derek Fisher	8	21.8	7.0	1.3	1.9	1.3	0.0	11
Sasha Vujacic	5	16.4	6.2	2.2	0.8	1.2	0.4	11
Devin Ebanks	8	12.0	6.6	2.8	0.5	0.4	0.1	10
Theo Ratliff	7	15.3	2.9	2.0	0.6	0.3	1.4	7
Derrick Caracter	5	11.6	3.0	3.2	0.6	0.2	0.2	7
Trey Johnson	5	8.8	2.8	1.0	1.2	0.6	0.0	6
Luke Walton	2	8.0	2.5	0.5	1.0	0.5	0.0	5
Drew Naymick	2	8.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol took this summer off to rest their bodies. Devin Ebanks showed potential to be good contributor to Lakers. Vujacic and Walton are showing no progress. Theo Ratliff could improve during the season.

Lakers roster:

Departures:

• Jordan Farmar
• Adam Morrison
• D.J. Mbenga
• Josh Powell

Additions:

• Steve Blake
• Theo Ratliff
• Matt Barnes
• Derrick Caracter
• Devin Ebanks

The expected starting roster is the same like in the last year:
PG: Derek Fisher (Steve Blake)
SG Kobe Bryant (Shannon Brown)
SF Ron Artest (Matt Barnes)
PF Paul Gasol (Lamar Odom)
C Andrew Bynum (Theo Ratliff)

Blake is a solid NBA point guard, one who struggled the second half of last season. Matt Barnes will come off the bench to replace Ron Artest. Also in are draftees Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks, free agent center Theo Ratliff, and also Shannon Brown and Derek Fisher were re-signed. Total salaries are big problem for Lakers. There are many players, who are overpaid. The Laker's bench should be better than in recent years.

Player	2010/11
Kobe Bryant	$24 806 250
Pau Gasol	$17 822 187
Andrew Bynum	$13 842 332
Lamar Odom	$8 200 000
Ron Artest	$6 322 320
Sasha Vujacic	$5 475 113
Luke Walton	$5 260 000
Steve Blake	$4 000 000
Derek Fisher	$3 700 000
Shannon Brown	$2 200 000
Matt Barnes	$1 765 000
Theo Ratliff	$1 352 181
Devin Ebanks
Derrick Caracter	$473 604
Anthony Roberson
TOTALS:	$95 218 987

Lakers win a ring again in 2011!

Lakers All-decade Team

Last decade was very successful for Lakers in NBA. Sports Illustrated's named Lakers the franchise of the decade and Phil Jackson was selected as the coach of the decade. Kobe Bryant was called the seventh-best male athlete of the decade.

Lakers started 2000 by winning three consecutive championships, beating Indiana, Philadelphia and New Jersey, respectively, at the NBA Finals. They finished the decade by winning another title, this time over Orlando.

They also reached two other Finals in 2004, losing to the Detroit Pistons, and in 2008, losing to the rebuilt Boston Celtics. The Lakers won 530 regular season games during the 10-year period, trailing both the San Antonio Spurs (576) and even the title-less Dallas Mavericks (548). But they won when it counted.


Although Coach Phil Jackson and point guard Derek Fisher were part of all four NBA championships for the Lakers, only Kobe Bryant was part of every season along the way.

Starting lineup:

• Derek Fisher
• Kobe Bryant
• Rick Fox
• Paul Gasol
• Shaquille O'Neal

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal produced 3 titles together and are the best players in all categories. Derek Fisher has four titles and is very devoted to Lakers success all time. Three titles has Rick Fox. These players played more seasons for Lakers with team success and personal contribution. Pau Gasol played only two seasons for Lakers, but he contribution two these two successful seasons was very high.

Reserve lineup:

• Lamar Odom
• Robert Horry
• Andrew Bynum
• Luke Walton
• Devean George
• Jordan Farmar
• Chris Mihm

Shaq successor Lamar Odom played six seasons for Lakers and has title and final participation. He would have role of the sixth man. Andrew Bynum should be the player of next decade. The role players are Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar, Chris Mihm. From the teams of the begin of the decade are selected Devean George and Robert Horry (7-time NBA Champion).

Stars lineup:

• Gary Payton
• Caron Butler
• Glen Rice
• Karl Malone
• Ron Artest

For Lakers played some great players for only short time. These players will be candidate for Hall Of Fame members. When these players could play together it will be very strong lineup. Only Glen Rice became Champion with Lakers. Famose Malone and Payton stayed one step back in the 2004 Finals.


Garbage lineup:

• Smush Parker
• Stanislav Medvedenko
• Kwame Brown
• Sasha Vujacic
• Brian Cook

And at the end here is the worst roster of Lakers players. These players got a lot of chances, but their performance never been as was expected. The biggest disappointment of decade was Kwame Brown, the drafted number one. His performance was very poor and patience of Phil Jackson wasn't endless. In this roster is also Sasha Vujacic, because his current performance is really weak and behind expectation.

Special thanks for contribution to Lakers success belong to:

• Brian Shaw - 4x NBA Champion (2000,2001,2002,2009 as a coach)
• Horace Grant - Championship in 2001 and 2004 Finals
  
• Ron Harper - 5x NBA Champion (2000, 2001 with Lakers)
  
• Ronny Turiaf
• Trevor Ariza (2009 Champion)
  

The fourth title for Bryant became his most satisfying, refuting the belief that he couldn't carry a team without O'Neal to ride. But he proved everyone wrong, bringing the Lakers back to where they always seem to be – on top of the NBA.