Kobe Bryant is on top of the world, enjoying one of his best years ever as an NBA player after his impressive haul of hardware -- the NBA championship, Finals MVP, co-MVP of this year's All-Star Game. And don't forget about the Olympic gold medal from last summer.
So how does he top it all off? By starting a new charity in China. In this FanHouse exclusive we catch up with Kobe at an awards ceremony as he was being honored by the Asia Society Southern California. We also hear from T-Mac and Tim Leiweke, the CEO of AEG, who was also honored on this night.
In four years, Danny Granger has gone from the 17th player picked in the 2005 draft – behind such notables as Martell Webster, Fran Vazquez and Yaroslav Korolev – to the NBA's fifth leading scorer, trailing only Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki.
His neighborhood has changed dramatically.
Granger spoke with FanHouse Tuesday afternoon, proud of his new association with EAS (Energy-Athletics-Strength, a nutrition/supplement product), but even more proud of the NBA player he is becoming.
He won the league's Most Improved Player Award in 2009, when he averaged 25.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Indiana Pacers. He has become a franchise foundation, thriving in Indiana while a major housecleaning commenced around him.
Who do you like more? And who would you want taking the final shot?
Not really a debate for the NBA Finals because LeBron isn't here, but because the only man who has coached both of them – and coached them together – was in Amway Arena before Game 3, it had to be asked.
Kobe Bryant was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008. LeBron James was the MVP in 2009. So who is the better player?
"Well, they are both on my team,'' said Mike Krzyzewski, coach of the USA Olympic Team that won a gold medal with them in 2008. "So I'm not going there.''
TEQUESTA, Fla. -- This looked like a Bad Boys reunion.
The NBA came from around the country Wednesday to celebrate the life and mourn the death of Chuck Daly, but nothing was more impressive than his collection of pallbearers.
It was the nucleus of his two championship teams in Detroit, the ones that transformed him from just another coaching lifer into a Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist revered by all.
"I think when you go through the things we did together, there is a bond that never breaks,'' said Laimbeer. "This was a sad time, but a time to celebrate who he was, and what he did, and how loved he was.''
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded NBA Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.
It's a place that kicks collectors call heaven. The sneaker boutique where you can find almost anything basketball-related, the House of Hoops, used to only have one store, in Harlem, N.Y. But this week there was a one-of-a-kind grand opening party in Los Angeles, where hoop fans were treated to an Ice Cube concert, Chris Tucker doing stand-up (check out the "Brady Bunch" joke at 2:12), and a panel discussion with Scottie Pippen, John Salley and Ron Harper.
Our cameras were there when this event went down. Watch the full, exclusive video report after the jump.
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.
With the new season approaching, LeBron James is on top of the world after leading USA Basketball to the gold medal at the Olympic games in China. In this exclusive video, we talk to LeBron about who was more popular in China, him or Kobe Bryant, and we also get the King's thoughts on London 2012. LeBron also gives his thoughts on what it takes to be a good leader.
Today we have three more offerings to share from Chris Bosh's Beijing collection. First, a look at what it was like to be on the ground in the middle of the opening ceremonies, with a cameo appearance from a Russian-speaking Andrei Kirilenko.
Also, check out a Bosh-eye view from Chris's seat at one of the U.S. women's games, as well as a quick look at a U.S. "shoot-around" that has Kobe, 'Bron, 'Melo and CP3 in it (at least according to CB4).
In Chris Bosh's latest video dispatch, he discusses the awesomeness of appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show (in an episode which will air today) with his fellow Olympians.
Bosh is into appearing on the show -- it's all a part of the unique Olympic experience.
But clearly, Dwight Howard was affected a bit more by the entire experience.
Via The Big Lead, the New York Post reports Mike Krzyzewski has pulled a six-figure book deal for "a firsthand account of how he worked with NBA superstars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony to buy into his concept of teamwork that carried them back to Olympic gold after the US team was humiliated four years earlier." The editor who landed the pitch "expects the book will be a case study in fundamental management techniques."
As the post title indicates, we have some leaked* chapter titles.
- "Step 1: Convincing LeBron I Am Not Part Elf"
- "Brainwashing Giant Black Men Into Appreciating Conservative Ideals for Dummies"
- "Nike Good, New Balance Bad"
- "How to Deal With Assistant Coaches With Wandering Eyes"
- "Nike Good, adidas Bad"
- "The Complete Guide to Ordering at the Beijing P.F. Chang's"
- "The Shaving Cream Aisle as a Sandbox for Teaching Racial Sensitivity"
- "Nike Good, Converse Also Good, Since Converse is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Nike"
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.
In this exclusive video we talk to the San Antonio Silver Stars' Becky Hammon. The American WNBA star reflects on her decision to play for Russia during the Olympics, a move some people called unpatriotic. We also talk to her teammates and hear what they have to say about Hammon's decision. You also might be surprised to hear just what San Antonio's Sandora Irvin thinks about Hammon's future.