LAKERS ON THE RISE

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers really think they're on to something, even if it's nothing revolutionary. They're gaining confidence in their newfound attitude and approach with each victory they're producing.

Not even a fantastic fourth-quarter rally by the New Orleans Hornets could shake Kobe's conviction that the Lakers have finally figured out a few things about their puzzling season. Dwight Howard scored 24 and 11 assists in another pass-first performance, and the Lakers hung on to beat New Orleans 111-106 on Tuesday night for their first three-game winning streak in five weeks.
Earl Clark had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers (20-25), who jumped to an 18-point lead midway through the fourth quarter with their third consecutive game of patient passing and hard-nosed defense quarterbacked by Bryant. The fifth-leading scorer in NBA history has warmly embraced his new role as a playmaker -- no surprise for somebody whose first basketball muse was Magic Johnson.
"It's working pretty well," said Bryant, whose 39 assists in the Lakers' past three games are the biggest three-game total of his 17-season career. "It's very easy for me to look over the defense and know where they're coming from, just kind of line my guys up in the right way and just pick them apart."
With Bryant running the show, the Lakers even survived a frenetic finish. Their lead dwindled to 102-101 with two minutes left shortly after an electric 16-2 run in a 2½-minute stretch by the Hornets, but Clark hit a layup and Steve Nash calmly buried a 3-pointer with 1:21 left to clinch Los Angeles' ninth consecutive victory against New Orleans.
Nash had 12 points and five assists, while Antawn Jamison scored 16 points. Four-time All-Star Pau Gasol had seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists as a reserve in the Lakers' final home game before a seven-game trip, their longest of the season, while the Grammy Awards take over Staples Center.
The trip should be daunting for the Lakers, who have lost 15 of 20 on the road this season, including seven straight since Christmas. Instead, they're optimistic about trying out their new approach in a hostile environment.
"We're doing a good job of not being selfish, and of doing whatever we can to help our team win," Howard said. "Things are clicking for us. Our offense is a lot smoother, and on defense we're really holding each other accountable."
Sounds simple -- but the Lakers have rarely looked this good in their complex season.

Alex Rodriguez contract got vovided after spending almost his whole career with the New York Yankees

Fashion Don'ts on Game Day

1. Don’t wear heels that are over three inches. You don’t want to fall in front of thousands of people during half-time.

2. It’s not a club, don’t wear halter tops or short skirts

3. Going with a jersey? Wear one that fits. If it’s over sized and knee length, it’ll look like an oversized night gown.

jeans for comfort, heels for kick.

REMEMBER: Jeans for comfort, heels for kick.

Ray Lewis so happy to go to the Super Bowl that he is supposedly connected to a banned substance? Of course he tested negative, and dismisses the SI report alleging he was given banned substances to help heal torn triceps. Do we not believe in hard work and natural talent anymore? Banned substances is what we have come down to? Maybe time has caught up with you Ray. You age faster when you play football for a living my friend.
-Victoria Loiacono
  

I cant wait for the Super Bowl on sunday. Just so the Ravens can get their tail feathers handed to them.
-Victoria Loiacono

The New York Yankees have won 27 World Series Championships and are the most dominate team in US Baseball.

Messi Stats

In the 2012-2013 season Messi played in 21 games, make 33 goals of 111 shots, and had 8 assists. 

Strengths: His ball skills are second to none, his runs from midfield are usually lethal and he is almost impossible to tackle when he gets his head down. His balance and speed while running is incredible.

Weaknesses: Not a team player.
 Career high: Winning the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 World Player of the Year awards - the latter coming after he broke the record for goals in a calender year.
Career low: He was unable to perform to his best in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where Argentina were eliminated in the quarter-finals with Messi looking on from the bench.  Style: Quick, incisive, balanced, a stylish runner with the ball.
Quotes: "Messi is my Maradona," said Maradona himself, as the head coach of the Argentine national team.

Trivia: His debut with the national team (against Hungary) was a disaster: he entered the game in the 18th minute of the second half, and 47 seconds later was sent off.
-Antoine Johnson