Kris Humphries edges LeBron James as NBA's most disliked

Everybody hates Kris ... well, a lot of people do anyway.

Kris Humphries -- the New Jersey Nets power forward who gained national notoriety with his 72-day marriage to reality TV star Kim Kardashian earlier this year -- is the most disliked player in the NBA, according to a survey conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research and reported on Forbes.com.

Humphries received a 50% dislike score to edge Miami Heat superstar LeBron James, who got 48%. James topped the survey last year in the aftermath of his televised decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers.

For Humphries, an otherwise little-known role player who just re-signed with the Nets for one year and $8 million, it likely was the attention he received after the split with Kardashian and maybe some general public fatigue that pushed him to the top of the list.

“He’s been on five magazine covers, all in a negative light,” Nielsen Sports vice president Stephen Master said. “It’s all so recent, he’s gotten all this publicity for something other than basketball talent.”

Two Lakers appear in the top five -- Kobe Bryant at No. 3 (45%) and Metta World Peace at No. 5 (36%). Lamar Odom, who was traded from the Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this month, came in at No. 10. Odom is married to another Kardashian sister, Khloe.

Also in the top 10: San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker at No. 4, the Heat's Chris Bosh at No. 6, New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony at No. 7 , Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce at No. 8 and the Heat's Dwyane Wade at No. 9.

According to Forbes, the survey targeted the broad population, not just NBA fans.

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Photo: Kris Humphries. Credit: Justin Lane / EPA

Rumors: Ron Artest, Dwyane Wade to be on 'Dancing with the Stars'

 

Former Laker Rick Fox made sure to wait until his NBA career had ended before joining "Dancing with the Stars." After all, he had to gyrate his hips in skin-tight pants in front of a national audience -- a prospect that could give NBA players pause, and their opponents a bit of taunting fuel.

As if Ron Artest's competitors don't have enough ammo -- the Lakers forward recently tried to change his name to Metta World Peace but was rejected because of outstanding traffic warrants -- it is rumored that he will join the upcoming season's cast.

CBS Sports is also reporting that Dwyane Wade may be on the show as well.

Hines Ward, who won the show last season, was asked if he could verify that Wade would be a cast member. Via Sports Radio Interviews, he said: "I don't know, but I did hear rumors and his name did come up."

Other sites are reporting this cast list: Nancy Grace, Kristin Cavalleri, Ricki Lake, Chynna Phillips, Hope Solis, Elizabetta Canalis, David Arquette, Rob Kardashian, Ryan O'Neal, J.R. Martinez, Chaz Bono and Artest.

The official announcement is scheduled to be revealed Monday evening during ABC's "Bachelor Pad."

-- Melissa Rohlin

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Photo: Rick Fox. Credit: Vince Compagnone / Los Angeles Times

Question of the Day: Will the Lakers three-peat? If not, who will stop them? [Updated]

 
Four reporters from the Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel

Considering the NBA is about to undergo an extreme makeover, it is ludicrous to even try to handicap the 2010-11 championship race, let alone make any proclamations about a Lakers team that might not even have Phil Jackson leading the way.

That said, this hardly was a team of dominance this season, but rather one pushed to the ultimate limit in the ultimate game of the season. And even before the desperate scramble from a 3-2 Finals deficit, Kobe & Co. were being pushed to Game 6s against the Thunder and Suns.

No, let's first see where LeBron & Co. land.

Of course, should LeBron land with the Lakers in some sort of sign-and-trade, then there might not be a need for a debate, or 2010-11 season, at all.

[Updated at 12:20 p.m.:

K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune

The Lakers will repeat as long as Kobe Bryant draws a paycheck and Pau Gasol continues to supply his occasional bursts of magic.

And, no, this team isn't as dominant as those led by Magic. But with the Eastern Conference full of pretenders like the Orlando Magic and the Whatever LeBrons, that conference isn't ready. (The Celtics' Big Three made a valiant last gasp.) And the Suns' surprising advancement to this season's Western Conference finals shows how lacking the Lakers' substantive competition is.

Yes, this title was tougher. But Tim Duncan is a year older, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a year or two too young and Kobe lives for history. He should get it in the form of his second three-peat, matching his idol, good ol' MJ.]

[Updated at 1:30 p.m.:

Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel 

Get ready for a three-peat, Los Angeles. The Lakers should be considered the favorites to win a third consecutive NBA title next June, as long as Phil Jackson returns as head coach.

The nucleus of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest is under contract for the 2010-11 season. Bynum should be healthy. Even if Derek Fisher retires, Mitch Kupchak should be able to find a point guard to fill the void.

The big question marks revolve around Jackson and LeBron James. Jackson steadies the Lakers, and without him the star-filled Lakers could lose sight of the team concept.

James adds another variable to the equation. If he joins Dwyane Wade in Miami, the Heat immediately would join the league’s elite and could cause the Lakers (and everyone else) headaches.

In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the team of the future. But for one more year at least, the Lakers should be the class of the conference.]

Photo: Big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum embrace in the middle of the Lakers' celebration on the Staples Center court after an 83-79 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Question of the day: Who will win the NBA Finals? [Updated]

Four reporters from Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses, and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

[Updated at 12:01 p.m.:

Baxter Holmes, Los Angeles Times

This question is tougher than calculus at Cal Tech – not that I’d know – when you consider the outside variables: the crowds, the emotions (rivalry and revenge factors both) and the health of key players.

I’d like to plead the 5th until after Game 1, but if pressed, I like the Celtics.

Ron Artest is a great defender, but Paul Pierce won't get caught with his pants down unless Artest’s hand is around his waistband. Andrew Bynum is a potential equalizer against the Celtics’ imposing front line, but even if his right knee is 2 1/2 ounces lighter after Monday, I’m not convinced he’s ready. There’s always Kobe, but he was there in 2008 too.

In the end, the Celtics are brutes, the Lakers are finesse. Brutes in seven.]

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Lakers in six, because it's not 2008 anymore.

Because this time Ron Artest is in place to defend Paul Pierce.

Because this time Andrew Bynum is at least ambulatory to help offset some of Boston's inside physicality.

Because this time Pau Gasol can be cast at power forward instead of at center.

Because this time Vladimir Radmanovic won't be in the starting lineup, or anywhere within sight.

Because this time Lamar Odom again can play as a sixth man.

Because this time the Celtics do not have a perimeter stopper of the pedigree of James Posey (with Tony Allen less than a poor imitation).

Because this time the Lakers have home-court advantage, meaning even if the Celtics split the first two, they would have to sweep at home to close it out at the Garden.

Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

The NBA and its TV partners would surely love to have this royal retro couple -- Lakers and Celtics -- play a best-of-17 series instead of a best-of-seven.

Stretch this baby out until the NFL camps open or until one of Kevin Garnett's body parts falls off defending Pau Gasol.

I'm taking the Lakers in seven for the repeat and for revenge (Boston beat L.A. in '08), but only after under going intense counseling.

I mean, do you know hard it is to trust a Lakers team that is counting on loose cannon Ron Artest to help it win a ring?

This is the ultimate test to remind you just how great Kobe Bryant is.

He's won without Shaq, and he'll win with Artest.

Photo: Ron Artest is guarded by Celtics forward Paul Pierce in February. Credit: Lori Shepler / Associated Press

PGA officially responds to cheating accusation against Phil Mickelson

After Friday's contretemps over whether Phil Mickelson's use of a square-grooved wedge is skirting the spirit of a rule that bans most similar clubs, or whether Mickelson  (as Scott McCarron suggested) is out-and-out cheating or just a smart move by a player who is going by the letter of the law, the PGA issued a statement today about the use by some players of the Ping Eye 2 iron.

"Under the Rules of Golf and the 2010 Condition of Competition for Groove Specifications promulgated by the United States Golf Association, pre-1990 Ping Eye 2 irons are permitted for play and any player who uses them in PGA Tour-sanctioned events taking place in jurisdictions of the USGA is not in violation of the Rules of Golf; and

"Because of the use of pre-1990 Ping Eye 2 irons is permitted for play, public comments or criticisms characterizing their use as a violation of the Rules of Golf as promulgated by the USGA are inappropriate at best.

"Commissioner [Tim] Finchem will address this issue in greater detail on Tuesday, Feb. 2, during a regularly-scheduled player meeting and with the media during the 2010 Northern Trust Open."

In other words, we think this means McCarron should quit calling Mickelson a cheater and we'll all hear a lot more about square-grooved versus V-grooved clubs at Riviera Country Club next week at the Northern Trust.

-- Diane Pucin

Lakers' Artest will play tonight against Washington

Lakers forward Ron Artest took part in a Tuesday afternoon shoot-around and will play tonight against the Washington Wizards.

Artest missed the team's White House visit Monday because of intestinal flu-like symptoms.

The Lakers (33-11) are 1-2 on an eight-game road trip, though tonight's opponent has one of the worst home records in the NBA. The Wizards are 14-29 overall, 8-14 at home.

Artest has been slowed by painful swelling in his feet and scored only five points in the Lakers' 106-105 loss Sunday to the Toronto Raptors.

-- Mike Bresnahan

Photo: Ron Artest stretches prior to the Lakers' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 13. Credit: Matthew Emmons / US Presswire

Lakers' Ron Artest to play with foot injuries

The Lakers had just completed their shoot-around for tonight’s game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre when Ron Artest sat down in a courtside seat and had both of his feet wrapped in ice.

Artest had announced on his Twitter page Saturday that he had plantar fasciiitis in his left and right foot, and now he was getting treatment so he could continue to play.

His history with the Lakers and other teams he has played on is not to complain about injuries and he was doing the same thing Sunday, even after tweeting about it the day before.

“I didn’t know what was wrong with me,” Artest said. “I’ve probably had it a lot of times in my career, but I never, ever sat out with it. I know guys who have actually sat out with sore feet, but there’s no need for me to complain about it.

“I just don’t like excuses. That’s it. No excuses. I don’t want nobody saying, ‘Oh, Ron Artest has got plantar fasciitis, so that’s why he didn’t play a good game.’ No, I didn’t play good or I didn’t do what I did because that’s just what happened. No excuses.”

Artest said as the season progresses, as long as he is diligent in getting treatment on both feet, he expects to make improvements.

“It’s gotten a lot better,” Artest said. “So that’s a good thing. I know I haven’t been about to get the [defensive] stops I want to get this year, but I feel it getting better so it’ll come back around. You just got to take care of it. Ain’t no clock.”

-- Broderick Turner

Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and forward Ron Artest talk during a break in the action against Orlando during a 98-92 victory last week. Credit: Paul Buck / EPA

Ron Artest prepares to play against LeBron James, Paul Pierce

Welcome to Ron-Ron's World, where most times only he knows why he says what he says.

Either way, when Lakers forward Ron Artest talks, it's always interesting.

When the Lakers signed Artest to a five-year, $33.3-million deal last summer, it was so he could use his size and strength against the more powerful small forwards like Cleveland's LeBron James, Boston's Paul Pierce and Denver's Carmelo Anthony, players who have overwhelmed the Lakers in past years.

The Lakers embarked today upon a 13-day, eight-city strip that has stops in Cleveland and Boston.

Artest will get to play against James and Pierce on this trip.

So, Artest was asked if he looked at it as a challenge to face James and Pierce. “Not really, because I had those assignments since I was first in the NBA,” he said. “That’s a normal day of work. It’s nothing new, nothing new to get excited about. I get excited for everything. 

Lakers ready for Texas trip

The Lakers know they will have their hands full with a two-game trip through Texas.

They begin the trip with a game in San Antonio on Tuesday night at the AT&T Center. It's the first time the Lakers and Spurs have played this season.

Then the Lakers play the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday night in a back-to-back game. The Lakers and Mavericks have played twice this season, both games at Staples Center, ending in a split.

The Lakers are listing Pau Gasol, who has been out with a strained left hamstring, doubtful for the Spurs' game.

Gasol worked out on the treadmill but didn't practice. Gasol is going on the trip.

Luke Walton practiced and looked pretty good.

Ron Artest, who experienced some dizziness after a fall on the court during Sunday night's game, practiced on Monday.

-- Broderick Turner

Photo: Pau Gasol watches from the bench during the Lakers' 88-79 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. Credit: Jason Redmond / Associated Press

Lakers vs. Clippers: In-game report

Clippers 102, Lakers 91 (final)

The last time the Lakers lost to the Clippers was April of 2007, a span of nine consecutive games.

For what was supposed to be a cross-down rivalry, a rivalry in which both teams share Staples Center, it had been lopsided in recent years, all in favor of the Lakers.

But the Lakers were unable to keep control of the Clippers, who built a 15-point lead and rolled in for their third straight win in their home game at Staples Center.

The Lakers tied the score twice, at 81-81 and 83-83, but never could get over the hump.

The Lakers began the game not playing with energy, with enough effort, and it cost them in the end in a back-to-back game.

They looked  liked a tired team, a team that is not sharp right now.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 33 points, but he was just 10-for-30 from the field. He also had eight assists.

The Clippers had five players score in double-figures, led by Baron Davis' 25 points and 10 assists.

The Lakers fell to 28-7, but they still have the best record in the NBA.

Next up for the Lakers are the Trail Blazers in Portland, a place where the Lakers have lost nine consecutive games.

Clippers 79, Lakers 73 (third quarter)

During one sretch in the third quarter, Kobe Bryant scored 14 consecutive points for the Lakers

The Lakers had fallen into a 15-point hole in the third and Bryant seemed bent on bringing the Lakers by all by himself.

He certainly did his part, scoring 17 points in the third.

When Shannon Brown made a three-pointer off a pass from a double-teamed Bryant, the Lakers had pulled to within 75-71.

Now it was a game.

Clippers 52, Lakers 43 (halftime)

The Lakers didn't share the basketball very much in the first half.

And as a result, the Lakers shot the ball poorly.

The Lakers had just eight assists in the first half. Clippers guard Baron Davis had seven, one less than the entire Lakers' team.

The Lakers shot just 34.1% from the field, which was another poor shooting night for them.

The Clippers made 46.8% of their shots.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 12 points, but he was only three of 13 from the field.

Late in the second quarter, Shannon Brown tried to go one-on-one against Baron Davis.

But Davis blocked Brown's shot, forcing the Lakers into a 24-second violation.

Now remember that Brown has tremendous leaping ability, but this time Davis got the best of him.

Both Davis and Brown laughed at the play.

 

Lakers 26, Clippers 25 (first quarter)

One of the more interesting matchups was between centers Andrew Bynum and Chris Kaman.

Bynum and Kaman have aspirations of making the All-Star team.

They went at each other in the first quarter.

Bynum had eight points on four-for-10 shooting and five rebounds in the quarter for the Lakers.

Kaman countered with six points on two-for-six shooting and five rebounds for the Clippers.

The Lakers have defeated the Clippers nine consecutive games, and if it's up to Coach Phil Jackson, that streak will extend to 10.

But Jackson knows that the Clippers have the talent to give them problems.

"I think we started out the season saying this is a team that has a shot at making the playoffs, for sure," Jackson said. "They're talented enough to do so."

With that in mind, Jackson wants his team to be ready for a tough game against the Clippers in their home game at Staples Center Wednesday night.

Jackson was hopeful that Ron Artest, who played his first game Tuesday night after missing the previous five with a concussion, has a better outing.

Jackson also said that Lamar Odom, who has been suffering from intestinal flu symptoms, still wasn't feeling that well on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Pau Gasol, who missed his second consecutive game with a strained left hamstring, had a workout that left the Lakers impressed.

"He worked pain-free," Jackson said. "So, that's nice to know."

-- Broderick Turner

Lakers' Ron Artest writes open letter to Tiger Woods

Lakers forward Ron Artest wrote an open letter on his website to Tiger Woods.

A sampling:

"You have done so much for people, the sport of golf, and your family and you gave your wife a life that people can’t even dream of. I thought you were 36 or 37 until I read the news today. A 33-year-old man who has been a model citizen with so much at stake. This is your first publicly known issue since you started your career, compared to my 50 or more publicly known issues and mistakes. ... As your fan, I can’t wait to see you golf again. And us athletes know how much you personally love your family."

Artest, who does not know Woods, said he wrote the letter because he has been upset about all the negative media coverage Woods has received since crashing his car Nov. 27.

"I just really disagree, I guess you call it backlash," Artest was quoted as saying, referring to the media frenzy. "Hopefully, he gets everything in order and gets back on track, his personal [life]. Then after that I can’t wait to see him play golf again."

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Ron Artest. Credit: Andrew Gombert / European Press Agency.