Released: Call Of Duty Black Ops 2

After much anticipation, Black Ops 2 has finally released and as usual it's going to be a huge success. I say this because no matter how good or bad Call of Duty is it is always gonna make the developers and creaters very rich just because of the hype. I've play COD MW2, Black Ops 1, and MW3 and i have to say the only one I truly enjoyed was Blackops. Blackops brings something different to the game that the Modern Warfare series doesnt, and thats a better multiplayer experience locally. I have a lot of brothers and when we play multiplayer we dont just want to play each other, so we add bots. This is a big reason for why I just enjoyed the Blackops series more. I also enjoy the wide variety of levels, such as Nuke Town which is being added as a DLC for Black Ops 2, and i like the fast pace action of Black Ops rather than a slower, more methodical way of play in the MW series. So going back to Black Ops 2, im obviously going to get it, its got everyhting I liked from the previous game and its also added features. one of the major features im looking forward to is the 4 player local Zombies game mode. Like I said I have a lot of brothers and we like games where most of us can play at once, and this feature of 4 player local is really exciting and is another reason why im looking forward to getting it.

Verdict: The game is everything I personally wanted in the Call of Duty series, with the 4 player local zombies, Nuketown DLC, and "smarter" bots this game is a must buy.

Rating:N/A

Mike D'antonie New Laker Head Coach

I know I have been blogging a lot about the Lakers lately but this is a crucial time. The Lakers have not started the season well and decided a coaching change was nesessary, after a 1-4 start MIke Brown was fired and it seems that Mike D'antonie has taken his place. Even though the Lakers orginization would love to have Phil Jackson they said he was 'asking for the moon.' Obviously the Lakers couldnt afford hiring him so they settled for Mike D'antonie. This could be a good thing for the Lakers. First of all Mike D'antonie was a part of the USA Mens Olympic Basketball team so hes familiar with Kobe and how to handle him. Like I said before he's also coached Steve Nash before so there is some familiarity with the team to begin with. One of the things D'antonie is notorious for is his fast pace offense; i'm not sure if Kobe will be able to keep up with this run and gun offence, and also he's not really seen as a coach who emphasisies defence. We all know a championship team should have great defence so i'm kind of on the fence right now on the Lakers desision. Well have to wait and see how D'antnie fits in with this highly talented Laker team.

Lakers Coach Mike Brown Fired

Finally! After a gruelling short season last year and a terrible start this year Mike Brown was fired. He's a good guy I guess, I don't know him but apparently he is, but he is too stubborn. After last season Mike Brown should have abandoned his Princeston Offence after they were beaten by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs. The Lakers then acquired Dwight Howard and Steve Nash which was supposed to make the Lakers once again one of the top teams in the league. Well, that didn't work out, the Lakers are 2-4 and they are one of the top 5 worst teams in the NBA. They are so confused on the offensive end and its clear that the Princeston offence isn't working for the Lakers. So the question remains. Who's coming in as the new head coach. So far the Lakers organization are speaking to Phil Jackson, who in my opinion is the greatest coach in any sport. And they are also looking at Mike D'antonie who is close with Kobe Bryant, and had a history of coaching Steve Nash in Phoenix. So far the Lakers spoke to Phil Jackson and it seem he is interested in the job. They will be talking to him early this week and should hopefully have a coach by Friday. I'm guessing if Phil doesn't work out they will pursue D'antonie and any other prospect they have in mind. One thing is for sure, only time will tell if the Lakers get it together.

3 Things The Raptors Must Do To Win

The Raptors had much hope coming into this season. Half of the roster was changed since last season and the players they acquired brought some decent offense to the squad. However they're still losing and there record has not changed at 1-4. So what do the Raptors need to do to win?

1. The Raptors need an offensive threat like Kyle Lowry. Since the injury I haven't seen anyone step up. Sure, Derozan is still scoring but he is doing it too quietly, he needs to demand the ball and make defenses double him so he can dish it out to Allan Anderson and other 3-point shooters. This is what Lowry brought to the table; and if they can do that, they have a shot to win any given game.

2. The Raptors need to play 48 minutes. They had the same problem last year, where they couldn't close out games. In the season opener the Raptors were leading going into the 4th and then all of the sudden, Indiana made a run. If the Raptors want to win they need to play every minute; you can't make the playoffs if your not giving it 100%.

3. Finally, the Raptors need to come out of the gates running. 75% or more of the time the team who wins the first quarter usually wins the game. In almost every game, the Raptors have come out flat and find themselves having to claw there way back just to have a shot and this usually results in desperate shots and one-on-one play on the offensive end.

If the Raps can do this every night, they have a shot of making the playoffs.

Lakers Whoa

Its been a good week of NBA basketballs so far, we've seen some great things from rookies such as Damion Lillard, and Dean Waiters, the New York Knicks are undefeated, and Carmelo is playing his best basketball on both ends. Then there's the Los Angeles Lakers. What can I say, these last 5 games for them have been the worst I have seen them play since the 05-06 season when Kobe had no other scoring threat on his team. During the off season the Lakers acquired big man Dwight Howard, and veteran Steve Nash in hopes of making final push for a championship before Kobe retires. Just two games into the season Steve Nash injured his knee and left the already unorganized Lakers with Steve Blake, who in my opinion is a shooting guard not a point guard. I'm not saying the Lakers should be winning every game but when you look at the teams they have played so far, Dallas, Portland, the Clippers, Pistons, and the Jazz last night i would have projected them to be 4-1 right now. The blame hast to go partly to Coach Mike Brown. Since Phil Jackson has coached the Lakers (back in 1995) they have always ran the Triangle offence.

A Reinvented Toronto Raptors?

I've been a long time Toronto Raptors fan, ever since the Vince Carter era I have followed the Raptors no matter how good or bad. Mostly bad though. Its been the same thing every year, "the Toronto Raptors will not be going to the playoffs." Finally, after 8+ seasons of being patient I feel the Raptors have a huge opportunity in being a potential 8th seed. Granted they have a 1-2 record but if you look at the 2 losses they have, they only lost by a margin of 2-4 points. Also with the addition of Kyle Lowery, who is only the third player to average 20+ ppg, 5+apg, and 5+ reb, behind Kevin Garnett, and Micheal Jordan; the Raptors finally have a leader they can count on and they finally look like they are poised to make the playoffs. Another big part of this new look Raptor team is Raptor coach Dwayne Casey.

Fear the Beard

Just a day before the trade deadline James Harden of the Oklahoma City got traded to the Houston Rockets for Kevin Martin and other little additions. This was one of the best addition the Rockets made this off season. I'm a huge OKC fan so this trade really does upset me. In just the first 3 games; James Harden scored a total of 82 points. Scoring 37, 45, and 24 respectively. James Harden won the 6th man of the year last year with the OKC Thunder, and was a major part of OKC's run in the playoffs. For a team that made the finals last year, especially at there age, i believe it would have been best for them to stay as a group and build chemistry. I can't totally be mad at the Thunder for this trade, with the new collective bargaining agreement, and the luxury tax, OKC couldn't afford James Harden at what he was worth. Although I understand that i believe that OKC could have made other minor trades to make a deal happen. Although Harden would be great to have, Kevin Martin isn't a bad player, he was the leading scorer for the Houston Rockets and he can create his own shot if he has to. Last night Kevin Martin scored score 28 points off the bench in a loss against the Atlanta Hawks. I guess ill have to give the Thunder a chance and see how this new team does in the playoffs.