Wojnarowski Explains “Pick-Tipping” On FSR

On Thursday night, the NBA welcomed its latest draft class. After months of speculation, the top pick went down without incident. The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Karl-Anthony Towns from Kentucky, the first of a long parade of John Calipari disciples. Calipari had six players selected overall, including four in the lottery. I digress. Calipari was one […]

Kobe Bryant Signs A New Contract

Last week, the Chicago Bulls were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. A report immediately surfaced that the Lakers would be interested in replacing Byron Scott with embattled Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak appeared on AM570 LA Sports with Bill Reiter and Leeann Tweeden to dismiss […]

Frozen Fun With Kobe Bryant: “Let It Tank”

On Thursday night, the Lakers welcomed LeBron James to Staples Center for their annual visit. Kobe Bryant, who has been sitting out with increased regularity in recent weeks, established a new career mark with 17 assists. Unfortunately, Bryant and the Lakers were outdone by James and the Cavaliers by a score of 109-102. During the […]

Made By Kobe: Kobe 9s By Nike

Fans of the Los Angeles Lakers wish that Kobe Bryant was making sweet music on the court and propelling the squad toward a playoff berth. Alas, he’s still rocking the suit and tie while the nameless, faceless Lakers flounder through the 2013-14 campaign. That hasn’t stopped Bryant from continuing his marketing and sales efforts on […]

Harmon Talks To Tracy Hackler Of Panini America

Harmon reunites with Tracy Hackler of Panini America to discuss new trading card releases (Immaculate Basketball), the autograph redemption process (and a huge mail day for people waiting on Tom Brady product), jersey cards, the NFL Playoff picture and Black Friday. According to a study by industry experts, Panini’s “Black Friday” promotion drove nearly $1.4 […]

Kobe Bryant’s Return Announced Via Video: It’s A Terrible Trailer

Kobe Bryant’s return to the court was announced in a video of a jersey swaying in the wind, impervious to different types of precipitation and strong winds. I suppose he couldn’t use “I’m Back” because that’s probably trademarked by the Michael Jordan juggernaut. But, the folks behind the Lakers (and Kobe’s camp itself) in marketing […]

ITSD: Harmon Talks To Tracy Hackler About Panini “Flawless”

After reading myriad reports across the social media landscape about the latest sensation in the trading card world, Mike Harmon talks to Tracy Hackler of Panini America. The topic of discussion is “Flawless,” a high-end ($1,250 per box) issue that has collectors and investors rolling the dice to find a big hit. The base cards […]

The Game of Telephone Disconnects: Howard To Houston

Breaking news normally doesn’t fall into our collective lap on Friday afternoons. It definitely doesn’t occur on the Friday of a long holiday weekend most years. Of course, it’s not every year that a free agent like Dwight Howard commands the attention of the media. Without a written statement or saying a word (or taking […]

Who Went No. 1? Coverage

This past week, the Stanley Cup Final concluded with a Blackhawks victory over the Bruins in Boston. The next big event on the sports calendar was the NBA Draft and with it, myriad questions about trades and free agency. And, of course, there was some drama regarding the No. 1 pick. The Cavaliers shocked the […]

“Stay Dwight” Billboards: When Does The Anthem Drop?

It’s been a whirlwind week of updates in a sporting world that is normally quiet in late June. The Stanley Cup Final concluded on Monday night. The Blackhawks’ Game 6 win against the Bruins was about the only normal thing to occur. The hammer dropped on former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez in […]

Exit Interviews: Which Lakers Come Back With Kobe’s Comeback?

On Tuesday afternoon, the media horde descended upon the Los Angeles Lakers practice facility for the obligatory “exit interview” process. It’s that last team event of the season, spread over a couple days (free agent to be Antawn Jamison had surgery instead), before the players depart what will be a long offseason. Just envision the […]

Harmon’s “ITSD” Podcast 4.29: NFL Draft Recap, Jason Collins, Tebow

I returned behind the microphone on Monday, fully prepared to discuss the final rounds of the NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs, when Jason Collins’ SI article was revealed. It’s the talk of the Twitterverse and sports radio/television nationwide. Take a listen. Listen to internet radio with Swollen Dome on Blog Talk Radio

FMC: Kobe Bryant Marked His Territory In Los Angeles

I was going to give the “Fantasy Man-Crush” nod to Nate Robinson following his brilliant performance in the triple-OT win over the Nets on Saturday. With Derrick Rose still OUT and Joakim Noah ailing, the sometimes-maddening Robinson took over the game in the final minutes of regulation and owned the highlight shows — even with […]

Harmon’s “ITSD” Podcast 4.25: It’s NFL DRAFT DAY

Harmon returns to the microphone to scream about the first round of the NFL Draft, his own mock draft , NBA Playoffs and more. He calls for video chat Kobe as coach, a summer of peace for Derrick Rose and offers investing advice for the degenerates among you. Listen to internet radio with Swollen Dome […]

FMC 4.3: The Los Angeles Clippers

While everyone was watching the implosion of the Lakers, the other occupants of STAPLES Center have put together an historic season. On Wednesday night, the Clippers routed the Suns to record a franchise-best 50th win. Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan are leading the Clippers into the playoffs and a battle for the No. […]

Shaq Says Thank You: The No. 34 Goes Up To The Rafters

The Lakers put another jersey up into the rafters on Tuesday night. All ill feelings dissipated and Shaq was welcomed back to Staples Center for the pomp and circumstance. Oh, and the Lakers and Mavericks were set to renew the rivalry as they battle for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. As you’d expect, […]

Stern Wants To Scrub Players Over 23 From Olympic Squad: Kobe Balks

“Basically, it’s just a dumb idea and we (discuss) it that way.” Five-time NBA champion and grizzled veteran Kobe Bryant disagrees with Commissioner David Stern’s desire to eliminate players over the age of 23 from future Olympics. Bryant succinctly labeled it “a player’s choice” and spoke openly of the fact that the push for such […]

Blake Griffin Will Undergo Knee Surgery: Davis Expected Back for Team USA

The big man woes continue for Coach K and Team USA. The team entered camp without Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard, and many pundits wondered aloud where “the beef” (read: height and bulk) were on this U.S. squad. On Thursday, that front line lost a huge, energetic force when it was revealed that Clippers star […]

It Was The Proper Pass: Blake Just Missed It

Steve Blake is being destroyed in the social media landscape after missing a potential game-winning shot in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against Oklahoma City. It was a wide-open look on an inbounds pass from Metta World Peace in the corner. Blake caught and shot, just as he’d done with sharpshooter precision in […]

Stomped in OKC: Lakers Flat-Out Embarrassed by the Thunder

I always say, “If you’re going to fail, then fail spectacularly.” The Lakers must have heeded those words on Monday night, as Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series was nothing short of a bloodbath. Oklahoma City took a 15-point lead into halftime … and then it got ugly. The Thunder outscored the Lakers […]

Buy The Kobe Mask on eBay: Can I Clone Him?

Do you remember when Kobe Bryant broke his nose after being fouled by Dwyane Wade in the NBA All-Star Game? Well, Kobe was then forced to don a face mask in the subsequent games. He played in 11 games and scored his 29,000th career point behind the mask. Now, Bryant is auctioning off the mask […]

Inside The Swollen Dome Returns: Tuesday 2.21 Edition

Harmon returns to the microphone following a short hiatus to usher in a new run of “Inside The Swollen Dome.” He dives into the news of the day & sets the table for a huge sports week. ITSD 2.21

Kobe Bryant and The Foundation: You’ll Wait for Basketball

On Tuesday, Kobe Bryant made a public appearance to discuss his charitable efforts to reduce homelessness in the greater Los Angeles area. You can see my write-up here . It’s an issue that deserved its own place in this age of negativity. Despite the importance of the issue being discussed in this forum, there was […]

Feelin’ You(r) Pain: Lakers Shrink in 0-2 Deficit to Mavericks

On Wednesday night, the Lakers absorbed a huge blow to their quest for a third consecutive NBA title. The Mavericks’ bench played brilliantly, sparked by point guard J.J. Barea. Barea sliced through a lifeless Los Angeles defense. The legs of the big men appeared to be set in concrete, and Steve Blake was positively torched […]

Turn to 3, 4 & 5 When No. 1 and 2 Don’t Show Up

At times, it appeared that Game 2 of the Lakers-Hornets series had devolved into a game of pinball. Bodies were flying everywhere, with hard screen after hard screen and plenty of contact in the lane. Welcome to playoff basketball. With the usual smile that accompanies the “why do I have to do this?” thought bubble, […]

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