Joe Smith Laker is excited to join his latest team (Los Angeles Times)

Veteran forward/Center Joe Smith hopes that it might finally have a shot at an NBA title now that it is negotiated by the Lakers. (Lou Capozzola / NBAE via Getty Images / 29 October 2010)Even Joe Smith had to laugh, saying he had "lost number"NBA teams how he played for a 16 year career.""

Would be 12 as the Lakers acquired it from New Jersey on Wednesday in a multiteam trade that sent a Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic for networks.

Smith was an optional observer practice from the Lakers Thursday after that that he had physical in the morning. It also has a quick tutorial on the tort of triangle team ready to play the Sixers Friday night.

35 And in the final stages of a career in which Smith was the first overall pick in the 1995 draft, he indicated his chance to win an NBA Championship title was passed.

"I've done." But I still hope that something can happen that I could end up in a place like this, Smith said joining the NBA champion consecutive Lakers. "I was excited when I got the call - type of sad and excited."

"This is the type of a two-way street". You are a young group of guys that you've grown close. But at the same time, you have to look at a larger image, especially at this stage of my career. »

Smith played in four games this season for networks, on average 0.5 and 0.8 rebounds.

Smith is known as a 6-foot-10 versatile can play forward and is a good Defender with the ability to demolish 15 to 18 feet jump kicked player and centre.

"The field basketball [I bring you] the same energy that I have always made throughout my career," Smith said. "" "" Defend, bounce the ball drop shots. »

Smith said that he had an idea Tuesday, he was part of the negotiations but is not certain where he was until his agent informed. "I've heard of Los Angeles Lakers and I smiled the whole game," Smith said, laughing.

Smith joked that the Lakers are the "first team that I have been on with no [former] teammates on it."

Already, things have changed for Smith, who opened a Twitter account a month previously. "" I got 90 [supporters] before yesterday, "he says now,"I'm as 1100."" " … This is the fastest time ever. »

Bryant, Gasol off to fast start all-star voting

This is not a surprise to see Kobe Bryant as the top vote getter Thursday released game NBA All-star will play at the Staples Center February 20 elections. But it was a little surprised to see that Pau Gasol is a starter in the front, if the vote was taken late Thursday.

Bryant led the NBA with voice almost 723,000 and Gasol has almost 391,000 voice, leak before Kevin Durant (471 000) in Western Conference passes only in Oklahoma City.

Voting will end on January 23, which means that Gasol, who was starting at the Center for the Lakers, has always fight the Denver before Carmelo Anthony (370 000 votes) for a starting point.

Lakers before Lamar Odom (134,594) is seventh in the West and Andrew Bynum Lakers Center (198,00), who played in two matches after the recovery, right knee surgery a second remote Yao Ming (Houston 431,000) among the centres of the West. Yao has a stress fracture in his ankle and is sidelined indefinitely.

Broderick.Turner@LAtimes.com

Twitter.com BA_Turner

Lisa.Dillman@LAtimes.com

Twitter.com reallisa

SLAP Shot: Offense of Colorado Rookie Defender promotes (New York Times)

More offensively productive recruits in the idols in the last month is a defender.

Kevin Shattenkirk Colorado Avalanche has perhaps a first round draft pick in 2007, but it still feels like it has come from nowhere. Since his recall in the minor leagues, November 4 - her idols because of a rash of injuries following Colorado - Shattenkirk 5 - rush 11 has been shed a tear. 16 Matches, it has four goals and 10 assists. Before his streak was aligned Tuesday in Florida, 20 year Defender had points in nine consecutive games.

His idols in small groups came after Shattenkirk did not enter a goal or using its first 10 games this season with the team of the American League avalanche in Lake Erie.

"I was lucky to get lots of opportunities here," Shattenkirk told the Denver Post. Coaches have developed lots of confidence in myself and it really makes feel me more comfortable. This is something that I built on game play. »

Pro Scout with a team of the Conference of the West, who watched Shattenkirk connect over 21 minutes and get two passes of Colorado 6-5 loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday, said in an interview that development on the fly at idols defender was unexpected.

"Sometimes a player gets shot in the leagues of large, plays with the best players, became inspired and just took off, said the Scout." I really do not think that anyone who has seen this entry so quickly. I am sure that Colorado is allowed. Shattenkirk first round talent and undoubtedly is a very good perspective, but the kid just for the College. »

The 14th global choice in the Project 2007, Shattenkirk is a graduate of Boston University in just three years, won a Championship N.C.A.A. with Burrows and learned his B.U. coach Jack Parker. Six months after leaving school, tied for first with Cam Fowler of the Anaheim) rating between following rookie.

Shattenkirk and exhibit avalanche Friday in Atlanta.

Christopher Botta has authored major idols for AOL FanHouse and editor-in-Chief of the inhabitants of the island point-blank, blog.

The names Germany coach Joachim Loew, team manager of the year (Earth Times)

Posted: 10 December 2010 11: 08: 21 GMTFrankfurt - coach Joachim Loew Germany was appointed manager of the year by the French sports newspaper team, the German football Federation (DFB), said Friday. "I am very happy to win the prize." I accept this on behalf of all personal coaching team and the aid of the national team as well as fans. It is a price for the entire team, said the Loew 50 years who received the award in Frankfurt. Among the Board members were former French international Bixente Lizarazu and Olympic champion in ski Jean-Claude Killy, Marie - José Perec, champion Olympic athletics. French handball coach Claude Onesta finished second in the poll, while Real Madrid coach José Mourinho, who won the League champions with Inter Milan, came in third. Other coaching football for the top ten were (9th) Spanish Vicente del Bosque (sixth), and Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United World Cup winner.
Posted by Earth Times staff

Surprising head to London Chess Classic (the New York Times Blog)

Nigel Short, on the left and Luke McShane in London Thursday chess classic game.

The torrid pace continued in London Thursday three of four games chess classic end decisively.

Luke McShane, England, who had withdrawn a large mess by beating Magnus Carlsen Norway cycle 1 won again in round 2, beating Nigel Short, another English. It is the loss of second shorts.

Carlsen bounced by upending Michael Adams, one of the four English players.

Hikaru Nakamura in United States, who had managed to attract a long match against Viswanathan Anand, world champion of the India in cycle 1 was black for the second game in a row. It is also his 23rd birthday. His opponent, Russia, former world champion Vladimir Kramnik was eventually give Nakamura this unexpected anniversary.

Nakamura equalizing easily against Kramnik, then entered Kramnik, losing a piece. As he squirmed and fought hard, Kramnik could not overcome its material deficit and finally, he resigned.

Anand is a player on the rope in the second game in a row and once more, he left his slip through its fingers. This time, it is David Howell, the other English player. Anand won a pawn on moving 38, but then inexplicably returned a few moves later, leading to a draw.

The tournament uses the notation system, Bilbao gives the three points for a win and one point for a match zero. McShane is the leader with 6 points, followed by Nakamura with 4, Kramnik, Carlsen and Adams, who have 3 Anand 2, Howell has 1, short was closed so far.