Sports Notes - LAKER SHAKERS - SHAQ 1 KOBE 0 - PETER WITHE LEADS INDONESIA TO TIGER CUP FINAL - FIFA Top 10 - January 2005

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Wednesday January 5, 2005

Lakers News Shakers - Shaq 1 vs Kobe 0 - Michael Cooper Interim Denver Coach - Phil Jackson Tells All - FIFA TOP 10 - Peter Withe's & Indonesia Defeat Malaysia & Go Through To Tiger Cup Finals

LAKERS NEWS SHAKERS

MICHALE COOPER TAKES OVER AS INTERIM COACH AT DENVER

The diametrically opposed image of the Los Angeles Lakers was enhanced in a positive way when former Lakers standout Michael Cooper took over as interim coach of the Denver Nuggets December 28 replacing Jeff Bzdelik.

It was a success as Cooper instilled in the team with his specialty…DEFENSE. The Nuggets won their first game under Cooper a 97-92 barnburner over the Philadelphia 76ers. Cooper said he was given the chance to see what he could do by Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe.

Cooper was a member of all of the five Lakers championship Showtime teams in the 80's. He was one of only three Lakers to play on all five-championship teams. He was also the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

There is talk that former Lakers coach Phil Jackson is a possible choice to take over the position as the Nuggets coach.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Who were the other two Lakers players to play on all five Lakers championship teams in the 80's?

SHAQ 1 - KOBE 0

This season has produced the first climax of the Kobe vs. Shaq wars aka, the negative Lakers image of a dysfunctional family.

Since the roster cleansing of the Lakers with the trade of O'Neal to the Miami Heat the long anticipated meeting between the two former teammates resulted in a Miami victory.

Bryant outscored Shaq but the big man walked away with what really counts the… W (win). O'Neal's team is sporting one of the best records in the league that included a 14 game winnig streak while the Lakers are struggling to stay above playing 500% ball.

Round 2 ???…. Stay tuned…

LAKERS NBA'S MOST VALUABLE TEAM ?

According to Forbes Magazine the Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA's most valuable team. The list includes:

1. Los Angeles Lakers: $510 million... 2. New York Knicks: $494 million... 3. Dallas Mavericks: $374 million... 4. Houston Rockets: $369 million... 5.Chicago Bulls: $368 million

In Phil Jackson's tell-all book The Last Season he shares his experience trying to coach Shaq and Kobe. He describes Bryant as being difficult to deal with.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kiki Vandeweghe was a member of the 1980 UCLA team that lost in the NCAA finals to Louisville University. UCLA's coach was Larry Brown the current coach of the NBA champion Detroit Pistons.

During his NBA playing career Vandeweghe played for the Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers. His father Ernie played for the New York Knicks.

TRIVIA ANSWER:

Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar

INDONESIA & PETER WITHE IN TIGER CUP FINALS

Peter Withe and his Indonesia charges went through the Tiger Cup first round unscored upon while converting 17 goals. They then found themselves in a world of trouble after losing to Malaysia 2-1 in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was the first of home and away semifinal games.

Before a frantic crowd of 60,000 on a hot muggy Monday night in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia it was put it on the line time.

It was muggy on and off the pitch as fans lost the plot by fighting in the stands and getting out of control shortly after the half time brake and Malaysia leading 1-0.

The Indonesian players then lost their composure as they initiated rough play and questionable tackles.

Star Sports telecast the game. Their reporters were critical of Withe's decision making and the poor behavior of the players and crowd.

Game analyst Chevy Singh noted that he was surprised that the Thai referee didn't issue red cards on Indonesian players during the heated ten minutes of challenges after the brake. He was concerned that the ref would lose control of the game.

Withe then substituted for a player that had been involved in most of the questionable tackles.

The change was a masterstroke as the sub scored in the 57th minute to level the contest.

Indonesia turned on the heat and stepped up the pressure by playing spirited physical ball. Between the 75th and 84th minutes they blasted three goals into the back of the net. It was the climax of a 4-1 Indonesian victory and a berth in the Tiger Cup final..

Bits:

This will be Withe's third straight Tiger Cup final. He coached Thailand to titles in 2000 and 2002. In the 2000 Tiger Cup final they defeated Indonesia...

Singapore won the Tiger Cup in 1998. Thailand won the initial Tiger Cup competition in 1996...

After the match Shebby Singh, who questioned Withe's decision making prior to the coach making that key substitution…. "The players saved him (Withe)."

Hummmmm!!! Will Withe ever receive the respect he deserves?

FIFA TOP TEN

Rank/Team/Points

1. Brazil - 843

2. France - 792

3. Argentina - 785

4. Czech Republic 777

5. Spain - 765

6. Netherlands - 758

7. Mexico - 753

8. England - 752

9. Portugal - 747

10. Italy - 738