Free Agency Drama

I've been faithfully keeping up with my favorite blogs and sports news sites to stay up to date on all the latest draft and free agency drama in the NBA, the Marsha Brady of sports, and it's less popular and less attractive sister - the NHL, the Jan Brady of sports. First, I'd like to point out that if you're looking for drama, forget Jersey Shore or The Hills or the new season of Real World and just tune into the spectacle that is the NBA free agency. Where will Lebron go? Will Dwayne Wayde and Chris Bosh go with him? And for us Lakers fans: Will the Lakers stop lowballing Derek Fisher? Will Shannon Brown resign? Will Adam Morrisson return? I mean who's going to chase the loose balls and restock the basketball racks?! The NHL free agency theatrics are just as nail biting for Ducks fans: Will Teemu Selanne come back after all? Will Bobby Ryan stay with the Ducks? And on it goes. I need a Tums just thinking about it.

In a time of such uncertainty, it's nice to know that I can count on two things:

[ Phil is back! Photo by Christian Peterson, Getty Images. ]

1. Phil Jackson is coming back to the Lakers. Looks like another Lakers three-year reign is in our future! I can see Kobe now - the Larry O'Brien hoisted high in one hand, the 2011 Finals MVP trophy in the other while awkwardly trying to lift up six fingers. 

[18 year old Etem in his shiny new Ducks uniform.]

2. The Ducks hit it big with 1st round draft pic and local Long Beach native, Emerson Etem. The quick center was just as happy to join the Ducks as the Ducks were to have him. "I couldn't have fallen to a better organization. They're just all class," said Etem. "With the Ducks picking me, a California-born hockey player, I just have so much opportunity. It couldn't be a better fit for me." Emerson finished out the 09-10 Season with 37 goals, 28 assists, 65 points, and 28 PIM in 72 games with Junior League team the Medicine Hat Tigers. Not too shabby.

Here's a little about Etem, courtesy of the official Ducks site. Seems like a well rounded young man with excellent taste... well excepting the Ke$ha reference.

EMERSON ETEM'S FAVORITES

NHL Player: Ilya Kovalchuk
Shootout move: “Around the Puck”
Goal celebration: “Stick in the air”
Movie: Life is Beautiful, Happy Gilmore
TV Show: Family Guy
Actor: Will Ferrell
Music Group: Bad Religion
Website: NHL.com
Book: Catcher in the Rye 
Pump-up song: “Tick Tock” by Ke$ha
Home cooked meal: Anything Mexican
Activities away from the rink: Surfing, Soccer, Basketball

Don't forget to check out our Calendar by clicking here to see where you can celebrate the birth of our country in true American fashion, by blowing stuff up!

Cheers friends!

- Amy

On my iTunes: Arctic Monkeys' "Fluorescent Adolescent"