Stories Since the Lockout: NBA Players Highlight Summer Pro-Am Leagues

This summer's basketball Pro-Amateur leagues have erupted with NBA talent due to the lockout. There has been a myriad of young players trying to prove themselves (Greivis Vasquez, Josh Selby, Nick Young, and Donte Greene), league veterans (Steve Blake, Ron Artest, Shannon Brown, and Joe Smith), guys with super star potential (Brandon Jennings, Demarcus Cousins, James Hardin, DeMar DeRozan, and John Wall), and some super stars themselves like Kobe, Lebron, and Kevin Durant. The summer season has had several highlights like Durant scoring 66 in a game, Kobe scoring 43 and hitting a game winner buzzer beating, and Durant and Harden who are teammates jawing off at each other in the championship game. With the lockout happening, maybe they should make their own winter league. This summer basketball stuff just shows which guys truly love playing basketball. Look at the facilities. This isn't Madison Square Garden. It's Rucker Park, some crappy indoor facility, and all some other courts that suck. Just pure love of the game.

Stories Since the Lockout- Another Reason Lebron Could Never Even Be Kobe

Due to the lockout, the Lakers have laid off over 20 employees already and don't plan to rehire any of them until after the lockout. Because of this, Kobe Bryant has given his playoff bonus to the two video coordinators for the Lakers that have been laid off. It's a total of $65,000. I know what people are thinking. 65 grand is nothing for a guy like Kobe. Yes that is correct, but how many other guys have you heard of doing this? On another good note, Luke Walton has reportedly given a sum of money to the training staff that has been laid off also. Lebron probably has the laid off Heat staff working as his butlers for minimum wage.

Stories Since the Lockout: Calipari Welcomes Kentucky Alumni Back

John Calipari is one of the smartest coaches and recruiters in all sports. With the lockout in place, Calipari has welcomed all former Kentucky players to use the Lexington facilities during the lockout. Some of these players have even decided to take some classes to get closer to their degree. These players include John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, and Rajon Rondo. Now just think about recruits coming in to visit Kentucky. Calipari gives them a tour of the school and ends it at teh practice facility and says, "have you met John Wall or Rajon Rodon? They'll be here as long as the lock out lasts, and if it lasts over a season, they could be practicing against you." Talk about being star struck on a recruiting visit.

Just this year alone players like Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, Michael Gilchrist, and Anthony DAvis will be practicing against NBA first round picks and All Stars if the lockout continues. The guys they'll be practicing against will be better than the guys the play in games. That's how you improve a team.

He also had an alumni game at Rupp Arena against the National Dominican Republic team that he is coaching. Players included young gunners John Wall and Demarcus Cousins, former NBA All Stars Rajon Rondo and Tayshaun Prince, and NBA role players such as Ketih Bogans and Nazr Mohammed. All past Wildcats loved playing in the game and hope they can do it again sometime soon.

Stories Since the Lockout: NBA Players Trying Out New Professions

Since some have predicted the NBA Lockout to last longer than next year's entire season, some players have already taken their talents somewhere else.

Brandon Jennings is working as an intern at Under Armour. With Under Armour Jennings has been working with the sports marketing department focusing on shoes. It's a pretty sweet gig for him since Kevin Plank, Under Armour CEO and founder, got Jennings a condo in Baltimore, lets him use his jeep, and gives Jennings access to their beautiful 10,000 square foot workout facility. To top it off, his position title is "Curator of Cool".

On the other side of the spectrum Delonte West is looking for more of a blue collared job. Due to a court order, Delonte can't leave the country to play basketball overseas. Because of this, he's applied to take his talents to Home Depot. Delonte has been diagnosed with a serious case of being  bipolar and that could play a part in him helping you carry your new shrubs to your car. I guess it would gice that particular Home Depot an increase in customers just to see Delonte there also. He's no Ray Allen or Kobe but people would still think it's cool to see him at Home Depot. Maybe Lebron's mom will now be  a frequent customer there.

Ron Artest has been doing some stand up comedy since the lockout. He actually had good reviews from his show at Caroline's in New York City and also had another showing at the Brea Improv Comedy Club in California. The LA Times had some videos here's one below. You're a therapist? I love therapists.

Ten Basketball Stories Since the Lockout

In honor of billionaires fights with millionaires, I'm going to do ten interesting basketball stories since the lockout has started. I'll do one a day for the next ten days with some days having multiple stories about a specific topic.