Extra! Extra! (1.4)
The Lakers dropped the second game of their home and home with Utah Tuesday night in particularly bad fashion, 90-80, their fifth loss in a row. Playing again without Kobe Bryant, who will return from his suspension on Friday against Philadelphia at Staples, the Lakers struggled to find an answer on the offensive end to Utah's Andrei Kiralenko. The gangly Russian blocked seven shots, grabbed nine boards, had six steals, and generally created misery for the Lakers, who slipped below the .500 mark, and out of the 8th playoff spot. A five game skid is rare territory for Phil Jackson, who will need a win Friday to avoid his first six game losing streak as a coach. For now, Jackson will shoulder the blame.
Your box score. Stare too long and it'll sear out your eyes.
Lamar Odom attempted to fill the leadership void left in Kobe's absence, but in the end it wasn't enough for L.A. Still, he battled with Kiralenko throughout, leaving the two with a healthy respect for each other. Now Odom returns to his second fiddle status, while he waits to find out if he'll be part of the next U.S. Olympic basketball team. In the meantime, worry about Kobe's increasing level of frustration if you want, but don't sweat his relationship with L.O.
In roster related news, Jackson reiterated that Odom isn't part of any plans to obtain Ron Artest. As for Ronny Turiaf, Jackson still worries about his conditioning, but it's not out of the question that the Lakers would sign him before all contracts become guaranteed on Jan. 10. Turiaf is currently averaging 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds for the CBA's Yakima SunKings.
(photo by Steve C Wilson/AP)
I was listening to James Worthy yesterday and he was saying that the lakers problems were coaching problems, basically that Phil has to do something, that he is the coach.
Yesterday when I was watching the game and the lakers were on a run and leading by 8, Utah's coach called timeout to break the lakers momentum, but when the Utah Jazz when on a run Phil did not call a timeout, why not?
I think Phil thinks these players can work it out on their own; find their way, like his previous teams did, but this team is not like those teams and even less w/o Kobe. Phil needs to call timeouts when the other team starts making a run in order for them to regroup, but he doesn't and he should.
But I guess Phil doesn't feel the pressure, because everybody blames Kobe for everything. If they lose is Kobe's fault. If they win it's Kobe's effort but with good coaching and his teammates. If they don't make the playoffs it will be Kobe's fault. If they do it will be because of Phil's coaching, not because of Kobe.
In the end no body will blame Phil for anything. For blaming they(press,fans,maybe even lakers front office, other players,other teams)have Mr. Kobe Bryant.
Posted by: lakofan | January 04, 2006 at 09:26 AM
Jon,
A Laker fan since 62, I was a volleyball player in the 70es in Santa Monica. When Wilt came down to the beach to rehab the knee, I had the opportunity to get to know him and become a friend.
This is to clear the record. Wilt, much like Bird, Magic, MJ or KB8 today, was highly competitive and had an incredible will/need to win. When playing cards, Spades for example, with his big hands, he could palm cards and dump the Queen on whoever he chose. He cheated at cards. Given world class athletic talent, what sets the greatest apart from the other incredible athletes is that pathological/sick competitiveness. Look at last night’s game in SLC. LO had a great game, but in the end, did not have the will to win. The Laker team as a whole settled for J’s instead forcing the refs to blow the whistle and faded in the end. KB8 would have taken it to Kiralenko. People in the general population are not exposed to that type of competitive person and perceive them as jerks.
Finally, Wilt was far from a jerk. Next to Ali, at that time he was the most recognized athlete in the world. He could go nowhere, and not have his privacy constantly interrupted by the adoring fans. This never stopped. Thus his no autographs position. Yet, in the 90es, while he lived in Hawaii, one of our friends contracted cancer. Wilt came back from Hawaii to help him recover. For months, Wilt or Wilty as we called him, picked him up every afternoon and took him to the Gym to work out then to the beach to hang with friends and play cards. He provided our friend the motivation to fight his disease.
Wilt was a great friend and one who stepped up when needed, and it’s unfair that his memory is diminished by those that did not know him.
Roky
Posted by: Roky | January 04, 2006 at 09:37 AM
Roky,
Thanks a lot.
So, was there ever any tension between Wilt's ability to be a valuable friend and his competitive compulsion? How did that dynamic work?
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 04, 2006 at 10:36 AM
Look. Its time to realize here. Read what Phil is trying to say. Lately Phil has been quoted on all the papers with an assortment of suggestions.
Phil is trying to say the team is pretty DUMB.
I am a fan, I like this team. the team has potential, tremendous potential, I root and pull for their success. However .... Phil is letting the fans know.
Back in 2000 while coaching to a championship he continually stated the IPODS are flowing in their ears, and they are too riled in their hip-hop. That was their problem.
However, with these Lakers he addresses their LOGIC.
You can see it on the Floor ...
I love LO, he can be a force, but all of his production comes from his sure talent. NOTHING ELSE. He grabs 10 rebounds and 5 assist a game because he is the type to stumble into that ... hes that GOOD. Why is he not a RON ARTEST prospect?? Because he is Good, and IF HE CAN REALIZE HOW TO GROW, his success can be LIMITLESS. RIGHT???
problem .... IM SORRY I LIKE SMUSH A LOT TOO, but he has shown us that ... he IS NO STARTING POINT GUARD. he also showed me that I dont think Hes very knowledgeable of the GAME. he came from NY, he was a Playground legend. Great, obviously he is skilled ( wow he can take off on anyone) but theres that knowledge of the game. maybe hes still young. I mean after AK47 blocked 20 shots in one possesion, IM pretty sure PJ told his guys, "look you gotta realize AK will reject weak stuff" couple plays down that 4th quarter stretch ... Smush came around on did this cute little up and under ..... REJECTED!!!!!
come on!! this is Basketball, you need to use brains here.
Kwame brown ... problem. Again I believe he has world of potential, but does he Understand the Game. Did u guys see Rookie DAVID LEE against the Suns. Hes young, but u can see he understands.
What was Phil saying in one article ... he was worried the players didnt understand his diagrams so he started to use magnets instead of a pen. You should know Phil by now, he has a way with Words to deliver his point. Shrewd or not. Come on
Posted by: ramy | January 04, 2006 at 12:42 PM
Jon,
You have to love your friends for who they are. The beach at that time was a culture filled with colorfull characters and Wilt fit well in that mix. During one verbal argument with Wilt, he told me "Roky, you are too small to talk to me like this". He was right. These are the things friends end up laughing about latter.
Posted by: Roky | January 04, 2006 at 12:49 PM
Roky,
Thanks for clearing up my image of Wilt. I appreciate it.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 04, 2006 at 01:07 PM
i cant believe i'm reading all these trades on the blog involving odom for artest... saying artest would get along better with KOBE!?!? OMG who here really think artest who doesnt take sht from anyone, and kobe.... who yells and bitchs about everything can get along? the whole reason artest wanted out of indian is because he said he wasnt getting enough touches. and Charlie said artest thinks pacers can win every game if he had the ball at the end. now who here thinks 2 ball hogs and 2 guys who both demand the ball at end games or they get pissed... would get along? artest is one of my fav players but he wont work with kobe. maybe somehow the lakers get him without trading odom... that might work since odom have the ability to keep eveyone happy.
Posted by: the Lamar Show | January 04, 2006 at 01:12 PM
This season was summed up in the last month or so.
A ROLLER COASTER RIDE. Personally I hate them.
The Lakers 5-1 road trip...up,up,up
5 game losing streak...down,down,down.
Dizziness overwhelms you then you blow chunks.
Hopefully the Lakers can get off this roller coaster and start winning.
VIVALOSLAKERS!!!
Posted by: VIVALOSLAKERS | January 04, 2006 at 01:12 PM
Hey did Wilt REALLY have that many women?
;)
Posted by: Zen | January 04, 2006 at 01:40 PM
A problem with coaching? That's funny!!!! 9 NBA titles folks...You can't argue with success.
Posted by: Zen | January 04, 2006 at 01:42 PM
The Lamar Show,
Take into consideration that Ron Artest being added to the team would give Kobe a more comfortable feeling on the court. Artest not only has a bizarre attitude off the court, but on the court he has proven himself to be a outstanding defender and perfectly fits the bill for a second scorer.
Now trading Lamar Odom for Artest may not be the right idea to do, and so I agree with you on that aspect. However, I'm sure if L.A. can get a third team involved in this trade, Mitch Kupchak and staff should be able to pull something off with out involving Lamar.
I believe keeping Kwame Brown would be a wise move as well in considering that he's young, just joined the Laker squad and has some time to improve and implement his skills on the court. Just think of Kwame as an Andrew Bynum with a bit more NBA experience.
I wouldn't be surprise to see the Lakers trading off Chris Mihm sometime in the near future. Not saying he would be a part of the Ron Artest deal (if their is one), but I can see the Lakers not looking too impressed with the guy lately.
Where is Ronny Turiaf?
Is it just me or is Smush Parker fading away very quickly. I haven't noticed the same player in Smush that he was near the beginning of the season. I was about to jump out on the limb and label him a future all-star.
I like Sasha Vujacek because I can see him being a future "Peja from Sacramento". Just wish he would put on some weight. Someone show him to the meat and starch section in your local supermarket.
I agree that Phil Jackson is sending a message to Lakers management, don't you? Lakers losing the first four of five games in close fashion. Strange line-up changes and being quite verbal regarding other players on other teams, ie: Chris Bosh, Ron Artest. I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that by the trade deadline this year, their will be a big trade in the NBA and the Lakers will be involved.
Posted by: Ron aka Razmataz | January 04, 2006 at 01:57 PM
Phil Jackson is the greatest coach in the NBA period
People just don't realize his abilities.
He has the ability to CONTROL players of different attitudes and styles and adjust them into becoming the league's greatest.
Let me remind you about the Most Successful Coach in the game.
-Phil Jackson was the reason why Michael Jordan's turned his ball hogging ways around.
-He had the ability to control even the wildest player, Dennis Rodman. He used Rodman's attitude and agressive nature as a main defensive weapon for the Bulls. I don't think any coach would want to deal with Rodman, but Phil did.
-He made Scottie Pippen realize that he has to be Michael's ultimate back up for the Bulls to be successful.
-For the Lakers, he made Kobe and Shaq realize for a time, that they must work together to win. They must be dominant together, not individually.
And they did just that.
Just message to say that:
If you don't know what you're talking about, don't make any foolish statements at all.
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 04, 2006 at 02:20 PM
Honestly, The lakers past 5 games can be compared to the
Atlanta Hawks.
That's how bad they play.
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 04, 2006 at 02:21 PM
Ahh.. Everyone loves the Zen Master. People are always trying to look into everything he does as "Sending a message". Come on! Why would Phil be sending a message to Laker Management? Management knows what kind of team they have. The Lakers cannot do much right now and it will next to impossible to get someone that can help them this year.
Posted by: Zen | January 04, 2006 at 02:28 PM
Ron Raz ma Graz.
Chris Mihm doesn't impress, because he is truthfully undersized as a center. But how can you say the Lakers are questioning him? Not to say that he isn't fodder for the trading block (they all are, but Kobe), but Mihm plays a hell of a game.
If you want to put question marks on anybody it would have to be Smush (sad to say, especially since I have him on my fantasy team and keep waiting for him to break out) Devean (the biggest Laker bust of the current era and a humilation to every fan when he steps on the court and gives that stupid smile every time he screws up) or...Luke...(I love Luke, but damn these 3 last games have me wondering if he's trying to ruin his own career).
Mihm should not be under scrutiny, he works his ass off and is exactly the kind of player we want playing alongside Kobe.
Phil may be the greatest thing since brown rice (the greatest thing since sliced bread), but he needs to be a bit more direct once in a while. That includes talking to his goddamn players behind closed doors and not alluding to his oh-so-mighty zen wisdom for the public to dissect. Goddamn you and your bullish legacy phil! If Only Riley were still a Laker...but he's coaching that turd of a human being..wait..there's 3 of them out there.
Posted by: S.Tan | January 04, 2006 at 02:51 PM
S. TAN
Where have you been man. It was stated that C. Mihm did not touch a basketball, or lift weights this off season. wouldnt you rather have a Chris Kaman???
by the way, Riles record with the Heat isnt so tidy.
Posted by: ramy | January 04, 2006 at 03:01 PM
Yeah, Roky,
Did Wilt REALLY have 30,000 women? 30,000 women? C'mon?
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 04, 2006 at 03:04 PM
Hey, maybe Mihm or Brown should go on a "Wilt the Stilt" training program and sleep with a few thousand women too. Might improve their game. At least they could have an excuse for being so bad.
Posted by: Laron the Phophet of Doom | January 04, 2006 at 03:26 PM
He didn't? Well that's news to me.
Damn...the bastard.
Posted by: S.Tan | January 04, 2006 at 03:30 PM
Zen/Jon,
No comment!!!
Posted by: Roky | January 04, 2006 at 03:38 PM
Man, its been a crazy day on this blog.
I've come to thinking. Last night was AWFUL! AWFUL! Especially in the second half of the third quarter (sound familiar?), but the last four losses were painful, but not horrible.
We only lost the last four by a few points each game.
Maybe we're over-reacting. Kobe WAS out of the game.
I think the problem was they were playing so well and then the last five games looked like an entirely different team.
I predicted that January was going to be the month our team magically came to master the Triangle. I now have my doubts.
It seems like we need a consistent number two scorer. Lamar seems close to that, but isn't that. His strengths are his all-around game, not consistently putting up 24 points a night.
We need to keep the faith.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 04, 2006 at 04:11 PM
Hey Roky,
Well, did he have sex with MORE than 10,000 women? I heard some player when back when say, "There's no way Wilt had sex with 30,000 women. He couldn't have had sex with more than 10,000 women!"
So, did he have sex with 10,000 women?
I heard his pad was super-dope!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 04, 2006 at 04:14 PM
yah ron, it's been frustrating to watch smush and walton the past few games... smush constantly gets beaten off the dribble and walton makes costly turnovers.
and cook last night looked like he didnt want to stay on the court because he didnt start after having a good game last time.
i dont have a problem with chris. he's a hard worker but can't stay out of foul trouble. did he even play in the 4th quarter last game?
i was pretty upset lakers traded butler for brown. butler is a hardnose defender, can score, and a great slasher. if they didnt want butler, they could have easily traded him right now for artest. He avged like 20 and 10 against them in the 2004's conference semi final.
Posted by: the Lamar Show | January 04, 2006 at 04:22 PM
C'mon guys....Let's give Drago some Props. I will take or trade for AK47 over Ron Artest any day.
AK47 has the same work ethic as Kobe on both of ends of the court.
To: Mitch K.
If you want to win the upcoming wars.....
AK47 are the kind of weapons we need. Please do your job and get them..
Posted by: willn2win | January 04, 2006 at 04:59 PM
I have a friend who's son is currently playing in the development league. He's played summer league in Nevada and California. I've been to summer league games at the Pyramid in Long Beach for the past 5 years. Young men work very hard in high school, college, summer leagues, devel leagues, pick ups, any chance they get, to hone their skills. Those skills are basic, shoot with accuracy, footwork, relexes, defense, so forth. There is an entire industry develoted to developing the skills of potential NBA talent. My point is this; I'm sick and tired of hearing stuff like, Kwami/Smush/Sasha/Luke so forth will 'develope' and mature in to good players. BS! These guys are contract players in the NBA. They are representing all of those young men who give their every effort to get the chance to play on an NBA team. They are paid to play basketball with proficeincy PERIOD. No excuses. What is Mitch seeing in these players that make them candidates to play professional ball? I watched Sasha at the Pyramid this summer, and he couldn't make any baskets then either! The best player on the Lakers last summer league- Turiaf, hands down.
Kwami/Smush/Sasha/Luke should be fired. It's a shame that there are so many young men who work so hard for their chance in the NBA, and people like the KSSL clan get to play and screw up every game.
Posted by: troy | January 04, 2006 at 05:35 PM
At last small Laker win streak came to end. And real streak just started. LMAO. Funny the losing streak started from X-mas when Shaq whupped Lakers.
Guys its Clippers time. We are just getting started. Jump in.
Hey AK, You are blocking my postings. Some of my postings never appeared. I guess you only like I-love-lakers posts. Its not fair. I remember you said Rules will not allow you to delete or modify posts.
Posted by: Clip Fan | January 04, 2006 at 07:23 PM
Look
Just Fire Mitch Kupchak
And good times will come.
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 04, 2006 at 07:38 PM
LO's not anywhere near Pippen's skill at running the triangle. He's better down low. Think bigger and quicker Horry. If Kobe's willing, he should be the point again. Then the comparision will be not if Kobe's as good as Jordan but if Pippen was anywhere near Kobe.
And Smush, you make me miss DFish so much.
Posted by: p ang | January 04, 2006 at 08:50 PM
Clip Fan-
Don't know which posts you're talking about, but we only block posts for libel, inappropriate sexual content, or inappropriate language. My guess is you hit one of the three. Keep it clean, my friend, and everything will get up. We never block based on pro or anti-Lakers sentiment.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | January 04, 2006 at 10:10 PM
Roky's comment concerning the "pathological competitiveness" of Wilt should end the discussion about Kobe and his inability to be Mr Congeniality. Players that don't want to play alongside that kind of competitive intensity, are losers at this level of play. Kobe plays smart and stupid and ineffectively and brilliantly but he brings it, always. Phil can pull him in and will have to if the Lakes are to start winning consistently but let's stop worrying about his personality. We're not dating him.
Posted by: Vman | January 04, 2006 at 10:20 PM
I hate it when people don't know what they are talking about. I hate it when they just watch the news about the Los Angeles Lakers and assume something negative about them without even watching the games and knowing the full story behind the failure. I am the Lakers or Kobe's biggest fan but quite frankly, I am just sick of the Lakers lately. I hate the way they are playing. I'm on the edge of giving up on them. I know it's a process but GOD! I hate watching their failure on both ends. It irritates annoying me to the point, that I just seem not to care anymore. My god, when will they learn. They better get their act together because they are making fans lose hope.
-Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 04, 2006 at 10:31 PM
well today ive read some crazy posts and some of you laker fans are crazy( who cares how many wemon wiltt slept with) but I read some one say chris Mihm was an undersized center but that is no where near the truth Chris Mihm is 7' foot tall and last time i checked thats taller then alot of centers (besides Shaq yoa and ilgauskas) if not taller then alot he is average hieght at worst. but another thing that someone said was that they wouldnt mind seeing chris traded well being a true Laker fan I love everyone who wheres the purp and gold but I would like to see kwame and drew get more action. I know they are holding Bynum back till he masters the hook shot the kareemm is teaching him but couldnt he try it out on some people and I wouldve loved to see Bynum and Shaq go at it for a few minutes even though Drew would probably get killed. But why not through mighm into the Laker trade talks in the end it could be a way to bring in turriaf cuz thier would be room for another big man. On another point has anyone noticed how all the Laker big men have been playing weak under the rim this season. Earl boykins has probably dunked on more people this season then Kwame and Mihm combined( and acounting the fact that im probably taller then boykins is something very embarresing).Kwame need to spend some time looking at ben wallace tapes and do every thing he does inluding DUNK. i get so angry when kwame misses a layup when he had a clear oppertunity to end up on the cover of a slamups magazine for dunking on somebody. But one thing I happen to find problems with is people getting on Kwame. Okay I know he played bad during the 1st quarter of the season, but then kno one knew the triangle, so he went out with an injury and weve been dogging him ever since. but comming off the bench he's putting up near the same numbers as Mihm who is starting so why dont we give kwame a cahnce by starting him in a few games and giving him extended minutes. he wouldnt do any worse then Mihm and could almost do better. so not wishing any injury's on any one but I wonder what we would look like with out mihm. Another thing laker fans havent looked at is the kings and Peja. he is in a contract year and having the worst season of his career I expect the kings to trade him by the all star break. And if my one wish of getting Artest happens without giving up Artest then at mid season we could give odom to the kings for Peja now tell me we wouldnt be a dangerous team then.And lastly all those peaple who have been coming down on Smush you need to realize he fits in with kobe very well. He hits open threes(somethin L.O. never seems to do)he plays decent defnse for a 6'5 point gaurd. and he is the only player on the roster besides kobe who gets above the rim... SO lay off his case he's not yet a player who can create his own shot in the NBA that is why he fits in whit KB8 he waits for kobes doubel team then he finds the spot and hits the open shot(something LO never seems to do...)AFter this season he will most likely be retained by the Lakers and kobe will work with him on his game in the off season but any way what you fail to understand is the Lakers need a change of pace gaurd smush is a well defender but nobody on the Lakers can keep up with a earl boykins or speedy claxton type player. the lakers dont even have a plyer on roster under the hieght of 6'4 and you can quote me on that oneso before you go out throwing smush to the wolves kobe might do a better job defending them but smaller point gaurds would blow right past him to.......
just a few thoughts from your favorite 15 yr old aspiring sports writer LanceP.
oh yea AK ad BK if you hear any news on an Artest trade could you please updat me thanks
lance..
Posted by: Lance P. | January 04, 2006 at 11:44 PM
Kobe is coming back and this team will run off a few wins and give us all a little hope. I like the fact that we have to se this team for what it is without Kobe, they are basically the Hawks. I think they are a trade or two away still from even going into the playoffs with a chance but as we all know if Kobe's in a game - WE CAN WIN IT!
Phil is making stupid comments to the press and the team deserves them all, this guy deserves respect and this team has shown no self discipline on defense. It has to start with defense, and Phil is just amazed at the lack of true fundamentals in the NBA today.
The product we see today is hurting because these kids don't get drilled all week on D and screening out and rolling throw screens or simply setting up a pick and roll.
We sure need Turiaf or a Marcus Fizer someone to bang. I guess Big Dog is on his but eating again, no to sure he would impress Phil with his No D attitude.
AK was superb as usual and I would love to have a player like that with us but he's so damn injury prone it wouldn't work and Utah would never let go of him. In a nutshell we need Kobe to start playing out of his head and try to bring more Magic and less Michael J. He's the one who can change this season and the development of his boys.
Losing Sucks...Phil and Kobe are the only keepers, Mihm didn't touch a ball during the summer? I thought he was doing drills with Jabbar and Bynum.
Rocky- Wilt was and always will be the greatest player to play the game, its just sad those games where he averaged 50 a season aren't available on film. He also had to let his teamates int the game to begin to win. He was always nice enough to stop and shoot a photo with us white kids, more love than we ever got from Bill Russell. Best of all was Dr.J, hands down.
Posted by: Pete Maguire | January 05, 2006 at 12:08 AM
well, he's not the answer but I sure loved this guy in college- Mateen Cleaves! He may be a positive approach for the team in wanting to win. - just released from seattle..Sean Banks another D Leaguer doing well along with Fizer..we know cleaves can get hot and does love to dish out assists. I guess he's got to be about as good as Smush. Anyone have Kupchaks email address?
Posted by: Pete Maguire | January 05, 2006 at 12:25 AM
VMAN,
You're right.
Lance P,
What's a "wemon"?
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 08:23 AM
I was reading yesterdays comments and there were alot of interesting topics. My opinion is that the Lakers should keep everybody that is apart of the roster except for Devean George and Chris Mihm. Chris is foul prone and Devean is overconfident. Both players are hurting the Lakers because we rely on both players so heavily. If we can trade both players for Austin Croshere and Ron it would benefit both teams.
The Lakers need players that are consistant in creating space for one another and players that are consistant when it comes to knocking down shots. The Pacers can use Mihms to play 20 to 25 minutes a game to give them better production when O'neal is out. The can use Devean George to replace Ron at the forward spot for the rest of the year. Devean is a legit small forward, but what makes him appealing is that his contract is up at the end of the season.
One last note. WE NEED TURIAF. HE WILL BE THE SECOND SMARTEST PLAYER THAT THE LAKERS WILL HAVE AND HE WORKS EXTREMELY HARD OFF THE COURT
Posted by: Zakee | January 05, 2006 at 09:22 AM
I agree that having someone like Peja would be a great addition. However there are a few things that would make it extremely difficult to have that happen. First, I don’t think Sacramento would want to do business with us. Second, it would only be a good pick-up if the deal didn’t include Odom (we all know we need to add a solid third to the Kobe-Odom duo to become elite again). Third, Peja is probably going to get a max or near-max deal starting next season and the Lakers can’t afford another $10-14 mil a year player. Finding a player to fit in with the Lakers from another team or the draft is a tough task, especially if it’s one we want to have average 20+ points a game and one we can get without giving up Odom. In my opinion we either have to find lighting in a bottle or hope help comes from what we currently have within the organization. Either way it’s a long shot.
Lance P, I think when people mention Mihm as undersized they refer to his weight. I would even go so far as to say that Mihm’s game is more like a power forward than a true center (which there are very few of anymore). I think the Lakers jumped on Bynum because he’s a great prospect but more importantly he is a true center and enjoys that role.
Posted by: Andrew Z | January 05, 2006 at 09:32 AM
First time posting to this blog, but I am a long time Laker fan. I went to see the Minneapolis Lakers and the St Louis Hawks play at the Sports Arena, the year before the Lakers can out here. They had a young guy named Elgin Baylor, but I went to see my favorite - Bob Pettit. The next year they came out here and added Jerry West. So I have been there since the beginning.
As far as this years team goes, I see a major weakness on offense ( I won't even go into the defense ). Almost all of the Laker players are spot up players and have very little in the way of individual offensive moves. If you look at Detroit, one of the things that makes their offense so potent, is that they have great one-on-one players, who play within a team concept. If a shot doesn't open up from running the team offense, they have several players who can get off a good shot even though pressured. If you watch the Lakers, players like Smush, Sasha, Luke, etc if the ball swings to them and they are open, will not shoot if a defensive player rushes at them. They cannot shoot over them, or make a simple move to create an open shot. If they drive they usually are stripped of the ball or get their shot blocked - or pass to Kobe, hoping he can bail them out. Even though posters here are critical of Devean George, he is one of the few players that can free himself for an open jumper. Von Wafer also looks like he has that capability. Laron Profit showed that ability before he got hurt. The good thing is that so many of these players are young, and will hopefully improve.
Roger B.
Posted by: Roger Bentson | January 05, 2006 at 09:52 AM
Kupchak,
If you read this blog, read this. WAIVE PROFIT, GREEN AND SLAVA. They are of no value to you right now. You can keep Profit in the loop for next year as a third string wing player, but the other two are of no damn use to you. You are paying Slava to sit anyway, and he will have no use past March in the first place. If you're not going to get Phil to play Green, then waive him before Tuesday to make room for Turiaf. As Pete said, bring in Cleaves. The guy can play. And why haven't we tried to trade for Brevin Knight?
Kupchak, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKE UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP, or resign and let Phil, Jim Buss, and Magic take over.
Posted by: Rich1906 | January 05, 2006 at 09:57 AM
When people suggest Cleaves to join the team because he's "good" they fail to realize the guy isn't employed right now for a reason. He also can't keep a job either, so really, probably not the answer for us right now, I'm just sayin.
Nice post Roger B, I agree whole-heartedly with you.
Posted by: Andrew Z | January 05, 2006 at 10:53 AM
Roky,
I respect you for keeping Wilt's privacy. It is really a private matter although he did announce it publicly.
Posted by: Zen | January 05, 2006 at 11:22 AM
I'm still upset about the suspension Kobe received. You know if the Laker's weren't playing Utah two games in a row, but had the Cavs/Heat or a nationally televised game he never would have been suspended.
As for Phil..I think he is the best manager in the NBA. Now, I say best manager, not coach because I think his strength is organizing and motivating his team, he is weak in teaching fundamentals (thus his preference for Veterans over rookies)and drawing up plays (hence his dependence on the triangle and the greatness of his players at the end of games. I mean when was the last time the Lakers ran a play to end the game that worked and actually looked like it was drawn up. Its usually just Kobe rising up over a defender(s)) But he can take a good player and make them great, thus his 9 championships.
I think we just witnessed the best coach in the NBA- Jerry Sloan. If he would ever leave Utah where nobody actually wants to play everybody would realize this. I've always been impressed by how well his teams execute on offense and defense even when they are short on talent.
Anybody else starting to have flashbacks to last season?
Posted by: Jtrincad | January 05, 2006 at 02:25 PM