Extra! Extra! (1.5)
Most of ya'll have been complaining that Kobe's supporting cast is gun shy when it comes to hoisting shots. Well, the one guy who could solve that problem is Slava Medvedenko, but his time off the court has just been extended. Slava's herniated disk will require surgery, with a standard recovery time of at least three months. With Profit and McKie also shelved, the Lakers are now down to 12 functioning players, just enough to fill a roster. Whether it be Ronny Turiaf, a free agent, some lucky reader, whoever, Phil Jackson acknowledged the squad's gonna need an extra body brought in.
As tough as it was for fans to watch the last two games, it was even worse for Kobe Bryant. Luckily, his daughter helped him ease the pain a bit, as well as discover some of Superman's character flaws- perhaps a subtle dig at you know who's hero?
CBS Sportsline's latest NBA rankings. As one might expect, the Lakers come in around the middle of the pack, having dropped slightly.
Congratulations to Chris Mihm and his Longhorns. In the meantime, AK is still sitting in his closet, sulking and drinking.
No congratulations to any team outside of California.
Texas is a god-forsaken state of inbred lunatics in foppish cowboy hats.
So, Phil's acknowledged we need more firepower?
I guess the trade question is truly legitimate. Honestly, though, who do we really have to trade outside Devean George?
Devean has value because he sometimes steps up and can be truly impressive, but he simply too inconsistent.
Who else on our team could we get a better deal on?
We can't (won't) trade Kobe nor Lamar. That would be stupid.
We won't get a better deal for Kwame or Mihm. Smush? It would be stupid to trade Smush? Luke? I don't think so. Sasha? Nope.
Slava? Ummm... back surgery.
I don't know, guys.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 09:53 AM
"Bryant acknowledged that the Lakers probably would have won both games with him."
Great, now the headline's going to "KOBE SAYS LAKERS WOULD HAVE WON GAME IF HE WAS THERE".
The way it's worded, here's how it probably went down.
REPORTER: So, Kobe, you think the Lakers would have won if you were there?
What's he gonna say, "NO"?
annoying.
Posted by: KB8 Fan | January 05, 2006 at 10:07 AM
Like I said in the post for yesterday, we need to do something fast. We have lost Slava and Profit for the season. We need to go ahead and waive them to make room for someone else. We're paying them to sit anyway, so might as well cut our losses. Cleaves will be available once he clears waivers, and he won't demand much in terms of money. Plus, do we still have half of that mid level exception or did we blow that on Wafer and Devin Green? Just curious.
And Mitch needs to make a road trip to some D-League games. We could get Fizer, Udoka's looking good (D-League player of the month), and whoever else is down there that has shown they can ball.
Mitch, WAKE UP.
Posted by: Rich1906 | January 05, 2006 at 10:11 AM
Mateen Cleaves was cut by a team in an even more dire
state than the Lakers and you want to sign Who? Aaron Mckie is Magic Johnson where Cleaves is concerned. Why are Clippers fans posting #$&* on this blog. Mateen Cleaves my &*^. Christ, i had promised myself to take a more passive role on this blog, it was becoming compulsive, and this Lakers team will break your heart but Mateen Cleaves? The last good game he played was for Michigan State, ... SIX YEARS AGO!
Posted by: Lakers Fan # 8 | January 05, 2006 at 10:40 AM
We need to wave Profit, Slava, and, probably Green.
(He seems like a good kid, but we are the Lakers and this year is not a year for a .500 season.)
We need to sign Turiaf and move from there.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 10:57 AM
Kobe needs to learn how to be a TEAM LEADER
If Kobe Bryant wanted to be a Team LEADER of this Laker squad then BONEHEAD moves such as intentionally elbowing an opponent in the throat should not have been done. Such a BONEHEAD move not only cost him financially but also cost his team TWO GAMES as well as being a player short.
Kobe needs to quit his selfish thinking and get onboard in trying to be a teammate or 1/5 of a unit of FIVE. Being an NBA veteran player, Kobe should know there were other ways in a game to retailiate if he felt it necessary and NOT cost himself and his team missed games.
The Lakers need to fire Mitch Kupchak because no top tier players are going to want to come to the Lakers with some of the crap Kupchak has pulled. One such move was to string Gary Payton along wanting him to resign and remain with the team. But when he did resign, he was then traded to the Celtics. Granted, Payton didn't have one of his stellar seasons with the Lakers, but it was not the way an NBA veteran and future Hall of Famer should have treated.
Trade Kobe Bryant for LeBron James!!!
OUT!!!
The truth
Posted by: Steven | January 05, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Roky,
Further request for clarity on Wilt Chamberlein,
I've heard from several sources an apocryphal story that Wilt, Magic Johnson, several Lakers, and several Bruins were playing a pick-up game at Pauly Pavilion at UCLA during the off-season.
As the story goes, Wilt rejected a shot by Magic and Magic called, "Foul." It was generally agreed upon that Wilt fouled Magic, so Magic went to the free throw line.
At that point, Wilt practically lost it. He went into hyper-competitive mode and simply took over the court. No one, and I mean NO ONE (including Magic) could score for the rest of the game. Wilt literally rejected every single shot for the rest game.
Ten years after his retirement even the best the NBA had to offer (Magic) were still children compared to an enraged Wilt.
Is this story true?
I want to believe.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 11:29 AM
Hey Steven, do you think the Cavs would trade Lebron to the Lakers for Kobe?
Posted by: Andrew Z | January 05, 2006 at 11:51 AM
to john kavulic,
(contents exaggerated for comedic effect)
how can you not congratulate that Texas team? UNBELIEVABLE!! Way to generalize "all the people in Texas". I guess all Cali is constituted of vapid, vacuous, self-absorbed, clueless, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, breast-implanted or otherwise surgically enhanced, vacant, front runners who weren't born in California. did i nail it? some would say it is typical that a person from Cali would believe everything should revolve around them and their teams. i don't understand why the no congrats though...ya'll are right where you wanna be. Matt Leinert and Skip Bayless both believe USC is still the best team. So why not just crown yourself with another paper championship? so next year, SC can go for the 4-peat!! If you can get enough of the sports media to believe it with no particular reason or rationale for doing so(like the way they were willing to run with that 3-peat farce), you're set. sure you only have 1 crystal football, but that didn't stop ya'll from claiming to be legitimate champs 2 times in a row. hell, if holding that crystal football is not requisite to being national champs, ya'll can claim to be champs for the past 100 years or so. hahaha--give UT their props. (and no, i do not live in or was born in or attended Texas)
back to bball...nice of Phil to acknowledge our needs. now can we expedite the process a bit. i know we can't just throw money at someone, but please hurry!
and yes, kobe's quote did look like a veiled dig at the big guy!
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 05, 2006 at 11:53 AM
You people need to STFU about the "Trade Kobe for Lebron !!!!1111111111 LIKEOMGWTF..." Seriously. It's getting annoying. You HONESTLY think that the way Lebron is playing they'll trade him for Kobe????
Posted by: Marco | January 05, 2006 at 12:50 PM
LeBron James can actually 'force' Cleveland to trade him next season. It would be logical that Cleveland would not trade him to another Eastern Conference team. LeBron would also get support and gentle nudging from his various corporate sponsors who would rather see LeBron playing in a major media market thus causing more exposure as a pitch-man for their products.
Los Angeles and New York are the best choices for LeBron. The Knicks don't have much to offer the Cavs, however the Lakers have Kobe. With the Cavs possibly losing LeBron, Kobe would be someone of equal value plus the selling point of NBA title experience.
LeBron would be a GREAT ASSET in the SoCal market with his style of play and coaching of Phil Jax. I am sure that with LeBron in the City of Angels, the Lakers can possibly attract MORE more top tier veteran players to assist the Laker organization on their drive to an NBA title.
It would be great to witness the greatness and excitement and thrills that was once evident during the exciting Laker SHOWTIME era. LeBron is young, strong and can finish the fast break strong.
Don't get me wrong, Kobe Bryant is a good player, however he just doesn't play an all-around game. Kobe benefitted from having a 'DOMINANT FORCE' in the middle that was getting doubled teamed down low, thus making the game easier for Kobe. Kobe now makes the game harder for himself plus there are injuries, however nagging which is part of the reason he doesn't drive hard to the basket as much.
Fans of the Lakers and SoCal sports in general NEED some type of EXCITEMENT such as was witnessed during the glory days of SHOWTIME. LeBron James, along with a quality BigMan can do that for the Laker organization.
Any means necessary,.......Trade Kobe Bryant for LeBron James!!!!
OUT!!
The truth
Posted by: Steven | January 05, 2006 at 01:07 PM
Iluvbrokli,
You've got it wrong, bro. I'm born and raised in California, but I did live in Texas for a short period of time (9 months) and I can tell you, first hand, from what I have seen with my own eyes, heard with my own ears, and smelt with my own nose:
Texas is a god-forsaken state of inbred lunatics in foppish cowboy hats.
I stand by my statement.
And they didn't even fairly beat USC. Two calls that obviously were in USC's favor (clearly shown by replay -- false touchdown and over-ruled fumble) either would have won the game for USC. That's how they win down there in Texas. They cheat (e.g. see 2000 national election).
Now, I hate USC. It wouldn't matter to me if immediately after the game the entire USC team was swallowed upon into the earth, never to be seen again. (It would probably generate a slim smile across my face.)
However, since Texas is a god-forsaken state of inbred lunatics in foppish cowboy hats, I would clearly rather have California (aka paradise to 98% of humanity) win over those inbred cow-tippers from Bush-land.
I've said my piece.
Vince Young did play amazingly well for a man from a god-forsaken state of inbred lunatics in foppish cowboy hats.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 01:16 PM
Ok! Ok! Ok!
“I did not come to praise Cesar but to burry him. The evil that men do lives after them while the good is oft interred with their bones” or something like that. This blog should be about the current Lakers. I just wanted to set the record straight regarding how Wilt is generally perceived.
Women? Do not know. Wilt was discrete. We laughed about his harem.
House was cool.
Pauly Pavilion? Did not hear that story.
Enraged? Never saw him loose his cool. Remember he never fouled out of a NBA game. That is an amazing record in itself.
What kind of athlete was he? Awesome; He picked up Volleyball in his forties as a part time avocation and he became pretty good in a few years. He did not become great for the same reason that bigs are not point guards. But to become good in a few years, when in your forties, playing a game that takes six to seven years for an athlete to gain enough skills to be able to play internationally is amazing.
Basketball was his profession, but Wilt was a very intelligent and articulate individual who excelled in many areas. He was well traveled and well read. He could barefoot water ski. He could snow ski, although he had to quit because people chased him all over the mountain. We used to play Ping Pong, he was good at that. Too many things to list. I believe he was the most dominant baller ever. Look at all of the records he still has. Shack, when he is done in a few years will not compare.
I only have knowledge about a small part of Wilts life, but through competing against and hanging with an individual one can take a pretty good measure of a man. Wilt measured pretty high(no pun).
Now, how about them Lakers? Mitch, do not trade Kobe, Lamar or Bynum. Get us the Rons, Artest and Turiaf.
Roky
Posted by: Roky | January 05, 2006 at 01:33 PM
Let me say my piece about all of the posters saying trade Kobe for LeBron:
Even if things were equal and the trade could happen, Phil Jackson does not want him. If Phil saw him as someone who could thrive in the triangle, he would have taken the job in Cleveland (that and if the city of Cleveland wasn't........... the city of Cleveland)
Lebron has more talent around him, which pads his "unselfish" statistics. It's hard to make your teammates better when your teammates don't deliver and they're not as good as us spoiled Laker fans are used to. You make the Kobe/Lebron swap, and I guarantee the Lakers are a worse team. Lebron's not clutch......yet. And that makes the difference to me, and not the perception of casual fans.
Posted by: Rich1906 | January 05, 2006 at 01:36 PM
BONEHEAD PLAY MY ASS! If somebody else on this passive, non aggressive, Kindergarden team would have stepped up to protect Bryant, He would have still been playing. He was getting singled out because every team in the league knows BRYANT IS THE ONLY TRUE LEADER ON THIS TEAM! You take him out and the rest of the team wilts away. We need men on this team and not a bunch of preschoolers. Someone has to step up. If the rest of the team played with the same passion and desire Kobe did we wouldnt even be talking about this CRAP. And as far as trading Kobe Only an idiot who knows nothing about basketball would even suggest such a thing.
Posted by: GMac | January 05, 2006 at 01:37 PM
Kobe and Lebron
I've said it so many times, Lebron is by far NOT in Kobe Bryant's class. Kobe Bryant is a very special player. He's such a rare player that he only comes around once. I keep saying this but since people do not understand. If Michael Jordan is to come back reincarnated, it would have to be Kobe Bryant. He would need Kobe's body.
As for the fans saying trade Kobe for Lebron. That is got to be the most foolish statement I have heard in a long time. Kobe is so imaginably good. The only reason why you say that is that you fail to understand that Lebron is surrounded by so many good supporting role players. and Kobe Lacks that. If Kobe took Lebron's place in the Cavs and Lebron took Kobe's place in the Lakers, I think we would all be saying "Trade Lebron for Kobe!"
If the Lakers were winning, people wouldn't say anything. But since the Lakers are on a slump, once again they point their fingers to Number 8.
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 05, 2006 at 01:46 PM
Hey iluvbrokli
I happen to agree with both you and Jon. First off I hate Texas and all things Texan. Bunch a feakin cow pokin, queso eaten, loud mouth obnoxious, less than edumacated door bells. As far as "Cali" (you must be from Texas)I would say that you summed it up purdy well.
Futher, iluvbrokli, I have to say that I agree with the rest of your post. I thought Leinert's comments after the game were that of a total spoiled wuss. Leinert has had a great career at SC and has shown great maturiry until now. "I think we are the better team" That is ridiculous! You just got beat Matt. Nut up and have some class! Congratulate the freaking Texans on their victory; commend the play of Vince Young. Clearly Matt does many things well, being a gracious loser is not one of them.
Posted by: todd | January 05, 2006 at 01:47 PM
Slava Medvedenko is what the Lakers need? You got to be kiddng me. Slava is a horrible center. He's not even a center. He's like a 7 foot whatever shooting guard. I rather have Greg Ostertag of the Utah Jazz.
We don't need Slava. The only thing we need is to get rid of him.
-Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 05, 2006 at 01:48 PM
I am Laker fan from Austin,Texas. But TEXAS Longhorns are the BEST collge football team Also Vince young should have awarded the Trpohy that was unfairly given to Bush.
I say it.. Congratulations Texas Longhorns. You are the BEST. USC Sucks!!!! like clippers Suck!!!!
Posted by: Laker Fan | January 05, 2006 at 01:50 PM
CHARLIE ROSEN VS. KOBE BRYANT
Once again, Charlie Rosen of foxsportsnet.com has buried Kobe Bryant.
In a recent column, Charlie gives us a history of the Shaq-Kobe years in L.A. -- and not surprisingly he paints a very ugly picture of Kobe Bryant.
Here's the link:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5220678
The part about Kobe and Shaq starts midway through the column, so you'll have to scroll down a little to find out.
Posted by: Keno | January 05, 2006 at 01:51 PM
Lebron has zero defense. The Lakers without Kobe have zero defense. If you trade Kobe for Lebron the Lakers would give up an average of 115 a night easy, and they'd still only have one legitimate scorer. At least the way things are now we're able to keep games close and opponents around 90 points... we might be losing close games down the stretch (because Kobe is suspended or too tired), but that's a lot easier to overcome than not being able to get a single crucial stop in a ballgame, which is what you get with Lebron instead of Kobe. The Lakers would instantly become the worst defensive team in the conference, and we'd have no shooting guards at all. Use your head people, thinking is good for you.
Posted by: DJ Cobb Salad | January 05, 2006 at 01:52 PM
Lebron James is not yet reched maturity age 23. He will play great and never reach playoffs until 23.
Dont even dream of trading Kobe. He is the BEST in this era And I also feel Dwyane Wade is completely Hyped by media and himself that he is next MJ. He will become next Chauncey Billups in few years. With 6-4 height and few years of ill-advised crash landings, the story of Wade ends.
Posted by: Laker Fan | January 05, 2006 at 01:56 PM
Of course the Lakers would have won the games against Utah. You act like the Utah Jazz are a good team. They are a pathetic Team. it's just The lakers missed Kobe's cobra-like defense against Shooting guards and obviously his offense. You people tend to forget that Kobe's defense against Guards-to-forwards is smothering and tenacious.
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 05, 2006 at 02:01 PM
You guys truly let Lebron Jame's Stats and Age fool you. This year Lebron PPG- 30.4 Reb- 6.40 Apg-5.8. Yes those are amazing Numbers for a 3rd year guy. but guess what? Lebron James does not play defense at all. He's just like a Tracy McGrady but Mcgrady can shoot better. good job DJ Cobb Salad, you're an exception from all these idiots. you guys just read his comment he posted up. it just makes my saying a lot easier.
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 05, 2006 at 02:10 PM
just to Point out the Fact, Shaquille O'neal is not a good player. He has no skill at all. He's just Big and strong and he just dunks on people relying on his size. When he was in the Lakers Roster, I always thought he lacked skill. It's not because of Shaq that the Lakers won the CHampionships. It's because of Kobe for always making Clutch Shots at the end of the games. True, it's Shaq dominant Presence inside, but i believe that It's more because of Kobe's talent than Shaq's Strength.
Posted by: Kevin Nguyen | January 05, 2006 at 02:18 PM
Keno,
Ugh. Yeah, that Charlie Rosen article says a lot.
Man, though, those first three championships were good times. I'll never forget beating beating Portland in game seven, all of Robert Horry's shots... man, man those were good times.
The hardest was the Kobe/Shaq/Malone/Payton season. I had such high hopes for that season. I've always had deep respect for Malone and Payton, even when they were beating the Lakers. I wanted to see them get rings.
When Fisher made the 0.4 shot, I was literally in a bar with some Russian mafia member sitting next to me. He had been digging into my all night about how the Lakers were going to lose. I was bent over the bar, my hand in a fist, waiting for Fish to miss the shot, ready to swing around and just shatter the face of this jerk.
But Fish made the shot. It felt like destiny. I broke out into laughter. This jerk who had been hounding me for an hour shut up and actually apologized and started buying my vodka.
It was a good night.
I was so sure were going to win it all.
And we didn't.
Karl will now never get that ring.
Probably neither will Payton.
Two Hall of Famers who will end up like Barkley and Reggie Miller. Just not good enough.
Heartbreak.
We should have won that damn championship, and 65% of the reason we lost is because Kobe and Shaq couldn't stop acting like children. Seriously, Payton and Malone will now have to spend the rest of their days thinking, "What if?"
Kobe and Shaq could have given them the gift they deserved. The gift of being a champion. But they were too caught up in their narcissistic worlds to set history right.
That year will always leave a bad taste in my mouth. Its not Shaq's fault. It's not Kobe's fault. It was THEIR FAULT.
THEY'RE over.
We have Kobe now and that's good enough for me. He's the best of his generation.
Now its time for him to live up to it.
No man wins on his own. Not even Wilt Chamberlein.
We need to build a Lakers-championship team and all it should take is a few pieces and Phil generating a disciplined, blood-thirsty competitive spirit on this team.
We're the Lakers.
We're the best.
Time for the organization to realize that and live up to it.
No more seasons like the last two. That's not how we play.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 02:21 PM
Charles Rozen writes one negative Kobe column a month. If you are into that kind of thing, you know where to go to get your fix.
Posted by: Tomahawk | January 05, 2006 at 02:22 PM
stephan,
did you just say kobe DOES NOT play an all around game? don't fall in love with the triple double leBron put up yesterday and jump to an absurd conclusion. If someone told you at the beginning of the season that only ONE person would win the scoring title and be a first team all-defensive player, who would you have guessed?? LeBron? T-Mac? the Answer? no--Kobe would have been the sane person's guess. that's b/c kobe DOES play the all around game you reference. moreso than anyone in the league.
and by the way...larry hughes, zydrunas ilgauskus, drew gooden and eric snow are his teammates. arguably(except maybe at the 4 if LO is considered a 4) every player on LeBron's current squad is better than their counterpart on the Lakers...and it's not even close!! what can LeBron do for this squad that Kobe is not doing?? and where do you think Cleveland would be with Kobe?
i know it's impossible to change people's minds who are set on blaming Kobe for everything. those people don't give him credit for the playoff years. i wonder if the Lakers would have made that Portland comeback in the 4th period with just Shaq playing and Kobe on the bench or on another team...or would Sacto have ridden Mike Bibby to the championship if Kobe had not taken the defensive assignment. seems the only person that showed up for the championship against Detroit was Kobe who saved the Lakers from an embarrassing sweep. but alas, no credit is given to him. instead, people continue to say the team would perform better w/o his presence. then when you get a glimpse of just how bad a team this would be, there is no acknowlegment that for kobe to have this collection of players near .500 is an ASTOUNDING feat! but in the absence of logic, please, just ask for LeBron. he should be able to take this team to how many more wins exactly?
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 05, 2006 at 02:26 PM
roland lazenby . . .
would be the guy to comment on the charlie rosen article sited above
i also read rosen's column (which covers several topics but does get into the shaq and kobe feud as well)
and yes, rosen really attacks kobe
it must be mentioned too that rosen is a good friend of phil jackson's, which gives rosen alot of credibility
but i wonder if charlie rosen is fair in his criticisms of kobe or does he have a personal vendetta
roland lazenby sometimes defends kobe so perhaps he has a different take
Posted by: john knipper | January 05, 2006 at 02:33 PM
Does anyone know how Quentin Richardson's health is? I've heard the Knicks want to trade him. I was a big fan of his when he was with the Clippers. He always had a great attitude, was a solid scorer, and a great shot.
His woman also lives in L.A. He'd make a nice Laker, if he's healthy.
Here's another (significantly crazier) option. SI.com says that Detroit is looking to trade Darko Milicic. I know he's been a no show for the last couple years, but there were such high hopes for this guy.
I assume its another piece of crazy optimism to assume that Kareem could set him right, (The Captain can do anything!) but, who knows? Maybe it could work. Darko's going nowhere with Detroit.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 02:39 PM
jon and todd,
no i am not from texas. no allegience whatsoever to the team. in the interest of fairness and full disclosure, i am an alum of LSU and it still bothers me that USC so brazenly claims to be the 2003 champs w/o holding the crystal ball. you heard vince young talking last night about how beautiful the crystal ball was. he wasn't saying, "geez i can't wait till the AP poll comes out.
secondly, to jon...you say that's how they win in texas, they cheat. puzzling b/c the game was in SC's backyard. and you reference the 2000 election, but that was lost in Florida.
thirdly, that call did not lose it for SC. if the ball was marked down there, it would have been a 1st down and SC was not gonna stop Texas (read, Vince Young) anyway. besides, SC still had a 12 point lead with 5 minutes to go. that play you talk about was unfortunate but did not affect the inevitable.
on to our bball team...i'm with you on that one jon, kobe is enough for me. stop trying to trade him. how 'bout going and get him some parts like cleveland did for LeBron??
Posted by: iluvbrokli | January 05, 2006 at 02:43 PM
Enough about all this college football and trading Kobe crap...I'm looking forward to a well rested and fired up #8 to dominate the sixers as a warm up for Saturday's big game.
Also Kwame still needs to be more productive and more competition for his minutes could push him....so how much longer do we have to wait for Turiaf?
Fiinally, we still need a third scoring option. Although Cookie has been playing well lately and Smush has been a nice surprise...I'm still missing Butler quite a bit right now...
Posted by: Ryan Williams | January 05, 2006 at 02:51 PM
Quentin Richardson and Lamar used to play together, too. So, they be comfortable with each other's game.
Q and Lamar are both solid #3 scorers, maybe that's all we really need with Kobe as aggressive as he is on offense.
Q's put up multiple 30+ point games with the Clippers.
If Ronny Turiaf comes back, and if the junkyard dog and boards monster everyone saw during summer league and Chris Mihm continues to improve. That's a team that could work.
3 solid scoring threats: Lamar, Q, and Kobe.
1 board monster: Ronny Turiaf
1 quality center: Mihm
3 solid role players: Smush, Luke, Kwame (his defense.)
I think it could work. It might not win a championship, but it could work.
The Knicks might take a one-for-one trade Quentin Richardson for Devean George.
Do I sound desperate?
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 03:03 PM
I agree with Kevin, Utah is an awful team. The fact that they weren't able to win the Lakers by more than 10 points the last game proves they are awful because the Lakers were simply horrendous.
Posted by: Frustrated Laker Fan | January 05, 2006 at 03:07 PM
If anyone was watching the Pre-game show before Tuesday's Jazz game, they asked Kobe what his New Year's resolution was.
He grinned large and said it was to lose weight...he can always stand to lose a little. I wondered if that was a little private jab. More like, "eat one less baby for the holiday season, Fat Bastard!"
hahaha! Not that I don't think Kobe's been the bigger man this whole time, but at this point, if Shaq can't lay it to rest, he might as well get a few shots.
Also..Too Bad USC lost..Oh well. Vince Young played amazingly well. A Biased USC fan told me that he didn't think Young would be good for the NFL. Too big, an "option quarterback, not a passer," and would not be able to take the hits in the NFL. Wondering what anyone else's take is on that opinion. Seems to me no one was able to get half a tackle, much less any significant crunching.
By the way..He played wonderfully. Then he opened his mouth at the end of the game, and I realized that he is just a god forsaken inbred lunatic in a foppish cowboy hat.
And enough about Wilt..who cares.
Posted by: S.Tan | January 05, 2006 at 03:26 PM
Steven - For Pete's sake learn how the salary cap works before you suggest Kobe for Lebron. Seriously, the more you preach it, the dumber you sound to those who actually understand. I've had to tell you this in several other threads and you continue to preach this garbage.
Btw, drop the little "out". We all know your so-called rants are a pale impersonation of Rome. Just stop it.
Posted by: jonnybravo | January 05, 2006 at 03:39 PM
TRADE SLAVA FOR LEBRON!
Posted by: KB8 Fan | January 05, 2006 at 03:39 PM
Quentin Richardson has a pretty sketchy back and his contract looks like this for the next 5 years:
05/06-$6,858,500
06/07-$7,482,000
07/08-$8,105,500
08/09-$8,825,750
09/10-$9,352,500
Not exactly attractive. I think middle-of-the-pack swing players are a dime a dozen that we should be able to pick up with no problem if we wanted one. I really think the Profit injury hurts us. With McKie out also (and absolutely worthless when he was healthy) Wafer as our only other 2 right now, we are definitely hurting there. I’m really having a hard time finding a player that we could either trade for or pick up on waivers that would help us, but with our trade assets we’re a bit handcuffed at the moment. Basically D. George and his expiring contract are the only thing we have to trade (maybe Miami’s #1) and in return we would probably have to take on a long contract which Mitch and Buss have often said they don’t want to do.
Here’s something that I think might work out for the Lakers. Why not offer D. George and Miami’s #1 and one of the Second Rounders we have to Atlanta for Al Harrington? Sure, Harrington’s a free agent who will probably get close to a max deal this summer (NOT FROM THE LAKERS) but we would be renting a scorer for the rest of the year with no real damage done to our future. Atlanta is probably not going to sign Harrington either because they picked Marvin Williams to play the 3 in the future and also have Josh Smith and Childress at the same position. They get DG who is solid with an expiring contract and a #1 that they desperately need after trading away two in the Joe Johnson deal. We could even throw in Sasha instead of the second rounder since they are hurting for a point guard. It’s a win-win all around!!
Posted by: Andrew Z | January 05, 2006 at 03:45 PM
yeah, but with Butler as our third option last year, we were horrible, so I think we're OK without him. Regarding the Kobe vs. Lebron debate, theres one things that sets Kobe apart from him and any player in the league. kobe has an amazing desire to win, and his competitive nature is unmatched by anyone other then MJ. Lebron's success is purely based on PHYSICAL talent. He is huge, and strong, and can dribble like a PG, but he doesn't have that mental edge that drives him to be a clutch player who can win rings. Kobe's MENTAL egde is what makes him able to lead a team to championchips and I don't want anyone else.
Posted by: GOLAKERS | January 05, 2006 at 03:50 PM
Kevin Nguyen,
Shaq is a baby, but Shaq is more than a good player. He's a GREAT player.
Yes, he is a genetic freak, but he also has remarkable quickness for a man his size and even strength of a man his size.
He has great footwork and is a nice passer and is a massive defensive presence.
We can talk whatever smack we want about Shaq, he deserves most of it, but, remember, some day he is going to have his jersey retired and hung from the rafters at Staples Center.
And he'll deserve it.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 03:53 PM
Charley Rosen is not a friend of Phil Jacksons. They might have been at one time, but I can tell you first hand that Phil doesn't like him anymore.
Over the summer I went to a show at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip and eventually weasled my way into the VIP section on the balcony. This was a few months before Phil even re-signed with the team, but there he was at the show with Mr. Black (Lakers PR guy), and one of his sons + son's girlfriend. The show was pretty mediocre, so my friend and I spent a lot of time just watching Phil react to the concert and the people who kept coming up to say hi. After the show, we quickly followed him downstairs to the Valet area and took up a inconspicous spot next to him while he waited for his black Mercedes so we could eavesdrop. It couldn't have been better timing as we were treated to him talking to Mr. Black not only about how Shaq was lazy and injury prone and "probably woudn't play in more than 55 games this upcoming season", and then he started talking about how he didn't speak to Rosen anymore because Charlie only cared about writing articles that would create a lot of contravercy and so he's resorted to making things up - Phil called it "catering to the media" or something like that. It seriously made the whole evening worthwhile, even the horrible dinner we had the HoB restaurant before hand and the $20 it cost to park our car, not to mention the ticket & drink prices. Once the Valet finally brought his car around and Phil was walking toward it, the crowd (several of whom like us had been faking conversations in order to overhear Phil) finally relaxed a bit and started calling out things like "We Love You Phil!" and "Please come back Phil!" - I have to admit I might've been one of those people.
Anyway, a night I will never remember, and good reason not to believe anything Charlie Rosen writes.
Posted by: Kevin | January 05, 2006 at 04:03 PM
S.Tan,
Who cares about Wilt? I do. He was a Laker and brought us our first championship in L.A. (along with Jerry West).
He was also one of the greatest players ever and puts into context this generation of players. None of them compare to Wilt.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 05, 2006 at 04:31 PM
Wow, lots of topics today. Allow me to chime in on a few:
Texas the state: The people are perfectly fine with me. My wife is from there, after all. I've spent many holidays is Dallas (and surrounding areas), and find it very friendly. I'm sure there are some cow-tipping yahoos out there, but I didn't really meet any.
Texas the team: As a UCLA alum and native southern californian I was a little torn. In the end Texas earned that win regardless of what Matt Lamer said. Too bad USC's defense couldn't tackle my grandma. You'd think that after a year spent scrimmaging with the likes of White and Bush, they'd be better equiped to stop the run.
Trade Kobe: This kind of BS won't end until Kobe wins another championship. The naysayers will continue to naysay because there is an audience for their tripe. Eventually they will shut up, or not. It makes no difference. Trading Kobe would be like the RedSox trading Babe Ruth.
Charley Rosen : Naysayer extraordinaire. His article is amusing in it's complete one-sidedness against Kobe. If you imagine being in your early 20's, ultra rich, exceptionally talented and driven to be the best, then you might be inclined to believe every negative thing about Kobe. What "kid" his age wouldn't be an ego maniac? Then again, Shaq is super-rich, ultra-gifted and every Laker fan knows how childlike he can be. Who can tell me he was completly innocent?
Laker Team: They are capable of running the offense and finding the open man, but they miss too many shots. They are capable of playing solid defense, but they miss the rebound. They can rebound and push, but fail to convert on the break. They are capable of winning, but still much too inconsistent. I would like to see Devean at 3 in the starting lineup, but that would cripple the bench squad. I see PJ tinkering with lineups like crazy, looking for someone to step up, but no one other than Kobe approaches consistency.
Blame Phil: I don't blame anyone on the team, including Phil. Honestly Laker fans, what did you expect? I am ecstatic if they just make the playoffs, but anything beyond that is icing on the cake. PJ is doing his thing, unlike LB who is living in Hell. PJ must count his lucky stars on a daily basis for not choosing NY.
J-
Posted by: johnnyb | January 05, 2006 at 05:16 PM
Steven the only two reasons that you would want us to trade kobe for Lebron are you dont like kobe cuz U THINK he broke up the dynasty or you like Lebron to much....
because Lebron is too unproven to be traded for a player of kobes stature. First of all if we traded kobe to the Cavs theyed be in Automatic contention for a title and you know where we would be a lil bit worse then where we are now. Lebron replacing kobe wouldnt drastically affect the Lakers in a more positve or negative way. kobe and lebron score the same amount(some where near 30 a game). Lebron really doesnt pass much more then kobe its just the times that Lebron pass it and the fact Kobe is already labled a ball hog which make it seem like Labron passes more. The two things that really seperate these two players are thier defensive capabilities and the ability in the clutch. Now you may say lebon gets a few steals here snd thier but what you need to understand a steal is something very different then playing good defense. Lebron has the Athletic ability to quickly jump into the passing lane and steal the ball, while kobe has the talent to lock down on your teams # 1 scorer something we have yet to see from any of the top 5 picks in the 03 draft(Lebron Darko Melo Bosh Wade). Kobe has also hit and continues to hit clutch shots when the game is on the line. The only thing that I would give Lebron an edge over kobe would be shear athletic ability. But would you pick Dominique Wilkins over jordan cuz he could jum a lil higher................
I didnt think so but in any case this trade might want to bring veterans to L.A. and would give Bynum more time to Develop but but right now i'd take Kobe on this Laker squad the olympic squad or any squad for that matter every day of the week..
just a few thoughts from ya favorite 15 yr old aspiring sports write
lance P.
Posted by: Lance P | January 05, 2006 at 08:13 PM
Rosen's been writing the same KB story for years. Frustrated coach is what he is.
Wilt, one of the greatest? Wilt IS the greatest.
Posted by: PeteG | January 05, 2006 at 09:06 PM