On Kwame, Booing, and Our Obligations to Sensitive Athletes
There's been a lot of banter over the last day or two regarding Kwame Brown, and how fans should be treating him. Many of you say he shouldn't be picked on. He needs to be supported because he's a sensitive guy, always aware of the reception he's getting from the home crowd.
Now I consider myself a generally empathetic, patient, and good-hearted guy. I help old people across the street, am kind to animals and children, and will occasionally well up watching the really emotional parts of movies (and not just at the end of "Miracle").
Fans should be careful about how they dispense their anger. They should use good judgment. If a guy is playing poorly but playing hurt, give him a break. If he's playing poorly because his kid's in the hospital, give him a break. If he's playing poorly but is averaging 35 points a game, it may not be the right time to boo- after all, a season or career of solid contribution should be considered when the Boo Devil is sitting on your shoulder and whispering in your ear (string together a few games of poor play and bad decision making and circumstances change). Guys who throw their bodies around with reckless abandon in an attempt to overcome a natural lack of talent also deserve a little slack. Rookies, too, assuming they have displayed a solid work ethic and practice habits.
If a player is dogging it? Boo away. Boo like you've never booed before. Think of clever, biting insults and hurl them at the court (but stay away from references to a guy's family- that's out of bounds), then take your seat with a smug, self-congratulatory smile and accept high fives from the fans sitting around you. Nobody who plays professional sports for a living should give anything but their maximum effort. It's an insult to all the people who work hourlies to pay their salary.
Does Kwame Kwalify in this category? I don't think so. I think he's trying, although he hasn't found that place within himself that would push his effort and commitment to the next level. There's another gear inside the guy that he hasn't discovered or is unwilling to use.
So that leaves performance. Should Laker fans get on him when he plays poorly? Let me ask you this- should they cheer him when he plays well?
I don't understand why Kwame Brown deserves extra sympathy from Lakers fans. The guy is a fifth year pro in the NBA, who has done very little other than disappoint. Fans shouldn't boo him for (lack of) achievement in Washington. That would be unfair. But he's built up a booable enough track record in his first 53 games in L.A. If Kwame Brown is playing like crap, I think it's okay for him to hear fans boo. He certainly hasn't done much to earn your sympathy (Full disclosure- I'm not sure I would. Honestly, I can't remember actually yelling "Boooo!" at an occasion that wasn't an elementary school Halloween party- certainly not at a sporting event. It's not me. I'm more of an "expletive laced tirade directed at the person sitting next to me" kind of guy. Different strokes for different folks, right?). Don't boo the first time he misses a rebound or bricks a layup. Don't do it if he's actually having a good game and makes a mistake. But if the guy is pulling one of his not-quite-and-let's-hope-it-never-becomes patented disappearing acts, boo away. You've paid your money, you've exercised good patience, you've shown good judgment by waiting for an appropriate time to express yourself.
From the little I've spoken to Kwame, he seems like a nice enough guy. He brings kids into Kwame's Korner every home game, which is a great contribution to the community. To paraphrase Tom Hagan in The Godfather, it's business, not personal. The fact is, if Kwame Brown wilts because the Staples crowd gets on him, he'll never become a good NBA player.
Sports is one of the only segments of society where poor performance is often rewarded with greater riches (Hollywood and politics are two others). If you sucked at your job, chances are you wouldn't have a phalanx of people surrounding and supporting you, trying to guide you through the tough times. You'd be fired. Why should sports be so different?
Call me insensitive. A callous, jaded member of the media. A cold-hearted soul.
You can even boo me if you want.
BK
BK,
Boo!
There's one fricken reason why we shouldn't boo Kwame, becase he plays worse when he's booed. It's that fricken simple. BK, I can't even believe you put up this post. What the hell?
We want Kwame to play well--he's on our team. So, why boo him if he doesn't play well when booed. It happened in DC. It happened here.
It's a simple matter of logic. Support your team in a way that supports them, not a way that hinders their play.
This is all so fricken stupid.
Why don't you just throw tomatoes at him if you think that will somehow fricken help?
Stupid discussion and stupid post.
Maybe that will help you write better in the future. Idiot.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Wow, nasty. I do think, if you are a real fan of said team, you should take into account the effect of your actions. Some guys rise up when the crowd is against them. Some go away, like Kwame. I would love nothing more than to see the boos spark a fire in him igniting his game, but that's not going to happen. Maybe we can just make our peace with the fact that, at best, Kwame is going to ba a solid defender and (someday) rebounder, but we'd better get our points elsewhere.
Posted by: Gerry B | February 22, 2006 at 11:16 AM
LOL...lets see what happens over the next few games. As I stated before, pay attention to the flow of the game when Kwame is in and out of the game. Pay attention to how many fouls he pick up when the likes of Smush Parker gets burned by his man. Pay attention to how many plays are actually run for the guy.
Again, Kwame, I believe is really, in his mind, an offensive minded player but he can't get to proving that point with Kobe and couldn't get it done with Jordan. I think he'll find his nich as a rebounder/defender while playing center. I think he'll score between 10 and 15 points off of missed and dump offs from his teamates. That, you understand, is without a play being called for him. I think he should play center and have Mihm come off the bench. The problem with that is that Bynum won't see much time. I think we should trade Mihm and allow Kwame to hold the center position and give Bynum the back up position for the rest of this year and for next year. After a year and half at center his confidence should be good enough to then move back to the power forward position and give the center position to Bynum.
As far as the booing goes, I suggest we watch more closely to all aspects of his game not just the amount of point he does or does not score. Lets watch how teams play him on the defensive end, when they screen him out and lets see how his teammates benifit from that...Lets watch the game more closely before we boo a guy who is doing exactly what the coach is asking him to do.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 11:28 AM
Kwame is a grown man who is making millions of dollars to play basketball. If he welcomes the cheers, than he has to be strong enough to manage the negative attention as well. The problem I think fans have with him is that he takes plays off. It pains my heart to see that crap.
"Kwame Brown needs to man up"
Go Lakers!!!!!
Posted by: Bobby Bellamy | February 22, 2006 at 11:28 AM
I'm all for the booing if it's well deserved. I was at a game last year where the crowd (including me) booed the whole team at the start of the 4th quarter because we were down some ridiculous margin to a terrible team (sound familiar?) I've also once been a part of a long standing NBA-wide tradition of having the whole arena chanting "Javie Sucks!" at a game 2 seasons ago when Steve the referee tossed Payton in the 1st quarter... that was damn fun.
If the performance is bad, then the boos are warranted. If he's getting booed after dropping one pass in the middle of an otherwise decently played game, then I'm against it. Yes, we all know that he drops a lot of passes, but if he's contributing in his strength areas, then I think the crowd shouldn't boo one or two bad plays. If anything, they should boo the guys who keep passing him the ball - they should know by know that Kwame isn't going to catch it unless you place it direclty in his hands along with a detailed map on how to get to the basket. Unfortunately I think a lot of his booing potential still comes from his reputation in Washington. Sasha, Luke and Slava have all played a lot worse games than Kwame, but they don't get the same treatment.
All that being said, I like Kwame. Obviously he's making a lot of dough to be very mediocre (at best), but like BK said there's still that chance for improvement room if Kwame can (or wants) to find it.
Posted by: Kevin McK | February 22, 2006 at 11:31 AM
This is from todays LA times...what more do you want from the guy?
That would seem to take Brown off the hook, the outcome always riding on Kobe, so I asked Phil Jackson what he wants from Brown — realizing that meant I'd actually have to go through the grueling task of talking to Jackson.
"I've asked Kwame to just run and hustle and do the things that change a ballclub's ability to defend and rebound," Jackson said. "The hustle has to be there to energize the team…. We have been really pleased with his defensive game. He's been a difference in a number of games that we've played, some of them we haven't won, but he's been a big difference in the games with his defensive play."
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Kwame's doing what he's told, but that's irrelevant.
Listen, I'd love it if everyone could throw fricken knives at the guy and he'd suddenly put together a 120 point, 80 rebound game, but that's not fricken reality.
Reality is that he wilts when he's booed.
Maybe he will never be a "great" NBA player. That's irrelevant. All that matters is that right now he wilts when he's booed. So, we need him to play well to win. He's a starter. So, by booing him you are hurting the Lakers and our ability to win.
That means you aren't a fan. You're a fan of our opponents. OR you just a complete fricken idiot who also thinks you're helping a kid by slapping him/her in the face when he/she turns her homework in late (or any other stupid travesty like that).
I don't give a frick that he's a millionaire and SHOULD be able to handle the pressure. He's a Laker. As fans we need to respect that he is part of OUR team and respond accordingly. He's not the enemy. The enemy are stupid fricken rich idiots who think that they're helping the Lakers by booing their starter.
The fact is they are spoiled rich Laker pseudo-fans who want to be "entertained" and don't give a frick about their team truly winning.
I've said my piece.
Personally, if someone booed Kwame next to me at a Laker game, I would probably slap them in the face and ask, "Does that help?"
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 11:44 AM
Francis dealt to Knicks for Penny, Ariza
Posted by: bruce sanchez | February 22, 2006 at 12:00 PM
C'mon why Boo the guy when he's on the Same Team. I mean in our beloved Lakers team. Booing him is just flat out ridiculous. He's now casuing any raucous in the locker room like he did in Washington. Kwame has been in good behavior all season long. He's willing to play night in night out. Numbers may not show it, but the coaches trust him. They guy is young and is playing consciously. He still gets nervous during the game that's why he drops and fumbles the ball every now and then. It will take time and a few more games before he gets comfortable. I'm sure he plays great in practices. He wouldn't be playing and starting the game if he's not capable of doing it. Philosophy knows him well....That's why he leaves him in the game unless he's get into foul trouble. I have to admit, I'm starting to like Kwame and what he can and will bring to the court in the upcoming games. Just watch. I see him averaging 10 boards and maybe 9-10 points a game.
Posted by: willn2win | February 22, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Mike-
That's an interesting quote from Simers' column, but you have to consider the context in which it was asked. Simers had just conveyed his conversation with Kwame to Phil, noting that Kwame thinks he's doing well, making progress, etc. At that point, Phil can do two things. First, find something nice to say about the guy, or second, say something like "Kwame said that? Is he watching game film?" PJ is smart enough to know what disagreeing with Kwame's assesment of his own play to a guy like Simers would mean. Jackson isn't going to load Simers' gun for him. His response was very measured. Don't forget, Jackson railed into Kwame for his effort after the Atlanta game. So I don't think he's really off the hook with the coaching staff.
Regarding the booing, again, I'm not saying fans should boo the guy. I'm not a booer. Frankly, I think it really sounds stupid. I'm just saying people have a right to do it under the right circumstances. I don't think that makes them traitors to the purple and gold. At some point all fans, even the most dedicated ones, should have a point at which the product on the court, either from individuals or the team as a whole, is unacceptable. Everyone sets their own line and has their own criteria. I laid out a broad outline of my "booable" offenses for those who are inclined. If Kwame falls in there, so be it. Even with the lowered expectations Lakers fans should have of Kwame (he's never going to be a dominating player in the grand tradition of great #1 overall picks) he can still fail to meet them. And when he does, he's open to criticism, just as when he exceeds them he should be open to praise.
Jon (assuming it's actually you), I think your comparison to booing a professional basketball player and slapping a child is a little over the top.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Kwame is improving. Give him time under Phil.
Is anyone else upset at the new text message voting that networks are doing? One poll: Who will be MVP this year 1) Kobe 2) Nash or 3) Dirk. Die hard Laker fans will want to text in a vote for Kobe and it costs .50 cents! They probably make $50,000 dollars for every poll! I cannot believe we live in a time where we are charged to vote for our favorite player. Give me a break! KCAL has the worst polls to try and get you to vote!
Posted by: Zen | February 22, 2006 at 12:07 PM
I don't care if Kwame sucks when he's booed. If he can't perform under pressure, then he should sit down and let Turiaf and Bynum eat his minutes. I booed him before and I will continue to boo him when he drops those easy chest-high passes over and over and over again.
Posted by: Ben C. | February 22, 2006 at 12:15 PM
The fact of the matter is that I don't need Phil Jackson to verify what I see for myself. The guy is playing decent defense. When we lose to teams like the Hawks by 4 points it isn't because Kwame did something wrong, it's because of 34 3 pointers. It's because Smush Parker can't stop his man. It's because Smush Parker and Sahsa insist on shooting 3's instead of driving to the basket. The Lakers don't lose because Kwame might blow 2 or 3 shots a game. It's because Brian Cook, Luke Walton, and Smush Parker are defensive liablities. It's because Kobe insists on shooting 3's when were still in the game and then all of sudden were not because of it. It's because Lamar Odom is deciding to be aggessive or not. Again, I remind you, the guy, Kwame, doesn't have play run for him. I think Kwame can be a dominating player if he were on another team that didn't have Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or Gilbert Arenas as the main focus of the team. All these players want Kwame to sit back and set pics while they grab all the attention for their scoring abilities. Put this guy on a team that doesn't have a player who thinks he needs to score the majority of the teams points and he'll do just fine, as a matter of fact, better than fine.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Kwame is a talented guy who is capable of putting up big numbers. Just think back to his best year in DC, when he put up 30/10 games back-to-back, tooling guys like a pre-surgery Chris Webber.
Kwame's problems are all mental. While I wish he was made of sterner stuff, I agree with Jon. As Laker fans, our goal is for Kwame to help the team, not to punish him for underachieving.
If everyone agrees that booing hurts Kwame's performance, then why would any true fan who wants the Lakers to win advocate booing him?
Posted by: Chris Yeh | February 22, 2006 at 12:33 PM
BK,
Don't you think it bothers me when Kwame blows a layup, drops an obvious pass, or doesn't show effort? I could practically scream, and often I do--when I'm watching TV at home.
If I was at a Laker's game, I'm assuming the only people who would boo are either people who aren't familiar with what Kwame has going on or idiots.
He doesn't play well when booed. Period.
Let Phil communicate to him his mistakes, not us. When the fans do it, he melts. Tell me, just fricken tell me how that helps our team?
You deserve a fricken Nobel prize if you can figure out one way that we help the team by sabatoging an individual player's play.
Phil's the coach and he'll know how to get to Kwame a hell of a lot better than some idiot Mazeratti driving Beverly Hills loser who is upset that he's not getting enough sufficient entertainment for the cost of his floor seats because Kwame dropped a pass.
It is just like slapping a child to try and make her "better". Obviously it doesn't work. So why do it? Because the person meting out the punishment is a self-absorbed a-hole.
This whole thing makes me so incredibly pissed off. Hasn't anyone read Flea's blog entry on lakers.com? Flea is absolutely right.
Kwame has the potential to be an impressive player. We took a big risk with the Kwame trade. 9 million a year is a lot for this guy, but it could work out under Phil's direction. Clearly Phil and Rambis are thinking of this guy as a long-term project and I trust their judgement. The one thing that could screw this all up is if the fans turn on him too early before he develops his confidence.
Trust me, it could ruin everything. Then we're stuck with emotionally broken player, unable to be coached for 9 million dollars a year who is untradeable and the Lakers are screwed until 2008.
Does anyone here want that? Honestly?
I know it doesn't seem natural. He's been playing for five years, but you can tell by his interviews that he's still a kid in a lot of ways. He also came from a tough background. Give the kid some slack.
The fact is he is improving and he's playing pretty decent defense. Is he not scoring enough? Well, for me he's not, but not for Phil and Phil's the damn coach. What do you want from the guy? Why would you even consider booing him knowing everything we know about him as a person, a player, and within the context of Phil's system.
It drives me nuts. AAARGBH!
[BK I'm going to permenantly boo you as a result from now on. I'm sure you're big enough and professional enough to handle someone calling you out on every little mistake you make. Isn't that a great idea?]
Hey, boo the whole team if they're not doing well. It sends a general message. Boo Kobe if he screws up. He'll step up. Kwame won't, not yet. So if you do it, you're an idiot or a Hater or both.
I've said my part because I'm right [even if I sound like a crazed babbling lunatic in the process.]
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 12:40 PM
GO KWAME! YOU CAN DO IT PAL!
NICE BOARD! WAY TO HUSTLE!
GO KWAMMMMMEEEE!!!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Ben C,
You're an idiot.
Phil chooses who's in not you not Kwame.
Support our players and support our team.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 12:43 PM
Mike-
I completely agree with you that the team doesn't lose or win specifically because of Kwame. You're right about that. It's not like if you took his minutes away, they'd suddenly turn into a fifty win team. But he hasn't exactly provided a major boost, either. Kwame has played decent defense, at least man to man. His rotations are still pretty bad.
I don't agree with your contention that he could be a dominating player in a system that didn't have a dominating, Kobeesque scorer. I just don't see it. He has horrible hands, no creativity offensively, and what feels to me like a low basketball IQ. The nuances of the game don't seem to come naturally to him. And like I said, he seems to lack that extra gear that drives players to be great.
Could he get better with more time under Phil? Sure. Could happen. I don't think he'll ever become a dominating player, but as I've said, that's not the standard that should be set for him. Consistently good would be enough, and he's not there yet. I'll admit, I'm skeptical that he'll make it. But I'll be the first one to point it out if he proves me wrong.
I still don't think the trade to get him was a bad idea. It may not work out the way the Lakers hope it will, but he is/was worth the shot, considering the long term plan and what they had to give up to get him. Since they never would have given Butler the contract Washington did, it's one of those no harm, no foul deals for LA.
Good discussion. Thanks for posting.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 12:48 PM
BK,
Terrible job. Bad post. We should trade you to the New York Times for someone else.
Terrible analysis. What do you think this is J.A. Adande's blog or something?
C'mon!
Trade BK now!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 12:55 PM
stop overrating kwame.
Kwame doesn't play good because he has very little talent. This is a fact.His problems are not all mental.He can't catch any pass. He was the number one pick because the worst GM of all time 'jordan' selected him.
The fact is kwame is a bust .He isn't deserving his money.
Posted by: dido | February 22, 2006 at 12:57 PM
Boo away, Jon.
BK
(By the way, there are fans in crowd who have saved up for their one or two Laker games a year who are booing Kwame, too. It's not just rich guys with floor seats.)
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 12:58 PM
I think it's becoming clear that we need to trade BK for JJ because BK simply isn't stepping up anymore.
I mean, how many of you read his broken babble from last night's game? Half of it was nearly incoherent.
We need someone who can respond!
Put in JJ next time!
Trade BK now!
Boooo BK!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:03 PM
Admitably, Kwame has not produced as much as he is capapble of or should be by now. Booing him, however, is a terrible idea. He is a true example of the game being more mental than physical. He has all the phyisical capabilties in the world but the mental fascit of the game is holding him back. He can't handle booing. He recieved a ton of it in Washington and it has obviously messed him up quite a bit. Continuing to boo him would probably just destroy him for good. Hes playing decent right now besides the many dropped passes, but under Phil Jackson I think he'll definetely continue to improve.
P.S. to all my fellow Laker fans.. DO NOT BOO KWAME
Posted by: SLIM | February 22, 2006 at 01:06 PM
dido,
Here has never been a player in the history of the NBA who has managed to score 30 points and 19 rebounds in one game who is without talent. NEVER.
Kwame clearly has talent.
We need to be patient with him. No one likes being patient (Where's the fun and excitement in that?) but it is exactly what we need to do with Kwame, like it or not.
Booo BK! He doesn't know how to run a blog! He can't even figure out how to password protect a log-in ID! He must be somekind of idiot!
Trade BK now!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:07 PM
I agree with Jon. Some people are wired differently. I mean can you make a gay guy into a straight guy? Probably not. Kwame is the type of person who gets down when people are down on him, nothing wrong with that. Some people are just like that. Now that we know he's like that we should encourage him and not boo him. He's a integral part of the team. Why make fun of him when we should be encouraging him? Yes he makes millions, but he's a normal regular person like everyone of us.
Posted by: Frustrated Laker Fan | February 22, 2006 at 01:09 PM
I think all you guys are taking this way too seriously!!! It's a good post because it talks about something that's an important part to our teams future, and it sparks good conversation. That being said, we as fans can't just let Kwame off the hook because he's sensitive, and plays worse!!! Booing him now might actually make him better later.
I'm not saying we should boo the guy to death, I just think that if he makes a series of bad plays he deserves to get booed. I actually think it can help Kwame to get booed so he can get thick skinned and brush it off. If he doesn't learn to brush off the negative things, he'll never ever be a good NBA player. Like my man Jigga(Jay-Z for y'all that's not up on things) says "You gotta get that dirt off your shoulder" thats all booing should be to an NBA player...DIRT
Posted by: Asaad Weaver | February 22, 2006 at 01:18 PM
Support Kwame!
Ban BK!
The guy can't even password protect a blog! What the hell!
Trade BK now for Bill Simmons!
If we can't get Bill Simmons, I'll take JJ!
Anyone but BK, he can't do his job.
Boo BK!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:18 PM
Assad,
"we as fans can't just let Kwame off the hook because he's sensitive, and plays worse!!! Booing him now might actually make him better later."
That's just what people in Washington were saying a couple of years ago. Look what happened. Kwame fell apart and got arrested for drunk driving. Don't fool yourself pal that your selfishness actually helps the situation. You are wrong.
BK,
You'll bore partial responsibility if idiots read this blog and are inspired to start booing Kwame.
I'm serious, dude. This is something you should be held responsible for if things get really screwed up.
You should honestly think about what topics you put up before you post them.
This was truly stupid on your part.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:27 PM
BK & Jon Kavulic,
Is this blog getting a little testy or what??
Anyway, if EVERYONE would look inside themselves I'm sure we all have at least ONE time when we wanted to Boo Kwame...he's 7 feet tall for god's sake. Dunk the basketball!!
However, I have to take issue with both of your comments on the booing issue. All sports fans are supersitious in my opinion. Everyone I know has a particular game day routine or whatever, they think will help the team. This may seem crazy as hell, but it's just in our make-up. With that beeing said, I think it has to be up to each individual Laker fan to decide when,if, to boo underperformance. As for me, I'm not a booer, more of the cusser that BK says he is, but at a few of Laker games over the years I have felt a GREAT need to boo the team. Once was even in the Finals.
So, I guess you can say I'm not a Laker fan or something, but for $200 a ticket, I'm booing, cussing, screaming, and nearly homicidal when the team plays poorly. Yes, I have issues..I'm a Laker fan.
Posted by: Dave | February 22, 2006 at 01:32 PM
Not my post:
"I love JJ. He is great unlike BK. Trade BK!! Please put JJ on my lap. Go Clipper!"
None of this crap would happen if that idiot BK could do his damn job and password protect this blog. Idiot.
Booo!
I'm just going to step back and let Khan take over. I'm tired of writing on a blog where ONE of the caretakers (BK) can't do his damn job.
How did a quality organization like the Times hire this idiot in the first place? Couldn't they find someone who knows the SLIGHTEST thing about computers? This is a COMPUTER blog, isn't it?
Terrible job, BK.
I'm serious. Terrible job.
Enjoy your time, Khan (aka BK).
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:34 PM
Jon K,
You are going way over the top with the boo BK thing. The difference between BK and his running this blog and Kwame is that 99.9% of the time, BK does a superb job (if you don’t agree go back and count how many posts and how much time you’ve spent on this thing). The majority of Kwame’s performances are absolutely sub-par in relation to the expectations that were set for him, and continue to be addressed with him. A man, and yes he is a grown man, with his size and athletic ability should be performing at a much higher and more consistent in this, HIS FIFTH YEAR IN THE LEAGUE. I don’t care if he shouldn’t of been the #1 pick, he was. I don’t care if he had problems growing up, I did too but I never screw up at work and blame my relationship with my dad. And what I REALLY don’t care about is the fact that he hears the boos and it makes “the iddy biddy baby sad”. WHAT THE EFF!?!? He needs to grow up, realize he is falling way short of the expectations his employers have set for him, or be man enough to take the unrelenting boos that each and every ticket buying Laker fan have more than the right to throw at him.
You and your hypersensitive coddling of this guy are ridiculous. The guy will never get it if everyone keeps telling him he’s okay and giving him $9 million a year.
If Kwame just can’t handle the boos and jumps of a bridge, does his salary count against the cap?
BK, you’ll hear nothing but cheers from this fan, thanks for the good work.
Posted by: Andrew Z | February 22, 2006 at 01:40 PM
As a fan, obviously it has been frustrating watching an inconsistent player like Kwame.
I wonder how playing with him is? When I have played any sport with a guy who was that inconsistent I have had to MUTE my internal drive to "yell at teammate". Everytime I pass to him a little voice my head says "I wonder if he will blow it this time". Consider this versus playing with your run of the mill poor athlete from whom you know exactly what to expect.
I recall a few games ago when Smush visibly cringed after Kwame, well, Kwameed away a good pass. For what its worth this may reflect how his teammates weigh in, at least on the passing issue.
Personally, like BK said, I feel that if a guy is underacheiving because of lack of effort then he should be booooed...heartily booed in fact. However, I agree that it is counterproductive (see JK's rant above) to boo a guy just because he can't catch a ball or because it is 'en vogue'.
Don't publically boo him folks, it is just like a bad hook up, it seems like a good idea at the time but you will regret it in the long run.
Oh yeah, and whoever thinks Kwame should start over Chris (Boooo!), is undoubtably crazy.
Posted by: Coopers socks | February 22, 2006 at 01:41 PM
By the way, am I improving anything right now, BK, by calling you out as an idiot who can't do his job?
Is it helping you or this blog?
I'm sure an idiot like you wouldn't be able to figure out how it was even if it did.
Go Kwame!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:42 PM
OK...really what do you guys expect out of kwame???
it is not his fault that he got picked number 1 over all, nor is it his fault he got picked by mitch to be the lakers starting PF, also it is not his fault all the frustrated laker fans placed high hopes of him making a tranformation and propel this ball club to the next level. Now i don't see nothing wrong with booing a player when he does wrong, i mean, most of us who play in the local parks, leagues, high school teams and etc. get booed as the first mistake we make, that or get kicked off the court, so why should they be treated differently, afterall they are getting paid ridiculous amounts of money for doing what most of us would love to do for free. However it is not fair that kwame cannot live up to our expectations, we knew what we we're getting before he even set foot in a laker jersey, a strong PF with the capabilities to be a great player, yet one that can't make lay ups, free throws, and posseses a low basketball IQ. So when he misses a pass or bricks a lay up we really have no reason to boo, we all knew that's how he plays, nor do we have a reason to boo if he goes scoreless after finishing one of his best games of the season. Alot of us are guilty of booing kwame for not meeting our expectations, i say as long as he's trying we should support him, after all if his own fans dont, who will?..
Go Lakers...
1-0...
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | February 22, 2006 at 01:43 PM
Just for the record, when I woke up this morning and saw this post on Kwame...I said to myself...damn it! Why did this guy have to go and post this? Whether you agree or not...Kwame is sensative! And he does react to the booing so as a laker fan why make matters worse just because it's your right to do so?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 01:46 PM
KWAME BROWN JUST NEEDS AN OFF SEASON WITH LAKERS INSTEAD OF WITH THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS. HE JUST NEEDS TO POLISH A COUPLE OF MOVES AND HE WILL BECOME A BETTER PLAYER. JUST STAY HEALTH KWAME.
BECAUSE IF WE LOSE KWAME THEN WE FALL INTO A DEPTH PROBLEM IN OUR FRONT COURT.
Posted by: Zakee | February 22, 2006 at 01:46 PM
Lets get one thing straight about Kwame Brown. He was drafted because of his offensive skill not his defensive abilities. So far he's had to put his game on hold because he's played with the like of Jordan, Rip Hamilton, Gilbert Arenas, and Kobe Bryant. So far he's been "coached" down. People are telling him to play a different game than what he envisioned for himself. Kwame, to this day, hasn't played to his potential because he's been instructed/coach not to. Phil Jackson; does he want Kwame to be the number 2 scorer on this team? No! Why not? Because he wants Kwame to play triangle offense, defense, and just plain hustle. All that is understandable but as a player a guy gets tired of doing all that just to watch your teammates hoist up 3's like they're crazy. Watch teammate gamble on defense and have him pick up the foul for covering for him. Despite all that...hussle your ass off...yeah right! I've played basketball all my life and that gets old real quick. Pull Kobe from the game when he starts hoisting 3s. Pull Smush when he flicks at the ball on defense and then gets burned by his man for doing it. Boo all that stuff! Boo all the times when Lamar Odom dribbles the ball off of is foot. Boo PJ when he puts Luke Walton on someone bigger and stronger than he is when the game is on the line. The day will come when Kwame will get his chance to be a scorer...to play his real game without all the coaching down philosophy he's been getting up to this point. Then we'll see why he was the number 1 pick in the draft.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 01:53 PM
You guys are using a typepad blog. According to the "features" list, you can password protect and even do IP banning:
http://www.sixapart.com/typepad/compare
So why don't you do it?
Posted by: Zen | February 22, 2006 at 01:54 PM
BK:
I mean this in all sincerity. Is there a way you can find out if Kwame Brown's vision has been checked. Not necessarily for the 20/20 type vision. Moreover, the depth perception type of vision check up. Could be a physiological problem and not necessarily correctable.
Posted by: David H | February 22, 2006 at 01:55 PM
What the hell happened to Jon K? He's starting to sound like Khan.
Posted by: Baller | February 22, 2006 at 02:18 PM
Chris Mihm? Yeah right the guy is good enough for us to lose. He looks good according to the stats but he does just enough to look good but for us to lose...If he's that good we'll do a lot better with him coming off the bench.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 02:23 PM
John K,
If it bothers you that much when people boo Kwame, all you have to do is cheer twice as hard to negate it. It is that simple!
Also If a guy's getting paid $9 Mils/year compared to a measly $9/hour, he damn well better know how to catch a ball. For the love of LA catch the damn ball Kwame!
Posted by: Paul | February 22, 2006 at 02:26 PM
Nick name for Kwame:
Swami Fumble Brown.
Posted by: khan | February 22, 2006 at 02:36 PM
You know Kwame is stinking it up when this topic comes up after one of his more solid games.
Unfortunately, we need this guy. He's the only one who can body up the big boys. I like the fact that no plays are run for him. He's a disaster waiting to happen when the ball is in his hands. In no way will Kwame ever become a dominant offensive player. He's showing he can become a defensive stopper though. A very important development for the Lakers and Kwame, considering Tim Duncan's status as the best in the league.
I wouldn't shy away from booing anyone. I'd boo Kwame every time he drops an easy pass or misses an easy lay-up. If he can't take it, he's weak. And a weak person is not who you want to have starting at power forward. Bynum's the baby on this team. There's no room for 2 babies. Especially a 5 year veteran baby.
A strong person would take the boo's personally and get into the gym and work on that hand-eye coordination.
Posted by: Rocky | February 22, 2006 at 02:39 PM
Think it's more constructive to boo Mitch.
Just my take. Booing is not going to motivate anyone. And who cares if you paid an insane amount of money to watch him fumble passes. You're the moron for paying that much money. Athletes shouldn't be perfect just cause you paid some money....
We got enough haters....
We need some supporters.....
Posted by: GF | February 22, 2006 at 02:41 PM
"What the hell happened to Jon K? He's starting to sound like Khan."
That's because it is Khan... you dumb !@#!@#
Posted by: frank1rizzo | February 22, 2006 at 02:43 PM
Booing should never be premeditated one way or the other. It has to be a spontaneous reaction from the gut. Anything else is a bogus boo (or even a bogus un-boo).
Just as Kwame will learn to play better in the next couple of years, he will also learn how to handle boos better. Like MikeT says, Kwame is closer to being part of the solution than part of the problem. Learning to play consistent D and use consistent teamwork are the Lakers' two biggest obstacles.
Posted by: Guity | February 22, 2006 at 02:54 PM
DO YOU SMELLALALALALLALALOOOO WHAT THE KHAN IS COOKING? -_^
Posted by: the Lamar Show | February 22, 2006 at 03:00 PM
To the poster who called Michael Jordan the worst GM of all time, I have two words: Isiah Thomas. I think Isiah is angling hard to be voted the Worst Sports Executive of All Time. Can anyone else explain the Francis trade today (not to mention everything else he's done since joining the Knicks front office)?
Posted by: Tully Moxness | February 22, 2006 at 03:14 PM
Kwame is a Pu$$Y. tell him to get his ass up and play some basketball. DUNK THE DAMN BALL DON'T LAY-UP.
WHY?
BECAUSE YOU CAN'T MAKE ANY 1-5 FOOT LAY-UPS! KWAME YOU SUCK YOU PIECE OF RIDICULOUS PILE OF MOO MOO CRAP!
Posted by: Kevin | February 22, 2006 at 03:18 PM
IF YA SMELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL WHAT KWAME ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS COOKIN?
Posted by: Kevin | February 22, 2006 at 03:19 PM
I think we should give lamar a lot of credit
i mean honestly who the hell in the nba could play a long side with kobe brYant
he HAS THE BALL 95 percent of the time so it'S KINDA HARD PLAYING WITH HIM.
Posted by: Kevin | February 22, 2006 at 03:21 PM
Well, time to throw in my two cents.
As far as the act of booing Kwame itself, like I told Mike T. in an earlier thread (which may have prompted BK to post this topic in the first place), I don't think booing Kwame for a bad game is in order. But that's simply because I think booing a guy who's legitimately trying but failing is pointless. It's a fan's right, no doubt. I'm just not sure what you're accomplishing. You're basically saying, "I don't appreciate your effort." If the dude's dogging it, fine. Boo until your throat's bleeding and raw. Otherwise, why? But again, that's just me.
But the logic that fans shouldn't boo Kwame because he may be oversensitive holds no water. He's a professional athlete making 8 mil a year. And he's in his fifth season, which means the training wheels are (or should be) off. The days of treating him with kid gloves are over. His job requires being under the microscope and he knew that going in. Bottom line? If this is something that truly bothers him (and mind you, I'm not even sure it is), then the problem is Kwame's, not the fans'. Because it's an issue that will follow him for the rest of his career, until he's more consistent. He needs to overcome it, and that's in his hands.
It's also very interesting, because a while back I wrote a post ("And a Mamba Shall Lead them... hopefully") about how I wished Kobe's body language and on-court demeanor would sometimes inspire more confidence within his teammates. Afterwards, many of you defended Kobe, saying that it's up to these guys to man up and find their confidence on their own. That it isn't Kobe's responsibility. And you're entitled to your opinion and I can see some of your points, even if I don't agree. But if it's not Kobe's job, as a teammate and freakin' team captain, to build Kwame's spirit, then it certainly isn't the fan's job, either. There's no possible way the onus falls in the lap of a guy who PAID to watch Kwame play. I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous.
Great discussion, everyone. I'm really digging it.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 03:22 PM
I think Kwame is developing nicely actually. Sure he's a huge offensive liability, but as someone mentioned - where are the viscious boos when Luke, Sascha or Cook creates a bonehead play?
I think he's clearly getting more comfortable with the team. He plays solid defense, he's starting to catch passes and he even finished that fast break the other night. He hit free throws last night. He's even hustling on the glass more than I remember.
I remember watching games at the beginning of the season where he was just wholly incompetent and i'm seeing improvement as the season marches on.
I don't think he will ever be an allstar, but I would love to be proved wrong.
Posted by: Evan | February 22, 2006 at 03:29 PM
WORD OUT!
KWAME BROWN IS A LITTLE PU$$Y
TRADE KWAME FOR THE CAVEMAN! CHRIS KAMAN!
kWAME FOR KAMAN!
TRADE KWAME RIDICULOUS PIECE OF CRAP!
Posted by: Kevin | February 22, 2006 at 03:31 PM
lamar might be one of the few who wouldnt mind playing with kobe because he's such a unselfish player.
on a side note, i was watching the steven a smith show last night and some audience asked him... should the lakers trade odom and george for kg? he's like (looking confused) ... Yesterday!!! what kind of question is that? kobe and kg together? they should have done it yesterday! just sit down.
Posted by: the Lamar Show | February 22, 2006 at 03:33 PM
Listen, people who boo Kwame are fricken idiots.
Some joker on this blog earlier posted something to the effect of "I pay $200 for my tickets so I'll boo whoever I want."
I hate these kinds of people. They're not real fans.
This has more to do with being a quality human being than anything else. Also, it has a lot to do with pragmatism.
AK, you're sounding like your idiot brother, this whole "It's in a fan's right to ban crap" make me sick. Whatever.
The fact of the matter is AND IT SHOULD GO NO FURTHER THAN THIS IS THAT KWAME DOESN'T PLAY WELL WHEN BOOED. PERIOD. IF HE DOES'T PLAY WELL, IT HURTS THE LAKERS! WE NEED TO WIN NOW! WHY DO AN ACTION TO HURT YOUR TEAM? WHY? IT MAKE NO SENSE TO ME.
Put aside morality, ethics, the "right of a fan to boo"... Kwame doesn't play well when booed. We are sitting on the 8th seed in a playoff race.
Hurt Kwame (wimpy as he may be) and you hurt the team.
Hate him for his 8 million a year. Do it. I don't care. Don't boo him.
I want my team to win. I want to make the playoffs THIS YEAR. I want them to do well in the playoffs. That's all I care about.
All this booing individual players because they make mistakes is spouting of self-absorbed quasi-fans who don't care about their team or winning.
Go Kwame!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 03:39 PM
Sir Jon,
Be more respectful to other fans instead of calling everyone who disagree with you idiots. Your notion of deciding who's true fan and who isn't is flawed. Fans boo because they have passion for the team and the game. They boo because they are disappointed when players make obvious mistakes over and over again. If they are not Laker fans then they could careless if Kwame makes a open court layup or not. But i see where you are coming from, because yes he struggles when fans don't approve him. and its hard for fans to approve him when he can't make play that CBA bench warmer could make. If Kwame can't play with pressure and some boos then Lakers have no chance when playoff time comes because I can assure you that fans would boo him harder home or away. It's his fifth season, he ought to know how to block out certain things and prevail over those tribulation. He needs to be reminded that fans care about this game and we will let him know when he's making silly mistakes and make him earn every penny of his 8 mill salary.
You're not the only "true" fan, some fans just cheer differently.
Posted by: Ben C. | February 22, 2006 at 03:47 PM
Jon Kavulic:
That's all I was trying to say from the start. Whatever you think, booing effects kwame so why boo him if it causes us to lose? Because it's your right? Well, gee, I can't argue with that.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 03:49 PM
I hate the lakers I express hatred for them all my life. and now I can finally laugh at their failure Kobe Bryant has brought this organization down i laugh at his ball hogging face The lakers are the worst team I hate them I hate Kobe Bryant you people are lucky you won so many championships. the only team that stands tall right now are the clippers. the clippers are the best team in L.A. I laugh at you Laker fans haha Lakers suck! Clippers are the better team they will beat detroit and win that championship haha LAKERS WILL NOT EVEN MAKE THE POST SEaSON!
Kobe Bryant is no leader. Kobe Bryant sucks!
GO CLIPPERS!
Posted by: Kevano | February 22, 2006 at 03:50 PM
Listen, K Brothers, how long have you guys been involved in this whole sports media crap?
It seems to me that guys in the sports media invariably become jaded and take on this distorted critical view of the world and a weird kind of disdain for players, particularly players who struggle.
Its like they think they're owed something special by the players, and if those players express their human failings, as members of the media they feel they have a God-given right to crucify these people.
This is exactly what happened with Kobe, until 81 points and then people started changing their tune, because Kobe proved his super-humanness again.
Listen, Kwame is human. Should he be able to take criticism of fans and booing? Hell yes! But if he can't, why make him suffer? Especially when that suffering causes him to play crappy basketball at a time when we are on the verge on being eliminated from the playoffs?
Some knucklehead explain that to me. I'd love for some idiot floor seat dick to explain how his financial investment empowers him with the right to sabatoge the play of a Laker simply because he feels the need to vent his personal dissatifaction.
And you guys criticize Kwame... You should be criticizing these narcissistic idiots. They're the ones who are disciplined. They can't even keep their mouths shut. They can't even make the extra effort to shout out something positive when Kwame performs well.
These people suck.
K Brothers, don't become one of these people.
Go Kwame! We're going to the playoffs, baby!
Go LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 03:50 PM
I could care less about hurting one of our "wimpy" players. That is, of course, if Kwame is truly wimpy. If a player cannot handle boos at home, how in the hell is he gonna handle the crap players go through on the road? Wimpy players do not belong in professional basketball.
I want my team to win as well, but not if it means having to patronize a wimpy player who cannot deal with a little pressure and criticism. Not to say Kwame cannot handle it.
Posted by: Rocky | February 22, 2006 at 03:56 PM
Rocky makes a bonehead statement of "I wouldn't shy away from booing anyone" like that makes him more of a man or something.
Okay, Rocky, you're all tough in your seats, how about calling out Kwame or Kobe or even myself in an environment where you can't sue. Probably not so tough then.
Listen, aren't we Lakers fans here? Don't we want our team to do well? Why would we lay into a player on our team in a counter-productive way?
I want my team to do well.
I want Kwame to do well.
I want Kwame and the Lakers to succeed.
Go Kwame!
Go Lakers!
Go Team.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 04:01 PM
Ben C.,
What's the problem, dude? You can't handle being booed? Is that the problem?
Ridiculous.
Maybe you should be a bit more respectful before the next time you start booing our players at Staples.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 04:04 PM
Jon,
You're taking this Kwame thing way too personally. Neither BK or AK is telling anyone to boo Kwame or anyone else in particular. Just saying he understands it under certain circumstances.
All this talk of being a real fan is ludicrous because everyone has a different definition it. Bill Simmons believes that you can't be a fan of two different teams in the same league, even if they're in the same city, like the Lakers and Clippers. Does that make you less a "true fan" in your own mind? No, it doesnt and booing a player on your favorite team doesnt make you less a fan.
Kwame is a grown man making as much or more than all the rich people you talked about going to Staples. He needs to be a professional, people pay good money to see quality play and if they feel someone is stinking it up they have the right to boo plain and simple. Kwame's the one that needs to get his head on straight.
I'm not much of a boo bird myself whether it's my team or the opposing team. But I have nothing against it and you've got no right to question whether people are fans or not. You're not here to legislate who's a fan and who's not, you're a fan like everyone else.
Posted by: xodus | February 22, 2006 at 04:08 PM
Jon Kavulic,
You Suck
Kwame Sucks
The Lakers suck
The fans here suck
This organization sucks
The New team in L.A.= Clippers
Not the Lakers
Lakers suck
Jon, stop defending Kwame he cries too much like you
Posted by: Kevano | February 22, 2006 at 04:08 PM
Kwame may be a wimp; he may not be.
You may not respect the fact that a kid thrown from a small town in Georgia can't handle years of being booed by DC fans and screamed at by Saint Nike (Jordan).
You may feel that you are so much more tough than that emotionally and spiritually.
You may feel you have a God/Jerry Buss-given right to insult your team's players because you make enough money to buy expensive seats.
You may be right. You may be wrong.
But Kwame has repeatedly shown that he doesn't play well when booed. So why boo him?
Didn't you just pay all this money so you could go to Staples? Don't you want to be entertained by a victory? Doesn't it make sense that if you want a victory to happen, that you'd want Kwame to play well. Then why boo him, so you can undermine your financial investment in a night of solid entertainment.
Where's the logic here?
When I attend a game, I cheer my heart out.
Because I love my team and I want them to win.
Maybe some of you guys are different, but that's where I stand.
Go Kwame!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 04:10 PM
That is not Jon Kavulic's post.
Posted by: Zen | February 22, 2006 at 04:10 PM
Jon,
You were the one who called Kwame wimpy. And I wouldn't shy away from booing anyone. Because sometimes that's how I react as a fan when someone isn't doing what they are supposed to be doing.
Dude, I'll call you out anyday homie. You've turned into a ego-maniacal wacko with your posts lately. Easy on the myopia. I thought I was the biggest Lakers fan in the world until I saw your azz posting on this blog every waking moment of the day. Get a life dog.
I'd love to see a picture of you. You're probably a gump. And if it was Khan making the post, these words apply to you.
I want Kwame and the Lakers to succeed. We shall see what happens.
Posted by: Rocky | February 22, 2006 at 04:16 PM
Jon Kavulic,
First of all, how am I being selfish by wanting to make a player who gets paid millions of dollars better? Does he come to my home and give me some of that? No. I'm one of the biggest Kwame believers out there, and I don't think he should get booed all the time, but if you're not using your head in the game, or only playing 12 mins because the coach thinks your horrible, I will boo you. Once again, I like Kwame, I think he's an important part of our future, but the dude is too soft!!!! He has to get thick skinned sometime, and I say there's no time like the present.
PS: I have no problems with you, but don't call me selfish, and don't question my love for this team. Like I said in my first post, you're taking this too seriously!!! GET OVER IT
Posted by: Asaad Weaver | February 22, 2006 at 04:17 PM
I don't think Kwame is a wimp...I think he's frustrated by the way his coaches have used him throughout his professional career. Come on, do you think Doug Collins and Eddie Jordan really tried to develop kwame's offensive game? Heck no! Especially Eddie Jordan...he was and is always under pressure to win and so he threw his offensive schemes towards Gilbert Arenas, just like PJ is doing with Kobe Bryant. If I were Kwame I would demand a trade to a lousy team so he can truely be needed to score and then build a reputation as a scorer and get a max contract by the time he's 25 years old. Kwame needs to tell PJ...go to h*ll! I'm not going to let you ruin my career by having me do all the dirty work and not have plays called for me. I'd say trade me to a losing team that can use my offensive skills which would benefit both the team and Kwame as a professional.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 04:17 PM
jon k,
these guys are being paid millions. im usre half the people in here have used that little tidbit to backup their reasoning to boo whoever they want. he is being paid millions to perform--to entertain us. when we dont feel like we're getting our money's worth, our human instincts make us BOO. i have long been frustrated by george's bonehead plays. i have always let out a disgusted "ughhhhh" whenever i see george check in for someone. however, this year (which also happens to be a contract year), he's been one of the bright spots on this laker team. i dont boo kwame because i know he cant live up to the expectations of a no.1 pick. while he may only put up 8 pts a game, he consistantly brings a presence out there.
someone said hes a grown man. i dont think so. hes still a kid out there. but hes making his living in a man's world so he should be treated like a man. i say we DO have the right to boo and get on his case when he drops a perfect pass or blows a layup which he should have dunked. because he has consistantly shown he has the ability to screw things up like that. now if kobe blows a gimme layup or takes his eyes off the ball once, we let him go and we dont give him hell because we know 99 out of 100 times, kobe doesnt make that mistake. that snot the case with kwame. if kwame doesnt want to get boo'd, he should assure us that his bonehead mistakes dont happen on a regular basis.
i understand why we maybe shouldnt boo kwame because his mental state and confidence go right out the window when he hears the boos. but the guy has to realize that if he plays 2 good games and has a bad game the next day, then follows that up with 2 good games, the crowd will cut him some slack. but if its the other way around, like it is right now, where he has 2 bad games, then 1 good game, then 2 bad games...then he shouldnt deserve any credit.
i dont boo any of my lakers, but if it makes you feel better, BOO away!
Posted by: Lefty | February 22, 2006 at 04:18 PM
Jon is a freakin loser get a life
Loser stop posting so many damn comments on here
Posted by: Kevano | February 22, 2006 at 04:19 PM
Rocky/Assad,
You guys may be right. I don't have much of a life. That's why I'm able to spend so much time on this blog.
I have a terrible job, and it didn't always used to be this way.
I am probably taking this too seriously.
But I am a lifetime Lakers fan and I wouldn't boo my team at Staples.
Go Kwame!
Go Lakers!
Go Team.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 04:24 PM
after playing around with the trade simulator on espn, i just realized something. kwame is freakin making $7 million a year!!!
if kwame really cant take the critisism, i have one option for him. he could rework his contract with kupchak, take a huge paycut so he only makes $2 million. when the city of LA sees this, the high expectations will go away and he will be cheered for taking one for the team.
am i right?
Posted by: Lefty | February 22, 2006 at 04:25 PM
To All of you Kwame Boo-ers,
Save your freakin boos to the opponents, you freakin idiots. How can you boo (regardless of sub-par performance) when he's with the Lakers. Why distract a Laker when he's in the game with the other 4 players? He's no Kobe Bryant. So what he's getting paid 9 million a year. And guess what, he did something right or better than any of us Lakers Blog to be get paid 9 million a year. The boy made his case somewhere and he's still doint it. And we bloggers are not..... It's a given the guy is Sensitive. Why mess with him? Cheer for him you freakin idiots.
Posted by: Fakers | February 22, 2006 at 04:31 PM
Jon,
I thought you were a little sensitive when you complained that someone was using your name. Well with in your rights, but sensitive. My deepest apologies. I know it isn't you and this is ridiculous. There should be a password, or something.
On this topic, I have a 7 year old son. It is my job t ake sure he grows up to be a man. When he stands on a drawer and breaks it then "we" have to fix it and have a "talk". When he does it a second time the punishment needs to increase. Why? So that he will not do the same thing. So he will grow up. If I din't punish him I would be hurting him for the rest of his life.
Kwame probably never had a responsible dad. Someone that can help hi grow up and be a man. Jordan didn't help. But he has been give many many second chances. Now it is trial by fire. Boo away.
On a bigger picture outlook, I don't want someone that is that sensitive on the Lakers. I want championships. I want rings and glory. If you can't play cause you droppped your 14th pass of the day and some drunk from El Segundo started calling you names, well maybe you should play for the Clippers. I will live through the lean times.
I will cheer Mihm and even Slava. I think they work hard and try. See that is my opinion. It is my right to choose who I like and who I don't. Kwame will never be good. He can't take it, I'm ok with that. ot veryone who wore purple and gold was a real Laker. Get on the bus and move on.
Lot's of big men in the league who are no good. Portland's Kim Ju Ha comes to mind. That doesn't mean that they should be a Laker. Bring me the ard minded, competitive, hungryplayers. Those will get a championship.
No one ever did better when they were BOOed. Reggie Miller, Michael Jordon, Thomas, Barkley, Bird, and Kobe. They all fed off it. Bring me a guy who wants to be booed. That's what the Lakers need.
Posted by: Rambis | February 22, 2006 at 04:32 PM
jon kavulic.....man chill out
Posted by: z | February 22, 2006 at 04:34 PM
Jon,
You make it sound like I boo every Lakers without a reason. Booing terrible plays is and has been a part of the game. It's easier to fix one person Kwame's sissyness than suppressing booing rights of millions of fans.
I begin to think you are actually Kwame Brown posting here to defend yourself... and if you are indeed Kwame... GO PRACTICE rather than posting here.
Posted by: Ben C. | February 22, 2006 at 04:37 PM
"I love JJ. He is great unlike BK. Trade BK!! Please put JJ on my lap. Go Clipper! "
ROFL! Put JJ on your lap, and please at that! LMAO ! Go Troll!
Posted by: ravi | February 22, 2006 at 04:46 PM
Jon,
First of all, everyone needs settle down. I haven't heard Kwame ever say that this stuff bothers him to nearly the degree that you and others claim. This whole notion is coming from, I think, an observation some people made that Kwame doesn't play well when he's booed. Well, frankly, he didn't play all that well when he wasn't getting booed, either. To be blunt, he's much too inconsistent a player to boil down all his problems as something that simple. Thus, I think this is all getting blown out of wack.
Second, as I already said, I DON'T think Kwame should be booed, assuming he's working hard. I wouldn't do it. But the idea that fans should censor themselves for the sake of one player is absurd. They have every right to express displeasure, even if they're doing it in a way I personally find pointless. Besides, if getting booed truly damages Kwame's psyche enough that it causes him to "suffer," as you so dramatically put it, he's not tough enough to handle the pressure of helping the Lakers get the 8 spot, anyway. So it's all a moot point.
Along these lines, how far should fans take your philosophy? For example, let's assume players actually read this blog. Should negative comments be off limits, because it might affect their confidence? What if Kwame's thinking about them as he steps on the court? You've criticized Kwame many, many times on this blog. Should you be taken to task for that? In my mind, of course not. But where do you draw the line? Negative comments are the written version of booing, more or less. If one is allowable, the other should be, too.
I also think it's a little presumptious of you to act as if your rules for being a true fan are the only ones that count.
As far as BK and I being "jaded" journalists, as you're suggesting, that's ridiculous. You and many others have said countless times that we're pretty objective when it comes to evaluating the team. So now your whole opinion since mid-October has changed because of one post? Seriously? If so, that's pretty silly. It seems like anyone or anything you don't agree with inspires you to throw a furious hissy. Of course, that's your right. We'll print every last one of them. Have at it. But it's a little ridiculous, if you stop, take a breath and think about it.
I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you took some pretty large swipes that I don't think were even remotely warranted.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 04:49 PM
I think Jon K needs a hug.
Hey, if I boo Kwame at the games and that makes him suck more, then maybe they’ll bring in your boy Ronny Turiaf.
Seriously dude, did your parents boo you during AYSO soccer as a kid? You might want to look into therapy on this whole thing. Maybe you and Kwame can get a group discount.
I admire your passion but alienating a pretty strong legion of Laker fans by calling us idiots is not cool. I love the team as much as you do and maybe my expectations of Kwame are a bit higher, but I have given him plenty of time (53 games) to play up to my expectations and he continues to fall short. For that I say boo Kwame Brown. And if that hurts your feelings and your performance suffers, so be it. I feel I, as a die-hard Laker fan, would like to see my weak players weeded out before the playoffs and my warriors go at it with heart and pride. Because when the playoffs come, those who are sensitive to pressure now will crumble quicker than you can say “way to many crazy blog posts in one day”.
If you think Kwame sucks now, wait until the playoffs. He’s never been remember? The Wizards were there last year but he got kicked off the team. Maybe for being a “synonym for cat”.
Posted by: Andrew Z | February 22, 2006 at 04:53 PM
How do we know booing doesnt help Kwames game? How can you prove he plays better when fans dont boo?
This isnt fricken little league basebal; were talking about professional sports here. In sport, coaches yell at players, they dont have time-outs and discuss the "consequences of their actions" with them.
People like John K. (dude take a chill pill) who would "slap a fan next to him who booed kwame" is the reason why we need to boo players, bc if you coddled them like a 10 month old infant all the time, theyd end up being even more sensitive...hyper sensivtive. and thats the last thing id want in a Laker.
Yea, dont boo the guy like hes a Rasheed, Chauncy, Brad Miller or T. Parker. But a few well deserved boos are exactly that, well deserved.
Posted by: fullctpress | February 22, 2006 at 05:19 PM
serious...
there is only so much you can take from one player before you stop babying him. its like training a damn dog. if you dont yell at it or snap at it for doing something its not supposed to do, then it will continue to think it can keep doing what its been doing. if we keep encouraging kwame "oh its ok kwame, you keep getting your 2 points 3 rebounds and 5 fouls" and not get on his case about possibly getting 8 points and 8 rebounds every single night, he will relax and begin to think its ok to just average 2 points and 3 rebounds. when its NOT OK! bottom line: kwame just needs to man up and stop playing like a little girl. he seriously has to dig deep and have some dignity. dude has to realize he was drafted in the 1st round (forget no.1), yet hes playing like he was the last pick of the 2nd round.
and i agree with andrew z, i want the pussies weeded out before the playoffs.
Posted by: Lefty | February 22, 2006 at 05:29 PM
Hey AK/BK I posted about an hour or so ago and I just checked back and it's not up yet? What's goin on/
Any way I've got one last comment about this tif that has arisen about Kwame.
Kwame is a grown man paid millions to play a game and play it well. As fans we have a right to show our displeasure. And as someone said earlier if Kwame can't take some booing how's he gonna go on the road, and how can he help the Lakers in any capacity?
There's a fine line between being a die-hard fan and fanaticism. You've leaped so far over that line Jon that I think if you took a step back at what you're doing you'd find yourself in Khan country.
Posted by: xodus | February 22, 2006 at 05:38 PM
Xodus,
I have no idea where the comment went or which one you're refering to. I hope it didn't accidentally get deleted, but if so, our apologies.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 05:43 PM
I think we've beat this kwame thing as much as we can. Lets see what happens over the next few games.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 05:53 PM
I think booing is warranted for special reasons...like when Smush Parker lets his man walk for the upteenth time and we're losing sooo bad!
However I do agree that Kwame is sensitive, but instead of booing him, rather boo him then cheer him when he does bad things...It's like when being a child, you need positive reinforcements also
If anything we should be arguing why Smush gets upset when Kwame doesn't catch his passes...(I really am upset with Smush...can you tell :-) I understand Kobe being upset cause he actually goes to play night in and night out...but Smush?
I say boo Kwame, Cook, Walton (especially) and Smush when they're doing bad...but you better cheer when they're doing good!
Posted by: Faith | February 22, 2006 at 06:16 PM
Wow. Sorry I tuned in late for this one. Stimulating, kind of.
Hey, while on the subject, anybody know what Kwame's "go to" move is?
Posted by: Vman | February 22, 2006 at 06:34 PM
Faith,
I agree with you about Smush...when he shook his head in disgust over Kwame not catching a pass. How many times has Kwame had to cover for Smush when Smush gets burned by his man? Does Kwame make those kid gestures about that? Smush has a lot of nerve to say or make bodily gestures about anything Kwame does when it's kwame or mihm covering his ass time and time again when he gets burned by his man.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 06:38 PM
He really doesn't have a go to move...he has a quick first step, from what I understand he has excellent feet, which doesn't get used much because he has no plays called for him.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 06:40 PM
kwame's go-to move is sealing his man on the lower left block (which he does pretty well, i might add). he gets the ball, then dribbles once or twice. turns into the middle, and shoots the ball into his defender's hand.
how many times have we seen that?
way too many times...
Posted by: Lefty | February 22, 2006 at 06:48 PM
I have an idea, tomorrow we play the kings. Lets see how many times Mike Bibby burns Smush Parker by driving to the basket. Let's see how it causes other Laker player to leave their man and get scored on. Then we can blog about that.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 06:49 PM
Booing explains Shaq's point. L.A. fans are FAKE!
When Kwame is playing great, why do you..uh, well, we cheer the hell out for him?
When Kwame is playing poorly (blown up layups,inability to catch the fricken ball, bad turnovers,bad fouls), why do you..YES YOU, boo him so bad?!?!?
Why? Are you guys unaware of his performance in D.C.? You guys shouldnt be surprised because what he was in D.C, is what he is and will be here in L.A.!
When Kobe and the Lakers "visit" the Clippers, why is he getting booed? When Shaq comes to town, we do we boo him - knowing that THEY BROUGHT 3 STRAIGHT TITLES here in LA!
It's hard to say, but some LA fans are really fake.
*KOBE FOR MVP!
*GO LAKERS!
Posted by: shaq_hater | February 22, 2006 at 06:55 PM
Jon Kavulic,
I just lost a lot of respect for you (or your posts, since I don't know you). You have officially joined my "Gloss over" list. Your argument is idiotic (ironic isn't it? considering that you are busy calling everybody else idiots.) and pointless. Kwame plays badly whenever kwame plays badly, the booing only points out the fact. You obviously are jealous and indignant about your personal situation as compared to the fans that sit in the lower seats. You said your job sucks fine, if you suck at your job trust me, you will be fired and then booed. I don't care what Kwame's mental makeup is, if he can’t play and can't handle adversity he is in the wrong business. It's a fan's right to boo or cheer or both.
The Fear.
Posted by: The Troll | February 22, 2006 at 07:23 PM
P.S. And I'm not one of them
*KOBE FOR MVP!
*GO LAKERS!
Posted by: shaq_hater | February 22, 2006 at 07:29 PM
this thread is dead please burn it and start over
Posted by: todd | February 22, 2006 at 07:39 PM
The question is not whether or not it is your right as a fan to boo, because clearly it is. The question is whether or not it is SMART, as a Lakers fan, to boo someone who has shown that he doesn't respond well to that. It is equally clear that that is not smart.
To Teniente:
Which Kwame have you been watching? He has never shown any sign of the consistency it should take to merit a post like yours. If last night's performance becomes the norm, for 20 or 30 games, then you can say that he has earned the right to possibly be looked at as a significant offensive option.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 22, 2006 at 07:55 PM
I will boo the entire team if they are not playing well. Why? Because I expect them to win. I love the Lakers, but I expect them to play well. I can handle losses if they play the right way. Too many times, the entire team, not just Kwame, Smush, Luke or whoever, but everyone doesn't have their heads in the game. So I boo.
Does that make me less of a Laker fan? I don't think so. I expect excellence. I support it financially, so in many ways I have a stake in my team. If players are not performing up to par, as a "shareholder," I must voice my displeasure. If they cannot handle that, then honestly they should not be a Laker. When you wear the purple and gold everyone relates that to excellence. It is one of the reasons why the Lakers are one of the best road attendance teams.
I encourage all of you to take a look at game 7 of the 2000 WCF. When the Lakers were down by 15 late int he 3rd qtr, you can hear the boos very loudly. If it is wrong to boo under any circumstance, then those who booed at that game can't be true Lakers fans. Are we ready to say that about 20,000 people?
If I boo, it is because the team is not doing what they SHOULD be doing. Really, these are professionals who are getting a lot of money to play this game. As a teacher, I am ridiculed, cursed at (underneath the kids breath), looked down upon by the public for test scores, yet I manage to hold my head high and continue to do my job to the best of my abilities. What is wrong about expecting the same from them?
Posted by: David Gago | February 22, 2006 at 08:00 PM
The Clipper and the Hornets lost tonight. Great chance for the Lakers to pick up some ground tomorrow against the Kings.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 08:10 PM