He's No Kazaam
I like Luke Walton. Very nice guy. Improved a lot in the second half of last season. High hoops IQ. And absolutely zero threat whatsoever to the throne of Jack, Denzel, Leo and the rest of Hollywood that shows up regularly to watch him play. You could make a serious argument he wasn't very convincing playing himself. Of course, you could also make a serious argument he may just have been phoning this puppy in. But either way, as long as he had fun.
And on the positive side, at least we know Luke hasn't forgone off-season workouts in favor of intensive theatrical training. He should be in excellent shape come October.
By the way, did anybody happen to catch the entire episode? Was there even a shred of context established or does Luke Walton just happen to show up while pretty boy is shooting hoops by himself? Kind of reminds me of when celebrities pop by Springfield on "The Simpsons."
(Thanks to "Eric" for the link. BK and I had planned on reviewing his performance in live blog format, but forgot the date. As it turns out, with the 1 minute, 37 seconds running time, we simply spared everyone the most anti-climactic real time gathering ever).
AK
Kobe will join Disney to send kids from Hong Kong to the US to make their dreams come true.
He will attend Hong Kong Disneyland tomorrow:
Kobe Bryant joins Hong Kong Disneyland to make magic for children:
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5362506
And this doesn't deserve some coverage from the NBA?
They covered shaq and his shoe deal and t-mac's shoe tour, but they don't cover this?
Posted by: lakofan | September 04, 2006 at 10:41 PM
By the way...I just came across some updated stats. Kwame Brown is listed at 270 lbs. I knew that 248 was wrong.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 04, 2006 at 10:44 PM
"I know Michael T. hates him, but it is an irrational, obsessive-compulsive hate, not based in realtity."
That really is funny.
Reality.
Mihm is a career 8 and 5 guy.
Mihm can't defend the middle.
The Lakers couldn't win 3 or 4 games in a row with Mihm in the middle.
Mihm had a reputation as stiff and bust before he got to Los Angeles.
Mihm can't say in the game for 8 minutes without picking up 2 fouls.
What part of that isn't reality?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 04, 2006 at 10:49 PM
Mike T,
I think the 270 lbs is a misprint. The majority of sources I've seen, including the Lakers media guide, list Kwame at 248. I can see why you'd think he was heavier, because the dude is absolutely yoked. But I'm guessing he's closer to 250 than 270.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 04, 2006 at 10:59 PM
LakerAl,
"Miles value is decreasing because Portland doesn't want him."
It's not that Portland doesn't want Miles. It's that Miles doesn't want Portland. This is Miles wanting out of Portland. Because teams know that, they're trying to lowball for Miles. Portland isn't going for it. I read about the Portland's coach calling Miles and asking him how he feels. He asked him if there was anything he needed. Miles said no...he was fine. He was working out on his own. That phone call to Miles was a feeler to see how he feels, because if Miles was willing Portland would keep him.
Teams around the league know this so they're offering trash for Miles, but if Portland waits and Miles comes in strong at the beginning of the season, his value increases. Needless to say, at that time the Lakers will be out of the running. That's why I'm heavy on it to get it done now, if it's possible.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 04, 2006 at 11:03 PM
I don't know if this was ever posted here, I read the article when it happened. He has done this for a while:
http://www.stjude.org/media/0,2561,453_2816_17774,00.html
http://www.stjude.org/images-stjude/0,4428,853_5289_17778,00.html
Posted by: lakofan | September 04, 2006 at 11:05 PM
I've checked out a few sources. It's 270, which if you look at his body is about right. But I'll be my sources, again.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 04, 2006 at 11:06 PM
p ang
Wow you would rather play Pippen at the 3 then Kobe. I mean MJ vs Kobe is always debateable but KObe vs. Pippen is not even worth the time. Kobe is easily the better player and even Tex said Kobe would be great at the 3. I would rather have a Kobe/MJ combo at the 2/3.
Posted by: Shady | September 04, 2006 at 11:08 PM
Kwame's weight
http://www.nba.com/lakers/roster/index.html
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kwame_brown/index.html
That's from the official Lakers sight and the NBA.com
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 04, 2006 at 11:08 PM
AK,
Just to let you know the sights I posted used to list him at 248. Back when it came up I search these 2 as a resource. Now they list him at 270, which, again, I think is correct.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 04, 2006 at 11:10 PM
Mike T,
Well, looking at the Lakers official media guide and ESPN/hoopshype, he's 248. But on the Lakers web site and nba.com, he's 270. Interesting conundrum.
Wanna split the difference at 260? haha.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 04, 2006 at 11:11 PM
Mike T.
Can we get a link?
Posted by: Shady | September 04, 2006 at 11:14 PM
Ak,
Ha! Ha! I think the 270 is right, dude is yoked. I mean have you ever seen this guys calves? Wow!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 04, 2006 at 11:14 PM
Mike-
Miles definitely wants out of Portland, but I'd say the feeling is mutual, regarding Blazers management. That contract makes him very tough to move.
BK
By the way, Kwame certainly looks like he could be 270... now let's see him rebound like he's that big (hahahaha).
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 04, 2006 at 11:14 PM
Weave Man,
Those years to which you refer were the real WCF championships, if not the (real) NBA Championships. I too, love a good rivalry. 57 days and a wake-up. Bring it on.
Shady,
I don't know what your stat sheet says, but Bonzi started the entire year for us, except for the month he was out with injury. In Bonzi's case, I wouldn't place too much importance in career stats. Almost always consistent, many nights he was the best player on the floor. Wherever Bonzi ends up he'll either start, or be the busiest 6th man at 3 positions in the league. He's really got an axe to grind now, and will once again be playing for his last long term contract.
It puts me in a sweat, however remote the possibility may be, to envision him in purple and gold.
Posted by: sonnybelfast | September 04, 2006 at 11:16 PM
Shady,
Agree with you that Kobe's better but someone's got to run the triangle and pass.
Posted by: p ang | September 04, 2006 at 11:35 PM
BK,
"By the way, Kwame certainly looks like he could be 270... now let's see him rebound like he's that big (hahahaha)."
You think I'm hard on Chris Mihm? Just wait what I'm going to do to Kwame if he's does come through.
Shady,
The link? The conversation between Miles and his coach? Well, that was about a month and half ago. I'm not going to back track that far. I'm not sure it might have been the Oregeon paper.
mike
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 04, 2006 at 11:40 PM
Laker Al,
"I didn't get the feeling that this girl's accuracy is guaranteed"
This is true, and she acknowledges as much. But the information does give us a better than ball park idea on who is where, for how long and for how much, and you've got to appreciate the amount of work she must have put in...sheesh. And I like girls.
"If I had to choose between head cases I would take Artest over Miles any day, and so would every GM in the league".
At the seasons end, I expect Ron Ron to be considered one of the top five players in the league. I already consider him that. You're preaching to the choir.
I hope you're able to stay warm and secure on those chilly nights brother. Do you have a laptop with some kind of remote?
Go Kings!
Go Niners!
Go Monarchs!
Posted by: sonnybelfast | September 05, 2006 at 12:19 AM
Mike's link to Kwame's stats had me thinking about Bynum and how long his arms are. I wonder if they have a list of players' wingspans. It would be interesting to compare the 7 footers and see. Also, I wonder how often they update players' sizes because I heard a long time ago that Bynum was 7'1 now and yahoo and nba.com have him at 7' still. Maybe my memory is off.
Posted by: Marcus | September 05, 2006 at 12:29 AM
Wow - been away for the weekend.
When I left it was Farmar vs Smush and could/should we get KG or Artest. Now I see we're down to debating Kwame's weight.
Maybe we can debate about Sacha's favorite color next.
PLEEEEASE let the season start - or at least let the K bros. give us a new thread!!!
Posted by: Jay Jay | September 05, 2006 at 01:07 AM
WOW- Nice link on the Rubio kid, he might still be growing too- another awesome post. Thanks LakerTom
You better believe it I was a Pistol Pete Fan! ...and people still call me pistol, we ran plays right out of Woodens books!
great stuff, and to top that off Jerry West and Pistol Pete wore 44, to this day my favorite number. You are killing me with trivia and bringing up Big O- maybe the only player better than Jordan and then of course our own Elgin Baylor! Damn he and Earl Monroe had spin moves that left people 3 yards behind.
Those guys were in a whole different league. If today’s rules applied to Jerry West then Clyde Frazier would have no chance guarding him. The hand checking and physical play was what made Walt such a pain to deal with. I hate to take away from his defense but I hated what he got away with while guarding Mr. Clutch.
I think the rational minds are done with most of this trade speculation and I will be totally surprised if there is a move made at all up to the trading deadline.
LakerAl makes great points on the fact that if you have a Ron Artest or KG you wouldn't need much other talent period. I think it is true but my better judgment tells me we need a solid point guard.
I think you guys know Mike T and John K are definitely basketball junkies. They know a bit about the Clippers and the talent they haven't been able to hold on to or pay. The truth on DMiles is he needs to have a breakout year or he is just a waste of talent. If he does it here or there I am happy for him as a player, I just don't see the Lakers taking him on when they balked at Ron Artest. Sacramento taking Bonzi for Mihm and futures or Cook and whoever is much more feasible, but likely wont happen- they hate us.
One more note,
this blog rocks and as far as others go none are even close! LakerTom -The chickisms still have me going back to it; too funny EGueco is just as enthused! Those were the days my friends- Hope we re-invent them again.
We are in need of some NBA action before someone brings up the WNBA again! Hey AK/BK can we get Roland to visit and give us some killer new post, or challenge LakerTom or Mike T. to make anew thread on something other than these trades that aren’t going to happen!
Posted by: Peter Maguire | September 05, 2006 at 02:27 AM
10x edwin,laker tom ,weaveman and faith.
now baywwod.wanna talk our country and basketball(sorry for u r bro i have an older bro and i cant imagine how it feels)i can tell u stories,btw u still have the bullshit political stuff.did u read about the army and the team getting into a fight(riyady beyrut). the beautie is u find basketball every where and between diffrent people.it kind of brings them together.
we went to a remote village in the war to get away from all the sounds and ...
so me and my friend didnt have to say a world all he had to do is have a basketball.
btw if u went back or rember our country is really the most beautiful(u think i m petritic but it is ,u should see) but it s full of the wrong people and leaders)ok sorry guy this was not basketball related but had to talk with my country man baywood.
Posted by: purple and gold | September 05, 2006 at 06:44 AM
"To top it all whatever you and I are discussing is just a whisper in the wilderness, only the birs are listening. lol!"-Edwin G
I disagree with you Edwin. The hypothetical Miles trade is very interesting to the point that it's polarizing. People have strong stances one way or the other. These polarizing issues in some minds may disrupt the regular flow or harmony of the blog. But in my opinion, these arguments add so much life to the blog. It's why we come back to read and post. Judging by the reactions to this Miles proposal, this issue is not just a 'whisper in the wilderness', because a lot of birs are listening. It seems a lot of birs don't like it, but they are listening.
I also disagree with your assessment of Miles. I see Miles as a nice kid who just wants win. He's a kid who wants to be a part of something special. I don't see him as a guy who wants to be the superstar even though that is a possibility. If he did, Kobe would put him in his place. See, in LA, Miles would have positive role-models; Phil, Kobe, Lamar, Magic, Kareem, and all the Laker greats would be right there to put Miles in his place if so needed. Miles would not be a head case here in LA, he'd be too busy trying to make a good impression.
One question Edwin, What in the hell is a bir?
Posted by: Rocky | September 05, 2006 at 09:25 AM
Peter Maguire:
Pete was a legend in all our minds back then. He was Magic before Magic. He was also another player like Kobe who was dedicated to improving his game and practiced constantly.
I remember watching a documentary on him and his Dad, Press, who coached him at LSU. There was a scene where Pete broke down his various trick moves. The one that stood out in my memory was when he appeared to just be making a straightforward chest pass to the player directly in front of him. Pete had a magician’s knack for sleight of hand. While his follow through and motion were identical to a pass to the player in front of him the ball actually traveled directly to left with a quick flick of his right hand while still following through with both hands as if he were making the chest pass to the player in front of him. My friends and I would spend hours practicing that exact move and looking for chances in a game to try it for real. Magic before Magic.
And Earl the Pearl. He was Vince Carter before Vince Carter.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 05, 2006 at 12:06 PM
purpleandgold:
Props for reminding all of us how basketball can help bring the world together. I grew up in a very racially mixed community in SoCal with clearly integrated cliques of white, black, and Hispanic kids. Even in the tensest situations, everybody was able to leave their differences behind when we hit the gym to play basketball. It didn’t matter what color, religion, sexual orientation, or social class when the gym opened. You earned your respect with your game and the way you treated your fellow players on the court. A lesson that the real world never seems to learn. Peace, bro.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 05, 2006 at 12:14 PM
Rocky,
LOL! polarizing? LOL! Like the blog is suppose to agree and be at peace and in harmonry with one Laker thought. LOL! It's polarizing...damn! Talk about the art of words. That was way out there.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 05, 2006 at 12:16 PM
Mike:
"You think I'm hard on Chris Mihm? Just wait what I'm going to do to Kwame if he's does come through."
LOL. Now that was pretty damn funny, Mike. I sure hope Kwame isn't reading the blog. Your post might make him fumble a few more passes, which none of us want. haha.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 05, 2006 at 12:20 PM
rd:
Glad to see I remember something correctly. So Jerry was only 6-3 and not 6-5? Maybe it was because all of the guards were shorter back then. Maybe it was that 6-3 back then was about the same as 6-5 now. I do know that nobody ever got close to stopping O when he would post them up. And Elgin was the best 6-5 rebounder that I ever saw play.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 05, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Rocky,
It was a typo and you keep on disagreeing with a typo lol! the actual spelling is birds. Haha! Okay if that is what you want then I won't really argue with you. Darius does not know any of us but he would be glad that we're talking about him. When I said that we're just talking in the wilderness. He is avaible and Mihm can be traded to get him, do you think Mitch K. will agree with you or my proposal. Harrington was a good example, he's more or less same amount as Darius and Al has a good stats. but the LA offer was no where near than Indiana. So in my opinion, we're better off with out current stock and wish for any opening for trade before All Star or Mega trade for a Superstar in '07. That's Championship. With Kobe and LO alone, it's possible but a stretch.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | September 05, 2006 at 12:54 PM
Weave-Man:
Another small, fast, smart point guard, huh? Your posts always show you know the game.
And never admit to “small hands” for obvious reasons. Haha.
One of the real fun things to do is to play with the smaller women’s basketball on a 9’ rim. My son and I used to have our Family Championship tournaments playing on a local court like that so we both could dunk. And dream.
I still remember dunking on him as I staggered to the finish line to win the last official family championship. I was so exhausted after that that I then decided to officially retire since I knew there was no way that I could win again. Sort of like always making your last shot before you leave the court.
Funny, I used to dunk in my dreams all of the time but haven't been able to even do that lately. And I have been having Kwame's problem catching passes in my dreams lately. Maybe I need to take the volleyball out to the 7' rim and practice.
You may not have noticed but Earl Boykins was on my list of 5 favorite players.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 05, 2006 at 01:21 PM
Mike T,
Haha! You like that one huh? It's all Basketball politics, you know that.
Edwin G,
Haha! I should've known it was a typo. Try spell check, I notice a few typos on each of your posts. Points taken.
Have a good day fellas.
Posted by: Rocky | September 05, 2006 at 01:23 PM
Jon K:
Sorry, but I don’t really remember Darius’ play with the Clippers. What’s probably poisoned me about him is more his contract and his tenure at Portland. Truthfully, I don’t know his game and skills well and am probably reacting to him more on the contract and baggage stuff than his actual game. Sort of how I see most posters reacting to Farmar because he is an unproven rookie and not seeing the signs of future greatness he has displayed at UCLA and in the summer league.
I do agree with you that this will be a breakout year for Kobe, Lamar, and Kwame. I am also hoping that the same applied to Farmar and even Mihm. Despite all the criticism, I really like Chris’ attitude and skills and think he could be a very valuable player for the Lakers if he could play both 4 and 5. Here’s hoping.
More Bruce Lee. I loved Jason. And I do like Jet Li.
And my dad was a Buddhist.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 05, 2006 at 01:31 PM
Fearless:
Glad to hear you are still “Fearless.” And congratulations for getting your degree and best of luck in your new job. You are fortunate to have bought a home. I can’t tell you how many times that saved me. It was the best investment I ever made.
What did you do in Silicon Valley? My wife and I actually thought we were going to be rich during the pinnacle of the dot.com era. My wife was CFO for a software technology firm in the mortgage industry that was purchased by Microsoft. Her options were worth over a $1M until the dot.com crash when Microsoft sold my wife’s company to Freddie Mac. She ended up being the last employee in the company and was finally laid off by Freddie Mac last year.
I am an entrepreneur now in the software development industry but I have made and lost a fortune in many other business ventures so I know very well what you have gone through. And Fearless is the only way to get through it.
My best wishes to you and your family.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 05, 2006 at 01:45 PM
rayray:
Thanks for your post. I can understand how somebody might not like Mitch or York, but my beloved Yankees? Come on. And those CAPS ARE SCARY sometimes. haha. That’s why I try to stay away from them.
I hope you knew that I was pulling your leg just like you were pulling mine. I really didn’t like Cuban’s blog though. In my mind, this is the blog that RULES.
And I have been called much worse than “ANALYZER” although with many of the same letters. You should have guessed by now that I have a pretty thick skin although in my world, everything is personal. j/k.
By the way, the name is LakerTom, not LAKERTOM.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 05, 2006 at 02:19 PM
You know, I didn't like Cuban's blog, either. It's all about business stuff and not fan stuff. I guess that is the difference in thinking of a Billionare and a ragular Joe like us.
I mean, he talks about basketball, but from a completely different angle. It was weird, like reading the Wall Street Journal (which I otherwise like to read, but not for my sports).
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | September 05, 2006 at 07:30 PM
Marcus,
Your point about Bynum is correct. Its frustrating to see how many of the sports sites just do not keep them updated. You can spot incorrect information all the time. Like someone must do it part time and not keep up. The player height and weight must come from their rookie season, because your rarely see it changed later. Like when Kobe hit the weiths two summers ago and beefed up two years ago, neither fox nor espn made any changes to their roster info.
Posted by: LakerAl | September 05, 2006 at 10:03 PM
I just had to comment on the US basketball thing. First of all, we SHOULD be rolling all over International players. If they were so good, they would be all-stars in the NBA and only a few of them are. International play has not caught up to NBA Basketball. We just haven't made the necessary adjustments
Posted by: zen | September 07, 2006 at 02:56 PM
Pete,
Thanks for the kudos. Kobe's years are going to be wasted unless Mitch surrounds him with some quality players. I cannot imagine a much better three-some right now than Kobe-Artest-Garnett. And I am convinced that it's not as improbable as it may sound. If we could just help MK become a little more creative with his transactions.....!
Posted by: LakerAl | September 08, 2006 at 12:25 AM