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
Sonny Belfast,
I don't know the exacts for hit totals, but from what they tell us at the Times, it's gone well beyond their expectations. They're always shooting to increase it even more, of course. But the blog's apparently getting more than it's share of traffic.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 03, 2006 at 02:28 PM
Kevin McK
GOOD RIDDANCE!!
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | September 03, 2006 at 02:39 PM
rayray:
I think the Nineres are on the right track because of Nolan. I have been extremely impressed with the guy since he took over the team. Yes, he has made some bonehead moves, such as trying to say we were going to compete for the division title last year, but overall, I am really happy we have him as our coach. He will lead us out of the darkness and back into the championship light.
I also have to give John York credit. Like Eddie, he sure picked the wrong people to run the team the first time and made some bonehead moves that showed he really didn't know what he was doing. But like Eddie, he learned from his mistake and, to his credit, didn't hesitate to spend $10M to make it go away so he could hire Nolan. I also like the fact that we are keeping some salary cap space open to give extensions to our own good players so that we don't lost them like we did with Peterson.
Overall, we still need Alex to come through. I think he will although it may take more of these three steps forward and two back type of progress than we were hoping for. I still stand by my prediction of 9-7 for the year but I feel pretty much like I do with respect to Farmar - hanging on to the end of the limb and hoping.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 02:43 PM
Mike
The 15/10 thing was just an example of good contribution to come, I didn't mention his defense cause it's already there. And I still believe that 15/10 or better, in addition of the defense, is possible.
And we were a 500 team with Mihm as our starter and Kwame producing virtually nothing. Then Kwame Brown develop as a good center. Now imagine us with Kwame AND Mihm as his backup ? Okay, I'd prefer Bynum to be ready to contribute, but that's not the case. So if you trade Mihm, you have Kwame, then nothing, and I don't like that at all.
And outside of that, I don't think Miles is worth that gamble. You'd have Ron Ron for the same trade, I'd do it in a hurry. Miles ? I'd think it twice, and say "No thanks".
Saga
Posted by: Saga | September 03, 2006 at 02:52 PM
Saga:
I disagree. You don't even have to think it twice before you say "No thanks".
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 02:58 PM
saga,
I respect to logic of your thinking. It's true, it's a gamble...I say go for it.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 03, 2006 at 02:58 PM
I see people talking about the Niners. Sorry to ask a question that dumb, but the Niners are a football team, right ?
I'm looking like a total idiot, but I'm french, and NFL isn't well covered around here. And that leads me to that question : is there a football team in LA ? And are there good ? I know there's a baseball team (Dodgers, right ?) and a hockey team (and since I don't like hockey at all, I don't care), but I don't know about football.
If somebody would come to the rescue, I'd give him all my consideration :p
Saga
Posted by: Saga | September 03, 2006 at 03:00 PM
baywood i read ur post in the last thread and wanted to mention u but i thought some guys that asked about me in the first place (i think laker tom faith...(see i forgot all the names)and a guy from kuwait)might be hurt coz i rembered some and not all .
10x for asking all of u and specially u baywood,u have family in lebanon ?where?
hmm 10x for caring but thank god nothing was broken in my house coz i live in the capital,but lots of poor people were hurt and they didnt leave a bridge,plus they burned the fuel tanks so he had to live with less than 12 hours of electicity for a while.but now all back to normal.
Posted by: purple and gold | September 03, 2006 at 03:01 PM
Laker Tom,
I like your 9-7 prediction. As long as we finish this season with at least a .500 record, I'll be happy. I also like the fact that Nolan is only keeping 52 players right now instead of 53. He wants to keep a spot open for a potential player cut by another team. Smart.
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | September 03, 2006 at 03:09 PM
I can understand people coming from all over the world to talk Lakers but don't the 49ers have a sight?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 03, 2006 at 03:15 PM
Saga,
Unfortunately, L.A. has no NFL team. Our reign as one of the only cities to have two NFL teams ended in 1995, when the L.A Raiders moved to Oakland. And the L.A Rams moved to St. Louis.
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | September 03, 2006 at 03:16 PM
AK,
Come on, get off the politically correct fence and see how your wishy-washy answer sounds.
Kobe was wrong for not shaking hands with the Suns (excluding Raja) at the conclusion of the series. Period. End of discussion.
I would have more for your opinion if you would stop making excuses and just speak the truth! But I suppose you really can't, due to being so closely associated with the Lakers organization. Are you afraid of being fired by the LATimes? Chick, despite being paid by the Lakers organization, rarely held back his opinions.
We should all be able to be Kobe critics when its called for, yet still be Lakers fans. He is a role-model for millions of kids. His behavior at the conclusion of the Suns series was unprofessional. Same is true of the American FIBA team at the conclusion of the Greece game. Show some class guys. You are examples to the world. For every unclassy act, it gives detractors of this country, reason so say, I told you so.
That probably contributes to why ordinary american citizens who travel abroad incur more difficulties in other courtries than they should. Too many of us never learned how to act at home, and then take that outlandish behavior overseas--athletes and ordinary citizens alike. There should be no surprise in how we are perceived outside of the US. Just look in the mirror folks. Too many spoiled, rich, immature, me-first, arrogant, pompous americans.
And despire most having attended college, many of our athletes have such poor backgrounds that they contine to commit crimes-even while in college-and afterward. Opps, I'm not supposed to say that. Commishioner David will probably be upset.
Looks like Michael Josephson is correct in stating that americans as a whole place too little emphasis on character issues, and way too much on material wealth. Too little on establishing relationships, too much on satisfying our I-pod egos. Too much on talking (god, try to get a cell phone out of the hands of a teenager), and too little listening. Too many cigarette butts being thrown out our car windows, too little consideration for keeping our communities clean and functioning properly. Too many who want to leap to the front of the line, too few people who will step forward and say no.
You all know exactly what I am talking about.
Back in the NBA, we see tons of NBA advertising letting us know how darn much rich players are making significant contributions in the community. What a bunch of NBA hype! If they were really interested in making a positive impact in the community, they would lead by example. Fortuantely, Kobe does that very quietly on his own. Unfortunately, there are far too many examples where that is not happening. What is there not to like? A lot!
Have a pleasant Sunday!
Posted by: LakerAl | September 03, 2006 at 03:18 PM
Saga:
There are currently no NFL football team in LA.
The Rams, who were the first NFL team in LA, moved there from Cleveland in 1946 and then left in 1995 to become the St. Louis Rams, when the hated Georgia Frontiere, who had inherited the team when her husband died, was given a new stadium for free to move to St Louis. As a result, there is still a residue of Rams fans in LA.
The Raiders, who were the second NFL team in LA, moved there from Oakland in 1982 but left and returned back to Oakland in 1995, as the owner Al Davis fleeced one city after another in the money to move game. Again, despite being rejected, there remain even more Raiders fans in LA than even Rams fans.
The other NFL team with a strong following in LA is the San Francisco 49ers, who won 5 Super Bowls during the reigns of Quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young during the 1980's. Since LA had no team, many intelligent followers of great NFL football jumped aboard their northern California neighbors' bandwagon and remain loyal 49er (or Niner) fans to this day.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 03:18 PM
Thanks Faith; well my real name is Tushar and my nickname is Too Short but there's a rapper by that name who spells it like that so I use either Tushort or 2short; people that have known me for a long time just call me short!!! No, i'm not actually that short, though being taller would have helped in basketball, but someone said it and it stuck so yea. Thanks again!!
Posted by: 24Tushort08 | September 03, 2006 at 03:25 PM
Laker Al,
How have I been "politically correct?" I've been saying all along that Kobe should have shaken the Suns' hands. When I have softened that stance at all?
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 03, 2006 at 03:26 PM
purpleandgold:
Glad to hear from you again. Your situation always brings a little reality to the blog. We all keep our fingers crossed and pray that all will go well for you. In the meantime, may the Lakers bring a little joy into your life. Peace in the world for everybody is our hope.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 03:27 PM
AK:
I thought that Mike, exhelodrvr, and I were the toughest bloggers from whom to extract anything resembling a concession, but I have to admit you win the prize for sticking to your guns. It also should have been obvious to me who was older brother in retrospect.
You have have made your point well that good sportsmanship should be standard at every level. I am also hoping that you will take the lead in supporting Kobe when the next opportunity arises to confirm you are a true Laker fan. Peace, bro.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 03:32 PM
Laker Tom,
I wasn't looking to revisit the topic. I was just responding to Laker Al, who seemed to be inferring I was afraid to express my opinion (which, as you said, I'm not).
I tells ya. Half of you say I'm too hard on Kobe. The other half say I'm not hard enough. I can't catch a break on this here blog. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 03, 2006 at 03:39 PM
mike:
Unfortunately, the blogs on the Niners site and various other Bay area sports sites really suck. They remind me of the difference between reality TV and a quality film. Too many icons, tricky handles, anybody can create a thread, slow updates, lots of name calling, and little intelligent exchange. They all suffer from poor format and content. As sonny has said many times, unless you go to other sports blogs, you don't realize what a great job the K-Bros have done with this blog.
The Yankees, on the other hand, have several great blogs, including the Daily News, that have formats and content similar to the Lakers Blog. At any rate, sorry to busy the blog with Niner stuff but it is so damn slow and there are quite a few posters here who appreciate both the Niners and the Lakers. So, our apologies, and just scroll down, or join us if you are interested. The Niners have a tradition and a current challenge that is very similar to the Lakers.
Thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 03:41 PM
Mike T,
Sorry Mike, the majority of respondants doen't seem to appreciate Miles for some reason. Cannot understand why.
He has played at an all-star level intensity at every location he has been, he is a role-model in the community, he has been a cannot miss trade propect for numerous NBA teams, and most importantly, he has a very short and cap friendly contract. The positives are too numerous to mention. His arrival would likely bring an instant championship for the Lakers. That is probably why other teams are ganging up to make sure he doesnt go to the Lakers!
PS: Between Miles and Artest-thats a tough call. Both are head cases. But at least Artest plays a little defense.
Posted by: LakerAl | September 03, 2006 at 03:48 PM
F the 49ers!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 03, 2006 at 03:53 PM
AK:
You don't have to tell me about it. I'm just glad to see somebody else in the crosshairs for a change. I couldn't get any real work done for several days just defending my Start Farmar position.
But I still have this image of you and BK clapping your hands in glee and shouting "Bling, Bling!" as you sit at your computers and count the hits and posts. LOL. Seriously, though, you guys deserve whatever bling you are getting.
I also think you guys should really consider doing a football blog for the LA Times. Doesn't have to be a Niner blog per se (although we would defintely take it over) but it would fit well seasonally between the Lakers and Dodgers blog. "The NFL Blog" by the Kamenetzky Bros. Or by the Katzenjammer Kids, but which of you is Hans and who is Fritz?
Think about it. Think about the Bling! You know we will ring up the hits and posts for you guys when it comes to football. And its a very intense and relatively short season, especially compared with basketball or baseball.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 03:55 PM
Mike T.,
Who's your team? (can't wait to hear this one)
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | September 03, 2006 at 03:59 PM
Who do you think? Rams!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | September 03, 2006 at 04:03 PM
Mike T.,
The LAMBS!! HA! Even I thought you had enough balls to pick a real team!
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | September 03, 2006 at 04:11 PM
I think it's a legitimate gripe Kevin McK has...this is afterall a Lakers blog. But then again, I understand it's the offseason.
LOL Dan the man.
As for Smush...I guess there's time for a party (in between the Kobe motivating phone calls LOL)
"One of our guys was at Jay-Z’s 40/40 club the other night for Beyonce’s album release party. Plenty of NBA guys were in the house, including Kenyon Martin, DerMarr Johnson, Antoine Walker, Sebastian Telfair and Smush Parker. Other celebs included Diddy, Ne-Yo, A-Rod, Tommy Hilfiger, Common, the girls from Danity Kane, and a few of the Wayans family. (Or, according to our man, “all 86 of them.”)"
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/DimeMagazine/2006/09/03/Lost_Luster
P.S. 24tushort08 lol...okay. You're welcome.
Posted by: Faith | September 03, 2006 at 04:16 PM
Here's a lil something Laker related. It's Hoopsworld's take on Utah moves/possible moves and they list Chris Mihm as an attractive piece:
"One name that is intriguing is Lakers center Chris Mihm. It appeared toward the end of last season that he lost favor in Phil Jackson’s rotation. With Kwame Brown finally showing a pulse and the obvious infatuation with unproven Andrew Bynum, Mihm is the odd man out. Utah would do well to contact Mitch Kupchak about Mihm. Utah doesn’t have a whole lot that would interest the Lakers (outside Carlos Boozer, and he’s not going anywhere). Gordan Giricek could be a good shooter in the triangle, but he would simply add to an already amazing glut of swingmen. If Utah were to throw in a draft pick, would LA bite?"
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_18600.shtml
Posted by: Faith | September 03, 2006 at 04:25 PM
***The Best Yankees Blog***
Thought that posters on the Lakers blog might like to compare their blog's popularity, power, and style with what is recognized as one of the top sports blogs in the world, Mark Feinsand's MLBlog "Mark it down," Baseball, Bombers and life on the beat with a Yankees scribe.
Here are the five most recent topics and posts:
09/01 Twin Killing 581 hits
08/31 Beating the best 431 hits
08/30 True Value 691 hits
08/27 Where there's a will 761 hits
08/25 Chillin' in the O.C. 782 hits
The style is a little more formal, the site a little more professional, and the thread articles by Mark Feinsand more like genuinely publishable articles rather than folksy intros as favored by the K-Bros. You also have to factor that we are in the stretch run of the MLB season whereas the Lakers are in late summer hibernation. The other difference is that the comments on the threads are much shorter and less analytical, as would be expected with 162 game MLB season. More and shorter posts. Bottom line, the K-Bros rule, even over Mark Feinsand and the Yankees. They just need to make a few improvements to the site to keep evolving. More on that later.
An any rate, take a look. It is the other great sports blog.
http://markitdown.mlblogs.com/
YankeeTom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 04:29 PM
F*ck the Rams. Oops, that's what they did to LA.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 04:31 PM
Faith:
Meanwhile, Farmar was in the gym shooting 2,000 jumpers, poring over his Laker playbook, and working on his lateral quickness.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Nice article by Roland about the FIBA games and his take on the loss and some of the Greek players.
http://lakernoise.blogspot.com/
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 04:45 PM
***Shameless Self Promotion Alert***
Hey blog here's the latest article from the blog's 5th favorite journalist lol. http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060903/SPORTS/209030325&SearchID=73255761551357
I know this is going to be totally unrelated to the Lakers but I don't feel so bad since other people on the blog have brought up the NFL...
...But, am I the only one totally stoked about this next week. College football finally started up this weekend. I, of course, was at the season opener for my Florida Gators. Tomorrow is the UM-FSU game and the NFL season is kicked off this Thursday with my Miami Dolphins against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And on a personal note my NFL Fantasy draft is this Wednesday lol. It's great to have good ole football back and I agree with everyone who says we should put the K Brothers to work and have em create an NFL blog lol.
Posted by: Xodus | September 03, 2006 at 04:57 PM
LakerTom,
"I couldn't get any real work done for several days just defending my Start Farmer position..."
Young man, maybe you should think about that.
I have heard that some folks are like ostriches. They would rather hide their head in the sand than accept opinions from others who may be more correct. You also said,
"I thought that Mike, exhelodrvr and I were the toughest bloggers from whom to extract anything resembling a concession...."
Yes, you really seem to be hard to convince.
However, it wont matter, because cum two months from now, all them training camps will be done and we will see whoes been right.
Since for most of the year, I am homeless and living under the 15th street overpass in Anaheim, the daily contibutions that I collect at the intersection limit me to only attending preseason games. But during the season, I do try to catch a few of the free games which I beleive are on Channel 7, which I try to watch on the tv down at the VFW hall.
And thank god for the rescue mission at thankgiving time-one of the few days that I am cetain of having a full meal. I can pig out until I'm sick, and then go find a friend who has some good tokay. Ever since I was booted out of my job in...I wonts say the company, I'd rather just say silicon valley in 1999, I have been able to get by with minimal muss and fuss. About once a week I go down to the shelter and clean up because I am not a degenerate, and though homeless, I am proud to live an honest life. So, please be understanding of my posts and support my former team, the 49ers.
If anyone wants to buy me ticket to the Staples center-where I have never been in my life, I will gladly accept.
You are so lucky LakerTom to be a bright young, man with a social-type upbringing. Bless you my son.
Posted by: LakerAl | September 03, 2006 at 05:06 PM
***Bonzi back to Kings?***
The Sacramento Bee reports that the Kings are talking again to Bonzi Wells but probably won't sign him. The Kings, who are on the verge of paying a luxury tax with $65M in salary commitments, would have to trade away a player with expiring contracts in order to free space for Bonzi.
The Lakers should make Bonzi an offer for a 1-year contract at the NBA minimum salary, which for Bonzi would be $1.1M since he has been in the league for 8 years. He might be in a situation where he has to have another contract year with some team to prove himself before he gets a better deal. Tough situation for a guy who had a career year last year.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14316578p-15231524c.html
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 05:12 PM
Oh God, not Darius again.
Posted by: Michael A | September 03, 2006 at 05:19 PM
Maybe we don't want Kobe to play for TEAM USA at all. Scary news from the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_4965600,00.html
So much for the Grizzlies getting off to a fast start to the 2006-07 season.
The prospect of that lessened Saturday given All-Star forward Pau Gasol could be unable to play for up to three months with a partial fracture in his left foot sustained early Friday in the semifinals of the world championships in Japan.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 05:20 PM
LakerAl:
I really wish I still was a bright young man. Sort of like Jordan Farmar, 21 years old, already a millionaire and not even out of college, and just starting a new job that will have me on the court with the Kobe Bryant starting for the Los Angeles Lakers. Now that would be pretty sweet.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 05:24 PM
Xodus,
Nice article!
Jacob Tillotson,
You are the man!
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | September 03, 2006 at 05:37 PM
Laker Tom,
How do you think we should make room for Bonzi? I'm not trying to shoot down your idea (since it's actually a good one), but I don't see how we can sign him, get rid of enough players so we can have a 15 man roster, and stay under the luxury tax. Like I said, I wouldn't mind seeing Bonzi in a Laker uni, but I just don't see how it's going to happen. If you've got a scenario (and knowing you I know you do) post it so I can see how it would be possible.
Posted by: Weave-Man | September 03, 2006 at 05:38 PM
"There were no ugly americans this time around. They lost with class..."
Is Lazenby just putting professional spin on this or were the earlier reports incorrect? It was
originaly reported that only Wade and possibly one other player went to congradulate the Greeks after the game. We want the truth!
Also, concerning the report from Hoopshype re: Utah: Let's turn this spin around. They may like Mihm, we might like Boozer. If there are a couple draft picks thrown their way rather that coming our way, perhaps they might be inclined to include Boozer in discussions. However, as I recall, we've been down that road a couple times before with Utah with no apparant success. Now wih Boozer heathy, his value has probably gone up(until his next injury or disagreement with the coach).
Final thought: With Gasul out with a broken leg, Jerry West may be looking for a forward/center replacement. Perhaps its time for Mitch to get on the phone with his mentor and play let's make a deal.
Posted by: LakerAl | September 03, 2006 at 05:42 PM
welcom back purple and godl
lakertom, about the yankee blog. . .the mlb is starting to move towards the final few tense weeks. . .we still have over a month till training camp. . .but those are still impressive numbers
joinjapan(inCanada)
Posted by: Joninjapan(inCanada) | September 03, 2006 at 05:43 PM
Purple and Gold,
The 1st Captain of the Lebanese basketball Team was my brother Labib Akle. That was in late 1945's.
My Mom was the last of our family in Lebanon. She atayed because my Dad would not leave. They were able to saty in their home in Achrafieh. I emigrated to Los Angeles in 1955. My brother Labib loved basketball and we played all the time. The Ministry of Education, with the help of private citizens organized a rag-tag basketball competiton. If my memory serves me correctly, there was 3 or 4 teams, if you were generous enough to call them teams.
We formed the National Team to compete with the AUB, French University and specially the American Navy. I don't remember our Team going abroad. At that time, the Navy was constantly in and out of Beirut harbor, as relations were excellent. My brother as captain and the organizers would go to the USIA offices and ask them to set play against Navy ships. The sailors had to play us before they could get shore leave! they were mad and usually beat the heck out of us. I have been myself once on an aircraft carrier were the Team played; what a memory.
After 3-4 years, the Lebanese National Team was disbanded when some of the Achrafieh lords/gangs started interfering and then harassing us, just to prove their power. Nothing changes much, does it my friend?
My brother became a Captain for Air Liban but died in 1963. My family is absolutely crazy about the Lakers. I guess they know where this love for basketball came from.
Best to you and to our Country.
Baywood.
Posted by: Baywood | September 03, 2006 at 05:53 PM
Welcome back Purple and Gold!!!!!
It's really good to hear that you, and yours are ok. Hopefully your country can be at peace for a long time.
Posted by: Weave-Man | September 03, 2006 at 06:04 PM
lol thanks Dan the man
Posted by: Xodus | September 03, 2006 at 06:20 PM
Weave-Man,
I realize that you directed your qustion to LakerTom, but I am addicted to trade talk, and I hope you dont mind if I throw in my 2-cents from under the bridge!
It seems that any scenario between Sacramento and the Lakers would be difficult for all the obvious reasons. I too will wait for LakerTom's analysis because his response is sure to be well thought out. But here are a few questions that quickly come to mind:
Q:Do we know how much it would take to sign Wells?
A:We are already pretty close to the luxury tax limit, so unless we did a S&T it would be tough.
Q: Do we know whether SAC would be willing to do a sign & trade with the Lakers?
A: Recent history between these two clubs has been pretty intense. Any trade would clearly have to benefit both team.
Q: If a trade was possible, which of our players or contracts would SAC be interested in?
A: That is a tough question. Their roster is pretty solid.
Q: Would there be any value in our "renting" BW on a one-year deal while our oher players develop or would he hinder the development of our young players?
A: A healthy Bonzi is a talent, but he would definitely be taking playing time from one of our other guards, unless we did something like a three for one swap.
LakerTom, since you are a norcal guy, you probably saw Bonzi play more than we did this past year. Do you think he would be good fit with the Lakers? Is he an upgrade? Would he be long term or short term? Lots of questions. MK probably already has an opinion.
Posted by: LakerAl | September 03, 2006 at 06:39 PM
LakerAl,
You make good points on Miles. I especially like your idea of bringing in Grant Hill in the future. He'd be good for only about 15-20 minutes a game if we want him to stay healthy, but he'd be an excellent addition.
But the future is now. Miles is younger, healthier, and ready to make an impact. His talent is undeniable. All it'll take is the right situation, and in my opinion the right situation is with the Lakers.
Go Chargers! eerrrrr Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | September 03, 2006 at 06:50 PM
Weave-man:
No real plan, just a wild hope.
Here is the situation with Bonzi. Even though we are over the salary cap, we could sign him using the minimum salary exception for one year for $1.1M, which is what Bonzi would get having 8 years in the NBA. We would have to buyout McKie or trade Cook or Sasha for a 2nd rounder to open a roster spot.
Next year, we would not be able to re-sign Bonzi as our free agent with the Bird exception because he had not been with the same team for 3 years. We would have to use the Non-Bird exception to sign him for one to five years at a maximum of 120% of the average NBA salary, which would be around $5.6 next year, meaning that we could offer Bonzi a starting salary on a 3 year deal for close to $7M, assuming that he would agree.
You have to remember when his hopes were up, he rejected 5 years at $8M from the Kings. He made $8M last year as a free agent with the Kings, which is why he would not have any Bird rights if the Lakers signed him.
The only other alternative would be to work out a sign and trade with the Kings, where we would give them Mihm and Cook and McKie. While I think this is a far better deal than trading for a loser like Miles, I still think we need to keep Mihm until we are sure how Kwame and Andrew are going to do this year. There also is the problem of giving Mihm and Cook to the Kings, who are our competition.
Bottom line, however, I think Bonzi would be our #2 scorer and continue to be a 20/10 player like he was in the playoffs for the Kings last year. He would add some needed toughness to the team. I am sure we are not considering this deal but I think it would make us a better team, although too reliant on Kwame and Bynum. Bonzi could play the 3 and is a pretty good defender. A pipe dream of a deal, though.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 06:51 PM
LakerTom,
The Sacramento Bee requires you to be registered user in order to access that article. That is so unnecessary. LATimes does that too for sports. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I dont think it's necessary. Guess they want to know who's looking at their website. Who knows, maybe all of us bloggers are being recorded on some data-base maintained by the Times, and monitored by homeland security. Pssst, say something about the president and see if you get a call by the secret service! Good luck finding which bridge I'm under! Right, uh, George?
Posted by: LakerAl | September 03, 2006 at 06:52 PM
Joninjapan(inCanada):
I actually rarely post on the Yankees blog as the in season subjects are no where near as interesting as the offseason stuff to be honest. In other words, playing GM in the offseason is lots more fun than commenting on individual games, which is what happens more in season.
It will be interesting to see what the thread counts reach once training camp starts. I would guess that they would represent our high points, maybe even more than the regular season. Once we start our march in the playoffs, I expect that we could beat Mark Feinsand's Yankeee numbers. The Yankees blog is a great blog, too, but the K-Bros blog is my favorite.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 03, 2006 at 06:55 PM
Sith,
Your post is hilarious.
It is true. God knows I have too often "turned to the stupid side".
But it still doesn't address the question that nobody here seems willing to answer.
Whether you like it or not, many Laker fans despise the Saint, love Shaq, and lament the day. Do you merely dismiss them as "haters" (there's that word again) who have failed Laker Tom's litmus test?
Or are they just stupid and can't help themselves for disagreeing with most of the posters on this blog?
Posted by: sonnybelfast | September 03, 2006 at 06:57 PM