Extra! Extra! (11.24)
It's the day after Thanksgiving — as a Lakers fan, one recent development's been worth a gracias or two — and the Lakers take their post-holiday cheer to Salt Lake City for a match up against a shockingly dominant Jazz. To what degree of shocking are we talking, one might ask? Try "Best team in the freakin' NBA" shocking. Or "Just try to beat us in our house, fools!" shocking. And up until today, it could have been described as "Kicking ass without All-Star Swiss army knife Andrei Kirilenko" shocking. But the Lakers — who are hoping a newly energized Smush Parker isn't suffering from turkey hangover— haven't exactly been slouches these days themselves. But if they'd like to prove their sweet record hasn't been largely the result of an even (relatively) sweeter schedule, a win tonight would go a long way.
If we can get to the freethrow line and put Booze and Okur in foul trouble, we will have a pretty good chance.
Posted by: greek dude | November 24, 2006 at 10:36 AM
I think any chance that the Lakers will trade Bynum in a deal for Garnett has passed. It won't happen.
But if the Lakers don't make it past the second round this year, I will bet my life and happiness that they trade for him in the off season.
The probelem for the Wolves is that the trade value for the players they'll get (Lamar and Kwame) is soaring, and by the end of the year the Wolves may have to throw in a draft pick to make the deal happen.
They should have traded sooner.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | November 24, 2006 at 10:48 AM
Wes the Laker wasnt going trade Bynum anyway he's not going anywhere why would they trade a young 7 footer thats a future allstar for someone that has milege, The lakers are happy with the roster tey have two centers that bring something different to the game one with length and the other with power and they are currently 3rd Place
the NBA
Mitch and Dr. Buss arent idiots they know they have something special here once again.
Posted by: Bigchilly | November 24, 2006 at 11:03 AM
L.A. Lakers Young center Andrew Bynum offers the promise of more championships down the road. It's rare that a team that perennially makes the playoffs would luck out and add a talent of his size and promise, but the Lakers made the most of their one trip to the lottery.
I resent the use of the words "luck out". I think Mitch deserves more credit than he is getting!
Posted by: SantaMonica4Ever | November 24, 2006 at 11:26 AM
Wes,
I think only time will teach you the error of your ways.
The Lakers would go down as the biggest chumps in history if they gave away their future for a guy who they can possibily aquirre this summer for WAY LESS, if K.G. opts out. Have you bumped your head Wes and forgotton about that clause in K.G.'s contract. If at the end of the year K.G. wants out of Minny, he's out!! He has enough money to accept 5mil a year from the Lakers and also has a home in the Bu. He is friends with Kobe, family with Shammond. And I'm sure he wouldn't mind finally playing for a quality coach (sorry Flip, but you're weak). The tracks may be already laid!!
Plus Wes,
Think of this, wouldn't you rather have BOTH K.G. and Bynum??
Just makes sense.
>_<
Posted by: >_< aka smushcalade | November 24, 2006 at 11:29 AM
Who was this guy writing that the lakers should be thankful for Turiaf rubbing off on Kwame or taking his job?...what a croc of s*&t...in addition Kwame doesn't seem to be getting the love on the blog that he deserves...maybe it's purely the bynum fans see the two of them as ultimately in competition or maybe Ive just missed some threads.But despite some positive reviews by some journo's he is still underappreciated I think... He is making the difference to the lakers right now....I just think he deserves some props for the way he's come back after going down injured at a frustrating moment then handled Bynum's emergence with class and now making a big difference on his return (while presumably playing in pain)...this is the guy who could genuinely make the lakers a contender THIS year. For all the bashing ,criticism,controversy and questions he has provoked and still does... he sure deserves some serious props now...
Keep it up kwame!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kiwi | November 24, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Kiwi,
I'm with you. I think Kwame and Lamar (and Bynum) are the keys to tonight's game.
JF
Posted by: JF | November 24, 2006 at 11:37 AM
I don't remember ever seeing a team turn it around as fast as Utah. It shows what one or two players and the right system can do in this game of 5 on 5.
A victory tonight would be huge. You know Utah will be comin' with all they have for the Lakers. This is a chance for some of the kids to grow up in a hurry.
Posted by: Vman | November 24, 2006 at 11:41 AM
Vman,
You're right about the kids growing up quickly. But I think Kobe's going to really guide the youngsters this season now that they're with the program. He'll know when he needs to feed them or take it on himself. Kobe's basketball IQ is off the charts.
Posted by: go lakers! | November 24, 2006 at 11:50 AM
I have a lineup in my mind all in a sudden:
C- Bynum
PF- Kwame
SF- KG
SG- LO
PG- Kobe
Does this make sense?
Posted by: KB8TH WONDER | November 24, 2006 at 11:51 AM
Great to hear it JF! overall it is just great we are getting some serious production from that centre position if you think back to the last couple of years...
Vman I agree MASSIVE GAME and timely test for them...only hope if it goes badly they pick themselves up in a hurry...but yeah pivotal type of game as far as measuring what they are capable of.I predict this team will be good on the road this year...they were last year.It's actually improvement at home that will make the difference to their record.They always have a chance in these type of games.Kobe is hitting his stride and will want this one bad.I predict a big game from him tonight.
Posted by: Kiwi | November 24, 2006 at 12:03 PM
I was surprised to see that Phil didn't tinker with his starting line-up when we played the Clips. I wonder if he will have L.O. on Boozer?? Maybe this is the game that we will see Kwame starting at the 4??
Bynum - Okur
Brown - Boozer
L.O. - Harpering AK-47
Bryant - Brewer
Parker - Williams
I'll bet some of my turkey leftovers on the fact that Plil was waiting for this game to put Kwame on our opposing teams power forward. Many of us thought it would be the Clippers and Elton Brand, but a healthy Boozer is much more of a threat. We need to put a body on him!!
It pisses me off to think that utah is the best team i the NBA right now. Utah wtf??
It should be us!!
It will be us!!
Lakers WIN tonight!!
>_<
Posted by: >_< aka smushcalade | November 24, 2006 at 12:08 PM
smushcalade,
Actually, KG can't opt-out until the season after this season. Which would put him here in '08. There'd be much more talk about KG opting out if he could do it this coming offseason.
Posted by: Xodus | November 24, 2006 at 12:15 PM
smushcalade,
I don't think Phil will start Kwame at the 4 tonight. Remember a couple days ago Phil said that Bynum and Kwame weren't ready to play together. We'll see how it plays out.
Posted by: Xodus | November 24, 2006 at 12:17 PM
I am on the east coast. How the hell do I watch this game. Someone, please help...
Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: eltongeoff | November 24, 2006 at 12:20 PM
Yeah,one of the big things the success of this team hinges on is finding the balance of keeping the league scared of Kobe but keeping the rest of them involved and productive enough to frighten teams as well.We are still going to see some eruptions from Kobe.Im all for team stuff but most of that is knowing your roles and being happy... not balanced scoring.Jordan still averaged between 30 and 33 for many of the bulls championship years...try saying they were not a team!!!
The others holding their own makes Kobe infinitely more dangerous than last season.I think he starts aggressive tonight though...
Posted by: Kiwi | November 24, 2006 at 12:21 PM
KB8thWonder, what happened to DEFENSE!!!
I don't understand how people put out lineups with kobe at the 1 and LO at the 2. Remember, magic had Byron Scott playing the 2, so Byron guarded the other team's point. LO can't guard Deron Williams, AI, JKidd, Tony Parker, TJ Ford, etc.
Posted by: greek dude | November 24, 2006 at 12:23 PM
I still think kwame at power forward is going to be more of a long term goal for the coaching staff.He will begin to get time there but Im not sure that throwing him in against a hot team in a big game is what they have in mind.He is not a guy that has responded well to being thrown to the lions in the way that some other players (bynum springs to mind) have.This is not a criticism just different personalities leading to a different approach from Phil...ultimately Kwame might play there.He may be a better centre but even if he can be average at power forward and be a defensive presence it might be enough with all the other weapons.
This is the kind of personal sacrifice you need to become a great team but it will happen slowly.Kwames doing great but it is all about keeping demands on him down at the moment.I doubt tonight will be the night...
Posted by: Kiwi | November 24, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Xodus,
I belive it is in his contract that he can opt out of his final year (07-08). He wouldn't get paid for the final year (which would be the highest paid year of his contract), but if they are not winning and he is not happy, he has enough money to take a cheaper contract and chase after a championship.
I'm about 99.9% sure I am correct on this one. If I didn't have such a turkey hangover, I wouldn't be too lazy to find an artical to post. When I do get around to searching, I'll post it for you. It won't be hard, we were talking about this very subject on the blog a couple of weeks ago.
>_<
Posted by: >_< aka smushcalade | November 24, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Xodus is right. Garnett cannot opt out until after next season.
"Even if Garnett opts out of his contract in the summer of 2008 as expected and walks away from an '08-09 salary of $23 million, he still will have banked more than $200 million by then. He'll be 32 that summer and, maybe more than any other player in history, could comfortably afford signing wherever he wants for the mid-level exception."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-061118-19
Posted by: JF | November 24, 2006 at 12:52 PM
xodus,
I don't think lakers will ever trade smush. he is the best point guard they have. he will be their all in future. as kobe numbers are going down smush is going up.
Posted by: smushcalade | November 24, 2006 at 12:56 PM
smushcalade,
I don't think kg will walk away with that kind of money. like shaq kobe is the most dominant inside player. why would he want to be in kobe's team.
Posted by: xodus | November 24, 2006 at 01:00 PM
Xodus,
My bad, it is the summer of 2008.
>_<
Posted by: >_< aka smushcalade | November 24, 2006 at 01:01 PM
Playing a PF and a C together, when neither of them have outside games, will hurt the offense. If they are both inside, that clogs the middle and makes it less painful for one of their defenders to be used to double on Lamar/Kobe. Or one of them goes outside, where they are useless offensely and thus, frees up their defender to double elsewhere. Considering how inconsistent Smush and Lamar have been offensively, this doesn't seem like a wise move.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 24, 2006 at 01:05 PM
AK/BK,
Any way to prevent the posting under other's names. Usually it is hard to detect but when they are using an e-mail address of [handle]zgay@yahoo.com, it makes it pretty obvious.
JF
Posted by: JF | November 24, 2006 at 01:06 PM
Who ever posted that last "smushcalade" post is a b*tch!!
Who was it?? Man up!!
>_<
Posted by: >_< aka smushcalade | November 24, 2006 at 01:08 PM
I agree with Kiwi. Kwame is much more important than people seem willing to grant. If the Lakers get by Utah, San Antonio, or a Phoenix with a healthy Stat, it will be because of Kwame.
Recall that the first group of Bulls champions included Bill Cartwright, and that he had famously bad hands, too. And in the end, even Jordan admitted that Cartwright was a necessary part of those championship teams.
Posted by: somecallmetim | November 24, 2006 at 01:14 PM
First, I would like to compliment the education and competency of the those posting on this site.
I'm a Jazz fan and wanted to further educate on some oversites by those posting.
First expect playoff atmosphere tonight. Kobe will rise up.
Second, the Jazz will not give up so no matter the score (Lakers lead) keep watching the game tonight.
Third, Ronnie Brewer's time will be cut down with AK back your main lineups will probably be.
Fourth, the big reasons for the Jazz's success have been DW/Boozer and the bench. You will be shocked at the play of Paul Millsap. The man is animal. Imagine AK as an undersized rookie power forward.
Fifth, expect AK to guard Bryant (the majority of the time) while Odom is guarded by a team of Harpring and Millsap.
Thank you for considering my comments it will be a good game and I am a little nervous of a Laker upset.
Go Jazz.
Posted by: EMD | November 24, 2006 at 01:18 PM
look, Though i want KG for the Lakers, i don't think they should trade for him. They should roll the dice and wait since KG's contract is up at the end of the year.
They should get Kobe or Lamar to make a phone call to KG now or sometime during the season to push him so sign with the lakers at the end of the season.
Posted by: DollarBill | November 24, 2006 at 01:19 PM
EMD
Thanks for dropping by with your thoughts and congratulations on how the jazz are playing.Maybe we will see more of you during the 2007 western conference finals!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kiwi | November 24, 2006 at 01:28 PM
Fellow Laker fans:
Heed #4 on EMD's posting. Paul Millsap's last name might as well be Hoover, Kirby, or Dysan. He's a vacuum around the bucket. I've watched him play for LaTech against my team in the Western Athletic Conference for 3 years. He was the rebound champ as a freshman (Okafor was 3rd), sophomore (Bogut was 2nd), and a junior (13.4 per game). He came out a year early and seems to be making an impact down the stretch for the Jazz.
Anyway, still like the Lakers for the win. Somebody has to end the Jazz's run, might as well be us. Kobe & Co. will be pumped.
Posted by: go lakers! | November 24, 2006 at 01:38 PM
BONSOIR GUYS,
STARGAZIN, THANK YOU FOR THE COMPLIMENT.
I HOPE EVERYBODY HAD A GREAT THANKSGIVING.
TONIGHT IS A BIG TEST FOR US BECAUSE UTAH IS THE HOTTEST TEAM RIGHT NOW, BUT NOT EQUAL TO SAN ANTONIO WHO REMAINS THE BEST ELITE TEAM IN THE WEST. THE UTAH HAS A NEW PHILOSOPHY: WILL AND CONSISTENCY UNTIL THE END OF THE GAME, EVEN THE OPPONENT HAS 21 POINTS AHEAD.
I WANT KOBE STARTS THE TONE OF THE GAME, LAMAR ,LUKE, PARKER, BYNUM, AND BROWN WILL KEEP DERON AND CARLOS OUT OF THE BASKET. TENACITY IS THE KEY TO WIN TONIGHT. OUR PLAYERS HAVE TO FIGHT UNTIL THE END.
BISOUS A TOUT LE BLOG
Posted by: shekobe | November 24, 2006 at 01:38 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/nba/11/23/jazz.kings.ap/index.html
I hope that the Jazz get lulled into thinking they can always come back from a big deficit. The Lakers have improved in their ability to close out games. But, the Jazz have beaten some good teams. But, we have Kobe Bryant.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: go lakers! | November 24, 2006 at 01:50 PM
This matchup with Utah tonight is really exciting. Utah plays a bruising style both on offense and defense. They set physical picks and play hard-nosed defense. It will be interesting to see if Baby and Lamar can withstand the competition and rough stuff in the paint. I hope that Kwame and Braveheart are ready. If Ronny is 100%, he could be a key factor in this game. Another reserve that I think might make a difference tonight is Mo Evans, particularly in defending Matt Harpring and Deron Williams. These are two up and coming teams. Let's get it on!! GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | November 24, 2006 at 02:12 PM
I respect the heck out of Utah. Next to Jackson, I think Jerry Sloan is the best coach in the NBA. His teams always play hard regardless of their talent. Derek Fisher's gotta be in heaven compared to Golden State.
One of the top Laker games of the early season. And a great measuring stick for the progress of both teams so far this year.
Posted by: Andy B | November 24, 2006 at 02:38 PM
AK/BK,
Will there be a game thread? If so, hope somebody will do the updates as the game is not on national TV. Thanks guys.
Posted by: Lakergurl | November 24, 2006 at 02:49 PM
I'm also against starting Kwame at the 4 spot. I mean, it absolutely sounds great and looks great on paper, but what is more important here is matchups and player styles.
Throwing Kwam at the PF spot today against Boozer doesnt sound like a bad idea but Kwame is a natural C not PF. Plus having both Bynum and Kwame cloggin up the middle wont bode well for us especially on the offensive end. (not to mention they have ZERO playing time/experience together)
I think we will do well tonight against the Jazz because we have so many match-up options at all positions. Either way, tonights game will be really good and fun to watch. GO LA!
Posted by: blaze1bx | November 24, 2006 at 03:00 PM
Lakergurl,
BK and I will definitely be maintaining a game thread tonight, but we'll unfortunately be unable to see the actual game (since we're in St. Louis for the holidays). Thus, we'll be counting on the locals to be our eyes and ears.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 24, 2006 at 03:02 PM
"COUNTING ON THE LOCALS" - OK THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM.
Posted by: stargazin | November 24, 2006 at 03:28 PM
HOW CAN LAKERS AND JAZZ NOT BE A NATIONAL TELECAST?
ESPN? HOW DO U FIGURE? OUR NATIONAL FANS SUFFER FOR
ESPN'S LACK OF FORESIGHT. SORRY GUYS(AND GALS).
Posted by: stargazin | November 24, 2006 at 03:33 PM
Lakergurl,
Are you that same Lakergurl from the ESPN Lakers boards a few years back?
Posted by: mti | November 24, 2006 at 03:40 PM
I'M IN ORANGE COUNTY SO I AM BLESSED TO SEE EVERY
LAKER GAME ON T.V. AT THE VERY LEAST ISN'T AUDIO
AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE ON EVERY GAME ON NBA.COM??
AND WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR BROADBAND AVAILABILITY?
IN MY AREA TIMES WARNER HAS MULTIPLE NBA TV CHANNELS
SO THAT IN THEORY A PERSON COULD WATCH ANY GAME
BEING PLAYED???
I KNOW LOLO HAS BROADBAND ACCESS TO ALL THE GAMES
MAYBE HE CAN COMMENT?
LOLO????????
OR MTI??????
ITS CRAZY THAT OUR NATIONAL FANS CAN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE GAMES?
Posted by: stargazin | November 24, 2006 at 03:48 PM
AK/BK - I HEARD THE WEATHER IS NICE IN ST. LOUIS.
HOW'S MOM????? ARE YOU GUYS STILL WORKING ON THE LEFTOVERS????
ANY AK/BK PREDICTIONS FOR TONITE'S GAME????????
Posted by: stargazin | November 24, 2006 at 03:51 PM
NICE TO HAVE A JOB THAT FOLLOWS YOU AROUND THE COUNTRY. OR MAYBE NOT ???
Posted by: stargazin | November 24, 2006 at 03:52 PM
YOU KNOW UTAH IS ONLY A HOP, SKIP AND JUMP AWAY FROM
ST.LOUIS???
Posted by: stargazin | November 24, 2006 at 03:54 PM
DOES MOM HAVE ANY PREDICTIONS FOR TONITE'S GAME???
Posted by: stargazin | November 24, 2006 at 04:15 PM
AK47 is so elastic he can block Kobe's fade away, so the block won't be his best option. He's done better on the move against him.
LO is key. He needs to make them pay when AK takes Kobe. No score would surprise me in this game. From blowout to nailbiter, this could be anything, which is fine as long as it's a V for the Lake Show.
Posted by: Vman | November 24, 2006 at 04:29 PM
Stargazin,
You have to pay $199.00 now to be able to watch every game that is on NBAtv. Meaning games that are nationally televised are blacked out. And local teams are gonna be blackedout.
However, I have this audio link. Just dont select klac because it's blocked.
http://www.thegamelive.com/basketballnba.html#lal
Hope this helps!
Posted by: mti | November 24, 2006 at 04:30 PM
Having KB and AB out there at the same time will be negated by the fact that Okur has a range of at least 25 ft. Might as well keep one of them on the bench and bring in someone who can stay with Okur on the perimeter. Boozer, AK-47, and Millsap will do most of the banging inside. A possible Plan B could be put Bynum/Brown at the low post to maintain the middle, and have Odom/Walton/Cook at the high post to play middle man and be able to help either the paint or the perimeter.
As far as the point, this is definitely a game where Farmar would get eaten alive if he was playing tonight. However, at the same token, we know that Fisher likes to chase on the screens and not go over them, so we need to make him pay for chasing on the screen (which would require some screen and roll play from Odom and the guard that's dribbling through the screen).
Speaking of screen and roll, we are facing the Utah Jazz, the grandaddies of the pick and roll. The Lakers must expect the screen and roll ALL NIGHT. They need to man up on the boards, go after the ball (don't take a single possession for granted), and play as if this is Game 7 (they're too young to take nights/weeks/seasons off like Miami).
Oh by the way, for those who do not live in LA, League Pass is worth the investment, even for a broke grad student like myself. :)
Posted by: RichDaDCLakerFan | November 24, 2006 at 04:33 PM
I am 100% against starting Bynum and Kwame together.
Remember: Kwame was terrible when he played power forward last year. He made his biggest strides when he was playing center in place of Chris Mihm towards the end of the season. blaze1bx is right on the money. Kwame is a 5, not a 4.
Is Kwame getting better? Sure he is. Would I give him up if it meant getting KG? Or course.
Posted by: Jimbo | November 24, 2006 at 05:07 PM