Wouldn't Vlad be comming back about now had he had surgery at the year's beginning?

Wes

Take a look at young Andrew:

High School:

http://www.gmchoops.com/images/jesphoto/IMG_1067.jpg

McDonalds invitational:

http://www.sbgzone.com/images/articles/andrewbynum.jpg

Draft day:

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050707/050707_bynum_vlrg_130p.vlarge.jpg

This year:

http://www.viewimages.com/Search.aspx?mid=72979240&partner=Yahoo&epmid=2&phrase=andrew%20bynum%202007

Maybe Houston, with Malone, Olajuwon (sp?) and Yao.

I checked the rest of the 2005 draft, and the only player after Bynum that I think was worthwhile is Danny Granger who is becoming a pretty solid 2-way player. Didn't PJ want Granger? He's got a good eye for talent.

John F - NEWFLASH - so was Dwight Howard when he first came into the league... and he was already a beast at that age. And so was Amare, I think. I don't see Bynum as a beast yet. I think he needs to work on his lower body... more strength, more explosion. If he develops that... he'll be unstoppable.

Brandon,

Lakers traded for the great centers except for Mikan. Houston drafted them - Moses, Hakeem, Yao and the almost great - Ralph Sampson.

Thank you BD & Najja for providing the answer on that written offer. I didn't expect it that's why? It was also listed on Inside Hoops, actually published by New York Post which is equivalent to tabloid news or rumors in NY. Exchanging our expiring contracts against Jason Kidd, who is already on the sunset of his career we transform the team from TOO YOUNG into TOO OLD @ 34. OK Mckie, Shammond, Mihm, Walton and Smush still OK but to include Turiaf + Cook that's a little bit of stretch. I would rather pick up where there is no trade imposed rather than changing the make up half of the team, why don't we explore Edddie Jones, if he's waived by JW. If we evaluate those expensive players namely: Gasol, Kidd or KG at the end of the year. I think I'm willing to hold on for KG. By the end of the year we know where we stand with other teams whether our investment on youth and KAJ's training on AB paved way. I will still continue investing on Bynum nor willing to exchange LO for KG, this is not similar to trading the rights of Divac, Peeler, Lynch in 1995 to get Kobe & Shaq. If KG does not join, it is not a Laker loss but his own fault. The Front office should always surround Kobe & LO reliable players who could play defense, not lazy & will not crumble during the playoffs. I like Euros who have the fundamentals and can be trained in defense in the long run.

Fatty,

I predict Lakers will win at home. They have prepared for this game for the last 3 days thinking of Bobcats. They're comfortable when their wives, Mom are watching. They need the crowd approval in order to play d-e-f-e-n-s-e and lastly, they're scared being booed by Faith, the treo second time around against a lesser team. It is when they are on the road that makes them very unpredictable.

One more Bynum thing:

Bynum is a naturally heavy set guy. Left to himself he would blow up. And not in terms of Shaq O'Neil. But more like Tractor Taylor. Or Stanley Roberts.

Here's an idea of what I'm talking about:

"A hulking 7-footer, Stanley Roberts has the size and skills to be an impact center in the NBA, but after showing promise in one season with Orlando and one with the Clippers, a weight problem and injuries hampered his effectiveness through the next four years."

Look at Bynum's high school and McDonald's photo and that's Stanley Roberts. What I'm saying is that Bynum has been body building to look like he does now. Again, there's a difference between body building and power lifting. I suspect that Kwame Brown has a natual body but he enhanced it by doing some power lifting. Hence the stregnth. It's genetics, too.

mike

Brandon,

There is still a possibility that the Lakers could end up with both Bynum and KG.

Since KG is the Timberwolves main man, they are not likely to trade him, unless they get some outrageous offer. At this time, Chicago and LAL appear to be in the lead for KG's services.

However, if the rumors about Chicago being interestd in Pau Gasol are true, and a deal happens, then the Lakers would appear to be the frontrunner for KG.

Or, if Minnesota again finishes out of the play-offs, and has a chance to rebuild around a young big like Greg Oden (or one of the others), the Timberwolves GM then might change direction and start rebuilding with young players.

Eric Pincus confirmed that KG can opt-out the summer of '08. So, if KG ever tires of losing and decides to go for broke, he might become more willing to force the issue. Obviously, he would want to go to a team that has a realstic chance. By summer 2008, the Lakers should be even closer to a shot at the title, depending on who they add this coming summer ('07).

These are all arguments that have been repeated ad nauseum over the past months. I like Garnett a lot, but dont think that tearing up the current team to acquire him is a practical move. The same argument applies to J Kidd, unless NJ decides to have a fire sale and accept all of our expiring contracts and a couple role players.

There is an exceptional draft coming up. With some of the spare parts we have, it might be possible to trade up.

However, it's more likely that we would trade out or trade down. This team does not need more rookies. It needs just one or two quality veteran players to become a true title contender.

There are two very good free agent crops coming this summer ('07) and next ('08). Based on the team's current cap figures, acquiring a free agent is going to be difficult. Some significant players may have to be moved. If, for instance, the Lakers were able to find a taker for Kwame, it might allow the team an opportunity to bring back a reasonably priced free agent in exchange.

But, there are many ways to wheel and deal and Mitch is undoubtedly on the phone with other teams every day. He probably has a sense of who is available before that fact become public knowledge. So I would give him the benefit of the doubt in making the right move to improve this team. He recently stated that he wants to resign Mihm, Walton and Smush. That makes perfect sense, if for no other reason than maintaining their trade value. But he has not said what he wants to do with Brown or Radmanovic--and likely has not made a decision. Therefore, pieces like Brown & Radman may be available to trade. Whether Mitch can successfully convert our spare pieces and draft picks into quality free agents is yet to be determined, but I wish him good luck.

Personally, I still like the Artest-Billups idea.
Billups is a quality player and would probably be a good fit in the triangle.

With Artest, what you see is what you get, a very athletic player--who is a head case. Reportedly, he is wearing out his welcome in SAC, so there is no way to tell whether he will be moved or allowed (encouraged) to opt-out at season end.
As LAL Fan pointed out, Artest could be a disruptive influence if he joined the Lakers. Yes, that is true! But then again, if he can be
motivated by PJ and others, he might be the right gamble to help turn us from contenders to champs.

Since SAC is not likely to want to deal him to the Lakers, the best option may be to wait for Artest to opt-out this summer, in which case, the Lakers could work a deal directly with him, without having to negotiate with Sacramento.

By the way, Gerald Wallace, Rashard Lewis, Grant Hill, Jamaal Maglore and PJ Brown are some of the '07 free agent forwards who might help the Lakers, and, in addition to Billups, Mo Williams and Steve Blake are F/A guards who might be of interest.

LOL Edwin Gueco, I'm not sure if I'll blog tonight.

True strength comes from within, lol.

My opinion on Bynum is that it's a win win. I seriously doubt he'll turn into a scrub with PJ as his coach, KAJ as his mentor, and Kobe Bryant (with his work ethic on display) as a teammate...the possibility imo is slim. As it is he's already serviceable (which imo is really all we need from him, and better defense of course, with the one of the greatest player to ever play the game in Kobe, and versatility in LO)...so if he attains no more than that (god forbid)...that's still a 7'1 fundamentally sound (he holds the ball up high, that's fundamentals) defensively growing big man...you want to have that. Even as raw as he is now...he's already getting bigs everywhere in foul trouble! Plus with our history, I'm gnashing at a future of Bynum, and dominace...keep in mind this organization has always know what it takes, and have always gotten what it takes to win...if it means Bynum, or someone else...trust me, we'll get them/keep em.

I can't speak for mike, but I did follow the argument about strength. As he gets size, he WILL get strength as well. But there's a difference in training for size verses training for strength. I suppose what Mike is saying is that socks will be training more like a bodybuilder for a while until he packs on enough size, from there, he will switch to more HIT style (High Intensity Training) which will develop more power.

In truth, I suspect he does a little of each. Though his speed and power are obviously underdeveloped at this point.

My guess as to what mike meant was that he hasn't gotten accustom to his newfound size. I'm not totally in agreement there.

Mike Ten...

Thanks for the links and photos of Drew. I agree that he has a long way to go, but he is off to a good start at age 19.

I agree with your observations on Bynum that based on b'ball skills he's not yet there. But to correlate it with his weight that's like analyzing a boxer not ready to be in heavyweight because he's still a light heavyweight. Not all 7 footers and heavy became good players in NBA, like this Tractor, Fortson, Ostertag, Benoit Benjamin or Rooks they're all big as Bynum but did not gel during their prime time. I think it's more on his basketball abilities to play in the post, to manage contact fouls, to practice court management within 40 minutes, to continue developing new skills like his teacher could elevate his career to new heights but not just weight and strenght alone. Secondly, I'm just laughing cuz' you sounded like Dr. Jovy in prescribing players their required weights and strenght to play 5, i forgot that I'm talking to Mister Tee who is a great observer in games but gives too much credence on the coach style of motivation or criticisms to his players.

mike t.

thanks for the pix. they were good for a laugh.

the high school pix looks like gary coleman's head on willis' body. the mcdonald's pic looks like he thought it was an all you could eat burger contest. draft day looking like tracy morgan.

drew really is a chameleon and we really don't know what he'll end up like. i just hope he learns something each and everyday. hope he didn't forget the tyson chandler secret to rebounding in 3 days.

we just need to remember that he's 19 and only going to get better and stronger.

M.T.
Man, when you get down on a guy you really get down on him.

Take a breath. Most high schoolers take until they are about 22/23 to find their way, if they ever find it in the NBA. D. Howard was a prodigy, as was Amare.

If the younger Lakers are inconsistent now it's not a suprise. We are the ones that are too impatient. Luke is just coming into his own as an experienced NBA player and he will probably never be a great man-on-man defender - like most players today.

Let the Lakers learn before you burn them.

BrandonC:

Don’t forget about Kevin Love, the 7-foot center from Oswego, Oregon and son of Stan Love and nephew of the Beach Boys Mike Love. He was the most coveted center in his class and already has a much-more NBA ready game than Oden. Love will attend UCLA next year and then probably go to the NBA. He is said to be the best rebounder and outlet passer since Wes Unseld. Can you say Bill Walton with more muscles and the same BB IQ?

Most experts rate him over O.J. Mayo, who some say is the next LeBron and who will be spending his freshman year across town at USC. There should be some great Bruin vs. Trojan basketball games next year. They should both get the Pac 10 some well-deserved respect with the biased East Coast dominated sports media.

Tom

bd:

I agree with you 100% on Bynum. He is going to be the next great Lakers center. He has the height and length to be a great shot blocker and the best hands I have ever seen on a big man. He almost never drops a pass or rebound once he touches it. He has the hands that would make Kwame the second coming of Akeem the Dream if he had hands like that. You’re right that getting Bynum was the steal of the draft and as big a move for the Lakers franchise as drafting Magic or Worthy. Anybody who cannot see the greatness in the kid is missing the excitement and anticipation of seeing into the future. We are watching the development of the next great Laker center. There is no deal that would pass the salary cap that any team in the league could make at this point to trade for Bynum. And even if they could offer a deal that would work, no way would Jerry and Jim Buss bite. He will win more rings in purple and gold than Shaq did.

Tom

Tim:

I think you and Mike are absolutely right about Bynum’s physical development. When you look at the improvement in his body and physic over the last two years and in his game on the court, it is amazing for a player of any age. Then when you consider what he is doing on the court now and he is still only nineteen and the youngest player in the NBA, how can you not think of greatness as he develops into a mature player? He already is among the upper half of the centers in the NBA and he is just really starting to learn and grow and develop.

The Next Great Lakers Center. Mikan, Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, Bynum! Believe it.

Tom

jamal crawford lit dwade up for 52 20-30 only 4 ft. wade had 37 with 17 free throws. wonder what kobe could do to him if wade would actually cover him for entire game.

What no one has been talking about, but NEEDS to be talking about is that we are playing THIS good without Lamar and Kwame. This is no statement against the Package and Lord Kwame. This is a statement to how well the rest of the team has stepped up.

When the Package and Lord Kwame return in full health and conditioning, we are clearly better than Dallas. I mean that.

GO LAKERS!

Before the Laker game starts, I want to vent out a little frustration regarding the Phoenix Suns. As I am watching the Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks game, I realized that the Bucks are missing two of their best players in Michael Redd and Mo Williams. What frustuates me is that this is not the first time during the 15 game winning streak where this Suns team has faced opponents with missing stars on the opposing teams.

With this being said, how can I respect such a winning streak when they are playing handicapped teams. Lets look at these previous matchups.

New York Knicks: Stephan Marbury, Steve Francis
Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett
Houston Rockets: Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady
Seattle Sonics: Rashard Lewis
Miami Heat: DWade, Shaq, Posey, Walker
Detroit Pistons: Chauncey Billups

With this being said, is it possible that the Basketball Gods are on the Phoenix Suns Side?