Ice No Longer Lives In Fear Of A Lawsuit
Because, as it turns out, the theoretical defendant wasn't even at the scene of the crime when Vlad Radmanovic separated his shoulder. Truth be told (and it finally is being told), The Artist Formally Known as Cat Stevens didn't hurt himself after a nasty spill on frozen water. As many suspected, the injury happened because of a fall while shredding on a snowboard. No word, however, as to whether Vlad was actually riding his Burton to pick up a cup of coffee.
My take? Like I said, the confession is in no way shocking. When BK first reported the news, he noted how it smacked of Dodger reliever Joe Beimel "cutting himself on a glass in his hotel room" during last season's playoffs. There's an established history of athletes (Jeff Kent, Ken Griffey Jr, to name a few) with seemingly suspicious off the field injuries that didn't live up to the seemingly innocuous initial explanations. And the odds of such a severe injury coming from a slip seemed pretty remote. Vlad's had some genuinely bad luck this season, but unless he's rolling these days with a posse of black cats carrying suitcases full of broken mirrors while lighting three cigarettes per match, there's "bad luck" and "bad luck to absurd to be believed." Which is why nobody, myself included, actually believed it.
So what does this mean for Vlad? Not sure. Phil Jackson was asked the day after the injury was announced if there would be any punishment should Radmanovic's explanation prove bogus. He said it was too early for such speculation. But now that speculatin' season is upon us, I'm guessing he'll receive a one-game suspension. Of course, that may not be the end of the matter. For many a professional athlete, there are contract stipulations forbidding off the field activities with a high risk for injury. Like, say, I don't know... snowboarding. BK and I once did a piece for ESPN The Magazine about an NFL guy taking snowboarding lessons. A few days later, we had to kill the story because the player had unknowingly violated his contract and the team would have found out if we ran it. I don't know if Vlad's contract contains similar restrictions, but we'll try to find out. If Vlad did violate his contract verbiage, I suppose there's always a chance the deal could be nullified and the Lakers could release him. But given how BK and my contract with the Times was simple enough that it could have been written on a cocktail napkin (and upon further reflection, it may have been), I'm hardly an authority on such matters. I'd even go so far as to label myself a decided "non-authority." So until I hear from more folks in the know, I'm as clueless to such exacts as any of you.
I can't say I "feel" for Vlad, exactly, because this was beyond dumb on his part. But he's always struck me as a pretty nice guy with a good sense of humor. That said, Joe Beimel's a good guy, too. Bottom line, dude screwed his team over. And so did Vlad. There's really no way around it.
If there's any silver lining, it's that Vlad's been so ineffective most of the season, the Lakers won't have to adjust much to recover from his absence. Frankly, were the squad not suffering through such a rash of injuries that any live body is valuable on some level, the injury would barely register as a blip on the Laker radar. Assuming the other walking wounded (Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown and Luke Walton) can eventually pick up where they left off, this incident may affect Vlad's relationship with his teammates more than his team's relationship with the win column.
AK
Oh, and in case some of you were worried, ESPN indeed paid us a kill fee for the NFL piece. Thus, when it was all said and done, they essentially paid BK and I to spend the day snowboarding. We learned to live with it.
CANCEL HIS CONTRACT! DO IT NOW!
Posted by: golal | February 23, 2007 at 04:09 PM
What an idiot lol. If he violates his contract maybe we can get rid of him and free up some cap space :) Sorry Vlad I can't say I feel sorry for you, that was an accident waiting to happen. I wonder if he ever even went snowboarding before...
Posted by: mik3y | February 23, 2007 at 04:10 PM
Wow. That's too bad for him. I can't say that it's totally boneheaded because players are entitled to have a life outside basketball (risk aside).
I kind of like the name "Ice Man" for Radman. Has a nice ring to it.
Posted by: DR | February 23, 2007 at 04:12 PM
If the Lakers organization can get rid of Radmanovic because of this I hope that they do. Signing him was the most bone-headed move they've made in recent memory. We already had a player with the exact same skill set, i.e. Brian Cook! We could use the cap space to get ourselves a much better free-agent this summer.
Posted by: Mike in the Mountain West | February 23, 2007 at 04:15 PM
this is lame..i know he didnt get hurt getting COFFEE...wtf.
anyway..yes ..cancel his contract.
make him join NASA as a space cadet..we need someone that will take one for the team..not LIE to the team...
Posted by: LakerfaninTX | February 23, 2007 at 04:22 PM
oh and it is AFFECT not EFFECT;)in the last sentence there..AK ;)
i am a sucker for correct grammar:D
Posted by: LakerfaninTX | February 23, 2007 at 04:24 PM
He's frozen pond scum. Seduced by the dark side, he's more Rasputin than Cat Stevens.
If he were averging 20 and 10, all's forgiven, but his play didn't leave any room for off court mistakes. Since his big problem has been feeling comfortable in a Laker jersey, this extends that deadline.
He looked good on paper, could have been a difference maker, but his stay in Lakerland has been cursed since the B Shaw handshake.
Posted by: Vman | February 23, 2007 at 04:26 PM
There are lots of ways to word restrictive contract provisions regarding the kinds of activities that would void a player's contract, but the most likely provision would give the team several options to be carried out in very specific ways. Examples: the team may be allowed to
(1) void the contract;
(2) maintain the contract, but exact a one-time fine in an agreed amount;
(3) maintain the contract, but void payment for the number of games missed due to injury resulting from the contract violation;
(4) renegotiate the contract;
(5) sue the player for lost revenue due to the negative effect on the team due to the injury;
(6) force the player to make a Borat-like movie and turn over all proceeds to the team, then wash Jerry Buss' car every day for a month;
etc.
Posted by: RespectMyAuthoritah | February 23, 2007 at 04:28 PM
At the very least he should not be paid a single penny for the time he misses.
Posted by: golal | February 23, 2007 at 04:29 PM
LakerfaninTx,
I'm as into correcting typos as the next fella. Thanks.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 23, 2007 at 04:32 PM
EFFECT also doubles as a verb. thank you, come again.
Posted by: Jon | February 23, 2007 at 04:38 PM
This team is falling apart. Everyone knew vlad didnt hurt his shoulder praying at the mormon church. Players lie about inuries all the time so I don't know what the appropriate punishment should be. But this team needs a scorer and vlad can score if given the chance. The problem is this system, the traingle, is not good for him and they run very few if any plays for him.
He would be a better fit in Phoenix. I don't understand why the lakers signed him still.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 23, 2007 at 04:41 PM
I'm getting old, and my memory isn't as keen as maybe it once was, but didn't Shaq cut his hand up one year by playing Spiderman in his bathroom? At least the Big Arachnid didn't weave a tangled web like Vlad.
And as for Vlad's injury not hurting the team too much, who's to say his dislocated shoulder didn't come into play in at least one trade scenario before the deadline?
Posted by: Marty | February 23, 2007 at 04:45 PM
I could also argue that what Kobe did in Colorado was just as risky as snowboarding, since he could have done jail time and missed several games, if not the season. Or his wife could have found out and beat the cr*p out of him too. But neither happened so he got away scott free.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 23, 2007 at 04:46 PM
Hey honey, you know I have had a real bad year with the Lakers and this hand injury. Nothing seems to go right anymore, honey. Phil seems to be yelling at me a lot more now. I thought maybe since it's the all-star break, let's not rehab my hand or work out, I think snowboarding might do wonders for me and my career. What do you think?
Honey, what about the 35 billion dollar contract you signed? Oh, we just won't tell anyone honey. I read somewhere that snowboarding is actually very good for a injured hand. Get the kids, load up the car and I will call Mitch and let him know I am going to Utah to get some coffee.
Posted by: bd | February 23, 2007 at 04:55 PM
"Effect" would only be a verb in that sentence if AK meant to say that the incident somehow "created" or "caused" the relationships with Vlad's teammates, which is clearly not the meaning intended. Thanks for having me; see you again sometime.
Posted by: RespectMyAuthoritah | February 23, 2007 at 04:56 PM
You gotta think Vlad's agent took a good look at Vald's contract before he let Vlad come forward with the truth. So I doubt we'll be able to cut him loose because of this.
Posted by: Sean P. | February 23, 2007 at 05:14 PM
I respect Rad Vlad's apology. It shows he is a man of honor. That much said, this whole thing sucks.
Urgh.
Please win tonight Lakers.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 23, 2007 at 05:16 PM
At least he knew what he did wrong to cause this mess..I wish the Lakers could figure the same thing during this 6 game skid..
Posted by: Mr. Brightside | February 23, 2007 at 05:23 PM
Vlad has been just a distraction this year... we all are still waiting for him to earn his pay. We have been patient only because he wears the Y&G.
I am elated that he is out. We now can concentrate on our capable players. We're better for it, even as thin as we are right now.
Posted by: Baywood | February 23, 2007 at 05:54 PM
Lakers should give Vlad a fine, and move on. When Lakers traded Caron Butler, Atkins to Wash, people said it was a good move, because these players did not play defense. Now, Caron is an All-Star under new young coach Jordan, Kwame no way becomes an All-Star under Phil, Luke and Smush are not good defenders either. Phil wants Lamar to become an All-Star, how can you lost 6 games with 2 All-Star KObe and Lamar ? at least you have to win some games. When players left Lakers, they become good players, trial offense did not get max talent out of players.
Posted by: bluesky | February 23, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Some more on Vlad.
Mitch K must explain the monumental error he made in siging him in. Lots of $$s out, nothing in return except excuses. Vlad has been useless and Mitch gets a lot of demerits for it.
Baywood
Posted by: Baywood | February 23, 2007 at 05:57 PM
vladi "ice man" radmanovic!
i like it!!
good call. i wonder if joel meyers and stu lantz read this... i'd bust a gut to hear them use it.
even though i really hate stu lantz. has anyone else noticed that like, he's a total TOOL? joel meyers is allllright (rip chickie), but man, is stu lantz a weirdo.
anyway. i guess that's completely off topic. i digress.
back to vladi. check my vote in the release him column... unless sean p. is right (and it sounds as though he may be). god knows we need all the cap room we can get.
down with the ice man!!
Posted by: adam i | February 23, 2007 at 06:01 PM
Everyone knew he was lying and Vlad knew his story would be easy to check. He should have been man enough to own up to it and take his medicine.
He may be a nice guy but he is sorely lacking in character.
That being said, I always believe in second chances. Like the Biemel, he needs to do what ever he can to make it up to his teammates and us fans.
And at the very least he should not be paid for the time missed.
Posted by: Andy B | February 23, 2007 at 06:02 PM
I dont understand what you guys are talking about... I say cut him quick.... I mean here is a guy making over 30 million for 5 years. cmon there is a reason why these guys are getting paid the big bucks and that comes with sacrificing some of things that you want to do, not to mention this fool whos having a bad year with a bad hand decides to fool around while were in a mist of 5 game loosing streek,,, Lakers better make an example of this guy that things like this are not tolerated.... Fans are getting sick and tired of metal cases like this guy another guy is Kwame and Cook... These guys need to go fast
Posted by: GIno | February 23, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Gino,
The 3 you mentioned are mental midgets. We have Vlade lying to the team, mgt and fans.
I wouldn't be surprised if Kwame's fragile ego isn't hurt from the trade rumors. He is probally so hurt from it, we might not even see him again this year.
bd
Posted by: bd | February 23, 2007 at 06:17 PM
Well now that the Lakers are on top of Vlad and his tell tale, perhaps they order Vlad his full cooperation to what the Lakers expect from him at this time:
1. Get back before the playoffs.
2. Get a surgery on those defective shooting fingers.
3. Practice his shooting arm during the rehab as long it will not interrupt his wellness program.
4. Use his influence on some good players in the Euro League to play with the Lakers.
5. While on rehab., he could watch some tapes or video of other western teams and make a written recommendation to the assistant coaches how the Lakers should defend P&R, S&P, Sun's fast breaks in other words use him as a scout using computers, TV cables etc. This awareness would train him if he comes to play after 6 weeks.
If he is not willing to comply his contract is terminated at the end of the season. Afterwards trade him before the season ends.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 23, 2007 at 06:37 PM
Shocking. Does anyone know if the Lakers can really void his entire contract for this? I thought they could only stiff him for the length of the injury.
Posted by: Jman449 | February 23, 2007 at 06:49 PM
I don't know what caused Vlade to come out with the truth. But nevertheless he did that, unlike many other heroes who lie to the end. Who try to buy sympthy with diamonds. So I would suggest that he be given a chance to redeem himself on the court as he chosen a most inappropriate time to injure himself. Regarding his performance, let us not forget that he plays in a suffocating system designed by the famous pioneer Phil jackson. This system prevents players such as Vlade to succeed, be creative, and make a difference.
As long we are going to have Mitch Kupchak as GM, Phil as the coach and Kobe the floor leader, the Lakers are doomed. Collectively they talk well like politicians do, but they have extraordinary problems as leaders. They demonstrate incompetence, can not inspire, too hard headed to accept their flaws, too scared to make changes, and too lazy to lead from the front. Kobe, here is another game tonite, lead your loyalists by turnovers, dont play with any effort and intensity, dont defend anyone (your knees may crumble) and set another leadership exmple for a group of players who have no pride, no skills, and even no heart to start with. PUT THIS ENTIRE GROUP ON FIRE SALE!!!
Posted by: lakerfan | February 23, 2007 at 07:04 PM
I say lets get rid of all the Laker small fowards and start from scratch.
Posted by: troy | February 23, 2007 at 07:11 PM
The triangle offence is an extraordinary tool when used correctly. Also, it is designed to counter defences like "zones" that tend to give us problems some times. ("Hmmmm") Besides the fact that we need more inside presence, our PG smush doesn't run the triangle all the time. He gives up sometimes on defence (Nash and Parker just blow by him). However, Odom is a great player. When he gets more years in the league like Pippen, he will not only understand how to score, but he will understand the game. That's what Kobe needs right now. Someone elso who understands the game.
= )~
Posted by: Bludevil | February 24, 2007 at 07:30 AM