Vlad Comes Clean, Kwame Goes Big
The first order of media business tonight before the game, not surprisingly, was to track down Shammond Williams and find out if he's still happy to be a Laker after the trade deadline. Just kidding. Vlad Radmanovic, having publicly admitted that his separated shoulder was in fact suffered in a snowboarding fall rather than a ice and coffee related mishap (we're shocked- shocked!- to learn the truth), entered the locker room and turned to the assembled media throng. "You guys waiting for me?"
To his credit, Vlad Rad was blunt about his actions, and didn't try to create any excuses, a good thing, since his first attempt at spin won't win him any post-career P.R. gigs. Basically, he hurt himself, panicked, lied, and decided he needed to tell the truth. That it likely would have come out eventually isn't really the point. Click below the jump for the audio.
In the first clip, Radmanovic explains why he came clean. "Yesterday, I decided to step forward and bring out the truth," he said. "This morning I spoke with Mitch and Phil and told them what really happened, and I'm glad I did it." He said they weren't surprised to hear the truth, just as he suspected (correctly) that we weren't either. Download vlad_radmanovic_2.23 on injury 1.mp3
Radmanovic indicated that his actions violated a clause or two in his contract, not surprising since most include language specifically intended to keep this sort of thing from happening. "Unfortunately, before I stepped on that board, I wasn't really thinking about it," he said. As for the injury, he was coming down the slope (this was apparently his first day, far as I could tell) flipped forward, and landed on his shoulder. Vlad Rad indicated he was prepared for whatever punishment might be handed down, which is a good thing because AK mentioned he saw a very, very ticked off Jerry Buss in the locker room before the game. That, so you know, is extremely rare. (Not the angry part- he might get mad all the time for all we know. But Dr. Buss is almost never in the room before games. We've certainly never seen it.) When asked how the team would respond, Buss said they'd have to "mull it over."
Download vlad_radmanovic_2.23 on injury 2.mp3
The injury window is about eight weeks, he said. "Hopefully it will be shorter than that." As for the penalty, he's waiting to hear what they have to say, nor had he spoken with his teammates at that point (though I anticipate that'll change soon). Download vlad_radmanovic_2.23 on injury 3.mp3
Did he consider just coming clean on Monday? Not really, but he admits he wasn't really thinking clearly. He said he needed to fix the mess he'd made. "I did a stupid thing snowboarding, but I don't want to be a liar," he said. "When you lie to the whole world and then come out four or five days later and say "Okay, that's not true," it's embarrassing."
Download vlad_radmanovic_2.23 on injury 4.mp3
P.J. was actually waiting for us at his podium before the game, saying we were late getting to him. He said Vlad was trying to right a wrong. Nor was he surprised there was a wrong needing to be righted. Download phil_jackson_2.23 on Vlad Injury.mp3
As for Kwame, he came into the locker room with his hair in full Big Ben/bass player from Funkadelic/football card from the 1970s mode. I asked him if he was running out of things to do while injured, and he smiled. "No, just letting it breathe, a little. You have to have some balls to walk around like this," he joked. I'd say that's the case if you look like me. When you're nearly seven feet tall and totally yoked, that's less of an impermeable truth.
BK






TIME TO START A 6 GAME WIN STREAK. LET'S GO LAKERS!!!!
F--- THE TRADES. THIS IS WHO WE GOT SO LET'S GET BEHIND OUR TEAM!!!
LET'S GO GUYS!
TIME TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!
LAKERS FOR LIFE!
Posted by: adam i | February 23, 2007 at 07:34 PM
The whole thing sucks. Badly. At least Vlad partiall redeemed himself by being honest. He has some honor. Good.
God, please help Luke and Kwame heal quickly.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 23, 2007 at 07:38 PM
We're winning tonight, right? Please tell me we're winning tonight.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 23, 2007 at 07:42 PM
SNOWBOARDING!?? HAHAHHAH. I hope to see Radman this weekend up in the mountains!
Posted by: Wasabi | February 23, 2007 at 07:44 PM
Where's the thread?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 23, 2007 at 07:44 PM
how convenient...coming clean after the deadline. I wonder if he cried like a little girl like D.wade. hahahahahhhah
Posted by: du ma | February 23, 2007 at 07:49 PM
It saddens me to say that the Lakers are done as far as this season goes. I doubt they can beat Boston at this point. Kupkake showed once again that he is unable to make the team better by making any kind of trade or player acquisition. Come home Jerry West!
Posted by: 8ball | February 23, 2007 at 07:50 PM
I would love to see a pic of Kwame with a great big natural. He should play with his hair like that.
Posted by: CeCe | February 23, 2007 at 09:48 PM
It's safe to include Vlad Rad in any trade packages at the end of the season. His salary and a few more pieces should be enough to snag KG. I knew that snowboarding excuse was tihsllub!!!
Posted by: utzworld | February 24, 2007 at 12:39 AM
A window of opportunity to cancel his (Vlad) contract, sweet... lets go get Pippen.
Posted by: Izzy | February 24, 2007 at 05:57 AM
I think the Lakers should withhold Rad's salary while he is out with this injury. The carrot is to offer him a chance to earn back the lost salary if he meets certain performance targets.
Teach him a lesson but bring him back into the fold with (hopefully) some fire in his belly.
Posted by: psw | February 24, 2007 at 08:33 AM
They should void his contract. He is not worth $30 million, and they can use that money to maybe sign someone with which to acquire garnett in the summer.
Posted by: Dave | February 24, 2007 at 01:59 PM