Extra! Extra! (3.21)
Kobe Bryant isn't necessarily looking to become the first Laker since Elgin Baylor to score 50+ in three straight games... but should the need arise tomorrow evening in Memphis, he's certainly more than capable. But the Lakers would rather not get into the habit of needing him to score at unprecedented levels just to get a W. That ain't healthy. Speaking of which (nice segue!), Brian Cook's ankle still isn't right, and he won't play Thursday. And regarding Andrew Bynum's unhealthy (in that 19 year-old way) outburst on the bench Sunday night, Kurt Rambis said yesterday that it's been talked out, and all is forgiven.
Clearly the Lakers are a better team when Brown, Odom, and Walton (how's that for a law firm?) are available. Not that it's happened all that much this year.
In playoff news, Denver's 94-90 win in New Jersey puts them back in front of the Lakers for the six spot. Granted, it's only by percentage points, but the two games-in-hand the Nuggets hold on L.A. give them an advantage in the race for the higher seed. Perhaps that's why some think the Lakers will end up seventh, but Denver's tougher schedule shouldn't be ignored. Neither should team D, says John Ireland.
The Lakers modest streak gave them a bump in this week's SI.com Power Rankings.
It's not Lakers-specific news, but here's an interesting column about Michael Jordan and the potentially unfair advantage he gains as a Bobcats exec through his schools and camps.
Fakerz still hasn; answered mine or anyone esle's questions to hus rididculous remarks. Just goes to show you that he doesn;t hve a clue, nor a reason, to back up his statements and lunacy. This has been 2 straight days now. He's just having a little fun w/ all the bloggers, that's all. Ignore him. Better yet, what it is the Suns blog address? I want to have some fun.....AK/BK? ...Do you two know it?
Posted by: wondahbap | March 21, 2007 at 12:35 PM
The only player I would trade Kobe for if I absoolutely had to would be D-WADE. Just to piss Shaq off!
Posted by: zen | March 21, 2007 at 01:00 PM
"Cut ship and let's rebuild this thing! Who's with me?!"
The Clipper Ships!
Posted by: Tim | March 21, 2007 at 01:07 PM
If Kobe were traded to Miami....
Newsflash...
It would now be Kobe's team!
Ah, gawd, the irony!
Posted by: Tim | March 21, 2007 at 01:11 PM
>>>Michael Thompson says we are going to the finals this year. It must be that new Oxygen water he's drinking.<<<
He also thinks George W. Bush is a good president.
Posted by: Adam | March 21, 2007 at 01:14 PM
Is Mychael on crack? I love the optimism...
But George W being a good president, ha-ha, good one. I'm Repub & even I think this guy ranks in the bottom 3 worst presidents of the last 100 yrs, easy, right behind Carter & LBJ.
If the Lakers make it past the first round this year, I'm ecstatic!
Posted by: Tim | March 21, 2007 at 01:23 PM
Only fools would expect somebody to turn sand into gold.
If Smush was so good, he would have made an NBA lineup long time ago. He didn't because of his attitude.. and we are stuck with him because Mitch isn't capable of finding a better PG. He couldn't when Shaq was here. He can't now.
If Jumaine Jones was so good, he would be having a sensational season with Nash and the suns. Yet, he barely cracks their rotation.. and these are the type of guys (Chucky Atkins, Grant, etc. etc.) we have depended upon.. Evans is another example. This guy can't shoot, yet he takes every damn shot when he gets the ball and never makes a play for someone else.
If LO had the heart, the killer instinct, he would have become an all-star when he played with other talented players like Wade, Brand.
If Kwame Brown was so good, MJ should have made him an all-star. Yet, he was berated for his ability to not catch the ball and lack of skills on offense. Still a problem. Kobe can't fix that.. it's his responsiblity to work on it.
You can go on and on about the personnel. It is simply not fair to expect Kobe to lead them deep into the playoffs when you see great depth on the top teams in the West.
Our management simply doesn't have the scouting necessary to make the right picks in the draft while we see Spurs pick talent after talent with late picks. Like I said, the only way is to wait a couple years when we get the cap space to sign an all-star. Let's then see if Kobe is capable of leading a team deep into the playoffs.. If he fails then, then I'll support the claim that Kobe does not have leadership skills to win as the #1 guy.
Posted by: Lakerfan | March 21, 2007 at 01:33 PM
All I have left to say is... I'm soooo thankful that Jerry Buss is running the ship and not these arm-chair quarterbacking Clipper fans!
Posted by: Tim | March 21, 2007 at 01:34 PM
Its been a while,can you blame me the lakers were losing,the lakers players are falling like crips an bloodz in the streetz,im getting phone calls from people i havn't talk to since the 3rd grade calling me up talking trash about the lakers.
Wow an look what I come back to,im hearing trade KOBE for pretty much second hand players,sasha is more clutch than KOBE an M JORDAN,luke walton is a defensive specialist an the lakers savor,Damn how long was I gone.
Any-wayz truth be told even when healthy we would just be a first are mybe second round team with this line-up
1)smush parker needs to call dorthy take a stroll down the yellow brick road to wizard to find his heart.
2 )LO the only time he use's his right hand is when he's playing with himself because that's his soft hand.
3)luke walton has feet like his father,you think he was slow footed before the ankle injury just wait,an he couldn't hit a clutch shot if some-one tied up his family an told him to make a 3,That's not fair to luke that would be tough for anyone i'll be sweating more than kobe did in the denver police sub-station,(BUT THEN AGAIN NOT EVERYONES AS CLUTCH SASHA!!!!!!!!!!!!! G-DUDE IM GOING TO RIDE THAT UNTIL THE WHEEL'S FALL OFF)
4)K-BROWN hand must be the size of puppy-nuttz are something,are his knuckle's must be on the inside of his hands,something is wrong,how big are his feet,he must be the only 7 footer wearing a size 8 1/2 shoe size im gonna be like chick an go out on the lem a say that's not normal.To his credit he has nice feet work,but then again he does only wear a size 8 an if you have small feet you should have good feet work.He does a nice spin move in the lane an throw's up a brick,he's to hard to strong he has no touch around the basket he needs to be soft like when LO plays with himself with his right hand.
5)Drew is a waste of size he is 280 sofffttted how long are we going to wait until he develop's,watching him play is like watching my 1 year old daughter walk with out her walker,it's like he doesn't have bones in his feet are something he is 3-4 years away from becoming a stud in this league an we dont have that type of time.
An these my friends are The MAMBAS supporting cast an this is way he should get M.V.P
COMPTON
Posted by: COMPTON'S FINEST | March 21, 2007 at 01:44 PM
Adam,
If they play like the top teams in the playoffs like they did before the injuries this year, it is very possible. They play hard against and beat all of the top western teams, and could "upset" any of them. When healthy, they play Dallas, San Antonio, and Phoenix as well as anyone. If you watched the games, it's not a far fetched idea. They are an improved and more experienced team than they were last year when they should've beat phoenix.....
Posted by: wondahbap | March 21, 2007 at 01:48 PM
( does this sound like someone who wants to trade Kobe )
It's all Kobe's fault. He sucks. He's what's wrong with the NBA.
Just like it is Bush's fault. He is the reason for all trouble in the world. Bush and Kobe are evil. I want instant gratification. The world owes me and I am entitled to it if not I will take it. I say trade Kobe and start all over .
Here is my thought, I would trade Smush before Kobe. Just kind of makes since to me, but who know's I could be wrong. I do know they did try in earnest in getting Kidd. That is all I needed to know. Buss will not continue down this same path. I would have to think in my heart they probally won't it more than I do. Injuries killed the team this year but next year changes will be made.
Go Lakers and Kobe you are the BEST IN THE WORLD, now the franchise has to get you some players not named Smush.
bd
Posted by: bd | March 21, 2007 at 01:48 PM
Fakerz,
Why don't we trade Kobe for one two 2nd round picks? Any other great idea? I and anyone else here wondering what and how long did you smoke to come up with this great solution to all the Lakers problems?
As a true Laker fans we're all here agree, Lakers don't have a pieces around Kobe to become contender. I don't know if this is just a one impact player, I mean starter or starter and 6th man, like solid bench player. But I think we're much closer than team starting from blank page rebuilding process. Sometimes, it's matter of luck. Just look at Clips, so many years they been in the position to draft highest picks, trading and so on and look at the end result, it's very likely they'll be out of playof this year.
Posted by: LAL_Fan | March 21, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Kobe is not capable to do this and that. I'm surprised at you, people. How in the world it’s Kobe’s responsibility to teach Kwame how to catch damn ball? Looks to me it’s like basic skill when you are playing in NBA, something called FUNDAMENTALS. I doubt this is also responsibility of PJ and his staff to do this either. They trying to teach triangle, what is position if you’re playing 5 or 4, where do you need to be and etc. Catching the ball, dunking the ball, shooting jump shot, it’s all FUNDAMENTALS and NBA player especially one who already 5 years in this league should be capable of doing it by now. The same true for Sasha who can shoot ball during the practice but obviously incapable of doing it during the game. How in the world this a Kobe’s responsibility?
Posted by: LAL_Fan | March 21, 2007 at 02:01 PM
WHOEVER SAID TRADE KOBE ISN'T A REAL FAN
WHOEVER SAID TRADE KOBE ISN'T A REAL FAN
WHOEVER SAID TRADE KOBE ISN'T A REAL FAN
WHOEVER SAID TRADE KOBE ISN'T A REAL FAN
WHOEVER SAID TRADE KOBE ISN'T A REAL FAN
WHOEVER SAID TRADE KOBE ISN'T A REAL FAN
WHOEVER SAID TRADE KOBE ISN'T A REAL FAN
WHOEVER SAID TRADE KOBE ISN'T A REAL FAN
The only person that is at fault is Mitch and you can throw Buss in there for hiring him
The next GM should b Magic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Zakee | March 21, 2007 at 02:06 PM
They should hire Magic next year.
Great business man!!!!!
Posted by: Zakee | March 21, 2007 at 02:08 PM
About Drew.. I don’t know if he ever develops into dominant center. Looking at his demeanor, work ethics and habits I have my doubts. Yes, it’s not always easy to score but what is problem with rebounding? Getting rebound for 7 footer should be matter of anticipation, reaction and speed. The big question is he poses any of those skills and if not is he ever would be able to develop it?
Posted by: LAL_Fan | March 21, 2007 at 02:12 PM
If we were ever to trade Kobe, which would be an idiotic move... you definitely go after a team like Boston, Charlotte, or Memphis that would have a high draft pick. The Lakers would basically be saying "we give up, we're going with youth", so why njot get a high 1st round pick out of it too.
In a trade with someone like Charlotte, you could get Gerald Wallace, Adam Morrison, Sean May and a #1 pick.
Or Memphis you get Mike Miller, Hakim Warrick, Rudy Gay, and a #1 pick.
But the fact is, I would NEVER trade Kobe Bryant. These guys are very close to being a good team. A couple moves here and there (PG), and this team is dangerous. Patience is key.
Posted by: DR | March 21, 2007 at 02:22 PM
Article from Mike Celizic on MSNBC- Today's topic on the blog.
Lakers’ only hope is for Kobe to be selfish!!!!!
Star criticized for hogging the ball, but that’s what his team needs
With great talent comes great responsibility. That’s how the old adage goes, but what you don’t often hear is the corollary to that truism, which is that it also brings a manure wagon of criticism.
Just ask Kobe Bryant about that. He’s just had the two greatest back-to-back games of his illustrious career — 65 points against Portland and 50 against Minnesota — and somehow it’s wrong.
Mind you, this isn’t a common occurrence in the NBA. The last Laker to go for at least 50 in back-to-back games wasn’t Kobe’s good buddy Shaquille O’Neal. It wasn’t Magic Johnson. Nor was it Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It was, the record books say, Elgin Baylor and it happened a mere 45 years ago, in 1962. In the past 10 years, in the entire NBA, only two players have done it, Antawn Jamison in 2000 and Allen Iverson in 2004.
Naturally, the only explanation for this is that Kobe is selfish enough to some day be the President of North Korea.
That’s what some people are saying, at any rate, these being the same people who were also saying during the Lakers’ recent seven-game losing streak that Kobe wasn’t doing enough to help his team win.
It makes you wonder why so many people want to be superstars. Must be that they feel the need for more criticism in their lives but don’t want to get married. Face it: you don’t even need hands to have enough fingers on which to count the superstars who get away criticism-free in this world.
Kobe has taken at least his fair share over the years, and a substantial part of it has been deserved, including the recent bit when there was much sturm und drang over his serial “accidental” elbows to the faces of opponents.
But even he doesn’t deserve all the slurs directed his way. The man does have three rings, even if he had a little help from Shaq in earning them. And he is not just the Lakers’ best hope of doing something in the playoffs, he’s also their only hope.
Before Kobe erupted for 115 points in two games, the Lakers had lost seven straight and 13 of 16 and had fallen to the seventh playoff spot in the West. He wasn’t playing badly — the man is averaging better then 30 points a game on the season. But it wasn’t enough.
If Bryant has a real problem, it’s Alex Rodriguez Syndrome. He listens to the criticism and tries to make everybody happy. So if people say he shoots too much, he stops shooting.
But while he wants to please everyone, he also wants to win. And, truth be known, he really does love nothing better than to have the ball and shoot it early and often.
Okay, so that’s selfish. But the Lakers are in no condition to quibble about Kobe’s motivation. The truth is that when he was trying to get everyone involved, the Lakers, who have been battling critical injuries, were losing at a pace that would have embarrassed even the old Clippers.
So after seven straight losses, Kobe took matters — and the ball — into his own hands and sent his conscience on holiday. Yes, he did hog the rock and score 65, but the Lakers also won. In the next game, he hogged it again, scored 50, and, lo and behold, the Lakers won again.
If this be selfishness, the Lakers would like more of it.
Look. All athletes are selfish. Every single one of them wants to be what the people who watch them want to be — the guy who makes all the plays and wins all the games. Only a very, very few can actually be that man, so most players get with the concept of the team, if only because that’s how they can keep their jobs and have the best chance of winning.
So being selfish isn’t the crime. What is a problem is putting one’s greed for numbers ahead of the greed for wins.
You can be utterly positive that Kobe enjoys scoring all those points, but he also wants to win. The guy you don’t want is the one who scores 50 when his team loses by 20 and then leaves the arena as pleased as punch at his own brilliance. The one you want is the selfish s.o.b. who scores 50 and goes home delighted because all those points helped his team win.
Michael Jordan didn’t score 50 every night, but he didn’t have to. If his Bulls needed that many points out of him, that’s what he’d have given them — every night. Even when he scored “only” 30, in the fourth quarter of a tight game, rare was the trip down court that didn’t involve him with the ball in his talented hands.
Right now, the Lakers need Kobe to score as many points as he possibly can. If that helps them win, who cares what his motivation is?
Posted by: bd | March 21, 2007 at 02:24 PM
bd,
Bush is actually helping to screw with the world and its stability with his war mongering ways. He's mislead people into a war that now has no end; helped throw a nation into chaos and encourage terrorism as a result.
All Kobe did was have some disagreements with Shaq and a marital indiscretion.
Clearly they are not on the same level.
Kobe doesn't deserve the criticism he gets, whereas Bush does. Bush made his own bed and he's sleeping in it now.
Posted by: eniq 0x00 | March 21, 2007 at 02:29 PM
I am with you Magic for GM next year.
Cupcake go home!
Jerry Buss jump under the Bus
Jeannie take care of Phil
Kobe keeg going
KG come here baby!
Posted by: gugy | March 21, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Lakerfan,
I'm beginning to question Laker's scouting too. I have been questioning Kupchak (like everyone else)....but when I'm reading articles that a cheerleader is a scout, it makes me wonder what is going on. A cheerleader? What are her credentials? I'm not gonna bash her just yet, but wasn;t there anyone, whose life was actually spent on the court playing and not cherring available. I mean, are the Girls Next Door going to be the assistant coaches next year? Anyone know what qualifies her, because that artcle AK/Bk linked sure didn;ttell me much, except that she hot. AK/BK? Could you tell us please......?
Posted by: wondahbap | March 21, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Guys, the truth is Kobe and Shaq did not want to play with each other.
Stupid, because if they kept together we will be celebrating maybe five or six titles by now.
Egos, Both for Shaq and Kobe. Shaq wanted more money, get rid of Kobe and he was getting old. Not giving 100%. Kobe wanted the spotlight for himself.
Unfortunately, both were at fault.
Now, since we have only Kobe we need to get our next Shaq (KG), Then the titles will come.
Do it now!
Posted by: gugy | March 21, 2007 at 02:41 PM
So Mike Celizic is on the KOBE should be "selfish" bandwagon...
1) Finally, people are realizing that Kobe needs to score to win
2) Why is it that Kobe has to be called "selfish" in the first place? Why allude to someone magical selfish motivation for whatever he does?
Why cant he just be a great player with immense talent doing everything he can do to win???
Kobe Haters 101 is in full session in the media....
Posted by: Korey | March 21, 2007 at 02:41 PM
I can't believe all the bulls**t that I am hearing. Trade Kobe, he's a ballhog. I am a true Laker fan and I watch almost every game. Some people just look at the stats and the highlights and make their judgements on that. Kobe has been passing the ball and trying to get his teammates involved in the game all year long. He is a winner and will do whatever it takes to win. When somebody else scores 50 plus points they get praised, but when Kobe does it he is selfish and a ballhog. We just lost 7 games in a row and was about to be 8 and Kobe would not let that happen. If nobody else is going to step up and do something, I don't blame Kobe for wanting to win and doing what it takes to win. He doesn't just come out and try to score 50 plus points a game to stroke is ego or something he does it because if he didn't then we would lose the game. I like the aggresive Kobe rather than the passive Kobe. We need Kobe to play like that to win. He doesn't have to score 50 points, but be aggresive from the start of the game.
Posted by: SMITTY | March 21, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Why does TJ Simers like to call his daughter Ms. Radio Personality? Is he implying that she has a "radio face" (As in face well suited for the radio.)?
The Troll
Posted by: The troll | March 21, 2007 at 03:00 PM
I am not a Charlie Rosen fan.. but he made some points on the Loose Cannons today that I absolutely agree with..
1) This team doesn't have the talent and brains needed to run the triangle. Luke is our best faciliator.. but he doesn't have the athleticism to break down the defense off the dribble and attack consistently..
2) On an unbalanced team like this where there is probably two guys at most who can penetrate and break the defense down, there has to be guys with specific roles. A guy setting picks.. guys who rebound.. guys on the perimeter getting open for shots.. Kobe being a scorer is his main role. Nothing wrong with that.
My comment: just like a guy fishing for assists, rebounds, steals isn't called "selfish".. a guy looking to put the ball in the hole shouldn't be called "selfish" as long as he is not forcing it.
3) This team can't get better on defense because they don't have players with that ability to slow down a player individually or the inside presence. Effort only gets you some good results. (but I'll take some effort right about now)
Posted by: Lakerfan | March 21, 2007 at 03:14 PM
DR & Sarb
Your earlier posts about all the #24 haters around the country and on this blog are
right on point!!
If #24 was on any other team I'd give him his props, but would HATE his guts!!
When MJ was starring on the Bulls, I loved to watch him ball and appreciated his greatness, but since he ALWAYS scorched the LakeShow...I HATED HIM!!
That's why all the #24 haters!!
'nuf said!!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: NY Laker Fanatic | March 21, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Smitty,
I agree with everything you say.
Posted by: Gabe | March 21, 2007 at 03:23 PM
geek dude
Sasha is more clutch than #24???
U R KIDDIN' RIGHT?!?!?
Maybe while drivin' his stick shift 560 benzo convertible down the Harbor freeway on the way to practice in El Segundo he uses his clutch more than #24! LOL!!
I think THAT is the weakest post I've seen!!
WOW, that's WAAAAAY out there, but hey to each his own opinion!!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: NY Laker Fanatic | March 21, 2007 at 03:28 PM
I don't know if anybody posted this, so here it goes http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2806492&name=stein_marc
Tolerance for Zero vows dimming
by: Marc Stein
posted: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Gilbert Arenas
If Kobe Bryant vowed to score 50 points -- against anybody -- you know what would happen. The talk shows wouldn't be talking about anything else. Even in March.
If Kobe publicly put that kind of individual goal out there instead of talking team? He'd be grilled all day for days.
So how does Gilbert Arenas get away with it?
Answer: Arenas doesn't, either.
Not anymore.
I love Gilbertology and his commitment to entertainment as much as anyone, but the laughter stopped Tuesday night. Or at least you'd like to believe it did.
Here's hoping events in Portland will finally start convincing Arenas that, refreshing as he can be when he gets going, you don't have to cross every line.
Entertaining never trumps winning, even for Captain Quirk.
As I'm sure you remember, Gilbert vowed in February to hang a 50-point game on Portland as "payback" for whatever role Blazers coach Nate McMillan had as an assistant in cutting Arenas from Team USA. But when the teams met in Washington, Arenas scored only nine points, bricking all eight of his 3-point attempts in a 3-for-15 nightmare from the field.
Before Tuesday's rematch, Arenas backed off roughly zero percent by making it clear beforehand that he'd be taking "a lot of shots" after squeezing off only 15 in the first meeting. Then he promptly submitted another O-fer from 3-point range (0-for-7) in managing a mere 19 points on 4-for-16 shooting in another Washington defeat. Only this time, Portland was playing without Zach Randolph.
Yet the ultimate indignity came afterward on TNT, when Charles Barkley announced to the world that it's time for Arenas "to let that go and quit talking about it." It being his Team USA omission last summer.
This is the same Barkley, remember, who siphoned years worth of motivation fuel out of his own exclusion from the 1984 Olympic team.
The Chuckster, of all people, is no longer a sympathizer. On a night that Washington's lead over Miami in the Southeast Division was sliced to a half-game, that was the surest sign yet that it's time for Gil to go public with some new,
Posted by: Outsidergua | March 21, 2007 at 03:33 PM
*******NEWS FLASH*******
It has come to our attention that there are imposters on the Laker Blog. One has a name of fakerz and he must be a bulls fan as he is lobbying for a dumb a$$ trade of Kobe fir a bunch of "role players".
The second imposter is obviously "Tim" (could it be "Timmy" from South Park?). He feels that they are many bloggers that agree to get rid of Kobe in order to "improve" our team.
Obviously, they don't get to see 81+ games of Kobe like the rest of us.
FAKERZ and TIMMY!!! Please confess your true allegiance....
Go Lakers!
p.s. Can we get these dudes filtered out of the blog entirely. What a waste of space...
Posted by: janaya | March 21, 2007 at 03:37 PM
smitty
I second what gabe said!!
right on brutha!!
Posted by: NY Laker Fanatic | March 21, 2007 at 03:40 PM
Greek Dude already admited that he was joking about that part.
Posted by: Tim | March 21, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Yeah and we should have traded Magic to!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Trade Kobe.
Whoever said that sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who ever said that must also think that Smush is good too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where did this trade Kobe thing come from?????????????????
If Kobe goes I gone too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What you want me to be a fan of Smush and Kupchak and BUSS
YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Zakee | March 21, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Good post Smitty,
And Kobe would be one of the assist leaders in the league not only this year but last year as well if only:
Kwame Brown could catch a pass (for you MT)
Kwame Brown could make a dunk or layup (also you you MT)
Kwame Brown could make any shot at all! (MT)
Sasha would stop putting up 3 point clank fests and go back to Europe.
Brian Cook had any kind of consistancy.
Smush Parker was'nt on the team.
How many times with the above scenarioes has this team cost Kobe assist after assist? Too many to count thats for darn sure and not just Kobe but Lamar and Luke as well.
But see thats why Smitty's post was so compelling because alot of people DONT watch the games they just read the stat sheets the next day to see how their fantasy league is doing and think they are fans because they read ESPN or JA Adande and come to a blog with real fans and makes themselves look dumb.
Posted by: BrandonC | March 21, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Yeah and we should have traded Magic to!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Trade Kobe.
Whoever said that sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who ever said that must also think that Smush is good too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where did this trade Kobe thing come from?????????????????
If Kobe goes I gone too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What you want me to be a fan of Smush and Kupchak and BUSS
YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Zakee | March 21, 2007 at 03:42 PM
While I doubt that the Lakers could replace Kobe's value in a trade, it certainly isn't "hating" to be willing to trade Kobe away, if the right trade could be done.
After all, the team is the L.A. Lakers, not the L.A. Kobes.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 21, 2007 at 03:43 PM
question to the blog group...
How many championships would the LakeShow have won without the Mamba??
Posted by: NY Laker Fanatic | March 21, 2007 at 03:47 PM
I have absolutely no doubt that Kobe Bryant is the only player in the history of the NBA that could score 115 points in two games while willing his team to two victories following a seven game losing streak and fans of his team start calling for him to be traded.There is possibly not a player in history that could have done what he did against portland...Do you people go through red traffic lights thinking they are green? what the F&rk is wrong with you?
Posted by: Kiwi | March 21, 2007 at 04:08 PM
Did anybody seen the foul Carter commited on Clippers Ross.
It was not intentional , but still his elbow knocked Ross to the floor where he spent lying at least 3 min before being helped by his teammates,
Talk about bias on Kobe !!!!!
Posted by: albert | March 21, 2007 at 04:13 PM
Let me tellyou something.
To everyone believing Shaq would have won titles with T-Mac, Vince, AI or some other players.
I am sure Kobe would have won a lot more with KG. KG's dedication, skills, defense are unparalleled , he is a lot more crafty at any part of the court then Shaq.
We should have sent his fat ass to Minnesota for KG , straight !
The problem , Wolves would have never fell for that . LOL.
KG +KOBE=CONTENDERS.
Posted by: albert | March 21, 2007 at 04:23 PM
I'll take Kobe w/ 50 an the WIN over kobe with 20 and a loss anyday and twice on Sunday's. What the heck are you Kobe's caught up on Michael's records people trippin' on? Win by any means possible! we'd be 0-9 otherwise. Oh my bad you guys want a lottery pick, or quick fix to a long term issue... ie building a dynasty. you are all in the same group that were praising the Clippers after on winning season. Do us a favor and find team to route for an another blog.
Faze
lakers 4 life
Posted by: lakerfaze | March 21, 2007 at 04:29 PM
I was dead wrong on Bynum.
That last incident kind of changed my opinion of him.
Big Game Worthy said he was a nice kid but after he disrespected KB , PHIL and it took several Lakers to calm him down I see it as a sign of future problems.
He wanted the ball all game long , but KG would have eaten him alive in that position, so Lakers avoided passing the ball to him.
Let me teel U .
If Bynum continues to drag his stupid legs on defense , stand around and foul people , make faces after being whistled for a foul , SIT HIS ASS DOWN !
Posted by: albert | March 21, 2007 at 04:32 PM
Fakerz,
It is blatanltly obvious that you dislike Kobe as a person, as opposed to as a basketball player. There is no rational thought in any of your arguments. Yes, this is year three, but have you forgotten about the first two years? Year one, we lose our head coach midseason, we lose Malone, than lose Lamar to injury, while playing with a bunch of srubs. Not to mention, we were paying Brain Grant's huge contract as well. Last year, we are adapting into a new system, the triangle, we take an elite team to game seven. This year, we are killed by injuries, but still in the playoff hunt. That's consistent improvement even with a bunch of D-league players. Next year, we will be even better with a healthy squad, and, hopefully through trades or free agency. You claim that Kobe does not develop players? LO was playing like an allstar at the beginning of the season. Look at Luke's improvement this year. Would you have traded Shaq before 2000 as well? Or even Jordan befire 1991? Let's see how much Smush improves on another team next year. You seem like an intelligent person and you might actually be a Laker fan, but you are blinded by your biased hate. Phil stated that Kobe has more responsibility than Jordan ever had. Why? Because of his supporting cast. After Colorado, Shaq leaving, and Phil's book, Kobe has been playing with more pressure on him than arguably anybody in NBA histrory. With all that baggage, he still had one of the greatest individual seasons ever last year. If we get another star on this team, say Garnett, Billups, etc., do you really think this team will not contend for a championship in the near future? Do you root for Kobe to screw up when you watch games? I have a strong feeling you wanted Kobe out after the Shaq trade, and waited until the Lakers were struggling (mainly due to injuries) before you came out with your hate and started blaming one of the greatest of all time.
Posted by: Mitchell | March 21, 2007 at 04:33 PM
D-Wade makes his injures larger than life.
He is such a b....ch.
Everything about him is a drama , the theater with one actor in it !
He is helped off the court with a *life-treatening* injury , only to come back 10 min later to standing ovation of Heat crowd.
One they said , Wade sustained severe knee sprain and he comes back in the same game , continues his *heroics*. Are you kidding me. With knee sprain you wont be able to walk , let alone play NBA basketball. It is made for an uninformed , gullable , stupid NBA fans and it works every time.
Kobe has never done it . Ever. Talk about his mistake talking about Shaq with police (allegedly). Ok , I would never be able to forget that about Kobe.
That said, on the court he was always the fighter. Ones he passed all of his open shots to his teammates during Sac game , they MISSED all the shots.
Remember Shaq used to pretend he was hurt , sitting games out , showing Lakers could not win without him ?
Game 7 in Phoenix was Kobe's way of proving the same point.
We should make it a priority, surrounding the best player in the world with worthy teammates NEXT season and become a contenders.
Kobe has 3-4 very productive years in him , but I would not be surprized seeing him having great numbers for the next 6-7 seasons.
Posted by: albert | March 21, 2007 at 04:52 PM
if u wanna read a another stupid posting (probably posted by Faker or one of his relatives).
check this out
http://basketbawful.blogspot.com/2007/03/kobes-65-what-about-nashs-64.html
Posted by: Sarb | March 21, 2007 at 04:52 PM
Lost in all this trade Kobe discussion was Mike T's Offer -
"Give me Kwame Brown and I will turn him into a monster on both the defensive and offensive end of the game. I guarantee you that"
Tell you what Mike, Compile your resume (juvenile deliquent, highest pointer in incarceration, partime strongman, fulltime blog bully, layout artist, fulltime PJ journal witer) and send it to Dr. Buss. LA coaching staff can always use good help.
Posted by: reality bites | March 21, 2007 at 05:00 PM
The Dandelion weeds that we left on thread 3..20 are still here and succeeding, now I read EX saying ..."provided we make the right trade." This is an old tactic that Dictators used in fooling the masses, just keep on repeating a concocted LIE eventually it could be closer to a fantasized TRUTH. What makes me wonder why these traders captivated the attention of the blog more than Mike T's fascination with Kwame, wherein the latter has more legitimate issues to tackle than what the traders were clamoring for. We were able to eradicate the old weeds last summer like Steven and Tarugo, why can't we uproot and bypass this one? For the old posters, by now you know whom to reply and which one should be IGNORED because it is really ridiculous to dump the only engine that's working in navigating rough roads of '07 season.
If you keep on entertaining NUTS, later on you also become a NUT and talk like a nut by saying "provided we make the right trades" ...... or somebody saying if ever "we should trade them to right team like Bobcats, Raftors or Sonics etc" haha!
PS. One good aspect, it awakened the rip van winkle bloggers like Compton Finest, Hariyahu, Zack Z and Rocky they come back in defense of Mamba. For quite sometime, I have not heard the other old reliables like: Wizo, Shady, Magic=Goat, Arthas, jimbo, scott, mannie, lakerfan in UK, weave-man, r g gaznabi, lamar show, purple n gold, lakersrydeordie, JoniinJapan, lolo and stargazin' and many more....If Mamba takes this team deeper in the playoffs, perhaps they will come back to this blog.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 21, 2007 at 05:07 PM
edwin,
what's your fascination with steven and tarugo?
Posted by: reality bites | March 21, 2007 at 05:16 PM
Hey Edwin, it is not nuts to suggest trading Kobe. He is at peak value now and it is pretty obvious that we aren't going to win with him. Even if we get another all star, there is only one ball and Kobe is loathe to give it up. We can't win with him here. Does everyone at least agree on that?
Posted by: Jamison | March 21, 2007 at 05:22 PM