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.
Should not Kwame, after spending so much in the NBA and paid so much money, have become a monster on his own ?
See, this a problem , KB is surrounded by the bunch of bad players.
Bynum and Cook , have screamed at the coach and who are they ???? All Stars ?
And if they ever say on TV that Lakers are not communicating verbally on defense (after 65 games) my head will explode.
Posted by: albert | March 21, 2007 at 05:23 PM
Jamison:
I think if we bring legit big man to the Lakers , they can win.
The problem we encountering now is due to the mismanage .
Lakers have no cap room and besides KB and Lamar we dont have a single great player.
Look at SA (Duncan, Ginobli, Parker even Filley and Obierto) , Phoenix (well , I dont have to tell you) and Dallas( I dont need to .....LOL).
How come they have room and we dont ?
Because , like I said on this forum 50 times we do not have wise management (Jerry's kids+Kupchack) !
Its a great craft putting the team together !
Its pretty much as important as playing the game.
Othervise you end up with Kwame , Radmanovich , B Grant , Cook ......
You end up with team NOT COMMUNICATING ON DEFENSE AFTER 65 GAMES.
Posted by: albert | March 21, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Jamison,
You're clueless. I hope you were being sarcastic. If Kobe isn't helping out this team, why would bringing other weaker players help us? Maybe the problem isn't Kobe, maybe it's the lack of talent and health on this team.
Like others have stated repeatedly:
Kobe is not going to be traded; the team is rebuilding around him. Deal with it. Kobe isn't the problem on this team; the lack of talent is the problem.
Even Phil has had enough with the losing and has told Kobe to go on a tear to help this team limp into the playoffs. If you actually had a clue you'd inform yourself and read the relevant article on that. But you're arent interested in intellectual honesty, you're interested in pissing off fans of this team.
Posted by: eniq 0x00 | March 21, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Jamison, you obviously know nothing about B-ball man watch some games before you spurt out garbage. We have already won with Kobe and another All star you dweeb. The problem is we no longer have any other All stars on the squade besides Kobe. Get it through your thick heads you Kobe haters Kobe is not the problem with the Lakers, players lIke Odom who is a carrier underachiever and Kwame Brown who is still a project in his 6 year in the league these guys are the problem.
Posted by: thebigchill | March 21, 2007 at 06:06 PM
Albert,
"Bynum and Cook , have screamed at the coach and who are they ???? All Stars ?"
That's how Bynum and Cookie addressed the issue of under achieving by shouting back at the Coach. The more they squeak, then they get oiled just like the traders in this thread.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 21, 2007 at 06:43 PM
It fascinates me how other players in the league can go for a 50 pt night and the kudos go out to player X. Tracy McGrady can shoot 50 and he's so dominant. Does anyone count up his shots and chastise him for being a ball-hog or forsaking the team? Dirk Nowitzki goes for 50 and everyone applauds him for what?? What a great shooting performance. Gilbert Arenas is the most selfish scorer on the planet, even Adidas quit running his commercial about "it takes 5". Even Stevie Wonder can see it's all about GA. But GA goes for 50 and he's suddenly a superhero (Agent 0... ha-ha-ha). Kobe goes microwave hot against Portland and is hitting clutch shot after clutch shot in a game we desperately need and the call goes out that "we need to trade him while he's got value". Can't you pseudo-Laker fans move on to another team and allow some real Laker fans some space? FIDIOTS!
Posted by: laker ro | March 21, 2007 at 07:51 PM
I need to seperate myself from that other "Tim"... never ever saw that guy post before today. His email address is simply "J" which makes me wonder if someone with J as their email address would even be called Tim. Okay, so... thinking of a new name here Tim-4-Show. A little dual meaning there.
I really did laugh at this blog today... I could hardly contain myself. I mean, these morons actually think trading Kobe is a good idea? You couldn't even call it a trade, it's more like a give-a-way. These are the same people with the stockholm syndrome... they start worshipping the bullies that stole their lunch money, they want the bullies to take more of their lunch money.
Please sir, please sir, can you please take our best player for nothing... and here's my lunch money while you're at it. Oh goodie, we've got a lottery ticket, thank you sir, thank you sir, you're so kind.
Tim aka henceforth Tim-4-Show
Posted by: Tim | March 21, 2007 at 08:49 PM
this is really good. All of you should read over at least once!
Max Airington says:
Michael Jordan became who he was not only due to his talent and desire, but also because of his immaculate timing. He arrived on the scene when sports media and marketing were still in their developmental stages, and used his business acumen to establish himself as a force in the market. This was on top of being the best basketball player on the planet. There will never be another MJ, because not only would a player have to match his on court accomplishments, they would also have to completely revolutionize the way the sport is viewed and marketed. Its tough to be the guy who has to follow that act. Kobe came in and wanted to build from Money’s blueprint only to fail miserably. Not on the court, but in his projection of himself to the public at large. His behavior and mannerisms seemed calculated right down to his blinks. His first deviation from that cookie cutter image left him accused of rape, which apparently did nothing to enhance his ’street cred’-a facet of today’s NBA that MJ never would have acknowledged. All of Kobe’s moves are immediately placed under suspicion and overanalyzed due to his history of questionable behavior. Even if he literally took a bullet for LeBron, and pushed Wade out of the way of a speeding car, there would be speculation on his motivations. Then theres Shaq. It never ceases to amaze me how people continually give this guy a pass for his petulance. The fact of the matter is that he is extremely sensitive, and needs constant attention. Ask Phil Jackson. The way he tried to lay blame on Kobe for his trade to Miami is hilarious. As if his cursing out Jerry Buss during a pre-season game about his undeserved contract extension might have had something to do with it. It was primarily a business decision. Even if Kobe took out a full page ad in the LA Times, professing his love for Big, Buss was never going to give $20mil a season to an out of shape, injury prone, aging center. After watching him limp through this postseason would you want to owe him $80mil over the next four years? Yeah, me neither. More importantly, for all the Jordan comparisons that are thrown Kobe’s way, I’ve only heard one person bring attention to the most important question….could Michael have played with Shaq? The man said himself that he didn’t know what he would do. Michael was blessed with another excellent wing player that allowed him to roam freely around the court, posting or playing the perimiter as the situation dictated. He couldnt do that with a 7′2″ 350lb center clogging the driving lanes and constantly demanding the ball. Money was even more headstrong than Kobe, and if he was the little brother in that situation, I don’t think that he would have been any more deferential to Shaq-or appreciative of his sloppy work ethic. Bottom line, Kobe is still the most complete player in the game and is 27 years old. People just need to watch and see if his leadership and game develop of the next few years, and not let any biases or distastes for his personality interfere with an evaluation of his on court performance. (And no, that wasn’t directed at anyone in particular. Like Lang…) Besides, you don’t want me to break out MJ’s list of transgressions. How the hell do you give Steve Kerr a black eye? At least Kobe picks on someone bigger than him. But then again, Chris Childs did give him that two piece and a biscuit…okay I’m rambling again….
Posted by: adam kiley | March 21, 2007 at 10:25 PM
Kwame Brown is the type of player who will give fans, coaches and his fellow teammates fits with his inconsistency and lack of a fundamental offensive game. If Kwame had just a little offensive game, he would be an absolute stud. Kwame will continue to tantalize with glimpses of his POTENTIAL, but will he ever capatilize on his God-given talents? Only time will tell. At the beginning of the year, I commented on this blog that Kwame Brown's contributions would be crucial to the Laker's success this season. While that was not an earth shattering observation, it went to the fact of what a difference a commited, healthy and improving Kwame Brown could mean to the Lakers. The injuries alone can't explain away his disappointing season. If Kwame could only reach the goals that Phil and the coaching staff set for him over the summer of 15ppg and 10 rebounds this Laker team would be much, much better.
Mike Ten....
One thing I do agree with you about, is that the pass from Smush was way too fast from way too close. Basically it was Smush who butchered that particular play, but Kwame has messed more than his share by failing to finish around the rim. Shame, the Lakers really need him to step up.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 22, 2007 at 07:30 AM
bronxlakerfan,
What can you expect from smush? It is either it's something good or something bad, nothing is consistent. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 22, 2007 at 08:09 AM