ALL TRU LAKER FANS

At this point they don't want to hurt Smush's confidence anymore then it is becasue in the playoffs we might need him for certain situations. I mean Smush is not a bad guy, just a horrible basketball player. The only way he can redeem himself is by playing role in winning this team a champioship. He can still do that by playing off of the bench. He can still play 15-20 mins a game depending on his play.

I just think that by bringing Smush off of the bench, Phil can control his attitude more. In return Smush may play better. That is the bottom line. Smush was out of control as a starter. He didn't apprecaite it and someone had to bring him back to reality along with the rest of the team. Phil gets let the team know that he is here to win at all cost and if that means that someone's feeling has to be hurt then so be it. I think Phil gave Smush all the chances in the world to play the starting role, but Smush just took the sitiaution for granted and as a result he got sent to the second string.

Plus nobdoy can deny that the team runs better this way. Even the rotations are better. Smush just fits in better with the second unit. It is now going to be

Big Lineup

Smush
Evans
Racman
Turiaf
Bynum

3 point lineup

Sasha
Evans/Kobe
Racman
Cook
Turiaf
Now if that is not the best second unit in the NBA then I don't know what is

I've said it before & I'll say it again.

Smush Parker is an exceptionally talented basketball player... on offense. Yet, for 2 years now, he hasn't improved his defensive skills; not even a little bit. Subsequently, he is forced to gamble constantly which, more often than not, leads to him getting beat by his man which, in turn, leads to easy looks/baskets for the opposition & fouls on our big men [i.e. defensive breakdowns]. Not having Kwame & Mihm in the line-up has truly unmasked this detrimental deficiency His focus fades with every quarter that lapses. His stamina isn't entirely there. And above all, his attitude & reaction [up until this past Sunday] to all these realizations [because I'm sure Phil & the coaching staff have pointed all this out to him] has been unacceptable.

This is the NBA. Jerry West, a Laker, is the logo! The franchise you [Smush] play for is one of the most esteemed in ALL of sports. This ain't the street courts of New York, son. Please, have a little pride and respect for something more than yourself! Show us the mental fortitude to be able to adjust & adapt properly to specific games and situations. Farmar has much potential, but is exteremely inexperienced in professional play. Sasha is simply a good bench player. Mckie & Williams have the "break in case of emergency" status. Smushy, you've still got time to redeem yourself in the playoffs bud. Buckle down. Play some D! Hit a couple jumpers early. Drive to the bucket late. And swing the ball through Kobe; after all, he is the BEST player in the NBA... no doubt!!

Injuries suck, but now that these guys are getting healthier, they [injuries] may prove to be a blessing in disguise. Good job getting into the playoffs gents. Anything less would have been uncivilized. Let's win Wednsday... The Suns got some retribution coming their way!

Man, what a rough season!

It's funny, I've been reading the recents posts and the most sensible person around is exhelodrvr. Are we really discussing bringing KG in? For the last time, it won't happen unless the guy opts out, which I doubt he'll do. You take any team who loses 3 or 4 of there top players, they will struggle. I do recognize how horrible the Lakers have looked at times. The bottom line is that we're in now so lets enjoy it and make the best of it.

LakerTom,

I'm surprised at you giving up and going GHE like that! LOL! I think you finally have gotten your wish of Farmar starting and its coming at the right time. If he can force Nash to use up some of that energy it could get interesting.

Korey,

We're not trading Bynum, so stop it.

Peace, Ken

This just in from ESPN:

West stepping down from Grizzlies
NBA icon Jerry West says he will leave as the Memphis Grizzlies' director of basketball operations on July 1.

Come back to us mr. logo!!!

Zakee,
"Plus nobdoy can deny that the team runs better this way."

Yes, you can. Because there has only been one game, against a crappy team.

When it's said and done folks, we will all look back and realize the turning point of the season...
When LakerTom ressurected the Start Farmar Bandwagon for the "hall of memories"

Having Jordan to guard Nash will be our saving grace. Look at how we were able to come back on them, (while playing terrible) because Sasha actually stayed in front of him.

I'm hopeful for a win or two... but perhaps, just perhaps we could win 4!

BrandonC

I don't know where that came from, but whatever.

Smush sucks as a starter. That is the bottom line. Now a person that comes off of the bench, I don't know. I have never seen him off the bench. I won't kick the man while he is down. When I was kicking him he was a starter. Now that he is down I want him to earn his keep some type of way. If he does earn his keep, then that can only mean good things for the Lakers

If he sucks then he will probably move further back in the rotation until after the first serious. The is the reality of things. I just understand how huge of a move it was. It took Phil 80 games to make the decision that was right for the team and since he has done that I will now ride with the Lakers all the way to the end.

Because he now has a leash on your man SMUSH. With a leash on Smush, our team is more under control. If you can't see that or are in denial then you don;t know basketball. If you didn't listen to the attitudes of the players then you don;t know basketball.

The bottom line is that I only bashed Smush to get my point across that he SHOULDN'T in no way be a starter. Now that he is not a starter, I am back to cheering for the LAKERS. an Phil has put together the best lineup that gives the Lakers the best chance to win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wake up and stop being so stubborn. Even I stopped yelling at Smush. I mean now if I yell at him, Phil will be think the same thing!!!!!!!!!!

Exhel

No it hasn't just been one game. It has really been the enitre season. This is just the first time that he has done it as a starter!!!!!

I bet you if you do the (=) (-) THING like they were doing at the begining of the season, the best lineup would by far be without Smush. Why are you trying to argue something that is the truth. I mean come on. Open your eyes. Even Phil has finally realized that Farmer is better for the team.

If you like Smush that much then cheer for him next year. He will probably be with the Spurs with POP. At least with that coach he will no not to bull------around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Phil playing Farmar 14 total minutes in the three games prior to Seattle, and then starting him against a crappy team, was all part of a master plan? Don' t you think, if he was planning to start him in the playoffs, he would have given him more time in those other three games?

My guess is that SMush willl be the starter in the playoffs, and that this game was seen as

1) an opportunity to give Farmar some relatively easy competition (just like they did when having him play in the recent D League games) and

2) an opportunity to send SMush a message.

Farmar has not suddenly "found his shot" or turned a significant corner in his development.

While I agree a Kobe/Garnett tandem may bring a couple of championships, I still wish Kobe can get that trophy without super-superstar help, if only to cement his legacy as one among the best who ever played the game.

I think an upgrade at PG and SG/PF should do the trick. A starting five that is serviceable on both ends of the court will have a good chance at a dynasty. The others - role players - are situational and can be one-dimensional.

Not that I mean to promote other NBA blogs on this esteemed institution, but I came across a very interesting tid bit about "how" and "why" a Garnett to the Lakers trade would work...on the T'Wolve's blog! Here it is:

http://www.twolvesblog.com/2006/12/03/kevin-garnett-trade-los-angeles-lakers/

I also spotted this on espn.com:

"But at least one (Jermaine) O'Neal teammate believes that the four-time All-Star hopes to end up in Los Angeles next season alongside Kobe Bryant, his fellow preps-to-pros groundbreaker from the draft class of 1996. O'Neal and Bryant are said to be still fairly close after coming into the league together."

Garnett or O'neal? I'd take either one, especially if the Lakers could build around them along with a core of Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar and Rony Turiaff.

Martin Lastrapes,
That trade STRIPS the Lakers of Lamar, Bynum, Kwame, and MO. There is really nothing left but Kobe to build around. Agggh!

Too many new faces.

we've been playing well with kobe at the point, evans at the 2, luke at the 3, lamar at the 4, and turiaf at the 5. it suprized me when we played with that lineup, but it was really effective.

Craig W,

I like Lamar, Bynum, Kwame, and MO (not equally, of course). But when I think about what Garnett and Kobe could do together, it just makes sense to give up what ever is needed. If you're looking at pure basketball talent, then by all means look no further than Lamar Odom. However, if you're looking for pure talent with a fire to compete like no other, then look no further than Kevin Garnett. Between Kobe and Garnett, you would not only have to of the to 5 players in the Association, but you would have the two most competetive spirits in the whole league. And, sure, the Lakers would have to give up talent, but think about the free agents who would flock to L.A. to team up with a core of Kobe and Garnett. Look at the players that teams like the Spurs, Mavericks and Heat get, for bargain rates, just for the chance to play on a contender. Also consider their age. Kobe is 28 (or 29) and Garnett is 30 (or so); you would have both of these guys in their prime for at least 3 seasons. And even out of their prime, they would still be among the best duos in the league. It just makes too much sense. If Garnett is on the table, I think the Lakers should (and will) go after him at any cost.

M

I think the only no-no this off-season, other than trading Kobe, is trading both Lamar and Bynum for the same player. No way do you double those two up.

Seperate deals, like one that brings in Bibby and Garnett, I'd be ok with...

Wouldn't you?

Wes

Given world events, it's healing to be able to dip into the frivolous (by comparison) world of the modern sports franchise.

If it's a town meeting, it must be time to pull another season ticket buying incentive out of their Laker 7th seed caps. Mitch and the Buss boys are going to have to make a Hollywood size move or suffer a very long season of boos in 08.

Just the fact that there has to be a town meeting is a major red flag in such a storied organization. When Kobe and Phil don't win even though it looks like a re run of the Bulls dynasty, no one knows better than an LA fan how looks are deceiving. Explanations are in order.

From the report, sometimes you have to wonder if we're watching the same team they are. Luke, Bynum an old Laker? Is this a goal? Injuries, bla ba, youthful inexperience, bla bla, we're optimistic yada bla. This town runs on the star system. We need another one, and we're one early out of a Phoenix series away from that phone call.

Go Mitch, Go Jerry

Mamba,
Bynum
KG
Turiaf
Kobe
Farmar

doesn't have a small forward. What about playing Walton at SF, and using Turiaf to sub for Bynum and Garnett?

Mamba,

I think that's the answer. Odom and Kwame for Garnett. I'm glad you said it and not me.

Wes

That tatoo on Zakee's butt makes me wonder, who has the best tatoo in show business?

I say Johnny Depp, by changing "Winona Forever" to "Wino Forever".

Wes

AK & BK (and all the bloggers),

what are the chances of dr. buss bringing back jerry west as general manager of the los angeles lakers?

is dr. buss happy with the job kupchak is doing? does he feel kupchak's shortcomings are simply a result of injuries?

do buss & kupchak have a deep bond?

does dr. buss think kupchak is a better gm than jerry west?

plenty of questions.

however, i ask it because dr. buss put his ego aside and brought phil jackson back.

so there remains the chance of buss bringing west back, right?

or are those different cirucumstances???

no disrespect to kupchak, jerry west is just the better man for the job.

if dr. buss prefers having the best coach in the game, the best player in the game, then why not the best gm in the game???

i hope dr. buss at least meets with jerry west.

if jerry west turns down the gig, then i at least i know we asked.

while i want kg or jermaine o'neal this summer, i'd rather have jerry west.

because he may help these deals happen much quicker/easier.

and jerry west may even have some other brilliant ideas than none of us have even thought of yet.

Its time for the end of the season awards
Known as the "Fatty's'

Most Literate Blogger: Edwin - Historical Perspectives? Cervantes? You mean you actually read this stuff in school?

The Spock Award : Exhelodrvr for excellance in logical reasoning.

Most Prolific: JJ (How many Key boards do you wear out in a year?)

The Mad Genius Award: Mike T. Their is a fine line between Genius and Madness and M.T. walks that line very finely.

Most Annoying: Sorry Zakee, You win this hands down with "Smush Sucks" Auditors have you saying this 332,918 times on the Laker blog. But who of us here can say our post was shared on the Laker Post Game show?

The Troll: Sunny Belfast - Funny, clever and a Kings Fan. Normally an impossible combination. Sunny stood out from Fakerz. I think breathing in all the Tule Fog has something to do with it.

The International: Kiwi - When sober, has very astute comments. Unfortunately too much pub time has destroyed quite a few brain cells. (Kobe deserves those suspensions?!!!)

G.H.E. Award: Laker Tom

G.H.F. Award: Laker Tom

The C. S. A. (Common Sense Award) Faith - When all is said and done, Faith can sum up any arguement with one word. "DEFENSE"

Luckiest Blogger: Exodus - Florida wins back to back and Football titles

Master of Misqoutes and Lists: Stargazin - Of Stargazin's Famous Fried Chicken and Home Mortgages Fame

"The Groupie": A close call between Bob, Cbuck, and Faith. All want to have Sasha's baby but Bob wins because she wants to have Luke's baby as well. (You'll have to fight Britney for that one) That would be fun to watch.

Blogmaster of the year: AK and his "evil twin brother" BK. An incredible job of mediating this madness and somehow keeping their sanity.

All y'all talking about next season need to stop! This season ain't over quite yet. We've got a date with Phoenix in the playoffs. There is some unfinished business Kobe needs to tend to regarding one Raja Bell. I guarantee all of you that he will make an example out of that dude. Just you wait. Homeboy is waaaaay overrated! Everybody on the Suns will have a hand in their face on just about every shot. You won't see Nash driving the lane nearly as much because Phil WILL rotate PG's and give Nash so many different looks his head'll start spinning. It's not really going to matter which PG starts [that is a reason why this team has 5 guys who can play point on the squad].

Kwame Brown may not be a saviour, but when he is playing with confidence & swagger [i.e. DUNKING the ball instead of laying it in], he is a definite factor down-low on both offense & defense. His impact upon the game may not always show up in the stat sheet, but it is subtly noticeable. Phil & his staff are well aware of this. Kwame's picks free up Kobe, Lamar or whomever - more often than not - for open looks. Double & triple teams on Kobe are less prevalent when Kwame is on the floor. And his mere presence on defense makes opposing players think twice about driving the lane.

Rest assured, management will make the proper decisions in the off season.

It ai'nt over 'til its over baby! Let's prove the pessimists wrong. Every team is vulnerable in the playoffs. 7 game series' provide a lot of time for adjustments. The Zen-meister [9 Rings man... 9!!] is our coach. Kobe is going to catch fire. Lamar will leave it all on the court every nite. The defense [as long as everyone stays healthy] holds steady. Lakers get to the second round, at least!!!

Exhel

Yes it took Phil 80 games to make that decision.

Ex:

“At this point, Parker is still better than Farmar. If the goal of the playoffs is to maximize the chance of winning, then Parker should play.”

You are ignoring the negative affect that Smush’s antics and attitude have had on the team’s chemistry. Sometimes, you get addition by subtraction. Even though Farmar is not an upgrade over Parker in terms of scoring ability or experience, he brings a team first attitude and proven history of mental toughness in the clutch, both traits that are more valuable to the starting lineup than the points that Parker sporadically provides.

I also don’t believe that starting Farmar was just a ploy by Phil to motivate Parker. I fully expect that Farmar will start on Wednesday and in the playoffs. The move is proof in my mind that Phil finally acknowledged that we were not going to beat Steve Nash and Phoenix with Smush Parker starting. While Farmar may not be the team’s starting point guard next year, my bet is that he will start the rest of the games this year.

Tom

And it looks like it was a good decision too. I mean Smush still played the same way coming off the bench. Farmer is the one that extended the leat.

Farmer was (+16) when in the game
Smush was (-8) points when he was in the game

I mean stats don't lie.
You can probably check the same stat over the past 4 weeks and I bet you that Sasha and Farmer are winning by points while in the lineup.