I see what happened; Kobe's statements were supposed to divert attention from the DWI arrest. He just made them too early.

Tim-4S:

"You can't even rely on the famed Dr Buss anymore, he's out partying, driving the wrong way in a drunken stupor..."

Somehow, I think that the good Doctor has been drunk since ten minutes after Game 5 of our series with Phoenix ended. And not the partying kind of drunk. I'm talking about the "Leaving Las Vegas" kind of drunk.

I think everyone partied hard this past weekend.

News Alert.. ( hoohshype.com)
Laker roster will have two new players in exchange for Lamar, Bynum, Brown and Sasha plus the #19th as well as Luke Walton and Cook....

Kobe
PG ( someone picked up for 3 or 4m per season aka.. Charlie Bell)
Artest
Jermaine Oneil
Turiaf/Jeff Foster

Bench
Vrad
Turiaf/Foster
Mimm
Jordan Farmar
Orein Green

These trades will go down this offseason... Guys I hate to say but it looks like Lamar is on his way out, not that we dont get better in return....

This line-up can easily be the best defensive line-up in the game next year....

I was actually down there in Carlsbad having a few last night.

I could have given old Jerry a few tips on the offseason.

A Hollywood screenwriter probably couldnt have come up with a better script...

First, Kobe's "TRUTH" section on his website with details of the whole Shaq thing (FINALLLYYYY!!!!)

Then, the 80 year older pervert gets a DUI

I wonder what's going to happen next, this is reminding me of the 04 season...haha good times, good times

The way this summer is starting the Lakers Organization will go down the drain or somehow just somehow they pull it together and make something happen because what going on now is messing up next season allready.

Aloha Gino

Hey i went to that hoopshype site. It looks like just your typical trade speculation you get this time of year. We will be getting a lot of those kinds of stories for a while. I still think the Knicks will end up with Oneil.

MH

GINO.......geeeeeeee.....that sounds alot better defence wise .....i hope thats the case ....yipeeeeeeeeeeee

janaya,
That article was written in mid-april, so its kinda old. and its not that great. I'm not sure if I can post the whole thing (Is that OK AK/BK?) but if you want I'll email you the whole article. My email is wizexel22@yahoo.com.
But the article is pretty general and doesn't go into any details and is pretty much things we already know. Its probably more geared toward the average sports fan in the country and is just a general overview of the Lakers situation (and kinda outdated at that. ie wondering if they will keep Smush or not.)

Wow...

All I can say...

WOW!

Ya know...I think this is a sign. The world around Dr. Buss in in chaos and disarray...and this is how he handles it.

Maybe it is time for Dr. Buss to sell the team. Someone already said it in the previous blog. I wholeheartedly agree. Time for Doc Buss to get out while the getting is good. Cause Buss Boy Jimmy is damn sure gonna run our fabled franchise to the ground when he gets the keys.

The only question to be answered here is who was the 23 yr. old woman in the car with him? Not only is she young enough to be his daughter, but she's young enough to be his grand-daughter. The guy is my idol. The only guy who can top him is Hugh Hefner himself. I can only dream to have a 23 yr. woman, who i'm not related too and not paying for, in my car at 1:30 in the morning when I'm 74. The man is a true Legend.

unbelievable how many of you "laker fans" are agreeing with kobe and his tantrum. just plain "WOW"!!! what kobe has been doing in the media as of late is truly atrocious, to say the least. how stupid can a person be to go all out in public and say "i want such and such to happen" or " im not happy" or for him to say ANYTHING to the press to create this much of a firestorm deserves to be punched in the face. kobe HAS a legitamate beef with the lakers front, god knows i agree with him. the man has carried the org. on his back like jesus and the cross, and wants his promises fulfilled. but DO NOT put family business out there like that. kobe could have been very effective with his words BEHIND closed door. just him saying " look this team sucks and if change arent made, im walking during opt out year." that would have a big impact without the world knowing and the lakers looking disorganized. if the lakers was a mafia, i bet kobe would be sleeping next to hoffa right about now( too much sopranos). and then there are "laker fans" who completely support this behavior. tell me fans, what happens when negotiations start for players? the other teams, will smell purple and gold blood and pressure the weak laker front office into making a ridiculous trade and get burnt again(do i really have to explain). just speculating here, but if sac is willing to trade artest to us, and i was the maloofs, i will ask nothing short of LO and or bynum and the first rounder. many other teams are willing to take a chance on artest, so dealing with the lakers are a non priority. seriously the "laker fans" should be telling kobe to shut his f***in mouth, so he can get his players. imagine how weak the front looks right now....i would think NO gm will trade with the lakers on a resonable level. why make them stronger when the can implode on the knicks scale; hopfully frustrating kobe enough to opt out in the future and start a really nasty bidding war for him. i hope none of what i said would happen, but this isnt a fan league, THIS IS BUSINESS, PEOPLE. never show weakness in business. you wont last.

Dyman Dave, who says he wasn't paying for her?

"unbelievable how many of you "laker fans" are agreeing with kobe and his tantrum. just plain "WOW"!!! what kobe has been doing in the media as of late is truly atrocious"

Mind boggling the feeble minds of some who believe that the best in the game is supposed to keep his mouth shut and just be content with losing year after year after year. The only thing wrong with what Kobe said is the fact that - in spite of the HISTORY AND LEGACY OF THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS - the Lakers management let things boil over to the point where he felt he had to say it in the first place.

Ex...1)I get what you are saying about the lakers looking to cash in rather than look to win and I think you are right to a certain degree...by keeping Kobe over Shaq they were doing that and by drafting bynum too.No doubt it is a huge priority and theres a certain amount of reluctance to mess with making money.

However....

2)Surely you agree that by looking like the lakers are desperate to make a deal puts them in a significantly weaker position...if Kobe is even hinting at leaving or the team looks out of sorts politically then it is likely to be offputting to any players maybe wanting to come.Saying he doesnt believe in the guy he wants to trade doesnt help much either.Not to meniton that if the right move genuinely isnt there then they have no room not to make a move.Now everyone says they need to move and I agree but if there is no move to make them better then they shouldnt move.Thats going to be difficult now.

3) Given point 1...maybe he feels he has to put pressure on and say he wants to leave etc but could he not do it in private.In your mind what are the advantages of doing it publicly rather than privately?....and do the advantages of doing it publicly outweigh the disadvantages of of it?

In my mind if he told them in private he would think about leaving they would take it pretty seriously.

And what about the disadvantages to Kobe's own image?...overnight he loses all those people that gave him the benefit of the doubt for not interfering in the Shaq thing...after working so hard to rehabilitate his image it seems like a stupid move on a personal level for Kobe.

Now Kobe's image is not whats important necessarily... but all in all it seems like a big price to pay when the advantage of going public over private doesnt seem to be that great if it even exists.

If you're a business man or general manager of another team, would you rather deal with Mitch or Jerry West? Level of respect for those two managers is a lot to a little.

been a WHILE

It's been a while since I've been HERE. Ever since BS became just the name of the GAME here in LA TIMES LAKER blog, I chose just to CHILLED rayray style. No urge to come here and no urge to TALK to a group mostly, NOT totally, with lesser IQ than a BRICK wall.

Today, though, FOLLOWING the YAHOO SPORT column "Classic Kobe" I felt the need to remind everyone that IF YOU THINK KOBE was wrong to want MITCH to leave us ALONE, you're just IGNORANT and love to LOSE. LIKE TO BE TICKLED BY MITCH KUBSHIT BS just do as you please but just go some where else and do it. Not in LA, not with LA's team. There are SOME of us INCLUDING the ONLY PLAYER that makes us have any kind of a HOPE for getting a RING that wants the FREAKIN HOMO MITCH the SHITFACE leave the team.

LEAVE FRUITCHACK LEAVE.

(No disrespect to any of the homo sexual fellows)

KL....
This is for you.

Numerous teams are salivating with the idea of getting Kobe...
Clues...

San Antonio
Horry is talking wonders about Kobe in San Antonio.
An orchestrated plan by the master of spinning; Popovich?

Dallas
Reporters are suggesting to Mark Cuban to trade Dirk for Kobe.

“He is the NBA's best player.
Others like Nowitzki and Wade are part of the discussion, but we all know Bryant is the NBA's most feared player.
He wouldn't go 2-for-13, score eight points and passively hang around the perimeter in the most important game of the season. Bryant's confidence never wanes.
Nowitzki, the best European player ever, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame one day. But he lacks the arrogance to lead the Mavericks to a championship.
Bryant does not. “ (Dallas Morning news. )
And in his blog:
“It doesn't matter whether Mark Cuban or Donnie Nelson makes the phone call, but one of them needs to contact Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak today and find out what it takes to get Kobe Bryant.
If the answer is Dirk Nowitzki, then so be it.
Straight up. No frills. A simple blockbuster. “

CHICAGO
Reporter Jay Mariotti, a long time Kobe heater, is using Kobe mantra to show the Bulls what is the reasonable approach to winning. It looks like he will endorse a star like Bryant coming to the Bulls/.

Next in the line….
Golden State, Knicks, Phoenix will inquire, Orlando Magic, Nets could be interested, Celtics too.

So much attention for the “Big Cancer”.

Are any of the trade rumors just rumors, or are there actually word from a good source that the Lakers are on the move? I'm kind of tired hearing all these trade scenarios if they are nothing but a dream. Sure these scenarios may be possible, but unless there are actual sources saying that the Lakers are doing something, I can care less.

This is what Lakers will loose:

'I listened to Gail Goodrich on NBA TV tonight talk about where Kobe is in the pantheon of great players and then great scorers. According to Goodrich. KB (and I don’t mean Kwame Brown) - hold on, how about #24 - is already one of the best.

Goodrich, who played with Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Wilt Chamberlain, and could shoot with the best scorers ever, said, “People compare him to Jordan, but Kobe is a better shooter than Jordan ever was because of his range.” When asked about old school players who might shut down Bryant, Goodrich straight laughed at the thought:

NBA TV Announcer: “Clyde Frazier?”

GG: “Ha, no. Kobe’s range would get Walt. Plus Kobe is 6′7″ so he can just rise up over Walt.”

Announcer: “Jerry West was a pretty good defender, what about him?

GG: “No, none of those guards could stop Kobe.”

Goodrich talking about scorers of different eras was interesting, too.

Announcer: “We know about Wilt, but what about players 6′7″ and under?”

GG: “Nobody could stop Jerry West when he was on. But people forget that Elgin Baylor averaged 38 points and 18 rebounds one year (actually it was 32.4 and 18.5 in 1960-61, unless GG was talking about the following season when Baylor averaged 34.5 and 16.8).

Rick Barry was unstoppable, too. See, he was quicker than other forwards. They were bigger, but slower than Barry and he’d go right around them. Also, Pete Maravich. He had the range of Kobe. There’s no telling how many points he would have scored with a three-point line.”

Announcer: “So is Kobe one of the top 10 scorers ever?”

“Oh absolutely. And don’t forget Julius Erving. When he came into the league I was near the end of my career and he was in the middle of his, so I didn’t see him for as many years as some other great scorers. But Julius could score at will. Even without a great shot, he could score as much as he wanted to. But Kobe, with his range, his ability to rise over players, and his creativeness around the rim is definitely one of the best ever.”

High praise for #24 from one of the great old school shooter (dude had a two-handed jumper unlike anything I’ve ever seen; live, on TV, or, in GG’s case, on video)."

link:
http://dwil.wordpress.com/2007/03/19/nba-notes-praise-for-kobe-from-an-old-laker/

The promise of Mitch Kupchak

Mitch Kupchak statements in the press talking after Shaq trade:

" When we made the decision to trade Shaquille- you use broad strokes with a brush when you’re painting that picture. Because in this business, you don’t know how things are going to play out…. So the broad strokes in our mind painted the picture where we can bring Kobe back at a young age, at 25 or 26 years old, bring in several other young players… and not break this thing down to where you’re winning eight to twelve games a year. So our broad stroke picture was… not to break it down to ground zero, but to break it down to a point where we wouldn’t have to wait eight to ten years to get competitive. We didn’t want to do that… and then Kobe deserves more than that. He doesn’t want to play for eight more years and then try to get to the playoffs. We felt that we had to put him in a position where maybe he waits a year or two, and we’re there again."

See, Kobe is right.
Now, the ball is in their hands

Gino,

I just don't see it as a good trade. Odom is too versatile, Kwame's expiring contract is invaluable in today's NBA, and Bynum could be a future superstar. I would make that trade if you replaced Vlad for LO, or if the Pacers really wanted to keep it as is, they would have to replace Orien Green with Granger. Here's how it would look

We get:
JO
Foster
Granger

They get:
LO
Bynum
Kwame

I'm still not in love with it but I'd do that before the first proposed trade. If they wouldn't part with Granger then it would have to be Vlad replacing LO or it is a horrible deal.

REPOST

utzworld,

excerpts from the article Adrian Wojnarowski

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Amx5Ple0twb8iOAnDkMlDHm8vLYF?slug=aw-kobe052907&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

"Kobe has to turn on everyone at some point, cut people and ties in almost every relationship in his life," a former Bryant associate said Monday."

this is my gripe with the Big Backstabber.

"He has a one-track mind that thinks the world revolves around him and doesn't take a second to consider the costs, or what's the best way to handle something."

Narcissistic, selfish.........any other liked names.

"This is the same stuff he did with (Shaquille O'Neal). He would leak the story, instigate it and then not understand why it never worked. Shaq is still more beloved than Kobe, and he will always be in L.A. People have seen this all before with Kobe. This never turns out right for him."

geez, i've been saying this from day one........this is the kind of stuff that pissed off shaq and so-called shaq-lovers (or is it Shaq's lovers...haha). Hey didn't a certain Karl Malone have the same problem with the Big Snake?

"Once that got out, Bryant must have understood he had far overplayed his hand, done devastating damage to the mythical rehabilitation of his image. He knew he had gone too far. He should've apologized and acknowledged he was out of line talking this way. Only, he denied saying it, despite the fact that the writer has been a long-time confidant. Typical Kobe, selling out someone else."

geez, isn't this similar to ratting out shaq in CO? when adversity hits, the evil one appears. would you play for a guy like that?

"I'm not demanding anything," Bryant told the Riverside Press-Enterprise just after he had spent the weekend demanding everything. "I'm not trying to throw Mitch under the bus, or (Lakers VP) Jim (Buss) under the bus," he told the Orange County Register just after he just spent the weekend doing just that."

i think you can substitute Mitch, Jim, Shaq, Karl interchangeably and this is only stuff we know about.

"As one NBA executive said Monday: "That made it harder for Mitch to get fair market value for Shaq. Everybody knew that Kobe's conditions to re-sign made it impossible for Shaq to stay, and Mitch had to take the Miami offer, which was the best on the table. Kobe needs to look in the mirror on that one."

what is this? sounds like kobe's fault? i think kobe's sounding more like the Crazy Jackson (the crazy one with the fortune telling ads) and not Tito Jackson.

"Kobe thinks everyone in the NBA wants to play with him, and it isn't true."

hey, this is what KLBeast has been saying day uno.

"Yes, there are players who'll take a trade to the Lakers, but make no mistake: It isn’t because they're enamored with the idea of hanging with Kobe."

cough....."i told you so".....cough

"It isn't just that Kobe doesn't have friends in his own locker room, but elsewhere too. One associate remembers a party for Bryant's daughter several years ago, when he looked around and saw no one but people who worked for Kobe. "No friends, no teammates – just agents, a barber, P.R. people … Everyone there was on the payroll." "

haha, kobe sucks! $hits and giggles from KLBeast.

"Maybe Kupchak hasn't done the best job in the world in these three years post-Shaq (the Caron Butler-Kwame Brown trade crushed the Lakers), but he made sure that private jet flew Kobe back and forth to his rape hearings in Colorado. He made sure the organization supported him unconditionally during that humiliating time for the franchise. His reward? Kobe opted out of his contract, threatened to leave for the Clippers and declared that he wanted a basketball career free of Shaq to indulge his own shooting and scoring desires."

no comment necessary.

"He's [Jerry West] a smart man to stay away for good because he understands the inevitable here: Sooner or later, Kobe Bryant turns on everyone."

Who's Your Daddy!
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP
Who's Your Daddy!.

KL I cant believe you are quoting that guy hes a crap journalist....

jo,
“If you don't want to go to the link, Henry has had several sources tell him at least three USA Basketball coaches wanted to cut LeBron James after the first few days of Team USA training camp last summer in Las Vegas. Henry reports they were overruled by Jerry Colangelo.”

Jo, thanks for thinking of me. I think LBJ’s got more important things to worry about right about now…..how about winning a championship? kobe's go the same problem to........scoring championship that is.

“Others like Nowitzki and Wade are part of the discussion, but we all know Bryant is the NBA's most feared player.”

I agree kobe is the most “fear” player……..feared by whom is the question? feared by existing players of turning a good team into kobe and the gang.

Wojanoroski....
That poor repoirter?

He is in the shaq pay roll .
He sells his comments.
He is a ISCARIOT

You can do best than that, KL

Could someone please get the Kobe interview today. It seems like this story gets bigger and bigger by the minute and I don't even understand whats going on.

How can the laker management tell Kobe they were going to build a championship team around and had a long term plan. I mean its like they are using Kobe. Its like they only using him to make money and not to actually build a team with him. If thats the case, the lakers management need to let me go because that is so unfair. And f the la times. All these writers are sleazy

Kiwi,
Doing it publicly puts a lot more pressure on management. I suspect that Kobe has no faith in management making appropriate personnel moves, so he is trying to force their hand.
If that is an accurate assessment (that they won't be making any big moves) then I think what he did was appropriate.

So, instead of calling the best basketball player in the NBA to discuss the team's future, Jerry Buss gets drunk with a 23 year old. Will someone from the front office CALL KOBE BRYANT ASAP! Talk with him about what players he wants... what players he thinks they should trade (off the record)... and come up with a PLAN. Please, as a Lakers fan... PLEASE save the Lakers!!!

Great podcast over at 710 AM ESPN with Steve and John, Kobe talked with them TODAY.

FOR KL the BOOB: Kobe says that Baron Davis, Carlos Boozer, and Ron Artest all called him FIRST to inquire as to how they could play with the Lakers. Kobe contacted the front office, who shot them all down for various reasons (Davis too injury prone, Boozer can't guard the 4, Artest too unstable). So this shoots down the "players don't want to play with Kobe" angle. So please stop saying that. Thanks.

Kobe Bryant haters = racists, feminists, the lonely (ahem... KL)

From the KLAC 570 Kobe Interview I gathered that Kobe does not trust anyone in the Lakers organization right now because of what was said to him when he resigned. This is a HUGE problem. Kobe needs to be actively involved with everything Mitch Kupchak decides. Kobe needs to be onboard with decisions about trades and not told after the fact (ie the Caron Butler trade Kobe mentioned). When Jerry Buss sobers up he needs to FIRE Mitch Kupchak... HIRE a new GM and HIRE Jerry West (who Kobe TRUSTS) as a consultant to the new GM. Jerry Buss needs to decide if he wants to save his team and side with the best NBA player of the decade!

oh boy, that interview was intense, and there was no doubt kobe was totally truthfull...i'm having serious doubts about the focus of laker management...

Aloha Gino

We are both in agreement that something has to be done. I really believe Dr Buss has to get involved again. As soon as he gets out of the slammer he needs to send Jim to his room and let Mitch do his job. There is a trade that I think is just sitting there waiting for us, and it doesnt take the Logo to pull it off. Atlanta needs a big man and they really like Andrew. For those who bash Andrew on this blog, the scouts disagree with you. He is ranked higher then any big man that Atlanta can get at the #3. and he is the same age or younger with 2 yrs in the league.Now there was article about a week ago that the link was posted on this blog stating that they like Andrew and may be willing to part with the #3 and either Josh Smith or Josh Childress in return. The funny part was that the writer didnt think that would be enough for the Lakers. Now this weekend on Yahoo , Portland is really trying find a way to trade for another high pick so they can land Odens buddy, Conley Jr for the point. They were willing to part with Randolph and Jarret Jack. Of course Atlanta doesnt have the salaries to match so they were looking for trade partners. There here are other teams with Salary that could use Randolph and Jack but its more up to what Atlanta wants in return for that #3. We have that piece, so heres the trade

Andrew to Atlanta for #3 pick & Josh Smith or Josh Childress(hoping smith)
Kwame , Luke sign and trade and #3 pick to Portland for Randolph and Jarret Jack

PG Jarret JacK/ Jordon
SG Kobe/ Mo Even
C MLE (Mcgloire or Mikki Moore)/ Mihm
PF Randolph/ Rony
Sf Lamar/Josh smith or childress

That would be a extremely strong unit. I would think we have at least made a few phone calls or have been contacted already. If not Mitch should be fired on the spot and Jim should disinherited. There are Several weeks yet before anything can be done so we'll see. Come on Mitch, save your job and make it happen.

MH

Michael H excellent trade proposal.. But I love to see Artest hear as well... Now Kobe just mentioned in the big show that Kwame and Caron deal was a bad one... Kobe I hear you man......

Here's the AM 570 page where the interview can be listened to/downloaded.

http://www.am570radio.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=interviews.xml

Just finished listening to it and it doesn't bode well for the front office's credibility. Not good times for Lakers fans.

Kiwi, I thought you were smart blogger, but your beggining to get on my nerves... Give some competnent takes or don't blog at all....

just listened to kobe's interview....

it simply doesn't make sense that management is trying to run out kobe or undermine him... the lakers would look like fools themselves for choosing "the wrong guy," (as perceived by some) then stabbing him in the back

and it doesn't make any sense that kobe says he wasn't aware about the lakers' long-term plans when he's been talking about "the journey" for three years now.

none of this makes sense.

does anybody else see the pebble thrown in the lake is now making large waves?

my unthinkable is slowly manifesting. and it's so senseless that this is deteroriating right in front of our eyes.

this sucks

Kiwi,
I did not listen to the Buss interview, but based on comments here, it sounds like they are not looking at making a significant move this off-season.

If that is the case, then I don't have a problem with Kobe voicing his displeasure publicly.

troy,
"Kobe Bryant haters = racists, feminists, the lonely (ahem... KL)"

come on bro, that ain't too cool. you can do better. nice barbing with you. i'm out.

Jo,
"Right now, Lebron is just clueless."

i guess it was a lucky bounce that got the Cavs to the East Finals. I guess LBJ the luckiest man on the planet next to shaq. alright, i'm checking out for the day.

Anyone heard of Kobe's interview with Petros and Money?

There's a link for the complete interview here:
http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/2007/05/kobe_interview.html

Kobe sound so pissed off.....
What do you guys think of the interview?

Just listening to Kobe explain what happened with Caron Butler...

OMG

This trade alone should be enough to get Mitch fired this very moment. I'm shocked... Caron is working out with Kobe every morning and then out of the blue he gets a call that they've traded Caron?? And we get Kwame Brown in return??

ARE YOU KIDDING!

Hey, I've not been high on firing kupcake, but the truth of this matter... he should be thrown to the curb right this very moment!

Okay, so we've had a lot of discussion over trades... but what would Laker fans like to see if we could revamp the Front Office?

Here's my plan for the "Slash and Burn of the Lakers: 2007!"

Chairman of the Board, Owner and NBA Governor: Jack Nicholson

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/nicholson.jpg[/IMG]

Seriously. You know how we all like to see Mark Cuban so involved in the team? Well, talk about an even scarier owner. People would be willing to deal with him just on fear alone. You could have a limp noodle for a GM (picture Rick Moranis in Ghostbusters) and people would still be calling up and offering the deals of your wildest dreams.

Executive Vice President and NBA Alternate Governor: Magic Johnson

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/magic-1.jpg[/IMG]

With Magic? You can guarantee there will no longer be players demanding for ridiculous contract extensions or trades. What do you say to Magic, exactly? "Oh, hello there. Uh... I was wondering if I might be able to pay YOU money to play for the Lakers?" You don't talk back to Magic. He's like the B.A. Baracus of basketball.

General Manager: Phil Gordon

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/philgordon.jpg[/IMG]

Talk about hell on earth for other GM's. They would never see him coming. They'd pull crazy trades like Brian Cook for the draft rights to Kevin Durant or Andre Igoudala for Sasha Vujacic. Why? Well, for one, they'd never know if he was holding a pair of aces or an off-suit two and five. Secondly, they'd have to listen to him out of fear that Jack would axe their front door open one night and chase them around a garden maze. If they were already in charge this season, you could bet your bottom dollar that Greg Oden wouldn't be picked until our turn came at #19.

Executive Directors of Business Operations: Flea & Anthony Kiedis

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/fleakiedis.jpg[/IMG]

Need I say more? Who could possibly come up with more ways to rock Staples than those two avid Laker fans? Flea alone could do enough damage to make a preseason game look crazier than every single March Madness game combined. Stick Anthony in there?? Holy. Cow.

Executive Director of Public Relations: Bill Clinton

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/clinton.jpg[/IMG]

The guy would never give away more to the press than necessary and there would never be anyone that would be able to tell if he was lying. The Lakers need a guy that knows how to keep his mouth shut at the right time and divert attention when necessary. Why not one of the all time best of the best of the spin-doctors?

Executive Director of Marketing: Reon Kadena

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/reon.jpg[/IMG]

I am sure that many of you are just as entranced by her musically bouncing underboobs. If Laker commercials were just thirty seconds of that gif looped into infinity with the Laker graphics spliced in a small tiny box in the corner, I would buy tickets. Lots of tickets. And I live in Seattle, WA.

Executive Director of Broadcasting: Zombie Chick Hearn

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/chick.jpg[/IMG]

Our broadcasters are so awful, I think it would be worth an attempt to contact a Voodoo practitioner to raise Chick from the dead and restructure how the broadcasting is run. Even if his jaw had completely wasted away, it would be a lot better than some of the crap we have to listen to.

Head Athletic Director: Dr. Gregory House

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/house.jpg[/IMG]

We really need a no-nonsense type of physician to inspire our players into getting into games while in pain. If you're thinking what I'm thinking, Dr. House is our guy. Leg broken? Tough luck, sport. You're getting insulted. A case of the sniffles? Screw you, punk. Get out there and cough on someone so they get sick, too.

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Dr. Leo Spaceman

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/dr_spaceman.jpg[/IMG]

Luke: DAWCTAH SPACEMAN, DAWCTAH SPACEMAN I'VE GOT A SPRAINED ANKLE!!

Dr. Spaceman: Well Luke, fortunately for you, I've got some purples, some pinks, some oranges, and some blues in this week. Of course, bread might be your problem.

Luke: Bread? Is that bad for you?

Dr. Spaceman: Well, there's no proof that bread causes severe brain damage, but my grant loans furthering the theory that bread is bad have been thwarted by the evil "Bread Lobby" in Congress.

Chief Psychological Zen Guru: Phil Jackson

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/philjack.jpg[/IMG]

Once again, insults. Insults are the key to our success. If you have people complaining, insulting them is the quickest way to get them to shut up. Between Dr. House's medically trained insults and Dr. Phil's psychologically trained insults, we should be set.

Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/mikew-1.jpg[/IMG]

He's got one eye! What more needs to be said? If he only has one eye to look at his players and the ball and the court with, then he won't be distracted! He's one of the most respected coaches in College Basketball as well.

Whoops... that was Mike Wazowski. Sorry.

General Counsel: Steven A. Smith

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/screaminsteve.jpg[/IMG]

Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Screamin Steven doesn't need any introduction here, and fortunately any cases he would have to attend would grant him an instant win. WIN, I'M TELLIN YOU! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HEAR IT FROM ME!

Now, with all of that out of the way, I can tell you are wondering how well our team would improve with the new front office management. Fortunately for all of you, I have employed the ancient tactic of "fortune telling" and can let you in on what is going to happen over the summer.

1) As previously mentioned, Greg Oden will not be drafted until the 19th pick, which is incidentally the one we have. This is because of the sheer willpower of Jack Nicholson.

2) Brian Cook will be traded for the draft rights to Mike Conley.

3) Sasha Vujacic and a re-signed Shammond Williams will be traded for Andre Igoudala.

4) Kobe Bryant will be traded for Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, and Tyrus Thomas.

5) Lamar Odom will be traded for a re-signed Gerald Wallace and Sean May

6) Kwame Brown wil be traded back to Washington for Caron Butler

7) Mihm, Luke, and Vlad traded to Toronto for Chris Bosh

07/08 Laker lineup:

PG: Hinrich/Conley/Farmar
SG: Igoudala/Butler/Williams
SF: Deng/Gerald Wallace
PF: Thomas/Sean May/Turiaf
C: Bosh/Oden/Bynum

Well folks, looks like we're all set.

COME ON, LAKERS, GET IT TOGETHER! PLEASE…

Man, I just listened to Kobe’s interview. Serious stuff. Listening to what he has to say, I’m glad Kobe is going public with this mess. I was impressed by his sincerity and could envision the tears in his eyes when he talked about how he loved the Lakers. I think it is obvious that he feels truly betrayed by the Lakers. And in retrospect, I think the Lakers are truly guilty of not living up to the promise they made when re-signing him to do whatever it takes to get the franchise competitive to take advantage of Kobe’s prime.

As I have said several times before, the failed Jason Kidd trade is at the heart of this matter. Refusing to trade Andrew Bynum in the Jason Kidd deal was not doing whatever they could. As the team fell apart at the end of the season, you could see that the Lakers failure to pull the trigger on that trade was the final straw for Kobe. Kobe became a much more frustrated player who tried to do it all himself and lost much of the trust of his teammates that he had developed over the last two years. In truth, you could hardly blame him.

It’s funny what we all will allow to pass when we’re winning. Despite the promises to Kobe, it was obvious that the Lakers were still trying to balance winning now and winning later. And we all knew this was going on. We heard the talk about the max cap space plan that was once in force for 2007/8 and we all joined in on the discussions about whether to give up Andrew Bynum as part of the Jason Kidd deal. Even those proponents of trading Bynum now so as not to waste Kobe’s prime years didn’t focus on the promises made to Kobe.

So long as the team was winning, Kobe was willing to go along and the Lakers were able to avoid having to make major moves to improve the roster right now, thinking that the growth and development of the players already on the team might be enough. Once the injuries and the second half of the season fell upon us, then everybody realized that we needed to make more and bigger moves than we had in order to get the team to the next level. The ensuing sequence of improbable and unprofessional moves by the various members of the Lakers front office and coaching staff were probably the impetus for Kobe going public.

Unlike AK and BK, I think that Kobe’s going public was the right thing to do and his suggestion that the Lakers bring back the Logo an inspired move. It gives the Lakers a chance to clean up the mess, bring back Jerry West as a special consultant to help Mitch rebuild the team, and get everybody in the organization focused again on winning the NBA championship. Now. The next move is the Lakers. They need to let Kobe know that the team’s plan is to do whatever they need to get the players the Lakers need to compete right now. And that they would talk to Jerry West the minute that his contract is up with the Grizzlies.

I know that AK and BK and many of you think that Kobe could have done this all behind doors. In general, I agree with you that personnel situations should usually not be handled in public. But there are also times when I think a public cleansing is necessary in order for an organization to move forward efficiently without being hindered by past incidents. In this case, I think it is better that Kobe spoke up. You can feel his love for the Lakers and his desire to win in this interview. Give me that any day rather than a guy like KG who seems to be content to collect his check and never win anything.

Tom

AK or BK:

Can you guys remove my earlier post? The image links aren't working. I thought that they would just disappear, but they didn't, and they're causing misdirection.

Okay, so we've had a lot of discussion over trades... but what would Laker fans like to see if we could revamp the Front Office?

Here's my plan for the "Slash and Burn of the Lakers: 2007!"

Chairman of the Board, Owner and NBA Governor: Jack Nicholson

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/nicholson.jpg

Seriously. You know how we all like to see Mark Cuban so involved in the team? Well, talk about an even scarier owner. People would be willing to deal with him just on fear alone. You could have a limp noodle for a GM (picture Rick Moranis in Ghostbusters) and people would still be calling up and offering the deals of your wildest dreams.

Executive Vice President and NBA Alternate Governor: Magic Johnson

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/magic-1.jpg

With Magic? You can guarantee there will no longer be players demanding for ridiculous contract extensions or trades. What do you say to Magic, exactly? "Oh, hello there. Uh... I was wondering if I might be able to pay YOU money to play for the Lakers?" You don't talk back to Magic. He's like the B.A. Baracus of basketball.

General Manager: Phil Gordon

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/philgordon.jpg

Talk about hell on earth for other GM's. They would never see him coming. They'd pull crazy trades like Brian Cook for the draft rights to Kevin Durant or Andre Igoudala for Sasha Vujacic. Why? Well, for one, they'd never know if he was holding a pair of aces or an off-suit two and five. Secondly, they'd have to listen to him out of fear that Jack would axe their front door open one night and chase them around a garden maze. If they were already in charge this season, you could bet your bottom dollar that Greg Oden wouldn't be picked until our turn came at #19.

Executive Directors of Business Operations: Flea & Anthony Kiedis

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/fleakiedis.jpg

Need I say more? Who could possibly come up with more ways to rock Staples than those two avid Laker fans? Flea alone could do enough damage to make a preseason game look crazier than every single March Madness game combined. Stick Anthony in there?? Holy. Cow.

Executive Director of Public Relations: Bill Clinton

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/clinton.jpg

The guy would never give away more to the press than necessary and there would never be anyone that would be able to tell if he was lying. The Lakers need a guy that knows how to keep his mouth shut at the right time and divert attention when necessary. Why not one of the all time best of the best of the spin-doctors?

Executive Director of Marketing: Reon Kadena

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/reon.jpg

I am sure that many of you are just as entranced by her musically bouncing underboobs. If Laker commercials were just thirty seconds of that gif looped into infinity with the Laker graphics spliced in a small tiny box in the corner, I would buy tickets. Lots of tickets. And I live in Seattle, WA.

Executive Director of Broadcasting: Zombie Chick Hearn

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/chick.jpg

Our broadcasters are so awful, I think it would be worth an attempt to contact a Voodoo practitioner to raise Chick from the dead and restructure how the broadcasting is run. Even if his jaw had completely wasted away, it would be a lot better than some of the crap we have to listen to.

Head Athletic Director: Dr. Gregory House

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/house.jpg

We really need a no-nonsense type of physician to inspire our players into getting into games while in pain. If you're thinking what I'm thinking, Dr. House is our guy. Leg broken? Tough luck, sport. You're getting insulted. A case of the sniffles? Screw you, punk. Get out there and cough on someone so they get sick, too.

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Dr. Leo Spaceman

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/dr_spaceman.jpg

Luke: DAWCTAH SPACEMAN, DAWCTAH SPACEMAN I'VE GOT A SPRAINED ANKLE!!

Dr. Spaceman: Well Luke, fortunately for you, I've got some purples, some pinks, some oranges, and some blues in this week. Of course, bread might be your problem.

Luke: Bread? Is that bad for you?

Dr. Spaceman: Well, there's no proof that bread causes severe brain damage, but my grant loans furthering the theory that bread is bad have been thwarted by the evil "Bread Lobby" in Congress.

Chief Psychological Zen Guru: Phil Jackson

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/philjack.jpg

Once again, insults. Insults are the key to our success. If you have people complaining, insulting them is the quickest way to get them to shut up. Between Dr. House's medically trained insults and Dr. Phil's psychologically trained insults, we should be set.

Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/mikew-1.jpg

He's got one eye! What more needs to be said? If he only has one eye to look at his players and the ball and the court with, then he won't be distracted! He's one of the most respected coaches in College Basketball as well.

Whoops... that was Mike Wazowski. Sorry.

General Counsel: Steven A. Smith

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/genericone/screaminsteve.jpg

Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Screamin Steven doesn't need any introduction here, and fortunately any cases he would have to attend would grant him an instant win. WIN, I'M TELLIN YOU! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HEAR IT FROM ME!

Now, with all of that out of the way, I can tell you are wondering how well our team would improve with the new front office management. Fortunately for all of you, I have employed the ancient tactic of "fortune telling" and can let you in on what is going to happen over the summer.

1) As previously mentioned, Greg Oden will not be drafted until the 19th pick, which is incidentally the one we have. This is because of the sheer willpower of Jack Nicholson.

2) Brian Cook will be traded for the draft rights to Mike Conley.

3) Sasha Vujacic and a re-signed Shammond Williams will be traded for Andre Igoudala.

4) Kobe Bryant will be traded for Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, and Tyrus Thomas.

5) Lamar Odom will be traded for a re-signed Gerald Wallace and Sean May

6) Kwame Brown wil be traded back to Washington for Caron Butler

7) Mihm, Luke, and Vlad traded to Toronto for Chris Bosh

07/08 Laker lineup:

PG: Hinrich/Conley/Farmar
SG: Igoudala/Butler/Williams
SF: Deng/Gerald Wallace
PF: Thomas/Sean May/Turiaf
C: Bosh/Oden/Bynum

Well folks, looks like we're all set.

I listened to the whole interview. Very impressive to hear Kobe without all the PC talk that he normally has to spit. Management hasn't even been in touch with him and this soap opera starts playing out, as Kobe said, "it's a mess".

I can only imagine putting myself in his shoes. This really really hurts.

Maybe going public may not have been the best thing for his image, the team's abilities, whatever the case may be... but obviously with the front office going to the radio and all and no one calling Kobe, what else can he do?

This is now so clear in my mind. We need some serious house cleaning and we need it this very moment! This organization is rotten to the core. We have a handful of people actually trying to win here: Kobe, PJ, Lamar, Farmar, Luke, and Jeannie. Everyone else can go on a long walk off Santa Monica Pier for all I care.

I wrote to Dr Buss the day after we lost to Phoenix... I think I will be writing another, something along the lines of, "Please, I beg you, sell the team to Magic.... please, please"

Let's face it, Dr Buss isn't too young anymore, sure he beieves the old addage "you're only as old as the women you date" but seriously, there's limits. He has let his punk kid take over the show and the ship is sinkin quick! Kobe walks and we're the west coast Celtics.

All of us fans need to band together to save this team. Clean house, and do it now. Then bring in Artest. Only then will we have a chance to land that second superstar player. As it is now, who would want to come here when not even Kobe is sure what the hell is going on??

One last thing, I'm very glad that the fans of the Lakers are getting the truth. Sure, it may cost us a pick or something in getting Artest, but us fans (who happen to be the customer) are learning the truth. As much as it hurts, it's our only hope to salvage the team... we storm team headquarters with pitch forks and torches, things get done!

LakerTom,

I agree with you your posts. Good job.

Jerry West is coming to LA!
Mark my words!

KL...

You took Wojonarski's bait hook, line and sinker. Even after #24 himself addressed the issues head on. "A former Bryant associate"??? Come on, man. Any idiot could tell that the troll cut and pasted damn near verbatim from the ESPN article!

Feeble minded, indeed.