Report Card/Exit Interview: Smush Parker
There are exit interviews of the "Have a great winter, see you around the facility, looking forward to next year!" variety, and then there are true exit interviews. As in, "Turn in your keys and parking pass, leave an address with the secretary so we can forward your mail." For Smush Parker, his definitely falls in the latter category. While he didn't flat out say, "I'm not coming back next year," Smush made it pretty clear he didn't expect to be return, and if there was any doubt, P.J. would soon put it to bed. Parker won't be resigned, and there will be few tears shed among the Laker faithful, given that the pride of Fordham had become a lightning rod of criticism since the last few games of the '05-'06 playoffs.
In terms of grading him out, there is one important thing to remember about Smush Paker's performance in his second season as (more or less) the starting PG for the purple and gold: It isn't his fault that the organization couldn't come up with a better option. Parker isn't a starting caliber NBA guard, and to expect him to perform like one just because the Lakers had no real Plan B (not that it would have made a huge difference, but I would have like to see a little more run for Shammond this year) isn't realistic. On the other hand... even measured against himself, Parker didn't make any progress this season. He got off to a bad start early in the year, and never fully picked it up. Parker's scoring, rebounding, steals, assists, and FG% all went down in '06-'07, as did the consistency of his play. Not necessarily by a lot, depending on the category, but it's hard to say a guy made steps forward when the numbers go the other direction.
Smush had some good moments, taking and making some big shots. And I still contend that a less surly attitude would have made his output seem far more palatable to Lakers fans (after all, scrappy lil' Sasha Vujacic is loved by many, despite being a much less productive player). But his disposition may be the worst possible for a point guard, and overall, he just wasn't good, especially defensively, where his effort and willingness to finish plays were always questionable. Again, given a second year to start in the NBA, Smush didn't progress but went backwards, his sense of entitlement seeming to grow daily.
Smush seemed to become a symbol of everything that was wrong with the Lakers, "Starting point guard, Smush Parker!" not exactly being a healthy inclusion into the pregame introductions of a championship caliber team. And while I don't think he was as bad as many of you do- given the venom spewed by some fans you'd think Parker started off every game clubbing a baby seal at mid-court- I don't think he was good, either. And more importantly, I don't think Parker was nearly as good as I suspect he thinks he was... which goes a long way towards explaining some of his deficiencies as a ballplayer.
GRADE: C-, very narrowly missing a D+. And give me an hour, it'll probably head lower.
EXIT INTERVIEW:
Sometimes these things are boring. This one? Not as much.
Download smush_parker_exit_interview_1.mp3
-Smush on his exit interview ("They said what they needed to say, I said what I needed to say), on coming back next year ("The summer will play itself out."), on sometimes losing motivation during the season, his tenure with the Lakers ("They allowed me to show not only the world, but the rest of the NBA that I could play at this level.").
Download smush_parker_exit_interview_2.mp3
-Smush on the Parker/PJ controversy ("The situation between me and Phil Jackson was blown out of proportion... He knew I didn't have a problem with him, but the media made it out to be that."), on his relationships with teammates, his personality ("I could have done some things better to make my relationship with my teammates stronger," but he's a naturally quiet, occasionally "standoffish" guy), on learning from his experience as a Laker, on P.J.
BK
HOSTAGE UPDATE: DAY (8)
DAY 8 GARNETT HELD HOSTAGE BY MINNESOTA FOR RANSOM BY LAKERS.
KUPCHAK STILL FIRM IN NO TERROIST NEGOTIIATING STANCE.
IN OTHER NEWS:
SBPimp nominated for Pulitzer Prize for his devastating expose of the
ALL KWAME ALL THE TIME lineup that is being proposed by the Lakers.
Kupchak insists that he will not negotiate with any Pimps.
Kwame Brown is being considered for the ALL STATE INSURANCE Good hands
Commercial.
IN RELATED NEWS :
The world holds its collective breath as all mankind sits on needles
and pins awaiting the SMUSH PARKER EXIT INTERVIEW. It is believed one of the hang-ups
in the KG negotiations is that no one will move a muscle until that interview is published. Considered
one of the most valuable properties on the free-agent market, Smush has not been seen
since game 5 of the Laker Sun series. Correction…. Smush was not seen then either.
No further news at this time:
FOR ROUND-THE-CLOCK PURPLE AND GOLD WITH ANDREW AND BRIAN KAMENETZKY read THE LAKERS BLOG
ROLL CALL:
FAITH, KEIFO, FATTY, MITCHELL, KIWI, TALIQ, RespectMyAuthrothm, N EDWIN GUECO., TIM-4-SHOW, Thirty2
FAN OF MAMBA, WESOJOENIXON, BAYWOOD, JJ, EXHELODRVR, AJAX, WOW, MIKE T, SBPIMP,
LAKERTOM, LAKER FAN, DAVID WHANG, VMAN, KOREY, XTRO ,Tha Show, FearlessWhacK, MARTY,
JANDRO, LAKERFAZE, MCGARNAGLE, GO RAKERS, EASTCOASTJESSIE, GUGY, Zakee, Swettual,
Utzworld, Andrew Z, LAL Fan, Mamba24Fan 4 Life
FKILLAH, GENERIC_ONE, GDCHILD, ANDREW Z, GINO, CBUCK, LAKERGURL, ADAM KILEY,Jorema
Bynum=TheBigLazy, ZEN, SARCOCOP,COMPTONS FINEST, MIGUELINHO, J.Walter Weatherman
PhxLkrFan, Socalife, Greekdude, Michael J, Michael H, Rick Friedman, Gunner24,
JOREMA, CRITICAL BEATDOWN, PFUNK36, PAUL LEE, WEAVE MAN
JON KAVULIC,Lakers4Life,JimBussIsAMoron,Tajluck,James da Kingpin
BERKLEYLAKER, CHITOWNLAKER, ANGRYLAKER LAKER FANS,wiZo,
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
FREE GARNETT NOW BUSS PAY THE RANSOM
FREE GARNETT NOW BUSS PAY THE RANSOM
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
GO LAKERS GO!
HOSTAGE UPDATE: DAY (8)
DAY 8 GARNETT HELD HOSTAGE BY MINNESOTA FOR RANSOM BY LAKERS.
KUPCHAK STILL FIRM IN NO TERROIST NEGOTIIATING STANCE.
IN OTHER NEWS:
SBPimp nominated for Pulitzer Prize for his devastating expose of the
ALL KWAME ALL THE TIME lineup that is being proposed by the Lakers.
Kupchak insists that he will not negotiate with any Pimps.
Kwame Brown is being considered for the ALL STATE INSURANCE Good hands
Commercial.
IN RELATED NEWS :The world holds its collective breath as all mankind sits on needles
and pins awaiting the SMUSH PARKER EXIT INTERVIEW. It is believed one of the hang-ups
in the KG negotiations is that no one will move a muscle until that interview is published. Considered
One of the most valuable properties on the free-agent market, Smush has not been seen
Since game 5 of the Laker Sun series. Correction…. Smush was not seen then either.
No further news at this time FOR ROUND-THE-CLOCK PURPLE AND GOLD WITH
ANDREW AND BRIAN KAMENETZKY read THE LAKERS BLOG
ROLL CALL:
FAITH, KEIFO, FATTY, MITCHELL, KIWI, TALIQ, RespectMyAuthrothm, N EDWIN GUECO., TIM-4-SHOW, Thirty2
FAN OF MAMBA, WESOJOENIXON, BAYWOOD, JJ, EXHELODRVR, AJAX, WOW, MIKE T, SBPIMP,
LAKERTOM, LAKER FAN, DAVID WHANG, VMAN, KOREY, XTRO ,Tha Show, FearlessWhacK, MARTY,
JANDRO, LAKERFAZE, MCGARNAGLE, GO RAKERS, EASTCOASTJESSIE, GUGY, Zakee, Swettual,
Utzworld, Andrew Z, LAL Fan, Mamba24Fan 4 Life
FKILLAH, GENERIC_ONE, GDCHILD, ANDREW Z, GINO, CBUCK, LAKERGURL, ADAM KILEY,Jorema
Bynum=TheBigLazy, ZEN, SARCOCOP,COMPTONS FINEST, MIGUELINHO, J.Walter Weatherman
PhxLkrFan, Socalife, Greekdude, Michael J, Michael H, Rick Friedman, Gunner24,
JOREMA, CRITICAL BEATDOWN, PFUNK36, PAUL LEE, WEAVE MAN
JON KAVULIC,Lakers4Life,JimBussIsAMoron,Tajluck,James da Kingpin
BERKLEYLAKER, CHITOWNLAKER, ANGRYLAKER LAKER FANS,wiZo,
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
FREE GARNETT NOW BUSS PAY THE RANSOM
FREE GARNETT NOW BUSS PAY THE RANSOM
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
GO LAKERS GO!
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 09, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Exit Interview Outtakes
Smush Parker
G1: If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to ask you a series of four questions. Each of these questions has two choices of a one word answer.
SP: Okay.
G1: Is your nickname "Smush" or "Smash?"
SP: [laughing] Smush.
G1: Cool, okay. Second question: Is or isn't Phil Jackson your coach?
SP: He is.
G1: "Is" or "isn't?"
SP: [laughing] Sorry, is.
G1: Kittens: "Aw" or "Blah."
SP: [shaking head and laughing more] "Aw."
G1: Last one. You've just put gas in your Smushcalade. Full, or empty?
SP: Full.
G1: Great. So your answers were: Smush... is... aw... ful.
SP: Yeah, that sounds right.
G1: Excellent.
******************************************************************
Here's the rest...
Aaron McKie
G1: Mr. McKie, what would you say was your most integral role on the team?
AM: Uh, well, I’d say that I was able to provide some leadership to the guys. I really didn’t get to play much, but in practice I talked to them a lot more. On the bench, too.
G1: What would you talk to them about?
AM: Well, you know… just where they should have been on a play, what to watch for the next time they went down the court. That sort of thing.
G1: [pausing]
[the audience starts to mumble a bit while waiting for the next question]
G1: [snickering and shaking head] I’m sorry… I really apologize, but I’m drawing a blank here. Which team did you play for this season?
AM: [blinking a few times in disbelief] The Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers.
G1: Oh, oh that’s right. Sorry.
********************************************************************
Shammond Williams
Note: I’m not sure why I kept calling him “Shammond Williams.” I guess I thought it sounded funny, or something.
G1: Shammond Williams, how would you say that playing in Europe prepared you for your return to the NBA?
SW: [laughing] Well, I’m not really sure that it did. It’s a whole different game out there. They rely on a lot more outside shooting. I guess I picked up some different languages while I was there, so it helps me in that regard.
G1: What regard, Shammond Williams?
SW: Well, there’s a whole lot of European players in the league right now, so it helps that way.
G1: Ah, I gotcha, Shammond Williams. Shammond Williams, what do they call “basketball” in Paris?
SW: [laughing] Paris? I didn’t actually play there, but when I was around they called it “basketball” but you know, with an accent.
G1: Oh, really?
SW: Yeah. And you know what they call a... a... a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?
G1: They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with cheese?
SW: No man, they got the metric system. They wouldn't know what the [bleep] a Quarter Pounder is.
G1: Then what do they call it?
SW: They call it a Royale with cheese.
G1: A Royale with cheese. What do they call a Big Mac?
SW: Well, a Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it le Big-Mac.
G1: Le Big-Mac. [laughing] What do they call a Whopper?
SW: I dunno, I didn't go into Burger King.
********************************************************************
Chris Mihm
G1: Chris, I’d like to say first off that I really admire your ability to circumvent the rehabilitation process by remaining perpetually injured.
CM: Uh… thanks, I think. Wait, what?
G1: Chris, what is going to be your biggest priority going into the off-season?
CM: No, what did you say before?
G1: When?
CM: Before.
G1: What is going to be your biggest priority going into the off-season?
CM: No, before.
G1: Chris?
CM: About injury… INJURY!
G1: You were injured, right.
CM: Yeah, what did you say about that?
G1: Didn’t you just bring that up?
CM: No, you did!
G1: When?
CM: Look, can we just move on please.
G1: Chris, what can we…
CM: [interrupting] No, not you. Someone else.
********************************************************************
Brian Cook
G1: Hi, Brian. If you could think of one thing that could explain why Mitch Kupchak picked you over Josh Howard, what would it be?
[Mitch Kupchak leans over and whispers in Brian’s ear]
BC: I don’t… I don’t think I should have to answer that.
G1: Touchy subject?
BC: Yeah, kinda.
G1: Sorry, then.
BC: It’s alright, man. Just ask something else.
G1: Brian, if you could think of one thing that could explain why Mitch Kupchak picked you over Leandro Barbosa, what would it be?
MK: Brian doesn’t have anything to say about that. Let’s ah… let’s take a 10 minute break and then come back.
Note: At this point, I decided it would be best to slip out the back for a smoke because I noticed Mitch heading in my direction with a couple of guys from security. Fortunately for all of you, I had brought a change of clothes, a fake mustache and some aviator sun glasses so I could continue with my questions. Unfortunately, they decided that Brian’s turn was over.
********************************************************************
Vlad Radmanovic
G1: Vlad… can I call you Caveman?
VR: [laughing] I don’t think that would be a good idea.
G1: Okay, thanks.
VR: [pausing] That was it?
G1: Yeah, why?
VR: Well, I expected something about snowboarding or something.
G1: No, no. That was it.
Kwame Brown: [from the back] Why’d you jump off that mountain?
G1: [looking back towards Kwame] Why’d you throw that cake?
Note: That was why people were laughing, AK & BK. Just FYI, this isn’t the cake incident I mentioned. It got worse in Kwame's actual interview.
********************************************************************
Andrew Bynum
G1: Mr. Morgan, on “30 Rock” you…
AB: [interrupting] Mr. Who?
G1: Mr. Morgan? Tracy Morgan?
AB: [pointing at himself] Andrew. Andrew… Bynum.
G1: Oh.
AB: Did you… have a question?
G1: No. Not anymore, I don’t.
********************************************************************
Mo Evans
G1: Mo, what’s it like working with Tracy Morgan?
ME: I’m sorry, what?
G1: [pointing at Andrew Bynum] That guy… Tracy Morgan.
ME: That’s not Tracy Morgan.
G1: Oh, I get it now. This is like a joke. Alright, I’ll play along.
ME: No, that’s not a joke… it’s Andrew Bynum.
G1: I know, I know! Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Say no more.
Note: Obviously, the Lakers don’t want us to know that Tracy Morgan is really playing for them.
********************************************************************
Jordan Farmar
G1: Jordan, what kind of frustration did you experience having to back up Smush Parker every night?
JF: [laughing] I wouldn’t call it frustration at all. He’s a great guy, and… he plays hard every night.
G1: [rolling eyes] Yeah, right. C’mon, what do you really think?
JF: Look, I really can’t talk about that.
G1: Okay, if you’re happy with playing with him, don’t say anything after this next question. AND… if you think he’s extremely awful, say anything you want after this next question. Got it?
JF: Uh… yeah, I think.
G1: Thanks.
JF: Wait, was that the question?
G1: You’ve said all you needed to.
********************************************************************
Sasha Vujacic
G1: Where are you from, originally?
SV: [laughing] Shouldn't you know this?
G1: Well yeah, but just humor me.
SV: Alright. I'm from Slovenia.
G1: If it's 10:30am here, do you know what time it is there?
SV: [thinking] 7:30pm?
G1: Right. And what time do you usually practice?
SV: In the morning?
G1: When do you hit the most shots, at practice or during a game?
SV: [laughing] Well, in practice it seems.
G1: So, if you lived in Los Angeles, but switched around your sleep patterns so that you were on Slovenian time which would make it seem like 7:30pm here was 10:30am...
SV: [laughing] Wait, what?
G1: If you slept during the day and woke up at 12 noon, then... wait. If you went to sleep at 7:30 every... no, that's not right. Look, if you practiced at 4am in Slovenia and then flew here to Los Angeles for games...
SV: [interrupting]I'm confused.
G1: You and me both, dude.
SV: You started it, idiot.
G1: "Sasha" is a girly name.
Note: Sasha didn't actually retort after that at all, he just sat there looking a little dejected. I think his eyes welled up a little, though.
********************************************************************
Ronny Turiaf
RT: NEXT QUESTION!! YOU! THERE WITH THE MOUSTACHE AND AVIATOR SUNGLASSES!
G1: [looking around] Uh, me?
RT: YES, YOU.
G1: Oh, right. Uh, Ronny..
RT: [interrupting]FROM NOW ON YOU WILL REFER TO ME AS TURIAFINATOR.
G1: Right, sorry. Turiafinator, where would you say your tremendous energy comes from?
RT: THE SPILLED BLOOD OF WARRIORS THAT I SLAUGHTER IN BATTLE.
G1: I'm sorry, the what?
RT: SPILLED BLOOD. WARRIORS.
G1: Oh, oookay. What are your goals for the summer?
RT: TO CRUSH MY ENEMIES, SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE ME, AND TO HEAR THE LAMENTATION OF THEIR WOMEN. ALL IN THE NAME OF CROM. THE SUNS ARE INFIDEL DEFILERS. THEY SHALL ALL DROWN IN LAKES OF BLOOD.
G1: Crom, you mean like from Con...
RT: [interrupting]SILENCE!
G1: ...
RT: I WILL ALSO ATTEND A VARIETY OF DANCE CLASSES AND TEACH ART CLASSES FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD. PERHAPS I WILL GIVE THEM THE PUPPIES I STEAL FROM MY FALLEN ENEMIES.
G1: Dance cla...
RT: [interrupting] SILENCE! NEXT QUESTION!
********************************************************************
Luke Walton
G1: Hey, Luke... I am your father.
LW: [laughing] Real original, dude.
G1: No, seriously. You can't tell?
LW: [puzzled] What are you talking about?
G1: I'm Bill... you know, "Pops." The best passing big man to never play more than two seasons in the NBA?
LW: ...
G1: I know I look different, but... well, you seen that Doctor Who show?
LW: Uh, not really.
G1: Well, the Doctor keeps coming back with different faces whenever he dies, and you know, it's one of those things.
LW: What?
G1: I'll prove it. I bet you noticed that there are 52 members of the press in here, well, today marks the 52nd anniversary of the day that James Dean refilmed the cult movie "Oxycontin Drama Queens," which, by the way, made $5.1 thousand dollars in its debut weekend.
LW: Well, that sounds like something he'd say, but..
G1: [interrupting] I counted eleven BMWs on my way through the parking lot, which coincidentally is the number of stripes on the Himalayan Mountain Climbing Club's flag. Recently they were sponsored by the Manchu Monk Snowshoe Co., but there's been some drama over there after the Club Chairman told the Shoe company's President "Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-galunga."
LW: This is getting really weird.
G1: Luke, you're an awful basketball player.
LW: Whaaa??? DAAAADDD???!?! IT'S YOU!!!
G1: Kidding. Had you going there, didn't I?
LW: I hate you.
********************************************************************
Still got ones from Kwame, Kobe and Lamar!
AK & BK: Are Mitch and PJ getting reviews?
Posted by: generic_one | May 09, 2007 at 10:40 AM
You say, "I would have like to see a little more run for Shammond this year." Well, so would I. And this circumstance I lay DIRECTLY at the feet of Phil Jackson.
While we are all ready to criticize Kobe about his play and comments, we seem to let Phil off with an 'almost' complete pass.
Phil does have to answer for some poor judgment/decisions over the past year. I am willing to chalk it up to learning to coach a young team, but I am NOT willing to gloss over his shortcomings. The reason is that I want him to acknowledge them (I do not expect him to do this in public) and learn for next year.
Posted by: Craig W. | May 09, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Good luck in the Euro league Smush. Next interview please!
Posted by: Obel | May 09, 2007 at 10:49 AM
LOL Mamba24. "One of the most valuable properties in the free agent market, Smush Parker" lol
"And I still contend that a less surly attitude would have made his output seem far more palatable to Lakers fans (after all, scrappy lil' Sasha Vujacic is loved by many, despite being a much less productive player)."
Why do I feel like you guys were talking to me specifically about that lol. Look I've said what I said about Smush, attitude or not, thanks for the 2 years Smush...it was nice knowing you lol.
Posted by: Faith | May 09, 2007 at 10:53 AM
You make it sound like clubbing baby seals is a bad thing.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 09, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Generic_one I retire from the field and leave all comedic
postings to you. Good Job Man.
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 09, 2007 at 10:54 AM
How about an interview with Mr. Jackson ??? Perhaps some questions about losing the outdated triangle offense ?
Posted by: LALAKERLOVER | May 09, 2007 at 10:55 AM
generic_one,
nice. smush is awful.
glad to know we have to deal with his idiotic turnovers, lack of effort, and the inability to pass the ball.
one scrub gone, plenty to go...
Posted by: tha show | May 09, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Craig W,
When Shammond was on the court, was their that drastic of a change in the quality of the play that would make it plainly obvious that he should be out there?
Answer, NO!!!
That's why Phil went with Smush. And I still to this day say that Smush's best is better than any other PG we had on the roster this season, so to go all Jay Bilas on you, Phil had to stick to his upside potential (left out the "tremendous" because, well, it isn't).
We had the worst PG rotation in the league.. BY FAR!!!
That's not Phil's problem.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 09, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Mamba24: Oh, c'mon. There's always room for more funny. I think there're a lot of folks around here who can make people laugh... yourself included. Keep the rollcalls up, dude. Gotta represent!
Posted by: generic_one | May 09, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Generic_one: thanks for the encouragement but my attempts
at humor pale in comparison to you and SBPimp.
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 09, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Lakers Management has to learned to buy low, but it seems they've forgotten the "sell high" part when it comes to players like Smush. Now he's as good as gone, and the Lakers get nothing in return. Anytime after Smush had a good game, Lakers Management should have been on the phone trying to make a trade. Same thing for Lamar and Kwame. These guys will break your heart, showing you flashes of their potential. Lamar's stock should be pretty high after the last game of the playoffs. But all true Laker fans know that that was his best game of the entire season by far. I loved how he played through injury, but Lamar is a career underachiever, and it's time to accept that, just as it should have been known that Smush is an NBA journeyman, and Kwame will always be Kwame - a legitimate defender with an atrocious offensive game.
By the by, I put the blame on " Lakers Management", because it's not clear who is running the show: Kupchak, Buss the Elder, or Buss the Younger? I think it's unfair to blame Kupchak when it seems that he doesn't have the final say in player transactions.
Posted by: Kobe Apologist | May 09, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Mamba24: Who's going to rally the troops? I definitely think that's your job. Plus, we need resolution to the hostage situation! If you don't keep that up, that'd be like cancelling "The Shield" in the middle of the season.
Posted by: generic_one | May 09, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Smush deserves an F-. He shows no effort. He is the worst starting point guard in the NBA, especially when guarding against screen and rolls. I remeber when Sam Cassell came back from an injury and during a close game, Smush just let him walk towards the basket. This guy is garbage and does not deserve to play in the NBA, period. I understand that he is not starting material to begin with, but his arrogance coupled with a lack of effort disgusts me.
Posted by: fkillah | May 09, 2007 at 11:22 AM
I always flash back to Kobe's eighty point game last season. When John Ireland interviewed Smush and asked him what he thought about Kobe's performance, Smush said something smartass like, "who scored eighty point?" And, "we all need to score points." Ever since then I was like, who the hell does this guy think he is? What's with acting stupid and coping a faux superiority attitude? Good riddance. You belong in the DL.
Posted by: juststartover | May 09, 2007 at 11:26 AM
I know Smush makes for an easy target but, all the same, I feel bad for the guy. I wish him the best wherever he ends up.
Generic_one: I'm glad we actually have someone on the inside who isn't afraid to print the truth. Why they keep covering up these exit interviews is a mystery to me, but thankfully you have the courage to see that we get the complete transcripts.
Oh, and kudos to AK/BK: Whatever they're paying you, you deserve it. If it's a lot, it's because of the great work you do. If it's a little, hey, quit complaining. You get paid for going to basketball games for crying out loud. I get paid for going to movies, so I'm down with it.
Posted by: Marty | May 09, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Go Mamba 24, free Laker fans from bondage.
Kwame should be trained by David Copperfield to catch the ball with no hands. He will have a second job in Vegas.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 09, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Edwin Gueco,
You still have the best right hook in the business.LOL
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 09, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Generic_one, "Who's going to rally the troops?"
Well when you put it that way. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba | May 09, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhh,
Smush Parker's day of reckoning has come....
Having Smush Parker this year was like having a hole in your boat BEFORE going out to sea. You hoped you could plug it but you knew if the problem got larger it would sink you. For us, that sinking feeling was the season.
I would like to point out a few things about Smush's tenure:
- PJ playing him this season was an appropriate gamble. Listen closely:
Phil was trying to "bridge the gap" in his words to Farmar or some other PG. Its not like Smush didnt have a few good games this season too, so there was some potential for sucess. He had a few game winning block or steals BUT ALSO missed some wide open game deciding shots too.
Anyways, Phil had to take the game and "trust" Smush because he was our only chance of playoff success this year from the PG spot.
- PJ gave Smush too long a leash:
But given the options available and he was trying to get Smush to play at least to last year's level of play. Think about this: IF SMUSH WOULD'VE JUST PLAYED AS HE DID IN LAST YEAR'S REGULAR SEASON, THE LAKERS WOULD BE STILL PLAYING NOW AFTER TAKING THE JAZZ/ROCKETS OUT IN THE 1ST ROUND. That's my strong opinion.
- Smush shot himself in the foot:
The ability for a professional player to adapt and consistently play well is paramount in the NBA especially for a starting PG. Mood swings, poor play, and bad camaraderie lead to poor team chemistry. I
- Give him his props for doing some good things:
I love to see young men improve themselves and make a way for themselves. It was great to see his development as a player in the NBA
and disappointing to see his confidence and play level off. I will be rooting for Smush Parker to catch on with another NBA team and do well. Coincidentally, I think the Miami Heat would be the perfect for him. Talk about the IRONY!!!
LASTLY:
As shown in the playoffs, we needed Smush to come out score and play sting defense.
Smush never found himself so how could he lead the team?
Consequently,
when any team relies heavily on a smush parker, that team has problems!!!
Usher in the new PG era for the Lakers. Phil said he just needs a player to "bridge the gap". Expect a veteran to come in and challenge Farmar for the starting gig next year.
aaaaaaaah, competition at the PG spot. Niiice
Posted by: Korey | May 09, 2007 at 11:49 AM
generic_one,
"Smush...is..aw..ful"...lol, man you guys are off the wall!!!
lol...
Posted by: Korey | May 09, 2007 at 11:55 AM
kobe-lover and kobe-haters alike, this is pretty funny.
REPOST complements of Gunner24
Report Card/Exit Meeting:The Gunner aka Ball Hog (KOBE BRYANT)
GRADE: WHATEVER. HE DOES HIS OWN THING.
Q: How did you feel about this year?
A: It was a little hard but I manage to win another scoring title. Just what we needed.
Q: When you starting ranting after Game 5 of the Suns Series, what brought on?
A: Well alot of frustration....I mean, you bring the right players in here and I definitely can beat Wilt Chamberlain's record.
Q: When you said "Do something. And do something now!", what that because of the lack of help you have?
A: Not at all. I'm just trying to get management to understand if you bring in the 4 more point guards who can get the ball up the court to me and only me, hey it does not matter if I have to go 1 on 5, i'm going to get mine! It's hard when other players are taking the shots away from me so, adding a few more point guards will secure my scoring titles until I retire.
Q: Lamar Odom had a great game 5 with 33 points. How do you feel about his performance?
A: I actually was not paying attention. All i knew was that i was seeing the ball less and less down the stretch. I really feel if he's not going to run the triangle they way it should be ran through me, maybe we should looking at trading him.
Q: Kobe, what about the people who said you shot the team out of game 1 and game 5?
A: I'm the leader of this team. That's one thing Shaq never understood and we had to do something about him. I dictate if we win or lose. You tell me who in the league is getting more shots than me. Not one person. If you want to win a scoring title you have to demand the ball at all times. Win, lose, or draw it's what you see in the box score that counts!
Q: Kobe, is the triangle isolete?
A: Not at all. I can understand why some critics feel that way but as long as the ball is going through my hands it's going to run smoothly. The triangle does become stagnant when i'm not getting enough picks or I'm having to ask for the ball 2 and 3 times down the court.
Q: What about those fans who believe in your style? Are you sending them the right message?
A: Basketball is not a team sport. You have to get yours at all cause. Magic, Stockton, Nash...I mean did those guys truly understand anything about how you make your team better? The franchise is better when you're selling tickets and people come to see me put on a And 1 show. I've been lucky to have a supporting casts in the past who could mask my deficiencies on defense. Thanks Horry, Fox, and Fisher. But it allow me to be consider a 1st team defender even if my only concern is offense.
Q. Speaking of And 1 players. Does that style fit the NBA game?
A: Oh most definitely. That's the way this game should be played at all time.
Q: I heard you've embrace some of the fellow bloggers who worship your name this year?
A: ROLL CALL: KIWI, MAMBA24, FAN OF THE MAMBA, TIM-4-SHOW, FAITH. THAT'S JUST SOME OF THEM. I LET THEM COME OVER TO MY HOME AND WE DUEL IT OUT ON THE PLAYSTATION 3. AND YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET....I EVEN LET THEM BE ME ON NBA 2K7. THEY ARE ALL MY APOLOGISTS.
Q: Why do you think Phil decided to come back out of retirement?
A: Because I make his triangle work. He knows it. Shaq knows it.
Q: Even one still talks about Shaq and how you put him under the bust. Any comments on why you did that?
A: Man....you know....I aint going to go down without taken someone else down with me.
Q: The number 24. Why?
A: Average 24 shots a game. shooting percentage 24%. Only one shot clock and the 24 seconds need to be about me. 24 months before I opt out of my contract and move on to take over another team. Nothing can stop me!
Q: Well the last question...Congratulations on the new website. HelpKobe.com
A: Thank you. Me and some of my apologist worked out this strategy over the past 12 months on ways, i can get some of the non shooting guards, forwards, and centers to at least come over to LA and embrace my spotlight.
Q: Oh, i did have one more question...Any predictions next year?
A: One more scoring title. Nothing more or nothing less. that's all i'm asking for. And tune in to HelpKobe.com where I'm going to be updating all my Apologistic fans on how you can improving your scoring and play like a ball hog.
THANK YOU KOBE. AND YOU HEARD IT FIRST HERE. KOBE HAS GUARANTEED ANOTHER SCORING TITLE NEXT YEAR.
Posted by: gunner24 | May 08, 2007 at 05:39 PM
Posted by: KL "the beast" | May 09, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Andrew Z,
If Smush was the best option for Phil, why did he replace him with 2 games left to play in the season? I am not sure any rookie coach would have done that unless there were some real problems afoot.
I remember one Del Harris held out a young player for most of the season one year, only to insert him into the final minutes of playoff games. Then he comments about the player's missing a game winning shot at the end of the game - losing us the series with Utah.
Suddenly giving people lots of minutes at the end of the year, without any real preparation during the year, is often fraught with problems when dealing with younger players. Phil is not used to dealing with lots of younger players. I personally think he mishandled Shammond this year. Even if he was only going to ever be a 15-20 minute player he should have worked him in to see if he was valuable. We never really got to see just what kind of complete player he was - except for a very short stretch of time, when things were starting to fall apart.
When developing young players, coach has to put up with a learning curve and I question how much patience Phil has had for this. He manipulates players minds to keep them ready, but I am not sure this is as effective with players who are trying to get their NBA sea legs.
If Phil has truly learned from this year, I suspect we will see some different approaches next year - not just forcing everyone into a position slot.
Posted by: Craig W | May 09, 2007 at 12:03 PM
AK/BK
Technical question:
Is it possible for you to normalize the gain of the clips before you post them? The Smush interview was really hard to hear. There are plenty of apps for Mac and windows that work well.
Posted by: Wagoneer | May 09, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Wagoner,
That's a techie-type question I don't really know how to answer, but we can look into it. But for what it's worth, Smush tends to speak very quietly, so that may have had a little to do with it.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 09, 2007 at 12:08 PM
At $798,112, Smush undeniably gave us a good value for his play this year. Consider the fact that Smush gave us more points, assists, & steals (& nearly rebounds) this year than Radmanovic, S. Williams, McKie, B. Grant, & Mihm did combined. And we paid them just under $30 million dollars. No, the problem is not how much Smush gave us, but how little we got from players in whom we invested serious money.
Posted by: Sean P. | May 09, 2007 at 12:13 PM
socallife,
"you even talk about nash in the same sentence as magic? stockton i can understand, but magic? Magic was a perennial winner, stockton was a good second place-third place depending on how you look at it, just like Nash. And at that, at least stockton got his team to the Finals twice.
If kobe had gone and shaq stayed, the Lakers would be in a WORLD of trouble. no D.Wade to bail the diesel out, no players retained worth mentioning. Imagine the 2004-2005 line up - a still fat and overweight Shaq, chucky atkins, jumaine jones, chris mihm (who else woulda played power forward? slava? brian cook?), i dunno..uhm Kareem Rush taking Kobe's spot?"
socal, the more i read your blog, the more i think you are ONE DIMWITTED INDIVIDUAL. Even Magic says Nash is a special playah. Did you bother to watch TNT last night?? Not only are you a kobe-lover, you're a player-hater to anyone in the NBA who's not kobe. While i was watching LBJ and Nash display true greatness last night, I was thinking KB8100 can learn a few things from those guys. Let see LBJ had 34 points, but more importantly, had 12 assists. Let see Nash, 16 assists.........hum. Most importantly, both Cavs and Suns win. Dang, you're such a fool thinking scoring a bunch of points will in championships. B-ball will always feature the 5 best guying WORKING TOGETHER. no point being the best guy on a crappy team.
True greatness is being the best guy on the best team fool!
I hope princess kobe is taking notes, becuase he's going to be an old man soon (NBA standards) and his time will pass and I'll get to forever say that kobe is a loser who rode back of shaq...........all 500 pounds of Shaq!! haha!
Posted by: KL "the beast" | May 09, 2007 at 12:14 PM
AK, do you have to read all of the crap that comes through this blog??
Posted by: KL "the beast" | May 09, 2007 at 12:18 PM
Korey,
In my opinion, Smush is trainable because he's very athletic, he's just stubborn to cope up with on the job training under PJ System. If only this guy started in the NC with Coach K, Knight or even Coach Howland, he will have the proper bearings on D. At this time, he becomes an old dog, stubborn to learn new tricks. Even PJ try to search the inner part of Smush and stuck with him for 81 games because he could contribute instant offense but gave it back on constant steals and bad defense.
What do you think if the offense of Smush and the defense of Kwame combined into one, then that we have a great PF?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 09, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Mamba24, i'm left off roll call again. you should rename your roll call "no kobe-hater roll call" or "kobe-lover roll call" j/k. see the games last night?? LBJ was very impressive. I like his game more and more each time I watch. Very impressive how the entire Cavs' team played together, then watching LBJ dominate late. I won't put you in a bad spot and praise the Suns, but I really enjoy watching Nash play. He's not very athletic, but the dude plays with passion and never quits. Some of his passes are unreal.
Posted by: KL "the beast" | May 09, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Mamba 24,
Yeah, try to include KL, the beast in the roll call so that he can behave like a Chimpanzee rather than a Gorilla. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 09, 2007 at 12:29 PM
KL "Beast" I think you missed posting the original concept!!!
I wonder why!!
Report Card/Exit Meeting:KL "Beast"
Angry_Laker: How did your meeting go?
KL "Beast": It was pretty good. Pretty good. The guys at the sanatorium said I would be free to go in couple of weeks. Until then, I could still use the internet!!!
Angry_Laker: Did they give you things to work on?
KL "Beast": Yeah, they told me to keep working on my offensive posts. Get my body in great shape, because I feel like they're counting on me. I think I'm going to have to do that, put myself in the best shape possible. I think that's what's most important, to put my body in a way where I can site for 24Hrs a day by the PC in a white padded room. That's pretty much what I have to do?
Angry_Laker: How are you feeling today (one day after the loss)?
KL "Beast": Um... How am I feeling today? Let's try to put it nicely. I feel like crap pretty much. It's tough. I wanted the Suns to win to show these Lakers fan what Nash is next coming of John Stockton. So it was very disappointing that we came so close. Once again, Nash will be League MVP and playoff looser!!
Angry_Laker: In some ways, did this season feel like a rookie season for you, in terms of being part of everything from start to finish?
KL "Beast": Yes. You can say it that way. Not in my head. In my head, I was a in love with 'Steve Nash' and stuff like that. But definitely, it felt great to be a hater from start to finish.
Angry_Laker: What is the feeling like right now? Is it disappointment? Is it frustration? Is it anger?
KL "Beast":: Well, I was angry yesterday after the loss. But now, I had a nice, quiet night after my tranquilliser injection. I played with my imaginary friend and I feel better. But I think that we all care about each other. I think we all wanted to do something special. It's not like we were trying to go on vacation early. We are professional haters. We want to hate at every post. If you know us, you know we're going to try to do our best to hater at every occasion. So it was very difficult for us not to do that.
Angry_Laker: Is it your preference to stay here? And did you get that sense that you'll be here next season?
KL "Beast": My first choice is to be here at the sanatorium for the rest of my life. I don't control all that stuff. I got the sense that I would be back here next year, but who knows what's going to happen? I'm hoping to be back, so you guys know I want to be here. So know that and that's it. Hopefully, I'll be a here for life.
Angry_Laker: You just said that you're expecting changes. Is that based on conversations you've had with the doctors, or is that because of the way handled the Suns loss?
KL "Beast": No, the only reason I say that is because of what I read in the my medical report to the governors!!!
Angry_Laker: Can the Suns as is compete for a championship? If they get Nash gets a nose job and D'Antoni be more mature?
KL "Beast":To be honest, I truly think so. If you look after the Laker series, we really were in tune with each other. We really had that team arrogance!!
Angry_Laker: You mentioned the frustration you're feeling. Is there any comfort that can come from knowing that the series against the Spurs will be a short one for the Suns?
KL "Beast": No. No. To be honest with you, I know this is going to sound a mental case, but I would have rather Suns beat Lakers every year and the team never win a title!!
Angry_Laker: Do you feel like you improved this year?
KL "Beast": Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Even though my season had a lot of upper’s and downer’s, stuff like that, I always stayed ready. I always worked on my hate. I feel like right now, I can knock down the wide open Kobe!! I can go and knock his block off. And my hatred also rose to another level.
Angry_Laker: Speaking of being negative, you've always been known for having a lot of negative energy. Do think you could apply to the ‘Betty Ford Clinic’ and use it to reconcile the way things happened?
KL "Beast": I'm gonna have to. You know, I've been down that way before. .
Angry_Laker: You come out with an intensity and negative energy that nobody else can seem to match. Are you sometimes disappointed that your energy wasn't always matched by your teammates?
LA GUY, OriginalTarugo, Steven & Gunner24
KL "Beast": Disappointed?
Angry_Laker: Thank you KL "Beast":
KL "Beast": Can I return to my room now!!!
Two Men in White coats: Yes!!! As soon as we release those chains and shackles!!
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | May 08, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | May 09, 2007 at 12:32 PM
KL:Beast,
I thought you were gone for the summer.
It will be there in the morning.
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 09, 2007 at 12:32 PM
KL "Beast" I think you missed posting the original concept!!!
I wonder why!!
Report Card/Exit Meeting:KL "Beast"
Angry_Laker: How did your meeting go?
KL "Beast": It was pretty good. Pretty good. The guys at the sanatorium said I would be free to go in couple of weeks. Until then, I could still use the internet!!!
Angry_Laker: Did they give you things to work on?
KL "Beast": Yeah, they told me to keep working on my offensive posts. Get my body in great shape, because I feel like they're counting on me. I think I'm going to have to do that, put myself in the best shape possible. I think that's what's most important, to put my body in a way where I can site for 24Hrs a day by the PC in a white padded room. That's pretty much what I have to do?
Angry_Laker: How are you feeling today (one day after the loss)?
KL "Beast": Um... How am I feeling today? Let's try to put it nicely. I feel like crap pretty much. It's tough. I wanted the Suns to win to show these Lakers fan what Nash is next coming of John Stockton. So it was very disappointing that we came so close. Once again, Nash will be League MVP and playoff looser!!
Angry_Laker: In some ways, did this season feel like a rookie season for you, in terms of being part of everything from start to finish?
KL "Beast": Yes. You can say it that way. Not in my head. In my head, I was a in love with 'Steve Nash' and stuff like that. But definitely, it felt great to be a hater from start to finish.
Angry_Laker: What is the feeling like right now? Is it disappointment? Is it frustration? Is it anger?
KL "Beast":: Well, I was angry yesterday after the loss. But now, I had a nice, quiet night after my tranquilliser injection. I played with my imaginary friend and I feel better. But I think that we all care about each other. I think we all wanted to do something special. It's not like we were trying to go on vacation early. We are professional haters. We want to hate at every post. If you know us, you know we're going to try to do our best to hater at every occasion. So it was very difficult for us not to do that.
Angry_Laker: Is it your preference to stay here? And did you get that sense that you'll be here next season?
KL "Beast": My first choice is to be here at the sanatorium for the rest of my life. I don't control all that stuff. I got the sense that I would be back here next year, but who knows what's going to happen? I'm hoping to be back, so you guys know I want to be here. So know that and that's it. Hopefully, I'll be a here for life.
Angry_Laker: You just said that you're expecting changes. Is that based on conversations you've had with the doctors, or is that because of the way handled the Suns loss?
KL "Beast": No, the only reason I say that is because of what I read in the my medical report to the governors!!!
Angry_Laker: Can the Suns as is compete for a championship? If they get Nash gets a nose job and D'Antoni be more mature?
KL "Beast":To be honest, I truly think so. If you look after the Laker series, we really were in tune with each other. We really had that team arrogance!!
Angry_Laker: You mentioned the frustration you're feeling. Is there any comfort that can come from knowing that the series against the Spurs will be a short one for the Suns?
KL "Beast": No. No. To be honest with you, I know this is going to sound a mental case, but I would have rather Suns beat Lakers every year and the team never win a title!!
Angry_Laker: Do you feel like you improved this year?
KL "Beast": Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Even though my season had a lot of upper’s and downer’s, stuff like that, I always stayed ready. I always worked on my hate. I feel like right now, I can knock down the wide open Kobe!! I can go and knock his block off. And my hatred also rose to another level.
Angry_Laker: Speaking of being negative, you've always been known for having a lot of negative energy. Do think you could apply to the ‘Betty Ford Clinic’ and use it to reconcile the way things happened?
KL "Beast": I'm gonna have to. You know, I've been down that way before. .
Angry_Laker: You come out with an intensity and negative energy that nobody else can seem to match. Are you sometimes disappointed that your energy wasn't always matched by your teammates?
LA GUY, OriginalTarugo, Steven & Gunner24
KL "Beast": Disappointed?
Angry_Laker: Thank you KL "Beast":
KL "Beast": Can I return to my room now!!!
Two Men in White coats: Yes!!! As soon as we release those chains and shackles!!
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | May 08, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | May 09, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Ed,
"What do you think if the offense of Smush and the defense of Kwame combined into one, then that we have a great PF?"
It's hard for me to use the word "great" and "smuch" in the same sentence. maybe "smush is a great disappointment". It's also hard for me to take a PG named "smush" seriously. i think lakers can do better. Chucky was a better baller than Smuch. kind of sad, going from Magic to Nick "the Quick" to DFish to Smush.
Posted by: KL "the beast" | May 09, 2007 at 12:34 PM
KL "Beast" I think you missed posting the original concept!!!
I wonder why!!
Report Card/Exit Meeting:KL "Beast"
Angry_Laker: How did your meeting go?
KL "Beast": It was pretty good. Pretty good. The guys at the sanatorium said I would be free to go in couple of weeks. Until then, I could still use the internet!!!
Angry_Laker: Did they give you things to work on?
KL "Beast": Yeah, they told me to keep working on my offensive posts. Get my body in great shape, because I feel like they're counting on me. I think I'm going to have to do that, put myself in the best shape possible. I think that's what's most important, to put my body in a way where I can site for 24Hrs a day by the PC in a white padded room. That's pretty much what I have to do?
Angry_Laker: How are you feeling today (one day after the loss)?
KL "Beast": Um... How am I feeling today? Let's try to put it nicely. I feel like crap pretty much. It's tough. I wanted the Suns to win to show these Lakers fan what Nash is next coming of John Stockton. So it was very disappointing that we came so close. Once again, Nash will be League MVP and playoff looser!!
Angry_Laker: In some ways, did this season feel like a rookie season for you, in terms of being part of everything from start to finish?
KL "Beast": Yes. You can say it that way. Not in my head. In my head, I was a in love with 'Steve Nash' and stuff like that. But definitely, it felt great to be a hater from start to finish.
Angry_Laker: What is the feeling like right now? Is it disappointment? Is it frustration? Is it anger?
KL "Beast":: Well, I was angry yesterday after the loss. But now, I had a nice, quiet night after my tranquilliser injection. I played with my imaginary friend and I feel better. But I think that we all care about each other. I think we all wanted to do something special. It's not like we were trying to go on vacation early. We are professional haters. We want to hate at every post. If you know us, you know we're going to try to do our best to hater at every occasion. So it was very difficult for us not to do that.
Angry_Laker: Is it your preference to stay here? And did you get that sense that you'll be here next season?
KL "Beast": My first choice is to be here at the sanatorium for the rest of my life. I don't control all that stuff. I got the sense that I would be back here next year, but who knows what's going to happen? I'm hoping to be back, so you guys know I want to be here. So know that and that's it. Hopefully, I'll be a here for life.
Angry_Laker: You just said that you're expecting changes. Is that based on conversations you've had with the doctors, or is that because of the way handled the Suns loss?
KL "Beast": No, the only reason I say that is because of what I read in the my medical report to the governors!!!
Angry_Laker: Can the Suns as is compete for a championship? If they get Nash gets a nose job and D'Antoni be more mature?
KL "Beast":To be honest, I truly think so. If you look after the Laker series, we really were in tune with each other. We really had that team arrogance!!
Angry_Laker: You mentioned the frustration you're feeling. Is there any comfort that can come from knowing that the series against the Spurs will be a short one for the Suns?
KL "Beast": No. No. To be honest with you, I know this is going to sound a mental case, but I would have rather Suns beat Lakers every year and the team never win a title!!
Angry_Laker: Do you feel like you improved this year?
KL "Beast": Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Even though my season had a lot of upper’s and downer’s, stuff like that, I always stayed ready. I always worked on my hate. I feel like right now, I can knock down the wide open Kobe!! I can go and knock his block off. And my hatred also rose to another level.
Angry_Laker: Speaking of being negative, you've always been known for having a lot of negative energy. Do think you could apply to the ‘Betty Ford Clinic’ and use it to reconcile the way things happened?
KL "Beast": I'm gonna have to. You know, I've been down that way before. .
Angry_Laker: You come out with an intensity and negative energy that nobody else can seem to match. Are you sometimes disappointed that your energy wasn't always matched by your teammates?
LA GUY, OriginalTarugo, Steven & Gunner24
KL "Beast": Disappointed?
Angry_Laker: Thank you KL "Beast":
KL "Beast": Can I return to my room now!!!
Two Men in White coats: Yes!!! As soon as we release those chains and shackles!!
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | May 08, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | May 09, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Craig W,
The taking Smush out of the lineup at the end of the year might have had more to do with everyone back on the active roster as anything. It's been stated by everyone that the main issue the Lakers had this year was the injuries and how they led to never being able to establish a rotation and subsequently a team chemistry.
Maybe Phil thought that changing out the PG spot would have just added to the problem. With the amounts of players we had missing time this year, I would think any coach would try to hold on to any constant they could, as long as it wasn't so completely disadvantages as to be obvious.
Again, I think Phil wanted to keep what semblence of order he could with the line-up and there wasn't another option at PG that would have been good enough to replace Smush.
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 09, 2007 at 12:44 PM
Mamba24, it's all good. I thought this blog might die down, but there's still a lot of passion and discussion during the playoffs. I might stay for a while. Plus if i leave you all are only going to have Gunner24 to bag on.
Angry_Laker, your post was very, very, very good. Would you like me to post it 3 times???
Posted by: KL "the beast" | May 09, 2007 at 12:54 PM
angrylaker!
classic!
Posted by: fan of the mamba's (aka Kiwi) | May 09, 2007 at 01:03 PM
Angry Laker... KL Beast,
please stop.
The back and forth of interpreting some one's statements has been done most masterfully by SBPimp and generic_one. I'm not saying your copycatting but to keep doing it is just monotonous...
Look, I just want to read the blog, get some insightful comments from Laker fans, and go on and try to be productive with my day.
I have to point out that the back and forth between you guys is quickly apporaching Mike T., Kwame Brown level. You dont want to go there!!!
so please, for the Blog's sake, chill out!!!
Posted by: Korey | May 09, 2007 at 01:03 PM
Edwin Gueco,
I believe Smush & Kwame need no parts put together! they need to be gone...
Didnt Kobe commend Odom and Walton for playing though injuries and not mention Kwame? (i think so right?)
Everybody knows Smush's problem.
The Lakers 1st and foremost need guys that play consistently hard AND can last through a whole season.
Thus, to me, both players must be gone or their roles need be severely limited.
Smush is gone. Will Kwame be?
Posted by: Korey | May 09, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Andrew Z, Craig W
No matter how we look at it, it still was an act of desperation on PJ's part.
We were in desperate trouble with our point guards, and a VERY Frustrated coach made a desperate move. We were doomed from the start of the season. All of us predicted that our point would kill us and it did.
My question is, if its soo obvious to us, why not a better solution earlier from our brain trust?
Smush, moments of brilliance followed by acts of despair.
Grade: D+
Effort: F
Fatty from AZ
Posted by: Fatty | May 09, 2007 at 01:12 PM
No KL "Beast"!! 3 times is enough. I do apologise to everyone about the multiple postings. I must be using my grafted 'Kwame' fingers!!
This board needs Gunner24 and KL "Beast" on this board!! Life is about different points of views and opinions. We don't want to be robots and the we all don't want to be called a 'Dirk' (7ft Stiff!!)
Debate is healthy!!!!
Forget WWF, this board is where the real 'Smack Down' originated
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | May 09, 2007 at 01:13 PM
AK-BK..........At first i gave him a D but my D was for DUMB......Then i thought about it and gave him a L for LAZY because thats how he looked at times through out the year and thats no ones fault but his own
Posted by: Thirty 2 | May 09, 2007 at 01:13 PM
Andrew Z,
Shammond and Kobe were injured at the start of the year, but, otherwise, the Laker backcourt was relatively injury free. It was the frontcourt that was the disaster. The fact that the frontcourt was totally decimated was the real source of the chemistry problem too.
Why mess with a stable backcourt unless there are some underlying problems? That backcourt was a problem from start to finish and Phil essentially did nothing about it until the 81st game. Perhaps he was trying to save Smush's psyche, but whatever he was trying, he failed. The fact that he failed with Smush and didn't really develop Shammond makes this a double loss. If Shammond had played himself out of the lineup, then I would understand, but he didn't. Phil also was apparently loath to play Farmar much, until his hand was forced. This is what I mean by being rigid.
The criticism was made of Flip Saunders last year that he didn't develop his bench. Well, he answered that criticism this year. I hope for a like change in Phil next year.
Posted by: Craig W. | May 09, 2007 at 01:37 PM
korey, i respect your opinion, but......bugger off j/k. I actually thought Gunner24's posting was pretty funny if one doesn't take themselves too seriously. Plus what else do we have to talk about, laker are out.......gone fishin'.
Angry,
"This board needs Gunner24 and KL "Beast" on this board!! Life is about different points of views and opinions. We don't want to be robots and the we all don't want to be called a 'Dirk' (7ft Stiff!!)"
First of all, Dirks a very good player and second we actually agree. Hey, that skit was pretty funny. I really do appreciate the time devoted to making me look bad.
Posted by: KL "the beast" | May 09, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Dammit Mitch,
Just start negotiating with terrorists! An innocent life & career is on the line! Actually, a couple of them.
- Miguelinho
Posted by: Miguelinho | May 09, 2007 at 01:43 PM
g1:
Smush's outtakes were the best. Smush...is...aw...ful. LMAO. You should have had him answer "Smush Sucks. lol.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 09, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Craig W,
"The fact that the frontcourt was totally decimated was the real source of the chemistry problem too."
I beg to differ. Kobe was (and still "is") the chemistry problem. Here we go again blaming everybody but the leader of the team (typical kobe mentality). I don't remember Shammon ever being a factor on any team......even Seattle with the huge fro......remember that?? Also, who the hell is Smuch Parker. The best that we can do is pair Shammon and Smuch next to the greatest b-ball player of all time who can't lead a team out of the first round. Come on, this crap is on kobe. I'm glad kobe got mad and demanded mgmt to make changes. kobe put us here, so it's on him to get us out. i don't want to hear this crap about laker management. right now, kobe's the franchise. if the franchise player says get some guys, the most storied NBA franchise should be able to get guys.............unless.......drum role............guys perhaps don't trust kobe as a teammate........oops did i just say that? kobe called out management, so if management can't get anybody of real stature this summer, my conclusion is that all the "lip service" about all of these great players wanting to play along aside the "greatest ever" is just that, lip service. Sorry Angry_Laker, Fan of the Mamba and Mamba24. I know i was doing better for a while, but Angry brought about my psychosis with the skit.
Posted by: KL "the beast" | May 09, 2007 at 02:00 PM