All quiet on the Western front ... a little too quiet for some

p.s. I hope i was the first one to post on this blog. I've only been first one other time!!

BK,

KB is doing what he should, keeping his mouth shut till things declare themselves. i think he'd still rather leave, but he know that ain't gonna happen this year. he'll wait & see if mitch can swing a major trade...we all know what the chances of that are...and then, unfortunately, i think we're in for deja-vu all over again a year from now...hope i'm proven wrong.

btw, i'm a long-time reader, rare poster and life long laker fan and with the rash of racial commentary on the blog recently i have a question that i was hoping someone could help me with.

what ethnicity is jordan farmar?

i thought he was half-persian & half-ferengi (those ears are not of this earth)

Get on the front page and vote.....Vin is great but Chick was the shiznizliest

All the brouha-ha at the end of this season---specifically, Kobe's meltdown---was to a large extent fueled by collective frustrations. In looking at the convergence of maleficent influences on this team, principally being attacked by a voracious injury "bug," it is not surprising that the team spirit of our beloved Lakers dissipated. Among the injuries to Kwame Brown, Luke Walton, Lamar Odom, et al., was the injury to the apparently-fragile ego of Smush Parker, a "loner" from the outset. Not to be overly harsh, but the team's morale problems were exacerbated by his public pouting, Brian Cook's tantrums, and Sasha's petulance.

Now, with Fisher back, with Mihm healthy and back (and with something to prove), with Lamar healthy and still here (at least by training camp), with Luke healthy and back, and with the intangible benefit of having some competition between Jordan Farmer and Javaris Crittenden, plus the benefit of having a mix of older and younger players together, one suspects that the "chemistry" of this current roster will produce a kind of alchemy that will transmute the old Lakers' "lead" into the new Lakers' "gold."

I also suspect that Kobe's reticence about publicly making a commitment to return to the fold at this time is based on three factors: (A) he genuinely does not want to distract from the pending activities of Team USA; (B) he's been ordered to be discreet about disputes with the organization; and (C) he is deliberately playing the "mum's the word" game because he doesn't want Mitch, et al. to become complacent. In short, if they think he's still potentially capable of engaging in a boycott of training camp and the season it may place (and keep) pressure on Mitch & Associates to try to work out a complex multi-team deal that would ultimately bring Kevin Garnett to the Lakers.

Kobe's frighteningly intelligent and shrewd, and is fully capable, even at his young age, of engaging in Machiavellian manipulations. Not to gainsay his affection and friendship for "D-Fish" and Luke, as well as his other teammates, but I think his deeper agenda still involves doing whatever it takes to bring Garnett or a similarly-qualified individual---of whom few are now available---to the Lakers to make an impact in the future.

HOWEVER, with that said, if he can get over his emotional tantrums and return to the maturity he's previously displayed on many occasions, Kobe may look around to see that he actually has a pretty competent group around him. If---knock on wood---our ranks are not depleted by injuries this year, Phil Jackson may actually be able to develop a consistent game-plan that will allow him to return to the creativity which has helped him win 9 championships.

In closing, I suspect that our season this year will be much improved, with a record of 57-25 and third seed in the Western Conference. This will very possibly allow us to get to the Conference Finals, although if it's San Antonio vs the Lakers it will be a tough go for the Purple and Gold. We'll just have to see how things match up during the season.

Finally, Welcome back, Derek. We really are glad you're home!

Kobe will be a sight to behold on Team USA. He will go out of his way to demonstrate what a great on and off the court team leader he is, in order to show what he can do with other great players to pass to, set up, defend with, etc.

This will make his demands for change that much more pointed.
His popularity too will be restored.
Kobe's shrewd and calculating.
And one hell of a ballplayer.

BTW, welcome back D-fish.

"That he (The Saint) hasn't come out and said he'll be a Laker in October certainly makes you wonder what he wants. Or if he knows"

is academic. Ultimately, to remain a Laker is not his decision to make. He can only choose not to be.

At one time or another, the man has trashed almost everyone in his life who could matter, including his beautiful wife and children. Most importantly, he recently and very publically trashed the BIG boss.

Over the long haul, such deeds never go unrewarded, if you know what I mean.

Cut bait now. You'll need little more than a Jorenema to dislodge this slug from an otherwise storied franchise.

Sonnybelfast

WOLF:

If you watch top perimeter defenders like Bruce Bowen or Raja Bell, you will see that thinking ahead and anticipating the offensive player’s moves and then trying to beat them to where he is going in order to draw a charging foul is a major part of their overall defensive strategy. This is something that Fisher has always been pretty good at. Yes, he sometimes flops but so do Bell and Bowen. The idea is to make the offensive player hesitant to penetrate for fear of drawing a charging foul and thus turning the ball over. Fish may not be as quick in body as some of the guys he defends but he will be quicker in his mind anticipating where the guy is going and will thus do a better job of defending our perimeter. That is something that we never saw even once with Smush Parker or, I am sorry to say, Jordan Farmar. Fisher’s type of defense gets into the head of the offensive player. Combine that with his toughness in general and Kobe’s renewed efforts to become the team’s defensive stopper and I think our perimeter defense will be much better this year, which will result in much improved team defense.

Tom

Kobe was never going anywhere simply because it wasn't his decision.

Buss wasn't going to trade his cash cow. At training camp Kobe will say something like "he's put it all behind him and try to win a championship with this team, this year" bla bla yada.

It's over for now. But it's out. Long range planning is pointless. If this year isn't an upgrade, all bets are off. oops. "bet" = bad word these days.

Tibo69,
I think you nailed it all in one post.

The parrying between Kobe and TJ Simers in today's column revealed both at their best. Now, with any luck, KB24's actions on the court will speak for him going forward. The Lakers as a team may not be the most talented in the West this year, but we might see good chemistry carry the day.

"Kobe will be a sight to behold on Team USA. He will go out of his way to demonstrate what a great on and off the court team leader he is..."

Hot damn! Well pass the jug boy and take another swig of that sweet Texas armadillo piss!

It's just too bad that his "greatness" didn't shine through as the "leader" of the Los Angeles Lakers. I guess he just hasn't wanted to go out of his way until now.

Actually, if made the leader of Team USA, even Miss Van Exel might fair well with a team of American NBA All Stars. He would need only to play with himself to succeed.

Sonnybelfast

Laker Tom
"I also think that his dropping 19 pounds and asking Colangelo for the job of guarding the best guy on the other team says something about Kobe’s focus for this year. It’s on defense, just as Phil asked"

WELL AT LEAST HE KNOWS THAT HE NEEDS TO EARN THAT DEFENSIVE 1ST TEAM AWARD HE WAS BASICALLY GIVEN THIS PAST SEASON. BECAUSE KOBE PLAYED NO DEFENSE LAST SEASON. HE WAS GETTING BURN AS MUCH AS SMUSH.

Kobe over-complimented Simers when he compared Simers' journalism to Kobe's basketball game. But still, this is where Simers' antagonistic a-holism really comes in handy, allowing him to ask the tough and interesting questions since he probably couldn't piss Kobe off any more than he has already pissed Kobe off.

I'm really looking forward to a list of games that TD officiated along with the games he will be officially accused of fixing. (No wonder I lost my daughter's pony the year before last.)

There are lots and lots and lots and lots of Laker fans out here who would like to see Kobe gone and a clean Laker slate upon which to create another masterpiece.

Like it or not, they are everywhere and their voices as fans are just as relevant and meaningful as anyone's, including yours. Quit your whining.

Gunner, sonnybelfasr, all you other haters.

I read this blog everyday because it has good timely information.. The links are good, and the posts are sometimes funny and entertaining. I like an LA take on sport, but I can't read the Times because of the likes of TJ Stimmers. I hate haters.

Now, this blog's constant Kobe bashing is really getting old. I'm all for free speach, but this is a little rediculous. It seems a little crazy to me that a "Laker" blog would be so negative toward its star player. .A guy who works harder than any player on his team or any body elses. A guy who leaves it on the floor no matter what's going on off court. A guy who appears to want what all real Laker fans should want, to win championships. His methods may be uncoventional, but his intent is right on the money. I, for one, do not want to go aimlessly throught the rest of the 2000s like we did through the 90s, without being a contender.

If the truth be told, Kobe's public "outcry" probably did put a fire under the FO. At least it got Dr. Buss to leave the little girls alone for a hot minute and turn some attention to his team. Kobe's "tantrum" might even get us a marquee player before it is all over. To be honest, (again) it didn't hurt the team AT ALL. It may have even put a fire under some of our players who are not putting in the work to get better.

The weird part is you "Laker fans". It really seems like a lot of you guys have been drinking the coolaid of TJ and other media pimps. It is too bad. Instead to rallying around Kobe's attempt to force the the FO to spend some cash and get us a championship caliber team, you proudly send him pacifiers. I don't really understand that. You haters are schizo!!! You say you are laker fans, but you don't want to do what is necessary to win.

I'll never stop reading this blog, but sometimes I just do not need to hear the HATE.

Faith, Laker Tom, Tspere, are there other blogs out there that do not hate so much?

Now that we've got ourselves a solid pg, and 3 centers, I think it's time to make the move for JO. I want Garnett, but I don't think the 3 team trade scenarios are gonna happen, so why not go out and get the next best thing? I know a lot of people (including me) are worried about JO's injury history, but I think his health will be much better with us for 2 reasons:

1. JO is not gonna have to carry this team. Kobe is gonna be the #1 option, which will give JO more chances to take plays off on offense, and keep himself fresh longer.

2. (This depends on us keeping Kwame) JO WON'T have to guard the other teams best big man. IF we do the trade I'm proposing that will be Kwame's role. Can you imagine how effective JO will be just being a help defender?!?! He's a great shot blocker now, but being able to play off of weak pfs/centers will help his numbers sky rocket, and make our lane almost impossible to penetrate.

I'm pretty much conceding that Indy won't give up Granger so here's what I've come up with:

Indy gets:
Odom
Bynum
Farmar
Radmanovic

We get:
JO
Tinsley
Shawne Williams

I know that looks like a lot to give up, but if you think about it, we won't be that bad off. We just re-signed Mihm so Bynum will be a little easier to let go. We just drafted Crittenton so Farmar is pretty much obsolete, Radmanovic is a GREAT shooter, but hasn't learned the offense, and is a defensive liability. It will hurt to let LO go, but if you think about it were trading LO for JO. O'Neal is a better/more willing scorer, and a MUCH better defender. I know Odom has a better fg%, but JO's numbers will go up playing alongside Kobe since he'll have much easier shots. Here's the roster:

D-Fish-Tinsley-Crittenton
Kobe-Evans-Sasha
Luke-Williams-Evans
JO-Turiaf-Cook
Kwame-Mihm

Depending on what Williams does in his 2nd year, this team could definitely compete RIGHT NOW!!!! Our front court, and back court defense would be vastly improved, and could make up for Luke's lack of one on one D. What do y'all think?

Tellitlikeitis tells it Likeheseesit,

and that is fine, you whiney little skunk turd. But never assume those who disagree with you, especially on such a polarizing figure as the Saint, are the ones who drink the Kool-Aid.

Sonnybelfast

TJ SIMMERS, u pank uss mfer!

Lay off Kobe or you gonna get it big time! Capice!

TJ SImmers yo don't freakin talk like that to a KOBE BRYANT! He does waht he does to be the best. TJ Simmers does what he does to be an ignorant idot!

Craig W,
"I like this blog and continue to check back in on it, but I do skip through a lot of the posting because of the totally negative flow of several of the blogger - just like you"

IF YOU ARE USE TO YOUR MOTHER'S SILVER SPOON TREATMENT THEN YOU ARE RIGHT. THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO LAY YOUR TISSUES AND KLEENEX FOR OLD KOBIATCH.

Jorenema,

Now, that by your own admission I know you aren't a "white" slut, I hear you darling and think I know what you are trying to say. It is almost poetic; a catharsis composed by one. It's a beautiful day, and thank you for the good luck wishes.

Go Lakers

Weave-Man

I don't like your trade scenario and I'll tell you why. I don't like ANY trade scenario that leaves us with Kwame as our center. Or even leaves him on the team.

He's a pouter, a whiner, and an ineffective offensive player who can't catch the ball or shoot free throws when fouled. I can forgive the foul shooting (God knows we all forgave Shaq), but I can't forgive his attitude.

Have you forgotten the playoff game last year when he didn't get the call on the offensive end, then just complained to the ref. And when his complaint fell on deaf ears he sulked and looked around for his headband while Amare ran the floor and slam dunked? That's how he played 75% of the time. I wouldn't care if he was Moses freaking Malone in the paint, that kind of attitude destroyed our morale last year and I want it gone!

There were two emotional cancers on our team - Smush and Kwame. As far as I'm concerned its one down one to go. No GM wants the Big Butterfingers as a long term solution, but if we dump him now at least we get some value for his expiring contract.

Every championship team has an all-for-one hustle attitude. Look at this years' Spurs or the Pistons team that beat us 3 years ago. Pouting is contageous and I for one don't want it anywhere on my team, let alone starting at the 5. Kwame must go!

Jorema,

Yeah lets put another coach on the Lakers, and we'll see how Kobe handles playing for PJ Carlisemo.

Stop with the Phil bashing.

We all recognize Phil's shortcomings as a coach. He has little patience for young guys who make dumb decisions. He is much less a teacher and more of an organizer. He doesnt work well with bad teams because he talks about basketball and a high level and some idiots just want to play playground basketball and he wants professionalism even on the court. Yes that makes him an average coach for a bad team, and a great coach for a team with great players.

But give Phil this credit, he has stuck with the team for whatever image maybe he wants to have, but now after a couple of seasons, the team is actually getting to that mature stage. So stop with these stupid Phil attacks. He was the best person available for the job at the time, and is still the best coach available unless you want the coach cancer Larry Brown, the stranglee-PJ would get stranged by Kobe, or who else..Reggie Theus who would spend more time in front of the camera in hollywood than behind a bench.

Besides, if Phil had alterior motives for coming to the Lakers, so did Kobe. I mean both didnt want a poor legacy in LALA land. Look, if the Lakers return to glory and when a championship, both players get their legend status cemented, Los Angeles will forget all about the drama, and raise them up like Gods.

HAS HE PLAYED WITH THEM BEFORE? I DON'T THINK SO.

Only in all-star games

Weave-Man,

Your deal for JO won't work. Indiana wants to get rid of long term contracts,
not take them back. There's no way they would accept a deal with Vlad
Radmanovic in it. If you want to construct a realistic trade, here is the list
of all chips that Indiana would be interested in:

required players:
Odom + Bynum

optional players:
Farmar (true PG)
Crittendon (true PG)
Evans (expiring contract)
Vujacic (expiring contract)
Turiaf (expiring contract)
Brown (expiring contract)

future draft picks

Lakers take BACK long term contracts:
Murphy, Dunleavy, Daniels, or Tinsley

There might be a small chance the Lakers could get back Foster or
Diogu or Shawne Williams, depending on how much they are giving
up, but it's unlikely Indiana would want to include any of them.

Incidentally Jorenema,

Insomuch as you brought it up, and unlike the Lakers under the Saint's leadership, I like what our FO is doing and the direction the Kings are heading. Garcia, Martin and Williams will lead a young cast of athletic and skilled hustlers; the new generation Sacramento Kings. We'll soon be among the serious players in the all powerful west. If Artest, Bibby and Miller sort it out, so much the better.

On the other hand, so long as Kobe is still deemed your leader and even if you bring in All Star, Hall of Fame help as you have in the recent past, you and the rest of the Kobe Kool-Aid drinkers will still be reciting the same ol' lines; the same ones we heard last year, and the year before. You know them well. Help me out here. Let's recite the verses in harmony.