All quiet on the Western front ... a little too quiet for some
Derek Fisher officially met the media Friday afternoon, once again a Laker. But given how things have gone this summer, Kobe Bryant again dominated conversation across the hoops universe (you know, aside from the allegations that a referee had helped fix games, calling into question the integrity of an entire professional sport). Kobe took no steps Friday to clear up the whole Lakers-or-no-Lakers question when he met the media as a member of USA Basketball. He admitted his Grand Radio Tour sent mixed signals, but feels this isn't the time to clarify his position, even when given a few cracks at it by an old friend. Still, he said lots of nice things ... just not the nice thing.
We've all spent a lot of time trying to decode the tea leaves on this one, and even Fish said people shouldn't read too much into his return to the Lakers, at least as it relates to Kobe. At this point, unless the answer is, "I'm committed to staying in L.A. and trust management to do the right things," he's probably better staying mum on the subject. By doing so, it'll continue to fuel speculation that he wants out, but that can't be avoided, especially if Kobe's still harboring some issues with the folks in El Segundo. He is right that to turn the USA Basketball season into a Laker Circus isn't fair. And even if Kobe does say he wants to stay, there's an element of distraction, too. "Are you happy with Mitch? Can this group win a championship? Do you still want Jerry West?" And so on and so forth.
All of this is a consequence of how things went down this summer. That Kobe repeatedly said he wished things had gone down differently is sticking to the plan of keeping things in-house is a positive sign. It might cause the rest of us to wonder out loud, but clearly it's better than the media-frenzied alternative. The more public this spat becomes, the worse it is for everyone.
But since all that's left is for us to speculate ... let's do it. I wonder if Kobe really knows what he wants. I doubt he's gained a lot more trust of management, specifically that a championship-caliber team can be assembled around him quickly. On the other hand, he clearly understands the fallout from everything that went down didn't make him look good, and he is trying to repair the damage. And I think Kobe understands the team isn't going to move him. So that leaves a holdout come training camp, and to start talking about that with the media in mid-July is a horrible idea.
Personally, I think he'll be there. With bells on? I have no idea. That he hasn't come out and said he'll be a Laker in October certainly makes you wonder what he wants. Or if he knows.
-- BK
Tsphere,
"one-way obsessive monomaniacs who, like any number of cows in the pasture, chew their cud of hatred over and over again and never manage to use their oral apparatus for anything else"
wow, talk about a verbal smack down. KLBeast, gunner, sunny, um y'all need to umm idk, umm i guess just hug someone next to you ... lol
Posted by: Taliq | July 22, 2007 at 01:01 PM
i dont know if anybody has posted anything regarding team usa and their schedule or anyhting like that, but does anybody know when their games or any of their activities are going to be broadcasted on tv? or a website that gives that info?
Posted by: andand | July 22, 2007 at 01:03 PM
Fkillah,
"AK, Now that there is definitive proof that games are fixed, the Lakers may get the calls that they deserve. It was quite interesting how Bill Simmons mentions that superstars like Wade, Lebron, and Arenas get superstar calls. Excluded from that list was Kobe. Coincidence? Another interesting thing is that Sheridan points out how Phil Jackson really hated Tim Donaghy for making unfair calls. This adds a lot tangible evidence for the conspiracy theorists. Maybe it shouldn't be considered a conspiracy anymore. The Lakers are one of the biggest markets in the NBA and have probably been involved in more referee schemes than any other teams. What are your thoughts?"
Well, first and foremost, this situation is obviously terrible. It's a big time black mark on the NBA, one that will be tough to move past. You're gonna be hearing about this scandal for quite a while, and deservedly so. This ref will be dragged through the mud and I have no problem with that.
That being said, I think it's important for Laker fans not to start thinking of this as proof of a purely "anti-Laker conspiracy" (and the same goes for fans of every team, who I'm sure also see this as evidence that the cards were stacked mostly against them). This affected more teams than the Lakers. At present (to the best of my knowledge), we also have no idea which games Donaghy bet on concerning the Lakers, or even HOW he bet on those games. He may very well have been fixing the game IN FAVOR of L.A. I have no idea and neither do you. There's still a lot that needs to come out before people really have a handle on what happened, so there's no point in assuming the worst when it comes to the Lakers. Be patient and let the facts come out (as I imagine they will).
I don't personally recall PJ being critical of Donaghy's calls (or more importantly, why), but with all due respect to Jackson, the man has made high art out of ref criticizing. It's not like Donaghy's the only official Jackson's taken to task. For that matter, every coach does this. As far as they're concerned, the cards are always stacked against them. I'm not saying that Donaghy didn't make calls against the Lakers with an ulterior motive. Clearly, there's a solid chance that was the case. I'm just not about to assume it because Phil criticized him.
As for Simmons excluding Kobe from the "star call" paragraph, maybe it's coincidence and simply reflects the first couple guys who popped into his head. Maybe it's that Simmons feels Kobe doesn't attack the rack as much as the others (and honestly, he probably doesn't), so that's why he's not the steady beneficiary of those calls. Or maybe it's because Simmons indeed doesn't think Kobe reaps the star call benefits. I honestly have no idea, but I don't consider it a big deal, either. Maybe it's just because I'm not big on "reading into things," but it just strikes me as a little trivial.
I'm saying any of this in a "let's not make this situation a bigger deal than it is" kinda way. It's almost impossible to make this situation bigger than it is. This is ridiculously huge. I'm simply saying, let's not add to what it truly is without knowing all the particulars.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 22, 2007 at 01:10 PM
It is unlikely that the "bad" ref(s) - Donaghy, hopefully no one else - affected the winner/loser to much degree. More likely that they were concerned about the spread and the over/under. They wouldn't want to make things too obvious, because that would make it easier to be caught.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 22, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Given the squad we have my five would be Fish(pg), Kobe(sg), Evans(sf), Odom(pf) and Kwame(c).
That makes us kind of small at the center and power foward positions. But it's what I'd go with. I think offensively and defensively this is the best set of guys we can place out there. And yes youth was kinda frowned upon in makng this starting five, they'll need to go above and beyond the call of duty to take a spot from anyone of the veterans.
Luke, Rad, Cook didn't make my first team because I don't think they can consistently be a defensive presence every night. And for all those clamoring for luke as being a gel, well he can help keep our young bench effective when they come in.
Lastly for my five to work, Fish and Evans must be consistently capable of knocking down the open shot and odom and kwame should become best buds with the paint being their favorite hang out spot.
Posted by: Taliq | July 22, 2007 at 01:17 PM
Vman, I did reply to the ref thing...but it too was lost in the shuffle lol.
To really fix the sport, you have to go al lthe way to the top. We're deliberating over a ref whose sole purpose in life was to gamble away games...yet we're overlooking "Stu Jackson" whose sole purpose in life is to ruin the NBA. Don't referees have a check and balance system? I mean for one, there's THREE of them out there...and for another they have and are supposed to watch tapes of each games ref-ed and critique it. For all the years this ref has been in the league...nothing? That's where the inept heads come in. Does Stu Jackson have anyone to overrule him? Maybe David Stern...and I just don't see him doing that to his buddy.
All I know is the CONSPIRACY lives! lol, jk.
Posted by: Faith | July 22, 2007 at 01:17 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------
THE CHRONICLES OF SERGEANT KOBE: Part 7
--------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL BUSS: Come in, Private Kupchak.
GENERAL KUPCHAK: Its General, sir...
GENERAL BUSS: Huh?
GENERAL KUPCHAK: Nevermind. you asked to see me?
GENERAL BUSS:Yes. Give me a status report... has Sergeant Kobe given up yet?
GENERAL KUPCHAK: Im afraid not, sir... he stopped threatening to abandon his post, but he wont commit to joining the fight and defending the fort from our enemies.
GENERAL BUSS: So, he thinks he's smart, does he?
GENERAL KUPCHAK: Sir?
GENERAL BUSS: That's fine, keep up the "search" for reinforcements, but once Sergeant Kobe gives in, cancel it. The Suns of Phoenix will have breached the fort by October, so he only has so much time before he must pick up his arms and fight.
GENERAL KUPCHAK: And if he stil refuses to fight...
GENERAL BUSS: Then we'll hang him for treason.
GENERAL KUPCHAK: If General West were here, he'd --
GENERAL BUSS: But he's not here, is he? I've heard enough out of you, Private Kupchak. Call in my ladies on your way out... and tell them to bring my hemorrhoid cream...
Posted by: hal9000 | July 22, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Fox Sports West at 4:00 PM today, team USA in Vegas.
Posted by: TaosHum | July 22, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Maybe the nba should just adopt international rules and reach out to their european counterparts to help retrain nba refs :)
lol ... i can just see david stern having a heart attack ... a better idea is to setup a committee consisting of coaches, players, refs, and a few league officials ... guys like cuban could mail tapes to the commitee concerning officiating and refs would be punished e.g. suspensions, training in europe (lol). Punishments would be kept private. Also a similar commitee should be setup to handle player punishments, that way the next time wallace throws a tantrum, his colleagues and not just the league would have say in what his punishment should be.
Absolute power corrupts and i just think the problem is league officials and refs have too much power. It's time for them to share that power with the rest of the league (basically coaches and players)
Posted by: Taliq | July 22, 2007 at 01:29 PM
has anybody posted that Odom seems to be on the block? All the rumors, except the Artest rumors generally involve Odom, the latest being the Wallace/Mr. Jefferson/Odom deal that didn't happen. Everybody keeps harping on trading Bynum but what if the Lakers are looking at moving Odom and Kwame seperately for possibly a PF and ??? a gunner SF? Where does that leave Vlad Rad then? You would think they would want a scoring type SF with Walton backing him up and a banger type PF that wouldn't have to score as much but would be a defensive/rebounding maniac with Turiaf backing him up. If they move Vlad Rad, do they keep Cook?
Has anybody posted any realistic people the Lakers might be interested in? SF's and PF's, and NOT journeymen but realistic guys that may have a few years in the league who's names aren't really being bounced around like - off the top of my head - Hakim Warrick, who has 2 years experience and might fit a slot in Phil's system?
Posted by: TaosHum | July 22, 2007 at 01:32 PM
LakerLarry:
"In your earlier post you brought up the Brian Grant issue, old player, broken down, big contract, Lakers took him, FO stupid, bla-bla-bla.... You do realize J-Kidd's only 1 year younger than B Grant and Grant's been out of the league for 2 years now. It's hard to believe you are still advocating that trade. A trade in which we would give up a boatload of young developing talent for an old player with ailing knees. Thank God our front office didn't make that trade."
How could you possibly compare Jason Kidd, a Future Hall-of-Famer who averaged a triple-double in last year's playoffs, to Brian Grant, a one-dimensional role player who has never even made an All-Star team? So they're only one year apart... so what? Jordan still averaged 20 ppg in his 40's... Kareem was an all-star in his late 30's... the great ones usually have a longer life span than the average NBA player, and Jason Kidd's no exception.
Posted by: hal9000 | July 22, 2007 at 01:33 PM
on the refs, the committee they set up should have no connection with the NBA. You can't have someone like Cuban on the committee, it has to be done from outside the league by people with no interest in actual game outcomes. This is so serious, I'm not even sure they should use people from another major sport like the NFL or MLB. To really put this to rest, it would have to be some outside group that would be given enough authority that if they said to do this or that, those things would be done without question, whether it is a new ratings system for refs, or higher pay for refs? or have the refs work fewer games or even adding another ref to each game or whatever.
Posted by: TaosHum | July 22, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Taliq,
I like your call of starting Evans at SF. I considered that one for awhile, but abandoned it just because Luke has more consistently been on the floor with the others. Evans definitely brings game Luke just doesn't have.
I didn't go with Kwame simply because you never know which Kwame will show up on any given night. Mihm, if truly healthy, has the ability to bring more consistency.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 22, 2007 at 01:45 PM
Rick F.,
I think the Lakers will add an impact player before the summer ends. But if not, my starting fav 5 come playoff time would be as follows:
PG-Crittenton (with Fisher playing heavy 4th quarter minutes, similiar to Horry's role on the Spurs. Once JC proves to be the real deal, hopefully by mid-season, we can afford to limit Fish's minutes and save him for the playoffs).
SG-Kobe
SF-Vlad (by default. We need Vlad to return to form desperately this year. If Vlad is the same Vlad from last year, than I would start Evans ahead of Luke. With one year of the triangle under his belt, along with Fish's arrival, I think Evans will have a much larger role this year. If we have to rely on Luke getting 30 minutes a game for the entire season, this team is doomed).
PF-Lamar
C-Kwame (aside from his buttery hands and pea sized brain, I still think Kwame can be a solid role player if he learns to hustle and just play nasty. I'm starting him this year because guys like Kwame are motivated big-time during their contract years).
Posted by: Mitchell | July 22, 2007 at 01:47 PM
Mitchell, you write:
"What is true is that Lakers games get more action that most (if not all) NBA teams."
You're incorrect with that statement, blogs become silly when people are making up facts. No west coast teams get "the most action" betters don't want to wait that long for results to come in -sometimes 1:30 in the morning if they are in the East- and they bet on early games more than late game - sometimes trying to bet again if the late games are still open. i believe the ration is probably 2-1. ....you can look that fact up everywhere, so there is no reason at all to think that the Lakers were unfairly treated compared to anyone else.....
Posted by: daniel | July 22, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Faith,
" For all the years this ref has been in the league...nothing?"
That's why I don't think that he had a significant effect on who won or lost. That would be too obvious. It was probably aimed more at tyring to be on a certain side of the point spread. That would be easier to do without being obvious.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 22, 2007 at 01:57 PM
I don't know how any true Lakers fan can defend Kobe anymore. That just boggles my mind. He pissed all over the purple and gold! I am done defending him. It took me all these years to see the light but I get it now.
Posted by: LALfan32 | July 22, 2007 at 02:14 PM
daniel,
Good point, but I'm not comparing the East coast versus the West coast, nor am I comparing the volume of bets between teams. I simply stated that the nationally teleivised Laker games get more action than any other NBA game. Nationally televised games get much more action than than any other games (especially the weekend games). These games tend to bring out the occasional gamblers. The Lakers consistently have had the most nationally televised games, with the highest ratings. These games draw the largest viewing audeince as well as the largest betting audience. If a bookie wanted to maximize profits, he would more likely take advantage of one of these games, which makes it much more likely that the Laker games were effected.
I'm not proud of this, but right after college, I worked for a very large sports gambling operation for a year. I am very aware of the tendencies of the professional, as well as the occasional, gambler. Please do not accuse me of "making of facts".
Posted by: Mitchell | July 22, 2007 at 02:28 PM
LAlFan32:
"I don't know how any true Lakers fan can defend Kobe anymore. That just boggles my mind. He pissed all over the purple and gold! I am done defending him. It took me all these years to see the light but I get it now."
LALFan32, welcome to the Kobe Haters club... go ahead and take your seat next to KL and gunner. We only have one rule here... if you ever say anything positive about Kobe... you're out of the club. Got it?
-- Oh, and you have to put on these blinders, so you can have tunnel vision like the rest of us.
Posted by: hal9000 | July 22, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Derek:
The last two years people have been saying the same thing (Lakers won't make the playoffs) but they still have, even with the injuries. The worst the Lakers will be this year is 7th (if they are relatively injury free) and may be as high as 4th. That said, that ain't enough for me or Kobe :(
Posted by: rdlee | July 22, 2007 at 02:58 PM
"I don't know how any true Lakers fan can defend Kobe anymore. That just boggles my mind. He pissed all over the purple and gold! I am done defending him. It took me all these years to see the light but I get it now."
Just a reminder.
Kobe isn't the one that ran up and down the court demanding 30 millions a year... he wasn't the one that left the team and called LA fans IDIOTS, it was on fat bum that couldn't even win one game in the weak east.
Kobe is the only person in this organization that cares about winning. He single-handedly carried a bunch of liabilities (who has no business being in the nba) to the play-offs in the west, something nobody else can claim...ever.
Posted by: LAKERDAWG | July 22, 2007 at 03:06 PM
AK,
The most interesting aspect about this ref scandal is that the great majority of fans are not shocked by this. I think the NBA refs have the most difficult job compared to other sports and moreover have more influence in determining the outcome of a game. Reflecting back to the many games that the fans felt slighted on (ex: Wade's free throw parade at the Finals, Lakers vs Sacramento game 7, Spurs vs. Suns, etc.), the fans have legitimate gripe that those games may have indeed been fixed. Personally, I don't think Kobe gets the calls that he deserves. I've been to many games and have seen him get butchered out there when he drives to the lane. Yes, Kobe doesn't drive to the lane as often as Wade or Lebron, but when Kobe does drive, he doesn't get the calls in terms of percentage as them.
Posted by: fkillah | July 22, 2007 at 03:09 PM
Fkillah,
"The most interesting aspect about this ref scandal is that the great majority of fans are not shocked by this."
By "most interesting," do you mean "saddest?" haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 22, 2007 at 03:24 PM
AK,
Yeah it is sad, but we fans always had a hunch about this and now it's just being confirmed. It's like Tony Soprano's mom trying to whack her own son. You don't want to admit it, but its true. Tears..
Posted by: fkillah | July 22, 2007 at 03:32 PM
ex:
The blog is almost feeling normal to me after reading your interpretation of the team’s depth and improvement at point guard and center. Browsing the blog is like reading the sports page wearing a pair of sunglasses with a different prescription for each eye, left one GHF and right one GHE, or is it the other way? lol. You’re either a guardian angel making sure nobody’s hopes get too high or a devil looking to rain on every parade.
I concede that the more pessimistic view per your post is as valid at this point in time as the more optimistic view many of us others have of how much better we will be at the 1 and 5. We have plugged a couple of holes but still need to either see a player at each position make a big leap ala Deron Williams or the front office use the new pieces in a deal to bring in a second superstar such as KG, JO, or Ron Artest.
Correct me if I’m wrong, however, but I’m betting bottom line that you do agree that we have definitely improved our team at point and center and our difference of opinion is just in how much? You probably don’t believe this team could win 55 games but don’t you agree it will be much better than last year’s team, provided it remains relatively healthy?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 22, 2007 at 03:38 PM
Hal9000,
Looking forward for the next chapter in the chronicles of sergeant Kobe. How about a compilation for all who missed the previous chapters?
Posted by: two0one7 | July 22, 2007 at 03:57 PM
ex:
“No, they weren't. The schedule allowed them to have a record better than the relative strength of the team. Overvaluing the team's talent is going to doom the Lakers to the first round/second round if they get lucky purgatory for the next ten years.”
You may be right that the light schedule allowed the team to get off to a better start and appear to be a better team than they really were. Their performance during the second half of the season and playoffs would support that viewpoint. But that is oversimplifying the situation because injuries did also play a role as did the loss of team chemistry and Kobe’s disenchantment with the front office after the Jason Kidd trade fell through. Reality, which you always claim to seek, is probably that the team was not as good as it appeared to be early in the year but also not as bad as their second half and playoff play would suggest.
I agree that overvaluing the team’s talent could hurt the team’s future considerably but by the same token so could undervaluing the team’s talent. I think that the quick start last year led us to overvalue the team’s talent, which resulted in the double error of failing to pull off the Jason Kidd trade (Kobe, Kidd, Lamar, et al would have been a true contender) and pissing off Kobe, triggering the current standoff. Since Kobe’s outburst, however, I think the team has done an excellent job of not over or under-valuing the team’s talent. They could easily have conceded to pressure and traded Bynum, Brown, AND Lamar for JO, which would have been undervaluing our talent. Another thing is that they are the only ones who have been able to see whether it looks like Andrew Bynum is going to elevate his game in year 3. I would like to see him in preseason and early season before finally deciding to trade him. He might just change all of our minds with his play. Even Kobe, who said he talked to Andrew.
If a deal that could elevate the Lakers to the next level comes around, the Lakers are ready to make the deal, including trading Bynum. On the other hand, they still believe that the team as presently constructed will be much better than anybody else expects. I happen to think they are on the right track right now and I think you generally agree with me but differ in how good the existing team could be or how easy it is going to be to make the deal we need to get to the next level.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 22, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Mitchel:
I wanted to chime in the point spread fixing scandal in the NBA. I find it fascinating wondering whether or not the Lakers were affected adversely by intentionally bad calls by this ref during Laker games.
First, I would assume that gamblers looking to make a profit by fixing the point spread on a game would want to do so in a game with lots of action since it would allow them to place a much larger bet than in a game with a small pool where a large contra bet could attract attention or even dynamically effect the point spread that you were trying to control. Thus, nationally televised Laker games might be good targets, especially since these games bring in heavy betting from Laker fans that already distort the odds that a neutral audience might generate. A big bet that the Lakers would not cover the spread would be the logical bet to place since it would already have a built-in preference favoring the Lakers not covering.
Second, I would assume that the gamblers would be looking at games that were very competitive with low point spreads since the odds of the ref being in a position to make a difference with just a couple of calls would be greater than in a blowout, which would require much more intervention to affect the final score. Therefore, all we need to do is to check Laker games this ref worked against opponents where neither team was favored by many points. If the results show that the Lakers were not beating the spread, then that would surely indicate that these games should be closely analyzed to see if there were some questionable calls by that ref that prevented the Lakers from beating the spread.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 22, 2007 at 04:22 PM
"Just a reminder.
Kobe isn't the one that ran up and down the court demanding 30 millions a year... he wasn't the one that left the team and called LA fans IDIOTS, it was on fat bum that couldn't even win one game in the weak east.
Kobe is the only person in this organization that cares about winning. He single-handedly carried a bunch of liabilities (who has no business being in the nba) to the play-offs in the west, something nobody else can claim...ever."
Lakerdawg:
I totally agree about that fat and bloated lazy bum. My point was not that I support 1 over the other. My point is that no player is above the organization. It's all about the Lakers first and foremost. And to see my beloved purple and gold ripped by both of them...... to hell with both of them I say. Who knows.... maybe I'm just stuck in the 80's, back when there was more loyalty to a team.
If he had a beef, there is a right way to handle it. How quickly he forgot about all that the Lakers organization did to him when he was dealing with all his legal issues huh? No loyalty.....
Posted by: LALfan32 | July 22, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Great job by Kobe to keep the human nuisance stiff armed in that interview.
TJ Simers is just way too into himself and his writing style.
He sucks big time.
Posted by: LakerBake | July 22, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Kobe's focused and preparing for the next NBA season.
The question is, what are the Laker players who are not injured doing to prepare?
Is Lamar Odom watching film?
Is Kwame Brown watching film?
Is Brian Cook working on rebounding and post up moves?
Is VladRad working on his jumpshot?
Is Jordan Farmar working on having a game inside the 3 point line?
Is Maurice Evans working on his game and defense?
Is Turiaf working on adding something to his offensive game and sweeping the boards better?
What the heck is Andrew Bynum working on?
This is the problem with the Lakers.
It isn't Kobe.
Is Mitch working on the Jermaine O'Neal trade?
Bynum, Odom, (Sasha or Farmar) for Jermaine O'Neal!
Posted by: LakerBake | July 22, 2007 at 04:40 PM
AK, Ref problems!!!! Who would you spread bet on!!!
You have seen games when one team will get about 35-40 foul call when the other team gets about 10. How can there ever be such a disparity foul calls. Unless, the officiating crew were totally incompetent.
There reason it is bad, is that refs in the NBA have so much power. I think that the NBA should adopt a system, where refs after the game should explain why players or coaches got technical call or ejected. Also, there should be NBA appointed head ref or panel to check the performance of the refs. To make sure they maintain a high standard of refereeing.
Aaarrrhhhh!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | July 22, 2007 at 04:45 PM
u guys watching the scrimmage???? how good is jason kidd... u telling mitch isnt regretting trading bynum for him?
Posted by: tp | July 22, 2007 at 04:56 PM
Faith,
I totally agree. It shouldn't be lost in the shuffle here, this is historical.
You can't sugar coat it. The integrity of the sport has been uncovered and the man behind the curtain is cheating.
If it was just a point or two, maybe a game or two accidentally that's not so bad? That's bad. Boxing kind of bad. That game has suffered these kinds of blows and they're about to be eclipsed by Ultimate Fighting.
Sad. Damn sad. My fear, and I bet the fear of the league, is that it doesn't turn out to be worse than we already know when all the facts are in.
Posted by: Vman | July 22, 2007 at 05:09 PM
LakerTom,
The players at PG and C could be deep in another year or two. But they aren't yet. Just like the Lakers as a whole last year.
When determining the depth on the team, it's a mistake to take potential into account.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 22, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Laker Ton,
"point and center and our difference of opinion is just in how much?"
At this moment in time, a slight improvement in PG. That amount of improvement will probably increase as Crittendon and Farmar get more playing time.
At C, it is too soon to tell for sure. I am sure that Bynum has improve; the question is how much. If Mihm and Brown both come back all the way from the injuries and surgeries, then there is a significant improvement at that position. IF that is the case, I would expect that Bynum and Mihm would see the most time at center, and PJ would experiment with Brown at PF. You could get away with no offense from the PF position if you were getting some from the center. Mihm would definitely provide that; Bynum might. Or pssibly Mihm at PF.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 22, 2007 at 05:30 PM
"Kobe leaves next year, so you should take the Atlanta deal of Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, and Josh Childress for Kobe otherwise you will get nothing."
I've heard that rumor somewhere else too, but never from the Lakers FO or
the Hawks FO or any news agency who purports to have heard it from either
of those sources.
Unless the Hawks are planning on moving to New York or Chicago next year,
it's not a viable trade. Kobe has a non-trade clause and has specified that the
teams he would agree to be traded to would be Chicago, New York, or
Phoenix (and in some reports, he later added Dallas).
That aside, it's not a terrible offer, and at least they'd get back an all-star
quality player (and at the same position as Kobe, no less). But if I was the
Lakers, I'd be telling them to make it Josh Smith instead of Josh Childress,
even if Kobe was willing to go to Atlanta, and to throw in a couple of
future first round picks. Otherwise, no deal.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 22, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Kobe is the man!
Kobe hit three consecutives cluch shots to give his team a victory....
Blue team won in a sensational finish in las vegas.
Kobe is the man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: jorema | July 22, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Kobe hit the tieing 3 pointer in the final minute, and the game winner over Lebron with 6 seconds left. He also defended Lebron on the final play, a lebrick.
Posted by: Mitchell | July 22, 2007 at 06:05 PM
LALfan32
"If he had a beef, there is a right way to handle it. How quickly he forgot about all that the Lakers organization did to him when he was dealing with all his legal issues huh? No loyalty....."
I don't disagree with you that much on that, however I just wonder how long he had been trying to handle his beef the right way in the past 3 saesons, but it seems like 3 consecutive crapy seasons ar OK with Mitch and Jim Buss, but definitely not good for a champion like Kobe. I'm not a fan of his methods but I don't blame him either, the way I see it he just reflected the frustration of many fans.
Moreover, there could be a lot of speculation on why they stood by him wih his legal trouble. they had a lot of stake in getting him out of trouble, after all he was there true path to a championship.
Posted by: LAKERDAWG | July 22, 2007 at 06:09 PM
Unbelievable Kobe.
Kobe just show in Las Vegas, competing against the best in the game, who is the best.
In the other side Lebron tried for the win, but as always,he isn't Kobe.
Just Kobe, Kobe, Kobeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Posted by: jorema | July 22, 2007 at 06:10 PM
I hope all the Kobe Haters were watching the Team USA scrimmage today. The best of the NBA was playing, and they were playing hard. Who was the best player on the floor? Kobe Bryant. Who led his team to victory? Kobe Bryant. This validates the theory that with better players, Kobe will only be better and make the others better. And on the other team was the "team player" of team players, Jason Kidd. Kidd played quite well, along with Lebron James, who was on his team. But not only did Kobe hit the game winners (the last four points), he defended the potential game winner, and added 4 assists to go with 6 steals. He really is the best, no doubt about it.
Posted by: Kobe Apologist | July 22, 2007 at 06:11 PM
Mitchell,
When you say, "If we have to rely on Luke getting 30 minutes a game for the entire season, this team is doomed" I fear you're right. Can VladRad finally learn the offense? I just don't think he'll ever fit in here, but I hope I'm wrong.
To all the haters,
Did you see the Team USA scrimmage on FSN? Kobe rules on the court, regardless of how you feel about him.
And how about Kevin Durant! Looks like he's been in the NBA for years. What a force this guy is going to be!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 22, 2007 at 06:15 PM
I just watched the USA scrimmage. It was a piece of basketball heaven. This has to be the absolute greatest thing that's happened as a result of the losses in international play. These guys are taking this thing seriously.
My particular interest was, of course, Kobe. Seeing this man play basketball is just breathtaking. He busted the game winner on Tayshaun, then he d'up Lebron to help make the final stop. It was vintage Kobe. He was the emotional dictator of that game. He completely controlled that game, and stepped up every time his squad needed him. And most importantly, he was clutch. It was a masterpiece. It was also just a scrimmage.
It's hard to swallow the fact that Kobe doesn't want to play for the Lakers anymore. Damn...
As long as Kobe's still officially a Laker and winning games for the USA, I've got to cheer for this guy. Damn...
Kobe was the best and most respected player on that court without a doubt. Damn...
Would I still like to trade Kobe? Hell no! But if the right deal came along, maybe.
Durant looked real good playing with the big boys.
I don't like the fact that D'antoni is coaching Kobe. I can't see D'antoni worrying too much about wearing Kobe down come time for the NBA season to start. We all saw what happened to Wade after playing ball non-stop for 2 years straight. As in shape as these guys are, they do need breaks for the body to heal.
Posted by: Rocky | July 22, 2007 at 06:24 PM
"There's a toughness to Kobe, an edge," Colangelo said. "And that's something we didn't have last year."
That's what I am talking about!
That's what I am talking about!
That's what I am talking about!
Do you hear it KL,gunner...etc...??/
Grow up you KOBE and Laker hater!
Go lakers! Go Kobe.
Posted by: dice8up | July 22, 2007 at 06:25 PM
What an awesome display of talent at the USA scrimage.
What is showed is a shooter of the ball is dangerous.
The only players who cannot really shoot the ball next year is Kwame, Walton, and Farmar.
But Fisher can shoot the clutch shot. You know about the other guy.
There is no reason that the Lakers cannot go all the way next year. But they have to find some shooters. JO and KG is not the solution.
They would take a price that would make the team worthless.
The real key is the development of Odom and Brynum. Can they hit some shots? They have more talent and upside than the tradees. Much more.
It is too bad that Susha, Cook, Farmar are undtradable.
Like they play bad to show they cannot be moved.
Posted by: Lee | July 22, 2007 at 06:25 PM
Kobe looked awesome in Team USA. Kobe was the still clutch.
I wish we had Jason Kidd...
Posted by: Hansoulfood | July 22, 2007 at 06:27 PM
Did anyone see Kobe tear it up in the USA scrimmage earlier this afternoon. I wouldn't trade him for two allstars, he is truly the star of all-stars. LO needs to step it up, Andrew better be ready this season, other wise get someone who KOBE can win with. He is the best basketball player in the world, and i doubt their is any denying it. It is a team game, but it sure should be a lot easier when you have the best player on your team.
10 second left, T-prince guarding Bryant, shimmy, shake, pump fake, pivot, pump fake, rise, score, no problems. It was awful nice to see(in this case) #10 do what he does best, close.
Please Lakers get it done this season.
Posted by: Nik Kannan | July 22, 2007 at 06:30 PM
KL,
re: Kobe's leadership. This is
the tail end of a blog from the scrimmage today.
Posted by: Dave McMenamin
Man, what a game!
Kobe came through again, freezing Tayshaun Prince at the top of the key and dropping in the go-ahead 18-foot jumper with 6.6 seconds left.
After a timeout White came out and fed the ball to LeBron who stared down Kobe and, put his head down and trudged into the lane before putting up a floater as time expired that hit the glass to the left of the rim.
Bryant finished with 26 points and scored the last seven points for Blue.
I'll be back later with some quotes from everybody involved and look for a new McTen coming out tomorrow summing up a very successful mini-camp for Team USA.
In looking at the box score, C. Anthony took more shots and
had more points. They were both tied with assists.
In previous conversations you've indicated doubts about Kobe's leadership in conjunction with being able to win. Others, myself included, have argued that Kobe's teammates did not do their part.
While this scrimmage is not decisive in any way, I would have you keep this on file so that later you can have this as a side dish with the crow you'll be eating.
Bon Appetit
Posted by: hobbitmage | July 22, 2007 at 06:32 PM
Wow! No comments on that great game?
Durant looks like the next Kobe. That guy is clearly the real deal. This wasn't even a regular season game, this was against the best in the league and Durant more than held his own. Give him a year or two and WOW!
I don't know how I got lumped in with the "Kobe haters". Once again, Kobe was clearly the best player on the court out there. The concerns that I have posted, as far as being a Laker fan is:
1. he asked to be traded, and we all know that 99 times out of 100, having a disgruntled player on the roster is ALWAYS a problem, even if he is the best player in the league.
2. he badmouthed his teammates and was caught on video doing it, no less.
3. the concerns about him "taking over" games where it leaves everybody else standing around with their thumbs in their... mouths... which falls under "leadership" and getting everybody involved.
None of this makes me a "Kobe hater". I love Kobe on the court, the concern was points 1-3 above. All that being said, it seems that Kobe is saving face at this point and is not going to sit out, etc. He's in great shape, and from his recent comments, he likes the recent signings and it appears Mitch and crew have tried to make moves that Kobe would have approved of, like the attempt to get Gerald Wallace. I think we've got a good crew for next year, the only wildcard to me is Odom now and if he is moved, whether we go after 2 players to replace him. Another totally off the wall thought could be that Kobe moves to SF and the Lakers trade for a high scoring SG. Then again, if friggin Vlad Rad would step up and do what Mark Miller was doing today, that would be like another free agent acquisition this offseason... anyway... Kobe kicked major booty today!
Posted by: TaosHum | July 22, 2007 at 06:40 PM