I am taw-wy
Fans of the "Howard Stern Show" will recognize the immortal words of Crackhead Bob relaying an apology. Whether Kobe Bryant was inspired by the classic contrition from the shock jock's regular guest isn't certain, but in any event, Bryant revealed yesterday that he dropped by Mitch Kupchak's office a couple weeks ago to apologize for some recent outbursts. The behavior in question included radio tour rants, floating the idea of replacing Kupchak with Jerry West and his amateur video cameo, but it appears that "The Kobe Video" was the true impetus for Kobe's words, which Bryant insisted be delivered in person. So does that mean Bryant no longer desires a change of address? Hard to say. Bryant neither repeated his trade request nor confirmed he was back on board, stating that he's concentrating on his upcoming Team USA games, his workouts and the kids.
On another note, my dad is a retired ophthalmologist/eye surgeon, so he knows a fair amount about retinoblastoma, the cancer affecting Derek Fisher's young daughter. According to him, the top city for specialists and treatment for this disease is New York, with Boston high on the list. He also said that although he figures somewhere like UCLA is a viable option, he's not positive L.A. is considered a top area. And he definitely thinks Salt Lake City wasn't the ideal place to be treated.
My point for mentioning all this is to hopefully reassure any blogosphere members engaging in "read between the lines" speculation when it comes to Fish's eventual destination, or whether he could have treated his child in Utah but wanted to switch teams, etc. Seriously, please stop. For starters, Derek Fisher is not the kind of person who'd milk his daughter's condition as a way of getting himself on a squad he'd "rather" play with. That strikes me as way beyond out of character. Frankly, the situation he left wasn't all that bad. And if Fisher ends up on the Knicks, I'm willing to bet the farm it has absolutely nothing to do with "not wanting to play alongside Kobe" and everything to do with New York being the ideal place to treat her. This is a life decision, with basketball a distant second. Fisher's not about to put his daughter in what he considers the third best place for treatment so he can play for his first-choice team. Just focus your energy on positive thoughts toward Tatum Fisher and don't waste it trying to figure out how his decision is a reflection on the Lakers.
-AK
Korey,
"Any credible blocker would detect the base name and any derivation of those names."
I agree with your thoughts Korey. Key word "credible". But, RDaniel build a program to block names not derivation of those names. So, not a credible blocker, i might add.
Be well!
Posted by: gunner24 | July 07, 2007 at 06:28 PM
I am absolutely amazed the Clippers are resigning Korolev.
Go Clippers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | July 07, 2007 at 07:04 PM
Lincoln Laker
I don't put much stock in what Ric Bucher says.
He is becoming a drama guy with a different tempo than Jim Gray.
He's losing credibility daily but he's chasing those cameras and his star is going up.
Laker Tom and Miguel
Hey I agree on Artest and Fisher being the next best thing to having KG this summer. That would be an incredible blessing and I would not put a cap on our potential with those 2 added and everyone of significance still here other than Kwame Brown, Farmar, or whatever it takes to get the Sac deal done.
Staple 24
Glad to hear Sun Yue looks good. The question is would we bring him to camp or have we written him off the 2007-08 plans just like Marc Gasol?????? Big question??
Lastly
bad news about Ron Artest in that he's not asking to come to L.A. and it appears Houston would be more desirable for him. HMmmmm, you never know but see below
Ron Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, recently told ESPN.com contributor John Denton of the Florida Today newspaper that returning to the Eastern Conference "would be something that Ron would really like."
Artest, though, has passed on another opportunity to lobby for a homecoming . . . or any other move.
Amid increasing speculation that Sacramento is considering trades that would send its controversial swingman to either Orlando or New York, Artest said when reached Friday that he is still "looking forward to playing with the '07-08 Kings."
He also said that the Bulls and Pacers -- more than the Knicks -- were his boyhood dream teams.
"Growing up in New York, I always wanted the Knicks to win a championship, but my favorite team was the Bulls," Artest said. "And my best friend Sedric's favorite team was the Pacers. So my career has been a blessing, to play for the two teams that I dreamed about as a kid. [And] the trade to Sacramento was another blessing from God because playing for Rick Adelman elevated my status."
As for what happens next with the 27-year-old, who remains eminently tradeable in spite of all his past foibles with only one guaranteed season (at $7.8 million) left on his contract, Artest said: "I'm the type of guy [that], whatever the organization wants to do, I'm fine with because of the nature of the business."
Given his oft-stated reverence for Adelman, perhaps it'll be Houston if Artest does decide to start lobbying for a new address.
Posted by: LakerBake | July 07, 2007 at 07:32 PM
I enlist my name with EDWIN GUECO.
We demand changes in the LAKERS.
Answering Kobe heaters or talking trade possibilites is useless.
The Lakers GM office is paralized.
Even to recruit Derek Fisher.
Lakers fans, united with Edwin Gueco.
No more bla bla bla.
We demand changes in this roster.
Even Phoenix and Dallas two better team than ours are upgrading.
Where is the sense of urgency.
They will do the same.
More excuses, more of the same.
As Black and Peas say:
Where is the LOVE?
Flea, we loved your letter. You sound like a dedicated LAKERS FANS, suffering all this mediocrity, while the busses aren't centrated in winning.
Now we need you in a new crusade:
Kobe wants to stay...Will the GM office raise to the challenge?
Lakers fans, Flea, Edwin...Change, change is the word of the hour.
Posted by: jorema | July 07, 2007 at 07:34 PM
NOW IT'S A GAME OF "CHICKEN"
After the flurry of moves around the draft, nothing. KG, JO and Artest are all still on the trading block. The Lakers have re-signed Luke Walton, but done nothing else. Kwame, Bynum, and Lamar are still Lakers.
Now it's a game of chicken between all the rival GMs. Who can outwait whom. The longer each player on the trading block isn't moved, the less their value becomes.
At least, Kupchak hasn't done anything really stupid -- yet.
Kobe still says the team needs to get better. The question is, how? Every armchair GM on this blog has his or her ideas, but none of us is empowered to pull the trigger on a trade. Zen's post says it all very well: "The Lakers cannot simpy make a call and get a trade. The team on the other end has to say "What's in it for us?".
So, all we can do right now is hold our breath while the big boys play "chicken." But the likelihood grows that the Lakers may not get better through a trade. The downsides of the wrong deal could bite us in the butt. The team may have to get better the old fashioned way. Players we've all written off as losers, stepping up and showing us they had the right stuff, after all.
It's a scary thought, but rival GMs who wouldn't trust each other to go out and bring back a tuna sandwich all playing chicken is a scary thought, too.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 07, 2007 at 07:35 PM
You're right Edwin...
If Bynum need to improve...
Why he isn't in the summer league?
If he is the prospect of the hour, that will be the perfect showcase to see in what level is him right now.
If Lamarcus Aldridge is there....why Bynum and Sasha isn't in the list?
Posted by: jorema | July 07, 2007 at 07:39 PM
jorema
because bynum is a third year player.. sasha is a 4th year player and aldrige is only a second year player...
also..the last thing the lakers need is for bynum to get injured during the summer leageu wihlst we're still trying to acquire KG (even though i believe he shouldnt go)l
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | July 07, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Just curious; most of you who are screaming at the front office right now were the same ones who were on the 55 win wagon last summer.
You were proclaiming Lamar an All-Star, Bynum the new Kareem, Kwame an up-and-coming solid center, and Farmar a future John Stockton.
So last summer you were very happy with the players that the front office had obtained. Now, not so much.
What happened?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 07, 2007 at 03:36 PM
--true. i also remember a good majority of us calling for kupcake's head as well. i was on the bandwagon but i was still hatin on that numbskull. jimmy buss made us aware of his existance by being an ass this year. many people felt that after a year with the triangle, the great record at the end of the season, and returning to the playoffs so quickly after the horrible 2005 season that 06 was to be pretty special. can you blame us? even the "experts" though as much.
Posted by: the WOLF | July 07, 2007 at 07:50 PM
it seem like it may take all summer to determine if the lakers will make a trade. which sucks because if nothing happens before training camp, if the trade does finally happen, the player in question wont learn the offense well anyway. and if many players are involved, the team will underperform all year anyway. or at the least the first half. time is definitely a factor.
Posted by: the WOLF | July 07, 2007 at 07:58 PM
Hey guys,
I was watching the espn vid on espn.com, and ric bucher said kobe apologized to bynum before apologizing to mitch.
Posted by: HanSoulfood | July 06, 2007 at 05:27 PM
man i wish that wasnt true. kobe's sissy ass whining was probably the only thing that could motivate bynum. that kid NEEDS a fire lit under him for sure!
Posted by: the WOLF | July 07, 2007 at 08:07 PM
JoninJapan,
Beyond what you're (rightfully) saying, it's just a waste of time for Bynum to do Summer Pro League. He just finished 82 games as a 20 mpg member of the rotation, going against guys like Shaq, Duncan, Yao, Dwight Howard, etc. 50-75% of the SPL players won't even make the NBA, so playing them doesn't really help Bynum. The quality of play is too low.
Nor, for that matter, does SPL serve as a showcase. If he dominates these guys, who cares? He's supposed to dominate them by now, so it's not terribly impressive. And if for whatever reason he doesn't dominate, it only lowers his trade value.
Bynum's working regularily at the El Segundo facility, from what I understand. That's fine.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 07, 2007 at 08:08 PM
Jorema,
"As Black and Peas say:
Where is the LOVE?"
Props for the Black Eyed Peas reference, I love those guys. But it's "Eyed" not and lol. But I got you. I too want/demand change.
Ex, I was once blinded by the allure of the 55, but your brilliance has since opened my eyes and exposed me to the filth that is the front office, and the talent that is the Lakers. Happy? lol, jk.
AK, do you know if he did work out with DHoward afterall?
Posted by: Faith | July 07, 2007 at 08:23 PM
Faith,
I don't know, but I'll try to find out.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 07, 2007 at 08:29 PM
I think what management are looking for is to start the season with almost the same team that last year.
They already have options in the table.
The whole theory of wating for Garnett is just a excuse for let the summer goes..
I'm like saint Thomas: seeing is believing.
Is the same old story.
Posted by: jorema | July 07, 2007 at 08:35 PM
Nocioni is gone.
Artest is almost gone.
Grant Hill is gone.
Lewis is gone
Stackhouse is gone.
By the time we find out that Garnett is no longer available....
The same excuse would had being used:
We want to improve but not to compromise our future..
What future?.....Who is the future. When is the future?
Posted by: jorema | July 07, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Thanks AK!
Jorema, the future is now.
Posted by: Faith | July 07, 2007 at 08:56 PM
Since it's 7-7-07, I think I'm going to run the numbers
KG becoming a Laker 50-50
JO becoming a Laker 10-1 against
Artest becoming a Laker 20-1 against
D Fish returning to the Lakers 5-1 against (I still think not until after the All-Star break if he plays at all)
In short, these are all long shots, except maybe Garnett.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 07, 2007 at 09:07 PM
Wow, I can't believe we still have people out there complaining about the FO not pulling the trigger on the J-Kidd proposed trade last year. To make salaries match we would have traded LO, Kwame, and their primary target, Bynum. If we made that deal for a 35 year old PG with bad knees, how long can he be effective? More importantly, how many trading chips would we have left to make all those deals everyones talking about now? The answer is ...... none.
Everbody seems to believe we could have had any or all of the players Kobe wanted, Kidd, Artest, Baron Davis, Carlos Boozer, etc., etc.. The plain truth of the matter is, again, we would spend all our trading chips on just one of those players. Let's say we made a trade and we actually had one of those guys on our team, but no LO, Kwame, or Bynum. How much further would we have gone in the playoffs? Maybe, just maybe, we make it to the 2nd round, but no further. Kobe is still unhappy, but now we really are up a creek with no chips to trade. Well what would you do then? I know what many of you johnny-come-lately fans would do, you'd switch to another team and swear you'd been rooting for them all your life.
Posted by: LakerLarry | July 07, 2007 at 09:07 PM
Faith & Jorema,
You're wrong about the future. The future is not now. If it was they wouldn't call it the "future", they'd call it "now". LOL
Posted by: LakerLarry | July 07, 2007 at 09:14 PM
Laker Larry
the "johnny-come-lately fans", or the old school fans are value the same, or should have the same value.
Now if the "johnny-old-school". wants to live of past glory, is their choice.
If some Lakers fan deny that this GM office haven't being up to the task , they are just the "johnny-living in denial-" fans.
So, one thing or another.
If you pretend denigrate those Lakers fans asking for changes and looking to root for a team based in discipline, hard work, real talent and assertiveness, is your choice.
If you want to cover up the mediocre decisions form this GM office, is your choice.
Me, I preffer hold them accountable.
Three years listening from them the same sentence:
We are one star player away from being a team contender.
Now suddenly they changed the motto:
This team will win a championship when Andre Bynum could develop in the player that we envision he could be, down the road.
IF you want to applaud them, is your choice.
Me, the hell with that.
If we have the best coach in the game and the best basketball player....why wait, why not win right here and now.
Posted by: jorema | July 07, 2007 at 09:58 PM
Kupchap and Jerry Buss:
"We will make deals to the convenience of the franchise."
And in the past three years, to the convenience of who or what the y had being making deals?
I can answer myself: Jim Buss self centered vision
Posted by: jorema | July 07, 2007 at 10:03 PM
AK was right however Bynum needs a lot of basketball log time to catch with Javaris or Oden the way I see it, based on agility and ability. He doesn't have to work with NBA applicants in SPL but he needs a high level of competition and I don't think he'd accomplish that with one-on-one with Cap or playing hoops alone at El Segundo. As they say a wolf would only know how he would fare only when he run with fellow wolves.
So in a nutshell, Jorema was right, Bynum should not exercise his seniority, he should play more basketball among his age group & develop his timing and avoid being a foul prone center.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 07, 2007 at 10:11 PM
With all tthe talk about Artest going somewhere besides here, why not consider James Posey? Hes a 'poor man's' Ron Artest. He can play both the 2 or the 3. He plays solid defense. He can even hit the three.
The only question might be his motivation. I think it Posey and Walker that Riley suspended for a few weeks because they were not in 'game shape'. I am not sure if that was a one time thing or a chronic problem. Anyway a change of scenery is always helpful.
I say Posey would be a better choice than Artest. He would cost less. He would have to be more mentally stable (you hope). He is a free agent so it would not require a trade. WHAT SAY YOU?
Posted by: reality check time | July 07, 2007 at 10:19 PM
LakerLarry,
I don't know about you, but I've been a Lakers fan since before Shaq and Kobe came to the Lakers. If I was a bandwagon fan, I would have left a long time ago. I only recently started posting on this forum because I became sick and tired of reading the same illogical arguments and the endless hating that goes on.
To be successful, you can't be afraid of change. It's true that to get JKidd, KG, or any other big-name player, we'd have to trade LO and Bynum at the least, and probably Kwame too. But if we don't, things will continue to look as bleak as they have for the past 3 years.
--LO has been with the Lakers 3 years, with Jackson 2, and he still has yet to find his role in the offense. He may be a quality player that works hard on the court, but he's too passive and inconsistent to take the Lakers to the next level.
--Andrew Bynum has a great destiny ahead of him -- to become the next Michael Olowokandi. He's not talented or determined, he's weak and he has no hops. All he has is his height, and we've seen countless 7-footers come and go in the NBA without becoming the next Kareem or Hakeem.
I'll bet the only reason Bynum even plays basketball is because people realized how tall he was in high school and said, "you're tall... you should play basketball." Then his high school coach invited him to tryouts and tossed him a basketball. After threw it at the rim and hit nothing but air, the coach probably said, "great, you're our new starting center!"... and during every game, the coach had him stand right next to the basket and had his teammates throw him the ball. Since he was so much taller than everyone else, he was able to easily drop the ball in the basket. Sounds like he'd be more productive as a fruit picker than a basketball player.
Plus, why would you want some teenager on your team who has the nerve to yell at HOF coach Phil Jackson for taking him out during the middle of a game?
--Kwame Brown... do I even have to say anything about this guy? Michael Jordan was right about him.
None of those players will make the Lakers a contender, so if they must all be traded to get a JKidd or KG, I wouldn't mind at all. Don't forget, Wilt was already 32 and past his prime when the Lakers traded for him. Just because a star is no longer at his peak doesn't mean he can't lead his team to greatness.
Posted by: hal9000 | July 07, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Everyone is freaking out about the lack of action by the FO but the fact is, there hasnt been any deals out there that we could have made. Lewis signed for 15 mil, grant hill is chasing a ring and everyone else stayed with their own team for more then the MLE. And we were smart in not over paying in the deals that were presented to us. I would like to see us get Artest but I really doubt that the Maloofs will trade with the Lakers. We might have to live with what we have for now. It will allow us to see where the young guys are in their developement. The longer some of these teams go without trading their stars the cheaper their guys becomes. Also KG and LO arent the only guys that can opt out next year, so lets see wait and see whats happens. Remember, making the wrong move is worse then not making one at all.
MH
Posted by: michael h | July 07, 2007 at 10:30 PM
EX,
You are right, we enlist ourselves with the Bandwagon 55 believing tha they have come around and would attain new heights. That is how optimistic we were as a fan. I believe in the first team that they learned their lessons with Phoenix collapse in '06. I gave them a lot of leeway for all the injuries from the beginning to the end, however I was just disappointed with all the managerial moves of Mitch Kupchak. However, if you follow my posts during live games, how disappointed we were with Jackson in playing Smush, how disapponted we were with Kwames'one dimensional game and how many times did I holler in my posts throughout the season...PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! did we advocate change while they were playing? how many players passed by with the Lakers and we did not grab them? In fact, I even advocated to add 10 day players and cut off Mckie or Mihm when injuries pile up. Nothing happened, losses were mounting so with the level of frustations among die hard fans.
If Mitch K. was connected with a top rated company like GM or 3M, he could have been fired a long time ago. He failed to replenish the products in the pipeline. He has low inventory of players that contributes to the aggregate production and yet, failed to notice these handicaps and allowed inefficienciues happened and not corrected. he also went on with frequent machine breakdowns and his research and development group was not functioning effectively. During business planning meetings with corporate or when he confront customer service failures, all he did was give excuses. Managers are not rated by the number of excuses made but based on the objectives met and their contribution to the enterprise within a certain period of time. If you fail to meet those tasks, nobody is indipensable and somebody has to take over because we're running a business here. Right now I see him not a GM but a buffer or spokesman of the Buss Family Closed Entity.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 07, 2007 at 10:44 PM
Aloha hal9000
i really have to disagree with you on your assesment of Lamar and Andrew. First I have been a Laker fan since wilt was traded to L.A so i have seen a lot of b-ball. Lamar is a very valuable player to have on your team. The real shame last year was Lamar, HAD found his way in the offense. He was averaging almost 19 points, 10 boards and 6 assists before he went down to injury. Those are all star numbers and Phil even told him as much when he got hurt. Labron is the only guy in the league as versitle as Lamar. And the only guy I would trade Lamar for is maybe K.G. And I hesitiate even with him because we would still need a 3rd option so we might be better but probably not good enough.
As for Andrew a lot of people on this blog are down on him and I do not understand it. He was only 18 for a lot of the season last year. Kareem was a freshman at UCLA at 18. Did you catch Odens debut in the summer league? 10 fouls! He looked horrid but he is only 19 also. Andrew is liked by a lot of scouts and GMs. Jerry West loves the kids potential. And I saw enough from him to know that he will be a very good NBA player. Maybe not a superstar but solid. He had 5.9 rebounds 7 points and a couple a blocks in 21 minutes a game at18/19 yrs old. Give him starter minutes say 35 and you have a double double guy with 3 blocks a game. For 19 I THINK THATS PRETTY GOOD.
As for Kwame well, lets just hope we can get something for his expiring deal.
MH
Posted by: michael h | July 07, 2007 at 11:02 PM
Hey Guys,
I was thinking that for K.G. If L.A. is really willing to go after K.G. and it is reported that
OOPSWORLD.COM: Prior to the 2007 NBA Draft, Troy Hudson made it known that he would like to be traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves. As reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Hudson’s agent Bill Neff informed team owner Glen Taylor that Hudson “would welcome any change of scenery.”
Neff specifically noted that Hudson “is convinced the current regime, particularly coach Randy Wittman, doesn’t believe Hudson can help the Wolves.”
Amid reports that Minnesota is seriously considering trading Kevin Garnett, sending out Hudson simultaneously would seem a reasonable move. Considering he’s missed nearly 50 games a season in three of the past four years, Hudson (31) simply doesn’t fit the incoming youth movement.
While a quick look at his contract might suggest a trade is the smart move for Minnesota, special clauses in Hudson’s remaining $18.9 million dollar deal say might otherwise.
Correction: A closer look shows that Hudson DID meet his 2008/9 incentive. In the 2004/5 NBA Season he played 79 games at 21.9 mpg.
Hudson’s 2009/10 salary is not guaranteed based on a number of incentives that he may not meet, but that’s based on his play during the 2008/9 season.
While Minnesota might want to trade Hudson regardless of salary protection, they may be better served sending out Marko Jaric with Garnett considering his fully guaranteed $27.35 million over the next four years.
Source: Hoops world
Link: http://getgarnett.com/blog/
Timberwolves Incoming Players: Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom
Lakers Incoming: Troy Hudson, Kevin Garnett
or
Lakers Incoming: Kevin Garnett, Marko Jaric
both worked on the trade machine I dont know if we would have to include a pick too or what to sweetened the deal...
Both get what they want...Minessotta get what they asked (Expiring contract) Kwame,
(A Mismatch) Lamar Odom, a contract they want to let go for rebuilding purposes, & (Potential Center & Young) Bynum.
Lakers New Line up 1: w/ Marco Jarik
Mle?Farmar/Critt /Sasha
Kobe/Evans
Luke Walton/Cook
Radmanovic/ Turiiaf
Garnett/Mihm?/Marco Jarik/Mle?
MLE?/Farmar/Critt /Sasha
Kobe/Evans
Luke Walton
Radmanovic/ Cook
Garnett/Turiaf
Mihm?//Marco Jarik/Mle?
Link:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=981~2748~617~261~387&teams=16~16~16~13~13
Lakers New Line up 2: w/ Troy Hudson
Mle?/Troy Hudson/Farmar/Critt
Kobe/Evans/Sasha
Luke Walton/Cook
Radmanovic/ Turiiaf
Garnett/Mihm?//Mle?
MLE?/Troy Hudson/Farmar/Critt
Kobe/EvansSasha
Luke Walton
Radmanovic/ Cook
Garnett/Turiaf
Mihm?//Mle?
Link:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=261~353~981~2748~617&teams=13~13~16~16~16
what u guys think.?
but what if bynum has break out year and odom does great too if injury free...???.
What if Minnesotta does go for a deal???
What if nothing happens??
Whatid it does?
but this month we shall find out...lol..
Miguel
Posted by: Miguel | July 07, 2007 at 11:07 PM
Ask this question: Who is more tradeable Andrew Bynum or Jason Kidd? If we had Jason Kidd during the playoffs and did not pass the 1st round and we would like to trade Jason, Kwame and LO this summer, how many teams would have grabbed that deal? First, Jason and Kwame's contracts are worth $ 30M getting off the books next year. Second,, getting a veteran player like Jason Kidd and couple with slasher like LO and defensive specialist, Kwame, how many teams would exchange their superstarts to get these players. Ask yourself again, is Andre more attractive than Jason in the market today?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 07, 2007 at 11:12 PM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6993092
He is on his way to being ... Kevin McHale?
McHale once made the extremely savvy move of drafting Kevin Garnett at the start of the preps-to-pros craze. Alas, that was 12 years ago. McHale has continually failed to build a team around KG. He probably should have traded Garnett two years ago.
Now, finally, McHale is obviously committed to moving his star, so what does he do?
Nothing.
Oh, Garnett will go eventually. But the time to do it was before this year's draft, one of the deepest in years — there were building blocks to be had. Now McHale's options are more limited, and he might actually have to go into the season with Garnett on the roster, even though Garnett is sure to opt out of his deal next summer.
Posted by: J-Cool | July 07, 2007 at 11:20 PM
Rick Friedman,
You are right, how scary that fans like us act as arm-chair GM and yet our information about this team is limited and through rumors. It really signifies failure when fans on the street thinks that they are better than the General Manager. When the passengers on a ship think that they are better than the Captain in handling the steering wheel, it means this ship will be going nowhere or in vicious cycle.
At the beginning of the journey, the Captain of this ship kept on saying that he does not have the magic wand to make changes but he will do his best and changes will be seen as early as draft day. Draft day has passed by all we got Crittenton, Lue and Gasol...ah we'll expect some changes by F/A Trading Day changes were made but re-signed a old regular player....well, changes may come at the late of the trading deadline. Hmmm...do you expect to believe with your future pronouncements?
You want to silence these passengers, then establish the TRUST, show some forward MOVEMENT, calm these mutinous pasengers by improving COMMUNICATION and lastly, show LEADERSHIP qualities that your are really Captain of the Ship.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 07, 2007 at 11:41 PM
I never was a menmber of the 55 bandwagon because of Smush and Kwame playing important roles which I knew are not capable after watching the series with the Suns .
But now it is a completely different story. I think the current Lakers squad will do better than last year especially if Mihm is resigned and Kwame continous to be injured the rest of the year or get traded in the muddle of the year.
Three teams are better than the Lakers only! Spurs, Suns and Mavs. Other than these three teams Lakers are better than the rest of the western conference.
If the Spurs can eliminate the Suns without the Lakers playing them in the first or second round and we meet the Mavs in second rd, then we have a chance of going the WCF with the Spurs.
The top dogs are .. Spurs Mavs and Suns
the next... Lakers, Jazz, Rockets, Nuggets
7th 8th 9th seed the Griz, Warriors, Wolves(Garnett, Korey Brewer, Randy Foye)
the outside Clippers and Kings
Portland will take three years before they get to the playoffs. Seattle will take four five years!
Lakers and Jazz will be the next top dogs in the west. Mc Gardy and Iverson will slow down therefore Rockets and Nuggets are not going anywhere.
Lakers are in a position to be dominant in two years!
Crittenton and SunYue fills up the need of quick long versatile perimeter players we need.
We will have a superstar in Braynt, veteran leadership of Odom and Walton, young and talented roster in Bynum, Farmar, Crittenton, SunYue. Role players in Mihm, Gasol, Turiaf, Evans and Vlad.
This is a new look Laker team without Smush and Kwame!
The new pieces that were added Bynum, Farmar, Crittenton, SunYue and Gasol corrects the old pieces of Smush,Kwame, Cook and Sasha.
We still need a young athletic small forward that can help us two three years from now... when we are dominating to eventually replaced Walton and Vlad at the position. Next, we need to look for the prototype power forward to be ready if Odom gets injured a lot in the future. Can Turiaf be a starter eventually? Can Mihm move to the PF position, while Gasol backs up Bynum?
Don't forget to watch tomorrow at 5pm China vs CAVS. SunYue vs Daniel Gibson!
Posted by: Sta[les 24 | July 07, 2007 at 11:49 PM
No more trades for the Lakers! We alreay have a team that can comppete. Just sign Mihm and find a way for Kwame not to go back to Staples Center.
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 07, 2007 at 11:56 PM
Edwin:
"Who is more tradeable Andrew Bynum or Jason Kidd? If we had Jason Kidd during the playoffs and did not pass the 1st round and we would like to trade Jason, Kwame and LO this summer, how many teams would have grabbed that deal?"
If you look at aquiring players based on how much they will be worth if you need to trade them, then you don't belong in the GM business. You don't acquire players based on their potential trade value; you aquire them based on their ability to help your team... and I seriously doubt that if the Lakers had traded for JKidd, they would have lost in the first round.
Didn't Kidd average a triple-double in the playoffs? Didn't he have a game with 15+ pts, 15+ boards and 15+ assists, a rarity in the NBA? That doesn't sound like someone with less trade value than an unproven, foul prone, disrespectful teenager who should've gone to college.
And if the Lakers did end up getting knocked out in the 1st round (which I seriously doubt), why would they trade one of the best PG's in the league, let alone in a 3-player deal?
I really hope you're not implying that Bynum is worth more than Kidd... but if you are, I must say again that I sometimes don't understand the logic of some of the people on this forum. To claim that Bynum has more value than Kidd is utterly ridiculous. Its not about what value a player has to other teams, it's about what value they have to YOUR team.
Posted by: hal9000 | July 08, 2007 at 12:19 AM
staples,....
Don't count Kobe after this 2 years in your long term plan.
So, take lamar and bynum and make them the cornestone of the franchise. Without kobe they can be a powerful team in the west, because they are that good.
Posted by: jorema | July 08, 2007 at 12:27 AM
jorema,
"Nocioni is gone.
Artest is almost gone.
Grant Hill is gone.
Lewis is gone
Stackhouse is gone."
EXACTLY. NOBODY WANTS TO PLAY FOR KOBE. DON'T YOU GET IT?
Posted by: #thegunner# | July 08, 2007 at 12:42 AM
No more trades for the Lakers! We alreay have a team that can comppete. Just sign Mihm and find a way for Kwame not to go back to Staples Center.
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 07, 2007 at 11:56 PM
lakers havent traded yet.......
Posted by: the WOLF | July 08, 2007 at 01:20 AM
J-Cool,
I love your getgarnett site.
Keep up the good work.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 08, 2007 at 04:00 AM
Oh my!
This just in from ESPN and Ric Bucher:
RUMOR HAS IT
The best tacos in SoCal are:
Taco Mesa in Costa Mesa, Tito's in Culver City, Nachos in Granada Hills and El Taurinos on 8th and Hoover (where you must ask for the red sauce)....
Anyone else we should add to this "rumor" list?
I will say that Los Torros in Chatsworth has a mean chili colorado and makes a strong margerita. Which, BTW, you would think would be an easy thing to do. But no. Many, many quality Mexican resturants drop the ball by serving a good meal with a watered-down drink. Why?
Why do men have nipples? Why does every man named Frank have a moustach?
Go Lakers?
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 08, 2007 at 04:37 AM
Here's some history for you guys; from Charlie Rosen (nope, I didn't make this one up):
"And when Dennis was a young menace, one of his favorite tactics against a powerhouse low-post scorer was to literally poke a finger up his opponent's butt! No lie! "
Just wondering, did Dennis ever defend John Amaechi?
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 08, 2007 at 04:52 AM
OK. Here's my idea for a funny cartoon. I can't draw, but maybe someone else can and then post it:
Dennis Rodman of the Bulls is defending John Ameachi of the Magic. Ameachi has the ball down low in the post and Rodman is defending him with a finger in his butt. Amaechi's teammates yell: "Come on John, either shoot or pass the ball, don't just stand there!"
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | July 08, 2007 at 05:20 AM
For all of the unconscious Javaris Crittenton lovers like Andrew Z and AK,
I begged you guys to get on the MARCO BELLINELLI bandwagon.
He can play and he left the board 1 pick before us.
We should have moved up.
Here are the results below:
So rushed has Marco Belinelli's schedule been the last two days that the Italian import easily could have sleepwalked through his Warriors debut.
Instead, Belinelli delivered his own wake-up call Saturday, scoring 37 points in the Warriors' summer-league opener, a 110-102 win over the Hornets, to trump the previous night's unveiling of Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.
Belinelli has another three years left on his contract with Climamio Bologna in Italy, but he has easily negotiable buyouts after every season. Belinelli's agent, Sam Goldfeder, said he expected his client to sign with the Warriors as soon as his buyout is finalized in the coming week. -- San Francisco Chronicle
Posted by: LakerBake | July 08, 2007 at 06:21 AM
Laker Larry
We could have gotten Jason Kidd without giving up Lamar Odom.
We had more contracts that could have been utilized like Aaron McKie and others to go along with Bynum and Brown.
Come on man, you're way out of touch on this one.
Take a 2nd look at that trade machine and how it works.
Posted by: LakerBake | July 08, 2007 at 06:25 AM
Staples24,
It's Corey Brewer not Korey Brewer!!!
I have to protect the sanctity and uniqueness of my name!
Posted by: Korey | July 08, 2007 at 06:43 AM
Michael H,
what you fail to realize is that the Lakers desperately WANTED Bynum to play starter's minutes.
He played himself out that role by fouling and making continous defensive mistakes. By not keeping his motor active.
How is he going to play starters minutes if he keeps fouling??
Posted by: Korey | July 08, 2007 at 06:50 AM
the WOLF: "that kid [Bynum] NEEDS a fire lit under him for sure!"
From what we've been hearing about him working out every day at the Lakers facility, it sounds like the fire's already been lit.
Posted by: Marty | July 08, 2007 at 07:57 AM
Facts:
A. Kobe has two more years to go before he opts out.
B. PJ is being paid $10M a year and has one more year to go.
C. 2007 was a testy year for Laker fans and ended with a bang, a real threat to franchise demise among Laker fans as fed by the media.
D. The Lakers team is no longer an attractive destination for the best players as it used to be, compared to dynasty years of mid eighties or early '00.
Alternative Solutions:
1. Ignore Kobe and PJ waning years and invest on developing players and not willing to invest in luxury trade or risky trades.
2. Surround the best player and the best coach of the league with talented guards and forwards as well a dynamic Center to compete for the top 3 in the West, willing to pay luxury taxes.
3. Just wait for KG to opt his contract and Fisher to rejoin his old team. Wait for 2010 when Lebron and Wade opts out for their contracts. Wait for other opportunities to come.
4. A combination of 1, 2, & 3 keep promising to the fans of upsides just to keep them at bay but do what is expedient and necessary for the team while continue increasing prices on all Laker items under the new owner's guidelines.
Those are the choices we have to make in this blog. My choice is No. 2 alternative. I believe only Bynum and LO plus young players can give us better Superstars' trade. I put all my stocks on Kobe and PJ and those are the risks I'm willing to take.
I like Andrew Bynum's development but it's not fast enough to be in tune with Kobe's and PJ's era. However, to compare Bynum at 19 years old to Lew Alcindor ( or now Kareem) when Lew was rocking the NCAA in collecting consecutive championships with the wizzard of Westwood, that's really pale and unfair comparison in revisiting history and tying it up with Bynum's future. Bynum could either be Duncan or Sam Bowie; either Bill Walton or Olowokandi, either the Dream Olajuwon or Elden Campbell, only the future can provide an accurate answer to a hypothetical talented Center. By 2017 when Bynum reaches age 27, PJ and Kobe are mere asterisks in the NBA.
The Threat to Franchise's Existence
During the reign of the Buss family for the last 37 years, they have never encountered vitriolic attacks from fans calling them: a dysfunctional family, dig on their immoral conduct, question their integrity and experience, urge them to sell the team despite the success of the franchise in winning 9 championships and consistent playoff contenders. 2007 was a defining year to the family, local media and to the fans in general. In this blog alone, the negatives outnumber the doubting positives and an avid fan is willing to go deeper in analyzing Jerry Buss metaphysical and philosophical make-up as a person and link with his troubled Laker decisions. Fans are really willing to go to the extremes to find theraphy to their frustrations. How will this play in the future, we really can't tell. Bynum, Farmar, Vlad and Walton could become Superstars and save this franchise under Jim Buss or Lakers could be sold to AEG Enterprises & Magic Johnson in three years' time, again only the future could give us an accurate answer.
At present, we have an acute problem, will it be chronic? I don't know. What I know is that the future never takes care of itself.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 08, 2007 at 08:10 AM
When are we going to realize that Kobe is a selfish player and person. We will never win the championship with him. He is all ego. Nothing else. I saw a game last year when he wasn't getting any calls...so he jacked up a 50 footer to "show up" the ref. Yeah good job, throw the game away. So sick of him complaining. I don't care what we do with him, trade him for a couple of tins of tomato soup. I'm not going to be a season ticket holder anymore unless Kobe is stripped of the purple and gold. Yeah he apologizes..so what? He does't mean it. it was better watching the post magic laker days when Nick the Brick, Doug Chrisite, and Cedric Ceballos were tossing up bricks. At least they wanted to play for the Lakers. Kobe is just a scorer... not a winner.
Posted by: Jerry West | July 08, 2007 at 08:12 AM
Ex, I think they got slapped in the face by a sharp dose of reality. I couldn't believe how many names you , me, Andrew Z, and others were called when we pointed out how unlikely 55 was. LakerTom, you were one of the worst at that, seriously.
Personally, I want to know why everybody was so shocked at the season. It played out exactly how I called it. Decent season, with a good start thanks to the favorable schedule, first-round exit. The only thin I'm complaining about is that I didn't see enough improvement from the young players.
Posted by: Michael A | July 08, 2007 at 08:44 AM
Staples 24, if we're just looking at teams the way they are now, the Jazz are better, the Warriors are better, the Nuggets are better, and Houston may well be. You're over-rating what we've got right now.
Posted by: Michael A | July 08, 2007 at 08:53 AM