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
AK & ajax:
I know I'm a bit late to the Mexican food chit chat. Tito's is a pretty good taco stand. If it's a sit down restaurant you're looking for, Casa Vega or El Coyote are where it's at. Just the plain house margaritas at either place are killer.
Now... how about Italian?
Personally, I'd have to go with Mazzarino's or Valentino's. Maggiano's is decent, but it's a chain so I'd have to rank it a little below some of the other smaller eateries.
Posted by: generic_one | July 08, 2007 at 09:07 AM
from newsday on KG and Fisher:
"Hammering out KG deal
"Talks between Minnesota and Golden State about a trade that would send Kevin Garnett to the Bay Area are real and advanced, according to a person involved in the discussions. But it's too early to say whether No. 8 pick Brandan Wright, reigning "most improved player" Monta Ellis and an assortment of fat and/or expiring contracts will be enough. Wright can't be traded for 30 days because he signed his rookie contract Friday
... Isiah Thomas so far is refusing to include David Lee in a Ron Artest trade. "No chance," a person with knowledge of the situation said ...
Derek Fisher's interest in playing for the Knicks so he can be close to the best care for his infant daughter, who has a rare form of eye cancer, is not necessarily shared by the Knicks. The Lakers are a more realistic suitor."
Posted by: 10milliondollarzen | July 08, 2007 at 09:08 AM
*******************************************************************************************************
==============Fantasy Trade Talk=======================================
Anyone want to talk about the trades the Lakers should make and why?
We need point guard help, and PJ likes a taller guards
We need more bodies to play in the post
Why not take a gamble on a potential Pippenesque running mate for Kobe?
Enough preamble:
Chris Mihm
Smush Parker
For
Kendrick Perkins
Tony Allen
Gerald Green
Posted by: kbrizzles | July 08, 2007 at 09:54 AM
You guys have to understand, San Diego is the taco shop capitol of the United States. We have a plethora of taco shops on almost every corner. I've tried taco shops in LA, Las Vegas, and all around the southland; San Diego taco shops are the best by far. But if you really want some good tacos, go to Tijuana. You can get four tacos and a Corona for less than 2 dollars. And the tacos are the bomb! You don't know what they are made out of but...
Kobe's apology?? I guess I'll soften my stance since Kobe realized that he made a mistake. I'm still not banking on getting too excited over Kobe's personal feats or individual greatness. As long as he helps the team, I'll support him. I still wonder what the other Lakers are thinking and how their thoughts will have an impact on the season.
Still, if there's a trade out there where we could rape another team of young talent for Kobe, I'd do it.
Posted by: Rocky | July 08, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Posted by: Jerry West | July 08, 2007 at 08:12 AM
When are we going to realize that Kobe is a selfish player and person. We will never win the championship with him.
-Um, dude....... we've already one championshipS with him, bro
-Peace
Posted by: kbrizzles | July 08, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Jerry West:
"When are we going to realize that Kobe is a selfish player and person."
Kobe does have character flaws, but he has matured since his days with Shaq. Don't you remember how, at the beginning of last season, he made an effort to be more of a facilitator? But even with a favorable schedule and the Lakers playing in sync, the best they could do was the 4th seed in the West... then the injuries hit and the Lakers' progress came to a grinding halt.
But even during the 6 and 7 game losing streaks, Kobe stuck with the gameplan and tried to get his teammates involved... and what did fans say? "Shoot, Kobe, shoot!" So he did, and scored 50+ points in four straight games to give the Lakers a 5 game winning streak. During the game against Portland when he scored 65, he didn't thump his chest or high-five the fans. He was pissed... because he had to carry the load all by himself.
Even so, after each of those games, when asked how he did it, he didn't talk about himself. He talked about how Luke and Lamar were able to find him the ball and how Kwame set him great screens. He praised them instead of "throwing them under the bus."
If you'd rather see a bunch of nobodies throw up bricks, then cancel your season tickets an go watch the Clippers. I'm sure they have plenty of seats available.
By the way, I can't help but laughing that you chose the screen name of the person that had the vision to trade for Kobe, the person that Kobe respects the most.
Posted by: hal9000 | July 08, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Odom and Brynum for KG is a great deal for Minn.
It may be a slightly better for deal for LA for a year or two. But Buss will have to
put up major money.
But in the long run Minn will get better of the deal. KG is 31 years old with a
lot of millage.
Odom is peaking and can put up the same numbers for a longer period. Brynum in two years will be a star.
Odom can go right in and carry the load for Minn. where none of the other deals can offer this.
Getting too young can be dangerous as they will be stuck in the celllar for a long time waiting.
And when they develop they will sign with other teams.
Posted by: Lee | July 08, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Lakers: Summer Fantasy Redux
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22657.shtml
Riley meets with Bucks' Williams
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/basketball/story/163940.html
Posted by: J-Cool | July 08, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Jerry West
"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."
Cedric Ceballos? bailed out on the team in havasu.
Nick? yelled hawaii in the practice huddle during the playoffs
Doug? he tried his best in sactown against the lakers didnt he?
the point is you dont know what youre talking about. i guess you forgot all about the three championship that kobe help orchestrate. hmmmm. so you can get ceballos, nick and doug with your cans of tomato soup and play some dodgeball at the ymca. get a clue.
Posted by: sixonezero | July 08, 2007 at 10:30 AM
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1183883456287330.xml&coll=2
Despite all of the noise made by Kobe Bryant about wanting to be traded, he'll have to become content because the Los Angeles Lakers will not trade him this season. Several weeks ago, Bryant questioned the Lakers' dedication to winning and demanded a trade. Since the Lakers can't get equal value for Bryant, they'll try to make him happy by acquiring another star. . . . The Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, according to sources, are expected to resume talks about Kevin Garnett. The addition of Garnett could silence Bryant, at least until next season. . .
Posted by: J-Cool | July 08, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Roger Federer just won his 5th straight Wimbledon. Elite athletes like Roger are as rare as hen's teath.
We've got a guy like that on the Lakers: same work ethic, un paralelled skills and an unbending will. If your a sports fan, you have to appreciate the level these athletes achieve. If you're a fan, you'd want to watch that, wouldn't you? Apparently not. A couple of off years here, a comment there, and they're under the bus. Tough crowd.
Posted by: Vman | July 08, 2007 at 10:42 AM
G1 -
El Coyote is good, but El Compadre on Sunset is the best Mexican place in Hollywood.
Posted by: SBPimp | July 08, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Mexican Food Cont.-
Yeah when it comes to nice dine-in Mexican, there are several I can think of here in the valley: Casa Vega, Senor Fred, Sol y Luna, La Fogata, Las Fuentas.
Mazzarino's is great Italian. But I'm not big on the best restaurants. A lot of times I'll just go to Olive Garden.
Posted by: ajax | July 08, 2007 at 11:12 AM
were always looking at players that can fit into the Triangle offense..........that's why we quicky resigned walton. We need athletic players that can play........bottom line. Secondly we need to move on from Phil.........and bring in a fresh coaching style. I've seen enough last season to conclude that Phil is very stubborn when it came to playing certain players and making in game adjustments and he was totally lost as far as the direction of the team.
10mil per year.....isn't worth it. Do you think we would have done worse with Rick Adelman, or byron scott, or Rick Carlisle, or Nate Mcmillan.....as head coach.
He's waiting for Kobe to confirm that he's gonna be here.........then he'll resign and act like he's doing the Lakers a favor.......WE NEED A SEASONED COACH....NOT A NON DEVENSIVE, TRIANGLE OFFENSE COACH.
Posted by: Dion | July 08, 2007 at 11:29 AM
hal9000- honestly, i could care less who is in purple and gold. i would support them till death. i don't agree with the idea that they need a stars to fill seats. would you stop going to games and supporting the lakers? would you stop supporting if we were a below .500 team? i wouldn't.
i also feel that making moves aren't as easy as they appear. i think what they were trying to do before was build a team of role players around kobe. i also don't think that right now as we speak we don't have a bad team. at the beginning of the season last year i was very encouraged by what i saw. lot's of potential to grow throughout the season. but then, what happened? injuries that impeded the fluidity of team. they showed flashes being a great team, but were inconsistent. i do think the FO is doing the best they can. and we will never, ever, ever-ever-ever, be as lowly as the clipp's. and who know's what did occur behind closed doors. we can only speculate, and i feel kobe's outburst was something he said based on his emotions. i think he was angry and not thinking clearly. and i think, quite honestly, he has seen these blogs and is aware of how we feel. and i think the fact that he hurt our feelings has made him contemplate the situation with a clear mind and an open heart. sometimes family disagree w/ each other and we may hurt each others feelings, but that's not to say we can't mend differences. i truly believe in my heart that things will work themselves out and FO will do whatever it takes. i honestly believe KG will be a laker.
hobbitmage- well, i think we got away from that original point because we started to get into the integrity thing and it turned into a semantics battle. but, that was my original point.
i thought maybe i offended you by calling into question your athletics background and maybe a bit of name calling.
and my rant about forming an independent opinion was meant for anyone, i wasn't singling you out. it was just a general statement meant for whoever is reading this. so much of this stuff is common knowledge and it's for some yokel comin' on here and repeating what they heard verbatim from rome or loose cannons.
oh yeah, i respect what they say as well, i also like greg anthony, he's seems to be "spot on" his assessments of the game.
hal9000- i also believe we are just a disributor away, i quite honestly feel that smush is the one that absolutely, positively has to go. but, i do remain open to whoever they want to move. but their is one guy on the team that would abolutely break my heart if he's traded and that is Ronny Turiaf. i love his energy, the shimmy he does when he get's all pumped up. man, if we could have three more Ronny Turiaf's. what i mean is guys that could provide the energy and role needed to be successful.
Posted by: willie | July 08, 2007 at 11:34 AM
VMan - Federer does it on a court by himself. Some people think Kobe does to.
Posted by: David Peterson | July 08, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Korey
Again, my point is, Bynum was still 18 then! Why do we refuse to understand what that means. There is a reason that Andrew is the center piece that all of the other teams want in a trade. I liked what I saw when Andrew played, given his experience leval. And it appears that my assesment is in line with most of the scouts and G.Ms in the NBA.
MH
Posted by: michael h | July 08, 2007 at 11:53 AM
sixonzero- i thought van excel yelled "CANCUN" and from what i recall it wasn't in practice, it was in a huddle during a time out during a playofff game.
Posted by: MR. KNOW IT ALL | July 08, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Michael H,
I dont care if he's 18. The key is being able to learn quickly and develop/adjust as the same situations continue to present itself.
I saw Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard play at 18. By the end of their first year, people were clamoring for more playing time for those guys.
What GM scouts have you seen to pump up Bynum as the next biggest thing? Show me, please?!!!
If Bynum was such the great centerpiece why do the Pacers want Odom AND Bynum for O'neal? Wouldnt a package with Bynum as the main peice be enticing?
Why dont the TWolves like Bynum AND Odom for KG?
IF Bynum was that highly thought of then the Twolves or Pacers would've made the trade much quicker.
So stop telling me what you dont know about Andrew Bynum. I hope the kid gets better. But its very likely his cieling will be "good" not "great".
Posted by: Korey | July 08, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Gunner..
Is ok to hate and spell heat in all your words, after all you have that choice.
Now if you start fabricating lies to sell your ideas, the truth most be tell.
Is a general consensus that Artest wanted come here.
Boozer Want it.
Jason Kidd was extremely happy with the idea.
Garnett even called kobe.
Baron Davis is waiting to play someday.
Many free agents in the past years wanted to come, and Lakers ridiculously only wanted to give them 2 or thee years, that ran them away. The consensus in all the representatives of players is that the Busses are now the new Clippers: cheapey, cheapey.
Of course Gunner, for you Kobe Bryant is the master of all disaster, I wonder why you dont faULT Kobe for Jerry Buss DWI and frlirteous obsesions with young girls.
By now, players know that Lakers are just saving money, last year they didn't even bother to use one of the excepcion of the league, prefering to enrich their pockets.
and sell us the idea that Jerry Buss is commited to championships.
Now they are, according to LA TIMES rumors (Something that could be just a PR job) looking for do some changes. Well the Kobe drama are putting them in the hard spot of improving the team. But is a reluctant turn of events.
That;s why 80 % of Lakers fans even when they didn't approved Kobe publics demands, now side with Kobe. Jerry, Mitch, Phil...all of them knows that and thats' why they will try to do something to keep the boat afllow.
Posted by: jorema | July 08, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Last year Bynum summer league showing was mediocre.
The guy need playing time.
If he is that good lakers shouldn't be afraid to showcase his tremendous abilities.
Posted by: jorema | July 08, 2007 at 12:33 PM
What is Miami doing thgis offseason?
They want Artest, Williams, even lewis was in the conversation.
Hey the have 2 superstars in their roster.
These 2 stars should carry the team with players in the same level than lakers, if they can't, blame them for not making those players better.
But no....Now they are looking for better pieces.
While Lakers GM and some lunatic fans keep repeating:
We are good as we are.
Are they living in a bubble?
Posted by: jorema | July 08, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Hal9000,
"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,"
I know but I'm just rebutting those arguing in favor of bynum vs. kidd. What they were saying that you can't put your future on a 34 yr old player. Therefore, I explored possible senarios that if the Lakers were eliminated on the 1st round with Kidd, is he still tradeable at summertime with LO and Kwame. But we are on the same side of the argument.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 08, 2007 at 12:46 PM
"He's waiting for Kobe to confirm that he's gonna be here.........then he'll resign and act like he's doing the Lakers a favor.......WE NEED A SEASONED COACH....NOT A NON DEVENSIVE, TRIANGLE OFFENSE COACH. "
Dion your an idiot, that I mention stupid as well... What kind of a comment is that, I can only conclude by saying that you've been watching basketball for not for then 4 years... Please do not post crap like that ever...
Posted by: Gino | July 08, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Willie,
"i honestly believe KG will be a laker."
That statement will unite the blog. it cures the frustrations of fans here, it brings back hope that kobe will play with the Lakers beyond '09. PJ will coach beyonf '08. However, if you keep on insisting bynum, walton, farmar, cook and vlad as the ticket to lakers progress, then you will go alone with that opinion. It doesn't mean that you are wrong with that stand but a rare trait to have the patience of "Job" and have a complete trust on Jim and Mitch.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 08, 2007 at 12:58 PM
"Dino your an idiot, that I mention stupid as well...what kind of a comment is that..." Gino
What kind of a comment is that?
Posted by: sonnybelfast | July 08, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Korey
First I never said that Bynum has Kg or Kobe potential I mean one can pull ot extreme examples for any argument. I watched both Hakeem and Shaq play as collage freshman(which is the same as Andrew) Shaq looked o.k and Hakeem was a one dimential player with absolutely no offensive game. J.O at 19 was considered a NBA bust. As far as the trades, well, do you keep up with any of the reports? Didnt Kobe go off the deep end because we wouldnt give up Andrew for J Kidd, miss that one? Pretty big news with the video and all. As for the t-wolves go, Boston pulled the plug on the 4 way KG trade. As for the two way trade talk between the T-wolves and us, Mchale is balking because of the length of LAMARS contract. Man do you read anything else but this blog? Wait a lot of this stuff IS ON LINKS posted on this BLOG. Google Jery West and Andrew and read some of the thing West said about him. I mean I cant believe you havent read any of this stuff.
MH
Posted by: michael h | July 08, 2007 at 01:19 PM
LakeBake,
So sorry dude, I don't know what I was thinking. I forgot that all the GM's in the league use that trade machine stuff to judge their proposed trades. Why was I thinking that a 35 year old point guard, regardless of how good he used to be, was not worth giving up "all" our trading chips? Not worth trading Bynum, LO, Kwame and possibly Farmar for Kidd. I guess I just wouldn't be as good a GM as you.
Oh, BTW, did you hear that J-Kidd has been having tendonitis problems with both knees since the playoffs ended? Probably from carrying around all the championship rings he has won over the years. How many has he won?
Posted by: LakerLarry | July 08, 2007 at 01:31 PM
TRADE SCENARIO
1) Brian Cook
FOR
Bob Sura (HOUSTON ROCKETS)
2) Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar, & future draft pick
FOR
Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon, & a sign-&-trade of Mario Austin (CHICCAGO BULLS)
Who is Mario Austin, you ask:
from draftexpress.com "Mario Austin, Chicago Bulls- The lone American player on this list might also be the highest paid player of anyone here besides Navarro. Austin made close to a million dollars net with Hapoel Jerusalem, and is now a free agent drawing fantastic offers from Euroleague teams. Pini Gershon, the Israeli head coach of Olimpiacos, reportedly offered him 1.5 million dollars net (the equivalent of a 3 million dollar NBA offer) already, which he has not accepted at this point. Austin has developed into one of the best low-post threats in all of Europe over the past few years, and is seemingly exactly the inside offensive presence Chicago is lacking at this point, even if his defensive skills leave a lot to be desired. The problem is its going to cost them in a big way, and their focus seems to be more on resigning Andres Nocioni at the moment. Austin’s agent Doug Neustadt did not want to say much besides the fact that his client’s “value in Europe is extremely high.” Austin will not be playing summer league for Chicago again, but he will work out privately for them. "
and check out his stats:
http://www.ecomtrade.co.il/hapoeljerusalem/player_e.asp?id=130 &
http://www.ecomtrade.co.il/hapoeljerusalem/player_e.asp?id=130&mode=2
LINEUP:
PG Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon, Javaris Crittenton
SG Kobe Bryant, Bob Sura, Sasha
C Bynum, Kwame
SF Walton, Radmanovic
PF Mario Austin, Ronny Turiaf
We can use the MLE on another big man or two.
HOW ABOUT IT?
Posted by: Oscar | July 08, 2007 at 01:51 PM
...and Maurice Evans in the LINEUP, forgot about Evans, oops.
Posted by: Oscar | July 08, 2007 at 01:52 PM
Kobe is breaking down, he'll be a Laker this coming season.
Posted by: Oscar | July 08, 2007 at 01:54 PM
Michael A,
You are thinking of how the season ended and NOT how the season begun. That being said without SMush and KWame we are a better team than the team that started last season. All the team you mentioned were below the lakers standings after 30 games into the season last year.
How many times do I have to tell you Walton gets better every year and Odom gets more comfortable every year thay have been with the Lakers. Bynum has also shwn progress in two years, how much better do you think he will be this year at 20 years old? Farmar we all know from his rookie season was already showing flashes of court leadreship, what would you expect on him on his second season?
Vlade has done well as a clipper that's why we signed him. Last year his injury kept him from doing what he does best.
Have you seen Sun Yue and Marc Gasol played in international competition, these are role players that can contribute right now.
To top it all Kobe is still the best player in the game. A healthy WALTON AND ODOM WILL CHANGE ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED TOWARDS THE END OF THE SEASON, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT SMUSH AND KWAME! CAPICE!
I was a proponent of JO and KG before all these rumors starts circling around. But the more I think about it, the more i realize having those two does not guarantee championship as well and limits as to two three year run. With our current roster we have a chance to make a run in the next 2 to 10 years. I would rather be on the upside than be on the downside. Plus these players we are going to add if eve,r has no prior experience in the triangle, while the core we have are starting to feel comfortable.
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 08, 2007 at 02:15 PM
Hal9000, Edwin, Jorema,
C'mon you guys, THINK. I know from reading your posts that you all care about the Lakers. I know you all want the Lakers to be better than they are now, but some of the stuff you're proposing isn't smart and most of it is simply not possible according to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, (CBA).
The free agent acquisitions you say the FO should be making are simply not possible. The Lakers are already over the salary cap. The CBA rules prohibit a team from offering a contract to any free agent if they are already over the cap, or if that contract would take them over the cap. There are exceptions. You may offer your own free agents anything you wish, up to the Maximum allowable yearly salary, even if you are over the cap. That's why we were able to resign Luke and most likely why we'll be the team that signs Chris Mihm. (If the Lakers don't sign Mihm you'll know he still has medical issues.) Another exception is the Mid Level Exception, (MLE) that each team is allowed every year regardless of where they are at in relationship to the salary cap. The NBA establishes each year what the dollar amount of the MLE exception will be for the following year. This past year it was about $5.5 Million and it's likely to increase a bit this year. The team can use this money on one or more players, but cannot offer more period. There is also a veterans exception that teams are allowed to sign older players, but it is fairly minimal at about $1.2 million.
If you take the time to read up on all this stuff (http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm) you will understand why the Lakers hands are pretty well tied at this point.
This is why I'm advocating trading Kobe. He's our biggest chip. Kobe is the only way we will be able to get some fresh young talent. It's not that I don't like Kobe, I do, it's just that I'd rather have new young guys to add to our current roster and try to improve that way.
Posted by: LakerLarry | July 08, 2007 at 02:22 PM
edwin gueco- i haven' insisted anything. did you read my complete statement? i also said that i'm also open to whatever and whoever is named in a trade, with the exception of Ronny Turiaf, and that is because i have deep emotional connection to what he represents on the team...and i was merely stating that at the beginning of last year we were playing exceptionally well with this group and i thought that they should have progressed throughout the season. and the players you named, walton, vlad, bynum, farmar are good players. i think you twisted my words a bit. your just taking bits and pieces of my entire statement and
making them into something totaly different. i merely stated i would support the lakers regardless of who's in the uniform. honestly, if we never win a championship again, which i don't believe, i will support OUR team til death because of the many championships we've won and the memories i have of games in the past 35 years. would you?
Posted by: willie | July 08, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Edwin:
My bad on that. It was hard to tell which point you were arguing.
LakerLarry:
"Oh, BTW, did you hear that J-Kidd has been having tendonitis problems with both knees since the playoffs ended? Probably from carrying around all the championship rings he has won over the years. How many has he won?"
JKidd has had nagging injuries his entire carrer, but he still manages to play with the best of them, and when he took his team of nobodies to the Finals -- twice -- he ran into two of the most dominant teams in the last decade... the Lakers and the Spurs. What did you expect? Plus, it would not take four players to get Kidd. The Nets were willing to trade him for only Bynum and Odom... but you already knew that, right?
Anyway, if there is a guy who knows how to make his teammates better, it's Kidd. Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson would have faded away by now if it wasn't for him. Look what happened to Kenyon Martin, who made the all-star team with the Nets before he went to Denver. I haven't seen his name mentioned on TV in almost three years. I don't care if Kidd's 60 years old and walks with a cane... on the court, he is still one of the best PGs in the NBA, and putting him together with Kobe would've turned around the Lakers last season. No player can turn a bunch of nobodies into all-stars better than Kidd, and that's just what the Lakers need.
sixonezero:
"hmmmm. so you can get ceballos, nick and doug with your cans of tomato soup and play some dodgeball at the ymca."
You are hilarious man... "If you can dodge a tomato can, you can dodge a ball!"
Posted by: hal9000 | July 08, 2007 at 02:41 PM
Hal9000
Kwame was part of the Kidd deal as well. They needed his salary because the nets also wanted to DUMP Collins bad contract on us.
MH
Posted by: michael h | July 08, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Staples 24, if you're not talking about RIGHT NOW, then what are you talking about? 5 years ago, the Lakers were better than all those teams; so what? What does that have to do with how good they are right now?
And right now, Utah is better. So's Golden State. Houston may well be. Denver is. That might change by the time training camp is over, maybe not. But right now, those teams are better. Looking at what were were partially through last year just doesn't enter the conversation.
Posted by: Michael A | July 08, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Laker Larry,
Thank you for re-educating with Salary Caps. However, LakerTom was my first teacher last summer who gave us a full scap what we really have to know about salary cap. In my posts, did I mention any play to acquire? Did I not mention that we're willing to entertain any kind of trade as long as you don't trade Kobe and LO? Did I not mention that LO and Bynum are our tradeable assets? Did I not mention that our choice is to surround Kobe, the best player and PJ, the best coach? Since those parameters have been established what we mean is an ACTIVE OR PRO-ACTIVE front office in trying to change the make up of the team not merely embracing the status quo that does not work for the last 2 years. I think that is crystal clear and FYI the Lakers are currently #16 on salary caps at $56M or $61M including Luke's salary after July 15th. How about the team from 1-16 how come they can discuss possible trade or change? Are they not over salary caps? I don't think it is salary caps but the risks takings that is lacking? you mentioned that you know Fisher who one time bought one of your homes, are you by any chance have any acqauintance with Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 08, 2007 at 05:43 PM
Willie,
My bad, cancel any phrase or words after KG from my previous post addressed to you.. Thanks.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 08, 2007 at 05:44 PM
Get Kobe some solid helps like KG and win championships now. We can worry about the future later.
Posted by: gdchild | July 08, 2007 at 05:48 PM
edwin gueco- no worries, lad.
Posted by: willie | July 08, 2007 at 06:31 PM
Michael H:
Thanks for correcting me... wait, we could have gotten rid of Kwame too? Rats.
LakerLarry,
I never proposed any free agent signings... I only recounted the trade offers that the Lakers had already received -- and rejected.
Posted by: hal9000 | July 08, 2007 at 06:32 PM
Remember after the 2005 draft, how everybody described Andrew Bynum as being a "raw" player... Well, it took me two years, but I finally realized that RAW means UNTALENTED and UNSKILLED. A "raw" high school player does not belong in the NBA. They belong on a college team as a redshirt freshman. Now the Lakers are paying him millions so he can learn the game of basketball on their time...
The few high schoolers that have succeeded in the NBA were all-americans and led their high school teams to impressive records... But I've looked for Bynum's high school stats online, and I can't find them anywhere. I wonder why...
Posted by: hal9000 | July 08, 2007 at 06:52 PM
Michael H,
if you think I take what the "blog" says as truth and end-all be-all you're crazy!
Just so you know, I have ESPN Insider and I regularly read the blog so I see about 90% of all Laker articles written as I also check SI.com , Foxsports.com, CBSSPORTSLINE.com, and MSNBCSPorts.com. Not only that, I listen to all the podcasts with Ric Bucher, Stephen A., Colin Cowherd, Marc Stein and every person imaginable.
Believe me, I am well informed. and if Andrew Bynum was "soooo good" and had "soooo much" potential than the TWolves wouldnt blink on the KG trade and the Pacrers wouldnt blink on the JO trade.
Think to yourself: Why do you think it took trying to do a 4 team deal? BECAUSE ANDREW FRICKIN BYNUM ISNT THAT GREAT IN MCHALE'S or anyone else's eyes!
JO was a bust at 19 huh? Who are you kidding and what NBA were you watching?
At that time, Portland was intent on winning now and trying to beat the Lakers which is why they traded a guy who couldn't get the playing time to develop behind Sabonis/Rasheed Wallace/Brian Grant for a guy who could help guard Shaq in Dale Davis.
That team was trying to win NOW and never played O'neal more than 13 mins a game in his first 4 seasons.
Dont get me started man, cuz you know I know that I know what I'm talking about!
The key factor here is that Bynum averaged 20 mins a game for the Lakers. He has been given ample opportunity to show some significant promise.
He could make a quantum leap next year or he could turn out to be OK and submarine any trade value that we have now for you.
Are you a risk taker? Do you want to cash your chips now and move Bynum and whatever pieces for some stars or do you really want to wait and see with Bynum.
I'll only take the latter if that's our final option YET I cant see why we still have bloggers saying "he's only 18, he can still be great, Kobe, KG, Howard those are extreme examples!"
Well, if I want a star shouldnt I see something extreme? ...
somebody back me up...please ...
Posted by: Korey | July 08, 2007 at 07:21 PM
Korey,
I got your back. AB is OK and OK ain't ALL THAT. He had his moments last year, but greatness is about consistency and most of all, desire. The jury's out on those aspects of Andrew. I'd bet the under.
Posted by: Vman | July 08, 2007 at 10:18 PM
Staples 24 is a joke !! What makes him think the pathetic Lakers are in the top 5 to 8 in the Western Conference.
The Lakers are a last place team in the Pacific. They are the worst team in their division, and if Kobe begins pouting because he wasn't traded they will be one of the 3 or 4th worst teams in the conference.
The Lakers are a 1 man team plus 11 stiffs, face it Staples, the team needs a face lift.
Posted by: Derek | July 09, 2007 at 12:19 PM
The Lakers are the onlt team in the league who thinks Bynum has all star potential.
Mitch Kupchek is the George Bush of NBA GM's. One bad move after another
Posted by: Derek | July 09, 2007 at 12:33 PM
My mistake the Lakers do have another player, that being Lamar Odom. So what you have is two players and 10 stiffs, I apologize for the misquote.
Posted by: Derek | July 09, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Laker Larry
I know you speak of tendinitis and I heard about Kidd's back problems back in February.
Check his playoff performance when it counts is all I have to say.
He's the REAL DEAL
Posted by: LakerBake | July 09, 2007 at 02:34 PM
Derek,
What just happened? If only the Lakers think Bynum will be an All-Star, then why does EVERY team that open trade talks with the Lakers start out with Bynum?
Also, it was GM's that voted that Bynum would have gone third in this year's draft. NOT the Lakers.
What are/aren't you reading?
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | July 09, 2007 at 11:19 PM