Then set your alarms for 3:01 p.m. PST tomorrow (unless you're one of them fancy lads who can tell time by looking at the sun, and if that's the case, bully for you) because that's the precise moment the Lakers can sign Derek Fisher to a contract.  He'll have theoretically cleared waivers 60 seconds earlier, so unless another squad grabs Fisher off the wire at his old price -- less likely than a purple and gold reunion with Isaiah Rider -- .4 is back at his old stomping grounds.

On an unrelated note, here's what Kobe will be up to this weekend.  To the best of Lakersblog's knowledge, Bryant hasn't requested a trade from this team.

-- AK

Here ... and lookee here.  Interesting that the articles come on the heels of yesterday's discussion about how seriously one should take SPL success.  I think it's safe to say that an entire shaker of salt may not be necessary, but a few grains should be kept in your pocket for a rainy day.  But we can all agree that praise beats razzin' every time, so it's certainly encouraging, if nothing else.  In the meantime, neither article refers to Crittenton as "The Critter," so for the time being my team of legal eagles (and by "team" I mean "BK") can hold off preparing multibillion-dollar lawsuits.

What doesn't garner praise, however, is Derek Fisher's (theoretically) imminent contract.  At least not from SI's Paul Forrester.

Finally, thought y'all might be interested in how Mo Evans is assisting Ron Artest and others in a Kenyan humanitarian effort.  We're gonna try to track him down once he's stateside to get some more of his perspective.

-AK

Because I didn't get a chance to watch any of the Summer League action on NBA TV, mostly due to conflicting Dodger games/blog work.  For that matter, I also didn't make the trip to Vegas to check out the action, although that was because I know myself too well.  And because I know myself too well, I'm perfectly aware I would have spent about five minutes at Thomas and Mack watching the starters, then hightailed it to the nearest poker room once the scrubs entered and written post-game reports based purely on box scores.  Call me crazy, but I imagine The Times wouldn't consider this a "constructive" use of their money.  Thus, I decided to stay in L.A. and keep my job.

 

A Friday evening game in the Vegas Summer League isn't exactly a grand, global stage upon which to make bold statements of revenge, but Von Wafer, former Laker and first-ballot member of the Lakers Blog Hall of Fame, he of the slight head tilt and unapologetically frequent shot, went off for 22 points in 19:53 in Denver's 120-88 pasting of L.A. (summer version) in Sin City.  True to form, Von took three more shots than any of his teammates, despite playing fewer minutes than every other starter and first-man-off-the-bench Bracey Wright.  That's why this space loves him.  A bunch of dudes, including Jordan Farmar and Javaris Crittendon, had 13 for the Lakers. 

In other news, Steve Blake is heading back to Portland for what looks like a short, relatively inexpensive deal.  Shorter and more inexpensive (by a lot) than I expected -- two years and an option, worth a max of $12 mil.  Assuming it was even possible (Blake has strong ties to the Portland area and the Blazers), would the Lakers have been better off bringing him in over Derek Fisher?  Substantially younger, probably a better defender, solid PG skills?  He doesn't have Fisher's gravitas, but at this point in their respective careers, is Blake a better player?  Or maybe you're a Jason Hart guy (2 years, $5 mil with Utah).  Or Chucky Atkins (2 years, $6.6 mil with Denver) ... OK, maybe not Chucky.  But are you someone who thinks the Lakers paid with their hearts instead of their heads? 

To quote the great Jerry Maguire, "We live in a cynical world."  Given the circumstances under which he left Utah, it's natural that L.A.'s impending signing of Derek Fisher would generate some discussion back in Beehive Country.  The Jazz are taking him at his word that his request to be released from his contract had nothing to do with wanting out of Utah and everything to do with his daughter's medical care.  His teammates say they'll miss him and wish him well.  Still (see earlier film quote reference), Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune wants to believe him but can't help but wonder ... is it possible Fish had less-than-pure motives?   It's a testament to the monumental respect Fisher has around the league -- well and honestly earned -- that this isn't a question getting asked with more volume.

So Mitch has made a play to improve the Lakers' backcourt.  Doubtful that it would satisfy Andy Martinez, the "next Lakers GM," who has spent time at the Vegas Summer League toting signs and heckling Kupchak.  I'm not convinced this guy would do a better job than the seat's current occupant, but it's highly likely he'd add energy to our yearly interview with the GM.  (Funny stuff as well in this blog about former S.C. guard Nick Young's mom, for those Trojans fans looking for an update on their guy.)

BK

First, the gridlock.  As you approach Jefferson Blvd. heading north or south on La Cienega, you'll encounter HEAVY construction.  "Sections of one lane" construction.  I'm not sure what's being fixed, but I don't understand why work so intrusive couldn't and shouldn't be done at night.  Unless they're looking for C.H.U.D., of course.  If that's the case, all is forgiven, because those suckers can wreak havoc if left to their own devices.

Why the Public Service Announcement?  Because the resulting traffic caused me to arrive late to Luke Walton's news conference and I missed some Q&A.  Granted, these events typically yield standard copy, so I doubt I missed anything particularly controversial.  Except when Walton said, "If they trade Kobe, big deal.  Dude's a flash in the pan, and it's more shots for me."  (I missed that because I made it up.)  Walton's happy to be back, but did note one downside to his new contract.  Asked if the Lakers were catering the news conference with Joey's BBQ (as they did on draft day), Walton joked how "they were only catering because they wanted me back.  Now that I'm back, no more business from the Lakers."  Walton will now shift to Business Plan B, convincing Sasha Vujacic that the BBQ sauce contains the same base ingredient as "the cream" and "the clear."

Here's (about half of) what Walton had to say:

Wow, that's a horrible header.  I must be rusty.  Anyway, it looks like a week to clear waivers is all that's separating Derek Fisher from a return to the Lakers.  The 33-year-old former purple and gold point guard will ink a three-year deal worth about $14 million.  He won't be an elite-caliber W.C. point guard, but he provides a major boost over last season's rotation.  More importantly, the Lakers are in serious need of another veteran who can bridge whatever gap there is between the younger players (though can this be the year we finally retire the whole "Lakers are a young team" line/excuse?) and Kobe, and give 24 a ballast in the leadership realm.  Someone who has his ear and his respect and won't be afraid to speak his mind. 

Speaking of Bryant, Steve Dilbeck of the Daily News is upset he's not, well, speaking.  Dilbeck would like him to clarify his stay-or-go position.  For what it's worth, I think Kobe is doing absolutely the right thing by saying nothing provocative (and almost by definition, anything he says would qualify).   There is no response to The Big Question or its inevitable follow-ups that wouldn't restart the media wildfires that have finally, mercifully, died down. 

The Bulls are interested in Chris Mihm, but if he wants big money from Chicago, Mihm likely won't get it.

BK

Because as of last night, NBA free agents can officially sign new contracts.  Luke Walton is a presumed given to lend his John Hancock any second now (assuming he hasn't already), but the lucky fella landing the Lakers' midlevel exception remains undecided for the time being.  Old friend Derek Fisher, however, is a strong possibility to land a nice chunk of that pretty penny (a price likely too high to throw a Phoenix-auditioning Chris Mihm's way).  Fish's rumored deal won't gobble up the entire MLE or last the maximum amount of years, which works well for a guy appealing as a mentor for Jordan Farmar and Javaris Crittenton.  If you ask Farmar, it's his starting spot to lose, despite any vet importation or upstart rook playing well in Vegas.  And none of these guys pose a threat to his PT, should they end up (or remain) Lakers.

This may have flown under the radar last season, but the point guard position wasn't exactly the Laker calling card.  And with questions surrounding Jordan Farmar or Javaris Crittenton's credentials and Smush Parker perhaps in line to become the next Theo Papaloukos (with any luck, William Henry will also get the theme music), L.A. is on the lookout for a dude worthy of manning the 1.  The Lakers being able to afford the services of Mo Williams was a long shot, given the beau-coup bucks Milwaukee can offer to re-sign their player.   According to the rumor mill, Mo's only willing to cut his price if it means playing in South Beach.  D-Fish, however, might be a realistic option, assuming his switching of agents doesn't mean anything anti-Los Angeles.  Another former Laker, Devean George, hasn't really been discussed as an option for a second go-around, which explains why it's not happening.  Finally, Ron Ron is a cat who pops up in gossip regarding the Lakers, and Sacto's experienced mucho issues with the small forward.  But Artest is now saying he'd like to remain a Cow Town player for the rest of his career.   

And as everyone knows, once this guy makes a statement, you can bank his mind never changing.

-AK

Ever wake up in the morning and think, "You know, I just don't throw up in my mouth on a regular basis nearly enough?"  Well, if that's your dilemma, problem solved.

I could have gone my entire life without knowing this book existed.  Unfortunately, my ignorant bliss lasted a mere month.

-AK