Speak for yourself, Flea.

I am a Laker fan first and foremost. As long as you're wearing my Purple & Gold, you are an ally. The second you take my colors off, you are my enemy. Period.

Unlike the rest of these "fans", I will continue to root for the mighty Purple & Gold - even if we're 42-40, 30-52, 15-67. I may fuss. I may cry. But I'll be rocking my Lakers T-shirts every Saturday afternoon as usual.

WE ARE THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS. 1 Man Don't Make No Team!

Coby Karl link
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nba/article/0,2777,DRMN_23922_5613398,00.html

What exactly does Mitch Kupchak do?

Paralysis by analysis... FIRE KUPCHAK NOW - and bring happy days back to Los Angeles.

Does anyone have any news on the Lakers Summer League roster? The first game is in 4 or 5 days, I'd think some news would be out about it.

A link would be appreciated, thanks.

Wow,

Sorry man, I am not taking sides between you and KL. We had our fair share of "discrepancies." and now we are at peace for the sake of this blog. I was just trying to bring some peace to the previous thread in respect to Derek Fisher. LOL

Vent.

Maybe Mitch cut a deal with Karl, we take his son and they give
us Camby for Kwame!

MH

Jorema:
Nice post and a very informative article on the real decisions that make champions.

[[JOREMA’S POST FROM THE PREVIOUS THREAD REPOSTED BELOW FOR REFERENCE: The Jordanaires

"Let’s just summarize the Jordan and the Jordanaires story. MJ was an amazing player. In the book we argue that he might have been the best ever (although one could argue for Magic Johnson, a story I might get to tomorrow). But without Pippen and Grant – and later on, Pippen and Rodman – Jordan could have been Kevin Garnett, part one.
Jordan was fortunate to play with players who were extremely productive. These players all posted outstanding numbers without Jordan, suggesting it was not Jordan who made them better (and as detailed in the book, the Law of Diminishing Returns tells us that Jordan did not make them better). And Pippen and Grant were both acquired by Krause in the 1987 draft.
Yes, Krause was given a huge building block in Michael Jordan. But other general managers – like Kevin McHale – have been given similar building blocks and yet failed to build a championship contender. Again, one player cannot win a title. Teams win titles. And on the Bulls, it was the team of Jordan, Pippen, and Grant that dethroned the Bad Boys and won three titles. Two-thirds of this trio was chosen by Krause, and for that he should be given a substantial amount of credit (even if it was all just luck, but that’s another story of another day)."
http://dberri.wordpress.com/2007/06/24/defending-jerry-krause/

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE POST]]

Pro-Kobers and Anti-Kobers should agree on one thing: having Kobe on the Lakers represents an amazing opportunity. We differ on how the Lakers can best realize that opportunity.

I feel that Kobe represents the most direct path to glory. I also think that we will not receive the pieces representing an equivalent path in exchange for Kobe. As such, I think the Lakers have to design and assemble a team around Kobe.

Others think that Kobe has incredible abilities, but is flawed in a way that will prevent him from ever leading a championship team. This contingent believes we should trade Kobe while his stock remains high and plan for future, sucking it up for the rebuilding years in the process.

As a pro-Kober, I agree 100% with Flea. I think the fatally flawed Kobe theory is wrong for two reasons: 1) Champs generally need two All-Stars or more, and Kobe has not played with even one All-Star since Shaq left, so we don't know how he'd play on a contender and 2) Kobe's clutch performances in the championship runs were far greater than any ordinary "second fiddle" type player has had with the possible exception of the Showtime Lakers who seemed to trade the MVP amongst their greats.

At any rate, we cannot have it both ways, Lakers fans. We are in the age of Kobe or we are post-Kobe. Our attempt to avoid this hard choice is probably what has landed us in the present situation. The problem with my position is that it requires a lot of FO competence in building a team. The problem with the opposite position is that it requires a lot of FO competence in getting a trade for an impossible to trade
player.

Bottom line: as Jorema's article implies, the future of the franchise depends, for better or worse, on FO competence.

Yikes.

The D - Thank you for not recognizing Caron Butler's illegitimate Eastern All-Star. Caron's a good player and all, I really like him. But it's the East, and even then he only got a selection due to an injury to the first (coach voted) selection.

Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant

This Article Just Published on Foxsports.com
Full article:http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6986202#1

Here is part of it about KG and Kobe:

"6. Item: Most of the talk heading into the draft wasn't about the rookie class at all. It revolved around what was going to happen to All-Star forward Kevin Garnett, who is finally on the same page as Minnesota Timberwolves management -- they all agree he should leave.

What this really means: The ineptitude of general manager Kevin McHale has been apparent for nearly a decade, and yet owner Glenn Taylor keeps supporting him. Well, Garnett has had enough, setting an NBA record of six consecutive seasons of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, yet only once (2004) in his 12-year career have they advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs. And they haven't been back to the playoffs since. He is a fabulous player and just because he isn't a closer, he has been bashed from coast to coast. Still, on the right team, he will raise everyone's level of play, and that's what the Lakers are hoping if they can acquire him to appease Kobe Bryant. Garnett already said he didn't want to go to Boston when Ainge put together a package, and a mega-player deal with multiple teams that would have sent him to his desired destination of Phoenix, crashed when Atlanta killed the deal.

That's why it seems most likely he'll end up with the Lakers as an ancillary option in the Kobe Bryant soap: "The Young and Ruthless." It's difficult to know how it will all shake out for Garnett, but sooner or later he will land somewhere else. Maybe he'll end up in Oakland as Chris Mullin continues to reshape the Warriors. Maybe the Suns will coerce the Hawks to revisit the draft day deal that fell through, sending Amare Stoudemire to Atlanta. Or perhaps the Lakers will figure something out as Bryant continues to squawk. At least Garnett doesn't make this painful -- he just wants to get it resolved. So do we.

7. Item: Whereas Garnett is more restrained in his approach to leave, Bryant has been about as subtle as a Shaquille O'Neal slam dunk considering the incessant whining and finger-pointing at the Lakers organization. That would be the same organization that made no bones about supporting Bryant despite the ugliness of rape accusations in Colorado that were eventually dropped.

What this really means: The Lakers can't afford to deal Bryant because they won't get value in return, plus Phil Jackson just had his second hip replacement surgery and is entering the last year of his contract. It just proves what everyone thought all along that: Bryant was nothing more than an extraordinary talent who has little respect for anyone other than himself. Everywhere he turns now, it's another attack on the organization whether in a microphone of the electronic media, a video camera and any number of writers.

In many ways, he is right about the mess there. But he also had something to do with why it fell apart in 2004 when they appeared on their way to a fourth title in five years. Instead O'Neal and Jackson left and Bryant was there to pick up the pieces. More disturbing is how he vacillates from doing the right thing to doing the wrong one -- and with malice. Obviously, there is a problem between Jerry Buss, his son Jim and Jackson, who happens to be the love interest of Jeanie Buss. You see, this would only play with the Lakers, and without Bryant, there would be no interest at all. And yet what everybody seems to forget is that the Lakers started the season 30-20 and looked like a team destined for at least the fifth seed before injuries crushed them. But if it requires dealing Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom for Garnett, they should reconsider what it takes. They can't trade Bryant, so they'd better figure out a way to appease him -- at least for a year or two."

wow,

"KL does not want to see me in the streets. He better hide behind that computer."

LOL, I love the enthusiasm. I'm not a KL defender, or trying extra hard to give him some love. I honestly try to spread equal love to everybody. I like to go back and forth with people, I just want to do it in a respectful way. Can I get down and dirty if I have to? HELL YEAH!!! I just choose to be "The Nice Guy" around here. But if anyone chooses to take my kindness for weakness I can pull an Anakin and flip to the dark side LOL!!!!

J-Cool,

Dang man, how do you keep up with all the news? Are you the 3rd K bro?

P ang

No I Not The Third K Bro I Just Born To Do This.

Repost

wow
"This is my last post to the two of you ever. We will let the work on the bball court do the talking. You two are great motivators for people that love challenges. You say so much smack that you inspire your opponents to come back stronger"

TAKE A KIT KAT AND GO TO YOUR ROOM!

jorema = Kobe Publicist
"Shaq...Most dominant ever (his own calling)
Kobe the best basketball player( Entire league opinion)"

AND YOU FORGOT ONE MORE THING...

SHAQ - 4 RINGS
KOBE - 3 RINGS

HEY FELLOW BLOGGERS,
Have you seen the video of Kobe Bryant talks a little at his basketball camp (where he greeted the crowd wearing red, the same color the Bulls play in) He does'nt wear any Laker gear and doesn't say the word "Lakers"

Laker Bloggers.....been awhile since I last wrote.......I was out geting a new job!

Ok....Kobe has been told to keep his mouth shut.....by both the Lakers & by his agent. The best thing Kobe can do, and now he realizes it, is to just stay quiet and wait.

July 20th, expect to see Kobe downplay the media. I am confident he will say that the media has hypd everything up. He will also disclose that he was frustrated and disapointed about his season, and he was just ranting and raving. My prediction is that he will acknowledge that he made a mistake. He won't apologize, but he will admit the mistake. He will once again, blame the media.

Kobe is also now aware of the financial implications if in fact he leaves the LA market. Endoresment deals will fall dramaticaly, and the reality that he would only land in an East Coast team will be even more frustrating. Sure, Kobe can probably lead a team into the East Coast finals......but the results will be the same as they were for Cleveland. The West is just too strong...bottom line. At that point, Kobe's image and reputation may never be the same.

As much as I would love to see KG in a Laker uniform......I think it is very unlikely. If KG wanted to come....he would say it. I also believe the price tag is just too high for him. I think Lamar needs to stay as a Laker. This guy had an emotional roller-coaster of a season......but his heart was always there....and nobody can question that.

Outside chance Fisher comes back.........but I don't really believe that will happen either. The Lakers should spend a majority of their MLE on a guard....and I think they are thinking the exact same way. The Lakers know what they are doing. Many teams are looking for the fool to pay.....and the Lakers know it. As it gets deeper into the summer.....bigger deals are going to transpire.

So lets enjoy our summer. Break out the BBQ, open a 12-pack......and play a little Jimmy Buffet in the background! It's summer time Laker fans.......we need a break.....next year wll be stressful enough.

All my best goes out to D Fish, his family, and mostly his baby daughter. He is a man among men. I met Derek in the summer of 2003 when I sold my home to his then girlfriend, now wife, Candace Patton and her son, Marshall Faulk, Jr..

D Fish was always one of my favorite Lakers and it was really refreshing to be able to spend a little time with him. I suppose my claim to fame could be that I beat him 3 straight games of one-on-one ........ darts.. LOL

Derek is a deeply religious young man and certainly a team leader. If he plays b-ball again I would love to see him in LA, if he doesn't play, I'd still love to see him in LA. Derek would make an amazing assistant coach, or even a Laker announcer. He is multi-talented and will be successful wherever he goes and whatever he does. It would definitely benefit our community if Derek and his family were to return as permanent residents of Los Angeles.

HEY FELLOW BLOGGERS,

You can see the video of Kobe and his basketball camp in ESPN.com

WOW
"Shut up. I consider you to be below KL, so no need of worrying about you. Nobody on ths blog seem to care what you say seriously.

OBVIOUSLY, I HIT A NERVE BECAUSE YOU KEEP REPLYING. THANKS FOR SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT OF ME. BTW, GUNNER STANDS FOR THE EXCESSIVE SHOOTING OF THE BALL HOG BRYANT SO I TAKE IT AS A DISRESPECT TOWARDS THE PERSON WHO'S HURTING THIS FRANCHISE.

NICE CHATTING WITH YOU.

One reason Mitch is not yet signing Mihm could be that he might be part of a trade package. Signing him would prevent him from that now. For a PG or KG?

Fish fits here

http://blogs.ocregister.com/lakers/archives/2007/07/fish_fits_here.html#more

Fisher might be a possibility for Lakers

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakers-crittenton-fisher&prov=ap&type=lgns

Interesting column by Marty Burns on free agents:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/marty_burns/07/03/darko/index.html

"But with so few quality centers on the market (Chris Mihm, Jamaal Magloire, Brian Skinner headline the rest of the group), Milicic is expected to command a multiyear deal starting in the $7 to $8 million range. Some say that's optimistic, given that there are so few teams with any cap room. But if Milicic can find the right suitor, he could get big money from a team willing to overspend to find the next Jermaine O'Neal."

See why Mihm's agent is starting at the MLE level in his discussions with the Lakers? ANd why the Lakers gave Walton the contract they gave him?

Guys ive had it !!!!!! Who the Hell are the lakers going to get? Shttttttttttttt there'e not going to be anyone left. I don't blame kboe for being pissed off. I'm pissed and not even apart of the team. How frustrating !!!! Get somone in here that has Balllllllls to get something done. NoGrant Hill, No Francis, No Artest, no Garnett , No Oneal, No karem Rush (Would of been cheap and a good shooter) and No kidd. Do I need to say more. Can anyone out there tell me different.

I'm out,
CrzyFan

"Can you say, Lebron James? Exactly what he did with his big men this year. Rewarded Varejeo and Gooden and they played harder for him. You're right on the money my fellow blogger."

Yeah... the Cavs really played well against the Spurs.

crzyfan
" I don't blame kboe for being pissed off. "

dude, kobe's the reason nobody wants to play in LA. what do you mean "don't blame kobe"? it's all kobe, all the time. let's see how the olympic team does with kobe leading the way. i'm sure it'll be a pissing contest between kobe and any other guy on the team trying to win. you'll see, kobe dribble 7-10 times, then jack up a 30 footer.

Flea is the best. You can tell this guy is a true fan. Now I'm jacked for the season to start. How many days? What's the countdown. It's time for tip-off!

C'mon, guys, if Bynum's here, he'll be a monster this year. If he's not, we'll have a great player in his place. And Kwame's hands just keep getting bigger and stronger. Let's hear it for the boys. Let's give the boys a hand. Who's on the 55-win bandwagon with me? Nobody? Okay, how about 50. Certainly I'll have takers with 50.

It's a purple and gold horizon...