I realize this will feel like a plug for a mag BK and I work with
But the article on Tim Donaghy in the new issue of ESPN The Magazine (Prince Fielder on the cover) is worth checking out. It's not so much about Donaghy as the state of NBA reffing in general. More specifically, the league office's not-so-positive effect on said state. Micromanaged videotape review (which often leads to being retroactively criticized for calls previously issued a thumbs-up). Refs being told they personally need to call particular infractions more often. The urgency to stave off the henpeckers, which often results in ticky-tack fouls. A decided emphasis on adhering to rules and appearances over context, which, as one former ref put it, has "taken the common sense out of the officials' hands." Just one example of how the league has grown exceptionally overcontrolled since the Palace brawl. Since most of y'all are pretty critical of David Stern, Stu Jackson and the gang (for many of the reasons I've been), I thought this would be up your alley.
If you have ESPN Insider, you can click here, then sift through the table of contents. Otherwise, it's not presented in a linkable format, but you can always plant yourself at the nearest Brentano's and peruse the whole thing. Just don't bring it into the bathroom or else you've agreed to a purchase. No questions asked. Or answered. Kinda like Kobe's appearance on the "Jimmy Kimmel Show."
-- AK
Spurs to sign Udoka....Lakers are happy as they are.
'Ime Udoka, whose rise from the NBA Development League to NBA starter made him a fan favorite with the Trail Blazers, is poised to sign a multiyear contract with the reigning-champion San Antonio Spurs. Udoka's agent, Erin Cowan, told The Oregonian on Sunday that Udoka has made a commitment to the Spurs and hoped to have a deal finalized by Tuesday. Cowan would not reveal contract specifics, but sources have indicated that Udoka will sign a two-year deal worth more than $2 million. The second year could be a player option. -- Oregonian
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Smush has opt out of Heat contract? Kobelike contract for Parker?
Miami granted guard Smush Parker the right to opt out of his two-year deal next summer, if he wishes, as a concession for accepting $2.2 million next season and $2.4 million in '08-09. -- Miami Herald
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Magic Johnson helping Hillary Clinton? What about the Lakers, Magic?
Hillary Clinton will work a little magic - fund-raising style - at a star-studded upcoming Los Angeles event at the home of former NBA star, businessman and philanthropist Earvin (Magic) Johnson. "We need a winner as our next President of the United States - someone that can help realistically improve relations in the world, someone that will work to provide affordable and accessible health care, and someone that is simply a strong leader," Johnson said in a campaign statement. "I know that's Hillary Clinton." -- NY Daily News
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 09:07 AM
WHAT THE HELL.............
WHERE IS JO??????
DUMB ASS BITCH ........OOPS........I MEAN MITCH
Posted by: COMPTON'S FINEST | August 13, 2007 at 09:07 AM
KL:
"LOL. come on, i've done better than that, haven't I (rhetorical question)?"
HAHAHA... Of course I know what a rhetorical question is... HAHAHA
"hey, when's the next segment of Private Kobe?"
Stay tuned...
Posted by: hal9000 | August 13, 2007 at 09:10 AM
"I realize this will feel like a plug for a mag BK and I work with"
It doesn't feel like a plug. It is a plug.
Posted by: zen | August 13, 2007 at 09:12 AM
JJ,
"Howard to Los Angeles for Farmar and Cook!!!"
I like the trade and I like Howard. When he was with Houston He and Motumbo
Help keep the Rockets alive when Yao went down. Of course Tracy McGrady
also gave a superstar performance but Howard was a steadying hand and you could
always count on at least 10 points and 8 to 10 rebounds. If nothing else he would be
a valuable asset in case of a rash of injuries to Bigs like we had last year Plus Cook has worn
out his welcome with the towel incident and I believe Critter is our point guard of
the future not Farmer. . Good trade JJ. Keep em coming.
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 09:23 AM
If the lakers get off to a bad start this season.........an than cupcake calls BIRD about O'NEAL.......man I dont even want to think about.......if you think were getting RAPE with giving up odam-bynum......we may have to give up much more than that if get off to a slow start.
bye the way there is no way in hell we go after howard........unless it's dwight howard.......we already have a 21-22 year old young stud in RONNY-T who is at the end of the bench waiting to crack some minutes......why would we trade for a 40 year old to push his min further back????? does'nt make sense.
Posted by: COMPTON'S FINEST | August 13, 2007 at 09:29 AM
JJ,
"Jordan Farmar adds to their youth movement as a young, yet very talented, point guard."
You are over-valuing Farmar if you call him "very talented." He has not come anywhere close to showing that yet.
I don't see that Howard, at his age, is going to help the Lakers. You expect him, at his age, to successfully match up against the PFs in the west? And if you have Kwame matching up on PFs, then you have an undersized Howard going against the centers, with Odom not quick enough to be able to guard the SFs.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 13, 2007 at 09:35 AM
Mamba 24/10: "NEXT HONOREE: SONNY BELFAST"
Sonny Belfast? SONNY BELFAST!!??!? Who next? A Celtics fan? Steve Nash? Benedict Arnold?
Nah, I guess it's okay. It's cool to have you around, Sonny.
Posted by: Marty | August 13, 2007 at 09:36 AM
Tim-4-show,
"I happened to run into JO this past Saturday at the Mirage. He totally rocks"
What! He totally rocks. That's it! Details show, details. you happen to
run in to the one person who could perhaps mean the difference between
a successful season and the beginning of a lottery team and you don't give
us the when, hows and why's. Show, show show. Now is that any way
for an ace Blog reporter to act. Tsk, Tsk Tsk. LOL.
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 09:53 AM
hal9000
You want the front office to gamble? Understandable. It gets frustrating waiting for news everyday as the summer wanes, but the FO is gambling that keeping what they have is better than dealing more than JO is worth.
With their superstar whining in their ears, the fan base demanding, that takes guts. We just want to be entertained, they're bettin' the house.
Posted by: Vman | August 13, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Jorema,
"Magic Johnson helping Hillary Clinton? What about the Lakers, Magic?"
Come on Magic, you're better than that. Everybody knows that all politics is
local. Take care of the homefront first. Or have you already been given your
marching orders by Jimmy Buss and this is the team we will compete with.
This is a d*mn shame a pygmy(Jimmy Buss) telling a Giant(Magic) how to
play the game.
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Vman,
F/O gambling, no way. However, we can say Jerry Buss is always gambling his waning libido with younger women, appears of TV poker at wee hours in the morning but gambling with the Lakers too conservative for that type of gambling. The biggest stake they made this year is getting Coby Karl instead of KG and most probably also JO, last year it was Shammond. haha!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 13, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Vman,
"We just want to be entertained, they're bettin' the house."
If you can't afford the stake you shouldn't be in the game.
What house are they betting. Kobe helped build the house Known
as Staples and for 3 years they have gotten by on the cheap.
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Edwin Gueco,
"Jerry Buss is always gambling his waning libido with younger women,"
HAAAAA HAAAAAA! LOL, LOL. Stop it Edwin you're killing me.
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Jorema,
With regards to Chatchup's interview with Tribune, he said:
"If you're comfortable with the answer, you move on. And I am."
Since many of us here are uncomfortable with his too many excuses, is he going to move on by QUITTING? Normally, a person who has no achievement, no production, he would be quiet to talk or else he puts himself into embarrassing situation (that's what happens to Jerry West when the Lakers or Grizzlies do not win, he's afraid to air his views) This GM is different from any professional executive, he is just callous, thick-faced and a robot, he does not really care what you think of him? what is said about him? as long as he has the loyalty of the Buss'es, everything will be OK.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 13, 2007 at 10:28 AM
I'm going to hold onto the pipe dream that Kwame comes back and can play a Horace Grant-like PF for the Lakers, averaging around 10 and 8.
I call this, pulling a Teniente.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 13, 2007 at 10:32 AM
AK/BK,
Who wrote the article about the refs and what's going on for The Mag?
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 13, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Andrew Z,
"I call this, pulling a Teniente."
Careful Z, careful. lol!
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Here is what Tspere is asking about Sasha:
"France won the game by twenty points, so Slovenia isn't exactly a team to feared packed with All-Stars. But Sasha apparently couldn't even make the team... or wasn't he interested? Could this be the best indication of the general mediocrity of the current Laker team?"
I think our bloggers in Europe like Tsphere or Alexinho17 could give us a better scouting report than depend on F/O 5 year performance on foreign players. Who can answer Tsphere's question, why is Sasha not even included in the Slovenian team but included in one of the premier NBA teams based on lakerTom's assessment? lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 13, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Andrew Z,
'I'm going to hold onto the pipe dream that Kwame comes back and can play a Horace Grant-like PF for the Lakers, averaging around 10 and 8."
I understand why they would call that a "pipe dream."
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 13, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Michael A,
You said: Hobbit, you're kind of parsing your question until you get the data you want. Not the coolest way to talk about something.
I'm not sure what this means. Please explain.
For the record: I asked KL to post some facts regarding one of his [ I think he's male. ] statements.
His statement was along the lines of: Shaq is better than Kobe because Shaq has done better
in the post season as the number 1. He has indicated that players of NOTE want to play with
Shaq, but not with kobe. When the list of players was given him, he said it only counts if they
actually make it to the team. [ a paraphrase ] Then I asked him: When has Shaq gone to the
playoffs without an all-star? How well did he do?
Lakergurl then posted: That spammer (KL Bitch) of a blogger is nothing but a cowarrd who hides in the anonimity of blogging. A meaningless heckler. Been slapped around by bloggers (even by AK) for his rants without supporting facts. Attempts to be clever using hispanic words he hardly understands. LOL. As weave-man calls him appropriately, a one-trick pony. Pity him though for not having a life. Imagine posting even after midnight! Pathetic.
Kl, that's pretty rugged when a girl calls you a coward. Are you just going to take that? :)
Lakergurl, it figures that a Lakergurl has spirit like you've shown. Can you send some to Bynum?
While you're at it, send some to KL too! A man who will take being called a coward doesn't seem
very manly to me. Maybe that's because I'm a laker fan and Kobe fan though.
There's nothing more beautiful than a strong woman. Unless it's Kobe draining a 3 with two defenders on him at the end of a game!
Go Lakers!
Go Kobe!
Posted by: hobbitmage | August 13, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Revisionist History
I have stood on the sidelines this summer, and watched the Kobe Bryant saga unfold once again. It seems as though the short-sightedness of fans and the media alike, has deadened the memories of what transpired in Lakerland 3 short years ago. I have posted little on this forum, due mostly to the fact that the arguments have become circular, and nothing new has been brought to the table by most, with the exception of the random trade idea, which is typically nothing of consequence, although most times highly entertaining. I submit to all of you, who seem to spend most of the time either arguing for, or against, Kobe Bryant, that really he is the root of the evils the Lakers face right now. Without his presence, there is a peace.
As demanding as Shaq ever was, he was always a team player and wanted nothing more than to be a good teammate and a winner. He has proven that - pre Kobe, and post Kobe. The relationship between Kobe and his teammates has always been tumultuous. I have heard many here say that Kobe doesn't recruit other players, or make a good teammate. Here's some proof.
In an interview with Jim Gray
"BRYANT: It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. I don't, Karl [Malone] doesn't, Gary [Payton] doesn't, and our teammates and the fans don't either. There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win; it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy. (Interestingly enough, Kobe is quoted here with reference to leadership. He has exhibited none of the things he claims to believe about a leader here. Not blaming others, and "Carrying the burden of defeat." Where is that now? He has poured out nothing but blame lately.)
You can say that he has changed since then, but I submit that he hasn't changed a bit. I'm sick of so many people putting up defense for this guy, just because of what he does on the court. I wan't a team, not a selfish baby and a bunch of guys following him around the court waiting for him to turn on them.
Get Lost Kobe!!!
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | August 13, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Mamba24/10,
You always rock the blog in the morning in the Pacific, then you become silent in the everning. We need someone to rock it at night before closing our monitors. I know it's early morning in the East Coast. Does Mamba 24/10 sleeps? You're 24 hours now, isn't it?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 13, 2007 at 10:45 AM
This is an interesting take on leadership. Kobe is a tyrant. Send him packing. He doesn't even follow his own advice, passing blame along to everyone else, and not accepting the consequences of his actions. Sometimes, people need to go to college to grow up. Kobe never had that, maybe that's why he still acts like a teenager.
"It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares[. . .] There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win; it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy."
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | August 13, 2007 at 10:53 AM
AZ,
"I'm going to hold onto the pipe dream that Kwame comes back and can play a Horace Grant-like PF for the Lakers, averaging around 10 and 8."
AZ, I second the motion to your pipe dream. The Cap or PJ should order the Cap to refocus on Kwame. If he can only catch the ball and shoot free throws at 70%, nobody in the NBA can really stop him. Simple solutions, catch the ball and go for dunk or hook shot, this guy is a plain Caterpillar bulldozer that was the reason why MJ picked him in the #1 draft. I would bet more on training Kwame to catch the ball than Andrew avoiding fouls.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 13, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Exhelodrvr,
"I understand why they would call that a "pipe dream."
LOL! LOL! Be kind Ex. lol, lol!
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 10:56 AM
marty
"Sonny Belfast? SONNY BELFAST!!??!? Who next? A Celtics fan? Steve Nash? Benedict Arnold?"
benedict arnold? isn't that PJ?
Posted by: KLBeast | August 13, 2007 at 10:59 AM
exhelodrvr,
Okay Mr. negativity....
Change Farmar from very talented to decent...does that work for you????
As far as Howard is concerned, who is a better all around player, Howard or Cook? As for his age, that is actually a plus because he has experience and understands the game better. Plus, he would have the respect of the team and Kobe. Would you rather have Cook?
You are one of the most negative people on here with your quick criticism of players. You only seem to be behind getting the players that are clearly unattainable, when instead the ones that would still fit nicely are attainable. Howard isn't an All-Star but he is a quality player and an upgrade over what we have now. As far as him playing against the other players, he has done it with every other team....but you act as if he can't with the Lakers. He played power forward for the Rockets for a couple seasons and did a decent job. Yet you act as if he can't now. When did he get too old to play? Was it over the summer? Was it a few minutes before you read my post?
You are one of the main ones I was referring to in my post last week when I was saying that I was leaving. Your responses are just plain idiotic!
Posted by: JJ | August 13, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Mamba24/10,
Speaking of Teniente, is there a MT Blog out there? That blog would be very exciting, he puts up the thread and answer it as well, contradict the thread then reply to his contradiction. In the end, he always win. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 13, 2007 at 11:05 AM
phxlkrfan
"You can say that he [kobe] has changed since then, but I submit that he hasn't changed a bit.
that interview with Jim Gray is very telling of kobe's personality. let me remind you that was on national TV and while the lakers were still defending champs.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 13, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Mamba24/10,
Speaking of Teniente, is there a MT Blog out there? That blog would be very exciting, he puts up the thread and answer it as well, contradict the thread then reply to his contradiction. In the end, he always win. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 13, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Edwin Gueco,
If you would bet anything on Kwame period, you are crazy!
As for betting for him in any comparison with Andrew, you should have your NBA fan card revoked!
Posted by: JJ | August 13, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Mamba24/10,
Speaking of Teniente, is there a MT Blog out there? That blog would be very exciting, he puts up the thread and answer it as well, contradict the thread then reply to his contradiction. In the end, he always win. lol
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 13, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Marty,
"Mamba 24/10: "NEXT HONOREE: SONNY BELFAST" Sonny Belfast? SONNY BELFAST!!??!?
Who next? A Celtics fan? Steve Nash? Benedict Arnold"
Now, Marty hold on. I understand your anger but a few points. First I you may not have noticed but
Sonny has had some damn good posts recently. Second We are trying to bring the factions of
the Blog together so I think we should reach out. Yeah I know you would like to reach out for
my throat right now and I understand that. Third I guess I kind of misnamed what I was trying to do
While most of the Bloggers that have been featured do indeed deserve to be honored, I also
think this is a way of featuring different bloggers. Finally, if you will recalled after the last Honoree
I said the next honoree (You Vote) no one voted so I made the call.
OK Finally, Finally If I screwed up I take full resposibility but I happen to think, aside from a decided
bias against KOBE, Sonny as a King supporter brings a different and needed perspective to
the Blog, and I think that's healthy.
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Edwin,
". Does Mamba 24/10 sleeps?
Edwin I usually stop blogging about 12:45 in order to get ready for my second job so the
only time I can Blog is in the early morning between 8 12:45.
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 11:35 AM
From ESPN TrueHoop: Kwame Brown is running for office in 2008?
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=1533
Posted by: Kobe Apologist | August 13, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Edwin,
I was mostly joking about the Kwame thing. I don't think there's a chance in hell of Kwame Brown giving us even close to that kind of production, and even less of a chance that he would be able to do it at the Power Forward position.
Other than the Brian Grant contract I think Kwame's inability to play the 4 successfully has been the greatest factor in our lack of success since the Shaq trade.
For the salary he's commanding he should bring much, MUCH more to the table.
But alas, he will more than likely go the way of Theo Ratliff, where we should just refer to him as "Expiring Contract".
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 13, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Aloha JJ
I also read about J Howard wanting out of Minny. I like your trade. I think Howard could give us 20 to 25 quality minutes, freeing Lamar to move to the 3. The only problem would be a lot of salary commited to the 3. But we can let Phil work that out. Since the big trade has eluded us, this is the kind of deal, we have to make.
MH
Posted by: michael h | August 13, 2007 at 12:18 PM
JJ,
"As far as Howard is concerned, who is a better all around player, Howard or Cook?"
The question is not who is a better player, the question is who fits in best with the Lakers needs, including from a salary cap perspective. You just obligated the Lakers to another 3.5 M against the cap next offseason, for a team that is already in trouble in that respect. I am assuming that he would be the starter. If not, then (at almost 7 M) this is a really dumb trade. Howard is 34 years old; not much of a defender anymore.
Not much of an outside game, which the Lakers need. Would need to learn the triangle.
Don't be desperate to make a move just to make a move. Bad trades are worse than no trades at all.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 13, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Mamba 24/10: "... know you would like to reach out for
my throat right now..."
Nothing could be further from the truth. You're the best. And I was only kidding about SonnyB. Fact is, I'm embarrassed by the hate directed toward him by some who just don't like that he's a King. I don't know how he puts up with it, but his posts are fun without being obnoxious.
Posted by: Marty | August 13, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Exhelodrvr,
"Don't be desperate to make a move just to make a move.
Bad trades are worse than no trades at all."
GUILTY AS CHARGED
Posted by: mamba24/10 | August 13, 2007 at 12:28 PM
JJ,
"You are one of the most negative people on here with your quick criticism of players."
I am only critical of trades that don't make sense. There are only a handful of possible trades involving the Lakers this offseason that make sense, considering their current roster, their salary cap situation, and the uncertainty of Kobe's future. Your trade for Howard isn't one of them. It is the type of move that could put a contending team "over the top", but the Lakers aren't a contending team, and this type of move will actually work against them becoming a contending team.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 13, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Edwin Gueco,
you are obsessed with Jerry Buss going out with younger women. Give it a rest. Its his personal life. Why do you care? Are you jealous?
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 13, 2007 at 12:38 PM
KLBeast: "...while the lakers were still defending champs..."
No, the interview was given the following year, after Shaq got his toe surgery on company time. That's why there's a reference to Malone and Peyton.
I agree that his comments were ill-advised. But understand the historical context. Shaq had been calling Kobe out in the media for four years, blaming him for losses and so forth, until he did an about-face with the "greatest player" comment during the '01 playoffs. What's most surprising is Kobe kept it all in until 2003.
Should he have kept his mouth shut? Yes. Is Kobe an egotistical hot-head? Absolutely. Just like half the other players in the NBA. It's a shame he couldn't step back, look at the big picture and protect his legacy. But that's who he is, for better or worse. It's also what gives him the incredible drive to win. Without him, I think we only win one of those three championships. I wish the Lakers could win with a nicer person, but until that guy comes along, this is the team that's suiting up.
I miss guys like Magic and Bird. It was team team team with them. It wasn't until Michael Jordan came along that we introduce "supporting cast" into the NBA lexicon. I remember when MJ first made that comment and I thought, true or not, you just don't say that. Now, that attitude is the rule and not the exception.
Oh, well...
I'll still be cheering for the Lakers when the season starts.
Go Purple and Gold!
Posted by: Marty | August 13, 2007 at 12:43 PM
The Bay Area and all of Northern California is buzzing. The march to glory begins tonight. Niners are up.
Do you know what this means?
It means that Laker and other NBA action is just around the corner.
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/322463.html
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | August 13, 2007 at 12:44 PM
Mamba,
Thanks for the nod, but I fear you will soon be neutered.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | August 13, 2007 at 12:48 PM
[[repost]]
KL:
Dude. Waaaaa... I like their All-NBA superstar better than our all-NBA superstar... I want theirs. Waaaaaaaa!
C'mon whether or not you appreciate Kobe, the rest of the league does. He is one of rarest and most valuable pieces in the game. We are fortunate to have such a player, because, at most, only about 1/5 of the teams have a player on this level. Plenty of intelligent people would argue that it's really far less than that. Now that we have one, we have to figure out how to make the most of it. It's a lot more likely to lead to success than trading him on the blind expectation that we may somehow end up with a comparable level player in the next five years.
If you end up with a rare Ferrari on Let's Make a Deal, you don't pass it up for "What's Behind Door No. 2" just because you would prefer different options. You also don't trade it for a fleet of Corollas. You find a way to get the most out of what you have. Like it or not, that's what we have to do. Unless you know how to get a perennial All-NBA talent and holder of multiple rings at the peak of his game in exchange for Kobe, you're not getting far by denigrating his game. He may act like a jerk a lot, and, as Flea has pointed out, he's kind of a basketball nerd in many ways, but you cannot accurately impugn his talent, dedication, excellence under pressure, or his will to win. Those are all absolutely first rate.
Posted by: The D | August 13, 2007 at 12:56 PM
exhelodrvr,
First off, most of you were salavating at the idea of getting KG which would have meant an increase of salary far beyond that of this, and still would of left us in need of more salaries just like Boston to fill out the squad. You were in favor of that! But, you are against this??????
Second, he would most certainly start as he is capable of doing and has done in the past most seasons in the league. I am still confused as to when Juwan Howard became such a terrible player. Can you explain this to me?
Third, one of the most important needs for the Lakers going into the summer outside of point guard help was consistent help down low with rebounding, offense and defense. Howard can and does supply those things right now, and I see no reason to belieev that he wouldn't for the Lakers.
Fourth, you question whether he fits....well, does Brian Cook fit? Does he make sense with Radman being on the squad at a higher salary?
Fifth, you are also missing a key part of this which is that Lamar would then be moved to the small forward spot. Oh, wait, you didn't miss it, you just disagree with it! You believe that lamar can't guard small forwards because they are too quick. Yet, he already guards them at times right now when Phil has switched him to small forward during some games. You have a higher insight on this than everybody else because you just don't see lamar being a small forward even though that is his natural position and the position he played before coming to the Lakers. I'm sorry...i didn't realize I was talking to somone so smart.
Bottomline....EVEN if Howard doesn't improve the team a great amount it is still worth a shot considering the alternative is to stay with Cook and Farmar which hasn't worked up to now. You are suggesting that staying with Cook is a better plan than trying out Howard who actually fills a need.
Posted by: JJ | August 13, 2007 at 12:57 PM