Mamba:

Thanks for the honor. I’m humbled. It’s easy to be positive all the time now that Smush has departed. I definitely see that Niners surprising everybody with a very competitive team that has a long shot chance at winning everything. I’m going full out GOF (Glass Over Flowing) this year. Full GHF is not enough to overcome the snafus of the front office and return Kobe, the greatest player in the NBA today, to the fold to extend the Lakers dynasty.

In respect, KL should agree with all of my posts today. Lol. Kobe for MVT, Most Valuable Teammate!

Tom

JJ:

I really liked your new nickname for ex: Mr. Negativity. He is like a radiation monitor you wear if you work near a nuclear reactor except his monitor detects any rays of sunshine, alerting ex to make a negative post before anybody overdoses on good vibes. Thank God we all know this is really humor on ex’s part and he is not serious. lol. Mr. Negativity, very good!

Tom

AK/BK Blog Challenge!!!!

Name a the 'Shaq' led team that won a play-off series without at least one other all-stars in his supporting cast.

Answers to 'Lakersblog'

Aaarrrhhhh!!

Angry_Laker

The Lake Show,

On Jerry Buss appeal to younger women, not really that obsessed just tried to reply V'man's post that Lakers are not in the habit of gambling.

Yeah, perhaps I'm jealous. Being a boomer when we talked of young girls, we get a sour look that we're too old to be their grandfather. You better stop or else they'll call a police. haha.

Taking it to a rest, when they get JO, make no mistake, you will see supreme optimism in the blog, no more negative vibrations. We're tlike he whining innocent babies in a cradle we cry because we're hungry and thirsty and no one is listening.

Mamba 24/10,

"I can Blog is in the early morning between 8 12:45."

How about changing your name to Mamba 12:45

JJ,

You have a good idea, but I think the pf we should go after is Reggie Evans. Howard is probably a better all around player, but is also more expensive. I know some people want LO moved to the 3 but I don't see how that makes a major diference. In either position he creates mismatches so I don't see him moving to sf, as a major plus.

Denver desperately needs shooters, and has a glut in it's front court, so they should be willing to do the deal. We get rid of two role players we don't need (or want), and bring in a MONSTER REBOUNDER that can help solidify the second units front line, and give us a rebounder when LO is on the bench. Mitch is reportedly willing to go into the season with the squad we have right now, so I think the best thing the FO can do is bring in better/useful role players that can really help us. After we make the trade with Denver, we can sign Patterson for the vet minimum and have a more competitive roster without adding too much salary.

Fisher-Farmar-Crittenton
Kobe-Evans-Coby Karl
Patterson-Luke-Radmanovic
LO-Reggie Evans-Turiaf
Kwame-Bynum-Mihm

This squad is better defensively, and deeper.

JJ,
What is my plan?

1) Don't make desperation moves.
2) Determine (if possible) if Kobe is going to play next season, and (if so) whether or not he is going to demand a trade next season or is willing to wait until the end of his contract to see how things are progressing. Finding out the answers to those questions is paramount to making good decisions.
3) What is the injury status of Mihm, Brown, Odom, and Walton? I am working under the impression that they are all returning to full health, if that is not the case then that will have a significant impact on the moves the team tries to make, and the moves that other teams would consider. (i.e. if Brown or Odom are not healing well, then they are untradeable for now.)

If Kobe is thinking about sitting out, or planning on demanding a trade again, then the primary focus of the GM should be to try and get the best deal possible. Chicago and Atlanta seemed like logical choices for that, as both teams could benefit, but that would assume one of those teams would be willing, and that Kobe would agree. If nothing reasonable can be done at this point, then don't make a move yet.

If Kobe is willing to stay at least until the end of his contract, then the team should try and make a move for Gasol, O'Neal, or Artest. If you can't make a trade for any of them, then you need to sit tight, see what you can get for Kwame Brown at mid-season, and hope that Bynum, Turiaf, Walton, Farmar/Crittendon improve enough, combined with reasonable health for the team.

The Lakers are not in a good position right now; overall the roster is of below-average quality, and they have no salary cap room for the foreseeable future. But don't make the situation worse by being desperate.

marty

"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. "

my bad. 2003 i recall now.

"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."

i do fault shaq for being a dumba$$ during the same time frame.

"Without him [kobe], I think we only win one of those three championships."

debatable, but i'll see your point.

"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 guess Jordan is both a curse and a blessing for b-ball fans?

"I'll still be cheering for the Lakers when the season starts."

good man. i'll remain indifferent.

Rick Friedman,

This is a reply to your yesterday's post and it's only today I've read it, sorry for the delayed response.

"That much said, if injuries hit or the team begins losing significantly in the first two months, expect major trades," the issue that's left everything on hold all summer will be even bigger."

Actually, I did not say that but I definitely agree to your observation. If we're having a hard time making a trade at this time, what more when they accummulated losses. Well, we missed a lot of oppotunities in the past Kidd deal then the Jo/Murphy deal. These may not be exciting deal but in making decisions you have to risk in order to acquire you set objectives. Like the analogy of the California Real Estate, a young couple bought a property worth $ 650K in '05 but he's having problems in paying his monthly mortgages which was adjustable. The house has been in the market for 3 months now and only one made an offer who will give his $ 10K and assumed his obligations He placed a down of $ 25K, if he accepted that deal he would lose $15K but saved his credit, he's waiting for the full price offer but he could not find one, foreclosure proceedings are already in the offing, suddenly Stock Market crushed last Friday due to sub prime mortgages, his adjustable rate increased by 25%? Now the risks is looming, he will lose his house, his original investments and his credit ratings too. In taking risks, either you win some or you lose some but a problem exists and you don't make any moves to address an apparent problem, then you lose all.

JJ,

The Lakers cant do anything to help them become a contender right now. The things that they had a "glimmer" of hope on, were not really a glimmer of hope at all. Larry Bird help the Lakers? Yea right! Kevin Mchale and Danny Ainge help the Lakers? Yea right! They want to GUT the Lakers.

Mitch can be on the phone all day, but no one wants what the Lakers have or they want to gut the Lakers so they have no chance of winning (Which defeats the original purpose).

I'm not in the Laker front office, but I'm pretty sure they have exausted all possibilities to help the team for this season. Nobody on this blog knows what goes on in the Laker office and to suggest they do nothing is very ignorant and rediculous.

There is literally not much you can do when the most active teams are run by ex-Celtic players. It's their way of sticking it to the Lakers for beating them in 85 and 87.

Give me a break! Kevin Mchale was NEVER interested in trading with the Lakers unless he gutted the team. Same with Bird.

Even when the Lakers would pull a third team, Minnesota, Boston, and Indiana would all say no. They want the Lakers gutted.

They want to help themselves and GUT the Lakers.

The Lakers ONLY chance to get out of this mess in my opinion is to NOT win and get in the lottery. That got Boston Ray Allen which landed KG. The only bargaining chip the Lakers can get is a high draft pick to package with someone to get a quality player. Unfortunately the Lakers want to make the playoffs for extra gambling money/Ladies for DR.Buss so he can enjoy the last few years of his life in style.

Making the playoffs last year for the Lakers was just stupid. It did nothing for them except give them another year of mediocrity.

lakertom

"In respect, KL should agree with all of my posts today. Lol. Kobe for MVT, Most Valuable Teammate!"

i'll be honest with you, i don't read all of your post, but from what i've gathered, it's usually well thought out......even the posts which you ripe me a new a$$hole...LOL.

BTW, i don't mind being called out as long as one is willing to listen to my counterpoint. as for kobe=MVT, i wish...

IN HONOR OF LAKERTOM

I'd like to recind my nickname of LectureTom, CensorTom and LakerTomGirl...for one day. i reserve the right to use such needling as a countermeasure to LakerTom's "patronization" of me down the road.

Lakers will be stupid not to deal Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum and fillers like Sasha and Cook for O'neil....

This is a deal that would defenitely put the Lakers at least close to conteding level...
People listen up, the reason why Kobe and Lamar have not meshed well is becuase they basically play the same roll in the triangle offense... Odom is not a great defender nor is he a great finisher... Andrew will be good, but not in the near future, and we just can't afford that right now... I say pull the trigger Cupcake...

Also we will still have Kwame's expiring contract with Farmar hopefully coming along those two are great trade baits for SF or C before the trading deadline, if not we would still be at least 10 wins better than last year with just the O'neil trade......

you guy's just dont get it, Lamar is injured yet again, which means another off season of normatlity for him.
No Conditioning
No working out on his game
Not looking at film and knowing what his weaknesses are to improve upon them... This is Lamar for you, born and established ball player with incredible body, but just can't get himself to the next level becuase he just does not work on his, either becuase his injured (note becuase he doesn't condition himself) or he just takes vacations... Andrew on the other hand will be good but not for at least another 2 years......

So anyone on hear that thinks were giving up to much given the circumstances for the current situation is out of their minds.....

Kobe, O'neil, Fisher and Walton will be a team much closer to a championship than that of Kobe, Lamar, Fisher, Andew and Walton....Why
Expereince and the will to win....

JimBuss make it happen idiot....

Mamba,

I was walking through the casino with my family towards the back where the auditoriums are and he was coming towards me with two other guys, one of whom was wearing a Yankees cap. Right in front of the Baccarat room is where our paths crossed and I told him I was a fan and that Laker Nation is hopeful he'll be winning in purple and gold soon. Shook hands, that was about it. Later I was kicking myself becasue my wife had my camera and I should have asked for a picture, he would have given it I'm sure. Running across a big NBA player while at the gym is one thing, living your everyday life and coming across one is a bit startling. It was a weird weekend for that type of thing. For example, I got off the elevator heading to my room and right outside the elevator waiting to go down to the lobby was John Kruk talking on his cell phone and holding a golf putter... that was strange because I had to do a double take thinking "was that John Kruk?" Same thing when my wife saw big shot Rob on Saturday. I think there was a charity game in town and several ballers were there for it, but I think Kruk was there for something else? I don't know.

"Thanks for the nod, but I fear you will soon be neutered."-Sonny B

Hilarious!!! You deserve a day Sonny. You're cool.

Kobe, to me, is now just an asset to the team. I'd feel no pain if he were traded in a fair deal. As a fan of basketball, I will enjoy his play wherever he is. As a fan of the Lakers, I will despise Kobe if he's on another team.

Go Lakers!

JJ,

The Juwan Howard trade isn't a bad idea, but there's one issue you didn't think through.
Minnesota already has 17 players under contract for next year. And your trade was a
three for 1, which would give them 19 players. That means there would be two more
players they'd have to pay off and get nothing out of.

Also, I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but Brian Cook is a base year compensation player,
which means he only counts for half of his salary to the team being traded to, so he
would actually only count for 1,750,000 in the trade.

And then there's the fact that McHale is still a Celtic and would rather cut off his own
foot with a rusty hacksaw and eat it than do the Lakers any favors.

So, I think the deal you proposed would normally be fair value, but in this situation it
doesn't make quite as much sense as it might.

Marty & Mamba,

While your kind remarks are appreciated, they are never expected, on the contrary. I participate in this forum because this is simply the best sports board around. This is largely due to the brothers, and mostly due to its eclectic assortment of sharp contributors, including Tatoo Boy and Jorenema. I get hammered a lot worse by fellow Kings fans and Forty Whiners if you can believe it. Anyone whose skin is too thin for tanning really has no business here. And too, having grown up in So Cal a Laker, Dodger and USC fan, I am one of those who is able to root for the Lakers, or any west coast team, but only after the Kings or Niners have been eliminated (depending of course on how they were eliminated; 2002 WCF being the noteable exception).

During those intermittent periods when I am able to follow and participate on this board, I do so. Partly because the discourse functions as a form of social and vicarious recreation, and partly because the exercise is important in helping me to keep my mind and typing skills fine tuned for a book I continue write, off and on.

Now for the plug: The book is called "Up A Squirrels Ass" and I'm hoping it will be made into a super juicy "X" rated movie featuring Hillary, Martha, and Condee. As the story goes, smoking a cigar and wearing only a soft pink cotton blouse, Hillary is in the kitchen baking cookies...

Sonnybelfast

tim-4-show

"Right in front of the Baccarat room is where our paths crossed and I told him I was a fan and that Laker Nation is hopeful he'll be winning in purple and gold soon. Shook hands, that was about it. Later I was kicking myself becasue my wife had my camera and I should have asked for a picture, he would have given it I'm sure."

No picture? i don't believe you then.....kidding. hey, i once saw TJ Cloutier (the old, fat, grumpy poker player) at Bellagio....does he count as a sports figure?

long time

"And of course there's Kwame who I've diagnosed with chronic butterfingers."

don't forget...

acute underachieving
systemic mal-behavior disorder
lethargic offensive contributor-itis
and....i-hate-kobe-itis

Gino,

"JimBuss make it happen idiot...".

You called him idiot, now he will not do it.

I don't how many of you here in the blog were listening to the press conference of the rescue of 6 miners in Utah. Here are the first words of Mr. Murray "I am very disappointed that we are here in the mountains for 8 days now with no rest but have no news to tell you about the 6 miners." Supposing we transposed that Mitch K if he wants to be interviewed. "For the last three months, we have sets of players that are in our targets but did not pan out, we were so close on KG but the Celtics got it. I have done all kinds of combinations which I cannot reveal to you for the sake of the subject players that are still with us that it fell through. Honestly, I hope I can say something productive to appease Kobe's concerns, we really need help from all Laker fans and players. We still have some transactions ongoing, we cannot promise you heaven but rest assured we don;t rest from wheelin' and dealing day and night." Now don't u think fans will understand the situation where Mitch K. is in? They would offer the sympathy rather than antipathy.

All we ask from Mitch K. is, if you have no accomplishments this off season, don't brag and don't drag us to boredom and stupidity, we were not born yesterday nor have an IQ of a whackjob just because we are bloggers. many of the fans here are your high-profiled customers who make or break your Lakers in the long run.

The most important statement-issue of the Lakers is this:

Non NBA team would wind a championship with Lamar Odom playing power forward.
NON. PERIOD>

Lamar is a deceptive player...

He isn't and never will be a excellent power forward.
He isn't and never will be one of the best power forward in the game.
He is a good all around player, but he isn't the best in any of the stuff he does.

Lakers doen't have a inside presence to keep defense honest, to dominate the inside game and to play .in a phisical and strong defensive way.

Bynum is a foul waiting to happen and can't hold position inside not even to Arenas.
Kwame is a clown...no rebound, no free throws, no inside offense,. bad finisher, no shot blocking abilities.
Turiaf is a hard worker, but doesn't have the strengh and atheticism to fight against the beast of Amare, Duncan and pothers.

Why Lakers fans and management can't see that?

Well, because they don't want to win. They are letting Jerry Buss fool them.
Jerry West decision making transformed Jerry Buss in a legend.
Without West Lakers are and will be a joke.

When bloggers will understand that KL isn't a Laker.?

He isn't a Laker fan. Repeat after me...He isn't a Laker fan.

He is a Shaq follower and a Kobe hater.

Why because when Shaq signed with Miami he lost 40 millions that could have
in his bank account staying with Lakers.

KL isn't a Lakers fans.

Everybody is saying to the grand father Shaq : bye bye big fella.

Eddie Jones received same money amount offer from Heat, but said: no thanks.

The Heat offered Eddie Jones the same deal Dallas did — roughly $1.8 million for each of the next two years — before the Mavericks signed the swingman last week.

KL,

"hey, i once saw TJ Cloutier (the old, fat, grumpy poker player) at Bellagio....does he count as a sports figure?"

It's should be the other way around, it would be a privileged for grumpy TJ to have a picture with the popular KL, the beast that riles the Lakers Blog and he's successful in doing it cuz' he got an audience. lol!

I always encounter F U, would a child read this as the acronym of Fordham University, the alma mater of the great Smush or something related to Kung Fu? Perhaps, upon reeading this boy would be asking his Dad, are you F U too?