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
KLBeast:
"this is what i said: "I'm not sure laker management can do anything to improve the team to a championship level outside of TRADING KOBE and starting over."
i didn't say that management should trade kobe, i just don't think we can win a championship with kobe as the #1."
So, according to you we should keep Kobe and forego the opportunity to win championships...
If trading Kobe and starting over is the only way to improve the team to a championship level, why shouldn't the Lakers do it?
Posted by: hal9000 | August 13, 2007 at 06:03 PM
angry,
"F-U Miami Sound Machine"
dude, you're showing your age...not that i would know.
i believe your missed the following
Miami Cocaine
Miami Cubans
Miami Cuban Cigars
Miami Cuban refugees
Miami Castro Heaters (i mean haters)
Miami-Dade Police
Miami Mojito
Miami South Beach
Posted by: KLBeast | August 13, 2007 at 06:05 PM
If we're not gonna trade for O'Neal, the best moves we can make are to sign Patterson for the vet minimum, and trade for Reggie Evans. Why? Because if we're not gonna make our team better offensively, we definitely have to make it better defensively. There is no way we can go into the season with Sasha, and Cook on the Squad. Sasha is worthless, Cook is a clone of Radmanovic, and they're both defensive liabilities.
So why Patterson, and Evans? Patterson put up really good numbers across the board last year, and if he could average 15pts like he did last year, it would defeat the need for a true #2 scorer since we will essentially have two number 3 scorers.
Evans pretty much just gives us a gritty hard nosed player off the bench. He's a hustle player that's a rebounding machine, and will do anything to get the ball(i.e. grabbing somebody's nuts). Can you imagine him, and Ronny on the court together!!!! We would easily control the boards, and wouldn't have to rely so heavily on LO for rebounding. If we're not gonna get JO, we have to bring in solid role players to replace our weaklinks, or were gonna be in the position next year, and I don't know about y'all but I'm tired of being the 7th best team in the West.
Posted by: Weave-Man | August 13, 2007 at 06:09 PM
Sonnybelfast:
"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..."
Please warn us before you post another except from your book... Some of us are trying to eat and don't want to lose our appetite... or regurgitate our food.
Posted by: hal9000 | August 13, 2007 at 06:14 PM
Angry_Laker,
Eddie Jones says “F-U Miami Sound Machine”. hahahaha good one. Now, the average age of the Miami Heat players is about 53.2 years. Seems like all the retired people keep going to South Florida...
Posted by: CLeon | August 13, 2007 at 06:18 PM
All you guys talking about Juwan Howard..
what about that trade I said earlier??
Mo Evans, Sasha, Cook for Howard???
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 13, 2007 at 06:24 PM
weave-man,
Id love to get Reggie Evans.
but unfortunetely there is no way to get him. THe only way to get him is if they would take Cook, but why they would trade their best rebounder for cook doesnt make sense. I would be willing to ship Kwame for Evans, Kleiza and Najera, but that wouldnt happen either and we need Kwame for JO or deadline deal trade.
Thats just one of the problems with a lot of you guys making trade proposals on this blog. Sure Id love to have a bunch of guys on the Lakers, but their teams likes them too. Its not like teams want to hand the Lakers a bunch of their good role players or superstars for the Lakers' crapola.
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 13, 2007 at 06:37 PM
if we get Reggie Evans then we will have no fastbreak because everybody will have to wear cups and run with one hand behind them to... protect themselves. Reggie Evans showed Chris Kaman how to grab a ball... or two... and... come to think of it... Kaman hasn't been the same since... hmmm...
Reggie Evans has a nose for the ball(s) though, he averaged 7 rebounds in 17 minutes last year, that's a premium ball grabber!!! what's the deal with his scoring though? is he another Kwame Brown? is he a ball juggler? and why did he play so few minutes and in so few games, was he injured? or maybe... he just sucks?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itu6BeKEi8Y
Posted by: TaosHum | August 13, 2007 at 06:53 PM
Quotabe Quotes:
Who is the bigger fool, the fool or the one who argues with him.
First they bring you down to their level then beat you with experience.
Fool me once, shame on you, Fool me twice, shame on me.
To the big boys who are now being beaten down with KL's experience, shame on you.
Posted by: reality bites | August 13, 2007 at 07:05 PM
Long-time Laker,
Farmar played for arguably the best defensive coach in college ball, on a team with other good perimeter defenders.
""in college, Farmar was an excellent team defender.He wasn't a 1-on-1 shutdown guy,"
Unfortunately, your description of him is accurate, which does not bode well for him making the transition to being a starting PG in the NBA.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 13, 2007 at 07:08 PM
Taos,
"the Juwan Howard of a couple of years ago, sure, but the CURRENT version of Juwan Howard?"
People tend to remember players at their peak, not as they are now.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 13, 2007 at 07:12 PM
LakerTom,
Actually, Mr Accuracy would be better. Exhibit A, last season's predictions.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 13, 2007 at 07:13 PM
Kobe Bryant & L.A. Lakers’ Fans Can’t Be Happy With Mitch Kupchak’s Comments
By Oly Sandor
The Daily News discusses the Lakers’ off-season with the team’s GM Mitch Kupchak:
On the team’s off-season:
Mitch Kupchak: If this was the team that we started the season off with, I would be fine with it. I feel that we’re an improved team over last year. I look at our team and look at a very balanced team with veteran and young players.
On the expectations and pressure:
MK: I do feel there is more pressure or more expectations to dramatically change this team. My season-ending comments were that we were going to be more aggressive than we normally are. That’s a byproduct of the season ending the way it did. But having said that, we’re not going to do deals or sign players just to do it. We’re going to do things we feel are going to improve the team. We feel that our team as it is structured right now, is improved over last year.
On Kevin Garnett going to the Boston Celtics:
MK: I think you could say 29 teams in the NBA today are looking at Boston and saying, Wow, is that something they could have done and how much better are they going to be? Clearly that’s the deal of the offseason. Without talking about a particular player in this league, I know how much time we spent on being aggressive this summer. I know as an organization we did everything we could do to do a deal that would improve the team.
On future moves:
MK: Just because there hasn’t been a dramatic trade in July, doesn’t mean there won’t be one down the road. We’re only going to look to do something that is going to improve the team. We don’t want to go sideways. And certainly we don’t want to go backwards just because there are `expectations and pressure.
My Quick Take: In the past I have defended Mitch Kupchak, the Lakers’ GM. I felt he inherited a difficult set of circumstances and I also appreciated his blue-collar effort for the old school, showtime Lakers of the nineteen eighties.
I can’t do it anymore. I can’t have Mitch’s back. Not after these comments.
How can he be happy with the current talent on the purple-and-gold’s roster? Is he shooting for mediocrity? Best case scenario, these Lakers are a six-through-eight seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Worst case scenario, they miss the playoffs altogether.
Either scenario isn’t going to satisfy Laker-nation and their all-world superstar, Kobe Bryant. It won’t cut it. And Kupchak has justified Bryant’s frustration by publicly stating that he’s content with how things have unfolded this summer.
Bryant’s attitude often leaves something to be desired. But he wants to win. And that hunger for success and NBA Titles can never be questioned. Ever. Bryant demands the best from himself and everyone around him, while Kupchak, the team’s GM, the person who is supposed to set an example, is content with simply making the effort to improve.
What are the players supposed to think? Losing is okay provided you made the effort.
Bryant understands the NBA doesn’t award little league ribbons for trying your best. And he won’t roll with anyone who is satisfied with being a bridesmaid. That applies to on-court play or trying to acquire Jason Kidd or Kevin Garnett. Second place only counts in horseshoes.
With this in mind, can we be surprised there’s trouble in Hollywood? Can we be surprised that the NBA’s glamour team is so absolutely dysfunctional right now? And can we be surprised that Bryant wants a trade?
The Lakers must do more than overhaul their playing roster; they must overhaul their front office, too. Kupchak is like Rob Babcock in Toronto. He’s over-matched and out of his element; the Lakers must find a Bryan Colangelo type of executive who can quickly rebuild the roster, manage the politics of dealing with the Buss family, and get Bryant to buy-in to his vision.
And, most importantly, their new GM can’t be happy with simply making the effort to improve.
What do you think of Mitch Kupchak’s comments?
http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba-blog/kobe-bryant-l-a--lakers-fans-can-t-be-happy-with-mitch-kupchak-s-comments-ar45306.html
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 07:17 PM
taoshum,
i hope youre not talking about ball juggling not in the same context as evans grabbing kaman below the waist (because that would be a modern urban slang term for something related)
but if you are talking about him being a ball juggler related to Kwame, how can you call a rebounder a ball juggler???? Obviously he knows how to hold on to a ball in the middle of a scrum.
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 13, 2007 at 07:19 PM
Lake-Show,
If you study Denver's roster, and read basketball news websites you would know that Denver is contemplating moving Evans. Why? Because they have a glut in the front court. Kenyon Martin is making too much money to move, Camby just won the defensive player of the year award, and Nene is a really promising big man. So who does that leave out?
Why would they want Cook? Again if you study their roster, or if you've heard any interviews with George Karl, you would know they NEED SHOOTERS!!!! Cook, and Sasha fit the bill, and all they would have to lose is a pf, of which they have 2 others. Both teams benefit, and don't have to give up anything vital. See the problem with guys like you, is you judge a trade before you do any research about it. Next time try at least looking at the rosters.
Posted by: Weave-Man | August 13, 2007 at 07:23 PM
Elton Brand injured = Maggette for Kwame trade possibility.
RealGM.com
Although highly unlikely due to the fact they share the same city, a deal that would send Maggette across the hall to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Kwame Brown would appear to make the most sense. Of course, under the NBA’s trade rules, small parts like Will Conroy would have to be included to make the salaries match. But Brown would be a short term fix for the Clippers since he is in the final year of his contract, and would pair with Kaman as a very young exciting frontcourt tandem. For the Lakers, they would insert the talented small forward into the starting lineup between Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom while freeing up minutes in the paint for the emerging Andrew Bynum.
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 07:28 PM
Lakers' Luke Walton will be at Joey's Smokin' BBQ grand opening
BRIAN MARTINEZ
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Lakers' Luke Walton will be signing autographs Tuesday at Joey's Smokin' BBQ, a Memphis-style barbeque restaurant that has opened its first Orange County location on the Tustin side of The Market Place.
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 07:35 PM
Jennifer, 48, executive assistant to Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, rejected from reality show.
'LOVE' LIFE
Breathless narrator: “Who will he choose – a woman in her 20s, or a woman in her 40s?”
In the finale of NBC's “Age of Love,” in which women in their 20s competed with women in their 40s for the affection of 30-year-old Australian tennis pro Mark Philippoussis, he chose 25-year-old Amanda, a former dancer for the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators.
Rejected was Jennifer, 48, executive assistant to Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, mother of a 25-year-old son. Said she, “He got scared. I know if I'd been young, Mark would've picked me.”
Young women calling older women “spinsters,” “old maids,” “over the hill.” Fine message for girls on the way up. Let's call Amanda something. Never mind.
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 07:39 PM
Taoshum,
Evans is pretty much just a rebounder. He didn't get a lot of burn last year(none in the playoffs) because of the glut that they have in the front court, and because he pretty much has no offense. That's another reason why Denver would be willing to move him. Denver wants to outscore they're opponents, while we on the other hand should be trying to lock teams down on D.
I really think Denver would do the Sasha, and Cook for Evans trade, because they desperately need shooters, and they get a little cap relief since Sasha contract is expiring, and Cook's contract is up before Evans'.
Posted by: Weave-Man | August 13, 2007 at 07:39 PM
KOBE BRYANT EXPOSED!! Nude picture surface.
http://deadspin.com/sports/kobe-bryant/kobe-displays-his-beef-224414.php
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 07:53 PM
Kobe video guys picture revealed.
http://deadspin.com/sports/sure%2C-we.d-pay-10-bucks-for-their-work/yep-the-kobe-video-guys-are-dorks-273175.phprevealed.
Posted by: jorema | August 13, 2007 at 07:55 PM
The Lake-Show,
I think you're relying on what you remember about Juwan Howard several years ago. Did you actually watch him play last year? He was only a shell of what he was in years past and is getting worse by the year. It wouldn't surprise me if they buy him out, or he has "an injury", wink, wink, and sits out the rest of his career.
Posted by: LakerLarry | August 13, 2007 at 08:09 PM
Lake-Show, whenever I see a guy getting a lot of rebounds who scores 2 points, I usually subtract 1 or 2 of those rebounds because those guys are so brutal around the basket that they end up getting a rebound or two off their own missed shots - game after game after game. I really don't see where the ball grabber fits in our lineup anyway. Can you imagine how bad it would be if Kwame and the Brickmaster ball grabber were in the game at the same time? That's like... not even 3 on 5, more like 2 1/2 on 5 because the other 3 players would have to compensate so much for the 2 Edward Scissorhands/cake thrower wanna bes standing RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER on one side of the lane or the other... Kwame, of course, being a friggin genius in the triangle offense...
Of course, if you guys want to hear Bynum squeal, you could go down to a Laker practice and wait for the ball grabber to do his thing... LOL! Who knows? Bynum might demand a trade after a few days of dealing with that...
Posted by: TaosHum | August 13, 2007 at 08:19 PM
Andrew Z,
Hey, I'm sometimes wrong about people's character, but I've been a longtime student the human condition.
1) When I was a Taoist monk I was trained in counselling by my sifu (master) who also just happened to teach Psychology to Graduate Students (CSUN).
2) My training in Bio-Chronology really opened my eyes to the patterns of human behavior and how they interact. If someone is manifesting certain behaviors there is a logical reason for those behaviors and logical outcome (internally and externally) if those behaviors are maintained.
3) Taoism teaches us that people are usually an inversion of how they present themselves. Excess is usually a sign of an internal perception of deficit. People who are macho and bombastic are often internally highly concerned about being weak or feel highly vulnerable in their hearts. People who are often very quiet have a tendency to be cunning and intellectually very active as they constantly listen and assess their surroundings. Once a person accepts the belief that the vast majority of people present themselves by wearing a mask, then you learn the motives of why that person would choose THAT particular mask. And then you get a vague idea of what the inner person is like and what their true motivations are.
As a very competitive person, a martial artist, and an ex-athlete, I look at sports as less of a physical struggle, then an emotional, mental, and spiritual stuggle. For this reason, I pay a lot of attention to the personalities of the teams I root for and how those personalities work together.
In team sports, the game is won through synergy. (Synergy = When the whole works together it's ability is greater than the sum of it's individual parts.) As such, I like to assess what kind of synergy a team has and what kinds of players the individuals need to for them to best bring synergy to a team.
In general, special players (players with the greatest potential) also have the most specific (and often difficult) needs for their potential for synergy to be actualized.
Kobe is a perfect example of that. The guy could be a much better synergistic player than Magic or Jordan. His potential is greater; however, his requirements to reach that potential is more problematic. It's weird how things generally work that way. The greater the potential; the more difficult it is to achieve.
Kobe needs extremely strong-willed, intelligent, respectful players around him who work as hard (or harder) that Kobe does. Kobe needs to be respect. However, he's not very good at respecting others. He only respects those who are similarly driven (not gifted, DRIVEN) as he is. So, for him to respect a player they need to be obsessively driven towards a goal as he is. Unfortunately, few players are.
He needs intelligent players around him, not intuitive, emotional players. Kobe has been a student of the game since he was four. He needs people with a high-game IQ around him to complement his game and garner further respect.
In addition, Kobe grew up in Italy, an incredibly culturally rich country. He likes people who have some respect for culture. Ghetto mentally players will not garner huge respect from Kobe, unless they are simply work their butts off and are incredibly competitive.
Kobe needs strong-willed players, like himself, who are not intimidated by Kobe. Kobe's a narcissist. He kind of has a weird respect, thus, for people who are like him. Strong-willed, self-important people who can walk their talk. Kobe can't helping being who he is. People who are intimidated by Kobe wears him out emotionally. Strong-willed people who see what they can offer to the synergy of a team is equally valuable to the competitive strength of the team is what Kobe craves to be teammates with. He wants people who are spiritually like himself, but have different skills.
Finally, here's the kicker... Kobe nees to be surrounded by people who are respectful of Kobe, his specialness, his leadership, and his skills. This is particularly difficult because what Kobe otherwise wants in a teammate is someone kind of like him, and most people kind of like Kobe are narcissistic, hyper-competitive nutcases who generally want to be in charge and are intimidated by people of equal or greater talent. (Remember, narcissists are inherently insecure and overly concerned about not being "good enough".)
So, Kobe truly has unrealistic (but not impossible) expectations of his teammates. He needs to surrounded with a group of very intelligent players. I honestly believe that if Kobe's teammates better understood Kobe, they could alter their approach to the game (and access more passionate confidence in themselves) to provide a very positive synergy for the Lakers.
The problem is that Kobe is a mystery to most people and mysteries often elicit insecurity in others. Kobe hates insecurity and that hatred destroys Kobe's synergistic potential.
Shaq was nearly Kobe's idea teammate. A strong-willed, intelligent, gifted, player with very complementary synergistic qualities to Kobe. HOWEVER, Shaq simply wasn't respectful of Kobe in the way that Kobe needed. If he simply respected Kobe, was unintimidated by Kobe, and worked harder.... damn! That combination would have been far better than Magic and the Captain Kareem. However, Shaq's narcissism was too great in that regard and everyone knows what happened as a result.
I wish someone (Phil Jackson, maybe) could take the team (Kobe excepted) aside and tell them, "All of you need to work as hard as Kobe. All of you need view yourself as important as Kobe. All of you need to NEED to win as much as Kobe. None of you should view yourself as better than Kobe. None of you should be intimidated by Kobe. All of you should be respectful and professionally friendly with Kobe. Now, get to work! I strongly suggest that each of you rent the film "300" and watch it over and over and over again. Perhaps you'll get a better idea what I'm talking about. There is no substitute--NONE--for victory! Remember that."
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | August 13, 2007 at 08:20 PM
ARE ANDREW BYNUM AND JAVARIS CRITTENDON THE KEY?
If any of you follow baseball, you have probably already heard how the Yankees have decided to go with homegrown young pitchers to get to the World Series this year rather than trading their young players for more veteran and experienced help for their pitching staffr. There is an eerie similarity between the situation the Yankees found themselves in and the one the Lakers are currently facing with respect to whether or not to trade young talent for experienced help.
For years, the Yankees traded away their many top prospects to get veteran players in their attempt to return to the World Series. For six years, that strategy has failed. Just as Laker fans were yelling for defense, Yankee fans were screaming for pitching. Finally, general manager Brian Cashman drew the line and convinced George Steinbrenner to stick with the young players in the organization rather than trading them away. This year, two rookie players appear to be the keys as the Yankees rally down the stretch in an effort to catch the Red Sox and win the American League West – Philip Hughes, acknowledged as the top pitching prospect in the minors last year, and Joba Chamberlain, a college flame thrower just drafted by the Yankees last year who has astounded everybody by rising from A to the big leagues in less than a year. So far, Hughes, as expected, has incredible and Chamberlain, who was unexpected, even better.
Andrew Bynum and Javaris Crittendon are the Lakers’ version of Hughes and Chamberlain. Bynum is pegged as the Lakers dominating center of the future just as Hughes is slotted as the Yankees pitching ace of the future. Crittendon looks as if he could be a star in the making just as Chamberlain now looks like a star in the making. Despite free agency and constant player movement, there is something to building a team through the draft. Yeah, it was nice to trade for Kareem and sign Shaq as a free agent, but it was even better to draft Magic and James and Kobe and see them become superstars. Maybe the delay in consummating a deal for JO is a blessing. Maybe we will see Andrew take the next big step and see Crittendon force his way into the starting lineup with his shut down defense and above the rim offense. Maybe Bynum and Crittendon will be the surprise keys to the Lakers winning the NBA championship just as Hughes and Chamberlain are going to be the surprise keys to the Yankees winning the World Series.
The LakerTom Trifecta: Yankees win World Series, Niners win Super Bowl, Lakers win NBA title.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 13, 2007 at 08:40 PM
reality bites:
"Who is the bigger fool, the fool or the one who argues with him.
First they bring you down to their level then beat you with experience.
Fool me once, shame on you, Fool me twice, shame on me.
To the big boys who are now being beaten down with KL's experience, shame on you."
You are so right... and I am guilty as charged. Sometimes it's just so hard to resist jumping into KL's bottomless pit...
Posted by: hal9000 | August 13, 2007 at 08:52 PM
Just to jump in...I really like MO, but he thinks he's a better offensive player than he is. He's always trying to make shots that he can't make. His game is almost mostly just mid range, but last season, he took way too many 3 pointers, long 3s that he's not currently capable of making. And so he became a really really streaky shooter.
Good post Jon K. Interesting read.`
Posted by: Faith | August 13, 2007 at 08:58 PM
jorema,
I think you are a typically myopic, unrealistic fan. Just because there are those that disagree with you, doesn't make them any less of a Laker fan. I agree with Tom. The answer isn't always trading away young guys. Talent can be home grown too. Let's give the kids a chance this year. I have a feeling that things are gonna be okay in Lakerland.
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | August 13, 2007 at 09:04 PM
Come on now Jorema. Did you really expect the young ones to lose? Sad is what it is.
Weave, are you talking Nut-crackin Evans? Haha.
Posted by: Faith | August 13, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Faith,
Yep, the nutcracker himself. I think it would be better to have him crackin nuts for us rather than against us. Alright, I gotta stop talkin about nut crackers, I'm starting to feel the pain.
Posted by: Weave-Man | August 13, 2007 at 09:18 PM
Tom,
Technically, we didn't draft Kobe (at least if memory serves). Charlotte did. But, I get your point.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhachJob | August 13, 2007 at 09:24 PM
Zen
The notion that McHale, Bird, Ainge or anyone else for that matter wants to GUT the Lakers is laughable. It's in their best interests to keep this Laker team intact. You act like gutting this team would be a bad thing - the last time I checked, the Pacers and Celtics are not exactly quivering at the thought of playing us. You can only gut something that actually has "guts", not the assortment of scavenger hunt items that we call a roster. I believe that McHale did not want to take on Odoms contract, otherwise Garnett would be ours, hardly the behavior of a man who wants to gut our roster. Let's not flatter ourselves.
Posted by: Lincoln Laker | August 13, 2007 at 09:27 PM
Time for my weekly Blog check in (since I'm staying away to help keep the peace)...
Jorema still can't spell
KL's still stuck in Summer 2002
Another call for peace ignored.
Same isht...different day.
See y'all next week.
Posted by: utzworld | August 13, 2007 at 09:39 PM
jorema:
That was a well-written response to the Mitch Kupchak article, and i must say I was as disappointed as you to read his comments... But I still contend that Mitch's hands are tied by the Busses, who don't trust or respect anyone who is not pictured in the NBA logo... except maybe Magic Johnson...
MAGIC JOHNSON FOR GM!!!!!!!!!! WHO'S WITH ME?
Posted by: hal9000 | August 13, 2007 at 10:01 PM
"There is no such thing as building for the future in the NBA. To use an old cliche' THE FUTURE IS NOW"
O.K. then.
If that is what you think,
you may be better suited to Lincoln Logs than Laker Blogs Lincoln Larry.
There's got to be a cliche' in there somewhere.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | August 13, 2007 at 10:41 PM
From a person who has a right to hate Horry,
The most important difference between Robert Horry, Shaq and Kobe is this;
Horry's got class everywhere but on the court.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | August 13, 2007 at 10:47 PM
weave-man,
Dude. if they were to get rid of someone it would be eduardo najera or linas klieza,
If YOU did any research, you would also see that the Nuggests just locked up Reggie Evans to a long term dea. (4 more years). Obviously they think this guy is a long term solution in terms of off the bench production.
But the PROBLEM WITH GUYS LIKE YOU is that you overvalue our guys, and then undervalue other guys, expect us to make a trade that favors us. But then when somebody thinks thats not true, you go and say "Brian Cook is a shooter" and yada yada. If Brian Cook was such a shooter, dont you think we should keep him? If Brian friggin Cook was such a valuable shooting big man dont you think everyone would be knocking on our door. Larry Bird who loves shooting big men like himself would LOOOOVEE to take Brian cook wouldnt he? He would just sweeten the deal with Andrew Bynum.
You GUYS ARE JOKES.
Im telling you right NOW. YOU ARE A JOKE. You know what? When Brian Cook becomes a savior to someones team, then I'll eat crow. Trust me.
YOu get mad at me because I didnt "research their roster" and your best defense is that Brian Cook is a shooting big man that Denver would trade their best rebounder for?
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 13, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Laker Larry,
I am by no means saying Juwan Howard is a key to a title or would give us any big points or stats. But Id sure get rid of him for Brian Cook.
If we were to get Juwan Howard, its only for a veteran presence in the locker room. I think some of you guys really underestimate that affect. I mean isnt that what the Derek Fisher signing was for? I mean I dont think that the Lakers FO is so stupid to think that D Fish was going to give us big stats next year. Obvioulsy it was for a veteran presence. Howard isnt a big deal, but Id love to have his stability. He'd be nice to have in those waning moments in the 4th quarter. How about when a player like Odom goes down with an injury. Do you want Brian Cook or juwan howard filling in??
I tihnk you overlook that Howard's contract is only 2 years. he would be here as long as brian cook. Now unless you are defending Brian Cook like weave-man, (which i dont think you're insane) then this to me is a no brainer.
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 13, 2007 at 11:01 PM
How long before the Adonal Foyle rumors start ?????
Posted by: lalakerlover | August 13, 2007 at 11:02 PM
Dude I am so mad with people on this blog. One minute they say " THE LAKERS FO NEEDS TO MAKE TRADES. IMPROVE THE ROSTER"
And then someone here suggests a player or an upgrade and they get jumped all over and then you guys start defending players like Brian Cook.
ARE YOU FRIGGIN JOKING?!?!?!!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!!!??
Brian Cook, yes lets keep him for his rebounds, great shooting, inside presence, team leadership, invaluable plays...
Dude what the hell?? Why am I getting blasted for wanting to trade Brian Cook for ANYBODOY. He has a good contract?? werent people saying that Brian Cook had a horrible contract, that MITCH SHOULD NEVER HAVE EXTENDED HIM??? Now suddenly Brian Cook has a nice contract???? ARE YOU FRIGGIN JOKING????? And it seems like its you Kobe fans who seem to be in love with the very people you hate?? Its more like the Kobe lovers who rather trade Lamar and Bynum, then ANYONE ELSE ON THE TEAM. WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER LOSERS. Brian Cook?? Yes trade Bynum, trade Odom..but no..we need to keep Brian Cook.
At this point I would trade Brian Cook's salary for Reggie Miller, Penny Hardaway and Allan Houston
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 13, 2007 at 11:17 PM
reality bites
"Who is the bigger fool, the fool or the one who argues with him."
hey, i've already used that quote. you're "biting" my quote.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 13, 2007 at 11:20 PM
I heard that Mr. Foyle would as soon put his testicles in a vice than play with the Saint. What did you hear Lover?
Posted by: sonnybelfast | August 13, 2007 at 11:20 PM
"For years, the Yankees traded away their many top prospects to get veteran players in their attempt to return to the World Series. For six years, that strategy has failed. Just as Laker fans were yelling for defense, Yankee fans were screaming for pitching. Finally, general manager Brian Cashman drew the line and convinced George Steinbrenner to stick with the young players in the organization rather than trading them away. This year, two rookie players appear to be the keys as the Yankees rally down the stretch in an effort to catch the Red Sox and win the American League West – Philip Hughes, acknowledged as the top pitching prospect in the minors last year, and Joba Chamberlain, a college flame thrower just drafted by the Yankees last year who has astounded everybody by rising from A to the big leagues in less than a year. So far, Hughes, as expected, has incredible and Chamberlain, who was unexpected, even better"
Laker Tom you can't compare Baseball with Basketball... Baseball though it's a team sport, it leans more towards idividual play on the field than that of Basketball... The point I'm trying to make is that in Basketball you need 5 guys on the court that can read and react to plays and they know what it takes to execute down the stertch... In Baseball it's all about individual performances and how they do in their respective position.... That's why Baseball and Baskebtall are no where close to being compared to one another.... The Lakers and all teams in general need players that know what their rolls are and what it takes to exceed upon them to be championship caliber teams, in Baseball all you need is great individual performer that put up numbers.... That's why I never thought of Baseball as being a true team sport.
Posted by: Gino | August 13, 2007 at 11:23 PM
Jorema,
did you run a spell check?? good job.
I agree with your goals. I think the Lakers do need someone running the FO with a better vision. Colangelo changed Toronto in one year.
But, whining about the FO does nothing. Check the Arizona Cardinals, LA Clippers, Cleveland Browns,
And recently this decade Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Blackhawks, Oakland Raiders.
Those teams havent done jack, dont seem to have long term plans, dont come near sucess, and have fans complaning about ownership, and nothing happens.
Now we as Laker fans can try to villainze our FO like those fans, but I think 25 years of NBA dominance probably doesnt give us much a beef.
So why cant we just push for our team to get certain players? Why isnt there a get Reggie evans.com, or a get danny granger. com, or something like that. You know, Mitch Kupchek really went after Garnett because fans voice out. But i dont think youre gonna get Jerry Buss to sell the team, or fire his son. you want mitch out?? fine. but what will you do when when Jim buss replaces him??
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 13, 2007 at 11:39 PM
jon kavulic
"Kobe needs extremely strong-willed, intelligent, respectful players around him who work as hard (or harder) that Kobe does. Kobe needs to be respect. However, he's not very good at respecting others. He only respects those who are similarly driven (not gifted, DRIVEN) as he is. So, for him to respect a player they need to be obsessively driven towards a goal as he is. Unfortunately, few players are."
i actually would like to lend support to jon. i've taken several organizational behavior classes (both in undergrad and graduate) and kobe reminds me of the classic "specialist" who has a hard time expanding his thought process to the bigger picture and thus gets frustrated easily when things don't go as planned.
for example, there are many "specialist" in my field who "bicker" over theory, but forget the golden "f*ckin rule": a business is in the business of making money.
"Kobe needs strong-willed players, like himself, who are not intimidated by Kobe. Kobe's a narcissist."
i actually disagree with you here. shaq was that person and it became a "war". i believe kobe wants the best of both worlds; competent guys AND submissive guys. i believe competent and submissive is an oxymoron in pro-sports. look at LO, the guy's competent as hell, but when LO defers too much to kobe, LO=KLBeast in b-ball.
"He kind of has a weird respect, thus, for people who are like him. Strong-willed, self-important people who can walk their talk. "
i've heard this argument before and i think it's BS. your argument implies that kobe haters are passive and aren't "strong willed". i would argue that there are stubborn-types who can't see the trees from the forest. being "strong willed" per se will not always equal success. being "storng willed" AND "strategic" will yield better results. for example, kobe may have won the battle with shaq, but look at who’s winning the war? Shaq is laughing his a$$ off at kobe as KLBeast is too. You see, shaq is “stronged willed” and “strategic”, that’s why shaq has lead multiple teams to success while kobe is mired in mediocrity. Don’t get me wrong, I like your analysis.
“Finally, here's the kicker... Kobe nees to be surrounded by people who are respectful of Kobe, his specialness, his leadership, and his skills.”
This is my argument that KOBE WANTS PEOPLE TO KISS HIS A$$? I think the past 3 years have proven that NOBODY, BUT JO, IS WILLING TO KISS KOBE’S A$$.
“This is particularly difficult because what Kobe otherwise wants in a teammate is someone kind of like him, and most people kind of like Kobe are narcissistic, hyper-competitive nutcases who generally want to be in charge and are intimidated by people of equal or greater talent.”
Good analysis.
“Shaq was nearly Kobe's idea teammate. A strong-willed, intelligent, gifted, player with very complementary synergistic qualities to Kobe. HOWEVER, Shaq simply wasn't respectful of Kobe in the way that Kobe needed.”
I concur here Dr. Kavulic. You have my eternal respect Doc.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 13, 2007 at 11:40 PM
utzworld
"Jorema still can't spell, KL's still stuck in Summer 2002, Another call for peace ignored. Same isht...different day."
LOL. actually, the blog has been quite peaceful lately.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 13, 2007 at 11:44 PM
Speaking of Colangelo, am I the only one that thinks we missed out with Colangelo going to Toronto?
Posted by: Faith | August 14, 2007 at 12:14 AM
KL,
That line was first used in an longwinded debate between AK and MT more than a year ago. Now you take credit for other people's work? Shame on you.
Posted by: reality bites | August 14, 2007 at 12:26 AM
reality
"That line was first used in an longwinded debate between AK and MT more than a year ago. Now you take credit for other people's work? Shame on you."
my bad. shame on me.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 12:38 AM
If you think you are hard on the behemoth, just wait until the Saint no longer graces your presence, especially if you bank on him for another year or two, and in the meantime, you have mortaged the farm for an instant championship that never materialized.
Sorry I don't remember who, but someone said (to paraphrase) that "one day after Kobe is gone, the Lakers will contend again".
Let me refresh this poignant comment by inserting "in just" where "that" now resides.
Ah yes. Now that's sweeter than waking up for breakfast in bed with Martha Stewart.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | August 14, 2007 at 01:43 AM