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
Get JO without loosing LO.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhachJob | August 14, 2007 at 02:21 AM
Jon Kavulic:
Awesome comment!
Cheers,
Shane
Posted by: Shane | August 14, 2007 at 03:10 AM
faith,
yes, unequovically
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | August 14, 2007 at 06:47 AM
Jon K,
Thanks for the response.
All that being said, and if your analysis of Kobe is correct, would it be better (and be better I mean easier) for the Lakers to build around Kobe or trade him and put together a group of individuals who have better "synergy"?
To take that a little further, are there enough guys in the league, who we could realistically acquire in a reasonable time frame that would fit the personality description you mentioned that would fit best around Kobe? Or, would it be better to move him and build a team with guys that would have a much easier time finding "chemistry" and working towards a common goal as a unit?
I tend to think it's the second of the two, for the simple fact that Kobe seems to be a pretty "unique" individual, as talented as he is, and that type of person doesn't lend itself to being a leader, which Kobe needs to be as a franchise guy. And I should say that I don't feel personal workouts/personal drive is enough to be a good leader of a GROUP of men. It's definitely a wonderful trait to have, but it only makes up a portion of what it means to lead.
Again, I thank you for your post, but I think it only reinforces my belief that we should move Kobe because his personality and who he is damages this team more than it helps. But as a recognition of his amazing personal ability he was able to get this Laker team to the playoffs two years in a row almost on his own. Of course he had to because his personality basically effed up any synergy we might have had.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 08:03 AM
Gino:
No doubt that baseball and basketball are two entirely different sports but you can compare certain aspects, such as the value of developing your own draft picks versus using them as trade bait to bring in veteran players.
Because of the fact that basketball teams are much smaller, you could argue that it is even more important in basketball not to impatiently trade away potentially star or superstar players as their impact on the team will be even greater.
While baseball does not require as much teamwork and on field coordination as football or basketball, it still is a sport dominated by stars and superstars in which chemistry still plays a major role.
Finally, my goal in bringing up the Yankees not trading Phillip Hughes or Joba Chamberlain despite constant offers from every team in the league was a chance for me not only to remind Laker fans of the potential of Andrew Bynum and Javaris Crittendon but also to brag a little about my Yankees and their two star rookie pitchers. RIP Scooter. “Holy Cow, Yankees win!”
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 09:43 AM
The Lake-Show:
Getting criticized for wanting to trade Brian Cook is a surprise. Every dog has its fans, I guess. I agree with you that it is time for Sasha and Cookie to move on. Trading them for almost anybody is a positive move as far as I am concerned. lol.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 09:47 AM
LakerTom,
However, you could be the Dodgers and hold onto all your young prospects instead of dealing them for ready-now veterans and end up tanking.
It's a fine line.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 10:06 AM
Jon K.
Beautifully said, that's why I consider you a classic fan because your posts are extraordinary different from the rest. Before the start of next season, please try to bring back your bio-chrono on each player. Where can you find a blog where there is chrono-bio analysis, jackson journal, jj essays, lakertom's clairvoyance, D sonnets, G-1 zombies and lastly, the roll call from ST. Peter - only in the Laker's Blog
KL,
Hey, I didn't know that Mr. Negativity is grad student. However, you too is also different, there is wisdom in your response on the darkside. I also took (HOBO) in school many years ago and I really appreciated its effectiveness in dealing with people. Once you know the human behavior organization of any enterprise, you could more or less predict the internal wranglings, their projected growth or demise and the synergism beautifully explained by Jon K between their chief and the indians. But I really LOL when you said that LO=KL !!! Haha sonce when did KL became an LO. LO was never controversial in fact, very submissive to the needs of everyone from Kobe, PJ or his teammates. He gets confused on who else to please. In the case of KL, he's confused on who to displease. haha j/k only ok.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 14, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Edwin Gueco
"Hey, I didn't know that Mr. Negativity is grad student. However, you too is also different, there is wisdom in your response on the darkside."
Professor Gueco, you'll find that i'm quite the opposite in real life. in my everyday life, nobody cares that much about sports or the lakers. i generally have to be very PC (politically correct) thus very un-beastlike. i hope you don't read too much into my posts. most of it is jokes or extremes to counter the kobe nuts.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Jon K,
Just had a thought. You've shown some pretty um, violent tendencies for a Taoist monk. What's up with that?
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 03:10 PM
AZ:
"You've shown some pretty um, violent tendencies for a Taoist monk. "
I sense an imminent Shaollin beat-down. Sweet.
Posted by: The D | August 14, 2007 at 03:49 PM
AZ, D,
Those are not violent words. Jon K just make the habit of using jab that appears to be violent when written but if you could see him talking it's just like saying: don't you understand me? He said he was a poor taoist.
KL.
I know it's all entertainment and I don't expect you to be the beast in real life or else I will take my camera to get a picture of a blog beast. I find you amusing because you can make people react whether happiness or anger, I think you should join Hollywood, you could play there different roles, the bottom line is: I hate Kobe, c'mon make my day. haha!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 14, 2007 at 08:20 PM
Jon K,
I wanted to make sure I wasn't offending you with my "violent monk" comment. You've just been one of the more passionate bloggers since this site was started, so it startled me that you were a monk. For whatever reason I picture monks more along the lines of the Dali Lama than Steven Segal.
I think it's cool by the way, just wondering how those things fit together.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 15, 2007 at 08:37 AM
JJ<
"You messing with someone with far more basketball knowledge than you,
and your too stupid to realize it. "
I know this post is none of my business but really JJ. You have to much class
to resort to name calling.
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 15, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Mamba24/10,
I never said that... I would never say that.
Posted by: JJ | August 15, 2007 at 09:56 AM
JJ Brother I apologize I know I mispoke. I'm sorry man!
The post was suppose to Weave-man. Again, I would
never offend a minister so please, please, please accept
my apologies.
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 15, 2007 at 10:07 AM