Talking with Maurice Evans, Part II
At long last, the second half of my interview with Maurice Evans. Sorry it took a while to get this part finished up, but we've been extremely busy with a few ESPN assignments the last couple of weeks that have required a lot of hours on a plane or in the car. I could break the excuses down into further and more specific detail, but you'd probably rather just read the interview. Part I was about Mo's trip to Kenya with the NBA Player Assn.'s "Feeding One Million" campaign. Part II is more hoops-centric, with topics such as Kobe, K.G. and the upcoming season. Here's what Evans had to say:
Andrew Kamenetzky: Moving a little more into basketball, I know there are going to be a lot of Laker fans disappointed that you couldn't parlay your friendship with Kevin Garnett into him wearing purple and gold. Have you talked to him since the trade? (Note: This interview took place Aug. 3, so the two may have spoken by now.)
Maurice Evans: No, I haven't talked to Kev. I haven't gotten a chance to congratulate him on his signing with Boston. I'm sure I'm gonna see him at some point. He has a home in L.A. and Malibu. But I'm happy for him.
AK: Is it pretty crazy for you to imagine him in green?
ME: Yeah. Obviously, with him being a Timberwolf for so long, I think everybody's going to have to ease into seeing him in green and white. But they've done a total makeover. Ray Allen added. K.G. And having a great player in Paul Pierce.
AK: The rumor mill was going pretty crazy with proposals bringing him to L.A., and the Laker front office pursued him aggressively. When you hear that talk, do your own hopes go up, or do you just wait to see how it plays out?
ME: Well, there's so much that goes into it that you never want to get (caught up). I've learned for myself that things can change so much in the NBA on a day-to-day basis that you don't want to get your hopes up for things like that. But it was hard not to get emotional when one of my really good friends is involved in talks, and knowing that a guy like that could really make an impact in leadership and the skills that he would bring to the table. I was kind of looking forward to that, because being such a young team it would have been welcomed a great deal.
AK: So I imagine that you share some of the Laker fans' disappointment?
ME: Yeah, definitely. I would have liked to have played with him, and he could have helped our team. But that's the reality of playing in that situation. You just have to deal with whatever you have to deal with. I'll continue to work and improve upon my skills so that I can go out and accomplish the things that I want this year.
AK: The offseason issues between the front office and Kobe got a lot of attention for obvious reasons. Is it hard as a teammate not to get caught up in what you're reading or hearing?
ME: I think you learn playing in a place like L.A. that you don't want to get caught up in that, because again, we're gonna have to deal with whatever team is there come October. We're gonna have to go in there and not let it affect the way do your job anyway. But it's hard to kind of not know who you're going to be involved with and what kind of team we're going to have. Whether it's gonna be, Is Kobe gonna be there or be traded? Are you going to be traded with him?
AK: Have you talked to Kobe since everything came up?
ME: No, I haven't. I haven't talked to him since the season ended.
AK: Did you imagine or have any inkling that something like this might be coming, or did it take you by surprise?
ME: I kind of took me by surprise. I didn't ever expect for him to, you know, for him to possibly be traded. I expected maybe for someone to possibly get brought in, kinda like K.G., like we had talked about.
AK: Do you feel like come October, enough time will have passed that everyone can move forward and let the past be the past?
ME: Well, the thing about a great player like Kobe Bryant, regardless of the things he says or does, his skill level is so high that he's still going to go out and be highly productive. No one's really going to remember some of things he said or did in the offseason after he starts playing again.
AK: Does it bring any urgency for you as a teammate and an important part of the rotation to up your own game, in terms of trying to reassure his faith in the team? Or is it one of things where you go about your business, do what you always did and let things play out?
ME: Well, I guess in that sense, you always want your teams to up your skill level, and to me it's an improvement. That's what my focus has been. I just continue to try to expand my role again, so hopefully that he'll have more faith in me, Coach Jackson will have more faith in me and I'll get even more of an opportunity to help our team out than last season.
AK: And as far as the moves that have been made this offseason, bringing back Derek Fisher.
ME: I was very excited about the acquisition of D. Fish, because he's a veteran player who knows how to play, and I'm hoping that he can enhance our skills by being a guy who knows how to distribute the ball and help guys continue to be involved. He can run a little bit. Guys like myself can get out and get a lot more easy baskets in transition maybe. We have a lot of talented tools and a lot of weapons on this team, and if we use them properly -- Chris Mihm back healthy, Andrew (Bynum) getting another year's experience and better, myself getting better -- I think we have a really good team.
AK: What specifically were you looking to work on over the summer, in terms of expanding your role and improving heading into the season?
ME: Now that I have a better understanding of the triangle offense, I know where my scoring opportunities will come from. I know how to be a little more aggressive offensively. I know I have to continue to pick up my level defensively, as maybe a guy who can defend several offensive players to take big stretches off of guys like Kobe, so that he can be freer to be aggressive offensively. Also, maybe even pushing the ball a little bit more off rebounds and maybe initiating the offense. Creating opportunities that way as well.
AK: Along those lines, have you been working on your ball-handling skills?
ME: Yeah, very much so. That was something coach told me in my exit meeting, that they would like me to do a little bit more. That's something I'm very much capable of, because I can use my athleticism and quickness to attack the rim even more so than what I did last year.
AK: If you're able to break guys off the dribble more, or at least make them respect that skill when they're trying to guard you?
ME: Exactly. And obviously, the offense isn't one where it allows a lot of freedom to just be creating off the dribble like that without running into somebody already in a set position. In the triangle, everyone has a set position and they're actually predicated off of what another person does. That's why I'm saying I know where opportunities come from. I've watched a lot of tape. And from being in the system for a year, I know where my opportunities are going to come from. I know when I can be a little bit more aggressive and take advantage of those a little bit better.
AK: How's your knee?
ME: My knee is great. I've gotten with some trainers and guys who've helped me out in the past, who've helped me condition. I saw a guy who checked on my knee and he said everything was great. I've been strengthening it and the swelling's gone. I feel like my old self again. It's great. When I get into the gym, I can play above the rim and work on moves. Just play again.
AK: It was pretty obviously hindering a lot of what you could do toward the end of last season.
ME: Yeah, it did hinder me, but I was excited that I was still able to be as effective as I was. There were a few games where I was still able to really have some good games. And there were some games, of course, where it hindered me and I wasn't able to do as much. But I was just happy that I was still able to be effective, because I played pretty much the last two months with it like that. Over my career, I've never really missed a lot of games, so if I could go into the season next year healthy, I'm looking forward to really having a good year.
AK: Can all the offseason drama -- for lack of a better word -- ever serve as a way of unifying a team?
ME: Definitely. Obviously, it wasn't good the way things finished up with Smush (Parker), but he really did contribute a lot to the Lakers organization over the last couple years. I'm sure he'll be happy to have that compensated a little bit for some of the things he did, now that he's going to Miami. Now you have D. Fish coming here. He's a veteran, a leader, he can bring some more experience. Luke (Walton) has gotten his deal. I was excited for him that he was able to get compensated and rewarded. Now he can continue to be that much better of a player, because he'll be relaxed and not have to worry about contract issues for the next 5-6 years. He can just go out and play. I think that adds a lot. There's a couple more players. Cookie got his deal done (last season). We got a lot of guys who are able to just play. Go in, look to have a good year and get better as a team. We had various issues, but we still got to the playoffs. What we could do next year with a healthy team, everyone knowing their role and everyone playing, I think we're set up to be that much better of a team.
AK: When you mentioned a guy like Luke getting his contract, how much does that help players in general? Not so much the actual money involved, but just the idea of stability, feeling like you have a place and that the team has enough confidence to invest in you?
ME: That makes all the difference in the world. Now he has, exactly like you said, stability. The organization is showing faith in a player, and not just in how much they're compensating him. Obviously that matters too, because it shows you how much they value you. It's easier to go out and, in return, give that much back to them. Even more so. He's gonna go out and play his heart and soul out for the next six years. He can get rooted into the community. He can get rooted into the Lakers organization for another six years.
AK: It basically removes that element of feeling like you're almost auditioning for your own team.
ME: Exactly.
Hey, I think Team USA meets up again in Vegas this week so maybe we'll get some new Kobe news.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 09:24 AM
exhelodrvr,
I totally feel you when you wrote:
" More and more I think that if you scratch the surface of a Kobe hater, you will find a Michael Jordan-worshiper underneath. They probably won't acknowledge it, and may not even realize it. But I think the problem is that Kobe dares to challenge the legacy of MJ, and they can't stand that."
Wow. you couldn't be more right about that, at least in most of the cases. I had a friend who absolutely, positively HATED KOBE since he came into the league. It was so deep-rooted that its was almost disturbing to witness. I would ask him over and over to seriously explain to me WHY he hates Kobe so much and he could never give me a valid or reasonable explanation. Side Note: He is a fanatical MJ fan!
Now fast-forward to present day, and he will tell you "Kobe has gained my respect, he really IS that good, I can't front."
I agree that most people just hate on Kobe because the bottom line is, when all is said and done, he really really IS that good. He challenges MJ for the greatest Guard to ever play the game. Just the fact that he may even surpass Jordan by the time he retires, just scares the living CRAP outta people. I can totally sympathize and understand that thinking because Jordan WAS phenomenal. But lets be clear here guys, Kobe IS phenomenal. PRESENT -TENSE!
Posted by: blaze1bx | August 14, 2007 at 09:27 AM
mamba/rocky
"Grown men don't need to call each other every other day to validate their friendship."
it ain't about being BFF (best friends forever), it's about reaching out like shaq use to do by having the team come over to his house. it's a jesture (kind of like an olive branch) to teammates. let's not forget, kobe pissed off a lot of guys on his team with the Summer of Rage.
Look fellas, all i'll say is if kobe's on my team, it would be all business for me, i wouldn't do once ounce above what's expected of me. that's very dangerous in a team environment. kind of like when Raja Bell kbiatch slapped kobe, did anybody come to kobe's aide? as i recall, kobe was lying on the floor, like a little kbiatch, disbelieving that he just got kbiatch slapped. then kobe tried to play if off by dusting off his shoulder.
ONE OF THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF MY LIFE SEEING THE A$$HOLE BEING PUT IN HIS PLACE.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 09:27 AM
ex (aka sunshine)
"More and more I think that if you scratch the surface of a Kobe hater, you will find a Michael Jordan-worshipper underneath. They probably won't acknowledge it, and may not even realize it. But I think the problem is that Kobe dares to challenge the legacy of MJ, and they can't stand that. "
i love you kobe loyalist who deflect blame from kobe. you would make great "yes-men" in kobe's "circle of trust". as i recall, the "circle of trust" consists of kobe's agent (mitchell?) and Ric Bush-eater.
LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, KOBE HASN'T EVEN DENTED MJ'S LEGACY...nice try.
i will say that kobe getting closer to Domnic Wilkins, but Wilkin's has a better nickname in "The Human Highlight Reel" versus kobe's "Big Mambo or Sideshow Kob".
Case in point on the MJ question, i see young, old and decrepit guys wearing Jordan apparel all the time. When i'm in Footlocker, i don't see anybody ask for kobe's shoes. I'd be careful for those who venture to buy kobe's Nike shoes, i've spat in every single one of them, so if you buy a kobe shoe, you'll have a piece of KLBeast on your foot....haha.
.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 09:35 AM
Andrew Z,
Not necessarily. Kobe has been criticized for trying to be the next MJ. Am I right?
My point is that, why is that perceived to be a wrong goal in basketball, yet it isn't in other sports?
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 09:36 AM
LakerBake,
I’m a 3 era fan... I didnt get to watch the Showtime Lakers. And I’m on the “lets hope frickin Bynum has a breakout year” bandwagon.
Posted by: CLeon | August 14, 2007 at 09:36 AM
long time
"Kobe (if you'll remember) is spending his time off from the NBA training with Team USA and soon will be playing a mini-season with Team USA. In between those obligations, he's trying to spend what little time is left of the summer with his family."
how does kobe find time for family (nevermind the martial problems) when he wakes up at 4:30am in the morning to work out 25 hours in a day, 8 days a week and 367 days in a year (i'm being sarcastic BTW).
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 09:37 AM
LakerBake,
I meant a #3 era fan... just clearing that up.
Posted by: CLeon | August 14, 2007 at 09:37 AM
LakerBake:
I've been a Laker fan through 3 winning era's (Since 1969)
I'm on the Keep LO/Bynum bandwagon
Posted by: rdlee | August 14, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Dr. Kavulic
"I don't know, man. If I was on any professional team and we had to improve in any regard, I'D be calling my teammates every couple days, just to check in, give them updates on my training, see how their training was coming along, asking what I could do as a player to help them improve, calling Coach to get his philosophical thoughts about the game and my particular needs for improvement, and so forth."
i'm sure kobe will find time to blame his teammates on "being fat and lazy" though.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 09:39 AM
Ex,
I understand the extra salary issue with signing Howard. I addressed it in my initial post. I just don't agree with the amount of significance you have placed on it. Plus I don't agree with your value of keeping Cook over getting Howard.
That is the difference between how we are viewing this situation. It is fine. You are entitled to you belief, I just strongly disagree with you as you do with me.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Hello Blog,
It's been a long time reading and not posting, but since now the idiotic postings dies down a little I'm happy to report to duty.
Hey Mamba 24/10 I'm with you: put me on the bandwagon of getting JO at any price but LO.
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: mamba24fan4life | August 14, 2007 at 09:43 AM
It doesn't say much for Mo Evans that he aligns himself with stiffs like Smush Parker and Brian Cook, and gives Bynum a skate for having another year under his belt.
Evans' attitude that players shouldn't have to keep auditioning for the team is horrifying. The idea that Walton can now go out "and play his heart and soul out" because he's got a deal is specious. The best of the best feel they are auditioning every minute on the floor to keep their minutes.
Evans represents the worst of today's pro athletes who just want a contract and job security. He doesn't bleed Purple & Gold and just wants to be paid. I dare say, let's trade him as soon as we can for someone who really wants to be a Laker first and foremost.
To Hal9000: If trading Kobe is the only way to improve the team, we've got a problem. Kobe's well-discussed issues aside, his talent and ability make him a great player. A team that can't build around Kobe should relinquish its franchise.
LakerBake: While I agree that JO would be a welcome and valuable addition to the team, giving up Bynum and Odom is overpaying. Let Bird sweat it out a little. I'm with Mamba -- "I'm on the get JO ONLY if we can keep LO Bandwagon. Bynum I could care less."
LongTimeLakerFan: Thanks for putting the who's talking to whom issue in perspective. Rocky and Mamba are on the money by saying "Grown men don't need to call each other every other day to validate their friendship."
Finally, Mitch Kupchak's interview with the Daily News proves once again that the Lakers' problems start in the front office. A sub-mediocre GM begets us mediocrity instead of championships. Mo Evans is a poster boy for Kupchak's kind of player. We need guys who bleed Purple & Gold and are inner-directed to be champions. Not guys who say, "PAY ME."
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 14, 2007 at 09:43 AM
Bill Russell does not count as a "modern" basketball player. The players to chase are Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.
Posted by: Kobe Apologist | August 14, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Mamba24/10,
We normally agree on things in here, but I have to disagree with you here. If I had a choice between Odom and Bynum and the addition would be O'Neal, I'd take Bynum. The thought of having both O'Neal and Bynum down low, is more impressive to me than having Odom and O'Neal. Besides, those so hung up on salaries would be better off getting rid of Odom for O'Neal than giving up Bynum.
The Lakers could run with a lineup like this, if O'Neal was acquired without giving up Bynum.
Fisher, Bryant, Walton, O'Neal and Bynum
With that lineup, Walton could become the facilitator of the offense with Kobe moving to the wing. Bynum would have it a little easier with Jermaine handling the bulk of the tougher low post defenders.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 09:47 AM
exhelodrvr,
I think you're right. MJ is an idol and represents something "wholesome" in their minds. They can't bear that a guy who speaks Italian might be just as good. And don't talk to me about the Colorado incident, because the evidence is in that MJ was a much more professional adulterer than Kobe. For one thing he got away with it. For another he was smarter about avoiding getting entrapped by ambitious hotel staff. Yeah, that's where Mike beats Kobe every day: knowing how to protect his image while doing everything he likes doing (including gambling).
Posted by: Tsphere | August 14, 2007 at 09:51 AM
KLBeast,
"kobe was lying on the floor, like a little kbiatch, disbelieving that he just
got kbiatch slapped. then kobe tried to play if off by dusting off his shoulder."
Lets see now if Kobe had gotten up and fought then he would heave been criticized
as being selfish for putting his self above the team. But the worst or funniest
thing I ever saw was DWADE with a shoulder injury, SHOULDER INJURY!
needing a wheelchair to get off the floor. I guess even the paid off referres
couldn't help the lil drama queen then. Seriously Beast man you need to get
you some new writters this attack, attack attack shtick has gotten a lil thin.
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 09:53 AM
"He will never be considered a leader like MJ, Bird, Magic, Russell, John Salley, or Tim Duncan."-AZ
How did John Salley get into that mix?
Posted by: Rocky | August 14, 2007 at 09:55 AM
Rick Friedman,
I think you're misinterpreting what Evans meant by "auditioning" (and remember, I'm the one who used that phrase, not Evans). As I took it, he was talking about being able to play freely and with less anxiety because you feel like your place within an organization is secure, as opposed to putting too much pressure on yourself to "impress" (which often results in trying to do too much). Like any job, it's much easier to perform at your best when you feel like inevitable mistakes won't cost you the gig. Freedom typically brings out an employee's best.
At any rate, it didn't sound to me like Evans was equating this situation with complacency. If anything, I think he meant the exact opposite. Remember, he did say that Walton would feel the urge to give even more back to his team with this contract secured. There's a difference between relaxing your nerves and lowering your own ambition. .
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 14, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Lakerbake,
Sign me up for the get JO at any cost bandwagon
Posted by: tripgame | August 14, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Hab.
"Well, why would anyone expect Kobe to fraternize with the HELP?"
Hab is funny.
Slumming, Habby?
I do agree with you. Why should Kobe fraternize with the help?
The only thing they do is pass him the ball. Anyone ca do that, right?
Posted by: akr_68 | August 14, 2007 at 10:20 AM
JJ,
"If I had a choice between Odom and Bynum and the addition would be O'Neal, I'd take Bynum."
I'm sorry JJ but. I feel this yea LO is about to come into his own. If LO ever plays up to his
potential he has the opportunity to be a transcendent type of player in the vein of magic or yes
even KOBE A 6'10 player who can play 4 positions on the floor. Last year if not for the
injurywould have been LO's year. This year there's no stopping him.
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Ak- What was the feeling you got from Mo on the Kobe situation? More what he didnt say than what he went on record with.
Were you surprised he hadnt spoken to Kobe? Especially since Kobe has said he "consistently" talks to the team after the season ended.
Is this much ado about nothing?
Posted by: Laker Lover | August 14, 2007 at 10:23 AM
OK the Warriors just released Adonal Foyle hours ago and it looks like Orlando is going to snap him up immediately.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE LAKERS you ask?
Simple - if (hopefully WHEN) we pull the trigger on the JO deal we're going to be needing some more bodies, probably big ones. Especially if we get our way and snag him for Kwame, Drew, Cookie, and young pieces. So if we want to play JO at the 4, we'll be needing some back up help at center for Mihm. Foyle would have been perfect - he's like Kwame (strong D, fair to poor shooter) but without the bad attitude. Webber and PJ are more expensive possibilities, but even they'll be gone soon too.
Bottom line, the SOONER we pull the trigger on the O'Neal deal the Sooner we'll know what pieces we need and can snap them up before they get signed elsewhere. Like the Celts have been doing since depleting their roster to get KG.
Come ON Mitch, GET IT DONE! NOW!
Posted by: Jay Jay | August 14, 2007 at 10:25 AM
JJ,
"Not necessarily. Kobe has been criticized for trying to be the next MJ. Am I right?
My point is that, why is that perceived to be a wrong goal in basketball, yet it isn't in other sports?"
Your argument still doesn't make sense. The first sentence, yes, Kobe has been criticized for acting as a clone of MJ. In the past few years he's become more of himself but when he first came into the league you could definitely tell he modeled everything, from his game to the way he talked, around MJ. But he was a kid, that's what kid's do. MJ is a pretty high standard and people thought he was arrogant for thinking he could be that good. But that's since passed.
You second sentence is where you lost me. I don't think trying to be the best is looked at poorly in any sport. The difference between Kobe and MJ is that MJ won six rings as the leader of his team. Kobe has zero. I think if Kobe won rings shooting all the time, leading the league in scoring, and yelling at teammates, no one would care. But he doesn't. He doesn't win. So people think his game is more of a detriment to the team's success than conducive to it. Again, it's not that simple but it's a valid question. Would the team be better if Kobe passed the ball more, kept his teammates involved in the offense, delegated some of the offensive load to others, kept teammates more involved, etc.? Who knows. But until the Lakers win with Kobe, those questions will never be answered and he will continuously be looked at as selfish and unable because he can't lead his team to wins, he can only achieve individual success in a team sport.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Kobe averaged 5.4 assists a game last year. The only shooting guard with more assists was T-Mac, but he scored 24.6 PPG to Kobe's 31.6.
Posted by: Kobe Apologist | August 14, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Rocky,
""He will never be considered a leader like MJ, Bird, Magic, Russell, John Salley, or Tim Duncan."-AZ
How did John Salley get into that mix?"
HA! The Spider has five or six rings dude, he must be doing something right.
Glad someone caught that :)
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Mamba24/10,
I don't disagree with you as to the potential of LO. I have thought since before he came to LA, that he had a boat load of potential. I actually expect him to have a "breakout" season next year IF healthy. HOWEVER, I still would trade him at this time in order to bring in O'Neal.
I have said it before MANY times that LO and Kobe have not seemed to be able to gel in the Triangle Offense and work well together. Part of it is the fact that they are trying to do the same things at the same times. MJ and Pippen never had that problem. Pippen was always the facilitator and MJ was always on the wing working on the weakside. I just feel that bringing in O'Neal would fit better from a structure standpoint. Would they lose something talent-wise? YES. However, less talent isn't always a negative. I have seen less talented teams beat more talented teams many times because they are better TEAMS. The Blazers were a more talented team than the Lakers, but the Lakers beat them two years in a row in the playoffs by executing their system.
You give me O'Neal and Bynum in the front court with Bryant and Fisher in the backcourt, and it won't matter who you bring in as the small forward.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 10:33 AM
AK,
Somehow, I anticipated your response. But I think the subtext of Evan's remarks was unmistakable. You'll note that Faith also read "complacency" into what Evans said.
Last season, except for Kobe, I don't recall a single player trying to do "too much." The problem was players trying to do too little.
Professional athletes are supposed to know what they do well and stay within their game. That's what playing "freely" is really about. If a player is worried about "anxiety" he should be in a different line of work.
There's way too much inclination to coddle these guys. Appreciate them when they display excellence, by all means. Basketball is a contact sport. Play hard. Play to win. Nothing less is acceptable to a champion.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 14, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Andrew Z,
Okay you have lost me.....
If MJ won 6 rings while being the leader, and Kobe has won none......YET, you say it isn't a problem that Kobe would want to reach the goal of 6 rings as a leader that MJ had......Why has Kobe been criticized so heavily concerning the Shaq trade?
How was Kobe ever going to win those 6 titles as the leader if he continued to play alongside Shaq? Would ANYBODY have given him credit for being the reason for those titles.
You are full of crap! You come on here and because you don't see something or it doesn't fit into your frame you criticize it, yet your point of view makes absolute no sense and is completely inconsistent!
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 10:39 AM
JJ,
"You give me O'Neal and Bynum in the front court with Bryant and Fisher in the backcourt, and it won't matter who you bring in as the small forward."
You know JJ you well may be right. Everybody's looking for LO to be the next Pippen but I don't think
LO wants that so if we get to keep Bynum, I just might make that deal.
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Weave-Man,
I completely agree with you about trading Vladimir and keeping Brian Cook. With Cook you know what you're getting: no Defense, a Shooting Maniac - which means he is decisive that he will shoot, big body that can't jump and is foul prone. He has 3 years at 3.5 million
With Vlad: you get the same thing except, he is always lost in the offense. With $5-6.8 million for the next 4 years, I would love to get rid of him.
I understand Radmanovich was hurt last year, but he also lied to the team about the Slalom incident. Cook also was ignorant and disrespectful enough to throw his warm ups on Phil Jacksons lap.
I would love to get rid of Vlad, Cook, Sasha, and Kwame. They all add up to 19 million in contracts. Can the Laker Fans on this blog find some logical trades (I mean logical not Kwame and Cook for Gasol, Sasha and Vlad for Artest; just becasue their Salaries match) for this crew? Maybe Cook + Kwame = $12 mill or Vlad + Sasha = $7 for some unwanted players? Laker Nation?
Charles
Posted by: Charles | August 14, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Rick Friedman:
"To Hal9000: If trading Kobe is the only way to improve the team, we've got a problem. Kobe's well-discussed issues aside, his talent and ability make him a great player. A team that can't build around Kobe should relinquish its franchise."
I completely agree... Trading Kobe to turn the Lakers into a championship team is the dumbest idea I've ever heard... which must be why it came from KL.
Posted by: hal9000 | August 14, 2007 at 10:43 AM
*********** BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND *******************
Get it done Mitch, get it done fast
The Free Agents are fading,
Don’t end up picking last
Get it done Mitch, Get it done not for us
Get it done Mitch
You’re running out of trust
Get it done Mitch, I’m not taking sides
Get it done Mitch
Damn, have you no pride
You Once played with legends, Like Kareem and Magic
Now Jim Buss gives you orders
Man that’s so damn tragic
Get it done Mitch, This is our last cry
If you don’t get it done Mitch
Kobe will say goodbye and so will I
********************************************************************
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Andrew Z,
Another thing.....were you watching basketball during the early years of MJ? He was criticized for the same things as Kobe is now. Do you know what MJ's response to that criticism was....Get me better players, and we will be a better team! Does that sound like a guy that thought he needed to change his game? In fact, have we ever heard MJ ever say that he learned how to trust his teammates? The media, coaches, other players throw those words on him, but I have never heard him say that.
MJ has the benefit of getting to the point of winning those titles. Kobe doesn't right now. IF in 2 years with the right teammates Kobe wins those titles, then everyone will get off his back and will act as though they never criticized him as harshly as they do now. That is the part that upsets me. You can't talk about somebody like a dog and then turn and shake their hands a couple days later and think that everything is okay. That just doesn't work for me. That is why MJ left from the media for a while. He was tired of the mess.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Charles & Weave-man,
I also agree with wanting to trade radmanovic over Cook. My only thing is it just seems easier to trade Cook right now because his salary is less and for a shorter period of time, meaning a lesser commitment by the acquiring team. However, if I had my choice I would take Cook.
Although, in keeping Cook, he would have to change some things starting with his arguiing with the refs. I know Kobe does it, but Kobe is the captain, Cook is just a reserve. He would be a lot more productive if he just kept his head and played. Too many times I saw him talk back to the refs and then not even hustle on the next few plays. That led to Phil pulling him right away. Then people wondered why Phil doesn't play him at times.
He can be a quality player for his shooting (ONLY) but he has to keep his attitude in check. He also needs to give more effort to get open and not simply stand around and shoot. Be more agressive as a player.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 10:51 AM
This just in: David Stern has announced that the league will now be officially tracking a new statistic: Times Talked To Teammates. This will measure the number of times each player talked to his teammates over extended breaks. (An "extended break" is considered any period of three or more consecutive days in which a team does not play a game, and has one or fewer official practices. For the purposes of tracking this statistic, individual rehabilitation sessions are not considered an official practice.) Text messages, emails, and IMs are not included in this statistic; the conversation must take place in person or via telephone.
Times Talked To Teammates (also known as Quad-T or 4-T) will be considered when evaluating players for Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 14, 2007 at 10:51 AM
Carl:
Glad to hear about your early Laker roots and your friendship with Wilt, who was also my favorite player in the NBA and the reason I became a Laker fan in 1971, after being Warrior and Philly fans due to Wilt. You’ll have to entertain us with more of your first hand experiences with the great Wilt, still my pick as the greatest center to ever play in the NBA.
I also feel the same pain as you with respect to reporters, including our own AK and BK. If I had the access these guys do, I would be constantly digging to find out what is going on rather than passively waiting for news to break. In a way, it’s the same argument we all on the blog have with Mitch. He appears to be more reactive than proactive in the manner he goes about his job. I am not suggesting that he spend all of his time with the ESPN trade machine (lol) but he should definitely be reading the various proposals on the blog more closely and talking to other GMs around the league trying to creatively come up with deals to help the Lakers.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 10:57 AM
I wanna be on the "55-win bandwagon at heart" ! To be next to Faith !
Posted by: lalakerlover | August 14, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Hal9000,
Sorry I misread your post. Thanks for the correction.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 14, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Laker Lover,
"What was the feeling you got from Mo on the Kobe situation? More what he didnt say than what he went on record with. Were you surprised he hadnt spoken to Kobe? Especially since Kobe has said he "consistently" talks to the team after the season ended. Is this much ado about nothing?"
Well, it was hard for me to pick up any underlying vibe, since it was a conversation over the phone.
But as far as Kobe having seemingly not spoken to many, if any, teammates over the summer, I don't want to make too big a thing of it, because I don't think these guys are required to talk 24/7. Even in the spirit of comradery, guys should be allowed some offseason downtime away from the game. I think that's an important, healthy thing.
But in light of everything that's happened since the playoffs ended, I can't say I find it comforting that various Lakers keep saying that they're not in contact with Kobe. The overall lack of communication (outside of a situation like him talking to Bynum, which was for a specific reason) adds fuel to concerns that he's not happy with his Laker future, thus he's not expending energy and enthusiasm towards it (and, by extension, his teammates). Or that he's alienated himself from them, having made his wishes to be moved so clear. And by the way, this could be a feeling from both sides, not just Kobe.
But again, this is just a perception and I truly don't wanna make too big a thing of it. Kobe's never been one to spend a ton of personal time with teammates, so this could very well be a case of "business as usual." It may not be business the way I personally feel a team captain should conduct it, but if that's nonetheless the way it's normally been, then to some degree, there honestly may not be anything to read into. It is what it is. But I've always gotten the impression that most players, generally speaking, stay in reasonable contact with at least a few teammates during the offseason, which is why I don't found it comforting when I hear Kobe doesn't. Especially considering how topsy turvy things are at the moment.
But again, that's just me.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 14, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Rick,
I think you're reading a little too much into Mo Evan's comments. If you were in his position, you would be saying the same things. I'm sure he loves it here but how much choice did he have in the matter? One day he's on Detroit, then Detroit trades him to the Lakers. When his contract is up - which is obviously very much on his mind because he referenced Walton "getting paid" as well as Cook, - he (Evans) may not be re-signed by the Lakers. He knows this, so while I'm sure he loves being on the Lakers, he only has so many years to "get paid" and he is very well aware of this.
I don't see how he gives Bynum a pass:
"We have a lot of talented tools and a lot of weapons on this team and if we use them properly, Chris Mihm back healthy, Andrew (Bynum) getting another year's experience and better, myself getting better, I think we have a really good team."
--------------------------
he says Bynum getting more experience and getting better, what more do you want? Do you want him to say, "man, I was in the gym yesterday and Bynum was working out so hard, there was blood everywhere and he continued to work out! When I tried to talk to him, he spit foam out of his mouth and told me to get out of there! That guy is going to be a MONSTER!!!" LOL!
Seriously... do any of you guys remember what you were like at 19? Give the kid a break...
Posted by: TaosHum | August 14, 2007 at 11:02 AM
TSphere:
The Kobe haters use the same strategy to attract attention on the blog as the journalists do to attract attention to their articles: they invoke Kobe’s name, knowing that that will draw the attention to them and their posts. They are trading on Kobe’s fame and notoriety to get responses and reaction rather than relying on the content of their posts or their basketball knowledge. In a way they are just like the media whores T.J. Simers and Ric Bucher.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Lincoln Laker & Others,
"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. "
Your missing the point. If we kept either Odom or Bynum and still got KG or Oneal, we would be a pretty good team that has a chance to win. Especially if we were able to dump Kwame's expiring contract.
But If we had to give up Odom, Bynum, Farmar and others to get Oneal or KG, we would have less of a chance of winning.
Our team is not good yet. That is why we were looking at KG and Oneal. But, by gutting everyone else who is good on our team, they make sure we have no chance of winning.
Posted by: zen | August 14, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Long Time Laker Fan,
"Last summer a couple of the players (I recall Farmar and Walton) indicated that Kobe
had contacted them to get together and train during the summer. This season, his time
is much more occupied, so maybe he just doesn't have time to massage the egos of
his teammates and to beg them to train like he does so that they will improve over the
summer"
Why o why would a guy that asked to be traded be calling the same guys he's trying to get away from. Like "hi famar, i think you and bynum will one day make the lakers proud but right now i'd just rather play with nash, i'm too old to be running and gunning with y'all so i'm looking to be traded, damn imagine that me in a suns jersey, wouldn't u love that seeing me and nash coming at you ... so how's your sis by the way" .
Kiss kobe gbye y'all ... it's a new day in laker nation ... and remember change is a part of life ... so stop holding on for dear life ... let my man go
Posted by: Taliq | August 14, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Hal9000,
"completely agree... Trading Kobe to turn the Lakers into a championship team is the dumbest idea I've ever heard... which must be why it came from KL."
AHAA HAHAH LOL!!
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Rick Friedman,
" I think the subtext of Evan's remarks was unmistakable. You'll note that Faith also read "complacency" into what Evans said."
Well, then I think you and Faith both misinterpreted it. haha
Seriously though, when you take into account how much Evans talked about his offseason work and NBA career history (which has been scrapping to stay in the league), I don't think he was making an argument to support feelings of entitlement. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's not how I read it.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 14, 2007 at 11:06 AM
hal9000,
If wanted to traded Kobe for Lebron, I would probably do it.
Posted by: zen | August 14, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Mamba24/10,
"Kobe will say goodbye and so will I" ... amen to that ... and we should go catch some knick games together once they do the kobe deal yo.
Posted by: Taliq | August 14, 2007 at 11:06 AM
LakerBake:
You can list me as one of the elders from the Wilt and West years. And you can add me to the list that does NOT want to trade Lamar and Bynum for JO. At least at this point!
I was very impressed with JO’s desire to play for LA, however, so if management decided that Bynum was not progressing enough, I would be OK with the trade. But if Bynum is going to improve as much this year as he did last year, no way would I trade the guy for JO, with or without Lamar.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM