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.
JJ,
"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. "
This has absolutely nothing to do with the original argument of why Tiger is perceived better in the public eye for trying to win more major championships than Jack, and Kobe is perceived poorly for wanting to be like MJ. First off, your original comparison doesn't make sense. If you would have said "Why is Tiger looked at favorably in the public for wanting to be the greatest of all time in his sport, and Kobe is looked at unfavorably for wanting the same?" But you didn't say that.
Why don't you restate your original argument in a way that makes sense. Then we can get back on track here.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Would you guys trade Vlad for Adonal Foyle or like a Brian Skinner?
Posted by: Charles | August 14, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Great, Adande has just joined ESPN. Like we didn't have enough great writers on ESPN. What next, TJ?!
Posted by: fkillah | August 14, 2007 at 11:10 AM
JJ
"If I had a choice between Odom and Bynum and the addition would be O'Neal, I'd take Bynum."
i'd laugh but something tells me buss and perharps cupcake would make the same choice
Posted by: Taliq | August 14, 2007 at 11:11 AM
JJ,
Not to mention that Cook does'nt find anything wrong by being nicknamed "Columbine."
What does that tell you about his attitude!
Peace Sir!
Charles
Posted by: Charles | August 14, 2007 at 11:13 AM
JJ
"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"
I have been saying the same thing. At the end of the day, its about rings. No one cares if you're an a-hole or a saint, if you win, you're the man. Until Kobe wins again, he and his game will be perceived poorly (the same way MJ was).
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 11:14 AM
KLBeast
"dude, the knicks aleady have a kobesque player in Blackstarberry (yes, "berry"). if kobe goes to the knicks, how much you wanna bet that Steph gets pushed out? i'll give it 50/50 odds"
Dude why u worried what happens when he comes to the knicks ... I'm taking him off your hollywood hands .... here in the 5 boroughs, we're used to drama, a lil pushing and shoving never hurt nobody yo ... u know how it is, survival of the fittest ...
Posted by: Taliq | August 14, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Taliq,
"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."
If they do the deal you're on my brother.
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Laker Tom,
"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."
At the risk of sounding oversensitive, I'm gonna take exception to being characterized as sitting around "passively." This isn't our only job. Not even close. We're maintaining two blogs (which require us to do most of the technical work as well as the writing), plus we contribute regularly for other outlets and work on other projects, both of which take up a lot of time. Simply put, we have to earn a living. If you want us to be able to focus on the Lakers as if we were beat writers (which we're not), petition the Times to pay us more so we can devote everything we have to breaking Laker news and chasing Laker stories around 24/7. But to do that requires this being a full-time job. Otherwise, there are only so many hours in a day and we do what we can.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 14, 2007 at 11:21 AM
AK,
Adding on to what you said, I find it "interesting" that if Kobe is the captain, and he's so "all about winning", that he wouldn't make more contact over the summer with some of these guys. Seeing how the season ended I would think a leader of a team would try to rally his guys around that bad feeling and use it to motivate them to work harder and TOGETHER and build for next season.
But maybe Kobe's just hanging with the family, not working out in El Segundo like he normally does, and is spending time hanging with Ric, talking about the good old days when he used to wear a Laker jersey.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 11:23 AM
Here's to you Laker Lover
55 WIN BANDWAGON MEMBERS:
(1) Laker Tom (2) Marty (3) HUBBIT (4) Fearless Whack Job (5) Mamba24/10
(6) David Whang (7) BD (8) Dan Dan the Laker Fan (9) Long Time Laker Fan
(10) Roky (11) JoninJapan(In Canada) 12) JUNO (13) KEIFO,
(14) Alexinho17 (15) TALIQ (16) GENERIC_ONE (17) VIOLATER
(18) Twoody (19) SLO Gal (20) HobbitIMage (21) Laker Lover
Members at heart
(1) Bob
(2) Faith
(3) LakerLover
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 11:23 AM
Mamba24,
"No, no no I'm sorry man but New York can't have Kobe
You got Marbury and that's all you'll get. Of course his supporting
cast of Randolph, Curry, etc is better than Kobe's."
Dude let me offer my condolences. Kobe wants to leave, it's only a matter of time. I mean, does #24 strike u as the type of guy that's scared of pulling the trigger. When he sits out training camp, and subsequently the entire season, his conversion to the dark side will finaly be complete.
Kobe to lakers F-U, I can't believe I work for a horse trainer
Kobe to teammates F-U, bynum makes me miss shaq, need i say more
Kobe to fans F-U, i ain't c none of y'all camped outisde cupcakes office
Kobe to NY, get ready, here i come
Allow me to re-introduce myself ... his name is KBiatch ... and he's coming for ya
lol ... iight iight ... maybe he does stay a laker ... I'm just bored dawg and dreaming about kobe in ny is all i got right now
Posted by: Taliq | August 14, 2007 at 11:25 AM
LakerTom,
"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."
That's what Ric Bucher does, but like other naive Laker fans, if one of these reporters does what you say you want them to do, and they report something you don't like, you call them liars and bad journalists.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 11:28 AM
LakerTom,
" 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"
If If If ... when will it stop ... if google stock were to drop i'd buy some ... if my boss offered me a raise i'd take it ... if funk budda lounge were in ny, i'd go there on thursdays ... y'all gonna lose kobe to all these IFs and u know what IF Bynum turns out to better than shaq it would have been worth it ... So hey, keep on IFing.
Posted by: Taliq | August 14, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Taliq,
"Allow me to re-introduce myself ... his name is KBiatch ... and he's coming for ya"
TALIQ NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Mamba 24/10 -
Thanks for hearing me about the "HOBBIT versus HUBBIT" stuff and including me in on the role call, it is indeed an honor, tho I haven't heard from about half of these folks in several months...
Also, I want to add that Mamba you are such a positive influence on this blog and have my appreciation and respect, whether I disagree with some of your views or not.
Keep up the good work of drawing us all together and acknowledging others through your ROLLCALL!
hubbit
Posted by: hubbit | August 14, 2007 at 11:31 AM
AK
"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."
i just love leaders who have an "F-U" attitude to their guys. In my line of work, i'll give the "F-U" right back when given the chance. But instead of saying "F-U" directly, i'll say, "it was a peasure working with you mr. leader, however, i have a once-in-a-lifetime opprtunity which i can not pass up...best of luck". then on my way out, i grin and tell my friends "off the record" how such and such is an a$$ and that i'll never help the guy in the future.
seems like nobody (except JO) is juming to help kobe since the shaq debacle. i wonder why since kobe's the most talented guy in the league at his prime....one has to wonder.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Jon Kav
Your Kobe analysis in the last thread was thought provoking. The thought it provoked to me was he'd be a bad best friend. If you're tryin' to win a basketball game, he'll kill himself to help you do it. That's a good teammate. In the pro game coaches scream, owners scream, fans scream, all demanding performance. Franchise players can demand too.
Fisher is Kobe ready, he knows when not to defer. He would have been worth his contract to keep just for that reason. The rest of the team will do well to learn from the Fish.
Kobe's problem is PR. Jordan was teflon, today's press is too ubiquitous to hide kiobe drama. PR 101, don't diss your hometown and fan base.
BTW, I'm not that familiar with the Taoist discipline but I was wondering, are there other Taoist monks that blog about ripping people's throats out? haha
Posted by: Vman | August 14, 2007 at 11:40 AM
LakerBake,
I am a two season, since 1979 Laker fan also.
As far as trading for O'Neal goes, I say wait a couple of months to see if Socks, Farmar, Mihm, and others can BRING IT at the start of the season. If they can't, then either they are expendable for O'Neal, or it they can bring it, then maybe we should hold onto them and give them (and the whole team) a chance.
I realize that this is a risk, for if AB and the others do not perform, then their trade value goes down, and perhaps Bird or other GM's will not like what we have to offer in trade; I'd be willing to take that chance if I were the F.O. (Fractured Orifrice).
hubbit
Posted by: hubbit | August 14, 2007 at 11:41 AM
mamba24
"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."
my point isn't that kobe should fight, but rather nobody came to kobe's aide? it's very telling. BTW, this post is not shtick.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Hubbit,
"Also, I want to add that Mamba you are such a positive influence on this blog
and have my appreciation and respect, whether I disagree with some of your views or not."
What? I have the Hubbit's respect. AWWWWW SHHHH**T People, people,
DON'T START NOTHING! Seriously, Thanks! We're the Laker Family so you got to
be nice to your Love Ones.
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Andrew Z,
First off, I will pose my statements how I choose....not how you say. If you don't like it....move along!
Second, whether you pose it the way I did or the way you did, the point is still the same. Kobe is perceived differently by everyone no matter what he does. If anyone else did or said what he has done or said, the response would be different.
Third, if you are going to restate my statement then do it completely. I also included Barry Bonds!!!!
Go bother somebody else for a while, the attention is killing me! LOL!
OH, and I could care less what you've been saying all along! (This is for that other post you made!)
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 11:44 AM
wait a minute... there's a hobbit, and now a "hubbit"? LOL! Now... TAKE A SIDE! Apologize for everything Kobe does or take him to task for not acting like a real leader... just kidding...
Actually, I'm on that bandwagon... after going on the radio and blasting his teammates as not being good enough... he hasn't taken the 1 one minute out of each day calling a few of them and letting them know he's looking forward to playing with them next year? LOL! Leadership 101, once again being demonstrated by the guy who... well... he said he wanted to be... THE GUY and then turned around and went on the radio and said his teammates sucked... but, that's what a LEADER does, curse his teammates, then sulk in silence all summer, even refusing to try and convince Kevin Garnett to come here...
Hey, Kevin Garnett, did you want to come to the Lakers?
July 31, well, the "Kobe situation"... lead me to believe Boston was the best place for me to go, even though I own a house IN LOS ANGELES and all anyone has talked about for the last 3 years was me and Kobe playing together but...
Posted by: TaosHum | August 14, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Taliq,
What has having LO gotten us up to now? At least with Bynum, he has time time possibly develop. At 19, who knows what he will look like at 25?
I would rather hold on to him and trade Lamar than vice versa.
Plus, as I have stated before, the versatility of Lamar has not been a bonus for the Lakers. I could see it if the Lakers had been very effective in the past with LO's versatility. However, we have had 3 seasons and nothing has changed.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 11:48 AM
ex:
“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.”
Good point. MJ lovers definitely do not like Kobe. Either that or a Shaq lover like KL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 11:48 AM
blaze1bx
"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."
What's your definition of "good"?
scoring championships? agreed
razzle dazzle offensive moves? agreed
leading the lakers to its worst recrod in franchise history in 05? agreed
leading the lakers to a .500 regular season record over the past 3 years? agreed
badmouthing teammates, manager and owner? agreed
leading the lakers to miss the playoffs for the 2nd time in franchise history? agreed
leading the laker team to a sub .500 playoff record? agreed
YES KOBE REALLY "IS" THAT GOOD.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 11:51 AM
I see that the hate has not died down -- I guess that's good for the blog in a way. I guess it adds more hits and stuff and so the K brothers get more money or something -- but seriously -- some of you guys' arguments really need to improve.
If you are going to hate or criticize, please do it better...
#1) Don't make stuff up by assuming. When you ASSUME, you make an ASS out of U and Me.. c'mon we all learned that...
Look... you cannot argue if Kobe called his teammates or not -- I mean, that part is his private life. Even if 3 teammates said he didn't, he might have called some others. Even if it were reported that he called Bynum and Mitch and apologized -- maybe Kobe didn't. Maybe Kobe was lying. He probably did call them but we will never know for sure until Bynum and Mitch confirm it -- because that is part of his private life. The only thing we should argue about is about what Kobe actually does in the public eye.
#2) Talk about relevant things
Who the hell cares if Kobe called his teammates or not. I mean, naturally as humans, we wonder about the chemistry of the Lakers. We wonder if Kobe is being a little punk and causing torment in his fellow players. This is okay to do. But using that as an argument to say KOBE is great or Kobe sucks... Calling teammates only partially reflects chemistry -- it's good to be friends with someone and call on a regular basis -- but c'mon, I closely work with twelve people at my workplace and I am pretty cool w/ most of them. I don't call all of them everyday. In fact, some of them, I never ever call outside of work. I can consider some of them my friends. We go for a beer after work and stuff sometimes. But I don't call them too often because I have other stuff I must attend to. And I'm not even married. Now I'm sure Kobe could or maybe even should have called his teammates after all this drama, but he doesn't have to -- not doing so doesn't automatically make him a BAD GUY.
I think that on a psychological level -- being fans of the Lakers make us WANT for Kobe and Lamar to be the best of friends -- I know that I would love them to. I think that they have a certain respect for each other. I also believe that Lamar probably gets pretty pissed off inside about Kobe here and there but is too nice and professional to say it publicly.
Kobe is a complex character and so is the rest of the world. We cannot just assume things about them. Yes, we can put labels on people and kind of guess things about people -- but that doesn't make it right. Throughout history people have assumed many things (i.e. Holocaust, slavery, internment camps, etc.) We shouldn't just assume and stereotype people. Kobe is a person who seems to value winning - a quality that most people share. He might come out as overagressive at times and say the wrong things and act a certain way. However, until the day he gets traded, he is OUR kobe -- our leader. You may want him out and that is perfectly fine -- at a point during the summer, I, too wanted Kobe out of L.A. I also don't make the decisions for the Lakers franchise. If he is not to get traded, I will support him and the rest of the Lakers.
Sorry this is getting too long and I'm sure a lot of my writing is going to get taken out of context and make me look dumb. Also, I'm sure a lot of stuff I've written is really hypocritical including some stuff in this post. But what I am really trying to say is that we need to really stop the unneccesary hate -- that being said, a lot of people are becoming more respectful of others' opinions. Especially because today became SONNY BELFAST day from Mamba... btw, that was a good post b/c Sonny is a pretty funny poster.
Anyways, what is really a positive sign for this blog is that during the offseason, it seems like we are getting more posts on this blog than during the on. Seems like many more passionate fans are coming to this blog.
BTW, I was born in LA but moved to the east coast as a child so I watched more Jordan than the Lakers. However, I moved back and became a #2.5 I guess. I fell in love with the Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Cedric Ceballos, Sedale Threatt, Elden Campbell, Vlade Divac, Older A.C. Green Lakers. Wow, writing those names and seeing them on the screen brings back many happy memories. Do you guys remember when Cedric Ceballos ran away from the Lakers? That was pretty stressful. I remembed I was like in junior high and watched KCAL news report everyday saying, "Just where is Cedric now? He was spotted (name a random place)" Good stuff -- I also remember being pretty pissed off at him and hating him later.. but anyways, memories. Also, Nick Van Exel's clutch shot was a nice one -- most of you know what I'm talking about.
WOW, very long -- it's 3:41AM here in Korea.. better go to sleep... again, please accept my apology if I seemed hypocritical, high-horsey (is that even a word), or even stupid -- I'm just a Lakers fan wanting some Lakers unity,
Peace everyone!!!!!!!!! Have a Good day!!
GO LAKERS!
STOP THE HATE 2008.
Posted by: David Whang | August 14, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Rocky, really? That's news to me. My guy friends ALWAYS calls me lol.
"A team that can't build around Kobe should relinquish its franchise." Well said Rick Friedman props. Yeah I did read "complacency" in those words. Though not on the part of Mo Evans, but everyone else. Let's face it, Mo (who admitted earlier that his drive to get that big contract got that much bigger because he saw what he can do with the dough) has not gotten paid yet, at least not really.
AK, one word: Clippers. Or should it be Tim Thomas? Complacency is something that's very prevalent in the league. And our team already being devoid of brains, and desire...all we need is complacency as the cherry topping.
lol LaLakerLover.
Vman, does Kobe even have PR people? I mean competent ones? Cause they are soo bad...they might as well PR for Bush!
Posted by: Faith | August 14, 2007 at 11:53 AM
MO EVANS:
I think that with Mo Evans, we see a case similar to that of LO. LO, as we all know, is a match-up nightmare against every single team in the league. He's a 6ft. 10 in. phsical freak. Guys that big aren't supposed to be that quick. Guys that quick aren't supposed to be that big. He's too quick for the bigs, and to big for the guards.
Evans is similar in that he is one of the top 10 or 15 most athletic guys in the league. He can out-jump pretty much anybody, and has great quickness. With both Mo and LO, they have the advantage in shear natural talent and ability over almost anyone else in the league.
What else do they have in common?
Neither guy is consistently aggressive. Both guys show flashes of dominated whoever happens to be defending them, but they only do it sometimes. LO has the potential to be an absolute monster on the court. Mo may no have quite the same potential, but he definitely has the ability to be a major contributor off the bench for the Lakers.
CALI KING
Posted by: CALI KING | August 14, 2007 at 11:54 AM
I think Ex was being sarcastic. You were being sarcastic right Ex?
Dang sarcasm meter is broken again! lol.
Posted by: Faith | August 14, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Davidf Whang,
"WOW, very long -- it's 3:41AM here in Korea.. better go to sleep... again, please accept
my apology if I seemed hypocritical, high-horsey (is that even a word), or even
stupid -- I'm just a Lakers fan wanting some Lakers unity,"
DAVID WHANG YOU ROCK!!!!!
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 11:59 AM
JJ,
Don't flatter yourself that I give you too much attention. I was attempting to have a civilized debate which it seems you are incapable of doing.
So have fun making up bullsh*t trades and getting all bent out of shape when people disagree with you.
And for Christ's sake, lighten up dude.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Faith,
I'm not denying complacency can come from big contracts. Tim Thomas (as you mentioned) may be the posterchild, but he's certainly not alone. My point was just that Evans had been making a case as to how the contract can actually lead to harder and better play. He was also using Luke as a specific example along those lines, and say what you want about Luke's limitations as a player, but his work ethic and desire have never been questioned by anybody. Thus, my original point, which was that Evans comments themselves didn't seem like much to read into or be concerned about when you take context into account.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 14, 2007 at 12:00 PM
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55 WIN BANDWAGON MEMBERS:
(1) Laker Tom (2) Marty (3) HUBBIT (4) Fearless Whack Job (5) Mamba24/10
(6) David Whang (7) BD (8) Dan Dan the Laker Fan (9) Long Time Laker Fan
(10) Roky (11) JoninJapan(In Canada) 12) JUNO (13) KEIFO,
(14) Alexinho17 (15) TALIQ (16) GENERIC_ONE (17) VIOLATER
(18) Twoody (19) SLO Gal (20) HobbitIMage (21) dice8up
Members at heart
(1) Bob
(2) Faith
(3) LakerLover
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Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 14, 2007 at 12:04 PM
AK:
You’re not oversensitive and I didn’t really mean it. I was just checking to see if you guys are still reading our posts instead of watching the Dodgers! I apologize and retract your inclusion in my post. Actually, I would be glad to petition the Times to get you guys more money. I think you deserve it. And I think it would be great if you could focus 100% of your time on the Lakers.
In my mind, it’s a shame that you have to even bother with a Dodger blog. I mean, when is the last time the Dodgers were relevant. lol. Now if you were running a Lakers blog, I could understand sacrificing some Laker time. Then it would be worthwhile. But the Dodgers? They just delay posts on the Lakers blog. Jk.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 12:08 PM
Andrew Z,
Lighten up.....and what kind of trades was that. I am very lightened up. By the way, is it AZ or is it A....someting else? I'm just checking because the other seems to fit right now!
Plus, there were others that disagreed with my trades, but you don't see the same thing going on with them. It is because they make valid points not simply things they pull out of their AZ.....I'm sorry did I say that again????
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 12:18 PM
LakerTom,
"In my mind, it’s a shame that you have to even bother with a Dodger blog. I mean, when is the last time the Dodgers were relevant. lol"
Alas, I have no snappy retort. Um....my dad can beat up your dad!!!!
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 12:20 PM
LakerTom, at least AK and BK already did more Laker coverage than the latimes beat writers/columnists with regards to talking with the Laker players.
I read several interviews directly with Mitch, Shaw, Evans, etc. here while the latimes' own reporters/columnists seldom do the same, let alone deep analysis/perspectives. They're more about sensationalism.
Posted by: gdchild | August 14, 2007 at 12:23 PM
JJ,
Unless your 8 JJ, you can use the word ass, its okay.
How come when I refute one of your trades with facts on how it affects the Lakers salary cap and future implications for improvement, that's pulling something out of my ass? Or how about when I actually think, GOD FORBID, that the other team(s) involved in the trade would actually want something of value back, that's pulling something out of my ass? And lastly, how is it when I read about what other teams feel about their players and the direction of their franchise, from a front office and fan base standpoint, and use that in a discuss of proposed trades, is that pulling something out of my ass?
I'm sorry if I make educated points and try to function in the real world, where other teams/players/fans are actually concerned with the well being of their teams and not just how to make the Lakers better, it's a nasty little habit I've gotten into.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 12:27 PM
Andrew Z,
No....since I'm Christian, I can't. I take it that you don't understand or have that belief?
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Andrew Z,
If you bothered long enough to look beyond your own mind and what you "know and believe" maybe you would understand what I am saying. Obviously you are too full of yourself.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 12:36 PM
JJ,
I believe that "ass" is a word in the English dictionary and is defined as an animal resembling a small horse with long ears, sometimes used as a beast of burden. The donkey is a domesticated descendant of the wild ass. Genus: Equus.
How come you can say I'm full or crap but you can't say I'm an ass?
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Phil said during the season that Evans was better at offense than he expected, but a worse defender than expected. I noticed that too. Evans defense wasn't as good as he was hyped. Hope he gets much better next season.
Posted by: gdchild | August 14, 2007 at 12:41 PM
JJ,
"Obviously you are too full of yourself"
This couldn't be further from the truth. I have on numerous occasions been persuaded to change my opinion on this blog when others present good arguments on points. Hell, I enjoy it. That's why I come here. You, on the other hand, are very myopic in your perspective and pass judgement rather quickly on those who don't agree with you, often using the argument of "changing our viewpoints".
What good is a viewpoint JJ if it's wrong or can't be changed? I'm not always right, but I think I put up a good argument now and again. And I prefer to debate and discuss with others who are not only open-minded, but educated. Why spend time and energy throwing "No, I'm right!" back and forth at each other? That gets nowhere fast.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Hey Akr!
Who let YOU sneak in here?
There goes the neighborhood:-(
Posted by: Hab | August 14, 2007 at 12:50 PM
Andrew Z,
You couldn't be further from the truth. I have agred to be wrong on more than one occassion myself, yet you continue to say that I take things personal and can't be wrong. You don't even know me and are making these blanket statements about me.....And you don't consider that to be a little proud?
You are always comign back at everyone as if you always have a better answer. It's not just me, you do it to everybody. Go back and read your posts and you may see what i am talking about.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 12:56 PM
gdchild,
I have to think that Mo's knee caused him some serious problems on D. When you have to be more reactive in your movements (as you do on D as oppossed to offense) injuries tend to play a bigger role.
But I do agree, I thought he would be a bit more of a "stopper". However, I was more impressed with his rebounding and play around the rim than I thought I would be. The dude gets after it around the boards, and that's something we really needed last year (maybe we'll get something from someone other than our back-up shooting guard next year).
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 14, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Andrew Z,
"How come you can say I'm full or crap"
He said you are "full of crap", not "full or crap."
See, it was all just a misunderstanding.
(BTW, "ass" is used fairly often in the Bible.)
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 14, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Andrew Z,
"if you always have a better answer. It's not just me, you do it to everybody."
He's right. Sometimes you even disagree with me!!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 14, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Andrew Z,
Another thing...You do realize that this all started because you felt the need to respond to a post that wasn't written to you. Why did you have to reposnd in the first place? It wasn't a general post anyway. It was written for one person. You didn't have to understand or agree because it wasn't written to you.
Posted by: JJ | August 14, 2007 at 01:02 PM