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.
LakerTom;
Nice summing up. I'd certainly be happy to see more room on the blog for Hal9000's brilliant dialogues that tend to get lost in the myriad of abject ravings of KL, who has now outdone Michael Vick in pure sadism.
Quite honestly, it's incredibly frustrating to wade through so much rubbish every day, including the direct responses and challenges to the rubbish (a sin of which I'm also guilty). And now that I see there have been 12 episodes of Sargeant Kobe I'm left wondering how many I've missed out of the lack of courage to scan through all the repetitive nonsense. To say nothing of your own posts, Tom, which I sometimes see people praising but am left wondering where the sharp needle may be in the stinking haystack.
I hope Hal or someone else has been collecting the dialogues in one safe place. When we finally see the outcome of the Buss-Kobe poker game (our new summer sport) it would be nice to read through the whole series and dedicate a thread of the blog to commenting on how they reflected a history we had so much trouble trying to understand (I'm speaking of course only of those who are trying to understand, not those who claim to have divine omniscience and don't need to make the effort).
Posted by: Tsphere | August 14, 2007 at 10:18 PM
Laker Larry,
"You can't publicly rip your boss without some repercussions."
If I may make a small comment on what you said, and to Kobe he has no boss. It is contractual relationship and there is a breach of promise on the other party. He throws his weight around because he knows, He is the Show and felt being exploited without any help.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 14, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Faith,
"Lakers who took pride, and didn't punk out on that jersey (night in and night out."
Do you know another reason why they lost respect on that jersey? Well, they peddled it and raised revenues by cashing in on its significance victories to the point of going over commercialization. They introduced a White Jersey as their Sunday Best, then they became sentimental by introducing the Blue jersey to trace their roots. (I don't know whether the roots really care.) The color purple and gold lost its significance, even in this blog we kept on complaining for eons to bring back B & G did we get the change that we desired? Purple and Gold lost its flavors and it was buried with Chick.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 14, 2007 at 10:30 PM
Derek,
Love those takes. Closest thing we have to the bad boys taday are the incredibly boring Spurs (and they aren't even close!) Say what you will about those D town sumofaguns, but they were tough, they were dirty, they were winners, and MJ never beat them! In fact, the Bulls (MJ) lost to the Pistons in the playoffs three years in a row!
Oh, by the way, I HATE THE PISTONS! but you have to respect what those Mother*******! did.
Of course if MJ (the first!) hadn't gone down in game 1, Pat Riley would have cashed in on the "three-peat" trademark.
LTLF,
Best quote of the day:
"you can't have your cake-thrower and trade him too"
Posted by: Steve in Denver | August 14, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Bryant and Kidd key USA's Olympic basketball bid
"Having those veterans is very big thing," Krzyzewski said. "We're a lot better than we were last summer, and that's because of the veterans we added to the team and the maturity of our team, both physically and emotionally."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2007-08-14-basketball-leadership_N.htm
Posted by: jorema | August 14, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Tyson Chandler: His nba heroes are Mjordan and Kobe.
"An avid fan of the game from his earliest days, Chandler said he had no idea he would one day follow his heroes Jordan, Jamal Mashburn and Kobe Bryant into the NBA. "
http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/chandler_feature_070814.html
Posted by: jorema | August 14, 2007 at 10:40 PM
"I like to think that Laker jersey inspires more than just a Hawks jersey. Time was it did...just ask James Worthy. He said it best when he said our team pales in comparison to the Lakers of old. Lakers who took pride, and didn't punk out on that jersey (night in and night out)."
One of my favorite Lakers of all time
Big Game James
1988 NBA Finals Game 7, his triple-double 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists powered our Lakers to a 108-105 win over "los malos muchachos"
Nice take Faith. Even Nick the Quick had tons more heart than 80% of our current squad
F-U!! KLBiatch!!!! ;-)
Big Game James
Posted by: Steve in Denver | August 14, 2007 at 10:41 PM
lakerlarry
"PS: This verdict is final. There is no appeal process in cases such as this."
wow, very harsh verdict. "happiest day of my life" was a little extreme. perpahs i was glad someone, other than shaq, finally stood up to kobe.
regarding the verdict, i'll take it like a man. kobe is the best.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Rick F.,
Our idol, Lakertom is a born leader, he protects his flock from being infiltrated by the foot and mouth disease. Unfortunately, KL is not a disease but just a flea, he either tickles u or bites you, the more you read his posts, the more depression you'll have with Kobe. He already said, he's just trying to rile everyone who are infatuated with Kob. I think Lakertom should find an effecive Vet to cure the maladies of his flock.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 14, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Fair enough. One way or another the FO has to do something. What the f&#! is going on over there. It really is a mess. I've always given Jerry Buss credit for what he has done since the early 80's but his rule has grown stagnant. The guy seems more interested in partying like he was still in his 20's and blowing money on poker. He either needs to sell the team or clean house and bring in fresh blood (including ousting his 'chip off the ole block' degenerate gambler of a son Jim). But my gut tells me it's time for Magic and a group of investors to step up and make an offer to the Buss family and AEG. (By the way, Kobe is a great player. Nothing more. It seems like great management rarely ever lets player disputes spill out on the streets for more than a split second, and this laker FO has been allowing it for years.)
Posted by: Kyle F | August 14, 2007 at 10:45 PM
hubbit
"Like I said before a couple of weeks ago, if we (all us bloggers) were in the same room together, would we still talk like this?"
absolutely not. i'm actually very polite in real life. i would argue that most bloggers here, with the exception of a few, act more extreme on the blog. agree?
"As long as you balance your comments with OTHER THINGS TO TALK ABOUT BESIDES THE USUAL FU-KOBE CRAP (you have shown in the past you can)
I, and even a larger part of this blog can grow to respect you."
i'm not sure if you've noticed, but i've knocked off with the "F-U kobe" crap a little bit. having said that, you have to admit, the next 2 months are going to be very quite in the sports world. at least we'll have MLB playoffs coming up soon.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 10:46 PM
NBA new slogan: KObe, Lebron and Michael Jordan will be the showcase stars.
We had a presentation of the preliminary concepts for the campaign and it is very clever and creative,” said Bernie Mullin, CEO of Atlanta Spirit, which owns the Atlanta Hawks. “It speaks to the passion of the game and it resonated among team personnel who saw it.”
According to one executive familiar with the theme, the conceptual presentation included a series of slides, one featuring KOBE BRYANT and LeBron James dunking with the tag line “Where space walking happens.” Another slide depicted the dramatic photo of Michael Jordan sobbing as he holds the NBA championship trophy with the tag line “Where grown men crying happens.”
Eventually, the slides concluded with the tag line “Where Amazing Happens.”
“You’ve got to tell your story and what you stand for, and this is a campaign we don’t come up with every year,” said one team executive. “We have to tell people what we are about.”
Posted by: jorema | August 14, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Rick:
I am probably being overly tough on KL but that is because I am getting tired of guys like him who are deliberately using anti-Kobe rhetoric to draw attention to themselves, knowing that insulting Kobe is the surest way to achieve a level of notoriety if not popularity that they don’t deserve, whether they be quasi-journalists such as T. J. Simers pimping for google or pseudo-fans such as KL whoring themselves for blog responses and reactions.
I am tired on KL low-jacking the blog. I don’t remember who counted the posts, but their calculations that KL posts and reposts and responses to him now represented 40% of the posts on the blog. Man, we need a firewall. KL is like a mofo virus, always lurking and always infecting. Now, trying to wear sheep’s clothing, he is intent on dominating the blog. It was foolish of us to think that we could achieve peace on the blog by being civil. I should have stuck to the ignore campaign rather than giving in to the appeasers.
KL is like a high school kid who learns his first joke but doesn’t understand why repeating the joke over and over doesn’t endear him to the rest of the kids. He wants to be cool so badly that he chatters constantly, hangs out continuously, looking for another sucker to whom he can tell his joke, thinking of new variations to try and keep his dwindling relevance from disappearing. He just cannot see how hopelessly un-cool his schtick really is. So he lurks around the playground long after the other kids have gone home and always is the first to arrive in the morning.
What’s ironic is that due to Kobe’s antics and trade demands, there are a small minority of true Laker fans that think we should consider trading Kobe. The difference is that these fans still want the best for the Lakers. They cheer for their team, not for misfortune for one player. KL calling Raja’s dangerous and cheap clotheslining of Kobe in the playoffs as one of the greatest moments in his life shows what a sick puppy this guy really is. He is no Laker fan in my book.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 11:01 PM
A question about trade exceptions.
I know you don't get a mid-level exception if you are under the salary cap, but what about other exceptions.
For example, let's say your team has 3 contracts expire: two of them are restricted free agents and you
have had the other player under contract for 3 years or more. And also, lets say that at that point, before
signing any players, you are under the salary cap.
Is there any way that all three players can get paid?
1 Can you make qualifying offers to the two restricted FAs, match offers they bring in, and then use the
Bird rights exception to pay the third player?
2. Can you make qualifying offers to the two restricted FAs, then pay the third player all of the remaining
cap space money, and still match offers on the restricted FAs?
Let me put in some numbers to make it clear. Suppose you have 15 million in salary cap space, and the
two qualifying offers are 2 million and 3 million. I know that unless you renounce the qualifying offers,
they count toward the cap, so at this point, you'd have 10 million in cap space. Could you pay the third
free agent 10 million, and then still match offers of 10 million and 10 million for the other two free agents?
Posted by: Long time Laker fan | August 14, 2007 at 11:02 PM
derek,
"I wasn't comparing the two when I asked if Jordan had as many or more 40 pt games. I was implying that Jordan had many games over 40 pts and he didn't get clobbered and knocked down to the floor every time he touched the ball after hitting 40."
my bad boss. my only point is that the game has changed significantly. it use to be a hard foul was expected if one team is being torched by one individual. nowadays, a hard foul is liable to draw a technical or a suspension.
"Why? Because nobody could catch him, and when they did, Jordan had the great footwork to get by and get up a shot with defenders hanging all over him. Point is, same thing goes for Kobe. Nobody can stay with him and when they can, he beats them with X (insert anything from multiple pump fakes, head fakes, ball fakes, up-and-under moves, the list goes on)."
we agree here. one aspect of kobe's game that i truly enjoy watching is his footwork. i think kobe is a very effective in the post. remember the 2006 playoffs through 6 games? it was a joy to watch kobe play good team ball and within the offensive. i remember there were numerous instances when kobe would be in the post, get doubled teamed, then swing the ball to the weakside for open Js. it was beautiful. it the double didn't come in time, it was lights out.
"It's a fact that Kobe has the meanest and most moves in the game. I've seen it with my two eyes, just as you have, just as every player/coach in the NBA has. I think we can both agree on this."
my fav is when he backs in the smaller defender then rises over the defender for the smooth J. especailly when he shoots turning to his right.
" But if you are being honest with me and you've been a Laker fan since '87, I'm sure you've heard people spewing BS out their mouths about past generations of basketball when they never even watched the old greats dribble a basketball (spare some youtube highlights or espn classic)."
i was being honest with you that i started following b-ball in '87 when the lakers won it all. the reason why i ride kobe so hard (i'd do the same if shaq stayed after chasing kobe away and the lakers became mediocre) is that i don't recall the showtime lakers putting themselves above the team or the fans. perhaps i'm spoiled.
"Can't you respect what he brings to the table for our team? He avg'd more assists than any other SG in the league (spare t-mac, but Kobe avg'd roughly 7 more pts per game). He brings 100% to the court every night and goes after the other teams throats."
you see, for a guy like me, it's a quagmire. one on hand, i enjoy kobe's talent, but the other side of me says that b-ball isn't about what one guy can do, rather what the team does.
"I've come to understand that when you have Kobe on your team, as long as you have at least SOME talent on the floor with him, you *ALWAYS* have a chance to win the ballgame, especially if you can keep it close until the end."
we agree here, but i'm afraid that kobe's bad reputation with teammates hurts our ability to attract "talent" to LA all things equal.
"I have a good feeling about this coming season. If healthy, I believe we can compete with anybody."
i'm not sure about this season. i actually felt better at the beginning of last season. i agree with you that having a kobe on the team means that we don't need as much to win, but i'd argue that kobe needs to convince guys to do the dirty work and be happy about it instead of just expecting other guys to eat $hit and be happy about.
hey derek, nice chat. you take care.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 11:04 PM
lakertom/lakerlarry
"Glad to see you call out KL for his truly traitorous comments. Those comments show that KL obviously cares more about his issues with Kobe than whether or not the Lakers win. The comments are proof that he views everything through those myopic distorted Kobe-hating frames. It’s obvious he isn’t looking to cheer for the Lakers; he’s just here to boo Kobe."
you know lakertom has a way of saying "KL's an a$$hole" but in a cool, intelligent way like "KL, in his myopic quest to achieve a dubious agenda, reveals his tendency to be rather undesirable"
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 11:10 PM
rick friedman
"We all love you and you cheer us up with your positive attitude, but you are way too hard on KL. The Beast just loves to play with us and have a laugh or two. Haven't you watched the Comedy Central roast of Flavor Flave? There were more un-PC moments than you could even count and the insults never stopped coming. The targets of all the remarks were laughing their butts off."
i appreciate the support. you know, after my "happiest day of my life" post i had an "oh $hit" moment of realizing that i may have crossed the line. my real point is that i'd like to see someone remind kobe that he needs teammates.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Lakerlarry
What really socks is reading guys like you and KL blaming Kobe for the underachievement of this team.
It socks when some self called lakers fans are eager to give free pass to a GM office that every news outlet find mediocre
at best,
We know there are some haters, some paid office junkies of El Segundo coming here, trying to blame Kobe and clean the Busses from being faulty of this bunch of NBDL quality players in that team.
I am ok with Kobe going ballistic. I don't care anymore about perception or whatever,. about calling out those mediocre
and sissy players who never work to improve their skills.
Why Lakers fans in Staples chant kobe?
They Know fakers like Lamar, Cook, Kwame.
They know overestimated talent like Bynum, Walton, Farmar and Co.
They know the limitations of Sasha, Evans.
They know Vla uninterested aproach to the game.
Dude, you can't fool smart people./
The Busses can fool us with their storm of infinite PR moves and inuendos.
Lakers fans now are looking Jerry Buss with another prism:
He is, without Jerry West, a looser.
You, KL and all those dishonest sellers of false comments, won't prosper out of this blog,
Posted by: jorema | August 14, 2007 at 11:15 PM
lakerlarry
regarding your 10:02 post, i have newfound respect for you.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 11:16 PM
Professor Guceo
"KL is not a disease but just a flea, he either tickles u or bites you"
LOL. Flea? pretty good insult.
Posted by: KLBeast | August 14, 2007 at 11:18 PM
PR moves from Lakers GM office.
Operation: Poker war... Cleaning the mess.
---Blame Kobe for this debacle.
---Blame Kobe for not being a good leader.
---Blame Kobe for outrunning Shaq.
---Blame for Kobe for calling out his teammates.
---Blame Kobe for all the problems of the team.
---Blame Kobe for not making his teammates better.
---Blame Kobe if a free agent don't sign with us.
Medium to use:
----Blogs, columnists from LA Times, Local radio.
Posted by: jorema | August 14, 2007 at 11:20 PM
Larry:
I too am tired of the good Kobe vs. bad Kobe, Kobe vs. Shaq, and Kobe vs. M.J. That’s the real shame of KL’s low-jacking the blog. We all get punished in a bizarre form of Groundhog Day where KL greets us every morning with the same old tune. And unfortunately, because the subject is Kobe, some of us can’t help but hum along.
I wish Kobe hadn’t blown his cool and demanded a trade. But I also wish the front office had pulled the plug on the Jason Kidd deal and not given extensions to Sasha and Cook. Right now I am wishing for the best possible outcome for the Lakers from this hell, which is for Kobe to cool off and show up ready to go for training camp and the entire team using the events of summer as motivation to pull together and play great team basketball.
That is the outcome that every Laker fan should want. Kobe happy and playing team ball. Bynum and Crittendon becoming stars. Lamar becoming an all-star. Vlade showing why we signed him. Luke showing why we re-signed him. Mihm showing he is all the way back. Kwame showing he can catch the ball. Farmar showing that he can shoot. Everybody showing they can defend.
No way that a fantasy trade or forced rebuilding could be better for the team than the above. I agree with you that we need to play out our hand this year. We may still get some help but we need to see how far this team can go healthy and somewhat improved over last year.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 14, 2007 at 11:20 PM
What a diplomatic fellow.
E
Posted by: Emma | August 14, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Rick F,
"There are plenty of Laker fans who question Kobe. My son won't even watch a Laker game as long as Kobe's on the team.
Obviously, Kobe is not as popular to youth as he thinks he is. i have to say, he look a bit immature on the Kimmel Show the other night. He acted like he was from a deep italian background with his "try-hard" way to pronounce soccer players names in the way most italians pronounce it but it came off very amateurist at best.
Laker Tom
"KL and his ilk have this illusion that Kobe is terrible accident waiting to happen and their only interest is in viewing the wreck like crazed NASCAR fans who don’t really care who wins"
I'm new to this blog but I have to say that's a pretty immature statement to make. You don't really know these people on here so, how can you judge them. I'm a person who miss the physical play that use to be in the NBA. And any time someone gets knocked on their A$$, i feel that appropriate to let the person know you're not as superhuman as you think.
Posted by: 1st Round | August 14, 2007 at 11:44 PM
Jorema,
"You, KL and all those dishonest sellers of false comments, won't prosper out of this blog"
This must be the coming of Jesus!
Once again, you really don't know anything about these people on the blog.
Posted by: 1st Round | August 14, 2007 at 11:47 PM
"I should have stuck to the ignore campaign rather than giving in to the appeasers."
OH YEAH! WHAT EVER HAPPEN TO THE IGNORE CAMPAIGN?
HA HA!
Posted by: Gunner | August 14, 2007 at 11:50 PM
Tsphere:
"And now that I see there have been 12 episodes of Sargeant Kobe..."
It's "Sergeant" Kobe, dammit -- now get down and give me fifty pushups!
Tsphere:
"I hope Hal or someone else has been collecting the dialogues in one safe place."
Yes, I saved them all on my computer... but if you want to read previous installments you can find them quickly by selecting the "find" option in the "edit" toolbar at the top left corner of your Internet Explorer browser and tying in the phrase "Chronicles of Sergeant Kobe".
Posted by: hal9000 | August 14, 2007 at 11:56 PM
1st round:
Kobe does go to the hell. but when he gets abused and the refs don't call any fouls... you're not getting to the charity stripe.
Posted by: socalife | August 15, 2007 at 12:15 AM
Socalife,
"Kobe does go to the hell. but when he gets abused and the refs don't call any fouls... you're not getting to the charity stripe."
Kobe does go to the hole but late in the game, he shoots too many jump shots. How many times have you seen Jordan in the 4th quarter shooting 8-10 free throws and scoring about 15-16 points in the quarter. Let me rephrase myself, Kobe does go to the hole but late in the game is where he's a victim of shooting too many jumpshots.
If you remember Wade in the finals in 2006. He killed the Mavs late in the game (especially in the 4th quarter). Because late in the game that's when getting those free points count the most. That's where Jordan excelled.
Posted by: 1st Round | August 15, 2007 at 12:25 AM
KL the spoiled Biatch!
Extar Extra Read All About It, Freudian Slip Shows kl's True Colors
___________
"i was being honest with you that i started following b-ball in '87 when the lakers won it all. the reason why i ride kobe so hard (i'd do the same if shaq stayed after chasing kobe away and the lakers became mediocre) is that i don't recall the showtime lakers putting themselves above the team or the fans. perhaps i'm spoiled."
___________
'87 was a fine time to jump on the band wagon. Glory days. What would MJ (the first) have done with people like Kwame, Bynum, Smush, Lamar? He had Cap, Big Game James, Byron, Coop, Clark Kent, Silk, McAdoo, et al.
KB came into this league a 17 year old punk with huge ego. Who knew he had the stones to back it up? I mean, holy shi*!, he comes in playing with the most dominant center of our time. Said giant knows this kid is for real, but continues to treat him like a punk.
One Three-peat later, said giant says pay me or trade me.
Punk says "uh, whatever, he was always an a-hole to me"
Geriatric owner says " SHOW ME THE MONEY!, whatever keeps the bottom line up to my little girl's standards (and I ain't talkin bout Jeannie) Hell, I'll probably be dead in 3 years and this will be Jimmy's problem"
Posted by: Steve in Denver | August 15, 2007 at 12:27 AM
KOBIATCH: WILL YOU COME AND PLAY WITH MY TEAM?
ADONAL FOYLE: HELL NO!
The Orlando Magic is reportedly interested in Adonal Foyle, bought out of his deal in Golden State on Monday.
Posted by: Gunner | August 15, 2007 at 12:29 AM
weave-man,
Dude i dont need to say anything. You're defending Brian Cook thats good enough. That guy is a terrible player. Makes dumb plays, makes dumb fouls, had one good game against Sacramento and that makes him a good shooter???? I am pretty sure everyone on this blog thinks Brian Cook is garbage..so why are you picking a fight with me??? You are on your own island.
I was making a case that Reggie Evans is more valuable than Brian Cook. You said that the Nuggets would love to have Cook over Evans.
Lets take a look at Brian Cook's career averages:
6.7 points 3 rebounds %39 three point and 78% free throw
Why would you want to be financially comitted to someone like that? Its not like he has Sasha's contract, or he's gone next year. You want to tell me that hes the same player as Vlad? Now admittedly, Vlad was garbage last year but his stats are worth something. He been consistent for years and the year before the Lakers signed him, Vlad was averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds..and we all know Vlad is not even an inside guy.
Brian Cook is a coverted PF turned into a roving big man. He is forever out of position because he has no strength, toughness or inside game. You cant compare him to Vlad.
I dont know where everyone gets that Brian Cook is a "shooter" He is only a "shooter" because thats the ONLY THING that he can do. Its not a specialty, its the only skill he has developed.
By the way, JR Smith and Linas Kleiza (a shooting big man WHO TOURCHED THE LAKERS FOR ABOUT 30 POINTS) are shooters and Klieza happens to be big, so he would be a shooting big man. So there, I named two shooters. Plus they have a guy named Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony...so thats two guys more guys that can shoot, so let me add that to 4.
Now again, may I show you Reggie Evan's numbers??
Reggie Evans averaged 5 points 7 rebounds 2 fouls per game. in 17 minutes..
Hey by the way guess who on the Lakers also averaged those minutes??? RONNY TURIAF. But nobody here says hes garbage right?? He had 5 points, 3 rebounds and almost 3 fouls. NOBODY HERE SAYS that Ronny isnt very good because the Lakers didnt give him minutes right????
I'd also like to remind everyone that Reggie Evans would be the team's second leading rebounder after Lamar (everyones favorite scapegoat) if he were to walk on the team today.
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 15, 2007 at 12:34 AM
Kobiatch: Will you play on my team?
Ime Udoka: Hell No!
The agent for Ime Udoka says his client's deal with the Spurs could be finalized on Tuesday, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Posted by: Gunner | August 15, 2007 at 12:35 AM
1St Round
Nice 1st Post!
Completely full of Sh*t!
It continues to amaze me how haters like you continue to read thier own feelings and thoughts into everything KB24 does. I saw KB24 on Kimmel and it was completely uneventful. To jump on his prenunciation of some doppy soccer player is an embarrassing show od cards for you.
You obviously have problems with Kobe. That's fine, but don't waste our time with tabloid bullsh*t
Posted by: Steve in Denver | August 15, 2007 at 12:35 AM
1st Round
Also,
"And any time someone gets knocked on their A$$, i feel that appropriate to let the person know you're not as superhuman as you think. "
Typical response from the lesser talented thugs of the league
Posted by: Steve in Denver | August 15, 2007 at 12:40 AM
What's a Kobiatch? by "wizardofodd" on capping the game website.
This is taken from kb24's website. This is about his bball camp that charges $480-$600 per person, which lasts about 3 days....
There was a ton of information, but I just copied this one. Just read the last sentence.
INSURANCE AND MEDICAL CARE
Campers must provide their own medical insurance. Professional medical trainers are on duty at all times. Doctors are on constant call and hospital facilities are readily accessible. Because of the rigorous daily schedule, each camper should come to camp in excellent condition. Every conceivable effort is made to protect the campers health and safety through the extensive training of our medical staff, constant inspection of equipment, and supervised instruction of campers. Cost of treatment of injuries and hospitalization for illness or injuries while attending the Kobe Basketball Academy will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian of the participant. Any insurance carried by the parent or guardian may be used to defray such medical and hospital costs. The camp staff assumes no responsibility for accidents or illness. We will not accept a camper with pre-existing medical problems unless we have been notified prior to registration. Please fill in the proper information on the application. The camper will not be admitted to the camp without the proper insurance information and signature of a parent or guardian. Should he/she require any special medical attention or is required to take any special medicine, the camp director requires that you document such needs. Please attach such information to your camp application.
Kobe will be on-site each day. Kobe will be conducting lectures, instructing, interacting with campers and competing in counselor games. Each camper will receive a team photo with Kobe and one signed personal autograph from Kobe. No number eight jerseys will be signed.
OLD KOBIATCH TO SHAQ: "F-U" FOR STEALING MY FINAL MVP AWARDS AND FOR MAKING ME WHERE #8 AS A THREE TIME CHAMPION ROLE PLAYER.
Posted by: Gunner | August 15, 2007 at 12:48 AM
1s round you are the incarnation of whom?
Just return to your old self....
Posted by: jorema | August 15, 2007 at 12:50 AM
what I cannot stand is that some of you guys manipulate stats to make a player a certain way or not.
Most of you (for JJ and Laker Tom and such I wont make a blanket statement) but most of you like to look at stats as the answer to everything.
For example try this.
Who was number two on total points for the Lakers last year? Lamar?? No
Answer: Smush Parker
Who are the only two Lakers to play in every game last year? Kobe?? No
Answer: Smush Parker and Andrew Bynum
Who was the big defensive presence on the Lakers last year with the stats to back it up??
Answer: Andrew Bynum (126 Blocks)
Who led the team in rebounds?
Answer: Lamar Odom (who everyone says cant bang inside)
Who had more rebounds per game? Lamar or JO?
Answer: Lamar Odom
Who had a higher field goal percentage? Lamar or JO?
Answer Lamar Odom (despite being a perimter player)
Who had the most steals on the team?
Answer: Smush Parker
Who had the most turnovers on the team?
Answer: Kobe Bryant in a runaway 255
Hey so if the Lakers traded Lamar, Bynum and Smush Parker for say Kevin Garnett,they would have lost their best rebounder, their best shot blocker, their best steals man, and their second best scorer.
Now OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD HAVE TAKEN THAT TRADE.
But do the stats necessarily back up the trade????
The WAY MOST OF YOU GUYS LIKE WEAVE-MAN TALK, then NO.
See you cant just backpeddal, or pick and choose stats how you want. We all know Smush couldnt stop nobody, Bynum isnt quite Alonzo Mourning, Kobe isnt a turnover machine making horrible mistakes, Smush isnt a good scorer, Lamar is truly a small forward not a power forward. But if I used stats like you guys do, then I could make a case right???
Is that how you want us to use stats weave-man??? Are those the type of stats that I cannot refute??
No.
Lamar Odom is not a real PF. Bynum needs to improve his game. Smush leaving improved our team.
And...
Brian Cook is garbage.
There you go Weave-man. I dont get mad at anybody. Im a really nice guy. But you can juts kiss my AZ (for JJ)
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 15, 2007 at 12:53 AM
derek,
Portland and Sacramento??????
youre an idiot.
Have you ever heard of John Stockton and Karl Malone?????
are they the second best duo after Bibby and Webber???
Scottie on the Blazers??? A shadow of himself on the Bulls. Damon stoudamire???? arvydas sabonis better than Ewing or Shaq, or Hakeem, or heck even David robinson???
you're going to tell me that the Kings (a horrible densive team during those years by the way) would beat the new york knicks of the mid 90s? They couldnt hold Ewing's jock strap if they could ever get past Anthony Mason and Charles Oakley.
The Shaq-Penny-Anderson-Scott Magic teams would have beat the Kings.
The Rockets won back to back, and when Jordan came back, to play on the best team record wise, they were even.
Im sorry. I love the Lakers, but their titles went through an easy field. They played San Antonio, the only team that could threaten any of those other teams. But even they would win a title.
For calling me out, you seem to have a very short memory. Or you could be like the majority of this blog, who only watch the Lakers, or have only been watching since 2000.
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 15, 2007 at 01:09 AM
By the way, does anyone here watch basketball for more than 2000? And i mean basketball, not just the Lakers
Did you not see the miserable Spurs? Dont forget that the Suns, Mavericks and what other great team you think exists now has done ANYTHING.
The only team that has won anything is Detroit, San Antonio and Phoenix. San Antonio's only edge is that they are veteran and battle tested. You dont think the new york knicks of Ewing, Oakley, Harper, starks, buck williams would have beaten them??? Thats not a team thats going to lose a mental edge..only to Jordan.
And Phoenix???? Anthony Mason would have sat on Steve Nash in game one forget game 5 and the series would have been over with. Oakley would have rocked Amare into the stands by now. And Patrick Ewiing killing the Suns inside???
The MAVERICKS?? THEY HAVE NO SPINE. Hello they just choked twice in a row, and thats after getting over the first "mental hump:
The Teams Jordan faced were probably a notch down from the teams in the 80s. But they are still way better than today's teams. And trust me, its not just my opinion. Its also a thing called expansion. It weaknes the overall talent level.
Oh but God forbid that i say that because somehow that takes Kobe down.
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 15, 2007 at 01:12 AM
The real question for bloggers is do you know about the NBA more than just the Lakers?
It seems as though people are questioning one's Laker fan level by the dumbest standards. you guys all think andrew z is crazy for realizing that when making a trade there are two teams participating.
some question Kobe's generational merit and act as though its heresy, even though baseball fans do it about aaron and bonds, ruth and aaron. Yet, even baseball fans can appreciate the old guys. You cant. You cant appreciate Jordan for being the standard bearer without you feeling like its an insult to Kobe.
hey guess what? I love the Lakers, but I also love the NBA. Which means I follow more than just the Lakers I know who other great teams were, other great players. why does that make me less of a Laker fan in your book? Why does Kobe have to be everyones favorite player? KL beast doesnt like kobe, why is that a problem??? If people could only love one guy on their team, then there would be no jersey sales, no team love it would just be the And 1 mixtape tour.
Some of you guys are talking to the younger bloggers like we're not fans, yet you are the ones complaining the most about the current situation. KL Beast wants kobe to step up as a leader. Some of you want jerry buss and kupchek to leave. Wheres the perspective??
You know, I became a Laker fan during the year the Lakers DIDNT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. My greatest memory as a kid was being at the game Magic was thrown out of the game as COACH of the Lakers being he was trying to pump up the fans.
Why is that I can love the Lakers unconditionally during their worst moments, while those of you going on about the Showtime years cant? What does that say about you? Who's a more dedicated fan???
Derek, Weave-man and others, you guys really get my last nerves, because I hate those bandwagon fans, who claim to have all this knowledge, or the "i was there" attitude. You know what? I dont care if you were a fan since the Minneapolis Lakers, you can still be a bandwagon fan, or an unintelligent fan if you dont know anything other then the Lakers, or the Lakers during those glory years? Hey if you're so good at those 80s years, lets here more than Magic and Kareem. Anyone can recite those names. Lets here other great players that you loved??? Or are you just about Magic and Kareem they way you are about Kobe. Nobody else matters.
You know, my dad is a Yankees fan from the 50s. He can still recite the starting lineups from those 50s yankee teams and their relative batting averages. And hes not the only one.
Where do you fit on that scale of NBA knowledge????
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 15, 2007 at 01:28 AM
edit from last post:
Phoenix has won JACK. I mean to say Miami, but they were a one man-show which took down a mentally weak Mavs team.
Posted by: The Lake-Show | August 15, 2007 at 01:29 AM
It's been a while since I've posted much, but I just wanna say...
I don't buy all this negative BS about Kobe Bryant. The man is not without weaknesses. He has trouble balancing taking over and deferring to teammates. When he roves on defense he sometimes makes real defensive mistakes like not posting up guy near him or missing a rotation to an open shooter. He made a mistake with his public outbursts related to wanting to leave to Lakers, then changing his mind. He has real shot selection issues some of the time.
Is it counterbalanced by the good? You're darn right it is.
Best offensive player in this generation.
Best two-way player for the last few years (despite some slippage in his overall defensive effort).
Unsurpassed preparation for every game.
Unsurpassed off-season work.
Unsurpassed training to prevent injury.
Unsurpassed ability to intelligently play through injury and work through injury (anyone remember the ABCs he did all night long with his ankle?).
High field goal percentage while taking the most difficult shots in the game.
A lot of things that aren't Kobe's fault are blamed on him:
Shaq leaving was a money and owner issue.
They chose Kobe and Kobe let them choose Kobe. Seemed to me the thing Kobe cared most about was getting the highest possible contract at the time--which he deserved. Kobe could have defended big lazy, but it wasn't looking like big lazy had much left to give. After so many years of tension, fighting for power and straight up jealousy by the sensitive baby Shaq, one of them had to go, period.
Lack of free agents is mostly a salary cap issue, but also an ego issue.
Though there are clearly some players that don't like Kobe (Ray Allen, for instance), the main issue with attracting free agents is that they can't get paid what they should in LA. Some players dislike the idea of playing second fiddle to the Kobester and getting fewer shots than they're used to (possibly even KG), but I'm still waiting for evidence that individual players (other than Ray Allen) actually don'tl ike Kobe.
Lack of team performance last season was due to, and in this order:
1. Injuries.
2. Lack of actual talent and opposing coaching staffs figuring out how to exploit it despite good coaching.
3. Some weirdness that people have playing with Kobe, possibly an inferiority complex, probably Kobe isn't as encouraging as he could be, more a leader by an example most NBA players that are more lazy than Kobe just can't keep up.
And keep in mind, the early season schedule was easy. It wasn't just that they played better and were healthier, though that never hurts. They looked better. The bad play and injuries killed their later season morale.
Kobe being a wimp and not accepting physical challenges?
Who complains about Bruce Bowen's physical defending? Who calls Ron Artest dirty? Well, Ray ray does and so do others. Kobe doesn't. He enjoys this part of the game and he's been consistent in doing so. I believe he's actually friendly with Bell b/c Bell gets physical with him. Kobe likes a challenge when it's part of the game.
Too many jumpshots/never goes to the rim
Kobe is saving his body some (just like Jordan did later in his career), but also he's just not getting the calls. If you can't get the free throws, there's no point in getting clobbered. Granted Kobe averages maybe 1-2 shots a game you just don't want to see, and I'm not talking about ones to avoid a shot clock violation.
Blame for all the recent negative press regarding the Lakers and Kobe trade talks
Blame the FO. They promised Kobe something, then they passed on Artest, Kidd, Webber, Baron Davis, Al Harrington, etc. Though it seems possibly Kobe didn't consider how injuries damaged their season, I believe it's clear to Kobe that the FO wasn't working toward an imminent championship, that instead they were using him as the workhorse to sell tickets and make money. It became clear to Kobe that the FO lied to him and had been for some time. I don't really expect him to ride that disillusionment out nicely, and he didn't. He had a lot of saved up emotion that exploded all at once. And that's how I'll take him, as a person that really f'in cares. If he didn't care, he wouldn't be so good.
Anyway, with all the negative voices out there toward Kobe, I thought he deserved at least one more supporter. I see his flaws, but I take them in stride. We are lucky to have the guy. Let's hope somehow the Lakers can hold onto him and get over this rough period.
The guy isn't MJ, he's only like 90 or 80 percent MJ. And he has trouble coming across well. But, a lot of that has to do with the fact that he cares, a lot! LIke another poster suggested. If he wasn't crazy in this way, he wouldn't be nearly as good.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. I have zero interest in encouraging the many people negative about Kobe, so you can reply, but I'm not going to reply back. I've read enough of that poorly considered, judgemental, negative garbage for a lifetime.
Posted by: Benjamin | August 15, 2007 at 02:15 AM
hello everyone,
haven't posted in awhile, but wanted to share this link with anyone who cares to view it.
My dude, my favorite player, and one of the best people left on this cynical place we call earth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPgliSR9sGg&mode=related&search=
peace
Posted by: adam kiley | August 15, 2007 at 02:16 AM
Sergeant Hal,
I'm so tired after those 50 pushups, I'm afraid I'll have to take medical leave. Can you direct me to Corporal Vitti's infirmary?
And a word to 1st rounder,
Ronaldinho is Brazilian, not Italian and I hear Kobe speaks Spanish (probably the influence of Vanessa) as well as Italian. Maybe he even knows a little Poruguese (Ronaldinho's language).
I suspect that the reason people so viscerally hate Kobe is because he has a far less parochial view of the world than his critics. Most sane readers on the list have noticed how the haters are obsessed by the man called Kobe, in a way Kobe's defenders are not, who are more interested in the Laker athlete. Moreover, they seem clearly possessed by their hate of him (a case for Dr Freud, not for Gary Vitti).
No man, no professional athlete deserves that kind of prurient obsession...(not Michael Vick, not OJ. They may in some cases deserve justice or discipline but they don't merit that kind of consuming passion explressed by their "enemies". I guess it's the old Cotton Mather tradition. Anything that isn't exactly like you in terms of culture is a witch to be burnt at the stake.
I put enemies in quotes because as soon as you take some comic perspective you can understand that these bloggers are would no more be recognized as enemies by their quarry than Muhammed Ali would have been worried about a fly buzzing around his head in Kinshasa. Like the flies of Zaire, they may be attracted by the sweat of the gladiators before falling to the ground unnoticed following their ephemeral, meaningless ballet with glory.
Posted by: Tsphere | August 15, 2007 at 04:46 AM
Here's the mother of all trades:
a SEVEN team blockbuster that nets the Lakers Josh Smith.
And this whopper gets every team what it needs!
Nuggets:
Need: SG to play along with AI and Melo
Get: Corey Magette (Clippers)
Give: Eduardo Najera (Bobcats) + JR Smith (Clippers) + 1st round pick (Clippers)
**Magette gives them possibly the best starting 5 in the league**
Clippers:
Need: Inexpensive back-up for Elton Brand
Get: Stromile Swift (from Grizzlies) + JR Smith (Nuggets) + 1st round pick (Nuggets)
Give: Corey Magette (Nuggets)
**While Swift fills in for Brand, Smith helps with the loss of Magette and the 1st round pick sweetens the deal for them**
Memphis:
Need: Back-ups for Gasol (Center), Kinsey (SG)
Get: Michael Doleac (Heat - expiring contract) + Vujajic (Lakers - expiring contract) + Othella Harrington (Bobcats - expiring contract)
Give: Stromile Swift (Clippers)
**They replace Swift with a bunch of productive expiring contracts, and facilitate more PT for Darko**
Charlotte:
Need: Back-up forward (for 3 and 4 spots)
Get: Eduardo Najera (Denver - expiring contract) + 1st round pick (Lakers)
Give: Sean May (Hawks) + Othella Harrington (Grizzlies)
**Najera gives them an energy guy who can be a more effective back-up than the disappointing May. Lakers' 1st round pick sweetens the deal**
Miami:
Need: 3/4 forward with outside shooting
Get: Vladimir Radmanovic (Lakers)
Give: Michael Doleac (Grizzlies) + Dorell Wright (Hawks)
**Vlad's 3 pt shooting would be a great fit for the Wade/Shaq combo**
Atlanta:
Need: Depth
Get: Jordan Farmar (Lakers) + Dorell Wright (Heat) + Sean May (Bobcats) + Brian Cook (Lakers)
Give: Josh Smith (Lakers) + Speedy Claxton (Lakers)
**They get promising back-ups at the 1,2 ,3 and 4 spots, while also ridding themselves of Claxton's bad contract.**
Lakers:
Need: Defensive presence at SF
Get: Josh Smith (Hawks) + Speedy Claxton (Hawks)
Give: Jordan Farmar (Hawks) + Brian Cook (Hawks) + Vlad Rad (Heat) + Sasha Vujacic (Grizzlies) + 1st round pick (Bobcats)
Laker Team:
C: Kwame/Bynum/Mihm
PF: Odom/Turiaf
SF: Josh Smith/Walton
SG: Kobe/Mo
PG: DFish/Speedy/J-Crit
We get our 3rd scorer who is also a good defender and a shot-blocking presence in the paint.
Does this trade NOT work for anyone?
Posted by: hariyahu | August 15, 2007 at 05:19 AM
Here's my two cents for the morning:
Kobe's a fargin' icehole for his actions this summer. A bastage!
Also, did you guys know that almost 100,000 people have been murdered in America since 9/11? Am I the only one who finds that statistic absolutely disgusting? I'm about to throw up thinking about that.
Americans killed in Iraq=3,500
Americans killed at home=100,000
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | August 15, 2007 at 06:45 AM
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ATTENTION BLOGGERS : TODAY IS DEDICATED TO JOREMA
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Have you ever sat down to look at a movie and after about a minute you stop and say I have no idea what I just saw.
Or have you sat down to watch a movie and after a minute say yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. Well with Jorema
you can get both reactions at the same time after reading one of his/her posts. ( As an aside we really need to find
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Laker Tom you know are male and names like Laker Gurl and Faith you know are female but other than that we are
just taking a leap in the dark. I am by the way a male which you should all know by my fictitious tale of my
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all you HATERS out there Jorema is no HEATER!! Most of you may not admit it ANDREW Z, BEAST, MAMBA24/10 but
you might learn a thing or two by reading Jorema’s post. I have and I admit it. I Know, I Know, I could learn a hell of a
lot by reading anybody’ post. Jorema is one of the most dedicated Laker fans around and yet I still can’t say for sure just
what Jorema’s stand on KOBE is. At times Jorema is KOBE’S most vocal supporter, yet there is no hesitation in criticizing
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The Blog is better for your being so here’s to you JOREMA, enjoy your day.
JOREMA TODAY JOREMA TOMORROW JOREMA FOREVER
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BLOG LINES OF THE WEEK:
AK and BK should get Pulitzers compared to T.J. and the loser writers on the Times staff. LAKER TOM
You and all those dishonest sellers of false comments, won't prosper out of this blog, JOREMA
you are the incarnation of whom? Just return to your old self.... JOREMA
we are all so much more complex than the persona we project on this blog, someone may indeed be an
a$$hole or be full of crap, but can you really tell by what others post who they really are? HUBBIT
". Your one "MFer" away from being the next Mike T. ANDREW Z
Great teams can rise above injuries to succeed. Our Lakers, on the other hand, are one or two injuries away
from being a lottery team ... HAL9000
Bynum and Mihm at C is as solid as anyone else in the league, there are no more dominating Centers TAOSHUM
. Let's be honest...the FO could have done what little they've done from home, setting by the pool, with a drink in one
hand and the remote control in the other. TELLITLIKEITIS
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TexasLaker, BOB, TreacherousBalloons, EagleBoy, JR., EASTCOASTJESSIE, Zakee,
Swettual, Utzworld, Andrew Z, LAL Fan, BRANDON C., Kinglakernidas, BlackMamba24,
FKILLAH, CYRUS(VENTRILIQUIST), RespectMyAuthorith, Waterboy, Hariyahu, HUBBIT
ZEN, SARCOCOP,Staples24, Bobby, COMPTONS FINEST, MIGUELINHO, Greek Dude,
SOCALIFE, HAL9000, Greekdude, Michael J, Michael H, Michael A., Rick Friedman,
Gunner24, GINO, FATTY, CBUCK,LAKERGURL, CRITICAL BEATDOWN, PFUNK36,
PAUL LEE, Jay EL, SocalSpider , WEAVE MAN, JON KAVULIC, Tajluck, Alexinho17
BERKLEYLAKER, Dice8Up DION, KARL, CRAIG, MITCHELL, Lakers4Life, Ryan
JR, Dascilla, tellitlikeitisNik Kannan, GABE, SEAN P., HanSoulFood, HollywoodJack,
Jay Jay, TaosHum, HOBBITIMAGE, Caeser, Obel, CHITOWNLAKER, ANGRYLAKER
wiZo, MagicShaq, HugoBoss, OSCAR, RDLEE, RealityBites, LakerLarry, Bucky, LEELO,
Juno, LakerLifer, C.S. JOVA, BLAZE1BX, Tripgame3, TSPHERE, SIXONEZERO,
Mfeige, Reggie, Hollywood Jack, Reality Check Time, Jack In Hollywood, SLO Gal
JONINJAPAN(INCANADA), VIOLATER, LT Laker Fan, , KATE, TROY, Mainor, Caesar
JEFF, ANDY B., SWANWORLD, PUPLE&GOLD_4EVA, BENNY BLANCA,CS in Virg
EMMA, TIM IN SYDNEY RISING STAR, LakerBake, JuanMan888,Blkthght06,
Any_One_mouse, 10milliondollarZen, Shiva, Laker_Hopeful, LakerDawg, East Nyboer
,Ghost of Spiderman, Steve in Denver Guy Owanlele, Lincoln Laker, Houston Laker
MITCH KUPCHAK, JERRY BUSS, PHIL JACKSON, KOBE BRYANT, CLEON
Marc Gasol, Sun Yue, Shamond, Williams, Ronny Turiaf, V. Radmanovic,
Maurice Evans, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Luke Walton, Brian Cook,
Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum, Coby Karl, Chris Mihm, Sasha Vujacic
Jordan Farmar, Jarvis Critterton, JERMAINE ONEAL???, FAITH
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES
THE HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, JERRY WEST, PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, SILK
COACHED BY THE 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON AND
NO ONE AND NOTHING WILL EVER DIVIDE OR CONQUER
Posted by: Mamba24/10 | August 15, 2007 at 07:15 AM
Here are the compilation of verbiages used just this early morning, the objective of their usage is to emote emphasis, attract attention and add flavor on the post:
youre an idiot.
"F-U" FOR STEALING MY FINAL MVP
I mean, holy shi*!,
Completely full of Sh*t!
It's "Sergeant" Kobe, dammit
you can juts kiss my AZ (for JJ)
I wonder if the Lakers Blog is a worthy literature that can compete with Reader's Digest. How nice if we could only transpose those verbiage into kind words of praise to our fellow Laker fans to exhibit a perceived gentleness than macho-ism. Just a thought, of course, we belong now to a new generation supposedly a better version than the previous one.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 15, 2007 at 07:57 AM
Lake Show,
It's aight if you think I'm an AZ hole (real clever), but at least i'm not the idiot. Check out Hoopshype, and see who the Nuggets are talking about trading. I'll give you a hint, it's the guy you said was so important to them. Oh, and look at the type of player their trading for, a big man that can do what....SHOOT, and nothing else. Who was the player that I said fit that bill perfectly? LOL!!!! Like I said yesterday, don't come at me unless you know what you're talking about, and obviously you don't.
Posted by: Weave-Man | August 15, 2007 at 08:01 AM