Know thy enemy: The Western Conference, Part I
How do you know the Laker season is underway? Besides watching last night's home opener, the barrage of KCAL ads and your general ability to read a calendar, since the games start on more or less the same date each year?
Because we're busting out the ol' "Know thy enemy," that's why!
It's time to analyze, deconstruct and generally pick apart the Western Conference that houses Laker enemies. All 14 teams. All angles and aspects explored. I've divvied up the contenders (and pretenders) into four categories, two of which will be posted ri ... gh ... t ...
Now.
TEAMS THAT DEFINITELY WILL BE WORSE THAN THE LAKERS
Minnesota Timberwolves
Give Kevin McHale credit. He provided KG precious little help during his 12 seasons in Minneapolis, but the dude don't eff around when it comes to erasing remnants of the failed Big Ticket era. And good call, by the way. If you really want to rebuild, don't try to make the transition somewhat palatable. Blow it the (bleep) up in the hopes of eventually becoming good by stockpiling young talent and cap space during those 3-5 years of being bad. And make no mistake, this squad will be, as Homer Simpson once said, "crap on a crud." Al Jefferson, Randy Foye (who'll be out a while), Craig Smith, Gerald Green and Corey Brewer could develop into one hell of a core. But for now, expect the kids to experience mucho growing pains while being baby sat ... er, mentored, by Theo Ratliff and Mark Madsen. And if McHale really wants to keep this inaugural rebuild atmosphere from turning poisonous, I'd advise making copies of Troy Hudson's and Juwan Howard's buyout papers for Antoine Walker.
Seattle Supersonics
Another team that could be good in a few years, but for now, yikes! At least they've got one hell of a prospect in Kevin Durant to create entertaining losses. To say this kid (who Kobe recently described as the longest player he's ever seen) can score from anywhere on the floor would be a comical understatement. He also appears to have his head screwed on straight, which is fortunate, since the road to super-stardom will be filled with a lot of bumps in the immediate future. Considering the Sonics are comprised of "one starter who can play but isn't a go-to guy" (Chris Wilcox), "starters who would come off the bench for almost any team other than Seattle" (Nick Collison, Damien Wilkins, Luke Ridnour), "solid role players who'll help but would likely rather be elsewhere" (Kurt Thomas, Wally Szczerbiak, Earl Watson), "youth movement dudes" (Jeff Green, Delonte West) and "the freakiest-looking kid I've ever seen in my life (Robert Swift)," Durant has already found himself in LeBron's company before even playing an official game. He stepped into the NBA as his team's best player.
Portland Trailblazers
Greg Oden's out. Reigning ROY Brandon Roy is battling injury. Blazer fans are bummed. And I'm totally suspicious. Personally, I don't think either guy is hurt. I think Kevin Pritchard looked at the roster and realized that despite this team's wonderful future, they're still too young to make much noise even at full strength. So why not toss another season into the toilet, try to snag another freak-luck No. 1 pick, add O.J. Mayo to the Oden-Roy-LaMarcus Aldridge foundation and set this franchise for life? For that result, I'd be willing to roll the dice and endure a crappy year with Joel Przybilla racking two points a game at center. And no, that number was not a typo. Remember, you heard this conspiracy theory here first.
Sacramento Kings
For what it's worth, there's definitely a team in the Pacific with more ill-matched or unimpressive parts than the Lakers. You just don't hear about them, since nobody cares about the Kings anymore. Save Nicole Richie-thin Kevin Martin, this rotation's core leaves mucho to be desired. A star duo (Ron Artest and the thumb-addled Mike Bibby) that reportedly doesn't get along and has been on and off the block since about 1978, a small forward trapped in a center's body (Brad Miller), two power forwards (Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kenny Thomas) who could lose their starting gig to a cat barely topping 220 pounds (Mikki Moore), and John Salmons, last season's mid-level-compensated addition whose name won't ring a bell for 9 out of 10 people reading this. Hey, what's not to love, besides their terrible D and new coach Reggie Theus' rules, like no cellies on the bus and roadie curfews? The perfect spirit-lifter during a sub-.500 season.
Memphis Grizzlies
I'll be watching this rather lousy team for three reasons and three reasons only.
1) I find the career path of Darko Milicic bizarrely fascinating (as well as his thoughts on FIBA refereeing).
2) I'm just curious to see if Darko's presence motivates Stromile Swift, since Milicic snagging his minutes would soldify Swift as the worst No. 2 pick of the last 10 years. Or vice versa, if Swift holds him off. A historic "Battle to Suck Less" is in the works, people!
3) After bringing in Pau Gasol's best buddy Juan Carlos Navarro specifically to appease the disgruntled star, I'm curious to see who G.M. Chris Wallace will swap out to add Jose Calderon, Jorge Garbajosa and Sergio Rodriguez and surround Pau with all his boys. Will they put together a $100,000,000 package to lure Fran Vasquez out of hiding? Whatever it takes to make Gasol "gruntled," a transformation that won't likely happen, since I'm pegging these guys for about 35 wins.
Los Angeles Clippers
Best-case scenario to stay afloat until Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston hopefully return in February: Corey Maggette becomes an efficient scoring machine, prompting Mike Dunleavy to wonder what the two ever fought about. Chris Kaman proves that last season was a hiccup in an otherwise steadily improving career. Rookie Al Thornton builds on a monster preseason. Tim Thomas actually steps up for a team that needs him to become tougher and motivated. Cuttino Mobley remains steady. Ruben Patterson's bulldog attitude permeates throughout the squad. Brevin Knight and Sam Cassell remain healthy enough to patch together a season's worth of quality point-guard play and leadership.
Worst-case scenario to stay afloat until Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston hopefully return in February: Corey Maggette becomes an inefficient shooting machine, prompting he and Mike Dunleavy to come to blows in a liquor store parking lot. Chris Kaman continues looking easily distracted, just with shorter hair. Al Thornton hits the rookie wall in January. Tim Thomas remembers he gets the exact same paycheck no matter how he plays, which makes hitting cruise control a no-brainer. Cuttino Mobley's biggest 2008 accomplishments revolve around his wardrobe (dude can dress). Ruben Patterson's bulldog attitude gets him suspended twice by the team for "conduct detrimental." Brevin Knight misses his usual assortment of games while Cassell nurses even more injuries, eventually getting dealt at the deadline to a contender that he guides to a title playing 18 mpg.
I'm not sure either scenario will shake out exactly as described, but call me crazy: I'm picturing an outcome closer to the second than the first.
TEAMS THAT WILL BE ABOUT AS GOOD AS THE LAKERS, MAYBE A LITTLE BETTER
New Orleans Hornets
Do yourself a favor. If you're vacationing in the Big Easy and talking hoops with a local, don't bust out a sob story about the Laker injury woes, because you're likely to find a little spit in your gumbo. Say what you want about the purple and gold's crummy health, but the Hornet starters missed a combined 133 games, 69 alone by Peja Stojakovic. But even with that staggering number of contests featuring Hornets in suits, they still managed to make a serious playoff push. If they can stay out of the trainer's room, this is a team equipped to, at the very least, nudge the Lakers further down the Western Conference ladder. David West is the NBA's best "almost 20/10 player that nobody knows who the hell he is." Tyson Chandler is beating Kwame Brown and Eddy Curry in the quest to be the 2001 high school draft class kid that almost lives up to the hype (as a defensive specialist/rebounding machine who alters roughly a zillion shots per game). And with all respect to Deron Williams, Chris Paul still has my vote for league's most promising young PG. Add Peja's triples, Bobby Jackson's ability (when healthy) to score in bunches, Mo Peterson's shooting and defense, plus solid role players like Rasual Butler, Ryan Bowen and Jannero Pargo, that's a team that can provide fits around the league. Or at least beat the Lakers, whichever comes first.
Golden State Warriors
Call me cynical, but I don't see Golden State improving much on last season's surprise success down the stretch. Maybe it's because I think Baron Davis can't stay healthy enough. Maybe it's because I think they don't have enough front-court scoring. Maybe it's because I think they don't have enough D, whether front, back or middle court (if such a term even exists). Maybe it's because any team with Stephen Jackson as a tri-captain seems pretty much destined to go off the rails like a ... wait for it ... crazy train. But until the Warriors actually fall back into the mediocrity I'm predicting, they finished 2007 with the same record as the Lakers, so they deserve my treatment as more or less equals.
Incidentally, does everyone agree that last season wasn't a question of Dirk Nowitzki simply crumbling in the playoffs but literally being scared of the Warriors? As in, "I'm frightened of these guys and I want my mommy!" Granted, between Davis, Jax, Al Harrington's mohawk and Matt Barnes running around like a tatted-out meth fiend from Fresno, the Warriors put out a decidedly edgy vibe. But at the same time, the dude is 7' 0" and freakin' German! Shouldn't that make him sort of tough? I don't like tossing around the "soft" label, because I think it's often a cliche. But I've been questioning Dirk way before the Mavs got bounced. I was actually pretty relieved to hear Mark Cuban say that Dirk was off the table in a theoretical Kobe swap. I'll take Josh Howard over Nowitzki any day of the week.
Part II to follow soon.
-- AK
Average Joe,
I don't think it is fair, nor accurate, for you to say that Bynum sucks. The kid doesn't suck. To me, he has the potential to be a starter in this league. But that is a far far cry from the all-star projections I hear from others on this blog (Taoshum, etc.).
Blkthght06
Posted by: Blkthght06 | October 31, 2007 at 04:46 PM
Heard that the deal with CHicago was on but Kobe's guy Pelinka killed it becuase it inlcuded Deng to the Lakers. 24 thinks Deng is his Scottie P.
Heard about a 3 way with Phoenix, Chi and Lakers. Matrix, Gordon, Cook, Kwame, Vlad, & Kobe all in the mix. Lakers get Matrix in that one. Chi gets to keep Deng with Kobe.
Heard that Kobe has been every bit the cancer he's been accused of. Arrogant and ego maniacal to a fault which we knew. He evidently privately contends that he maybe should have been nicer to Shaq... uh huh.
Meanwhile, Jimbo B completes the other half of the perfect storm but his ego is only explained by his insecurity for having devoted his life to nothing in particular.
And here we are. Kobe can't control himself enough to balance his game, wants to be traded with nothing coming back to the team that raised him.
Personally, I don't care about his personality and character traits. He can be as arrogant as he wants as long as he wins. Which he hasn't been. He's still the best chance this team has of saving the season. And I think this city could use the kind of unity that a Laker team playing well can bring. Remember those days?
It shouldn't be long now before we know. Until then, discussing player rotations and strategies is as pointless here as it must be in the locker room.
Posted by: Vman | October 31, 2007 at 04:50 PM
Media interviews from today's practice are up. Kobe and D-Fish.
http://www.nba.com/lakers/multimedia/0708video.html
Pretty much just carryover from last night. It's funny how the questions sound old already. If you were digging for something, D-Fish made some comments about Kobe not seeing his teammates well enough on the floor maybe due to him missing some practices with the team.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 31, 2007 at 04:50 PM
The actual basketball term is pic-n-roll. Not pick-and-roll.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | October 31, 2007 at 05:04 PM
As Mike T. often said about Kwame:
His offense is nowhere to be found, but he is the starter because he is the only one among the 4 or 5 who can slow down Yao Ming. Kwame anticipates the passes made to Yao and crowds him before he could do some pivot or make some jump shots.
A great guard from another country once said in the sixties: If you're guarding the point-maker, make sure he does not receive the ball - by anticipating all passes to him (that's on yao-ming). At that time, touches and crowding are not fouls, this great guard also advocated to crowd the player to the point that he cannot make any kind of moves to get his rhythmn. Thirdly, to focus attention only on this player forget other assignments, follow wherever he goes like his shadow to annoy and irritate and destroy his balance, his rhythymn and mental alertnese. That's what Kwame was doing in the 1st Q, however in the 4th quarter, he too, got lost from moving screens, unfortunately small players like Fisher, Farmar, Walton cannot handle the 7'6" behemoth who is also a spotter on the outside.
Again, when Kobe had the reliable support in Shaq, Fisher, Horry, Harper, Shaw, Green, Grant and Fox - all these Yao Ming and T-Macs of Rockets or Magic, Nowitzki and Nash of Mavs, Duncan, Ginobli and Parker of Spurs are all nobodies. Now that Kobe is surrounded with Kwame, Walton, Turiaf, Farmar suddenly they became somebody to fear.
What more logic do we need to emphasize the Lakers need to get good players - not mediocres, not scrubs, not half-baked, not defense specialist only, not offense specialist only, not passing ability only, not fast guard only, not dunker only but GOOD ALL AROUND BASKETBALL PLAYERS WITH THE HEART TO COMPETE FOR 48 MINUTES like the Fish.
If you cannot help him, trade him now to anybody of the dream players you have in mind. Stop these agonies so that real basketball fans in LA can also make their own decisions what to do next? That is a challenge to Dr. Buss to make way for his EGO to shine in a pedestal, stop this soap opera get your money back and run. Do it now.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 31, 2007 at 05:04 PM
MJCMAN32 - I agree Cook should never play but tell your 10 million dollar coach that. there is no reason Kwame and Bynum cant play at the same time or go-small.
Posted by: lakerlover | October 31, 2007 at 05:10 PM
The psychological explanation of the BOOS.
Is all based in the Collective unconscious, popularized by C. JUNG
Is a well known phenomenon originated in organized societies that consists in the creation of a MECHANICAL SOLIDARITY through mutual likeness. This collective conscience works as a whole in certain situations where a group confront some reality and decide collectively to agree in a common task without a rational and personal reasoning. Is called also the unconscious reaction wave.
People did it against Jesus. Some of them didn't even knew him and agree with the killing.
Is was the same last night in Staples.
The set up was started with the word Drama and some incendiary images in the screen...
That was a obvious conditioning to put people in a unconscious desire to put fingers in the protagonist of that drama.
The Busses were nowhere to be found, so the mass selected Kobe to discharge the blame and frustration of this subpart team..
In that regard, it helped that some people were perfectly positioned in every corner of staples and initiated the wave of boos, the mass actedg urged for this ancestral instinct and reacted in concordance, just for fun or just for feel belonging to the group.
The sad part? IT was masterfully provoked.
Why. There are millions in stake here.
TV contracts.
Staples contracts.
Business related.
All of them depend in Kobe as the focal point to keep it moving.
So...the solution?
A wave of boos, to move the fragile ego of Kobe, plus the Magic Johnson words in TNT to make him feel ungrateful
and guilty.
Another strategy is the supposedly renewed conversations for JO.
This work in two venues:
--Make Chicago feel that they need to do something fast.
--Calm Kobe defiant demeanor and try to make soften his demands..
Is all strategy, my friends.
Millions and millions of dollars are in stake here.
Now...can the Kobe camp know the name of this game?
I will be curious to know it.
Posted by: jorema | October 31, 2007 at 05:11 PM
Are the Lakers on drugs? Ben Wallace and Ron Artest for Kobe? That the worse deal in the history of sports.
Posted by: Paul | October 31, 2007 at 05:14 PM
Does anybody know yet if the GM of the Bulls ( KOBE ) has decided yet if he will allow Deng be sent to the Lakers?
I heard he wanted Turiaf too. Is that true?
I checked Kobe's website he's not letting on who the Lakers might get when he is traded. I sure hope he thinks of Buss when Kobe decides on what players the Lakers get. I am sure Kobe will do the right thing for the Laker Fans.
bd
Posted by: BD | October 31, 2007 at 05:16 PM
If you ask me, Jorenema is the responsible party. After she cast a spell over Mr. Teniente, he discovered new meaning and began to meld passages from the Holy Bible into Adventures of a Professional Basketball Saint...and it made perfect sense. Is there a movie in the works somewhere? One question begs an answer: Were they lovers?
But to get back to the thread of knowing thy enemy, we've heard adnauseum how Kobe Dawg is central to the ticket sales and the Laker brand. These arguments originate from the same hyper-caffeinated sheep who blame everything and everyone (but Kobe) first, and then use the marketing angle "bottom line" in their last ditch ploy to justify not launching him east somewhere; anywhere.
From Jeannie's standpoinnt, it really couldn't be clearer. If Kobe is a Laker, that's great. Ask her. He makes her job much easier. But, if Kobe is not a Laker, well, then, he's not a Laker and that's it. Be assured that in matters of selling the Show, Jeannie will sell the Show no matter who they put on the floor at game time, and you can take that to her bank, and her little dog too.
Let's see...where were we? The Saint put a spell on you? Jorenema put one on Mike? Does Faith know about this?
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | October 31, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Two years ago the Lakers went out and acquired a PF for $26M over three years so Lamar could move to the 3.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 31, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Mike T,
I'm re-watching the game right now. Interesting observations you have.
3 mins left in the 2nd quarter. Turiaf is not in. No one is coming to the hole
with Kobe. In the first quarter, Turiaf was always around and Kobe made
passes to him. The line up is Fisher, Farmar, Luke, Brown & Kobe.
How come Turiaf is the only one who's playing *WITH* Kobe?
I'd guess a 2 pg line up doesn't work very well. Brown & Luke aren't
athletic enough to meet Kobe at the Rim for the pass.
Posted by: hobbitmage | October 31, 2007 at 05:36 PM
The Lakers went out 2 years ago and spent $24M over three years on a PF so LO could move to the 3:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8557893/
"The 23-year-old Brown has been a disappointment in his four seasons with the Wizards, but has shown great potential at times. He gives the Lakers an inside presence they lacked last season, and presumably will move into the starting lineup at power forward and enable Lamar Odom to move to small forward, considered his natural position."
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 31, 2007 at 05:37 PM
hariyahu - my understanding is that the exceptions are automatically calculated into where you stand in relation to the cap regardless of whether you use them or not. I think that is to keep teams from using up all their cap space and THEN using their exceptions. So, if you're $2M under the cap, you only have the MLE (not the MLE +2).
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 31, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Lakerlover,
You wrote: I dont know how many minutes they played together, Kobe and Bynum, but one pass isnt enough to Bynum , who can score inside.
I don't think Bynum can score on the inside against Mutumbo and Yao Ming.
Posted by: hobbitmage | October 31, 2007 at 05:43 PM
Faith,
"Mike T: "That money used to sign Walton and Mihm could have been used to sign a PF. And it didn't have to be an all-star PF. All it had to be was an upgrade over Brian Cook and allow Lamar Odom to go back to the 3 spot."
Thank you!
And even though it was exhempted in the first year because of the rules...it's not the second or consecutive years, when in the case of Vlad, it increases. We needed a rebounder, we needed a legit 4. And we got none this offseason. We'd have been sad on the 1 if Fish didn't come to us by the grace of God/Luck/Tragedy. That's the ineptitude of the front offiice."
Again, the money used on Walton and Mihm could NOT have been used on a free agent power forward. It could only have been used on the Lakers' own free agents, so unless you're talking about a sign and trade (and for who?), that point about using the money for a PF isn't accurate.
And like Mike, I'll ask you, what free agent PF do you think the Lakers could have gotten with the MLE (or part of it, since some of that cash went to Fish) or the vet's minimum? Who got signed during the offseason that fit the bill? Nobody pops into my head at all.
I'm not trying to defend the front office asking these questions, but they also can't sign players who either aren't available or are out of the Lakers' price range through salary cap rules.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 31, 2007 at 05:50 PM
Average Joe
please leave this blog...you are no better than KL and Gunner. In fact i'm starting to think you are worst.
Posted by: bob | October 31, 2007 at 05:52 PM
AK,
Can you clarify something for me pretty please?
Ok so we signed Luke and Mihm and Fish for that matter this offseason. This year their salaries do not count against the cap correct? But it will next year (if we go over the cap) correct? I'm confused.
And as for anyone we coulda signed. Frankly I was set to sign Larry Turner over Cookie in the pre-season. But hey that's just me. Granted, I see what you're saying that we can't exactly sign anyone for such a little amount...but I felt like we could possibly have some cap space perhaps next year. To add to Kwame's 9 mil off the books.
Posted by: Faith | October 31, 2007 at 05:57 PM
M T,
"The actual basketball term is pic-n-roll. Not pick-and-roll."
Maybe on Pluto. Not on Earth.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 31, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Faith,
The Lakers were over the cap. Walton's signing had no effect on them being able to sign other free agents this past off-season. It will potentially have an effect on signing non-Laker free agents next off-season. Which is why extending Kwame's contract was not smart. Didn't affect the team when they did it, but it did affect them in subsequent years. Same thing when a team is over the cap. They can still use the MLE, so it's a "freebie" for that particular off-season, but that contract will affect signings in subsequent years. The Lakers will probably regret that with Vlad, and possibly with FIsher.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 31, 2007 at 06:01 PM
No one is saying the money to be used was the money slotted for Walton or Mihm is the money. The money slotted for Walton and Mihm shouldn't have been spent, period! We could have searched for a defensive PF through out the NBA or overseas to come in for half of our MLE money. We could have saved money by not signing Walton or Mihm period. That would have given us two open roster spots. And if we can sign a guy like Coby Karl we could have brought in two defensive PF with the same idea. Just like Larry Turner, Andre Patterson, and Elton Brand. We could have signed someone to make the squad without having to sign Walton or Mihm. It's not the money these guys are taking it's the roster spots. The Walton money is just an insult.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | October 31, 2007 at 06:06 PM
Hariyahu-
Nope. The MLE or VE can't be combined with available cap space. Sorry.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 31, 2007 at 06:07 PM
Ex
"The Lakers will probably regret that with Vlad, and possibly with FIsher."
What do you mean, probably?
Posted by: Vman | October 31, 2007 at 06:07 PM
akr_68,
It always helps to check sources before jumping to conclusions, lest you end up looking like a fool. The analysis of Kobe's passes was for the _fourth quarter_ only, which invalidates your entire response. Check out the source (Truehoop):
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-28-246/Thinking-Like-Kobe-Bryant-in-Crunch-Time.html
Posted by: RDaneel | October 31, 2007 at 06:08 PM
Faith,
Their salaries will count against the cap next season, but they were allowed to sign them without it counting against the cap. That's how Bird Rights and the MLE work. It allows some flexibility for teams with high payrolls while still making them adhere to the cap. But the money they were allowed to spend on Walton or Mihm couldn't have been spent on another team's free agents. Just their own.
When Kwame comes off the books, the Lakers still won't have much, if any, flexibility. Remember, they'll have about 33 mil in Kobe (assuming he's still here) and LO alone. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but they'll be either right at the threshold or still over.
Honestly, Larry Turner wouldn't have made any difference on this team. Certainly not enough that it's worth waiving Cook and eating ten million dollars, if that's what you're asking. If nothing else, Cook's contract is the perfect trade throw-in amount. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 31, 2007 at 06:09 PM
Starting two years ago, the best thing would have been for the Lakers to "bite the bullet", not signed Vlad Rad, Walton, or Fisher, not extended Kwame. Gotten better draft picks; start grooming them. When Odom's contract is up, resign him for an appropriate amount or use the money elsewhere. The problem with that is, would Kobe have had the same issues, and what would the fan base do?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 31, 2007 at 06:11 PM
M T,
The MLE was spent on Fisher.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 31, 2007 at 06:12 PM
I will take Ronny over any PF that we had the money to sign. I mean even Joe Smith was out of our price range, when you consider we had signed Fish. Beside we were not hurt by the PF spot last night. We lost because of missed free throws and a weird hop basket. We win this game with even mediocre free throw shooting. We win this game if Kobes wrist isnt sprained. We win this game if Lamar were playing. Heck we might have won if Vlade didnt have the flu. Lets see how the season plays out.
MH
Posted by: Michael h | October 31, 2007 at 06:14 PM
AVERAGE JOE CONTINUES TO UNLEASH HIS AMAZING SKILLS ON THIS BLOG REPEATEDLY. YOU WOULD THINK WITH WITH A SUPPORTING CAST SUCH AS THE MERE MORTALS THAT POST ON THIS WEBSITE, AVERAGE JOE WOULD DEMAND A TRADE, PERHAPS TO A CHICAGO BLOG, WHERE THEY HAVE YOUNG AND PROMOSING BLOGGING POTENTIAL.
BUT NO, AVERAGE JOE EVEN SURPASES KOBE IN HIS GREATNESS. HE IS GOING TO WIN A BLOG TITLE HERE IN LA BECAUSE HE IS THAT GOOD.
AVERAGE JOE YOU ARE THE GREATEST BLOGGER IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE. I FEEL PRIVILEGED TO GET TO WITNESS YOUR GREATNESS.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU ADD TO THIS BLOG AND TO MY LIFE.
Posted by: SHAQ FAN | October 31, 2007 at 06:14 PM
Gots to get someone to bite on him first lol, jk.
Threshold and still over, is still something I would have done. Coz then there's a light at the end of the tunnel, instead of continuing to be buried by the cap imo.
At this point, I know what Cookie brings, I'd have preferred to see what Larry Turner would have brought. Honestly, there are a lot of guys in this team that I wonder if they'd even still be in the league if they aren't with the Lakers. Sasha included, and you know how I feel about Sasha lol.
Posted by: Faith | October 31, 2007 at 06:14 PM
Faith-
More specifically, the Bird rules allow them to keep players even if it means exceeding the cap. The Lakers, who were over the cap, would not be allowed to sign players not on the roster. They could, however, keep their own free agents and spend money despite being over the cap. So it's not that they don't count, per se, but that the Bird Rules allow a team to, in a way, circumvent the cap. But they still count against the cap/luxury tax.
It's a little confusing, I know. There's a lot of the more complicated stuff I don't get.
And I agree with AK- Larry Turner wouldn't have been a difference maker.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 31, 2007 at 06:20 PM
I agree with Mike T on his assessment on renewal of Walton and Mimh. We need tall guys who can bang with T-Macs and Yao Ming not afraid to break their ribs. We need grit players like Green and Rodman. Just bang them and put up a good defense. Can Walton and Mihm do that? They are light as a feather, good for any weather but not a legitimate 4 or 5. They can shoot (sometimes) they can make accurate passes (frequently but at times it's also T/O) THEY WERE NOT BORN TO HUSTLE perhaps, they stayed too long on a crib. They are just too nice, too handsome to be power forwards, they should be in Hollywood or morning soap surrounded by pretty ladies.
It doesn't mean Kwame is the answer, what he gives in good defense, he surrenders it in bad offense.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 31, 2007 at 06:20 PM
Mike T -
SCHOOL IS IN SESSION:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pick_and_roll
Check it out! I don't know what books you are reading but they are the wrong books! Go ahead and Google it! Go to Amazon and search pic ' n roll and see what ya come up with.
There is no term called pic n roll. Sorry! In fact pic is slang or short for
picture, particle in cell, or pilot in command to name a few. There is no such word in the english language spelled pic.
I DON'T MEAN TO NIT PIC(K)!!!
Posted by: MJCMAN32 - THE TEACHER | October 31, 2007 at 06:26 PM
Please, let’s not ruin this blog with the constant “nothing-new-to-say” posts... We had a cleansing just days ago, but it seems there’s a new annoying tendency. And I mean you, Average Joe.
We get it: you love Kobe... you want him to stay...
So now, please, move on... bring another subject to the board.
Posted by: CLeon | October 31, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Edwin,
"I agree with Mike T on his assessment on renewal of Walton and Mimh."
WHo could you get, for the veteran's minimum, that is better than they are? Keep in mind teaching someone the triangle, which requires a year, So you waste the first year anyway, for someone who probably doesn't have many years left.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 31, 2007 at 06:30 PM
How about this!
Lakers owner Jerry Buss was not at Tuesday night's season-opener at Staples Center and will not be at Friday's game in Phoenix because of a two-game suspension handed down by NBA Commissioner David Stern for Buss' pleading guilty to misdemeanor drunk driving in September.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakerep1nov01,0,1383129.story?coll=la-home-sports
Now, if Stern could just penalize Buss for screwing up the franchise there would be a true return to order in the Universe.
As for what's happening with the team, I admire all of you who've been able to post all day. I've been so disgusted and disappointed by what I saw last night, I just haven't found it in me to want to say anything.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | October 31, 2007 at 06:33 PM
I sure do love the great chemistry and great ball movement when Kobe is in the lineup. What a great team leader he is. You can just tell how all the players love playing with him , just like Magic running Showtime. You can really tell the young players look up to Kobe can't you.
My understanding is Kobe now states its ok that Wallace is sent to the Lakers but if Deng is involved, kobe will again not agree to it. Says he really wants to play with Deng. Thats nice of Kobe because at one time he insisted on Wallace being on the Bulls with him. This just might be rumors I am sure Kobe would never do that to the LA Fans.
bd
Posted by: BD | October 31, 2007 at 06:33 PM
Bill Walton is so pathetic in his attempts to defend the front office, and namely, this roster which includes Luke.
ESPN Halftime (this is based on memory, so please excuse me if there are any minor inaccuracies):
Bill Walton: Kobe is making this an issue about money. He is in a perfect situation in LA and should own up to his mistakes (in response to getting 70% payment up front)
Steven A. Smith: Kobe is going to get paid regardless, this has nothing to do with money. The reality is Kobe does not believe in Jerry Buss and Jim.
Bill Walton: Kobe needs to realize this distraction will make it incapable for this team to win. Kobe needs to make these guys a winning team.
Steven A.: This distraction didn't exist the last couple of years, and they still couldn't win. It's about the roster. Kobe needs help. PERIOD. Don't act like Kobe's got a bonoafide championship team Bill, beause he does not.
Bill: Uh.....the media in LA has turned on Kobe.
The End
Steven A.: Kobe has simply lost faith in Jerry Buss and his son, and realizes he cannot win here.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | October 31, 2007 at 06:34 PM
How can we win against Phoenix Suns?
By studying tapes of Game 3 during the playoffs. Help in switching defense for 48 minutes, seal the passing lanes of Nash, Pound Nash until he gets putverized by sending Fish, Critt and lastly Kobe. Don't assign a small and soft guard against Nast(y). If possible break his back j/k only.
Suns offense is boring all on the perimeter or a defenseless post. Be aware of that. No need of double teaming just be ready for banging and don't let anyone be open.
Lastly, practice your free throw shooting from El Segundo to Phoenix, Dream the hoop, focus on swish and then, make it happen.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 31, 2007 at 06:37 PM
Bob-
Average Joe is obviously KL and SHAQ FAN (CAPS LOCK) is Gunner...
Don't worry about it!
Laker Lover -
That is true! We have a hard time defending the paint so why not play Kwame with his size and STRENGTH and Drew with his length together.
I think we should give it a shot, they might flourish together...What the heck!
AK/BK -
Any insight why PJ plays Cook. Did you ever ask him what he likes about his game or what role he sees him in?
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | October 31, 2007 at 06:39 PM
LAKER TRUTH
did you hear what Jeff van-gundy said regarding the kobe issue?
Posted by: bob | October 31, 2007 at 06:40 PM
EX,
I know that was your argument a long time ago about the triangle. I just can't name you one right now because I'm not familiar on who are still available, I just gave you the example of the likeness of Green and Rodman. I'm sure there are players around in USA, Europe and South America who could play as power forwards. Don't be afraid in taking risks with these guys. With Warriors, nobody know Biedrins, Pietrus or this Bruin they have a heart in supporting Davis, that why they can compete on higher level but lost miserably with better team Jazz last night because of a b-dozer - Boozer. We need rugged players on the floor not afraid of Yao Ming or T-Macs. next one one will be Amare and Marion; Diaw and Barbosa and to that clothsliner...we need bangers among the Laker line up.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 31, 2007 at 06:44 PM
LAKER TRUTH -
I just saw the BSPN halftime report too. I was suprised SAS didn't come right out and say to Bill that Luke shouldn't be a starter!
Did you hear Van Gundy say that basically Kobe was playing with a bunch of scrubs? But he doesn't know as much about the game as TJ Simers and Plascke! Not to mention all of the other experts that say that Kobe doesn't make his teammates better...Amazing!
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | October 31, 2007 at 06:47 PM
AVERAGE JOE, AVERAGE JOE, AVERAGE JOE, AVERAGE JOE, AVERAGE JOE....
THOSE ARE THE CHANTS WE SING FOR YOU AVERAGE JOE. YOU ARE A BLOGGING GOD AND WE SING FOR YOU. YOUR INTELLECT, RATIONALE, , OBJECTIVITY, AND LUCIDITY IS OVERWHELMING AT TIMES, BUT ALWAYS MASTERFUL...ALWAYS ARTFUL.
I AM ONLY SO SAD THAT YOU HAVE ONLY RECENTLY JOINED THIS BLOG. YOU WOULD HAVE BATTLED KLYEAST TO THE GROUND WITH HIS KOBE HATERED. UNLIKE YOU, HE WAS UNWISE AND CLOUDED WITH SUBJECTIVITY AND HATRED.
YOU ARE THE LEADER WE NEED TO TAKE THIS BLOG TO NEW HEIGHTS. YOUR OBJECTIVITY IS INSPIRATIONALE. YOU MAKE ME WANT TO BE A BETTER BLOGGER, TO FIND THAT OBJECTIVENESS WITHIN MY SOUL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
WE ARE NOT WORTHY.....
Posted by: SHAQ FAN | October 31, 2007 at 06:47 PM
MJCMAN-
I think PJ plays him as much out of necessity sometimes as anything. Last night, for example, they were short bigs. He got some run with the second unit after Ronny went out, and then a very, very brief stint later on. That's it. His play was a large reason why Mihm ended up playing a lot of four last night. That's not something they really wanted to do, especially this early in the year. But unless they were going to have a very, very short frontcourt rotation, the guy was going to see some time.
If everyone's healthy, Cook's PT gets very spotty (that's in part why Cook gets pissy sometimes- not that he should, of course, since he doesn't deserve extended run). Generally he'll get more minutes in times when the Lakers need offense. To make a run, get some quick points, etc. Occasionally, he'll play b/c of matchups or foul trouble. But if Cook gets big minutes, something has generally gone wrong. Injuries, foul trouble, etc.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 31, 2007 at 06:55 PM
BK
Is it safe to say we need Rad Man to stay healthy so we barely have to watch Cook?
Also, what do you think of KB54 and Drew getting some burn together?
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | October 31, 2007 at 07:02 PM
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=pic+%27n+roll++basketball&y=Search&fr=yie7c&pstart=1&b=1
Nate learns from Coach K - Portland Trail Blazers
... you can learn things from people who teach basketball. ... Pic N Roll :: RE: Lamarcus Aldridge Pictures. Blazers Discussion :: RE: Injury exception granted ...www.clubblazers.com/nate-learns-from-coach-k - 32k - Cached
You made no point. Sorry it is a fact.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | October 31, 2007 at 07:10 PM
http://www.versicals.com/guest_poems_show.php?id=270
Basketball
Basketball is my favorite sport i like 2 dribble up and down the
court,
I wish i wuz drafted by the nba but in school if i get lucky i'll get there one day
Basketball iz my game im not to far frum reachin my fame.
I like slam dunks that take me to the
hoop my favorite play is the ally-hoop,
I like the pic n roll,i like the given goal its basketball yo, yo lets go!
Tell me were u in the joint the night mj scored 63 points n the lakers
won titles back-to-back
Didn’t give nobody no kind of slack
When Vince Carter came
Stuck his arm in the rim
Everbody went crazy in the whole damn gym
Dikembe Mutumbo standing tall
Playing D wit desire
Its Basketball
Name: Harp Kular
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | October 31, 2007 at 07:14 PM
MJCMAN-
It'll certainly cut into Cook's playing time, but Vlad ain't exactly a shut down guy defensively, either. Unless he picks up his game, you might not like that alternative, either. Haha.
Regarding Kwame and Bynum on the floor at the same time, in a perfect world, that's exactly how it would be.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 31, 2007 at 07:14 PM
http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?topic=722068
Well, preseason is over. The real thing starts in less than a week.
I know (or read anyway) that Phil plans on starting Kwame at the C position. After seeing Mihm, Kwame, and Bynum play in the preseason, I was wondering who you think should be our starting C.
My take:
Mihm looks slow on both ends, but does have the jumper.
Kwame provides the best post and pic n' roll defense, but is really not much of an offensive threat at all right now (he has no rhythm in the post at all right now). His rebounding is average IMO.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | October 31, 2007 at 07:16 PM