The Sundays ring in
October 14, 2007 | 9:57
am
No, not these Sundays, (Though I used to have a thing for lead singer Harriet Wheeler. Pretty, killer voice, British accent. What's not to like?), but the typing kind. Given all that went on this week with Jerry Buss on the Kobe situation, it's not surprising to see some Sunday hoops columnists weigh in on the situation.
- Mercifully, the belief in New York is that the Knicks won't be in position to make a good enough offer to the Lakers to get 24, making a trade with New York unlikely. A pipe dream for Isiah Knickerbocker fans, even. I think we can all be thankful for that.
- In Chicago, Jay Mariotti says bring Kobe in, perhaps with a deal using Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas as "centerpieces." Hate to break it to ol' Jay, but that won't send Kobe to Chicago anytime soon. Maybe if/when the Lakers reach DEFCON 5, but not right now. A trade isn't likely to happen soon anyway... if it happens at all.
- Staying in the Windy City, Sam Smith, who floats a more realistic picture of what the Lakers would want in return for Bryant, says making a deal for him is appealing, but not without risk.
- Mark Heisler writes of P.J.'s response to it all, and is strapping in for a long season.
- Utah will be players in the Kobe sweepstakes. Because Rob Pelinka is Carlos Boozer's agent, too? Umm.... no.
In an unrelated but interesting note, Jackson questions Kevin Garnett's perception of the franchise, at least in terms of why KG was leery of coming to L.A.
BK
Kobe has washed ashore on Gilligan's Island.
Mitch Cupcake is Gilligan. The bumbling GM who messes up every trade and draft pick and keeps the team stranded on an uncharted deserted island.
Jerry Buss is Thurston Howell III. The greedy millionaire who left Lovey Howell and the Lakers to chase young girls, drink and play poker. He takes no responsibility for the situation the team is in. He also has no idea that he has left the team in the hands of incompetent castaways.
Little Jimmy Buss is the Skipper who was at the helm of the SS Lakers when he stranded the team. He still believes a 19 year old with little basketball experience will rescue them. And stupidly has no faith in the Professor.
Phil Jackson is the Professor. A genius who no matter how hard he tinkers with the offense will be forever stranded due to the incompetence of Gilligan and the Skipper.
Jeanie is Mary Ann. The ingenue, pretty, innocent, sweet and a fan favorite. The one person on the island that could save them but is not taken seriously. Maybe it was the Playboy spread.
Kobe is Ginger, the Star, Mamba, Ocho, 81, Diva... He is the reason we watch the Laker show. He is why we talk about the Lakers in the off season. Kobe sells out whereever he plays. The crowds chant MVP even at the away games. Kobe is the one that gives 110 percent every game while his lackluster teammates half-heartedly watch. He is the only one who wants off the island. After three years as a castaway he is ready to abandon the rest of the crew. Can you blame him?
Keep Kobe (and maybe Turiaf but not as a starter) and let the entire cast go starting with Cupcake and Jimmy. Get Kobe off of the island. Let Jeanie bring the ship back to port. Get Jerry West back on deck. And get Kobe some shipmates with talent and heart. Without Kobe the Lakers are just another shipwreck.
Posted by: Tiki | October 14, 2007 at 10:44 AM
I had a horrible dream last night. In the dream I look at the sports section and read "LAKERS TRADE KOBE FOR SMUSH, STRAIGHT UP".
Posted by: ajax | October 14, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Mr. Nixon-
"...I will never be so blind as to not see that it was the blundering mismanagement of the Lakers front office that ended this relationship, not Kobe's opinion"
Exactly, but it should all be academic. The most blunderous aspect of this mismanagement was not having ended it much sooner, like say, a couple or so years ago.
"open your eyes people"
By the way, a Jorenema will clear that chest cavity problem.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | October 14, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Tiki,
An absolutely brilliant post. And true beyond words.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | October 14, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Is this anyway to start a season? Kobe won't back down, Jerry won't back down. Even if nothing happens, the team chemistry will suffer and affect the win column.
In the end, the house always wins. Jerry threw the season under the bus, Jim Buss. He waited until the ticket renewals were in and and bet the Laker brand is strong enough to withstand even half empty Staples Centers for a year or two.
Kobe will be fine, Jerry will be fine. The fans? Well, who cares about them?
Posted by: Vman | October 14, 2007 at 11:11 AM
Tiki - that was excellent!
Maybe in a way, this whole debacle provides an opportunity. Jackson has long enjoyed his "us against them" moments. I'm sure that once the roster is set, he'll have a team-only meeting, burn some incense and voice a purpose in the season. Kobe may well look at Buss's statements as a challenge of sorts and step up his game to an even higher level - "showing everybody". And Buss may well be counting on this.
This is Lakers high drama at its finest and the media blitz is in full frenzy already. Yay!
Dave M
Posted by: Dave M | October 14, 2007 at 11:48 AM
I AM SO SICK OF KOBE TAKING FLACK WHEN ITS THE FRONT OFFICE THAT BETRAYED HIM!!
Remember when I posted daily about "the front officce, in an attempt to return us to our former glory, today did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING." Well its WORSE now. They're doing worse than nothing. They're not only refusing to support their best asset as they promised, they're actually driving him away!
Its the Buss Boys and their puppet Kupcake that are tearing this once proud franchise apart, not Kobe. They PROMISED to build a real team around him when they resigned him, and instead traded All-Star Caron for project Kwame and passed on Boozer, J-Kidd etc to keep Baby Bynum. KG wouldn't come here because of THEM - he even said so! And with both JO and Marion stating PUBLICLY that they wanted to leave their curent teams to play here with Kobe, the Buss Boys were too cheap and/or inept to make that happen.
This front office is poison. Jerry needs to sober up and pull his head out of his latest 19 year old's p---y, fire his son and Kupcake, put Jeannie in charge with Magic as GM and Jerry West as consultant, and turn this team AROUND - not let it slip further by driving away the best player in the game.
Is it too late? IS ANYBODY LISTENING?????
Posted by: Jay Jay | October 14, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Out of topic, back to the survey.
VMan,
I just read your late post last night that you really did not vote. Perhaps, I misinterpreted when you said in one your posts that it is better to trade Kobe to the Clippers to keep him in LA. That's trade, isn't it? Anyway, there is always room for correction, which one will you choose: Trade, Retain or No Vote
Michael H.,
I am also sorry that I missed your response because all the votes were based on the posts last Friday only not the past days. This is an aftermath on Buss interview and Plasckke article. It is really a snap polling done for the Friday thread that ended at 9AM Saturday. However, if you posted last Friday and I just missed it, there is always room for correction, just give me the time when you posted it. If there was no post, your vote will be included in the "Addendum" to be submitted to Mamba24 tomorrow.
So sorry guys if I missed your names and people I admire in the blog, that's what happened when the assumed clerk is getting old. lol! I'm sure there're still adjustment on the names listed, please sound-off.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 14, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Last one was a repost.
Now Taoshum...
You say Kobe told Buss he wants to leave so we should dump him?
That's like a wife that has taken years of lying and cheating from her husband finally saying she wants out and being told by a judge the dissolution of the marriage is her fault for asking to leave.
Dude ANY player, let alone the best in the game, who was resigned then lied to and manipulated like the Busses did to Kobe would want out! The way to fix it is to CHANGE the way they've been operating - not blame him and dump him!
Posted by: Jay Jay | October 14, 2007 at 11:55 AM
While Dr Buss's comments were a surprise for a lot of people, he didnt surprise me much. We saw all of this before with Shaq, Shaq disrespected Dr Buss and he was shown the door. Kobe probably will be shown the door as well unless this team plays at a much higher level then is anticipated.
I personally want to keep Kobe. As the Bulls know, you can only get so far without a superstar. But I understand the FO's reluctance to trade for another star because Kobe never gave any indication that this would be enough for him to stay, and why trade away someone like Bynum, Lamar or Crit or all of them. if Kobe is gone anyway. I still belive a trade could come but it would probably be less costly, for an upgraded role player, not a star.
All that said. I really do not see Kobe going anywhere this year. Dr Buss waited a year to trade Shaq. I really cant see any great offers coming for Kobe at this time. All the teams that maybe players for him still believe they can win at this point. If the Bulls are crushed by Boston, or the Mavs flame again or the Suns still cant get over the hump, all possibilities, then you might see more aggressive trade proposals for Kobe. And if we have a good year, who knows, winning heals a lot of wounds.
MH
Posted by: michael h | October 14, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Aloha Edwin,
No worries. While I do want to retain Kobe my last few posts have been a pros and con of each side and really not that easy to catch clearly.
MH
Posted by: michael h | October 14, 2007 at 12:03 PM
TIKI,
Off the hook! Great post.......These are the times I realize WHY I am on this site everyday lol
Posted by: blaze1bx | October 14, 2007 at 12:13 PM
vman
"Is this anyway to start a season? Kobe won't back down, Jerry won't back down. Even if nothing happens, the team chemistry will suffer and affect the win column."
Lakers will be fine WITH OR WITHOUT the Malcontent.
My only wish is that Buss and company won't be fooled again like back in 2004 when kobe convinced Buss that the laker franchise is better without shaq and deal kobe ONLY IF IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE LAKERS.....screw kobe.
if it means firing Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss, so be it.
if it means, putting kobe on leave with pay so be it.
Let our young guys play and leave the drama for Day of Our Lives.
Kobe is the centerpiece of TOO MUCH DRAMA FOR YOUR MAMA.
I knew this was an inevitable outcome once shaq was traded away.
Kobe is a Kancer who has grown more malicious over the years.
Posted by: KL | October 14, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Jay Jay
"I AM SO SICK OF KOBE TAKING FLACK WHEN ITS THE FRONT OFFICE THAT BETRAYED HIM!!"
first all, i respect that your an alledged "long time laker fan", but you're full of shizzle.
Also, i don't need to read 100% of your post to know that your full of itsh.
Management didn't screw over kobe, kobe screwed over management and the laker fans. Please take a moment and pull your head out of kobe's ass. You're a kobe loyalist pretending to be a laker fan. admit it. i can smell you a mile away.
management has sided with the Malcontent over and over again, and the Selfish One only cares about HIS INDIVIDUAL LEGACY.
Posted by: KL | October 14, 2007 at 12:34 PM
JOURNAL OF NICKNAMES FOR KOBE AND KOBE DISCIPLES
Kobe Bryant is the:
Big Whiner
Big Pluto
Big Charlatan
Big Loser
Big Malcontent
Big Narcist
Big Rat
Big Snake
Big Mambo, Mambo#8, Mambo#24
Big Tito Jackson, LaToya Jackson
Big Faker
Big Blamer
Big Finger Pointer
Big Dumb Ass
Big Backstabber
Big Pippen Wannabe
Big Dominic Wannabe
Big Drama Queen
Big Irrelevant (credit to Gunner24)
Big Crybaby
Big Envy
Big Green with Envy
Big “Be Like Mike”
Big $3Million Dollar “to Make You Holler” Ring
Big “Trade Me, Don’t Trade Me, Trade Me Again”
Big Waffle
Big “Right Now”
Big Jerkoff
Big A-hole
Big Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton
Big Diva
Big KBiatch
Big Primadonna
Big Liar
Big Tantrum
Big Poison
Big Selfish
Big Loner
Big Anti-LBJ and Anti-Wade
Big Unnatural Elbow
Big Dirty Player
Big Love Me, Hate Me Stupid Nike Ad
Big Cheater
Big Adulterer
Most Selfish Ever
Great Individual (credit to Maleke)
Big Self Loather
Big Unhappy
Big Insatiable
Big Conceited
Big Prick (credit to Waterboy)
Big Bad Apple
Big Transparent
Big Dynasty Killer
Big No KG
Big No Bulls
Big Text Message
Kobe Disciples are:
Kobe Apologist=Kobe's Toilet=Kobe’s T
Mitchell=Kobe’s Agent=Jerry McGuire
LakerTom=KobeTom
Ric Bucher=Kobe’s Puppet Not Named Mitchell=Kobe’s Whipping Boy
Jay Jay
Cbuck
Posted by: KL | October 14, 2007 at 12:40 PM
c'mon peoples!!! It takes a therapist to sort through this. Buss is obviously pained by his prodigal son Kobe, whom he promised delights under the christmas tree. If iMJ is the template, then Kobe has a good 6 or 7 years to win. Actually, Buss comments are smart, but best kept out of public domain. By uttering the bottom line, he has engaged the egos of others and bruised the situation further. This is where Phil has to take the boiling pot and stir it correctly. That is why the Lakers pay him dearly.
Now if the Lakers perform all out but flail in the first round, then it all goes to hell. If they advance and see potential then it is salvagable. The irony is that Kobe's supporting cast, save Lamar and a couple others, would have never felt what it takes to win a title. Kobe lit the fire and its up to those players to prove Buss's son was right in picking them. Its on Bynum really.
go lakers
Posted by: brian patrick | October 14, 2007 at 12:41 PM
KL -
Yeah I'm a Kobe loyalist. Because he's the best player in the game AND the ONLY chance we have of restoring our former glory and winning a championship sometime in this decade.
I was a Magic loyalist. I was a Kareem loyalist. I'm a Phil loyalist. I'm loyal to ANYONE that can help the Lakers win a title again.
And - plain and simple - the bumbling self serving owner and his son and puppet are NOT in that category - and haven't been any time in the last three years. End of story.
Posted by: Jay Jay | October 14, 2007 at 12:46 PM
After further review: This is my conclusion on the Jerry Buss interview.
It was inevitable that Dr. Buss had to make a strong statement like he did about Kobe. He's the owner of the team, which is a business. What he did is what he had to do. And what he had to do was to rebuke Kobe for calling him an idiot. It was a smart thing Dr. Buss did because he got it out of the way sooner rather than later. He dealt with it before we got out of Hawii, which was the smart thing to do.
Right, wrong or whatever Kobe Bryant had a rebuke coming and that just the way it is. Employees don't get to call their employers idiots in public and expect to keep their jobs with the company. When Kobe didn't add "fuel" to the fire it was his way of accepting responsiblity.
It's unfortunate that somebody had to secretly record Kobe venting his frustration. That stuff is normal. An employee venting against his employer is normal. What isn't normal is having someone record it secretly and then put it out to the public. Jerry Buss had no other alternative but to rebuke Kobe in public.
I doubt very seriously that Kobe is going anywhere this year. Again, Jerry did what he had to do and he did it quickly...before the regular season starts. Very very smart on his part.
Sometime before or during the season I think Kobe needs to make a public apology to Dr. Buss. That way if fences are to be mended Dr. Buss will have no problem keeping Kobe around.
Winning cures all...but disrespecting the owner is something that winning may not be able to cure without an apology.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | October 14, 2007 at 01:03 PM
Tiki, that was creatively done. props to you, is it OK to include you on retaining Kobe under the Addendum survey?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 14, 2007 at 01:07 PM
KL,
When you say, "Let our young guys play and leave the drama for Day of Our Lives" I have to wonder what you think the outcome of the season would be without a serious scorer.
None of us on this blog, I believe, have any taste for the drama. You must concede that from Media Day until Dr. Buss spoke out that the drama, at least publicly, had subsided.
As Dr. Buss has admitted, not a single team in the NBA has come forward with a worthy trade proposal.
If you truly abhor the drama, the best thing you can do is to help things cool off by limiting your incendiary posts. Make a positive contribution to the return of sanity so that the focus can turn back to basketball.
There's no indication yet that the play of our young guys will be anything except inconsistent. Not that they can't contribute valuable minutes. They will.
But the heavy lifting, especially in the early going against some of the tougher teams will have to be handled by the vets -- Kobe, D-Fish, Mihm, and Lamar.
Nothing that happens will change your opinion of Kobe. That's fine. The likelihood is enormous that all will play out the way you'd like it to by next summer or sooner.
But if you refuse to accept that the ownership and management have totally screwed up the franchise, I have to tell you that you're not being honest with yourself. To be sure, Kobe's no saint; but Buss, Buss and Kupchak are certainly sinners.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | October 14, 2007 at 01:14 PM
Edwin
No worries, appreciate your effort which on behalf of the fans which has also been the main talking point of my posts. It's the fans that are taking this beating and paying for it at the Staples box office.
Not sure is matters anymore but my preference would have been plan A, build around Kobe. We're a couple of pieces away from "all the way" with that plan.
An odd collection of fringe all stars trying to learn the triangle after Phil's been retained, is not going to do any better than all the other teams with that same makeup. SA has Tim, Miami has Wade and that other player.
Ya need a "go to" guy. Yeah, this is the point that Detroit is always mentioned. IF I'm not mistaken, they sent 4 players to the all star game that one year. How ya think the Lakers would be with 3 all stars and Kobe?
Posted by: Vman | October 14, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Stemming from yoga practice overload, I've been doing my best to adapt a non-judgmental attitute. As such, I've refrained from sending criticism. But, I believe you gentlemen have a fantastic opportunity to do more with this blog. Perhaps there are external events I'm unaware; if so, apologies.
As much as Lakers fans are starved for unmined tidbits of their team, this blog does not offer much. If I typed "Lakers" into a Google search engine, and hit the news tab, I've got your column (with special emphasis on articles from the LA Times). There is neither the appeal of an insider or some other good-content perspective (eg super-passionate fan who does not sleep through preseason games, so us snoozers go to his blog because we do). You're flying to New York is a column? At the beginning of when most internet news hounds are just getting riled up! Does the LA Times take Blogging seriously? How can an LA Times blog be from outsiders? Does not working for an institution get you access?
Nonetheless, thank you for the links.
Posted by: Eman Laerton | October 14, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Stemming from yoga practice overload, I've been doing my best to adapt a non-judgmental attitute. As such, I've refrained from sending criticism. But, I believe you gentlemen have a fantastic opportunity to do more with this blog. Perhaps there are external events I'm unaware; if so, apologies.
As much as Lakers fans are starved for unmined tidbits of their team, this blog does not offer much. If I typed "Lakers" into a Google search engine, and hit the news tab, I've got your column (with special emphasis on articles from the LA Times). There is neither the appeal of an insider or some other good-content perspective (eg super-passionate fan who does not sleep through preseason games, so us snoozers go to his blog because we do). You're flying to New York is a column? At the beginning of when most internet news hounds are just getting riled up! Does the LA Times take Blogging seriously? How can an LA Times blog be from outsiders? Does not working for an institution get you access?
Nonetheless, thank you for the links.
Posted by: Eman Laerton | October 14, 2007 at 01:19 PM
PLEASE READ:
"Last week, Kevin Garnett told The Times that, despite the fact he has a home in Malibu, he didn't want to depend on a Lakers front office he saw as INEFFECTIVE.
Is his a lone voice, or is the perception of a DYSFUNCTIONAL organization, fueled by an off-season of finger-pointing and a FAILURE to make a meaningful move, more widespread, perhaps discouraging other big names from seeking a Lakers roster spot?
Comparing the LAKERS TO HIS FORMER TEAM, the Minnesota Timberwolves, who weren't able to provide him with sufficient help, Garnett, now a Boston Celtic, said, "I knew I didn't want to deal with that. I didn't want to duplicate that. I didn't want to MIMIC that."
THIS FRONT OFFICE IS A DYSFUNCTIONAL GROUP OF MORONS.
WE ARE BECOMING THE TWOLVES.
DESPITE THE ATTEMPTS BY THE FRONT OFFICE PR DEPARTMENT AND THE LA TIMES, THE SECRET IS OUT.
JERRY WEST KNEW IT WHEN HE LEFT. SHAQ KNEW IT. KOBE KNOWS IT. ALL THE PLAYERS NOW KNOW IT.
TRADING KOBE WILL NOT SOLVE ANYTHING.
FANS MUST UNITE AND DEMAND CHANGES FROM THE FRONT OFFICE. THE LAKER MYSTIQUE, REPUTATION AND LUSTER ARE GONE. NO SUPERSTAR (WHO WANTS TO WIN RINGS) WILL WANT TO PLAY FOR JIM BUSS.
THE FRONT OFFICE MUST RESTORE THEIR REPUTATION ASAP.
GET KOBE SOME FREAKIN HELP!!
TRADE THE 19 YEAR OLD PROJECT WHILE HE STILL HAS SOME VALUE, BEFORE HE IS COMPLETELY EXPOSED.
THE FRONT OFFICE MUST ANNOUNCE THRU THEIR ACTIONS THAT THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WINNING, NOT ONLY TO KOBE, BUT TO THE REST OF THE PLAYERS (FUTURE FREE AGENTS) IN THE LEAGUE.
THERE IS STILL TIME, THERE IS STILL HOPE. BUT POINTING THE FINGER AT KOBE WILL NOT SOLVE ANYTHING.
EITHER THE FRONT OFFICE NEEDS TO CHANGE THEIR MINDSET, OR JERRY BUSS NEEDS TO REPLACE JIM WITH A COMPETENT GM (AS KOBE FIRST DEMANDED) WITH "FULL AUTHORITY". REPEAT "FULL AUTHORITY".
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | October 14, 2007 at 01:33 PM
and the award for most entertaining gilligan island metaphor goes to...
Tiki... very nice job.
and VMan, always a pleasure to read.
and ajax, that's not a bad dream, that's a bloody nightmare. whatever you did last night to conjure up those horrible thoughts, please, i beg you, never do it again
Posted by: CBuck | October 14, 2007 at 01:46 PM
That article by Sam Smith was really really good. Opened some eyes that perhaps the Bulls would be willing to give up someone like Deng, if they could keep Heinrich.
Here's a weird idea that doesnt seem so dumb:
Try this trade first:
Lakers get:
Gordon, Deng, Wallace, #1 pick
Bulls get:
Bryant, Mohammed
Pistons get:
Miihm
Pistons are willing to give up a big contract. Bulls replace Wallace with Mohammed. Lakers get Deng and Gordon, the future.
Than follow it up with this move:
Lakers get:
Jermaine O'neal, Granger
Pacers get:
Bynum, Odom, Farmar, Evans
Then,
Lakers get: R.Davis, Jaric
Wolves get: Kwame
Lakers new line up
C Wallace/ Turiaf
PF O'neal/Radmanavic
SF Deng/Walton
SG Granger/Davis
PG Gordon/Fisher/Crittenton
I'm sorry but Kobe wouldnt sniff the hoop against that team.
So here's the irony. They could trade Bynum and Farmar and stay young, if they could grab Granger from the Pacers and Deng from the Bulls. Gordon is the same age as Okafor. That is a future backcourt.
Where we would get much older is in the post, so this is a possible concern. But JO could play Center too, so a good system of rotation could keep them both fresh.
Where we also keep our assets is having Gordon and Crittenton. They both can play PG, so we could trade Gordon for a young post player if we can nap one in the draft (Roy Hibbert??)
perhaps than in a few years we're running out this line up...plus a zillion dollars that we gain when we lose O'neal and Wallace
C Hibbert
PF Turiaf
SF Deng
SG Granger
PG Crittenton
Its a thought, and if I were GM Id gamble on a big plan like this.
Posted by: The Lake Show | October 14, 2007 at 01:48 PM
If PJ doesn't know where KG got his information from then he hasn't heard or seen transcripts of Kobe's rants earlier in the summer. A lot of us personally heard Kobe call the front office a "mess" on the radio. Even if KG and Kobe never spoke, Kobe's words are out there and would be reason enough for KG to say what he said.
Look at it for KG's point-of-view. A franchise player just called his front office a mess. KG may have been way more professional about it, but he did the same thing to the Minny front office. If he sympathizes at all with Kobe's situation, then the last thing he'd want to do is join it.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 14, 2007 at 01:56 PM
There's too much drama on this blog before the season has even begun.
True fans hold fast.
Hold fast.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 14, 2007 at 02:10 PM
I can't wait to see how badly Mitch gets burnt in this Kobe trade.
Not only will he not get the Bulls best player (deng) in the deal, I doubt he'll get their second best player (Gordon) either.
Just like the Miami deal we're shipping out out best and not ven trying to get similar value in return.
With Kobe gone, maybe we'll have enough money to re-sign Kwame to a long term deal, maybe something starting at 15 million a year and ending at 20 million per.
Can't wait.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | October 14, 2007 at 02:20 PM
Tiki,
Very nice post.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | October 14, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Hey Sonny,
Any room for an ex-Lakers fan in the Kingdom?
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | October 14, 2007 at 02:25 PM
Lake Show-
As of right now, all reports say the Bulls aren't willing to part with Deng for sure, and likely not Hinrich. Most of the rumors you hear tossed around involve Thomas and Gordon, with other guys thrown in. If that's the deal they could get now, they might as well wait and see what happens down the road, because even with a pick, etc. I don't see that as a deal you have to jump at. That'll be there later on.
I also don't love the idea of picking up Wallace. 14-15 mil through '09-'10? That would make me nervous. Plus, he'll eat up any cap flexibility they might gain moving Kobe (especially when you consider who they'll have to extend among the players they get back from Chicago).
This is a very, very easy trade to botch, especially given all the obstacles they'd have if indeed they had to move Kobe. They might have to take 50 cents on the dollar in the end, but there's no need to start there now. If Chicago was to include Deng, Hirich, etc. (the players Smith discussed) it would be a different story.
I'd keep an eye on Dallas. If by chance the Lakers would be willing to trade Kobe there, keeping him in the conference, I'd be really interested to know what Mark Cuban would give up.
But like I've said before, they're not moving Kobe anytime soon.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 14, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Mike T...I have to disagree with you.Kobe Bryant should not be venting in parking lots...fullstop...or as you say 'period'
I'm still of the opinion it just takes more time...look at Jordan and the bulls was it 9 seasons to break through? and it wasnt becasue Jordan wasnt good enough...however much you hear about Phil Jackson changing his game (Mike I know your feeling it here boi)
Kobe wants to play in the east and go to a team that looks like it could contend to me this is the soft option and disapoints me...as some writer said...he's throwing away any possibility of surpassing Jordan...thats unkobe to me.
The bulls are never going to win with their team...they should be doing whatever they can to get Kobe right now....any trade minus Wallace I'd say
Posted by: Kiwi | October 14, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Jon Kavulic
The fans are holding fast, they're still fans. If you mean by fans, be quiet no matter who Jerry puts in charge or trades, that sounds like a dispassionate, not passionate fan.
Why are some fans upset? Because there's no mistaking Mr Buss just told all he's looking for a deal to trade Kobe Bryant, at present, Mr Laker. He's no longer looking to build around Mr Laker.
That would upset most true fans. You almost ripped the throat out of a Russian because we were about to lose till D Fish stepped up. I'm sure we all hope for the best but we've been here before recently and it's deja vu all over. True fans shouldn't just silently file through the double scale ticket turnstile if they don't like what the owner is doing to the show.
Posted by: Vman | October 14, 2007 at 02:47 PM
KL-- why the chip on your shoulder re Kobe... was the girl gone wild in colorado your daughter or something?
btw: jerry west was pushed out bc of Buss; so was Shaq. Guess what that means, the problem is just as much Buss as it is Kobe; and at this point, probably more of the blame should fall on Buss.
Posted by: fullctpress | October 14, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Edwin
I am on the "Kobe, Laker for life" bandwagon.
Posted by: Tiki | October 14, 2007 at 03:42 PM
do the deal - Kobe for Chris Bosh plus Bargniani. This is the only deal the Lakers should make.
Posted by: El Papi Grande | October 14, 2007 at 03:56 PM
All,
IF the Lakers are contenders this year, then Jerry Buss didn't lie, and winning cures everything.
IF the Lakers are busts, once again. Then...
I can't bring myself to say it.
But, that means Kobe staying depends on a bunch of scrub finally fulfilling some of their potential all at the same time.
Dubious, at best.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | October 14, 2007 at 04:01 PM
VMan,
Alright. I see your perspective on things. I still think that everyone is panicking and that the panic is unncessary... for now.
Michael T. (curse his name) somehow made good point:
"Winning cures everything."
I firmly believe that this year's team is significantly better than last year's team. Has everyone forgotten that last year's team was downright impressive at times and there was a lot of talk on this blog about our team being able to reach the Western Conference Finals BEFORE the injury bug (in last year's case--PLAGUE) hit us?
As a young team, a year of maturation is a big deal and the weakest link on our team--Smush--has been replaced with Derek Fisher and The Critter.
I personally see no need to panic and Jerry Buss for whatever Jacksonian mind-games he may be playing is not going to trade Kobe Bryant if we're winning. PERIOD! It's not happening.
So, let's stop panicking or calling Kobe (one of the Greatest Lakers of all time) the anti-Christ because none of these characterizations are appropriate.
Let's approach these things rationally and keep our heads in the game, so to speak.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 14, 2007 at 04:03 PM
By the way, what we should be talking about is bringing back Jerry West into the organization, if only as a high-level advisor.
We need Jerry West's genius back supporting the Purple and Gold.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 14, 2007 at 04:05 PM
... Here on Gilligan's Isle.
Todays episode.
Mr. Howell decides he wants Ginger off the island. The hilarity begins when the Skipper and his Little Buddy test the waters for a trade.
Posted by: Tiki | October 14, 2007 at 05:12 PM
Tiki,
I share the sentiments of the bloggers. Great post and very wishful thinking. I understand Jerry Buss posturing, however I feel the timing is bad. Oh well.
I cant help but speculate trade talks. I will try my best not to even propose trades because the poision is the FO.
In the mean time I will be an avid reader on the blog till the regular season starts. I definitely admire the crew of bloggers and their entries on a sunday.
For now, keep Kobe and let the tide turn. I hope this will not be the last year of having #24 and PJ. We just need to throw out Jim Buss and hire someone like Colangelo, Buford (Spurs), or have the LOGO back.
Have a great sunday guys.....
Charles
Posted by: Charles | October 14, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Ajax,
"I had a horrible dream last night. In the dream I look at the sports section and read "LAKERS TRADE KOBE FOR SMUSH, STRAIGHT UP". "
Which was worst, Kobe gone or Smush back?
On Jerry West - isn't it PJ he can't get along with? PJ who asked him to leave the locker room during halftime so he can talk to HIS team. Doubt he'll consider coming back till PJ retires.
Posted by: p ang | October 14, 2007 at 05:30 PM
jay jay,
"I AM SO SICK OF KOBE TAKING FLACK WHEN ITS THE FRONT OFFICE THAT BETRAYED HIM!!"
Please take the blinders off!!
We're in this mess because of Kobiatch's selfish ploy to sit on the fence until Shaq was out. Had he signed quickly, Lakers could have spent a few more week possibly months working out a better deal.
This is why i never supported this prick and that's why i place blame on him for why the Lakers are in this mess right now. And now he just wants to walk off and be traded like he wasn't part of the reason why the team is the way it is today.
Let him rot on the bench until his contract runs out. No handouts for the Malcontent!
Posted by: Gunner24 | October 14, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Eman Laerton or not real name backwards,
The K Bros do a great job with this blog. The combination of providing links to the Lakers news of the day and publishing interviews (both text and audio) with players that you can't find anywhere else makes it the one stop shop for any Lakers fan. There is no other more comprehensive source of Lakers information.
Any article that may seem less newsworthy (like them letting us know they're going to NYC) or retreads of stories we already know, just serves the purpose of resetting the comments since it's more like a message board than fans reacting specifically to the post itself.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 14, 2007 at 05:34 PM
jay jay
"I AM SO SICK OF KOBE TAKING FLACK WHEN ITS THE FRONT OFFICE THAT BETRAYED HIM!!"
Please take the blinders off!!
We're in this mess because of Kobiatch's selfish ploy to sit on the fence until Shaq was out. Had he signed quickly, Lakers could have spent a few more week possibly months working out a better deal.
This is why i never supported this prick and that's why i place blame on him for why the Lakers are in this mess right now. And now he just wants to walk off and be traded like he wasn't part of the reason why the team is the way it is today.
Let him rot on the bench until his contract runs out. No handouts for the Malcontent!
Posted by: Gunner24 | October 14, 2007 at 05:37 PM
west wants nothing to do with the lakers....it just aint happening. move on.
Posted by: the WOLF | October 14, 2007 at 06:32 PM
Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, a first-round draft pick and either Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah.
I love Kobe, but if Chicago gave all that up to get him they would be incredibly stupid. The point of trading for Kobe would be to add the final piece to the championship puzzle, not destroying the team and ending up in the same boat the Lakers are in now. Chicago will NEVER include Deng in the trade for Kobe(or at least they shouldn't) because him and Kobe TOGETHER will put Chicago over the top. The package Chicago would offer would probably be similar to this: a resigned Gordon, Thomas, Sefelosha, and a couple first round picks. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but you probably need a few more throw in players to make it work.
Posted by: Weave-Man | October 14, 2007 at 06:43 PM
If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to check out J-Crit's blog:
http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/071005_postcards_javariscrittenton.html
Highlights...
ON D-FISH: "He’s a great guy and a great teammate. He’s just a helpful, down to earth type of guy, just the type of guy you love to be around. He’s been a real good friend."
ON KOBE: "Kobe’s been helping me with the offense and the defense."
ON PLAYING DEFENSE: "Everyone is still focused on defense too. Coach mentioned earlier when we first got out here that that was one of the major turning points to last season, when we stopped playing tough defense. So we’ve been focusing on it a lot."
Sounds like the players are trying to focus on the right things. Now, if only the front office can shut-the-f*** up, maybe the Lakers can get it together
over the next two weeks and start playing some good basketball.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | October 14, 2007 at 07:40 PM
Mr. Nixon,
I like the idea of fans sticking by their teams, win or lose. Fans who are obsessed with being the "champion" generally choose big market teams, ie; New York, Chicago, Fairly Land, etc. because those regions typically spend more money, offer more hype and exposure, and thus attract more superstars.
And yes, the Kingdom would welcome you. I personally like what our FO is doing, am excited about our youngsters (Williams, Douby, Garcia & Martin) and believe we are sorely underestimated, which is fine; nothing new.
Or, you can double your pleasure (or pain, depending on how you view it) and be a fan of more than one team. I am.
But I am completely done with the Lakers and will remain so for as long as this 12 year old megalomaniac is propped up as their leader.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | October 14, 2007 at 07:46 PM