Couple more of these, and folks'll be gettin' awful excited
Given how well they played on the floor and off each other, nobody would blame Jordan Farmar and Andrew Bynum for tipping back a few after L.A.'s 119-109 win Sunday night over the Jazz at Staples. Nobody, of course, except for the police, since neither player is of age. Mere kids. But Bynum (15 points, nine boards) and Farmar (12 points, four dimes) looked awfully man-ish against the Jazz, lifting the second unit and the Lakers in a big way and pushing the team through the fourth quarter (18 points combined). Toss in a healthy dose of defense, excellent sharing of the rock and top-notch play on both ends from Kobe Bryant -- his fourth-quarter block of Andre Kirilenko's dunk attempt (here's the video if you missed it) almost made folks forget about his 33 points on 13-19 from the floor -- and it was a second memorable night for the purple and gold in three tries.
After the game, there was talk of the Lakers playing the "right way." Hard to argue. The box shows the Lakers out-rebounded, out-assisted, out-shot, out-blocked and outplayed the Jazz.
In other news, Vlad Radmanovic, after what can be described only as (and this is being nice, mind you) a lost season, is working hard to redeem himself. So far, so good. But as it's been throughout his career, consistency will be an issue going forward for Vladdy. Among the centers, health and injury is still dictating to a large degree who plays and when. Both Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm are in a place where
it's easier for them to warm up and go, rather than let their ankles tighten up.
Apparently, Ric Bucher's notion that the Pistons were players in the Kobe Sweepstakes was not news to the ears of Joe Dumars. Also an interesting item in there about the potential for the Kings to blow it up and start over, which could make them more apt to deal useful players down the road. Right now, though, Kobe's not talking about any trade possibilities, the future or really much of anything, but he is bringing it on the court.
Certainly his words about Bynum were nicer on Sunday than, say, this summer. No doubt the improvement of Drew (and the other young 'uns) has the potential to be an x-factor for L.A. this year. 17 won't celebrate one very good performance, though. By now, he knows it's about the long haul.
Ex,
There's also another way to look at it. Yes, Houston has a new coach they had to adjust to. But I'd contend that having all this Kobe controversy is more inhibiting than that. And Houston played a terrible first quarter, but for the most part we played a terrible game, highlighted by Kobe missing 9 free throws. And let's not forget that LO, who will create matchup problems didn't play either.
I agree that playing on the second nights of a back to back is tough, but everyone has to do that and you just deal with it. And personally, I'd rather play on the second night of a back to back than not have my second best player. I'm not saying we're world beaters, but you have to take the good and the bad into account.
Some fans are only taking the good, others are only taking the bad. Let's look at both and see where the season takes us.
Posted by: Xodus | November 05, 2007 at 08:36 AM
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LAKER FANS THIS IS MY APOLOGY TO MITCH KUPCHAK
NOVEMBER 5 2007 GET IT DONE MTICH PART 1 & 2
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GET IT DONE MITCH – REVISON 3.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get it done Mitch, get it done fast
Not signing the Matrix could mean your @ss
Get it done Mitch and not just for us
Get it done Mitch
You’re running out of trust
Get it done Mitch, I’m not taking sides
Get it done Mitch
Damn, have you no pride
You had a chance to get Jason the Kid
But Jim Buss said no and you ran and hid
You Once played with legends, Like Kareem and Magic
Now Jim Buss gives you orders
Man that’s so damn tragic
I know you wanted to sign the great KG
But couldn’t be cause of that addict, yeah you jimmy
Just tell JimMY to say no to drugs
Then sign The Matrix and give him a hug
Take young Bynum and ship his @ss
Send a jet so JO can get here fast
Get it done Mitch, This is our last cry
If you don’t get it done Mitch
Not Just Kobe will be saying goodbye
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MITCH GOT IT DONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mitch got it done, he got it done so fast
The Freaking Lakers ended up stomping the Sun’s @ss
Mitch got dot done, He got it done for us
And not for that creep named Jimmy Buss
Mitch got it done, without taking sides
And showed everyone what really is Laker Pride
He had a chance to get Jason the Kidd
But he stuck with Bynum aren’t you glad he did
Yeah he once played with legends like Kareen and Magic
But he stuck with this roster that’s giving us a kick
I know you wanted to sign the great KG
But screw garnett, We’ll take our chances with AD
Don’t worry about Jimmy and what’s up with drugs
To hell with the Matrix Thank god LO is still here to hug.
Take young Bynum and Keep his @ss
Send a jet and tell JO, sorry we got to pass
Mitch got it done, You hear me this is the new cry
And because Mitch got it done, season tickets I will buy
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
CALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
(1) FAITH, MIKE T. TALIQ, Edwin Gueco,, KEIFO, Mamba24Fan4Life, Fan of Mamba, Wolf, Man
KIWI, WOW, PEACE, J_COOL, DAVID WHANG, ADAM KILEY, LAKERSRYDEORDIE, CLEON
FISH_GUY,TIM-4-SHOW, THA_ SHOW, WESJOENIXON, BAYWOOD, THE_D, SBPIMP, DAXMDD
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, CALI KING, RICK FRIEDMAN,THIRTY2, EXHELODRVR,
GENERIC_ONE, TWOODY, JJ, AJAX, MITCHELL., LAKERTOM, LAKERFAN, CHARLES,
KHANG VMAN, KOREY, XTRO, MCGARNAGLE, GUGY, GDChild,Laker4Life, Laker Sth
KL BEAST, Jorema, FearlessWhackJob, MARTY, JANDRO, LAKERFAZE, PhxLkrFAN,
TexasLaker, BOB, TreacherousBalloons, EagleBoy, JR., EASTCOASTJESSIE, Zakee,
Tully Moxness, KobeRocks, David Peterson, centralk, 244Life, SamII, vi lakerfan, Adamax
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FKILLAH, CYRUS(VENTRILIQUIST), RespectMyAuthorith, Waterboy, Hariyahu, HUBBIT
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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,GiantSquid
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, Thi
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, Man,
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, B4hoops
Marc Gasol, Sun Yue, Shamond, Williams, Ronny Turiaf, V. Radmanovic, Jennifer
Maurice Evans, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Luke Walton, Brian Cook, KOBES T.
Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum, Coby Karl, Chris Mihm, Sasha Vujacic
Jordan Farmar, Jarvis Critterton, JERMAINE ONEAL???, Larry Fulcher
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 WILL EVER CONQUER OR DIVIDE US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 05, 2007 at 08:38 AM
The D
>>>I'm no psychotherapist... but does Kobe appear to have "let go" a bit?
I posted a couple of month ago, that with the whole summer drama Kobe relinquished his leadership of this team. "These guys suck, I aint doin' this no mo"
NBA may be big business, but it's still a game and you can't be very good unless you enjoy playing the game. The past 3 years Kobe's Boys enjoyed setting picks for Kob about as much as Saddam's palace serfs enjoyed giving Saddam foot massages.
Did Farmar really thank Kob for letting "them" play with him? I gotta look that up. Classic indeed.
Posted by: HAB | November 05, 2007 at 09:09 AM
only 53 more wins to go and im a psychic once again...
this is lakers basketball
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: David Whang | November 05, 2007 at 09:17 AM
HAB,
"id Farmar really thank Kob for letting "them" play with him? I gotta look that up. Classic indeed."
NO, No, NO! HAB, What Farmar said was thank you Kobe for stop playing those mind games with us. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 05, 2007 at 09:18 AM
yay! we won! *happy happy*
Posted by: dxtah | November 05, 2007 at 09:20 AM
DAVID WHANG,
" only 53 more wins to go and im a psychic once again... this is lakers basketball"
David Whang we owe these wins to you and your positive energy.
When every one else had their doubts, along came David with his
55 win prediction. Don't stop believing David we could learn a
lot from you
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 05, 2007 at 09:25 AM
Mike Teniente,
"I'm the real deal."
Folks don't get it twisted. Mike T is the real deal!
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 05, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Go Lakers!
Go Haters! Go away that is.....
We should be 3-0 right now. Wait until we get our LO7 back! We are going to slip right under the radar and once the western conf. takes notice, it will be too late!
Let's make them take note!!
janaya
Posted by: janaya | November 05, 2007 at 09:33 AM
I love how small statistical samples distort things.
Sasha Vujacic currently has a PER of 29.01, second only to Bynum's 29.76
on the Lakers.
Sasha and Bynum - the BEASTS of the Lakers
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 05, 2007 at 09:33 AM
Its not that Kobes finally letting his teamates play with him. Its that his teamates are finally ABLE to play. Not just with Kobe but able to play. In the past kobe would pass the ball to etheir get it back or someone else miss an ugly jumper. Now the ball is getting kicked around like its supposed to in the triangle and that good to see because with so many cutters and passes the triangle is a really hard offense to defend. Especially when ur center can catch and dunk the ball or pass it back out. Something Kwame cant and Andrew Bynum does quite well actully.
Posted by: Steve From New Jersey | November 05, 2007 at 09:34 AM
Winning is the cure for everything! Great game! 2 -1!
Posted by: lakerfaze | November 05, 2007 at 09:36 AM
Wow
Two well played games by the whole team, I don't know maybe Dallas; Chicago are kicking themselves now and I guess Kobe had a reason for no trade clause
If these guys kept this up Deng could come to Lakes next year or trading deadline?
Posted by: PK-IN-THE-MESA | November 05, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Ak/Bk,
What do think changed with the team? Is there a media insiders perspective or angle you guys can offer about the great defensive effort and team play?
Thanks and have a great week everybody!
Charles
Posted by: Charles | November 05, 2007 at 09:39 AM
The whole "I want to be traded" and "ship his ass to New Jersey stuff" this
summer was a ruse. It was all a motivational tool cooked up by Kobe and
Phil to motivate the Lakers players to play up to their potential.
Now Bynum, Farmar, and Turiaf have taken it up to a much higher level. Heck,
even Sasha looks like a legitimate player. Ok, so Cook was beyond help and
Mihm is still not fully recovered, but other than that, Kobe sure makes his
teammates better.
Yeah, that's what it was.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 05, 2007 at 09:41 AM
THE (DIFF) BETWEEN THIS YEAR LAKERS...........AN LAST YEAR LAKERS .........MINUTES ARE NOT GETTING SOAKED DOWN BYE
SMUSH
COOK
NOW FISHER
RONNY T ARE TAKING OVER THOSE MINUTES.........A HEALTHY LAMAR........PUTS COOK ON THE BENCH ALL TOGETHER..........AN IN FRONT OF THE BUS SEATING 3 TO A SEAT WITH THE REST OF THE FRESHMEN............IM COOL RIGHT NOW..............AN WHAT ABOUT NEXT YEAR WHEN JO OPT'S OUT HIS CONTRACT..............IMAGINE
FISHER
KOBE
LO
JO
CHRIS M..........BECAUSE I STILL WANT DREW ON THE SECOND SQUAD
FARMAR
LUKE
VLAD
RONNY T
DREW..........WOW.......WERE SET FOR THE NEXT 10-15 YEARS
HAPPY TO A LAKER FAN AGAIN..........A GUESS THE FO KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING
Posted by: COMPTON'S FINEST | November 05, 2007 at 09:45 AM
Mike T
Since you're the "Real Deal". Can I get one of your Grills??? http://www.realdealgrill.com/
Can you cook ear on that thing??
Posted by: Louis | November 05, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Long time Laker Fan,
I knew Sasha should be getting more PT. Get him 35 minutes a game and we win 60.
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 05, 2007 at 09:55 AM
i have to admit i was one of those who didn't see signing Fisher as a significant move in the offseason. i remembered him as a solid role player, but not much more than that. i have been really impressed with Fisher in the last couple of games. If he can bring it like this every night, we may have a much better team than i expected. Joel Meyers mentioned what an upgrade Fisher was over Parker during Friday's telecast, and while i was expecting better than Parker, I didn't expect to see Nash get out worked and out played by Fisher in the later years of his career. So, when i'm wrong, i'm wrong, and my if Fish can keep it up, i hope to be wrong all the way to the western conference finals.
Posted by: dustin b | November 05, 2007 at 09:57 AM
-SMUSH WATCH-
From the Heat blog:
"That Smush Parker signing isn't looking too good right about now. By rule, he cannot be traded until Dec. 15."
Already, Smush!?
Posted by: McGarnagle | November 05, 2007 at 09:59 AM
More on Smush...
"Observations from Friday's 87-85 loss to the Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse:
Following up on his vow to get more shooters on the floor, Pat Riley inserted first-round pick Daequan Cook in the first quarter.
Yes, Cook played ahead of Smush Parker.
As a matter of fact, so did Chris Quinn, who entered in the second quarter in place of Jason Williams.
And, yes, by rule the earliest the Heat can trade Parker is Dec. 15.
Parker sat on the bench with the look of a disinterest bystander."
Posted by: McGarnagle | November 05, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Great 2 games people, but let's see if we can win 8 or 10 in a row.
Then we might be something special!!
Posted by: keifo | November 05, 2007 at 10:12 AM
9RINGS Kobe, you diabolical geniuses. You planned this all alone
You set a fire under the rest of the team to prove that they were
more than a bunch of useless spre parts. I will own up right now
I was one of the one's that said of young Socks. "ship em" But the
young guy looks like he is going to be a stud. My reading of this is WCF this
year NBA title next year. All after threee games LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 05, 2007 at 10:13 AM
KEIFO, have no fear this team is for real. Just as they were for real 2 years ago when they had the Suns down 3 -1. Never bet against 9Rings in
the last year of a contract.
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 05, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Just an obnoxious statement of preference for these things, but I prefer the nba.com box scores to the espn ones because they now have the +/- numbers right there (Bynum, Farmar and Kobe led the team last night, while not a single Jazzman had a +). They also break down the minites played to the second, so that we can see that Vujacic did indeed play 25 seconds last night...
I just hope we can bring this level of play against teams that actually play defense next. But for now I'm enjoying this bright spot in what seemed to be gloomy times.
Posted by: James Hastings | November 05, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Fisher does oh so much more than play PG for us. He sets the example for the others, the intensity he brings to each game, the preparation. That is what was missing last year when you had Smush, who apparently thought that once he established himself, he didn't have to come with that intensity anymore.
Not to shortchange Farmar, it appears he would have improved dramatically whether Fisher was here or not. I admit, I was concerned after I saw Farmar in the summer league but he learned from it and used the time before the season started to improve his game and now it's showing. Turiaf is another one that seems to have self improved after his experience with France. Contrast that with Cook...
WHAT??? does this guy do during the summer? He can't defend, everybody knows it, you would think he would work on his footwork at least...
I just hope he doesn't go "Columbine" when Lamar comes back and guess who is most likely to be put on the inactive list? There's going to have to be a trade, there's just too many guys and not enough minutes available once Lamar is back taking up 30+ full time minutes.
Posted by: TaosHum | November 05, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Where was the Lakers again in the NBA rankings? HAHAHA!
So what was about the death of an empire thingy? HAHAHA!
Who is JIM BUSS again people? The IDIOT BOSS who drafted TURIAF, FARMAR, CRITTENTON and BYNUM and kept KOBE and LAMAR. This blog really truly needs to apologize to MITCH and JIM for all the insults, that's the least you can do if you are enjoying the Lakers now, AND YOU ARE! FOR REAL!!
And who is the starting CENTER again? It only shows how much KWAME BROWN TRULY SUCKS! BYNUM only 20 and has improved this much, KWAME IS 27 years old and NO IMPROVEMENT.
HOW many times have KWAME embarass himself already, anybody keeping the numbers? and how many minutes has he been playing comperaed to BYNUM.
Remember MIKE T's PHil Jackson Journal, he blamed Phil for not giving KWAME a lot of minutes in the regular season then used him in the playoffs, this was MIKE t's excuse for KWAME"S very BAD PERFORMANCE. Well, BYNUM is getting limited minutes and is performing much better than KWAME!!!
Posted by: Staples 24 | November 05, 2007 at 10:23 AM
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Violator | November 05, 2007 at 10:23 AM
SORRY MIKE T
Kwame is trash once Chris becomes healthy he will start..........It's this simple the first unit has.........KOBE.......FISHER.......LAMAR.........AN RONNY T who can hit the mid range jumper............the offense runs through those guy's only thing we need from him is (D) an grab boards........you can put anybody in his spot..........with the 2 unit
FARMAR
LUKE
VLAD
DREW..........we run the offense through DREW....... an inside......outside.....UP-TEMPO.........with DREW on the bloc......... VLAD spotting up........LUKE the floor GENERAL........an FARMAR........pushing the tempo............WOW........GREAT COACHING...........THIS IS THE ONLY REASON WHY KWAME STARTS........NOT BECAUSE HE'S BETTER.........BUT BECAUSE..........DREW .......WILL BE MORE PRODUCTIVE WITH THE 2 UNIT AS WELL WITH VLAD.........
COMPTON
Posted by: COMPTON'S FINEST | November 05, 2007 at 10:24 AM
Violater,
"
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I'M WITH YOU MAN
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 05, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Ahhhhh......now THIS is basetball!!!!
As I said last week, my dream scenario is Kobe stays, plays efficiently and in a manner that elevates his teammates, and we become one of the top teams in the West.
I'll admit that I wasn't very optimistic about that possibility, especially after the Houston game where Kobe was just chucking up shot after shot. But the last two games have shown what happens when a great player understands that using his teammates effectively makes the game much, much easier. Last night was one of the most efficient and clean 30+ point games you'll ever see.
I knew--despite all the naysayers--that we had improved over the offseason. Smush out, Fish in is going to pay off the biggest. And now it's become apparent that both Bynum and Farmar have improved significantly from last year, plus anything we get from Vlad-Rad is a significant improvement from last year. Those things alone make us better than 06-07. All we need to do is stay healthy.
I wonder though what's going to happen when Bynum starts getting hard double teams. If he continues to be a genuine low post threat, that's the adjustment teams will quickly make. But if he can be on the floor with Kobe, Vlad-Rad, and others, we should have the tools to make teams pay.
Wow, imagine that! We might just have that powerful combination of low post threat coupled with some serious perimeter players.
It's early, but if we stay out of the trainer's room and Kobe continues to play this way, we might just be the surprise story of the 07-08 NBA!!
Posted by: Jason F. | November 05, 2007 at 10:31 AM
I am glad Smush is gone and has been replaced by D. Fish. What a difference that should make as the year goes on. I hope for good health for all of the Lakers key players. If the energy and focus they have displayed in the past few games can be a constant, we should have some good vibrations at the end of the year that PJ mentioned don't you think?
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | November 05, 2007 at 10:33 AM
there will be no apologies for mitch until it's made clear that Kwame's contract will not be extended. maybe he can stay if he takes a 50% pay cut, since that's how many passes he catches.
Posted by: dustin b | November 05, 2007 at 10:40 AM
All you Mike T trashers it's obviously you just read what you wanted
into his post. When everybody else was saying we needed to trade for
so so MIke T. is the one person who said there is nothing wrong with
this team, that a little health and putting the right players on the floor at the
right time will solve. You down him for supporting Kwame but in that
case you are also downing 9rings becaiuse if Kwame is so bad why would 9rings start him instead of Bynum. I think we should stop all this turning on each other and just celebtate the coming together of a team.
If the Laker Team can come together then why can't the blog come
together. Huh? HUH?
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 05, 2007 at 10:41 AM
McGarnagle,
For the life of me I'll never understand why the Heat signed Smush Parker. He's not a Riley type of player in terms of work ethic or attitude. It was a head scratcher. I watched Miami's first game against Detroit and it was a typical Smushie game. He tried to do too much and displayed his lack of basketball IQ in living color.
I'll never understand how some people said gettin Fish back and losing Smush wasn't a huge upgrade. I'm not going to get into calling people out like JJ, but they lost me on that one.
Posted by: Xodus | November 05, 2007 at 10:47 AM
PK-IN-THE-MESA,
>>>If these guys kept this up Deng could come to Lakes next year or
>>>trading deadline?
Nope. If these guys kept this up, Kobe would change his mind and stay with
the Lakers.
And at the trade deadline, with Chicago at 22-20, their fans will be
disparaging Paxson for not getting Kobe in the same way the Lakers fans
were disparaging Kupchak for not getting Jason Kidd (e.g. "I can't believe
you wouldn't give up Gordon and Deng to get the best player in the NBA,
PAXSON IS AN IDIOT AND HE MUST GO!").
And when the Lakers trample Dallas in the second round of the playoffs,
Dallas fans will be talking about how soft Dirk is and that Cuban was an
idiot not to trade him for Kobe.
And next summer, a few teams (including Dallas and Chicago) will make
offers for Kobe, but after consulting with Kobe, the Lakers will say "No
thanks". Instead, the "almost there" Lakers will convince a good free
agent to join them for the Mid Level Exception, because he wants to
ride Kobe's coattails to a championship.
And when the Lakers and Celtics face off in the NBA finals (not this year,
but next year - they'll both lose in the conference finals this year), KG will
once again have his chance at a title thwarted by a team led by KB. And
he'll regret the day he chose to agree to accept the Celtics green rather
than pushing for Lakers gold.
And two or three years from now, when Al Jefferson puts on so much
weight he moves about as fast as George Jefferson, Glen Taylor will wish
he had never hired someone who's loyalties are more tied to the Celtics
than to the Timberwolves. And he will hire a new GM and start rebuilding
again (having gained nothing of lasting value from the KG trade)
And the Kobe-Farmar-Bynum dynasty will begin. In Kobe's last year in
the league, 2013-14, Kobe will win his 7th ring, though by the end of the
season his knees will slow him down enough that he will relinquish his
starting SG spot to Javaris Crittendon.
And Nash and Dirk and KG will join Barkley among the legions of "best
players never to have won a championshihp".
So it has been written, and so it will happen.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 05, 2007 at 10:47 AM
aloha Charles
You asked about a insider perspective on why the team looks so much better. Now I am not an insider but its really pretty easy to figure out.
1. The team wasnt that bad to begin with. We got hammered by injuries last year and could barely walk by the time the playoffs happened. For some odd reason a lot of people seemed to forget how well we played before the injuries.
2. Derek Fisher. Another savvy vet that not only plays the game the right way but keeps the other players in line. He reminds me a lot of Ron Harper when he joined the Lakers.
3.
The natural growth of several young players. It is extremely hard to judge how a team will play when they have a lot of young guys. Ronny, Jordon and Andrew have all taken the next step in their development. And what has to be exciting for everyone is they will continue to improve.
MH
Posted by: michael h | November 05, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Jason, I was thinking the same thing when I checked the box score I was surprised Kobe had put up 33, it seemed everybody got theirs and to top it off, Kobe got his 33 on 19 shots. Loved Kobe's D intensity as well, it certainly motivated the others and got guys fired up.
If, if, if... but if this thing can be mended, whether it involves bringing in Jerry West as a mediator or what, I really can't see Kobe landing in a better situation over the next few years. Kobe wants to play with Ben Wallace? I don't think Kobe has seen Ben Wallace lately... if we can keep Kwame and Bynum for the next few years, with Kwame eventually becoming the backup and maybe playing some PF for us, our Center position will be in the top 5 every year. That's a nice base for Kobe to work off of.
Now... if only Odom fits into this new "share the ball" team... and can stay healthy...
Posted by: TaosHum | November 05, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Hey Guys,
What's the news on our free agent money for 2008?
Do we have the mid-level and the veteran's minimum?
From what I understand Fish and Mihm Split the Mid Level this year because Shammond Williams took last year's and this year's veteran minimum right? 4 mill = Fish 1-2 mill for Mihm and Shammond 2.2 mill?
Please advise....
Thanks
Charles
Posted by: Charles | November 05, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Mamba24,
I don't think there are many people saying that Kwame shouldn't start. I'm not a big Kwame guy but I along with most other bloggers realize that Kwame should start ahead of Bynum because of his superior defense. Though, I will say that I'd like to see us use Kwame's expiring deal at the trade deadline. If we can use him to get a guy like JO, we've got to make that move.
Posted by: Xodus | November 05, 2007 at 10:54 AM
I hope you're right Mamba!!!!!!
GO LAKE SHOW!!!!
Posted by: keifo | November 05, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Andrew Z,
>>>I knew Sasha should be getting more PT. Get him 35 minutes a game \
>>>and we win 60.
LOL. I wouldn't go that far. But I could see Sasha playing the same role as
Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson played for the old Pistons championship
teams. Just come in and provide some instant offense for a few minutes
while the starters rest.
Sasha needs a nickname. The Microwave was already taken, so what
else is hot?
Sasha "Summer's Day" Vujacic?
Sasha "The Frying Pan" Vujacic?
Sasha "the Barbeque" Vujacic?
Sasha "the Toaster" Vujacic?
Sasha "the Iron" Vujacic?
Sasha "the Electric Blanket" Vujacic?
Sasha "the Heating Pad" Vujacic?
Sasha "the Foreman Grill" Vujacic?
Sasha "the Coffee Maker" Vujacic?
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 05, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Smush Parker is karma biting Miami for Brian Grant.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 05, 2007 at 10:58 AM
I still think Kobe has sort of "backed into" his current high level of play.
I think he started the year indifferent toward winning. Ordinarily, this is the death knell for a pro athlete. However, in Kobe's case, the frustration running over allowed him to loosen his grip. He is now merely highly competitive as opposed to sociopathically hungry for victory. Others now feel that they have to care because Kobe's no longer the dedication freak. Think of The Office when Dwight left for Staples.
Weirdly, by throwing his hands in the air (a bit; he can't actually sandbag much without having a nervous breakdown), he's empowered the rest of the team. Letting go for long stretches of the game frees Kobe up to do what he does best: delivering in pressure situations. Unlike, say, Dwight, Kobe's pretty good at rising to the occassion.
Posted by: The D | November 05, 2007 at 10:59 AM
LTLF,
How about "The Curling Iron"?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 05, 2007 at 11:01 AM
THE BIG BLOG I TOLD YOU SO
I said they'd be great, Kobe wouldn't be traded, Fish would make the difference, BYnum was the real deal, the Farm was the future
and...
I told you they'd suck, Kobe was gone, Fish was only a slight upgrade, BYnum would never amount to anything and the Farm was overconfidant.
Fan. From the Latin: fanatic
Posted by: Vman | November 05, 2007 at 11:01 AM
A young refreshing team without drama. Effort supercedes talent and ego. Are we sure we're watching Laker basketball?
I sure as hell hope so.
Posted by: #4 | November 05, 2007 at 11:01 AM
i like the electric blanket
Posted by: Steve From New Jersey | November 05, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Mamba24,
"if Kwame is so bad why would 9rings start him instead of Bynum."
You said it right. Bynum cannot be starter. Being a starter is only a boost for the ego just like winning the MVP - the main objective is winning the game.
As I said in the live game thread to Michael H. that was a tactical move to make Kwame start the game. If Bynum was the starter, he could have not finished the 4th could be fouled out or may have sat down for two quarters when the heart of the game is being played. There is nothing wrong with "as-is" condition, why change it to Bynum as the starter? Everybody will have their place under the shinning sun as long as they keep on winning. Mike T. is not a villain in the blog, he got the heart of any laker fan sometimes his words are uttered out of excitement that seemed to be not right, try to analyze the slim 10% that it could be right, you would finally understand the depht of wisdom of our mad genius. Again, if we are winning why blame Mike T., just set the fire on his big a** for uttering a lot of nonsense. haha!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 05, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Charles,
We will be over the cap in 2008 so will only have the Mid-Level and Bi-Annual to offer. We will also retain the Bird Rights to Evans, Sasha, Mihm (if he opts out), Turiaf and whoever else is a free agent, so we can sign them to whatever we want even being over the cap.
If you see a list of all the great free agents in 2008, don't get excited. The only way any of them come to the Lakers is if we get them for the mid-level or via sign and trade.
Long Time Laker Fan,
If Sasha can keep a hot hand in limited minutes it would be a great addition/weapon to have. Unlike Cook, who is a one-trick pony, Sasha could be an outside threat who actually gives a damn defensively (even though he's not always effective...sure looks effective with all the frantic movement).
Since he seems to need a bit of time to find a rhythm and has yet to show that he can get really hot, maybe we can call him "The Crock Pot".
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 05, 2007 at 11:09 AM