Texas Two-Step, step one
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Once again, Lakers Blog is on the road. AK will be courtside- or wherever they put writers in San Antonio and Houston- tonight and tomorrow, which of course means a live blog from both games. So make sure to stop by at game time.
The Lakers head into San Antonio tonight (5:30, KCAL) having given off mixed signals in their first five games. The purple and gold have looked great (see Utah, Phoenix), they've looked less great (see Houston, New Orleans). No doubt they'll have to be the former if they'd like to return to L.A. with a win or two. The Lakers will know what to expect in San Antonio. It's just a question of getting it done against some tough D. The rivalry has plenty of history, but while the Lakers have actually played hard and reasonably well against the Spurs over the last couple of years, San Antonio has continued to dominate the league while LAL has been treading water. Of course, with .4 back in the house, things could change for the purple and gold. Add in a healthy Lamar Odom, whom the Lakers would like to free up as much as possible in the offense and a lull in the Kobe Bryant Saga, and many fans probably feel more optimistic about this game than they might have over the summer.
Things aren't quite as mellow in Chicago, where the Bulls are struggling and need to grow up fast, Kobe rumors or not. And if they don't win, the discussion in BullsVille continues. By the way, that the issue has died down (a little) locally doesn't mean others aren't still investigating the pros and cons of a Kobe deal.
If Mitch really cared what people on the blog said then he NEVER would have traded Shaq.
He would have found a way to keep Horry and Fisher.
He would come up with a creative way to put together a team that can compete in the Western Conference.
By saying that these trades and acquistions are difficult is just a way for him to get us to accept his mediocrity as a GM. This is one of the BEST franchises in all of sports and he needs to stop making excuses. Its unacceptable. No other top tier company would accept such incompetence from their mangaement. If Danny Ainge and John Paxson, just to name a few, can conjure up ways to continuously improve there teams, there is no excuse for Mitch!
I understand that it is a complex business with caps, contracts etc. but if any one of us made as many blunders at our jobs as Mitch has, we'd be gone in a heartbeat.
MITCH, if you are reading this: THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!! YOU ARE LETTING YOUR FAN BASE DOWN!
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | November 13, 2007 at 02:29 PM
Larry,
Are you lakerlarry or lakerlarry is a different person?
Posted by: rayray | November 13, 2007 at 02:30 PM
I am looking forward to see how Jordan responds to playing against the Finals MVP...
I think it is a great early season challenge for him and could be a HUGE confidence builder!
Let's hope Bynum plays with some fire in his belly! I know its early, but this is a BIG, BIG game!
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | November 13, 2007 at 02:34 PM
Man, i don't know what Tim Duncan is doing here, but he might be right...at least he's figured out how to attack one of the (many) weaknesses in our defence.
Posted by: Michael A | November 13, 2007 at 02:38 PM
he's larry turner
Posted by: darock | November 13, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Staples24,
Kwame is the man. I don't want to here you ride his jock in crunch time. When it really counts. I like Bynum on Offense, but on defense he has nothing on Kwame.
Kwame is the ROCK.
Posted by: Zakee | November 13, 2007 at 02:41 PM
C
O
N
S
I
S
T
E
N
C
Y
Don't forget...
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | November 13, 2007 at 02:44 PM
And when is LakersBlog gonna start hosting game-watching parties? It's long overdue, dontchathink?
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | November 13, 2007 at 02:46 PM
Anyone else notice that Antoine Walker (most recently of MIN, but also of BOS, DAL and MIA). is looking more and more like the actor/comedian Anthony Anderson, (most recently of TV's K-Ville, but also of "Romeo Must Die" and "Harold and Kumar..."
Posted by: The D | November 13, 2007 at 02:54 PM
the SPURZ
This team is a BETTTER team than the one starting the LAST season for the Spurs.
FIRST, they are CONFIDENT. They are the world champs, plying like it, should be, and ARE confident.
SECOND, The San Antonio Spurs are VERY VERY motivated to do the BACK2BACK thing. Tony Parker is picking up....not exactly were he left off but CLOSE enough adn will be there. Manu Ginobli is as rested as he's been since they BEAT us in 03 POs (Sorry to bring it up) and although OLD they have alot of handy pieces. To rebound, handle and shoot and make.
THIRD but not least, TIMI. Mr. Duncan AKA the BIG FUNDAMENTAL is playing with a chip on his sholder as if he is KOBE. Timi is not your Timid Timi this year. I kinda see the Tom Brady look in Timi's eyes instead of the usual Peyton Maning look (if you know what I mean and if not that's usually how I write nobody really understands (jkn)). Or, atleast it's put to REST for after B2B rings are captured.
Reminder:
I GUARANTEE that the Lakers will beat the Spurs. If you're gonna watch just to find what the result is you don't have to I'm telling you: Lakers will beat the Spurs 99-92 tonight.
WHY? I just love the way we MATCH UP with the spurs.
Posted by: rayray | November 13, 2007 at 02:56 PM
For all of the Sports Guys faults, he still has the knack of making ROTFLMAO:
From his NBA East Preview on ESPN:
"Reason No. 12,356 why I love the NBA: The Curry-Randolph combo marks the first time in NBA or WNBA history that a team has started two C-cups at the same time."
Posted by: hariyahu | November 13, 2007 at 02:59 PM
utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER,
"And when is LakersBlog gonna start hosting game-watching parties?"
I asked that question at the beginning of pre-season and no one replied. The bloggers should get together and watch the game at a sports bar.... I'm down if anyone is...
Charles
Posted by: Charles | November 13, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Staples 24,
I'd go with our all defensive team: C: Mihm PF: Cook SF: Walton SG: Sasha PG: I'd bring back Smush in a blockbuster trade, otherwise I'd put in Coby.
You know that squad could get er done!
Let's go guys... DEFENSE!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | November 13, 2007 at 03:11 PM
utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER,
"And when is LakersBlog gonna start hosting game-watching parties? It's long overdue, dontchathink?"
I think that scares the crap out of AK/BK.
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 13, 2007 at 03:16 PM
The next three games San antonio, Houston,then later back in staples Detroit,is my litmus test for the Lakes.And really the Pistons have given the Lakers more trouble in the last 3 to 4 years than any other ball club.If we can post a 2-1 record and i know it is still early in the season i feel like that 55 win plateau is attainable.
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA 24 | November 13, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Tim-4-Show,
Lol! I got an all time defensive team for you (Lakers).
Travis Knight, Slava Medvendenko (i.e. spelling), Tracy Murray, Mike Penberthy, John Celestand
What you got homie. Hope all is well with you!!!!
Posted by: Charles | November 13, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Mitch Kupchak may be as human as you and I, but what about Jackson, Luke Walton, and Chris Mihm.
Clearly, we are superior to this triumvirate conspiring to destroy the Lakers team from the inside out!
Mike T, please keep up your excellent investigative work. When you save the franchise, perhaps they can make a tv movie about you starring Jamie Foxx? Perhaps with a keyboard with an AI that helps you along the way?
Are you trying to say that Mitch Kupcake is trying not to appear as incompetent as he is or that we are right for thinking he's incompetent? Or both?
Posted by: Benjamin | November 13, 2007 at 03:24 PM
If Mitch had any kind of integrity he would have quit the Laker franchise. Jimbo doesn't let him do his job and as a result, he sucks at his job. Take a stand you soulless, sycophant, PR vomiting bureaucrat.
Posted by: Benjamin | November 13, 2007 at 03:26 PM
rayray - there is something to be said for match-ups. just because teams are deemed "better" as to where they rank amongst all NBA teams, there are times when they face "lesser" teams that are a tough match-up for them. last year the lakers took 2 out of 3 from the spurs and the one loss was on a michael finley 3 pointer (shades of what battier did opening night). with the rotations being as much "a work in progress" as they are, it's tough to discuss how the teams match-up at various positions. for instance, who knows what lakers will be on the floor when manu is in?
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 13, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Mitch Kupchak's competence is going to be based on how this Lakers squad does this year. This is his roster. Mitch's biggest challenge is keeping PJ on a short leash. When you see Walton getting a lot of minutes...that isn't Kupchak's plan. Kupchak knows that Walton's role is supposed to be limited. But it's PJ who seems to think Walton is more than a 16 minute a game player.
Read some of the old Kupchak interviews on this site and he says it plainly what he envisions in Walton. The interview I'm referring to is the one he gave to this site as we were approaching the trading deadline last year.
This, if I uderstand this correctly, is Kupchak's last year on his contract. There's no way he and Jimmy Buss will allow PJ to manipulate the line-ups without addressing it quickly.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 13, 2007 at 03:34 PM
rayray,
Just plain Larry. Maybe I should change my name to SuperLarry or LarLar? Did you hear that Stephon Marbury might be having problems in NY? I think a Kobe-Steph combo could serve up something nice for the league?
Posted by: Larry | November 13, 2007 at 03:40 PM
In my opinion, PJ has been victimizing both Kupchak and Jimmy Buss for the last two seasons.
They put a lot of trust in his judgements and got burned for it. Now if Kupchak and Jimmy Buss are right about this roster and we win, it just goes to show that PJ was manipulating the line-ups all along.
Again, they have to keep a short leash on PJ or he'll continue to use his reputation as a HOF basketball coach to get away with basketball murder.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 13, 2007 at 03:50 PM
The all-Defense team has to include Cedric "Cherry-pick" Ceballos
Posted by: The D | November 13, 2007 at 03:51 PM
"And when is LakersBlog gonna start hosting game-watching parties? It's long overdue, dontchathink?"
I think that scares the crap out of AK/BK.
Will KL and Gunner be invited to the party?
Posted by: Larry | November 13, 2007 at 03:57 PM
CaucasianSensation,
>>>Sasha....make a shot!!!...seriously!!!
Dude. So far Sasha is shooting 50% for the season. If he keeps up like this, Critter
won't get a lot of minutes this season.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 13, 2007 at 04:03 PM
The Banner Holder,
"And when is LakersBlog gonna start hosting game-watching parties?
And those Lakers Blog T-Shirts too..........way overdue, they are sold 5 for $ 10 at LA Street, I think AK/BK can afford that? This is the suggestion of Corner J.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 13, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Mike T,
So if the Lakers win, it was because management was right all a long and Phil was manipulating the lineups. If the Lakers lose, then Phil IS manipulating the lineups. Sounds like you got your basis covered so your always right. Way to go Mike T!
Honestly Phil should get some credit if he chooses not to "manipulate" the lineups this year.
This team is growing from last year and that is why they will do better.
Posted by: zen | November 13, 2007 at 04:08 PM
WHITE MAMBA 24,
>>>The next three games San antonio, Houston,then later back in staples Detroit,is my
>>>litmus test for the Lakes.And really the Pistons have given the Lakers more trouble in
>>>the last 3 to 4 years than any other ball club.If we can post a 2-1 record and i know it is
>>>still early in the season i feel like that 55 win plateau is attainable.
The Lakers will win 2 out of 3 of those games. You heard it here first.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 13, 2007 at 04:10 PM
shouldn't you fans hope something clicks in Kwame for him to be a benefit to the team instead of posting all this nonsense of having him fail...
Posted by: McFly | November 13, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Forget about the t-shirts.
It's been 3 years coming for those men of blogging calendars lol.
Posted by: Faith | November 13, 2007 at 04:14 PM
I live down in the Irvine area, and I'd TOTALLY brave the LA traffic to do a LAkers blog sportsbar get together. IF someone gets something organized I'll happily come :)
Posted by: Jeff | November 13, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Surely someone amongst us has got some pull with a sports bar/grill owner who can host us. We are a force to be reckoned with - a cash cow waiting to happen. And no one said that we needed AK/BK to chaperone us. We're all grown folks (except for Steven), right?
MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | November 13, 2007 at 04:17 PM
zen,
I could have sworn that I said speaking to you was useless....for reason's I've already mentioned.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 13, 2007 at 04:17 PM
I agree that PJ manipulates the lineups plenty (maybe too much), but perhaps the reason he does so is because he doesn't have much to work with?
Don't get me wrong, I'm totally behind this team, but this is like one of those things where you have to balance the time allowed to show their strengths and hide their weaknesses.
Posted by: Faith | November 13, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Ok LA Bloggers, (Out of state bloggers we will keep you in mind and spirit)
Let’s see who’s down to meet up at a bar on the weekend. I live in Glendale CA and I will drive 30 miles out since Irvine-Jeff is willing to put in the miles.
Anybody want to get together and at someone’s house or bar?
Reply with what city you live in if you are open to meeting at a bar-grill-restaurant.
Charles-Glendale
Holla….
Posted by: Charles | November 13, 2007 at 04:19 PM
All I'm saying is congrats to having all your bases covered. Win or lose, it's Phils fault!
Posted by: zen | November 13, 2007 at 04:21 PM
It certainly wasn't injuries that caused Walton to play more. No..That's way too simple.
Posted by: zen | November 13, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Mike T,
But if Kupchak knows Luke's worth (and wants his playing time limited) why did they give him a 6-year 30 million dollar deal? You and I both agree that the Lakers bid against themselves. That's hardly competent in my opinion.
Posted by: Xodus | November 13, 2007 at 04:26 PM
Jeff- Irvine. Represent!
And good call on the weekend. I usually dont' have much going on then. I'd love to know a bunch of people that I've only seen words on a screen from.
and I'd give several limbs to actually meet Mike T in person.
Posted by: Jeff | November 13, 2007 at 04:27 PM
And faith, you have an excellent point. IT's early in the season, Phil's actually got a healthy team this year, I'd be juggling the line ups too and seeing if he can get mileage out of players who might or might not work.
Posted by: Jeff | November 13, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Jeff-Irvine Charles-Glendale so far.
Any others wann roll and support our team?
I will be in Physical Therapy till 7:15 ish but I'll be glad to take roll if anybody's down to peep the game out.
Edwin Gueco? Laker Tom? LTLF? Mike T? Faith? Mamba24? Zen? Utz? Everybody else? Let's do it....
Posted by: Charles | November 13, 2007 at 04:32 PM
zen,
You're not paying attention to what is going on! Obviously Phil has hypnotized the front office; that is why they keep offering to extend his contract at a higher salary, and why he gets away with playing players when he has been specfically told not to play them. And because he is so diabolical, he told Kupchak (via mind waves) to extend the contracts of Cook and Kwame. Those were such (SEEMINGLY!!) obviously stupid moves, that it throws most people off the scent. But not those of us who really understand him. This was all orchestrated by PJ to get contracts for Mihm and Walton. It's physics!!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 13, 2007 at 04:39 PM
Long Beach is a mid-point...
Posted by: man | November 13, 2007 at 04:41 PM
"And when is LakersBlog gonna start hosting game-watching parties?"
Ooooooh, ooooh, I wanna come! Do you think the Times would pick up my airfare from Utah?
Posted by: Marty | November 13, 2007 at 04:45 PM
"But if Kupchak knows Luke's worth (and wants his playing time limited) why did they give him a 6-year 30 million dollar deal? You and I both agree that the Lakers bid against themselves. That's hardly competent in my opinion."
I'm glad you brought that up because I have a sneaky feeling that Jerry Buss stepped in on that one. Jimmy Buss went on record saying he wasn't going to overpay for Walton. I think Jerry might have gaven into Jeanie Buss. I think, maybe, Jeanie and Phil asked for Walton and Dr. Buss approved it.
For Jimmy Buss to say he wasn't going to overpay for Walton and then for the Lakers to have an agreement with him less than one minute into the signing...that sounds strange.
Again, I think Dr. Buss stepped in on that one and overrode Jimmy and Mitch's stance on the matter.
It's complex because Jimmy Buss and Jerry Buss weren't happy with how PJ handled the playoffs over the last two seasons. But if they weren't going to fire him they have to give him what he thinks the team needs.
But the structure of the contract, a little over 4 million this year, would imply that they didn't envision Walton being the type of impact player PJ is trying to make him out to be.
Watch tonight's game to see how many minutes Walton gets.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 13, 2007 at 04:50 PM
man you down to roll out and watch the game?
Posted by: Charles | November 13, 2007 at 04:52 PM
"and I'd give several limbs to actually meet Mike T in person."
LOL!
No way I go to any party that isn't near 3rd and Vermont in Los Angeles...or maybe near Staples Center.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 13, 2007 at 04:57 PM
" I'm afraid the Lakers are going to get a douse of beat down tonight. The Spurs are looking really good at this point." - Larry
I beg to differ Lar, I'm thinking No Beatdown, close game, Lakers Win!!!!! Still No Love from Barkley lol
Posted by: complex brotha | November 13, 2007 at 05:11 PM
Phil told Jeanie he was coming home with 2 wins....hmmmmmmm
Posted by: complex brotha | November 13, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Mike T,
You shouldn't do personal appearances without a guaranteed appearance fee even if it is at 3rd and Vermont. It's also unwise to hit the streets without a publicist to keep the reporters in line. A good publicist could make sure only Jackie J gets to ask the hard questions.
If you're not prepared you might get Joel Meyers as Master of Ceremonies on
"Meet Mike T night". not cool!
Posted by: Vman | November 13, 2007 at 05:33 PM