Talking with: Brian Cook and Mo Evans, post-trade
I talked a bit before yesterday's game with Brian Cook and Mo Evans, former Lakers recently added to the Orlando Magic in exchange for a thus far little-utilized Trevor Ariza. I wanted to get some perspective from both about their thoughts on the trade itself, what it feels like to learn out of the blue that you've been swapped (as both did) and their thoughts on their present and former squads. Here's what both had to say.
Andrew Kamenetzky: Had the front office talked to at all in terms of preparing you that a trade could be coming? Or were you pretty much blindsided?
Brian Cook: I didn't know this was coming at all. I was blindsided completely.
AK: Specifically by a trade to Orlando or that a trade could be coming, period?
BC: A trade period. All this talk about trading Kobe, that's what everybody was talking about. Me and Mo, we didn't think we'd be the first persons that would get traded. But we've got a great team and I think this team is gonna make some noise. It's already made some noise. I think we can win the Eastern Conference.
AK: Does Mo's presence make the trade any easier for you?
BC: Yeah, it made it a lot easier. Me and Mo had Thanksgiving dinner in the (Grand Bohemian Hotel) in Orlando, down in the lobby. (laughs). But it was a good Thanksgiving. It made it a lot easier to have somebody that you can relate to and who's going through the same things.
AK: If I remember correctly, you found out about the trade in Indianapolis before the tip off and you ended up watching the game sort of in limbo (no longer a Laker, not yet with the Magic).
BC: You know what? They told us before the game, but my mother and my sisters were there. They came to watch the basketball game. They love basketball. I wasn't gonna go, but I thought it was a classy thing to do, just to cheer them on and say goodbye to everybody. You guys know, I have a lot of friends on the team. The next morning, I had to go to San Antonio (for a Magic game). It was weird, because I'd never been sitting in the stands like that, but I was able to spend some time with my mother, who I don't get to see a lot. I'll get to see her a lot more, because the flight's only two hours.
AK: I would imagine it was a little easier to absorb the shock with family literally there to lean on.
BC: Yeah, exactly.
AK: When you think back on your time with the Lakers, how do you sum it up?
BC: I think I played hard and I think I took advantage of my opportunities when I got the chance to. I shot the ball well. I shot 46% from the trey ball here (Editor's note: It was actually around 41%, but nonetheless a solid percentage.). I'm a shooter. I shot the ball well. I thought I was competitive while I was out there. I just played hard for the organization. That's what I can ask for myself is to play hard and try to run through a wall for the organization.
AK: When they informed you of the trade, did they break down the reasons why? Or is it more of a meeting where you find out what's happening and that's the end of it?
BC: That they knew that I was unhappy that I wasn't playing and they knew that I work hard and they wanted me to go somewhere where I could be a player and show what I can do. Be the player that they think I am. I can respect that, you know what I'm saying? So I just told them thank you.
AK: So it's parting on good terms?
BC: Yeah, it's parting on good terms.
Andrew Kamenetzky: Did you have any indication that this trade could be coming?
Maurice Evans: I didn't have any clue, you know. I packed my bags, even for that (three-game) trip, as light as possible. I was thinking we'd be back really quickly, so I packed three different shirts, two pairs of jeans and that was it. So anyway, when they told me that "it was an emergency, you need to go see PJ," I was thinking that something happened to my family, you know? When I went in, he said, "You've been traded." I'd seen guys in the hallway and everybody seemed to know except me. They were all saying, "Man, we're gonna miss you." In the end, I only had that night to think about what happened and shoot, we've been in a whirlwind ever since.
AK: They probably could have phrased it a little better than "emergency."
ME: Yeah. It kind of threw me off, because again, my first immediate thought was my mom, my dad, my fiance. "Is everybody okay?"
AK: Did they give you any explanation as to why you might have been included or is that not really the purpose of the meeting?
ME: At that point, it's a done deal, so there's no (consoling) or nothing like that. You know what I'm saying? Whatever reason they did that, it seems like (pause)... I don't know. I don't even want to start any controversies or anything like that, but it seems like they did Orlando more of a favor in my opinion than they upgraded their team. So for that, I'm grateful that they put me in a situation where I can be better used, I guess. For that, I'll forever be grateful, you know.
AK: When you were traded here from Detroit, that was a situation that you and your agent had talked with Joe Dumars about trying to facilitate.
ME: Yeah, exactly. So when I came here, I was thinking long term and they were saying the same thing. I thought I was fulfilling my role. I was the leading scorer off the bench last year and defensively, I thought I brought a lot to the table as well. I thought I was fulfilling my obligations, so like I said, it was a shock to me.
AK: Has Stan Van Gundy talked with you in detail about your role in Orlando?
ME: Pretty similar. Just bench production and high energy. Pretty much that's it. It's a system that's definitely favorable to my game and I look forward to, especially as the season goes on, getting more comfortable and trying to play within the system.
AK: You've already had a few games where you got a fair amount of run.
ME: Yeah, definitely. Again, it's a system, but it still allows you to be a little bit more aggressive. I've had some nights where I've really had some good production. Not so much just scoring, but defending and being involved with the game. I just feels good to be on a winning team. It kind of reminds me of the atmosphere that we had in Detroit when we won all those games. If it can be anything similar to that, it'll be awesome.
AK: This is the first time you've been traded during a season. What's that feeling like, to join a team already in progress?
ME: It was kind of unique, especially in the sense that I'm joining a team that's really successful and doing well. I'm not trying to interrupt their chemistry and stop their momentum, so now you gotta find a way that you can contribute without stepping on anybody's toes or messing up what they got going on.
AK: Does it make the transition any easier going with Brian?
ME: Definitely. It makes it easier to go with somebody that they're familiar with. Again, they went through training camp together, bonding, growing. They've got plays. (Cook and I) haven't had too many practices, anyway.
AK: You weren't with the Lakers very long, but when you look back on your time here, how do you think about it?
ME: It seems like it was forever that I was with the Lakers, given all the stuff that went on while I was here. I don't know. It seems like a couple years that I've been here, with all the drama and everything.
AK: It ages you.
ME (smiles): Yeah.
AK: Do you look back on it with happy memories?
ME: Yeah, definitely. They gave me an opportunity to really play a lot and showed a lot of faith in me and I think in return I played extremely hard for them. We were on the cusp, even though we struggled. We started off really good last year. We had good memories. We just obviously had a letdown in the playoffs. With all the injuries and all the potential that we had, it's just too bad that the potential never came to fruition.
I still don't quite get this trade.
Our best 2-guard off the bench and Cook for........a guy who never plays and made us the 2nd youngest team in the league.
Something doesn't seem quite right to me. I hate to throw out conspiracies/complicated plots and stuff, but.......
Are we building a youth movement? Is something going to happen post-Dec. 15th that immediately throws us into "rebuilding around the youth" mode? Because if that's not the case, then I just don't understand why we traded our most productive guy off the bench for a 22 year old prospect who we don't play.
Posted by: Jason F. | December 03, 2007 at 02:54 PM
About Cook: I say good riddance... didn’t play with heart...
Can Ariza be the “tough guy” we need, according to PJ?
Posted by: CLeon | December 03, 2007 at 02:59 PM
He won't be going anywhere, especially to the Lakers, unless we decide we don't need him.
It's metamorphosis in the making, a true superstar. Best of luck to little Diamond.
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/537972.html
Reader comments are what I find most interesting.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | December 03, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Will Evans and Cook be added to the list of former Lakers who win rings after getting out from under Chocolate rain/reign?
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | December 03, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Not surprising, Cook and Evans are saying things like they have more offensive "freedom" in Orlando.
The triangle is an antiquated system and 9 rings is more interested in making sure guys run the system correctly than win games. How else can you explain Sasha EVER playing? And I wont even go into Luke Walton like Mike T does.
The irony is the very system embraced by a coach re-signed for 12 million is the very system holding back the Lakers young players like Bynum, Farmar and Crit.
I realize AK and BK are not in a position to open a can of worms with ex-lakers but the comments by Evans and Cook are veiled complaints against 9 rings and the triangle in my opinion.
There were some prior posts saying Bynum doesnt get enough touches in the post- I couldnt agree more- he is a good passer, is shooting nearly 60 percent and he plays better defense ( who doesnt) when involved on offense. To his credit I see Kobe looking for Bynum more and more. Thats a good sign, but 9 rings needs to demand the other guys get the ball into him more.
lastly, I hate to harp on this same thing but Odom should NEVER shoot 3s, he is not a good 3 point shooter and the numbers back that up. After the game, 9 rings even came out and said the coach staff "prefers he not take 3 pointers".
Posted by: Laker Lover | December 03, 2007 at 03:12 PM
I wish we could've kept Mo....
Posted by: Charles | December 03, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Observations from the game against the Magic
1) Kobe is not playing with the same defensive intensity as he did earler in the season.
2) Kobe at times seems to be going through the motions during games
3) When the opposing team bothers to cover Sasha, he cant make a shot
4) Bynum needs to take the ball to the basket with more purpose and stop pump faking. Go up strong, even if it gets blocked
5) Fisher cant keep up with any of the guards in the NBA, as was the case when he left the Lakers last time.
6) Orlando didnt play well and won the game. Thats a sign of a good team, especially on the road.
Posted by: Laker Lover | December 03, 2007 at 03:38 PM
Kobe is doing his part. PJ needs to warp the triangle around Bynum the way he did for Shaq. Kid can play. Kid can play.
Too bad Odom won't play like this every game, or even in consecutive games...
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | December 03, 2007 at 04:02 PM
Laker Lover,
"1) Kobe is not playing with the same defensive intensity as he did earler in the season.
2) Kobe at times seems to be going through the motions during games"
I've noticed the same things at times, even though I think overall, he's still playing very high-quality ball.
But if this trend continues, my suspicions will grow. Is something up? Why did we trade a valuable vetran contributor (Mo) for a 22 year old prospect? Is something going to happen after Dec. 15th?
Oh, if the rest of you watch closely, you'll see why Bynum doesn't get more touches. The majority of the time when Bynum has good low post position, he's in the post position of the side triangle, and (this is the key) Kobe is on the other side of the floor. So, most of the time, rather than Bynum getting the ball down low, the ball gets swung around and things run through Kobe.
That's also why Kobe is the main one willing to throw Bynum the ball in the post. Our offense runs through Kobe.
Posted by: Jason F. | December 03, 2007 at 04:06 PM
According to Hoopshype Gasol is available in the open market...
If you were Memphis.which one is a better deal Luol Deng for Gasol or Lamar Odom for Gasol?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-smith03dec03,1,6866241.column?ctrack=2&cset=true
Just speculating.....
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 03, 2007 at 04:24 PM
On the trade night, did you see Brian Cook talking to Kobe? A guy who plays non-chalantly but said good things about Kobe outside the basketball court:
http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/lakers/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_lakers_notes_03.335430e.html
The lakers were really desperate in moving him. Why would they offer MO into deal and get nothing in return? Based on contracts, Cookie and Trevor would be enough but Orlando knew Kupchak's weakness and has no alternative but to accept the deal. Why not Sasha and Cookie?
This in the inherent problem Mitch Kupchak's reign has created with the Lakers, he created a lot of "China eggs" and cannot trade anybody on straight deal unless the name is Kobe. Well, Farmar and Bynum raised their values but the rest are also fillers.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 03, 2007 at 04:39 PM
Honestly, why does Vujacic get playing time? I cringe everytime he touches the ball because I know he shoots (and bricks) everytime he touches the ball. Why can't Crittenton get playing time over Vujacic?!
Posted by: Justin | December 03, 2007 at 04:50 PM
It will be official tomorrow. Shareef, Thomas, and a 2009 first rounder for Gasol.
http://www.bbdeals/toogoodtobetrue.tortue.net
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | December 03, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Lighten up! Just kidding on a dull day
Posted by: sonnybelfast | December 03, 2007 at 04:52 PM
Sir Edwin,
The same guy who typed "Magic Johnson would make this team a top 4 seed without question. Kobe is having trouble doing that," Said that I was drinking the LO kool-aid if I wanted to explore Gasol or Joe Johnson trade.
I never thought LO was a good fit after last season. I was merely speculating myself....
The funny thing is Joe Johnson and Pal Gasol are either unhappy with their team or in exploratory talks for trading... I would take either player...
Have a good day!!!!
Posted by: Charles | December 03, 2007 at 04:52 PM
Can I jump off the 55-win bandwagon?
I signed up after smoking with Lamar and Radman. Please let jump off.
Dec 15 can't get here soon enough. Time to rebuild. The BIG 3 on the Lakers
Kobe, Odom, and Kwame experiment has failed. After 3 years and 18 games
I am willing to call a spade a spade. I can only hope Management will. I know Kobe is the cash cow for the Lakers but I am telling you it is time to part. The 7th or 8 seed will just kill a franchise, something drastic has to happen, Trade or Lottery but it has to happen.
Here's my gut feeling why it took Jackson so long to make a decision. Lakers have told Phil they are going to rebuild with youth and frankly don't give a damn what Kobe thinks. Kobe can go along with it or they will just ship his ### out. I really think this is where were at. I can't take another year like last year although it sure is nice not to have to watch Smush night in and night out.
BD
Posted by: bd | December 03, 2007 at 04:53 PM
"I still don't quite get this trade.
Our best 2-guard off the bench and Cook for........a guy who never plays and made us the 2nd youngest team in the league."
I think "hasn't been incorporated into the line-up yet" is a better description of Ariza's situation considering it hasn't even been a full two weeks since the trade took place.
As far as the trade is concerned, it makes a lot of sense for us. Ariza is the youngest, is the most athletic, and had the best year last year of the three players involved in the trade (he had better all-around individual numbers than either Evans or Cook with his Production and Roland Rating numbers being even higher than Lamar Odom's much less than Evans or Cook according to 82games.com).
Importantly, we also cut some salary while reducing repetition in our roster (that $3.5 mil this could be handy in '09-'10 when might just be under the cap). Additionally, we gained a 2.6 mil injury exception and an open roster spot, which we could use to sign one of the quality vets still out there like Webber or P.J. Brown.
Of course, there is an immediate downside in that Sasha has been bumped up from 3rd 2-guard, trash time player which he was excelling at to 2nd 2-guard which is a little over his head at the moment. Either he steps up like he did two years ago when he got quality minutes in our 2nd half of the season run or PJ has no choice but to play Crit, which I personally would like to see happen anyway.
Posted by: Sean P. | December 03, 2007 at 05:15 PM
Jason F
".........I just don't understand why we traded our most productive guy off the bench for a 22 year old prospect who we don't play."
Well its only been a handful games since we got the guy and especially with our coach we know the guy isn't going to get any tick right off the bat like that given the long season, its almost policy. But it will happen when you LEAST expect it, its normal procedure with Phil.. and when it happens it will just be out of the blue. All of a sudden you might see Ariza playing more minutes then anybody else off the bench.. you just don't know with Phil at what moment during the season he will decide to work him in the rotation on a regular. From my experience i'd expect to see Ariza suddenly get alot of playing time maybe AFTER the all-star break. But eventually his patience on the pine will pay off as it usually does with everybody. I hope Ariza realizes this and is ready when he gets that go, because if he doesn't get the job done and do whats expected then its quickly back to the bench and eventually back on blocks, nothing new here. He will get his minutes, but right now even in my mind i think its too soon to give him extended minutes over guys that have already been in the system for more then a couple weeks. In my opinion if anybody should get those minutes left behind from Mo and Cook, its Ronny.. he's been patient enough in my opinion and i like to see him on the floor alot more.
Posted by: Violator | December 03, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Sean and Violator,
First, that's why I said "hasn't been incorporated into the lineup YET". I realize it may just be a matter of time before we start to see Ariza.
Unfortunately, if that's the case we've essentially given up some games because Phil doesn't think Ariza is ready. Meanwhile, both Cook and Mo continue to play and contribute for Orlando.
If Ariza really is that good of a player (and I hope he is), then by playing Sasha "until Ariza is ready", we're hurting ourselves. 'Cause right now, Sasha sucks.
Posted by: Jason F. | December 03, 2007 at 05:47 PM
Charles,
With Grizzlies, they have the same problem with Gasol purely offense and no defense. They wanted to make their club competitive. Who is more competitive Odom or Deng? I doubt if this will go through with the Lakers but with Bulls they have to do it. In the case of Joe Johnson, that's also a fair exchange, I wonder if the Hawks will offer him. They unloaded Diaw and Barbosa in order to get him, so why will they trade him now? If they hit the bottom int he East, there is Love or Mayo or this James of the Longhorns as the coveted prize in next year's draft.
Hope you're feeling OK now from that recent surgery.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 03, 2007 at 05:53 PM
A lot of people are saying that Bynum should get more touches-and I agree. However, I think it's important to consider where Bynum's extra touches would be coming from. He'd be getting the ball in the post. Thus far, Andrew has shown tremendous ability catching the ball next to the rim. In the post, though, he's had mixed results. He's putting up hook shots and short jumpers, occasionally getting to the rim for an easy basket. I have a feeling his high field goal percentage would drop somewhat if he spent more time posting up.
Once Andrew has developed his post game, he will be a serious beast. I say we give him some touches but at the same time not go hog wild. Andrew isn't yet good enough to attract a consistent double team.
I hope Lamar can start consistently starting hitting shots from mid-range. If he can do that, he'll excel in the small forward role.
Posted by: Mickey | December 03, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Cook just didn't have the weapons. He's undersized to play 4 and not agile enough to play 3.
He looked disgusted on every play, and probably lost heart when his shot didn't fall and playing time dropped off.
MO was a tough choice to add to the deal to make it work. He was comin' up for a contract and that would have been a tough one to negotiate.
Hope Ariza's workin' on his shot while he's not playing.
Posted by: Vman | December 03, 2007 at 06:13 PM
I'm happy for Cookie and Mo that they're getting a fresh start. I'm also happy they're gone from the Lakers. I've already shared my delight for when Cookie showed up late for one of his defensive assignments against Kobe. His weak Defense was a huge negative in L.A. If it's insignificant in Orlando, then he's now in the right place. Mo really hadn't helped the Lakers much this season because of his bad back.
Soon their absence will open up valuable minutes for Javaris Crittendon and Trevor Ariza, as soon as Ariza can get some needed practice time with his new team mates.
With Kwame out, and Lamar and Mihm trying to find their game it's going to be a little rough for a while, but by the time we meet Phoenix on Christmas day, things will start settling in and the team will be playing better.
I had been hoping Phil would not sign his extension, but he has, so the team and the fans have to live with the cards we've been dealt. I never signed on to the 55 win bandwagon, but I'm surprised that those who did are ready to jump off with 80% of the Lakers season still in front of the team.
This week, the players can either reach down inside themselves and perform at the level it takes to win, or stumble along with sloppy ball handling and weak-minded defense as they have been. If a team is going to have stupid losses, this early in the season is the time -- if they use these experiences as lessons to grow by.
Phil says he signed the extension because he was encouraged by the forward progress of the team. Obviously even though he says he wants to win now, he is also thinking long term. A bumpy stretch like we've had shouldn't derail the team permanently. I've been down on the coach for his bizzare player rotations and down on underachievers like Lamar. It is easy to be impatient with this team. I'm trying to be more patient. Trying to be more hopeful.
GO LAKERS! There, I've said it. I think I feel better.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | December 03, 2007 at 06:46 PM
Does anyone here really believe anything will happen December 15th? I am not sure if anything will happen big. If something does I hope I am ready for it. Is there a chance that Sasha,Kwame,Mihm could be heading out? Or anything close to that? I just want to see players with skill come off the bench..I know JC,Ariza,Farmar,Bynum,Kobe,Fish,Turiaf are talented players...I just want the Lakers to get back to owning in the league like they did in 2000. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?
Posted by: drew | December 03, 2007 at 07:04 PM
Those were nice interviews AK. Kudos.
Great discussion on the trade bloggers! It is funny that Mitch does these trades that nobody expects. There were between 4 and 5 thousand different trade proposals on this blog over the past few months and not one mentioned Ariza.
Phil's comments on getting needing to get a tough guy back (Kwame) seem like a ploy to bolster Kwame's confidence right out of the gate upon his return. For whatever reason, confidence and mindset are the things lacking in Kwame. It is somewhat surprising that Jackson still hasn't quit on him. like most fans and everyone else in the nba. Perhaps Jackson is waiting until the second to last game of the season.
Posted by: C.S. | December 03, 2007 at 07:04 PM
i keep reading something is gonna happen on dec 15, can anyone fill me in thanx....
Posted by: fonzuhrelli | December 03, 2007 at 07:21 PM
So, the Laker management doesn't communicate well with its players. Nothing new.
Posted by: gdchild | December 03, 2007 at 07:32 PM
Violator,
You make some very goods points on how Phil suddenly gives dudes serious run out of the blue. Some guys don't do well with that. Cook's problem is that he never did play well in that type of rotation. Well, that isn't quite right. He didn't bring what PJ wanted him to, which was some semblance of "D" along with the instant "O".
Cook never realized that the Lakers score enough points to win most games. We just don't defend very well, and he was one of the worst of the worst.
Sasha is going to get run in the short-term because everyone wants to know that the two recent good games he played are just some sort of a fluke, or if he really is turning into a real live NBA player. Prolly not. But, he now has to get ample opportunity to hang himself, which I think Sasha will do all by himself.
Dude just has to chill on the end of the bench, learn his little slice of the triangle, and play balls out when he does get the call. And, above all else, stop *somebody* when he gets in the game. Just. Stop. Somebody.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | December 03, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Rick,
I feel you. The 7-6 record at this point in the season considereing the schedule isn't very bad at all. Allmost all the media outlets have admitted that the Lakers schedule so far has been the toughest in the league. The frustrating part is that we really could be 10-3 or 9-4 right now.
But, I can't really use any of the back-to-back games to mean much of anything at all. Young player NEVER play well in the second of back-to-back games. NEVER. I'm shocked how well Farmar has played consitently in such a large variety of situations. Plus, he tends to play his best ball near the end of games. Impressive.
The schedule has been so strange that we really don't know what kind of team we have even now. I mean, we've already played EVERY number one team in the league, and I think we've split them. That is the same records those elite teams have against each-other.
Everything at this point has been inconclusive except one: We are a MUCH better defensive team when Kwame is in the lineup. Our short-term future and lives are dependent on the most fragile body and mind on the whole roster.
Sux.
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | December 03, 2007 at 07:45 PM
WHY ATHLETES CAN'T HAVE REAL JOBS
Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson on being a role
model:
"I wan' all dem kids to do what I do, to look up to
me. I wan' all the kids to copulate me."
...........................................
New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about
the upcoming season:
"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever
comes first."
...........................................
And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the 'Skins say:
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl,"
Matt Millen of the Raiders said:
"To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom, too."
.............................................
Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his
coach, John Jenkins:
"He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings."
..............................................
Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann,
1996:
"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A
genius is a guy like
Norman Einstein."
.............................................
Senior basketball player at the University of
Pittsburgh :
"I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it
takes."
..............................................
Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach:
"You guys line up alphabetically by height." And,
"You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in
a circle."
............................................
Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson hooking up
again with promoter Don
King:
"Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He
went to prison for
three years, not Princeton ."
..............................................
Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan
training regime of
heavyweight Andrew Golota:
"He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning
regardless of what
time it is."
............................................
Chuck Nevitt, North Carolina State basketball player,
explaining to Coach
Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice:
"My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm
going to be an
uncle or an aunt."
..............................................
Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player:
"I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it
ignorance or apathy?'
He said, 'Coach, I don't know and I don't care.'"
..............................................
Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M,
recounting what he told a
player who received four F's and one D:
"Son, looks to me like you're spending too much time
on one subject."
..............................................
Amarillo High School and Oiler coach Bum Phillips when
asked by Bob Costas
why he takes his wife on all the road trips, Phillips
responded:
"Because she is too ugly to kiss good-bye."
..............................................
Posted by: HAB | December 03, 2007 at 07:52 PM
Fate and a questionable ref call just gave New England one more game in their undefeated season.
Boston is becoming as hated as the Lakers used to be.
Posted by: Vman | December 03, 2007 at 08:53 PM
i know this probably wont happen but pj says these things for a reason.......last week he says Critter is a talent......is it possible that the Lakers trade sasha to free court time up for Critt?
Posted by: Thirty2 | December 03, 2007 at 09:01 PM
>>>...9 rings is more interested in making sure guys run the system correctly than win games. How else can you explain Sasha EVER playing?
Mostly - yes. During regular season Phil is more interested in making sure guys run the system correctly that win games. He has always said as much. Phil coaches to win Championships, not the best regular season record. He's let it go a bit last year (Kobe Ball) just to have a chance to make the playoffs, but he sure as hell hates giving up control and allowing "offensive freedom".
Posted by: HAB | December 03, 2007 at 09:09 PM
HAB- Phil coaches to win Championships, not the best regular season record. He's let it go a bit last year (Kobe Ball) just to have a chance to make the playoffs, but he sure as hell hates giving up control and allowing "offensive freedom".
How was that worked the last few years with this team?
This team cant afford to give away any games in the regular season so 9 rings can keep to his antiquated style. This is not a championship caliber team so every win is important and letting the team lose to "prove a point" has proven meaningless.
Posted by: Laker Lover | December 03, 2007 at 10:00 PM
LL
>>>How was that worked the last few years with this team?
Not too well. The past two years of Phil's tenure and even the 04 Finals fiasco I personally have blamed the "uncoachable" one for team's underachievement. He is the one that wasn't playing within the system, yet for certain obvious reasons, Phil's hands are tight to fully reign him in. i.e bench.
But I am a bit more open to seeing other points of view. Team was doing well going into the 06 Playoffs in Phi's first season. A very young team, with only Kobe having triangle experience, I think. They lost to Suns in seven. Young guys just don't do well in playoffs their first time out there. The pressure is just so much greater than regular season.
Last season was marred by excessive injuries after a good start causing Kobe to lose patience with his young and less talented teammates. Phil lost Kobe. Teammates lost the will to live:-) sorta. Just an ugly chemistry blowup all around.
So it's not the system that is "antiquated". The system was/is not adhered to enough to make it relevant. Point is that systems win championships. One is not necessarily better than the next. It's which team has the better discipline to stick to its system that has the best chance of winning. It's like fad diets. Today it's South Beach, yesterday it was Atkins, blah blah... Any reasonable diet that restricts caloric intake will work as long as the user sticks to it. It's just a matter of sticking to the system. Discipline is what gets you results.
As an added thought, perhaps because the triangle is more complicated than other systems, those who master it become more disciplined than the rest in the process. I think that's what Phil thinks, and I agree.
Posted by: HAB | December 03, 2007 at 10:36 PM
Howard explodes for 23 boards and 7 blocks in his second of B2B games. See how good he is when he doesn't have Drew to deal with?
lol, Kidding, Drew's got a ways to go still to catch up to the best center in the NBA. But I think he can get there, and even surpass him. He'll never have Dwight's stenght and hops, but he does have a better feel for the game already. Hopefully, we'll be treated to a Kareem vs Shaq type of matchups for many years to come.
And speaking of GS, I sure like that kid Biedrins. He'd fit into that "head banger" role nicely. Come on Nellie! YOU KNOW YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY 3 POINT SHOOTERS!!! HAHAHA. We have a couple really good ones we can spare...
Posted by: HAB | December 03, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Baltimore's stupid coaching staff cost the Ravens the game tonight. Stupid asses called time-out when they had stopped Tom Brady on a 4th down. How stupid can you be?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 03, 2007 at 11:01 PM
We have 3 SFs now...
Expect one to be moved. PJ doesn't like redundancy.
I would like to see the Artest trade go down due to the defensive edge of Ron Ron. Hell I'd even like to get Danny Granger cuz he can shoot the rock. Until Lamar can prove he can drain them, it's going to be an uphill battle.
Is Mike T's big body theory correct? Who knows. but things had to fall to earth, somehow. I envision Ariza's PT going up soon, giving him legs before Odom or Walton are shipped out.
Posted by: Alec | December 03, 2007 at 11:39 PM
i won't be surprised if sasha and walton go for nocioni.
you heard it here first!
Posted by: Alec | December 03, 2007 at 11:41 PM
Well...I'm happy Cook went somewhere else. Mo Evans on the other hand was great and had great potential to be very good. Why Evans? Now heres the real deal. THE LAKERS NEED TO TRADE ODOM AND WALTON. Its like "1+1" Odom always tries to be the hero and ends up bricking from three point or top of the key like he's a guard. Every time he drives he ends up falling down or going out of bounds. Worst of all. he does it in the most crucial moments and we end up losing. Second, Walton just doesnt fit with the other gunners and runners and powerhouses. He likes to thow away the ball too and every once in a while bricks a lot of baskets when he thinks he's the hero. Sure these two guys will have a great game here and there then the others are not even worth looking at in the stat sheet. Odom and Walton stink and its time to get consistent solid players. These two players make the Lakers what they are, number 8 at best in the west with no progress. Cook was a good start. Should have kept Evans.
Posted by: Chris Almeda | December 04, 2007 at 12:13 AM
Whats going to happen on Dec 15th? does anyone know?
Posted by: Jack | December 04, 2007 at 01:15 AM
Jack-
It's the first day free agents signed in the offseason can be traded.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | December 04, 2007 at 02:13 AM
I agree with you, Michael T. The Patriots lucky streak is as frustrating as the lakers ineptness. Lets hope The Steelers puts an end to the madness.
Posted by: troy | December 04, 2007 at 05:54 AM
Alec,
"i won't be surprised if sasha and walton go for nocioni."
If that happens you will be remembered as the best prophet that came to this blog this Christmas. Cheers!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 04, 2007 at 08:11 AM
What about moving Fisher to shooting guard and starting Farmar at the point? Move Kobe up and run past the other teams.
Build Kwame a suit of armor so he doesn't get hurt, since the Lakers go down in flames when he's out.
Trade Lamar - I think LA has seen enough to know he will never be consistent, despite his amazing versatility and potential. anyway
Posted by: newJtimes | December 04, 2007 at 08:11 AM
Mo Evans is a really good player, and many of us are sorry to see him go. However,
until we get our stars lined up (and by that I mean trading for someone else's stars
to compliment our star) the little guys (everyone else on this team) mean zilch. I do
not feel that we will get this kind of help from the league, and so trading Kobe and going
lottery is my pick. If we can't trade him due to the immense problems involved, sit him
down on the bench and go lottery. The only thing the Lakers bring to a game is interest -
it's probably a lot of fun for fans of other teams to watch the lakers lose to their teams.
We make it close, Kobe is electrifying, reminds a lot of folks of Michael, and the Lakers
lose again. Is this what we enjoy? Laker fans - do you want more of this? You're
going to buy a big-screen to watch this?
Posted by: Paulie | December 04, 2007 at 08:33 AM
newjtimes,
Good idea of combining 1 Farmar 2 Fish 3 Kobe 4 LO 5 Drew.
Now that lakers will be playing Minny, perhaps it's OK to experiment a rookie and newcomber for a change in the second string 1 Critt 2 Sasha 3 Ariza 4 Luke 5 Turiaf
Mix youth with speed and energy. Chris Mihm could replace Drew or Ronnie if they get into foul troubles.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 04, 2007 at 08:38 AM
AK/BK,
Automated robots always appear whenever I post. How can I avoid them? Please advise and thanks.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 04, 2007 at 08:40 AM
EDWIN GUECO SAID: "Automated robots always appear whenever I post. How can I avoid them? Please advise and thanks"
Why do you want to avoid us Edwin? We just want you to send a message to our father
KWAME bROWN
Posted by: Automatated Robots Union Steward | December 04, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Again, Mo and Cook almost immediately start to play for Orlando. And with Mo, he starts to contribute immediately. Yet Ariza can't see the light of day.
But wait....Orlando's a better team than we are, so how are two of our former bench players able to integrate immediately into their lineup, but Ariza can't see the floor a full TWO WEEKS after the trade?
Are we so stacked at the 2-3 position that Ariza can't break into the rotation? If so, why did we trade for another 2-3? (and it's preposterous anyways, as Sasha's getting the minutes yet can't make a shot)
Is our system THAT complicated that it takes 2+ weeks for a new guy to be able to play non-garbage minutes?
If it's the latter, then I seriously have to object. During the Kobe-Shaq era I hated hearing "we can't sign so-and-so because he wouldn't fit the triangle", or "it's too late in the year to add anyone because they wouldn't know the triangle". IOW, the oh-so-complex triangle is once again hampering our ability to improve our lineup.
To sum up, it may be that (when compared to Orlando) we're a less talented team running a far more complex system that prevents us from incorporating better players.
Doesn't sound like a recipie for success to me.
Posted by: Jason F. | December 04, 2007 at 09:06 AM