One down, three to go
It's rare when teams get a chance to go on the road and get fat and happy. Then again, it's rare for teams to get four straight roadies against bad and/or struggling teams, as the Lakers will get this week. Cleveland (struggling), Philly (bad), and New York (cataclysmic, and apparently not big on criticism) are still to come, but Tuesday night L.A. kicked things off on the right foot with a 103-91 win over the Bulls in Chicago. It was their sixth win in their last seven tries, and it happened despite a slow night (7-19, 18 points) from Kobe Bryant. Instead, it was the supporting cast who kicked in during a solid, controlled, 48 minute effort, capped by a 20-6, game capping fourth quarter run in which 24 didn't score a point. The box shows five other players in double figures, including 19 from Sasha Vujacic, who hit six of his ten shots from the floor. L.O.? 17/16. Andrew Bynum played a career high 40 minutes. Luke Walton had a second straight solid game, with 12 points, five dimes, and no TOs.
All in all, it was a pretty satisfying end for Lakers fans, if only because it perhaps drops the lid on the "Kobe-to-the-Bulls" coffin. Kobe admitted that before the season started, he really wanted to be a Bull (fair to say some fans wanted him, too). But for now, everything is hunky dory. Besides, it was apparently just the deep dish pie that attracted him to Chicago in the first place... right? However you slice it, the Bulls are still without that One. True. Star.
It's a shame the schedule makers didn't give Kobe's teammates a chance to pull what would have been a pretty sweet practical joke.
Just read through this thread.
Hmmmm.
I think there is a troll here. Is that really Mike T posting? I would guess that is a NO!.
These comments are way too ignorant to really be him. I think it may be an impostor trying to get you guys all wound up. Just keep it in mind before you start bashing these posts.
The bottom line:
Kwame plays pretty good defense when 1-on-1 with a big. His help D is average at best. He still tries to take way too many charges. He doesn't block shots. He doesn't alter shots. And after this latest injury, I guess this will only get worse.
Bynum is behind Kwame with 1-on-1 against a big. He still needs to move his feet better on D, and get a little more bulk. He is much better at blocking/altering shots. And his help defense has become much better than Kwame's . While there are holes in his movement, and strength, it is no longer a wash because of his length. He has become a better overall defender than Kwame. His Team defense has greatly improved and moved him pass by a little bit. I suspect he will start widening that gap from here.
Rebounding:
Bynum is about 40% better, and I am sure this will grow as well.
Offense:
Lol, don't even need to comment on that one.
Posted by: frank1rizzo | December 19, 2007 at 01:08 PM
MIKE T>
what kind prison were you in because a friend of mine told me they only get local tv no cable or sat.?
Posted by: PK-IN-THE-MESA | December 19, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Just read through this thread.
Hmmmm.
I think there is a troll here. Is that really Mike T posting? I would guess that is a NO!.
These comments are way too ignorant to really be him. I think it may be an impostor trying to get you guys all wound up. Just keep it in mind before you start bashing these posts.
The bottom line:
Kwame plays pretty good defense when 1-on-1 with a big. His help D is average at best. He still tries to take way too many charges. He doesn't block shots. He doesn't alter shots. And after this latest injury, I guess this will only get worse.
Bynum is behind Kwame with 1-on-1 against a big. He still needs to move his feet better on D, and get a little more bulk. He is much better at blocking/altering shots. And his help defense has become much better than Kwame's . While there are holes in his movement, and strength, it is no longer a wash because of his length. He has become a better overall defender than Kwame. His Team defense has greatly improved and moved him pass by a little bit. I suspect he will start widening that gap from here.
Rebounding:
Bynum is about 40% better, and I am sure this will grow as well.
Offense:
Lol, don't even need to comment on that one.
Posted by: frank1rizzo | December 19, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Mike T-
"But right now the Nuggets aren't better off with Camby as the defensive player of the year. You would think that with Anthony and Iverson they would be unbeatable with the Defensive Player of the Year. But they are beatable. In fact they're one of the worst defensive teams in the league.
I'm not sure if you actually picked up on this little tidbit about basketball while on your "studies" but basketball is a team sport. The reason why Denver sucks right now isn't because Camby doesn't have massive calves....It's because the other players don't play defense. That's why J.R. Smith, who can score in bunches, is riding the pine.
Just because you point out certain deficiencies about Bynum's game doesn't give you credibility. You lose more credibility when you use Kwame as the anchor for your arguments. I would completely understand if Kwame was actually playing and challenging Bynum, for minutes, but the sad fact is that he is injured most of the time while Bynum's sorry ass is averaging a FAKE, FOOLS GOLD TYPE double double.
Posted by: sixonezero | December 19, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Just read through this thread.
Hmmmm.
I think there is a troll here. Is that really Mike T posting? I would guess that is a NO!.
These comments are way too ignorant to really be him. I think it may be an impostor trying to get you guys all wound up. Just keep it in mind before you start bashing these posts.
The bottom line:
Kwame plays pretty good defense when 1-on-1 with a big. His help D is average at best. He still tries to take way too many charges. He doesn't block shots. He doesn't alter shots. And after this latest injury, I guess this will only get worse.
Bynum is behind Kwame with 1-on-1 against a big. He still needs to move his feet better on D, and get a little more bulk. He is much better at blocking/altering shots. And his help defense has become much better than Kwame's . While there are holes in his movement, and strength, it is no longer a wash because of his length. He has become a better overall defender than Kwame. His Team defense has greatly improved and moved him pass by a little bit. I suspect he will start widening that gap from here.
Rebounding:
Bynum is about 40% better, and I am sure this will grow as well.
Offense:
Lol, don't even need to comment on that one.
Posted by: frank1rizzo | December 19, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Kwame Brown has a lot in common with Smush Parker...lots of talent and potential but something is short circuited in their makeups. They both play scared.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | December 19, 2007 at 01:14 PM
faith,
It's Long Time Laker Fan. Not Long Time Laker Lover. You're combining me with
another blogger. And it's proper that I'm second on the bandwagon list. At the end
of the summer, I can remember several bloggers saying the Lakers should waive
Sasha "The Electric Blanket" Vujacic so they could sign Larry Turner or Elton
Brown, and I was the main one defending Sasha.
BTW, don't get carried away. No, Sasha shouldn't play small forward or start or
anything else but what he's doing - play 10 to 20 minutes a game at shooting
guard, playing defense with frenetic energy, and taking shots when they come
to him in the offense. As long as his role is limited to that, I think he'll flourish
this year.
Posted by: Long time Laker fan | December 19, 2007 at 01:14 PM
Michael A,
>>>...there was a 6-year stretch in the late '70's, early 80's where Moses was the
>>>most dominant player on the planet. He's easily the more underrated player
>>>of his caliber.
FO FO FO SHO
Posted by: Long time Laker fan | December 19, 2007 at 01:19 PM
What does anyone think about the free agent market in the offseason? It looks like we'll really only have Kwame's money to spend, and perhaps some more if we can make a few moves. Any decent 4 or 5 men available?
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | December 19, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Another Sasha note - for the second time this season, he's on the ESPN Daily
Dime page. note 7: Help for Kobe.
Posted by: Long time Laker fan | December 19, 2007 at 01:22 PM
SMUSH PARKER
Is making me look like the smartest dude in the world.
We got rid of him and look how the ball gets disbursed.
The Lakers will win the Championship this year.
Once Kwame comes back, the 2 headed monster will be in full effect!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Zakee | December 19, 2007 at 01:23 PM
PUT ME ON THE 55 BANGWANGON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Smush Parker means Championship Lakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Zakee | December 19, 2007 at 01:28 PM
I wonder how Kwame and Andrew do against each other in practice? I mean, when Kwame is actually healthy enough to practice, of course. AK/BK, do you have a take on this?
Posted by: RDaneel | December 19, 2007 at 01:28 PM
Folks, let's not get it twisted...Kareem at age 20 would have eaten Baby B. for breakfast. Kareem was so good that the NCAA disallowed dunking during his college career. No disrespect to Baby, but Kareem was special. As far as Moses Malone dominating him, that happened when Kareem was on his downside...in his mid-thirties. No less a physical presence than Wilt Chamberlain said about Kareem, that "for the first time in my career, he was someone that I needed help to guard!" Kareem was a true center, arguably the best of all time. He would have fouled out Kwame Brown in less than a half.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | December 19, 2007 at 01:29 PM
sorry LTLF, I copied and pasted from the great bandwagon driver Mamba24, and didn't notice it.
SASHA BREAKOUT BANDWAGON
------------------------------------------------
(1) FAITH
(2) LONG TIME LAKER Fan
(3) greek dude
(4) Rick Friedman
(5) Tsphere
(6) Yoda
(7) Xodus
(8) Nonzki
(9) Elle
P.S. You got me there Elle lol.
Posted by: Faith | December 19, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Kbros,
I made a post regarding the whole LeBron thing. Perhaps it was arrested by the spam police?
Frank,
You're giving him an opportunity to let himself off the hook when he looks up and realizes his defeat.
sixonezero,
You had me laughing with that Fools gold double-double comment. Great stuff.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | December 19, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Neerav,
>>>The Hollinger Power odds have us as the best in the west and a 27.9%
>>> chance to make the NBA Finals.
A side note on that. When this statistical measure first came out, it predicted that
the Lakers would win 51 games. Now it's predicting 53 wins. If the Lakers keep
playing well, Hollinger's Playoff Odds will be on the 55 win bandwagon.
Posted by: Long time Laker fan | December 19, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Camby and Chandler are help shot blockers. They leave their own man for offensive rebounds and shovel passes in the lane. Drew is blocking his own man (rediculously hard to do) or waiting till the guards shoot to block the shot.
Posted by: greek dude | December 19, 2007 at 01:45 PM
Let's all play the Kwame Brown Comparison Game!
Aside from Moses Malone,
Kwame Brown is like Bill Russell because they throw up before big games
(Russell with nerves, Kwame with cake.)
Next?
Posted by: lone star laker fan | December 19, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Sign me up for the Sasha "Plays well in his contract year" bandwagon.
Posted by: zen | December 19, 2007 at 01:54 PM
MIKE T>
"what kind prison were you in because a friend of mine told me they only get local tv no cable or sat.?"
Good question. Back then I was in the local Southern California County Jails.
Riverside County, which always had the Lakers' channel. Back in '81 I was in San Quentin in the hole. I had no TV then. Most of the California State Prisons from Tehachapi (The Bakersfield area) down get KCAL 9.
When I was in Folsom from '91-'94 I was able to catch PAC 10 basketball on their local channels. That's when I watched Jason Kidd play his college ball.
This is America and Jails are like country clubs. Well, they've gotten stricter over the years to get a hold on the violence but back in the day...it was like an adult summer camp. Well, the county jails are straight out nasty. Those places are filthy.
L.A. County Jails are the most filthy jails in California. And crooked like you wouldn't believe.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 19, 2007 at 01:56 PM
Laker fans should thank Mitch Cupcake and the front office for riding out the ship and not trading for JO (always hurt) and Jason Kidd (getting old and we have a younger group). This organization is setting themselves up for the future and it looks bright......
Kwame, Ariza, Mihm and Sasha's contracts are all gone next year....I would keep Sasha and use the huge numbers left over (15 Million or so) to pick up a free agent like Corey Magg. or Elton Brand.....this would be the final piece.
Or.....
They can trade Kwame's expiring contract and some draft picks to pick up Ron Artest? Or some other player who can catch a pass and make an offensive move.....
Kobe? I would like him to stay...but if he leaves in two years....we have 30 million to sign Wade or Lebron to go with all of our young talent....the lakers are the second youngest team in the league.....stay positive and let's see how this rides out...
Posted by: MIKE | December 19, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Nemaia:
Your questions are too easy.
(1) Mourning. He has the lowest salary ($2.7M) and has an expiring contract. Kwame is not as good and costs $8M although he has expiring contract. Shaq still has $60M and three years on his contract and Mourning.
(2) Andrew – By a huge margin. Better rebounder, scorer, and shot blocker.
And not injury prone. And makes a lot less money.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | December 19, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Laker fans should thank Mitch Kup.. and the front office for riding out the ship and not trading for JO (always hurt) and Jason Kidd (getting old and we have a younger group). This organization is setting themselves up for the future and it looks bright......
Kwame, Ariza, Mihm and Sasha's contracts are all gone next year....I would keep Sasha and use the huge numbers left over (15 Million or so) to pick up a free agent like Corey Magg. or Elton Brand.....this would be the final piece.
Or.....
They can trade Kwame's expiring contract and some draft picks to pick up Ron Artest? Or some other player who can catch a pass and make an offensive move.....
Kobe? I would like him to stay...but if he leaves in two years....we have 30 million to sign Wade or Lebron to go with all of our young talent....the lakers are the second youngest team in the league.....stay positive and let's see how this rides out...
Posted by: MIKE | December 19, 2007 at 01:59 PM
When Kwame was starting, Phil set a "High Goal" for him of 15 and 10.
Bynum is almost getting that with limited minutes.
Imagine if they started running offensive sets for Bymun and started giving him more touches on offense? He is a 20-10 guy waiting to happen.
Posted by: frank1rizzo | December 19, 2007 at 02:05 PM
PhxLkrFan,
Has Dang re-signed with the bulls yet? He can't bring Kobe to him, so he should bring himself to Kobe. :)
Posted by: frank1rizzo | December 19, 2007 at 02:07 PM
PhxLkrFan,
We will still be over the cap by 3-4 million. We can use our Mid level $5 mill and Vet's minimum.
Posted by: Charles | December 19, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Mike T,
You have NO CREDIBILITY already, Bynum is playing just 27mpg and averaging a double/double. He's also top ten in blocks.
By the way he is 20 FREAKIN YEARS OLD!
You were probably still sh*ttin in your pants at his age.
KWAME BROWN IS $9M BUST. He misses half the season, and when he plays he's gettin 4ppg and 5rpg this season
You need to come out with the truth about your crush on Kwame Brown.
Is it the calves? they turn you on don't they?
Posted by: EKO | December 19, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Sasha DUNKED!!!!
As Denzel would say,
My Man...
Posted by: greek dude | December 19, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Zakee,
Damn straight. You are a legendary prophet of the blog.
If I can, I want to relive one of those famous moments from last year's blogging highlight film...
SMUSH SUCKS!!!!!!
Doesn't that just feel so good to relive the glory? Zakee, you should submit more posts, we miss you around here.
PhxLkrFan,
I hate to admit it, but we do NOT have Kwame's money to spend. We're over the cap even if we let his contract expire. We'd have to let all the expiring contracts go off the table to get under, and when we do get under, it's not $9 million under. We're still looking at the MLE this summer. If Kwame isn't dealt, I have a feeling that we may re-sign him.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | December 19, 2007 at 02:28 PM
LO/Kwame for Kids is a stupid trade talk i have ever heard of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: khang | December 19, 2007 at 02:30 PM
speak of the devil... I posted this an hour ago and I guess it was dumped? this is why I use Notepad and keep my posts on there until they actually appear... got tired of losing stuff...
-----------------------------
BK, I still say the TypePad guys are... not so good... to allow this to go on this long but... hey! I just post here! LOL! oh... wait... IMHO! in my humble opinion... of course!
and Dayum! Mike T is a real badazz in real life. Got to like his feistiness on the board but... he was studying Kareem from prison? Mike's had a hard life... I think one of those years I got mad at one of my friends for spilling beer on the couch during the finals... meanwhile, Mike T was watching from prison... you know... I hated my landlord during that time... but that doesn't hold a candle to watching the game in prison... maybe we should all be nicer to Mike from now on... Nah! he thrives on adverse comments! LOL!
Posted by: TaosHum | December 19, 2007 at 02:32 PM
A friend of mine just sent me an email of posts on a Phoenix Suns blog critically discussing this blog and arguing that I, in particular, am a complete lunatic.
Well, if I'm a lunatic, at least I'm a lunatic Lakers fan.
Greatest Basketball Franchise Ever!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | December 19, 2007 at 02:36 PM
BK's prediction proves true.
Sasha had to step up this year.
And it seems he is capable of doing so.
Good.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | December 19, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Mike T ......Im really looking forward to your big man report .....but something else just got in the way....Do you still have the map of the prison you were in tattooed over your body?....Did you escape with tea bag?
Posted by: Thirty2 | December 19, 2007 at 02:46 PM
Sorry off topic, for STH's only. Did anyone else get a Lakers umbrella in the mail unexpectedly. Damn nice umbrella. Sorry for being off topic, just figured this was the best place to find out.
Posted by: lvl8krs | December 19, 2007 at 02:47 PM
LTLF- Sasha's role should be limited as you described, much like Vlads. If they arent shooting well, get them out as they dont bring much else to the table. Although I think Vlad can but not in this system. Put him on the Suns and hed average 20.
Posted by: Laker Lover | December 19, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Charles and PhxLkrFan and MIKE,
Actually, since the Cook trade, if they renounce the rights to re-sign Kwame,
Ariza, Turiaf, and Vujacic, the Lakers would be just slightly under the salary cap,
but not enough to actually lure any free agents. So in effect you are correct,
they're better off re-signing Ariza and Turiaf and maybe Sasha.
The biggest chip they have right now without giving up any players that are
actually contributing to the team is Kwame's expiring contract. But it's only
valuable if they trade him before the trade deadline. I wish he could stay healthy
the whole season and provide the Lakers with another big body post defender,
but at this point I wouldn't count on it.
Posted by: Long time Laker fan | December 19, 2007 at 02:48 PM
I think we're being a bit too tough on Kwame. Once he gets physically better, if he doesn't step up, perhaps the criticisms should begin again.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: JonKavulic | December 19, 2007 at 02:49 PM
I watched Around The Horn and Pardon The Interuption and one of the topics discussed was PJ saying that Kobe being traded to the Bulls isn't dead yet and that there's another chapter to this drama. Is this true? What did PJ mean? Tony Kornheiser said he didn't understand why PJ would make such a statement when Kobe has stated he's happy where he is and the Lakers are playing so well. Michael Wilbon passed it off as another tactic of PJ to keep the team focused and motivated. AK/BK, do you have any more info on this, I mean I know that there would be many questions with the Lakers playing in Chicago, but it seemed as if things had died down. I think it would be a mistake to trade Kobe at this time with how well the team is playing. It would be good to trade another player for someone who will contribute and help our team right now. Is there still something brewing here? Is there a surprise on the horizon that we don't know about yet?
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | December 19, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Mike,
Ariza's contract lasts till 09.
Mihm has a player option which is entirely up to him if he chooses to resign.
Sasha has a team option/qualifiyng offer and will make at least $2mill.
Without resigning Turiaf and Karl, we would still be over the cap.
Free agents who are willing to take a paycut and get about 5-6 million can be the Karl Malone for the post Shaq era. But we will not have cap room to offer big free agent money.
http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/la_lakers.htm
Posted by: Charles | December 19, 2007 at 02:53 PM
say what you will about mike t, the guy manages to keep bloggers talking about kwame day in and day out.
for a little change of pace, i thought i'd make mention of cobe karl. he's started each of the 8 games he's played so far for the d-fenders. he's averaging about 40 minutes a game, 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists. very cool.
Posted by: dave m | December 19, 2007 at 02:54 PM
BK & AK,
I enjoy the addition of the myshow onto the blog.
Good idea.
BK, despite the fact that you are my quasi-nemesis, you've got a good radio voice. Nice phrasing, in particular.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: JonKavulic | December 19, 2007 at 02:54 PM
BK & AK,
I enjoy the addition of the myshow onto the blog.
Good idea.
BK, despite the fact that you are my quasi-nemesis, you've got a good radio voice. Nice phrasing, in particular.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: JonKavulic | December 19, 2007 at 02:55 PM
17 teams are currently within 1 mil of the luxury tax or over it. Stern is an idiot. Now I know why attendance numbers are dropping around the league. He doesn't allow more than one great player on any team without that franchise paying a penalty. Idiot. The Mavs are in really bad shape as these player start to get older. They have no money for a while. It's even worse for the Knicks.
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | December 19, 2007 at 02:56 PM
I really can't see the Lakers signing Kwame for anything close to what he is making now. Mike T thinks Kwame is a great defender, but he is only good at one thing. Being big. That said, I think they will choose to let him go with Drew being more of a presence in the middle next year. Maybe trading Kwame for a young 4 or 5 that can actually catch the ball and put it in the hoop would be the best move. Please no more Kwame. I think Coby Karl might turn into a Kerr type of player off the bench given enough development time.
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | December 19, 2007 at 03:03 PM
Long time Laker fan,
Thanks for the post. I also read on hoopsworld that Kwame has a trade kicker. Any news on that?
I called in the Joe McDonald Show and spoke to Money (off air) about the free agency situation and they mentioned that Ariza was still on the books till 09.
Posted by: Charles | December 19, 2007 at 03:08 PM
The scourge of the NBA right now is the lack of having a center who can actually seal the lane. Everyone is crying for one. Especially NY.
Andrew Bynum for as well as he's done is only 7-6 as the starting center over the 15 games.
What Bynum does is no different than Camby. What that means is we'll wins some and lose some. But we won't be elite.
Our next 3 games are against Cleveland, Philly, and N.Y.
I'll take everything back if Bynum does well against the Cavs frontline.
Ilgauskas
Gooden
James
Vareajo
The Philadelphia frontline.
Dalembert
Evans
Iguodala
The New York frontline.
Curry
Randlolf
I've said it a few times that Bynum has trouble with physical frontlines. Boston showed that.
Bynum has good games against the short handed Clippers and the short Bulls.
These next 3 games will show you what I'm referring to.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 19, 2007 at 03:11 PM
The scourge of the NBA right now is the lack of having a center who can actually seal the lane. Everyone is crying for one. Especially NY.
Andrew Bynum for as well as he's done is only 7-6 as the starting center over the 15 games.
What Bynum does is no different than Camby. What that means is we'll wins some and lose some. But we won't be elite.
Our next 3 games are against Cleveland, Philly, and N.Y.
I'll take everything back if Bynum does well against the Cavs frontline.
Ilgauskas
Gooden
James
Vareajo
The Philadelphia frontline.
Dalembert
Evans
Iguodala
The New York frontline.
Curry
Randlolf
I've said it a few times that Bynum has trouble with physical frontlines. Boston showed that.
Bynum has good games against the short handed Clippers and the short Bulls.
These next 3 games will show you what I'm referring to.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 19, 2007 at 03:12 PM
I have not read any body mention the defense of Ariza. Did you noticed that once he came in to the game in the 3rd quater Deung name was not mention again. Ariza came in and stoped the scoring spree that Deung was on.
Posted by: manu | December 19, 2007 at 03:15 PM