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.
Utah has been hurting without Okur, because he's their only reliable outside
shooter. Not that I want to help Utah, but if they're really jonesing for some
outside shooting, maybe the Lakers could trade them some. Here's a few trades
with some potential (for the Lakers. I don't think Utah would take them, and
that's why they'll be a 7 seed or lower this season):
Sasha Vujacic for Ronnie Price and Paul Millsap
Sasha Vujacic and Coby Karl for Ronnie Brewer and Kyrylo Fesenko
Vlad Radmanovic for Gordan Giricek and Paul Millsap
Vlad Radmanovic Gordan Giricek, Ronnie Brewer, and Kyrylo Fesenko
Vlad Radmanovic and Coby Karl for Millsap, Giricek, and Fesenko
I know Utah would hate to give up Millsap or Brewer or Fesenko, but you've
gotta give to get. And the Lakers do have some shooters.
And one last parting shot:
Kwame "big calves" Brown
and Sasha "The Electric Blanket" Vujacic
for
Jarron "almost as good as Kwame but for 2 million" Collins
Gordan "expiring contract" Giricek
Ronnie "new backup SG" Brewer
and Kyrylo "the Ukraine freight train" Fesenko
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 19, 2007 at 03:21 PM
Smushie here
Is there any vacancy there?
I'm getting fed up with my new team, as they don't know my talents and how to motivate me.
You know how I play... I'm the best PG you can ever have.
I can play better than both D'Fish and J Farm combined.
I can team well with the greatest potential center - Kwame.
Pls. take me in.
I'm missin the lakersblog
Smushie
Posted by: Smush | December 19, 2007 at 03:22 PM
TaosHum,
"but that doesn't hold a candle to watching the game in prison"
Yup, that guy has it all... brains, writing ability, high basketball IQ, strong calves, and most of all... Street Cred.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | December 19, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Mike T. reminds me of Pee Wee Herman. Weird, basically insignificant, probably thinks he's amusing, but in the end...just weird!
He does prove a point though: how persistence on a point, no matter how ludicrous, never giving in, going so far beyond rational argument...like George Bush.
So Mike T. is a combination of Pee Wee Herman and George Bush.
Mike, I'll drop a coin in your cup if I ever see you on the street. BTW: how long were you in prison before you were punked out?
Posted by: Laker for LIfe | December 19, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Mike T -
Have you ever played basketball? Like, actually gone on a court, picked up an actual, inflated ball and played a real game with other, non-imaginary people? I doubt it, because you wouldn't be trying to make the ridiculous arguments about the different styles of Andrew Bynum and Kwame Brown if you had any non-XBox basketball experience.
Your main point seems to be that they have two distinct, yet equally effective styles of defense: Kwame being the big body, keeping people away from the hoop power game and Andrew being the finesse, allowing penetration but rearing up and blocking their shot game. In your mind, both are equally effective ways of "anchoring" a defense and generating wins.
Well, you're wrong. According to 82games.com, in both the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons (when Kwame Brown was the primary starting center), the Lakers surrendered more points in the paint to their opponents than they scored. On the other hand, this year they are scoring more in the paint than they are allowing.
So, this got me wondering: what evidence are you using to support your claim that Kwame keeps people away from the basket? Certainly, the numbers don't support that claim. Anyone who has played or even casually watched basketball knows that no one defender, no matter how effective he may be, can keep every player from getting to the basket - it just can't be physically done. You cover your man well, they swing the ball around, a quick guard loses his man and penetrates the paint, and you have to make a decision - do you leave your man and help and possibly give up a dunk, or do you stay with your man and try to box him out for the rebound? It's a team game, so the way that teams succeed is by playing team defense - guys rotate around and help one another. You react to situations and cover the best you can. Certainly, anyone who has watched any Laker games over the Kwame era know full well that the Lakers have been plagued by quick guards penetrating the paint. Kwame Brown's magical calves have NOT prevented this - the numbers don't lie.
Your whole paradigm of "power vs. finesse" is completely wrong, as well. Rebounding and shotblocking aren't just numbers, they are real events that have a real impact on the game, and if you don't generate those stats, you're not impacting the game in that manner. Period. If you're not blocking shots and you're not rebounding the ball, you're not doing a good job on defense. Now, this isn't to say that you can't have a game or two where you're doing things that don't show up in the box score. But over time, you will tend to average a certain amount of stats, because you will have impacted the game, and that's precisely what stats are.
For example, in the Lakers' final championship season, Shaquille O'Neal (who I would assume is the epitome of the "power" type of defensive player you're talking about) averaged three blocks per 48 minutes. In the Pistons' championship year, Ben Wallace averaged almost four blocks per 48 minutes. Why did Shaq and Big Ben generate blocks, and Kwame doesn't? Can you name one other good defensive player who doesn't generate stats in blocks and rebounds?
Kwame is a good one-on-one defender, but a below average help defender. He doesn't go after rebounds, doesn't have a lot of lift in his step, and has small hands that lead to turnovers. You point out that some of Andrew's points against the Bulls came from times when his man had to guard a penetrator - this is precisely when your center is supposed to score! You don't get extra points if you beat your man one-on-one. Why are you making a distinction with Andrew's points? Are you aware that these are points that Kwame would never get, because he doesn't get offensive rebounds, and his small hands bobble a lot of put-back attempts?
Get off it, already. Stop trying to further your agenda. The arguments you are making have no foundation in reality.
Posted by: SBPimp | December 19, 2007 at 03:24 PM
tasohum,
"maybe we should all be nicer to Mike from now on... Nah! he thrives on adverse comments! LOL! "
Now that is funny! I remember the times when I was so deep in the hole that all I could think of was what it was like to be free. I remember saying to myself: If I ever get out of this...I don't care what happens as long as I'm free. So yeah, these "adverse comments" are really nothing to me but like: "you can't be serious, can you?"
LOL!
But I will tell you this. Back then in the many places where there wasn't a TV or radio and basketball season was on. I would walk out of my cell going to breakfast or lunch or something...I would ask a guard...Hey, who won the Lakers game last night?
I don't know how many times I had to go searching for a Southern California paper just so I can keep up with the Lakers. That's when I was up North. But throughout the years I mostly listened to the games on radio.
I was in the California Youth Athority when Kareem smashed Kent Benson in the face and ruined our season.
http://hendrasyahputra-a.blogspot.com/
"The second time he broke his hand was in the opening game of the 1977-78 season. Two minutes into the game, Abdul-Jabbar punched Milwaukee's Kent Benson in retaliation for an overly aggressive elbow. He was out for two months."
I was laying down on my bunk listening to that game when he punched Benson. That ruined our season that year.
Later on in years I always thought that was a cheap thing for Kareem to do. It was Kent Benson's first game as a pro. Benson NBA never got off the ground after that punch. Can you imagine a kid wanting to make a good impression get punched in the face by a guy with Martial Arts skills like Kareem?
Cheap!
Hey, remember the "Black Jerry West?"
Name that player!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 19, 2007 at 03:33 PM
These are the games that the Lakers should take advantage i.e. Cavaliers, Sixers and Knicks. Winning on the road against .500 team is the true test of stability and consistency. Every Lakers should pick where the other left of with double figures. Like if Sasha shone on the Bulls, it's time for Vlad to pick it up and have his moment too. Luke is becoming steady which is good, that makes it a deep bench but I still go Ariza and Javaris when it comes to defense. Luke is more interested of inbounding the ball than putting his body in front of a guy driving to the hoop. There is no way, I will give him more P/T than Ariza. I hope Kobe and Fisher will get the rest and still the teams wins. We need those legs comes playoff time.
If the Lakers are winning, let us not talk too soon of championship or domination of the Western Conference. Every game is unique by itself, take care of the game chores than speak high volumes on events that will come in the future. If ever we wish to raise our own chairs, please speak of 'ship in whispers. Give a little space for Bynum to grow and continue playing team basketball.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 19, 2007 at 03:36 PM
The experiment to create a BEAST from RAW MATERIAL has worked. The Lakers have hit the JACKPOT.
When Big Man Guru Pete Newell stated before the season started that Bynum was going to be special and that Kobe should back off of little because he was going to be GREAT. The quote that stayed with me from Pete Newell was this: In all my years of putting on this training camp for Big Men, nobody has improved more from 1 year to the next then Andrew Bynum.
It seems like he is improving by the day not the year. It seemed like he couldn't block a shot during preseason, timing off or whatever, now he looks like he could go for 10 in a game.
This potential has to be scary for the rest of the NBA. At 20 I would have to think long and hard to even trade him for Howard. Now that is unthinkable. Could he be that good?? I think so or at least close to it.
THE YEAR OF THE BYNUM!!!!
SHOWTIME IS COMING BACK STAY TUNED!!
BD
Posted by: BD | December 19, 2007 at 03:44 PM
I mean come on Mike, it's starting to make sense now. Kwame reminds you of someone special from prison, right? You've been studying big men up close for a long time, playing on the rim often. A lot of man-on-man action. But you probably didn't play much defense yourself?
I'm sure you're well versed on having guys drive it to the hole.
Posted by: Laker for LIfe | December 19, 2007 at 03:44 PM
Laker for Life,
So you mean "Pee Wee Bush" ?
Posted by: hariyahu | December 19, 2007 at 03:46 PM
Nemaia Faletogo,
I could still see a situation where the Kobe to Chicago deal could heat back up.
If the Lakers swooned again at the end of the season due to injuries or youth
or whatever, and they got knocked out of the first round of the playoffs again,
then Kobe's carefree happy attitude will evaporate pretty quickly.
But that's not going to happen. After 55 wins and a Western Conference Finals
appearance, Kobe is going to be happy to continue playing for the Lakers.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 19, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Prison = Hiding in his mom's basement.
Bread & Water = Hot pockets and Mountain Dew
That life would mess anyone up. It could even turn someone with a decent amount of B-ball knowledge into a Kwame lover.
:(
Lol at Pee-Wee Bush.
Posted by: frank1rizzo | December 19, 2007 at 03:55 PM
ok ok I won't talk crap any more let me in.
Posted by: rayray | December 19, 2007 at 04:00 PM
AK/BK...
I guess nobody told you guys that Typepad is the Kwame Brown of blog software?
Plays great position down low against big comments. Intimidates spambots with its big calfs. And doesn't give a rip about getting any better anytime soon.
Posted by: CornerJ | December 19, 2007 at 04:09 PM
I think Charles Barkley summed up the statement concerning Kwame the best.
"If Kwame Brown is the Key.... You have the wrong door!"
Posted by: MJT | December 19, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Kobe 24.74 PER Ranked # 8
AB 20.63 PER Ranked # 26
LO 12.54 PER Ranked # 183
It is clear who the 2nd best player is on the team. He is going to want Odom type money real soon which can't be good for LO.
BD
Posted by: BD | December 19, 2007 at 04:18 PM
I love how Mike T says Kwame defends the rim better than bynum but its bynum who has 26 blocks in the last 7 games and the lakers have won 5 out of those 7 games HAHHAHAHHA
Posted by: Justin | December 19, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Greek Dude,
Isn't it funny that just right when were talking about it, it happens? The dunk that is. Freaky!
Jon K, always a fan. It's good to see you here again. Who cares what other blogs think.
Posted by: Faith | December 19, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Laker for LIfe...
uhhhh that post was pretty bad (and funny IMO, haha). But you might want to be careful or you might get the boot, and not from the spam bot.
Posted by: frank1rizzo | December 19, 2007 at 04:27 PM
Since every post I've posted has been caught by the spambot nazi...I guess I can impart some words of wisdom lol.
If your posts don't go through, and it says it's marked spam. Just let it go. The K Bros have been pretty good at digging those out of the spam box, and reposting it here.
It's all good. Like that christmas present that is sooo hard to unwrap!
Posted by: Faith | December 19, 2007 at 04:27 PM
oh man, Mike T, I'm sorry I brought it up, it wasn't my intention to open you up to sniping on the prison front, I was just trying to get a feel for why you are so adamant about Kwame... prison is serious stuff, I don't care how anybody trys to shade it, it's... prison! and probably beyond the scope of a Lakers sports blog...
It is interesting how you have developed this whole theory about big men though... hey, it's your theory and you're sticking to it and in years past, generally it was brute force against finesse, David Robinson vs Shaq or fill in your own opposites, and you're right, against a David Robinson, brute force will win every time but Bynum isn't nearly that thin and while Bynum can't root somebody out of the post to the free throw line like Kwame, Bynum is learning how to let them pass or think they have passed him and getting to their shot at the apex instead of trying to get it before or after. Kwame is just going to try and bull you around. They would be a good combo if Kwame could stay healthy, would take a pay cut and play some PF for us as well as backing up at Center. It would certainly give Phil a lot of options but... it just doesn't appear to be in the cards. It just appears that you are backing the wrong horse here...
well I'll post again just in case...
Posted by: TaosHum | December 19, 2007 at 04:28 PM
"I love how Mike T says Kwame defends the rim better than bynum but its bynum who has 26 blocks in the last 7 games and the lakers have won 5 out of those 7 games HAHHAHAHHA'
I don't think you're understanding what I'm referring to.
If Kwame is pushing the game so far away from the rim, he doesn't need to get a lot of blocked shots. Bynum, because he allows so much penetration, better get a lot of blocked shots or the Lakers are toast.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 19, 2007 at 04:31 PM
Faith
Can i please get on the Sasha Bandwagon... aka You Can Only Hope to Contain Sasha bandwagon.
Posted by: sixonezero | December 19, 2007 at 04:50 PM
Zakee:
Welcome back, dude. We missed you but not Smush. haha.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | December 19, 2007 at 04:52 PM
BD,
You left out a few Laker PER scores there. Yes Kobe is #8, Bynum is #26 and
Lamar is #183. But you skipped these guys:
46. Sasha Vujacic 18.97 PER
Yes. Sasha "The Electric Blanket" is a top 50 NBA player at the moment.
66. Trevor Ariza 17.67 PER
73. Jordan Farmar 17.43 PER
Nice to have a couple of young players in the top 100. Lakers have FOUR.
104. Derek Fisher 16.14 PER
DFish hasn't been shooting as well lately, but he's still in the top 1/3 of players
in the NBA.
145. Ronny Turiaf 14.08 PER
161. Vlad Radmanovic 13.42 PER
175. Luke Walton 12.89 PER
Three forwards that are all playing slightly better than Lamar so far.
183. Lamar Odom 12.54
(but moving up - his play has definitely improved recently - he'll be over 15
before new years)
269. Chris Mihm 8.74 PER
I think it's safe to say he hasn't made it back to his pre-injury skill level
----------------
Plus there are a few Lakers who haven't played enough minutes to make
the "Qualified" list. They are:
Coby Karl 35.19 PER
(this is why you use large sample sizes for statistics
Javaris Crittendon 11.55 PER
Actually, a pretty good PER for a rookie.
Kwame Brown 10.02 PER
At least it's better than Mihm
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 19, 2007 at 05:02 PM
THANK YOU LAKERS FRONT OFFICE...MITCH MAKES HIS MARK!
While there definitely was some serendipity happening in how we landed Fish, this past summer may become the defining period in the legacy that Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss leave when they depart basketball. It may end up being as important a set of decisions for the success and future of the franchise as Jerry West trading for Kobe, signing Shaq as a free agent, and drafting Fish at the end of the first round.
Here are the excellent moves that Mitch and the Lakers front office made to transform this team into a contender:
(01) Not trading Kobe. Thankfully the Lakers learned their lesson with Shaq.
(02) Drafting and not trading Bynum. There is no doubt that Bynum is now untouchable.
(03) Not trading Lamar. Back at the 4, Lamar and Drew give us strong control of the glass.
(04) Signing Fisher as a free agent. Fish is having a great season and shooting lights out.
(05) Drafting and not trading Farmar. Jordan has become the Lakers 6th man and energizer.
(06) Trading for Trevor Ariza. Getting a strong defender for Cook and Evans was a steal.
(07) Not trading Sasha. Still very young, Sasha may yet turn into our Steve Kerr.
(08) Not releasing Vlade. Vlade is finally giving us the long range shooting we need.
(09) Releasing Smush Parker. This was pure addition by subtraction. Adios Smushcalade.
(10) Sticking with Ronny. Braveheart continues to be a valuable role player if not starter.
(11) Re-signing Walton and Mihm. Luke is starting to play well. Mihm could help by playoffs.
(12) Signing Coby Karl as a free agent. Coby is burning up the d-league with his shooting.
(13) Drafting Sun Yue and Marc Gasol. Like the Spurs, are now smartly stockpiling assets.
(14) Recognizing Kwame’s value. If Kwame can get healthy and back up Drew, then we rule.
Sure looks to me like the Lakers front office knew what they were doing and didn’t let the injury plagued season and drama queen summer derail their confidence or direction. Way to go, front office. My apologies for doubting your ability. I love this team.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | December 19, 2007 at 05:02 PM
Zakee has probably been on some Heat blog bashing Smush. HaHa
Now that they are getting rid of Smush too, Zakee can rest. That's why he is back now.
Posted by: frank1rizzo | December 19, 2007 at 05:16 PM
Mike T
Yes the nuggets arent a good defensive team, and yes Camby is the reigning defensive player of the year, but still basketball is a TEAM game, im surprised that you even bring up that the nuggets are a bad defensive team, if you know basketball like you claim to you would know that one player doesn't make a team a good defensive team. there is one on one defense and there is team defense, some players excel in only one area and others excel in both, Kwame is a good one on one defender but he is not so good in team defense, thats why he sucks on pick and rolls, as well as help defense. Bynum is a better help defender that kwame is, he has much better timing and instincts than Kwame and thats why he gets more rebounds and blocks.
Posted by: ose | December 19, 2007 at 05:19 PM
RESIGN SAMAKI WALKER!
http://www.samakiwalker.com/
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: JonKavulic | December 19, 2007 at 05:23 PM
Maybe Sasha can get enough free throw attempts to be one of the tops. I think he leads the team lol.
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
(10) sixonezero
One game a time.
Posted by: Faith | December 19, 2007 at 05:42 PM
It amazes me how people got so much time to dig up information to make an argument that goes against the team they are supposedly supporting. Shouldn't Mike T be happy Bynum is developing? is he blind to see that his arguments make Kwame even more useless than he already is? He should be happy the Lakers are where they are and end that negativity.
Go Lakers
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | December 19, 2007 at 05:47 PM
On cnnsi.com there's an article by Paul Forrester where he enumerates his
top 10 NBA sixth men.
Number 9 on the list?
Jordan Farmar.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 19, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Interesting night around the league. Cavs are struggling against the Knicks, GS down at Minny, Spurs trailing the Griz and Detroit winning at Boston. Lakers have to be ready tomorrow night. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | December 19, 2007 at 06:16 PM
One thing I noticed this season...
Were doing a lot of dribble penetration - then kickout.
Farmar and fisher is doing a hell of job slashing thru. Vlad/sasha doing well on spot up jumpers.
I think the difference is that last season, shooters are NOT making shots so theres not point in guarding them... now, because they cna make shots its breaking up the defense
Posted by: jaworski | December 19, 2007 at 06:22 PM
LTLF,
Sasha. OMG!!! I traded him at least 5 times and that was just last week. LOL
The last 2 games he looks like a sharpshooter, like he has finally figured it out. I hope it last but geez what a surprise. Sasha The Machine!!!
BD
Posted by: BD | December 19, 2007 at 06:28 PM
The Celtics can be beaten and after looking at the box scores, there weakness was exposed. The bench had only 5 points for the game.
This is a good sign when Lakers vs Celtics meet in the Finals. HAHA
BD
Posted by: BD | December 19, 2007 at 07:05 PM
Anyone watching the Suns/Mavs game?
Anyone notice how the Suns' 3-point shooting is almost a non-factor?
The Suns have fallen off a bit and I think the Pacific Divisons is open to be had.
Notice how everyone in the league is talking about defense now?
The elite teams are now talking defense because everyone knows that defense is going to win it all this year, again.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 19, 2007 at 07:11 PM
jon k - thanks for the samaki website... and it's all purple and gold too haha. he's still living in '01.
Posted by: dave m | December 19, 2007 at 07:20 PM
Which Suns blog, Jon K.?
E
Posted by: Emma | December 19, 2007 at 07:22 PM
O’NEAL’S ROLE SHRINKS AS BURDENS GROW
by Karen Crouse for the N.Y. Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/sports/basketball/20shaq.html?ref=basketball
This is an excellent story on the personal and professional problems confronting Shaq right now. As much as I have always been on Kobe’s side in all the Shaq/Kobe debates, I feel sorry for Shaq right now. He and Kobe brought us three championships so it’s hard for me to wish him ill in his personal life. Good luck, Shaq.
Behind this story, of course, is the reality that is facing the Heat right now -- $60M for Shaq over the next three years is going to really hurt, especially if Shaq cannot get it together. Yesterday, I posted a list of excellent moves made by Lakers management in retrospect. Add to that list trading Shaq rather than giving him that five year extension he was demanding. Yeah, we probably should have gotten more but at least we made the right decision, which was NOT to invest in an aging overweight center with very poor work ethic.
Here are some interesting facts: Shaq was 28 years old and in his 8th season and Kobe was 22 years old and in his 4th season in 1999-2000 when he and Kobe won their 1st NBA championship. Kobe is now 29 years old and in his 12th season and Andrew is 20 years old and in his 3rd season. Since Jerry and Wilt, Magic and Kareem, and Kobe and Shaq, the Lakers have been about the teaming of a superstar guard and center. Lo and behold, now we are seeing the emergence of Kobe and Drew.
What is remarkable is how Kevin McHale must be thinking right now because it is definitely looking like the pieces that the Lakers offered for Kevin Garnett are far better than what the Wolves got from Boston. The unethical insider hand job that McHale gave the Wolves is going to start to hurt more and more as Bynum’s star ascends. The Garnett deal will go down in the infamy that it deserves. Why do Boston’s teams seem to be the worst? The curse of Len Bias is still alive. Kobe and Drew will overcome the evil 3 in green.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | December 19, 2007 at 07:36 PM
Wow, another crazy night in the league. Cavs lose big at NY(which means we have to be really prepared tomorrow night because you know LeBron and the Cavs will want to bounce back), Pistons beat Celtics, Griz win over Spurs at buzzer, Utah loses again, this time to Charlotte, Houston falls to Orlando and Dallas and Phoenix are running each other to death. Lakers need to continue stay focused and hungry because they can bypass quite a few teams. Even the Pacific Division title is in reach if they can stay close to the Suns. Yes, they can challenge the Suns for the division this year, why not? They have what it takes to challenge the Suns for the division and then contend for the title. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | December 19, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Mike T. you are totally off if you Moses Malone had a body type like Kwame. Moses was all upper body. Look up an old picture and you'll see Moses had the skinniest calves ever for a big man. Also Kareem was at the end of his career when Moses supposedly dominated him.
Anybody else for the Bynum Breakout bandwagon or is that already closed since it is a done deal? Check out who was on it originally.
Mike, I give up, who was the black Jerry West?
Posted by: rdlee | December 19, 2007 at 08:32 PM
EARL TATUM
http://marquette.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=552709
"Position semantics aside, the "Black Jerry West," as McGuire dubbed him, had one of the most prolific careers in Marquette history. Thirty years after his final game, he's tied for 23rd place on the school's career scoring list, is one of only 18 players in Marquette history to be a member of both its 1,000-point and 500-rebound clubs and still holds the school record for most field goals (241) in a single season.
After averaging a team-high 18.3 points in 1976, Tatum was taken by the Los Angeles Lakers with the fourth pick of the second round in the NBA draft."
He was nothing close to Jerry West but I remember when the Lakers drafted him, Chick Hearn, on occassion, would refer to Earl as "The Black Jerry West."
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 19, 2007 at 08:49 PM
Heat lose to Atlanta and on top of that lose Mourning probably for the rest of the year(he also said this would be his last year)to a knee injury. Things went from bad to worse for the Heat. Amazing that this team won a title just two years ago. who will Miami pick up now to back up Shaq because he is foul prone and can't play heavy minutes like he used to. Heat are really in trouble right now and I don't think they will recover no matter how good Wade is. I wouldn't be surprised if Riley tries to make a trade for Kwame Brown or even Chris Mihm because they need immediate backup help. But then again, I could be wrong because the Heat probably wouldn't want Kwame and the Lakers want to keep their center tandem for at least the rest of this year. One really foolish trade scenario mentioned recently was the one with Sac sending Artest and Bibby to Miami for Ricky Davis and Jason Williams. I don't see how that makes Sac better at all. Anyway, another important and big game for us tomorrow night in Cleveland. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | December 19, 2007 at 09:12 PM
The Suns 3-point shooting is waaaaaaay down this year. They only shot 6 of them tonight.
This is a different Suns' team.
When we get healthy I don't think the Suns are going to win the Pacific.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | December 19, 2007 at 09:21 PM
Ditto that last comment Mike T. We can win the Pacific with everyone healthy and playing at full strength because we're bigger and just as if not more athletic than the Suns. Our Lakers are putting it together and will be even better, deeper and stronger when we have our full squad. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | December 19, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Mike T,
You said the Lakers are 7-6 in 15 games with Bynum as the starting center? What type of math are you using.
The Lakers are 10-6 since Kwame went down. Kwame was injured so early in the Chicago that Kwame didn't really have a chance to contribute. And if you want to discount the game Bynum missed against Minnesota that's a 9-6 record. And that's while the team was dealing with Kwame's injury that forced Mihm to play, Turiaf dealing with injury and Cook and Evans being traded for Ariza that caused us to go through a rough stretch.
Posted by: Xodus | December 19, 2007 at 09:45 PM
Well Miami's season is officially over. Mourning went down with a knee injury.
Posted by: zen | December 19, 2007 at 09:50 PM
I feel bad for Zo. He's a warrior. And the Heat needs to get past the illusion that making the playoffs is worth anything to them. They'll lose their first rounder if they make the playoffs and they'd be better of grabbing a top 3 or 4 pick in the draft and grabbing Michael Beasley to pair with Wade for the next 10 years.
Posted by: Xodus | December 19, 2007 at 10:10 PM
Add me to the Sasha Breakout Bandwagon.
We are, talking basketball and not pimples aren't we?
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | December 19, 2007 at 10:12 PM