Back to the drawing board
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Be sure to tune into Purple, Gold, and Blue today at 11. We'll be kicking around the Bynum injury, talking about where the Lakers go from here, FAs and potential trades... all with Bethlehem Shoals of Free Darko. Click on the show widget on the side of the page, and feel free to call in!
The Clippers did the Lakers a solid, beating Phoenix last night at Staples to allow the Lakers to maintain their perch high atop the Western Conference. (Ah, the Suns ain't that good anyway, right?) Ask Phil Jackson, though, and he'll tell you that if they'd like to stay there, LAL can't be a one man show as they were Monday night against Seattle. Everyone, from Kobe on down, needs to maintain the mindset of getting involved and staying that way. As it is, the Lakers- or at least some Lakers fans- are trying to suppress feelings of injury induced deja vu as nicks little (Sasha, Vlad) and big (Bynum) start to add up. It's widely suspected that the Lakers will add another body to the mix, to shore up the runway model thin frontcourt. PJ Brown says he's not interested, but Chris Webber is certainly an option (this deja vu thing really has legs).
What they'll be a mover and a shaker at the trade deadline is an open question, as there are good reasons to deal, and bigger limitations that could keep it from happening.
One silver lining to the Bynum injury? It shows how much Kobe believes in this team when he's healthy. There are, though, some lingering questions (and answers) about the injury aftermath.
Lakers record Post Bynum Injury
Our PBI record is 1-0 (could possibly reason 2-0)
Minimum Goal: 15-15 (still a contender)
What I would like to see: 20-10 (Look out Finals, here we come)
What I think we'll see: 17-13 (Right on track to be scariest team in West)
What do you think Mamba 24? Where do you think our PBI will end up?
Posted by: AN1 | January 16, 2008 at 12:11 PM
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* CALM DOWN DOWN DON’T PANIC BANDWAGON *
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(1) AN1 – Owner & Driver
(2) MAMBA24- Riding Shotgun
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* GET WELL SOON BYNUM BANDWAGON *
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(1) ALL LAKER BLOGGERS - Owner
(2) MAMBA24- Driver
(3) KEIFO- Riding Shotgun
(4) tha Show – Security
(5) BYNUM BELIEVER – Chaplain
(6) RICK FRIEDMAN - Enforcer
(7) JEFF – Fan of the Baby BEAST
(8) CHARLES – Peace
(9) HmrHed - All Nails beware
(10) Utworld THE BANNER HOLDER
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55 WIN BANDWAGON MEMBERS:
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1) LAKERTOM……………………………(21) TALIQ……………………..(41) PURPLE & GOLD
(2) MAMBA24…………………………….(22) SLO GAL………………….(42) THIRTY2
(3) LONG_TIME_LAKER_FAN…………(23) DEREK……………………(43) BLACKMAMBA24
(4) JUNO…………………………………..(24) NIK KANAN….…..……….(44) JUSTIN
(5) GENERIC_ONE………………………(25) BOB………..….……..……(45) OutsiderGua
(6) HOBBITMAGE………………………..(26) FAITH……..…….………...(46) Violater
(7) MARTY………………………….…….(27) LAKERLOVER//….……....(47) SHAQFAN
((8) DAVID WHANG……………….…….(28) COMPLEX_BROTHA…....(48) Houston Laker
(9) ROKY…..………………………..……(29) ISSANG…………………....(49) JEFF
(10) KEIFO………………………….……(30) WHITE MAMBA24…………(50) JOE DUBB
(11) VIOLATER…………………...…….(31) LAKALOVA………………….(51) utzworld -
(12) DICE8UP…………………………..(32) EASTCOASTJESSIE………THE BANNER HOLDER
(13) HUBBIT…………………………….(33) Q WUOR
(14) BD…………………………………..(34) LAKERAHOLIC
(15) JONNIN IN JAPAN………………..(35) TSIRY
(16) ALEXINHO17……………………..(36) DREW
(17) TWOODY………………………….(37) Nestro’s Bistro
(18) KIWI………………………………..(38) BLAZE1BX
(19) FEARLESS WHACK JOB……….(39) BZAR
(20) DAN DAN THE LAKER FAN…....(40) CHRIS H.
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Members at heart
(52) Bob……………… (53) Faith…………. (54) LakerLover… (55) ComplexBrother
56) Issang
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READY TO JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON BUT:
(57) RICK FRIEDMAN - NEEDS APOLOGIES FROM KOBE, FO AND ALL CONCERNED
(55) CBUCK - When we reach 55 cbuck will be number 55 so climb aboard folks
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* 60 WIN BANDWAGON
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(1) LAKERAHOLIC – OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) BOB
(3) MAMBA24
(4) WHITE MAMBA24
(5) JOE
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THERES A NEW SHERIFF IN THE WEST AND ITS
THE FREAKIN LA. LAKERS BANDWAGON
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(1) MARK JACKSON – OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) JEFF VAN GUNDY
(3) BILL WALTON
(4) MAMBA24
(5) JANAYA - RIDING SHOTGUN
(6) JON K.
(7) IVI8KRS
(8) JOE DUBB
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MITCH KUPCHAK EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR BANDWAGON
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(1) MAMBA24 – OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) JANAYA
(3) JON K. - RIDING SHOTGUN
(4) JOE DUBB
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MITCH KUPCHAK I OWE YOU AN APOLOGY BANDWAGON
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(1) MAMBA24 – OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) Tha SHOW – RIDING SHOTGUN
(3) JANAYA
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DAVID STERN IF KOBE BRYANT DOES NOT WIN THE
MVP THIS YEAR SOMEBODY IS GOING TO JAIL BANDWAGON
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(1) NIK KANNAN - OWNER AND DRIVER……….(14) TSPHERE
(2) MAMBA24………………………………………..(15) LARRY
(3) VIOLATER……………………………………….(16) CBUCK
(4) OUTSIDERGUA………………………………...(17) EAST COAST JESSIE
(5) LAKERTRUTH - RIDING SHOTGUN………...(18) WHITEMAMBA24
(6) ALEXINH017…………………………………....(19) BLACKMAMBA24
(7) DREREK
(8) SHAQFAN
(9) JANAYA
(10) JON K.
(11) IVI8KRS
(12) JOE DUBB
(13) FEARLESS WHACK JOB - SECURITY
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ANDREW BYNUM MOST IMPROVED PLAYER IN THE NBA
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(1) LAKER FAZE OWNER AND DRIVER……….………(8) DEREK
(2) RDLEE - DING SHOTGUN………………..….……....(9) BENNY BLANCO
(3) VIOLATER…………………………………….………..(10) BD
(4) RICO TICO………………………………………….….(11) JANAYA
(5) MAMBA24………………………………………………(12) IVI8KRS
(6) LAKER TOM……………………………………………(13) JOE DUBB
(7) JON KAVULIC………………………………………….(14) FEARLESS WHACK JOB
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ANDREW BYNUM FOR ALL STAR TEAM
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(1) FEARLESS WHACK JOB – OWNER AND DRIVER
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*VLAD RAD BREAKOUT BANDWAGON/ I REMEMBER WHY WE CREATED IT!
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(1) VIOLATER – OWNER AND DRIVER...(4) RICO TICO…………..(7) DREW
(2) MAMBA24……………………………….(5) KEIFO
(3) SIXONEZERO…………………………..(6) JANAYA
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BENCHMOB BANDWAGON CLUB
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(1) NESTRO’S BISTRO – OWNER AND DRIVER
(2) XODUS – RIDING SHOTGUN
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Posted by: Mamba24 | January 16, 2008 at 12:18 PM
"AK BK,
You are going to be at practice today right? Please put your investigative skills to practice and get us as much info as you can on Bynum's injury. I need a lot more info then what is out there in the media. Counting on you!! Thanks!
BD "
I second that
Posted by: BynumBeliever | January 16, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Mamba24,
You are one of a kind, brother.
Please put me on the * GET WELL SOON BYNUM BANDWAGON *, the 55 WIN BANDWAGON, and at the top of the * CALM DOWN DOWN DON’T PANIC BANDWAGON *
Please also put me atop the SIGN JELANI McCOY TO A 10 DAY CONTRACT BANDWAGON.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 16, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Charles,
Peace! to you, my friend. Hope you are coming along well. As the original post was quite lengthy, the closing summary I think says it best:
As fans, we can not allow the Universe to embrace defeatism in the Lakers' moment of darkness. As Lakers, those healthy enough to suit-up must do the same. They must not fold. If they tell themselves and each other that they must win for Andrew, they can.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | January 16, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Mamba24,
Please also put me atop of the ENOUGH ALREADY OF THE MINDLESSLY RIPPING ON OR WORSHIPPING KWAME BROWN BANDWAGON!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 16, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Lakers will pull together and keep on winning. As long as they stick to their mantra of one game at time and stay focus and play team ball they'll be fine. Some teams actually bond closer when adversity strikes and good things happen. I think our Laker team will respond and surprise even more because I'm sure they hear and read about all those who say the Lakers aren't real and will now fall. The Lakers will prove that they are real and are contenders in the West. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Mamba,
I wholly support your cause. Not only should we not bash Kwame today, but we should never bash the best post player on our team.
Kwame brings it every night and now that he is back in the starting line-up we are undefeated, largely because of Kwame's defensive and rebounding prowess.
Kwame's work ethic this summer has paid off ten fold this season and soon we'll be signing him to a contract that doesn't underpay him for his services.
These are all things that I have studied. I have followed Kwame Brown for the past 12 years. If you people knew the game like me you would understand why Kwame Brown is underpaid even at $9 million per.
Now that we have King Kwame to anchor our defense I fully expect our team to finally start winning some games.
Hats off to Mamba for the suggestion to be positive and support our great post player!
Posted by: Stranger in the Night | January 16, 2008 at 12:25 PM
AN1,
"What I think we'll see: 17-13 (Right on track to be scariest team in West)
What do you think Mamba 24? Where do you think our PBI will end up?"
I think if we do 17 -13 we will win the Title. You realize we only have to
win a little more than half of all our remaining games to finish with 50 wins.
Also this injury to Andrew could be a blessing in disguise. You remeber last
year he faded toward the end of the season. By being out 8 weeks, when he
comes back he will just be hitting his stride as we goes into the playoffs. Now
that should be enough to scare the entire NBA.
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 16, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Hopefully Fish saw Cassel's game and will push Nash around on offense. Make him guard somebody. Tinker Bell can annoy Kobe but Farm and FIsh should have good looks all night.
Go Lakers
Posted by: | January 16, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Welcom back Mamba24
Good fishin trip,good to have you back for the big fight against the Suns.
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA 24 | January 16, 2008 at 12:31 PM
The reason for my optimism is that the Lakers have Fish along with Kobe to keep everyone focused and ready to work. Things may have been vastly different if it were announced that Andrew would be out for the year, but the Lakers know he'll be back and they'll just keep on getting the job done until he returns. IMO, Kobe will read the flow of the game and depending on the situation will take over or defer. Against the Suns and Nuggets, everyone will get involved and Kobe will take over during stretches in the game. Keep in mind that earlier this season we beat Denver in Denver with Kobe in foul trouble and Andrew playing limited minutes because he was sick in Minnesota the day before. Kobe came out and took over in the fourth and Andrew made the only field goal that he attempted and had a key block on Melo in the final minute to preserve the win. The bench played awesome in victories against the Suns twice so far this year and I expect them to continue. Turiaf, Ariza and Crit will give us the biggest contributions over these next two months. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Hey Mamba24,
Please put me on the roll call. I read everyday and occasionally post.
By the way, just to better frame my reference, would you be able to name a celebrity one might mistake you for?
Thanks
Lakalova
Posted by: Lakalova | January 16, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Adir,
You wrote: I dont buy the argument for one second that "He needed to score 48, just look at what everyone else was doing". Trust in teammates is NOT fickle. You dont stop trusting them after they miss 3 shots in a row. If they stopped trusting Kobe after he missed 3 in a row, then Kobe would hardly be trusted at all this year. How many 33% shooting nights has Kobe given us this year already?
The point is, even if it means you lose one more game than you would have lost if Kobe didnt go off for 48, in the long run, the trust in the teammates will win you many more. If the Lakers get used to Kobe shooting 40 shots a game, then they wont know what to do when Drew gets back. Theyll all be used to watching Kobe shoot, and wont have any rhythm as the season comes to an end. Not to mention, Kobe will get used to the 50 point games, and wont want to give those up.
The sad thing is, little teenie boppers will read this and say: OH, youre such a Kobe hater. And anyone with half a brain will know that Im not a Kobe Hater at all, Im a Laker Lover.
QUICK NOTES:
Kobe only took 4 more field goal attempts when he went for 81.
Lebron just hit 51 with 16 LESS field goal attempts. Kobe was by no means "efficient".
(Even accounting for the extra free throws in both cases, the numbers are large evidence that the 48 were not efficient by any stretch of the imagination).
My response:
Kobe did not say that he didn't trust he teammates. To paraphrase: they were down about
Bynum's injury. A look at the play-by-play on the first quarter substantiates that to some
degreee. Let me get this straight: Bynum goes down. Kobe says the team is flat. Kobe
lifts the Lakers to 1st place by going off for 48 in "1" game and this is a bad thing? So
by that line of reasoning Kobe going off for 81 pts was a bad thing too?
You mention the Lakers getting used to Kobe scoring 40. Can we get past the SECOND
game before your predictions of the team becoming spectators becomes relevant?
re: your quick notes. What is your definition of "efficient" as related to the NBA? The box
score says he was 21-44 with 4-7 free throws. Technically that's 49% or so, but the
free throws puts him at ~ 50% right? Kwame was 3-4. Did you want Kwame to shoot
more? Luke was 1-6. Did you want Luke to shoot more? Lamar was 3-15. Did you
want LO to shoot more? The bench came up with 43 points. There season average
is ~ 40 pts isn't it? They shot for ~ 60%. Pretty Good efficiency, right? So your beef
is that Kobe carried LO on a 3-15 night, Luke on a 1-6 night and the substitution of points
because Kwame is playing instead of Bynum?
You say you're a Laker lover. Kobe just acted like a leader & carried the team on an
off night, Kobe shot 50%, the Lakers are in 1st place in the West. After all of this
you're complaining ....
Explain why this is Laker Love and not Kobe Hate please. What am I missing?
Posted by: hobbitmage | January 16, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I don't mind if Kobe goes off against the Suns, but I hope its within the confines of the offense, and I hope it doesn't give long rebounds. Long rebounds can be considered turnovers against the Suns.
Posted by: #4 | January 16, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Stranger in the Night,
"Hats off to Mamba for the suggestion to be positive and support our great post player!"
Thanks Stranger now that you posted you are not a stranger anymore but part of
the family. Welcome, I look forward to your next post.
White Mamba24,
"Welcom back Mamba24 Good fishin trip,good to have you back for the big fight against the Suns."
Thanks Big brother! Good to be back, get ready for war tomorrow>
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ENOUGH ALREADY OF THE MINDLESSLY RIPPING
ON OR WORSHIPPING KWAME BROWN BANDWAGON!
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(1) Jon Kavulic - Owner & Driver
(2) MAMBA24- Riding Shotgun
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Posted by: Mamba24 | January 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Mamba24, nah, not new to this blog at all, just a different name that's all...been reading your poetry for quite some time now bro. You know I'm on your get well BYNUMITE! list.
Korey, not underestimating Bynum's contribution AT ALL. I'm obviously a huge fan of his. But at the same time, the little nuances of the team's improvement show me that we'll be alright. Why?
1) LO, on the surface appears to be back to being a flake. But it's not, he has improved greatly, just not in scoring. He has his now-rare off-nights but his major thing now is he does a fine job as a facilitator on the 2nd unit. This contribution is huge. Last year it was Kobe and Luke. Luke has tanked as a facilitator since Mo Evans left because he lost his one guy who could take it to the hole. Bench Mob during December was more of Bench Choir Boys. LO brings athleticism, double-teams and leadership to the 2nd unit. Phil has been injecting LO with the 2nd unit since January and it's paid off, the "Bench Mob" is coming back, wait til the Machine and Vlad arrive...they will be formidable once again.
2) LO and Luke were not healthy last year but they're much healthier this year.
3) I always felt Fisher was Overrated, but this year, he's playing at an elite point guard level....who would have thunk it? He along with Bynum are why the Lakers thumped teams like New Orleans during that mini-spurt.
4) No Smush. Smush I thought had skills but he lacked enthusiasm and poise. He had the "I'm not getting paid" chip on his shoulder and that translated to basketball ineptness.
So what will see in the next 10 games?
Kobe will jack up shots and average 30-35 points. Not ideal but not all that bad. Without Bynum, Kobe needs to be a leading scorer.
The Lakers will drop down to .700 ball....they've been playing at a 1.00 clip this year...I can't believe with 1 player out some of you think we'll drop from 10 out of 10 to 5 out of 10. Bynum's good but not THAT good to account for half our games.
but we'll let them slide a bit down to .700 since Bynum's out :)
Posted by: Bynumite | January 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
With Bynum out, time for Phil to release the wild mustang, the secret weapon that has been under wraps... Critter... I want to see Critter and Kobe out there at the same time and see what they can create together. This is 1 guy who will not look for Kobe to bail them out like Odom and Luke do way to much of. Let Critter get the T/Os out of his system now so we can use him for the playoffs. This Kid is the real deal. As good as time as ever to live and learn during this Bynum injury.
BD
Posted by: BD | January 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I predict 17-7 for the Lakers and the team rallies around the cause and will bring forth the effort and the passion to follow through with Drew's appsense.
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA 24 | January 16, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Mamba,
How about a "Let's be serious, and no more joking around with our posts" bandwagon?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | January 16, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Fan of the Mamba:
"They've sunk a little already and still managed to win two games they would have definitely lost year."
Absolutely true. I don't doubt for a second that we would have lost those 2 games last year. Last year's team was terrible at winning close games. This year, I feel we can pull them out. And let's face it, without Bynum, we're going to see alot more games down to the wire but this year, we'll win them. .
Posted by: Bynumite | January 16, 2008 at 12:55 PM
To the no name poster,
You don't have to worry about Fish watching Sam last night. I just watched both Phoenix games the other day and Nash doesn't want anything to do with Fish. Both games Fish was lighting it up on Nash. No worries there. Sam did toy with Nash and the Suns last night that was classic Cassell 15-21 wow. I think Fish can do the same. Tk Care.
BD
Posted by: BD | January 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I wonder how long it will take tonight for Raja Bell to throw a cheap shot at Kobe.
Posted by: Laker Seth | January 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Let's ALL pray that the "Soft Hands" gods decide to attach themselves to Kwame’ s Brown for the next 100 years or until he learns how to STOP DROPPING PASSES AND MISSING LAY-UPS, whichever comes first!!
I truly think that Kwame IS an asset as an "off the bench" interior defender. He's a big wide body who is hard to move off the low block. He's quick and fairly agile with good footwork for a man 6'11" 270+ pounds. He blocks shots pretty well too!!
In my opinion, If the Lakers can get 10 pts/ 10 rebs from Kwame "Hands Of Stone" Brown during the 30 or so games we'll be without Andrew "Bynumite" they should win 16-18 games which should keep them in the running for a home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
I also hope that L.O. gets more aggressive and the team as a whole remember to continue attacking the rim and sharing the ball.
The Lakers are in the same position they were this time last year, playing well, winning games but with injuries to key players, this time however the remaining players know how to better handle the loss, we have Derrick Fisher back and the Lakers are better defenders.
Fear not my fellow Laker nutz (I'm the head cashew!), while the Laker team will miss "Bynumite", “Vlad”, “The Machine” and “Big Mhim” and lose a few games we'll be OK...Now, tomorrow and for years to come!!
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: LakerDodgerDieHardInUpstateNY | January 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Welcome back Mamba24! Please man, put me on the Kobe MVP bandwagon.
We're gonna stay number one until Bynum's return! Go LAKERS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tsiry | January 16, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Please put me on the -- Get Well Soon... "BYNUMITE", "RAD VLAD", "THE MACHINE", and the "BIG MHIMZY" Bandwagon -- the 55 WIN Bandwagon, the -- DON'T PANIC, EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE OK...NOW AND FOR YEARS TO COME Bandwagon -- and the -- FORGET CHRIS WEBBER & SIGN JELANI McCOY TO A 10 DAY CONTRACT bandwagon.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: LakerDodgerDieHardInUpstateNY | January 16, 2008 at 01:10 PM
DON'T FORGET KWAME'S CAKE THROWING PROWESS AND DEFENSIVE SKILL AGAINST THE POLICE TRYING TO DEFEND HIS COUSIN. NO BALLIN, CAKE THROWIN, FOUL PRONIN, NON FREE THROWIN PUNK! QUIT EMBARRASSING THE PURPLE AND GOLD WITH YOUR DUMB FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND CLUMSY PLAY. GOOD THING YOU GOT RID OF YOUR CORNROWS BECAUSE YOU'RE DEFINITELY NO PREDATOR. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE HALF THE SKILL OF RONNY TURIAF! LAKERS WERE CHARITABLE BY PICKING YOU UP OUT OF THE GUTTER AFTER YOU GOT PIMPED BY MJ AT WASHINGTON AND HE HAD NO USE FOR YOU ANY LONGER. GET OUT THERE AND MAKE THAT MONEY KWAMIKA!
Posted by: Stranger in the night's Worst Nightmare | January 16, 2008 at 01:13 PM
D'Antoni on his bench: "I think we've got the best bench in the league
That's going to make us a better playoff team because people can't stick to our shooters," D'Antoni said.
D'Antoni was asked how uneasy the Lakers' make him: "I feel comfortable because I think we're better than they are.
They better win tomorrow or he looks real stupid.
BD
Posted by: BD | January 16, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Long time since I posted, but i skim through everyday, just to see what some of you have to say.
It is hilarious when I read all the people who actually believe that this blog has any impact on the Lakers season whatsoever!!! Negative energy??? Karma??? Do you really think any of that matters??? Injuries are a part of the game. I knew Bynum would miss some time this year, and not because of any negative hexxes someone from this blog is sending??? But becaus he is playing his first extended minutes of his career, and that brings a larger POTENTIAL for injury. It is simple probabilities people. Unfortunately, it was an injury that requires 8 weeks, which sucks, but if you didnt see some sort of time being missed by this young man, then you have not been watching the NBA for very long.
Now, IMO, the Lakers are going to be fine without AB17 for a while. Against PHX, and i believe we should concentrate on one team at a time, like the lakers are doing, it is the same 2 teams basically that met in the playoffs two years ago, but both teams are a little better. They got Amare and we lost Smush (in and of itself is an upgrade). Kwame has shown a bit of aggresiveness lately, and although it doesnt translate into as many points as I wish, he does draw fouls. PHX doesnt have Kurt Thomas to come in there and back up Amare when foul trouble comes. LO will have to go to the post, which Im sure is what PJ is telling him.
Bottom line we are going to be alright ppl. But keep on believing you have some sort of impact by blogging here, cause it is hilarious to see how loonie you guys are. I am a fanatic, but I know better than to believe that if I " turn off the TV and not watch, the Lakers will win!!!" or whatever crazy ideas you got brewing in your heads!!
Go Lakers!!!!!!!!
BLF3408
Posted by: biglakerfan3408 | January 16, 2008 at 01:22 PM
is there a TRADE LAMAR ODOM BEFORE HIS VALUE DROPS LIKE A ROCK!!! bandwagon? If so, I'm in!
also, Radmanovic or Walton needs to go, too much duplication there with Ariza also available to play SF and... since Walton is a Phil Jackson favorite... RADMANOVIC MUST GO! If Coby Carl can stand at the 3 point line and hit 35%+ of his shots and play a little D, what do we need Radmanovic for? That's about as much as he does for us, so there's our trade bait/material. The only other question is whether the Lakers plan to sit on Sasha the rest of the year. If Crittenton has shown enough then our possible trade bait would include: Odom, Radmanovic, Sasha, the rights to either Sun Yue or Gasol, and maybe a 2nd round pick, and only trading first round picks for EXCEPTIONAL players. So Mitch can take those player cards, put them on the table and try to russle up "somebody" depending on what they are going after but this whole - sitting around waiting for Odom to become a #2 scorer - ain't working and will never work. Either Fisher/Farmar start scoring 12+ points/game combined MORE or ??? maybe Ariza starts scoring more or ??? otherwise, Kobe will have to put up 40+ points/game for us to have a chance.
Mihm would appear to be untradeable as HE holds the option on next year so... why would he not re-up unless he is bought out...
Also, shouldn't Walton be moved to the 2nd unit with Bynum out? With Walton in the starting lineup you have 2 facilitators in Walton and Odom, a guard in Fisher and a butterfingers in Kwame so... who's going to score? Yeah, ONE GUY in Kobe. Meanwhile, the 2nd unit has Farmar and Turiaf who can put up points and possibly Sasha/Crittenton on every 3rd game, so Walton could "facilitate" that 2nd unit... yikes! I better post this before the winds knock the power out...
Posted by: TaosHum | January 16, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Mamba24,
Damn I miss you!
You have been absent from the blog often these days, what gives?
There many valued contributors to this blog, but dude,
I still think you are the most vital member of this blog.
hubbit
Posted by: hubbit | January 16, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Thanks Rick Friedman!
Posted by: Charles | January 16, 2008 at 01:43 PM
BLF3408,
This is uncle Mike you are talking about. This guy is dangerous. He is currently locked up with his voodoo doll in a 3 x 3 cell without windows. Mike is like the crow in the Stephen King Movies , it's all bad. Contact with Mike has to be avoided at all times or the curse will be upon you. Go ahead and think the injury is just more playing time but we know better. Geez he even did it to his God, Kwame.
BD
Posted by: BD | January 16, 2008 at 01:44 PM
FOR THOSE WHO TAKE OFFENSE AT WHAT SUNS COACH D'ANTONI SAID IN REGARDS TO HIS TEAM BEING BETTER THAN THE LAKERS, HE'S RIGHT!!! THE SUNS DON'T FEAR THE LAKERS AS LONG AS KWAMIKA IS IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE HE CAN'T MAKE STOUDEMIRE WORK ON THE DEFENSIVE END. OUR TWO VICTORIES AGAINST THE SUNS THIS YEAR HAD MORE TO DO WITH ANDREW AND OUR BENCH AND NOTHING TO DO WITH KWAME, THAT'S JUST THE FACTS, FACTS, FACTS!!! BASED ON LAST YEAR WHEN AMARE RETURNED, THE SUNS HAD LITTLE TROUBLE WITH US ESPECIALLY IN THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE KWAME CAN'T HANDLE AMARE. NO ONE SHOULD GET EMOTIONAL OR BENT OUT OF SHAPE BECAUSE I'M PRESENTING THE FACTS AND STATING THE TRUTH.
IN BOTH WINS AGAINST THE SUNS, ANDREW OUTPLAYED AMARE BECAUSE UNLIKE KWAME, ANDREW MAKES AMARE PLAY DEFENSE WHICH LEADS TO FOULS. TURIAF WILL GIVE US A BOOST TOMORROW AGAINST THE SUNS THAT KWAMIKA WON'T. KWAME IS JUST NO GOOD AT ALL IN THE POST ON EITHER END AND PEOPLE SHOULD JUST STOP HOPING AND PRAYING THAT HE'LL SOMEHOW MIRACULOUSLY GET BETTER BECAUSE HE NEVER, EVER WILL!!! HE'S WORST THAN DAMAGED GOODS BECAUSE HE'S NEVER BEEN GOOD TO BEGIN WITH.
Posted by: Stranger in the night's Worst Nightmare | January 16, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Max, Bigman
you misunderstand me, I love Kobe, but even Michael couldn't win a championship by going for 40 50 60 points in the playoffs. Kobe post Shaq era, is very reminiscent of Mike in his early years.
My comparison to LBJ was only that, a comparison. In the Seattle game it just seemed like Kobe was going one-on-one the entire game.
It would be nice if Kobe could accomplish these types of numbers within the framework of the Triangle offense. It's okay to deviate now and then especially when you have the incredible talent of Kobe, but come on....
The Lakers, their fans, and Kobe are about championships and I think we can all agree that Kobe's scoring outburst against teams like Seattle will not translate into victories against top level competition in the playoffs
I am listening right now to AC Green on the Hotlist on ESPN and he says that Kobe is finally coming around about being more of a team player. How long has Kobe been in the league, 12 years? And he is just now starting to figure it out?
Of course I am putting too much on Kobe, considering the deficiencies in other areas, but Kobe brings this attention upon himself ....
I'm impatient, Kobe's impatient
Aren't you impatient?
I haven't been a Laker fan all these years just to be competitive......
and never doubt my love for Kobe, it is okay to critique his game, he's not perfect and neither are we
Thanks Mamba24
Mike P
Posted by: YOU EVER NOTICE | January 16, 2008 at 01:52 PM
TaosHum,
I also think moving Luke to the second unit could be beneficial. I'd like to see Ariza move to the starting lineup because it would improve our defense and athleticism in the starting unit which is limited w/o Bynum. Ariza's three point shot also looks almost as consistent as Walton's so there wouldn't be much drop off their.
Posted by: Xodus | January 16, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Hey Mamba 24!
Add me to the Bynum get well soon bandwagon.
Posted by: Xodus | January 16, 2008 at 01:54 PM
bd,
I feel comfortable because I think we're better than they are.
key words I THINK
Posted by: | January 16, 2008 at 01:55 PM
BLF 3408:
"It is hilarious when I read all the people who actually believe that this blog has any impact on the Lakers season whatsoever!!! Negative energy??? Karma???"
Dude, you have to be slightly irrational to even root for your favorite team. It's not investing or even betting; it's being a fan. Are you "above" rooting for the Lakers? If so, you have my sympathy.
Posted by: The D | January 16, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Here is the Lakers Big 3
Kobe $ 19,490,625--worth every penny!!
Odom $ 13,248,596--nice player who can rebound but no shot
Kwame $ 9.075,000--no comment per wishes of Mamba24
22 million for Odom and Kwame?? It's clear Odom and Kwame's production doesn't
warrant that kind of money. This will need to be addressed soon in hopes of continuing to be a contender in the future and all the young players are going to want there share. The clock is ticking on this BIG 3.
BD
Posted by: BD | January 16, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Ariza will become a more athletic version of Bruce Bowen. Like Bowen, Ariza is a good defender(although not at the level of Bowen yet)and likes to shoot the corner 3(he's becoming more efficient from that spot). Ariza is a much better slasher and has better hops to finish at the rim. I think the Lakers should go more into Turiaf in the post because he's better offensively than Kwame and he has a mid range jumper as well. LO and Luke need to score more from the post which is what PJ wants. Ariza, Turiaf and Crit if given consistent minutes will contribute the most and their numbers will go up in this stretch with Andrew out. Rad and Sasha will also be big for us when they return. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 16, 2008 at 02:12 PM
AN1,
>>>Minimum Goal: 15-15 (still a contender)
>>>What I would like to see: 20-10 (Look out Finals, here we come)
>>>What I think we'll see: 17-13 (Right on track to be scariest team in West)
I'm right with you there on all three of these PBI's, as you call them.
I think 17-13 would keep the Lakers in the neighborhood of the 5 or 6 seed, and then they'd
either end up there or claw and scratch their way back into the top 4 by the playoffs.
By the way, if the Lakers do manage to go 17-13 in Bynum's absence, that would put them
at a record of 43-24 with 15 games remaining. So they'd have to win 12 of the last 15 at
that point to get to 55 wins. That will not be easy, since the last 15 games include Utah,
Golden State twice, Portland twice, Dallas, New Orleans, and San Antonio. So you can
bet your butt that if the Lakers make it to 55 wins, the Western teams will be quaking in
their boots come playoff time.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | January 16, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Hey ya'll
I agree that there is no need to panic, I also think we should sign C-Webb.
I am a Newb, but Mamba, please add me to the * GET WELL SOON BYNUM BANDWAGON *, the 55 WIN BANDWAGON, and make me one called the *SIGN C-WEBB BANDWAGON*, I want to drive that one home.
This Suns game will be a tough one, but I think it will show alot about us as a team. And the next week or so will show us if we really do need C-Webb.
Posted by: The Cat | January 16, 2008 at 02:18 PM
BTW guys and gals, the game is NOT tonight, it's tomorrow night on TNT!
I can't wait for the Chuckster to eat his words "Y'know Ernie, I think the Lakers are the most overrated team in the Western Conference. They're one and done and a 7 or 8 seed. The best teams in the West are the Spurs and the Jazz."
I love the TNT crew but man, only Kenny gives the Lakers some love "5-6 seed"
Posted by: Bynumite | January 16, 2008 at 02:31 PM
I heart the Sign C Webb bandwagon. Put me on it. Also on the Get well Baby B bandwagon.
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | January 16, 2008 at 02:34 PM
TaosHum
>>>is there a TRADE LAMAR ODOM BEFORE HIS VALUE DROPS LIKE A ROCK!!!
>>>bandwagon? If so, I'm in!
>>>
>>>also, Radmanovic or Walton needs to go, too much duplication there with Ariza also
>>>available to play SF and... since Walton is a Phil Jackson favorite... RADMANOVIC
>>>MUST GO! I
I think there is such a bandwagon, though it's not quite worded that way...
It's called the "WE MADE IT TO FIRST PLACE SO LET'S TRADE OFF HALF THE
PLAYERS THAT GOT US THERE" bandwagon.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | January 16, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Long Time Laker Fan,
Exactly. Some people just like the idea of trades. They find them to be exciting and they can be, but, come on!
WE'RE FIRST IN THE FREAKING WESTERN CONFERENCE! What the hell? Why all the trade talk?
NO MVP! NO PEACE!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 16, 2008 at 02:42 PM
The Lakers will prove Barkley and a lot of people wrong and make believers of everyone when all is said and done. Barkley will always go with the "safe" or "obvious" choice because he has no b*lls to do otherwise. This is probably why he's never won a ring because he probably chose the Bulls against his own team. Who knows, maybe he bet against his own team like Pete Rose did?!!! LOL
I remember Barkley choosing Dallas against GS in the playoffs in spite of how the Warriors handle the Mavs in the regular season. He even went with the Spurs against the Suns even though he's a die hard Suns fan. He just goes with the safe choice because he's gutless(obviously not literally). Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 16, 2008 at 02:45 PM
There's speculation that the Suns are considering trading Amare or Stoudemire again. See
this page: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/marty_burns/01/16/suns/ for reference.
The reasoning is that Amare and Marion still have an ego clash going on and that they'd like
to trade off one of them to reduce salary cap while getting back at least one good player (the
article mentioned Odom, Gasol, Gordon/Noc/Thomas as possible deals)
I seriously doubt the Suns would trade either of those guys mid-season, and even if they
would, I doubt they would trade one of them to the Lakers, possibly improving the Lakers.
So I AM NOT PROPOSING THIS AS A TRADE.
But I'm curious about my co-Laker-fans views on these things. How would you feel about
one of these deals, if Phoenix were to offer it:
Shawn Marion for Lamar Odom (straight up)
Amare Stoudamire and filler for Andrew Bynum and filler
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | January 16, 2008 at 02:50 PM
I'm not sure how many of you lived in Chicago during the Bulls dynasty, but I was there during a good portion of that era. My memories are somewhat different than the popular viewpoint of what kind of player MJ was. There seems to be this assumption that the Bulls only won after MJ became a distributor and didn't go off for a ton of points like he did earlier in his career. I'm attaching the link to a game log from the 95-96 season when the Bulls went 72-10 and MJ won the MVP. If you go through a lot of the game logs from this season and the ones around it, you'll find numerous examples of games like this one. MJ went off for 53 points and only two of his teammates scored in double figures. Sure, there are plenty of games that season when his points were lower but you'll also see a bunch of games exactly like this one. My point in showing this is to shoot a few holes in this myth of MJ as this grand distributor (note his 2 assists in this game) and to point out that during any given season, a great shooter will take over the game while his teammates play a lesser role. We can't win every game if Kobe plays like he did Monday, but there will be nights when it's needed.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199603070CHI.html
Posted by: Tully Moxness | January 16, 2008 at 02:52 PM