6-12th Men of the Year
The NBA only hands out an official award to the first man off an NBA bench, but for the Lakers, their entire reserve panel's work merits some kind of cash prize, ribbon or smiley face. If you ask one Kobe Bean Bryant, his pine boys are the cat's pajamas. In particular, the work of Sasha Vujacic, Ronny Turiaf and Jordan Farmar has stood out in bright, shiny fashion. Of course, if you're gonna credit the young Farmar, some props need to be simultaneously tossed in old man Fish's direction. The effectiveness of the purple and gold bench has been pretty obvious all season, but if any further evidence of their prowess is required, compare the Laker second unit to that of their opponent during tonight's match against the hapless Heat. Frankly, Miami's first unit ain't world's better.
September inspires Earth Wind and Fire to boogie, Neil Diamond to get sentimental and Kobe Bryant to have his hand fixed.
As the Cassell turns, his perceived quest to become P.J. Brown's teammate remains in limbo. In the meantime, if a playoff team is interested in shopping at Bed, Bath and Giricek, it may be open for business. And if these three or other free agents (wanna be or otherwise) don't join your roster, it's never too early to start thinking about the summer.
That sound you hear is the blogosphere puking in harmony at an LBJ milestone achieved.
On the plus side, Jamaal Tinsley's looking more upstanding to Pacers fans of late.
I think O'Bryant gets the "malcontent" label because the team never really gave him a chance to play. They drafted him high then Don Nelson came in with the run and fun offense which obviously, was not a good "fit" for O'Bryant. How would you feel if, after college, you were assigned to your first job and then basically told to sit in the corner for 2 years with no shot of ever getting to do anything of value?
Posted by: TaosHum | February 28, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Also I think it is easy to pin a label on some one which has no merit. I mean Pau was considered a malcontent in Memphis.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | February 28, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Bronxleakerfan,
"Gorilla on the loose" is not a criticism but props in Hollywood. It means strenght, merciful and romantic, that's King Kong. In LA, we romanticize a gorilla. Perhaps, I should have first establish some foundations before using the term. Don't worry BLF, when I used some terms, it could be misinterpreted but I don't belonged to people who would put down a good natured man like DJ MBenga. I believe in his cause and I want him to improve more than anyone, similar to Coby Karl and Ronnie Turiaf. Win or lose I will be the first one to cheer these band of players.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 28, 2008 at 03:57 PM
What is the latest on the injury to Vlad Rad? Does anyone know when he is expected to play again?
Mark
Posted by: markythearky | February 28, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Sometimes you just can't hit someone with a 10 foot pole.....
Posted by: Charles | February 28, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Ex,
I guess that's where we diverge again. I don't think having Shaq gives them a better chance of beating us with Drew. I see him lighting up Shaq the same way he did Amare (assuming he returns to his previous form of course).
Posted by: Xodus | February 28, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Edwin G.....
OK, I understand where you where coming from. Certains terms rub me the wrong way and I may have overreacted. No worries.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | February 28, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Can Gordon Giricek of Sixers help us? he is about to be released by Sixers. Phoenix and Celtics are desperate team, they wanted all players being waived. This is like shopping in a flea market for discarded items.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 28, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Edwin,
May I humbly suggest you use the nickname I coined...
"Congolian Beef"!!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | February 28, 2008 at 04:13 PM
WTF @ Hollinger with him lame ass stats comparing Manu to KOBE!!!!!
he defending champion Spurs are up to their usual tricks, lying in the weeds for half a season only to make a late run. Once again they're on top of the Southwest division, and nobody will be surprised to see them make another deep playoff run.
However, one thing has changed: the team's offensive focal point. For years, the Spurs' primary weapon has been Tim Duncan and, to a lesser extent, Tony Parker.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Not many players in the league can hang with Ginobili's production.
Not anymore. This season, it's the Manu Ginobili show. The sneaky southpaw leads the team in scoring at 20.6 points per game, but even that understates things. Ginobili's usage rate this season has climbed all the way to 28.0, the sixth-highest figure in the league.
This has escaped people's attention because Ginobili only plays 31.5 minutes per game. But to see how much he's getting the rock, and how productive he's been when he's had it, let's compare Ginobili's per-40-minute stats to those of another prominent player: Kobe Bryant.
You think he can't hang? Guess again. Kobe averages 29.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per 40 minutes; Manu gets 26.2, 6.4 and 5.9.
Wait, it gets better. Kobe plays on one of the league's faster-paced teams; Manu is on the second-slowest. Plug Bryant's numbers into the Spurs' sluggish pace and you get 26.9 points, 5.9 boards and 5.2 assists, making the comparison a dead heat.
Additionally, Ginobili has done it with a spectacular 61.7 true shooting mark that ranks fourth among all shooting guards, and trumps Kobe's 57.7.
All this helps explain why Ginobili ranks fourth in the league in PER. Not that it's anything new -- he was ninth in this category a season ago. It also explains why the Spurs can continue to win despite off years from most of their role players and declining numbers from Duncan and Parker. If every time Ginobili comes off the bench you think to yourself "Kobe Bryant is checking in for the Spurs," their success becomes a lot easier to understand.
Yet because of Ginobili's low minutes and his team's low Q rating, he's failed to get his due as one of the game's biggest stars. He's been amazingly slow to get a superstar's acclaim, with his puzzling All-Star snub being the latest example.
One common misconception is that he benefits from playing mostly against opponents' second-unit players because he comes off the bench. First off, this defies common sense -- nobody else is playing their subs 30 minutes; if Ginobili gets 30 and the opponents' sub at his spot plays 15, it's at most a 50-50 split (and that's only if the minutes align perfectly).
More importantly, the data doesn't support this hypothesis. Check out Ginobili 's splits, folks. Ginobili has been far better as a starter this season, shooting 49.5 percent against 44.5 percent while averaging six points and two assists more per game. This isn't unusual -- the vast majority of players perform better as starters, because apparently the disadvantage of coming into a game cold is greater than the advantage of getting a few extra minutes against the other teams' scrubs.
In short, Ginobili's ability to dominate isn't because he's coming off the bench; it's because he's a flat-out superstar and has been for two years now. The prospect of he and Kobe going shot-for-shot in the conference finals is one of many reasons to be excited about the upcoming playoffs.
Posted by: samski | February 28, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Fire32,
Your posts are hilarious. You call us cowards?
I don't really care who we meet in the playoffs (because whoever we meet, will have deserved the matchup)
But I as a Laker fan would not be scared of facing your team because of how we have performed against you this year, 3-1 remember?
If you want to call someone a coward, why don't call your own coach one.
"I don't know if it can be any more (intense)," D'Antoni said. "It's pretty good. ... Hopefully, we don't meet them in the playoffs.
http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/lakers/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_lakers_notes_21.43ce967.html
remember this is a Laker blog, so if all this Laker talk is making you feel defensive, well tough.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | February 28, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Ahhhh... the little puppy just pooped all over the blog.
Still cute though.
;-)
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | February 28, 2008 at 12:51 PM
ROFLMAO
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | February 28, 2008 at 04:15 PM
DrewPauKobe
Thanks for your reply man....
Regards
Posted by: Charles | February 28, 2008 at 04:15 PM
LakerTom,
With all due respect, I respect and admire the original 55-win bandwagon
from the summer of '06 (I was there in spirit even though I never officially
threw my hat in the ring), I think that we should only promote this
year's 55-Win bandwagon (and as I stated in an earlier post, I think
it should automatically be upgraded to a 60-Win bandwagon).
That bandwagon of '06 was supporting a different team as we were fresh
off the heart-breaking series defeat to the Suns and we actually thought
that Kwame and Smush could be viable options. This year's bandwagon,
IMO, took a lot more courage to join given the summer of discontent.
Thanks and Go Lakers!
Posted by: Bzar | February 28, 2008 at 04:15 PM
I have no technical ability with video clip montages, but I have vision.
Here is my vision: A Lakers 2007-08 season montage set to the Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
The music would start with the choir singing, clips of last year's first round playoff exit. Shots of Kwame and Smush in action, and Kobe's post game conference.
Mick would start singing his part "You can't always get what you want". Shots of JKidd, Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest.
As Mick builds to a crescendo repeating "you can't always get what you want" , he finally says "But if you try sometimes / you just might find / you get what you need" The music explodes, and we explode to clips of Bynum, and Gasol, dunking, blocking shot, Kobe alley-ooping and assisting both to easy buckets ...
Make it happen, youtubers. Thanks.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | February 28, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Tim,
Thanks. Just what I need to get me up to game speed. That was a sweet dunk. I had been harping on Jordan all that month to start using his hops. I had even gotten into thinking that maybe he was one of those guys who needed to jump stop so he could jump off two feet.
I am hoping that Tuesday's game has gotten Jordan back into his A-game. He was definitely the guy who stepped up and supported Kobe. He and Sasha have become money players off the bench. I think we will see more of our three guard offense with Kobe at the 3. Think how smokin' that will be with Drew and Pau at the 5 and 4. And no, Staples, I didn't forget our starting smal forward, the great Lamar Odom from Rhode Island. lol.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 28, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Fire32,
You are earning your stripes. Sonny came in here with some fairly funny stuff, talking about Brokeback fans...
Sonny is such a staple of our community that the K-Bros have dedicated threads to him before.
If you stick around, and if you pitch in viewpoints and don't succomb to the type of posts you started with (you guys suck, we're going to kick your butts)... then you will be the Phoenix version of Sonnybelfast.
I don't think anyone in here LEGITIMATELY thinks the Suns can beat us if we have a healthy squad. Sonny will report on things from a King's fan veiw point, and you can do the same... just tell us what's happening in the minds and hearts of Phoenix fans and we'll enjoy the commentary.
Stick around long enough, and you'll become a staple of the blog, just like Sonny.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | February 28, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Maybe I am wrong!
I've seen that we have a Phoenix fan here which is good!
He says Phoenix Suns is the best in the west right?
Question: What West?? West of the desert? ... you better try to figure it out with your phoenix suns fellaz where to get a couple of bottle of water 'cuz you all we'll need come end of the season or perhaps the playoffs.
You know what they say: Shaq has a lot left in the thank right?? What tank??? You know the prrice of gas is a lil' up right??
Sugestion: Save as many gas, water or whatever you guys have left in phoenix because the SUN won't rise there for a long period of time... you know the movie 30 days of night... that'll be 30 years of eclypse.
Posted by: Maxximo | February 28, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Instead of picking on certain players..i.e. Walton Fans should be more concerned about their Defense....Boston completly stopped James last night....If the Lakers don't improve their defense they are just like Phoenix and Dallas in the past few years...Great offense..Soft Defense...Even Kobe needs to stop gambling all the time and play straight up D.So instead of looking at what players do on offense,check out their D..D wins championships!!!!
Posted by: neil | February 28, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Tim-4-Show
"If you stick around, and if you pitch in viewpoints and don't succomb to the type of posts you started with (you guys suck, we're going to kick your butts)... then you will be the Phoenix version of Sonnybelfast."
My point excatly....
Posted by: Charles | February 28, 2008 at 04:24 PM
ex.
They closed that bandwagon except to guys who make ten free throws every time before they leave the gym.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 28, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Fire32,
We absolutely want to beat the Suns at their best. That's the reason why the Shaq trade was so disappointing to me -- I wanted the Lakers to meet the Suns (with Marion) in the playoffs and destroy them. Time is running out very quickly for the Suns and it's only gotten worse with the acquisition of Shaq.
This sentiment is the same reason why it's unfortunate that Yao was injured. I wanted the Lakers (or whichever team matches up with the Rockets) to face off against the Rockets at their best.
And in the same way, just wait until Bynum and hopefully Ariza are back. The Lakers will get to that next level among the league's best teams (the Spurs and Pistons). The Suns do not worry me at all -- my focus is on the PROVEN teams not the promising teams.
Posted by: DK | February 28, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Hello there laker fans.
I'm guessing it's : Suns / Lakers vs Celtics in the Finals.
Who's with me?
Posted by: BostonBoy | February 28, 2008 at 04:31 PM
AK/BK
you should charge import taxes on Fire32 and Sonnybelfast.
i understand if they come here with smack and one liners.
but if they take so much space/time and lakers fans attention to talk about funs&queens they should PAY for it.
Posted by: ZIn Master | February 28, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Shaq's Newest Moniker: "THE BIG MISTAKE"
I love it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 28, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Lakers Legacy
Thats what I like to hear, but some of the others weren't acting that way before the SUNS game. Thats what brought the coward comment, nothing else and we all seen you guys came out of it triumphant.
That afternoon you also seen about 2 or 3 other so called SUNS fans commenting on your blog, but they were only talking garbage and as a SUNS fan I understand them, we're rivals right. They did I did it, we all did it even you guys do it. Like I said they were only hear to talk shi#, but what did you see from me, yes I stuck around to CONGRATULATE you guys. You guys got us that evening, I said good job but don't act so cowardly and make excuses before a game you guys see as a challenge.
Tim-4-Show
Will do buddy will do
Posted by: Fire32 | February 28, 2008 at 04:44 PM
BostonBoy,
Let's get real. I understand the Celtics have the best record and started the year at a ferocious pace. But they've since come back down to earth and it was a crash landing.
I think the most realistic scenario is Lakers / Spurs vs Pistons. Considerably less likely is Lakers / Spurs vs Celtics.
Cassell and PJ were great pick-ups for you guys, but 1. I don't think the Celtics have enough size; 2. Cassell will get torn apart by younger guards; 3. the Celtics lack the killer instinct (think Kobe / Baron / maybe Manu / Lebron is on his way / etc.)
Posted by: DK | February 28, 2008 at 04:45 PM
How do you guys suppose PhoenixFan knew to use the Blood Pressure comment on me. Isn't it also ironic that Fire32 is typed the exact same way. Capital on the First Letter one word, same blog style of input.
AK-BK, Like what Laker Tom and I were asking, anyway to verify the IP Address and or email use of bloggers here?
Charles
Posted by: Charles | February 28, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Preparing to watch a good matchup between Mavs and Spurs. Interested to see how Kidd and Mavs do against the Spurs because the Mavs have played only one good team since Kidd's arrival and got beat badly(Hornets). Since that loss to the Hornets, they've beaten up on the Grizzlies, TWolves and new look Bulls.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | February 28, 2008 at 04:53 PM
We absolutely want to beat the Suns at their best. That's the reason why the Shaq trade was so disappointing to me
DK
You shouldn't be disappointed the SUNS have enough time to work things out, they're vets that have gone to the WC finals that if it weren't for the 2 suspensions, I believe they would be champs today. They're going to surprise you. Remember SHAQ is built for the playoffs now.
Posted by: Fire32 | February 28, 2008 at 04:54 PM
I could aptly apply the same discourse to the collective mentality of the Laker Nation, but richtown's "he's just a few ants short of a picnic" fits Testes like a jockstrap. Kudos.
And while jockstraps (or at least those snuggled to the Man-Child's) are the rave with so many Laker fanettes, indulge your neighbor to the north and open your ears to a bit of advice, as follows: Don't take these boys in Miami lightly, or they will pounce on you. They are not without bonified All-Stars, the will, or the ability to make themselves respectable by season's end. You can do it, but in short, don't count your Kobes.
Having said that, I''ll go straight to the only matter of importance in today's pre-game thread; the Sacramento Kings of Basketball. With or without Ron Ron, (we have a lot of young talent and are gaining room to bring in more) we are short one dominating player in the frontcourt to again become another force in the west; thus the entire NBA. Aint going to happen this year or probably next, though one can never really know for certain about such things.
For us however, it is fortunate that in the month of April, almost exclusively, we go against playoff teams legitimately in the hunt (including the Lakers four times) where we'll have a shot at prevailing. The Wolves, Grizzlies, Sonics and such I've already chalked up to our loss column.
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | February 28, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Out of curiosity, am I the only one who noticed this out of the AP preview of tonight's game:
"Bryant had 33 points as he shot 10-of-15 from the field and made all 11 of his free throws in the Lakers' 104-94 victory over the Heat on Feb. 10. That game came before Miami (10-44) traded Bryant's former teammate, Shaquille O'Neal, to Phoenix, making this the first meeting between the Lakers and the Heat since 1996 that won't feature O'Neal on either team's roster."
Now, I seem to remember Marion making his debut against the Lakers post-Gasol on that (not-so) nasty road trip earlier this month. That would mean that the Big Tub of Lard wasn't on either team's roster, right??
Or am I crazy.
Posted by: Luke | February 28, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Charles........I think I smell a green troll!
Posted by: toad | February 28, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Fire32
I'm glad you're here. Just please avoid being redundant and posting the same thing three different ways. (oh,no. that was just redundant!) Nothing sticks in my craw more than broken records. I certainly did a lot of skipping over some never-to-be-named Laker fan bloggers who are thankfully no longer here. Keep it fresh and we'll keep reading.
Posted by: Mob Wagoneer | February 28, 2008 at 05:01 PM
knowing posted:
And please, the Sacramento Kings use to call their guys "The Bench Mob" so let's come up with something better because our guys are definitely much better!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: knowing is half the battle | February 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM
JustaLakerFan replied:
Sure how about the "other starting unit" or "Bench" or "Our Other Starters"
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | February 28, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Anytime, man! I sure bet anything sounds better than "The Bench Mob". I still picture those Kings wannabees for a few years back. Try this link:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_3_224/ai_59021120
Here's an excerpt:
"...The Bench Mob (point guard Darrick Martin and shooting guard Barry are credited with creating the moniker) has become a vital extension of the team's identity.
The Mob is comprised of its primary group--Martin, Barry, small forward Peja Stojakovic, power forward Lawrence Funderburke and center/forward Scot Pollard--and a secondary group, defensive specialists Tyrone Corbin and Tony Delk, plus rarely used center Bill Wennington."
I used to hate those guys! The guys that come closest to mind today are the Phoenix Suns players. As Frank Perconte was once heard saying "[T]hey're all piss and vinegar". hmm, come to think of it... how about SECOND PLATOON!
I'm feeling brother(ly) right now... to whomever's in charge of the BANDwagons... sign me up sir! I'm one of the replacements.
Posted by: knowing is half the battle | February 28, 2008 at 05:01 PM
BostonBoy,
It's Lakers versus Pistons/Celtics.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 28, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Charles.........Sam looks like he is about to take a chunk out of someones neck every time he opens his mouth.....
I cant wait to see Kidd ....V.........Parker
Posted by: Thirty2 | February 28, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Charles
I'm not Phoenix Fan, what he or she couldn't go back or remember what you have written before. Are you calling P. Fan a dumb blogger
K.bros it's cool you can check the IP , so they can hear from you guys that I'm not P.F.
Posted by: Fire32 | February 28, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Eric M,
No, I was pointing out the significant exaggeration in your "25 games" commeht. He has has a number of good games in that period.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 28, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Eric,
1/6, 1/8, 1/9, 1/13, 1/27, 2/6, 2/10, 2/23, 2/24; that comes out to a little over 1 of every 3 games, which is dramatlically more than none.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 28, 2008 at 06:50 PM