As Mrs. Bueller asked Principal Rooney
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Join us for today's edition of Purple, Gold, and Blue. We'll have guests John Ireland (CBS/KCAL) and ESPN The Magazine's Molly Knight. 11 am. Click the show widget on the side of the page to listen, or go to www.NowLive.com.
Nine times?
And similar to her reaction upon learning her son Ferris had missed school nine times, Laker fans are amazed learn that with last night's 96-83 win over the Blazers, their purple and gold have now emerged victorious on nine straight occasions. But while a nonet of triumphs would hint towards an unbridled roll at hand, in truth, this Laker win was anything but a cruise control cake walk. For starters, bad start. The first quarter featured various sluggish elements, whether shooting, defense and overall energy. Jordan Farmar's insertion late in the frame provided an adrenaline shot in the arm, but despite the upped pulse on display, the Lakers were still prone to mental lapses and weak execution, often the reaction to Portland's physical style of gamesmanship. But despite these factors, the contest remained tight, a scenario where fans have typically counted on Kobe Bryant to take over. The Mamba didn't disappoint. Already having laid the foundation for a terrific second half, Bryant dropped 11 in the fourth quarter and helped his squad pull out of reach. The confetti may have fallen a mite early, but as the box score shows, it were more "glitch" than "jinx."
Performances such as last night's are the fodder for continual "Kobe:MVP" chatter among the fans and pundits (even those who once vehemently questioned Bryant's legitimacy for such hardware). Phil Jackson is on board with a nod for his star. Kobe's main competition for the award includes LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Chris Paul. There's little danger, however, of Luke Walton siphoning away votes from The New Jack Bauer.
The Lakers being on top of the Western Conference would be an achievement during any season. But in 2008, it's absurdly hard to pull off, ridiculous to the point where tinkering by the league might be required. Then again, the curmudgeons aren't all that impressed with a .702 winning percentage in a conference where ten teams are above .500, so perhaps everything is hunky dory as is.
Hey Houston, the Lakers feel your pain.
The Smushcalade remains on blocks in Miami. William Henry and Sam Cassell should get together and go bowling. Aside from the general complications that come with asking Donald Sterling to part with casheesh, there's a potential wrinkle up north and in the desert.
Dallas is now in the Jamaal Magloire business.
justanothermambafan
Haha, God is a Laker fan, though I don't think he was directly responsible for TIvo.
I'm not certain but I'd bet it was Dr Buss's mentor, Hugh Hefner, who's made many giant leaps for mankind.
BTW I did DVR the game and the refs are even worse in hi def slow mo, as you'd expect.
Posted by: Vman | February 27, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Jon K,
I don't mean to be rude but could you stop calling bloggers who disagree with you "haters"? I don't think very many of us "hate" Luke, we are unhappy with the way he is playing but we don't hate him. It's almost like we are not allowed to have an opinion that differs from yours because if we do we are either "haters" or not real fans. At any rate maybe we should give you a thesaurus so you can find a new word to describe those that don't agree with you.
Posted by: Elle | February 27, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Laker Lover-
We mentioned it in the postgame last night, I believe. No doubt Fish's shot has been off, or at the very least incredibly inconsistent. He's under 35% from the floor since the break, and under 39 since the start of February. It shouldn't be terribly surprising, though. Most players, not just Fish, go through hot and cold stretches with their shot. And very few are rock solid consistent over an entire 82 game season. He's not shooting well now, but there's no reason to believe he's in a downtrend that will last for the rest of the season.
Guys go through ups and downs. It's only when the downs last longer (Walton has slumped this year more than he's thrived, for example) that it gets worrisome.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | February 27, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Tim-4-Show,you are in Denver huh?
I had a 4 year stint there from 1997-2001 via a job transfer. I loved Downtown area, worked on 17th St, and lived like 10mins way. I especially enjoyed the 16th street mall..They were in the process of building a ESPN zone just as I moved away..Denver was def an experience (both good and bad) considering I am from NY. I got to see the Lakers like easily at the then new Pepsi Center and great seats then. It was way common for visiting team to stroll down the 16th street mall, so I saw many of the players. I often wondered if they stayed at the Adams Mark hotel right next to my then job..But yeah, just reminiscing..Denver was cool...
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | February 27, 2008 at 10:33 AM
The agent of Sam Cassell thought the Clippers will release his guy and will be a Celt next week. He underestimated Don Sterling, the quintessential wheeler and dealer of real estate in the Southland. He will not renounce a deal and run, in fact he would capitalize it and try to make money out of it. That's Don, a foregone conclusion whose Clippers should be at Anaheim but remain in LA because he believes his team will remain standing when Lakers fall.
There is still hope for Brent Barry or Tyronn Lue, they have not made any decisions yet. We are the tops in the West, with plenty of bigs in our reservoir, we need a strong sell to seal the deal. One of these two players could help our second unit big time. It rests on our reliables while we don't completely rely in the hands of undesirable. We need good LA lawyers to present our case or superstar Salesman to sell what sizzles with the Lakers.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 27, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Was that the video of some bouncer keeping Ronny Turiaf out of a night club?
What? Did this night club include dancing? What kind of of awful judgment causes one to keep Ronny OUT of one's dance club? If I owned one of those things, I would hire people to keep Ronny IN Da Club, much like some giant, sweet-throwdown delivering, hard rebouding, all-out hustling, postive-energy creating version of 50 Cent, only from Martinique, French-speaking, heart-warming and universally well-liked (in other words, not at all like Fitty, but I had to draw the "In da Club" reference).
Posted by: The D | February 27, 2008 at 10:35 AM
LakerinBC, I think it just goes to show you how excellent of a coach Nate McMillan is..That team is a true testament of his excellent coaching and I think that they are def a team with a huge upside in the coming years if they can stay together and healthy of course..
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | February 27, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Andrew Z,
Clearly she was internalizing her frustration with the Lakers performance, and was afraid that if she kept watching the game it would come to the surface. My wife is the same way; sometimes she will even go into a different room if I'm watching a Lakers game.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 27, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Vman,
The kid's performance wasn't that bad. That David Archuletta sure can sing.
Posted by: Andrew Z | February 27, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Elle,
I will not agree to your wishes.
If you're going to dish it out, you better be able to take it. People rip on Luke (who's playing hurt), but the Lakers keep winning. Why not use your energies celebrating this team instead of complaining every time a player plays imperfectly?
Has Luke not been playing well? No, he hasn't. Been he's been a solid contributor for this team for a while.
The fact of the matter is that once Smush and (more importantly) Kwame left, people started ripping on Luke in droves. Not before that.
So, it seems some people just need someone to rip on. They think that makes them a "passionate fan" or something.
"Kwame's gone! Who am I going to rip on now? Oh, I guess Luke's still on the team."
We're first in the West. I think that's a lot more important than Luke playing inconsistently.
As such, I dub those people who have little to add to this blog other than criticisms of individual players--when we have the best record in the West with half our team injured--HATERS!
Haters annoy me and I will let them know as such.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 10:40 AM
justanothermambafan:
I would be honored if youwould eulogize my love for the Lakers.
I will need someone there to say something other than, "He brought a lot of good porn to the world," or "He once spectacularly burned down a barn."
Thanks!
JG
Posted by: Jesterguru | February 27, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Elle,
I bet you voted for Hillary Clinton. Didn't you?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 10:41 AM
keifo
"Is it me... or does anyone else here want to SNAP OFF Mutombo's waving finger thing???
Shouldn't that be a 'T'???"
Mutumbo did get a T for waving his finger after his first block.
On whether Detroit fans hate the Lakers: based on the opinions of my cousins, uncles and aunts, who nearly all live in the Detroit area, the only thing worse than a Laker fan is a Yankee fan (or someone who drives an imported car).
Posted by: giantsquid | February 27, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Sean,
Ouch! I think you've got a fly named SA smeared on the windshield of your Buick.
Posted by: The D | February 27, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Haven't been by in a long time...
how are the bandwagons coming along?
I believe i should still be listed on the "Bynum Breakout" and the "50 win".
I guess i should have just joined the "Bynum Breaks" bandwagon...
50 wins is still very much in sight...
how are all the old time posters? miss you guys; keep the blog strong.
Posted by: Benny Blanca | February 27, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Jon K., Amazing_Happens, et al.
In RE SIMERS--
I'm in total agreement. I responded (on the previous thread) about how I try to not take the bait and hate the hater, but I cannot help myself when it comes to Simers.
His column today is a snarky, inane gripe about how much he doesn't enjoy writing snarky inanity. His POV is strictly anti-Laker, Dodger and LA, on the whole. But he seems to love children's charities. Lithium, anyone?
Posted by: stevevilakers | February 27, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Respect, D.
Posted by: Sean P. | February 27, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Wasn't Kobe getting MVP chants in Boston last year?
If I am remembering that right, I think they should be moved down the list a little bit.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 10:52 AM
"Kobe was playing with D-league players the last 2 years"
Kwame
Smush
Luke
and Andrew not playing very well, committing a ton of fouls (most of which was Smush's fault)
I think that almost an accurate statement. Its pretty much a slight exaggeration of the truth.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 10:55 AM
WHO YA WITH
VU!
Posted by: Alec | February 27, 2008 at 10:55 AM
SIMERS!!!!!
YOU SUCK SIMERS!!!!!
AHHHHHHH PLEASE DON'T GET ME STARTED ON SIMERS, AGAIN!!!!
AHHHHHH NEED PROZAC NOW......MUST LOOK AT STANDINGS TO CALM DOWN.......
janaya
Posted by: janaya | February 27, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Mutumbo can wave the finger as long as he directs it at the fans. When he waves it at the player he blocks, he gets a T.
So you see him turn to the sidelines before he wags it most of the time.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I love seeing Plaschke eat his words - now he's calling for Kobe to win MVP.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke27feb27,1,3321616.column
Posted by: LakerLass | February 27, 2008 at 10:57 AM
frank rizzo,
I would rank Kwame and Smush on the E League.
Posted by: Charles | February 27, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Vman - since you recorded the game and the Lake Show WON, then you have our permission to keep doing it. Someone else - who shall remain nameless (because I can't remember who it is) - must CEASE & DESIST recording because we lose everytime they do.
Jesterguru - consider it done - how's this:
JG loved THA SHOW
Hearts bleeding purple & gold
In his name they'll win
Jon K - couldn't agree more - It's one thing to hate on a guy, but quite another to call it like you see it. Luke's not playing well right now - simple as that. Doesn't make you a hater - makes you a realistic. However, we also know you to be an optimist. He's a veteran & will pick it up! Elle - I know you believe it!
GO LAKERS! The BEAN for MVP!
(Mamba24 - where are you??)
Posted by: justanothermambafan | February 27, 2008 at 11:01 AM
heheh, thanks brother
Posted by: Jesterguru | February 27, 2008 at 11:05 AM
The view from the steeple looks nice.
Look down there, what's that?
A Sun.
Poor little guy.
And there--a Spur, a Rocket...a little Jazz.
Now that we have it, we can't let it go.
If we win every game from here on out we're Western Conference champs, and you cant tell me game 7 at Staples isn't better than game 7 in San Antonio or Phoenix.
We keep winning and we keep this view.
Look at that one--a little Maverick scuttling along.
The air seems cleaner up here.
I don't see us loosing more than a handful of games the remainder of the year. Not with the bench effort we saw last night; not with Kobe and Gasol and Odom's sly contributions and this bench and Phil...
Look at the running around down there bumping into each other.
Day by day.
We can do this.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | February 27, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Charles... fair enough. But we both can agree that they aren't NBA starters.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 11:10 AM
wesjoe,
"If we win every game from here on out we're Western Conference champs, and you cant tell me game 7 at Staples isn't better than game 7 in San Antonio or Phoenix. "
Technically, if they win every game from here on out there won't be any game 7s.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 27, 2008 at 11:11 AM
frank rizzo,
they are far from starters..... it was meant as a joke brother...
peace
Posted by: Charles | February 27, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Jon K,
>>> I dub those people who have little to add to this blog other than criticisms of individual players--when we have the best record in the West with half our team injured--HATERS! Haters annoy me and I will let them know as such.
Jon, you need to get over yourself. This is a blog for Laker fans of all sorts and all opinions. Again, no one died and named you Commissioner of the Thought Police.
I'm not angry with you. You're a respected senior blogger, here. But the tone you set by your comments is inconsistent with the spirit of our forum.
People who criticize Luke's play are not haters. As a multi-million dollar player under a long contract, there are expectations by the owner and the fans that he be a contributor to the team's success. He is not fulfilling that expectation by anyone's standards.
Yes, with all the injuries to Vlad and Ariza, he must be given a certain number of minutes. With his limitations, it is a problem. Phil has acknowledged giving Luke more minutes than he would like to. But most would agree that even with his limitations, he can contribute more than he does. Therein lies the rub.
Our criticisms of Luke may irritate you, but all opinions are welcome here. All we ask is that you be more accepting.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | February 27, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Jon,
I like Luke and I think most of us do too but we do have a very valid concern, Luke's game has gone down this season instead of going up or at least staying at what it was last year. If you want to talk about hate I hated Smush Parker and I disliked Kwame but those are not the same kind of feelings I have for Luke. I want him to do well because it helps the Lakers and my fear is that he wont play up to what he should and that it will come back and bite us in the long run.
To be fair he has been hurt but he really needs to step it up a bit, I think we've seen what he can do and that's why we expect more from him.
PS. I just hate the word hater, it's what teenagers call each other when they can't think of anything else, kinda like this "Boo you don't agree with me you are such a hater*
Posted by: Elle | February 27, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Whoosh... as the joke fly's over my head.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Exhelodrvr,
Anything's possible. Maybe we have a 10 game series...maybe we forget how many wins give us the series...maybe the ratings will be so high they make it the best 12 out of 14....huh?
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | February 27, 2008 at 11:22 AM
In defense of the red-headed stepchild...
Everyone keeps hyping on Luke being -19 in last night's game. And an
article on sportshubla posited that "the Lakers usually flounder when
Luke is out there but often fly when he isn't"
The problem is the author generalized that one game as if that happens
every game. It doesn't. Since he was using that stat to justify his
(wrong) argument that Luke causes the Lakers to suck, let's look at
the real stats. Here are Luke's +/- stats for the last 10 Laker games
(working backwards):
Trailblazers -19
Supersonics +20
Clippers +8
Suns -5
Hawks +14
Timberwolves 0
Bobcats +1
Heat +3
Magic -6
Hawks +12
By comparison, let's look at the +/- of another Lakers and see how he
did in those 10 games:
Ronny Turiaf: +6, +2, -10, +1, +6, 0, -5, +6, -5, -4
So in the last 10 games, Ronny Turiaf has had a negative impact on
the team in 4 games, while Luke has only had a negative impact 3
times. Yet I don't see articles on sportshubla saying how Ronny is
an anchor dragging down the team. For some reason they (and others)
have decided that Luke is the whipping boy for any inefficiencies
by the team.
And note that the only LOSS in those 10 games was the last game against
the Hawks. So Ronny let the team down in an actual LOSS, while Luke played
well in that game. The only loss in the last 10 games was because Kobe shot
poorly (with a freshly injured pinky) and ALL the Lakers played bad defense,
allowing the Hawks to shoot 47%. Note that Luke was the BEST player for
the Lakers in that game. He had 9 points on 50% shooting with 6 rebounds,
and 3 assists, and they were +12 with him on the floor. But Luke's heroics
weren't able to make up for the bad play of Kobe and the other Lakers. Where
was the article stating that?
Going back to other recent losses:
Pistons on 1/31 - Luke DNP. That means it should be a blowout by the Lakers,
right? Wrong. Turiaf -3, Vujacic -14, Farmar -15. Where was the long
diatribe from sportshub saying how much Sasha and Jordan suck? How the
Lakers fly with them off the floor and flounder when they're on the floor?
Cavaliers on 1/27 - Luke +2 - 9 points on 50% shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists,
and 4 steals. So who lost the game? Fisher shot 3-for-11 (-5 with him on the
floor). But his backup was no better - they were -9 with Farmar on the floor.
And -12 with Turiaf on the floor.
Dallas on 1/25: FINALLY!! Finally a loss you can legitimately blame on Luke.
Luke made the only shot he took, had 4 rebounds and 3 assists, but the Lakers
were -8 when he was on the floor. Of course, they were also -9 with Farmar
on the floor, -10 with Kwame, and -11 with Lamar.
Anyway, you get my point. While I agree that Luke has had some bad games this
season (last night being one of his worst), he is not the anti-Kobe and he
does help the team more often than he hurts them.
So when you say, "Luke sucked in last night's game", then that is a valid
opinion and I will agree with you. And I will point out that Fisher also
sucked last night, and Kobe and Lamar were crappy in the first half. But
when you start generalizing that and claiming that Luke is always bad or
that Luke makes the Lakers worse or that the Lakers should play Coby Karl
instead of Luke and it would improve their play, then you are making an
incorrect generalization, and I will disagree with you.
When Rad or Ariza are healthy, I think either one should start over Luke.
There is no question about that. But Luke can and does contribute to the
team, and if you say he doesn't, then you're either practicing selective
memory or you're lying.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 27, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I think John I brought a lot to the show today...
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | February 27, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Kobe Bean Bryant
he should win the M V P
wish that I could vote
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 27, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Do you realize we are only playing eight deep?
That will take its toll if Vladimir doesn't come back soon.
Whenever Luke is on the floor, teams are packing it in. PJ was forced to go small with Sasha in the third quarter earlier than he wanted.
Miami will present no problem, but Portland on a back to back on Friday will. Followed by a Sunday showdown with Dallas.
Luke is playing very good team D, but is becoming a tremondous liability because of his poor shooting.
We need Vladimir back badly to stretch the D and allow our big three to roam freely through the lane.
Posted by: AN 1 | February 27, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Hmmm...
I meant:
"I think John Ireland brought a lot to the show"
Not the alternative reading:
"I think John, I brought a lot to the show"
Can't wait to see if the Bynum/Gasol/Odom experiment works.
If it does, we are legend.
If it doesn't...who do we trade?
What will be the reason why the Bynum/Gasol/Odom doesn't work?
Lamar not adapting to the 3? Or will it be Bynum and Gasol having redundant games?
Hmmm...
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | February 27, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Here was my exchange with T. J. Simers this morning via email
==============
Ha Ha, man it must be pretty boring now days for you. And difficult i may say to make a living.
Be careful, LA Times will catch up to you sooner or later, just like KLAC did.
Simers, T.J. wrote:
==============
and i was just named top 10 columnist in the country---but always nice to hear from the clueless
To which i replied
==============
Yeh it sucks to be clueless. Hey but at least one of us gets named to the Top 10 list.
Why so defensive?
Havent seen a reply from him afterward
Posted by: Ali | February 27, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Do you realize we are only playing eight deep?
AN 1
That's phil trying to bite D'antoni's style.
Posted by: Fire32 | February 27, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I want a shout out!!! haha
Posted by: wondahbap | February 27, 2008 at 11:37 AM
AK/BK
Great show, dudes. John I's Fish comments were spot on.
The big question on my mind is, how tall is he? He doesn't look dwarfed in player interviews.
Posted by: Vman | February 27, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Hey...
Joel knows about food...
There you go...
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | February 27, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Nice photo on cnnsi.com of our guys...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/
Good job...
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | February 27, 2008 at 11:42 AM
keifo,
If I'm not mistaken, did I see Jordan Farmar waving his finger after the last few 3's? No, maybe I was just imagining it. lol. Sort of low wag vs. Mo's high wag.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 27, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Ali, "Top Ten writer in the Country?"
Too bad he's not a top ten writer in LA.
Posted by: AN 1 | February 27, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Elle & Rick,
I'll call things as I see it. That simple.
I'm am adamantly against political correctness and the attitude that "everyone just needs a hug in this world.
Nonsense.
Far better to be direct and honest and to call people out when then need calling out.
Honesty before coddling and worrying too much about offending people. This world needs a lot more truth and a lot less whiney people who criticize, but can't take having their perspective challenged aggressively.
I am ready for your response.
Do your worst!
Go Luke Walton!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 11:48 AM
As long as Kobe, Fischer, Lamar, and Gasol are starting, now the Lakers can win with anyone at the 3. Heck they could even put coby carl starting and move bryant to 3 and probably still win.
Posted by: DS | February 27, 2008 at 11:49 AM
BK- I was just pointing out the Fisher shooting slump as something to keep an eye on come playoff time.
Keeping you guys on your toes.
Obviously when the lakers are winning its overshadowed. As they say winning hides your weaknesses just like giving up offensive rebounds.
There is no guarantee that will improve when Bynum comes back because Gasol will still be at PF and Bynum cant block out two guys. Thats what I am curious to see when Bynum returns as well as what happens to Odom when he moves to SF. It all sounds good on paper but lets see it on the court.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM