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.
LakerTom,
One last thing... during the first two seasons of Kobe/Shaq era... I used to YELL at the TV (Del Harris), "Get Jordan in there! You've got Jordan sitting on the bench, get him in there!"
Ha ha ha ha... I knew he wasn't THAT good, but knew he would become that good eventually with some PT. Fortunately for us, Kobe got the All-Star vote that second season, and and then later Del Harris was fired (which prompted the PJ hiring)
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | February 27, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Floyd,
One thing you will discover as you get older is that the further from google you get, the dumber you are. I still remember how great Rudy T was in that 1-on-1 contest and thought that he won it. Then, ex chimed in and said he thought that Calvin Murphy won.
At that point, I started googling to find out who really won the contest. I have to admit that I really had to try a lot of combinations before I hit pay dirt. Here is the true skinny on that infamous NBA 1-on-1 contest, which was won by Bob Lanier, whose other claim to fame was having the biggest feet in the NBA:
--------
“Perhaps the most interesting piece of hardware that Lanier won came from a one-on-one contest that included many of the NBA’s greatest stars.
“They brought us all to a high school gym somewhere," Lanier recalls. "I think that they figured that Pistol Pete was going to win it. Vitalis was the sponsor and they made a deal with Pistol to do the TV commercials for the event. But he didn’t win; he got knocked out just before the finals. Jo Jo (White) and I ended up playing in the finals. Jo Jo and I kind of made a little pact. I knew how quick Jo Jo was – he’d break your ankles if you didn’t watch out. So I said, ‘Jo Jo, just don’t embarrass me out here.’ Man, the cameras went on and Jo Jo took off – I think he made the first five hoops. He would make a little fake and when I got too close to him then he would drive around me. After about the third shot he made I’m saying, ‘Jo Jo, come on man, slow down, slow down.’ I’m begging him. He served me a couple more after that and then he missed. I said to myself, ‘OK, I’m going to just rock him to sleep now.’ I wasn’t just big and slow; I was fairly quick for a big guy and I could shoot the outside jump shot. I think that within the 17-foot range I could shoot as well as anyone who ever played. I wasn’t worried once he missed, because it was make it, take it. If you made a shot you didn’t have to give the ball back. So when he missed I rocked him a little bit with some quick back down moves and short shots until I got within range. Once the score was close again, I shot some jumpers.”
Lanier still remembers the scene after he defeated White to earn the crown as the NBA’s best one-on-one player: “They gave me a Vitalis trophy and a satchel that contained about $15,000. I remember unzipping it and pretending that I was tossing the money out to the fans.”
https://www.nbrpa.com/news/featurearchive/1.04.06.aspx
Hope you enjoyed this.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 27, 2008 at 01:13 PM
J. Walter,
I think some comments in regards to Luke are way over the top and I think that’s where one really needs to realize that constructive criticism is different from “hating” or bashing a player. Wishing harm on a player or being nasty about him/her that’s one thing (I’ll admit to doing this with Kwame) and simply saying that a player can be better and that he is not playing up to the level that he should be are two totally different things.
I am concerned that Luke is playing the way he is because (a) I know he can play better bball and (b) I worry that having such bad games will hurt his confidence in his shot and that he really wont trust himself when he needs to make critical shots. Again I understand that he’s been playing hurt so I do have sympathy for him.
Posted by: Elle | February 27, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Honest question charles
Are you a Fire32 hater?
Posted by: Fire32 | February 27, 2008 at 01:15 PM
LTLF,
Whoa whoa whoa
I am a Luke defender, always have been.
LUKE has said he isn't playing as well as he would like, that injuries are affecting him. Ireland, Lantz, Myers et all repeat this.
I think Luke makes great contributions, but he is also suffering from limited mobility (and he's already slow) which makes him a liability on defense. And his shot is TERRIBLE this year - 40 points lower overall, 50 points lower from three, 100 points lower from the foul line. His points and rebounds are down (though so are his minutes).
So there is no arguing his contribution is FAR LESS than last year. I'm not interested in what he did in one game or another, look at his overall year.
To ignore these facts would be ridiculous.
Anyway, anyone who follows my posts knows I'm not a hater. And, no mater how YOU define "hater", some people mean it as an insult.
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | February 27, 2008 at 01:17 PM
DrewPauKobe,
You can put a suit and tie on a troll, but he is still a troll.
Don't let him fool you.
I can smell his troll breath through my computer.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Careful Fire32,
If you say too many nice things to me I might get labeled a traitor!!!
LOL
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | February 27, 2008 at 01:20 PM
during the summer some bloggers and especially edwin gueco, if i remember correctly, were all for bringing in jp navarro. (gasol's friend)
and some vocal one on the blog started: no "EUROTRASH"
well, we have gasol,sasha, rad and we can consider even ronny a EURO.
was that u Jon K?!!!!!
but u were the first to give insensitive nicknames to Pau and now
Go Barcelona?!
Posted by: ZIn Master | February 27, 2008 at 01:21 PM
AK & BK,
You guys should have Lawrence Tanter on Purple Gold and Blue.
That guy has a wealth of Lakers knowledge and a smooth, sultry radio voice!!!
Plus, I need a way to talk to that guy and convince him to take me on as his understudy.
Please make it happen!! This is my calling!!!
Great show today by the way.
Posted by: Lawrence Tanter's understudy | February 27, 2008 at 01:23 PM
thoughts for the day:
1. the lakers needed a battle...too many easy games lately...they weren't great last night...they were only great when they had to be.
2. remember tj simers crowning the clippers as the new dominant la basketball team two years ago? just shows you how little he knows. i wish i could watch a laker game with that blowhard...and see how red his face gets when the lakers dominate and congratulate each other after timeouts...must make his blood boil...lol
3. screw silky johnson, tj simers is the playa hater of the year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cufPFZCg2Vc
4. enough of the luke debate...he's playing injured so you have to give him some credit for that. and with the emergence of sasha and farmar, luke's game is looking pretty average right now. and there's nothing wrong with that. even when 100% healthy, he's a role player...always has been. so why are people debating how good/bad he is? luke suffices as a role player. luke might not have much athletic skill but he's got a high basketball iq which is necessary on this squad.
5. the cream is rising to the top, looks like it will be a battle between the spurs & lake show for that number one seed...
peace.
Posted by: tha show | February 27, 2008 at 01:24 PM
LakerTom,
Sorry - I wasn't referring who won the entire tournament, just that Murphy beat Jabbar in their contest.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 27, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying this thread - it's got everything from haiku to Simers hating, from a dust-up ABOUT hating to Slyboogaloo giving Laker props from Barcelona!
You all rock! (At least today, haha)
Posted by: dave m | February 27, 2008 at 01:25 PM
frank,
ouch.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | February 27, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Long Time Laker Fan,
Exactly.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Zin Master,
That wasn't me.
"Eurotrash" is not a Jon K. insult term.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 01:30 PM
It may be too late DrewPauKobe.
Internal Affairs already has a suspicious eye on you.
And for the record. I don't hate Suns fans, I just pity them because they live in Arizona and have to root for the Suns. They are going to spend the next 5+ years wishing they could beat the Lakers.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 01:31 PM
ZIn Master,
Upon further thought....
What the hell are you talking about?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 01:36 PM
50 before 20?
Can we do it...
I SAY YES!!!
Posted by: Korey | February 27, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Jon K
"... can't take having their perspective challenged aggressively."
Isn't that the kind of thinking that brought you to the edge of death by Russian mobsters?
Another thing to add to the plus side of the D Fish ledger.
Posted by: Vman | February 27, 2008 at 01:40 PM
EUROTRASH
so who was the MAN?!
Posted by: ZIn Master | February 27, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I know the guys need to rest, but I really wish they could play everyday. These off days are killing me!
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 01:40 PM
SA,
Dude, you sure seem to have a grudge against what I will assume you regard as the NBA of your father or your older brother. (Or both if you're from the Ozarks).
Get over it. Either that or get a therapist and then over it. I won't take the time to disassemble each one of your painfully inaccurate observations, mostly b/c Sean P's already done that in comprehensive fashion. All I can do is admonish you that if you find yourself in a hole, you should first stop digging.
Seriously, kick back, read posts, bask in the Lakers success, post about stuff you know about and ENJOY.
By way of reference, you know why I don't spout off about the intricacies of Bynum's knee problem? 'Cause I don't know crap about medicine, that's why.
Posted by: The D | February 27, 2008 at 01:41 PM
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT LUKE…
I wonder how many of you remember that breakout game that Luke had his rookie year during our fateful playoff run with Payton and Malone? I remember the announcers saying that a new NBA star had been born. Luke was leading the break, making great decisions, inspiring the entire team.
I have to admit to always having a grudge against Luke because of his famous father turning his back on UCLA to send his kid to Arizona and then getting a ugly green blood transfusion to end up worshipping the Boston Celtics even more than the Grateful Dead. I mean I loved Bill at UCLA. He was the perfect iconoclast to all of us 60’s Bruin fans. His long hair, gorgeous play, and anti-war intellectualism was an every day challenge to John Wooden. And we all knew Bill was dropping acid and smoking bud with Jerry G and the boys and loved it. He was one of us, a true 60’s love child and the greatest basketball player at UCLA since Lew Alcinder (wow, did that look funny, lol).
I actually met Bill in person when he was just starting out his broadcasting career and had just barely defeated his speech impediment and stuttering. He was a guest speaker for my wife’s company’s Christmas dinner. In person, he is nowhere near the blowhard that he plays on television. He was engaging, charming, and stayed until 2:00 a.m. talking basketball with a few of us die hard fans. He even took my chastising for sending Luke to Arizona with good humor and reminded me who was the UCLA coach at the time. At any rate, I did tell him that I could never forgive him for donning the Celtic green.
Back to Luke, though, the guy does have game and can be a vital contributor to the team. It is just not going to happen for him this year, though. He is still hobbled by the injuries and playing at less than 100%, which really exposes him and his game. Because of his injuries and poor play, Luke has totally lost his confidence, which in the game of basketball, as we all know, is fatal. See Smush or Kwame if you have any question. Confidence is everything in basketball. When you have it, all is easy. When you don’t, the rim is just 6 inches wide and you just can’t seem to jump high enough or run fast enough. When that happens, as it has with Luke, best thing to do is put in on the shelf and join Chris Mihm waiting for next year, when they both may once again contribute. That is what will happen as soon as we get the rest of our small forwards back.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 27, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Frank Rizzo,
Awesome!
Poor Suns.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 01:42 PM
"Eurotrash" is not a Jon K. insult term.
forgot, sexism is your MO?! jk.
Posted by: ZIn Master | February 27, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Excellent and accurate article. The Lakers needed Walton in the past because they had low BB IQ players like Kwame, Smush and Cook. They had no chemistry and they just needed someone who knew how to pass the ball to Kobe in the right places of the triangle and make an occasional 3 pt shot when open. Luke actually HAD a good 3 pt shot last year and this year he still does a reasonable job defending the slower white small forwards of the league (like Peja Stojakovic). He was the second most experienced player to Kobe when the Lakers were very young and inexperienced.
But this is almost like an all-new Laker team with high BB IQ and experienced players like Gasol and Fish replacing Kwame and Smush in the starting lineup. Bynum, Farmar, Turiaf and Sasha grew up. Ariza came in as an athletic SF and Kobe has been playing more SF (made possible by Vujakic's growth). Only the injury to Ariza and the continued inconsistency of Vlad Rad gives a reason to play Luke.
In summary, Luke was useful to the Lakers the last 4 years, but he is no longer useful and is clearly overpaid in the Lakers of today and the future.
Personally, I hope he gets his 3 pt shooting touch back which will give him a role again if Vlad Rad continues to be maddeningly inconsistent and gets traded in the future. I think he is still a good passer as long as he does not overpass and we will need good passers when Bynum comes back bec. AB is one of the best in the L at catching lob passes inside and finishing. Look for Lukes' numbers to improve when AB is back.
Posted by: LakerinBC | February 27, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Laker Tom,
That's some nice research. You won't see that kind of thing these days - too much money and reputation on the line. I often miss the rag-tag amateurism of 70's sports. See also those multi-sport competitions from that era.
Posted by: The D | February 27, 2008 at 01:47 PM
I think the comments on this blog are the very reason Simers has a job and will continue to have one. Newspapers always want writers who are polarizing and invite readership. The more people comment and argue about Simer's writing, the higher his profile will rise and the more successful he'll be as a writer (albeit not a particularly smart or eloquent one). To the people here who are commenting furiously about Simers, as much as I may agree with you, the joke's actually on you.
Posted by: DK | February 27, 2008 at 01:51 PM
LTLF- "Luke should be in the
D-League" or "Luke is the worst player in the NBA"
(BTW, I don't mean you specifically, but you - all the
bloggers), that's when you're being unreasonable
I dont see how voicing an opinion that Luke should be in D league can be unreasonable since its his/her opinion.
The "reasonableness" of an opinion is just another opinion of that opinion isnt it?
How do you like that for circular reasoning?
here are 2 definitions of opinion
–noun
1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 27, 2008 at 01:51 PM
>>>I guess "hater" is in the eye of the beholder? LOL
Amen to that.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 27, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Zin Master,
I'm withholding a vitriolic explosion of wrath at this moment.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Tim,
Man, I felt exactly the same. And I knew that Jerry would land Shaq. From the moment of the trade, I knew that it would Shaq and Kobe leading us to championships, just like when I saw Drew dunk on Shaq, I knew that I would see Kobe and Drew championships. Then, when we signed Pau, which I at first thought was a cruel hoax by AK and BK (lol), I knew we were going to be watching another dynasty. Anybody who doesn’t see that right now is just too thrilled by events to think clearly or hopelessly hopelessly GHE.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 27, 2008 at 01:59 PM
ZIn Master,
I don't remember Mr. Kavulic posting anything like that. Sounds more like GUNNER or someone.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 02:00 PM
The D,
How about that satchel with $15K? Hell, I think that is the Lakers per diem now, isn't it? lol.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 27, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Luke may have played over his head in his contract year. Remember he was the glue last year? Helped hold things together when things fell apart?
As a bench player, his numbers look good especially if you look beyond points.
It's not Luke's fault that he's thrust into the starting role due to...another injury.
Luke's a smart kid. He knows if he wants PT he's going to have to step it up. The competitor in Farmar is making the bench better. They must rise to the occasion or languish on the pine.
Be glad that Luke's the 10th option and not the 4th like he was before. If Luke Walton's your weak link, then that chain's pretty damn strong.
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 02:01 PM
PJ brown a celt
i always "hated" him as a miami player
nick fazekas as a clip. just in
Posted by: ZIn Master | February 27, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Vman,
Interesting point.
However, let it be said that I hadn't even spoken to the guy, was watching the game in literally an empty bar by myself, and that guy sat down next to me halfway through the first quarter and just started riding me and insulting me and Lakers all the way up to the last shot.
I asked him several times to sit somewhere else and said I just wanted to enjoy the game alone.
He refused.
So, when we almost lost the game on Tim Duncan's miracle shot after taking it for two and half hours, I nearly exploded and smashed his face in.
Thank God Derek Fisher's shot saved the day (in more ways than one.)
Everyone has a limit.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Take a look at this picture from yesterday's game:
http://tinyurl.com/2w7vwv
Jeez!!!
They should send that to the league - the NBA..where decapitation happens.
Posted by: hariyahu | February 27, 2008 at 02:10 PM
spurs and celts, age wise are ready to be archived.
the next available vault is june 2008. more to come in 2009.
Posted by: ZIn Master | February 27, 2008 at 02:10 PM
VMan,
The guy was a REAL jerk.
But he tried to make up for it by buying me afterwards by buying me top shelf vodka shots and apologized.
Still, up until Derek Fisher's 0.4 shot, he was just one of those people who liked provoking conflict and riding people for no damn good reason.
Those people piss me off.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 27, 2008 at 02:15 PM
What if?
What if we had traded away Kwame, Crit, picks AND DREW at the time for Gasol?
Would people still have been so bullish on the Lakers? Would they still expect us to win the chip this year?
The fact that we've won all these games since Gasol joined us is a testament to the team and the coaching staff.
Posted by: hariyahu | February 27, 2008 at 02:15 PM
I absolutely believe that that officiating crew came to Staples with an agenda last night. Simply put, they were looking to teach Kobe a lesson for going off on the
young ref on Sunday. That non call that resulted in Kobe getting T'd up was almost criminal. Przybilla could have seriously injured Kobe, who almost hit his head against the backboard. Ref Kevin Fehr should be ashamed of himself. If the NBA had any fairness when it comes to this type of thing, Kobe's T would be rescinded once the game film is reviewed. And that turd Steve Javie is perpetrating a fraud. The fact that he is widely regarded as one of the best referees in the NBA shows the poor overall quality of the officiating. Kobe showed remarkable restraint in not getting tossed for the 2nd game in a row, which was clearly these referees' intent.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | February 27, 2008 at 02:15 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?
videoId=3267201&categoryId=2459788&n8pe6c=2
Ferrell vs. Walton. Check out the Larry Bird shot. And Ferrell makes it!
Posted by: mel | February 27, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Our upcoming schedule is *not* a cakewalk. We have 14 out of 25 games against teams that are .500 or above. And that does not include the 4 games we have left against the Kings.
One step at a time..starting with Miami tomorrow.
Posted by: hariyahu | February 27, 2008 at 02:19 PM
AK or BK or Anybody,
Who has the longest winning streak in the NBA this year? Is it the 13 games that the Rockets have won?
Can't find answer on google. Help! Thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 27, 2008 at 02:20 PM
>>>nick fazekas as a clip. just in
Smart pickup by the Clippers.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 27, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Kobe has lost his cool twice in two games, but both times it was on plays where his hand could have been reinjured. In Seattle, Sonics were pounding his hands and arms from behind on a rebound, last night his hand was in the rim when he was pushed towards the backboard.
I think we all know how pain leads to anger. Let's hope it doesn't happen at a critical time.
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | February 27, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Frank,
Suns fans are committed, or at least they should be.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | February 27, 2008 at 02:26 PM
hariyahu,
Quit complaining. That was him "Making a play on the ball."
I give that play an, "Oh Brother!"
http://static.flickr.com/101/300639221_eb89fb72f8.jpg
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 02:27 PM
For all the good vibes the Lakers are generating, am I the only one worried about the impact of just one more injury? As it stands right now the Lakers are really only 3-deep on the bench (with Luke starting, the Laker bench is realistically down to Farmar, Vujacic and Turiaf). Another injury would leave us dangerously thin.
Posted by: Stevo | February 27, 2008 at 02:29 PM