Kare-E-m Ticket
February 22, 2008 | 11:58
am
The Cap's new audio book "On the Shoulders of Giants: My Audio and Musical Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance" gets a featured spot on ESPN.com's E-Ticket. There's an insightful clip of the book included. Cool pics, good history lesson.
BK
Bynum certainly a product a losing Shaq. But not a product of the worst trade ever, Butler for Brown.
Good point there LakerTom.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | February 22, 2008 at 06:26 PM
LakerTom,
Kind posts man.I appreciate the super kind words. Like wise and much respect to you. No wonder you have a knowledgeable background. A Player in the house!!!!
Charles
Posted by: Charles | February 22, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Tim-4-Show,
I'd like to hold off on Thank Kupchak Day until we see a parade or two.
Kupchak still carries some baggage from the past that IMHO he's still accountable for. For one thing, the Rudy T debacle. While Mitch and Phil seem to be ok now, PJ's book suggests that Mitch was a double agent in many ways responsible for the end of the first Phil Jackson era.
There's Deavon George, Brian Cook, Smush Parker, Luke Walton, and other pick-ups I can't remember that didn't turn out so well.
I also believe that a stronger GM would not have permitted the public rancor between Shaq and Kobe which ended their run together.
In addition, I think Mitch must be accountable for the breakdown in communications and other things that resulted in the Kobe melt-down over the summer.
It's not that the Kupchak glass has to be either all full or all empty. That wouldn't be fair, either. But by the same token, the guy didn't go to bed stupid one night and wake up a Mensa member the next morning.
What I'm trying to say is that it's great to recognize that Mitch did some things right. But neither he nor Dr Buss are heroes yet. Let's see some parades and ring ceremonies. Then I'll be happy to give Kupchak his due.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | February 22, 2008 at 06:39 PM
LakerTom,
If that was the case, then Shaq & Kobe are products of trading Vlade Divac, Lynch, Peeler etc. And Vlade Divac came from retirement of Kareem. The linkages are never ending. All I know is that we are a bum team after Shaq left from 04 to 07 and and we acquired a lot of bum players. Because of Kobe's rants this summer and revolt of frustrated Laker fans in this blog and everywhere, there were changes made and the dedication to excel from some of those former bums. haha! If no one had the courage to point what was wrong, we would still be the same team....that the Lakers were just OK and improving every year, a team of the future with Smush, Kwame and Cookie.
Like what Magic said, Kobe is now the happiest player in this team while we are the happiest fans ever since the changes happened.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 22, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Fire 32,
"A.K Last night I asked for a purple/gold answer on, as a laker fan did you hate the SUNS with no reply I guess thats a yes. well I ask now for a professional answer, Do you think SHAQ hurts the SUNS more than helps them?"
I actually didn't notice the original question. Sorry about that.
To answer the first question, I actually don't "hate" the Suns. For starters, I've enjoyed watching them too much over the last few seasons not to appreciate their game. And in general, I'm not somebody who tends to generate a lot of true disdain towards other teams (with rare exceptions like the Yankees and Raiders). I'm more about rooting very hard for the Lakers than despising all Laker opponents. That's just how I'm built (and one way isn't better than the other, by the way).
Truth be told, I'm a big fan of a lot of Suns as players. Nash, Amare, Hill, Barbosa. Love all their games. Shawn Marion, whom I associate with Phoenix, is one of my favorite players, period. I also rooted heavily for them in that '93 finals against the Bulls, so I guess they earned a little permanent goodwill. haha
That being said, I LOOOOOOVVVVVVEEE seeing the Lakers beat the Suns. LOOOOOOVVVVVE it to death. Why? Because they're a quality team that's been a serious thorn in the Lakers' side. And I'd be lying if I said I'm above wishing a little turnabout revenge.
As for Shaq, I've already gotten into this a lot in previous threads, but I don't think this trade is going to work out for the Suns at all. Offensively, he may either help or, at the very least, open up Amare's game. But I'm gonna have to see it to believe he's gonna help their D, which is supposedly why he's there. At this stage in his career, he's too foul prone and reaches constantly. You can kill him on pick and roll all day. Plus, without Marion there to shore up the perimeter, he's gonna end up racking more fouls because of penetration. Defensively, I see them missing the Matrix a hell of a lot more than benefitting from Shaq.
Were I an opposing coach, I'd go at him hard all game until he shows he can defend without fouling. That first game, he played less than 30 minutes and still almost fouled out.
Mind you, this is all analysis of what will happen if he's actually healthy, which is a crap shoot at best.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 22, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Laker Tom,
>>>So the true final haul, IMHO, is Bynum, Odom, Farmar,
>>> and Gasol.
I agree with LakerTom.
The deal was effectively those four players in exchange
for Shaq, 3 first rounders (Crittenton, 2008, 2010), and
a second rounder (Gasol).
Nice work, Mitch.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 22, 2008 at 07:12 PM
ex:
I could never dunk anything bigger than a softball in my heyday (small hands like Kwame) but when I was younger I used to have these great dreams where I dunked with ease and sometimes even flew over the court. Hmnn. Maybe it was something I smoked or consumed when I was younger and wilder. At any rate, I haven’t had one of those types of dreams for several years now. Maybe if the Lakers win another championship…
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 22, 2008 at 07:15 PM
805LakerLove -
That East Valley Tribune article was a hoot. You omitted a great line that was the last line of the article:
"O'Neal reminded the media after his first game with the Suns that "Rome wasn't built in a day." But Shaq should be reminded to be careful with that analogy - since it only took a day to torch the place."
Sounds like there is still a bit of unrest in the Valley of the Puns.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | February 22, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Rick Friedman,
"I also believe that a stronger GM would not have permitted the public rancor between Shaq and Kobe which ended their run together."
Totally agree with you, we could have won one more title in '05 by mediating PJ/Kobe/Shaq. It is all about diplomacy and a GM acting as a professional to immature people. Can you imagine what winning can do? It cures all ills and erases bad credit history, suddenly, everybody is a contender for the Oscars including the last remaining scrub.
We can't rest on our laurels from initial glories. Celebrate during the parade not when we are still at the thick of the fight.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 22, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Fire 32,
I don't hate the Suns; I've just really resented the fact that they've been better than the Lakers the past 4-5 years.
I find it very annoying.
However, now that it looks like the Lakers are the slightly better team, I can appreciate what your boys have done.
And I do feel for them being so talented and coming so close these last few years without winning it all.
I also think Shaq makes your team stronger, tougher, smarter, older, less athletic and perhaps a more serious title contender.
The problem is that the addition of Gasol put the Lakers over the top. He makes us soo much better it's almost comical. He and Kobe might already have the best one-two game in the league and when Bynum returns--watch out.
The Lakers / Suns game was the third most watched game in NBA history; can't wait till the playoffs.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | February 23, 2008 at 02:13 AM
Wes,
One name: Raja Bell.
I really hate the Suns.
I liked Shawn Marion, and he's gone.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | February 23, 2008 at 09:59 AM