Not pretty enough to qualify as ugly... but effective enough
A nice way to describe tonight's 96-83 win over the Trailblazers, actually. About as picturesque as Tara Reid pre-makeup the morning after a drinking binge, with negatives plenty to be found in the mix. Two points apiece from starters Derek Fisher and Luke Walton, neither of whom brought much to the table. A seriously sluggish first quarter, featuring little in the way of makes (37% from the field) or energy (a 13-7 rebound deficit and defensive lapses from every Laker starter). Foul trouble limiting Lamar Odom to just ten minutes and two points in the first half. And four quarters full of Lakers getting visibly annoyed by the Portland's physical nature and some calls not coming their way (by the end of the third quarter, I was expecting Pau Gasol to shank LaMarcus Aldridge). Said element often led to a loss of composure, which in turn led to ball movment and anything inside-out eschewed for quick, frustration-fueled, off-target bombs.
A far cry from how the game would have been played in "Utopia Arena."
But by the time the smoke had cleared and it was all said and done, the Lakers pulled it together, got their fourth quarter mojo working (spotlighted by Kobe Bryant's 11 dagger points) and demonstrated just how good this purple and gold team has become. Yeah, it wasn't particularly impressive if you're looking through a "we must dominate 24/7!" lens. But at the same time, it's easy to win when you're steamrolling from the opening tip off and never looking back. But real teams prove their mettle by facing tests. Tonight, the Lakers stared adversity in the face and refused to blink. That's what this Laker team did tonight. And they did it as a team. Obviously, Kobe's 30/9/7 reflects a dude putting up some quality stats (more so in the second half, where he racked 22), but despite only Gasol joining him as a double figure starter, The New Jack Bauer didn't make it happen alone. Jordan Farmar put up a career-tying 21 points off the pine. Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf combined for 20. And even though he didn't score much, Odom hit the glass hard, especially when it counted most (8 boards in the final frame).
In the end, tonight's victory was kinda like taking Robitussin for a cough. It tastes like crap going down, but once enough time has elapsed for the elixir to kick in, the benefits to having taken a swig become abundantly clear.
AK (The breakdown and copy is below)
The Good:
- Winning Ugly: The Lakers have been blowing through teams these days like revelers at Studio 54 through through their coke on a Saturday night in '77. Tonight, nothing came easy. The Lakers were behind from the start, had very little of the offensive flow to which we've all grown accustomed, were a step or three slow defensively, and generally looked out of sync. But after getting down 15 in the first, they slowly chipped away and never let Portland get full control of the game. When it got down to it in the fourth, L.A. pulled away. Yes, the Blazers helped them out, losing offensive discipline and butchering some easy opportunities, but in the end the Lakers took control of the game when they had to. Not every win is going to be pretty. The final score makes this look like a Lakers blowout, but anyone who watched knows differently. Still, all that matters is the W.
- Jordan Farmar: Playing big minutes for an ineffective Derek Fisher (see below), Farmar scored 21 points (tying a career high) on 8-10 from the floor. He was a spark that helped the Lakers erase the early Portland lead, and in the second half again came on quickly for Fisher, and played through to the end. He was aggressive going to the hoop, pushed the ball in the open floor, and launched confidently from downtown. All in all, it was a very big game for Farmar.
- Sasha Vujacic: Playing big minutes for an ineffective Luke Walton (see below), Sasha buried four big threes over the course of the night, including three in 21:01 of second half run. The nearly 32 minutes of total PT wasn't a career high (back in '05, Sasha logged 39 minutes in a roadie against the Blazers), but it was the most he's played this season and is an indication of the kind of confidence PJ has in him these days. More and more often, you'll see Sasha playing important, late minutes. The starting rotation didn't work, so PJ went with his reserves down the stretch, with very positive results.
- Late Glass Work: After three quarters, the Lakers were being outrebounded 35-28 and were especially vulnerable to offensive rebounds for the Blazers. The rebounding disparity helped explain why LA was locked in a two point game despite the Blazers sitting on 2-15 from downtown (they'd finish 2-20, by the way), and shooting 36.5% overall. In the fourth, the Lakers tightened up considerably, outboarding Portland 13-6, and limiting them to one offensive rebound. L.O, who was plagued with foul trouble all night, led the way with eight boards. Portland's shooting was so bad that they were unable to climb back into it without all the second chance opportunities.
The Bad:
- Early D, Early O: The Lakers were sluggish early, particularly in the starting lineup. Portland was up in their collective grill, and the Lakers didn't respond well. Catch, look around, pass. Defensively, they were beaten to loose balls, outrebounded, and outplayed. Fortunately, they stayed close and used good play from the reserves to get back into it. But early, everyone was beaten defensively, from Kobe on down. Portland was able to generate clean looks, whether coming off screens, beating people one-on-one, or simply dumping the ball to LaMarcus Aldridge on the block.
- Luke Walton, Derek Fisher: +/- ratings can often be deceptive, and generally should be seen as a guide or clue to the flow of a game, not necessarily the gospel, so to speak. Generally. Tonight, the disparity between LA's success with those two on the court vs. on the bench was massive. Walton and Fish both clocked in at -19, Farmar and Sasha at +32 and +35 respectively. We all know a strength of this team is the ability to plug players in when others aren't playing well, and Tuesday night that certainly was the case. To see these guys struggle isn't all that surprising. Walton has been fighting it all season (we talk about that a little in the postgame audio) and Fish certainly has had some ups and downs. But it's fair to say that both were pretty brutal tonight.
The Mixed:
- L.O.: In foul trouble all night, Odom wasn't a factor offensively. But what could have been a total disappearing act turned around in the fourth, when he led a late push on the glass.
- Kobe Bryant: (Remember, folks, I grade here on a sliding scale. 24 is held to a higher standard...) and early, he wasn't sharp. Defensively, he had some trouble sticking guys like Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster, whether coming off screens or one on one. His shot was off in the first half (3-9), though he did dish out five assists, and was particularly good finding open men as Portland's D collapsed on penetration. The third quarter T he picked up was a momentary loss of composure... but the good thing about Kobe is that a slow start does not a slow finish guarantee. He laid down the throttle in the fourth, pouring in 11 points. Overall, in the second half Kobe scored 21 points and pulled down six boards. Fair to say that 24 helped right the ship as the game went on. Interesting audio from him about his thoughts on the MVP.
AUDIO:
- Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_2.26 postPOR.mp3
- Ronny Turiaf (with more below, courtesy of AK): Download ronny_turiaf_2.26 postPOR.mp3
- Luke Walton, on why Portland is tough on them, and his struggles this season: Download luke_walton_2.26 postPOR.mp3
- Jordan Farmar: Download jordan_farmar_2.26 postPOR.mp3
- Kobe Bryant, on the game, his T, MVP talk, and what he truly values in that MVP process: Download kobe_bryant_2.26 postPOR.mp3
BK
Sasha Vujacic
On it being a good thing having a win where grinding it out and coming back was necessary
"Probably, it is. It was a good test for us. A mental test for the team to see how we are and how good we become. Portland is a good individual team and they know how to play. They play good defense."
Ronny Turiaf
On the game's physicality
"Give your hat to the Portland Trailblazers. They play physical but it wasn't that much (more) physical than other teams. Not really. Joel Przybilla pushes you pretty good. He's a low gravity guy, so it's difficult to move him. But it wasn't more physical than Boston or anything like that. Playing Shaq. It was fun. It was a good matchup. We can't win easy all the time, so it was good to grind that one out."
On how he'd grade the Laker defense
"I'm gonna say they scored maybe 32 points in the second half. (Editor's note: Either Ronny had a chance to check out a stat sheet before talking to the media or he'd be great at counting cards in Vegas. Either way, right on the nose) So I think it's pretty good. After an "F" in the first half, I'd say it was a B+/A- in the second half."
Blazers Coach Nate McMillan
On getting ejected after arguing a no-call against Travis Outlaw
"We've seen this for the last couple games. And I know that's going to happen. The intensity of the game this time of year is something that we're trying to teach our guys to play through. But some of the grabbing and the holding that was going on out there, I mean, you gotta call it. It's hard for players to play through some of the holding and the grabbing that a Boston or a Lakers team, they get away with (against) a young team like this."
Note: I thought this comment was interesting, since every reader on the live blog was screaming about Blazers getting away with murder, that nothing was getting called in favor of the purple and gold and how the refs clearly don't like the Lakers, because they never get any whistles. From McMillan's perspective, his team can't win specifically because the Lakers are favored. I'm not saying the blogosphere was entirely wrong, as there was definitely some unpenalized pushing and shoving on the Blazers' part. But to some degree, I guess it all depends on how you're rooting.
AK
Voila and in turn guys play with confidence and make shots.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 27, 2008 at 07:44 AM
This lifeform can read but has an inverted lens for a view.
Posted by: Lakergurl | February 27, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Anyone else miss Vlad last night? I'm telling you the key to the offense running smoothly is a reputation shooter in the small forward position? Kobe and Pau couldnt run their pick and roll because the Trailblazers clogged up the driving lanes, why...no threat from outside. Even if Vlad's not hitting his reputation would cause the defender to stay closer and remove that extra guy from the lane, then Kobe and Pau can go back to work. Phil is starting to realize this his comments are starting to reflect about Vlad starting over Luke. That's why I have a small concern when Bynum comes back about Odom moving to that spot, is he going to be the shooter that draws the defense from Kobe, Bynum and Pau? The other thing about Vlad is he's been playing much improved defense and he's bigger than Luke, for example last night against Outlaw he may have thought twice about shooter over the larger defender.
Posted by: Ken | February 27, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Maleke,
HaHa.
I have my flag in the trunk and am waiting until we get the green light from Phil.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Floyd,
I understand your frustration and so many other fans in this blog, just hold on, extend that patience a little more, we have no alternative but to play him because Lakers are spread out too thinly due to injuries. Realistically, we are only 7 and half players and two on bench PJ has no faith to play DJ or Cobi on short span of time, however if you rely too much on this mystical player (who is only one half) that you referred to, WE LOSE. I'm greatly concerned on Kobe, Fisher and Pau their health should be reserved during the playoffs but because we are playing with few players, they have to play long minutes. (That is not good, a tired body can be knocked out by a good boxer in the late rounds.)
Since 2005 we have been commenting on "scrubs" so far we eradicated three, two have improved and one still lingers along the pipeline for success. He blocks the flow of the game with those ill-advised T/O's, missing open shots, contaminates other good players like Fish and in some other games Farmar and Turiaf as well. BLOGGERS DON'T LIE, they call what they see that is inappropriate. Many of us may have our own fandome on players and general optimism with the team. Diehards are often annoyed by criticisms but let's be honest to ourselves, Without these bloggers, Smush-Kwame-Cookie would still don purple and gold. Some of us have tendency to close our eyes, ignore realities, they just want to focus on a GHF. We want to accommodate the weak, the paltry and the underachievers and up to what point? perhaps when Vlad & Ariza come to rescue. So if people expresses their frustration, to the diehards pls. don't be annoyed, self-criticism can also be the key to success. (This is like having a house key that is rusty, we need to clean it, polished it, before it can fit the door lock. Without those preliminary efforts we get rid of the key and the door will remain close.) So the fans of Luke Walton, be patient to constructive criticisms of frustrated fans. It is sad why we go to competition with inherent handicaps?
Justlakerfan,
On your recent post where you mentioned my name...
While I'm a fan of Critter, I just make my own comments and would not want to influence the opinion of others. Like you, I also answer back when provoked or insulted. It turns me off when some people claims that they know everything other than what is normal. I learn every day from everyone's point of views.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 27, 2008 at 09:25 AM
LakerTom,
"Andrew Z – Man, I wish we both hadn’t stupidly not placed our 30-1 bets for the Lakers to go all the way. First time since the 3-peat that I didn’t place a bet. Now, we will have to do it again next year to not to jinx us. It’s like we have to take one for the team. lol."
Thanks for the salt in the wound, lol!
To be honest, I'll take the Lakers winning it all with no money coming my way in a heartbeat. Maybe if they do I'll make sure NOT to bet on them ever again since it seemed to jinx them.
Posted by: Andrew Z | February 27, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Frank Rizzo,
Flat NO, T. J. Simers is a buffoon, taking advantage of the weak editorial board of LA Times Tribune. The old days are gone, they are now at the mercy of billionaire Emperor Sam Zell. It is very sad to this fate of the Pulitzer paper.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 27, 2008 at 09:34 AM
I am hereby boycotting TJ Simer's columns from here on forth.
His bloated ego is a complete joke.
I cannot stand this guy!
Bring back Adande!
Posted by: Lakafo0 | February 27, 2008 at 09:35 AM
From Bill Plaschke article:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-plaschke27feb27,1,7670330.column
This is a sentence that pretty much sums up the Lakers success and Kobe finally getting the recognition as one of the best players in the game right now and worthy of the MVP award
"He has showed that if the Lakers surrounded him with better players, he would be a better leader."
Kobe has always been able to lead. But you need better talent to succeed.
Posted by: steven v. | February 27, 2008 at 09:35 AM
pk-in-the-mesa : yeah I agree, it WILL be diff with Roy in the Portland lineup, as the same would be true if Andrew, Trevor and Vlad Rad were in the lineup for us as well as Odom for Portland..Next year's matchups are going to be interesting!!!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | February 27, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Exhelodrvr,
"I believe that is the first time I have ever seen Tara Reid and Robitussin referenced in the same column. Did someone dare you to do that, or was it on your "bucket list"?"
Just good old fashioned artistry, sir. Or as I call it, "a typical Tuesday night." haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 27, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Lakergurl - do you have something to add to the conversation or is this just another personal attack?
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 27, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Lakers are Loving the Way it feels to continue winning..Like they say, winning breeds confidence. I noticed Farmar, Sasha, Ronny, Pau and even Lamar were all on the same page as Kobe as far as grinding that game out against Portland in the fourth quarter. They were scrappy and basically just upped their intensity and closed the game like it was supposed to be done..Experience has def taken shape with this Laker team and its very exciting watching it all unfold.
RydeOrDie baybee!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | February 27, 2008 at 09:42 AM
I dont know a single person who like TJ Simers OR Bill Plaschke, not a single person I have talked to (here on the blog or elsewhere) like what they do.
They are total HACKS< I agree they must have some good blackmail dirst on someone to still have jobs.
Posted by: BrandonC | February 27, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Andrew:
You're right. If the Lakers go all the way, we will have to withhold future bets. Like you, give me the championship and I'll be happy. Until the next year, that is. lol.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 27, 2008 at 09:48 AM
brandonc- there is a difference between poor writing and not sharing the same opinion as Simers or Plashke. If they were true hacks in writing they wouldnt have a job.
Laker fans should understand the difference between a difference of opinion and poor writing.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 27, 2008 at 09:51 AM
IN RE SIMERS--
You guys are all correct. As much as I try not to waste my time hating the hater, I just can't bite my tongue when it comes to this guy. I get he's trying to illicit responses to his idiotic ramblings, but, man, this guy just wrote a scathing editorial about the Lakers ragarding how he didn't want to write a scathing editorial about the Lakers. What a self-reflexive, onanisitic F-Tard!!
I remember back in the 3-peat days he even griped that watching the Lakers win was good and all, but they won in "boring" fashion.
AK, BK...what say you?
Posted by: stevevilakers | February 27, 2008 at 09:53 AM
laker lover you do not know what you talking about you a kobe hater you just mad you can never be kobe
Posted by: bigman | February 27, 2008 at 09:54 AM
No Laker Lover, they are not just people who express unpopular opinions, they are BAD writers.
They do not know most of the time what they are talking about. SIMERS EVEN ADMITTED IN ONE COLUMN HE DOESNT WATCH LAKER GAMES, YET CONTINUES TO BASH THEM?!?
They constantly attempt to stir controversy to get readers ala Peter Vescey.
When Shaq was a Laker and got into a fight with Brad Miller in CHicago AFTER Miller and Oakley tried to rip Shaqs head off, they threw Shaq under the bus, saying he should be a convicted felon all the while completely ignoring that Miller and Oakley who neither one tried to make a play for the ball (Hack a Shaq) had both assaulted Shaq. THey are HACKS! Biased talentless pricks.
I dont mind a guy who tells it like it is even if its not what you want to hear, Chick Hearn did it all the time. But Plaschke and Simers dont do that, they are HACKS!!
Posted by: BrandonC | February 27, 2008 at 10:02 AM
JustaLakerFan,
>>>I just wanted to clear the record that even though I am a
>>>Critter fan I never attacked you or anyone. I only attack
>>>when I am attacked.
I wasn't pointing the finger at anyone specific. There were
several posters like you, presumably, who just stated their
preference that we should keep Crittenton to build for the
future (which is a reasonable argument). And then there
were some others (can't recall who) who were calling me an
idiot and a hater and telling me that Farmar was never going
to amount to anything so we needed Crittenton.
And they're perfectly welcome to have that opinion, and
they still could turn out to be right. Farmar could start to
get ineffective (not likely) and Crittenton could turn into
an all-star.
The reason I brought it up was because I was once again
getting criticized for even daring to mention that the Lakers
might actually trade Lamar after the season in order to
reduce the luxury tax burden. It's a controversial topic,
and I don't shy away from controversial topics. I'm willing
to take some flak for it. I've also taken flak for defending
the play of Farmar, Sasha, and Luke this season. So far
two of the three have picked up their games (c'mon Luke,
get your act together :-).
Anyway, it's all good -- state your opinion, call me an idiot
if you like, it's not going to bother me or stop me from posting
my opinions here.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 27, 2008 at 10:03 AM
LakerLover,
You wrote:
''The real value of a super player is that he makes other players better,'' coach Phil Jackson said. ''You can see the apparent emphasis of Kobe's game to get other people involved and make the rest of his team better.''
Voila and in turn guys play with confidence and make shots.
My response:
Please explain the first 5 or 6 game losing
streak last year. Please explain the second 5 or 6 game
losing streak last year. Was Farmar &
Bynum's hard work this summer meaningless?
Are you suggesting that Bynum could have continued
his mediocre work out schedule of the previous year
and he would still be as good as he is now because
Kobe is passing the ball more?
*I* think that the "observation" that Kobe is more team
focused this year is a crock of pig poop. [ This
summer those numbers were talked about. alot! ] This
"observation" demeans the work ethic that Farmar,
Bynum & the rest of the Lakers obviously have and
the hard work that they obviously put in. it also
negates the obvious personnel upgrade at the
pg position and the C position && the health issues.
Did you see Kwame in the C position after Bynum
went down? Do you remember the Boo's in
the Staples Center as he failed to finish time after
time?
let's be honest. Last year we had 1 all star & no
other all-star caliber player. Lamar, as a Laker,
has NEVER flourished as the #2 option. This year
we have 1 all-star player & 2.5 all-star caliber
players. [ Fisher, Gasol, Bynum, & Lamar as the
#3 option ]
After 2 years of carrying the Lakers, Kobe screamed
for help. He got it! Mitch Kupchak deserves every
award imaginable for:
1. Refusing to make bad trades IN SPITE OF the
tremendous pressure Kobe, the fans & the
media put him under.
2. Making some significant draft choices. [ Farmar
Crit, Sasha, Bynum, Turiaf ]
3. Pulling off the Gasol & Ariza trades!
As much as I love Kobe, and I'm definately a Kobe fan,
it's *NOT* all about Kobe!!! Give *everyone* their due!
Posted by: hobbitmage | February 27, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Further more the LA Times sells papers to make money, Simers and Plaschke lose money for them, I for one cancelled my subscription years ago because of them, and many of my friends as well
That is an indication that they are not quality writers. The times should know better.
Posted by: BrandonC | February 27, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Rick Friedman,
Thanks for the link, and funny too. Ronnie Turiaf thought he is so popular and do not need any reservation at a club. Unfortunately, those bouncers don't watch basketball games, this is a big city lots of things to do. Besides, Ronnie looked like a Santa Monica homeless who would like to gatecrush a club. He should go there in Limo with a pretty lady on his side, with emissaries making arrangement in advance, that's how LA people entertain themselves lots of fakery and make believe huh!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 27, 2008 at 10:05 AM
"Lakergurl - do you have something to add to the conversation or is this just another personal attack?"
Probably just pointing out that you read every Laker article with your one-sided anti-Kobe biased opinions. And you choose to post up comments that reflect this even though your comments are (for the most part) very inaccurate.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 10:10 AM
hobbitmage - so you are saying Phil is lying or you disagree with his assessment, even while thinking he is the best coach in the league?
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 27, 2008 at 10:12 AM
hobbitmage,
Could not agree more. Kobe would have loved to have these teammates 3 years ago. He would have been deferring to them, and getting everyone involved back then. The talent level simply wasn't there. Once they put the work in, stepped their game up, and added a few more pieces into the mix, Kobe now has a group that he can work with. He is more than happy not having to drop 60+ points for them to win. This is what he has been wishing for.
Farmar is not the same Farmar as last year.
Drew is not the same Drew
The machine is making shots outside of practice
Pau is not Kwame
Fish is not Smush
Radman is actually paying ball, not snowboarding
Kobe could not put the work in for them, they had to get motivated to do it. Kobe was probably a big factor that helped motivate them. Kobe was a leader to them, by showing them a stellar work ethic, and how he puts countless hours in the gym and weight room.
Congrats for each of them for stepping up and working hard to improve their game. They should be proud of themselves... especially Farmar, Andrew, and the Machine.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Ken,
I agree about Odom following Bynum's return - as a group, Bynum, Odom, and Gasol don't provide much of an outside threat, and their perimeter defense is mediocre. Very good inside offense and good rebounding offset it somewhat. It will be interesting to see how PJ handles it.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 27, 2008 at 10:29 AM
LakerTom,
No matter what happens this season, you're not going to get those same odds next year!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 27, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Lover,
Phil was making a statement about how Kobe is approaching the game, your the one who twisted it to suit your hating ways.
Dude... your lost. Go become a Suns fan.
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I put 20 down for the Lakers winning it all during pre-season. I figured I was throwing my money away at the time. HaHa. Now its looking like a pretty good bet.
But I didn't get 30-1 odds. :(
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 10:40 AM
frank rizzo - did u see what B Shaw said about Kobe, that this year was his most valuable to the laker team? What is Kobe doing different this year vs other years?
By your logic, anyone being critical of Kobe is not a laker fan and by extension anyone being critical of Arod is not a Yankee fan. I cant think of anything less ridiculous.
If anything kobe apologists should go to kb24.com since this is a LAKER blog not a Kobe blog.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 27, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Since the acquisition of Gasol, in addition to Odom blossoming to the player everyone thought he could be, plus the soon reinstatement of Bynum, and of course Kobe, and the deadly outside shot weapons in Lute and the European twin torpedos -Sasha and Vladimir, the Lakers have that "certain" strut and "aura" that reminds me of the 80's dynasty, and the back-to back-to back-to "almost back" Kobe-Shaq show in the late 90's.
You know, when at the beginning or early in the season, all Angelinos and Laker fans alike, KNEW that the Lakers were going to WIN the NBA title even before the play-offs began? The only question back then was WHO would be their opponents in the finals, even though it didn't matter and we all knew of the eventual outcome. GO LAKERS, just win baby! Bring on the Celtics...hey, why not? Imagine a Celtic-Laker final again? HELLO....
Posted by: SimpleRep | February 27, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Laker Lover
where you perhaps involve in the Colorado incident?, and that is why you hat Kobe so much?
Is your middle name Cancer?
Go away and stop hiding behind the Laker Lover name.
Posted by: DOP | February 27, 2008 at 01:30 PM
luke should have acknowledge that he sucks!
Posted by: khang | February 27, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Wow
I guess i am not the only one who wants TJ to go back to SD or Denver, he is a very unhappy man thats all i can say.
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | February 27, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Justlakerfan,
On your recent post where you mentioned my name...
While I'm a fan of Critter, I just make my own comments and would not want to influence the opinion of others. Like you, I also answer back when provoked or insulted. It turns me off when some people claims that they know everything other than what is normal. I learn every day from everyone's point of views.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 27, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Edwin, LTLF
Edwin I mentioned you because the comments were posted to you by LTLF about Critter fans attacking him. No complaint with you.
LTLF
I also stated as you said I made my argument that I believe Critter would be a stud developing but no knock on Farmer. I figured I would have liked the two as our pgs when Fish retires. You clarified that some Critter fans attacked you and I think they are idiots for that.
We all are Laker fans but we may differ on what we think is best for the team. I for one will not ever resort to calling you an idiot (or anyone else unless attacked first) as clearly you are not. I appreciate your thoughts and gives me another perspective to look at things when we differ. And glad when we agree as at least that validates that there is someone thinking as I do. I enjoy your posts and keep them coming.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | February 27, 2008 at 04:44 PM
"I'm taking a poll here. Does anyone like the writing style of T.J. Simers?"
NO!
Posted by: frank rizzo | February 27, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Well I don't really care what he thinks as I think of two cliches when I don't like what he says.
1) Consider the source
and
2) Only a fool takes another fool seriously.
Need I say more?
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | February 27, 2008 at 04:54 PM