We were concerned for a sec that nobody would hype tonight's Lakers-Suns/Kobe-Shaq game
February 20, 2008 | 12:33
pm
Thankfully, ESPN stepped up to the... wait for it... roundtable. Take a look at what an assortment of Four Letter Network affiliated writers (that aren't me or BK) have to say about the impending brouhaha.
AK
The Spurs just picked up Kurt Thomas. That's a huge pickup for them.
Posted by: Xodus | February 20, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Kurt Thomas to San Antonia. WOW.
Posted by: sixonezero | February 20, 2008 at 04:22 PM
I can understand Kwame not getting any playing time for Memphis but Javaris riding the pine??? that doesn't make any sense at all unless they are planning on trading him? if they can? before the deadline and don't want to risk injury by playing him.
Odd, to say the least... it's not like they are fighting to make the playoffs.
Posted by: TaosHum | February 20, 2008 at 02:17 PM
If you can understand how Kwame doesn't get any playing time in woeful Memphis, how on earth did he start for the Lakers for two years? LOL. Please help me understand.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | February 20, 2008 at 04:25 PM
EAST IS LEAST AND WEST IS BLESSED …
by Jay Rosner for San Diego Union-Tribune
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nba/20080220-9999-1s20nbawest.html
Some comments from Luke’s dad about the Lakers…
“As the NBA emerges from the All-Star break and begins a two-month run to its two-month postseason, Walton says the Lakers “are playing the best basketball of anybody.” He says he's “never seen Kobe Bryant play better,” although he is concerned about Bryant's finger injury. He says the Lakers were the beneficiary of “one of the most one-sided trades in the history of basketball,” which brought them Pau Gasol. He says they soon will be returning Andrew Bynum, who “is in the top four centers in the entire NBA.” He says they have depth and talent and a great organization.”
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 20, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Phoenix has a plan to motivate Shaq to play harder. They feel that the Suns can keep Shaq motivated and playing at a consistent high level throughout playoffs. This was part of an email Steve Kerr accidentally sent to me regarding my ticket request.
Problem: Shaq doesn’t jump anymore.
Worry: In the NBA, you have to jump to dunk unless you are 8′6″
Solution: Suns will encourage Shaq to leap and dunk by placing donuts on the top of rims.
Problem: Shaq not hustling down the court to play defense.
Worry: Other centers will run and score at will against Suns
Solution: D’Antoni will yell, “Lookout Shaq, he’s got a gun, run”
Problem: Shaq’s lack of energy.
Worry: Lack of trying will lead to easy baskets and fouls
Solution: Trainers will inject Shaq with 100cc of Red Bull before each quarter.
Problem: Shaq has tendency to eat too much and get fat
Worry: By starving him with a diet, Ball Boys have been afraid Shaq might eat them as snacks before game.
Solution: Basketballs will be chocolate dipped for his enjoyment. Very filling but no real subtance.
Problem: Shaq’s ego in the way of team unity.
Worry: Shaq may become overly depressed being second fiddle to Nash, Amare, D’Antoni, and Brian Skinner in his new job as a role player, and demand a trade or a huge raise.
Solution: All players will wear new mirrored jersey’s so when Shaq looks at them, he will only see himself.
Posted by: AN 1 | February 20, 2008 at 04:35 PM
We should use Pau and Odom to pull Shaq out of the paint today.
We should have Kobe drive and get Shaq in foul trouble.
We should run their @$$e$ off the court.
Posted by: hariyahu | February 20, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Spurs traded for Kurt Thomas
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AjwpmbGx0LV4_Ss1g3WIAsQ5nYcB?slug=jy-thomas022008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Posted by: moko | February 20, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Why is it always the most ridiculous posters that have the most time on their hands?
Posted by: Xodus | February 20, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Why do you think? They've alienated everyone else in their lives, including their employers, so what else are they going to do in between frequent trips to the mailbox to look for their unemployment checks?
I highly recommend that people learn to scan for trollish comments and immediately move on to the next post. It's one thing to disagree about analysis of a team or situation, but trolls don't go that deeply. They either make stuff up or just say things they know will get a reaction. Here's an example of a non-troll: "Kobe tries to do too much on the court, and it appears to alienate his teammates"; Troll: "KOBE SUX BIATCHES...HIS TEMAMATES H& HIS GUTTS!!!! LAKES R GOOIN DOWN!" In my defense, I was pretty wasted when I wrote that last post, and I didn't mean any of it.
Just Say No To The Trolls! If you ignore them, they'll go away, much like a bad case of the clap.
Posted by: Tully Moxness | February 20, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Man, the Spurs gave up Barry, Elson AND a #1 pick for Kurt Thomas - a player the Suns threw away. Actually gift-wrapped away considering they GAVE away a couple of picks to move him.
So the Sonics basically got THREE #1 picks for KURT FREAKING THOMAS!!!
What has the West come to?
Posted by: hariyahu | February 20, 2008 at 04:40 PM
1) No Laker center will foul out tonight because of Shaq; he's only going to play about 20 min.
2) Crittenton is on the bench in Memphis because he's a turnover machine.
Posted by: giantsquid | February 20, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Spurs get Tim Thomas...
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | February 20, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Gunner Posts "IT'S ALL ABOUT GASOL TONIGHT."
No Sir!
It's really about Lamar Odom tonight. Lamar's big game tonight will give the Lakers a victory over the Suns. But don't get me wrong, Gasol needs to have his regular night and MUST stay out of foul trouble, which I don't believe Gasol has a tendency of doing anyway.
Kobe's pinky will be fine, his addrenalin rush will supercede that.
BK or AK,
What is the status of Andrew Bynum? Would you care to share that with us if possible.
Also, I am tired of listening to people (not particulary in this blog) talk about how no one will be able to rebound the ball with Shaq and Amare in the line up. These people speak as if Amare is a aggressive player and Shaq is still in his 20's. Now if I'm wrong, please let me know.
Go Lakers
Posted by: Ron | February 20, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Dont know if anyone saw this but espn is reporting
Spurs reportedly send Barry, Elson to Sonics for Thomas
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 20, 2008 at 04:55 PM
gunner- keep speaking the truth, this is a LAKER blog not a Kobe apologist blog.
No one player is bigger than the team!
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 20, 2008 at 04:59 PM
gunner- keep speaking the truth, this is a LAKER blog not a Kobe apologist blog.
No one player is bigger than the team!
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 20, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Chris H,
OMG, that was the best video I've seen in a year!
Elle,
The question was rhetorical... in the video link in my post about what do we want for Christmas, they asked Kobe the same question... not knowing if his true wish could fit down the chimney, he answered the question nicely.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | February 20, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Gunner, you need to come here to be a FAN of the LAKERS
hmmm thats funny where were all the laker "fans" cheering Mitch and Buss in the offseason when Kobe was off ranting?
There is no rule that to be a fan of the lakers is to be a fan of Kobe, if u want that goto kb24.com
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 20, 2008 at 05:07 PM
This story always brings a smile to face. I was busting up when I heard them mention this on the TV broadcast that day.
--------------------------------------------------
Trade hoax no joking matter for Barbosa
by Jerry Brown
East Valley Tribune
January 19, 2008
By the end of the day, Leandro Barbosa was laughing about a practical joke that had him scurrying around the team’s Beverly Hills hotel Thursday. But for a while, a phone hoax that had Barbosa believing he was traded to the New York Knicks was no laughing matter.
Barbosa, who made the mistake of registering under his own name, was in his room when he received an anonymous phone call “informing him” of a trade, and telling him he needed to meet Suns general manager Steve Kerr in the hotel lobby.
“My heart was hurting,” Barbosa said. “Every time I hear the word ‘trade,’ … it’s just not a comfortable word for me at all. This is my team. I went a little crazy.”
Frantic and near tears, Barbosa rushed to the lobby in search of coaches or team personnel for answers before he was finally assured it was all a hoax.
“I said, ‘L.B., use your head. Don’t you think I would have told you if something like that was even possible?’ ” said Suns assistant and Barbosa confidant Dan D’Antoni, who was able to put his fears to rest. “I told him, ‘You’ve got to use someone else’s name when you check into a hotel. If someone told me to come down to the front desk and pick up a million dollars, do you think I’d start running for the elevator?’ ”
Even hours later, it was no joking matter for Barbosa. “That was a terrible thing,” he said.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | February 20, 2008 at 05:08 PM
San Antonio traded Barry and Elson for Kurt thomas. Ugh.
Posted by: james hastings | February 20, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Gunner!!! Kobe only sabatoges?? Do you remember 3 championships? Was that despite his trying to sabatoge? Why don't you start, with anti-Gasol stuff. At least he hasn't brought us any rings. You can dis him for that!
BTW the rest of the team might score as high a percentage as it does because Kobe has drawn defenders.
Posted by: johnnyP | February 20, 2008 at 05:19 PM
God bless Shaq for his contributions to the Lakers. But lets run his lazy ass into the ground. Gasol can defintely get down court before he can!
Posted by: johnnyP | February 20, 2008 at 05:21 PM
That Kurt Thomas trade was pretty big.
I'm impressed.
Hey wait a second... where's Popovich? He should have vetoed that trade! It's a rip off and makes the Spurs a better team!
Well, you want someone on record? There, I said it. You can tell Pop that I just said it.
The arms race continues... there's like 18 hours left until the deadline. Who else wants to make a move?
Kurt Thomas... huge help to Duncan in the middle... he was going to get abused by Bynum, now they have Thomas. Great pick up.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | February 20, 2008 at 05:21 PM
This New Orleans-Dallas is a great game. Chris Paul is trying to show that he, not Nash or Kidd is the best PG in the league.
Posted by: Xodus | February 20, 2008 at 05:27 PM
wow...
so many cahnges tot he lineup!
i cant keep up with this! i have to change my NBA 2k8 lineup almost every week!!!
:)
Posted by: jaworski | February 20, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Thomas is a good look for S.A., I see POP had to get in where he could fit in...and make something happen. Our chemistry is working out fine so far, good luck to those who follow. Mitch be proud of yourself, you have changed the entire landscape across the west with just one move. The pen is mightier than the sword.
It's battle time LAKERS- Lights OUT Phx!
Posted by: lakerfaze | February 20, 2008 at 05:46 PM