Sean P.,

I don't think that's the only stat that matters.

Never,

Good point.

GO LAKERS!

TheRealZenMaster,

You're preaching to the choir. No one was more bitter when the Heat won that fluke title than I was.

K-Bros posted a question on how bad it would hurt if they won, and all of us went off the "scale"...

Here's the thing, the guy's career is coming to an end. The hatchett has been buried.

Shaq still harbors A LOT of animosity towards Dr. Buss and Kupchak, and I think some of it is warranted (poor communication), but a lot of it was Shaq's fault (pay me my money, company time)...

On a personal level, I think forgiveness is the whole point of life. I realized that I had to forgive the big fella... and I have. Now I see him as family, and as double agent 2257 (because in a way, he's helping us by causing them to lose Marion).

Dear bloggers(grasshoppers):

All you bloggers please take a moment and breathe (in & out) and be thankful that this breadth is the most un biased of them all. It is free and it comes to all regardless of who we are, it comes to a person ready to kill someone and it comes to a person who is nice to someone, the MOST unbiased gift of them all. The very first act of life starts with inhale, remember when a child is first born everyone waits until this child takes its first breadth and then everyone claps and finally it ends with exhale the last breadth out. So until then enjoy and enjoy for this breadh is the most unbiased of them all. Our best ally and friend is the breadth.

Enjoy!

ps: drink that sea mineral water as the hall monitor Jon K is on the beat!!

Not that I am sounding anti-Lakers but don't you think it's a bit premature to seed our Lakers as no. 1 at this early. I know our Lakers can beat the Suns now but they still have to be tested against Spurs, Mavs, Jazz, Hornets at least. Let's just watch and enjoy the games. cheers to all

Posted by: LakersGuru | February 26, 2008 at 04:51 PM

LakersGuru,

Good post. It may be a little premature, but so far the Lakers are 3-1 against the Suns, 2-1 against the Jazz, 1-1 against Hornets, 1-2 against Spurs(last game without Bynum and Gasol), and 0-1 versus the Mavs(without Bynum or Gasol). Most of our remaining games are against these same teams and the rest of the west so we'll see if our Lakers are worthy of the number 1 seed. Keep in mind that we're still not at full strength until Andrew returns. Lets not forget that the Lakers were number 1 in the west before Bynum went down and now we're number 1 again with Pau manning the post.

Right now I'm watching the Suns against the Grizzlies on NBALP to see how the Suns and Shaq do against a weak team after getting blown out by Detroit. The Suns still look very awkward with Shaq in there and the Griz are hanging with them in the first quarter so far. What's frustrating about teams like Memphis and Minnesota is that they seem to play well against good teams but end up making mistakes that cost them in close games. Suns went on a 9-0 run when Shaq went to the bench as they were able to pick up the tempo a little. Suns and Griz are tied right now.

Looking forward to Lakers/Blazers tonight. Go Lakers!!!

Nemaia Faletogo,

Hello my friend. I will not be fighting in the ring or in the octagon. I would do it now for leisure, as ironic as that sounds.

Is your nephews fight an MMA or Muay Thai Fight. (Also with elbows or just knees)

If your from southern cali, i'd love to check out one of his fights.

Regards brother,

AK/BK-

Doesn't it worry you at ALL that Von Wafer might get some run tonight against us? Dude could bring them back from 23 down singlehanded.

With 5 minutes left.

"Sean P,

I think when people first started saying that MJ was the greatest *ever* was somewhere in the early to mid 90s. They based this ascertion on a matter of SKILL.

MJ had very few weaknesses... actually NO weaknesses. I'd put Kobe in that category as well.

It's not really an argument of who dominated their time the most, because it's RUSSELL if you go that route and probably no one will ever touch that, but if you go off of skill, then you can make a judgement on what players in history had the most skill.

MJ had more all around skill than pretty much all the greats. Sure, a guy like Magic could pass better and Larry could hit the outside shot better... but neither of those guys could defend like MJ nor finish inside like MJ.

Kobe, even with all his faults, is right there on a skill assessment to pretty much anyone you can put forth.

When guys compare Kobe to MJ, they compare LEGACY, they compare LEGENDS. This is why Kobe may never live up to MJ. It's hard to dethrone a legend that can grow in everyone's mind long after the man touched a basketball.

From a pure skill standpoint, it's REALLY hard to argue against MJ or Kobe as having the most all around basketball skill of any player.... EVER."

I think skill-wise, Kobe edges even Jordan. They're equal on tenacity. Jordan edges Kobe (at this point) at efficiency, understanding the team game, timeliness, and consistency in the clutch.

They are not even close when it comes to gamesmanship and general manipulation though. Only Larry Bird comes close to former when considering recent greats, imo. Nobody touches Jordan on the latter, though (LeBron will have a chance to approach MJ assuming he starts winning rings at some point).

A CALL FROM CHICK ON HIS NEW I-PHONE!

I was sitting around enjoying all the good vibes and karma flowing from Lakersville when I suddenly got a phone call from Chick from Laker Heaven via his new iPhone…

“Wow, Chick is that really you? It’s been over a year since we last heard from you…How are you doing? Yeah, I know it was hard rooting for the Lakers with Smush on the team. True, the BOO BIRDS were definitely out in full force for him. Yeah, Kwame is a bust, too, always BLOOOWS THE LAYUP. You told Phil Kwame COULDN’T THROW A PEA INTO THE OCEAN? So that’s why they finally pulled the trigger and traded the guy.”

“Well, anyway I’m glad you decided to get back in touch and call us now that Smush and Kwame are gone. So what do you think of the new Lakers team and everything that went down this summer with Kobe? The Kid was right and the Lakers are going to win the NBA championship as a result? Really? THIS GAME'S IN THE REFRIGERATOR: THE DOOR IS CLOSED, THE LIGHTS ARE OUT, THE EGGS ARE COOLING, THE BUTTER'S GETTING HARD, AND THE JELL-O'S JIGGLIN'! Wow, great news, Chick.”

“What do you mean that is just the beginning? The Kid is going to win his first MVP this year but no Oscar or Emmy for his video performance? Yeah, that was pretty funny. lol. I agree, Kobe has never played better than he has this year. Yeah, Phil gets a lot of credit and so do his teammates. Yeah, the media just has it out for Kobe. What about AK? You think he is finally passed the bar and become a Kobe fan? Great news.”

“Oh, you talked to the Cap about Andrew. For sure, the next great Lakers center? Yeah, he is sure lucky to get drafted by the Lakers and get a chance to work with Kareem. Yeah, I know. Kareem’s new blog is really cool. Cap’s the greatest. You and Magic and Cap? Wow, I thought all these ideas were from Mitch, Jerry, and Jim. The secret Lakers Hall of Fame board makes all the decisions under direct supervision of God? That easily explains why everything turned out so good for the Lakers.”

“Yeah, we’ve turned into the International Lakers. I love Ronny’s enthusiasm, too. Yeah, he and Farmar and Andrew are Lakers for Life. How did I like the Pau trade? I thought it was awesome. It was your idea first. Wow, so Mitch was easy to convince? Oh, yeah, when God speaks you don’t have any choice. Yeah, I can see how he got pretty pissed with Smush and Kwame on the team. Ariza was a special bonus for us? Better than Artest and Bowen, really? I can’t wait. Yeah, he’s pretty good for a Spaniard. Yeah, he really does make Lamar better. A Laker for Life? Lamar will be thrilled.”

“So before I let you go, Chick, do you read the blog? No? Oh, Marge reads it from cover to cover and keeps you up-to-date. She sometimes posts under the web name of Faith? Yeah, there are a lot of posts to read on this blog. Maybe Stu can start helping? OK, I know you’re really busy. You’re trying to help the Celtics a little now so that we meet them in the Finals again. You want the Lakers to win 9 titles in a row and 11 of 12 to outdo the Celtics? God is? Wow! Yeah, that Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge are a couple of slime-balls. OK, Chick. I’ll let you go for now. Call us back soon and keep up the good work. Glad to know that God is on our side and is a Lakers fan.”

Tom

i am not biased against jordan . . . but realize this . . he never made it out of the east beating the dynasties of the 80s. He came into the league at the right time, when the:

celtics were succumbing to injuries and dealing with the len bias deal.

The Bad Boy Pistons were at the end of their run, and in fact some key members were injured, and they never regained their glory.

The lakers: finally lost the captain to old age, and then replaced him with . . . Vlade Divac.

so please do NOT give me the Jordan beat the best teams argument.
---------------------------------

In the 90s the teams were old, and thinned out due to expansion like no other.
the 91 lakers, while they were my team, they never had a chance because of age and vlade divac.
the sonics with shawn kemp and gary payton? Neither of those players would have been the 2nd best player on the bulls.
the Suns? again garbage. Where is KJ or Barkley. Barkley is supremely overrated. In the league today there is a player just like him, he is Big Baby, Glen Davis. And of course he is so great. Barkley was made more on hype than skill.
the blazers? with an old clyde drexler, jerome james and who else? PLEASE somebody name me players on this team.
the Jazz. . . there is a reason why jerry sloan has never won a title. Neither has Karl Malone nor John Stockton. They are adequate players, but they aren't winners. That special breed of players that can come through in the clutch. Also Sloan plays his players so hard during the season, they will never be able to win a title. Thats exactly what Larry Brown used to do. And if it wasnt for magic, and kareem or shaq and the refs, Riley would never win a title either, we saw how good he did in New York and how he cost the lakers the 88 title.
-------------

MJ never had to go up against a monster center. For those of you who give me Ewing, (another perennial loser, please wiki, Ewing Theory). Never had to face the likes of David Robinson or Hakeem in the finals.

----------

That being said, Jordan had relatively few flaws in his game. The only flaw i would point out would be his outside shooting and his passing ability (which is more a product of the triangle and the fact that he always had one dead on shooter on the team) It was Pip who handled the rock most of the time. As for defense? Didnt Jordan play in a league that spent the next 10 years trying to stop all the gratuitous clutching and grabbing that he made famous? Jordan's only real plus plus skills were driving to the hoop, posting up, and his perimeter D. The rest he was very good, but not great.

At the same time, many ppl say Larry legend was good enough to play all 5 position on the court. As was magic. Wilt, for all his shooting malaise, LEAD THE FREAKING LEAGUE in assists because he wanted to. That my friends is a form of domination we will never see again. Kareem leads the league in points scored. There are so many other greats. Im sure the Big O could make a case for not having any weaknesses. And im also sure that Elgin must have done something magical for chick hearn to say that he was the best player he ever saw (ps. i think he saw MJ play)

For San Diegans - tonight's game is on NBATV - Cox channel 331.

exhelodrvr............(yet he was farther above his peers than Kobe is)--referring to Michael Jordan.

During the 90's, one could argue that the best swingman in the NBA besides Mike was Scottie Pippen...especially after Chuck Barkley and Clyde Drexler retired. And during the 80's, the best player in the league was a constant debate with Bird, Dominique, Magic, Isiah Thomas and Hakeem as well as Jordan having their supporters.

Don't want to get into the Kobe vs. Michael thingy. Too subjective. But one can definitely argue that the level of play in today's league is BETTER than it was during the Jordan era with some merit and conviction. Kobe does have players challenging him. LBJ, Wade, Carmelo, Nash, Pierce, Redd and Ray Allen to name a few. During the epic battles with the Knicks in the early 90's, Jordan went up against the likes of John Starks and Chris Childs. The "Pushoff" shot that clinched the title against Utah was against Byron Russell, a good defender but no HOFer. Jordan was a truly great player who flourished in an era that wasn't so great IMO.

Hated to hear about Yao...but anything can happen in the world of the NBA. Kobe's motto on his website...Carpe Diem translates to Sieze the Day. That says it all.

@ Truth24
"Nash really has no offense"

are you serious?

he wouldnt be one of the top pg if he was a one trick pony...

LakerTom,
"The winner of the 1-on-1 contest was none other than Rudy T. This was before the Kermit Washington punch when Rudy's midrange bank shot was pure money. "

I guess I'm dating myself, but I remember that tournament; and I believe that Calvin Murphy beat Kareem.

all this MJ talk will never end...

why cant we just accept that MJ is MJ and great in his own right... and kobe is KOBE...

we all know that kobe wants to be the greatest blah blah blha, but until the day that he wins championships, and mvps and all that bruhaha, we cant tell!

he knows that as well...

I like there on Sasha's three that Jordan didn't take the wide open three, even though he's shooting so well. He slowed it down and set up the offense, which ended up working.

Lakers have a Spaniard, a Frenchman, Slovenian and Chinaman! Did I miss any foreign national?

Posted by: Staples 24 | February 26, 2008 at 04:04 PM

Yes, a Belgium African from the Congo

SA said:

“In the 90s the teams were old, and thinned out due to expansion like no other.
the 91 lakers, while they were my team, they never had a chance because of age and vlade divac.
the sonics with shawn kemp and gary payton? Neither of those players would have been the 2nd best player on the bulls.
the Suns? again garbage. Where is KJ or Barkley. Barkley is supremely overrated. In the league today there is a player just like him, he is Big Baby, Glen Davis. And of course he is so great. Barkley was made more on hype than skill.
the blazers? with an old clyde drexler, jerome james and who else? PLEASE somebody name me players on this team.
the Jazz. . . there is a reason why jerry sloan has never won a title. Neither has Karl Malone nor John Stockton. They are adequate players, but they aren't winners. That special breed of players that can come through in the clutch. Also Sloan plays his players so hard during the season, they will never be able to win a title. Thats exactly what Larry Brown used to do. And if it wasnt for magic, and kareem or shaq and the refs, Riley would never win a title either, we saw how good he did in New York and how he cost the lakers the 88 title.”

I am sorry, but you simply do not know what you are talking about. Either you did not watch basketball during this era or you were not paying sufficient attention.

The ’91 Lakers were hardly old. Magic was the oldest starter at age 31. Worthy was 29, Byron 29, Perkins 29, Green 27. Vlade, who you try to scapegoat (the fact that you do makes me seriously question whether you followed the Lakers during this period when he was wildly popular with Lakers fans), put up 16.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, & 2.4 bpg in that series and completely outplayed his counterpart, Bill Cartwright (8.8 ppg & 5.0 rpg). The Lakers lost that series because Jordan played out of his friggin’ mind, putting up 31.2 ppg on .611 fg%, 11.4 apg (that’s right: 11.4 apg), & 6.6 rpg (see http://webuns.chez-alice.fr/finals/1991.htm).

Again you show your ignorance. Kemp, who was the Amare Stoudamire of his day with the exception that he was a terrific defender (you need to learn about the Reign Man, seriously you’re embarrassing yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ALdNck0f2o) and Gary Payton were at their peak in ‘96 (with Kemp putting up 21.2 ppg & 12.4 rpg and Payton being named DPOY- the only guard to win this award in the last 20 years) and they completely outplayed Pippen in those finals (who only put up 15.7 ppg on .343 fg% in that series).

I just don’t know how you can call a 6’4½” PF who averaged 21.7 ppg on .541 fg%, 11.5 rpg, & 3.9 apg over the course of his career overrated. The guy was an absolute marvel and to compare slightly undersized 6’7” Glen Davis who is putting up 4.5 ppg & 2.8 rpg goes beyond the pale. Speak when you know wtf you’re talking about next time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAYQIrqbArQ.

Again, you’re just wrong. Drexler was 29. Yeah, he didn’t have a bunch of big name teammates, just a bunch of hard-nosed guys who could flat out play the team game like Terry Porter, Buck Williams, Jerome Kersey & Kevin Duckworth (not to mention an up and coming Cliff Robinson and quality vet in Danny Ainge coming off of the bench). That’s why they put up 59, 63, & 57 wins from ’89-90 through ’91-92, finishing 4th, 3rd, & 2nd respectively in team defensive rating and making the NBA Finals twice (‘90 & ‘92) and the WCF (‘91) in the other year.

The only reason that the Jazz didn’t win a championship is because of Michael Jordan. Stockton and Malone’s numbers speak for themselves. To disrespect what they accomplished is to disrespect the game of basketball itself.

Of course, I am trying to explain all this to the genius who thinks Riley cost us the ’88 title (uh, we won that year, dude… maybe you mean ’89 when Riley maliciously took out Byron and Magic’s hamstrings in the Finals after guiding us to sweeps in the first three rounds that year?).