Oh no.......

For those laker fans who think Sasha the brick machine takes uncalled for absuse from oppoents listen to 9 rings below:

Jackson was asked about Vujacic getting into altercations with players who throw elbows at him for his actions.

"He deserves all of it," Jackson said. "When you've got a player that's going to be confrontational, he's got to be able to take an abuse that's going to come back at him. Sasha elicits that. I don't think it's done in a malicious way, but it's done in a challenging way, and the natural tendency for young men usually is retaliation."

Coming from 9 rings who was a tough player thats says it all

Urgh.

GO LAKERS!

When do we play the clips again? I'd love to see Smush's all -hands/no-feet defense again.

Smush was an effective player. He didn't fit into the overall scheme of what the Lakers were doing, but he was an effective player. He scored a good amount of points, he played moderate defense, and he ran the offense. The main problem was that Smush shouldn't have been a starter. He would have greatly benefited from having Fish be his mentor and the starter, just as Farmar has.

Comparing him to Farmar; both have decent but not consistent 3 point shots. Both are athletic and can take it to the hoop, both were competent in running the offense, and both get beaten by faster PGs. Farmer is not a better player than Smush Paker. However, the true and most important difference is that Farmer acts like he wants to get better, while Smush's personality didn't allow for that. I think Smush wanted to win, it's just that he didn't have the personality, or the look, of PG that the LA Lakers wanted.

I'll tell you what, Smush did no worse than Luke Walton, and if fact, was probably better than Walton all and all. It's just all about attitude, nothing more. Luke is the golden boy whom everybody likes regardless of his poor play. Smush was the corn-rolled dude with the bad attitude who was always wrong.

You notice Fish and Farmer getting killed by fast PGs? When Smush was with the Lakers, I posted many detailed narratives about why his getting beaten was not unique to him. But still, the majority of bloggers crucified Smush for continuously getting beaten. Now that we see what's happening to our current crop of PGs, I'd like to think that I, and Smush, have been vindicated.

I fully supported Smush while he was with the Lakers, and I still do. While I wasn't as psychotic as Michael T's defense of Kwame, I do feel my position on Smush was never fully rebutted. And although it wasn't, and isn't, a popular position, I really don't care... I'm not running for the presidency.

The Clippers must want the #1 lottery pick. real bad.

I hope Phil needles him again by calling him Smash Parker.

Check it out everyone...Kyle Korver doing his best Ashton Kutcher impression:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/chandiswicked/rmccants_400_080226.jpg

Watching the Rockets vs Hawks game.
Luke/VladRad will need to score Sunday.
Or else we will lose.
That is all.

I tell you what:
The Lakers better bring their A game Sunday.
The Rockets are playing like it's March Madness time.
What hussle.

The Kobe Bryant Blog Day..

24 Posts in 24 Hours in honor of Kobe Bean Bryant

http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5700000434

enjoy!

Brylle

In the lakers.com practice report video Phil Jackson mentions that he saw Bynum dunking a few imes while practicing on his own (as in not with the team. I assume he had trainers with him). AK/BK, do you have any more info about that? It seems too tantalizing a tidbit to just throw out there. Given that the team will be gone for a week without Drew I was wondering if we could get more info now.

Posted by: J.D. Hastings | March 12, 2008 at 05:40 PM

J.D. Hastings,

Are you for real?!!! Did PJ say that in their practice report about Andrew? I know we can't get overly excited, but if that's true, that's good news. Even if Andrew returns right before or when the playoffs begin, he'll still have an impact because of his size and presence. I bet Andrew is working extra hard because he wants to return soon and help his mates out. Even PJ hinted in an article that Drew isn't too happy about the progress being slower than expected but the Lakers don't want to rush him back risking further injury. Just to read that Andrew is at least on the court doing some things on his own and dunking is really good news. Lakers all day, everyday!!!

Troy - interesting comments and I certainly remember some of your past posts on Smush. He had an improbable rise and fall with a front page team. PJ often talked about the talent and worth that Smush possessed, and it's no small thing for a footnote journeyman to go from camp fodder to starter, for nearly two years. Unfortunately, it ended up being a too common story of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN…

It’s going to be an exciting 4-game road trip for the Lakers and an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the West and the few naysayers who doubt that they’re for real. I think the Lakers will put on their road faces and come together to win all 4 games.

Here is a quick look at each of the four teams we face:

1) NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (Fri, 5:00p)
---------------------------------------------
This will be the 3rd match-up, with each team winning a game in the other’s home town. The Hornets won the initial match-up on Nov 6 in Los Angeles 118-104 while the Lakers with Andrew Bynum crushed the Hornets 109-80 in New Orleans on Jan 9. The 4th game between the teams will be in Los Angeles on April 11.

The Hornets are currently #5 in the West with a record of 42-20, just 1 game in the loss column behind the #1 Lakers who are 45-19. Talk about a ridiculously close playoff race. The Hornets have lost some of the luster off their earlier success, however, having lost 5 of their last 10 games, while the Lakers have still been hot winning 8 of their last 10.

This will be a much tougher match-up for the Lakers without Andrew Bynum as Pau Gasol will have his hands full with Tyson Chandler, whom Bynum totally dominated. Chris Paul will likely do his best T.J. Ford impersonation, driving Laker defenders and fans crazy. If the Lakers are to win, they will have to play much tougher defense with fewer turnovers.

Bottom line: Lakers 110-95

2) HOUSTON ROCKETS – Sun, 12:30p
---------------------------------------------
This will be the 3rd match-up, with each team winning a game in the other’s home town. The Rockets beat the Lakers 95-93 in Los Angeles on opening night Oct 30 on a 3-pointer by Battier at the buzzer while the Lakers beat the Rockets 93-90 in Houston on Nov 14. The teams will not meet again unless it is in the playoffs.

The Rockets are currently #3 in the West with a record of 43-20, just 1 game in the loss column behind the #1 Lakers who are 45-19. The Rockets have now won 19 games in a row, including 7 in a row after losing Yao Ming for the season due to injury. With a win tonight in Atlanta and Friday in Charlotte, the Rockets would enter the game with the Lakers on Sunday with a 21-game winning streak, 2nd longest streak in NBA history.

What is amazing to realize is that the Rockets’ record before starting this winning streak was just 26-19. If their winning streak, the Rockets have beaten the Hornets, Mavs, and Cavs but didn’t have to play the Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, Suns, or Pistons. Unfortunately, Tracy McGrady and his no-name overachieving Rockets will be rudely brought back to reality by the Lakers. The streak ends at 21.

Bottom line: Lakers 102-90

3) DALLAS MAVERICKS – Tue, 5:30p
---------------------------------------------
This will be the 3rd match-up, with each team winning a game on their home court. The Mavs beat the Lakers without Andrew Bynum 112-105 in Dallas on Jan 25 while the Lakers with Pau Gasol beat the Mavs with Jason Kidd 108-104 in Los Angeles on Mar 2. The 4th game will be in Los Angeles on April 4.

The Mavs are currently #7 in the West with a record of 41-23, 4 games behind the Lakers who are 45-19. Still adjusting to the Jason Kidd trade, the Mavs have won 6 of their last 10 games and are fighting the Warriors for the #7 slot.

I look for the Lakers to totally dominate the Mavs in this game, clearly making a strong statement that the Mavs are not on the same elite level as the Lakers and Spurs. The Mavs defense was weakened by the trade and Josh Howard is have a real sub par year. The sideline shots of Marc Cuban’s anguish at realizing that the Mav’s championship window has just been slammed shut will be especially enjoyable.

Bottom line: Lakers 125-96

4) UTAH JAZZ – Thu 7:20p
---------------------------------------------
This will be the 4th and final match-up, with the Lakers beating the Jazz in Los Angeles 119-109 on Nov 4 and 123-108 on Dec 28, while the Jazz beat the Lakers without Andrew Bynum 120-96 in Utah on Nov 30.

The Jazz are currently #4 in the West with a record of 42-23, 3.5 games behind the Lakers who are 45-19. With improved outside shooting courtesy of Ashton Kutcher, the Jazz revitalized their season and have recently won 7 out of 10. As the division leader, the Jazz are 3 games in the loss column ahead of Denver.

This will be the Lakers first game against the Jazz since they added Kutcher, who has been great shooting 3-pointers since his trade from the 76ers. I don’t consider the Jazz to be an elite team although we will have problems containing Carlos Boozer inside without Andrew. At any rate, look for Kobe to have another of his great Utah games.

Bottom line: Lakers 127-115
---------------------------------------------

Tom

the cavs lost today because of lebron's crappy teammates
look at his numbers.. hes the real MVP not Kobe... kobe is a ballhog and not clutch like lebron... i wish that the lakers would trade kobe for lebron and also shaq for gasol...
Lebron's stats
FG 3Pt FT Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts
12-23 2-7 16-23 3 11 7 6 1 2 2 5 42

Lebron for MVP >>>> Kobe

Laker Lover

Kobe's been putting up this kind of numbers the past few years for the lakers and he did not win the MVP... Now he's putting up slightly lower stats but his team is winning more.. probably because he now has a better team... a much improve from the last few years and the addition of gasol... i think he's still playing the same way as before but now he feels that he doesnt have to carry his team in order to win like what lebron is doing now.. which is very tiring...

Go Lakers! Best in the West!

Kobe for MVP! or No Peace

Look Lonely

TROY,

“I fully supported Smush while he was with the Lakers, and I still do. While I wasn't as psychotic as Michael T's defense of Kwame, I do feel my position on Smush was never fully rebutted. And although it wasn't, and isn't, a popular position, I really don't care... I'm not running for the presidency.”

When the call on the red phone comes in at 3:00 a.m. or at any hour, we’re sure glad you’re not manning the phone, troy. All of us have at one time or another supported a player who turned out to be a bust, but most of us are fan enough to own up to it.

How is it that all 30 NBA general managers had zero interest in Smush? Do you really think that any one of them would take Smush Parker over Jordan Farmar or Luke Walton? Hell, I doubt any of them would take him over Coby Karl. LOL.

Not trying to bust your balls, troy. All is in fun and we are all Laker fans but I just have to nominate your post for the Big Laugh of the Day Award. In the now-infamous mantra of the relentless Zakee: “Smush Sucks!” Good luck, troy, and keep your head down.

Tom

Aren't rats suppose to jump OUT of a sinking ship?

Dave M: Thanks, I just think that Smush became a whipping boy and he could never recover. When considering his actual play, he really wasn't that bad.

Laker Tom: Actually, Smush has played for quite a few teams, and continues to. So, he is, at least, employable. Consider this, Tom, exactly how is Jordan Farmar bettter than Smush?

I agree Smush took more abuse than he deserved for his on court performance (he was Luke before Luke became Luke), but overall the quality of his play deteriorated over the second year he played, no question, and by the end, he wasn't very good at all. People were all over him after the playoffs in his first season because as the series went on, Steve Nash really started to make him look bad. He played well early, surprisingly well, actually but after a while Nash killed him. But really, what did anyone expect? He's Steve effin Nash, and Smush is Smush.

I got the feeling in year two that some people took out a lot of their frustration on Smush for the Lakers not improving at the point over the offseason (not his fault), but that said, he didn't play as well, either. As people pointed out, there wasn't that outward desire to improve, to help motivate his teammates, be a cohesive force, etc. All stuff you expect from a PG. His attitude was often more a problem than his play. It wasn't his fault he was the starting PG for the Lakers, despite having the pedigree and game of a backup.

My biggest objection to Smush was there always seemed to be this chip on his shoulder, like he was owed something he wasn't getting. He played himself out of a part of someone's mid-level down the stretch, no question. And by the end of the year, his play really wasn't very good, as it became clear he didn't have a future with the team. But instead of playing well and earning money somewhere else, he sulked. He's not a bad guy, but there are things about him- and admittedly, I didn't get to know him well- that I'll never figure out.

BK

tory,

"exactly how is Jordan Farmar bettter than Smush?"

One very huge aspect - Attitude.

With apologies to LakerTom for butting in.

Look Lonely-

You are killing me with those awesome "Laker Lover" parodies. I guess the highest compliment you can get is when a commenter really believes that Laker Lover wrote it and writes in to tell him off.

Nice work!

Smush = Cancer

It's got nothing to do with "talent."

The NBA has had tons of these stories...and most of them are much better players than Smush. But what they all have in common is they don't understand that their ego is what holds them back from success. Nobody really wants to play with them, around them or for them.

It doesn't mean they aren't nice to their families (most of the time) or that they don't do good things for the community or that they don't have redeeming qualities, but if they are on your NBA team (or own it), don't expect much harmony.

Examples (definitely a partial list):

Zach Randolph
Stephon Marbury
Steve Francis
Ron Ron
Derrick Coleman
Latrell Spreewell
Rod Strickland
Isiah Rider
Christian Laettner
Ricky Davis
Bonzi Wells
Tim Thomas
Isiah Thomas - post playing career (see CBA, NBA announcing, Knicks, NY)
James Dolan
Donald Sterling

Why Jordan Farmar is better than Smush Parker-
1)Farmar is shooting a higher percentage from the field and 3-point territory this season than Smush in his two best years with the Lakers.
2) Farmar absolutely possesses a better work ethic and attitude.
3) Farmar averages 9.4 points per game this season when Smush's highest average was 11.5. 1.1 points higher for over 11 more minutes of play.
4) Farmar is not as erratic as Parker and makes "smart" plays.
5) Just think about it- How many times has Farmar come into a game and provided a spark? Many times. Smush Parker? ehh..

I agree Smush took more abuse than he deserved for his on court performance (he was Luke before Luke became Luke), but overall the quality of his play deteriorated over the second year he played, no question, and by the end, he wasn't very good at all. People were all over him after the playoffs in his first season because as the series went on, Steve Nash really started to make him look bad. He played well early, surprisingly well, actually but after a while Nash killed him. But really, what did anyone expect? He's Steve effin Nash, and Smush is Smush.

I got the feeling in year two that some people took out a lot of their frustration on Smush for the Lakers not improving at the point over the offseason (not his fault), but that said, he didn't play as well, either. As people pointed out, there wasn't that outward desire to improve, to help motivate his teammates, be a cohesive force, etc. All stuff you expect from a PG. His attitude was often more a problem than his play. I wasn't his fault he was the starting PG for the Lakers, despite having the pedigree and game of a backup.

My biggest objection to Smush was there always seemed to be this chip on his shoulder, like he was owed something he wasn't getting. He played himself out of a part of someone's mid-level down the stretch, no question. And by the end of the year, his play really wasn't very good, as it became clear he didn't have a future with the team. But instead of playing well and earning money somewhere else, he sulked. He's not a bad guy, but there are things about him- and admittedly, I didn't get to know him well- that I'll never figure out.

BK

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 12, 2008 at 08:16 PM

BK - Since I don't know Smush personally, I'll take your word that he is a good guy. But truthfully, Smush was probably the worst starter I have ever seen in the NBA. He got absolutely torched by just about every point guard in the league (not just the Steve Nashes of the league), was a totally inconsistent shooter and had a rotten attitude on the court, that he apparently took into the locker room by most accounts.

I am actually angrier now about the whole Smush Parker Experience in retrospect. How could Kupchack and Jackson keep playing this guy for two straight years? Had the Lakers simply picked up a point out of the D-League or a jobber like Brevin Knight or Jason Hart (which they easily could have done), they almost certainly would have advanced past PHX two years ago and may have made a run to the WCF at least. And who will forget leaving Smush on Barbosa in Game 1 last year when he scored, what, 18 points in a row, killing any shot we had?

I don't agree that he was simply a target for blogger anger and that Luke is just 2008 Smush. Even if you don't like Luke's game or his lousy shooting (and I don't), Luke hustles and is trying to play the right way. The same could never be said of Smush, he really was every bit as bad as advertised.

Aren't we missing the big picture of this thread?

Isn't this the first Laker Blog multi media event? A video headline? The Kam bros steppin' up their game before the big roadie. NIce. It works, a Smush video is worth a million words.

Live video posting can't be far behind. Sadly, too late to capture the Mike T video experience.