As the old saying goes...
"Don't ever ask a question if you're not prepared for the answer."
More than a few inquiring minds in the blogosphere today wanted to know about any news regarding Trevor Ariza's status, since his foot was scheduled for an eval on Monday. And since you asked, I asked Phil Jackson. And the verdict. Well, let's just say he's not still wearing one shoe considerably bigger than the other as some kind of hipster fashion statement. "He had to stay in his boot this week," explained Jackson." "He was supposed to get it off on Monday, but the degree of healing wasn't significant enough that they could take the boot off. So that was disappointing."
As another old saying goes, "Don't kill the messenger, bro."
But at least there was some sunny-ish (relatively speaking) news on other injury fronts. Kobe Bryant's pinkie remains injured and Kobe admitted it still often smarts something bad. Thankfully, absorbing contact tends to be more about an uncomfortable rush than lingering discomfort. "When it's painful, you know it can't get any worse. It's pain, it'll go away after a minute or so." It's also not the most excruciating injury The Mamba has ever played through, but it's definitely the most aggravating. And if you see Kobe on the street, after getting his autograph, taking a picture and hitting him up for any spare cash (dude can afford it), remind him a few times to keep that pinkie protected 24/7. When it slips Kobe's mind, he often pays the price. "Sometimes when I forget to buddy tape it when I'm at home, it'll get caught in a shirt or in the couch or something like that. It'll remind you pretty quickly."
Kobe summary of the predicament doesn't move the needle on the "profound flowery language" meter ("It's a pain in the ass"). Then again, his explanation as to why he plays through this was also pretty straight forward. "It's just so much fun for me. I don't want to miss a game. You just gotta come out and play. As long as you can still be effective with an injury, I think athletes should play."
Speaking of "fun," Chris Mihm has missed out on plenty this season, what with the string of surgeries, follow up surgeries and extensive treatment he's undergone trying to recover from a devastating 2006 ankle/foot injury. The latest voyage under the knife involved the removal of a screw from his heel, a procedure Mihm hopes may have finally done the trick. "I'm really confident that the screw was really the problem," smiled the center in between working out on an elliptical machine. "So do the doctors. The backside of my Achilles tendon was really torn up from where that screw was coming out of my heel bone. It just feels really good to have that out of there."
Mihm isn't sure whether there just wasn't enough room for the screw to begin with or if it migrated a touch after the insertion, but either way, the metal is gone and his foot is finally starting to resemble a familiar friend. "Really, for the first time, it's feeling like my old foot before the injury. It's put me in a really good mood and I'm really going to work hard to prepare myself to get on the court as soon as I can." So the plan is still to play this season? "Without a doubt." When I joked that Mihm could write a book about this experience, he noted that it could be closer to medical journal than autobiography. "I never thought I'd know the mechanics and bone structure of the foot like I do now," laughed Mihm. "It's pretty crazy."
And finally, if we gave out equivalents of the "Big Comment Award" to actual Lakers, Pau Gasol would get the 3/6/08 nod for the first words out of his mouth when asked about Ronny Turiaf saying that people should vote "Kobe for President."
"It's his vote."
That laughing you hear immediately following on the audio is me.
AK
Download kobe_3.6.08 practice.mp3 (Kobe Bryant)
Download lamar_3.6.08 practice.mp3 (Lamar Odom)
Download mihm_3.6.08.mp3 (Chris Mihm)
Download pau_3.6.08 practice.mp3 (Pau Gasol)
Download pj_3.6.08 practice.mp3 (Phil Jackson)
I just watched video of this and everyone including PJ looked really tired. This part of the season is a real grind usually anyways without the added pressure of every single loss threatening to drop you in the standings.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 06, 2008 at 05:41 PM
Poor Trevor. Hell, POOR Lakers..
AK, in that case, Well, whats the deal with Mihm??
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 06, 2008 at 05:47 PM
AK forget my question..I see you've answered already!!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 06, 2008 at 05:49 PM
AK,
Thanks for the update on Ariza. Def. disappointing to hear that his recovery is behind schedule, but what can we do... I would definitely prefer that both he and Bynum not return until FULL recovery. The current Lakers roster is built for the long haul -- we dont' want to jeopardize our bright future for short-term success.
Gasol is hilarious -- great sense of humor. He's been an amazing addition to the Lakers both on and off the court.
Posted by: DK | March 06, 2008 at 05:50 PM
This is the worst sort of third hand internet rumor mill BS, but I recall reading an article about the Mo/Cookie/Ariza trade in which someone said that they had read on some random NBA internet rumor site that someone with knowledge of the Orlando training staff's opinions was convinced that Trev had congenital foot problems and that they were secretly laughing at being able to get rid of him. Of course I immediately disregarded it, and continued to do so after the injury because I was afraid to even think about it. Considering how completely unable I am to remember where I saw it (truehoop? I don't know), and how it is thus totally unsubstantiatable, I'm not sure why I brought it up. Except that I hope that some one is able to convince me that I made it all up and that even if I didn't it's silly, foolish and utter hogwash anyway.
This stretch is so difficult and we are certainly subject to fatigue (I mean the team, not the bloggers) and with everything so tight and thus so important, it becomes mandatory for us to really step it up. San Antonio, New Orleans, even Dallas and Huston don't seem tired to the verge of collapse the way we do, but maybe that's just the my desperate fan paranoia kicking in.
I'm tempted here to apologize for laing all my worries on you all like this...but hey, that's one of the purposes of the blog, right?
All in the spirit of rooting the laker on.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Cameron | March 06, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Geez, what is up with the Lakers' training/medical staff? It seems like every injury a Laker has suffered the past few years has taken longer than expected to recover.
Posted by: Nevitt | March 06, 2008 at 06:08 PM
AK/BK,
So, is there a chance that Ariza could be back sometime during the playoffs?
Posted by: laker hopeful | March 06, 2008 at 06:09 PM
On another subject;
Ol Chuck Barkley had it right. King James may be getting his points, but he's not involving the rest of his players, and as a result, his team is losing. Scoring 50 against a team like New York will only happen when he plays teams that sorry. Chicago, as bad as they are, are up by over 10 end of 3rd. Even if the Cavs come back, how long will their luck stretch with James dominating all the shots?
Any number of NBA players can score 50 if they take all the shots. When the Cavs start stringing some losses together due to Lebron's arrogance, will the Kobe hating media castigate Lebron for not including his teammates, much as they did Kobe when he was scoring all those points?
Posted by: troy | March 06, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Great to hear Chris is upbeat about a return.
Do you put a somewhat healthy C Mihm on the playoff roster instead of DJ if it comes down to that?
Posted by: Vman | March 06, 2008 at 06:15 PM
TNT on LB bandwagon as well. Doug Collins sniffing LB jock tonight! This is ridiculous!
Posted by: chuck23 | March 06, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Cameron
Yes, Trev does have a congenital foot condition but it's the other foot that's hurting. There was discussion about that issue when he showed up and when he was injured. It's a total drag, we could so use him on the Ginobli's of the world.
Still, as far as the walking wounded are concerned, it's pretty much NO ANDREW, NO RING.
Posted by: Vman | March 06, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Is there a Can TJ Simmers bandwagon?
I think I've had enough.
I hope Trevor heals quickly.
Posted by: lakersmr | March 06, 2008 at 06:24 PM
cameron
sorry to dissapointed you but i remember reading that too. Also they said that Trevor Ariza was at risk to suffer a lot of foot injury's.
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | March 06, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Cameron,
I saw the article on Ariza being damaged goods as well, I forgot where i saw it, but I think the link to it was on this blog.
Hopefully, not true.
Posted by: Darryll White | March 06, 2008 at 06:29 PM
We need to get Ariza and Bynum back by season's end.
Are you listening God?
BTW did anyone hear the woman on ESPN who covered the LeBron 50 pt game?
So funny how emotional that woman got. She literally had to fight off the sobbing quivers. Give me a break.
Go Lakers
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 06, 2008 at 06:34 PM
I think Chicago Bulls have figured out a way to slow this overgrown steroid kid down! Go Bulls!!
Posted by: chuck23 | March 06, 2008 at 06:35 PM
NBA MVP King James
His team down by 20 to Chicago. He makes others around him better...yeah.
At least when Kobe goes off on a scoring binge, the Lakers win.
Posted by: troy | March 06, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Holy Cow!
The MVP of the league is confused on the court against the slow Bulls.
Like I said before... he always will score because thats why is there on the court and thats why he's the captain of the Cleveland. However, can he continually improve his team wih help etc?
I thought he asked for help... now.. did he ask for help to throw huge numbers out there against slow teams?? uhmm
Last time I checked nr:24 asked for help and is really sharing and taking charge when necessary unlike some other players who I still have to see the improvement of his team in terms of balanced scoring, assists, rebounds etc.
Well I am sorry if I continue with this topic... but... I can't help it.
Classic
Posted by: classic | March 06, 2008 at 06:38 PM
People...
We need to give LeBron his props.
He's definately the NBA's second best player and will probably be the best in two years time.
He's found his jump shot, his defense is improved and his size and skill set is unlike any other player--probably--in NBA history.
That being said, Kobe's jumper and defense puts him above LBJ iun my book, but not by far.
Anyone who doesn't see LeBron's monumental talent is covering his eyes.
Go Lakers.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 06, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Anybody else check out the Bulls/Cav game when the Cavs coach took King James out since the Cavs are hopelessly behind?
King James doesn't shake anyone hands, no high five, didn't even acknowledge anyone. Not the first time either. Rarely do I notice LeBron's teammates high five him.
I'm telling you, this whole LeBron thing is going to blow up. He's more standoffish, selfish, and arrogant than Kobe ever was.
But will the media pick up on this...
Posted by: troy | March 06, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Again on the LeBron thing;
He has 39 points, yes, but only 1 assist. Only one other Cav player has double digits (15 for Devin Brown).
Isn't this selfish playing? Isn't this a contribution for why his team lost to an inferior team? Isn't this a similar complain lodged against Kobe Bryant, and the main reason why Kobe didn't win MVP the past 2 years?
Posted by: troy | March 06, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Trevor is a great defender and a fun player to watch. I'm sure that the Lakers understood any risk involved with picking him up. He's a low risk wither way considering he's only under contract to us for two seasons, including this one. Trev will recover, and join for the playoffs. Get well Mr. Ariza.
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 06, 2008 at 06:46 PM
BTW I am also concerned about the defense of our PG on opposing teams PG. Maybe it's me but our guards look horrible shuting down other teams penetration in middle, I think as we get closer to playoffs trapping defense would help to cover that noticeable weakness.
Posted by: chuck23 | March 06, 2008 at 06:46 PM
It's sad that we're reduced to rooting against Lebron (and the Celtics, and New Orleans) so that Kobe can keep getting MVP momentum.
OH WELL! KOBE FOR MVP!
The only teams I'm rooting against for reasons other than the MVP chase are San Antonio, New Orleans, and Phoenix.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | March 06, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Now I would like to see and hear what the ESPN and other reporters are going to say LOL.
C'mon 50 against the Knicks and you jump screaming MVP?? a couple of reporters jump in the same pot so they become of the ingredients of a (still have to be) delicious meal??? ohhh my... ouch!
Trust me... now there will be some type of excuses like... "the MVP doesn't have any help" or... "thats why he's the MVP because its clear that he is the only one on that team that does everything" or.. whatever...
I said last yesterday... my choice for MVP doesn't care about the award.. he rather have 3 titles twith this current roster than 3 MVP awards...
Now..
Mr: LeBron "I'l do everything in my power to be always in that discussion" James ...
yes he certainly cares about that.
Posted by: classic | March 06, 2008 at 06:52 PM
WHO MATCHES UP WITH WHOM IN THE WEST
Here are my assessments of the toughest team and individual matchups for the Lakers in the Western Conference Playoffs assuming that Bynum is available. If Bynum is not available, then Gasol moves up to center, Lamar to power forward, and Vlade to small forward. If Ariza is available and healthy, he would probably start before Vlade. You can easily see that the matchups then are not as favorable.
Team by Team Match-Ups
For West Conference Playoffs
Sorted In Order of Toughness
(Match-Up Edge in All Caps)
--------------------
LAKERS vs. Spurs (3-2)
--------------------
1) Fisher vs. PARKER
2) BRYANT vs. Ginobli
3) ODOM vs. Bowen
4) Gasol vs. DUNCAN
5) BYNUM vs. Oberto
--------------------
LAKERS vs. Jazz (3-2)
--------------------
1) Fisher vs. WILLIAMS
2) BRYANT vs. Brewer
3) ODOM vs. Kirilenko
4) Gasol vs. BOOZER
5) BYNUM vs. Okur
--------------------
LAKERS vs. Suns (3-2)
--------------------
1) Fisher vs. NASH
2) BRYANT vs. Bell
3) ODOM vs. Hill
4) Gasol vs. STOUDEMIRE
5) BYNUM vs. O’Neal
--------------------
LAKERS vs. Dallas (4-1)
--------------------
1) Fisher vs. KIDD
2) BRYANT vs. Terry
3) ODOM vs. Howard
4) GASOL vs. Nowitzki
5) BYNUM vs. Dampier
--------------------
LAKERS vs. Hornets (4-1)
--------------------
1) Fisher vs. PAUL
2) BRYANT vs. Peterson
3) ODOM vs. Stojakovic
4) GASOL vs. West
5) BYNUM vs. Chandler
--------------------
LAKERS vs. Rockets (5-0)
--------------------
1) FISHER vs. Alston
2) BRYANT vs. McGrady
3) ODOM vs. Battier
4) GASOL vs. Scola
5) BYNUM vs. Mutumbo
--------------------
LAKERS vs. Warriors (5-0)
--------------------
1) Fisher vs. DAVIS
2) BRYANT vs. Ellis
3) ODOM vs. Jackson
4) GASOL vs. Harrington
5) BYNUM vs. Webber
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 06, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Troy-
"will the Kobe hating media castigate Lebron for not including his teammates, much as they did Kobe when he was scoring all those points?"
Doubt it. Nike and Sterns cannot afford any negative press for NBA's Golden Boy.
Just like KL. Gunner and Laker Lover, who are like the 3 blind mice when it comes to Kobe. If these trolls go to The Cleveland Blog and spout their rants that LeBron is a ballhog, that would be the day.
But I still believe Kobe will be the MVP.
Posted by: Laker/KobeFan | March 06, 2008 at 06:56 PM
CLEARLY Trevor Ariza (one of my favorite players) is not taking liquid sea minerals and Vitamin D.
URGH! I just want to shake someone one the Lakers training staff. URGH!
Well, great news about Chris Mihm. After everything he's gone through, it's wonderful to have some positive news. I can't wait until he's back on the court and we have Bynum-Gasol-Turiaf-Mihm at center.
Just fantastic.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 06, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Cavs lost, what will be the news around NBA/ESPN today? Lebron the anointed one having a 39 pts, 3 rebounds, 1 assist but still they lost... No much points from him during the 4th quarter. Noah "the Rookie" 20 rebounds? what a heck....
Posted by: trio | March 06, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Dear AK,
i'm not the best grammer guy(is that even correct english) but i think u made 2 typo's. You used 2 "AN's" the wrong way i think.
".........metal is gone and his foot is finally starting to resemble AN familiar friend. ........ When I joked that Mihm could write AN book about this experience, he noted that it could be closer to medical journal than autobiography. .....
Posted by: Gilly | March 06, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Gilly,
Thanks for the pick up. As we've said many times, stuff can slip past you without a formal copy editor. Thankfully, we have a readership of them. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 06, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Jon K sightings.... Glad to see you back, I hope this is a new start to see you more around here..
Go Lakers! Go Kobe!
Posted by: trio | March 06, 2008 at 07:14 PM
lebron didn't have any help, that's why he had to shoot so much. kobe's a ballhog. lebron for mvp.
Posted by: Lebron Lover | March 06, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Tim-4-Show,
What do you mean by your Dominique dropping 39 comment?
Posted by: Charles | March 06, 2008 at 07:17 PM
AK don't worry I have same problem from time to time.
Posted by: chuck23 | March 06, 2008 at 07:17 PM
A couple of observations tonight:
First, Garry Vitti needs to be held accountable. With the exception of Kobe -- who uses a private trainer btw -- every Laker injury (and there has been A LOT of them), is completely off on recovery time and comeback date. WHY??? I want answers. For three years, EVERY single injury has been completely wrong. And not by just a couple of weeks either. We're talking about double recovery time?? i don't understand. How is it that the Phoenix staff can keep injury prone players and that AARP team on the floor ALL year, but we have had horrible failure in health for a relatively young team?? So much of this is prevention too. Somebody is dropping the ball.
Second, If Kobe had 27 shots and only one assist while the team losing, he would be castigated by the media. Instead, all I hear is Praise LBJ the King. PLLLLLLEASE!
All hail the Lake show.
Posted by: Earth Wind & Fire | March 06, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Well, that Ariza's weakness was known a long time ago but it has nothing to do with the broken foot in stepping the Big Feet Odom. I don't think they had foreseen the broken foot in Orlando. What I don't understand that it has been a month and we have not heard an official medical report when he is coming back. Our GI soldiers get a harsh injury than that, but within a month they are ready to go back to another tour of duty. Anyway to appease lakers fans there should be an ongoing medical bulletin on these players.
Lebron's team was torched by Chicago Bulls, there goes Mr. Eastcoast MVP, if they are playing in the West they will compete for the 10th spot against Portland. So guys, don't lose hope for every hater among sports journalist, there are 10 guys with conscience that it is about time.........that the Lakers win again at Staples. haha Gotcha there!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 06, 2008 at 07:28 PM
AK,
Thanks for the injury updates. I think you could probably make these a weekly thing.
Most of the hardcore faithful here are really that obsessive about it. At least that obsessive!
Posted by: Benjamin | March 06, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Heh, Devin George just blocked T-mac, facing him up on the perimeter.
Posted by: Benjamin | March 06, 2008 at 07:31 PM
You heard it hear first folks:
San Antonio will lose 3 games by next Friday! They just started a 7 game in 10 day stretch including 3 b2bs against tough opponents for the most part and 5 of the 7 games are on the road. They will lose 3 of those. They don't handle those stretches very well.
Lakers just have to hang tough and we'll have the 1 spot all to ourselves!
Posted by: Earth Wind & Fire | March 06, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Eart Wind & Fire,
The only reason why the media would castigate Bryant if he had such a performance is because they (media) hate to love him.
In a LOT of people eyes, Kobe Bryant will always be the Villain and thats because if you're not a Lakers fan or a really good lover of the basketball game its hard to admit that he is damn great.
Lets just suppose Koke decides to opt-out... trust me.. everyone out there... even reporters will cheer for him to go to their favorite team. Those who say he's not the MVP or the best baller out there... if he all of sudden becomes a member of their favorite team... Kobe will automatically become the best ever in a velocity of the light.
Posted by: classic | March 06, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Please stop knocking lebron.
You don't have to hate on lebron to show your love for Kobe. Kobe wouldn't do that. Its beneath him and its beneath you.
You're better than that.
Lebron is a freak of nature and one of the top 5 players in this league (duncan, garnett, lebron, kobe, cp3)???
Just b/c he's the media darling being propped up to by some to bring Kobe down, doesn't mean he wants to do that, doesn't mean he actually brings kobe's greatness down actually.
However, Laker fans being reactionary and calling him names or nitpicking his young amazing game reeks of fear and desperation that another great is blossoming on the scene just as kobe gets his support to truly shine with.
Don't stress. Kobe is a man of challenges. And the Lakers are a team of banners. Kobe will use Lebron to make himself better. Bron bron's greatness will compel Kobe to continue to strive for more and more and more.
A few years from now we may look back at these two almost in a magic/bird fashion--in that their respective greatness does not diminish the other, rather make it shine all the brighter.
Embrace that brilliance, and pray for some Cavs Lakers finals in the near future (or better maybe lebron finds an all star big man to counter bynum--howard??--and we can have some true clashes of titans).
Just remember when you pray--pray purple and gold.
In conclusion:
Stop the hate! It makes you look scared! Kobe's greatness is not at risk.
Posted by: jandro | March 06, 2008 at 07:46 PM
lebron didn't have any help, that's why he had to shoot so much. kobe's a ballhog. lebron for mvp.
Posted by: Lebron Lover | March 06, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Get Ariza on Liquid Sea Minerals now!!!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | March 06, 2008 at 07:48 PM
LakerKobeFan,
Me and you both. Kobe has paid his dues. Unfortunately, there are some sports writers who want him to pay those dues with blood.
Posted by: troy | March 06, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Look, mark my words, LeBron James will soon self-destruct. He's young, rich, arrogant, wreckless, and he parties with rappers. Either someone is going to get hurt/killed in a club that Lebron and his crew was partying at, or some young, ambitious blond is going to pull a Coloradokobe and take the King to the bank.
Speaking of pulling coloradokobes, can someone contact Buss Senior and get him to deploy one of his midwest-borne, 21 year old personal hoes (a prized hoe mind you, not one of his stock groupies), and plant said harlet in a hotel that is to be frequented by one LeBron Raymone James? The sooner this arrogant young man gets coloradokobe'd, the better.
Posted by: troy | March 06, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Cavs lost today because of LBJ's scrubby supporting cast.... u see, the MVP puts up 39 pts 13/27, 2/8 from 3 and 11/12 FTs with 3 big boards and 1 outstanding assist with only 4 TO... cap that with 2 stls and a block... his crappy team mates didn't do anything to help him... LBJ is the MVP hand down!!!!!
LakerLover
I posted this for Laker Lover... i know this will be his msg... he's the only" laker lover" who adores/loves LBJ/Shaq but HATES kobe no matter what kobe does.... Loser!!!!
Look Lonely
Posted by: look lonely | March 06, 2008 at 08:02 PM
lebronlover, you're an idiot. kobe a ballhog? your precious man lover lebron is the actual ball hog, the actual arrogant and selfish bastard, the actual egomaniac, and the actual curmudgeon. get past the media bias and see lebron for what he truly is: a basketball player who would be nothing at all if he didn't have his size and strength.
Posted by: overratedlebron | March 06, 2008 at 08:04 PM
well the Spurs are now 43-17 :-/ Lakers need to kick their game into high gear.
Posted by: drew | March 06, 2008 at 08:19 PM
That's too bad, but we do have to remember that the training staff's timelines almost invariably have "at least" in front of them as opposed to "at maximum". At least 8 weeks.
if anything, everyday we get closer. Heal quick Trevor.
Posted by: #4 | March 06, 2008 at 08:19 PM