Spring forward
A reminder for both you to set your clocks, and the Lakers, who with games tonight against the Kings (6:30 pm, FSN) and Tuesday vs. Toronto have a chance to continue putting pressure on the Spurs, Rockets, Hornets, etc. before heading out on their last rough roadie of the season, starting Friday in New Orleans. They'll have an easier time of it knowing that Vlad Radmanovic is truly and fully a productive member of the squad, a year after having his commitment repeatedly (and legitimately) challenged. But with the Lakers now possessing a lot of options to attack the basket- whether Pau Gasol in the post, L.O. slashing to the basket or pulling his man down low, or Kobe driving to the hoop- to have a reliable Radmanovic available to spread the floor makes a big difference. The Lakers now believe Vladdy truly cares about getting it right.
And, perhaps in an effort to help the Lakers get it right down the stretch, Phil Jackson is laying off the accelerator, at least when it comes to practice. Call it a leg preservation program.
Ron Artest didn't play in Sacto's 111-103 loss to Minnesota Friday night because of a foot issue, but thinks he'll be ready for tonight's game. That would give the Kings the same starting five they had when the teams met last week.
Mike Bresnahan answers questions about the MVP race. Ted Green already has his.
TJ Simers thinks Kobe fans are too sensitive.
The Western Conference is stacked deep, and here's a look at the challengers. One, of course, is Houston, who continue to thrive without Yao. 18 straight wins. There are reasons the Rockets are still winning, but if the whole thing doesn't defy logic, at the very least it turns the conventional wisdom on its head.
The Rockets let Gerald Green go, and now that he's on the market, Green needs to work on his game. Hard.
If the Suns can't figure out how to improve themselves, they're doing a bang up job of making other teams better. The Sonics are likely watching the Phoenix slide with a hefty dose of interest. Mike D'Antoni notes, in the organization's defense, that Shawn Marion was ready to walk this offseason.
LAKERS 121 QUEENS 95 !!!
GO LAKERS !!
Posted by: loen | March 09, 2008 at 11:10 AM
first!
Posted by: tp | March 09, 2008 at 11:12 AM
T.J. SIMERS? NO! KAREEM? YES!
NO MVP? NO PEACE!
LIQUID SEA MINERALS AND VITAMIN D FOR ALL INJURED LAKERS!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 09, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Repost:
Aaagg! Who to root for: Suns or Spurs? Can't they both loose? I mean, it has to be the Suns, right? We're three games ahead of them and only 1/2 a game ahead of the Spurs. That's the smart way to go. But rooting against the Suns is so much fun! I just love to watch them loose. And while I really don't like the Spurs, I don't really hate them, either...we've just got too many playoff wins over them for that. But, I really think we'll need home court to beat them...Aaaag!
Anywho,
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Cameron | March 09, 2008 at 11:16 AM
T. J. Simers is feeling the heat of the blog "Fire T. J. Simers bandwagon" he said: "so get off my back."
No, we'll not do it at his back but will do it in his front - T.J. has got to go...so continue the flooding of emails to LA Times editorial board, TJ himself(t.j.simers@latimes.com) and let him handle the ton of negativity on his box. T. J. is worse than KL.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 09, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Rad Vlad.
We of Laker Nation too often forget the excitement originally felt at the signing of Vladimir Radmonivich. There's been a lot of talk about the future "dynasty" the Lakers have the potential to achieve through the combined efforts of Kobe, Gasol, Lamar Odom, Bynum, and Farmar.
What about Rad Vlad?
If Radmonivich could bring up his game to the level at which he played for Seattle and the Clippers, with fricken Kobe, Gasol, Lamar, and Bynum playing well and the two headed monster of Farmar/Fisher at point guard and an excellent bench?
Oh My Fricken GOD!
Rad Vlad was a truly impressive (not a great, but truly impressive) player for Seattle and the Clippers.
If he becomes that as a Laker, with everything else going on? All bets are off.
Prepare for multiple new banners at Staples, Laker Nation! Here we go!
The points in question are: Rad Vlad, Luke Walton, and Chris Mihm. These are three players who have (often) played beneath their potential; however, their potential is too often under valued by Laker Nation.
They aren't NBA superstars, but each of them has the reasonable capacity to be a VERY GOOD NBA PLAYER. A player other teams respect as a threat in one way or another.
If Rad Vlad, Luke Walton, and Chris Mihm were able to collectively achieve 85-90% of their potential, I guarantee a dynasty.
I GUARANTEE IT!
They are the collective question marks.
We're going to be great over the next five years. The question marks determine how Great.
Greatness is ultimately not determined by one's strengths, but by one's weaknesses. When your weaknesses become your strength, all that lies before you is victory.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 09, 2008 at 11:26 AM
The bread and butter of Lakers offense come from Kobe-Pau-Lo-Fish, but the mustard and ketchup come from the shootings of Vlad-Sasha-Farmar. The latter provide the flavor of the hotdogs and makes this team unbeatable if those cylinders areclicking in unison. Well, the others are purely gravies especially Luke. If you ride with him you need a special gadget like GPS to reach to the destinations. His passes are too deep and too complicated for averaged IQ players. You also need balls with magnets to get to the hoop. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 09, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Good Morning BLOG CRUE
Charles- where are you?
I'm ready for some basketball tonight.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | March 09, 2008 at 11:42 AM
ah damnit i was second... and it was all because i was watching the stupid shrimp :(
Posted by: tp | March 09, 2008 at 11:44 AM
happy Sunday, ya'll!
i'm actually pulling for SA today... b/c a spurs win helps us the most
even if they win, all we have to do is take care of business tonight and we'll still in first AND with a five-game lead over PHX
so let's go spurs *shudders*
Posted by: CBuck | March 09, 2008 at 12:00 PM
To me, it was simple to see that the Rockets could improve defensively without Yao because he is so slow.
What's surprising is that the guys below him seem to have had more capacity to score than they were needed to while Yao was there.
We all knew McGrady could score . But Landry, Scola, and Battier have really picked up the slack on offense.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | March 09, 2008 at 12:06 PM
All praise be to Kobe.... this is a dynasty as long as Kobe is healthy and Bynum is the same as before. Next year our defense will be even better with Bynum, Gasol and Odom protecting the paint and scoring inside at better than 50%. This will extent Kobe's career.
Reduce minutes, less scoring, and Kobe is buying into it, because they are winning again. To equal Mike he needs three more championships, Phil Jackson will retire with 12 championship rings, take that Red.
Posted by: mike G | March 09, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Cameron,
>>> Who to root for: Suns or Spurs?
I woke up considering the same dilemma. I've decided to root against both of them. I'm afraid any positive vibes I send either of them might carry over.
I'm hoarding all my positive vibes for the Lakers in tonight's game against the Kings. As I posted earlier, Sacramento will come in with a chip on its collective shoulder, after we beat them in their house.
The Lakers can afford no lapses tonight. From here on in, they must play like Champions if they are to become Champions. GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 09, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I would SOOOOOOOO love it if the Suns slipped out of the
playoffs and their lottery pick was #1 in the draft!!!!! Because
Seattle owns the pick and it's unprotected. Can you imagine
how stooooopid they'll look if Atlanta makes the playoffs
and they don't and they end up giving away a lottery pick
and keeping a non-lottery pick?
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 09, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Cameron,
Lakers are 4 games ahead of the Suns right now. I'm watching the pre-game show and it always seems as if Wilbon and Barry are reluctant to praise or give the Lakers any credit for being on top of the WC. When the Spurs were on top even by percentage points over the Lakers, all the analysts were praising the Spurs and guys like Barry and Skip Bayless would make remarks like "who is sitting on top of the WC now?" But when the Lakers take over the top spot, they don't give any props. I can't stand these guys!!! Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 09, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Ok Suns, Spurs. Who do I root for? Logically, with a comfortable 4 game lead over the Suns I should pull for them today. But how can a Laker fan root for the freakin Suns? I am going to try but probably will be smiling if the Spurs smash them today.
MH
Posted by: michael h | March 09, 2008 at 12:25 PM
AK/BK,
The Rockets released Gerald Green. Do you think he would be a good pick up for us because of his athleticism? I'm sure there are questions about him because he's been bounced around and he's only 23. Maybe he would benefit from being on a team with more structure and a coach like PJ. I'd like to get your thoughts. Thanks and have a good day. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 09, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Cbuck,
We need the Suns to win buddy.
We lead the Spurs by a half game for the best record in the Western Conference and the Suns by four in the Pacific. We need to get as much space between ourselves and the Spurs as possible so we can get that home court. So, go Suns!
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 09, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Is it just me or is it whenever they show a Shaq highlight its always the same highlight from our game a few weeks ago? You mean tell me after 9 games Shaq hasn't made any highlights since then?
The NBA..were repetitive highlights from weeks ago happen
Posted by: lakeraholic | March 09, 2008 at 12:34 PM
REPOST from previous thread.
Cameron,
>>>Who to root for: Suns or Spurs? Can't they both loose?
>>>I mean, it has to be the Suns, right? We're three games
>>>ahead of them and only 1/2 a game ahead of the Spurs.
Actually, I'd go with the Spurs to win. It would give the Lakers
another 1/2 game lead in the Pacific Division, and thus even if
they had a few slip ups at the end of the season (e.g. while
trying to work Bynum back into the lineup), they'd have more
of a buffer toward winning the Pacific and getting home
court for the first round.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 09, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I agree w/LTLF and think it would be much sweeter to get buffer and HCA (home court advantage) in playoffs and then trounce PHX out of playoffs and lower their 1st round draft pick. Much, much sweeter.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 09, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 09, 2008 at 12:38 PM
lakers don't have the tie-breaker with the spurs ..... also spurs pretty light schedule. a suns victory will give lakers one game breathing room and put them on their hills playing from behind
as kobe said ....we want to win and be number one ...
suns r already 4 games behind us ... and their confidence is shaken ...
Posted by: ZIn Master | March 09, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Rooting for the Suns. It's really hard to fight the DNA, though.
Posted by: mel | March 09, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Mark Jackson and Van Gundy are very straight forward in their assessment of the Suns. Van Gundy said the Suns just can't keep saying things are going to be fine and that they need more time because the West is too tough.
Looking forward to our Lakers against the Kings tonight. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 09, 2008 at 12:44 PM
>>>> Don't you think it's overkill? lol.
>>>> Posted by: Lakergurl | March 09, 2008 at 10:40 AM
LakerGurl,
You caught that too. Made me bust up. I think he is trying to make up for his nervous breakdown last week. lol.
Posted by: Eric M | March 09, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Today is the "Andrew Bynum" 8 weeks milestone on the DL. Sure would of been GREAT to have him back tonight.
The way everyone is talking, it might be 8 more weeks before he gets back.
Posted by: Eric M | March 09, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Today is the "Andrew Bynum" 8 weeks milestone on the DL. Sure would of been GREAT to have him back tonight.
The way everyone is talking, it might be 8 more weeks before he gets back.
Posted by: Eric M | March 09, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Eric M,
Yeah, it would've been great to have Andrew back tonight, but I think it will be about 3 or 4 more weeks and then he'll be back!!! Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 09, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Nemiaia,
Here's a repost of my thoughts when someone asked about Green yesterday. At the time, I hadn't seen an article about him being released, but by now, I have. But everything else basically stays the same. The article linked here also brings up a work ethic issue, which mirrors the attitude problem (of sorts) that I'd suspected.
"I haven't actually read anywhere that Gerald Green is getting waived. But were that the case, I'd consider it more of a serious red flag than a situation for the Lakers to jump all over. For Houston to waive the guy less than a month after getting him, especially with an expiring contract to boot, isn't much of an endorsement.
I remember talking with a writer from either Boston or Minnesota once (Green's old teams) and he said what I'd heard quite a bit: That Green's basically a sick athlete with no real basketball skills. He can obviously dunk the crap out of a ball, but apparently has progress almost zilch since his rookie year.
I also wonder if there could be an attitude problem in play. I struck me as very odd (and maybe telling) that Minnesota, a rebuilding team looking to collect young talent, buried Green pretty quick. You'd think he'd be a guy they'd want to give a good look at, since he's theoretically what they're looking for. They have nothing to lose in giving him some run (how much worse could the Wolves be?), so it raised my eyebrows that he seemed unable to get in (especially when it seemed like he was a kid they were interested in at the start).
Mind you, I've read or been told nothing about him having an attitude problem, so please don't take this as me making a declaration. I'm just saying, it crossed my mind.
At any rate, he'd be buried on the bench and the Lakers don't really need more young talent, so I doubt they'd make a push, assuming he is even available."
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 09, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Hmmm, I'm watching Spurs/Suns on ABC...can they both lose?
I really hate both of these teams.
Manu travels/flops more than anyone in the league.
Posted by: me | March 09, 2008 at 12:59 PM
From Sacramento:
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/771801.html
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | March 09, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Kobe Bryant is taking a stand for the people of Darfur. In a public service announcement issued through Los Angeles-based non-profit Aid Still Required (www.AidStillRequired.org) and aired today on ESPN, Bryant calls for united action to stop the conflict.
"In Darfur, hundreds of thousands have been murdered, mutilated -- families torn apart," says Bryant. "We have the power to save lives, to restore lives, to change the world."
Bryant joins NBA notables Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Luol Deng, Derek Fisher, Baron Davis, Grant Hill, Emeka Okafor, Andrew Bynum and many more in speaking out about the atrocities. Celebrities and dignitaries involved in similar advocacy include Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Mia Farrow, Common, Ellen DeGeneres, Donovan McNabb, Jessica Biel, Don Cheadle, Desmond Tutu, Barack Obama and President Bush. A few weeks ago Steven Spielberg quit his Beijing Olympics Artistic Director position in protest of China's policies regarding Darfur.
Between 200,000 and 450,000 people have been slaughtered in Darfur over the past five years and 2.5 million have fled to refugee camps. Horrible atrocities have been consistently reported by those in the camps. Last summer the UN began a peace initiative which has proved only partially successful. Recently, fighting between Sudanese troops and rebel forces has resumed and battles in neighboring Chad have begun.
Video of Kobe's TV spots: http://www.epk.tv/view.aspx?request=campaign&campaign=kobe&clip=darfur-kobe-bryant-30-ntsc
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | March 09, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Do not click on that TJ Simmers link. Just don't!
Posted by: Tsiry | March 09, 2008 at 01:14 PM
unfortunately...the suns came out hype..but low and behold they start to faulter. Afew notes on the sun/spurs game
1. Pick and roll with shaq is a disaster..i don't care what anyone says. He's to slow and if your willing to take the charge..i gaurantee the suns will go away from it.
2. I'm just not impressed..again IM NOT IMPRESSED WITH THIS SPURS TEAM! Yea..yea..there the champs..ok..but still I don't see this 'sound defense' that everyone has been associating the spurs with.
3. My gawd the suns look unsure! I see they've adopted the zone defense to make up for them not being able to run-n-gun! Pathetic!! Oh how the mighty has fallen.
4. Tell me..anyone..someone..tell me why the spurs look like a jump shooting team with Duncan looking very average at best. Now I'm not saying he's not good..but against Den he tossed up shots like a rookie..and he complains about calls as much as kobe does. Irony?? hmmm!
Posted by: lakeraholic | March 09, 2008 at 01:17 PM
AK or BK..
WTH is this about... according to Mike Bresnahan:
"I won't be casting an MVP ballot because the L.A. Times does not allow reporters
to vote for any major awards -- Oscars, Emmys, Heisman Trophy, MVP awards, etc.
It's a conflict-of-interest rule at some major news outlets"
So you're telling me that NONE of the reporters for the L.A. Times are allowed
to vote for the MVP??? What kind of homecourt disadvantage is that???
Yet I thought I read that Simers is voting for Kobe. What gives???
Posted by: Bzar | March 09, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Bzar,
Yeah, it's a Times policy. I think they want to remove any danger of appearing biased in their coverage.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 09, 2008 at 01:48 PM
bzar-
It's something that's growing more common in the industry. In an age where players often have substantial bonuses attached to winning awards, where the "season" of discussion for voting now seems to start about 35 games into the year, etc., that they feel it can impact both the coverage of particular athletes, the impartiality of the writer, etc. Too much conflict of interest.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 09, 2008 at 02:06 PM
No matter who wins the Suns - Spurs game, it's a win-win for the Lakers as long as they take care of biz against the Kings and Raptors.
They have the easiest schedule of all the Western contenders. Check out the schedule analysis on the evil four-letter network.
Speaking of evil networks, can the evil four-letter network's sister network please get rid of their three-moron announcing team? They'd be better off with Michele doing play-by-play and commentary for this Suns - Spurs game.
BTW, with Gerald Green's one skill set, dunking, he'd be best off trying to land a spot with the Globetrotters or AND 1. And then there's always the Generals.
Posted by: lotecq | March 09, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Wow... that's hard to comprehend... so some sportswriter in Memphis or
Charlotte has more to say as to who wins the MVP than a large metropolitan
area like L.A.? Things that make you go "Hmmmm".
On another subject... I missed the explanation for the Spanglish uniforms
in the ABC game... "Los Suns" vs. "Los Spurs"... did somebody catch why
they're using those?
Posted by: Bzar | March 09, 2008 at 02:08 PM
breakdown last week. lol.
Posted by: Eric M | March 09, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Be careful, Jon K. can be a war freak. lol.
Seriously though, Jon K. is and has been a long time poster. He is one of the GHF and a good vibe poster until lately when he blew off on Elle and as you've pointed out, the "breakdown". I don't know why he is trying to be a bully in the blog. Nobody knows anybody here personally. All is good though.
Posted by: Lakergurl | March 09, 2008 at 02:14 PM
BK,
So that's just yet another reason to put the vote in the hands of the coaches
and the GMs and out of the hands of the media. Sure there would still be bias,
but I think it would give a more accurate reflection of who really is "Most Valuable".
Posted by: Bzar | March 09, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Bzar
nah..not sure why they using the "Los"..but now I'm more than sure I want the spurs to win. Shaq diving for loose balls (for show) he could have killed them kids or anyone else for that matter (good initiative..bad judgement) Cmon Spurs..if the suns win..we won't hear the end of it from the media that looking for any reason to say "The suns have finally figured it out"
Posted by: lakeraholic | March 09, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Go Spurs. The Lakers need to win the west so Kobe can get his long overdue MVP award for all his hard work the last 4 years or they will find a way to give it to LeBron. We will take care of the Spurs. I hope Coby Karl and Mbenga and the rest of the bench players realize they may get an opportuniuty to be in a big spot to make a play in the playoffs so don't clown around in garbage time, run the offense. Coby Karl needs to make sure that when he gets in a game, he needs to spot up on the floor and knock down open shots a la Paxson and Kerr. He may not realize it but he is in a unique position if he can make open jumpers and play a little defense...
Posted by: 70slakerfan | March 09, 2008 at 02:42 PM
aughh I'm so conflicted...too!
suns or spurs? suns or spurs?!?!?!?!?!
Posted by: socalife | March 09, 2008 at 02:54 PM
bzar-
Not really, it just changes the context of the "bias" or conflict of interest. You don't think a player might vote to help out a buddy for an award, knowing the good it could do them? I'm not entirely opposed to at least bringing in that element of players/coaches/GMs, but giving them exclusive domain doesn't really eliminate that problem. It just shifts the focus, actually to people who are less accountable than writers.
It's going to be an imperfect system no matter who votes, though I do tend to think media guys would generally take the burden more seriously. What I'd do is force every vote to be public, so that writers would have to defend their choices and be held accountable. That would really end the back-of-the-ballot shenanigans in which a guy totally leaves a deserving player off the ballot, screwing with the final total.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 09, 2008 at 03:16 PM
As long as the Lakers take care of business it doesn't matter what the Suns and Spurs do. We just need to keep winning and stay focused.
Observation on the Suns beating the Spurs today. Spurs made the mistake of not attacking the basket after both Shaq and Amare had five fouls each with about 5 minutes left in the game. No Spur outside of Ginobili drove the lane trying to foul Shaq or Amare out. I think if it were Kobe, he would've kept on attacking the basket. Looking forward to the game tonight against the Kings. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 09, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Bzar....
The NBA is paying tribute to its Latino fans with those uniforms. If I'm not mistaken, the Lakers will be wearing uniforms that honor Latinos tonight as well.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 09, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Why do you guys want to root for the Suns?! Personal hate aside, we need all the cushioning we can get.
BK,
I like the idea of making the MVP votes public. I think that would help a lot.
Posted by: fkillah | March 09, 2008 at 03:49 PM
lakeraholic:
i was wondering the same thing... they were celebrating Latino heritage.
I wonder if we'll do "Los Lakers"
lol....
Posted by: socalife | March 09, 2008 at 04:02 PM
well suns won so a win tonight will give us more breathing room on top of the west. I honestly don't think we have to worry about the suns catching us due to our easy schedule. if we win the games we should, we will be fine.
tonight should be a blow out. with artest injured i doubt he will be as good as he was last game. also, i look for phil jackson ot make the necessary adjustments from last game while reggie theus wont.
farmar will have a BIG game tonight, you heard it here first.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | March 09, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Oops, I meant the Spurs...
Posted by: fkillah | March 09, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Lakergurl,
I'm a real nice guy, who's a positive fan, but I have a bad temper and I don't back down from people when they challenge me. It's that simple.
Insult me and, if I don't deserve it, I won't take it, and I will point out aggressively how you (not "you" personally, the collective "you") are an idiot for insulting a person unfairly.
I also think I have the humility to admit when I'm wrong, which is not an entirely rare occurence.
I think it's healthy to have aggressive, critical debates at times. I believe we put too much fearful emphasis upon civility and political correctness in this society.
Freedom of speech does not include only WHAT is said, but also HOW it is said.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 09, 2008 at 04:19 PM