Talking with: Ira Newble
As mentioned during Friday's pregame report, Ira Newble talked a bit about his efforts to raise awareness about the atrocities in Darfur. He's been working with an organization called Aid Still Required (their website currently features a PSA from Kobe Bryant on its homepage), a group looking to spearhead projects that will help the region for the present and the future. I exchanged emails from Hunter Payne at ASR and found out that PSA's with Trevor Ariza, Andrew Bynum, Derek Fisher and Luke Walton have already been filmed. A few other Lakers have also expressed interest in getting the word out.We'll eventually link those when they're available.
Newble was among the first NBA athletes to take on this cause and began actively soliciting participation from others in the game. Among other subjects, Newble talked about what it means for an athlete of Kobe's profile to get involved and offered an interesting take on why some of the younger players may be reluctant to attach their name to the cause (it's not simply because they're young). Click on the audio link to hear what he had to say.
AK
Download newble_darfur.mp3
Go Ira!
Posted by: Charles | March 26, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Great to read and hear. Glad to see Lakers contributing by raising awareness to good causes. My perception of Ira has definitely changed from years past (of course that started when he put on the P&G)
thanks for the link
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | March 26, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Yeah, it's really refreshing to see these players taking a stand on an issue of importance, even if it IS one that is totally uncontroversial. ;-)
Just saying, it ain't Ali but it ain't Tiger either.
And, K-bros, I hate to be that guy on the day you have bestowed honors upon me but it's one thing that will always bug my editor's eye so it must be said. Apostrophes have no place in a plural. It's PSAs.
Posted by: Jesterguru | March 26, 2008 at 03:54 PM
LakerTom,
"Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, AND Lamar Odom"
I don't think that there are enough "stats" to go around for all four of them to make it to the All-Star game.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 26, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Exhelodrvr I hear you but did you know the 4 characters Tom was referring too are ranked in the Top 30 in Efficiency Rankings. Lakers are the only team who have 4 players in the Top 30 all other teams have 2 or less.
Kobe #5
Gasol #16
Bynum #24
Odom # 27
If they win it all this year it just might happen.
Go Lakers!
BD
Posted by: BD | March 26, 2008 at 03:59 PM
GAME TIME
I can feel it, you guys don't have to say it.
You guys want us to beat the celts tonight.
Posted by: Fire32 | March 26, 2008 at 04:05 PM
BD - nice stat info. makes me feel good to be a Laker Fan!
Just got this from ESPN- Bill Simmons: With $100-plus million in advertising profits at stake if there's a Celtics-Lakers or Celtics-Suns Finals, it will be interesting to see if the Spurs get a single borderline call in May or June. My guess is that somebody on the Suns or Lakers could use a chainsaw and numchucks to stop Duncan in a Game 7 and the refs wouldn't call it. But I'm cynical that way.
Bill? It works for me! But we don't expect the refs to help us out much, you must not watch too many of our games.
Posted by: lakerfaze | March 26, 2008 at 04:06 PM
One more entry from ESPN"S Bill Simmons on how the West will be won. Kinda long but a good read...
1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (49-22)
Scouting report: This team has everything you'd ever conceivably want in a playoff contender -- a superstar, two more scoring options, a low-post player who has to be double-teamed, a shotblocker, multiple three-point shooters, a bench that can affect games, a superior coaching staff, and most importantly, a scorer who's going to get every borderline call in a close game because he's Kobe Bryant ... if they're healthy and running on all cylinders, they have the highest ceiling of any playoff team ... of course, we don't know if they're healthy yet, so all bets are off ... they're most vulnerable in round one as they're working back Bynum and Gasol into the rotation, which is what makes a potential Lakers-Warriors series so damned tantalizing.
Biggest strength: Whether they win the title or not, it's been a sincere pleasure as a basketball fan to watch Kobe tap into his talents, trust his teammates, pick his spots, forget about statistics and become the player we always wanted him to be. Whether he wins the MVP award or Chris Paul wins it, we haven't seen two better individual seasons in the same year since Jordan and Barkley in 1993 ... and if you throw in the fact that LeBron is averaging an absurd 31-8-8 right now, you'd have to go back to Bird, Magic and M.J. in '88. Holy schmoley. Should I write the word "amazing" again? Probably not. This season has turned me into "The Bachelor."
Biggest weakness: I know he's been playing out of his mind lately, but I still don't trust Lamar Odom. During regulation of Monday's Warriors game, he went to the line in the final few seconds with a one-point lead, endured a few taunts and standing-in-front-of-him maneuvers from Davis and Jackson ... and eventually, he had this weird smile on his face, almost like the smile a boxer gets right before he's about to get knocked out. Of course, he missed the first free throw. Mark my words -- there's going to be at least one monster moment in April, May or June when Odom has to come through in a humongous spot for the Lakers. And he won't.
(Follow-up to that story: In that same game, the Lakers were up two with four seconds left in overtime when Kobe got fouled. Three interesting things here. First, none of the Warriors came within 10 feet of him. Second, he stared down all the Warriors around him, drained the first free throw and muttered "Game over, game over" to everyone who would listen. Third, he made the second one and that was that. The lesson, as always: It's good to have Kobe Bryant on your team.)
Biggest X-Factor: Bynum. Can he bounce back from the knee injury? Can he get back in shape in time? Will he be able to effectively defend Shaq or Duncan in round two or round three? Every Lakers fan just stopped breathing for a few seconds.
Unsung Hero: Sasha Vujacic, quite possibly the league's best bench player of anyone who plays 20 minutes or less. He's a feisty defender, he shoots 40-plus from three, he can guard anyone and play three positions, he's a legitimate threat to get punched in the face during the playoffs, and if that's not enough, I'm almost positive that he's wearing some sort of hair net. We haven't had a so-much-fun-to-hate-him playoff villain like this guy in eons. He's like Bruce Bowen crossed with one of John Lithgow's henchman in "Cliffhanger."
Best-case opponents: New Orleans, Denver or Utah.
Worst-case opponents: San Antonio or Golden State.
Prediction: A throwback Lakers-Celtics Finals will end up being the single best thing to happen to the NBA in 10 years. And that's an understatement.
Eventual 2007-08 Legacy: Put it this way -- I wouldn't bet against the answer to this question being, "The year Kobe won the MVP and the title and earned his rightful place among the greatest players ever." As always, stay tuned.
Posted by: lakerfaze | March 26, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Jesterguru,
Charles' think's your on point.
Posted by: Charles | March 26, 2008 at 04:13 PM
AK,
Good stuff, man. It's great to hear the Lakers are getting involved.
P.S. What? No response to my open letter?
Posted by: generic_one | March 26, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Hello all!
I wasn't able to post all day - too much work......ahem...
Way to go Jesterguru - too funny! Congrats!
Looking forward to the game tonight - IT's GREAT to be a LAKER FAN! Can't wait - only a couple more hours....!
Mamba24 - I think we should start an "LO - Laker for Life" bandwagon - I'll coordinate the cheering section. I've always loved this guy - always knew he'd break out like he has!
Tonight, however, we need him to ride the pine as much as possible along with KB24 and Fish. These guys need some quiet time - Ronny too - too much playing time plus small (except in KB's case) injuries - could add up to plenty of trouble during our playoff-to-parade run!
GO COBY! GO BENG DIDDY! GO NEU-B!!!
GO LAKERS!
The BEAN for MVP or NO PEACE!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 26, 2008 at 04:29 PM
ex -
Don't forget that Laker team in the 90s with 4 All-Stars...
Posted by: | March 26, 2008 at 04:30 PM
If they win it all this year it just might happen.
Go Lakers!
BD
Posted by: BD | March 26, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Umm, I think the Pistons did it already (B. Wallace, R. Wallace, R. Hamilton and C. Billups) became all stars in one event. Only T. Prince missed the honor and it affected him bad.
If I recollect it right.
Posted by: Lakergurl | March 26, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Jesterguru,
In general you are correct, but I believe the one exception is when you use letters and numbers as words:
"How many 3's are you holding?"
Posted by: HmrHed | March 26, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Laker Tom,
Thanks for the props a few blog episodes ago. I always feel late to the party because I live in Japan and when I get up you bloggers have had an 8 hour start on me. But I do love this blog, it is set as my homepage, so its the first thing I check out every morning and the last thing I check before I rest my weary head. Keep up the good work Kbros. and everyone else who contributes to the Laker madness that is this blog. The internet is my saviour with all the Laker games online and the blog to feed my Lakermania.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: thedropper | March 26, 2008 at 04:59 PM
BD,
The only way all 4 of those guys make it is if the Lakers get off to some sort of a ridiculous start. Even then it's not guaranteed. The Celtics started 30-3 and Ray Allen still didn' make the ASG.
Posted by: Xodus | March 26, 2008 at 05:07 PM
It'll be cool to see those links.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 26, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Open letter to bloggers
I write this letter in great anguish why have my fellow fans have desecrearted my name iam a great player and you have not only wounded me but my father Bill Walton its hurts to be labeled another smush parker or K.brown please do me a favour and quit the hating and join the lovefest and hounor me dont betray the great Walton name.Faith you have hated me for a long time why? My God why the hate?
Posted by: Luke Walton | March 26, 2008 at 05:13 PM
BD,
The problem is that someone averaging 12-15 points a game is not going to get voted in by the fans. That is what Lamar (assuming that he doesn't return to the "old" Lamar) will likely average next season, and with Bynum and Gasol playing, he is probably not going to be in double figures in rebounding. There will be probably 8-10 players at both PF and SF that will have better stats than him. It's a separate issue from whether or not he would deserve it.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 26, 2008 at 05:15 PM
ex,
“"Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, AND Lamar Odom"
“I don't think that there are enough "stats" to go around for all four of them to make it to the All-Star game.”
You are absolutely right but there are still several scenarios where it could happen. First, the Lakers would need to win at least the West this year but preferably the ‘ship. Second, they would need to jump off to a sensational start next year with all four stars putting up great numbers. Third, Lakers fans would have to play like China and stuff the ballot boxes and vote Kobe, Drew, and Pau as starters. And fourth, much like what happened with the Pistons after their championship year, the West coach, who would be Phil Jackson, would then select Lamar as a backup, turning all four into All-Stars
There you go! Not really that implausible if the Lakers win, don’t you think? I mean these four guys would be better than the four Pistons! And yes, I do know it is the Western Conference. And yes, it would be like us stacking the deck but what the hell, we are the Lakers, you know. LOL.
Have a GHF day, ex.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 26, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I think it's time that Flea joined Laker Nation's official blog.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 26, 2008 at 05:23 PM
K Brothers,
A question.
How many former Laker players presently work as a part of Lakers management (including scouting, coaching, marketing, organization, broadcasting, etc.)?
Who are they?
Is Vlade Divac still working for the Lakers?
Does Rudy Tomjanovich still work for the Lakers?
I'd like to know and I think it might be interesting for Laker Nation.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 26, 2008 at 05:27 PM
An interesting observation from living here in little Al-Sadr City by the Lake (Cleveland).
Cleveland fans are CONVINCED they are going to win the East. I really don't follow the Cavs (because I hate them), but fans who watch tell me that for some reason Detroit and the Celtics have grave difficulties competing with the Cavs.
This is something I don't get and am incredulous towards, but if there's any truth to it, a Cavs/Lakers Finals would be cool, because we'd sweep the Finals and LeBronze would get another appropriate humiliation in the Finals, which I'd like.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 26, 2008 at 05:35 PM
I heard Lebron didn't sign Ira Newble's petition.
Does anyone know if that's true and why James would not?
Posted by: Fair Weather Lakers Fan | March 26, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Who to root for? Suns or Celtics?
Can't both lose somehow?
I guess I'm going to have to root for the Celtics, since they are in the East and it is the regular season.
Besides those ridiculous orange jersies of Suns simply fill me with rancor.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 26, 2008 at 05:41 PM
Fair Weather Lakers Fan,
The K Brothers alread confirmed that LeBronze didn't want to get involved because he feared it might compromise some of his endorsements.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 26, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Luke, go work on your cornbread and your coleslaw. They are mediocre at best. While you are at it, make your shot more consistent.
Posted by: #4 | March 26, 2008 at 05:46 PM
NEW YORK -- Pat Riley can't understand why Shaquille O'Neal keeps talking about the Miami Heat.
Riley responded to O'Neal's criticisms Wednesday with some of his own, saying his former center was wrong to disparage some of his old teammates and trainers in a Boston Globe story.
"It's sad that he says those things. We shared so much here, together, for three years, good and bad, 3½ years," Riley said, referring specifically to the Heat's 2006 NBA title. "I just think it's sad that he's got to do that."
Riley dealt O'Neal to Phoenix before the trade deadline, allowing the 36-year-old center the chance to compete for another title instead of sticking around Miami for a last-place finish. O'Neal made it clear how much he prefers his new teammates.
We sent him to Utopia and we're left here with the carnage and I don't know why he's not happy.
--Pat Riley on Shaq
"I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys," O'Neal told the Globe. "We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again."
Riley said he doesn't have "anything but good feelings for Shaq" and wasn't bothered by any criticism leveled at him. But he said O'Neal has no reason to blame anyone else in the organization for his unhappiness.
"When you're 9-40, we're all frustrated. I mean everybody's at fault, we all were. Everybody was feeling bad and nobody wants that," Riley said.
"He didn't want to be there, he didn't want to play for that kind of situation, 35 years old. He wanted to go to a contender and we sent him there. We sent him to Utopia and we're left here with the carnage and I don't know why he's not happy."
Riley also defended the work of veteran trainer Ron Culp and the team's medical staff, saying O'Neal was out of line to speak poorly of them.
"It's really a shame that he would insult those people like that because they gave him care. They cared," Riley said. "They didn't kiss his butt. They cared about him.
"He can do whatever he wants to do to me. That's OK, I don't care. But those men, they tried. ... That upsets me more than anything."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
===================================================
This only proves that it was SHAQ who was the problem not KOBE.
How could a player do that to somebody who has absolutely cared for him.
WOW, I can't fathom the immensity of this carnage!
===========================================
Go Lakers!
Go Kobe!
Posted by: dice8up | March 26, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Luke Walton,
There's no hate on my end, brother.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 26, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Jon K,
I think those people are drinking lake water -- I don't see any way the Cavs beat the Celtics -- if they get that far. The Celtic defense can shut down one great player -- who is going to step up after that?
Posted by: HmrHed | March 26, 2008 at 05:51 PM
CAVS are no way getting past Boston or Detroit... NO Way...
Posted by: dice8up | March 26, 2008 at 05:54 PM
GO CAVS
GO CELTICS
It hurts to say that in one post -- but tonight only.
Posted by: HmrHed | March 26, 2008 at 05:55 PM
I'm watching the 3rd quarter of the Funs/Celtics - Funs 70 Celtics 80 with 1:24 left in the 3rd.
The Big Cactus just picked up a technical for throwing his WEIGHTED ELBOWS around under the basket. Just a few minutes before that, Rondo deaked Nash out of his shorts on his way in for a lay-up.
GO CELTICS - and I am only saying that because they're playing a WC team that's NOT the Lakers!
Just over an hour to GAME TIME BABY!
GO LAKERS!
BTW - this has got to be the best blog on ANY topic! We've got the best mix of people & comments (as has been noted). It's GREAT to be a LAKER FAN!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 26, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Jon K - I'm with you on Flea joining this blog. That dude has great insight coupled with extreme passion - a perfect Laker fan!
Someone should invite him over....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 26, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Thanks Kobe and Newbie for Darfur.
Shaq is revealing his mean side. Here is a quote from Riley responding to Shaq's slamming his old team (sounds very familiar)
"....
Riley also defended the work of veteran trainer Ron Culp and the team's medical staff, saying O'Neal was out of line to speak poorly of them.
"It's really a shame that he would insult those people like that because they gave him care. They cared," Riley said. "They didn't kiss his butt. They cared about him.
"He can do whatever he wants to do to me. That's OK, I don't care. But those men, they tried. ... That upsets me more than anything." "
Posted by: Baywood | March 26, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Here is the whole link if you are interesred in Shaq's utter non-class
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7958042/Riley:-Shaq's-comments-on-Heat-players-'sad'
Posted by: Baywood | March 26, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Smush just hit a trey to close the gap! Score is now 31-25 Spurs.
Posted by: mel | March 26, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Jon K. (and others),
To clarify, I (or BK) only confirmed that LeBron didn't sign the Darfur petition. We said it SUSPECTED that the reason was endorsement/image concern related. Personally, that would be my suspicion as well. But again, I never reported that part as fact.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 26, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Jon K. (and others),
To clarify, I (or BK) only confirmed that LeBron didn't sign the Darfur petition. We said it was SUSPECTED that the reason was endorsement/image concern related. Personally, that would be my suspicion as well. But again, I never reported that part as fact.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 26, 2008 at 06:27 PM
This is crazy, I am rooting for LeBron to score and beat the Hornets. God that makes me want to puke. And he scores........ Cavs up 1 with 7.7 to go.
Celts beating up on Phoenix..... I'm lovin it...
pslakerfan
Posted by: pslakerfan | March 26, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Good read while we are waiting for the game:
http://hoopsaddict.com/2008/03/07/where-the-heart-is-an-exclusive-interview-with-ronny-turiaf/#more-488
Where The Heart Is - An Exclusive Interview With Ronny Turiaf
March 7, 2008
On a team suddenly loaded with superstars it’s easy to overlook the core of role players that do most of their work behind the scenes, or at least in this case, behind the sidelines. Enter Ronny Turiaf.........
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | March 26, 2008 at 06:28 PM
LeBronze almost did us a favor but in the end the Hornets won....oh well.....our destiny is in our own hands this year - GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 26, 2008 at 06:28 PM
Arggghhh!!!! NO escapes with a 100-99 victory over Cleveland.
Posted by: mel | March 26, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Chris Paul is SICK! Stupid Cavs! How come you have to let Chris Paul get the ball..you guys knew it was coming to him!!!!!! Why couldn't you guys double Chris Paul as if he was Kobe! See that's the difference between Kobe and everyone else.
Posted by: never | March 26, 2008 at 06:31 PM
To AK et al,
Should we ever have to talk about Shaq's character again
on this blog and his relationship to Kobe .....
Here is a link were Riley comments on Shaq's comments:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7958042?MSNHPHMA
Apparently the comments were ...classless? lacking in
"noble" character? indicative of less full commitment?
Did you see David West make that money shot for the
game? Defense is going to win the championship
this year. There are too many money shooters on
every team in the west.
Posted by: hobbitmage | March 26, 2008 at 06:31 PM
SUNS lose again...
Posted by: dice8up | March 26, 2008 at 06:34 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3314347
Wow. Just wow. Now Riles & the Heat know how we felt.
Posted by: mel | March 26, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Well - FYI - the Celtics walked all over the Funs tonight, slowing down once in awhile to stomp on them. Boston 117 Funs 97 - sooooo a little more breathing room in the Pacific.
Let's take care of business tonight Lakers - we want to smell some Bobcat grilling - not to mention some TACOS!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 26, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Korey,
I could not resist the temptation to make sure you saw what Bill Simmons had to say on ESPN.com:
"Unsung Hero: Sasha Vujacic, quite possibly the league's best bench player of anyone who plays 20 minutes or less. He's a feisty defender, he shoots 40-plus from three, he can guard anyone and play three positions, he's a legitimate threat to get punched in the face during the playoffs, and if that's not enough, I'm almost positive that he's wearing some sort of hair net. We haven't had a so-much-fun-to-hate-him playoff villain like this guy in eons. He's like Bruce Bowen crossed with one of John Lithgow's henchman in "Cliffhanger."
Let's enjoy the game tonight, hope all our shooters have their shot going, that the Lakers play solid D, and that Win #50 is in the books for all our Laker Nation to celebrate. GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 26, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Fair weather lakers fans,
Mr. Fatty, welcome back! How's life there in Northern Arizona? Well, yes Ira Newble is a Laker, however the triangle offense is so complicated and only Luke Walton has the aptitude to understand it, so he signed for being in the Lakers' bench. I wonder why the Catalan got it on the first game. Ira never played in the GS games despite the number of years he playing, as far as the Lakers, he is a rookie. PJ is playing only 8 players @ 40 minutes + for the stars while Karl, Mbenga and now Ira are just dreaming of Cherry Blossoms on the bench.
What Kobe and others including Ira are doing is Darfur is great, however whatever donations are raised, it is just a paliative effect. You have to go to the root of the problem to attain a lasting peace. United Nations should intervene like in Kosovo and give the power to the aggrieved people
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 26, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Interesting stuff.
it's always nice for a good guy to get a good break (being a Laker is always a great break lol).
Good job IN.
Posted by: Faith | March 26, 2008 at 06:51 PM