Keeping with today's "Espanol" theme...
What's Spanish for "Kobe ain't looking to relocate anytime soon?"
While the events leading up to this sea change statement were anything but predictable, that Bryant now feels this way was about as easy to call as Denver eventually imploding during game 1. All kidding aside, where is Kobe gonna find as good or better a situation (and if this aspect is important to him, while making close to the same amount of loot)? Beyond that, Kobe does look happier than he's been in a long time. As well he should be. The season may have began looking like a Brothers Grimm story, but it's wrapping up as the biggest fairy tale this side of Snow White.
I'm running out to catch a movie with my lady (if anyone's curious about "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," I'll lend a review in a few hours), so I'll have more thoughts later. But in a nutshell, I'm happy for Laker fans, the Laker organization and Kobe himself. Bottom line, I want all three parties to be happy. It's looking like that could be case for quite some time.
AK
Edwin Gueco,
Kobe met with Pau when he was in Barcelona. From published reports, Kobe said Pau talked about his situation in Memphis and Kobe talked about his situation in LA. At the time, they both had voiced their opinion of wanting to be traded. Kobe then went to watch one of his favorite soccer teams, and then had the meeting with Dr. Buss that Kobe requested. Dr. Buss flew from China to Spain to have the impromptu meeting, and this happened just after the MySpace Johnny Buss debacle.
It really was a three ring circus at the Lakers front office.
Hey, who said Kobe ran Shaq out of town??? That's how the whole problem last summer spiraled out of control in the first place... laker "insider" ring any bells?
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 22, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Bynum has already said that it's unlikely he'll be back befor the WCF. I doubt a 19 year old on a team with a legit chance of winning the NBA championship would be anything but optimistic. I doubt he plays before then and more likely he won't come back until the finals (assuming the Lakers make it that far}
I don't see any reason to be pessimistic about the Lakers chances, even without AB. They are 23-4 with Gasol (I'm not including the loss in which Pau was injured and played only 2 minutes). That's a formidable record.
Posted by: giantsquid | April 22, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Phil is master of gamesmanship. I doubt anything has changed with Bynum.
Even so, we'll match up fine with Utah with Gasol on Okur, not that it will be an easy series at all. Utah is tough. (duh)
Posted by: Mob Wagoneer | April 22, 2008 at 07:43 AM
If Bynum can stand he can play. Put him in. He is young enough to recover over the Summer, we need him now.
He can rest when he is dead.
I hate the Celtics and love the Lakers since I moved out here and watched them win 31 in a row.
Where is Mike Penberthy? I never saw him miss a shot.
Posted by: Mike Dills | April 22, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Good Morning Lakers BlogNation...
Last night the Jazz made an emphatic statement: they look damn serious about putting the Rockets out of their (no Yao and no Rafer) misery. It looks like Houston could even get swept. Now, it's up to the Lakers to keep pace.
Look for the Purple & Gold to lay a beat down on the Nugglets to NOT give Denver even a glimmer of hope to win this series AND to answer Utah's statement with their own (even stronger) one. In Game Two, I predict the Lakers' will do better on the defensive glass, and be more effective against dribble penetration. Most of all, when the Nugglets pay more attention to Gasol in the low post, look for KB24 to play a much more effective game on the offensive end.
If the Lakers can take care of Denver, it looks like an epic second round Battle Royale with the Utah Jazz awaits. Fortunately, the Lakers will have home-court advantage against any team in the West. However, considering what the Jazz did to the Rockets on Houston's home court, I supppose we can forget about Utah's poor road record during the regular season.
Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza...your team will need you against the Utah Jazz. Please get well soon. Please hurry back.
P&GR
Posted by: Purple & Gold Reign | April 22, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Hi everyone - this is a repost from other thread - just wanted to get in on all this AB discussion.......
Laker Tom et al: love your insight but I am kind of in the camp of letting AB go for the season. If he comes back it will be a total gimme for us.
I truly believe PJ is working the mind games with the media but also the zen thing where chemistry, movement, flow is extremely important for this group.
There is no need for PJ to start saying "AB is coming back whenever". That will mess with the heads of our players. Luke, Ronny and Vlad are vulnerable right now and need the confidence of a first round win to help them. I think that's what PJ is trying to do - instill the confidence in THIS group right now.
All this group is hearing (media) is that in order to win the championship AB is needed. What does that do to the mind of Luke, Ronny and Vlade who will be the most affected?
This is a young team, they haven't experienced a playoff run (together) yet and they are exceeding everyone's expectations, so we are winning already. Getting out of the first round will be a huge mental step that will make us stronger and hungrier. Each step is another notch and gives these guys awesome experience.
Do I want them to win the championship this year - of course! I am competitive by nature and love championships.
As we go another further along, the more I feel we can win with this nucleus. Listen to Pau's interviews - he is believing and getting that fire in his eyes. He might feel express it different than KB24 but he believes it. Lamar believes it too but I think he is the guy that just brings it to the court and lets his game talk. We know D-Swish. Go back to the interviews after the Clipper win - there is a big change in the demeanor of this nucleaus
I like it.
LET's GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 22, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Good morning Mamba24, good morning Charles & the rest of this GREAT LAKER NATION!!!!
What is it - 36 hours to game time??!!! UUgggghhh.....can't wait that long......need a Lakers fix.....LOL!
This whole thing with AB is very interesting. Do we throw a brace on him & get him out there? Does that risk his future and the future of the team? Is PJ playing mind games with everyone? Things that make you go hmmmm....
I think at this point we know PJ is playing mind games. He always does. He's deflecting attention away from AB so 1) they can focus on the game at hand and 2) no one will prepare for AB being in the game so we have the element of surprise on our side. I think as much as I'm disliking Vitti's efforts this year to get our guys up & running (!) sooner, we need to have Socks as close to 100% as he can be before he plays this year. I for one can wait until next year for the next banner to hang from Staples - of course this year would be better, but we've got a dynasty in the making, so hey - a little patience will be a huge virtue!
All I care about is that we make the best run we can make this year, we keep the team intact and open a can of whoop@$$ on the league next year! It's going to be (and still is even now) a wild & crazy ride!
GO LAKERS!
The BEAN for MVP and FINALS MVP or NO PEACE!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | April 22, 2008 at 08:28 AM
jimjoyce,
"Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan."
First of all, using Federer and Woods as examples are poor choices because they play "individual" sports. As far as Gretzky, are you forgetting him breaking Edmonton's heart when he came to L.A.? Or Jordan leaving the Bulls to play baseball? Those are some pretty good examples of "team first" players, aren't they?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 22, 2008 at 08:33 AM
No Name Blogger,
In regards to Bynum, I'm hoping that you're joking. Bynum went to NY to see a doctor so he WOULDN'T get cleared. First of all, that's the opposite of what happened. The Lakers sent Bynum over there so he would see that he couldn't get cleared. Bynum was trying to come back when he wasn't ready.
And why would you want him to come back if he can't get medically cleared? So he can possibly help us win a title at the risk of making the injury more severe and costing us title opportunities down the line?
Posted by: Xodus | April 22, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Fearless,
While I agree with what you're saying, this was never a full rebuild project. That *was* part of the problem.
Now, if Mitch would have traded Kobe AND Shaq, then you could argue it was a total rebuild... but as it is, Mitch kept the prestine engine (KB) and built a car around it... not really a from scratch job.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 22, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I think it is a little too optimistic to think that Bynum might be back soon because of some PJ trick. If that were the case he would have to keep him out of all practices to keep up the charade. We all know that the media is at practice. They would certainly know something is up. I do believe we can get to the Finals without Bynum How does 23-5 all of the sudden turn into 3-4 in a series. However I do think we need Bynum in the finals. I believe that PJ is being tight lipped with the media, but I think the finals or maybe the WCF is the best we can hope for.
JMO
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Good Morning, Laker Nation!
Well, it looks like Kobe is happy finally. Good.
I'm looking forward to us evicerating the Nouguts and moving on.
As well as Bynum and Ariza getting healthy.
Bring on the Celtics!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 22, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Good Morning Fam!
Posted by: Charles | April 22, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Fearless
Nice post!
Posted by: Charles | April 22, 2008 at 08:48 AM
I wasn't crazy about Kobe's remarks saying the Mitch had gone from F to A+. Does Kobe not realize that He is one of the reasons Mitch has had a challenging task in gathering a team together? The chase-off of Shaq? The Colorado debacle? Can Kobe admit that his grades haven't been that great over the past few years?
Posted by: Sled Dog | April 21, 2008 at 09:16 PM
By now you should realize that Shaq is his own worst enemy...
Posted by: LakerGurl | April 22, 2008 at 09:03 AM
hey i want to ask you guys and gals a question.
for the life of me i cant remember why the Lakers in the early part of the decade wore a black stripe on their jerseys. i first thought that it was because of the passing of Chick Hearn, and then i thought it was because of 9/11, but then i saw them with that stripe on their jerseys in pictures dating as far back as the 99-00 season. i just cant remember why they wore that stripe. can anyone help?
thanks
Posted by: darock | April 22, 2008 at 09:08 AM
justanother.......PJ is building confidence in THIS group of players. He is keeping them mentally prepared for this first round opponent. And he is instilling in them the confidence that they can move forward with/without AB.
AB and Trevor would be total bonuses to THIS playoff run however long it lasts. But he has to keep telling them (and in essence media) they can get it done w/o those guys.......and they are. It's a motivation game and PJ is the master.
LET's GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 22, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Good Morning Mamba24, Good Morning Charles, Good Morning Laker Nation!
Still have to wait a day and a half for my next playoff fix.........can't stand it!
To those who want to see AB out there at all cost, please excercise some patience! We have a team that can contend with anyone in these playoffs without Drew, and the last thing we should do is throw away the next five or ten years for the expedience of this year. IF he is completely healthy, we may get a few banch minutes from him, but this year we have to do it with the team that's taking the court tomorrow night. We do not need to make any excuses for this team right now........they have the pieces to win a banner this year, without Drew. Don't throw out the furture for one ring when we have another three or four-peat to look forward to! A dynasty is on the doorstep, don't gamble it away!
15 TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET'S GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | April 22, 2008 at 09:17 AM
justanothamambafromanothamotha & pslakerfan,
great post's from different views!
Posted by: Charles | April 22, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Toad - I agree with you.......
PSlakerfan - come on over to the contrarian side. Join Toad and I and anyone else who thinks we can win with THIS team now........
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 22, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Morning Mamba, and everyone else.
Not feeling too hot today and a long weekend in Vegas, together makes me a rather dull boy. Not posting much.
I think the Lakers must do a better job of taking care of the ball and making crisp passes. It's something that's bothered me about them all season. Otherwise, not gonna complain.
Who the hell is Linas Kleiza?
Get well BEAST.
Carmelo will get ejected from at least one game in this series, and the Thuggets don't stand a chance.
Oink Oi.....Uggghhhh
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 22, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Is there really any debate that Kobe ran off Fatness still? Come on. We all know if that fat, unmotivated load stayed around Kobe was a Clipper for Life. And would probably have a blown knee to show for it.
When we traded the Cross eyed poet it was for LO, Caron, Bob Marley, AND Kobe. Kobe didn't have to say it's either him or me. Dr. Buss knew he wasn't going to pay Shaq $75 mil for 3 years with questionable motivation and work habits (see earlier this year in Miami).
Kobe will blame his actions on others. He always has. He and Shaq will always know, deep inside, they could've challenged Boston's 9 in a row if they'd just set their egos aside.
Posted by: htj | April 22, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Tim-4-show,
Thanks for the reply. If the three truly met in Barcelona, this must be the farewell legacy of Jerry West to the Lakers, convincing the Grizzlies owner to exchange Gasol for several 1st rd draft picks and clear cap space, then text the grand plan to Mitch after the height of Kobe rants then, meet in Barcelona to discuss the possibilities. Kobe not believing, he raised the ante of "trade me" while JB reply with "wait let's see the exchange. We are the suckers on the blog divided at that time in arguing of all kinds of "what-if" scenarios interpreting the clearing up of the locker. Haha! Sorry guys, love to imagine conspiracies stories.
Anyway, another good spanish player available in the off season and he's relatively cheap, Juan Navarro. He's another Sasha on the perimeter. If the Lakers go to the Finals, this will be the hot team in the Euro League, I'm sure everyone wants to be a Laker in the future. The battlecry would be: "want to be another Pau, Vlad and Sasha". Lakers used to have a policy of just having one or two international players, there'll come a time when half of the team will be imports,add this tall Chinese PG, Lue. Why? Because the place is so diversified and its heterogeneity is suited for international players. Good also for the treasury of the Buss Family.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Tim-4-Show,
If you total out your Mustang, but the engine is still OK, so you decide to drop that engine into a T-Bird that you built from the ground up, that is a complete rebuild.
Plus, hasn't that engine itself (KB24) been freshened up a bit in the process? That engine seems to work better in its new ride than it did in the old one.
Just sayin...
Charles, THANKS!
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | April 22, 2008 at 09:51 AM
"Pig" Miller
Sorry to hear you are still worn out from the Vegas trip.
Too bad that all the money you earn also stays in Vegas as well.
Phx loses another one on Saturday and is still bitchen about it today. Even Kerr was tired of them complaining and told them to start playing like SAS if they want to win.
Fatty - King of the nickel slots
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Tim4show...Fearless
It was still a rebuilding job...most teams have something of value to build around and if it wasnt a rebuilding job to start with it quickly became one.
I know it sounds horribly arrogant to mention it but the truth is I could always could see the sense in what the lakers were doing and strongly supported the front office on this blog.Kobe ,the media,the blog and the fans all disagreed with me but it became obvious that they were waiting for the one right trade would send them over the top.It was just a question of whether everyone esle could be patient enough.
In the meantime they assembled pieces to fit around this future vision of a contending team....They remained undistracted throught the calls for big name players who really wouldnt have fit, the fans and Kobe eventually losing faith that they were genuinely trying to win,and all the criticism that went with it from every angle....
Eventually they got a good roll.with Gasol but it was exactly the kind of roll they were holding out for....They created their own luck....They didnt panic and try to appease anyone with a nonsense trade or trade young for old leaving us with a team that at best might have contended for a year or two.I suggested they trade both Bynum and Kobe at various moments but they stuck with it and now the vision of a powerful young team that can contend for the forseeable future has come to fruition.Hats off to them!
Posted by: Kiwi | April 22, 2008 at 10:40 AM
By now you should realize that Shaq is his own worst enemy...
Posted by: LakerGurl | April 22, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Indeed. Well said. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Mark
Posted by: markythearky | April 22, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Is there really any debate that Kobe ran off Fatness still? Come on. We all know if that fat, unmotivated load stayed around Kobe was a Clipper for Life. And would probably have a blown knee to show for it.
When we traded the Cross eyed poet it was for LO, Caron, Bob Marley, AND Kobe. Kobe didn't have to say it's either him or me. Dr. Buss knew he wasn't going to pay Shaq $75 mil for 3 years with questionable motivation and work habits (see earlier this year in Miami).
Kobe will blame his actions on others. He always has. He and Shaq will always know, deep inside, they could've challenged Boston's 9 in a row if they'd just set their egos aside.
Posted by: htj | April 22, 2008 at 09:48 AM
It seems to me that according to your post, Kobe being a better player than Shaq and Kobe running off Shaq are the same thing. This is an unfair characterization. And this is exactly what Kobe is complaining about. Criticize Kobe for things that are legitimate. He is human, he has faults. Just realize that to blame him for Buss wanting him more than Shaq is something for which you should compliment him. And why does everyone always blame Kobe for he and Shaq's problems. When Kobe criticizes Shaq for being disinterested and out of shape he is speaking the truth. It rarely seems to be brought up in the media. It's like Shaq can't help but be out of shape. Go find some YouTube of Shaq at LSU. There is a huge difference. And for Shaq to show up at Miami weighing 50 lbs less than he did his last year as a Laker just makes me furious. I blame Shaq for swearing at Buss during a preseason game about getting him his money. I blame Shaq for not being willing to defer to Kobe. And if Shaq had stayed, the Lakers WOULD NOT have won more titles. At least the last finals appearance against Detroit would indicate that they were done. And that is the last historical evidence that we have.
MarkytheArky
Posted by: MarkytheArky | April 22, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Kiwi,
You are absolutely correct. The front office and especially Mitch had a plan, that could have been either short-term or long-term depending on when it came to fruition. Mitch stuck to his plan in the face of incredible opposition and criticism. That's gutsy. That's manly. That is everything other than Cupcake, which even I resorted to calling Mitch. And everyone knows I'm a homer.
I have a new respect for the man, that's all I'm saying...
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | April 22, 2008 at 11:37 AM
here is your request translated in spanish... "NO MAMES GUEY!"
Posted by: JIMMYC | April 22, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I think snow white is a brother's grimm tale. NOH!
Posted by: dor | May 01, 2008 at 08:52 AM
let's see. we have several unusually tall individuals shoving a ball through an elevated elipse and getting paid an unfathonable amount of money and receiving endless adulation and benefits for it. these guys are not curing any disease, caring for the sick, or otherwise aleviating suffering unless perhaps you are referring to a struggling tattoo artist. society should have far more respect for registered nurses, lvns, or other caregivers than professional athletes.
Posted by: Fawning Fantasy Fan | May 06, 2008 at 11:05 AM