Knockout punch a-comin'?
The Lakers have a quartet of chances remaining to put the Nuggets out of their literal misery, the first of which presents itself this evening (7:30 pm PST TNT). The opportunity to put this baby to bed on their first try is a notion appealing to the visiting squad, although it's debatable whether the Nuggets themselves wouldn't prefer that even more. Anyway you slice it, the Pepsi Center representatives have lost their collective composure and regrouping feels like a long shot. Inspirational weight room decorations haven't done bupkis to drop temperatures back to "simmer." Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony has been held in serious check by a Vlad Radmanovic/Luke Walton-led group effort, although the forward's own emotions may be doing more to negate his scoring than any hand in the kisser.
When not watching his shots clang the rim, he's accusing teammates -- who deny it -- and coaches of quitting, a statement the Lakers have to treat with a grain of salt (even when plainly obvious as fact). Nugget Land frustrations have grown so palpable that Coby Karl has thought better of dishing the usual good natured teasing with his pops. Even a rook can understand the notion of "time and place." Safe to say, the elder Karl would kill for a squad oozing with the selflessness on display right now by the Lakers. At least he can take pride in knowing that a fellow Chapel Hill alum is now reaping the rewards of patience during this crew's construction.
Are The Big Bridge Burner and Ason on the verge of a vacation because they play for the inferior team or karma biting them in the buttocks? Whatever the reason for either squad's struggles, the latter could be part of Mark Cuban's blow up mission in Big D.
WE BELIEVE -- Denver def shoulda covered those signs.......
LOL
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | April 28, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Bynum. I think it's becoming nigh-impossible for me to push this point home any further.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 28, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Jon, I was just thinking the same thing.
:-)
Mark
Posted by: MarkytheArky | April 28, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Thank you for giving me ideas for a sign... keep them comin...
If I make one for the blog, I was thinking of a simple message to our players and then signed "LA Times Laker's Blog" or something like that... what would we want to say?
Or, any other ideas???
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 28, 2008 at 12:38 PM
mrbarneydangles,
What section are your tix?
Hugo (or anyone else that knows),
What time do the doors open?
It was nice to see Trevor working on his outside shot before the last game...
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 28, 2008 at 12:43 PM
PsychedLakerGirl,
No, it's just that I want to see a healthy Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol on the floor together and I've personally seen Dit Da Jow work. So... you know, I just want to help so badly and since I honestly think that Dit Da Jow will markedly accelerate Bynum's healing I desperately keep hitting this point home like the unwanted prophesies of Jeremiah from the Old Testament.
Sure, I recognize that I probably sound a bit ridiculous and that no one is probably listening, but if somebody actually did and it somehow was able to help Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum, then it would be worth all the endless litanies of rants and admonishments which I have been beating to death for months now.
Who knows? Anything's possible.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 28, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Tim-4-Show:
Although a sign would be cool, I think just bringing a broom would suffice. It was awesome to see all the Laker fans in Game 3! Cheer loud n strong!
GO LAKERS!
-Chris H.
Posted by: Chris H. | April 28, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Go Lakers, sweep the fakers.
Go team to sweep, perchance to dream?
I love this game.
GO LAERS!!!
PS: Look for Vlad Rad to break out tonight...the secret Slovenian weapon!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | April 28, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Jon K
Maybe ask Cap the pick up some Dit Da Wan...
Posted by: Charles | April 28, 2008 at 12:47 PM
SHAQ IS A TRUE SALES MAN AND HIS NEXT SALES JOB:
Now that Shaq has failed on his attempt to win with the Suns. Which team is next on Shaq's sales stop hehehe!!
RUMOR HAS IT _ Shaq wants to come back to Lakers and make lakers a WINNER :), possibly WIN 10 titles
Posted by: SHAQ THE SALES MAN | April 28, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I can't wait to get my hands on Chris Paul and the Hornets to show them who their daddy is.
go lakers!!!
Posted by: Anthony | April 28, 2008 at 12:52 PM
OMG, I'm such a brown noser that I even feel sorry for Shaq!! Sorry, but I sometimes really appreciate a post and want to say so. Jesterguru's one about absorbing players from teams you defeat, for example.
Speaking of brown nosing, Tom K. I like your attitude. Yes, we will never see Kobe in Shaq's state of decline. Kobe will always be with a winning team! He will always be a champion. He will always be a LAKER!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | April 28, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Tim-4-Show,
How about "Kobe, Stomp on the Nouguts throats!--L.A. Times Lakers Blog"?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 28, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Jamie Sweet,
Sorry to rain on your parade, but Rad Vlad is Serbian, not Slovenian.
Sasha is Slovenian, but of Serbian descent.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 28, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Fairweather Fatty, You said we should look at the Clipper's blog to see how sad it is and how great ours is in comparison.
Do we have to look? Can't I just take your word for it? I'd rather stay here with the . . . everyone ? ? ?
WORLD CHAMPIONS - ON THE WAY TO A SECOND THREE PEAT - LAKERS BLOG!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | April 28, 2008 at 01:00 PM
DEAR GOD, PLEASE BLESS AND PROTECT OUR LOS ANGELES LAKERS FROM HURT, HARM, DANGER AND INJURY. HELP THEM TO UTILIZE THEIR SKILLS AND TALENTS TO GET THE JOB DONE AGAINST THEIR OPPONENTS. PROTECT THEIR BODIES AGAINST INJURY. MAY EVERY BONE, MUSCLE, JOINT, LIGAMENT, TENDON, ETC. BE COVERED AND PROTECTED BY YOU. BLESS DENVER AND GIVE THEM THE STRENGTH TO BOW OUT OF THIS SERIES GRACEFULLY WITH CLASS AND DIGNITY. LET THEM PLAY WITH THE TRUE SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP AND HONOR.
FOR OUR SOLDIERS WHO ARE INJURED (BYNUM/ARIZA), BLESS THEIR DOCTORS WITH INSIGHT AND CLARITY THAT THEY WOULD BE HEALED SWIFTLY AND QUICKLY. WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE...AMEN!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | April 28, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I'm excited for tonight's basketball contest.
Lakers are the best.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 28, 2008 at 01:08 PM
utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER,
Amen.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 28, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Tim-4-Show
What size Poster you plan on bringing?
Posted by: Charles | April 28, 2008 at 01:13 PM
WE HAVE A SECOND BROWN NOSER AWARD WINNER in MarkytheArky:
Bynum. I think it's becoming nigh-impossible for me to push this point home any further.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 28, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Jon, I was just thinking the same thing.
:-)
Mark
Posted by: MarkytheArky
Posted by: The Brown Noser | April 28, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Thanks PSLakerfan for your recent comment.
Johnny P,
Just heard that Pat Riley resigned today as GM-Coach of Miami Heat. This is timely because Coach D'Antoni plans to move to the Raftors this off season. What is the possibility of Steve Kerr hiring Pat Riley? You got it, another possible reunion of Shaq and Riley in Phoenix. If that happens, Nash will just stay with the Canadian team. lol
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 28, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Johnny P,
"OMG, I'm such a brown noser that I even feel sorry for Shaq!! Sorry, but I sometimes really appreciate a post and want to say so. Jesterguru's one about absorbing players from teams you defeat, for example."
Thanks, bro. Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby: You have been assimilated!
But on second thought, I don't think we'd want any Thuggets on our team....
Posted by: Jesterguru | April 28, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Tim-4-Show,
My tickets are in section 380. I'm jealous of your seats, I sat in row one across from the Lakers bench during the regular season game and it was awesome. You're loving life tonight. I think the doors open 90 minutes before tip off but im not 100% sure.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | April 28, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Kupchack versus Kupcake:
I don't get this tribute article about Mitch Kupchack in the LA Times. Dr. Buss credits his son Jim for drafting Bynum. He than states that it was HIS idea to go after Gasol. We all know that Shaq was the real GM that brought in Karl Malone and Gary Payton. So, aside from the Ariza trade, what positve moves has Kupchack done exactly? Some highlights include trading for Kwame, re-signing Brian Cook and signing Samaki Walker.
After this wonderful season, I vowed to never call Kupchack, "Kupcake" again, but maybe Kupcake is an appropriate nickname afterall.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 28, 2008 at 01:23 PM
StuckInNYC,
Where are you?? I'm on the Lower East Side. We should start an NYC Lakers fan club / viewing group.
JohnnyP
Posted by: JohnnyP | April 28, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Just a kind reminder to bloggers who use all CAPS, please use initial caps when posting and use CAPS when highlighting your importasnt point. All caps are not easy to read and hurt the eye. According to writing experts analysis people who use all caps either live with their mommy and daddy (mamma's boy/girl), rude in person, starving for attenttion.
So be cognizant of others and STOP hankering for attention, go suck on pacifier please LOL
ALL CAPS HURT MY EYES
Posted by: ALL CAPS HURT THE EYE | April 28, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Check out this announcement I got in my inbox:
"We hope you can join us for SCULLY & WOODEN – For the Kids, an "Inside-the-Actor's Studio-type program" starring Vin Scully and John Wooden and moderated by award-winning columnist T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times."
Yeah, it'll be just like Inside The Actor's Studio except it's going to be hosted by an angry, unreasonably negative columnist who makes it a habit of "punishing" LA sports figures with his mighty pen when they don't act exactly how he thinks they should.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 28, 2008 at 01:25 PM
AMEN Banner Holder
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | April 28, 2008 at 01:27 PM
AMEN, Banner Holder, AMEN!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | April 28, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Utzworld,
Could you include in your prayers our one and only Chiqui-baby Chick Hearns and also Wilt Chambertain and George Mikan, the first Superstar of the Lakers? I'm sure they have cable up there for tonight's game.
PS. Let's also include the hips of Phil Jackson, the long struggle of Tex Winter on Shingles. These are the Laker brains, can you imagine what if the hips give up and the shingles become widespread, there goes the triangle.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 28, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Edwin don't pay any attention to PSLAKERFAN's comment about your english, he himself is a son of an immigrant.
Posted by: DO NOT WORRY | April 28, 2008 at 01:38 PM
IMPORTANT MESSAGE PLEASE READ HOT OFF THE PRESS:
Just a kind reminder to bloggers who use all CAPS, please use initial caps when posting and use CAPS when highlighting your importasnt point. All caps are not easy to read and hurt the eye. According to writing experts analysis people who use all caps either live with their mommy and daddy (mamma's boy/girl), rude in person, starving for attenttion.
So be cognizant of others and STOP hankering for attention, go suck on pacifier please LOL
Posted by: REPOSTIN BY ANOTHER ALL CAPS HATER | April 28, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Just a side note...
I predict the Lakers sweep the Nuggets tonight and Kobe is announced as the MVP by Wednesday.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | April 28, 2008 at 01:41 PM
"Jamie Sweet,
Sorry to rain on your parade, but Rad Vlad is Serbian, not Slovenian.
Sasha is Slovenian, but of Serbian descent.
(Posted by: Jon K. | April 28, 2008 at 12:59 PM )
Thank you for making the correction. I am sure that Jamie just made a sweet honest mistake!
Just because their names appear to be from the same general part of the globe do not make them the same.
The same is true with Edwin--just because his last name sounds Spanish does not make him a Hispanic or Latino or Mexican. In fact, I bet he is certainly not any of the above. But who cares? Just as long his blood is Lakers, that's all that matters!
So, would the gentleman who calls himself "hombre" lay off Edwin and stop being ignorant!
Posted by: Robyn | April 28, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Good afternnon all,
I am just back from ESPN's website at which I was unceremoniously assaulted by a pointless image of Red Auerbach with one of his nauseatingly numerous victory cigars.
Apropos of this unfortunate incident, allow me to one again for the umpteenth time, " I HATE THE CELTICS." And, just to end on an positive note and to keep ourselves properly focused: GO LAKERS! Let's give the Nugs their final Noogie of the season!
Posted by: The D | April 28, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Banner Holder
Now that's an insurance policy I can say Amen to
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 28, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Tim-4-Show & mrbarneydangles
Hold the fort down for me tonight & Lakers4Realz. Flood gates should open by 7pm if game is at 830.
Maybe we can get together for round 2?
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | April 28, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Hey k-bros, long-time reader, love your work. Just wanted to let you know that the game isn't TNT exclusive, and it'll be on KCAL for everyone to watch. I saw your opening line and was worried we'd be without Joel and Stu again, haha.
Posted by: Brian | April 28, 2008 at 01:58 PM
lakers_sth,
that is just sad that 2 LA Sports legends have to be interviewed by a hack like Simers.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 28, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Jon K -
Good analogy - Mad Dog was always one of my favorites... too bad his action has been limited the past few years with the T-wolves (who r now on the endangered species list). Madson's apparently had some injury issues... insert dit-d-j product placement here, haha.
Posted by: dave m | April 28, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Tim-4-Show
Will you be close enough to TJ to accidentally spill your Coke on him and his lap top?
Possible sign ideas?
If not my company name and telephone(1-800-DIRECTV), then...
How about a sign with nothing? Blank.
Then you can be the man with the sign with no message.
When Sager asks what your doing? You can say, "you are trying to send a message" Anyone can have a sign, but mine is different. It made you look, and made you think, didn't it?
Pretty deep, uh!
Have a good time Tim and the rest of our Colorado "Lakers Band of Bloggers."
Who loves ya baby!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 28, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Tim-4-Show
You Mbenga sit yo' a$$ Down!
Tonight, the Dust Settles after the Sweep!
Next!!!
Katie Faber is now rich!
Since 1949!
Thanks for the practice!
Due West since 1960!
It ain't easy Bleeding Purple and Gold...
Coz of us, Rodman hooked up'ed with Carmen Electra and Madonna!
What happened to the D? Enver!!!
Cornrow Killers!!!
We got your # AI !!!
George, you're a softie for Coby!
Nene, nice Figure 4 shoulder lock on Lamar!
JR, how about a tattoo of praying hands on your lower back!
Chucky, how's the real estate out Market been to you?
That's a crappy Center Court Logo!!!
Melo, your shoes are too expensive!
Melo, I don't have shirts to match Nuggets colors!
Nene, jump over a Skate Board! I have a home video camera...
2nd Round Bound!!!
Your legal defenders had nothing on us!!!
Shaq's time is done, want 2 years of complaining?
Kleiza, you look like the "I am legend" zombie!
Just had some Nuggets!!!
Hi Lakers LA Times Blog!!!
Blogging bout the Lakers since '06
I have nice seats!!!
Posted by: Charles | April 28, 2008 at 02:12 PM
The Never Thuggetts are the only team in the playoffs that did not win a game. it will be about honor.
The Lakers r still a young playoff team that DID NOT win a series yet. It is important to lear to close games (remember suns 2 years ago) and close the series. a different type of honor.
4-0 or 3-1?!
i know that the next game is in LA, but is important to close games regardless of arena
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Zin Master | April 28, 2008 at 02:13 PM
BROOMS FOR SALE!!!!!!!!!
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n60/mr-rambaldi/sweepdenver.gif
On sale tonight and tonight only.
How much you say??????
Why.........PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | April 28, 2008 at 02:15 PM
What's up, Lakerville?
Mamba 24....
Thanks for the props that you extended my way last week. But don't worry...I've always got your back and no troll is going to disrespect the BLOGFATHER without hearing it from me!! I got nothing but respect for the energy and good vibrations that you bring to the blog every time you post!!!
Now that playoff time is here, I've adopted a new philosophy about Laker basketball. It's called "I DON'T CARE...WE WON!!"
Kobe has a poor shooting game percentage-wise in game one...(although 32 points and 19 fourth quarter points were pretty good IMO)?....I DON'T CARE...WE WON!!
Lamar has a poor game due to foul trouble? Vlad Rad is having shooting issues in game 3? Lakers getting out-rebounded in game 3? I DON'T CARE...WE WON!!!
My point is that all the nitpicking and analyzing is irrelevant at this time of year. The only important thing is the final score. As Pau said the other day, this Laker team is good enough that someone is always picking up the slack and coming to the fore and playing well. So......
I DON'T CARE....LET'S WIN!!! GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | April 28, 2008 at 02:26 PM
mrbarneydangles
Hey Man! I forgot to mention you last friday! Props to Hugo Boss, Mr.Dangles with the blog angles and him; Tim-Fo-Fo-Fo-Fo-Show!
Best,
Posted by: Charles | April 28, 2008 at 02:27 PM
http://tinyurl.com/4stg8r
Great story on how the midseason REACTIONARY trades by the rest of the western conference elite are blowing up in their faces
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | April 28, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Tim-4-Sho
My Team's got the Swagger, Kobe is our Dagger!
Posted by: Charles | April 28, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Milo,
Nice link! Thanks
Posted by: Charles | April 28, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Charles and Milo - AWESOME!!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 28, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Tim-4-Show
We talk no Jive in Five, We keep the Sweep!
Turkey!
Posted by: Charles | April 28, 2008 at 02:39 PM