Let's get big
George Karl is going big. In an effort to limit mismatches on the floor, he announced today that Anthony Carter will be replaced in the lineup by Linus Kleiza. The move isn't unexpected, given the way LA dominated the post on Sunday. From the Denver Post:
While that offensive production was welcome, Karl seemed more concerned with taking measures to stop a Lakers attack that scored 29 of its 46 field goals in the paint.
"I think it's a matchup thing," Karl said. "I just don't think I want to give (Lakers coach) Phil (Jackson) as many postups and mismatch situations as he has in the lineup at the beginning of the game. I think I can make one or two changes and get that taken care of pretty quickly."
In their understandable haste to find a way to prevent NBA most valuable player candidate Kobe Bryant from blowing up, the Nuggets gave power forward Kenyon Martin the task of defending him. While that ploy was largely successful — Bryant shot just 9-of-26 from the field — it left the Nuggets vulnerable on the inside.
Whenever a Laker penetrated to the basket, that left center Marcus Camby to try to pick up the man with the basketball. That, in turn, left a bigger Laker open for easy baskets. More often than not, that man was Pau Gasol, a 7-footer who scored 36 points, mostly on easy layins.
"I don't think he took more than two shots from outside the lane," Martin said.
The report also indicates that Karl will keep Kenyon Martin on Kobe. Honestly, I don't think the change will hurt LA that much offensively- I can't believe Karl would have let Waltmanovic exploit the Carter mismatch on the post for very long in Game 2, and despite the added length, when the Lakers move the ball, they can score on anyone- but it'll force them to pay more attention defensively, as Kleiza is a far more potent scorer than Carter. BK
Lakers practice report video from today...
http://www.nba.com/lakers/multimedia/0708video.html
Posted by: ajax | April 22, 2008 at 06:01 PM
You've had too much to drink Lakeraholic. That's a press release from two months ago.
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | April 22, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Jon-
Call me PC if you want, but I really don't see the humor in threatening to blow up levees and flood a city over an MVP vote. And I have a pretty broad sense of humor.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 06:13 PM
LakerTom and Jon K,
Countess of Dracula won Penn, it seems that your kid cannot seal the deal. What makes you think he win the general election? Is he John Kennedy or just another john kerry? C'mon, take the veep position and be ambitious again four years from now.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Anybody has link to Suns vs Spurs game?
I am so anxious to see this game on line...
Pls help me~
Posted by: KEN | April 22, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Verdict is in. Mark Cuban gambled and lost. Jason Kidd looks pathectic and oh yeah he can't shoot anymore, he is actually afraid to shoot. HAHA you blew it Cuban!!!
Thank God Lakers didn't trade for that 20 million piece of junk.
BD
Posted by: BD | April 22, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Outsidergua,
Actually, my post about the emoticons is to let you know that I am not pissed off. You may have understood that. If you want to label me "pissed of," then that's your opinion. Nothing I can do.
Also, if you think I take this personal, you are also incorrect. This is a blog. That is the nature of the blog. Perhaps you may have skipped Ak's reply to Chuck23.
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 21, 2008 at 10:40 PM.
I will gladly exchange with people and not take it personal. In case you haven't read past posts of mine; I can post in compliment to blingbling, Fire32, Clipper’s Fan and Sonny Belfast. (Non Laker Fans Bloggers), and have corrected a misunderstanding in the same thread with Laker Tom.
Like you said “hahahaha, the funny part is that I fell into the same game.”
Since this blog is not going to overtake our family, friends and lives, shall we agree to disagree and move on?
Charles
Posted by: Charles | April 22, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Mob Boss, Charles, Outsidergua,
You guys ALL need to relax.
The Good:
Charles: I will now proclaim that Charles, Long Time Laker Fan and Pig are the hardest to argue with. They always come with concrete and valid points.
Outsdergua: Wants peace. He wants to have a great happy blog.
Mob Boss: Sometimes funny.
The Bad:
Charles: Fighting Fire with Fire. Used the word Stupid. Not like you charles, I'm going to quote Fire32, "You're better than that." You made your points in convincing fashion and like what Toad said "starve" them.
Outsidergua: Not your battle. That was between the Mob and Charles. Then you ask for peace without a peaceful reply. Some would call you a phony. But you have good intentions in wanting peace.
Mob Boss: You should stay down. Two people pronounced you dead.
3rd ken of the blog
Posted by: NoththeOriginalKen | April 22, 2008 at 06:32 PM
LakerTom,
"LOL, Karl, you are probably right."
LOL, I'm the same way with SEC football. I guess you could say it's southern bias in that case.
Posted by: Xodus | April 22, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Edwin Gueco,
"Countess of Dracula?"
I'm a fan of her opponent, but damn! that was funny.
Posted by: bozz | April 22, 2008 at 06:37 PM
LakerTom,
You'd better hope I never get a vote in the AP Football Poll (when I grow up of course, haha), because I WILL vote for an SEC team over a Pac-10 team.
LOL, i'm just kidding.
Posted by: Xodus | April 22, 2008 at 06:39 PM
C'mon BK,
Wheres the
Live from the La times? At&t center- Suns- Spurs live thread
Posted by: Fire32 | April 22, 2008 at 06:42 PM
ajax
Ooops! My bad I just saw it on another website and thought it was current. My bad folks!!!
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 22, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Hey Guys,
Just wondering if there were any of you left out there who were screaming earlier this year for Mitch to make that Odem, Bynum, draft pick trade for J-Kidd? Still like that trade?
Don't forget, you same people were also clamoring for a Jermane O'Neil for the same group of Lakers trade.
How do you think either of those deals would have worked out in hindsight? Are you now learning the meaning of patience?
Posted by: LakerLarry | April 22, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Holy crap, New Orleans beat up on Dallas. I thought the Hornets would win, but man, not by that much.
Mark Cuban's head is going to explode.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 06:50 PM
On another note, when did I liberally use "stupid" to address another blogger? I don't remember using it at all.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Testy, testy, I addressed it to both of you because I didn't remember which of you wrote "stupid" three times. Also I did not say it was directly addressing another blogger, but each time was in response to a comment by a blogger. Turns out it was AK, but here are the three examples;
No worries. And can I can offer a suggestion? If you're gonna try to mock me, you should at least do it in the actual thread where what you're talking about was discussed. Otherwise, there's no reference point for everyone else and you kinda sound... well... stupid.
Then again, if you had done it in that thread, everyone else would be able to easily see I was talking about Walton because another reader directly asked me about him. Which would make you kinda sound... well... stupid.
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 21, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Again, like BK said, these timetables are typically "best case scenario" projections, not something set in stone. Fans should ALWAYS treat them as the bare minimum for recovery. Setbacks, complications or just plain slow healing can't be predicted 8-10 weeks before the fact. And in the case of Bynum, they're being extremely cautious, as well they should be. Rushing him back would be nothing short of stupid.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Like I said you did not directly call a blogger stupid, it is just that using the word 3 times in 14 hours makes you guys (AK) seem a little angry/condescending.
Not the end of the world just an observation......
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 06:50 PM
pslakerfan-
I wasn't testy, just confused. Now, if it turns out my brother is a condescending jerk, well, there's nothing I can do about it. He's kinda stupid anyway (haha).
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Can we just all get along!
Posted by: chuck23 | April 22, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Should the Hornets eliminate Dallas which it appears likely, they will be a tough, tough matchup for the winner of the Spurs/Suns especially since NO would have homecourt in that series.
Chris Paul is a worthy MVP candidate and a great player, but I really think that too many analysts and people give too little credit to his supporting cast for making him look good as well. No question the CP makes others better, but it's ridiculous for people not give his supporting cast more credit.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 22, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Edwin,
It's like Kobe and Shaq, Cops and Robbers, Cats and Dogs. The two don't mix because one doesn't measure up. The election is like the playoffs would be if we had Drew: Over and out.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 22, 2008 at 06:56 PM
AK/BK,
A follow up to my previous post. I think the greatness of this blog and peoples favorite part is the ability to interact with members of the media who have access to and the ability to interact with the team... Unlike with Plashke, Simers, Bresnahan, etc. here we feel like we have a voice. I know I am putting words into other bloggers keyboards, but I think a few of them will agree with me.
When Plashke, Simers, etc. write an article all I read is "I am smarter than all of you", "I know more than you", "You are all idiots", etc.....to be exact they are "condescending". Occasionally, and I mean rarely, I get that same feeling from you guys (lumping you together again).
Again, just my opinion, and I still think this is the best sports blog there is, just trying to make it a little bit better.
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 06:57 PM
AK/BK,
For the record I thought all three of the "stupid" comments you made were right on, I just thought the language could have been better.
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Charles,
Not to get political but as Barrack Obama says we can disagree without being disagreeable. That's what makes the blog so great.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 22, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I wasn't testy, just confused. Now, if it turns out my brother is a condescending jerk, well, there's nothing I can do about it. He's kinda stupid anyway (haha).
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 06:52 PM
I am glad you took it in the spirit it was intended....lol.
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I'm going to quote Fire32, "You're better than that."
NoththeOriginalKen
Whoa, you remembered that. You got the memory of an elephant
And in no way am I calling you fat or that you have big ears. (ha ha)
Posted by: Fire32 | April 22, 2008 at 07:07 PM
pslakerfan,
Don't forget Adande, Hollinger, sometimes Simmons...
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | April 22, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Charles,
If you want to understand the kind of person you are arguing with, just ask yourself one question. Would the "mob boss" really not know how to spell "capisci"?
kapish=capisci
pslakerfan
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 07:09 PM
PS Laker,
In regards to my "stupid" remarks you're referencing, that was in reaction to a reader looking to mock me without any provocation whatsoever. In my opinion, it was stupid on a few levels (which I explained), not to mention a fairly lame diss to begin with. Thus, I responded, which I don't feel was inappropriate. But perhaps my choice of adjective wasn't the best I could have used. I'll try to remember that in the future.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 07:14 PM
AK was the guilty party! I attempted to commend him for a job well done in regards to the Luke confidence update.
And what he does next is baffling! He craps on me by telling me that my response to the Luke update was posted on an earlier thread and my post made me look stupid!
AK displayed to me what a classless emotional clown he is! P.S Keep up the good work! Writing BASS books!!!
Posted by: chuck23 | April 22, 2008 at 07:15 PM
PSLF,
Stupid is not a funny word. It can be used loosely on talk with your peers but to address it in print, it means a lot of things from a decibel of 1 to 10 depending on sensitivity of individuals whom you have not met nor seen,
The less it is used the better we promote harmonious relationship among Laker fans.
Like what I said to Outsideragua, The Mob Boss and Charles, this is not the time to tear one another, we can do that after the Finals. We need camaraderie, agree to disagree and move on. Laker players are checking also what is being said in this blog. Let's all make peace to one another.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Chuck 23,
It's got nothing to do with me being "emotional." I'm not emotional at all. I can just read sarcasm (as well as people playing the "wittle ol' me" card instead of having the sack to man up and admit said sarcasm). If you wanna maintain that it was a sincere compliment on your part, have at it. Anybody who's read your regular comments is likely to call BS.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 07:21 PM
pslakerfan laker tom,
thanks for the reply. i feel my saecasm has affected a few. i must practice more diplomacy. off to the next thread.
love
Posted by: Charles | April 22, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Your previous post sounds like you think I was calling someone "stupid". If so you should read the exchange again as you are a little confused. (or maybe I am misunderstanding your post in which case I am confused) please clarify your comment.....
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 07:36 PM
On another note, Who thinks "mob boss" is watching his parents Soprano's DVD's for blog post ideas?????
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 07:38 PM
AK,
I am officially calling BS.
BSBSBSBSBS.......lol
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 07:40 PM
charles,
nice to hear from you (or actually see from you) Are you available for tomorrow? Tickets still haven't sold. If they don't sell by 3:30 tomorrow I am hitting the road for Staples.....
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Sorry for posting so much, I just got home from long day and feel like I need to catch up.........lol.
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 07:45 PM
AK
Every bit of your response comes off as an emotional tirade!
Someone pays you a compliment and you go bozo you are a tough nut to crack! P.S Go Fishing!
Posted by: chuck23 | April 22, 2008 at 07:45 PM
This might be an appropriate time to go ahead and call someone stupid.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Chuck 23,
Dude, just keep talking and proving my point for me. It's much easier this way.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 07:50 PM
This might be an appropriate time to go ahead and call someone stupid.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 22, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Now that was funny!!!!!
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Hey, Chuck23:
Shut the **** up. Sorry, but it had to be said.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | April 22, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Back to B-Ball,
What the hell happened to Dallas? Someone said they "picked" the wrong matchup. I think it wouldn't have mattered, they are just not that good anymore.
I wonder what happened to the Spurs efense. (see what I did there? omitting the D, lol) I crack myself up.....
Man am I glad the MVP vote is not tomorrow..........
Posted by: pslakerfan | April 22, 2008 at 08:00 PM
NO, PslakerFan, I just used you as the salutation but I was reading the exchanges and referring to the ones who used it. Since you raised the issues, I seconded you by your stand. See how explosive that word is, it leads to misunderstanding by just addressing it.
I also noticed AK's post on Chuck23, cool down AK, you sounded hot headed when you don't get it on your way. We know you are the moderator and we are mere posters, there is nothing imperial that separate us, we are all giving opinions. BK is more accommodating and patient to dissenters.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2008 at 08:00 PM
I just want people to see your best side! AK/BK all time
A$$ kissers!
Posted by: chuck23 | April 22, 2008 at 08:01 PM
AK,
"Anybody who's read your regular comments is likely to call BS."
The technical term is "shenanigans."
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 22, 2008 at 08:05 PM
"Now, if it turns out my brother is a condescending jerk, well, there's nothing I can do about it."
That "Good K, Bad K" schtick doesn't work on us any more.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 22, 2008 at 08:08 PM
AK/BK
I don't know what I did to get attacked so viciously but for the sake of the team I apologize and you guys reallly do rock! P.S Go Batman and Robin!
Posted by: chuck23 | April 22, 2008 at 08:25 PM
From the Boston Globe:
Teammates Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce both said they were surprised the first-year Celtic ( Kevin Garnett) hadn't won the award before, and gave their thoughts on why he is so strong defensively.
"He's 7-1, but he likes to say he's 6-11," Perkins said. "He is very long, athletic. He moves his feet well. You never know how valuable he is until you play with him. He controls the whole court. He's the only player besides Kobe Bryant that I've seen control the whole court."
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | April 23, 2008 at 12:33 AM
It's starting to look like the top 8 teams in the W. side was fools gold, with only 4 teams having a true shot to reach the finals. What do you guys think?
So far the Mavs, Rockets, and the Nuggets are looking pretty weak. These were supposed to be some of best and fun matches to watch in these playoffs, but it's not turning out that way.
Tune in to the next game, should be a good one.
Posted by: Fire32 | April 22, 2008 at 04:56 PM
OOPs you left out the Funs who are down 0-2 to SAS.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 23, 2008 at 01:22 AM