*____________________*
WED. April 30, 2008 the Force is in hibernation until the next Game.
Laker Nation is standing tall and declares “FO”, “FO”, “FO”, “FO”
Good Morning Charles.!
Good Morning Laker Nation!
*____________________________________*
Today we honor another Legend Laker Tom
*____________________________________*
Sometimes in reading these honors they almost begin to sound the same.
Is that a bad thing? Noooooo. Why? Because it just goes to show that
people of integrity, character, knowledge and who just happen to be great
aficionados of basketball are the majority of our blog members. But this
is as it should be as the Lakers Blog is like the Mensa of Sports Blogs.
Today we present to you one of the great pure Basketball minds, not just
on the Blog, not just in Laker Nation, but in the entire world. There may be
several people whose knowledge comes close to or equals your honoree
but none that I know of who can explain complex strategies so that even a
Dummy such as me can understand it. When I first came to this Blog
the honoree’s post was one of the first that I noticed. His passion for the
Game and his passion for the Laker’s became immediately evident. He
probably does not remember but I posted a inane question and he
answered it quickly and thoroughly. But he did not answer in a smug superior
fashion. No his answer seemed to say hey we are all in this together
and if I can increase your knowledge then this will only help the entire Blog.
So who is this titan of knowledge and compassion? Why none other than
another of our great elders Laker Tom. Yes, Laker Tom is very knowledgeable
And yes laker Tom is a compassionate individual. But don’t get the wrong
Idea Laker Tom can sometimes have a temper when defending a point
he passionately believes in. Is that a bad thing? Noooooo! Why? Because
If you are not willing to defend what you believe in then maybe your belief
System needs a little check up. Through good times and bad, Laker Tom
has been here fighting the good fight for the honor of Laker Nation. So I say
for the Laker Nation, the Blog and myself thank you Laker Tom for the knowledge
you contribute to the Blog as well as the compassion you display when helping
others. This Blog, indeed the world is a better place for your being. Therefore
today, April 30 is declared LAKER TOM, TOM THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT
YOU DO and enjoy your day sir.
*
ROLL CALL:
(1) Faith, Bob, Keifo, Vman. Jay Jay, Charles, Edwin Gueco, Tsiry, FATTY, AngryLaker
Tha Show, Tim-4-Show, TheLakeShow, Generic_One, Pig Miller, Toad, Taliq, LakerTruth
WesJoeNixon, Zakee, Cleon, SBPimp, The_D, Bozz, #4, Nemia Faletogo, Elle, HmrHed
ComptonsFinest, FlagrantFowl LakerLegacy, Exhelodrvr, Laker Tom, Rick Friedman ,
RDLEE, PURPLE HEART, Allan-Brazil, Puddle, Andrew Z. Hugo Boss, CORNER J.
The Outlaw, Tsphere, Jon Kavulic, WeaveMan, SixOneZero, FearlessWhackJob, CBuck
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, DICE8UP, Never, JANAYA, EastCoastJessie, Jman
BackMamba24, BrownMamba24, WhiteMamba24, Mamba24Fan4Life, FanOfMamba,
JustAnotherMAMBAFAN, Mamba#5, JustALakerFan, VI LakerFan, LALFan, KOBE24
Greek Dude, Afro Joe, KB8THWonder, Original Ken, Original J J, LakerMan420,
PURPLE&GOLD_REIN, ZEN, Ando, Brylle, MOKO, JOHNNY P., MIKE DILLS, ISSANG
LakerGurl, SFLakerGirl, PsychedLakerGirl, SimiLakerGirl, LakerGirl1980, LakerLass
HoustonLakerGirl, SheKobe, LakersRydeOrDie, SloGal, TWoody, LakerFaze, Wow
DrewPauKobe, GoKobeGo, KobesBad, KobeRocks, Laker/KobeFan, NIK KANNAN
MrBarneryDangles, Todd, JesterGuru, SmoothD, JCool, Jeff, David Whang, WWKBD
KIWI, Machiavelly, DOC4daLakeShow, LakersMR, LakersSTH, HobbitMage, Korey
Allan-BRAZIL, Herb Stempel, DarkAngelSK, TROY, T_Sensei, BerkleyLaker, Dave M.
Stars_R_Aligned, Cscoot, The_Dude_Abides, Johnny Laker, The HEAD-MBENGA
L.A. Watcher, LakerGurl, FUEGO32, EHOMP, KCHW, MICHIGAN_LAKER
Complex Brotha, WondahBap, Derek, Benjamin, The HAMMER, Cyrus(Ventrilquist),
HappyCamper, HappyDaze, HappyGilmore, CriticalBeatDown, RealityBites, BZAR,
Amazing Happens, TELLitLIKEitIS PSLakerLover, Lakers4Lyfe, Lakers4Real, Che,
CooLHAIR, The_COOL BOBIE, SpokanLakerFan, Duma, Shum, ManSlayer, FatSam
AKR68, GiantSquid, BotSoy, LakerFan, LA_Mental, CaliPhilosopher, JLuv, CDub0512
Bruzer, Peanut_Butter_Spread, Laker_Kev, Lakers_Sparks_Fan, Trio, Reality_Check
: DAVE ROSENZWEIG, DANCAT, LakerBandit, TwoForOne7, HAWAIID,Chick4Ever
You Ever Notice? MarkyTheArky, Justin Leonard, FIishEye, Linda Pineda, Kidwell, Mel
BronxLakerFan ChitTownLaker, HoustonLaker, TexasLaker, BrazillianLaker, USCLaker
LakerNorth, LakerinBC, ROMY R, NIK KANNAN, Earth_Wind_&_Fire, FKIllah, TEEJ
AA Los, Wizo, Caeser, Maxximo, Wolf, Chuck23, 10MillionDollarZen, Man, Jeff Grotke
Lakers4Realz, Gino, Gabe, Darick, Floyd, Vincent, ROBYN, Khang, Old Scholol, TP,
Eddie Brock, Jandro, Paul Lee, AJAX, Mitchell, David In Spain, J_Doubter, Guy, Xtro,
Playa, Butler, Franky_J., Daryl, LakerDawg, DK,JC, The Dropper, Afro Joe, Jeff
MobWagoneer, PK-in-the-MESA, GreenPaz, Andy B, TIKI, HUBBIT, Jamie SWEET
SwanWorld, , Benny Blanca, MEL, AdamKiley, JUSTIN, CHRIS H, LADIESMAN
Linda Pineda, CaliKing, Thirty2, Aime Williams, Chucky .L.Ohno, Look Lonely, Kyle
LakerHolic, GDChild, Dion Centralk, Staples24, Robyn, Lakers08, Mel, J.D. Hastings
Laker_Fan, True Laker Fan, Passionate Laker Fan, LT Laker_Fan, Grail, DaxMDD
40YearFan, KillerEight, LOTEC9, LAKER_LARRY, Todd Battles, ASM, MikeAz,
LakaLover, Bynumite, CS, Baywood, LakerHopeful, Bobie, Gilly, MARCO64, Drew
Purple&Gold_4Eva, B4Hoops, HeWhoHoops, Jorema, Xtro, MCGarnagle, LENT
Gugy, Laker4Life, ASM, SAMLL, Pince Akrasian, EagleBoy, JR., BLKTHGHT06,
SighBrandon C. Tully Moxness, LakerBake, Sean74, Sead94, LongLiveChick
Kinglakernidas, RespectMyAuthorith, Hariyahu, Alexinh017, NESTROS BISTRO
LiveLakers, Blaze1Bx, Phred, Swettual, Tajluck, Violater, MARTY, KIKOS DAD
RicoTico, Lauria, Sean P. SocalSpider , Sambosola BigGameJames, Dascilla
JoninJAPAN(INCANADA), FRANCESCO, RHON SALMON, STUCKINNY
*
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES.
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY.
THE ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(6). THE
HOME OF WILT KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
BOB MCADOO, "BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH
THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER CHICK HEARN
COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOR

Great Larry Bird interview on the Dan Patrick show; lots of Laker related chat. He came across more relaxed than I’ve ever heard him.

The player (opponent) he remembers best from his career? Michael Cooper…and…he feels like throwing his MVP trophy away when he thinks of Kobe never having won one…calls Kobe the best by far and has been for several years…he’d trade one of his NBA championships for the college championship he lost to Magic…the old Celtics had a general rule that if an opponent tried to make a lay up you take him out…credits McHale taking out Rambis for championship over Lakers…talks to Magic every 1-2 months…does business with Magic…yeah…and lots of details about Cooper defending him, why Coop was so effective.

How about Paul Pierce throwing his gang signs at the Hawks? Pretty classy. I used to drive students around Carson and Long Beach and we were very aware of the dangers of a single ill thrown gang sign. Something like that can get the whole bus shot up.

Bad move. Bad omen for the Celtics.

And I say only an expansion team for that new stadium being built near downtown (near enough). No retreads, please. I’m willing to suffer the growing pains that come with a big fat new baby franchise. Heck I’ll even nurse it. I don’t have any milk in these nips here, but they do get pretty sweaty sometimes.

Can we avoid a team name that inspires thug love? I loved the Conquistadors idea with the mission bells that ring after a touchdown. Just no Raiders vibe, por favor.

And can somebody please rush a shipment of HGH to Andrew Jones? Looks like steroid blues to me.

Wes

K Bros. I have an Idea for the blog. . . how about a word maximum?!

Suns tried to learn how to play a completely different style of basketball in 2 months.

Neither team played great basketball but I'd bet SA 'gainst the Horn/jazz.

Either way, it's all falling into place for the Lakeshow.

Our toughest opponent right now is complacency. Time off isn't always a good thing, blogwise especially.

Time Wasting Question: is "blogwise" a noun or an oxymoron like "military intelligence"?

Laker Tom:

An award well earned and deserved. Your posts are always highly insightful and intelligent. As a basketball FAN, not a former player, your posts have greatly helped me inderstand the nuances of the game.

Thanks, and keep up the great work!

Denver is getting so much heat for their poor performance in the first round.

We're constantly hearing about how bad their defense was, how disorganized they were.

But doesn't the opponent count for anything?

I haven't seen any writer attack the angle of "Maybe the Lakers made Denver look worse than than they really are".

Just something to consider.

Whoops, guess I should have read the post in its entirety. Thank you David Nieman!

Az Rep is reporting Amare might not play for Team USA in the Olympics.

Meds are recommending to rest his knee over the summer. Amare has been committed to team USA and playing great, but as he said, he might not be able to go.

My question is, Who should replace him? Currently Miller is on the list of replacements, not a good choice. Kamaan will be playing for Team Germany.

I think Bynum would be a great compliment to Howard as a back up.

Assuming AB is fully healthy of course.

AB brings very good interior D and rebounding.

To AB's benefit, he could learn a whole lot about the game even if he doesn't play much. Not to mention the good PR he would get playing for his country.

On a slow Lakers news day, just thought I would ask?

LakerTom - congratulations on an honor well-deserved! I agree with Mamba24 - I really appreciate your insights - very educational for me & Laker Nation!

K Bros. I have an Idea for the blog. . . how about a word maximum?!

Posted by: JBizzo

____________________

Sounds like you have a problem with Mamba24's posts. Too bad - he's the Blog Demi-god (!!) that keeps us all together & fires us all up with his pronouncements & roll call. If you don't like it, there's a little scroll-wheel on your mouse that will get you past it and on to the next post.

Congrats Tom.
I always enjoy reading your insights and appreciate your GHF attitude.

How about that Luke Walton?? It took him the entire season to get it going, including a litany of injuries, but looking back at this last offseason, and the radical move to sign Walton to a long team deal similar to Radmonovichs’ at the same position, Kupchak gets another pat on the back and job well done. Many people on the Lakers’ blog were second guessing the signing early in the season, citing Walton’s lack of defense and lack of outside shooting ability. In this last series, he showed that he can ascertain another level of play come playoff time; shooting the ball extremely well, playing great one on one defense on DUI Melo, and exploited size mismatches on the offensive end. I was very pleased with Luke and now think that Kupchak must have been touched with the hand of god in the offseason, because he simply did not make any wrong moves after Kobe’s tirade. He deserves GM of the year for all the great decision he has made. And I for one believe in second chances, and I am giving myself one, for doubting Mitch and Luke. On another note, D-Fish is so much better than the point guards we since he left, does he ever miss an open shot in the playoffs, and I don’t even think I can jinx him…he is that good. I am so happy that the Lakers are showing this kind of playoff personality, it bodes well for the future. It did not happen by accident, they have achieved a level of excellence that is already perpetuated by the fact the Lakers are the most winning franchise in the modern era. They have 8 championship, and 12 Finals appearances since 1980, while only missing the playoffs twice since then. That is consistency and brilliances at its finest. Kobe for regular season MVP or I will do what I promised, no more bias, no more joke, time to get real.12 more victories to crown all of LA World Champions again.

Wes,

Thanks for the recap of the Bird interview. Good stuff!

Good Morning Charles---Good Morning Everyone....

I would also like to add my congrats and props to Laker Tom....well deserved recognition from Mamba 24...

Laker Tom is, in my opinion, one of the best, if not THE best blogger on this blog---his insightful and accurate posts kept me from blogging for years becasue he usually says what I would if I were more articulate.....

More often than not, I wish Laker Tom would just go ahead and add my name to his posts as part of an alliance of minds in this Laker Nation...

Thanks Laker Tom---keep it coming....

AS ALWAYS, AS EVER, YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!

GO LAKERS !!!

AK/BK,

Can you send this picture to David Stern?

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j284/kdbailey593/kg.jpg

Top 5 NBA players who THINK they are the shizznit, but are sorely mistaken:

1) Amare Stoudemire
2) Gilbert Arenas
3) Carmelo Anthony
4) Ron Artest
5) Kenyon Martin

7 MINUTES TO PURPLE AND GOLD AND BLUE

Mamba24,

I respectively request a seat on the dawn of the new dynasty bus---I've been thru them all except the George Mikan era...I rode shotgun with Jerry West, James Worthy, and Rick Fox....

This new dynasty may be the best ever and it's gonna be a hell of a ride indeed.....

GO LAKERS !!!

J .W. Weatherman,

Your list is quite accurate indeed---Huzzah sir....

GO LAKERS !!!

Please allow me to throw a little dirt on the Suns-- come on, I've been waiting fo so long:

Top 5 reasons why the Suns are ready to implode -- and Laker counter-parallels:

5. Kerr and D'Antoni each think they are smarter than the other and that's a recipe for disaster because of lack of agreement on player personnel choices.

(Mitch and Phil don't have that problem because Mitch runs all player decisions through Phil)

4. The current Shaq's mouth writes checks his body can't cover. The Suns bought into Shaq's big talk and Shaq believed it when he said it, but his body can no longer produce. That missed dunk in the 4th quarter was a telling sign of what Shaq is and what he used to be.

(Lakers ultimately made the correct decision of trading Shaq and not paying him huge money)

3. Mr. Two Time MVP averaging single digit assists the last few games is the mark of an end of an era of "run and gun", which never worked at its peak.

(Phil knows that without defense, there is no championship – he never sacrifices defensive intensity for scoring.)

2. Glaring mental mistakes when the game is on the line. The Suns look great when they are way ahead and their mistakes are masked, but put them in a close game and low basketball IQ by Amare and Diaw is so glaring that physical talent can not compensate for.

(Phil likes Luke specifically for his IQ – his method is to surround Kobe with players that can do something smart with the ball in crunch time)

1. Robert Horry -- Big Shot Rob's biggest shot was checking Nash into the scorer's table. This has directly resulted in the Suns as you see them today.

Congrats Laker Tom!! Yes, insightful and yet not erudite to the point of being alienating (like that sentence : ).

BTW, some day I'm going to arrogate powers to myself and make Mamba24 the honorary Lakers blogger of the day. You rock too.

And FU to whomever wants to call me a brownnoser for saying it.

GO LAKERS!!!

Remember Trevor?

Poor JO!
http://tinyurl.com/5ymlm9

Remember Trevor #3

Gone - Zo.
http://tinyurl.com/45d49d

Final Remember Trevor

Some ole Ny to the O stuff
http://tinyurl.com/6ndvv8

Some Laker High's
http://tinyurl.com/66o7jz

My problem is I like everyone.

Weatherman you crack me up but you can't crack on Mamba's roll call. It's puts a Fisher smile on my face.

On that note, Larry, I want on the 4th Dynasty wagon if there's room. (I actually had asked to be on the 16 wins bandwagon as "keeper of the brooms" -- which proved prophetic -- but I think you missed that post.)