The tune up game, so to speak

Let's go lake show!

"We got something for the Suns"-Jordan Farmar.

I love his confidence and Im glad he rebounded tonight afer his "bad" game against Portland. His DEEP 3 at the end of the half was pretty sweet. Whether some bloggers like him or not he is def. going to be getting a lot of extra burn with Fishers injury. I hope he steps up to the challenge.

I also thought it was interesting what Farmar said about the second team flowing without a starter having to dominate the ball. The Lakers are a team, it shouldn't be first team and second team on the floor, only in practice. I understand Kobe demands the ball but the offense should always be flowing regardless of who is on the floor.

Anyways, great win tonight, lets keep it rolling tomorrow.

GO LAKERS

THE LAKERS FUTURE IS BRIGHTEST IN NBA

-------------------------------------------------------------

Regardless of when or whether Andrew Bynum finally plays this year, the Lakers still have the brightest future in the NBA. They not only have the greatest player in the game in Kobe Bryant but also the next great Lakers center and future superstar in Andrew Bynum. To top that off, they also have arguably one of the best pair of forwards in the league in Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Throw in a championship-proven point guard in Derek Fisher and the Lakers will be able to trot out the most talented starting lineup in the NBA.

Add an extremely deep and talented bench with Vladimir Radmanovich, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, and Ronny Turiaf, a Hall of Fame coach in Phil Jackson, the best owner in the league in Jerry Buss, and the heritage, legacy, and mystique of the greatest and most storied franchise in the history of basketball. Then top it off with the best sports blog in the world where the best fans in the world can celebrate their team.

When you look at where we are right now, there is no reason for any Lakers fan to feel anything but blessed. Not only have we won 14 championships and thrilled to legendary superstars like Jerry, Gail, Elgin, Wilt, Magic, Jamaal, James, Kareem, and Shaq wearing purple and gold but now we will be able to cheer for Kobe, Drew, Pau, Lamar, Fish, et al and watch another Lakers dynasty unfold as we dominate the rest of the NBA. Whether it happens this year or next, the entire NBA knows the Lakers are back and in a big way.

I actually am not surprised at the additional week (or longer) delay in Andrew coming back. I remarked before that that the news that his knee did not react to the airplane trip was ominous news. We all agree there is no question of risking Andrew playing if there is any risk of re-injury. The Lakers are right to be very conservative, even if it means that Andrew does not play. Andrew will win multiple championships with Kobe and probably several more after Kobe is long gone. He’s our next franchise player, whom we are incredibly fortunate enough to get while Kobe is still in the prime of his career.

Spero just played a quote of Phil responding to a question of whether the Lakers might be better off to just shut Andrew down for the year if his recovery continues to drag along. Phil basically answered that there was absolutely zero chance of that happening, inferring that the question was silly. Andrew just needs more time to get fully healthy, Phil said, and he will play as soon as he is able to contribute, whenever that will be. Period.

At any rate, let’s not shed any tears if Drew can’t come back in time or we can’t win it all this year. That is not to say that we still don’t have a good chance to go the distance. It is just a recognition that no matter what else happens the rest of this year, the Lakers are blessed and set to dominate the NBA for the next decade. It’s hard to really cry and bemoan our circumstances when we are the envy of the NBA.

So just relax, put on your shades, and enjoy the ride into the brightest future in the NBA. If Drew comes back and/or we still manage to win it all with just Pau, then smile because it’s just frosting on our cake and a one-year jump start building our next Lakers dynasty. You still will have seen nothing compared to what is to come.

After all, we all know that God is a Lakers fan. Get well, Drew. We love you.

Tom

Kobe, needs to act like a grown man against Hornets and not shoot his way to losing MVP. He must be determined yet controlled. He should chose his shots carefully making sure to get his teammates involved. 9 rings needs to play Farmar more against Chris Paul. No more than 25 minutes for DFish.

Good Morning Charles.
Good Morning: East Coast Jessie - My Latina Princess
Good Morning : Faith - My Queen of the Defense & Birthday Lady
Good Morning My Soldiers Boz, Toad, Pig Miller, JustAnotherMambafan
Jon K., LakerTom, JJ
WHAT TIME IS IT? I CAN'T HEAR YA!
WHAT TIME IS IT! A LITTLE LOUDER
WHAT TIME IS IT:
IT'S LAKERS DESTROY NEW ORLEANS AND KOBE WINS
THE MVP TIME. GET UP SOLDIERS TIME TO SEEK AND DESTROY!
GAAAMMEE DAAAAAAYYYYYY! CHAARRRGEEEEE!!!!

Goo Morning Laker Fans!!!

BIG GAME DAY!!!!

Waiting for the Roll Call...

*_____________________________*
55 WIN TONIGHT BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) LAKERTOM______________(36) ISSANG
(02) MAMBA24_______________(37) WHITE_MAMBA24 _
(03) LONG_TIME_LAKER_FAN__(38) PURPLE&GOLDDEREK
(04) JUNO___________________(39) THIRTY
(05) GENERIC_ONE___________(40) BLACK_MAMBA24
(06) HOBBITMAGE____________(41) JUSTIN
(07) MARTY__________________42) VIOLATER
(08) DAVID WHANG___________(43) SHAQ_FAN
(09) ROKY___________________(44) ISSANG
(10) KEIFO___________________(45) WHITE MAMBA24
(11) VIOLATER________________(46) LAKALOV
(12) DICE8UP_________________(47) EASTCOASTJESSIE
(13) HUBBIT__________________(48) Q WUOR
(14) BD______________________(49) LAKERAHOLI
(15) JONNIN IN JAPAN__________(50) TSIRY
(16) ALEXINHO17______________(51) DREW
(17) TWOODY_________________(52) Nestro’s Bistro
(18) KIWI_____________________(53) BLAZE1B
(19) FEARLESS WHACK JOB_____(54) BZAR
(20) DAN DAN THE LAKER FAN___(55) CBUCK
(21) LAKERSRYDORDIE________(56) OUTSIDERGUA
(22) GIANT SQUID_____________(57) HOUSTON_LAKER
(23) TALIQ___________________(58) JEFF
(24) SLO GAL_________________(59) JOE_DUB
(25) DEREK__________________(60) CHRIS
(26) NIK KANNAN_____________(61) utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER
(27) BOB____________________(62) THE_CAT
(28) FAITH___________________(63) CHUCKY.L.OHNIO
(29) LAKER_LOVER___________(64) RIPSYCHEDLAKER
(30) COMPLEX_BROTHA_______(65) RICK FRIEDMAN
(31) LAKERSRYDORDIE _________(66) GIANT SQUID

Good morning Laker Nation,

It's always a beautiful day after a W. I'm glad the Lakers rewarded Faith for being the great fan she is with a victory. Every time she evoke Chick it brings a chill down my spine.

Last night, the Lakers literally picked on a cripple. The Clips are a team far more riddled with injuries than the Lakers. Tonight against the Hornets, it won't be so easy. I watched them play on Sunday and they are dangerous.

Sorry, but I don't buy the theory that the starters were pacing themselves to leave some fuel in the tank for tonight's match-up. Can you remember the last time they came out of the opening tip with focus, determination, and playing Defense? I can't. The Lakers are a team with enormous talent, and a just-as-enormous character flaw.

Thursday night, the only vodka I needed was to toast Faith (in absentia) on her birthday. I wake up today wondering how early in the game I will need to pull the shot glass out of the cupboard.

A championship is built as much on character as it is on talent. Tonight will require reaching down deep and displaying the qualities a Champion needs for 48 minutes. Go Lakers!

Gooooood Moooorning my fellow Laker fans.

Feeling great after a stress-less win last night and it's GGGGGGAAAAAAMMMMMMMEEEEEE DDDDDAAAAAYYY again people! Woooooo!

Let's show these Hornets what a true MVP & company looks like.

Hope Luke Walton has some shooting left in him for tonight and against the Spurs.. but, most players shoot better when there is less pressure. maybe that was the case.

Kobe hasn't played consistent MVP basketball in recent games.. it was nice to see some defensive intensity in the middle part of the game from him.. but he was out of it on offense.. taking stupid quick threes and also making some of his shots difficult by being indecisive and putting the ball on the floor rather than take the catch and shoot opportunities that was given to him. Also, it looks like we'll need him at SF to help Gasol and Odom on the boards.. those two alone aren't getting it done.

Fisher looked awful.

See you tonight Chris Paul and the Hornets.

Why the Clips fans keep on booing Kobe? The thing is, they are out of the playoffs and they are from Los Angeles. Kobe plays for Los Angeles. Kobe brings the name Los Angeles. come on clips fans. That's why Rony Turiaf danced last night. He is upset with the clips fans.

Go Lakers

Good morning Mamba24, good morning Charles & a GREAT BIG WOOOHOOOO to the UNBELIEVABLE LAKER NATION!!!

What a win -what a game - can't wait for the repeat tonight!

Mamba24 - you seem to have left me off the "55 win" bandwagon - please put me back on there. Don't know what happened....!!

I AM SOOOO EXCITED (and I think I like it) about how we played last night, and how we'll do tonight. I personally would love to give a great big LAKER SHOUT OUT to BShaw. Dude should read the riot act to the guards before EVERY game & tell them about playing some D!!

I'm dancing like Ronny (except hopefully I won't get clocked for it...) and this little number came into my head.

Sung to the tune of Mamba#5:

A little bit of Kobe in the post
A little bit of LO coast to coast
A little bit of Sasha playing D
A little bit of Bill's boy draining three's
A little bit of BEAST waitin' in the wings
A little bit of PJ with 10 rings

Feel free to change, imbellish or otherwise ignore...

IT'S GAME DAY BABY!!!!

GO LAKER!!

The BEAN for MVP AND FINALS MVP or NO PEACE!

Laker Tom, i bow to you sir.
your posts are always insightful, articulate & spot on!!
Respect.

-Fowl Out

Greetings Laker Nation,and fans it's( happy Friday) end of the work week.
it is also laker basket ball tonight this game is going to be one of those sit at the edge of your seat type of game.
Wish I could see it as it happens have to work Laker Nation,and fans enjoy the game.

Here's a beauty from Hoopsworld:

"The Politics of Postseason Picks

By: Bill Ingram Last Updated: 4/11/08 1:16 AM ET | 529 times read

Adjust font size:There is one question that comes up more than any other in April around the NBA: Who's the MVP? Fans across the country chant "MVP!" for Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and a dozen others. Most of them are going to be disappointed, because only one player will win the award.

But who should win the award?

Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA. There is absolutely no argument. As one person commented on Wendell Maxey's article earlier this week, if all the NBA players were in a pool and you had the first pick, you'd pick Kobe first. Sure you would. But that's not how teams work. You have a group of players and a limited ability to change that group. The MVP is the player who you can add to your team who makes everyone else better and helps that team achieve excellence.

Who's your pick now?

For Byron Scott and the New Orleans Hornets that pick was Chris Paul, and it's hard to argue with the results. Entering the season as the lone All-Star on his team, he pushed his team to the top of the Western Conference and they've stayed there for much of the season. He made David West an All-Star and has Bulls fans wondering why they gave up on Tyson Chandler so soon and he's revived Peja Stojakovic's career. Paul encourages his teammates, lifts them up, pushes them to perform at ever-high levels. Chris Paul is truly an MVP.

Can you say the same about Kobe? All summer he demanded a trade, demanded roster moves, demanded, demanded, demanded. He demeaned his teammates publicly, expressing a complete lack of faith in their abilities. Even as the season started he fueled trade rumors by the dozens, distracting his team from reaching their true potential. The trade for Pau Gasol propelled the Lakers to the top of the West and made Kobe look like an MVP candidate . . .yet now the Lakers are sitting around waiting for Andrew Bynum to return so they can try and mount a serious run up to and through the playoffs. If Kobe's the MVP, why are the Lakers waiting for a 21-year-old kid to save them? Chris Paul didn't demand another All-Star – he produced one.

Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA, but is he the Most Valuable? The award isn't called the Best Player in the World Award (BPWA). If it was, Kobe would have his name plastered on the trophy. But this award is about more than just who's the best individual player."

Wes

Posted by: wesjoenixon | April 11, 2008 at 06:44 AM

wes,

Thanks for the article mate. I'll just say that it was the most bullcrap that I've read in a while. These writers seriously need to drop the same old tired rhetoric and just proclaim their hatred of Kobe Bean Bryant instead of conjuring up weak a$$ arguments as to why Paul should be the MVP instead.

I think to say that Paul "produced" an All-Star in David West is an insult to West' abilities and hard work. Magic did not " produce" All-Stars in James Worthy and Kareem Abdul Jabbar although Magic did make life a lot easier for them and vice versa. The real beauty of Magic's game was getting more out of lesser players and having them play at a higher level than expected(Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Mychal Thompson, Sam Perkins, Vlade Divac, AC Green, etc.) It's obvious that Shaq didn't "produce" Kobe into an All-Star, but he may have helped accelerate the process. As for the Tyson Chandler project, sometimes players thrive more in a different system and find their niche even as a late bloomer(rebounding, blocks). Tyson was in system in Chicago that didn't utilize his strengths and was playing with guards that had a shoot first mentality. Does anyone really think that Tyson wouldn't do well playing alongside other point guards such as Nash, Williams and J Kidd? By the way, Andrew Bynum was second behind Dwight Howard in dunks before getting injured which means that it's possible that Chandler would've played well alongside Kobe as well(Kobe was responsible for most of the lobs thrown to Bynum for dunks). I seriously doubt that Paul could've "produced" anything out of Kwame Brown.

Now here's a point that many people may argue with me about. Peja Stojakovic has been a great shooter for a long time and no matter where he's played(Sac, IND, NO). I think that assists is an overrated statistic at times just as leading the league in steals doesn't make you a great defender or land you on the All-Defensive Team(just ask Allen Iverson who has been a ball thief throughout his career, but has never been known as a great defender). Can anyone here say that Peja wouldn't be doing the same thing with the Lakers if he had the same open looks that Sasha, Fish, Farmar, Rad and Luke get every game because of the all the attention that Kobe gets from opposing defenses? My point is that even when passers find the open shooters, shooters still must knock down their shots in order for it to be an assist. While Kobe may not be the passer that Paul is, Kobe still leads the Lakers in assists while being the leading scorer as well.

While LO may have more potential and may be more versatile, David West has been more consistent the past two years than LO. I'm not taking anything away from Paul, but to say hear and read people say things like Kobe has better players around him and that Kobe doesn't make people better is just ridiculous when you think about how some of his mates are having their best season. Paul has an All-Star in David West and a former All-Star in Peja. Kobe has an All-Star in Pau Gasol and a All-Star teaser in Lamar Odom. We'll find out a lot more tonight.

Can anyone name how many All-Stars that Magic, Stockton, Mark Jackson, Steve Nash and Jason Kidd have "produced"? By that I mean players that wouldn't be considered All-Star caliber, but were "produced" into All-Stars as a result by playing with the players mentioned in my question.

Here's a beauty from Hoopsworld:

"The Politics of Postseason Picks

By: Bill Ingram Last Updated: 4/11/08 1:16 AM ET | 529 times read

Adjust font size:There is one question that comes up more than any other in April around the NBA: Who's the MVP? Fans across the country chant "MVP!" for Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and a dozen others. Most of them are going to be disappointed, because only one player will win the award.

But who should win the award?

Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA. There is absolutely no argument. As one person commented on Wendell Maxey's article earlier this week, if all the NBA players were in a pool and you had the first pick, you'd pick Kobe first. Sure you would. But that's not how teams work. You have a group of players and a limited ability to change that group. The MVP is the player who you can add to your team who makes everyone else better and helps that team achieve excellence.

Who's your pick now?

For Byron Scott and the New Orleans Hornets that pick was Chris Paul, and it's hard to argue with the results. Entering the season as the lone All-Star on his team, he pushed his team to the top of the Western Conference and they've stayed there for much of the season. He made David West an All-Star and has Bulls fans wondering why they gave up on Tyson Chandler so soon and he's revived Peja Stojakovic's career. Paul encourages his teammates, lifts them up, pushes them to perform at ever-high levels. Chris Paul is truly an MVP.

Can you say the same about Kobe? All summer he demanded a trade, demanded roster moves, demanded, demanded, demanded. He demeaned his teammates publicly, expressing a complete lack of faith in their abilities. Even as the season started he fueled trade rumors by the dozens, distracting his team from reaching their true potential. The trade for Pau Gasol propelled the Lakers to the top of the West and made Kobe look like an MVP candidate . . .yet now the Lakers are sitting around waiting for Andrew Bynum to return so they can try and mount a serious run up to and through the playoffs. If Kobe's the MVP, why are the Lakers waiting for a 21-year-old kid to save them? Chris Paul didn't demand another All-Star – he produced one.

Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA, but is he the Most Valuable? The award isn't called the Best Player in the World Award (BPWA). If it was, Kobe would have his name plastered on the trophy. But this award is about more than just who's the best individual player."

Wes

Posted by: wesjoenixon | April 11, 2008 at 06:44 AM

wes,

Thanks for the article mate. I'll just say that it was the most bullcrap that I've read in a while. These writers seriously need to drop the same old tired rhetoric and just proclaim their hatred of Kobe Bean Bryant instead of conjuring up weak a$$ arguments as to why Paul should be the MVP instead.

I think to say that Paul "produced" an All-Star in David West is an insult to West' abilities and hard work. Magic did not " produce" All-Stars in James Worthy and Kareem Abdul Jabbar although Magic did make life a lot easier for them and vice versa. The real beauty of Magic's game was getting more out of lesser players and having them play at a higher level than expected(Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Mychal Thompson, Sam Perkins, Vlade Divac, AC Green, etc.) It's obvious that Shaq didn't "produce" Kobe into an All-Star, but he may have helped accelerate the process. As for the Tyson Chandler project, sometimes players thrive more in a different system and find their niche even as a late bloomer(rebounding, blocks). Tyson was in system in Chicago that didn't utilize his strengths and was playing with guards that had a shoot first mentality. Does anyone really think that Tyson wouldn't do well playing alongside other point guards such as Nash, Williams and J Kidd? By the way, Andrew Bynum was second behind Dwight Howard in dunks before getting injured which means that it's possible that Chandler would've played well alongside Kobe as well(Kobe was responsible for most of the lobs thrown to Bynum for dunks). I seriously doubt that Paul could've "produced" anything out of Kwame Brown.

Now here's a point that many people may argue with me about. Peja Stojakovic has been a great shooter for a long time and no matter where he's played(Sac, IND, NO). I think that assists is an overrated statistic at times just as leading the league in steals doesn't make you a great defender or land you on the All-Defensive Team(just ask Allen Iverson who has been a ball thief throughout his career, but has never been known as a great defender). Can anyone here say that Peja wouldn't be doing the same thing with the Lakers if he had the same open looks that Sasha, Fish, Farmar, Rad and Luke get every game because of the all the attention that Kobe gets from opposing defenses? My point is that even when passers find the open shooters, shooters still must knock down their shots in order for it to be an assist. While Kobe may not be the passer that Paul is, Kobe still leads the Lakers in assists while being the leading scorer as well.

While LO may have more potential and may be more versatile, David West has been more consistent the past two years than LO. I'm not taking anything away from Paul, but to say hear and read people say things like Kobe has better players around him and that Kobe doesn't make people better is just ridiculous when you think about how some of his mates are having their best season. Paul has an All-Star in David West and a former All-Star in Peja. Kobe has an All-Star in Pau Gasol and a All-Star teaser in Lamar Odom. We'll find out a lot more tonight.

Posted by: | April 11, 2008 at 10:29 AM

Ne, Wes

Ne, you are right on about Kobe. So lWes let me add that since we are comparing Kobe to Paul, I will stick with Kobe.

Now ask this about Paul. Is he playing with a pinkey finger torn off? Is he playing with multiple ankle and groin pulls and getting banged with little fouls called on him when he gets banged? No.

Is he playing with our best two defensive players out? Is he playing when we lost both our main Centers although Pau is back but still not 100%?

With all these things and Kobe gets bias all the time against him how would Paul react if under the same circumstances?
If Kobe does not play perfect ball he is ball hog, relunctant to shoot when he should take over, not play all star defense and all star offense every game? Give me a break.
Paul would have wilted long long ago.
He is great player but not up to Kobe standards by a long shot.
Think of these point also as the ones Ne pointed out.
Do you still pick Paul over Kobe?

*___________________________________*
KOBE BRYANT DOES NOT
WIN THE MVP BECAUSE WHEN HAS THE LAST
MVP, WON THE CHAMPIONSHP THE SAME YEAR?
*___________________________________*

IT'S A CURSE. FOOLS GOLD.

LAST 4 YEARS.

2006-07 - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2005-06 - Steve Nash, Phoenix
2004-05 - Steve Nash, Phoenix
2003-04 - Kevin Garnett, Minnesota

NO KOBE. NO MVP. WASTE OF TIME LIKE THESE BANDWAGON SHOUT OUTS!