Well, that didn't take long

More panic moves by two franchises who used to have a clue.

ET TU BRUTUS:

Lakers did well in round one, beyond my expectations, and may even get past the Utah or Huston (maybe) but Hornets are pretty scary. There is a remote chance that if the Lakers make it to the finals, then Lebron and gang will be tooooo dang strong for SOFT lakers without the PARTY KID Andrew Bynum.

I smell TREASON, et tu Brutus...

Check out the Party Kid's escapades below:

http://cohn.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2192520&cohn

I hope this is not true of Bynum but if it is then I SAY TRADE THE KID FOR a young POWER FORWARD who is honorable. If I am in a bloody WAR then I would prefer men with courage and honesty around me and not liars and cheat!!

Et Tu Brutus!

Johnny,

While I think individual match-ups definitely make a difference on how well Luke plays, the single main reason Luke is playing better right now is that he is once again playing with confidence. You can see if when he shoots, goes for rebounds, and plays defense.

Whether you’re playing in the NBA or on the playground, basketball is first and foremost about confidence, about believing in your game and your abilities. When you have it in spades, the rim is four feet wide and everybody else is moving in slow motion. When you lose it, it’s as if your feet are stuck in quicksand and every move you make uncertain.

Luke has always been a very smart basketball player who was somewhat limited by his lack of physical ability and lack of confidence. We have seen in the past how his lack of confidence often led him to make mistakes by not taking shots at critical times at ends of games, by allowing his lack of confidence to undermine his high basketball intelligence.

With several lingering injuries holding him back, his shot clanging, and his confidence waning, this was a very tough season for Luke, especially considering he had just signed a 5-year $30M contract. All of a sudden, Luke became Puke, the blog-wide target for disgruntled Lakers fans, which I am sure was trying for a longtime favorite like Luke.

Finally healthy, however, Luke slowly has worked himself back to where he is able to use his high basketball IQ to be successful. Luke, much like Lamar, is the type of glue type of player who looks to pass first and helps the Lakers be so dominant in their Triangle Offense. Now that he has his confidence back, Luke once again, like Lamar, is filling the Lakers stat sheet with points, boards, assists, steals, and even blocked shots.

We really owe Phil Jackson a great thanks for sticking with Luke when most of us – me included – would have exiled the guy to the end of the bench until next year. Now, Luke is playing even better than he did early last year and the Lakers have a total of 12 players on the roster playing the best basketball of their entire careers as they peak steamrolling through the playoffs as the only undefeated team.

Tom

Dang!

F the Celtics!

--Fearless

I WONDER WHY?

Why is there a shortage of new coaches coming into the NBA league?

Why the same old coaches get hired with such great accolades (blaha blaha blaha) and then few years later are fired?

Why don't these coaches have pride to not come back and knowing that they will be fired?

Why are these OLD fogeys of coaches hanging around for some owNers to throw bones at them?

I say why why why?

Why is Doug Moe still around?

Why is Dick Motta not wanting to come back?

Why is Hubie Brown not wanting to make another come back?

Why is Jack Ramsey not wanting to coach again?

The DEEP THOUGHTS!!

Et Tu Brutus

Is your nick name Et Tu Brute?

I disagree with that firing. Success takes a process. Dallas needed a hardcore, vocal veteran who could instill aggression and passion in the Mavs. Avery seems to be a passionate coach, but with wimps like Dirk leading the pack, I can see how his team became gutless. It wasn't his fault. Too bad for Avery. I hope they get D'Atoni next.

The dude is 20 years old.

What's the big deal if he was at the party? Was he drinking? Smoking out? No. I am pretty sure he was not break dancing. Shuffling back and forth with a girl on each arm is not that physically taxing. haha

I am guessing that this writer is pretty old and doesn't remember what its like being 20. Relax.

Let the dude enjoy his youth. If you want a robot that only does what you think he should, join China and make a basketball baby that you raise for b-ball only (Yao Ming).

Et Tu Brutus,

I was also disappointed that Bynum was partying during the playoffs when he should be home rehabbing or resting his knee.

But it's not the end of the world. He should have a taste of college life, even if he passed up on college. It's good for him. He just needs to wait until the playoffs are over before he starts hitting frat parties.

Regarding the Hornets....

The Hornets aren't all that scary to me... Chris Paul is.

Farmar and Fisher are going to have to practice taking charges and moving quickly to their lateral left, because if you watch Paul, he's damned quick, but he always goes to his right. He's so quick that if you're able to block his path, it'll trap him into getting a charge foul.

Stepping quickly into his path as he rushes the net and not getting sucked into a double team is the way to stop him. If you double team him, he dishes it off to one of his shooters. Farmar and Fisher are going to have to stop him one-on-one.

God, I hope Ariza is back soon. He can stop that kind of penetration.

GO LAKERS!

Gasol has def. had a huge impact on the NBA. If the Lakers never got Gasol I doubt Dallas would have gotten Kidd (Although maybe), and I really don't think the Suns would have gotten the Big Mistake. Due to those bad trades their team lost in the 1st round and now atlaest one coach is done. Both teams are currently in shambles and while they were at one point close to a championship (Dallas really close). Both teams got older which won't help them in future years. The point of this post is that the Lakers are like GE stock, they might be down at some points but over the long run they are the best of the best. Im proud and happy to be a Laker fan.

GO LAKERS

On the Dan Patrick Show, Larry Bird said that coaches have about three years before they start getting tuned out. The exceptions he stated were Jerry Sloan, Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley.

Jerry Sloan just has ultimate job security, so the players know they're not going to force him out, so they can't tune him out, or they will be gone.

Pat Riley, well, he only coaches when the circumstances are in his favor. Same could be said of Phil Jackson - BEFORE he took the current job of the Lakers, so that's out the window.

I think that really is PJ's calling card, the way he doesn't grind his players into submission, but lets them find their way through his guidance. He doesn't burn teams out.

Brian Kamenetzky

Which set of multiples do you like from Jon and Kate? Honestly, I think Maddy from the first set is a jealous bitc#$%!

LUKE is a very smart player simply because it is in his DNA, besides he fits like a glove into Lakers Triangle offense. I for one have never questioned Luke's abilities and felt he was unjustly criticized by fair weather Laker fans who drank beer and got noisy for the occasion and then threw up on Luke's lap.

The only adjustment that Luke had to make was coming out from the college program where he was the go to guy and a star and then with Lakers being a role player. Kudos to Luke for making the adjustment. Luke can play and is a very valuable asset.

Go Luke may the power be with you son!

Deep Thoughts!

frank1rizzo

Or cook roasted duck.

Got Anthony Bourdain?

There are all kinds of lessons re: poker, business and life in comparing the very different reactions of Cuban and Buss to adversity.

Charles yuo wrote:

Et Tu Brutus

Is your nick name Et Tu Brute?

Posted by: Charles |

Are you ever going to write something co herent that has more than one sentence or be a smart ass with one liners?

If you must know then call me BIG DADDY and not Et Tu Brute..oooh maybe you like thme brutes LOL

Big Daddy

Bynum went to a party with his girlfriend and her friend who go to UCLA. He wasn't skipping a rehab session, wasn't seen drinking, he wasn't breakdancing, and most importantly he wasn't arrested on suspicion of rape like someone else who was supposed to be rehabbing his knee in Denver, CO a while back.

Get over it.

I think the Spurs will have gas to pass the Hornets.
Their experience will prevail in the end.

Lakers x Spurs, WC finals.

Charles, in a similar idea to that,

NBA top 5 Gangsta players (or wanksta)
Not talking about looking like a thug, but actually affiliated with them.

PG - Jarret Jack (seen him thrown signs at the camera)
SG - Allen Iverson (Dynasty Raiders?)
SF - Paul Pierce (throwing the B)
PF - Stephen Jackson (hangs red bandana in his locker)
C - ?

Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 30, 2008 at 11:47 AM

Sabonis? Ukraine Mafia? Lol. Don't know bro got me on that.

LakerTom,

I would not necessarily equate confidence with basketball IQ. While I agree with you that confidence is "first and foremost" in basketball, it is not directly correlated to the intelligence quotient of the player. What it does is, it affects the decision-making process of the individual.
Case in point: During one of our losses in the regular season (I could not recall which game exactly), Luke could not inbound the ball late in the 4th period and he failed to call a time-out. I am sure he must have felt like a fool after the game because of that incident. I believe he lost his composure but not necessarily his IQ at that instance.

I think it'd be perfect if Avery and D'Antoni just switched jobs.

D'Antoni could run n' gun with Kidd, Howard and Dirk, while Avery could slow down the game and teach the Suns how to play defense...

frank1rizzo:

I agree that age is a factor, firstly that is a lame answer. The fact of the matter is no one asked this 20 year dude to join the professional ranks. This 20 year old dude had options and choices to make i.e. to forgoe college life and enter the professional ranks. He is not in college duh! but a working professional. Discipline grass hopper is the essence that followed by accoountability and committment is the key to his success. Perhaps, bynum should STOP listening to his Uncle Franky who wants to spoil him haha!!

Deep Thoughts

I might be remembering this wrong, can someone help me out?

In the very first play of Game 1 vs. the Thuggets, didn't Kobe block AI's jumpshot?

Just trying to settle a personal bet.

D'antoni and Avery should just switch jobs.
It won't matter who they get to replace them.
When you look at the past coaches who have won it all in the last decade there is only a handful of names. Riley, PJ, Pop, Brown, Bob Hill*(notice the asterisk :P)
They should be happy they made the playoffs.

Frank1Rizzo speaks the truth: why the hell would you think that frat party attendance somehow means a dude is ready for playoff basketball?

partying with gyros isn't my idea of a good time but am i really supposed to fault the dude for partying with college girls? "Hey 'drew, we're having a party - plenty of free drinks and girls ready to party!" He's supposed to say no? you expect him to stay cloistered until lawrence tanter introduces him as a starter? please...

in the meantime, put me on the ARIZA CAN BRING US A CHAMPIONSHIP BANDWAGON!!

J.W. Weatherman you wrote:

I might be remembering this wrong, can someone help me out?

In the very first play of Game 1 vs. the Thuggets, didn't Kobe block AI's jumpshot?

Just trying to settle a personal bet.

Posted by: J.W. Weatherman

Luca and Pauley are on their way to pay you a visit so sooner the answer yuo get then better it is for all. hahah!

Kapish!

The Mob Boss

Mike D is a gonner!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jack_mccallum/04/30/suns.dantonio/index.html

So far the NBA games are just winding up many coaches have already been fired or resigned: Avery Johnson, Sam Vincent, George Karl, Isiah Thomas and Pat Riley. More are coming still in the discussions like D'Antoni, Sam Mitchell, Mike Dunleavy, Flip Saunders and PJ Carlesimo.

Is it the fault of the coaches if the players today high contract players with big egos refused to play. It is a case to case basis, isn't it? Like for example Karl, Johnson and D'Antoni, they brought the team to the playoffs but got knocked out by better teams in the 1st round, does it merit change in course or tweaking the team? There is no perfect solution for that question, it will just be changing teams with same faces.

"Are you ever going to write something co herent that has more than one sentence or be a smart ass with one liners?

If you must know then call me BIG DADDY and not Et Tu Brute..oooh maybe you like thme brutes LOL

Big Daddy"

Posted by: Big Daddy | April 30, 2008 at 02:16 PM

You mean as coherent as typing "co herent" and them as "thme." Nice too see you multi post again. It was just a question. Don't be so insecure little papa.

The Kamenetzky Blog: Where Big Daddy Cares...

oxOXOxoX For you that means:
little hug - little kiss, Big Hug - Big Kiss, Big Hug - little kiss, little hug - Big Kiss

Mike D'Antoni is the right coach for Dallas.

Avery J. is the right Coach for Phoenix

On Bynum~

The kid has been busting his butt trying to get back. On Kareem's blog the Capt. mentioned Drew is having a tough time coping with his first NBA injury, not playing or being available for the biggest playoff run of his time with the Lakers. So in my book there is nothing wrong with him being at a party, perhaps clearing his mind. Remember he's 20 yrs. old. He's not on the active roster, and as far as I know no one got hurt by his appearance. Lighten up or get a life!

Charles, in a similar idea to that,

NBA top 5 Gangsta players (or wanksta)
Not talking about looking like a thug, but actually affiliated with them.

PG - Jarret Jack (seen him thrown signs at the camera)
SG - Allen Iverson (Dynasty Raiders?)
SF - Paul Pierce (throwing the B)
PF - Stephen Jackson (hangs red bandana in his locker)
C - ?

Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 30, 2008 at 11:47 AM

Sabonis? Ukraine Mafia? Lol. Don't know bro got me on that.

Posted by: Charles | April 30, 2008 at 02:28 PM

Hey Charles,

You can plug in Tyson Chandler of Compton, CA as your gangsta Center. He once claimed several years back that he was once affiliated with a gang. Don't forget about Caron Butler too who was incarcerated as a youth and was known as a thug before turning his life around. The NBA where changed lives happens!!!

I feel like both Phoenix and Dallas made moves to win now. I feel like neither team gave their new guys enough time to integrate into the team. Gasol's rapid integration into the Lakers was very anomolous.

At the same time, I've seen what look to me like serious mistakes in execution from both Avery Johnson and D'Antoni, particularly in the playoffs. Both are obviously great regular season coaches. D'Antoni should have been able to do better with such a talented roster, but he didn't and that tells me enough.

I do believe both franchises are making panic moves (I mean Shaq for Marion now--you gotta be kidding me), but it seems unfair if the coach's are penalized when they can't completely change how they're playing with 35 games left in the season.

I'm starting to really wonder about NBA players. It seems that many are lazy and just do whatever the hell they feel like doing. I talked to a strength and conditioning guy recently and he told me almost no players in the NBA will work with strength and conditioning coaches during the regular season. They don't listen to coaches unless they think the coach can't be fired. It's just crazy. There must be a way to give coaches and training staff more power over the players. Otherwise, you have teams like Dallas, Phoenix and Denver not going far in the playoffs with some of the most talented rosters. As an NBA fan, I don't like that. It's the athleticism and talent that at many times is the most entertaining part of watching the game!

Faze,

Nice concrete post.

Does anyone have an update on Andrew Bynum in regards to where he's at on his rehab other than what we already know??? Has he improved? Will he get another evaluation on his knee anytime soon? Has he been officially been ruled out for the entire playoffs? Help!!!!

We may need him if we match up against the Spurs in the WCF, especially if they start Kurt Thomas alongside Tim Duncan.

Does this mean that Shaq would be largely responsible for another coach's exit? Van Gundy, Riley, D'Antoni.

Phil on PTI, try find it if you can.

Could have gotten Pau last year but would of meant busting up the team.

Basically dissed (expressed surprise) that they went too Hack-a-Shaq.

Also felt for Shaq because they kept calling him for lane violation when taking free throws.

Good stuff.

Nemaia Faletogo

Talofa!!!

If I were a 20 year old millionaire athlete, I'd be at a frat party too. He's at a college party, at a university with probably the 2nd best looking women in the Pac-10 conference (ASU, #1). Let the kid be young and work on his social skills, he probably feels awkward as it is being 7'1" and being the star that he is. I hope he was with Jordan Farmar or something, just to keep things right.

I honestly hope that Bynum develops mentally and socially. Kobe had a tough time in early adulthood, I hate to see the same stuff happen. Lucky for him, most of the guys are young or easy going. Kobe must have been really lonely most of the time, and he would have probably loved being on a team of his peers.

Mel,

Thanks for the info on PTI.

That multi-posting, Bynum bashing Troll should be ignored. It's a non-story.

MikeD should stay in Phoenix and stew. Or not. Who cares. I just want to see what the Suns say when "the Big Cactus" is mysteriously injured for 3/4 of the season and their miracle worker trainers are baffled by their own helplessness. Can an aging Nash and egomaniacle Amare, possibly in a slowed down system, keep them in the race...for third place...in the Pacific??

Anywho,

GO LAKERS!

Would Kurt Rambis consider Dallas or Phx for coaching jobs? I was having a hard time with him talking to Sacto. this summer.

Nemaia Faletogo, good one!

C - Tyson Chandler
backup C - Keith Closs

Larry Bird was on the Dan Patrick Show this morning, and the subject of clutch performers came up. Patrick asked Larry Legend if Kobe's ability to hit big shots rivaled Michael Jordan. Bird responded with this:

"I think Kobe is the best player in our league and I think he's been the best player for a long time, not to take anything away from anybody else. You know, somebody told me the other day that [Kobe] hasn't won an MVP trophy, and it sort of made me feel like I want to go throw mine away, so that's how much respect I have for the guy."

Audio: http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/LOSANGELES-CA/KLAC-AM/080430-Larry%20Bird%20.mp3?CPROG=PCAST&MARKET=LOSANGELES-CA&NG_FORMAT=sports&SITE_ID=727&STATION_ID=KLAC-AM&PCAST_AUTHOR=Dan_Patrick&PCAST_CAT=Arts_%26_Entertainment&PCAST_TITLE=KLAC

listen at the 11:00 mark

backup C - Keith Closs

Posted by: Lakers Legacy

LMAO! Another good find bro.

peter-

next time use tinyurl.com

Charles, #4 thanks and good post as well!

Tyson Chandler added to the wanksta list. Dude couldn't bag his way out of a paper bag in Compton. But yea, he fits the profile.

Hearing Larry Bird's comments on Kobe made it all worth it. Its like one of the awards shows where the guy can't except the award... Umm, thanks everyone but I'll leave this hear for Kobe. (NASH,NASH/DIRK -I'll never get over these two)

Robyn,

I’m not sure where you got the impression that I somehow equated confidence with basketball IQ. They obviously are two entirely different player performance measures, although both are important determinants of how well a player will perform.

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

Basketball IQ to me is a measure of how heady a player is, how aware he is of the physics and angles of the game, the flow and dynamics of the players and plays, the ebb and flow of the game, when to shoot, when to pass, when to drive, when to pull back.

Having a high basketball IQ is NOT a prerequisite to being an NBA player or even a star. I would go as far as to say that most of the players in the NBA today do not have a very high basketball IQ. These players are more specialists: shooters, rebounders, defenders.

Having a high basketball IQ is also NOT a guarantee of success in the NBA. If you don’t have a certain level of physical ability and talent, no level of basketball IQ is going to make up the difference. High basketball IQ is just an extra that some NBA players have.

Luke doesn’t have the physical talent, size, or athleticism many other NBA players have. He is the perfect example of “White Men Can’t Jump” but if he plays with confidence, Luke’s high basketball IQ lets him often out-play “more physically” talented players.

Versatile, pass-first glue guys like Luke and Lamar use their high basketball IQ to move without the ball, flowing and cutting, picking and popping, creating opportunities for themselves and other players within the solid framework of the offense.

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

Confidence to me is a measure of how sure the player is off his ability to perform, which can waver depending upon the situation and the opponent. Confidence also embodies its flip or darker side which is intimidation or lack of confidence.

While there are probably still matchups out there which will not be good for Luke, I think his level of confidence is high enough right now that he will still be able to perform at a high level. I was impressed with how well he defended Carmello during the last series.

While Kobe has the supreme confidence of a champion and 12 years of all-pro level performance to back it up, young players like Luke can often have very fragile level of confidence that can easily desert them, especially when exacerbated by injuries.

When Luke is playing with confidence, his basketball intelligence allows him to play extremely well, moving without the ball, making smart decisions, creating plays for his teammates. When he lacks confidence, he often makes dumb plays, despite his high basketball IQ, like passing the ball instead of shooting it when the clock is running out.

Tom

mel,

Are you saying that Phil Jackson was on PTI today?

Lakertom- I really enjoyed your piece on walton and I agree

Robyn- Luke is certainly a confidence player.Basically anything you do well gets taken away when you lose confidence...be it physical or intellectual.If you are a good decision maker and start doubting your decisions then the result is likely to be indecision and anything less than a hundred percent confidence or reaction for a guy like Walton is costly...He needs to be in a groove and feeling the game.Sometimes higher intelligence can make it harder to get in a groove.He probably thinks too much about it when a less intelligent player just plays.His strength then becomes his weakness....same as kobe's will to be the best can be his downfall...or Jordans hypercompetitiveness led to his gambling or garnetts intensity made his teams season then potentially destroyed it.

Kiwi,

"anything less than a hundred percent confidence or reaction for a guy like Walton is costly...He needs to be in a groove and feeling the game.Sometimes higher intelligence can make it harder to get in a groove.He probably thinks too much about it when a less intelligent player just plays.His strength then becomes his weakness....'

So right about his strength becoming his weakness. We have all seen that. Perceptive point, Kiwi. Thanks.

Tom

SIMPLY AMAZED:

Charles:

Once again your contributions are very poignant and right on as always, they may be one liners, nevertheless, you simply rock brotha, bra and you da man BRO. I am always baffled and flabbergasted by your prowess as to how you are able to communicate to others by just one liners. You rock:

When I read your post below my mind wonders hmmmmmm, what is Charles trying to say here, is there a deeeeeeeep hidden meaning to his message. I am sure there and yuo know it bra!!

backup C - Keith Closs

Posted by: Lakers Legacy

LMAO! Another good find bro.

Posted by: Charles | April 30, 2008 at 04:27 PM

DEEP THOUGHTS

DEEP THOUGHTS,

So professional = no social life.

HaHa, I would hate to work for whatever communist company you work for.

SHAQ WAS DANTONI’S MOVE, NOT KERR’S…

At least that was what Jack McCallum of Sports Illustrated told Dan Patrick on his show this morning. He said that Shaq was Dantoni’s idea all along and not Steve Kerr like everybody thought.

Nothing more about that in the article McCallum wrote about Dantoni leaving the Suns for SI but he did also say on the air that there were major philosophical disputes from day 1 between Dantoni and Kerr, with Sarver obviously supporting Kerr. One example Jack gave was Kerr requesting Dantoni to run more isolation plays for Amare with Dantoni responding that Kerr was trying to call his plays now.

What was not said was whether Dantoni’s Shaq idea was his way of responding to pressure by Kerr that Dantoni’s run-‘n’-gun wasn’t working.

Another oddity is Kerr’s and the Suns’ claim that they were going to love Marion anyway, so why not trade for Shaq. Wait and see! Marion is not going to opt out of his contract. Just like Baron Davis is not going to. There are only a couple of teams below the salary cap who can bid more than the MLE. Guys like Marion are not going to get a bigger payday in free agency. Kerr had to know that, too. Just another excuse in case the trade backfired, which is sure did.

At any rate, the Suns are done and like the Kings were never really a rival since they never really won anything. SLAM! There go the Suns and Mavs window for NBA titles. LOL.

Tom

Off the topic but is it just me or would Wizards coach Eddie Jordan be a directors' 1st choice to play Terrence Howard in a documentary about him????

Which is more likely

The Hawks win tonight or

the Lakers win their next 12 games?

News - Wizards just beat Cleveland (in Cleveland) 88-87 to force a game 6 - ex-Laker Caron Butler scored the winning basket with 3 seconds on the clock. LeBron's last second almost-layup missed!!
Even the East is going crazy this year!

Now it's Greenie Weenies vs Hawks....

GO HAWKS!!

GO LAKERS!!

Bynum needs to stay positive more than he needs a nights sleep at this point...

Why is the assumption on here that we meet the hornets?
Theres no way they make it past the spurs...they just dont have enough experience...I predict its not even that close

Utah will give LA a run for their money...that will be a tight series and Deron Williams will kill us.But I think we will get by on home court advantage,the Kobe factor,and the mental hold that Phil must have over Sloan after the two Bulls finals wins.

The spurs and LA will be a great series.Too close to call...the spurs experience cancels out the hoome court edge.Dead even.

Whichever team gets through will beat the celtics purely becasue of the coaching.

You heard it here first.The only thing I havent predicted correctly this playoffs is Atlanta's to put up such a fight.

Heres parts of a facebook message I sent to one of my friends...

'Other than that your spurs are the home team most likely to lose a series Im sorry to say...but I think they will pull it out and maybe alot easier than some are predicting '

'nah they wont win in LA ...they'll get one, maybe two,in Denver but Im predicting a 4 -1 series victory.Bold I know but thats how its going to shape up.Denver just arent that good,their players and coach are totally overated and have been for years.They dont have the character or the discipline required to take out a serious team especially from behind'

'I dont see houston giving Utah too much of a run and all the east home teams will pull through too.Cleveland is the most likely to lose but they wont'

'and Dallas are done... New Orleans are lucky to come up against them and will beat them easily but I still think NO will crack under the pressure and wont make it out of the second round regardless of who they face...they basically choked at the end of the regular season already and that will hurt them mentally.I just cant see them coming up against Kobe,Duncan, or Nash and not being totally psyched out.They are just lucky they are against a team that is emotionaly fragile'

I don't think Mark Cuban could fire himself for screwing up the Mavs. So, the next best thing...

Jon K

"The Hornets aren't all that scary to me... Chris Paul is."

Peja was a combined 15 of 22 from the arc against the Lakers in the two Hornet wins this year.

Its Peja who scares me. If the Lakers shut him down, they beat the Hornets handily.

never,

Yes. Phil did a 5-min video interview.

That was a flop on Smith's second foul.

Anyone enjoy that Wizards/Cavs game? Great game for Caron with the game winning shot.

Hopefully, this young Atlanta team can keep their heads above the water. Would love for them to steal one at the Garden.

Kiwi,

Two questions:

1. Being overseas and being over there. How much basketball did you get to play?

2. Seeing as you seem to put a few away and therefore must be one qualified expert. What is your favorite pub and brew?

My family is planning a trip to London and is looking for recommendations.

Charles - did I see another "knock knock" post earlier today? If so - who's there?

Lakertom

To me the Shaq trade was clearly not a good trade and obviously a gamble - Maybe they kidded themselves that there was a chance it could improve them but it was a small chance.My gut feeling was the situation with marion was worse than the Suns let on and they had to trade him.They'd believed they could win the previous year and although not playing so well they were doing fine.I thought it was a desperation trade and Shaq was the best they could get at the time.It was also a trade that the fans couldnt help but be suckered into believing in the possibilities becasue it was Shaq...therefore they would be more understanding when it went wrong than if they'd traded for say Odom...to me it was a desperate move but for once a team was able to keep the problems inhouse then make a quick trade....the next logical move is to blame the coach.I could be wrong but I find it hard to believe anyone on the suns believed that trade would actually make them a better team.

Fatty

Played a lot of basketball at high school at a level that was high by NZ standards but obviously nothing like what you have in the US...havent played competitively since but was always up for a pickup game and played on some social teams and the like...but been pretty slack since I got to England partly because its just not set up for it with all the soccer mania.

London...my favourite brew is a good pint of guinness...or anything cheq...my favourite pub is a tough one but in the centre of London not far from trafelgar square theres a place called 'The Sherlock Holmes' which I find quite cool...

I actually live in York which is a couple of hours from london on the train.Its a great little historic city thats had everyone here from the romans to the vikings to william the conquerer to the civil war,the war of the roses, and its got the architecure and stuff to prove it.Its got a medieval wall round the city and loads of great streets and mueseums and heaps of pubs etc.Its a nice change of pace from london and great if you've got kids...if you do end up in York let me know.

all the best fatty

ANDREW BYNUM WILL “DEFINITELY BE BACK” …

Very very encouraging comment from Ed Ziti in Lakers Library at MVN:

http://mvn.com/nba-lakers/2008/04/30/nba-coaching-
carousel-and-some-andrew-bynum-rumors/

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In Laker news, about two weeks ago, I was in Los Angeles at a local watering hole having a drink, when I had a chance meeting with an old friend with deep ties within the Laker organization. The subject of Andrew Bynum came up and I was commenting on how good it would be to have him back on the Lakers for the play offs. Anyway, he turns around and says to me, “Andrew is fine, the Lakers are holding him back as a precaution.” Then he mentioned that he’ll definitely be back and that was the end of the conversation.

Now that the first round is over for the Lakers, and the Rockets have extended their series with Utah, it gives the Lakers a couple of more days to rest and heal. I was under the impression that Andrew was done, especially after Phil Jackson’s “remote chance” comment, but might the Lakers be saving Andrew as a secret weapon?

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Drew will return for the conference finals. Then for sure, Resistance is futile!

Tom

frank1rizzo:

Do not take my comments on Bynum as being anti social or it has anything to do with politics. Your response is very lame and has nothing to do with politics. Bynum is in NBA and especially playing for one of the biggest stage "The Lakers" because he has talent and worked hard to be where he is today. All of this can be lost in a second as nothing in this life is a guaranteed. Now, if I see this kid at a party during playoffs and risking injury, just like Radmonvich too was having fun skiing then I certainly question Bynum’s frame of mind and work ethics. Of course, I certainly hope that Bynum blossoms into first and foremost into an all around human being, secondly, into a great basket ball player and I wish him success. At the same time I would hate to see him be misled into the world that is constantly pulling us into distractions. To grow up intoa well rounded human being requires common sense, discretion, commitment, accountability, lots of dedication and finally “Grace”.

I am only basing my thoughts on a link so for all practical purpose I may be completely wrong, not the first time . However, I do want to see Bynum realize the his potential as a human being first and then as a basket ball playa supreme.

No hard feelings it is a mere deep thought :)

DEEP THOUGHTS

Kiwi,

Nice to hear your story and we're glad you found time to post again. Hopefully, everything is OK now. BTW, out of topic how much is a gallon of gas? and a 25 lbs of rice in England? It's getting ridiculous here in the states and in Asia.

Also, are the playoffs shown live in (white rose) York?

Are you guys watching Garnett punking out on the refs?

Kiwi,

York? Yeah I think my ancestors(Norwegian) did some raping and pillaging there.

We thinking Christmas time. Let you know if we make it that far.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Cheers!

Fatty the Red - Who still thinks Odom is chief of the Viking gods.

LakerTom,

"Andrew is fine, the Lakers are holding him back as a precaution.” -MVN Story on Bynum

That's vintage PJ, eventhough it is just a rumor from an insider that's peace of mind for all of us than arguing different kind of charades. With the improvement of Mbenga as a defensive weapon, it is also possible Bynum will not play at all if Lakers keep on winning.

My evaluations on future opponents:

Utah Jazz - competitive at home but a bad road team Lakers 4-2

San Antonio Spurs - Magic 3 players are dangerous still possess the hearts of the Champion but they're much, much older. I don't think they can keep up with the Lakers for 48 minutes Lakers 4-2

New Orleans Hornets - Two guys that could sting the Lakers: Chris and Peja. Only Byron Scott has the experience on Conference Finals.
Lakers 4-1

Finals

Boston Celtics - With their performance in the first round series, Lakers 4-2

Detroit Pistons - Same story with Spurs, they're much, much older than the last time we faced them in the Finals. Lakers 4-2

Nemaia Faletogo

Talofa!!!

Posted by: Charles | April 30, 2008 at 03:53 PM

Charles,

Talofa!!! Thanks for the great samoan greeting uso(brother in samoan or uce(samoan slang fohr brother). Sorry for responding so late, but better late than never. May you and the rest of my blog fambam have a great night!!! Go Lakers!!!

i wouldn't be surprised to see b-shaw somewhere on the list of candidates for the suns job... shaw-shaq redemption, part 3.

ET TU BRUTUS:

Lakers did well in round one, beyond my expectations, and may even get past the Utah or Huston (maybe) but Hornets are pretty scary. There is a remote chance that if the Lakers make it to the finals, then Lebron and gang will be tooooo dang strong for SOFT lakers without the PARTY KID Andrew Bynum.

I smell TREASON, et tu Brutus...

Check out the Party Kid's escapades below:

http://cohn.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2192520&cohn

I hope this is not true of Bynum but if it is then I SAY TRADE THE KID FOR a young POWER FORWARD who is honorable. If I am in a bloody WAR then I would prefer men with courage and honesty around me and not liars and cheat!!

Et Tu Brutus!

Posted by: Et Tu Brutus | April 30, 2008 at 01:33 PM

what a load of SH!t. This has been posted before and most agree he is 20 yrs old and needs to relax a little too.

As I posted before he is entitled to have time off like anyone else.

Do the finger pointers take time off on their weekends or work ceaslessly for their company? I bet they take time off.

No trade as AB needs to stay here as we already have an allstar PF.

Let it go man and try to be more human.

That's my opinion and I stand by it.