"Chillax"
That would be Lamar Odom's description of his weekend's activity, the Lakers having sewn up their semifinals and offered little to do besides wait for the Hornets or Spurs to wrap up bidness. "I just took my feet off the ground and got some rest." Oddly enough, the Yankees junkie didn't catch any Subway Series action, but "thanked" us for reminding him that the Mets took both games (Friday was a postponed rainout). Such downtime can worry a coach, in that the pursuit of rest sometimes leads to 48 hours of hardcore vegging, which results in a half-assed tone when practice resumes. But from Phil Jackson's perspective, today's session signaled his boys handling their recuperation with some focus, generally speaking. "Some players do better with it than others," admitted Jackson. "Some players probably lay around and watch TV, maybe become couch potatoes and then when activity starts, they're a little bit loggy. But other guys seemed very lively today and aggressive, competitive."
On a side note, if you're thinking that May 19, 2008, marks the first time "chillax" and "loggy" were used within 10 minutes of each other, I'm inclined to concur with that hunch. 'Twas a groundbreaking day for vocabulary, indeed.
Kobe Bryant agreed with the Zen Master's take on practice, labeling it a "fun practice" with "a lot of energy." Rumors about tonight's NO-SA Game 7 team dinner, however, are where he starting disagreeing with word on the street. Particularly chatter that has him automatically picking up the tab again (like most recently when the entire roster watched the Utah-Houston Game 7 together). "That's just assumptions," smirked The Mamba. Assumptions which, by the way, LO ain't above assuming. "He's the MVP," joked Odom. "I know he probably got a little bonus from that, so why not? He said it was "our award," you know?" So what happens if the rumor mill reveals itself as fact? "We'll go to a fast food restaurant," laughed Bryant. "Tell everyone to bring their little phones. We can watch the game on (them)." I guess we'll find out tomorrow both who paid and if the Lakers dined at an establishment that utilizes the phrase "Supersize."
Not sure if Trevor Ariza was trying to drop a hint his coach's way or simply having some fun on a freshly healed foot, but he ended today's scrimmage with a running reverse dunk. The sweet move got a thumbs' up from his teammates and the lookie-loo media, but was it sign enough that we'll finally see the small forward in uni? Phil Jackson didn't commit one way or the other, but definitely sees his player making a case. "He looked good today. I wanted him to have another practice tomorrow in which he has an opportunity to play and to get comfortable with what we're doing. There's still some recognition skills (missing). He's still reorienting himself to what we're doing." That being said, Jackson likes what Ariza brings to the mix on both sides of the ball, whether you're talking the ability to cut and run the lanes or his ability to anticipate a steal opportunity. "His speed and athleticism is always a factor."
My guess? Save any setbacks, he'll get activated at some point during this series, probably in place of Ira Newble. Keeping both active is redundant (especially with Kobe spending so much time at small forward) and Newble was basically "Ariza insurance" to begin with. Plus, Chris Mihm (the next most likely candidate) offers size in a pinch, even if he's not likely to see a ton of action.
Whether Jordan Farmar snaps out of his rough postseason stretch remains to be seen, but failure to breakthrough won't be due to lack of effort. Long after his teammates either exited for a film session or addressed the media, Farmar was launching jumpers from just inside and outside the top of downtown's line. I asked PJ if he thought a fresh series, and perhaps by extension, a fresh start, could help Farmar bust his slump. This didn't strike the coach as a far-fetched notion. "He was on his heels a little bit having to guard Allen Iverson in the Denver series and (Deron) Williams is a handful for a 175-pound guard. To be giving up 35, 40 pounds to a guy like that. But I thought his defense was much more aggressive during the last two games. I enjoyed his effort out there, even though he was a little tentative at the offensive end, I thought he was starting to make a rebound."
AUDIO
Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_051908_practice.mp3
Pau Gasol: Download pau_gasol_051908.mp3
Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_051908_practice.mp3
Lamar Odom: Download lamar_odom_051908_practice.mp3
AK
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Spurs/Hornets game 7 online:
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Love,
Wes
Posted by: | May 19, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Go LAKERS!
We're Ready!
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | May 19, 2008 at 05:55 PM
I wonder if I'm the only Laker fan who was a bit embarrased by the refs giving the Jazz no chance in this series? I really think we could have won the series without such favoritism by the officials. Too bad we will never know. Don't get me wrong I'm glad we won, but next time I hope we have to do it o our own.
Posted by: bolinder | May 19, 2008 at 05:59 PM
The first quarter of Spurs/Hornets is just winding up with Spurs ahead. It looks like they're going to win - they're a lot more under control. However, Hornets are a 2nd half team so who knows? If I could predict stuff like this I'd be a gajillionaire!!
8 to O'Brien........
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 19, 2008 at 06:00 PM
bolinder
Only Lakers fan?
Probably, because its not true what you said.
Even die hard Jazz fans know the Jazz were favored by the refs and the Lakers rose to the occasion to still win the series.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 19, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Go lakers....
Best news of the day...
"trevor ariza finished practice with a reverse jam"
will play in the next series...
i like it..we have our defensive stopper back...
we shall see how effective he can be..but still it is a boost for sure!
NO is looking a bit out of sync.....the spurs look methodical and boring ..as usual..
Posted by: Lakers4Realz | May 19, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Kobe Bryant is getting pretty boring in his interviews. Think he got programmed to give boring but safe responses. im just saying..
Posted by: DL | May 19, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Refs - schmefs. It all evens out in the end.
Advantage - Lakers - because we're the better team.
8 to O'Brien........
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 19, 2008 at 06:17 PM
I wonder if I'm the only Laker fan who was a bit embarrased by the refs giving the Jazz no chance in this series? I really think we could have won the series without such favoritism by the officials. Too bad we will never know. Don't get me wrong I'm glad we won, but next time I hope we have to do it o our own.
Posted by: bolinder | May 19, 2008 at 05:59 PM
I agree with FWF.
No Laker fan is embarrassed because actually the bets gave the calls to the Jazz and we won anyways.
Please go back and watch the games again on replay and this time wear your glasses.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 19, 2008 at 06:19 PM
The Lakers look very happy and confident!
Don't Chillax too much, or you'll have a Chillaxative!
Posted by: ajax | May 19, 2008 at 06:24 PM
One reason why NOH surge in 2nd half
Gane 5 Spurs/Hornets.
In the 3rd, the Hornets were zoning the middle with no 3 second call on NOH.
On 4 consecutive plays I watched with the Tivo to see how they were doing it.
Play 1: Chandler never guarded anyone, never left the lane Result: 24 sec violation
Play 2. Chandler in lane not guarding anyine for 18 sec
Result: Missed outside shot by Spurs
Play 3. West in the lane 15 sec not guarding anyone
Result: Missed outside shot Spurs
Play 4. Chandler in lane 12 sec not guarding anyone
Result: Missed outside shot Spurs
Refs never called it, although very obvious violations. Its much more difficult to penetrate the lane if a team is allowed to zone the middle like that.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 19, 2008 at 06:24 PM
when we lose our first home game, how will we respond?
this is the question ...
Posted by: LAKES | May 19, 2008 at 06:30 PM
REVISITING THE EOY AWARD OR HOW MITCH GOT SCREWED…
I know the Hornets are a feel-good story what with Katrina and all but voting for Jeff Bower as NBA EOY over Mitch Kupchak disrespects the terrific job Mitch did this year and that is just what 12 of the 47 NBA executives whose votes determine the award did, allowing Danny Ainge to steal the award with 18 votes over Mitch Kupchak’s 14 votes. It’s enough to think that 18 idiots actually voted for Ainge but to think that 12 of them thought Bower did a better job than Mitch is adding insult to injury.
The fact that the national sports media as well as most of the Lakers fan base had derided Mitch’s performance as the Lakers general manager so often and so blatantly in the past probably made some voters reluctant to recant or admit their prior misjudgment of Mitch. It’s hard to imagine voting for the guy who you have made your whipping boy for years. Maybe it’s just another good example of other teams’ jealousy and envy of the Lakers but if you compare what each GM achieved, it’s obvious Mitch deserved to win the award.
The 2007/08 season has turned out to be one of the greatest in the storied history of the Lakers franchise. Mitch was confronted with the worst possible crisis a general manager could encounter when Kobe Bryant publicly derided the team and demanded a trade. How Mitch handled this crisis was the first in a sequence of great front office moves that catapaulted the Lakers from the middle of the pack to the pinnacle of the league, primed not only with a great chance to win their 15th NBA championship this season but also to dominate the next decade with what could be one of the greatest roster in NBA history.
After Kobe’s demand, Mitch made the obligatory efforts to find a trade that would satisfy the Lakers and Kobe, knowing all along there was no possible trade that would do that. After negotiating a temporary cease-fire with Kobe, Mitch also resisted the pressure and temptation to trade the Lakers phenom 20-year old center Andrew Bynum to placate Kobe and his critics, knowing that Bynum had been working hard all summer to improve his conditioning and was ready for a break-out 2007/08 season, which is what happened.
Next, Mitch re-signed Luke Walton to a contract extension and Derek Fisher to a free agent contract, Fisher having been fortuitously released by the Utah Jazz so that he could relocate to a major metropolitan area where the specialized cancer treatment required by his infant daughter could be more easily obtained and managed. As the season went on, Mitch traded Brian Cook and Mo Evans to Orlando for Trevor Ariza, a talented and athletic small forward whom the Lakers believe can be the team’s top defensive stopper.
Finally, in the coup de grace after Andrew Bynum went down and the Lakers were floundering, Mitch traded disappointment Kwame Brown and his expiring contract, Javaris Crittenton, the rights to Marc Gasol, and two first round draft picks to Memphis for Pau Gasol and a second round draft pick. Gasol stepping into the Lakers starting lineup and the team immediately began a steady and swift rise to the pinnacle of the competitive Western Conference, winning the best record and #1 seed in the playoffs.
So what did Jeff Bower do this year? He didn’t draft Chris Paul; that was 3 years ago. He didn’t draft David West; that was 4 years ago. He didn’t trade for Tyson Chandler; that was 2 years ago. He did sign Morris Peterson as a free agent and he did trade for Bonzi Wells. But that’s it. That’s all Jeff Bower did this year to get 12 votes as NBA Executive of the Year. What a joke. Compare that to Mitch Kupchak’s acquisition of Derek Fisher, Trevor Ariza, and Pau Gasol for the Lakers this year as well as not trading away the best player and the best center prospect in the world.
Yes, the Hornets are a great young team led by a great young superstar but they were put together by Bower with years of lottery draft picks and favorable cap situations allowing them to sign free agents and zero pressure from local fans or media who just didn’t care. The Lakers on the other hand were brought back from a potentially franchise-fatal doom to become the most talented and deepest team in the league with the potential to win the championship this year and dominate the next decade of NBA basketball.
You got screwed, Mitch. But don’t worry. the Lakers will prove that to everybody when they take out the New Orleans Hornets in the Western Conference Finals. Then everyone will realize that Mitch Kupchak deserved the NBA Executive of the Year award, which will then be given him next year as the pundits eat their words and finally get it right. Then the entire world and not just the Lakers Blog will know that Mitch is NBA EOY.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 19, 2008 at 06:30 PM
@lakertom
i'll gaurantee you the reasoning behind those non-votes for mitch are completely out of jealousy and envy that they didn't/couldn't land gasol. how else can you explain the whacked logic?
Posted by: d | May 19, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Wes -
The link doesn't work for me....
---
Does anyone else have a working link to the Spurs/Hornets game? I'd appreciate it.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Stephen W. | May 19, 2008 at 06:50 PM
fatty - good job spotting that...could be somthing to think about in a potential final, tho its not looking likely at the moment
Posted by: Caesar | May 19, 2008 at 06:52 PM
when we lose our first home game, how will we respond?
this is the question ...
Posted by: LAKES | May 19, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I'll tell you in November when it happens (maybe December)......
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 19, 2008 at 06:53 PM
LakerTom - here comes another compliment - don't MAKE me make you blush!!! Good post, man (as usual)!
PLEASE - you need to represent the blog in the professional world of writing or analyzing or something!!
(ok ok I'll stop now.....!!)
8 to O'Brien........
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 19, 2008 at 06:59 PM
IstheFinals format 2-3-2?
Posted by: mel | May 19, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Craig Sager has truly outdone himself. No 2 articles of clothing that he's wearing coordinate with each other. The gauche handkerchief clashes with the paisley tie, and they both clash with the striped jacket and shirt- which themselves are of clashing stripes. Just a tour de force outfit.
Has anybody noticed that they make sure to only have women interview Phil Jackson when they do the quarter break interviews? Since he always insulted Sager, they switched to the ladies because they knew he'd be a gentleman to them.
Posted by: j. d. hastings | May 19, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Duncan just called for an offensive foul - you know the guy I'm talking about - Timmy "bug-eyed, hound-dog faced, I've never commited a foul in my LIFE" Duncan - MAN that guy drives me nuts. I'd love the Purple&Gold to POUND him & his boring, cry-baby team into the floor in the WC Finals - pausing just a couple of times to STOMP them.....arrgggghhhh.....
8 to O'Brien....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 19, 2008 at 07:11 PM
lol. defensive 3-second on NO.
Posted by: mel | May 19, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Fatty - OMG - they just called a defensive 3 seconds on the Hornets!!!!!!!! Did hell just freeze over?
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 19, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Mel - yup - 2-3-2
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 19, 2008 at 07:15 PM
anyone surprised Peja is choking??
anyone??
anyone??
nope, me neither
Posted by: jandro | May 19, 2008 at 07:19 PM
well Spurs are up 13...Hornets can not get anything going...probably the biggest choke job by the Hornets...Spurs vs Lakers WCF...
Posted by: drew | May 19, 2008 at 07:20 PM
I want to play NOH. They choking.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 19, 2008 at 07:21 PM
justan (nice name!)
Thanks! The Western Finals Champion just has to steal one of the first 2...
Posted by: mel | May 19, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Mel - EXACTLY!!!! Then we can win at home & go directly to the parade - do not pass go - do not collect $200!!
8 to O'Brien.....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 19, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Cmon Spurnets! You can do it!
- From the Waterboy
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 19, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Any idea how much the food cost when Lakers dine out?
Posted by: Sunny | May 19, 2008 at 07:37 PM
I have very bad feeling about the Spurs. They are definitely aware of Kobe's back problem and will
take care of that by making some dirty play.
Posted by: novolakers | May 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM
I guess we're not the only team to make Udoka look like an All-Star.
Posted by: mel | May 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Beautiful teardrop by Pargo.
Airball by Timmy.
Hornets within 8.
Dang I want the Hornets, I think we could actually outrebound them.
Anyone else loving it everytime they mention the Lakers in the Western Confernce Finals?
Posted by: mel | May 19, 2008 at 07:41 PM
The Spurs aren't looking to "old" to win tonight are they?
Posted by: MJ | May 19, 2008 at 07:43 PM
justanothermambafan
Dont forget , this ugly and boring team is pretty dirty too , just look at how they beat the PHX last year. They know KB24 has the back problem. David West had the back problem , they took care of that , look at his performance today. Sure West is nervous because he is young and its game 7 , but his poor performance has to do something with the Horry's foul.
Posted by: novolakers | May 19, 2008 at 07:47 PM
bronx,
“It's been so long since we've seen Drew play, it's easy to forget his impressive skill set. The soft hands that allowed him to catch and finish...the tremendous hops that had him rejecting weak attempts at the rim and the growing strength and stamina that had him beating opponents up and down the floor. Those things won't change and will only continue to blossom.”
“But, to me, the most impressive thing about Baby B. was the way he handled pressure on the court. He was turning into a very sure and clever ball handler with a knack for making the right play. The NBA is full of dunkers who have no innate feel for the game. Bynum's court awareness and ability to pass the ball will set him apart from the pack.”
Superb points about Drew that needed repeating. He is the Lakers present and future.
It does seem sometimes if the entire basketball world, even including the Lakers Blog, has completely forgotten about Drew, doesn’t it? Part of that is a testament to how well the Lakers have played with Pau as center and part of it a complete loss of sense of time passed due to the relentless pressure and constant drama of this perfect storm of a season. The main reason though is the Lakers have remarkably been able to win without Drew, taking nothing away from the fact that he truly is the Lakers next franchise player.
The only thing I really regret is that Drew will not get a chance to play and contribute in the playoffs to the team winning the championship. I hope Phil activates him during the Lakers close out game in the Finals so that the fans will get the chance to thank the player who really saved the franchise from losing Kobe and made us “championship caliber.” Even if he cannot play and the appearance would be completely ceremonial, it would be a great gesture of appreciation for how valuable Drew has been and will be to the franchise.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 19, 2008 at 07:49 PM
NO disappointed me in this game..
they are making the old, boring , crybaby spurs.....look good..seriously...that team is NOT that good..please.
I kind of secretly wanted to play the spurs but hey..here comes the hornets...
6 down...
Posted by: Lakers4Realz | May 19, 2008 at 07:51 PM
SA by 4 with 3 minutes left.
But, the score of the game is reminisant of an EC matchup. I missed the earlier parts of the game.
The question is, is the low score the result of sloppy play or defense?
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 19, 2008 at 07:53 PM
How was that call on Paul in the scrum for the ball?
B-O-G-U-S
Man on floor=fair game.
Janero "Lakah Killah" Pargo leading the charge back.
Posted by: mel | May 19, 2008 at 07:53 PM
This finish looks like the Lakers/Jazz game 6! I don't think NOH will pull it off. But the Spurs look to me more vulnerable than the Lakers.
Posted by: Tsphere | May 19, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Jay Jay,
“I don't see why we can't keep Drew AND Lamar. We resign Lamar at his current salary and I believe we can still match any offer Drew gets elsewhere (tho maybe for one year less). I think his loyalty to Kareem his mentor will keep him here, and Dr Buss will open up his pocketbook and pay the resulting luxury tax.”
“Why? Well there's also that little thing about a Drew-Gasol-Lamar frontline with Kobe in the backcourt having the potential to win EVERY freaking Championship for the next 5 years!”
Absolutely right! Luxury tax is the entry price to compete in the new NBA. The one sure thing that this season and playoffs has done is to prove that Lamar Odom is worth what we are paying him. Drew will get a max contract and Lamar an extension to be a Laker for Life. That’s just good business as the value of the franchise will soar if we add another 5 championships. And no way Ronny will leave this team. Derek showed us how important it is to keep your own home grown players. That’s what the CBA was designed to do, to help teams build strong rosters and encourage fan loyalty.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 19, 2008 at 07:57 PM
I know the difference between good D and bad Offense, and this is just bad offense. Neither of these teams can hang with the Lakers.
Lakers in 5
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 19, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Here come the Spurs.
Posted by: SA | May 19, 2008 at 08:04 PM
I guess it's the old, boring, cry-baby Spurs and us going for the WC Champs!
CAN YOU DIG IT??????
Seriously - this is our series, our time. GO LAKERS!
8 to O'Brien.....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 19, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Lakers in 6. Bruce Bowen will cheap shot Kobe and draw himself a suspension.
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | May 19, 2008 at 08:04 PM
I hate that tiny CP3. He is looser.
Posted by: Sunny | May 19, 2008 at 08:08 PM
The Hornets choked..and thank God we have Kobe because at that point in the game down 3 he would have taken us on his back and died trying to bring us to victory...when the hornets needed Chris Paul to show up and take them on his back he passed the ball...
Posted by: BocaLakerGurl | May 19, 2008 at 08:11 PM
I know the difference between good D and bad Offense, and this is just bad offense. Neither of these teams can hang with the Lakers.
Lakers in 5
Posted by: pslakerfan
-----------------------------------
That's what I was wondering.
To paraphrase and bastardize a Michael Douglas phrase:
Bad offense is GOOD !
I'll give SA 2 victories and LA again closes out a series on the road in game 6.
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 19, 2008 at 08:11 PM
That's that!
Go Lakers!!
Posted by: mel | May 19, 2008 at 08:12 PM