Game 2 will feature an official MVP
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Join us for Purple, Gold, and Blue at 11 am. Our guests will be Eric Pincus of Hoopsworld.com and Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune. Click the show widget on the side of the page, or go straight to our show page by clicking here.
And for those confused, it's not Utah's Kyrylo Fesenko (whose outright snubbing by the voters was nothing short of disgraceful). For that matter, it wasn't an international player at all, breaking a three-season trend mirroring the NBA's current path. The award winner in question was Kobe Bean Bryant, who wound up outdistancing Chris Paul of the Hornets by a fairly sizable margin after a season spent seemingly neck and neck with the young point. The afternoon was often loose, with Luke Walton and Tex Winter taking on the role of wise apple reporters, spontaneous acts that clearly amused Bryant. But the degree to which the honor affected Kobe on an emotional level was never lost amid the laughs. He thanked his teammates profusely, stressing that he wouldn't be standing on that stage without their great play. There was also acknowledgment of his off-season displeasure that should have been handled differently, as well as praise for the front office's decisions (albeit in a manner some found perplexing). Plus, the words every Lakers fan never get tired of hearing. Kobe wants to remain in purple and gold until he hangs up his uni for good.
SportsHubLA.com gathers up all their best Kobe-centric articles into a neat, tidy bundle.
And with pomp and circumstance now out of the way, focus shifts toward tonight's second playoff game against the Jazz (7:30 pm PST, TNT). Another contest with Kobe residing in a hammock at the line obviously does the Jazz few favors, meaning they'll be focused on an easier said than done mission of actually slowing the Mamba without fouling. And aside from improving their rebounding index (which would please the fans as well), what can the Lakers do to maintain their current roll? For starters, bend the ear of Derek Fisher. The Lakers' co-captain was a Salt Lake resident last season and shares Devean George's scruples when it comes to alerting teammates to an opponent's schemes. And maintain the season-long chemistry that's gone through the roof since the arrival of El Spaniard.
Similar to Lakersblog regular "Hugo Boss" and Colorado, gamblers love the Lakers.
Yeah welcome back Mamba!!!
¡sh+T yA!
Posted by: ajax | May 07, 2008 at 01:03 PM
The following excerpt is from the cover story of Issue #22 of Dime.
By Kobe Bryant
My biggest fear is not winning another title. But fear is a great motivator. I’m determined to lead this organization back to the top. The people who once celebrated me are the same people who doubt me now. They say that because I don’t have Shaq that I can’t win, that it’s over. The only thing I truly worry about is that my drive and my will are sometimes too much for my teammates to handle. Do I expect too much from them? How can I elevate them to play with my same passion every night?
What helps me understand and deal with this is the fact that I was once in their shoes. I once played a supporting role on this team. Back then I knew how much pressure Shaquille had on him to win a ring and I also knew I could help. So I studied the game offensively and especially defensively because I knew that if I could harass on the perimeter with him clogging the lane, it would demoralize our opponents more than anything we could do offensively. I also knew that the teams he played on in the past did not have a closer. No one could take the game over down the stretch or hit the game winner or make the key free throws. Those were Shaq’s weaknesses, so I had to step up and make them my strengths. I knew how much more I could bring to the battle, but that wasn’t my role. I was a scorer who became a facilitator in order to win. But now I worry because I know how hard that was for me to learn, how many sleepless nights I had and how much criticism and trade rumors I had to endure before I mastered my role. This is probably what my current teammates are going through. All I can do is pray that one day we will reach the same level of chemistry and understanding that existed between me, Shaq, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Robert Horry and all the other players I once went to war with.
The fears I have are soothed a little by the presence of Phil Jackson. Simply put: he is the best coach I have ever played for. Everything I have learned about the game can be traced to him and Tex Winter. They teach the game at such a deeper level than x’s and o’s. The game is a rhythm, a dance. Phil and Tex have taught me to feel the game. To think the game without thinking, to see without seeing. They taught me how to prepare. How to conceptualize the spirit of my opponents and attack them where they are weak. I’ve seen how prepared PJ gets before games, and as the on-court leader he is trusting me to do the same. So I do all the things he has taught me to do before tip-off and once the ball is in the air my mind is at ease and my body is ready to play. I take it to the other team on both ends of the floor. I take pride in being able to do that. I HATE being scored on, even by players who some say are ‘un-guardable’. I don’t believe it when they say ‘Oh, that player is just hot today.’ Fuck that! Cool his ass off then.
When we play on the road and the entire crowd is booing me it doesn’t bother me at all. What I think about is simple: “When these fans leave this game I want them to remember how hard I fought and the passion and drive with which I played.” I have always played this game with passion. And I always worked hard. When I saw the movie Rudy I remember thinking, “what if I worked that hard?” God has blessed me both physically and intellectually to play this game, so what would happen if I push as hard as the character in this film? I would love for people to think of me as a talented overachiever. Even though those fans may chant ‘Kobe sucks’ when they leave that arena I want them to walk out with a different feeling than they came in with. When they leave they’ll leave with the understanding that they have just witnessed a player give himself completely to his passion; they have just watched an athlete pour every ounce of his heart and soul out on that floor. And hopefully, when the next volume of my life is all said and done, they will respect and appreciate the years that I spent giving all of me to the game that means everything to me.
MVP for Life!!!!!!
Posted by: HoustonLaker | May 07, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Oops. Young = Bell. My mistake.
Posted by: The D | May 07, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | May 07, 2008 at 12:54 PM
My man...
Regards,
Posted by: Charles | May 07, 2008 at 01:05 PM
SHEKOBE,
Your French seems pretty solid, how'd you get to be that good?
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 01:05 PM
HoustonLaker,
Nobody in the NBA has the competitive spirit of Kobe Bryant. No one.
Now that spirit is infecting the rest of the Lakers.
Unbeatable.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 01:11 PM
anybody have a good place to catch the game in Washington DC tonight?
Posted by: KobeRocks! | May 07, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Toad - don't congratulation JonK for that post - he stole it from me - word for word! Still trying to figure out how he did that......LOL! Just kidding!!! I concur, JonK - great post! If only I was a little quicker on the keyboard and a WHOLE lot more eloquent, it's what I would have said....!!
Can't wait - T minus 6 hours (give or take) and counting!!!!
Toad/Pig - fire up the BBQ - we gonna have ourselves some frest roasted Jazz troll with something I like to call TACOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO LAKERS!
THE BEAN FOR FINALS MVP OR NO PEACE!
NO CHAMPIONSHIP - NO PEACE!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 07, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Mamba24: Stop lying! You never retired. You just took a daggone vacation. Vacations are allowed - but, next time, just TAKE ONE! No speeches and threats to leave The Blog. Just disappear for a few days and come back when you're ready. Deal?
Don't make me send my mama after you...AGAIN!
HoustonLaker: Thanks for posting that article. All the respect & understanding I had for Kobe just increased by 1000% ater reading that!
MVP, Indeed!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | May 07, 2008 at 01:25 PM
FROM BOYNTON BEACH, FL
BONSOIR MES AMIS,
THANKS! MAMBA
SHEKOBE,
Your French seems pretty solid, how'd you get to be that good?
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I AM A FRENCH NATIVE BUT I PREFER TO CALL MYSELF, AN INTERNATIONAL GIRL CUZ I SPEAK AND WRITE SPANISH FLUENTLY ALSO.
SEE YOU TONIGHT= A CE SOIR= NOS VEMOS ESTA NOCHE= WIN#2
BISOUS
SHEKOBE
Posted by: SHEKOBE | May 07, 2008 at 01:25 PM
"...how 'bout a little conspiracy theory?
Bynum is well. Bynum is practicing, mostly with Kareem, but also running "closed door" drills with the second unit.
It is, after all, our national military doctrine: use only proportional force to achieve our objectives, saving our overwhelming strategic arsenal for the fulcrum of national survival."
(Posted by: karyanr | May 07, 2008 at 12:41 PM)
karyanr,
There may be some truth to your conspiracy. AB was spotted last night with a friend watching the Celtics game against the Cavaliers.
Officially, he was there to visit his doctor, but he was actually there to do some advance scouting for the championship series. My guess..maybe taking a look at how he should play KG?
LOL
Posted by: Robyn | May 07, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Thanks for the post Houstonlaker. That was a great read. Boy I'm gonna miss Kobe when he's gone, I think 3 more years and he's moving on to the next chapter. I will miss him like I missed Kareem, Magic, Bird, Hakeem, Dominique, MJ, Dr. J, Isaiah, Dennis Johnson, Alex English, Dumars and Pippen. I loved to watch those men play. I hated them when they played the Lakers but I loved to watch them all play. They were men and not boys. We have a lot of boys playing the game today not so many men. Kobe was a boy but he's now a man! You always miss the greats!
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | May 07, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Welcome back mamba24, it's nice to have the energy back in the Blog. KB 24 is the new MVP and what a long, strange trip it's been for that young (old) man. No other modern day player has experienced the highs and lows that he has. That being said, he is an amazing baller and I hope he puts on a show tonight.
Keys to tonight: Rebounds, interior scoring, control the free throw line (as much as allowed) and DEFENCE.
I'd like to see Jordan Farmar (who's hosting a late night Kobe MVP celebration in my neck of the woods) break out and get involved in the game. He really looks like he's hit a wall out there and he's not playing with that chip on his shoulder. Same thing happened to 'Drew last year (except that he hit the wall even earlier) and with all the fire power coming off the pine, he doesn't look to score sometimes but I just feel like he needs to assert himself in the series before we get to the Energy Center where he will get zero love from any officiating crew. Hopefully, we get a crew that can keep time.
That's all, welcome back again mamba24 and let's heal all wounds with the soothing balm of our MVP 2 guard as we march towards Tip-Off. I love game day, now if only time would move faster.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | May 07, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Game 2: Jazz 104 Fakers 93
Boozer goes for 30
Kobe strains neck carrying world's biggest head
Posted by: stock | May 07, 2008 at 01:31 PM
I need BEAST news.
Pronto.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 07, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Not to devalue Kobe's achievements, but why does the MVP trophy look like a malformed poop-man?
Posted by: eddie brock | May 07, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I will be pretty upset if the TNT crew does not show the MVP ceremony tonight. You know Fox sports and KCal would be right there.
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 07, 2008 at 01:35 PM
I like how you think Jon K. Utilizing Lamar Odom as a scoring cannon with Kobe holding the trigger would be absolutely unstoppable.
Posted by: eddie brock | May 07, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Koberocks,
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. lots of nice TV's.....you may need to be strip searched..........lol
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 07, 2008 at 01:39 PM
K Bros,
Can you use your pull to display the full page ads congratulating Kobe from Nike and the Lakers that ran in today's LATimes?
Those were awesome, and I think other people should see them.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 07, 2008 at 01:52 PM
This year's playoff excitement is clouding the "oh-my-God-what-have-they-done?" view that League GM's are already losing sleep over...
Next year's team will shatter the Bulls' 72-10 record.
74-8? 75-7? Seriously. If the knees hold up, it's gonna happen. And with the MVP in his pocket, KB puts on a totally different mask - no longer the guy that veteran free agents don't want to play with, he will become a free-agent magnet that maturing veterans will flock to for league-minimum salaries - just like Shaq used to be, and like KG became this year.
Posted by: karyanr | May 07, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Hi Laker Nation,
Welcome Back Mamba24, Thank You Jon K, Our Love for the Logo is mutual. Thanks AK& BK for once again being the Cream of the Crop when it comes to given us Laker Tidbits !!!! You guys and your blog is the BEST.. Hands down !!!!! Seeing the pic of Kobe's daughter wearing old school Chuck Taylor's cracked me up!!!! I miss Chick ! Seeing the KIA commercial yesterday made me realize just how much I miss Chick.. I dunno why.. but I do. I got about 4 e-mails today from friends across country saying tonight the Lakers will lose LMAO Lakers - 111 Jazz 96 Dont forget to pick up your Taco coupon !!!
Posted by: complex brotha | May 07, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Game 2: Jazz 104 Fakers 93
Boozer goes for 30
Kobe strains neck carrying world's biggest head
Posted by: stock
... Kobe, however, shrugs it off and says 'just another injury. i can play without one of my fingers, what's a neck for anyway. While Boozer and jazz fans congratulate themselves on a thirty point game, Kobe says 'big deal i can score that in a quarter...' and proceeds to do so
Posted by: machiavelly | May 07, 2008 at 01:58 PM
SHEKOBE,
Thanks for the reply,
C'est bien d'avoir quelqu'un pour pouvoir dialoguer en Français de temps a autres, il y a aussi KIWI de la Nouvel Zelande qui parle bien Français aussi. J'ai lu pas mal de vos postes et ils sont toujours très intelligents. Continuez de poster. Cela a été un plaisir de faire votre connaissance.
A la prochaine
Mamba du cote Est
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 01:59 PM
SHEKOBE,
Thanks for the reply,
C'est bien d'avoir quelqu'un pour pouvoir dialoguer en Français de temps a autres, il y a aussi KIWI de la *(Nouvelle) Zelande qui parle bien Français aussi. J'ai lu pas mal de vos postes et ils sont toujours très intelligents. Continuez de poster. Cela a été un plaisir de faire votre connaissance.
A la prochaine
*Correction
Mamba du cote Est
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 02:00 PM
TWO FOR EIGHTEEN?
And they say it's not hatin when you put Kobe and LBJ in the same sentence.
Posted by: rayray | May 07, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Pig... Toad
I'm stopping by the supermarket to pick up a few veggies to add to the grill.. Kinda feeling like shiska-bobs tonight. since there's fresh meat in the house.
Game 2: Jazz 104 Fakers 93
Boozer goes for 30
Kobe strains neck carrying world's biggest head
Posted by: stock | May 07, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Posted by: lakerfaze | May 07, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Koberocks,
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. lots of nice TV's.....you may need to be strip searched..........lol
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 07, 2008 at 01:39 PM
LOL!!!! Classic. You got jokes pslakerfan, you got jokes man
Mamba from the east coast
Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 02:05 PM
KOBE IS BACK ON TOP OF THE WORLD…
Not only did Kobe win the 2008 NBA MVP Award but it appears that he has also won back Madison Avenue. Wheaties is planning a special edition MVP box. Kobe is on the cover of Sony’s NBA ’07 video game and Sony is talking a major deal featuring KB24. He is hawking VitaminWater for Glaceau and Hyperdunk shoes for Nike. He will surely grace the cover of Sports Illustrated for his MVP next week and again later for winning the NBA Finals MVP and Championship. When he finally follows that up with a USA victory in Beijing, can McDonalds, Coke, and Disneyland be far behind?
THE TRUTH BEHIND THE MVP VOTING…
Everybody loves a good story and Kobe is this year’s best. I predicted at the start of this perfect storm of a season that if the Lakers emerged from the doom and gloom of the summer to win the West, it would virtually guarantee Kobe Bryant winning the MVP. With 82 of the total 126 first place votes, Kobe routed Chris Paul (28 votes), Kevin Garnett (15 votes), and LeBron James (1 vote). What is more important is that this vote marks a significant turning point in Kobe’s career. I predict you will even see more Kobe respect on the court by the refs in the playoffs. Nobody wants to ruin a good story.
MAKING OTHER PLAYERS BETTER…
Give Kobe credit for turning this individual award into a team award and ensuring that “making other players better” will be the critical criteria in awarding future MVP awards. Kobe’s leadership and influence on his teammates has been truly unbelievable this year. You can see the dedication, camaraderie, and work ethic that dominates their character and the confidence, competitiveness, and mental toughness they exhibit when playing. What is most amazing about Kobe’s impact on this team is that almost every player on the team is currently enjoying a career year and playing the best basketball of their lives. That is an undeniable proof that Kobe Bryant is truly making other players better.
HOW DO YOU LIKE THE TRIANGLE NOW…
Other than being a little dismayed at a couple of clueless derogatory comments about Tex Winter blowing his own horn, I thought it was surprisingly appropriate that Kobe would be asked about the Triangle Offense right now because it is one of the key reasons that the Lakers are playing as well as they are right now despite still missing Andrew Bynum. It is one of the reasons why the Lakers passing game and low post offense has excelled. It is one of the reasons why Kobe has become so difficult to guard. And it is one of the reasons why Kobe was able to win his first NBA regular season MVP award.
BOSTON’S EASY ROAD TO THE FINALS…
The weakness and ineptitude of the Eastern Conference was on full display in last night’s Celtics – Cavaliers game, which the Celtics barely won despite LeBron James playing his worst game ever in the playoffs, shooting a miserable 2 for 19. Watching Kevin Garnett celebrate again as if the Celtics had won a spirited victory was a joke. Thank God we did not trade for this guy. He is one dimensional robotic player in both game and emotion who truly deserves to be a Celtic for the rest of his losing days as a pro basketball player. The only bigger laugh to me was LeBron’s performance. Only two more years before he bolts Cleveland for good to earn his billions playing in New York.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 07, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Wes,
Always the Fantasy sports GM...
Dude, why are you guys talking about trading Bynum?? Don't you people learn from history? This would be the hugest chump move the Lakers could possibly do. Yes, let's trade our future for a PG when we've got Fish tutoring Farmar now. Let's go after a prospect when we've got the goods NOW. Let's bet on a possible flush on the river against a made hand. Luckily we've got sharks running the organization, sharks who are more than happy to feed off flounders like y'all.
Why would we be able to give money to Elton Brand? We have Bynum's Bird rights, which means his salary doesn't count when calculating what we can offer a free agent as a result of the salary cap. WE DON'T HAVE ELTON BRAND's BIRD RIGHTS. This means that we wouldn't be able to offer him any money beyond the various exceptions at our disposal. None. Zip. Zero. Whether we sign Bynum or not. So please put this horrble idea to rest.
Why would we trade our best rebounder and shotblocker, especially when our hugest hole right now is rebounding and shotblocking??
Some people always gotta tinker, I guess. Maybe we should just enjoy what we got now and let them play the games, ya think?
Posted by: SBPimp | May 07, 2008 at 02:06 PM
"By the way, we're winning tonight, losing the next game and it's over when we comeback to "Staples""
(Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 12:57 PM )
Mamba24Fan4Life,
From your post, I assume that you are predicting that the Lakers will steal game 4 in Utah and finishing the series at the Staples on Game 5.
I am curious as to how you arrived at your position? My feeling is if we win big tonight, the momemtum will carry us into the next game in Energy Solutions. So I believe it is easier for us to take game 3. However, to finish and close game 4 in Utah, it will be a tall order!
Posted by: Robyn | May 07, 2008 at 02:16 PM
"By the way, we're winning tonight, losing the next game and it's over when we comeback to "Staples""
(Posted by: Mamba24Fan4Life | May 07, 2008 at 12:57 PM )
Mamba24Fan4Life,
From your post, I assume that you are predicting that the Lakers will steal game 4 in Utah and finishing the series at the Staples on Game 5.
I am curious as to how you arrived at your position? My feeling is if we win big tonight, the momemtum will carry us into the next game in Energy Solutions. So I believe it is easier for us to take game 3. However, to finish and close game 4 in Utah, it will be a tall order!
Posted by: Robyn | May 07, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Charles,
My pic finally up on "your scene" photos now
ps
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 07, 2008 at 02:17 PM
the BIG Margine,
As a Kobe fan I got to get a chance to watch most fo the NBA writers comments (Through the NET, DVR, and live TV) on who they thought the MVP was for the last month of the regular season. The thing that had me guessing Kobe would win by a large margine was three facts:
1) All the ones that actually had a vote to give had Kobe first.
2) All the ones that have a vote are older people who usualy stick wth their word and abouteverybody was saying whoever's team gets the better recordis the MVP.
3) If NBA has done one thing right is that the poeple that have low IQ's don't have votes. For instance Ernie Johnson and Marv Alber have a vote but Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith don't. Marc Stein has a vote but John Hollinger doesn't. ETC. ETC
If I'm the commish I'm getting AK a vote, BK? I don't think so. I mean 2 for 18? BK cmon now.
Posted by: rayray | May 07, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Jon K-
I really like your Odom for for finals MVP thing. He is by far and away going to have to be HUGE for us to do anything this year. No matter how well he continues to do all the focus will always be on MVP and Gasol. You can't double team all three and that will always leave Odom open. I just want to see Odom keep away from the 3 (hes been good at that lately) and keep up the driving and layups and rebounds. I have a feeling Kobe and Lamar go off tonight.
And I wouldn't mind seeing Farmar do a little something tonight too. Lakers 115 Jazz 104
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 07, 2008 at 02:18 PM
stock,
We are going to stomp on your throats tonight. I expect to see panic in your team's eyes in the fourth quarter.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Its true, the Utah Jazz played us like the Macarena on Sunday.
"First they pushed with one hand, then the other. Next with elbows about the head, then those Neanderthals used their hips to push us off balance. Oh! that Macarena!"
- Coach Jackson
PJ skillfully used Utah's practice film to show the Lakers what they were doing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z7t-Ox3XvU
But, Nooooo. It won't work tonight, because we plan on doing the Mamba all over their heads.
Let's get physical Lakers!
"No rebounds, no rings!"
- an original Fatty quote stolen from Pat Riley
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 07, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Fan of the Mamba,
We're going to get a good six more years out of Kobe, possibly eight.
I see him retiring at 37.
He loves to play and loves to win and that's what he'll get here with the Lakers.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 02:20 PM
pslakerfan
Great photo on "your scene"..........great "tribute"
Have you picked up a copy of the LA Times today? Page 9 of the sports section is worth the price of the paper.
Posted by: toad | May 07, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Jon K,
I agree about Lamar. Now, let's hope he shoots 500 jumpers a day in the offseason so he'll help us spread the floor for Bynum, Gasol and Kobe.
Posted by: Xodus | May 07, 2008 at 02:30 PM
mamba24 Welcome Back
If you are adding rings from Clements Add those from Rambis and Brian Shaw. That ought to add at least 6 more.
Posted by: lakernorth | May 07, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Did Kobe grow as a leader, yes. But don't discount the role of Mitch and Jerry. We all know that Kobe is an extremely hard working individual and his drive for perfection is equally extreme. Knowing that, Mitch and Jerry drafted and traded for players that works well with Kobe's personality. Farmar, Sasha, Luke, and Turiaf are all known hard workers and gym rat. Those players personality fits the atmosphere that enable Kobe to lead. In the past, with people like Kwame and Cook, they needed more understanding and tolerance which isn't Kobe's area of leadership. This award by Kobe really is a total team work not only just of the players, but of coaches and the managment.
Posted by: panlion | May 07, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Wes,
“Would you trade Andrew Bynum for the number one pick in this year's draft?” – Wes.
No NBA general manager would trade Andrew Bynum for the number one pick in any year’s draft. Andrew is a 20-year old once-in-a-generation player who has shown that he is a top-3 NBA center already and primed to dominate for years to come. No unproved #1 pick, including last year’s darling Greg Oden, would ever be worth trading Bynum.
“Think about it. Bynum is a bit redundant with Pau there and we could get a franchise point guard to run with our big three. Then use the money we would have given Bynum on Elton Brand. What of it?” – Wes
I don’t need to think about it. Bynum is not “a bit redundant with Pau” unless you mean having two 7-foot superstars is redundant. Bynum provides physical domination on both offense and defense and the boards that Pau cannot provide at center while Pau is better suited, as he says himself, to play power forward. The Lakers will NOT trade Bynum.
Furthermore, whatever salary Andrew Bynum is paid (probably $80M over 5 years) will be allowed since he is already under contract and has Larry Bird rights under the CBA. The Lakers could NOT use this money to pay for another team’s free agent such as Elton Brand so try and get your facts straight before proposing any strategy.
Finally, we really do not need a franchise point guard at this point. We already have a 3-time NBA champion at point guard in Derek Fisher, a rising star at point guard in Jordan Farmar, and the rights to 6-9 point guard Sun Yue, who could be another stat-filling star in the mold of Lamar Odom and Luke Walton and defender like Trevor Ariza.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 07, 2008 at 02:31 PM
What's going in New Jersey dangit!
I'm certain the K Bro's are workin' the phones on this one.
What's up fellers?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 07, 2008 at 02:32 PM
mrbarneydangles,
My feeling that tonight is going to be, by far, the best game we've seen the Lakers play so far in the playoffs.
The connection between the crowd and Kobe will be historic. The team will get swept up in the energy.
It should be a beautiful game.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Jon K. I hope you're right!
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | May 07, 2008 at 02:38 PM
LakerTom,
The Celtics are going to choke.
It's going to be a Lakers-Pistons Finals.
I hate the Pistons.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Hey everyone! I am a very frequent reader, but always too lazy to post anything :)
I just wanted to say how much I love the show and the blog...I crack up all the time (how original of me to say, I know).
I also wanted to respond to a question posed by the K-bro's on the show today about who Maurice Podoloff was (the name on the MVP trophy). I looked on Wikipedia, and he was actually the first president of the NBA, from 1946-1963. He was responsible for instituting the 24-second shot clock, the collegiate draft, and the first TV contract for the NBA...so now you all know :)
Posted by: SDLALGIRL | May 07, 2008 at 02:45 PM
THESE ARE NOT LAST YEAR’S LAKERS…
Last year’s Lakers were like your and Mom and Dad’s old V8 sedan running on just 6 of 8 cylinders with Kwame and Smush in the lineup. Every time the team got itself rolling, engine failure would bring the ride to a screeching halt, leaving the driver Kobe Bryant frustrated beyond belief and crying for help. This year’s model has a rebuilt V12 engine with a full 12-cylinders all of which are humming, including Kobe, Derek, Pau, Lamar, Luke, Jordan, Sasha, Ronny, Drew, Trevor, Coby, and DJ. Now when Kobe punches the accelerator, the Lakers roar. When he ducks and dives into the lane and throws down a vicious dunk, the surround sound scream of the fans reverberates throughout the league. These are not last year’s Lakers. They are the next decade’s great Lakers dynasty.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 07, 2008 at 02:46 PM
LakerTom,
I am beginning to question Bynum's hunger with this injury. Some real big guys are over-sensitive to pain for some reason.
Still, let's be serious...
A healthy Kobe, Bynum, Gasol, and Lamar, with an invigorated Bench Mob, AND the possible addition of a talented free agent hungry to be on a Championship-quality team leads to one possible conclusion:
A Lakers Dynasty that competes for (and wins) the Championship every year for the next four years.
We don't need any significant tinkering with this squad. We just need to let them grow and improve together.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 07, 2008 at 02:50 PM