Kickin' it
The purple and gold were back to work on Wednesday but still lack an opponent. That's fine with Phil Jackson and his squad, as they're more than happy to let the Jazz and Rockets beat each other up to the point that both teams would arrive in Round 2 as walking wounded:
"I'm hoping that the Utah-Houston series goes seven games and maybe like three overtimes," forward Lamar Odom said. "Our job is done as far as the first round and we want to see these teams battle each other, beat each other up. And then we'll be ready for them."
Take that to mean they'll take rest over rust any day. Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Derek Fisher got just that, sitting out what what was a feisty five-on-five scrimmage in El Segundo. At least they know the schedule. If the Jazz wins on Friday to close out the Rockets, Utah will be in LA on Sunday for Game 1. Should the series go seven, Round 2 will begin Tuesday. Fisher would just as soon see the Jazz.
Again, the question is raised: What exactly did LA's sweep of Denver prove?
Fisher, president of the NBA Player's Assn., said Wednesday that he doesn't have a problem with the "menacing gesture" fines received by Boston's Paul Pierce and Washington's DeShawn Stevenson.
Not surprisingly, with the Lakers on hiatus, Avery Johnson gone, and Mike D'Antoni rumored to be on his way out, most of the news centers on what's going on around the conference. First, don't look for D'Antoni to land in Dallas should he find his way out of Phoenix. Too many potential issues there, from D'Antoni looking more to Chicago, to Dallas needing a coach with more of a defensive bend. The Mavericks will also need someone who can make Jason Kidd comfortable, which never happened with Johnson.
Like every other coach on the planet, Avery's name lands on the list of potential coaches in New York. And Chicago.
Meanwhile in Phoenix, they're going to talk things over.
Scroll down to read one reason why we like AI.
It hasn't been all that long since Dennis Rodman was last arrested, but that time period is appparently too long for Rodman's liking.
MAMBA24,
(In my best Morris Day voice)
I needs me some Roll Call and I needs me some BANDWAGONS! YES!
Mamba24's Haters can BITE ME list:
1. Justanothermambafan
2. SBPimp
3. Benjamim
4. Toad
5. coolhair
6. Pig Miller
7. utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
8. HmrHed
9. ajax
10. giantsquid
11. Glen
12. LakerTom
13. MarkytheArky
14.Complex Brotha
15. JohnnyP
16. Bzar
If you share the sentiment, just CUT/PASTE into your post & add your name to the bottom of the list.
Posted by: Bzar | May 01, 2008 at 05:51 PM
giantsquid,
Thanks for the props. I live in NorCal so I’ve heard all the arguments and speculation. Here is my take. There has been a double standard on the Warriors all year where Baron, Jackson, and Monte were not required to play defense or show good shot selection or hustle in general. Baron apparently was pretty hung over from a late party the night before and had had a terrible shooting first half. In fact, the entire team was exhausted by trying to make the playoffs and Nellie realized that they weren’t going anywhere and decided to take the opportunity to send a message to Baron, who knows he has no better option than to stay with the W’s and collect his $17M next year rather than opt out. The assumption is that if Nellie does return, Baron will be on a much shorter leash next year. Of course, what makes this all look pretty silly is that Nelson’s team never play defense.
I really like Kevin Love and agree he would be great on a running team like the Suns or Warriors. He takes up space and plays hard all the time. He is a little short but exactly what the Warriors need. I know it’s impossible for the Lakers to get him but he would also be a great fit in the Lakers because we have the height and length in other players to protect him. His size and hops will be a disadvantage in the pros but his basketball IQ and great all-around ability to shoot, rebound, and defend will make him a great role player and key contributor for some lucky NBA team. Sure wish the NBA still had the old territorial draft where we would get first crack at all SoCal college players. I would even share it with the Clippers, lol.
Following up on our franchise player conversation, I would go so far as to say that the single player today around which to build an NBA team is 20-year old Andrew Bynum. He will win more NBA championships over the next decade than any other player. He is already far ahead of Dwight Howard defensively and nobody really knows yet how good Greg Oden is going to be. I think Drew is the center who will next dominate the NBA. He is already among the top 3 or 4 centers in the league and he is not even 21 yet. And none of the other centers have shown the fire or above-the-rim game that Drew has.
We need to play some basketball before we all go crazy. LOL. Good talking with you.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 01, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Laker Tom,
I have to ask. Why do you consider Duncan overrated? It's pretty hard to even find holes in his game, save perhaps his FT shooting.
Like some other people here, I also think an argument can be made that he's had a better career than Shaq. Diesel may have been more of a "once in an era" type player, but when you look at both guys' careers in and of themselves, and especially factor in elements like dedication, consistency and ego (or lack thereof), Duncan could easily come out ahead.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 01, 2008 at 05:56 PM
giantsquid,
Dr, J was awesome in the old ABA. The other guy who would be high on every list if he had not spent most of his career in the ABA was Connie Hawkins. The Hawk was Dr. J before Dr. J if you get my drift. He was the most graceful player I ever saw play.
I am also a Bruin alumnus and fan and thought Bill would have been the greatest center ever had his feet held up. I met him in person several times but will never forgive him for putting on Shamrock Green. I did love seeing him rooting for the Bruins now that Ben Howland has taken over at UCLA. It will be a challenge next year for Howland.
I do like Bill’s son, although he didn't go to UCLA but I probably would have preferred to have Lute Olson as my kid's coach rather than Steve Lavin, a local guy who grew up in Marin County north of San Francisco where I live. I recently sold an older BMW to Steve Lavin’s brother, who said Steve is loving the broadcaster gig and making twice the money he did at Westwood. Only in the USA. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 01, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Mamba24's Haters can BITE ME list:
1. Justanothermambafan
2. SBPimp
3. Benjamim
4. Toad
5. coolhair
6. Pig Miller
7. utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
8. HmrHed
9. ajax
10. giantsquid
11. Glen
12. LakerTom
13. Mamba24Fan4Life
14. Edwin Gueco
15. HoustonLakerGirl
16. Kobesbad
17. Charles
18. Happy Camper
19. SamLL
20. Vman
21. #4
22. Nemaia Faletogo
23. MarkytheArky
24. JohnnyP
25. complexbrotha
26. Caliphilosopher
27. Bzar
If you agree with the sentiment, just CUT/PASTE & add it to the bottom of the list.
GO LAKERS!
COME BACK MAMBA24!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 01, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Fire32,
Because your freaking asking when "Our" next game is. If the Lakers were out of the Playoffs, and the Suns were still in it. I would be wishing down lightning from the heavens to strike down Shaq, and for Steve's old man back to start acting up again.
"Your" next game is sometime in October... Our next game is probably Sunday.
Posted by: frank1rizzo
__________________________________
OMG - THAT'S THE GREATEST RESPONSE!!! Thank you so much for answering that for me - I couldn't have said it any better myself!
Fire32 - You are a Funs fan - WE are Lakers fans. There's a huge difference & just the fact you've now jumped on board the Laker Nation bandwagon tells me (and everyone here) that. So - enjoy your time off & have fun fishing & see you next year! LOL!
GO LAKERS!
COME BACK MAMBA24!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 01, 2008 at 06:24 PM
LakerTom,
". .Bill would have been the greatest center ever had his feet held up."
Now that has got to be one heck of homeboy statement. Peace LT, just passing the time. You know my homie's Wilt of KU.
Posted by: p ang | May 01, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Laker Tom, I would have to put Tim Duncan on your elite list. I'd probably put Michael Jordan there, too...you left him off. Agree with you about both Waltons. It was interesting to see how the basketball skils of the Bruin players under Lavin would actually REGRESS from their freshman/sophomore seasons to their senior seasons (JD Henderson, Toby Bailey, Jason Kapono, Jelani McCoy...I could go on).
Posted by: The Dude Abides | May 01, 2008 at 06:51 PM
This is exactly the reason we need a keeper of lists. The list is mixed up. Now, you may reason that lists are unnecessary. I could argue the blog is unnecessary. I like the lists, the bandwagons are an expression of unity. That may be a little touchy feely for some. That's ok. We don't like the same things. However, if we had a vote for most popular blogger. Mamba24 makes the starting five every time, and can probably have the pick of his position on the court, although he would defer to others.
Mark
Posted by: MarkytheArky | May 01, 2008 at 06:53 PM
p ang,
Welcome back. Wilt is actually my first favorite player of all time and I still think the greatest center to ever play the game. He is why I became a Lakers fan. I started out as a Warriors fan, then Philly, then Lakers as I followed Wilt’s career. Even though I grew up in LA listening to Chick and liking Jerry and Elgin, it wasn’t until the Lakers traded for Wilt that I pledged myself to purple and gold.
As a Bruin fan, however, I have a lot of respect for the Bill Walton’s basketball IQ and ability. He has always been the Mickey Mantle of the NBA to me, the superstar who would have been the greatest had injuries not derailed his career. Now Wilt, he was Babe Ruth of basketball as far I was concerned. I love the Yankees. I love the 49ers. I love the Bruins. But I LOVE the Lakers.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 01, 2008 at 06:54 PM
AK,
Good question. I should probably retract that comment as I do respect Tim's game as well as his anti-superstar attitude. He is a great teammate and a proven champion so that should have been enough for me to NOT put him into the same category as some of the other players, like Barkley and Malone and Barry who had more talent.
Bottom line, I just never felt that Tim’s individual game was on the same level as other great power forwards. For sure, he doesn’t belong in the group of true franchise players that I was talking about – Magic, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, Russell, Walton, Oscar, Kobe, or MJ – but your point comparing him to Shaq is valid.
After responding to your post, I would have no problem taking Shaq off my list just because of his work ethic (although then I would have to address that issue with Wilt, which I just cannot do out of blind loyalty) but I still don’ t consider Tim a great enough player to be on that list. Nor do I think that KG or LeBron have proved themselves either, although both have a lot of time in which to change my mind.
Therefore, my new true franchise player list is now down to Magic, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, Russell, Walton, Oscar, Kobe, or MJ. I cannot think of any player who I would take over any of these 9, although I am open for suggestions to bring the list to a more orderly 10. OK, I’ll add Andrew Bynum to the list since he is the player that I think has the most potential to eventually join that list. I know. I know. But in another 10 years, I believe I will be proved correct.
LAKERTOM’S FAB 10
---------------------
THE ULTIMATE TOP 10
FRANCHISE PLAYER LIST
-----------------------
Guys you wouldn’t trade
for anybody not on the list
-----------------------
Magic Johnson
Wilt Chamberlain
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Hakeem Olajuwon
Bill Russell
Bill Walton
Oscar Robertson
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Andrew Bynum (Future Pick)
-----------------
JMHO,
Of course, I am not surprised that there are 5 Lakers on my list and only 2 Celtics. LOL. But then I’m just a fan, not a journalist. So who’s on your Fab10 list, Andy?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 01, 2008 at 07:15 PM
For some reason, Lamar can be seen twice from ~1:50 - 2:15 of the new Busta Rhymes/Linkin Park music video........ (and that's the only reason to watch the video).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAMbCmK0iHg
(That's him, right? Unless he's got a stunt double running around -- maybe that's who was playing for the Lakers the first half of the season....)
Posted by: kt | May 01, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Mamba24
I can't believe it! Lakers don't quit, not even waver.
Mamba24 our roll call leader
Go Lakers
Baywood
Posted by: Baywood | May 01, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Caliphilosopher,
LOL. Given the economic times maybe we should all read the fine print.
Posted by: Andy | May 01, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Dude,
You're right about Steve. He could recruit but was lost trying to coach. You would see guys leave the program same as they went in. Not like the Wooden days. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 01, 2008 at 07:37 PM
BROWN NOSER BANDWAGON ROLL CALL:
mrbarneydangles --riding shot gun
PSLAKERFAN ---drifter
Jay Jay --- Boss Man
justanothermambafan --- hired gun
johnny - come lately
LAKER TRUTH --- horse thief
MAMBA24 - Dr. Phil wanna be.
Posted by: | May 01, 2008 at 11:41 AM
When did I become a brown noser? And why don't you sign your posts???? Are you the same nameless blogger that was giving me crap for not "brown nosing" Edwin???
Pckaaaaakkkk, sorry I just felt the need to sound like a chicken, weird, better get that checked out..........
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 01, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Keep the roll call!
Mamba24 forever!
Lakers forever!
Posted by: tellitlikeitis | May 01, 2008 at 08:25 PM
it's kinda cool that this blog stays active during this lull in the season. just goes to show how excited we all are. it's like, we made our own drama.
My prediction for this series,
MAMBA24 comes back to the relief of all.
BTW, thanks kt for the link. I know I shouldn't care that Lamar Odom gets out of a car with cool sunglasses in a Linkin Park video but you know what, I do.
Posted by: eddie brock | May 01, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Andy,
You should have seen the car salesman when I was buying my first car (with my parents). I read EVERY SINGLE WORD of the agreement. It prob took an hour longer than he thought it was going to take!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | May 01, 2008 at 09:48 PM
MAMBA24--
"07 MiloRambaldi – Team Prophet so bored looking at Alias reruns from Season 4."
Hahahaha!!!
So right. But it still was a great show.
After the Lakers win and are no longer on the tube, I've found some new shows to get tired of.
NO.........GET YOUR MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTER!
British shows:
Spooks/MI-5
New Tricks
Torchwood
By the way.
From time to time here deep in enemy territory, we few Laker fans will put just a smidgeon of "natural fertilizer" that is used in the fields around here on the tip of our noses. Helps to mask the pungent odors of your average GreenieWeenie supporter.
The things we have to do around here to survive just because we choose to live near the slimy Leprecon's rock.
Does that qualify me as a brown noser???????
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 01, 2008 at 09:55 PM
What happen to you guys????
Why all of a sudden the hate for the MAMBA24 ROLL CALL?
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE.... THIS IS WHAT WE ARE MADE OF... THIS IS WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE IN MANY WAYS....
WHY WITH A COMMENT FROM SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T EVEN STAY WITH YOU THROUGH LOW TIMES EFFECTED YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND ASK THAT THE ROLL CALL BE BANNED OR SOMETHING...
TO YOU MAMBA24, WHY BE AFFECTED BY SOMEBODY WHO IS YOUR EQUAL AT THE LEAST? YOU DO WHAT YOU GO TO DO AND LET THE REST TAKE CARE OF ITSELF...
WE LOVE YOUR ROLL CALL... I CANNOT THINK OF ANY OTHER BLOG COMMUNITY WHO HAS THE UNIQUE AND EXTRA-ORDINARY UNCOMMON POST WE HAVE HERE...
DON'T STOP NOW!
WE ARE ALMOST IN THE GLORIOUS DAYS!
Posted by: dice8up | May 01, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Mamba24 - BLOG ON - BLOG ON - BLOG ON!!!!!
The longer the better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All the haters can bite me....and SBPimp.....and Benjamin....and everyone else that loves your posts. I'd list them all here, but someone might get upset at the length of my post & have a hissy fit.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 01, 2008 at 12:17 PM
justa:
AMEN! Add me emphatically to the "BITE ME" list!
To all of you who do not appreciate the Roll Call and Mamba's awards and posts, scroll on past the post. Or even quicker, there's the slide bar on the right side of the page to do it even more quickly. Really simple. However, you cannot think that you have the censorship ability to control what anyone posts, the length of the post, the content of the post or anything else. So just shut up about the Mamba. Enjoy him or ignore him, your choice. But do not think for one minute you have the right to control what is blogged or what I choose to read and enjoy. And I couldn't give a rat's a$$ for what some idiot from ESPN said on the radio yesterday about anything.
Posted by: toad | May 01, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Add me to the Bite Me list.
In the all knowing words Only a fool takes another fool seriously".
So Mamba24 ignore those negative bloggersandpost to your hearts content.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 02, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Mamba24's Haters can BITE ME list:
1. Justanothermambafan
2. SBPimp
3. Benjamim
4. Toad
5. coolhair
6. Pig Miller
7. utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER
8. HmrHed
9. ajax
10. giantsquid
11. Glen
12. JustaLakerFan
Sorry if I missed your name. Please just CUT/PASTE into your post & add your name to the bottom of the list.
GO LAKERS!
MAMBA24 - COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 01, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 02, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Mamba24
I am extremely disappointed in you.
I like most others disagree with the negative comments about your posts and roll calls.
I especialy feel that if you decide to give in to those who criticise because you feel basically you won't bother idf they don't like it attitude, then you are wrong.
If you don't want to do roll calls or long posts because it is cutting into work time I can see that but better to cut back than stop.
I saw follow the steps of your tags namesake and and do what if neccessary to win ugh post!
Would Kobe quit or play wounded and give it all????
Think man think.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 02, 2008 at 02:08 PM