Odds and ends - Light reading before Game 1
Three hours (give or take) from the tip of Lakers vs. Jazz, Game 1, Western Conference semis (a nice thing to hear for Lakers fans after the last three seasons), here are some odds, ends, news and previews to digest before the fun begins:
-The Lakers learned about Kobe's most-valuable-player award during their team dinner, which made for an even more fun night out, but are excited to finally be playing again. Phil Jackson thinks a layoff-induced slow start is certainly a concern, but shouldn't linger. The Jazz hopes it can do what the Nuggets couldn't - give L.A. a strong challenge from moment one. It's another chapter in the long, rugged history between these two teams. Steve Dilbeck of the Daily News says it'll be a much stiffer test.
-Nobody in the other locker room will argue about Kobe as MVP.
-Bill Plaschke takes a look at what has been a very long, often tough, yet still uplifting year for Derek Fisher. A Q and A with Pau Gasol.
-Previews: SportsHubLA gives five things to watch. Scouts Inc. says Lakers in six, as does the LAT's Mike Bresnahan. Kenny Smith gives L.A. way more check marks. Pregame thoughts from Forum Blue and Gold.
GOOD MORNING LAKER NATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD MORNING CHARLES.... LETS GET IT CRACKIN...
Special; thanks this morning to justanothermambafan, benjamin, the Spirit of Mamba, Toad, giantsquid, MiloRambaldi ,Trio,Edwin Gueco,Jon K.,exhelodrvr, J.W Weatherman, Lakerholic,Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky..
Although as an "unwritten rule" Mamba24 and he alone selects the Blogger of the Day, in honor of YOUR LOS ANGELES LAKERS 07-08 MVP...... Number 24 ... KOBE BRYANT !!!!!!!!! Today's very special guest to announce... take it away Kob...
KB: Thanks unknown dude,
I'd like to sincerely thank each and everyone of you that,despite the tough times, have bled purple and gold since you can remember. Thank You. On behalf of some beloved dude here that calls himself, Mamba24( ha ha nice), I, Kobe Bean Bryant, would like Todays Blogger of the blah blah blah.. by the way, what exactly is a blogger? My bad, I slipped and went into Mamba mode thinking about how I'm gonna destroy the Jazz later on..lost my train of thought...
Ok without further ado.. RD2's game one, gameday Bloggers of the Day....... J. W. Weatherman and Lakeraholic for being strong and standing firm on their convictions !!!!! At the end of the day, We are them, they are We and to disagree, is not to disrespect because we are a FAMILY of Laker Lovers!!!.......
Now lets let the stress go and get OBNOXIOUS !!!!!!!!!!
Everyone up and at 'em, cause it's...........................
GAME DAY AND TIME FOR ROOOOOOLLLL CAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today the Lakers begin the second part of the quest for another banner, and all of LAKER NATION needs to be up and ready for the fray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PNE DOWN, FO! FO! FO! TOI GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12 TO 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FOR THOSE THAT WANT A SHORT POST
PLEASE USE YOUR SCROLL FEATURE NOW!!!!
WHAT TIME IS IT???? FO, FO, FO, FO
We'll hold you down Mamba24 BELIEVE THAT FAM !!!!!!!!
EVERYONE READING... TOP OF YOUR LUNGS.. LET IT OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE ONE, WE ARE LAKERS!!
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
CALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
(1) Faith, Bob, Keifo, Vman. Jay Jay, Charles, Edwin Gueco, Tsiry, FATTY, AngryLakerTha Show, Tim-4-Show, TheLakeShow, Generic_One, Pig Miller, Toad, Taliq, LakerTruthWesJoeNixon, Zakee, Cleon, SBPimp, The_D, Bozz, #4, Nemia Faletogo, Elle, HmrHed
ComptonsFinest, FlagrantFowl LakerLegacy, Exhelodrvr, Laker Tom, Rick Friedman ,RDLEE, PURPLE HEART, Allan-Brazil, Puddle, Andrew Z. Hugo Boss, CORNER J.
The Outlaw, Tsphere, Jon Kavulic,
WeaveMan,SixOneZero, FearlessWhackJob, CBuck
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, DICE8UP, Never, JANAYA, EastCoastJessie, Jman,BackMamba24, BrownMamba24, WhiteMamba24, Mamba24Fan4Life, FanOfMamba, JustAnotherMAMBAFAN, Mamba#5, JustALakerFan, VI LakerFan, LALFan, KOBE24
Greek Dude, Afro Joe, KB8THWonder, Original Ken, Original J J, LakerMan420, PURPLE&GOLD_REIN, ZEN, Ando, Brylle, MOKO, JOHNNY P., MIKE DILLS, ISSANG
LakerGurl, SFLakerGirl, PsychedLakerGirl, SimiLakerGirl, LakerGirl1980, LakerLassHoustonLakerGirl, SheKobe, LakersRydeOrDie, SloGal, TWoody, LakerFaze, Wow
DrewPauKobe, GoKobeGo, KobesBad, KobeRocks, Laker/KobeFan, NIK KANNANMrBarneryDangles, Todd, JesterGuru, SmoothD, JCool, Jeff, David Whang, WWKBD
KIWI, Machiavelly, DOC4daLakeShow, LakersMR, LakersSTH, HobbitMage, KoreyAllan-BRAZIL, Herb Stempel, DarkAngelSK, TROY, T_Sensei, BerkleyLaker, Dave M.Stars_R_Aligned, Cscoot, The_Dude_Abides, Johnny Laker, The HEAD-MBENGA.L.A. Watcher, LakerGurl, FUEGO32, EHOMP, KCHW, MICHIGAN_LAKER
Complex Brotha, WondahBap, Derek, Benjamin, The HAMMER, Cyrus(Ventrilquist), HappyCamper, HappyDaze, HappyGilmore, CriticalBeatDown, RealityBites, BZAR,Amazing Happens, TELLitLIKEitIS PSLakerLover, Lakers4Lyfe, Lakers4Real, Che,
CooLHAIR, The_COOL BOBIE, SpokanLakerFan, Duma, Shum, ManSlayer, FatSam ,AKR68, GiantSquid, BotSoy, LakerFan, LA_Mental, CaliPhilosopher, JLuv, CDub0512
Bruzer, Peanut_Butter_Spread, Laker_Kev, Lakers_Sparks_Fan, Trio, Reality_Check
: DAVE ROSENZWEIG, DANCAT, LakerBandit, TwoForOne7, HAWAIID,Chick4EverYou Ever Notice? MarkyTheArky, Justin Leonard, FIishEye, Linda Pineda, Kidwell, MelBronxLakerFan ChitTownLaker, HoustonLaker, TexasLaker, BrazillianLaker, USCLaker
LakerNorth, LakerinBC, ROMY R, NIK KANNAN, Earth_Wind_&_Fire, FKIllah, TEEJAA Los, Wizo, Caeser, Maxximo, Wolf, Chuck23, 10MillionDollarZen, Man, Jeff GrotkeLakers4Realz, Gino, Gabe, Darick, Floyd, Vincent, ROBYN, Khang, Old Scholol, TP,Eddie Brock, Jandro, Paul Lee, AJAX, Mitchell, David In Spain, J_Doubter, Guy, Xtro,
Playa, Butler, Franky_J., Daryl, LakerDawg, DK,JC, The Dropper, Afro Joe, JeffMobWagoneer, PK-in-the-MESA, GreenPaz, Andy B, TIKI, HUBBIT, Jamie SWEET
SwanWorld, , Benny Blanca, MEL, AdamKiley, JUSTIN, CHRIS H, LADIESMANLinda Pineda, CaliKing, Thirty2, Aime Williams, Chucky .L.Ohno, Look Lonely, Kyle
LakerHolic, GDChild, Dion Centralk, Staples24, Robyn, Lakers08, Mel, J.D. HastingsLaker_Fan, True Laker Fan, Passionate Laker Fan, LT Laker_Fan, Grail, DaxMDD
40YearFan, KillerEight, LOTEC9, LAKER_LARRY, Todd Battles, ASM, MikeAz, LakaLover, Bynumite, CS, Baywood, LakerHopeful, Bobie, Gilly, MARCO64, Drew
Purple&Gold_4Eva, B4Hoops, HeWhoHoops, Jorema, Xtro, MCGarnagle, LENT Gugy, Laker4Life, ASM, SAMLL, Pince Akrasian, EagleBoy, JR., BLKTHGHT06,
SighBrandon C. Tully Moxness, LakerBake, Sean74, Sead94, LongLiveChick Kinglakernidas, RespectMyAuthorith, Hariyahu, Alexinh017, NESTROS BISTROLiveLakers, Blaze1Bx, Phred, Swettual, Tajluck, Violater, MARTY, KIKOS DADRicoTico, Lauria, Sean P. SocalSpider , Sambosola BigGameJames, Dascilla
JoninJAPAN(INCANADA), FRANCESCO, RHON SALMON, STUCKINNY
*
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES.
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY.
THE ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(6). THE
HOME OF WILT KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
BOB MCADOO, "BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH
THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER CHICK HEARN
COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be well and do you Larry, but know your spirit has never left this blog and until you get back, your Laker Family will honor that dedication you've given us.. Hurry back Bro..One Love....
Posted by: complex brotha | May 04, 2008 at 09:24 AM
About a month ago we played one of our best games of the season against the Jazz. We need to do that same thing today. Tonight we need to be writing about how remarkable this game was, how we passed, played great defense, rebounded like Charlie Sheen after a tough breakup and shot a sizzling percentage.
Utah fans are giving themselves a pretty good chance to beat us, with this first game as the key upset of the series.
We need to put and to their hopes as soon as possible.
And Mrbarneydangles, yeah, I miss Elden Campbell too. Great free throw and perimeter shooting big man, had a great drop step and was a tough match up for even the biggest teams in the league. Wasn’t he also tied at one point with the NBA record for consecutive years showing a scoring improvement (7)?
And this quote comes to mind when I think of the criticisms of the Roll Call:
“Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.
“Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.”
Has there been and clarification of the discrepancies between Bynum’s timetable to return and his doctors’? Are his doctors really saying he can come back from the injury for the WC finals?
We need to add a Cooper to this team. Do we have a second rounder in this draft? Maybe we can find one there.
Lastly, I think we’re gonna need Turiaf before this series is over. All our big men will be counted on.
You listening Andrew?
Wes
Posted by: | May 04, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Make them obey!
Posted by: Semper Fidelis | May 04, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Drats and darns ..... no Mamba roll call yet!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Lakers!
Derek Fisher is a man ... I am so encouraged by his story. Not to be maudlin or melodramatic but whenever I read his story I simply want to be a better person.
My prayers and best wishes to him and his.
Posted by: Glenn | May 04, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Ahhh Man I'm stoked.. how's this for adults behaving badly... I'm so excited about today's games.. I got Elvis Costellos Pump It Up BLASTIN.. and my GF came downstairs and busted me hoppin around like a teen at a rave.... embarrassing but still funny
Posted by: complex brotha | May 04, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Looking forward to this game. I'm a bit nervous, but confident. This series will be nowhere close to the simplicity of the match up against Denver, but I still think we'll take it.
By the way, AK/BK: I've been reading your blog(s) for about a year now, but I've never commented. Keep up the great work!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Alena | May 04, 2008 at 09:47 AM
GAME DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TIME TO SHOW THE WORLD WHY WE"RE THE BEST FRANCHISE IN NBA HISTORY.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 04, 2008 at 09:47 AM
complex brotha,
Way to uphold the tradition.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 04, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Thank you complex brotha for that rousing roll call - LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T minus 3 hours go GAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!
Meanwhile - GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!! Wouldn't you just LOVE to see Kevin "Mr. Over-rated" Garnett and the Greenie Weenies go down in a flaming fire ball of doubt & shame???!!!!!!!!! I know I would.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 04, 2008 at 09:55 AM
How about this quote from Gasol:
Q: If you weren't a basketball player, what would you want to do?
A: I did one year of medical school, so I was kind of going for the doctor thing. My mom is a doctor and my dad a nurse. Kind of runs in the family. I've always been very identified with medicine and science. It goes back 15 years. If you asked me what I wanted to become, I would have said a scientist. What kind of scientist? I wanted to investigate and find remedies for all the big illnesses that affect us. So that's what I wanted to do, so that's why I ended up choosing medicine to study at the time. But I couldn't keep up with it. I had to chose between b-ball and medicine. I chose basketball. It ended up working out pretty well.
Wow. I love having this guy as one of our leaders.
Wes
Posted by: | May 04, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Does anyone have a link to the Celtics/Hawks game or Lakers/Jazz game? My tv isn't working and I don't want to drive out to a bar. Thanks.
Posted by: BerkeleyLaker | May 04, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Stream links for Hawks/Celts~
Web: http://xssports.lhosting.info/
Sopcast: sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/50662
No idea if either or both will have the Lakers as well.
Posted by: Manbearpig | May 04, 2008 at 10:05 AM
The air quality in the Garden is so bad after the opening ceremonies it looks like they could be playing in LA down by the 5 freeway or something!! It's downright smoggy in there!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 04, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Ha i Love the Roll Call i always come on the Blog but hardly ever post. Good Job everybody. The Roll Call just makes me feel so good that all Lakers Fans are together and i love the last part " We are the Freaking Lakers"! lol This blog makes me so happy and helps me while away the time when im tired of studying, law school student here. Love you guys and AK and BK. Let's go, lol Utah Jazz is not ready for this, lol. Was that really Kobe posting earlier?
Posted by: KOBE1 | May 04, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Make no doubt, this is a good opponent. I think this will be a good gauge on how ready we are as a playoff team.
Denver was physical, but they ended up beating themselves - down the stretch. However, what we can glean from that is the Lakers weren't discouraged by a physical game. They aren't going to melt or anything. The fact is, they stayed above it and took the path of least resistance.
I think Phil, being the hippie that he is, relishes preparing his teams against physical/old school systems and coaches. He seems to love having his fun against hard-nosed coaches, being the contrarian that he is. The chess match against physicality will be fun to watch.
Posted by: #4 | May 04, 2008 at 10:38 AM
80% of NBA viewers are wondering "who's the guy with Kobe" in the "only one" spot?
Posted by: Vman | May 04, 2008 at 10:40 AM
That article by Plaschke reminds me of what a good and thoughtful writer he can be. He has shown too much of the smarmier side (in my opinion) over the past year or two but for now, bygones... it's a good day to put all postive energies out there... and whip Utah's butt!!
Posted by: dave m | May 04, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Good Game Day Laker Nation, AK/BK, Mr. and Mrs. America and all ships at sea,
For those sadly born without a sense of whimsy or community team spirit, intolerant of Fanfare for The Common Laker Blogger or looking for the Tactical Gameday-Sync-Blog-Think-Tank...Please, scroll now.
With a song (albeit twisted) in my heart, always a little levity for this waaay to serious sometimes blog of 'All Things Laker' and filling the musical 'role-calling' of my decomposing mind...
I humbly present for Round The Clock Purple And Gold Laker Blog consideration...still channelling our very own, acerbic, poet-laureate native son, Mr. Randy Newman...here's my ultimate parodic take-away...five-fingered from his 1968 eponymous debut album...a little second-round stir on his classic "Beehive State" (Yes, he really did write a song about Utah way back in the day...how prophetic and convenient!).
Purple and Golden State vs. The Beehive State (Coaches Corner Comments)
Media Feeding Frenzy:
"Since you're the mind behind the Lakers
Will you kindly take the floor
And tell us, just what's your Utah gameplan
And can you take 'em in four?"
Coach Phil Jackson:
"Well we've got to stay within our offense
Use extra passing and show restraint (on threes)
Then we got Lamar and Pau as enforcers
To help us win the paint." (Oh, please!)
With our sixth man there at Staples
We're talking nineteen thousand strong
We've got a U-haul serie-ous advantage
So I don't see it/them lasting long
Media Feeding Frenzy:
"We see the coach approach from Utah
The angry Beehive State
How can you out-Jazz these Lakers?
What makes their Triangle great?"
Coach Jerry Sloan:
"Well, we got to watch the tapes from Denver
So we can squelch their teamwork flow
And find out how we're 'spose to defend Kobe
`Cause nobody seems to know"
So we're gonna turn loose Boozer and AK
Then let D-Will do his biz...
And we'll play this round like it's the Finals
'Cause for our team...it truly is"
REMEMBER PHOENIX (R.I.P.)...DISMEMBERED DENVER.
THE SUN NEVER SETS ON THE LAKER EMPIRE!
WE SHALL NEVER SURRENDER!
TAKE NO PRISONERS!
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: Herb Stempel | May 04, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Derek Fisher gave me directions yesterday.
I was lost in the valley, pulled over to a gas station and asked the guy in front of me for directions. He got out of his car and spent fully 10 to 15 minutes with me, explaining exactly how to get where I wanted to go. He called up GPS on his ipod and showed me the streets. After a few people drove by and screamed go Lakers, I realized it was him.
All the good things they say about d.fish are true. I was really touched by this. He genuinely cared and was extraordinarily cool. I just read about his daughter. I can't believe how difficult that must be for him. I hope that all turns out the best for d.fish. A truly cool and decent human being.
Posted by: the markster | May 04, 2008 at 10:49 AM
We need to come out hard and strong from minute 1 and just demoralize them! Gasol passes, Kobe drives, Lamar crashes the boards, Fish and Rad pop in 3's. Bang - they'll never know what hit them. I'd love it if they never had the lead for even a minute. If we take this wire to wire they'll know the jig is up and we'll win in five.
I can't even wait the next hour and a half!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jay Jay | May 04, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Hopefully Pau can find a good lady here in Los Angeles, but not too good of a lady that would take away from his game.
p.s. Don't worry guys. If the Lakers are losing, I'll predict them to lose.
Posted by: never | May 04, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Welcome Alena & KOBE1 to the AK/BK award-winning blog!
Hawks are looking a little confused right now - hope they get it together soon. I really - oh so badly - want the hated Lepercons to go down in a big heap of shame & regret....I might not get my wish in this series, but I know it will happen before it's all said & done this season.
GO HAWKS!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 04, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Toughest team with the toughest guy wins.
http://tinyurl.com/6xj8ql
Let's go Lakers!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 04, 2008 at 10:56 AM
It's game day, Baby.
Tme to GET IT ON
Posted by: Jeff | May 04, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Finally, I don't have to try and follow along at work...
Middle of a 3-day weekend, Lakers in HD, improvising tough D in Jazz mode key of MVP.
Stompin' at Staples, come on gametime.
Let's go LAKERS ! ! ! ! ! !
Posted by: Stockton_Showtime | May 04, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Mike Tirico interviewed Derron Williams before the game and I have to tell you - he does NOT sound all that confident. Let's hope that rubs off on the rest of his team.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 04, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Just made a 2-1 bet that Kobe would have a double double at some point in the series, I like my odds. I think Kobe is going to play a superb game today coming off the MVP news. He wants to show the world why he is the best and why he is deserving. Im expecting 35-7-12.
KOBE= MVP
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | May 04, 2008 at 11:17 AM
You're most welcome Complex Brotha, that's what happened when someone tinkers the whack jobs' entree, it replicates to several menus.
Observation on the Celtics team....They are composed of the best players from different teams:
Glenn Davis - one of the best college drafts about 3 years ago;
Pruitt & Scalabrine - best players of USC
Posey - from Miami Heat Champs
Rondo - favorite of LakerTom in '06 draft
Sam-Iam - the old reliable
Allen - Soncs 'chise
KG - T'wolves 'chise
Pierce - remnants of Celtics rebuilt
When coached as a team by Doc Rivers, they are like a collection of junks in your backyard. Their talents do not match with each other, they need a good landscaper, an interior designer and lastly an architect before handing it to Doc Rivers. lol
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 04, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Chest pound out to complex brotha......great job, man!
Additional chest pound to all dedicated to keeping the unifying tradition of ROLL CALL going as we anticipate the return of sorely missed HOF Blogger, Mamba24. A very warm game day GOOD MORNING to you, Mamba, come back soon!
GAME.DAY!!!!!
12 TO 15!!!!!
Only 3 things to keep in mind today.....
FOCUS! INTENSITY! DEEEEEEEFENSE!!!!!
One down, FO! FO! FO! TO GO!!!!!
LETS GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | May 04, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Off topic question:
At half-time of the Celtics/Hawks game, they aired a spiel about LeBronz. He says that (speaking about his family) - "if it wasn't for them, I'd probably go crazy a couple more times a year".
What does that mean?!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 04, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Good morning Laker Blog Family! GAME DAY!!!
I had a premonition early this morning that Sasha was going to have a big game,
possibly a career high in points.
If Lakers win today, they win the series. Bank on it!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Bzar | May 04, 2008 at 11:37 AM
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: David Whang | May 04, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Always nice to wake up to the blog roll call.
Keys of the game? Defense. It's imperative we use size on Deron, and battle for the paint. Nothing need to be too easy. Too easy for them means loss for us.
GO Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | May 04, 2008 at 11:46 AM
justanothermambafan,
I peeped that too about that LeBronz statement! What the hell is he sooooooo "stressed" about having babies out of wedlock maybe? Or did he just not have anything better to say? Or maybe his mom's Gloria is drinking herself into a oblivion and he stressed over that? Stu Scott absolutely adores LeBron but where is the ESPN special about Kobe that Spike produced? What up with that? I didn't get that inside thingy on LeBron, the timing or whatever of it? You'd think he was the League MVP or whatever..But then again, he is the darling of ESPN after all....
BTW, I am not all that impressed with Boston and the announcers are making a big to do about the Hawks not bringing it on the Celtics home floor but if I can recall, Boston hadn't won any games away from the Garden either! They were both taking care of homecourt..Still, I am not impressed. I think BronBron can take them!
Enough about the irrelevant,
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 04, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Yo Laker Fam,
Nice to see I'm still on the roll call. It's been a while since I've been on here or posted. Been busy. How is everyone? I made plans to go to L.A. and I'm going o need help on where to go, what to do before the game (provided there is one....of course...a Finals game)...help me out.
Wondah
Posted by: wondahbap | May 04, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I noticed K.G. Has MADD CHAT for somebody who never won a championship b4!
Whats up with all the phake swagger?
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 04, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I am by no means a Laker fan (lol I'm saying this on a Laker blog).
But I hope the Lakers shut down the Boston Celtics.
I have no respect for Garnett or the Celtics at all! Anyone watching game 7? Look how good they think they are? They are in game 7 YES SEVEN! against what? the lowest ranked team in the eastern conference playoffs! Also I love the refs. 3 Boston players can be all over a Hawk, but dare 1 hawk player to lay a finger on a Celtic and OMG it's a big deal. Total bull crap If you ask me. Holy crap! did you see Garnett take out that dude (don't remember the guys name) on the hawks. No whistles or anything (they did call it a foul and garnett went out for the game) This is just ridiculous.
Anyways sorry for the wall of text and the crappy grammar. I just had to vent some fustration...
GO LAKERS! I HOPE YOU GUYS DESTROY THE STUPID CELTICS!
Posted by: Walty | May 04, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Walty,
I think most of us feel like you do. Are you sure you're not a Lakers fan? lol.
Boston is pumping themselves up...nevermind that they're in 7 games, and have yet to win on the road!
Posted by: Faith | May 04, 2008 at 12:11 PM
A Final Post,
First, I would like to apologize to anyone who was hurt in any way by my comments. My intention was never to disparage or put-down any other posters. In fact, I don't think I ever did, however I think my words were taken out of context perhaps and through trickle-down blog dispersion were eventually seen as attacking Mamba24 personally. My issue was never with the poster, just with one specific style of posting.
To elaborate, my contention with the 'roll call' posts has never been their length. There are many lengthy posts that offer original thoughts and content that are well worthwhile. My issue with the roll calls was their tone, formatting (over-use of graphical elements, caps/no-caps, popularity lists etc), and adamant first-of-the-day positioning. To me that comes off as a thuggish, self-hyping egotism. Like the people who play their radios too loud knowing it bothers other people, or who don't pick up their dog's poop from your lawn, or who constantly graffiti the same wall after the community cleans it up. The caller on PG&B on wednesday referred to them as "Unibomber" style posts, so know I'm not alone in seeing them this way, just in the extreme minority.
That being said however, the blog has spoken on the subject, as have AK/BK. I've participated in this blog from it's very inception (under a different name at the time) and have been saddened to watch what I see as a dramatic dip in quality over the past year with the onset of these types of posts. I now understand a large majority of current posters find the roll calls enjoyable for whatever reason, and as I'm not the type who would seek to gain from dampening any other person's enjoyment in any way, I think you should continue with them as you all see fit, and I will respectfully bow out and find another place to share my laker enthusiasm. My recent posts were perhaps a last ditch effort to try and get the blog back to the 'way it was' back when I enjoyed it - however I now realize that isn't going to happen, and there are many who enjoy it greatly in it's current format and you should be allowed to do so if the purveyors of the blog are for it, which they apparently are. Maybe I'll return again under another moniker sometime, but J.W.Weatherman is now dead in the scheme of this blog, I hope you are able to go back to enjoying it as you did before I caused such a ruckus.
-JWW
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | May 04, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I noticed K.G. Has MADD CHAT for somebody who never won a championship b4!
Whats up with all the phake swagger?
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | May 04, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I'm a huge KG fan, but I think this season on the Celts (and being on a good team) has turned KG into a tool. If you win the whole thing, then you can talk mad smack. Cart way before the horse for now.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 04, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Faith,
By the merefact the 16th seed of the playoffs teams brought the much ballyhooed 1st seed to the 7th game, that's victory out there. What Garnett is doing is to save face, preserve career reputation that is a 7th game closer against weak teams. They will advance to 2nd rd to meet LBJ & his Cavaliers.
Lakers should be business like in Game 1, see the entrance of Kobe, nice suit for the MVP. I hope they are not rusty or else bring a lot of WD40. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 04, 2008 at 12:25 PM
JWW,
Nice post. You are forgiven and I respect your opinion. Let's go back to being a Laker fan than mind what other Laker fans are doing.
Go Lakers, we need to win Game 1.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 04, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Happy Game Day, Laker Nation!!!
Keeping with the "light reading" in the title of this post, I wanted to let you know I've got the Lakers' back here in southern Spain.
There's a joint USA/Spain Navy base here in my town, so there are a lot of Americans around. Our local fair is going on right now and I was walking around with my boys when I ran into a guy wearing a Spurs jersey... a Tim Duncan jersey to be exact. I got up close behind him, cleared my throat and said: "Kobe Bryant: MVP... Lakers all the way to the Championship!" The guy turns around... looking like Louis Gosset Jr. from Officer and a Gentleman... but taller... and a lot more muscle... I thought he was going to pop me in the nose... but he just laughed and said: "First we lose game 1 to the Hornets and now a local is talkin' smack to me... my day cannot get worse." heh heh ... I bought a round of beers for the good sport and his buddies to take the sting off the situation... so all was cool in the end. :-)
Posted by: David In Spain | May 04, 2008 at 12:35 PM
C'mon JWW,
Can't you just scroll past the roll calls? Your other posts (not dealing with roll call) are very good. If you feel disgraced or whatever, how about using a different name when you post?
You're an asset to this community. It's bhe best Lakers blog. Stick around man, please.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 04, 2008 at 12:36 PM
go Lakers
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 04, 2008 at 12:40 PM
To be honest Benjamin, I find the K-Bros actions on this one to be pretty hypocritical on a number of fronts. For now I'm really not interested in participating, but if I change my mind at some point I'll come back under another name. Best, JWW.
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | May 04, 2008 at 01:10 PM
JWW
I too found the "Cut and paste" long blog entries to be silly and a waste. They never really bothered me and I did scroll past. I just thought they were very LAME. Mamba24 was a good member so I just figured it was his thing. It's not the length, long blog entries like LakerTom's are awsome.
JWW, your a good member of the blog and I'm sorry to see you leave.
Good job to all you "Chest pounders" like complex brotha, benjamin, and toad. Hope your proud. But you probably are as you routinely try to "Abuse" those who don't agree and won't submit.
KBros:
Love your blog enties and info, but I don't think you handled this one very well. Very ONE SIDED. Now instead of MAYBE once a day, we have to look at the nonesense in every thread.....3, 4, 5 times a day thanks to the "Chest Pounders" mentioned above. Along with the gloating.
Posted by: Eric M. | May 04, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Eric M-
At this point, it should be a dead issue. If people want to continue beating on it, we're not posting the comments. Particularly if they're directed at JWW.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 04, 2008 at 02:16 PM
JWW, fair enough brother. You gotta follow your heart. Hope to see you again even if I don't know it's you.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 04, 2008 at 05:37 PM