Ooopah!!!
If Staples Center featured an Ouzo vendor (and if the powers that be thought outside the box a bit, they would), you'd have heard plenty of that chant getting hollered throughout the building on Wednesday. Twas a night for celebration in the ol' Staples Center shack, decreed underway by Kobe Bryant upon receiving his MVP trophy and hitting another level of "par-tay" with the Lakers' 120-110 win over the Jazz. 
In the case of the latter event, the home squad ensured a celebratory vibe by riding out whatever was thrown their way. With the benefit of a geeked crowd in his pocket, Kobe was met with a wide variety of defenders assigned to shadow. And while Matt Harpring was the most relatively effective, 34 points on 11-18 shooting reflects nobody really stopping The Mamba. They weathered a huge second half from Deron Williams, one that could have been more effective had D.Will's rocky opening not have helped keep the Jazz permanently out of sync. In particular, Carlos Boozer found the sledding tough, mostly dividing his time between taste testing Gatorade flavors on the bench and struggling to stroke nylon. But at least he found some company from his mates in the latter struggle. The Jazz entered a boatload of FGA's into the box score, but didn't find nearly the same numbers when it came to actual makes (45).
Not that Utah's misses prevented them from ever making a run. Quite the opposite, in fact. But the numerous pushes all shared one commonality: None ever really placed the Lakers in, as "Ocean's 11" fans refer to it, "Barney Rubble" (or "trouble," for the non-movie goers). Thwarting those efforts began with the tone set by Kobe and the super smart Derek Fisher, both steeped in successful playoff "been there, done that" (and the latter perhaps in the unsung hero in the Lakers' unexpectedly sweet season). Sasha Vujacic, Lamar Odom (especially gung ho and hitting the boards like a madman) and Pau Gasol all brought their basket prowess to the proceedings, doing their part to create an absurd 57% clip from the field. Whatever the Jazz brought was eventually answered twofold or greater, providing plausible reason Kobe feels an urge to avoid making vacation plans for early June.
Playing late into that month would be the perfect capper to what can be described as a magical season for the Lakers. What's not to like? The vibe permeating throughout a happy locker room. Pau Gasol's arrival bringing about Bowie-esque ch-ch-changes. The back story surrounding Kobe's eventual trophy triumph, one that involves a player once famous for keeping teammates at a purposeful distance, now a believer in creating roster bonds that never break (unless bread is involved, of course). Exhibiting trust towards teammates that blossoms into production beyond anybody's imagination. And as an added bonus, the good fortune all jives with David Stern's master plan.
Laker Land's only current bummer? News that Andrew Bynum may need surgery for his troublesome knee. Approximately another month will go by in waiting, and if there's no significant pain reduction, an exploratory session with the knife may be the next step for answers.
__________________*
SIMERS IS THE KING OF TROLLS
BANDWAGON
*__________________________*
(01) HmrHed - Driver & Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Uses his column to wrap garbage.
(03) KobesBad - Will roll him in grease and fry him
(04) Janaya – Will send his @ss to China
(05) SBPimp – Has a wire hanger for him
(06) JW – Director of Simers Punishment
(07) Ben – Has a Simers alarm on his PC.
(08) LakerLegacy – Can anticipate his stupidity
*___________________________*
Lakers Sweep Jazz - Bandwagon
*__________________________*
(01) TOAD - Owner
(02) LakerTom - Driver
(02) MAMBA24 - Faithful sideKick
(03) DREW - Will use same broom used in last round
(04) # 4 - Director of Round 2 win 4
(05) Chick4Ever - His voice alone can defeat the Jazz.
(06) SemiLakerGirl - Director Round 2 Win number 3
(07) FEARLESS- Toad's personal assistant in charge of all things Homer.
(08) lakersrydeordie – Stopped the Mailman from delivering period!
(09) JustAnotherMambaFan – Director of team dinners – makes sure Kobe
Picks up the check
(10) Janaya – Director of Positive Vibes
(11) WhiteMamba24 – Made Stockton retire.
(12) FairWeatherFatty - Grease monkey that keeps these wheels a turning!'
(13) Tully Moxness – Director of Class
(14) PIG”MILLER – Director of making the finals Trophy shine like the Sun.
(15) Laker Bandit - BandWagon Advance Man
(16) KobesBad - Kobe's personal Security
(17) JesterGuru - Director of Sweep Enforcement
(18)Laker Legacy – Will wear throwback Jersey to victory parade
(19) TWoody – Loaned Kobe the money to buy dinner for the team
(20) Jamie Sweet – Director of No Look Passes
*______________________________*
I SUPPORT RAD/VLAD BANDWAGON
*______________________________*
(01) KEN - Owner & Driver
(02) Mamba24 - ski instructor
(03) Comptons Finest - riding Shotgun
(04) #4 - Vlads new shooting coach
(05) Laker Bandit - On secret mission to find Vlads Shot
(06) KobesBad - Made Vlad shoot 100 free throws
(07) JustaLakerFan - taught Vlad to shoot threes
(08) JesterGuru - Will find why Vlad was a No-Show
(09) Edwin Gueco – Vlads personal masseur
(10) JustAnotherMambaFan – Took Vlads ski’s away from him
(11) Jamie Sweet – Appointments Director
*________________________*
Come Back JWW bandwagon
*________________________*
(01) JesterGuru - Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Driver
(03) JesterGuru - Director of Cut and Paste
(04) Janaya - Director of length of post
(05) Toad – JW’s personal scroller
(06) JustAnotherMamba – Counts each line of post
(07) EdwinGueco - Will Carry the Cross for JW?
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 08, 2008 at 12:51 PM
From the Salt Lake City Journal Review.
'Answer Me This' Sports section:
Dear 'Answer ME',
Maybe you can settle a dispute between me and my friend. Game Six of the Houston series. On TV, we noticed, up in the stands that all the people looked the same. I don't mean because they were all white. But it was kind of freaky, like all the men, young and old, little children, even the women, they all looked the same.
Now my buddy thinks its because they all have been marrying their cousins over and over again. Now me, I think its because they all the same Father.
Answer Me guy. Is it the 'cousins thing' or do they all have the same dad? Who wins the bet?
Signed,
Just Curious
Answer Me: Just Curious. You are both correct. So neither of you wins the bet. haha
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 08, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Thanks for that video link Tsiry!
Posted by: Chad Ridgeway | May 08, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Stranger in the Night
You forgot to mention that you were writing that in a prison.
And don't you worry about bringing in Kwame back.
We don't have to trade both Bynum & Gasol.
We can just give him full MLE plus some cakes.
That should do the trick
Posted by: coolhair | May 08, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Charles............out iwth the joke already bro! Or is this the blog equivalent of how do you keep a Laker joke lover in suspense?
Posted by: toad | May 08, 2008 at 12:55 PM
mamba24, also please put me on the SIMERS IS A TROLL bnadwagon as 'Jamie Sweet-Thinks our earthly troubles are a result of his LAME column' or something to that effect.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | May 08, 2008 at 12:58 PM
This off topic:
I don't know how many of those in the General Admission in the 300 Section saw Vic da Brick last night high fiving everyone. I got a phone call from my son and people were mingling at Mr. Feeling You. He is the quintessential Laker fan. You may say he is a Weirdo... you gotta to be weird to be a genuine Laker fan. lol!
Here's a picture toasting CP3 as a frustrated MVP.
http://allaccess.am570radio.com/loosecannons/gallery/view_gallery.one?pid=23833935¤t_nav=0
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 08, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Edwin
Wake up Edwin, you are just dreaming! Kwame and Smush are still Lakers and Jim Buss is still running the team!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 08, 2008 at 01:02 PM
6 DOWN, 10 MORE TO GOOOOOOOOO!
loving that!
yo, mamba24, the rad vlad support wagon is cool and all, i'm all for it...but where's the We Still Believe in You, Jordie Bandwagon? it's hard to do this, but i think jordan's postseason has been worst than vlad rad's
btw, funny take from SLC Dunk Blog (a jazz blog):
"We're still getting karmic payback from Fisher. He would squelch any Jazz run with a huge three-point shot. He was 4-5 from downtown and finished with 22 points. If you're at the game Friday, please, please give him applause. We need to reverse something."
Posted by: CBuck | May 08, 2008 at 01:25 PM
I nominate Charles's joke as "POST OF THE DAY!" I love it!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | May 08, 2008 at 01:32 PM
__________________*
SIMERS IS THE KING OF TROLLS
BANDWAGON
*__________________________*
(01) HmrHed - Driver & Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Uses his column to wrap garbage.
(03) KobesBad - Will roll him in grease and fry him
(04) Janaya – Will send his @ss to China
(05) SBPimp – Has a wire hanger for him
(06) JW – Director of Simers Punishment
(07) Ben – Has a Simers alarm on his PC.
(08) LakerLegacy – Can anticipate his stupidity
(09) Jon K. - I can smell his vile Troll sweat through my PC.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 01:33 PM
One more thing: Justin C. our Laker brethern in NYC are outshining us! They've beat us to the punch by planning a Laker game watching party.
For the umpteenth time: WE NEED TO HAVE OUR OWN!
Anybody/Everybody with Sports Bar/Nightclub connections, work on it. It's time that we start matching names with faces, dontchathink?!?!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | May 08, 2008 at 01:34 PM
*______________________________*
I SUPPORT RAD/VLAD BANDWAGON
*______________________________*
(01) KEN - Owner & Driver
(02) Mamba24 - ski instructor
(03) Comptons Finest - riding Shotgun
(04) #4 - Vlads new shooting coach
(05) Laker Bandit - On secret mission to find Vlads Shot
(06) KobesBad - Made Vlad shoot 100 free throws
(07) JustaLakerFan - taught Vlad to shoot threes
(08) JesterGuru - Will find why Vlad was a No-Show
(09) Edwin Gueco – Vlads personal masseur
(10) JustAnotherMambaFan – Took Vlads ski’s away from him
(11) Jamie Sweet – Appointments Director
(12) Jon K. - Working the Bio-Chrono mojo.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 01:35 PM
*___________________________*
Lakers Sweep Jazz - Bandwagon
*__________________________*
(01) TOAD - Owner
(02) LakerTom - Driver
(02) MAMBA24 - Faithful sideKick
(03) DREW - Will use same broom used in last round
(04) # 4 - Director of Round 2 win 4
(05) Chick4Ever - His voice alone can defeat the Jazz.
(06) SemiLakerGirl - Director Round 2 Win number 3
(07) FEARLESS- Toad's personal assistant in charge of all things Homer.
(08) lakersrydeordie – Stopped the Mailman from delivering period!
(09) JustAnotherMambaFan – Director of team dinners – makes sure Kobe
Picks up the check
(10) Janaya – Director of Positive Vibes
(11) WhiteMamba24 – Made Stockton retire.
(12) FairWeatherFatty - Grease monkey that keeps these wheels a turning!'
(13) Tully Moxness – Director of Class
(14) PIG”MILLER – Director of making the finals Trophy shine like the Sun.
(15) Laker Bandit - BandWagon Advance Man
(16) KobesBad - Kobe's personal Security
(17) JesterGuru - Director of Sweep Enforcement
(18)Laker Legacy – Will wear throwback Jersey to victory parade
(19) TWoody – Loaned Kobe the money to buy dinner for the team
(20) Jamie Sweet – Director of No Look Passes
(21) Jon K. - Resistance of Team Unity is Futile
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Charles,
That joke was remarkably awesome! Super-fantastic-extra-wonderful good.
And possibly accurate.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Just read Simers. Wish I hadn't.
The man clearly loves the smell of his own farts and cannot understand why everyone else just stares at him coldly.
Posted by: The D | May 08, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Twoody and Charles get props for cracking me up. I love that joke, Charles, though I heard it a little different.
Mamba, man, I gotta find out where Vladdy was? That'd require talking to him and for that I'd need to rent a spaceship.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 08, 2008 at 01:42 PM
The Irvine Spectrum has a some great places, Champs and Fox Sports Grill. I have a small local Irish Pub in Laguna Niguel that I frequent. Im game though.
I will be in Vegas on Sunday night. Anybody else out there this weekend?
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 08, 2008 at 01:43 PM
K Brothers,
I'm surprised that Chris Mihm has received so littlde playing time, especially since the idea of a Bynum/Gasol two-towers has been so extolled.
Any insight into this?
Why hasn't Phil Jackson tried more often to move Gasol over to power forward and have Mbenga, Mihm, or Turiaf play center? If it Bynum/Gasol is expected to be an unbeatable powerhouse, it seems like Bynum/Mbenga-Mihm-Turiaf would be also quite formidable (especially on the glass, which we could use against Utah).
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 01:45 PM
thank you David Stern!!!! You will always be our sixth man!! wink wink
REFEREES WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE DAVID STERN SMILE
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers8-2008may08,0,3590542.column
Posted by: LAKERFANNNNN | May 08, 2008 at 01:48 PM
This post will mix celebration and a Faith like realism.
Our D in the first quarter was about the best I've ever seen. We forced a turnover nearly everytime down. They were smothered! Every drive hit a wall.
Now, we basically cruised on that lead we built up in the first quarter for the rest of the game. We got a couple of stops right at the end that sealed the deal. But for three quarters it was waaaay to easy for the Jazzers.
The good news is we know we have the skills. Whatever mental or physical skills we need to recall, we can get back to that place. And, if we can do it for two quarters there is NO WAY the Jizz stick in the game.
GOOOOooooooOOOOOOOO LLLAAAAAKKKERS!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | May 08, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Congrats to Kobe also for being named First Team All-NBA. Nice to see Pau got some votes too.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 08, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Good Afternoon Everyone!
Good Afternoon Charles, Fatty, Jon K., Toad, Pig, Michigan Laker, David in Spain, Faith, and MAMBA 24!
Mamba24 - Please, sir, I would be so honored if you put me on the Support Vlad/Rad bandwagon. If he gets his shot, we'll be unstoppable
Charles - That joke was HI-Larry-Us!
I hope everyone is having a great day so far. I'm SO glad we didn't get rid of Luke or L.O.!
Let's go Lake Show!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | May 08, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Banner Holder (Utz) -
I'll make a special trip to come back from doing grad school stuff this summer in Texas if there's a viewing party - I'd love to meet up with people and do the whole matching names and faces thing!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | May 08, 2008 at 01:59 PM
AK/BK
Regarding the groundswell for a blog watching party.......
Are the Lakers planning to open Staples for watching parties when the Lakers are on the road? And, if so, would it be psooible for us to get a dedicated "Blog Section"?
utz is right........we probably should look to getting some face to face for those of us in SoCal, and a game at Staples might be the way to go.
Posted by: toad | May 08, 2008 at 02:06 PM
What's up Lakerville!
What a great day to be a Laker fan. 10 more wins to go!
I don't know why the Jazz and their fans are crying foul (pun intended)... they keep on clutching, grabbing and shoving. They've been doing that the entire regular season. But these are the playoffs where everything is magnified. They might be able to hold off on doing that long enough to win a game but in the long run, their true nature will emerge and they'll go back to doing the same things that they were used to doing. Bah who cares about a bunch of whiners. Just shut up and play!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: SamLL | May 08, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Jon-
Short answer, not all "twin tower" combos are created equal. Part of what makes the Bynum/Gasol combination so appealing isn't simply the size, but the skill. Bynum's game, before he got hurt, was starting to move a little farther away from the basket, and obviously Gasol has a great midrange game. Both are great on the block as well. They move the ball, are very mobile and can work the screen and roll, etc. Mbenga is a good rebounder and certainly works hard, but isn't even in the ballpark offensively with either of those guys, or as a total player.
With Mihm, I think if he'd have had more time during the season to get himself back on the court and find a groove, he might be getting more PT now, perhaps moving Gasol over to the 4 from time to time. But unfortunately for him, he didn't get that run, and it's important to remember that he hasn't really played much in two years. It's hard to step on the court in high pressure situations and perform. And obviously the stakes and the risks are higher, which is why rotations tend to shrink in the playoffs.
A full summer and training camp of good health will go a long way to getting him productive time on the court.
Another reason- the current lineup is kicking the hell out of the opposition, so there's really no reason to change anything.
Hope that helps.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 08, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Did I hear about a laker viewing part in OC....I'm down..What about tomorrow? Hell I'd probably do it at my house..Kobesbaaad and in Dana Point
Kobesbaaaad(and he is)
Mamba please put me on the JWW return bandwagon. Nobody should leave at this time of this year
Posted by: Kobesbad | May 08, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Charles Barkley commenting on Kobe highlights after the game:
"Only God can stop that"...LOL
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 08, 2008 at 02:29 PM
BK,
Thanks for the analysis. Make sense.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Kobesbad - Laguna Niguel here. Lets do Patsy's pub!
TWoody Unfortunatly I have a meeting from 6 to 730 tomorrow night. I will have to catch the tivo.
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 08, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Charles, good one!! props!
God is a Laker fan!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | May 08, 2008 at 02:42 PM
THANK GOD WE NEVER TRADED LAMAR…
The defensive job Lamar Odom has done on Carlos Boozer the first two games of the Utah series highlights how versatile and valuable Odom has become to this Lakers team. So valuable that it is quickly becoming a given that Lamar is vital to the Lakers’ success and will be signed to an extension this summer guaranteeing him to be a Laker for life. So versatile that he is not only the team’s leading rebounder and automatic double-double but also the team’s front court defensive stopper, long and tough enough to battle Carlos Boozer, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, or any other power forward in the league.
THANK GOD WE SIGNED DEREK FISHER…
There better NOT be any Lakers fans left who still believe Derek Fisher replacing Smush Parker at point for the Lakers was just a minor upgrade at the position and not a big deal. Or any Laker fans left who believe that the Lakers are NOT getting their money’s worth for the 3-year $13M contract that the Lakers gave Derek as a free agent. While Fish may be the oldest player on the team at 33, you could see his championship demeanor and toughness in the clutch on full display in this series as he has taken one of the two top point guards in the league – Deron Williams – to school on both offense and defense.
THANK GOD WE STILL HAVE KOBE BRYANT…
It is incredible to think of how many wondrous sports moments we have already shared with Kobe Bryant what with the Kobe-Shaq Three-Peat era, the game where he outscored the entire Mavs team after 3 quarters, the unparalleled 81-point game against Toronto. But what is even more exciting is to think about what Kobe has in store for us the rest of these playoffs and the rest of his Lakers career. I believe Kobe is just embarking upon an extended stretch of championship-level superstar play that will eventually earn him recognition as the greatest player ever by the time he hangs up his Lakers jersey.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Anyone in Vegas on Sunday night? Could be a good celebration victory if they sweep. I will be there.
TWoody
Posted by: TWoody | May 08, 2008 at 02:49 PM
**********Repost *********
THE BEST OF TIMES TO BE A LAKERS FAN…
But you wouldn’t know it reading some of the comments by posters on the Lakers Blog. I would have thought that the perfect storm of good fortune that God has thrown the Lakers way this past season plus our glorious history as a championship franchise would have permanently frozen gleeful smiles on the faces of every Lakers fan in the world. Friends, let me let you in on a secret. Now is the time to smile and enjoy our Lakers.
We have the best and most valuable player and the deepest, youngest, and most talented team in the league. We are favored to win our 15th championship even with Bynum and are on the verge of launching another Lakers dynasty. Oh, and God is a Lakers fan.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Bandwagon keepers,
Please add me to the come back JWW bandwagon and the Simers is a worthless troll bandwagon.
Thanks!
__________________*
SIMERS IS THE KING OF TROLLS
BANDWAGON
*__________________________*
(01) HmrHed - Driver & Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Uses his column to wrap garbage.
(03) KobesBad - Will roll him in grease and fry him
(04) Janaya – Will send his @ss to China
(05) SBPimp – Has a wire hanger for him
(06) JW – Director of Simers Punishment
(07) Ben – Has a Simers alarm on his PC.
(08) LakerLegacy – Can anticipate his stupidity
(09) Jon K. - I can smell his vile Troll sweat through my PC.
(10) Benjamin (unless that's me above--Simers is dead to me)
*________________________*
Come Back JWW bandwagon
*________________________*
(01) JesterGuru - Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Driver
(03) JesterGuru - Director of Cut and Paste
(04) Janaya - Director of length of post
(05) Benjamin - tried to prevent JWW's departure before it happened
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Benjamin | May 08, 2008 at 02:55 PM
LakerTom,
Amen.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 08, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Jamie,
Everybody on the roster has a contract for next year except for Ronny Turiaf, Coby Karl, DJ Mbenga, and Ira Newbie, who will be free agents, and Sasha Vujacic, whom will be a restricted free agent after the Lakers exercise the $2.6M qualifying offer on his contract. I assume the Lakers will re-sign Ronny since we have his Bird rights and match any offer that Sasha gets, which will probably be in the $30M for 5 years range. Andrew Bynum will also be eligible to be signed to an extension this summer and should end up being paid around $80M for 5 years. Chris Mihm has a player option for $2.6M next year so he also will be back for another year again.
Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza have contracts expiring after the end of next year and Kobe Bryant can also opt out of his contract after the end of next year. If the Lakers win the championship, look for both Kobe and Lamar to sign extensions to be Lakers for life at a discounted rate and for Trevor to be signed for another couple of years. Overall, the Lakers will do everything in their power to keep this team together as long as it wins. Winning championships will more than cover the Lakers’ luxury tax penalties. Overall, the number of teams paying luxury taxes this year will dramatically increase as the cost of competing in the NBA has jumped to another level.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 02:57 PM
LakerTom,
"and match any offer that Sasha gets, which will probably be in the $30M for 5 years range."
Are you Sasha's agent now? No way he gets that money. Very few teams have cap space this summer and I highly doubt ANY team throwing the entire MLE at Sasha (although Jason Kapono and Luke got that, but I digress). My take is Sasha gets $3-$4 a year for about 4 years from the Lakers and takes it. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ronny get about the same, although someone might be willing to throw more at him since PFs with his ability (I think he could be starter in this league) are hard to come by.
Give me LO at $8-$10 million a year and I'd be happy. I highly doubt Kobe takes a discount either. He might take less per year over a longer amount of time, which I guess could look like a discount.
This knee injury could also cost Andrew Bynum some serious cash. I wouldn't sign him to a max extension yet, since the Lakers don't have to. I know it sucks but it is a business. Would hate to see a big, expensive deal thrown his way and then see him need serious knee surgery.
Either way, this team is looking like they are in good shape salary cap wise, especially since guys like Sasha and Ronny seem like candidates to give a hometown discount (if that still exists).
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 08, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Fairweather Fatty
ROTFLMAO!
--Fearless
F the Celtics!
Posted by: Fearless | May 08, 2008 at 03:17 PM
T.Woody,
I live in Vegas so I will be here should the Lakers be breaking out the brooms.
Eagleboy.
Posted by: Eagleboy | May 08, 2008 at 03:29 PM
T.J Simers annoy the heck out of me. Its ok to write negatively about a team (i.e. lakers). The way he always write is what annoys me. He just sounds so arrogant and pretentious. He always dismisses everybody else's point or belief because he only finds truth from his own voice. I've always tried to read his column but its just becoming too hard to take him seriously. T.J., this act is becoming old.
Posted by: lent | May 08, 2008 at 03:35 PM
AZ,
I know I think it is premature to talk of contracts at the height of the playoffs. Jerry Buss must be telling to himself, this guys think money is freely flowing from the faucet. Anyway, whatever we say here are mere speculations, so why say it now. July 1st is the best time to discuss the Laker salaries, today it is the time for the players to prove their worth for this year and the years to come.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 08, 2008 at 03:59 PM
With regards to Kobe's future contract...
During the interview with Loose Cannons, this was asked by Steve Hartman whether he is willing to take salary cut next year. The answer, let Mitch Kupchak and his agent figure out how to slice out the cake. MVP also means Most Valuable Payday.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | May 08, 2008 at 04:05 PM
"and match any offer that Sasha gets, which will probably be in the $30M for 5 years range."
Are you Sasha's agent now? No way he gets that money. Very few teams have cap space this summer and I highly doubt ANY team throwing the entire MLE at Sasha (although Jason Kapono and Luke got that, but I digress). My take is Sasha gets $3-$4 a year for about 4 years from the Lakers and takes it. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ronny get about the same, although someone might be willing to throw more at him since PFs with his ability (I think he could be starter in this league) are hard to come by.
Give me LO at $8-$10 million a year and I'd be happy. I highly doubt Kobe takes a discount either. He might take less per year over a longer amount of time, which I guess could look like a discount.
This knee injury could also cost Andrew Bynum some serious cash. I wouldn't sign him to a max extension yet, since the Lakers don't have to. I know it sucks but it is a business. Would hate to see a big, expensive deal thrown his way and then see him need serious knee surgery.
Either way, this team is looking like they are in good shape salary cap wise, especially since guys like Sasha and Ronny seem like candidates to give a hometown discount (if that still exists).
Posted by: Andrew Z | May 08, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Sounds about right to me.
As for Luke Walton and Kapono...
Luke looked great last year and was a solid 6th man. He could run the offense which is a great luxury in a 3 coming off the bench.
Kapono is the best 3 point shooter in the league. Almost any team can use him. I personally thought the Heat were insane to let him go.
Giving either of them full MLEs made more sense to me than giving it to Sasha. I like Sasha and think he's played well this year, but he's not a starter in this league and not great on D. I don't think you pay a full MLE for him. I think we probably feel similarly about Sasha, but obviously you don't value Luke and Kapono as highly as I do.
I really do not want to break up this team unless we have an opportunity we can't pass up. If we win a championship (and it does look pretty good), keeping the team together shouldn't be a problem. I prefer players get bonuses for the championship rather than bloated salaries that overvalue them. That way we can keep them hungry (greedy) for more championship glory (moolah)!
Posted by: Benjamin | May 08, 2008 at 04:11 PM
LakerTom - Andrew is not going to get paid 80 Million, even if his knee was completely healthy, players not named LeBron simply do not get that kinda max deal straight after their rookie deal. Consider the how well the Lakers are doing without him and concerns over his knee, he will probably get 5 years at around 8 mil per, eventually increasing to about 13 of 14 million per year.
Posted by: Caesar | May 08, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Caesar,
Expectations are the Bynum will receive a very similar contract to what Dwight Howard got - $75M to $80M over 5 years. He is already a top 3 center and only 20 years old. He is actually a better long term prospect than Howard and will be paid accordingly. JMHO.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 05:09 PM
LOL Vman.
Posted by: Faith | May 08, 2008 at 06:53 PM
SIMERS!!!!
T.J. SIMERS!!!!!
PLEASE SIMERS, I KNOW YOU WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET PEOPLE TO READ YOUR CRAP, BUT THIS IS OVER THE LINE!
"Stern's crew took Utah's best player, CarlosBoozer, out of the game with a pair of first-quarter fouls, and then added another 19 seconds after he returned to start the second quarter. Boozer finished the half with no points, the refs doing the best job of defense on Boozer in the NBA this season."
BOOZER COMMITED THE FOULS SIMERS!!! I GUESS THEY SHOULD HAVE OVER LOOKED AN OVER THE TOP ON GASOL COMPLETE WITH A SLAP ACROSS HIS FACE AND ARMS????
Look at the regular season history for Utah SIMERS!! They LEAD the LEAGUE in FOULS!!
But they are not as NEARLY as FOUL as your BS article!!!
YOU SUCK SIMERS!!! GO WRITE ABOUT THE DODGERS!!
EVEN BETTER, GO TO CHINA AND WHINE ABOUT THE OLYMPICS.
Beyouch Simers...
janaya
Posted by: janaya | May 08, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I agree completely. I read that cr@p and Simmers has to go. The Jazz commited 3 times the amount of fouls that were actually called.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 08, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Yes it does. But oh oh we have controversy. Was that Ronny Turiaff throwing gang signs?? LOL
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 08, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Turiaf is from Sesame Street Ese! Flashing it to the Smurfs!!!
Best JustaLakerFan
Posted by: Charles | May 08, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Now that response was priceless. LOL.
But Ese make sure you let it be known Ronny is from Eastside Sesame Street.
Props to yo brother.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | May 08, 2008 at 08:24 PM