"BACK" to action
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Join us for Purple, Gold, and Blue today at 11 am, when our guests will be Bethlehem Shoals of Free Darko, and Ken Levine, host of Dodger Talk on 790 AM. Click the show widget on the side of the page, or go straight to our show at NowLive.com by clicking here.
Took a team of writers to come up with that gem, folks.
But all terrible puns aside, tonight does indeed mark commencement of a pivotal game 5 between the Jazz and the Lakers (7:30 pm PST, TNT). One that will feature Kobe Bryant playing through the mother of all back pain, an injury sustained early into Sunday's loss in Utah. Kobe hasn't practiced since touching down in L.A., but as everyone would fully expect, there ain't even a snowball's chance in hell that he'll sit out this contest. Thankfully, The Mamba is reporting a positive change in his condition and remains hopeful he'll grow even more pain-free come the tipoff. His effectiveness on the court, however, remains unknown for now, as well as his approach while on it. Game 4's loss saw Kobe in heavy facilitator mode during the fourth, followed by a heavy shooting performance in OT, followed by Phil Jackson's comments that the supporting cast let down their star. Some felt the finale was Kobe attempting too much while others felt that notion was ridiculous on any level. For what it's worth, Kenny Smith of Yahoo! and TNT, PJ's thoughts were actually directed at both parties in question. Whatever the case may be, the development has people wondering the style and effectiveness Kobe will be armed with this evening.
At long last, Trevor Ariza was cleared to practice without any limitations. His potential PT is a tricky matter, since rust is obviously a factor. But given how poorly Vlad Radmanovic has played during the series, the notion of an additional option can't help but intrigue PJ.
If somebody's gonna break one of Cap's records, it might as well be another Laker icon.
My mama can beat up your mama.



Derek Fisher's Bio-Chrono Reading:
PHYSICALLY: Derek Fisher primarily processes his physical world mentally. This process is known as "confidence".
Confidence orientated people are also highly competitive people. They are "mind over matter" types. When they are confidence and focused, they are able to will their bodies to perform feats that other types are not capable of, and in competition they have a bit of meanness about them. They gain joy more from beating their opponents than winning, if that makes sense.
The downside of being mentally orientated physically is that if they are not in a good place, particularly socially, they can literally will themselves into sickness and injury. During these times they also can be surprisingly insecure, even paranoid. Feeling this way is EXTREMELY painful for them and they feel rather helpless.
When confident, it's the opposite. They feel they can take on the world, and usually can.
To promote Derek Fisher's physical health, challenge him. Promote his competitive nature, set high goals for him, express confidence in him, and provide solid social support.
EMOTIONALLY: Derek Fisher primiarily processes his emotions physically. This process is known as "enthusiasm" and it is also heavily influenced by the state of his physical health.
Enthusiasm orientated people like to personally express themselves without over-processing their experience. They enjoy being spontaneous and the ebullient positive emotions of others. Expressiveness is very important to them, as well as being in the moment.
They find that when others heavily analyze their communication before expressing it to be distasteful. They rather like people who are just "real" with their feelings, even if those feelings are only "real" in the moment and may change drastically at another time.
When enthusiasm orientated people are in a negative state, they emotionally shut down. To them it feels like they are dead inside and that grave-like inner world is EXTREMELY painful for them. They are all about feeling and being numb disconnects them from their inner self and it is very difficult for them to function.
To promote Derek Fisher's emotional health let him express himself, don't overly question his intent, be enthusiastic, appreciate his enthusiasm for whatever it is (even if you disagree with whatever it is that he's enthusiastic about), be spontaneous around him, and be "real" in your personal relationships with him.
MENTALLY: Derek Fisher primarily experiences his mental world mentally. This process is known as "respect".
{Kobe is the same way.}
For respect orientated people, they need to be important and respected as such. When in a healthy social environment and treated with respect, respect orientated people are very respectful towards other people, highly intelligent in their decision-making, and objective in their analyses.
They also tend to have advanced social skills.
Respect orientated people are tricky. Despite their intelligence and yearning for objectivity, they are highly sensitive to disrespect and when feeling as if they have been disrespected (or their importance unacknowledged) they have a tendency to be HIGHLY judgemental and disrespectful towards others.
They also HATE to be judged by others. It drives them nuts.
On the court, if Derek doesn't feel he has been sufficiently respected, he will try to embarass his opponent and will play mind games with them.
To best support Derek Fisher's mental health he needs to be important in his social group and have the support of his social group. He needs to feel and be respected. Information should be a presented in an "objective" manner to him so that Derek can make his own judgements about the situation. It should also be communicated that he is highly valued and that his opinion is important to others.
SPIRITUALLY/CREATIVELY: Derek Fisher processes his creative world emotionally. So, like Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant he is "enlightenment" based.
The reason why Kobe and Derek get along as well as they do is because they have the same mental and creative processes. Therefore they "get" each other.
For further information on "enlightenment" processes, please read my earlier post on Pau Gasol's spiritual process.
{However, I think in Pau Gasol's post, I may have over-emphasized the selfish element of enlightenment-orientated people. While this is true, when enlightenment-orientated people are in a positive, free, and internally peaceful state, they are also highly compassionate towards other people. I just wanted to make that part clear.}
To best support Derek Fisher's creative/spiritual health the same advice is accurate for Pau Gasol as it is for Derek Fisher; however, Derek Fisher will gain benefit out of group meditation and mental focus drills than Pau Gasol would.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 14, 2008 at 01:45 PM
The referee crew, meanwhile, for tonight's game will be Steve Javie, Bob Delaney and Tom Washington, according to the NBA.
http://www.sltrib.com/Sports/ci_9258129
UH-OH!
Posted by: Lakerfan | May 14, 2008 at 01:46 PM
FROM PALM BEACH, FL
HI GUYS,
I HAVE BEEN ON THE PRAYERS FOR OUR TEAM AND OUR MVP. I SEND SOME ENERGY TO MY MAN TO HEAL HIS LOWER-BACK AND I FEEL HE WILL DO A BETTER JOB TONIGHT.
THAT GAME TONIGHT, I SENSE THAT WILL BE LIKE THE ONE WE BEAT THE SPURS FOR THE FINAL'S SEASON. EVERY PLAYER WILL BRING THE ENERGY WITH STRENGH AND PASSION TO BACK UP KOBE AND WIN THE GAME. REMEMBER, THEY HAVE A COMMON WISH= CHAMPIONSHIP=5TH GAME=MUST WIN. WE BELIEVE THEY WILL MAKE US PROUD OF THEM.
WE WANT THAT WIN TONIGHT PERIOD. KEEP THE POSITIVE ENERGY HIGH IN THE BLOGG AND OUR DESIRE WILL BE GRANTED.
WE WANT, WE WANT, WE WANT= WIN#3
BLESSINGS AND LOVE TO OUR TEAM AND TO ALL
A CE SOIR
SHEKOBE
Posted by: SHEKOBE | May 14, 2008 at 01:48 PM
My vote? Big Shot is in. If, by any chance the Spurs win another one this year or next that will give him, what...27 rings?
He's in.
Besides, with every ring he's hit *the* shot at one point or another that kept the whole thing going for his team.
In his younger years, he was even making *the* block, or *the* steal, or even *the* foul.
He's in. Maybe not first ballot, but he's in.
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | May 14, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I think we need to get Mbenga more minutes with the second team. He can rebound and block shots and he gives us good minutes when he's in. Big body down low when D-Will uses Farmar would deter some of those shots from falling.
Posted by: bmac | May 14, 2008 at 01:57 PM
AK/BK
I'm probably pimping your next thread subject, but..........Mitch is second in Exec of the Year voting.
Thank Goodness we didn't manage to run him off over the summer!
Posted by: toad | May 14, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Trevor Ariza's Bio-Chrono Reading:
PHYSICALLY: Trevor Ariza experiences his physical life spiritually/creatively. Thus, he is "attraction" based like Pau Gasol.
I forgot to mention that attraction orientated people have strong, precise senses of smell. So things like aromatherapy have a more beneficial impact upon them than they do for others, and this would also be the case for Trevor.
EMOTIONALLY: Trevor experiences his emotional life emotionally. This process is known as "appreciation".
Trevor Ariza's individuality is very important to him and needs to be acknowledged for his emotional health. He is emotionally stimulated in a positive way by unique, "special" things and the individuality of others expression.
When feeling good about himself, Trevor is very polite and likes to point out the little things that others do that make them special. He is also very appreciative of others' postiive treatment of him and when they acknowledge little things about him that are "special" or different (in a positive way).
Now, when Trevor feels he is not being sufficiently acknowledged or appreciated, or that people don't "get" him, or have put him in some broad category, or ignore hiim... he gets easily resentful. This means he has a temper that can be hairtrigger. Here's the thing about appreciation orientated people, though they get easily angry, they don't dwell on it (like trust orientated people do). They express their anger, often with an intense vitriol, and then they're done with it. However, for others this can sometimes be difficult to deal with and in personal relationships, they may feel like their some walking on eggshells.
Despite appreciation-orientated people's temper, they don't like angry people, because it reminds them too much of what it feels like when they are in a state of emotional discord.
To support Trevor Ariza's emotional health, acknowledge and appreciate (even celebrate) his individuality. When he does something well, or differently in an effective way, point it out. Be positive! Express your personal individuality around him. Share those little differences that make an experience, location, event, or group special with him. If he needs to vent, let him vent. Be appeciative and gracious when around him. He will also be positively stimulated in a special way by the experience of new, innovative art, music, and creative works.
MENTALLY: Trevor Ariza primarily processes his mental world physically. This process is known as "knowledge and learning" and is like that of Pau Gasol's.
SPIRITUAL/CREATIVE: Trevor Ariza primiarily processes his spiritual/creative world emotionally. This process is known as "enlightenment" and is like that of Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant's.
That is Trevor Ariza.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | May 14, 2008 at 02:07 PM
AK/BK
Is Kobe's back a problem that can get worse by playing or linger for the rest of his career?
I don't know about anyone else, but I am really worried about this injury..Nobody seems to be that concerned over it. I think it will definitely cost us this series or the next unless he is completely healed..
I don't want this to turn into a Steve Nash think..What is REALLY wrong with the back?
Posted by: zen | May 14, 2008 at 02:09 PM
With all due respect, and I mean a lot of respect when I say this, but Pat Riley should rank higher than Mitch.
I just can't believe Riley found a guy to take the big cement block off of his neck!
Absolutely amazing.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | May 14, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Pfunk36,
When Ariza and eventually Bynum come back, there's going to be a real crunch for minutes at the 3. When Bynum goes back into the starting lineup sometime next year, LO is going to have to move to the 3 and we're going to have 3 SFs who can help us.
Vlad: Three-point shooting
Luke: passing, all-around smart play
Ariza: defense, athleticism
Too bad we can't have all that in a single player.
Posted by: Xodus | May 14, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Somebody,
What the F happened to Farmar? It can't be some kind of wall, can it? He's played too well for too long.
Somebody tell him to snap out of it, please?
I'm still looking for Vlad. I heard a rumor that he might actually come to this game.
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | May 14, 2008 at 02:19 PM
bmac,
I actually agree with you. All he needs to do is put a body of Williams every time dude goes in the paint. If it doesn't change his mind, it will change his body. He's got six fouls, might as well use them.
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | May 14, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Riley should have been the GM of the year.
He dumped the leagues worst contract on the Suns and got an allstar in return.
Miami now has a bright future. Phx, not so bright.
Its the stuff, legends are made of.
http://www.nba.com//ainge_executive_080514.html
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 14, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Wow. The NBA assigns the most home-friendly possible crew to Utah (according to the Jazz blog) in game 4 and one of the most road-friendly crews in the league to game 5 in LA.
Not to mention that Javie hates us and always has since Van Smack shoved his ass over the scorer's table.
Well, that should officially snuff out any rumors of an LA-friendly NBA front office.
The team is gonna have to earn this one tonight.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 14, 2008 at 02:27 PM
TOKE TOKE TOKE....AAAAAAHHHHHH...TOKE TOKE TOKE...WHOOOOOOOOSH!!!
ENJOY ALL!!!!!!!!
Posted by: LakerMan 420 | May 14, 2008 at 02:28 PM
From another site.
A glimpse into the future.
Lakers celebrating a victory parade
http://i28.tinypic.com/1zxmj53.gif
Tim-4-show - It must be true, we both had the same thought. lol
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 14, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Yeah, maybe what we really need is an I Believe in Jordan bandwagon. Kid's gonna need to show up.
Posted by: Jesterguru | May 14, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Fairweather Fatty
Thanks for the link.
Posted by: Charles | May 14, 2008 at 02:31 PM
This information was noted from the 4-Letter Network radio program earlier this afternoon:
* Some Utah Jazz "fans" were heard screaming CANCER when Derek Fisher had the ball or was attempting free-throws.
* A particular Utah Jazz "fan" was observed covering his/her Right Eye and SCREAMING when Derek Fisher was at the free-throw line.
Stephen Jackson (from the Golden State Warriors) claimed that some Utah Jazz "fans" continually shouted Racial Slurs towards him (and his teammates) during last season's playoffs.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING -- AND NOT IN A POSITIVE WAY EITHER
Does this help connect the dots? Does this help to explain why Tracy McGrady says he HATES the Utah Jazz crowd? These sub-human Utah LOSERS give new meaning to the words vicious and mean-spirited !!!
P&GR
Posted by: Purple & Gold Reign | May 14, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Lakerfan:
The referee crew, meanwhile, for tonight's game will be Steve Javie, Bob Delaney and Tom Washington, according to the NBA.
http://www.sltrib.com/Sports/ci_9258129
UH-OH!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At least there's no Bavetta or Crawford. How the hell can they let that guy officiate a Spurs playoff game after his history with Duncan? I've never been much of a conspiracy theorist, but even I gotta scratch my head with that one.
Posted by: htj | May 14, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Newble hasn't played because he SUCKS! Don't kid yourselves, just because he has a Laker uni on, doesn't mean he's gotten any better. He's an insurance policy against the ridiculous odds that Sasha, Radmanovic AND Luke Walton all go down and can't play. Ariza, who hasn't played in months is still a better option for 5-10 minutes a game than Newble. All Newble does is give us somebody who can practice hard without worrying about wearing themselves out for the game.
Posted by: TaosHum | May 14, 2008 at 02:36 PM
JonK - good stuff - hopefully no one will start to complain about how they don't know how to use a scroll bar - LOL!
______________
Ex posted:
Vlad: Three-point shooting
Luke: passing, all-around smart play
Ariza: defense, athleticism
Too bad we can't have all that in a single player.
Ex - we do - his name is Kobe Bryant. (I know....pitiful...!!) LOL!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 14, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Mitch should have been first!!!! Or Riles!!!! I can dig that!
But freakin cry baby Danny Ainge? I can still see that face he used to make every time he got called for a foul. Like if he just bit into a lemon or something. I guess he can have a little credit for making Boston relevant again. I mean, after all, we're on our third "rebuild" heading towards a title. And Boston is finally, FINALLY back to being considered a legit contender after what, like 20 years?
Nice tie in to Big Shot Rob though. One of my favorite Horry shots was the one were he threw the towel in Ainges face. Priceless!
Posted by: magicman | May 14, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Xodus: Since you are talking about next year:
"Vlad: Three-point shooting
Luke: passing, all-around smart play
Ariza: defense, athleticism
Too bad we can't have all that in a single player. "
Acrually we can.. trade LO and Vlade for Marion and we have that.. That still leaves two of the three folks you mentioned.. but Luke can back up Marion.. while Ariza can back up Kobe.
dpk
Posted by: dpk | May 14, 2008 at 03:01 PM
justanothermambafan,
That was "Xodus," NOT "Ex"!!
I hate it when that happens!!!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 14, 2008 at 03:02 PM
He's an insurance policy against the ridiculous odds that Sasha, Radmanovic AND Luke Walton all go down and can't play.
Posted by: TaosHum
If its the Lakers? Pretty good.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 14, 2008 at 03:11 PM
That exec of the year award was actually awarded to the three headed leprocaun DannyKevinLarry..........Ainge coiuldn't have done it by himself.
Posted by: toad | May 14, 2008 at 03:15 PM
THE JAZZ KNOW 2008 IS THEIR ONLY CHANCE…
Because once the Lakers get Andrew Bynum back in the lineup the current state of parity in the NBA will no longer exist and the Lakers will dominate the next 5 championships. This is what Jerry Sloan’s message will be for the Jazz tonight. A warning that they may not get another chance like this to steal a game and a championship opportunity tonight. That is why the Jazz will be uniquely dangerous tonight. That is what happens when you don’t put your foot on the throat of a team and let it gain confidence.
TIME TO PUT THE JAZZ BACK IN THEIR PLACE…
Which is as a perennial runner-up and champion wanna-be. Time to give Williams and Boozer the same harsh lessons that the Lakers game Stockton and Malone. Good game. Good effort. Tough competitors. But not championship caliber by a long shot, as proven by the futility and frustration of their long history as losers not fit for prime time play. Tonight, the Lakers need to pound the Jazz into the pulp and crush their will to compete. The Lakers will deliver their A-Game tonight and win by 30 to go up 3-2.
TRUST THE MVP TO MAKE THE RIGHT PLAYS…
Enough of the criticism of Kobe’s shot selection or his teammates passiveness in the overtime period. The Lakers lost that game because of terrible free-throw shooting and would never have comeback without KB24. The problem with that game is that coming back took too much out of an injured Kobe and battered team. That’s always the problem with staking the other team to be lead. You have to expend so much energy to come back that you often just run out of gas. That’s what happened to Kobe and the Lakers in the overtime period in my opinion. We almost stole a win but in the end ran out of gas.
MITCH GOT ROBBED BY THE EASTERN MEDIA…
No way that Danny Ainge, who had basically been a complete bust as a general manager until he was given a sweetheart deal from a fellow high-ranking member of the Former-Celtics-Who-Suck-As-General-Managers-Clique, should have won Executive of the Year from the NBA over Mitch Kupchak. But what else would you expect from the Shamrock a$$-kissing pro-Celtics anti-West biased East Coast media. It’s a miracle that Kobe won the league MVP with the way these guys voted for the other awards. They can eat their votes when Mitch’s Lakers trump the Eastern darling Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 14, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Jon K
Great posts on Pau and D-Fish..........Thanks!
Posted by: toad | May 14, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Fairweather Fatty,
"He's an insurance policy against the ridiculous odds that Sasha, Radmanovic AND Luke Walton all go down and can't play.
Posted by: TaosHum
If its the Lakers? Pretty good."
Sadly accurate as that statement is, I still laughed.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 14, 2008 at 03:18 PM
justanothermambafan,
I meant someone at the three. Unless we wanna go to our Fish, Sasha, Kobe three guard lineup full time.
dpk,
I don't see the Lakers trading LO and I don't see Miami taking Vlad's crappy deal. Miami wants cap space next summer.
Posted by: Xodus | May 14, 2008 at 03:24 PM
LakerTom,
Ainge pulled off the biggest deal of the year and added Ray Allen and good veterans like Posey and House. It's not East Coast Bias it's the truth. Would I have voted for Kupchak? Yes, because I'm biased towards the Lakers. LOL!
Posted by: Xodus | May 14, 2008 at 03:50 PM
actually, that is true, isn't it? LOL! In the third game, didn't Sasha have an injured toe, Radmanovic had a meltdown and Luke strained his ankle or something like that?
I can see poor Phil looking down the bench, then pausing thinking of any other possible option, then looking back again and saying, "Newble! get in there!" and then rubbing his temples...
Hey, could somebody tell Farmar to guard the guy with the ball tonight? Don't shadow them at a bad angle, don't overplay so they blow by, just stay in front of them, let them shoot jump shots but none of this blow by for a layup or dish for a dunk stuff.
Posted by: TaosHum | May 14, 2008 at 03:54 PM
exhelodrvr - sorry about that man....
Xodus - I know - trying to be funny - failing miserably....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 14, 2008 at 03:59 PM
aint got no....
Posted by: lakeraholic | May 14, 2008 at 04:26 PM
jhnlannery to Laker Nation Faithful:
"Aww guys I know what will cheer you up."
IT'S L-. A. LA-KERS VIC-TORY TIME!!!
IT'S L.--A. LAK-ERS VIC-TORY TIME!!!
NOW - WHERE YOU AT/!?!?!
NOW WHERE YOU AT?!?!?!
NOW THERE YOU GO!!!!
NOW THERE YOU GO!!!!!
L.-A. LAK-ERS VICT-ORY!!!!
L.A. LAK=ERS VICT-ORY!!!!
L.-A. LAK-ERS VICT-ORY, EVEN WITH KOBE'S BAD BACK!!!!
Tonight, I jumped back on the Walton/Vlad and Farmar bandwagon because I think on just chance statistics alone TWO or the THREE are OVERDUE bigtime for a solid game. Luke definitely plays better at home as does Farmar. Gasol/Tiuriaf/Odom going to have to step it up physically and at least match Utah's intensity and hustle regarding the Jazz offensive rebounding. They absolutely KILL us when they get those 2nd and 3rd shots. Utah is brutal in this category mainly because their roster is not overloaded with big time scorers . the the Brothers K! I'm excited about this one tonight and although Kobe may not be at his best, I think the rest of the team can play well enough to complement "Triple-Ocho" Vlad is a jumpshooter who's had 2 bad games in a row shootihng so he's definitely due. Besides, Walton and Farmar play so much better at home than on the road. I think our bench is going to kick it up a notch tonight and enable us to get the win. Im sure Walton, Farmar, Turiaf and Vucacjic are "super-amped" about this game because they are sick to death of reading or hearing about the Utah bench kicking LA's around a bit the last 2 games. I expect them to come out tonight hungry and focused after being humbled in Utah.
One Last thing I want to make a point about:
RE: "The referee crew, meanwhile, for tonight's game will be Steve Javie, Bob Delaney and Tom Washington, according to the NBA. "
Steve Javie sucks and HAS sucked going back to our 3rd dynasty at the beginning of this millenium. I remember watching him as he "made his referee bones" during those playoffs and I have to say the man simply HATES hometeams with talented big men. It seems everytime he did a Laker home playoff game Shaq had 2 fouls before the 6 minute mark of 1st quarter. And, I recall the same when he would work Spurs home games. Duncan would be in foull trouble quickly in the first period too. I hope that doesn't continue to the point where Gasol get's sent to bench early in foul trouble. Delaney and Thompson I'm not as concerned about as much as Steve. My Laker fan friends here in Tex adopted the name I made up for Steve on the spot when he was working a Laker plaoff home game against Portland in the 2000 playoffs at the Staples and Shaq was tagged with fouls by Javie early. I call him STEVE "ANTI-LAKER" JAVIE. But I digress, we're going to play like the Lakers we saw in games 1&2 tonight as I think losing 2 games in Utah (with the exception of "Triple Ocho's" back injury of course) was actually a good thing in that the Laker's young guys were humbled and they KNOW now that this is a fight. I think it will smack the younger guys into playing with more focus and intensity..
Kick em hard and often LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: jhnlannery | May 14, 2008 at 07:49 PM