They're leaving on a jet plane
And since the Lakers had to catch a flight to "The SLC" (as the kids like to call it), practice more or less concluded the minute doors were open to us media types. Many players bolted quickly after shooting their final baskets, and those who stuck around didn't talk at great length. Thus, the day was low on quirky details we live to share... save for one little nugget involving Ronny Turiaf and DJ Mbenga. I'm not sure what prompted this, but the two seemed to be engaging in some kind of contest involving penalty pushups. It wasn't like Turiaf and Mbenga were channeling their inner "boot camp." We're talking two or three in a row, tops. And both (along with any teammates who happened to see) were cracking up, so whatever stakes were involved (quite possibly just the pushups) were clearly of a light variety. But every so often, one would call out for the other to drop and press some floor. DJ even whipped off a set while standing next to a bunch of writers and a camera crew. Both took off before I had a chance to ask what the deal was, leaving me no earthly idea what the hell they were doing. But I'd be lying if I claimed it wasn't oddly amusing.
In terms of things actually related to roundball, another writer noted that it was kind of fitting that Kobe would receive his MVP trophy in a playoff game against Utah, given how this is the same team Kobe launched those infamous airballs against during the 1997 playoffs. Ironic? Sure. But the serendipity also serves as a legit symbol of how far Kobe has come since that postseason failure (beyond just the trio of rings he's since won). "It's something that players have to go through," nodded Kobe of the errant shots. "Some players, sometimes, when they go through something like that, it breaks them or they can't come back from it. I looked at it as a challenge to come back next year better."
As Bryant also noted, up until that point, the only title he'd ever pursued was stamped with the words "high" and "school." Chasing the Larry O'Brien is a whole new ball of wax that requires a whole new preparation plan. I wondered if those airballs were the first time he'd ever experienced significant failure in basketball, given how he absolutely dominated at the high school level. As it turns out, the Mamba missed a few game winners back when he was cramming for third-period history, too. "It comes with the territory. I learned that an early age. You're gonna make some and you're gonna miss some." Not that doing it at Lower Merion and The Forum yielded identical results. "The only difference here is when people see you on the street, it's like, "Nice airball," laughed Bryant. "Other than that, it's all the same."
By the way, hearing Kobe discuss that game prompted me to take a nostalgic trip down Bad Memory Lane. Like everyone, I remember the airballs. Like I'm guessing many others, I forgot about the stinkeroo Elden Campbell put up in that same contest.
It's worth noting that those jumpers whiffed in Salt Lake City, a town renowned for its adverse effect on the visiting team. "A lot of teams expect to lose," shrugged Lamar Odom of a visit to EnergySolutions Arena. "When you play well on your home court, things seem to go well for you all the time." Mind you, LO wasn't referring to his own team when mentioning the ones who chalk up their time in Utah as a loss before the opening tip. Even with the waxing they endured earlier in the season against a Utah squad missing Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, they returned the favor with a Gasol-less roadie win in March, one of Utah's four home losses during the regular season. "It's tough," Odom acknowledged. "It's a challenge. It'll be competitive. But not intimidating." Besides, the way Luke Walton sees it, the Lakers may be doing themselves a favor leaving the 213. "I think this team we have is probably a better road team than a home team this year. For some reason, we seem to be more focused and in tune when we know it's a tougher challenge."
Finally, during Walton's media time, I may have inadvertently sparked a new nickname for Jordan Farmar (among the six or so writers near me, if nothing else). Wasn't actually my intention by any stretch, although I'll give myself props for the line itself being funny. So just remember, if this somehow sticks (and it did work for Theo's buddy on "The Cosby Show," for what that's worth), Walton specifically did NOT endorse it (even if he did laugh). As much as I'd like to pawn off any blame, this wasn't Luke's fault.
Audio
- Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_practice_050808.mp3
- Lamar Odom: Download lamar_odom_practice_050808.mp3
- Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_practice_050808_edit1.aup
- Pau Gasol: Download pau_gasol_practice_050808.mp3
- Luke Walton ("We're not really expecting anything" is in reference to his facetious request for gifts when Kobe got the MVP.): Download luke_walton_practice_050808.mp3
AK
Watching the Celtics Cavs game two. It's become pretty obvious why Kobe still has the edge on Lebron. Kobe can score ANYWHERE on the floor in 100's of different ways with his technical prowess as a basketball player. His jumper, footwork, handling...still beats out Lebron. Until LBJ gets all that going...he's still just a one trick pony. Drive Drive Drive like a freight train!!
Posted by: Joon Park | May 08, 2008 at 06:42 PM
AK - Jordy the COCKROACH?? That's cold, man!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 08, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Nobody's talking much about the teams 14 game winning streak. The last time the Lakers finished the season with an eiight game winning streak, they went on to finish 15-1 in the post season. One of the best finishes in NBA history.
I don't know about you, but I suffering from a serious case of deja vu.
Posted by: dan the man | May 08, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Nobody's talking much about the teams 14 game winning streak. The last time the Lakers finished the season with an eiight game winning streak, they went on to finish 15-1 in the post season. One of the best finishes in NBA history.
I don't know about you, but I suffering from a serious case of deja vu.
Posted by: dan the man | May 08, 2008 at 06:49 PM
TEN WINS LEFT!!!!
Posted by: another LakerTOM | May 08, 2008 at 06:51 PM
JustanotherMambaFan,
No disrespect was meant whatsoever. It was just in reference to how resilient those little suckers are. They can take a nuclear holocaust, much less a beating against the hardwood. haha
Now if I'd said it Tony Montana style, like "cock-a-roach," that would have been different. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 08, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Cockroach name fitting only in that Farmar repeatedly stomped in series by Deron, like so much shoe of angered apartment dwellers.
Posted by: Master Yoda | May 08, 2008 at 06:53 PM
AK,
You seriously want to be remembered as the guy who gave Farmar that moniker?
Posted by: p ang | May 08, 2008 at 06:53 PM
How lame is this? The music in the Garden (Celts game) is "if you're happy and you know it clap your hands"....
OMG - pitiful, patheltic, cheesy.....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 08, 2008 at 06:53 PM
can i propose a nickname for Gasol? My wife calls him Big Bird. Just how he looks, and runs, and especially wearing the yellow home jerseys. Think about it. Let's make it stick.
Posted by: big bird! | May 08, 2008 at 06:54 PM
P Ang,
"AK, You seriously want to be remembered as the guy who gave Farmar that moniker?"
No, not particularly. I just thought y'all would find the exchange with Walton funny. I don't actually expect the nickname to stick. Frankly, I'd prefer it didn't. I wasn't even trying to create a nickname to begin with. Like I said to "JustAnotherMambaFan," it was just a reference to Walton saying Farmar's impossible to keep down. I wasn't literally likening him to a cockroach.
I'm already regretting the decision to post the audio. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 08, 2008 at 06:58 PM
For the Celtics to beat th hawks the way they did when they won those games, that was expected because they were playing a sub 500 team and then they lose 3 games! The Lakers sweep a team with over 50 wins! Unheard of! Lakers are on all cylinders! Kobe is in a league of his own and he takes you where no one else who is currently playing the game of basketball cannot take you.
Posted by: Philip Elizalde | May 08, 2008 at 07:05 PM
I think Farmar reminds me more of "Speedy Gonzales" myself.
Bamanos! Bamanos! YeeHAW!!!!
Or maybe the Road Runner. Avoiding all the traps. Zipping around. Pecking at his food. Rasberrying his tongue....
Posted by: Other LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 07:14 PM
AK - we know - we're just busting your chops! LOL!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | May 08, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Cock-a-roach can also mean someone who grabs something that's not his.
Unfortunately, that sometimes applies to Jordan.
Please, guys, get rid of that.
I think he wouldn't mind being called a gymrat.
Posted by: mel | May 08, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Farmar is a Toreador. A bullfighter. That's his high school mascot.
He dodges the big guys, weaving around them, stabbing a shot through the hoop and through their fan's hearts!
Posted by: | May 08, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Benjamin,
“I dig Bynum, I really do, and maybe I can even see your reasoning in not being willing to trade him for anyone, but paying more for him than D-12?”
I start from the premise that the knee injury to Andrew is NOT going to affect the negotiations to sign him to an extension because the true extent of the injury should be clear by the middle of summer when the extension will be signed. Obviously, if some new and unexpected issue arose with Andrew’s long team health, that changes the situation completely. But assuming the injury heals and Drew gets medical clearance, he will be signed to a contract very similar to Dwight Howard. Other than Howard, there is no other center prospect out there, including totally unproven Greg Oden, who is as good as Andrew is right now or has the long-term potential to become great as Andrew.
It has been so long since we saw Andrew play that we forget just how dominant a player he had become before his injury. The string of other top flight big men that Drew had taken to school in the first half of the season was enough for Jerry West and Kobe Bryant to declare that the Lakers had the best team in the league BEFORE trading for Pau Gasol. Stop a minute and think about that. You have a 20-year old phenom who has turned into an unstoppable force on offense and the boards and a potentially league-best shot blocker and defensive force. Drew already has the best hands and footwork of any big man in the game and a work ethic and basketball IQ modeled after Kobe Bryant.
Charles Barkley made the key point last night after the Utah game that Andrew Bynum already has established what his offensive and defensive games are, unlike most other young players who return from injury. Assuming he is fully healthy, there is no reason not to expect this young man to become the Lakers next great center and franchise player. While Pau Gasol gives the Lakers enough talent at center to compete for a championship, the Lakers still need the height, size, length, and athleticism of Andrew to truly build another Lakers dynasty. The Lakers know this and Andrew Bynum’s people know this. There is only one move for the Lakers to make and that is to sign Drew now before he becomes even more expensive. The fact that Drew missed half of the year will help the Lakers keep the offer reasonable but no way do they not recognize that Drew is a true max player in the same way that Kobe and LeBron are. He has the potential to be a far greater center for a far longer time than Shaq. He will be another Kareem IMHO.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | May 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
I saw Turiaf doing some pushups during Game 2. So it's probably a part of a bigger inside joke.
Posted by: the_cool | May 08, 2008 at 08:04 PM
lakersnrefs,
It's interesting that you should mention statistics like attempted free throws and made free throws and who led the league in attempts and so on. While at the same time you're ignoring statistics like the Jazz shooting percentage from the floor (44.6%). You must've also forgotten the fact that the Lakers shot a better percentage (57.4%) while attempting a STAGGERING 33 fewer shots.
The difference between the stats you provide as evidence for a loss and that stats that I provide is that your stats place the blame somewhere other than the players.
Learn to accept the fact that the Jazz players are being outplayed and they're not as good as the Lakers.
Maybe you should start a support group. Then you and the Funs and Queens fans can all cry together about how the referees and David Stern are against you.
Crybabies.
Snort
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 08, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Mr. Miller,
normally, i'm hesitant to take up with pigs, but right is right. and YOU sir are correct in your assessment of the last game that includes shooting percentage, a very important stat.
the fact is, that the Lakers were having their way with Utah, which made the Jazz need to foul to prevent layups and easy baskets. this also created frustration, which led to silly Jazz fouls.
on the defensive end, the Lakers were able to disrupt Utah's game everytime it was necessary. once they established dominance in the 1st quarter, the game was over. all that was required for the rest of the game was to continue to sit upon the Jazz's chest.
an analogy would be a wrestling match with your little brother. first you pin him, and then he struggles mightily to free himself. meanwhile, you yawn, watch tv, talk to your freinds while he gets all red faced. yes, you could beat him much harder, but that wouldn't be cricket would it? also, in this case, we need to stay healthy and win 4, to win 4 and then 4 more....
let's see if the Lakers can stay focused and healthy. i pray they do.
Posted by: man | May 08, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | May 08, 2008 at 08:59 PM
A poll where you can vote on the remaining NBA Playoffs:
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/polling?event_id=3484
Results so far of who will ultimately be the champion:
10) Which team will win the NBA title?
29.4% Los Angeles Lakers
27.7% Boston Celtics
13.0% Detroit Pistons
10.0% New Orleans Hornets
8.0% Cleveland Cavaliers
7.0% San Antonio Spurs
2.9% Orlando Magic
2.0% Utah Jazz
Total Votes: 68,557
Posted by: MiloRambaldi | May 08, 2008 at 09:25 PM
man,
I'm not sure how to address that. You've confused my feeble mind with your tone. Either you're being sarcastic as a Jazz fan, or you're a cleverly disguised Lakers fan, or neither. In any case, it's about acceptance of the facts of the game, and not conjecture over what effects outside elements have on the contest. Games are won and lost by player execution and coaching strategy. Nothing more, nothing less. Referees are human and make bad calls, but in the end the proof is in the pudding, and the pudding is delicious for Laker fans these days.
Your friend Anthony "Pig" Miller
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | May 08, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Kobe MVP?? what a joke - should have been Garnett - look what he did for the Celtics. Looking forward to a Celts-Lakers finals. Celts win in 4. And by the way Bird was better than Magic...
Posted by: SPC | May 08, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Yep. Chris Paul is awesome. About as awesome as Tony Parker, who played him to a standstill tonight.
The Lakers scheduling seems to give them a chance to learn from other teams' lessons. They can imagine themselves in the Hornet's place and think, we don't want to be in that position, and give our opponents any hope.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 08, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Anthony "Pig" Miller,
definitely a Lakers fan....
i just liked your post.
[lots of laughing]
definitely, the refs can control the game, but that has nothing to do with a genuine Laker beat-down of the Jazz. the reason for the foul call disparity was first and foremost that the Lakers were the aggressor and were in control of the tempo and game.
Posted by: man | May 08, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Can we add John Barry to the TJ Simers Douchebag list? That dork is the biggest Laker hater on TV. The one glorious year that guy had in his carreer was a year he landed on the Lakers in '98 and jinxed the Laker's (61 one wins, 1st in Pac division) who lost to the Jazz in the conference finals.
What does he lend to a broadcast? Oh, wait, he gives us the pathetic losers' perspective. Now I get it! They should hire Doug Christie to co-host with him. They should call it Most Pathetic Athletes Ever.
Sorry had to get that off my chest.
Anyway I'm bmac I've been reading this blog for three years just don't contribute much as most topics are thoroughly covered. Love your posts!
If you don't mind, mamba24, I'd love it if you could throw me on the roll call.
* '08 NBA Champs - L.A. Lakers *
Posted by: bmac | May 08, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Tom,
I'd hate to say it, but there is no way that a guy who is injured for two straight years, missing close to 80 games over 2 seasons, putting up Samuel Dalembert or even early Kwame numbers gets the Howard extension with the knee issue. The big worry has to be whether the knee condition is degenerative. While agents can drive hard bargains, I think the Lakers know that Bynum will flourish (if he can stay healthy for even 60 games) in the offensive system and coaching staff we have.
Hopefully Mitch is smart enough not to put all our eggs one basket (no pun intended). Yet I will concede one point: The amount of money Andrew Bynum will command in contract negotiations, due to the "personal" nature of his relationship with the team, will be uncharted territory. Whether it will reminisce Dwight, Shaq, or even Kurt Thomas remains to be seen. My best approximation would be something similar to the Walton contract: Lots of years at a decent price. When Bynum proves that he can not just play in 40 games but actually start 60, he will command the big bucks. Until then, let's hope CAA keeps him busy.
Posted by: Alec | May 08, 2008 at 10:43 PM
THE BLESSING OF FISHER
think about it, last year he helped his team (jazz) beat his former team (warriors) in the playoffs
this year, he's doing the same thing for us with the jazz, and make no mistake we ARE going to win. .
Mamba, add me to all your bandwagons!!
I'm the director of tacos!! (unless someone else already is haha)
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | May 08, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Kobe was on KCAL570 earlier with Petros and Money.
I've never heard Kobe more comfortable in an interview.
http://am570radio.com/cc-common/podcast.html
Here are some highlights, if you don't want to listen to the whole thing, or you can't get the audio for whatever reason.
-The Lakers didn't want to be a buzzkill with the all the energy in the building from Kobe's MVP award, so that provided some added motivation to win Game 2.
-Kobe's daughters were more excited to watch Michael Jackson's "Beat it" video in the car after the game than anything. It was if the MVP ceremony never happened.
-Kobe say Derek Fisher plays with a lot of heart and moxie.
-Kobe said that a light goes off in his head when a defender like Harpring guards him so close, because they both know Kobe can get by him, so Kobe presumes that the defender is trying to push him into a help situation. Kobe recognizes this and makes sure to read the floor, as that means his teammates will be open.
-Kobe says that committing to opting out of a contract (or not) well before the time comes is bad business in any situation, but still, he doesn't see himself going anywhere in the future.
-Kobe used to call Sasha "10:30" but this year, he's ready. Petros says that the national broadcasters claim that the nickname "The Machine" was self-given, but both Petros and Kobe refute that. Money says it was given by Stu Lance.
-Petros asks if the international diversity of the team helps the Lakers. Kobe say that it has been huge. He says that international basketball stresses ball movement, quick touches, a lot of it owing to the same strategies used in soccer.
-Money asks Kobe who he would vote MVP besides himself. Kobe says either Chris Paul or KG, a toss-up depending upon your criteria.
-Kobe is not surprised by the Hornet's success against San Antonio, as they are a good home team. (Seems spot-on, as NOH just lost on the road tonight.)
-Petros points out that Farmar and Mbenga have huge ears. Kobe laughs, and says that the teammates rip each other all the time in the locker room. Kobe says Luke has had the same size head since Luke was 8 years old.
-Petros talks about what women want for Mother's day. Petros tries to get Kobe to agree that women want "plans" not "things". (Apparently, Petros forgot he was talking to a guy who bought his wife a 5 gazillion dollar diamond ring to say "I'm sorry")
-Kobe says that Phil coaches according to the character of the team. Phil is more instructional this time around.
-Money wonders what Kobe will be doing in Utah for 4 days. Kobe say he will be bodyguarding Vlad, making sure he doesn't hit the slopes and snowboard.
-Kobe congratulates Petros on his engagement.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 08, 2008 at 11:09 PM
bmac,
You're absolutely right about Jon Barry being a Kobe hater.
Last weekhe named his Top 5 Lakers of all time and he picked Kurt Rambis and the usual Laker greats, but not Kobe.
WTF is he smoking??? If that doesn't reveal his anti-Kobe bias, I don't know what does.
Posted by: hava98 | May 08, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Bmac,
Nice to meet you. I couldn't agree more about Jon Barry. As a matter of fact he's even more of a Spurs @$$ kisser than a Laker hater. The other day he was on an aftergame show (I forget which one) and was asked who the MVP of the playoffs was up to that point. The other two guys with him both said Chris Paul (a reasonable answer at the time). Jon Barry's response???? "I would have to say the entire Spurs team"
What a jackass.......
Posted by: pslakerfan | May 08, 2008 at 11:15 PM
http://www.tmz.com/2008/05/08/big-and-tall-meets-pap-and-small/
mbenga on tmz
Posted by: jla | May 08, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Anyway, off-topic guys, just wondering what Hollinger is doing right about now??? What kind of shenanigan tweaks his doing on his PER formula to accommodate Lebronze hideous play-off stats???
Posted by: AGENT_TROLL | May 08, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Another nice column in the Kobe love-fest, this one from Doug Krikorian from the Long Beach Press Telegram, who talks with Jerry West
http://www.presstelegram.com/moresports/ci_9200340
Interesting tidbit from Jerry West about Kobe's second pre-draft workout with the Lakers:
"That second one he had was a joke," related West. "We had him go one-on-one against Michael Cooper, who had been retired for a few years but who still was pretty good. Cooper was a great defensive player, but he just couldn't handle Kobe in that workout.
"Kobe was so far beyond his years from an athletic and ball-handling standpoint. He was incredibly creative, and you could see he already had developed a great work ethic. He didn't shoot the ball then as well as does now, but he's made himself into a great shooter. "
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 08, 2008 at 11:52 PM
So, looking ahead to the next round, who would you rather see? The Spurs or Hornets?
Posted by: DavyJonze | May 08, 2008 at 11:55 PM
AK,
I still fondly remember Elden holding down the fort while Shaq hurt his knee after colliding with Bullet's George Mureausan (SP??) So the dude didn't play well against Karl Malone, the whole Laker team got beat by the Jazz. Your underhanded comment really was uncalled for.
Posted by: centralk | May 09, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Centralk,
I never blamed the series loss on Campbell (or any other one player, for that matter). I just had forgotten how badly he shot in that game. 1-13 is pretty severe. I don't see what the problem is.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 09, 2008 at 12:12 AM
who is that bunghole smacking and popping gum in the microphone during luke's interview?
so annoying!
Posted by: CBuck | May 09, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Late night ephiphany:
The New Orleans Hornets are the new Phoenix Suns (pre-Shaq).
The only difference is that Paul is a better scorer than Nash, and a better defender. But Nash is a better shooter. Chandler's role is similar to Amare's. Pargo, Barbosa. Peja is a mixture of the three point shooters the Suns had. West is a better shooting Marion.
Even if the analogy doesn't fit exactly, it seems the same strategies used on the old Suns should work on the new Hornets. Namely, make the point guard become a scorer, don't double team. Let him go one on one, get his 30 plus points, but make sure to take his teammates out of the equation. That means keep tight to the 3 point shooters and the rollers off the pick and roll. Get the rebounds and stop the transition buckets.
The ball is so utterly dominated by the point guard in the Hornets and Suns offense, that if you make the point guard shoot all the shots, it disrupts that system and the other player's rhythms.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | May 09, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Faker nation, the sun has risen over your foul wins... perfectly building your confidence to a crescendo... right..before...the...falllllllll into the darkness and death that is energy solutions arena. The moon will rise high above the smoldering ruins of the faker franchise.. with only the sound of Jerry Sloan's boot upon your ashes to break the silence of your never-ending night... ah yes, the time has come. The refs cannot protect you any longer. Prepare for your doom.
Jazz 116 Lakers 92
Posted by: stock | May 09, 2008 at 12:44 AM
In regard to the push-up tid-bit, it reminded me of a clip I seen with Luke and Ronny (& also Cook); they would battle at the charity stripe after practice and the guy with more bricks would have to drop down and kiss some hardwood. I think it was sometime back when Ronny, Socks and that Von Snyder teabag were still rooks... I just can't recall which show this was featured.
Man, that last game in Utah was a wire to wire MVP24 highlight reel. I watched it when I was in the Philippines for the Easter Holy week holiday and everyone, I mean everyone was fixated on the tube that morning. They really love our Lakers out there in the islands. Oh well, I'll be leaving from work early today to witness our boys put another clinic on the Bootah Jazz.
Laker Playoffs... where U N D E F E A T E D happens.
Posted by: eevee | May 09, 2008 at 01:22 AM
AK,
How dare you sully the perfectly angelic memory of Elden Campbell on the Lakers!
You blasphemer!
Posted by: What Chu Talkin Bout AK? | May 09, 2008 at 01:35 AM
Well, if you're gonna cross post, I'm gonna cross post!
LakerTom,
As I always I appreciate your extremely well-articulated thoughts. Bynum looked great for a bit there, I agree. But to me, it seemed like maybe 2/3 of his season that didn't even last half of the season. To assume that with the many injuries he's had with the Lakers so far, particularly this last big one, he will even play for the Lake show more than 50 games a year seems highly presumptuous. Even with Bynum's flashes, I'm still more impressed with D-12, the youngest rebounding leader in NBA history. I see a significantly greater amount of risk with Bynum than I do with D-12 and I believe even at Bynum's peak, D-12 has still consistently outperformed him while still gradually improving his game (under the tutelage of the great Patrick Ewing).
I appreciate your GHF perspective on the kid and I can't knock it because anyone that predicted this season for the Lakers was a pretty hardcore GHFer.
I'm going to agree to disagree with you on this one.
I hope you're right and not me and that all the risk I see is just me playing the conservative old fogie (I'm not that old, but I can think that way, see?)--that same guy that didn't draft Amare very high in my fantasy league because of his pre-season knee surgery which was like the 4th in 3 years.
Posted by: Benjamin | May 09, 2008 at 01:37 AM
THERE WERE A LOTTA DUDE"S THAT DIDN'T PLAY SO WELL AGAINST ME................................... CAMPBELL WAS NO DIFFERENT................................THAN ANY OTHER DUDE THAT FOUND A MAILMAN THAT ALWAYS DELIVERS ! ! ! ! !
Posted by: KARL MALONE | May 09, 2008 at 02:06 AM
I'm sure this is going to tick off some Utah fans. But they did a Derek Fisher-Deron Williams split screen advertisement. I'm not a fan of most of the split screen ads. They seem a bit too stale with a very dry reading of the same words. But this is a tight pairing.
http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/promos/nbat_9636_respect_fisher_williams.asx
btw, my apologies if this link screws up anyone's browsers. Long links like this screws up MY browser. But I figure it's worth the post.
Posted by: da other Laker Tom | May 09, 2008 at 02:55 AM
Good Morning: Charles
Good Morning: JohnnyP. Bozz, Toad, Pig Miller
Good Morning: Hmrhead, JustAnotherMambaFan
The OutLaw, Vman, Nurse Faith
Good Morning to all Laker girls, Semi, Psyched, 1980, SF
Good Morning to the one and only LakerGurl
*_______________________________*
Year of Mamba Calendar Bandwagon
*______________________________*
(01) Happy Camper – Owner & Driver
(02) FairWeather Fatty – Creative Director
(03) Mamba24 – Lobbying for Month of Kwame on Calendar
(04) Jamie Sweet – Will make the pitch to Wall Street
(05) Janaya – Has bought 1000 shares in the Calendar business
(06) EdwinGueco – Convinced Mamba to pick up tab for Laker Blog dinner.
(07) JesterGuru - Thinks Cllaendar will sell at least 10 million.
(08) KobesBad – Had to convince Kobe it was good idea.
Posted by: Mamba24 | May 09, 2008 at 05:19 AM
Bill Dwyer nailed it in his article. The amount of Kobe hero worship in this town is a very sad thing. Its basketball and he is a basketball player. He may be very good, but in the end he is a basketball player. Some of you might do well to remember this.
Posted by: David Friedman | May 09, 2008 at 06:03 AM
Good Morning Lakers Nation!
The Sun is rising
The birds are chirping
The coffee is brewing
And its another great day to be a Lakers fan.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | May 09, 2008 at 06:16 AM
Up and at 'em Laker Nation morning maniacs!!!!!
ITS BAME DAY!!!!!
Posted by: toad | May 09, 2008 at 06:18 AM