AK,

Thanks for your response about Drew's grade. I was giving you grief for fun. Actually, you guys are doing too good a job. Slow the report cards down so we have a chance to comment. We're all getting bombarded now but will be bored too death in a couple of weeks. You need to wean us into the off season, not cut us off cold turkey. LOL.

But you didn't answer my question:

Has there ever been a player in the history of the Lakers who had a bigger breakout year or made a greater leap in his play in a single season than Andrew Bynum this year?

I would be interested to hear your answer. Thanks.

Tom

AS THE BASKETBALL BOUNCES…

Ron Artest is supposedly now going to sleep on whether or not to opt out of his contract. Since he has stated outright that he wouldn’t accept the MLE under any circumstances, the only way he can get more money would be via a sign and trade, which opting out of his contract would motivate the Kings to agree to or lose him with no compensation.

If Ron opts out, it probably means that he has gotten indications from one or more elite teams that they would try and work and sign and trade deal to get him. Otherwise, Artest would probably not risk only being able to sign for the MLE or with a losing team. I sure would like to see Ron in purple and gold but not if it costs us Lamar Odom. I would have no problem sending Luke and Vlade or even Ronny. Artest would be a perfect fit for us.

***************

O. J. Mayo or Kevin Love and Mike Miller. Give me a break. I would have killed to see the Lakers get Kevin Love or Mike Miller. Miller would have been a great small forward for the Lakers. He would have given us what we have never gotten from Vlade. And he has the toughness that it takes to win championships in the right situation. Good move by Kevin McHale. What can you say about Chris Wallace other than he is becoming every general manager’s best friend. I wonder how we can get Marc Gasol back…

***************

Apparently the commissioner doesn’t feel any need to chastise Shaq for his tasteless and classless rap attack on Kobe, Kareem, and Patrick. You’d think that Shaq’s behavior was more of an image threat to the league than player hip-hop fashion and excessive jewelry. I even read that some stupid deputy sheriff has now offered to replace the badges that other sheriffs had requested back from Shaq. Can’t wait for Drew and Kobe to give Shaq a taste of their own posteriors as they posterize and YouTube him next year.

***************

How lucky were the Chicago Bulls to turn their 1.7% chance at the top pick into Derrick Rose, their point guard of the future? As Bulls fan Barrack Obama says, Derrick Rose is Jason Kidd with a jump shot. Big bounces of the ball for Chicago with Barrack running for president, Bulls drafting Derrick Rose, and Cubs having the best record in baseball. Wonder what is going to happen to Kirk Heinrich? What ever happened to his shining star anyway? He was once talked about as a potentially great player.

***************

I have to laugh at the posters who compared Luke Walton to Rick Fox. While I still believe Luke will be a valuable Laker down the road, the simple fact is that he and Ronny are the two players on the team that have not really improved their games as much as the rest of the young players on the team, such as Drew, Jordan, and Sasha. Meanwhile, Rick Fox became a shut down defensive player – remember him shadowing Peja like white on rice? – as well as a clutch 3-point shooter and team enforcer. Luke, on the other hand, regressed this year and probably set a season record for having his shot blocked. While ex claims otherwise, I also have never heard of Luke staying in the gym and working on his shot after a bad shooting night the way Kobe, Sasha, Jordan, and Lamar have done. Bottom line, Luke is a good role player. Foxy was a great role player.

***************

Edwin asked if the Lakers could trade the contracts of Luke and Vlade for draft picks. The answer is that they can do that IF another team would accept the contracts AND the Lakers take back contracts of players from the other team worth at least 75% + $150K of the sum of Luke’s and Vlade’s contracts. For trade exceptions, the values used are the current annual salaries of the players. Thus, to really relieve themselves of Luke’s and Vlade’s contracts, the Lakers would need to find a team with players with expiring contracts to trade for. Sound familiar? Expiring contracts are the only way to reduce your payroll in the new NBA. That’s why they are so valuable. Teams trade away players with long contracts for players with expiring contracts. Thus, they reduce their long term payroll commitment.

Tom

Anyway we can make sure that Jim Buss doesn't go on radio this offseason?

Long Time Laker Fan,

Great sequence of posts on the Andrew Report Card thread. Your response to the Puke posters was an impressive array of points. Well done. Luke can be a valuable Laker.

I also just watched the YouTube compilation of Sun Yue and again came away very very impressed. I think this kid can really play point guard in the NBA. Here are my latest observations from watching various videos and reading draft reports on Sun Yue.

First, the guy is a genuine 6-8 wiry type of player that the Lakers like. The thought of another 6-8 point guard running the Lakers definitely has a unique appeal. Sun reminds me a lot of a slighter, smaller, but faster, quicker, and better shooting and ball handling version of Lamar Odom – another lefty who can play the 1, 2, or 3 for the Lakers down the road. Several draft reports also noted Sun’s ability to fill a stat sheet like Lamar.

Where people worried about Lamar’s ball handling ability playing point guard, Sun Yue looks to be a far better ball handler than Lamar. In fact, his ball handling and passing were outstanding and he looks as if he could be the Lakers long term solution at the point with his size and skills. He could be the perfect point guard for the Triangle Offense. You can see why he is called the Chinese Magic Johnson.

For a 6-8 guy, Sun runs like a greyhound. His quickness and herky-jerky moves remind me a lot of Manu Ginobli. One thing that I really loved watching him play is that he knows how to use long strides and a jump stop to get into the lane to score or an assist. This is the primary move that Ginobli and Parker use in the paint to score under control without getting their shot blocked. By using a jump stop to land on two feet in the paint, the player can then use either foot as his pivot foot and is in great position to score. The jump stop is also the move that Farmar needs to add as well as his old teardrop shot.

What looks best about Sun Yue is that he looks to have great lateral quickness as well as the hops and length to really be an excellent defender. I think he is fast and quick enough to do a good job staying in front of his man. I saw several videos of Sun running back chasing a defender on a breakaway and blocking his shot ala Kobe Bryant. That type of aggressiveness is something that is critical when selecting a player from China, where players are nowhere near as aggressive as in the NBA. Playing in the CBA and the NBA Summer League in Vegas definitely helped Sun acclimate more to our style of play.

At any rate, I was thrilled to hear that the Lakers are still high on Sun and hope to add him to the roster this year. It will be exciting to have a new player with high expectations to root for this summer. Thanks again for the excellent posts. They were critical to my surviving the end of the NBA season. Nice rag on your paragraphs by the way. You can always spot your posts by the look.

Tom

they got an A for bringing in Gasol but they could've got a huuuuge steal had they taken Jamont Gordon or Davon Jefferson!! either of those dudes has serious game and could be a huge part of our future!!

BLOG CRUE,
Colorado can't wait till the Lakers season begins. I volunteered for a deployment to Qatar in Nov-Mar 09 so we'll see if that happens. If not, I'll make the Lakers-Nuggets at the Laker Center in Denver. CO bleeds purple and gold.

Colorado loves the Lakers!

**************** Artest will be a Laker****************

RonRon hates kg--
LO and Artest are best friends
He even likes Kobe--hehe
He wants to come to LA for business ventures
He wants to be in the FINALS for a change. It's eating him
He and Lakers know he is the missing piece on D

All I know is that Ron is crazy enough to just do it and opt out and if he does the Lakers Organization, Kobe, LO need to: MAKE HIM AN OFFER HE CAN'T REFUSE.

Somehow, Someway they need to get this done.

Add Bynum, Artest, and the Chinese Magic Johnson to this squad, I don't think they would ever lose 82-0.

Celtics Suck and Lakers Forever!

BD

Let's go C's,
I hope the Lakers and the "Lucky" Celtics will meet again in the Finals next year. Let's see who's ass will be kicked this time around. I'm sure it will not be the Purple and Gold. I hope to see those hated Celtics again so you will shut your "big mouth"

i am a die hard laker fan, i bleed purple and gold but i live in reality and sun yue isnt packed with potential!! dude is about to be 23 years old and averaged around 13 ppg in the aba!! not the pac 10, not the acc but the aba...yes that aba!! he did average around 10 apg but also over 3.5 tpg!! over 3 turnovers in the aba!! come on Mitch, i cant understand why the lakers wouldnt take Jamont Gordon, can you imagine him and Farmar runnin the break for your bench!! Gordon is 6'4 230 and he averaged 17 ppg, 5apg plus 6.6 rpg!! ask the number 1 pick in the 08 draft about Gordon, he'll tell you that Jamont dropped 21 points, 11 boards and 5 assist on him in the second round of the tourney!! the lakers messed up not takin Jamont but the whole NBA is sleepin on dude too, its crazy man!!

Crawford is supposed to have some decent skills. Kupchak said that it's difficult for a draftee at that spot to make a team. Draft success need not necessarily be a route to ultimate success. Look at the current champion.

In any event, Artest could sign with LA, but in order to stay, the Lakers would have to let go or significantly renegotiate with Odom to keep them both after '09, do I have that right?

BD,

Are Artest and Lamar "best friends"?

GO LAKERS!

Hugo Boss,

I won't remember in November, so I'll tell you now:

Thank you, much respect, God bless and be safe.

LakerTom

"The answer is that they can do that IF another team would accept the contracts AND the Lakers take back contracts of players from the other team worth at least 75% + $150K of the sum of Luke’s and Vlade’s contracts. For trade exceptions, the values used are the current annual salaries of the players."

Thanks again for your usual expertise in this area. I don't thinK JB would waste so much money through that route and getting an expiring contract which is a waste of time as well. I guess the SF and C will be a competitive position for the Lakers. We need Mbenga lurking around to push Mihm to tap his potentials or becomes a odd man in C. We need a competition in SF with Lamar, Vlad, Ariza and Luke to push them for playing or else they sit down. If Mihm and Luke continue to be odd players, don't let them ruin the strenght of the roster. All we need now is sign a PF like: Artest as MLE or Milsap or Posey 3.5m for 2yrs.

Joey Crawford is good pick, an attacker, slasher and a good shooter another Javaris Crittenton type that will compete minutes from Sasha, Karl, Lue and/or Farmar. That's great to have many options of shooters and talents than dealing with dead-ends players. Even just a rookie, PJ will like Crawford who had carried Kentucky Wildcats offense as well as defense. Here is my line up

Fisher/Farmar/Karl
Kobe/Sasha?/Lue(D'League) /Crawford(D'League)
Ariza/Vlad/Luke
Pau/LO/Ronny?/MLE?
Bynum/Mihm/Mbenga?

Edwin Guerco,

You forgot to add Quinton Ross to the lineup.

GO LAKERS!

Hugo Boss,

Much love and respect for the protection. We appreciate that.

Brotherly Respect.

Charl;es

Big ups to you Hugo!!!

Lamar = Laker for Life

GO LAKERS

LakerTom,

>>>the simple fact is that he and Ronny are the two players
>>>on the team that have not really improved their games as
>>>much as the rest of the young players on the team, such
>>>as Drew, Jordan, and Sasha

Luke and Ronny = 2nd round picks

Drew, Jordan, and Sasha = first round picks

`nuff said

Paul Lee,

I like James Jones, and I think the Lakers should at least
consider him if they can't re-sign Sasha. But he's an average
defender, he plays the SF spot, where the Lakers are overloaded,
and he opted out of 3 million, which means he probably wants
more than 3 million. He's probably thinking just like Sasha...
"If Jason Kapono can get a full MLE, then I can get a full MLE"

Jon K.

If Quintin Ross can convince Mitch and scouts how he can be inserted with the crowded roster and what he can bring to the team, perhaps there is a room for him. He has to do the 'Tonya Harding" method of eliminating competitions by hitting Sasha and Turiaf below the belt and bamboozle Vlad and Luke by quitting their Lakers contract maybe, Ross is within the striking range. Haha!

DB,

We never know about Sun Yue shooting, he's another finnesse but can be developed.

BLOG CRUE
Thanks to all and it's my pleasure.

Colorado loves the Lakers!

Easy on Sun Yue...
take into account the improved quality of coaching that he will get as a Laker. (ever hear the the rumors of how the Chinese national team trains, and the way they dog out Yao Ming for a compilation of things)...

I've watched Laker games for decades, I've gone to games, I've gone to their training camps in Honolulu, one thing I saw about Sasha (Shi-Shi) was that he kept working away at that jump shot, while the rest of the team was gone. Him and a either a ball retriever or Craig Hodges who was around...He worked on that shot for hours. Then he would clank them in games (for what? 2-3 years?...and we all put up with that). Until this year...when things finally clicked. That's why I think we should bring in Sun Yue asap to give him more time to acclimate (and less time to develop bad habits)...Granted he's not going to be as good as just traded Yi, but at least we'll have "Yi-Lite". For all we know Kobe know will know how to speak to him in Chinese after this summer. I just read up on Sun on wikipedia...it sounds like he's stuck in their political approach to assembling their team for the summer. (and in the past)...I think if you remove all that b.s. from his life, he will grow as player and a person.

i am a die hard laker fan, i bleed purple and gold but i live in reality and sun yue isnt packed with potential!! dude is about to be 23 years old and averaged around 13 ppg in the aba!! not the pac 10, not the acc but the aba...yes that aba!! he did average around 10 apg but also over 3.5 tpg!! over 3 turnovers in the aba!! come on Mitch, i cant understand why the lakers wouldnt take Jamont Gordon, can you imagine him and Farmar runnin the break for your bench!! Gordon is 6'4 230 and he averaged 17 ppg, 5apg plus 6.6 rpg!! ask the number 1 pick in the 08 draft about Gordon, he'll tell you that Jamont dropped 21 points, 11 boards and 5 assist on him in the second round of the tourney!! the lakers messed up not takin Jamont but the whole NBA is sleepin on dude too, its crazy man!!

Posted by: cid | June 28, 2008 at 02:37 AM

Cid,

I looked at the names taken in the draft and Jamont Gordon was not selected by anyone. That means he can get invitation to summer team to compete for spot.

Long Time Laker Fan,

Excellent points about Sun Yue. It is even more important that he to play in an NBA or even D-League setting because of the cultural variances between USA and China that make competing on the Chinese National Team a different experience than playing NBA style basketball. Playing in the NBA is a bigger cultural challenge for Chinese players than for European or South American players.

While Sun’s team oriented and focused background will fit well with the Lakers, he will have to learn as Yao Ming did to raise his level of play physically and mentally to match that which he will encounter in the NBA. That is why China sent him over as part of an ABA team that competed in California the year before last. To learn how to play more of an aggressive American style of basketball.

In some ways, it’s as if the Chinese are where the Europeans and South American players were several years ago, where both the play and the players were not yet athletically or mentally ready to play in the tougher, trash talking, dunk-in-your-face environment of the NBA, where our style and rules make the game more physical and difficult for foreign players to excel, more than international rules make it tough for us in the Olympics.

Anyway, I am glad that the Lakers want to get Sun Yue over here for next season. He could be a great addition to the roster with his ability to play several positions. When you think about Lamar playing the point, you are always intrigued but also worried. Sun Yue has a lot of the same versatility, multiple skills, and athletic length that Lamar has but in a much quicker and faster package that could really be a defensive force at a long 6-8.

Now if we could just get Ron Artest for 6-years of MLE, we would be ready to go. LOL. Thanks for your outstanding posts. It’s always a pleasure to share Laker time with you.

Tom

Also-

As a Duck, I would like to point out that, while he may or may not prove to be want to Lake Show is looking for in their long term plans, FA Bryce Taylor can shoot the rock like a Mo Fo. Just in case anybody was wondering.

GO LAKERS

**LOS ANGELES WANTS RON ARTEST TO BE A LAKER!

Is it Monday yet?

Artest wake up from your Laker Dreams...Wake up!

Decision Time Ron!

This is what you have been waiting for Ron...

Come to LakerNation where you will be loved and cheered for your GREAT DEFENSE!

Jerry Buss your the Best make it happen. From his heart he wants to be a Laker and run with LO.

Monday is a BIG DAY in LakerNation. I hope the Lord grabs him by the neck and states Ron your destiny is in LALALand with Phil, LO, Kobe and the most storied franchise in all of sports.

Lakers Forever!

BD

Good Day LakerTom,

I really enjoy your team insights. Certainly thre are endless possibilities for improvement indeed when it comes to the Lakeshow roster for years to come. There are two questions I have for you in regards to Sun Yue and Chris Mihm. At Sun Yue's current talent level and size, can he play solid defense from the PG position? Can he play other positions like SF and PF? I just don't know much about him. Just by reading some of the posts, the Laker organization seems to think he is a diamond in the rough. I'm sure we will see him during training camp because of that very reason. In reference to Chris Mihm, can he flourish as our season long backup center considering that his surgically repaired ankle is still a question mark? Is he TRULY going to be the backup center we can count on to spell Bynum without losing too much defensively in terms of presence? He without a doubt can score and play team defense based on watching him when he was healthy. I just feel we are still TOO thin at the center position DEFENSIVELY and of course, healthwise. Insurance at this position must be taken into consideration. The obvious question will then be: Who is out there RIGHT NOW that we can get to efficiently shore up the depth at center? Please share your thoughts on both players as well as possibilities.

One aspect of overall team improvement I haven't seen and read much about from our fellow Laker fan bloggers is the talent the Lakers have in the D-League. Besides Jordan Farmar and Koby Karl making the Lakers team roster from the NBDL L.A. D-Fenders, will other players like Brian Chase, Sean Banks, Jelani McCoy (once a full-time player in the NBA) and Brandon Wallace be given the opportunity to do the same? They all seem to have good size at their respective positions, put up good numbers and are familiar with the triangle offense (as I understand, this was the offense they were running all season with the D-Fenders). Who knows, one, two or all of them might bring something special to the table just like Jordan Farmar has done thus far (I'm sure Koby Karl could have showcased his skills if he was given the time of day). Heck, each player mentioned might bring DEFENSE in their hip pocket for all we know! I realize this scenario looks a bit suspect, but wouldn't this be an another avenue for the Lakers FO to consider? What are your thoughts about this as well?

Laker pride through adversity! Peace and god bless!

There is only one question with regards to Ron Artest- to MLE or not to MLE- I think that we can prove that the MLE to LA would lead to increased profit with regards to endorsements. It's not much money in and of itself, but It's money down the line, and money much more down the line if you can fit into the LA celebrity endorsement scene. It will make the difference between what Sac Town offers you and what Mitch offers you seem like peanuts. That's right, Ron Ron, peanuts. And then you can play with KOBE, BYNUM, GASOL, ODOM AND FISHER. They will take you up, carry you higher, and forgive whatever kept you from getting a Larry O'Brien before. We can make this happen, and...

YOU ARE THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS!

Okay, maybe not. We can take Bynum and just level em.

GO LAKERS

THE LOVE DOESN"T NEED ANY FA SHITE, THE LOVE WILL WIN WITH WHAT THE LOVE HAS THAT CAN FLAUNT THE LOVE.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE LOVE

If Ron Ron opts, I see it as a long hard process for anyone to sign him.

He wants more than the MLE, much more. So a team will have to negotiate a Sign and Trade with Sactown. Sac will have the final say then on who they would take back. Luke + Ronny = 8 mil?
(Last year Seattle would no take back nobody from Orlando, content with Lewis's expiring contract)

Ron Artest if he opts is willing to gamble that a deal can happen, but is prepared to fall back on plan B, multiple year MLE deal. Here Lakers have an advantage over other teams.

And my 2 cents. If Ron Ron comes aboard at the MLE, the Lakers may look to move LO after all, being so top heavy at the 3 salary wise. LO, Luke for a Deng, Hinrich deal looks pretty good then.

Lakers need improvement at the metal toughness level. Artest will bring it. Ron's more than a jerk, he's a nutcase who will let you down. But is not much of a risk if you don't pay much to get him. If he flaks, for sure league would back Lakers on a contract dispute if he goes nuclear.

Let's Go C's:

"Meowwww...brrr...meoowwwww....[licks paw and rubs against ears]..meow, meowwww.."

Let's now praise the SUNS for landing their coveted draft picks! Robin Lopez is already being heralded as the best big man of the draft (most experts place him above his brother Brooke in terms of defensive toughness and offensive potential).

Lopez figures to be the kind of complementary big such as Kendrick Perkins - the anti-gasal in other words.

The steal of the draft was GORAN DRAGIC, the SUNS' 2nd-round pick. Considered the 2nd-best PG available (only Derrick Rose is rated slightly higher) in the 2008 draft, DRAGIC is a slovenian currently with Tau who will likely don a SUNS uniform in 2009, if not sooner.

DRAGIC is touted as the second coming of Steve GNASH but with more athleticism (38-inch leap is Shawn Marion territory!). Look for him to continue the GNASH tradition of dominating kobee and the lakers in the playoffs.

Looks like KERR is the early pick for GM of the year with these two brilliant picks which make the SUNS more powerful than ever!

Yes, that's the sound of phil jaqueson soiling himself that you hear!

Oh one more thing LadyNation:

How does Shaq's azz taste?

Herhehehhhhehreh

I should also mention:

How does Pierce, Garnett and Allen's azz taste?

ehrehrhrheehrehererherh

brahwhwwhwhwhw

Let's go C's -

Shut up idiot.

I'd like to request a poll from Laker Nation.

What do you, Laker Nation, feel is the likelihood of Ron Artest becoming a Laker next season?

I'd put it at 10% likely to happen. Fine by me.

GO LAKERS!

Let's go L's!,

Thanks for the props. I’ll try my best to answer your questions:

*********

“At Sun Yue's current talent level and size, can he play solid defense from the PG position?”

It’s hard to predict what kind of defender that Sun will eventually be but his defense is one of the traits that attracted the Lakers attention, although it was his all-around game, Lamar Odom versatility, and 6-8 height for a point guard that ultimately sold them.

There is a great YouTube video you can find via Google that includes some great clips of plays made by Sun in the Las Vegas pro league last summer. There is a great play where Mike Conley of the Grizzlies, one of the quickest and fastest point guards in the league, has an easy breakaway layup but is surprisingly chased down by Sun Yue, who cleanly blocks the shot soaring above the rim from behind ala Kobe Bryant. What impressed me is that you could see Sun Yue size up Conley and then leap for the spot between the rim and the backboard where Conley was going to try to lay the ball up. Sun showed great speed, leaping ability, and a point guard’s understanding of where the play was going.

Like any rookie, I am sure that Sun will get schooled often but I also think his physical skills and his height, length, and hops will give him some shining defensive moments too. Maybe the best comparison would be imagine a player with Jordan Farmar’s quickness and speed and vertical leap but in a guy who was 6-8 with Lamar Odom arms. I think Sun could end up being a great defensive force at the point with his defense. But that is only part of the great potential that I think the Lakers see in him as a 6-8 point guard.

*********

“Can he play other positions like SF and PF?”

Sun should be able to play the 1, 2, or 3. His natural position is point guard and that is where I think the Lakers will want to play him. One of the criticisms of Sun in the draft reports I have read is his outside shooting. Watching him on the video, though, I think he looks to me to be a more natural shooter than Jordan Farmar, for example. As a lefty, his shot is much smoother than Lamar Odom’s and reminds me a little of Gail Goodrich.

The Lakers like Sun Yue more for his physical attributes and all-around game than for his defense specifically. Because of his height and length and ball handling skills, He’s been compared to Magic Johnson much as Lamar Odom was, due more to their style of play rather than level of play, since neither has the vision or BBIQ of the GOAT. That said, Sun is definitely a player who will fill a stat sheet with points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, or whatever the team needs. His versatility, left handedness, and ability to play multiple positions make him a shorter, quicker, and faster version of Lamar Odom.

Tom

I read on Hoopshype the Lakers will try to get Sun for the 2009-2010 season and NOT this UPCOMING season..

I agree with the blogger LakerBake I believe it was, who stated we need to get a DEFENSIVE-minded big to play alongside Andrew, someone like a Mutombo or Mourning. The stinky C's are calling all the old timers to come and play with them next season. Hell, they probably have already hit Charles OAKLEY on the blackberry!

Let's go C's! Butler!,

I knew you couldn't resist your wasteful blogging ways.

BTW, Kobe leads 3-1 in Rings department over the 3 leaf clovers darling! DO brush up on your basketball history when making comments that MATTER!

Your fascination for Kobe (since you ALWAYS talk about him) must be related to your worldly desire to WANNA GET FREAKY WITH HIM! SEEMS LIKE YOU WILL BE THE BIATCH IN THAT SETUP!!! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN???? Talk is cheap baby. Make SENSE of what you say ms.! Kobe is a winner no matter what!

Also, don't be naive to think that KG, PP and RA could have won the prize ALONE. After all, for a VERY LONG TIME, each of them could NEVER take their previous respective teams to the promised land called the FINALS and win until NOW (it took a little more than a DECADE for each guy to FINALLY win the prize!!! Hmmm....that's over ten human years you math wizzard you!)! You and I KNOW that your criticisms and comments need more research and thought. In other words, they are content DEPRIVED!!!!

ON THE TOPIC OF SHAQSTER, YOU SHOULD TELL US HOW HIS REAR END TASTE!!! YOU MENTION IT QUITE OFTEN. FROM WHAT I GATHER, YOUR NOSE IS ALWAYS UP IN THAT VICINITY, A NATURAL PLACE FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO BREATHE ON!!!! A STENCH OF SHAME FOR YOU TO ENJOY!!! YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADD HUMBLE SALT TO TASTE.

Laker pride through adversity baby!

Rocky,

>>>What do you think about what the Lakers should do
>>>with the SF spot? ... Paul Pierce... etc.

Well, first of all, what makes you think the Celtics will make it
back to the finals next season?

Second, Ariza is actually an excellent wing defender, but
it's the presence of Andrew Bynum that will help with whoever
is defending Pierce (if he's there). With Pau or Ronny as
the last line of defense, if Pierce goes by you, he's probably
going to get an easy shot or get fouled. With Bynum back
there, the odds of a block are a lot higher. So people can
play Pierce tighter on the wings, reducing the quality of
his outside shooting.

Overall, it's better TEAM defense that will do the best to
stop Pierce, just as team defense by Boston is what slowed
Kobe down.

But on the "get someone to guard Pierce" front, there are
very few players in the league that can even slow Pierce
down. They have to have a reputation as a good defender,
as then the refs let them get away with more grabbing and
shoving. There are three guys that come to mind, I think all
three are VERY low likelyhood of coming to the Lakers, and
I don't think the Lakers could get any of them for nothing.
They are:

Ron Artest. Headcase, but excellent tough defender. I'm
not sure he wouldn't disrupt team chemistry, but he would
disrupt Pierce. I think of these three, the Lakers have the
best odds of getting him. He'd have to opt out and sign
for an MLE. He keeps going back and forth as to whether
he would ever do that, but it's a small possibility. I don't think
there's any chance that Sacto would trade Artest to the
Lakers under any circumstance, so he's only coming here
if he'll take less pay to go for a championship.

Shawn Marion. Excellent wing defender. He's not going
to opt out of 17 million, as no team in their right mind would
pay him that much. Artest would be opting out of 7 million
to make 6 million. Marion it's 17 million to make 6 million. Not
going to happen. So the Lakers would have to trade for
him. The obvious trade is Lamar Odom (possibly plus someone
else). He might disrupt team chemistry for different reasons
than Artest, but he would be a good choice to guard Pierce.
There are trade offs to the trade. Marion is a better wing
defender than Odom, and as good a rebounder, and a
slightly better shooter from outside. But he can't create
his own shot to save his life. That whole "Lamar rebounds,
drives the length of court and lays it in" thing would be gone.

The third one is more wishful thinking than anything.

Shane Battier. Excellent defender. Kobe has had fits with
him at times, and he's big enough and fast enough to stick
with Pierce. Problem is, he's Houston's third best player
and he has a reasonable salary. Houston could use two
things: more height and better outside shooting. So maybe
the'd consider trading Battier (and filler) for Odom, but
probably not. And even though he has size and is a good
outside shooter, I can't see the Rockets giving up Battier
for Radmanovic.

phred,

Thanks for your response. I assure you, I am a long time Laker fan and certainly DO NOT have the SPURS or SUNS on any gift list then, now, and in the future.

My questions regarding Sun Yue and Chris Mihm to LakerTom were simply done out of curiousity. No insult intended for any fellow Laker bloggers. Who knows, they might make a difference in some way. That's the BEAUTY of basketball, the unknown. Look no further than Turiaf, Vujacic and Farmar who stepped up their games this past year big time. Who would have thought that would happen so suddenly, especially considering their youth and total lack of experience.

In reference to Artest, I personally would have no problem wanting a player like him on our Laker team despite his questionable emotional history on and off the court. Heck, if Phil could handle Rodman and his antics, why not him. In the final analysis, Artest must decide for himself if winning a championship is a sincere PRIORITY! No doubt about his game. Like most players, who knows what he may add to the table (even extra) if the Lakers do decide to obtain him via trade or MLE. Will this be a gamble worth taking? WINNING IT ALL in my opinion is a gamble our Lakers should take no matter what happens. It is what it is! We are certainly on the right path to success for years to come. That much we do know.

Laker pride through adversity! Much love! Peace out!

"Hey Ladies, Kobe "can't do without Shaq", so this "3:1" crap is simply crap.

ahahahahhhh

hheehheheheheehehh"

And what exactly did Paul "academy award winning" pierce did before the scam that landed KG in that crap hole called Boston?
I will tell you. He was such a nobody that celtic fans where chanting MVP for the best player in the world, that is KOBE BRYANT. Do you remember that day or where u having your diapers cleane then?
So why dont you shut ur trap and crawl back to your hole already.

But if the Lakers are looking to fill their roster with Ira Newbles
and DJ Mbenga's and guys who won't get off the bench much,
then it might as well be a rookie who can learn the system
in practice and from a few minutes in garbage time here and
there.

And Phil does sometimes throw a rookie into the fire. I recall
at least two occasions last season where Phil put Coby Karl
out on the floor in the middle of important games where the
game wasn't decided yet.

And if Sun Yue doesn't pan out to be a good player, then
they've only spent a million for a couple of years to find
that out. That pales compared to what they spent on Kwame,
who sucked when he came in and sucked when he left.

Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 28, 2008 at 01:17 PM

LTLF

I believe that if played Ira and DJ would have contributed and the fact that they got no run is testamont to PJ playing his favorites over using the bench. This just hurt the team.

Yes he put Coby in for a couple of minutes as a lesson to the other players. But what you are overlooking is that CK performed very well and should have earned more pt to develop. But no PJ made his point and hindered the progress of CK and again hurt the team as CB did not get much PT.

Sun Yue should stay in China one more year as PJ will not give him PT and he will add to the payroll of which we need $$$ to resign Sasha and RT.

LAKERS ROSTER FOR 2009?

The Lakers have 10 players under contract now that Chris Mihm has exercised his option. Add in new contracts for Sasha and Ronny plus Joe Crawford and Sun Yue and you have the Lakers probable opening roster for 2009 with 14 players under contract and 1 roster spot open for a possible free agent such as James Posey or Ron Artest or other veteran.

It also probably means goodbye to DJ Mbenga and Coby Karl. Depth chart looks great except for glut of small forwards and thinness at power forward and center, although Odom will obviously spend time at power forward and Gasol time as the backup center. Still, we definitely need to re-sign Ronny despite his shortcomings and probably also an experienced power forward, although Artest or Posey would work well, too.

Anyway, with Bynum. Ariza, and Mihm out most of the second half of this year, it’s almost like we will get 3 new players next year. Throw in Joe Crawford, Sun Yue, and a veteran big man or tough defender and it will be like having 6 new players on the roster. It should be really exciting going into training camp. Big question still remains as to who the Lakers will add as the 15th player or whether they will hold the spot open.

PG: Fisher | Farmar | Yue
SG: Bryant | Vujacic | Crawford
SF: Odom | Ariza | Radmanovic | Walton
PF: Gasol | Turiaf
CE: Bynum | Mihm

Tom

Posted by: LakerTom | June 28, 2008 at 08:40 PM

I disagree with this line up. Foolish to let go of Coby, DJ.

Sun Yue and Crawford are untested rookies and will get no PT from PJ. That will weaken oue team. Mihm has 1 year on his contract and he will seek bigger payday. He is also a foul prone finese player of which we have too many. DJ is bulkier, more mobile and a shot blocker. He is also developing an offensive game under KAJ. Lastly he will be much cheaper to keep.

Let's Go C's -

shut up idiot.

"Well, first of all, what makes you think the Celtics will make it back to the finals next season?"-LTLF

I think it's clear the Celtics were the best team last year, from start to finish. They have all of their guys coming back, and they will probably resign Posey. There's no reason to believe anyone in the East will step up against them. Even though they played 7 game series' in the playoffs, they were coasting mentally, with the knowledge that they had homecourt advantage. It was when they lost that home game against the Pistons where they really stepped up their game, and Ray Allen all of the sudden got his shot back. If they stay healthy, they will be the best in the east again.

I hear you on the team defense being what we need to contain Pierce. Having Bynum back will improve our team defense tremendously, if he stays healthy. My feeling is that Pierce would take Ariza into the post and go to work, even with Bynum out there. So we'd still have to double team and leave a shooter open.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to answer my question. Pierce has been a thorn in our sides for years now, and to have him be the key factor in us losing a championship to the Celtics doesn't feel very good. I really believe we have to do something to address this instead of hoping that a 20 year old is going to be the savior.

Go Lakers!