Dear Lord, send Your healing power and virtue to Fairweather Fatty. You are a healer - manifest Yourself to Fatty's body. Let him rest, recover and be completely restored from head to toe. Strengthen him and rejuvenate his entire mind, body, soul and spirit for Your glory.

We thank You for all of Your blessings and for answering this prayer...AMEN!

I dunno, I actually think Phil Jackson's been a pretty decent coach for the Lakers. Listing all the reasons seems redundant.

Regarding all the recent FA/trade talk, it seems to me that our most pressing need is for an athletic, backup PF. Given that we have nil cap space, along with the fact that there's not a lot of names available (unless Riley wants to continue gutting his team and trade away Haslem), it seems likely that we'll be combing through the D league, undrafted players, summer camp walk-ons, etc..

Rdlee suggested drafting Luc Mbah A Moute in the second round (at the 3 position). I don't think we really need another SF but I love that kind of post... a nice change from all the Artest and Posey speculation.

utz.........Amen!

Fatty.........Get well soon, man! We need your humor and enthusiasm here...........hope all goes well for you.

JonK
You would be better served (and admired) to not make opinions contrary to your own a dialouge of "you're an idiot"' "moron" etc. You make it just a little too personal.
Laker fans like JustaLakerFan opines with a passion and always has insightful information that makes for great debating. A recent post where he pointed out Kobe took over the huddle a drew up a plan of attack while Phil did nothing was nothing short of brilliant and made me think that perhaps the Lakers could re-sign Kobe as a player/coach. I enjoy thought provoking writing and JustaLakerFan epitomizes what a true blogger should aspire to be.
I like Phil Jackson and Lamar Odum, and I would like nothing better for them to prove me wrong next year and win the title. But after many years of frustration and yelling at the TV about the same issues over and over again, I find blogging a release of my pent-up anger whether it be humorous, toungue-in-cheek, or direct bashing. So mellow out some, fellow bloggers of your ilk like Pig Miller, Benjamin, Rick Friedman, exhelodrvr, Edwin Gueco, and Caliphilosopher (to name just a few) are stout supporters and bring alot to the table without getting into sophomoric pissing contests (well Most of the time anyway).
Opposing bloggers such as myself, JustaLakerFan, chuck23, Comptons Finest, and Pfunk, just have a different perspective, but I don't doubt their love for the team.
I know PJ isn't going anywhere, hell he's the son-in-law of the owner, but it's fun to pick apart his deficiencies as it is question Lamar's talent and desire. It would be a pretty boring blog if we all agreed blindly on everything.
So with all that said I leave you with my tongue-in cheek song with Lamar starring as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.
Remember, it's all in fun. Try and have some!!!

I COULD BE A BETTER BALLER
IF MY HEAD WAS ONLY SMALLER
IT JUST GETS IN THE WAY
do do--do do--do do
I WOULD FLY THROUGH THE AIR WITH EASE
AND DUNK IT WITH AUTHORITY
IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN

I COULD BE A BETTER SHOOTER
BUT I'D RATHER BE AT HOOTERS
DRINKING BEFORE A GAME
do do--do do--do do
I WOULD MAKE ALL MY 3 POINT SHOTS
BUT HANGOVERS BLUR MY VISION LOTS
IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN

THEY SAY I COULD BE MAGIC
BUT THAT WOULD BE JUST TRAGIC
TO DRIBBLE MY LIFE AWAY
do do--do do--do do
SO I'LL TOKE AND TOKE THE CHRONIC
WHO CARES IF IT MAKES ME MORONIC
IT'S ONLY JUST A GAME

What's wrong with Fatty?

Well, I hope he gets better soon.

GO LAKERS!

73-9!
5 options at C
5 options at PF
6 options at SF
5 options at SG
4 options at PG

Versatile combinations at every position...outstanding depth...tough competition in practice...players fighting tooth-and-nail for minutes. Length, speed, experience, shooting, young legs, veterans in their prime, returning MVP...

Humility. Hunger...

The pieces are in place to make a run at "the best team ever." Will it happen? Who knows...

But whatever happens, it sure beats being a Kings fan!

Posted by: karyanr | June 22, 2008 at 11:39 PM

Too bad PJ don't know or refuses to use options. So what good is it to have them if you don't use them?

Good day Laker fans,
Phil Jackson, without a doubt, is a fantastic coach overall. He realized that his team overachieved and went with his regular lineup and substitution patterns the whole way, especially in the Finals (without Bynum for that matter). Sure, most of us questioned how he should have used other players defensively to offset Boston's attack (ie. more minutes for Ariza, inserting Newble and D.J. Mbenga). Here's the deal. If you think about his philosophy in coaching, he loves to let his players discover themselves (in other words, have htem play it out!) much more than micromanage them. I think this is where players over time under his belief system, especially young ones, start to develop character and hopefully toughness. His hands off approach (as it so seems) at times can be frustrating to all of us. This approach obvioulsy works since he already has 9 rings to prove it.
[It is a flawed system and has failed too many times now. Letting players discover themselves is ok to a point in the regular season but not in the finals. If they have not figured it by then it is too late. Utilize all your tools in the toolbox during regular season so that they can play in playoffs and contribute. Lack of proper substitutions hurt this team worse than the bets did.]

Considering Phil had a young team this year, this experience was probably a bit more challenging for him just to get the most out of them. Guess what, he DID! As you know, he has always preferred having savvy veterans run his triangle offense on the floor with size (Pippen, Harper) and those who created mismatch problems for other teams (Kucoc, Shaq). He did not have that kind player for the last couple of years to run this scheme besides Fish (who was absolutely great this past year btw and during their 3-peat years) who is undersized by his standards but had a lot of heart and smarts to get the job done.This all comes down to the most important aspect of his team: DEFENSE!
[PJ has a reputation for vets and despises rookies. He called them lower than scum or something to that effect. No he failed to develop the younger players. Note when he takes out defensive players like Ariza his excuse is he disrupts the offense. So what is his concern offense or defense? Not using Mbenga who is a shot blocker/defender and rebounder. Can’t score enough. (proved wrong on that) but still refused to use him. Same with Ira. So was it offense or defense as his priority?]
He might want to look down the Staples Center hall at Mr. Michael Cooper (a proven Laker performer in his hayday) to add to his staff. Heck, if you guys haven't been keeping up with his coaching performance thus far in the WNBA, he's getting the lady Sparks to play serious DEFENSE with a rookie named Candace Parker and, of course, a veteran named Lisa Leslie! Just tonight, his ladies forced the Indiana Fever (who are no slouch team) to shoot under 30% from the field and absolutely dominated the defensive backboard (although tunovers were a problem for his team). As a result, they now have the best record in the league and are looking to get even better as the team continues to develop together offensively and DEFENSIVELY. BTW, their team defense (FG %) is one of the tops in the league. The recipe has been laid down by Coop and the organization. It's all about ATTITUDE and WINNING with D! That's what the Zen master may consider to complete his so called teachings of patience and inner discovery. He does not need to do it all by himself. Changes are certainly in order from everyone on the team (players and coaches). The sacrafice, like he stated, must happen on the defensive end. That my fellow fans, will cure a lot of problems.
Remember, there are other teams looking to get even better in our conference and division and will love nothing more than to knock us off our expectation pedastal this upcoming season. Nothing is a guarantee, but DEFENSE is always a guarantee when it comes to championships. I'm sure Detroit, San Antonio, and yes, Boston can relate to that in this decade. OOPS! Even our 3-peat team. Laker pride!
[For the most part I agree that Coop would be a great addition with another head coach as Jim Cleamons is a good defensive coach but PJ won’t let him coach defense. I say this because during one of the Laker practice sessions Cleamons was distributing ball to 3 point shooters (offense) instead of working on defense. Probably because, that is what PJ wanted him to do. ]
Posted by: flexor | June 23, 2008 at 12:10 AM

Phil is right. This was a Cinderella team that was not yet ready to assume the mantle of champion. The Celtics had 3 All Stars, for God's sake. It's better to focus towards the future and not cry over spilt milk. It's a learning process. We got dumped by the Suns after leading 3-1 in 2006. We came up short again in 2007 and bowed out even faster in the first round. Despite what some people say, I'm very happy with the Lakers getting to the Finals. To be honest, I thought they wouldn't get past the Spurs in the WC Finals. Next season, there will be no more duds like Game 6. Here's to a fruitful 2008-09 injury-free season!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: SamLL | June 23, 2008 at 12:40 AM

No PJ is wrong. A Cinderella wins the hand of the prince and rules the Kingdom with the Prince. What part of the kingdom or prince did PJ deliver to the Lakers? He failed and his methods are outdated and don't work. The Wizard has been exposed and we need a real coach now.

So, sort of like I said in the first post, I think the arguing is pretty moot. Nobody knows what is going to happen, nor can anyone say exactly why things happened the way they did. In the end, everyone takes the blame for the loss, then you move on. It's a team, so Phil can't take all of the blame, just his share.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | June 23, 2008 at 06:13 AM
I agree except PJ has not taken any blame and was throwing players under the bus right after the loss
And probably the ones he did not use.

Hey Guys,
I for one was unhappy with PJ's substitution patterns in the Finals. Something kept telling Pj's gonna make it happen. And we won ugly by two games.
[ I like PJ and gave benefit of doubt but as series continued and he non coached the way he has all along my frustration boiled over. Shooting too many 3’s, not calling time outs, lack of use of players and wrong use of substitutions convinced me he lost contact with reality.]
For the posters who want PJ out, who would you want to replace PJ? (Be realistic, No Pop or Scott who are both in contract)
[ I am being realistic as Scott can be bought out of his contract. This is not a first in the NBA. At worst kick PJ upstairs and let him work with Jeanie Buss in marketing. Let Shaw take over and bring in Scott when his contract is up. He may have a year left I think.
Is it just an improvement of opportunity for using players in key situations?
[I think this year was very winnable with the players we had. PJ just refused to use all his players and over used Luke.]
Are you tired of the System?
[Actually I think the modified triangle was an improvement as it made us a high scoring team. Elements can be kept and a motion type offense can be incorporated in]
Is it the defense?
[Yes very much the defense. We showed we could play defense but only did it a couple of qtrs. a game. PJ always substituted offense in and defense out. He would take Ariza out and say he was sowing down offense. Things like that.]
I will still support PJ, but I am frustrated with the last 2 finals appearances.

[Believe it or not I like PJ and his sense of humor and for what he has accomplished. But his time has come and gone and we need a winner in this era of which B. Scott has done in NJ and with Hornets.]
VS. Detroit, that was injuries (Malone and Grant) and Lakers in fighting.
[I agree there on that, if Malone would not have gotten injured we would have been champions that year.]
VS. Boston, I just thought they were the better Veteran laden team, and our Coaching Staff was was Hard-Headingly bulling without maneuver.
[Better veteran team but we were younger and more athletic and as many bloggers posted had more playoff experience on our team. So I don’t buy they were better except better coached.}
Regards Guys and Have great day!
[Likewise have a great day also.]
Posted by: Charles | June 23, 2008 at 08:57 AM

LETS LOOK AT DOC RIVERS.........
last year had the NBA worst record.........
An had one foot out the door, before they picked up an allstar team.............an now he is coach of the year.......So players do make a difference in coaches.
9 rings....would'nt be 9 rings without 4-5 of the greatest players of all time..........lets not forget that.
I like this team.....hell I like the team we had last year.
I just dont like this DUMB ASS COACH.
smush parker
luke walton
brian cook
kwame brown.......are the players he decides to play over........
BABY DRE
RONNY
FARMAR towards the end
VLAD ill take vlad over luke any day of the week.
We dont need new personal we have every-thing we need right here........THATS JUST A COP-OUT.
FOR ONCE I WOULD LOVE FOR PHIL TO SAY THATS MY FAULT WE LOST BECAUSE OF ME.
9 ring get the flucc out of here show me 10.........I from COMPTON I dont live in the past I live for the here an now.
Posted by: COMPTON FINEST | June 23, 2008 at 09:58 AM

I agree completely!!!!!!!!!!

Have you ever known Luke to show up in a non contract year?
Another thing too is that every one is saying Doc outcoached PJ, but Doc has the best defensive assistant coach in the league. He also has KG, P2 and Ray Allen. Paul Pierce and Rondo can get in the lane at will and the other guys are in the exact same spots every time ready to knock down a jumper. It's pretty hard to play D when guys are getting in the lane at will.
Posted by: dbjungle | June 23, 2008 at 10:31 AM

What???
Doc rivers used defense but PJ wanted offense over defense. Saying we can't play defense because they got into the lane at will makes it hard to play defense??? How about playing defense to keep them out of the lane? Its a novel concept but hey it might work. Maybe PJ just has to give it a try some time.