Report Card - Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum arrived at training camp in the awkward position of being at the center of a storm he did nothing to create. An unhappy Kobe Bryant was caught on tape in a parking lot expressing an opinion that Drew's rear would be best served shipped to New Jersey for Jason Kidd. The front office reacted by making it fairly clear that unless the exchanged player was named "Kevin" or "Garnett," no trade would go down involving their third-year center, especially not in a blatant effort to appease their disgruntled star. For his part, Bynum simply showed up at Media Day thick in body, from his serious summer workouts, and in skin, claiming not to be hurt by The Mamba's rant (even if he found the situation kind of "messed up").
But then a funny thing happened amid the uncertainty. Bynum began the year off the pine and found an immediate groove with Jordan Farmar, overmatching most second-string big men while anchoring an instantly prolific "Bench Mob." And despite regularly clocking equal or better minutes than starter Kwame Brown, Phil Jackson was content to keep playing him as a sub, both to strengthen the bench and keep him hungry. But then an ankle and knee injury to the former #54 thrust Bynum into the starting five, a development that saw the youngster's production truly skyrocket.
Drew's starter averages rounded out to nearly 15/11/two swats. Very nice in and of themselves, but that's was only part of the story. Check out his monthly splits and you'll see numbers mostly trending upward, and while that came in part from upped PT, the stats were also accrued against better competition. Anyway sliced, the kid played like an elite big in the making. His incredibly soft hands made him both a catch/dunk and put-back machine, while court awareness beyond his years equaled great efficiency whether passing out of the low post or slipping toward the rack. He's also a legit glass-eater with a rebounder's mentality. On the other side of the ball, the shots he didn't block were often bothered greatly by his length, and his pick-and-roll coverage, while still a work in progress, was showing marked improvement. Most important, he got a serious seal of approval from the dude who hadn't been willing to wait on him. Kobe began referring to his center as "the player I prayed about having on my team for years" and the same Lakers he previously wanted to bolt as a championship contender. The optimism was justified. After a 10-4 January, 2008 kicked off with a six-game winning streak, and the Lakers were on the verge of overtaking Phoenix as the West's first-place team.
Then all of Los Angeles learned what the medical term "sublaxation" means.
In layman's speak, it's a dislocation, and in this particular case, of Bynum's knee during a game against Memphis. A minimum 8-10 week absence was the prognosis, and the Lakers tried to remain cautiously optimistic of a late-season return. As we all know, that didn't quite happen. #17 eventually required some scoping, but the surgery itself wasn't major and hopes for a full recovery seem realistic.
And in the meantime, Los Angeles also learned the Spanish term for "bright side" ("mire el lado positivo", according to my fluent girlfriend), as Bynum's injury prompted the decision to trade for Pau Gasol, a decision the front office has claimed may not have been deemed necessary otherwise. Granted, I would like to think that even with Bynum in the pink, a phone call from Chris Wallace offering El Spaniard for Kwame's expiring deal wouldn't have been met with Mitch yelling, "I'm hanging up immediately and I'll thank you to not call me again, sir!!!" Still, you never know, and in any case, the Lakers are now looking at next season with arguably the league's most talented frontcourt.
How can Bynum do his part to remove "arguably" from the above sentence? Develop a few more post moves to fall back on as bread and butter. Keep working on his range from 8-10 feet out. Become a little better at recognizing defensive situations as they develop further from the basket. And while he's no softy inside, the Lakers could use a real banger, and if they don't bring in one, Bynum may to play a little more that way at times. But the areas in need of growth aren't nearly as crucial as the leaps and bounds he took this season. And more important, seemingly overnight. Even as someone who felt early on this kid would turn out good, I won't even pretend to have figured the breakthrough would come before season four or five. But what may be the most remarkable aspect of Bynum's season was how he managed to confirm the front-office's faith (and competence) while playing a large (maybe even the biggest) role in turning rather quickly Kobe's thoughts on staying in L.A. Not bad for a 20-year-old.
Final Grade: A-/Inc.
AK
Young Bynum is not your savior when your "C"ancer is Kobeef Bryant.
Starlet Bryant does not know how to play in a team environment.
That's why you ladies got blown out in a closeout game by 40.
Let me repeat, "blown out by 40 in a closeout game"!
Where's the heart?
Whrere's Jordan's apparent?
Apparently not. Go paak da ka!
Starve the "trolls".
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 27, 2008 at 02:22 PM
A- Inc. Im cool with that.!
Posted by: Charles | June 27, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Bury the Troll.
Let's Go C's,
Which Celtic Blog do you post at? I'd love to play on your "Home Court " and go into a basketball exchange with your minions to back you. What is your user name? I’m sure you can find your user name since the dark years of your team's blog. Then again,”Housing" was never your city's strong suit.
I doubt you are a Celtic Fan. Genuine fans from honored sports lineages would not waste their time the way you do.
I will address you as a Self Troll Multi Poster. (STMP in short for the blog.) I see you are having a Denise Richards of a blast, I can accept that. Since you keep using that user name on this blog, Let's Roll Let’s Go C’s.
You definitely celebrate as if you have been dealing with BASKETBALL NOCTURNAL EMISSION. How long has it been since you've been touched? I'm in reference to the orgasmic Golden Ball feeling. Don't let your mind stray now...
Not that Fans who don't post here aren't die hard Laker followers, but you have an interesting choice of attack. It's quite amusing that you choose to call the Purple and Gold supporters Fakers, at one of the most hard core Laker communities:. The Los Angeles Times Lakers Kamenetzky blog. Think about that. (I know you have such hard time thinking, so I understand if the bulb is burnt.)
Also, if you are such a true winner, why do you keep posting at a “Loosers” blog? Your Larry “Bird’s” of a feather is flocking together with the Laker blog. Maybe you are a true whiner.
Excuse me Exhelodrvr, I meant “Loser.” An ellipsis reference will come on another post. Respect sir… Wink
You were in danger to the 4th youngest team in the league. Your retirement group SHOULD have won with all the experience and talent. After all, you keep saying that my Team sucks. You were 2 games away from blowing. Yes, fellatio. Plus Pink Gatorade colored dress shirts for everyone.
You should know about our window of opportunity. After all you had 20 plus years of staring at that window. To quote Allen Iverson "I'm talking about practice."
Coming from the fan group that mispronounces their team name since the inception, let me help you out. Phonetically it's pronounced Kel-tick's. Tick’s as in animal parasites you have down pat. But the C-E-L part shouldn’t be pronounced like sell. You know, like Kevin McHale “Selling” it to Minnesota fans as if it was a fair trade.
Our love for our team is represented on this blog. In the face of defeat, we hold our heads high and will learn and continue to fight.
You in the face of long yearned victory; show relief from long doubt and insecure boasting during a DRAFT. How significant of you. Just like the 1986/1987 – 2006/2007 seasons.
Let's Go C's!
But you deserve 17 F's for your poor posting. Take a look, it's all archived. How embarrassing for Boston Sports bloggers that you even James “Posey” as a Celtic fan.
To the Artist formerly known as Let’s Go C’s... You will NOT be remembered. Rest and decease.
In Antonio Bandera’s accent:
ox, OX, Ox, oX
little hug little kiss, Big Hug Big Kiss, Big Hug little kiss,
little hug Big Kiss
Charles
Posted by: Charles | June 27, 2008 at 02:34 PM
********** Andrew Bynum-King Kong-The Beast*************
We sure could have used him this year but injuries happen. Next year the NBA will be introduced to KING KONG.
Now the Bulls have some players is there anyway to get Rose and Deng and filler for Kobe?? Just a thought.
I see Artest is going to sleep on it over the weekend. Nothing like taking it down to the last seconds Ron. I bet right at this moment he still doesn't know what he wants to do. GOD I hope he opts out and comes to LA. Imagine adding Andrew, Artest, Ariza and Chinaman at 6-8 at guard next year. Artest please opt out and come to LALA LAND.
BD
Posted by: BD | June 27, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Charles,
Bury that fricken Troll.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 27, 2008 at 02:47 PM
N.B.A. was Lepre-CONNED!
(continued from previous thread)
Associated Press Newswire: Jun-28-08
"Everybody knew the fix was in."
These were the words of the Agency insider, following the Celtic's "historic" comeback victory in Game 4 of the 2008 N.B.A. finals.
Because of the clever positioning of a "mole," or double-agent, both sides were aware that the outcome had been predetermined by the shadowy forces at work in the dark underbelly of the Leagues's officiating brotherhood.
Kevin McHale may have dealt the Celtics his ace. But co-conspirator Danial Ainge unwittingly offered a contract to the Agency's "Jack of Hearts."
What the referee's FSB handlers didn't know - what they couldn't have known - was that Celtics free agent forward James Posey was about to double-cross them. Four years earlier, while still under contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, Posey was recruited by Jerry West, received Agency training, and then ultimately sent to the Miami Heat - obstensibly to take part in the ongoing anti-Castro subversion programs run out of South Florida. But just as soon as the Garnett-to-Celtics trade hit the newswire, Posey was ordered to head north, and infiltrate the Celtics' inner circle.
"I've been around the block, but I've never seen so much money before. Those Russian dudes wanted this thing pretty bad."
Through clever manipulation of the Las Vegas betting lines - tactics that included the "taking of refundable markers" from Mafia-associated sports books, the FSB-referee alliance had made untold millions on the first four games of the series. As a group, the Celtics players knew that the favorable whistles would become neutral, starting in game number five - which they lost. Those "inside" the plot assumed that, once the FSB pulled their backing for pro-Celtic officiating, that the superior Laker talent would assert itself, and that the Lakers would win the championship in seven games.
This is when Posey stepped in, and altered the course of history. Having informed his Agency handlers of the plot's details, the pro-Western powertrust hatched a brilliant, if somwhat unpopular, counter-plot. If successful, they hoped to ferret out the corrupted referees, and bankrupt the FSB's N.B.A. operations once and for all.
Using the Agency's unlimited cash - and clout - a series of operatives purchased numberous multi-million dollar markers, first at Carribean based sports books, creating a shock-wave of speculation that washed ashore on the Las Vegas Strip. This action was intended to tighten the line...and lower the over-under. The large amount of action prior to game six drew in millions from the FSB - and set the trap.
The trap was sprung on national television. In a deliberate attempt to crush the FSB's positions, both on the line and the over-under, the Lakers intentionally tanked the game, driving both the spead and the score into the stratosphere.
And driving the Russian Federation Intelligence Service's North American operations into bankruptcy...and oblivion.
Several "diplomats" were apprehended as they attempted to flee the country. Said one, "this is bull-shirt! Come on, we love this game! Next year we make championship for favorite son, Andrei Kirilenko!"
As the smoke begins to clear, James Posey has become philosophical on his role in the operation:
"Yeah, they got the trophy in Boston. Which is kind of a shame, when you think about it. But definately, the good guys won. We just shook all crooks out of the league, clearing the way for about...hell...six or seven straight Lakers championships. And that's a good thing. Shoot...I might even sign there myself!"
LOL everybody.
Now, no more conspiracy theories, ever again, I promise...
Posted by: karyanr | June 27, 2008 at 02:51 PM
AK,
For God's sake, screw the numbers! Do you remember how well Bynum was playing right before his injury? The Beast deserves an A/inc.!
A-! Give me a break!
This KID was thrown under the bus by the only true superstar in Los Angeles--Kobe Bryant--and instead of falling apart like *ahem* someone like Kwame Brown *ahem*, the kid took the challenge and was playing at the level of one of the best centers in the leauge when he went down.
If that's not a fricken "A", then I don't know what is?
If Kobe--Insane Competitive Obsessive Lunatic--Bryant is able to go from "Ship his ass out!" to "Yes. I think we are a championship caliber team with Andrew Bynum in the lineup." in just a few months, then give credit where credit is due.
Bynum deserves an "A."
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 27, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Two weeks until Summer League.
Man, it's going to be a long summer.
UCLA football can't start soon enough.
I can only truly "enjoy" MLB once the playoffs start.
Until then, summer league will have to get me through for a time.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 27, 2008 at 02:57 PM
who wants to trade him now?
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | June 27, 2008 at 02:57 PM
He'll be the linchpin for 3 or 4 championships. He's good to great in every worthwhile category as Andrew outlines in his report card.
Going to be fun to watch the growth of this team of youngsters into a championship squad. After they got Gasol, I said that I didn't care what happened the rest of the year, the following decade would be the Lakers time..again. Getting to the finals and winning 2 games from a clearly superior Celtics team was more than I could ask for. Losing always sucks but this was the baptism and a statement to the rest of the league. We are back. Bynum is about 50% better than I ever thought possible. I don't know if he will be an elite player but all he has to be is very good to help carry the team to further championships. A few tweaks here and there..and away we go..
Posted by: Rob D | June 27, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I think Drew deserves a simple "A." Dude improved so much during the last offseason, and was really on his way towards the levels we all hope he can reach. He had a MIP season derailed by injury. Now, because of his improvement last season, he has a ton of expectation heaped on him, and won't get that award he truly deserved last year. This kid is going to carry the Laker franchise beyond the Kobe years and into his own era of dominance.
Utz,
Say a prayer for The BEAST. His future and Lakers success are one and the same. No more injuries. No disappointment. I can't wait for October.
101 days and counting.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | June 27, 2008 at 03:08 PM
I've checked my Chinese calendar -- 2008-2009 is the Year of the Beast --
Posted by: HmrHed | June 27, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Let's Go C's. We all know the Celtics beat the Lakers. Just keep in mind, that the Lakers did not have their starting center available. Trevor Ariza the Lakers top perimeter defender off the bench hadn't played at all for the last few months and was still struggling to come back from his injury. Kobe needs surgery, Fisher had a torn tendon in his foot. These are not excuses, just facts. With all those factors stacked against the Lakers it really shouldn't be that surprising the Celtics won. Had Kendrick Perkins missed significant time in the earlier series the Celtics may not have made the Finals. I am not mentioning Paul Pierce and his academy award winning "injury" because clearly it was something that just scared him but wasn't significant once the shock of pain wore off. Keep on hating on the Lakers if that is what it takes to make you happy. We shall see what happens next year. I like the Lakers chances better than the Celtics. They had a perfect storm of events - the big question for them is will the desire and hunger be there again? If it is they should make the finals again barring injury. If not they may well go the way of the Heat. The Lakers on the other hand will have a chip on their shoulder and Bynum the Beast back on the floor.
Enjoy your gloating - it will be short lived compared to the Dynasty the Lakers are about to embark on that will span many years and many championships.
Cheers.
Eagleboy.
Posted by: Eagleboy | June 27, 2008 at 03:29 PM
HmrHed
aww shucks, i didn't need a Chinese calendar to tell me that haha
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | June 27, 2008 at 03:33 PM
AK,
You still don't know what subluxation means.
A dislocation of is a movement of a bone to a position away from its normal position. It's severe enough that any layperson who takes a good look at the body part will see its morphology (physical shape) is way off.
In a typical dislocation force is required to move the joint back into normal position. This action is called a reduction. The bone must be put back into position so the joint can work properly.
A subluxation is a subset of dislocations. In a subluxation, the joint spontaneously reduces after the dislocation injury.
Subluxation =/= (does not equal) dislocation.
It would be better and accurate to say a subluxation is a type of dislocation.
In a dislocation, if the joint doesn't spontaneously get put back into place, someone (a trainer or medical professional) has to force it back into place. It's usually painful and violent.
Posted by: Benjamin | June 27, 2008 at 03:34 PM
AK,
>>>he front office reacted by making it fairly clear that
>>>unless the exchanged player was named "Kevin" or
>>>"Garnett,"
Wow. Though there was rumor before the draft that the
Lakers might have tried to trade Bynum to get "Kevin" Durant,
I didn't know that they would have taken "Kevin" Martin for
him, let alone "Kevin" Ollie or "Kevin" Willis.
Do you think they would have taken "Kevinn" Pinkney?
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 27, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Jon K. ,
Done!
Posted by: Charles | June 27, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Bynum was sweet. Let's hope he can stay healthy. Let's hope he can quickly get back to where he was. Let's hope all this time we allowed him to recover so that he could be perfect and confident results in him coming into training camp with his body perfect and with confidence to play how he did.
I say we give him 10-15 games to get back to like 80 percent of where he was. I then say we pay him something like the percentage of an 80 percent max contract (11.2 M I guess) that is based on the number of games he plays (both regular and postseason).
Those are rough numbers.
The point is that he needs to prove he can perform and prove that he can stay healthy to get a big payday.
The other point is if he can play like he did early last season he will deserve a big payday.
Posted by: Benjamin | June 27, 2008 at 03:39 PM
What sticks in my mind from Andrew last year wasn't the marked improvement in Andrew but the last 3 games he had before the injury. He all of a sudden looked like Kareem. Everyone keeps going to the alleyoops which I must say were devasting to a team but the last couple of games you could tell nothing was going to stop him going to the rim and it didn't matter where he was on the court.
I pray and hope we see the Bynum that was putting it all together.
I really think he could be the BEST PLAYER in the league.
Go ahead and laugh but I might have the last laugh.
BD
Posted by: BD | June 27, 2008 at 03:43 PM
AK -
I think an A would be more appropriate than an A-
Jon K. -
You mean to tell me that you didn't enjoy Fres-YES state drilling Georgia in the CWS?
Or that you're not interested in watching potentially 4 pitching candidates for this year's all-star game?
Speaking of fútbol - did you watch the EURO 2008 semi-final yesterday? Sunday should be a fantastic day for some fútbol!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 27, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Jon K,
Two things.
1) I didn't give Bynum a straight "A" mostly because he didn't play close to an entire season. Thus, we didn't get a chance to see if he could sustain his level of play. I'm guessing he would have, but we don't really know, and I think that's an important.
2) I think you may be taking this whole "grading" thing a mite too seriously. Just an opinion.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | June 27, 2008 at 03:46 PM
LTLF,
"Wow. Though there was rumor before the draft that the
Lakers might have tried to trade Bynum to get "Kevin" Durant, I didn't know that they would have taken "Kevin" Martin for him, let alone "Kevin" Ollie or "Kevin" Willis."
The Lakers were down for trading Bynum for Ollie straight up, but Philly wouldn't bite. You just can't part with that kind of vet leadership. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | June 27, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Bynum for Ollie -- OMG -- that makes my eyeballs sweat -
Posted by: HmrHed | June 27, 2008 at 03:59 PM
karyanr - one HECK of a post. FINALLY - the conspiracy theories are put to rest & we can get back to focusing on what's really important. (Well - we can at least keep each other amused until training camp...)
AK - I agree with other posters here. I thought you would have given Bynum an A straight up as well. The kid had a great "season" - constant improvement displayed - and anyone who makes Kobe happy has got to be given extra credit!
I am of the opinion however, that it's a little too soon to start singing the "Bynum is our Savior" song. He still needs to show everyone that he's healthy, he needs to work hard over the summer to improve a few things, and we also need to see how he'll hold up under his first full season of NBA play. That being said, the future is so bright (here comes the cliche) we're all wearing shades!
Pig - thanks for the training camp countdown! 101 days and counting every last second cuz it can't come soon enough!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 27, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Regarding Coby Karl,
I looked around and I'm pretty sure the Lakers do have a
guaranteed second year on his contract in the neighborhood
of 700K. So expect to see Coby suiting up for the Lakers next
season, even if the suit does involve a tie most of the time and
he sits behind the bench more often than on the bench.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 27, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Eagleboy wrote:
“Let's Go C's. We all know the Celtics beat the Lakers. Just keep in mind, that the Lakers did not have their starting center available. Trevor Ariza the Lakers top perimeter defender off the bench hadn't played at all for the last few months and was still struggling to come back from his injury. Kobe needs surgery, Fisher had a torn tendon in his foot. These are not excuses, just facts. With all those factors stacked against the Lakers it really shouldn't be that surprising the Celtics won. Had Kendrick Perkins missed significant time in the earlier series the Celtics may not have made the Finals. I am not mentioning Paul Pierce and his academy award winning "injury" because clearly it was something that just scared him but wasn't significant once the shock of pain wore off. Keep on hating on the Lakers if that is what it takes to make you happy. We shall see what happens next year. I like the Lakers chances better than the Celtics. They had a perfect storm of events - the big question for them is will the desire and hunger be there again? If it is they should make the finals again barring injury. If not they may well go the way of the Heat. The Lakers on the other hand will have a chip on their shoulder and Bynum the Beast back on the floor.”
“Enjoy your gloating - it will be short lived compared to the Dynasty the Lakers are about to embark on that will span many years and many championships.”
This is my point exactly.
All this hoopla about Boston’s superiority over the Lakers. Doc Rivers outcoaching Phil. Their great “defense,” “physicality,” “mental toughness,” and on and on ad nauseam. To me is really a lot to do about nothing.
Let’s face it, the main key to Boston’s victory over L.A. was a lot more about “luck” in the injury department than anything else. Lakers didn’t have their starting center. And there’s no way to really compensate for the loss of such a critical cog in the machine in spite of Gasol’s efforts. Not to mention Ariza’s rustiness.
However, add a healty Andrew Bynum with his numbers to the mix. Move Pau Gasol to his natural power forward slot then a primed Ariza. And the whole landscape changes and it’s the Lakers in four or maybe five atop Boston.
So “Let’s go Cs” is a totally delusional troll if he really feels Boston’s championship over the Lakers is not truly misleading.
Posted by: LoveTheLakeShow | June 27, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Hilarious that Laker fans are basing their future on a player who hasn't played more than 30 games in any season. A player who gets hurt, a player who doesn't recover from a simple injury, a guy who is basically looking for a big money deal just to sit on the bench when an ouchy happens.
I can see it now, he'll complain of pain in the knee from day one excusing him from playing hard or he will start out strong just to get his contract redone and then go down with another injury.
The writing's on the wall, you got a big baby who will alway be hurt and he's gonna suck all the money out of the organization.
Have fun with Big Baby Bynum.
Posted by: Troll Man | June 27, 2008 at 04:36 PM
You Fakers whine sooooo much. The Lakers clearly overachieved this year. Yous gots lucky with your gift from Jerry West. Starlet Bryant was ready to quit AGAIN at the beginning of the season.
Young Bynum averaged 14 and 10 which is pretty AVERAGE in my book of wisdom.
Next year, you Fakers won't be able to sneak up on unsuspecting teams.
Lastly, please quit downplaying the Celtic's success. Best record in the league. Three legit superstars sacrificing for each other and the team.
Let's not forget the C's DOMINATED your Los Angeles Ladies. Us Bostonions have the luxury of watching re-run of Game 4 over and over again.
'Anything's Possible" KG
Let's go C's!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 27, 2008 at 04:40 PM
And what's with all this love for Trevor Ariza? Did anyone see Paul Pierce blow by him every time? This is a defensive stopper? You people are blind. If a relatively slow Pierce can blow by Ariza, who can't?
Typical Laker fans with blinders on. You need Ron Artest but will never get him because everyone and their mother wants to see the Lakers play a full season with "quarter season Bynum". What are you gonna do when Bynum goes down again and you have the same team as before that got spanked in the Final?
Portland
San Antonio
Houston
Utah
The Lakers got every break last year in the playoffs, you won't get it next year.
Posted by: Troll Man | June 27, 2008 at 04:47 PM
I can watch this highlight over and over and over and over and over.
Pause it right when he has the ball in his hand, above the box, from about 4 feet away from the cup. How high is that at the peak of his jump? 12 feet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMltKsoDwe8
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | June 27, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Charles - Eagle Boy Stellar rebukes.
BD Great post
karyanr "Now, no more conspiracy theories, ever again, I promise..." The first time was cool. Getting over the top now.
Everybody. Let's Go C's has now been buried. Charles the blog mercenary is now changing his Bourne Identity.
RIP Let's Go C's...
Posted by: Loyal to the Lakers | June 27, 2008 at 04:59 PM
On a lighter note (no Oliver Stone in this one, folks...)
Let's Go C's!, in an effort to finally earn his G.E.D., has enrolled in night school.
Last night, in Elementary Biology, the teacher asked the class: "Who can tell me the difference between an enzyme and a hormone?"
Let's Go C's! shoots his hand up. The teacher sees him: "You, there, in the back?"
"Yo, teach! I know this one!"
"Okay, tell us. What is the difference between an enzyme and a hormone?"
"Duh! You can't HEAR an ENZYME!"
As Bill Buckner once said, "I think that one got by me."
How 'bout dat Super-Bowl? That pancake on Brady during their desperate last possession?
LOVED IT!
Bull-eyes are a B**CH!
Posted by: karyanr | June 27, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Caliphilosopher,
Okay. Okay. Okay.
Yes, I was rather happy to see Fresno State with the CWS, but I wasn't compelled by it.
Regarding Germany's victory over Cinderella Turkey in the Euro semi-finals... yeah, that was pretty awesome.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 27, 2008 at 05:07 PM
AK,
So we're in agreement then "A/inc." is the proper grade.
Apology accepted.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 27, 2008 at 05:07 PM
LoveTheLakeShow:
May I offer you a BIG glass of sour grape juice?
You ladies will have all summer to think and pontificate on why your Lakers lost BIG TIME in the finals. I bet you all were feeling real good beating the old, old Spurs thinking ya were going to take it to my C's.
Wrong my friends of fury.
C's won cuz Phil was out coached. Kobeef was proven to be very, very ordinary in the big show. Celtics were much, much tougher than your flop happy Euro trash.
What's up with Vu-ya-chick's head band? Dudette should play in the WNBA.
haahahahahahah
C's win!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 27, 2008 at 05:11 PM
NO, Lets face facts,
Boston toyed with the Lakers, down 24 points and all they had to do was turn up their defense.
What they score 130 points in the last game?
Boston was superior offensively and defensively and exposed Kobe for what he is, a player who didn't make an impact except for one game. One Game. How pathetic is he.
Kobe couldn't do anything outside the first quarter, Why? because juking and juking doesn't put the ball in the basket. Thats why Agent Zero would be a better fir for the Lakers, he puts the ball in the whole without waiting for the defense to come to him. For someone who's suppose to be so smart, Kobe is just about the stupidest player I've ever seen. Kobe cost you the Finals, not Phil Jackson, you think he has any control over Kobe? How well did it work with Kobe having the ball at the top of key during the entire Finals? How many times did he throw the ball away after going in the air with nothing to do but pass because of his stupidity. Kobe is the most overrated player to ever play the game. Ray Allen got the best of him, and Ray rebounded, Kobe is to scared to get a rebound unless he's all alone. And don't even talk about his defense, he got burned so many times I'm surprised he wasn't blistering. He can't stay in front of anyone and his cheating on defense cost the lakers big time.
Where was Kobe? Kobe went to the rack in one game, again one game. What happened the other games? Was he chicken? Poor Kobe didn't want to get hit, thats why.
At least Lebron James showed up in game seven against Boston unlike the incredibly shrinking Kobe, just like he did against Phoenix.
THE INCREDIBLY SHRINING KOBE
THAT'S WHAT HE'LL BE THE REST OF HIS CAREER
THE INCREDIBLY SHRINING KOBE
THE INCREDIBLY SHRINING KOBE
THE INCREDIBLY SHRINING KOBE
GET A REAL SHOOTING GUARD
Posted by: Troll Man | June 27, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I wouldn't give him an A. I'd give him at best a B if not a B-.
part of the season is staying fit, playing well throughout. He was injured for most of the season.
Though to be honest I blame that discombobulation more on our training staff. Bunch of incompetent noobs.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | June 27, 2008 at 05:19 PM
I have some questions regarding summer league...
Is it in Long Beach or Vegas?
Who's even going to be playing? Joe Crawford, Coby Karl and who else? Just a bunch of people we pick up for the summer team? Is Farmar too old? Bynum wont be in playing shape. Just want to see if its worth going at all. I went two years ago in Long Beach and saw Bynum and Farmar together, it was pretty cool.
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | June 27, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Long Time Laker Fan,
Where did you find that information on Coby Karl?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 27, 2008 at 05:30 PM
karyanr :
My response to your gar-bahge is: How does a C's butt taste?
hahahahah
pure gar-bahge.
If you like, I'll run down to the store and buy you a new bottle of spilled milk to go along with you class of sour grape juice.
You enjoy your "con"spiriacy theroy.
Celtic's won and won in HISTORIC fasion no matter what you write on this blog.
ahhahahahaahahahahah
Let's go C's!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 27, 2008 at 05:39 PM
COME ON, AK, BYNUM DESERVES AN “A+”
Andy, you do not give yourself enough credit by suggesting that we take the grades you give players too seriously. You are after all our leader and moderator and you and BK are among the few sports journalists whose opinion we value and respect greatly.
As both a Lakers fan as well as a journalist, you should know better than anyone just how passionate and fanatic we bloggers are about the Lakers. And if you look hard at what Andrew Bynum accomplished this season from the point of view of any Lakers fan, how could you not give Drew a grade of “A” for what he accomplished this year?
Let me ask you this question that puts why I feel so strongly about this into perspective:
“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?”
Not only did Andrew Bynum lock up his position as the starting center for the Lakers but he also sent notice to the rest of the NBA that the next great Lakers center had arrived, solidifying himself as the #3 ranked center in the NBA at 20 years old and rapidly rising.
Drew just didn’t outplay the other centers he played in the league; he dominated them. Ask Jermaine O’Neal, Amare Stoudemire, Chris Kaman, Tim Duncan, or some of the other veteran NBA stars who Drew posterized or whose shots he blocked what kind of grade they think Drew should get for this season. I bet they would give him an “A.”
You cannot also ignore the desperate situation the franchise was confronted with before Andrew came to the rescue. There is absolutely no doubt that it was specifically the play of Andrew Bynum that saved the Lakers by restoring Kobe Bryant’s faith in the Lakers. While there were many perfect storm strokes of good fortune for the Lakers this season, the single biggest reason the franchise is in its sweet spot is Andrew Bynum.
Would you give Superman an “A-“ for saving the world? Then don’t go and disrespect Drew by giving him an “A-“ for saving the Lakers franchise. Or just ask yourself as a Lakers fan, why you were not that really bothered about the Lakers not winning the title this year? You know that the answer to that question is again: “Andrew Bynum.”
Give the Beast his due. Give the Beast his “A+.” And drop the damn incomplete.
More AK the fan, less AK the journalist.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 27, 2008 at 05:41 PM
Is Bynum one of the top three Lakers? I think that is indisputable.
Would we have beaten Boston if he played? Probably.
How would Boston have done against a Lakers team with Bynum if one of their top three players was out? Maybe they last five games. I bet they don't make it to six.
Does it make any difference? Not in terms of 2008. Boston gets the trophy and there will be no mention of Bynum's injury on the trophy. End of story.
It does make a difference as a Laker fan looking forward to 2009. Before we get into a lot of hand-wringing over the 2008 Finals and talking about making changes, remember we are not making any changes if Bynum had played. The only thing the Lakers need next year is better health and no catastrophic injuries. That's it.
If there is a god, He will put Boston back in the 2009 Finals against us, just let us play with our full team. I don't even care if Boston is at 100%, just give us our guys and we win easy.
Posted by: Jman449 | June 27, 2008 at 05:41 PM
Laker Tom,
Actually, I did acknowledge the role Bynum played in restoring some order to the franchise. Reread the eval. It's there.
Like I said, I couldn't see giving Bynum a straight A almost entirely because he only played two months and change. I felt it was necessary to see if he could have sustained that level of play over an entire season, or at least reasonably close to it. If you don't agree with that criteria, that's fine. But by definition, I'm acknowledging Andrew played pretty damn well. To take A- and somehow treat it like I'm being negative towards Andrew strikes me as a bit much.
Also, the remark about taking the "grades" too seriously was specifically about Jon K, as he's debated just about every single one of them.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | June 27, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Whoa!!! Hold the phone!
Let's get C's! said "14 and 10 which is pretty AVERAGE in my book of wisdom."
Quota-Boy has a book of wisdom? From which pours such eloquence as "hahahahahaha?"
Quota-Boy never cracked a book in his life!
That's why he roots for Bah-ston.
Survey: who would like to play Quota-Boy in a game of chess-checkers-backgammon-scrabble-anything at all that requires half-a-brain, for a million in prize money?
Posted by: karyanr | June 27, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Pig,
Thanks. You are so right about that dunk. It is my favorite Drew dunk from the Making of a Beast. The graceful footwork, off foot jump, and Big James extension made it my best play of the year by Drew. Time to watch the Making of a Beast again.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 27, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Ladies,
I give Young Bynum a "C".
hahhhhaahhah
Posted by: Let's go C's! | June 27, 2008 at 06:00 PM
THE INCREDIBLY SHRINKING KOBE
THE INCREDIBLY SHRINKING KOBE
THE INCREDIBLY SHRINKING KOBE
THE ALWAYS HURT BABY BYNUM
THE ALWAYS HURT BABY BYNUM
THE ALWAYS HURT BABY BYNUM
THATS WHAT LAKER FANS HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Posted by: Troll Man | June 27, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Faith,
I am ashamed that you as our Ministress of Defense gave Drew a “B.” Kareem is weeping in the background. LOL. Drew showed he is the answer to our defensive prayers and should have gotten an “A” from you. Too much love for Sasha and not enough for Drew. Come on, Faith. I thought you were all defense. JK.
I was happy to hear that Mitch plans on calling Sasha the minute free agency starts. I predicted it would be a repeat of the Luke strategy, hopefully with a better outcome for the Lakers, although Luke can still help us down the road once he gets his act together. Sasha will sign with the Lakers for the same as Luke: $30M for 6 years.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | June 27, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Dont feed Troll Man or Lets Go C's (AKA Buttler)
I have many a battle with real trolls namely KLBeast & Steven. I saw them off. I would give these guys a Troll rating of a 'Shrek' These other guys are more like 'Baby Shreks'. They are not worth debating with. You should just leave them to have 'Mass Debates' with themselves!!! LOL We have seen the body of their work and I can safely say 'Troll Man' & Lets Go C's' are the greatest 'Mass Debaters' on this board. They win hands down!!!
The Boston Celtics deserved to win the title and I congratulate the true Celtic fans on their teams achievements.
I am still going to support the Lakers till I die. Please let us move on and look forward. Laker for life, period
Peace!!!
Angry_Laker
Posted by: Angry_Laker | June 27, 2008 at 06:04 PM
AK,
Don't sweat it. You know we have GHF and GHE guys, particularly in regards in Bynum.
In the case of LakerTom, the cup runneth over.
Posted by: Benjamin | June 27, 2008 at 06:04 PM