Roland Lazenby checks in with Tex, Steve Kerr
As always, Roland Lazenby offers some unique insight into the Lakers. Here, he talks to Tex Winter (as is his custom) about matchups for the Finals, and also relays a conversation with Phoenix GM Steve Kerr about why Pau Gasol is so effective in the triangle, and how he could in fact be the best center that offense has seen, in terms of fit and efficiency. That would include Kerr's current big, by the way. Plus some speculation about how Kerr's affinity for the triangle might impact Phoenix's coaching decision, and the Lakers as well.
“The offense changed when Gasol got to Los Angeles,” Kerr told me. “The triangle has always been about getting the ball inside, penetrating with the pass to the post and then working around that, making your cuts. That post pass is the key pass. When you got Gasol there, he’s got soft hands, he’s a huge target, and he can make those drop passes (dropping the ball off to cutters). He’s got a great feel, it changes everything.”
Very interesting stuff.
BK
Kerr forgot to mention in that piece how Pau is soft as a cupcake and helped his Spanish team win a Euro title by not playing in the final game, out with a busted foot.
Kerr might wait for the series to end to see about Thibodeau for head coach. SUNS are undoubtedly better off without rambis or shaw on board.
One thing about Boston, the SUNS have played them better in the Finals than the lakers. Lakers absolutely blow when it comes to this matchup. Which has continued this year, as evidenced by the two humiliating defeats suffered at the hands of the celtics. This is the worst possible matchup, outside SHACK and GNASH and D'ANTONI, for the lakers. Ha ha..
Posted by: BUTLER | June 03, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Can't wait to hear what Jordan said.
Posted by: LAKES | June 03, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Kerr is responsible for the lakers getting to the finals.
You read asinine writing over at ESPN like, "The Lakers came out of the most competitive WC ever...gosh they're great..."
By beating hapless denver, and road-kill Utah?
And the spurs? Giving up 20 in a couple games, depending on a non-call for Brent Barry, and most telling of all, taking advantage of a spurs team decimated after going to war with the SUNS?
The lakers have had a cupcake schedule into the Finals, and were it not for the SUNS and Kerr softening up Manu and the spurs for them, the lakers would never have beat san antonio.
The Celtics have had a much more difficult journey, on the other hand. The feel-good stories are with boston, not the lakers. Boston has had a massive drought and those three stars are hungry!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 03, 2008 at 10:51 PM
**********Convenient trades helped Finals teams************
Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge played from the Boston Celtics from the 1981-’82 season through 1988-’89.
Needless to say, they formed a good friendship.
Ainge is now the general manager for the Boston Celtics while McHale holds the same position for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Last offseason, superstar Kevin Garnett was reportedly going to be traded. Two old buddies talked it out, and KG was a Celtic by summer’s end.
Jerry West played some great years for the Los Angeles Lakers. So great that his likeness is that white silhouette in the NBA logo.
West left retirement in 2002 to take over the Memphis Grizzlies’ front office. Before summer 2007, West announced that he’d be leaving his position at age 69.
Before the next season began, West was back in Laker-land as a “consultant.” Not before giving his blessing on the Grizzlies’ hiring of former Boston GM Chris Wallace.
The same Chris Wallace that was more or less run out of Boston.
Wallace would orchestrate the deadline trade of talented big man Pau Gasol to the Lakers. In return, he got ultimate bust Kwame Brown, rookie point guard Javaris Crittendon, some picks and Aaron McKie’s expiring contract.
Hardly a fair trade. But Jerry West had the connections and the sucker of a GM on the other end to pull it off. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak gets all the credit here, but could this trade have been pulled off without the Lakers’ connection with West?
Same can be asked about the Celtics deal. While there were some talented players in the deal like Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes, it is hard to believe that any fair-minded GM would take on this trade. Also included in the deal were Sebastian Telfair, a less-talented, more-troublesome cousin of Stephon Marbury, Theo Ratliff’s expiring contract, Gerald Green and a future first-rounder.
Timberwolves fans were disappointed in losing Garnett. Moreover they were disappointed in the pu-pu platter they received in exchange.
Could Spurs fans imagine getting either of those packages for Tim Duncan? It’d be enough to make you vomit.
These deals were obviously approved by the league. They were approved by the owners of the teams that got the short end of the stick.
But now that both teams made the finals, shouldn’t it be brought to the forefront?
One-sided deals by guys who used to work together are enough to make you wonder.
When Jerry West goes from approving the hire of a guy who was a vaunted GM in Boston to celebrating the Western Conference Championship with Pau Gasol, it seems a little fishy.
Obviously the league isn’t going to stop guys from being GMs if one of their former teammates is a GM somewhere else.
But the NBA has to take that into account when it’s approving trades. Seven players can’t make up for the presence a guy like Kevin Garnett has. Kwame Brown won’t make up for Pau Gasol unless he steals his skills like the aliens from the movie “Space Jam.”
These trades did do one thing, though. They gave the league one of the best possible ratings scenarios for the final round.
Then again, when the NBA’s teams in the largest markets have the chance to make deals that push them right to the top of their respective conferences, why would the league stop it from happening?
Posted by: | June 03, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Butler, go home and swim with the Spurs fishes...
If Gasol is so soft, where does that leave Duncan and the Spurs frontline? Pau grabbed 19 rebounds against them on the game where your team went down...
Focus on that thought for a while....
Posted by: Zoilesque | June 03, 2008 at 11:17 PM
BUTLER,
you are the latest New Englander to embarass him/herself on this blog.
so tell me, what is it like to be stuck in the 60's (which is when the Celtics last dominated the Lakers)? sounds kind of boring... maybe you should do something worthwhile and catch a Hendrix concert.
Odom for Finals MVP.
Posted by: East Nyboer | June 03, 2008 at 11:21 PM
lakers arriving at boston hotel tonight
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=63007@wbz.dayport.com
you can see Tex holding hands with his wife... too uptight to sign autographs .... just kidding!
but on that topic... kool aid points going out to LO, luke and kobe. that was mad cool for them to stop and sign
Posted by: CBuck | June 03, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I should e-slap Butler.
Posted by: Alena | June 04, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Kerr forgot to mention in that piece how Pau is soft as a cupcake and helped his Spanish team win a Euro title by not playing in the final game, out with a busted foot.
Kerr might wait for the series to end to see about Thibodeau for head coach. SUNS are undoubtedly better off without rambis or shaw on board.
One thing about Boston, the SUNS have played them better in the Finals than the lakers. Lakers absolutely blow when it comes to this matchup. Which has continued this year, as evidenced by the two humiliating defeats suffered at the hands of the celtics. This is the worst possible matchup, outside SHACK and GNASH and D'ANTONI, for the lakers. Ha ha..
Posted by: BUTLER | June 03, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Hey Lurch, umm I meant Butler.
I rang.
You forgot how the lakers beat your Suns when the WC top seeding was at stake. You lost then.
You also lost D'Ancrybaby to NY.
Really deep down you want Shaw or Rambis to help you get any play from Shaq so he can return to triangle.
Shaw and Rambis should see that Shaq and ROT (rest of team) is weak, and will not want to lose credibility by coaching losing team. They will wait for better offer, or just stay with Championship Dynasty to really elevate their status after that run.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 04, 2008 at 01:04 AM
shack ? gnash? who are these characters? are they relevant in the nba anymore? ..... butler please stop talking about prehistoric names that are synonymous with failures or egos... your really making no sense.
ATTENTION LAKER FANS
BUTLER IS RIK5757 IN AZCENTRAL SUNS BLOG, HES A 10 YEAR OLD KID, FEEL FREE TO READ HIS MORE UNINTELLIGENT POSTING AT AZCENTRAL , THEYRE REALLY FUNNY FOR THE WRONG REASON ....
Posted by: jim neidhart | June 04, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Some nice quotes from the Bill Simmons NBA finals chat:
"Kyle (NC): You say Kobe's a jerkto his teammates...Didn't Bird call his teammates little girls after they lost a Finals game? All the things you're saying about Kobe, they used to say about MJ...A lot of the greats were sometimes jerks to their teammates.
Bill Simmons: True. And the next game, McHale put Rambis on his ass and we went on to win the series. Bird did it for motivation, Kobe did it because he's socially inept."
That's rude. Lets see if Bill changes his mind about Kobe:
"Bill Simmons: The Laker fans conveniently forget that Kobe was a GRADE-A CANCER from 2001-2006. Hell, he was having probs with Shaq as far back as 1999. Of the 25 greatest players ever - and he's one of them - he was by far the worst teammate over the course of his career. Just because he's settled down and embraced things principles like "not showing up guys on the court" and "not being a jerk" doesn't change what happened from 2001-06."
This guys is just plain wrong. Kobe's fued was with Shaq, and Kobe's behavior was better than that of many young NBA players.
Lets see if there's more:
"Bill Simmons: The Laker flags are one of the 10 worst things about living in LA - I even have them ranked above forest fires. I know people from New England hate the Lakers, but you'd hate them 5X more if you lived out here. Trust me."
OK. I get it. He's just a hater.
Wes
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 01:50 AM
BUTLER:
Actually, it wasn't a Euro title... it was the 2006 FIBA World title. Pau broke his foot in the semi-final victory over Ginobili and Argentina. That was the tourney, by the way, in which Greece eliminated the USA (101-95) in the other semi-final game (Carmelo Anthony was the top US player in that game, which might explain why y'all lost... ha ha). Spain went on to win the gold by beating Greece 70-47.
Just wanted to throw that out there.
While I'm on the subject... a message to all the whiners out there who complain about Pau being soft:
I've never seen people complain so much about getting exactly what they paid for. I understand you miss having the monster Bynum at center and you probably think that Pau was brought in as a man-for-man substitute while AB is out... but you're wrong (check out Lakers.com... Pau is not listed on the roster as a center, rather as a forward). Until you realize that, you'll be frustrated watching Pau play.
The Lakers traded for Pau because his finesse makes him a perfect fit for the triangle. He was brought in to keep the ball moving, to keep Kobe from having to win games by himself, to take pressure off of Lamar so he could improve his game... and he is doing just that.
The Lakers knew what Pau was able to do, and he has given them exactly what they expected from him. Take a look at his stats (listed as career vs 2008 playoffs):
FG%: 0.513 vs 0.529
FT%: 0.733 vs 0.714
RPG: 8.6 vs 8.9
APG: 3.1 vs 4.2
SPG: 0.5 vs 0.5
BPG: 1.8 vs 2.5
TO: 2.55 vs 2.07
PPG: 18.8 vs 17.7
His effectiveness has been, in general, "as advertised"... Kobe has been relieved to a great extent from having to be a one-man show... and Lamar is well ahead of where he was prior to 1 February. Considering all of that... and considering where the Lakers are standing at this point in the season... I think LA got exactly what they paid for. So all the "Pau is too soft" whining can stop now... really... (unless, of course, you're the type of person who complains because the six-shooter you bought only holds six bullets... jeez).
Posted by: David in Spain | June 04, 2008 at 02:01 AM
More from the Simmons chat:
"Holden (Seattle, WA): According to a Lakers team source, Bryant telephoned Allen days ago and told him, "I'm gonna bust your ass," in anticipation of their 7:30 p.m. exhibition at the San Diego Sports Arena. Seattle Times"
What is this? Am I crazy for not understanding this post from the Simmons chat? When did Kobe and Allen have an exhibition in San Diego?
Hmmm. It's like a post from 2006 snuck into the chat...
Wes
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 02:13 AM
phoenix 0-1 in the finals with boston and that was in the 70s, come on butler stop drinking your kool aids and hanging out with josh howard. your suns are mediocre at best , gnash or nush whatever you call your imp of a defenseless guard these days is never gonna win a title for you, amares gonna be traded in 2 years , shaq is stinking up your team and next season i wont be surprised if shaq gets into a feud with your new coach. i pity your team , they were a nice flash in the pan team for two years but now theyre just mediocre
Posted by: john p | June 04, 2008 at 02:47 AM
Butler, the Lakers match up quite well with Boston.
I think Odom and Garnett will cancel each other out (as much as Garnett can be stopped anyways). Kobe on Pierce defensively should be interesting.
The Lakers seem to have the right defensive match ups in this series.
Posted by: Alessandro Machi | June 04, 2008 at 05:31 AM
Hey, anyone notice that Butler's a moron? I wonder if he has all his teeth. I doubt it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 04, 2008 at 06:58 AM
BOSTON WHAT YOU GOT. Revison 2
So we meet again, just like the past
Don’t blink, this series will be over fast.
Boston Celtics, from the East side of town
The West Side is here and you going down
Beat LA, was the chant from you fools
Get ready Celtics, we going to take you to school
To bad Red’s not here with his big cigar
To watch 9Rings become the best Coach by far
You hired 3 mercenaries to get over the hump
All we need is Mamba to make your whole team jump
I guess you are just to blind to see
This aint a team you are playing, it’s a Legacy.
If you want the title, through the Lakers you must go
And that aint happening, Didn’t yo mama tell you so
Yelling Beat LA was a very stupid thing to do
For this sin you must pay, we got something for you.
We got all kinds of depth, we got blazing speed
We got the Force on our side, so you better take heed
We got to the Finals, without the Beast Bynum playing
We will beat you shorthanded, do you hear what I’m saying
You got a stringbean for a forward nicknamed Big Ticket
But in the 4th quarter I’m sorry, the boy aint worth sh+t
You got a coach who I like who they call the Doc
But his substitution pattern is a Freakin Crock
You got a player called The Truth, you know you lying
We got a man who outscored an entire team without tryin
When your team scored 80, they were as happy as can be
Until they saw the 81, dropped by the man we got, Kobe
So now the world knows why the Celtics wear green
The green is for envy cause we got Kobe Bean
What ever you can think of, brother this team has got it.
So whatcha team got, That’s right they aint got sh+T
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 07:05 AM
So I did a Bio-Chrono Reading on Kendrick Perkins...
He's got plenty of weaknesses. I'm not sure how to exploit them outside of just plain beating him... which is clearly an obvious strategy.
I think the thing is isolating him defensively from the play of the other Celtics on the floor. He needs to apart of the group to function effectively. If the Lakers can make it somehow four Celtics and Kendrick Perkins, he'll get confused and play poorly.
In (very) short...
Physically: He's confidence versus fear. Undermine his confidence. Play mind games with him.
Emotionally: He's bonding versus separation. He needs to feel connected to the group. Separate him and he'll become discombobulated.
Mentally: He's knowledge versus ignorance. Surprise him in unexpected (and painful) ways. Get him to think he doesn't know what to expect. Talk down to him intellectually. He's intellectually insecure.
Spiritually/Creatively: He's faith versus lack of faith. Just one more fricken reason the Lakers need to win Game One. Don't let these guys develop faith in their chances of winning. Faith people are either your worst enemy or TERRIBLY self-destructive. Compromise their faith in themselves and their cause and they collapse like a house of cards in a hurricane. Get them to commit to their faith and they just don't give up. So, breakdown their faith early. Game One is essential. We need a significant win. If so, this series is over. If not, we're going seven fricken games.
Phil Jackson! Use your mindcontrol magic! Get it on!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 04, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Admit it, Coach Phil Jackass....the "Triangle Offense" is merely another way of saying "we have THREE different ways to get the ball to Kobe".
Kobe & his merry band of Croatians are in for one Hell of a beat down!
Posted by: Red`s Love Child | June 04, 2008 at 07:12 AM
So, I just did a Bio-Chrono Reading for Rajon Rondo...
Damn, there's a lot of mental energy on these two teams (Lakers and Celtics). Thus, strategy and mindgames and mental play are very important to victory.
The mind is a double-edged sword. It's very effective, but it cuts both ways.
Mental toughness will win this series. That is THE component the will determine this series. It is that simple. The Lakers need to go out into the desert and torture themselves like Navy SEALS or something. Because that kind of mental fortitude will win this series...
..and will win it quickly. Because the mind in jeapordy just turns on itself. So, one mentally tough team against another mentally weak team = total collapse of the mentally weak team (aka death by panic).
Anyway, Rondo's pretty strong Bio-Chronologically speaking. His weakness is his physical perspective and, in a way, his creative perspective.
He likes to have fun and enjoy the game. Make it hard on him and the game joyless (a long Bataan death march, if you will) and he'll faulter.
Also, he's rather sensitive as a person. If you trash talk in a Hannibal Lecter kind of way, it will really hurt him inside. He probably has had personal tragedy in terms of his romantic relations in the past that continue to bother him. Play on that and it will throw him off center.
There you go.
Now go at it.
Game One is important.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 04, 2008 at 07:22 AM
Butler,
You have fallen for the Jedi mind tricks of Master Yoda Jackson. He purposely had the Lakers lose to Boston in the regular season so they would be over-confident were they to meet in the Finals. And as a young Anakin Skywalker said when he finally fixed his racing pod "Its wooorrrrkkinggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, though the matchups are tough. Each team has what appear to be major advantages. Kobe and Peirce in particular - but the others matchups could go either way - Perkins isn't Shaq in his prime part 2, Rondo is not in the class of Parker or Williams. Garnett as good as he is, is not the load that Tim Duncan is - sorry - I say Duncan is clearly better. Despite the supposed great job Doc Rivers and his staff have done this year, it still doesn't compare to what PJ and his staff have done. I think Phil’s calm (and whacky ways) demeanor and having gone through it so many times is an advantage over Doc. Again, I am not saying this is a slam dunk for the Lakers, but I think they have more of the intangible qualities that make a champion than the Celtics. Kobe, Fisher, Phil bring stuff to the table that only Sam Cassell can hope to bring to the Celtics. And as Kobe has shown again and again in these playoffs - he is able to carry the team and will it to a win when things are not going well. The Spurs and the Jazz are good defensive teams and tried the two different approaches. Don't give Kobe easy baskets, pound him and send him to the line, and don't foul him make him a jump shooter. Hmmm, how did those strategies work? The Lakers play team ball, move the ball well on offense and are decent and at times downright good on defense. The two best teams, the two most decorated franchises - not quite like old times but it certainly is a better matchup than the Spurs/Cavs. Go Lakers GO!!!!!
Peace,
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | June 04, 2008 at 07:25 AM
*___________________________________*
Andrew "The Beast" Bynum We dedicate
this Championship Run to you - Bandwagon
*___________________________________*
(01) Edwin Gueco – Owner
(02) Laker Tom - Driver
(03) Milo Rambaldi – Team Prophet, Bynums personal Soothsayer
(04) Mamba24 – The Beasts Advance man.
(05) #4 – Director of WCF win number 4.
(06) Jon K. – Made Bynum get a second opinion.
(07) JustALakerFan – Was called in to consult on Dr. Choices
(08) Never – Told Bynum to have surgery immediately
(09) BronxLakerFan – suggested NY doctor for Bynum
(10) Bozz – Director of WCF win # 1.
(11) JustAnotherMambaFan - Director of WCF win #2.
(12) Caliphilosopher – Will participate in Socks Rehab
(13) Jay Jay – Purchased a Shaq punching bag for him
(14) PsychedLakerGirl – Director of WCF win # 3.
(15) Stockton Showtime _ believes Socks deserves more credit
(16) #4 - Director of WCF win #4
(17) Pig Miller – Will chauffeur “Beast” to the Victory Parade
(18) Rick Friedman – Personally found a Dr. for Socks
(19) SamLL – Director of Victory Parade
(20) KobesBad – made Kobe apologize to the Beast
(21) Hmrhed – Director of the confetti concession.
(22) Fearless – Will personally give Socks his championship ring
23)Juno-- KB24's Videographer last year "That wasn't Kobe that was Paul Pierce with a Kobe Mask"
(24) Keifo – Helped Kareem tutor socks
(25) LakerNorth – Has secret healing formula for socks
*_______________________________*
"Punch KG "The Big Ticket" bandwagon.
*_______________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – CEO – TKO’d KG twice
(02) Mel - Driver
(03) Bozz - Owner
(04) Complex_Brotha - Sparring Partner, Knocked him out
(05) Mamba24 - referee
(06) JustAnotherMambafan - Cut Man
(07) LakerTom - Turned KG's roar into a Meow!
(08) Happy Camper – The reason KG talks to himself
(09) Erik True Laker Fan - Shaved KG’s head
(10) Janaya – put itching powder in KG’s shorts
(11) PsychedLakerGirl – Reason KG wanted to become a Laker
(12) Edwin Gueco – Made a citizens arrest of KG
(13) Keifo – Beat KG at Horse.
(14) Bozz – Convinced KG that he had a career as a Troll
(15) Jon K. Taught all Lakers the deadly throat puncjh
(16) Happy Camper - Made Daany Ainge unhappy
(17) MagicMan – Made the Big Ticket Punch himself….twice!
*_______________________________*
I HATE The CELTICS BANDWAGON
*_____________________________*
(01) EastCoastJessie – Owner & Driver
(02) FEARLESS – Co/Driver
(03) LAKER TOM – CEO – Made an offer they couldn’t refuse
(02) Milo Rambaldi--Team Prophet.
(03) Mamba24 – East Coast Jessie’s BodyGuard
(04) LakerFaze – Taught KG how to Dunk
(05) TOAD – Once beat Larry Bird in a game of horse
(06) LakerMan420 – Told Red Auerbach where to put his cigar
(07) HmrHed – Blocked KG’s hook twice
(08) SIimLakerGirl – Reports directly to Jeannie Buss
(09) LakerLegacy – Made Red Auerbach bow down to 9Rings
(10) PigMiller– sent LARRY Bird back to French lick IND.
(11) JEFF - Was born hating the Celtics.
(12) #4 Not only born hating Celtics but will bequeath the hate to his heirs
(13) MarkyTheArky – Director of Mirrors and reflections
(14) JustAnotherMambaFan – Hates them
(15) THE_D – Thinks Celtics fans should go to AA meetings
(16) JON K. - Put the chokehold in the Celtics choking
(17) FLOYD – Fought with Jerry west over who hated Boston most
(18) NEMAIA FALETOGO - Fan of the Purple Hulk - No not K.G.
(19) KEIFO - Riding ShotGun
(20) CBuck - Played Horse with McHale and made him retire
(21) BZAR - Painted the Parquet floor Purple and Gold
(22) KOBESBAD - Put exploding cigars in Red Auebachs Humidor
(23) EDWIN GUECO – Shaved Danny Ainges hair while he was asleep
(24) JAMIE SWEET - Is not so sweet when it comes to Celtics
(26) JustAnotherMambafan - Cut Man
(27) LakerTom - Turned KG's roar into a Meow!
(28) Happy Camper – The reason KG talks to himself
(29) Erik True Laker Fan - Shaved KG’s head
(30) Janaya – put itching powder in KG’s shorts
(31) PsychedLakerGirl – Reason KG wanted to become a Laker
(32) Bozz – Convinced KG that he had a career as a Troll
(33) (17) MagicMan – Made the Big Ticket Punch himself.
(34) LakerNorth – Put itching powder in KG’s shorts.
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 07:27 AM
*____________________*
More Frequent Updates
Of the Blog BANDWAGON
*____________________*
(01) Laker Tom – Owner & Great Poster
(02) Mamba24 – Driver
(03) JustAnotherMambaFan – Speed Reads 3000 words a minute
(04) Edwin Gueco - Just finished the JAMFAN speed reading course
*______________________________________*
"Win it for Jon K, who gives his all, all day,
everyday, tangling with Russian mobsters and
trolls, fighting for truth, justice and the Laker way."
BANDWAGON
*_______________________________________*
(01) VMAN - Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Driver
(03) JustAnotherMambaFan - Director of Justice
(04) LakerTom - Will arrange for JON K. to lead parade
Posted by: | June 04, 2008 at 07:30 AM
EVERYBODY REPEAT:
Phil Jackson! Use your mindcontrol magic! Get it on!
Phil Jackson! Use your mindcontrol magic! Get it on!
Phil Jackson! Use your mindcontrol magic! Get it on!
Phil Jackson! Use your mindcontrol magic! Get it on!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 07:50 AM
dmit it, Coach Phil Jackass....the "Triangle Offense" is merely another way of saying "we have THREE different ways to get the ball to Kobe".
No the triangle offense is another way of saying we have
Three different way to stuff the ball up your @ss. LMAO!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 07:52 AM
MAMBA24 -
PLEASE put me on the Jon K bandwagon good sir! I haven't been that excited to join one since joining the roll call!
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | June 04, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Jim Neidhart:"ATTENTION LAKER FANS
BUTLER IS RIK5757 IN AZCENTRAL SUNS BLOG, HES A 10 YEAR OLD KID, FEEL FREE TO READ HIS MORE UNINTELLIGENT POSTING AT AZCENTRAL ,"
Stop this child abuse NOW! The little tyke is quite precocious and I think we should encourage him.
He just wants to see what a real team looks like
but like most tykes of that age they don't know
how to interact with the thing they are attracted to
so they strike out instead. Butler dear it's all right
you can stay here and see how adults and a
real team performs.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 07:58 AM
One thing about Boston, the SUNS have played them better in the Finals than the lakers have. Lakers absolutely blow when it comes to this matchup. Which has continued this year, as evidenced by the two humiliating defeats suffered at the hands of the Mighty Three.
This is the worst possible matchup as a matter of fact, outside SHACK and GNASH and D'ANTONI, for the lakers. Ha ha..
Perkins will dominate the spindly lakers - the man is a raging bull and he's not going to be gentle with the "weenie" nor NotScottiePippen. Larry Bird's spirit might inhabit Ray Allen and Paul Pierce plays like Michael Jordan whenever he takes on his hometown lakers.
KG, well, he's got some motivation to strike with vengeance against the team who kept him from the Finals. Boston, the team which will make everyone cheer by vanquishing the lakers!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 03, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Posted by: Robert Butler (Butlers brother) | June 04, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Good morning Mamba 24, Laker Nation!
One day closer to gameday! I wonder if we’re going to get an update any time soon about the amount of minutes TA is going to get, it sure would be nice if he could come in and give us a good 15-20 minutes of solid D.
Pay no attention to the trolls, they know not of what they speak.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | June 04, 2008 at 08:00 AM
JON K."Hey, anyone notice that Butler's a moron? I wonder if he has all his teeth. I doubt it."
Stop this Jon K. Stop it now. He's only a child of course
he's missing teeth, he just lost his baby teeth and is wating
for his permanent ones to grow in. Now be nice and slip
a nice shiny nickle under his pillow so he will keep
believing in the Tooth Fairy.
Posted by: Mamba | June 04, 2008 at 08:02 AM
One more day friends, one more torturous day.
Love the video link from Lakers arrival last night. Thanks C-Buck. Mamba - way to go with the revision.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 04, 2008 at 08:06 AM
An Open Letter to Vladimir Radmonovich from Jon K.
Vladimir,
You have been given a special gift.
You have been given the gift of being exactly where you should be.
There isn't a person of Laker Nation who doesn't wake up each day and wonder how their life could be different. Or wonder if the choices they've made could have been different and have lead them to a better place. I, myself, ask these questions of myself everyday.
You, Vladimir, have been blessed. You are exactly where you should be.
Remember that feeling you had in your gut when you chose to become a Laker rather than remain a Clipper? That was the pull of destiny leading you to this moment. And you listened to that pull and you should be congratulated for that, as so many of us ignore it.
I know Phil Jackson kids around with you. Ignore him. That's Phil just being Phil. The truth is that Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant would not have petitioned you as they did to join Laker Nation if they didn't know what you are capable of.
I know what you are capable of as a player. WE know what you are capable of as a player. YOU know what you are capable of as a player.
It's time to put internal doubts aside. It's time to put distraction and analysis aside. It is time for YOU to realize your incredible gift given to you by God which you have accepted by choosing to become a Laker. It is time for you to realize your destiny.
Vladimir, all your life, when you are old and gray, will be summarized by this moment. THIS is the pinnacle of your life, of your skills, of your ability. THIS is it.
Be what you were meant to be.
No questions.
No doubt.
This time you are all in.
Just do it.
Win this.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 04, 2008 at 08:16 AM
EagleBoy:"You have fallen for the Jedi mind tricks of Master Yoda Jackson. "
Careful young Jedhi Eagle Boy. A young master must remain humble. I know
it's hard when dealing with these inferior Boston Celtic creatures but you
must not give in to pride. You see the Celticss gave in to pride during
their long string of titles way back in the dark ages and
were taken over by the Dark Side of the Force. And you
see the results. They've been in hell for the last twenty
years the poor devils. Now they think they are on the verge
of winning again the fools. The Dark Side is just
playing with them. IT knows it can't defeat The power
of The Lakers Force who cast them into hell when
they last played for a championship.
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 08:16 AM
AK/BK: did the LAT find some budget room to let either/both of you travel?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 04, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Butler:"Boston has had a massive drought and those three stars are hungry!"
Well you are a Butler right? So perform your function.
And after you are through. I would like a pedicure
Posted by: mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Hey all: here is a tidbit from my best friend who is born/lives in Boston - I just sent her the link of Lakers arriving at their hotel saying "we have arrived":
______________
- there's no really BIG coverage in boston of this series yet - its weird - more sportscasters are concerned that David Ortiz is out for a month.....I mean we are playing the Lakers for crissakes!!!
______________
We can steal G1 if we take the home crowd out early!
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 04, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Good morning Mamba24 & MORNING CRUE!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a great day to be a Laker Fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yikes! Still have to wait another day until game day - this is getting ridiculous - LET"S GET IT ON already!
Lakers are taking this series - we are younger, faster, stronger & we have the biggest, baddest, bestest player on our side in The Bean! Radman may just be the difference-maker in this series - I hope the Space Cadet didn't get on the plane. I hope it was Vladomir Radmanovic who got on the plane - the same guy who could torch anyone when he was a Clip. That's the guy we need in this series! He seemed intense enough in his interviews, and also seems to understand what PJ expects from him in Beantown, so let's see.....
Our bench, I believe, is the 2nd key. As long as Kobe's got those guys focused, and calms them down when the ineveitable Boston runs come, they should be fine. The Greenie Weenie's bench is going to prove to be useless. Some of those guys are so old, their sperm need wheelchairs.
LET"S GO LAKERS, LET"S GO!!!!! CLAP CLAP CLAP!!!
4 to O'Brien.......
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 04, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Mamba24 - Excellent poem by the way! I told you to pace yourself right? We need your best coming throughout these playoffs! Don't wear yourself out!!! LOL!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | June 04, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Jon K:” An Open Letter to Vladimir Radmonovich from Jon K."
WE BELIEVE IN YOU VLAD
*__________________________________*
Vlad I believe in you Part 2 BANDWAGON
*_________________________________*
(01) Kobesbad – Owner & driver
(02) Ken – Co/Driver
(03) MagicMan - Riding ShotGun
(04) The OutLaw - Vlads Shooting coach
(05) Jon K. - Vlad's Personal Bio-Chrono Advisor
(06) Edwin Gueco - Will Hypnotize Vlad before the Game.
(07) JesterGuru - Will hide all snowboards from Vlad.
(08) JohnnyP - Convinced Vlad the Basket is a snowboard
(09) Mamba24 - ski instructor
(11) Comptons Finest - riding Shotgun
(12) #4 - Vlads new shooting coach
(13) Laker Bandit - On secret mission to find Vlads Shot
(14) JustaLakerFan - taught Vlad to shoot threes
(15) JustAnotherMambaFan – Took Vlads ski’s away from him
(16) Jamie Sweet – Appointments Director
(17) Caliphilosopher – Will rip your heat out if you don’t support Vlad
(18) , JoninJAPAN(INCANADA) – Director of Tacos
Posted by: MAMBA24 | June 04, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Bottom line is, my Suns are defenseless on and off the court. I've been reduced to calling the Suns responsible for softening up the Spurs, when in reality, I know Steve Kerr admires the Triangle and might higher Laker greats Kurt Rambis or Brian Shaw to help Phoenix become "LA Light"....just like the city of Phoenix.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 04, 2008 at 08:56 AM
*______________________________________*
"Win it for Jon K, who gives his all, all day,
everyday, tangling with Russian mobsters and
trolls, fighting for truth, justice and the Laker way."
BANDWAGON
*_______________________________________*
(01) VMAN - Owner
(02) Mamba24 - Driver
(03) JustAnotherMambaFan - Director of Justice
(04) LakerTom - Will arrange for JON K. to lead parade
(05) Caliphilosopher - Director of all things Jon K.
Posted by: mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 08:58 AM
UTZWORLD'S WORD OF THE DAY:
HUMILITY
Trolls, naysayers and playa-haters, oh my!
Laker Nation, before you sharpen your swords and zero in on your attack...
...watch the character that's coming from our squad. Have you seen any negative soundbytes in their interviews? Have you heard them selling any wolf tickets? Has ANYONE even spoken other then PJ, Kobe & LO?
They are walking the path of HUMILITY. Let us do the same.
I declare that today will be a season of IWS:
IDENTIFICATION
WOUNDING
STARVING
No matter how hard Butler, Red's Love Child and the myriad of haters who regularly infiltrate our Blog speak ill against us, STAY HUMBLE. Don't take the bait. Don't engage them in foolish arguements and petty fights.
We will let the HUMILITY of our leaders - and the EXCELLENCE of their game tomorrow - do the talking for us.
Stay focused. Save your energy for the battle tomorrow.
Laker Tom, Jon K., Edwin Gueco, Fatty, Faith, Mamba, Rick Friedman, Lakers STH and the rest of the Brotherhood - It has all been said. The stats have already been posted. The keys to the matchups have already been stated. No need to repeat yourselves. Be silent & HUMBLE today. Don't fight. Don't argue. For we know...it is ALREADY DONE.
HUMILITY. It's HIS way:
Proverbs 3:34
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5
...All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Thank You Lord for a humble spirits and already answered prayers...AMEN!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | June 04, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Jon K."Vladimir, all your life, when you are old and gray, will be summarized by this moment. THIS is the pinnacle of your life, of your skills, of your ability. THIS is it."
I'm sorry Jon K. but I got to steal this line for Roll Call tomorrow. Pleassssssssssse!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Red's Love Child,
Vujacic is from Slovenia,
Radmanovic is from Serbia,
Gasol is from Spain,
Turiaf is from France.
No one "Croatian" among the Lakers.
Geography, what an unknown stuff..
Marco64
Posted by: marco64 | June 04, 2008 at 09:04 AM
I don't think kobe has changed any - he's still a modern-day Scottie Pippen who throws a tantrum when he doesn't get his way.
Steve GNASH on the other hand, has twice as many MVPs as kobe. If kobe continues to keep improving, he may yet catch up the greatness of GNASH. As it stands, GNASH is one of the best guards of all time, and kobe is in the top 25.
Paul Pierce is arranging for friends and relatives in LA to come to the games, promising to give them "a real show" in LA.
Pierce loves playing the lakers.
Posted by: BUTLER | June 04, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Everyone:
In my quarter-century or so watching these Lakers, we all know that every playoff run they've had, successful or unsuccessful, they've run into that one average-to-marginal player who has a fantastic series against them.
Gerald Henderson.
Thurl Bailey.
Jeff Hornacek.
Brent Barry.
et cetera.
Average players get up to play the Lakers. In any game. In any situation. So don't discount the Celtics bench.
P.J. Brown will come up with amazing plays.
Cassell will play like it's 1995 all over again.
Perkins will have a monster game in this series.
The bench looks inferior on paper, but remember, the Laker Factor. Certain players see the Laker name on their jerseys and they catch fire.
You know the C's Big 3 are going to get theirs at different points.
How the rest of the team plays will decide the series.
And they'll throw some big shots at the Lakers.
Don't underestimate these guys. They've got the better record, homecourt, and a bench that could flourish in this spotlight.
Posted by: Peace | June 04, 2008 at 09:06 AM
BLOG CRUE
The coffee is on the pot and the game is one day away.
Good Morning,
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | June 04, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Hugo Boss:"The coffee is on the pot and the game is one day away"
Please Hugo, please don't tell me you get another 4 day
weekend to watch the Lakers and drink coffee. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | June 04, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Let's bring back the short shorts! Gosh, they brought the best out of the lakers!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 04, 2008 at 09:20 AM
EVERYBODY REPEAT:
Phil Jackson! You cannot beat GNASH!
Phil Jackson! D'ANTONI always kicks yo a**!
Phil Jackson! You cannot beat GNASH!
Phil Jackson! D'ANTONI always kicks yo a**!
Phil Jackson! Your last title will remain your LAST!
Phil Jackson! Your last title will remain your LAST!
Posted by: BUTLER | June 04, 2008 at 09:21 AM