Hey folks. Thanks for all the nice words. We appreciate it. At the risk of sounding ungrateful, there's no need, though, to keep adding to the "thank AK/BK bandwagon." We know that you guys are great supporters of the site, and definitely appreciate all the commitment you've shown to us and each other. The community is what makes this work. That said, we can, for the sake of brevity and space, cut this one short.

Again, we appreciate all of you guys and how you've allowed the site to grow.

BK

KEIFO---you said it brother--you are preaching to the choir indeed sir !---If the Lakers would have made free throws consistently they would have won the series--no doubt about it.....PRACTICE FREE THROW SUMMER !!!

PEAUNUTBUTTER SPREAD---great post---couldn't agree more with all of it or so --- I really do hope Pau works out hard this summer and gets his base stronger etc., hopefully he will train with Kareem and Rambis as well...

EDWIN GUECO---right back at ya brother--another great post from you as well....keep it coming!

GO LAKERS !!!

Go Lakers!

I’ve been hearing about pierce and garnet’s actions after the game and how classless they were. I’ve always been of the mind set that if you win and want to act like a jackass for all to see, then that’s your call. My only point is, imagine Kobe dumping gatorade on PJ – dude would have been crucified by the lame media.

bring in slava medvedenko.

Ok, I take "morons and idiots back" But with you pouting about Phil it will not change the fact that Phil here for 2 MORE YEARS!!! GET IT IT??? With team like Doc has, it would a big failure not winning, after all they been a heavy favorites even before season begins. At the same time ONE MORE TIME - do you remember what prediction was for Lakers team before last season? Best case scenario - 7th 8th seat and exit from 1st round, worst one - lottery. And you telling me Phil did not do anything with all the injuries, with people moving in and out lineup, getting Pau incorporated on the middle of season, losing Bynum and etc. Please just a reminder, how Doc finished all the previous seasons, hah? Celtics had been butt of all jokes for how many years? Because of one under the table deal between 2 former Celtics to get 3 ALL Stars on the same team and resurrect this otherwise dreadful franchise this an also Phil’s fault? How about flood on Mississippi river? Which is actually bring me to conclusion – coaches indeed important but this is the PLAYERS who actually perform (in case of Lakers players esp. in the Game 6 did not)
on the court. Coach only can do so much, he can not induce Lamar to work on his jumpshot or avoid stupid offensive fouls, while driving to the rim, neither he can not lock Vlade or Sasha in the gym until they will produce respectable % FG not in one game, but every game, neither he can teach Luke to defend or shoot. It’s up to them; after all, they are PROFESSIONALS and they’re getting compensated pretty lavishly. Each coach just working with pieces he has at hand. And guess what, I hate to admit, Doc Rivers had much better pieces. If you switch teams, I’m fairly certain; Phil would’ve accomplished the same result with the current Celtic’s roster. As some other coaches in this league…

jq,

"But Laker management, be on the look out for the Nick Van Excels...boot em if they show signs of lack of dedication."

EXACTLY.

This is why the exit interviews are so important.

Whoever it was that posted about Cook's interview last year was right. They asked him how he planned to improve over the summer and he said "get myself healthy"

Right there and then you know he has to go.

Just a quick note about Mihm, because he'll be in last year of his contract he can be a valiable piece during trade if one comes alone.

In his exit interview Ariza mentioned not opting out and hitting gym in order to gain 10 lbs. If he also keeps working on his jumpshot maybe we should not worry about SF too much? Just a thought...

Lakers nation get a grip!!!!

The celtics were a better defensive team period. The lakers did not play good team defense 4 out of 6 games.

So what if we lost, nobody died!!! People take sports too seriously!!!

I remember when we lost in 1984. That was harder. We were the better team but we made some silly bone head plays down the stretch. Magic made some errors and the media singled him out for the majority of the blame.

I also remember the over top celebrations by the celtics.

Guess the lakers learnt from their mistakes a came back to beat the C's the following year.

I will tell you now, Lakers will learn to play defense.
They will also try and get overall home advantage with best record in the NBA. We will meet the Celtics in the finals next year. Because they are the best team in eastern conference by a long shot.

Vlad and Walton must go.

Let's go C's I say congrats to the Celtics they deserve it, but I don’t get used to holding on that trophy, we will back to take of you next year.

Please stop with Kobe hate already, 'You are better than that'

Peace!!

Angry_Laker

Lamar: $14,000,000.00
Luke: $25,000,000.00
Vladimir: 19,000,000.00
**********************************************************************We might lose Sasha as a result of the above contracts.
I just threw up in my mouth.

According to hoopshype.com next season the combined salary of so called "Big 3" going to be around 55M, I wonder how Celtics going to pay to the rest of the team. I hope they aware, it's minimum 12 players roster according to NBA rules.

Posted by: BrandonC

Do you see what I see,

First of all, those same "sports Writers" who you seem to think matter (why I dont know, see Vescey, Simers, Plashke, Skip Bayless etc to know that they are as dumb as anyone) were saying that PJ was doing the best coaching job of his career jus a few weeks ago. So now you are going to say that he sudenly doesnt know what hes doing? Seems pretty wishy washy to me.

############################

For argument sakes lets say Phil as the above writers, who by the way are the most wishy washy of them all,
were correct in their analysis.

Does that excuse Nine Rings for pulling a "Lamar" and disappear for the entire Finals?

I think not.

You don't take off work during the most important time of the year.

Just more excuses for the "BIG DEAD WEIGHT"

JSNV,

You know, I've heard that performance enhancing drugs can bring about bizarre, rapid, intense mood swings in people.

Hmmm....

GO LAKERS!

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/08exitinterviews.html

Do you see what I see,

You are delusional, thank you for agreeing, I appreciate your cooperation.

Doc Rivers had absolutely nada to do with the Celtic winning this year. As I said it was his defense coordinator and having 3 hall of famers on his team that did it.
And yes I am hilarious, thank you for agreeing again.
Oh by the way, my cat knows more about basketball than you do.

Live with it.

KARL MALONE NEVER GOT BLOWED OUT BY 39. KARL MALONE AND STOCKTON GOT BLOWED OUT BY 42, THE NBA RECORD.

I WAS ON BOTH KNEES AT THE TIME!!!

Cookie Monster for for Lamar!!

Do You See What I See

Your breakdown on Chief 9 rings is right on the money, I to agree that this guys time is up! His stiff back has cost us two rings. All because he would not make adjustments at critical points in each series.

He and Luke Walton need to jump on the fastest train headed north and shave each others back!

Passionate Laker Fan,

since we own the draft rights of Sasha...we can offer him more than any other team in the league and since we're over the cap already, I don't see why the Buss's won't go over a bit more by re-signing Sasha.

Also keep in mind Sasha is one of the team's hardest worker, he's tall and fits in the triangle.

I certainly hope and feel like he's coming back. Ronny too. By the way my confidence has a bit to do with the fact that these two dudes are really close with Kobe. Though he's not the GM...he certainly has some influence on role players staying, as does PJ.

Go Lakers!

BK,

I saw your other message. I am not communicating
clearly. Sorry about that. When I say "heart" I actually
refer to fighting spirit. It is *not* enough to get out on
the floor when you're hurt. That is only the start.
"Fighting spirit" is a determination to *personally*
win/triumph. Yes, basketball is a team sport. However,
part of playing on a team is doing *your* part. This
season Lamar had two 20 rebound games. They
were back to back and it's been some time since
that has been done. He has been with the Lakers for
3 years and he has not been injured all of that time.
Why hasn't he had more?

To say it a slightly different way and possibly more
clearly: It is my understanding that Lamar has
averaged ~ 10 boards per game until Gasol showed
up and then he jumped to ~ 15. Given who our centers
have been he's had an opportunity to have more
boards. My answer is that he started busting his
butt when we got Gasol because they'll be fighting
for the same position next year. Is there anything
about Gasol's play that would lend itself to Lamar
getting more rebounds then he was before Gasol?

Also, regarding Lamar playing small forward:

A partial list of some small forwards that Lamar would have to:

Bonzi Wells
Ume Idoka
Peja
Travis Outlaw
Darius Miles
Corey Maggette
Kyle Korver
AK-47
Shane Battier
Josh Howard
Stephen Jackson
Mike Harris
Ron Artest
Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony

Do you believe that he's quick enough and a good
enough defender to stay with the top 8 on this
list?

IF IM THE OWNER I PUT EVERYONE ON THE TEAM AND/OR COMING ONBOARD ON A PERFORMANCE PLAN. SATISFY THE PLAN [NBA CHAMPIONSHIP, ETC] ALL IS GOOD. . . DONT HIT YOUR OBJ - YOUR FIRED. . . O'YEA LAMAR - YOUR FIRED!!!!!!!!

STILL REDHOTT!! STILL EMBARRESSED!! I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE ASS KICKING WE GOT!!! GOOD TO KNOW THE PLAYERS ARE ALL OVER IT!!!

TITO ORTIZ FOR LAMAR!!!

RedHottLAFan-- Lamar sends his apologies for humping your girlie.. he never thought you'd find out and be so emotional about it. He said she was throwing her stuff around at the club so he figured "why not". He says he's really sorry and hopes you can move on.

BK,

If Ariza withdraws the open market, that is one down and a great news, 11 more to go. The phrase on LA Times this morning was:

"Trevor Ariza could also test the free-agent market by declining a one-year, $3.1-million player option for next season, though he is not expected to do so" - L. A. Times

Can we ask Vujacic to put it into written contract where his heart is, i.e. to match Ariza at 3.1M.? That will be two down and 10 more to go.

This afternoon, I'm sure some of you guys heard Ron Artest talking to the Cannons. They kept on convincing him to take the MLE and come to LA, he kept of praising Kobe, Odom and LA...haha, this guy is a fast learner. In short he wants multi-year contract that's starts with what he is receiving from Sacto now at 8M. How in the world can the Lakers get through that if they will not bring down below salary caps? they have no alternative but to trade Vlad, Walton and Mihm to draft picks if there are any takers or to Sacto. See my point, it is not easy to be in the position of Mitch, he is balancing the pocket of JB, the needs of PJ and LA fans, the headjob of Ron Artest plus under the watch of smiling David Stearns tax money machine. Where does Kobe and Pau enter into these dynamics? If only they enter into a fixed amount like Kobe for 20M for 5 years (similar to Shaq contract) or Pau $14M for 4 years at least there are some savings out there. The problem they talked big and willing to share nada. How about the agent of Big Bynum, he's the vulture working on his prey. He is accumulating all our hopes and praises to Socks, hoping to land him the jackpot. Supposing we adjust to 75M for 5 years what LT projected at 80M. Here is the salary scale folks:
Kobe - 21.2 Pau 15 LO 14.5 Bynum 15 Vlad 6.5 LW 4.4 TA 3.1 Chris 2.5 Farmar 1.0 = 83.5M Where are the others like Sasha, Turiaf, Mbenga, Karl, MLE, Bi-Ann. I think Hoopsworld understated the concern of Jerry Buss? What did you say, we just need "tweaking"?

Edwin,

And he doesn't like KG!!!

That alone should be enough for the Lakers to do whatever they have to do to get him. Geez, the guy is begging to come to LA. He wants to be a LAKER!!

GET THIS DONE DR. BUSS!

BD