I need to make a revsion, certainly meant to say that I was NOT impressed by crawford.

Andrew Z,
>>>>>I watched the game last night and I absolutely know that the Summer League is not the best indication, but Coby Karl has ability. Plain and simple, he's better than Sasha was at year two of his career. Let's say an opportunity presents itself to trade for a difference maker and it means Sasha can't be resigned, I say go with Coby.>>>>>>

I completely agree with you. Although Coby Karl was playing against some young studs in OJ Mayo, Mike Conley and Crittenton, he looked like the best player on the court last night. He seemed much more experienced than anyone else. Coby is obviously not as talented as those guys, but his athleticism is underrated.

When comparing Coby to Sasha, Coby's release is not as quick, his jumper is not as consistent, and he is not as long and tall as Sasha, but Coby seems to have a higher basketball IQ, and better defensive instincts and anticipation. His jumper will only improve with added minutes. Anyways, I would like Carl get some NBA minutes, and see what he's got.

JustaLakerFan

When did I compare Bynum to Darko? My point is that Pau is a much better center that he is a PF. Really Pau's problem with PFs won't be near the hoop, it's mid-range and out. Pick and pops etc. Drew won't be nearly as effective out there. If I played the Lakers, I'd pick and pop all day long unless Pau's guarding Okur, Dirk etc. then I'd play those guys off screens near the arc. He'll match-up best with PFs like Duncan (Bynum may actually take Duncan) and others that play close to the basket. Really there are very few PFs that Pau matches up well with at the defensive end and those that he does match up with may actually be guarded by Drew (Boozer, Duncan, Brand, etc.)

**86 days till preseason opens with Lakers vs Clippers**

Next season, my friends, an afternoon game in the Sunday ABC whities...

Kobe into the front court, looking for Kobe. Kobe curls around the screen, gets the feed from Kobe, two dribbles, back to Kobe...for three. IT'S GOOD! Kobe with the three, Kobe with the assist.

Finally, even if only in print edition, all those "Kobe is a ball-hog" bastards will be proven correct. LOLALSM

Respectfully,
HIGH CHEESE WHIzzzzz

What was Donaghy saying to referee Scott Foster?

http://tinyurl.com/65muro

Week #27 for Andrew Bynums's injury and still counting
4 times as long as expected.
Do not risk the farm on this guy.
At what point does the Laker medical staff get to check out his knee?
Just because he has his own doctor doesn't mean the Lakers don't have the right to evaluate his progess, or does it?
Someone in the know, please enlighten me.

WHO BEST FITS NEXT YEAR’S GAME PLAN?

That’s the big question that I’ve been trying to answer in my mind over the last few days. Which of the players being discussed as coming or going from the Lakers best fit the team’s likely offensive and defensive game plans for next year? How we will play next year with Andrew Bynum back could dramatically alter how we value Lamar Odom, Ronny Turiaf, or Sasha Vujacic or how far we are willing to go to add a Ron Artest or James Posey.

So what exactly is the Lakers’ game plan for next year? The reality is that a basketball game is a continuum where the offense and defense need to fit compatibly and flow seamlessly. The dual reality is that good offense leads to good defense and vice versa. Finally, it is also clear that the Lakers’ game plan for next year will be based on the return to the court of their 20-year old phenom superstud center Andrew Bynum.

While we will still feature the Triangle as our half-court offensive set, look for the Lakers next year to bring back Showtime and recast themselves as a premiere fast break team, with Andrew Bynum’s defensive rebounding triggering more opportunities for fast break points. Also expect to see more pick and roll plays in our half-court offense as well as more posting up of Andrew to force double teams and create open 3-point looks via inside-out play.

Defensively, I expect the Lakers to adopt a protect-the-rim defensive strategy anchored by Andrew Bynum’s great shot blocking ability that enables the Lakers’ perimeter defenders to play an aggressive tight 1-on-1 defense designed to force steals and generate turnovers that will lead to easy fast break points, relying on Drew to protect the rim if their man beats them. That will be a major change from this year’s strategy where Lakers perimeter defenders were constantly burned trying to help prevent penetration. Now that help will be Drew’s job.

Philosophically, protect-the-rim is a much more effective strategy than the Celtics’ and Tom Thibodeau’s defend-the-lane strategy in that it enable perimeter defenders to pressure their men rather than sagging off and trying to help teammates prevent penetration. Defend-the-lane is the strategy that teams without a great shot blocker do to prevent points in the paint. Protect-the-rim defensive strategy is a more aggressive and proactive strategy.

So how do the players being discussed fit into the Lakers’ new game plan and strategies for next year? To start with, if the Lakers want to run more on offense, they may find that Lamar Odom is too valuable a player to let go in a trade. Lamar’s great rebounding and ability to grab a board and ignite a coast-to-coast one-man fast break could be a perfect fit, especially as a 6th man who plays starter minutes. Offensively, you have to favor Lamar, even if you concede that Artest might be a better long range shooter.

Defensively, Artest’s ability to play tough man-to-man defense as a small forward is known. There’s really a lot to be said about trading for him “just” to guard Paul Pierce in the Finals. And if you are going to switch to an aggressive man-to-man perimeter defense, Ron Artest again makes perfect sense. He is exactly the kind of player that nobody wants to have be guarding them. He would definitely give the Lakers the “enforcer” that they need and make the team much tougher. Defensively, you have to favor Artest.

As for Sasha and Ronny, I think the Lakers will match whatever offer Sasha gets as he is a vital scorer off the bench who may see increased minutes. I also think the Lakers will not match Golden State’s offer to Ronny and will instead sign Jorge Garbajosa to replace him. Garbo is around the same size but is known for being a great defender and team player as well as a good friend of Pau Gasol, who really alerted the Lakers to Garbo’s availability. Garbo should help make the Lakers tougher and more experienced.

Finally, if the Lakers do not make the deal to get Artest, what about offering James Posey the full MLE for 3 years, which is more than the 2 years the Celtics are offering? Bottom line, I like the idea of keeping Lamar and signing Posey to guard Pierce rather than trading Odom. Because of the luxury tax issue, however, I would probably pass on Posey at this point. We can still review things before the All-Star break next year and make a move if needed.

So here’s my proposed 15-man roster though I’ll support whatever Mitch ends up doing:

C: Bynum Mihm Mbenga
PF: Gasol Odom Garbajosa
SF: Ariza Radmanovic Walton
SG: Bryant Vujacic Karl
PG: Fisher Farmar Sun

Tom

Sure are boring times in Lakerdom. I prefer the player report cards.

What a scary thought!

Lakers blog was almost no more!

Go Lakers! Go Lakerville!

LakerTom,

You have been attacked by die hard conservatives who could not stand ur confession about the weeds of yesteryears. How can one define the sixties without the inclusion of Mary Jane and Flower People? Give peace a chance who want war of words. With all your well organized posts and thoughts, they also expect you to be Saint LakerTom. LOL!

It is best to just let it go, all of us get hit by sling shots.

-CUBAN RUMORED TO OWN LA LAKERS AND SACTO KINGS-

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/mark_cuban_buys_sports

Sonnybelfast

Chopperman,

Karl and Vlad for Artest?

Well, why didn't you say so???

Just throw in that 2014 second round pick and you're on.

Sonnybelfast

LakerTom

There is simply no way that Ariza will start over LO. Not a chance.

Priority List.

1. Do not sign Turiaf but sign Sasha
2. Trade Odom for Marion or Artest
3. Then the impossible--get rid of Luke and SpaceCadet

If Mitch is able to get all this accomplished by end of July I really think LakerNation should vote on building a monument for Mitch on Mt. Rushmore.

BD

Five I'd like to see play the last 6 minutes of each game.

Kobe
Lamar
Bynum
Sasha
Farmar

Best "Showtime" Five

Ariza
Lamar
Bynum
Kobe
Farmar

I really don't see how we can run the break all that well with

Ariza
Gasol
Bynum
Bryant
Fisher

Only Fisher and Kobe handle the ball well in the open court. Only Kobe and Ariza run the court exceptionally well (Gasol runs the court extremely well for someone his size but that's like saying someone's Dachshund is fast; maybe so but its still not a very fast dog). And only Kobe runs the break exceptionally well.

Starting lineup

Lamar
Gasol
Bynum
Fisher
Kobe

Key subs

Ariza
Sasha
Farmar

It'll probably be a nine man rotation for the most part, not sure who the 9th man will be. Probably Walton or Radmanovich. It could be Mihm, but from what I've seen, I doubt it. I think either Bynum or Gasol will have to be on the court at all times. Not really a bad thing since it'll give Gasol more time playing center.

LTLF,
Although Igoudala is good it would not be TERRIBLE for the Sixers to lose him. They still have Andre Miller, Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams and Dalembert. Add Brand to that mix and it is still an nice team and better than the Clippers IMO.

Especially in the Leastern conference...

TIME TO KETCHUP…

I have been amazed at the energy on the blog the past two weeks – over a 100 posts and thousands of viewings have kept the blog humming even though it’s off season. Thanks to AK and BK and everybody for keeping the Lakers Blog rocking.

Tom

- - - - - - - - - -

Andrew Z,

>>>>>I would absolutely love to have Ron Artest on this team. There aren't many guys
>>>>>in the league that I like watching play more than him. The dude plays his heart
>>>>>out every second on the floor and the fact that he is absolutely crazy makes it
>>>>>even better. Do you think KG would have been doing all that yelling and chest
>>>>>pounding if Artest was on the Lakers? Hell no!! He would have been freaked
>>>>>that Artest would go nuts and eat his children. He would be the absolute perfect
>>>>>fit on this team, craziness, bad shot selection and future contract
>>>>>extension included.

The old Andrew Z would have listed the top ten reasons why NOT to get Artest. LOL.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jamie Sweet,

>>>>>This just in Jordan Farmar might be Barack Obama's running mate...on the break.
>>>>>J Farm was spotted at the Balboa Bay Club visiting the Democratic Presidential
>>>>>Nominee. Farmar to Obama, he shoots, he scores!

I once hoped that Bill Bradley would someday become our first president. Gotta love a president who understands round ball. Farmar to Obama. One biracial player to another. Pretty cool stuff happening now in America. Obama, Gay marriage, and Lakers season. The Audacity of Hope is an understatement.

- - - - - - - - - -

ex,

>>>>>A major consideration on the Artest/Odom question will be what the F.O.
>>>>>thinks it would take to re-sign each of them for subsequent seasons.

As usual, you have a good sense for the subtle but important points in the situation. My sense is that Lamar is currently overpaid some and Artest underpaid some. My guess would be that the cost to sign Lamar would be around $12M and Artest $10M per year.

- - - - - - - - - -

Eric,

>>>>>As one of those people who clutches to his religion and right to hunt,
>>>>>I found his comments made up in San Fran very offensive.
>>>>>Dress it up however you want, but it's one reactionary left wing socialist
>>>>>feeling comfortable with another. You might want to cut back on the weed
>>>>>since it is proven to impair mental ability.

Funny, I also believe in God and have a load handgun at home but was not offended by Obama’s remarks. I am more an Obamacon or libertarian politically than a “reactionary left wing socialist” but thank God you didn’t call me a communist – that would have hurt.

And for your information, I handle my love for “weed” more responsibly than most people handle their jones for booze. Plus, I never smoke and drive or blog.

Hope you enjoy the election and the “change” that is coming soon. LOL.

- - - - - - - - - -

Dr. John Smith,

>>>>> So you are a left wing lunatic sorry to hear the news mate...
>>>>>Liberalism = multiple mental disorders.....And stay away from
>>>>>my rifle and guns :lame: I need my protection from the
>>>>>gangsters and criminals.

Let’s see: I believe the Second Amendment gives individuals the right to have a loaded gun in their homes. I believe there is a place for religion to be a positive force to solve our problems. I believe abortions are to be avoided but the decision must be the woman’s. I believe the government needs to balance the budget and stop spending recklessly. I believe that fighting terrorism sometimes requires playing dirty. I believe in America.

Oops. Guess that makes me “a left wing lunatic,” LOL.

- - - - - - - - - -

Benjamin,

>>>>>Wow, one person makes a joke (partly?) in jest to LakerTom,
>>>>>Tom replies in a funny manner how he sees it and a bunch of reactionary
>>>>>folks jump all over Tom.

Thanks for having my back. It’s really funny because many of my friends consider me to be a backroom conservative. I would describe myself as a pragmatic centrist who wants to see us change how we run our country. I love Obama for his vision and inclusiveness which is exactly what is needed to stop the divisive nature of politics in this country. As I do with the Lakers blog, I look at life as GHF rather than GHE and prefer my politicians to do likewise.

>>>>>I have no idea how you could say LA has better access to quality weed
>>>>>than Sacramento. You're kidding right? The only thing that could give you
>>>>>such a strange idea is, ironically, the stuff you've been smoking. :P
>>>>>Vancouver, Green Triangle, Bay Area vs. LA?

Realistically, you always find the best stuff where there is the best demand. Medical pot has given patients and purveyors of weed a selection of strains and varieties that you could only find in Amsterdam or Tom Cruise’s house in LA or Calvin Klein’s pad in NY, both former customers of friends of mine who used be in the business in the early days.

The key with any drug – be it booze, weed, coke, or whatever – is moderation and responsibility. We don’t want anyone driving or blogging under the influence. LOL.

- - - - - - - - - -

Fatty,

>>>>>The comment of the weekend.
>>>>>Laker Tom responding to the Lakers being a soft team.
>>>>>Winning is the determining factor when considering whether a team is soft or not."

Thanks. If we had won 2 more games in the playoffs, the media would have been all over the Celtics for how they didn’t measure up.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sonny,

>>>>> At any event, why would your team consider giving up Lamar
>>>>>(who is functionally the Laker MVP) for anyone? As good as Bill is,
>>>>>that's just nuts!
>>>>>Your appraisal of pot laws and attitudes is right on.

Thanks for the honest appraisal of Thomas and Abdur-Rahim. Light one up for me.
Bud has always been the best way to kick back and relax after a tough day, the martini of the discriminating set – or was that “criminating” set? LOL.

- - - - - - - - - -

humanomaly,

>>>>>Alanis Morrisette once said in an interview about her song "Ironic"....
>>>>>that the irony about it is that there was no irony. Heard if from >>>>>
>>>>>Apple iTunes exclusive, where she commented about her music.
>>>>>Still trying to figure that one out.

Now there’s a woman you don’t want to have angry at you. Her fingernails probably cut deeper than a razor blade. I like strong personalities in my women but she scares the hell out of me. Like her lyrics and music, though.

- - - - - - - - - -

Long Time,

>>>>> It would be TOTALLY ironic if the Clippers
>>>>>made a big front-loaded offer to Iguodala.

That would take more balls than Donald Sterling has but it would be a great idea.

>>>>> Chinese Basketball league is weak. He'd get harder competition playing
>>>>>pickup ball in the men's gym at UCLA than in the CBL.
>>>>>And the D-League is way better than the CBL.

You are absolutely correct. And as much as the quality of competition is important, Sun Yue also needs to overcome the cultural differences between “in your face” NBA ball and the less aggressive style that reflects his Chinese culture.

- - - - - - - - - -

Edwin.

>>>>> Thanks for the clarification LakerTom. Not I don't believe on AK's point,
>>>>>as usual he easily he gets peeved if you don't accept his answer on the
>>>>>first response.

I think I will let that one fly by because I know exactly what you mean. JK, Andy.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tom

Jon K.-

Nice quote. I agree with that of course. Any time I hear the words 'Artest' and 'Lakers' in the same sentence, I cringe. He would be an awful fit. We just have too many stars on the team already. Thats one of Lamar's beauties, he doesn't want to be the star. I don't know too many players that are as selfless as Lamar. Plain and simple, Lamars the man, straight up.

Lamar = Laker for Life

GO LAKERS

Sasha should be re-sign but not the equivalent of MLE contract, it's a $ for $ for many years to come in luxury taxes. There are some good points that Sasha could bring to the Lakers and continue improving his D. It is just painful to remember how he and Gasol were taken by Ray Allen to school on how basketball is played. I'm sure he took that hard as a good lesson.

While we praise on Coby Karl, the kid is trying to prove that he belongs to the Lakers at $1M salary. We should all be happy with that attitude while others are thinking of more money when the team is on the verge explode in salaries, this kid just wants to play more minutes. For you guys protecting the interest of your favorites who are not in the Summer League, too bad! Hopefully, Karl will be the new Fisher who will help the Lakers problem in the point or as SG. He can play both positions as long as given more playing time.

Now if Karl is not the player you want in the Summer League, who is better than him in this Summer League w/ Lakers. I was hoping to see on Crawford, Mata-Real and Jefferson noooo, they're long way to go. PJ will just sit on the bench until they gather dust and cobwebs. Crawford plays like a poor man'sFisher when he was new. He can shoot but gets into T/O with their NCAA experiences, as Chick says: too many rookie mistakes.

JustLakerFan

You implied that Gasol was playing PF when he made the All-star team didn't you?

Memphis Grizzlies

With Gasol at center +7.3 pts/48 min
With Gasol at PF and Milicic at center - 19.8 pts/ 48 min
Without Gasol and with Milicic at center -8.7 pts/48 min

Memphis was better with their star player on the bench than with him at PF. And much better with him at center.

It's the only metric other than Jerry West's eyes to judge how well the Laker's might do with Gasol playing PF

Posted by: giantsquid | July 14, 2008 at 03:12 PM

---------------------
For the sake of not going round and round lets just focus on Gasol with Lakers and how effective he will be in the mix with the surrounding Laker talent. I don't care about Memphis days as I am saying I think he will be effective as PF here and at sometimes center.

Thanks for the reply.

At least Team USA is starting next week, and against a Canadian squad that won't put up much of a fight without Steve Nash in the lineup. That will be a thrashing.

Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 14, 2008 at 04:35 PM

--------------------
Will it be televised? If so when and where? TV or online?

Since this is something that we don't talk about much...by most accounts Kobe will be postponing his surgery till after the olympics well the olympics start on 8-8-08 and preseason starts on Oct. Will he be able to join the team during training camp or will it be like last year?

Go Lakers!

Posted by: Faith | July 14, 2008 at 04:58 PM

--------------------------
I read somewhere that he is expected to miss training camp recovering from surgery. But who knows. But if he does that is more reason to hold on to Odom for his experience in early part of season.

Not that Odum has to shoot the rock as well as the great Larry Bird did. Of course not. But this is why all the talk of trading for Artest. The Lakers need a true SF with defensive quickness and as a reliable shooter at the 3 to spread the floor. So Gasol and Bynum have room to operate underneath.

Otherwise teams are simply going to sag off Odum much as Garnett already did in the finals. Zone us and clog the middle on Bynum and Gasol.

Posted by: LoveTheLakeShow | July 14, 2008 at 06:25 PM

---------------------------
You forget Kobe in this equation. Odom can dish to Kobe for 3 or dish to Kobe and dive to basket for midrange or to rim.

Laker Tom

Sorry mate I jumped to conclusion's.I live down-under, my neighbor is a liberal professor from Queensland and the women gives me horrible grief over my gun collection.And I have been quite short of late from her laconic attacks. Anyway sorry again mate.