Swimming in cash
July 30, 2008 | 1:17
pm
If you've ever wondered whether 111 mil really does offer you the ability to have just about anything, the answer appears to be a pretty resounding "yes." Because that's a serious swimming hole Agent Zero has got going. Multiple fish tanks. Grotto. A "basement" area of sorts that somehow connects to the pool. Probably a few of them inflatable dinosaurs. Quite the setup, to say the least.
Unfortunately, and I hate to mention this after the fact, but when my pool was built, the large stone brought in to serve as a "mountain" cost only $200,000. I'm not sure who Gilbert's "stone guy" is, but he could have gotten a better price than half a million.
I'm just saying.
AK
AK,
More ads do slow things down but they can up the bandwidth and server to compensate. They just need to be shown that what they’re doing now as far as bandwidth and server isn’t compensating enough for the damn ads.
Thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 30, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Laker Tom,
Hopefully, it is something as easy as increasing the bandwidth. Like I said, I know nothing about this stuff. I just meant that if it's more complicated and it turns into an issue of eliminating the issue or the ads, I have a bad feeling the ads will remain.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 30, 2008 at 07:34 PM
LakerTom,
>>>>>Which is it?
>>1 thru 4, naturally. :-)
Hey, it's a reasonable possibility. It of course requires that
Buss sits down with Bynum, Odom, and Kobe as a group and
gets them all to buy into it as a team. All it takes is one of
the four not to be a "team player" in this situation and things
don't add up.
I could also buy into the "lets have one glorious dominating
season this year and then say goodbye to Lamar" theory.
or the "Lamar gets traded before the trade deadline so they
can get someone of value (but lower priced) for him" theory.
I can't imagine Buss letting the team lose money so he can
pay four huge salaries. And Kobe taking a lot less money
seems a bit of a stretch to me as well. I could see him doing
4 years at 20 million per or something like that, but not 15.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 30, 2008 at 07:36 PM
I've had problems with this site specifically too. Sites that have a lot of widgets and ads are always more likely to cause crashes. Your recent addition of more ads, funky side bar formatting, and multimedia stuff does/is caused by a few things:
1. You may get more ad money and money overall from more ads.
2. Users will be turned off and come less or stop coming because the ads get in the way of page loading and cause instability in our browsers.
You guys can do what you want, but all this ad nonsense is causing instability in your page and it's pretty annoying.
My browser crashes about 10x as often as it used to on your page than six months ago. And I've done a lot to make my system generally more stable in that time.
Right now, I crash via your site more than nba.com and that's pretty bad given what an unstable jumbled mess nba.com is. It was not the case a mere few months ago.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 30, 2008 at 07:38 PM
I think we're overlooking the funniest part of the thread here.
The fact that AK paid 200k for a big rock to decorate his pool is pretty damn funny.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 30, 2008 at 07:39 PM
As I understand it, Lakerville needs the ads...it has something to do with the fact that LA Times is losing money, and they're magnanimous enough to hold onto our blog.
So I say please support the blog and click on the links lol. But they must do their part and stop it from being slow lol.
Posted by: Faith | July 30, 2008 at 07:40 PM
sure glad to hear it is the site that is the problem. FOr a minute there i thought it was my computer.
Anyways, its not that bad. We will get used to it. Too much debating over it may end up costing AK and BK a job lol.
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | July 30, 2008 at 07:45 PM
"The fact that AK paid 200k for a big rock to decorate his pool is pretty damn funny."
Seriously...AK was that a joke? or do you really have a 200K rock in your pool? If so, must be nice...
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | July 30, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Gilbert is many things, but I don't really see him as a guy that is likely to get involved in legal troubles.
He has tons of success and money and works really hard on his game.
He's into himself, but I think he just has an ego and is having fun. Unless you're one of those people that hates anyone that thinks highly of themselves (and I've met plenty of them--they always hate me), Gilbert seems pretty likeable.
The guy is goofy and willing to tell people things they wouldn't otherwise hear about the NBA, very honestly and straightforwardly.
Visit and read his blog a bit. You'll see.
He seems easy-going enough that I bet he'd probably pay the woman off should he get into a Kobe Bryant Eagle, CO situation. Why sweat a mil or two when I can just make this problem go away?
If I were an NBA player, I'd have a stack of legal contracts with me at all times before I fooled around with anyone. It sucks, it's not fun, and it might not be great for the mood, but to save a few million it'd be way worth it.
I'd have a lawyer on retainer to keep all the files.
Any easily exploitable male should probably do that because it's such an exploit of our legal system to remove large amounts of money from someone.
In the case of a young Black man with lots of money that's a public figure, it seems pretty obvious that's a good target for a money grubbing, litigious whore.
I think the vast majority of women that get with famous athletes do not engage in this sort of behavior, they're probably just happy to get with that famous athlete. And the vast majority of women don't throw themselves at famous athletes. It's a very small subset of the population.
So, don't worry about Gil, he's got money to burn.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 30, 2008 at 07:51 PM
TrueLakerFan,
"Seriously...AK was that a joke? or do you really have a 200K rock in your pool? If so, must be nice..."
Dude, I don't even have a house, much less a pool, much less a 200K rock to decorate said pool.
I can swim, though. For what that's worth.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 30, 2008 at 07:51 PM
TrueLakerFan,
Who's to say it isn't both? I recently gave my computer a major tune-up and it's a lot happier. If you're computer savvy, I recommend doing the same.
blackviper.com
I am in no way financially or personally connected to the site. I was referred to it by a friend that similarly has no connection to the site, he just finds it extremely helpful. The friend does pretty serious network infrastructure and security work.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 30, 2008 at 07:55 PM
AK,
Wow, you've got some serious jack if you can afford to drop 200K on a mountain for your pool. Mama K must be proud.
Posted by: Xodus | July 30, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Benjamin,
I'm glad you found it amusing. Thanks.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 30, 2008 at 08:01 PM
AK
I had to be the one to ask...lol
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | July 30, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Xodus,
Well, as I'm sure your UF professors explained to you, there's no better paying profession on the planet than journalism. Rarely does anybody make under seven figures. Haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 30, 2008 at 08:05 PM
AK,
Yeah, I definitely decided I wanted to get into this business for the big bucks.
Posted by: Xodus | July 30, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Anybody see that the Lakers are playing FC Barcelona, Pau's old team this preseason? That'll be interesting to see. http://lakersworldwide.blogspot.com/2008/07/lakers-will-play-fc-barcelona-in.html
Posted by: thesimsfan2004 | July 30, 2008 at 08:16 PM
AK,
One other point that the tech guys should know is that I also froze several times when submitting posts. My browser would stall waiting for typepad.com. What you should do is forward all of the posts about this to the tech guys as they will find the information helpful in dealing with the problem. Thanks.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 30, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Kgirlz to Kboyz:
Rocks? ROCKS??? YOU SPENT $200K ON A STUPID ROCK?
No more lap dances for you until I see 200 KARAT ROCKS on our fingers!!!!
.
Posted by: latopia | July 30, 2008 at 08:40 PM
pfunk, troy, & chicken little,
>>>>>“Lakers not tough enough?”
I got two words for you: ANDREW BYNUM.
And another two words: THE BEAST
Andrew Bynum is all the Lakers need to shred any notion that they are too soft and not tough enough to win the NBA championship. He will establish himself next year as the most physical player in the game.
Do you not remember the fierce fire that burned in Andrew’s eyes while he dominated highly respected center after center last year, or went right back and dunked on Shaq as a rookie, or blocked four of Chris Kaman’s shots, or threw that humiliating slam on Amare and stared him down?
Next year Drew will show the doubting fans, fantasy league media, and the Lakers harried and worried opponents that he is the most toughest and most physically punishing player in the entire NBA second to none.
The Beast will dominate the NBA next year. And you will all bow and cheer.
Except for chicken little who will have moved on.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 30, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Sign Adonal Foyle!
Sign Quinton Ross!
Sign Shaun Livingston!
Retain Coby Karl!
Done!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 30, 2008 at 08:52 PM
This computer problem has to do with the Lakers blog of the L.A. Times. When using Internet Explorer I'm having problems. It's just taking around 1 minute to load. But once it loads it works fine.
If you close down the Internet Explorer browser and then open it up, again, and then go to any other section of the L.A. Times it will work just fine.
Then if you go to sports, fine. Go to Lakers, fine. Go to the blog link and it takes a minute to load. You can see all the titles of previous post loading at the bottom.
Again, once it loads it's just fine.
Now close it, again, and open Safari or Firefox and go the Lakers blog and it opens up pretty quick.
In conclusion: From my end of things the problem is with Internet Explorer. Explorer doesn't seem to be handling the Lakers blog link too well.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | July 30, 2008 at 08:53 PM
LakerTom,
Let's not get Michael T. on the matter.
I am confident and pray that Andrew Bynum will be the next great Lakers center, but between his injury and his creepy agent (especially after the Elton Brand fiasco) there's reason for CONTROLLED optimism.
Andrew Bynum is phenomenal, but let's not put all our eggs in one basket.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 30, 2008 at 08:56 PM
whoops. not sure what happened to the first part of my post. anyway, I was going to say, for every round your team makes into the playoffs, I'm guessing that the extra take will cover a leeetle bit of those luxury taxes. not enough to justify insanity, but these aren't the memphis grizzlies, people. You have to spend into the luxury a bit to earn this fan base.
THE LOVE DOES NOT HAVE A SIX FIGURE ROCK, BUT THE LOVE IS THE LOVE, WHICH THE LOVE FEELS IS THE BETTER DEAL IN THE LONG RUN.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: phred | July 30, 2008 at 08:58 PM
AK,
"I can swim, though."
Didn't you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 30, 2008 at 09:01 PM
More to support our cause....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWS4zr4SF4I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD5qCkJFUQE&
feature=related
Get it done, Mitch.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 30, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Push them back! Push them back! Waaaaay Back!
LOL!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | July 30, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Xodus,
"The fact that AK paid 200k for a big rock to decorate his pool is pretty damn funny."
Actually, what happened was that a $200K diamond fell out of his bling while he was swimming and they weren't able to find it.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 30, 2008 at 09:08 PM
ARTEST TO KOBE
FU KOBE
CUZ NOBODY WANTS TO PLAY WITH KOBE.......
J/K......... THOUGHT I JUST THROW THAT OUT THERE FOR SOME OLD SKOOL LAUGHS.........
NOW I REALLY HATE THE CELTICS......AND THAT SMUG PAUL PIERCE......ENJOY IT FOR NOW.....CUZ NEXT YEAR YOU AND YOUR HASBENS ARE DONE.......
AND SHAME ON ANYONE HERE WHO WANTED JAMES POSEY ON OUR TEAM..........I DONT CARE HOW GOOD YOU THINK HE IS.............HE'S A CELTIC BUM.........
Posted by: pruple&gold 4 eva | July 30, 2008 at 09:11 PM
ex,
>>>>>You're way off base with that logic. Gasol only had 30 games,
>>>>>with no training camp.
>>>>>Bynum was out.
>>>>>Ariza and Mihm were out (for all intents and purposes).
>>>>>Fisher, Kobe, and Walton were playing hurt.
>>>>>Farmar and Vujacic improved significantly, and are likely to make
>>>>>big jumps again (based on their previous trajectory and work ethic).
>>>>>So keeping basically the same roster is NOT standing pat in this case.
Well said and well worth being reposted on the newest thread. Thanks, ex.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 30, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Kind of a relief actually, to hear that other people are having the same issues with slowness, freezing, etc..
As far as all the cuts at the Times, it's really a shame. It's obviously a much larger trend than just the L.A. Times (Chicago Tribune) specifically but to see such a major market giant get so relentlessly downsized is kind of alarming. A lot of people have been discussing this in context of print media but it goes a lot further than that - verticle integration, consolidation, corporate downsizing...
we've created some kind of universal Pac-Man monster that's gonna eat us up!
At any rate, maybe the K-bros can find a live body in tech support before the next black friday. There's haikus to be written and insults to be traded and we have no time for such screen-freezing foolishness.
p.s. Tractor Traylor - are you kidding me?! THAT'S entertainment.
Posted by: dave m | July 30, 2008 at 09:18 PM
I wonder too if the slowness (I use Firefox, and haven't noticed the problem, for what it's worth) is due to the video window, as opposed to the ads---
Just wonderin' aloud. As AK said, we'll check with HQ...
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 30, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Long Time,
Good points about the profitability and there being a limit to how much salaries and luxury tax the Lakers can pay and still make money.
I don’t think we really differ here other than our usual divergence as to monetary amounts. There definitely is a point when salaries cause expenses to exceed profits, even if you calculate in appreciation of the franchise. But you can always find an owner, even a non-billionaire like Jerry, to be hesitant to break up a team that is winning championships.
And that’s really the key here. If the Lakers launch a string of championships, the increased ticket and marketing revenue, gain in franchise value, and pride of ownership will be enough to keep the team intact, although there will be sacrifices, some for the team like Kobe signing for less, some because they make good business sense like Drew signing for less for security, and some self-serving like Lamar knowing he’d be better off staying for less.
If we don’t win or look like we are going to the first half of the year, then it would undoubtedly be Lamar who goes what with his huge expiring contract. That is really the reality of pro sports today. If you are lucky enough to be in a big market, you can generate the income to pay unbelievably high salaries and still make a profit. But slip a little, and the bean counters take over.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 30, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Typical Gilbert. This is a man who, as a rookie with the Warriors, wanted a shark tank in his condo. After talking with a shark trainer at Six Flags Marine World, he figured perhaps some tropical fish would be a better idea instead. I guess he must love them fish. LOL!
Posted by: SamLL | July 30, 2008 at 11:48 PM
i haven't posted in a while. just wanted to drop my 2 cents.
paul pierce is garbage.
carry on, good people...carry on.
Posted by: sixonezero | July 31, 2008 at 12:51 AM
the celtics. garbage.
i'm going to live in the philippines for two years. leaving in 11 days and the only thing i'm bitter about is not having my Lakers real time.
i thought about it and i've decided that if for some reason the Lakers and the Celtics meet in the finals again next year, i'm buying a ticket back here...shell out a ridiculous amount of cheddar to get as close as possible to paul pierce's ear and tell him to go fornicate himself.
i feel like dorothy in the wizard of oz asking to have odom get his head straight, bynum get his wheel straight and gasol to get a heart. oh and that 12th man off the bench Bean Bryant to get his pinky straight. then after that maybe i dont have to get kicked out of staples for telling paul pierce to fornicate himself. my Laker squad will do it for me.
LIGHTS OUT. GO LAKES.
Posted by: sixonezero | July 31, 2008 at 01:07 AM
Benjamin,
I'm glad you found it amusing. Thanks.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 30, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Actually, now I'm really bummed out. I thought you were a total high roller. :P
Posted by: Benjamin | July 31, 2008 at 01:11 AM
TROY
I am with you my man.
I have bad feelings about our upcoming season.
Tracey McGrady looks like the next man possessed in the playoffs like Paul Pierce.
Ron Artest is their Garnett and Yao plays the Ray Allen role.
HOUSTON IS NOW THE FAVORITE IN THE WEST.
THAT DEFENSE IS STIFLING AS BOSTON's.
I'm very concerned about our Lakers.
I think Artest gives them a toughness to combat us and they were already a tough out with that defense and deliberate style of ball.
I hope Jordan wants to move Gerald Wallace.
Our only hope are 2 things,
we truly use our size and play as BIG as we are tall.
KOBE BRYANT finally says enough is enough and can not be denied.
I'm not sure until I see it.
KOBE has 2 excellent Finals games in his last 11 games.
Game 2 vs Detroit 2004 and Game 3 vs Boston 2008.
That's it and that pains/concerns me and the LakerNation if that's our outlook.
As TROY said, what a season ahead of us.
Posted by: LakerBake | July 31, 2008 at 03:48 AM
If the lakers are over the salary cap, that does not mean they are losing money. That mean they pay a luxury penalty dollar for dollar.
Don't feel bad for the Buss family, they are still making hand over fist.
Posted by: richard | July 31, 2008 at 05:22 AM
What are the odds of us getting LeBron two years from now? We're all assuming he's going to the Knicks or Nets. Why not LA?
Don't get me wrong, he probably will go to NY, but if we can free up some space for him, AND if we can put a couple of rings in the books over the next two seasons he might consider it.
Comments?
Posted by: Dieselpower | July 31, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Gilbert Arenas?
harmless ...he's just a character
remember in about '05 he wasnt selected to an all star team initially (he got there becasue of an injury to someone in the end I think)
Anyway everyone was talking about how rough it was since he was playing great ball and the wiz were a good team and Gilbert said somethign along the lines of it not being about his game but about lack of exposure
Suddenly he reinvented himself as the biggest attention seeker out there.Everyone knows him and he's making ding good on him!
Posted by: Kiwi | July 31, 2008 at 06:54 AM
What's slowing this blog down terribly is the stupid Digg function that's been put on the blog.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 31, 2008 at 07:27 AM
AK/BK,
How many years are left on Tim "The Big Waste" Thomas's contract?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 31, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Dieselpower,
Doubtful. Kobe and LeBron are arguably the two biggest names in the league, both commanding massive contracts. Kobe will have to go for a new contract soon anyways, so that'll cost us, AB will probably get a massive deal soon, Pau will still be under contract, and who knows with LO, if we ship him we'll still be taking on a sizeable chunk of money. Plus we still have to re-sign some guys coming off the bench, rookies, picks and any fillers the FO deems necessary. Unless Kobe's not on the team, I highly doubt we'll ever see LeBron in a Lakers jersey.
Maybe we can trade LO straight up for Bron Bron and then convince him to take a paycut, but that'll be the day that AK has a $200,000 stone in his pool. haha.
-bozz-
Posted by: bozz | July 31, 2008 at 07:59 AM
You know what I luv bout yoos Fakers? One minute you're in luv wit Artest and when Aretest tells Lakernation and Starlett Kobe to "screw off", then "Arest sucks".
What a bunch of whinners and b*itchers.
Don't any of you foos have pride?
Lakernation reminds me of Staletl Kobe who crys and whines. Complains, but can't put up and never shuts up.
"hahah" Long Time Celtic Fan
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 31, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Know what I love about bandwagon ignorant Celtics fans?
You go into a little shell and stop rooting for your team at the first sign of losing. You're a bunch of ignorant f*©©ø†ß who can't count past the number of fingers you've got on your left hand, if you can remember which hand is your left.
Congratulations on cheating your way to a title. Paul Pierce is a ƒ¨ç˚ˆ˜© åßß˙ø¬´, just like you.
hahahahahahahahahaha
∫ˆ†ç˙
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 31, 2008 at 08:24 AM
sixonezero,
"i'm going to live in the philippines for two years."
For a film shoot? I wish you the best man. Are you Pinoy by the way?
Charles
Posted by: Charles | July 31, 2008 at 08:32 AM
STARVE THE TROLL!
Folks, Let's Go C's is one troll we will probably be unable to starve once and for all UNTIL June 2009 when we have our day of vengeance and win the 08-09 NBA Championship. As much as it hurts, as much as you may want to choke the very lifeblood out of the guy, we gotta take it.
Boston beat us. Plain and simple. And dude's gonna take every opportunity to remind us of that fact. Don't get upset. Let him talk. He WANTS us to respond. He WANTS us to take the bait. We are better than that. We are smarter than that. How many times and how many years have we risen from the ashes of defeat only to achive the ultimate in glory the following year.
Just remember...last year, we were on pins and needles waiting for the annoucement that Kobe has been traded.
Look at us now.
This year, we are on pins and needles worried about Socks' knee, LO's effectivness and defense.
Look at us next year when you'll still see strains of excess confetti along Figueroa St!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | July 31, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Congratulations to Tully Moxness for smoking the competition on Mark and Brian's trivia contest this morning! Hope you win the cruise, dude!
Posted by: toad | July 31, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Once in a while we have to get out of the Lakers subject matter and confront the issues in this blog.
Finally, you're now all complaining with this blog. I have been a loyal member and never went out to join other B'ball sports blog. What I hate most, after those nuisance bots, we have now freezing cursor, i.e. equivalent of infringing one's freedom to navigate and make choices. We may be whinning on trivial matters but these trivialities are the starting point of abuses of one's power to control.
Historically, people in my generation rebelled against our elders b/c we want change - those were the 60's teens against the establishment and our motto then, was don't trust anyone over 30. Today, it is the computer savvy generation abusing their elders, we may get out of the trenches again and this time repel anyone below 30 using the technological advantage. Bottomline, at any ages, at any races and at any venues - nobody wants to be exploited. So AK/BK if you don't cure this problem, nobody will buy those ADs, we still hold our money tightly in a shrinking economy.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 31, 2008 at 08:52 AM