That explains a lot
I mentioned to a reader yesterday how I've asked around a bit in regards to Sasha Vujacic's situation and that oddly, nobody has heard a peep. Well, turns out The Face just switched agents again, going back to Rob Pelinka (Kobe Bryant's guy, for those who don't know) after previously leaving him for Bill Duffy. Not sure what prompted this or the other shake-ups, but there's a little known CBA ordinance stating that after five agent switches, you earn a free latte.* Maybe this is just about a coffee jones. At any rate, little news of deals coming in for a guy working out new representation makes sense, so there you (may) have it.
Also, Luke Walton is having surgery on Friday to remove bone spurs from his troublesome ankle. He'll be out of commission for about a month, but this will hopefully alleviate the continual pain he dealt with throughout 2008.
* - I may or may not have made that factoid up.
AK
UPDATE: An item of note from our friends at 710 ESPN, in support of the V Foundation (a very worthy cause): As part of the station's V Foundation Cancer Auction on Wednesday afternoon and evening, there are a few purple and gold items up for bid, including four tickets to the Oct. 7 game vs. the Jazz (second row along the baseline), a Pau Gasol autographed jersey and an autographed basketball. Some of the bidding is online, some can be done at the ESPN Zone in Anaheim. Click here for more information.
I don't know if Sasha "The Michelle Cicely Machine" hiring an agent is a good sign??? He's not getting offers he wants so he's trying to drum up some interest with his "new" see: old, agent. I was under the impression the Lakers already offered him about $5m/year, I don't know how many years. I think The Machine was expecting a Luke Walton full MLE offer but teams just aren't in a rush to do those anymore, the market has changed and... what does The Machine know about the market? Nothing... just like Kobe the GM...
So unless Sasha is unhappy and wants to leave the Lakers, I don't see any other team offering more unless... now Sasha feels "disrespected" by the money the Lakers are offering and really wants to go somewhere else? Sasha's somewhat boxed in, he just doesn't know it yet...
Posted by: Kwaminus "Bill" Brownicus cracking his knuckles getting ready for a contract | July 15, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Caliphilosopher,
1. I love Kant. His approached to Ethics literally changed my life. I also love Eastern philosophers such as Lao-Tzu, Mo-Tzu, and Chuang-Tzu. Socrates is great too.
2. I was playing with the idea of getting my doctorate in Semiotics. As an analysis of signs and symbols, it is an essential element in the development of effective information and cognitive theories. I find it to be utterly fascinating. Everything in life is a communication of signs/symbols. Understanding symbol formation, to me, is essential to developing a deeper, intuitive understanding of Truth (with a capital "T").
3. Kobe as Machiavelli? Come on! Give me a break! Marcus Aurelius was into the suchness of things in a similar way as Kobe is into the perfection of his game. AND Marcus Aurelius was a true warrior while Machiavelli just talked about war.
4. Okay. Which philosopher would Rad Vlad and Phil Jackson be?
5. I know Shaq's not like Aristotle, but I have a similar antipathy for both. The West's reverence for Aristotle really held back the development of modern science for hundreds of years post fall of the Roman Empire.
6. Yep, I'm in Cleveland. Cleveland generally sucks by Case Western University is very good school with a really nice campus. They're doing a lot of interesting work there.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Caliphilosopher,
Purple & Gold Reign is intellectually insecure. That's why his reply is flavored as it is.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Poop Walton stinks.
Ppphhhhhttttttthhhpppppppp. Is anybody as bored as I am?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 15, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Enough of this bickering.
Does anyone here play XBox regularly?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 15, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Luke Walton has had ankle problems since college. I told you all, when he signed his contract, that this was going to be an issue. The guy is only going to get slower.
Wow! 6 years to a guy who the Lakers knew had this type of problem.
BRILLIANT!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | July 15, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Purple & Gold Reign,
Dude, Caliphilospher is a scholar! Saying he's insecure because he makes use of a large vocabulary is just lame of you.
I suppose then all people who exclusively utilize a monosyllabic vocabulary are inherently the MOST secure people.
Give me a break.
Personally, I think both of you have good points in this "Is Luke Walton going to have a chronic condition like his Dad?" argument. I don't think you need to go after Caliphilosopher because he has a expanded vocabulary and makes use of it. It weakens your own position.
Remember, Bill Walton was a Vegan so he had all kinds of nutritional deficiencies in his diet which probably contributed to the weaknesses of his bones. I don't know if Luke Walton is a Vegan or not. If he is, that may have something to do with his issues. It's not necessarily a genetic issue and one injury does not make a chronic degeneratory condition.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Sonny,
the whole thing is, the Kings need to realize their package isn't all that great. Yes, Artest is in limited demand. But, not many teams want Kenny Thomas too. That was a bad contract when Philly signed him to it. I'm sorry you got stuck with it...
I'd rather use LO (and another) to get Marion (slightly less headache) and the possibility of Haslem too. Those two would address the Lakers needs.
Artest alone is a gamble. Artest plus Kenny Thomas is nearly unpalatable.
Posted by: Benny Blanca | July 15, 2008 at 02:01 PM
AK,
Is Bynum beginning to or has he begun working out yet?
Jon K, Caliphilosopher, P&GR
We're all Laker fans, all on the same side here, so let's cool it.
If you feel the need to continue, please, for the rest of us, just take it elsewhere. Banal and condescending posts that have nothing to do with basketball don't belong on the best Lakers blog around, right?
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Sign Bill Artest!!!!!! get rid of Luke Walton.....
Posted by: drew | July 15, 2008 at 02:02 PM
LOL @ "flavored" reply.
Couldn't be bothered to thumb through your thesaurus before typing your post?
LOOK: I am not here to pick fights with fellow Lakers fans. But I WILL defend myself from any and all attacks. Period.
AND...I am more than capable of holding my own. Got that Jon K?
P & G R
Posted by: Purple & Gold Reign | July 15, 2008 at 02:03 PM
AK/Andrew the K,
"No they won't, because that's against CBS rules. You can't match an offer sheet for a sign and trade."
I personally think that the television network is just fine with it, all things considered, but CBA rules might be against it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Kwaminus -
Any chance you think Sasha takes the 1 year tender offered him by the Lakers and becomes an unrestricted FA next year? I agree with you that I don't think he's going to get the full MLE like he was hoping for before the end of the season.
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Michael C. Teniente,
Did Luke Walton have ankle problems at Arizona? I don't remember hearing anything about that.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Purple & Gold Reign,
"It has been stated that somewhere around 90% of ALL diseases and illnesses are either self-limiting or incurable."
Where'd you get those numbers from and what do you mean by "self-limiting"?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 02:11 PM
puddle,
Squabbling is a recognized hobby in Laker Nation, particularly in the offseason.
It's not like anyone's being a Troll or something.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Played golf recently with a very bright guy that's worked with the Laker FO for many years. Didn't drive him crazy with questions but I did ask his opinion about the future. The first thing he mentioned was Luke's contract. From the blog to the boardroom, evidently it's unanimous.
He thought Luke's issue was more mental than physical. He also said, no one's harder on Luke than Luke.
Too bad the surgeon can't add confidence as he's removing bone spurs.
Posted by: Vman | July 15, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Puddle,
Good points.
I had similiar sentiments towards Chuck Nevitt in the 80's. I would get excited on those rare occasions he actually played during garbage time, but I never wanted to see him on the court with the game on the line. I drew the line as a fan if a win was at stake. I was just a bit frustrated (and confused) that so many Laker fans seem to prioritize their affections for Luke over the success of the team.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | July 15, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Caliphilosopher and jon k. neither men could be pompous? lol ya ok..... sign me up and i will drink the kool-aid ..........
Posted by: Mr. Arrogant | July 15, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Good morning all......Just a couple of points ...
1..D-Wade .....At REAL GM.....Saying very good things about Odom....
2..Eric Pincus....If the Hornets miss out on Posey look for them to have a go at Sasha...
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 15, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Purple & Gold Reign,
I'm quaking in my boots.
No use of thesaurus was necessary (but I did have to review your post to remember how to spell "thesaurus" properly.)
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Jon K -
If it's about basketball, awesome. If it's not, it doesn't belong here, plain and simple.
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Vegan or not, I just want him to make his open shots, be less of a P@554 on Defense and around the basket, and DUNK THE BALL everytime he his wide open on a fast break. Is that too much to ask for the money he's being paid?
Not to instigate too much, but I find P&GR and Caliphilosopher's debate quite entertaining. What wrong with a little debate between fellow Laker fans? Reading all these big words make me feel more intelligenter!!!
Posted by: JSNV | July 15, 2008 at 02:26 PM
By CBS, AK means CBA rules.
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Hi all:
Jon K:
Here's a 2002 ESPN article about Luke and his ankle injuries..... not pretty:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?id=1632881
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | July 15, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Regarding Posts Exchanges:
1. This is a blog. Disagreements are integral and to the nature of the blog. If you want a PG13 ran blog, got to Hello Kitty.
2. If the exchanges bother you, scroll right by.
3. Just like any discussion, it leads to other thoughts and conversations.
4. There isn't much going on in Laker land, and the Post's by Calli-P and Purple & Gold Reign did contain material pertaining to Luke Walton and the Lakers.
5. If the verbal combatants end up working it out, even better for showing sophistication.
I also suggest to keep it between them. Let the grappling occur between them two unless if it is a troll putting down our team.
Posted by: Charles | July 15, 2008 at 02:30 PM
yes, Luke Walton missed a number of games in his senior year in college because of his ankle.
That's common knowledge.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | July 15, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Can you imagine Sasha saying...
"show me the money!"
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | July 15, 2008 at 02:41 PM
PsychedLakerGirl/Michael T.,
Thanks.
Urgh.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 02:41 PM
If Luke dies on the operating table or becomes otherwise disabled, does he still count against the cap? Isn't that what we all want to know?
Posted by: htj | July 15, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Sonny,
"the Kings need to realize their package isn't all that great"
You going to take that from him?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 15, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Jon K,
Yeah, it was supposed to be "CBA" rules. Typo. Thanks.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | July 15, 2008 at 02:49 PM
PsychedLakerGirl,
I just read the article. {Jon winces.}
Double urgh.
I sure hope this surgery works and that Luke's taking his multi-mineral supplements.
{DIT DA JOW!}
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 02:52 PM
"Bill" puddle, I don't think "Bill" Sasha has the huevos to do that and certainly, his agent "Bill" wouldn't be doing his job if he allowed him to do that. Let's say the Laker's offer is 4 years at $5m per. That's a pretty decent offer. Now, Sasha could ride this year out but he's risking injury or who knows? possible loss of playing time if he's so worried about his next contract that he's missing shots, etc. If it's $4m, Sasha might actually have a beef, he's more important than "Bill" Walton or "Bill" Radmanovic and they got more money and more years, however, the market is changing dramatically... but, again, what does Sasha know about macroeconomic issues? Who knows what the next few years holds for pro sports in general? People's discretionary income is being pinched on all sides, the refinancing machine has been pretty much shut down, possibly attendance will go down for the league as a whole, so fewer owners will be willing to toss around Mark "Bill" Cuban type money. Maybe by this time next year, that $5m offer becomes $4m?
If I'm Sasha's agent and I can get him $5m or more/season for the next 4-6 years, I'd say take it unless there's something crazy we don't know about? There's no NY Knicks offering Jerome "Bill" James type contracts anymore or at least as far as we know. Look at Keyon "Bill" Dooling, Orlando pulled the plug on him and gave that money to Anthony "Bill" Johnson. I bet last year, Keyon "Bill" Dooling gets better offers as well as Tyronn "Bill" Lue, James "Bill" Posey, all these guys that are floating around right now thinking somebody is going to throw money at them. It's just not going to happen.
Posted by: Kwaminus "Bill" Brownicus cracking his knuckles getting ready for a contract | July 15, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Laker Truth -
LOL about Chuck Nevitt, the original Human Victory Cigar. I'm too young to remember him as a Laker, but I remember watching a clip of him lining up next to Manute Bol and it being the funniest thing I've ever seen. Those two were more awkward than a Jr. High dance. I always thought Chuck looked a little like Hitler on stilts, which was simultaneously amusing and terrifying. LOL, I'm still laughing about Chuck Nevitt. Good stuff.
Anyway, Luke established himself as a fan favorite almost immediately, and it'll probably take more than 1 bad season for him to lose that status, but I totally get your frustration. He and Vlade are tied for the "lead" in being the source of my screaming rants during games.
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2008 at 02:57 PM
LOL Htj... that's just cruel.
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Luke isn't that bad. However, he should have played a lot better after signing that big contract. Luke brings a lot to the table, especially when he can consistently hit the 3. I expect Luke to come out next year with some fire and play really well. Luke's key to success is keeping the turnovers down, sometimes he tries to get a little too cute with some pretty difficult passes. If Luke hits some shots and keeps it simple he should be fine.
Luke wasn't the worst Laker, just the easiest to blame.
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | July 15, 2008 at 03:01 PM
AK
@554 with a "P" in front gets blocked from the blog? I thought that would be the same as P@%%$. What if I said that Luke is sometimes a "word that rhymes with Toosee" around the basket? Is that acceptable?
Regards,
JSNV
Posted by: JSNV | July 15, 2008 at 03:03 PM
puddle,
Laker Nation is united by basketball and ruled by a common love for the Lakers...
However, if things occasionally diverge from basketball there's no reason to bring out the stormtroopers.
That's why Laker Nation is a nigh-utopia and Kings/Suns/Celtics Nation is hell on Earth.
AK (also known to some as "Andrew the K", "The Kamenetskyator", "A to the K", "Apple Filling", and "He Who Breaks Rocks"),
It's funny how that "S" is so close to that "A" on the keyboard.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 03:04 PM
mrbarneydangles,
"Luke wasn't the worst Laker, just the easiest to blame."
Amen to that, brother.
Funny how when Lakers management accepts an over-inflated contract (i.e. Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, Kwame Brown and Pau Gasol) that many members of Laker Nation blame the players.
We should blame the agents and, to a lesser extent, Laker management. (Curse you David Falk!)
It's only natural, but it really distorts the honest analysis of things.
I mean, if someone offered me $14 million a year to wear the Purple and Gold, I'd take it in a heartbeat, even though I know I wouldn't be able to contribute that value to the team through my play.
Should I be blamed for that? Probably, a bit, but should I be hated for it? No, I don't think so.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 15, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Oh! somebody else takes a swipe at the Kwaminus:
10 players unlikely to join the Spurs - from the Sporting News:
5. Kwame Brown. When they were Wizards, Michael Jordan once reduced his No. 1 draft pick to tears with a particularly harsh putdown. Well, Brown would not hold up well under Popovich, who rarely passes up an opportunity to practice his sarcasm. Brown also would have trouble sticking with the Spurs because Popovich prefers players who can catch the ball.
Posted by: Kwaminus "Bill" Brownicus cracking his knuckles getting ready for a contract | July 15, 2008 at 03:11 PM
No on Artest. The man is crazy and deranged.
That LO/Luke/Mihm for Marion/Haslem sounds intriguing. But since Luke is facing surgery, that's too risky. Substitute Vlad for Luke and we've got ourselves a winner!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | July 15, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Just a heads up out there for all the Jordan Farmar Fans that his camp is being held this august. signups at www.farmarlive.com
Posted by: Farmar Fan | July 15, 2008 at 03:30 PM
AK,
I swear I didn't see my post up there, but my appologies for assuming that I did not get posted for obscene language.
Regards,
JSNV
Posted by: JSNV | July 15, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Thanks Ex,
I needed someone to help stir that pot.
I live in Nor Cal and i keep hearing how Sacramento has SO many options for Artest...
On the contrary, it seems like the only two teams to show interest in TRADING for Ron are LA and Miami... and so far, it looks like neither is too excited about Kenny Thomas being piggy backed onto Ron.
Many teams liked the idea of Ron becoming a free agent and possibly signing for the MLE. But, in a trade, i don't see a whole lot of teams throwing their name in the hat... yet.
Posted by: Benny Blanca | July 15, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Jon K. -
You're right, no need for the storm troopers. I apologize. I was slightly annoyed but, as Charles so aptly told me, I can always just scroll past it.
Don't worry about David Falk. My sources tell me he has a special seat reserved for him in the afterlife, right between Pol Pot and Hitler.
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Laker Truth -
I think the reason why people are more apt to give Luke a break is a result of his attitude. He seems to care a lot about wanting to do well, he admits it when he's not doing well, he plays hard when he's out there, and his teammates seem to like him. I would argue that Lamar gets some of the same benefits because he's similar to Luke in this aspect. These two still get a lot of crap from Laker fans, so I'm not sure what you mean about making excuses.
The other players you mention don't fit into this category. Kwame didn't seem to care and didn't try hard. Laker Nation doesn't like guys who dog it. Vlade is the same way. And as far as Kobe is concerned - he doesn't need people sticking up for him because he's superhuman and can play through almost anything. But people are still quick to remind Celtics fans that Kobe played with a dislocated pinkie, so you're not entirely accurate there either.
Basically, people are quicker to forgive poor output if high levels of effort are exhibited. When poor output is a result of perceived nonchalance, fans are not as forgiving.
Posted by: puddle | July 15, 2008 at 01:15 PM
It could be because Luke is White and the White public more readily identifies with him. It could be a subtle racism.
What I've said about Luke is that he plays like crap while injured while pretty much most other Lakers don't. We've seen Lamar play well injured, Kobe is always injured, and Fisher played through an injury from the end of the season through the playoffs. Mihm didn't play well injured, but I guess his ankle was pretty bad. Two (I think, maybe three?) surgeries and a 2-year recovery? Luke didn't have anything remotely like that.
Luke may lack the athleticism, pain threshold or just have an injury through which you can't play as well. Or maybe his injury killed his confidence. Who knows?
I don't see Luke getting much of a break here, FWIW.
I appreciate Luke's attitude, but if he skips out when it's his shot at the end of a shot clock ever again, I'm throwing him under the bus. Luke plays hard, doesn't give up and isn't afraid to play physically. I'm still proud of him for the no layups flagrant on almost the first posession of game 1 05-06 versus the Funs.
I also disagree with you some about Lamar. He's not known as a gym rat. He doesn't pick up new skills over the summers as guys like Kobe, Farmar, Sasha, and Mihm have. Lamar also did the Kwame Brown thing when confronted with one of his obvious weaknesses. Kwame said he was doing just fine when asked about his offense. Odom said the same thing about not using his right hand.
I take a real issue with that attitude. It's worked up to this point so it's fine they sa. I probably wouldn't care if it were fine, but given the large number of charges for which Odom gets called, I think it's fair to say he needs to develop his right hand. I've noticed a improvement in that area, but I think the Lakers and their fans deserve more, say 1/10 the charges called per season/playoff series instead of the 50 percent I perceive.
I do agree with your overall sentiment. People forgive players they perceive as working hard and caring.
Posted by: Benjamin | July 15, 2008 at 03:49 PM
More News on Free Agents.
http://tinyurl.com/6lqcmr
Posted by: Charles | July 15, 2008 at 03:51 PM
JSNV,
How the $%&* are you. Don't worry about the @!^)+ posting. I still got love for you and I don't think your a :"{
Benny Blanca,
I like your thinking. That trade would be more Laker-centric and I don't think Riles would do it. Unless we get Banks as a throw in. If you don't mind elaborating as to why you don't want to see the Odo at the 3 or off the bench experiment?
Best Guys,
Posted by: Charles | July 15, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Sasha, if you can't get the money you want, then come back to Papa. I know you are reading this blog, because you got nothing else to do. haha
Take a 4 year deal, with a player opt in the 4th year.
Just take four and don't ask for more.
Use this opportunity with the Lakers, an elite contender in the NBA, to grow your game. You're just a young guy starting to turn the corner. Use the time to learn what its like to be a Champion and all that time, you will be showcasing your talents on the Big Screen.
That will make you very valuable to some team that wishes it had experienced players that know how to win at the Championship level.
Pay your dues with the Lakers. Many of a young guard wishes they were in the position you are.
You are only twenty-four. Play it right, and you're next contract you can play it into the big one.
One more thing, Faith told me she's dating you. Is that true? lol
Posted by: Fatty | July 15, 2008 at 04:03 PM