So what if Josh Howard did marijuana?? I snorted Coke once... But the ice cubes got stuck in my head...

Give Jordan the edge over Kobe?

What kind of ridicous comment is that?

OMG, you all are unbelievable.

"Jordan edges Kobe"

Jordan's only won 6 rings as the #1 guy to Starlet big fat zero rings at the #1 guy.

About this time last year the basketball world was in an uproar over Kobe Bryant's trade demand.

After a while Kobe came to understand that the Lakers had the "power" when they really didn't try to move him. The "power" was in the fact that Kobe really couldn't do anything because his opt out was, at the time two seasons away.

Well, one of those season has come and gone. And at the end of this season Kobe can opt out.

From this point forward it's Kobe who has the "power". Since last season's off-season Kobe has learn quite a bit about how to go about things. Especially with the Olympics going on he's not about to say anything that would draw negative attention.

But I'm here to tell you this: If the Lakers don't win it all this coming season, especially if they don't make it out of the Western Conference, I bet Kobe opt out and leaves the Lakers. And all of this is going to happen in a very civil manner.

mike t.

Kiwi

Interesting comparison from yesteryears.

I really thought Lithuania would give the USA a better test.

Some have speculated they were holding back a bit and saving themselves for a possible medal match. I'm sure there is some truth to that, but they were way over matched.

Lebron and Kobe on the floor at the same time is huge. Melo and Howard are the clear beneficiaries of the mismatches they create.

The USA team is driven for sure. Have you seen the documentary 'Road to Redemption'? The name implies they were embarrassed in the past, not for losing so much as how they lost. Individualism compared to solid team international efforts.

My order of the best teams are:

1. USA
2. Spain
3. Argentina
4. Greece
5. Lithuania
6. Russia

France, Brazil, Italy were not good enough to qualify from there regions. Too bad because they were very exciting teams to watch.

I think the Regional aspect is a bit over played with Angola and Iran coming over those, but I understand the Olympics reasoning of a worldwide approach.

Can't wait for the elimination play. USA vs Spain would be awesome if they meet in the Finals.

Let's take recent history into consideration when debating Lakers vs. Celtics......The Lakers have been to the NBA Finals 5 times this decade. Celtics--once in the last 20 years. I'm not a betting man, but if I was my bet would be that the Lakers make it back to the finals sooner than the Celtics.

So let these losers bask in their 15min of glory because it won't last very long.

Vman,

Have you checked out next years free agent market?

Next offseason the NBA is be rocked! It is going to be wide open.

mike t.

Vman,

Check it out:

http://www.hoopsworld.com/
Story.asp?story_id=9608

mike t.

Fatty

How about a little love.....

LakerTom,

Preach brother!!! This post,
LakerTom | August 02, 2008 at 12:53 PM, lit me on fire. I can't wait for the Kobe and Bynum tandem to get back on the floor. Carlos Boozer said Kobe can stop anyone. If they allowed hand checking and do away with the zone, Kobe would be the best player ever. I've watched him play in the exhibition solely on defense, and hes by far one of the best defensive player in the world. Kobe has all the technique to lock anyone down.

The Only time Kobe is on great on defense is when has to chase players that go through many screens like a Micheal Redd, Reggie Miller, even Ray Allen to an extent.

WE should not let Paul Pierce's girlfriend or dragqueen boyfriend upset the coolness on our blog! Let that clown be a clown because in the end Let' Go C's is a bottom feeder and enjoys eating bottoms!

LGC:

First, you're correct on all points regarding basketball - the Celtics of 2008 are the men and the Lakers of 2008 are not.
It really should've been enough for you and all Boston fans to see the distance the Celts have put between themselves and the Lakes in the finals. For your growth, why not take on the visage of the Celtics - be great for yourself, and let the kids play in their room without supervision. Everybody deserves to feel like a King, even Laker fans. If I were you, upon reading this entry I would get in my car and drive to Revere Beach. Go get a lobster roll at Kelly's - who's the King now, baby? Maybe we'll meet again in June.

Thirty2

I've yet to see the Boomers play. But I plan on watching them and USA go at it on the 5th. No rules right? lol

I read they almost beat the Gauchos without Bogut giving much time because of his ankle being a little tweaked.

Very impressive.

I noticed as well the Aussie team has moved ahead of China to a #9 World ranking. Boomers wth the big boys. haha They definitely have a shot at the medal rounds.

Did you see the China vs Aussie game? How did Sun Yue play?

Hey Jon K,

I've yet to see Marc Gasol play. Just what I've read.

After Spain's win over Russia, they mentioned the Gasol's has the Twin Towers on D closing down the lane, forcing Russia to settle for forced outside shots.

Don't forget.

Sunday 3:00 AM EST and a replay at 7:00 PM EST

Team USA vs Russia
ESPN 2

wow,

>>>>>The Only time Kobe is on great on defense is when has to chase players
>>>>>that go through many screens like a Michael Redd, Reggie Miller,
>>>>>even Ray Allen to an extent.

I think you meant so “The only time Kobe is NOT great on defense…,” which I agree with. In the past, however, we couldn’t afford to have Kobe focus on defense. Next year, with Drew back and our young players a year older and hungrier, I think not only can we now afford it but it could be the perfect complement to Drew protecting the rim and controlling the boards and the team running like showtime off of misses as often as off of steals. It’s the logical defense for the Lakers just as it is for Team USA. Play to your strengths: speed, length, and athleticism and use your defense to fuel your offense.

The fact that this is the second straight summer that Kobe has done this for Team USA should be making the Lakers front office and coaching staff think twice about how best to use Drew and Kobe. It’s a really exciting prospect to me. The Fool keeps preaching about playing Van Gundy style pack-it-in defensive basketball. Having a team with Kobe and Drew and a lot of athletes play that style of defense would be ignoring your team’s strengths as well as the fact that you’re in the entertainment business. I mean, would you ask Team USA to play that kind of defense with the players they have?

These Lakers may turn out to be very much like your father’s Lakers after all – Introducing the Doberman and the Beast, LA Lakers ShowTime 2, the sequel.

Tom

Thirty2

“We played against a world class team,” Australia coach Brian Goorjian said, “and we played tough. But we saw the difference.”

In the end, the Boomers tired. Need to get in better shape. No room for wimpy basketball on the World stage.

Coach Goorjian makes vow. "This will NEVER happen again. I'm putting the men to work!"

Plans to follow new exercise and diet regimen.

Fatty's "Veggie mite and Fosters" way to health.

Exclusive Fatty Film of Coach Goorgian and team bus breaking down in Desert, a chance encounter with Fatty, (the 6'4" Brazilian) and coach whipping his boys into shape for the next game vs Team USA, with his new 'Roo Hops' exercise program.

Coach to motivate players with abstinence pledge. "NO Women glowing..... unless of course we beat the Yanks!"

http://tinyurl.com/6b32a4

His tactics are strange and unusual........... but they just might work.

LakerTom,

Watched the USA vs. Lithuania game. Kobe played excellent defense as it was reported. Jasikevicius played with supreme confidence (he's a pretty impressive player, actually), but Kobe just ruined it for him, really frustrating him and forcing quite a few turnovers.

I remember Kobe's defensive intensity was at a peak at the beginning of last year. He really does enjoy playing D. That block on Kirilenko was just sick.

For those that missed it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep0F3ieSTZA

I think if the team can stay healthy, Kobe can stay focused on better D for much more of the season than last season. It will help if he doesn't need to stay as focused on offense or devote as much of his energy toward offense. With a triangle offense functioning on all cylinders with everyone getting to know it better, I think we're going to see Kobe needing to be the man less. Kobe can save us from defeat throughout the playoffs, but not in the Finals. We need to whole team to step up for that.

Everything is in place except for a defensive force at the 3 that can drain 3-pointers. I think Odom can play good perimeter D, but I think he's just a step slower than we need and a lot less focused than we need to be that guy. His jumper remains an issue too. It could all develop or somehow we could have an offense that didn't require an outside shooting 3. I think that offense would probably not be the triangle though.

LGC,

Remind you of your childhood? It's okay. We understand.

http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=tvfKh_lxWyc&feature=related

GO LAKERS!

Good point.

I'd actually think we will be a better defensive team this year than in the past. If for nothing else that we have now just become far more athletic.

That said there are several improvements, tweaks I'd like to see.

For starter, we often ask Jordan Farmar to use his speed to help out and then run back to his man. This does not work. We always, always end up getting burned by his man. Also Jordan has said that he has had trouble picking up what his teammates want to do. So it's imperative that we as a unit talk always.

The top of the key pick and roll has been a staple in the NBA for awhile now. And it seems as if we are unable to deal with it. I find our coaching staff telling Bynum (in particular) stay in the paint and protect the paint, but when our perimeter defender gets rubbed off...our overall defense breaks down. I think we need to do something different. I think our perimeter players need to shade his man to one area, and trap that man with instead. That way you can still have Drew in shot block mode. We can even use Drew and a forward to trap. With our newfound athleticism we can trap every which way and still be effective in rotating. Provided of course we put all effort toward this lol. Now this won't work everytime...of course there will be breakdowns, but I think more often than not we need to have awareness on the part of our guards on where Drew is, and Drew needs to have an awareness on which way the guard is shaded. We need to be synergistic in dealing with the pick and roll D lol.

We also have a tendency to funnel the paint. As in all 4 players usually end up in it. But that doesn't always work, coz that leaves an open 3 point shooter on the wings. This kills us especially against the Hornets, and as we saw Posey. There needs to be a concerned effort in the part of our players to be disciplined. Some players will not be able to do anything to protect the paint anyways, there is no need to go over there and try to help. Be smart about this instead and stay on your man.

Nevertheless, I think overall we'll be a better rebounding and defensive team next season.

P.S. Lakers just signed Dwayne Mitchell. Dude has game. I like this signing. Of course I had hoped we'd gone for a PF instead but still.

Faith,

Who's Dwayne Mitchell?

Benjamin,

Thanks for your post and the excellent points you made. We’re usually pretty much on the same page. Lots of pretty smart Lakers fans in the Bay area. LOL.

>>>>>With a triangle offense functioning on all cylinders with everyone getting
>>>>>to know it better, I think we're going to see Kobe needing to be the man less.

I agree. We will be a much more balanced team on offense next year. Here is how I see the scoring possibly working out next year versus this year – last year scoring averages do not add up to team scoring average because of differences in games played, etc:

Player – NYR/LYR
---------------------
Kobe: 25.0 – 28.3
Drew: 20.0 – 13.1
Gasol: 15.0 – 18.9
Ariza: 10.0 – 06.0
Fisher: 10.0 – 11.7
Odom: 15.0 – 14.2
Sasha: 10.0 – 08.8
Farmar: 10.0 – 09.1
Others: 05.0 – 08.5
---------------------
Total: 120.0 – 108.6

>>>>>Everything is in place except for a defensive force at the 3 that can
>>>>>drain 3-pointers. I think Odom can play good perimeter D,
>>>>>but I think he's just a step slower than we need and a lot less focused than
>>>>>we need to be that guy. His jumper remains an issue too.
>>>>>It could all develop or somehow we could have an offense that didn't require
>>>>>an outside shooting 3.

I actually think that we will end up starting Ariza at small forward and bringing Lamar off the bench, primarily playing power forward sometimes with Drew backing up Pau and sometimes with Pau when he is backing up Drew. I also think Drew will cause teams to sag so that Ariza will be able to move in for a much easier mid-range shot.

>>>> I think that offense would probably not be the triangle though.

You hit on a point that I have been making the last couple of weeks which is that the Lakers will play quite a bit less standard Triangle Offense. I think you will see a lot more running, both from steals and turnovers as well as off rebounds and even made baskets. It will be the classic Showtime versus Slowdown as the Lakers look to run rather than bang it out in half court. It’s a good way to minimize a tough half court defense like the Celtics have. It’s how we got those big leads we eventually blew.

Last year, we used our offense to set up our defense. This year I look for us to do the reverse. And when we get into half court, I think we will look to play inside-out basketball, looking to get the ball to Drew around the rim for flushes and monster dunks or passes to the perimeter to wide-open 3-point shooters. Teams will not be able to handle Drew one-on-one which will lead to double teams and sagging more, which will even give Lakers like Ariza and Odom wide open mid-range jumpers that they can bury.

Anyway, at least there is “some” basketball tomorrow. Thank God.

Tom

Faith,

Thanks for your comments. You always have had a good head for defense.

>>>>>For starter, we often ask Jordan Farmar to use his speed to help out and then
>>>>>run back to his man. This does not work. We always, always end up getting >>>>>burned by his man. Also Jordan has said that he has had trouble picking up
>>>>>what his teammates want to do. So it's imperative that we as a unit talk always.

Great point. Gotta always be talking to know what is happening behind your back. It’s one reason why Farmar and our guards always get picked off by screens or our big men stripped by double teams from the blind side, especially Pau.

>>>>>The top of the key pick and roll has been a staple in the NBA for awhile now.
>>>>>And it seems as if we are unable to deal with it. I find our coaching staff telling
>>>>>Bynum (in particular) stay in the paint and protect the paint, but when our
>>>>>perimeter defender gets rubbed off...our overall defense breaks down.
>>>>>I think we need to do something different. I think our perimeter players need
>>>>>to shade his man to one area, and trap that man with instead. That way you can
>>>>>still have Drew in shot block mode. We can even use Drew and a forward to trap.
>>>>>With our newfound athleticism we can trap every which way and still be
>>>>>effective in rotating.

I agree 100%. With Drew protecting the rim, the Lakers can use their youth, speed, and athleticism to defend the pick and roll like Ben Howland’s UCLA Bruins do, trapping the ball handler soon as they cross midcourt and forcing a long pass that is often picked off. This takes the initiative away from the offense before they can setup to run their free throw line pick and roll. It also takes the ball out of the hands of the Chris Paul’s and Deron Williams. The key is Drew playing free safety and everybody knowing when to rotate. Gambling in this situation is a controlled team effort not an individual player going maverick. I would rather be the aggressor. It’s exactly how you get the refs respect rather than sagging in and daring the other team to shoot jumpers.

>>>>>We also have a tendency to funnel the paint. As in all 4 players usually end up
>>>>>in it. But that doesn't always work, coz that leaves an open 3 point shooter on the
>>>>>wings. This kills us especially against the Hornets, and as we saw Posey.

This is the major vulnerability of the Van Gundy – Thibodeau pack-it-in collapsing defense. If they are getting hurt inside, they have a hard time staying with the 3-point shooters. With Drew protecting the rim, the Lakers defenders are free to play tight defense and to never leave key 3-point shooters to help prevent penetration. It’s what the Spurs have done for years with two 7-footers to protect the rim to allow their perimeter defenders to stay with 3 point shooters.

>>>>>Nevertheless, I think overall we'll be a better rebounding and defensive team
>>>>>next season.

I agree 100%.

Tom

wow,

>>>>> I totally agree with you. I can't wait to see the chemistry between Bynum and
>>>>>Kobe on the offensive and defensive end. I actually felt they had the best
>>>>>chemistry on the floor last season, which spoke volumes to me.

I agree 100% with you. As great as last year was, this is the year that we all have really been waiting for. It is going to be one of the most exciting in Lakers history. And the ultimate redemption for Phil, Kobe, Mitch, Lamar, Pau, and the entire Lakers org.

Good to have other die hards to talk to on a hot summer night. Time to go out even for us old guys. See you guys, tomorrow.

Tom

Thanks for the kind words Lakertom, as always lol.

But actually considering LO will be playing more of the 3 this season. I'm looking for him to be that Bruce Bowen player of ours.

Unfortunately LO has never been really that "main defender" but with his length, speed, and wingspan I don't see why not. He's not exactly a slouch (he has done on occasion a good job on Marion and EB in particular.) Otherwise we're probably going to be looking more for Ariza to help out.

But I get what you mean about Kobe lol.

sorry I meant to address wow on the "But..." part lol.

Thanks for the words as well wow.

Xodus,

>>>>> You seriously think we're going to AVERAGE 120 ppg next year?

Hi, Karl. How are the new wife and dog doing? And yes, I do think we have a good shot at doing it for five reasons:

(1) I think we will run a lot more next year and not just off of the steals and turnovers that will come from playing an aggressive pressure defense on the perimeter. Drew is so dominant on the boards that we will get plenty of opportunities to run off of rebounds and even off made shots by leaking players down court. It’s going to Showtime 2.

(2) We now have 3 big scoring threats with Drew and Pau finally playing together. Kobe, Bynum, and Gasol are going to average over 60 points a game and give the Lakers a very balanced and more consistently potent offensive team.

(3) Moving Lamar and Vlade to the bench along with Sasha, Jordan, Luke, and Mihm will give the bench a lot more firepower than last year, where injuries really reduced the effectiveness of the bench in the playoffs.

(4) We are finally going to have all of the pieces healthy on our roster for the first time in 3 years, including Kobe and Fish who played injured at the end and Drew and Trevor, who would have made all the difference in the Finals.

(5) Our young players like Drew, Jordan, Trevor, and Sasha are still on the rapidly rising upswing parts of their careers and should all improve greatly over last year, especially with the experience that they got last year and in the playoffs.

120 points a game may be easier than winning in the playoffs or beating the Celtics. And it’s nowhere near the longshot as the Lakers winning the West last year,
Anyway, that’s just my optimistic take but I don’t see how we don’t do better than last year by a good margin in any event. Too many things pointing in one direction.

Tom