Joe Crawford: Inked
August 27, 2008 | 3:33
pm
As in "officially," I was just informed by the Lakers' media relations department. Of course, there's a big difference between being a late second-round draft pick with a non-guaranteed contract and a late second-round draft pick who's actually on the team. For the time being, I'm still thinking he won't be on the roster come opening day. But this would be the first step in bucking the odds, so good for Crawford.
Trivia alert! Crawford's agent is Noah Croom, whose younger brother James and I graduated from high school together. On a scale of 1-10, I'm guessing the blogosphere's collective interest in this tidbit rates around a point-seven.
AK
Charles
"Anybody in Souther California wanna get together for the weekend of September 6th or 7th? Lunch or Dinner and let's talk them Lakers."
Love the idea, but am booked thru to early October.
Posted by: Fatty | August 28, 2008 at 09:19 AM
This is where the lakers have failed as an organization - defense. The Celts exposed the lakers as a mediocre defensive unit. One would think the lakers would try to improve but obviously the only hope is that byenumb will return to 100% and mesh seamlessly with odumb and ga-softy. Ha!
The Celts provided everyone with the blueprint on killing the lakers - play with passion, play with physicality, and push around the poor defenders (sasha, odumb, ga-softy, fischer).
buh bye lakers!
The SUNS however have vastly improved from a defensive standpoint already with their offseason acquisitions. Remember how MJ and his Bulls were always eliminated by the Pistons before redeeming themselves and going on to become a dynasty? That's where the SUNS are right now with GNASH!
The SUNS are deep at PG, deep at C, deep at PF and SG and SF. The new playas specialize in defense, so while the fastbreaks and scoring will still be there, the D will be surprisingly stingy and even physically dominating.
Posted by: BUTLER | August 28, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Taliq
>>>>> Mamba24, here's my badge and gun. If I hold unto it I might use it on a fan
>>>>>like laker_sth. I'm gonna go enjoy my vacation on lake shore drive. See y'all
>>>>>when training camp starts.
Lake Shore Drive huh. Next thing I know you'll be a Bulls fan. Lol! Give Mayor
Daley a hug for me and tell Jesse hi. If you see Barak tell him I'll see him when
I see him. Just remember your Gun, Badge and one Bullet will be here waiting for
you. LOL! Hey Bro have a good summer.
Larry(Mamba24)
Good Morning LakerTom, Charles, justAnotherMamba and the rest of the
Morning Crue.
Posted by: Mamba24 | August 28, 2008 at 09:43 AM
"The players closest to being lock down defenders on the team are Kobe and Sash."
I suppose Ray Allen forgot sasha was a "lock down" defender when he broke his ankles and made him cry.
Posted by: BUTLER | August 28, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Let's have some fun on the blog and be respectful of others opinions. Except for trolls, they don't count.....lol
Posted by: Fatty | August 28, 2008 at 09:14 AM
With all due respect Fatty I disagree. The Trolls do count
I've spent all summer and can proudly proclaim tHey can
now count from 1 to 5. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | August 28, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Mamba,
Good morning. Great to have you back.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 28, 2008 at 09:54 AM
The Lakers played defense pretty well last season, including in the finals. They do not need to make significant improvement there, and (because they already were pretty good defensively) they will not be able to make significant improvements there. (Butler, you will understand this at least the first part of this: if you flunk a test, it's relatively easy to make a big improvement before the next test. If you got an A- on the first test, it is impossible to make a big improvement.) They can make small improvements, and obviously should try to do so. And had their defense been slightly better in the finals, they probably win the title.
But their offensive performance against the Celtics is where they have the most room for improvement, and where it will be easiest to make the improvements.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 28, 2008 at 09:55 AM
BYNUM UPDATE!
http://tinyurl.com/goldenarmor
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | August 28, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Fatty
Nov 20th. FUNS v. Lakers. Will you be there?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Thanks Laker Tom it's good to be back home.
Larry(Mamba24)
Posted by: Mamba24 | August 28, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Jeez, Duckworth weighed over 500 pounds? I'm sure he was a nice guy but that's ridiculous.
I disagree with you guys on the guards. I think Mitchell makes the team as a defensive type spot man, only problem is, he'll be on the inactive list most of the season. Don't forget, Phil loves these kinds of guys, he's bounced around, played overseas, he's been "toughened" by the experience. I think Sun Yue sees very little time at PG, I'm sure they'll test him there but he doesn't appear to be fast enough to stay in front of the midgets who can run the 40 in under 4 seconds. If Yue can develop a decent outside shot, I think he'll get more time at the SG and possibly SF than at PG. I don't see the need for Coby Karl at all, he's 1/20th the player that Sasha is, he doesn't bring any defense, all he does is shoot jumpers but... he's a good story so they stick him on the roster and make him inactive for most of the year. I don't see Joe Crawford sniffing any game time this year unless we are showcasing him for a trade.
One interesting storyline will be Farmar. He needs to take another step forward to prove he can be a starting PG or... the Lakers will either have to believe Yue can take that job or trade for someone they can groom. Fish is Fish, he's getting older but he's not going to be traded so... that's the PG spot in a nutshell.
and... Lamar at SF is a disaster waiting to happen. People have begged him to shoot more his entire career, he won't do it, plus, we're going to stick him on the perimeter when his strength is grabbing a rebound and leading a fast break? Lamar doesn't do change, Lamar does Lamar and all the other teams know this and guess what they will do? Pack the middle and dare Odom to shoot, they won't even bother guarding him.
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | August 28, 2008 at 10:18 AM
OC Register has an article on Mitch going down to Atlanta to check up on Bynum personally. Said he looks great and is focused and motivated for next season. Hopefully a contract extension and a NBA championship are in his future.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bynum-kupchak-surgery-2138984-lakers-month
Posted by: tomK | August 28, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Take it easy on me? I totally missed the response by Taliq to my rant about homers vs haters.
It's a big mistake to say that being a homer or myopic about your team makes you any bigger of a fan than someone with a more balanced view. I grew up in Inglewood. I was there when they put up a billboard above the Sizzler across the street from the Forum with Magic "back to back" before the 88 Finals were even over. I was there when they renamed Prairie "Avenue of the Champions". I even played in the Laker band once. I stood up to an obnoxious Boston fan at game 5 this past season. I carry my laptop to work in a Laker bag. Have the season schedule on my desktop. I'm a season ticket holder and I've bled Purple and Gold since the third grade. So, consider the source.
The problem with being a homer is you make it easy for the haters. When you can't concede a player's shortcomings out of blind allegiance then you might as well be making the kobe-haters' points for them. Do they really hate Kobe? Not nearly as much as they hate little fanboys who worship at his feet. And they'll continue to push homers' buttons because it's easy.
Kobe may be the best player in the NBA today but I would love for him to so good and smart on the court that he's able to limit the few things he is criticized for. The gambling on defense takes him out of the play and forces his teammates to scramble. The ill-advised shots. That's the standard that comes with the moniker. That's the standard that all the players on the team need to live up to. Championship caliber.
Posted by: lakers_sth | August 28, 2008 at 10:30 AM
KUPCHAK GOES TO ATLANTA TO CHECK ON BYNUM
By Janis Carr for OCRegister.com
http://tinyurl.com/5kaxqh
Great news about Drew! Here is key excerpt:
>>>>>
“Andrew has dedicated another summer to getting into the best possible shape,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. “A month ago he was cleared from the knee surgery he had and at that point he began working on conditioning and getting into shape and I thought he looked like he has made progress.”
Kupchak didn’t rely on second-hand reports. He traveled to Atlanta earlier this week to check on the fourth-year player from New Jersey and said he liked what he saw.
“I could see improvement in his body, his conditioning and mobility,” Kupchak said. “I didn’t see any signs of effects from the surgery.”
>>>>>
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 28, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Amazing_Happens,
Thanks for the Bynum links. They made my day. LOL!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 28, 2008 at 10:36 AM
SEND 'EM TO PHOENIX
By Joel Brigham for HoopsWorld.com
http://tinyurl.com/66vprf
Young stars with shot at going to All-Star Game. Here is key excerpt:
>>>>>
Andrew Bynum
Before getting hurt last season Bynum was averaging over 13 points and 10 rebounds a game for the surging Lakers. Now, on a team coming of its first Finals appearance since Shaquille O'Neal was in town, Bynum will be expected to pick right up where he left off. There's no guessing what things will be like for him playing off of Pau Gasol, but it's very possible that if he sees slight increases in those numbers, perhaps to something like 16 ppg and 12 rpg, as the Lakers continue to roll he could back up Yao Ming at center for the Eastern Conference.
>>>>>
Joel obviously meant the Western Conference. Question, when was the last time the Lakers had 2 players on the All-Star team?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 28, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Amazing_Happens-
Great news on Bynum, sounds like he's coming along smoothly. I have no doubts that Drew will be 100% by Oct. I'm just worried that he may play a bit hesitant in the begging due to fear of re-injuring it. I just hope he can come out blazing like he did last year.
Charles-
Where abouts in Southern California are you? I don't think I have any plans and would be down to meet up with you and others to discuss some purple and gold if it wasn't too far away. By the way, I'm in Woodland Hills. Let me know.
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | August 28, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Glad to see you back, Mamba24. I'm looking forward to a new season of epic bandwagons.
With regard to Trevor Ariza: We need to remember that the kid was coming off of a broken foot. His defense is actually quite good; he has great lateral mobility, long arms, and is good at reading passing lanes. I'm looking for Trevor to have a break-out year, and I fully expect to see him crack the starting line-up. I think Lamar could be a great bench guy (albeit, an expensive one).
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | August 28, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Wes,
Forgot ur weight at the time of birth, method of delivery C-section or normal? Size of your waist before lunch, feet? Needed by digg. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 28, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Kobe is a modern day wonder!!!!!
ahhhhhahaahhahhaha
Boston sucks!
Lakers rule!
Posted by: LGC | August 27, 2008 at 09:04 PM
exactly..beanie from weenie :)
Posted by: laker32 | August 27, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Posted by: laker32 | August 28, 2008 at 11:20 AM
green weenie from beanie...
yah--we know you love kobe..
thats why you talk about him all the time...
he's in your head, in your thoughts, in your dreams...
every post you have is about kobe..
you love him...! sucks to be you....
a weenie from beanie thats in love with kobe...
i am sure you are gonna bring him up again...
try the reverse pyschology thing where you bash him..
we know you love him...
have a good day green weenie :) lgchick
Posted by: laker32 | August 28, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Don't yoos foos get it?!
Bahston is real, unlike LA. You can tell by the women. Real women come with hair
under their arms and brains uncorrupted by edjucation. Real women don't coam
there hair or ever get braces. LA women? Ha. So fake with there shaved under
arms and strait teeth. LA Fakers, just like the team! Hahahhahahaha!!
Y can't yoos foos understand? Yoos are stupid!
P.S.
Why won't girls talk to me?
Posted by: Let's Go C's! (aka LGC) | August 26, 2008 at 12:05 PM
ouch???
green weenie from beenie.....dont be so sad...
Posted by: laker32 | August 28, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Stay Thirsty,
Good post. Always nice to see new fans posting. Duck was over 500 lbs? Wow.
>>>>>I think Sun Yue sees very little time at PG, I'm sure they'll test him there but he
>>>>>doesn't appear to be fast enough to stay in front of the midgets who can run the 40
>>>>>in under 4 seconds. If Yue can develop a decent outside shot, I think he'll get more
>>>>>time at the SG and possibly SF than at PG.
There is no question that the Lakers see Sun Yue as a point guard and NOT shooting guard or small forward. All the crap about shooting guard was the result of some stupid inane comments by John Black, the Lakers public relations guy.
While we won’t really know how Sun will do until we get him in camp and games, there are good reasons why the Lakers are really intrigued with the prospects of Sun as the Lakers future at point guard – both offensively and defensively.
Offensively, Sun is the perfect point guard for the Triangle Offense. At a true 6-9, he sees over the defense and is an outstanding ball handler and passer with excellent court vision. His shooting from long range has improved greatly the last two years and he is fearless in taking the ball to the hoop and finishing with dunks. He will give the Lakers the ability to post up smaller point guards like Nash and Parker, something the Lakers have not had since Magic. And if the Lakers run more this year, like I expect, then Sun will be able to display those skills that led Chinese media to call him the Chinese Magic Johnson. I am not saying that he will ever be as good as the G.O.A.T., but the nickname was given to Sun NOT just because he is a 6-9 point guard but also because he is a great ball handler and passer as well.
Defensively, Sun Yue has excellent speed and quickness. Watch the YouTubes of his many blocked shots, especially when he runs down Mike Conley of the Grizzlies, one of your speedster midgets, and blocks his shot from behind. Or look at the YouTube of his workout with the Lakers when he recorded outstanding times in most of the speed and quickness drills, including one that measures a player’s lateral quickness. With his height, length, speed, and quickness, Sun will be a difficult defender for smaller NBA point guards, making it hard for them to get off a shot or a pass. And if they get by him, he still has great ability to recover and block their shot attempts. I personally think his potential defensively is what sets him apart as a point guard prospect.
And remember, all of this is from a second round draft pick. Little risk, great potential reward!
>>>>>Lamar at SF is a disaster waiting to happen. People have begged him to shoot more
>>>>>his entire career, he won't do it, plus, we're going to stick him on the perimeter when
>>>>>his strength is grabbing a rebound and leading a fast break? Lamar doesn't do change,
>>>>>Lamar does Lamar and all the other teams know this and guess what they will do?
>>>>>Pack the middle and dare Odom to shoot, they won't even bother guarding him.
No matter how you slice it, Lamar is still going to end up playing more power forward than small forward because we need him to backup Pau when Pau rests or backs up Drew. No way are we going to rely on Josh Powell or Chris Mihm to back up the 4 and 5. Even if Lamar starts as small forward, as soon as Drew goes out, Pau will slide over to center and Lamar will slide over to power forward. I prefer that we have Drew, Pau, and Lamar each play about 32 minutes per game to cover the 96 minutes per game at power forward and center. That way we always have two of our triple towers on the floor at all times so we can control the paint and the boards. I think Lamar will end up being our 6th man and play most minutes at power forward, where he is one of the top rebounders in the entire league. Anyway, that’s my take.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 28, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Ex,
What are you talking about? The Lakers are marshmallows!
Posted by: Xodus | August 28, 2008 at 11:36 AM
totally, Ariza with a serviceable jump shot and his defensive skills could become our Raja Bell. With Kobe and Walton available to fill minutes at SF we could trade Radmanovic and if Bynum stays healthy, finally cut the Lamar Odom cord.
So... the Devil went down to Georgia, huh?
Mitch went down to Georgia
He was lookin' for a soul to steal
He was in a bind
'Cause he was way behind
And he was willin' to make a deal
When he came upon this young man
working on a slam dunk and playin' it hot
And Mitch jumped
Up on a hickory stump
And said boy let me tell you what
I guess you didn't know it
but I'm a basketball player too
And if you care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you
Now you slam that basketball pretty good, boy
But give ole Mitch his due
I'll bet a basketball of gold
Against your soul
'Cause I think I'm better than you
The boy said my name's Bynum
And it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet
And you're gonna regret
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been
ok, enough...
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | August 28, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Bloggers
Has anyone noticed the strange ommission of any news about Shaq in the national media? There has been nothing on ESPN about this guy and his threatening to put a young lady on a milk carton.
This is about the only article I've seen http://tinyurl.com/5e3rhc
Had this been Kobe I wonder how different the coverage would be?
NEWSFLASH
"THIS JUST IN,..........WE INTERRUPT BARACK OBAMA'S NOMINATION ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FOR THIS BREAKING STORY. THE WOMEN WHO PLACED THE RESTRAINING ORDER ON KOBE BRYANT WAS JUST SEEN LEAVING THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY HERE IN ATLANTA........WE HAVE A NEWS CREW FOLLOWING HER ON GROUND AND A HELICOPTER IN THE AIR. AS SOON WE CAN GET A STATEMENT FROM HER WE WILL BRING IT TO YOU LIVE.................
NOW BACK TO BARACK"!
Posted by: pfunk36 | August 28, 2008 at 11:45 AM
SPOT ON PFUNK36 SPOT ON!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | August 28, 2008 at 11:58 AM
The boy said my name's Bynum
And it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet
And you're gonna regret
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been
ok, enough... Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | August 28, 2008 at 11:39
OUT FREAKIN STANDING
Posted by: MAMBA24 | August 28, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Stay Thisty,
>>>>> So... the Devil went down to Georgia, huh?
That was a great post. And Drew is going to win that basketball of gold, too. It’s called the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Get ready for the Era of the Beast.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 28, 2008 at 01:09 PM
LakerTom,
"Get ready for the Era of the Beast"
I mis-read that at first - I thought you were talking about Pamela Anderson's new reality TV show.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 28, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Fatty
Nov 20th. FUNS v. Lakers. Will you be there?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM
__________________________________________
Pig
Just got in. Yes I want to go to the game. Need to check with the family and make sure the date is clear. Should know in a week if I can make it.
Thanks for bringing it up.
Posted by: Fatty | August 28, 2008 at 06:20 PM
For the West, my point of view is:
1. Lakers (Kobe + Gasol + Bynum MUST be the ring...)
2. Hornets (actual roster plus Posey is quite much...)
3. Spurs (even without Manu)
4. Jazz (they are getting stronger)
5. Rockets
6. Warriors
7. Suns
8. Portland
This year, Mavs won't do it.
REgards,
Posted by: Nicholas De Silsky | September 01, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Good Morning Fam,
Thanks to Jon K - Hmr Hed, Elle, Calliphilosopher, Justanothamambafromanothamotha, Senior Edwin Gueco and Grail. I appreciate the warm wishes. Really I do...
To Edwin and Grail. I was thinking "Air Force One."
Anybody in Souther California wanna get together for the weekend of September 6th or 7th? Lunch or Dinner and let's talk them Lakers.
Posted by: Charles | August 28, 2008 at 08:35 AM
========================
Where are you thinking about for get together?
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | September 02, 2008 at 11:56 PM