Jordan Farmar in Israel

Go Jordie!

Jordan Farmar is an impressive individual. I'm glad he's a Laker.

It's great what Farmar is trying to do. Work with the kids. Too many of the adults have hardened their hearts.

Two ways to overcome racism/societal hatred/cultural hatred/etc.

1. Put different groups on a desert island or the battle field and make their collective efforts crucial to individuals survival.

2. Put them on a sports team together and have them work together to acheive victory.

By the way, I think it's great that Lopez Lomong is the US Olympics Teams flag bearer.

China may put on a bright face for the Olympics but they are directly and indirectly responsible for a lot of genocides around the world.

GO LAKERS!

"China may put on a bright face for the Olympics but they are directly and indirectly responsible for a lot of genocides around the world."

Here we go.

Nice to know someone like Jordan is on the Lakers.

So I was wondering, are the people at this blog very interested in seeing the "Redeem" team? I'm very interested to see how the Americans do in the Olympics, but most people I've been talking to, aren't really following it at all. They figure the US should win, and if they don't, it doesn't matter because they weren't paying that much attention anyway. How about you guys?

If Jordan can bring Palestinians and Israelis together, you'd think he could heal the rift between himself and Sasha. I know I'm not the only one who sees that in games.

DavyJonze -

I can't speak for everyone of course, but I've watched every game that I can... well, all of the Canada game, half of the Russia game and half of the Australia game. I follow it with great interest.

puddle,

I've seen it.

GO LAKERS!

AK,

Why do you want to avoid the discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Is anything solved by not talking about it?

(Not that we're going to "solve" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through blogging, but it might bring clarity to some. Just a possibility.)

GO LAKERS!

I thought world politics are off limits?

ahahahaahah

Jon K,

"Why do you want to avoid the discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Is anything solved by not talking about it? (Not that we're going to "solve" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through blogging, but it might bring clarity to some. Just a possibility.)"

Because in BK and my opinion, political debates typically take things off course and create heated arguments that serve no real purpose in this forum. It's not an unusual stance, either. If you go to a lot of sports/entertainment/non-political blogs, they make the same requests. Lakers Blog just isn't the right place for this or similar topics, unless realistically unavoidable for the post subject (which isn't the case here). Thus, we try to keep it out of here as much as possible.

Of course, there's no rule you guys can't discuss it amongst yourselves. By all means, feel free to email each other, if a discussion is sought after. Just don't make this blog the "meeting place."

AK

AK,

Alright.

GO LAKERS!

I will join the Starve the Troll Bandwagon. I think Let's go C's is a psychotic moron with no job and no life. He is hereby dead to me. And for the record I am going to lump Mike T. into the troll category as well. Anyone who wishes injury on our best young talent, Mr. Bynum, is DEAD TO ME AND SHOULD BE DEAD TO THIS BLOG.

THAT IS UNLESS WE GET A FORMAL APOLOGY FROM MIKE T. FOR WISHING INJURY ON BYNUM.

DOOO BEEE DOO BEEE DOOOO

Twisted as it sounds, when I think of World Peace, I think of Miss Congeniality. That said, what Jordan Farmar is doing should receive only plaudits. Even at 21 years of age, he is establishing himself as a role model. The NBA wouldn't need slogans like "NBA Cares" if every player set the same goal for himself. Many do. But far too many don't.

The pros and cons of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are less important to discuss here than the athletes who rightly or wrongly become heroes and role models simply by signing an NBA contract. Many athletes chafe at such designations, thinking they are still as free to do whatever they want as they were when they were just anonymous private citizens.

At least fewer NBA players seem to run afoul of the law than their counterparts in the NFL. It may be only a perception, but I believe it to be widely held.

As for Jordan and Sasha, they're both young and fiery and some of the emotional displays on the court and on the bench can be discounted as such. And anyone who has managed great stars will tell you, they're not great stars without passion and ego. The way Jordan and Sasha interact is probably a good thing. I doubt it's really personal.

We now have a Lakers 2008-2009 schedule, at long last. Starting Sunday, we can enjoy watching Team USA go for the gold. Then we just start counting the days until training camp. Go Lakers!

Good call AK on not bringing up the Israel/Palestine conflict onto this Laker blog. Anyways, here's my take on Farmar and Sasha.

The conflict between Farmar and Sasha is very complicated. It is a conflict that has lasted close to 2,000 hours. Farmar became a Laker and occupied the role of backup guard two seasons ago. Before Farmar's arrival, Sasha was occupying that role. The hallowed ground known as the Staples Center is large enough for both backups, but the animosity between these two run deep. The almighty Laker nation has made attempts to ease the tension by advocating a truce, but every time Farmar ignores an open Sasha on a fast break, Sasha retaliates by rolling his eyes, and sadly, all talks of a truce are immeditaly abandoned by both parties. Will this conflict ever cease? What can Laker nation do to bring these fighting factions together?

I'm starting to think there are people on this blog who's moare of a pain in the buttox than me.

hahahahahah

For what it's worth, Jordan Farmar is a decent playah.

That's all yoos fools will get from me.

I will say that Farmar was a no-show for the finals.

Did anybody mentioned that Farmar has dumbo ears?

ahhahahaahahahh

Vote: Kobe or LeBron

Who Is The Better NBA Player Vote Now In Our 1-Minute Poll

PollToll.com/Kobe-Lebron

No doubt Bron Bron is better than Kobe.

To mention Israel and then say: No politics on the blog is like saying: Don't call Gasol a marshmellow even though you know he is.

mike t.

AK, I gotta agree with you on the politics business. THANK GOD FOR SPORTS!! Sports and Music are probably the 2 biggest ice-breakers when it comes to racial and political divisions not only in America, but worldwide.

BLEEPING ENOUGH!! Lakers fans (and haters) come from all corners.

Let's just hate the damed Celtics, AS ONE!! Cause, as we all know, only Commies hate the Lakers (lol)

Wearing my KWAME jersey.

Larry F.

I'm trully happy that Jordan Farmar decided to undertake this personal mission. He gains a lot of respect for what he is doing. A lot of atheltes "support" causes by making commercials and ads (which to some degree is helpful) but Jordan is actually taking time out of his life and donating it to these kids. I'm sure his efforts will be rewarded later on in life.

Go Lakers

I feel really bad being "dead" to someone whom I've never spoken to.

Ta ta

LGC!

Let's go L: A response from a while back.

You said:

Let's put ALL this in perspective: KB24 has 3 rings while the Truth has 1 and a couple of steel cuffs (minus the wheelchair, of course).

I say:

hahahhahahaha

Please qualify KB24's 3 rings. Kobe won those ring by being The Ultimate Robin whilst Pierce won being the taaap daaag.

hahaahahaahah

boooo yahhhh

Please go paaak da kaaaa!

"Top of the world" KG

Good to hear Jordan is doing some positive stuff in the post season rather than going to the Vegas and get pulled over by some officer for being a punk and drunk at the same time, LOL.

By the way, DO NOT FORGET folks to not waste your time feeding this scratch and broken-record troll here in this blog.

Andrew Z,

>>>>> I agree with your point that we'll score more points per game next season
>>>>>than this past one, although claiming 120 ppg as a way of doing it was
>>>>>something I wouldn't have done, lol.

Thanks for the comment. I feel it is my responsibility to establish the ceiling for the blog’s hopes and expectations, much as it is ex’s responsibility to set the floor. LOL. In this case, the point I was trying to make that the Lakers will press more on defense which will lead to more fast breaks and points sort of got lost in everyone’s excitement to jump all over the prediction of 120 points per game. Unlike some bloggers, I have no problem in admitting I was overzealous or wrong. Nor do I try to claim otherwise, unlike you know who.

----------

Pig,

>>>>>If the Lakers average 120 ppg this season. I will write a love letter to LakerTom
>>>>>and post it on this board.

LMAO. Now you’ve got me worried the Lakers might average 120 point per game. I may have to start rooting for more ugly Eastern bully ball style of offense instead of Showtime 2.

---------

humanomaly ,

>>>>> I think you made an error in your assumption of that idiot's thought process.
>>>>>The error is that he does not think, he only reacts, the guy is like your Pavlovian
>>>>>dog. He sees your posts and he reacts. Just as he reacts by reaching into his
>>>>>bvd's every time he sees a picture of Sasha.

The problem is the constant whimpering and hanging onto my pants cuff. The poor pooch has probably never been house trained so I have to watch out that he doesn’t lift his leg when he’s around. He reminds you why Kobe has always disliked doggie doo. LOL.

>>>>> Ding of Prattville, are you done with your charade?

Funny, but familiarity often dispels the illusions that novelty creates. I got that same feeling as you did from Ding’s recent posts. It was fun for a while but it is getting pretty old now.

----------

hobbitmage,

>>>>> I took a look at the stats of the phx suns. I think the 110 is
>>>>>high. Shaq was a midseason trade and didn't play for two
>>>>>weeks after signed due to rehab. i.e. getting back in
>>>>>basketball shape.

I was actually quite surprised that last year’s Suns averaged more than any other year under Dantoni and that they only averaged 110 points per game.

>>>>>I'm not convinced with your argument about the Showtime
>>>>>Lakers. Haven't the rules changed since then?

Yes, they have changed to the disadvantage of scoring more. On the other hand, I still think that there are a lot of factors that should result in the Lakers scoring more than the 109 points per game they averaged last year. I do admit that it would take a perfect storm of good fortune like we had last year but I have a feeling that this year’s team is going to be far better than last year’s team. It will be an interesting conversation to have at the end of the season. Just got my issue of BMW magazine with a red X6 Sports Activity Coupe on the cover. I will have to check it our next time I take ancient BMW in for service. LOL.

----------

justanothermambafan,

>>>>>Pig - I'm with you - if the Lakers average 120 ppg this season, I'll add my name
>>>>>(with your permission of course) to the love letter to Laker Tom!!
>>>>>Tom - I LOVE your optimism, man - but seriously, c'mon now.
You guys are going to make me hope we decrease rather than increase our scoring average by 10%. LOL. Anyway, I am working on a extensive research project that will not be ready to be published for another 3 months that will include my predictions for the number of blocked shots Luke will suffer but I don’t want to reveal too much right now but it will be ground breaking prognostication.
LOL. That remind you of any lost puppy who can’t find his way home and is lost on the blog?
----------
puddle,

>>>>>We get it. It was an overly zealous statement for LakerTom to predict the
>>>>>Lakers would score 120 points per game. He revised his prediction.
>>>>>Time to move on.

I see that lost puppy now has decided to hang onto your pant’s cuff with lots of LOLs.
Watch out, he’s not house broken yet. Maybe we can get Xodus to help out since he has become an expert on the subject. Then there would be a lot less doggie doo on the site.

----------

Benjamin,

>>>>>SF Bay Area Laker Cats LakerTom, PsychedLakerGirl, Richtown, and others I can't >>>>>remember off hand,
>>>>>What do you guys think about catching the opening game of the season?

Great idea. Here is a roster of Bay Area bloggers that I know of and where they live:

Benjamin – Antioch
Laker Tom – Mill Valley
Psyched Laker Girl – SF
Jay Jay -
richtown – Richmond
benny Blanca

Anyone else in Bay Area who is interested, please let us know. Thanks.

----------

Fire 32,

>>>>>Laker Tom, I was wondering if you have Popeye calves b/c mike. t sure is obsessed
>>>>>with you.

Actually, my calves are probably my most developed muscles due to years of running 5 miles a day, even though I no longer run as often or as far. As for the Fool, you know how dumb and hopeless those love struck puppies get. Doesn’t matter how many times you kick them or push them away, they just keep whimpering and coming back. I tried calling the pound but they said that the Kambros had declared the blog as a dumb doggie sanctuary, much like San Francisco protects immigrant gang bangers from being deported. LOL.

Are you really a Suns fan who converted to being a Lakers fan? I never really understood that but even as a troll, you at least never crapped all over the place like some doggies. Thanks for your comment. It’s always appreciated.

----------

Tom

Well, at least I have the option of apologizing to be in his good graces.

mike t.

Let's see... Paul Pierce game #3 NBA finals: 2-14 shooting, 6 total points. Remember who was guarding Pierce that game?
O yeah, number #24. I can't ever remember Kobe shooting like that in a Finals game. How many All-NBA teams has Pierce been on? How many MVP's has he won? Can you spell z-e-r-o?

Does anyone know the USA basketball schedule for pacific time? thanks in advance

AK.

>>>>>Farmar also talks about sports' ability to unite people of different cultures, races
>>>>>and economic backgrounds, an observation with which I absolutely concur.
>>>>>An argument could be made that there's no single greater impetus for bringing
>>>>>close people with- on the pure surface- little to nothing in common.
>>>>>At the very least, an increased awareness, tolerance and even appreciation for
>>>>>cultural differences will emerge.

Just an outstanding article, Andy. And timely on an international, national, and local level, what with the Olympics, Obama running for President, and John Q. Public getting screwed by Big Oil. As I have said before, you and Brian have created the best sports blog in the world and deserve the recognition as bloggers extraordinaire, not only for your on-the-spot articles and insightful and witty writing, but also for your astute and creative guardianship over the blog and your parental encouragement of those of us who consider ourselves bloggers within your blog.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jordan and your remarks about the wondrous nature of sports to bring people of different persuasions together. I know myself that basketball was the door that opened my up in one way or another to most of the black friends I have, whether it was playing the game or talking it. And it is not only race. Sports are often the only common thing people of different religions, cultures, sexes, or generations have that is safe and non-confrontational. It’s what sons talk to their Dads about and assuredly the only thing they talk to their fathers-in-law about. LOL.

You have to love and root for a guy like Jordan Farmar, who appreciates what his multi-racial background has given him and is looking to use his God given talents to give young Israeli and Palestinian kids a chance to meet each other and share some hoops time that will hopefully be another small step towards some far off but possible peace in the Middle East. The Lakers deserve credit from the fans and the blog for the personal high character of the players they have put together on this team. It is an extremely diverse and eclectic group but every one – from Kobe to Mbenga – seems to share a strength that comes from character and a likeability amenable to good team chemistry. Guys like Jordan Farmar make me proud and grateful to be a Lakers fan.

Tom

effwhyeyes.
Just in case some missed it, there's the Bruins blog companion piece cited by the KBros last month [ latimesblogs.latimes.com/bruin/2008/07/jordan-farmar.html ...

Farmar's larger involvement with & commitment to Seeds for Peace since 2006 [ www.seedsofpeace.org/search/node/farmar ] ...

.... and much more about the programs sponsored by Seeds for Peace around the world [ www.seedsofpeace.org/programs ].

Mike,

That was not only a gentleman's response to puddlle but pretty funny, too. Hope you're having a good day.

Tom

LakerTom

"I am working on a extensive research project that will not be ready to be published for another 3 months that will include my predictions for the number of blocked shots Luke will suffer but I don’t want to reveal too much right now but it will be ground breaking prognostication."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You had me rolling with that one!

Jordan is a good kid and has a positive upside, but I sure hope is lifting weights and working on his leg strength and defense!

Yes, very good article on sports as a method of reconciliation. You could see that in the soccer games being played between U.S. military and Iraqi military teams (not surprisingly usually won by the Iraqis, since soccer is their main sport.)

Thanks AK, good stuff. I just wrote some long winded thing about sports on a societal level and then erased it... because the reality of these kids playing basketball together says it all.

You don't mess with the JORDAN!

3 Stars and a Sun!

Brylle

May I just say, that everyone is entitled to their opinion...

But...

I disagree with anyone who thinks Brett Farve is the villian in this Packers mess.

I am absolutely, 100% disgusted with the Packers organization for treating the face of their franchise, probably the most popular player in team history, the man the entire state of Wisconsin loves dearly, like they have.

Shame, shame, shame.

Are you telling me you can't let the most important player in your teams history vacillate on a retirement a little bit? The only person I've ever seen just walk away was Barry Sanders, and heck, he got the same heat Brett is getting now.

You are a turd if so.

Were we supposed to tell Magic Johnson that he didn't have a place on the team anymore because we had Van Exell as the point guard now?

Horrible, horrible, terrible move by the Packers coach and GM. Stupid.

The head coach and all the other little rot grub Administrators will be gone in 18 months, I predict. And I cant wait to watch it happen.

I mean please, you have one of those rare occasions where a superstar athlete wants to sped his whole career (Atlanta doesn't count) with one team and you stonewall his return?

And their coach is an idiot. In an interview he explained how part of this happened because he didn't understand what Brett wanted, that he THOUGHT Brett didn't really want to come back, and then he THOUGHT Brett wouldn't have the proper mind set to sit thru a film session on a Thursday night?

Huh?

Stop trying to read people's minds and do your darn job!

Yuck. Can’t wait for the fans to devour their own team’s officials. Can’t wait.

Wes

Jordan is a cool guy and I like what he's doing.

That said it really feels like window dressing and it makes it really hard for me to take the situation seriously.

I feel like the conflict is like a car accident victim in need immediate transportation to the nearest trauma center (that's not just any old ER) and surgery within the hour. I feel like Jordan's efforts amount to putting gauze over one wound.

It's cool Jordan is doing something, but if he honestly thinks he's doing anything significant in a region that has been the recipient of like 60 percent of all UN resolutions, I feel like he's hopelessly naive. Helpful, hopeful and positive, but still naive.

There's just not much you can do against institutionalized hatred. Ask the K bros for my contact information if you want to know more about what I specifically mean by that.

Yes, I'm obviously jaded.

I think with many other world conflicts Jordan's efforts could have a bigger impact and more chance of doing something efficacious. Obviously, this conflict is appropriate for his basketball program given his Jewish ethnicity.

I feel good about the fact that the Lakers have had big-hearted Turiaf, real world atrocity perspective Mbenga, save Darfur Newble, and feel good sports program Jordan Farmar. Even though there is a big cheesy marketing angle to the whole NBA Cares thing, I feel good about supporting a league that has institutionalized philanthropy. From my perspective, sports are cool, but there are more important aspects to the world. NBA Cares implicitly acknowledges this concept.

Forgot my name...

Wes

Let's go C's!

Thanks for your surprisingly swift reply. Congratulations are in order homey! You have cleverly acknowledged the 3-1 Kobe lead in NBA Titles won. Your approach to this was actually not bad at all. Not bad at all (although your dumbo ears comment about Farmar was somewhat "dumbfounded" considering you gave him props on an earlier post. Just be consistent when characterizing someone like him who is not only PRODUCTIVE on the court, but also PRODUCTIVE off the court in the human context. No SENSITIVITY intended).

Getting back to KB24's 3-1 Finals lead, for the sake of lightheartedness, let's look at this fact in another light: The fact that Kobe leads 3-1 alone certainly constitutes "top of the world" material. The Big Three still have a long ways to climb to reach "Mt. KB-Three." After all, "anything's possible." The possibility of losing that is by way of "upset" city. It is what it is! The clock is ticking on your boys.

BTW, this year's Christmas game should be interesting as a whole despite your bold and colorful prediction. Quite humurous actually. I can just see it now......Santa Pierce riding on his Rudolph the Rednosed Wheelchair courtside bearing gifts to all that say, "Please don't guard me tight, I'm REALLY going to get injured this time! and "Be gentle when fouling me. It took me over ten years to finally win the big one with the help of two other stars that were in the same boat! I'm afraid I won't win it again if you hurt me and my MVP knee!" Hey! He very well might be telling the TRUTH after all. Hohoho.....hohoho.....Merry Christmas I suppose?

Laker pride through adversity baby! Peace!

LakerTom,

Thanks for being a true Laker fan through your knowledge and insightfullness. Just wondering about a player in particular. Is Sun Yue playing for either the N. or S. Korea National Basketball Team (assuming they each have one)?

Speaking of basketball in national terms, what's your take thus far on Kobe's overall game in Team USA's pre-Olympic tuneups? Based on what I have seen, he sure looks darn good defensively. I'm sure he can carry this aspect to the upcoming games that will count. In my opinion, his lock-down defense will be KEY for Gold (as well as T-Prince from the bench)! His pinkie, though, still looks very troublesome.

Laker pride through adversity! Peace!

This will really break the heart of LGC...

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8415956/Q&A:-Pierce,-Yao-and-much-more

The Article below are form Charley Rosen of foxsports.com

How do you feel about Paul Pierce saying that he's the best player in the world? His winning the championship WITH Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen doesn't make him this. I don't think he has any right to say something that stupid. What do you think? — ilovepaulpiece, Boston

I agree that, while he's truly an outstanding player, PP is nowhere near being the best in the league. Perhaps what has pushed him into believing this is the success the Celtics had in stifling Kobe during the championship series. However, had the Lakers' defense totally focused on stopping Pierce the way Boston zeroed in on Bryant, PP would never have won the MVP award. With Lamar Odom so shaky and Pau Gasol so soft, the Lakers really had no way of making the Celtics pay for loading up their defense on Kobe — while the Celtics had primo alternative options in KG and Allen.

I'd put Pierce's self-promoting blather in the same category as Stephon Marbury's calling himself the NBA's best point guard. Starbury had no excuse, but winning a ring and the Finals MVP trophy have obviously made Pierce delusional.

LGC ... here is the answer you have been longing to hear...

Enough said.

Go paaaaak da kaaaaaa!

PP = Marbury....

They are both self-proclaimed best player in the world... Just like bid Daddy Shaq = self-proclaimed most dominant player ever... becuase he didn't know about Wilt and couldn't care less...

Pierce shooting 2-16?

My response:

FINALS MVP

Enough Said.

boo whoo whoo

haahhahahahah

Good morning CRUE!!!

Olympics on the horizon - is it the 10th yet? I need to get my b-ball fix!! Speaking of which, does anyone have the Team USA schedule? Help a brotha out......

Previously posted by Laker Tom - Guys like Jordan Farmar make me proud and grateful to be a Lakers fan.

Tom - I wholeheartedly concur - an eclectic bunch for sure, but a LOT of character and good will. It's nice to know that the Lakers care about their community and their world, and try to step up & do something positive.

On another note - I understand that "no news is good news" but is there an update on Drew- Is he still not cleared for contact? Or how the other guys are spending their summer (hopefully by working out) Does Luke still have cameras following him around while he goes to the drugstore and mini putt course?!! These are serious questions, and they deserve serious answers.

Laker Truth:

Are we supposed to get nervous when Sasha starts launching long range bombs or when Jordan drives wildly into a crowded lane? Are we to take the team's governing body seriously when it fails to enforce treaties on these issues?

This is a complicated issue. Perhaps what is needed is for Jordan and Sasha to come together for a joint purpose... Say, being on the same side in a violent, armed conflict of some kind. That's the sort of thing that transcends team politics.

Seriously, though: I do think it's a good thing for athletes to live up to their potential as cultural ambassadors. They're not all just a bunch of expensive rim buying x-box fiends, you know!

Benjamin,
"There's just not much you can do against institutionalized hatred. "

Agreed. When they teach it in the schools ...

BLOG CRUE
How are you doing? Interesting reads since the finals ended. I'll be in Denver on 1 Oct and again in Feb when The Lake Show hits town.

Colorado loves the Lakers!

Let's go C's,
how you doing today? I've been reading this blog for a couple years but have never commented on anything until today.

I've been a Laker fan since the early 80's and since I grew up watching the battles between the Lakers & Celtics in the finals during those years I hate the Celtics with a passion. As I am sure you know the Celtics havent done crap up until this year since the 80's so maybe you can understand that until this years finals I forgot how much I truly hated the Celtics. It sure came back strong though. After watching Paul Pierce acting like a little crippled girl then come running back out like he was Rocky or something I wanted to pick my TV off the wall and smash it to the ground in disgust. I probably would have too if I hadnt just bought it. It was great drama, and it served it's purpose perfectly for your team.

The Lakers got beat and they got beat bad. The Celtics were the better team this year and they deserved to win the finals. However I am proud of the Lakers for doing as well as they did up to that point and I am looking forward to the start of next year.

I think the Lakers have a pretty good chance of getting back to the finals and I hope the Celtics get back too and this time I think the Lakers will be ready for the moment and will beat the Celtics. I'm a Laker fan so that's what I will be hoping for. The Lakers and Celtics are historic rivals and so the Championship will be that much sweeter if they are able to beat their historic rivals. That's probably why you are so geeked up and trying your best to annoy all the people on this blog.

You annoy the hell out of me, let's just get that out of the way. You are right though, there is a fair amount of whining (only 1 n in whining) on here but this is a blog for Lakers fans and the Lakers lost, of course people are going to be upset and whine about it. That's totally understandable.

what I dont understand is your motives. You should be happy your team won but it seems like you are more happy trying to make other people more miserable than they may all ready feel. What's up with that? Sure I guess it's a better outlet for your misguided feelings than torturing small animals or bullying children or something like that but it's really beneath a true champion to act in a manner like you are doing. Maybe you feel small, ineffective or powerless in your real life? Do you get satisfaction from the negative energy you spew on this blog?

With all this being said, I want to thank you for your contributions. You are a valid human being with a right to express your feelings. I feel sorry that you do not have a more productive outlet in your life to communicate with people but if responding on this blog the way you do makes you feel like you are not invisible or forgotten by society then please feel free to express to all us Laker fans how you think Kobe is this or that and how the Lakers were soft and how Paul Pierce is such a badass and so on. We wont be convinced by anything you say but you still have the right to say it.

have a good day today, take care of yourself!

Don't you need to be the best player (or at least the best forward) on your team before you can be considered the best player in the league?

Anonymous,
"And their coach is an idiot. In an interview he explained how part of this happened because he didn't understand what Brett wanted, that he THOUGHT Brett didn't really want to come back, and then he THOUGHT Brett wouldn't have the proper mind set to sit thru a film session on a Thursday night?

Huh?"

Maybe it's because Favre has been waffling the last 3-4 years. And maybe it's because Favre actually retired this time. And maybe it's because Favre, by his own admission, historically has not been one to pore over film during the prep for the next game. And maybe it's because they know that Favre is near the end of his career, that a repeat of two seasons ago is as likely as a repeat of last season. And maybe it's because they know that they are not a Super Bowl team with Favre, and he will be gone in a year or two anyway. And maybe it's because they need to see sooner rather than later if Aaron Rodgers is a QB who is capable of helping a team get to the Super Bowl. And maybe it's because they know that it's better to let someone go a year early than a year late.

Nah - it must be because they are stupid.

Paul Pierce is a tool.

'Nuff said.

GO LAKERS!

Airlock,

Nice to see you contribute to the blog. It would be good to see more of you.

Airlock, Let's Go C's! is a Troll. He really doesn't care about the Celtics or the Lakers. He's just an emotionally retarded loser who needs attention and is so powerless in his personal life that he feels a sense of personal empowerment by annoying/offending other people with impunity.

He finds our passion towards the Lakers to be silly and through the inverted lense of an extreme inferiority complex he wants to prove to himself that he's better than us by poking fun at our passion.

Since I can't reach through his computer screen and strangle him (which would be the kindest thing anyone could do to him), we just have to accept him for who he is (an emotionally retarded loser), not try to change him or reason with him, and most importantly IGNORE HIM.

Starve the Troll.

GO LAKERS!

Benjamin,

I'm sure Farmar is as aware as anyone regarding the gravity of the situation and under no illusions (which is why he is devoting his time and energy to it presumably) His interest draws attention to it if nothing else.

The NBA cares program is very hypocrytical in all sorts of ways and you laud it while at the same time Farmar can accomplish nothing by acting on these values.

As long as individuals do what is right and what is good even if it is a drop in the ocean - it makes a difference.Even if it's merely drawing it to the attention of younger generation californians and helping them to realise what you already know.

Lets go C's

It doesn't surprise me that you are obsessed with Kobe being able to get off at any time.It's called jealousy becasue you are unable to get off the blog,Your obsessional pet topics ,or your medication...

and it was the mailman who allegedly hit on the mambas wife... but once again failed to deliver in the clutch.Maybe if his wingman stockton had been there things would have been different. (he might have suggested to ditch the cowboy hat and it might all have been different who knows?)

If it had been shaq (another fantastic piece of credibility inducing research on your part) it would have been some serious revenge for the Colorado debacle from Mrs hottie Bryants side of things but wait...kobe's kinda like THE man so she stuck around wheras Im guessing yours left when you left the lid off the vasoline jar once too many times

Is that your problem with Kobe? is it that he goes home to a hot wife while all you have is lakers blog while you wait for your videos to download?

Anyway I see the improvement in your social interaction lets go C's - keep working on your people skills and you too might have a real live girlfriend one day.Ive heard they can be a bit rough over Boston way so she's unlikely to be in Mrs Bryants league (or have teeth for that matter) but she may add something to your life and you will no longer have this dependency on negative attention.Otherwise we'll just have to suck it up and wait until a year or so down the track when the celtics are no longer contenders and the lakers are hitting their peak with this group.I guess you'll move on then.

and you have a distaste drama? once again you are the hypocrate my lepracaun loving friend...why try to stir up people in a blog you dont even support if you have a dislikefor drama?

Nice talking to you Lets go C's.If you want to discuss anything I'll send you my email.Sometimes its just good to talk.

Take care now

By the way with all this talk about opening schedules

Why not have the first game of the NBA season as a rematch of the two finalists?

A rematch that takes place on the turf of the winner so the beaten finalist has to watch the ring ceremony.

Then we watch an emotionally charged game full of hatred....

THAT would be the way to kick off the season!!!!!!

"...I feel like he's hopelessly naive. Helpful, hopeful and positive, but still naive."-Benjamin on Jordan Farmar

I don't feel that way at all about Jordan Farmar. I'm sure Farmar knows how deep things are over there. Just because he's over there as an ambassador and role model doesn't mean he's trying to be the beacon of change over there.

Sure, he'd probably like to be given credit for it if the violence miraculously stopped because of Jordan Farmer's philanthropy. But he knows. He's a UCLA guy, even if only for 2 years.

I don't find it naive at all for Jordan Farmar to go to Isreal to teach basketball at a basketball camp for Isrealis and Palestinians.

Naive is when you make an issue and then make jokes about inflating tires when every automobile expert in the world say it saves gas. Now that's naive. Either that, or it's just simply taking pride in ignorance.

------Sorry for posting this here guys, but I had to respond to this....this...whatever IT is------------

Can someone tell me why Mr. I Can Get Off At Anytime is averagin 13 points per game averaging the lowest FG% for Team USA? Can someone say forcing shots?

That is why you all lost in the Finals. Mr. I can get off at anytime is trying to "get off" too much.

Simple as 1, 2, 3.

Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 10:56 AM

Man, I've been quiet for a while...hmm, where do I start. Its called taking a role and being comfortable with it. Let Kobe average 13 points a game, he is pretty much the heart and soul of that US Team defensively. You name one person who has played better D on that team, Kobe makes at least 4 highlight passes per game on offense too. AT least he's averaging something on a team representing this country while your boy Paul Pierce averages one gang sign per game. (You better not say anything remotely smack about the US Team) Then you talk about class....You called what Paul Pierce did talking about he's the best player on the planet class?

That was a spit in the face of KG, Ray Allen, James Posey, and PJ Brown who really won the Championship for Boston...take anyone of those players off that team and it would have been a loss. For years Paul Pierce ran around with scrubs in the Eastern Conference and couldn't even lead them to the playoffs, for years Kobe led a bunch of scrubs to the playoffs two years in a row in the Western Conference.

Lets go Cs, really? I'm talking now and you do not want to get it started with me. They won once and I'll tell you why they won, its not because they are better than the Lakers, its because the Lakers weren't as aggressive. You wanna glorify a team that almost got eliminated by the Hawks and Lebron James (Not the CAVS, Lebron James) and thanks to some messed up officiating and Rasheed acting up...fine do that. The way I see it, not to make excuses, is that it took three All Stars to beat the Lakers...reminds me of playing pick up ball and the good guys on the loosing teams cry and pout until they form a team of thier own in order to win, you know, kinda like toggling with the difficulty levels on NBA live to run the tables. BTW if you think Kobe hasn't been listening think again...Pierce and Shaq they opened thier mouths and that is exactly what Kobe needed, we've seen it time and time again.

I can't wait till Christmas when the Lakers with Bynum SPANK the Boston Celtic's

Merry Christmas one and all !!!!

What's the point you are trying to make, Let's go Celtics?

Speak to me, I am here for you.

I'm with the K Bros. on the whole "Starve The Troll" thing. It's out of hand. And...it's hypocrisy on all of our parts. Every "Starve The Troll" rant is loaded with backhanded insults at the trolls we're trying to starve in the first place. That's like handing a plate full of raw meat to a tiger.

The K Bros are right. It's all smack talk. No matter how witty our responses and how clever our retorts, the facts remain the same. We lost the 2007-08 NBA Championship to the Boston Celtics. LGC's isn't going to relent from reminding us of that fact from now till next June when the next NBA Champion is crowned. So suck it up, Laker Nation. It is what it is.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. The only way to truly STARVE THE TROLL is to WIN THE 2008-09 NBA Championship - preferably against Boston, but we'll take whomever we can get. Until that happens, the trolls will keep on coming. Period.

Get mad at me if you want, Jon K. Just speaking the truth in love, bro.

At small forward,
out of the Univerity of Kansas.
Let's give it up for #34, Paul "Staaaaaaarbury" Pieeeerce

lol PP= psycho,
nuff said.

Rocky,

You're missing some subtlety by quoting me out of context. I said if Jordan believes blank, then he's hopelessly naive. I don't know what he believes exactly so I feel it would be presumptuous on my part to make certain judgments about him.

Kiwi,

It should be pretty obvious that even if I like NBA Cares in principle I obviously see a weakness in one of its programs in particular.

Why is there this impression that the Finals were so lopsided in favor of the Celtics? Is it the fact that in the final game the Lakers just mailed it in and didn't show up? Other than that look at the scores - the games were close. The Lakers blew a huge lead and lost; the Celtics blew a huge lead and hung on to win the game. The first game, without some dubious officiating clearly favoring the Celts the Lakers nearly stole the game despite playing like crap.
Game 1: 98-88 Celts Game 2: 108-102 Celts Game 3: Lakers 87-81Game 4: Celts 97-91 Choke city by Lakers! Game 5: Lakers 103-98 then Game 6 Celts stomp Lakers. Hmmm not exactly blowout city in favor of the Celts in the first five games. An 8 point margin of victory for the Celtics save the final game thrashing is not exactly stuff of legend. The big lead the Lakers blew and the final game give the impression that it was lopsided.
The Celtics deserved to win, I think they are a slightly better team than what the Lakers had on the floor. With Bynum and Ariza being healthy I think some of those close games would have likely tipped in favor of our squad. But that wasn't the case and the Celtics with KG, Pierce and Allen - Posey too, - along with Cassel and PJ Brown played better. Sadly the Lakers had too many players that are not that mentally strong (physically as well) so it shouldn't have been a shock that the Lakers didn't win, despite the nice play of the Lakers earlier in the playoffs. Lamar folds like a cheap chair in pressure situations - Pau really didn't play that bad but he certainly didn't play like he had earlier in the season. So if Bynum comes back playing like he was, Ariza comes back to the level he was at pre-injury the squad will be better next year. Throw in that Sasha, Farmar, Bynum and Ariza are all young and should improve should have Lakers fans optimistic. Then if Mihm and Luke can improve health wise they could possibly contribute to the overall game.
I think the other thing is that the Lakers will revamp their now that the personnel are different from the start of last year. Maybe new defensive schemes will help one of the Lakers big weaknesses. Say what you will but they were only outstanding on defense part of the time. I am sure they will also tweak the offense to take advantage of Pau and Bynum in particular.
Peace,
Eagleboy

Ex,

Of course Packers management and coaches are dumb. Didn't you know that random fans on message boards with no coaching or playing experience are smarter than NFL and NBA coaches with several years of coaching experience?

I mean, you did read the Jackson Journal, right?

Rhon

'reminds me of playing pick up ball and the good guys on the loosing teams cry and pout until they form a team of thier own in order to win, you know, kinda like toggling with the difficulty levels on NBA live to run the tables'

This was a great call Well done !

Eagleboy,

Hum?

Biggest comback in NBA Finals history (Game 4)

Biggest blowout in a closeout game in NBA history (Game 6)

Starlet going 1 on 5 the whole time. Doesn't that remind you of the 2004 finals?

Cheers, mate!

Mr. Utz is a man among boys here on this blog. You Fakers should look at Mr. Utz as an example of how to take it like a man.

I have to give credit where credit is due. Well done!

Yoos gots to put up or shut up in sports.

Xodus,
"I mean, you did read the Jackson Journal, right?"

I printed out copies and put them in document protectors. Gave one to my son for Christmas. He was very appreciative.

Eagleboy,
Absolutely agree with your comments on the finals. The Lakers were within a few points of a sweep. Which is why this team doesn't need major adjustments to be one of the favorites in 2008-9.

utzworld, Jon. K

Good luck trying to convince everyone.

Only a few of you are strong enough to ignore this Laker fan playing this sick little game posting as lgc.

If a tree falls in a forest but...

"Yoos gots to put up or shut up in sports"

And I suppose you are "putting up" by not having a normal discussion on basketball with ANYONE but yourself?
Yoos gots no huevos!

LGC's,

Game 6 I said was choke city, they mailed it in, didn't show up. So I think we agree on that point. Both teams had trouble holding the big lead. So, advantage Celtics for actually winning while the Lakers only came close. While it is an advantage that the Celtics won, the Celtics didn't dominate other than the final game. Look at the scores, watch the games. The officials handed the Celtics a game that could have changed the finals. Luck of the draw - officials are inconsistent and all teams have to deal with it. It was 4 games to 2 correct? One game the officials played a big part in the Celtics victory - that could have forced the series to seven games. If the Celtics had swept I would agree it was a blowout. If it had been 4 to 1 - blowout at 4-2 not a blow out series, especially when you consider how close all the games were except for game six. If you can't understand that point of view then that is your problem. I am not saying the Lakers should have won the series, I am simply saying the facts as I see it don't show it is a being a Celtic blowout overall as a series. Game 6 sure - other than that no. Big lead collapse sure but the Celtics had a near collapse of their own which a dominant team wouldn't have allowed to happen - especially not to the marshmallow challenged Lakers!

Peace
Eagleboy

Do you mean the Celtics sweeping the Lakers?

I certainly hope so, otherwise yoos are sorely delousional.

hahahhaah

Sweep my buttox.

Pathtic.

Refs gave the victory to the C's?

I thought Donagy wasn't reffing anymore.

OMG, unbelievable. Yoos Fakers (besides Mr. Utz) make soooo many excuses.

Look, win next season, then LGC will apologise.

Lose and LGC will accept apologises from yoos.

Deal?

ex,

Yep, that's exactly one of the things I had in mind.

Jon K.,

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is special. Of all political issue, I've encountered it's easily the most contentious. Think Mike T's crazed obsession with Kwame Brown X 100 on both sides and you get an idea of the madness we'd be dealing with if they allowed discussion of the issue.

I assume the K bros are of Jewish descent so they know what happens when this issue gets "discussed."

It's a maddening free for all every time. Trust me, you don't want that here. It would be worse than anything you've seen thus far.

LOL,

You guys have allowed Let'sGoCeltics to take over this Laker blog.

Every other post is dedicated to "starving the troll" or to LGC directly. Come on guys!

For all that want Team USA Olympic Basketball schedule here you go.

http://tinyurl.com/56d5gp ----- Link to L.A.Times Olympic blog with schedule

AK/BK, fair enough.

Benjamin,

I apologize if I took your post out of context. I just don't think it's right to imply that Jordan Farmar might be naive. I probably would have liked it more if you had implied that Farmar might be noble.

Rhon, totally agree with you. PP is an over-rated wind-bag.

But this a J-Farm thread. Let's talk Bruins.

How de we feel blog...Is Jordan Farmar the PG of the future for the Los Angeles Lakers?

Last year I would have said, very probably, barring mega injury or huge contract dispute. But last year I think we saw that Jordan has a pretty rough time on defence. He cannot guard a guy going around a screen of any type to save his life. He strayed from his early season success and started shooting 3 pointers within the first 6 seconds of the shot clock, ignoring a wide open Machine (I also notice the strain between the two, but that's natural-they're competitors for the 4th quarter playing time), and I don't think he's a very good passer.

He has a hard time with alley-oops (not a terrible detriment, but for a PG, should be a skill in the arsenal), needs to work on his skip pass (something Luke, Lamar, Pau and Kobe can do). He makes poor entry passes and his recognition suffered after he lost confidence in his shot.

He also was pretty ineffective in the Playoffs/ Finals. Now, I realize he's a second year guy, coming up on his third, but we need him coming into the game ready to take it to the defense. I'm not sure if Phil pulled the plug on the quick scoring offense that they ran early last year, but they strayed from it as the season progressed and I think it revealed how limited in the triangle that Jordan actually is. He's about as good a jump shooter as Luke (at this stage of his career, maybe he'll get better), he'll never be a rebounding guard 9a la Q Ross), so I think he may always be a back up.

I think he might be the Laker most on the bubble as far as moving up in the rotation. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kobe, Ariza and Sasha getting more of his minutes and bringing the ball up court (as the triangle doesn't need a guy with mad handles, just a body to get the rock across mid court) because they are MUCH better defensively.

I love Farmar because A: He eats at Good Burger in Santa Monica (mmmmm, good burger), B: He's a local boy done good, C: He's the littlest Laker and there's something darn cute about writing that. But I don't see him as the PG of the future, especially as long as Phil is coach.

Thoughts?

Personally, I like Trolls.

they keep the goblins and orcs away.

stay away, orcs and goblins!!!!!

There's an unintended empowerment thing that happens when discussing certain posters.... the level of discourse ABOUT them begins to take over. These posters find themselves validated by the number of responses generated - like the disruptive kid in the classroom who takes time and energy away from others.

I know how tempting it is to respond. But honestly, it's just feeding the flames. This blog is so great... it's something I truly look forward to reading. I'd humbly and sincerely suggest trying a moratorium of sorts... even if just for a few days. Scroll past the gibberish. Respond to something else, say hello to a blogger friend.

I realize that by writing this, I'm violating my own suggestion... I'm taking time and space to comment on that which I advocate ignoring. My apologies for that - my intentions are good. I'm a fan of the Lakers, a fan of basketball and a fan of this blog.

"You're a dirty pirate hooker. [...] Why don't you go back to your home on Whore Island?"

What movie was that line from? No cheating!

utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER,

So, does it feel good that one of your biggest fans is Let's Go C's?

GO LAKERS!

Benjamin,

One of my degrees is in the Study of Religion, so, yeah, I know how deep the rabbit hole goes.

GO LAKERS!

Charles...Anchorman - a classic

Benjamin.I love it when you address me as if i'm incapabale of understanding your profound logic when its you actually missing my points.
You 'disagree' with the program?
So this is such a black hole that no time or resopurces should go into it?

Enlighten me ...please! I really dont understand

J Sweet,

Where is Good Burger? I live in SM and never heard of it.

Jon K: What IS your problem? Has losing the Finals driven you into some sort of mad depression or something? You're picking unnecesary fights with your own Laker Nation family and babbling "Starve The Troll" like some drunken dude in a bar - even after the K-Bros asked us to shut it down.

And you say I'M THE ONE who's lost his way? Look in the mirror, bro. You are a shadow of your former self, dude.

Take a nap, dude and don't wake up till 10/28. Seriously.

utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER,

Dude, screw you! What the hell is you problem?

We can do the civil thing and Starve the Troll or we can continue to insult a scumbag who enjoys being insulted.

Personally, I'm as tired of people responding to the Troll as I am quickly scanning past the Troll's vomit that's been splattered throughout this blog.

I say, "Stave the Troll" and that's my position. If you disagree, fine, but don't fricken pick a fight with me!

You keep spouting this nonsense of "Nothing Gets Rid Of Trolls Like Winning The Championship!" Sure. That's right, but we shouldn't do anything until fricken June of 2009?

Because that's when we win the Championship.

That's approximately 300 days of having a major component of this blog be childish banter back and forth between some kid in a basement somewhere and dozens of otherwise sane bloggers.

So, if I suggest we as a group try and do something about it (because the Kamenetsky Brothers aren't going to do anything about it) and I use the playful term, "Starve The Troll" to suggest that we ignore him, where's the problem with that?

I just don't get it. I have no idea why you've started being a jerk.

GO LAKERS!