Jordan Farmar in Israel

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

"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.

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.

puddle,

I've seen it.

GO LAKERS!

I thought world politics are off limits?

ahahahaahah

AK,

Alright.

GO LAKERS!

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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?

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

Mike,

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

Tom

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!

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.

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

Forgot my name...

Wes

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!

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!

Pierce shooting 2-16?

My response:

FINALS MVP

Enough Said.

boo whoo whoo

haahhahahahah

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!

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!

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?