Let's go C's,

Learn to be consistent too. You were saying that the people here in the blog have nothing to say but "Lakers are the best." but you're also saying that we don't support our team. What are you really saying? I'm telling you, you lower the collective IQ of this blog.

thekobebryantblitz,

you wrote: When did I every say Lamar *MUST* be in the starting line?

my response. You never used the word must. You have
interpreted things differently than I have and believe that
Lamar is the best SF we have. You believe that Lamar's
defense is better than Ariza & Sasha. You believe that
Lamar's length will make up for any *perceived* quickness
issues that he may or may not have. Your vigorous
support of him while down playing the words of Mitch
caused me to use the word. If it offends you, please
ignore it.

you wrote: Let me repeat what Xodus also has stated: GAME 6 DOESN'T EQUAL THE SERIES.

my response: you're right. Our season average was ~
105. Our average in the series was low 90's. We
knocked 4% or so off of their average and they knocked
14% or so off of our average. We got physically
manhandled and we didn't serve it back in kind. If
we had played defense as well as they played defense,
by knocking 14% off of their average, we would have
won. We didn't.

you wrote: Don't count on Lamar.

my response: Did you actually say something negative
about Lamar? I'm shocked.

re: forward looking statements.

you wrote: "If and only If Trevor improves". While I do say he will, I have to admit that premise is just as weak as a sand castle right next to the beach aka it's very hollow and while I do look for hope I'm a realist.

1 year ago in May, Kobe was caught in public for ranting
about not trading Bynum for Kidd. Forward looking
statements were made about how well Bynum would do
with no evidence. Then he shows up in the fall and
shocks everyone *EXCEPT* those who made the forward
looking statements. We know what happened. Your
belief that Lamar will become quicker by doing lateral
quickness drills is just as empty as my belief that Ariza
will work on his game and become a better defender.

If you're actually a realist then you know that Lamar
has been incredibly inconsistent since we got him.
I see no reason for that to change based upon evidence.
Your definition of quickness/foot speed doesn't match
up with what I learned in biology, track, football, soccer
or martial arts. It doesn't match what I know about
kinesthetics.

you wrote: By the way Hobbit, before I show the conclusion I'll say this: Mitch didn't say Trevor was going to start. He simply said he *HOPES* to have a solid defender.

my response: you're right. he didn't say that Trevor was
going to start. It's actually not his call. It's Phil's. He did
say that Lamar can *NOT* be the type of defender at the
3 that the Lakers are looking for.

*I* am hoping that Ariza beats out Lamar for the start at
the 3, because long term Lamar's defense is inadequate.

- We needed a better PG and Fisher showed up.
- We needed a better C and Pau showed up and Bynum
got better.
- We *NEED* to get better at the SF position and we
*NEED* to play better defense.
- Mitch signed a defensive minded SF.

Since Mitch signing a defensive minded SF address the
*NEED* to play better defense & the *NEED* to get
better at the SF position, I got to the conclusion that
Ariza should be starting SF. Part of that is based upon
my belief that if Mitch had played Farmar more his 1st
year ... Farmar would have done better in the playoffs
against phx. BTW, moving Lamar to SF addresses
the *NEED* to get better at the SF position. I'm just not
convinced that it's the proper sol'n.

you wrote: I do not believe Trevor will be even near Tayshaun Prince's defensive ability. I really like Trevor but I'm against over rating players.

hmm ... You're comparing Ariza to Prince? Ok. While
you're at it compare Odom to Prince. Prince nba all-star
defense 2nd team. Odom? Lamar is the most
over-rated player on the Lakers. Tons of potential.
Mr. Inconsistent.

We can disagree on this. I hope you're right and I'm
wrong. It's about the team. I honestly feel that the
Lakers will do better with Ariza at SF long term than
with Lamar at SF.

Jon K,

you wrote: Lamar's a starter and he's going to absolutely shine as a fourth option.

my response: With respect. No. Lamar is now the 5th
option.

1st Kobe
2nd Bynum
3rd Pau
4th. the "POINT GUARD", 3-time champion, outside
shooter, .4 ..... Derek Fisher
5th Lamar whereever he plays ...

What this Guy said about Kobe, Lebron and Wade? Chk the link below..

http://tinyurl.com/6aghhc

It's been awhile not blogging here but everyday I didn't miss anything about you guys.

Lakers Bloggers,

Please don’t refer to LGC by those initials. That is too much respect for a troll. His Lakers Blog name is Green Weenie from Beanie or GWB. He should only be referred to by those names or some understandable derivative, such as weenie or greenie. Make no mistake, he or she is the Green Weenie from Beanie. We don’t speak troll. We don’t know trolls by troll names. We should only refer to them by their Lakers Blog name, which in this case is GWB. So please, let’s show our solidarity as Lakers fan. Don’t give the troll the recognition he or she wants. Instead, only refer to them by their demeaning Lakers Blog name.

That’s my recipe for dealing with trolls. If they want to stay, then they need to wear the name we give them, not the one they chose. Give them a name just like any doggie.

Tom

I've come to the conclusion that there is not possible way to get FUNS fans to understand the greatness of the Lakers. There is one in particular who believes he is The Lords gift to knowledge. I would assuredly love to hit him in the face. Join me on the Funs blog to torment these lowly pungent beings.

azcentral.com

any story about the FUNS.

For the love of God can somebody tell me why we didn't sign this guy as our third string center?

Ridiculous. Memphis?

http://tinyurl.com/63efnh

With all the Persians living in Los Angeles it makes perfect sense. Come on.

I mean, for God's sake if we're not going to sign Shaun Livingston or Quinton Ross we should at least shore up the center position.

GO LAKERS!

Aloha Hobbit,

I just got back to the blog and read your response to me on the last thread. thanks for posting the interview. I guess there just is a basic fundemental difference between what I think we need and what you think we need. Mitch didnt say that Lamar wasnt a good defensive player, he said Lamar wasnt a lock down defender. There is a difference. To me there are only a handful of lock down defenders in the league. I dont even consider KG a lock down defender. He is a great defensive player but its what he does in help situations, not on ball defense that makes him great. And at this point in his career trevor isnt a lock down defender either. He has some potential but he hasnt got there yet.

It really depends on what you think we need. With 2 shot blocking 7 footers for help we dont need a lock down defender at the 3. And if we are getting burned, then we have Kobe. And like I stated earlier, Lamar may not even play half his minutes at the 3. And Lamar is a better player right now then either Trevor or Sasha. So I believe we will see Lamar starting, then sliding over to relieve Pau or Andrew, when the reserves come in. It really isnt complicated.

MH

Aloha Hobbit,

I forgot to comment on your trade speculation. I wouldnt count on it unless there is another season ending injury. While a 14 mil expiring deal would be very attractive for teams they would want to trade back longer term deals. And with Andrews extension looming I really do not see the Lakers taking back 10 mil or more with Kobe, Pau and Andrews salaries on the books. And you seem to want to add that defensive specialist at the 3 but, what kind of depth would that leave us at the 4. Powell? Mihm? Come on now.

I would not be surprised if we didnt bring Lamar back next year. If he has a great year we wont be able to afford him and if he has a bad year, whats the point? the only way I could see us resigning him is if he had a season somewhere in between and signing him for 7 or 8 mil. Besides you underestemate what having an active shot, blocking, shot altering 7 foot center in the middle does for a defense. Mitch knows, thats why we wouldnt give up Lamar for Artest or sign Posey with the MLE.

MH

lol this time i used Air Jordan blitz but looks like things didn't change.

"my response: you're right. Our season average was ~
105. Our average in the series was low 90's. We
knocked 4% or so off of their average and they knocked
14% or so off of our average. We got physically
manhandled and we didn't serve it back in kind. If
we had played defense as well as they played defense,
by knocking 14% off of their average, we would have
won. We didn't."

Aside from the Bynum factor, I will say the bench factor. One of the over rated views was that our "bench" was good. During the regular season (3/4 of it) that was true. During the last of it, very inaccurate. During the playoffs, decievingly true because of Sasha's production. With Sasha playing poorly guess what happened to our bench? Went down, the Celtics bench outplayed our bench. Our bench's weakness is defense and like I have previously stated, Ariza is needed there to provide the defense the bench needs also as a slashing guy since Jordan needs another guy to do it since Radman/Sasha are primarily shooters.

"You believe that Lamar's defense is better than Ariza & Sasha."

Don't shoot the messenger but here's another view on the defenses of Lamar/Sasha/Trevor and which I made since we lost in the finals and all the criticisms.

Lamar Odom:
A very talented defender who can matchup with a few different positions. Can guard both forward spots effectively, but is also able to defend most guards when he gets switched onto them. Will block some shots around the rim, play passing lanes, and make an effort to collect loose balls. Length helps him stay in front of his man and create turnovers. Will box out and grab a lot of rebounds—which is one of his strong points. Very capable on the defensive end. Plays more aggressive defense than offense. Commits quite a few fouls.

Trevor Ariza:
A versatile defender that can defend both perimeter positions effectively. Has the lateral quickness, size, and athleticism to be a very good defender. Shows a good work ethic and a willingness to mix it up in the lane. Uses his length to make plays in passing lanes. Displays very good anticipation. One of the best in the NBA per-minute at coming up with steals. Doesn’t block a lot of shots or commit many fouls, but does a good job contesting shots. Will box out and pursue rebounds at a terrific rate. Possesses all the physical tools necessary to be a great defender in extended minutes, but will have to improve in other areas to get more than rotation minutes.

Sasha Vujacic:
A solid defender who makes an effort, but isn’t the type of athlete that can shut down an opponent, and suffers from a very poor wingspan (6-5 1/2). Has the size (6-6 ¾ in shoes), smarts and intensity to do a good job for the most part, though. Moves his feet well enough to stay in front of most players. Does a good job making ball handlers change direction despite his lack of ideal lateral quickness. Will get beaten by stronger players when they can get a step on him, but will try his best to recover. Has trouble fighting through screens at times. Very intense defender who really tries to get in his opponent’s face. Capable rebounder for his position. Does the little things that allow him to maximize his tools.

Conclusion: Odom>Ariza>Vujacic, for now but in the long term it will change most likely.

"You're comparing Ariza to Prince? Ok. While
you're at it compare Odom to Prince. Prince nba all-star
defense 2nd team. Odom? Lamar is the most
over-rated player on the Lakers. Tons of potential.
Mr. Inconsistent."

If 14 points per game is inconsistent consider Derek's 11 ppg inconsistent (plus where is his assists?), plus Jordan's 9.2 ppg and Sasha's 8.8 ppg. I'm not rating Odom more than a poor man's Pippen (even that's too generous). And over-rated? How about Sasha's shooting then or his defense? Letting Ray Allen rain 3 pointers on his head or shooting shooting 39.11% in the Finals for less than 8 points per game and we Laker fans say he is a fantastic shooter sounds over rated to me if I wasn't a Laker fan. At least Kobe managed 25.7 ppg during the finals surrounded by a talented Celtic squad, Sasha got less than 8 points the entire series and shot poorly from 3 point land the entire series as well (8/23 shot attempts from 3 point land meaning 34% only compared to 45% from the regular season. So much a good shooter Sasha was except for Game 3. (Sorry Faith) Oh and Odomb? 13.5 ppg with 50% FG in the Finals guarded by Kevin Garnett. (Pau guarded KG but KG himself guarded Odom and Perkins had Pau). Odumb also guarded Perkins and made him score only 4 ppg for the entire series (3ppg if Game 3 is thrown out since Lamar was in foul trouble). "But Perkins is no scorer!" Right on that excuse but then again Perkins averaged 9.3ppg against Detroit a "defensive team" and went up against Antonio McDyess not to mention scored in double digits 3 times during the Detroit series. Nice 6 points difference Odumb got Perkins to when he guarded compared to McDyess plus Odumb was guarding a center no less! Lamar is no Tayshaun Prince on defense either, but heck he's much better than Ariza who got torched by Paul Pierce in the regular season.

"Since Mitch signing a defensive minded SF address the
*NEED* to play better defense & the *NEED* to get
better at the SF position, I got to the conclusion that
Ariza should be starting SF. Part of that is based upon
my belief that if Mitch had played Farmar more his 1st
year ... Farmar would have done better in the playoffs
against phx. BTW, moving Lamar to SF addresses
the *NEED* to get better at the SF position. I'm just not
convinced that it's the proper sol'n."

Since when does Mitch say who is in the rotation? That's Phil's job hehe. Farmar being played earlier? Here's a difference why it took a while to play Jordan in starter minutes: In his rookie year before the all star break he averaged 5.3 ppg on 45% shooting, post all star he got lower 2.4ppg on 31.8%. In other words he hit the rookie wall and PJ in my opinion was frustrated that Farmar was under performing that he even put Shammond Williams significant minutes. Plus in the playoffs, Farmar was being beaten so much by Nash that Phil had to make Shammond play significant time and play the under performing Jordan and the malcontent Smush. It takes more time than just 1 or 2 years to really become a good player and the thing is simple, unless you are some good rookie/new player like Lebron or Pau, most players develops on the bench and prove their ability to start by playing well on the bench. That's how Mo Evans managed to become the starter in Orlando, he played well enough from the bench that Van Gundy played him over the struggling J.J. Reddick. To convince me Ariza is a long term starter, he has to prove it off the bench.

- Mitch signed a defensive minded SF.

For the future, if he meant to do it for the present and someone better than Lamar then he could have done better.

"We can disagree on this. I hope you're right and I'm
wrong. It's about the team. I honestly feel that the
Lakers will do better with Ariza at SF long term than
with Lamar at SF."

Long term I agree. Short term no. Ariza has to show us off the bench he could be a quality starter in the future. That is why I have been saying he is unproven. I would never mean that he "sucks".

Jon K,

This guy wasn't even selected in the 2004 NBA draft nor did his Iranian team did anything in the Olympics (winless). Marc Gasol in my opinion has more potential then him. I think that when training camp starts we'll either have DJ or sign some low end free agent like Larry Turner or something like that.

Amazing Happens-I've seen Suns fasted act the worst already. Throwing a full water bottle at Manu and Tim after the Spurs winning game 5 in the 07 playoffs was very "classy" not to mention flipping the bird to Brent Barry while he was warming up for that game.

the most idiotic poster of them all, obviously is Let's Go Ladies, I mean Let's Go C's, and the "C" stands for the word that you are told to never call a lady.

The Kweer is always on the blog, so obviously he has no life, his spewings range from gutter slop to almost articulate, so obviously he's got some manic-depressive or schizophrenia going, or maybe it's just his boyfriend who's typing while he's servicing......his c,......oh, I guess that would be his "car". He lives here, on this blog. So we all know who he is, he's the Anti-C. He hates Kobe, he hates Kobe, he hates Kobe, he loves PP, he loves PP, he loves PP....I think that says it all. One more thing, Sasha, better googe "restraining order", cuz the dude loves your looks more than you do. (sorry ShiShi, had to put that one in, but if you don't watch out, LGC wants to put one in as well)......

Hey Jon,

The name you addressed me by @hotmail.com.

That's it.

Go Lakers!

Wes

Good Morning, everybody!

Not to get too political and all, but, wow, Obama hit it out of the park last night! Best speech of my lifetime. Just amazing.

LakerTom,

I don't want to get my hopes up too much, but, you know, a 295-300 pound Bynum playing like he did last year with Gasol, Kobe, a relaxed Odom, a wise Fisher, and an IMPROVED bench from last year? Dude, it's over. 75 win season. I don't even want to think about it. I'll get too excited and my expectations will get too high. I'll start screaming about an 80 win season or something insane like that.

mrbarneydangles,

People forget that Lamar Odom plays hard. He just makes more boneheaded decisions when he's a first or second option. Turn him into a fourth option and he plays even harder with no boneheaded decisions. We are going to see the best of Lamar Odom next year.

Lamar Odom = Laker for Life

thekobebryantblitz,

I'm not saying that the Iranian team doesn't suck, but this guy averaged something like 17 points and 3 blocks a game in the Olympics. That's impressive. The Lakers need a third string center and Los Angeles is the second largest Persian/Iranian city in the WORLD by ethnic population. It just makes sense. I mean, we've got Sun Yue so suddenly China's going to be watching the Lakers like crazy (and we should all expect Sun Yue to be voted into the All-Star game due to internet ballots). We hire this Iranian guy and Iran suddenly starts watching the Lakers en masse. Maybe it could have convinced Iran that they don't need to be a bunch of burqua-wearing, Israeli hating lunatics to enjoy life. THE LAKERS COULD HAVE SAVED THE WORLD, MAN, WITH THIS PICKUP, BUT NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Anyhow, I think he would have been a good pickup and would have filled our final need.

Wes,

I'll drop you an email today.

GO LAKERS!

Michael H,

Aloha.

you wrote: Mitch didnt say that Lamar wasnt a good defensive player, he said Lamar wasnt a lock down defender.

my response: A reprint of what I posted.

http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2007/11/20/details-on-ariza/

The pertinent quote from this link is:

Trevor Ariza brings a defensive presence at the three spot that no one currently on the Lakers roster can match. While Lamar Odom creates a mismatch on the offensive end for opposing teams, he sometimes has trouble guarding the quicker small forwards in the league

-----------------------------
The last clause/phrase of the sentence is exactly
what I first said on Why Lamar at the 3 is not the best
idea.

also another repost:http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/21/sports/sp-lakerep21

The second link is a LA times article by Bresnehan with
direct quotes from Kupchak. These are the pertinent
quotes:

“Another factor and maybe the biggest factor … we like Trevor Ariza. He brings us a dimension we don’t have, which is a defensive player at that position. We don’t know how much he’s going to play initially, so I’m not going to go out there and say he’s going to be our lockdown defender. It may take him a while to get acclimated to what we do, but we don’t have a player like that.

“I wouldn’t say that Lamar [Odom] is the type of guy that can be that lockdown defender at that [small forward] position. Luke Walton also has struggled a little bit with athletic small forwards.”

----------------------------------

So ..... Let's be clear about this. With Lamar Odom on
the team, Mitch said that we don't have a defensive
player at the SF position. It's a direct quote from Mitch
in an LA times article.

How do you equate "we don't have a defensive
player" with Lamar plays good defense?

If you come up with answer, please apply it to Kobe
as well. He is one of two NBA players who were
1st team defense and 1st offense.

GOOD MORNING CHARLES
GOOD MORNING LAKERTOM JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN, JON K.
GOOD MORNING, MORNING CRUE

he loves PP, he loves PP, he loves PP....I think that says it all. One more thing, Sasha, better
googe "restraining order", cuz the dude loves your looks more than you do.
(sorry ShiShi, had to put that one in, but if you don't watch out, LGC wants to put one in as well)......
Posted by: humanomaly | August 29, 2008 at 02:15 AM

LMFAO! POST OF THE NIGHT!!!

Good Morning Blog Family.

Thanks to Jon K for the "Big Mistake" title. I believe more Mamba24 should be the motto. Pig, take em' in AZ.

Southern Cali Bloggers let's meet up next weekend? Grab my email address from the kbros.

Have a great labor day.

thekobebryantblitz or the airjordanblitz or handleoftheday,

you wrote: Aside from the Bynum factor, I will say the bench factor.

my response: Please. Stop. You're being foolish. Kobe
averaged ~ 30 pts per game during the regular season.
The *ENTIRE* Celtics defense was tilted to slow Kobe
down. He averaged 25.6. That's almost 20%.

you wrote: Don't shoot the messenger but here's another view on the defenses of Lamar/Sasha/Trevor and which I made since we lost in the finals and all the criticisms.

my response. I'm not shooting the messenger. I'm
stating what you believe. If you don't believe that my
statement is accurate, in terms of what *YOU* believe
than clarify it. I didn't ask for you to justify your stance.

I don't know where you got the opinions for Odom,
Sasha & Ariza. I'm not "certain" that it matters. 6 of
the seven sports writers had the Lakers winning the
series. No one foresaw the whipping the Celtics
served up. That means that their perceptions were
inaccurate. Obviously not completely, but signficantly.
Looking back, because hindsight is 20/20, we know
that we got "PUNKED" on international TV by the Celtics.
They knocked 15% off of our scoring average and we
hit them for less than 5%. That's defense. They played
it. We didn't. Please stop deluding yourself and stop
trying to delude me.

Now addressing the defensive issue. Mitch said we
didn't have a defensive player at the SF position.
Mitch signed a defensive SF. Those are FACTS.
Those are not statistics. Those are FACTS.

you wrote: If 14 points per game is inconsistent consider Derek's 11 ppg inconsistent (plus where is his assists?), plus Jordan's 9.2 ppg and Sasha's 8.8 ppg.

my response: you're getting sidetracked. Lamar is not
considered to be inconsistent because he has an
inconsistent outside shot. Lamar is considered to be
inconsistent because of how he plays the entire game.
Fisher has been steady enough to win 3 NBA finals. He
consistently makes good decisions on the floor, although
he not infallible. He has consistently made big shots.
If you wish to consider Fisher & Lamar at the same
level of inconsistency suit yourself. I don't and I don't
believe any knowledgeable basketball types would
agree with you either. I could be wrong.

you wrote: Since when does Mitch say who is in the rotation? That's Phil's job hehe.

my response: interesting ... I thought it would be clear
to you that Phil can't play anyone that Mitch doesn't
sign. Do you believe that Mitch & Phil work independently
of each other?

re: your interpretation of the Famar situation. That's
your opinion. I disagree. Nice stat work. My earlier
statement comes into affect. lies, damn lies & stats.

you wrote: For the future, if he meant to do it for the present and someone better than Lamar then he could have done better.

my response: You *may* be correct. However, your
statement in no wise addresses financial issues. Nor
does it take into account trade problems b/n teams.
i.e. Would the kings have traded Artest to the Lakers?
Maybe ... Would that have taken the Lakers to the
cleaners? YES! Would the spurs have traded bowen?
NO!

you wrote: Long term I agree. Short term no. Ariza has to show us off the bench he could be a quality starter in the future. That is why I have been saying he is unproven.

My response: I disagree. Ariza doesn't have to show
*US* squat. Phil has to make a decision about if he
wants Lamar to play PF, SG or SF and what % of time
at each position. Influencing that decision is the
personnel that he has on the team and what they can
do at those 3 positions. According to the GM of the Lakers
Ariza is a defensive minded SF and gives them a
defensive player at that position that they didn't have.

The philosophy of the Lakers, in conjunction with the
off season work by the players & health, will determine
who starts at what position.

LakerTom and Jon K,

Tell us how you really feel about Bynum.

Hey "let's go C's"...Phil said Rodman is the best "athlete". Not best "player". Which means as an athlete, he also picked him over Jordan...not just the "starlet".

Is the Celtics blog so lame that you hang out in Laker-land? Or is it you can't spell "Celtics" on your browser? That's probably you only use "C" in your name. Probably after a Laker fan told you, "Celtics doesn't begin with an 'S'!"

ESPN has their predictions for the season up. Pretty similar to ours but they have the Blazers at the 8th spot. I'm sorry but I just think they have way too much talent to finish that low. I guess it all depends on Oden much like we are depending on Bynum. Good team without but great team with.

Anyways, here's the link. Hope I did the tinyurl thing right.

http://tinyurl.com/59sf6f

Lamar = Laker for Life

GO LAKERS

bynum143,

Hey, PP took a crappy Celtic team to the 2002 ECF and a very, very good 2008 team to the finals as the #1 guy.

Lemme repeat: As the #1 guy

What did you #1 girl do?

Questionably took the 2004 Fakers to the finals (riding Shack, Payton and Malone's back), then single-handedly "took over" the game to the benefit of the Pistons.

Fast forward to 2008: Kobe took a soft Faker team to the finals (I'll give him that), then "got off" by being EMBARASSED IN HISTORIC FASHION.

So much for "I can get off at anytime and I did".

Pierce can talk because he backed up his smack with RESULTS.

What has your Starlet done?

Cheers.

ahahaahahahahha

Jon K

Does the line "would you like me to do your Bio Chrono Reading" work to pick up chics?

Not that I'm suggesting that women would enjoy hearing about themselves...

ex,

>>>>>Assuming Bynum and Ariza are healthy, I have always been in favor of Ariza
>>>>>starting and Odom coming off the bench with some type of three-way
>>>>>Gasol/Bynum/Odom rotation. My guess has been, though, that the coaching
>>>>>staff won't want to do that, and will likely start Odom at SF. That does allow for
>>>>>a pretty good second team of Farmar, Mihm, Vujacic, Powell, and Ariza
>>>>>(probably the best 6-10 in the league) if they want to substitute en masse – that
>>>>> group can get up and down the court quickly, so would be a good change-of-pace.

Thanks for your response. Lamar and the small forward position are obviously the critical issues that everybody has chimed in. I suspect you are right that Phil will start Lamar at small forward in the beginning. What will be interesting is who comes in to relieve Drew at center and Pau at power forward. I am guessing Pau will backup Drew and Lamar will backup Pau, which means the Lamar will split time between the two forward positions. I would be fine with that but just want Phil to keep an open mind that if Ariza starts playing well to consider the Lamar as 6th man strategy. At any rate, with the great news about Drew looking bigger and stronger and David Lee and Mitch agreeing to wait until training camp opens to finalize a deal for Drew’s extension, all is looking good in Lakersville.

Good pick by McCain for Veep. Should really make this an election for the ages!

Tom

"The Lakers (as well as the Dodgers) are an embarassment to Los Angeles"
PLF-

By all means, please tell us how you really feel.

mrbarneydangles,

I've got the Blazers at 6-8 as well. They've got talent but Oden is a rookie coming off microfracture and they've got no experience. They'll be a force in a year or two, but I'm still placing them behind the Lakers, Rockets. Hornets, Jazz and Spurs.