Kupchak watches Drew with his own eyes
Not content to rely on a game of telephone for his info, Mitch Kupchak hopped a flight to Atlanta for a closer look at Andrew Bynum's workout regimen, which includes running, weights and roundball drills. The bird's-eye view has left the Lakers GM with no worries over Bynum's readiness come camp's opening or lingering problems from the surgery needed to smooth out rough spots from the knee dislocation. Instead, Kupchak is talking up Bynum at 100% strength when the preseason officially kicks off, citing visible improvements in areas such as conditioning, mobility and the kid's body in general. Obviously, we'll know nada for certain until he's on the court in October, but it's certainly a positive report, one in line with previous ones of a full recovery expected.
Also, Eric Pincus of Hoopsworld has been a busy beaver, cranking out two Laker-centric pieces. In his rundown of the P&G roster, Pincus relays the Miami Herald's info on free agent DJ Mbenga's status (The Heat might make a slightly bigger offer than the vet minimum deal apparently on the table from L.A.) and Josh Powell's two-year contract, which Pincus heard is either partially or non-guaranteed. I figured it was fully guaranteed, so that's a bit of a surprise to me. He also doesn't think the Lakers will pursue Clipper free agents Shaun Livingston or Quinton Ross, which in no way surprises me.
His other piece offers his take in a "Who's better: Kobe or LeBron?" debate, a topic otherwise shamefully neglected by the media. Pincus takes the Mamba's side, fellow Hoopsworlder Travis Health the King's.
AK
BD,
>>>>>We both agree on 2 things....Bynum is the key to the Championship this year
>>>>>and yes he will get the max this year. Your point is valid they will never let him
>>>>>get close to free agency. You lock up this kid now at 21!!!
Damn straight, BD. Drew will get his near-max extension (I still think he will give the Lakers a discount for committing now) before his 21st birthday on October 27th – 4 days before the deadline to sign him to an extension. We’re the Original Bynum Believers.
Where is Bynamite?
Mamba, we need a Bigger and Better Bynum Bandwagon!!!!! Put BD and me down as co-founders. Then get ready to add hundreds of bloggers. Summer vacation is over for you. Larry. LOL. Please!!!!!!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 29, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Via hoopshype.
Kobe's a cool dude, says Sav
BY TIM KEEBLE
29/08/2008 9:51:00 AM
TAKE it from Australian Boomers forward Glen Saville - NBA superstar Kobe Bryant is "a good bloke".
Saville returned to Wollongong on Tuesday with fond memories of Beijing.
The two-time Olympian will fly to Adelaide today to join his Hawks team-mates for tomorrow night's pre-season trial against the 36ers.
Yesterday the Mercury caught up with Saville to find out what it was like to take on the NBA's best players.
While Bryant's USA team-mates didn't win many friends on the way to winning the gold medal at Beijing, Saville said the famous Los Angeles Lakers guard left a lasting impression for all the right reasons.
"Without a shadow of a doubt, Kobe carried himself way above every other person on that team," he said.
"I'd heard and read stuff about him in the past, but he was a class act all the way through, even going back to when we played them at the pre-Olympic tournament in Shanghai.
"Most of the other guys on that team just acted like prima donnas. They just carried on like pork chops," he added.
One of those Saville was referring to was Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
Matched against the Americans in the quarter-final, Saville lined up a three-pointer and was fouled hard by Wade when the gold medal favourites were comfortably ahead late in the game.
The pair exchanged words, with the Wollongong Hawks forward letting Wade know he wasn't happy about the unnecessary cheap shot.
"He didn't make a play at the ball, he just ran straight at my legs," the 32-year-old said.
"He said 'You got the foul', and I just asked him would he have liked it if I'd done the same thing to him.
"You kind of want to say more, but it's hard to talk trash when you're down 30."
Saville's defensive assignments didn't start and finish with Wade and Bryant in Australia's 31-point quarter-final loss to the eventual champs.
He also had the unenviable task of squaring off with Cleveland Cavaliers dynamo LeBron James.
"One time you come down the floor and you're guarding Kobe Bryant, the next time down you're guarding LeBron James," he said.
"It was awesome. Not many people get the opportunity to guard those guys in the same game, and I really enjoyed it.
"LeBron talks a lot of smack (sledging) and he was talking it to me when I shot a three over him. I might've said something back if the shot went down, but he just talks non-stop."
After seven years in the national side, Saville initially had believed he would step down from international duty after Beijing.
But he has left the door open.
"I thought maybe my body might not be up to it again, but I talked to Goorj (coach Brian Goorjian) and he told me not to jump the gun too early.
"I'll have a good think about it and wait and see what happens with the big revamp coming up for Australian basketball," Saville said.
"If I do retire from the Boomers, I get to do it on my own terms, and it's a really good way to finish.
"Our results were better than Athens and I came away with a lot of good memories.
"Now that the NBL season is close again, I'm just looking forward to putting the Hawks singlet on again," he added.
Posted by: Jams | August 29, 2008 at 10:29 AM
hobbitmage,
Way to debate, hobbit. I have to say that the way you, blitz, and Long Time fire back with stats and info to back your positions is superb. I nominate the three of you as the Lakers Blog’s Triple Towers of Debate. Thank God you guys are Lakers fans and not trolls. LOL. Keep up the great posts. It’s wonderful to see so much enthusiasm, intelligence, and courtesy and respect as you each fight for your points. A great example for Lakers fans on how to debate with respect and courtesy. Thanks from all of us.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 29, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Xodus,
A bigger and better Bynum! How you doing, Karl?
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 29, 2008 at 10:37 AM
UNLEASH THE BEAST & WELCOME
BACK BYNUM BANDWAGON 2008 - 2009
**
(01) LAKER TOM – CEO
(02) BD Owner
(03) PIG MILLER – Driverr
(04) MAMBA – Riding Shotgun
(05) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN – Playmaker
(06) SAMLL – Director of Enforcement
(07) TOAD – Director of Security
(08) THA SHOW - Just keeping us real
(09) TSPHERE – SuperDelegate - Got My vote!
(10) MARKYTHEARKY – Director of Mirrors and reflections of teams behind
(11) MILO RAMBALDI- --Team Prophet. – Predicts Bynum greatness
(12) HMRHED – Director of determining when to unleash the Beast
(13) FATTY – Director of P.R.
(14) MRBARNEYDANGLES – Taught the Skyhook to the Beast
(15) LAKERFAZE – Original Owner but Wagon was hijacked and given new
................................Paint job and name. Now everyone wants own.
(16) KOBESBAD – Taught Kobe to be bad, now teaching the Beast
(17) KEIFO – Will decide when the Beast should play
(18) DS – Pau Gasols personal Body Guard
(19) JAY JAY – Masquerades as Director of Basketball operations
(20) LAKER TRUTH - knows how to make the Beast purr like a kitty.
Posted by: Mamba24 | August 29, 2008 at 10:53 AM
LakerTom,
Pretty good. I'm excited about college football finally starting up. It'll definitely make the time go faster until the NBA starts up again.
Posted by: Karl | August 29, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Jon K,
"I just watched your little video thing about developmental trend of Kobe receiving consistent good press. You guys are right, but its been a long, slow process since Colorado for that to develop and many of us in Laker Nation have had to defend the guy for so long that it becomes a reactionary pattern. Was the media heavily negatively biased AGAINST Kobe Bryant? Yes and for the large majority of his career. Is the media negatively biased against Kobe? Not really, and with the victory of Team USA led by Kobe, press bias should go from neutral towards being unfairly POSITIVELY biased towards Kobe, especially if/when the Lakers start rolling up Championships."
That's actually a very good way of assessing the situation.
Fans feel a need to stick up for Kobe in a way that's both compulsive and often unnecessary. I've found myself dealing with "hater" accusations in posts where I've literally talked him up for MVP. It feels insane at times. I think for a lot of Kobe fans, years of defending him has made it second nature to enter that mode 24/7 and not recognize that his press had grown largely positive over the last few years. And especially right now. That's obvious to anyone not harping on the past (or an occasional negative article) or reading into good articles for the "underlying bad message."
And for some writers, it's far too second nature (or maybe just too convenient an article theme) talking about Kobe's ability to permanently "polarize," when that's been dying down quite a bit as well. Does Kobe still have detractors? Sure, but so do all players (Trust me. My job requires me to spend a LOT of time reading articles). In the meantime, Kobe's press and fan treatment has grown considerably more positive. Like we said in the video, it's ridiculous that some writers found Bryant's popularity in China "surprising." He's enormously popular stateside and was arguably the most accomplished athlete competing in the Olympics' most high profile competition. Of course he'll get a lot of cheers. And the "he's a revelation" articles about "setting a tone" felt recycled from the ones written last summer (for Team USA) and the '08 Lakers. Praise the tone set, by all means. But why is it a shock, exactly? We've moved past the stage where Kobe and teammates are often unable to communicate.
In many ways, it would do the media and Kobe fans alike well to remind themselves that it's no longer 2003-2005. Both parties need to stop drudging up the past so much. BK summed things up nicely when he said that perception hasn't caught up with reality.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 29, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I think for a lot of Kobe fans, years of defending Kobe has made it second nature
to enter that mode 24/7 and not recognize that his press had grown largely positive
over the last few years and especially right now.
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 29, 2008 at 11:12 AM
As an over zealous Kobe fan I agree with you 100% and shall seek to
present a more balance viewpoint in the future.
Larry(Mamba24)
Posted by: Mamba24 | August 29, 2008 at 11:20 AM
GET YOUR NAMES IN FOR THE BYNUM THE BEAST BANDWAGON.
UPDATES ARE NOW ONLY ONCE A DAY! THANKS!
Larry(Mamba24)
Posted by: Mamba24 | August 29, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Thanks Mamba24!
BD
Posted by: BD | August 29, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Mike T,
It's a Lakers blog dude, you can discuss politics somewhere else.
Thanks.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 29, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Now that DNC is over back to the Lakers. Good news for Bynum but why does this Westchester kid have to train in Atlanta, Georgia? What does a humid place, gridlock airports and hurricane path have some edge against the sunny Santa Monica or the cool breeze El Segundo. What's wrong about of Pauley Pavillion, he gets to know more Magic and loyal Los Angelinos. Ahh, I know away from junk foods where Socks used to hang out! Anyway, I'm happy that the long wait produces great results. So Mamba24 include me in the roll call as a mascot of Bynum to keep him away from junk foods.
Mitch picked up good players to replace Ronny Turiaf but they are mostly guards except for an ex-Clipper, Josh Powell as PF at 6'9", 225 lbs,is that enough to provide power in defense? Mitch picks on guards like Sun, Dwayne, Joe and Coby are good but they can't replace Mihm and Drew in case they fall down again like the previous season. No insurance on Center, no defensive players to handle the NBA thugs. We all know that Bynum is foul prone, Kobe is only the reliable strong defender and also Ariza, the rest are finesse and great for gymnastics. Mihm and Odom may be on the way out before the season ends thru trade deal or being cut unless they can prove their worth to pay extra luxury taxes.
While the Lakers have the edge based on player identification on Kobe/Bynum/Gasol, there still no guarantee if we don't pick up something to answer the question why we lost the Finals last Spring? Bynum is the easy answer, other than Bynum are weak insurance.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 29, 2008 at 11:48 AM
MY PLEASURE BD.
Posted by: Mamba24 | August 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM
YOU DA MAN MAMBA!!!
Posted by: keifo | August 29, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Butler,
"the lakers seem to be standing pat,"
How similar will the Lakers roster at the end of 2008-9 be to the Lakers roster that was in the 2007-8 finals?
Your answer should include, but not ncessarily be limited to, discussion of the impact of the following items: increased experience of the younger individuals and the team as a whole, the benefit of pre-season and training camp for the players who were on the roster in the finals but did not start the season with the team, the change in position that will happen for several players, the fact that four players (Bryant, Fisher, Mihm, Ariza) were playing through injuries or just recovering from them in the finals, and will presumably be healthy next year, and finally, the additions to the roster.
You have one hour. Begin.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 29, 2008 at 11:59 AM
LGC,
>>>Question for you: Who do you think is the "best player"?
>>>
>>>Jordan, Shack or Starlet?
The complete body of their work? Jordan, obviously.
Which one will play better this season? Kobe, also obviously.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 29, 2008 at 12:05 PM
>>>Can he really run through screens and chase down the
>>>Tony Parker's, Steve Nash, Deron Williams, Chris Paul
>>>and so on?
One thing you may be neglecting is that playing Sun Yue at
PG allows more flexibility on switching. Fish or Farmar can't
really switch onto a PF, but a 6'9" guy has at least a chance
of defending a frontcourt player after a switch.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 29, 2008 at 12:13 PM
LGC,
If PP was "the #1 guy," why was KG First Team All NBA and PP was only on the Third Team? And why is this the only award he's won?
Is Tony Parker ever the "#1 guy" on the Spurs when Duncan is on the floor?
Look at the greats of this game, Jordan, Magic, Bird, Kareem, etc. when they won Finals MVP as "#1 guy" weren't they All NBA First Team?
Look at the 80-81 Celtic Championship Team and tell me who their "#1 guy" was and tell me who the MVP was. I think it's a similar situation to the 07 and 08 championships.
Here's a free lesson: In this game of basketball, there's the difference between being the "#1 guy" and having a good series or game. Answer these questions intelligently and you MIGHT get some credibility.
Posted by: JSNV | August 29, 2008 at 12:13 PM
>>>when China played the US, did China play a zone or
>>>did Yue guard any of the US guards? I know Kobe went
>>>at him a little but did Yue try to guard Chris Paul or
>>>Deron Williams?
China played a zone. Sun Yue was usually positioned at
the top of the zone, or on one of the wings.
Kobe did go at Sun Yue a bit, and vice versa -- you can see
the results in the highlight reels I posted a few days ago.
Sun Yue hit a couple of 3's when Kobe sagged off to defend
a post player. Sun Yue defended Kobe's outside shooting
fairly well, but Kobe faked him out of his shoes a couple of
times and blew by him to the hoop.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 29, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Yeah, most everybody's back to lovin' Kobe.
Question is, will that include the 09 refs?
Posted by: Vman | August 29, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Vman,
I must say with mild embarassment that I have many times used my Bio-Chrono knowledge to pick up on women. It works particularly well with California women.
("Oh my God! You really understand me!")
And, you know, it also helps you figure out how well you're going to click with another person. It's pretty useful on a relationship level because you understand better where the person is coming from.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 29, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Andrew Z,
Way to lay down the law.
Posted by: Karl | August 29, 2008 at 12:31 PM
KEIFO!! KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
Posted by: Mamba24 | August 29, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Just as an FYI,
I don't care if Mike posts the link to his political blog, if he simply is offering for people to read it or just directing people a forum more appropriate for a political debate. However, we won't allow him to get into the politics themselves on this blog. Hopefully, that strikes everyone as a fair compromise to the "no politics" atmosphere we've tried to create.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 29, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Mamba24,
>>> As an over zealous Kobe fan I agree with you 100% and shall seek to present a more balance viewpoint in the future.
As an overzealous Kobe fan, I say that there is no need to seek more balance. In today's NBA, Kobe is in a class by himself. Others can aspire, but KB24's status is absolutely higher.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 29, 2008 at 12:36 PM
oops...it's Xodus posting as Karl...I'm having a political argument on another board and it makes me post as Karl here too. lol
Posted by: Xodus | August 29, 2008 at 12:39 PM
mamba24,
Still at da lake front, but it just wouldn't be right not to get in on a bandwaggon dedicated to big baby. I might have been stupid enuff to hate on him when the beast within was hidden, but I aint too proud to beg to be on his waggon.
Add me to the bynum bandwaggon ... sign it thus ...
Taliq -- LakerKingdom is guarded by Mamba and the Beast, who want test us?
Nah seriously, we calling out the entire league. For years y'all been bringing ya A game cuz we had the best player and now that we got the best team we dont wanna hear no excuses, we don't wanna see no fear in ya eyes. We want y'all to be eager to step to us, so pls come get some, cuz we bout pay y'all back in full and then some.
Itz da second coming of showtime ... we settling for nothing but gold y'all ... with a purple ribbon to make sure it look pretty ...
Posted by: Taliq | August 29, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Xodus,
Deep down inside my gut is telling me that Andrew Bynum is going to be physically like Shaq, but with a skill set similar to that of Kareem.
That's what my gut is telling me, but my mind doesn't want to hear because it sounds so crazy irrationally optimistic.
Still... if the guy has Shaq's body... is intelligent... is hard-working... and is being personally mentored by The Captain... ummm... my mind is starting to concede that my gut instinct may not be TOTALLY irrational.
But, man, imagine a player on THAT level playing with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and the bench we've got.
God must really be a Lakers fan because that's just fricken historic.
I want to believe. I want to believe.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 29, 2008 at 12:40 PM
This blog is to AK/BK and to anyone else:
The Lakers will never win a championship
with Pau/Lamar/Luke/Vladimir.
Not having Andrew and Trevor and an injured Kobe and Derek is no excuse for games 4 and 6.
Period.
I really feel sorry for AK/BK for fueling this sad blog with false hope.
Rick Fox felt the team quit against the Celtics.
I agree with Rick Fox.
And please: the Celtics had injuries too AK/BK.
You guys are sad.
I look for Kobe to leave this team and play for a championship with the Sixers.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | August 29, 2008 at 12:42 PM
AK,
So it's ok to post a porn blog site if I am simply offering for people to read it or just directing people to a forum more appropriate for porn debate?
Go Lakers!
BD
Posted by: BD | August 29, 2008 at 12:49 PM
that's the thing on Sun Yue though, if they do switch off, if Sun Yue is on the PF, then... who's on Deron Williams? Gasol? Not that Farmar is any great shakes in these situations either but what I'm talking about is a 6'9" guy being able to run all over the court chasing a Steve Nash. You're talking about a track meet with picks and screens.
Don't get me wrong, I think after Sun Yue "burns in" this year, he could be really interesting the next season, when he has had time to digest how fast these guys are, what he needs to work on, do a conditioning program, etc. I still suspect he will have to be out there with a ball handling guard, so technically, you could have 2 "facilitators" at the guard positions, say Farmar and Yue playing at the same time and neither one would technically be the "shooting guard".
It's going to be interesting to see him play. Does he have the guts, especially as a rookie coming in, to take open shots and NOT always pass the ball to Kobe? We saw Fisher stand up to Kobe early last year and not pass him the ball which allowed Farmar to do more of that. Farmar just didn't have the cache his first season when Kobe would run up right next to him and take the ball out of his hands and Smush was never able to overcome that.
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | August 29, 2008 at 12:50 PM
hey, Sun Yue already shrunk, on Yahoo he's listed at 6'7"...
also, I don't think Turiaf was 6'10" so Josh Powell is about the same size but gives up about 20 pounds to Ronny, unless... Powell has been working out like Bynum? Let's hope so...
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | August 29, 2008 at 12:52 PM
mamba,
You're the best, Larry.
Thanks.
Posted by: LakerTom | August 29, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Before training camp starts somebody needs to take Lamar Odom and his nefarious foot to a witch doctor, a Santeria priest or a Catholic exorcist.
That nefarious foot has some bad mojo that makes it want to hurt its teammates when they are going up for a rebound.
Gots to get that bad mojo OUT!
We need everybody healthy next year!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 29, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Passionate Lakers Fan,
"This blog is to AK/BK and to anyone else: The Lakers will never win a championship with Pau/Lamar//Luke/Vladimir. Not having Andrew and Trevor and an injured Kobe and Derek is no excuse for games 4 and 6.
Period. I really feel sorry for AK/BK for fueling this sad blog with false hope. Rick Fox felt the team quit against the Celtics. I agree with Rick Fox. And please: the Celtics had injuries too AK/BK. You guys are sad. I look for Kobe to leave this team and play for a championship with the Sixers."
I never said those reasons were an "excuse" for games 4 and 6. They're simply realistic reasons why blowing up the team- as you seem to be suggesting- would be ridiculous. You also never addressed any of my actual points made, including who the Lakers should bring in to replace these Pau/LO/Luke/Vlad (and more importantly, how). It's easy to just repeat "they'll never win with so and so" over and over, but much harder to come up with a feasible plan.
Also, unless Kobe is willing to play for an MLE or one mother of a sign and trade is coming, he'll never end up in Philly next season. It's literally impossible. Sorry to disappoint you.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 29, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Jon,
>>>>>Deep down inside my gut is telling me that Andrew Bynum is going to be
>>>>>physically like Shaq, but with a skill set similar to that of Kareem.
>>>>>That's what my gut is telling me, but my mind doesn't want to hear because
>>>>>it sounds so crazy irrationally optimistic.
>>>>>I want to believe. I want to believe.
Don’t listen to the doubters and questioners who are afraid to get ahead of themselves. Listen to what your eyes and ears tell you. Andrew Bynum has the potential to be Shaq with Kareem’s skills and Kobe’s drive. You are not crazy. The doubters and questioners are the ones with the problem. THE NEXT GREAT LAKERS CENTER IS HERE!
Welcome to the Era of the Beast. Get ready for a Bigger and Better Bynum.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 29, 2008 at 01:00 PM
passionate Laker Fan,
Cool. Just don't show up on the blog or the parade when the Lakers win the championship.
Deal?
Posted by: Xodus | August 29, 2008 at 01:04 PM
"Please stop deluding yourself and stop trying to delude me".
Don't delude the facts then. Did we get beaten badly in Game 6? Yes. Did we lose the series? Yes. Remember though, we got beaten by 19 points in the regular season as well and that was with Bynum AND Ariza starting. The Celtic defense was *made* to close the passing lanes and force Kobe to shoot from perimeter as well tire him out defensively (making him use energy on defensive end saps his offense energy). Guarding Ray Allen is no easy task and the Celtics set multiple screens (some illegal ones) and got Ray Ray wide open. When Kobe guarded Rondo instead for Game 3 whalla, 36 points and his best game of the series. Game 4 he had 10 assists. Game 6 he goes against Pierce and forced him to 3-13 shooting but again shoots less than 38%. The Celtics weren't made to slow Kobe down by constant aggression. It made him to shoot contested jumper because they closed down the passing lanes for him as well as the basket.
"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."
Like I said before, he got a defensive player. Did he say it was a defensive player that could start? Nope, he simply said Trevor was a defensive player. Can't assume that simply he is a defensive player that Trevor *should* be a starter even on the premise of *if and only if*. Will Trevor get minutes like 20+ off the bench? I believe so based on minutes last year before the injury. Getting a defensive player =/= starter material. And Trevor has a long way to be starter material. (He needs to be good on offense as well, even Bowen has some offense).
"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."
2 NBA Finals for Fish. Ron Harper and Brian Shaw led the 1st championship as point guard and Derek was simply a role player then. I consider Fisher a bit more consistent as Lamar. I do consider Sasha more inconsistent than either Fish and Lamar. Shooting 39% in the Finals is more inconsistent than any inconsistent thing that either Fisher or Odom has done in the Finals.
"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."
Ok since you obviously think ill of statistics why else did Farmar flame out in his rookie season and Shammond Williams ate his minutes? Here' some facts maybe: Jordan is young and couldn't handle the sch of the NBA compared to NCAA yet (Fact NBA is much longer than NCAA). Jordan still is a rookie and nearly a 2nd Round Pick (26th in 1st Round). That is a fact. Most rookies in the later 1st Round don't develop till truly later in about 2-3 seasons later rather. (Sasha took 4 seasons to even show some potential and that was after Evans was traded and Trevor injured). Fact is Jordan didn't play as much because he was a rookie and wasn't used to the NBA style of bball. If you think that him being a starter when he flamed out in his rookie year would have made us do better against the Suns, now you are deluding yourself.
"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!"
Shane Battier, Shawn Marion (we could have gotten Marion last summer), AK47, Gerald Wallace. As for financial costs? Easily done like the Cook-Ariza trade.
"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."
Um didn't *see* that against Grant Hill and especially Paul Pierce. Since you don't want statistics (since you love to group them with lies and say they are inaccurate-by grouping them with lies, you are basically saying that) I'll try another way. Paul Pierce went to the free throw line 11 out of 13 times. That is not a statistic, that is a FACT.
Grant Hill shooting 10 times and making the basket 6 times for a grand total of 14 points is a FACT as much as him getting dunked on by Trevor.
Why didn't Ariza "lock down" Paul Pierce and instead allowed Paul to get past him and get Bynum and Kobe into foul trouble? So much "lock down" defender that you say Ariza is and yet you are the one who calls me deluded lol.
"I don't know where you got the opinions for Odom,
Sasha & Ariza."
Draftexpress.com. And if you say they are wrong, does that make you the emperor of who is good at defense or not? Remember, the guys who maintain that site also watches games and not rely on the statistics.
And the bench factor I will say again, they SUCKED in the Finals. Ronny was nowhere, Luke was in outer space, Sasha only had one great game and shot POORLY. Ariza to his credit was out of shape. Jordan Farmar also was in limbo for all games except Game 5 and got TOASTED in Game 6 in the 2nd quarter defensively not to mention turning the ball over 4 times (as much as Kobe). They got MANHANDLED by Boston's bench who had old players like PJ Brown and Sam Cassell and let the Celtics in Game 2 and 6 run over us. You are partly right in saying "Lakers" got manhandled as the bench are part of the Lakers. With the exception of Radman, the starters played very decent defense without their best post defender but the rest of the Lakers played defense like crap (and that includes Trevor).
No Bynum=no post defense. You want to say "defense" well our best post defender was injured. Pau did a solid job on KG and so did Lamar on a bigger player (Perkins--4ppg after 9.3ppg against Detroit). Not having our best post defender we can only go so far and next year we will have Bynum back. Aside from Radman, I saw no faulty defense in our starting unit. Our bench I saw some of the worst defense. And you want to deprive them of their best defender? That is not delusional, it is illogical.
I'll end this response with some positives.
My response: I disagree. Ariza doesn't have to show
*US* squat.
Partly correct you are. To us Laker fans, Ariza doesn't have to show us squat. It's to PJ that he has to PROVE that he can play defense at a starter's level and not just show potential.
"The philosophy of the Lakers, in conjunction with the
off season work by the players & health, will determine
who starts at what position."
I couldn't agree more.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 29, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Long Time,
>>>>>There hasn't been a person that close to the top and that
>>>>>out of touch with reality since Marie Antoinette said, "Let
>>>>>them eat cake."
Marie Antoinette? I thought it was Kwame Brown that said that. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 29, 2008 at 01:05 PM
>>>I don't care if Mike posts the link to his political blog, if he
>>> simply is offering for people to read it or just directing
>>>people a forum more appropriate for a political debate.
>>>However, we won't allow him to get into the politics
>>>themselves on this blog. Hopefully, that strikes everyone
>>> as a fair compromise to the "no politics" atmosphere
>>>we've tried to create.
So I take it you'll accept anyone's links to political sites here
as well, and not just Mike T's. For example, if I want to post
a link to Obama's site you're not going to censor it, right?
http://tinyurl.com/6d22pu
Or maybe if I want to post a link to Roseanne's blog about
politics, then that's fair game:
http://tinyurl.com/6bwqte
And notice that I even followed the blog policy of making
my links into tinyurls, unlike mike t.
As long as you allow the same level of access to all posters,
that's fair. If you choose to censor any political links, then
you should censor ALL links, including mike t's.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 29, 2008 at 01:07 PM
BD,
"AK, So it's ok to post a porn blog site if I am simply offering for people to read it or just directing people to a forum more appropriate for porn debate?"
Actually, no, because the porn links would be a violation of the Times' rules. The politics issue is just BK and my personal preference, as opposed to a corporate mandate. And let's be honest. Is any instruction really required to find porn on the net? haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 29, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Stay Thirsty,
>>>>> hey, Sun Yue already shrunk, on Yahoo he's listed at 6'7"...
I saw Sun get measured in the video of his workout with the Lakers. He measured out at 6-8 ¾ in stocking feet. The guy is a genuine 6-9 point guard.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 29, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Thanks passionate!
I guess I will root for the Clippers this year. You think they have a better chance of winning it all? What would we do with out the doom and gloom scenerios from Laker Fans? A fan with there team in the finals w/o a true center and he is going to tell me Lakers suck and they don't have a chance??
You negative fool. Let me guess, you don't have any friends? Just sour on life I guess. Negative people crack me up with all the sky is falling crap. We just had Smush and Kwame on the team, we get to the finals without the Beast down low and we suck and will always suck with whoever is on the team. I can see you know what you are talking about. Let me guess a teenager not happy with life?
BD
Posted by: BD | August 29, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Passionate Laker Fan, I don't know whether Lakers cannot win the Championship this year. I don't agree with your assessment just basing everything on the weakness of four players while I do not agree also with LakerTom for making rosy predictions with his basis with the beast who acts like a puppy. The best thing is don't make any predictions, just play a hard ball game, cheer like a passionate fan with optimism that we can win game after game.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 29, 2008 at 01:10 PM
LTLF,
"So I take it you'll accept anyone's links to political sites here as well, and not just Mike T's. For example, if I want to post a link to Obama's site you're not going to censor it, right?
http://tinyurl.com/6d22pu
Or maybe if I want to post a link to Roseanne's blog about
politics, then that's fair game:
http://tinyurl.com/6bwqte"
Assuming it doesn't get ridiculously out of hand, I actually have zero problem with that. As long as it it's just you saying "here's a place to discuss politics," leaving the link and that's the end of it. I'll all for everyone figuring out places to go to discuss politics that aren't here. Everyone's lives become easier.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 29, 2008 at 01:11 PM
passionate Laker Fan? What injuries? Paul Pierce, Paul Pierce played in all the games in the Finals? Rajon Rondo? For Game 3 indeed but he still played Game 4 and the rest of the series. Kendrick Perkins? Look what happened when Perkins got injured and Game 5 we won. Perkins back in Game 6 and we lose. Very poor logic.
Are you also saying Pau Gasol for Kwa-may Brown was a terrible trade? if you think so like Mike T. does I have no problem. Just consider this: Kwa-may never developed into what we thought he could.
"Not having Andrew and Trevor and an injured Kobe and Derek is no excuse for games 4 and 6."
Of course no excuses we lost we lost. Consider this though, if we had been healthy would we have still lost? (Remember Bynum was just breaking out before his injury and Ariza gave us solid defense off the bench).
"You guys are sad.
I look for Kobe to leave this team and play for a championship with the Sixers."
If we win the championship next year, will you admit you are wrong?
By the way, you didn't keep your word "passionate laker fan", you were supposed to post next year lol.
Don't worry the door is that way, maybe you can join the Sixers blog instead?
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 29, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Banner Holder here...just checking in. Went incognito from The Blog due to that AWKWARD (and UNNECESSARY) beef between Jon K. & I. Good to see (most of) the Usual Suspects holding down the fort. Will be back full time round late September.
Jon K. - Shame on us. We let a Troll divide us. Let's never let that happen again. Peace, brother.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | August 29, 2008 at 01:15 PM
LakerTom,
"Andrew Bynum has the potential to be Shaq with Kareem’s skills and Kobe’s drive. You are not crazy."
I must disagree with you on one thing. I do not believe that Andrew Bynum has the potential to have Kobe's drive. That's not possible.
If he has 75% of Kobe's drive, that's enough to put Bynum in the Hall of Fame if he has Shaq's body with Kareem's skill. Maybe 60% is all he'd need.
Kobe's drive is by far his greatest asset. He's a total psychological freak in that regard. If Andrew had something close to Kobe's drive, there's no way he's be at UCLA frat parties like he was during the playoffs, hurt or not hurt.
We've seen Andrew's body and what he's physically capable of. We all trust in the genius of Kareem Abdul-Jabaar.
Andrew's drive is the only question mark along the path of Greatness. And it is a question mark.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 29, 2008 at 01:18 PM
AK,
LOL! Just having fun on this Friday afternoon.
Keep up the good work and passionate sent you a nice post. Not a real positive type but says he's a Laker Fan.
BD
Posted by: BD | August 29, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Jon K,
It just wasn't necessary, in a nutshell, especially without any mention of the Lakers themselves or even addressing his thoughts specifically. We're not into people just throwing insults around seemingly for the sake of it.
Hope that makes sense.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 29, 2008 at 01:23 PM