Mark your calendars
August 6, 2008 | 10:29
am
The Lakers' schedule for the 2008-09 season has been released. (Woo!) The purple and gold will open things up at home Oct. 28 against Portland -- an ESPN game, no less -- before hitting "the road" for a game the next night against the Clippers. That one will be on TNT. Those are just two of the 25 nationally televised games the Lakers will play this season.
Other highlights:
- The Shaq/Kobe Christmas has been replaced with the Paul Pierce/Kobe Christmas. Celtics vs. Lakers, in L.A. on Santa Day.
- A home heavy schedule in which 11 of their first 15 games are played at Staples.
- Nov. 10 marks the first visit for Shaq's Suns to L.A.
- Sunday, Dec. 28, vs. Golden State. "Say Hi to Ronny" Night!
- March will be a tough month. Five home games versus 10 on the road, including visits in Phoenix, Portland, Houston and San Antonio, along with potentially tough games in Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta and Charlotte (shouldn't be, but always is).
- The April schedule is reasonably friendly. Three roadies, two against Milwaukee and Sacramento. The Lakers finish the regular season with back-to-back home games against the Grizzlies and Jazz.
(UPDATE: ESPN did a "notable dates" rundown for the entire NBA, if you're interested)
BK
first?
I like the schedule
First game is oden vs. bynum. should be good
Posted by: GO Rakers | August 06, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Good morning, Charles and blog community superior. Looks like a fun schedule. Nice to see we get 10 of the first 15 at home, giving us a nice chance to rebound and have a good start after losing to the Blazers on opening night. ;-)
Posted by: Jesterguru | August 06, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Does the Favre fiasco remind anyone else of last pre-pre-season's Kobe situation? I can't help but think Packer management should have taken a page out of the Jerry Buss handbook and stuck with their star. They will regret letting him go. Discuss.
Posted by: Jesterguru | August 06, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I'm not worried about this schedule -- 80-2 sounds reasonable. hahahahaha.
Posted by: HmrHed | August 06, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Hay Ladies, please be prepared to have a "bah hambag" Christmas when you foos get EMBARASSED on national television AGAIN!
hahahahaahah
Cheers, mate.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Jesterguru
Longtime no chat. How are you? Are you located out here in Los Angeles or Nothern Cali still? I'm trying to gather some of the blog heads for lunch. So far we got Jamie Sweet and Mr. BarneyDangles in the mix. Anybody else want to meet holler.
Best
Posted by: Charles | August 06, 2008 at 10:43 AM
25 nationally televised games to watch Team Ladies get embarassed.
I'll have plenty to color commentary for yooos alls all season long.
Happy?
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 10:50 AM
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
Can't wait to see the SUNS and SHACK remind jellybean jr. that he has yet to get a ring w/o SHACK, and that STEVE GNASH always triumphs vs. the lakers in the playoffs.
Posted by: BUTLER | August 06, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Charles,
I'd love to join y'all but I continue to be exiled in Blazer-land. haha. Thanks for the invite though. Cetainly it works both ways...any of the blog fam ever come up to Portland, I'd be happy to meet up/recommend good eats and things to do.
Posted by: Jesterguru | August 06, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Hmrhead,
"80-2 sounds reasonable."
I guess those losses will be to the Clippers as a courtesy losses but will average 120 ppg declared as the best team ever...
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 06, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Jester,
Good to see another die-hard laker fan here in the Rose City. I've been here since 1989. Used to hate the Blazers, now I only hate them when they play the Lakers! You generally make it to the Rose Garden when the Lakers are in town?
Posted by: Sean L. | August 06, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Jester,
I don't see the parallels between Favre and Kobe.
Favre is in the twilight of his career.
Kobe was in his prime last offseason.
Favre came back from retirement. Kobe's nowhere near that.
The Packers were tinkling with the idea of investing more in their future. The Laker organization at no point preferred letting Kobe go in favor of "building for the future", which is what the Packer fiasco is based upon.
Posted by: Lakafo0 | August 06, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Tough playing NO on the second of a back to back to end a roadie and then back home with a day off to play the Green.
Pre season disclaimers aside, that should be a telling mid term exam.
Posted by: Vman | August 06, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Also,
Farve is beloved and Kobe is hated.
Farve has class and Kobe has doesnt.
Farve has won a champiosnhip as "the guy" Kobe has not.
Farve knows how to get along with teammates while Kobe does not.
Farve loved nationwide whilst Kobe is loved in Beverly Hills 90210.
Any questins? Didn't think so chumps!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 11:28 AM
"building for the future"?
What do ya think youall have been doing the past 3-4 seasons since those wonderful championship years?
Damn, you foos are delousional.
Yall gots 1, maybe 2 good years left on those "old" knees of Kobeef Steakhouse.
ahahhahaahh
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Sean,
"Jester,
Good to see another die-hard laker fan here in the Rose City. I've been here since 1989. Used to hate the Blazers, now I only hate them when they play the Lakers! You generally make it to the Rose Garden when the Lakers are in town?"
I go every time, though it'd be nice if they'd win one for me, haha. I'm with you on the can't-loath-the-Blazers thing, especially when it's so respectable what they've done with the franchise here. Likable team. However, the fans are often obnoxious -- if not delusional about their chances this season -- and it's easy to loath THEM, especially at the games against the Lakers.
Lakafo0,
"Jester,
I don't see the parallels between Favre and Kobe.
Favre is in the twilight of his career.
Kobe was in his prime last offseason.
Favre came back from retirement. Kobe's nowhere near that.
The Packers were tinkling with the idea of investing more in their future. The Laker organization at no point preferred letting Kobe go in favor of "building for the future", which is what the Packer fiasco is based upon."
I agree totally with your points. However, part of what I'm saying is that by "building for the future" they are sacrificing a shot at winning it all right freaking now. The situations are different in somoe ways but there are also key similarities.
You're looking at two superstars, both capable of leading a team to a title regardless of age, unhappy with the direction of the team and looking to force a trade.
In both cases, the team finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Let him go and see him possibly lead another team to glory (and maybe destroy you along the way) as you undergo a tough rebuilding process. Or keep him and face a potential season-long distraction.
My point was, Buss decided to go with the devil he knew and we all saw the results. A near-title (similar to GB's achievement last year with an aging Favre). GB, on the other hand, is blowing Favre out the door and if you want to know what will happen, see the last paragraph.
Also, both situations are sports page gold. However, from a PR standpoint (which then translates to fan happiness and ultimately potentially revenue lost or gained), nobody wins in the Favre situation. In LA, everyone has been all smiles, at least for a year.
Even if Kobe looked bad for a few months, he ultimately found redemption. If Buss and Mitch looked like court jesters for a minute, they ultimately wound up ruling the west.
Better to go with the devil you know.
Posted by: Jesterguru | August 06, 2008 at 11:40 AM
I can't wait for the season to start. I am anxious to see how well the line up does. Can Lamar slide to SF and be effective? Will LO come off the bench as the 6th man and lead the second unit. Will Bynum be healthy and pick up where he left off. Can AB and Pau become effective? Will Kobe still be Kobe? How will Ariza fit in? Can Mihm come close to being what he was before the ankle injury? If so - pretty nice back up even with his defensive weaknesses. All the back and forth about 120 points a game, defense etc. is all fine and dandy. The bottom line however, is that even though by in large it is the 'same' team that made it to the finals, the wild cards are Bynum, Ariza and Mihm's health and even Puke, Kobe and D Fish's health to a lesser extent. You also should expect Farmar and Sasha to improve some - maybe even Vlad too (I can dream can't I?). Seriously - they should be better without adding anyone even taking Ronny going to the Warriors into account. There will be changes but none of us know for sure exactly what Phil and Co. have in mind and we need to see how it plays out over the first weeks of the season. I am in agreement with those that argue for a tough guy at the 4/5 or even the 3 to defend the likes of Pierce, but the cost has to be right. Otherwise let this crew roll and see what happens. And frankly that appears to be the Lakers plan. Try some combo's see how they work and if it isn't working well enough someone - likely LO will be traded. Keep the faith Lakers fans - we are serious contenders - maybe not a lock to win the West or win it all but serious serious serious contenders that other teams will have to be concerned with. Heck just getting a healthy Ariza and Bynum back will help the defense no?
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | August 06, 2008 at 11:45 AM
C's: Dude, even your friends only pretend to think you are funny. Actually, nevermind. You must have no friends, as how could you when you spend an inordinate amount of your personal time attempting to stir the pot in a forum where nobody listens to your inane rambles.
I will continue to mostly scroll past them, except when I want to briefly remind myself how much smarter I am than you.
I know there were several multisyllabic (sound it out) words in those last two paragraphs, but I am hoping against hope for that unlikely scenario in which you get the gist.
Posted by: Jesterguru | August 06, 2008 at 11:46 AM
November 10th is the first day the Suns come to L.A.? Sounds like plenty of time for Shaq to come up with an injury.
Posted by: puddle | August 06, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Hey do you think if did a sign and trade of Rad and Walton for Josh Smith...do you think we can average 120 pts next season? The way the new schedule looks...I think we have a good chance to score 120 pts per game.
What do you all think?
LOL! (real LOL)
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 06, 2008 at 11:50 AM
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?
We can all agree where to go, but I think a location that's central to everyone and thus not super inconvenient for everyone makes the most sense. Maybe NE Bay, Oakland, Berkeley?
Posted by: Benjamin | August 06, 2008 at 11:53 AM
This little November stretch should be interesting:
Sun 09 vs Houston
Tue 11 @ Dallas
Wed 12 @ New Orleans
Fri 14 vs Detroit
Tue 18 vs Chicago
Thu 20 @ Phoenix
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 06, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I shall not respond to any individual on a personal level, but you know who I'm talkin bout.
I will say, however, this blog is the most sensitive, narsistic bunch I have ever seen.
Comments have been made (however benign) about your beloved Lakers and Kobeef steakhouse are sometimes "unacceptable" to the controllers of such blog becuase the collective "feelings" of the blog get hurt.
Oh me so sorry. I apologise.
What I don't understand is you all go "off" like your SuperStarlet (remember, "I can get off at anytime and I did"?) on other players or teams, but that's "acceptable".
Funny, funny and more funny.
You all like to dish it out, but when it comes to taking it, "it's the end of the world, punishable by death".
hahaahahahhah
Yoos are so funny!!! Make me laugh.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Repost:
This little November stretch should be interesting:
Sun 09 vs Houston
Tue 11 @ Dallas
Wed 12 @ New Orleans
Fri 14 vs Detroit
Tue 18 vs Chicago
Thu 20 @ Phoenix
Well, since the Lakers are going to be scoring 120 pts per game...this little stretch should be a breeze.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 06, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Laker Tom, I was wondering if you have Popeye calves b/c mike. t sure is obsessed with you.
Posted by: Fire32 | August 06, 2008 at 12:11 PM
cool..im some what..no reall..but kinda diggin the new schedule. ill be at the L.A. @ NO game..
P.s.
Aint got no....!
Posted by: lakeraholic | August 06, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Eagleboy,
" can't wait for the season to start."
Just a little bit of a different feeling from last summer, isn't it?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 06, 2008 at 12:28 PM
What do you all think?
LOL! (real LOL)
~~No way, we don't have the defensive player with mighty calves who can score at will and seal the post with his body armour.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 06, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Well atleast fooball season is about to start. can wait to watch the worlds greatest football team (the Mighty Oakland raiders) make a run for the superbowl...that and a laker championship would really make my year
Posted by: lakeraholic | August 06, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Edwin,
As usual the two losses will be to dreadful teams like Charlotte and the Knicks.
Let's Go C's -- How about if the Lakers beat the green on Christmas Day you retire your name forever and only post here under the name Butler?
Posted by: HmrHed | August 06, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Let's go C's,
We get it. To you Kobe sucks and the Lakers are a joke. Ok, time to develop some new material and stop posting like you are a homeless Celtics fan on crack. Try to limit yourself to 2 or 3 posts an hour, that way you can calm down and actually write some new material.
Your Celtics had an awesome year last year. The trio of Allen, KG, and Pierce was fantastic, especially when in mattered the most in the finals. And the team defense was great. We get it. That is why you won the title and deserved it.
But the Lakers had a great team too. We steamrolled through what was supposed to be one of the strong Western Conferences in history. Just so happens that great defense beat the Lakers great offense.
And by the way, we didn't have our starting center, and that person is also our best interior defender, shot blocker, and rebounder. So assuming we meet the Celtics nex year in the finals I think it will be a better match.
So please, for the sake of everyone, just stop posting for awhile, or at least post something new. Seriously dude, you sound like a scratched CD and can fix itself.
DOOOO BEEEE DOOOOO BEEEEE DOOOOOOOOO
Posted by: Stranger in the Night | August 06, 2008 at 12:52 PM
LOL at Oakland making a run for the Superbowl. I know this isn't a football blog, but the Raiders' lofty goal should be to finish 8-8.
Posted by: puddle | August 06, 2008 at 12:55 PM
EagleB,
Vegas Odds to your questions:
Can Lamar slide to SF and be effective? - 30% Chance
Will LO come off the bench as the 6th man and lead the second unit? - 35%
Will Bynum be healthy and pick up where he left off. - 62%
Can AB and Pau become effective (if healthy)? - 99%
Will Kobe still be Kobe? - 99%
How will Ariza fit in? - 70% favorable
Can Mihm come close to being what he was before the ankle injury? - 6%
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | August 06, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Exhelodvr,
Exactly. It is much different than last year - I was in the camp that would have considered trading Kobe - even though it would have been a bad deal no matter whom the Lakers would have gotten in return. I just thought he had really done himself and the Lakers in. But amazingly Bynum took off and showed he belonged in the league - even if you want to dispute if Bynum can become a super dominant force, the kid clearly is a player in the Association.
I do think some tweaks to the roster would be great, but I am cool rolling with this squad. I assume there will be some different strategies employed having Pau, Bynum Kobe and Lamar from the get go. It will be interesting to see what PJ does. Like I said I can't wait I honestly believe if health is not an issue then this squad is better than last years team.
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | August 06, 2008 at 12:58 PM
GOOOOOOO RAIDERS, GO LAKERS!
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | August 06, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Hey Mike T., are mommy and daddy away on vacation?
You seem to have a lot of time on your hands lately.
You must be slacking off on the chore list they gave you before they left. You should re-read your momma's note again....."Mikey, please be a dear and remember to take out the trash, moe the lawn, and do not stay up too late otherwise you get cranky.....XO Mom.. P.S. the meatloaf is in the refridgerator."
( Your 120 pts a game gag is a pretty sad attempt to deflect the criticism YOU get for your inane posts. 120 pts per game was hopeful exuberance on Charles part, but your need to pimp the big Cankle-Kwame has been absurd, and we all know it--let it go and quit trying to prove you are right ALL THE TIME.)
Mr Yan.
Posted by: Mr. Yan | August 06, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Where was "let's go c's" last year before garnett?? I don't remember anybody except ainge's kids claiming to recall they (celts) were even in the league...and that goes for little pp who until this season was a trivia question for "biggest bust born in the LA Area." While we're at it, I don't hear any miami heat fans either. Everybody has lot's of lip when the bandwagon is loading up. So go back to the red auerbach blog, and LEARN TO SPELL while you're at it.
Posted by: Doc4DaLakeShow | August 06, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Bonez,
My bad. You were referring to Mike T.
apologies for connecting you with Mike T.
Mike T, no disrespect. I have actually paid attention
to your comments on defense and Kwame's calves.
Posted by: hobbitmage | August 06, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Bandwagon?
Laker Fans are the biggest bandwagon fans of all. Coming to the games late, leaving early.
Lakerfans proclaim "we are the best if...".
There's always an "if" in the conversation.
What say you Lakernation?
If we had our center...
If the refs hadn't...
If KG...
If Pierce...
If Kobe...
If if if.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Where was Let's go C's before KG? Patiently waiting for managemnt to put some real playahs around the Great Pierce.
The Truth to yall foos.
Remember Ladies, Pierce and Mr. "I can get off at anytime and I did" were in the same EXACT place last season.
Your Starlet acted the fool whil My Playah acted the class act.
KG could have gone to LA, but decided the better of it.
If I remember, Ray Ray is not a great fan of Mr. Selfish, so forget about Allen being second to Mr. Selfish.
You all will NEVER win a title with Mr. "I can get off at any time" because there is no "I" in team.
hahahahahahaah
Keep hatin' on the C's.
LGC in the Laker House!!!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Let's go C's! is the disease
LakerNation is the cure
Good Chi (Lakers) prevail over Bad Chi (Celtics)
Posted by: Rollo Tomassi | August 06, 2008 at 01:30 PM
"What do you guys think about catching the opening game of the season?"
When does ESPN Zone at LA Live (adjacent to Staples Center) open? That should be our homebase.
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 06, 2008 at 01:31 PM
"You all will NEVER win a title with Mr. "I can get off at any time..."
Oh, I get it now. You were born in 2003 and weren't alive during our 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS when Kobe was putting up mid to high 20 point season averages.
We're getting flamed by a 5 year old! No wonder he can't spell. Or think.
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 06, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Who Made You? video feature on Kobe Bryant...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoVag9C5Fwo
Posted by: ajax | August 06, 2008 at 01:43 PM
BK,
Thanks for the dates.
I enjoy celebrating Christmas by watching the Lakers.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 06, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Mr. Yan,
"120 pts per game was hopeful exuberance on Charles part"
Huh?
Posted by: Charles | August 06, 2008 at 01:47 PM
It's like a festering wound on the blog.
Yoos guys are so effing retahded. Da C's are da best 'cause your blah blah blah blah.
Wait a second, where were all of you paper bag wearing Celtics fans two years ago when your precious baby Paulie was whining about not getting the number one pick and asking to be traded?
I'll attempt to match the words, before the post even arrives:
Yoos
Foos
Fakers
Sensitive
Stalet Bryant
(Insert name of Celtics player here)
Your a joke LGC. Just like your tainted title that two executives cheated to give a floundering franchise. Enjoy watching how hamstrung your team is by the middle of the year next year as an aging core starts to break down and you can't trade away the contracts to anyone but Kevin McHale. If he doesn't get fired first for being such a terrible executive.
Look at that. It takes two Celtics execs to do the work of one really good Laker GM.
Loser.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | August 06, 2008 at 01:49 PM
1. I don't know anything about this Novak guy the Clippers picked up. If anyone could give me more details, I'd appreciate it.
2. With all these recent Clippers pickups recently, it doesn't look like the Clippers are going to retain Ross, Livingston, Paul Davis, or Nick Faerkas. The Lakers should look into these players. I'm surprised the Clippers are letting them go. Instead they should look into getting rid of Tim "The Cancer" Thomas.
Go Clippers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 06, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Mr. "I can get off at anytime" had a guy named Shack Kazaaam to carry the load. Didn't your Starlet kick Shack out of town because they couldn't coexist?
I remember now, afterh the finals, there was the major breakup of Malone, Shaq and Kobe. Wasn't there some drama with Shack hitting on Kobe's wife?
What's up with all of the drama? I can't evern bring up the Shack "rap" or better described as Shack's "rip" on Kobe without being admonished.
Your Starlet hasn't really done anything as the #1 guy since 2003.
Take that Jack!
hahahhahaahh
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 01:57 PM