Is this what the rest of the world has to offer? Come on World!! Is that it? That all you got??? I'm gonna go take a nap on my solid gold bed.

I've had my fun for the day.

Go ahead and glory over TEAM USA without dragging the marshmellow brothers through the coal.

You have my permission.

mike t.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away
there was a troll named Gunner. He often talked about how
nobody wanted to play with Kobe and Kobe is a ball hog.
I think he even made some comment about how TEAM USA
wouldn't be successful with Kobe on the team.

Does anyone know what bridge said troll is hiding under?

:)

Jon K.

here are the two links that show's Kwa-may's defense against Yao and Tim. Kobe blocked both

Kobe blocks Yao:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdaIf_sBRYY

Note: Yao turned to his left and pushed Kwa-may back with his body and Yao turned and found a wide open shot in the basket. Kwa-may was lucky that the player Kobe was guarding was attempting to cut to the basket and Kobe found himself as the last defender and blocked Yao's shot. LOL! So much for Kwa-may pushing Yao out of the way when it was Yao Ming who pushed the soft marshmallow scrub called Kwa-may!

Kobe blocks Tim:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxpN4oKuDy4

Note: Kwa-may was guarding Tim but then set a pick for Michael Finley and got Lamar Odom. Kwa-may tried double Finley but Finley passed over Kwa-may and Turiaf managed to get strength to make Duncan have a layup instead of a dunk and Kobe blocked it. Good job Ronny for covering Kwa-may's defense! And Kobe comes out and blocks The Big Fundemental (Will go down as the greatest power forward in NBA history).

That's all for now.

The world doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell if the US players are committed. That means time, effort and focus.

If we go back to phoning it in between Nike shoots, it could be another Bronze Age.

AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE GENERATES OFFENSE…

The game this morning between USA and Spain was a great example of the type of defense that the Lakers need to play next year, especially with Andrew Bynum patrolling the lane and protecting the rim. But it was also a perfect example of great defense fueling great transition offense. Team USA’s 119 points scored was a direct result of their 16 steals.

Phil Jackson’s championship teams always depending upon aggressive pressing and trapping on-ball defense, even when they did not have a great shot blocker to erase mistakes by their perimeter defenders. With Drew and the team speed, quickness, and athleticism the Lakers possess, there is no way that they should play a passive pack-it-in Van Gundy style defense.

Instead, the Lakers need to return to Showtime and use Drew’s dominance of the paint and the boards and an aggressive pressing defense to ignite a relentless running game off steals, turnovers, blocked shots, rebounds, and made shots. We can wear teams down with both our size and length as well as our depth and versatility. We have all the tools to do this.

This is the vision that Jerry Buss has for this Lakers team. It is the ultimate entertainment package that will make the Lakers the most exciting team in the NBA. The big difference is that when they have to play half court, they will be equally dangerous with Drew and Pau down low and great passers and shooters throughout the roster. And aggressive defense anchored by Drew will be the engine that fuels their fast break offense.

Tom

Mike,

>>>>>The difference between this TEAM USA and previous teams with LeBron
>>>>>and Co. This team has Kobe Bryant's mentality written all over it.

That’s a point I agree with you on 100%, Mike. Well said. Kobe sets a standard for caring and trying that other players on Team USA have no alternative other than to follow. That alone says who is the alpha dog and real MVP on the team. This is Kobe Bryant’s team and his redemption. And everybody on the team and in the stands knows it.

Tom

Laker Tom,

the trapping defense was called the "Bach" defense after the assistant coach of who developed it. just a little trivia :).

Even though we are still a couple of months into training camp here's my rotation for the 2008-2009 Lakers

Center: Andrew Bynum/Chris Mihm/Josh Powell
Power Forward: Pau Gasol/Vladimir Radmanovic/Josh Powell or Luke Walton
Small Forward: Lamar Odom**/Trevor Ariza/Luke Walton
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant**/Sasha Vujacic/Coby Karl
Point Guard: Derek Fisher/Jordan Farmar/Sun Yue

**Kobe will probably be Small Forward, he likes playing it and can attack more. Lamar at the guard, while not as gifted as Kobe in terms of shooting jumpers, will have mismatches against guards who are smaller than him.

There is one more roster spot so I'm guessing Dwyane Mitchell makes it while Joe Crawford goes to the D-League and rip it up in there. Alternatively if they can find another big man it would be good as well.

The Lakers are set with both a team prepared for the present and the future.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_
gallery/2005/06/24/gallery.nbabusts/content.12.htm

at least Pau was an all star compared to this bust

LOL!l

Not if Kobe has anything to do with it.

I guess someone forgot to remind Pau that the Celtic series was over.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/48199-usa-spain-
mens-basketball-strong-defense-leads-americans-to-
victory

Not to be forgotten is Kobe Bryant. He has been playing with torn ligaments in his pinky finger since early last season. He deferred surgery, against the opinion of team doctors, so that he could help the Los Angeles Lakers go deep into the playoffs—and so that he could keep true to his commitment to the USA Basketball team. His unselfishness and willing to put his own health on hold is something that should not be forgotten.

Once considered a selfish, arrogant, me-first type of player, Bryant has had his praises sung by each of the USA Olympic basketball players, due to his willingness to put scoring aside in favor of hard-nosed defense.

"USA Basketball is halfway to bringing home the Gold. The hurdles of rematches with Greece and Spain now behind them, don’t look for the USA squad to slow down. "

Team USA is golden.

We could be beat, but it would require an unusual and highly unlikely confluence of events against a very good team.

It's going to be more difficult, but it seems like we've really figured it out. I pity the teams that must deal with us. I guess they get to play for silver.

thekobebryantblitz,

Lakers FO made it pretty clear that Newble was not returning. He never played so it probably doesn't matter much. I appreciated having his interest in Darfur's genocide and forced relocation of a million people or so. It's nice to have worldly individuals and individuals with special heart like we did when we had Turiaf and Newble, and that we still have with Kobe, and that we might have with Mbenga should he return. It may make more sense to pick up a PF or PF/C than to resign Mbenga, however. It fits much more nicely in our depth chart. We've got enough guards and SF now.

What's next, a sneak attack sign and trade for Luol Deng mid-season?

And one other big thing, how about that Michael Phelps! What more can you say about probably getting the most medals ever, having the most gold medals ever, the most medals in a single Olympics ever, and 7 world records in so doing?

Just (insert most appropriate adjective here) awesome!

Go USA!

if not get defenders, make defenders, we may not have the asses (personality or physical parts) like the celtics, but we obviously have the better athletes. Now that the players know the offense, they need to & want to have the best defense. Maybe the celtics will fade like the Heat.

Team USA rolling Spain is not that big of a deal. Spain is practically the Grizzlies a year or two ago, when they still weren't winning.

As long as Manu doesn't explode USA will have the gold.

thekobebryantblitz,

1. Quinton Ross is a MUCH better player than Ira Newble.

2. I see your point. We do presently have enough talent on this team to win a Championship if everyone's healthy, even though we can't rely upon everyone staying healthy.

3. The thing is, from my perspective, that it's the offseason. There's not a lot to talk about. Even though the Lakers staying pat might be the best thing (or, more likely, enough to win a Championship, which is all we can ask for) it's fun to explore HOW we could realistically improve this team. THAT is the most important subject because all of us (trolls being the exception) want the Lakers to be the best they can be.

4. I don't want any major changes in the Lakers lineup. If I was Mitch Kupchack, I'd sign Quinton Ross and retain Coby Karl and we'd be done. That's it.

5. I'm happy that we resigned Sasha Vujacic. I'm disappointed that we lost Ronny Turiaf. I'm satisfied that we signed Josh Powell. I'm intrigued that we signed Dwayne Mithchell. I'm perplexed by the signing of Sun Yue. I'll be fine if we don't resign Ira Newble. I'll miss DJ Mbenga, but not that much.

GO LAKERS!

The infamous "torn pinky" topic again?

jnnadi said: "Not to be forgotten is Kobe Bryant. He has been playing with torn ligaments in his pinky finger since early last season."

Is this the same "torn ligament" that needed "immediate" surgury; otherwise it was going to fall off?

And you Fakers were bagging on PP for twisting his knee when coming back in the finals. Les not forget the same PP that won the Finals MVP.

Youus Fakers are so funny and a bunch of pretenders.

Pathetic.

Oh yah, you know why Starlet Bryant has to play up the "defensive stopper" poo poo? Dude's being eclips by Bron and Wade. Duh? Dooh!

What a bunch of dopes.

Cheers mate.

QOTD,

Team USA is playing the game the way it's supposed to be played. With this talent, they will not lose.

Check out this quote by Lebron on Team USA, "I'm the leader of the team, and I'll make sure there's no slippage."

Does Lebron really think he's the leader of this team? From the outside looking in, I would say the true leader is Kobe. Kobe is the one setting the example for these guys on defense and overall preparation.

I think it's kind of crazy that he said that. I mean, he could say he's a leader, but not THE leader. That's Kobe.

hobbitmage,

We have to move Lamar to small forward because the advantage of having Pau Gasol at power forward and Andrew Bynum at center is just incredible.

I mean, we're going to kill people next year. It's going to be out of control.

Lamar Odom is strong at everything except his outside shot and his decision-making when under pressure. Being our fourth option is going to take Lamar's game to a whole new level.

I love Derek Fisher, but he is getting older. We're going to need Jordan Farmar to really step up his game next year. If that's the case, we're going to be unstoppable.

Really.

GO LAKERS!

hobbitmage,

Small Forward-Small forwards are primarily responsible for scoring points and also often as secondary or tertiary rebounders behind the power forwards and centers, though some may also have passing responsiblities. Also they are there for defensive purposes and is important since they can guard both the small forward and shooting guard positions and also must show they can inbound the ball.

Shooting Guard-is too score points for the team and be a backup ball handler from the point guard. LIke the Small Forward, Shooting guards have a variety of options to score from being Reggie Miller/Glen Rice style and shoot very accurately to Michael Jordan penetrate the paint and shooting mid range jumpers. They are also good defenders from Joe Dumars, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Raja Bell.

moving LO to small forward or shooting guard will be probably for defensive purposes and mismatches. Yes true he has strengths for rebounding but he will really be fighting for rebounds now with Drew, Pau, and even Kobe. Phil has always tried to make Lamar played small forward and each time trying to make someone else play it, first it was Kwa-may Brown and when he proved ineffective it was Brian Cook who could shoot the ball ok but was terrible on defense. So when Kwa-may was put at center because the injury of Chris Mihm and Cook being burned by other power forwards, Phil had to make Lamar Odom be a power forward to strengthen the position and make Walton at the small forward spot who was adequate but not an ideal starter in the long term. Earlier last season Lamar was playing small forward again with Ronny Turiaf but Ronny got injured and Lamar was forced to become a power forward. HIs rebounding and offense may have went up but his defense was mixed as he was able to defend guys like Dirk Nowitzki decently but had trouble defending guys like Kevin Garnett (in the regular season Pau guarded him in the Finals) and couldn't stop exactly Amare Stoudemire.

Having him move to small forward/shooting guard like I said before he will be able to guard the perimeter more aggressively now we have Bynum protecting the post and Pau guarding other Power Forwards. Small forward is more his natural position since he can take it to the basket more now, with 2 capable people scoring in the inside (Pau and Drew) opposing teams cannot simply double anyone who tries to drive into the paint unlike before when it was Mihm and Kwa-may who weren't true inside scorers at all. And he can defend the small forwards like Carmelo or Lebron until late in games when Kobe can guard them. This way he won't have his energy sapped by defending and trying to score at the same time. Same story with guarding shooting guards since Lamar will even have mismatches since he can post up guards since he would be bigger than them and having a 6'10 guy with long arms will definately make guards like Ray Allen and Michael Redd either shoot more quickly or shoot the ball at a different angle. And by making LO guard shooting guards, Kobe can be more effective on offense since he loves playing Small Forward since he is faster than most small forwards.

Lamar may have less rebounds as a Small Forward/Shooting guard and for fantasy NBA players out there that could be bad. But for the season finally having 2 good PF and C who can defend the post and score as well Lamar could finally realize his potential and not fade too much.

re: Lamar as SG. Sasha shot .454 in general and .437 from the 3. Are
you saying that Lamar will shoot better than Sasha?

No jumper wise Sasha is better hands down. Remember the bench is just as important as the starting lineup and Sasha off the bench is always helpful. Lamar though will be mismatch problem for shooting guards simply because he's bigger than most of them. He can post them up much easier than he would against a Small or Power Forward and wouldn't be bothered by them too much unless he was face up. Also works out for defense because of his length and size, most shooting guards aren't that big and/or tall. Plus has decent speed to keep up with them. So it would be a smart decision for Lamar to play shooting guard and small forward times.

Jon K.

Jordan's jumper must improve, especially at the 3 point. Must be over 40% and can prove more (he did sort of but needs to prove more) he can do the catch and shoot just as well as Derek.

Jon K,

you wrote: We have to move Lamar to small forward because the advantage of having Pau Gasol at power forward and Andrew Bynum at center is just incredible.

my response: I am in agreement with Pau at PF and Bynum at C. That
does not support the argument of Lamar at SF or SG or PG. You're
linking them and it's not a logical argument. Having Ariza at SF still
allows Pau at PF and Bynum at C.

You also wrote: Lamar Odom is strong at everything except his outside shot and his decision-making when under pressure.

Forgive me for being a stickler. I'll ask again in a different way. What
does Lamar bring to SG that we don't have in Sasha? The best
answer I have is size. i.e. 6'10" vs. 6'7". If there is another answer
please let me know.

Michael H,

Aloha! [ I miss hearing my teacher speak in pidgin english. He's from
the Big Island. ]

you wrote: Actually I havent been silent about Lamars attributes at all. First of all can we agree that with the way this team is comprised that Lamar will probably only be playing half his minutes at SF? With only Josh Powell as a PF on the bench, you will see Lamar sliding over as Pau either goes to the bench or relieves Bynum.

my response. 1st. What are Lamar's attributes and how do they work
for the SG & SF positions? I have no problem with Lamar coming off
the bench at PF. As a matter of fact, I think that is the RIGHT way to
play him.

you also wrote: Playing good defense is more then speed and quickness. Nobody ever accused Bruce Bowen of being quick(except his hands maybe) he succeeds because he is a technician.

my response: Yes, good defense is more than speed and quickness.
I think that you're making a false argument though. Without speed and
quickness you can't play good defense. Why? Because athletic SF's
eat you for breakfast. Feel free to peruse past quotes about Vlade's
defense and how he was torched ON THE REGULAR by quick SF's!
I haven't heard one person call Bruce Bowen slow. His lateral
quickness has been enough to slow down Kobe as well as other
fantastic perimeter players. The link that I sent indicated that Lamar
was going to work on his lateral quickness. Odom's quick for a big man. He's not quick.

You also wrote: Like I have said before, I havent seen anything to suggest to me that Lamar will not be a decent defender at the 3.

My response: what does it mean to be a decent defender? I'm asking
because the only stat I can find that supports him being a decent
defender is his rebounds. To be honest with you, I'm looking for more
than decent. I'm looking for best on the Lakers at that position. Kobe
is the best defender we have at the 2 or the 3. I don't think that Lamar
qualifies as the second best defender for either position. I'm looking
for some sort of legitimate rational for putting him in those positions. I
think that the offensive versatility he brings is over-rated. I don't think
his physical attributes support the move. Many people disagree. I'm
trying to see what I'm missing.

thekobebryantblitz,

1st. Thank you for your response. Very informative.

You wrote: Small Forward-Small forwards are primarily responsible for scoring points ...

my response. Since LO's mental make up is *NOT* score first this is
a questionable position for him, yes? i.e. he does not have a score
first mentality.

you also wrote: Shooting guards have a variety of options to score from being Reggie Miller/Glen Rice style and shoot very accurately to Michael Jordan penetrate the paint and shooting mid range jumpers. They are also good defenders from Joe Dumars, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Raja Bell.

my response: Sasha is a better shooter. I question LO's penetrating the
paint as compared to Kobe or MJ. Are you actually putting Lamar in
the category of good defenders with Joe Dumars, MJ, Kobe, Bruce
Bowen? [ I'll leave out Raja Bell, but feel free to add him in on your
response. :) ]

you also wrote: moving LO to small forward or shooting guard will be probably for defensive purposes and mismatches

I don't believe in LO's defensive abilities. I've watched him for 3 years
and he has not been known for outstanding defense. To put this in
perspective, we picked up Ariza because of his defense at the SF.
I understand the mismatch with slower SF's & SG's like Peja.

you also wrote: he can defend the small forwards like Carmelo or Lebron until late in games when Kobe can guard them.

my response: I don't believe Lamar can guard LeBron's dirty jock
strap in the clothes hamper. Let alone on the court. I hope I'm wrong
on this.

finally, you wrote: Lamar could finally realize his potential and not fade too much.

my response: "finally realize his potential" Hope springs eternal in your
heart doesn't it? Since I am a Lakers fan, I will hope that you are right.
Would you actually put "real" money on Lamar realizing his potential?
He's been in the league for how long with 3 different teams and he
still hasn't done it.

Lest you think I'm hating on Lamar ... I'm not. He has played hurt. He's
had some good games. He's had some bad games. He's got talent.
What I've never seen from him is a mental commitment to be the best
that he can be. I've seen it in spades from Kobe. I saw this in Bynum
after Kobe called him out. I saw it in Sasha this past season. I've seen
it in Fisher. I've seen it in Farmar. As one of the elders on the team,
I'm disappointed that I haven't seen it in Lamar.

Once again, thanks for your response.

I hope USA destroys German.

Chris Kaman! Humiliated, but uninjured! That is my desire.

GO USA!

GO LAKERS!

Only injury or Sacramento-Lakers-Game-6-type officiating will prevent Team USA from bringing home the gold.

Posted by: Amazing_Happens | August 16, 2008 at 07:58 PM

==============================
You forgot Celics/Laker type officiating which is why Greenies won.