The cupboard isn't bare ... but it's getting there
My wife and I keep a stash of what we call "Emergency Ramen" on the top shelf of the pantry. I'm not talking about the good stuff that can be made into any number of delectable dishes, but the 25-cents-a-package variety filled with enough fat and sodium to kill a horse. In college, when the constitution is hardier and your doctor doesn't burden you with words like "family history" and "early indicators of heart disease," that stuff can be called "dinner." Now, not so much. It's there as a safety net should things turn sour or we run out of, well, everything.
That's sort of where things stand when it comes to the remaning names on the NBA free-agent list. Once you get past the high profile restricted FAs - they ain't comin' here - the list is populated more with Ramen noodle types, players that won't hurt anything as long as they can be had on the cheap and aren't used very often, or are best avoided entirely.
Fortunately, the Lakers don't have a lot of big holes to fill. Another big would be welcome, but they'll find someone, whether it's in the return of Didier or another name on the UFA list, perhaps a grizzled vet like PJ Brown or Alonzo Mourning. Those guys might not even find a team until later in the season. Or maybe In the backcourt, no names stick out besides perhaps Shaun Livingston, but in my mind he's more a fit for a lesser team, since nobody is quite sure when, or even if, he'll be able to handle NBA competition, and the Lakers don't have the luxury of giving him the minutes to work his way back, nor to hold the roster spot for a guy who may not play (especially if they might bring Sun Yue over).
I figure they'll leave camp with 14 players and give themselves some flexibility down the road. That being the case, there isn't a whole lot of work left to do, though they'll have some decisions to make around the margins. I certainly wouldn't anticipate a high profile addition between now and opening night.
(By the way, for a fairly clever homage to Ramen noodles, click here.)
BK
Puddle,
In compliment to your post, Zo has told Michelle Tafoya that he is only interested in playing for Miami. This was about a month and a half ago on ESPN radio.
If bloggers want a temporary backup, Dikembe is the next choice.
Jon K,
What do you think of the Clippers recovery from Brand's exit?
Baron/Jason Hart
Mobley/Gordon
Thorton/Ricky Davis
Camby/Thomas
New German-Hulkamaniac/ Brian Skinner
Thanks Guys,
Posted by: Charles | August 04, 2008 at 03:02 PM
BK,
You don't HAVE to use the entire flavor packet!!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 04, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Hmmm....
Not a lot of defensively minded bruisers over 6' 10" left. Nope. Sure don't look like it. Hmmm...
Too bad Detroit gave Kwame Brown $4 million. He's not worth that, but he sure would have filled a need we have.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 04, 2008 at 03:11 PM
I've been craving chicken flavor all day.
Posted by: HmrHed | August 04, 2008 at 03:14 PM
I love Zo as much as the next guy - in fact, he was my favorite player when I was about 12 and I was among the throng calling for the Lakers to give him a look - but when you think about it, there's a popsicle's chance in hell he'd come to the Lakers. Same goes for Mutumbo.
As much as people have been all over the Lakers brass for giving Tractor Traylor a look, it's not a bad idea. He'd come on the cheap and it's a no-lose situation. If he doesn't pan out, oh well, you weren't expecting much (or paying much) anyway. If he does, fantastic.
This is a guy who still has yet to reach his 30th birthday remember, who was once drafted 6th overall (and traded for Dirk if I remember right - oops!) and who posted PERs of 15, 16 and 12 in his last 3 years in the league (albeit that was 3 years ago). There might still be some talent lurking in that massive body somewhere.
Posted by: puddle | August 04, 2008 at 03:15 PM
"You don't HAVE to use the entire flavor packet!!"
Chuck's chuckle of the day!
Nice Ex. Bring more betteerer jokes next time.
Posted by: Charles | August 04, 2008 at 03:16 PM
HmrHed
Shrimp flavor all day!
Posted by: Charles | August 04, 2008 at 03:17 PM
wow BK that's not even the good cheap ramen noodles....thats the 6 for a buck stuff....
I mentioned signing Zo and Deke by splitting the MLE (which I know probably won't happen).
Any idea on how the Lakers stack up on signing either of them? Or is there a remote possibility of my asanine idea even happening?
Posted by: The Infamous El Guapo | August 04, 2008 at 03:19 PM
I'm partial toward Cup Noodles -- the flavor is already in -- one less step. Is there any food that has less nutritious value amd tastes as good as Cup Noodles?
Posted by: HmrHed | August 04, 2008 at 03:23 PM
{Repost}
Charles,
It's an interesting line-up, isn't it? Intriguing, even.
I guess we're going to see how good a coach Mike Dunleavy is after all.
I think if the stars align properly (and Dunleavy proves himself to be a very good coach) they could reach a sixth seed in the West, maybe higher.
Personally, with the West being as competitive as it is, I'm thinking that the Clippers will be fighting for the eighth seed and are 65% likely to get it.d
P.S. If the Germans win the Gold medal because Chris Kaman suddenly begins playing like a combination of George Mikan and Wilt Chamberlein, I'm going to lose my fricken mind. I still cannot believe he's playing on the German team.
Go Clippers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 04, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Charles,
Yeah the shrimp flavor is pretty good -- but I don't want to think about shrimp powder or whatever it is that makes that flavor and what are those tiny shrimp looking things?
But I'm with you.
Posted by: HmrHed | August 04, 2008 at 03:24 PM
BK,
Andrew Z mentioned in a earlier post that he thought Shaun Livingston's career is over. I hope that's not the case, but I've yet to hear anything clear on the matter.
Have you heard anything on the matter?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 04, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Juwan Howard is still available too. He's not great, but he's a bruiser that's killed the Lakers for a long time, and it would be nice to watch him score 20+ off the bench every 5 or 6 games for them rather than against. Given the massive contract he signed earlier in his career, he'd likely come pretty cheap.
Posted by: JB | August 04, 2008 at 03:26 PM
According to Mike T., blog is now faster at a normal rate but digg.com still appears at the head thread with notation submit, hope it doesn't chart our online practices and destinations and/or steal usernames and passwords. It is scary to have someone shadowing our system.
Well, I think the players mentioned here are mere Ramen and or high cost noodles. Let us go as-is and see how our own noodles turns out till February.
BTW, BK, the 25 cents Ramen is one of greatest American lunch or dinner that has been invented to fill a hungry stomach, maybe unhealthy for oldies but young people and student can lived by. Here is an unhealthy story, and for people who have low tolerance on sanitation........please scroll or omit this part. There are some 3rd world countries where they make a living out of left overs from restaurants or at the garbage of every home. Like for example a leftover piece of chicken, they take it to their production site: separate the meat, the bones, the uncooked head or the uncooked feet and then boil it in a huge pan/kettle using fire as its cooking fuel. They believed that by cooking they eliminated the germs and possible salmonella or bacteria from the original eater, fry them too in vinegar w/ leftover cooking oi. This is an everyday event known as poor people's meal, living in shanties and slum areas of the world. It is a pathetic but it is the sad facts of life. Some of them are seen wearing hand-me-down Laker Kobe or shaq jerseys and pants in far away distant places.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 04, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Cup O Noodles > Top Ramen
Although Cup O Noodles does get demerits for those nasty, dehydrated Peas & Carrots
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 04, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Jon K HmrHed
Thanks for the response!
Posted by: Charles | August 04, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Edwin, what's the correlation between your (NAUSEA INDUCING!) story and Top Ramen? Or is there one?
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 04, 2008 at 03:37 PM
JB -
The Juwan Howard you remember doesn't exist anymore, and he's not really a "bruiser" as you say. He likes to shoot that fugly looking shot from about 12-15 feet out on the baseline (which, defying all logic, still finds its way in relatively frequently) and that's about it. His production has been slipping badly the last few years and I think there's a reason nobody's offered this guy a deal. If you were talking about JH from 2004 or 2005, I'd have agreed, but at this point, I don't think he would offer the Lakers much
Posted by: puddle | August 04, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Fire32,
Late response. Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Charles | August 04, 2008 at 03:46 PM
The should go get Micheal Finley and Juwan Howard.They're both some great veterans that can come oof the bench and contribute.
Posted by: nikko | August 04, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Nothing really, no correlation at all.
Perhaps, we can say that we're still lucky to have 25cents clean Ramen. If you hear stories of multi millionaires players who are not happy with a couple of millions and feel disrespected, perhaps let's also hear the pathetic stories of poorer than our homeless and how they make a living?
Sorry, if I made you sick, I told u to scroll down.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 04, 2008 at 03:51 PM
HmrHed,
"what are those tiny shrimp looking things?"
Those little things might be leftovers from the Sea Monkey fad of the 80's.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | August 04, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Thank goodness for Top Ramen, especially during the '91 recession. Looks like it's deja vu again with the current economic state.
Posted by: Rollo Tomassi | August 04, 2008 at 03:54 PM
I agree with BK that the Lakers are likely to start the season with only 14 roster slots filled. First, it helps a very teeny tiny bit with the luxury tax. But most of all, it gives the team flexibility with which type of player to bring in if anyone on the roster is sidelined, temporarily, with an injury.
If only 14 roster slots are filled, all I ask is that VladRad and Luke be the 13th and 14th players on the depth chart.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 04, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Charles,
What do you think about the post-traitor-Elton Brand era of the Clippers? Do you think they can make the playoffs?
Go Clippers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 04, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Charles,
I heard that Kareem and Dikembo don't get along. I remember when Dikembo beat Kareem's record for blocks, he kind of called Kareem out about that to which Kareem noted in the press that they didn't keep records for blocks for his first several seasons in the league.
So, there's a little rivalry there. I don't know if Dikembo would be so good a pick up as a result.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 04, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Rollo: "Thank goodness for Top Ramen, especially during the '91 recession. Looks like it's deja vu again with the current economic state."
Tell me about it. I bought my first pack of Top Ramen since 1995 when I was in college this past Friday. And to think, almost 2 years ago my wife and I went to Ruth's Chris Steak House in Beverly Hills to celebrate our anniversary.
NOTHING AND NOBODY humbles a person like God, that's the truth!
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 04, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Utzword - amen brother. We need to count our blessings as Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Posted by: Rollo Tomassi | August 04, 2008 at 04:23 PM
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER
Cowboy Ribeye?
Jon K,
On paper, I feel they did their best. It will not replace BD and EB together; but good recovery for the Clipps. If they do make a run, it will have to be on Davis' momentum and an 7th-8th seed at most.
If Shaq can pucker up and accept Zo, I'm sure cap and the 300 year old center can make amends.
Posted by: Charles | August 04, 2008 at 04:32 PM
-USA Basketball pause for the cause-
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/1130248.html
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: Sonnybelfast | August 04, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Hey, in case it hasn't been posted here yet, the NBA's tentative
schedule hasn't been released, but it has the Lakers playing the
Celtics on Christmas.
So we only have to wait until December to stop listening to the
smack talk from Let's Go C's.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 04, 2008 at 04:45 PM
>>>If only 14 roster slots are filled, all I ask is that VladRad
>>>and Luke be the 13th and 14th players on the depth
>>>chart.
So you want to see Coby Karl, Sun Yue, and whatever big
man they pick up off the scrap heap to get more minutes
than two players that contributed to a team that went to
the finals last season.
I'm glad you're not the coach.
I'm fine with Luke and Vlad being the 10th and 11th guys
on the depth chart.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | August 04, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Instant noodles? Nong-Shim bowls rather than Cup-o-Noodles or Ramen. Buy a box of em at an Asian supermarket. Spicy, but a little better tasting in my mind.
At least its different. Better than the spam and rice I ate during college (and grossed out my non-filipino friends with).
Posted by: #4 | August 04, 2008 at 04:53 PM
On a side note, we all friends now?
Friends can disagree. You all seem to think the Lakers are destined to win multiple championships with the Jordan Apparent apparently not cutting it when it counts.
Yoos have no free agents and are banking on Mr. Brynum to be the saviro.
Mr. Brynum is averagin 13 points and 10 rebounds per game over 15 games last season.
My aapionion is Mr. Bynum is a nother Mr. Olowkandi.
ahahahaahahahahahahaah
BFF, C's Fan
Much luv to all of my new friends.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 04, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Mix 1 egg, chopped onion greens, and a little bit of kikkoman sauce... VOILA! You now have a cheap Japanese udon without the udon noodles soup. おいしいよ！
Posted by: GameFaceON | August 04, 2008 at 05:17 PM
If we pick up an old vet, I hope they get more PT than Jimmy Jackson, Aaron McKie or Ira Newble. What's the point in having them if they get no shot to contribute? (unless its their presence in the locker room and at practice)
Posted by: rdlee | August 04, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Good Evening Family!
I'm on a small hiatus, but I think that Francisco Elson would be a great fit. Smart player, and he's not as offensively limited as Kwame. He also brings some championship swagger as well (if that's going to be valued).
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | August 04, 2008 at 05:37 PM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/
story/8411288/%27Agitated%27
-Pierce-cuffed,-let-go-in-Vegas
Sounds like the self proclaimed 'Best Player in the World' had himself a great weekend in Vegas.
Posted by: Lakerfan85 | August 04, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Check this crap out Laker Nation:
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1110444
Paul Pierce is the new Stephon Marbury, claiming he's the best player in the world. PLEASE!
Best actor, maybe. And that would only be because Heath Ledger passed away.
Lucas
Posted by: LucasKB24 | August 04, 2008 at 06:05 PM
get Alonzo Mourning!!
Posted by: p0s1t1v3 | August 04, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Jon K,
I think I heard a rumor somewhere (that's how unreliable this is) that Livingston has to go through an hour of therapy just to practice. If that's so I can pretty much guarantee he's not going to be a player who can withstand an 82-game NBA season. It's a damn shame too, I hadn't seen someone like him in a LONG time. You mentioned his vision earlier and I completely agree. At 6'7" he was going to be a BAD man.
I would honestly take a flyer on him if the price was decent. Two year deal with a team option for the second year.
Posted by: Drew | August 04, 2008 at 06:27 PM
BK (and anyone interested),
Alton Brown (not to be confused with Elton Brown) did an episode of "Good Eats" where he made a really good dish with Top Ramen (sans flavor packet).
It involved making a "packet" with foil or parchment paper, some veggies, white white, seasonings and a piece of fish. Seriously a great meal with little clean up.
...the more you know....
Posted by: Drew | August 04, 2008 at 06:32 PM
"Tell me about it. I bought my first pack of Top Ramen since 1995 when I was in college this past Friday. And to think, almost 2 years ago my wife and I went to Ruth's Chris Steak House in Beverly Hills to celebrate our anniversary.
NOTHING AND NOBODY humbles a person like God, that's the truth!"
WOW!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 04, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Speaking as a starving college student....
Cup a noodles are expensive man!
Those styrofoams are not only bad for the environment, they're also hefty to the wallet lol.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | August 04, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Off topic, but the name "Ruth's Chris' bugs the crap out of me!! Good food, terrible name.
Continue.
Posted by: Andrew Z | August 04, 2008 at 06:54 PM
JustaLakerFan and hobbitmage,
Thanks for your comments
As I have said already, 120 points per game was probably too aggressive a number and had I known that the record was just 126 point per game, I would have probably reduced my prediction down to 115 points per game.
>>>>>120 pts per game. I think we averaged 106 this past season.
>>>>>We need to pick up 14 more pts. Where do they come from? – by hobbitmage.
The Laker last year had the 4th highest scoring average in the NBA at 109 points per game last year, an increase of 6 points per game over the previous year. If they can get a similar increase this year, then they would average 115 points per game.
>>>>> If we were to average 120 pts per game I don't
>>>>> see how we could be playing defense.
The Showtime Lakers averaged 118 points per game and played probably the best defense ever played by a Lakers team. Part of my reason for believing the Lakers will increase their scoring next year is that I expect them to run a lot more than since Showtime. Much of that running will come off of steals and turnovers forced by an aggressive pressing Lakers perimeter defense anchored by Drew protecting the rim.
>>>>>The closest team to that average is the phx suns and they didn't play
>>>>>defense as you know – hobbitmage.
The best scoring average that a Dantoni coached Suns team had was the 110 points per game that Phoenix posted this year with Shaq, which was just slightly better than the Lakers 109 points per game last season. The Lakers still have a lot of room to improve this year, especially with Drew and Pau together in the lineup. I believe they will replay Showtime next year, both on offense and defense, which feed off of each other.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 04, 2008 at 07:11 PM
rdlee,
>>>>>If we pick up an old vet, I hope they get more PT than Jimmy Jackson,
>>>>>Aaron McKie or Ira Newble. What's the point in having them if they
>>>>>get no shot to contribute? (unless its their presence in the locker room
>>>>>and at practice)
Hi, rd. The point is insurance against foul problems and injuries. The player in question will probably be a center like Mbenga or a power forward like Turiaf. I believe Drew, Pau, and Lamar will each play around 32 minutes per game to cover the 96 minutes available for center and power forward, which means that Chris Mihm and the new guy will only play in guys are in foul trouble or are injured.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 04, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Andrew Z,
>>>>>120 Points a game? That's not GHF, that's cup overflowing with Long Island
>>>>>Iced Tea. I have to commend you for your optimism though,
>>>>>that one is through the roof.
LOL. I agree it is over the top and have stepped back to 115 points per game, up from our 109 points per game. I was really pushing the fact that I think the Lakers are going to run more next year to get more easy scoring opportunities, using an aggressive pressing perimeter defense to force turnovers and ignite fast breaks. Much like Phoenix thinks they can still run with Shaq and Showtime did with Kareem, I think Jerry Buss and Phil will take Tex’s advice and turn the greyhounds loose.
>>>>>I agree they could average more ppg than they did last year, but 11 more points
>>>>>is a huge leap, especially when you take into consideration rule changes and
>>>>>overall style changes that have been implemented since the Showtime era
>>>>>(did they ever average 120 a game?).
The best Showtime team, which also played great defense, average 118 points per game. As a contrast, the Lakers last year averaged almost the same as the best of Steve Nash’s Suns teams, 109 points per game versus the Suns 110 points per game last year.
The fool can continue to post his funny taunting posts every time he sees one of my posts. All you have to do is to look at the time stamp on his posts, which usually follow within minutes of my post, to see that the Fool is just a stupid virtual stalker. The irony is that he thinks he is so funny and clever that everybody is laughing with him and does not realize that in reality they are only laughing at him.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 04, 2008 at 07:34 PM
LTLF,
You and I almost always agree, but here we don't. I'm not convinced that Coby Karl will make the roster this year. I'd like Sun Yue to get some garbage time minutes. As for Vlad and Luke, the Lakers made it to the finals in spite of them, not because of them. Neither one of them delivers with any consistency. Players in MY rotation can be counted on for SOMETHING.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 04, 2008 at 08:14 PM
ok--yah paul pierce has only 1 championship....
i give you that........but KG has more heart than ray allen--duh....
hehehehheheheheheheheheheh
hehehehehehehe
heheheheheheheheheheheheheh
hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe
hehehehehehehehe
Posted by: Let's go C's | August 04, 2008 at 09:03 PM