The forecast: First place
Not sure that qualifies as actual "weather," but it does represent a preseason poll taken of various ESPN folks. The question: How do you picture the West shaking out next season? The general consensus: With the Lakers at the top, sporting 55 wins. Obviously, this opinion is based in part on the notion of Andrew Bynum being healthy. But hey, at least the "experts" believe in the potential for a return to the Finals (if not a trophy).
Interesting notes: Houston, with its newly Artest-ed lineup, sits at No. 3 with a bullet. Denver misses the playoffs, with Portland taking its ocho slot. Phoenix and Dallas move to making the postseason (I could see that happening, but I think Portland will finish higher than at least one, if not both). For those keeping track of L.A.-based squads, the Clippers garnered the "Spinal Tap" spot.
In the East, Boston is expected to remain where it left off at regular season's end. Philly jumps up a bit. Miami jumps up A LOT. The party, already fading upon Josh Childress' overseas departure and the teeth pulling required to retain Josh Smith, ends abruptly in Atlanta.
Also, an article from CBSSports.com's Gregg Doyel about the steady demise that is Shaq's public image.
AK
blitz,
Excellent post as expected. Your encyclopedic knowledge of the Triangle Offense from the Bulls point of view is impressive and I agree that the Triangle Offense requires certain skills and abilities from the player combination on the floor in order to run at optimum efficiency. In reality, however, you have to factor in the strengths and weaknesses of the other team.
As I have said before, I still would bring Lamar off the bench as a sixth man backing up Pau at power forward so that he can spend half his time backing up Drew at center. My primary strategy is still to control the paint and dominate the boards. We do that, we win the game. In a way, I see Lamar starting at small forward as going small because it dilutes our power at the power forward and center positions. It sounds silly at first but not if you think about it.
But it is just as plausible that we win the game with the Triple Towers of Drew at center, Pau at power forward, and Lamar at small forward. The Lakers will probably give that lineup the first opportunity to succeed and it well could. In the end, I think it will be the players who decide who plays where, not the coaches. That is the beauty of this team, its versatility.
There are just too many factors to predict exactly what will happen. Will Drew dominate? Will Mihm and Powell be capable backups? Will we need defense, shooting, or playmaking from our small forward? Will we run more? Will we play aggressive trapping defense?
Will Kobe focus on defense? Will Fish slow down? Will Farmar take his game to the next level? Will Pau play like he did in the Olympics? Can Sun Yue compete in the NBA? Can Sasha get better? How will Lamar respond? What if Luke plays like he did 2 years ago.
The one thing I am confident about is that Phil and the Lakers coaching staff will probably try lots of combinations and may even end up rotating the small forward starter depending on who is hot, whom we are playing, and whether we need defense, shooting, or playmaking.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 01, 2008 at 02:28 PM
BD sez:
"Butler what are we missing here?"
The mavs and cavs!
One little fact you forgot to mention - the # of Celtic titles won at the lakers' expense. The SUNS own a better record in the Finals vs. Boston than the lakers do. In fact, it's up to the SUNS this season to restore pride to the Western Conference by continuing to be the only WC team that can challenge the Celts.
One lesson the lakers should have learned in June: don't commit to the Finals unless you plan to play.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 01, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Xodus,
"You conveniently ignore the stats that you asked"
The only stat that matters is that the Lakers weigh less than 270 pounds. It's a simple case of physics!!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | September 01, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Butler I hate to say it but you are wrong.
There has only been two times the Suns has been in the Finals, one is against the Celtics and they got beaten by them 4-2 back in 1976. The next time the Suns ever made it to the Finals was back in 1993 with Charles Barkley who was the mvp and is way much better than Amare is. They got beaten by Jordan and the Bulls and haven't been to the Finals since. The Suns don't own the Celtics.
Once the Suns own the Spurs then maybe you will have good point. No the regular season doesn't count. The Spurs beaten the Suns in the playoffs 4-1 and Pop knows how to stop the Suns.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 01, 2008 at 02:53 PM
"My primary strategy is still to control the paint and dominate the boards."
Check my rotations that I posted for DM Laker Tom. That would be the answer to your concerns about rebounding. Lamar doesn't need to be a 6th man simply not to backup Pau at Power Forward.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 01, 2008 at 02:56 PM
I think that Shaq more than the success, more than the playoffs, more than the Lakers, Shaq misses most of all the attention he received as a Laker. The Lakers get more games televised than any other team. Heck, they are mainstay on Christmas and their presence in the playoffs makes the NBA relevent to the casual sports fan. When something happens in Lakerland, people take notice and talk about it.
So as he dries up like the desert that he plays in, he gets frustrated when he sees that Kobe wins the MVP, the admiration of the public again for making his teammates better, goes to the finals and just rolls that into being the key to the USA winning the gold. In a few days, Kobe will appear on Oprah. That must annoy Shaq to no end. He can't stand that Kobe is loved and respected and has as many MVPs as he does. It is sad because Shaq does so much good charity work, but he hateful and vindictive behavior just makes him look like a jerk.
Posted by: richard | September 01, 2008 at 02:57 PM
giantsquid,
>>>>>You played on the Pauley court. Geez I attended UCLA 9 yrs in total and
>>>>>never knew you could do that. I did go to watch practices occasionally though.
You’re right, of course, I actually didn’t play in Pauley but in the Men’s gym. Great games but never any college or pro stars, probably because I didn’t live on or near campus and was not around during the summer. I did get to shoot a few shots in Pauley when a friend who worked in the athletic department gave us a tour of Pauley and the dressing rooms, etc.
I don’t think Ariza or Farmar will start, but if either one comes into camp obviously having taken their game to the next level, it’s possible. Or if age catches up a little on Fish. Hell, knowing Phil, it’s not impossible that Luke could start if he played like he did the first half of the season before last. LOL. Wouldn’t that set the blog afire? Mike T. would be gone.
You may be right about Sun Yue but I don’t think so. Because of his height and length and ball handling and passing skills and potential on defense, Sun has a chance to become a very good player. For sure, his chances of starting down the road are much greater than Coby Karl’s, although I think Coby could become a Mike Miller type of shooter and competitor. If Sun Yue can play tough mentally and physically, he could be the perfect point guard for the Triangle Offense and the defensive stopper we have longed for. We’ll find out soon.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 01, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Richard sez:
"I think that Shaq more than the success, more than the playoffs, more than the Lakers, Shaq misses most of all the attention he received as a Laker. The Lakers get more games televised than any other team. Heck, they are mainstay on Christmas and their presence in the playoffs makes the NBA relevent to the casual sports fan. When something happens in Lakerland, people take notice and talk about it."
This season the SUNS have the max # of allowable nationally broadcast games. The SUNS are popular around the world, especially in China and Europe, simply because they are entertaining and have the best PG of all time.
SHACK gets as much or more attention than ever. Just look at how everyone here knows all about his true statements regarding kobee. The man is larger than life no matter who he plays for.
What he couldn't stand was playing for a bottom-dweller like Miami last season. He is happy being with a winner in PHX.
Look, you laker fans had it good with SHACK and kobee, but kobee just had to have his own team so that he could try to be MJ. SHACK got the boot, and another title with a playa better than kobee. The SUNS have owned the lakers in the playoffs ever since. So it's easy to understand why you love to hate SHACK - you are afraid of him and what he plans to do to the lakers while wearing a SUNS uniform.
I would be afraid too.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 01, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Rick Friedman/Giantsquid,
Remember during training camp last year when Lamar Odom flew out his personal chef to cook for the entire team during training camp? And as a result the entire team (post-Kobe "Ship his ass out!" breakdown) got a chance to eat together three meals a day during all of training camp?
THAT may have been the single greatest act of leadership of the entire season in bonding the team together after the traumatic offseason. Remember how throughout the year the players would all go out to dinner on Kobe (or someone else's) dime and bond and discuss their play and how they could improve as a unit?
Who's responsible for establishing that trend? Who?
Answer: Lamar Odom.
It's that team unity that brought us to the Finals and we should all thank Lamar Odom that he had foresight and initiative to bring this team together after a VERY rough offseason of doubt and discontent.
Many people underestimate Lamar's value to the team. I don't.
Lamar Odom = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 01, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Just so you know I'm not a kobee hater to the point of making things up, take a look at the ESPN home page.
There's a headline story about the MVP race this season. kobee's poor olympic performance and poor Finals performance will count against him.
kobee looks to be relegated to being only half the MVP that STEVE NASH is.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 01, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Butler, I missed your response earlier (guess I was reading the well-reasoned posts and skipped right over yours).
Are you for real? I mean, as humor your posts are not really up to par. If there is any chance that you are actually serious, then brother you need to start with basketball 101. Your Suns have no heart, and their best days are (far) behind them.
Shaq can't play a whole season; Nash can't play a whole season; Hill can't play a whole season; Diaw and Barbosa are softies; and you've got a totally unaccomplished head coach. I guess you think Amare can rise above all of that (notwithstanding his history of NOT rising above that sort of stuff) and lead this team to success. Pass me some of what you're smoking.
Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Jazz, Rockets, Blazers, and Mavericks. That's 7 teams that are undeniably better than your Suns--thus my conclusion that Phx will be lucky to make the playoffs (on that note, you're off to a good start with Monta Ellis going down for G.S.) Now you've just got to find way to get past the Clips and the Nuggets and you can celebrate an 8th seed for all of 4 games until the Lakers are finished sweeping you.
Posted by: Leo | September 01, 2008 at 03:28 PM
john,
>>>>>Yes I say it's time for Kobe to, instead of resting on D and conserving his energy for
>>>>>offense, to make defense his priority, forget about conserving his energy for offense,
>>>>>and let the triangle and Phil, and Bynum and Pau carry much of the offense for him.
I agree 100%. We saw the impact that Kobe’s focus on defense had on Team USA. He can do the same for the Lakers. Furthermore, the Triangle Offense will be more efficient and better balanced with Drew as the primary focus. It will lead to great inside-out basketball. And Kobe will be fresher if we need him to close out the fourth quarter.
We have two front court players who can average 20 points per game in Drew and Pau. What we need from KB24 is a defensive player of the year effort that will set the stage for the Lakers to be the best defensive team in the NBA and the next champion.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 01, 2008 at 03:28 PM
LAMAR= LAKER FOR LIFE
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | September 01, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Leo sez:
"Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Jazz, Rockets, Blazers, and Mavericks. That's 7 teams that are undeniably better than your Suns"
What about the Celts? Like I said, the lakers shouldn't have committed to the Finals unless they were going to show up. Way to give it up to the east coast, lakers!
Blazers? They're better than the lakers but the SUNS own them. They are the youngest team with no chemistry at this point.
Mavs? Kidd is older than satan and they have a new coach.
Please explain your reasoning behind the selection of those 7 teams. I'd like to assess your knowledge of other teams and how you break down each team's strengths and weaknesses.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 01, 2008 at 03:40 PM
blitz,
>>>>>Check my rotations that I posted for DM Laker Tom. That would be the answer to
>>>>>your concerns about rebounding. Lamar doesn't need to be a 6th man simply not
>>>>>to backup Pau at Power Forward.
Believe it or not, blitz, I always read all of your posts and respect your knowledge and insights. I get your point about Lamar starting and ending as small forward and subbing at power forward in between. I would counter that Lamar does not have to start in order to play starter minutes. But until I see Chris Mihm back to his old self or Josh Powell is better than I remember, I don’t want to see anybody but Drew, Pau, and Lamar man the 4 and 5 spots. I trust Ariza as a potential star defender at the 3 as a better way to go than Mihm and Powell.
Bottom line, everything hinges on the players. If Mihm and Powell show they can hold down the fort, then I could change my position. If Ariza doesn’t come in and excel right from the start, especially on defense, that could change my view. As I said, it will be the players that decide which way we go, which rotations will be used, who will play when and how much. The goal is to have the best possible team on the floor for all 48 minutes. That may vary depending upon who the opponent is.
No doubt this is going to be a very fascinating training camp and exhibition schedule. I think the coaches and players are probably as anxious as the bloggers to get going. I am looking forward to this season like no other in the past. It will be the Era of the Beast.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 01, 2008 at 03:42 PM
What’s that funny smell?
BUTtLickER and GWB
Just dooing their thing
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 01, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Laker Tom sez:
"Bottom line, everything hinges on the players. "
Now there is some deduction! You mean the players have a hand in the results?
ESPN is picking LeBrawn and CP3 and AMARE ahead of kobee for 2009 MVP. That's accurate, I'd say.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 01, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Butler, Jason Kidd (an Olympian) is less than one year older than Steve Nash (not an Olympian). I guess that makes old man Nash exactly as old as Satan?
As for the Mavs new coach, the difference between their new coach and the Suns' new coach is that Dallas' guy has actually accomplished something in the NBA.
Exactly how many NBA finals games have your Suns played in? I don't think I heard your answer.
So now Portland is better than the Lakers? Bully for them, but I'm not sure where that puts your slow, old, defenseless team. I'm guessing it puts them 9th in the west.
Yeah, I don't think I'll provide my analysis on each of the teams that are better than your Suns (would get carpal tunnel doing so), so suffice it to say that my list consists of teams that were and remain either better than Phx last year, or who did more this offseason to leapfrog the slow, old, defenseless Suns---or both.
Posted by: Leo | September 01, 2008 at 04:16 PM
NBA World Championships:
Celtics ..17
Lakers...14
Clippers..0
Suns.......0
Why do teams like Suns and Clippers never win it all?
You would think the fan base would require some kind of a Championship from it's franchise existence but I some teams are just destined to always lose. I guess that is how the universe works. It's a mystery.
Butler, why do you think they have never won anything?
BD
Posted by: BD | September 01, 2008 at 04:41 PM
DEALING WITH TROLLS
I am going to have to go with Mrs. LakerTom on the issue of trolls: they provide an easy target for angry bloggers to attack rather than beating up on fellow Lakers fans on the blog. Trolls are like Lakers Blog camp followers or stray dogs. They serve a purpose in giving bloggers someone to abuse and humiliate when bored or angry. And they’re easy pets to take care of since they only eat garbage. They’re the dog that it is OK to kick when you log in.
Abstinence works about as well for getting rid of trolls as it does it preventing illegitimate births among teenagers. Well, same thing about trolls, abstinence does not work. When times are slow, too many bloggers need a punching bag. And what better punching bags are there than BUTtLickER and GWB.
You can already see GWB crying foul because of my campaign to eliminate any measures of respect for trolls by giving them more descriptive Lakers Blog names so that there is no misunderstanding as to what we think of them. If we all refer to BUTLER AS BUTtLickER and LGC as the Green Weenie from Beanie or GWB, it will eventually humiliate the troll enough that he will leave – or at least withdraw to just one personality. LOL.
They’re just stray doggies that poop all over the blog. It’s OK to give them a quick kick. That’s what they’re there for. Just watch where you’re walking. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 01, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Butler
The ESPN geniuses picked the Lakers for 8th or 9th in the West last year. Their preseason picks in general are nearly never an accurate reflection of reality.
Based on their expert's picks, these were their favorites for NBA champions last year:
1 Spurs
2 Suns
3 Mavericks
4 Rockets
5 Pistons
Posted by: giantsquid | September 01, 2008 at 05:04 PM
"True, true! Kidd brought USA the gold. Nash doesn't have much of a canadian team to join though."
Or much of an NBA team to rejoin.
"Nash is far better than kidd at this point."
I would hope so, considering that you fancy him the greatest point guard of all time. Of course, there's that inconvenient thing called "facts" that I keep missing from your posts.
"Thanks for being honest about your ignorance - or are false boasts how you operate? In my book, you are filed under the heading of chicken(poop) until you back up that mouth of yours with some action."
It isn't a false boast to say that the Lakers were and are better than the Suns. You seem to mistake false boasts for facts in my posts, and vice versa in your own.
"And funny you use the word "defenseless" - this coming from a boy who loves a team that exhibited no D in the Finals."
Key words: "in the Finals". Still waiting the answer to how many Finals games your team, led by the greatest point guard of all time, has played in. To be easy on you, let's limit it to this decade....
Posted by: Leo | September 01, 2008 at 05:34 PM
I for one have stopped visiting this blog a lot more this summer JUST BECAUSE of Let's go C's stupid childish posts, it gets exhausting trying to wade thru his post's to read the intelligent posts. It's not like he posts once or twice per topic, I have him measured at the #2 or #3 poster by volume on this blog. I think the Laker blog community should force AK and BK to remove him. With an organized boycott if necessary. If they want to run the blog and have just him talking to himself more power to them.
Posted by: tomK | September 01, 2008 at 05:39 PM
For those who think that Shaq made a *positive difference in the Phoenix Suns (you know who I am talking about).
Shaq was traded shortly before the All Star game and played right after when he played our Lakers and lost. So these statistics are fairly accurate. + means with Shaquille the Suns gained while "-" means Suns lost. It's also true on the Opponents Stats in which + means that the opponents got more and - means opponents got less.
Pre-All Star Phoenix Suns statistics:
109.8ppg on 49.3% shooting, 40.7 rpg, 27.2 apg, 7.0 blks per game, 7.3 stls per game, 19.6 PF per game.
Opponents:
104.0 ppg on 45.1% shooting, 46.3 rpg, 19.6 apg, 4.0 blks per game, 7.1 stls per game, 21.7 PF per game,
Post-All Star Phoenix Suns Statistics:
110.6ppg on 51.2% shooting, 42.9rpg, 25.7 apg, 5.0 blks per game, 5.1 stls per game, 20.5 PF per game
Opponents:
106.9%ppg on 46.5% shooting, 39.4 rpg,, 19.5 apg, 4.0 blks per game, 8.0 stls per game, 22.9 PF per game.
Phoenix Sun Overall:
From 109.8ppg on 49.3% shooting to 110.6ppg on 51.2% shooting=Increase in offense due to Shaq being a center and thus taking more high percentage shots. +
Rebounding increases from 40.7 rpg to 42.9 rpg, good increase especially because of Shaq. +
Assists 27.2 apg to 25.7 apg, decrease. -
Blocks: From 7.0 blks to 5.0. Decrease by 2.0. -
Steals: From 7.3 to 5.1. Decrease by 2.1 -
Personal Fouls: 19.6-20.5. Increase by 0.9 -
Phoenix Sun opponents.
From 104.0ppg on 45.1% shooting to 106.9ppg on 46.5% shooting. Opponents actually scored more and more efficiently with Shaq. -
Rebounding down 46.3 to 39.4. While I could factor in the Suns having a more half court offense with Shaq, it's still a positive neverthelss. +
Assists: 19.6 to 19.5. Marginal difference. =
Blocks. 4.0-4.0. Equal. =
Steals: 7.1 to 8.0. Steals increases slightly. -
Personal Fouls- 21.7-22.9. Fouls on sun increases. +
Number of "+": 4
Number of "-": 6
Number of "=": 2
Conclusion: Shaq made Sun Stats go down more than going up. Small increase on offense but lowered defense. Some "defense" Shaq brings huh?
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 01, 2008 at 05:47 PM
BUTLER Sez:
"kobee looks to be relegated to being only half the MVP that STEVE NASH is."
Posted by: BUTLER | September 01, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Who's STEVE NASH? There's a similar STEVE GNASH if that's who you're referring to....
Posted by: I love Kobe | September 01, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Giantsquid sez:
"Butler
The ESPN geniuses picked the Lakers for 8th or 9th in the West last year. Their preseason picks in general are nearly never an accurate reflection of reality."
Ahhhhh....so, we can assume then that ESPN picking the lakers to finish 1st in the West this season means the lakers will finish near the bottom or perhaps not make the playoffs at all.
I get ya.
Actually, I'd be interested to know who they picked for mvp last year.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 01, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Butler they picked Lebron for MVP last year as well.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 02, 2008 at 02:04 AM
WE'RE STILL WEAK ON THE INSIDE AND UNLESS WE FIND ANOTHER PF TO REPLACE RONNY, WE'RE NOT WINNING THIS YEAR CONFERENCE FINALS.
THERE'S STILL ABOUT 5 MEMBERS OF THIS TEAM WHO IS TOO SOFT.
Posted by: Gunner | September 02, 2008 at 10:20 AM
THE LAKERS ARE GOING TO TRASH THE COMPETITION NEXT YEAR AND SHUT YOU ϨÇ˚ˆ˜© HATERS UP!!!
SHUTUP ϨÇ˚ˆ˜© HATER!
I'M SO PUMPED!
I better chill. I'm gonna run out of energy before the first preseason game.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 02, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I was watching some YouTube on Sun Yue last night and decided to analyze his dribbling style vs.....sorry but gonna make a comparison here....to Earvin "Magic" Johnson!!!!!
We have to agree that they are approximately the same height, and when Sun is playing point guard, it seems he has alot of clips on him, with some other shorter guy at point, and he's the recipient of the pass, and pops his jumpers, I know, they only show us the ones he makes, not he ones he misses. Back to comparison of dribbling syle:
Magic: More upright, back straighter, pounds the ball hard down, so it comes back up quicker,...his head his up and he's reading the court at all times.
Sun,: Moves well dribbling the ball up the court, for a 6'9" player. Compare him to say, LO, Sun is more fluid handling the ball, However he seemed to curl his back a little more, hovering over the ball, this is good to protect the ball from those damn pesky little defenders, but I think that it cuts back on his court vision as opposed to magic. That's my one cents worh for the niight.
The other cent is, GWB needs to be controlled. If all he does is poop out of his mouth against he Lakers, and for his fat green troll brigade, then, let's get him back there. Granted there are people with opinions that clash, but this guy is just vile. I think that he just inputs nothing, but blasphemous rage. Granted once in a while, probably when he's tired, and becomes closer to being an acceptable member of society, he make one statement that has any value. BUTT, why do we have to filter thru all that cra.........ss stuff to read the guy's toilet paper after he's used it and try to psychoanyalyze him. I never wanted to be a psychologist or a psychiatrist, a social worker, a big-brother, a baby-sitter,.....I have never changed a diaper in my life, and I don't see why I should have to do it here. Filter him, or exile him. Pleeeez, Honestly, I'm gonna jump ship if I have to read his ejaculations (lookit up...it's not always a sexual term) for him it means "an abrupt, exclamatory utterance", that's all that comes outa the guys mouth, Think about it. I'm out.
Posted by: humanomaly | September 03, 2008 at 12:49 AM
*Terry Porter was a good player and will be a good coach, but we're talking about Phil Jackson here.
Yes, the Lakers can!
This Laker team is no gimmick.
Posted by: Rocky | August 29, 2008 at 06:49 PM
==========================
I agree with all except the PJ part.
The same thing was said in regards to Doc vs PJ.
Doc outcoached PJ.
The rest I agree about the lakers.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | September 04, 2008 at 08:21 AM