I imagine some laker fans are mortified at the predictions - now we know the lakers won't make it to the Finals!

ESPN has put the hex on LA by doing this. The lakers now have to reverse a trend going back years. I can't remember the last time ESPN picked the winner correctly.

Agreed, Pau did NOT get enough credit for the excellent defense he played throughout all the series of the 2008 playoffs. We were never beaten by the other team's PF or C, even though we faced Boozer, Camby, TD and KG.

Sometimes underrated is good though. Let other teams think he's the soft spot, then we CRUSH them when they try and beat Pau.

"I imagine some laker fans are mortified at the predictions "

I'm mortified that Shaq is playing two more years.

JustaLakerFan,

I don't want to get into yours and AK's argument, but I want to say this. If we were depending on the likes of Mbenga and Newble to swing the Finals in our favor think about how deep into the doo doo we must have been.

Mbenga and Newble! lol

I don't think these predictions come early enough. I say they should do predictions now for the 09-10 season. If anyone manages to get it right then I'll be impressed.

Seriously though, this kind of stuff is just filler. I've harped on this before but sports journalism really has just become a game of "who" can be right about "what" earlier than anyone else.

Last year, nobody knew that Farmar and Bynum would come out of the off-season so much better than they were the previous season. So let's see who really stepped up their work this off-season and comes into camp a level above where they were before. And let's pray everyone stays healthy.

With Camp only a few days away why are so many Laker Fans excited?

The Beast is back along with his buddy Monkey King.

DON'T MISS IT!

BD

"Agreed, Pau did NOT get enough credit for the excellent defense he played throughout all the series of the 2008 playoffs. We were never beaten by the other team's PF or C, even though we faced Boozer, Camby, TD and KG."

Me and Xodus has been saying that all the time hehe.

Heath was a decent player at SDSU (watched a bunch of their games while he was there) but I will be very surprised if he gets a contract this year. He's just not an NBA-quality player. (Unless he has improved a lot the past two years.)

THE LAKERS ARE FAVORED FOR ONE REASON…

A Bigger and Better Andrew Bynum! Make no mistake, Drew is what separates the Lakers from the rest of the NBA, makes them the pre-season favorites to win the NBA championship, and inspires Lakers fans to dream of domination and dynasties stretching into the future.

Sure it would be great if Kobe’s pinky is fine, Pau works out at power forward, Lamar stars at small forward, Ariza morphs into a shutdown defender, Fish has a career year, Jordan jumps his game to the next level, Luke comes back strong, and Sun Yue really is the Monkey King.

But the single make-or-break live-or-die key to next year and the Lakers future dynasties is Andrew Bynum, who at 20 years old has the physical and mental tools to become the dominant center in the NBA in the next year or two while leading the Lakers to NBA championships.

The Lakers showed last year just how good a team they were without Andrew, coming within two wins of the NBA championship. For the first time since the Pau Gasol trade, the Lakers will be able to send their real team out of the court. I for one expect them to be dominant.

If anything, the sports media and even some fans on the blog underestimate the huge impact and synergetic domino effect that Drew’s return will have on this team, both physically as well as mentally. Drew will have other teams fans decrying their teams’ softness, including Boston.

Finally, while I sure wouldn’t count on them, I also wouldn’t necessarily count Luke Walton and Chris Mihm out just yet. It is a sign of the depth of this team that two guys in the last five roster spots are players who once were very valuable contributors. If either of these guys can get fully healthy and return to their top form, the Lakers will have a real bonus.

And while we thinking positively, I also like the fact that the Lakers have two young long and athletic potential strong defenders at the 1 and 3 in Sun Yue and Trevor Ariza, with Ariza being a possible starter if Odom becomes the team’s 6th man, which I think could easily happen.

I also do not agree with the Tony Kukoc comparisons for Sun Yue. Kukoc’s strength was his long range shooting, not his ball handling, passing, or defense – all traits for which Sun Yue is better known than his 3-point shooting prowess. Kukoc was a forward. Sun is a point guard.

I also would not be surprised to see a press release sometime within the next week or so that the Lakers and Andrew Bynum have reached agreement on a 5-year extension for $70-75M to snuff any possibility that Drew will wear any other colors but purple and gold.

The Era of the Beast has begun! Kobe, Drew, and Pau. The Best Big 3 in the NBA.

Tom

THE LAKERS ARE FAVORED FOR ONE REASON…

I mean you’re adding the third best center in the entire NBA to a team that came within two wins of the NBA championship and only 12 of the 25 writers pick the Lakers to win the title?

Just like politics says about the general population, this confirms that half of the those writers who cover the Lakers are either stupid or unwilling to pick a team with Kobe Bryant on it.

If these idiots even read the blog, they would have realized that we aren’t adding the third best center in the NBA to the team, we are filling every weakness on the team by the move. And Drew may well be the best center in the NBA what with Yao’s health issues and Howard’s poor play throughout the Olympics.

Adding Drew to the Lakers is like giving a gun to one of two evenly matched knife fighters. Sorry Celtics. Game over! Match done! No Contest! The Era of the Beast has begun.

Contract extension news is imminent! Get business out of the way so we can play ball.

Tom

it would be nice depending on how well sun yue plays for him to make the lakers roster for size imagin the startin five like this if they play phoenix
1.sun yue 6-9
2.kobe bryant 6-6
3.lamar odom 6-10
4.pau gosal 7-0
5.andrew bynum 7-0
phoenix cant match this five

Jon K,

I tend to agree with your post in the last thread -- 55 is too light for the Lakers this year. I really believe they will push 63.

Laker Tom,

Toni Kukoc was an all around player. Sure he scored better than Sun at the moment but he was also a good passer as well. Defense if Sun pans out Toni will not have an edge on though. Toni averaged 4.5 assists when he was teamed up with Scottie Pippen. You are correct though Toni was a forward (6'11) while Sun is more point guard though Sun has the versatility to play Point, Shooting, Small Forward and even if needed possibly Power Forward though that should be used in extreme emergency while Toni was basically a poor man's Pippen for the Bulls and could play all 5 positions.

The idea of my comparisons of Sun Wukong Yue to Toni Kukoc and the agreement by Long Time Laker Fan is simple. Sun can play multiple positions and is very versatile just like Toni. Sure he may not have Toni's long range shooting but that can change as even Yao noticed a good improvement in his jumper. The 2nd thing I added to the Toni Kukoc comparison is Eric Snow defense. Eric Snow was a Larry Brown type point guard: run the offense and defend. Because Snow was able to guard shooting guards as well, he was able to play along Allen Iverson and run the point allowing Iverson to score instead of running the offense, during the 2001 finals it was he who guarded Kobe despite him being a point guard. Sun when he develops in time could probably defend point guards, shooting guards, and maybe some small forwards and if necessary athletic power forwards. Hence the comparison:

Toni Kukoc offense (in terms of passing/playmaking and running the offense and possibly the jumper as well) and Eric Snow defense.

-blitz

Well, well...

Now we know why KB24 decided to pass on the surgery and the 12 weeks of downtime.

He has seen Bynum's workouts and scrimmaging. He knows something that the lay public does not. This season is all about legacy-cement:

73 wins
73 wins
73 wins
73 wins

And a 6th Finals appearance. 4th Ring. Finals MVP? All that, a Gold Medal, and a bag of chips, too?

the Bryant-Jordan debate gets very serious after this season...

Respectfully,
HIGH CHEESE

blitz,

We’re going to have to agree to disagree on the whole Tony Kukoc thing. Our disagreement starts with a fundamental difference of opinion as to the kind of player Sun Yue has a chance to become, both offensively and defensively.

>>>>>You are correct though Toni was a forward (6'11) while Sun is more point guard
>>>>>though Sun has the versatility to play Point, Shooting, Small Forward and even if
>>>>>needed possibly Power Forward though that should be used in extreme emergency
>>>>>while Toni was basically a poor man's Pippen for the Bulls and could play all
>>>>>5 positions.

I know there are some scouting reports out there comparing Sun Yue to a smaller version of Lamar Odom and an eventual small forward rather than point guard in the league, but I don’t buy that point of view at all with respect to Sun Yue’s game or potential position. That may be what happens with him if he doesn’t cut it as a point guard but I don’t see that happening.

What is enticing about Sun on offense is his 6-9 size and length combined with excellent speed and quickness and point-guard quality ball handling and passing skills. While he most likely won’t be a superstar, a 6-9 point guard with excellent ball handling and passing skills and the ability to post up smaller guards playing for the Lakers will remind fans of Magic Johnson.

>>>>>The 2nd thing I added to the Toni Kukoc comparison is Eric Snow defense.
>>>>>Eric Snow was a Larry Brown type point guard: run the offense and defend.
>>>>>Because Snow was able to guard shooting guards as well, he was able to play
>>>>>along Allen Iverson and run the point allowing Iverson to score instead of running
>>>>>the offense, during the 2001 finals it was he who guarded Kobe despite him being a
>>>>>point guard. Sun when he develops in time could probably defend point guards,
>>>>>shooting guards, and maybe some small forwards and if necessary athletic power
>>>>>forwards.

I would love it if Sun Yue turned out to be as good a defensive player as Snow was in his prime but they are totally different players who bring different tools to work defensively. That is why I don’t buy your comparison. Snow was a tough, in your face, small but strong defender at the guard. His game was to get in your jersey and stay there.

That is not what is exciting about Sun Yue defensively. Sun’s edges are his height and length and shot blocking ability, which will allow him to play off the point guards he defends giving him a better chance to keep them from penetrating. He can also recover better than smaller players and block shots from behind when he is beaten, an edge similar to extremely quick players who can save a play be reaching behind. He can be the Lakers Michael Cooper.

The best example I can come up with right now of what I see Sun Yue becoming defensively is the way that James Posey guarded Kobe in the Finals, using his height, length, and quickness to allow him to sag off Kobe and keep him from penetrating. Add in the fact, that his size makes him a poor candidate to be posted up on and that is the defensive potential that I see in Sun Yue. I see Sun Yue as the potential solution to better defense at the 1. That is where I think he will earn his playing time. And that is why his shooting is of secondary concern.

We’ll just have to agree to disagree on Sun Yue. Either way, we both see some excellent potential at both ends of the court, which is good. You see a little Kukoc and a little Snow while I see a little Magic and a little Cooper. LOL. In the end, we’d take either one.

Tom

Start the bandwagons!!!

********
73 Win Bandwagon
********

Why else would Kobe put off surgery, if not to go after the regular season record?

Yeah, I know I'm rationalizing after being shocked that Kobe wasn't getting surgery, but whaddaywant? I'm a fan, not an analyst!

Jamie Sweet,

>>>Shaq is retiring in exactly 735 days.

Well, specifically what Shaq said was that his "basketball
career will be over in 735 days."

And while that's technically true, he could also have truthfully
said, "My basketball career will be over in 1743 days." or
"5382" days. When something is over one day, it's also over
the day after that.

If he wanted to be more accurate, what Shaq should have
said would be more like "My basketball career will be over
in 546 days."

That's in the ballpark of time when the first round will end in
2010. After that, Shaq's career is all over but for the
paperwork.

I agree with LakerTom that Bynum is the key to our success. Bynum, Bynum, Bynum. Kobe and Gasol are veterans who's contributions are known quantities (when healthy, blah, blah). Everyone else fits into the quality role player category, and of course depth is important, but with 5 men on the court, this is a game where great players win games. We need Bynum to be great, and I think he can and will be, but we just have to wait and see.

There will be no problem with front court chemistry. Has everyone missed the whole Phil Jackson, triangle offense thing we've had in the NBA for the past twenty years? If having three huge, multi-talented guys on a team were a problem, which it's not, he'd work it out.

Huston is a legitimate threat. They have three superstar caliber players and a great bench. And Adelman can certainly coach his way out of a paper bag - his teams were a true rival for the Shaq and Kobe dynasty and we shouldn't forget how close we came to loosing to them. They have a lot of issues (chemistry, managing to learn a complex offense while keeping a defensive mindset which is mostly leftover from a previous coaching regime, the health of Yao, basketball related focus of TMac, the non-basketball related focus of Ron Ron, etc.), certainly more than we do, but they could be dynamite this year and we need to prepare ourselves for a crazy, epic and great (and likely unofficial true championship - not that Boston, New Orleans and others are not worthy, but on paper/in a perfect world, this could be the real blockbuster) series with them in the playoffs.

If both teams are healthy, focused and coached up, I feel we would win such a series because Kobe is more experienced and more of a killer than T-Mac. But that's about all I can see in our favor. In a couple of years, Bynum may become significantly better than Yao (a lot to ask, but my fingers are crossed), but even with the improvement I confidently expect him to show this season, I think a healthy Yao and a good team defensive effort will give him a lot of problems. Gasol and "good" Ron Ron don't match up and comparing their contributions is a bit of apples and oranges. The roll players are both very good and come in quantity. Really, it's very close.

Anywho, the west will be insane again this year. The "improved" east with Brand, a relocated Jermaine O’Neal, healthy DWade and a Cleveland team that keeps trying to convince itself it will be better still doesn't compare. They need to re-seed the playoffs to eliminate conference seeding, even if it means fudging things to make long travel issues workable, and start the playoffs as soon as we have a reasonable number of healthy teams playing well.

OK, I don't actually mean that about the playoffs. But it's a nice thought.

We are the favorites on paper to win it all, and there is no pre-season favorite curse, that's absurd. What there is, is a full season of pro-basketball and a long brutal playoffs that make anything possible. Personally, I can't wait.

GO LAKERS!

It should be another interesting season.The lakers are a logical pick and have a chance to be really really good - like 70 win good if it all comes together and Bynum puts his money where his mouth is...but even if he's merely a solid contributor this team can stil be great...youngsters will develop,they can build on the playoff experience and thye still have the scariest player in the game.Theres always a chance last season was a bit of an aberation and things wont click in quite the same way but its more likely they are good,really good.

The Celtics could easily lose their edge - these guys were on a mission under pressure last season - can they keep up the intensity? My guess is probably not and if they were in the west they'd be cooked but they are still so much better than the rest of the east that they will stumble into the finals...then anything can happen.Think '95 rockets

The cavs and pistons - we are going to see more of the same basically...2nd round exit ,maybe the conference finals but they are not contending

The hornets could get there I expect to see them in the conference finals with the lakers - they'll be the real deal but the lakers should be too much for them in a playoff series - we've kind of got the jump on this team...but if they get the top seed they could definitely make the finals

The spurs....are done.I picked them to win it all last year and although the still seem like they could have a chance this team needs a trade.Did you read the interviews after they were eliminated? they were talking like it was a regular season game..way too casual,no tears no defiant promises of redemption.They've been boring the basketball world for close to a decade and now they are bored of themselves.Something needs to happen here.I'd trade Ginobli personally while he's at the top of his game (when he's not hurt that is)

Houston are tempting but Yoa and Mcgrady have been hurt every year - its annual thing.This is not a team that can win unless they get homecourt advantage and they'll be too hampered by injuries to do that.

The east will feature some interesting bubble teams that ultimately won't have enough to get to the finals...

and the west will probably come down to whos got the top seed in the playoffs...unless of course the lakers take a jump into the next stratosphere...

Karyanr,
I love KB24 as much as anyone else, but It's highly unlikely that even if all of that happens, he'll be compared with MJ. Jordan just has too many individual accomplishments that seperate him from Kobe, the 5 mvp's, being undefeated in the championship round, etc. We just need to let Kobe be Kobe, and at the end of the day he could very well be in that stratosphere of the top 5 in NBA history, but Mike he is not, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Our Second Unit is very strong! Our First unit will have the benefit of a full summer camp and a full season.. the defensive mentality has been exposed as weak during the finals and would therefore be the focus of the whole team...

I can't wait till season starts..

Go lakers!

And by the way.. I haven't had the time to embrace KL back...

Welcome back KL... I like your new version of yourself better.

AK / BK Do you know of a reason why are the Lakers signing all of these guards ? By the last count they had 7or 8 Guards. Are they going to make a trade ?

Here's a videod of Drew's last game before his injury.

http://tinyurl.com/0

We have a lot to look forward to this summer.

karyanr,

>>>>>Now we know why KB24 decided to pass on the surgery and the 12
>>>>>weeks of downtime.

>>>>>He has seen Bynum's workouts and scrimmaging. He knows something
>>>>>that the lay public does not. This season is all about legacy-cement:

>>>>>73 wins
>>>>>73 wins
>>>>>73 wins
>>>>>73 wins

>>>>>And a 6th Finals appearance. 4th Ring. Finals MVP?
>>>>>All that, a Gold Medal, and a bag of chips, too?

You may be onto something there, High Cheese. A bigger and better Bynum is going to be scary fun to watch. Look for that contract extension next week. Just a hunch.

Tom

Xodus,

Link does not work, Karl. Thanks.

Tom

Well, I for one am apologetic at the way I treated Paul Pierce on this blog -- I had no idea the man was suffering from a debilitating disease --- the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

""Most people think they're better than they really are, but they're too stupid to realize it. And that same stupidity makes it difficult (and sometimes impossible) for them to recognize skills and competence in the non-stupids, which perpetuates their cycle of idiocy and megalomania.""

http://tinyurl.com/3mkcfp

I know we all wish Paul a speedy recovery.

Don't sleep on my boy Brandon Heath nicknamed "Bottoms" in the neighborhood dude can flat out shoooooottttt doesnt believe in missing open shots.

But I know he's a long shot to make the team but give him a chance. Man I'm so happy for him he's an ex-teammate of mine and worked so hard to get to this point he's got alot of support in his hometown of L.A.

>>>SHACK WILL LEAVE WITH 6 RINGS

Only if his ex gives him his wedding ring and his engagement
ring back.

BUTLER, "SHACK WILL LEAVE WITH 6 RINGS
Oh yes LOL.

Suns Fans: The Delusions Continue Posted by: Xodus | September 12, 2008 at 08

THE NBA CARES.....
Even for their dlusional Sun Fans

SHACK WILL LEAVE WITH 6 RINGS Oh yes.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 11, 2008 at 10:59 PM

NO BUTLER, HE WILL LEAVE WITH 8 RINGS. HE ALREADY HAS 6 RINGS....OF FAT
AROUND THE MIDDLE THAT IS.

S.I.

>>>Jordan just has too many individual accomplishments
>>>that seperate him from Kobe,

If Kobe were to retire today, that is entirely true. But you seem
to neglect the fact that Kobe is in his prime and still will be
for at least 3 or 4 more years. If he pulls off a couple more
championships, a couple more MVPs, a 100 point game,
a 73 win season, and other malarkey like that, then even
the staunchest Jordan worshipers will have to admit that
it would be worthy of discussion whether Kobe or Jordan
was better.

Honestly, I don't think Kobe can catch him, but I admit there
is still the possibility.

>>>the 5 mvp's,

Kobe probably won't equal that. I could see him getting
up to 2 or 3 though.

>>>being undefeated in the championship round,

That's just spin on a statistic. Antoine Walker only ever
made it to the championship round once, but he's
undefeated there. That doesn't put him in the discussion
for GOAT.

I could just as easily spin finals stats in Kobe's favor (though
only mildly so).

Michael's teams only made it to the finals 40% of the time.

Kobe's teams have made it to the finals 42% of the time.

It's all just spin on statistics at this point.

>>>>We just need to let Kobe be Kobe

And that is the key. There will always be people who mock
Kobe and say he'll never be Jordan, but Kobe has never
tried to be Jordan. It's the league and the media that put
the "next Jordan" label on Kobe early. If they had placed
that label on Joe Johnson instead (just throwing out a random
shooting guard) and left Kobe alone, then probably people
wouldn't even be making the comparison now. They'd
just be enjoying Kobe for Kobe.

Brandon Heath is a nice pick up. He's a tough player who can shoot and create his own shot.

I agree with ex though, it's going to take a lot for him to make the team. While he's got the skills and quicks, his lack of strength will get exposed in the NBA. And he's the type of player that needs to play with the ball.

Although, It's good to see that the all time leading SDSU scorer got signed by the Lakers. It would be cool to see him make the squad.

Go Lakers!

>>>Dwayne Mitchell has hops, but everyone's not losing
>>>their minds over him are they?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!!

Dwayne "The Manatee Prince" Mitchell has me thinking
of joining the 80 win bandwagon.

hominahominahominahominahominahominahominahomina

Sorry, I lost it there for a minute.

lakers win 75 this year 75-7 GO LAKERS Posted by: DERK |
September 12, 2008 at 08:42 AM

Come on now 75 let's not be delusional.
Now if you said 74 I'd agree. LOL!

Gooooooooooood Morning Laker Blog!

I think that Kobe is making a good decision, as has been debated in this blog many times, it has been statistically proven that his pinkie is not overtly affecting his shooting, his dribbling or his defense. It won't get in the way of his conditioing.

The R n R that he is getting now will be invaluable as he would've had literally just a fewdays of rest if he did the surgery.

I think the whole team is chomping at the bit, which brings me to my morning quandry...does anyone think the Lakers are going to come out of the gate too pumped up?

Is that even possible? Could you be so hyped for the start, you have agreat camp, feeling unbeatbale, come out flat in the first game and then it snowballs for some of the younger guys.

I don't think it can, but I've seen it happen. However, we have an ace in the hole in the mental preparation dept. Phil Jackson.

It has been said, here on this blog, that Phil is "overreated" and "not worthy of the HOF", and "he had Jordan and Shaq and Kobe". OK, but he ALSO had J.R. Rider, ol man Mitch Richmond, Dennis Rodman, among countless other cast off centers and shaky bench players. Michael Jordan didn't go out and score 74 pts a night in order to help the bulls win all of those rings. Shaq and Kobe didn't go out and shoot 80% and play body fitting D winning their 3 rings. The coach and his staff kept those ships from sinking and, despite all odds, kept the focus of the group sharp and in the moment. I don't know how many bloggers here have sub-ordinates that they manage, but I'll bet most of them haven't grown up think ing that they are the prime time super star of their universe and everyone who thinks otherwise better get out of the way. This is the predicament that NBA coaches, HOF or no, have to deal with. The coaches job is threefold

A: Create a team concept that the GM can use to find the right players to put into the system.

B: Prepare those players for the game by drilling into them the basic tenents of said concept. This takes the form of practice and viseo sessions.

C: Make minute in-game adjustments, alert the players to developments that they see on the floor and make in-game substitutions.

Phil Jackson is perhaps the best coach of all time in regards to A and B. It is C for which he is most maligned, that and his funny chair, and I find that to be a matter of opinion and generally, people who hate the player getting put in the game (what up all you Luke Walton haters?). They look at it in terms of their emotional connection to the player and then blame the coach for making a call. For some reason people seem to think that Phil is a do nothing coach. He just sits there, sometimes staring off into space, while Kwame Brown misses a dunk, drops a pass, bricks a jump, drops a pass, misses a lay up and then two free throws, drops a pass, misses a defensive rotation and then drops another pass.

Were we sitting in that chair, coaching the Lakers, we would have yanked him after, say the second dropped pass. But to what end? Would our harsh treatment of an obviously emotionally juvenille young man give him a chance to develop into the player people foresaw him as? Would a three game stint on the pine make him better at catching an entry pass? Is it Phil's fault that Mitch signed Kwame and as a result Kwame showed up at training camp? No. Like a cook with mediocre ingredients, he's got to make what he can with what he's got. Why treat a player who, unfortunately, is the best option at center (at times Kwame was the only guy who could play at the 5 with any impact at all) like a dirt bag insuring that he will be detatched and un-enthusiastic? People trash Phil because he doesn't jump up and down and get red in the face (Mike Dunleavey), carp at the refs all game (Larry Brown and Doc Rivers) or call timeouts when the sh** hits the fan (all coaches, except for Phil).

I say that those are the reasons that I respect and admire Phil. He holds the millionaire babies responsible for their actions, something diffcult for pro-athletes to do. You want to hold a candle to his feet for putting Chris Mihm in the game during the Finals? Fine, but also give him props for getting that rag-tag group of guys ready for the regular season, for allowing Kobe to have his fit of anger in training camp, for nurturing Lamar, Farmar, Vujacic, and Ronny. And really, was putting Chris Mihm in for two minutes the deciding factor of the NBA Finals? No, it allowed Mihm the opportunity to see where he stood physically, what kind of work he would need to put in for this years run and it gave Mihm the confidence that he could play. Phil knew the chances of retaining all of the squad into next season were remote at best. He knew he'd either lose a valuable shooting guard or an energetic role player and I'll bet he and Mitch saw eye-to-eye on which of those two to break the bank for (a little bit). As much as I respect and admire Ronny Turiaf, he will never be the impact player that Vujacic has already become. Ronny was too indecisive, he does not play solid defense and his shooting was suspect. His team first mentallity was amazing, he has lived an inspirational life and he was a great guy to have in the locker room. But fun and hijinks don't win rings in June.

Dang this is a long post. I'm out!

Brandon Heath is a baller and a gym-rat. He did need some more time to develop to the NBA level which I have no doubt he did over the last 2 years. It would be sweet to see him on the roster, but I don't know why the Lakers keep signing guards, maybe for good practices? I would expect Heath to gain PT on some team out there, he's good.

Paul Lee - it's nice to hear some support and a personal connection to Brandon Heath. I'm sure he's excited about the opportunity. Playing on the fringes can be a tough road and I have all the admiration in the world for those that pursue their dreams.

Hey, I had fun in the NBA fantasy league that someone here
set up last year. I'm thinking of starting up a league on
espn.com. Anyone interested?

Here is how I plan on setting it up:

12 teams (might consider slightly more if 14 or 16 people
want to jump in)

Rotisserie scoring

Standard 8 or 9 categories
(turnovers or no turnovers. that is the question)

Live draft - standard snaking type (1-12, 12-1, 1-12, ...)
It would happen the last Sunday before the season starts.
And the way it's set up, you can set up a prioritized list
and it will auto-pick for you if you can't make the live draft
(but why would you want to miss that, it's one of the best
parts).

PG SG G SF PF F Util Util
plus 3 bench players (or 2 bench players if we do more
than 12 teams).

unlimited trades with league approval

It's all free, of course. And if you were in the one last
year, you'll remember that Yahoo stopped updating the
real-time stats a couple of weeks into the season and
wanted to charge you for them. One of the selling points
of the ESPN leagues is that real time stats are included
for free.

I'd consider changing any of these parameters if most
people want a head-to-head league or an auction type
draft or something like that, but I thought the basic
methods keep it the simplest.

If you're interested, either post here that you might want
to join or get my email from the kambros. Also, you might
want to indicate if you have other preferences about
whether turnovers should be included or not.

LTLF aka SashaVujachamps,

I'm down for the fantasy league.

If Lamar Show is still doing his league, I'll join that one too.

Good Morning Guys.

Xodus, do you have another link to Ab's last game?

Thanks

Charles

Jamie Sweet,

As sweet and informative is your post, I have only one comment. I think it was Phil who encouraged Mitch to get Kwame, I don't know why they offered Caron. Perhaps, to match salary not abilities. Kwame was a gamble in high stakes. Phil is known for love of big men that would support his triangle and even during his Bulls' run he has these men who are not really that good but they can rebound, hassel in the post and support the main casts. Unfortunately, the gamble went kaput b/c of so many t/o's, so as a player he has more liabilities than asset that resulted total loss of confidence. Going back to the past, if the Lakers put up a group of players that summed up to 8M at that time and retained Caron Butler, Wizzards would take that bait just to get rid of Kwame. Well when W's got Butler together with Arenas suddenly they became competitive.

I'm down for the fantasy league and turnovers should be counted.

I wonder who the disappointment this year will be. Two years ago it was Vlad with his snowboarding accident. Last year it was Luke and his forgettable season. Wonder if anyone will really slip this year? Only one I could see being a "bust" is Ariza but I think he's too athletic to see that happen. And I'll be a fan as long as he keeps dunking like he does.

Lamar = Laker for Life

GO LAKERS

mamba24,

Start that bandwagon up my man.

How about just 73+

We Laker fans can settle for 73, 74, 75 don't care as long as the record is BROKEN. lol

Nawh but on a more serious note.. I think as long as this team is healthy.. anywhere between 55-73 is possible.

go LAKERS

Here's a nice little video on Heath. I really hope he takes the 15th spot even though thats a long shot.

http://tinyurl.com/4uux4t

Lamar = Laker for Life

GO LAKERS

the bodies don't speak well for Coby Karl's chances of sticking with the team, now, instead of competing only with the 2nd round draft pick, there's like... 5 guys who all play the same position as Coby Karl and there's some pretty decent talent in there.

Oh, who cares... Coby Karl... pfft! THIS TEAM IS STACKED!

and...

The MOST INTERESTING man in the world is... Trevor Ariza...

If Ariza improves enough to become our starting SF... we could trade Odom for some future young stud and this team would be stacked beyond belief for the next 5 years. How about Odom for trash and a top 5 pick in the draft next year - gambling on a trade with a lottery team?

If Farmar has topped out, that pick could be a big PG, like a Deron Williams type.

LTLF,

If there's still some room, count me in on the Fantasy too!! Yes on TOs. I've never done fantasy on ESPN, so I don't know how similar it is to Yahoo, but I'll look into it when you send the details. Thanks.

I watched the links sent by Mr Barneydangles, it looks Brandon is impressive. He just beat Kobe there as a college graduate. His stats are also impressive at 19 ppg, 40% FG 75% FT, 3 rpg and 6'4" PG, he just beat Fisher and Farmar. I think Farmar has to create miracles to avoid being shipped out with LO, LW. If Josh Powell can play and these new kids on the block standing, parking and lurking - our old reliables become endangered species. Remember Farmar will be the next Bynum next year asking for salary hike of at least 60M for 4 years. Do you think the 88 year old Jerry Buss will pay all these fellas if some upandcoming youngsters can do the job at 99 cents per minute? Think about it those who are avid fans of Jordan and LO.

mrbarneydangles,

Brandon Heath does have a nice story, but I think I'll take Coby "Swish" Karl's story of almost dying twice of cancer as a better story, quite frankly.

Hey, I'm a Defenders fan! Brandon Heath would make a great Defender!

Go Defenders!

GO LAKERS!

Shaquille O'Neal giving his retirement date is a statement of surrender amidst a greater psychological breakdown.

If he was truly committed to winning a Championship, he wouldn't give a retirement date. Basically he is stating, "I've given up, but I'm not giving up $40 million over two years, so I'm going to walk through these next two years, but keep up a good front, collect my paycheck and then kick up my feet and explode to 400 pounds before I make sponsorship money from Jenny Craig."

The Suns are going to be a trainwreck over the next two years. They're not even going to make the playoffs. Shaq has given up, but he's too selfish to refund the Suns organization their money. Thus, the fans will show their ire against Shaq and Suns management, Shaq will turn on his teammates and coaches, management will infight, and bad mojo will be everywhere.

Yep, Suns are done.

GO LAKERS!

AK,

Dude, you gotta start a "Shaq Has Set His Retirement Date.... Already" thread.

We gotta discuss The Big Mistake/Aristotle/Homicidal.

GO LAKERS!