Some items, including an NBA forecast, to chew on
First, the latest installment of ESPN's preseason NBA forecasts. The latest topic? Who takes the crown come June 2009? The most prevalent answer? Your Lakers of Los Angeles. Of the 25 analysts polled, a dozen picked the Lakers, with New Orleans next closest at half a dozen picks and Boston inducing four folks into thinking "repeat." As one might expect, the common question marks cited are Andrew Bynum's health and ability to mesh with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, plus the durability of Kobe's pinkie. But even taking those issues into account, September confidence in the Lakers is all swole up.
One potential stumbling block not cited by the ESPN crew would be Ronny Turiaf's defection to Golden State. But in the mind of Hoopsworld's Bill
Ingram, Martinque's Favorite Son will be greatly missed,
particularly because of a toughness void not filled by Josh Powell, whom Ingram doesn't see in the same
talent-sphere as Turiaf. While I
agree that Powell isn't as good
as the continually improving Turiaf (and if nothing else, unless he's put on some muscle,
would be WAY undersized filling in at center), I think Ronny's absence
will only really be felt in the locker room- dude is an original- and if the bigs struggle stay healthy. Mind you, the latter ain't out of the question, what with Bynum and Chris Mihm still in a "see to be believed" mode and Odom's injury history. But assuming everyone's in the pink, Bynum, Gasol and LO will get the
overwhelming majority of frontcourt minutes, with just scraps left for Turiaf. And yes, Gasol did get pushed around at times against Boston and the playoffs in general, but I also think Ingram isn't giving him enough credit for what was often very good defense against Carlos Boozer, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. And with Bynum back, El Spaniard will give up size and weight less often. All things being equal (or ideal), the Lakers should be fine, if perhaps less fun, without Turiaf.
Health update: Janis Carr of the O.C. Register caught up with Luke Walton, who's counting down the days before Wednesday's theoretical medical clearance to resume more strenuous post-ankle surgery work. For now, the ankle's weakness has limited him to stuff like running in the Lakers' space age treadmill, which certainly isn't the same as the five on five he's been enviously watched his teammates play. He's gunning to be ready come training camp and eventually rebound from a season deemed fairly lousy by the blogosphere, especially as the playoffs advanced. It's an assessment Walton won't dispute, and I imagine that he's aware that without some serious improvement, a burial behind Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom and- at times- Kobe Bryant at small forward may await. If nothing else, I'm aware of it. But he can't improve unless he's fully recovered, which he's working hard to make happen.
And finally, a quick heads up that the Lakers signed Brandon Heath,
he of SDSU fame. A few of y'all have asked me about him and I vaguely
remember his Aztec playing days, although not nearly well enough to
provide any insight. Nor do I consider these lack of details a detriment to our readership, because unless Ariza has enough front office pull to get a former high school teammate signed, I doubt
he's got any real chance of making the team.
AK
StayThirsty sez:
"The MOST INTERESTING man in the world is... Trevor Ariza...
If Ariza improves enough to become our starting SF... we could trade (S)Odumb"
Ariza hasn't found his offense yet, and has thus bounced around ever since leaving UCLA after 1 year.
The lakers will be vulnerable at SF and PG, no change from when Boston made that so doggone clear.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 12, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Butler you forget Pau Pau guarded Timmy and KG the 1st and 8th greatest Power Forwards in history. If Pau can guard Timmy and the Kidd there is without a doubt he can guard STATL (Standing Tall and Talentless).
When the Big Mistake or STATL can guard Tim Duncan and shut him down then maybe some merit will be done.
Tim Duncan will have the better career than the Big Mistake will have (It's true Timmy will be better when all is said and done, I don't think Shaquille won't win that much awards anymore).
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 12, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Kiwi,
"Bynum only has to play decently for the lakers to win but he has to play really well"
Hard to tell what he thinks about it, but based on the other, recent contracts given to "bigs", if he plays at the level he was at the two months prior to his injury, or close to it, and stays healthy, he will probably max out on his contract.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | September 12, 2008 at 12:22 PM
mamba24,
I'm sure as the season goes along and ass the media starts hyping the record (72 wins) up (remember detroit a couple years back) more people will jump aboard.
haha team prophet, super delegate, nice man.
Go Lakers
Posted by: DEREK | September 12, 2008 at 12:29 PM
WHY IT ALWAYS YOU BUTLER WHO'S THE FIRST ONE TO BLOG IN THIS LAKERS BLOG? WHY? WHY? YOU ALWAYS RUINED MY DAY SEEING YOUR NAME AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE. WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DISAPPEAR IF ALL YOU CAN SAY ARE NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THE LAKERS. DON'T YOU HAVE LIFE LIKE KLBEAST? WHY STICK TO A TERRITORY THAT YOU HATE THE FRANCHISE THAT IS LIVING ON IT. WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GO TO THE LOSER SUN'S BLOG AND MINGLE WITH THOSE CLASSLESS PEOPLE LIKE SHAQ!!!
Posted by: dacsilar | September 12, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Butler,
I would put Gasol or Bynum on Shaq. Shaq is washed up and is too old to keep up with either one.
Posted by: zen | September 12, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Phoenix knew what they were doing. They couldn't beat the Lakers so they threw in the towel and brought in Shaq as a draw to keep attendence up. Nash is getting older, Grant Hill is a step away from crumpling like a tin can. All those big contracts come off the books just in time for them to be BIG players in the free agent sweepstakes with Amare as the bait for guys to play alongside.
They fooled you Phoenix fans and you bought in, hook, line and sinker...
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | September 12, 2008 at 12:42 PM
thekobe,
I don't think Amare will be able to guard Pau without getting in foul trouble.
Posted by: exhelodrivr | September 12, 2008 at 12:44 PM
BUTLER,
LOL! Do you know when ESPN last predicted the next champion correctly? When the Lakers did a three-peat!
Posted by: zen | September 12, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Tha blitz sez:
"If Pau can guard Timmy and the Kidd there is without a doubt he can guard STATL "
Pau hasn't shown it going back to memphis days. AMARE is much more athletic than Duncan and if you tell me the Pau shut down KG in the Finals I am going to be forced to laugh. Duncan has shown a vulnerability to larger defenders such as Yao, SHACK, and other 7-footers who are slower - like Pau.
SHACK has already exceeded expectations with his play last season, and the training staff in PHX says he's already nearly at peak form for the coming season.
Many questions surround the laker frontcourt - that knee, the chemistry, shot distribution, defense, an awfully thin bench...team defense is what the lakers need, and with the PF and PG issues, I don't see how the D has improved yet personnel-wise.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 12, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Dascilar sez:
"WHY IT ALWAYS YOU BUTLER WHO'S THE FIRST ONE TO BLOG IN THIS LAKERS BLOG? WHY?"
Well, that's exaggerating a bit. I do miss some. But I am valuable to laker fans because I am not afraid to point out weaknesses in the lakers rather than be just another bandwagonner homer.
And, ever since the greatest PG of all time STEVE NASH has been in PHX the last few years, the lakers haven't yet figured out the SUNS in the postseason. Therefore, the pacific division goes thru PHX and NASH and SHACK.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 12, 2008 at 12:53 PM
>>>who will guard Amare? It will be Pau since Amare will
>>>be playing PF like Pau will be like.
And there's a league rule against having a C guard a PF and
vice-versa, right?
Look. Shaq is a non-threat. You could pretty much have
Fish guard him at this point. Amare is one of the top centers
in the league... except when he plays against Bynum. Drew
absolutely pwns him. And Phil knows that. I see no reason
why the Lakers won't put their best post defender on the
best offensive post played on the Suns, and that means
Bynum on Scat.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | September 12, 2008 at 12:53 PM
As stated before:
Butler is an idiot.
"'Nuff said"
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | September 12, 2008 at 12:59 PM
thekobebryantblitz,
"if we were talking about Jordan and hyping him up would you have complained?"
No, of course not. Not because I have a crush on Jordan Farmar or something bizarre like that, but because we've seen Farmar play two seasons with the Lakers. We've seen enough of him to reasonably discuss his potential.
We haven't seen squat of Sun Yue except for a few Olympics games. It's simply not enough to evaluate a player, especially since we haven't seen him play consistently against NBA players. All this hype is unbalanced.
I have nothing against Sun Yue. I want him to succeed as a Laker and be "The Monkey King", it's just all this hype towards an untested player borders on hysterics.
We have roughly the same knowledge of Dwayne Mitchell and Joey Crawford, but I don't see people gushing all over these players. It's weird.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 12, 2008 at 01:01 PM
""But I am valuable to Laker fans because I am not afraid to point out weaknesses in the Lakers rather than be just another bandwagonner homer""
Oh my -- I just spotted another victim of the Dunning-Kruger syndrome. It seems to spreading even among the mentally challenged.
Posted by: HmrHed | September 12, 2008 at 01:13 PM
If Byenumb is defending AMARE, then that will draw the lakers' best shot blocker out of the paint to try to stop those sweet mid range jumpers...perfect!
Posted by: BUTLER | September 12, 2008 at 01:13 PM
72 WINS + IN 2008 – 2009
SEASON BANDWAGON
Mamba... count me in!!!
LAKERS TAKE IT ALL THIS YEAR!!!
Posted by: keifo | September 12, 2008 at 01:21 PM
So should we consider the suns to be like all those extra bodies that NBA teams bring in for training camp? You know, sparring partners with no real shot of making it. The suns, just one of those teams that the Lakers can practice their plays on.
Posted by: Magia32 | September 12, 2008 at 01:37 PM
With all said and done and it looks like we are standing pat on our boys, does it look at all pausible that we will make a deal during the season or even now? I know nothing Gasol-like but does anyone think a move to more defense or another LO "trade"?
Posted by: lakerfn4mI.E. | September 12, 2008 at 01:39 PM
http://tinyurl.com/5xpry7
Some think the Funs will be a team in despair by the end of this season.
I tend to agree. I think Denver definitely looks to be the "from decent to terrible" team this year, but the Funs aren't far behind. It just seems like such an odd mix of players, lacking the right blend of youth and experience, or complementary skills. Their depth chart is horribly shallow, with Rookies or inexperienced players backing up three positions. I can see their second line-up looking like this:
Drajic/Singletary
LB
Diaw
Tucker
Lopez
That unit is going to get run off the floor by quite a few others. Too raw, with no true leader.
Me thinks the Suns will be setting in the West for a while, starting this year.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 12, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Fantasy League is created.
Send me an email at fanleague08 at perry.com if you'd
like to join... I have to enter your email in the fantasy league
setup page and then it'll send you an invite to add a team.
I included turnovers in the stats.
The draft will be a typical snaking live draft with 120
seconds max to make each pick. Random starting order,
of course.
As for the draft, I didn't pick a date yet.
Personally, I tend to lean toward having the draft as late
as possible, like the last Sunday before the season starts.
That way we'll have as much knowledge as possible of
who will be playing where (so less chance of you drafting
Ben Gordon and having him sign with a Russian team
or something like that).
But if most people would prefer to have it sooner, then
I'm fine with that as well. We could have it right before
the preseason starts, or even next weekend.
When you send me your email to join the league, let
me know if you're okay with an October 26 draft day - it
would probably be something like 10 am - time to get up
and get coffee before the drafting process begins.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | September 12, 2008 at 01:50 PM
SHACK WILL LEAVE WITH 6 RINGS
Oh yes.
Posted by: BUTLER
In that last game vs. LA, the SUNS lost by 6, their first game with SHACK.
Defensively, the SUNS will be the victors!
Posted by: BUTLER
And Houston has a better coach than LA.
Posted by: BUTLER
To quote Billy Madison: what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Posted by: JSNV | September 12, 2008 at 01:57 PM
The Big Homicidal screams, "PAY ME!!!!"
http://tinyurl.com/4r342p
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 12, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Jon,
>>>>>I have nothing against Sun Yue. I want him to succeed as a Laker and be
>>>>>"The Monkey King", it's just all this hype towards an untested player borders
>>>>>on hysterics.
>>>>>We have roughly the same knowledge of Dwayne Mitchell and Joey Crawford,
>>>>>but I don't see people gushing all over these players. It's weird.
I disagree, Jon. There are major reasons why Sun Yue is a far more viable prospect than Mitchell or Crawford.
First, we saw Sun Yue play in the pro summer league last year as part of the Chinese team and he had some excellent highlights and impressed many people. We have only seen Mitchell and Crawford play against college players. While the D-League is not the real NBA, it has more competitive players than college.
Second, we say Sun Yue play in the Olympics against some excellent players such as the Lakers own Kobe Bryant, who was impressed with Sun. He had some excellent highlights during the Olympics including a great block on Dwight Howard and some excellent ball handling and passing, especially for a 6-9 point guard.
Third, the Lakers saw enough potential in Sun Yue to sign him to a 2-year guaranteed contract, whereas Mitchell or Crawford have only received non-guaranteed contracts and will basically be fodder to fill out the roster in camp but have little chance of making the roster. Sun Yue is guaranteed to be on the roster the next two years.
Fourth, if all of that is not enough to convince you, think about the fact that the guy has come out and chosen Jet Li’s great portrayal of the Monkey King to support his request for Lakers fans not to call him the Chinese Magic Johnson out of respect for Ervin. As a martial arts guys and Jet Li fan, how can you not put a check mark next to Sun Yue’s name for his moxie in choosing to be nicknamed after a rascally showboating Chinese fantasy character? It would be akin to Drew choosing the Hulk as his nickname to send a message. Ballsy enough that you should have clapped, which I recall you did.
Chill out, Jon. Sun Yue is a true prospect and guaranteed Laker for the next two years. Mitchell and Crawford will soon be forgotten and heading to Europe of the D-League to play while the Monkey King dons Lakers’ purple and gold with a billion Chinese fans already chanting Sun Wukong. A little Magic and a little Coop is my prediction and I stand by it. So should every Laker fan. The kid has a shot to be a player.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 12, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Has anyone seen this before, http://tinyurl.com/4tdqn2 . Maybe it is true that Kobe is using DIt Dat Jow to heal the pinky.
Posted by: laker hopeful | September 12, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Laker Blog:
Oh -- how far the so called "mighty" have fallen –
1. D’Antoni, went from "we bust them every year" to road kill in 6 months.
2. The Suns went from tops in the pacific to being mentioned with the likes of the Knicks, Nuggets and Clippers in less than a year.
OMG .... HAHAHAHA ... God is a Laker fan.
http://tinyurl.com/5xpry7 (Thanks Pig)
Posted by: HmrHed | September 12, 2008 at 03:06 PM
LakerTom,
Of course you disagree about Sun Yue! You are one of the hysterics who are ready for him to have a Hall of Fame career!
Come on, man! There's a reason why he's a mid-level second round draft pick.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 12, 2008 at 03:10 PM
The kid has a shot to be a player.
I've got to say it.
Which player on the Lakers would you not say that about Tom? You like every player the Lakers have under guaranteed contract. I don't think I've heard you say that you didn't like something about the Lakers, even once!
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 12, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Does that mean 2nd Round picks can't succeed in the NBA Jon K. ?
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 12, 2008 at 03:24 PM
LakerTom,
-"First, we saw Sun Yue play in the pro summer league last year as part of the Chinese team and he had some excellent highlights and impressed many people."
In all honesty, I saw more impressive highlights from Coby Karl and Dwayne Mitchell during summer league. I've also seen very impressive highlights from Kwame Brown, that doesn't make him Wilt Chamberlain.
-"Second, we say Sun Yue play in the Olympics against some excellent players such as the Lakers own Kobe Bryant, who was impressed with Sun."
Yeah? So what? I've seen Smush Parker make excellent plays against Steve Nash, does that put him in the same league as a caliber of player as Steve Nash? Hell no!
Regarding Kobe's statements, what do you expect him to say? Do you expect him to insult an incoming teammate and Chinese citizen when he's in China being worshipped by Chinese fans? Give me a break.
-"Third, the Lakers saw enough potential in Sun Yue to sign him to a 2-year guaranteed contract, whereas Mitchell or Crawford have only received non-guaranteed contracts"
This is a decent argument, but it doesn't say much. We gave Chucky Atkins and Smush Parker guaranteed contracts. The fact of the matter is that he's a middle second round draft pick for a reason and no matter how mediocre Sun Yue is as a player, he's a winner for the Los Angeles Lakers. Why? Merchandising.
Kobe has already become a major media figure in China. Adding a Chinese player to the Lakers roster adds additional enthusiasm for the Lakers in this expanding (and lucrative) market. Selling official Lakers merchandise in China makes the Lakers money and have I mentioned that there are 1.3 billion people in China who are desperate to have international heroes? The guaranteed contract means nothing.
-"Fourth, if all of that is not enough to convince you, think about the fact that the guy has come out and chosen Jet Li’s great portrayal of the Monkey King to support his request for Lakers fans not to call him the Chinese Magic Johnson out of respect for Ervin."
I love the name "The Monkey King" but I have so far seen nothing that he refuted the name "The Chinese Magic Johnson" out of respect for Magic Johnson.
Paul Pierce called himself the best player in the world. Damon Jones said he is the best shooter ever in basketball. Neither are correct. Quite frankly, despite loving the name "The Monkey King" I find it a little disturbing that the guy would give himself a nickname. That's usually a bad sign, not a good one. People who talk too much of the capabilities are usually trying to cover up insecurities.
Dude, all I'm saying is that we should watch him play in a full NBA preseason before we start calling him the anointed one.
Tom, I love enthusiasm, but it should be rooted in reason.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 12, 2008 at 03:43 PM
What a week, what a week...
first you have "CEO's going wild"...
then you have the Whoopi Goldberg question, "Should I be worried about being a slave"?
and then you've got someone posting here who thinks Phoenix has a chance at the title! That's even more ludicrous than the Whoopi question!
How silly... Phoenix having a shot at the title...
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | September 12, 2008 at 03:49 PM
thekobebryantblitz,
"Does that mean 2nd Round picks can't succeed in the NBA Jon K. ?"
Of course not. We often see second round, even undrafted picks succeed... but the truth is that they usually don't.
And when they DO succeed the large majority of the time they earn a role on the bench or as a valuable backup.
So, that's the pattern and unless you have solid evidence to support a player being an exception to the rule (solid evidence being something like experience in 10 NBA games), one should reasonably expect the pattern to manifest, even as one roots for the best for the player and the team.
That's just being reasonable.
Being unreasonable is obsessing on a player who has yet to prove themselves because there's something about the player (ethnicity, name, nickname, life story) that you like.
I mean, who here hasn't argued with Michael Teniente about Kwame Brown? At least Michael Teniente had reasonable evidence (NBA player experience) to support his unreasonable obsession with Kwame Brown.
Come on!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 12, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Jon K.: "Dude, all I'm saying is that we should watch [Sun Yue] play in a full NBA preseason before we start calling him the anointed one."
That would be a good argument ... if someone had actually called him "the anointed one."
Posted by: Marty | September 12, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Pig,
>>>>>Which player on the Lakers would you not say that about Tom?
>>>>>You like every player the Lakers have under guaranteed contract.
>>>>>I don't think I've heard you say that you didn't like something about the >>>>>Lakers, even once!
Oink! Oink! Get off my back, Pig. The problem is yours and other Lakers fans who think this team is soft and not championship quality. We got 7 proven players I love, 2 unproven prospects I think will be great, and 6 guys who won’t do much at all.
If you really read my posts, you would see that I don’t expect much from these six: Vlade, Luke, DJ, Josh, Chris, or Coby. In the end, they will not play much or contribute much. I have tried to post some positive aspects of these players on occasion because they are on our roster and our GM has thought enough of them to sign them to contracts. I also agreed that Ronny was a bust because he wouldn’t take the ball to the rim but instead kept throwing it back outside.
Kobe Bryant is my favorite player and Andrew Bynum right behind. I also love Pau, Lamar, Sasha, Derek, and Jordan Farmar, who have all proved they are players. The jury is still out on Trevor and Sun Yue is still really an unknown but I like the positive defensive possibilities that they both “could” provide. If you really read all my posts, that is what you would have learned. Fair enough? Peace.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 12, 2008 at 03:57 PM
zen,
>>>LOL! Do you know when ESPN last predicted the next
>>>champion correctly? When the Lakers did a three-peat!
The thought of it gives me shivers. zen wins the "post of
the day" award.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | September 12, 2008 at 04:10 PM
KBros and all,
I wrote this letter to Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic, who happened to mention to someone while hosting a radio show that he believed bloggers simply steal their information. Thought you might enjoy.
"Dan,
I heard your comment this morning on the radio about bloggers and how you think they just steal other people's information. That seems rather hypocritical coming from someone who has a blog. Also, there are quite a few legitimate news sources now that employ full time bloggers as reporters, as well as blogs that are free-standing and have some insightful and original content and info. Henry Abbott at ESPN.com is a blogger. How do you know his information sources to be attributed to anyone other than him? How about Kelly Dwyer at Ball Don't Lie? Or maybe Bethlehem Shoals at Free Darko? How are these bloggers any different than you? I guess in the end, there are two points I have:
1. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. You have a blog on a reputable website, yet criticize bloggers.
2. It's unfortunate that you should find it necessary to criticize a group of people as a whole, simply based on your assumptions of the group. Perhaps there are some bloggers out there that steal their info, but there are also many that don't.
Your attitude reflects the Old Guard of journalism, and were newspaper men like yourself more prescient, perhaps the print world wouldn't be dying as quickly as it is. I look forward to hearing your response on the air at ~ 6:40 on Monday morning."
I really hope he responds. I'd love to hear the logic.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 12, 2008 at 04:10 PM
"The problem is yours and other Lakers fans who think this team is soft and not championship quality."
I suppose we both suffer the reality of not having read each other's posts thoroughly enough. I think the Lakers are plenty tough to win a title, and I like a lot of the players on the Lakers as well. I gave THE BEAST his nickname. Check it.
My criticism is directed at your comments about Yue, and how you seem to gush about almost every player on the roster. I'm merely questioning whether or not you see any negative in the Lakers, ever. It only seems to have come in hindsight, such as the Ronny thing you spoke of.
Also, how about those Yankees? Yikes!
Go Angels!
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 12, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Pig Miller,
You write him that email and don't mention this blog? What if Bickley happens to publish it? Free pub down the drain! For shame, my man. For shame.
Seriously, though. Nice letter. Way to make yourself heard.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 12, 2008 at 04:21 PM
LTLF
I'm not sure that zen has it right. I checked the predictions for 2000 and the Blazers were the en vouge pick to win it all. I think he there it up there to shut up whoever posted that stuff about jinxes.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 12, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Lakers_sth,
you wrote: hobbitmage - My point wasn't about Farmar and Bynum specifically or their potential, only that people tend to judge a roster for the new season by how those players played last season and rarely factor in off-season improvement in their assessments. Both Jordan and Andrew were on a mission last off-season to improve both their bodies and their skills, so they came into the camp having taken a quantum leap forward rather than a baby-step or even a step backwards like other players.
my response: You're making a statement about Jordan &
Andrew, after the fact, that we didn't know about last
summer. The *proof* of their working out manifested
during the season.
Consider: Bynum is considered the future of the Lakers &
his agent is trying to get him max dollars AND he hasn't
played a full year at starter yet. The enthusiasm & hope
about Bynum before the start of last season was off
the charts & he hadn't played very much.
For the record, I used the your argument with
the kobebryantblitz for Ariza. He was completely
unmoved and is committed to Odom at SF. [ No blitz.
I am not starting the discussion again. I will let Phil
work things out. ]
Posted by: hobbitmage | September 12, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Betting on which rookie's gonna make the cut is sort of like playing the maiden races at the track - a risky proposition at best. Generally speaking, if you're gonna take a flyer on a rookie race, smart money would be on Sun to beat out guys kile Crawford and Mitchell, for the reasons that Tom's already mentioned. It's all moot though - this isn't a year for rooks on the Lakers squad. This year's all business - shorter rotation, proven players.
Posted by: dave m | September 12, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Hey Butler,
Who do you think has/will have a bigger contribution to the Suns, Shaq or Charles Barkley. And my second question is, if Shaq and Barkley had a race who would win?
Regards,
MJT
Posted by: MJT | September 12, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Thanks AK.
I really do hope to hear from him. I'm not a big fan of his columns.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 12, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Looks like the Lakers have a deliquent player now to test Andrew Bynum in training camp.
http://tinyurl.com/4gp5hu
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 12, 2008 at 04:54 PM
http://tinyurl.com/4vnksn
Sounds like a player Michael C. Teniente could root for.
Kwame Brown is gone! C.J. Giles is here!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 12, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Pig,
>>>>>My criticism is directed at your comments about Yue, and how you seem to gush
>>>>>about almost every player on the roster. I'm merely questioning whether or not you
>>>>>see any negative in the Lakers, ever. It only seems to have come in hindsight,
>>>>>such as the Ronny thing you spoke of.
I posted those same comments about Ronny all season long. And I just listed 6 players on the Lakers who I said wouldn’t do anything this year. You have to wonder about people who can’t stand to see somebody else be optimistic to the extent that they criticize them. Buddy, you can put lipstick on a pig but it it’s still a pig. Just scroll on by in the future. Have a good day.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 12, 2008 at 05:51 PM
"You have to wonder about people who can’t stand to see somebody else be optimistic to the extent that they criticize them."
I think you're taking this a little too personally Tom. I think it's all fine and dandy that you're the eternal optimist. Cool. Be that. Again, it was your comments that I questioned, and I see that you've adequately provided a basis for what you would call negativity in some of your comments. I'll happily acknowledge that you've said some things you don't like about the Lakers in the past, but don't expect that all of us here are looking to stroke your ego and buy into the incessant positivity. It's okay for us to disagree dude.
I don't know if Sun Yue is going to be a very good player in the NBA, so withhold my comments and wait for evidence to make an educated statement. You prefer to make sweeping statements and predictions. I don't see anything wrong with either, considering it's just sports we're talking about. We both want Laker success.
Oink Oink.
Excuse me, I've got to go put on my lipstick.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | September 12, 2008 at 06:23 PM
LakerTom,
"Buddy, you can put lipstick on a pig but it it’s still a pig."
Sometimes you become controversial based on your beautiful prose and added a poetry that is not needed. Pig Miller is not Sarah. LOL!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | September 12, 2008 at 06:39 PM
LOL! Jon K, I don't think Mike T. could even cheer for him (I get what you mean), I would rather think that he still believes that Kwa-may Brown is Charles Oakley.
Lol hobbit don't worry.
Pig, keep up the good work
and back to Jon K
First I"m on neither your side or Laker Tom's concerning Sun Yue. I think he has both good qualities and bad and I like talking about him at times and not over hyping him like we do about Sasha's defense skill.
Here's some things though:
"Regarding Kobe's statements, what do you expect him to say? Do you expect him to insult an incoming teammate and Chinese citizen when he's in China being worshipped by Chinese fans? Give me a break."
It wasn't just Kobe Jon, it was CP3 as well and while you can say that CP3 wouldn't insult Sun in his home country, I don't think he would give him compliments either unless Sun was really good.
This is a decent argument, but it doesn't say much. We gave Chucky Atkins and Smush Parker guaranteed contracts. The fact of the matter is that he's a middle second round draft pick for a reason and no matter how mediocre Sun Yue is as a player, he's a winner for the Los Angeles Lakers. Why? Merchandising."
There are a couple of facts wrong. One, we got Chucky Atkins from the Gary Payton deal to Boston we really didn't guarantee his contract, Detroit (for whom he got the Original contract), was the one who guaranteed it. And 2 Smush was a partial guaranteed contract and only when he played good did the Laker guarantee his contract. Having his contract guaranteed is a good sign.
"Quite frankly, despite loving the name "The Monkey King" I find it a little disturbing that the guy would give himself a nickname. That's usually a bad sign, not a good one. People who talk too much of the capabilities are usually trying to cover up insecurities."
That's just as bad as the ESPN analyst's thoughts that Sasha gave himself the nickname "The Machine" Jon. It wasn't Sun who gave himself the Monkey King (he did find it better than the Chinese Magic Man), it was the Chinese fans back in Los Angeles who gave him that name. Here's the link. And about the last sentence, Kobe gave himself the name Doberman and while you can argue that he was proven, it would fall under that last sentence you gave.
http://tinyurl.com/5p24hc
"And when they DO succeed the large majority of the time they earn a role on the bench or as a valuable backup.
So, that's the pattern and unless you have solid evidence to support a player being an exception to the rule (solid evidence being something like experience in 10 NBA games), one should reasonably expect the pattern to manifest, even as one roots for the best for the player and the team."
I hope that you know that Laker Tom and I agree that Sun will get few PT in his rookie season. If you do then cool hehe. However there are 2nd rounds that do succeed like Gilbert Arenas and Michael Redd both 2nd Rounders and neither one should be classified as "backups" even though Redd played a 6th man role last season with the Bucks.
Like you said, the Preseason is when we shall see how the backups peform.
And yes Sun will probably beat out Mitchell and Crawford Dave M.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 12, 2008 at 07:04 PM
A story about Sam I am Cassell
http://tinyurl.com/3lo6ay
HAHA! First he wants to join Mike Dunleavy's coaching staff now the Celtics!
The Los Angeles Clipper traitor. Hope the Lakers also boo his butt.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 12, 2008 at 07:06 PM