Go Lakers!

Kobe,!

Bynum!

To everyone who posted (previous thread) to me: Thank you.

I apologize for not being able to respond, but great insights.

I'll spare with you all some other time.

I actually have a job to do.

Peace in the middle East LA.

Great news! Everyone on the blog knows how much I spat in favor of him first receiving playing time (over Kwame) and gloated in the fact that once he hit the floor, he brought the house down. Andrew! Andrew! Andrew!
(that's for you AK!) Pierce, KG we have a Christmas present for you guys!

One of the Trees have spoken!

Good news AK, what were the questions you asked the other Andrew?

Nice to hear both Coby Karl and Sasha working on their shots. I am especially delighted to hear that. More practice out of the young guys can only help. I hope Sasha keeps his 3 point % to be above 40%. Heck if it's possible I would like him to get 47% 3 point shooting like Glen Rice was once able to get (maybe too generous but heck it's possible! :P). Coby is doing a fine job as well. If he can keep his shot consistent, I wouldn't certainly mind if he can get into the game if Sasha has a period of shooting ice cold.

If Jordan can become consistent with being a spot up shooter to go along with his natural point guard skills, all the better. For us comparing him to Tony, that's one part of his game to get even more comparisons to Tony. Plus it will translate well with playing alongside Kobe when the two are on the court as PG and SG. Jordan could also keep improving his penetration skills along with the number of moves he can do when close to the basket plus develop even more chemistry with Sasha, kinda like with Kobe and Derek. That being said, he needs to keep improving his defense (his steals are good actually), improve his speed a bit more, and keep his head in the game and not wither like he did against Deron Williams.

As for Andrew (Bynum not AK!), he did another great job getting into condition and having the hunger and desire to win. He may have stayed at 285 lbs but he replaced the fat he lost with not only speed and quickness but also more strength (yikes! that's bad news for defending centers, I'm beginning to hope he won't crush people in practice like Dwight Howard does!). He did everything that was possible for him to improve his personal skills, now it is on with chemistry with the other guys and especially Pau.

Will the Bynum-Gasol duo join the Ralph Sampson-Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon and David "The Admiral" Robinson-Tim "The Big Fundamental" Duncan duos in being the Twin Tower Duos? Only the season will show us.

Countdown to when "The Incredible" is unleashed: 52 days, 04 hours, 58 minutes, 30 seconds. (The Pre-season don't count).

-blitz

Now Drew is OK, how about Kobe's pinky? is it possible to serve Kobe summons at this home in NB from the Lakers Blog to report to Dr. Jobe immediately ASAP! before somebody faints or get a stroke among his fan bloggers.

Mamba24, how about a bandwagon on Monday asking Kobe to have the surgery next week, no more show-hopping recalling the Olympic heroics. It's over now lets go back to business. lol!

Speaking of the SUNS, here's how SHACK rates against ESPN'S other Top 10 Centers of All Time using the PER:

Abdul-Jabbar 24.6
Chamberlain 26.2
Russell 18.9
O'Neal 27.8
Olajuwon 23.6
Malone 2.0
Walton 20.0
Robinson 26.2
Mikan 27.1
Ewing 21.0

SHACK is tops.

And here's what ESPN said about him:

"The self-proclaimed MDE -- Most Dominant Ever -- is as physically talented as anyone who's ever played the game. He's the perfect combination of strength and quickness; a bigger, more powerful reincarnation of Wilt.

Smart, skilled and ultra-competitive, the Big Diesel instills fear in his opponents and makes his teammates better. And rings seem to follow him wherever he goes.

The best big-man ambassador the game has ever had; Shaq is larger than life on and off the court."

Xodus/AK,

Regarding signing salary cap issues as it relates to signing free agents. I concede, I don’t have an in dept understanding of the issues nor do I care to obsess about it. My point is that if a Lebron James was available and LA really wanted Lebron James to play in LA (likewise James wanted to play in LA), Lebron James will be in LA irrespective of salary cap issues.

Case in point. I’m sure Boston had “salary cap” issues prior to KG and Allen joining. They (upper management) work out the “issues” to make it happen. If Davis wanted to be in LA, and LA wanted Davis, it’ll happen. There might have to be some tweeking of the roster via trades or waivers, but it’ll happen.

My point is that nobody has publically put themselves out there to say “I demand to play in LA with Kobe”. I hear vagues referenced like “I’d love to play with Kobe”, but those are just players being polite and not pissing anybody off in the league. Calling someone out is never a good thing.

The reason I’m a kobe hater? Kobe called out Jordan by comparing himself to “The Great One” BEFORE (underscore) Kobe was “the greatest ever” (*sarcasm*). Kobe called out Shaq in Kobe desire to be the “man” while Shaq was in his prime ultimatly driving Shaq away to Miami where Shaq helped Miami to a title. I concede Shaq is a biatch sometimes (for some all the time). That's fair.

My point is there is a very fine line between confidence and arrogance. Kobe fits in the later category. Jordan was in the former.

My point with is that Kobe, with age, will understand this and work to make others look good before himself. If kobe does that, there’ll be 4 all-stars (Gasol, Bynum, TBD, and Kobe) in 2008 and the Lakers win the title so long as Kobe doesn’t play “kobe ball” in the playoffs.

Peace in the Middle East LA.

I'll respond to others later.

Kobe the best since MJ
Bynum the best since Wilt
LO the best all-around player
Gasol the best European
Fisher the best influence since John Wooden
Phil the best coach since Auerbach

The Lakers best since sliced bread

Laker fanatics......PRICELESS

It's gonna be a fun season. Now the truth.........

Kobe the best choker since Phil Mickelson
LO the best toker since Snoop
Bynum the best pretender since Chrissie Hynde
Gasol strong as a piece of bread
Fisher still living off .04
Philip still teaching the Triangle while refusing to coach anything else about BB

Lakers chances of winning it all............
need the stars aligned perfectly like last year in the playoffs through the Finals but as the Celtics showed it's defense that wins championships and the Great NINE RINGS and his staff have proven that they haven't a clue when it comes to defense or game time adjustments.

So let it be Written
So let it be True
PHIL AND HIS STAFF WON'T LET IT COME TO PASS

The Troll Man is All-Knowing
The Troll Man is All-Seeing
His job is to enlightened Laker Fans beyond their homerism and bring truth to the Laker faithful who have closed their minds to reality.

AK/BK:

Any word on the status of Kobe's finger? Has surgery been done? Results? If not, when will it be done? Etc. Thanks.

Laker Faze,

"Great news! Everyone on the blog knows how much I spat in favor of him first receiving playing time (over Kwame) and gloated in the fact that once he hit the floor, he brought the house down."

Longtime man. I'll back you up. In the mist of the Bynum-akandi taunts, you had faith in the tree.

Peace Brotha!

thekobebryantblitz

Excellent post.

Let's hope Pau is going to work hard in the off season. (Jump shots and Weight lifting)

AK
You are right when I saw AB video he doesn't have that baby face anymore and there was this confidence in hime that makes me wonder that he really knows he can be one bad ass center in this league. Other teams better watch out. Go Lakers

Botsoy is back, as so is Andrew Bynum!!!!

Go Lakers!

65 wins??? attainable!

generally, this blog has a good cast of characters, despite the "kobe lovers" (poking fun at myself), and should be applauded.

i was shocked at the ratio of "welcome" versus "go F off" (poking fun at myself again) comments. surprisingly, more "welcomes" than "go F yourself".

even mitchell whom i've battled ad nauseum gave a qualified welcome.

i suppose i owe a blanket aplology (underscored, bolded and italicized) to those whom i've offended in the past.

i'm still a kobe hater, but a laker fan, so if the lakers do well under kobe's leadership (or lack thereof), then i'm happy.

Peace in the Middle East LA.

If this hasn't been posted yet, you all can watch the entire interview here:

http://tinyurl.com/6d5l7a

He sounds so eager to just get into the court and let his play determine his salary. Very good attitude Drew! Players like Delonte West cry about not getting paid because "he's the starting point guard" (not anymore with Mo Williams on the Cavs) well Andrew here is a perfect example of *how* to earn that paycheck rather than *pay me the check first then I'll play* attitude. He also was more focused on "Defense" than offense and way even more than his contract which is excellent. Andrew may not have the finesse of Kareem nor the power of Shaq and Moses Malone but maybe a little bit of both rather. And that's why I gave out comparisons to David Robinson: Not because of his offense, in actuality it maybe more a combination of Moses and Kareem in his offense. His defense rather, while being taught by Kareem, will border near the Admiral's probably. If Andrew's defense becomes even better than it was last year's, then there is without a doubt at least one defensive of player of the year award waiting for him, probably two. With an excellent defensive player (Kobe) on the perimeter plus an under rated defensively Pau combined with Andrew, our starting lineup will be great defensively. If Trevor really improved and Sasha managed to get by his limitations on defense, then defensive wise we are set. This could be the season where we finally win since Kobe-Shaq years.

-blitz

KL,

KG and Allen weren't free agents when they went to Boston they were traded. In trades you have to take back as much money as you're giving (I think you can go about 15% over that though).

And no, Lebron wouldn't be signing in LA because Lebron isn't going to be playing for just 5.6 million (or whatever the midlevel would be worth at that time). There is no situation in which you can show legitimate evidence where a superstar took considerably less money to play for a certain team outside of the Malone and Payton examples, unless you're a cynic and everyone who doesn't sign with LA is saying F-U to Kobe.

I mean tell me the last superstar to sign with the Spurs for less money or the Nets or the Suns? You can't because there aren't any which shows the inherent flaws in your logic

And when was Kobe comparing himself to Jordan? The media has always been the driving force behind next Jordan comparisons. At least he's not running around in the No. 23 and calling himself the King like Lebron. Tell me, do you hate Lebron for essentially comparing himself to MJ every time he steps onto the court?

As for Shaq, I think (and thought at the time) trading him was the right move. Instead of being a championship contender we'd likely be a lottery team. And like you said, both Shaq and Kobe could have done things differently, but in the end keeping the younger guy who works on his game and stays in shape.

Kobe has never once annoited himself "The Chosen One."

Kobe has on many occasions said, "All this talk of who will be the next Mike, there will only be one MJ. Let MJ be MJ, Let me be Kobe" and something to that effect.

Read up on the olympics...all the world has hailed the professionalism and the virtues of Kobe. Compare that with others.

And if you want to go back to revisionist history? Why don't you read up on it...Roland Lazenby has the books.

blitz,

You are hereby selected as starting shooting guard on my All-GHF Lakers blog team. Glad to see another diehard optimist not afraid to call it like he sees it. And we see championships!!! Andrew Bynum is going to astonish Lakers fans this year. If the rest of the NBA thought the Lakers had a perfect storm of fortune last season to make it within two wins of winning the championship, they ain’t seen nothing yet. The Lakers Big 3 of Kobe, Drew, and Pau are going to set records for the number of championships won before they are through.

As to the rest of the All-GHF team, Jon K will likely get the nod at power forward and team enforcer and trainer. I’ve even been considering reaching across the aisle (like Obama and McCain, lol) and adding former GHE blogger ex as a defender due to his positive comments since the middle of last season. Bynumite will make the team just based on his blog handle.

Mamba24 is a strong candidate for coach, as well as AK and BK if you can really believe that. Long Time is the team’s Lamar Odom (sorry, dangles) – unappreciated as a starter due to his low ball attitude on salaries – and more likely to succeed as 6th man, where he can chime in on any brief conversation and turn it into an endless battle. Of course, right along with him will be humanomaly and hobbitmage, who also know how to string together marathon posts.

Xodus might well be the team reporter but he is going to have to come out of the closet (sorry, Mrs. Xodus) and stop being afraid to believe all of those parades he keeps envisioning when he thinks of this team. Laker85 and JSNV are competing for rate rookie spots on the roster. Even though he sometimes has been an old fart since the Celtics beat us, Edwin will probably honored with a lifetime achievement award. JustaLakersFan is another star defensive blogger.

Same with Faith who worries too much but still has faith, lol. Lakers_sth may be asked to pay for his spot on the team – probably by donating more tickets to Psyched Laker Girl or Charles. JJ may get a shot at comeback blogger of the year and being the original marathon blogger. Hey, you know what, there may not be anybody left to play for the All-GHE team other than Mike T. and ringer trolls such as KL, GWB, or BUTtLickER. The Lakers Blog has gone GHF.

LOL!

Tom

KL,

"Regarding signing salary cap issues as it relates to signing free agents. I concede, I don’t have an in dept understanding of the issues nor do I care to obsess about it. "

Respectfully, it wouldn't be a bad thing if you "obsessed" over the issues a little more. Otherwise, you're just gonna keep offering examples that are incredibly off base. Wouldn't you rather have an idea what you're talking about?

"My point is that if a Lebron James was available and LA really wanted Lebron James to play in LA (likewise James wanted to play in LA), Lebron James will be in LA irrespective of salary cap issues."

Like Xodus said earlier, unless LBJ is willing to take a massive pay cut in his prime for the MLE (not likely, considering his public desire to be a billionaire), he'll never play here with Kobe unless the Lakers suddenly find themselves with huge cap space. Period. End of story. The league rules won't allow it. The more you don't accept this as an iron clad fact, the more you're just admitting you don't understand the rules. Or you're just being stubborn for the sake of it (and if that's the case, just own up so we can end the discussion).

"Case in point. I’m sure Boston had “salary cap” issues prior to KG and Allen joining. They (upper management) work out the “issues” to make it happen. If Davis wanted to be in LA, and LA wanted Davis, it’ll happen. There might have to be some tweeking of the roster via trades or waivers, but it’ll happen"

Again, like Xodus pointed out, that example doesn't work at all because you're talking about trades (where salaries are exchanged), which works within the cap. It's not the same thing as bringing in a FA, which requires adding money to your payroll. And again, if Davis, as a FA, wanted to be on the Lakers and they wanted him, it's not as simple as "tweaking a roster" or "waivers." It involves a sign and trade, which are complicated and both teams (plus the player) need to agree. Again, I urge you to learn more about the league/CBA rules, because they'd clear up a lot of info. Or just admit you'll never change your mind no matter what iron clad facts are presented, so we can just put this to bed.

"My point is that nobody has publically put themselves out there to say “I demand to play in LA with Kobe”. I hear vagues referenced like “I’d love to play with Kobe”, but those are just players being polite and not pissing anybody off in the league. Calling someone out is never a good thing."

When is the last time you've ever heard any player "demand to play with" another player, period? That never happens to begin with. This "ammo" against Kobe is the equivalent of trying to prove a negative, which is the basis of a weak argument.

AK

KobeBryant blitz,

Good job, that is the post I can read short and concise. I really think you should apply as a Coach, start in Middle School if not, go lower until you get the credentials. You're good in player analysis in detail. You, JJ and LTLF can talk for the whole month and will not run out of subject matter. haha! no offense to anyone just absolute praise.

Shaquille O'Neal is not fit to carry Wilt Chamberlein's jockstrap.

Wilt Chamberlein and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar are BY FAR the best two centers in NBA history.

It's that simple.

GO LAKERS!

Fatty,

That literally made me laugh out loud.

Fatty,

LOL, too. Thanks.

Tom

Fatty - I clicked on that link - haha! You pranked us good.