Welcome back JJ.

I like your comprehensive proposal that you suggested. Right now, the way I look at it, Mitch recruited new people to push the oldies who have been comfortable with their job description and contracts to work harder or else....I don't think he will cut Dwayne and Karl that soon unless it is really clear that they have no place with Lakers rotations. I also wondered why attract a lot of guards, are they preparing for Kobe's exit? He's the Laker for life, unless you can offer alternatives of players that could replace him. He is the giant Marketing player that sells the Laker so why kill the duck that lays the golden eggs. There are less PF's or Center attraction on Mitch lineup in off season, but on the other hand, how many good Centers are still available or not contracted? Secondly, with the luxury caps of the Lakers how can he compete for good players w/o reducing one of the four highly paid players? So this is the best deal he could come up from the stringent situation.

The success of the Lakers will depend on how they pan out in the off season or preseason. They have to develop a strong chemistry to one another now that Gasol is aboard as well as heathy Drew and also Kobe. Develop rapport and camaraderie as a group not competing egos or trying to compete for positions and playing time. We cannot just say we will blow up other teams b/c we have strong individual resumes of players, they have to blend to their individual strenghts too and review their pitfalls last season. Time and again, we kept on hammering the concept that an ideal body produces to ideal decision-making comes game time. Get to the track run faster, jump higher, throw farther w/o incurring any injuries. Get to martial arts and expose to body contacts like judo, jujitsu and learn how to fall, bump, sweep, smack and so forth, they have black belters: Kareem, DJ Mbenga to teach them some few fundamentals. With those little knowledge on other sports that can be helpful to basketball, perhaps we get an injury-free team next year. With a healthy mind and healthy body, now we can confidently say, they're ready for Western Championship.

I just praised Kobe to the hilt in the previous posts but here is also the bad side of Kobe, he is a big gambler. You will see it in his game, in the sexual escapade in Colorado, his rants last summer, his defensive assignment w/ Coach K team, there is a lot of gambling involved in it. I surmised this happens also with his treatment on that pinky. While the doctors advised him a surgery in March but was able to do away and played well w/ 9 fingers and became comfortable with it. Like an overgrown child, he is again gambling on prescribed surgery at his own sweet time. I like the advice of Coach K to him: "we may not be able to give your millions if you play at Duke University but I can assure you of earning a college degree." He should gamble on this idea too.

Good morning,

The countdown to training camp is obviously on. I wake up to posts from Charles, Laker Tom, and Faith, and the return of KL and Gunner. Just like old times! (Welcome back, KL. I'm glad to see AK and BK give you a reprieve.)

We've all got so much anticipation and so many unanswered questions. When WILL Kobe get his surgery? How long will it take AB to regain his form and his timing? Can Chris Mihm REALLY come back? Will Mbenga not only return, but actually earn some playing time? Will Coby Karl make the team, again?

For the first time in memory, I'm unable to work up any excitement about the NFL as a way to pass the time until the NBA cranks up. This blog is all there is to keep this sports fan's juices flowing.

Xodus,

i'm not questioning the injury, just the severity. if an injury is that "severe", an operation is not optional. i've played organized ball in high school and torn my meniscus (cartliage) and couldn't staightend out my knee.

my insury was "severe" becuase I couldn't walk. now if kobe's injury was that "severe", how in the world could the guy play 1/2 a season, playoffs all the way to the finals AND the olympics?

i'm going to inject a bit of politics to the blog. kobe is not well liked in the media. we can all agree. i believe kobe still cares about individual greatness instead of team greatness (i'll concede the degree has changed), so playing up an injury to win the mvp is not out of the question.

now, does kobe deserve the mvp last season? absolutely yes. did kobe win votes from the media who don't like kobe due to this alleged injury? i say yes.

what say you?

Edwin Gueco,

Thanks for the comments. I think that Mitch has a recent history of bringing in several guards into training camp that either end up in the D-League or never actually make the team. I don't think this off-season should be viewed any different. Crawford is the only one of the three that provides something unique while also having the potential to excel in the NBA. I do see both karl and Mitchell making it until some time during the preseason. They may see some action in preseason.

Kobe isn't going anywhere. The arrival of Pau Gasol and emergence of Andrew Bynum ensured that. However, Lamar Odom could be leaving before the trading deadline if the Lakers are not looking good by that time. I suspect that they will be.

Your concern over them "gelling" as a cohesive unit is a little misplaced. Not much has changed for the roster since June. Andrew Bynum, although not healthy as that time, was still around. He is ONE player to be inserted....the others are already functioning well together. I don't expect Powell to see much action early, but if he maintains in practice, he could replace Mihm's minutes by the playoffs. As for Bynum and Gasol.....they will be spending so much time on the court together during training camp that they will learn how to play together. They have a natural fit similar to that of Olajuwon and Sampson, Duncan and Robinson, MicHale and Parish. They will be fine.

KL,

I don't think Kobe was the one that played up the injury. He doesn't go out and flex his hand over and over and say that he's playing through injury, he just goes out and plays. The media had more to do with how we view the injury. They said that he had a torn ligament in his hand with a bone chipped in it and he decided that he'd play through it despite the reccomedations of doctors and the higher ups in the Lakers organization.

tkbb,

You may have some valid points with regards to Jordan. I didn't see him play for UCLA and my opinion of his game is based on his role in the triangle offense. He has the skills to be a drive and dish player, but I really haven't seen it. It may very well be there, but for his role in the Triangle, it's not. He doesn't seem like a playmaker/distributor, ala CP3 or Nash, but maybe this skill will be developed post-PJ or if he leaves the Lakers. I really don’t see him “leading” the offense in the second unit, as opposed to him finding his spot on the floor. Maybe he’ll change this season…that’ll be a nice wrinkle.

As far as energy off the bench, why can't it be Jordan and Sasha? I agree, that though Sasha's D is good, it's not GREAT, and if he were even better, having that defensive presence off the bench would make the argument for Lamar as a 6th man even stronger. You wrote, “Ariza may also drive a bit better than Lamar but he has no post moves and by denying the paint to Trevor, he will almost be non existent on offense.” My argument for Lamar not starting kind of goes with that point. How much of an offensive threat is Lamar in a line up that has Kobe, Pau and Bynum? Lamar’s outside shot is better than Ariza’s, but not by much, maybe Lamar shoots closer to 45% while Ariza is closer to 40%, but how many shots do you expect them to get? I think this is where having Ariza on the floor, to utilize his quickness and athleticism surpasses the Lamar’s extra length and 3 inch height differential. Regardless of who’s out there at SF, their offensive contribution early in the game will not be as important as getting (KB, AB and PG) off first.

What I meant for Lamar’s role as a “point forward” I didn’t mean always bringing up the ball, though he’s quite capable of doing so, I meant more of dictating the offense. Lamar plays better when he can get touches and handle the ball. He’s never been the player to spot up and knock down open jumpers of screens, and he will not get those touches with our first three options on the floor. Lamar coming off the bench not only gives the team more depth, but he will be able to run the offense when Kobe’s resting, which he has done with some success. He will also be playing against “inferior” bench players or “winded” starters. When it comes to guarding some of the bigger name SFs, help defense will be more important than individual D anyway.

The more I think about it, if Vlad played with more heart on the defensive end, he’d actually be an ideal fit for the starting 5 since he can just camp out on the 3 point line, but I have my issues with that guy, which is a completely different thread. I think he’s been pretty close to disappointing as you can get.

JJ sez:

"They have a natural fit similar to that of Olajuwon and Sampson, Duncan and Robinson, MicHale and Parish. "

AHAHAHA!!! We're jumping the gun here a bit, aren't we?

For starters, these two men have never played a game together in their lives, and second, they will have to prove themselves against the likes of SHACK and AMARE, Duncan and Oberto, KG and Perkins, Oden and Aldridge, heck, even Kaman and Camby in the same building!

Good to hear the byenumb is feeling great, but he has a long road to recovery that really begins when he actually plays and subjects that knee to pounding from the aforementioned beasts.

And then, there's that little question of chemistry. It could be a bust, or it could be a nice pairing.

TrueLakerFan-

I think it'll be much like it was last year, where Kobe plays a lot of minutes, but they do their best to get him off the floor when they can. I don't see them stretching his bench time much during games, but come the fourth quarter, if the Lakers are up with a nice cushion, he'll sit. That's what they did last year. I don't necessarily think it'll be any more than it was a year ago, despite the lack of rest this summer, but I certainly think they'll try to take advantage of those times when he can get a little extra rest.

But mitigating his minutes like they did Fish? I don't think it'll be like that.

BK

KL,

Wassup? Is that really you? Good to have you back, well at least the new and improved neutered version of KLBeast. lol.

Regarding Kobe's pinky, the Kobe-hating media reluctantly gave the MVP to Kobe because they finally ran out of excuses. I don't think the pinky injury had much of an impact on MVP voting. It seemed as if the media pretty much disregarded the pinky injury after the first week. If the same injury had been suffered by Chris Paul, Lebron, or any other MVP candidate, the media would've made a much bigger deal out of it.

It's not very likely that Kobe will win back to back MVP's, no matter how deserving. The media will think of new excuses to take it away from him. BUT, if Kobe leads this team to 70 plus wins, which is very possible with a healthy roster, the media will have run out of excuses once again, and will be forced to give him back to back MVP's.

Mitchell

mrbarneydangles and all southern cali heads,

can you guys hangout this saturday? email me through the kbros and let's hang.

mrbarneydangles and all southern cali heads,

can you guys hangout this saturday? email me through the kbros and let's hang.

AK/BK

Yeah both of you are probably right. Personally I would rather see kobe get some rest during the first quarter or half of the season if possible, but phil does tend to rely a lot on Kobe (as he should).

Charles

I agree that phil should monitor his minutes maybe not to the extend of fisher but certainly i wouldn't like to see kobe being among the league leaders this year. Afterall, kobe played every single game last year, that would take a toll on any player.

Go Lakers

JJ sez:

" Gasol has a mid-range shot, and he is more comfortable facing the basket, complimented by a very good passing game. Bynum is a finisher at the rim already having a keen sense of timing as it relates to being in the right place to receive the pass. He has great hands and a soft touch around the basket. He is also developing as a back to the basket player with a hook/flip shot. He is a solid free throw shooter, yet he doesn't appear to have a mid range shooting game yet.

I see those two games being able to mesh well together similarly to how the two games of Duncan and Robinson meshed well together. It may not happen.....I was just pointing out what should be a natural fit of games.

You saw the comment and got all excited and wanted to demonstrate why you thought it was a crazy statement. Calm down and take a few minutes to understand what another poster is really saying before you try to criticize them."

Ok, I'm calm now. I'll proceed with like manners and intelligence.

Your response is reasoned and well thought out.

Of course gasal and byenumb have a good chance of meshing their respective games - and a chance to impede each other's respective games, too.

Both are good finishers, and can block shots, so I foresee many dunks and swats this season.

The challenge lies in the spacing. Byenumb's role was uncluttered and defined the last time he played, but now, gasol takes up much of the same space on the court.

The other effect will be lamar o's role - rebounding has been his strong suit, yet he will now have two 7-footers clogging the paint...so where does he fit in?

It will be interesting to see two 7-footers such as AB and PG on the court together, no doubt. But another question looms - their backups. Mihm? Mbenga? No Turiaf?

Things are thin in the frontcourt, and with the history of injuries in the starters, it's best to be cautiously optimistic.

"why "no"? remember in the playoffs when gasol had 30 and 15? after that, kobe took over and no more gasol.

just saying, can kobe learn to encourage teammates to step up? guys have proven they can do it."

Do you mean the next game when Kobe dropped a beautiful 49 and 10 on the Nuggets or the rest of the playoffs where we went 12-4 through the West.

Either way I don't see how one can complain unless you're a cynic. And I don't mean that as an insult. I think it's fair to say that you're cynical when it comes to Kobe.

BUTLER,

First thing....his name is "Bynum". It looks stupid when you mess it up like that.

Second, I can agree with you on the fact that it could NOT work. Although I think that goes without saying. Until it is proven to work, there is always a chance that it won't. There was a chance that bringing Phil in to coach Kobe and Shaq wouldn't work.....yet it did. So, you are not exposing some uncovered truth to say that it might not work.

Third, I am finding it hard to understand why people are so questionable about Lamar. His greatest asset is his ability to mesh well WHEN not required to be strong in any one area. The presence of Bynum now makes it possible for Lamar to become what some would call the Fourth Option. Some nights he may have great games, some nights he won't. The Lakers are equipped now to handle that.

Finally, I recommend that you take a few minutes to read my earlier post. In it, I identified how minutes can be distributed next season as well as lineups adjusted. Part of what makes the lineup adjustments good is that they allow for guys like Lamar to move down to power forward at spots during the game. It also allows for Pau and Kobe to do the same. It also allows for Kobe Lamar and Pau to fill the front court together like they did at times last year to much success. Finally, there will be times when Bynum will be on the floor without Pau....allowing him opportunities to work in the post without anyone else around. Just read my post.

BUTLER,

You wrote:
Things are thin in the frontcourt, and with the history of injuries in the starters, it's best to be cautiously optimistic.

Please keep this in mind when you talk about SHACK and STOUDEWHINER!!

Bynum appears to take the game of professional basketball very serious and gives a sense of determination to become a land mark player. If he fits into the back court with Gasol and Odom, the Lakers could be a very special team. However, it will be a difficult and very competitive season with the likes of Portland, Houston, New Orleans, Pheonix, and San Antonio providing a road block. The Lakers need to toughen up, even with Bynum they will be tested.

lakergurl lol.

Seems like the girls eye to eye? Haha, jk.

mrbarneydangles,

There are two bars on Victory Boulevard immediately west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard that are pretty cool. One's called "Scotland Yard" and is really cool Scottish themed pub.

The other bar (the name escapes me at the moment) is just next door and plays live Jazz a few nights a week with some hardcore old time Jazz musicians who are just incredible.

Enjoy.

GO LAKERS!

JJ

Nice to see you posting again. I agree on your breakdown but you wrote if it doesn't work well Lamar would be moved by the trade deadline. That sounds like Lamar is a question in your mind as well as others. HIs contract is up, teams will test his perimeter shot at the 3 and other issues you're obviously aware of.

He might not be a 4th option luxury the FO wants to afford.

KL

"you think kobe will be willing to take a back seat for the benefit of the team?"

Well, if he was able to do it in the Olympics, he can also do it with the Lakers. He got his gold, his MVP, next his Championship and he knows he has the visa as well as passport to enter that realm with Gasol at the wing and Bynum at the low post. If you're an old fella, do you want to punish your body for 82 games for fame and fortune. NO, the latter have been achieved, it's now the legacy that matters and his debt of gratitude to the Laker fans as the apology that you have been waiting for, in form of Championship. We have bright hopes but no need of chest thumping like some bloggers here! hopes first should be turned into reality by getting surgery on that pinky and remaining healthy for the other players.

AK/BK, any news on Walton's surgery, ah, on the second thought never mind, healthy or no healthy. the results will be the same. lol!
,

Edwin Gueco,

Karl had better offensive stats than Crawford...yes. However, he doesn't provide anything to the Lakers long-term. Plus, he has had a year already to prove himself including D-league time last season. Crawford, may not be quite ready for the big stage either, but as the 15th man, he can spend some time in the D-League. The Lakers are deep at guard right now because of the number of minutes the regular 4 consume at the two guard positions. It is of no benefit to have Karl on the Inactive List for the Lakers.

Dwayne Mitchell came with high praise from Chucky Brown for his D-League play. He has a slashers game and defensive minded game similar to Ariza. That is great, but he lacks a perimeter game and with Ariza already, is it necessary to have a second Ariza?

Maybe you don't understand but I am in favor of them playing through training camp and part of the preseason. However, the Lakers are required to cut their roster down to at least 15 by the end of preseason. I'm not concerned as to when the cuts happen....only that they happen. Plus, Walton and Radmanovic have guaranteed spots which these guys are not competing for. Really the 3 are competing for 1 spot since Yue has a guaranteed contract as well. Plus, the Lakers can't retain a player only to send him to the D-League. He counts on their roster if that is the case.

Gasol already proved to be a very capable center for the Lakers. If Bynum were to go down next season, Gasol can fill that position again. Mihm is one player to help back him up. However, they need another which is why I suggested Mbenga in my earlier post. Powell will be a help at power forward as needed.

The Lakers already have gelled. Where were you last season? They are already gelling and have had a summer where the only piece they lost was Turiaf. Chemistry will not be a problem.

JSNV sez:

"Things are thin in the frontcourt, and with the history of injuries in the starters, it's best to be cautiously optimistic.

Please keep this in mind when you talk about SHACK and STOUDEWHINER!! "

The SUNS for once have good quality backups at both positions, Robin "the new Tim Duncan only different looking" Lopez, and Boris Diaw.

The lakers are short quality backup bigs...which could be an issue, as evidenced by the Finals performances of the non-Turiaf backups.

After watching Pau play so well with his brother Marc in the Olympics, there's no doubt in my mind his game will mesh well with Bynum's. Filling lanes, cutting to the basket, lob passes, the Triangle...Are you kidding me? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

This is going to be an insane season. We may not hit championship stride for a month or two, but when we do, I have a feeling this may be the most entertaining Laker season since Showtime.