Blitz,

I think we both agree that Lamar will spend some time at power forward whether he starts or comes off the bench as 6th man. As I said, the final roster and rotations for next year will likely be determined by which players up their games next year more than coaching strategy.

As to Sasha’s defense – and I should know because I was exactly the same type of defender –
you are correct that it is way overrated and would be better described as pesky and irritating. Lock down it will never be. But the boy has a really sweet stroke that makes up for it.

As to what other HOF centers Drew brings to mind, I still don’t see David Robinson as a model. Maybe it’s your prejudice for him or mine against him, but I never considered David to be among the best centers in league history. One of the classiest gentlemen, for sure, but not really a Top 50 Player when you take everybody playing now in consideration.

Drew at this point does possess a fierceness in the paint that does remind me of Moses, the only player I thought was actually a better rebounder than Dennis Rodman. But Malone was really more of a banger who would freeze defenders with hip checks battling for the ball.

The one thing that I think is truly unique about Andrew is how high above the rim he plays. There has never been a player his size who rebounds, dunks, and blocks shots as ferociously or as high in the sky as Drew. And he probably has the best and softest hands in the NBA.

I believe Drew will redefine the center position and become another Hall of Fame Lakers center before his career is over. He has the ability to play power ball like Wilt, Shaq, and Moses but also the great footwork and graceful moves of finesse player like Kareem.

As for trading Lamar, it ain’t going to happen until the middle of year earliest and not at all if the Lakers and Lamar are playing great. I think Lamar knows that he will have to play great and take a pay cut in order to stay with the Lakers. I also think that is fine with him. If we were to trade him, however, Tayshaun Prince would be one of my first targets.

Tom

Vman,

Lamar Odom does not appear to be a greedy man. I think he's reasonable in that regard. Unless his insane agent (and I firmly believe most NBA agents are insane, David Falk being the most insane of them all) takes over, I don't think Lamar will be demanding something like $14 million or something insane like that.

Lamar Odom = Laker for Life

GO LAKERS!

If Lakertom's taking something...I'd like to know what it is. It wouldn't hurt to give it to some choice people lol.

guys (AK, Xodus and LakerTom),

tranquillo, relax. i was poking fun at myself. no need to get all worked up.

my opinions are my opinions. to be honest, i'm not a die hard like most of the bloggers here. all i'm saying is that if someone really (i mean really) wanted to be in LA and LA really wanted that person, it'll happen irrespective of salary cap challenges or any other challenges. likewise, if someone didn't want to be in LA, it won't happen assuming that player’s any good. i understand this opinion is neither popular nor scientific.

i've been in the "real world" long enough to know that if someone powerful really wanted something (say not share the spotlight with shaq), it'll happen.

i've already acknowledged that i was wrong about kob last season and i deserve a lot of ripping. i dished it and now i'm ready to take it.

having said that, i disagree with 99.9% of the blog who continue to give absolute support to kobe. KG didn't pass on LA because he spoke to kob and kobe explained that managment was a mess; KG didn't want to be in LA because kob can't co-exist with another superstar and kobe wasn't focused on winnging a championship last season. kobe was too busy feeling sorry for himself and ripping everyone from the owner to andrew bynum.

guys like KG is about championships, not MVPs.

maybe last season was the beginning of a new kobe who's willing to share the spotlight. kob seemed to get along well with the other all-star in Beijing; although i saw glimps of the old kobe jacking up bad shots.

no shtick guys. I’m not a kobe fan. I’ll knock off the baiting and insulting, but my points of view are genuine. Sorry if that offends.

Oh, I concede Maglore is no good and out of shape. In either case, no all-star has voluntarily joined LA since the 2004 breakup. That is not coincidental.

LakerTom, as an elder you're now being scolded by the young ones Xodus and Faith to exercise a little moderation from your optimism. Haha! Even in optimism when it is overdone, it becomes toxic. lol! Btw, i thought you were on vacation?

Aloha KL

Dude, somethings never change. After all this time, you still have no idea of how the salary cap works. Baron Davis? welcome back.

MH

P.S there is a reason that Magloire could land a minimum deal until now and it had nothing to do with Kobe.

Magliore doesn't play ball, he just takes up space.

KBBlitz, wasn't it I that alluded to the possible quad double that Sun Yue may give us, points, rebounds, blocks, steals and turnovers. You're usually so on with your "game" maybe this blog is darting all over the place.

Another thought, if Sun has a couple of nice dunks, watch for David Stern to display him at all star-weekend. He'll probably make the rooke/soph game on his own....but watch for him to get pushed into the dunk contest....don't come down on me for that thought, I just believe that's the way that Stern works, it's all marketing. Hope Sasha gets in the 3 point contest this year. Paul Pierce is probably petitioning for a hotdog eating contest, so that the Celtics can represent!!!!

"you all drool over kobe, but kobe hasn't even delivered a championship to LA as the "man". we all know kobe tried to be the man in 2004 to no avail."

I haven't heard enough Lakers fans spins on this. I hear this theory thrown around all the time by the haters and I'd like to poll..

I rememeber watching that series before it was over and thinking that Shaq had given up on the Lakers. He didn't want to win a ring with Kobe and wasn't working for it. The rest of the team was demoralized. In my opinion, Kobe was the only guy trying to salvage that series and ended up taking shots to do so. People think he was chucking, I think he was the only Laker who cared in the end.

What do you guys think?

And let the fear of SHACK'S name remind you that the SUNS are creating a defense
that will outdo that of the Celtics. Posted by: BUTLER | September 05, 2008 at 01:59 AM

LMFAO!!! STOP IT! STOP IT NOW!! RFLMFAO!

KL,

"guys (AK, Xodus and LakerTom), tranquillo, relax. i was poking fun at myself. no need to get all worked up."

Then make sure to spell it out from the start that you're poking fun at yourself. Any confusion can be avoided.

"all i'm saying is that if someone really (i mean really) wanted to be in LA and LA really wanted that person, it'll happen irrespective of salary cap challenges or any other challenges. likewise, if someone didn't want to be in LA, it won't happen assuming that player’s any good. i understand this opinion is neither popular nor scientific. i've been in the "real world" long enough to know that if someone powerful really wanted something (say not share the spotlight with shaq), it'll happen."

Again, you just don't understand how the salary cap and other league rules work. Period. Statements like that make it clear. Baron Davis can't just "make it happen," unless he was willing to forgo about 40-50 million dollars. Otherwise, it's literally impossible. Period. Your "real word" experience doesn't apply, because the NBA and sports leagues in general aren't "the real world." They have certain rules and restrictions that don't exist in the business world. You can't compare the NBA to a fortune 500 company or the like.

Look, if you don't like Kobe, whatever. It's neither the end of the world nor a requirement to post here. But when your criticisms are based in total misinformation or misunderstanding- like saying no big free agents have come to play with Kobe, but ignoring that the Lakers have been over the cap since that era began- I'm gonna call them out. If for no other reason than to clarify that misinformation to everyone else.

AK

JJ

Wasn't trying to read anything into your comment. It all adds up. I just read what you said about "why people question Lamar", but I know you know why. He's really the only question because of his contract and trade value should there be a problem. Hopefully, that won't be the case.

It's going to be exciting seeing that much talent and size on the floor wearing purple and gold.

Look, if you don't like Kobe, whatever. It's neither the end of the world nor a requirement
to post here. But when your criticisms are based in total misinformation or
misunderstanding- like saying no big free agents have come to play with Kobe, but ignoring
that the Lakers have been over the cap since that era began- I'm gonna call them out. If for
no other reason than to clarify that misinformation to everyone else. AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 05, 2008 at 08:48 AM

AND THUS THE BLOG GOD SPOKETH! Don't make him tell you again! LOL!
And by the way, WELCOME BACK MY BROTHER!

Hall of Fame link

http://tinyurl.com/6dffuf

Mamba24 - I think you're right on about the finals with Detroit. It makes me think back to a chapter of P.J.'s "The Last Season" which seems somewhat key to me. Prior to game 4, Shaq, Kobe, Fox, Fish and Devean went into the bathroom with Phil - they wanted to be the starting unit, as they had been during the championship years. Fox said that Karl wasn't healthy enough or Gary effective anough (echos what you said). Fox said he'd box out on Rasheed. Fish said they needed ball and player movement - that this unit knows how to do it. Kobe said that even though he hates the triangle, he'd settle in, they'd get the ball to Shaq and they'd beat them up on the inside.

The upshot of the whole thing is that Phil remained convinced that Karl, as hurt as he was, was still the key to the whole thing. And as most of us remember, Karl's knee just got worse until he couldn't even play. P.J. said he'd give this unit some pt at some point but he wasn't going to start them. I've often thought that this was a strategic blunder. The old starting 5 was fired up and ready to go but they weren't given the shot. I'll always wonder about that.

LakerTom,

I love your enthusiasm, and I share your sentiments. I think that this year will be incredible for Bynum. It's been so long since we've seen him play that it's easy to forget just how fluid his game was becoming. He is literally a lob-catching machine. Remember that crazy play when Kobe was trapped near the out-of-bound baseline? He chucked the ball up toward Andrew, who caught it and threw it down with authority. It was a broken play, and Bynum fixed it with his incredible ability to play above the rim.

KL,

It's true that no "All-Star" has voluntarily joined the Lakers since 2004. But Fish really wanted to come back, and he's as solid as they come. And, really, if you ask Pau (an All-Star) about coming to the Lakers, I don't think he'd tell you that he was hesitant. It might not have been his choice, but do you think he would have wanted to land anywhere else?

Jon K.,

I would love a Bio-Chron reading! Any chance of that?

Go Lake Show!

The old starting 5 was fired up and ready to go but they weren't given the shot. I'll always wonder about that.
Posted by: dave m | September 05, 2008 at 09:19 AM

You and me both brother, you and me both!

Good Morning Outlaw, how you be brother?

KL,

KG was NEVER a Free Agent. And to say that he didn't WANT to come to LA because Kobe can't exist with another star is not even hear-say!! When was that ever reported as even being "the reason" he went to Boston. KG ended up in Boston because (McHale) wanted him to be there. When the GM/President has the option of who he wants to trade with, they generally don't trade with conference rivals or teams they dislike, no matter how good the package is.

Obviously McHale spent his entire career in Boston, hating the Lakers, so why would he help that franchise? Even if Lamar and AB are a MUCH BETTER PACKAGE than Jefferson and a bunch of scrubs. KG was in his prime as a FRANCHISE PLAYER, former MVP and easily in the top 3 PF in the game, way above Pau Gasol's status in the league. I don't think he wanted to go to Boston more than it filled the two most important criteria: 1) a team he could go to and be in a contending position and 2) a team that McHale wanted to trade with. I'm sure since he already owns a home in LA, that would be incentive enough to want to play here, it's simply McHale didn't want to send him here to help his former rival.

What BIG free Agent REALLY sacraficed a big contract to go to any team since Malone and Payton did it 2004? I really can't recall a big name doing that and turning down HEAPS of money to play for a particular team!! The whole "nobody wants to play with Kobe" doesn't apply anymore. I could see that in 05 and 06, but not after the 07-08 Kobe's had. Name a player that the Lakers could and want to get that said "I don't want to play with Kobe Bryant."

Understand that Shaq is always aprreciated by the Lakers fans when speaking about Dynasties, but clearly his antics in the last few months has brought any NBA fan with all biases against KB24 "a taste" of the nonsense Lakers and Kobe fans have had to endure. He is clearly not the professional or role model he has been painted to be, no matter how "fun" he is in the locker room. He has been and will always be a self-righteous, self-centered, bridge burner. Ask any real Penny Hardaway fan (if they still exist) or any real Miami Heat fan what they think about Shaq's recent escapades if you don't believe KB/Lakers fans.

Understand that Shaq is always aprreciated by the Lakers fans when speaking about
Dynasties, but clearly his antics in the last few months has brought any NBA fan with
all biases against KB24 "a taste" of the nonsense Lakers and Kobe fans have had to endure.
Posted by: JSNV | September 05, 2008 at 09:51 AM

OUT FREAKING STANDING!

Goooooooooooooooooood morning Laker Blog!

Man have we gotten snooty and snitty here at the ol' Laker Blog. People jumping all over one another like people from the mid west at a hot dog buffet

OK, that was low.

Seriously, we got a team that exceeded all expectations last year. We got pounded in Game 6 of the Finals.

The Finals, people. The Finals.

Here's I shake it down, we retained all of the essential pieces from last year's run (except for Ronny, of course, but look for him to make his way back to Lakerland in a couple of years or so, especially if PJs still coaching). We are getting Mihm back, which isn't like having LeBron james walk into camp saying, "Hey y'all, I'm willing to play here for the MLE", but he will be a big help, especially on defence. He knows the NBA game and as soon ashe feels comfortable and strong with his foundation, he'll be a contributor on offence, too.

Sasha is emerging. If you think the Slovenia Sensation is done with NBA...think again, that dude is going to study the new 'No Flopping' rule and figure out new and improved methods of flopping. Then he'll start draining 3s. Then he'll piss Melo off so that he chokes him. Then he'll adjust his hair. Then he'll drain another 3.

Lamar Odom will come back smooth as jazz and determined to make all the nay sayers into yay-sayers. New term coined right here on the Blog, yay-sayers. Seriously, people love to bag on our best rebounder. Why? I think because he plays similarly to garet Anderson of the Angels, he just sort of glides on the court, he makes it look so easy people think he's a loafer. Head problem complaints, yet we wanted to trade lamar for Head Case numero uno, Ron Ron Bill Artest? In the words of Johnny Cochran on South Park, "That doe not make sense, if wookies are from Kashyyak than you must acquit".

That's how much sense that proposed trade made to me. And I know that wookies ARE from Kashyyak.

Lamar will be fine, as will Fish and Gasol. Those guys are seasoned pros who know what their role is. It's the guys who suffered some instability, either through injuries or sub par play, that I'm worried about.

The thing is, this is Kobe's team. He will not let up on these guys. He will not settle for a Finals appearance every year or so. He will get on Luke and Ariza and Farmar so that they are ready. Our bench played brilliantly, for the most part, last season. I don't think they will regress all that much and in most cases I expect that they will return with some fire and a summer of work under their belt.

I can not wait for next season people, it will be epic!

GO LAKERS!!!!!

KL

Shaq's greatest years were with the Lakers, his downfall also began here the moment he said, "I got hurt on company time, so I'll heal on company time".

Anyone who is not a bajillionaire and actually has to work on company time should be deepply offended by a statement like that. It's as un-American as you get. The onus is on the player to be able to 'show up for work' as it were. That statement is unacceptable to me as a Laker fan who has spent thousands of dollars watching, rooting, living and dying by my team.

What he did after leaving the Lakers is basically a joke. He got motivated enough for one season to help Miami win a banner and then...got hurt on company time again, gained serious weight, and has never seemed serious about basketball again, save for the check he holds while laughing his way to the bank.

As a role model, he's lost credibility. As an athlete he has lost his passion for the game, and therefor will fall short as a legendary athlete. When he was placed in the top 50 greatest NBA players of all time, he had not made a mockery of his career. If that list were to be re-created today, I'll bet he would fall quite a few places and wind up in the 30 - 40's, simply because he has chosen to mock every single organization he has ever played for AFTER he left.

Talk about a tool. At least say it my face, brah!

The Shaq that I watched win 3 titles with the Lakers is not the Shaq that left LA. That Shaq has been buried under a false identity that seems lovable, but harbors feelings of insecurity and lashes out at those who are critical of him.

I hope the old Shaq comes back, someday, but I'm not holding my breath.

You've been officially cut off!!! Enjoy the blog.
Posted by: JSNV | September 05, 2008 at 10:02 AM

That squealing sound you hear is Butler being laid bare! LOL!
Make it plain JSNV, Make it plain! lol!

Thoughts on 2004... I think you can make a point on what might have been if we started ____ instead, or Shaq gave up, Kobe broke up the team, etc. I am convinced that it was the culmination of a number of things, from Kobe's situation, Shaq's lack of professionalism in the previous off seasons, GP never fitting in the triangle, and the Malone injury. On top of that, Detroit just played as good as they could play and their strengths (in size and physical play) compounded the Lakers' problems. To say that it was all Kobe's fault, a popular stance amongst Kobe haters, sounds ignorant and narrow-minded knowing what we know today.

I always believe that winning is the answer to all probems in sports. I love watching highlights of the last regular season game in 2004, in Portland. Knowing how much tension there was on that team, how much Shaq and Kobe "hated" each other, after Kobe hits the game winning 3, (another one of my favorite Laker Moments), he jumps in Shaq's arms like itwas Game 6 2000 NBA Finals!! I can't wait to experience the feeling again, hopefully this June and, this time on the blog, to see the reaction of the Trolls and "The Sky is Falling" Lakers fans after watching Kobe hold up the Larry Obrien.

Look, if you don't like Kobe, whatever. It's neither the end of the world nor a requirement to post here. But when your criticisms are based in total misinformation or misunderstanding- like saying no big free agents have come to play with Kobe, but ignoring that the Lakers have been over the cap since that era began- I'm gonna call them out. If for no other reason than to clarify that misinformation to everyone else.

AK

Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | September 05, 2008 at 08:48 AM

I'm wondering if AK allowed KL back just to have someone to slap around. lol

Does the blog need a doormat?

To all the Laker Haters out there take this fact into consideration and maybe you will have a better idea why you hate the Lakers so much instead of just hating them for the sake of hating:

Los Angeles/Minneapolis Lakers NBA Titles 14
NBA Finals Appearances 30

Rest of Current Western Conference NBA Titles 12
NBA Finals Appearances 23

Decade by Decade
1950’s – 5 NBA Titles, 6 Title Appearances
1960’s – 7 NBA Title Appearances
1970’s – 1 NBA Title 3 Title Appearances
1980’s – 5 NBA Titles 8 Title Appearances
1990’s – 1 Title Appearance
2000’s – 3 NBA Titles 5 Title Appearances

That’s Dominance baby!

So go ahead hate all you want but we are raising banner #15 this year!!!

you guys are setting the bar too high for Bynum right now. I think the Lakers somewhat limit his minutes for the first 1/3 of the season to make sure he can handle it, so possibly he averages about 25 minutes/game up to that point. With Gasol able to rotate to Center, Odom will be able to get his minutes as well.

Using rough averages, if Kobe is putting up 25/game, Gasol 18/game, Odom 12-14/game, the PG slot 14/game and the Ariza and Sasha combo 12-14/game then Bynum would fall into the 12-14/game range with of course, some 20 point bursts.

Give credit to Bynum though, he seems to understand this particular team doesn't need his offense as much as his defense. I think he gets a shot at the allstar game if he is dominating on defense, there's just too much scoring on this team already for him to stand out in that area.