Kobe Bryant - Media Day talk
What a difference 365-ish days makes. Around this time last season, Kobe Bryant was barely masking his dissatisfaction with the Lakers front office and barely bothering to fake any enthusiasm about kicking off the season. One year (and a blossomed Andrew Bynum/stolen Pau Gasol/solidified bench/returning Derek Fisher and a Finals appearance) later, dude's happy as a clam about life in the purple and gold lane. There were more smiles and wit on display than any hint of trepidation, and talk of the Lakers being among the creme de elite sits just fine with him. "We're the favorites for a reason," Bryant said. "That's one of the things I told the guys. We've got all the tools. We've got all the pieces of the puzzle. Now it's on us to do the work. If we do the work, we should win it."
Kobe discussed topics ranging from the notion of him playing in Europe (as BK and I have both said, it's a purely media-driven, far-fetched scenario) to playing fewer minutes in America (he can handle 40-43 mpg no problem, but decreasing them is always a mutual Mamba/PJ goal) to being 30 (which, as he put it, is "the new 20"). He also provided more info about his un-surgeried pinkie, which he feels will need to endure a nearly identical hit as the one causing the original injury for him to miss time. "The scar tissue has settled. It's pretty thick right now." That particular nugget provided some relief for me, as I've been through a similar situation after tearing my ACL and cartilage in a skiing accident. Originally, the doctor thought I would need separate surgeries for each ailment, but when it came time to go under the knife, my ligament had almost entirely re-scarred itself, which led to an easier rehab and quicker recovery. Thus, playing through the condition now seems less potentially risky than I thought back in early September.
Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_media_day_9.28.08.mp3
AK
"While byenumb languishes under the questionable wisdom of kareem aj..."
...who is the NBA All Time Leading Scorer and has more NBA Championships than SHACK does. The night we play the Suns, I've got a special prayer just for you, Butler. Watch for it1
P.S.: 62 wins. Playing it safe. After all..."Pride cometh before a fall..."
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | October 01, 2008 at 04:05 PM
The Lakers are the team to beat. There is not a single team in the NBA that can matcup to the quartet of
Kobe-Pau-Odom-Bynum + the Bench Mob. Lets go Lakers and make Laker nation proud........Let's get that championship.....Woooooooooooooooo
Posted by: JOHNNY_LAKER | October 01, 2008 at 04:17 PM
lakers sth,
>>>Lastly, they were talking about getting equal value back
>>> for LO. If I were Buss, I'd let him walk. There's more
>>>than enough talent left on the squad and $14M is a lot
>>>to have coming off the books, especially when you've
>>>just added Bynum's contract to it.
I don't buy into that philosophy. If you're a competitive team
with lots of good assets, you don't let them walk away for
nothing.
I think Lamar will fit in well, whether it's as a starter or as
a backup. I don't think he'll be worth 14 million, but he
will be a big contributor to the team.
But if they really do decide to get rid of him, for whatever
reason, you don't just let him go for nothing.
I'm not saying you should try to get in some 14 million dollar
player for him. Rather, I'd be looking to get one moderately
priced player who actually earns their contract and filler
for Lamar. (I've previously hyped Lamar to Houston for
Shane Battier & filler here)
Or you could trade him to a competitive team that's looking
for a PF - some East Coast team that's in the 7 to 8 seed
range and would give up a young prospect and their
first round pick for him. Think Chicago or New Jersey
might try to cook up a package to get Lamar? That might
get the Lakers a draft pick in the 15 to 17 range and
maybe a young big like Tyrus Thomas or Yi Jianlian as
well.
And after either of those paths, the Lakers would dump
Lamar's 15 million in salary for someone in the 5 to 10
million range, who's actually worth the amount they earn.
Or maybe Lamar could reeeeeeealy buckle down and play
up to his potential this year, make the All-Star game and
EARN the 15 million he's being paid.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 01, 2008 at 04:38 PM
The Lamar Show
Wow! Talk about a blast from the past. Where you been?
Posted by: Charles | October 01, 2008 at 04:52 PM
blitz,
HAHAHA...Love the posts!! I had "Regulate" by Warren G playing in my head as I read them!!
Posted by: JSNV | October 01, 2008 at 04:56 PM
The Lamar Show
Wow! Talk about a blast from the past. Where you been?
Posted by: Charles | October 01, 2008 at 04:57 PM
BUTLER,
Your team is the one that celebrates division titles not mine.
Posted by: Xodus | October 01, 2008 at 05:02 PM
BUTLER,
It's funny that a guy who roots for a team that has no NBA championships is talking smack about being happy with a Conference title. The Lakers only put up championship banners, while the Suns put up division champion banners.
At least you guys have the 1992 Finals to fondly remember.
Posted by: Xodus | October 01, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Or maybe Lamar could reeeeeeealy buckle down and play
up to his potential this year, make the All-Star game and
EARN the 15 million he's being paid.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 01, 2008 at 04:38 PM
------------------
LTLF-
Man, that would be nice. I don't think Lamar will make the All Star team but I think he will have a very solid season and be a key contributor to the team. All Star game sure would be sweet though. Remember when he shaved the star in his head last year? That didn't last too long...
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 01, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Its time again for “Lakers Trivia”
Fatty’s Tri-Annual Pre-Season game where your Lakers knowledge is tested to its fullest.
(Question one)
Who said the following?
“I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
A. Admiral Yamamoto lamenting after the ‘Pearl Harbor Attack’ from the movie, ‘Tora! Tora! Tora!
B. Shaq’s trainer waking him up after an all night party, for the Suns afternoon practice session.
C. Kevin Garnett to his agent after the Celtics NBA Championship.
Posted by: Fatty | October 01, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Lamar will not live up to expectations, much less exceedl them. Contract extension? He must've been hitting the weed a little too hard while he wasn't improving this summer.
Lamar for Gerald Wallace and filler. In a heartbeat.
That and Luke and Vlad violating the terms of their contracts and getting them voided are the keys to a guaranteed championship.
Lame-ar = Laker until we find a taker
Ship his a$$ out!
Posted by: htj | October 01, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Faith --- Sasha needs you. We know you can help his boo boo get better. Seriously, opportunity is knocking.
Posted by: | October 01, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Fatty
B.
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | October 01, 2008 at 06:51 PM
LTLF: amen to that. we all hope lamar just sucks it up and plays the best basketball of his career this year. i'm just pointing out that payroll relief has a lot of value. teams go to great lengths to acquire players with expiring contracts to let that money come off the books. why wouldn't a team that already has one do the same?
In the meantime, single game tix go on sale for season ticket holders tomorrow. christmas day and opening night are a given but i'm wondering what other games i need to buy extra tickets for.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 01, 2008 at 06:56 PM
That's Laker magic allright, Wes, the stuff of myth and legend. The common continuity of a community that is now a culture.
The Lakers have been so much a part of my life for so long ... I don't have sympathy for the Butlers of fandom, I have pity for them ... they can never experience or sip the nectar from our rich treasure trove of timeless moments ... Perhaps this is why I feel we're about to add another glorious chapter to the lore ... It is so great to be alive not just to witness, not just to participate, but to live it ... you dig it dudes and dudettes?
This journey from the heights to the depths, and back to the highest heights again ... man oh man, I can be magnanimous, come Butlers of fandom, don't take my coat, don't fetch, don't carry, don't bitch, escape the wretchedness, come soar with us!
Posted by: Glenn | October 01, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Xodus -
I guess you're satisfied with that WC banner from last season, then?
Ok,
Love,
BUTLER
Posted by: BUTLER | October 01, 2008 at 01:58 PM
We know you'd kill for one of those. Tell you what, after we get #15 next June, you can have the 08 WC banner. The rafters in PHX must be freezing with nothing on them.
40 years....no titles. What a waste of a franchise. PEEHONIX SUCKS.
Love,
Jman449
Posted by: Jman449 | October 01, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Lamar show,
I just signed up.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | October 01, 2008 at 07:19 PM
"The common continuity of a community that is now a culture."
That's some serious alliteration!
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | October 01, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Xodus sez:
"Your team is the one that celebrates division titles not mine. "
Actually we celebrate playoff victories over the lakers with relish and delirious abandon. I believe PHX has a 4-1 record vs. the lackers in the last 5 postseason meetings.
Put that in your pipe, and smoke it.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 01, 2008 at 07:51 PM
They say a kiss makes everything better.
I'm willing to do all that I can for that Sasha ankle lol.
Posted by: Faith | October 01, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Xoduss sez:
"It's funny that a guy who roots for a team that has no NBA championships is talking smack about being happy with a Conference title."
Actually, I was happy to see Boston nearly set a record for largest elimination game margin of victory on a befuddled lacking laker team last June. Danny Ainge used to be a SUN, and so did Eddie House, so my happiness factor was increased as a result.
And so, the lakers were left happy with a conference title.
Everyone's happy.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 01, 2008 at 08:04 PM
"They say a kiss makes everything better.
I'm willing to do all that I can for that Sasha ankle lol"
Marry him Faith, that would help that ankle very much.
In other news,
it seems Sasha will be out only a few days though which is good compared to weeks. I just hope it doesn't affect his shot afterwards.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 01, 2008 at 08:18 PM
I love Lamar Odom. I loved him when he was a Clipper. I loved him when he was a Laker. He should be our sixth man. It just makes sense. He and Jordan Farmar should REALLY press our second team to just devasate our opponents. It just makes sense and it can work.
The Forest of Tall Trees? I love it. And Lamar not starting doesn't mean that he won't play major minutes with Kobe-Gasol-Bynum-Fisher. Not at all. It just means that our first counter-punch in terms of putting together our first second team will be THAT much stronger.
It's a big deal.
Lamar Odom = Sixth Man of the Year + All-Star
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 01, 2008 at 08:26 PM
BUTLER,
"Actually we celebrate playoff victories over the lakers with relish and delirious abandon. I believe PHX has a 4-1 record vs. the lackers in the last 5 postseason meetings."
How many rings have you guys won during that time? Celebrate those playoff series wins all you want, we'll be counting our 14 CHAMPIONSHIP banners as we make our way to No. 15.
Posted by: Xodus | October 01, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Jmann,
There won't be an 08 Western Conference championship banner to give away because we're the Lakers and don't lower ourselves to the likes of those who celebrate conference titles.
I couldn't imagine what depths we'd have to sink to if we started putting up Division title banners like the Suns.
Posted by: Xodus | October 01, 2008 at 08:30 PM
http://tinyurl.com/475tnl
Looks like Lamar will again be the Point Forward for the Lakers. Which is good so he won't have to try to be the one who tries to be the scorer so Derek can be more John Paxson and do the "moving without the ball" and find open spaces in the offense and Kobe can attack as a Small Forward (he is faster than most Small Forwards). This could actually work out than it did back in 2005-2006 when we had a Kwa-may Brown at power forward (yikes!) and Chris Mihm at center (which is not bad but then again is not good either). We got Pau and Bynum now which only helps at having inside scoring. Defense wise it's still ok with Kobe switching back to guarding shooting guards and Lamar taking care of Small Forwards and Derek back to Point guards.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 01, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Butler-boy (Bboy) sayezezezez
Actually, I was happy to see Boston nearly set a record for largest elimination game margin of victory on a befuddled lacking laker team last June.":
Ah I see Boston Celtic Fan eh. Looks like you don't like the Suns after all.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 01, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Jmann,
There won't be an 08 Western Conference championship banner to give away because we're the Lakers and don't lower ourselves to the likes of those who celebrate conference titles.
I couldn't imagine what depths we'd have to sink to if we started putting up Division title banners like the Suns.
Posted by: Xodus | October 01, 2008 at 08:30 PM
There isn't enough wall space at Staples Center for all the "Phoenix-type banners" that the Lakers could have, it's true. Which is why the Lakers should start a "Pride for Suns" program of division and conference championship banner donation modeled on the annual "Toys for Tots" drive.
Remember: You never stand so tall when you stoop to condescend to a sniveling, loser waste of a franchise. Forty years with no titles? HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Posted by: Jman449 | October 01, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Push guard, huh? Jackson's such a trip. I don't recall the Pippen-mentored point-forward experiment working all that well for L.O. three seasons back but they've revisited it in bits and pieces since then... he still brings the ball up now and then. Personally, I'm waiting for the Bynum, Mihm, Pau, Odom, Sun approach. Call it the tall fence offense.
Posted by: dave m | October 01, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Lakers_sth,
>>> Sounds like LO threw a hissy today at practice over the 6th man thing.
This is only the beginning of LO's big meltdown. He doesn't have the mental toughness to set his ego aside and recognize he can do more to help the team as the 6th man.
Mental toughness has always been LO's weakness. It's why he's never fulfilled his potential.
As fans, we've all admired LO for his heart. He's also angered us too many nights when he showed up (or didn't), playing more like a space cadet than VladRad ever could.
I agree with John Hollinger that there's simply not enough real estate to maximize the skills of the Lakers' three Bigs at the same time. Lamar seems to be the odd man out.
I still like inserting Farmar and Ariza into the starting lineup and having Fish and LO come off the bench. The Lakers have plenty of talent and this gives the Lakers a better, more consistent mix in both units. Sasha will see more minutes (upon returning to health) as Kobe's decline, and he will have more opportunities in this mix, as well.
Last season, the two units were significantly different in their styles. My proposed line-up gives the Lakers greater consistency throughout all 48 minutes. No matter how any of this plays out, the Lakers are still a juggernaut. The Championship will be ours. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | October 01, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Which is better Lamar as PG Starter or a PF 2nd stringer? Nice experiment for both positions but I prefer the latter. Reasons, there are tons of fast PG's in the league, I doubt if Lamar has the speed to stop them. Secondly, Lamar is needed in the 2nd lineup as a sustaining force energize the offense with his slashing moves, if he's starter he will crowd the post with Bynum, Pau already occupying the shaded lane. When there are too many tall men clogging the post, it results to possible injuries of stepping someone's foot. Thirdly, Lamar is not known for a perimeter shooter, when he goes shooting on the outside Lakers lose some offensive moves in the post. Besides that, there is Farmar, Yue, Crawford plus new guards that could take that position of a court general.
Sasha got injured, how many more injuries needed before Lakers find time to learn avoidance of stepping one's foot? Exposure to martial arts would avoid such injuries. Knowledge of martial arts will be a good prescription to often criticism of softness on the Lakers. No need to import an expert, Kareem and Mbenga are both black belters.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 01, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Xoblitz sez:
"Ah I see Boston Celtic Fan eh. Looks like you don't like the Suns after all. "
Oh contraire, Ex-Owed-Us. Oh, contraire.
When those Eddie House threes rained down in the Finals, especially Game 6, I was smiling more broadly with each swisheroo. Once a SUNS always a SUN, you see. Even deeper in Eddie's case, a SUN DEVIL.
And since Ainge engineered the whole enchilada, well, it was another SUN done good.
Whoever's playing the lakers is my 2nd-favorite team. Except maybe the spurs. Then they're tied with the lackers for least-favorite.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 01, 2008 at 09:28 PM
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF
LAMAR CANNOT HANDLE THE ROCK
HE IS A TWEENER AT EVERY POSOTION
THAT IS WHY HE WILL BE TRADED AT THE DEADLINE
PJ'S COMMENT THE OTHER DAY ABOUT NEVER SEEING LAMAR MOTIVATED WAS NOT TONGUE IN CHEEK
LET HIM GO SOMEWHERE ELSE SO THAT THEY CAN TALK ABOUT HIS POTENTIAL.
10 YEARS IN THE LEAGUE PEOPLE ...POTENTIAL IS NO LONGER VALID
THE ONLY POTENTIAL LEFT IN LAMAR IS GETTING BETTER AT HIS DISAPPEARING ACT.
Posted by: Troll Man | October 01, 2008 at 09:33 PM
dave m,
LO played the point forward 2 years ago when the whole team (except Kobe and Luke) were learning the triangle for the first time.
I'm not completely sold on LO as the facilitator, but I think it's worth another try. The biggest thing for us right now is if he can consistently hit a corner 3 for us and adequately defend (and by that I mean funneling guys to Bynum) the 3.
Posted by: Xodus | October 01, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Butler boy sayezezezez:
"Once a SUNS always a SUN, you see."
Robert Horry saves the Day! Big shot Rob slamming Stevie "Get ankles broken by Rondo" Nash into the announcers table in Game 4 of the 2007 Western Conference Semi Finals. Yes Big Shot Rob is still a Sun by your definition and that Sun just cost the Suns their best title in 2007.
Haha I just love the owning part Butler boy.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 01, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Xodus - I was just kind of joking around with that post. I basically agree with you. I actually thought it was '05-06 season, when P.J. brought Scotti in as a special coach for training camp and a ways beyond. My recollection was that it didn't work that well, but probably more to do with the newness of the triangle... also not sure that Scotti really meshed with L.O..
Anyway, you're certainly right that they should give this a try... I just find it a bit entertaining that P.J. gives him a shot at an even more point/lead-oriented guard postion after all this talk of putting him at the 3. That's the fun of training camp.
Posted by: dave m | October 01, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Xodus you got your facts wrong,
2005-2006 the Lakers from the previous Jackson years were Kobe, Luke, Brian Cook, and Devean George and yes even the great Slava Medvedenko though he was injured very early on and eventually waived.
Vonislav Waferdenko so so funny!
Lamar's assists as a Point Forward back in 2005-2006 season:
November: 5.0 apg vs 2.4 TO per game
December: 5.6 apg vs 2.6 TO per game
January: 5.6 apg vs 3.6 TO per game
Febuary: 5.2 apg vs 1.6 TO per game
March: 5.8 apg vs 2.8 TO per game
April: 6.1 apg. vs 2.6 TO per game
Total: 5.5 apg vs 2.7 TO per game. 2:1 assists to turnover ratio. Not bad at all, Lebron in comparison also has similar assist versus turnover ratios (2.12:1)
Worried about Defense perhaps?
Lamar's defense in 2005-2006 as Small Forward:
Opponent's FG%: 45.0%
Lamar's defense in 2007-2008 as Power Forward:
Opponent's FG%: 48.9%.
"That can't be right, if that was true then Pau must have similar numbers as well"
Opponent's FG% vs Pau when Pau played Center: 52.3%. Which sounds just right.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 01, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Blitz,
I appreciate the GHF mentality.
This: Odom, 6 feet 10, could post up smaller point guards, though the team would lose some of his offensive rebounding if he stayed out on the perimeter.
Also, there would be a litany of switching on defense, with Odom picking up the opposing small forward, Bryant guarding the opponent's shooting guard and Fisher picking up the point guard.
.............. Is not going to work long term.
Interesting how we're not a week into the camp an
already they're looking at Lamar *NOT* playing SF.
I also don't like Fisher at SG.
Posted by: hobbitmage | October 01, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Edwin
"Reasons, there are tons of fast PG's in the league, I doubt if Lamar has the speed to stop them."
Lamar will not be going against point guards defensively, that will be Derek's job. Lamar instead will be going against Small Forwards defensively. In other words:
Offense:
PG-Lamar Odom
SG-Derek Fisher
SF-Kobe Bryant
PF-Pau Gasol
C-Andrew Bynum
Defense:
PG-Derek Fisher
SG-Kobe Bryant
SF-Lamar Odom
PF-Pau Gasol
C-Andrew Bynum
"Sasha got injured, how many more injuries needed before Lakers find time to learn avoidance of stepping one's foot?"
He didn't step on Mbeng's foot. Sasha ran into DJ while Mbenga was trying to take a charge and Sasha rolled on it. It wasn't severe so he should only be a few days out.
"Secondly, Lamar is needed in the 2nd lineup as a sustaining force energize the offense with his slashing moves, "
No, Lamar isn't the type to "energize" the 2nd unit. That will be Trevor's and Jordan's job.
"Thirdly, Lamar is not known for a perimeter shooter, when he goes shooting on the outside Lakers lose some offensive moves in the post."
Neither is Trevor. Yes he has improved the jumpshot but it isn't enough to make opponents fear it and it's not the strength of his game. If we really badly wanted a perimeter shooter we should start Radman (and we all know how that ended up defensively speaking).
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 01, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Blitz,
With all your free wheeling opinions in summer on anything, how sure are you that they are still accurate in the Fall? I think you have to temper your micro forecasting a little bit and let other share their inputs or say spin. We are all speculating in this blog.
If not, we just listen to Kobeblitz or Butler....no other choices
If we are to believe all what you are saying with those long posts plus stats, then Laker fans don't need to watch games but will just read and depend on your posts. Everything is predestined by blitz. LOL! I hope you are not offended by those remarks but I think in fall, the subjective analysis should be constrained and let individual freedom "to think" reigns than letting farcical statistics decide every argument.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 01, 2008 at 11:50 PM
"If we are to believe all what you are saying with those long posts plus stats, then Laker fans don't need to watch games but will just read and depend on your posts. Everything is predestined by blitz. LOL! I hope you are not offended by those remarks but I think in fall, the subjective analysis should be constrained and let individual freedom "to think" reigns than letting farcical statistics decide every argument."
Edwin, I'm not offended don't worry about it bud.
And I respect your opinions, not saying they are false in any way. At the same time though, it's also important to take the arguments and back them up. I used statistics since they are one of the best (not always) to back up one's arguments. Please don't get offended when I rebuttal your opinons. I have rebuttatled many other people like Xodus, Hobbit's and other people.
Hobbit let's not do this dance again hehe,
".............. Is not going to work long term."
Agree two years from now Jordan *should* be developed to run the offense of the next coach or if PJ is still coaching then he will take the BJ Armstrong role. The facilitating will be done by Lamar for now so we wouldn't need him to conserve energy for the offensive end and instead put more to the defensive end where it is needed.
"I also don't like Fisher at SG."
I also wouldn't want Derek defending at SG (remember though he did play SG while at Utah). Derek though in my opinion is more the outside scoring point guard rather than a true point guard like D-Will and CP3. He has the outside shooting of a true shooting guard that has been established by Reggie Miller, Mitch Richmond, Glen Rice. Michael Jordan was the one who evolutionized the penetrating shooting guard which Kobe has acquired today. Derek is a good spot up shooter, which Sasha is as well and John Paxson/Steve Kerr was during the Chicago years. Theoritically, Sasha would actually been a better fit for the Triangle offense in the point guard slot than Jordan Farmar is since he has a better shooting ability than Jordan does (too bad Sasha in the past has been beaten by point guards defensively). Paxson in Chicago may have been labelled as a point guard, in actuality becuase Pippen was running the offense as the true point, Paxson all he had to do was to find open spaces and hit the open shot and that is more like a shooting guard. Derek may be labelled as a point guard and will without a doubt defend against point guards, he will actually be more shooting guard like Paxson was in Chicago. Just please don't let Derek guard Ray Allen again.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 02, 2008 at 12:18 AM
I didn't like Lamars attitude to the 6th man thing ...not one bit.Its clear to see he is very versatility could be a major strength for the lakers and he's an amazing luxury to have but Lamar considered himself an all star prospect a couple of years ago and likely doesn't appreciate what he probably deems to be the lakers needs/system forcing him into a marginalised role.It might be okay if it wasn't a contract year.
It's got to work out or he may well be traded.I still think Josh Howard would be the perfect player for the lakers with his shooting range and tough D.
Anyway heres hoping Lamar gets it.
Posted by: Kiwi | October 02, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Blitz,
With all your free wheeling opinions in summer on anything, how sure are you that they are still accurate in the Fall? I think you have to temper your micro forecasting a little bit and let other share their inputs or say spin. We are all speculating in this blog.
If not, we just listen to Kobeblitz or Butler....no other choices
Posted by: Edwin Gueco
Thank you Ed,
Blitz does seem to have all the to everything and everyone's post. The way he comes off he's either part of the coaching staff or some Laker b ball master, teaching all of us young grass hoppas the way of the BLITZ.
Posted by: MR. KNOWITALL | October 02, 2008 at 07:35 AM
>>>Lamar for Gerald Wallace and filler. In a heartbeat.
I'd take that.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 02, 2008 at 08:42 AM
lakers sth,
>>>teams go to great lengths to acquire players with
>>>expiring contracts to let that money come off the books.
>>>why wouldn't a team that already has one do the same?
Because Lamar has value other than as an expiring deal.
When Memphis traded for Kwame, they just wanted his
contract to expire. And Kwame was contributing little to nothing
to the team.
OTOH, Lamar does contribute a lot to the team. Despite the
fact that we all agree that he underachieves, he's still one
of the better players in the league. If you go by PER, he's
the 75th best player out of 400 in the league, as opposed
to Kwame, who was the 273rd best. He was the Lakers
leading rebounder the last few seasons, he's a decent
passer, he can handle the ball. He's a good teammate and
can score a decent amount without having the ball in his
hands all the time. Lamar's ONLY weakness is that he
doesn't play up to his potential all the time (which is why
he's overpaid... if he played hard every night, he'd be
worth 15 million).
And if Lamar leaves the Lakers and they get nothing but
salary relief for him, then they will be a worse team. This
is not like Kwame or Smush, where having Lamar leave
will be addition by subtraction.
And a team might want to acquire Lamar for another reason
than just his expiring contract. The same reason the Brewers
acquired Sabathia or the Dodgers acquired ManRam. He's
someone who could contribute a lot to a team right now,
and then they could decide whether or not to re-sign him
when the season is over.
If the Lakers decide that the three Sequoias front line
doesn't work and they would be better off trading Lamar,
they've got to get something back. Letting talented players
walk for nothing because you don't want to overpay them is
Clipper management. The Lakers are better than that.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 02, 2008 at 09:00 AM
>>>And so, the lakers were left happy with a conference title.
You're delusional as usual. Not ONE Laker is happy about the
way last season ended. Not ONE.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 02, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Kobe Bryant is one of the most selfish, spoiled, overhyped players in the history of Basketball. This guy is not team oriented, plays defense only when it is convenient for him, and talks "we" only if conditions are optimal. The biggest problem Kobe faces is that no one connected to the organization has the guts to put a fist into his jaw. Then and only then would he shut up and become just one of the players in the league. Jerry Buss was a fool to breakup a dynasty for a ball hog who wants to win a scoring title. And you see that no real superstars at the top of their all around game want to play a whole season with Kobe. And if he is such a team player, then why does he fuss at and cuss out teammates when he needs their support. Kobe, you're not leading by example. Just staying in condition to dunk balls and shoot twenty footers doesn't make you an all around player. You don't lock up your man consistently because you want to save all your energy for offense. Then when teammates with known deficiencies come up lacking Kobe wants to yell at them for making him look bad. I used to REALLY respect Stu Lantz for his basketball expertise. But now, all he ever does is hold a microphone and say, "boy, he's something else". Stu and Michael Thompson act as if they have gag orders not to criticize Kobe. They act as if they have direct orders from Jerry Buss to "sell" Kobe to the public. Stu picked the right time to become a real puppet because he wouldn't have pulled any of this mess had Chick been alive. Stu would be out of a job and out of the Lakers organization right now doing his "disciples for Kobe" cheerleading ministry with Chick around. Stu only talks about what the Lakers have to do in ballgames. He no longer gives effective analysis for the opposition. My only regret is that this blog will not get to Stu and Kobe. And if you fans are waiting for Kobe to get you a championship, you're going to be sadly disappointed again! Because the Lakers will never win a championship as long as they are built around Kobe. He is in the way and his teammates are not worth two tits on a sterile bullfrog unless they're winning wire to wire. And you guys will see that Kobe Bryant and Terrell Owens are separated at birth. They both pout when they don't get the ball, they don't want to face the music whenever they cause their teams to lose. And neither Kobe or Terrell respect their coaches. Both happen to have owners who will kiss their tails and tell them how special they are. PLEASE get this message to Kobe & Stu. That is when my REAL preaching will begin...
Posted by: Mark Gaston | October 07, 2008 at 09:45 AM
It is terrible that any person would have their personal privacy invaded by a stalker. It is a very frightening experience for anyone in or out of the limelight to undergo. I empathize with the trauma Luke Walton is dealing with. I wish him well in his efforts to rid himself of this silly acting woman. And as long as Luke did not lead her on in any kind of unpublicized affair, they should throw the book at the woman. She even looks nutty. Now, for the basketball side of things. Real purist Laker fans should hope that other teams around the league would stalk for Luke Walton. He is dead weight and he is only in LA because he is white and he is the son of Bill Walton. The organization thinks of him as a cute novelty and nothing else. Now, if he really is as valuable as the Lakers try to convince people, then maybe Phil Jackson is the reason for his underdevelopment. If Luke has poor workhabits and moderate skills, then he should be gone. If there is untapped potential (and quite frankly, Luke is set in his playing ways now) which is unfulfilled, then blow out the coaching staff. All Phil Jackson does is stare into space, pick his nose, and dream of Jeannie. Who can't do that?
Derek Fisher wasn't the answer 10 years ago so why is he the answer now? His defensive shortcomings and sometimey jumper were painfully evident in the finals. He will be a year older and a year slower. And he is worthless going to his right. And maybe the reason for Lamar Odom's inconsistency is because of Kobe Bryant after all. The Lakers knew when they got Lamar that he had issues. They knew that he had personality conflicts with superiors, they knew he couldn't dribble right handed - and STILL can't, they knew that he took himself out of games mentally, and they knew that he had a suspect jumper. About the only thing Lamar has left in his past is his weed habit. I hope. So, if this current Laker team hasn't proved to be Lamar's elixir, then they are definitely part of his problem.
If somehow, this information gets to the players, they can e-mail me directly. We can go from there. Meanwhile, I will let this segment of acrid reality set in...
Mark Gaston
Oxnard, CA
Posted by: Mark Gaston | October 08, 2008 at 10:53 AM
wuss up kobey bryant im one of ur biggest fans all i do is think that i could be just like you when i grow up pce dog gotta go????
Posted by: brighton Hawk Wing | October 20, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Go lakers!!
I think Kobe is still young so all u fans out there stop saying he's old.If they kicked him off the team Lakers wouldn't be Lakers any more and he's got the biggest smile.luv ua kobe. GO 24!!!!!!
Posted by: rebecca | February 21, 2009 at 04:19 AM