September 16, 2008 | 6:12
pm
Because if you plan on hitting one of seven designated "premium games" during the 2008-09 season, it'll cost you a few bucks more. As in, $10 to $55 more, depending on where you sit, as some seats appear to be unaffected by the new plan.
At least some theoretically interesting games got the bump. It's one thing to make a contest against Boston (Dec. 25), Cleveland (Jan. 19), San Antonio (Jan. 25), New Orleans (Feb. 20), Phoenix (Feb. 26), Dallas (March 15) or Houston (April 3) a little costlier. It's quite another to say, "The Grizzlies are in town, kids! Better pony up if you want a live look at the frontline scoring juggernaut that is Marc Gasol, Hamed Haddadi and Darko Milicic!"
The official news release from the Lakers is below the jump.
AK
The Los Angeles Lakers will institute a new
variable pricing plan for tickets beginning with the upcoming 2008-09 season, it
was announced today by Senior Vice President of Business Operations Tim
Harris.
In the
new plan, tickets in various sections will have three different prices: a
regular individual game price; a discounted season seat price; and a premium
price. Seven games have been chosen as premium games. They are as follows:
December 25 vs. Boston; January 19 vs. Cleveland; January 25 vs. San Antonio;
February 20 vs. New Orleans; February 26 vs. Phoenix; March 15 vs. Dallas and
April 3 vs. Houston.
“This
has been a growing trend in sports and entertainment ticket pricing in recent
years and allows us to increase revenues to offset our increasing payroll costs.
At the same time, while determining the market value of ticket prices, we were
sensitive to being able to protect our season seat holders by keeping their
price increases to a minimum,” said Harris.
The Lakers also
announced that tickets for individual games for the 2008-09 season will go on
sale on Saturday, October 4.
The tickets will go on sale at 10:00am at all Ticketmaster
locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com and by telephone at
1-800-4NBATIX. There are approximately 1,000 tickets available for each Lakers
home game. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the STAPLES
Center Box Office on this date.
For more
information regarding tickets for individual games please visit the Lakers
website at www.lakers.com.
Joel Meyers.....is the worst.....I rather listen to that arrogant guy from Boston than Joel.....Stu is great!!!!
I avoid Joel at all costs....much rather watch TNT.
Please Help STU!!!! Fire Joel!!!!
Posted by: Mikey | September 17, 2008 at 11:27 PM
I wouldn't pay for a Laker game if they cut the prices in half, let alone increase them. No way am I going to let that big a chunk of my paycheck go to a basketball game--and I LOVE Laker basketball. It just doesn't make sense. Especially when you consider that a tough loss can make the whole experience a miserable one...and...when you can get a new movie for $14 at Blockbuster and watch it until it makes your loved ones sick, NBA basketball live is just not money well spent.
But that's just me. Now if they had a 10 ticket and outdoor day games...that would be a different story.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | September 18, 2008 at 01:53 AM
can't wait for the nba season to start... this will be a much better team than last season because pau gasol is much more comfortable with the plays and the players.. KOBE,PAU, LAMAR, DEREK, ANDREW... crazy! scary ! Exciting is in it?!!!
Posted by: jeff_pinoy | September 18, 2008 at 02:45 AM
RE Kobe and the 04 Finals...
Its certainly a bit much to 'blame' Kobe totally and obviously Detroit played well...the Malone injury was crucial but unlike the '08 finals loss I feel like that was a series we could have won (despite all the problems the lakers faced) had they approached the game differently.
As Jamie says they walked into it thinking that they'd won the title by winning the Western conference and the poor showing in game 1 was crucial to Detroits self belief... they gave up what should have been a tremendous psychological advantage (as well as home court)
Shaq had some big games in the finals and could have been utilised better... sure Big Ben made his life tough but he had a great series especially considering he really wasn't seeing the ball as much as he shouldve.His 63% FG% is including an atrocious game 3 so it gives you an idea of how effective he was the rest of the time.
Mamba24 said we won game 2 becasue of Kobe... but the lakers only stayed in that game because Walton came off the bench and got the ball to Shaq in the right spots.From memory Kobe had played pretty badly up until THE THREE (still one of the ballsiest ,sickest shots Ive ever seen)..Getting the ball to Shaq is something Kobe can do better than anyone else when he chooses to but he was intent to shoot tough shots far too many times when it really wasnt necessary.He had this mentality like the team needed to be carried on his back and it wasnt the case...or maybe it was but he should stuck with trying to enable the others.
Kobe was basically too quick to hit 'saviour mode' and the effect on the rest of the team was destructive.The supporting cast wouldve shown up eventually had he kept trying to involve them and got them some open looks.
It's obviously unfair to place the loss completely on Kobe and yes,the lakers were up against it... but Ive always felt had he approached it differently (and if the team not come out of the gate so arrogantly and held serve at home which they were good enough to do) then this was a series we could have won with or without Malone....answer this if you replace '04 Kobe with '08 Bryant does that series turn out differently?? My answer is an emphatic YES
Posted by: Kiwi | September 18, 2008 at 04:37 AM
By the way blog as a whole
It was great to be able to make a criticism of Kobe and come back to a load of good points and thoughtful posts even if people disagreed with me.I was expecting to be bored to tears defending myself against abuse from people who hadn't taken the time to think about what I said or simply didn't understand and it wasn't the case at all...
Posted by: Kiwi | September 18, 2008 at 04:47 AM
"I'm just amazed and at the same time upset why some of the bloggers here are still trying to respond to whatever BUTLER brought in the table for discussions. We all know that all his reasonings are crooked or stupid as I should say. The only purpose he blogs here is to pissed all the Lakers fan nothing more nothing less."
Not sure I agree with this. Butler is comical, bordering on crazy, but he's not offensive. He's a passionate Suns fan, and that's cool. I, for one, do not feel at all threatened by the Suns, loveable losers that they are. I actually look forward to those nutty posts elevating Nash to the level of Magic, Wilt, and MJ, they give me a giggle. :)
Posted by: Badfinger | September 18, 2008 at 07:16 AM
LakerTom,
So... if we have the best shooting guard in the league, and the second best center, and (throwing out a number here) the fifth best power forward... it looks like we're going to destroy our opponents.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 18, 2008 at 07:44 AM
I definitely don't care enough about Gilbert to spend two weeks arguing about this. lol
Posted by: Xodus | September 17, 2008 at 10:04 PM
MAMA MIA SAY IT AINT SO! How could anyone not
care about Agent Zero. The man is a legend in his own
mind. Lol!
Posted by: Mamba24 | September 18, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Badfinger,
Butler/Let's Go C's is going away as soon as the regular season starts and we begin destroying competition and the Suns begin destroying themselves.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 18, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Kiwi,
I'm pretty sure Game 2 was the only game Kobe played well in. I looked up the stats and he had 33 points on 14-27 shooting and 7 assists. Kobe did have 5 turnovers and 5 PF so he wasn't perfect.
I agree that Kobe was trying to be a hero far too many times in that series, but with everyone else (except Shaq) on that team playing like utter garbage, I wasn't too upset.
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 08:01 AM
"I'm just amazed and at the same time upset why some of the bloggers here are still trying to respond to whatever BUTLER brought in the table for discussions. We all know that all his reasonings are crooked or stupid as I should say. The only purpose he blogs here is to pissed all the Lakers fan nothing more nothing less."
Not sure I agree with this. Butler is comical, bordering on crazy, but he's not offensive. He's a passionate Suns fan, and that's cool. I, for one, do not feel at all threatened by the Suns, loveable losers that they are. I actually look forward to those nutty posts elevating Nash to the level of Magic, Wilt, and MJ, they give me a giggle. :)
Posted by: Badfinger | September 18, 2008 at 07:16 AM
=========================================
I agree with Badfinger... BUTLER is not a bad poster at all.. he doesn't attack anyone on this blog... He is just passionate about his kind of persuasion... and that is a good thing on an environment like this... he just have to be brought into the light of things... he has been too long in the dark side of losing...
Go lakers!
Go Kobe!
Peace at all times...
Posted by: dice8up | September 18, 2008 at 08:09 AM
I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!
Posted by: THE ECONOMY | September 18, 2008 at 08:19 AM
since we have all these recollections of the '04 finals, along with the kobe played poorly in shot selection, shaq played well etc talks,
what i remember is the gary payton/phil j. stubborness.....we put payton in spots where he had to make spot-up jumpers and couldnt do it...and he preferred to work out of the post to his strengths...but phil didnt want to run those plays....basically payton got disinterested in playing..and that didnt help anything either...and phil for all his bravado about diffusing situations and getting the most outta players..certainly didnt do us any favors by letting GP stew for the 5 games...
that and dfish/payton combo couldnt handle billups at all.....we turned billups into a superstar that series....he just abused us way too much..playing billups straight up that series killed us...phil could of tried to double team him and make the other guys decision makers..(prince, shed, ben, rip)...we would of been better off...
i guess..i am blaming phil also for a lot of that..as i write this....but certainly kobe, payton, horry, fox, fish, all played poorly too
Posted by: laker32 | September 18, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Jon K,
"Butler/Let's Go C's is going away as soon as the regular season starts and we begin destroying competition and the Suns begin destroying themselves."
Stop it, you're making me giddy. LOL
I can't wait for the season to start. We're less than two weeks away from starting training camp and our second three-peat.
Uh oh, I think I've accidentally taken some of LakerTom's optimism pills! haha
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I agree with Badfinger... BUTLER is not a bad poster at all.. he doesn't attack anyone on this
blog... He is just passionate about his kind of persuasion... and that is a good thing on an
environment like this... he just have to be brought into the light of things... he has been too
long in the dark side of losing...Posted by: dice8up | September 18, 2008 at 08:09 AM
AND IT CAME TO PASS THAT MASTER DICE8UP WENT WHERE OTHERS FEARED TO
TREAD TO THE DARK SIDE AND WITH THE FORCE BEHIND HIM BROUGHT THE
EVIL BUTLER INTO THE LIGHT WHERE HE IS NOW AT THIS VERY MOMENT TRYING
ON HIS LAKER JERSEY AND ABOUT TO PURCHASE A BLOCK OF SEATS AT
THE STAPLE CENTER FOR ALL ON THE LAKER BLOG WHO DESIRES THEM.
Posted by: MASTER YODA24 | September 18, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Xodus...I think on the whole his game two was good but the way I recall it (which may well be innacurate) is it was one of those games he finished really strong but wasn't playing particularly well earlier.It was certainly Walton who revived the lakers offense when things were looking a bit bleak in the first half.
Posted by: Kiwi | September 18, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Uh oh, I think I've accidentally taken some of LakerTom's optimism pills! haha
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 08:41 AM
HEY! Share and share alike!
Posted by: Mamba24 | September 18, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Kiwi,
Yeah, I remember Luke playing pretty well that game. He had something like 8 assists and no turnovers.
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 09:01 AM
dice8up sez:
"I brought up the issue becuase you were putting NASH as equal to the greats like MJ, BILL, WILT who won back to backs MVP's... and mentioning that NASH is comparable to those guys as far as greatness... which is out right outrageous to say the least...
If what you are pointing out is that NASH was instrumental to SUNS game being heavenly entertaining, then stay in that thought... but you were using this argument to support your idea that NASH is equal to those THREE greats mentioned as far as accomplishments is concerned...
And by the way, while it is true that MVP's are for regular season games... only 2 of those who won it didn't play in a single championship game after winning MVP... your NASH and DIRK... this speaks a lot about greatness, don't you think?"
Actually, Dirk did play in a Finals - well, he sort of did...
As for titles being the measure of greatness, then Malone, Barkley, Ewing (just inducted into HOF), Wilkins, etc. were never great playas.
Hogwash!
Many factors weigh in on a title run. Sometimes the other team is simply better (Boston-LA 2008), and sometimes injuries or other issues weaken a great team. And then there are the teammates and coaching. Anyway, my point is this: any playa who gets 2 MVPs in a row is someone special and, especially as a white short PG from canada, Nash has carved out a place among the greats. And his career is far from over.
I actually didn't put Nash in the same league as MJ etc. The voters did (meaning, the media who votes on MVPs). According to their wisdom, Nash performed at such a high degree that he ascended to legendary status in those two years.
And it should have been 3 in a row, but the voters decided to think like you have, and say, "If we give Nashty 3 MVPs, then that puts him into the truly amazing stature afforded only to the very very best. And those playas have won titles, so we can't do that with Nashty."
Which goes against the whole point of MVP - reg season success. That is why there is a Finals MVP trophy, to herald postseason success.
It doesn't make any sense, but it doesn't matter. What matters to me was the incredibly beautiful basketball that I got to enjoy night in and night out for the better part of 4 seasons. It made the games something to behold, so that you'd schedule your week around them...and that doesn't come along too often in this homogenized, same-same world.
Nash and MJ and Russell and Duncan and Robertson - the definitive playas at their positions.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 18, 2008 at 09:02 AM
MASTER YODA24,
BUTLER can't be redeemed that easily, can he?
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Butler sez...
"The lakers had neither from 2005-2008. I'll take Nash and the SUNS!"
You can have them and please... TAKE THEM WITH YOU!!!
Posted by: keifo | September 18, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Jon,
>>>>>So... if we have the best shooting guard in the league, and the second
>>>>>best center, and (throwing out a number here) the fifth best power
>>>>>forward... it looks like we're going to destroy our opponents.
I think that’s why we are the favorites. LOL. Now we just have to prove it on court.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | September 18, 2008 at 09:21 AM
NBA Player Rankings Per Position:
SG: Kobe Bryant = #1
C: Andrew Bynum = #2
PF: Pau Gasol = #5
SF: Lamar Odom = #8
PG: Derek Fisher = #11
Lakers Starting Lineup = #1 in the NBA.
So... if Andrew Bynum actually lives up to his ranking as #2 Center in the NBA, we are going to absolutely devastate opponents.
68 win season. Maybe 70 win season.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 18, 2008 at 09:30 AM
dice8up sez:
"Why do athletes play? in NBA's case, why do players play in a game?
Is it not to win a championship? All players dream of holding a championship trophy, or be a part of a champion team.
The regular season is played toward that end! To play for a championship game and possibly win Champioships... it is a futile endeavor not playing to that end.. the GREATNESS of a player is meausred when he is able to lead his team to play for a CHAMPIONSHIP... NOT the regular season... GREAT PLAYERS are remembered in those places and situations...
I am sure you will agree... correct?
Every body that is into sports will agrees.... I am because I play sports in my own way... the hunger to win is never a question in every players mind.. but the resolve to play for the ultimate price and give your team a chance to win it all is in a totally different plane..."
I agree, the goal is always a title. I mean, there are certainly playas who enter the league because of the money not necessarily because they love the game. For example, Kwame might be one. kobey seems like he truly loves basketball but - LeBron? LJ strikes me as the ultimate opportunist and actor who happens to be incredibly gifted physically.
As for titles determining the "greatness" of a playa, I can't agree. There's too many factors that go into winning a title to make such a black-and-white rule.
Is Robert Horry a great playa but not John Stockton? Sam Cassell but not Reggie Miller? Antonie Walker but not Jason Kidd?
I'm not telling you that the greats don't win titles. I'm just sayin.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 18, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Hey Gang!
Who thinks Gilbert Arenas is the Nomar Garciapara of basketball? Mega-watt talent, great marketing potential, dazzles the NBA...always hurt.
Agent Zero is almost too apt a nickname for the guy, whatever team invests in him gets nothing in return. Well, they get a well dressed dude riding the pine.
Back to the '04 Finals, I think the chemistry of that team could probably be considered the worst for a team getting that deep in the post season. I'm not a footbal fan, but the only team that comes to mind that had more players vs coaches vs other players drama was the Raiders team that John Gruden coached before he bolted for Tampa Bay.
Nobody liked anybody on that Laker team. Kobe had just finished his Colorado hearings. He had played amazing basketball all season and practically willed the Lakers into the post season and when he saw Malone go down, I think he thought that was it. He hit saviour mode and tried to win it all. He played much the same way the following year but his will came up quite short. At the time, I thought that management had awarded Deavan George a far too lucrative deal. I thought that Fisher getting hurt was the biggest key to our losing the Finals. Malone was the gipper, but Fish has ALWAYS been the heart of any team that he's played on.
Shaq is still putting up ridiculous numbers for a guy that has lost the mobility he once had, and I though that (despite his 63% shooting) his defense wasn't very good and that this was the first time that he didn't go at a team in the Finals, he let Detroit dictate what he could and couldn't do. He passed out of the post a lot and wouldn't get into better position for a re-post. Credit Big Ben and the rest of Detroit for making life hard for the Big Fellah, but he didn't step up and didn't ever sound like he believed it could be done. I think he was already packing his bags.
On a lighter note, it's Thursday! Only one more day before I go to the Bahamas! Woo-hoo!
Peae y'all.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | September 18, 2008 at 09:49 AM
MASTER YODA24, BUTLER can't be redeemed that easily, can he?
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 09:02 AM
AH BUT I FORGOT TO MENTION HE ALSO MUST DO PENANCE UNDER THE STERN DICTATES
OF MASTER XODUS!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | September 18, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Jon K,
I think you have Bynum, Odom, Pau and especially Fisher rated to highly.
Bynum is the third-best center at best until he proves on the floor that he's better than Howard and Yao.
There's no way Odom is the 8th best SF in the league. His strengths are rebounding and post scoring, both of which will be lessened at the 3.
Pau isn't the 5th best PF. Duncan, Amare, KG, Bosh, Nowitzki and probably Boozer are all better.
And in now way is Fisher the 11th best PG in the NBA. Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Nash, Calderon, Deron, Tony Parker, Baron Davis, T.J. Ford, Andre Miller, Jason Terry, Mo Williams and Jason Kidd (even his current state) are already 13 point guards who are better than Fish. I love the guy and he's the perfect guy for our system, but no way he's among the 11 best PGs.
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 10:08 AM
MAMBA24,
BUTLER won't be redeemed until he fights his son to the death, only to betray his master, Steve Nash and tosses the Canuck onto the floor of the US AIRWAYS Center from the suites.
Butler will then thank his son for saving him and come to the realization that the Lakers are indeed the greatest team ever.
Sorry, Mamba, I'm a Star Wars geek. LOL
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Jon K.,
The Lakers bench is pretty good too, but that depends on the health of Mihm, and if Radmanovic shoots well and plays effectively.
Posted by: laker hopeful | September 18, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Jon K,
My rankings go like this:
Bynum = #3
Pau= #8
Odom = about 15
Kobe = #1
Fisher = about 15 (and that's on the high-end)
Bench = # 1
All combine we're the favorites.
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Butler will then thank his son for saving him and come to the realization that the Lakers are
indeed the greatest team ever. Sorry, Mamba, I'm a Star Wars geek. LOL Posted by: Xodus |
September 18, 2008 at 10:13 AM
SORRY? SORRY! Hell this has the makings of a whole new franchise man! LOL!
Posted by: Yoda24(Mamba24(Larry) | September 18, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Nash couldn't carry Stockton's jock,
Stockton wasn't close to the player Magic was.
Best point guards ever:
1) Magic
2) Cousy
3) Oscar (point or shooting guard?)
4) Walt Frazier
5) Stockton
6) Lenny Wilkins
7) Nash
999,999,999) Smush Parker
Posted by: rdlee | September 18, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Jon K.
Andrew Bynum is 3rd best center. Until he has averaged 20 points 10 rebounds (while improving his defense even more) he is below Yao Ming still and Dwight Howard.
Odom is 9th best SF. the Small Forwards are:
1) Lebron James
2) Carmelo Anthony
3) Caron Butler
4) Shawn Marion
5) Peja
6) Ron Artest (Peja beats him because of Ron Ron's attitudes)
7) Josh Smith
8) Gerald Wallace
9) Lamar Odom
Pau is a little too low. Only Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Elton Brand ranks higher than Pau. Amare has to show he can work without an offensive style system of Mike D'Antoni plus he has to prove he can win without Steve Nash. Carlos Boozer while being a top power forward got owned by Pau during the playoffs.
As for Fish, I"ll give him 11
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | September 18, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Xodus/MasterYoda24,
Butler/Let's Go C's will be reformed only after the Lakers begin devasting their opponents (including the Suns) and the Suns begin to implode via the immaturity of The Big Mistake/Homicidal.
But I am in no way in favor of reformation. I believe the guy needs a good old fashioned light sabre swing across the torso.
Be done with him and move on.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 18, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Mamba24,
I'll get started on my first draft of Laker Wars: A New Rival.
LOL
Posted by: Xodus | September 18, 2008 at 10:48 AM
OK, 15th slot candidate vote - DJ or Jelani McCoy?
I'll start with McCoy.
p.s. - anyone who'd rather go with someone else can (Mitchell, Giles, Crawford, Heath, etc.). Let's assume that Coby Karl is kept as 14th slot on the roster.
And yes, I know it's a basically useless exercise but I'm getting tired of reading about Nash and Agent Zero.
Posted by: dave m | September 18, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Xodus,
About the rankings, yeah, some parts are up to discussion.
Kobe? Definitely #1 SG.
Andrew Bynum? Could be as low as #10 C, as high as #2 C.
Pau Gasol? Could be as high as #3 PF (he has been an All-Star after all). Could be as low as #9 PF.
Lamar Odom? We don't know. We haven't really seen him at SF. He could be as low as #18. He could be as high as #6.
Derek Fisher? It is difficult to rank him because with Derek Fisher it won't be about the numbers, but the intangibles. He could be as low as #22. He could be as high as #7, depending upon your criteria.
Bench? They could be as high as #1. They could be as low as #4.
Still, things look pretty damned good. I think there's reason to be optimistic. It looks like the stars have aligned properly, if you know what I mean.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 18, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Badfinger sez:
"Not sure I agree with this. Butler is comical, bordering on crazy, but he's not offensive. He's a passionate Suns fan, and that's cool. I, for one, do not feel at all threatened by the Suns, loveable losers that they are. I actually look forward to those nutty posts elevating Nash to the level of Magic, Wilt, and MJ, they give me a giggle. :)
NASH IS THE GREATEST PG OF ALL TIME!
Thanks BF. It's healthy for a blog to have some different opinions..
Posted by: BUTLER | September 18, 2008 at 11:05 AM
I've said it before and I'll say it again -- MVPs are meaningless --the game is about rings -- I could care less if Kobe wins another MVP -- just win more rings.
Nash has proven he is not championship material -- and no, votes from fat, old, white dudes writing about a game they never played does not justify his status as a historically top notch point guard.
You want to argue with me? -- wait and see how Nash's play regresses under Porter's slow down system. Bottom line is Nash can't carry Magic's jock.
Posted by: HmrHed | September 18, 2008 at 11:10 AM
dice8up sez:
"Why do athletes play? in NBA's case, why do players play in a game?"
BUTT sez:
"Is it not to win a championship? All players dream of holding a championship trophy, or be a part of a champion team."
---------------------------------------------------------
So wouldn't you agree, by these standards, Nash has been an utter failure so far during his career?
Posted by: I don't speaka da english, I only do the math | September 18, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Xodus sez:
"Jon K,
I think you have Bynum, Odom, Pau and especially Fisher rated to highly.
Bynum is the third-best center at best until he proves on the floor that he's better than Howard and Yao. "
In Jon K's mind, any report that praises the lakers is an intelligent, well-researched report. And story that criticizes a laker is bunk.
Homers have their place on my blog too, they're lovable in their own way.
Bynum better than Yao? He still needs to be better than kwame and actually play!
And besides, he was not better than SHACK at his high point last season, and certainly got walked all over by Kendrick Perkins.
Posted by: BUTLER | September 18, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Mamba - yoda -exodus:
"BUTLER won't be redeemed until he fights his son to the death, only to betray his master, Steve Nash and tosses the Canuck onto the floor of the US AIRWAYS Center from the suites.
Butler will then thank his son for saving him and come to the realization that the Lakers are indeed the greatest team ever.
Sorry, Mamba, I'm a Star Wars geek. LOL"
You too can know the power of the SUNS side of the Force! Release your fears and embrace your anger! Join us!
BLACK JESUS SHALT DELIVER US ALL TO THE PAINTED LAND!
Posted by: BUTLER | September 18, 2008 at 11:22 AM
laker hopefuls ez:
"The Lakers bench is pretty good too, but that depends on the health of Mihm, and if Radmanovic shoots well and plays effectively."
It's not a deep bench in the frontcourt. Without Turiaf, there's not much there anymore...and with farmar only shooting 72% from the stripe, I'm not sure the PG position is in good shape either.
I hear the SUNS are playing the lakers in a preseason game...bynumb must be sweating his meeting with Shack!
Posted by: BUTLER | September 18, 2008 at 11:49 AM
"The Suns moved to Phoenix in 1968...They are the 40 Year-Old Virgin of the NBA!!! HAHAHAHAHA... That'd be a great tie-in promotion for the team!!
Hey, it did happen for ANDY in the movie, maybe it'll happen for PHX, but I doubt it!!"
Posted by: JSNV | September 17, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Oh. My. Goodness.
I almost peed myself laughing at this post. I can't believe no one else commented on it. I'm still laughing, seriously.
Posted by: puddle | September 18, 2008 at 11:51 AM
>>>The lakers had neither from 2005-2008. I'll take Nash
>>>and the SUNS!
Fine. You can have them. Yes, 2005-2007 were rebuilding
years for the Lakers, so they weren't at the top (where they
belong).
But after shedding some bad contracts (Grant) and some sucky
players (Kwammy, Cookie, Smushie), the Lakers made it to the
NBA finals last season. How many finals did the Suns make
it to from 2005-2008?
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | September 18, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Jon K -
I'd agree that Xodus's rankings are a little more accurate. Derek Fisher at 11? Odom at 8? Those are way too high. Here are 20 Point Guards, not in order really, who are better than Derek Fisher (although, not necessarily better fits with the Lakers than Derek)...
1. Chris Paul
2. Deron Williams
3. Steve Nash
4. Chauncey Billups
5. Tony Parker
6. Jose Calderon
7. Baron Davis
8. Jason Kidd
9. Andre Miller
10. Devin Harris
11. Mo Williams
12. Rajon Rondo
13. Jason Terry
14. TJ Ford
15. Kirk Hinrich
16. Raymond Felton
17. JORDAN FREAKING FARMAR
18. Louis Williams
19. Jameer Nelson
20. Earl Watson
Here are 15 SF who are better than Lamar Odom...
1. LeBron James
2. Caron Butler
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Paul Pierce
5. Ron Artest
6. Josh Howard, bless his poor soul
7. Richard Jefferson
8. Gerald Wallace
9. Corey Maggette
10. Rudy Gay
11. Luol Deng
12. Danny Granger
13. Andre Iguodala
14. Shawn Marion
15. Josh Smith
That being said, I think Gasol at #5 is more accurate than Gasol at #8. No way there are 7 PF better than this guy. Garnett, Dirk and Bosh are the only 3 I could say for sure, and maybe Boozer. I'd listen to arguments about Antawn Jamison or David West, but I doubt I'd buy it. But that's it. I'd put him at 4 even.
Our bench though is deep, young and dangerous, even if I wish we had signed one more decent banging big man.
I still don't think the Lamar Experiment at the 3 will work, but that's just me. I see the underrated Ariza taking a lot of those minutes by the end of the year.
Posted by: puddle | September 18, 2008 at 12:21 PM
How many MVPs have NEVER played in an NBA Finals?
You want to answer this one for me BUTLER??
-You probably won't unless you scour the web to find another answer other than your favorite PLAYA, the little white, Canadian that has carved up your heart, Steve Nash.
Your enduring love for him goes beyond anyone's love for any player on this blog. To you, Nash has no weaknesses, is the BEST PG ever, and this is all justified by 2 MVPs. You compare him to Barkley, Malone and Ewing, who BTW have all played in an NBA Finals, which is acceptable, except for Malone is definitely top 3 ALL Time PF on anyone's list. Nobody is saying Nash isn't a GREAT PG, he's just not in the GREATEST OF ALL TIME category. Magic had back to back MVPs, plus another one, and has 5 championships, but that doesn't mean anything to you OBVIOUSLY!
I hope this is all an act to rev up us Laker Fans because I can't even pretend to be as illogical as you!! You're either talented or demented!!
Posted by: JSNV | September 18, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Hey Guys,
Want to know what a moron/dork I am?
All this time when people were saying that they were an "STH", I thought they were referring to themselves as a "Sith" as in one who embraces the Dark Side of the Force.
I just realized it means "Season Ticket Holder."
I guess I can't be brilliant ALL the time.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | September 18, 2008 at 12:59 PM
rdlee sez:
"Stockton wasn't close to the player Magic was.
Best point guards ever:
1) Nash
2) KJ
3) Kidd
999,999,999) Smush Parker"
I agree with your list, but let me give you a history lesson:
Rank Player AST
1. John Stockton 15806
2. Mark Jackson 10334
3. Magic Johnson 10141
Magic couldn't touch Stockton's jock strap!
He could feel Mark Jackson's strap, but that's about it!
Posted by: BUTLER | September 18, 2008 at 01:46 PM
STEVE "THE ONLY TRUE MAGIC" NASH
Posted by: BUTLER | September 18, 2008 at 01:47 PM