All the cool kids beat Charlotte in the preseason
And since the Lakers are nothing if not cool, they remained a part of that bandwagon and bumped the Bobcats' 0-7 mark one worse with an 88-77 win. The sloppy victory didn't even require the services of Kobe Bryant, who wisely decided to give his hyperextended knee a rest rather than play in a contest with an importance factor just slightly higher than a "Great America novel" written by any cast member of "The Hills." Or one of them fancy-shamancy MRI readings, if you ask The Mamba. But in watching Pau Gasol, Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton all enter double digit scoring into the box score while filling up his slack (not to mention the team's thirteen steals, eight blocks, Andrew Bynum's ten boards, all evidence of some serious depth), Kobe had to be happy with the direction his squad is moving. Happy enough to make his return after an expected 2009 opt out a given?
Well, Kobe and the Lakers aren't giving up too much insight along these lines, but for now, all signs to appear pointed in the optimal direction. Unless the Lakers lose tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder (7:30 pm PT, ESPN). If that happens, The New Jack Bauer is gone. Kidding. But seriously, don't lose to the Thunder.
OTHER NOTES:
- The economy has made things are tough all over these days, as evidenced by the Knicks no longer being willing to just eat bad contracts (and Jerome James still being employed). Ironically, Allan Houston just got added to the Knicks payroll and he was once one of their overpaid players (albeit still a good one).
- Hey, at least Rafer didn't end up on TMZ.
- You can bet NBA in a Maloof casino, just not on the Kings. Or if you're standing next to Tim Donaghey.
- Expanded instant replay is a go.
AK
Hey folks. We're off to HQ to shoot some video. If comments are slow coming through, that's why.
Thanks.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 24, 2008 at 09:41 AM
FR.I OCT. 24 - LAKERS vs. OKLAHOMA CITy The reining MVP vs. MVP Lite!
ALL IS QUIET IN LAKERLAND THE FORCE IS IN BALANCE
Good morning Charles
Welcome Justin N, Lebanese Mike, Laker Phil , Darleen McCutcheon, tinidorS, LakerfanfromNY
Gooooooooooood Morning LAKER NATION 5 days till beginning of KOBE/BEAST DYNASTY
*
(*** A Quick Blog Intro/Recap for the new bloggers & stragglers back from vacation/fishing***)
*
FAITH is always the first name on Roll Call, For without FAITH you have nothing at all
FAITH’S still in love with the Machine, They say the OUTLAW has reformed & gone Clean
FATTY taught EDDIE MURPHY the bizz, For repartee EXHELODRVR ‘s the best there is
PSYCHED & SIMI LAKER GIRLS mercy me, LAKERGurl was the first, now there’s 3
DICE8UP’s still rolling sevens & flashing Bling , LAKER PHIL’s still mistaken for 9Rings
LEBANESE MIKE is our new foreign chief, Welcome him & don’t give him no grief
If ever you are down and felling blue, read CHARLES post he’ll make you good as new
JAMIE SWEET is oh oh so Sweet, LAKER TOM’s the best sports writer without a beat
RICK FRIEDMAN ‘s class all the way, Bruce Lee feared no man in life except JON K .
TOAD keeps the Trolls from Laker Land, PIG MILLER is the TOAD’s right hand man
BUTLER’s a new troll, leave he will not, ELLE is ELLE and that’s a ELLE of a lot ,
BOZZ ‘s post are always a blast, The KINGS are opponents but we like SONNY BELFAST
HMRHED always knows what’s the score, EDWIN GUECO is still eloquent & my mentor
When KWAME left MIKE T. shed a tear, TALIQ’s the Sheriff who keeps order up in here
JAY JAY will set you straight that’s no joke, LAKERMAN420 WILL gladly give you a toke
For sports news go to JUSTIN N., I hope that the Lakers STAY_THIRSTY_MY_FRIEND
WOLF won’t bite except in his post, JESSIE is a loyal blogger on the EAST_COAST
RDLEE & ZAKEE are elders in Blogland , HELLRAISER is a (certified Mamba Fan)
DARLEEN McCUTCHEON’s a new poster, for wisdom go see CALIPHILOSOPHER
If all these names are becoming a haze to get set straight go see LAKERFAZE
If the world seems a lil colder, see chaplain utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER
NAJA aka BONUS keeps us free in IRAQ, I thank GOD the brother has our back
JUSTANIOTHERMAMBAFAN ‘s is head MAMBA , The Mamba clan voted for Barak OBAMA
MAMBA24 head cjheerleader that’s me, JESTERGURU gives Knowledge & cheer for free
I better go now the blog Gods will make me pay, the recap concludes the 28th Opening day
There is only one thing left to do, If your names called holler out, this ROLL CALLS for you:
*
ROLLLLLLLL CALLLLLLLL!!!:
FAITH, Bob, KEIFO, VMan. Jay Jay, CHARLES, Edwin Gueco, Tsiry, FATTY, AngryLaker,
ThaShow, Tim-4Show, The-LakeShow, GenericOne, Pig Miller, Toad, Taliq, DICE8UP, TP
WESJOENixon, Zakee, Cleon, SBPimp, The_D, Bozz, #4, , ELLE, HMRHed, JUSTIN N.
ComptonsFinest, LakerLEGACY, EXHELODRVR, LAKER TOM, RICK FRIEDMAN, JON K.
GRAIL, ERIC M. Big DAWG, NAJA aka BONUS, KOBE_BLITZ, NEVER, OUTLAW, 1978
RDLEE, TWOODY, HUGO_Boss, CORNER J, BAYWOOD, HUGO SPAIN, LAKER TRUTH
Tsphere, WeaveMan, SIX_ONE_Zero, FEARLESS, CBUCK, KIWI, LAKER_STH, JANAYA
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, DICE8UP, HTP, EAST_COAST_JESSIE, WOW, SAMLL
LAKER PHIL, LEBANESE MIKE, DK, JAMIE SWEET, SWEET JAMIE, JUSTIN N., WOLF
BlackMamba24, BrownMamba24, WhiteMamba24, Mamba24Fan4Life, FanOfMamba,
JustAnotherMAMBAFAN, JustALakerFan, VI LakerFan, MR_BARNEY_DANGLES,JMAN
LAKER_Bake, LAKER_Larry, LAKERS4REALZ, LAKERSNZ, DAVE_M, JESTER_GURU
HELLRAISER(certified Mamba Fan) LAKERMAN_420, MAGIC_MAN, HOBBITMAGE
EVIL CARTMAN, DARLEEN MCCUTCHEON, TINIDORS, LAKERFANFROMNY, BOBIE
Purple&Gold_REIN, ZEN, JOHNNY P. DAVE ROSENZWEIG, CALI_KING, P_ANG,
LAKER_BANDIT, BRAD, DAVID_WHANG, DAN_the_MAN, HUBBIT, SEAN714, AJAX
STAY_THIRSTY_MY_FRIENDS, COMPLEX_Brotha, CALIPHILOSOPHER, CHUCK23
LAKERGurl, SFLAKERGirl, PSYCHEDLAKERrGirl, SIMILAKERGirl, BOCALAKER_GIRL
LAKER_GIRL_1980, HOUSTONLAKERGirl, SheKobe, LakersRydeOrDie,, LAKER_LASS
DrewPauKobe, KobesBad, NIK KANNAN, SLO_GAL, DAVID_IN_SPAIN, MIKE_T., EJK
SmoothD, ISSANG,THIRTY2, BLAZE1BX, LAKER_FAZE, MAGIA32, EAST_NYBOER
Machiavelly, DOC4daLakeShow, Korey, KARYNANAR, BRAD, PUDDLE, BLKTHGHT06
EPICMESS, StrangerInTheNight, CAMERON, CDUB0512, BYNUMITE, USC_LAKER
T_SENSEI, BerkleyLaker, CHICK_4EVER, LONG_LIVE_CHICK, ALEXHIN017, HTJ
HEAD-MBENGA, LAL_FAN, LOOK_LONELY, LOTECH8, VIOLATER, LAKER_IN-BC
SALTLAKER, FKILLAH, HARIYAHU, JCOOL, BZAR, LAKER_Dawg, PS.LAKER_FAN
MICHIGAN_LAKER, PAUL_LEE, BENJAMIN, LAKER_HOLIC, YOU_EVER_NOTICE
WondahBap,Cyrus(Ventrilquist), MARTY, JANDRO, TRIO, Laker_HOPEFUL, AA_Loos
CriticalBeatDown, RealityBites, RESPECT_My_AUTHORITH, MITCHELL, EAGLE_Boy
AMAZING HAPPENS, TELLitLIKEitIS , Lakers4Lyfe, Nestros_Bistro, LINDA_PINED
McGARNAGLE, JOREMA, AFRO_Joe, DASCILLA JONIN_in_JAPAN(InCanada), TEEJ
FRANK FRIZZO, STOCKTON_SHOWTIME, LADIES_MAN, KIKOS_DAD, LAKER_Fan
GiantSquid, STAPLES24, RICO_TICO, LAKALOVER, HE_WHO_HOOPS, B4_HOOPS
XTRO, GREEK_DUDE, MobWagoneer, PK-in-the-MESA, LAKAFoo, JHLANNERY
LakerFanCanada, ValleyLaker, CHRIS_H, SWETTUAL, Nemia Faletogo
LAKERKev, Reality_Check,PURPLE&GOLD4EVER, GDCHILD, Benny_BLANCA
BronxLakerFan ChitTownLaker, HoustonLaker, TexasLaker, BrazillianLaker,
*
ALL TOGETHER LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT A NEW DYNASTY IS HERE:
*
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES.
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY.
THE ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(6). THE
HOME OF THE REIGNING AND FUTURE MVP – KOBE BRYANT. THE
HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, ELGIN BAYLOR,
THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, BOB MCADOO,
"BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER
CHICK HEARN COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: | October 24, 2008 at 06:30 AM
tober 24, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Posted by: MAMBA | October 24, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Good morning again, CRUE!
GO LAKERS!
ps - please don't lose to the Thunder (stupid name)
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 24, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Well Since Kobe and Sasha are in street clothes, Coby may extend his stay.
Posted by: Charles | October 24, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Good Morning Everyone!
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.
:-)
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | October 24, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Let's test drive this baby one more time before we take her out on the road!!
I do agree though, 8 games is too much. But hey, $$$'s $$$.
Knock on wood that Kobe's knee is up to par. I think it is. And I'm anticipating a 08-09 beatdown on the rest of the league. I predict a 18-2 start.
FIRE UP THE MAHINE!!
dan
Posted by: dan the man | October 24, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Take a look at this from Bill Simmons.
He's a Celtic guy and I only half ass like or respect him but I have to say he makes an interesting analysis.
I think he shortchanges the completeness and ability to focus/learn quickly of Kobe Bryant but it's an interesting assessment.
I think Kobe could add this to his game in a matter of weeks because he learns, practices and applys things very well.
I just hate that BOSTON series. KOBE just wasn't KOBE.
HERE IS SIMMONS BELOW ON KOBE
No matter how great a perimeter player you are, your statistical fade will commence soon after you hit the 1,000-game mark. It's inevitable. When it happens to Hollywood actresses, they can get a tummy tuck, a face-lift, Botox and implants for their saggy breasts. We don't have those things for NBA players. In Kobe's case, watch a Lakers game from 2000-2002 (back when he had his hops) and watch him now; he doesn't have the same explosiveness in his legs anymore, and unlike Michael Jordan, he never developed a power low-post game to give himself a second life. The Celtics shut Kobe down in the Finals simply by staying in front of him, forcing him to hoist jumpers and collapsing on him every time he attacked the basket. He didn't have a Plan B. That's why the Lakers lost, and that's why Kobe checked out near the end of the second quarter of Game 6 and started thinking about the Olympics.
Posted by: Lakerbake | October 24, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Thansk for the heads up BK
Good morning Lakers Nation.
Big game tonight. Its in Ontario, my old stomping grounds. New arena to break in.
Posted by: Fatty | October 24, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Mamba24. Poet laureat of Laker Nation.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 24, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Funny commercial with Kobe, Tony Hawk, A-Rod and Phelps:
http://tinyurl.com/554xn8
Posted by: Xodus | October 24, 2008 at 11:39 AM
BLOG CRUE
Great to see you all on the blog and looking forward to the new season. Last nights game was great with the exception of the turnovers. I know CKarl is mostly a feel good story but I do like to root for him and hope that he helps the team.
Where can I get a Radmanovic swingman jersey? Can't find them on Ebay. Are there any out there in my old home of SoCal? If so, let me know and I'll have a family member do me the favor.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | October 24, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Simmons is a tool. He wishes he had the hops Kobe has now, and maybe he hasn't noticed Kobe's myriad of post moves that includes step throughs, up and under and basic spins towards and away from the hoop. But we all know that in depth reporting is the vogue thing to do nowadays, nobody would ever just spout their opinion and call it truth, right?
Luke's best game since Denver, good to see in pre-season and especially good because he missed his first couple of shots. I thought Vlad left the planet to check on his space garden and Trevor was moving too fast trying to do too much, especially with his passes. Gasol is amazing and I am so glad he is on our team.
Mamba 24, I don't think I'm in the Roll Call anymore.
Wha-happened?
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | October 24, 2008 at 11:40 AM
The video on Alston is awesome, what an idiot. He probably could have gotten off if he didn't get such an attitude and demand to be handcuffed. Now he's skippin his way to court. Hopefully Sasha will drop him next time we play them (remember when they got in to it).
In all seriousness though...sick Aston Martin
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 24, 2008 at 11:46 AM
909 in the hooose! (Canadian style) The arena is pretty sweet off the 10.
Hoopshype writers have given their prediction -- not that it matters, but the Lakers are the majority vote. Eddie Johnson, a well known Suns honk, picks the Celtics to beat Houston -- but at least he picks the Lakers to face Houston in the WCF. Oooooh that had to hurt – even your man has no faith in you Suns.
Posted by: HmrHed | October 24, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Damn Bill Simmons and anything that beantown bozo has to say. I hate all things boston; patsies, pinksox, and above all, the green weenies. The next time I read anything Simmons writes will be when we sweep the weenies in June.
Posted by: Badfinger | October 24, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Mamba 24, I don't think I'm in the Roll Call anymore.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | October 24, 2008 at 11:40 AM
JAMIE SWEET JAMIE READ 9 LINES OF NAMES DOWN
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 24, 2008 at 11:58 AM
LakerBake,
Simmons is a Laker hater to be sure. You'll notice he picked
over 100 players and never mentioned Bynum. Heck, he
even gave love to Sebastian Telfair and Ricky Davis, but
no Bynum.
Weak-ass Celtic-lovin drivel.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 24, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Simmons is right that Kobe could have used the summer to bulk up, but he's wrong that Kobe doesn't have MJ's post repetoire. Kobe does have a very good post game, he's just not as strong as MJ and gets pushed out of the block sometimes.
Posted by: Xodus | October 24, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Anyonw else notice that Gasol has a tendency (a couple of times a game, it seems) to get too far under the basket, getting stuck too far under to shoot, and nowhere to go. Usually ends up in a turnover.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 24, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Happy friday!!!!!!
The only thing about last night's game that I didn't like(minus the turnovers) was the fact the team seemed hell bent on ignoring Bynum in the post last night. What was up with that? 3 shots without Kobe....really? anyway, I'm loving farmars confidence this year. He is a joy to watch...
Go Lakers!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sean714 | October 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Isiah Thomas overdosed. I hate the guy, but it's hard to celebrate when a guy is that far down.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 24, 2008 at 01:05 PM
HmrHed,
What's the dealio with the new arena?
Is the Inland Empire trying to attract a sports franchise?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 24, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Isaiah, Isaiah, what a waste from boom to bust like the derivatives at Wall Street. How many of us here are living in a 4M home and still not happy, he has to take 10 pills of Lunesta to fall sleep. I thought Lunesta was like Viagra, no, Isiah has trouble of sleeping. He should have just read the latest post of Blitz in the Lakers Blog, & at 47 he'll be knocked out absorbing those stats after the 10th paragraph. Haha! kiddin' only ok.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 24, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Whoops - posted in error before I was done...
Just wanted to add a holler out to Laker Nation - enjoy the game. Finally the end of pre-season in sight and next stop the regular season - finally!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 24, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Somebody posted that Mbenga was cut, no word from Lakers website.
In fact on the hoopshype/salaries reported that he will receive $0.854M this coming season. Why will the Buss Family throw that money during recessionary times? Argh, it was an ESPN misprint and missed our Congolian Beef. Did you see his running dunk last night, TNT announcers were amazed by what the Lakers shyscrappers can do this season. We need Mbenga to chop Perkins head. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 24, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Hey Long Time Laker Fan
You right man, Simmons is a major hater and we gone get his ass but I DO WISH KOBE WOULD BRING BACK THAT SICK FADEAWAY HE GOT FROM JORDAN
Posted by: Lakerbake | October 25, 2008 at 02:59 PM