It begins... sort of
October 7, 2008 | 10:01
am
The Lakers kick off the exhibition season tonight at Honda Center, and as far as meaningless pretend games go, this one ought to be relatively interesting. Fans and scribes alike will get their first look at Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol on the floor as frontcourt mates, and we'll see how the LO Experiment is faring. No doubt Phil Jackson will tinker around with a few different combinations, though, tonight and as the preseason progresses as he works through his many options. I can't be the only one wondering if the LO, Kobe, Ariza, Pau, Bynum fivesome he tested on Saturday has legs. Everyone's going to have to share minutes during the season, anyway. Might as well start now.
In other news...
- Occasionally, there are reminders that for all the perks that go along with life as an NBA player, there are scary moments, too. Luke Walton spoke with the OC Register's Kevin Ding about his experiences over the last year with a female stalker. Creepy stuff.
- Despite some lean economic times, Laker fans are renewing their season tickets at a 99% clip, about 20 above the national average.
- A week into things, defense is still the mantra. Next week? Inbound passing as a mantra!
- The natives are a little worried in San Antonio.
- Modern theatrics have finally made their way to Salt Lake City.
BK
Hey All my LAKER FANS!!!!!!!!
And the ROAD TO THE RING begins!!!!!! Lets get those pre season games to figure it out then on to wining 60 regular season games- I am calling 60 for the championship baby!!!!!!
Lets go LAKERS!!!!!!!
Mamba- good to see the roll call back its been too long of a summer.
Posted by: Simi Laker Girl | October 07, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Bad Cold/Headache! DJ down 500+!
Who, Me Worry?
No way; Let's Go Lakers, and Mamba24's Cheers..
Baywood
Posted by: Baywood | October 07, 2008 at 03:08 PM
ESPN reports today that:
Winter said a major factor in the slow start so far has been Bynum not giving maximum effort in practice.
"He's just not exerting himself, maybe," Winter said. "And most of the other guys are. I think he just needs to play a little harder."
Bynum has said himself that practice work hasn't had him completely riveted.
"This is the first year where it's kind of a little bit boring just because we have to run through the same stuff we already know," he said.
- So bynumb is already bored with practice and he hasn't even played in 6 months? No motivation at all...and here I thought he was supposed to have a good attitude. Doesn't sound like him and gasal are meshing in the least right now...
Posted by: BUTLER | October 07, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Damn, how I've missed that roll call, Mamba24.
That was a thing of pure BEAUTY.
I can hardly wait the 3 hours, 39 minutes until tip-off.
Let the year of domination begin.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | October 07, 2008 at 03:22 PM
I honestly don't care if Bynum comes off the bench, cuz I remember how good Bynum and Farmar were last year!! Besides we dont need the same starting lineup all the time. We can go big or small....run n gun or halfcourt. I have NO worries at all.
Posted by: The Big Fence Defense | October 07, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Thank God for NBATV.
Right before the Laker game, there is a 2 hour Suns training camp session. Can't wait to hear how Fat-Daddy has a sore back or knee, or whatever, and he won't be playing much in the pre-season.
I have a hunch the "Shaq-o-meter" may need to be watched closely this year. I'm guessing he plays less than 60 games this year.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 07, 2008 at 03:55 PM
MAMBA24,
It's DACSILA not DASCILLA. Anyway, thanks for adding my name to the long list bloggers here. I wish you remove that name BUTT ler in the list.
MORE POWER TO THE LAKERS. This will be the year of the DODGERS and the LAKERS.
Posted by: dacsilar | October 07, 2008 at 03:56 PM
thekobebryantblitz,
While I deeply respect everything that Elgin Baylor has done for the Lakers and the Clippers AND I recognize that for many years Elgin Baylor was essentially hogtied as a GM by Donald Sterling's excessively tight pursestrings.... still Elgin Baylor has only had a handful of exceptional years as GM amid decades of floundering AND he's 74 years old.
I love Elgin Baylor and I'm glad he won GM of the Year in 2006. He deserved it; however, everyone eventually has to exit gracefully from their job and it may well be Elgin's time.
Go Clippers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 07, 2008 at 03:58 PM
AK/BK:
Will there be a game thread tonight? Even preaseason games are more fun to watch when you can watch them with fellow bloggers.
Posted by: In the Zen Master We Trust | October 07, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Mr.Nano, Bienvenido!
Don't worry about your english some of us have been speaking it for years and we still don't have it down :)
Posted by: Elle | October 07, 2008 at 04:04 PM
I will be very interested to watch the lineups of:
Farmar or Machine
Kobe
Ariza
Pau
Bynum
I predict this will be their best lineup by the end of the year. Half the time Farmar will be in during crunch, the other half of the time it will be Sasha. Just depends on who's hot.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 07, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Yeah!! Game Day!!
Who cares if it´s preseason or spiderpig! The guys are back to action! And you know what? they won´t stop till we´ve got The 2009 NBA Champions Thropy!! A hell of months away!
For those seeking a path of gold and purple I bring you this... http://www.rojadirecta.org/ Hope it works (scroll down and seek for 04:00 GT
MAMBA24 There is no rollcall for me?? Maybe I should became a stalker to make me notice.
Posted by: HugoSpain | October 07, 2008 at 04:09 PM
AK/BK
Of course we're having a game thread...Right?
Posted by: Eric M. | October 07, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Fatty...
Couldn't be a blogger...did you hear how much time she actually spent doing the stalking bit? stalkers stalk and bloggers blog...then again Faith hasn't been around as much the last year.
..or maybe this lass has the internet hooked up on her phone?
Thing that amazes me is he put up with it for a year!
I would have been calling the cops third time I saw her.
Luke is a genuinely nice guy.Hopefully he plays well enough so the blog will lay off him this year.Maybe the stalker was putting him off?
Hopefully for Lukes sake theres no copycatting
Posted by: Kiwi | October 07, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Who's this f.....ng freak ENGINEERO who's trying to spoil our excitement about our favorite team. If you want to be as negative as you can be just get an airplane ticket (one way) to IRAQ and spent your remaining life there and LEAVE us alone here in our LAKERLAND.
Posted by: dacsilar | October 07, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Mr.Nano
My inglis and spilling is ohhhkay. But wat important is lAker loveengs.
Keep posting sir. You are doing a fine job! Represent my Laker Family!
Regards,
Charles
Posted by: Charles | October 07, 2008 at 04:19 PM
What up Weoples!
Im back and wish er'one a happy season
Posted by: Lakeraholic | October 07, 2008 at 04:28 PM
October 2008 LA Dodgers World Series Champs
January 2009 USC National champions
March 2009 UCLA NCAA Basketball champions
June 2009 Lakers NBA champions
A clean sweep!
Posted by: rdlee | October 07, 2008 at 04:35 PM
LOL! We've been through this... Sasha is stalking me, not the other way around. Ew on Luke lol.
Yah! Mamba24! Now it feels like the season is indeed opening!
I'm going to be at the game tonight, so hopefully I can bring on some tidbits back to the blog.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | October 07, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Just about 2 hours to go - I can't hardly stand it! I know... I know... It's just pre-season. But hey - who cares? It's Laker Time BABY and that's all that really matters.
Engineero - you're back?? You were gone?? Were you missed?? I guess not.... wait a second... who am I talking to again? I forgot... But I do know that someone must have left the screen door open, cuz there's some cow paddies plopped down in here - watch your step people!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 07, 2008 at 04:50 PM
I know how critical it is for laker defense to improve
but what I hope to see is advanced triangle.
Even if only marginal improvements are made on defense due to better schemes, size, line up changes or players not slowed down by injury, I would like to see this team play advanced triangle and tear the opponent up.
I remember one summer espn article about how the Lakers as a team do not take very many charges and this is an example of how they are not a good defensive ball club. Perhaps you already understand this the Laker defense is not about getting dead ball turn overs like the charge. Can you imagine Kobe taking a charge, the article made a stat about the frequency or likely hood a charge is drawn by a particular player, Kobe ain't going to fall down or flop or do anything remotely like that unless he's run over by something bigger then an aston martin. He is going to man up, get low, face the guy and stare him down. And the rest of the team follows that as well. Laker coaches have that same mindset for their defense, on dribble penetration the wings should stay on their man and help should come from the middle. Block shots up high, use your height, they have to come to you and your level if they want to score thus preventing the foul call, those were words given from one great Laker center to this generations.
Playing basic triangle hinders them, coaching staff (triangle experts) can't use the offense to its max potential to exploit or counter the defense, opposing coaches can quickly study up on the triangle, figure out basic points and come up with disruption methods. In the early 2000's when the lakers had to play Portland in the playoffs, Jackson wrote that Portland was a problem because Pippen was triangle experienced, more so then his own team, so Pippen could advise teammates and coaches where to bog down the laker offense or intercept critical passes.
The triangle is an equal opportunity offense, not every player has to be an all star to do his part in the flow of the triangle. The 2008 lakers have highly skilled players at every position and coming off the bench, I can not wait for a chance to watch this team show the full power of this offense and its principles it will be a real joy for all of us and the fans of basketball around the world.
Posted by: Haha | October 07, 2008 at 04:50 PM
eric sez:
"Thank God for NBATV.
Right before the Laker game, there is a 2 hour Suns training camp session. Can't wait to hear how Fat-Daddy has a sore back or knee, or whatever, and he won't be playing much in the pre-season. "
Actually, you're in luck getting to see a truly potent team practice before the lakers-blazers gane.
Seriously, SHACK is in great shape and doesn't seem to have the motivation issues or health problems that bynumb has. But gaze upon SHACK and admire him if you must.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 07, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Ah yes... the NBA (pre) season.
I shall awaken from hibernation. The season is upon us and it's time to feast again.
FEAST!!!
DEFENSE!!!
Posted by: Benny Blanca | October 07, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Has this been linked yet? From ESPN
About Bynum: "He's tremendously talented and he's really lost that baby fat," Winter said. "He has matured physically. He can run so much better than he used to. It's just a question of him learning to play a little harder, compete a little harder. I think that'll come."
It helps the Lakers' overriding optimism that Gasol has looked downright dynamic out on the wing as a face-up player. He definitely prefers playing power forward to center, and it is inevitable that Bynum and Gasol will start together - just maybe later than sooner.
"Gasol has shown signs of playing the power forward pretty well," Winter said. "He has a lot of all-around skills. And when Bynum gets with it, I think it'll work itself out."
--from ESPN
Wes
Posted by: | October 07, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Mamba24's opening roll call means that it is BACK ON!!! So very very very glad to see it!!!!!!
YEAHHHHHHH FRICKEN YEAAAAHHHHHHH
LET'S GO LAKERS!!!!!!!
PS It frustrates me and is good for you all that there are no larger fonts!
GOOooOOOOOooooOOOOOOOO
LAAAAaaaAAAAAKKKKKkkkkKKEEEEeeeEEEeeEERRSSSSSSSSsssssss!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | October 07, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Back in business, peeps!
Unfinished bid-ness to take care of this year.
Skip all the BS, and let's play Boston, every night, 82 games...and work 'em like the tranny on the POS Nissan I got from AVIS at LAX...rough, rude, and remorseless. And while were at it, I want USC to start scheduling Boston College.
Where is Let's Go C's? Come on, boy! As the Captain says at the opening of MXC: "Git-it-on!!"
Respectfully, to all of those who deserve it (you know who you are...)
HIGH CHEESE
Posted by: karyanr | October 07, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Elgin Baylor stepped down as Clippers GM written by BK
http://tinyurl.com/3fp2cc
He was made a scapegoat of the real LA Goat!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 07, 2008 at 05:48 PM
MAMBA24,
Dude, that roll call is as comprehensive a piece of work that I have ever seen, especially considering that the DOW is DOWN 500+ today....
But why, oh why, am I DEAD LAST? And with an asterisk?
I feel like the kid that got chosen last for the pickup game...just gimme the rock, and watch out, 'cause I clearly have a lot to prove...
Much respect to you, sir
HIGH CHEESE
Posted by: karyanr | October 07, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Long Time,
I am not worried. No way can they keep Drew from starting. Even Phil is not that stupid. it's just more mind games to motivate Drew to practice harder, which he will do.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 07, 2008 at 05:57 PM
I'll say one thing...
Get rid of Lamar!!!!!!
Posted by: keifo | October 07, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Oh my.
That 'Stalker Stacy' chick is pretty ugly. What a loser.
But is she really dating Jordan? That's the worst celebrity hookup since D-Wade was caught whisperiing sweet nothngs into Star Jones' ear.
Stalker Stacy gets her fame, finally. She'll be the feel-good hit of her 25th class reunion.
The stalking thing is bad, but doing the sharpie swipe to Luke's car because he passed on signing an autograph--after he'd signed them several times--is brutally unjust. Just dumb and wacked.
OK.
Wes
Posted by: | October 08, 2008 at 08:52 AM