It's all about the Benjamins
Seriously, that seems like all everyone's talking about these days. Between Olympiakos rumored to be cooking up an offer for Kobe Bryant just slightly lower than the amount of the federal bailout plan to Andrew Bynum's looming extension to Lamar Odom talking about taking a future pay cut to what it'll take to keep Manny Ramirez in town (I know, wrong blog, but BK and I are hip deep in that topic, too), there's a whole lot of dollar talk going on. Lot of question marks floating about, too. Some big. Some small. Some in existence purely to panic fans over nothing (unless he think it's the only way he can finally stop the questions about going to Europe, Kobe ain't going to Europe, people). But either way, cash rules everything around me, so it was interesting to get some direct and peripheral perspective.
Bynum was asked about the contract extension talks leaving his agent frustrated, and unless he's got one heck of a poker face, David Lee's client seems much less concerned about the matter than Lee himself. "I don't really think about it too much. I know the Lakers take their sweet time doing everybody's deals. I'm just going to be patient." What's high on Drew's mind at the moment? His 21st birthday 264 hours on the horizon. "I can't wait to do that. We'll have a nice little party. It's supposed to be a surprise party, but I know about it now," smiled Bynum. I asked what he was giving more thought to, the shindig or his deal with the Lakers. "The birthday, actually, because I'm going to have a lot of friends coming in from out of town."
I guess we can gauge progress by how many front-office types are invited to Drew's bash.
As far as Lamar Odom, his situation has struck many as potentially sticky. There's at least a chance he'll be asked to come off the bench this season, a matter that would be delicate for any career-long starter, much less one in a contract year. LO's a dude who's typically prioritized teammate numbers ahead of his own, but that doesn't mean human nature, ego and insecurities become automatically easy to ignore. Even if Lamar cooperates (and I strongly suspect he will), an adjustment will be in order. It reminded me of when Gary Payton arrived for the 2003-2004 campaign, which meant incumbent starter Derek Fisher accepting a pine role that had less to do with a better player in the fold (Fish actually outplayed The Glove) and more do with team chemistry and not pissing off the oft-moody GP. The gig change not only presented a potential psyche bruise for Fish, but one to his wallet, as he planned to exercise an early termination clause and test the free agent waters. You'd be hard-pressed to find a superior "pro's pro" in the NBA than Derek Fisher, but he still wasn't thrilled about the idea of facing second stringers ("Generally, you're a professional athlete for a reason and it's because you desire to compete at the highest level.") and perhaps a less profitable future.
"I can relate," nodded Fisher. "Emotionally, it's a big hit, and in particular, in a contract year
where you feel like you want to establish your market value and give
yourself the best opportunity to give yourself to get the best job the
following year, then the timing of it really sucks as far as how you
feel personally. It was tough for me, but I got through it and we got
through it as a team. There's a lot of emotion involved with just trying to keep yourself focused, and that's tough to do, in particular when you're playing for a team that's supposed to "win a championship," so you're supposed to kinda just throw your stuff out the window and just concentrate on the team."
That may strike some as lesson plan material for "Team Sports 101," but it's often easier said than done. As I noted, life does go on after that season ends, a fact often hard to just disregard, even if you're genuinely and selflessly busting ass in hopes of winning a title. The scenarios are not mutually exclusive, especially when this is, all obviousness aside, your actual job. And while it may not be all about the money, that doesn't mean it's not about the money, either.
"You recognize that it is your career," said a matter-of-fact Fisher. "Because you're a professional, your responsibility is to go out and provide for you and your family. In team sports, there's always that delicate balance of you how carry on in that manner. I think Lamar's been great at it since he's been here and I think he's been great at it his whole career."
And for Lamar, acquiescing to a sixth man role and landing a solid payday aren't necessarily mutually exclusive objectives. Should he play "Manu Ginobli" for the 2009 O'Brien holders, that would go a long way in bumping his worth around the league. According to Fisher, champions gaining additional value is "an unwritten rule in profession sports and definitely in the NBA" He oughta know, too. As folks may remember, Fish got waaaay more cheddar from Golden State than anybody possibly expected. "I didn't have the best statistical season that year," admitted the point guard. "But because it was the fourth time in five years that I'd been on a team that had been to the NBA Finals and I'd been able to contribute on very good teams, that kept my value at a very high level." Thus, if you're a key player in adding banner to a franchise's building, scoring 25 points per game isn't a prerequisite for G.M.'s seeking out free agents. "You can score ten points on a championship team and probably get the same deal. Ask James Posey."
Added Fish with a chuckle, "Ask Derek Fisher."
AUDIO
- Andrew Bynum: Download andrew_bynum_10.16.08.mp3
- Derek Fisher: Download derek_fisher_10.16.08.mp3
- Luke Walton: Download luke_walton_10.16.08.mp3
AK
Mamba24
Too early to go fishing. We have a title to win. But if you do go fishing, stop by Faith's place on the way and visit for awhile.
And don't forget to bring your famous thong. By the way do you dance professionally, do parties, ' thong a-grams', things like that? haha
Posted by: Fatty | October 17, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Pig,
"I think you must use the most pompous language of anyone that posts here."
What you describe is called elitism. People that are certain they have ALL the answers.
They feel it is their duty to keep those of us that "Cling to our Bibles and guns" in our place.
And there is no point in trying to convince an elitist that they are wrong about something because if you weren't so stupid you would agree with them.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 17, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Edwin,
"Ok, OK, you are the masters, from now on we don't want to read any kind of cursing in your blog whether prefixed or suffixed with *$#. We will measure you rule based consistency of the threads in the future. Supposing we read one post with that word or another objectionable words, is there an appelate court within LAT to report your violation or are you the police and also the judge too?"
Again, like we've explained many times and you're apparently not hearing, when an offending word gets through, it's not because BK and I aren't being "consistent" in enforcement. It's because we didn't notice it. Period. These comments have to be cleared by hand, and we often skim them to expedite the process. If you prefer, we could pore over them with a fine toothed comb, but that would make them take 3-4 X longer to go live. Everyone could just make the situation a lot simpler by following the parameters we've spelled out on countless occasions, instead of complaining about "fairness" if we delete a post that shouldn't be going live in the first place.
And yes, we're the police and jury, as you put it. Sucks and rules to be us.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 17, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Rick F.:
No offense implied. The musician statement was meant to be in kidding.
The View from Up Here
Posted by: The View from Up Here | October 17, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Rick Friedman sez:
"Actually, most of my closest friends are musicians. The ones who have achieved any kind of success are very punctual. Those who are not have issues with chemical dependency."
I'm sure that's true, but Bill Maher had a line that went something like, "I don't advocate heroin use but it's never hurt the quality of my record collection."
Posted by: BUTLER | October 17, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Mamba,
I am doing well. Thanks for asking. My home is worth a lot less than the $675k I paid for it. My loan officer job is nonexistent and my wifes insurance agency is taking a hammer because no one can pay their bills.
BUT, THE LAKERS ARE GOING TO ROCK THIS SEASON.
lol.....just another crazy time in ones life to add charm and charisma. I can tell my youngsters that I decided to install cable to weather the 2008 Financial Meltdown.
Hang in there all.
janaya
Posted by: janaya | October 17, 2008 at 01:01 PM
As usual I blame Luke and Vlad. If we weren't paying those two stiffs 12mil for 2mil worth of production, we could afford to take a flyer on AB.
Nah, who am I kidding.
If AB and his agent Cal Worthington were willing to take 50mil guaranteed + the difference towards a max deal in incentives (playing in 80% of games, all-star appearances, all-nba teams, all-defense, 2+ BPG, and of course Championships) then I say sign on the dotted line.
If AB's people are so confident in his health and ability to compete at the highest level, they should have no problem signing this kind of deal. Somehow, I just don't see it happening.
Posted by: htj | October 17, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Thanks AK!!
:)
dan
Posted by: dan the man | October 17, 2008 at 01:15 PM
"(Elitists) feel it is their duty to keep those of us that "Cling to our Bibles and guns" in our place."-Eric M
AK/BK,
How did this one get through?
Not that I'm offended or anything. I have my Bible in my back pocket, and my gun on my side. I'm ready for those elitists. Yeee-Haaw!
I'm also ready for this Laker season.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | October 17, 2008 at 01:20 PM
it bears repeating that two of the "contending" teams in the league are under the cap: spurs and pistons.
For once i'd actually like to see a player who says he wants to retire wearing purple and gold actually mean it. No ifs or buts. Everyone wants to get paid but just ask Spree how going gung ho on that is working out. Personally I think if we don't trade LO, or resign him for less, he'll be a heat next year.
Posted by: Faith | October 17, 2008 at 01:21 PM
"there is no point in trying to convince an elitist that they are wrong about something because if you weren't so stupid you would agree with them."
That's hilarious. Seriously. I laughed out loud when I read that, because that really is the tone isn't it.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | October 17, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I love elitists.
Joe Six Pack can kiss my chiseled derriere.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Edwin Guerco,
Doesn't it SUCK to have your posts deleted for unexpected reasons?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Pig,
Glad I could give you a chuckle.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 17, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Faith,
"More and more I'm thinking Lakertom IS Drew's agent. Wonder what happened to his Jordan Farmar love though. "
Reality.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 17, 2008 at 02:38 PM
LakerTom,
What's up buddy! It seems like you are scared of them not signing Bynum. Even if it doesn't get done by the 31st it'll get done. Remember, we still have Mr. Jerry Buss around unlike that buffoon in clipperville. I trust him. They just have to take their time just as they did with Kobe because this is a huge committment for a young guy.
Ken
Posted by: THE original Ken | October 17, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Edwin Guerco,
Doesn't it SUCK to have your posts deleted for unexpected reasons?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 17, 2008 at 02:00 PM
The Gods have spoken, they own this blog and will do anything they wish. Today, they implement their rules but not so long ago, they continur violating their own rules. We're not asking for fairness but be more consistent to your policies. It is no longer 2005 when relationship are cordial and humble. People like Fatty, Mamba25 and also you Jon K, what have you done to deserve a stern discipline from these young dictators.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 17, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Edwin-
If you want to make yourself off to be some sort of martyr, oppressed by the hosts of the blog, that's your prerogative, but frankly it's pretty obnoxious. You, like most here, are given a great deal of leeway to post whatever opinion you'd like, within some very reasonable and basic rules.
Get some perspective.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 17, 2008 at 06:35 PM
BK,
I suddenly became obnoxious after calling your acts as works of dictators. Well, we have a cordial relationship here, it is unfortunate that I have to address in that manner because that is how I felt in censoring our posts. If you look at the issues closely, we were all in a jovial mood in teasing LakerTom, not even attacking you guys but what did we get in return, a direct assault from the moderators of the blog. that we fondly praise and admire. You and AK could have just treated it in a civil way by explaining your sudden change in new directions. Well, we are not your minions or anybody that you can toss around. This is your business while in our case our past time. Why don't you review each post and how it all started? Frankly, it is a non-issue and your replies and treatment made a mountain out of a mole hill. If you compare these posters Jon K, Fatty, Mamba24 and me, to other trolls here, we are your perennial loyal customers since time immemorial, and respectful to whatever your wishes. I'm just pointing that in the past I have read so many posts which used unpalatable language, phrases or words and allowed them to appear suddenly, you treat a joke of Mamba24 in the same context and would not even be kind enough to explain your new postures. By this time, you can gauge our sensitivities what kind of persons we are? What makes you think we deserve your ire and anger? Calling us obnoxious, no way BK, people react when they sensed vindinctiveness from ill tempered moderators. Ask your peers if you dealt the issues the right way since you do not report to any superiors.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 17, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Edwin-
I didn't call those other people obnoxious. Nor, actually, did I call you obnoxious. I said the martyr like complaining about deleted posts as if somehow your constitutional rights were being violated was obnoxious.
There was absolutely nothing new about the rule that requires us to delete posts with language like that. It doesn't matter if the post is in anger or in fun. The language isn't postable, and we've made it very clear- over, and over, and over again- that substituting a * for a letter to "get by" the rule isn't acceptable, something I wrote to Mamba when the posts were deleted. People are certainly free to repost, without the off limits material. This rule, though, is nothing new, and if you believe it is, you're just not paying attention. As AK said earlier, we aren't perfect. Sometimes things get through that shouldn't. But that doesn't mean the rules have changed, it means enforcement isn't perfect.
Speeding is always illegal, but do you get pulled over every time you go over the limit?
Frankly, it gets frustrating to listen, so to speak, to people complain that they are being "censored" on a forum in which the range of opinion is so vast. We have very simple rules. Be respectful to each other, watch the language, and avoid politics/religion. That's basically it. To call us dictators and act as if we sit and routinely delete posts just for fun, as if we're looking to punish you or anyone else, is tiresome.
For you to complain about being censored in a post that's posted to the site, to do so with incredibly sanctimonious language in which you call us dictators, refer to us having a "menstrual" period that makes us "testy," refer to us mockingly as "masters," talk about our "wrath," etc? Perhaps you can understand why, when we work as hard as we can to keep things moving here, create a vibrant community, and give everyone as much leeway as possible, it would become old quickly.
If you don't like the rules, feel free to write the Times. We do, in fact, have superiors.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 17, 2008 at 08:16 PM
BK,
Had you cleared the air in this type of posting (as you just posted above) then the subsequent posts or our allegations (unfavorable comments from me, mamba24, fatty and jon k) would not have been materialized. What we were asking were mere clarification of your rules, what we're getting are justification as claimed by AK of deletions of such posts. As if we just so 'stupid and absolutely wrong' that we missed those previous postings and/or advice. I am not blogging 24/7, perhaps you have said in some other posts w/c I missed or AK saying it again and again as you've said. Precisely, this is what I was pointing out with AK in our serious discussion several weeks ago on consistency in compliance of your legal spiel.
OK, from now on we will adhere to that rule and I for one do not have problems nor have the habit of using such words. I belonged to old school raised in another country, I have a policy that I don't have the reason to hate anyone that I'm not acquainted with, however I don't easily back out from challenges. I am prompted to call you "little dictators" because of the tenor of unfriendly replies from you and AK as if we are your subordinates in this business of yours. We are supposed to be your first market in a 'free expression' forum. We are not new in the blog and all the names mentioned are very familiar to you and AK, so why not make those posts in a friendly tone not as a 'command'. We are not trolls but loyal laker fans and loyal bloggers of K-Bros blog, do we deserve to be treated like posters with shady outlook or irresponsible characters fond of four-letter words. Online communication is faceless, no way of measuring body language, emotions are emitted on what is read from those posts. The action oriented posts are louder than angry expression that are imaginary, and sometimes it invites misunderstandings and elicit an equally heated reaction. I think that is what happened for our tit-for-a-tat.
Anyway, I apologize if I referred you as young dictators. I take it back on that outburst of emotions.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 18, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Edwin,
Sorry, but what you're saying to BK above is complete revisionist history. Here is what you wrote asking about your deleted post, which actually started the conversation. This was literally the first remark about the situation, and it came from you.
"Was my post deleted too just now, b/c I copied and pasted the * word in replying to Mamba's post? Good Lord, are we having menstrual period, why are we so picky today? I remember the days in the past when you used to email us in order to generate postings, now we're getting the wrath of the K-Bros. Suggstion: when you censor a post, please copy and paste the post that you don't prefer so next time we will know what not to say."
Are you honestly claiming that's a respectful way of asking what had happened? You were the one firing shots about us being "menstrual," "picky," administering "wrath," none of which was the case. If you had simply inquired in a manner not sarcastic or confrontational, you would have gotten a very simple answer explaining both the situation and that we didn't think it was a big deal to begin with. Instead, you were snarky, and kept being snarky, despite the fact that my actual response- if you go back and read it- wasn't. You kept making a undeservedly big thing of the matter, which brought the situation to the place it currently sits.
If you want us to be mindful of our tone, it would help if you'd follow the same advice as well.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 18, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Edwin-
The frustration comes from having aired that above post on multiple occasions centering around some very simple, easily remembered, common sense rules. Including in conversations with you, and other "long time" bloggers. Everyone makes mistakes, forgets here and there, misses something, etc. Ourselves included. We're pretty tolerant, pretty responsive, and pretty jovial, I'd say. If there's an issue of blog maintenance that really ticks both of us off, it's the notion that we're interested in actively controlling the direction of opinion, and get a kick out of policing the site and "censoring" our readers.
We don't. It's, by far, the worst part of the job. We really don't like deleting posts, and probably 95% go through. We appreciate the vibrancy of the community, and do whatever we can to try and promote it. We try to answer questions, stimulate discussion, and give people stuff to talk about. It's the participation of the community that makes the site work- we certainly understand and appreciate that.
Anyway, I appreciate the note, and hope that understanding our perspective helps give an idea of where we're coming from. I certainly don't want to dissuade any posters, from long time participants like yourself to new people who come across it, from commenting. If you ever have a question about a post, feel free to ask, or if you don't understand why something didn't go through, feel free to ask. Just don't accuse us of trying to be dictators looking to squash opinion, or call us testy because we're doing our job. Understand that we never delete something simply to censor. If we catch something that violates the site's rules, we have to delete it.
Like you say, hopefully it's just a little extra emotion, and something we can go past at this point.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 18, 2008 at 10:55 AM
AK,
I have moved forward with your younger brother, but in your post which I just read now calling me revisionist is just plain AKnesque, a high and mighty persona that I will never understand. I would rather move forward than bother the one sided reasoning of a poor dilplomat.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 18, 2008 at 10:33 PM