Then and now
We've spoken about it on the blog, you've written about it in the comments, others have picked up the theme, but every so often it's worth pointing out how quickly fortunes have changed for the Lakers. Here is the box score from Game 5 of the 2007 first-round series against Phoenix. Now I present last night's box, from L.A.'s paste job of the Clips.
On every level, from improvements on the roster (Gasol for Kwame, Fish for Smush, Ariza for Mo Evans -- no disrespect to Mo, whom I like as a player), to growth from within (Bynum, Sasha, Farmar), to increased health (Mihm, Vlade), it's borderline shocking how fast they've gone from a fringe playoff team to a Finals favorite. As the Laker faithful bask in the early season glow, it's easy to forget that it wasn't too long ago that things weren't so rosy.
BK
lol at the Loose Cannons trying to convince the ignorant that they are doing a live interview of PJ, Kobe, and Pau. hey dudes! we've heard those interviews and we know that Kobe mentioned Portland because he was there.we know that the interviews having all that backround noise is because it was at the Staples Center.
Posted by: mud | October 30, 2008 at 02:42 PM
And I was always part of this blog before then...
Posted by: never | October 30, 2008 at 02:43 PM
recycling thoughts that were lost in my noname posts, part 1.
Assuming that Bynum's contract goes 13 million, 14 million,
15 million, 16.5 million, and assuming the numbers at
hoopshype are correct, here's where the Lakers stand in
terms of salary:
For next season, they have Kobe, Pau, Bynum, Vlad, Fish,
Machine, Luke, and Farmar (8 players) under contract for a
total of $75,787,465.
The rumor is that Jerry Buss won't agree to go to 100 million
in salaries. The question is, how high IS he willing to go?
95? 90? 85?
If Buss is willing to jack the total salaries up to 95 million,
that leaves about 19 million to re-sign Odom, Ariza, and
Mihm. If his threshold for tolerance is 85 million, then it's
only 9 million, so they can probably only keep one of the
three (unless someone's willing to sign for reaaaaally cheap
to stay with the team).
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 30, 2008 at 02:50 PM
SO... MUCH... BETTER!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 30, 2008 at 02:56 PM
yup things were not great in 2007 or 2006 or 2005. Things happen quickly in the NBA. The Lakers in 2004 went from favorites with 4 hall-of-famers and a hall-of-fame coach to a brand new team, with a new coach who missed the playoffs and won only 34 games in 2005.
Anyways I am a die hard Laker fan living in enemy territory in Boston so I have seen the Celtics up close on many occasions and I see some similiarites of the Laker season to last year's Celtic season. Mind you it is only 2 games, but last year the Celtics came out on fire and started like 29-3. Their defensive intensity and hunger was evident from day one and they were crushing other teams by 20, 30, 40 points on a nightly basis. Other teams were playing like it was pre-season or early in the season and the Celtics were already in mid-season form.
The Celtics never let up on the gas until the last month of the season when they started resting players for the playoffs and they were ahead of everyone else. That hurt them because they lost their mojo and almost lost to the Cavs and Hawks before they regained that mojo against the Pistons and Lakers. Lesson here is it is a long season and anything can happen, but I like what I see so far, and with the Lakers being so deep don't let off the gas, push the pedal to the medal all the way through. Can't wait to we see these bums from Boston again. To quote my man Biggie, a quote C's fan can relate too, "Your reign on the top was short like a leprachaun". Kick in the Door
Posted by: lakers85 | October 30, 2008 at 03:04 PM
LTLF,
What about Farmar? According to trade machine this is his last year as well.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 30, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Yeah, so if you look at the roster, I want us to ponder this idea: Look at this potential rotation:
PG Farmar
SG Sasha
SF Ariza
PF Odom
C Bynum
If this was the Lakers starting line up...we'd be calling them the Portland Trailblazers..and how much potential they have...compare that to
PG Blake
SG Roy
SF Outlaw
PF Aldridge
C Oden\
Not much difference right? Compare Farmar to Roy, Ariza to Outlaw, Sasha to Blake, Odom and Alridge (comparable stats) and Bynum to Oden (whoever he turns out to become)....heck throw in our Fisher, Luke. Radmanavic, Sun Yue to Martell Webster, Joel Pryzbilla, Frye and Rudy Fernandez,
Basically it's the idential team right?
Oh but the Lakers also have a guys named Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol on the team too.
It's simply disgusting how much talent the Lakers have this season. Whats pleasant to see is that Farmar (who obviously got pissed when the Lakers drafted Crittenton) has elevated his game tremendously, Sasha wants to improve, Ariza has a jumpshot now (which I personally watched him practice day in and day out during his injury at my school's gym...Lakersblog I told you last spring!") and Bynum is obviously more athletic and on the verge. And thats without Kobe and Pau who are easily 50 ppg 12rpg and 6apg between them when they want to be.
I say we sit back and enjoy this season folks. And I get the idea that PJ has a sense of urgency this season as well.
Posted by: The Lake Show | October 30, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Hey Fambam,
Any news about The Two Western Conference teams vying for Al Harrington?
I read the Knicks were in the running but was curious who from the Left Coast is trying to gun for the tweener.
Posted by: Charles | October 30, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Xodus,
That's exactly what we have been saying. And Bynum didn't get the max plus the Lakers didn't get pressured into the max.
They got into a deal that was good for them and Drew and that's exactly what he got instead of the Maximum.
It's really because David Lee finally had the courage to stop DEMANDING for the max contract for Drew.
It's a loss for him and plus for the Lakers even more with this new contract because he could have demanded the Max after next season.
Personally I think with what people have been saying not to mention what both TNT AND ESPN said in our Games that the Lakers had all the leverage to sign made David Lee think
"Gee everyone seems not to agree with me that Bynum deserved the max so I better call Friday morning and ask for a lower deal for the Lakers".
And that's what happened this morning, it's a win for the Lakers since it gives them more options and allows them to resign most if not all the potential free agents next year.
Faith,
Radman has speed that's for certain. Athleticism? I wouldn't think so. Athleticism is more the likes of Kobe Bryant, Trevor Ariza, and Javaris Crittenton.
Radman has the height (6'10) advantage, hence one of the reasons why the former Seattle Supersonics had him play Power Forward but he is more quick than bulky which is why PJ has him playing Small Forward.
Radman is playing great team defense and is not only trapping well but also rotating and even stood his ground against Greg Oden but the 1-2-2 like zone defense is playing up to his strengths on defense rather than the previous man to man isolation defense we played in previous years which were exposed when Paul Pierce got him into foul trouble.
And remember Faith, Radman is not using his hands, he is using his body. Had he used his hands that would be handchecking (fore arm is also counted as hand checking).
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | October 30, 2008 at 03:32 PM
rehash of lost posts, part 2
For those of you saying that the Lakers should just let Lamar
and/or Mihm walk at the end of the season, I think that's
the wrong approach.
Let's say you have a big SUV and you've decided that
with gas prices rising, it's too expensive for you to keep.
Do you just park it by the side of the road and abandon it?
Do you walk up to someone in the street and hand them
the keys and sign over the pink slip?
Mihm and Lamar both have value. In fact, at the moment
every player on the Lakers not named MBenga or Sun Yue
have some value (and most of them very high value) to
other teams.
The problem is with ongoing salary. The solution is to
trade a player who will be making too much salary in the
future for 1 or more players who will be making more
reasonable salary in the future. Some specific examples:
Mihm is a legit 7-footer with good offensive skills. Now that
his ankle is healed up, you saw what he was capable of
in the game against the Clips the other night. So did other
teams. There are lots of teams who would love to have
an effective veteran offensive post player. And some of
them have one or more young project front court players
that could step in and start learning the triangle now.
How about Mihm for Joachim Noah? How about Mihm for
Darrell Arthur and Javaris Crittenton? If you make one of
those trades, you have Noah or Arthur & Critter for several
years at very reasonable salaries -- much less than you
would have to pay Mihm. And if they pan out, you get
a good young player in the pipeline to team up with Farmar
and Bynum and Ariza for the future.
At the trade deadline, there will probably be 15 or 20 teams
that would love to get Lamar for one reason or another.
He's an expiring contract who's capable of starting for
more than half the teams in the league. And his actual
salary (11.4 million) is lower than his trade value (14.1
million), so it could actually reduce their salary this season.
What if instead of letting Lamar walk for nothing, you traded
Lamar for two lower salaried players, an expiring contract,
and a draft pick. That way, you'd have three players at the
start of next season for less money than just Lamar. For
example, how about Sean Williams, Yi Jianlian, and a
draft pick? (with Stromile Swift & someone else included
for expiring salary).
And here's the real kicker. Last season, or even this summer,
3/4 of the blog was aching to get rid of Vlad or Luke or both.
Right now, you could easily find a taker for Rad. He's
playing defense, he's still hitting his 3's. If Luke were given
20 minutes of PT with this team, he'd be looking pretty flash
as well, and there'd be a few teams that would love to add
him.
So one way you could free up some extra cheddar to throw
at Ariza, Odom, &/or Mihm would be to trade one of those
guys, any time from now to next summer. Philadelphia is
desperate for some outside shooting to free up space for
Brand & Igoudala & Dalembert. How about Rad for a
package including Thaddeus Young &/or Jason Smith?
My point isn't that the Lakers should have a yard sale.
But if they plan wisely, they might be able to keep all but
one of the core players together and get back something
valuable (and affordable) for the player they have to let
go.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 30, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Jordan's fourth year option was picked up.
That means he earns 1 mil this year...around 2+ next year.
Yes, athleticism. Hence my surprise. You can't do a trap like we have done without some athleticism. I admit it's not at the level of Kobe, Trev, or Bynum...but I'd say it's like Pau's athleticism lol.
Posted by: Faith | October 30, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Eric,
They just picked up the option on Farmar the other day, so he is signed through the 2009-10 season.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 30, 2008 at 03:49 PM
LTLF,
In theory, I agree with you re the re-signings. However, I don't know that, if things are going well, they would want to make a mid-season trade. I think there would be too much concern over chemistry and the lack of depth should an injury occur, and the effect either of those might have on the playoffs. What about a sign-and-trade during the off-season? Getting a mid-high first round pick would definitely be nice.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 30, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Despite the lakers running on all cylinders, i have to echo what some posters have already said.
I think if you pit them against the C's in a 7 game series today and allow the C's to play as physically as they did in the finals, the Lakers lose.
Despite the great intensity and focus, I just don't believe they're ready to bang down low. They will wilt. That is what the 80 other games of this season will hopefully help us overcome.
Posted by: S.Tan | October 30, 2008 at 04:01 PM
I don't think David Lee ever expected to get the max, he just committed some rookie agent mistakes by trying to use the press. Both sides were posturing at the beginning, obviously. At least Lee wasn't hardheaded enough to try and have Andrew play out the season without a contract extension, that would have been bad for both sides as Andrew would have been more worried about stats and protecting himself from injury. Maybe Lee will turn out to be a good agent but he sure had a rocky start there. You don't turn the press AGAINST your client, LOL! Trying to justify a max contract in the press was ill advised...
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | October 30, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Eric M,
>>>What about Farmar? According to trade machine this is
>>>his last year as well.
Nope. The Lakers just signed the option for his fourth year
at 1.9 million, and then they have a qualifying offer year in
summer of 2010.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 30, 2008 at 04:03 PM
LTLF,
Great post. Usually hard to work out because salaries must match. But you are correct that sometimes something can be worked out.
I would love to get a first round pick or two for someone.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 30, 2008 at 04:05 PM
My, have things changed in a year. I remember reading through this blog last summer and witnessing a civil war. It certainly provided some entertainment.
Going back to 2006 and 2007, I don't think Kobe got enough credit for carrying such a weak roster into the playoffs in the West. I guarantee you that no other player in the NBA would have been able to carry such a crappy team into the playoffs, with Kwame and Smush as starters. With a roster like that, I really can't blame Kobe for going ballistic and demanding a trade. Any player with an ounce of competitive fire would have been completely demoralized in that situation.
Posted by: EJK | October 30, 2008 at 04:11 PM
I can't believe how quickly the Lakers were rebuilt. I think Phil is really going to shine with these young guys, because he's groomed them into the offense.
I'm glad I'm a Lakers fan.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | October 30, 2008 at 04:12 PM
this was the game that told me Farmar was going to be a stud. elimination game against the best pg in the league and he somehow put up #'s filling the box score. Farmar will be a top 5 pg in this league when fisher retires. I have full confidence in that statement because i see he has the same drive and determination as someone named Kobe. he has the no fear attitude and a will beyond many others. Jordan Farmar is the JEWISH JORDAN!
Posted by: Daniel | October 30, 2008 at 04:30 PM
LTLF, Helo,
Having Farmar locked up for another year makes a HUGE difference. I was thinking we were going to have to come up with $10 million +/- for him this summer. That makes the spreadsheet balance much easier. :-D
Should be able to keep 8 of our top 9.
I do think Helo is correct about no mid-season trades. They won't do anything that risks a title THIS year.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 30, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Jon K.
Thanks for the kind words on the other thread.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | October 30, 2008 at 04:49 PM
BK,
That comparative box score thing was great. Very illuminating.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | October 30, 2008 at 04:54 PM
exhelodrvr,
>>>What about a sign-and-trade during the off-season?
>>>Getting a mid-high first round pick would definitely be
>>>nice.
Sign and trade is not liekly, as the re-signed person (presumably
Odom or Mihm) is considered base year compensated, so it's
literally impossible to trade them by themself. Thus, you'd
have to trade Mihm AND someone else to do a sign and trade
of Mihm. With Odom, I don't think there'd be another player
other than Kobe, Bynum, or Gasol to combine him with to
offset the sign and trade.
But on the other hand, if Luke & Rad play consistently
well this year, it would be possible to trade one of them to
a team with enough cap space that they wouldn't have to
send back as much in salary. For example, Vlad Rad for
Jared Dudley (1.3 million) or Javaris Crittenton (1.5 million)
would free up enough salary that maybe they could afford
to keep 2 of the 3 of Mihm, Ariza, and Odom.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 30, 2008 at 05:08 PM
It gives me goosebumps when I watch this team. It is exciting on both ends of the floor at every point in the game. Reserves or starters or a mismatch of both. This is the only team in the league that I can remember that their is not a significant drop off in talent if the starters or bench in on the floor.
Posted by: EdG | October 30, 2008 at 06:02 PM
LTLF is right with his post on future luxury nightmare of the Lakers. I suggested that Kobe should downsize his contract similar to Shaq at 20M for next five years so he's contracted with Laker till age 35. Odom has to agree with 8M for 3 years. Based on those two combinations alone, there is a savings of 6M combined which will be divided between Ariza and Mihm. Copy the tax plan of Obama. haha Hopefully that will make them all happy.
Trading players will not solve the problem b/c there is an equivalent salary absorbed in a trade. The objective is to avoid paying too high in luxury taxes. Another way is to let LO and Mihm go, that will be a savings of 14.3M. This is exactly the problem of the Dodgers, Lakers can borrow some ideas how the the impasse is solved?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 30, 2008 at 06:34 PM
I'M MAD AS HELL AND NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE..
THE NEW THREAD MUST GO
IT IS OBVIOUSLY BEING SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS.
The poll said most liked it, but as Johnny P said, it was biased. PROBLABLY THE MOST UNSCIENTIFIC POLL YOU COULD POSSIBLY HAVE.
First your population sample is coming from the source that is being polled. It's like Safeway having a poll of its customers and asking if they like it here better or another supermarket?
Do you think were morons
MAMBA24 WHERE ARE YOU
LIVE BLOGGING THREAD MUST GO
Posted by: You Ever Notice | October 30, 2008 at 06:35 PM
blitz,
*sigh* you're exaggerating things again.
you wrote: No long ago I said Trevor WILL improve his jumpshot while you stood and said "If and only if".
And 2 games into the regular season you go on and say good things about Trevor and how he's all good from 3 point land and he's as good as Radman.
my response: yes, I said if and only if in regards to him
starting/surpassing Lamar at SF. i.e. He should start
in front of Lamar "if and only if" he's worked on his
game and he's better. Do you *really* believe that's
an unreasonable position to take with someone who had
not played a full season with the Lakers?
Nowhere in my message did I say he was as good as
Vlad. To clarify: I think Ariza is better defensively than
Vlad. I think that Ariza dunks more than Vlad and is more
active. I think Vlad is a better jump shooter. Ariza worked
on his jump shot this summer. As I thought he would and
indicated he would, With some uncertainty because he's
new to the team. I did say that if Vlad has a space
cadet issue I look for Ariza to replace Vlad.
you wrote: You are acting like Trevor is a 3 point threat.
my response: Sorry if you construed it that way. I don't
believe that Ariza is a bigger 3 pt. threat than Vlad.
I don't know that I would call Trevor a 3 pt threat.
I do believe that Ariza is a better shooter than Lamar.
Preseason and the 2 regular season games seem to
be validating that belief. I'll be watching the entire season.
you wrote: Again you get scared from statistics. I really dunno why
my response: I thought it was obvious, but I'll clarify.
Arguments that are made "purely" from statistics can
be manipulated by the population that you take the
statistics from. As an example: Kobe has never shot
40 % 3pters. Does that mean that defenses should not
respect his 3 pt. shooting ability?
you wrote: I would say if Trevor does good you would be cheering over me and when Trevor does bad I won't be seeing you.
my response: With respect, your making this statement
without a historical perspective. If you had been posting
here for the last couple of years, you would have seen
me acknowledge being wrong a few times. One of those
times involved me giving $ to a homeless person based
upon being wrong in a conversation with ... Exholdver
I believe ... I candidly admitted to being wrong about
Kupchak after Kobe's rant, when Bynum came back
looking great and we got Pau.
you wrote: Get facts straight, this is mere 2 games and only against Portland and the Clippers and you are already letting 2 early results say that Trevor is already the best SF we have.
my response: Actually ... I thought I *clearly* stated that
I thought Ariza was going to be the best SF we had, at
the end of last season. My reasons were: defensively
minded, quickness, chemistry with the rest of the team,
physical attributes & a willingness to work on his game.
I do not believe that he is the best SF we have *today*.
I believe he will be by the end of the season.
you wrote: I won't admit it because it is 2 GAMES. Bug me when we win the championship AND he shoots from 40% for the season AND the playoffs. Then you will get an "I was wrong" from me.
my resposne: re: 40%. I won't hold him to that level
because I don't hold Fisher, Sasha or Kobe to that level.
re: your admission of being wrong. Why don't you
"man up" and volunteer the info when you think it's
appropriate?
re: overating Trevor. How do you define "over rating"?
Is it to optimistically believe that the GM was telling the
truth when he said he wanted a defensive 3? Is it to
predict, with qualifications, that he would work on his
game over the summer? or is it to believe that a 6'10"
PF, who has excited yet disappointed us for 3
years, will surprise everyone by working on his game
over the summer, defy biology by becoming quicker, &
supplant former NBA champions Fisher & Kobe at the
PG/SG positions?
I'm just askin'
Posted by: hobbitmage | October 30, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Hey Pig,
Just some thoughts to share with you about this stalking nutcase.
I was similarly attacked awhile back. The person for no real reason came after me insinuating slanderous things.
By accident, this coward forgot to change his name on a post and guess who it was?
Puddle.
Imagine that. The goof ball apologized and it stopped.
Some people get their kicks in strange ways. The person coming after you has been correctly identified by you as a coward. Does anybody really believe its his first time posting?
But you can add liar to him as well.
Now back to the Lakers.
Posted by: Fatty | October 30, 2008 at 07:02 PM
The Lakers look fantastic and have incredible depth everywhere on the court. That said, it is a long season and we haven't played anyone of consequence yet - like Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix or New Orleans - but certainly no complaints at this point ! Go Lakers !
Posted by: OhioVic | October 30, 2008 at 07:02 PM
In the spirit of the political season, I submit Proposition 23 to Laker fans. Proposition 23 has one objective: make LeBron James a Laker in 2010. This important measure could ensure a Lakers dynasty for the next ten years. Kobe-LeBron would be the best duo since Kobe-Shaq. Add Bynum to the mix and you have a team that could be better than the 90's Bulls. Vote for Proposition 23!
Posted by: EJK | October 30, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Edwin,
"Copy the tax plan of Obama".
Nah, I say we impose the Marxist plan on the Lakers. Everyone gets the mid-level exception.
Posted by: EJK | October 30, 2008 at 07:35 PM
the Bynum extension story on ESPN got almost 1,000 comments, from 7:07 PM to 10:45 PM, Eastern.
David Stern must be weeping with joy...
What's with all the beards this year? Adelman, Popovich...
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | October 30, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Hobbit
That's the reason why Ariza is not a full time starter yet. I believe he will be a starter in the future just not this season. Phil tried to start Trevor and he found the lanes too clogged for Kobe for penetration and even though Trevor found some lanes there were times in both pre-season the passing lanes were clogged and that led to turnovers against Utah and the Clippers in the pre-season. Hence why Radman got the starting nod over Trevor. Otherwise don't you think Trevor would have started you think?
Trevor is better than Radman defensively, that is already a given and I would say on one vs one match ups Trevor has the edge over Radman. That being said the TEAM defense of the Lakers is making us win and Radman has shown thus far he is a better team defender because he's a bit taller and has managed to hold some ground even against Greg Oden (but don't mis read that as he can handle Oden as he would get killed isolation wise).
PJ, the TNT announcers, and the ESPN announcers have said that they foresee Trevor to guard perimeter guys during rotation minutes guys like Ginobili, Paul Pierce, and LBJ from time to time to lighten the load from Kobe defensively. They all have said that Trevor was a really good help defender and he actively goes for steals and gets steals from being pesky at same time reading the passing lanes. They have both said Trevor needs to work on being a better personal defender. Please don't read that as he is a bad defender. He is intense like Sasha, he is better stealer man to man wise and reads the passing lanes better than Sasha but like what I said: intensity does not mean great lock down defense.
"my response: Actually ... I thought I *clearly* stated that
I thought Ariza was going to be the best SF we had, at
the end of last season. My reasons were: defensively
minded, quickness, chemistry with the rest of the team,
physical attributes & a willingness to work on his game.
I do not believe that he is the best SF we have *today*.
I believe he will be by the end of the season."
Your opinion and I respect it. :)
"Sorry if you construed it that way. I don't
believe that Ariza is a bigger 3 pt. threat than Vlad.
I don't know that I would call Trevor a 3 pt threat.
I do believe that Ariza is a better shooter than Lamar.
Preseason and the 2 regular season games seem to
be validating that belief. I'll be watching the entire season."
When Trevor begins to create his own jumpshots on a consistent basis, then I will admit Trevor has surprassed Lamar in terms of jump shooting. Most of his 3 point shooting has been set up in the corner or spot up shooting. If he creates his own shots then of course I will really like it even more.
I will apologize about that outburst with Trevor doing good or bad and I'm sorry. :(
As for the statistics thing, I also based it on shot selection and if it is contested or not. Kobe has not shot 40% from 3 point land. That doesn't mean he's not a good 3 point shooter. He actually is a good shooter problem is, is his shot selection. Sometimes he shoots it over other defenders instead of finding more open opportunities. He is not a pure shooter like Ray Allen and Reggie Miller is. Kobe COULD be a 40% 3 point shooter but the way his game is (actually is good since he looks for mid-range shots) plus the fact he prefers to create his shots rather than being a spot up guy lowers his 3 point shooting.
Why don't you hold Derek and Sasha to the level of a 40% shooter? Both of them shot 40% or higher last season. Both have shown they could create their own shots from not only mid range but also from 3 point land and yet got 40% shooting. Trevor is shooting 80% from 3 point land so far. If you want to say he's a great shooter then he should shoot over 40% combined with more creating his own shots and not being spot up from Jordan or Kobe.
Over rating Trevor means saying he's a great shooter already and that he deserves to start and he's a lock down defender at the moment and is a full time quality starter. One, his game is mainly a slashing type near the basket, that's his strength. He has shown he is a very good defender and player, that doesn't mean he is a full time starter. Lock Down defense means more than playing intense and reading the passing lanes. Ron Artest and Bruce Bowen are examples of great defense. While Bowen and Artest are intense and Artest steals quite often, they don't let their man beat them to the dribble often as much. Trevor as much as he is intense and steals is not at the level. Hence why he is a rotational player. And I love that he is a rotational player since that plays to his strengths much better and gives him more opportunities offensively since he has Jordan to help him offensively and he can get better and better as his years go on hopefully with the Lakers. That is why I don't over rate him now when he's not those things yet.
Ask and thou shall receive I suppose
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | October 30, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I really hope the Suns lose tonight and continue to lose the rest of the season. I was Butler and the rest of the Phoenix area to suffer with humiliation this year while LA and the Lakers put together one of the greatest seasons of all time.
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 30, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Hey Fatty,
Thanks for the kind words.
In better news, the Suns are getting killed by the Hornets.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | October 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
All this crap about how tough the Celtics are down low and the Lakers can't win....Pleaseeeeeee !!!
We will bury them down low this year with a healthy Bynum , Gasol, Odom, and a healthy Mihm, Mbenga and Powell
I can't wait till Christmas to shut the Celtic fans up
Houston in 10 days should be a good test
BTW : The Nuggetts are TOAST this Saturday
Posted by: tomK | October 30, 2008 at 08:47 PM
EJK,
It is enough that we have one Karl waived, you don't want to include the propaganda of the member of the Troika in Lakers salary structure, the revolution never ends. It is nice to hear in campaigns I doubt if they understand the laden theory of collectivism and prepared to live with it.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 30, 2008 at 08:57 PM
my god....
smush parker.
x_X
Posted by: casey | October 30, 2008 at 08:58 PM
casey,
I like Smush too, but to call him god is going a bit overboard...
Posted by: EJK | October 30, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Houston looked pretty good beating Dallas in the Mavs house tonight.
I think the Rockets are the only viable contender in the WC to the Lakers come playoff time.
I'm looking forward to their matchup in 10 days. I bet its going to be playoff intensity b-ball.
I think Lakers will win bec. we have an easier time making baskets through PJ's new running offense and the speed of the second unit.
But the defense from both teams should be great and it will be a treat to watch the matchups: new rich kid Bynum vs. Yao, Gasol vs. Scola, Kobe vs. Artest or McGrady.
Posted by: LakerinBC | October 30, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Man, it's seeing things like that which make you really appreciate what you got now. Those were some ugly, UGLY times. If not for Kobe's insane scoring records every other night, I'd completely delete that period from my memory lol
Posted by: bobie | October 30, 2008 at 09:50 PM
casey - just read your smush comment and it made me think... what an odd cautionary tale he is... a total blip on the radar until he came to the lakers and started 162 games for us and then completely fell off the cliff. again... .
charles - i read your harrington comment and started perusing links but couldn't find any of the west coast teams that might be in the mix. i found some of nellie's comments entertaining though... i wouldn't be surprised to see him give harrington 48 minutes straight.
Posted by: dave m | October 30, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Isn't comparing the clippers to the suns kinda like comparing apples to a basketball team?
Posted by: LakerMan 420 | October 30, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Bill Plaschke is a douchebag.
God, I hate the level of modern journalism.
It sickens me. This used to be something that borderd on the sacred.
Truth.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 30, 2008 at 10:16 PM
ps -Plashke just wrote a particularly short-sighted article about the Bynum extention that misses the point on so many levels (not to mention that fact that he credits Rambis for Bynum's progress but oddly, doesn't mention Kareem at all).
Posted by: dave m | October 30, 2008 at 10:19 PM
plashke, plashke, plashke..... why you acting like the money Socks got came out of your pocket?
Heisler was talking about signing Bynum just put a cloud on the other squads in the L.... that's you bro... you're the dark cloud.
Kwame Brown got his and he hasn't done much and how you ask questions about Bynum's non-maxed contract?
How much is Dalembert making...10 n change?
Posted by: sixonezero | October 30, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Long Time,
I like your trade ideas but I think ex hit the nail on the head that, barring Lamar or the team suddenly playing terribly, the Lakers are not going to mess with team chemistry and rotations by making a mid-season trade. But your strategy is sound if they wanted to trade.
I also liked your salary cap post and analysis. As usual, you did an excellent job analyzing the various options. Another thing to consider is that all these players could also be involved in sign and trade deals, especially if they want more than the MLE in annual salary.
I think what we are going to see is Kobe opt out and sign a long-term deal for less per year to help the Lakers keep the team together. He would make $23M next year so say he signed for $20M, that would save us $3M. I also think that Lamar would resign for $7M to $8M.
I am sure that when details start to leak out, it will become clear that the Lakers negotiating strategy with Drew was that they couldn’t afford to pay Kobe and him max salaries and keep the team together. It’s a smart strategy because it’s true and doesn’t disrespect Drew.
The wild card is that the Lakers need to win the championship for Jerry to be willing to pony up for $100M team salary. And to keep the team together, players are personally going to have sacrifice some take-home pay as well as playing time, which is what I believe we’ll see.
The one bright spot is that the better the Lakers become, the more their revenues and profits increase and the more the franchise value escalates. Lakers fans worldwide are going to love the team’s new aggressive defensive strategy and exciting fast break paced basketball.
Anyway, this team should dominate all season long and win 70 or more games considering the talent and depth that they have. And we’re not talking just about this year or next but the next decade. So let’s focus on what’s happening today and leave tomorrow to tomorrow.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 30, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Houston is the only competition in the west -- they have 3 legit 30 point scorers. The game next Sunday will be telling. If the Lakers can handle them -- scary.
Posted by: HmrHed | October 30, 2008 at 10:41 PM
It hurts, doesn't it Butler.
Posted by: Chicken Little | October 30, 2008 at 10:42 PM