Vladimir Radmanovic - Media Day talk
The last of my Media Day jabber collected, this time with Vladimir Radmanovic, who's typically reliable for a good quote or two. And considering he's among the key principles in one of the season's more intriguing plotlines (that logjam at small forward), I thought it was worth passing along Vlad's thoughts on his third campaign in purple and gold. For starters, I don't think he expects to be a starter anymore. For that matter, he didn't sound as if he was "expecting" much of anything, other than the likelihood of minutes shrinking across the board. And he's cool with that notion, no matter how it shakes out personally for him. "I know not all of us are going to be happy all the time, but we have to look at the big picture, winning a championship," he said. "That's all that matters. The ultimate goal is winning championships, not play 30 minutes or score 20, 30 points. As long as we all look at it the same way, it shouldn't be a problem at all."
Hopefully, those words will hold true, because as I've said on more than one occasion, unless there's a serious step up involved, I picture Vlad (along with Luke Walton) feeling the biggest PT crunch at the 3. Of course, should Vlad correct the career-long inconsistencies he bemoaned during his exit interview, perhaps he'll remain a vital part of the rotation. I asked Vlad if he's gotten a better handle on the cause/effect nature of those inconsistencies, and his response was promising, in that it echoes the criticisms lobbied his way from the coaching staff, analysts and fans alike. "I think I've matured a lot as a player. First of all, in my head."
Vlad Radmanovic: Download vlad_radmanovic_9.28.08.mp3
AK
I see a trade coming. With Gasol, Mihm, Lamar, VladRad, and Luke all being able to play forward there just aren't enough minutes to go around. Any bets?
Posted by: Rick Friedman | October 03, 2008 at 06:06 AM
"AHAHAHA!!!
Blitz, I refuse to have a battle of with with an unarmed man. But ok, so let's get this straight, shall we?
Take stats to mean that an injured Perkins, who has yet to fully heal from the shoulder strain he had in the Finals, put up less points against Lam-Od than a healthy Dyess because Lam-Od is such a killer defender?
That wouldn't have anything to do with injury, or perhaps the fact that Detroit happens to play much better team D than the lackers, would it? Nah...
Um, yeah. Solid reasoning, I kinda see what yer drivin at...AHHAHAHA...sorry..."
Butler Boy sayezezez that,
I respond by:
Ahahah!
You forget that Perkins was injured his shoulder the 4th Game. So let's break it down even more:
5.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg for the 1st 3 games:
Still much better than 9 and 9 that McDyess gave up wouldn't you say? :p.
Sorry Butler boy, you simply can't win.
That's the way uh huh uh huh.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 03, 2008 at 06:46 AM
*______________________________*
• THE 2008 - 2009 Double Decker NBA
• NBA Championship Express Bandwagon
*_________________________________*
*Our Motto: We Gonna Keep On Running
Till We Run Off That Floor with the TITLE.
•____________________________*
IRAQ WARRIOR WINS SECTION:
*____________________________*
(01) NAJJA aka BONUS – LIVE FROM IRAQ*** , And glad to be back in the fold
Didnt think I would be able to chime, but technology is a beautiful thing. Basketball
is back, all is right with the world again. ***GOD PROTECT YOU BROTHER***
*__________________*
*60 WINS + SECTION:
*__________________*
(02) FATTY – OWNER - We're going to ride that Purple and Gold bus down Figueroa
and not stop till we get to Disneyland 60 + WIN BANDWAGONNER
(07) MOB WAGONEER – DRIVER - Last month I started calling this season at 65
wins. Mihm with a breakout year, which is as important as a VP debate. Okay, more
important than that, but you get my point. – YES SIR I DO!!!
(03) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN – I know I'm about excited as I can get without
blowing out blood vessels in my eyes!! FINALLY - Laker season has arrived!!!!
I'm rolling on the 60+ win bandwagon this year - I'm feelin it! 60 + WIN
(04) SAMLL – 60 + WIN The motto for this year should be NO COMPLACENCY
(05) LONGTIMELAKERLOVER - We're gonna ride it till we just can't ride it no more. 60+
(06) LALAKERLOVER - BYNUM IS DA BEAST !!! LO will have a great contract season !!
LAKERS 65-17 !!
(07) SBPIMP - I'm blowing the dust off the 65 win bandwagon from last season, revving
her up, putting the top down, and taking her for a spin down the Ventura Freeway
along the coast. Peace to all my brothers and sisters!
(08) THE OUTLAW - 67 wins, More importantly, home court advantage throughout
the entire playoffs. I am nearly leaping out of my skin with anticipation.
(09) WESJOENIXON – The only explanation, is Laker Magic (pardon the pun). 68 wins!!
(10) TP - just ignore the trolls. they'll go away as we roll up 65 wins & another championship.
(11) LAL FAN 65 WINS and who knows how many championships
(12) BADFINGER - I, for one, am tired of all this yellow talk. When do the games start? I'm ready
for the Lakers New Dynasy to slap these pretentious fools down. The Title is ours for the taking.
Like Pig, I want to ride bandwaggons. Let's see, 65 wins, Figeroa Parade, Mamba MVP II, and
Beast MIP, that should do it.
(13) RICK FRIEDMAN - Please add me to the 60+ band wagon. Can't wait till next week
when we get to see how all this really works.
(14) utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER - ...who is the NBA All Time Leading Scorer
has more NBA Championships than SHACK does. The night we play the Suns,
I've got a special prayer just for you, Butler. Watch for it1
P.S.: 62 wins. Playing it safe. After all..."Pride cometh before a fall..."
*__________________*
* 70 WINS + SECTION
*__________________*
(15) "PIG' MILLER – OWNER - NO WAY NO HOW anyone keeps me off this Bandwagon.
6 Dynasties, 73 wins! Bynum also has a left hand waiting to be revealed this season, in
addition to the long-awaited “skyhook.”" I just got chills.
(16) JAMIE SWEET – DRIVER - Cue the music: Ecstacy adicted clam! That's fricking priceless!
(17) DEREK – don't forget about the 70+ win bandwagon. i'm driving
that bus. there are many open seats, bandwagon should be filled up by seasons end.
Ooh, OOH it’s almost filled up. I’ll order a double decker!!
(18) HAPPY GILMORE – 34+ game win streak, 73+ win season & 2009 NBA Championship?
(19) JON K – 70 WIN BANDWAGGONER – To quote Trevor Ariza "I don't understand
how people are going to be able to stop us." RIGHT THE FRICK ON
(20) FATSAM - 70 win bandwagon here, por favor. Kobe for his second MVP, and a
4-game sweep of the Celtics in the Finals.
( 21) HELLRAISER(: certified Mamba fan) - LET HELL BE RAISE LAKERS!!!!
THE FUTURE IS DECIDED!!!! 80-2 KOBE = MVP BYNUM = DOPY
LUKE = 6TH MAN OR MAYBE TREVOR ^^ ODOM – MIP
(22) TP - just ignore the trolls. they'll go away as we roll up 65 wins & another championship.
*_________________*
** 80 WIN + SECTION
*_________________*
(23) JESTERGURU – DRIVER - Do we have an 80-win bandwagon yet?
I'll drive that sucker, with Tom riding shotgun I'm sure.
Hope everyone had a great summer. Now it's (the first of) our year(s) of titles..
(24) LAKERTOM – RIDING SHOTGUN - - Dynasties upon dynasties! I love it,
(25) MARTY - 'm not sure I understand the deep-felt animosity toward Lamar.
Is it his happy-go-lucky facial expression? He creates fits for the opposition,
and his post-up defense is underrated. He's solid on offense, & occasionally brilliant.
He hustles, he's got heart, and leaves everything on the court ... He's Ronny, with more
game. This is a guy we want on the floor, not the trading block.
*_______________________*
**JUST WIN BABY SECTION
*_______________________*
(26) OTIS CAMPBELL –DRIVER - Where is the Bar? I'm going to be very
thirsty this year. Yes, I'm in - the bar will remain open all season long.
(28) LAKERGURL – OWNER -My prayers for the good health of all especially the players till
we get the first of coming championship trophies & the next one, & the next one & the next......
(27) TOAD – We’re Favorites For a Reason – WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS!
(29) EDWIN GUECO – We have a sustaining force that will lead us to victory
(30) #4 - This year, the championship is ours for the taking; the Lakers WILL be ready to
snatch it from whomever the East brings (it won't be the Celtics this year!!!). The Machine
rolled his ankle? Replace it with a new one. C'mon, he's the Machine after all!!!
In anycase, count our blessings and count our forthcoming Laker championships
(31) JANAYA - My summer hibernation is over. I can't wait! Lets get this party started already!!
(32) PUDDLE - Great feeling about Drew this year. The boy is now a man & is hungry for a title.
(33) THEKOBEBRYANTBLITZ - "The real question is...........Do we have the right coach to put
The pieces together successfully?....That is a definite: YES!!!
( (34) FAITH - I'm encouraged about the desire to be better defensively. God knows we have
enough weapons to click offensively. But still, can't wait to see lol. They say a kiss makes
everything better. I'm willing to do all that I can for that Sasha ankle lol.
(35) BD - Phil you better be all over Lamar this year because if you can't win it this year
you will be gone just like Lamar.
(36) MRBARNEYDANGLES - I don't care where or when Odom plays as long as he
stays on the Lakers. Lamar = Laker for Life
(37) JG - Big year and years to come. I'm excited.
(38) TSLICKK - damn...it looks like bynum is ready for war! let's do this!
(39) SID - Being 36 years old and being a Laker fan since age 10, I'll be moving
back to CA to watch my boys win this years NBA title.
(40) DICE8UPCUP - MAN...THIS IS PRETTY EXCITING TIMES FOR LA LAKERS....
(41) BYNUMITE - WOW! Bynumite will be a BEAST!!!
(42) KSDAX - Hey all we need to do is keep everything in front of us and stay focus.
(43) BUTLER - Hi I'm Butler! I'm in 3rd grade. I can count to 6. That's how
many more Dynasties the Lakers will have.
(44) MAMBA - THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS - WHERE DYNASTIES HAPPEN
(45) SEAN714 - this training camp, someone’s going to “get” something – I call it
the “Aha!” moment when the hard work finally creates clarity – and I’ve got to shuffle the
deck to take full advantage whenever it occurs....."
(46) ROCKY - I can't wait to see this team whoop some @SS.
(47)LAKER_STH - This year is the beginning. NOW IS THE TIME! LO plays extraordinary
for the Lakers and becomes an essential piece to the championship puzzle.
(48) TRUELAKER FAN - man i can't wait the season is finally almost here.
(49) JOHNNYP - This is very exciting stuff!! GOOOooOOO LAKERS!!!!
(50) XANDOPRO - -We are gonna use a MONSTER lineup to finish games.
Nobody on the floor for the Lakers will be less than 6'7".
this could be the deadliest in the NBA.
(51) FROZIE - Goooo Lakers! Go Lamar! Go Beast! LAMAR THE 6TH SENSE
(52) FRANKIE – The Suns setting is in the shadow of The Lakers rising! Go Go Go Lakers!!!!
(53) VMAN - Training camp report: there's not a thing worry about. that has to make you uneasy.
(54) EDWIN GUECO - There are no more day dreaming of the era of the beast b/c we are now
in the jungle and the Beast rules!!
(55) HTJ - How about a "Forget about the regular season, 16-0 in the Playoffs bandwagon?"
(56) CHARLES - I'm normally not one to be on Bandwagons unless it's "get well soon" or
"happy birthday" however."The Trees Tri-nasty is here!" Number (00) is possible...
(57) BAYWOOD – Back to basketball. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?
(58) BLAZE1BX - The most important part is knowing your opposition and utilizing the
players to best match up against them. GO LA! This is our year!!!
(59) JK - Big year and years to come. I'm excited.
(60) KAREEM4PREZ – Kobe is the greatest.
(61) CHUCK23 – Got an E-Ticket Gonna ride and ride and ride.
(62) HMRHED - Since I am the driver of the 4th Dynasty BW, it only makes sense that I
hitch a ride on the Championship Season Bandwagon –
(63) KEIFO – I am in and riding Shotgun. - GO LAKE SHOW!! LIGHTS OUT!!
(64) THE LAMAR SHOW - Times to play in the yearly YAHOO FANTASY BASKETBALL!!
(65) JOHNNY LAKER - Lakers are team to beat. There is not a single team in the NBA
that can matcup to the quartet of Kobe-Pau-Odom-Bynum + the Bench Mob
Let's get that championship.....Woooooooooooooooo
(66) JMAN449 - We know you'd kill for one of those. Tell you what, after we get #15 next
June, you can have the 08 WC banner. The rafters in PHX must be freezing with nothing on them.
(67) XODUS - There won't be an 08 Western Conference championship banner to give
away because we're the Lakers and don't lower ourselves to the likes of those who
celebrate conference titles.
(68) AADI24 - No one can stop the lakers dynasty.
(69) BROWNMAMBA24 - Go Scottie Lamar :-)
(70) SIVA - AND SO IT BEGINS! - With Sheridan gone, You Siva, Yes You, shall lead THE FORCES
OF LIGHT – in this DYNESTY OF THE MAMBA/BEAST – CAMPAIGN
(71) LONGTIMELAKERFAN - If there's 1 player on the current Lakers who could do what Magic
did in the 1980 finals - jump center and play all 5 positions in the game - it would be Lamar.
(72) ROBIN WILLIMANS -- Huge Lakerfan THE CELTICS ARE GOIN DOWN!!! GO LAKERS
(73) FEARLESS - I'm all in for the Championship Bandwagon. Forthwith
(74) DB - a 6'10" pg with two 7' options inside, dfish or sasha outside and kobe anywhere... short
of lamar pitching the ball into the stands every trip down, even he couldn't mess this up.
it's not a question of if itll work, it's if it'll work better than the myriad other ways we can dominate.
(75) DAVE M. bandwagon's starting to smoke again - throw me into the coal car!
Gonna Keep on riding till I just can’t ride no more
(76) STEVEN V. - I say make it so!!!
(77) LAKERS_STH - Lakers are holding an open practice that STHs are invited to attend on 10/15.
*_________________*
STARVE THE TROLLS
BANDWAGON
*___________________*
(01) LAL_FAN - Owner
(02) Pig "Miller" - Driver
(03) TOAD – Head Troll Fryer
(04) Mamba24 - Riding Shotgun
(05) EDWIN GUECO – Judge Jury & Executioner
(06) HMRHED - Riding Shotgun
(07) KEIFO – SECURITY
(08) JON K. - Bouncer
(09) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN – ID Checker
(10) MAGICMAN – Makes the Trolls disappear
(11) FAITH – You got to have Faith
Posted by: | October 03, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 03, 2008 at 07:06 AM
blitz,
You wrote: "because you're a HUGE
Lamar fan"
Actually Hobbit I'm a Laker fan. If we could get Tayshaun Prince and another rebounder at PF then I would jump at the gun for Lamar anytime.'
Personally I wouldn't mind if Lamar coming off the bench.
"I am
actually interested in watching it play out."
It has already been played out back in 2005-2006. Ron Artest guarded Kobe even though Artest is a Small Forward and usually had either the SG or backup PF guarding Lamar. When the Lakers switched to defense, Lamar guarded Ron Artest and Kobe to either Kevin Martin or Bonzi Wells. During the two victories against the Kings the Lakers held them to 85 points the first victory and 80 points the 2nd one. It actually worked fine. Now with a Bynum and Pau Gasol guarding, the defense should be even better combined with Trevor coming back healthy.
My response: Interesting ... I would never have guessed
that you were *not* a Lamar fan.
re: Lamar coming off the bench.... I'm confused. Weren't
you adamant about that *not* happening?
re: the 2005-2006 season. Your statement confuses me.
Lamar wasn't playing PG in 2005-2006. I believe he was
playing SF per your earlier stats. He was also 3 - 4
years younger. He hadn't developed tendenitis in his
knees yet.
Posted by: hobbitmage | October 03, 2008 at 07:24 AM
82 games is a long, long season, and with so many possible player combo's, why not experiment for a 6-8 minute burn now and again?
Try Bynum, KB, Sasha, Fish and Farmar - a traditional NCAA approach, if there ever was one. A swarming, trapping D with Godzilla in the middle and leak-outs on every contested shot...
Or play huge, with Godzilla, El Cid, Vlad, KB, and Lamar - and switch everything - switch-switch-switch, and then switch again. Tell all 5 guys to crowd the paint and force the three. Will it work? Who knows, but why not give it a try?
Maybe even put in a line-up of Godzilla, Lamar, Sun (when available), KB, and Trevor - and have the guys play that old Gerry Tarkanian "Amoeba Defense" from the title days at UNLV. Will the good teams figure it out, and solve it? Of course. But will the crap teams get befuddled, frustrated, and blown out? Of course.
Tinker-tinker-tinker. Innovate. Then annihilate.
A wise man once said "Life is a never-ending tragedy for those who feel things deeply, but life is a never-ending comedy for those who think..."
Respectfully, yawl
HIGH CHEESE
Posted by: karyanr | October 03, 2008 at 07:44 AM
By the way, today's L.A. Times article about Rad Vlad not being bothered by Phillip Jackson's comments is untrue, unless...
Phil Jackson took Rad Vlad aside and said, "Hey, Vlad, I need a punching bag. Someone to pick on for psychological reasons for the team dynamic. Would you be that person?" And Vlad said, "Sure, coach. For the team, I will."
I know Phil's done that before with previous teams.
However, if he does NOT have that arrangement with Rad Vlad, then it really does bother him. His emotional type is all about trust... which also means that they can be untrustworthy with their word at certain times if they don't feel happy about something.
He might say, "It doesn't bother me" as a show of strength, but, deep down, it really bothers him and will increasingly bother him more and more.
Rad Vlad's emotional type is one to calculate every emotional response. What's going on on the outside is not necessarily what's going on in the inside. However, things build up over time (unless the person who is causing the pain/distrust reforms themself or apologizes for their action--Vlad's type is quick to forgive) and eventually the "pressure" from that build-up becomes so much that Vlad is unable to contain/calculate his emotional response and just freaks out.
I think something like that happened when he played for the Serbian national team. I forget the details of the events, but something like that did happen.
In any case, if I were Phillip Jackson, I'd trust this Bio-Chrono analysis of Rad Vlad. Phil! Quit the little digs and take Vlad aside and apologize. It not only good for Vlad. It's good for the team because Vlad is so mentally/socially orientated that if you keep screwing with Vlad's head, the Vlad will unconsciously begin screwing with his social group (team). It's just the way these things work.
Phil, don't screw this up. Do the right thing.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 03, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Good morning Mamba24, Charles, Jon K and the rest of this fabulous Laker morning CRUE!!!!
Pig/Toad - I'm sorry to do this to you this early in the morning, but that Butt-ler troll has been leaving his cow paddies all over the blog all summer and I know I'm not the only one who's just about had it! What happened to you guys? You're the best and greatest of the Troll-BBQ'ing Laker nation, and you have not been doing your job. Now I understand it's been a long summer and you needed some time off, but it's time to go back to work now!! C'mon - for the love of God - get that BBQ out and start grilling up some troll!!!!!!!!!! WE NEED YOU!!!! Send that moron's a$$ back to Grade 3 - banish him to the nether regions of Funsville - tie him up under the bridge - get his mom to punish him with no laptop in his basement - something!!
Also - for all you who do not appreciate the talent that is Lamar Odom - this is his year. He will prove the naysayers wrong. The Swiss Army Knife - the Windex Man - cometh.....be afraid. Be very afraid.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 03, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Good Morning Guys!
Ok Guys,
My longest post ever. Scroll through if not interested. I am trying to make sense of a 3 Way reply. I added a border for each reply for the readers ease. This is for thekobebryantblitz.
MPS = Multi Posting Stormer said: "He was even out for a game in the finals where the Lakers failed to capitalize on"
TKBB = Thekobebryantblitz said: “Actually the Lakers did win Game 5 in that game. So really they did capitalize on.”
Charles says: Capitalize on the series and not that single game. I’m sure Multi Posting Stormer was talking about winning that Trophy and taking advantage of a hurt Kendrick Perkins.
Oh by the way, Lakers lost game five: 98 to 88. So much for “Actually the Lakers did win Game 5 in that game. So really they did capitalize on.” Oh I would have loved to extend the series to 7 games. *Sigh*
http://tinyurl.com/3jqfdd
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MPS: "Ah, let's use a Laker and a former Laker. Sasha during his early days and Von Wafer? Aggressive shooting. Plus have you forgotten Hakeem. Drop step, up and unders and fadeaways. That's how you challenge someone. Box a fighter, Fight a boxer."
TKBB: Aggressiveness as in taking more shots near the basket.
Charles: Like what you say, it’s a matter of opinion. Aggressiveness comes in all forms of offense. Shooting TOO MUCH is being too AGGRESSIVE. It’s not always about going to the basket. Why would you want to play harder not smarter against bigs? Shaq can get away with that because he was the NBA Goliath.
Charles: Also, in this quote you state that Tim and Hakeem use their jump shot TOO MUCH which is equivocal for AGGRESSIVE. That stipulates an insistent offensive behavior.
TKBB: “Shaq even though was a pure post player had very high FG%. Tim too has a high FG% but it isn't as high as Shaq's. Shaq has a FG% career of 58.1% while Tim's is 50.8%. Hakeem is higher at 51.2%. Not saying Hakeem and Tim suck but Shaq has taken almost all his points near the points and dunks. Tim and Hakeem indeed has a good jumpshot from mid range but tend to use it too much sometimes and that lowers their field goal %. Had Tim been more aggressivness his FG% could actually be higher than Shaq. Just remember this is not a knock on Tim, he will go down as the best PF in NBA history until the future says otherwise..”
Charles: Besides, the player that develops a vast scoring skill set is more aggressive in improving their offensive prowess.
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MPS: "Your talking about his personality not his in game effort."
TKBB: Not necessarily. I watch Tim play alot and really appreciate his game even though he's on the Spurs. I like it when he does his post ups and I get so awed when he still manages to make a shot from mid range and use the glass to make his shots and his defense is just tremendous (which I think will be the deciding factor in him surpassing Shaq in career achievements). He doesn't though always does his posts up and dunks when I think he can and sometimes that lowers his shot percentage. In any case, while I do indeed see dunks from Tim he prefers his bank shots which seems more passive then a Kobe or a Lebron dunk. His personality helps him on court as he doesn't get too upset and that helps him focus on his game which is one reason why he gets the "boring" characteristic. In any case, Tim's passive nature can be seen on the court but the biggest difference is that he is focused enough and much more talented enough to be the greatest power forward in history and still be passive unlike Barkley or Malone.
Charles: Sorry bud, taking shots in pressure situations displays a non passive yet active attitude for MVP type players. Winning Championships shows a more Active approach to your NBA career.
TKBB” “and his defense is just tremendous (which I think will be the deciding factor in him surpassing Shaq in career achievements).”
Charles: That is totally contradictory in so many ways. Here’s why: Defense isn’t about being Passive. And if you use Shaq as the Aggressive Model in your post, but also think Duncan’s tremendous defense will be the deciding factor in him surpassing Shaq in career achievements; how is it that Duncan’s in game effort passive?
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MPS: "Ill take a Hall Of Famer coach's Basketball opinion about a player he is in touch with. Not that our blog crew opinion cant be valid, but using Tex Winter's argument can work against a blogger's opinion..."
TKBB: It's a matter of opinion.
Personally I trust Tex Winters and respect his knowledge as I have read his book on the triangle offense. Tex has his opinions and mostly they are good ones, sometimes he's just human and makes wrong ones like the ones about Shaq. On the matter of Odom and Pippen, I actually agree on him to think Odom is Pippen, though people tend to think that simply because Odom will play Point Forward that means he will be Pip.
Charles: So it comes down to formulating an opinion. Chances are, educated and topic involved people will go with the Hall of Fame coach with years of Hands on Basketball experience over a poster with a user name “thekobebryantblitz.” That’s just how it goes. The more experienced person has the edge. No dis to you but Tex is a guru.
You stated, “Sometimes he’s just human and makes wrong ones like the ones about Shaq.” And Tex’ opinion about Shaq: lazy and could have been a multiple MVP award winning player if he put in the conditioning and defensive – AGGRESSIVE effort. Nothing is wrong about that.
According to Tex, Lamar is a better rebounder and Pippen is a better perimeter defender. He also mentioned that Scottie is a better ball handler when pressured by someone smaller, and Lamar is an open court after the rebound type handler. Pippen is also consistent with his jump shot. So how is it that you interpret that into “I actually agree on him to think Odom is Pippen?”
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Lot more point forwards in the NBA and that doesn't mean they are Pippen.
Charles: Huh?
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MPS: "We want to preserve Kobe's playing time. Playing hard on defense against PG's would be too much for the regular season on Kobe. PJ wants to limit his minutes to 36 and Kobe is not disagreeing. Unfortunately, the NBA is not full of Damon Jones'. We have Mo Williams, Baron Davis, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, AI, TJ Ford, Agent Zero, Brandon Roy, Devin Harris, Skip to my Lou, Barbosa, Monta Ellis (when not riding a mo ped) Ray Felton, Juan Calderon, Mike James, Tony Parker etc... would be too big a defensive work load for Kobe."
TKBB: What I meant by matchup is Kobe to assume the role of what he was in the Olympics: Primary Perimeter Defensive stopper.
Charles: But you posted for him to take PG’s on defensively. “Kobe would play defense on point guards and score,” You are backtracking on your statement.
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TKBB: While the Lakers don't have the total talent that the USA team had, we certainly have 2 very good post players that can take the workload off of Kobe.
Charles: Team USA had a lot of good fast perimeter defenders. Bosh-Prince-Anthony-James are way faster SF-small PF’s. Gasol and Bynum are completely different. Capable, but like you have mentioned we don’t have Team USA talent. (More like the Trees and the Mamba, the Satellite Ears – Mbenga/Farmar, the Hair – Sasha/Vlad, a Fish, the Neck Tattooed Thug that PsychedLakerGirl likes ARIZA and the Chinese guy with Mono.)
Never assume they will take the workload off Kobe. This team has yet to be a defensive stalwart. How about their man to cover? Like a Basketball pimp would say “Switchin’ ain’t easy.”
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TKBB: I know that Kobe will probably not guard point guards, I wouldn't make him if I was his coach. Having Kobe play only defense and Trevor helping him, Lamar facilitating as Point Forward with two very good options down low, that's what I mean. But that's just one rotation, I wouldn't use it as a starting lineup, not now not never.
Charles: Then why so fervent entries for a rotation that “I wouldn't use it as a starting lineup, not now not never?”
Charles: Overall blitz, your enthusiasm for the Lakers is appreciated. But you are a misrouting poster. You like to point out that you posted a link first and if the Kam bros post it as a thread you want all the Gold Star Employee of the Month to Court Jessica “chicken by or of the sea” Simpson.
Also very typical of rookies on this blog, you attack a few of posters and misuse their input. Bloggers like Xodus, Hobbitimage, and Edwin Gueco are very forgiving but you have to learn to pick your attacks. These guys are few of the Sages around here.
And finally, your backtracking (“Kobe would play defense on point guards and score – FOLLOWED UP BY - I wouldn't make him if I was his coach.) And stating the obvious replies (Tex is human and makes mistakes) show that you are inconsistent with what you type. It is totally fine to make a mistake or be changed by someone’s post. Your context interpretations are sometimes way off base.
But keep it up. Your zeal is needed here. Just be careful so you won’t be interpreted as Ding How from Pratville.
Xie Xie, Maraming Salamt Po, Gracias and Thank You.
Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Simi thanks for the shout out! Hey the # you gave is a home phone?
Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Rick Friedman,
Well, Rick, to go with your trade idea, what do you see as the most glaring needs of the Lakers which a trade could reverse?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 03, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Stat meisters,
Not that the all star team is an exact measure but,
question: How many 14 mil and over per year players have never made the all star team?
If Lamar had stayed in the East, he'd be a 2 time all star no matter what position he played.
Posted by: Vman | October 03, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Charles-
Outstanding post. You understand!. And yes he totally misunderstood Xodus and fired back with the wrong interpretation. But you are right that he is needed here on the blog.
What does "Maraming Salamat Po" mean? Thank you in what language?
Posted by: Multi Posting Stormer | October 03, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Simi thanks for the shout out! Hey the # you gave is a home phone? Posted by:
Charles | October 03, 2008 at 08:20 AM
WTF? Hey she never gave me her phone number. lol!
GO CHARLES, GO CHARLES! lol!
Lamar Odom - this is his year. He will prove the naysayers wrong. The Swiss Army
Knife - the Windex Man - cometh.....be afraid. Be very afraid. Posted by:
justanothermambafan | October 03, 2008 at 07:57 AM
OH we are...Very, very afraid. That's the problem. LOL!
Just playing with you JAMambaFan. I love players like
Lamar, Scottie Pippen and Tayshun Prince. You can never want to be caught without that
swiss army knife. I think LO is going to have an All-star season and not because his contract
is coming up. The Zen Master is threatening the most important thing about the game to LO.
Does he care about more money? No. Does he care about more shots? No.
BUT DONT F#CK WITH HIS PLAYING TIME OR HE'LL GO MEDIEVIL ON YOUR @SS.
And that is exactly what he is going to do thiis season, play like a man possessed. So relax we
are going to win so many awards and titles this year that it will be ridiculous. But like Xodus says:
we don't care about conference titles, all-star selectons or individual awards this season.
WE ARE THE FREAKING LA LAKERS AND IF WE DON'T WIN THE TITLE THIS SEASON THEN WE SHOULD
THROW ALL THE INDIVIDUAL AWARDS WE WIN IN THE OCEAN. Thats my take what say the rest of the
Blog. By the way where is my manners:
GOOD MORNING CHARLES.
Good morning Morning Crue
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 03, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Laker Tom
Van Morrison from Marin? I didn't know the county included Belfast. A couple in the list wouldn't call Marin home, like Bonnie who's a raised in LA, Laker lover, but it is one beautiful place. No wonder you're so happy... like Huey.
Posted by: Vman | October 03, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Charles are you trying to break my longest post record. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 03, 2008 at 09:27 AM
"Save$25mil" wrote:
>>Trade:
>>Lamar Odumb + Space Cadet + Puke = 2008 Champ & Save $25 mil
That has to be BUTLER, because that's total Phoenix Suns type
of thinking.
Take those three away last season and the Lakers don't
make it to the finals. PERIOD.
They will all contribute to the Lakers getting BACK to the
finals this year and winning the championship. Some
will contribute more than others, but all will contribute.
Look, if you don't understand the concept of role players,
then maybe you need to not watch the regular season
games. Just watch the All-Star game, where every player
is an All-Star and then you'll be happy. You can watch the
Olympics as well.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Welcome to the Blog Haha. With a name like that you are
going to fit right in. Now get to work and get some
material on the Board. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 03, 2008 at 09:30 AM
htj,
>>>Need I remind everyone, if those three morons weren't
>>>on the team last year, Andrew doesn't blow out his knee
>>>and Pau doesn't tweak his ankle late in the season either.
Ludicrous.
Let's look at your scenario. Subtract those three from the team
last season.
First of all, they would have been back in the 8 or 9 seed
area in January, as they wouldn't have won nearly as many
games without Lamar's rebounding, Luke's passing, or
Vlad's 3-point shooting. Presumably Ronny would be
playing more PF & he's not nearly as good a rebounder as
Lamar. Ariza would be playing more SF, and his passing
and 3-point shooting isn't up to Luke & Rad's standards
(though his defense is a bit better).
Second, there's the whole Bynum injury thing. Some people
want to blame Bynum's injury on Lamar, which is a load of
crap. Lamar didn't CAUSE the injury. Being present when
something happens and causing it are two different things.
How do you know that Bynum's knee joint wasn't weak and
inclined to this sort of injury (as Ariza's bones are to his sort
of injury)? Ronny is more agressive (and somewhat reckless)
on defense, so maybe if Ronny's playing more minutes, he
falls into Drew's knee and causes a career ending injury instead.
And if Bynum's injury didn't happen, then the Lakers would
NOT have been shopping for a center and never would have
acquired Gasol in the first place.
In short (too late for that), without those 3, the Lakers finish
out of the playoffs last season, and don't get Gasol.
Stop being foolish. Lamar and Luke and Vlad are NOT
Kwame and Cook and Smush. These guys contribute something
to the team and are not cancers. It's true that Luke and Vlad
don't contribute as much as someone like Kobe or Fish, but
they do have talents that provide PJ with a variety of options
for what he can put on the floor.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Justa,
Blitz has taken the mantle of roaster over the summer. BUTTLER isn't going anywhere either. If you read his posts, they usually don't warrant response because he's mostly raving about nonsense like the greatness of Matt Barnes (a career journeyman) and Terry Porter (a coach with zero accomplishments in his career). BUTTLER is just a jokester.
Jon K.
Did you notice that PJ has some praise for VRad after practice yesterday?
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | October 03, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Laker Hopeful,
>>>Imagine how great it would be if could vote Kobe, Pau,
>>>Bynum, and Lamar as All-Star starters.
Well, at least Bynum will be on the ballot this season. Last season
I had to write him in every time I voted.
If the Lakers play up to their talent level, I think it's possible
two or three of those guys could make it. Barring injury, Kobe
is pretty much a lock. Bynum and Gasol have a good chance
depending on how well and how consistently they play. Lamar
is a bit of a stretch, but an outside possibility. It would require
something that's never happened before - Lamar playing hard
every night (not just every second or third night).
I think you might see Sasha &/or Farmar in the 3-point
shooting contest, and if Bynum or Lamar doesn't make the
big game, maybe you'd see one of them in the dunk contest.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Well, what a surprise - Stern has found through his own "internal investigation" that Donaghy did not alter the outcome of any games, despite Donaghy admitting as much with the 2002 Sac-LA WC Finals.
But Stern doesn't want us to hear the truth, does he? Isn't this like putting the mouse in charge of the cheese?
Here's the BS we are fed:
"The report found no evidence to back Donaghy's accusations that specific games were manipulated, including playoff series in 2002 and 2005. His attorney alleged in June that the league assigned refs to work Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference finals who would make calls ensuring the Los Angeles Lakers would beat Sacramento, extending the series to a seventh game and improving the TV ratings.
While saying it was "clearly not a well-refereed game," Pedowitz said it was called legally, and former Kings coach Rick Adelman agreed.
"I don't know who's evaluating calls or anything else. I said the same thing at the time and I'll say it today, the game was officiated differently in Games 6 and 7 than it was the first five. I said that at time and I believed that. That's not unusual," said Adelman, now coaching Houston. "I don't think they were manipulating anything. I don't think things were really perfect, either."
Posted by: BUTLER | October 03, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Its that time of the year again. Times to play in the yearly YAHOO FANTASY BASKETBALL!! Hope we have as much fun as last year. Sign up now before its full.
*******************************************
*************************
ID - 38535
PW - kobe
http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba
Posted by: The Lamar Show | October 03, 2008 at 09:56 AM
BUTLER,
>>>Amare will get the nod, kobey probably will, but - Lam-Od? No way!
Amare will only make the team if the coaches pick him as a
backup. If healthy, Tim Duncan will likely win the starting
PF position, and Yao Ming the starting center position.
Even if Duncan has a bad season or gets injured, Gasol will
get voted in ahead of Amare. Don't forget: Los Angeles area
has about 20 million potential voters, while Phoenix only has
around 4 million.
I do agree with you about Lamar, though. It would take him
playing out of his head from tipoff of the first game all the
way to the end of balloting for him to make the team. He'd
have to average 20 and 10 or a triple double per game or
something like that. He's just not as popular as guys like
Duncan and Amare and Dirk and Boozer and even
David West.
And I commend you for not being so delusional as to think
that Shaq would actually make the All-Stars. Nash has
a chance, but I think he's going to have to outperform both
Chris Paul and Deron Williams to make it this season.
If Bynum can get back to the level he was playing this
January early in the season and play at that level consistently,
I think his chances to be picked as backup C are as good
as anyone. Maybe his only serious competition would be
Al Jefferson.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 10:03 AM
humanonly,
>>>Here's the solution, insert Sun Yue's name into that
>>>lineup, then tell the 1.3 billion people in China that
>>>that's the way to vote.........
ROTFL. You know what. You've got something there. If they
started Sun Yue, I'd bet dollars to yuan that he'd get voted to
be the starting PG in the All-Stars.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 10:08 AM
mrbarneydangles,
>>>If Lamar doesn't work I doubt Gerald Wallace will. That's
>>>the problem. How do four good players (Lamar, Kobe,
>>>Bynum, and Gasol) all co-exist? Bringing Gerald
>>>Wallace in wouldn't help at all, and I'm sure he would
>>>want a nice paycheck too so there wouldn't be any
>>>salary relief.
Actually, Gerald Wallace would be an excellent fit. Lamar's
problem isn't co-existing with KGB, it's that he's not as good at
the SF position as at the PF position. But SF is Wallace's
natural position. He's a good defender and a better offensive
player than Lamar.
And money isn't the problem - Wallace is already signed
for the next 5 seasons - going from 8.3 million this season
up to 11.4 million in 2012-13.
The problem is, would Charlotte trade Lamar for Gerald
Wallace and filler? They are lacking in size, and Lamar
is the kind of "do what he's told" player that Larry Brown
likes, so it's at least a possibility. But OTOH, I'm not sure
they'd want to give up a quality player who's signed for
the next 5 years at a somewhat reasonable price for a
guy who might not agree to re-sign with them after this
season.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 10:18 AM
LolngTime sez:
"Even if Duncan has a bad season or gets injured, Gasol will
get voted in ahead of Amare. Don't forget: Los Angeles area
has about 20 million potential voters, while Phoenix only has
around 4 million."
Check out FOx sports' NBA page - they rate PFs in the league and you're partially right - Duncan of course is 1, but Amare is 2 in the West, while gasol chimes in at #10.
I don't see gasol getting more votes than Amare, not after Gasol failed in both the FInals and Olympics. If the all star balloting was limited to cities, then maybe, but the vote is open to China and everywhere else as far as I know, which means it's wide open.
Amare but up nearly 30pts/game after SHACK showed up...it will continue to climb this season, whereas Gasol's #s will take a dip if bynumb can play.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 03, 2008 at 10:19 AM
"Pig" Miller,
I did not notice that, but if that's the case, its a good thing. Rad Vlad is better motivated by positive reinforcement than negative reinforcement.
He really needs to get socially involved with the team. Its good for him.
You noticed how Rad Vlad does local charity work and such? Why? Because he needs to be socially involved in his community. Its a deep fundamental need for him to have his social instincts satisfied. If these needs are not satisfied, he gets lost inside his internal mental world.
Want to know why Rad Vlad said that the most important thing Vlad did over the family was see his family? Because he needs to be part of a group to center himself and gain perspective. His family is that group he can trust. They will always be his family. Its a stable relationship.
That kind of grounding and being pulled outside of himself is what Rad Vlad needs, precisely because he is so mentally/socially orientated.
(Our intellect/mental capacities are deeply interrelated to our evolution as social creatures. If we weren't social creatures, we would not have developed the same richness of intellectual/mental processes. As such, our mental/intellectual processes cannot be fully separated from our inherent social instincts as a species.)
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 03, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Mamba24 aka Lar-Dizzle,
The number was for a Laker Viewing us local Cali heads that have been trying to get together. Dirty dog.
And brotha, it's blog training camp. Us vets gotta go through the drills and today, the early post was my two a day...
One love my brotha from anotha motha.
Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 10:24 AM
>>>if manu wasn't hobbled we probably wouldn't have gotten past them.
And if Bynum wasn't injured, then you would have been
swept, and the Lakers would have won the championship.
And if Malone hadn't been injured in `04, the Lakers would
have won the championship in that season as well.
And if my aunt had a weenie, she'd be my uncle.
Injuries are part of the game. Stop whining and get over it.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 10:26 AM
>>>Actually Hobbit I'm a Laker fan. If we could get
>>>Tayshaun Prince and...
I'm Long Time Laker Fan, and I approve of this trade.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 10:29 AM
What does "Maraming Salamat Po" mean? Thank you in what language?
Posted by: Multi Posting Stormer
MPS: It is in Filipino. No problem and thanks for the props...
Best,
Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 10:35 AM
>>>question: How many 14 mil and over per year players
>>>have never made the all star team?
Two.
Lamar Odom
Mike Bibby
That's it.
But I will point out that Bibby got 16 votes for MVP of the
2001-02 season.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Ok Guys, My longest post ever. Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Hey Charles. OUT FREAKING STANDING!!! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 03, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Mamba24 aka Lar-Dizzle, The number was for a Laker Viewing us local Cali heads that
have been trying to get together. Dirty dog. Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Charles my brother, when you wrong, you wrong and I was wrong. Accept my
appologies and accept my KUDOS on a hell of a long but brilliant post.
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 03, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Phil is pissed and I'm pissed too...
Lamar let himself go!
What a selfish punk. What was all that talk of getting wasted on the beach?
UNLESS HE DOES SOMETHING DRASTIC, LAMAR DOESN'T DESERVE TO COMPETE FOR A CHIP WITH US THIS YEAR!
I know that sounds dramatic. but come on, he messed up bigtime.
Phil, after lasts seasons exit meeting, said he was exited that he would have a healhy, in shape Odom for training camp(for the first time!). Summer-Time usually means Surgery-Time in the Odom household, but this summer was different. We had a chance to do somethig special with Odom. In fact, This extra "early start" we thought we would have from Odom is one of the reasons Phil pondered using LO as the point. Well, good luck now!
Lamar let PHIL down!!!!!!!
Lamar let ME down!!!!!!!
Lamar let YOU down!!!!!!!
Lamar let THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Joe SixPack | October 03, 2008 at 10:57 AM
LTLF-
Thanks for the info on Gerald Wallace, I don't know too much about him however I do know that Lamar doesn't have a good enough outside shot for the 3. That post just wasn't very well thought out.
I just don't see the need to trade Lamar though. We don't know how he will fit with the team. So until this team struggles with Lamar as the reason, there should be no trade talks.
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 03, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Puddle,
Thanks for the reply and sorry for the late response. Have you picked up the "Brasil Nativo" album. If so, what's your opinion.
Charles
Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 11:05 AM
BUTLER,
>>>I don't see gasol getting more votes than Amare, not after
>>>Gasol failed in both the FInals and Olympics.
Uh. First of all, being the leading scorer of the tournament
and the leading player on the team that finished second
is far from "failing".
By your standards, there's no way that Yao could make the
All-Star game, because his team didn't even make it to
the medals round of the Olympics.
Yao will be the starting Center for the All-Stars for the same
reason that Pau will get more votes than Amare. There are
more people in the pool of likely voters. It doesn't mean
Pau is better than Amare, he isn't. And again, if Duncan
is healthy, then neither Pau nor Amare will start.
>>>If the all star balloting was limited to cities, then
>>>maybe, but the vote is open to China and
>>>everywhere else as far as I know, which means it's
>>>wide open.
That's right. And a billion Chinese will vote for Yao, so
he'll get the starting position even if he's not the best
center in the West. And 20 million Angelenos will vote
for Pau even though he's not better than Amare.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Magandang umaga Charles, kamusta ka?
Ok, that's pretty much the extent of my Tagolog LOL. But great post and way to stick up for some of the bloggers.
BUTLER -
I'll agree with you that the officiating of that game 6 was a disgrace and the Lakers probably advanced because of it. I'll also agree that it's ridiculous to believe that we should trust a Stern-led investigation into these matters. Game 7, though, the Kings simply choked away with bonehead play after airball after turnover. It was like they didn't even want to win (ahem, Stojokovic). The refereeing was fair (33-30 on free throws) but the Kings couldn't hit a FT to save their life and the Lakers outrebounded them in that game by like 30 or something ridiculous. That game was lost by the Kings, not stolen by the officials.
Posted by: puddle | October 03, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Hey guys-
I think I missed a couple Q's yesterday about LO's "new role," so I thought I'd respond. Yeah, they've done things like this with Lamar before, trying to take advantage of his ball handling skills, but it was back more when the team had serious questions at the PG spot, as opposed to someone like Fish, who while not a top level WC PG anymore is certainly solid. I don't think the goal is to get a team to guard LO with the opposing PG, but to make them uncomfortable. LO creates mismatches in the open floor. Put a guard on him, and it opens up opportunities. Put a forward there and that makes him operate in space more than normal.
The idea is to force opposing coaches to do things they don't normally do, and take their team out of a comfort zone. There's nothing normal about a near seven footer initiating the offense, so if it works, defenses might be put on their heels, disrupting what they do there, and also perhaps how they get back into their own break or offense.
I'm not sure the effects would be that profound, but that's what comes to mind. It's also, for the Lakers, a question of trying to play to everyone's skill set. Fish can be an effective spot up shooter, Kobe loves playing on the wing, where he has endless options offensively.
Like I mentioned yesterday, I don't think this is going to be how they line up all year, but it woudln't surprise me to see them keep it was an option, depending who is on the floor at a given time. And even when things don't "work," they can have benefits. While they stopped using Kobe as a push pace facilitator very quickly last year, I think it helped establish a mindset in the other players that they had to be aggressive early- Kobe fed off that all year, often getting his teammates involved in the first quarter before exerting more control as the game went on.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 03, 2008 at 11:09 AM
BTW, it looks like the Heat are signing Livingston, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 03, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Charles,
Hijole pobresito TKBB.
Posted by: Magia32 | October 03, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Long time sez:
"By your standards, there's no way that Yao could make the
All-Star game, because his team didn't even make it to
the medals round of the Olympics."
We aren't talking about who gets in the ASG, but who is getting more votes...pau is a funny looking dude who lacks the killer instinct, and Amare is freakishly athletic and looks awesome. It's a popularity contest, so if both stay healthy, I'm guessing Amare gets more votes.
But, I really don't care about the ASG. It's a fun thing to watch but popularity contests aren't my cup of tea. Whoever gets in will make zero difference to me.
How about this - let's agree to enjoy the matchup between Amare and Pau, and SHACK and bynumb when it transpires. I can't imagine a more dramatic game in the reg season short of boston-LA.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 03, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Puddle are you Pinoy?
Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Magia32,
How are you primo? The Spanish you use is "Modismo?" Correct?
I love the new Name. A nod to the "Artist Formerly know as Fire32."
¡Qué le vaya bien chico!
Posted by: Charles | October 03, 2008 at 11:49 AM
"re: the 2005-2006 season. Your statement confuses me.
Lamar wasn't playing PG in 2005-2006. I believe he was
playing SF per your earlier stats. He was also 3 - 4
years younger"
Lamar was playing the point forward position then. "Officially" he was playing Small Forward. However because "Point Forward" isn't really a true position in the depth chart, they would usually assign Odom to Small Forward since Kwa-may Brown then Cook played Power Forward. He was labelled as a Small Forward on the "official" five positions on the depth chart and Kobe as Shooting Guard And to explain it more, Ron Artest guarded Kobe Bryant even though Artest was listed as Small Forward back in 05-06 and when they had to guard someone, Kobe would guard Bonzi Wells/Kevin Martin or whoever was the King's Shooting Guard and Lamar would then guard Ron Artest since Artest was the Small Forward. Understand?
"My response: Interesting ... I would never have guessed
that you were *not* a Lamar fan."
I've defended PJ, Kobe, and Pau already in here. Like I said before I'm a LAKER fan and would defend any Laker, even Kwa-may Brown though it would be much harder to defend if Kwa-may was still on the Lakers. I wish I could defend other Lakers like Sasha and Trevor and Jordan but seems like we sometimes over rate them like Jordan the next Tony Parker or Sasha's pesky ways makes him a great defender (He's solid and improving). I let their production speak for themselves and don't try to over rate them, even if it may seem like criticism.
re: Lamar coming off the bench.... I'm confused. Weren't
you adamant about that *not* happening?
No....the argument was Lamar is the better option (not saying Trevor was a bad option) since during the summer he was seemingly the better option and while Trevor has improved his jumpshot (I told you he would while you said If and only if :P) Lamar is still the better option until Trevor has proven he can start more than rotation minutes. I've said it before that I wouldn't have a problem if Lamar came off the bench, just saying Lamar seems to be the better option for now until Trevor proves it on the court (and he has all of preseason to do that).
Understand now Hobbit?
Charles thanks for the feedback or in other words:
Arigato (try that one out)
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 03, 2008 at 11:55 AM
puddle sez:
"BUTLER -
I'll agree with you that the officiating of that game 6 was a disgrace and the Lakers probably advanced because of it. I'll also agree that it's ridiculous to believe that we should trust a Stern-led investigation into these matters. Game 7, though, the Kings simply choked away with bonehead play after airball after turnover. It was like they didn't even want to win (ahem, Stojokovic). The refereeing was fair (33-30 on free throws) but the Kings couldn't hit a FT to save their life and the Lakers outrebounded them in that game by like 30 or something ridiculous. That game was lost by the Kings, not stolen by the officials."
It's depressing to realize that refs and possibly the league would change the outcome of games.
I really wish the league would allow coaches a pair of instant replays per game. Some tool is needed to counter the fallibility of refs, and the potential for prejudice by management.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 03, 2008 at 11:59 AM
LTLF
Well done, forgot about Bibby. At least fans knew what position he played.
One of LOs voting issues has to be that he doesn't fit naturally in any one spot.
Kind of makes one go hmmm, especially if you're signin' the 14 mil check.
Posted by: Vman | October 03, 2008 at 12:09 PM
LTLF & Barneydangles,
My problem with Lamar is not as a person or a player. It's mostly just with what's between his ears, or lack thereof. Regardless of how well he plays, it's usually a little (and oftentimes a lot) less than what the team really needs. A near complete disappearing act in the finals sealed it for me.
I take exception to your assertion that he played the best basketball of his career last season. I'm pretty sure he played his best ball with the Heat. Just enough to trick the Lakers into making him the cornerstone of the Shaq deal instead of Dwade. The ramifications of which still hamper the team. I could only imagine the combination of Kobe, Dwade, and CButler, but I digress.
Lamar as a Laker has been nothing but unfulfilled promises and missed opportunities. And yes, I blame Andrew's injury, at least in part, on Lamar. Check the video. Andrew fights for a board, Lamar stares off into space, Andrew comes down on Lamar's foot. If it weren't for the Pau deal, the season would've been over then and there. Who would you have rather had healthy in the finals?
The experiment is over. Lamar is an exceptional talent who plays average to below average. A good guy with an often lackadaisical attitude who's pretty much a jinx every where he goes.
I bleed purple and gold and I honestly believe the best for the team is to go another direction. Lamar is like the hot chick you once dated that had a bad coke habit. You kept hoping against hope she'd straighten out. When things went well, they were friggin awesome. When they were bad, you wished you never laid eyes on her. You even miss her sometimes to this day. But when you're honest with yourself, you knew it was best to let her go. Lamar is that chick. Let her go. Ship his a$$ out.
Lamar = Laker until we find a taker
Posted by: htj | October 03, 2008 at 12:12 PM
"It's a popularity contest, so if both stay healthy, I'm guessing Amare gets more votes."
Since it is Butler boy, then how on Earth did Yao get the starting nod over Shaq in the 2004 All Star Game even Shaq had a better statistical year than Yao (Pre-All Star break Yao had 16.5ppg and 9.0 rpg while Shaq had 20.8ppg and 10.9rpg)? Both the Lakers and Rockets had similar season numbers at the time; the Lakers at the time had a record as of 31-19 while the Rockets had 30-22 record Pre-All Star break. Plus the 2004 All Star Game was played in LA. So really Shaq should have been starting. However because there were more votes from China, Yao got the starting nod over Shaq even though Shaq won the All-Star MVP (Yao was also the starting center the previous year as well). Long time has a very good point, Pau because of a larger population in LA not to mention international support from Spain, has a good chance of starting over Amare if Pau does very well (and the Lakers as well).
-blitz
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | October 03, 2008 at 12:19 PM