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
mrbarneydangles,
>>>I just don't see the need to trade Lamar though.
I heartily concur. I would way prefer to see Lamar come off
the bench, but when that was brought up we finally saw some
ego from Lamar (he's usually so humble). I think the starting
SF will have to be someone who can hit 3's at a 35% rate
or better (40% would be nice), to space the floor for Bynum
and Gasol and Kobe.
>>>there should be no trade talks.
I semi disagree with you there. While I don't think the Lakers
should go shopping him around, I don't see any harm in people
here proposing people he could be traded for who might actually
fill greater needs in the current Laker lineup.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 03, 2008 at 12:42 PM
htj,
"I could only imagine the combination of Kobe, Dwade, and CButler, but I digress."
Caron, and Wade playing alongside Kobe would have been nice, but we would be nowhere near the level we are at today.
That combo could get us to the WCF andthat's about it. We would have been stuck in LimboLand. To good for a high draft pick, not good enough to win it all.
We would have never been able to get Andrew Bynum without Lamar's letdown from his 03-04 season one-hit-wonder. We would have been bounced into the second round and Eddy Curry would be our starting center right now.
Mitch put the right deal together.
Posted by: FanO'TheLakeSho | October 03, 2008 at 01:57 PM
I think all the European players on the Lakers should grow long Gandolfesque beards and crazy, long Vikingesque hair.
Absolutely.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 03, 2008 at 03:21 PM
ltlf,
">>>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"
if bynum wasn't injured i wouldn't have been swept, being as i'm a laker fan. i thought it was implied by referring to the team opposing manu as 'we'.
but i'll call people out if they're spewing garbage about duncan or his dynasty, same as if they talk trash about any of ours. i like to keep the distinction between the real deals and the pretenders. feel free to tear into the one and dones like the celtics, or the never weres like the suns/mavs though.
regards,
Posted by: db | October 03, 2008 at 05:18 PM
BUTLER
If the SUNS are so great, why don't they have a blog and why aren't you on it ???????
since your here.....
PLEEEZE don't give us the line that SHAQ is in shape and ready for the season, The guy is SO OLD and SO FAT and SO OUT OF SHAPE it's a JOKE, 330 admitted pounds which means 345-355, you will be lucky if he plays 35 games this year and I know he's saving himself for the playoffs, the only problem is the suns won't make the playoffs this year.
The reason SHAQ wanted the trade to AZ was so he could live @ SUN CITY's 55+ community and work as a security guard.
Posted by: tomK | October 04, 2008 at 02:47 PM