You knee(d) not worry about Kobe
The Santa Ana winds have nothing on the gust created by the collective exhale from Laker fans upon getting word that Kobe's Bryant's hyperextended knee won't likely amount to time missed. Heck, The Mamba is even debating playing in tonight's preseason game against Charlotte, and while I would personally prefer he'd take the night off for safety's sake, even the possibility of Bryant playing is a positive development. Not to mention a relief to Josh Powell, who would have needed to change his cell number if an ACL had been torn. The good news matched Kobe's spirits at practice, where he played trash-talking peanut gallery as Sasha Vujacic attempted to can a ridiculous hook shot. For those who prefer visual aids to the written word, it's all on video, courtesy of the Press-Enterprise.
Other news:
-- Jordan Farmar has shed the "know-it-all" attitude of his rookie season.
-- The Times' Kurt Streeter examines the question plaguing mankind since the beginning of time: Are the expectations for Lamar Odom too high?
-- If Andrew Bynum enters the season without an extension, he and David Lee will be able to compare "Which GM is calling your agent?" notes.
-- The Critter could be on the move again at some point.
-- AK
*THUR OCT. 23 - LAKERS VS. CHARLOTTE –*
*
Good morning Charles, Laker Nation
*
ROLL CALL:
FAITH, BOB, KEIFO, VMAN. Jay Jay, CHARLES, Edwin Gueco, Tsiry, FATTY, ANGRYLaker
Tha Show, Tim-4-Show, TheLakeShow, Generic_One, PIG Miller, Toad, TALIQ, LakerTRUTH
WES_JOE_Nixon, Zakee, Cleon, SBPimp, The_D, Bozz, #4, Nemia Faletogo, ELLE, HMRHed
ComptonsFinest, LakerLEGACY, EXHELODRVR, LAKER TOM, RICK FRIEDMAN, JON K.
Mr..Nano, ERIC M. Big DAWG, NAJA aka BONUS, KOBE_BLITZ, NEVER, The OUTLAW
RDLEE, , TWOODY. HUGO_BOSS, CORNER J., BAYWOOD, HUGO SPAIN, JAMIE SWEET
Tsphere, WeaveMan, SIX_ONE_Zero, FEARLESS, CBUCK, KIWI, LAKER_STH, JANAYA
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, DICE8UP, HTP, EAST_COAST_JMAN, WOW, SAMLL
BackMamba24, BrownMamba24, WhiteMamba24, Mamba24Fan4Life, FanOfMamba,
JustAnotherMAMBAFAN, JustALakerFan, VI LakerFan, MR_BARNEY_DANGLES, WOLF
LAKER_BAKE, LAKER_LARRY, LAKERS4REALZ, LAKERSNZ, DAVE_M, 1978, P_ANG
HELLRAISER(certified Mamba Fan) LAKERMAN_420, MAGIC_MAN, HOBBITMAGE
Purple&Gold_REIN, ZEN, JOHNNY P., DAVE ROSENZWEIG, MOKO, JESTER_GURU
LAKER_BANDIT, BRAD, BOBIE, DAVID_WHANG, DAN_the_MAN, HUBBIT, JUSTIN
STAY_THIRSTY_MY_FRIENDS, COMPLEX_BROTHA, CALIPHILOSOPHER, CHUCK23
LAKERGurl, SFLAKERGirl, PSYCHEDLAKERrGirl, SIMILAKERGirl, BOCALAKER_GIRL
LAKER_GIRL_1980, HOUSTONLAKERGirl, SheKobe, LakersRydeOrDie,, LAKER_LASS
DrewPauKobe, KobesBad, NIK KANNAN, SLO_GAL, DAVID_IN_SPAIN, MIKE_T., EJK
SmoothD, ISSANG,THIRTY2, BLAZE1BX, LAKER_FAZE, MAGIA32, EAST_NYBOER
Machiavelly, DOC4daLakeShow, KOREY, KARYNANAR, BRAD, PUDDLE, BLKTHGHT06
EPICMESS, StrangerInTheNight, CAMERON, CDUB0512, CALI_KING, BYNUMITE
T_SENSEI, BerkleyLaker, CHICK_4EVER, LONG_LIVE_CHICK, ALEXHIN017,
HEAD-MBENGA, LAL_FAN, LOOK_LONELY, LOTECH8, VIOLATER, LAKER_IN-BC
SALTLAKER, FKILLAH, HARIYAHU, JCOOL, BZAR, LAKER_DAWG, PS.LAKER_FAN
MICHIGAN_LAKER, PAUL_LEE, BENJAMIN, TEEJ, LAKER_HOLIC, YOU_EVER_NOTICE
WondahBap,Cyrus(Ventrilquist), MARTY, JANDRO, TRIO, LAKER_HOPEFUL, AA_LOOS
CriticalBeatDown, RealityBites, RESPECT_MY_AUTHORITH, MITCHELL, EAGLE_BOY
AMAZING HAPPENS, TELLitLIKEitIS , Lakers4Lyfe, Nestros_Bistro, LINDA_PINEDA
CooLHAIR, CGARNAGLE, JOREMA, AFRO_JOE, DASCILLA JONIN_IN_JAPAN(INCanada,
FRANK FRIZZO, STOCKTON_SHOWTIME, LADIES_MAN, KIKOS_DAD, LAKER_FAN
GiantSquid, STAPLES24, RICO_TICO, LAKALOVER, HE_WHO_HOOPS, B4_HOOPS
AJAX, XTRO, GREEK_DUDE, MobWagoneer, PK-in-the-MESA, LAKAFOO, JHLANNERY
HTJ, LakerFanCanada, ValleyLaker, CHRIS_H, TULLY MOXNESS, SWETTUAL
LAKERKev, Reality_Check,PURPLE&GOLD4EVER, GDChild, CHUCKY, Benny_BLANCA
BronxLakerFan ChitTownLaker, HoustonLaker, TexasLaker, BrazillianLaker, USCLaker
*
ALL TOGETHER LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT A NEW DYNASTY IS HERE:
*
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES.
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY.
THE ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(6). THE
HOME OF THE REIGNING AND FUTURE MVP – KOBE BRYANT. THE
HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, ELGIN BAYLOR,
THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, BOB MCADOO,
"BIG SHOT ROB HORRY" GAIL GOODRICH THE LEGENDARY SPORTSCASTER
CHICK HEARN COACHED BY 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
& OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: mamba24 | October 23, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I get the LA Times delivered to my house and since I don't work until 2 PM today, I thought I'd read it. What should I find but two extremely good articles about Lamar and Kobe, especially Lamar.
Kurt Streeter nails it, an I'm sorry to hear about his baldness, but Geddy Lee wrote a great song about that phenomenon called...I'm Think Going Bald.
Lamar is the fluid that makes the Laker team flow smoothly, not just by his heart and his generosity, but by his style of play. I think that Phil, Mitch and Kobe all know this to be true. I think they know the value of having players in the locker room that haven't lead a pampered athlete-style of life.
I'm glad to hear that Kobe wants to give it a go. One, if it ain't broke why wait? Two, I just want to hear Charles Barkley talk about what a warrior and how tough Kobe is.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | October 23, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Hey Guys!
Posted by: Charles | October 23, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Man, I also loved the Kevin Ding story. That is great stuff, thanks K Bros, that was sweet. I kind of wish they'd be that loose at the pre-game shoot-around.
Ce'st la vie.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | October 23, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Mamba24
Chest pound to ya!
Posted by: Charles | October 23, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Boy, my first post grammar was crappy
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | October 23, 2008 at 10:29 AM
MANKIND'S UNANSWERABLE QUESTIONS:
1. What's the meaning of life?
2. Where do we go when we die?
3. How does the BCS work?
4. Are expectations to high for LO?
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Jamie Sweet,
Garmmer and Spilling is not my best characteristic either. I always mis-spill.
One Love
Posted by: Charles | October 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I love the Kobe-Sasha story by Kevin Ding and that accompanying video. It's always so fun to see how the players interact off court in practices.
Posted by: PeanutButterSpread | October 23, 2008 at 10:37 AM
CHARLES RIGHT BACK AT YA
Chest pound to ya!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 23, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Boy, my first post grammar was crappy
No, No, No, Nothing Jamie Sweet does is crappy
Only sweetness comes from Jamie
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 23, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Great article by Kurt Streeter, really good article.
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 23, 2008 at 10:43 AM
4. Are expectations to high for LO?
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Nice one Xodus
Posted by: Charles | October 23, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Multi Posting Stormer,
Thanks for the compliment! Brian Kamenetzky and I are from planet "Esoterica." Actually quite a few of the bloggers here at pretty damn smart.
But don't include me to those peeps. Look at my post on
Posted by: Charles | October 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Posted by: Charles | October 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
omg mamba24 just dropped me from the roll call....
i know i don't post that often but trust me i'm still here :D
Posted by: grail | October 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Kevin Ding is doing an awesome job of covering the Lakers this season.
Posted by: Xodus | October 23, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Jamie Sweet,
Forget the grammar, we all makes mistakes here balancing our work and blog. No proof readers to spell check or put sentences in proper places. We understood the point that you are putting across, I believe that is most important.
Now that we know Kobe was not hurt badly, we don't need the evidence by seeing him play tonight. He needs rest after a long season last year including the Olympic games and 20minutes playing in preseason games. If we termed these games as preseason and tune-up we have seen a lot of Kobe, we are more interested how Sun Yue would go back to his normalcy and blend w/ the Lakers, the same with the 15th player, Coby Karl what will be his role in the Lakers lineup? Will he be in the new Luke this season as the Turnover Specialist?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 23, 2008 at 10:52 AM
i stopped crying.. phew
Posted by: tp | October 23, 2008 at 10:53 AM
omg mamba24 just dropped me from the roll call....
i know i don't post that often but trust me i'm still here :D
Posted by: grail | October 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
GOD@#^&**(*( I always said that Mamba24 is a good for
nothing.**&^^%^%. A thousand pardons I was revising the Roll call
and of all the names to Drop. A thousand pardons. It will
be there with ruflfles tomorrow
Posted by: mamba24 | October 23, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I was wondering where the AM crew was?!
Good morning all, Mamba,Charles, Edwin, etcetera, etcetera!!
Big game tonight. Let's go Lakers!
Posted by: Fatty | October 23, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Rick Friedman,
I address this post to you b/c of your strong preference of Jordan Farmar. I have criticized him before with his inconsistent defense during the Finals, lately I'm beginning to realize 'my mistake' based on his solid performances in the last 3 games. LakerTom has been lobbying during the time of Smush that he should be the PG starter. There was also a debate a week ago on who is better PG between Fisher and Farmar, well the most recent performances gave us the clue for the season. I believePJ should consider as the starter and slide Fishers as 2nd PG. He can give the bench mob a veteran input and stability plus a little rest on those tired legs at work since 1987. We should preserve Fisher's legs for the playoffs, we need his leadership by setting a command post on the bench as Mr. Motivator. I saw that image of leadership when Kobe got down, he took over in rallying the guys. Secondly, If Blitz observation is right, Karl should slide as 3rd PG and exchange places with Sun to be 3rd SG. In this way, Lakers avoid mismatches in guarding tall SG's. Based on their games, it looks Karl would be a better ball handler than Yue.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 23, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Kevin Ding article was nice ... can't wait for the season to start ...
this year the opposition is better, but whatever they throw our way we can always raise 'em with kobe ... so fire your rockets at us, send killer hornets our way, try lulling us to sleep with your jazz, light a blaze on our trail, it'll only spur us to victory yo ... whether we gotta go through a king, vicious raptors, magicians, a train firing on all pistons, or the evil green leprechon we're going to be up to the challenge ...
[“If you want to quit,” Bryant tells Vujacic, “quit.”
“I’m not going to quit!” Vujacic answers with a snarl. “You know me.”]
You know them ... They believed when they had smush and kwame starting and they believe now that they're the favorites ... nothings changed, they ain't gonna quit, a kobe led team never does ... and that's y we love them ...
Posted by: Taliq | October 23, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Mamba 24,
On your roll call, you missed some alive bloggers like grail and kept on calling bloggers who have been AWOL either dead or became blog-dumb. Is there a way of re-seeding your roll call by asking everyone to post again at least once in order to be recorded. By December, you can have a new list, fresh, crisp, and up-to-date.
Another note, I thought there was already understanding that you can't curse anymore even if your name is Mamba24. "OWNED BY THE BEST D@MN OWNER IN SPORTS" Please stay clean or I will give up as your pro bono lawyer
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 23, 2008 at 11:27 AM
BLOG CRUE
Can't wait to see the game tonight even if it's a pre-season. I just passed on going to the Air Force Falcons game tonight to enjoy the Lake Show.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | October 23, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I'd like to reiterate my trade suggestion of Sun Yue for Javaris Critterion.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 23, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Just wanted to voice my appreciation as well, for Ding's Kobe/Sasha piece. Quality stuff.
Posted by: dave m | October 23, 2008 at 11:49 AM
I just passed on going to the Air Force Falcons game tonight to enjoy the Lake Show.
Colorado loves the Lakers! Posted by: Hugo Boss | October 23, 2008 at 11:33 A
NOW THAT'S A LAKERS FAN!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 23, 2008 at 11:51 AM
"You can watch the game tonight on TNT (7:00 PM; Pacific Lakers time) and the real reason you be watching is to see me, one of the best announcers in the business"
- Charles Barkley
Posted by: Fatty | October 23, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Afternoon all, appreciate the leniency on the grammar bit, but as a West Coast elitist, I feel the need to stand as an exemplary example for the way the written word should be respected. Like ancient American Indian peyote ceremonies becoming a novelty in movies, so too is the respect given to the written word.
Like my friend Phil Van Hest says, "50 years ago if I was writing to my aunt in Holland, you can better believe that I wouldn't have written, 'How R U?'...mail it."
Although blogging can be a fast paced form of communication, especially when one is at work (I often feel like Steve McQueen in the Great Escape), I for one see no need to abandon Strunk 'n White's rules to write by.
But I digress, thanks Charles, Edwin and Mamba24 for the big ups, I'll be taping the game to watch before I retire for the evening.
By the way, which galaxy IS planet 'Esoterica', is Les Claypool from there as well?
GO LAKERS!!!!!
PS: Flea takes Music classes at USC, he wants to learn how music works, classic-style. I think doing a classic version of 'Catholic School Girls Rule' would be a thing most fine. That's my strange tidbit for 2008.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | October 23, 2008 at 12:25 PM
OMG Jordan had an attitude?
Trade him now! lol, jk.
Seriously though that's not good news. Even if that's just in the past.
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Sasha's a good dude.
Positive attitude, hard working, good looking :-)
What's not to like. He's not going to sit on his contract either, he's going to earn it and more.
Go Sasha! Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Faith - it's good to see some things never change: Kobe's killer instinct, Sasha's hair, your crush on him.....
You could probably put your nursing skills to good use helping him with this ankle thing. Have you considered calling the FO and volunteering your services? I know one thing for sure - you're WAYYY better than Vitti.....lol!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 23, 2008 at 01:10 PM
justanothermambafan,
Hey why change what works lol.
LOL @ Vitti. I'm telling you sometimes I wonder where they got their degrees? Is it a mail order thing? No MRI for Kobe?
Posted by: Faith | October 23, 2008 at 02:51 PM
I'd like to reiterate my trade suggestion of Sun Yue for Javaris Critterion.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 23, 2008 at 11:35 AM
I beg to disagree. A few pre-season game miscues is not a reason to give up on Sun Yue. Give him time to acclimatize to the system. I liked Javaris before but he is already with the Grizz. He was not good with the Traingle when he was with us either (being new to the system). The FO sees something in Sun and he will prove them right soon. Be patient.
Posted by: Lakergurl | October 23, 2008 at 03:24 PM