True grit?
Ain't much happened in Lakerland since Friday's loss to Detroit and the "Soft-Gate" rebirth. For what it's worth, Forum Gold and Blue supports the K Brothers' take that "toughness" is more "fall back explanation" than "legit game analysis" when breaking down this recent defeat. A November loss rarely if ever "defines" a team, particularly one that TNT's Kenny Smith compares favorably to the squad that earned him a pair of rings. Unlike, say, the neighbors living next door to the Lakers.
That doesn't mean adjustments aren't in order and in the case of one of the big men whose grit has been questioned, Andrew Bynum may not buy talk of him being a mamby pamby, but he's still dead set on upping his aggressiveness around the rim. His old buddy Kwame Brown can be thanked for a wake up call of sorts. The Lakers may feature the Magic Johnson endorsed "Best player in the L," but that shouldn't prevent more weapons from being utilized.
OTHER NEWS
- Mark Cuban still believes the Jason Kidd trade was a positive for Dallas and Starbury would be a terrific addition. And those opinions don't even represent his most questionable judgment.
- Kevin Durant is digging life in the OKC.
- Cash rules everything around the Denver Nuggets.
- It's never too early (or hasty) to speculate LBJ's 2010 home.
- Nick Collison is the NBA's King of Sweat.
- They've got MJ, Larry Brown and a mega-successful businessman at the helm. So why are the Bobcats still crappy?
This picture is just plain wrong....
Besides, if the dude really was using steroids to such an extent to put on that kind of muscle, the thong would be MUCH smaller.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 17, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Dude is Ripped!!!!!!
I bet he can't wip his own butt!
Posted by: lakeraholic | November 17, 2008 at 10:11 AM
This picture is just plain wrong....Besides, if the dude really was using steroids to such an extent to put on that kind of muscle, the thong would be MUCH smaller.Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 17, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I'M SHOCKED, SHOCKED I SAY!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 17, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Dude is Ripped!!!!!! I bet he can't wip his own butt!
Posted by: lakeraholic | November
ROFLMFAO!! That's the funniest shizzle of the day! hahahha!
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 17, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Dayumm but I wonder what his calves look like?
Posted by: Magia32 | November 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Now that's what I call "toughness".
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Andrew is there something you guys want to tell us?
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm? Lol!
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Dude is Ripped!!!!!!
I bet he can't wip his own butt!
Posted by: lakeraholic
Bro, don't you mean whipe (wip)?
Posted by: Magia32 | November 17, 2008 at 10:16 AM
lakeraholic
My bad bro, you did.
Posted by: Magia32 | November 17, 2008 at 10:20 AM
**--[RECORDS DON’T MEAN A THING THE ONLY] - ****
** [THING THAT DOES IS THE RING BANDWAGON] **
(01)FAITH – DRIVER - The Lakers will not just give up and give in...they will learn and they will
face this adversity head on. Have faith in them.
(02) DAVE M. - . I simlpy believe that the Lakers, as currently constructed, have the
talent, the ability , the size and the desire to go all the way. attitude.
(03) LAKER_TOM- The right way for this team to respond is to go out and start another
7-game winning streak and finish November with a 14-1 record. "NOT MY KIND OF FAN…"
As my Grandpa used to say, "Only a fool argues with a fool."
(04) JON K. - Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever
(05) ISSANG - my goodness. we loss one game. ONE GAME. wow, pathetic people.
if you love the lakers, you hope for the best, you love them win or lose.
stop the hate. please do not put your negative elements on this blog.
(06) LAKER_HOPEFUL - My god, 7-1, best record in the league and somehow, the team
needs to be broken up. It's freaking November, i
(07) ERIC_M - We're going to get better, and better, and better.
The fellas will be ready for the greenies come Christmas day. :)
(08) XODUS - We're 8 games into the season and people are acting like the Lakers just lost
in the Finals. The Lakers Blog certainly isn't where perspective happens (in most cases).
(09) EXHELODRVR - And you're trying to say that this team doesn't have a chance? Come in
off the ledge, please. You're embarrassing the rest of us.
(10) John Wooden, that coach thinks Kobe will be remembered as the best ever. John Wooden
is #1 on my respect chart so I'm going with that assessment.
(11) FATTY - So if 7-1 is a bit slow, then Fatty can live with that type of slow, can you?
(12) NEMAIA FALETOGO - Some people on here just can't accept the FACT that sometimes it's
just the other team's night, PERIOD. Until some team goes 82-0, this will always be the case no exceptions.
(13) AMAZING HAPPENS - just relax Lakers fans, because the season is a marathon, not a sprint. As long
as the Lakers don't lose when the OTHER team plays badly, I think they will be in good shape.
(14) LONG_TIME_LAKER_FAN - Look, the only thing that's too soft is your fan-dom. One loss in eight games
and you melt like a marshmallow
(15) utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER - . The trolls, naysayers and impostors have infested us. It's time to
restore balance to the force.
(16) DICE8UP - Is there real mature men in HERE! GEt over it children.. we lost... end of story...
let's battle again the next game...
(17) HOBBITMAGE -! The stated Goal of the Lakers is not to win in Nov. The stated Goal of the
Lakers is to win a championship in June of 2009. GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF MAN! STOP WHINING!
(18) “PIG” MILLER - It is what it is. You're not gonna win every night. Sometimes it's your night to be crushed.
Happens. But we do know the Lakers are stacked deep and they more than likely won't have lots of games like that.
(19) LONG TIME LAKER LOVER - C'mon you guys - this is our team. We love them! Let's not dwell completely on the
negative. Remember all their stellar play as well - not just the one bad game.
(20) TALIQ aka THE SHERIFF - hope the icing on the cake is made with a healthy dose of excruciating celtic losses
suffered at the hands of purple and gold
(21) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN - One loss does NOT a season break. Do it! Do it right now!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 17, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Dayumm but I wonder what his calves look like?
Posted by: Magia32 | November 17, 2008 at 10:15 A
ROFLMAO, KWAME IS IN THE GYM RIGHT NOW
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 17, 2008 at 10:24 AM
LTLF,
"Luke is not a Smush Parker or Kwame Brown. He's not a super star (or even a star), but he can be a productive player."
Agree with that, and let's play him 10 minutes a game for a while and see if the rust comes off and he can be productive. But not directly to the starting lineup.
Ariza is FREAKISHLY athletic and guys like that need to play. Also, Sasha needs another 10 minutes a game while Kobe is at the 3. Sasha is our best pure shooter. That leaves a few minutes for LW to show his stuff. lol
I guess my bottom line is that there is not much need for slow, can't jump, marginal defensive players that ARE NOT lights out shooters. Like Nash, Steve Kerr, Sasha, etc. I can't think of a single one in the NBA that is in the mold of Luke. I'm not being a smart arse here, I just can't think of one.
There is probably a reason why Luke is "One of a Kind".
Posted by: Eric M. | November 17, 2008 at 10:24 AM
IT WAS JUST ONE GAME
8 games played all season, but this is the one that will define the next 73?
IT WAS JUST ONE GAME
One loss & we're soft? We're "marshmellows"? We need to trade LO & Pau for a defensive stopper in the middle?
IT WAS JUST ONE GAME
Where were Passionate Lakers Fan, Troy, Mike T & Jeff's Aho 7 games ago? We blaze by Portland - CRICKETS! We endure our "test" against Houston - CRICKETS! Dallas led for 3 quarters but we come back in the 4th to take the W - CRICKETS! One Friday night loss and here comes the Chorus of the (Un)Faithful over anal-yzing the game, making ridiculous trade proposals and prophesying doom and gloom over the remainder of the season.
IT!
WAS!
JUST!
ONE!
GAME!
When the Israelites went to spy out the promised land, there was a Chorus of the (Un)Faithful who concluded that there was no way that they could take the land. But 2 men stood out - Joshua & Caleb - who had faith enough to believe.
The end of the story: The Israelites did take the promised land - but not before the 1st generation of those who escaped Pharoah in Egypt lost their lives...
...except for 2 men: Joshua and Caleb.
Laker Nation, we will look back on this loss next June when we're waving our Laker Flags, Banners, Towels and T-Shirts on Olympic & Fig. We will remember the wisdom of the K-Bros & the faith of Mamba, Laker Tom, Tim-4-Show, Faith, Jon K., Edwin Gueco, Charles and the rest of us who did not allow ONE GAME to dash our hopes.
We will remember the Trolls - Butler & LGC's who tortured us, pointed fingers, and kicked us while we were down.
Most of all, we will remember Gunner. We will remember Troy. We will remember Jeff's Aho. We will remember Passionate Lakers Fan. We will remember Mike T. We will remember their posts after this, our first loss of the season. We will remember the taunts about how we're soft. We will remember the dumb trade proposals. We will remember those ridiculous Jackson Journals that mysteriously disappeared around the same time a certain Spaniard from Memphis came into the family. We will remember the gloating and glee exhibited from that same Jackson Journal author when AB17 injured his knee. We will remember your faithlessness. We will remember your lost sense of hope. When we raise that banner & trophy, we will remember how you lost the faith...after JUST ONE GAME.
LET US PRAY:
Dear Lord, we Thank You for revelation. We thank You for separating the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the tare, the chaff from the grain. We know who stand with us. We know who no longer has the courage to stand with us. We ask Your mercy for those individuals who have lost their faith. May every Laker win be a convincing and convicting win. May the development, growth and camraderie amongst our guys develop into a cohesiveness that will make these, the Chorus of the (Un)Faithful, ashamed for their faithlessness.
Lord, we see the truth in their hearts. They DO believe. They DO hope. They DO want to be with us on Olympic & Fig in June 2009 waving their t-shirts & flags. They DO believe. Help their unbelief. When we lose other games - and WE WILL - teach them to turn their disappointment into hope. Allow them to speak words at Lakers Blog that will unite us and not divide us.
With every loss, may they see how, even in those losses, that You are shaping the pieces of our destiny. We don't receive losses as absolutes. We see them as lessons. True champions learn from defeat. It has already been revealed to us in the first 7 wins the lessons we learned in Boston. Allow our fearful, unbelieving bretheren the ability to see with new eyes; to see that the lessons have been learned, and to realize that we have 70+ games to PERFECT ourselves.
We who believe - and have always believed - offer our strength to our brothers. We stand united in our faith. May our faith and unity draw our brothers back into the fold...and for those who choose to remain in unbelief, may the light of our unity shine so bright that their darkness is exposed and they flee from this Blog.
We stand united One team. One mission. One destiny. And we will not be moved because of ONE GAME!
We thank You for answered prayer...AMEN!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | November 17, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Dude. That guys muscles muscles have muscles.
Seriously, that's just weird. He looks like he has tumors, not muscles. Ugh.
Mark Cuban in the hotseat. I always knew there was something shifty in his eyes....
Tomorrow's game day people. Are you ready???
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | November 17, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Magica31,
"Dayumm but I wonder what his calves look like?"
I'll go out on a limb and guess this cat has calves that would qualify as "corn fed." haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 17, 2008 at 10:36 AM
FYI. For those who didn't know, this is what BK looks like when he flexes. Unflexed, however, he looks totally normal. Very strange, but that's just kinda how he rolls.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 17, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Mamba24, you are what we call a "Community Builder". Keep it up.
Regarding the pic, when did Lance Armstrong get so yoked? I didn't know blood doping could do that for you!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | November 17, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 17, 2008 at 10:47 AM
mamba 24
#10 quote is staggering. Who, pray tell, penned that gem?
lol, jk, please, no repost, the blog should conserve screen space in this new green environment.
Posted by: VMan | November 17, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Mamba24 - the blog comes back into balance!
Utzworld - I have no words... that was simply incredible.
Posted by: dave m | November 17, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Let's all hope Cleveland crashes and burns in the playoffs during the next two years so that LeBron will want to leave and come to LA to join forces with Kobe.
Posted by: EJK | November 17, 2008 at 10:53 AM
That article on Bynum was sad.
I am glad that 8 games into the season he figured out he needs to be aggressive. Better than realizing it 81 games in.
But I like players who have never questioned being aggressive. Do you think Kobe, Farmar, Ariza or Gasol need to tell themselves they should constantly be looking for openings and opportunities to shoot?
Now that some one told him or he figured it out, I hope he becomes the beast we know he can be.
And speaking of teams that are too soft. How about those Lakers trolls collapsing like a black hole after one loss???? SOFT!!! NOT EVEN STROFT!!! JUST SOFT!!!
GOOooooOOOO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | November 17, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Mamba24
You don't miss a thing. By the way, did you loan that guy your thong?
K's -
Is LO still in a grumpy mood? Did you notice if he's calmed down since his post game walk away?
Posted by: Fatty | November 17, 2008 at 10:59 AM
AMEN
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 17, 2008 at 11:00 AM
THANKS AMAZING HAPPENS
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 17, 2008 at 11:01 AM
The Lakers are fine. They sleep walked into a game where the other team was waiting for them. This one loss does not negate the many positives we saw over the first 7 games. It just proves that A) championships are not won in Novemmber and B) the Lakers will still have to earn the title.
Posted by: LoveLALakers | November 17, 2008 at 11:02 AM
This picture is just plain wrong....Besides, if the dude really was using steroids to such an extent to put on that kind of muscle, the thong would be MUCH smaller.Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 17, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I'M SHOCKED, SHOCKED I SAY!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 17, 2008 at 10:12 AM
___________
It's ok Mamba24 - don't be shocked - we all know that's not you!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 17, 2008 at 11:03 AM
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER sir you have out did yourself this time. Thank you
for help keeping this Blog together. You are amazing Brother.
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 17, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Utzworld
Nice. Always with a humble, prayerful attitude.
Posted by: Fatty | November 17, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Mamba24 By the way, did you loan that guy your thong?
Posted by: Fatty | November 17, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Stop it Fatty, Stop it right now! ROFLMAO
Posted by: MAMB24 | November 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Mamba24 & Utz -
Thanks for the stabilizing influence you exert on the blog. We should all be cool & collected now, and just waiting for tomorrow's game where the Purple & Gold will trounce the Bulls on their way to an ass-whooping of the Phuns and Enver.
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
It's ok Mamba24 - don't be shocked - we all know that's not you!! Posted
by: justanothermambafan | November 17, 2008 at 11:03 AM
HAHAHA ROFLMAO!! Everybodies a comic today. Fatty take back your crown
Posted by: MAMB24 | November 17, 2008 at 11:08 AM
justanother,
I'M SHOCKED, SHOCKED I SAY!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 17, 2008 at 10:12 AM
___________
It's ok Mamba24 - don't be shocked - we all know that's not you!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan
"This picture is just plain wrong....Besides, if the dude really was using steroids to such an extent to put on that kind of muscle, the thong would be MUCH smaller."
********************************
Because we know that Mamba24 alwayth hath a thong in hith heart.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 17, 2008 at 11:10 AM
I don't know if anyone has seen Marc Stein's Power Rankings yet, but I just took a look at them. I think power rankings are stupid, but after enduring two or three years of the lakers being in the middle of the pack, I get some joy from them being first.
Needless to say the Lakers were second this week which is understandable, but Marc Stein justifies his ranking like this: "Seemed headed back to No. 1 after a back-to-back road sweep of the Mavs and Hornets. A home loss to Detroit, though, reminds you, amid all the runaway hype, that L.A. has lots to prove against teams that play physical." That is just a ridiculous statement as anyone who watched the game can attest to. As has been covered by the K bros, and Forum Blue and Gold, clearly that was not the issue. I thinks its just embarrassing for Marc Stein. It just shows poor journalism. It also made me upset because people who read these things actually believe them. You'd think Stein could tune into a game that was on his employer's network, but obviously not.
Anyone who watched that game knows that the Pistons played well and the Lakers were simply not themselves. Needless to say the Lakers are number one in my power rankings. I can't believe we have to wait another night for a game. I hope we mop the floor with the Baby Bulls.
Matt
Posted by: Matt | November 17, 2008 at 11:14 AM
What you guys think?
with Vlad poor play of late, but now injured and out of the starting line up is this a good problem to have?
Posted by: Magia32 | November 17, 2008 at 11:16 AM
This guy looks like he spent time in a chicken hatchery...They give chickens hormone pellets and have them at full size in half the time....Dude must have a huge toilet seat.....
Speaking of huge toilet seats, did anyone see the spray Shaq gave Porter after the WWE move he put on Stuckey?
It looks like the team is a little out of control at the moment....Porter does not have control,that is for shore.
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 17, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I just puked a little in my mouth there. What a picture!
Posted by: Faith | November 17, 2008 at 11:17 AM
That dude would be strong in the post, but don't know about his transition D --
I'm on the K Bros side of the isle -- the toughness talk is a cop out. They simply did not play with the same intensity they played with in NO. Every team has one of those let down games. I believe this week will be a good one. 3-0 agisnt the Bulls, Suns and Nuggs.
Hey Mark -- when the SEC comes a knockin' it's time to make friends with the warden -- was saving $750K worth it? You get that fine from the NBA every year.
Posted by: HmrHed | November 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Someone else hearing the "thong song" in their head?
Wow.
Posted by: Faith | November 17, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Great, now everytime I refresh the page Mamba's thong pops up front n center.
Thanx alot K's
Posted by: Magia32 | November 17, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Mamba, you are in classic form today. Good stuff.
It's amazingly predictable that the riff-raff will emerge after a Lakers loss. Whatever. I don't even read those guys' posts. Mike T. has spent the entire off-season composing bad poetry and Jeff's A-Kook has been... well, probably just biding his time waiting for a loss so that he could post some ridiculous spray.
I'm looking forward to a nice bounce-back game from the boys on Tuesday. Let the naysayers fall silent... unless they have something legitimate to say. (Read: Gunner, I respect your opinion, bro, even if I don't always agree with you. You are purple and gold through and through.)
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | November 17, 2008 at 11:26 AM
LoveLALakers
"The Lakers are fine. They sleep walked into a game"
I feel that is true. They were starting to believe all the things we were saying about them on the blog and became complacent.
They thought they were the 'cats meow' and Detroit turned them into Cat Litter and pooped all over them.
They were humbled, brought down low, and if they have the right attitude, as I suspect, they will use this as a learning experience and grow accordingly.
Posted by: Fatty | November 17, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Young Andrew says he hasn't scored on basket this season in the post based on creating his own shot. All of his baskets come from slip and rolls or lobs.
What does that mean? I means young Andrew has to rely on defensive break downs from the teams they're playing.
Now listen to what PJ has to say:
"Brown signed with the Pistons as a free agent during the offseason.
His play impressed Lakers coach Phil Jackson.
"I thought Detroit used him really well and kept him to the things he can do," Jackson said.
"The thing that Kwame does well is defend. He's a good defensive player. I think that Andrew just didn't have that many chances. I went to him late a couple of times in the fourth quarter.
"He had a play here and there in the first half. He did some terrific offensive rebounding in the first quarter. I thought his presence wasn't really felt after that."
_______________________________________
You see what PJ is saying? He's saying that Kwame's defense didn't allow Andrew that many chances.
There seems to be some thought that all the Lakers have to do is pass the ball into Andrew and let him do some post moves and everything will work out.
My point is this: When you can't get positiion in the post because someone stronger than you is denying you position...then you're not going to get a pass into the post because you're not in that position in the first place. Hence, PJ says: " I think that Andrew just didn't have that many chances..."
But the more telling think about the piece I pasted was this. Young Andrew said this:
"I don't think I've scored on a post move this season. I think everything's been off screen-and-rolls and catching it high and finishing high (off lob passes), so I'm going to be more aggressive."
Now we're getting to the truth of the matter. This kid hasn't developed any type of post moves to earn a steady supply of entry passes to the post.
If this guy can't create his own shot then it won't take a 270 defensive center to stop Bynum at all. I'll just take a little resistance and nothing more.
If this is the case then Bynum will continue to have to rely on weak defenses to score off of "...screen-and-rolls and catching it high and finishing high (off lob passes),..."
That's fine and dandy. It's what got him his contract. It's what got Kwame traded. It's what helped the Lakers win their first 7 games of the season.
But againt a defensive team where those screen-and-rolls aren't there...he'll need to be able to create his own shot. That's something he said he hasn't done once this season. THAT'S TROUBLE against Detroit and Boston.
As for Gasol...relying on Gasol is like relying a marshmEllow to satisfy your hunger. Ain't gonna happen. LOL!
The Lakers are soft. Everyone in the league knows it. But most reporters have to sell newspapars....so they act like they don't know. But true fans of the game know.
The Lakers are soft as a marshmEllow.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | November 17, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Because we know that Mamba24 alwayth hath a thong in hith heart.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 17, 2008 at 11:10 AM
OMG!! If there were aisles here I'd be rolling in them!
Posted by: dave m | November 17, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The "soft" moniker is, quite simply, an easy out. It's a good way to argue that Kwame is twice the player that Pau is... except that Pau is a 20-10 guy, and Kwame is, well, NOT. This "soft" team has been out-rebounding teams in droves, remember? Come on, man. You are totally obsessed and completely irrational.
Maybe take your marshmallow post and turn it into some brilliant blank verse. Yeah.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | November 17, 2008 at 11:52 AM
"The Lakers are soft as a marshmEllow."
Why should we trust anything you say. Aren't you the same dude who was trolling the blogs at Politico talking about how McCain was gonna wipe the floor That (President-Elect) One?
The only thing soft is the 4 padded walls in that mental institution you call Home.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | November 17, 2008 at 11:53 AM
I think collectively going through the terror of this image has somehow, somewhat gotten us closer and more bonded as a family. Something we'll all, for better or worse, remember in good times and in bad. Thanks to all for bringing particular attention to the thong.
GOOooOOO LAKERS!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | November 17, 2008 at 11:55 AM
'The Lakers are as soft as marshmEllow'......
Then go and support another team.....
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 17, 2008 at 11:56 AM
AK/BK,
Is that photo real?
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 17, 2008 at 11:56 AM
That photo cannot be real.
It can't.
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 17, 2008 at 11:59 AM