A lot going on
While there are certainly bigger issues in the world today than the Los Angeles Lakers- Derek Fisher in particular would agree with that sentiment, and without much argument from his teammates or coach- that doesn't mean the average purple and gold loyalist's mind strays completely from the beloved squad. Particularly upon hearing news of Andrew Bynum's shoulder got dinged during Monday's practice. A block attempt on Chris Mihm's dunk left Drew with a strained shoulder, but after some ince and examination, the situation doesn't appear to be too serious. The Kid may even practice today and is expecting to suit up for Wednesday's rematch against the Clippers. Knowing that, Laker fans can shift their focus back to today's election. And comforting the Logo, who still takes those 60's losses to the Celts rather painfully and remains unable to see himself as the living legend he very obviously is.
OTHER NOTES
- Like Paris and Nicole, Sun Yue is all about the Simple Life.
- A look at strong side zone from Forum Blue and Gold, well worth the read:
"...Let’s talk about the strong side zone, and why it is good for you.
Simply put, whatever side of the court the opponents have the ball on, the Lakers do two things: 1) They pressure the ball with that players’ defender; 2) They try to float another defender (usually Gasol or Odom at the four) over to the side the ball is on (or strong side). The team essentially plays a sort of zone behind the man pressuring the ball (although it can look like the Lakers are playing a soft man-to-man, it is more a matchup zone).
The reason for doing all this is pretty simple — to stop penetration..."
- An SI panel fields questions that have little to do with the Lakers, but are interesting nonetheless.
- The Players Union may intervene on Starbury's behalf over a situation that's turned increasingly messy in Knickland.
- Was the AI trade as much about adding LBJ in the 2010 offseason as scoring in the 2009 offseason? Cap space may be available, but is it enough to compete with the perks in Dallas?
- The AI-Billups deal wasn't the only deal Detroit hammered out yesterday. Say hello to newly extended Piston Rip Hamilton.
- The Lakers, they are expensive.
So, did Chris Mihm posterize Andrew Bynum in practice? Is that what this sore shoulder is saying. that Chris Mihm "threw down" on Bynum?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 04, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Stern must really be doing everything he can to give the mentally fragile lakers a break...perhaps anticipating bynum's injury-prone status, he's given the lakers only 1 game in 8 days? What kind of sham is this?
Look, the lakers have a decent team and there's no need to be babying them just because they lost a Finals. While the Suns are already on an extended East coast road trip, and have played only against projected West Conf playoff teams, the lakers are being pampered.
So, did kupchak put a clause in bynum's contract about less pay if he's injured? 58 mil is a big bet that history will suddenly reverse directions with the youngster.
Posted by: BUTLER | November 04, 2008 at 09:44 AM
bynum hurt? oh oh!
Posted by: KL | November 04, 2008 at 09:44 AM
TUE NOV. 4 OBAMA vs. McCAIN
The Force is in Balance & THE Nations Balance rests on your vote
*
Good Morning Charles
Good Morning My Latina Princess East_Coast_Jessie
Good Morning JustAnotherMambaFan & Morning CRUE
Good Morning Leonard_BASS, The D, #4, Exhelodrvr
Good Morning: JOHN MCCAIN & BARACK OBAMA
Welcome Aboard to :
Good Morning Laker Blog!, Laker Nation!
*
VOTE CALL!!!:
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*
ALL TOGETHER NOW
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THE HOME OF : FAITH, BILL GATES, MARTIN LUTHER KING, JAY Z.
JOHN F. KENNEDY, RONALD REAGAN, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT,
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STUDS TERKEL, WALTER CRONKITE, MIKE T. LAKER_TOM*
AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
USA TODAY USA TOMORROW USA FOREVER
Posted by: mamba24 | November 04, 2008 at 09:45 AM
My heart really goes out to Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. Two of the Greatest players ever who had to endure having their hearts broken six times by the Celtics and once by the Knicks.
I would have completely lost my mind and probably single-handedly burnt Boston down to the ground in a frenzied, maddened, vengeful freakout.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 04, 2008 at 09:47 AM
I think the AI trade was clearly a move by Detroit to clear up cap space for LeBron. Who in their right mind wouldn't want to pursue him? History shows that you need a superstar to win the title, the 2004 Pistons notwithstanding. LeBron's effort against the Pistons in the 2007 playoffs reminded me of what Kobe did in the 2001 playoffs - superstars were officially born.
That said, I still think the Lakers should look into getting LeBron in 2010. LA is a much more attractive destination than Detroit or Dallas, and the opportunity to team up with Kobe should be appealing as well. Perhaps we can use Pau's expiring contract in 2010 in a sign-and-trade with the Cavs?
Posted by: EJK | November 04, 2008 at 09:54 AM
EJK,
LeBron is going to the Nets or the Knicks.
I guarantee it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 04, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Hey Butler,
In case you didn't notice, every team plays 82 games at the end of the year, so it's not how you start it's how you finish and is why your team doesn't have even a single ring. Why? Because they are weak finishers...always will be. No D = No Rings and TP can't make your crappy defenders like Nash, Shaq, and Stoudamire good. We'll keep an eye on you in the rear view mirror.
Posted by: HawaiiD | November 04, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Jon K.,
I don't think the Knicks will have the cap space nor the pieces to get LeBron in 2010. As for the Nets, I see them as the Clippers of the NY/NJ area. No matter how good they are, they'll always play second fiddle to the Knicks. I just can't see LeBron going there, even with the Jay-Z factor.
Posted by: EJK | November 04, 2008 at 11:05 AM
It never even occured to me that Lebron might go to LA It would be great for the simple fact that I would see all of the Laker haters out there lose the minds.
I remember predicting that Shaq would come to the Lakers, but that was because I saw his show biz interests as a big motivator for him. I don't get the same vibe from Lebron. I am with Jon K. Knicks or Nets for him.
Posted by: C.S. | November 04, 2008 at 11:29 AM
"TP can't make your crappy defenders like Nash, Shaq, and Stoudamire good."
Yes, he already has.
But can phil can make good defenders out of pau, sasha, and vladimir? Good luck with that!
Posted by: BUTLER | November 04, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Butler go vote. Sorry about that boy, I forget you aren't old enough.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 04, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Mamba24,
"WE ARE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WINNERS OF 2 WORLD WARS
THE COUNTRY WITH THE STRONGEST MILITARY IN HISTORY"
Amen to that. Let's hope it stays that way with our next commander-in-chief.
Posted by: EJK | November 04, 2008 at 12:17 PM
EJK,
>>>I don't think the Knicks will have the cap space nor the
>>> pieces to get LeBron in 2010.
As it stands right now, you are 100% correct. As it stands right now,
the Knicks only have 10 million in cap space for 2010, and that's BEFORE
re-signing David Lee &/or Nate Robinson. If they do manage to dump
off a couple of big contracts (e.g. Zach Randolph & Jamal Crawford), then
they might be able to re-sign Lee & Robinson & have enough cap space
to make LeBron a max offer, but as it stands now, no way.
BTW, if they do manage to clear cap space, having D'Antoni as a coach
is a bigger selling point than Isaiah as a coach.
>>>As for the Nets, I see them as the Clippers of the
>>> NY/NJ area.
The Clippers have never ever been to the NBA finals. The Nets have been to
the finals twice in the past decade. Big difference.
By summer of 2010, the Nets should sort out which of their young front
court players are best (from Brook Lopez, Yi Jianlian, Sean Williams,
Josh Boone), they'll have a good point guard (Devin Harris), a good
shooting guard to help out with scoring (Vince Carter), and they'll be in
a major market, which neither Cleveland nor Detroit is.
Either LeBron will stay in Cleveland, his home town, or he will go to a major
market. New York, yes. Los Angeles, maybe. Chicago, yes. Miami, yes.
Detroit, no.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 04, 2008 at 01:23 PM
msnbc has Obama 103 McCain 34. 5:08pm in CA.
They're saying Obama took PA.
Posted by: hobbitmage | November 04, 2008 at 05:08 PM