And this surprises who? Nobody, that's who.

We really do need to mail Ronny a ring in June. Real talk: we would not be here without his spirit of camraderie.

Similar thing happened to Derek.

The Warriors give him good money, they offer playing time and they leave the Lakers. Now he is with the Warriors spending even more time on the bench. Ronny can't play starting center (Biedrins) nor can he play like a natural 4 (Maggette is a 4 in Don Nelson's system).

Ronny should have stayed with the Lakers. Maybe we wouldn't gotten Josh Powell but hey he knew the system. Plus when we do win the championship he would have given us Mark Madsen part 2.

And Monte Ellis while talented isn't exactly the thing the Warriors need to even smell the playoffs. Another scoring first point guard who isn't as good as Baron Davis is.

The Warriors and their "We Believe" mantra are over. They will stay in the cellar of the Pacific Division again soon enough (sorry Ronny).

They better *believe* that.

-blitz

actually Edwin the scrubs you listed are:

Smush Parker, Tierre Brown, Chucky Atkins, Luke Walton, Brian Cook, Kwa-may Brown, Jumaine Jones, Brian Grant, and Chris Mihm.

Smush is in the D-League, dunno about Tierre Brown, Chucky is on the bench in Denver, Luke is trying to find minutes for us, Cook can't even get off the bench with the Magic, Kwa-may is only in the starting lineup with Detroit because the Pistons want Sheed to play his natural position of Power Forward, Jumaine Jones is in Europe, Grant retired, and Mihm too is struggling to find minutes for the Lakers.

Man did Kobe had tons of scrubs to play along with. Thank goodness that Mitch managed to find good players in the draft and trades that got better players for the Lakers to be competing at a high level.

-blitz

Jon K,

I agree with you on Karl, I prefer Coby than Luke. If he just kept on playing as a shooting guard, he could have improved similar to the growth of Sasha. J-Critt was another good player that could be a good back up of Farmar when Fisher retires. Today, he's just relegated to the bench making cameo appearance during garbage time. College stars have to play more in order to get into NBA mode. J-Critt is just 3 PPG way below his potential when he was a Georgia star player, On the contrary without J-Critt, Marc and Kwame, we would not have had Pau. That was the steal that rocked the Western Conference that paved way to departure of two coachers D'Antoni and Avery and these teams never got back their usual flair as contenders in the West. Supposing Gasol's trade did not happen last year, maybe Spurs or Hornets would have played the Celtics.

You can't coach star players in street clothes and there are some that would debate whether Nellie could coach in any outfit.

Ronny got paid. He was never going to make bank on the Lakers. He'll say the right things in an interview, but at his level, bottom line first, then working conditions.

I couldn't ever quite figure out why I've hated Boston and Phoenix so much but haven't had the same feelings towards Utah or San Antonio or some of our other rivals. Well, this might have something to do with it...

http://tinyurl.com/no-class-teams

Man, I can't overstate my hatred for the Celtics.

wow,

You're missing the point entirely. It's not about Bynum and Pau getting more shots up, it's about not taking quick jumpers and moving the ball to the team's post players, where they can take a shot if they have it or pass out to a shooter. The Lakers best post players are Gasol, Bynum, LO and Kobe, all of whom are good passers out of the post. Whenever we move the ball inside good things happen. When we just jack up long jumpers we tend to let teams back in the game.

LOL. They just replayed Rondo getting an open lay-up and it was b/c Garnett was literally pushing his man out of the way and driving his feet like an offensive lineman.

I can't wait for Christmas Day. There will be blood.

lakers_sth -

You pretty much summed up exactly the sentiments of my earlier post. The Celtics are whiny bullies who get away with ridiculous physicality and then feign innocence.

Now, everyone, to the tune of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"...

"I want a Celtics @$$ kicking for Christmas, only a Celtics @ss kicking will do."

lakers_sth -

I agree completely. Believe it or not, the Pacers are ranked 10th in Hollinger's Power Rankings. They've played a very tough schedule and have had as many road games as home games thus far. They've lost some very close games and despite their 6-10 record, they actually have a positive point differential for the season. And let's not forget, they've been playing without Dunleavy Jr., who had a breakout year last year.

If the Lakers come out flat, it will be another dogfight.

Lakers_sth -

Utah is physical, but they're men and they own it. They know they foul a lot and they foul hard - that's their identity. Sloan coached teams always are near the lead league in fouls but they don't cry foul (no pun intended) every time the whistle is blown.

I think there's a difference between Pau's and Sasha's whining (which, don't get me wrong, is annoying as hell and for once I'd like to see them just raise their hand and own it) and the Celtics aggressive, angry, intimidating shouting at the refs. In fact, the way the two teams complain about fouls is somewhat a reflection of their identities. Lakers need to man up sometimes and the Celtics need to turn down the thugginess (a word I just made up but is now officially in my vocabulary).

In the same vein, I was very surprised when I was looking at the league leaders in technical fouls to see that Kobe does not have ONE this whole season. Can that be right? He was in danger of that league mandated tech suspension last year wasn't he?

wow,

>>>>>If the Lakers lead the league in points in the paint, why are people
>>>>>complaining about Pau or Drew not getting enough touches? I don't
>>>>>want to hear this nobody is not getting the ball enough crap.
>>>>>Nobody will get the kind of touch they want on this team.
Realistically, it’s pretty hard to complain about anything when you’re 14-1. LOL. It’s ironic that the Lakers are playing so well right now that the result is an excess of blog-sync-think and reduction in bloggers posting. However, nitpickers that we are, you cannot help but notice that, aside from turnovers, almost every run by an opposing team usually results from our settling for jump shots rather working the ball inside and letting the offense work.

What we are talking about right here is vitally important because how the Lakers play on offense impacts how they play on defense more than most teams because of the Triangle Offense. When we run our offense the way it is supposed to run, we are always in great position to rebound and get back on defense. When we take jump shots out of rhythm, it often puts us behind the 8-ball on defense, especially in the transition game.

Bottom line, I think playing inside-out is especially important to the Lakers because it makes the Lakers a more aggressive and tougher team’ It is the same with our pressing and trapping zone defense. It’s aggressive and assertive rather than passive and easy. Every game we have this season is just practice for beating Boston. To do that, we need pound the ball inside on offense and press and trap and protect the rim on defense.

>>>>>Just to let you know I do think Pau is the best PF in this league next to Duncan,
>>>>>I can't name one other PF I would take over him and that includes Amare, or KG. >>>>>When the lakers were looking to trade, I was vocal about them getting Pau not KG.

It’s ironic but I too never liked KG that much as a player. Until last year, I thought he always settled for those long straight away jumpers. I was always impressed with Pau but he is really dramatically better than I thought. I wouldn’t trade him for Duncan or KG. He is 5 years younger and can also play center. And he is a better passer.

Anyway, I think the issue about playing inside-out is a critical one for the Lakers. What most of us are probably just trying to do is make sure that the team doesn’t forget it as their basic strategy, which is easy to do when you have the greatest player in the world in your backcourt. But “live by jumper, die by the jumper” was coined for good reason. And a dunk is the surest and baddest way to show the other team just how tough you are. We just want to toughen up Drew and Pau and get them ready to dominate the Celtics.

Tom

Kobe + Bynum + Gasol = Dynasty

Same here Amazing,

Really was an entertaining game to watch with no Laker game on.

Wade has almost as much talent as Kobe had back in 2005-2006 season. Now he has to carry the team on his back and just basically carry the team on his own with little help (Marion is still a better defender than Lamar plus the Heat has Beasley who is a rookie stud.)

Heat is in rebuilding mode.

-blitz

I saw an interview with kevin Garnett regarding Posey leaving the celtics and Todd makes a good point here about Ronny's spirit of comraderie helping the lakers...

Garnetts point was that Posey came in with experience and got them over the hump and now they have that championship experience having learnt from him they can provide those things for themselves.

I give Ronny the same credit his personality obviously helped bridge gaps between Kobe and his teamates and helped get the team spirit going in a certain direction and now they've learned to do it without him.So credit Ronny but his job here was done just as Posey moves on to another team that needs his championship experience more than the celtics do

By the way I might be a bit late here but my favourite number is...

1...this is for the best winning percentage in the league.All the other numbers are great but they all need to add up to this.Home court in the finals is a must.

Canibus Hog,

Please don't post comments with a long string of dashes or other symbols. It stretches out the visual of the blog and requires BK and I to edit the comment. People will get your point without that aspect.

Thanks,

AK

Canibus Hog, Please don't post comments with a long string of dashes or other symbols.
AK Posted by: Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky | December 02, 2008 at 07:59 AM

Hey Kambrothers tell the truth now. In your wildest dreams did you
ever think that you would one day be reduced to wriiting sentences like the above.
ROFLMAO!! hahahahhahahhahaha!

{ ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS TO DESTROY BOSTON BANDWAGON ]
(01) MAMBA24 - Driver

Xodus,

Late in my response as usual to your yesterday's post.

Yes, Ronnie may be 10th or 11th player if he was with the Lakers this season, however Ronnie's gut defense is something that is desired in the second unit. What Ronnie needs was reliable teammates like Kobe, LO, Gasol that will feed him the ball and it could have been a 10 man group, Xodus if he opted for less pay maybe 2.5 or 3M instead of 4M per year. That initial investment contributes to his growth like having a masters degree in basketball that will shoot for more money in the future. Well, he opted for immediate take out now he is under pressure to perform.

I feel old in preaching but that is a good lesson for young people in carving a career path for future endeavors. If you are Kobe or Lebron, you don't need advanced courses b/c they were born or reared up with laden talents but for people who just got out of NC or coming from Euro trying to crash course NBA, has to plan a step by step career moves in professional sports. Like for example Sun Yue, if you make him now a PG of any team, it could be his early downfall without proper orientation and development. Just my thoughts.

MAMBA24 ‘s EDITORIAL:*****
Hey Season Ticket holders at the game. If you can’t show some enthusiasm & support
for your team, give your tickets to others in Laker Nation who are more into their team
than they are into themselves. Just go to Roll Call and choose your Laker Nation adoptee.
Did you know that one season ticket can seat 42 Laker Nation Bloggers. And we will
Send you photos of how your Staples adoptee’s are enjoying themselves at the game. Think of
The Pride you will feel to know that your adoptee’ s cheers may have been the one’s to
Bring the 15th title to Staples. Imagine how proud you will feel when Kobe wins the Finals
MVP and gives the credit to your personal Laker Nation Blogger Adoptee. Phone lines
Are open so don’t wait, call Mitch and tell him you are handing those season Tickets over
To LakerTom to distribute to the deserving. And remember the more of you who give
The more wins there may be. Thank you and now you know what you need to do..
*** This has been an editorial opinion by Mamba24, neither The Kambrothers or The Times i
any way endorse these views. *******

Some of the things I'm looking at tonight.

The Laker bigs should not only get a lot of post touches, they should be looking to score more b/c, on paper, they have an advantage over Foster and Murphy... a big advantage. We might see Hibbert early and often. Pau and/or Drew should go right at the big guy and pick up some quick fouls.

I'll be interested to see who guards Granger and Daniels. I think it would be easier for Kobe to guard Granger b/c he usually stays out on the perimeter, settling for long jump shots but I wonder if Vlad has the mobility to keep up with Daniels' activity. Granger is their goto guy and Kobe might want to take up the challenge of shutting him down but I think Vlad might actually be a better match-up there due to his length.

The Lakers guards need to stay in front of TJ Ford and Travis Diener. I like Ariza matching up against Brandon Rush off the bench and Daniels later in the game. The bench mob better be ready to go tonight b/c if they get off, this'll be an easy win.

I think what tonight will come down to is whether the Lakers guards can keep Indy's PGs from wreaking havoc, whether Granger's shots are falling and whether or not Indy's intangibles guys (Daniels and Foster) are more productive than the Lakers intagibles guys (Ariza and LO).

DREW MAKING CASE FOR NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM…

The remarkable stat about Sunday night’s win over the Raptors was that Andrew Bynum and the Lakers were the ONLY team this season to hold Chris Bosh to less than 20 points. Not only did Drew shut down Bosh from scoring but he also held him to just 6 rebounds and forced him into 4 turnovers.

At this point in the season, only Dwight Howard among NBA starting centers has better defensive stats than Andrew Bynum, averaging 13.9 boards, 3.9 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game in 37 minutes. Drew’s averages so far this season are 9.1 boards, 2.2 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game in 29 minutes.

Since Howard has averaged 37 minutes per game versus Drew’s 29 minutes per game, viewing their defensive productivity per 48 minutes gives a more balanced comparison. Howard’s figures per 48 minutes are 18.0 boards, 5.05 blocks, and 1.0 steals while Drew’s figures per 48 minutes are 15.1 boards, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals.

Howard and Bynum are the ONLY two players in the league averaging over 9 boards and 2 blocks per game. Based on these numbers, Drew should be the second team All-Defensive center for the year. He is already the top defensive center in the West and should be a shoe-in as Yao Ming’s backup at center on the West All-Star team.

While Howard may have better stats at this point of time, I believe that Drew at this point plays better man-to-man defense than Howard. Howard gets his boards and blocks the same way that he gets his points – with his great athleticism. In my opinion, even though he does not have the same level of athleticism as Howard, Drew has better basketball smarts, footwork, and moves at both ends and will become the better center.

The first matchup between the Lakers and the Magic happens on December 20th in Orlando. It will be interesting to see how these best two defensive centers match up in their first head-to-head meeting this year. I predict that Drew will battle Howard to a standstill and the Lakers will prevail in the critical pre-Boston holiday matchup.

Of course, all of the above is solely the opinion of a professed Andrew Bynum fan.

Tom

Mamba24 - EXCELLENT advertisement. I would like to be added to the list of potential adoptees. I know for a fact that I am way more vocal than those so-called fans at the games - bunch of posers.