Me and Stephon: Marbury is ready for a variety of closeups
Before last night's "return from exile" basketball performance with his new Celtics squad, there was apparently some sketch comedy in the works as well. I ran across the "Me and Stephon!" series while looking for his self-filmed statement to NY Fans upon his release from the Knicks, which is actually a pretty odd clip in its own right. (I imagine the "we can all say we had an experience here" sentiment must provide tons of solace to those patrons who paid those MSG prices for seats over the last few seasons.) Apparently, the clips of a chance meeting between L.A. actor Brendan McNamara and Starbury have been making the rounds over the week or so, but they unfortunately flew under my radar and I wanted to make sure they didn't do the same with y'all, because this is pretty entertaining.
As I wrote in yesterday's post, the jury is still out on how much Steph will help Boston. I definitely wouldn't have pursued him were I Mitch Kupchak. He ranks below even Tim Thomas on the list of dudes I'd give a long-term deal. But after watching this quartet of Curb Your Enthusiasm meets NBA TV meets "That's ^$%@# Stephon Marbury at a bus stop!" bits, gotta be honest... I kinda wanna party with the guy. This also goes a way to explain why Steph was so comfortable riffing with me at Staples. It's a shame I didn't know the guy back in the day when I performed with a live improv group. He could have brought something to the table.
AK
Wait for the Bus
On Bonds forever
McNamara: "I got an ink pen in my house and some sewing needles."
Steph: "Alright. We'll make that work."
Talk Break-ups
The "I can't get no playing time with the bus" line is great, but Steph's attempt at a lip quiver made me laugh the hardest.
Still Talking break-ups
He had me at "Bucko."
Laker Tom,
Odom is gong back to the bench. Why you must say? Simple the bench has no go to guy. Farmar can't create space even though I get the feeling he wants to be the go to guy, Sasha is just terrible, Trevor is flaming out, and Powell and Mbenga will provided good options at times aren't fully capable to handling the bench. LO if he could (I doubt it but anyways) play at the level at he was off the bench it would be great. Luke on the bench will increase ball movement but come on whose spot will he take: Trevor's? No way unless Trevor really goes to the level of playing sucky which isn't as much. Neither are big enough to handle the 4.
Again there will be no go to guy. LOOK WHAT FREAKING HAPPENED WHEN FARMAR/SASHA/TREVOR was on the floor despite having LO and Pau on the floor: THEY INCREASED THE DAMN DEFICIT FROM 3 TO 11 AND NOT EVEN KOBE BRYANT COULD BAIL THEM OUT ON THAT ONE.
The bench failed. Only Mbenga scored more than 2 point!!, The rest of the bench aren't hungry anymore. The lose was deserved considering how the bench blew the lead in the 2nd and in the 4th quarter. They did the same damn thing in Game 2 of the Finals allowing the deficit to grow. Blew the lead in Game 4 of the Finals and led to the monumental collapse, let the deficit increase to Game 6 and let the game out of hand despite being a 2 point deficit at the end of the 1st quarter. Kobe, Phil, Pau, Odom didn't screw up: THE DAMN BENCH DID.
btw:The next win I'm going to show the vid I have concerning thKobe Bryant (Kobe is my favorite player but his fanatic fans make him up to some 100% correct players and if he does bad it's someone else's fault NEVER his fault) and how his questionable shot selections almost cost the Boston game despite having great nights from Pau and Lamar.
-KB Blitz
Posted by: Kobeblitz | February 28, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Let's hope we're still laughing in June. Stephon Marbury can play and he's going to help the Celtics.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | February 28, 2009 at 05:41 PM
AK,
Thanks for the clarification. I was not aware of the background. At any rate, everybody knows what I think about the situation. To me, the comments still add up to the same thing, which is that Phil realizes that Lamar needs to start to play like he has been and Drew needs to start for the Lakers defense to be best. Forgetting about Luke all together, just look at what this comment says:
"The idea is Lamar flourishes a lot from starting, and you all see that and the effects of that. If he can carry that same energy if and when Andrew does come back . . . that'll make us that much better." – Phil Jackson about Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum.
I think he is very clearly saying that Lamar should start. So unless he intends to bench Pau or Andrew, that says Triple Towers to me. Anyway, I suspect we will hear more as the time for Drew to return nears. Every game that Lamar plays great as a starter just makes it less likely that he will go back to the bench when Drew is ready to start again.
The crafty comments by George Karl echoed the sentiments of the Pau lovers on the blog, who believe that Pau at center and Lamar at power forward is better than Drew at center and Pau at power forward, despite Pau and now Phil specifically saying that that was not true because of Drew’s defensive presence protecting the rim. What I find ludicrous is that some of these fans actually seem to be suggesting that the solution is to bring Bynum off the bench and they almost seem to be hoping that Drew does not come back.
As for what Phil will do, I hope we have the opportunity to see what will happen, meaning that Drew is back and ready to resume his starting center role. Personally, I think that Phil has no real option other than to move Luke to the bench. Assuming that Lamar has played as great during March, I don’t think Phil will want to risk alienating Lamar by demoting him to the bench. And that is what Lamar would consider it after the way he has played.
Assuming that Drew the Beast is back, what other choice makes any sense?
JMNSHBO!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 28, 2009 at 06:13 PM
I don't live in Southern California so I have to get NBA League Pass to watch Lakers games. When the Lakers are playing away, the announcers for the game are almost always the announcers for the home team for the game. There are a few exceptions where I get to hear Joel and Stu for away games, which is broadcast on KCAL.
After having heard these announcers for the other teams, I have concluded that the Denver announcers are the most biased homers with absolute no sense of professionalism. There was only 1-2 fouls on Denver that they agreed with and every foul that Kobe got, they complained about, calling it a foul on Kobe. Even when Kobe got knocked to the ground, they complained. The second worst is Memphis. Boston announcers actually aren't as bad. Golden State and Memphis announcers are pretty bad too, but not nearly as bad as Denver's announcers. New York is actually reasonable.
I think Joel and Stu are actually pretty fair, but I can't judge them fairly since I'm a Lakers fan.
Who do you think are the 3 most biased announcing teams(other than ESPN and TNT announcers) and the 3 fairest? Who are the best overall?(In terms of entertaining the audience, fairness, knowledge of the game, and accuracy of game calling).
Posted by: DT | February 28, 2009 at 06:16 PM
REPOST
LT,
From what I gathered in reading the statement within the context provided and in hearing Phil talk other times, I took it to mean Phil hopes LO can play with the same success off the bench the second time around as he did as during this starting stint. Assuming, of course, he doesn't just decide to leave things as is, and play Drew off the bench. All things being equal, I think he'd prefer the former, as it makes the bench unit a lot better. But either way, I'm still guessing he won't go all three, nor do I think he's hinting at it. But like I said, I've been wrong before. Maybe I'll be wrong again.
As to your question of "what other choice does Phil have", I think the choices are flexible, the way he's defining them. It's not a choice of creating the uber-starting unit as a first priority, even if it means enduring more problems with the bench. It's about creating the two best units possible. With that as a goal, moving LO to the bench becomes easier, if that's what he wants to do.
A thought of my own. Should the bench continue to struggle, I plan to ask PJ at Monday's practice if he's considered perhaps starting Powell at the 4, then playing LO off the bench. Their minutes could remain more or less the same as they are now, but it would allow LO to guide the second unit (his presence is sorely missed) and finish halves with the starters without getting so gassed in the process. I realize it's not the perfect solution, but it could help recreate a lot of what had worked.
Just brainstorming a bit.
AK
Posted by: kambrothers | February 28, 2009 at 06:29 PM
LakerTom,
you quoted:
"The idea is Lamar flourishes a lot from starting, and you all see that and the effects of that. If he can carry that same energy if and when Andrew does come back . . . that'll make us that much better." – Phil Jackson about Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum.
Where did you read this at? I ask this
because everything else I've read does
not support Phil wanting Lamar at SF.
To support this belief of mine, AK
also said:
From what I gathered in reading the statement within the context provided and in hearing Phil talk other times, I took it to mean Phil hopes LO can play with the same success off the bench the second time around as he did as during this starting stint. Assuming, of course, he doesn't just decide to leave things as is, and play Drew off the bench. All things being equal, I think he'd prefer the former, as it makes the bench unit a lot better. But either way, I'm still guessing he won't go all three, nor do I think he's hinting at it. But like I said, I've been wrong before. Maybe I'll be wrong again.
I've asked before and I'll ask again: If
rebounding is one of Lamar's strong
suits and it's invigorating his game,
why would you move him to SF which
will take away from his rebounding?
AK,
you wrote: A thought of my own. Should the bench continue to struggle, I plan to ask PJ at Monday's practice if he's considered perhaps starting Powell at the 4, then playing LO off the bench
My response: Lamar will blow a gasket
if he's asked to start *behind* Josh
Powell. I personally like what you're
trying to do, but I don't know if Lamar's
ego can handle it.
Posted by: hobbitmage | February 28, 2009 at 06:53 PM
If you bothered to read the comments you approve on the live blog, I mentioned this thing at least...like...twice during one of the games. :) Ah well, at least you know about it now.
"It's just me and Stephon..." That's stuck on my head forever now.
Posted by: Cacus Berry | February 28, 2009 at 06:55 PM
One loss does not mean much
However, the bench is awful without Lamar.
If Sasha is gonna play this bad take a chance with Shannon Brown and even let him play some point.
The bench mob needs a point guard who is looking to be a leader, plays defense & help make others better. Farmar needs to know that he can lose his point guard spot and stop playing wild and crazy with no assists & no defense, just jacking up shots. With Ariza/Powell/Mbenga as the front line it should still be inside out. No they are not as good as our starters but look at the good teams Spurs/Celtics/Jazz/Rockets the bench players play the same way as the starters if not you don't play. The one thing I do like is Mbenga playing. I know he fouls a lot but I always felt even when we had Drew Mbenga should have been playing the backup center. The Cap worked with Drew, I believe that he could help Mbenga become a better center. The guy is a big body who can block shots and rebound he just needs coaching on position and not fouling. I wish this Laker team had defense on the mind just as much as offense on the mind. The minutes on Pau, Kobe, Fish are starting to add up. KG is getting rest/Duncan-Manu are getting rest. This could make a difference in the playoffs. You can disagree but with Marbury & Moore the Celtics just strengthened their bench. The Celtics are looking better. I'm a Laker fan thru and thru, but I don't like what I'm seeing on the defensive end of the floor. Basketball is a team game as good as Kobe is he can't win a championship by himself.
Posted by: TONI | February 28, 2009 at 06:59 PM
In case you missed it, the NBA lost a legend this weekend: Johnny Kerr, the first coach of the Chicago Bulls.
http://tinyurl.com/ahz6ey
Posted by: Rick Friedman | February 28, 2009 at 07:10 PM
DT,
I completely agree with you on the Denver announcers. Worst ones I have heard. As for two more biased, I'd go with Houston and Phoenix.
I actually think New York has the best announcers. I think Joel and Stu are decent but will NEVER live up to Chick's legacy. Stu goes out of his way to point out Laker faults and the opposition's strengths. I prefer Spero and Mychael Thompson personally. I'd much rather listen to them than Joel and Stu.
But again, I can't tell you how many times I sat there with my jaw dropping at some of the comments last night from those clowns. They can't be serious, right? They were ALMOST as bad as the refs.
Posted by: Long Live Chick | February 28, 2009 at 07:19 PM
how about picking up luther head? he was just waived and i think he could be beneficial for us..
Posted by: G | February 28, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Wow! I'm totally dismayed to see so many people pushing the panic button.
The Bench Mob's play has degenerated for four reasons: (1) Sasha is having a terrible year and he's been unable to shoot his way out of it. As a result, a needed go-to shooter is not on the floor. (2) As amazing as Ariza is, he has been inconsistent for the past two weeks and is picking up unnecessary fouls. (3) All of a sudden Josh Powell is playing extended minutes, creating an X-factor in the unit's chemistry. (4) PJ is paying the price for not giving Mbenga more minutes until now. The guys just aren't used to playing with him.
Right now (except for when they're sleep deprived, as in Denver) the Starting Unit is clicking better than it has all year. Lamar and Luke are playing their best basketball of the season. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
When Andrew comes back, play him with the Bench Mob. It's not a demotion. It's just recognition that the instant chemistry of the current starting rotation shouldn't be messed with heading into the Playoffs. Having someone of Andrew's caliber in the post will give whomever has the ball first a ready target, something the Bench is badly lacking at the moment. It also gives Andrew an opportunity to play his way back into top form.
If Sasha can find his shot, all will be well.
Please put the panic button back in the drawer. The Lakers are on their way to the Championship everyone is counting on. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | February 28, 2009 at 07:25 PM
hobbitmage,
"The idea is Lamar flourishes a lot from starting, and you all see that and the effects of that. If he can carry that same energy if and when Andrew does come back . . . that'll make us that much better." – Phil Jackson about Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum.
>>> Where did you read this at?
Kevin Ding’s column in the OC Register. As AK pointed out, Ding actually used the quote in the context of attempting to show that Lamar was going back to the bench when Drew returned to the starting lineup. I thought the insight to the quote was that Phil realized that he needed to keep Lamar as a starter and was saying that would make the Lakers much better when Drew returned. Who knows if that is exactly what Phil said, anyway, although I do like and trust Kevin Ding but I do not share his low opinion of Lamar Odom, who I think is essential to the Lakers success because nobody can match him as a 4th option.
>>> I've asked before and I'll ask again: If
>>> rebounding is one of Lamar's strong
>>> suits and it's invigorating his game,
>>> why would you move him to SF which
>>> will take away from his rebounding?
No doubt that Lamar will not get as many minutes playing with Drew as he would playing when Drew was on the bench but that is because there are only so many rebounds to get. Pau is more than content to let Lamar vacuum the defensive boards, preferring instead to sprint down court looking for an easy hoop. If Drew the Beast is back, he’ll own the glass.
Personally, I wish Lamar could play at the same level off the bench but I don’t think he can. You cannot underestimate how hard it is for a guy who never came off the bench to be demoted. It is not coincidence that Manu Ginobli is the only premiere player in his prime to be willing to do it. I do not see why everybody does not understand that. I got no problem if Lamar could play the same off the bench. I just don’t think Phil is going to risk it.
I was one of the original proponents of Phil making Lamar 6th man at the start of the year, mainly because I loved how Drew, Pau, and Lamar could completely cover all 96 minutes of PT at the 4 and 5. Even if starting is just a token for Lamar and we see only 2 of our 3 bigs on the floor most of the rest of the time, it still means PT for Powell or Mbenga, both of which I would rather not do.
The simple answer to your question is that there are always plusses and minuses to any player move. In the end, all I am really saying is that the Lakers need to do whatever they can to keep Lamar Odom playing the way he has been. I don’t really care how they do it although I am intrigued by the prospect that the Triple Towers could be very special.
There are always multiple paths to victory and a million ways to skin the Celtics. Usually, we are arguing about issues where both sides could produce a winning result. For sure, though, it is nice to be in a position where we have so much talent, even if we wish we could combine a couple of our role players for the perfect starter. I am sure we could win with Luke or Lamar starting at small forward, provided Andrew is all the way back.
As for AK’s thought about Powell, I don’t like it at all. Powell is a reliable sub and because he has an excellent midrange jumper a better option than Ronny was last year but he is a terrible defender in my mind. I wouldn’t play him unless Drew was on the floor, which is when I am guessing he will play once D
Posted by: LakerTom | February 28, 2009 at 07:34 PM
called it.
we're only losing two down the home stretch.
At Denver
At Atlanta
that's it.
70-12
Can't win em all guys.
Posted by: jandro | February 28, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Rick,
I agree with with on all save for points 1 and 4. Point 4, Mbenga wasn't needed because Bynum was healthy and Pau Gasol at center is better than either Mihm or Mbenga. I think Mbenga better overall play (too early though it's only been 2 games) was a factor in Mihm getting shipped to Graceland. I think though that your point about Powell messing up the chemistry of the bench would count the same for Mbenga.
And about point one Sasha has been an overrated shooter always. 39% from the field (in the playoffs for that matter) is not the least bit "impressive" as a shooter.
And NO! Shannon Brown is not the answer at SG on the bench because HE IS NO SHOOTER. Yes Sasha is overrated but he is still a shooter. Shannon Brown is more of a penetrator very much Jordan Farmar and Trevor Ariza are. Put Brown with Farmar and Trevor and you get 3 PENETRATORS and not one 3 point threat. In other words you clog the lane more! Stop hitting the damn panic button though with Sasha's case more understandable.
And I've heard about Johnny Red Kerr's death and while I'm no Bulls fan nor a Chicago Bulls fan, I have relatives in Chicago who do and I did give my condolences to them. They grew up Johnny Kerr and they felt the same as I did when Chick Hearn died. Rest in Peace Johnny Kerr!
And yes Laker Tom I do not like Powell's defense at all. It's just as bad as Sasha's except he doesn't act like he's defending superficially!
-KB Blitz
Posted by: Kobeblitz | February 28, 2009 at 07:40 PM
The problem with the bench is just one of other problems of Lakers.Mitch Kupchak and Phil are the ones to blame. The trial angle offense is read-offense like Phil said on the radio with different levels to learn.
So, why Lakers keep getting young players like Kwame who can't pass and can't catch. Phil said Kwame only nees to defend and rebound. This wrong too,Kwame at least has to score at least 15 points inside like the game Lakers beat Phoenix in game 3 with Kwame scored 19 points.
The trial angle offense don't need a point guard, but it must have a guard who can pass the ball, is Farmar is a guard with passing ability ? Whose fault? Famar's fault or the guy who drafted him ? You are NBA experts, you should see the guy playing and made decision, can this guy play in the trial angle offense ?
Bynum was starter but near the end of the fourth quater, Odom would start. Bynum and Lamar did not like it.
Mitch Kupchak and Phil should make decision, do we trust Farmar or we need another point guard who has passing skills,is it too late now ?
Posted by: bluesky | February 28, 2009 at 07:40 PM
blitz,
>>> Odom is gong back to the bench. Why you must say?
>>> Simple the bench has no go to guy.
You’re unfortunately a black and white guy lost in a grey world, blitz, Most things are not so simple. Let me ask you a hypothetical question. If you knew demoting Lamar back to the bench would result in his play returning to the level when he was on the bench before, would you still make the move? Because that is the issue I believe Phil Jackson has.
We can debate all year long on whether Lamar is a better 3 or 4 of how important the 2nd unit is versus the 1st unit but in the end what we need to do is put the best 5 players on the court for 48 minutes. To me that says that this is the Lakers starting lineup:
1 – Fish
2 – Kobe
3 – Lamar
4 – Pau
5 – Drew
If somebody in the starting 5 is not cutting it, you move someone from the bench into the starting lineup. If someone on the bench is not cutting it, you do NOT move someone from the starting lineup to fix the problem, unless his name is Luke Walton. LOL!
You are right that the bench failed but it is just one game. You can’t go around moving people in and out of the lineup, especially as you near the playoffs. Let’s wait and see what happens. If Drew really comes back and is ready to start, then I predict it will be Luke heading to the bench, not Lamar Odom. Simple because Lamar needs to start.
As always, JMNSHBO!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 28, 2009 at 07:47 PM
The issue is not what the best long-term lineup will be for the Lakers, the issue is what the best lineup will be for this year's playoffs, with Bynum coming back approx. 2 weeks before the playoffs started. He is a very inexperienced player, who was just hitting his stride when he got injured. It is pretty unlikely that it will only take him a few games to get back to that point, just on his individual level. In addition, the team was still getting used to playing with him; this roster has had more time without Bynum than with Bynum (counting the second half of last season); throw in the fact that he is a completely different style of player than Gasol. So it will take the rest of the players time to get used to playing with him again, while at the same time he is trying to get physically comfortable again. Seems unlikely that it will happen in time for the playoffs. If it does, great. But the coaches are smart to be planning for more likely scenario. Bynum off the bench, even a still getting comfortable Bynum, will be huge mismatch in favor of the Lakers.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | February 28, 2009 at 07:49 PM
ex,
>>> Bynum off the bench, even a still getting comfortable Bynum,
>>> will be huge mismatch in favor of the Lakers.
I’ve no problem with anything in your post. Who knows at what level Drew will be playing. I’ve always said that Drew should not start until he is 100% healthy and in game shape. While I am hopeful that that will happen, I still remember last year’s disappointment.
Maybe it is nothing more than my usual Pollyanna view of the Lakers universe but I believe there is hope by the Lakers that they may have the real Drew back before the playoffs. You have to think that, if given the chance, Mitch would like to know if Lamar could play the starting small forward position with Drew and Pau before they re-sign him this summer.
Anyway, every day Lamar plays great as a starter has to help his future with the Lakers. And as I have said many times, I think the Lakers could win the championship this year even if they do not get Andrew back. With him, I think they could sweep the playoffs.
JMNSHBO!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 28, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Not one of you are mentioning AK's man love obsession with Starbury??? Come on - where are all the wisecracks?
AK - if we didn't know better - we might start thinking you are a troll.........
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | February 28, 2009 at 08:04 PM
I cannot believe posts saying we're better w/o Bynum. With him as a true option we have 5 go to guys+interior defense. Instead of sitting stoically its Phil's job to make this combo work. Mold into another 3peat type team.
Posted by: Robert Baker | February 28, 2009 at 10:40 PM
i've always liked Starbury. he seems to have a good grasp of the true value of things in life for a meglomaniac. he'd be a good dude to know. he makes 20 million a year for hanging out. he's happy, why shouldn't he be?
i still want he and his team to come short of their championship goals, though. he's not so cool that i'd like him beating the Lakers. he's good for a happy distraction. i hope he's a distraction for Boston.
Posted by: mud | February 28, 2009 at 11:59 PM
First - count me as one that thinks Odom will stay as a starter. I just think it's a rhythm/flow thing... I have a hard time seeing Phil throw too many more curves into the lineup, this far in. Working Drew back in will be hugely important, but I really can't see Odom going back to where he was before. He's got momentum working for him - it's hard to see Phil scrapping that.
As for Starbury - I have no doubt that he'll benefit the Celts in the short run - he's a talented player and he's eager to show his worth. The thing is, he's still Starbury. The storm will come, it's just a question of when.
Posted by: dave m | March 01, 2009 at 12:45 AM
that would be our last lost this year.
Posted by: isang | March 01, 2009 at 05:25 AM
Long Live Chick,
You're not in the slightest off about the Denver announcers. I made it through the half and then jumped on the live blog. They were the worst announcers I've heard, period. Especially the big guy with the white hair. Dear Lord in heaven. One time Pau bobbled the ball and they screamed like someone had just stolen the ball through superhuman effort, not that Pau bobbled it. Such a misrepresentation of reality. And every foul that was called on Denver was a bad call unless they could prove by slo mo that it wasn't. At least Stu calls a foul a foul, even when the call goes our way.
I like it that Stu talks about teams honestly, but he does sometimes give the other team TOO much love. Like when we played Cleveland one time the Le Bron love was almost too much. But after hearing some announcers around the league giving Kobe love, I'm sure other fans feel the same way.
Anything and everything PHO is now on my crap list. Tried to give the fans in the state a chance as I'm now surrounded by them, and they are mostly *searching for proper words*....... misinformed and ...... blind. There are tons of other things I wanted to say but can't.
C'MON LAKERS!!
GAME DAY!!!!!
IT'S KICK THE CRAP OUT OF PHOENIX DAY!!!!!!!
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | March 01, 2009 at 05:56 AM
LakerTom,
1st Thanks for answering my questions.
you wrote: No doubt that Lamar will not get as many minutes playing with Drew as he would playing when Drew was on the bench but that is because there are only so many rebounds to get. Pau is more than content to let Lamar vacuum the defensive boards, preferring instead to sprint down court looking for an easy hoop. If Drew the Beast is back, he’ll own the glass.
Personally, I wish Lamar could play at the same level off the bench but I don’t think he can. You cannot underestimate how hard it is for a guy who never came off the bench to be demoted. It is not coincidence that Manu Ginobli is the only premiere player in his prime to be willing to do it. I do not see why everybody does not understand that. I got no problem if Lamar could play the same off the bench. I just don’t think Phil is going to risk it.
my response: Pau *CAN'T* defer to
Lamar for rebounds. That would give
opposing teams a better chance at
getting second chance shots. That
would be really bad for us. Also,
playing Lamar at the SF position would
put him in a worse place in terms of
getting the rebounds in the first place.
There's a reason why PF tend to have
more rebounds than SF and it has nada
to do with the PF are better basketball
players than the SF's. It's location on
the court. But you know all of this ....
re: Lamar coming off the bench. Rip
Hamilton came off the bench behind
A.I. It didn't work. Now A.I. will be
coming off the bench behind Hamilton.
I understand how hard it is to swallow
one's pride. Vlad had the same problem.
Now he's gone. The question you
haven't addressed is how will the Lakers
play with Lamar as starting SF. No
Lakers coach seems to think that is a
good idea. I guess Lamar has a choice
to make.
re: not understanding your position on
Lamar. For *me* you hadn't made it
clear until now. For clarity: "you
support Lamar coming off the bench,
however you think his playing level will
decrease. To maintain his playing level
you want him to start."
you wrote this to ex:
You have to think that, if given the chance, Mitch would like to know if Lamar could play the starting small forward position with Drew and Pau before they re-sign him this summer.
my response: Sorry to butt in.
However, Mitch already made that clear
when he signed Ariza. Ariza is a better
defensive player than Lamar. He's
quicker. He's got longer arms. I seem
to recall that Lamar is 6'10" with a 7'
wingspan and Ariza is 6'8" with a longer
wingspan. Here's a link: http://tinyurl.com/5bh58g
Posted by: hobbitmage | March 01, 2009 at 07:51 AM
i hope the lakers will put the last nails in phoenix coffins and their chance to make the playoffs. they will be 3 games behind dallas for the 8th place. and with a heavy schedule of road games against winning teams i don't see them making it.
personally i'm tired of the shaq-kobe media subject and shaq's jabbs at everything related to lakers. out of sight, out of mind. especially after barkeley's comments of HARD plays against the lakers.
as i wrote before, kobe will pass barkley in the scoring total around the playoffs or maybe before. i also hope it will happen on TNT so kenny and ernie can make fun of him, especially as a kobe hater.
"with this spectacular shot, kobe passed our charles 23,757 points in the all time scoring leaders in NBA history"
LGL
make it Snaktastic
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | March 01, 2009 at 08:21 AM
AK/BK,
How do you repost? I blogged last night on the previous thread. Can i move it to this thread? Thanks. I'm a computer dummy.
Posted by: mikefloss | March 01, 2009 at 08:28 AM
Two of my favorite quotes are from Satchel Paige ... "Dont look back. Something might be gaining on you."
And from Larry Legend when he walked into the locker room before winning another 3pt shooting contest ... "I want all of you to know I am winning this thing. I'm just looking around to see who's gonna finish up second."
Couple of "nuggets" for Laker fan and Cavs fan!
Posted by: 131-92 | March 01, 2009 at 08:34 AM
AK
If I were the "Marbury's mystery" blogger, I'd be inclined to dig up vid of the infamous "next level" interview.
Think it went something like, "tonight we took it to the next level, but now we gonna have to go to a whole 'nother level and another after dat. Theeeenn, a whole other level beyond that even."
By the time the dude was done, it was something like 11 levels higher. You can't write that stuff. Genius.
If memory serves, which is doesn't always, I'd say Phoenix, final game, round one, circa '04?
Posted by: VMan | March 01, 2009 at 08:48 AM
As for whether Drew or Odom should start, it should depend on the match ups. If the Lakers are playing the Spurs, then Drew, assuming that he's back to being the dominant Drew, should be in there guarding him, not Pau or Odom. So it should entirely depend on who's playing for the other team. You can't make these decisions in a vacuum. The Lakers have many choices, and they should use those choices to their advantage. So if it means starting both Drew and Gasol, they should do this. But in other situations, they should start Odom. In some games, if bringing Gasol off the bench works the best, they should do that.
Posted by: DT | March 01, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Mikefloss-
Cutting and pasting is the easiest way.
BK
Posted by: kambrothers | March 01, 2009 at 09:48 AM
After today's game, this week looks to be a nice one to recover from the recent road travails. A Tuesday game against the Grizz and then a two day break before a game against Minnesota on Friday.
Nice recovery time for sure. Also a good week to get in a rest day and some good practice sessions before a game against the Blazers in Portland, where the Lakers haven't played well recently. The last real stretch of consecutive difficult games comes the following week on the road against Houston, SA, and then Dallas at home.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 01, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Lakers have no emotional, energetic leader off the bench. Other contenders seem to have guys off the bench that bring energy, talk trash and get the crowd fired up by waving their arms or screaming or something. We have young guys that are for the most part passive personality wise, even Farmar who some say has a strong personality(at least that's what we're told when he's at practice talking it up with Kobe).
With LO inserted into the starting lineup, the bench just seems to be lost out there and as PJ put it their me first attitude is hurting the team. This is why adding another veteran presence would've been a big boost to this team. Even Morrison and Brown, guys they just added are quiet and passive by nature. I'm not saying that our bench guys aren't competitive or aggressive in games, it's just that there isn't anyone that's taken the reins as the surefire leader of the second unit. Farmar and Sasha are the main culprits with their me first attitude, Ariza isn't vocal enough, Powell isn't athletic as first thought and Mbenga is a foul machine. I thought that Mikki Moore would've been a great addition because he brings energy and plays with an attitude. Right now the Cavs are hoping that Joe Smith comes available tonight so they can snatch him up or pick up a "surprise" player according to their newspapers. Lakers need an infusion of new blood because new guys Morrison and Brown won't get much playing time. We need another veteran presence to help the young guys out.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 01, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Ex,
I agree 100%. The most sensible thing to do assuming Drew is coming back with one or two weeks left in the season is to bring him off the bench. The playoffs certainly are not the time to try to re-integrate Bynum with no training camp to work on getting him back in. Also, considering how long it took Drew to reach the level he was at prior to his injury it's possible that Drew may not get back to that this season or until the NBA Finals.
Posted by: Xodus | March 01, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Blitz,
Re: (1) and (4) in my previous post. Let me clarify those points, as I believe they might have been too easy to misinterpret.
(1) My point was simply that Sasha isn't making shots he was making more consistently a year ago, which nearly everyone considers his best year. Farmar passes the ball more than people give him credit for. You can't get an assist if the basket isn't made.
(4) When Mbenga is on the floor, I was trying to point out that it frequently looks like people don't know where they're supposed to be, or what they're supposed to do. He'll never be Shaq, but he can be effective in short minutes.
My biggest beef with Jordan is that his run and gun game is too one dimensional. Sometimes you just need to run the offense, but he tries to do too much and that gets him in trouble.
This afternoon, Phoenix will try to prove that they're a better team than they were the other night. This will be a grudge match. But if the Lakers just play their game, stay focused, play defense, and think domination, this should be another W. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 01, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Nemaia...
I agree with your assessment that something in missing from the Laker 2nd unit. I don't seriously think that any playoff team is quaking in fear over the likes of Sasha, Jordan or Josh. The Lakers need another big, IMO. I was hoping Moore or Joe Smith. According to various sources, there is a possibility that the Kings may waive Drew Gooden. You can never have enough bigs in the playoffs. Even IF AND WHEN Baby Bynum returns, another big wouldn't hurt.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 01, 2009 at 11:04 AM