Lifting the dis from disgruntled
It was a mellow day in El Segundo for the Lakers, coming of Tuesday night's ugly 94-93 loss to the Sixers. Light work on the court, and what Lamar Odom told me later was a "father-son" talk between Phil Jackson and the team about what needs to be done going forward.
Nobody was offering intimate detals, but meeting with the media, after first speaking of his appreciation for the word "disgruntled," ("Because there's a grunt involved in that, and it kind of makes it a special word."), Jackson turned the focus to the more important issue of disgruntled players.
"We have some disgruntledness on the team, and that's because their own personal game isn't going well, and they have to break out of that," he said. That theme of team play is a drum Jackson beats with consistency. I asked him where the problems tend to manifest. "You usually see it on the offensive end. If things don't go well offensively, they're open, something happens, they turn it over, that next move- that hustle move that you respond with defensively is not there, and they're still playing that last play that they're unhappy about."
Clearly much of that is directed at the reserves, and (I'm guessing here, since nothing specific was said) particularly at Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar. Personnel issues (that's code for the Andrew Bynum injury) have left the Lakers with a different bench, one that can't push pace as easily, has fewer facilitators and good ball handlers, and has to make things work in the half court more than they'd like.
"I used to turn to the coaches on the bench and say, "Thank god we have a bench team that wants to go out there and kick some butt." Because a lot of times we'd be playing even with teams and they'd go out and build a ten point lead," Jackson said. "Now it's inverted. We build a ten point lead with our starters and are trying to hold our own with the bench. They were coming out and playing a different style of game. An active, running, attacking game, and they've lost that attack level."
Reviewing the end of the first quarter and the first six minutes of the second from Tuesday's game, it's easy to see where things are going wrong when the reserves hit the floor. Empty possessions and turnovers, making it tough to set up on the other end. When they did score- Sasha following an entry pass to Pau Gasol for a layup, Josh Powell using a nice ball screen from Luke Walton to get free before taking a pass at the right elbow and hitting a jumper, a quick entry from Vujacic to Gasol in the post for the and-one, for example- it tended to be because of good off-ball movement and passing.
That's what has to happen, because until Bynum returns opposing teams will look to force the reserves (no matter who is on the floor with them) into a half court game. Jackson has tried a few different combinations, but bottom line is that guys like Farmar, Vujacic, and now Walton all need to raise their games to help give some relief to the starting five.
Check the video as well for some comments from Jackson about Gasol's frustration with declining touches as games go on.
Other notes:
- Kobe Bryant was absent from practice (scuttling what I believe was supposed to be team photo day) because of jury duty, a first for Phil Jackson. Hopefully, 24 will get his service postponed, unless of course the presiding judge he draws is a Celtics fan. "It's my understanding, if I was a legal person and I was picking a jury, I probably wouldn't pick a guy like Kobe Bryant to sit on the jury," Jackson said. Could be a touch too high profile? You think? Can you imagine, though, if he missed the road trip to serve? "Sorry, Kobe. It's your duty as a citizen."
- Let's say Kobe is selected. Is he made foreman? The Lakers have problems with players deferring to him on the court. Does that happen in a jury room?
- Jackson was asked if any of his players had Twittered during halftime, as Charlie Villanueva did during halftime of Milwaukee's win Sunday over Boston. "I did have a player that did that, but he was texting. I don't know if he was Twittering or not. I had to correct him." In a related note, I got an email this week from my mom, subject line: What is a Twitter?
- Sasha Vujacic finished off his day doing a stand up interview for a website called English Baby. It appears to be a place where folks can come to improve their spoken English. I don't know exactly what they talked about, but the interview finished with the dude on the mic and Sasha high fiving and yelling, "English Baby!" That's going to be the first thing I do to Sasha when I walk into the locker room tomorrow night. I encourage other members of the media to do the same.
VIDEO:
Trevor Ariza- More on last night's final play, plus talk of what the Lakers need to do going forward. TA said he didn't think the Lakers lacked the "killer instinct" PJ has referred to over the last few days, but did say he believes the team sometimes takes situations for granted. Same thing, really, but since not every player speaks cliche in quite the same way, it's hard to take too much from it. The important part? Ariza promised it the Lakers would learn and said that lack of proper focus won't happen again.
Phil Jackson on last night's game, the "disgruntledness" of players, getting the ball into the post:
PJ on the second unit, the road trip, and items of import:
BK
English, BABY!
That's my new catch phrase. I don't care what anyone says.
Posted by: Xodus | March 18, 2009 at 03:18 PM
These youngins are still denying the killer instinct thing. Too prideful to face facts, huh? Is it gonna take another last second buzzer beater to make these kids see the light?
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | March 18, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Time for group meditation, Phil.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 18, 2009 at 03:24 PM
things look to be in hand.
they'll play the games and then we'll see.
Posted by: mud | March 18, 2009 at 03:43 PM
utzworld,
Phil is putting on such an act..All of his teams were like this! Why is it such a surprise? He teaches this methodology in his coaching and it works..Every team he has had does this..The only exception was the 72-10 bulls.
Posted by: zen | March 18, 2009 at 03:50 PM
I like the meeting idea. It never hurts to air out one's emotional state, especially in light of our recent play.
Loved the LO article in SI. I know how crazy he drives some folks (there are times when I just want him to take it to the hole against, say, almost any other power forward in the league.
It sounds like he really loves LA and wants to stay. I hope he does, he is Kobe's perfect foil. Rebounds his misses. Plays stellar D. Makes everyone around him a little bit better.
I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised at how well Ariza has played as a starter. His free throws are even going in, now if he could just make nice, crisp, entry passes...
Have a good one y'all.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | March 18, 2009 at 03:53 PM
utzworld
Phil would say these type of things if the team was 81 and 1. He's a teacher as much as he's a coach.
That's why he's one of the best.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | March 18, 2009 at 03:56 PM
The second unit is struggling because there is no Lamar Odom. He provided rebounding and ball handling and playmaking. He drew a lot of attention. He could rebound and pass or rebound and go end to end. He is unselfish, He is quick and long. For all his limits I think LO was a key to the second unit.
So the other guys need to step up, be more agressive, share the ball, make themselves tough to defend by spreading teh floor, moving bodies and the ball. With Gasol in there and Farmar, Sasha, Powell and Luke, they have plenty of rebounding, quickness, passing and shooting ability. It's time to do it instead of talking about it.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | March 18, 2009 at 04:04 PM
The Lakers will pick it up with 10 games to go.
JMHBSO
Posted by: zen | March 18, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Kobe not selected for jury duty.
Damn that cancels out so many amusing scenarios.
Posted by: Anna in Bondi | March 18, 2009 at 04:18 PM
There's no such thing as resting on your laurels if you're to win a title.
I think the Lakers learned the hard way last year. That game 4 still stings... it cost us a banner
Can you imagine Kobe on jury duty... too much of a media spectacle, they'll have to dismiss him, and if they don't...
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO KOBE: Tweet in the courthouse... the legal system, like the milwakee bucks, are paranoid about twitter while on the job
it will get you booted from jury duty in no time
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 18, 2009 at 04:22 PM
Tom Daniels,
The 2nd Unit in general was still giving up leads even with LO in.
@ Indiana
@ Philadelphia (before the starters restored the lead)
@ Washington
And to add to that Bynum was with the 2nd unit in the 4th quarter when the leads were getting blown and he wasn't getting the ball enough of his hands and he wasn't the type to demand the ball (this is to go out to Laker Tom).
To be honest I think Jordan's willingness (also factor in teams doubling Gasol more in the 4th) to try to get himself out of his struggles also contribute to Gasol's few touches in the 4th. I don't blame Jordan for trying to get out of his funk but I dislike that he is doing at the expense of the team's overall game. Same thing with Sasha. Both are trying to break out of funks yet their attempts are negatively impacting the team.
Don't believe me to those who just love to respond to me? Take it from Jackson:
"We have some disgruntledness on the team, and that's because their own personal game isn't going well, and they have to break out of that," he said. That theme of team play is a drum Jackson beats with consistency. I asked him where the problems tend to manifest. "You usually see it on the offensive end. If things don't go well offensively, they're open, something happens, they turn it over, that next move- that hustle move that you respond with defensively is not there, and they're still playing that last play that they're unhappy about."
-KB Blitz
Posted by: Kobeblitz | March 18, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Reality check time. Lakers will not get best record in league. Cavs have alot more home games left than LA does. Plus add in the splendid kind of playing we witnessed last night, and you get the picture. I expect that kind of poor decision making from Odom but not Ariza. Team has been flirting with disaster for awhile now. Hopefully they get it together soon.
Posted by: Laron the Prophet of Doom | March 18, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Hey guys!
Finally had a second to post. I think it's a good thing I didn't get to it earlier cuz I was really irritated about the whole "should have taken a foul but didn't and didn't even get in Iggy's face and make him put it on the floor and just another example of if we would have made our free throws we would have won and oh if only Kobe would get the same calls FOR him as against him and how about getting it into Pau on a consistent basis in the 2nd half and if our bench doesn't stop doing TV shows and modelling gigs and focus on their play I'm going to hurl something" thing..... You know. Stuff like that.
AK/BK - THANK YOU for the link to the LO article. I love that guy. Always have. It's a shame what some guys have to go through in this life. I wish I could help, you know? Anyhoo, LO=Laker for Life. Write it down and laminate it.
Big game tomorrow. I hope the Mob has some kind of fire going in their gut, cuz it's definitely gut-check time. If not, I'm all for Booster Boy resting the starters more, even if it costs us home court for the Finals. We can win on the road against both the Weeners and the Crabaliers, so why not? Is it not better to get some well-needed rest now than to burn out too early and lose in the post-season? It's a catch-22 to be sure, and there's no easy answer, but if that's what PJ does I say it's all good. (EVEN THOUGH I personally would rather us win every game from now on, beating everyone down, doing whatever it takes - I am in support of whatever 9-rings decides is best for the team).
Ok - enough with the verbal diarrhea already....
ENGLISH BABY!!!
Ummm.... I mean GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 18, 2009 at 04:36 PM
After listening to Phil it is very apparent that he needs a "killer instinct" himself and a boost of energy. He sounds tired, lethargic, and confused.........wake me up when this guy says something.
Also when Kobe is out of rhythm why not run specific plays for him to get an easy shot......since chances are you will not win the game unless he gets it going.
Some of the "disgruntledness" as Phil calls it really comes from players not understanding or accepting their respective roles. This problem usually originates from the top....... or the coach's failure to accurately define roles for his players. An interesting question to ask Phil would be
"What are you as a coach going to do differently to keep a fire under this team since it is common knowledge that a team reflects the demeanor of it's coach"?
Earlier this season Vlad was "disgruntled" ........now it appears Sasha and Farmar are "disgruntled". I would say a more accurate word would be "confused"
It appears Phil has FINALLY decided to change his rotations (which are horrible). Hopefully Phil will implement phase 2 of the Luke Walton Laker Stimulus package.
Phase 1
Luke went to Phil to lobby him about the philosophy of "addition by subtraction". Luke said take me out of the starting line-up because as you and I both know we have a sense of entitlement and I shouldn't be starting anyway. Just tell the media that we're doing it to "stabilize" the "bench"..........they will believe that if YOU say it coach..........well at least until we have to actually play.
Phase 2
Luke will again approach Phil and this time ask him to reduce his minutes. This will keep Ariza on the floor longer (is it possible Ariza could have been productive against Boston in last years finals?........we'll never know because Phil wouldn't play him) and help other players develop their games for the future.........I think this is best since I am already on the downside of my career and will be turning 30 a year from next Saturday.
Phase 3
At the end of this season I will ask the team for the terms of a buyout. Since I will have 4 big years left on my contract which by the way makes me effectively "UNTRADEABLE".......You can use the money I would have been stealing and pay someone that can really play this game. I can come up with some nagging injury (which by the way I'm very good at) and then you can move me upstairs to management since i won't be picked up by anyone else..........sort of like they did for Mitch Kupchek
Posted by: pfunk36 | March 18, 2009 at 04:38 PM
What's this "english baby"?
Can someone explain?
Posted by: Faith | March 18, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Faith,
It's described in one of the 4 new threads for today. Unfortunately, we have to hunt for it.
Posted by: zen | March 18, 2009 at 04:53 PM
i'd like to see Phil experiment with having Odom come off the bench again, and starting Powell. what does anyone else think about that? if it doesn't work out, go back to Odom starting. Odom could still finish games, though.
it wouldn't be a demotion, just a recognition that the bench needs help.
but this would cause kobe and fish to handle the ball more, but i don't really see that as a problem, as they're both used to it.
oh yeah, and as a former English teacher, i'm also down with the "English, BABY!" catch-phrase.
Posted by: leonardbast | March 18, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Faith - check the K-Bros "other notes" section above. It's there in all it's glory....
Hey - next time you Twitter your boy - tell him enough with the modelling or TV or whatever he's doing and GET HIS MOJO BACK ALREADY - LOL! Have him cut his hair and wear his jock backwards or something. He needs to get out of his funk.
Thanks, Faith.
ENGLISH BABY!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 18, 2009 at 04:55 PM
I'd like to see the Lakers run the Triangle more down the stretch in the 4th quarter rather than simply giving the ball to Kobe and running pick and rolls. Our offense becomes very predictable when all we're doing is pick and rolls with Kobe. And when the defense has an athletic big man (like Reggie Evans) to cover Kobe off the screens, the pick and rolls are that less effective.
Sticking to the Triangle down the stretch would also give Pau more touches in the post and allow him to create for himself or for others. I think it's clear that Pau is a better passer than Kobe out of the double team.
Posted by: EJK | March 18, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Thank you lakers for absorbing the emotional surge from the 76ers, who are better than their record shows. Igoudala is a cold-blooded son of a gun when you give him a chance to win on a jumper. I thought Ariza fell asleep on that play - no foul?
But - the SUNS could benefit from this defeat. Perhaps the 76ers will find it tough to summon energy on the B2B, and the SUNS still have a shot at that Round One showdown featuring SHACK vs kobey.
So it's not all bad.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 18, 2009 at 05:15 PM
Seriously, that Lamar Odom article just made me think of basketball in a totally different perspective. As cliche it is to say, it's just a game and there will always be things that are more important.
Lamar Odom is a Laker for Life
Posted by: bobie | March 18, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Is it me or did anybody else notice that Phil Jackson only chose to call timeout when the lead was completely swallowed up and the 6ers went up by one. Don't get me wrong, the personnel on the court is very very responsible for the collapse. However, I think the coach's job, at least one of them, was to reinforce his team....get them to stay on task. That's like the third or fourth game now I've seen him throw yes I said throw for the Lakers....I've said it earlier this year. I think Phil should ride off into the sunset after this season....he's losing his bearings.
I bleed purple and gold, but even a cancer patient knows he's not gonna make it. I'd be pleasantly shocked to say the least, if the Lakers so much as make it to the FInals this year. If they make it to the finals and actually win, I will keep a bottle of Bayer Asprin close by, I heard its good for heart attacks.
As good as the Lakers are, and I still brag about them. The team on a whole has some very disturbing weaknesses. Its ok for a team to have weak spots but, its not ok when those weaknesses are consistently glaring.
I'm still holding my breath though, but my hopes aren't too high.
Posted by: rhon.salmon | March 18, 2009 at 05:32 PM
i think all lakers fan should want to play celtics in the finals. We know we can beat the cavs but we dont know if we can beat david stern and his plans for lebron james. I have a feeling that they are gonna have the refs on there side. And PORTLAND IS SCARY MAN that team is very physical just like boston last year. We have trouble with physical teams because Gasol is to skinny. But im kind of worried about celtics. They are not healthy and guess what the refs are not leting them play physical anymore. If they play cavs i hope david stern does not tell the refs not to let boston play physical or the crabs will win.
Posted by: omega | March 18, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Q: What's 4+8?
A: English, baby!
Q: What's for dinner?
A: English, baby!
Q: Who is 12th all time on the NBA's all-time scoring list?
A: English, baby! (ok, that one's actually correct)
The point is, this is my new answer to every question posed to me, at least until it becomes annoying enough that I get death threats.
English, baby!
Posted by: puddle | March 18, 2009 at 05:59 PM
On "English Baby", I think that there should be a comma somewhere there, otherwise, people will think of infants who babble like Austin Powers.
Guess the focus is on spoken, not written, English.
English, Baby! Yeah!
Posted by: the don miguel | March 18, 2009 at 06:22 PM
Looks like SAS have written off homecourt advantage for the WCF. Pop rested Duncan in last night's game against the Twolves in ancticipation of the playoff grind.
The 40+ minutes that Pau is burning every game is cause for concern.
Posted by: The Snake | March 18, 2009 at 06:25 PM
By the way- presiding judge defintiely not a Celtics fan- quote, unquote: "Go Lakers"
Posted by: Anna in Bondi | March 18, 2009 at 06:49 PM
So TA says they've learned their lesson & it won't happen again? We'll see.
If Phil is thinking about mixing up the rotations, I'm fine with it. We're not getting Chris Paul for Farmar, can only work with what you have. That's why Phil gets the big $$$, to figure this out. Good that it looks like he's getting more serious in realizing the current situation isn't working.
The good news is that the Lakers have a mental problem, not a physical one. Mavs can't compensate for the fact they have no inside presence. The Lakers do, it's just right now they're not taking advantage of it. Sasha/Farmar/Luke may not be All-Stars but they're capable of being solid support. If Phil can use his Zen tricks to get them focused again, Lakers will look Championship-worthy once more.
Posted by: Scott | March 18, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Tough loss last night. I live in DC and have to stay up until 1 watching these games, then can't sleep after a loss like that.
I'm feeling sour on Jordan and Sasha right now. While I'm tempted to trade them, perhaps giving them another year to prove themselves is the way to do it. They have a lot of pressure given the Lakers sudden success last year. Maybe next year will be better with another year under their belt. Thoughts?
Posted by: Purple&Gold | March 18, 2009 at 07:48 PM
really worried about portland, they are a VERY good and physical team and all of them are very good with their jumpshot and just getting their offense up and running in general
Posted by: gary | March 18, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Hmmmm Warriors in town...fresh off a defense gem ( 159 points to Phoenix). Kobe coming off a bad game.
For one night I'd love to see Mamba be selfish, get hot and break Wilts 100 point record.
Posted by: LALAKERLOVER | March 18, 2009 at 08:02 PM
According to TMZ, this is the conversation that went down between Kobe and the OC Judge:
Judge: "What do you do for a living?"
Kobe: "I play professional basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers"
Judge: "Go Lakers!"
http://tinyurl.com/db7w6l
haha, another "Only in LA/SoCal" moment.
Posted by: bobie | March 18, 2009 at 08:02 PM
As a card-carrying Lakers homer, you know it pains me to say this aloud...that last game was pathetic!
Horrible!
Disastrous!
SUX.
I wish I drank. I would drink. I would lay one on. But, alas, there is no escape from this pain, from this funk that I'm feeling.
SUX.
--Fearless
PS. I hope that this wake-up call finally wakes us up. Maybe this time we won't hit the snooze button.
Posted by: Fearless | March 18, 2009 at 08:08 PM
I love the Los Angeles Lakers and I want them to do well.
And I like every player on this team.
And I want them to do well.
Make this happen, guys.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 18, 2009 at 08:17 PM
The Kwamster's having a decent game tonight. Mike T must be in calves-heaven.
Posted by: dave m | March 18, 2009 at 08:20 PM
As odd as this may sound... I can think of very few instances where I've experienced personally losing to a worse team.
I've experienced a FEW instances of beating a better team, but not so many.
Why is it that the Lakers let worse teams beat them?
This really should be addressed.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 18, 2009 at 08:21 PM
AK/BK,
i'm just wondering if it's not obvious to everyone, the dislike jordan and sasha have for each other?
i think that's the main reason of all the problems regarding the bench.
sasha is always confrontational, towards almost everyone and jordan wants to be 'the man'
have you guys asked phil if there's a personal problem between jordan and sasha, that is affecting the team as a whole?
Posted by: lakofan | March 18, 2009 at 09:36 PM
color me cocky...
but i don't believe that we need to battle cleveland for the best record b/c we won't meet them in the finals.
i don't believe in the cavs ...and i doubt they can beat a healthy celtics team in the eastern conference ...
so in the debate to rest starters versus fighting for the best record. i say give pau a break at the risk of cleveland getting the best record
i mean, yeah, it would be great to achieve that goal but circumstances have changed our season. so we must rest pau for what's important. by the time we get to the finals, we'll have home court b/c we'll be facing a team who has a lesser record than us .... the celtics.
my thoughts.
Posted by: CBuck | March 18, 2009 at 09:39 PM
What bothers me concerning the "lost leads" is that no one is putting the blame on Phil. Phil killed the Lakers in the finals. Every 15+ run by Boston was done against the second unit. These losses are more of the same. Phil refuses to change the personnel even when the opposing team has left its starters in longer. Checkout LeBron's minutes during their six game winning streak. Cleveland is already shortening its bench considerably while Lakers want to play ten or more deep every night. This is regular season so leaving the second unit in to "learn" is not the end of the world. But Phil did this in last year's finals too!!! At least this year he can't have Vlad covering Pierce the whole game...
Posted by: Brian Aufderheide | March 18, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Tex Winter on Bynum- "“He doesn’t feed (pass) as well yet "
Guess he agrees with me.
Posted by: p ang | March 18, 2009 at 09:40 PM
The blog says GHF. The beat writers say GHE. Now and over the next few weeks, we're going to find out what the team says.
As a fan, I'm angry and disappointed that we're even having this conversation at this point in the season. But if there's going to be discord and disgruntlement, at least it's now and not during the Playoffs.
If Phil is truly the Zenmaster, take every single uniform out to the Staples parking lot and burn them. Sage the locker room. Sage the floor. Sage the bench. Light some friggin' incense and do all the requisite rituals. Stop at nothing. Well, almost nothing. I thought about taking the entire team to a boxing gym and letting them all beat the snot out of each other, but have thought the better of it.
Maybe some of you or all of you have moved on, but I am still stewing over Tuesday night's game and most of the games for the past three weeks. The regression in the bench play can't just be nailed on Sasha and Jordan. There's simply no team work when the 2nd unit is on the floor. Offensively and defensively, the spacing sucks. The shot selections suck. Shots are rushed. If Pau is on the floor and he's having a monster game, there is no excuse for not getting him the ball. None. Whatever happened to coaching? Isn't that where the buck stops?
Is Jordan uncoachable? Is Sasha? A rewind to last year says they ARE coachable. What about mentoring? Where is Kobe on Sasha? Where is Fish on Jordan?
Where is Sasha on Sasha? Where is Jordan on Jordan? Jordan's comments after Tuesday night's game were bull crap. Are we to believe nobody called him out on it?
The beat reporters need to step it up. The milk toast reporting has finally caught up with reality, but there's still no journalism. Ok, Phil says there are disgruntled players. Great. What's he doing about it? Don't tell me they had a meeting. Meetings rarely solve anything. What's he REALLY doing about it? When will we see the results? How will we know? What is the coach's measuring stick?
Go ahead. Say Friedman is on one of his rants. He'll calm down. But before you get dismissive, ask yourself if you are satisfied with what you've seen lately. Are you? This isn't a GHE/GHF debate. We're about to play for all the marbles. Let's go, Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 18, 2009 at 09:53 PM
I'm not sure if anyone is going to read this or reply to it but why is it that no one is calling out the coach? yes I know he does not play but his coaching leaves much to disire. He does not put the starters in when the bench is losing the lead until is way too late! thus placing more pressure on the starters.
Posted by: Walter M | March 18, 2009 at 10:43 PM
How about calling in Farmar and Brown and telling them that they will split minutes from now until season's end, and the one that plays better will be the backup point come April 19.
It's time that they took Farmar off scholarship and let him know he is competing for his playing time. He will either meet the challenge, or he won't and the front office can trade him with a clear conscience in the offseason.
I hoped that Farmar would be pushing Fisher for his job by now. He is not even close to DFish. We need to get a starter in place by next year, and more and more, it doesn't look like it will be Farmar.
Posted by: Jman449 | March 18, 2009 at 10:46 PM
This team is a mess.
Kobe's leadership is no where near top-tier. MJ-esque? Please. Save the fables for the kids from the mountains. You'd think being in 5 Finals to win 3, hitting rockbottom, and finally being blessed with a competing team he'd never allow this to happen. After the shot to gain a 2 point lead at the end, he opted to laugh as the ball was being inbounded by the Sixers. To add insult to injury, he was guarding Andre Miller to close out a must-win home game. Where's your head at? Where's your IQ Kob'? Ariza, a 23 year old vaggerbond takes the responsibility of guarding the primary go-to guy in crunch time? You better settle for less money, Kob'. If not -- honestly, you can pack your stuff and get going. We're not winning any rings with you at this level. Plan and simple.
Pau is playing well but his reputation on defense puts us in a real bind when teams start to attack.
Not to start a riot here, but Lamar needs to stop trying so hard and focus on finding some sweet spots on the floor. The wings, the free-throw line, free-throw line extended -- anywhere. Just find some sweet spots that you can find solace in. LO is incapable of being consistently productive simply being a 'stat-filler'.
I loved the way Laker fans celebrated Andrew running the treadmill like it means anything substantial. He still in unable to make hard cuts, and still smiles for the camera's at every glance. His interview on KCAL where he spoke about his fancy cars, and whatever else was a slap in the face to the franchise AND the country. How can you smile and talk about excess when your team is clearly not championship-ready and the country up to it's ears in trash-economics? I found it utterly, utterly perplexing to see "our" next 'great center' act so amateurish. Greats are a mixture of talent and smarts, with a certain level of restraint. This kid is simply spoiled and his ship is not yet ready to sail in any type of real, heavy waters.
LakerTom, I'm ready for your attack. Please, do come back with a trademark "Andrew is King" article. Your follies have become all too predictable my good friend.
As for the bench, with the exception of Mbenga and Powell: you guys are absolute matadors. I've played basketball my whole life, and if I had Phil coaching me, Tex as an open encyclopedia, and that coaching staff on my side -- I'd have the look of a killer. I'd be in the gym 8 hours a day, asking Tex to dinner dates and Phil for books to read. You fools are still busy chasing cheerleaders and trying to impress your friends. The only reason Phil won't rip you is because he knows how emotionally fragile you are. He thinks you're a bunch ot kids who don't know any better.
Take a look at that 95-96' Bulls roster. Look at the bench and think about the collective personalities of those guys. Killers. Every single one of them. Focused. Determined. Single-minded killers. No fluff. No exuberance. No nothing.
LAST POINT:
MJ, Magic, Larry Legend, Russell.
Take a hard look at these names. These are guys that willed their team to victory and made sure that there was a certain level of focus maintained throughout. They never pulled punches. They never worried about personal glory. They were above that game. And in that sense. they were above THE game. They bled for the cities on their jerseys and they bled for their teammates. They died in the line of fire time and time again, but never due to wonderlust.
Kobe.
Please.
Bring home the crown.
The Cavs are going to have a better record end of season due to that Philly game, and it's ironic. You're from Philly.
I guess you lost that hunger.
That fire.
I guess you forgot where you came from.
Saul
Head of The Centre for Basketball Brilliance (CBB)
P.S: AK / BK, if you don't post this atleast tell me why. E-mail me. Call me. You want my number? Make another post stating why I can't post. Something. Don't censor these posts because they are not vulgar or 'attack' posts. They are not intended to generate a negative response. It is simply a Laker venting his personal displeasure with the team direction. Isn't that what this all-encompassing blog is all about?
Posted by: Saul | March 18, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Rick,
>>>If Phil is truly the Zenmaster, take every single uniform
>>>out to the Staples parking lot and burn them. Sage the
>>>locker room. Sage the floor. Sage the bench. Light
>>>some friggin' incense and do all the requisite rituals.
>>>Stop at nothing. Well, almost nothing. I thought about
>>>taking the entire team to a boxing gym and letting them
>>>all beat the snot out of each other, but have thought
>>>the better of it.
Take Jordan and Sasha with the uniforms and burn them at the stake. Those kids need to get clocked ala Michael vs. Steve Kerr.
Kobe.
Bro.
Please.
Clock someone.
This locker room, this team, that bench -- they -- they're outta' control man!
Posted by: Saul | March 18, 2009 at 11:10 PM
SUNS were without Barbosa with a hyperextended knee tonight, but they still managed to knock off the 76ers. Thanks lakers for making them expend all that energy in order to win at staples.
SUNS vs lakers is still a possibility...
Posted by: BUTLER | March 19, 2009 at 12:04 AM
I think Sasha will be a victim in the offseason...inconsistent (well 98% of all longballers (no innuendo there) are.... C'mon, he's had what 4 years now, and still struggling (if you are, don't announce it, deny it, reak of confidence....English Baby!!!).... Jordan, I think still needs refining, but even when he's going thru his rough times, you don't wanna throw your shoe at your flatscreen like that guy did....I see a fairly quick, good ballhandler, good variety of shots, confidence, leadership skills....if her were only a step quicker, and 3 inches taller, thank God he can jump....Been watching VanRad's boxscore, he scored 14 last night, I think he thrives more outside of the triangle offense....probably was more worried about getting pined for missing shots...definitely should have gone to see therapist when PJ suggested,......I think it's yoga time for the Lakers since it's mental....reminds me of Yoda telling Luke (sister kisser....) to use the Force....problem is they are not using the same version (update your software regularly)......
I watched the crab dribble on youtube, I think it's a travel, the refs are pretty bad sometimes, losing track of which is the pivot foot, letting a player drag it while pivoting, calling blocks for not running away from contact, geez, most of the time it's true....they have to ask, where am I supposed to go????? I don't watch any Crab's games, becausse their team is too damn ugly, whereas the Boston GreenBeans are just too damn fat....
Stern and his team will make sure LeBron who will be the hottest topicin sports because of Y-20-10.....will be loaded with all the publicity so that everyone will watch.....it's a no win for Cleveland, I think, win this year or next, and he's accomplished a major achievement, can move on with no regrets.....lose this & next year, no further reason to contemplate......wonder how much Nike is going to pay him for upgrading his zip code......probably over a hundred million, basically what I make in 714 years.....makes me wanna go Foot Locker right now.....
Posted by: humanomaly | March 19, 2009 at 02:06 AM
It time to trade Farmer, Sasha, Walton for a Cheerleader.
Posted by: Reese | March 19, 2009 at 05:56 AM
*******
*THE RINGS THE THING NOT THE RECORD BANDWAGON
******
(01) JON K. –OWNER- What do we play for ? RINGS!!!!
(02)FAITH – DRIVER - The Lakers will not just give up and give in. Have faith in them.
(03) utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER - . We stand united 1 team. 1 mission. 1 destiny.
(04) DAVE M. - I believe the Lakers, have the talent, ability & size to go all the way..
(05) LAKER_TOM- The way for this team to respond is to go out and start another streak
(06) ISSANG - My goodness. we loss one game. ONE GAME. wow, pathetic people..
(07) LAKER_HOPEFUL - 7-1, best record in the league & the team needs to be broken
up. It's freaking November, i
(08) ERIC_M - We're going to get better, and better, and better.
(09) 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).
(10) EXHELODRVR - Come in off the ledge, please. You're embarrassing the rest of us.
(11) John Wooden, thinks Kobe will be remembered as the best ever. John Wooden
(12) FATTY - So if 7-1 is a bit slow, then Fatty can live with that type of slow, can you?
(13) NEMAIA FALETOGO - sometimes it's just the other team's night, PERIOD.
(14) AMAZING HAPPENS - Relax Lakers fans, the season is a marathon, not a sprint.
(15) LONG_TIME_LAKER_FAN - Look, the only thing that's too soft is your fan-dom.
( (16) DICE8UP -! GEt over it children.. we lost... end of story... let's battle again the next game...
(17) HOBBITMAGE -! The Goal of the Lakers is not to win in Nov. But to win a championship in June.
18) “PIG” MILLER - You're not gonna win every night. Sometimes it's your night to be crushed.
(19) LONG TIME LAKER 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!!!!!!!!!!
(22) MD - i'll take 7-1 out of every 8 games anytime
(23) Love LA Lakers - Lakers are fine. They sleep walked into a game where other team was ready.
(24) JOHNNY P - How about those Lakers trolls collapsing like a black hole after 1 loss????
(25) THE OUTLAW - It's predictable that riff-raff will emerge after a Lakers loss. look for a bounce back.
(26) KEIFO The Ring is the thing
Posted by: MAMBA24 | March 19, 2009 at 07:06 AM