Wednesday bullet points
OF A LAKER VARIETY
- If the offspring of various Lakers seem particularly literate today, credit yesterday's day off.
- The hunt for best overall record is still on.
- DJ Mbenga is spring loaded, according to Phil Jackson.
OF A NON-LAKER VARIETY
- But at least Shaq didn't get defensive about Stan Van Gundy calling out an obvious flop. For his part, Ron Jeremy thinks the barbs place him in good company. Company that appears to one day include Dwyane Wade.
- Speaking of flopping, Yao thinks too many folks are doing it against him.
- Donald Sterling is the latest owner to rip his players. In particular, he apparently was rough on Al Thornton. (Interesting to note that how event recollections also backed Mike Dunleavy.)
- For those worried that Drew Gooden's hook up with the Spurs (a move that comes Ball Don't Lie approved) means no more dudes in the league named "Pops," fear not.
- The Celts aren't worried about Steph's presence.
- Mad Dog shares the softer side of Ron Ron.
- Melo didn't think his refusal to leave the game merited suspension, but he's willing to move on.
- Greg Oden talks about his continual injuries.
I wonder if the lakers would have suspended kobe if he pulled the 'melo?
Posted by: bangdangvn | March 05, 2009 at 09:39 AM
bangdangvn
Great question. I believe Shaq waived off PJ's substitution against the mavericks circa 2003 or 2004. That was one of our biggest comeback games.
Posted by: Charles | March 05, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Well, we're probably going to get a huge ration of poop dumped
on the blog by BUTLER, Red's, and others...
Sports Illustrated just did a poll of 190 NBA players & asked
them which player they would least like to have on their team...
Kobe was tied with Stephon Marbury for first - each got 22%
of the vote.
I'd be curious to know the nature of the survey. Did they
just have a blank field? Or did they have a list of 10 names
that included Kobe and Stephon?
Anyway, it wouldn't even surprise me to see KL Beast come
back to say something like "22% of NBA Players say FU Kobe!"
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | March 05, 2009 at 10:00 AM
"I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm not expecting to play a lot. The only thing I want, if he puts me on the floor, it's because he needs me because he expects me to do something." - Mbenga
``hoho, now Lakers have an assassin on the lineup just the right prescription for Perkins, Pierce and Powe or Verajao, Ilgaukas and Wallace. That's what Championship teams are made never back down on a challenge, not just finesse and MVP of MVPM(most valuable player of the month), an enforcer to order. He is our court bailiff in case of disorder in the basketball court.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 05, 2009 at 10:10 AM
The Western Conference is competitive from 2nd to the 9th place, although the Spurs is ahead against Suns of 6.5 games, all teams could interchange positions on per game basis till the end of the season. In the East, the top three are close to one another with a slight lead on Cavaliers, the bottom 10 teams are outperforming each other like contestants of American idol going for the 5 openings. Currently, there is a tie on the 8th slot.
Now the Lakers have 21 games left, 9 at home including tomorrow and 12 on the road. The most challenging one will be the three games next week. AK/BK forecast was no-loss in the 2nd half, well that forecast was superceded by losses to Nuggets and Suns. Did I hear 70 wins at the beginning of the year? Do you think that is still realistic without additional help from the reserves while Bynum is on rehab? Well, Phil Jackson says one thing on some days and say another on other days with regards to the question of one more player. He is just like any blogger here, he can't read the minds of his GM.
Again a follow-up, how are our new players, Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown doing? Are they ready to play big minutes with the Lakers? If they are not ready, what's their purpose in the bench?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 05, 2009 at 10:38 AM
You would think that players and people in general become more gracious as they get older. That apparently isn't the case with Shaq. Memo to Shaq: giving younger stars their due doesn't in any way diminish your legacy.
As this latest incident with Donald Sterling reminds us, we're very fortunate as Laker fans to have Jerry Buss own the team. Franchises run best when the owner delegates basketball duties to capable managers and generally stays out of the team's affairs. I can't see any of the Clipper players playing any harder after that tirade. And if Elgin's accusations against him are true, I hope Sterling loses a lot of money and is forced out of the league.
Posted by: EJK | March 05, 2009 at 10:49 AM
>>>Again a follow-up, how are our new players, Adam
>>>Morrison and Shannon Brown doing? Are they ready to
>>>play big minutes with the Lakers? If they are not ready,
>>>what's their purpose in the bench?
Their sole purpose is for their contracts to expire sooner than Rad's
did. If they do anything beyond that, it's gravy.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | March 05, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Melo got suspended twice this year, the first two games were DUI arrest last year and lately, semi-insubordination to Coach Karl. Is this a move of Melo of wanting to be traded at the off season? There is a strong clamor for Melo by D'Antoni for next season and possible teaming him up with his co-olympians either Wade or LBJ in 2010 free agency.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 05, 2009 at 10:56 AM
LTLF: Kobe got 5% of the vote which basically translates to 10 out of the 190 players surveyed. The poll doesn't give stated reasons "why" but, that list seems to be players who are thought of as being cancers, crazy, selfish (on and off the court) or some combination thereof. Unless people have selective memory about the various Kobe dramas that have gone on in the past, it's not surprising that there are players who would believe the negative stuff about him.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 10:58 AM
REPOST:
Marty - A "frontrunner" is a term that has been thrown around a lot this year esp in regards to the Celtics (specifically via Bill Simmons). It basically means someone who talks a lot of smack only when they're winning.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Kobe was tied with Stephon Marbury for first - each got 22% of the vote.
-Long time
This just shows how petty, weird and dumb NBA players are. They put Kobe Bryant tied with the NBA's version of TO?
I don't believe NBA players are really this dumb. I refuse to believe it.
So, these players would rather lose than play beside Kobe?
I don't buy it, at all.
And hwo are the players they'd most like to play with? Shaq? LeBron? I hope they don't plan on playing with LeBron in Cleveland, because he's passing that off ramp over 100MPH and not looking back. Kobe is one of the rare one-tem players, so playing with Kobe means playing with the Lakers.
Well guess what unnamed NBA losers--LA doesn't want you playing alongside Kobe either.
Big, bloated crybaby wieners.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 05, 2009 at 11:10 AM
>>>Kobe got 5% of the vote which ba
Oops, you're right. I read it wrong. Marbury got 22%, Kobe
got 5%...
But I get the feeling they were voting from a selected list, not
just an open box.
So what if the question they were asked was this:
Which of the following would you least want on your team?
Gilbert Arenas
Ron Artest
Kobe Bryant
Stephen Jackson
Stephon Marbury
If that's the nature of the question, then the results are extremely
biased. Or at very least, the way they're stating the results
are extremely biased.
If you asked those 10 players whether they would prefer
Kobe or one of these guys, do you think they'd maybe
take Kobe:
Devean George
Trenton Hassell
Ricky Davis
Goran Dragic
Sun Yue
Jake Voskuhl
Mark Madsen
etc.
If I'm not mistaken, all 190 players would take Kobe on their
team over any of those players (or several hundred others).
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | March 05, 2009 at 11:21 AM
This is my final straw. I'm getting my yellow reflective vest on, getting my high powered flashlight and signaling the aliens to pick me up on their next round of cow mutilations and crop circles.
I'm ready to go! Beam me up!
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 05, 2009 at 11:26 AM
LongTimeLakerFan
I looked at the poll...Kobe and Steph got 5% of the vote which translates to about 10 players of those 190 polled. They're probably guards who would be stuck to the bench if Kobe were on their team.
How about good ol' Shaq there...way to burn ALL bridges with ex-teammates and coaches huh. He really needs to just grow up already. The more time passes, the more people see that it's not a coincidence that he has issues everywhere he goes. It's becoming a common theme...Shaq comes in, coach gets fired, Shaq gets traded, he bashes ex-teammates and coaches. He's making Kobe look like a saint.
Read that story on Mbenga in the OC Register...great story, glad he's part of our team.
As far as Carmelo, I'm not surprised whatsoever. The guys a great player but his immaturity is just ridiculous. It's been that way since he came into the league. I'm glad Coach Karl didn't let him get away with that.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | March 05, 2009 at 11:26 AM
LongTime,
That poll can't be correct. The players are obviously expressing their dislike for Phil Jackson by voting for Kobe.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 05, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Ok people, let's clear up the facts about this poll.
Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/9e9p9x
Kobe got only 5% of the vote...Marbury was at the top with 22%.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | March 05, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Britney's back.
Britney + chubby = Chubney!
Chubney's back!
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 05, 2009 at 11:36 AM
WesJoe,
If that is true and accurate, it's all about jealousy.One of these players who hates Kob is Ray Allen and those Olympic teammates who would stab him at his back. Well, they saw how popular was he in Asia, would you not feel jealous by such reception. Secondly, the minds of the East Coast media, he was exonerated in the Colorado case. That is a stigma that will forever stay with Kobe. Some people have ill feelings that no punishment was meted out, but given an opportunity they want to burn him at the stake for being rich and a privileged spoiled player. They will say: "Kobe gets, whatever Kobe wishes all these years." On the other picture, if I were Kobe, I'll say to them: "say what you want, as long as I have Fisher, Gasol and very soon Bynum , I'll be OK, come playoffs, it's my time to pierce that dagger into your hearts."
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 05, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Off Topic...Please ....Let us all pray that TO does not end up on the Packers roster...I cant take a year with him destroying my team......Go start a team with Shaq and Gary Payton ..Then the 3 of them can argue over tea and cookies....
Please do not let this happen.....
Posted by: Thirty2 | March 05, 2009 at 11:54 AM
>>>Shaq comes in, coach gets fired, Shaq gets traded, he bashes ex-teammates and coaches.
I think you left out "Shaq wins rings" somewhere in the middle there..
Posted by: Anonymous Source Close to Situation | March 05, 2009 at 11:55 AM
>>>Shaq comes in, coach gets fired, Shaq gets traded, he bashes ex-teammates and coaches.
I think you left out "Shaq wins rings" somewhere in the middle there..
Posted by: Anonymous Source Close to Situation | March 05, 2009 at 11:55 AM
That poll result is stupid. Who wouldn't want to play with the best player in the world? At the very least, you would gain a few pointers on work ethic for your next gig. They don't know the real Kobe.
Posted by: SamLL | March 05, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Guys, get you facts straight
Stephon Marbury, Celtics G.....22%
Ron Artest, Rockets F.....9%
Stephen Jackson, Warriors F/G.....5%
Kobe Bryant, Lakers G.....5%
Gilbert Arenas, Wizards G.....5%
They also saying TMac tied for 5th, which basically means he is also got 5%
Posted by: LAL_Fan | March 05, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Oh man, D-Wade is without doubt the best playa in the league - he killed the SUNS last night!
The guy is an amazing playa, but he's also a great leader. Makes the right plays and doesn't let his ego get in the way. Miami looks good with Moon, Beasley and Wade together. Jermaine O'Neal is definitely BBQ chicken though.
You guys just might get your wish to play Dallas instead of PHX in Round One.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 05, 2009 at 12:57 PM
It so refreshing to have BUTLER-free blog, I guess we got day off too... It's also will be pretty refreshing to have SUNS-less playoffs, don't you thnk? Imagine BIG CACTUS went fishing... And all his former teams are stil playing: Orlando, Lakers, Heat...
Posted by: LAL_Fan | March 05, 2009 at 12:57 PM
>>>>They don't know the real Kobe.
How could they? I bet you've watched him on TV many more hours than they have..
Posted by: Anonymous Source Close to Situation | March 05, 2009 at 01:58 PM
What did I tell you, Butler! Steve Nash and Shaq's games do not mix! Been saying it since the summer.
You may get your wish though. If Gentry is as smart as you say he is (just like you said about Porter) he'll sit Nash for the rest of the season and hand the ball to Leandro, Grant, and Shaq.
They get better defensively, they get better speed-wise, and they can let Shaq operate in the paint and have everyone play off of him. When did Shaq ever have an MVP point guard, or even an all-star point and win a championship? Never! The ball needs to go through him, inside out.
Stephen John will monopollize the ball. There go your playoff chances. Bye bye, hehehe..... Why would we have to beat you when you beat yourselves, LOL.
Posted by: "BBQ" Chicken Little, LOL | March 05, 2009 at 02:16 PM
LongTimeLakerFan,
The 5% of players who wouldn't want Kobe on their team are the laziest 5% of players in the NBA.
Lazy players get votes too.
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 05, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Lakers_sth:
Thanks for the "frontrunner" stuff. I've never heard the term used like that.
Posted by: Marty | March 05, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Can we get back to the Lakers? I feel like this off day is spent on off topic subjects.
My QOTD is: which game will allow the Lakers to clinch a playoff spot? What are the combos?
I know you guys that are really good at this should be able to answer pretty quickly. Back to the Lakers fellas!
LGL!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | March 05, 2009 at 02:31 PM
Arguably a decently tough 3-4 game stretch after Minnesota.
@ Portland
@ Houston
@ San Antonio
vs Dallas.
Gasol, Mbenga, Lamar, and JP better be ready. The bench mob better be back in tune too.
Posted by: #4 | March 05, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Psyched - The Lakers' magic number is 4. That's how many Ws (or PHX losses) will clinch a playoff spot for them.
They have 19 games left and have 12 losses. They can lose 15 times (or win 4 times) and still be the 8 seed based on holding the tie-breaker w/ PHX (who is currently the 9 seed w/ 27 losses).
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 03:19 PM
did anybody tell Pau Gasol congratulations on making the final 12 on American Idol? Boy, he's going to be busy the next month or so...
Posted by: Dallas Raines' Hair | March 05, 2009 at 03:22 PM
SamLL: "Who wouldn't want to play with the best player in the world?"
Someone who believes that they're the best player in the world.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Video from today's practice is up on the Lakers website. Interviews with PJ and Kobe:
Kobe seemed particularly playful in his interview. He talked about not worrying about playing on the road - that they want to win every game they can and that they're a good road team. He was asked about LO and talked about how he's grown. He talked about the team not adding any new players and saying they didn't worry about it. No concerns if they did b/c they have strong chemistry. He mentioned they'll be good to go as soon as Drew gets back. He fielded a lot of questions from a young lady (unseen) who sounded new to the pool. K Bros - any insight into who that was?
PJ gave the same rhetoric about all the upcoming road games - that they're looking forward to it. He was asked about the Smith and Gooden signings. He talked about how San Antonio and Cleveland needed to sign those players. It could've been interpreted like he was saying they needed the help but he clarified specifically in regards to Cleveland that Smith was there to fill in the gap left by Wallace's injury. He said that even though you're always looking to improve the team, he was fine that they didn't make any moves. The same new girl asked his thoughts on people thinking the Utah Jazz were the best team right now (she really pronounced Utah Jazz weird) and PJ said a lot of pundits picked them to win the West this year, they're playing well and they have a lot of respect for them. He also said AMo was frisky and looked "lighter" today.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 03:56 PM
I wonder if the lakers would have suspended kobe if he pulled the 'melo?
Posted by: bangdangvn | March 05, 2009 at 09:39 AM
================
No as he actually inserted himself in the game without PJ calling his number.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 05, 2009 at 04:14 PM
A treat for the blog. Video of the blog's favorite son, Luke, talking about playing with a target on your back for every game:
http://tinyurl.com/buun8s
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 04:15 PM
>>>Shaq comes in, coach gets fired, Shaq gets traded, he bashes ex-teammates and coaches.
I think you left out "Shaq wins rings" somewhere in the middle there..
Ok. ---> Shaq comes in,"Shaq wins rings" coach gets fired, Shaq gets traded, he bashes ex-teammates and coaches, and in the end, smears his legacy...
Hmmm... yeah, sure, that made a difference...
Posted by: GameFaceON | March 05, 2009 at 04:24 PM
"Jackson said the Lakers will use Mbenga against centers who are strong down low."
It was no coincidence that LAL signed DJ into a contract last year exactly the day after PHX acquired Shaq.
Posted by: The Snake | March 05, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Edwin wrote:
"...those Olympic teammates who would stab him at his back. Well, they saw how popular was he in Asia..."
The Chinese fans at the Beijing Olympics nicknamed Kobe 'Flying Little Warrior"...
Posted by: The Snake | March 05, 2009 at 04:34 PM
JLF: "No as he actually inserted himself in the game without PJ calling his number."
Melo didn't refuse to go into the game - he refused to come out of the game.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 04:52 PM
GameFaceON: "Shaq comes in,"Shaq wins rings" coach gets fired, Shaq gets traded, he bashes ex-teammates and coaches, and in the end, smears his legacy..."
Or some variation thereof. Since, he didn't win a ring in Orlando. Did the coach get fired there? I think they're might've been some teammate bashing before he was traded out of LA. SVG was fired before they won a ring in Miami. But, we get the point.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 04:59 PM
You have to believe that there is something underlying in that Melo's need to stay in a game. That relationship looks a bit more tenuous than the way Phil and Kobe are now.
Posted by: #4 | March 05, 2009 at 05:03 PM
I said it after he left Miami, after the club video, and after the SVG rant- he's not aging well. It's a shame, too, because in his efforts to secure his legacy, he's mostly just tarnishing his image. It won't ruin Shaq, but it leaves a lot of people- myself included- with a diminished perception of the man if not the player.
BK
Posted by: kambrothers | March 05, 2009 at 05:19 PM
BK,
You have to adjust your impression of Shaq like watching the works of classical painters at Getty Museum. Their works are great but there is insanity and clowning that went with it. Such expression was their inspiration.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 05, 2009 at 05:28 PM
So Kobe's not tied for 1st on that list.
OK. That's better.
But I still want to go up in the next UFO that comes by. Just a short visit. No probes.
How did the rumor get started that Kobe was #1? I may be guilty; in part. Overreaction, as it were.
This Laker team needs another shooter. How come the Magic always have the best ones?
And I believe Farmar has a future in the NBA, and I'm scared that when we trade him it's going to be Devin Harris all over again, but the boy needs to start playing right, right now.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 05, 2009 at 05:47 PM
No as he actually inserted himself in the game without PJ calling his number.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan
Did Kobe actually do that? Very funny. That's something Magic would do and has done.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 05, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Taliq
Great post on the Big Baby Huey Shaq! I have always thought that Shaq and Phil both conspired against Kobe for reasons that only Phil and Shaqs wife can tell!
I believe the only reason Shaq reconciled with his wife was for fear of her writing a true tell all book that discussed in detail Shaqs disdain for Kobe and Phil Jackson willingness to go along with it. Part of me still believes that the plan is still on the table due to Luke Walton's ridiculous insertion in the starting line up despite his noticeable shortcomings!
I will preface that statement by saying these are my personal views and should not be taken as here say!
Posted by: chuck23 | March 05, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 05, 2009 at 05:47 PM
"How did the rumor get started that Kobe was #1?"
Wes,
I can't remember the source of the text message I got (and hence am not going to speculate) but the headline on it said
"Marbury, Bryant top poll of NBA Player others least want to play with" or something like that. The inference is there..
Anna
Posted by: Anna in Bondi | March 05, 2009 at 06:35 PM
JLF: "No as he actually inserted himself in the game without PJ calling his number."
Melo didn't refuse to go into the game - he refused to come out of the game.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 04:52 PM
=========================
Same difference. The point is both went against coaches decision or desire.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 05, 2009 at 06:54 PM
"Jackson said the Lakers will use Mbenga against centers who are strong down low."
It was no coincidence that LAL signed DJ into a contract last year exactly the day after PHX acquired Shaq.
Posted by: The Snake | March 05, 2009 at 04:25 PM
==============
Not sure about that one as Mbenga was signed in preseason prior to training camp and I think Shaq was a mid season trade.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 05, 2009 at 06:57 PM
No as he actually inserted himself in the game without PJ calling his number.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan
Did Kobe actually do that? Very funny. That's something Magic would do and has done.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 05, 2009 at 05:53 PM
=====================
Yes. LOL
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 05, 2009 at 06:59 PM
BK made a really concise and elegant analysis of Shaq's recent actions.
Couldn't be said much better.
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 05, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Boy, that Donald Sterling sure knows how to motivate his players.
He sure does.
Go Clippers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 05, 2009 at 09:16 PM
SamLL: "Who wouldn't want to play with the best player in the world?"
Someone who believes that they're the best player in the world.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 05, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Like Paula Pierce? Oh, please! LOL!
Posted by: SamLL | March 05, 2009 at 11:36 PM