Ron Artest press conference video, Part I
Lot o' footage to render and chop up, as this was a seriously long press conference. About 35 minutes. But it's worth the effort to transfer, because this was probably the most interesting, introspective and entertaining presser of such ilk that I've ever attended.
Whether Ron Artest was consciously trying to get off on the right foot or simply operating in his typical stream of consciousness, I thought the guy acquitted himself nicely. Tough questions about his past weren't skirted. Plenty of hilarious lines. Plus some often brutally honest self-criticism. Every skeptic likely wasn't converted (and depending on the impetus for skepticism, rightfully), but it would be hard to fault the guy over a failure to be forthright.
"Where's TMZ," Artest asked after being introduced by Mitch Kupchak. "They're not here? That's good news." Ron Ron was beaming at joining a franchise that's always been his first choice team. Not that Artest didn't give it all for his past employers- for that matter, loyalty dictated the Houston Rockets getting first dibs at his services- but his Utopian uni has always been purple and gold. "A long time coming," as he described this union. Thus, Artest could barely contain his excitement when, with free agency one minute underway, his agent David Bauman informed him of a call from Kupchak.
"I said, 'For what?'" recalled Artest. "(Bauman) says, 'He wants to help you get a ring.' " As both Bauman and Kupchak later explained, the actual negotiations themselves were more complicated, but an agreement eventually came to fruition, which made Ron happy enough to potentially sacrifice his wardrobe. "I was in LA already... it was great because I didn't have to leave and go back to Houston. Hopefully my clothes make it to LA. If they don't, they can just stay in Houston."
Artest also discusses his familiarity with the triangle and his defensive prowess, the latter he willingly attributes in part to the presence of former teammates like Jermaine O'Neal.
Despite his none-too-secret past desire to bring Artest into the fold, Kobe Bryant isn't willing to declare the Twitter Master's presence a guarantee of an better team. No argument from The Mamba's new teammate.
"He's right," nodded Artest. "It's not a given. It's not a given that just because you add me to a team that we're just going to be the number one team. You've got to put that work in, and that's something I'm not afraid to do, that's something I know the guys are not afraid to do."
Artest also isn't afraid to sacrifice shots and points if that means extra W's. He reminded everyone about doing so in Houston, despite doubters predicting that being in a contract year would lead to stats-centric play. There was also talk of Lamar Odom, Artest's childhood buddy and, as of this writing, an unsigned, unrestricted Lakers free agent. He's hoping the two will finally play together at the pro level, especially now that Lamar finally has a title. Since LO has always beaten Ron to titles (dating back to high school), the new Laker sees this as a potential sign that his could finally be coming.
Point of clarification. Ron Artest has no intentions to "hoodalize" the Lakers (such objectives are limited strictly to ESPN), nor should too much be made of him tossing around the phrase. Dude was just having fun. "It's summertime," smiled RA. Asked if the Lakers needed toughening up, Artest made no bones of an opinion that the Lakers lacked some rough and tumble during the 2008 Finals, but was very impressed with what a difference a year makes. In particular, he threw out praise for Pau Gasol.
As for his new digits (#37), Artest confirmed word on the street, presumably the kind that lights up with every step taken. The fan-suggested number was indeed a tribute to Michael Jackson. "Thriller" owned the charts for 37 consecutive weeks. RA is a Jacko fan, so why the hell not? Plus, MJ was on top of the world during that period, which is exactly how Artest feels at this moment. "Where I'm at in my life, I came from noting to having something, and I feel like I'm #1."
It's also no secret that, in terms of pure talent, Artest's market value would fetch more than mid-level exception money. But between the baggage and the Lakers' cap situation, he's not only taking below his true "net worth," but a pay cut from his last salary. No worries. After throwing his arm around Kupchak and declaring himself "underpaid," Artest- who grew up scrounging up pennies to get by- offered some sage words: "If you can't live off 33 million dollars, you can't live."
By the way, the same thing could arguably be said about 32 mil.
Some may remember Ron Artest's 2004 venture into rap music, which led to an ill-conceived request for time off during the season to help promote his debut CD. But despite acknowledging his relish for a stint in the nation's entertainment industry capitol, worries over a repeat gaffe are premature. Artest admitted he handled the situation the "wrong way," and has learned to balance his "passion" for music with keeping sight that basketball is "his first love." RA loves him some limelight and L.A. offers plenty, but priorities are now in order. "I gotta play ball first and everything else comes second."
BK asked Artest if he was concerned that a love for Twitter, YouTube and other public forms of communication could prove a bad combo with Los Angeles, a market where zillion of eyes will be directed towards his back as it is. Not really. "I've been through so much with the media, I'm not worried about people talking about me. I won't be phased. Feel free to write what you want." Artest understands that the media has a job to do, which is sell stories. Sometimes, they're going to be at his expense, particularly taking into account "who I am, what I've been through, certain wrong decisions that I've made."
One of those "wrong decisions" would be his role during the infamous "Palace Brawl." Artest was asked how he's changed since that incident and 73-game suspension. After joking that he no longer lays on the scorer's table, Artest offered a more candid response.
"You know, if you take that brawl away, I've changed anyway. I always want to try and become a better person, if you take the brawl away. And if you put the brawl back into that scenario and situation, that was something that was out of my control. It was totally out of my control, and I'm happy it's over. I'm happy I'm five years removed from that situation. It's a great feeling. It's a great feeling."
(BK's NOTE: Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't believe Artest is saying that the brawl itself was out of his control, meaning he had nothing to do with it. Rather, I think the point he was making is once it was done, there wasn't anything he could do to change it except try to improve as a person. Just my reading, from having been in the room.)
More to come ASAP.
AK
Photo: Ron Artest. Credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images
awesome
Posted by: jacqueline | July 08, 2009 at 07:52 PM
have some fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ34DVehW3U
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | July 08, 2009 at 07:56 PM
RON “LOOKS” LIKE A LAKER…
Ever the optimist, I think, in his own way, Ron is going to have as big an impact on the Lakers as Pau did when we added him. We now have a pair of All-Star forwards that can hold their own against any team, including the Boston Celtics and KG and Pierce. The thing that stands out to me in addition to being younger is that both of the Lakers forwards can play multiple positions at both ends of the court. That versatility gives Phil a powerful array of weapons to deploy on offense and defense.
But gone are the days when all you needed to compete for an NBA crown was one or two superstars. We are now entering the era of the superteams, where a half dozen teams stock up with three or four superstars and totally dominate the rest of the NBA. While the Lakers, Cavs, Celtics, Spurs, and Magic will probably sell out, what will happen to Memphis, Charlotte, New Orleans, and all those cities whose teams are going to become fodder for the league’s superteams? I hope the NBA has been vigilant in making sure that new owners had the wherewithal to weather the storm.
And the rough economy is hitting hard at the group of players who made between $6M and $10M. Those guys are now lucky to get the MLE. There was an article I remember recently that was predicting a possible $50M salary cap for 2010/11 due to the expected drop in league revenues worldwide. I can’t imagine the havoc a decline in revenues like that might create or how the negotiations for the next CBA, which I believe will expire in 2011/12, would be impacted. A whole new ball game financially is not impossible.
One thing for sure, you’re going to see a lot of max contracts signed next summer as teams try to beat the next CBA to the punch, fully expecting the players to have to give up a lot in consideration of the economy. The NBA has been the most innovative of all the professional sports leagues in my opinion, with the rookie scale, the rule advantages to enable teams to keep their own free agents, and soft cap and luxury taxes. Hopefully, they will continue the tradition and come up with new innovations to better the game.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2009 at 08:05 PM
wesjoenixon,
You are absolutely right that we are going to be letter players walk. it’s the only way we will be able to keep the core together. That’s why we’re not going to trade our expiring contracts. Rather, as you said, we’re going to use them. If we trade, it might to be get more expiring contracts. Sasha for a player whom you will just bench until he expires, for example, trading talent for luxury tax relief, especially if the cap starts going down even more than expected. Think what a $50M cap and $60M luxury trigger would do!
And even though I don’t think the same trend applies to Lamar, I don’t doubt that the team has set a price and plan to hold the line on principle. It would be a big gamble but if Drew could stay healthy and play like he did before his injury, the team could probably weather losing Lamar. Jerry is a gambler so I think there is a price where he would rather take that gamble. I just hope that price is not just the MLE as that cost us Odom.
With a final price tag of at least $15M counting luxury tax and a final payroll over $90M that will cost $20M in luxury taxes, Jerry Buss just might be starting to see Lamar as a luxury. The strategy might be: We want you back. This is what we are willing to pay. If not, we are willing to risk moving forward without you. Management might see it as a win-win situation. On the one hand, you get Lamar Odom. On the other, $15M.
Easy call with OPM. Probably not so easy if it were your bling because the Lakers might be good enough to win it all without Lamar. While no sure thing, they would still have a great chance and be favorites I would think. Anyway, I sure hope I am wrong and I wake up to google the news that Lamar has agreed to a 3-year 24M contract.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2009 at 08:25 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyQb9hK3oc8
everyone watch this, especially around the 55 second part when trevor makes that steal against denver..it looks so dam good in black and white...it gave me goose bumps...it feels like that was years ago for some reason and now were looking back at the good old day s...but they've just begun. they NEED To make a commercial of that.
Posted by: jacqueline | July 08, 2009 at 08:26 PM
BLOG CRUE
I just ordered my #37 Ron Artest purple swingman!
Colorado loves our World Champion Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | July 08, 2009 at 08:34 PM
LakerTom,
"you’re going to see a lot of max contracts signed next summer "
I think the opposite is going to be true. Teams are not going to give out many masx contracts, because of the decrease in revenue and luxury tax implications in subsequent years.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 08, 2009 at 08:40 PM
It struck me when I read that RA was suspended for 73 games and his new number is 37. If he was at the bottom then, he's sure enough turned it totally around and now is on top with our Lakers.
Posted by: Joel | July 08, 2009 at 08:54 PM
Seems like a cool dude.
Even after my daughter explained the tribute song to me, I still don't get it. But it did seem heartfelt with the music being a bit sad.
BK - Did you invite him to be a regular on the Blog?
Posted by: Fatty | July 08, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Tom - I keep looking at the relatively small group of free agents who've been signed so far and the much larger group who haven't... and I wonder how many guys simply won't land someplace (in the NBA) this year.
I was also thinking about your comments, re: the shrinking cap and the large sums that will thrown at the elite free agents next year. Polarization of the classes. And, then I start wondering about the unseen budget cuts. Okay, I'm gonna stop now before I start envisioning Motel 6's and bus trips.
Posted by: dave m | July 08, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Artest : "feel free to write what you want"
Ron, meet Plashke and TJ Simers.
Posted by: p ang | July 08, 2009 at 09:13 PM
Tom,
Awesome post. I think any good system will find away to balance itself out. If the super teams remain in power...than David Stern has a flawed system.
Then again, any system regulated by the zebras is flawed.
Island Gamer
Posted by: Island_Gamer | July 08, 2009 at 09:16 PM
bill plashke or whatever his face is on here, sure paints a doom and gloom scenerio with Artest joining Kobe and the Lakers. Almost like hes hoping this fails so he'll look good. So Kobe didnt reach out and call Artest..big deal! Not like hes calling L.O every hour either. Makes it sound like Kobe is just pissed about Artest coming.
Posted by: Marcus | July 08, 2009 at 09:25 PM
ex,
You may be right. I was really thinking about it only from the players’ side. Probably will be some who still get max because of the competition and others who get less because of the economy. The only silver lining is that the Lakers revenue will probably still come in strong but if the luxury tax threshold comes down so will profits. They may be in that mode already and looking to get Lamar to agree to an MLE level contract. Jerry is a gambler and he realizes that the risk advantage swings at some salary and tax number. I just hope we keep Lamar and he comes aboard happy. That is worth some bling.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 08, 2009 at 09:26 PM
jason quick at the oregonian is saying that the blazers are trying to pry millsap away from the jazz and are offering him a 'poison pill' free agent contract. I almost feel bad for LO, I knew he was coming back, but he's not even getting his ego stroked.
also, Artest is now officially one of ‘my guys,’ guys who I would definitely root for even if they weren’t on the lakers. That makes four out of five starters are ‘my guys.’ Kobe and Walton might be my guys, but I’m not really sure, as they haven’t given me a chance to test my theory. I can get over this. Of course, now if we don’t resign LO, you guys won’t hear from me for a while, until I can buy a new computer to replace the one I chucked out the window.
Posted by: phred | July 08, 2009 at 09:37 PM
wow. 21.5 million hits on youtube. that video was a lot cooler when I was in grade school, but I actually got a little choked up, the tendency towards which I thought the media had choked out of me a long time ago.
Posted by: phred | July 08, 2009 at 09:37 PM
Latest news from Yahoo is that Portland is getting ready to send a big offer to Paul Milsap. If they do that I do not think they would be able to offer Lamar anything over the mid level.
I ready parts of Plaske's article. So what if Ron Ron turns out like Shaq. The Lakers would be pleased as punch if Ron turns out to give the Lakers what Shaq did. Three NBA titles, Lamar Odom, & Paul Gasol. I would take that any day of the week.
Posted by: Ian | July 08, 2009 at 09:42 PM
No hey, 131, I get your post...You guy Celtics guy are really relavent and want to be super stars just like our Lakers. For those that have missed it, here is 131's last post:
JohnnyV,
Congrats ... I knew you were smart enough to find one. (awwwwww, he's impressed with meeee) Since "alI" the articles are about you (he is referring to His Celtics Blogs and that all the articles there are about the Lakers), I have to go to other sites to get my info. But I rather blog on your home turf anyway.
Also thanks for the history lesson but I already know that stuff so unless you are tryn to educate some Laker fan there is no need to waste your time.
If you dont mind I rather go with the offical NBA stats rather than yours. This way we dont have to worry about what year we start counting titles. Why 1980? ( The year Magic Johnsohn came into the league Hissssss....boooo from the Larry Bird fans).......Why not 1979 or 1981? How did you determine that year?
The other day someone wanted to start counting this decade. Its just to confussing for me (little brain thing?) . If David Stern offically changes it to 1980 ... then Ill start counting from that year or if I go to nba.com and dont see any mention of the NBA prior to 1980 then Ill change my count. But until then im going with the offical NBA count.
So until then its the Boston Celtics 17 - Minni/LA Lakers 15. Head to head Cs 9 - Minni/LA Lakers 2(of course I siad that since 1980 his Celts are 2 and 2 against us). I just like to keep it simple (for the Boston Folks). Unfortunately as much as you and the rest of Laker fan want to erase the past, its not that easy. They did keep score prior to 1980 right? Im sure there is a reason for that!
BTW I understand all the "smart" people(you included) felt the Lakers were gonna win last year but since those same "smart" people(you included) felt they were gonna win the year before and didnt ... I dont really believe what they say (nana nana na na). If they (you included) woulda been correct the year before I might have been more inclined to believe them(you included). Please excuse me for not being impressed.
So hopefully my "logic" made sense to you. If not go to nba.com and read about nba history (since 1980, right?). Or you can always call David Stern and get him to make that change for you.
Now that you have the Ultimate Thug on your team (as opposed to the somewhat effective thug Rasheeeeeed)you can be like the rest of the NBA. Welcome ... and enjoy Dribble Dribble!
Regards,
131-92
Posted by: 131-92 | July 08, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Wow, what an awesome POST!
I asked the guy a simple question. I asked...hey 131, what Blog do you belong to? I wanna go there and participate in the posting there because I think I could provide some balance to the Myopic thinking that the Celts are still relevant! LOL....he answers with THIS! What a little brain!
Come on 131....throw me a bone. I'm bored. It's been a few hours since the Lakers did something awesome. I NEED the ENTERTAINMENT! I'm an LA guy and we need constant input. It's not a once every 25 year thing with us! It's an all the time every year thing with us.
What say? For the second time I ask....what Boston Celtic Blog do you hail from? I searched for some time tonight and the blogs there are followed up with no comments or just one or two. I am guessing that you are hiding a secret little blog where there is lot's of fun going on and of course....lot's of Lakers insights.
I'm sure you don't want to leave me with the idea that all of your Boston Celtic blogs are "All Lakers, all the time". Am I right? I mean come on....you guys mean little to us while what I saw was that in Boston blogs, we are STARS!
Posted by: JohnnyV | July 08, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Now that RA is official, how is going to fit in to our Lakers sytem?
Here's the first good take I've seen on the mechanics.
From Mike Trudell
Lakers site
http://tiny.cc/x0nOb
Is Plashke some sort of bigot?
Posted by: Fatty | July 08, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Jacko? Wow, for a second I thought I was in the supermarket looking a tabloid rag. Come on, you guys are better then that. (or at least you should be)
Posted by: Extensor | July 08, 2009 at 10:04 PM
yeeaahh ron ron likes pumped up...
how can you not love this guy? you gotta be impressed so far... hes saying all the right things and didnt know he comes with so many great one liners. its gonna be one exciting season!
the part when he put his arms around mitch and said he was underpaid was classic.. mitch just had this big goofy grin in his face as if to say "you got me good there and my bad dude but i'm feeling a little uncomfortable right now".
i still cant believe ron ron is only making mid level and is gonna be making the same as SASHA AND LUKE?!?! sasha may still have the talent to prove his worth and may still have trading value next season but luke? once ron ron finds out luke is making the same and has a few full practices with him hes might just go ballistic and punch him in the face. LOL.. imagine if your colleague across the room at work makes the same amount as you yet you know that you're way smarter, got way more credentials, experience, and work way harder. eventually its gonna drive you nuts.
LUKE IS THE CANCER. if he had any respect for this team he should reach out to management and volunteer to terminate your own contract... if you dont LA is gonna calll you out and call you a selfish spoiled little prick... didnt you hear ron ron just say he grew up happy to get "fifty cents from his pops". you grew up a spoiled little rich athlete and your pops is the only reason you even got a job in the NBA. you dont even earn your way in this league and if your pops wasnt tight with phil you wouldnt even get a minute of playing time. if you had any decency you would rip up that ridiculous contract immediately and be lucky to get the league minimum. laker fans should be irate. talk about a complete and total scam.
(sorry excuse the length... just having a little fun but LUKE IS STILL A FRAUD)
Posted by: yellofever | July 08, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Artest is a Laker.
Posted by: Otis | July 08, 2009 at 10:12 PM
i like the nickname thriller. i think it suits him right. playing that song at staples would be hilarious. i just hope when things go bad nobody calls him a child molester.
Posted by: yellofever | July 08, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Ron Artest is not Dennis Rodman.
That is an unfair comparison and is not my concern.
Ron is on a very short leash with David Stern.
73 games for the brawl with a promise from Stern if anything like that happens again, the penalty will be worse.
The he gets into a fight with his wife in Sacramento. Should not even be our concern, but Stern suspended him for 7games? Seems abit much, but Stern said at the time, if it happens again, the penalty would be more severe.
For two years, not much has happened with Ron, except for the bizzare blow up with Kobe.
Kobe kept his cool, while Ron was thrown out of the game. That could easily have escalated, if someone, even other than Kobe would have pushed him back.
The league did nothing, interesting. No blows were exchanged, but the actions of Ron on the court were serious. Charging up to Kobe, across the court, is not a natural basketball move. Ron said he had to stand up for himself and for what? A hard foul by Kobe?
That was a similar mentallity he showed in Detroit.
If he was in anger management counseling, he failed a test.
Is Stern now giving him a lengthier leash because of his good behavior recently? I hope so.
My advice to the Lakers. If Ron starts to lose it again. Someone like MBenga should tackle him and hold him down. lol
That's my only worries with Ron. The off court stuff may be bizarre, but it is harmless.
Posted by: Fatty | July 08, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Almost every FA have been signed. Where is Odom going? No more teams available to make an offer except Portland.
Only ones left are David Lee, Nate, Odom? Asking too high maybe?
Denver loss Dahntay Jones to Pacers for 3 yr 11 mil. It's getting cheaper dy the day.
Posted by: Staples 24 | July 08, 2009 at 10:47 PM
yellowfever
Imagine how LO must feel, being offered half as much as Bynum when he has given twice as much as him the last two years.
Posted by: Fatty | July 08, 2009 at 10:47 PM
I think if the lakers resigned ARIZA and it got out that they could of got ARTEST then Plaschke would be killing the lakers for not improving the team with a proven player and not gambling while the rest of the league is reloading....
Plaschke is for anything that is against the Lakers...
Posted by: Stars_R_Aligned | July 08, 2009 at 10:47 PM
AK & BK have been "Workin' All Day and Night" to get the Artest video out to the people!
http://tinyurl.com/ng222y
Artest really does say all the right things! I think he's a good comedian too. But he's gonna be a better Lakers forward! Lakers.com has a bunch of good stuff about Artest by Mike Trudell.
http://tinyurl.com/lozq44
Posted by: ajax | July 08, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Yellow fever...
Come on man.... Luke is a fraud and he should terminate his own contract? Dang. Man, come on...take a chill pill. Luke may not be a starter on a star studded team but come January and February you may be garetful for the guy. He provides quality minutes during a LONG season.
He is a stable presence on a team with alot of greyhounds. He may not be a front line starter on a high profile team but if one of our guys go down with injury (Artest, Lamar, or Powel) we will be grateful for the minutes he can play.
Dude, most of your posts are caustic and well...I am thinking that maybe you are really a Clippers fan just along for the ride until the Clips can regain some footing (2050 maybe?).
Do you ever have anything positive to say? The Lake show is the best in the league. Not just this year but for MANY years. Just ask 131, our success reaches out even to the East Coast!
Crawl back into you shell and disappear for awhile. You suck man.
Posted by: JohnnyV | July 08, 2009 at 10:53 PM
"Then there’s Phil, who made Dennis Rodman seem like the NBA’s Mother Teresa"
fatty, ajax - thanks for the link. all the bloggers should read this so they can sleep better at night.
From Mike Trudell
Lakers site
http://tiny.cc/x0nOb or http://tinyurl.com/lozq44
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | July 08, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Fatty somehow predicted it (666 for Ron Artest).
There exists an interesting relation between numbers 37 and 666: from 666 we obtain 6+6+6=18 and 18 x 37 = 666.
Posted by: The Snake | July 08, 2009 at 11:24 PM
He comes off a nice person for me. I love it when he said "If you can't live off 33 million dollars, you can't live."
Posted by: elle | July 08, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Ian- if the blazers sign millsap to a competitive offer they will never be able to sign a FA again, under current CBA predictions, let alone a MLE to Odom. not going to happen, and they wouldn't need him or be able to give him minutes anyway. if the blazers sign millsap, they go from having a good frontcourt to having one of the best frontcourts in the nba, possibly ever, if oden ever develops. we'd beat them, but it would be a toughy. of course, they would have exactly zero pgs, but that's their problem.
fatty, if you are referring to the houston game where artest got ejected, it was pretty much unanimous (pfunk was ranting about luke) on the game chat that artest didn't deserve it. I believe the league even rescinded the flagrant, although frankly with the nba's record with flagrants this postseason I don't think that matters. Artest was pretty calm. Him and Kobe are friends, frankly, and if it didn't bother the intensly competitive kobe, why would it bother you? if you aren't referring the houston game this year, never mind, although then I really don't know what you are talking about.
Posted by: phred | July 08, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Here is some more: Ron Ron's full name is Ronald Artest, Jr. and his jersey is #37.
Ronald = 6 letters
Artest = 6 letters
Junior = 6 letters
6+6+6 = 18
18 x 37 = 666
Fatty was right...
Posted by: The Snake | July 08, 2009 at 11:37 PM
YelloFever,
Since you are new here, I'm going to give you a heads up.
Please use discretion when criticizing Luke on this blog.
Any negative comment about Luke might incite a riot.
There is an army of Luke Loyalists here that will fight to the death to defend their beloved hero. These Luke Loyalists will bust out stats for the 50 games he played well and completely ignore the other 500 games.
When Luke was given his contract, I recall a majority of the posters defending his contract as if they were defending their first born child. This blog is the only Laker blog where there might actually be more Luke fans than Kobe fans.
You have been warned. Please be careful and good luck.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | July 08, 2009 at 11:38 PM
r we still waiting for the candyman?
if i remember he got burned at the END!!!!!!!!!!!
if the Post Ariza Stress Disorder was not enough, the post-LO suicide rate will be
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | July 08, 2009 at 11:45 PM
I know you all sick of me posting about LO but we should let him walk already.
Hey -this guy brought this on himself. He could sign right now with the Lakers but he's holding out. Seems like no team is making offers. You know why? We all know he is overpaid!! Basically, if you play inconsistent, lazy, nonchalant, half-ass basketball, well - you won't have teams banging on your door. (not at 10 million/year)
LO - if you walk - Mitch will do what is necessary to make the Lakers even better!! Luke, Walton, Farmar, AB - you all better step up your games big time next season or you'll be soon be feeling the swift kick in the ass too!!
Artest - welcome to the best franchise in the NBA!!!!
Posted by: DaveW | July 08, 2009 at 11:45 PM
yeah, LAKER TRUTH is right. I mean, go to any random thread and see how much love Luke gets. sigh
Posted by: phred | July 08, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Do they have oxygen in boston? If i was going to base my understanding of bostonians by the celtics fans I have seen so far, I'm not sure how they get dressed in the morning, let alone know how to translate these little black pixel thingeys on a white background into language.
yeah, you heard me. You guys are dumb. How dumb? You got stuck on an escalator in a blackout. You rented the first floor of a two story outhouse. When you saw a sign on the highway that said airport left, you went home disapointed. Hell, you're so dumb you actually think we care. WE WON!
If those black pixels don't make sense, please put your ear up close to the screen and listen better. WE WON! Do you need to hear that again? Cause i'm not gonna get tired of typing it. WE WON! (am I fatigued? no, I'm feeling even more invigorated. WE WON! wow, that feels good. I bet no fan of any other nba team knows what that feeling is like right now. Cause, you know, they didn't win.
Nous avons gagné
我们赢取了
Wij wonnen
Wir gewannen
私達は勝った
Ganamos
I could go on and on, but I know even won, sorry, one language is hard enough for you guys. Hey, I might go on anyway. I don’t have anything else to do, besides sit here and notice how much WE WON!
Did you notice WE WON? I have one chocolately cookie right here. One chocolately cookie for WE WON! Man, I think I might be getting tired. I think I might need a wheelchair, I’m so tired. Oh wait, no I don’t. I can keep going like this. You be sure to let me know if you need me to. Oh, by the way, do you know what all those words in other languages up there mean? Are you sure? Cause I could tell you.
Posted by: phred | July 08, 2009 at 11:51 PM
DaveW- So how are those offers from NBA teams looking for a GM? turning them down left and right, are you?
Posted by: phred | July 09, 2009 at 12:01 AM
apparently devean george is now a raptor. lots of luck, devean, you have been replaced on the 'interesting nba trade footnotes' by Quincy Douby, but lots of luck. You were a Laker once.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4314637
Posted by: phred | July 09, 2009 at 12:03 AM
The Magic, meanwhile, were motivated to join in the trade because their participation, as opposed to merely letting Turkoglu walk, will create a valuable trade exception they can use in future deals worth around $7 million.
what? well, they frankly, there should be a general NBA compensation for any nba team that signs Vince Carter, as, you know, compensation for having a giant black hole of effort on your team that will prevent you from ever being competitive.
Posted by: phred | July 09, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Varejao signed for around 7 mill a year....
Marion signed for 8 mill a year.....
LO should just sign already for 8 mill a year....nobody else has money....this will get done by friday...money on it
Posted by: Stars_R_Aligned | July 09, 2009 at 12:05 AM
i never defended Luke. but in these playoffs he was one of the few players on the bench who did ok. like 52-48%, compared to sasha, farmar, powell. he was part of the 8-9 man rotation.
and he got a TECHNICAL?!!!!!!!!! i never expected that one.
and DUNKED on MELO. his first NBA dunk? LTLF we need some answers here.
comooooon, even after years of bashing he deserves some props or at least some silence in honor of the champs and this summer.
Laker Truth
i agree, this is not a very friendly Kobe Blog. i'm wondering why. does he play for the celtics? and especially i like the: KB is my favorite Laker, thing. sounds like: "i have a black/white/asian/latino/gay friend"
Taliq. u need to make some order. who's the MVP?
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | July 09, 2009 at 12:07 AM
'cavs sign vareajo, channing frye, and about three other disapointing tall guys they found wandering around local gyms."
if the league makes an exception (always a possibility with lebron) and lets them play all of them as one player, they might be able to compete.
Posted by: phred | July 09, 2009 at 12:12 AM
unless anybody signs this guy, in which case Lebron will take his ball, go home and retire weeping to his room and refuse to play again
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4315071
Posted by: phred | July 09, 2009 at 12:14 AM
"Dude, most of your posts are caustic and well...I am thinking that maybe you are really a Clippers fan just along for the ride until the Clips can regain some footing (2050 maybe?). "
"Crawl back into you shell and disappear for awhile. You suck man."
JohnnyV,
When yellover says that 4 rings=6 rings and that 5 rings>6 rings you know that you are dealing more with a homer instead of a rational fan.
I got to give him some credit for his defense of Kobe though it borderlines also with extreme homerism. You can still laugh at him for having dreams about Adam Morrison becoming some player that can become good again. Morrison is nothing more than another Kwamay Brown.
I have to agree with you. If Kobe was with the Clippers (I know very unfathomable but he was close in 2004 offseason) yellover would be bleeding blue and red.
Posted by: KB Blitz | July 09, 2009 at 12:19 AM
the Snake. pretty impressive.
for personal reasons i like Taliq's 24+16+[1]/7
also
8 kobe, 16 gasol, 24 kobe, 32 magic
and if LO will be a laker we'll need a 27
7 LO, 17 Bynum, 27 ?, 37 iRon
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | July 09, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Come on, Kobe!
Why don't you share $1m a year with Lamar so he can just stay with us and stop hopPING around looking for a team to sign him up for a bigger deal.
What's a $1m less a year for you with so much endorsements that it would be just peanuts for you.
LAKERS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Edward Lee | July 09, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Thriller is now a Laker.
And he totally has my support.
You know... I've said a lot of negative things about Ron Artest over the years and I now want to publically apologize.
I didn't give this guy a chance and it seems he deserved a more open mind than I had been willing to give him and that's on me, not him.
I now think he is going to be a very special player as a Laker.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 09, 2009 at 12:24 AM
We really do need to sign Lamar Odom.
He's a Laker. Come on.
Lamar Odom = Laker for Life
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 09, 2009 at 12:25 AM
By the way, everyone criticizing Luke Walton?
Luke played great for us during the playoffs for this Championship season.
Lay off.
Like it or not, Luke helped us win a Championship in a meaningful way. He's a Laker and damned well should be.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 09, 2009 at 12:27 AM
fatty- which tribute song?
Posted by: phred | July 09, 2009 at 12:54 AM
ron artest might...ephasis MIGHT be the only guy in the nba (or gilbert arenas, natch) who would ever do an appearance on this blog in a million years. If it doesn't happen, I do want an explanation of why not.
Posted by: phred | July 09, 2009 at 12:55 AM
like the nickname thriller. i think it suits him right. playing that song at staples would be hilarious. i just hope when things go bad nobody calls him a child molester.
Posted by: yellofever | July 08, 2009 at 10:12 PM
well, if pfunk hasn't said it about luke yet, everybody is probably immune regardless of what song they play.
Posted by: phred | July 09, 2009 at 01:01 AM
Jon K.,
Thank you for that. The apology of your judgment of Artest. You have to trust the judgment of (presumably Odom), Kobe, Mitch, and Phil. They've all made mistakes, but it worked out pretty well at this point, huh?
The funny thing is I don't think Artest would trip at all. He'd totally be okay and think you had an okay reason for thinking what you did. He's got temper issues, but outside of occasional (and not very recent) on court stuff and stuff with his wife/gf, he seems like a really nice, goofy, reasonable guy. It's the things he's passionate about that get him going.
We need to convert that passion to positive, useful energy.
Where's Cesar Milan when we need him!!?? :P
Posted by: Benjamin | July 09, 2009 at 01:14 AM
If money's tight, Lakers should try to trade Sasha to Minnesota for Mark Madsen. Minnesota's under the cap and could take on Sasha's salary, and Minny could use a shooting guard next two years (the length of Sasha's contract) while grooming their late first-round draft pick Wayne Ellington for the role. Madsen's just riding the bench in Minnesota; let him ride it here, bringing back a Laker fan favorite. Saves the Lakers about 2.5 million this year, and Sasha's full 5 million next year, since Madsen's in the last year of his contract. Taking dollar-for-dollar luxury tax into account, would save the Lakers not 7.5 million, but about 15 million over next two years. Would be a nice luxury to have Sasha back to play his 5-15 min.s as a backup shooting guard, and maybe to mix in a great game every now and then, but better to use that money toward Odom...
Posted by: Mark | July 09, 2009 at 01:17 AM
I am just thinking about the possible Blazer-Millsap deal a little more. Why would Portland sign him? They have Oden/Prizzbilla at the 5 and Alridge at the 4. They would not pay Millsap that much money to back up the 4 so would they play him at the 3 and have a very very large front court? Batum started at the 3 this last season and they also have Outlaw so if they did sign Millsap I guess they could move some of them to another team and get a pointguard in return.
Posted by: Ian | July 09, 2009 at 01:19 AM
Jon K,
Still awaiting on your explanation on why is 1 a perfect number.
Or is it just an adjective which starts with "p" given that prime was not correct?
Posted by: Kobefan in Cupertino | July 09, 2009 at 01:36 AM
DaveW - we should let Odom walk?? No, we shouldn't. I trust that management and Odom will be able to work this out. We should all hope for that.
dave m (whose name is most certainly not DaveW)
Posted by: dave m | July 09, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Ron Artist learned his past mistakes and now a grown-up kid with the Lakers. If he needs a championship ring, then he needs to listen to Phil. and the Lakers coaches how to play and perform his job. Besides he needs to be a team player to accomplish and achieve the NBA Championship ring for 2009-2010 NBA season. Go Lakers Go!
Posted by: Hummingbird | July 09, 2009 at 09:05 AM
Kobefan in Cupertino,
http://tinyurl.com/2r4wpz
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 09, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Hey I'm Def from Mass and don't appreciate the idea that we are dumb. I've been a laker fan since 96 aka since I was 8 years old. How could we be dumb or stupid if we have the most prestigous schools in the world all in the same area. Harvard,Princeton, UMass, BC etc. I only lived in Boston for a year and live inn Springfield now but I'm highly offended. Go head crack on Celtics Fans but don't insult the whole City/State You could be dissing other Laker fans
Posted by: Blackmamba0824 | July 09, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Hopefully Gary Vitti's kit contains massive doses of all of these:
Haloperidol, Lithium, Chlorpromazine, Thioridazinel, Risperidone, Quetiapine and Olanzapine.
It's going to take that to save the Lakers from this lunatic.
Posted by: waus | July 09, 2009 at 02:14 PM
A three year deal for Artest seemed like a steal. However, five years leaves the possibility of this relationship ending poorly.
Posted by: LASportsCentral.com | July 09, 2009 at 03:03 PM