I think it's a great signing if Gelabale is injury free. I remember he gave Kobe fits in Seattle and that he's a pretty good athlete. Coming from a euro-basketball background, I'm sure he puts the team above everything else.

I think with Sun leaving and maybe a few smart moves here and there, he could be a very valuable member of the team in the 2nd half of the year.

I remember him from a couple of years ago and he played very well in that particular game, he was actually pretty annoying sort of like Raja BelL, even..I recall some of the snide remarks he received here on the blog for his "doggish" "aggressive" style if you will. He is a good player. I sort of hope he sticks..Besides, we need another wing and perhaps he can develop into a hidden gem..

Kurt at FG and B gets it right on Henry Abbott's Kobe post-
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/09/18/henry-abbott-misses-the-point/

BK

Lakers Nation,

"Coming from a euro-basketball background, I'm sure he puts the team above everything else. "

what what what ... first abbott pops off about kobe being selfish ... next we've got laker fans implying americans are selfish

"I remember there have been times when I played against Kobe that he would congratulate after the game for being such a good defender. I know it’s going to be hard to make the team, but you have to start somewhere.”"

Lmfao ... does he realise a quote like this means he's getting lit up every practice ...

Anywho I'll save my welcome messages for if/when he makes the team. Very he does given our financial constraints

October's coming and I'm eager to go on a spending spree ... ain't wann go cop my mvp shirts until the new season starts ... didn't wanna flaunt it until baskeball was relevant again

agh . . we're turning into a gossip column . i just tweeted about Lamar and Khloe too . . . is this the next Bennifer? or Bragelina? . . . . Khlomar Odashian?

i like this guy's game. I watched him play a couple of games when he was in Seattle. i wish he makes the team.

LO's getting hitched... Why don't I feel good about this?

I thought dreadlocks were illegal since that little girl got one in her slurpy during the Finals.

Maybe not.

Is this guy good? Can we somehow get Turiaf back?

It's Amazing, really. The Lakers draft well and look what happens. The Raiders and Rams, another story.

Wes

Mickael Gelabale, a native of Pointe Noire, France, whose name is pronounced MEE-kah-el Jhay-la-BAHL, is uneasy speaking English in one-on-one situations...

Tom

Two things: Good luck new Laker, and I love me some Shinning. The movie, I mean. The Shinning really is one of the most perfect films ever made, it just unfortunately happens to shoulder the burdon of a thousand bad horror flicks concieved before and sinse.

Just the colors alone are worth the price of the ticket for me. It's not that weird oversaturation of single colors that horror masters like Argento like to do, but a quieter, more unsetteling brew which I find deliciously horrific. If there were an Oscar for best carpet design in film, Kuprick would've got it for sure. Those carpets in the Shinning are hot. Wicked. Amazing. I know he purposfully made the color schemes unsettling, but I think it's desteny whioch made them so appealing. Look for yourself when Jack walks into room 237. Those two carpets--the one in the hall outside the room, and the one inside with the bathtub vixen, are monsters in their own right that seem only one false step away from swallowing you whole.

Brilliant.

Go Lakers.

Wes

Brian,

Am I the only one not worried and indeed happy for Lamar and the Kardashian girl? I think she's sweet, and looks to me like someone who can be a real loving partner at home, rather than a money grubbing NBA groupy.

Give me cute and loving over drop dead sexy any day. Lamar deserves a sweet girl and I hope this is the one. I also really like it when my favorite NBA guys get married because it brings maturity, wisdom and all that stuff with it.

Wes

Wes

1. Mickael Gelabale intrigues me. It would be awesome to have a player with Trevor Ariza-like abilities to provide the team with greater flexibility.

2. If anyone who has ever gone out with actresses and models (I've repeatedly been guilty of that crime) can attest, they tend to be narcissistic, self-centered, immature, drama addicts which scream for your attention at the expense of one's greater life goals. As such, the notion of Lamar Odom marrying a REALITY TV star sends shivers down my spine in a bad way. Urgh. Not good.

What do we play for? RINGS!!!

Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.

GO LAKERS!!!!

Sup CRUE!

Yeah - I remember this guy playing against the Lakers, giving us fits, and screaming at the TV "who the hell does this JellyBelly guy think he is???" LOL!

Well - maybe now we'll know. We could use a little more athleticism at that position. Unless we do something, I really think there will be more than a few games where we'll find ourselves missing Trevor - a lot.

October 7th can't come soon enough...

Sounds like if given enough minutes Michael could be DPOY.

Maybe it's just me that Lamar thinking of marriage, living in the City of Angels a young, not bad looking star player for the Lakers. I would think serious about this move, you can always get married after your playing days. Maybe it's just me.

Sounds like if given enough minutes Michael could be DPOY.

Hi all:

I am liking this news about Gelabale. The Lakers would not have made this kind of gesture if they didn't think he was recovered and in a place to compete at "WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP level". Don't we love saying that!!!

We certainly don't need another health project since we already have Ammo in that category. If JellyBelly (like that nickname) provides some nice D in camp - it would be a healthy competition amongst the bench mob. And I am all for making our bench deeper, stronger and mentally ready (hello Sasha).

However, this does beg the question with 6/13 roster players in that forward position (yes, I know some are small & some are power), BUT it does beg the question as to who might be exiting or "tradeable". I'm just saying......it adds a little intrigue to the start of camp/season and I LOVE to stir the pot.

Shall we start some new Summer pondering:

1. I can't imagine the FO trading Luke as he is the "triangle team player" - but to save possibly millions next year especially in luxury tax? He has his ring so he's technically been paid for his loyalty (and his sizeable contract).

2. Perhaps Ammo is coming along better than we think and there might be a Sasha/Luke package deal somewhere? Or maybe not? And maybe Jellybelly moves to shooting guard position and becomes KB24's bench sub?

I know, I know - a little craziness for a Friday afternoon. But what the heck - it's Friday afternoon and I would like to be having happy hour somewhere right about now.

GO LAKERS!!!! Still counting the days until the opener...

wejoenixon,
due to a concussion I suffered in the mid 90's, (time, not age)...i suffer from chronic headaches, exacerbated by triggers such as noise, bright light, loud noises, altitiude changes....went to Oregon last year, girlfriend wanted to show her uncle sights, I stupidly mentioned mount hood, and Timberline Lodge, where the shining was shot. I get headaches at 3000-3500 ft above sea level...base of the lodge is 6500 ft above sea level, I was worried I was going to have an embolism and stroke out...I explained it to her, we were showing her uncle LA to Vancouer BC....so as anybody who really cares about me would do, guess what she chose to do...."We're going to Mt Hood"....she didn't give a damn if I had to make the return trip in a box....tells you something about how selfish and uncaring some people can be, recently, I've not bee aligned with your postings, but always respected you as one of the top 10 guys who write o ths blog. Take care....."he's back!!!"...also saw Jack at Kate Mantilini, restaurant in Bev Hills, open till 3 AM, after a Laker game or something else, and he was sitting there eating soup, with his chair in the aisle....said, Hi, and that I respected his work, he was very cordial, and gave that sly smile at my girlfriend....whatta dude...also saw John Ritter making out with someone who wasn't his wife, they gave him an entire back area to play, oh well, die, die, dead., saw Malkovich there and that dude looks creepy but we all know he is a top actor. I believe that John Cusack will be a top actor for about a ten year run....he's only 43, has done about 50 movies, and as he ages, he's losing that baby face, and getting more leading man looks, check out the movie trailer for "2012"....looks like a great action flick...
As for Gebale, hopefully he's recovered and can catch on quick, and I think he can contribute. The lakers are (were) a team built on versatile players...and with the triangle, versatility, or actually the lack of need for defined position players....it's all about whether he can think fast enough to ball with the team...not like Kwame....geez...size gets you money...MJ, you suck, that speech...if Kobe gave it, he'd be stigmatitized to a cross, cuz there are still so many Kobe haters out there....but he did what I did not think was possible, rebuild his reputation, He deserves a bigger $ contract from Nike than LeBronze (as in 3rd place gets bronze)......he's got alot of catching up to do since Kobe has 3 and looks like a lock to pick up a few more.

does anyone get a vibe that inviting Gelabale in was kind of a response to Boston's signing of Marquis Daniels??

ps. i hope they keep this kid and eventually trade either Morrison or Sasha

Huh. I think Gelabale (needs a nickname bad) made the same impression on the rest of the crue that he made on me. He did great against us when he was with Seattle, and I think him getting hurt really hurt the sonics. This pick is a lot like the Ariza pick up, in that this is a guy that hasn’t worked out elsewhere because of injury- can he be an ‘energy’ guy for us? Hope so. He is also a bit longer and a teeny bit bigger than trev, but not really slower. And it doesn’t cost us anything if he doesn’t work out.

BK- you’re welcome, and thanks for letting us know what you think about the topic. I just hope that enough blog readers are like giantsquid and know a little bit about Abbot and Truehoop and don’t go nuts on him just because he slighted Kobe. He probably has the best basketball blog running right now, (present company excepted) and his blazer bias seldom hurt his judgment. Hope this is just an off day for him.

I saw the game when the Lakers played against the Sonic and Gelabale was defending Kobe and he did a pretty good job. Kobe made him play defense and was exhausted after one quarter but did very well. He plays defense just like Trevor (so sad to see him go) and I think Kobe likes players that defend him well. I hope he makes the roster and maybe he can be another project for the coaching staff.

Regarding the Gelalabe guy....

I remember watching him play with the Sonics and I thought he was a great athletic swingman. Sucks about his ACL, hopefully he's back up to speed by now and free from any related ailments.

BK,

I really respect the class position you have taken with respect to the suspected engagement of Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian. I too wish them all the luck in the world. May they will be so lucky as to discover their personal soul mates. It’s hard enough for a couple where one person is the celebrity to survive, much less when both people are in the limelight. Hopefully, it is a sign of Lamar maturing and we will see the impact in the consistency of his game. There have been as many instances of a great relationship enabling a great player to focus on his game and become better as there have been negative stories. Lamar and Khloe will need to overcome the reality that at their ages usually their careers are the most important thing – often more important than their relationship. Here’s hoping they have enough love to rise above that temptation and realize that true love is lifelong and first.

Ironically, I saw a great old sports movie last night that was right on subject: For Love of the Game – starring Kevin Costner as the fictional legendary veteran Detroit Tigers pitcher Billy Chapel who is in the process of pitching a perfect game against the Yankees while trying to make a decision as to whether to agree to a trade to the San Francisco Giants or retire from baseball and make a life with his girlfriend Kelly Preston, who is watching the game on TV at Logan waiting to fly away to London. More like Field of Dreams than Bull Durham, it is one of Mrs. LakerTom’s romantic movies. Will Billy be able to leave his passion and love for the game behind him? Or will love lose out to the game?

Tom

I'll join the general enthusiam and support for jelly... I don't see any realistic room or PT for the guy but it's always nice to take a look at some people in training camp. We'll have more camp signings before too long, including some vets I suspect. It'll be fun.

More basketball stuff

Los Angeles Lakers Team Report
Posted 19h 22m ago E-mail | Save | Print |


If there is one major on-court competition for the defending NBA champions to negotiate in training camp, it's at the lead-guard position. Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown will all be jostling for minutes at a position where all three have shined at times. Sasha Vujacic has also played there at times.
Fisher is the clear incumbent, especially after he came up huge for the Lakers in the NBA Finals against Orlando. Fisher, however, is 35 and struggled badly with his shot for most of the postseason.

The Lakers' vision in past seasons has been for Farmar, now 22, to inherit Fisher's starting job — possibly this season. But Farmar's career progress stalled last season as he struggled to produce in limited minutes and with opponents ready for his push-it-fast approach that worked so well in 2007-08.

Farmar remains confident and will even change jersey numbers from No. 5 to No. 1, his former UCLA number. Brown, 23, gave the Lakers flashes of brilliance in the last 18 games of the regular season and in the playoffs after arriving in trade from Charlotte. Brown re-signed with the Lakers in hopes of expanding his role with a championship team.

Brown — at 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds with amazing athletic gifts — is someone many Lakers fans would love to see on the court more. But Fisher has tremendous understanding of the triangle offense and all the things Phil Jackson teams do, and Farmar is also way ahead of Brown in knowledge.

NOTES, QUOTES

—The reality that the Lakers are set with their roster even before training camp starts could be seen in second-round pick Chinemelu Elonu's decision to sign with Spanish club Zaragoza and put off a run at making the Lakers until next season or the one after that.

—Former Lakers guard Sun Yue, who had Kobe Bryant gushing at one point about his great potential, will try his fortunes on the other coast: He signed with the New York Knicks after being set free by the Lakers this offseason. Sun, once referred to as the Chinese Magic Johnson, didn't figure in the Lakers' plans any time soon.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Yes, I still need you, and yes, I will still feed you when you're 64!" — Lakers vice president Phil Jackson and girlfriend Jeanie Buss, via Twitter on Sept. 17.

ROSTER REPORT

PLAYER NEWS:

—G Derek Fisher published an autobiography called "Character Driven." It has a foreward written by Magic Johnson.

—G Shannon Brown, G Jordan Farmar, G Sasha Vujacic, F Ron Artest, F Adam Morrison, F Josh Powell and F Luke Walton got an early start on training camp by showing up for a 3-on-3 scrimmage Sept. 16, according to the team's web site.

—F Pau Gasol showed he can still play quite well despite his recent finger injury in leading Spain to Eurobasket's quarterfinals. Gasol had 20 points in the victory over France to lift Spain to qualify.

MEDICAL WATCH:

—F Pau Gasol (broken left index finger) had surgery on Aug. 10 but is expected to be a full strength for the season.

—G Kobe Bryant (right pinky finger) reiterated that he will not undergo surgery this summer because he has grown accustomed to the looseness in his damaged shooting hand.

DRAFT PICK:

Chinemelu Eloni, C, 6-10, Texas A&M (second round) — The Lakers had him rated as the 34th-best player in the draft and landed him at No. 59. They like his length and work ethic.