LIGHTENING RODS…

Why are some people lightening rods for public criticism and disapproval? What makes them as individuals so polarizing? What traits do such individuals share or not share? I thought it would be interesting to take a look at four extremely polarizing individuals with whom everybody on the blog is familiar - Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Andrew Bynum, and LakerTom. We can all use some humor.

Let’s take Kobe Bryant first. What about Kobe causes such polarization among fans as well as the general public? I see three polarizing factors: 1) the Shaq feud, 2) Colorado, and 3) Comparisons to MJ. For basketball fans, I think Shaq and MJ factors cause the polarization. What’s ironic is that now LeBron is getting some negativity for challenging Kobe just as Kobe did for challenging MJ’s legacy. Fortunately for Kobe, he has another 5 to 7 years to win everybody and become as loved as MJ.

But what about Luke Walton? Although just a second string role player with minimal minutes, Luke is probably the most polarizing Lakers player on the blog today. A fundamentally sound physically limited player with a great basketball IQ who tends to choke in the clutch, Luke can attract negative sound bites on the web that would make Mrs. AK blush and the LA Times choke. Saddled with a contract that was too big and the legacy of a HOF father, Luke can do no right for most. Fortunately for him, he is only a lightening rod for Lakers fans and not the general public. They love his ribs!

So what is it about Luke that makes bloggers go crazy? I think the answer is he is white. Now I’m not saying anybody on the blog is a racist (because I don’t think that), but that Luke is suffering from white man’s disease. Because he is white, he “looks” bigger (don’t you remember your momma telling your sister not to wear white because it made her look bigger?) and thus it “looks” like he can’t jump or run fast. If he were black, he would “look” like he could jump higher and run faster. I still haven’t figured out how his being white always results in his getting his shot blocked but I’m working on it.

Which brings us to Andrew Bynum. What is about Andrew that seems to polarize Lakers bloggers? The audacity to think he is going to be a super star and franchise player? The big contract? The Pau Gasol is a better center and #2 option fans who are going to be disappointed when Drew breaks out? Or the pro-Shaq fans that mistakenly thinks Shaq is going to take LeBron and the Cavs to the Finals. Unlike Kobe and Luke, Drew will likely put the lightening rod status behind once he breaks out. He will not have to endure the out-of-control testosterone and polarization that Kobe and Luke have.

Finally, what about LakerTom, oft accused for being pompous, presumptuous, condescending, preaching, and a host of other adjectives that express the depth of emotion I seem to bring out in some people? Why have I become so polarizing? It is probably because I view posting on the blog the same way that Kobe looks at shooting jumpers. We both enjoy the challenge of making difficult shots. It’s more exciting to think of a solution outside-of-the-box than to stick with the old status quo. Like Kobe, I am sure a sprinkling of those difficult “shots” cuts my shooting percentage but who cares.

My goal is not just to stir things up but to make people think about things in a different way than they might have. Sometimes I’m a little over-the-top but there always is a logic to my madness if you open your minds enough to see it. And I am not trying to drive the pessimists or realists on the blog crazy but reminding them that we are and have been NBA champions enough times that maybe they should start believing in Lakers mystique rather than acting like LA Clippers season ticket holders.

Say what you mean and mean what you say. But always in fun and with respect. I’m out.

Tom

back in june phil is seriously mulling retirement for health reasons... in july lakers sign artest and phil immediately announces his return (and i dont think his hips magically healed)... now hes expressing desire not to be viewed as a lameduck coach.... i dont think hes going anywhere for a while.

“Sasha played with his hair last year more than he played on the court.”
HAHA oh phil

"Which brings us to Andrew Bynum. What is about Andrew that seems to polarize Lakers bloggers? "

It's your fascination with him really LT. I know it's your opinion but when me or anyone refers to Bynum as anything OTHER than 2nd option you go out of your way to dismiss that notion and degrade Pau as a guy who isn't demanding the ball enough or doesn't have the power to be the 2nd option despite your insistence that Pau Gasol is the best power forward in the league which is more of an oxymoron considering you consider him to be the best PF yet put 18ppg as mere "3rd option" when he has more than better seasons than Andrew Bynum who hasn't even completed an entire season scoring more than 15ppg. When Tim won his rings as the best PF he was never to be considered the "3rd option" even behind Manu and Tony Parker. When Karl Malone or Charles Barkaley led this teams to the finals they were never "3rd options" and even though James Worthy was the 3rd option on Showtime he was never considered the "Best PF in the league" even when he won his well deserved even though Magic deserved it just as much in 1988. Basically trying to sell Pau Gasol/Lamar Odom short just to bring up Bynum and thinking of alternative stuff when it don't happen. Examples? When LO's status was in limbo you were calling for "Mitch's plan B is Bynum"/"Let go of his training wheels" as to not sign LO so Bynum can have more touches and when LO was re-signed all the "LO for PG" stuff happened even less than 2 months ago before Artest was signed you were calling for Kobe to be the PG. I mean get over it if Bynum does have good games I"ll cheer for him (that don't mean though he's a beast to me until he put up Shaq's numbers) and for the bad games I expect you to say his short comings like poor screen and roll defense and not say "How dare you point out his screen and roll defense!!". Bynum is a good player but the way you point him already as the best big man capable of being number 2 when so many others disagree (especially Charley Rosen) is what polarizes some of us here. It was just as polarizing as Wilt fans were when Shaq was being compared to Wilt even though Wilt was much more dominant than the Diesel was in his prime. To put Bynum already as the 2nd option simply because of a few Jan games is simply absurd and I ask you to wait for an entire SEASON not to mention the playoffs where he has more big mouth complaints than good defense before judging other people on Bynum.

Not that LA will ever make the mistake of hiring him as head coach again...but, Rambis will be fired at Minnesota long before Jackson quits the Lakers!

Look at who Rambis just hired as his assistants...Reggie Theus {fired as head coach within 2 years in both the NBA and college, probably because he was too busy primping in front of a mirror} and Bill Laimbeer {the dirtiest player in NBA history}.

Rambis-Laimbeer-Theus!!!

Some brain trust...when they put their heads together during time-outs to contemplate strategy, it will sound like a bowling alley!

LakerTom, one more correction from a friend who cares. Is it lightening rod or probably you meant lightning rod? I have to point it out because you mentioned it several times.

The THIRD best Laker...is hours away from marrying the THIRD best Kardashian sister.

Vman...Speaking of AFL....today was the grand final.Just over 99200 people attended the game..It was raining as well..

As for the board members..I think only 1 member of the public gets to sit on the board..The rest are chosen by the club..Its still a good idea to have 1 public member on the board..

In terms of how the league is run,it is still around 10 years behind the rest of the world...Only now are they starting to discuss free agency..You cant be a free agent.The only way you can change teams is by 1..getting traded.2..your contract runs out,then you go into a draft and you get picked up..3..You get passed on and then go into a pre-season draft..the only problem is that the worst team holds the 1st pick in the main draft and the 1st in the pre-season draft..If the worst team only wins 5 games or less they get the first 2 picks in the main draft..This week a good player wanted to leave his club.So he chose the club he wanted to go to..If his old club and the one he has chosen cant work out a trade then his old club can try with another team..If he does not like that team he then goes into the pre-season draft and ends up at a bad team..The problem for his old club then becomes them not getting any compensation for all the time and effort they put into him...

Its still really old school...it has its good point but when you look at other leagues around the world it seems really unfair to un-contracted players..

Laker Tom, Laker Tom,
As soon as I saw in the article that Phil was contemplating the "Big Lineup", I thought huh.... Phil reads the blog? WOW! LOL!
It is interesting to say the least.
Personally, I like LT's vision. He mixes in well thought out points with a hopeful desire for things. He has a vision of Bynum that can certainly happen. In fact I would say the Lakers have the very same vision. I mean come on... after Kobe retires we will still have Bynum and my guess is they realize that if they take their time and teach him solid fundamentals without coddling him, he could indeed become very special.
How special? That remains to be seen. But why couldn't it be REALLY special? Does Bynum need to be better than Shaq was? Better than Wilt was? Better than Olajuan? No, no, and no. If he simply progresses into a high end center with good moves, graceful and effective offense mixed in with a more than capable defensive presence, THAT would be something great to build around in the future.
Do we have the 3 years to invest in the guy? YES! Phil yanks him when he doesn't like his play. Phil doesn't start him just because he is the center of the future. Instead, they are taking their time to build the solid fundamentals and still be committed to the "Win Now" attitude that is necessary for Los Angeles.
Now, all that said.... what's wrong with a committed vision for the guy. It's obvious that Lakers management has the very same vision.
I dunno, sometimes I think that people when they are in their normal state come from this really small place. The nasty comments reflect pain in their hearts and discontent. In my opinion, most people come from a REALLY different perspective than LT. In different I am meaning a small angry place.

LakerTom,

You are one of the anchors of this blog community. A go to guy. And you must be smart because I agree with you most of the time.

But is your queation about why you are a lightning rod serious? You take strong stands, sometimes exaggeratedly so, and then run them out daily (sometimes more). That is going to get a response.

Hell, I am a big Bynum supporter. But sometimes you praise him so highly and frequently I get an urge to disagree.

You are smart and your observations, like "Fish might be a good coach," are usually right on. But when that quickly becomes a Quixotic campaign to make him the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers with no evidence he wants to coach and no coaching experience, that makes you, well, a lightning rod.

Frankly, I don't mind. You are smart and passionate and you create some life and interest here, especially in the dog days of summer. And I suspect you enjoy it, you seem to make a point of going out on the ledge.

So my question, LakerTom, is, was that really a question? I have to know.

Here's to Bynum emerging this year as part of the Lakers'
multiheaded beast.

Tom D.

REd's Love,
"The THIRD best Laker...is hours away from marrying the THIRD best Kardashian sister."

Yeah, I guess that'll make TWO rings for Lamar this year. How many did Ray Allen get?

read that raja bell is being shopped...wonder if his salary lines up with walton, or morrison and some value, cuz nobodies going to load the lakers with talent anymore....trading will be tough..
the mouth "Cobi (isn't that a girl's name) Karl" is getting picked up by the Cavs...1st request from cav's...."say Cobi, could you tell us a little about your past teams, like, what's this triangle thing all about?"......He's a HO!!!

p ang,

>>> Everybody gets annoyed when Kobe takes too much shots on a bad day.
>>> You've got to recognize that you too have bad days.

LOL. You’re right. I always wanted to be a strong silent type (like ex, LOL), but I always had too big of a mouth. When you shoot a lot, you make a lot but you also miss a lot. Good point, my friend.

- - - - -

Edwin,

Thanks for the correction. YOU are the lightening rod. I am the lightning rod.
The inherent dangers of spell check. LOL.

- - - - -

Jon K,

>>> Andrew Bynum will be the next Great Lakers center.

Damn straight, Jon. Thanks for always having my back.

- - - - -

Fatty,

>>> Its the "full court - no look - behind the back - through the legs - off the scoreboard –
>>> while being guarded by five guys - and having four guys open under the basket type
>>> comments", that have some saying, "what the hey?!"

LMAO. Hey, isn’t everybody entitled to a heat check once in a while? I mean AK and BK are terrific but also the furthest thing from controversial. And yes, I do get bored easily and enjoy firing up the blog. I’m also looking forward to some new episodes of Shaq at Dunkin’ Donuts now that he’s in the Midwest. Those still rank as G.O.A.T. for the blog.

- - - - -

JohnnyV,

>>> Personally, I like LT's vision. He mixes in well thought out points with a hopeful desire
>>> for things. He has a vision of Bynum that can certainly happen. In fact I would say the
>>> Lakers have the very same vision.

Thanks for the Drew support, Johnny. I always try not to let a few sour apples spoil the sweetness of being a Lakers fan. My perspective is always that there are a 1,000 appreciative Lakers fans out there virtually shaking their heads in agreement to every intelligent well thought post for each naysayer and negative critic who make mean or nasty comments.

- - - - -

Tom D.

>>> And you must be smart because I agree with you most of the time.

When the Better Tom speaks, the blog listens. That is actually one of the most incisive comments about judging intelligence that I have ever heard. One of the ultimate truths about judgment.

In answer to your question, yes, the question posed was definitely rhetorical. I realize why and how I rub some people the wrong way but I also think most people, once they get to know me, understand where I’m coming from and don’t take offense or misconstrue the tone or intent of what I have to say. And while I do believe I am a lightning rod for a vocal minority, I count most of the blog as friends. Thank you for continuing to be among those I appreciate and admire most.

- - - - -

hobbitmage,

>>> my response: In the past, I thought you were talking about Lamar as the point-forward.
>>> If I take the above grouping as positions 1:5, Kobe is pg. Lamar is SF.

Good point. I think it’s really just semantics. One thing about the lineup and the Triangle is the interchangeability of the players and positions. Lamar or Kobe could bring the ball up. Lamar might play the 1 on offense but Kobe might guard the other point guard. It all depends on the matchups. Nobody in the league is going to be able to match up to the Lakers Big Lineup.

- - - - -

Tom

Phil is going to miss Kurt a lot when it comes to working out with the Bigs. I used to always see Kurt breaking out the sweatpants and posting up Kwame, Roni Andrew,, Josh and some of the young guys. Kurt had a great work ethic and I just don't know how the Lakers are going to replace that. They will,but only time will tell who steps up and becomes that workhorse.

AK and BK,

I know you guys can get Ron Ron to drop by one of the Podcast recordings with probably very little prodding. That would be cool.

dan

WHERE WILL STEPHEN JACKSON LAND?

There is an interesting situation brewing with the Warriors, who have now agreed to try and trade Stephen Jackson, who has always been a player that I coveted for the Lakers. With his 6-8 height and rangy length, Jackson has the skills and ability to be a shut down defender at the guard position. But even more importantly, he also has the ability to change the competitive balance among the elite five teams who are competing for the NBA championship, should he end up in San Antonio, for example.

While the Lakers have no room financially to take on the 4 years at $10M left on Jackson’s contract, I definitely do not want to see him end up back at San Antonio, where he played very well for Pop. He would also be a solid addition to the Cavaliers, giving them a player who has real swagger and is not afraid to take the last shot, even though he has never been a high percentage shooter. But the bottom line with Jackson is his defense. He is the type of player whose quickness, veteran savvy, and height and length are the perfect combination for guarding Kobe. I do not want to see Jackson on a team with a defensive orientation, especially not San Antonio or Cleveland.

Jackson wants to go to a contender. Would the Lakers want to trade for him? Probably not. Why mess with the chemistry we have? How about to add a 6-8 shut down defender at guard who can also play the 1, 2, and 3 spots and last year averaged 20.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 6.5 apg. Maybe the Warriors would take Sasha’s $10M and Luke’s $20M contracts in trade. That would mean that the Lakers would add Jackson as backup shooting and point guard with no increase in salary the next 3 years. More importantly, they would prevent San Antonio or Cleveland from getting him.

I am not really recommending such a trade although I do find it intriguing. Bottom line, it is a risk we do not need to take but it is a possible trade that makes a lot more sense than some of the fantasy deals I have seen posted in the past. And it would strengthen the one area of defense the team is still lacking, which is a guard other than Kobe who can play defense and make a clutch shot. In the end, just an interesting idea to me because Stephen Jackson is going to end up on a contending team.

Tom

Hey Beaner (Boston), go suck a teabag!!!!
"The THIRD best Laker...is hours away from marrying the THIRD best Kardashian sister.

Posted by: RED`S LOVE CHILD | September 26, 2009 at 04:11 AM"

There's been the phrase that "#2 always has to try harder", well your "#3# is going to rule the world....tell me another player who can give you 14/14 in streaks, run the offense, bang with the bigs though he's outweighed.
As for marriage, it's a crapshoot, look at the odds of survival, and what's your stance? All are perfect, must be, Boston is the most beautiful city in the world with the nicest people!!! Thank God the crack is kicking in.

Regarding Andrew Bynum...

I watched a healthy Andrew Bynum significantly outplay a healthy Tim Duncan last year.

Tim Duncan was voted second place in the recent "NBA Player of the Decade" poll.

Yeah, THAT Tim Duncan.

In addition, considering his age, work ethic, and coaching/mentoring, it is completely reasonably that we should expect Andrew Bynum to improve.

EVERYBODY... yeah... yeah... yeah... I know that Laker Tom kind of beats a dead horse about Bynum and Bynum played like crap in the playoffs last season, and he seems to be succeptible to the injury bug, but everyone is missing Laker Tom's MAIN point:

WE WON THE FRICKEN CHAMPIONSHIP WITH AN INJURED ANDREW BYNUM PLAYING LIKE CRAP AND THIS GUY IS CAPABLE OF OUT-PLAYING ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREATS WHEN HE IS HEALTHY!!!!

IMAGINE HOW DOMINANT THE LAKERS WOULD HAVE BEEN LAST SEASON IF ANDREW BYNUM WAS HEALTHY AND PLAYED WELL IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!

[But wait! There's more!]

WHAT'S THE KEY TO ANY CHAMPIONSHIP DYNASTY? {With the exception of the Chicago Bulls.}

A DOMINATING CENTER!!!!

Well, we got that! And Kobe Bryant! And the second best power forward in the league! AND THRILLER!!!!!

AND THE BEST COACH IN BASKETBALL!!!

READ BETWEEN THE LINES: Laker Tom is THIS excited because he knows that a dominating center means that this team COULD win UP TO another SEVEN CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!

THIS TEAM COULD RIVAL BILL RUSSELL'S CELTICS IN DOMINANCE!!!

Yeah! It's not crazy! It's a real fricken potential reality! And what makes it a possibility?

ANDREW FRICKEN BYNUM.

Nothing is set in stone. And Andrew HAS to develop significantly and consistently for this to move from a mild possibility to a PROBABILITY. Laker Tom knows this. I know this.

But anyone remember the last few years after the 'Season of Disappointment' when Detroit schooled us in the Finals? Those years sucked... hard.

Now we have the possibility of a HISTORIC DYNASTY and Andrew Bynum is the key because he is young, incredibly physically gifted and A DOMINATING CENTER IS THE KEY TO ANY (except the Bulls) HISTORICAL NBA DYNASTY!

Period.

So, if you are a TRUE LAKERS FAN, get off Laker Tom's back and get on the "Andrew Bynum--The Next Great Lakers Center Bandwagon" because that bandwagon is key to multiple parades and years of celebration in contrast to years of struggle and fighting off troll infestations.

Laker Nation, the choice is yours!

Be with us or against us!

I choose DYNASTY!!!

What do we play for? RINGS!!!

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

GO LAKERS!!!!

I'm going to take things one step further...

LAKER TOM IS NOT OPTIMISTIC ENOUGH!!!

Damn political correctness and the folly of restraint!

KOBE BRYANT IS BETTER THAN MICHAEL JORDAN!

Not "I personally feel Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan." Screw that nonsense.

Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan. Kobe is a more complete player. Kobe is a better winner. Period.

And the continuing saga of Greatness that is Laker Nation shall soon reveal this.

This upcoming Dynasty rooted in the Next Great Lakers Center--Andrew Bynum and super-powered by Future Hall of Famers Pau Gasol and Ron Artest along with multiple Sixth Man of the Year--Lamar Odom--is going to reveal that TRUTH to the world.

Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan.

The disharmony of Shaquille O'Neal's bitterness has obscured this fact and the harmony brought on by the Greatness of Andrew Bynum will remove the scales from the public's eyes so that they reveal THE TRUTH that Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan.

And the Lakers are the Greatest franchise in all sports... in the world.

If you can't get excited by that, then you can't be excited by anything, and you ain't a real Lakers fan.

Anyone who thought that last season was good ain't seen nothing yet!

Let's go!

What do we play for? RINGS!!!

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

GO LAKERS!!!!

LT-

Even as someone who lamented not seeing Bynum, Gasol, and Odom on the floor together last year, as I often did, I still need to actually see PJ put those guys on the floor at the same time before I call it a part of the rotation. The triple towers idea was, before things got rolling, "endorsed" by PJ and the coaching staff, but then it was un-endorsed so to speak.

But just like it was last year, I hope they do it. It might not work, but it's definitely worth finding out, you know? There's really not much harm, especially if they do it earlier in the year.

BK

hi lakertom,

some time back, the very first time i wrote here, i called you, jon k, and edwin g, as my fave bloggers here.
you guys give good insights, and your pieces are well formed.
it's easier to pick the first lines of the paragraphs and determine which parts i want to consume.

news articles give us news, but the postings here are really in-depth analysis of our fave team.
it gives us a different look at what's happening, thus a better understanding.
and that's why i still am a constant lurker of this blog.

you said that you want us to think in different ways.
somehow, im starting to feel that you are in effect making us do the contrary.
your posting, it seems, as of late, focus too much on andrew.
and maybe that's why your enlightening posts become lightning posts.

of course i can't tell you what you should write.
your writeups are still something that i always read.
it's just that i hope you can focus less on andrew, and give us a more rounded view of the team.

tom daniels,

i'm starting to follow your posts, for the same reasons i mentioned above. please keep posting.

-qs