What Kobe still has left to prove
October 28, 2009 | 8:39
pm
Qualifying Bryant's greatness, however, has evolved into a national past time and old habits die hard. It will be difficult for many analysts and fans to go cold turkey. Thankfully for them, I've created a "To Do" list still in need of conquering before all doubts surrounding Kobe's accomplishments can truly be squashed, end of story.
Win a ring without Derek Fisher
The weight of Shaq is finally off Kobe's baq, but in the meantime, he's never won a title without the lil' fella. Hell, Kobe's never even reached the Finals without Fisher in tow. Technically speaking, for Kobe to truly reside on "Did it without ____" Street, he needs a ring absent of Fisher's help.
Thus, the solution may just be to reason with his longtime amigo. Explain the importance of cementing a bullet-proof resume for the ages. That the problem isn't Fisher, but rather the literal minded, unimaginative media. It's not that Kobe wants Fish to fake an injury during the playoffs. He just needs Fish to fake an injury during the playoffs. The King of Little Rock is such a selfless cat, he might just be willing to take one for 24's legacy. Dude gets a ring either way, right?
And if that doesn't work, I recommend the tired and true: A good old fashioned bribe. By any means necessary, as the saying goes.
It ain't just Fisher directly involved with all of Kobe's peaks. Phil Jackson has been there for every turn, allowing Doubting Thomas's to wonder whether credit should go to Kobe, or the guy behind the guy. Unfortunately for Kobe, there's VERY little incentive for Phil to vacate his coaching duties with the Lakers. Between his quest to leap frog a certain cigar aficionado and a squad so loaded that various wags often claim it runs itself, hard to picture Phil sitting this one out.
Wanna keep Phil at bay this season, Mamba? Just kidnap his throne chair. By definition, if PJ's using a throne chair, it means the hips can't handle a generic "commoner" chair, and even if PJ were willing/able to stand the entire game, new NBA rules put the kibosh on that strategy. Without the throne chair, does Phil have any other option other than handing the white board to Shaw, Jim Cleamons or Frank Hamblin and grabbing a beer at the arena watering hole? None that I can see.
Mind you, successfully hiding the throne chair over the course of 100+ games, home and away, is no walk in the park. We're talking a project on the scale of the Ocean's 11 heist. But Kobe's got the money, connections and steely obsessiveness to employ a top flight crew of merry pranksters. One of these days, he and PJ will look back on these hijinks and just laugh.
Win a ring with Jerome James in the rotation.
Why should Kobe's tests center solely around the removal of a linchpin? What say we make the guy work via a little addition, too? Back in 2006, I pegged Michael Olowokandi as the league's LVP. The cat who brings less to the table than any player in the league. Well, he's since washed out, so the next best way for Kobe to bring new meaning to the phrase "makes his teammates better" would involve the 2006 runner up Jerome James, the league's reigning "dead-weight" poster boy. (FYI, it's actually pretty easy for the Lakers to bring James into the fold. Adam Morrison for JJ, straight up. ESPN's trade machine loves it. Both are expiring deals. Kobe certainly has the juice to force a trade involving the team's 12th man. Done and done, should Bryant take the initiative.)
Win a ring in the same year he stars in a high quality documentary.
And no, "Kobe Doin' Work" doesn't cut the mustard. Particularly not when Kobe's flick is released in the same year as a docu flick starring his chief rival for "best player in the league" status. It doesn't help that "More than a Game" has garnered largely positive reviews from the critics- who tend to be west coast biased and likely wouldn't know either player from a hole in the wall, so don't complain about media favoritism- and even Mom, both a Lakers fan and a supporter of Kobe's 2008 MVP-ness. A cinematic challenge is being thrown down. Will Kobe answer the call?
Win a title in the same season he wins a Nobel Peace Prize.
Dude, Barack Obama's been President for barely ten months and he's already got one. You've had thirteen seasons in the NBA to make your mark for peace through basketball, and absolutely zero traction. Weak, Mamba. Weak.
Win a title while drunk for an entire season.
What would this truly "prove" about Kobe's skills? Honestly, I'm not really sure. But I do know this much. The reason I don't know is because Jordan never pulled it off. 'Nuff said. C'mon, Mamba! Channel your inner Tara Reid!
Win a title without "ER" on television.
Seriously, how long did that show overstay its welcome? Don't get me wrong. Clooney, Edwards and the gang enjoyed several seasons of high quality TV. But this marks Kobe's fourteenth season with the Lakers and ER was already in its third season when Mamba made his professional debut. How many surgeries and workplace relationships can we possibly watch? Nonetheless, Kobe has never reached the highest level in an era where fictitious people didn't check into the Fictitious County General Hospital, so "Must See TV's" longtime fixture must be given its proper due, as well as acknowledgment of the unconquered status. Still, the show's plug finally pulled during the same season Kobe got his "no Shaq" title feels symbolic. Kobe was happy to see that storyline retired. I was happy to see ER's storylines follow suit.
Win a title in the same season where he hemmed and hawed over a possible retirement before finally latching on with the Vikings.
Of course, if Kobe doesn't play in a manner that makes it evident that "he's just having fun out there," we're back at square one. But that goes without saying, right?
No easy task, my friends. Oprah Winfrey has a pretty good "in" with the folks running "Oh, The Oprah Magazine." O has quite the iron-fisted lock on that particular section of the mag. To the best of my knowledge, Mrs. Stedman has ceded the cover just once, and that resulted in a photo op shared with Michelle Obama (who, for those not in the know, is often romantically linked with the reigning Nobel holder). It's a lofty goal, but if he can't conquer the publishing side of Harpo empire, what does having the planet's #1 selling jersey really mean?
(And no, landing the cover of Spanish Rolling Stone doesn't quite cut it. Should Pau Gasol ever enter the "all-time greats" conversation, same rules apply for him, too.)
Picture: Kobe Bryant holds a championship trophy. Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images North America
Picture: Derek Fisher raises his arms. Credit: Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America
Picture: Phil Jackson in his throne chair. Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images
That is the funniest thing I have read on this blog since....I don't know when, actually.
Hilarious. This is an instant classic.
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | October 28, 2009 at 09:21 PM
I especially like the little green emerald shaped like an asterisk and representing KG's knee injury on the the Laker ring, very appropriate.
Posted by: The Green Asterisk | October 28, 2009 at 09:34 PM
I didn't think it was funny at all. Just labored.
Posted by: ginocimoli | October 28, 2009 at 09:41 PM
Well, I'm batting .500...
AK
Posted by: Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky | October 28, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Well, I checked his career stats, and he has won titles without the LakersBlog, so there goes that theory. You might have been able to get away with that in the pre-Google days, AK, but not anymore.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 28, 2009 at 09:50 PM
hahaha!
Posted by: qs | October 28, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I especially like the little purple and gold asterisks and representing Bynum's knee injury, Ariza's foot injury, Kobe's injured fingers, and Pau Gasol's half a season on the the 2008 Celtic ring, very appropriate.
Posted by: The Green Asterisk | October 28, 2009 at 09:34 PM
Now that's better...now where's my little 82-101 to fix this again? Now there's an original idea! Do it again, do it again, I command you!
Hey, 82-101, I always knew your little chicken Celtic friends can't handle the heat, LOL. Rescue your little friends, awwwww.....
call me little chicken again, oh noes!!
Posted by: little chicken | October 28, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I particularly liked the drunk one...
If he wants to outdo Jordan then he needs to retire and actually SUCCEED at another professional sport then return to win a title
Posted by: Kiwi | October 28, 2009 at 10:41 PM
I thought it was pretty funny. We've got 4 days between games in a almost drama-less afterglow of a ring ceremony and a win-as-usual against the clippers.
Cut AK and BK some slack!
#4
Posted by: #4 | October 28, 2009 at 10:54 PM
I, for one, thought this was funny. Especially the bit about Jerome James. If he gets Jerome James a ring, he should go down as the greatest athlete ever, and the conversation would be closed for eternity.
Posted by: puddle | October 28, 2009 at 11:52 PM
http://tinyurl.com/ylrjn9x
heated tray.
Posted by: mud | October 28, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Nice K bros.
Observations on first game:
-Both Clippers and Lakers were in pre-season form. Clippers were just worse than the Lakers. Baron was awful, that Eric Gordon kid is good.
-PJ played the bench as a unit w/out a single starter and the experiment flopped terribly. Things are supposed to get better when LO leads the 2nd unit but I still think PJ s/d keep at least 2 of the Big 5 (Kobe, Pau, LO, Artest, Drew) on the court at all times.
-PJ was quick with the hook on Sasha last night after one poor defensive play and he never got back on the court.
With such a deep team, minutes are going to be precious so any player outside of the Laker's starters and sixth man will be battling for minutes.
-Luke looks like he needs a training camp just for himself. He seems to be injured in every training camp. Its nice to have a long-term contract.
-Mbenga is improved but he's still good for garbage minutes not for minutes that really count.
-The Laker starting five actually ran the transition offense a lot, making predictions that the Laker offense will be slower paced this year due to the Artest-Ariza swap untrue.
-The second unit with a quick backcourt of Jordan/Shannon could not run a faster offensive pace because they were slowed by the lead footed frontcourt of Walton/Powell/Mbenga. Clearly, having Gasol/Odom or Bynum/Odom would have made the second unit much better. This is where Gasol's absence was clearly felt - the inefficiency of the second unit more than the effect on the first unit.
-Artest is clearly still learning the offense but he played the best man defense of any Laker or Clipper last night.
-Drew played great on offense, but he also needs to remember to shut down the other team's center. Kaman scored too many points and got too many rebounds. On the other hand, Bynum did not get in foul trouble so that's a positive.
-LO is a new man - for the better. Sometimes, marriage does that to you. Moreover, now that he's married to someone from planet hollywood, LO seems less shy about asserting himself on the court and that's only good for the Lakers.
-PJ did not play Ammo perhaps bec. the Clippers are too athletic, and the game was too close. Does that mean that Ammo is in the regular garbage rotation along w/DJ?
-Kobe was not shy with the ball last night, was he conscious of Lebron's 38 earlier in the evening?
-I didn't notice anything outstanding in LA's defense last night except for Artest and Kobe's individual defense. I hope LA keeps an eye on Boston's defense, the competition will be good for their focus.
Posted by: LakerinBC | October 29, 2009 at 01:40 AM
I saw few updates on here telling we played sloppy and did not execute on offense etc.. However, this is completely untrue.
PJ knew he had the players who can wrest control of the game from the opposition whenever needed, so he started his experimentation in the 2nd quarter... I don't think any other coach has the audacity or confidence to insert such a line-up, when the game was barely a quarter old...
Not a single starter, and most were 3rd stringers, such a line-up is bound to lose leads. So calling that they played sloppy is unfair on them. With a line-up of Farmar, Brown, Powell, Luke and Mbenga - do you all expect them to increase the lead to 20 from 10???
Posted by: Kobefan in Cupertino | October 29, 2009 at 02:58 AM
On a different note,
In the last season (2008-2009), José Calderon, Raptors PG missed ONLY three FTs the ENTIRE season!! (He was 151/154), and set a NBA record of 98.1 FT%
Today in Raptors' opener against Crabs, he gets fouled and goes to the line for the 1st time this season, and misses BOTH FTs. What an irony is that. I could not believe my eyes!! :)
Posted by: Kobefan in Cupertino | October 29, 2009 at 03:02 AM
Why do we so often hear about Micahel's 6 rings (and Magic's 5 rings) as some sort of benechamrk/standard that Kobe is supposed to be aspiring to ?
6 titles is a lot, but the way it's referred to, it's almost like people think this is the record. Other have won 6 like Kareem and Scottie Pippen. Didn't Robert Horry win 7 ? Bill Russell won 11, I think.
Posted by: OhioVic | October 29, 2009 at 03:42 AM
This was fun, but I'm going to be serious for a second.
Judging by Kobe's incredibly relaxed appearance after winning the Finals last year, I think he doesn't really have anything he's aching to prove.
And really, proving is all about what he needs to prove in reference to others.
Let's face it, there's a competition with the all time greats. That's Kobe's territory with no uncertainty now and it shouldn't have been uncertain but for media hatred before and negative representation of an extreme personality before.
Kobe's most obvious foil in this regard is Jordan and I think it will be hard for Kobe to catch him. What I would love to see is Kobe be able to really enter the conversation versus Jordan.
Kobe gets 6 rings and at least 1 DPOY award and I think we can make that a little more likely. He probably needs 2 more Finals MVPs as well.
I think another 2 rings is very doable. 2 Finals MVPs is likely. 1 DPOY is the real competition I think. The award is so biased toward big men that defensively anchor their teams. The KGs, Duncans, D-12s, Ben Wallaces, Marcus Cambys of the world. If anyone is up for the challenge of winning an award against those types of players as a SG/SF, it is Kobe.
Posted by: Benjamin | October 29, 2009 at 03:47 AM
*
INVITATION FOR RON ARTEST TO POST ON THE LAKERS BLOG – BANDWAGON
*
(01) MR.NANO – OWNER - Let's invite Ron to post on the blog on a regular basis. He can be the ingredient we need to shut down the trolls XD
(02) EDWIN GUECO – DRIVER - Artest will love LA because of its diversity. We deal here to all kinds of people and a chance to start all over again.
(03) MAMBA24 – RON-RON PLEASE , PLEASE Post on the LakersBlog it is just the common folks touch You need on that new resume. And you can have any honorary blog title you want except Blog God or Sheriff. Those two are untouchable.
(04) DAVE M. - Edwin - I think L.A.'s a great fit for Artest on so many levels. As a society, it's open and accepting, Artest's idiosyncrasies seem almost benign.
(05) TheChampIsHere - The more I learn about Ron-Ron the more I like his personality What he brings to an already great basketball team is priceless. W/ all due respect to Ariza it was always Kobe who had to check the Wade's, LeBron's, Melo's of the NBA and then also score his 30pts. Now Kobe doesn't have to anymore and that's exciting.
(06) QS - saw the vid. love him!
(07) FAITH - For his part, Artest just completed his first NBA training camp in 11 years without missing a practice or a game. The only guy who won't be getting a ring Tuesday night came in determined to get his work done." What's not to love. It's the beginning of a new dy-nasty ladies and gentlemen. Let's own it!
(08) JON K.. The crazy thing is that Thriller is going to be the best thing possible for this team's chemistry, in part due to his long-term friendship with Lamar Odom; in part due to his incredibly competitive nature. a) Thriller's long-term friendship with Lamar, keeps Lamar focused and enhances his leadership role as "Captain" of The Bench Mob b) Thriller's competitiveness enhances Kobe's respect of Artest, thus making it easier for Kobe to look beyond Ron's eccentricities c) The focus of three key leaders--Lamar, Kobe, Thriller--is going to lead the team emotionally towards the goal of Championship.
(09) WESJOENIXON - I really like Artest. Did anyone see how he made the reporters move aside so the petite lady reporter could get her camera/mic in the mix? That was super cool of him to do.
(10) CRITICALBEATDOWN - The reason Ron is such a great pickup for us? Pierce and Lebron .
(11) ROCKIN DA 300 SECTION - In the video did you notice Ron Ron's cool vans checkerboard slip ons? Those were almost as cool as his hair cut. I look forward to this seasons' new addition his game had a postive influence on Lamar and Bynum's game last night.
(12) CHICNSTU - This has been the greatest transformation of a MAN in the history of the world OR Ron Artest has been wrongfully judged by the media and fans everywhere, myself included. I've seen nothing but goodness in Ron's heart, the little things that he does aren't that little. They are kind gestures that show the real Ron Artest, like giving the kid his watch so he may continue his education and making room for that reporter to get into the mix..lol. Yes he made some bad decisions, but i woulda done the same if somebody tossed a beer at me.
(13)
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 29, 2009 at 06:01 AM
Very good, very funny. How about with one eye closed and a hand tied behind his back?
But seriously, that last link with Pau on the Spanish Rolling Stone deserves a post of its own. That is the sexy Pau. I only thought Pau was a down to earth, sincere, wheatgrass eating type. Dare I say it? The Ladies' Man has competition.
GOOooooOOO LAKERS !
Posted by: JohnnyP | October 29, 2009 at 06:55 AM
Hey Mamba24, I'd like to get on the Ron Artest post on this blog bandwagon.
Ron's pure comedy gold!
Posted by: #4 | October 29, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Why do we so often hear about Micahel's 6 rings (and Magic's 5 rings) as some sort of benechamrk/standard that Kobe is supposed to be aspiring to ? 6 titles is a lot, but the way it's referred to, it's almost like people think this is the record. Other have won 6 like Kareem and Scottie Pippen. Didn't Robert Horry win 7 ? Bill Russell won 11, I think.
Posted by: OhioVic | October 29, 2009 at 03:42 AM
After Bill Russells 11 Rings the player with the most Rings is Robert Horry with 8.
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 07:40 AM
I gonna put this out there, because I'd like to see it happen.
Pau Gasol will win the Final MVP.....with a beaming and genuinely happy Kobe Bryant cheering him on.
Honestly, I think the guy is a great player. He's arguably the best power forward out there, and probably the most adept big man at being both a center and power forward. I have respect for Tim Duncan, but he as well as KG are still great but their peaks are in the past.
Pau is peaking. He can shoot from the outside, has a very developed game inside, and is a willing passer. His defense is very underrated. He'd defended both Howard and KG admirably, amongst other 'tougher' or 'stronger' PF/Cs.
I know Bynum's game is still developing, and were in Kobe's 'great' years, but Pau is right there, at the forefront of the Laker attack.
It would be reminiscent of Worthy getting the MVP....and it would be a sign of Kobe's maturity as well.
Posted by: #4 | October 29, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Hey Mamba24, I'd like to get on the Ron Artest post on this blog bandwagon. Ron's pure comedy gold! Posted by: #4 | October 29, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Your usual spot I assume. But since it's only one update a day it probably won't be till 12 or 1:00 the next time you see it.
Posted by: mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 08:06 AM
Laker fan-
Hurry! The Orlando bandwagon is filling up quickly. All of you that have been talking that Cavs mess and want to jump ship still have time. I know you want pretend you didnt say anything about the Cavs winning the East but I know who you are. Its not too late to get on Orlando. Ill give you a mulligan.
Speaking of mulligans ... do you want Ariza back yet?
Little Chicken-
You forgot about Phil's hip. Your list is getting longer and longer. Didnt Sasha have a brain cramp?
I hear this years rings will be made of 18k gold.
Posted by: 131-92 | October 29, 2009 at 08:10 AM
Hmmm...Just thinkin' 'bout stuff and I don't think the Lakers will win 70 games this season. They won 65 last season, and as Kobe correctly pointed out, they could have easily won 68 without doing anything different. Last season, they lost three games on last second lucky heaves.
Watching the Clippers game it became apparent that the Lakers are no longer using the regular season as a means of defining themselves. Even the fans showed that the regular season seems so passe, now.
Home court advantage, I don't think we're even worried about that anymore, either.
Remember last year? Every loss was a "learning experience". Every hard foul was some ultimate test of the Lakers' new-found "toughness". Every road trip was a "test". Every elite team was a "barometer". Every injury was an "opportunity for some player or other to step up". On and on and on.
Do you remember? The Lakers' had this laundry list of things to prove. And, if they failed any of them, then they simply weren't ready yet to win the Championship.
No more. We had the best road record last season. We saw that Cleveland might be able to use LBJ to rack up a bunch of regular season wins, but he can't lead that team through the playoffs. We saw up close that Howard looks invincible against every team he plays against, except us.
We know that for the playoffs, we are built to succeed.
Our best leader is a (relatively) old man. This Laker team will find it VERY hard to stay that motivated and focused to suppress the charge of the opponent 70 times this season. It isn't going to happen.
Plus, it is a bad overall strategy to sacrifice the playoffs for the regular season. I bet both Kobe and PJ will do something at some point in the season where it seems like they've inexplicably given away a sure win. We will, in unison, scream at the TV wondering, "WTF?!?!?!?!?".
They will try to keep 70 wins just out of reach so that guys don't overdo it trying to reach that goal.
It isn't a coincidence that the Bulls set the record in MJ's first full season back after retirement. There was a LOT to prove that season. The list of things to prove for Chicago was longer than Capone's rap sheet.
In order for these Lakers to win 70+ games, the bench must dramatically improve. As in revert to 2008's bench that used to close out games for us. When the bench gets back to the point where they are playing all of the fourth quarters again (remember when that used to happen?), then our win/loss record will be largely theirs. This group has enough to prove (namely, that they don't suck like they did last year) that maybe they can be counted on to close out 20 or so wins on their own for us.
Other than that, forget about it!
--Fearless
Posted by: Fearless | October 29, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Ok I'll bite.
Kobe needs to:
1. Outscore a team for a game. He already outscored the Mavs for 3 quarters.
2. Get a quadrupled double- pts, rebounds, assist and turnovers. Beat that, Mike!
3. Sweep the playoffs - fo, fo, fo, fo for real.
4. Block Josh Powell's and/or Luke's shot in a game. Heck, Mikan did it.
5. Get 20 boards.
6. Actually get Bynum traded. J/K LakerTom, couldn't resist.
And (drumroll please)
7. Use his 5th championship purse money to throw a barbecue at the beach.
Posted by: p ang | October 29, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Mamba24b
Put me on the Ron Ron Blog Blog bandwagon whenever the powers that be allow. Thanks.
Posted by: lone star laker fan | October 29, 2009 at 08:29 AM
P Ang,
"Block Josh Powell's and/or Luke's shot in a game. Heck, Mikan did it."
I laughed.
AK
Posted by: Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky | October 29, 2009 at 08:38 AM
Put me on the Ron Ron Blog Blog bandwagon whenever the powers that be allow. Thanks. Posted by: lone star laker fan | October 29, 2009 at 08:29 AM
Yes Sir, you got it Lone Star.
Posted by: mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 08:43 AM
Mamba24,
Please put me on the Ron Ron bandwagon. Ron would be our resident crazy which is saying a lot in our crazy Laker world!!! Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | October 29, 2009 at 08:47 AM
P ang,
That is a freakin outstanding list. #7 would be the most awesome!
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | October 29, 2009 at 08:48 AM
What Kobe has to prove
(01) That he can handle a wheelchair better than THE TRUTH.
(02) That he’s not afraid to hit Dfish in the head like MJ hit Steve Kerr
(03) That he can give an aceptance speech that is the most hatred filled piece of
Garbage ever just like mike.
(04) That he can start refering to the rest of the Team as MJ did “His supporting cast”
(05) That he can lose a half million dollars at a round of golf.
Posted by: mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 08:50 AM
gonna put this out there, because I'd like to see it happen.
Pau Gasol will win the Final MVP.....with a beaming and genuinely happy Kobe Bryant cheering him on. It would be reminiscent of Worthy getting the MVP....and it would be a sign of Kobe's maturity as well. Posted by: #4 | October 29, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Sounds good #4 but you know that then the critics will be all over him saying he let the 3rd option beat him out for the MVP something that hate filled bitter old decrepit icon MJ never would. I also know I'm going to be attacked for saying this even though every body knows I'm the biggest Kobe fan on the blog, but...In all honest Pau should have won the MVP last year and Kobe's trying so hard to be the best laker player and win the MVP almost cost them a game.
THERE I SAID IT. NOW I'M PUTTING ON MY PURPLE AND GOLD THONG FOR PROTECTION! LOL!!
Posted by: mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 08:57 AM
Another nice win last night for the "old men" Boston Celtics. You'd think, in their "geriatric" state, back to back games would be their downfall - such is not the case. Cavs lose again, but, hey, they have Shaq, a former Laker, so they aren't "old and slow" right?
Fearless - thank you. As a non-lakers fan I have been saying for a long time that right now, today, your bench is not good enough to win 70 games. FINALLY, someone agrees with me. Now, your TEAM is good enough, but only if the top 6 play 40 mins a game each, and then be burned out for the playoffs.
LakerTom - Yankees in 5?? Yankees have better starting pitching and a better bullpen?? Hmmmmmm...... care to revise?
Posted by: stillhavethoseballoons? | October 29, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Good morning Mamba24 & the fabulous Laker morning CRUE!!!
WUTTUP??!!!!!
Mamba24 - seriously? I have to ASK to be put on the "Bring in Thriller to post on the LA TIMES Lakers Blog" bandwagon? WTH?? About a month or so ago I posted that this should take place, or that he get on here for a live chat, or a podcast. Where were you when I had this fabulous idea? NO WHERE - that's where. Not posting on the blog over the summer like you should have been. Not contributing to the alleviation of our summer suffering without Lakers basketball to quell the jonesing. No. Just out galivanting around - wearing the purple & gold thong to shreds - drinking, partying, carousing, causing trouble....I'm sure the list goes on and on.
So - here we are now at a very important juncture. Please - for the love of god - get me on that bandwagon!!! Thriller is all about the love of the game and the love of the fans. He should be a regular on here. And I should be on the bandwagon.
'nuf said. :)
GO LAKERS!!
Nothing but another title will suffice.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2009 at 09:08 AM
I found the blog about Kobe wins a ring without Fisher is ridiculously idiotic. What's next? Kobe wins one w/o Gasol? Kobe wins one playing one against five opponents? This is a team game; even when Shaq was here; Kobe's contribution was monumental.
Posted by: CTran | October 29, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Mamba24 -
"I also know I'm going to be attacked for saying this even though every body knows I'm the biggest Kobe fan on the blog, but...In all honest Pau should have won the MVP last year and Kobe's trying so hard to be the best laker player and win the MVP almost cost them a game."
_________________
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Now you went and done it!!! The Sherrif is going to take you out back and give you the kind of whupping that's reserved for hoss thieves and varmints!!!
You in troubbbble!!!!!!!
You dang straight better get that thong on for protection my friend. It ain't going to stop what's coming (and what you totally deserve) but it may help alleviate the suffering.
Once you're properly chastised you better go say your Hail Kobe's and Our PJ's - to prove you're geniuinely repentent - or else there will be more where that came from young man.
Now scat!!! HAHAHAHHA!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Another nice win last night for the "old men" Boston Celtics. You'd think, in their "geriatric" state, back to back games would be their downfall - such is not the case. Cavs lose again, but, hey, they have Shaq, a former Laker, so they aren't "old and slow" right? Posted by: stillhavethoseballoons? | October 29, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Come on Mr. ballons sir stop it, Stop IT NOW!!. I'm praying like heck that the septics win as many games as possible in the East so that they can meet the Lakers in the finals. Then and only then will you be convinced to leave the Dark Green Slime side and come over and join the forces of Light Purple and Gold. It will be a shock I know when the Truh is revealed to be a Lie and the freakin bald headed giant lunatic be revealed to be what he is. A freaking bald headed giant basketball playing lunatic. And Black jesus will be able to reverse the process and turn "whine" into to water(tears). So I'm rooting for your team till the finals sir. Can you say the same about you and The Lakers.
Mamab24
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 09:18 AM
I saw the Nuggets game last night and I sense their intensity to declare that they are the new bad boys of NBA. They're a bunch of hungry cayotes trying to intimidate anyone comes to their stadium. Artest good behavior and control will be tested, once they get to the Nuggthugs.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 29, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Little Chicken-
You forgot about Phil's hip. Your list is getting longer and longer. Didnt Sasha have a brain cramp?
I hear this years rings will be made of 18k gold.
Posted by: 131-92 | October 29, 2009 at 08:10 AM
Oh I didn't forget 82. And yet, you've only got KG's knee as an excuse. Tsk tsk. That's your excuse right? Awesome.
The Celtics "championship" is looking less and less legit with all the conditions you've added
And you said it, not me!
I may lead the Celtic horses to water, but this one goes ahead and drowns himself in it!
XOXO,
Little Chicken
Posted by: little chicken | October 29, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Mamba24, Please put me on the Ron Ron bandwagon. Ron would be our resident crazy which is saying a lot in our crazy Laker world!!! Go Lakers!!!V Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | October 29, 2009 at 08:47 AM
I'm sorry sir. I will put you on the list but "Ron would be our resident crazy" Never!! THEY CAN TAKE MY PURPLE & GOLD THONG BUT...THEY CAN NEVER TAKE MY FREEEDOMMMM TO BE THE BLOGS RESIDENT CRAZY!!!! Never, Never, Never!!! OH THE HUMANITY. I don' think we are in LA any more Toto! Kobe give me those ruby slippers!!!!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 09:23 AM
WUTTUP??!!!!! Mamba24 - seriously? I have to ASK to be put on the "Bring in Thriller to post on the LA TIMES Lakers Blog" bandwagon? WTH?? About a month or so ago I posted that this should take place, or that he get on here for a live chat, or a podcast. Where were you when I had this fabulous idea? NO WHERE - that's where. Not posting on the blog over the summer like you should have been. Not contributing to the alleviation of our summer suffering without Lakers basketball to quell the jonesing. No. Just out galivanting around - wearing the purple & gold thong to shreds - drinking, partying, carousing, causing trouble....I'm sure the list goes on and on. so - here we are now at a very important juncture. Please - for the love of god - get me on that bandwagon!!! Thriller is all about the love of the game and the love of the fans. He should be a regular on here. And I should be on the bandwagon. Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2009 at 09:08 AM
Father forgive me for I have sinned. Oh wise and forgiving Head of the Mamba Clan forgive this wayward Family member for such a transgression! WTF was I thinking! LOL!
Once you're properly chastised you better go say your Hail Kobe's and Our PJ's - to prove you're geniuinely repentent - or else there will be more where that came from young man.
Now scat!!! HAHAHAHHA!! Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2009 at 09:14 AM
HAIL KOBE FULL OF GRACE PHIL JACKSON IS WITH US
HAIL KOBE FULL OF GRACE PHIL JACKSON IS WITH US
HAIL KOBE FULL OF GRACE PHIL JACKSON IS WITH US
HAIL KOBE FULL OF GRACE PHIL JACKSON IS WITH US...
PHIL JACKSON IS OUR SHEPHARD I SHALL NOT WANT
HE LEADETH US TO NBA TITLES, HE CREATS DYNASTY'S
PHIL JACKSON IS OUR SHEPHARD I SHALL NOT WANT
HE LEADETH US TO NBA TITLES, HE CREATS DYNASTY'S...
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Artest good behavior and control will be tested, once they get to the Nuggthugs. Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 29, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Aw come on Edwin. they are not Bad boys. As a wise man once said "They probably just need a hug" Lol!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Another nice win last night for the "old men" Boston Celtics. You'd think, in their "geriatric" state, back to back games would be their downfall - such is not the case. Cavs lose again, but, hey, they have Shaq, a former Laker, so they aren't "old and slow" right?
Fearless - thank you. As a non-lakers fan I have been saying for a long time that right now, today, your bench is not good enough to win 70 games. FINALLY, someone agrees with me. Now, your TEAM is good enough, but only if the top 6 play 40 mins a game each, and then be burned out for the playoffs.
Posted by: stillhavethoseballoons? | October 29, 2009 at 09:00 AM
As a non-Laker/non-Celtic/non-Cavs fan, I can see that you're hung up on being an old man. Oops, I mean, the Celtics being old men.
Geez, typos, so hard to fix on the internet. Where's my white out?
Its okay the Celtics, they're still "champs" in 08, despite what 82-101 thinks. they'll always be "champs" in 08.
As an unbiased troll, I mean fan (there I go again, geez), the Boston Celtics will forever be known as the 2008 NBA "Champs" to everyone that is a non-fan of either team.
"Champs", LOLz
Posted by: little chicken | October 29, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Observations on first game:
-Both Clippers and Lakers were in pre-season form. Clippers were just worse than the Lakers. Baron was awful, that Eric Gordon kid is good. -I didn't notice anything outstanding in LA's defense last night except for Artest and Kobe's individual defense. I hope LA keeps an eye on Boston's defense, the competition will be good for their focus. Posted by: LakerinBC | October 29, 2009 at 01:40 AM
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN(Drum Roll Please)
The first one for today...OUT FREAKIN STANDING!!!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 09:42 AM
puddle,
>>> Sorry to burst your bubble but NBA.com already uses a formula almost exactly like that
>>> called Efficiency. The only difference is that they don't use fouls as a negative in the formula,
>>> so Bynum's Eff for the first game was +33.
-
Thanks for the info. I was pretty sure that the formula was nothing new. It’s interesting that they do not show it on the game scoreboard – just on the player’s season-to-date stats.
-
>>> The problem with this formula is that it does not account for pace or minutes played.
>>> Guys like Stephen Jackson who play a ton of minutes in a fast paced system get overvalued
>>> whereas guys like Mareesse Speights, who last year played very few minutes in a slower paced
>>> system, get undervalued.
-
I agree that the formula is not perfect but what I love about it is how easy it is to calculate for any player for one game, season-to-date, or career. It will obviously work better comparing contributions from players on the same team rather than players on different teams.
-
I also like how it naturally benefits guys like Pau and Drew who shoot a very high percentage from the field as well as drawing lots of fouls for free throws. I’m going to track the Lakers players for a while and see how the results compare with my impression of the players’ performances.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 29, 2009 at 09:46 AM
"Champs", LOLz Posted by: little chicken | October 29, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Little Chicken, We've told you a million times don't tease the Trolls!! Either BarBQue them or give them to Rover. Now stop playing with your food like that. Lol!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 09:47 AM
What a stupid article, you have to much time on your hands.
Posted by: 2 PHATT | October 29, 2009 at 09:47 AM
OK FOLKS, ALL IN THAT WANT TO GET IN:
THE RONARTEST AS BLOGGER ON THE LAKERSBLOG IS GOING OUT IN 1 HOUR FROM NOW!!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 29, 2009 at 09:49 AM
LET MAMBA24 POST BANDWAGONS bandwagon - all aboard!!!!
AK/BK - we LIKE having the bandwagons posted throughout the day. No one who matters complained - why the censoring?
Just curious - not a slight to you guys AT ALL. I really appreciate all you do - like most everyone on here.... :)
Posted by: justanothermambafan | October 29, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Mamba,
Add me to Ron Artest Blog with us bandwagon.
What a great idea.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 29, 2009 at 09:52 AM