NOW we're done.

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kettle - you can come home now. But be careful - it gets REALLY freaky around here at night....

The Lakers' frontcourt is simply too dominant, in every sense of the word.

Give Kobe Bryant all the props you want, but acknowledge that the Lakers' frontcourt has been without equivalent peer for the last two seasons.

If the frontcourt and especially Bynum can stay healthy, there is no reason why the Lakers can't three-peat, or four-peat, or five-peat.

James Wong

And I'm watching "Shaolin Soccer" again. The kung fu genra is really in good hands these days with these new suprisingly good kung fu comedies and a long run of kung fu epics like the Once upon a Time series, IP Man, and whatever Woo Ping is doing.

Anyone see "Iron Monkey?" I love that film.

Wes

...finally...after the long arduous journey, we're finally in Lalaland!...Caracter is relieved and smiling ear to ear...the mighty Lakers host greets us, led by Justa...the prophecy of JonK has been fulfilled...Caracter looks around and thanks the entire Laker family for the warm welcome...he is far from satisfied in just getting here...now the greatest journey actually begins...it's all about the love...to be continued

Great news, good Job Mitch. Thanks Dr Buss!!!!

Kobe, Dereck, Bynum , Pau & Artest are really the fantastic five not those ladies playing for miami.

The Miami locker room is a bomb and can't wait to see it explode.

The starters are superb, WOW! Hope PJ give minutes to the bench to have the fantastics healthy for the finals...

Lakers = NBA dominance

great!
done.

Have we signed that Kobe caracter yet? ;)

Caracter can really ball. I predict a breakout season from him.

It's all about keeping the ball moving down the road, working on the next generation. San Antonio had their nuggets--Hill and Blair--over the past 2 years. They are beginning to think about the make-up of their squad after Timmy, Manu, and TP are gone. The Lakers have a few more good years with their core, but they also have to start loading up. Ebanks and Caracter (along with Bynum) are either the actual pieces (or else the pieces that will help beget the pieces) for the next run after Kobe et al.

The FO has done a very good job here--keeping up with the OKC and SA Joneses.

LakerTom.

It would be a great story if he will follow what Vlade Divac did and negotiate for contract readjustment, then apply as a Laker scout. Should Ron Lester go to another team as a GM, Luke could be the asst. GM. His services will be much needed in that area knowing fully well the triangle and scout at the strategies of other teams. He could design a counter strategy by using the elements of the triangle. Don't you think we'll hit three birds with one stone. Ebanks becomes a Laker regular, JB saves a lot of luxury taxes and beef up his profit margins and lastly, Luke would be appreciated by all the fans not only by some of the fans.

By the way, it was reported that Caracter received a higher offer in Europe but declined all offer in lieu of being a Laker. Another Ebanks is being given almost a half million on non-guaranteed basis because of Luke and luxury taxes. He gladly accepted and proud to be a Laker.

I think Mitch deserve our much praise for a job well done and how he navigated the intricacies of contracts that meet all objectives. It would be a miracle if Blazers would suddenly call at the middle of the night to offer Rudy Fernandez in exchange of Sasha last year contract. At least they get something in return than retaining a player who does not want to join the team. That's manna from heaven, Rudy is much better than Sasha.

Would be great to see Rudy here, but can't see that happening. Intra-conference rivalry dictates against it. And while Rudy, I think, would enjoy being on Pau's team, I also think that he would bristle at the limited minutes. He wants a chance to play--which he won't really get in abundance/consistently here.

Beyond that, he's not solid on the defensive end. He is Barnes inside out--offense first, defense able, but as an afterthought.

An upgrade over Sasha, but still not a game-changing solution.

Not a word here so far about Matt Barnes' dustup in San Francisco last night. They were talking about it this afternoon on 710ESPN. Some assistant coach in a pickup summer league game got in Barnes' face with some wisecracks and Barnes hit the guy.

Not a good move by a guy looking to make a championship team his home.

LRob,

If I'm not mistaken, when both Caracter and EBanks declared for the draft, they were both initially projected to possibly be lottery picks. But, both had some questions of character (pun not intended) that dropped their stocks drastically. Both seemed to have screwed themselves out of millions of guaranteed dollars because they could not control their teenage tendencies.

But, on the other hand, those faux pas are the only way either could have possibly ever even considered winding up on the Lakers. Sort of like being rewarded for screwing up...

Plus, $1.1 million isn't really that bad, anyway. Is it?

--FEARless

I wonder if JVGundy saw this LBJ video before he declared the Heat was great and unguardable. Here it is LBJ was heckled at Ohio theme park:

http://network.yardbarker.com/NBA/article_external/LeBron_Misses_Shots_Heckled_At_Ohio_Theme_Park/3039155

...and thank God Arash Markazi wasn’t shooting these videos, or they never would’ve seen the light of day!

Glad the 2 rooks are signed, hope to see 'em in action in the preseason.

=====

@LT

I agree with you about 'Night Shift'. That was the first time I saw Keaton and he was hilarious and Winkler did a suprisingly good job at playing his straightman, which was totally out of character for him at the time, as most fans only remembered him for his role as 'The Fonz' from the 'Happy Days' tv series.

=====

@Wes

I see that you found 'Ip Man'. I just added it to my Blockbuster queue now that it's available. Although there are versions of 'Iron Monkey', I'll be sure to check out both of them. Thanks for the recommendation.


BTW, if anyone here has recommendations for really funny film comedies, I'd greatly appreciate you sharing them, as I'm trying to add to my limited collection. Thanks in advance.


Let's go Ls...all the way to a 3-peat!!!!!

Based on the rules, Ebanks got the minimum rate eventhough it's just a non-guaranteed contract.

11. What are the players' salary restrictions?
There are both minimum and maximum salaries, and both are based on how long the player has been in the league. The minimum salaries scale upward each season. Here are the minimum salaries:

Years in NBA** 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
0 - $457,588 $473,604 $490,180
1 - $736,420 $762,195 $788,872

If Luke plays and Ebanks is the 14th player, Lakers spent double on his contract because of taxes. I guess Lakers learned the hard lesson in the past of not retaining players being benched or in street clothes throughout the year. Based on Ebank's capabilities as a slasher and Caracter as a diabolical power forward who wants to dominate rebounds, we have two youth who are diamond in a rough. PJ should tweak his style a little bit and trust our youth. We need them to play during the season while reserve the veteran's legs in the playoffs.

If I'm not mistaken, when both Caracter and EBanks declared for the draft, they were both initially projected to possibly be lottery picks. But, both had some questions of character (pun not intended) that dropped their stocks drastically. Both seemed to have screwed themselves out of millions of guaranteed dollars because they could not control their teenage tendencies.

But, on the other hand, those faux pas are the only way either could have possibly ever even considered winding up on the Lakers. Sort of like being rewarded for screwing up...
Plus, $1.1 million isn't really that bad, anyway. Is it?

Posted by: FEARless | August 12, 2010 at 08:54 PM
-----

Fearless - I don't think either one was considered a lottery pick when they declared. I do think Ebanks was considered a possible 1st rd. It was written that he declared so he could get in before the new CBA. But I was not familiar with any problems he had. On the other hand Caracter issues have been well documented. He knew coming into the draft that he was a long shot to be drafted in the first rd based on his history. Either way they were great picks by Mitch cause he went out and got them when others shied away...Like JW did with Van Exel.

"If Luke plays and Ebanks is the 14th player, Lakers spent double on his contract because of taxes. I guess Lakers learned the hard lesson in the past of not retaining players being benched or in street clothes throughout the year. Based on Ebank's capabilities as a slasher and Caracter as a diabolical power forward who wants to dominate rebounds, we have two youth who are diamond in a rough. PJ should tweak his style a little bit and trust our youth. We need them to play during the season while reserve the veteran's legs in the playoffs.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 12, 2010 at 09:07 PM"

Hello Edwin, I don't like to think that the last players added are the cause of the team having to pay the salary cap penalthy. The blame is the compilation of the entire team. Although at times we think about how the result of shedding a player results in double the savings, that is true and makes that move sound delightfully rewarding. Kobe and Pau are just as responsible for the penalty as Ebanks and Caracter. It's a money game and we are lucky to have an owner such as Jerry Buss, and not like Donald Sterling, or like the owner of the T-Wolves, they are at 37 million total, but I think they didn't factor in a player or two yet.
37 million is what???? Kobe plus Pau's salaries??? No, actually Kobe plus Pau comes out to around $42,000,000. The Lakers are truly at a stage where the saying "you get what you pay for" applies.

How good is Blake Griffin??? I never saw him play in college, or his few seconds if there were any for the Clippers??? Because size-wise isn't he built somewhat like Lebron????? Any quick comparisons, or just comments on Griffin would be appreciated.

Edwin Gueco:

You wrote: I think Mitch deserve our much praise for a job well done and how he navigated the intricacies of contracts that meet all objectives.

Response: Glad that you finally realize and see how good of GM Mitch Cupcake is or rather for some of us has been all along, even when some fans, cough, cough have been very critical of him in the past. Jew know what I mean amigo..

How conveeeeenient!!

Edwin - I deleted the post that just had the period. I'm not just lowering the standard. People can write as much as they want or as long as they want so long as it's not offensive.

MM

Edwin Gueco:

You wrote:

Let's put the two rookies as icing of the cake. We don't really need the icing but it looks good if they are part of the whole cake. There are some part of the cake that is rotten, untouchable but it occupies space, cake would look awful if you remove the slice, it has to be reshaped in order to remove the ackward part. I'm talking here of those making 5M but not helping the team much.

Response:

Sounds like you have been smoking that funny stuff again...huh. what are you trying to say young fella, hahahaha

How conveeeeeeenient !

Excellent news on Caracter! I guess the roster is set now.

Mitch & off-season moves = A+

Go Lakers!

With these last two signings we have just concluded what has to be the best offseason since the one that brought Kobe and Shaq to Los Angeles. How often can a two-time defending champion spend the summer bringing back all its starters, while significantly improving its bench and its defense and athleticism?

Out: Morrison, Farmar, Mbenga & Powell

In: Ebanks, Blake, Ratliff & Caracter

Those are huge upgrades at every position where a guy from last year was replaced, and those who left are the ones who made the Laker bench so weak last year. After a long season and a grueling playoff run, I did not anticipate sitting here in August wanting the season to start TOMORROW, but that's what this offseason did. Excellent job by the front office.

LRob,

I immediately thought of Nick the Quick when I read the history of Caracter. Maybe he will similarly pan out. He *was* lottery material without the character issues, however. I have no doubt that he may have realized his error awhile ago. However, at his age, opportunities to show growth don't really start until now.

He may eventually recieve his payday. BTW, I teach a student in High School right now with possible lottery pick skills who is living his high school years in much the same way as Caracter, Van Exel, and Smush (to be honest). Unfortunately, this student is not straightening his life out. He looks destined to be a playground legend who goes nowhere as an adult.

On the other hand, I also taught two of the top five California Prep prospects in basketball. Both of them are going to Cal and they have bright futures ahead of them. One of that pair is also a straight "A" student. I've mentored all three as well as taught them. I only seem to have turned two of the three around.

Of course, I think of the one that I couldn't reach...

I am not only hoping and wishing for the best for those two, but I also pray for them, because their roads back are long and by no means over.

--FEARless

Chevelle,

Thanks for filling in the blanks about EBanks and Caracter. But, how fortuitous is it that you wind up on the Lakers on your path to career recovery? That seemed to work handsomely for Van Exel but not for Smush. I hope for the best for these two.

--FEARless

Church Lady,

You're not "playing" dumb.

BTW, I didn't get much done today but I just finished watching "Layer Cake" (2004) , starring Daniel Craig. I believe it was his acting in this movie that got him the Bond role. He was excellent, and the movie was pretty excellent.

A quote from the movie, by one of the established villians...

"The art of good business is being a good middleman."

I found that quote to be quite deep. I highly recommend the movie. Daniel Craig has changed just a little from 2004.

About Nick Van Exel, I always thought he was one of the streakiest shooting point guards, with very cold blood. No hesitation to shoot. Much more highly skilled than Smush Parker, but a head-case just the same.

Edwin, I agree with you about Sterling not giving a carp's arse whether the Clippers win or lose, as long as he can be seen aging distinguishingly in those television shots of him at the Clipper games.....from an 08' Forbes magazine on the Clipper's, Sterling bought them in 81' for $13 million, 08' value $297 million.

from Forbe's Magazine"
"The skinny
The Los Angeles Clippers lease at the Staples Center sums up owner Donald Sterling's philosophy of running the franchise: maximize profits by keeping fixed costs low. The Clippers pull in less revenue from premium seating and arena advertising than the typical NBA team. But they pay only $1.5 million a season in rent at the arena, which is owned and operated by AEG, owner of the Los Angeles Kings and a minority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. The Clippers have posted more than $9 million in operating profits the past five seasons despite fielding one of the worst teams in the league. In 2004 the Clippers extended their lease at Staples for 10 years."

What a shame, I live just 5 miles from the Honda Center, wouldn't mind taking in a game on days like today (during the season, and playoffs, LOL), when I don't feel like doing anything. And obviously I didn't.

If Kupchak does not get executive of the year then we will really know it's all a scam/sham.....they'll probably give it to Wade, I mean Riley, brain-flatus, sorry.

Back to the rookies, it is great that there is some thought to building a future, as I had previously believed that all focus was on the 4-5 (or less or more) years of the window of Kobe's greatness that remains. I guess once that was resolved, the focus to treat the draft picks with respect rose to the top of the list, and was resolved quickly, but brainlessly in a way.

My satisfaction is in 2 of the vets brought in Blake, who can run a team, and Barnes a guy who can change a game's tempo. I'd have to say that Blake made out the best financially in terms of his contract. Whereas Barnes was only left to take the Laker option that was left, he is definitely worth more than he is going to be paid. Perhaps, that can be fixed in the future,

Fantastic job, Mitch!!! You really have had your best off-season yet! I think you have really improved the team over last year, and that is rather awesome!

Christmas come early!

And a huge thanks to the Buss family for spending all this money!!!! They are truly all about winning titles!!!

Thank you!

There will be no character issues with Ebanks & Caracter surrounded by Fish, Kobe, LO and PJ who has handled the likes of Rodman. Along with Bynum they form a good transition core as Kobe & Gasol wind down in about 5 years.
Lakers for the first time in 3 years have a real bench!! Well done Hall of Famer Dr Buss and Mitch! Go Lakers prepare for a 3-5 Peat!!

Awesome.

What do we play for? RINGS!!!

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

GO LAKERS!!!

Give Caracter #34. The number should not be retired because of what Shaqwhore O"Neal did. That will really piss the Big Benedict Arnold!!!

I mean is physique reminds me of Sir Charles...LOL