Behind the scenes with Luke Walton and Shannon Brown
Even though the Lakers' players make millions of dollars and are venerated worldwide, I started feeling slightly bad for them during All-Star weekend.
That's because they had to answer the same questions 4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times.
The first time Kobe Bryant was asked about the Lakers' 104-99 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers he seemed slightly peeved. The hundredth time he was asked about it, he seemed like he was on the verge of shaking reporters -- and I didn't blame him.
This is the first installment of a video series with the Lakers where I ask them different questions.
Meet Shannon Brown and Luke Walton. And please let me know what questions you'd like me to ask next.
-- Melissa Rohlin
Read more about Bryant, Brown, Walton and the rest of the 2010-2011 roster in All Things Lakers, the Los Angeles Times’ interactive database of all things purple and gold.
******REPOST******
GAME DAY!
A little Stan Kenton to get the blood flowing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdiWwGmML5k
KOBE BEAN BRYANT IS "THE LOGO OF PROFESSIONALISM!"
Posted by: The Triangulator | March 22, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Melissa,
What have you done?
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?!??!?
You've started a Luke thread? Do you have any idea the havoc you are about to unleash?
Urgh.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 22, 2011 at 12:26 PM
@ LakerTom
Thank you for your kind words regarding my post. In return, allow me to express my deep appreciation for your basketball acumen, life wisdom, and significant contributions over the years to this Lakers Blog. May your posts never be overlooked, or taken for granted.
To stay on point: LO is one of the most popular members of the squad, and it is easy to see why. Just a brief look into his overall demeanor, personality, and character, speaks volumes. As his manager declared at Khloe and Lamar's wedding reception, to know LO is to love him. Lamar has a huge heart, and is a deeply caring and sensitive human being.
It seems to speak to our sense of justice, and hopeful wish for 'fairness' in the universe, when Good Things happen to Good People. People like Lamar Odom.
P & G R
Posted by: Purple & Gold Reign | March 22, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Melissa, What have you done? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?!??!?
You've started a Luke thread? Do you have any idea the havoc you are about to unleash? Urgh.Posted by: Jon K. | March 22, 2011 at 12:26 PM
*
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: mamab24 | March 22, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Hahaha. Let the fun begin!
Posted by: Melissa Rohlin | March 22, 2011 at 12:34 PM
@PG&R... I could not agree more with your comments about Lamar and karma. And ditto all your kind words about my posts. I always enjoy your takes on things Lakers and your diligent and constant support for the team and every one of its players. I see the Purple and Gold Reign lasting a lot longer than the rest of the NBA and basketball world expect. Kobe may actually win 11 rings.
...............................
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | March 22, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Too late Jon K..It has begun..
If only Luke Walton's game was as deep as his voice.
Posted by: never | March 22, 2011 at 01:00 PM
WOOT WOOT!
888 is back and the blog is a better place because of it!!!!!
Let's not mistake passion with anger like some people did before. That's what makes his takes unique, he has intelligent posts mixed in with pure, unfiltered LAKER LOVE!
888 BRINGS IT! He fights the good fight and he sees things through a GHF prism - therefore he becomes a troll-magnet - but be SURE the stuff he went through the last time, the attacks, the posters singling him, the jerks taking up names after things he said - those things will eventually happen again UNLESS WE ALL TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN BLOG!
It is NOT up to MM to police us like school children, dictate bans down on us like lightning bolts thrown down by Zeus from the heavens above! We have to be able to speak up and protect our own!
888 you can be SURE that as long as I'm around I'll have your back! I'm NOT AFRAID to stand up for WHAT IS JUST!
Equality works only when it's administered equally. A knife cuts both ways. Therefore, we can't sit idly aside when wrongdoings are happening, we have to stand up for what is RIGHT! Peace and love are great unless someone brings a machine gun into the commune!
Because, yes, there IS a right and wrong! The attacks against 888 were WRONG!
In theory, yes, we should all love the countless 'Fish/Luke sucks' garbage as equally as we should love Zaira (come back Zaira!) and her beautiful posts. Reality is, one is bringing a NEGATIVE ENERGY. But, are both equally entitled to post? HECK YEAH!
Bottom line is we all love our Lakers, each of us with our own unique views. But how can we tell 888 to not post in his passionate way? How can we be less tolerant of 888, and then speak up for the rights of negative posters? That is as hypocritical a thing as possible!
I for one WELCOME 888's FIERY PASSION!
WELCOME 888's KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME!
WELCOME 888's LAKER LOVE!
Mostly though WELCOME 888 BACK TO THE BLOG!
Welcome back bro! This place wasn't the same without ya!
AS ALWAYS - AND FOREVER - GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Jon K, htj, iheartkb24: Nice goin!
Posted by: CyberCosmiX | March 22, 2011 at 01:10 PM
That was fun Melissa, looks like Luke and Shannon enjoyed your questions a lot more than those pesky questions from Medina!
- - -
LakerTom: CONGRATS on coaching your kids to the title! Judging from your hoop knowledge I know the kids had a great coach leading them to their championship!
Darren Collison? YEAH! Now that would solidify our PG for years to come!
Also, I'm very happy about how the whole Bynum thing went down. He showed toughness, ok maybe not the smartest play but I'll take it. I'm positive that players around the league watched that footage, it may have cost him two games but the number of changed/distorted shots in the future that caused will be priceless!
About those missed games, what a perfect way for him to get a weeks rest. Look at what he did after the all-star break, those days off worked wonders. Now, Drew gets a chance to recharge his batteries just in time for the stretch run. I love how Kobe spoke up for him too, KB knows that this sent a message around the league, this was an important event in a young players career. In my mind Drew is right there with the Kobe, Fish, & Artest. Remember that hit Fish leveled Scola with a couple years back in the playoffs? That was a message sent - just as this was. LOVE IT!
AS ALWAYS - AND FOREVER - GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Posted by: CyberCosmiX | March 22, 2011 at 01:24 PM
woops, meant to say "In my mind Drew is right there with the Kobe, Fish, & Artest as far as toughness." in the 1:24 post above. I could thank my pet chorkie jumping on my lap for that.
BTW, have a puppy needing to find a home. Let me know if anyone is interested, it's a boy and he's black/white, a very cute little thing, about 11 weeks old. For those interested, he's half chorkie (chihuahua/yorkie) and half pomeranian/wire haired terrier. Anyone wanting him will have to come to the high desert to get him though.
AS ALWAYS - AND FOREVER - GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Posted by: CyberCosmiX | March 22, 2011 at 01:30 PM
@PG&R
Great post on Lamar! I love Lamar and think he is as important to the Laker’s success as LakerTom thinks Bynum is to our success. He is my favorite player on the team both on and off the court. I for one thought the marriage to Kloe was not going to be good as I can’t stand that family and their need to always be in the spotlight. I can happily say that early on in the season I saw it was the complete opposite; he has become more of a mature and confident man at ease with himself and his role on our team and in life. How can you not love Lamar Odom?
@Lrob
You brought up some good points around the NBA that I have been thinking about. What happened to Collison? He has been underwhelming and not quite the steal that I thought he was going to be for Indiana. I do agree with LakerTom that he would be a great fit for our team considering his D and he wouldn’t be asked to do much offensively on our team. I just thought he was going to have a break-out season this year.
Why doesn’t or hasn’t Pop played Splitter more this year? It’s not like he is a developing young player, he has been Europe’s best player similar to Gasol, Scola, and Manu. Like Bynum will continue our great fortune, Splitter will continue San Antonio’s great fortune long after Duncan is gone guarantee it.
As far as the Nuggets, I for one would declare them the winners early on. I would normally say you always trade 4 quarters for a dollar, except I think the Knicks traded an Italian Lira, a Ruble, two solid fifty-cent pieces and some change for a winkled dollar bill that needs to be ironed out in order to fit into the machine and another old fifty-cent piece that may work in the machine and some pennies. With the new CBA limiting exceptions and hardening the cap this era of Big 3’s is going to back fire on New York and Miami. What can you add that you need with less flexibility? I know Denver won in the short term (record, money, flexibility), and I’m pretty sure with the new CBA they definitely will be better off in the long term.
Posted by: NBA4ever | March 22, 2011 at 01:43 PM
@MVP – Wow. That is a great song, but I had no idea of its significance for you. I know he rocks on his show, but I’m not an XMer.
@PG & R – excellent post on the versatility of LO…and the life lesson his story provides. It’s amazing that earlier in the season some were criticizing LO for during his reality show because it would distract his on court performance.
@LT - I believe Collison has a bright future as well, however, this season has been a struggle for him.
@DBDH – Lakers don’t need HC to bump off SA.
Posted by: LRob | March 22, 2011 at 01:45 PM
If only Luke Walton's game was as deep as his voice.
Posted by: never | March 22, 2011 at 01:00 PM
LOL good one!
Posted by: NBA4ever | March 22, 2011 at 01:46 PM
I did really like Luke's answers. He didn't miss a beat on the bar question: "Ron Artest". Probably something he's had to think about once or twice.
Posted by: Jolly Rancher | March 22, 2011 at 01:47 PM
CCX
I love you, man! Thanks for the ridiculously kind words. Talk about going overboard! Please do me the kind favor and don't forget about us at the other forum because you are highly respected there, too. I decided that if I was going to come back, I would not mince words or be someone I'm not.
SPEAKING OF WHICH ....
.... yes, YELLOFEVER, if you want to attack me (like you already have with that lead right hand you threw at 11:41 AM in the previous thread), GO FOR IT! Go ahead and have your alter ego PSP show up for more nothingness which no one finds funny anyway. "His" posts are devoid of any socially redeeming value whatsoever, so if "he" wants to embarrass "himself" by peppering this blog with that empty BS, let him enjoy "himself."
By the way, I saw that you pleasured yourself to Derek Fisher having his arm bent like a pretzel by Kwame Brown and shared your joy with everyone. I would have banned you once and for all for that classless blog entry, but MM is a much more forgiving person than me. Did you ever issue an apology or retraction for those uncalled for comments?
Passionately yours,
KobeMVP888
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | March 22, 2011 at 01:48 PM
It's true, I asked Luke to sign inappropriate body parts.
If you put Luke's basketball brain in Shannon's body, you'd have a hell of a player.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | March 22, 2011 at 01:53 PM
ZOINKS!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ap.CvW7VvIvbptQDfy.mGcS8vLYF?slug=ap-spurswithoutduncan
@ LRob,
Indeed! However, it would be nice to carry that luxury [HCA] further into the playoffs when things start getting a little tougher. My homer bravado runs deep, brother... but reality states that HCA is rather important. How important to the Lakers matters not. The onus of being the visitor weighs on their opponents more than it does the Lakers. The Mavs, for instance, would suffocate under the immense pressure of 4 games in LA vs. 4 games in Big D. Like Ace Ventura said, "Put me in, Coach! It's all psychological!"
DBDH!
Posted by: Don't Blame Del Harris! | March 22, 2011 at 01:59 PM
If you put Luke's basketball brain in Shannon's body, you'd have a hell of a player.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | March 22, 2011 at 01:53 PM
@Tom Daniels
What a perfect analogy! Still rather have Sasha over Brown. Farmar over Blake! And anyone over Luke not making $6mill a year!
Posted by: NBA4ever | March 22, 2011 at 02:01 PM
I'd ask Luke why he is known for partying so much and if he thinks it has had a negative impact on his basketball abilities.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 22, 2011 at 02:02 PM
It's true, I asked Luke to sign inappropriate body parts. If you put Luke's basketball brain in Shannon's body, you'd have a hell of a player. Posted by: Tom Daniels | March 22, 2011 at 01:53 PM
*
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | March 22, 2011 at 02:06 PM
*_______________________________________________________________________*
WELCOME BACK KOBEMVP888 – BANDWAGON
*________________________________________________________________________*
LT I had a great conversation with Jon K in person which sealed the deal. I have to be myself and bring my passion. If you mess with Bynum, you're a dead man. Fisher .. dead! PJ .. dead! Niedermeyer ...... "Dead! Bluto's right. Psychotic... but absolutely right. We gotta take these bastards. Now we could do it with conventional weapons, but that could take years and cost millions of lives. No, I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part!" Tom, we're just the guys to do it. Let's DO IT!!!! Posted by: KobeMVP888 | March 21, 2011 at 09:18 P
No Edwin, I am not angry. Think of me as being sensitive just like yourself. Jon K told me that he met you and that you are a great guy. I assumed that would be the case. But please, enough lectures on how to blog. I have my style and, given that we are rapidly approaching the starting line of the Season, I intend to kick it up a notch. I want my best blogging to be come at the right time!
*_______________________________________________________________________*
Thanks to everyone for the overly kind welcome. I promise to be angrier than ever! :)
*_______________________________________________________________________*
(01) LAKERTOM – OWNER - MVP… Welcome back, Kenny. Good to see that absence hasn’t made you gun shy, LOL. KOBEMVP888... Next time you guys get together, let me know and I’ll fly down and join you. And thanks to Jon, Rose, Lew, and the others who convinced you to return to the fold. It’s going to be a blast as this season for the ages heads into the playoffs. After my own hiatus from the blog, I made a conscious effort to channel my passion towards being happy rather than angry and that has enabled me to still be myself without ending up in confrontations that dragged down the blog. So now that you’re back, let’s all work together to make this the greatest Lakers season in history
(02) CHICNSTU – CO/OWNER - Welcome back KOBEMVP888. I hope you and the rest of the Lakerholics had a blast at the game.
(03) CYBERCOSMIX – CO/OWNER -WOOT WOOT! 888 is back and the blog is a better place because of it!!!!! Let's not mistake passion with anger like some people did before. That's what makes his takes unique, he has intelligent posts mixed in with pure, unfiltered LAKER LOVE! 888 BRINGS IT! He fights the good fight and he sees things through a GHF prism - therefore he becomes a troll-magnet - but be SURE the stuff he went through the last time, the attacks, the posters singling him, the jerks taking up names after things he said - those things will eventually happen again UNLESS WE ALL TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN BLOG! it is NOT up to MM to police us like school children, dictate bans down on us like lightning bolts thrown down by Zeus from the heavens above! We have to be able to speak up and protect our own! 888 you can be SURE that as long as I'm around I'll have your back! I'm NOT AFRAID to stand up for WHAT IS JUST! Equality works only when it's administered equally. A knife cuts both ways. Therefore, we can't sit idly aside when wrongdoings are happening, we have to stand up for what is RIGHT! Peace and love are great unless someone brings a machine gun into the commune! Because, yes, there IS a right and wrong! The attacks against 888 were WRONG! In theory, yes, we should all love the countless 'Fish/Luke sucks' garbage as equally as we should love Zaira (come back Zaira!) and her beautiful posts. Reality is, one is bringing a NEGATIVE ENERGY. But, are both equally entitled to post? HECK YEAH! Bottom line is we all love our Lakers, each of us with our own unique views. But how can we tell 888 to not post in his passionate way? How can we be less tolerant of 888, and then speak up for the rights of negative posters? That is as hypocritical a thing as possible! I for one WELCOME 888's FIERY PASSION! WELCOME 888's KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME!
WELCOME 888's LAKER LOVE! Mostly though WELCOME 888 BACK TO THE BLOG! Welcome back bro! This place wasn't the same without ya!
(04) JON K – CO/DRIVER
(05) IHEARTKB24 – DRIVER - 888 - Welcome back to LAT blog!!!
(06) LAKERMIKE – RIDING SHOTGUN - 888 . . . welcome back! I appreciated your invitation to me during the down time...
(07) EDWIN GUECO - Welcome back 888....
(08) MAMAB24 – With MVP888 we are once again one Nation. Welcome Back MVP888!!!!
(09) TIDAL WAVE - Finally congratulations for your return @KOBEMVP888! I understand the people that criticize the team and sometimes when the team don't play with will it is frustrating. But I think we should take the approach like people like KOBEMVP888, MAMBA24, LROB, just to name a few that always see something positive about the team
(10) LAKERHOLIC - Welcome back 888!
(11) LROB – DJ - MVP - I had very little doubt that you'd be back because of your Laker and bball passion....I was just wondering how long and "waiting". Welcome Back. Tom Petty - The Waiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x_TXWYAH7o
(12) JOHNNYV - I want to take a moment and express my glee that Kobe MVP888 has returned to the blog. Welcome back to the fold.
(13) PSYCHEDLAKERGIRL - And while I didn't realize KobeMVP888 ever left - welcome back.
(14)
Posted by: mamba24 | March 22, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Luke probably has a future in broadcasting. He's got a great voice.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 22, 2011 at 02:23 PM
CyberCosmix - Haha you got that right. I can't really keep up with Melissa at all. She beats me in one on one. Gets better interviews than me. And is pretty much a lot cooler than me too.
Posted by: Mark Medina | March 22, 2011 at 02:23 PM
It's true, I asked Luke to sign inappropriate body parts. If you put Luke's basketball brain in Shannon's body, you'd have a hell of a player. Posted by: Tom Daniels | March 22, 2011 at 01:53 PM
You'd have a player who can jump really high only to pass the ball at his apex. Imagine Shannon Brown going sky high with the ball outstretched on his hand only to dump it off to a teammate.
Posted by: never | March 22, 2011 at 02:25 PM
Melissa,
I like your hypothetical scenario questions. You should ask more of them. Also perhaps you can ask what is their favorite Nate Dogg song?
Posted by: never | March 22, 2011 at 02:28 PM
"It's true, I asked Luke to sign inappropriate body parts. If you put Luke's basketball brain in Shannon's body, you'd have a hell of a player. Posted by: Tom Daniels | March 22, 2011 at 01:53 PM
You'd have a player who can jump really high only to pass the ball at his apex. Imagine Shannon Brown going sky high with the ball outstretched on his hand only to dump it off to a teammate.
Posted by: never | March 22, 2011 at 02:25 PM
"
HYSTERICAL!!!!!
ROFLMAO
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | March 22, 2011 at 02:31 PM
@Mark Medina and CyberCosmix: Puhhh-lease, I could never compare to the blog God! :)
@Never and Jon K.: Thanks for the question suggestions! I'm here to serve...
Posted by: Melissa Rohlin | March 22, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Never you are on a Roll!!!!!!!!!!!! Truly!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | March 22, 2011 at 02:38 PM
Melissa - Nice segment. I'll throw a couple out....
1. If player A wasn't a bball player, what do you think he'd be?
2. What actor should play them on the big screen?
3. Any thoughts on athletes sharing their political or social views?
Posted by: LRob | March 22, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Good ones LRob
JR
Posted by: Jolly Rancher | March 22, 2011 at 04:08 PM
Thanks Melissa, Luke doesn't get enough respect around here. He is cool guy that just needs regular playing time for his game to excel. Loved the questions, would love to see more of that fun personal type stuff anytime!
Posted by: Kobeayashimarue | March 22, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke........... Kareem is the Greatest!
Posted by: puroazteca71 | March 22, 2011 at 04:39 PM
"Remember that hit Fish leveled Scola with a couple years back in the playoffs? That was a message sent - just as this was. LOVE IT!
AS ALWAYS - AND FOREVER - GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Posted by: CyberCosmiX | March 22, 2011 at 01:24 PM"
Another great message-hit was in Team USA vs Spain, I think in the first few moments of the game, Kobe put Pau on his Tush...Interesting, Pau outweighs him by about 140 lbs....
...how many posts a day are going up, I havn't checked yet, but I think 3 a day should be maximum if there are hot topics, if no hot topics, then 2 a day and people can freestyle and just talk about anything here and there....
Posted by: humanomaly | March 22, 2011 at 05:16 PM
Ask Shannon what happened to Mich. State this year???
Posted by: hopalong | March 22, 2011 at 05:55 PM
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Posted by: ERGO BABY CARRIER | March 22, 2011 at 08:06 PM
Happy birthday Luke (March 28)
Posted by: Doug Swain | March 28, 2011 at 10:42 AM