Caught in the Web: Lakers preparing for matchup with New Orleans
--The Times' T.J. Simers argues Derek Fisher might be the best team player on the Lakers. Simers also takes to task the commenters who criticize Fisher.
--The Times' Mark Heisler profiles Elgin Baylor and his early, rising-star days with the Lakers.
--The Times' Broderick Turner details the Lakers' reserves' recent struggles.
--Ball Don't Lie's Dan Devine pokes fun at the Lakers humiliating Clippers center Chris Kaman.
--ESPN Los Angeles' Andy and Brian Kamenetzky discuss Andrew Bynum, the New Orleans Hornets and bad songs in their latest podcast.
--ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin catches up with former Lakers forward Trevor Ariza.
--The Orange County Register's Jeff Miller looks at how the Lakers stir drama no matter what the outcome.
--The Times-Picayune's Jimmy Smith looks at how the Hornets will try to overcome David West's injury.
--The Daily News' Elliott Teaford also highlights Jackson's defense of Fisher.
--Lakers.com's Mike Trudell, Silver Screen and Roll's DexterFishmore and previews the Lakers-Hornets game.
Tweet of the Day: "The key To hard work for me is no alcohol. Floyd Mayweather can party hard, have fun and not drink!! My body and mind has been good since!!" -- ronartest (Lakers forward Ron Artest)
Reader Comment of the Day: "Brown and Blake are probably dribbling around a bit much because the natural reflexes/triggers are not ingrained in their brains yet...an extra dribble or two, throws the other players off, worsening the offense...until it becomes natural, this is a result. Once they stop having to think, and just trust the flow of the offense, as long as the other players are making their rotations, then their "over-dribbling" will cease. Long live "The Fisher King"...." -- humanomaly
--Mark Medina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Lakers point guard Derek Fisher cuts off a drive by Clippers point guard Mo Williams during a 112-104 victory Friday night at Staples Center. Credit: Kirby Lee / US Presswire
MM - Simers's story mentions the possibility of Fish being the best "team player" and not the best player.
Thanks again for sharing the stories of Rick Friedman.Priceless.
Posted by: LakersRule(Amit) | March 27, 2011 at 12:56 PM
MM- Dude...Great story on Rick, a TRUE GENTLEMEN.
Posted by: G.Money | March 27, 2011 at 01:05 PM
humanomaly - congrats on the Friedman...
LRob - my flavor today...some childhood memories...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO8aa9PGxvU
Tonight has trap game written all over it...I hope our boys keep focused and don't let this one slip away...
Posted by: LEWSTRS | March 27, 2011 at 01:11 PM
When did TJ Simmers start writing positive articles on the Lakers?
Posted by: Troy B | March 27, 2011 at 01:12 PM
Troy B
I think he's actually written about 3 of them this season.
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | March 27, 2011 at 01:30 PM
"Whatever the reason, the idiots think themselves smarter than the coach who has won more titles than any other NBA coach."
Brilliant.
Also this guy wrote a good article? I am so confused.
Posted by: Diandra | March 27, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Checking in for game day. The Lakers were somewhat complacent against the Clippers…so I’m expecting much better execution today. Keep it rolling with 7 in a row…and then three days off before the tie-breaker against Dallas.
@Diandra – Thanks for posting Mamba’s roll call.
@humanomaly – congrats on the Friedman. I’m waiting on Shannon to return to playing more instinctive.
@Zaira – good to see you post again. You were missed.
@BronxLF & Jefe – nice selections for Mamba.
@Mark G & Lew – rocking Bruce and Ian...two for two!
Posted by: LRob | March 27, 2011 at 02:01 PM
Hard to imagine agreeing with TJ for once, but I do! Cudos!
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | March 27, 2011 at 02:17 PM
When did TJ Simmers start writing positive articles on the Lakers?
Posted by: Troy B | March 27, 2011 at 01:12 PM
Nobody has read his drool for years...
Posted by: Kobeayashimarue | March 27, 2011 at 02:17 PM
Good to read an article on Trevor/Lakers doesn't re-live his painful departure blow by blow. I still root for Trev when he's not playing the Lakers, but he's gotta improve on that 39% shooting he’s delivered the last two years.
I also enjoyed the article on Elgin. Its always good to see Laker legends get some love.
Posted by: LRob | March 27, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Phil is being honest and will be when his career is over. Dfish real role on this team is leadership because kobe as great as he is, is not a leader. Dfish is tough and can stand up to kobe. Gasol and odumb are too nice to be leaders. Elmers glue is always enquiring about fisher, but as long as the lakers are viable, fisher will be there unless they can get another tough minded leader like cp3 to be the leader.
Posted by: island priest | March 27, 2011 at 03:52 PM
"We all want to be appreciated," Fisher says. "I don't know how much better we can play as a team. Yet, there are still a high number of people that think I'm not pulling my weight."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ8YLoZKp3M
Don't worry Fish... We know your value on the team. A lot of folks may not "think" you're pulling your weight, but most of us know that while you're on the team, you're going to do everything in your power to secure a victory.
Like Simers said in his article: "The comments are idiotic for the most part, but it does not mean they don't hurt a proud athlete who believes he's giving it everything he has. And usually that's pretty good, as evidenced by the number of banners hung by the Lakers."
"Everything about the Lakers is geared toward winning playoff games. It's what they do." J.A. Adande
"Even when we didn’t make the playoffs, I thought we'd win the championship." Dr. Buss
Go Lakers & In Buss We Trust!!
Posted by: frmkt | March 27, 2011 at 04:35 PM