Fisher is used to championship offseasons, but the championships themselves never grow old. "It's hard to imagine feeling any other way once you have this feeling," smiled Fisher. But for Fish, those feelings tend to revolve more around the team concept than individual moments. "I Just Became a Laker God Lane" isn't a place Fish goes out of his way to stroll. Not only hasn't he re-watched those big shots in Game 4 against Orlando yet, he "held out as long as I could" before a repeat viewing of ".4" Said Fisher, "It was surreal. I saw stuff that I didn't see in that split second? Fans. The reactions of teammates. It was cool."
(This, by the way, is yet another example of why Fish is more mature than me. I'd not only be constantly watching my glory highlights, but I'd invite friends and even strangers over specifically to watch said glory. Similar to how if I ever won an Academy Award, I'd wear it around my neck like Flava Flav's clock. That's just how petty and small I am.)
Fisher also vowed not to pester Lamar Odom about his up-in-the-air contract status (or as I suggested, "guilt trip" him). "I just want to be somebody who can see him and not talk about that, because I'm sure everybody else is."
During our conversation, it felt like Lamar was trying to remain as detached as possible from the process. He continually reminded me that business isn't personal and often requires a lot of discussion before everyone is satisfied. "No one says it's going to 100% your way... or their way," noted LO.
I definitely sensed Odom's frustration that a deal hasn't been hammered out and he'd still be making a case for himself, but at the same time, he also didn't seem thrown for a complete loop. After all, Odom runs businesses, so these aren't exactly uncharted waters. Beyond that, this also isn't his experience working out a free agent deal. His agent (Jeff Schwartz) may be growing emotional, but LO is at least attempting to keep his blood lower than a boil. "It is what it is" was a continual refrain.
"We try to do what's best for both sides," said Odom. "What's fair. That's what negotiating is about. It doesn't happen all the time overnight." Plus, no two ways around it: Money is just a touchy subject. "You can have a brother, a sister, a great father, but then when you start talking about money, it gets a little, like.... ehhhhhh. You know what I mean?"
Despite the obvious complications, I'm still reasonably "hopeful" (to use the official "Phrase of the Day") an agreement will be reached. Beyond few options for comparable (much less better) money and/or situations than with the Lakers, they really can't afford to let Odom go. The veteran's minimum won't fetch anyone with even close to the same skill set. And with all due respect to Josh Powell, the team's mojo decreases considerably with him taking LO's place either as the first big off the bench or- gulp!- the starting four if Andrew Bynum's bad luck with injuries continue. Yes, trading is an option, but who's available that could make an impact and at what price? Retaining LO is simpler and more sensible. Not to mention what I think Lamar prefers, all things being equal. (Plus, the interview room's lighting was purple. That's gotta mean something, right?)
I've also got some copy with Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton, but I wanted to get LO's video up ASAP.
Part I aqui, for those late to the party. And if you'd like to first hear BK and I discuss our impressions of Artest via the 710 ESPN Lakers podkast, then watch Ron and compare notes, feel free. Or you view the talkies below, then give the podkast a whirl. But either way, listen to the poddy, or else you'll be dealing with a nagging void in your life that's impossible to quell.
Artest has barely been an unofficial Laker, much less one with an inked contract, but that hasn't prevented him from experiencing the crush that is the Laker Nation's enthusiasm. Artest praised the fans of every city he's represented, but immediately noticed what sets apart a purple and gold's loyalist. "The fans are so confident. That's what I've learned. Every fan is telling me I'm going to win, saying, 'you ready for your ring?' I'm like, 'Yeah, I'm ready.' "
The only thing better for Artest than proving O'Brien predictions correct would be doing so while playing alongside longtime buddy Lamar Odom. "That's a storybook ending. I don't want to think about it too much- I'd rather just do the work and let the work speak for itself...but it would be a storybook ending." While mentioning the pair's New York roots, Artest took us on a trip down a Big Apple NBA Memory Lane, mentioning folks like Elton Brand, Rafer Alston and... Smush Parker. (Hey, the guy did make it all the way to the L, like it or not).
Hearing talk about money being secondary priority, increased focus and moving past the Palace Brawl, it felt to me like age has drastically affected Artest's perspective on his career. Pretty much. "When I came into the NBA, I was wild," admitted RA. "It took me a long time to realize how I want my life to be. How I want my career to be." Artest views his time with the Pacers as a step backward, a stumble he's since been determined to make up for. "I want to leave on top of my game. That's real important to me."
Lot o' footage to render and chop up, as this was a seriously long press conference. About 35 minutes. But it's worth the effort to transfer, because this was probably the most interesting, introspective and entertaining presser of such ilk that I've ever attended.
Whether Ron Artest was consciously trying to get off on the right foot or simply operating in his typical stream of consciousness, I thought the guy acquitted himself nicely. Tough questions about his past weren't skirted. Plenty of hilarious lines. Plus some often brutally honest self-criticism. Every skeptic likely wasn't converted (and depending on the impetus for skepticism, rightfully), but it would be hard to fault the guy over a failure to be forthright.
"Where's TMZ," Artest asked after being introduced by Mitch Kupchak. "They're not here? That's good news." Ron Ron was beaming at joining a franchise that's always been his first choice team. Not that Artest didn't give it all for his past employers- for that matter, loyalty dictated the Houston Rockets getting first dibs at his services- but his Utopian uni has always been purple and gold. "A long time coming," as he described this union. Thus, Artest could barely contain his excitement when, with free agency one minute underway, his agent David Bauman informed him of a call from Kupchak.
"I said, 'For what?'" recalled Artest. "(Bauman) says, 'He wants to help you get a ring.' " As both Bauman and Kupchak later explained, the actual negotiations themselves were more complicated, but an agreement eventually came to fruition, which made Ron happy enough to potentially sacrifice his wardrobe. "I was in LA already... it was great because I didn't have to leave and go back to Houston. Hopefully my clothes make it to LA. If they don't, they can just stay in Houston."
Artest also discusses his familiarity with the triangle and his defensive prowess, the latter he willingly attributes in part to the presence of former teammates like Jermaine O'Neal.
Wednesday at practice, I was part of a conversation with Lakers
assistant coach Brian Shaw about Kobe Bryant, and the dynamics of
playing and coaching a team with him as the focal point. It's an honest
conversation without being judgmental, and Shaw's ability to speak both
respectfully of Kobe's talent and some of its side-effects, particularly the power of 24's influence and competitive drive, helps illustrate why his name is commonly tossed around as a potential successor to Phil Jackson.
There are enormous and obvious benefits to playing with an athlete of Kobe's caliber, but as Shaw demonstrates, winning with Kobe isn't simply a matter of rolling the ball out and letting him go. Coaching him is a challenge, as is being his teammate. That's not a criticism of Bryant, but a simple reality. Basketball is a team sport, and Kobe's unique makeup is the dominant feature of LA's team dynamic.
It's an interesting read.
Q:
Win or lose, the focus is always on Kobe. He's brilliant, he shoots
too much, he was tired, he showed his greatness, whatever. As a team
and a staff, how do you guys keep that aspect of "all Kobe all the
time" out of it? So things don't get overwhelmed?
With that in mind, I felt it appropriate to pay proper respect to Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo, whose achievements were even longer than his full name. Most basketball fans were aware of Mutombo's round ball credentials: Eight-time All-Star. Four-time Defensive Player of the Year. An absolute beast sucking up rebounds and swatting away shots, the latter achievement always followed by the infamous "not in my house" finger waggle.
But despite the laundry list of NBA excellence (and the genius that was "Clouds"), Mutombo arguably made a bigger impact away from the game. Check out the items littering his NBA.com bio section.
For the third consecutive game (last night's 92-75 win over the Griz), Shannon Brown was the first guard off the Laker bench, displacing Jordan Farmar in a trend I don't expect to reverse unless the newbie Laker comes up short. Brown played seventeen minutes on Sunday against Farmar's thirteen, but
I imagine the gap would have been larger were this contest remotely competitive. Lamar Odom's presence in the second unit adds one more ball handler to the mix, and between LO, Luke Walton and (to a lesser degree) Sasha Vujacic, there are enough dudes capable of running the show that Brown can play "off rock" while concentrating mostly on defense.
That's one reason (among others) that I figured LO would return to his sixth man role with Andrew Bynum available.
Brown and I didn't talk long after the game, but he said a few things I found interesting. For starters, his take on the triangle's famed difficulty. Brown agreed that the system comes as advertised, but it's a hurdle conquerable by a strong willingness (and in the Lakers' case, a need for change).
Brown clearly can't give Tex Winter a run as the triangle go-to instructor, but has studied hard enough that he can operate without getting lost, which is enough to keep him on the court.
I had an interesting exchange with Derek Fisher at practice earlier this week about defense in today's NBA worth passing along...
Q: The way games are called now on the perimeter, with guards especially, how do you quantify defense as a point guard? Is it more about helping? Putting the opposition in the spots you want them on the floor? Or is it still about staying in front of your guy?
Fisher: It's more so about being able to influence guys to have to operate in certain areas and certain positions now. I think you're required to know much more about the guy you're playing against, his strengths and weaknesses, whether he prefers to shoot going left or right, or how he finishes at the basket going left or right, and then try your best to influence him and make him operate in the weaker areas.
But as far as staying in front of him or trying to be physical with him? You can't do it anymore.
Q: Is there anybody in the league that's still considered a "lock down" point guard?
Whether you're talking fans, media, coaches or the players themselves, there's been obvious concern over the current stretch of substandard play from the purple and gold. Granted, there's hardly a need to strap on a hardhat for fear of falling skies, since the inconsistencies have rarely translated into losses and against better opponents, the Lakers generally play their best ball. But it's nonetheless about that time of year where you'd like to develop an "at your best" groove. Along those lines, mission far from accomplished. What the dillio, one might ask? And specifically, one might ask Derek Fisher, since he's the most reliable Laker when it comes to straightforward shop talk.
After last night's win over the Warriors, Fish spent a fair amount of time fielding reporter questions about this topic and the upcoming roadie.
If there's a theme from his comments, it's that human nature- whether in the form of lapses in concentration, frustration, slumps, etc.- will inevitably provide obstacles over the course of a long season. Doesn't matter how many "killer instinct," "eyes on the prize," or "hungry team" cliches get tossed about. It's to be expected. Which, mind you, isn't the same thing as being accepted.
The key is being able recognize the signs, then work through them without coming apart.
After the unfortunate loss to the Sixers on Tuesday, I caught up with ex-Laker Aaron McKie for a few minutes. As someone who played with the Lakers right before their rapid rise, I was curious to get his take on that transformation, plus topics like Kobe Bryant, coaching and being "traded" for Pau Gasol. Here's what he had to say.
On the seamless addition of Pau Gasol last season "For them to go out and get Pau midway through and make all the
proper adjustments to get him involved, to get their team moving in the
right direction. It's a credit to their system that they run and the
guys that they have playing with them out there on the court."
Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky are contributing writers to ESPN The
Magazine and ESPN.com, and co-authored Fishing on the Edge, the autobiography of 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli, bass fishing's bad boy. While both grew up in St. Louis without NBA
basketball, Andrew became a die hard Lakers fanatic after moving to L.A. to attend USC. That he managed to find a job requiring him to obsess over his favorite team, the same activity that prompted him to waste time while working other jobs, is pretty incredible. As for Brian, his baptism into pro hoops fandom has been provided by the "All Lakers, All The Time" citizens of Los Angeles. Beats the hell out of covering the Bucks.
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