Los Angeles Lakers Season Preview
So happy together…
For the rest of our season previews, click here.
The promise and anticipation of a new season usually brings with it feelings of hope, joy, and in most cases, fantastical visions of glory.
Except for fans of the Los Angeles Lakers, that is …
Three times in the past year, the Lakers have had a realistic shot at landing three of the most prominent planets in the NBA’s galaxy of stars: It started with Jason Kidd, then Kevin Garnett, and finally now, Shawn Marion. And three times, they have failed to move a single muscle in the way of respectability. At the heart of it all, we find Andrew Bynum, a gifted, entirely likable, nineteen-year-old center with moxie to spare. Management seems convinced that he is going to be a superstar in this League someday.
Listen, I’m all for patience with youngsters, and waiting to see potential fulfill itself … But when you have the chance to couple a talent like Kobe with one of the 15 best players in the NBA (thus giving yourself a legitimate shot at winning a title), to hell with potential! After all, the idea is winning as much as possible, right?
The people in charge of making personnel and business decisions for this franchise - that is to say, Jerry Buss, Mitch Kupchak, et al. - have it made it clear that they’re perfectly comfortable with a stunningly average team. As long as Kobe keeps playing the way he has over the last three years (and there’s no reason to believe he won’t); if the team gets a couple of home Playoff games in the spring (they will); and should the A-Listers keep showing up at Staples (what, you think Jack Nicholson suddenly picked up a hobby over the summer?), nothing will change.
While everyone else in the already-loaded Western Conference seems hellbent on improving and competing for a title, either through free agency, smart trades, or the draft, the Lakers have remained stubbornly stagnant. And I’m sorry to say, but as much as everyone in Lakerland loves the guy (myself included), Derek Fisher is quite simply not the solution.
I know that NBA trades are hard to make. Especially when they involve stars. It’s a lot closer to rocket science than most people realize. That being said, with this team being in such a large media market, led by one of the great coaching minds of all time, and possessing the League’s most awesome offensive weapon, “trades are hard to make” is no longer an acceptable excuse. It was four years ago; not anymore.
Fellow Laker fans, people whose judgment I respect, talk about the team making improvements on the defensive end; overcoming injuries; guys figuring out their roles offensively; and Kwame Brown learning how to catch a basketball when discussing the upcoming season. To which I say: That’s all fine and well, and could even happen in 2008, but you still need the horses to make anything happen out West, and we don’t got ‘em.
Management has shown that they don’t care about wins and losses nearly enough to make the personnel moves necessary to ensure Playoff success.
Since they don’t care, then neither will I …
So, when the team goes into its inevitable midseason slump - no doubt aided by a crippling inability to close out tough road games, nagging injuries, and the inescapable fact that they suck - I won’t pull any hair out.
When Lamar Odom shatters an ankle and is forced to miss two months, I’ll sigh and casually flip the channel.
I’m not going to get bent out of shape when my squad plays in games they should win, but fall painfully short. I don’t have it in me to pen hateful missives when the guys start crapping the bed; we already have someone around here who does that sort of thing, and does it well.
There’s a strange but comforting peace when you’re expecting less than stellar results - Somewhere in the neighborhood of 45 wins (largely due to another superhuman effort from ol’ #24) and a first round Playoff exit for the third consecutive year.
After all, there must be a better way to spend one’s winter nights than watching nationally-televised games featuring a maddeningly inconsistent team bleed into the wee hours.
I’ve heard good things about indoor golf. And scotch. Lots of scotch.
290 Responses to “Los Angeles Lakers Season Preview”
Oct.5 at 1:56 pm
H to the izzo says:
Get ready people,seriously this could be looooong.
And scotch is great
Oct.5 at 1:59 pm
Cheryl says:
They should have made the KG deal. Kobe and a KG would’ve had a very good chance of being in the WCF and once there, as we all know, anything can happen. Laker fans and fans of 24 better enjoy this year, cuz 24 will be in a different uni next season.
Oct.5 at 2:02 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
Let the games begin
Oct.5 at 2:02 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Just two things:
1. “You think Jack Nicholson suddenly picked up a hobby over the summer?” I think regularly impregnating models 1/3 his age should count as a hobby, but in fairness, he’s been doing it a long time.
2. “Since they don’t care, then neither will I…” I believe our president calls it “the soft bigoty of low expectations.” And as he is yet to be wrong about anything, I think you’re smart taking a similar approach.
Oct.5 at 2:03 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Or even “bigotry,” if you want to take it in that direction.
Oct.5 at 2:03 pm
H to the izzo says:
..Or is 24 secretly content with his current situation,huge fame,low expectations,free to do whatever he wants(they won’t trade him volunteerily),huge scoring opportunities and all the while the blame is being put on other people.
Oct.5 at 2:03 pm
Steve O says:
The KG or J Kidd trades make this team a real contender in the West but I don’ think the same can be said if they were to trade for Marion. Marion is a great athlete who does everything relatively well in a perfect system for him. If he were to move to the Lakers (without a dynamic PG) I don’t think it would pay off nearly as much as KG or J Kidd would have.
Oct.5 at 2:03 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
Dead on Mutoni… 45 only if 24 goes off, which of course he will
Oct.5 at 2:04 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
45 wins i mean sorry
Oct.5 at 2:06 pm
white hot eboy says:
Mutoni, you were DEFINITLEY the right man for the job. Excellent work. Not much to argue about. And if they do somehow make a deal by the trade deadline, they can push for a top 4 spot. Excellent work. If they get a favorable matchup in the first round, (Utah or Denver)they might be able to move on.
Oct.5 at 2:06 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Mutoni is the man; but where’s the Mutoni’s Spot banner??? After months of The Wire, I thought this is when he or Sam would finally bring it back.
Oct.5 at 2:12 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Forget getting Kobe help, how about finding a backup for Jack Nicholson? He can’t stay healthy forever.
Oct.5 at 2:12 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
There’s your banner Benghis Khan. The Lakers are the same team as last year only its one year later.
Oct.5 at 2:16 pm
Steve O says:
I am truly surprised by the lack of Laker hate in the comments. Has everyone turned a new leaf?
Oct.5 at 2:18 pm
white hot eboy says:
Is anyone besides me shocked that Bodie or Myles hasn’t put one thing up here yet. Bodie will probably have a 6500 word rebuttal ready.
Oct.5 at 2:19 pm
H to the izzo says:
typing takes time,Eboy
Oct.5 at 2:20 pm
white hot eboy says:
Steve, no. Mutoni was just really on point. And let’s get it right. No one really hates the Lakers. It’s the Mamba who gets the hate.
Oct.5 at 2:21 pm
white hot eboy says:
Not for Krazie Bones.
Oct.5 at 2:21 pm
Myles Brown says:
I really didnt plan on saying anything. Im not gonna undermine a fellow fans preview and besides, cats already know how I feel about this team anyway.
Oct.5 at 2:22 pm
Steve O says:
Agreed. It still surprised me though so I had to ask.
Oct.5 at 2:24 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Why hate a mediocre team? Waste of time.
Oct.5 at 2:25 pm
H to the izzo says:
This isn’t panning out the way I thought it would.
Oct.5 at 2:26 pm
white hot eboy says:
Myles at least grace us with an season final opinion then?
Oct.5 at 2:26 pm
Steve O says:
See I wasn’t the only one disappointed.
Oct.5 at 2:27 pm
white hot eboy says:
Wait till Bodie get’s started, Izzo. And again, Mutoni got it really, really right. It’s hard to argue.
Oct.5 at 2:29 pm
Myles Brown says:
Taking injuries into consideration, somewhere between James Worthy and David Robinson.
Oct.5 at 2:29 pm
Chukaz says:
F*ck you Marcel Mutoni. The Lakers will win a championship this year. No doubt. F*ck JKidd, f*ck KG, f*ck Jermaine O’neal, f*ck the Matrix, f*ck the world.
Oct.5 at 2:30 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Also, Phil Jackson coaching this version of the Lakers is like Michael Schumacher driving a school bus.
Oct.5 at 2:31 pm
H to the izzo says:
Chukaz is intelligent.
Oct.5 at 2:34 pm
jbn74sb says:
Jesus Mutoni - You sound like a frickin Notre Dame fan.
Will the Lakers contend for a title this year? No. Did ANY of the proposed trades make them contenders for the title? No.
Kidd is too old to pick up unless you are guaranteed a trip to the Finals or 3, and his presence would not provide that.
Shawn Marion is not even necessarily an upgrade over Odom, and he makes more money.
And as good as KG is, he and Kobe alone aren’t necessarily enough to get through the West, unless we could have kept Odom, and that wasn’t going to happen.
Are there some things I don’t like about this team? Of course. What I would have liked to see here is a best and worst case scenario, so I’ll provide it for you.
Best: Bynum progresses, and averages something like 12 and 8, with some blocks. Dude is huge, has good hands, and good footwork, and was still the youngest player in the league LAST YEAR. Mihm is healthy, and Kwame is in a contract year. His on ball defense is outstanding. If the season doesn’t go well, we move him and his expiring deadl to a contender looking for size at the deadline.
Odom stays healthy, and continues to provide a great all around game. Turiaf is a good energy guy off the bench on both ends of the floor. Cook and Turiaf are limited, but both stay healthy, and hit the open threes necessary against certain teams.
Maurice Evans provides good perimeter D, and gives you a Ruben Patterson type garbage man, without having to register as a sex offender.
Luke continues to improve his outside shooting, and is a great player in the triangle, and stays healthy.
Fisher provides steady leadership, and hits the open 3, and is limited to about 20 minutes a night by the continued development of the a natural PG Farmar, and Crittendon uses his athleticism to play about 10 mins a night, providing great D. Sasha hits some open 3s and pesters the sh-t out of the Mike Bibby’s of the league.
And Kobe continues to be the best player in the league.
Outcome: Phoenix slips due to injury and chemistry problems, and the Lakers win 50+ games and the Pacific, and make it to at least the 2nd round of the playoffs, and the WCF depending on matchups.
Worst case: Kobe either gets hurt, or freaks out, and we’re in the lottery.
F-ck this negativity. Stupid canadiens…
Oct.5 at 2:35 pm
white hot eboy says:
Thanks Myles. The Lakers would definitlety take the title if they had those two on their frontline this year.
Oct.5 at 2:36 pm
white hot eboy says:
And again, I know the commentors better than they know themselves. See, it helps to hang aroung here 8-10 hours per day.
Oct.5 at 2:38 pm
Steve O says:
Now thats what I’m talking about.
Oct.5 at 2:42 pm
Bryan says:
It’s entirely possible the triangle system actually works this year and the Lakers do really well.Odom is a ridiculous talent I don’t care what any of you f*ckers say.And seeing as how Bynum was only 19 last year 12 points and 8 rebounds with a block or 2 doesn’t seem out of the question which is better than the production the Bulls got out of Luc Longley.
Oct.5 at 2:42 pm
white hot eboy says:
Steve, give jbn something to battle about and you’ll get another long, pointless rant from his jizz-covered fingertips. Ty it. It’s fun.
Oct.5 at 2:44 pm
Steve O says:
I will say this. Anyone who mentions the possibility of Mihm and playing time needs to lay off the pipe.
Oct.5 at 2:45 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shia, you must have sucked on the end of a running muffler. The Lakers just don’t have enough talent to compete in the West. A move or two and that could change but with that rat’s nest of a bench, 24 and Odom are stranded trying to figure out how to get water (production) from a group of rocks (Brown, Mihm, Cook, Turiaf & Bynum).
Oct.5 at 2:45 pm
Chukaz says:
@jbn74sb: I agree with you about the Canadiens (f*ck them), but the Lakers would’ve made it to the finals with KG or JKidd.
Oct.5 at 2:47 pm
Rubens says:
rooting for 24 is like rooting for cancer
Oct.5 at 2:47 pm
jbn74sb says:
Mihm, if healthy, is a Top 10 center in this league, and his skill set is a good match for the Lakers. After you finish laughing, name 10 better centers, and then consider how little money Mihm makes. Is Shaq better? Sure. For 10 times the price.
Oct.5 at 2:49 pm
white hot eboy says:
Here we go.
Oct.5 at 2:49 pm
jbn74sb says:
eboy - The Lakers are as good anyone, spots 7-12. It’s players 3-6 that are weak.
Oct.5 at 2:50 pm
jbn74sb says:
Chukaz - Go away.
Oct.5 at 2:51 pm
Chukaz says:
F*ck all of you Laker haters out there. They are the greatest team out there right now and they will win a championship this year, weather they want to or not. If the Lakers don’t make it to the finals this year, I think that he should ask for Mitch Kupchak’s head.
Oct.5 at 2:51 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shaq, Zo, Okafor, Yao, Duncan, Howard, Amare, Dampier, Nene, Camby. I’ll stop there.
Oct.5 at 2:53 pm
white hot eboy says:
Imagine any one of them on the current Lakers roster Bodie. And then picture your team with Mihm. Shut the fu*k up.
Oct.5 at 2:54 pm
jbn74sb says:
Zo - not. Amare - PF. Nene - Not, and he gets paid WAY too much. Duncan - PF. You’re down to 6. Dampier - Not. 5. Add Curry. Kaman - maybe.
Oct.5 at 2:54 pm
Chukaz says:
F*ck you jbn74sb!!!!! F*ck you and all the f*ckin’ canadiens in the world ( I see you Steve Nash)!
Oct.5 at 2:56 pm
Cheryl says:
The Lakers will miss the playoffs and be replaced by the Hornets. Play wit it.
Oct.5 at 2:57 pm
Steve O says:
Top 10??? I don’t think I could ever finish laughing. Emeka, Big Z, Big Ben, Shaq, Dwight, Curry, Camby, Yao, Amare, Chandler, Okur, Brad Miller, Gasol. Just to name a few. I love the passion but I honestly don’t believe Mihm has the skill set to be a top 10 center in the league… ever. I hope he proves me wrong, but I highly doubt it. A serviceable front court back-up? sure. A legit NBA center? Never.
Oct.5 at 2:58 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie, stop now before everyone here thinks your mildly retarted. You should have said “name 10 better BACKUP Centers in the league”. You might have had a shot.
Oct.5 at 2:58 pm
Chukaz says:
If Amare is not a center, then why the f*ck was he the All-NBA first team center? As I said before, f*ck you jbn74sb!
Oct.5 at 2:58 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
bodie’s worst case scenario was awful short compared to his best-case scenario… at he’s positive. And Myles, when you say f* canadiens, do you mean the montreal canadiens hockey team, cuz this a basketball site. If you meant f* people from Canada, like me, you misspelled Canadians (there’s no “e”, it’s an “a”). Michael Moore should do a Sicko-style documentary about the U.S.’s education system, cause that’s not hard at all.
Oct.5 at 2:59 pm
white hot eboy says:
See, Steve, I told you. And Bodie, each guy you picked off as power forwards all play the 5 spot plenty each year. Dummie. Which is what Mihm should have been. A weak center/decent PF.
Oct.5 at 3:00 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
yeah, i was harsh on Myles, but I’m tired of the Canada jokes… and pissed that Myles hasn’t followed up his XXL-rated classic debut column
Oct.5 at 3:00 pm
Chukaz says:
Mihm is a top 10 center, it’s just that not in this league. Send him to some league in a country in the middle of nowhere and he will be the best player on that league. Now, trying to find said league would be a really hard task, almost impossible.
Oct.5 at 3:00 pm
Steve O says:
I’m busting out of work early, so no more rebuttals. Mihm + Playing time = Lakers in the lottery.
Oct.5 at 3:01 pm
Cheryl says:
this is a fun post, even the interspersed f*k yous…
Oct.5 at 3:01 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
oh yeah, and f* Chukaz!
Oct.5 at 3:02 pm
Myles Brown says:
Myles didn’t say sh*t about Canadians, Bodie did. And this is half the reason I didn’t plan on coming in here today. Some of you f*ckers can’t even read, much less hold a reasonable conversation…
Oct.5 at 3:02 pm
white hot eboy says:
Good for you, Steve. Enjoy your weekend.
Oct.5 at 3:03 pm
white hot eboy says:
Thanks for the love Myles.
Oct.5 at 3:04 pm
Chukaz says:
@Hoop Dreamz: nobody cares how you spell canadians because nobody cares about your peoplel. F*ck Chris Mihm!
Oct.5 at 3:05 pm
Chukaz says:
Oh, and f*ck you hoop dreamz.
Oct.5 at 3:05 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Reasonable Conversation was a good Jay-Z record.
Oct.5 at 3:05 pm
Bryan says:
Chris Mihm isn’t even a top ten center on his team..I’ll take Derek Fisher at the five before I want Mihm out there.
Oct.5 at 3:06 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Would you rather have Chris Mihm or Darko Milicic? (For the record, Dikembe Mutombo and DeSagana Diop are better than Chris Mihm, too.)
Oct.5 at 3:07 pm
white hot eboy says:
Laboeuf, for THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct.5 at 3:07 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, with a nice j from the corner.
Oct.5 at 3:08 pm
Cheryl says:
y’all just trying to hit 100… chukaz has tourette’s…
Oct.5 at 3:08 pm
Bryan says:
I’d definitley take Zo over Mihm , he doesn’t need touches and will send your sh*t into the tenth row.
Oct.5 at 3:09 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shai, again from DEEP.
Hi, Cheryl!!
Oct.5 at 3:12 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’d take Alonzo Mosely over Alonzo Mourning.
Oct.5 at 3:13 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie, type faster. I can see your fingers flaiing to be heard from West Palm Beach.
Oct.5 at 3:13 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ hates black people with kidney problems and rage issues.
Oct.5 at 3:17 pm
jbn74sb says:
“I say yes, and so this statement must be true.” Thanks, Ryan.
Mutoni’s preview still needs Prozac. I thought canucks got cheap meds.
Oct.5 at 3:20 pm
Bryan says:
That’s it?That’s the big response?
Oct.5 at 3:20 pm
white hot eboy says:
The puss*es way out. Sounds like a certain SG that wears that purple and yellow costume. Good work, Bodie.
Oct.5 at 3:21 pm
white hot eboy says:
It’s like Bodie got stung by a Chris Childs left/right combo or a Raja Bell clothesline.
Oct.5 at 3:22 pm
Chukaz says:
@Cheryl: tourette’s? what the f*ck does that mean? I’m pretty sure that Earl Boykins could skool Mihm down low. Oh, and don’t hate on Russ for hating black people with kidney problems, Bush hates black people period.
Oct.5 at 3:24 pm
Bryan says:
Or got punked by reggie miller(!)
Oct.5 at 3:24 pm
Bryan says:
Oh and I know it’s cool to hate Kobe and all buttt…if the lakers get to the playoffs , IF.He could win a series by himself and you can’t deny that.
Oct.5 at 3:25 pm
white hot eboy says:
Hi Chukaz!!
Oct.5 at 3:28 pm
jbn74sb says:
This entire post is not about Mihm, you narrow minded dipsh-ts.
But, just to play along and use actual logic, in 2004-05, and 2005-6, Mihm averaged about 10 pts, about 6.5 boards, about 1.3 blocks, shot about 50% from the floor, and about 70% from the line, in 25 minutes a night. I do not think there are 10 true centers who matched those numbers last year, and many of those that did make far more than 5 times as much as Mihm, and play much heavier minutes.
Now that that is out of the way, back to the rest of the Lakers.
I know that numbers and facts (in the form of stats) are a little too complicated for most of you, so it is probably asking a bit much for you to understand how important salary cap issues are.
Oct.5 at 3:29 pm
Bryan says:
For the record this magizine has Bynum averaging 13 points and 9 rebounds next season.
Oct.5 at 3:29 pm
white hot eboy says:
Stat Boy, aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for PTI right about now?
Oct.5 at 3:31 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shia, Kobe hasn’t EVER won a playoff series on his own. Oh, he has never won one without a certain fat, washed-up blob that has a new ring in Miami. Sorry.
Oct.5 at 3:31 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Bryan: Does that magazine have NBA teams averaging 135ppg next season?
Oct.5 at 3:32 pm
Rubens says:
it’s not coll bryan, but it’s easy
Oct.5 at 3:32 pm
Bryan says:
This isn’t about money it’s about production,as*hole.If you paid Mihm on merit he would be making less than a server at a soup kitchen.
Oct.5 at 3:32 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
No NBA player ever in the history of the universe has won a playoff series by themself.
Oct.5 at 3:33 pm
Rubens says:
* cool
Oct.5 at 3:33 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Grammar be damned.
Oct.5 at 3:34 pm
Bryan says:
Russ: no , it’s an admittedly pedestrian magazine I just get bored at work , I guess it’s fantasy projections I just NBA preview and I picked it up.I just think it’s funny to downgrade Mihm like how he isn’t even even in the top 40 centers in the league according to this.
Oct.5 at 3:34 pm
white hot eboy says:
Except for D-Wade and the NBA officiating crew.
Oct.5 at 3:35 pm
Bryan says:
I just SAW nba preview..
Oct.5 at 3:37 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shia, so let’s get this straight. You put heavy support behind CHRIS MIHM, but full on hate towards Dirk and Peja? Megatron should come back from the depths of the Pacific and hunt you down.
Oct.5 at 3:38 pm
Cheryl says:
Man, I wish we were all sitting around a table with a couple six packs (or scotch for the CanadiAns). This would be the best. Friday. Afternoon. Convo. Ever. (or not…)
Oct.5 at 3:38 pm
Bryan says:
I just spent the last 30 minutes saying Mihm sucks?
Oct.5 at 3:39 pm
Bryan says:
100!
Oct.5 at 3:41 pm
Cheryl says:
Whew.
Oct.5 at 3:41 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i’m with Cheryl (about the round table discussion anyway). see if you don’t cause controversy (like last year’s top 50 list) and make it really intelligent, there’s really nothing to talk about.
good thing bodie’s around.
Oct.5 at 3:41 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Bodie’s just a Mihmstigator.
Oct.5 at 3:42 pm
jbn74sb says:
It’s not about money? The entire NBA (and professional sports in general) is about money and just about nothing else, ignorant one.
Using your “logic”, it’s a good idea to pay Kaman 5 times the amount Mihm makes, for essentially the same production. Which explains why the Clippers are the worst franchise in the history of professional sports.
Oct.5 at 3:42 pm
Rubens says:
Mitch Kupchak should be banned from the league
Oct.5 at 3:43 pm
Cheryl says:
Oh, I thought it was the Mets, Bodie. (just trying to pull Sam in.)
Oct.5 at 3:43 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shia, re-read your comment about the preview mag and Mihm in the top 40 centers. Either you have a hard time putting into words your thoughts or you really wish to have Chris Mihm’s children.
Oct.5 at 3:44 pm
jbn74sb says:
I am not even a Mihm fan, per se. I just like his skill set for the Lakers on both ends of the floor , especially considering that he is an absolute bargain. And after using the sortable stats by position feature on yahoo, my Top 10 claim MAY have been a bit exaggerated.
Oct.5 at 3:44 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie=Scrooge McDuck.
Oct.5 at 3:45 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie MAY be a simpleton.
Oct.5 at 3:47 pm
b4hoops says:
Marcel, from your mouth to God’s ears. How Kobe puts up with Kup-cake, Jimmy-boy and the rest of management is beyond me. I have faith in Kobe carrying this team on his back, with all things going well, into the second round — but that’s it. That ain’t the Lakers though. Championships is what we want. And we’re not getting one until we have significant personnel movement.
Oct.5 at 3:48 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kaman nearly averaged a double-double the year he got his extension. Mihm can’t even get a double-double at In N Out.
Oct.5 at 3:48 pm
Cheryl says:
or god’s intervention. or both…
Oct.5 at 3:49 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Putting Chris Mihm in the top 10 MAY have been exaggerated? NO WAY!
Oct.5 at 3:49 pm
jbn74sb says:
Kupchak has made some bad moves, no doubt. He has also drafted Bynum and Farmar (the Clippers picked Korolev and Paul Davis, neither of whom plays), Walton in the second round, and Turiaf in the second round. And I like the fact that he has shown patience on not pulling the trigger on any of these rumored deals, when none of them would have made a trip to the Finals a foregone conclusion. Tell me, how does trading for Kidd help the Lakers guard Duncan, Amare, and Dirk? And how does trading for Garnett help the Lakers guard Parker and Nash? Especially when we’d have to give up so much to get them. Let Bynum develop, and let’s see what happens here. We are still one of the better teams in the league, as we made the playoffs in the West the last 2 years, despite having significant injury issues. Have you not seen the Karate Kid? Patience, Danielson.
Oct.5 at 3:49 pm
Bryan says:
Eboy:I said I think it’s funny to downgrade Mihm and the magazine said he’s not a top 40 center? And we’re not talking about what makes professional sports work , idiot.We’re talking about how if Chris Mihm is your starting center you will get abused on the block by anybody in the league.and Play four on five on offense.He’s a f*ckin robot and not the Tim Duncan kind the “short circuit” kind. And Cheryl please keep the Mets out of it
Oct.5 at 3:50 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ is heating up.
Oct.5 at 3:50 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kobe “puts up with” management because they’re paying him $125 million. It’s not like he was forced at gunpoint to stay a Laker.
Oct.5 at 3:51 pm
Bryan says:
The idiot was at bodie…
Oct.5 at 3:52 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shia, did you call me an idiot? You are a little wet behind the ears to step up like that. I like the ingenuity, though. But if you act out again, I will reign down on you like Shawn Kemp on Chris Gatling. Thank you.
Oct.5 at 3:52 pm
jbn74sb says:
And now I leave all of you nitwits for a bit. Being a fan of the greatest franchise in the history of pro sports is easy (No, not the Yankees. They may have more titles, but they also have a number of years being absolutely horrible. Same applies to the Celtics). Hope all of you have fun rooting for your teams.
Oct.5 at 3:53 pm
white hot eboy says:
Thank you for the clarification, Shia, since you are in my “Fave 5″ of commentors at the moment.
Oct.5 at 3:53 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And by the time Andrew Bynum is in his prime, Kobe Bryant–one of the best players in NBA history–will be out of his. Oh yeah, and Phil Jackson–possibly the best coach in NBA history–will be long retired. Good philosophy.
Oct.5 at 3:53 pm
Bryan says:
Eboy: no.
Oct.5 at 3:55 pm
Rubens says:
kupchack made some bad moves? that’s a big understatement
Oct.5 at 3:55 pm
white hot eboy says:
I guess the Del Harris years didn’t register in Bodie’s hazy mind.
Oct.5 at 3:55 pm
jbn74sb says:
Again - You heard it here first. Suns slip this year, GS is out of the playoffs, and Lakers win the Pacific with 50+ wins.
Oct.5 at 3:56 pm
jbn74sb says:
eboy - Which team were you rooting for during the Del Harris years? Damn sports bigamist.
Oct.5 at 3:56 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
If the Lakers win 50-plus, I’ll get stars shaved into my head.
Oct.5 at 3:57 pm
Myles Brown says:
I could see the Lakers hittin 50 under good circumstances, but I really don’t see the Suns winning less than that.
Oct.5 at 3:57 pm
jbn74sb says:
Sounds good, Russ. I’m sure Odom will then share a blunt with you and Omar.
Oct.5 at 3:57 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Lakers are out in the first round, can’t wait to see 24 doing a Kirilenko next year..
D-Fish is nice though..
Oct.5 at 3:57 pm
Myles Brown says:
Russ, is that a promise?
Oct.5 at 3:57 pm
Bryan says:
Bodie is just a homer..who in their right mind wouldn’t trade potential for a chance to turn your team into a contender he keeps saying that none of those moves guarantee a finals appearance.. well guess what NO move guarantees a finals appearance short of an illegal knee bashing of every other teams superstar in the league.
Oct.5 at 3:58 pm
Cheryl says:
how will we know, Russ?
Oct.5 at 3:58 pm
jbn74sb says:
Myles - If Nash gets hurt, the Suns will still win 50 games?
Oct.5 at 3:58 pm
Rubens says:
talk about hazy mind
Oct.5 at 3:59 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Yes, that’s a promise. I might shave it all off the next day, but I’m willing to do it. AND post photographic proof.
Oct.5 at 3:59 pm
Bryan says:
Bodie: if Kobe gets hurt will the Lakers win 15 games?
Oct.5 at 3:59 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I’m very impressed at all that’s happened since I posted only 90 minutes ago. Thanks for the banner, Sam. But “Benghis Khan”? Yikes.
Oct.5 at 3:59 pm
white hot eboy says:
Wasn’t Bodie leaving?
Oct.5 at 4:00 pm
Bryan says:
Chris Mihm can win 15 games by himself he is a top ten center afterall..
Oct.5 at 4:00 pm
Myles Brown says:
Nash would have to be hurt for an extended period for them to slip that far and despite his back problems he keeps himself quite fit. So I wouldnt bet on it. If however that does happen, then no, they wont.
Oct.5 at 4:00 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And yeah, Bynum MIGHT be talented enough to lead the Lakers to a title at some point in the future. Kobe Bryant IS good enough to lead the Lakers to a title RIGHT NOW. Not to mention Phil Jax will most definitely be retiring in the next year or so. The Lakers are MORONS for not seeing if they coukd flip Bynum into someone who can help them RIGHT NOW.
Oct.5 at 4:00 pm
white hot eboy says:
I have this post going to 287.
Oct.5 at 4:01 pm
Myles Brown says:
That may be all I have to look forward to this year Russ.
Oct.5 at 4:01 pm
Rubens says:
russ is making me wanna root for the lakers
Oct.5 at 4:02 pm
white hot eboy says:
Chris Mihm will be an All-Star.
Oct.5 at 4:02 pm
Paniscus says:
The Lakers are not very ubuntu.
Oct.5 at 4:02 pm
Bryan says:
Ok I flipped I’m with bodie what do the lakers need besides a center ,small forward, point guard , bench and shooters?
Oct.5 at 4:04 pm
Rubens says:
bryan - a good GM?
Oct.5 at 4:05 pm
white hot eboy says:
Pat Riley, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Cooper, Rambis and Byron Scott.
Oct.5 at 4:09 pm
Bryan says:
Well lets play GM Chris Mihm is a top ten center so naturally they can trade him straight up for a center of equal or lesser value.Who should they go after with the package of Mihm , Turiaf ,Radmanovic and Vujacic?Sounds like they can get Yao Ming or Amare Stoudamire and a first round pick
Oct.5 at 4:09 pm
jbn74sb says:
Again - The Lakers are good as far as players (not positions) 1-2, and 7-12. 3-6 could use some work. The bench is deep and balanced, and is a good mix of veterans and youth. And none of the rumored deals would have gotten us out of the West.
Oct.5 at 4:10 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m not sure whether people appreciate how hard it is to win 50 games in the NBA. Even for a team with a Top 10 center.
Oct.5 at 4:11 pm
Donn says:
Totally agree with Russ about how stupid the Lakers are for not trading Bynum. Not saying Bynum is some kind of scrub..the kid has some potential but when will he reach that potential? If you have Kobe, you need to win now. Also, how do people come to the conclusion that Bynum will be dominant big man? Dude is not the next Shaq, if anything dude reminds me of Robert Parish.
Oct.5 at 4:11 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
I disappear for an hour and I get attacked… i deserved every name I was called though. I usually stick to Heiny Cheryl, but scotch might be necessary on a day like today. Chukaz thing about Earl Boykins vs. Chris Mihm in the post might be his best comment ever. Kudos, you crackhead
Oct.5 at 4:12 pm
jbn74sb says:
Bryan - I have already acknowledged that my claim of Mihm being a Top 10 center MAY have been a bit of an exaggeration. There is plenty of other material throughout this post to talk about. Or perhaps you are autistic, and get fixated on one thing for extended periods of time, such as eboy does with pecker.
Oct.5 at 4:12 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And, um, how good a team is from 10-12 doesn’t make a difference at all. Unless you’re grading them on how good they look while sitting on the bench.
Oct.5 at 4:12 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie is like a scanky cougar that looked good in the club, with limited lighting but then in the morning doesn’t wan’t to leave because she never had di*k so good.
Oct.5 at 4:13 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Did somebody mention Chris Mihm? God, has his career been a disappointment.
Oct.5 at 4:14 pm
jbn74sb says:
Bad move to post the Cavs and Lakers preview on the same day. You should have thrown up the Kings or some other terrible team nobody cares about.
Oct.5 at 4:14 pm
albie1kenobi says:
bodie is right. lakers need some work from 3-6, because they don’t have any. well okay that’s a bit harsh. fisher is a bona fide 6.
Oct.5 at 4:15 pm
jbn74sb says:
eboy - You have a kid and are married. What the hell do you know about cougars and clubs? As for good d-ck, you are the resident expert.
Oct.5 at 4:17 pm
jbn74sb says:
Again - Lakers: 50+ wins, Pacific Division champs.
Oct.5 at 4:19 pm
Myles Brown says:
People forget how the Lakeshow was one of the top teams in the lig til around February. I understand that value of a 50 win team, but this same squad won 42 games last year when their starters missed more than 100 games combined due to injury. Theyre getting a respectable point guard and their top 100,000 center back. Im obviously not gonna bet any follicles on it, but I still think it can happen.
Oct.5 at 4:19 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie, I’m old. I’ve been around. I started getting ass while you were still jerking off to Elden Cambell highlights.
Oct.5 at 4:19 pm
white hot eboy says:
Myles is diplomatic.
Oct.5 at 4:21 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Kings? We’re doing NHL previews now?
Oct.5 at 4:21 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Kobe. Just wanted to throw that in there. Have a great weekend everybody!
Oct.5 at 4:23 pm
Bryan says:
You will never live down proclaiming Chris Mihm as a top ten center, thats how I will remember you from now on.That’s the stupidest f*cking thing anyone not named chuckaz has typed on here.And the fact that you refuse to just outright say “he is not a top ten center” is what keeps me repeating myself.
Oct.5 at 4:24 pm
Rubens says:
that was uncalled for ryan
Oct.5 at 4:25 pm
Myles Brown says:
And youll always be remembered as the guy who was called a dork after his very first post. Get some stripes first.
Oct.5 at 4:25 pm
jbn74sb says:
Ryan’s just jealous his Cavs preview isn’t getting any attention.
Oct.5 at 4:26 pm
jbn74sb says:
Here it is: Mihm is not a Top 10 center. I was wrong. Apparently there is a first time for everything. Now go on with your lives. That means you Bryan.
Oct.5 at 4:26 pm
white hot eboy says:
I love lobster ravioli. If we’re being random.
Oct.5 at 4:26 pm
Bryan says:
That wasn’t my first post f*ckface.
Oct.5 at 4:28 pm
Rubens says:
LOUD NOISES
Oct.5 at 4:28 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Bryan was an idiot once. He learned his lesson and moved on. Other people seem to want to make a career of it.
Oct.5 at 4:29 pm
Myles Brown says:
Point taken.
Oct.5 at 4:32 pm
jbn74sb says:
Russ - It it’s worked for Ryan, it can work for anyone.
Oct.5 at 4:33 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
do bodie and eboy have big imaginations or what… oh well, I’m leaving to go do what most of you f*kers have never done in your whole life–play basketball.
Oct.5 at 4:34 pm
Phil B says:
i’d like to go on the record as saying i do hate the lakers. and kobe. both.
Oct.5 at 4:34 pm
b4hoops says:
Russ, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t care if I was making 200 million, with all the hard work that Kobe puts in, and to have to deal with teammates like Smush that would look nice warming a NBDL bench, that’s plain wrong. I’d be pissed too.
Oct.5 at 4:35 pm
white hot eboy says:
Hoop, don’t come to America. We eat swarmy Canadians like you for breakfast. Even if you are 6′ 5″. Big bit*h.
Oct.5 at 4:37 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Chris Mihm should come to Brasil and get some ass, we got plenty of it (and scotch) here, I’m sure that would make him an All-Star.. I mean Wilt was pretty good..
Oct.5 at 4:37 pm
jbn74sb says:
Hoop Dreamz - I play 4 times a week, at 33 years old.
Eboy plays as well - they have a half court with an 8′ rim at his old folks home. He can almost still dunk on it.
It’s all love eboy - And you’re right. I am slippin’ today. Long week…
Oct.5 at 4:38 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ and Myles garner secret hate for some of us. It’s really hurtful. They should just come out and say it. Brain us, smart men.
Oct.5 at 4:38 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
And I’m not talking bout no skanky cougars.. Primerib..
Oct.5 at 4:39 pm
Bryan says:
I play basketball also.
Oct.5 at 4:39 pm
Rubens says:
Lz, I don’t want Mihm here
Oct.5 at 4:40 pm
white hot eboy says:
Hoop, I play 4-5 times a week and I turn 37 tomorrow. And I would still whip your big ass. Believe that.
Oct.5 at 4:40 pm
jbn74sb says:
Lz - Brazilian girls are honeys, no doubt about that. There are a bevy of them here in Santa Barbara.
Oct.5 at 4:41 pm
jbn74sb says:
eboy - Happy Birthday. A couple of more years, and you can try out for the Heat.
Oct.5 at 4:41 pm
Rubens says:
I’m playing basketball, again…
Oct.5 at 4:42 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie, If Penny can do it, I have hope.
Oct.5 at 4:42 pm
Bryan says:
I’m about to join a league around here to get some run I haven’t really played in about 3 years.
Oct.5 at 4:42 pm
b4hoops says:
jbn74sb, your Heat comment made me crack up. It’s funny ‘coz it’s true…
Oct.5 at 4:42 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
Good comeback bodie (not even being sarcastic)… and eboy I spent 4 yrs in alabama eating hapless southerners’. They called me everything from Air Canada to the Canadian persuasion… cats down there still got they’re ankle braces on. I ain’t never scared! thank you and good night
Oct.5 at 4:43 pm
Rubens says:
and i liked the way lz sneaked a brasil in there
Oct.5 at 4:45 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
eboy: if your game is half as good as your mouth eboy, you should be able to keep up, arthritis or not.. take care guys
Oct.5 at 4:46 pm
white hot eboy says:
Hoop, since I’m not from the south, you would have a new feeling of disgrace as jumper after jumper wound up sailing over your big skull and finding nothing but twine. Big Canuck chucklehead.
Oct.5 at 4:47 pm
Donn says:
All this top 10 center talk got me wondering…Yao, Shaq, D-Howard, Oden(if he ever plays), and Amare, are their any real centers left after them? Maybe Mihm is a top ten white center…i think.
Oct.5 at 4:47 pm
white hot eboy says:
Eboy is good at basketball.
Oct.5 at 4:47 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Com certeza Rubens don’t want him here either, don’t want to improve the Kobe-led-Lakers.. Which city are you in?
Oct.5 at 4:49 pm
Rubens says:
Porto Alegre… you?
Oct.5 at 4:49 pm
jbn74sb says:
As long as he is playing with women.
Oct.5 at 4:53 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
São Paulo.. Good work with your site, it’s now bookmarked..
Oct.5 at 4:53 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie’s girls always seem to wind up look for other representation.
Oct.5 at 4:53 pm
white hot eboy says:
I think this is going to 319.
Oct.5 at 4:54 pm
jbn74sb says:
eboy - Don’t forget that this thing will be up all weekend, and all of the oddballs that post on here after hours.
Oct.5 at 4:55 pm
white hot eboy says:
True.
Oct.5 at 4:56 pm
Rubens says:
thanks irmão…
Oct.5 at 4:56 pm
Bryan says:
I have videos of myself shooting around on my myspace cause people who never saw me play said there was no way I was any good haha.Now THAT makes me a dork.
Oct.5 at 4:57 pm
jbn74sb says:
Among other things, yes it does, Bryan.
Oct.5 at 4:57 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
‘nada..
Oct.5 at 4:57 pm
Rubens says:
eboy - 319, by 3 a.m.?
Oct.5 at 4:58 pm
Bryan says:
It’s almost as good as the Yi workout tapes maybe I’ll throw my name into next years NBA draft.
Oct.5 at 4:58 pm
Cheryl says:
Happy Birthday, Eboy. Don’t break nothin’… Good night, fellas.
Oct.5 at 4:58 pm
Rubens says:
Lz you can find me at basketbrasil.com.br too
Oct.5 at 4:59 pm
Bryan says:
Bodie I would light you the f*ck up out there dork or not.
Oct.5 at 5:01 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Valeu, I’ll check it out.. Orkut? I’m the only Lauritz on there..
Oct.5 at 5:04 pm
Bryan says:
It’s slowing down Eboy we may not make it..
Oct.5 at 5:06 pm
Rubens says:
Rubens B. mas eu te acho…
Oct.5 at 5:06 pm
jbn74sb says:
Say what you want about the Lakers (and all of you have - apparently I am the only Lakers fan on here with a smidgeon of intelligence, my Mihm claims aside) but they sell tickets like Shaq’s wife has dudes on the side.
The public onsale starts tomorrow. There was a presale at noon today. I had about 10 dates circled, with the criteria being interesting opponents and weekend games. As I do this regularly, I am very adept at how to use ticketmaster.
I scored a pair of decent seats to the 12/9 game at Staples against the Warriors, and paid $180 total.
Like any smart capitalist, I will in turn sell them on ebay. Don’t bother calling me a scalper. Each states has its own laws regarding the resale of tickets for profit, and in California what I am doing is 100% legal. So shut it.
Besides, I ‘d rather watch the game in HD on my 58″ plasma for free than drive 3 hours one way and pay over $200 to see the game from mediocre seats.
All of the other games were either sold out, or had only very expensive tickets available. And to think that the majority of people at Lakers games do not give a rat’s behind about the team, and are there just to be seen.
Oct.5 at 5:07 pm
Rubens says:
so ryan dropping in and “saying” kobe didn’t help…
Oct.5 at 5:08 pm
jbn74sb says:
Oh, Bryan, I feel for you. I’m 6′2″, 235, have range from 30′, and played point in high school. You’re only problem is that I wouldn’t use lube.
Oct.5 at 5:09 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Entao, áte mais Rubens!
Oct.5 at 5:12 pm
jbn74sb says:
No more portuguese. That is a slippery slope to talking about soccer. Which would be cool if we were all 9.
Oct.5 at 5:14 pm
Bryan says:
I’m 6′ 205 with that kind of range and athleticism to spare.
Oct.5 at 5:15 pm
Rubens says:
c’mon bodie… don’t hate
Oct.5 at 5:16 pm
jbn74sb says:
Rubens - No hate. Except for soccer.
Oct.5 at 5:16 pm
Bryan says:
Plus I’m a young buck compared to you.You would be really sad when I pinned your sh*t to the backboard.
Oct.5 at 5:16 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Sorry won’t happen again.. (unless Leandrinho wins finals MVP)
Oct.5 at 5:17 pm
H to the izzo says:
Holy f*cking f*ck
Oct.5 at 5:19 pm
Captain America says:
Soft bigotry of low expectations
Oct.5 at 5:20 pm
jbn74sb says:
Bryan - Don’t they have medication now for ADD? Go take yours.
Oct.5 at 5:20 pm
Rubens says:
that ain’t gonna happen Lz
Oct.5 at 5:22 pm
jbn74sb says:
And check your myspace.
Oct.5 at 5:24 pm
Rubens says:
btw, wasn’t ronaldinho going to chelsea?
Oct.5 at 5:25 pm
jbn74sb says:
STOP IT! Go over to AYSO dot com with this nonsense.
Oct.5 at 5:27 pm
albie1kenobi says:
this thing is losing steam. i suppose the east coasters are off work? in an attempt to revive the discussion, what about jeanie buss? what can she do to make sure the team win 50 games?
Oct.5 at 5:28 pm
Bryan says:
Gotcha.
Oct.5 at 5:28 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Most likely not Rubens, but picture this; The Suns go to the finals, Nash’s back crumples in game one. The Suns could still beat every team from the East and Leandro could have offensive explosions (like in Las Vegas) for 3-5 games on a balanced Suns team and then end up as an unlikely but deserving MVP..
Oct.5 at 5:29 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
No Steve Nash was going to Chelsea, further paving the way for Leandro..
Oct.5 at 5:30 pm
Rubens says:
chill bodie, and Lz as much as it pains me to say, suns can’t win w/o nash…
Oct.5 at 5:31 pm
H to the izzo says:
I’m feeling Bodie’s soccer related pain,Bodie I’ll gladly talk NFL with you although I know litle about it
Oct.5 at 5:32 pm
Bryan says:
I can talk pretty much any sport.
Oct.5 at 5:33 pm
Rubens says:
hova, who said i don’t like football? lol
Oct.5 at 5:34 pm
john says:
man the lakers are going to have the best season since the last 3 or 4 years. let’s see starting october 30 v.s. the rockets.
Oct.5 at 5:36 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Yeah, ur probaly right.. Wishfull thinkin’ I guess.. Anyways I’m out - Churrascaria, and for those of you who don’t know; that’s like a eat-all -you-can meatfestival..
Oct.5 at 5:40 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Hmm.. I’ll probaly run into Oliver Miller and Barkley there..
Oct.5 at 5:45 pm
jbn74sb says:
An eat all you can meat festival? Sounds like eboy’s sex life.
Oct.5 at 5:53 pm
Bryan says:
One thing I do like about this magazine no matter how lame is that it referred to Eddy Curry’s lack of rebounding ability as “legendary”
Oct.5 at 5:59 pm
Myles Brown says:
Mutoni?
Oct.5 at 6:01 pm
Rubens says:
well it is isn’t it?
Oct.5 at 6:02 pm
jbn74sb says:
Mutoni is on suicide watch, judging from the tone of his preview. Do Canadians commit suicide, or do they just watch hockey instead?
Oct.5 at 6:08 pm
jay says:
i know its a little late but nice work mutoni, glad you got to do this, but why disappear when your post got this many hits? its not like you didnt know it was coming. Anywho I`m with Myles on the 50 win prediction & jbn i liked your best amd worst case scenario for us, i actually thought mutoni will do that but it was fine coming from you as well.