I have been bored scanning the blogs and there as usual are a few mentioning the Lakers as the Kobe's or everythings based on Kobe. Kobe is what he is, a great player and hopefully a team player again next year, but if Kobe has to miss some games for a minor injury I really think if the rest of this team is healthy it would still be a top five team in the west, I could be completely wrong but I think Lamar plays better without Kobe, and Pau and Bynum are likely to be a damn good PF-C combo. I love the pg situation with Farmar and Fisher, especially in the regular season. Also love Ariza, and Sasha is hit or miss but will shoot you to a couple bonus wins. Anyways my point being with Kobe extending his already way too long season the likelihood of missing some games is very high, and I am curious where people think this LAkers team 2 through 12 ranks versus all other Kobe Laker teams, including ones with Shaq. I think its second to 2001
First of all let me say, to be honest the Lakers had a good run, as far as they possibly could with the current cast of characters. Having said that you have done an excellent job of drafting, and honestly I question Phil Jackson's coaching as much as anything, having said that there is no point bringing in a new coach until you can get Byron Scott, so until then please revamp a bit the following players need to go, addition by subtraction.
1)Lamar Odom-This is a must, as horrible as he was in the playoffs, for some reason people want him now more then ever. His inability to think, make freethrows or layups kills the Lakers all too often. Also, the Lakers need a small forward (next year he should slide over correct) that can make jump shots and defend both weaknesses of Lamar, his only bright point is rebounding but with Pau and Bynum, and hopefully an increased roll for Ariza you should be okay there. Don't get me wrong part of me wouldn't mind seeing Gasol go, but I think his softness will be hidden better with Bynum and the departure of the other half of the Softest PF-C combination in NBA finals history.
2)Sasha- I have teetered on this back and forth, but the bottom line is as much as he gives you in hustle and streaky shooting, he is a detriment I have never seen a Laker with as much playing time who takes more bad shots with either no rebounder and even worse that lead to transition baskets. He must go or be relegated to deeper on the bench.
3) Luke Walton-Maybe just let his contract expire, and keep him but don't ever resign him as he is far too unathletic and his brains don't compensate for his lack of an ability to play defense, he also has a pretty terrible shot.
4)Vladimir Radmonovich-Got to go, and it sucks because at times he can really hit shots and even has some decent moves to the basket. However, I believe Mark Jackson said it best, "He is a player that is good enough to shoot you into a game, and also play you out of it." The Lakers need consistancy and mental toughness he is not the guy.
Hopefully we can bring in an Artest, but mostly bring in guys that are mentaly tough, and are athletic enough to defend. This defense was an embarrasment as was the inability to make easy buckets. I think if we lose at least two of these guys, with Bynum back and Ariza and Farmar improving next year will be better.
It's too hard to watch this team, we should of seen the warning signs those games where we down to the Spurs should of been losses. Luke Walton, Lamar Odom and Vladmir play too big of roles and are too big of liabilities to beat the Celtics, and it sucks maybe if they got em two weeks ago we could of lucked our way to a title. I dont want to hear about how bad the refs are sure they're horrible but this play is the worst I have ever seen by any Lakers team in the Finals, I am ready for the sweep and look forward to getting rid of Vlad, Luke and Lamar this offseason and the return of Andrew Bynum. You cant win with knuckleheads on your team and those guys, along with Sasha and Farmar's youth which will hopefully improve really leave you with Kobe and Pau the best center in the WNBA. And Fisher of course. Not enough, when the anger releases from my system I will realize this team overachieved this year, and its not their fault there just not good enough yet. NEXT YEAR!
Quick question will Kobe take it as a personal vendetta to shoot more and outplay Paul Pierce?
Or will he play team ball first and put some of his ego aside?
I think the Lakers could win both ways, but Kobe please go with option A cuz its so much EASIER. Your big guys shot like seventy percent from the floor, and on top of that most of their misses were in and out. Kobe your the man, honestly I have faith. I just really want you guys to leave it on the floor. The thing is when you only play one game a week for the finals you got to make em count. #### I cant make it till Sunday, I swear to fng god if I get to Sunday to see the pile of #### game I just witnessed am gong to break my TV and never watch the NBA again.
And I am gonna quit drinking and gambling, damn ... my words mean nothing..
Kobe I spent 500 dollars on nosebleeds when you guys beat the Spurs by 30, that is team ball KOBE, 500 dollars you can wipe your #### with, for me its a lot of money. And you know what you guys gave me such a spectacel. IS that the problem, you need me to blow money on plane ticket, and where a fletch afro and rambis jersey to Boston and get in a brawl with some dudes from Southy. Do I have to prove my commitment by funneling my money into stubhub, being like man these tickets would only be 20 bux if it was the Clippers. Cuz you know what, I will if that's what it takes. I will sell my god damn left kidney and a testicle to get there if thats what it takes.
And any people that don't like me bashing the best player in the world, Kobe needs this he feeds on this.
First off my friends and I gave you an ovation the other day at Islands by the bridge and I don't want this to come out wrong. I am hoping somehow you read this, because the media sucks and always asks the wrong questions.
If I were in the media what I would have asked you last night was, "I understand as lights out as Luke Walton and Vladmir were playing its tough to get em out of the ball game. Five points between the two, a four point play on a late rotation and Kevin Garnets Jewels on the back of Luke's neck, pretty good stuff to have out of the small forward position. But, seriously why have you not made the move to give Ariza any time?"
Okay, before this seems like an insult, Phil I dont complete understand you, and I do know that this team is a year ahead of schedule anyways, I know you are the master motivator and killer at preparing. #### you have how many rings?
But when a simpleton like myself sees how much you are leaving on the bench with Ariza, he is your best defender takes no bad shots ever, and never misses rotating or doubling. The guy has so much to give, and the thing is the guys he would be taking time from are good guys but are honestly giving you nothing. I think the Lakers can win this series without him, and I also think if the Lakers don't show up they could lose this series, hey its basketball.
I can live with the Lakers getting beat but not losing because they dont board or take plays off.... Phil, what I couldnt live down is in my opinion five years from now Trevor Ariza is going to be an all star, and he's a leaper a road-crowd killer. The typical guy that an out of towner hasn't heard of and just drives you crazy with altheticism. I am just saying I don't want to look back at this series a couple years from now, and say damn and we had Ariza and didn't play him. Phil, your team will win game two, but instead of having to win in spite of your small forward rotation, why not get something positive. To be honest with you, your the greatest at what you do. But your stubborn as #### and someone needs to call you on it. That four point play by Vlad Man, hey look it happens, that should of been your smelling salt.
In my opinion this is what you would gain by playing Ariza 20 minutes, 2 offensive boards, 4 defensive boards, one less made three by Allen, Nobody I MEAN Nobody that he guards will go 7 for 10, one block, one steal, and somewhere between 3 for 4 or 4 for 5 shooting, and one team inspiring freakish dunk. I understand if there was nowhere to insert him, but Luke and Vlade are absolutely glaring weaknesses, Vlade first quarter fine, no second half and Luke just isnt there give it a try that's all I ask...
Please Phil I am begging you from the bottom of my heart. Put an athlete on the floor, cuz I guarentee you KG will not have his nuts on the back of Ariza's neck. Ariza is a winner, and so are the other guys but he is an athlete, and plays the right way.
