Two More Years of Zen

Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson signed a 2-year $24 million extension, keeping him as the Laker coach through 2009-2010. This is great news for Laker fans. Now all we have to do is secure KB24.

Bring on Dwight

Tonight Kobe and the Lakers (9-7) take on Dwight Howard and the Magic (14-4). The Lakers are coming off of a 120-96 loss to the Boozer-less Jazz. Kobe Bryant dropped 28 points but the Lakers couldn't overcome a triple-double from Andrei Kirilenko. The Magic are coming off of a 110-106 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Dwight Howard was a beast, putting up 30 points and grabbing 23 boards. I expect this to be a good game. Don't let the records of these teams fool you, this game will be competitive. My Prediction: Since the game is at STAPLES Center, the Lakers will squeeze out a close victory 110- 107. Kobe will have a break out game scoring, dropping 38 points.

Maybe this highlight will happen again. This dunk was nasty!!!

Rekindle

Bird v.s. Magic. Kobe v.s. Garnett, Allen, and Pierce. Lakers v.s. Celtics.

The Lakers take on the Celtics for the first time this season tonight. Kobe Bryant comes into this game averaging a modest 26.9 points. The Lakers (7-4) had their 4-game winning streak ended in a 110-103 loss to the Bucks, but come into this game with the up most confidence. Meanwhile the Celtics (9-1) have been obliterating their opposition, winning such contests by an average of 14.2 points. Kobe a.k.a. the Facilitator will have to have a big game tonight, not necessarily scoring wise, for the Lakers to have a chance. I doubt this will be the beginning of a new rivalry between these to teams, but it does promise to be a good game. My prediction: Celtics win 115-107. Kobe ends the game with 31 points.

The State of the Lakers

The Lakers come into this weekend at 5-2, a fairly good start for this team. Kobe's stats read: 27.4 points, 7.4 Rebounds, 5.3 Assists, 2.3 Steals, 1.3 Blocks on 47% shooting. The Lakers have been playing good team basketball and it showed in their 103-91 win over the Pistons. Kobe trade talk has calmed down in recent weeks. The Lakers get ready to face the Chicago Bulls tonight, in their effort to end the night with a 6-2 record.

Lakers Get Ready For Utah

Coming off a stunning 119-98 win over Phoenix, where Kobe Bryant only scored 16 points, The Lakers play Utah tonight and attempt to open the season 2-1.

Lakers Lose Opener

The Los Angeles Lakers lost their season opener to the Houston Rockets 95-93. The Rockets led the game 92-80 with 1:36 to go before a series of turnovers would allow the Lakers in to game. With :21 seconds left in the game, Luke Walton stole the ball from Rafer Alston, which led to Kobe finding Derek Fisher for a wide open jumper to tie the game at 92 a piece. Shane Battier broke the tie with a clutch three pointer leaving 2.5 seconds left on the clock. The Rockets immediately fouled Kobe on the next inbound forcing him to miss the last free throw on purpose and the Lakers were unable to corral the rebound. Kobe ended the game with 45 points but on 13-32 shooting. Kobe had a career high in FT attempts (27) but went just 18-27 from the stripe. Kobe pulled in 8 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and had 4 steals. The Lakers body language may prove that all of the off court drama is affecting their game. Kobe even managed to get booed in the introductions. Tracy McGrady dropped 30 points and Yao chipped in with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Lamar Odom was inactive for this game.

Dimwitted Cuban

Mark Cuban usually makes wise basketball decisions, but then there are those times when he says such an outlandish statement, that it makes you just scratch your head. According to The Dallas Morning News, Cuban said that he will not trade for Kobe Bryant if Dirk Nowitski is involved in the trade."If and when I talk to Jerry, I'll make it clear that we're not going to trade Dirk," Cuban told the newspaper. "And we're not going to dismantle our team. Kobe's one of the top players in the league. But without the right team around him, he's in the same position he was in Los Angeles."
"So you don't want to just shuffle the deck chairs. Either you're making an improvement to your team or you don't do it. And with a team that won 67 games last year, it's tough to improve significantly."
Before I totally rip Cuban let's just compare Dirk and Kobe.
Kobe Bryant is a like a cold-hearted snake, with no regard, and has a sick killer instinct. Not to mention Kobe is the best player in the world right now.
Dirk Nowitski is a soft, 7-footer who happens to know how to shoot. Dirk is not dependable in clutch situations and always chokes on the big stage.
I know that Dirk and Mark are good friends, but when you're Mark Cuban you have to make decisions that are best for your organization.
Laker fans don't want Dirk Nowitski, but Maverick fans have to be a little disappointed in Mark Cuban's decision. Trading Kobe for Dirk would instantly put the Mavericks as the favorites in the league. That's how much a Kobe-for Dirk trade would affect the league.

Ceaseless Boisterousness

Jerry Buss has now confirmed that he would "certainly listen" to trade offers for Kobe Bryant. A Kobe Bryant trade has never been more imminent. Jerry Buss's statements quote caught Kobe "off guard". The Lakers and Kobe had agreed not to mention "the situation" publicly anymore. That all changed when Jerry Buss decided to open his mouth. Trade rumors are running rampant. Kobe Bryant missed three consecutive practices and many believed it was to send a message to the Lakers. Then there was the rumor that Kobe cleaned out his locker. Kobe Bryant denied that he cleaned out his locker, Kobe claimed that he was simply reorganizing it. The Lakers and this entire situation is spiralling out of control. Being a Laker fan nowadays is almost becoming a chore. Day by day you here more and more stories that makes you wonder why you are still a Laker fan. Could Kobe really be traded? Could this really be happening? According to all the NBA Insiders, the two most likely destinations for Kobe to end up, if he were to be traded are Chicago and Dallas. Chicago would have to gut their nucleus of young players to acquire Kobe. A straight up Kobe-Nowitski trade could happen and this would solve the Mavericks dilemma of not having a killer instinct but Nowitski along side Lamar Odom would do the Lakers no good. The best case scenario is that Kobe stays and the Lakers surround him with enough talent for the Lakers to contend. The worst case scenario is that Kobe is traded.

I never want to see Kobe in a Bulls jersey....or in a Maverick jersey for that matter.

Eerie Silence

There is an eerie silence in Lakerland right now. After an eventful beginning to the offseason, the Lakers have not addressed the need to upgrade the current roster. While re-signing Derek Fisher bodes well for the Lakers' chemistry, and re-signing Luke Walton and Chris Mihm will somewhat stabilize the role players, the Lakers are still missing that supporting superstar to take the Lakers to the next level. The opportunities have been coming and yet the Lakers have not negotiated a trade to improve the roster. Many criticized Kobe for taking out his frustrations out on the Lakers, but when you can not trust you own organization and they insist on being mediocre, sometimes it's time for a change.Why haven't the Lakers acquired Jermaine O'Neal? Why are the Lakers so stubborn when it comes to giving up that damn Andrew Bynum? The Lakers' reluctance to give Bynum up will be their downfall. Phil Jackson has a big decision on his hands. Within the next four weeks Phil Jackson will reveal if he plans on re-signing with the Lakers or not (his current contract expires after this season). I personally hope Phil stays. Phil is just what Kobe needs to succeed and win his fourth championship.

The Zen Master

Phil Jackson was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Phil Jackson is tied with Red Auerbach, with 9 championship rings and has the best playoff winning percentage for any coach of all-time. Many people credit Phil Jackson's championships to the great players he has coached. These people forget that Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq never won a championship before he coached them. Phil Jackson is a Hall of Famer and is a top 3 coach of all time.

USA Basketball: The Dream Team 2

The Dream Team : Part 2. We're off to Beijing. The USA Basketball defeated Argentina once again and won the Gold Medal in the FIBA Tournament of the Americas. Led by Carmelo Anthony's scoring, Lebron James's and Jason Kidd's decision making, and Kobe Bryant's defense, the Dream Team dominated the tournament. European teams will prove to be better competition but the team will be adding Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, so a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics is very likely. That was an overall great two weeks but now its time to shift my focus to the upcoming season and of course....the Lakers.

USA Basketball: Argentina's Next...Again

The USA Basketball squad has clinched a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After defeating Argentina on Thursday and routing Puerto Rico by 44 on Saturday, the "Dream Team" is guaranteed a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The acquisitions of Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd have proved to be well worthy. The USA Basketball team faces Argentina for the gold medal round of the FIBA Tournament of the Americas on Sunday. My Prediction: USA by 30.

USA Basketball: Argentina's Next

The USA Basketball team has dropped off a bit when it comes to margin of victory, but you expect that to happen when the competition becomes stiffer. Tonight they play Argentina without Ginobli, Nocioni, and Oberto. I expect it to be a blowout by at least 25 points.

USA Basketball: Domination

Three games into the FIBA Americas tournament preliminary round, the "Dream Team" has managed to triumph over Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, and Canada by an average of 52 points. Carmelo Anthony has continues his brilliant play, leading the team in scoring at 21 points per game. The USA Basketball team has dominated with their defense holding their opponents to under 35% FG shooting. The team has been playing with a killer instinct not seen in this team since '92. The two key acquisitions Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant have played amazing together and have given the team a boost mentally. This US team is on pace to set records for defeat margins. The competition hasn't been as stiff as a Brazil, Argentina or Spain, but the team has the right mentality and should easily clinch a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Miller Time

Reggie Miller is contemplating a comeback to the NBA with the Boston Celtics. As if this wasn't a good enough summer for the Boston Celtics. The Boston Celtics have acquired Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Scott Pollard, Eddie House and now Reggie Miller is considering joining their elite squad. Let's not forget that their roster also includes Glen Davis who they picked up in the draft and Tony Allen, their young talented guard with a lot of upside, who was sidelined last year with two torn ligaments in his left knee. Should we just pencil the Celtics in to win the NBA Championship? This is getting ridiculous. I remember just a few years ago that the Celtics were irrelevant and the Lakers were contenders every year. Now not only have the Celtics gotten better, but they stole Kevin Garnett from us Laker fans. If Reggie Miller is half as good as he used to be, he will be serviceable. The Celtics are going to be very scary this year....and now that I think about it....so will the Lakers.

Is Jermaine Good Enough?

Jermaine O'Neal wants to be a Laker. Jermaine "Injury Prone" O'Neal wants to be a Laker. I am literally at a loss for words. Is this a good thing? Will it be enough to keep Kobe? Would Jermaine coming make us a contender? Yes, maybe, and sadly no. Jermaine O'Neal wanting to be a Laker means the Lakers will improve and will move in a positive direction. I first thought this will not be enough to keep Kobe in L.A..I originally thought the only player that could keep Kobe Bryant in a Laker uniform was Kevin Garnett. Jermaine O'Neal is a poor man's Kevin Garnett, but is that enough? Jermaine O'Neal claims that he has been communicating with Kobe Bryant all summer about getting him in a Laker uniform. Jermaine and Kobe have had a tight relationship through the years and maybe that can convert into chemistry on the court. Jermaine O'Neal does not make the Lakers contenders no matter what the trade scenario. Jermaine O'Neal is not enough. Not to mention his injury problems over the last two years. Don't get me wrong, Jermaine O'Neal is a very good player, but to take this team to the next level he'll have to show me something I've never seen from him. I'm just confused about this. I'll have to see what happens.

It's Over

The Boston Celtics have acquired Kevin Garnett. The hope train has just been derailed. We all thought we had a chance to get KG. Once again we placed the fate of our organization in Mitch Kupchak's hands. The Celtics traded 7 players to acquire Kevin Garnett, an NBA record for one player. Boston sent the Minnesota Timberwolves forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, guard Sebastian Telfair and center Theo Ratliff, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations. The Celtics acquired Ray Allen on draft night and now have acquired KG. I know what you're asking yourselves Laker fans: Where the HELL are we in all of this?! Right now Kobe Bryant is having a complete and total mental meltdown. While Kobe Bryant has been begging for the Lakers to acquire at least one complementary superstar, the hated Celtics have given Paul Pierce two of the best in the NBA. Oh how the tables have turned. Paul Pierce's career was taking a turn for the worst. He was on a losing team and was injury prone. Then just like that he is an instant favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference. The Lakers organization has just come crashing down to the ground. There is not many available moves out there to make the Lakers credible, relevant, and/or respectable. Mark my words: Kobe Bryant will not be in a Laker uniform next season. If somehow Kobe Bryant remains a Los Angeles Laker it will be the most grueling hard to watch season the Lakers have had in years. But the Lakers did make a free agent acquisition today. The Lakers signed Coby Karl. Coby Karl!!! What the HELL has happened to the Lakers management.

But enough complaining. Congratulations to Kevin Garnett. He deserves this. He has been in the league so long and has been losing almost his entire career. I wish him luck playing with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. As to Kobe: hang in there. To Mitch Kupchak is say: get off your lazy ass and do your damn job! You are not the GM of the Orlando Magic, you are the GM of the world renown Los Angeles Lakers and you need to start acting like it. These are some pretty dark times for us Laker fans, but it ain't over.

Say Goodbye to Smush!!!

Smush Parker has signed with the Miami Heat. Smush Parker's averages for the Lakers these past two years were 11.3 points, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 32 minutes. These numbers are very deceiving. Smush Parker should not start at point guard on any NBA team. Smush Paker is and always will be a bum. Smush is a bum. If it wasn't for Kwame Brown, Smush Parker would lead the Lakers in mental mistakes. So farewell Smush. I hope you and Shaq win about 20 games next year and stay home during the playoffs. You are nothing but a pouter, who has the IQ of a guinea pig. We are happy with Javaris Crittenton, Jordan Farmar, and of course Derek "D-Fish" Fisher. You aren't worthy of donning a Laker uniform. Punk.

USA Basketball: Kobe's Game Winner

Kobe clutch as always.

USA Basketball: Kobe Does It Again

With his team down one Kobe Bryant came up with the biggest play of the game. After a couple of pump fakes Kobe Bryant freed himself from Tayshun Prince for a 19-foot fadeaway with 6.6 seconds left on the clock to put his team up one. Coming out of the timeout, Kobe guarded LeBron James on the final play forcing him to miss wide right on a jumper that would have won it.

One of the lighter moments of the game came with 21.3 seconds left on the clock, Kobe Bryant attempted to call timeout-- which is not allowed in international rules, only the coach may call timeout. The referee blew his whistle then played it off by calling a foul on fellow NBA All-Star Jason Kidd. Kobe Bryant joked that he made a "T" sign with his hands in an attempt to call Kidd for a technical for continuing to elbow him in the stomach "like it was a game from the '80s." Kobe Bryant was easily the crowd favorite even receiving chants of "Ko-be, Ko-be". The play that got the crowd the most animated was LeBron James rejecting Kobe Bryant on a up-and-under dunk attempt. The block sent Kobe soaring into a row of photographers. "His big, grown-up body knocked me off-balance, so I have to get used to playing at a lighter weight," said Bryant, who checked into camp at 200 pounds for the first time since his rookie season. Kobe Bryant ended the game with 26 points on 10-for-22 shooting, including 4-for-9 from 3-point range. Fellow teammate Carmelo Anthony led all scores with 28 points. One of the most surprising performances came from rookie Kevin Durant who dropped in 22 points on 9-14 shooting for the blue squad. Dwight Howard went 9-9 from the field and scored 21 points, wile LeBron James notched 18 points. The roster must be widdled down to a 12-man roster; J.J. Reddick, Nick Collison, and Shane Battier are the most likely to be dropped from the roster.

USA Basketball

Kobe Bryant is one of 17 players expected to attend the U.S. national team minicamp this weekend in Las Vegas. USA Basketball will attempt to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Surprisingly this will be the first time that Kobe Bryant will participate in the USA Basketball program. The 17 players expected to attend will be trimmed to a 12-man roster for qualifying. There are 32 players in the USA Basketball program and 15 players are unavailable to attend minicamp. Dwayne Wade, Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, and Greg Oden are notables that are out due to injury. The 17 players expected to attend are Kobe Bryant• LeBron James• Carmelo Anthony• Dwight Howard• Chris Bosh• Shane Battier• Kirk Hinrich• Chauncey Billups• Amare Stoudemire• Michael Redd• Kevin Durant• Jason Kidd• Mike Miller• Tyson Chandler• Tayshaun Prince• J.J. Redick• and Deron Williams. I believe this team can dominate easily and win gold in Beijing with Wade and others coming back. Go USA!

Chris...Mihm?

After injuring his right ankle in the last minute of a game against Seattle on March 12, 2006, Chris Mihm missed the entire 2006-2007 season. Now the Lakers have signed Chris as an unrestricted free agent. The terms have not yet been announced, but it is believed to be a three year deal. Chris Mihm, who just turned 28, is a 7-foot 265 pound center. I'm not overly excited with this move but it will give the Lakers more depth in the interior. Maybe the Lakers can use Chris as trade bait, but I'd rather them not. I'd much rather see Kwame Brown go. Either way this doesn't solve a thing. I like Chris Mihm but he's no KG.

Welcome Back

Guess who's back? D-Fish BABY!!! Derek Fisher asked the Utah Jazz to release him so he can move to a city with hospitals that treat a rare eye cancer that his 1-year old daughter has. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and I'd like to welcome him back. What does this mean? Sasha Vujacic won't get any playing time this year. Smush Parker will not be in a Laker uniform next year. Sadly Javaris Crittenton will not have a productive rookie season due to lack of playing time. But at the same time I'm sure the Lakers can figure this point-guard situation in a trade for KG. Wishful thinking? Who cares. D-Fish is a solid point-guard that Kobe enjoys to play with, Phil Jackson enjoys to coach, and knows the triangle offense. Imagine a starting lineup of Fisher,Kobe,Walton,Garnett, and Kwame Brown. Not bad. Welcome back D-Fish. I hope your daughter gets well.

Just Got Paid

Congratulations to Chauncey Billups for signing a 5-year $60 million dollar contract. Good luck Chauncey.

Looks happy doesn't he?

KG We Need You!!!

We've come along way haven't we Laker fans. We have come from expecting championships every year to hoping to lure a superstar from the Phoenix Suns. Face it Laker fans...we need Kevin Garnett.

Our organization traded Caron Butler,an All-Star this past year, for Kwame Brown and then gave him an extension. What I'm about to say might be a little disheartening but: Kwame Brown is set to make about 8.3 million dollars this year. I repeat: 8.3 Million. We are spending 8.3 Million dollars for 7 points and 6 rebounds this year! It's alright to weep Laker fans, I'm right there with you.

Kobe Bryant is pissed off an has a right to be. The Lakers have promised to put a winning product on the court but have produced....Kwame Brown. Kobe Bryant has put on some of the greatest performances in NBA history and put up mind boggling numbers and what has been the result? 34,45,and 42. Yeah, you thought right. Those are the winning totals since Kobe has re-signed with the Lakers. Oh it hurts so bad.

The Lakers organization was fooled. When the Lakers took the Phoenix Suns to 7 games in the 2006 NBA playoffs, Jerry Buss and Mitch Dumbass must have thought they had a good enough team to go deep in the playoffs since they were up 3-1 in the series. I know I know, their dumb. But don't deny it Laker fans. When we started 26-13 all of us were buying into that dumb thought. We weren't listening to the experts tell us that all of the games early in the season are at home an we shouldn't look into our great record. We all knew deep in the back of our minds that we weren't that good. Then it happened. We finished the season 16-27.

We're optimists. Right now all of you are hoping that Javaris Crittenton and Colby Karl turn out to be the next Chauncey Billups and Rashard Lewis. We are buying into the hype. It ain't gonna happen. The Lakers have never been the best drafters. But...

If this trade for Kevin Garnett to happen who knows how good we could be. Our starting lineup could be:

PG - JARIC

SG- KOBE

SF- WALTON

PF- GARNETT

C- KWAME BROWN (I know it hurts)

Not to shabby. On paper we're only the 5th best team in the west at best but with Kobe and KG anythng can happen in a 7-game series. Our bench would include Radmonovic, Vujacic, Evans, Cook, Turiaf, Farmar & Crittenton (We better not re-sign Smush Parker so help me GAWD!!!).
Hey it's better than what we have now. Maybe this Laker team can make it to the NBA Finals by being on the side of the bracket that only has to face one of the three perennial power-houses in the Western Conference. Maybe we can pull an upset and... you know what? Forget it. I can feel that deadly optimism coming over me. KG we need you, forget whatever the hell Steve Nash is telling you.

Get Rid Of Mitch!!!

Mitch Kupchak has destroyed the Lakers.
You wanna talk about trading Caron Butler for Kwame Brown and giving Kwame an extension. How has that panned out Mitch!

Carlos Boozer, Baron Davis, Jermaine O'neal, all willing to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, but Mitch Kupkake doesn't have the balls to pull the trigger.

Jerry Buss tells Kobe that they will not be rebuilding and they want to be an immediate contender but Mitch Kupchak is content with being "The Guy that Traded Shaq".

I can't help but find myself wondering, would any of this happen if Jerry West was here? Jerry West a.k.a. the Genius. He trades Vlade Divac for Kobe on Draft day an signs Shaq to lay down the foundation for a dynasty.

WHAT IN THE BLUE HELL HAS MITCH DONE! He has contributed absolutely nothing to the organization. Kobe doesn't like to lose and if it means leaving his all time favorite organization.....so be it.

Now all the pressure is on Mitch. How do you get yourself out of this one Mitch? Kobe wants out and it is almost entirely your fault. Winning is a tradition in the Laker organization. Mitch is just a deer caught in head lights.

Hopefully Mitch can find his way out of this mess. If not.........

GET RID OF MITCH!!!