Lakers
Basketball - The Great Haven For Egos and Idiots
Over the past few days, a couple of the most
well-known names in the world of basketball have
opened their collective mouths, and shown the world
that they are in fact a couple of the great egos, and
idiots, in the world of basketball.
As previously described here, the long-overdue resignation of the brain surgeon AD was a welcome occasion this week, as was the selection of San Marino’s only registered Democrat, Pat Haden, to succeed him. Is there anyone who could possible disagree with this change? Anyone who would, or could, laud the stellar work of of the disgraced mike garrett? Why yes, there is. And that person is: None other than Laker owner and celebrated over-grown preppy, Jerry Buss.
While the world, including the new sc Prez. and AD, have slowly come around to realize the extent of the criminal enterprise run by the garrett-carroll-floyd triumvirate, the good doctor Buss - who oh, so proudly wears his sc ph.d in chemistry as others would an M.D. from Harvard - has seen fit to submit his beliefs to the LA Times, who, strangely enough, printed his message in today’s sports section, to wit:
Then there is the case of the ego of Mr. Chris Paul, registering this week a solid 9.8 on the LeBum-Ego-Meter scale of ten.
What G-d damn arrogance! The mighty Mr. Paul wants to be a Magic, a Knick, or, heaven forbid, a LAKER?
By the way, isn’t he under contract to New Orleans? Why doesn’t that “no tampering” policy stuff apply to players who are under contract, as well as team representatives?
Well, Mr. Paul, with the recent moves the Lakers have made, signing Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff, the two-time NBA Champs are just fine without your services, and, in fact, now possess a roster far stronger than that which, as just noted, has won the NBA Championship the past two seasons WITHOUT YOU!
The very idea, incredibly favored by many equally idiotic commentators, that the Lakers should break up their winning combination by trading the vastly talented and still developing Andrew Bynum for Paul, is absurd.
After painfully enduring the LeBum event (actually, I’m still nauseous from it all), who would have thought that yet another mindless ego would so soon emerge from the pro basketball world, with similar headline-grabing arrogance and impunity.
Come on, it’s BASEBALL SEASON with the trade deadline coming up and pennant races around the corner.
As previously described here, the long-overdue resignation of the brain surgeon AD was a welcome occasion this week, as was the selection of San Marino’s only registered Democrat, Pat Haden, to succeed him. Is there anyone who could possible disagree with this change? Anyone who would, or could, laud the stellar work of of the disgraced mike garrett? Why yes, there is. And that person is: None other than Laker owner and celebrated over-grown preppy, Jerry Buss.
While the world, including the new sc Prez. and AD, have slowly come around to realize the extent of the criminal enterprise run by the garrett-carroll-floyd triumvirate, the good doctor Buss - who oh, so proudly wears his sc ph.d in chemistry as others would an M.D. from Harvard - has seen fit to submit his beliefs to the LA Times, who, strangely enough, printed his message in today’s sports section, to wit:
All I can add is this: Had buss accepted comperable conduct from his LA Laker leadership and athletes, he would have been suspended by the NBA from any participation in the operation of his franchise, the employees directly responsible would have been removed, and the athletes involved fined unprecedented sums.There doesn't seem to be much love shown for Mike Garrett and I would like to correct this if I may. I think in the future, the last 17 years will be known as one of the Golden Ages of USC sports. It is doubtful to me if we will ever win as many NCAA championships in such a short period of time as we have done under Mike. The football was fun; the basketball was fun; the track & field a glimmering of its past glory under impossible circumstances (the limitation of scholarships imposed on USC).I would also like to point out that for 50 years as a loyal Trojan, I prayed for someone with the ability, foresight and courage to attempt to build our own sports arena. This was accomplished by Mike Garrett even though there were numerous predecessors who attempted unsuccessfully to do the same thing.Let's not kid ourselves — things were wonderful under Mike and although I hope things will be even better under Pat Haden, I think we owe Mr. Garrett a very deep debt of gratitude.Jerry H. BussEl Segundo
Then there is the case of the ego of Mr. Chris Paul, registering this week a solid 9.8 on the LeBum-Ego-Meter scale of ten.
What G-d damn arrogance! The mighty Mr. Paul wants to be a Magic, a Knick, or, heaven forbid, a LAKER?
By the way, isn’t he under contract to New Orleans? Why doesn’t that “no tampering” policy stuff apply to players who are under contract, as well as team representatives?
Well, Mr. Paul, with the recent moves the Lakers have made, signing Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff, the two-time NBA Champs are just fine without your services, and, in fact, now possess a roster far stronger than that which, as just noted, has won the NBA Championship the past two seasons WITHOUT YOU!
The very idea, incredibly favored by many equally idiotic commentators, that the Lakers should break up their winning combination by trading the vastly talented and still developing Andrew Bynum for Paul, is absurd.
After painfully enduring the LeBum event (actually, I’m still nauseous from it all), who would have thought that yet another mindless ego would so soon emerge from the pro basketball world, with similar headline-grabing arrogance and impunity.
Come on, it’s BASEBALL SEASON with the trade deadline coming up and pennant races around the corner.
theHoundDawg
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Watch Your Step. Oh No!
07/09/10 23:34 Filed in: Baseball
How about an infield of Vic Martinez at first, Dustin
Pedroia at second, Jed Lowrie as short, and Mike
Lowell at third. You’ve got Jason Veritek behind the
plate, and Jacoby Ellsbury and Jeremy Hermida in the
outfield. Starting pitchers are Josh Beckett and Clay
Buchholz, and there are Manny Delcarmen and Junichi
Tazawa in the bullpen. Not to shabby of a major
league team.
Well, it’s not a team, it’s the current Boston Red Sox disabled list.
How about this list of players: Jake Peavy, Grady Sizemore, Kendry Morales, Josh Fields, Greg Zahn, Joe Nathan, Kelvim Escobar, Justin Duchscherer, Travis Buck, J.P. Howell, Dustin McGowan, and Joel Zumaya.
Pretty good nucleus for a team? Or two?
Those are some of the major league players who this year have suffered season-ending injuries, some as early as spring training, some as recent as Jake Peavy’s injury this past week.
The Philadelphia Phillies played a big chunk of the season without Jimmy Rollins, and J.A. Happ has pitched 10 innings. Placido Polanco, Carlos Ruiz, and Chase Utley are currently disabled and will be for some time.
Starting pitchers Brandon Webb, Edinson Volquez, Eric Bedard, Chien-Ming Wang, and Jordan Zimmerman have yet to throw a pitch on a major league field this season, and Carlos Beltran has yet to step foot on CitiField this year.
The Braves are still in first despite injuries to Nate McLouth and rookie sensation Jason Hayward; the Orioles are still last despite injuries to Brian Roberts, Mike Gonzales, Luke Scott, Jim Johnson and Kevin Millwood. Injuries in the past few days have thrown the AL Central askew, with the White Sox losing Peavy and the Tigers losing Zumaya, for the duration, as did earlier the Twins lose Nathan. Had the last place Indians not lost Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, and now Shin-Soo Chu, they might have been in that race.
I’ll hold off mentioning Dodger starting pitchers, Manny, and the Angels and Morales and Maicer Izturis, and..... Do I really have to go on?
When has there been a season with this number of major injuries? None that I can remember in the more than 50 years that I’ve been a fan.
A final note: HE DID IT AGAIN TONIGHT! Mario Solis on tonight’s late news sports segment, talking about the possibility of Derek FIsher signing with Miami, “quoted” Kobe regarding Fisher being indispensible to the Lakers, thusly: “Fisher’s significance cannot be understated.”
Well, it’s not a team, it’s the current Boston Red Sox disabled list.
How about this list of players: Jake Peavy, Grady Sizemore, Kendry Morales, Josh Fields, Greg Zahn, Joe Nathan, Kelvim Escobar, Justin Duchscherer, Travis Buck, J.P. Howell, Dustin McGowan, and Joel Zumaya.
Pretty good nucleus for a team? Or two?
Those are some of the major league players who this year have suffered season-ending injuries, some as early as spring training, some as recent as Jake Peavy’s injury this past week.
The Philadelphia Phillies played a big chunk of the season without Jimmy Rollins, and J.A. Happ has pitched 10 innings. Placido Polanco, Carlos Ruiz, and Chase Utley are currently disabled and will be for some time.
Starting pitchers Brandon Webb, Edinson Volquez, Eric Bedard, Chien-Ming Wang, and Jordan Zimmerman have yet to throw a pitch on a major league field this season, and Carlos Beltran has yet to step foot on CitiField this year.
The Braves are still in first despite injuries to Nate McLouth and rookie sensation Jason Hayward; the Orioles are still last despite injuries to Brian Roberts, Mike Gonzales, Luke Scott, Jim Johnson and Kevin Millwood. Injuries in the past few days have thrown the AL Central askew, with the White Sox losing Peavy and the Tigers losing Zumaya, for the duration, as did earlier the Twins lose Nathan. Had the last place Indians not lost Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, and now Shin-Soo Chu, they might have been in that race.
I’ll hold off mentioning Dodger starting pitchers, Manny, and the Angels and Morales and Maicer Izturis, and..... Do I really have to go on?
When has there been a season with this number of major injuries? None that I can remember in the more than 50 years that I’ve been a fan.
A final note: HE DID IT AGAIN TONIGHT! Mario Solis on tonight’s late news sports segment, talking about the possibility of Derek FIsher signing with Miami, “quoted” Kobe regarding Fisher being indispensible to the Lakers, thusly: “Fisher’s significance cannot be understated.”
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theHoundDawg
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Three Hours to Havoc
06/30/10 18:06 Filed in: NBA
Three hours to go until havoc time - get those
checkbooks ready!
Since we last met, Doc Rivers has learned that his family doesn’t want him home too much of the time, so he is re-upping with Boston, which could mean Paul Pierce will return and that the Celtic demise was premature.
Also, though yesterday it seemed pretty sure that LeBum was moving to south Florida, stuff today seems to indicate that my original prognostication from two years ago that he would be playing in Brooklyn, may still have life. That forecast was made while the old ownership was still in place, and when their move from NJ seemed to be on track to happen sooner. But today I think the Heat is not such a sure thing, and Brooklyn, and probably still Chicago, remain in the running.
Of course the biggest event in bb today is the rumor that Phil Jackson WILL be back at Staples for one more season. So, all the Lakers really need is to re-sign Derrick Fisher, find his new backup, and fill in the holes left by the exit of Josh Powell, Shannon Brown, DJ Mbenga and Alan Morrison, as well as Jordan Farmar. Trading Lamar Odom, which is still likely, may present a bigger obstacle with no Paul Pierce on the market, and little $$$$ room for the likes of a Carlos Boozer-type. Then, there are today’s Carmelo Anthony trade rumors as well.
On another note, if Vinny Del Negro is at all interested in coaching the Clippers, SNAP HIM UP!!
Since we last met, Doc Rivers has learned that his family doesn’t want him home too much of the time, so he is re-upping with Boston, which could mean Paul Pierce will return and that the Celtic demise was premature.
Also, though yesterday it seemed pretty sure that LeBum was moving to south Florida, stuff today seems to indicate that my original prognostication from two years ago that he would be playing in Brooklyn, may still have life. That forecast was made while the old ownership was still in place, and when their move from NJ seemed to be on track to happen sooner. But today I think the Heat is not such a sure thing, and Brooklyn, and probably still Chicago, remain in the running.
Of course the biggest event in bb today is the rumor that Phil Jackson WILL be back at Staples for one more season. So, all the Lakers really need is to re-sign Derrick Fisher, find his new backup, and fill in the holes left by the exit of Josh Powell, Shannon Brown, DJ Mbenga and Alan Morrison, as well as Jordan Farmar. Trading Lamar Odom, which is still likely, may present a bigger obstacle with no Paul Pierce on the market, and little $$$$ room for the likes of a Carlos Boozer-type. Then, there are today’s Carmelo Anthony trade rumors as well.
On another note, if Vinny Del Negro is at all interested in coaching the Clippers, SNAP HIM UP!!
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theHoundDawg
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Lakers, Phil, and Next Season
06/29/10 23:58 Filed in: NBA
Next season is now, and the future of the Lakers
depends on PJ coming back. If rumors from south
Florida are true and LeBum and Chris Bosh will be
joining Wade with the Heat, once again to be coached
by Pat Riley, keeping Phil is the only way the Lakers
can do it again next season.
If he leaves, Byron Scott is a shoe-in to replace him, and that will spell doom for the Lakers. He is not the coach that some people seem to think he is, and he will not do well in LA. If Phil stays another year, not only will he have a great chance to lead the Lakers to that third straight title, but in the interim Scott will likely accept another spot, and the Lakers will look elsewhere in 2012. Too bad Brian Shaw seems to be in line for the Cav job, as he is number two on the Laker list and I feel has a much better coaching future than Scott, though no coach will be successful with a LeBum-less Cleveland for at least the next five years.
On another note, my guess is that Lamar Odom has played his last game with the Lakers, that Paul Pierce is through in Boston, and that the Lakers will make signing Pierce one of two priorities. The other will be a backup point guard, as Jordan Farmar will also be leaving.
In Boston, it looks like Doc Rivers is gone, and with Pierce elsewhere and with Rasheed Wallace retired, this Celtic team's time has passed, and serious rebuilding is in order.
If he leaves, Byron Scott is a shoe-in to replace him, and that will spell doom for the Lakers. He is not the coach that some people seem to think he is, and he will not do well in LA. If Phil stays another year, not only will he have a great chance to lead the Lakers to that third straight title, but in the interim Scott will likely accept another spot, and the Lakers will look elsewhere in 2012. Too bad Brian Shaw seems to be in line for the Cav job, as he is number two on the Laker list and I feel has a much better coaching future than Scott, though no coach will be successful with a LeBum-less Cleveland for at least the next five years.
On another note, my guess is that Lamar Odom has played his last game with the Lakers, that Paul Pierce is through in Boston, and that the Lakers will make signing Pierce one of two priorities. The other will be a backup point guard, as Jordan Farmar will also be leaving.
In Boston, it looks like Doc Rivers is gone, and with Pierce elsewhere and with Rasheed Wallace retired, this Celtic team's time has passed, and serious rebuilding is in order.
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theHoundDawg
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On the Road
Well, theHoundDawg just got back last night from four
days in the bay area. Thanks to satellite radio and
Tommy’s fabulous Mexican restaurant in SF, I didn’t
miss too much LA sports.
Thursday eve in SF, I was able to hear some of the Laker finale on SiriusXM, and then at dinner at Tommy’s I had an excellent view of the TV for the fourth quarter. A great margarita, a great meal, and a sensational final quarter to the NBA season. As it was the City, as the game ended, the Warrior, Celtic and anti-LA fans that populated the place broke into a sustained round of silence, with a few rationed applause sounds from me and a couple of other brave souls. MrsHound remained silent so as not to enrage the masses.
On Sunday, as the afternoon turned into evening, driving home on the aromatic five, the sounds of Dodger baseball helped pass the time, though losing that third in a row to Boston was painful.
Even more painful was the fact the SiriusXM broadcasts of both the Laker-Celtic game (and the post-game we listened to after leaving Tommy’s) and the Dodger-Red Sox game were feeds of the Boston broadcasts, with Boston’s homer announcers, including the basketball color guy, the never-to-be forgotten Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell.
Thursday eve in SF, I was able to hear some of the Laker finale on SiriusXM, and then at dinner at Tommy’s I had an excellent view of the TV for the fourth quarter. A great margarita, a great meal, and a sensational final quarter to the NBA season. As it was the City, as the game ended, the Warrior, Celtic and anti-LA fans that populated the place broke into a sustained round of silence, with a few rationed applause sounds from me and a couple of other brave souls. MrsHound remained silent so as not to enrage the masses.
On Sunday, as the afternoon turned into evening, driving home on the aromatic five, the sounds of Dodger baseball helped pass the time, though losing that third in a row to Boston was painful.
Even more painful was the fact the SiriusXM broadcasts of both the Laker-Celtic game (and the post-game we listened to after leaving Tommy’s) and the Dodger-Red Sox game were feeds of the Boston broadcasts, with Boston’s homer announcers, including the basketball color guy, the never-to-be forgotten Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell.
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theHoundDawg
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ESPN Radio Deserts its Fans
05/30/10 12:19 Filed in: Soccer
Words to die by:
We want to hear Mason and Ireland not Libya v Myanmar soccer, Mike and Mike not Iceland v Croatia soccer, Terry Smith not that goaaaaaaal guy. This will be the schedule for all of ESPN radio, not just 710 SoCal.
It’s going to be a long, boring, radio-less summer with all this world cup stuff pushing INTERESTING REAL SPORTS off the radio.
For those of us who listen to sports talk radio, the best of which in Southern California is by far that which is broadcast through the local ESPN station, 710KSPN, not to mention play-by-play of stuff like, well, Angel and Lakers games, and for some of you demented fans out there, usc sports, this announcement is an abomination.“Hear every match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on ESPN Radio and ESPNRadio.com.”
We want to hear Mason and Ireland not Libya v Myanmar soccer, Mike and Mike not Iceland v Croatia soccer, Terry Smith not that goaaaaaaal guy. This will be the schedule for all of ESPN radio, not just 710 SoCal.
It’s going to be a long, boring, radio-less summer with all this world cup stuff pushing INTERESTING REAL SPORTS off the radio.
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theHoundDawg
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Lakers Limp into Playoffs
04/18/10 10:28 Filed in: NBA
The Lakers should be raring to go.
Unfortunately, chronic injuries to Kobe, Drew Bynum’s yearly leg injury, Sasha’s severely sprained ankle, and a beat-up Jordan Farmar, combined with a first-round face-off with the young, powerful, up-and-coming OC Thunder, makes the entire playoff season look like a major undertaking. Geting through the Thunder will be no easy task, and it will only get more difficult facing the rest of the best in the powerful West (Poetry at no extra cost.).
Also, defending the likes of Kevin Durant in the playoffs is the job that the Lakers had in mind when they signed ron artest. He never had a melt-down during the regular season, but the pressure of the playoffs could mean a return to form for the masked psycho.
On another injury note, the injury to Brandon Roy plus the Sun’s hot finish likely will mean the Lakers avoiding a matchup with their Portland nemesis.
Unfortunately, chronic injuries to Kobe, Drew Bynum’s yearly leg injury, Sasha’s severely sprained ankle, and a beat-up Jordan Farmar, combined with a first-round face-off with the young, powerful, up-and-coming OC Thunder, makes the entire playoff season look like a major undertaking. Geting through the Thunder will be no easy task, and it will only get more difficult facing the rest of the best in the powerful West (Poetry at no extra cost.).
Also, defending the likes of Kevin Durant in the playoffs is the job that the Lakers had in mind when they signed ron artest. He never had a melt-down during the regular season, but the pressure of the playoffs could mean a return to form for the masked psycho.
On another injury note, the injury to Brandon Roy plus the Sun’s hot finish likely will mean the Lakers avoiding a matchup with their Portland nemesis.
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theHoundDawg
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Buss Role in Kiffin Deal Defies Logic
01/13/10 23:32 Filed in: College
Football
Today's revelation that Lakers' owner and sc grad
Jerry Buss paid the University of Tennessee the
goodly sum of $800,000 as a buy-out of Lane Kiffin's
contract is an eye-opener.
Draconian NCAA rules make penny-ante "offenses" into felonies, but this is legal?
sc, the second largest private land-owner in Los Angeles County and the beneficiary of untold riches generated by virtue of the illegal activities of its men's athletic department really does need all this economic help from its fan base. Heaven forbid they would have to pay this, or gee, what if Kiffin had to pay this himself, like, well, ANY OTHER COACH breaching a contract would have had to?
Draconian NCAA rules make penny-ante "offenses" into felonies, but this is legal?
sc, the second largest private land-owner in Los Angeles County and the beneficiary of untold riches generated by virtue of the illegal activities of its men's athletic department really does need all this economic help from its fan base. Heaven forbid they would have to pay this, or gee, what if Kiffin had to pay this himself, like, well, ANY OTHER COACH breaching a contract would have had to?
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theHoundDawg
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Beginning of the End for Artest? We Can Only Hope
12/26/09 17:14 Filed in: NBA
Do the Lakers think we're all idiots?
The guy that instigated the most despicable incident in NBA history, the guy who recently announced to the world that he used to down a few shots at half-time of games while he was playing for timmy's Bulls, the guy the Lakers sought out rather than re-signing Trevor Ariza, shows up with a head injury, a concussion, and a banged-up elbow, and they expect us to believe him that he TRIPPED OVER A BOX AND FELL DOWN THE STAIRS AT HOME?????
Oh, come on.
Where did this really happen, and how did it really happen?
And, when he was taken to UCLA Med Center, did they do a blood alcohol and/or drug test?
Stay tuned. I can hardly wait for the next chapter.
The guy that instigated the most despicable incident in NBA history, the guy who recently announced to the world that he used to down a few shots at half-time of games while he was playing for timmy's Bulls, the guy the Lakers sought out rather than re-signing Trevor Ariza, shows up with a head injury, a concussion, and a banged-up elbow, and they expect us to believe him that he TRIPPED OVER A BOX AND FELL DOWN THE STAIRS AT HOME?????
Oh, come on.
Where did this really happen, and how did it really happen?
And, when he was taken to UCLA Med Center, did they do a blood alcohol and/or drug test?
Stay tuned. I can hardly wait for the next chapter.
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theHoundDawg
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Poor Timmy Floyd, Picked on by Mike Garrett and the NCAA
12/02/09 17:25 Filed in: College
Basketball
The LA Times Sports department today devoted a
substantial amount of newsprint and web space to the
lament of crooked crybaby Tim Floyd. In the article,
Floyd makes it sound as if he were the official
scapegoat for the brain surgeon athletic
department. Well, actually, that part is true,
as I have written before. But, his assertions he
is innocent of documented allegations that he
dispensed cash for the benefit of former player
OJ Simpson Mayo and that Mayo lived in abject
poverty while attending brain surgeon u, are
preposterous. Do a little reading, Timmy, and
you'll see all that stuff about Mayo's dorm room
full of high-priced electronics, not to
mentioned the statements, under oath, made to
the FBI and other governmental agencies, not
just to the NCAA, by the currier you charged
with delivering the funds.
It's all hilarious, except for the fact that the brain surgeon criminal enterprise is still running scott free, YEARS after some of the most egregious violations of NCAA rules ever described, not to mention possible violations of criminal statutes, and for that one bit of truth from Timmy's lips - that he and the basketball program have been set up to take the fall for petey and his band of money-churning reprobates in the football program.
Another note about Timmy. Professional reprobate, and so unfortunately a current Laker, Ron Artest has rocked the pro basketball world with his assertions that while a member of the Chicago Bulls, he regularly had a sip or two, or three, or .... of Cognac during halftime of games. A quick perusal of the record books shows that he was with the Bulls from 1999 to 2002. Guess who was Coach of the the Bulls during those years? Why, yes, none other than Timmy himself.
Yep, he's a great coach, an honest person, and he should still be in charge of a major program, or THE guy at his new location in New Orleans. Yea, right.
It's all hilarious, except for the fact that the brain surgeon criminal enterprise is still running scott free, YEARS after some of the most egregious violations of NCAA rules ever described, not to mention possible violations of criminal statutes, and for that one bit of truth from Timmy's lips - that he and the basketball program have been set up to take the fall for petey and his band of money-churning reprobates in the football program.
Another note about Timmy. Professional reprobate, and so unfortunately a current Laker, Ron Artest has rocked the pro basketball world with his assertions that while a member of the Chicago Bulls, he regularly had a sip or two, or three, or .... of Cognac during halftime of games. A quick perusal of the record books shows that he was with the Bulls from 1999 to 2002. Guess who was Coach of the the Bulls during those years? Why, yes, none other than Timmy himself.
Yep, he's a great coach, an honest person, and he should still be in charge of a major program, or THE guy at his new location in New Orleans. Yea, right.
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theHoundDawg
Have a drink with Ron, only $44.99 |
 Ron Artest Jersey Gold Replica #37 Los Angeles Lakers Jersey |
Lakers, NBA, Off to Expected Start
11/05/09 15:40 Filed in: NBA
The vastly improved and now relatively healthy
Celtics are off to the start I anticipated, as are
the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets. Orlando, who
I thought had no chance of repeating, especially in
light of no more Hido, and with the addition of
perennial loser Vince Carter, have added a few top
subs, in particular Matt Barnes and Ryan Anderson,
who make them stronger than I anticipated. Cleveland
has re-tooled, but the horrible lack of chemistry
continues, the idea of 90-year-old Shaq meshing there
looks far-fetched, and the Delonte West situation
will sooner or later blow up in the NBA's face.
Last night in Houston confirmed a couple of things. First, the Rockets are a good team, even without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and despite an inconsistent night, Trevor Ariza is a blossoming star who the Rockets can rely on (despite Fisher's last-second steal), and whom the Lakers will sorely miss. Next, Even without Ariza, the Lakers are odds on to again reach the Finals, and should only be able to be taken by a healthy Celtic team, if by anybody. Finally, I stand by my position that ron artest is a disaster waiting to happen; that the team would be infinitely better, and better off, with Ariza, and that it is extremely unlikely that they will get through the entire season without artest having a melt-down, potentially costing the team dearly.
Andrew Bynum's injury has come early this season. Hopefully Pao will be back within a weak, uh, week, and all will be well till that point that never happens until late in the season, when the Lakers are at full strength.
theHoundDawg
Last night in Houston confirmed a couple of things. First, the Rockets are a good team, even without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and despite an inconsistent night, Trevor Ariza is a blossoming star who the Rockets can rely on (despite Fisher's last-second steal), and whom the Lakers will sorely miss. Next, Even without Ariza, the Lakers are odds on to again reach the Finals, and should only be able to be taken by a healthy Celtic team, if by anybody. Finally, I stand by my position that ron artest is a disaster waiting to happen; that the team would be infinitely better, and better off, with Ariza, and that it is extremely unlikely that they will get through the entire season without artest having a melt-down, potentially costing the team dearly.
Andrew Bynum's injury has come early this season. Hopefully Pao will be back within a weak, uh, week, and all will be well till that point that never happens until late in the season, when the Lakers are at full strength.
theHoundDawg
Laker Off-Season Begins with Ups and Downs
07/08/09 14:20 Filed in: NBA
In the three-plus weeks since the Lakers became NBA
Champs, a lot has happened to the team.
First and foremost, Phil Jackson has agreed to return next season. That means that regardless of what player decisions the personnel gurus make, the team will be in contention to repeat.
Whether or not they do repeat doesn't seem as likely as it did three weeks ago, in my opinion.
First, I strongly feel that the loss of Trevor Ariza will we monumental. He is a great young talent that fits the Laker mold to a tee, and given the playing time he has now earned, and being injury-free, he will quickly develop into a star, combining tenacity and athleticism with stellar defense and a great outside shot. It would seem, though, that the strong-arm tactics of his agent, rather than his personal desires and the Lakers' interest were the reasons he is moving to Houston.
Next, replacing Ariza, the Lakers signed a walking time bomb, in Ron Artest. How quickly personnel people, commentators, and fans, all forget the evils this man has committed on the court. On October 18, 2008, I wrote:
Artest didn't explode last season (though he did seem to come close a few times), and obviously did not take the Rockets with him. Jackson's influence would protect the Lakers as a team from such a team-wide reaction, but the chances are excellent that Artest will not get through another full season without an Indiana-Detroit-like event re-occurring. As a player, he is an older, more volatile version of Ariza.
Third, the top competition has strongly improved. Cleveland has Shaq, which will make them tougher, but not give them a title. Orlando has done much re-shaping, but has not improved. A healthy Jameer Nelson will do more for them than exchanging, in effect, Vince Carter for Hedo Turkoglu, who they will quickly learn was a vital key to their team. No, the team to beat in the NBA next season, is the Celtics. Healthy seasons from Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe, the further development of Rajon Rondo into one of the top point guards in the NBA, and the tremendous addition of Rasheed Wallace, and now possibly also Grant Hill, make the Celtics number one in the East, and maybe in the NBA.
theHoundDawg
First and foremost, Phil Jackson has agreed to return next season. That means that regardless of what player decisions the personnel gurus make, the team will be in contention to repeat.
Whether or not they do repeat doesn't seem as likely as it did three weeks ago, in my opinion.
First, I strongly feel that the loss of Trevor Ariza will we monumental. He is a great young talent that fits the Laker mold to a tee, and given the playing time he has now earned, and being injury-free, he will quickly develop into a star, combining tenacity and athleticism with stellar defense and a great outside shot. It would seem, though, that the strong-arm tactics of his agent, rather than his personal desires and the Lakers' interest were the reasons he is moving to Houston.
Next, replacing Ariza, the Lakers signed a walking time bomb, in Ron Artest. How quickly personnel people, commentators, and fans, all forget the evils this man has committed on the court. On October 18, 2008, I wrote:
"Maybe the biggest question mark is the Houston Rockets. At times last year they were terrible, but then for a few weeks, after the injury to Yao Ming, they were brilliant. Which Houston team will show up this year? Well, I think the addition of Ron Artest is a major mistake and a step backward. Artest is perhaps the most over-rated player in the league, and has done nothing but make his team of the moment worse. He is a time bomb, and at some point during the season, he will explode, and take the team down with him."
Artest didn't explode last season (though he did seem to come close a few times), and obviously did not take the Rockets with him. Jackson's influence would protect the Lakers as a team from such a team-wide reaction, but the chances are excellent that Artest will not get through another full season without an Indiana-Detroit-like event re-occurring. As a player, he is an older, more volatile version of Ariza.
Third, the top competition has strongly improved. Cleveland has Shaq, which will make them tougher, but not give them a title. Orlando has done much re-shaping, but has not improved. A healthy Jameer Nelson will do more for them than exchanging, in effect, Vince Carter for Hedo Turkoglu, who they will quickly learn was a vital key to their team. No, the team to beat in the NBA next season, is the Celtics. Healthy seasons from Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe, the further development of Rajon Rondo into one of the top point guards in the NBA, and the tremendous addition of Rasheed Wallace, and now possibly also Grant Hill, make the Celtics number one in the East, and maybe in the NBA.
theHoundDawg
Lakers Win - Now What About Next Year?
06/15/09 20:30 Filed in: NBA
Congrats to the entire Laker family for a fabulous
season, especially Dr Jerry and Buss generation two,
Mitch Kupchak, Phil, and the entire team. As I said
before the season, and frequently thereafter, the
Lakers have the most talented and deepest team in the
NBA, but being able to show that on the court does
not necessarily follow. Remember the Dell Harris
years?
Watching Kobe this season was amazing - seeing a great player improve his entire game to an incredible new level. Deserving much of the credit for the team's success is the previously much-maligned Mitch Kupchak, who made key player moves putting the finishing touches on what did became a championship team.
Kobe, Mitch, Jerry, Jeannie, and Jimmie are going nowhere, but what about Phil? Jeannie said on the air today that his health is fine, that this leg problems of the past season are now resolved, and that she sees no reason why he won't be return for the final season of his contract. This is great for two reasons: First, Phil is the best coach the NBA has ever seen. Period. It is still hard to forget the the 2004-5 season when Phil was retired for a year. Second, the rumored candidates that could replace him, from Brian Shaw to Byron Scott to Kurt Rambis are all sorely lacking in coaching experience, coaching ability, and/or additional qualities the Lakers demand, and need, if their outstanding success were to continue. Should Phil decide to leave, however, then the Lakers need to open the coffers and do their best to influence an experience and successful coach to move to LA, like they did with Phil. The ideal person that fits this mold would be Gregg Popovich.
On the court, the same type of critical questions are present, with the pending free agency of Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. The Lakers might be NBA champs without one or the other of these two, but probably not, and to return to that lofty perch next season virtually requires that both players be resigned. It's time for the financial geniuses in Lakerdom to work out the details.
Finally, as an LA native who has lived in LA County his entire life, I am ashamed of the idiots and jerks who have nothing better to do with their sorry lives than celebrate victory by destroying property.
Watching Kobe this season was amazing - seeing a great player improve his entire game to an incredible new level. Deserving much of the credit for the team's success is the previously much-maligned Mitch Kupchak, who made key player moves putting the finishing touches on what did became a championship team.
Kobe, Mitch, Jerry, Jeannie, and Jimmie are going nowhere, but what about Phil? Jeannie said on the air today that his health is fine, that this leg problems of the past season are now resolved, and that she sees no reason why he won't be return for the final season of his contract. This is great for two reasons: First, Phil is the best coach the NBA has ever seen. Period. It is still hard to forget the the 2004-5 season when Phil was retired for a year. Second, the rumored candidates that could replace him, from Brian Shaw to Byron Scott to Kurt Rambis are all sorely lacking in coaching experience, coaching ability, and/or additional qualities the Lakers demand, and need, if their outstanding success were to continue. Should Phil decide to leave, however, then the Lakers need to open the coffers and do their best to influence an experience and successful coach to move to LA, like they did with Phil. The ideal person that fits this mold would be Gregg Popovich.
On the court, the same type of critical questions are present, with the pending free agency of Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. The Lakers might be NBA champs without one or the other of these two, but probably not, and to return to that lofty perch next season virtually requires that both players be resigned. It's time for the financial geniuses in Lakerdom to work out the details.
Finally, as an LA native who has lived in LA County his entire life, I am ashamed of the idiots and jerks who have nothing better to do with their sorry lives than celebrate victory by destroying property.
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theHoundDawg
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Defense Lets Lakers Down
06/10/09 18:21 Filed in: NBA
Perimeter Defense. Perimeter Defense. Perimeter
Defense.
The Lakers shot 51%, including a reasonable 35% on 3-pointers, were out-rebounded only by two boards, but missed an unacceptable 10 free throws, shooting only 62% from the line, and lost last night's game by four points. Why? Perimeter Defense. The Lakers allowed Orlando to shot 62%, including an astounding 75% in the first half.
The team defense that was so outstanding in game one and more than adequate in game two, missed the plane to Florida, and never showed up in the amway arena last night.
Kobe will be ok after his sub-par night, and the team as a whole will shoot better from the line. Those are givens. But, there needs to be the team effort on D, like there was in game one, for the Lakers to rebound and show Orlando who is top dawg in the NBA.
One other issue to consider is the fact that Gasol, Odom and Bynum played 95 minutes between them, and took a total of 23 shots. Dwight Howard committed four personals defending ghosts in the paint. The Laker big men need to shoot more, get Howard moving around more, coming out from the basket if possible, but at least having to actually defend more underneath. Only good things can happen if they do so, shooters actually scoring, and maybe Howard picking up more fouls, and maybe playing less than the 45 minutes he has averaged over the last two games.
theHoundDawg
The Lakers shot 51%, including a reasonable 35% on 3-pointers, were out-rebounded only by two boards, but missed an unacceptable 10 free throws, shooting only 62% from the line, and lost last night's game by four points. Why? Perimeter Defense. The Lakers allowed Orlando to shot 62%, including an astounding 75% in the first half.
The team defense that was so outstanding in game one and more than adequate in game two, missed the plane to Florida, and never showed up in the amway arena last night.
Kobe will be ok after his sub-par night, and the team as a whole will shoot better from the line. Those are givens. But, there needs to be the team effort on D, like there was in game one, for the Lakers to rebound and show Orlando who is top dawg in the NBA.
One other issue to consider is the fact that Gasol, Odom and Bynum played 95 minutes between them, and took a total of 23 shots. Dwight Howard committed four personals defending ghosts in the paint. The Laker big men need to shoot more, get Howard moving around more, coming out from the basket if possible, but at least having to actually defend more underneath. Only good things can happen if they do so, shooters actually scoring, and maybe Howard picking up more fouls, and maybe playing less than the 45 minutes he has averaged over the last two games.
theHoundDawg
This IS Next Year
06/04/09 16:44 Filed in: NBA
One year ago tomorrow night, the Lakers came out on
the floor in Boston and played a great first half in
the opening game of the 2007-8 NBA finals. However,
the Celtics then totally dominated the second half,
out-scoring, out-defending, out-coaching, and totally
out-playing the Lakers, 52-37, taking the opening
game 98-88, and effectively ending the Lakers'
season, though they did not realize it for another
few days.
Tonight, actually in little more than one hour, the Lakers open the Finals at home, and against a team very unlike the Celtics. Another key to the series is the second half of tonight's game. I expect to see an unrelenting team effort, fueled by the memories of the second half of June 5, 2008, not to mention the rest of last year's series, leading to a Laker victory that will motivate the team to keep that momentum going through the rest of the series, and provide redemption for last year's embarrassment.
Tonight, actually in little more than one hour, the Lakers open the Finals at home, and against a team very unlike the Celtics. Another key to the series is the second half of tonight's game. I expect to see an unrelenting team effort, fueled by the memories of the second half of June 5, 2008, not to mention the rest of last year's series, leading to a Laker victory that will motivate the team to keep that momentum going through the rest of the series, and provide redemption for last year's embarrassment.
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theHoundDawg
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Lakers' Perimeter Defense Key to Series
06/02/09 23:44 Filed in: NBA
The "experts" all say that Dwight Howard will be the
key to this series. Well, I don't think so. This
series will be decided not inside the paint, but
outside the arc.
Howard will get his points, regardless. That will not shape the series. What will, will be the Lakers' perimeter defense, defending the real strength of the Magic offense - their three-point shooting.
Orlando shot more threes per game than any other NBA team except NY, and tied with the Knicks for the most made, during the regular season, and they have continued their dependence on three-pointers through the playoffs. Interestingly enough, while the Lakers were the third best defense against the three during the regular season, the second best was Orlando, with Cleveland first. During the playoffs, however, the Lakers have been just ahead of Orlando in three-point defense, and second to Detroit, while Cleveland fell to 12th - a major reason for their losing to Orlando.
Key matchups to watch will be Tevor Ariza on Hedo Turkoglu, and whomever the Lakers put on Mickael Pietrus. Most likely Kobe will draw that assignment, but I have a feeling Ariza will end up there, with Lamar Odom switching to Turkoglu, so long as Gasol and especially Bynum do reasonably well on Howard.
Ariza has a lot to prove to his old team, and his old coach, Stan Van Gundy, whose parting words on Ariza, when the Magic traded him to the Lakers for two journeymen who are both long gone from Orlando, were "I think it was a good move for us."
The possibility now that Jameer Nelson may be healthy enough to see action is an interesting new element to factor in. If he is healthy, he adds a new dimension to the Magic back court. If he is not healthy, and as rusty as Andrew Bynum was after his three month absence, after a five-minute emotional high, he will be a liability.
Another interesting fact is that in a changing league that traditionally depended on the NCAA "farm system", seven of the ten starters did not attend college.
theHoundDawg
Howard will get his points, regardless. That will not shape the series. What will, will be the Lakers' perimeter defense, defending the real strength of the Magic offense - their three-point shooting.
Orlando shot more threes per game than any other NBA team except NY, and tied with the Knicks for the most made, during the regular season, and they have continued their dependence on three-pointers through the playoffs. Interestingly enough, while the Lakers were the third best defense against the three during the regular season, the second best was Orlando, with Cleveland first. During the playoffs, however, the Lakers have been just ahead of Orlando in three-point defense, and second to Detroit, while Cleveland fell to 12th - a major reason for their losing to Orlando.
Key matchups to watch will be Tevor Ariza on Hedo Turkoglu, and whomever the Lakers put on Mickael Pietrus. Most likely Kobe will draw that assignment, but I have a feeling Ariza will end up there, with Lamar Odom switching to Turkoglu, so long as Gasol and especially Bynum do reasonably well on Howard.
Ariza has a lot to prove to his old team, and his old coach, Stan Van Gundy, whose parting words on Ariza, when the Magic traded him to the Lakers for two journeymen who are both long gone from Orlando, were "I think it was a good move for us."
The possibility now that Jameer Nelson may be healthy enough to see action is an interesting new element to factor in. If he is healthy, he adds a new dimension to the Magic back court. If he is not healthy, and as rusty as Andrew Bynum was after his three month absence, after a five-minute emotional high, he will be a liability.
Another interesting fact is that in a changing league that traditionally depended on the NCAA "farm system", seven of the ten starters did not attend college.
theHoundDawg
Not "King" Yet, LeBron Can Watch the Lakers Win on TV
05/30/09 23:45 Filed in: NBA
Watching the Lakers dominate on Friday night, I saw
this deep, all-around team, lead by the dominant
player in basketball, Kobe Bryant, get back to the
series they were aiming for since last June. Fighting
through the Western Conference's top teams, the
Lakers showed the depth, leadership, and coaching
that is needed to win a title.
As I said before the season began, the Lakers have by far the best, deepest team in the NBA and the "Magic" will need just that to stretch the series to six. Boston was a shell of the team that won the title last year, due in most part to injuries, but also due to personnel moves and aging, and Cleveland is the most over-rated group of journeymen to get to a conference championship series in years. It did not take that good of a team to win the east, and the Lakers will show the "experts" who picked Denver to be playing next Thursday night what a true championship team looks like.
James, Howard, Wade, etc. are all great players, but Kobe is by far still number one, and his leadership alone, as he demonstrated Friday night, is enough to pull out close, key games. Gasol, Odom, and Ariza are playing like monsters, Luke Walton and Shannon Brown are providing tremendous vigor and intensity, and I feel strongly that in the finals the rest of the deep and talented Laker backcourt will have more than a few highlight moments. And, slowly but surely, Andrew Bynum (who, remember missed three+ months up to the start of the playoffs with a serious knee injury) is rounding into form.
Mr. Howard, who may well be number two to Kobe, will certainly have his moments, and score his points, and be dominant on the boards, but professional basketball is not a one-man game (right, LeBron?) and a team effort, led by the real number one, will be the reason the Lakers make up for last year's frustrating, demeaning, embarrassing, NBA finals.
theHoundDawg
As I said before the season began, the Lakers have by far the best, deepest team in the NBA and the "Magic" will need just that to stretch the series to six. Boston was a shell of the team that won the title last year, due in most part to injuries, but also due to personnel moves and aging, and Cleveland is the most over-rated group of journeymen to get to a conference championship series in years. It did not take that good of a team to win the east, and the Lakers will show the "experts" who picked Denver to be playing next Thursday night what a true championship team looks like.
James, Howard, Wade, etc. are all great players, but Kobe is by far still number one, and his leadership alone, as he demonstrated Friday night, is enough to pull out close, key games. Gasol, Odom, and Ariza are playing like monsters, Luke Walton and Shannon Brown are providing tremendous vigor and intensity, and I feel strongly that in the finals the rest of the deep and talented Laker backcourt will have more than a few highlight moments. And, slowly but surely, Andrew Bynum (who, remember missed three+ months up to the start of the playoffs with a serious knee injury) is rounding into form.
Mr. Howard, who may well be number two to Kobe, will certainly have his moments, and score his points, and be dominant on the boards, but professional basketball is not a one-man game (right, LeBron?) and a team effort, led by the real number one, will be the reason the Lakers make up for last year's frustrating, demeaning, embarrassing, NBA finals.
theHoundDawg
LeBron this, LeBron that, Blah, Blah, Blah...
05/23/09 16:33 Filed in: NBA
Online, in the papers, on sports talk radio, or
heaven forbid, turn on Sportscenter, or any other TV
sports show, and that's all you read, hear, or see.
It seems that the Combined Sports Media is now the LeBron the Magnificant No One Else Is Any Good or Matters Anymore Media.
Exactly how many championships has he won? Oh, yea:
theHoundDawg
It seems that the Combined Sports Media is now the LeBron the Magnificant No One Else Is Any Good or Matters Anymore Media.
Exactly how many championships has he won? Oh, yea:
theHoundDawg
Lakers Hit Stride and Dominate on Key Road Trip
02/08/09 15:07 Filed in: NBA
The end of January saw the Lakers begin a key 6-game
road trip, with key stops in New York, Boston, and
Cleveland. One game into the trip, and they lost
Andrew Bynum for much, if not all, of the rest of the
season. However, with Lamar Odom re-joining the
starting five, he has brought renewed enthusiasm to
the team, and with his brilliant third-quarter this
afternoon against Cleveland, the Lakers finished the
trip 6-0.
Down 10 points at halftime, and with a flu-ridden Kobe Bryant at half strength at best, Odom put in 15 points and hauled down 10 rebounds, as the Lakers outscored the Cavs by 13 in the 3d, and never looked back, as they won by 10, handing Cleveland their first home loss of the season.
The Lakers made a statement on this road trip, most emphatically in Cleveland and in Boston, as they wrapped up tie-breakers against both teams, which could be the difference come playoff time.
The Lakers now sit on top of the NBA, both with the league's best record, and with talent, depth, enthusiasm, and the confidence that they'll be back in the finals this year, but with a far different result.
theHoundDawg
Down 10 points at halftime, and with a flu-ridden Kobe Bryant at half strength at best, Odom put in 15 points and hauled down 10 rebounds, as the Lakers outscored the Cavs by 13 in the 3d, and never looked back, as they won by 10, handing Cleveland their first home loss of the season.
The Lakers made a statement on this road trip, most emphatically in Cleveland and in Boston, as they wrapped up tie-breakers against both teams, which could be the difference come playoff time.
The Lakers now sit on top of the NBA, both with the league's best record, and with talent, depth, enthusiasm, and the confidence that they'll be back in the finals this year, but with a far different result.
theHoundDawg
Los Angeles Lakers #24 Kobe Bryant Jersey |
Los Angeles Lakers #16 Pau Gasol Jersey |
Los Angeles Lakers #7 Lamar Odom T-shirt |
Injuries Are Hand Grenade to NBA Order
02/03/09 16:09 Filed in: NBA
In what seems like one fell swoop, the NBA landscape
has had a dramatic overhaul, due to an incredible
spate of injuries over only a couple of days.
The Lakers have battled much of the season to overcome injuries to a handful of key players, but none to the core of the team. They overcame a few weeks without Jordan Farmar, and a handful of games with out Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Kobe has played through injuries. The Clippers, of course, have had to play much of the season without the heart of their team, including weeks and months without Chris Kaman, Zach Randolph, Baron Davis, Ricky Davis, and Marcus Camby, plus time missed by the likes of Mardy Collins and Mike Taylor.
But now, these feelings are shared by much of the league's elite, with the high-flying Orlando Magic losing star point guard Jameer Nelson perhaps for the season, with New Orleans losing MVP candidate Chris Paul with an injury that may or may not keep him out for a length of time, but that could be a nagging problem for the rest of the season, and of course the Lakers will now be without Andrew Bynum for maybe three months.
New Orleans is not an elite team without Chris Paul, and having him at less than full strength, or not at all, could well keep them from the playoffs in the tough, tough West. Nelson means as much to the Magic, but with their record and in the mediocre East, they could coast at sub-.500 the rest of the season and still make the playoffs, and hope that Nelson could possibly be back by then.
Paul is listed as "Day-to-Day". Whenever I hear that, I think back to the 1983 baseball season, when Dodger catcher Mike Scioscia was injured in the first week of April, and listed as "Day-to.Day", he never played another game the rest of the season.
The Lakers, however, have super depth, and proved last year they could get pretty far without Bynum. Plus this year, they have an underrated and finally fairly health Chris Mihm to play some of those minutes, and I see the Lakers getting by just fine, with Bynum returning in time to get back in game shape before the playoffs,
theHoundDawg
The Lakers have battled much of the season to overcome injuries to a handful of key players, but none to the core of the team. They overcame a few weeks without Jordan Farmar, and a handful of games with out Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Kobe has played through injuries. The Clippers, of course, have had to play much of the season without the heart of their team, including weeks and months without Chris Kaman, Zach Randolph, Baron Davis, Ricky Davis, and Marcus Camby, plus time missed by the likes of Mardy Collins and Mike Taylor.
But now, these feelings are shared by much of the league's elite, with the high-flying Orlando Magic losing star point guard Jameer Nelson perhaps for the season, with New Orleans losing MVP candidate Chris Paul with an injury that may or may not keep him out for a length of time, but that could be a nagging problem for the rest of the season, and of course the Lakers will now be without Andrew Bynum for maybe three months.
New Orleans is not an elite team without Chris Paul, and having him at less than full strength, or not at all, could well keep them from the playoffs in the tough, tough West. Nelson means as much to the Magic, but with their record and in the mediocre East, they could coast at sub-.500 the rest of the season and still make the playoffs, and hope that Nelson could possibly be back by then.
Paul is listed as "Day-to-Day". Whenever I hear that, I think back to the 1983 baseball season, when Dodger catcher Mike Scioscia was injured in the first week of April, and listed as "Day-to.Day", he never played another game the rest of the season.
The Lakers, however, have super depth, and proved last year they could get pretty far without Bynum. Plus this year, they have an underrated and finally fairly health Chris Mihm to play some of those minutes, and I see the Lakers getting by just fine, with Bynum returning in time to get back in game shape before the playoffs,
theHoundDawg
Will Injuries Do In the Lakers?
01/07/09 08:54 Filed in: NBA
The Lakers started the season doing a great
impression of the best and deepest team in the NBA.
They even played like if for a few weeks, and this
morning, they remain tied with Cleveland (Cleveland?)
for the best record in the NBA. It, of course,
figured that their 14-1 start would not continue,
that they would come back to earth, but
also, that their superior depth would keep them from
any prolonged losing streaks and guard against
injuries.
But, the injury bug has hit them now, with Jordan Farmar's knee injury keeping him out two months or more, Luke Walton's foot injury keeping him out a minimum of two weeks, and now the potentially devastating loss of Lamar Odom.
They have felt Farmar's loss at point guard, with no real back-up for Derek Fisher, and now possibly being without two of their top four forwards, suddenly the roster is painfully thin. Trevor Ariza should well acclimate himself to more PT, but unless another body is picked up, this will mean more key time on the court for Josh Powell, Chris Mihm, and possibly DJ Mbenga.
We all await test results on Odom's knee, and whether or not a major move will be necessary.
theHoundDawg
But, the injury bug has hit them now, with Jordan Farmar's knee injury keeping him out two months or more, Luke Walton's foot injury keeping him out a minimum of two weeks, and now the potentially devastating loss of Lamar Odom.
They have felt Farmar's loss at point guard, with no real back-up for Derek Fisher, and now possibly being without two of their top four forwards, suddenly the roster is painfully thin. Trevor Ariza should well acclimate himself to more PT, but unless another body is picked up, this will mean more key time on the court for Josh Powell, Chris Mihm, and possibly DJ Mbenga.
We all await test results on Odom's knee, and whether or not a major move will be necessary.
theHoundDawg
Bruins in the NBA - Looks Like One Less For Awhile
12/23/08 13:15 Filed in: NBA | College
Basketball
We've just unveiled our Bruins in the NBA
section, thought it's not quite complete yet,
just as further news of the knee injury suffered
by Laker guard and former Bruin Jordan Farmar is
released. It seems he has a torn lateral
meniscus in his left knee, and surgery is
likely. This type of injury normally sidelines
the player one to two months, so the Lakers
likely will looking to pick up a point guard to
fill in while Farmar recovers. Derek Fisher
could play some extended minutes for awhile, but
that would likely take a toll over the long
season, and he needs to be energized at playoff
time.
The Lakers play New Orleans and Boston in the next two days, and will be facing the likes of Chris Paul, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo, so the lack of depth at guard could be a significant factor in how the Lakers match up. Maybe they'll have a new body in uniform by Thursday's Boston game.
But, Mitch, this is a short-term problem, and there is no need to go overboard and give up too much to fill this regular season hole. Farmar will be back, and retain his key minutes during the regular season.
theHoundDawg
The Lakers play New Orleans and Boston in the next two days, and will be facing the likes of Chris Paul, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo, so the lack of depth at guard could be a significant factor in how the Lakers match up. Maybe they'll have a new body in uniform by Thursday's Boston game.
But, Mitch, this is a short-term problem, and there is no need to go overboard and give up too much to fill this regular season hole. Farmar will be back, and retain his key minutes during the regular season.
theHoundDawg
A Little About Last Night in the NBA
10/30/08 14:24 Filed in: NBA
It has only been two games and they have yet to play
a team that reasonably expects to make the playoffs,
but you have to be totally amazed by the play of the
Lakers. 710 ESPN's Steve Mason has caused a stir by
predicting they will win 70 games, and while I won't
go that far, they may get close. On the other side of
the court, the Clippers looked great in the first
quarter, but were never heard from again.
The debuts of the two one-year-and-gone locals were to form as I see it, and as I mentioned yesterday. Kevin Love, in 18 minutes off the bench, shot 5 of 8, scored 12 points, collected 9 boards, and had one steal, in Minnesota's victory over Sacramento. I checked Memphis' stats at half-time, and saw Simpson Mayo with 8 points. In his typical fashion, in a game that started close as the fourth quarter began, but which Houston then won going away, SM was nowhere to be seen, despite playing 40 minutes. He finished with 10 points, shooting 5 of 20, including 0 of 7 from 3-point range.
Elsewhere, former Bruin Jason Kapono, who had the highest 3-point pct. in the NBA in each of the past two seasons (they aren't crediting him with the title last season for sightly too few attempts), got off to another great start with 3 of 4 from downtown and 15 points in Toronto's win.
theHoundDawg
The debuts of the two one-year-and-gone locals were to form as I see it, and as I mentioned yesterday. Kevin Love, in 18 minutes off the bench, shot 5 of 8, scored 12 points, collected 9 boards, and had one steal, in Minnesota's victory over Sacramento. I checked Memphis' stats at half-time, and saw Simpson Mayo with 8 points. In his typical fashion, in a game that started close as the fourth quarter began, but which Houston then won going away, SM was nowhere to be seen, despite playing 40 minutes. He finished with 10 points, shooting 5 of 20, including 0 of 7 from 3-point range.
Elsewhere, former Bruin Jason Kapono, who had the highest 3-point pct. in the NBA in each of the past two seasons (they aren't crediting him with the title last season for sightly too few attempts), got off to another great start with 3 of 4 from downtown and 15 points in Toronto's win.
theHoundDawg
More on the New NBA Season
10/29/08 14:12 Filed in: NBA
A few more thoughts about the new NBA season:
Greg Oden is the re-incarnation of Sam Bowie, but not as talented. Like Bowie, Bill Walton, and some other touted big men coming into the NBA, he's started off with the injury bug and you have to wonder will his carer mirror Bowie's, never to be fulfilled?
Barring their usual rash of injuries, which started in the preseason this year, the Clippers do figure to be improved, and their tip-off vs. the Lakers tonight should be interesting. The Clippers, from this perspective, have nothing to lose in playing the Lakers, who looked totally dominant against Portland.
More question marks abound in Charlotte, where it looks like it will be tough for Larry Brown to work much of his prior magic, unless he stays a lot longer than his track record would indicate he will, and in New York, where except for the new coach, it doesn't look like much has changed. Charlotte looks set at point guard and power forward (depending on the health of Sean May), but the rest of the team looks like it needs improvement to be a work in progress. As far as the Knicks are concerned, their only visible improvement is Stephon Marbury starting games on the bench.
Terms that may surprise: Minnesota and Kevin Love (UCLA), and Philadelphia and Elton Brand.
Teams in the dumper: Sacramento and Memphis. How did Sacramento get so bad so quickly, and Memphis will soon learn that in crunch time, the last guy you want on the court is OJ Simpson Mayo.
theHoundDawg
Greg Oden is the re-incarnation of Sam Bowie, but not as talented. Like Bowie, Bill Walton, and some other touted big men coming into the NBA, he's started off with the injury bug and you have to wonder will his carer mirror Bowie's, never to be fulfilled?
Barring their usual rash of injuries, which started in the preseason this year, the Clippers do figure to be improved, and their tip-off vs. the Lakers tonight should be interesting. The Clippers, from this perspective, have nothing to lose in playing the Lakers, who looked totally dominant against Portland.
More question marks abound in Charlotte, where it looks like it will be tough for Larry Brown to work much of his prior magic, unless he stays a lot longer than his track record would indicate he will, and in New York, where except for the new coach, it doesn't look like much has changed. Charlotte looks set at point guard and power forward (depending on the health of Sean May), but the rest of the team looks like it needs improvement to be a work in progress. As far as the Knicks are concerned, their only visible improvement is Stephon Marbury starting games on the bench.
Terms that may surprise: Minnesota and Kevin Love (UCLA), and Philadelphia and Elton Brand.
Teams in the dumper: Sacramento and Memphis. How did Sacramento get so bad so quickly, and Memphis will soon learn that in crunch time, the last guy you want on the court is OJ Simpson Mayo.
theHoundDawg
The NBA Season is Getting Close
10/18/08 23:10 Filed in: NBA
As the NBA season approaches, there are more than a
few question marks screaming out across the league.
I'll be talking a lot about the Lakers as the season nears, but for now, just this: As the Lakers made their run to the Finals last season, the constant mantra was "If only Andrew Bynum were healthy". Well, presumably he is back and healthy, and will he be the difference? Can he be the one to put the Lakers over the top and win the Championship this coming season? The short answer is "No", but a healthy Bynum will be a contributing factor in a talent-laden, well-coached team, that, on paper, appears significantly stronger than last season. They should be NBA Champs.
Can the Celtics duplicate their magic of last season? I was not a Doc Rivers fan before last season, but he did one of the great coaching jobs in NBA history last season, and he may be able to hold this team together to do it one more time. They are without James Posey who played a major role off the bench last season, but I really like Bill Walker, obtained in a post-draft trade, and he can make up for the loss. Leon Powe, who I thought was a budding star in his short tenure at Cal, showed flashes of that in the playoffs, and more playing time for him could be a big bonus for the Celtics.
Maybe the biggest question mark is the Houston Rockets. At times last year they were terrible, but then for a few weeks, after the injury to Yao Ming, they were brilliant. Which Houston team will show up this year? Well, I think the addition of Ron Artest is a major mistake and a step backward. Artest is perhaps the most over-rated player in the league, and has done nothing but make his team of the moment worse. He is a time bomb, and at some point during the season, he will explode, and take the team down with him.
More discussion of these teams, and more question marks, later on. But for now, for you die-hard NBA fans, here are some great basketball-decor items, to liven up your NBA-watching experience for the coming season:
theHoundDawg
I'll be talking a lot about the Lakers as the season nears, but for now, just this: As the Lakers made their run to the Finals last season, the constant mantra was "If only Andrew Bynum were healthy". Well, presumably he is back and healthy, and will he be the difference? Can he be the one to put the Lakers over the top and win the Championship this coming season? The short answer is "No", but a healthy Bynum will be a contributing factor in a talent-laden, well-coached team, that, on paper, appears significantly stronger than last season. They should be NBA Champs.
Can the Celtics duplicate their magic of last season? I was not a Doc Rivers fan before last season, but he did one of the great coaching jobs in NBA history last season, and he may be able to hold this team together to do it one more time. They are without James Posey who played a major role off the bench last season, but I really like Bill Walker, obtained in a post-draft trade, and he can make up for the loss. Leon Powe, who I thought was a budding star in his short tenure at Cal, showed flashes of that in the playoffs, and more playing time for him could be a big bonus for the Celtics.
Maybe the biggest question mark is the Houston Rockets. At times last year they were terrible, but then for a few weeks, after the injury to Yao Ming, they were brilliant. Which Houston team will show up this year? Well, I think the addition of Ron Artest is a major mistake and a step backward. Artest is perhaps the most over-rated player in the league, and has done nothing but make his team of the moment worse. He is a time bomb, and at some point during the season, he will explode, and take the team down with him.
More discussion of these teams, and more question marks, later on. But for now, for you die-hard NBA fans, here are some great basketball-decor items, to liven up your NBA-watching experience for the coming season:
NBA Pub Tables and Stools |
Basketball Court Rug |
Basketball Zone Wall Art |
theHoundDawg