Buzzword Around the Lakers: Circus
1-liner, Athletes and Celebrities, NBA September 30th. 2009, 10:00amLos Angeles Lakers: The defending NBA champs picked up crazy Ron Artest in the offseason, and candy-loving forward Lamar Odom got hitched to sasquatch a Kardashian last weekend. (The wedding hoopla will be televised; we will not watch.) The atmosphere around media day yesterday was described in most places as a circus. When was the last time Kobe Bryant took a backseat to anybody? “As reporters, camera crews, radio producers and assorted other random people with handheld cameras positioned themselves to speak with the newest Laker – Ron Artest – and the newest Kardashian – Lamar Odom – the reigning Finals MVP walked onto the court with hardly anybody noticing.” And why does almost every player – including DJ Mbenga – have a PR agent? Here’s our prediction: the Lakers will not win the title this year. Right now, we’re thinking Orlando or San Antonio. [LA Times, NY Times]
167 Responses to “Buzzword Around the Lakers: Circus”
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September 30th, 2009 at 10:02 am
DJ Mbenga = The Senegalese Popeye Jones.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Kobe already looked pissed.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Orlando?!?!? Puh-lease.
The Laker hating on this site is offensive. The Lakers won’t win it, b/c they had a media circus? A healthy Bynum, a hungry Artest, and a determined KB24 will help them roll again in the West. I didn’t even mention Gasol and Odom.
Clev, Spurs, Boston, and Denver will be better this year, but there not as good as the Lakers. Orlando losing Hedo and getting Vince Carter will help them get a 5th or 6th seed in the East.
Orland winning it all… good lord.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I don’t follow baseketball as religiously as some of the others on this site, but even I know that the Lakers are accustomed to this type of shit. I mean they play in LA!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:08 am
/fixed
//San Antonio’s last title
September 30th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Orlando was doubted all of last year. Looks like it’s gonna happen again this season. If jameer stays healthy then the league better watchout cause we made tge finals with rafer alston as a starter. RAFER ALSTON!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:11 am
cleveland is winning the title as lebron delivers the best going away gift OF ALL TIME.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Hedo was a bigger part of there Finals run then anything else. Howard needs to devlop a much more consistent offensive game before you can talk title. Good luck w/ Vince Carter. Ask Nets and Raptors fans what joy he brings to the table.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Ever.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:14 am
That’s it, spence has officially lost his mind.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:15 am
San Antonio. R-Jeff will make that a completely different team this season.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Good luck w/ Vince Carter
looking forward to it.
Howard needs to devlop a much more consistent offensive game before you can talk title
Puh-lease
Orlando losing Hedo and getting Vince Carter will help them get a 5th or 6th seed in the East
Carter is a major upgrade over MJOT. You think Hedo is better than Vince? let me know and i got some stats for you. All Star PG Jameer is healthy. B Bass, Air France, Barnes, Polish Hammer? Our second team is better than a lot of starting lineups
September 30th, 2009 at 10:17 am
yea, SA is beastly.
which is why the cavs hired shaq to take care of duncan. not saying he’ll take care of duncan, but he’ll probably be so out of shape after missing 40 games, that he’ll sweat so profusely that the lane will be slicker than an oil spill.
advantage…cavaliers.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I don’t believe this for a second.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:18 am
/jacks 3
September 30th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Can’t wait for Irish to meet michael
September 30th, 2009 at 10:19 am
I honestly don’t understand the San Antonio hate…how can you hate Tim Duncan?
September 30th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Guess he just did -lol
September 30th, 2009 at 10:21 am
im in the same boat. forget kobe, bron, shaq, etc…the 2000’s best player has been duncan, and it’s not even especially close.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Orlando will, I repeat, will win the east. They are going to have too many nights where they just dominate some other team in a category. But I just think the Spurs are going to be too good to beat come playoff time. The one piece they have always missed was an athletic wingman. They got a very good one in Jefferson. Complete.
/Love that this a pseudo-ballin right now
//Opens door for JPQ to step out of
September 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Can’t wait for Irish to meet michael
i backspaced that out twice JPQ. I didn’t want Darrell to call me a racist again.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
HowardRyan6 just kicked his pile of Legos in disgust.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:23 am
The Big Fundamental
September 30th, 2009 at 10:24 am
It’s close between Kobe and Duncan. But Duncan was still the best of the oughties.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:24 am
HowardRyan6 just kicked his pile of Legos in disgust.
+ 2
Mooooooom!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:25 am
I am a Suns fan and I don’t hate Tim Duncan. Respect the hell out of him. However, I do hate Manu, Bruce Bowen and Horry. Now two of them are gone so they are far less easy to hate.
Oh wait they still play in San Antonio. Yea I hate that shit hole
September 30th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Jersey: my work is done here. My productivity will definitely increase now with 10 hoops posts/day
September 30th, 2009 at 10:26 am
which is why the cavs hired shaq to take care of duncan
really?
September 30th, 2009 at 10:26 am
What stands out to me in the two conferences is the head coaching of the contenders
West: Lakers (Jackson) Spurs (Pop) > Cavs (Brown) Celts (Rivers) Magic (SVG)
September 30th, 2009 at 10:26 am
yeah, Orlando, what was i thinking? Only went to the finals last year and then had one of the better offseasons in the league. who has better talent on their roster, head to toe, than orlando?
san antonio only added richard jefferson. no biggie. a healthy manu, mcdyess as a reserve … yeah, they’re not very good.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:27 am
it’s really not close at all.
kobe’s has had shitty teams that had more talent than duncan’s…ginobli and parker are nothing more than overrated role players, and that has been as close as duncan has had as far as competent teammates. has kobe taken FOUR teams with drastically different rosters to titles? no…he just rode shaq to three and couldn’t get shit done until gasol got there, and even then, wasn’t overly impressive.
and if kobe’s in there just because of his individual performance, then even he’d take a backseat to lebron, because lebron > kobe*.
*from book of scientific facts and inalienable truths
September 30th, 2009 at 10:28 am
irish…did you read the rest of my comment? that was purely in jest.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:29 am
i know Spencer. you love yourself some Timmy. best PF of all time baby!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward, IMO, of all time.
Orlando will NOT win the East. Boston or Cleveland are much better then Orlando. I just don’t think VC is an upgrade from Hedo. Hedo came up so big for Orlando, and VC hasn’t done squat in any post season that should comfort any Orlando fan.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Damn it Spencer. I am so mad that I agree with every ounce of what you just said right there.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:31 am
no…he just rode shaq to three
I absolutely agree with you that Duncan is the player of the 2000’s, but not the above. Shaq was coasting already in the year they won title #3.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:33 am
fine, he rode shaq to 2.5.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:33 am
it’s really not close at all.
kobe’s has had shitty teams that had more talent than duncan’s…ginobli and parker are nothing more than overrated role players, and that has been as close as duncan has had as far as competent teammates. has kobe taken FOUR teams with drastically different rosters to titles? no…he just rode shaq to three and couldn’t get shit done until gasol got there, and even then, wasn’t overly impressive.
and if kobe’s in there just because of his individual performance, then even he’d take a backseat to lebron, because lebron > kobe*.
*from book of scientific facts and inalienable truths
Remind me again how many titles Lebron has.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Orlando will most likely be the #1 seed in the East becuase they own the Cavs and they will hammer the shitty teams they play, but I would take the Lakers and (maybe) the Spurs over them. The Spurs rely on Tim Duncan who is not getting any younger. Should he get hurt (which is a realy possibility), that makes the West LA’s for sure. I think Boston is in the same mold as SA. If KG stays healthy, they have a real shot at anothe title, but he is not exactly a spring chicken either.
And Irish, I like watching the magic play…a lot, but Howard will need to get better offensively and if you think Vince Carter is going to the missing piece you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Sure, he looks great throwing it down and raining 3’s, but that dude is cookie-dough soft and will contribute dick in the playoffs.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Truth. But in a half empty arena against Memphis in January he’ll be huge.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I have no problem with this because Shaq had already out performed what his body was capable of. He still showed up and dominated in the playoffs.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:35 am
And Irish, I like watching the magic play…a lot, but Howard will need to get better offensively and if you think Vince Carter is going to the missing piece you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Sure, he looks great throwing it down and raining 3’s, but that dude is cookie-dough soft and will contribute dick in the playoffs.
AMEN!!!!!!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:36 am
@Gods- i agree, Dwight still has a lot of improving to do. Already the best center in the league and he has not reached his potential. scary. I hear what you’re saying with VC. From what i have read, Vince is very excited to be playing in his hometown and is hungry to win a title. He is ready
September 30th, 2009 at 10:37 am
fine, he rode shaq to 2.5.
he got one ride, they shared one incredibly dominant season, and then he had that big bitch on his back for the 01 season. Teams were already employing “kobe stoppers” during the first title run. Do you know what all those Kobe stoppers had in common? They couldn’t stop Kobe, especially in the 4th quarter.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:37 am
0.
but as an individual player, lebron is better. this is inarguable.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:38 am
well, to be fair, that’s not easy to do when you get no help D because there’s 2 guys on shaq.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Boston or Cleveland are much better then Orlando
How? you’re not giving any reasons why you think that
September 30th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I love the NBA talk that is going on… Can’t start soon enough, IMO.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:39 am
And just because Orlando has “owned” the Cavs doesn’t mean much any more. Methinks Shaq maybe, just maybe stands up a little better on defense against Manchild than Big Z. Add in Powe and Anthony Parker and they are significantly better on defense.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I’ve got money on Orlando taking the East. They have enough talent to compensate for the fact that VC is an overrated, one dimensional, team-killing douchebag. I don’t think he’ll be able to kill this team like he has others unless SVG totally loses control of the situation.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:39 am
The knock on VC is that he’s soft, and once he’s contacted in a game, he hides outside the 3 point line. That’s going to be his job in Orlando, sit out there and bomb them home. He’s also going to be the third banana, which is signifigant, I think.
They’ve got a good, good lineup, but they’ve still got moves to make. Too many big men, not enough minutes. Gortat is leaving on the 15th of December, most likely.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:40 am
@michael- Take the league’s best defense, subtract the overrated Hedo Turkoglu and add Vince Carter to a lineup that already had three All-Stars, and what do you have?
September 30th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Remind me how many teammates Lebron has had that are anywhere near the caliber of a Shaq, a Gasol, hell, an Odom?
Exactly…the fact that LeBron’s getting shitty cleveland (soon to be the Knicks or Nets) in the title discussion should end any debate.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Co the fuck signed. Spencer, you should just become a Knick fan. I’ll mail you a home and away jersey.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:41 am
And just because Orlando has “owned” the Cavs doesn’t mean much any more
yes it does
September 30th, 2009 at 10:42 am
How? you’re not giving any reasons why you think that
Again, losing Hedo and gaining VC isn’t an upgrade.
Boston: Getting a healthy KG is huge. There bench is better, and I think they have better guard play then Orlando. If Boston had KG in the eastern semi’s, they win that.
Cleveland gaining Shaq is huge, he can match up w/ Howard. Orlando however has had there number in the past. But gun to my head, I’d take Clev in a 7 game series.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:42 am
That’s going to be his job in Orlando, sit out there and bomb them home. He’s also going to be the third banana, which is signifigant, I think
bingo. He doesn’t have to be the “man”. He just needs to grab a handle(Magic Slogan for 09-10)
September 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Again, losing Hedo and gaining VC isn’t an upgrade
that is your opinion man. Once again, i have some stats for you that will prove otherwise
September 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Take the league’s best defense, subtract the overrated Hedo Turkoglu and add Vince Carter to a lineup that already had three All-Stars, and what do you have?
A player who will take away shots from Nelson and Howard, b/c he can’t pass and loves to jack up 3’s? Is that the right answer… I think it is.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
And just because Orlando has “owned” the Cavs doesn’t mean much any more
what i would have said is this…gone is the strategy of baiting Lebron into driving the lane with Howard waiting, because even if all Shaq can still do is dunk, he can still surely dunk, especially if Howard leaves to help.
Try to use specific examples when you’re arguing with Irish. He’s a fundamentally sound commenter.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:45 am
No, it doesn’t. The biggest reason is no more doubling of Dwight, thats THE reason they signed Shaq. The second is even if VC is “better” than Hedo, he doesn’t bring the matchup problems that plagued them, he can be easily guarded by a smaller guard.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Time to get at it! Preseason hedging of the bets (and this is having done no research):
1. Cleveland – LBJ + Shaqzilla. And joke or not, 2010 hangs over it all. Get the ring for the King or hear all of NYC beckon.
2. Orlando – just got to the Finals. Will get a healthy Jameer + Vince Carter. One caveat: Stan Van Gundy has the power to split this team.
3. LA Lakers – defending champs + Ron-Ron. That said, Kobe has his post-Shaq ring, Phil has his two fistfuls. Any hunger left?
4. San Antonio – all the main guys are back, a year older. They have what it takes but do they have the young legs to back them up?
5. Denver – a veteran team that pushed the Lakers. Let’s see how they deal with actual expectations.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Cleveland gaining Shaq is huge, he can match up w/ Howard
he couldnt last year or the year before. All he will be doing is flopping and committing fouls
@coop- When is Delonte West going to show up? looks like Jamario Moon can start at the 2. lol
September 30th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Boston: Getting a healthy KG is huge.
and quite uncertain, no? His knees straight up gave out last year. No injury, they were just finished.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:47 am
A player who will take away shots from Nelson and Howard, b/c he can’t pass and loves to jack up 3’s? Is that the right answer… I think it is
Michael- are you a Raptors or Nyets fan?
September 30th, 2009 at 10:48 am
5. Denver – a veteran team that pushed the Lakers. Let’s see how they deal with actual expectations.
I wish the earth would open up and swallow the entire roster of that team.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:48 am
The only edge that I see Hedo having over VC is his willingness to play a role within a system and be unselfish.
As long as SVG keeps VC on a short leash when he starts his childish bullshit, Orlando will be fine. The good news is that the Magic have the roster depth to nail Carter’s ass to the bench when he stops defending and starts jacking ridiculous shots just because he’s menstrating that day.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Michael- are you a Raptors or Nyets fan?
He’s a Laker lover who doesn’t watch much Eastern Conference Hoops. He still thinks KG has young legs.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Not sure irish, guess he missed practice yesterday for “person reasons”, whatever that is. I’ve always liked Moon’s game, he probably shouldn’t be starting, but even if he’s suspended Delonte will be back in the flow by midseason.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:52 am
@coop- i read D West took off last year during training camp to get his bipolar checked out. D West was the 2nd best Cavs player in the playoffs last year. His loss will be huge for whatever amount of games he is suspended
September 30th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Michael, those are some strong opinions. You mentioned VC in Orlando. You forgot to mention the addition of
Ryan Anderson – decent role player
Matt Barnes – decent role player
Brandon Bass – ditto
White Chocolate – $$$$$$
September 30th, 2009 at 10:53 am
No doubt, also their best perimeter defender.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Vince hasn’t been on a team this talented since 200-2001. And that was back in the days when the East couldn’t beat the Big East in basketball. Vince will be fine.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Methinks Shaq will be out of shape and injured half of the season and when the playoffs start Howard will own him. Delonte West is about a month away from prison if I were a betting man. I think the Cavs will still get a ton of reg. season wins, but I don’t like its playoffs chances if they run into Orlando, LA or SA. I do think they have the edge over Boston though.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:54 am
shaq can match up with howard, doesn’t mean dho isn’t going to beast the fuck out of him like he did last year.
shaq’s too slow but he’ll at least make the beast work.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I keep forgetting White Choco is on the Magic. Man i cant wait for the season to start. Pumped is not the word.
Orlando is the team to beat in the East. Im still going with LA in the West
September 30th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Did Cleveland ever even fill their roster out, or are they stuck on 8 guys?
September 30th, 2009 at 10:56 am
i agree with the part about shaq and delonte, but i think the cavs additions of anthony parker and jamarrio moon give them a TON of help at areas that were exposed last year. those two guys were bigger gets than shaq, and im being serious. they have size and add depth on the wings…fantastic moves by ferry, both.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Of course, that as long as Delonte doesn’t continue mimicking Antonia Banderas in Desperado and/or stays on his crazy pills.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:56 am
see comment 78.
they beefed up the roster.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:57 am
5. Denver – a veteran team that pushed the Lakers. Let’s see how they deal with actual expectations.
I wish the earth would open up and swallow the entire roster of that team.
They’re well on their well to being lost in an ocean of tattoos.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Im still going with LA in the West
I like the Spurs out there. In the East, I don’t care who it is, as long as stupid Shaq doesn’t win a title. I’m actively rooting against that big washed up piece of shit.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:57 am
maybe, but their road is going to be A LOT tougher this time around with KG coming back.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
@Bffredo- what about your Hornets this year? you like the Okafor deal?
September 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
god damn, i forgot how fun/addicting nba posts are.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
That’s that Duke education at work.
/opening myself up for a shitton of grief
September 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
see comment 78.
you’re not the boss of me. I’ll see what I want to see.
I also forgot they signed my man Leon Powe, who the Celtics stole from. Still, I hope the Cavs team bus falls into the Lake Erie.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:00 am
The Bass signing is great for Orlando, but if they run out Bass and Howard, they lose what got them to the finals in that they no longer have 4 dudes who can make it rain from 3. Bass will be a great front court addition, but I wonder if it will hinder the Magic from playing as it did last year.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:00 am
maybe, but their road is going to be A LOT tougher this time around with KG coming back
and the additions you listed above about the Cavs
September 30th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Milwaukee looks strong this year, too.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:02 am
The Bass signing is great for Orlando, but if they run out Bass and Howard, they lose what got them to the finals in that they no longer have 4 dudes who can make it rain from 3
that is why the Lewis suspension is a silver lining. SVG gets the chance to experiment with diff lineups. They can still have the 4-1, Beast, Rashard, Air France/Barnes, VC/JJ, Jameer. SVG said it will be all about who they are playing and what lineup he thinks will give them the best chance to win
September 30th, 2009 at 11:07 am
That’s some professional spin right there, Irish. You in PR? I agree with what you’re saying though. I just thought it sounded like something a PR dude for the Magic would say.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 am
They’ve got a for sale sign hanging out front. I’m guessing West and Stoyosdfadfvic don’t make it to the All Star break, with an outside chance Paul is gone by the end of the year.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 am
i love all the super-teams that have developed…SA, LA, Orladno, Boston, Cavs…basketball in spring is going to be DELICIOUS.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:10 am
They would seriously trade Paul? What about a Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby and a #1 for Paul?
September 30th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Agreed. Screw parity, give me 5 or 6 great teams and let them battle it out.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:12 am
That’s some professional spin right there, Irish. You in PR? I agree with what you’re saying though. I just thought it sounded like something a PR dude for the Magic would say
just been reading/listening all summer long about the Magic. you know that is my squad. the past couple months w/o NBA has sucked
September 30th, 2009 at 11:13 am
The past has been filled with the glory of football. I will agree that the month before that was a living hell though.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:15 am
i just started my own dark period…sure football is great and the NBA is the shit, but im gonna seriously miss the PGA. this year was fantastic and now it’s gone til around march.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Vince has flaws that are not at all related to the quality of the team he is on. The guy has all the talent in the world and should have been a Kobe-like force but he totally lacks the mental/emotional make-up to get those kind of results.
Charles Oakley spent a couple of seasons trying to help the guy grow up. Vince’s response was typically:
1) Complain to his Mom who would then have a meeting with the coach
2) Cry (literally)
September 30th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Lakers make their third straight trip to the finals. The West is going to better this year with San Antonio being healthy. I think the East is going to be a dogfight between Boston, Cleveland and Orlando.
I don’t know if V.C makes orlando better than they were with Hedo will be fun to watch though. Boston will have to hope their “old three” can stay healthy this season. I like Cleveland’s chances against any team in the league because LeBron is a monster but, I like when they play at a faster pace and get Bton in the open court and a fat lazy Shaq clogging up the paint isn’t going to help with that.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:18 am
what about your Hornets this year? you like the Okafor deal?
Hold on a sec…
I’m guessing West and Stoyosdfadfvic don’t make it to the All Star break, with an outside chance Paul is gone by the end of the year.
Right on Stojakovic (he’s been a total bust due to his injuries) and probably right on West (given that we got Okafor now who is a better rebounder but the same size).
But oh so wrong on CP3. The kid is the franchise. If he’s sold, the team might as well fold or pick up and move — it’d kill the support for the team in NOLA.
irish, I like the Okafor deal. We gave up a chronically-injured Chandler for Okafor (who also has a history of injuries tbf) so to me that’s a wash. However, Okafor is a better rebounder, knows how to battle inside and is very smart. If we can get a good year out of him, it’ll be good.
Like I said above, this is likely a year of retooling and building the squad — we tried going with a strong 1-5 and a weak 6-12. That got us only so far. We need depth and, given our salary cap, need to shed contracts first.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Vince’s response was typically:
1) Complain to his Mom who would then have a meeting with the coach
2) Cry (literally)
at least he is closer to his mom now. I really hope the Vince trade works out well for Orlando. I will miss rookie sensation Courtney Lee. That kid is going to be a star
September 30th, 2009 at 11:22 am
@Garland- you pumped about Hedo playing for the Rapts?
September 30th, 2009 at 11:24 am
But there’s President’s Cup!
September 30th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Unfortunately not a situation that would shock me. Cuban offers a couple million cash and some minimum salary guys…just sayin.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am
that’s why parker and jamarrio are so intriguing. lebron said in an interview on monday that he’s been working on all sorts of shit below the 3-point line, and played a lot of the 4 last year. if you have moon and parker on the wings, you have 3 guys who are athletic as fuck and run 6′6″-6″8″ with bron being able to match up with pretty much any 4 not named duncan. that opens up a lot of doors for some up-tempo stuff and helps against orladon with their cavalcade of bigguns on the wings.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:26 am
my two least favorite golfers in the universe are captains…greg norman (kinda funny that chokelahoma university is in norman, okla, huh?) and fred “the asshole who is loved by the media only because jim nantz was his college roomatte but loves to rip rules officials and fans new ones at any opportunity where a camera is not around” couples.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Eric Wedge fired
September 30th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Unfortunately not a situation that would shock me. Cuban offers a couple million cash and some minimum salary guys…just sayin.
Not a chance. George Shinn may be a fool most of the time, but he’s not a total fool. He already lived through blowing the Hornets up once in New Orleans — when he sent Baron Davis, Jamall Mashburn and Jammal Magliore packing — and the following 18-64 season that gave us the chance to take CP3 (thanks again Atlanta!)
CP3 is a cornerstone-type player (I’d argue behind only LBJ, D-Wade and Dwight Howard going forward in the league). Whatever short term financial gain could be had by selling him to a team like Dallas or New York would be offset by the millions lost in revenue, tickets and disappearing from the national TV landscape.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:35 am
The kid is the franchise. If he’s sold, the team might as well fold or pick up and move — it’d kill the support for the team in NOLA.
Unfortunately not a situation that would shock me. Cuban offers a couple million cash and some minimum salary guys…just sayin
If CP3 leaves the Hornets you might as well take the whole organization with him. The city wil always love the Saints no matter what, but right now CP3 is the hornets.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:36 am
PRAISE BE LEBRON!!!
September 30th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
you know that is my squad. the past couple months w/o NBA has been glorious!!!!
and now, sadly, the gloriousness is over
September 30th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I get it JPQ. you dont like the NBA. who cares?
September 30th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
September 30th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Little slow on the reply, but I think Hedo’s a nice piece for the Raptors. He’s not going to turn the team around by himself but he, along with Jack, Evans and Rasho, brings some intangibles to the table that we were missing last year.
The optimist in me thinks they can be a 5-6 seed if things break right. I’m interested to see what DeRozan can bring to the table.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I get it JPQ. you dont like the NBA. who cares?
irish: i get that you love it. who cares?
September 30th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
thanks for the response GG.
@JPQ- you make it a point to tell everyone you hate the NBA posts. yet, here you are commenting on them as usual. you say your so old, yet act like a teenager
September 30th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
JPQ’s all fired up because TBL mentioned his awesome linkage! He’s bullet-proof, baby.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Vince is an upgrade over Hedo, especially when they go up against taller, quicker defenders.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
irish: three comments out of 118 isn’t living in the thread. trust me, I won’t be in many, so you’ll be happy for 9 months. relax.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
JPQ’s all fired up because TBL mentioned his awesome linkage! He’s bullet-proof, baby.
dirt: I send stuff in all the time, just not at MVP level, I guess
September 30th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
That is the definition of an attention whore.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
fuck the nba. they dont start trying til the playoffs.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
That is the definition of an attention whore.
thanks for the free couchtime, Dr. Freud.
why are you even commenting? Did your TBL batphone malfunction? no one used the word “racist” that I know of
September 30th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I’ve been waiting to come back on this site when it had more NBA posts. I come back to see this post. The Laker-bashing on this site is horrendous. Say that the Spurs are better or something, don’t blame LO’s new “star” status as the reason they’ll lose. This is 2009, not 2004.
And for the 150th time, like I’ve explained over and over again: If you think Kobe “rode” Shaq to 3 titles, you didn’t watch the 3 peat.
The only year Kobe was mostly in the backseat was in 2000, which was undoubtedly Shaq at his finest. Even then, the Lakers required Kobe to close out many games in the post-season when Shaq would be in foul trouble (see the crucial game 4 of the NBA Finals in Indiana).
In 2001, the Lakers were clicking, and Kobe/Shaq were both equally dominating. There is footage, even on youtube, of Shaq saying Kobe is “the best player in this league, hands down” following a win in San Antonio in game 2 when Kobe closed them out. Again, Shaq had better numbers, but you’re joking if you think Kobe simply “rode” Shaq. Check the numbers. He had an amazing post-season.
The 2002 playoffs were pretty much the year Kobe officially stepped out of Shaq’s shadow. His numbers were a bit lower than Shaq’s in the NBA Finals, but you’ve also got to realize Shaq was being guarded by Todd Mccalough (sp?). I won’t say Shaq DIDNT deserve all 3 Finals MVPs, but Kobe should have atleast won the 3rd one, because he played just as much a pivotal role.
For the 150th time…if you watched the Lakers during thier 3 peat…you knew that if Shaq was option 1, Kobe was 1A.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I summoned him JPQ, but it was an accident. I was making a “darrell / racist” joke, but I kept backspacing it out. He must have sensed my racist presence.
/also an attention whore, but I do like the NBA
//off to take a ripe crap on a soccer post
September 30th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
On another note, those who hate on VC have never seen the dude play when he’s motivated. That’s all I need to say about that.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
The Laker-bashing on this site is horrendous.
Untrue. The crybaby-ism of Laker fans is what’s horrendous. You should read what’s written, and in the future get here on time, because the moron from the beginning wasn’t doing a very good job.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
which is when he is in a contract year. he should be busting his ass every year every game i mean they are paying him a ridiculous amount of money
September 30th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
he should be busting his ass every year every game i mean they are paying him a ridiculous amount of money
he better or im going to rip him like i did Pat Burrell
September 30th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Cry-babism? Try having your team put down at every opportunity on this site. I’m one of the few here that actually defends the Lakers, so it would be nice to defend them for things for things that happen ON the court, as opposed to LO’s baby-momma-drama or whether Kobe can handle taking a back seat.
VC was one of a select few players to average 20/5/5 last year. He was doing so while taking a back seat to Devin Harris and letting the young guys develop. With considerable talent around him, him being in his home town, and the fact that he’s getting older, you’re going to see a different side of VC, because I know for damn sure 75% of people here have probably never watched the guy play, and just read or heard things said about him on various sites.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I hope Hernia’s not around, because Karma need a WAAAAAAAAAMBULANCE.
TBL doesn’t like Kobe. He writes the posts. What do you expect? Go to a Lakers blog, or that little kid’s blog, if you want unabashed Lakerism. If you come here, where the vast majority of the dudes aren’t on the west coast, you’re probably not going to find too many Laker supporters. I personally defended Kobe somewhere up this thread, because I’m fully aware he’s great, and watch basketball.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
well said Karma about VC
September 30th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
karma’s from Toronto, if I remember correctly
irish: serious question: I thought you were a big MJOT guy last year? Is Carter just better?
/trying to make up, as I am a fan of the Magic
September 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Lakers win the title FTW
/Kobe Guy
September 30th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
irish: serious question: I thought you were a big MJOT guy last year? Is Carter just better?
I think so JPQ. and yes, i was a big MJOT guy for the past 5 years. sucks he left, but oh well
September 30th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Too soon for ballin’!!! Serious!! It’s week four of the NFL season Let us get to the midway point at least, dang.
/I think beisbol is still being played as well
//can’t confirm it, tho
September 30th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Too soon for ballin’!!!
never
September 30th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Lakers won it all last year. The year before that they had the best record in the West and didn’t win it all. Obviously the Lakers will be a factor in the title race.
It’s not bashing to have the opinion that they won’t win it all. Specially when that opinion is stated in late September and not late May.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I come to this site cause I like the commenters, and its fun to debate with them. Believe it or not, I get more annoyed than you do with Laker fans who are 14 years old and typing “KOBE BRYANT IZ DA BEST PLAYA EVA!” on every youtube video related to the guy.
The reason I like defending the Lakers on here cause it really is a challenge to get people to stop mentioning cliches they heard on TV (Kobe “rode” Shaq to titles) when they didn’t actually watch the games. So I figure if I can proper insight on certain things (like the cliche of VC “sucking”) then I can make others think and maybe alter how they feel.
For the record, yeah, I’m from Toronto, and no, I dont hate VC. In fact, I love the guy, he’s still one of my favourite players. I do however, dislike Lebron James. Respect the guy, but just can’t stand him…pretty much how those who don’t like Kobe feel.
Ironically, Kobe and Lebron are good friends in real life.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Oh by the way, this year is going to be an awesome way to close out the decade.
T-Mac is back and healthy; LA is defending thier title; Lebron is hitting his peak/ has Shaq / might be leaving; Celtics are back and healthy; Orlando has a motivated VC and Dwight + a healthy Nelson; the Nuggets are still a threat; and the Spurs (and Tim “Robot” Duncan) are still contending.
2009-2010 season – best of the decade (as far as storylines)?
September 30th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
You know I like the b-ball, irish. My NFL team is doing too good right now for me to pay attention.
/Hornets on life support
September 30th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
T-Mac is back and healthy;
He had microfracture surgery in February. How do you figure he’s back and healthy?
Ironically, Kobe and Lebron are good friends in real life.
You don’t believe this for real, do you? Because they aren’t. Kobe doesn’t have friends.
The lakers have plenty of defenders on here, honestly. The Magic have one dude, Cleveland has one less than they did last year, and the Spurs have nobody. While I agree it’s fun to debate in the comments, you get most of your indignation from TBL’s posts, because he hates Kobe.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
of course Mak. just busting
September 30th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Mak Blunt is a black Hornets Fan ! I proclaim it to the world.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
did someone call me a moron b/c I was defending my team?
Karma, great post on the Laker’s 3 peat years! 2001-2002 Kobe was definatley 1A. The year where he should’ve been #2 was the 2004 Finals when he almost froze out Shaq vs the Pistons.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Who is your team Michael?
September 30th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
did someone call me a moron b/c I was defending my team?
I called you a moron because of the WAY you were defending your team. Dismissing free agent pickups of other teams, because the guy “sucks,” and just making a bunch of broad, uninformed generalizations.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Lakers fan my whole 32 years of my life. Even though I reside in Upstate NY.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
gotcha. I knew you were a Bills fan. Im from Upstate NY as well
September 30th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I don’t know…again, that’s a perception of Kobe based on who he was while he was trying to prove himself to the NBA. They may not be best friends, but they did share a good time as Team USA members, and you really cant “fake” being friends without it coming through sooner or later.
I read somewhere (I think on SLAM) that he’s been working out with Tim Grover (who pretty much can heal every injury-prone player it seems) and he’s physically back to how he was before the back injuries. Apperently his old trainer fucked up a lot of things with the regimen he was previously on because it didn’t focus on certain areas that Grover’s workouts focus on within his body. It’s too bad Yao’s gone.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
gotcha. I knew you were a Bills fan. Im from Upstate NY as well
Being a Lakers fan helps me over come the years of groin kicks from the Bills.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Here’s a good rule of thumb – - Do not count on Tracy McGrady. At all.
As far as Houston’s concerned, he’s just an expiring contract anyway. They’re going to blow that whole thing up if Yao can’t come back (and Yao’s green isn’t guaranteed after this year, either).
September 30th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Being a Lakers fan helps me over come the years of groin kicks from the Bills
I bet
September 30th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
It’s amazing how this works; I kicked the left nut for being an attention whore and shortly after the right nut comes with his response, as I knew he would. One eats, the other shits.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Hi Darrell!
How are you today? Things going well?
September 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Larry Brown’s gameplan after Kobe killed them Game 1 was to let Shaq get whatever and have Prince run Kobe towards double teams. He knew that on that squad, Kobe was the most dangerous player, add to the fact that the Lakers were also playing with the corpses known as Malone and Payton, them losing to the Pistons in hindsight isn’t too much of a shock.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Would you like for me to allow you to summon your partner before I answer; I mean you’re corny by yourself, but with him you guys are epic.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
lets see…
-TBL hates ohio state.
-TBL has had three posts in the last two days about how the browns are the worst team in the history of ever
-TBL loves the cavs, but makes sure that he pisses off every cavs fan by making sure they know that lebron is probably leaving
-the indians suck
yea…no idea what that’s like ’round hurr.
but enough of me being an asshole…LA is great again, but ariza leaving could hurt as artest ain’t the ron artest we all knew and loved.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I mean you’re corny by yourself,
It’s funny how people play to type, isn’t it Darrell. How people end up fostering their little caricature with their comments.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
THAT’ A LIE!! THEY ARE DEAD-ish to me!!!
seriously, I really don’t have a basketball team I follow hardcore. I’m kind of a ho the way I been through NBA teams. Houston, Lakers, Magic, Hornets(charlotte, and New Orleans). I WANT the Hornets to be my team but three things are keeping that from happening
1. They wasn’t there when I lived there
b. They fucking quit(’died’) in a home playoff losing by 58
4. They might not be there too much longer, Nawlins’ is not really a basketball town.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
That’s*
playoff game*
September 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Good job!!!
September 30th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
That’s interesting. I still think Kobe should have actually passed out of the double teams more often instead of forcing up shots. Shaq was killing Ben Wallace down-low. Remember, they were without Malone for that series (most of it if I remember correctly) and Payton sucked balls by the end.
Had Karl been healthy and the Lakers supporting cast not sucked balls (I remember a rookie Walton playing significant minutes), they would have won. However, there is no way I can say that the Pistons weren’t a better team, they deserved to win. That 2004 team was a mess, I’m surprised they got past San Antonio.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Shaq was killing Ben Wallace but that was ok and expected, because with Kobe negated, there wasn’t going to be anyone else on that squad who could fill in as a second or third scorer and Shaq wasn’t going to and couldn’t beat them by himself. Of course that goes against the whole Kobe rode on Shaq’s coattails thing.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
2nd practice today and SVG is already on Vince about his defense.
“Oh, he did not play well defensively today. As a matter of fact, we’ll talk about that and show him some clips tomorrow. He’s capable of playing a lot better than he was today”
Vince has to get used to the schemes and stuff, that’s all it is.