Comments on: A Few Weekend Links

By: the other Stephen

the other Stephen — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:13:11 +0000

21. Well, I’m glad someone at least responded. I just wanted to know what people thought of playing Mihm at PF. You’re right–Kwame should be starting. Wasn’t thinking.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:40:03 +0000

(17) other Stephen,

You must be thinking five years ahead.

Right now, if he had his way, I suspect that Phil Jackson would never play Bynum more than 10 minutes in any game–unless there were serious injuries.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:37:46 +0000

Jaz,
I’m a Rockets fan living in LA and the folks here have never harrassed me for that-my opinions maybe,but not that I’m a fan of another team. I think you will find that in addittion to loving their Lakers,the people here love the NBA in general and have a very good knowledge of the game.Enjoy.

For myself I find the Lakers a fascinating team. The whole Franchise from ownership to fans expects an elite team-quite reasonably considering their run thru the 80′s and early part of this century. They have the premier offensive player in the game whose legendary will to win is hampered only by his desire to win his way. They are a fascinating study in how a Team that wants to win is being slapped around by the New NBA Reality.
On the competitive level their Conference is dominated by teams w/drastically different visions on how to win. The Spurs are an old-school balanced Team,w/the big man,the point and elite SG/SF and solid veteran role players. Then there are the Suns who are the classic run and gun team that is supposed to get killed in the Play-Offs,yet have dominated the Lakers when they’ve met. The Mavs try to bury you w/waves of good young players and the Jazz are creeping up trying to club you into submission.
On the other hand the salary cap prevents the team from buying talent and the increasing reluctance of teams to trade hinders acquiring talent thru trades. So the Lakers are stuck trying to improve to an elite level while being handicapped by the current structure.
Then there is the matter of what kind of Lakers team to build. Build it around Kobe’s talents,try to find that dominant big man to build around,try to recreate the Jordan/Pippen Bulls or try and build a team that w/out Kobe would be a plus .500 team and then expect Kobe will be enough to take them over the top.

By: Jaz

Jaz — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:58:28 +0000

As far as the blogging advice, I check this site every day. Even if there’s nothing new I keep checking every morning, because when there is something new, it’s usually pretty good, and the comments are better than the usual blog dreck. And I’m not even a Laker fan (ducking and running…).

By: Samy

Samy — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:01:40 +0000

Lakerrrrrrrrrrs!

By: the other Stephen

the other Stephen — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:45:43 +0000

YO. what if we played bynum at C and mihm at PF at the same time. that is something to at least consider, is it not? bynum can support mihm’s inexcusable defense, and we can have the luxury of seeing that beautiful hook shot and jumper and stuff all day. allll day, baby.

By: Warren Wee Lim

Warren Wee Lim — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:06:08 +0000

My optimistic view has us going 6-4. I can’t say if it is, but I think this team is one of Phil’s weakest ones in recent memory to start the season. If we could go 3-1 last year with the 1st two on Kobe injuries, there is reason to hope that we could at least win that opener vs. Houston and win every other game following that. optimistic 6-4 / realistic 5-5 / pessimistic 4-6.

As far as up to December is concerned, I hope they save enough wins to brace up for that 9-game road trip they have by end of January heading to the All-Star break. Things could get ugly at that point if they do not play well enough.

By: fanerman

fanerman — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 07:41:17 +0000

All the recent trade speculation in the comments have been so annoying. I can’t wait for training camp to start so we can actually talk about things that are real.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 23:25:19 +0000

5. Warren, the first month of the season is tough, including those games. I say if the Lakers are 5-5 at the end of that stretch I’m thinking that’s about right, and if they are 4-6 I’m not that worried. If come Dec. 1 the Lakers are .500 or better they will be fine.

By: ca-born

ca-born — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:35:53 +0000

chris henderson – I don’t think Luke, nor Rad, nor Mihm can bring us up another level. Bynum has to be the guy.

But my dream scenario? Bynum averages 15/10 and Luke, Rad, and Mihm become elite role players.