Comments on: Opportunity Knocks, Lakers Don’t Open Door http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/ A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers). Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:59:17 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: ansari http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-4/#comment-611482 ansari Sun, 17 May 2009 14:46:15 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611482 Artest fitting in the Lakers system at this point is conjecture, no one knows how he would've fit. I know this, he's played great since he's been in Houston. What he adds you cannot put in the box score. Intensity, Passion, and yes he is crazy as Bat Bleep. But what he brings is exactly what the Lakers lack and that's why Kobe begged the front office to sign him. For that same reason I know Kobe misses Caron Butler. Artest would give the ball up to Kobe at the end of games he's not stupid. He's crazy not stupid big difference. The point I am trying to make is that what the Lakers are missing is that person to step up with Intensity with Passion and a willingness to Intimidate. Maybe Bynum can grow some stones, but I doubt it. He seems more interested in Video Games and counting his 60 Million Dollars, adn chasing skirt. Maybe Mbenga can provide something, I don't know. But I do know this, that when your 6 Foot Point Guard has to rub out an opponent because your Bigs lack the testicular fortitude that is a PROBLEM! The way to solve this problem is to bring in a Michael Cooper type a AC Green type a Charles Oakley type. A player that will do the dirty work and be the enforcer that the opponent respects on the floor. I am not talking about fighting, but someone that does not back down from a challenge. These players from the NBA 90% grew up playing in the park, street ball, and there is no way you can allow yourself to get punked and at the same time hold onto your self-respect. And right now people around the league figure you can punk the Lakers and their Bigs will do nothing. Artest fitting in the Lakers system at this point is conjecture, no one knows how he would’ve fit. I know this, he’s played great since he’s been in Houston. What he adds you cannot put in the box score. Intensity, Passion, and yes he is crazy as Bat Bleep. But what he brings is exactly what the Lakers lack and that’s why Kobe begged the front office to sign him. For that same reason I know Kobe misses Caron Butler. Artest would give the ball up to Kobe at the end of games he’s not stupid. He’s crazy not stupid big difference.

The point I am trying to make is that what the Lakers are missing is that person to step up with Intensity with Passion and a willingness to Intimidate. Maybe Bynum can grow some stones, but I doubt it. He seems more interested in Video Games and counting his 60 Million Dollars, adn chasing skirt.

Maybe Mbenga can provide something, I don’t know. But I do know this, that when your 6 Foot Point Guard has to rub out an opponent because your Bigs lack the testicular fortitude that is a PROBLEM! The way to solve this problem is to bring in a Michael Cooper type a AC Green type a Charles Oakley type. A player that will do the dirty work and be the enforcer that the opponent respects on the floor. I am not talking about fighting, but someone that does not back down from a challenge. These players from the NBA 90% grew up playing in the park, street ball, and there is no way you can allow yourself to get punked and at the same time hold onto your self-respect. And right now people around the league figure you can punk the Lakers and their Bigs will do nothing.

]]> By: Stephen http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-4/#comment-611446 Stephen Sat, 16 May 2009 23:53:29 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611446 the other Stephen, After watching McGrady limp thru the start and never getting better,I wrote off this season. Figured the Rockets would make the Playoffs and give a good effort. This is gravy. While I continue to believe the Rockets are a badly-flawed team,I'm enjoying the developement of Brooks,the suprising play of Lowry,the pure passion of Scola and the revival of Landry's high-wire act. I cannot say enough what a great job Adelman has done these past 2 yrs. The Rockets are starting to put the pieces together-and I just hope it's not too late for the McGrady-Yao combo. The 22 and the Playoff run this yr have reminded me why I love this game-and the Rockets in particular! the other Stephen,
After watching McGrady limp thru the start and never getting better,I wrote off this season. Figured the Rockets would make the Playoffs and give a good effort. This is gravy.
While I continue to believe the Rockets are a badly-flawed team,I’m enjoying the developement of Brooks,the suprising play of Lowry,the pure passion of Scola and the revival of Landry’s high-wire act. I cannot say enough what a great job Adelman has done these past 2 yrs.
The Rockets are starting to put the pieces together-and I just hope it’s not too late for the McGrady-Yao combo.
The 22 and the Playoff run this yr have reminded me why I love this game-and the Rockets in particular!

]]> By: Kurt http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-4/#comment-611445 Kurt Sat, 16 May 2009 23:51:57 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611445 Just started a new thread to talk Kobe Doin' Work. Just started a new thread to talk Kobe Doin’ Work.

]]> By: Mimsy http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-4/#comment-611444 Mimsy Sat, 16 May 2009 23:50:00 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611444 For anyone interested, Spike Lee's Kobe documentary is just about to start on ESPN. For anyone interested, Spike Lee’s Kobe documentary is just about to start on ESPN.

]]> By: Kurt http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-4/#comment-611443 Kurt Sat, 16 May 2009 23:48:07 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611443 Great Wall, I would agree that in the right system, on the right team Artest can be a good fit, and he seems to be doing that as well as could be expected in Houston. He has some skills. But I think his fit in LA would have been bad. Great Wall, I would agree that in the right system, on the right team Artest can be a good fit, and he seems to be doing that as well as could be expected in Houston. He has some skills. But I think his fit in LA would have been bad.

]]> By: Kurt http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-4/#comment-611442 Kurt Sat, 16 May 2009 23:46:30 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611442 And also, when was Ron tough? When he flopped trying to get a technical? When he got tossed in another game? Also, this tough guy is shooting 40% for the playoffs, 28.6% in the playoffs from three. I really can't emphasize enough how much I think he would be a bad fit in LA. And also, when was Ron tough? When he flopped trying to get a technical? When he got tossed in another game?

Also, this tough guy is shooting 40% for the playoffs, 28.6% in the playoffs from three.

I really can’t emphasize enough how much I think he would be a bad fit in LA.

]]> By: jac http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-4/#comment-611441 jac Sat, 16 May 2009 23:45:33 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611441 as Eminem said.. I just can seem to get out this slump If I could just get over this hump But I need something to pull me out this dump I took my bruises, took my lumps Fell down and I got right back up But I need that spark to get psyched back up And the right thing for me to pick that mic back up I don't know how I pry away And I ended up in this position I'm in I starting to feel distant again So I decided just to beat this pain Up and tried to make an attempt to vent But I just can't admit Or come to grips, with the fact that I may be done with rap I need a new outlet I know some shits so hard to swallow And I just can't sit back and wallow In my own sorrow But I know one fact I'll be one tough act to follow One tough act to follow Copy One tough act to follow Here today, gone tomorrow But you have to walk a thousand miles as Eminem said..

I just can seem to get out this slump
If I could just get over this hump
But I need something to pull me out this dump
I took my bruises, took my lumps
Fell down and I got right back up
But I need that spark to get psyched back up
And the right thing for me to pick that mic back up
I don’t know how I pry away
And I ended up in this position I’m in
I starting to feel distant again
So I decided just to beat this pain
Up and tried to make an attempt to vent
But I just can’t admit
Or come to grips, with the fact that
I may be done with rap
I need a new outlet
I know some shits so hard to swallow
And I just can’t sit back and wallow
In my own sorrow
But I know one fact
I’ll be one tough act to follow
One tough act to follow
Copy
One tough act to follow
Here today, gone tomorrow
But you have to walk a thousand miles

]]> By: Craig W. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-4/#comment-611440 Craig W. Sat, 16 May 2009 23:44:53 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611440 Great Wall, I am not sure I agree with you that nearly any other team would prefer Artest to Ariza - talk to the Indiana Pacers about that one. Ariza has shown real ability to fit within a team concept and function well defensively. I agree Artest was a good fit with Houston, but a key reason is that your team is a defensive one first and only accents offense as a corollary to defensive sets. Therefore you could accept Artest's offensive failures because he could lock up so many positions defensively. Most NBA teams are offense first and Artest just would be too much of a liability. I know everyone talks about defense, but most measures in the NBA are about offense. Great Wall,
I am not sure I agree with you that nearly any other team would prefer Artest to Ariza – talk to the Indiana Pacers about that one. Ariza has shown real ability to fit within a team concept and function well defensively.

I agree Artest was a good fit with Houston, but a key reason is that your team is a defensive one first and only accents offense as a corollary to defensive sets. Therefore you could accept Artest’s offensive failures because he could lock up so many positions defensively.

Most NBA teams are offense first and Artest just would be too much of a liability. I know everyone talks about defense, but most measures in the NBA are about offense.

]]> By: Great Wall http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-3/#comment-611438 Great Wall Sat, 16 May 2009 23:25:23 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611438 Kurt, I agree with you that Artest would have been a poor addition to the Lakers, but he has been a very solid one to the Rockets. We are a defensive team and he's an excellent defender. He does stop the offensive flow sometimes, but his defense and attitude far outweighs that for our team. As far as not trading Ariza straight up for Artest, I'm afraid that you are on an island on that one. He may be a better fit for the Lakers because he will defer to Kobe, Pau, and Odom, but nearly any other team would take Artest (Bad tendencies and all) over Ariza in a heartbeat. Kurt,

I agree with you that Artest would have been a poor addition to the Lakers, but he has been a very solid one to the Rockets. We are a defensive team and he’s an excellent defender. He does stop the offensive flow sometimes, but his defense and attitude far outweighs that for our team. As far as not trading Ariza straight up for Artest, I’m afraid that you are on an island on that one. He may be a better fit for the Lakers because he will defer to Kobe, Pau, and Odom, but nearly any other team would take Artest (Bad tendencies and all) over Ariza in a heartbeat.

]]> By: sT http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/05/15/opportunity-knocks-lakers-don%e2%80%99t-open-door/comment-page-3/#comment-611437 sT Sat, 16 May 2009 23:13:31 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1610#comment-611437 Isn't this just going to be a super duper great game tomorrow. The Lakers playing in a game 7 of a Playoff elimination game!, against an opponent who has just the same chance as us to win the game. I'm not sure why I say that because the Rockets seem to be winning with role players, but I do not care, it is going to be an exciting game to watch. clutch824, here, here… I will be wearing my gold FB&G Dribble Driving through the Blogosphere T for extra good luck. Hopefully I will wear the shirt out this year with all the games to be played. Isn’t this just going to be a super duper great game tomorrow. The Lakers playing in a game 7 of a Playoff elimination game!, against an opponent who has just the same chance as us to win the game. I’m not sure why I say that because the Rockets seem to be winning with role players, but I do not care, it is going to be an exciting game to watch. clutch824, here, here…

I will be wearing my gold FB&G Dribble Driving through the Blogosphere T for extra good luck. Hopefully I will wear the shirt out this year with all the games to be played.

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