This is the biggest fear I have going into the season.
I’ve read he’s been talking to doctors, and no one has given him any assurances they can do anything about it. I think the arthritus that set in when he let it go so long is a big factor on the delay.

To have him play with that splint all year in pain doesn’t bode well. It effects his shooting and even more than that, his ball-handling skills. TO’s, drives to basket and changing direction are all a big step below what level he was playing before the injury.

We’ve come to expect miracles out of Kobe, but a whole year?? I’m worried about it! Calm me down, fellas. Have you heard anything?

New post IS up where we discuss loyalty in the NBA and where the Lakers stand.

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/07/28/state-of-loyalty-in-the-nba/

New Post is Up

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/07/28/state-of-loyalty-in-the-nba/

I’ve just been refreshing this one, so I don’t know how long it has been there.

I like where we’re at. If Mitch can coax Luke into retirement (which I think he’s trying hard to do) and somehow dump Sasha’s contract, we’ll be flexible.

Off topic, anyone read the TH article on Chicago? They really picked up 3 Jazz players – it would be the irony of ironies if Chicago makes a legit run in the postseason using Utah’s system

Aaron, I will give you credit for being consistent. I have an uncle who I’m sure would love argue with you while chomping down on a plate of ribs and throwing down a couple of Coronas.

I’m even keen to the idea of dumping Sasha for his gf, Maria Sharapova, as the 13th player of the team. She’ll make the Lakers broadcasts that much more enjoyable for those camera zooms by the bench. Don’t talk to me about waste of money and luxury tax; this is my fantasy!

In response to Miami, yes, it’s not hard to see that they’re the new team to beat, despite Lakers being current champions. Let’s just hope for a healthy Lakers team come playoffs to prove the league wrong!

And Fisher rocks! Especially now with Blake as a complement.

–”Don’t get me wrong but Mitch has made mistakes. Accepting Brian Grant’s hideous contract,”

Grant’s contract was necessary to match salaries to make the Shaq trade happen. Keep in mind that Mitch was under a strict deadline (needed to trade Shaq away as an incentive to get Kobe to re-sign, e.g., Shaq traded July 14 2004, Kobe re-signed July 15 2004).

–”getting rid of of Caron Butler (who was Kobe’s Best Friend at the time) instead of Devean George”

Butler was the centerpiece of the deal for the Wizards. Trading George instead of Butler was not an option.

–”not signing Chauncey”

Are you talking about Chauncey Billups? He’s in the middle of a 4 yrs/$46 mil contract. We couldn’t have offered him half that much as a free agent.

–”overpaying Luke and Sasha,”

I agree with this

–”and to a lesser extent letting go of Critterton (who was Kobe’s pupil) instead of Farmar (who was unwilling to play in the triangle).”

Farmar is not only better than Critt but he’s also never been suspended for a season for brandishing a firearm at his teammate in the locker room.

–”He didn’t draft players like Dejuan Blair or Jonas Jerebko last year even though I understand he had an edict,”

You mean the edict that he had to trade his first round pick to save Buss some money. You can’t draft players without a pick.

–”He also has been given credit for things that he did not do. He did not orchestrate the Pau Gasol deal. He was called and asked if he wanted Pau after Andrew got hurt.”

What difference does it make who called who? Mitch took them to the cleaners.

–”though I question why Theo Ratliff and not a younger guy who we could mold (ala Amudson who is still available and may have done a Barnes for us – 2 years $3.5 million with a Rick Fox promise for later).”

We used the last of our mid-level exception to sign Barnes. All we could have offered Amundson was the minimum salary for a 4-year player, which is 2 years, $1.86 mil (http://www.nba.com/news/cba_minimumsalary_050804.html). Hardly an appealing offer for a young player coming off of a breakout season.

Ver-r-r-r-y-y interesting!!

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2010/07/lebron_james_parties_in_vegas.html