What a difference a year makes. This time last summer we were in the midst of a nasty lockout and still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Jim. Phil was gone, the staff was gone and the season was in doubt. This has been one of the faster rebuilds in recent history, second only to Miami’s decision year. As it stands now, we have only three players left from the 2010 championship team. Mike Brown heads into his sophomore season with the Lakers holding a very good hand. Roster set, check. Olympic Gold, check. You may now return to your usual summer programming.
Andy Kamenetzky at the Land O’Lakers, takes issue with comparisons between the 2004 and 2012 superstar Lakers teams.
Brian Kamenetzky at the LOL reflects on Kobe Bryant’s final Olympics, and the last years of his NBA career.
Mark Medina from the L.A. Times brings perspective to the Dwight Howard trade, from the point of view of former Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Kurt Helin from ProBasketballTalk references the Times interview as he looks at the Andrew Bynum years, and the way things ended with his mentor.
Ben Rosales at Silver Screen and Roll brings news of a new addition to the coaching staff, Steve Clifford from the Orlando Magic.
Jeff Miller from the OC Register gives some just dues to Mitch Kupchak for his yeoman’s work.
Andrew Ungvari at Lakers Nation dials up the praise meter as regards Jim Buss.
***
I’m looking for one more link to add and probably taking way too much time doing it, and I come across an article about Brian Cook, how he’s hoping to play a little more NBA ball before it’s all said and done. And I don’t know why, but it makes me smile. Cookie was a funny kind of player. He usually seemed content to shuffle around and jack up some outside shots and every now and then he’d surprise you and jam past a couple guys and throw it down. Just to show he could.
– Dave Murphy
any_one_mouse says
Greg Oden could be a very interesting gamble. At this point, he can’t play, and the jury is out on whether he’ll ever be able to play again.
But assuming he does recover from his injury, he is that rare commodity – a 7ft C with genuine defensive ability. Now, we don’t need a center, but if Oden is back at even 50% capability, wouldn’t he be worth a draft pick or two to a team that needs an anchor in the paint?
Wouldn’t that be a good way to acquire fresh talent over the next couple of years when we have, ummm, NO draft picks?
Worst-case scenario – he takes up a roster spot and a min contract without ever contributing. Best case scenario – he becomes a productive C that can play around 30 min a night, who can be traded for a (high) draft pick.
Low risk, high reward.
Chearn says
any_one-I like that. But, I thought the same thing about Brandon Roy.
He could play back-up for the Lakers. And when Howard returns…can you imagine the intense practices.
I would prefer Greg Oden to Kenyon Martin. Oden was intriguing prior to injuries. Maybe he will end up being like Sam Bowie (a serviceable big that could have been great if not for injuries).
Rubenowski says
Cookie always looked like he wanted to cry.
any_one_mouse says
@Chearn – Yep, exactly. Though I think, based on what I am reading, Dwight will be back from injury before Greg.
MannyP says
Good riddance Drew. Don’t twist your knees running to the bank.
Kevin_ says
All good reads. Any disciple of the Van Gundy’s should bring great knowledge of defense. Any one know if Eddie Jordan is still on the radar?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2M4omAunpY
:40 Metta should see plenty of these.
1:05 That Dwight instead of Lopez.
1:12 Coming off those screens at the top of the key for three are money for Nash. Kobe has been the best option for that type of set for a while and he’s not a great 3 point shooter.
1:56 That’ll be Dwight rolling to the hoop.
Nash should have so much fun with PnR this season. I do think depending on Metta’s 3pt % and Pau’s outside shooting % teams will trap Nash alot. But so many other great possibilities looking at highlights.
Darius Soriano says
A new post is up.
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2012/08/15/is-dwight-howard-undervalued/
Busboys4me says
Everyone is comparing this team to the 2003-04 team, but it’s more like the 1971-72 team to me. Wilt, Baylor, Goodrich and West are closer to D12, Pau, Nash and Kobe than a worn out Payton and an end of the line Malone.
I hope for the same success as far as the records and the streak. I guess Jameson and MWP would be our Happy Harriston (scorer) and Pat Riley (defender). I know most of the this site will not remember this team, but they can read up on it.