Archive for December, 2007
Baby Bynum is all grown up…
Yahoo!: Seven things to know about Lakers center Andrew Bynum — one for each foot of his tall, lanky frame:
His stock is climbing. And fast. Consider: I asked several scouts, execs and a couple of media types this question in recent days: If you’re the Lakers, would you trade Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom for Amare Stoudemire? The consensus was a resounding no. The best answer: “Two months ago, I would have done that. Today, no way. Bynum has come that far that fast.”
Anyone who watched Suns-Lakers on Christmas Day would think hard to make a Bynum-for-Amare deal straight up. Of course, that couldn’t happen because of salary restrictions. Bynum is making $2.1 million, Stoudemire $13.7 million.
He may be the third best center in the league right now. After Dwight Howard and Yao Ming (not necessarily in that order), who would you rather have? Chris Kaman possibly; he has better numbers but they don’t seem to be helping the Clippers all that much. Shaq is having trouble just staying on the court. Stoudemire is a forward playing out of position. Tyson Chandler is too one-dimensional. Same with Marcus Camby. Who else? Eddy Curry? Please. A scout told me he watched Bynum “destroy” Curry two years ago. Ben Wallace? Funny. If Bynum doesn’t make your top three now, give him a year or so. He just turned 20 in October.
Continue reading ‘Lakers’ Bynum on the rise — and in a big way’
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I’ve always been hesitant in trading Farmar for Kidd but in the long run, it is Kidd that we are talkin’ about, right? Sound-off in the comments and tell us what you think!
Press Enterprise: The Lakers have made more overtures about acquiring Jason Kidd, but the Nets weren’t interested in the offer, according to the New York Post.
The Lakers reportedly offered Kwame Brown and his expiring $9 million contract, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Chris Mihm and a No. 1 draft pick.
The Lakers weren’t willing to make Lamar Odom part of the deal, just as they wouldn’t give up Andrew Bynum when the Lakers tried to acquire Kidd last season.
The Nuggets, reportedly offering Marcus Camby and draft picks, are considered the front-runners if Kidd is dealt.
Related:
The Truth About Jason Kidd to Denver
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L.A. Times: The hype keeps growing for Andrew Bynum, although Phil Jackson has some advice for those who create it — find a paper bag and breathe into it.
The Lakers’ coach seemed mildly irritated by the ever-growing circle of breathlessness surrounding the Lakers’ 20-year-old center, who is averaging 12.5 points and 10 rebounds in his third NBA season.
Jackson was bothered while watching tape of a recent game in which he heard broadcasters say Lakers fans should eventually get used to 20 points and 10 rebounds from Bynum every night.
“That’s way too much pressure to put on this guy,” Jackson said. “Who knows when he’s going to be 20 and 10? That’s not even a mark that we have to start prepping our audience for.”
Bynum is playing better defense, and rebounding has been a strength, but Jackson wanted to reserve overall judgment on his improvement until later in the season.
“If he grows as much as he did between the beginning of last year and the end of last year this season, we can be competitive and we actually think that we can go and compete in some playoff games,” Jackson said. “We’ve still got a ways to go to see where he’s going to be as far as his development.”
Continue reading ‘Phil doesn’t want to put pressure on Bynum’
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A great X-Mas… finally! Kobe gave us all a nice victory over the Suns today. The Lakers shot over 52% against the Suns and hit 85% of their free-throws, mostly thanks to Kobe. Despite their turnovers, the Lakers played well. They rotated quickly on defense.
The only things I saw that needed improvement were shot selection on offense and defending the pick-n-roll. The Lakers forced too many jumpers today in my opinion. As it was, they still moved the ball well and had 26 assists. Ariza had 2 rim rattling dunks, and Kobe flushed one in of his own to end the third.
It was a sweet win for the Lakers that put them to 18-10 on the season and 9-2 over the last 11. It was also great to see Fish show up big in front of his family today. Now, the bests of the day:
+Continue Reading
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After watching tonights game, do you think our Lakers are a team that contend for that elusive championship? Or is it to early to tell? Sound-off in the comments and tell us what you think!
L.A. Times: Kobe Bryant asked to be traded last spring in part because he wanted to play for a team that could contend for a championship. He just might have gotten his wish by staying put.
Bryant scored 26 of his 38 points in the second half, Andrew Bynum had a career-high 28 points to go with 12 rebounds and a season-high four assists, and the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns, 122-115, today at Staples Center for their ninth win in 11 games.
The victory lifted the Lakers (18-10) to a season-high eight games over .500 and within one game of the Pacific Division-leading Suns (19-9), who lost for the fifth time in eight games.
Bryant, who complained about a lack of talent around him, has gotten plenty of help recently, especially from the 20-year-old Bynum, who shot 11-of-13 in outplaying Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire.
Bynum left to a roar of approval from the Staples Center crowd of 18,997 and a hand-slap from Bryant with 11.5 seconds to play.
Derek Fisher added 19 points, Lamar Odom had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Trevor Ariza scored 14 points in his first start since being acquired from Orlando last month.
Continue reading ‘Bryant & Bynum Lead Lakers Past Suns’
Related:
Ariza gives Grant Hill a MONSTER FACIAL JAM!
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So I’d thought I’d post this. This was one of the nastiest jams of this NBA season and one of the best in Ariza’s career. I’ve loved the trade since day one and this just makes it all the better. The guy is an athletic freak. In fact, in some basketball worlds this would be considered illegal…
[youtube 1v6OIFNme6w]
Wanted to get this uploaded for yall! Merry X-Mas!
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LD2k’s latest video. Should pump you up for tomorrow and give you a big laugh… Go Lakers!
[youtube krjrQe5KEHw]
Title: Lakers/Suns: X-Mas Day sNowdown 07
Created By: LD2k
Length: 1:44
Size: 18MB
Type: mpeg-4
Play With: You can use Quicktime or VLC Player.
DOWNLOAD LINKS:
- Sendspace: http://www.sendspace.com/file/61u1em
- Rapidshare: http://rapidshare.com/files/78890305/Lakers_Suns_Xmas_07.mp4.html
STREAMING LINKS:
- YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=krjrQe5KEHw
Description: The Lakers and Suns have developed a true rivalry over the past couple of years. This X-Mas, the Lakers look to dominate the Suns like earlier in the season and go up 2-0 on the season series in this special X-Mas day sNowdown.
Post All Your Comments Here…
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The following was posted on Kobe Bryant’s official website, KB24.com:
Check the halftime segment of tonight’s Monday Night Football matchup between the Broncos and Chargers to find an interview with Kobe. Mike Tirico will be asking the questions, and LeBron will also be in the interview. Should be fun…
Video included now…
[youtube vcq_WU5f40o]
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Coach indicates deal is unlikely because Lakers wouldn’t get anything close to equal value, ‘like giving up a diamond for some garnets.’
L.A. Times: The trade deadline is almost two months away, but Coach Phil Jackson doesn’t see Kobe Bryant going anywhere, the strongest such statement by a Lakers official that their top player will still be theirs at season’s end.
“There just [aren't] any comparable situations,” Jackson said. “It’s like giving up a diamond for some garnets, whatever, I don’t know.”
The trade deadline is Feb. 21.
Jackson also chuckled at Bryant’s revelation Saturday to reporters that the Knicks were one of the teams on his destination list during the off-season.
“He was just being kind,” Jackson said. “That wasn’t a serious issue.”
Down the road, however, Jackson acknowledged that Bryant could terminate his contract after next season, which would leave two years and $47.8 million on the table but would make him a free agent.
“His contract has an option,” Jackson said. “There’s an actual situation that evolves for him.”
Continue reading ‘Jackson: Kobe will not be traded’
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Daily News: The medical news was good for Kwame Brown on Friday.
Coach Phil Jackson said Brown might be ready to practice Monday for the first time since suffering sprains of his left knee and ankle in the Lakers’ victory Nov. 18 against the Chicago Bulls.
If Brown’s practice goes well, then he might be able to play Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center.
“We’re hoping he’s going to practice,” Jackson said. “He had a good workout (Friday) and there’s a glimmer of hope that he’ll be able to practice on Monday.
“We need another big guy to help us out. Phoenix is not the team that you’re hoping to have a big guy back for, but it still helps. He may be able to play after one practice, depending on his reaction to the practice itself.”
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