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Archive for December, 2007

Is it time to praise Kupchak?

Published by Jim Murdoc on December 27, 2007 in Articles. 66 Comments

O.C. Register: In the spirit of the season, let’s send some holiday cheer to someone who has earned it — someone who spent much of 2007 getting hammered, and not in the fun, eggnog way.

We’re speaking of Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, whom Lakers Nation fired about a thousand times in ‘07 but Lakers management never did.

Based on the way this season has started — with the Lakers at 18-10 and the GM’s biggest rebuilding block, Andrew Bynum, literally in the center of it all — keeping Kupchak appears to have been the right move.

Hindsight is just wonderful that way.

When everyone from Kobe to Jack thought the Lakers should ship Bynum to New Jersey for quick-fix Jason Kidd, Kupchak took the long view and held firm. Now he has another slam-dunking, shot-blocking big man to pair with Bryant (although Bynum mustn’t become satisifed with his recent success and still must prove he can be a double-double threat for 82 regular-season games and multiple playoff series).

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Ariza is adjusting after trade

Published by Jim Murdoc on December 27, 2007 in Articles. 20 Comments

The forward, who came to the Lakers from Orlando on Nov. 20, is feeling more comfortable.

L.A. Times: Uncertainty and apprehension appeared in the Lakers’ locker room soon after the trade was announced.

The move that brought Trevor Ariza to the Lakers and sent Brian Cook and Maurice Evans to Orlando was met last month with raised eyebrows, even genuine concern, by players who thought the success of the Lakers’ second unit could be affected by losing two peripheral contributors.

That unease has gradually faded.

Ariza responded to his first start as a Laker with 14 points, seven rebounds and a memorable dunk over Grant Hill in the Lakers’ 122-115 victory on Tuesday over Phoenix.

Ariza’s minutes have risen in recent games, while Evans and Cook have seen a decrease in their playing time with the Magic. Evans had one point in six minutes on Wednesday against New York, and Cook did not get onto the court for a fifth consecutive game.

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Lakers’ Bynum on the rise — and in a big way

Published by Chris Manning on December 27, 2007 in Articles. 22 Comments

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.

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Nuggets, not Lakers, front-runners for Kidd

Published by Jim Murdoc on December 26, 2007 in J-Kidd Watch. 93 Comments

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

Phil doesn’t want to put pressure on Bynum

Published by Jim Murdoc on December 26, 2007 in Articles. 16 Comments

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.”

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TLN’s Post-Game Report: Lakers vs. Suns

Published by Steve Avery on December 26, 2007 in Avery's Postgame. 32 Comments

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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:

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Bryant & Bynum Lead Lakers Past Suns

Published by Jim Murdoc on December 25, 2007 in Postgame Comments. 38 Comments

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.

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Related:
Ariza gives Grant Hill a MONSTER FACIAL JAM!

Ariza gives Grant Hill a MONSTER FACIAL JAM!

Published by Chris Manning on December 25, 2007 in LD2k's Take. 42 Comments

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…


Wanted to get this uploaded for yall! Merry X-Mas!