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Author Archive for David Brickley

Lakers: Your 2008 NBA Champs

Published by David Brickley on February 25, 2008 in DBrick's Take. 114 Comments

The Los Angeles Lakers will win the NBA championship.

I just wanted to put it in wording, make it official and let everybody know that this is not a possibility, nor is it a estimated guess, but it’s fact.

When it’s all said and done and the dust settles David Stern will walk to the middle of the floor and say. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce your 2008 NBA Champion, the Los Angeles Lakers!”

I was trying to look at this Lakers team from a different perspective, a non fan, and a person that doesn’t have a bias. Trying to figure out the negatives of this team, something you can say that would be a legit argument why the Lakers can’t win the NBA championship…

There isn’t any.

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Revenge Game for Lakers

Published by David Brickley on January 27, 2008 in DBrick's Take. 40 Comments

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The Lakers have lost 3 out of their last 4, and are 2-3 without Andrew Bynum in the lineup.

The Lakers not only need this game to get back on track, but I doubt anybody forgot what happened last time these two teams met.

Sure they need this game to get back on track, stay towards the top of the Western Conference, and pull closer to Phoenix for the Pacific Division title. However, more then anything they need a W for revenge.

Back on December 20th, The Lakers faced the Cavaliers on what was the 2nd of a 4 game road trip. They had won 6 of their last 7 and were firing on all cylinders going into that game.

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Lakers Two Step in Texas

Published by David Brickley on January 23, 2008 in DBrick's Take. 80 Comments

Tonight the Los Angeles Lakers (27-12) will face the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs (26-13), a big game for both teams.

For the Lakers, they are trying to prove that they can keep the ship afloat while Andrew Bynum is sidelined and still be able to beat the elite teams in the league.

For the Spurs, they are trying to get a big win. Making it the first win over an above .500 team since December 15th.

Although we are in January this is still a big trip in Texas. Especially with the long road trip ahead. If the Lakers can go in and beat both San Antonio and Dallas without Bynum, it will prove that this team belongs and can still contend even without the big man in the middle.

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Lakers No Longer Pretenders

Published by David Brickley on January 7, 2008 in News. 79 Comments

ESPN.com ranked the NBA’s top contenders:

6. Los Angeles Lakers - Imagine Kobe Bryant changing his request from “trade me” to “parade me.” A team that keeps maturing with Andrew Bynum can dare to dream. Still, a much longer shot than the five above this slot.

Also, according to the Hollinger Power Rankings that measure each team’s performance in the season. The Lakers have the best chance in the Western Conference to go to the NBA finals and win the NBA title.

We are now 10 games over .500, and considered by experts as contenders. All this after losing out on Garnett, making no big trades, and Kobe demanding out. Did even us die hard Laker fans expect this kind of start? The emergence of Bynum, our 2nd unit statistically one of the best in the league, and a happy Kobe. Sound off in comments on what you think of the season thus far!

Kobe glad he wasn’t traded, is ‘happy’ with Lakers

Published by David Brickley on December 13, 2007 in Kobe Watch. 20 Comments

ESPN: It’s time to do away with the image of Kobe Bryant playing under protest. After completing a Lakers practice Wednesday afternoon, Bryant said he’s glad he hasn’t been traded.

“I’m happy to be here,” Bryant said. “My guys and I — we have such a tight bond. Business and basketball sometimes can cloud things, but when you get here in your element and you’re around your teammates and just having a good time with them and thinking about them and not about the business of the game, that’s when it becomes fun.”

Bryant wouldn’t go as far as to rescind the well-publicized trade demand he made in May. When asked if he no longer wanted the Lakers to trade him, he essentially gave a no comment, saying, “I don’t get into that stuff.”

Nonetheless, the admission that he is happy to still be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers signifies a massive change in Bryant’s thinking and may indeed be analogous to a repeal.

Continue reading ‘Maybe Kupchak knows what he’s doing after all’

BREAKING NEWS: Lakers Acquire Trevor Ariza for Cook and Evans

Published by David Brickley on November 20, 2007 in News. 121 Comments

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The Lakers have acquired 6′8 forward Trevor Ariza from the Orlando Magic for Maurice Evans and Brian Cook. Trevor Ariza averaged 8.9 ppg and 4.4 rpg for the Orlando Magic last season.

Was this a good move? Lakers get rid of Cook’s 3.5 million dollar contract and get an athletic 6-8 forward that finishes well around the rim? Sound off in comments!

Related:
Magic get bigger with Cook, dealing little-used Ariza

Winning May Just Solve Everything

Published by David Brickley on November 17, 2007 in DBrick's Take. 32 Comments

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Bryant going 2-14 in the first half against the Detroit Pistons would usually mean the Lakers were down by at least double digits.

The Lakers as a whole shooting under 30% in the first half would mean that they were down by 20 or so.

But that didn’t happen because of Defense, taking care of the ball, and intensity.

Three things that the Los Angeles Lakers rarely if ever put all together in one game last season and this was against one of the top teams in the east.

I know Kobe answered the mannerisms questions last week with, “Some people just need to get a life. It’s Silly. They try too hard to read into things that just aren’t there.”

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Not too Early to Discuss: Elton Brand in Purple and Gold?

Published by David Brickley on November 15, 2007 in DBrick's Take. 38 Comments

The Lakers are looking decent through the first 7 games. Not too bad, and not too great either but average much like many experts have said, “A .500 type team.”

Sure as Laker fans we can see the improvement in players like Bynum, Farmer, and Radmanovic. We know the potential of guys like Jarvis, and see the improvement at point guard with a veteran savvy Derek Fisher.

However the question still remains about Kobe, as Laker fans we enjoy watching this season and try to keep our mind focused on the time at hand. But one must wonder what is the future of this fracnchise?

It seems at this point that Kobe most likely is staying put this season as a Los Angeles Laker, Mitch Kupchak doesn’t want to be known as the man that traded both Shaq and Kobe. Kobe as far as we know isn’t being too disruptive and most likely has somewhat backed off his severe trade demands.

But if the Lakers have a productive season and Kobe Bryant is there throughout to lead our team to the promise land then what’s next for this team.

That question needed answers so I went browsing.

Continue reading ‘Not too Early to Discuss: Elton Brand in Purple and Gold?’