The Evil Empire Revisited: Lakers General thread

[nighthob]

I think he's disinterested because he wants to play with his buddies. I also have a sneaking suspicion that his relationship with Bryant was/is similar to his relationship with Garnett (which is to say that I think that Bryant likely despises Howard and has for a while). And all this has combined to make the season too much like work for his comfort.

 

[ElUno20]

Dwight "hurt" his shoulder again.

 

[slamminsammya]

Disinterested? How about coming off a major back surgery and playing through a torn labrum.

 

[nighthob]

I'm sure that his torn labia is very painful. And that that look of boredom that even Laker fans notice is just how Dwight expresses his vast pain.

 

[wutang112878]

\
 
I can't believe people actually thought D'Antoni would be a good fit in LA. I mean you take a defensively challenged team like the Lakers, and you hope having a good defensive coach like Brown helps counteract that. Now, it's painfully obvious that Brown was fired too soon, and I guess the solution to the problem was that since Brown was a defensive coach and it wasn't working out, maybe an offensive coach would work better. Unfortunately, anyone that watched basketball would know that D'Antoni's style wouldn't fly with an aging defense who's anchor was a moody enigma coming off of back surgery.
 
What you said about Howard was interesting. Maybe he is more comfortable being on a team were nobody expects them to go deep into the playoffs. Because Dwight's was always surrounded by lesser players, we always gave him the benefit of the doubt that once he got some real talent around him, his team would be a top contender. But maybe that isn't true. It seems like that know things are expected out of Dwight, he can't deliver the goods.    
.

 
As for Howard, I think that is exactly the type of player he is.  In a perfect situation, he might really care and give 100%, but if he has any issues with the team around coaching, players, is he getting enough shots, etc, he doesnt give 100% effort.  Today's superstars are great.
 
It reminds me of a story that McHale told about KG recently, I cant find the article, but basically after one of his first practices his rookie year KG was laying on the ground because he was exhausted and McHale walked by and KG said something to the effect of 'this is going to be a job, huh?'.  I dont think Howard has ever had that realization.
 
 

I think he's disinterested because he wants to play with his buddies. I also have a sneaking suspicion that his relationship with Bryant was/is similar to his relationship with Garnett (which is to say that I think that Bryant likely despises Howard and has for a while). And all this has combined to make the season too much like work for his comfort.

 
 

I'm sure that his torn labia is very painful. And that that look of boredom that even Laker fans notice is just how Dwight expresses his vast pain.

 
I agree with your diagnosis, Howard is showing all the symptoms of SSS, Sulking Superstar Syndrome.  Not sure if the underlying cause is his desire to play elsewhere, thinking of his next stop, or not wanting to play with Kobe, but he certainly has SSS.

 

[Tony C]

There's a short interview with Hubie Brown from Mike & Mike and I think he's really good on this topic (scroll down a bit and there's a link, if interested):
 
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8875019/los-angeles-lakers-hold-team-meeting-air-grievances
 
Bottom line is the first thing he learned when he was an assistant with Milwaukee is that Kareem would stop playing unless he was getting his touches, and that all big men are the same. "They can't pass it to themselves" and if no one is passing it to them then they stop playing at full speed. Kobe has 125 more shots than anyone else in the NBA (and has complained that Howard is messing him up because Kobe is trying to pass to him too often). The bottom line isn't that Kobe is a problem or that Howard is a problem, the bottom line is they need a coach who can simultaneously define how they'll play together and make them happy doing so. Oh, and it's not just Kobe and Howard, it's the 3rd hall of famer Gasol, too. Again, to me the problem is the wrong coach for a superstar team. I'm coming off as a Jackson fanboy (personally I always found the zen shit irritating), but the reality is you need his stature and psychological smarts to pull off the coaching job this team needs.
 
The 4th hall of famer, Nash, is probably the one guy who is mature enough to go with the flow. But NBA coaches don't usually deal with mature players. Funny thing is, Nash may be the most mature of the 4, but he's getting absolutely abused defensively. Conley made a joke of him last night, and Nash didn't do much on the offensive end to make up for it (6 TOs, if I recall). 

 

[wutang112878]

The coach is the problem, you hit the nail on the head.  Hubie is correct in saying that all big act this way, but someone needs to break the news to Howard that he sucks offensively.  Yes he can make flashy dunks, and put backs,etc, but if he just wants Kobe to dump it to him in the post and have everyone step back he is out of his mind.  Phil would have been the perfect person to do this.  The same way Phil brianwashed Shaq in LA to get him to play defense, Phil is probably one of the few guys on the planet that might have been able to get the entitled Howard to realize he should stop complaining about shots because the best thing he can do to help the team is play amazing defense. 

 

[Tony C]

ruh ro, Kobe taking it on himself to be a facilitator is bad news for Laker haters. Hopefully that has a short shelf life -- an unselfish Kobe just...isn't Kobe. 

 

[ishmael]

ruh ro, Kobe taking it on himself to be a facilitator is bad news for Laker haters. Hopefully that has a short shelf life -- an unselfish Kobe just...isn't Kobe. 

The funny thing is that many Kobe haters wanted him to play this way (more Magic and less Allen Iverson) for his entire career. If he had, he could have been in the discusion for GOAT.

 

[ElUno20]

Two game win streak has LA back to scheduling parade routes.

And I'm only 10% kidding.

 

[Nick Kaufman]

I think the funniest thing that has happened with Kobe's conversion into an assist-man/team player is the number of high fives and back slaps he's given. In 4 games he's high fived and backslapped more times than he's done his whole career.

At some point, you have to expect he's going to go all Hulk on us and just drop sixty in a losing effort just because someone lost an easy lay up.

 

[scottyno]

watching kobe revert to non passing mode after the lakers blew a 13 pt 4th quarter lead was quite amusing

 

[jon abbey]

Adrian Wojnarowski
‏@WojYahooNBA
 
Pau Gasol felt a "pop" in the bottom of his foot, on crutches now. Getting an MRI on Wednesday.

 

[bbc23]

I for one, am totally excited to see a lineup of Nash, Kobe, Metta, Jamison, Clark for the foreseeable future

 

[swingin val]

I for one, am totally excited to see a lineup of Nash, Kobe, Metta, Jamison, Clark for the foreseeable future

That lineup is still better than at least 1/3 of the teams in the league

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

It absolutely kills me that Ron Artests history is never taken into account when it comes time for Stu Jackson to discipline this piece of shit for another incident.  


This isn’t a discussion about the severity of the uppercut to Knight, just that the league continues to give him an infinite number of
second chances for being the very definition of a repeat offender. One game without pay for "grabbing Brandon Knight of the Detroit Pistons around the neck and striking him in the jaw", as Jackson put it in his statement today.
 

 

[wutang112878]

The only way Stu's discipline makes sense is if the league knows Artest has mental problems, which he clearly does, and they realize that a punch to him is like a shove to someone else.  The same way we are more understanding when someone with tourettes swears.

 

[dhellers]

That lineup is still better than at least 1/3 of the teams in the league

One of the announcers yesterday joked that "this is the lineup D'antoni wants!"
 
BTW: are the Nets really this dumb a team? Or did they have a bad night?

 

[The Social Chair]

Kobe tweeted a picture of him and DJ at a pre-draft Celtics workout. 
 

 

[ifmanis5]

Pau heard a 'pop' last night in his plantar fascia. Could put the brakes on some major deal speculation.

 

[nighthob]

Kobe tweeted a picture of him and DJ at a pre-draft Celtics workout. 
 

 
I could kill Bird for preferring Walker to Bryant. The Bryant/Pierce Celtics would have been a whole lot of fun.

 

[wutang112878]

What did Larry have to do with that draft?  ML Carr was in charge for the Kobe draft no?

 

[nighthob]

What did Larry have to do with that draft?  ML Carr was in charge for the Kobe draft no?

 
Larry was M.L.'s assistant back then, and the presumptive GM of the Celtics (until Paul "Thanks, Dad!" Gaston forced him out by bringing in Pitino). And Bird was the guy that urged Boston to trade up with Dallas to secure Walker.

 

[bbc23]

Pau officially out for minimum of 6 weeks
It will be fun to see if Kobe's attack on Dwight's inability to play through injury lights a fire under his ass (doubtful) or not (probable)
In any case, it seems likely that Earl Clark is going to be starting at center tomorrow

 

[TheGazelle]

Pau officially out for minimum of 6 weeks
It will be fun to see if Kobe's attack on Dwight's inability to play through injury lights a fire under his ass (doubtful) or not (probable)
In any case, it seems likely that Earl Clark is going to be starting at center tomorrow

And those comments have kicked into 5th gear: http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8924249/kobe-bryant-challenges-dwight-howard-return-shoulder-injury-play-pain

 

[The Social Chair]

Mildly Interesting Kobe puff interview about Boston stuff...
 

The Celtics are 4-0 with a resurgence of ball movement since Rondo went down, but Bryant scoffed at the significance off the minuscule sample size.
"You don't want Rondo? Send him my way," Kobe declared. "I love everything about him. Everything. I love his attitude, I love his chippiness, his edge, his intellect, his know-it-allness. All of it. That's what makes championship players.
"What guard have you seen at his size that will get you 18 assists, 17 boards and 20 points all in one game? That's unheard of. I love that kid. I always make a point of talking to him during All-Star [Weekend]. He's one of my favorites."

 
Not a shock that Kobe would love the one player under 27 who hates his opponents in an old school way.
 
He also talks about his "friendship" with Belichick.
 
http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/8924289/kobe-bryant-feels-pain-rajon-rondo-boston-celtics

 

[GBrushTWood]

I could kill Bird for preferring Walker to Bryant. The Bryant/Pierce Celtics would have been a whole lot of fun.

 
The issue with Bryant at the time of the 1996 draft, if I recall correctly, was not his talent, but rather his desire to only play for the Lakers. This was well known prior to draft day. So if the Celts drafted Bryant, they really would have been getting Vlade Divac/Eddie Jones/Nick Van Exel/whomever else was on those mid 90's Laker squads.
 
Knowing this, I don't consider drafting Walker a bad pick. Perhaps a better question would be, why choose Walker over Steve Nash in that draft? Then again, 13-14 teams could ask the same question.
 
Also, let's not forget Antoine helped bring the unimaginably terrible Celtics of the late 90's to some respectability with their 01-03 run

 

[wutang112878]

Also, let's not forget Antoine helped bring the unimaginably terrible Celtics of the late 90's to some respectability with their 01-03 run

 
I cant argue with the results and playoff runs, but considering their atrocious style of play and the obviously flaws of this team, I cant call them respectable.  Compared to the Pitino and ML Carrs years, yes they were an upgrade though.

 

[Brickowski]

The issue with Bryant at the time of the 1996 draft, if I recall correctly, was not his talent, but rather his desire to only play for the Lakers. This was well known prior to draft day. So if the Celts drafted Bryant, they really would have been getting Vlade Divac/Eddie Jones/Nick Van Exel/whomever else was on those mid 90's Laker squads.

I would have taken that package in a heartbeat over Antoine Walker.  Eddie Jones was an excellent player until 2006, straight out of John Chaney's finishing school for junkyard dogs, and Van Exel could score.

 

[Brickowski]

And miss the Raef LaFrentz/Jiri Welsch era? Crazy talk!

And Ricky Davis too...alas.

 

[JerBear]

Halftime against Charlotte, trailing 41-53...
 

 

[lars10]

Halftime against Charlotte, trailing 41-53...
 

how does Kobe go a half with only two shots??

 

[wutang112878]

Didnt see a minute of the game, but I wonder if he might be trying to prove a point about his 'distributor' role in the hopes that maybe Howard realizes how limited he is offensively.

 

[ifmanis5]

Even the Bobcats are beating the Lakers by 20. How long can this go on for?

 

[bbc23]

Even the Bobcats are beating the Lakers by 20. How long can this go on for?

Apparently, not as long as you'd think

 

[dhellers]

Lakers / Heat tied at half.  Is it possible I am rooting for the Heat (I will need a very hot shower later today).

 

[Al Zarilla]

Good game. I'm rooting for the Kobees and that feels very weird. 

 

[bbc23]

Nothing can stop LeBron, he's just been unreal

 

[knucklecup]

Good game. I'm rooting for the Kobees and that feels very weird. 

 
I, too, am rooting for the Lakers.  This Heat bunch will always be my least favorite professional team in sports.
 
Great game though as you mentioned.  I find myself buying into what ABC is selling me today and I hate it.

 

[radsoxfan]

Dwight Howard is playing like he's 35.

 
So slow and lethargic out there.  This is nothing like the guy who made Orlando a good defense almost single-handedly.
 
Hard to decide if Kobe, Lebron, or Wade do more complaining.  They are so painful to watch.

 

[dhellers]

I, too, am rooting for the Lakers.  This Heat bunch will always be my least favorite professional team in sports.
 
Great game though as you mentioned.  I find myself buying into what ABC is selling me today and I hate it.

I so want the Lakers to not make the playoffs (call it fear). And Miami is going to be #1 no matter what.
 It's a matter of what sucks less :<

 

[soxhop411]

You think its a bad season for the Lakers?
 
 
 

LA Lakers Owner Jerry Buss Dying Of Cancer, Family & Friends At His Bedside
http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/02/lakers-owner-jerry-buss-dying-of-cancer-family-at-hospital/#.UR07Fyxw790.twitter

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss is dying of cancer and is currently surrounded by family and friends at his hospital bedside,RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.
The businessman and billionaire is at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and a source close to the situation tellsRadarOnline.com that Lakers players have been calling with well-wishes and even stopping by to see him in what they expect to be his final days.
“Jerry isn’t doing well and it’s quite sad, but he’s surrounded by loved ones,” the insider told RadarOnline.com.

“The cancer is just too much and it looks like this is the end for him.”

 

[Tony C]

Boy, a humiliating beat-down last night.  Lakers are still in decent position to make up the 3.5 games and make the playoffs in the 8th slot (or at best 7th), but show no signs they can compete with Oklahoma or the Clippers. On the other hand, if they happened to match up with the Spurs in the 1st round, that might give them a bit of a better match-up. 

 

[bbc23]

You can look at their schedule though and see that they only have 4 games against the LAC, SA, OKC types though and have a really easy schedule going forward compared to Houston.  You also have GS in a (slightly expected by their differential) freefall

 

[ishmael]

Lakers are down, but far from out. First four games after the break (BOS/POR/@DAL/@DEN) will be big and help determine if they are buyers or sellers at the deadline. I just want to see them buried once and for all.

 

[Brickowski]

Jay Pharaoh as SAS:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1z6BnrpQfUY

 

[bbc23]

Dr. Buss passed away this morning
Say what you will about him, but he was without a doubt the most successful owner in the history of the NBA

 

[The Social Chair]

Dr. Buss passed away this morning
Say what you will about him, but he was without a doubt the most successful owner in the history of the NBA

In the history of American sports?

 

[wutang112878]

Howard must be 100% healthy now right?  So no more excuses about injuries going forward I would assume
 

 

[jon abbey]

This makes me think way more than ever before that there is close to no chance Howard is coming back to the Lakers next year:
 
"Relations between Kobe Bryant and his Lakers teammate Dwight Howard
were beyond icy during the weekend’s All-Star game in Houston — with
Howard mocking Bryant behind his back in the locker room, sources
exclusively tell Page Six. Amid other reports that the Lakers’ chilly
on-court chemistry was spilling into the locker room, we’re told that
Howard “grabbed Kobe’s uniform, put it on, and imitated him in front of
all the other players on the West team. He was joking and berating Kobe”
to fellow NBA stars, including the Clippers’ Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant.
The source added Bryant later arrived in the locker room, “said hello
to everyone on the team except Howard, grabbed his stuff and moved as
far away from Howard as he could.” Despite a recent clear-the-air
meeting in Memphis, relations haven’t thawed. At the game, Bryant said,
“It doesn’t matter” what his team does with Howard as the trade deadline
approaches. Reps for Bryant and Howard didn’t get back to us last
night."

http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/lakers_still_in_deep_freeze_NdeeieATpo9PUCtdPsNdEO

And yes, that is Page Six, but does anyone think that's not true? I certainly believe it.