The Credits

by wondahbap on Oct 27, 2009 7:08 AM PDT in Credits Comment 28 comments

The Los Angeles Times:

Lakers want to ring in new season carefully
For Lakers, there's a Bull elephant in the room
Andrew Bynum is overdue for earning his salary
Forbes magazine says the Lakers center is the most overpaid player in the NBA.
(Nonsense. How quickly people forget what Bynum was doing in each of the past 2 years before his injuries. The young man was putting in work. I'm guessing people who think he's overrated or over paid only watched him come back just before the Playoffs, and fail to take into consideration the extreme difficulties of coming back to a loaded team facing enormous pressure. I'll bet you it's the same people who think LeBron wears the crown just because he averages 2 more assists and rebounds, yet doing nothing to match Kobe's 1st 7 years, nor these past 6 years. Sorry for the tangent.)
Clippers' Blake Griffin has stress fracture in kneecap
Clippers' rookie power forward Blake Griffin, the No. 1 overall draft choice in June, has a stress fracture of the left patella, or kneecap, and could miss as much as six weeks of the season.
(Damn. I was looking forward to watching him play. Somewhere Bill Simmons is furiously typing Part 2 of his "Open Letter to Blake Griffin".)
Clippers star-studded, but are they still star-crossed?
Can you put bubble wrap on a franchise?

The OC Register:

LA Daily News:

Others:

Click on through for A LOT more Links after the Jump....

The Lakers Nation:

More Lakers Links:

NBA.com: Time to end the speculation - Power Rankings
NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - ESPN
Lakers look to be a lock in the West, but Nuggets' Karl isn't so sure - The Denver Post
Instant gratification delayed for Blake Griffin and the Clippers - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
(I know he isn't a Laker, but we're playing the Clippers tonight. So.......)
2009-10 preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers matchup - NBA News - FOX Sports on MSN

Other NBA:

Shaquille O'Neal didn't book serious off-season study time
(Maybe it because he's usually never involved in training camp. He's usually hurt or he purposely had surgery late to miss camp and pre-season. He's not used to having to learn plays. Just having his team be happy to get him back in the mix after time off. By the way, I though Mike Brown was uncreative or too simple on offense? Shaq can't learn this offense? I though he knew the Triangle? [Supposedly, the hardest offense to teach and learn. No wonder he always saying to feed the big fella. He doesn't know what else to do.] Or was the complaint of Brown's simplistic offense just a scapegoat for last year's Cavs' failure?)
Shaquille O’Neal’s Cheat Sheet Uncovered | WaitingForNextYear
(Funny. I thought this is what they all did anyway.)
Can Shaq's star power brighten LeBron's future? - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
Report: Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics can't come to extension deal - ESPN Boston
NBA teams may not be able to afford full rosters - NBA News - FOX Sports on MSN
(We are only keeping 13 on the roster.)
SLAM ONLINE | " Stephen Jackson Promises to Behave
From uniforms to undergarments -- it's all covered in the Uni Watch NBA preview - ESPN
N.B.A. Preview - Adding Powerful Talent, Top N.B.A. Teams Flex Muscles - NYTimes.com

Wondahbap's Season Predictions:

Lakers Record: 68-14
MVP: Kobe Bryant
DPOY: Dwight Howard (I think he's over rated as a defender, but he will get his blocks and rebound again)
ROY: Stephen Curry (Blake's hurt)
COY: Eddie Jordan - 76ers (Probably should be Phil)
6th Man: hoping it's Lamar
West Champs; Lakers over Mavs
East Champs: Boston over Cavs
NBA Champs: Lakers over Celtics

Audio/Video:

LAKERS: Lakers Practice Report: 10/26/09

Lakers.com BasketBlog
(This is the link to the site's main page, but they have A LOT of audio previews posted. So you can choose what you want to listen to.)

Ron Artest Is Ready, Kobe Is Excited -- NBA FanHouse

Griffin Hustles - NBA Videos and Highlights
(The play Blake injured himself.)

ESPNRadio NBA Today

The Dan Patrick Show

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Check out Ron-Ron's new hairdo

http://twitpic.com/n4eaf

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Oct 27, 2009 7:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was just going to paste the image

that looks sweet! I can’t wait for tonight.

"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Oct 27, 2009 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just realized it's also in the links.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Oct 27, 2009 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's were I saw it

for some reason I can’t put the actual image up. either way, everyone needs to see it cause it looks pretty cool.

"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Oct 27, 2009 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Numbers 18, 30 and 34 from the “Why will the Lakers repeat? Let us count 37 ways …” article made me laugh and then smile:

18. Listen … The San Antonio Spurs’ roster just got another day older.

30. It was 30 years ago when Jerry Buss purchased this franchise (plus the Forum, the Kings and a big ol’ ranch) from Jack Kent Cooke, for the lump sum of $67.5 mil. It was, at the time, the biggest transaction in sports history. The payoff: Nine NBA titles, and 14 NBA Finals appearances, in 29 seasons. Want to make it 10 and 15 in 30?

34. Shaquille O’Neal is still in the NBA as a part-time player with Cleveland, but back to wearing No. 33. Like it matters.

by lazNirv on Oct 27, 2009 7:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You're right

that was pretty funny. The one that made me laugh is the one that mentioned that George Karl is still coaching the Nuggets.

Btw… Forbes choosing Bynum as the most overpaid. Bynum has actually played in the playoffs and although not to his full potential his presence was huge against Howard and the Magic and was a contributing part to the Lakers getting a title. But since that list could include injured players then my choice goes to Tmac (23 mil) and Jermaine O’neal (22 mil).

"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Oct 27, 2009 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bynum on the list is just stupid.

But if someone wants people to read their stuff, they must put a Laker in it. I guess.

I’m guessing the writer doesn’t watch Bynum warm up and go off for weeks before he got injured. Just watched played out ESPN/ABC plot lines and runs with it.

by wondahbap on Oct 27, 2009 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

good points

especially about them having to include a Laker to get their article read.

"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Oct 27, 2009 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even based on that, Bynum's inclusion as THE most overpaid is laughable

Clearly written by someone who is ignorant about the game of basketball. There are so many ridiculously overpaid players that Bynum doesn’t even enter into the picture.

And then there’s the fact that this is the first season where his contract extension actually kicks in … so up to this point he’s been getting paid 3 million a season. They’ve called him overpaid before he even actually got any money that could be considered overpaid.

Forbes being a financial magazine, the lack of basketball knowledge is immediately apparent, but somewhat forgiveable. Not doint the research regarding Bynum’s actual finances is just embarassing.

by C.A. Clark on Oct 27, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zach Randolph

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Oct 27, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Bynum doeshave to earn his paycheck, like anyone else.

I’ll agree with that. And it does seem high due to the current economic climate. BUT most over paid is a stretch.

by wondahbap on Oct 27, 2009 8:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

To me Bynum’s contract extension last year was a necessary gamble. His current pay level is obviously based upon what the Lakers hope he will soon become. But it was either extend him or let him become a restricted free agent.

If Bynum would have had a “break-out year” last year and then been a free agent, the Lakers would have had to match other teams’ large offers to him last summer. So we’ll see how it turns out in the next few years. But I think it was a good gamble.

by lazNirv on Oct 27, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bynum isn't the most overpaid. How about Beno Udrih? Larry Hughes?

Jerome James?Jared Jeffries? Whatever.

I’m a big Blake Griffin fan, so this latest injury sucks. A fractured kneecap can go either way; recover just fine or come a shell of oneself.

by E-ROC on Oct 27, 2009 9:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Brutal! I hope he is able to fully recover.

by lazNirv on Oct 27, 2009 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

*become a shell of oneself.

by E-ROC on Oct 27, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyeone watching the Cavs vs Celts tonite?

Very interesting to see if KG does any of his antics against Shaq? My guess is no!

"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Oct 27, 2009 9:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, it's basketball season!!!

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Oct 27, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Mitch made a mistake signing Bynum

to that deal. Too much money, too long a contract and too soon. Lakers had control of his contract for at least another year before having to sign him. But you can look at the top 30 paid player in the NBA, Bynum is not among them and there are a lot of clunkers in there. http://hoopshype.com/salaries.htm
Tmac at 23.2 million,highest paid more than Kobe 1/2 man 1/2 season. Has never earned his money.
J O Neal 22.9 Mill Bynum’s numbers are better at almost 1/2 the cost
Ray Allen 18.7 million just not worth that kind of money now
Rashad Lewis 18.8 million good player but not one to build a team around
Kirilenko 16 million Bynum’s numbers were better and he can rebound
Zach Randolph 16 million dollar clunker
Elton Brand 14,8 million dollar clunker
Also over paid
K mart 15 mill
Stojavik 14 mill
Jefferson 14 mill
Larry Hughes 13 mill

by keefer on Oct 27, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The market for 7-footers is not like the market for any other position...

The benchmark: Andrew Bogut.

Bynum is paid a lot, too much, but that’s pretty much the market for 7 foot centers that have some offensive game.

Blazers will unload about $13-15M a year on Oden after this season, for example…

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Oct 27, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NBA owners have a tradition of over paying centers.

Nesterovich, and Dampier come to mind. If I had time to think and research I could come up with a lot more. The NBA game has changed. when you have 7 footers like Pau, garnet and Nowitzki that can shoot and play the wing, having a 7 ft pivot man is just not as important. Mitch overpaid for Bynum, but it sure wasn’t the worst contract for a 7 foot center.

by keefer on Oct 27, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

desanga DIOP

what a joke how the hell did he get 5 years 35 mill

2points 2 reb and 1 block and most important 7 foot gets you 35 mill

by matthewmafa on Oct 27, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wrong Center. That would be Eddie Curry...

Andrew Bynum is overdue for earning his salary
Forbes magazine says the Lakers center is the most overpaid player in the NBA.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Oct 27, 2009 10:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs