The Credits 7/19/09

• Kobe on Lamar: Monday's the Day - Silver Screen and Roll
  So says the Laker big cheese in a Tweet posted about an hour ago. (His exact words: "You'll find out tomorrow about lamar decision...")
  (Is it the real Kobe account?  I don't think it is...)

• Lamar Odom is still without a team - Los Angeles Times
  Another day has gone by and Lamar Odom remains a free agent without a team.
  (I see it as another day the Lakers and Lamar string us along.  I said before this was going to be the Summer of Lamar.)
• Forum Blue And Gold " Final Notes from Vegas
  As the Lamar Odom saga unfolds, here is one reminder — nobody tells a reporter something without a motive. For example, the Jim Hill exclusive that Lamar Odom called Dr. Buss (which I’m sure happened), who would benefit from that being leaked? Odom would: The Lakers said Buss was angry they got no response at all to their offer, the way to counter that with PR is to not only make the call but leak that you made the call. We have no idea what actually was said on that call, by the way. Read Stein’s ESPN piece and he is clearly getting info from the Odom camp (including an inflated savings number on state income tax). Read Turner at the LA Times or Teaford at the Daily News and they are clearly plugged into the Lakers front office.
  (Kurt has a great point.  I, for one, am tired of reading into every story that comes out.  I just want to wake up and see that the deal is done.  But I appreciate the news they are giving us, and something to discuss.  After the LO situation is handled, it's going to be a BORING summer Lakers news wise.)
  
• Andrew Bynum's development one of big keys for 2009-2010 season - Ian Thomsen - SI.com
  5. Will Andrew Bynum be healthy? The Lakers' center will be 22 next season -- his fifth as a pro -- and his health will be crucial to the defending champs. As big as it was for them to sign Ron Artest to the mid-level exception, and as much as they need to retain free agent Lamar Odom to lead their second unit, Bynum will be the overwhelming variable. Before he sustained his latest knee injury in January, Bynum assembled a five-game stretch of 26.2 points, 13.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in 31.8 minutes. That 10-day span was an extreme example of his talent -- it involved only one playoff opponent (the Spurs) -- but it shows his upside. The 7-foot, 285-pound, Bynum combines with power forward Pau Gasol to provide 14 feet of barrier behind the perimeter defense of Artest and Kobe Bryant. Bynum was unable to avoid foul trouble throughout the playoffs, and he averaged just 19 minutes in the Finals against Dwight Howard. His size around the basket gives the Lakers hope of becoming an elite defensive team, but he desperately needs to break his unfortunate streak of midseason knee injuries that have sidelined him for 79 games over the past two seasons. It will be difficult to score on the Lakers next postseason if Bynum stays on the floor long enough to develop his timing and earn the respect of officials.
• Newest Laker Ron Artest tells Lamar Odom to meet him in Los Angeles
  "I hope that helps," said Artest, who drew a crowd as he made an impromptu appearance with the Queensbridge team in the Hoops in the Sun tournament at Orchard Beach in the Bronx Saturday. "I hope he comes back to play with us. I already reached out to him and will (again)."
• Chucky Brown on Lakers Summer League at Lakers.com BasketBlog
  Video

More links after the jump...

• Building A Better Bench - CelticsBlog
  If the big three are healthy this year, we've got a real great shot at it again. However, that is a big, big if these days. As a result, the depth on this squad is increasingly critical. So far, Danny has done a lot to upgrade the bench and it appears that he's not close to being done.

• Who wants Jamario Moon? - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
  (Apparently Danny Ferry does.)