The Credits

by wondahbap on Aug 19, 2009 9:40 AM PDT in Credits

NBA.com: Where they sit after summer
L.A. Lakers (1) Either you think the Artest-for-Ariza swap was a big upgrade for the Lakers, or you think the True Warier will become a major distraction and ruin the champs' chemistry. Either way, you know it's going to be an interesting season in L.A. For now, they're at the top.
(Of course.)
Debate in the Paint: Signing Artest and Odom Make Lakers Offseason's Best -- NBA FanHouse
Debate in the Paint: Celtics Are Offseason's Champions -- NBA FanHouse
(Of course it's The Lakers. After last season's flameout, Rasheed is this close to being washed up. Don't give me that "ubuntu" crap. It's a lame gimmick. But I do know one thing, it's not the Cavs who had the best off season. Unless you count a reality show star who still wants to be a Laker as a great acquisition.)
Who will succeed Phil Jackson as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers? - ESPN
When Phil Jackson decides to call it quits, who will succeed him as coach of the Lakers? Your guess is as good as ours.
(J.A. beats a dead horse. Bobble, bobble. Haven't we gone over this about 100 times in the past month? I can't wait for training camp.)
Sports Radio Interviews " Blog Archive " Ron Artest: I Snuck In To The White House And Blocked Obama’s Shot
(Hat tip to Ball Don't Lie)
Do the Lakers compare to the Bulls? - Lakers blog - OCRegister.com
Great Dunks Highlighted the Final Day of Lakers 3on3 Event | Lakers Nation

More NBA related links after the Jump...

N.B.A. Could Be Model for a New Baseball Draft - NYTimes.com
The N.B.A. model is appealing because it eliminates negotiating and controls costs, leaving teams unafraid to take the best available player.

Should the Spurs Be Shopping Tony Parker? | But The Game Is On
(Hat tip to Ball Don't Lie)

Could Dwight Howard fly off to Hollywood like Shaquille O'Neal? -- OrlandoSentinel.com
Don't lie. Admit you're just a little worried about Dwight Howard's burgeoning fame.
(Hat tip to TrueHoop)

The High-Grade Sleepers - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN

'Motivated' Amaré back on court
'Motivated' Amaré back on court, Stoudemire returned to the floor for 1st time since having more fluid drained from his eye July 10.
(Hat tip to Ball Don't Lie)

Nate Robinson arrested for driving with suspended license - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Iverson Talks About Knicks, Heat and Bobcats - Bethlehem Shoals - The Baseline - Sporting News

NBA.com: Obama, LeBron to appear in back-to-school TV special
President Barack Obama will appear in a back-to-school television special with singer Kelly Clarkson and basketball star LeBron James next month.

'Q' saga shows what NBA teams truly value - NBA News - FOX Sports on MSN

48 Minutes of Hell " Blog Archive " Ordering the Acronyms: Are FIBA and FIFA Useful Analogues?
(Hat tip to Pounding the Rock)

It All Comes Down To Kevin Garnett - CelticsBlog
(Hmmm. Know what I think? No Sh*#! And I don't think KG will ever be as effective as he was in 2008. It's all downhill from here.)

Your 2009/10 Houston Rockets: Sponsored by Ritalin (tm) - The Dream Shake
The Rockets may be rather bland to watch and follow next season. Almost as if it will take a dose of Ritalin to maintain our attention.

Brendan Haywood made some news yesterday with some remarks about Stephon Marbury's behavior recently. I didn't think it garnered the attention it did, but there was plenty of backlash, so I'll link the hullabaloo, the apology, and the resonse. Read about it and form your own opinion:

Sports Radio Interviews " Blog Archive " Brendan Haywood: No Athlete Would Want To Get Dressed Around Marbury

My Apology - Yardbarker

Brendan Haywood isn't fully informed - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

The Matter of Brendan Haywood - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN

Brendan Haywood Keeps Digging, Cites Tim Hardaway -- NBA FanHouse

Hardwood Paroxysm " Blog Archive " In Short, Don’t Make Ignorant Generalizations. Unless They’re About The Grizzlies.

freedarko.com: Other People's Lives

Tweet Comment 41 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Just read the Phil Jackson article on ESPN

Great read. Aside from wishing that the Lakers get Ramon Sessions and trade Farmar the only other topic of interest amongst my friends is Phil’s replacement which seems sooner rather than later. I would take B. Scott and JVG but if we are talking unrealisticly then I would take Pop. It is one thing to get together over several summers and coach NBA players like coach K has but to coach them through out a whole season that is a different story. That is like the difference between sleeping over at someones house for a weekend or moving in completely. It changes the dynamics. The biggest question is not who could coach but who could coach a dominating player like Kobe. After looking at Spike Lee’s documentary about Kobe and the 2009 Championship DVD I don’t think that any coach will allow Kobe the freedom that Phill allows him. I mean, besides Bill Russell, when was the last time any of us have seen an actual player with his own clip board and marker drawing plays?

I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Aug 19, 2009 10:20 AM PDT reply actions

Sessions?

Trying to trade for a BYC player with a team that wants to cut costs is near-impossible unless we work some wizardry with Memphis. He’s not a great fit for the triangle either — he needs the ball in his hands to be effective and he’s a poor outside shooter.

No comment on the coaching situation, although the coach having Kobe’s respect is really important. Scott, though, would be a poor choice, largely due to his bad habits. Also, if we’re not thinking realistically, J.A.‘s comment about D’Antoni is intriguing. We would arguably have one of the most potent offenses of all-time. And the “he’s no-defense” line is garbage — the SSOL Suns were always a middling defensive team with a bunch of horrible defenders.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Aug 20, 2009 2:03 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec x 1 million

Those Suns teams WERE NOT bad defensive teams. IIRC the worst Suns team from that era ranked 17th in the NBA. That’s not bad, but it’s not awful considering they had Nash and Amare on their team. The only reason those teams gave up so many points is because they played the fastest paced game in the NBA. However… ANALYSTS ARE TOO DUMB TO ADJUST FOR PACE!

Poster for next year? I'm thinking My Little Pony.

by Zaig on Aug 20, 2009 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Amen

People don’t appreciate how close they came to a championship in the SSOL heyday. Without the Stoudemire suspension, the Horry elbow to Nash, and a host of other things, they would have at least one. By any reasonable standard, they succeeded spectacularly.

The “no-defense” nonsense is one of the reasons I hate writers like Charlie Rosen nowadays. The game has left them behind.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Aug 23, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Breaks are a silly thing

If you look back throughout NBA history, you see some teams that always seem to catch bad breaks and some that seem to get breaks.

Suns definitely fall into the bad breaks category.

Poster for next year? I'm thinking My Little Pony.

by Zaig on Aug 24, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions

It's the premier team with the premier player.

Most coaches take the job without blinking.

Also, don’t believe everything you saw in “Kobe Doin’ Work.” Much of that was marketing and propaganda. I do believe Kobe is very vocal and may use the clip board, but that was too gimmicky.

I don’t want Scott or JVG, although I like them both. Too basic offensively.

by wondahbap on Aug 19, 2009 12:09 PM PDT reply actions

I just realized that in a special by NBA TV, “Sounds of the Finals” Derek Fisher himself said how rare it was to have a coach like Phil allow Kobe so much input so I have to believe that there is more to it than gimmicks. Especially when someone like Fisher vouches for that. But, I defenitely agree about the gimmicky part. It seems contrived at some points on the DVD.

As far as the coaching it will be a tough call.

I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Aug 19, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions

when was the last time any of us have seen an actual player with his own clip board and marker drawing plays?

No gimmicks here. Remember during the WCF at one of the game’s TO’s (forgot which) when the cam focused on the Laker bench and Kobe was issuing instructions so that even coach Phil, who was standing, had to look at the bench? My jaw dropped on that one.

by altree on Aug 19, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Was that when Alonzo Mourning said Kobe's the real coach

and Phil just sits there? lol

or something along the lines of that? something like Kobe does more coaching than Phil

Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.

by PeanutButterSpread on Aug 19, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Bogus

Mourning is a Riley man, and he always had an axe to grind in relation to Phil. Anyone who thinks that Phil isn’t felt all the time is off their rocker.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Aug 20, 2009 2:04 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Phil’s value as a coach is seriously underrated, especially for a man whose got 10 rings as a coach and has proven time and time again, he is a great coach.

Mourning doesn’t know anything about the relationship between Phil and Kobe and the trust level between those two, so of course it would seem strange that Kobe is grabbing a white board during timeouts, but Phil is the head coach, and I agree that anyone who thinks that Phil isn’t coaching is off their rocker.

by PeanutButterSpread on Aug 20, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

No argument from me there

Actually, it would take a coach with supreme self-confidence to pass-over what kobe does at the bench, at times.

by altree on Aug 21, 2009 5:46 AM PDT up reply actions

The underated tag

It is placed on Phil because he had Jordan and it is almost as if no one ever believes that he had anything to do with developing Jordan in the player that he was. In actuality Phil is the only coach during that time that was perfect for Jordan. The funny thing is that it took Jordan 7 years to buy in the system and win his first title and for Kobe, from the time that Shaq left it took him 7 years to lead a team and win a title and the years that Kobe failed the worst in his career was only those years that Phil was not his coach.

I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Aug 21, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah..

I think it’s that game. could be wrong tho’

by altree on Aug 21, 2009 5:43 AM PDT up reply actions

phil admitted himself that he’s not as active as he was years ago

by chaucer on Aug 21, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Kobe meets Peter Mehlman

Wondahbap, you should include this funny piece between Kobe and Peter Mehlman: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-Peter-Mehlman-meets-Kobe-Bryant;ylt=AkxEoXUXvTn.yMFT7ca7im8vLYF?urn=nba,183824

I’ve seen the unedited version a couple months ago which was pretty funny, but this was has new footage i didn’t see before.

Regarding the Celtics:
I still see them as a top 2 team. They’re dangerous when healthy and I don’t think age will be a big factor against them. In my head I still see Lakers (1), Celtics (2), Orlando (3). I think a healthy Celtics team can defeat the Orlando Magic. I know I’m probably wrong, but I don’t think anyone should dismiss the Celtics.

Regarding the Spurs:
I don’t think the spurs should be shopping Tony Parker, the guy is like what, 27? He’s still young, they can build a championship/dynasty around him, so why shop him? They can do what the Lakers did when Shaq was gone, which was build around Kobe. When Timmy’s gone, build around Tony.

Regarding Phil’s replacement:
I agree, Adande’s beating a dead bush.

by PeanutButterSpread on Aug 19, 2009 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

Here's the direct link to the Kobe/Mehlman video:

sorry, the above link doesn’t work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDo98zQDEA8

by PeanutButterSpread on Aug 19, 2009 1:21 PM PDT reply actions

Henry Abbott: Douchebag.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-43-62/Now-Lobbying—via-Twitter—for-a-Head-Coaching-Job—Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar.html

by Darkemans on Aug 19, 2009 5:15 PM PDT reply actions

Just to clarify my hostility to that piece,

I think Abbott reads way more into Kareem’s comments than is actually there, and uses that to essentially attack his character. I didn’t see any whining in the twitter comments, nor any talk of being wronged, yet somehow Henry Abbott read them that way. Hence, the epithet.

by Darkemans on Aug 19, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Typical. Abbott on his pulpit.

by wondahbap on Aug 19, 2009 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions

no need to qualify

he’s just a douchebag. find something positive to write about during the nba offseason. or better yet, talk to the guy you’re slamming and don’t mistake twitter as the end-all be-all of human conversation. fishing for quotes in 140 character posts reeks of journalistic irresponsibility.

by whorge on Aug 20, 2009 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

it's a new era

we must get used to it.

"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)

by tandur on Aug 20, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions

no we shouldn't

just because it’s a new era of technology, doesn’t excuse lazy or bad journalism.

by PeanutButterSpread on Aug 20, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I sure hope we compare to the Bulls

70 wins would be nice, very nice. I think we can get there too. We have so much depth and so many weapons we should win unless we take the night off mentally. Any of our starters could be the man on any given night. And if Bynum can give us a solid year and average maybe 10-15, we should be unstoppable.

Lamar = Laker for Life

by mrbarneydangles on Aug 19, 2009 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

Personally, I like Rick Carlisle and Lawrence Frank,

but that might not go over well with Kobe or the Lakers for that matter.

by E-ROC on Aug 19, 2009 8:00 PM PDT reply actions

I would love Carlisle

He was a downright winner in Indiana and Detroit, and was only stopped by factors way outside of his control. Dallas also overachieved last year, and I think with the amount of lineups he can toy with next year (noticeably an offensively potent Kidd-Terry-Howard-Marion-Nowitzki lineup), Dallas is definitely going to be solid.

Frank seems solid, but underwhelming. David Thorpe absolutely loves him, but I’m not sure how much that perception is worth. Granted, New Jersey overachieved last year and everyone was stupidly calling for his head when they came back to earth, but one would think we could find a more solid candidate.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Aug 20, 2009 2:07 AM PDT up reply actions

overachieved?

Considering the talent, and the fact that the roster still has most of it’s key members from only two seasons ago, the Mavericks should still be up in the upper echelon of teams in the West. If anything, I believe they’ve underachieved the past two seasons. The season before, Avery Johnson lost his control, and the team continued to mentally stumble, still haunted by the Warriors series loss 3 seasons ago. Last season, Carlisle had to implement his system. And they did win over 50 games in his first year.

I expect Dallas to be much better this season, and not just because of moves like bringing in Shawn Marion. Carlisle is a good coach, and with that roster, I expect them to improve.

"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)

by tandur on Aug 20, 2009 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Dallas

has an aged Jason Kidd, who didn’t fit into Avery Johnson’s system – or more or less, his trade affected team chemistry and just kinda messed up the 2007-2008 season for them.

but given time and more training playing together, plus being under Carlisle’s system, helped foster a much better team chemistry and utility of their players. Also putting Jason Terry on the bench was a terrific move.

Still, with the loss of Brandon Bass and bringing in the headcase that is Shawn Marion can implode or go right for them (as is the case for many teams like the Lakers-Ron Artest, Orlando-Vince Carter, Spurs-Jefferson, Cavs-Shaq).

However, I was impressed with the Dallas’ offseason, they made a lot of moves, most for the better. But Nowitzki, Terry, and Kidd aren’t getting any younger, so they have some problems there. I can see how Ben R thinks they overachieved last year considering how good the other western teams were in 2007-2008.

by PeanutButterSpread on Aug 20, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions

god

that debate in the paint article was awful. sounds like Jeff Clark wrote it.

"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)

by tandur on Aug 19, 2009 11:36 PM PDT reply actions

F! Jeff Clark

I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Aug 20, 2009 7:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Who knows whos next

for the coaching position but they better be good and they shouldn’t come in and try to change much, just keep the Laker ship rolling.

There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be commited against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the LimeLight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

by BrittneyM on Aug 20, 2009 5:59 PM PDT reply actions

From Lamar'sTwitter

I only hope to raise a kid this awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wDgJ3AjLbw

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

by Gils_Keloids on Aug 20, 2009 11:47 PM PDT reply actions

Damn, I thought my 3 year old was good......

she just says KOBE when I ask, “who’s the man”?

Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny

by pslakerfan on Aug 21, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions

lol

by BrittneyM on Aug 22, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions

i want to beat the celtics in the finals so badly but i also want the lakers to beat james in the finals before kobe gets too old. right now, he can still ball him up. right now, i wish that lebron james was part of the celtics (yes along with all the guys in boston right now) and that way, kobe and the lakers would kill 2 birds with one stone.

by chaucer on Aug 21, 2009 4:44 PM PDT reply actions

lol I think the Lakers will accomplish atleast one of those this years celtics or Cavs, they are going down

by BrittneyM on Aug 22, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Ehh

If you just added Lebron to the Celtics for nothing… the Celtics would likely be the best team in the history of the NBA.

Poster for next year? I'm thinking My Little Pony.

by Zaig on Aug 24, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions

that woudl be something.

garnett vs gasol
james vs artest
perkins vs bynum
allen vs bryant
rondo vs fisher
pierce vs odom

by chaucer on Aug 21, 2009 4:45 PM PDT reply actions

Artest covered Pierce during the Houston Celtics games, so he’ll probably cover him when the Lakers play against the Celtics. And am I forgetting someone, who is James?

by intuitive on Aug 21, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

oh, read the comment right above.

i want to beat the celtics in the finals so badly but i also want the lakers to beat james in the finals before kobe gets too old. right now, he can still ball him up. right now, i wish that lebron james was part of the celtics (yes along with all the guys in boston right now) and that way, kobe and the lakers would kill 2 birds with one stone.

by chaucer on Aug 21, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions