The Credits: "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"

by theshmoes on Jul 28, 2010 8:00 AM PDT in Credits

Starring: The welcoming of a feisty new wing player and the potential departure of a fan favorite.

Much more after the jump...

Lakers Links:

Lakers.com / NBA.com:

The Los Angeles Times:

Matt Barnes fulfills a dream by joining the Lakers - latimes.com
Matt Barnes eager to follow in Kobe Bryant's shadows | Lakers Blog | Los Angeles Times
Mitch Kupchak still optimistic about Shannon Brown negotiations; says he doesn't know whether Kobe Bryant plans to have surgery on right index finger | Lakers Blog | Los Angeles Times
Lakers Roundtable: Discussing Matt Barnes with Orlando Sentinel's Brian Schmitz | Lakers Blog | Los Angeles Times

NBC Pro Basketball Talk:

Yahoo Sports:

Misc Lakers Links:

Nike Air Max Hyperdunk 2010 – Los Angeles Lakers | KicksOnFire.com

Other NBA Links:

ESPN:

Yahoo Sports:

NBC Pro Basketball Talk:

Dime Magazine:

Misc. NBA Links:

Video of the Day:

Reminiscing about the last Laker that donned #9: Nick Van Excel

Nick Van Exel - Career Highlights Mix (via nbamixes)

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Comments

Good Morning!

So this Sasha thing just to save cash? Or, are we actually trying to pick somebody else up?

by cozmik on Jul 28, 2010 8:08 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

sounds like its just a salary dump

business is business!

by theshmoes on Jul 28, 2010 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Indeed it is.

Thanks for the credits schmoes! And if Sasha does leave us, thanks for those free throws!

by cozmik on Jul 28, 2010 10:10 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

One of my worst memories of Kupchak as GM.

I remember talking with my friend and hoping Sasha did not get anything over 3 million a year. 15mil for 3 yrs was ridiculous. My other worst is obviously Luke Walton getting 30 mil/6yrs. Gettin rid of Sasha and his salary would be awesome. Luke is still TBD.

by heinzketchup on Jul 28, 2010 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Butler for Kwame?

Kobe Bryant's no Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant is Kobe Bryant.

"Lebron joins teams with his friends; Kobe’s enemies join teams with him." - Gil Meriken

by Saurav A. Das on Jul 29, 2010 2:31 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

The Sasha contract is nothing

Only 3 years.
The Walton contract is the brain dead one. Six years, and no one else was offering anything close. The Lakers effectively bid against themselves. Almost KAAAHHHNNN!! worthy.
Just turrible.

You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!

by Plan9FOS on Jul 29, 2010 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions

He does look like a Chihuahua

lol…. he is skinny, and bug-eyed…

"Lebron joins teams with his friends; Kobe’s enemies join teams with him." -Gil Meriken

by Hensi24 on Jul 28, 2010 8:22 AM PDT reply actions

I would have loved to get D. West for S. Vujacic

by Jevon O on Jul 28, 2010 8:37 AM PDT reply actions

Then LeBron would get mad and try harder against us.

Just because you throw someone a pass, and they score, it doesn't mean you made them a better player.

by LakerUNLTD on Jul 28, 2010 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions

The entertainment value

of West being on the Lakers has got to be worth 2 late, game 7 free throws.

by greengum on Jul 28, 2010 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions

I appreciate the credits.

Makes my breaks at work that much more interesting and enjoyable!!!!!!!

"I work my ass off every day in practice. How many other guys can say the same thing? Not many. I'm fighting against becoming soft. That's the worse thing you can say to a basketball player." - Dennis Rodman
"When life slips you a Jeffrey, stroke the furry walls." - Aldous Snow

by LakersFoEva on Jul 28, 2010 8:51 AM PDT reply actions

LOL

I remember as a kid, I would pretend I was Nick the Quick and try to make a shot with 2 seconds left. He was my first Laker idol.

Sweet 16

by bluexfalcon on Jul 28, 2010 9:01 AM PDT reply actions

yep.

Nick was my first Laker star too.

"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women." -The Barbarian

by traceSD on Jul 28, 2010 9:57 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

haha

during that time, my fave was Eddie Jones.

Don’t you love the chase? Sometimes it doesn’t work out; those are the stakes. But when it does work out, it’s like having that first cigarette: your head gets all dizzy, your heart pounds, your knees go weak. Remember that?

by domz on Jul 28, 2010 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions

hell yea

i’d pretend it was the first five seconds of the game..and put up a threeeeee

"I love this game, I love this team, I love this guy, I love what I do. Nothing means more to me than helping my team win" - Derek Fisher

by igotasmanyringsaslebron on Jul 28, 2010 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL @ Kaman

Sweet 16

by bluexfalcon on Jul 28, 2010 9:04 AM PDT reply actions

i lol'd

by theshmoes on Jul 28, 2010 9:26 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs

LOL

+1 BDL

Sweet 16

by bluexfalcon on Jul 28, 2010 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

LeBron feeling left out 'cuz he has no backpack.

Unless Chris Bosh is somewhere holding it for him.

"There are no "Kobe Lovers", just people who are right." - Gil Meriken

by SoCalGal on Jul 28, 2010 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

nice!

chris bosh: and take melo with you!

"I love this game, I love this team, I love this guy, I love what I do. Nothing means more to me than helping my team win" - Derek Fisher

by igotasmanyringsaslebron on Jul 28, 2010 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions

SI with a nice article on Kobe

The easiest way to engender Kobe Bryant’s affection is with a throat slash, a clothesline, or a ball in the face. Throw a few elbows in his ribs for good measure, don’t forget to mention in the post-game press conference that he is coddled by referees, and chances are you will have a guaranteed contract with the Lakers come summer. Such is the example set by Ron Artest, Raja Bell and most recently Matt Barnes, who was introduced by the Lakers on Tuesday, less than five months after he pretended to throw a chest pass off Bryant’s nose.

The best part though?

Barnes had virtually no jumper for his first three years at UCLA, and then in a single offseason developed a stroke that made him a fringe prospect. He reminisces about summer afternoons at UCLA’s men’s gym, playing pick-up games against Bryant, who once came in with a cast on his right hand and still dominated with his left.

Yes, Kobe can own you with one hand. One freaking hand.

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 Jul 28, 2010 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

pretty sure he just did that for a whole half a season and the playoffs.

by LakersFoEva on Jul 28, 2010 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

He still had motor function in that hand though

Try playing with a cast. Way different.

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 Jul 28, 2010 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Sad story on Yao

Hope he makes a full recovery. The league is worse off without him.

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 Jul 28, 2010 9:45 AM PDT reply actions

yeah, i've always liked him

He’s a class act. Sad to see he never had a chance to show his best

by ajfarsi on Jul 28, 2010 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions

i hope he gets well, but unfortunately I don't see that happening

by ajfarsi on Jul 28, 2010 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions

he's one of the few players in the nba i root for (that's not on the lakers)

me being chinese and all, he’s like the only chinese athlete that really made me pay attention. he’s a giant with the heart and skills to match. i hope he recovers and makes it back.. the nba really needs more guys like him.

by lakers are trouble on Jul 28, 2010 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Sun Yue is sad to hear you say that.

"Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character." - John Wooden

by Joshua S on Jul 28, 2010 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

well i was rooting for him when he was here

i really wanted him to get some playing time but shit, he never got no action. i don’t even know where he’s at now.

by lakers are trouble on Jul 29, 2010 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Definitely good for the NBA. Although, his fan base does mess up All-Star voting a bit.

Hope he returns to form this year.

"Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character." - John Wooden

by Joshua S on Jul 28, 2010 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice pic of Barnes by the way

He’s actually smiling in that one!

by Hokkun on Jul 28, 2010 10:20 AM PDT reply actions

eίμαι πίσω σκύλες!

Should’ve come back to SSR with that one.

by Brian Tung on Jul 28, 2010 1:57 PM PDT reply actions

Translation?

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 Jul 28, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions

google translate

It returns, “I’m back b*tches.”

Yup. With the asterisk and everything.

by Brian Tung on Jul 28, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Josh Childress, too funny!

"There are no "Kobe Lovers", just people who are right." - Gil Meriken

by SoCalGal on Jul 28, 2010 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Heh, good stuff

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 Jul 28, 2010 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Damn Mitch. Stop negotiating with Brown and keep Sasha

The roster now is perfect. We’ve got wing defenders, perimeter shooters, some slashers, and a frontline that’s second to none

STOP now while you’re ahead. I’d take Sasha over Brown any day. Sasha actually plays a role in the triangle offense, Brown just fucks it up with his incessant chucking

Today's sports media excels at over-reaction to a single event and specializes in hyperboles. But hey, it's that or my biochem textbook...

by Mike1204 on Jul 28, 2010 2:14 PM PDT reply actions

Costs

Signing Brown and dumping Sasha will save Buss $4-5 million.

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 Jul 28, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd rather have DJ Strawberry than Brown

Way cheaper if that’s the main incentive, and at least he won’t destroy our offense with bad decisions. I’d give up a few highlight reels for that.

"The Lakers are ninja negotiators. Straight. fuckin. ninjas." -rshinsec
"This isn't an apocalypse. It’s a motherf***ing war." -Hdg23

by deadmuse on Jul 28, 2010 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd give Strawberry a training camp invite

At the very least, he’s a defensive upgrade on Brown.

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 Jul 28, 2010 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions

But still, it makes no sense basketball-wise

you have a bunch of stars, and why wouldn’t you complement them with knockdown shooters to stretch the floor?

You can’t seriously rely on Artest, Ebanks, Fisher, and Brown especially to play that role well.

Today's sports media excels at over-reaction to a single event and specializes in hyperboles. But hey, it's that or my biochem textbook...

by Mike1204 on Jul 28, 2010 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions

This is why I hope Shannon gets a deal from Cleveland

It’ll be better for the Lakers, Cavs, and Shannon if he goes there.

I’d prefer Mason, but I’d take Sasha over Shannon.

"The Lakers are ninja negotiators. Straight. fuckin. ninjas." -rshinsec
"This isn't an apocalypse. It’s a motherf***ing war." -Hdg23

by deadmuse on Jul 28, 2010 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Cleveland would have to seriously outbid us

To get Brown. Assuming the biggest offer we have on the table is in the neighborhood of ~$2.5 million/year, Cleveland would have to offer $4 million+/year to make a compelling offer and I’m not sure he’s worth that investment.

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 Jul 28, 2010 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

There is no basketball component to this move

Buss wants to save money. That’s the sole motivation. Given that we were freaked out that Buss wasn’t going to spend the MLE and he went out and did just that to get Blake and Barnes, I can’t really blame him for wanting to save some money also.

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 Jul 28, 2010 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, anytime you dump a contract, there will be basketball-related ramifications

so yeah, he is motivated by the Benjamins, but did he consider the basketball consequences of dumping one of our best outside shooter?

Today's sports media excels at over-reaction to a single event and specializes in hyperboles. But hey, it's that or my biochem textbook...

by Mike1204 on Jul 28, 2010 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions

He apparently doesn't care if he's shopping him

Using a future first rounder as bait for taking it. These are salary dumps — the basketball component of it is almost entirely irrelevant as the concerns begin and end with the owner’s pocketbook.

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 Jul 29, 2010 12:56 AM PDT up reply actions