Lakers News and Commentary - All Comments

re: In This Case, One Out Of Three Ain't Bad!

chowell — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:24:55 GMT

I can't imagine what the locker room was like after Fisher and Ariza cost the Lakers the Spurs game... LOL.

Kobe was jumpin' around acting like he had big balls for hitting the 3-pointer to give them a 2-pt lead and the Fisher sets up the 3-pt play for Mason and Ariza walks on the game winning play.

Confidence in teammates = GONE!

re: 2007-2008 Playoff Predictions

chowell — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:22:22 GMT

It's only 7PM (EST) and we've already had two great games to start the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

I cringed as Lebron took over the Cavs/Wizards game, but give him credit for doing so. Washington needs to shut their mouth & just play ball - they should've taken game 1.

Scott, your East picks look spot on, but your West picks are certainly "out there". That said, there are 8 teams in the West that could make it to the Finals, so you still did a great job of choosing your picks.

Looking forward to watching the remaining games!!!

re: The Phoenix Suns Trade Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami for Shaquille O'Neal

chowell — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:44:28 GMT

Unless Shaq was dogging it in Miami - and it appears he was not - I see absolutely nothing here that benefits the Suns. Yes, the Heat will be better with a healthy Marion and Banks, so kudos to them. There are rumors they are not done trading, but those two players (I believe) are stuck there, because they can't be traded within a certain amount of days.

Phoenix wins now or this whole thing is a bust. $40 million owed Shaq for next year, almost $10 million remaining this year.... OMG!!

For Kerr's sake, you hope this works out in our favor.

re: Nice! Kwame Gwone, Pau Now.

Scott Mitchell — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:34:42 GMT

The Grizz weren't looking to improve their roster or chances of making the playoffs (which are now, officially, zero). They are just interested in clearing cap space and reducing the team's future liabilities to attract a buyer.

In other words, it sucks to be a Memphis Grizzlies fan right about now. I'm sure all six of them are frustrated and sulking.

And, FYI, Jerry West is no longer GM of the Grizz. And this trade actually did have some upside for the Grizz financially, unlike the truly lopsided trade that sent KG to Boston this summer.

re: Nice! Kwame Gwone, Pau Now.

chowell — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:39:45 GMT

What the hell... Who is smoking crack in Memphis?

Seriously, how does this trade help the Grizzlies improve? First the waive Damon Stoudamire and now they trade for Kwame "Can't Handle the Ball" Brown.

It's going to be awhile before Memphis has a winning season again. At this point, it would seem they're just tanking to get the #1 pick in the NBA Draft. Let's see what the Miami Heat do to counter this move... bye, bye Shaq! Lol...

re: The Lakers have the THIRD Best Record in the ENTIRE NBA!

Scott Mitchell — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:16:20 GMT

Ernest, I would wager that Phil's nine championship rings are proof enough that he can coach.

I know some people think that anyone could have won with players like MJ and Scottie, and Shaq and Kobe, but I think that thinking grotesquely underestimates the talents and skills of the coaching staff. Think of all of the teams with great players who have never won a championship. E.g., the Sacramento Kings in 2003 had a superior team compares to the Lakers. Why didn't they win WCF that year? Likewise, look at the Bulls in 1998 - the Pacers and Jazz were both better teams - better role players, healthier, younger, faster, and so on. But both times P.J.'s teams went beyond the ordinary and into the extraordinary. Now, some of that in 1998 was surely MJ's will and competitiveness, but I think Jackson deserves some of the credit, too.

re: Assessing the Lakers Season Thus Far

chowell — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:57:34 GMT

The Lakers are playing exceptionally well.

I hope they can keep it up and even win a playoff series, but I don't think they'll be able to do it. Unless they end up with home court advantage (doubtful), they will be playing a stronger team and will have a problem.

re: The Timberwolves have Officially Reached the Rebuilding Stage

Scott Mitchell — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:19:32 GMT

I am not a Pistons fan, but anyone but an Antoine Walker fan would clearly admit that this is one streaky guy who has never lived up to expectations.

Walker has had high scoring averages his entire career because he's often been the primary shooter, and that guy is not afraid to shoot. At all. Regardless of how well he is shooting for the day. Granted, he wasn't the primary scoring option in Miami, but he could put up those numbers because the defense had to concentrate on the Heat's true talent - Shaq and D-Wade.

re: Five Stories to Follow to this NBA Season

Scott Mitchell — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:27:32 GMT

Two recent updates relating to this post. First, it looks like it will be a bit longer before we have closure on the Tim Donaghy scandal:

"Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy's sentencing on two felony charges in a basketball gambling scam has been posted until late January, according to a report.

"Donaghy, who admitted to betting on games he officiated, was set to be sentenced Nov. 9 but his fate now will be determined on Jan. 25 before Judge Carol B. Amon, the Philadelphia Daily News reported on Wednesday, citing sealed court documents filed last week in Brooklyn (N.Y.) Federal Court."

sports.espn.go.com/.../story

And some positive Kobe news - he suited up and played in their pre-season game last night:

"The latest Kobe Bryant rumor had him arriving at Bakersfield's Rabobank Arena for the Lakers' preseason game against Seattle Thursday night, only to return to the bus and stay there, like a cat refusing to come down from a tree.

"Let the record show that Bryant was in uniform when the Lakers took the court. But such is the uneasy state of the Lakers that something as mundane as his participation in an exhibition game qualifies as news these days. Maybe it's because of the mounting feeling that each time he wears a Laker uniform it could be the last."

sports.espn.go.com/.../story