Source: Odom, Lakers agree on deal

:: sigh ::

7 months ago Ed (dfjmed) 141 comments 0 recs |

Comments

I swear, you are 5 minutes ahead of me every time! This isn’t surprising, but I think it may be good for the Spurs in the way that they won’t be considered the favorites. I think this team likes playing in the shadows.

by Big50 on Jul 30, 2009 4:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ll tell you, when I got the mobile IM, it’s a good thing I just so happened to be outside in my car (switching spots on my lunch break), because my co-workers would have heard a loud inapproriate curse word, had I been indoors.

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain

by Ed (dfjmed) on Jul 30, 2009 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not better.

I still don’t believe with the addition of Artest the Lakers are better than last season. Artest will not be able to accept the role player position that Ariza embraced.

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 4:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s what I’m thinking — a lot of others here too.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I won’t say anything about that ‘til we’ve had a chance to see it on the court.

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 30, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's called wishful thinking

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

by tandur on Jul 30, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely correct.

And in this case, the wishing is happening with every fiber of my being.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, well.

Every time I tried to convince myself that he’d leave LA, I just couldn’t get myself to believe it.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 4:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It doesn’t matter – the Spurs will still take out the Lakers in next year’s playoffs.

by 4Him on Jul 30, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Of course everyone in here would think the Spurs can beat the Lakers

But it is not happening. The Spurst are the biggest threat in the West but they have to get healthy first. The season hasn’t even started and T. Parker already got injured. Either way, The Lakers can beat the Spurs and they will.

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

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 30, 2009 5:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Spurs can beat the Lakers. Everybody anywhere should think the Spurs can beat the Lakers.

Given both teams being healthy at the end of the year, right now, I’d favor the Lakers.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jul 30, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your right the Spurs do have to prove that they can stay healthy, but the Lakers have to prove that they are better that last year. At this point I don’t think so.

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Artest has no basketball IQ

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually if Artest was walking around in his underwear in Houston in his contract year, boy, i cant wait to see the stuff he’ll do in LA

4 championships and counting ...
Go Spurs!

by forgoten69 on Jul 30, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Less to prove

the Lakers have less to prove. They are Champions and have nothing to prove to anyone. It is kind of tough to say how much better they will be when they haven’t played a single game with Artest. No one knows.

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

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 30, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing to prove, you don’t think that Kobe will be hungry to get that fifth ring before Tim or Shaq.

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

plus they are the favorites, if they don’t win a championship it would be a huge disappointment.

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i have to agree with you, but i think the spurs have adopted a “championship or bust” approach to this season as well

4 championships and counting ...
Go Spurs!

by forgoten69 on Jul 30, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s going to make for some epic struggles, if everything pans out. I can’t wait.

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 30, 2009 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LEGEN

wait for it

DARY

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow, I’m glad I stuck around to wait for it.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you always willl, as long as you aren’t lactose intolerant

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha, that was great (I was about to call it what you just said)

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A TP ankle sprain in July means…what now?

by 4Him on Jul 30, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Means more QT with ELP — never a bad thing.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

okay. i recced u. i used to watch DH. dont tell anyone.

by theonlyromeo on Jul 30, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

romeo, your secret is safe with me… just like your imaginary rec. =]

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

=o

What’s this… you met the same girl I did that got me using that smiley?

I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist using it after convincing you with my reasoning. =]

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it does look electronic. And, as an extra benefit, there’s the fact that you don’t have to use the shift key at all.

That’s what put it over the top for me.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, coz that extra 0.021 seconds needed to press the shift key might be used for something more productive.

by theonlyromeo on Jul 30, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually, this is a welcome sign, FO, pop and TP will be much more careful down the line. Plus he has no history of such problems, so don’t look too much into it.

4 championships and counting ...
Go Spurs!

by forgoten69 on Jul 30, 2009 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

typical LA fans

4 championships and counting ...
Go Spurs!

by forgoten69 on Jul 30, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Typical Spurs Fans.

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

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 30, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let’s rumble.

by Lauri on Jul 30, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hah. I love you.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 30, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey I got a totally off-topic question – probably inappropriate for Spursville. The pic’s obviously from West Side Story – a landmark work in American culture. Are songs like (I like to be in) America – sung in a Puerto Rican accent seen as offensive these days?

Just curious. To me they’re just vibrant parts of the cultural landscape. My kids love ‘em and don’t really see them as anything related to race or whatever.

PS. And while I know the Lakers are not unbeatable, now that Lamar is back in the fold IT IS SO ON! And as they say “Smoke on your pipe and put that in.”

Haters beware: Kobe's drive for 5 starts now!-SLAM Magazine

by olf on Jul 30, 2009 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

purple and gold, i know you are a big LA fan by your post history, but for some reason, other Laker fans just seem to fall into this state of denial that their team can be beaten. nowhere to be seen from 04-07, but now supremely confident. Even though with Odom, LA is still better, its a lot closer of a gap than you can imagine

4 championships and counting ...
Go Spurs!

by forgoten69 on Jul 30, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

as fans don’t you expect all of them to believe they can’t be beaten? not just laker fans, but spurs fans, portland fans, celtic fans, etc. as fans isn’t it their duty to believe that their team is the best and can win it all?

by shoothoop on Jul 30, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we can be beaten.

and from the moment the first tipoff the season happens, most fans are nervous as hell until the final buzzer sounds in the Finals. Until then, I’ll watch every moment completely riveted, completely on edge over the next play, the next game.

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

by tandur on Jul 30, 2009 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

To Good Health on Both Sides.

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hear hear.

Is that California or Texas sparkling wine?

by Lauri on Jul 30, 2009 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you dropped a little poison on one of the cups. =]

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mmmmm….Iocane….tasteless and odorless….mwwuahhh!

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What the world
needs now
is more people quoting TPB

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i googled tpb and tpb locane, and tasteless and odorless, and locane tastless and odorless, and tpb locane tasteless and odorless. I still don’t know what you’re talking about. worthy search results included the pirate bay, and trailer park boys. Trailer park boys is a great show, really funny and ridiculous. What’s TPB?

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here you go, tlo. Thanks for looking it up first. You’re getting there.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow! I saw that movie! it was a long time ago, and I was really young. And to be honest I actually thought about that movie and exact scene when I first mentioned dropping poison on one of the cups. So clever that guy was I used to think. Unfortunately, I had no idea what the name of the movie was, and didn’t feel it worthy enough of having to look for it for an hour or so, considering I didn’t remember any other significant parts of the movie. I did remember that scene really well for some reason though. Anyways, I’m glad there are others who think like me, but more importantly and unlike me, are able to do something do something with that and show what they know.

Note: another reason why I probably couldn’t find it on google was because I spelled Iocane with a lower case L. Damn you upper case I and lower case l!! why are you so similar!

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my wife’s favorite

BLAIR FORCE ONE

by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 31, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s a nearly flawless movie. Writing, directing, acting, set design, action, costumes — there’s not a single false moment in the whole thing.

Just about the only thing you could ask for is that Andre be a bit easier to understand. But that brings its own charm into the mix, so you can’t really complain about it too much.

Honestly, it’s about as good as that kind of movie can be.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 31, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s in my Top 5 of quotable movies, although the only other ones I can think of right now are Fletch and Major League.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 31, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s all ball bearings these days.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 31, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As I said above, we don’t know a damn thing about how either team will perform with their new additions until we see it on the court. There’s reason for both sides to be excited, and I see the matchup as about even on paper, but a lot can happen in the next 10-11 months.

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 30, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The season hasn’t even started and T. Parker already got injured.

Bah, humbug.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 30, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Odom leaving was a nice fantasy to have. I hoped for the best, but planned in my mind for the worst. It’d just be too good to be true for both him and Ariza to leave the team they just won the title with.

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain

by Ed (dfjmed) on Jul 30, 2009 5:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kelly Dwyer

According to KD the lakers payroll after luxury tax hits will be around 100 mil……very Yankesque.

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 6:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Or Spursesque.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 30, 2009 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah…the Spurs are more Soxesque. : )

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

… says the Sox fan — BRILLIAN

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

small bow.

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha Odom is really dumb

The first laker’s offer:
3 years: $30 millions
4 years: $36 millions

The 2nd laker’s offer, the one he accepted:
3 years: $25 millions
4 years: $33 millions (with the 4th year a team option)

The miami offer were 5 years $34 mil guaranteed, and a player option in 4th year, and reportly the Blazzers came in late offering 5 year $40 mil. Jerry Buss really fuc$5# him, great job by Mr. Buss.

by spursfan87 on Jul 30, 2009 6:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

But at least he wants to be in a contender

by spursfan87 on Jul 30, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure if he had joined the Heat, they would be contending.

AKA: Linix129

by sw12 on Jul 30, 2009 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not even close

They become part of the massive group of possible 40 win squads nipping at Cleveland’s, Boston’s, and Orlando’s heels.

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 30, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I knew this would happen… I think I hate Odom a little for making us go through all this drama.

Oh, well, we can’t win them all. Let’s wait and see what happens when the season starts.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 30, 2009 8:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

oh but i hope we DO win them all.

by theonlyromeo on Jul 30, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say bring it

Some Spurs fans seem sad that Odom is back with LA but I’m glad he stayed. It know it would have been easier had he left, but if we are to return to our rightful place as the best team of the decade, we should show that we are able to beat the best. I say bring it on. May the best team win

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Jul 30, 2009 8:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh... it's already been broughten.

I’d attach the you tube video, but I’m pretty sure I would be banned.

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
I don't like chatty. I don't do chatty. I like quiet. Quiet and mean. Those are my people. - Nurse Jackie

by bellasa on Jul 30, 2009 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking “wow, that movie was pretty tame, wasn’t it?” when I realized that it has cheerleaders in it, and would therefore, be subject to the ban.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That and the language issues. I’ve never seen the movie, but, I’ve always liked that line. On those rare occasions when I’ve used it, I add an ed to the word. “Oh, it’s already been broughtened”. Stupid… but eh.

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
I don't like chatty. I don't do chatty. I like quiet. Quiet and mean. Those are my people. - Nurse Jackie

by bellasa on Jul 30, 2009 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never seen it either, but that line is pitch perfect.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 30, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else think we start exploring any of those many trade options we’ve mulled over lately?

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain

by Ed (dfjmed) on Jul 30, 2009 8:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What do you guys think are the deciding factors in an LA/SA match-up?

The Lakers are vulnerable in “Brokeback Mountain Games,” as Phil Jackson noted, due to too much penetration. The Lakers did not see a healthy Manu 2 seasons ago in the playoffs, and (IIRC) TP didn’t make good decisions in showdowns last season. But both guys are Laker-killers, and they ought to eviscerate LA by driving and kicking. And the Spurs add Jefferson to mix, who is another good slasher.

So, one set of keys is how well the Spurs slash to the hoop, kick out to open shooters, and hit the long the ball. On the other side, the Laker guards must funnel their defensive assignments to the baseline and/or into their bigs, and the bigs will have to trap aggressively without losing sight of their counterparts. The Lakers must disrupt the drive-and-kick game to win.

I’m looking forward to seeing Ginobili at full strength. Has Artest guarded Ginobili successfully in the past?

You know, despite the off-season moves, it’s hard to see how future matchups will be that much different than past ones. Players come and go, there are new wrinkles here and there, but the systems and gameplans remain much the same.

"I've hacked into your brain. You're throwing a party and no one's showing up."

by ignign*kt on Jul 30, 2009 8:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Tony can be the deciding factor in this series if he’s consistent. No one on the current Lakers squad can stay in front of him. If Manu’s healthy I don’t think Ron Artest can keep up, word is from the Rockets fans that he has lost a step defensively.

by JaySo on Jul 30, 2009 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

bryant is good at containing parker, and farmar is quick enough too.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

kobe on parker? we’d love that, wouldnt we? be damned the person who wouldnt get exhausted chasing parker around.

even eva got thinner.

by theonlyromeo on Jul 30, 2009 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

you’re right. In that case, they’ll probably make farmar spend a lot of minutes guarding Parker. He’s quick enough, but not yet good enough of a defender to stop him. Still, I believe Farmar has a lot of room to grow defensively and will continue to do so this year, just depends on how much. Another person that might be guarding Tony could be Shannon Brown, or even Sasha Vujajic (I have a feeling he’ll play much better than last year). It’s important to remember that the Lakers still have good amount of depth, and from what we learned in the Dallas series, it doesn’t matter if Tony scores a shit load of points, that will not win us a series, albeit we didn’t have Manu. So… I’m just hoping for health during the post season and I’m confident that we’ll meet LA if that happens. I’m not confident that we’ll beat LA, but I think we will. Aaron Brooks ran circles around them with a much less talented Rockets team. I know Parker could do the same, but like the rockets, if we don’t have our top players healthy, we won’t be able to get past them.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

by theonlyromeo on Jul 30, 2009 10:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They sometimes use Odom on Parker, and it was very effective. Parker has problems with bigger guys with long arms, at least they dont have Ariza anymore.

by spursfan87 on Jul 30, 2009 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's also Vujacic and ShanWOW

I don’t believe we’ve seen Shannon Brown take on guarding TP, in LA atleast. Don’t see enough Spurs games to remember the Bobcats / Cavs ones, and how a 3rd stringer did at the time against an All-Star Guard. Does anyone remember any matchups in the Finals?

But anyways, so the Lakers have, to guard Parker, for long stretches:

Bryant
Fisher
Farmar
Brown
Vujacic

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

by tandur on Jul 30, 2009 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

anyone of those players other than kobe guarding him is an automatic favor for the Spurs. If Kobe guards him, his offense will decline. As far as guarding Bryant for long stretches we have:

Mason
Ginobili
Jefferson
Hairston
Finley (only because you put Fisher in there)
Hill

Granted all of those are an advantage for the Lakers, so our advantages cancel each other out. so it’s about depth. I feel like the Spurs have more of it (e.g. Six players we are capable of putting to guard Kobe compared to your 4 on Parker- Vujajic doesn’t count)

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you forgot bowen.

by theonlyromeo on Jul 31, 2009 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if only I forgot him. =/

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that’s not true. you did it on purpose.

i know, i know, i know he’s just on a business trip to the east coast.

::covers ears and sings "Do Wah Diddy::

i couldnt find a clip for the exact scene. =[

by theonlyromeo on Jul 31, 2009 2:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that scene is perfect enough… don’t you worry about it romeo… I’m glad you found out what the reply button was for too… I expect you to reply more to individual comments now. I also like your emoticon choice (Damn you for reminding me of her!)

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 2:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 2:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i dunno. im easily influenced. =]

by theonlyromeo on Jul 31, 2009 3:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You forget one thing

There is absolutely no one on the Spurs that can guard or even do half a decent job that Bowen did on Kobe. He will torch anyone. That is a fact. Which goes to the biggest reason why I think the Lakers have the upper hand over the Spurs. Ariza was better defensively than Artest was team defense wise. But as a one on one defender Artest is way better. He can guard a healthy Ginobli. In other words the Lakers have the height and the defense to play one on one defense against any team. Without LO that wouldn’t be possible. However the Spurs cannot say the same thing. Any team in the NBA is forced to double on Kobe and the Spurs are not any different and that means that there will always be someone open. It is even as easy as putting LO on Jrich and Artest on Manu. It is a matter of mismatches and the Lakers have the upper hand.

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

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 30, 2009 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe they will change the double jeopardy rule, and then we would have a pretty good chance.

My tapeworm tells me what to do.

by Hipuks on Jul 30, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

GOL.

I used to be a c+x kind of guy, but nowadays I just go nuts with my z. - LatinD
Retire Bowen's #12!

by Tim C. on Jul 30, 2009 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

now bowen did a decent job on kobe…
damn, why did we listen to lakers fans who said bowen doesnt bother kobe, and let bruce go?

oh and…

It is even as easy as putting LO on Jrich and Artest on Manu.

who guards tony?

but yeah, i dunno whos gonna man kobe now. perhaps rj.

by theonlyromeo on Jul 30, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

quote fail. shouldve used preview. dang!

by theonlyromeo on Jul 30, 2009 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

okay, lets say it’s crunch time, out for the spurs are Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, Dice, and Duncan. How will the Lakers be guarding them? As in which player is going to match up with whom from the Lakers defensive standpoint?

I’m guessing that the Lakers crunch time players look like this. Fisher, Bryant, Artest, Odom and Pau.
Defensively from the spurs perspective. I think Parker will be guarding Fisher, Jefferson will be guarding Bryant, Manu will be guarding Artest, Dice will be guarding Odom, and Duncan on Pau. Manu and RJ can switch defensive assignment according the Pop’s strategy. The obvious mismatch is Bryant. But I am not too worried about him. He will not be able to beat us by himself. If he goes on a scoring spree, his teammates will suffer and be put out of the game. If he passes the ball, Artest will eventually get it and we’ll beg him to shoot it and he will.

The less obvious mismatch in your favor is Dice on Odom. Odom has, and will be for the upcoming season, your X factor. He’s not always there though and when he gets put out of games early, he disappears for the entire game. What will happen when Bryant and Pau (who need to get the ball) and Artest (who will make sure he gets the ball) leave Odom with less touches? He’ll shy away I feel, he’s so sensitive when on the court in that sense. Throw in the fact that he’ll feel grudgy against the Lakers for giving him less money than they initially offered (although it’s his fault). I will say though, if he comes through, LA will be tough to beat, but beatable, certainly beatable.

So, I wouldn’t worry about Kobe scoring on us, he is only one and it hurts his team anyways. I just worry about Odom. We have a plan for that too though. His name is Haislip, and i hope that works out. Back to my original question, how do you see the Lakers matching up with the spurs during crunch time? I’m sure we’ll find mismatches in the spurs favor whichever way you put it also.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

there's also the Bynum factor

If he can, god willing, maintain a consistent level of his immediate pre-injury forms, the Lakers recreate the Spur’s old Twin Towers threat, and with the bonus of the best scoring guard in the game from the perimeter. Bynum at full effeciency is better than Odom. Odom has versatility, which is good at times, but Bynum is more important for a playoff run against set plays against season-long tested rotations.

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

by tandur on Jul 30, 2009 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you. Bynum is oozing with potential. He always seems to be on the brink but then injures himself. I remember him containing Duncan in one game right before he injured himself the second time. I think he’ll get there. he’s still young. Just a matter of when, and injuries of course.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moderatly well known fact, purp an gold fan….

This squad called the Boston celtics did a great job of disrupting kobes offense in the 08 finals, en route to beating Los Angeles in six games.

Yet they did not have a single player approaching Bruces Defensive prowess….

by alamobro on Jul 31, 2009 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

First time here. Obviously I think the Spurs can take out the Lakers, they’re deeper, younger, and more talented. Walton, Sasha, and Farmar were all given contracts and did nothing to prove they deserved them. Artest can’t defend quick guys anymore; he can defend the Melos and Lebrons but he’ll get killed on Parker, someone Phil defended with Ariza. Fisher’s not getting any younger and only killed the Magic because of how stupid SVG coached. Bynum hasn’t proven he can stay healthy for more than a couple of weeks. And if Odom was inconsistent last year, which was a contract year, before he even won a title, I shudder to think of how many games he’ll half-ass this season.

The only positive things the Lakers have going for them are Kobe, Phil, and Shannon Brown. Everything else is either a toss up (Bynum) or a complete negative (Sasha). Having said that, I still think the Lakers are a huge obstacle for the Spurs and any other team in the league. They have that “Laker” aura surrounding them that few teams over the years have been able to break. They have Kobe who can put a team on his back. Gasol is the perfect fit for them and a bad matchup for anyone. Why do you think the Spurs got so many bigs this year?

But letting Ariza go is the equivalent of the Spurs letting Stephen Jackson go after 2003 and that will ultimately be the Lakers downfall this year. The Spurs have too many promising youngsters (e.g. Hill, Blair, Hairston), a small but strong veteran core (Duncan, Dice, Ratliff, Parker), and, most importantly, a pissed off Manu Ginobili. Yes, everything depends on health, but that’s the game. I won’t be sore about winning the title off of an injured Kobe or Lebron as I know that Laker fans won’t be sore about winning off an injured Duncan or KG.

Best case scenario for both teams:
Lakers can go six deep with Kobe, Gasol, Artest, Odom, Brown, and Bynum.
Spurs can go nine deep with the Big Three, Jefferson, Hill, Blair, Hairston, Dice, Mason, and Ian.

And that’s best case. It’s a toss up. And I’m a Spurs fan.

by t1111t on Jul 30, 2009 10:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Whoops I forgot to add Gasol as one of their positives.

by t1111t on Jul 30, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent post! And welcome aboard!

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain

by Ed (dfjmed) on Jul 30, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to PtR. You definitely fit in with the Summer of Hope theme. We can never have too many optimistic Spurs fans.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 30, 2009 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wecome t1’st and great post. I’m glad you corrected yourself before any of us mistake finders (we do that sometimes), and put Gasol in there. He’s probably my favorite Laker, actually, he is (used to be tied with Trevor).

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

favorite laker?

wow tlo, you got a +1 for your “5 in 10 rant” , but you get a -1 for having a “favorite laker”

BLAIR FORCE ONE

by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 31, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will admit, after the Spurs, my next favorite team in the west is the Rockets. After the rockets, it’s probably the Lakers. They have players that I like (Gasol, Kobe). I admire Kobe’s competitiveness and extreme work ethic. I like Gasol’s versatility and effectiveness but mostly character (if you ask me he’s a poor man’s duncan). I was rooting for them in the Finals. It’s hard for me to hate teams, but I do (see Celtics). But even in the celtics, there are players that I like such as Ray Allen. The guy is the one class act in that team, and if you ask me, the glue of that celtics team.

I am sorry, but I guess I had to come straight and instead of lying and saying that there isn’t a Laker I don’t like.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s right my brother. Walk toward the purple & gold light.

Haters beware: Kobe's drive for 5 starts now!-SLAM Magazine

by olf on Jul 31, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it looks so shiny…

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO, Carol Anne! Stay away from the light! The light is dangerous! Don’t go near it—don’t even look at the light!

by Lauri on Jul 31, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

RE: Laker fans

… They’re heeeeeerrre.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 31, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the way Jolly. I believe there is a big cloud of smog headed down Texas way. It is from the big sigh of relief from all of So Cal that Lamar Odom finally signed. Prolly why there’s so many Laker fans showing up too.

Haters beware: Kobe's drive for 5 starts now!-SLAM Magazine

by olf on Jul 31, 2009 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. I noticed it this morning.

Makes me wonder how many Spurs fans would have been crusing over at SSnR if he’d chosen Miami.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Aug 1, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You find it hard to hate teams, but you call yourself a sports fan? ;) Wow, you’re a much better person than I am, tlo. Whereas (and yes, I know this is an NBA blog, but college football is only a month away), I have absolutely no problems hating those evil minions from Norman, OK and those bugeaters from Lincoln, NE – can I get a witness from the UT gallery?

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 31, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hook ’em.

5 in 10
I want my Manu o;—-)

by jollyrogerwilco on Jul 31, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t have league pass so i hardly get to watch the spurs games unless they’re nationally televised, or the nets or knicks play against them. I try to watch whatever games I can get even when they’re only scrub teams playing, and I force myself to choose a side in order to make those games or any game more interesting. This has resulted in me hating less and less teams since I choose to root for some when they’re playing meaningless games.

I’m sure that if I were able to watch every Spurs game though, I would hate every other team with a passion. My school team in binghamton played in a very crappy division 1 league, and I hated every opposing team that came in to play us. Binghamton won their conference and made it to the tourney. We were then destroyed by Duke by around 30 points and got eliminated. I have since then hated duke. So, i’m capable of hating teams, but I don’t because I watch too many opposing team’s games in the NBA. I’ve also never been to an NBA game, but that’s another story.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hating Duke is a great start. :)

I really only “hate” OU and NU. I dislike the Lakers, but I can still respect their game. Most NBA teams I’m ambivalent towards. However, I did jump on the Denver bandwagon during the playoffs this year, and that came back to bite me.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 31, 2009 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey everyone! He likes Ray Allen! Let’s pelt him with dead possums!

My tapeworm tells me what to do.

by Hipuks on Jul 31, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll take that back, I respect his character. I don’t like his game though.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His character? Really? I think you meant that the other way around. Ray whined more about Bruce than any other so-called “elite” player. In fact, part of the reason I respect Kobe so much is because he never once tried to call Bruce dirty, just that he enjoyed the challenge of going up against him.

A year earlier, Allen described Bowen’s antics as “sissy ball,” and on Sunday he had more to say about Bowen.

“I wasn’t going to allow him to bait me when I went at him and possibly allow him to get me kicked out of the game,” Allen said. “I just think that it’s coward basketball. I don’t even call it basketball.”

Re-sign Bruce Bowen!

by Tim C. on Aug 1, 2009 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow, I take everything back. I don’t like any aspect of Ray Allen now. what a little girl.

I thought he was cool before because of the big 3 in Boston, he’s the one that had to step down the most and take a reduced role. Pierce and KG still get the numbers and touches. He also seemed like the least flashy or at least the most classy out of those three. but no, I had no idea he said that about bowen. this doesn’t fly. I take everything back.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Aug 1, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I respect that about Kobe too, while he probably thinks Bowen’s a dirty player, he would never say it, and besides, Kobe’s too competitive, so I’m sure that he likes it too.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Aug 1, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very well put

But the biggest reason the Lakers beat the Magic so easily was because they posted up Kobe which forced to decide to double Kobe and leave someone open or play him one on one(which we all know what happens then). Kobe took them apart. I do agree that TP is the biggest mismatch in the Spurs favor. But his talent is driving to the basket but he will not be as successfull with Gasol and Bynum cloggin up the lane.

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

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 30, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed. but that’s why Tim’s going to be about 12 feet away from the basket (for his bank), and dice will high post—maybe parallel to the FT line (for his midrange).

Lamar—and not artest—HAS to be in the game to make sure you have 3 bigs and really clog up the lane. unless for some reason, phil goes with a pg-less lineup for crunch time (kobe, artest, odom, gasol, bynum), and it’s unlikely.

at any rate, these games are going to be very competitive.

by theonlyromeo on Jul 30, 2009 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bynum still fouls a lot. And he doesn’t play too many minutes. And you’re expecting to Parker to only be able to drive to the basket. Perhaps you haven’t seen him play lately, but it’s hard to block jumpshots, and he’ll be doing a lot more of those. Last season he just began shooting a couple of 3. With his continuing development, and work ethic (as much as we crack on him, he does work hard), I see him being not a decent 3 point shooter, but an acceptable one next season. specially as the season drags towards the end. He’ll absolutely kill you guys with his midrange jumper. Basically, think of how much trouble you had with Brooks last playoffs. Parker is twice as good at driving and finishing, but maybe half as good in shooting as brooks. Oh, and twice as good as Brooks in defense (but that’s a given).
So basically, Parker is doesn’t only have one way he can hurt you anymore.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 30, 2009 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brooks must really suck on defense!

by xman130 on Jul 31, 2009 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha, maybe twice as good in defense as brooks was a bit too much. but parker is much better than brooks at D. Have you seen brooks?

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The spurs did not let S.Jackson go in 03, he did not wanted to resign with the spurs, he took less money to play with atlanta.

by spursfan87 on Jul 30, 2009 11:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can we have that ring back Jack?

"It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain

by Ed (dfjmed) on Jul 30, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

NOT WORRIED.

They still lost Ariza. That’s bad for them.

They added Artest. That’s real bad for them.

That my friends is subtraction by addition.

I’m not a mathematician, but I’m pretty sure that when you have 5 starters, and you subtract 1, and then you add a negative 1, you wind up with 3.

5 – 1 + (-1) = 3. See?

So the Lakers got two starters worse. Plus Fisher is another year older.

The Spurs on the other hand have effectively been playing with 3 starters since 2006. This year they’re gonna try something crazy and have legit NBA players at every position, thanks to the additions of Jefferson and McDyess.

3 + 1 + 1 = 5

Spurs win 5 to 3 I’m afraid.

Go Spurs Go.

Give a man a chicken and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to chicken and he'll call you crazy and question your command of the English language.

by Aaronstampler on Jul 31, 2009 3:56 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs

(I purposefully went through it step by step on the math for the people here with a Texas education.)

: )

Give a man a chicken and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to chicken and he'll call you crazy and question your command of the English language.

by Aaronstampler on Jul 31, 2009 3:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easy killer. I think you should more concerned with all the LA fans in here with their Cali educations.

by Big50 on Jul 31, 2009 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's hilarious how much people are overrating Ariza

He did two major things: defended well and shot wide open threes. The defensive play we all remember him for (nabbing the Carter inbound) was only there because Melo ate him alive the entire game and forced Kobe to expend a ton of energy guarding him. Practically every three he shot during the playoffs was off Kobe’s penetration or Gasol’s post-ups. During the regular season, he shot 31.9 percent from three point land even though he was rarely guarded or challenged on the perimeter. Artest shot 39.9 percent from three despite throwing up at least a few “Why did he do that?” shots a game and being regularly guarded. What’s his percentage going to be when he’s being spoon-fed open shots by the Lakers’ offense? To say that Ariza is better at Artest at this point in their careers is just nutty.

About the only thing Ariza does better than Artest is guard fast point guards, something especially relevant to San Antonio for obvious reasons and why San Antonio has a significant edge in that department. For practically every other contender though, if you were to ask who is better at guarding the superstar wings on these teams (Carter, Pierce, LeBron, Melo), then it’s obviously Artest, as Ariza was continuously abused by larger wings (Artest, Melo, and Turkoglu save in Game 5 when the refs swallowed their whistles and allowed both sides to handcheck the hell out of each other) throughout the playoffs.

Dismissing Artest because Ariza had a fantastic playoffs is hardly a good analysis.

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 31, 2009 4:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s hilarious how much people are overrating Ariza

“Hilarious” haha or “hilarious” peculiar?

by Lauri on Jul 31, 2009 6:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Well played Lauri

by Big50 on Jul 31, 2009 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Peculiar; I'm not falling down and laughing my head off

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 31, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He also came up with several clutch plays in the playoffs, and I surprised how quickly Lakers fan are forgetting that. I remember participating on the game thread at SSyR and everyone mentioned that.

Clutchness is a skill.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 31, 2009 7:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And by “skill” I obviously meant “talent”. It’s 9 AM, bear with me.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Jul 31, 2009 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Major props for the proper use of parentheses in the mathematical equation, Stampler!

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Jul 31, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't it interesting...

…how all these Laker fans are in here desperately defending the signing of Artest? Look, all this is just talk and we’ll have to wait to see how it plays out on the court. However, it seems to me that some of these Laker fans are trying to talk themselves into Artest.

by Big50 on Jul 31, 2009 9:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lakers are still the team to beat. I don’t think Artest makes them worse than last year. Artest needs to understand he’s a 3rd option on offense. I think he realized that when he was playing with a healthy TMac and Yao. He shot the Rockets out of games because he felt he had to step up for them when the team lost their all-stars. He doesn’t have to do that with a healthy Laker team.

As for Artest losing a step on the perimeter? Shouldn’t be too much of a concern with the Laker bigs back there. They usually rotate and help on D. Not saying the “block shots”, but they do come over to help and contest.

So yeah, they’re the reigning champs and we’re reigning first round losers. I need the season to start already.

BLAIR FORCE ONE

by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 31, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I agree that they are the team to beat. No question. The only time a champ is not the team to beat is when they lose most of their core guys. LA has lost one and gained a good player. No doubt. My point is that Laker fans seems to be extremely defensive about getting Artest and losing Ariza. That sounds like a Spurs fan trying to talk themselves into the fact that we didn’t need to make any moves the last two years.

by Big50 on Jul 31, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops, i think i hit reply to you when i was just making a general post.

BLAIR FORCE ONE

by FreshmakerDTM on Jul 31, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s all good. That is a sneaky way to start a conversation though. : )

by Big50 on Jul 31, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Artest 3rd option? really? If you ask me, for that team to be as effective as possible, Odom should be their 3rd option, much like last season. Artest should be their 4th option. Of course, Artest will want to be the 3rd option and chuck more shots than he should. This will get Odom upset and make him aloof throughout some games, so i’m fine with that.

"He's Manu Ginobili"

by the little o on Jul 31, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs