Lakers chat

xodus: what’s up

Elle: the sky

Brian Kamenetzky: The market? I hope so.

Brian Kamenetzky: Haven’t looked today...

Administrator2: Okay guys, let’s get a move on! :)

dpk: i’m real interested in knowing what the mood of the team is since this recent slide.. are they thinking playing against the t-wolves is a start to turn things around? or is there concern of the team’s recent play?

dpk: i am currently reading the article on sports hub that was in the blog today

dpk: i kind of like the idea of going after artest

Brian Kamenetzky: Both. There’s definitely concern, and I’m sure the guys feel like this game is one where they can get back on the right track. Woe is the team that loses to Minnesota...

Elle: How long before Kwame comes back? I really need someone to pick on now that Smush is gone.

dpk: i think he provides some needed toughness

dpk: any thoughts?

PiNSiR935: haha

Brian Kamenetzky: dpk- First of all, thanks for reading SHLA. We appreciate it, and hope you become a regular (if you’re not already!). As for Artest, it would depend on what it took to get him. He’s a great player, for sure.

PiNSiR935: yeah, Kwame has what we’ve been missing defesively, like PJ said, against Orlando they were “frolicking” in the lane, something Kwame stops well

Brian Kamenetzky: Elle- It’ll probably be another week or two, could be more. They’re being careful with him.

xodus: Elle, didn’t you get the memo, LO is the blog’s new enemy no. 1 haha

Brian Kamenetzky: PiN- Utah, I think...

Elle: haha poor LO

Elle: Do you guys think that the Mo/Cookie trade was bad for the team? Or was it Kwame getting hurt again that did it?

Brian Kamenetzky: There was less frolicking against the Magic.

PiNSiR935: my bad, yeah, Utah

Elle: will he ever wake up and realize he is in the NBA?

dpk: i thought the trade was interesting at the time, but since ariza hasnt seen much action, i’m curious as to why it went down (maybe to get rid of cookies contract at Mos expense?)

xodus: ariza’s talented, he just doesn’t know the system

Andrew Kamenetzky: Elle, I think Kwame getting hurt (both in his defensive presence being lost and it forcing Bynum to play in the first unit, messing the bench unit’s great chemistry) had much more to do with the problems now than Mo or Cook being gone.

xodus: which is one of the annoying things about the triangle, tho i’m not a triangle-hater by any means.

xodus: yeah chris mihm and turiaf playing bac up center has been ugly

Andrew Kamenetzky: Elle, Cook wasn’t even playing (to most fans’ delight, I might add. haha) and Mo, while a nice backup and I like his game, was only playing about 13 mpg and is a career journeyman. Mo Evans’ presence shouldn’t make or break a team.

Elle: am I the only one that wants to scream whenever Chris comes into the game?

dpk: one thing laker fans should realize too is that there are a lot of good free agents available after the year.. it would not make sense to trade people for others that have years on their contracts.. hopefully we’ll have some room to maneuver this offseason

xodus: elle, no I feel the pain when I see mihm’s face (which always appears to be a grimace) on the court

Brian Kamenetzky: dpk- I don’t think they’re very interested in adding players on long deals, that’s for sure.

xodus: dpk, the problem is we won’t have the room to sign those players lol

xodus: well, other than the midlevel

dpk: not sure how many years JO has but i would be concerned of bringing him in at the expense of bettering ourselves in the offseason

dpk: i see

xodus: we’ve got to inquire about Artest and Pau. I doubt the Maloofs will want to deal with us tho’

Elle: I think we should keep the team as is and just hope that LO does not get hurt and that Kwame has “break out season”

Brian Kamenetzky: dpk- it’s hard to say what they can do. JO has had an uneven start to the season, for sure. And FYI, he’s signed through 2010.

xodus: two unlikely scenarios, elle lol

dpk: i wonder if we will ever see j-critt get more time soon.. maybe speed things up with the second unit by having critt and farmar up top, turiaf and luke down low

dpk: could be interesting

dpk: thanks BK.. i see

Andrew Kamenetzky: Elle, that’s a very tall order. For that matter, so is hoping for LO’s “breakout season” or that Kwame doesn’t get hurt

Andrew Kamenetzky: haha

xodus: especialy the Kwame break out. I think the Wiz have been waiting for that since 2002 lol

PiNSiR935: whats your guys opinion on our likelyhood of pulling a trade b4 the deadline? I feel that a trade is more likely to occur

Brian Kamenetzky: dpk- I think as the season goes along, Critt will get more time. It’s early, and he’s very young. Remember, Farmar got more minutes as the season went along. They defintely like him, that’s for sure.

Elle: I know Kwame and ‘breakpout season”, theres a bigger chance of Shaq making all his free throws

dpk: good to know

Brian Kamenetzky: People have to stop expecting kwame to break out. The guy he is is who he is. He’s not going to get better. The good news is, at least for what the Lakers need right now, he can be helpful.

Elle: Brian should we do the same with LO? Is he as good as he is going to get?

xodus: yeah, him and LO. I’m done defending LO. No more excuses

Andrew Kamenetzky: Or depending on how you look at it, it’s also the bad news that he’s someone the Lakers need right now.

Andrew Kamenetzky: All kidding aside

dpk: xodus - wouldnt we have more than the midlevel to work with if we dont resign kwame.. i thought his contract was up after the year

dpk: i just wonder how playing critt will affect sashas time and whether phil wants to pull back sashas minutes for j-critt

xodus: Both those guys tie up our cap by their production not reflecting their salaries

xodus: dpk, we’re so far over the cap that there’s no cap relief by simply letting his contract expire

Brian Kamenetzky: Elle- LO is who he is. He’s a very talented player, but he’s been miscast from day one in L.A. It’s frustrating, for sure, but to some extent it’s like buying chicken at the grocery, then getting upset when it doesn’t taste like steak.

dpk: oh i see

Brian Kamenetzky: Or buying steak, and hoping it tastes like chicken. Really, the type of protein isn’t the issue (haha)...

Andrew Kamenetzky: Considering how much tends to taste like chicken, it’s pretty ironic for someone to bitch when that’s actually what chicken tastes like. haha

Andrew Kamenetzky: how much everything tastes like chicken, I meant

Brian Kamenetzky: Alligator? Tastes like chicken.

Brian Kamenetzky: Snake? Chicken.

xodus: LO is at his best when he has the ball a ton and a lot of the offense is run through him (Miami and early last year with Kobe gone). Problem is you can’t be a great team with LO having to do that much anyway.

Brian Kamenetzky: Kangaroo? More like steak.

Andrew Kamenetzky: Duck. Frog legs. It’s all chicken tinged.

Elle: I wonder why everything tastes like chicken?

Andrew Kamenetzky: Xodus. I agree 100%. LO needs the ball a lot (especially at the start of possessions) if you really want him at his most efffective.

Andrew Kamenetzky: And if you really want him at his most effective, you need him as a #3 option (or at least working with 2 other scorers of an equal caliber).

PiNSiR935: yup, I’ve been thinking that same thing Xodus... people have been happy with LO in his new role and from the start I was nervous that he wasn’t going to be able to produce from that position as he normally does when bringing the ball upcourt

xodus: AK, I’m not sure how well he’d do with two other scores because of his tendency to defer. I think he’d just be a rebounder and passer in that case.

dpk: everyone have a good day.. gotta get back to work

dpk: GO LAKERS!!

xodus: which isn’t using his full skill set

Andrew Kamenetzky: PIN - Me, too. it’s also why his assist total being down concerns me as well. Not even so much in the numbers themselves, but it being indicative of him not really being utilized in a role where he’s comfortable and flourishes. I’m very concerned this new role will lead to LO being sorta “neither fish nor foul,” since he’s really not a pure scorer, but being treated like one.

xodus: I think we’ve come to the realization that LO doesn’t fit and we don’t need him

Andrew Kamenetzky: Xodus, but if LO was the third scorer at around 13-14 points, but racking around 6-7 assists and 10 boards, I’d say that’s him being used used to his capabilities.

xodus: I don’t like saying it since I like the guy’s skills and he seems to be a good guy, but he doesn’t fit

Andrew Kamenetzky: Which I think he could do if they had a truie second scorer. LIke, say, Caron Butler. But I’m just spitballing. haha

extrachris: I always saw LO as a point (forward?) and smush last year was another shooting guard. Now that we have fish and farmar, LO’s not being utilized

xodus: AK, I don’t think he’d do that as a third guy because those top two guys would probably need the ball in their hands a ton. And one of the guys couldn’t be a post scorer because that’s where he’s at his best

Andrew Kamenetzky: Xodus - Your read on LO’s character is dead on. He’s really a great person. Lot of character.

Elle: So is LO dead weight? Would we be better of without him?

Andrew Kamenetzky: Xodus, I’m not sure I agree. But I guess we’l never know, since we traded the one guy who could have proved it one way or the other. haha

xodus: yeah we’ll never know. I think he COULD excel in that role and I wouldn’t be surprised, but I’m not sold on it

Brian Kamenetzky: Elle- Dead weight is a little strong. The guy did just go for 19/17 on Sunday.

xodus: I’d definitely love to see LO in purple and gold the rest of his career. He and Fish are all class

xodus: BK, do you think we’d be better with an AK47 or Marion. I think we could

Brian Kamenetzky: xodus- Class, absolutely. There are very few athletes I respect more on a personal level than L

Elle: Xodus-that’s what makes it so hard to be mean to LO

Brian Kamenetzky: Marion, yes, because he’s a much better fit for what they need. AK47 (as opposed to simply AK)? Only if they didn’t expect consistent points. But he’s an extremely dynamic player, that’s for sure, and would improve them defensively. Neither will happen, though.

Andrew Kamenetzky: Xodus - When the Marion rumors were flying, I was all in favor of trading LO for the Matrix. I don’t know if it would make the Lakers “contenders,” but I have hard time thinking it would make them worse. Marion’s better, more consistent, and considerably more durable.

Kyle: Is Kobe still chatting?

xodus: I’d do the AK trade in a second. We can score over 100 whether LO is active or not. AK is a better defender, as good rebounder and an underrated passer

Elle: AK,BK do you guys think Kobe will ask to be traded again?

xodus: We can live w/o LO’s ability to rebound, run the floor and score a layup

Andrew Kamenetzky: Elle, yeah, I do think Kobe will ask for a trade. Maybe not in “radio tour” fashion, but I’m in no convinced that he’s on board with staying here.

xodus: AK, do you think he’ll try and take Bynum with him. lol j/k

CLeon: Tex Winter said JCrit is gonna be special... AK/BK: What’s so special about him? Have you seen him play at practices or for long periods of time?

Andrew Kamenetzky: Unless things change dramatically, I picture more of the same next offseason or shorter (albeit with a message delivered in a different fashion).

PiNSiR935: Good question CLeon...

Brian Kamenetzky: CLeon- He can bend spoons with only the power of his mind.

Andrew Kamenetzky: Xodus, I think he’ll demand whichever team he signs with to bring in Slava from whatever country he’s currently residing in while eating Snickers. haha

CLeon: Can he read minds too? haha

Brian Kamenetzky: CLeon- Just kidding. He’s extremely quick and athletic, has good handles, is smart, aggressive, and seems to have a very good attitude... That, and he sweats diamonds.

xodus: AK, I see no reason to trade Kobe. He has a no trade clause making a good trade impossible. I say if he still wants out call his bluff and let him opt-out. If I’m not mistaken LO’s contract ends in 2009 as well.

xodus: I’ve got no problem roling with Bynum, Farmar, Critt and a ton of cap space

Elle: I think those guys are the Lakers future

Andrew Kamenetzky: You are correct about that 2009 timeline for LO, Xodus. And there is something to be said for taking capspace and just truly starting over. It might require patience on fans’ parts, but it also may be the only way to truly move in a definitive direction.

xodus: yup, elle. the question is whether or not Kobe will be here with them

charles: Kobe needs another dominat personality

Elle: Xodus, I think he’s gone

charles: ak/bk whats the feeling of the team since this loosing spell

Andrew Kamenetzky: Charles - I think they’re frustrated.

Elle: he is unwilling to say he’s here to stay, and you have to wonder why?

Andrew Kamenetzky: Elle - Actually, it doesn’t require much wondering. haha

xodus: AK, yeah we’re living in limbo now. I’d like to see us go after a vet with everyone being up for grabs except Kobe and Bynum. But we need to committ to a plan by Feb.

xodus: either win now or win later

Andrew Kamenetzky: Xodus - As Jimmy Cliff famously put it, “Sitting here in Limbo.”

xodus: we’re going for medicrity now and for the foreseeable future

CLeon: Looking forward to next offseason, is there an All Star player we can get? What would be our options?

CLeon: Or can we get one through trades before the trade deadline?

We_R_All_Crittnesses: what happend to the uptempo offense that worked so well?

Elle: man, I miss Karl Malone

PiNSiR935: Kwame got hurt and our defense has been suffering ever since... our offense is not the problem

Andrew Kamenetzky: We are all Crittnesses - Before I answer the question, I must congratulate you on the best handle I’ve seen in some time. Kudos

Brian Kamenetzky: First of all, great screen name. Second, the rhythm of things changed when the personnel did. That has something to do with it. Also, I don’t think they’re doing as good a job of moving the offense towards the hoop. Even working quickly, that can be done. Right now, they’re settling too much for jumpers.

xodus: AK/BK, what’s managment biggest blunder: Not getting an all-star in return for Shaq or the Caron+Atkins trade for Kwame?

Andrew Kamenetzky: Caron for Kwame - Since they ended up getting an All-Star for Shaq, as it turned out

We_R_All_Crittnesses: thanks

charles: Anybody know how Jamaal Macgloire is doing, he has alot of defensive prowess and can catch the ball. Since portalnd he hasnt seen any playing time

Andrew Kamenetzky: Plus, they made the Shaq trade under the gun and with their hands tied behind their back (between needing to resign Kobe and Shaq being less than flexible about where he’d go). But the Caron-Kwame trade was done with less pressure and, more importantly, had a lot to do with not wanting to pay Caron, which was a big mistake.

Elle: Kindas random but do you guys know what happened to jack Haley?

Brian Kamenetzky: I heard J Critt bent him like a spoon.

Elle: haha

Andrew Kamenetzky: Elle - Not a clue. I barely know Haley.

Brian Kamenetzky: FYI, AK’s cat is also available for questions...

CLeon: AK/BK If you had the power to pull a trade before Dec 15 for the Lakers, what would you do?

Andrew Kamenetzky: Like Toonces of SNL fame, she can type

Elle: maybe Billy mack has him in his basement for making a mean joke about his prom date

Andrew Kamenetzky: Cleon - I don’t know. That’s a hard question to answer off the top of my head. I’d need to see who could be available, assuming you want this answer to be remotely realistic.

xodus: how much better would that Shaq trade had been if the Clips hadn’t matched the Heat’s offer sheet in 2003/

xodus: We’d have Kobe and Brand!

xodus: and Bynum!

xodus: I’m just gonna depress myself thinking about this. haha

Elle: Xodus, you know what always cheers me up?

Andrew Kamenetzky: Xodus - Dare to dream

We_R_All_Crittnesses: we would not have been in the lottery if we had brand and kobe

xodus: elle, true. But we could’ve had a big three of Kobe, Brand and Butler. That’s pretty good

xodus: And we probably could’ve still grabbed Critt and Farmar

CLeon: AK, and how about a “fantasy-like” trade? haha

We_R_All_Crittnesses: sorry if you covered this, but will Pau actually be available by deadline?

Brian Kamenetzky: Hey guys. I have to run. But AK will hang for a few more minutes. Thanks for coming by!

Administrator2: Will the cat still be chatting, too?

CLeon: take care BK

charles: Chatters: Dont you think if we get Marc Gasol, Pal might follow

xodus: see ya, BK

Andrew Kamenetzky: Fantasy trade - Sasha for KG? I’d sign off on that one. haha

charles: Bye BK

Elle: bye BK

CLeon: haha

We_R_All_Crittnesses: thanks BK

Elle: noooooooo not Sasha!

Andrew Kamenetzky: The cat will remain for my final five minutes. After that, she has to monitor a Clippers chat for the Daily News

Andrew Kamenetzky: She freelances.

Elle: ppl actually talk about the clippers? Wow

Administrator2: haha!

PiNSiR935: thanks for chatting. GO LAKERS!

CLeon: AK how many chat/blogs/media outlets do you, BK and the cat work for? haha

Administrator2: can I call the cat when I’m out sick?

Elle: Xodus, if you ever feel blue watch the first five minutes of Scary movie four

xodus: what are you hearing about JO? Is he still unhappy?

Andrew Kamenetzky: We only do this chat. But we work for the Times, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN radio (710 AM) and have done some scattered work elsewhere.

xodus: the K bros are all about making the big bucks

xodus: haha

CLeon: Do you get paid as a three-head person? hahaha

Hotrod: What station is Marcus on

CLeon: AK-BK-CatK

xodus: AK, what was your first post-college journalism job?

Andrew Kamenetzky: The cat’s just in it for the scratching posts.

Andrew Kamenetzky: ESPN The Magazine, doing spot work

We_R_All_Crittnesses: how’s ariza coming along with the tri?

CLeon: thats a good question WRAC... how is ariza?

xodus: wow pretty impressive, AK

Andrew Kamenetzky: Crittnesses, I think it’s still touch and go with Ariza. He has a lot to learn and you’re talking about a guy who hadn’t accomplished a ton while in the league, anyway. I think people need to be patient and give it some time before declaring this a bad trade.

Elle: We need to get tshirts that say “We beat anybody”on them

We_R_All_Crittnesses: i for one do not think this is a bad trade.

Hotrod: Sorry I meant what station is Mason on

CLeon: I read somewhere that the biggest lost for the Knicks on the Francis trade was losing Ariza...

CLeon: maybe it was on TruHoop

Andrew Kamenetzky: Given how Franchise has played of late, I think that’s obvious.

Andrew Kamenetzky: A couple more q’s and then I gotta run

Rone: Well, not like Ariza has played any significant minutes! Is this guy ever going to see any playing time??

CLeon: I know, but it seemed like Ariza had a lot of potential... and was begginning to show something

Rone: Potential???Geez! !Can the Lake show get some PROVEN vets already! !

xodus: Rone, you’re asking for too much there. lol

Elle: I say we bring back Shaw

CLeon: and maybe Rick Fox... I bet he is still in LA

Rone: LOL...

Andrew Kamenetzky: Alrighty folks, I gotta run. But thanks to all for dropping by

Rone: What if Phil suits up next time we play the heat !

Elle: yeah, I mean what else is he doing other than cameos in childrens movies?

CLeon: see ya AK

Elle: Shaq vs Phil, I’d pay to see that

xodus: see ya

Andrew Kamenetzky: Later everyone. Talk to y’all soon

CLeon: Elle, how about Riley vs Phil

Elle: bye AK

Elle: Phil vs D’Antoni

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