Thursday, July 28, 2005
Ronny Turiaf Update
Ronny Turiaf underwent a successful heart surgery yesterday. In addition, the second round pick may once again play basketball in the future. Prayers go out to Ronny for a speedy recovery.
It's weird how I've become attached to Ronny even though I have yet to see him play. It's reading about his spirited, though limited, performance in Summer League play as well as every photo I see him in, he's smiling though he has to be scared ridiculous inside. The Lakers do have the rights to Ronny should he continue his career. Let's hope he recovers well and is able to resume his life, regardless of whether it's on the court or not.
It's weird how I've become attached to Ronny even though I have yet to see him play. It's reading about his spirited, though limited, performance in Summer League play as well as every photo I see him in, he's smiling though he has to be scared ridiculous inside. The Lakers do have the rights to Ronny should he continue his career. Let's hope he recovers well and is able to resume his life, regardless of whether it's on the court or not.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Turiaf out Indefinitely
Ronny Turiaf, the Lakers 2nd round draft pick out of Gonzaga, will need to have open heart surgery in the next 4 - 6 weeks. He has an enlarged aorta. It is believed that the condition existed previously, as reported by CBS Sportsline, but the abnormality wasn't considered serious. It is not yet known if the condition will be career ending. The Lakers fans send their best regards to Ronny and his family.
This incident got me to thinking. It seems that someone in the Lakers organization must have sold their soul to the devil. After years of success, it seems as if one disappointing, negative, or plain bad thing happens over and over. Much like the Celtics demise in the early 90's. I am still looking forward to seeing Ronny come back from this and wear that purple and gold. Here's to hoping that Kwame Brown can grow up . . .fast.
This incident got me to thinking. It seems that someone in the Lakers organization must have sold their soul to the devil. After years of success, it seems as if one disappointing, negative, or plain bad thing happens over and over. Much like the Celtics demise in the early 90's. I am still looking forward to seeing Ronny come back from this and wear that purple and gold. Here's to hoping that Kwame Brown can grow up . . .fast.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Year later, L.A. sitting pretty: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Year later, L.A. sitting pretty: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "
Interesting article. When put like this, I don't mind Kupchak's approach so far. Let's see what the rest of the offseason has in store....
Interesting article. When put like this, I don't mind Kupchak's approach so far. Let's see what the rest of the offseason has in store....
Friday, July 15, 2005
Los Angeles Lakers, Vlade Divac, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com
Los Angeles Lakers, Vlade Divac, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com
Finally! Still not 100% sure why we signed him last year. I loved Vlade during his first stint in L.a. before he became a notorious flopper....ironic how he's known as a flopper and he's retiring due to back injuries...
In all seriousness, I wish Vlade well in his new life....
Finally! Still not 100% sure why we signed him last year. I loved Vlade during his first stint in L.a. before he became a notorious flopper....ironic how he's known as a flopper and he's retiring due to back injuries...
In all seriousness, I wish Vlade well in his new life....
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Deal reportedly Done
Apparently, management thinks extremely highly of Kwame Brown. ESPN is reporting that the LA Times are reporting that the Lakers are trading Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins or Devean George to the Wizards for Kwame Brown.
Is Kwame Brown really worth two players? I can only hope that this is done in order to match salaries. I have no strong allegiance to Chucky or Devean (used to love Devean but last year's injury that was supposed to heal by November lasting until March soured me a bit) but I don't want us to get screwed. We are giving up Caron who showed us a little something towards the end of the season. And that for a player who missed the playoffs due to injury....I'm sorry, excuse me, what's that you say....ah....correction, missed a majority of the playoffs due to suspension for missing a practice . . . and a game! Mitch, Phil, and Jerry I hope you two know what you're doing....and if you do can you holla at me....I know we need an inside presence but is Kwame the answer??
Is Kwame Brown really worth two players? I can only hope that this is done in order to match salaries. I have no strong allegiance to Chucky or Devean (used to love Devean but last year's injury that was supposed to heal by November lasting until March soured me a bit) but I don't want us to get screwed. We are giving up Caron who showed us a little something towards the end of the season. And that for a player who missed the playoffs due to injury....I'm sorry, excuse me, what's that you say....ah....correction, missed a majority of the playoffs due to suspension for missing a practice . . . and a game! Mitch, Phil, and Jerry I hope you two know what you're doing....and if you do can you holla at me....I know we need an inside presence but is Kwame the answer??
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Wizards discussing deal for Caron
Posted on Tue, Jul. 12, 2005 - Philadelphia Inquirer
Wizards seeking Lakers' Butler in deal
By David Aldridge
Inquirer Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS - The Washington Wizards, stung by the loss of free agent Larry Hughes to the Cavaliers, may be able to stanch the sting.
Sources involved with the discussions say that the Wizards are talking to the Los Angeles Lakers about a sign-and-trade deal in which forward Kwame Brown, the top pick in the 2001 NBA draft, would go to the Lakers in exchange for swingman Caron Butler.
The Wizards have other options on the table that could bring them a much-needed big man in return for Brown, but Butler would make a lot of sense.
Butler has been available during most of his yearlong stay in Los Angeles. If the Lakers move him and, as expected, release forward Brian Grant in order to save money under the luxury tax, they would have precious little to show for their blockbuster trade of Shaquille O'Neal to Miami.
Kwame Brown has been a bust for all intents and purposes so far. Butler has been coming into his own particularly towards the end of last year. I really don't see what advantages, pros, etc there are to this trade. Can somebody explain to me the goods of this transaction??
Wizards seeking Lakers' Butler in deal
By David Aldridge
Inquirer Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS - The Washington Wizards, stung by the loss of free agent Larry Hughes to the Cavaliers, may be able to stanch the sting.
Sources involved with the discussions say that the Wizards are talking to the Los Angeles Lakers about a sign-and-trade deal in which forward Kwame Brown, the top pick in the 2001 NBA draft, would go to the Lakers in exchange for swingman Caron Butler.
The Wizards have other options on the table that could bring them a much-needed big man in return for Brown, but Butler would make a lot of sense.
Butler has been available during most of his yearlong stay in Los Angeles. If the Lakers move him and, as expected, release forward Brian Grant in order to save money under the luxury tax, they would have precious little to show for their blockbuster trade of Shaquille O'Neal to Miami.
Kwame Brown has been a bust for all intents and purposes so far. Butler has been coming into his own particularly towards the end of last year. I really don't see what advantages, pros, etc there are to this trade. Can somebody explain to me the goods of this transaction??
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Lakers Draft and Odds and Ends
Andrew Bynum, Ronny Turiaf, and Von Wafer. Two out of three ain't bad. Although I am a little suspect about the Bynum kid but I guess he's more for the long term plans than for next season. Ronny Turiaf is probably my favorite pick out of the lot. I could see him being the Luke Walton of the 2005-06 Lakers, pace changer, playmaker (not necessarily big play maker but effective). Can you guess who my least favorite pick is.....Von 'who the hell is this' Wafer. It was a bit disturbing when the choice was made and the commentators chided in with 'He probably won't even make the team'. There's a blow to the ol' confidence level....
Speaking of Luke Walton, in this article, Luke is discussing his restricted free agent status. I like Luke. Who doesn't like Luke? I'm not sure if I like his consideration of talking to other teams to force a bid war for his services tactic. I understand it's best for him and I would no doubt do the same thing. But Luke's stock in my book began to fall this past season when in New York I think it was Kobe passed him the ball after collapsing the defense with less than 5 seconds in the game and down by 1 or 2. Instead of making (or even attempting) a lay-up, Luke passes the ball back to Kobe whose momentum has taken him to the corner....don't even get a shot off. At that point, I think I stopped letting my genuine 'like' for the guy excuse his play.
Speaking of Luke Walton, in this article, Luke is discussing his restricted free agent status. I like Luke. Who doesn't like Luke? I'm not sure if I like his consideration of talking to other teams to force a bid war for his services tactic. I understand it's best for him and I would no doubt do the same thing. But Luke's stock in my book began to fall this past season when in New York I think it was Kobe passed him the ball after collapsing the defense with less than 5 seconds in the game and down by 1 or 2. Instead of making (or even attempting) a lay-up, Luke passes the ball back to Kobe whose momentum has taken him to the corner....don't even get a shot off. At that point, I think I stopped letting my genuine 'like' for the guy excuse his play.
