Another year, another thread dedicated to the best franchise in sports for fans and haters alike to discuss. :)
Lakers Roster
2009-10 Roster
NUM PLAYER POS HT WT DOB FROM YRS
37 Ron Artest F 6-7 260 11/13/1979 St. John's 10
12 Shannon Brown G 6-4 210 11/29/1985 Michigan State 3
24 Kobe Bryant G 6-6 205 08/23/1978 Lower Merion HS (PA) 13
17 Andrew Bynum C 7-0 285 10/27/1987 St. Joseph HS (NJ) 4
1 Jordan Farmar G 6-2 180 11/30/1986 UCLA 3
2 Derek Fisher G 6-1 210 08/09/1974 Arkansas-Little Rock 13
23 Tony Gaffney F 6-8 205 11/14/1984 Massachusetts R
16 Pau Gasol F-C 7-0 250 07/06/1980 Barcelona, Spain 8
28 Didier Ilunga-Mbenga C 7-0 255 12/30/1980 Kinshasa, DRC 5
6 Adam Morrison F 6-8 205 07/19/1984 Gonzaga 2
7 Lamar Odom F 6-10 230 11/06/1979 Rhode Island 10
21 Josh Powell F 6-9 240 01/25/1983 North Carolina State 4
18 Sasha Vujacic G 6-7 205 03/08/1984 Maribor, Slovenia 5
4 Luke Walton F 6-8 235 03/28/1980 Arizona 6
HEAD COACH
Phil Jackson (College - North Dakota)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Frank Hamblen (College - Syracuse)
Brian Shaw (College - UC-Santa Barbara)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (College - UCLA)
Craig Hodges (College - Long Beach State)
Jim Cleamons (College - Ohio State)
ATHLETIC TRAINER
Gary Vitti (College - Southern Connecticut State, Utah)
I went to one of the pre-season games as I had tickets up in a suite last weekend at Staples center and saw Artest foul out in 20 minutes. I'm still not sure how well he'll fit in over Ariza, but I have high hopes. Bynum has looked pretty strong again in the games i've seen, so hopefully he can avoid injury this time and remain strong through the whole season instead of looking lost like he did in the playoffs last year. But really, outside of any injuries this should be a 65 win team and only the Spurs have a shot in the West.
Angels season will probably end tonight or tomorrow but at least they lasted long enough to take me right into the NBA season! GO LAKERS!!!!! :D
fumanstan
10-27-09, 01:34 PM
Opening night :banana:
Taking a half day to drive up to LA from Orange County. Should be a busy night in the area with the premier of the Michael Jackson movie across the street at LA Live.
cardsfan111
10-27-09, 01:37 PM
Based on that ritual video above, I'm going to suggest the Lakers need some time to develop some rhythm. A few of those guys look a little lost in their roles. :lol:
devilshalo
10-27-09, 02:37 PM
I don't think Gasol is starting tonight, he's a GTD, so this will be the test to see if Bynum can stay out of foul trouble and remain productive on the floor.
Watching the pre-season games, it's radiculously stupid how solid a line up the Lakers have. Fouls during the pre-season are questionable since the regular season refs also start tonight after their lockout.
nickdawgy
10-27-09, 11:05 PM
They look sloppy so far. Bynum still can't hold on to passes :lol:
The Cow
10-28-09, 01:09 AM
They look sloppy so far. Bynum still can't hold on to passes :lol:
:lol: game 1 q1 and you already bring the negative... welcome back.
MovieMaster11
10-28-09, 01:28 AM
Tony Gaffney was waived like a week ago.
fumanstan
10-28-09, 02:56 AM
The ring ceremony and seeing the new championship banner was great :up:
Kobe was Kobe, and Bynum looked fantastic. Hopefully Artest settles in soon as he still looked a bit lost out there. Oh, and free tacos :up:
Aphex Twin
10-28-09, 01:14 PM
The Lakers bench sucks. Hopefully Lamar will help stabilize it, but they need a good wingman off the bench.
Would have been better if it was Sasha instead of Lamar. :lol:
nickdawgy
10-31-09, 12:09 AM
We should start an "official nickdawgy bitch and moan Laker thread"
Only if you and Cow go and keep me company.
Who's bitching? I made a comment about Bynum's hands. He looks good offensively. He can't catch a pass. He has Kwame hands.
Oh and I'm not even going to say anything about the first half of the Mavs-Lakers game. It's only the second game of the season. I usually try and save my "bitching and moaning" until the games really matter.
It's funny how you all gang up on me, but if two or three more people starting criticizing the team, it'd be okay.
The Lakers are an excellent team. Their starting lineup is the best in the league. Their bench is flawless. Their coach superb. The pizza vendor in section 204 is the best in the NBA. If they lose a game by 25 points, it's okay, because we're all human.
I'm gonna post from now on when they do something good. Then maybe you guys will put a sock in it.
MovieMaster11
10-31-09, 12:28 AM
Dang I really thought they had a chance of beating the Bulls record ;)
JumpCutz
10-31-09, 12:30 AM
Lakers getting raped at Staples. :lol:
damn_skippy
10-31-09, 12:32 AM
Im only ganging up on you because you have faggity avator under your name.
nickdawgy
10-31-09, 12:32 AM
Yeah, :lol:
I don't think they can play much worse. Kobe 4-14, Mavs about to hit 80, and are up 20+
Mavs have nearly 30 free throws, too. Lakers have about 7.
The Bulls record talk was BS. I think they'll win less games than last year.
nickdawgy
10-31-09, 12:34 AM
Im only ganging up on you because you have faggity avator under your name.
Wow, that was an intelligent post.
I was going to put a WS trophy there, but since you're a Dodgers fan, it might make you agitated and you might go slit your wrists or something.
Sonny Corinthos
10-31-09, 12:59 AM
Celebrating 30 years as a Laker fan. :up:
Quake1028
10-31-09, 01:09 AM
Reggie Miller said the other day he would be shocked, SHOCKED I tell you if the Lakers weren't 20-1 after 21 games.
damn_skippy
10-31-09, 01:10 AM
Wow, that was an intelligent post.
I was going to put a WS trophy there, but since you're a Dodgers fan, it might make you agitated and you might go slit your wrists or something.
Why would i get mad? The dodgers have a lot more of em then the angels do.
damn_skippy
10-31-09, 01:12 AM
Reggie Miller said the other day he would be shocked, SHOCKED I tell you if the Lakers weren't 20-1 after 21 games.
I heard that also. I guess this is there one loss. The refs seemed a little out of control during this game.
fumanstan
10-31-09, 01:43 PM
I was taking a flight up to Sacramento and didn't get to watch the game. Looks like it was ugly :sad:
But really, no Gasol and adjusting to Artest still. No big deal.
nickdawgy
10-31-09, 02:43 PM
Why would i get mad? The dodgers have a lot more of em then the angels do.
Well, it might make you homesick since it'll be awhile before you get there again.
nickdawgy
11-02-09, 12:01 AM
Lakers beat the Hawks by 8 after being up by as many as 24. A great third quarter, and then the bench gives most of it back in the 4th, forcing the starters to come back in.
110 points to the Hawks is pretty bad, but a win is a win, ugly or not.
fumanstan
11-02-09, 12:28 AM
The Hawks are probably the 4th best team out East. Granted a step down from the Magic, Celtics, and Cavs, but it isn't like they're a shitty team. With still no Gasol, I don't think that's bad at all.
BigDaddy
11-02-09, 09:57 PM
2 down 18 to go. ;)
devilshalo
11-03-09, 08:13 PM
Watching the opening... geezus Sasha has got such a man-crush on Kobe. :lol:
thenetstud
11-03-09, 10:24 PM
The Lakers do not look good tonight.
First time seeing a game in OKC, the arena is LOUD.
nickdawgy
11-03-09, 10:43 PM
The Lakers are doing everything they can to hand this game to the Thunder. There were some bad calls against them, though. But still, ridiculous turnovers in OT won't get it done.
What is up with Kobe's shooting? He's getting his points but man his shots are way off. Bynum looks great offensively but still can't grab a board :lol:
Odom airballs a free throw :lol:
BigDaddy
11-03-09, 10:49 PM
Hey a win is a win.
nickdawgy
11-04-09, 10:41 AM
True. It'd be nice if the second unit was useful.
Kobe was battling the flu, so maybe that was why his shot was off. I'm not worried about Boston being 5-0 and destroying teams. Weren't they like 20-2 or something and on a huge streak when they hit the Lakers on Christmas and flat lined last year?
fumanstan
11-04-09, 01:37 PM
I hated how the Lakers seemed to go into Kobe Isolation mode at the end of the 4th. Doing it in 2005 is one thing, but not with Odom, Artest, and Bynum all there.
nickdawgy
11-04-09, 08:53 PM
Wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Lakers blown out tonight in Houston. No Yao, No T-Mac, and Ariza looking to go off.
nickdawgy
11-04-09, 09:31 PM
Lakers are so bad at rebounding. Just awful.
BigDaddy
11-04-09, 11:29 PM
Another win.
nickdawgy
11-04-09, 11:30 PM
Lakers just don't make it easy :lol:
Team cardiac.
BigDaddy
11-04-09, 11:40 PM
I feel bad for Ariza with the game ending like that. Oh well I will take it.
devilshalo
11-05-09, 12:54 PM
Seems like they're playing with a sense of entitlement again. It's like a champion boxer landing some good blows, but has no punching power to knock out his opponent allowing the guy to recover only to win by split decision.
They need to start stepping on some throats again and put teams away.
BigDaddy
11-05-09, 09:49 PM
I don't think this would ever happen.
http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_091102.html
Osiris3657
11-05-09, 11:07 PM
God my Rockets nearly pulled it off...steamed about that call on Aaron Brooks getting fouled by Odom. He was clearly in the act of shooting the ball and should have gotten free throws.
Admit it Lakers fans, the Rockets are an underrated team!
Aphex Twin
11-06-09, 01:20 AM
I don't think this would ever happen.
http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_091102.html
Fisher/Shannon Brown
Kobe
Artest
Lebron
Gasol
Sounds good
nickdawgy
11-06-09, 01:23 AM
God my Rockets nearly pulled it off...steamed about that call on Aaron Brooks getting fouled by Odom. He was clearly in the act of shooting the ball and should have gotten free throws.
Admit it Lakers fans, the Rockets are an underrated team!
The Rockets are an excellent team. They have repeatedly overcome the loss of Yao and T-Mac and keep playing at a high level. If Yao is healthy all year, along with T-Mac, and Ariza/Brooks playing at a high level...
I think they could be the WC Champs.
nickdawgy
11-06-09, 01:25 AM
I don't think this would ever happen.
http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_091102.html
It won't. It'd be funny if it happened, because it'd be like Kobe was Shaq, and LeBronze was Kobe.
MovieMaster11
11-08-09, 03:59 AM
Some idiot on ebay who supposedly is a LAkers fan is selling his fan loyalty to the highest bidder. He will cheer for your team. Not sure if im allowed to post a link. It's Item number:280417208489
fumanstan
11-09-09, 03:13 AM
Surprisingly easy win tonight. Kobe from that post position has been dominating so far this year.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer has a rare form of the disease, but he says it is manageable with medication and that his long-term outlook is good.
By Broderick Turner
November 10, 2009
NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a rare form of leukemia, but the Lakers legend says his long-term prognosis is very good.
Abdul-Jabbar, 62, revealed during an interview Monday that he has Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that produces cancerous blood cells.
The disease was diagnosed in December. But Abdul-Jabbar said his condition can be managed by taking oral medication daily, seeing his specialist every other month and getting his blood analyzed regularly. He said he expects to lead a healthy life.
Abdul-Jabbar acknowledged he was scared after visiting his doctor and learning of the diagnosis.
"The word 'leukemia' is a very frightening word," he said in a phone interview from New York. "In many instances, it's a killer and it's something that you have to deal with in a very serious and determined way if you're going to beat it."
Medical studies have shown that many patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who are treated can control the disease without its progressing to a move advanced stage.
Dr. Gary Schiller, with the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, said treatment for this type of leukemia has "dramatically improved" in the last decade thanks to new drugs that produce "remission of really high quality in 85% of patients . . . [who] function normally with very, very few side effects."
Schiller said that while the drugs do not cure the disease, they do control it, in much the same way high blood pressure is managed by medication.
Abdul-Jabbar said he is being treated with a medicine that specifically targets the abnormal protein that causes leukemia. "I responded well to the treatment," he said. "I just want that to continue to keep happening."
Abdul-Jabbar said he wasn't feeling particularly ill last year, but was having frequent hot flashes and was sweating constantly. He said his doctor told him to get some blood tests.
"By having the hot flashes, I knew something was up. But I didn't think that it was going to be something as serious as leukemia," Abdul-Jabbar said.
Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, played 20 pro seasons, 14 with the Lakers, and retired after the 1988-89 season.
He was known throughout his career as a player who took his health seriously; he was one of the first pro athletes to take up yoga.
"If it wasn't for my health-consciousness, I would have just passed on the effects [of the leukemia symptoms] as something I could ignore," Abdul-Jabbar said. "But I felt it didn't make sense to ignore it."
His family has a history of cancer, Abdul-Jabbar said. A grandfather and an uncle died of colon cancer. "So I have the gene for that," he said. "Cancer is a scary thing and you have to deal with it seriously."
Abdul-Jabbar, a special assistant coach with the Lakers, said his condition won't affect his work with the team; he said he plans to fly back to Los Angeles on Friday. There have been reports that he could be offered a consulting job with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Abdul-Jabbar said he spoke out about his disease because he wants to shed light on leukemia. More information about the condition is available on his Facebook page, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Patient Advocate, including links to websites providing details about the condition.
"The fact that you can manage the disease means that you can live your life," Abdul-Jabbar said. "The fact that you have to go and get your blood analyzed and consult with your doctor might be a minor inconvenience, or you have to take your medication every day. But if you do these things, you can lead a normal live."
broderick.turner@latimes.com
twitter.com/BA_Turner
Staff writer Barry Stavro contributed to this report.
Ugh. I guess that means Kobe will continue to score a lot. Good for my Fantasy team I suppose :(
EDIT: Whew, maybe not.
mrpayroll
11-12-09, 12:54 PM
I read the LA Times story this morning and I agree with Gasol. He should take his time coming back, make sure the injury is fully healed, because if he comes back too soon and injures it more seriously, he could be out for a very long time.
This will give the reserves more time on the floor (they need to step up their game) which will make them more valuable later in the season and during the playoffs.
Chris
fumanstan
11-12-09, 01:03 PM
Yeah, no real rush this early in the season. And at 6-1 they seem to be holding down the fort fairly well.
mrpayroll
11-12-09, 01:05 PM
Though by Sunday evening we could be singing a different tune! ;)
But these next 2 games will be a good test as to where the Lakers are at.
Chris
fumanstan
11-12-09, 11:53 PM
I love Kobe's work in the post, but even I would admit that he's getting away with a lot down there. He's gotten a few offensive fouls called on him for it, but I can see why Richardson is upset with the way Kobe does a little up and under with his arm to gain position and seal the defender.
The Cow
11-13-09, 10:22 AM
Good win last night.
fumanstan
11-14-09, 12:33 AM
One ugly 3rd quarter. Great Denver defense combined with just really bad Laker turnovers and what looks like very little energy. Curses.
BigDaddy
11-14-09, 01:02 AM
Ugly half. I had to turn it off.
nickdawgy
11-14-09, 01:15 AM
The Lakers were pathetic tonight. I believe the 23 points the team scored in the second half was a franchise low.
They were due for a really bad game, and it was a back to back in the thin air vs a good Thuggets team, but damn they didn't even score 80 :lol:
8 points in the 3rd quarter, I have never seen that before. The Thuggets outscored their 2nd half output in the 3rd quarter alone.
nickdawgy
11-15-09, 11:30 PM
Just when you thought the Lakers got the loss out of their system. Another stinker, this time at Staples. No back to back to blame, no thin Denver air.
Oh no Gasol, right? I guess it's expected.
BigDaddy
11-15-09, 11:32 PM
Pretty ugly. I wanted to watch the game but apparently since it is on league pass my FOX Sport West does not show the game in Texas. Oh well does not look like I missed much.
nickdawgy
11-15-09, 11:53 PM
The Sunday white uniform winning streak is no more. It was pretty long, IIRC.
Over the last two games, the Lakers have managed 55 points in the second half of play.
Kobe with another airball, is he hurt or just exhausted? Gasol needs to come back ASAP.
EDIT: Kobe is hurt, he went to the locker room.
Outrebounded 60-38 :lol:
fumanstan
11-15-09, 11:59 PM
Looked like another game without much energy in the 2nd half :(
nickdawgy
11-16-09, 01:28 AM
Yeah they need to really step it up. I hope Kobe is okay.
Kobe's injury isn't surprising, you can kind of tell the last two games that he hasn't been moving as well. The position he was getting in the post and the fighting that he was doing previously didn't seem to be there. I chalked it up to great defense (which it partly was), but having an injured groin probably contributed as well.
nickdawgy
11-17-09, 01:18 PM
Luke was actually playing well for a change. That's too bad.
nickdawgy
11-18-09, 01:02 AM
Ugly finish but the Lakers get the win, and the fans get tacos.
Osiris3657
11-18-09, 01:17 AM
Don't use Gasol's injury as an excuse, the Rockets are playing without their two best players, have no stars, and still spanked LA! wooo!!
The Cow
11-18-09, 01:14 PM
Don't use Gasol's injury as an excuse, the Rockets are playing without their two best players, have no stars, and still spanked LA! wooo!!
Houston has a decent team, and they have split the 2 games they have played :shrug:
Updated: November 18, 2009, 11:29 PM ET
Gasol ready to return vs. Bulls
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol is set to make his long-awaited return to the court on Thursday when the defending NBA champions host the Chicago Bulls.
Having missed the team's first 11 games because of a hamstring ailment, the Spaniard trained on Wednesday and declared himself fit for his first regular-season game, the Lakers team website said.
"I felt great today and don't see any reason I shouldn't be able to play [Thursday]," Gasol said. "I think the muscle is healed."
After making it through a week of workouts without pain, Gasol is likely to be slotted straight into the Los Angeles starting lineup.
"We want to go to that, the sooner we get to it the better," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "His conditioning will dictate [his playing time]."
Gasol has been a key cog in the Lakers attack, partnering with Kobe Bryant to form a dynamic scoring duo. Gasol averaged 18.9 points per game and 9.6 rebounds while only missing one game during the 2008-2009 season.
Decker
11-19-09, 01:07 PM
Pau back tomorrow!
:dance: :banana: :dance:
About bloody time!
nickdawgy
11-19-09, 06:56 PM
I'm glad Pau is returning. I was cracking up at his appearance on CSI: Miami. My wife was like "what is so funny?"
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