The fallout of the KG trade is already starting to bite Minnesota. Juwan Howard, who hasn’t even played a game yet for the Wolves, is reportedly asking to be traded already. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, when Howard came to the team in the trade for Mike James, he was excited to play with Garnett, but now that he’s gonna be playing with (and behind) Al Jefferson instead, he’s not too pumped about being there. Now Juwan doesn’t exactly fit into the whole rebuilding phase anyway, but he’s still somewhat productive (9.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg last year) and could be a veteran leader in the locker room. But if he’s already sulking about being on the Wolves, you might wanna let him go now so he doesn’t poison Jefferson and the rest of the youngsters. It’s just gonna be too bad that Minnesota could realistically give away James and Howard and all they get back is a couple second-round draft picks … Juwan’s request comes on the heels of Marko Jaric saying last week he wanted to be traded to a contender. Does either move hurt the team too much? Not really, but a few role players wanting out is only the beginning of what could be a miserable season in Minnesota. We’ll see what happens as far as ticket sales, fan interest, merchandise sales and the likelihood that they’ll lose a ton of games. On the bright side, though, if you like watching Ricky Davis shoot the ball, you’ll see him do a lot of it this season … In L.A. they’re only worried about one guy being disgruntled: Kobe. Even though every major free agent slipped past L.A. and no big trades were made, GM Mitch Kupchak told the L.A. Daily News he likes the Lakers’ roster: “If this was the team that we started the season off with, I would be fine with it,” Kupchak said. “I feel that we’re an improved team over last year.” Kupchak was reffering to re-signing Luke Walton and Chris Mihm, picking up Derek Fisher in free agency, drafting Javaris Crittenton and the assumption that Jordan Farmar, Andrew Bynum and Ronny Turiaf will keep getting better. With Kobe and Lamar Odom doing their usual thing, could the Lakers win more games this year than last year? Possibly. Are they any closer to winning a championship? Not at all. Look at their division: the Suns are still gonna be title contenders; Golden State could ride the momentum of last year to a much better record, they added a Lottery pick in Brandan Wright, and a healthy Baron Davis and more-experienced Monta Ellis are super-dangerous; then the Kings upgraded their frontcourt (Hawes, Moore) and their coach (Theus). The Clippers are gonna be awful until Elton Brand comes back, so while they’ll probably finish in last-place, you could conceivably see the Lakers finishing fourth. And how is Kobe gonna react when he sees that happening, especially if no major trade-deadline move is made? … The other day we talked about what kind of mental adjustments guys like Allan Houston, Reggie Miller and Penny Hardaway would have to make if they wanna play in the League now, going from being The Man to Just Some Guy on the floor. Here’s Houston on how he sees himself: ”I’m looking to play a supporting role to some of these great young stars. More of a leadership role, someone who can add experience and stability late in games. I don’t expect my scoring and my minutes to be what they used to, but at the same time, I’m not looking to just be a decoy out there. I’d like to have some kind of role.” With that “late in games” comment, it sounds like H20 plans to be out there in crunch-time — more of a Michael Finley/Robert Horry than a David Wesley … Clyde Drexler to the Calgary Sun: “The [new-school NBA] players are young. Young players are influenced by current trends and hopefully they’ll grow out of it. When we were young, we did stupid things, too. I don’t think that will change. But at the end of the day you have to represent the sport a little bit better.” Then in the same article, Clyde threw every other major sport under the bus: “You look at football, they have a PR disaster — every time you look up one of those guys is getting thrown in jail. Hockey, the same thing — a lot of guys getting into bar fights. Baseball with the steroids and the loss of integrity there. But basketball traditionally has not had a lot of problems. Our game is pretty clean, pretty pure. The only problem we have is probably too many players with tattoos and too many young players entering the game too quickly. Now that problem has been corrected. I love the way the game is played and presented. Obviously not all players will be model citizens. But 90 to 95 percent of our players are.” We just wanna know exactly what the tattoo “problem” is? … We’re out like Juwan …
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MITCHELL & NESS PROMO
August 13th, 2007 at 5:09 am
jake says:
I THINK KOBE NEEDS 2 STEP UP THIS SEASON, SHOW HES WON OF THE SPORTS GREATEST,AND MAKE HIS TEAM A CONTENDER.
August 13th, 2007 at 7:55 am
SL says:
Dime,
I respect that you have to push your ’smack’. But Spencer Hawes and Mikki Moore (?!?) are going to represent a 10 game swing against the Lakers? You do realize that your proposed improved Suns team and GS team will get their extra wins from somewhere. And likely being the Kings and Clippers. NOTHING has changed on the Lakers squad except Smush for Dfish. You can’t say that’s ANYTHING close to a multiple game drop do you?!
And all of this equals a fourth place finish?
Oh, and what about mention of losing the passion of JRICH in the bay? Is it possible that the loss of JRICH is not as severe as losing SMUSH PARKER?! GS on the way up and LA on the way down?!
Nonsensical.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:55 am
kudabeen says:
I agree to a degree wih SL. Lakers don’t have a bad team. They just don’t have a championship team. Much of this falls on Kobe of course, what he showed me this off season is that he really doesn’t want to be the Man, because he’s not ready to instill confidence in his guys. He is telling the team they aren’t good enough. I look at the playoff wins. When Kobe was confident and encouraging they get Ws and contend. When Kobe starts sulking and demanding guys be all-stars, then the team falls a part. So like jake said, Kobe needs to make it happen, if it’s going to happen.
Sac i not better than the Lakers and I think they will be about even with GS most of the year, with the team with the least amount of injuries taking second to the Suns.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:58 am
foolio_iglesias says:
Yeah Kobe,you need to step up.What,with all the 40 point games and the 50 point games and the routinely broken league records.You need to pass more,since you’re the point guard for that team.Passing will make everyone better.Even though you’re the undisputed best offensive player in the league,just pass that salad.That way the Lakeshow will go from middling Western conference team to unselfish,middling Western conference team.
24=Jack Bauer=Kobe.Wholly capable,always second-guessed,indefatigable!
August 13th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Bust Jlaze says:
As the resident Kobe Defender, I gotta say…how the heck could Kobe POSSIBLY “step his game up” this year? Step his GAME UP?!
August 13th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Bust Jlaze says:
Did any of y’all watch any Lakers games last year? COUNTLESS times, Kobe passed off to open teammates, only to watch them bobble the ball or do something mad stupid…then, and only then, did he respond in frustration by dropping 40, 50, 60 points. It’s the only way they won as many games as they did.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Rob says:
Sac better than the lakers this year…thats a tough pill to swallow.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Celts Fan says:
Sac. will not be better than LA. Artest and Bibby are (I’d assume) still on the block, but the Maloofs didn’t make all that $$$ by selling low. They’ll wait it out for the deadline (or a fair offer) and make the move then. Sacto is on the verge of blowing it up and starting all over.
I still like GS better than the LakeShow though. Ya, trading JRich was probably not the best move for right away, but Bellinelli looks legit and they got a perfect big for that system in Wright, and it’s not like Baron is the model of perfect health. Trading a somewhat injury-prone guy like JRich, just opens up minutes for Bellinelli (who can play the 1 and 2) and means they’re only counting on one consistant injury risk. I like adding Crittendon to LA, but they still need more, and trading both Odom and Bynum for just one star doesn’t fix anything, it just makes the top half a bit better and the bench a bit worse. Should be an interesting show in LA this year. This team is just like the Celtics last year, they have a ton of young talent surrounding their in-their-prime superstar (only is this case, the C’s bench and young talent was much better, but Kobe is head and shoulders better than Pierce, and everyone else not named Tim.) The smart move might be to package Bynum and Kwame (as the centerpieces, I haven’t done the math to figure out #s, but build it around those 2) for a Pau Gasol type play (or JO, but I think he’d take both if the Pacers actually hold to what they said last month) to improve your immediate team without giving away too much. A starting 5 of Farmar/Crittendon, Kobe, Walton, Lamar, and Gasol would be pretty formidable. I like Bynum, but I’m not sold on him being a future all star fixture like the Lakers seem to be…
August 13th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Anjroo says:
Lakers should finish 2nd in the Pacific. G.S. w/o J-Rich and possibly Pietrus will take a step back. Mikki Moore w/o Jason Kidd = Mikki Moore circa ‘05, Spencer Hawes is a rookie who’ll get 10-15 mins a game, Kings might win a couple more games next year and thats it. Lakers get back a healthy Chris Mihm and D-Fish. I have a feeling Bynum is gonna breakout this year(15pts/8rebs) and all they lose is Smush. and maybe they can swing a Kwame for Juwan/Jaric trade. Portland? next year. Seattle? 2-3 years away from contending.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Celts Fan says:
Wow, a healthy Chris Mihm? I don’t know if that’s a plus or minus…
August 13th, 2007 at 11:55 am
João says:
If the Lakers dont do something, they will make the playoffs and lose in the first round … I’m a Heat fan, but I always say that Kobe is the best player in the world, period. Its a terrible to see him alone with that team …
August 13th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Celts Fan says:
I’d take TD of Kobe (both all NBA defense and offense all but 1 year) but I think Kobe’s the clearcut #2 (at worst) and is the only other guy I’ll accept in an argument about best in the NBA. The problem is, there’s not a lot LA can do. They have some young talent, but nothing that can be the main fixture in a superstar trade (see Ind. demanding both Bynum and Lamar) and not enough to really jump up w/ Kobe on the team. I’d love to be proven wrong, as all of us should, since our beloved NBA is getting closer to the NHL than it is to the NFL (meaning moving down in “casual following,” and needs the “hotbed teams” (read Philly, NY, Boston, and LAL at the very least) to be contenders. That and for interesting contending teams (this means you Phoenix!) to not sell off draft picks in an effort to save money…
August 13th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
kudabeen says:
Step up meaning…LEADERSHIP. You can score all the points in the game and still lose. How can you be doing the team any good by constantly reminding the young guys on the team that they aren’t good enough. I would think a real leader would get after the young guys to get better and handle roster issues with MGT behind the scene. Not make a public scene where people are coming at Andrew Bynum for not being more than he is.
What are you defending? Kobe is the best player in the league, but that doesn’t mean his game is tight as a leader. Ever heard of room for improvement? Kobe doesn’t equal perfect people…That’s what I meant by step his game up. Challenge his teammates and encourage them to take chances and not defer.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
kudabeen says:
Also I think people get to wrapped up in this “go get a superstar” mentality to help win. You need guys that know what to do on the floor. Guys that know what they are capable of and know how to contribute. How many superstar free agents did San Antonio or Dallas sign? You get the Grant Hills, Eddie Jones, Jerry Stackhouse, Derek Fishers, and other savvy ball players that know what to do out there. The celtic happen to get the best of both worlds. They get stars with substance thatare still playing at an all-star level, but that is rarely ever available. I feel Kobe’s frustration, but I can’t say that he really sitting back like “get me some more stars!” I think he want guys that know how to play the game.
Kidd and JO is the best of both worlds, but someone mentioned trading Kwame for Juwan Howard and a guard (Marko or McCants). That sounds good to me. Kwame is the Lakers best post defender, but he hurts the team more than he helps too often. Why isn’t he working with Kareem all this time? He has the tools, but not the tutoring. With their current team barring injury I think the lakers will win 48+ games easy, but the playoffs is were the veteran leadership helps. I think Juwan would help. Hell making a move for Kurt Thomas from seattle or Shareef from Sac or any servicable 4/5 or Small forward to help.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Celts Fan says:
I think 48+ wins is off. The West is passing them by as bad teams keep getting better and the good teams aren’t getting any worse. Barring Crittenton having a monster year (which is possible) I don’t see them doing any better than an 8 seed and a quick exit from the playoffs this year and really starting a downward spiral that ends with Kobe suiting up for a new squad next year. The Lakers really seem to be in no man’s land. Not good enough to contend, good enough that they should be right around the 8/9 spot in the West as either a sacrificial lamb in the playoffs or an extreme longshot in the lottery. With Kupchek in charge, you can’t even rely on solid drafting and personnel moves…
August 13th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
jay says:
if they can get JO for either bynum or odom and throw-ins i am coolio with that..did the lakers get better ..no..did they add a bench…well critt will be good but inconsistant..good athlete…i think kobe needs at least JO and they should be fine. portland is not going to be a playoff team but they will be better. everyone in the playoffs from last year got better so it really does not matter how much better kobe plays!
August 13th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Celts Fan says:
Portland probably won’t be a playoff team, but it wouldn’t shock me if they were.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
williehobbes says:
the lakers were ballin’ last year until luke got hurt. when he went down their momentum went too. then he came back and l.o. subsequently got hurt. if he and l.o. can stay healthy the lakers could conceivably go on another run ‘cuz they are both perfect fits for the triangle. u add in an in-system upgrade of d. fish for smush and there’s more improvement right there. indivudually mihm, bynum, and kwame wont scare anyone; but collectively its not unfathomable that the three of them combined could be good for 20 and 10 every night; those are yao numbers (not a dominanat 20 and 10 like yao but its still 20 and 10) plus 12 more fouls. the return of fish will be especially good farmar cuz who could help him better with the o’ than fish. evans, radmanovich, cook, and turiaf are all solid players and contributed alot last year. i’m not sayin that the lakers will win the title but if everything falls into place the lakers could alot better than people (kobe?) gives them credit for
August 14th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Ian says:
if u r counting on luke walton then u know the team sucks
im with celts about kobe being the second best player in the league
td
kobe
wade
nash
bron
thats my top 5 u can switch garnett for bron they r kinda tied
that fifth spot was dirks until the golden state series
August 14th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Ian says:
willie
what i meant to say was that if your team is doing ok and by just taking out luke walton u lose all those games
thats a fragile and bad team
August 14th, 2007 at 2:02 am
kowtz says:
Give me a break… Kobe step up? NOW by playing the leadership role? The guy is the heart and soul of the lakers team… The only player last year that can match up to him in terms of heart is ronny turiaf… Now that fish is back, maybe the team can get additional heart…
And what’s this BS that Kobe doesn’t want to be a man? Because he’s not ready to instill confidence in his guys? BULL! he gave everyone in that roster last year confidence, everyone got a chance, everyone was not crucified when they made a mistake… BUT FOR THOSE WHO SUCK, YET DON’T DO ANYTHING TO IMPROVE? Kobe is going to beat your a** down…
Kwame was not dissed eventhough he had butter fingers, because he worked hard… he improved even if not significantly, but he still tried…
Lamar was dissed not because the lack of ability, but because he partied too much…
Don’t get me started on Vlad being called Slalom…
Cook? Improved the previous year, got overconfident, and did not do sh*t… now lost his spot to turriaf because the guy is a hard nosed player…
Smush, showed some eratic signs on 1st year, did nothing to improve on the 2nd year… shooting? ball handling? DEFENSE?
And drew… DRAFT BUST, FIRE KUPCHACK… All Potential, no progress… Remember his rookie year, spins and dunks on Shaq, then gives Shaq the forearm? at that moment I thought I have seen the Lakers returning to the big dance again, but after a 15 10 peroformance, he just stopped progressing…
Here’s the thing… Kobe is the best player in the Lakers team… yet he works the hardest… what does that tell you? Shouldn’t it be that the worst player in the team should be working the hardest… think about it…
August 14th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Anjroo says:
Dudes need to quit hatin’ on Luke. he’s probably the best passing SF right now and he’s improved his 3ball since a couple years ago. His game is perfect for the triangle.
August 14th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Ian says:
nobodys is hating is just that if u r counting on him to be contenders then u have a problem
August 14th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
williehobbes says:
contrary to popular belief, no superstar has ever won all by himself…mj had pip, magic had kareem and worthy, larry had kevin mac and the chief, etc. and even with those sidekick superstars they needed capable middle tier players too ;horace grant, dennis johnson, byron scott, robert horry (rockets, lakers, and spurs), rick fox, derek fisher, mario elie (spurs and rockets), etc. all this to say that yeah luke may not (ever) be an all-star but his specific skill set is vital for THIS team and if can stay in the lineup then the lakers have the POTENTIAL to be one of the better teams in the league.