Live chat: Lakers

Sept. 11, 2007 4:22 PM PT

2007-09-11 13:09:37.0 Administrator2: Hi all, and welcome to the Lakers Chat!

2007-09-11 13:09:42.0 Administrator2: Welcome Andrew and Brian!

2007-09-11 13:10:06.0 Administrator2: Send your Lakers questions for the Kamenetzkys now!

2007-09-11 13:10:08.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Hey Lakers Bloggers!

2007-09-11 13:10:15.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Hey everyone. Thanks for dropping by

2007-09-11 13:10:21.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Welcome to our first LA Times live chat.

2007-09-11 13:10:28.0 Administrator2: Thanks for chatting with us guys!

2007-09-11 13:10:32.0 JJ: The central question for me is, does the complete lack of trade activity over the summer indicate a failure of negotiation, or a lack of recognition on the part of Laker management that major changes need to be made? I tend to believe, based on public comments, that their heart was never into pulling the trigger on a major deal.

2007-09-11 13:10:53.0 Brian Kamenetzky: JJ-

2007-09-11 13:10:55.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Hey. Good to see you.

2007-09-11 13:11:17.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: We’re still getting comfortable with the format, so if we’re a little slow, don’t scream at us. Or at least not any more than you normally scream at us. haha

2007-09-11 13:11:49.0 Brian Kamenetzky: I’d say that it’s a little from column A, a little from B. There’s no question that the Lakers tried to go after KG with whatever they could, but unfortunately, as we predicted, there was no realistic way for them to get him, b/c they lacked the pieces Minnesota wanted.

2007-09-11 13:12:03.0 Mike Teniente: I’m telling you PJ has got to go!

2007-09-11 13:12:17.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Beyond that, though, I do think the current front office is more risk averse than they were a few years ago.

2007-09-11 13:12:25.0 Brian Kamenetzky: But the biggest problem is lack of tradeable assets.

2007-09-11 13:12:28.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Mike T, that’s a very new opinion for you. I’m glad you finally let it out. haha

2007-09-11 13:12:36.0 eganders: Please tell me there are going to be some more moves before training camp?

2007-09-11 13:13:06.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Larry Turner wasn’t enough for you? tough crowd.

2007-09-11 13:13:29.0 purplemagic: with all the off season drama, do you guys think the team will have a good start?

2007-09-11 13:13:51.0 Brian Kamenetzky: hold off, we’re a couple q’s behind... thanks.

2007-09-11 13:13:56.0 Andrew Z: BK, in your opinion, why do you think the front office is more risk adverse than in years past? Mitch studied under Jerry West, and he seemed to be a bit of “gambler”, you’d think Mitch would not have a problem with making those types of moves.

2007-09-11 13:14:14.0 Administrator2: Hey folks-- sorry, I know there are a few questions waiting to go live-- we’ll get to you, I promise! : )

2007-09-11 13:14:28.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Eganders, I’d love to believe there will be some tweaking, but if I had to guess, I’d guess you’re looking at the roster that’s going to Hawaii. Other than JO (and they seem to be a stand-still on that one), there’s really nobody rumored to be on the market who’d make that big a difference

2007-09-11 13:15:31.0 Brian Kamenetzky: purple magic- They’ll need to. Momentum is a big deal for this group. But the sked is pretty brutal at the beginning.

2007-09-11 13:15:43.0 Brian Kamenetzky: If they can tread water for the first month, they’ll be in good shape.

2007-09-11 13:15:56.0 Brian Kamenetzky: But don’t expect them to come out of the gate playing .750 ball or anything like that.

2007-09-11 13:17:27.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Andrew Z- Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s not that they won’t make deals- Kwame for Caron was certainly risky on a lot of levels, they drafted Bynum, they signed Coby Karl (that’s a joke, by the way). So it’s not that they’re totally risk averse. But, maybe just because it’s a personality thing with Mitch, they just feel less bold than they were a few years back.

2007-09-11 13:17:48.0 kbate: i am initially wondering when it was that Jimmy Bus was playing a sucha significant role in personnel decisions?

2007-09-11 13:18:03.0 Brian Kamenetzky: On the other hand, it’s much more difficult to make the kind of huge moves the team made years back b/c of the modern rules of the game.

2007-09-11 13:18:34.0 Administrator2: Hi chatters-- if you’ve submitted a question but haven’t seen it yet, don’t worry! We’ll get to you! No need to resend.

2007-09-11 13:19:06.0 Brian Kamenetzky: AZ- I do feel, in the end, that Mitch is, at least relative to Jerry West, a little more conservative.

2007-09-11 13:19:27.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Kbate, I’ve always been under the impression that the first big move of the “Jin Buss” era (and there’s a phrase that brings one pause...haha) was drafting Bynum. Assuming I’m correct, then he’s really started putting his finger prints on things for the last couple years.

2007-09-11 13:19:46.0 jason: How do you guys feel about the nuggets getting another center. Where do you think they are going with that trade. More in the future? What about camby?

2007-09-11 13:19:57.0 Brian Kamenetzky: kbate- He’s been “groomed” though for a little while, for better or worse. I think worse.

2007-09-11 13:21:44.0 jason: a quick yes or no for both brian and andrew... do you think kobe shows up for camp

2007-09-11 13:22:11.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Jason, I don’t see the Nuggets picking up Steven Hunter as either a particularly big move. I think they mostly did it to move Reggie Evans (which creates more minutes for K-Mart, Nene and Najera) and gives Camby some rest. But as far as moving Camby, I don’t think it’s any sign of that coming. I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting Hunter

2007-09-11 13:22:18.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Yes, I think he will.

2007-09-11 13:22:41.0 Mike Teniente: KG called Kobe and Kobe told him that with his issues with the Lakers still up in the air it wouldn’t be a good idea to come to the Lakers. KG could have refused to go to the Celtics just by saying he wasn’t going to resign. By letting the Celtics know he was going to resign that basically let everyone know he didn’t want to come to the Lakers.

2007-09-11 13:23:07.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Yeah, I think Kobe will show up to camp, but I wouldn’t expect sunshine and birds to be following him around.

2007-09-11 13:23:12.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Mike-

2007-09-11 13:23:37.0 Ed: Mike T, you’re not asking questions! ....Or are you?

2007-09-11 13:25:01.0 Brian Kamenetzky: I didn’t know you were on the phone with them (just kidding). But it’s more than whether or not he would have come to L.A., it’s also whether or not Minnesota would have traded him here. There are two parts to it. If KG had pushed hard for L.A. (basically LA or bust) it might have been different, but there’s no question that all of this nonsense hurt a great deal. You’re right about that for sure.

2007-09-11 13:25:06.0 JJ: Are we too focused on superstars? If you go back to 2000 forward, we had great role players who were as responsible for Laker success as Shaq or Kobe.

2007-09-11 13:27:09.0 Ed: In response to JJ, I think the FO is more concerned with getting the superstars first, then putting role players around them. It’s generally easier to find a Derek Fisher type than a Shaquille O’Neal.

2007-09-11 13:27:43.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: JJ, to some degree, you may be right. The Fox’s, Horry’s, Fish’s, Shaw’s, etc. can’t be overlooked in the three-peat success. While I do think the Lakers legitmately need another A-level guy with Kobe and LO, I also think a strong argument can be made that the Lakers simply need better role players, period.

2007-09-11 13:27:53.0 dogcatcher: The bigger question for me is will we ever see another laker dynasty?

2007-09-11 13:28:49.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: ... (to JJ), if you look at Fish, Horry, Fox, Rice, Shaw, Harp, vs. Kwame, Bynum, Cook, Walton, Evans, etc., there’s no question that the first group was better

2007-09-11 13:28:51.0 Brian Kamenetzky: JJ- I do think the drive for superstars can blind a team to other opportunities available. It can be harder to hit a home run than a few doubles (to use some baseball terms) but both score runs. They need to get better, whether at the top of the roster or through the middle... or both.

2007-09-11 13:29:05.0 Administrator2: Hey chatters, if you’ve sent a question and haven’t seen it in the chat room yet, hang tight! You know your friends the Kamenetzkys are VERY popular!

2007-09-11 13:29:09.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Dogcatcher- Dynasty? Depends on how you define dynasty....

2007-09-11 13:29:16.0 Mike Teniente: Is this a question and answer type situation?

2007-09-11 13:29:19.0 Administrator2: yup!

2007-09-11 13:29:23.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...if you’re talking six titles in seven years? No...

2007-09-11 13:29:49.0 Brian Kamenetzky: That sort of thing just isn’t going to happen anymore in the NBA. But three titles in six years? Sure. Why not? How long do you plan on living (haha).

2007-09-11 13:29:58.0 kbate: Realistically, considering the thought of no further additions, where do the Lakers finish in the west?

2007-09-11 13:30:46.0 Mike Teniente: If it’s a question and answer type of thing...this isn’t my cup of tea. I’m more of a blog guy. Heck, I know more about basketball than the two of you. LOL!

2007-09-11 13:31:03.0 Administrator2: haha-- anyone got questions for Mike T?

2007-09-11 13:31:11.0 Brian Kamenetzky: kbate- no higher than sixth. More likely seven or eight, and if anything goes wrong, Summer of Kobe II could kick off relatively early.

2007-09-11 13:31:18.0 purplemagic: will Mhim’s return help or hurt Bynum’s progress? (lakerfaze/purplemagic)

2007-09-11 13:31:24.0 Mike Teniente: Not really because I’m about to log off and go get a hair cut

2007-09-11 13:31:35.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Good to know.

2007-09-11 13:31:59.0 Mike Teniente: Good luck in you new ventures.

2007-09-11 13:32:01.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Kbate, I’m guessing if they stay healthy, as is, I’m thinking about a 6 seed. And if they don’t stay healthy AND play at the top of their game, you’re looking at a 8 seed or below. The West is just too tough

2007-09-11 13:32:13.0 kbate: Hey Mike have them trim your attitude too.

2007-09-11 13:32:26.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Mike T. Next time send us your hair grooming schedule ahead of time and we’ll try to work around it.

2007-09-11 13:32:36.0 Mike Teniente: lol

2007-09-11 13:32:38.0 Brian Kamenetzky: purplemagic- I don’t think it will hurt. Obviously it could cut into his playing time, which could make a difference, but on the other hand, it could also push him to work harder to get on the floor...

2007-09-11 13:32:42.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: We’re sorry to have inconvenienced you.

2007-09-11 13:33:12.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...I think they’ll also try to figure out ways to get two of them (Kwame, Mihm, Bynum) all on the four at the same time.

2007-09-11 13:33:18.0 dogcatcher: Brian- Would it be correct to say a dynasty for the lakers might be three non consecutive titles in six years?

2007-09-11 13:33:20.0 Mike Teniente: have a good day!

2007-09-11 13:33:26.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: See ya

2007-09-11 13:33:37.0 Brian Kamenetzky: dogcatcher- In this NBA, absolutely.

2007-09-11 13:33:41.0 Fes: What’s up with Jermaine O’Neal??

2007-09-11 13:33:57.0 hal9000: 6th seed... thats not very optimitstic

2007-09-11 13:34:14.0 Brian Kamenetzky: hal- And I’m an optimistic person by nature (haha).

2007-09-11 13:34:26.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Hal9000 - I wasn’t asked to be optimistic. I was asked to be honest

2007-09-11 13:34:37.0 hal9000: lol

2007-09-11 13:34:55.0 hal9000: i guess youre not on the 55 win bandwagon

2007-09-11 13:35:05.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Nope.

2007-09-11 13:35:22.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Is there a 45 win bandwagon (haha).

2007-09-11 13:35:33.0 bigp: Whats the update on Javaris Crittenton, he looks like a Gilbert Arenas type. Does he have Arenas’ work ethic?

2007-09-11 13:35:40.0 hal9000: yeah... i think kobe and phil are on it

2007-09-11 13:35:44.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Fes - I think it’s pretty much a stand-off with the LA and Indy front offices. They feel (and I agree) that LO and Bynum for JO is too much and doesn’t make the team better to the point where it’s worth it. Bird wants both guys (and won’t sub in Kwame)

2007-09-11 13:36:04.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: ... Kwame for LO, I should say

2007-09-11 13:36:16.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Big P- I hear good things about his work ethic, but haven’t been around him personally yet. But he showed very encouraging signs in summer league...

2007-09-11 13:36:40.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: I would trade Bynum and Kwame for JO in a second. But that’s adding JO to Kobe and LO, which I think makes the Lakers significantly better.

2007-09-11 13:37:20.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Big P...Crittenden is very long, very athletic. He’s the type of player they need on the roster. Is he Gilbert Arenas good? It’s awfully early to tell, and Arenas is very good. But if he turns into a solid starter in the league, it’s a good pick, even if he doesn’t become a star.

2007-09-11 13:37:32.0 jason: Kobe’s 20lbs lighter, does he keep it off. It seemed to help him move defensely. What kind of year do you see turif having. I always felt like he could be a 30min guy going 10 and 10. However, i also though 2007 was going to be smush parkers yeah. ha, got that one wrong.

2007-09-11 13:38:12.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Jason- It was Smush’s year, just not in the way anyone wanted.

2007-09-11 13:38:23.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: jason - Does Kobe keep off the weight? I assume so. Aside from the fact that I think it’ll help, it seems pretty exptreme to lose 20 pounds just for a FIBA tourney of the Americas.

2007-09-11 13:38:32.0 JJ: It tore my guts out to see the hyped up Golden State fans in their playoff run. What happened to our great crowds? Is all that gone forever?

2007-09-11 13:39:26.0 Brian Kamenetzky: JJ- You have to give fans something to cheer about. In last year’s playoffs, I don’t think anyone really thought the Lakers had a chance to win the series, which puts a damper on a crowd...

2007-09-11 13:39:42.0 hal9000: what is there to cheer for?

2007-09-11 13:39:48.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...by the time GSW were playing at home, they had showed the world they could play with dallas, and everyone got hyped up.

2007-09-11 13:39:53.0 JJ: If Kwame doesn’t shine this year, will he be considered one of the biggest Laker busts of all time?

2007-09-11 13:39:55.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Jason, As far as Turiaf and his success go, I think the key for him is staying out of foul trouble. I considered him the most improved guy on the team last year and he became increasingly productive as the year went on. However, he’d have struggled to play 30 minutes last season witout fouling out.

2007-09-11 13:40:19.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: JJ, Why limit it to “Laker busts?” haha

2007-09-11 13:40:36.0 ctinsb: Doesn’t the return of most everyone make them a stronger team,.Especially with the triangle offense?

2007-09-11 13:40:57.0 JJ: haha, good comeback

2007-09-11 13:42:13.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ctinsb- Well, it could, but the Western Conference is stronger this year as well. And they have a lot of injury issues. L.O., Kwame, even Kobe all have injury histories. Things have to go very well for them to contend any higher than a six spot, in my opinion. they should be better, but how much better I’m not really sure...

2007-09-11 13:42:28.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...Certainly not top of the conference better.

2007-09-11 13:42:30.0 hal9000: i dont know if this has been asked... but are bynum and kwame in hiding? i havent heard of an interview with either of them all summer...

2007-09-11 13:42:42.0 Brian Kamenetzky: It also depends on where Vlad is going on his winter break.

2007-09-11 13:43:32.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Bynum spent a lot of time in the facility earlier in the summer. I believe he’s back east currently, but assume he’s working out while there. Kwame has been rehabbing, and I believe is also back east currently.

2007-09-11 13:43:40.0 kbate: Does it seem that the other teams are in no rush to come to the Laker’s aid?

2007-09-11 13:44:19.0 JJ: I wouldn’t assume that about Bynum. He has no work ethic that I know of.

2007-09-11 13:44:25.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Kbate, you could also make the argument that the Lakers don’t have much aid in exchange

2007-09-11 13:44:34.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: You gotta give to get

2007-09-11 13:44:45.0 Brian Kamenetzky: JJ- Didn’t you hear before? I’m an optimistic person by nature (haha).

2007-09-11 13:44:49.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Teams with ex-Celtic GM’s aside, of course. haha

2007-09-11 13:44:55.0 dogcatcher: In terms of potential trades, what is the most likey scenario you envision for the lakers this year ?

2007-09-11 13:45:16.0 Brian Kamenetzky: JJ- We’ll certainly find out for sure when camp opens. More guys will be coming back to L.A. soon.

2007-09-11 13:46:11.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Dogcatcher, moving Kwame at the trade deadline (for who, not sure) is the one I picture the most likely to happen. But before that, I’m predicting nothing, unless the team’s doing awful.

2007-09-11 13:46:35.0 rawsouthpaw: did jim buss play hoop at any level?

2007-09-11 13:46:54.0 Brian Kamenetzky: dogcatcher- Don’t think much will happen, if anything, before the season, and what happens down the road depends on the success of the team, and obviously what might happen with Kobe.

2007-09-11 13:47:16.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Rawsouthpaw, either SEGA (BK’s guess) or watching a boatload of “The White Shadow” (my guess)

2007-09-11 13:47:30.0 JJ: raw: ???

2007-09-11 13:47:31.0 Brian Kamenetzky: By the way, we’ve gone almost 35 minutes or so without mentioning Kobe, so that’s pretty good (haha).

2007-09-11 13:47:40.0 hal9000: someone on the blog said a while back that kobe is technically the most loyal player in the NBA... in other words, he has been with his current team longer than any other active player... kind of ironic, huh?

2007-09-11 13:48:25.0 Brian Kamenetzky: hal- I’m not sure I’d define loyalty in that way. remember, he almost bolted before his last contract, and before that short of a trade wasn’t going anywhere without the Lakers shipping him out...

2007-09-11 13:48:44.0 hal9000: i know, thats why i mentioned it was ironic

2007-09-11 13:49:02.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ... technically may be the only way that’s true. Not a slam on Kobe, but just a comment on the reality of the situation. I certainly wouldn’t take it to mean he won’t ask out if this season doesn’t go well.

2007-09-11 13:49:10.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Hal9000, I believe whoever said that was drinking a fair amount of kool aid. haha

2007-09-11 13:49:12.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Or ask out again, as it were.

2007-09-11 13:49:16.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Hal- very true.

2007-09-11 13:49:22.0 JJ: Has PJ lost the respect of his players?

2007-09-11 13:51:02.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: JJ, It depends on which player you’re talking about. If you mean a guy like Smush, probably, but Smush isn’t exactly the most coachable guy on the planet. But if you mean the guys that truly matter, I don’t think so at all. I think Phil may not exactly know how to coach a squad as (relatively) low on talent as this one (which is why I thought he was an odd choice to bring in), but I don’t think he’s lost their ear.

2007-09-11 13:51:06.0 Brian Kamenetzky: JJ- I don’t think he has. No coach is a magician who can make talent thin team rise to the top in the NBA. A great coach can put a team over the top, but in the end, there has to be a requisite amount of talent on a roster for good things to happen, and the Lakers haven’t and currently don’t have it.

2007-09-11 13:51:19.0 pancho: i find it funny that the lakers success dramatically changed when the plastic balls went out

2007-09-11 13:52:08.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Pancho - It’s true. Vlad never went snowboarding in the “new ball” era of the NBA. haha

2007-09-11 13:52:11.0 bruce: with kwame in the last year of his contract, do you think there’s any chance that he’ll step up his game, to appease potential suitors next year ? or has he proven his ability is just never gonna be there..?

2007-09-11 13:52:33.0 hal9000: we also had bynum yelling at PJ on the bench, cook throwing his towel in PJ’s lap and Vlad lying to his face... that doesnt sound like respect to me

2007-09-11 13:53:03.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Bruce- I think there’s always a chance, and I’d love to see him do it. But the big thing is at this point, we probably all have to revise our expectations of what a “Good Kwame” will look like...

2007-09-11 13:54:06.0 bruce: well, it’s been what... 5 years in the league. and he’s had maybe 3 or 4 breakout games... doesnt look like we have much of a choice but to lower our expectations.

2007-09-11 13:54:21.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...If you’re hoping for 18/12 you’re not going to see it. 14/8? If he can stay healthy and find that gear inside of him that he occasionally but too rarely shows, it’s possible. But 14/8 out of Kwame would be incredibly helpful to the team. Still, I don’t know if he has it in him. I hope so, because on a personal level, I like him and would like to see him succeed.

2007-09-11 13:54:24.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Hal, Honestly, I think the Bynum/Cook conflicts with PJ were blown way out of proportion. Coaches and players have conflict all the time. PJ clashed with Shaq, Kobe, MJ, Pippen, Grant. Those players seemed to buy in, for the most part. Cook’s been coached by Jackson for three seasons and has had basically one issue. Is it really that big a deal.

2007-09-11 13:54:27.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: As for Vlad lying, he’d have lied to any coach

2007-09-11 13:54:29.0 JJ: What do ya’ll think of Brian...uh....Brian....was his last name Cook?

2007-09-11 13:55:23.0 Brian Kamenetzky: JJ- Solid if he’s your 10th man. He’s a shooting big man, and there’s always room for a shooter in the NBA. Every roster needs one or two. If you need him night in and night out, then there’s trouble.

2007-09-11 13:55:36.0 tremmelle jenkins: Why doesn’t anyone put the blame of the Laker fiasco where it really belongs? The Buss Family. They’re a dysfunctional group @ the reigns of one of the city’s most valued franchises. Do you think a city-wide boycott of do any good? I do.

2007-09-11 13:55:42.0 hal9000: true... but they dont seem to follow Phil’s gameplan very well... you think that’s just due to youth and inexperience?

2007-09-11 13:56:45.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Hal9000, to some dgree, I think it’s a lack of talent. Brian Cook can follow PJ’s plan to the letter, but there’s only so much you can mine out of him. He’s a 9-10th quality player off a bench.

2007-09-11 13:56:50.0 cliffcooldog: The Lakers haven’t been the same since West left. That gives me more confidence that the Buss family won’t put this all back together.

2007-09-11 13:57:10.0 JJ: cliff, right on dude

2007-09-11 13:57:20.0 cliffcooldog: I hear people keep saying that you gotta believe in Buss, blah blah. He’s not the architect of the great teams. West was.

2007-09-11 13:57:24.0 Brian Kamenetzky: tremmelle- I think people do blame the Buss family, especially Jim. Blame can be spread all over the place. To the Buss family, some to Mitch, some to Shaq, some to Kobe, some to bad luck, etc. But as for a citywide boycott, I don’t exactly know how that’ll work.

2007-09-11 13:58:02.0 gjr: does anyone here think that if Kobe is either traded or shipped out, Phil follows him to fulfill winning a ring “together?”

2007-09-11 13:58:08.0 cliffcooldog: I find it more disheartening that Mitch stays in the GM position as a figurehead. He obviously has no say in anything.

2007-09-11 13:58:28.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Cliff, I’d be lying if I said I have much confidence in the Buss family right this sec. Especially Jim. He seems in way over his head and the triangle between him, Jeannie, and Phil makes it all very bizarre

2007-09-11 13:58:31.0 JJ: cliff, right on dude. you’re smokin.

2007-09-11 13:58:33.0 hal9000: phil definitely wont stick around here, that’s for sure

2007-09-11 13:59:09.0 Brian Kamenetzky: gjr- Follows him? Depends on where he goes. I don’t think PJ will stay around long if Kobe goes, though, unless the return for him in a trade is much higher than I think they’ll get. PJ won’t sign an extension here to coach a middle of the pack team, in my opinion.

2007-09-11 13:59:11.0 micki: this will be phils last year.

2007-09-11 13:59:14.0 hal9000: ... if kobe leaves

2007-09-11 13:59:18.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Unless they get Brian Grant as part of that trade for Kobe. That would change everything for Phil. haha

2007-09-11 13:59:28.0 bruce: lol

2007-09-11 13:59:31.0 Brian Kamenetzky: micki, hal- I would agree for sure.

2007-09-11 13:59:34.0 micki: andrew and brian, we’ve witnessed how good of a teammate and especially a defensive player kobe can be this summer with team USA. why doesnt kobe play this inspired D when he’s with the lakers? there are times where he looks like a matador out there.

2007-09-11 14:00:02.0 gjr: I think we ALL better enjoy watching those two together...one last time! After this season, it’d be a miracle if L.A. still has them in ‘08!

2007-09-11 14:00:03.0 JJ: This is fun, more fun than the actual season

2007-09-11 14:00:13.0 Administrator2: Hey folks-- Andrew and Brian need to move on at 10 after, so start sending your final questions now. We’ll get in as many as we can before they have to split!

2007-09-11 14:00:41.0 Brian Kamenetzky: micki- First of all, there’s a big difference between guarding those guys and NBA players, especially when you have the best talent in the NBA around you. Kobe doesn’t have to work that hard offensively with that much talent, so that makes a difference...

2007-09-11 14:01:35.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...I do think his defense overall hasn’t been as good in the last couple years as it was when he was a little younger, but that’s as much a function of the team around him, the defensive talent, injuries, etc. as will...

2007-09-11 14:01:41.0 JJ: Does anybody miss Chick? Damn, it just hasn’t been the same without him.

2007-09-11 14:01:42.0 bruce: this is cool. thanks for putting this chat together.

2007-09-11 14:01:44.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Micki, with all due respect to Kobe’s success with Team USA, Barbosa aside, he didn’t lock down anyone particularly good. That being said, in Kobe’s defense, it’s much easier for him to play that kind of D when the scoring load is lessened and he’s got better defenders around him.

2007-09-11 14:01:48.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...It’s very hard to be a top quality defender with average defenders around you.

2007-09-11 14:02:04.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: And he’s not playing “free safety” as much. haha

2007-09-11 14:02:06.0 hal9000: JJ... absolutely... it’ll never be the same without him

2007-09-11 14:02:15.0 Brian Kamenetzky: He’s still capable of it, but I don’t know if it’s in him every night to be a lock down guy.

2007-09-11 14:02:27.0 micki: good points. i just think if kobe set the tone on d for the lakers, the rest of the team will follow.

2007-09-11 14:02:32.0 bruce: Ks! with your journalistic experience.. having seen and interviewed, analyzed and diagnosed, noit to mention gotten to know some of the lakers firts hand, is there anything about this years class that has you excited ? give me something to get a purchase on. i’m scouring the internet daily looking for a glimnpse of hope... ugh.

2007-09-11 14:02:34.0 Administrator2: Thank YOU, Bruce!

2007-09-11 14:03:02.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: But do I think Kobe’s lost weight will help his defensive cause this season and if he’s focused on that end, it’s hard to bet against him. When he wants to be, he’s an awesome defender.

2007-09-11 14:03:15.0 Brian Kamenetzky: bruce- hmmm.... that’s tough...

2007-09-11 14:03:35.0 bruce: yeah figured.. im fishing here..

2007-09-11 14:03:44.0 Ed: We’re not the Knicks

2007-09-11 14:03:51.0 micki: yup. i guess it’s hard not to compare kobe to jordan, who always played great d. oh well...

2007-09-11 14:03:58.0 bruce: rare you get to interview the interviewer

2007-09-11 14:04:00.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...They should be better for sure if everyone stays healthy. It’s always fun to watch Kobe, there’s the potential for Bynum’s development, I think either Farmar or Critt or possibly both could play an important role which could be fun to watch. Everyone loves D Fish.

2007-09-11 14:04:04.0 Brian Kamenetzky: HOw’s that?

2007-09-11 14:04:07.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Ed.... You’re damn right we’re not the Knicks. haha

2007-09-11 14:04:16.0 elo: are we going to see more interviews with other lakers on the blog soon? (ynum, odom, etc.)?

2007-09-11 14:04:55.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Elo, “Ynum” never agrees to interviews, so I doubt we’ll pin him down. haha

2007-09-11 14:05:08.0 Brian Kamenetzky: elo- Sure. Throughout the season, we have Q and A’s with just about everyone at one time or another. Sometimes in long form, sometimes in short. But in the offseason, it can be tougher, since guys go on vacation, visit their families, etc.

2007-09-11 14:05:13.0 elo: lol.

2007-09-11 14:05:29.0 Brian Kamenetzky: He’s a prima donna.

2007-09-11 14:05:34.0 micki: Andrew and Brian, how does Chris Mihm look this summer? He’s been hurt for a while now, but was playing well before the ankle injury. He’s a big part of the lakers’ upcoming season, in my opinion.

2007-09-11 14:05:49.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: I hope Mike T’s haircut is going well, by the way

2007-09-11 14:05:56.0 bruce: kick in down brian, give me something that gets you stoked about this year. gotta be something. vlades shooting, fiisher hits the floor, anything!?

2007-09-11 14:06:12.0 JJ: Does Mihm still know what a basketball looks like?

2007-09-11 14:06:39.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Micki, I can’t really say how Mihm “looks” on the court, since I’ve yet to see him play. But he looks healthy, for what that’s worth.

2007-09-11 14:06:43.0 cliffcooldog: Why does Mitch Kupcake stay at GM with the Lakers as a figurehead, when he could get a legitimate GM job elsewhere? Does he have any pride?

2007-09-11 14:06:55.0 elo: hahaha.. Mihm is actually a decent center, once you take away his foul problems

2007-09-11 14:07:19.0 JJ: cliff, think Elgin Baylor until very recently

2007-09-11 14:07:21.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Bruce- I like D Fish’s return, Vlad is always interesting (though more profesionally than as a fan, unfortunately)...

2007-09-11 14:07:23.0 Brian Kamenetzky: ...You might just have to stick with watching the best player in the NBA.

2007-09-11 14:07:54.0 Brian Kamenetzky: That could be it, in terms of something different than last year. It’s essentially the same bunch of guys. I do love rooting for L.O., though. He’s a guy who I really like to see play well.

2007-09-11 14:08:02.0 micki: i think mihm will be the starting center by mid season. kwame’s hands are horrible, and bynum? well, i dunno...he hasnt panned out.

2007-09-11 14:08:13.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Bruce - I never get tired of watching “The Sasha face.” never. haha

2007-09-11 14:08:20.0 hal9000: well, here’s to another year of edge-of-your-seat drama

2007-09-11 14:08:22.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Quality dude who plays through a lot of pain, L.O. is (Yoda syntax alert...)

2007-09-11 14:08:26.0 micki: a healthy LO would be great!!!

2007-09-11 14:08:31.0 bruce: bobby brady (bearded) ?

2007-09-11 14:08:46.0 bruce: with a slavic twist...

2007-09-11 14:08:54.0 hal9000: AK and BK... what do you thin of espn and ABC’s coverage of the NBA compared to the NBA on NBC?

2007-09-11 14:09:03.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Maybe Vlad takes up water skiing, like Ced Ceballos.

2007-09-11 14:09:08.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Yeah, to second what BK is saying, LO has impressed me a lot over the last couple seasons. I’ve always been a fan of his game, but as a person, he’s just a very quality guy

2007-09-11 14:09:12.0 bruce: thanks guys. gonna bail. good stuff.

2007-09-11 14:09:31.0 Ed: If the only sure thing to look forward to is Kobe putting on a show, doesn’t that run counter to the notion that Kobe should be a “team player”? Though, honestly, I prefer a Kobe scoring explosion from a fan’s standpoint.

2007-09-11 14:10:01.0 dp: hey ak and bk

2007-09-11 14:10:06.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: ABC’s cameraman apparently does a ton of acid. I got no problem with ESPN’s coverage, outside of the “walton” factor.

2007-09-11 14:10:09.0 Brian Kamenetzky: hal- I like ESPN/ABC’s coverage in general, I just hate that one camera they use that follows the play up and down the floor. It works well for football, etc., but they use it as replay, and other stuff. Not for the actual play by play. It’s a horrible camera angle that cuts off a lot of the floor and makes it hard to see what’s going on.

2007-09-11 14:10:13.0 The Fav: Bros, What about trading Kobe for Arenas? I’m sure Kobe would go to DC w/ Caron (his buddy)

2007-09-11 14:10:46.0 hal9000: i agree... that think gives me motion sickness

2007-09-11 14:10:52.0 Brian Kamenetzky: The Fav- Currently, as far as I know, Washington isn’t on his list.

2007-09-11 14:10:57.0 micki: no trade is worth it. the lakers will never get equal value for kobe

2007-09-11 14:11:04.0 Brian Kamenetzky: micki-

2007-09-11 14:11:14.0 elo: micki--EXACTLY

2007-09-11 14:11:18.0 hal9000: and i wic=sh they would stop with the annoying “pusssycat dolls” intro

2007-09-11 14:11:23.0 Brian Kamenetzky: I think that’s absolutely true. The question is how “not equal value.”

2007-09-11 14:11:40.0 JJ: hate the pussycat dolls...

2007-09-11 14:11:47.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Micki, when it comes to a trade for Kobe (which I think will eventually happen, like it or not), I think it’s not a question of “equal value” but “quality”

2007-09-11 14:11:49.0 micki: hal, lol...pussycat dolls...yup, they need a new intro

2007-09-11 14:11:50.0 dp: depends how you define value

2007-09-11 14:11:54.0 Paulie: When you need to cut the cancer out, it does not matter how you live - just that you live. Cut Kobe out of the laker picture.

2007-09-11 14:12:04.0 Brian Kamenetzky: I also think the market for him is going to be much tighter than people might think. It’s a lot harder to trade him, and not every team is going to want him, despite how dominant he can be.

2007-09-11 14:12:20.0 Administrator2: Hey guys, sounds like the Kamenetzkys have gotta run-- thank you so much for coming to the chat!

2007-09-11 14:12:26.0 The Fav: Unless Kobe comes out and says he wants to be here forever I want to ship him out for as much as possible rather than watch him leave for nothing in 2 years.

2007-09-11 14:12:29.0 Administrator2: Thank you Andrew and Brian!

2007-09-11 14:12:32.0 dp: thanks k bros

2007-09-11 14:12:33.0 hal9000: thats guys

2007-09-11 14:12:38.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: When you look at the Shaq trade, they originally came out of it with LO and Butler. That’s not Shaq, but it’s not horrible, either. It was only when they flipped Caron for Kwame that it started looking like they had nothing to show for it

2007-09-11 14:12:39.0 Paulie: Yes

2007-09-11 14:12:40.0 micki: i just hope the lakers get a SOLID player with a few high draft picks in the mix.

2007-09-11 14:12:41.0 Brian Kamenetzky: Thank you guys for stopping by. This was fun.

2007-09-11 14:12:42.0 elo: woohooo.. thanks guys

2007-09-11 14:12:52.0 JJ: awesome, thx

2007-09-11 14:12:54.0 Brian Kamenetzky: We’ll do it again.

2007-09-11 14:12:55.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: Thanks everyone. We relaly appreciate it!!!

2007-09-11 14:12:58.0 micki: thanks

2007-09-11 14:12:59.0 The Fav: Exactly Andrew

2007-09-11 14:13:10.0 JJ: keep this thing going!

2007-09-11 14:13:14.0 Administrator2: We’re hoping to arrange more chats soon-- check back at https://chat.latimes.com for more info

2007-09-11 14:13:18.0 Andrew Kamenetzky: We even REALLY appreciate it, too.