Real Deal

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20110202_MEM@MIN

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20110202_CHA@DET

The Grizzlies knew what they were getting with Marc. He's as efficient as Pau (or much more, last season), passes almost as good, plays better defense, and he could probably average 15-16 PPG every season (like he did last year) depending on what players he's playing with. They were looking at him for a couple of years, and that trade was centered around him. Rumor was that they were going to bring him in using the draft anyway, without trading Pau, but with the Lakers having a couple of second-rounders in 2007, and the Grizzlies only having one pick (4th in the draft, they selected Conley), they found an opportunity to bring in his brother AND to shed salary, which eventually led them to a number of players and signing possibilities (including Randolph). While they didn't know all of that was going to happen (with the other players), they did have high hopes for Marc before he even practiced with them, so they knew, just as Popovich's scouts know about other international talent. And I never said we would deal Ron for Mayo...just that if Stein was right on both stories, if we dealt Ron to another team and brought in Mayo (possibly in a three-way trade), then we could fit him into the five if needed, or play him at the one for a significant amount of time. Shannon Brown and Steve Blake would be considered. The Grizzlies were already experimenting with Mayo off the bench...he just doesn't fit with Conley there, and Memphis already showed they were committed to Conley with the six-year contract they gave him. Trading Mayo would also give them money to re-sign Gasol, which is very important because his contract expires after this season, and Mayo has a qualifying offer of $7.4 million two seasons from now. Randolph also expires. It's not out of reach, by any means.

Why would I listen to Marc Stein when he's the one that reported that Ron Artest wanted dealt...and everyone is now saying that was never true (including Ron, Phil, Kobe and Fish)? But, if the Lakers do want Mayo, it has Kobe written all over it. Bryant has praised Mayo (well, his potential and willingness to learn) for a few years now, especially after working with him in Team USA tryouts/practices. If Ron is dealt, there's a lot of potential there...to play Mayo at the two, Kobe at the three. Phil wouldn't hesitate to do that, and once Barnes heals up, Mayo would move to the point, probably play a lot of minutes at one and two (won't start over Fisher yet), and Kobe will move from the two to the three.

Haha, who told you he had more points? If you watched the series, you would've known Gasol didn't...so someone must have told you this stuff. Gasol's games... GM1: 23 PTS (8-14 FG, .571), 14 REB, 3 AST, 3 BLK GM2: 25 PTS (7-10 FG, .700), 8 REB, 3 AST, 6 BLK GM3: 13 PTS (5-11 FG, .455), 10 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK GM4: 21 PTS (6-13 FG, .462), 6 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK GM5: 12 PTS (5-12 FG, .417), 12 REB, 0 AST, 0 BLK GM6: 17 PTS (6-14 FG, .429), 13 REB, 9 AST, 3 BLK GM7: 19 PTS (6-16 FG, .375), 18 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK TOTAL: 18.6 PPG (43-90, .478), 11.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.57 SPG Kobe's games... GM1: 30 PTS (10-22 FG, .455), 7 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL GM2: 21 PTS (8-20 FG, .400), 5 REB, 6 AST, 4 STL GM3: 29 PTS (10-29 FG, .345), 7 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL GM4: 33 PTS (10-22 FG, .455), 6 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL GM5: 38 PTS (13-27 FG, .481), 5 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL GM6: 26 PTS (9-19 FG, .474), 11 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL GM7: 23 PTS (6-24 FG, .250), 15 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL TOTAL: 28.6 PPG (66-163, .405), 8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.14 SPG Boston centered around defending Bryant, just like they did in 2008. Ray, Tony, Paul, Rajon...whoever they could throw at him, they did...and Garnett was not afraid to leave Odom (when Gasol was at center) to come over and stop Bryant from getting to the rim. Gasol had a higher FG% than Kobe? Of course he did...he's a PF/C. Perkins shot 57% in the series...do you compare that to Ray Allen, or Paul Pierce's shooting? Michael Jordan shot around 41-42% in a couple of his Finals series as well (vs. Sonics and Jazz), but he won the MVP because he was the conductor. He ran the offense, he was the primary scorer, he defended very well, and he drew the doubles and created opportunities for the open man, and he was deserving of those Finals MVP awards. Crunch the numbers all you want, but Kobe was, hands down, the Finals MVP. Gasol has never been a better player than Kobe, regular season or playoffs, and after Kobe carried the Lakers' asses from Game 5 vs. Thunder all the way to the NBA Finals (scoring 30+ in all but one of those games), he took over the worst game of the series (GM7) with an outstanding performance on the glass AND defending in the 4th, which led the comeback and, eventually, the trophy. Once you told me Gasol outscored Bryant in the series, I knew you didn't watch. It wasn't even close. Bryant dropped 70 more points, an average of 10 more per game...which is very easy to notice just by watching. So, if you didn't watch the series, you didn't know who the Finals MVP was.

Yeah, and he has a right to be. On Gasol's site, his writer criticized Kobe for not having any assists in the Boston game (even though Kobe picked them apart). Then, just last night, Kobe dropped seven assists in the first quarter against Houston, ended up with 11, scored efficiently, and we still nearly lost...and Gasol didn't throw a single assist despite taking 21 shots. The team relies on Bryant to do everything...score, facilitate, whatever it takes...and guys like Gasol and Artest aren't doing their jobs. Pau is playing more like a small forward and not playing in the post, not being aggressive, while Ron still thinks he's playing exceptional defense and producing on the offensive end. Both players are playing their worst seasons as Lakers, Artest the worst season of his career...but you couldn't tell by our record because Kobe and Odom are holding down the fort. Crazy enough, Odom is our second best player.

I wouldn't trade him, but he just needs to step his game up and play the role he needs to play in the offense.

He said something like this last year, in the second half of the season...can't find the quote though. Also, he was pretty rude when asked about his injuries back in October/November.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6084434&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

Gasol is shooting 51.5% from the floor, his worst as a Laker (and a little low for someone who should be in the low post), and also shooting more shot attempts (13.7) than he has in all but TWO of his seasons in the NBA. And, he's not getting to the line...just 5.1 FTA per game for Gasol, the lowest of his career (because he's not aggressive). Bryant is averaging 46.5% FG (second highest since 2002), under three turnovers a game (matching his career average), 25.6 PPG (higher than his career average), 5.0 RPG (nearly matching career average), 4.9 APG (above career average), and doing all of this in 33.5 minutes per game (lowest since he was an NBA sophomore, lowest as a starter). Over the last three seasons, the Lakers have had a better record 48 games into the season...except for 2007-08. They started 31-17, and in those 48 games, they had Gasol for just ONE of them...and it was the same year we lost in the Finals to...the Celtics. Easiest schedule in the NBA, and we're at 33-15 with Kobe and Gasol both playing? So this Lakers team has a similar start to the 2008 team that didn't even have Gasol? That's mind-blowing. When everyone was talking about how Gasol was the best PF in the NBA, I continued to shake my head and think of how asinine that was. As we progress, it's becoming more clear. By the numbers, Odom is the second best player on this team. He's FAR more efficient than Gasol is, pulling down more boards in 36 minutes per (he plays less than Pau), and he's doing whatever the team asks of him...whether it's posting up on Scola or taking him out to the perimeter and driving to the rim, or hitting a wide-open three. Gasol helped us win two titles, in the same way Dirk, Duncan, Amare and a few other PF's would've. What does that have to do with this season? Ron Artest helped us out last season, by defending Pierce and Durant. This year? He's a mess. It's Pau that didn't play for Spain, wanted to rest...and he's averaging the same amount of minutes he did over the last two seasons for Los Angeles. He needs to step it up and start playing like a big man again, instead of pretending to be someone he's not.

There was too much focus on Kupchak's comments about making a trade, Cleveland's losing streak, Durant and Bosh feud, and LaMarcus Aldridge dropping 40 against the Spurs...Shaq just had to say something to draw the media in.

Don't even care. Trade him for whatever. Phil doesn't play him late in the game anyway, and he's a huge liability on offense. The only person he's defended well this season is Kevin Durant.

Usually, that's a bad thing...but Houston had so many wide open shots, it was pathetic. We probably couldn't foul if we wanted to, because we were late closing out on shooters every single trip on defense.

Umm...from LA? Wrong topic, or...? EDIT: Nevermind. LA = LaMarcus Aldridge.

Kobe proving why the ball should be in his hands.

LOL. "Kobe should pass the ball on game-winning opportunities, durrrr...."

Gasol = brain dead.

Gasol is a sissy.

What league?

Derrick Rose always looks like he just woke up from a 10-day coma.

That's actually pretty cool. I'd wear one.

Yeah, I'll stick with Nash, then Bryant...but it wouldn't surprise me if Bryant outlasted all of them outside of Dirk.

Terry (my bro) didn't work today, so he just decided he was going to try and get sick outside. http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs273.snc6/180111_1637297690758_1186200095_31434494_5113357_n.jpg http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs885.ash1/179330_1637297850762_1186200095_31434495_5425631_n.jpg http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs896.ash1/180483_1637297570755_1186200095_31434493_4860228_n.jpg

So you'll eat fast food, knowing people have been known to spit in it...but you wouldn't sign autographs for anyone (including kids that are your fans) knowing that some will sell it on eBay for $20-25?

You do know that there are some people that actually spit in it, right? And they don't wash their hands, among other things... Why eat it, knowing that?