[::OFFSEASON OVER. Lock Please.::]

[mmoreno1015]

Thanks.
I'll count Ryan Kelly too since he'll most likely make the roster.
Will put it up tonight.

I knew I was forgetting someone lol

 

[darthska]

Man, I missed an entire poll.

Props to my fellow Artest appreciators.

My dude Odom

 When he was first traded in the basketball reasons trade and got all emo from even being considered as trade fodder, I thought "Ruh roh... don't medicate them feels, my dude."

Hate it had to be him. Definitely going to be cheering for him to get help and get back, I don't care what team he's on.

But...

 @ dude a few posts above me saying LO playing Candy Crush w/ his nose.

 x

 

[pmatic]

That booger sugar.

 

[CP1708]

Hell you been Ska?

 

[darthska]

Been working three jobs and parenting. One of the jobs is new, so I've been in training the last couple weeks, along with everything that went into getting my son ready for Kindergarten. Yes, it's a joint effort between me and his mom, and you would think that would make it easier for both of us, but no... no it's not.

 When the parents are split and just one parent pretty much does everything, that's easy. But when both are committed to doing everything together despite being split, it's rough, us having to sync up w/ each other to see when we can be in the same place for physicals and parent meetings and orientation and what not.

So yeah, working three jobs and parenting.

 

[darthska]

This... ...

Draft last year.


Draft this year.

... ... is unhealthy.

 And EXACTLY why I don't get into fantasy sports, because I know there's dudes that have made it their life's work.

Sports... including following my teams... is just entertainment to me. WORK is work. Why I wanna make my entertainment my work? Charting graphs and keeping files and files and files. That's what I do for one of my jobs; sports is (for me) a break from that.

But I'm not knocking you at all. It's not for me, but do you.

Errr... Dew you.

 

[CP1708]

That's not fantasy draft tho, that's the real draft, NFL draft.

And somehow, that's the stuff that keeps me sane at work, home, etc.

I'll be walkin around, just in my head..."who we need in 2014 Draft...if we go OL, then DT, can take another TE in rd 3, Soliaii a free agent, ....."

That's me, at work, in the car, shower, dreaming, eating. It's what I know. Also why I have 30K posts in here and another 17K tweets. 90% on sports related topics.

@Dew you.

 

[Maximus Meridius]

So I'm listening to First Take and Skip Bayless is telling a story about Odom telling the Bulls he smokes weed before every game and that's why they didn't draft him back in 99. I mean I know a lot of athletes puff that tree but why in the hell would you volunteer that type of information?


I hope this dude gets his mind right.

 

[licensed to ball]

I saw that too.

It's crazy because it made me realize both Skip and Stephen A. Must have soooo many more deep stories locked away in their brains.

Over the course of their careers they've probably learned about thousands of things that they choose not to share with the public. Obviously Skip could of brought that news out years ago, during hundreds of occasions, but he didn't out of respect to Lamar. He let it out now because it is relevant and gives people a little more insight into Lamar's background...

But it just makes you wonder, how many other things are Stephen A. And Skip holding out on? All the reporting they've done, all the things they've seen, all the people they've talked to...

They must know some things so personal and deep about star athletes that they can't even tell to their friends... Probably some dangerous knowledge in a way, knowledge you can't afford to spill both for your own safety as well as the athletes.

Not to mention they can't afford to lose the trust of the athletes who have essentially created their careers for them.

Gotta keep the secrets as secrets unless you want to lose the ability to interview the dudes who give you all your ratings and income.

 

[Maximus Meridius]

Over the course of their careers they've probably learned about thousands of things that they choose not to share with the public. Obviously Skip could of brought that news out years ago, during hundreds of occasions, but he didn't out of respect to Lamar. He let it out now because it is relevant and gives people a little more insight into Lamar's background...

Yeah, that's why even though I disagree with a lot of the stuff Skip says I can still respect him.


I know Stephen A has A TON of stories and dirt on athletes cuz he hangs with a lot of these dudes but he's not the type to slander somebody's character.

 

[acbboyz84]

what's up amigos?

Just got back from vacation. Thailand and Vietnam

Any news in Lakers land?

 

[grandtheftbike]

i think skip doesn't even believe in some of the stuff he says

 

[licensed to ball]

i think skip doesn't even believe in some of the stuff he says

When they're yelling and screaming, acting a fool for ratings then yeah of course they both exaggerate. That's the entertainment they provide to draw people in.

But when they have real talk moments about serious issues, I don't see why either of them would lie and risk losing credibility. They both seem pretty damn sincere and believable when they speak from the heart on serious topics.

 

[moiety]

via ESPN Insider:

Reading into D12's Lakers demands
August, 25, 2013
By Tom Carpenter | ESPN.com

It should hardly surprise anyone to find out that Dwight Howard didn't get along well with Kobe Bryant nor that he didn't like playing in coach Mike D'Antoni's system with the Los Angeles Lakers. It was pretty well documented that Howard didn't want to be Kobe's No. 2 and that a banging center isn't exactly a primary option in D'Antoni's run-and-gun game planning. However, according to Comcast's Ric Bucher, D12 made specific demands to the Lakers when they met this summer regarding a long-term extension.

"Talks with various people close to the situation make it clear there were two prerequisites for Dwight Howard to remain a Laker: fire Mike D'Antoni and amnesty, or at the very least muzzle, Kobe Bryant," wrote Bucher.

"... The Lakers apparently asked Dwight to be patient on both fronts for at least another season, telling him 'hey, you're going to have to gut this out another year,' a source said, although it sounds as if VP of basketball ops Jim Buss isn't ready to abandon Kobe anytime soon. 'Dwight didn't want to play with Kobe for 2-3 more years,' Buss said. 'I'm going to stand behind Kobe because of his history with the franchise.'"

There isn't much to read into this when it comes to Howard, because he has moved on to the Houston Rockets and appears to be content with his new situation. What is interesting is how Buss appears to be fully committed to D'Antoni -- despite his obvious shortcomings as a coach -- and Bryant -- despite his ruptured Achilles tendon and advancing age. We also have to question how this information came to light. It likely came from the Lakers, perhaps even Buss, to make Howard look bad (or worse?). The bottom line is there's a new sheriff in town for the Lakers, and Buss is going to form this team the way he wants.

Gasol's rehab update
August, 27, 2013
By Nick Borges | ESPN.com

According to the Los Angeles Times, on Sunday Pau Gasol tweeted a link showing himself going through a rehab session. Gasol is doing all the work in Spain after having a procedure in May to help with the tendinosis in both knees.

Gasol struggled last season due to injuries and his undefined role with Dwight Howard in the lineup. Head coach Mike D'Antoni has said he plans to focus on Gasol this upcoming season.

The Lakers will begin training camp in about five weeks and Gasol expects to be ready in late October for opening night of the regular season.

 

[mrdieselfuel09]

I'm pretty stoked for this season. A healthy squad that's motivated is all I can ask for.

 

[sb]

what's up amigos?

Just got back from vacation. Thailand and Vietnam

Any news in Lakers land?

kobe retired. welcome back.

not srs...about the kobe retiring part.

 

[notoriousmj23]

Skip once said he was the best player on his high school team so.... Lol

 

[grandtheftbike]

Water pistol Pete

Jalen was foul for that tho

 

[CHAOSE57]

I'm pretty stoked for this season. A healthy squad that's motivated is all I can ask for.

 

[andoneflip]

Im ready for this season

 

[notoriousmj23]

Was hoping we got Odom... Now I want Stephen Jackson... Or Kobe should talk to T-Mac and talk him outta retirement and sign for us for cheap... Give him the green light off the bench

 

[essential1]

Was hoping we got Odom... Now I want Stephen Jackson... Or Kobe should talk to T-Mac and talk him outta retirement and sign for us for cheap... Give him the green light off the bench

No room for them..

PG: Nash / Blake / Farmar
SG: Kobe / Meeks (Farmar will probably spill a little into here)
SF: Young / Wes Johnson (Kobe will probably get minutes here)
PF: Hill / Kelly / Harris (I'm sure we will occasionally run Pau & Kaman)
C: Pau / Kaman / Sacre

 

[notoriousmj23]

No room for them..

PG: Nash / Blake / Farmar
SG: Kobe / Meeks (Farmar will probably spill a little into here)
SF: Young / Wes Johnson (Kobe will probably get minutes here)
PF: Hill / Kelly / Harris (I'm sure we will occasionally run Pau & Kaman)
C: Pau / Kaman / Sacre

Agreed.

 

[notoriousmj23]

I've never really followed Wes Johnson... How good is he? Or how much promise/talent does he have? Minus young age..

 

[westcoastsfinest]

I think this roster is set.