Season Opener: Kobe Bryant Farewell Tour?

Showing that the Houston Rockets under new coach Rick Adelman is a new, and hopefully winning team, they won over the Lakers 95-93.

Kobe showed again his game is immune to distractions, scorin 45 points, or a shave under 50% of the team's output. On the other hand, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming played dynamic duo, having 30 and 25 points respectively, with a good FG%.

Personally, I think every game Kobe plays, every fan will think this is Kobe's last game so this season may be the Kobe Bryant Farewell Tour.

Tags: Lakers

L.A. Lakers 2007-2008 Season Preview

This will be the last post for the 2007-2008 off-season and what fitting way to conclude it by looking at how the web and experts are forecasting the Lakers' chances this coming season.

1. NBA.com's preview and simulation says that the Lakers will finish 6th in the NBA Western Conference.
2. ESPN.com's experts are picking the Lakers to finish 8th-9th on the Western Conference.
3. Sports Illustrated is not giving a number, but says that the Lakers' chances to reach deep in the playoffs are very dim.
4. Surprisingly, Fox Sports' Charley Rosen is saying the Lakers could be the West's surprise team.
5. Sportsline is estimating the Lakers' 3rd place finish... in the Pacific Division.
6. The Sporting News seems to agree with the experts' consensus: The Lakers do not have the pieces to compete on a high level.

So what do the articles tell us on what to expect? Don't expect much from the Lakers and I agree. With the Kobe debacle and his impending trade, the Lakers could be a distracted team from the get go. If they lose a lot in the first 20 games, expect Kobe to be shipped and Lamar Odom to step up.

My prediction: 45 wins with Kobe till April, 35 wins if Kobe is traded by February. Playoffs: 7th-8th.

Tags: Lakers

Who's the starting Point Guard?

Amidst the Kobe Trade Demand, the Los Angeles Lakers training camp is still shaping the roster for the upcoming NBA season. And the big question mark on-court question for the Lakers is the point guard situation.

The Lakers are reed thin in this position. The PG lot includes Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, rookie Javaris Crittenton and perhaps Coby Karl. What team would go far in the playoffs with this bunch? I say no team will more than 35 games with this PG rotation.

Given that the Triangle Offense does not need a prototypical point guard, the Lakers need a dependable shooter/passer who can create space for better opportunities. Unofrtunately, the guards here are mediocre in those departments.

I'm betting Sasha will get the 2nd spot after D-Fish.

Tags: Lakers

Buss: Kobe can be traded

Kobe Bryant has been quiet since the FIBA games and has been a happy camper in training camp. Happy time in Lakerland? Apparently not as owner Jerry Buss speaks his mind in an interview:

"I told Kobe I would try my best to accommodate his wishes but that I could not afford to let him go unless we got comparable talent, if there is such a thing," Buss told the Times.

I got this from the story on Inquirer site.

I'm just now curious what's going on Phil Jackson's mind right now. Is a big trade finally coming? Will the last major link to the last L.A. Lakers dynasty be shipped out?



Tags: Lakers