Week of 12/27 – 1/2
A lot is said by Lakers players and coaching staff in the course of a week. And it’s not just the players that are talking, but even those like me that write about the Lakers. So here is the first of a series called “They said what?” – with a little tongue and cheek!
D.J. Mbenga on having to watch the Los Angeles Lakers receive their championship rings on opening night without him. “It was hard for me to make my decision to go…The hardest part was when I was in my room watching the ring ceremony. That was hard. You can feel that you’re not there. But, it’s business. It’s basketball. I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do.”
Really DJ? You’re that upset about not being there even though you saw less court time than the kids that wipe off your sweat?
“We were talking [trash] on the bench to each other; I was talking [trash] back to them. I was going against Andrew. It was just fun. It was a good time. It was just like in practice.”
I didn’t know he was allowed to practice?
T.J. Simers on Phil Jackson. “That’s what made Wednesday night’s trip to New Orleans so enjoyable. I got the chance to just sit back and watch the Lakers – like Phil does most nights.”
I don’t typically agree with Simers, but he has a point here, maybe Phil needs to get off of his chair and actually coach during the game. He may be the “zen master”, but the way the Lakers look nowadays, a change of pace may not be such a bad idea.
T.J. Simers. “The record shows no one does nothing more effectively than Jackson.”
I don’t know about that, John Salley does have four rings!
Next: Phil and Kobe both leaving the team hanging?
Phil Jackson. “I think I’ve put in my service time. I think I’ve done my due diligence that I set out to do, especially with this organization.”
Not so fast coach! There is still one other ring left you haven’t accomplished…the one missing on Genie’s finger! If you want a piece of the Lakers, that’s the most important one.
Andrew Bynum. “Ask anyone on the team and they will tell you I’m motivated. I play for these guys, and while I know the fans are going to have their opinions, I feel like I’m really trying to get back for everyone.”
Well gee thanks Drew. After all, we do pay a pretty penny to watch you sit on the bench and hobble around. Maybe you should do some more trash talking at Mbenga if you’re looking to get mad like Kobe!
Kobe Bryant. “I don’t know, I’ve been playing mad as long as you have been writing mad.”
Hmmm…maybe I need to get mad at my readers so I can get fired up for my next piece! Fortunately for us writers Kobe, our game is more like golf, we don’t have teammates to blame – or the other way around.
Kobe Bryant. “That’s the role that you guys [the press] play in this thing. You guys write doom-and-gloom stories. I think that actually builds up a lot of tension.”
Boy, forget how to play like a team and they start blaming the ones that make them legends! Sheesh!
Kobe after the Memphis game. “I totally broke the offense, but I did it intentionally because I felt like we needed to get something started because what we were doing just wasn’t working. I tried to kick-start it, and sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. When it works out, great. When it doesn’t, I take the criticism for it but I have thick enough skin to be able to do it.”
Oh I see! You’re intentionally losing because what the team was doing was resulting in – losing.
Got it!
Pau Gasol on Kobe. “He’s one of the best, if not the best player as far as closing out games. We trust that he can deliver.”
According to him he’ll deliver you to the other team if he doesn’t like what he sees!
Next: Lamar’s talents and Gasol on fruit!
Odom on having his own reality show! “It’s something you have to think about and be dedicated to. Everything we do is time-consuming. Any job you have, it’s a job. I’d want it to be good if I did it.
If it makes you feel better Lamar, we don’t watch the Kardashians for Kim’s talents.
Lamar on Phil Jackson after his fabulous play against the Hornets! “He’s never impressed with what I do.”
I spoke too soon. I guess ONE person watches the Kardashians for talent.
And finally, the quote of the week comes from Pau Gasol after telling reporters that he will join in the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Years after the game against the Sixers.
“It brings you luck.”
If that’s the case, the team better start drinking WINE!