<<Lakeshow>> closed

Nice job!

after receiving an excellent scouting report from my advance scout, i did everything to trade for batum

"Im here to announce recent developments to our General Manager Mitch Kupchak. He was operated via (Angioplasty) widening his blood vessels to prevent chest pains and major heart attack. This has been confirmed to me by our long time Team Physician and a good friend Dr. Gary Vitti.

Right now, Mitch is recuperating at the California Hospital Medical Center and is expected to fully recover, according to the latest updates on his condition. Vitti said "He needs to stay in the hospital for two more weeks after undergoing angioplasty to clear his blocked arteries"

"Im assigning Coach Xavier Blake to be an interim General Manager and Head Coach until after Mitch Kupchak fully recovers and in his 100% condition." said Dr. Buss, "We're all deeply praying for you to feel better mitch" he added.

Here's wishing Mitch a speedy recovery and resume his duties.

Getting creative with the salary cap eh?

I also increased my cap space. Cause every team will be -40M after 2 seasons.

To be able to escape the economic reality of a world in recession, we need to give more jobs to our people. This will have a domino effect.

"In other words, forget the national debt, weakened financial infrastructure, growing security concerns and starving, homeless children around the world… Stephen Marbury needs his 20.8 MILLION!" - Obama

sadly this makes me think about how seriously off our priorities as a species have become

Wishing Mitch a quick recovery. Nice salary cap number.

Your team got a whole lot more athletic with Batum and Young on the wings... You definitely came away with pieces that could make Kobe's transition to old age an easier one.

If only Obama cared THAT much for the state of the NBA....

im sad to tell that the recent typhoon disaster that hit our country w/ an unusual flash floods drowned my cpu, i tried to dry it up for 2 days but only the monitor, mouse and speaker lit up, im going to the computer shop on what needs to be repaired/replace.. i still hope that i can at least retrieve my hard drives and continue w/ this.. tnx to all ur support playahs!!!

if you need your data, at least try to recover the harddrive...

im sad to tell that the recent typhoon disaster that hit our country w/ an unusual flash floods drowned my cpu, i tried to dry it up for 2 days but only the monitor, mouse and speaker lit up, im going to the computer shop on what needs to be repaired/replace.. i still hope that i can at least retrieve my hard drives and continue w/ this.. tnx to all ur support playahs!!!

Great news bro, but I think that your PC is the last thing you need to worry about when a typhoon or tornado or some sort of disaster hits your country. My two cents

Been there. (The computer, not the typhoon.)

This was one of the best active Live dynasties! Hope you can continue.

message (not here shempre...txt mo ko) me on what i can do to help...

And on the 5th day, my cpu resurrected from the dead i dont know how long it'd last, i didnt go to the computer shop yet (as i don't have the funds), i just tried to clean up the parts, it was so muddy. Luck is on my side

@fumanchu - i wanted to txt u but i thought ur so busy, tnx anyway
@thierryhenry - of course its not my main priority, i was just stating the reason why i can't continue my dynasty. tnx for the concern

This was one of the best active Live dynasties! Hope you can continue.

im really humbled w/ this, it'd really push me to continue. tnx so much martti

definitely hope things get better both with the typhoon aftermath and computer recovery; i'd like to see this continue... even though i hate the lakers

hey, i can still read that! nice try tnx dude

@thierryhenry - of course its not my main priority, i was just stating the reason why i can't continue my dynasty. tnx for the concern

No problem bro. I was a little concerned because it was all over the news here. Props for the computer working again!

and now you should take the necessary precautions...take your computer up to your room pre....the coming storm is said to be stronger than the last one....CNN gave it a category 5 typhoon...brace yourself Philippines

@thierryhenry - of course its not my main priority, i was just stating the reason why i can't continue my dynasty. tnx for the concern

No problem bro. I was a little concerned because it was all over the news here. Props for the computer working again!

not a big deal dude .. that typhoon was stronger than hurricane katrina and another super typhoon is coming, more bad news (sigh)

and now you should take the necessary precautions...take your computer up to your room pre....the coming storm is said to be stronger than the last one....CNN gave it a category 5 typhoon...brace yourself Philippines

il be doing exactly what u said.. our country needs more prayers

__________________________________________________
DEREK FISHER ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIS SEASON
__________________________________________________




In an exclusive interview, Fisher announced that he will walk away from the game he loved to give more attention to his ailing daughter, Tatum Fisher, who is battling a rare form of cancer in her left eye.

“I think the decision was easier because it’s about Tatum, and it’s about my family,” the veteran guard said. “I think that the faith that I have in God, and the faith that I have in things always working out as they should, I felt confident that we’d be okay as a family."

Quietly, typically, with neither fanfare nor complaint, he has spent the last year helping his 22-month-old child fight retinoblastoma while trying to help the Lakers fight for a championship.

The man known for his uncanny vision -- both on the court and in the locker room -- has exhausted himself trying to save his little girl's eye.

He has gone from practice floor to hospital room, from charter flight to computer web cam, from prayer to prayer, keeping one strong hand on his family while directing the Lakers with the other.

"Nothing can prepare you for a sick child, nothing," says his wife Candace.

Fisher’s decision to walk away from the game might be a major one for many people, but he felt it was his duty as Tatum's dad to do whatever he had to do to make sure she got the best possible medical care. ”I don’t feel that basketball is the only way to make a living,” he went on. “I feel like I’m capable of doing so many things to help people around the country and around the world. I felt confident I could make the decision not knowing what was to come.”

“I think at this point in my career, and in my life, really, not just as a basketball player but as a man, more than anything — learning how to be a husband and learning how to be a father —those are the sacrifices you make for your family, and you just work it out.”


(D-Fish serves as an inspiration to everyone)


==========================

Meanwhile, Lakers GM and Head Coach Xavier Blake announces that Karl Malone failed to pass the physical exams due to a tear ligament on his right knee, and thus won't be able to join the LA Lakers this season.

But hinted that another veteran player has shown interest and wanted to finish what he failed to accomplish. He also led the NBA in rebounds per game for a record seven consecutive years and won five NBA championships.

"It's disappointing that Malone won't be able to play for us. But on the other side, I'm ecstatic and really happy that Dennis Rodman offered his services to us. He's still in shape as he played for different leagues around Europe before we signed him to be the Team's Toughness Coach."




Top 5 teams to beat

1. LA Lakers – They got their core back, everyone’s healthy and they are the defending champions.
2. Miami Heat – With the chemistry of D-Wade, The Matrix, & Mike Beasley plus Okafor as the anchor makes them the favorite in the East or even in the league. Im gonna be really surprised if I don’t see them in the finals. Pat Riley did an amazing job in surrounding Wade with players that can compete in high level.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers – Mike Miller is a welcome addition w/ his experience and superb shooting, teams will definitely think twice in doubling LBJ. But the main concern is that Danny Ferry didn’t make any movement (at this time) to improve the talent of his frontcourt. (Ilgauskas, Varejao, Smith, Hickson)
4. Dallas Mavericks – Dirk gets his wish of an inside operator, Kaman has the talent down low w/ the improved & stronger Brandon Bass. They also have Ty Lawson to backup Kidd & Terry. I like their chances come playoffs.
5. Utah Jazz – Trading Boozer for Bogut gives them the ceiling w/o giving up their offensive & defensive game. Bogut is a big guy that can run w/ Deron Williams or a presence down low to give Okur the luxury to play his game outside. If they stay healthy, the Jazz will be very difficult to play against.

Darkhorse

Chicago Bulls – Deng, Rose, Gordon plus Maggette also deserve a lot of hype. These guys are truly just fun players to watch.

Toronto Raptors – I think they’re a complete team coming in this season. They have supreme, talented big men in C. Bosh, J. Oneal, A. Bargnani and rookie Jordan Hill. They’re also equipped w/ European players that can score and make plays.



Rudy Fernandez "A Disappointed Man"

Portland's pursuit of a certain player from China has infuriated the Trail Blazers' lone remaining Spanish player, Rudy Fernandez, to the point where he'd prefer to play in Greece, Russia or even Spain again, ESPN.com learned Tuesday.

A league source told ESPN.com that Fernandez has already been courted informally by European powerhouses Olympiacos, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and CSKA Moscow. Fernandez, who paid more than $500,000 of his own money to buy his way out of his contract with DKV Joventut, believes he can earn 5 million euros per season if he signs a three-year contract in Europe. He is due to make $1.1 million from the Blazers next season.

The problem for Fernandez from a leverage standpoint is that he is entering the second year of his NBA rookie contract, and the Blazers have the option to re-sign him for a third and/or fourth season. Fernandez would have to be released from his NBA contract in order to receive a letter of clearance from FIBA, the sport's international governing body, to play elsewhere.
The Blazers have been made aware of Fernandez's feelings, the source said. The source added that Fernandez has not formally requested a trade but has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way he was used by Portland coach Nate McMillan over the course of his rookie season. Fernandez averaged 26 minutes off the bench and scored 10.2 points per game, rarely handling the ball or acting as an offensive initiator

TMAC to Amare Trade?

A very reliable source told today that the Suns are talking to Houston about a trade that would involve Tracy McGrady coming to the Suns for Amare Stoudemire. Other players would be involved. The source said Leandro Barbosa would go to Houston with the Suns getting Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks, a point guard they fancied in the 2007 draft but sold their pick instead of taking him. Those parts would appear to have Phoenix taking on an extra $4.3 million in salary, which seems doubtful with luxury tax considerations.

We heard a rumor of Houston inquiring about this two weeks ago but it was squashed at the time. Now, it seems to have legs.

“We’re getting a lot of interest on Tracy, and I do have to listen,” Morey said. “It’s my job to make this team as ready to win the title as possible. I think the reason we are going to have a pretty high bar on moving him is because he still provides exactly what coach (Rick Adelman) and I thought we were missing, which was a guy who can get a high-quality shot at the end of the game. “That said, we want to position ourselves for the playoffs, it looks like it’s going to be hard for Tracy to be here for a good chunk of the year, so if we can get a talented player who helps us all season, I think we have to look at it.”

HAT LADY

OK, anyone reading this post knows who David Stern is. But did anyone ever wonder who the heck the woman is who is always photographed handing players their hat before they walk across the stage? Her name is Chrysa Chin and she is the league's vice-president of player development. Most of the players, however, just refer to her as The Hat Lady.

I actually hate Fisher so i don't really care ,and yeah our country needs more prayers and i'm sure nobody here in our country will want a stronger typhoon so hopefully it isn't

Rodman back?

C77, why do u hate d-fish? coz he nailed the winning 3's against the magic?
thierryhenry, yes, rodman's back, as you wished

LAKERS SIGN 3 TO TRAINING CAMP ROSTER

Lakers.com The Lakers have signed three more players for their training camp roster. Keep in mind this is usual for teams to do this so they have 2-4 units to run with. We’ll keep an eye on the signings and here is some information on the players:


Guard, 6'0-183 lb.

SEAN SINGLETARY improved upon his All-ACC Freshman performance in 2004–05 by averaging 17.7 points per game and earning all-ACC first team honors during his sophomore season, which included his second highest scoring game, a 35-point effort against an Adam Morrison-led Gonzaga team.

On March 9, 2008, against the University of Maryland, Singletary scored his 2,000th career point and finished the game with 2,002 points, and finished his career as the fith-highest all-time scorer in school history with 2,079 points. He also joined greats Johnny Dawkins and Danny Ferry as the only three players in ACC history to record 2,000 career points, 500 career assists, and 400 career rebounds; adding his 200 career steals makes him the only ACC player to ever record each of those four milestones.

Singletary's #44 was retired by the University of Virginia at halftime of a game against Clemson on February 15, 2009

After undergoing offseason hip surgery, Sean Singletary was selected in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft with the 42nd pick by the Sacramento Kings. In August 2008 he was traded to the Houston Rockets along with Patrick Ewing, Jr. and Ron Artest[12] then subsequently traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for D. J. Strawberry.[13] On December 10, 2008, he was traded once again along with Boris Diaw and Raja Bell to the Charlotte Bobcats for Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley.[14] On March 9, 2009 the Charlotte Bobcats assigned Singletary along with Alexis Ajinca to the NBA D-League's Sioux Falls Skyforce.[15]

Following 2008-09 season, Bobcats didn't pick up the team option on Singletary, therefore he became a free agent.


Guard-Forward 6'7-210 lb.

DERON WASHINGTON finished his senior season with career bests in points (13.5 per game), rebounds (6.5 per game) and assists (2.3 per game). The Hokies finished the season 22–14 (9–7). VT was selected for the NIT and reached the quarterfinals, defeating Morgan State 94–62, and UAB 75–49 before losing to Ole Miss 81–72.

Washington was drafted 59th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft.

He played in Israel for the Hapoel Holon.

Deron played for the Detroit Pistons in the 2009 Summer League to compete for a spot on the roster, but was cut.



Forward-Center 6'10-245 lb.

JOSH BOONE was picked 23rd overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets. He was picked right behind former UConn teammate, Marcus Williams who was also selected by the Nets. During the 2006 Pepsi Pro Summer League in Orlando he led the league in rebounding (9 rpg) and was 2nd in blocked shots (1.67 bpg).

After the summer league he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and was expected to be out for 4–6 months. Although he was expected to be out for 4–6 months, Boone returned much earlier. Boone made his NBA debut December 2, 2006 against the Philadelphia 76ers, playing 2 minutes. Suffering the effects of the injury and missing the pre-season training, Boone had an inconsistent but promising rookie season.

Josh had a then career high 21 points on 10-for-10 shooting, while grabbing 6 rebounds on March 24, 2007 against the Charlotte Bobcats in Charlotte. The following game, on March 28 against the Indiana Pacers, Josh eclipsed his previous career-high by scoring 22 points on 11 for 13 shooting. He also posted his first double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds.

In late December 2007, Boone earned his a spot in the starting lineup. He replaced Jason Collins as the starting center and contributed immediately, putting up a double-double almost every night. He currently holds an average of seven points & rebounds per game, and is improving on his defense. He admits that his jump shot still needs work. During the month of January, Boone was the target of a "Hack a Shaq" by Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson.

* * * * * * * * * *



Hate him or Love him, he was RodMAN.

Dyed hair? Piercings? Tattoos? Pretty standard for today's NBA player, but Rodman will still lead the league in all of those categories when he eventually makes his comeback. On top of the craziness, arguably, Rodman was the best conditioned player in the league, and maybe had the highest basketball IQ. Other than the few seconds after the rebound, he rarely touched the ball, and there's nothing on this cover that says "typical basketball player", which of course he was not.

* * * * * * * * * *

2009 Pre-Season Schedule Announced
Published by Ty Nowell in Training Camp

Here’s the press release from the Lakers PR staff:

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced the preseason schedule for the 2009-10 season along with ticket purchase information. The preseason line-up includes games against the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards.

The Lakers will kick off the 2009 preseason on October 9 when they play host to their Pacific Division opponent the Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center, Los Angeles. The Lakers will travel to Las Vegas on October 15 where they will play the New York Knicks at the Thomas and Mack Center.

The Lakers will wrap up their preseason when they face the Washington Wizards on October 17 at the "Phone Booth" Verizon Center.

Below is the complete 2009 Los Angeles Lakers preseason schedule:

Oct. 7 Golden State Warriors (Staples Center, Los Angeles) 7:00 pm
Oct. 15 New York Knicks (Thomas and Mack, Las Vegas, NV) 7:00 pm
Oct. 17 Washington Wizards (Verizon Center, Washington DC ) 7:30 pm

Individual game tickets for the Lakers preseason games will go on sale at 10:00 am, for all games with the exception of the games at STAPLES Center. Tickets will be sold at Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com and available by phone at 1-800-4-NBA-TIX for all games except Las Vegas, where tickets can be purchased at unlvtickets.com or by phone at 702-739-FANS

Last edited by XpLosibo on Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:08 am, edited 4 times in total.

Great signings. Specially Boone.