Bakersfield??
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by LASportsblog
By: Jeff Girouard
Well I'm glad to be back after an extended hiatus. As Nate mentioned I've been working on another project with the third member of our staff, Matt Berson. For the record I do own a razor and just in case you were wondering, yes, Nate is an antagonistic prick. I guess I can't blame the guy for putting us on blast like that, he's been holding it down honorably for the LA Sports Blog for a few weeks and shit I'm contributing again so clearly those 3rd grade tactics are effective.
It's like those Saturday nights when you’re trying to go out and your buddy with the car is sandbaggin' it like El Nino (If I were Lil' Wayne that analogy would be accceptable, so give me a break-- Im rusty). He's laying on the couch, un-quaffed, and 2 hours deep into some freeroll on Full Tilt. So, of course, you have no choice but to call him a pussy until he finally gets his shit together.
So what's been on my mind the past few weeks? If you're expecting me to play the will Kobe stay or will he go game you are SOL. Honestly, this whole thing is disgusting and at this point my opinion is entirely unrelated to basketball. The guy rearranges some items in his locker and all of the sudden his name comes up in some deal for David Lee, Nate Robinson, Zeke's rolex and the Knick's 2012 first round selection.
Just... STOP.
I have no control over the situation and neither do you or you or you. Kobe has already told you all you need to know: "When I'm here, wherever I'm at, I'm ready to go. It's not my job to be worrying about what management's doing at this point. I [expressed] my frustrations over the summer and I'll just leave it there." And right now he’s here, he’s a Laker.
If there is one player in the Association you don’t have to worry about putting forth max effort, it’s Bryant. And in the end isn’t that all that matters, he’s a professional basketball player. The best. Give me pro sports coverage, not pro sports drama.
What happened to substance? Its gotten to the point where I actually look forward to Charley Rosen articles. The fact that he’s old and out of touch, really serves him well in this context.
Last night’s preseason game against the Sonics was promising. First off is there a commentator more excitable than Kevin Harlin? I’m just waiting to hear the first, “BUCKLE UP, for ADONAL FOYLE!!” Secondly, why were there so many empty seats in the arena? Seriously, what else is there to do in Bakersfield? A Laker preseason game at Rabobank Arena should be standing room only. Also I hope you all caught a glimpse of Jim Buss. He was that transient looking fellow sitting to the right (your left) of Mitch Kupchak. Speechless...
Jordan Farmar played great in limited action, with 10 points and 7 assists. He has clearly gained a lot of confidence and if he can keep his man in front of him, he should see substantial minutes this season. Brian Cook actually had a pretty nice outing. He was a stellar 7-9 from the floor, but his improved attitude and commitment to defense (not a typo) are really encouraging. The play of the night had to be that charge he took from a streaking Mouhamed Sene (7-0 235). Think about it Brian Cook taking a charge, in a preseason game no less. I think Rambis finally told him, “Hey, OK, if you are going to insist on just standing there with your hands down by your sides, at least be in someone’s way.” Bravo. Lastly I’d like to acknowledge the play of Andrew Bynum, who put up 19 and 10 on 8-11 shooting. He wasn’t spectacular on the defensive end of the floor, but he’s really starting to show some heart. To Bynum’s credit if Mouhamed Sene, Robert Swift, and or Johan Petro (the 10th, 12th and 25th overall picks of their respective draft classes) were playing in a bigger market, they’d be with the Sioux Falls Skyforce by now.
