May 19, 2013
Lakers Offseason: Ideal Scenarios, #2

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After one of the most tumultuous seasons in team history, the Lakers now look to the offseason to try to build a team capable of a title run. With an aging roster, and a tricky cap situation, it will be very hard to predict how much this Lakers team will change come next October. Because of this, I will not give one, but 5 potential scenarios for what I believe could happen this offseason. Here’s #2 of the series. 

Let’s try this again: 

On paper, the 2012-13 Lakers looked like one of the top NBA teams assembled over the last decade. They had a 2-time MVP in Steve Nash to run the point, Kobe Bryant (nothing else needs to be said), a former defensive player of the year in Metta World Peace, the best European post player in the game in Pau Gasol, and a hyper-athletic defense beast in Dwight Howard. Yet, today we are only half way through May, and the Lakers find themselves at home on the couch. What went wrong?

I will reiterate, the 2012-13 Lakers looked like one of the best looking NBA teams assembled over the last decade onpaper. However, what is italicized is what made all of the difference. While Steve Nash did have an illustrious career, he was also 39 years of age with 16 years of NBA basketball under his belt before playing a single game with the Lakers. Thus, it should have come as any surprise when Nash went down with a leg fracture in just the Lakers 2nd game of the season. What could not be seen on a piece of paper with just his name written on it became evident that day, Steve Nash was not the Steve Nash we as Lakers fans came to hate after his dominating play knocked Los Angeles out of the playoffs two years in a row.

While Dwight Howard had won an NBA dunk contest three straight defensive player of the year awards, he was also coming off season ending back surgery that disabled him him from walking for two months. Although Howard was able to make it back for opening night with the Lakers, it was evident that his explosiveness, and athleticism that made him the dominating force inside that he was in Orlando, was not there. Once again, we, the Sports world, were fooled by all we saw when we looked at who would be the Lakers starting center in 2013, the name Dwight Howard. 

With Nash in and out of the lineup due to leg, back and hamstring injuries, and with Howard struggling to reclaim his overpowering presence on the court, the Lakers were unable to gel as a team and find a true identity. 

Despite these indications that this Lakers team is too old, and is incapable of finding that chemistry needed to be successful in this league, there is a silver lining with this group. After the all-star break, even with most of the team not healthy, the Lakers were able to post the fourth best record in the NBA. They found something that worked and stuck with it. By Kobe Bryant playing facilitator, the team was able to overcome their tendency to simply stand around once Bryant got the ball as they knew a shot was going up. When team’s doubled Bryant, he was consistently able find open teammates in positions to make plays. And with Dwight Howard getting healthier and healthier by the day, he was becoming more and more comfortable playing with Bryant, and in Los Angeles. Thus, when looking at how to improve this team, maybe we should take a step back. Rather than making drastic changes the Lakers did last year, maybe all that is needed some small, simple improvements to erase the team’s shortcoming this season.

 When asked for his opinion on what the Lakers front office needed to address this offseason, Kobe Bryant said, “When you go through a season like this, and your five games out of the playoffs, and all of sudden you have this incredible run, now you not only end up in the playoffs, you end up with the 7th seed…It does something to the character of the group. It builds a togetherness, an understanding. There is no more confusion about how I should play with Dwight, and Dwight should play with Pau… It’s not there anymore. So, to allow that to dissipate and have to do that again with another group. It’s a headache.”

 

With this opinion in mind, here is a look at what a Lakers team could look like next year.

Starting 5 

PG Steve Nash 

SG Kobe Bryant

SF Wesley Johnson (addition) 

PF Pau Gasol

C Dwight Howard

Bench: 

  1. SG J.J. Redick (Addition)
  2. PG Steve Blake
  3. PF Jordan Hill
  4. SF Martell Webster
  5. PG DJ Augustin (Addition) 
  6. C Jermaine O’Neal (Addition)
  7. PG Darius Morris 
  8. C Robert Sacre 
  9. 2nd Round Draft Pick 

Losses

SG Jodie Meeks (Team Option)

SF Earl Clark (free agency)

SF Devin Ebanks (Free Agency)

SG Andrew Goudelock (Free Agency)

SF Antawn Jamison (Free Agency)

SF Metta World Peace (Amnesty) 

By making these moves, the Lakers keep their core intact, while at the time revamping the bench to improve the team’s athletic, shooting, and length deficiencies last year. With money gained from the amnesty of Metta World Peace, the Lakers bring in Wesley Johnson, who can bring some much needed youth to the lineup. He is a solid defender, and can shoot as well. The Lakers address their lack of shooting/scoring off the bench by bringing in JJ Redick. Also, they bring in Mo Williams (only if he takes less money) to bring a serious point guard competition to the team. Finally, they add depth with Martell Webster and Jermaine O’Neal. 

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Filed under: Lakers NBA basketball sports news 
May 15, 2013
Lakers Offseason: Ideal Scenarios, #1

After one of the most tumultuous seasons in team history, the Lakers now look to the offseason to try to build a team capable of a title run. With an aging roster, and a tricky cap situation, it will be very hard to predict how much this Lakers team will change come next October. Because of this, I will not give one, but 5 potential scenarios for what I believe could happen this offseason. Here’s #1 of the series. 

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Dwight returns for redemption. Seismic Shifts Follow: 

The trade that brought Dwight Howard to Los Angeles last August was of the most celebrated/hyped additions in recent Lakers history. After the Chris Paul debacle, the Lakeshow finally got its star to go alongside Kobe Bryant that would take the team to a championship level. This great anticipation lasted through September, but when the Lakers dropped their season opener to the Mavs and 3 out of their next four games, questions, and fear arose. As we know, it only got worse from there, as the Lakers went on to barely sneak into the playoffs, only to get ousted in four games by the San Antonio Spurs. This disappointing year, and hesitancy to give up on another organization, prompts Howard to sign a max contract with the Lakers, proving his investment and desire to win for this this team and this city. The Lakers then go on to trade forward Pau Gasol to the Jazz for Paul Millsap (who would resign with Jazz to be traded), bringing some youth, toughness, size and of course talent to the team. To further alleviate cap space, the team goes on to use their Amnesty Clause on forward Metta World Peace. They capitalize on this newfound flexibility and add athletic youth to the team along with some veteran additions (see below).

Starting 5 

PG Steve Nash

SG Kobe Bryant

SF Corey Brewer (addition) 

PF Paul Millsap (addition)

C Dwight Howard

Bench

  1. SG OJ Mayo (addition)
  2. PG Steve Blake
  3. PF Jordan Hill 
  4. SF Dorell Wright (addition)
  5. C Jermaine O’neal (addition)
  6. PG Sebastian Telfair (addition)
  7. PG Darius Morris 
  8. C Robert Sacre 
  9. 2nd round draft pick 

Losses

PF Pau Gasol  (trade)

SG Jodie Meeks (Team Option)

SF Earl Clark (free agency)

SF Devin Ebanks (Free Agency)

SG Andrew Goudelock (Free Agency)

SF Antawn Jamison (Free Agency)

SF Metta World Peace (Amnesty) 

All in all by making these moves, the Lakers would put themselves in a wonderful position for a Championship run. They add much needed youth with Millsap, Brewer and Mayo, and key shooting off the bench with Dorrel Wright. They also add a veteran in Jermaine O’Neal, that can be trusted to come in and produce off the bench. Also they bring in a talented guy in Sebestian Telfair who could very well cut into either Blake or Nash’s point guard minutes. Dumping the huge contracts of Metta World Peace and Pau Gasol, and letting go most of this year’s bench to free agency, make this all very possible. 

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Filed under: Dwight Howard Lakers nba sports news rumors 
May 10, 2013
School First. NFL Rules bar Jonathan Franklin from portion Packers offseason program

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When Jonathan Franklin takes Ray Nitschke field this weekend for mandatory Packers rookie mini-camp it will be his first and last time doing so until after June 14th. No Franklin, is not in trouble. Rather, due to the NFL’s graduation related-rules, Jonathan will have to fly back to Westwood on Monday to complete the semester at UCLA. Personally, I like this rule, as it ensures that players do not have to choose between football or school once their drafted. However, for Franklin, who will be missing about 10 practices, the rule could hinder his chances to get an early jump on making his case for a highly-competive Packers’ running back position. Franklin’s college teammate and Packers draft pick, Datone Jones, however, will be able to attend all of the Packers offseason, as he graduated last year.

Like I said, this will give Eddie Lacey an early opportunity to impress the Packers coaching staff with Franklin back home. However, Franklin, who aspires to be the mayor of LA one day, should  understand that he has a great opportunity in front of him to get his degree, and in this instance, football can wait. 

Franklin expressed his excitement to begin rookie camp over twitter:

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Filed under: Packers NFL football jonathan franklin 
April 30, 2013
Packers Draft Recap

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With the selection of Sam Barrington in the 7th round of the 2013, Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers capped off what is looking like another successful draft. With 11 total picks over the weekend, Green Bay  adressed several areas of need. Here’s a recap and analysis of each pick. 

1st Round, 26th Overall: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

See analysis in article below

2nd Round, 61st overall: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

After Eddie Lacy slid out of the first round, he was listed as Mel Kiper’s best available player going into round two. At pick 29 of the round, however, Lacy was still on the board. Unlike the many teams before, the Packers were not going to pass the on the 5-11, 231 lb powerful back. With a gaping hole at the running back position Lacy will make an immediate impact. His strength, underrated quickness and agility, and ability to pass-block will give him the opportunity to become the work-horse running back the Packers have so coveted. 

4th Round, 109th Overall: David Bakhtiari, OT, Colorado 

Quite possibility the most important position that had to be addressed this offseason was the offensive line. It is a must that Aaron Rodgers is protected at all times, something that has not been this case during his tenure in Green Bay. Although it took four rounds, the Packers finally addressed this need by selecting Bakhtiari, a somewhat raw talent. Despite this, athletic ability and length should allow David to compete for a starting job at a left tackle position that has been inconsitant at best in Green Bay. 

4th Round, 122nd Overall: J.C. Tretter, OL, Cornell

The Packers continued to address the need at offensive line with their next selection of the fourth round and their selection of Tretter. As former tight-end, Tretter is versatile, athletic, and physical. J.C.’s size, strength and ability to play any position can provide the Packers with a viable utility guy for the upcoming season. 

4th Round, 125th Overall: Jonathan Franklin, RB, UCLA

Anytime Ted Thompson trades up you know its for good reason. Thompson does not like shedding picks if there is not someone high on the team’s draft board available, so when the Packers traded up to grab Franklin in the 4th round, you knew the Packers thought very highly of of the man who hopes to one day become the Mayor of his hometown, Los Angeles. Besides these ambitious aspirations, Franklin’s many abilities on the football field make him an absolute steal at 125th overall. As a quick, agile, one cut runner, combining Franklin with the rookie Eddie Lacey will provide the Packers a nice 1-2 thunder and lighting punch out of the backfield. Suddenly, a backfield that was a major weakness for Green Bay, is looking like it can become a deceptive weapon for an already high-powered Packers offense.  

5th Round, 159th Overall: Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa

After 4 straight offensive selections, the Packers returned to trying to improve their defensive with their selection of Hyde in the 5th round. It will be tough for Hyde to see much playing time next year as he will be joining an already talented group of cornerbacks in Green Bay. However, his elite ball-skils could raise some eyebrows.

5th Round, 167th Overall: Josh Boyd, DL, Mississippi State

You can never have too much depth on the defensive line. At 310 lbs, Boyd is a big boy. He combines this size with above average strength. He should be a solid run stuffing backup with starter potential down the road for a young, improving Packers defense. 

6th Round, 193rd Overall: Nate Palmer, OLB, Illinois State

You may look at the Packers starting outside linebackers (Nick Perry and Clay Matthews) and think that the Green Bay is just fine. For the starting rotation, this may be the case, but after loosing Frank Zombo, and Erik Walden to free agency, the Packers are thinner than what meets the eye at the position. Palmer’s addition should add some much needed depth behind two of the best OLB’s in the game. 

7th Round, 216th Overall: Charles Johnson, WR, Grand Valley State

This could be my favorite selection of the Packers’ entire draft. Yes, I am talking about Charles Johnson. At 6’2”, 215, Johnson ran an incredible 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day and posted an 39.5 inch vertical leap. It is this athletic ability, along with an impressive nack for the end-zone that made Johnson, Mel Kiper’s pick for sleeper of the draft. I see Johnson’s still developing game as one that can day be one day comparable to Julio Jones. I know, I might be getting ahead of myself, but after watching some of Johnson’s highlights and reading some articles on the young Grand Valley State WR, there’s reason to be excited.

7th Round, 224th Overall: Kevin Dorsey, WR, Maryland

The Packers continued to add depth at WR with their selection of Dorsey. For a team that lost Greg Jennings to free agency, and Donald Driver to retirement, Dorsey will be one of many with a shot at a spot on the Packers roster at receiver. 

7th Round, 232nd Overall: Sam Barrington, LB, USF

The Packers completed their draft with their selection of 246 pound Barington. This thick build brings a nice punch to Barrington’s game, and the potential to become backup and special teams guy for the Packers. 

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Filed under: Packers Draft NFL eddie lacy Jonathan Franklin Sports football 
April 26, 2013
Packers Select Datone Jones with the 26th Pick of the 2013 NFL Draft

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 The first round of the NFL draft has come and gone with rounds 2-7 set to get underway on Friday, and conclude on Saturday. Draft weekend is huge for all NFL teams, but for the Green Bay Packers the NFL draft is enormous due of their distaste for singing big-name free agents in the offseason. 

After getting tortured by Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs last year (surrendering 576 yards of offense), Ted Thompson, and Mike McCarthy made it a priority to dedicate much of this offseason to finding a way to combat the read-option offense. Their selection of Datone Jones, a 6’4, 285 LB defensive end out of UCLA, was certainly a step in the right direction. His athletic ability to shoot through gaps, ability to pursue ball carriers in the open-field, and set the edge of defense, make him a perfect weapon to try to contain not only this new up and coming prolific offense, but also the many other types of offenses ran around the league.

 It is Jones’ unique quickness and athletic ability for his size that prompted many NFL analysts to rank Datone as the second best defensive end of this year’s draft. For a Packers team has struggled stopping the run, and generating pressure from their D-Line, Datone Jones is a perfect fit.

For a guy born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, the initial transition to the small frigid town of Green Bay will be tough, but once he is able to acclimate him self, he should turn out to be a very fine player in Title Town. 

Twitter Reaction:

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Filed under: Packers Datone Jones NFL Sports ESPN Draft 
April 24, 2013
Packers Prospect Profile: Matt Elam

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       With the NFL draft just two days away, we look at a player that could very well hear his name called when the 26th pick rolls around on thursday night. The safety position has become a major weakness for the Packers, who have seemingly be unable to overcome loosing Nick Collins two years ago to a very serious neck injury. The team attempted to combat the loss of play-making that the All-Pro, Collins, brought by moving Charles Woodson over to safety last season. However, after a year plagued by injury, the Packers cut ties with Woodson this offseason.

       Besides from Morgan Burnett, who is a very solid player, the safety position for the Packers today lacks experience, and quite frankly, much talent. With their 26th pick in Thursday’s draft, Green Bay will surely look into picking up a safety to compete for a starting job this August. A guy who could very well fit the bill is Matt Elam, a safety out of the University of Florida. Elam has made a name for himself by punishing opposing offenses with crushing hits. It is this big-hitting ability, along with outstanding quickness and ball skills, that make Elam one of the top safeties of this 2013 draft class. 

       Over the past couple of seasons while the Packers have seemed to have great ball-hawking safeties, they have never had a big-hitting play-maker quite what Matt Elam has showed in his time at Florida. Elam also thrives in run defense, and closing speed. However, what is holding Elam back from being one of this year’s top 10 prospects is his lack of height. At, 5-10, Elam is considered a little small for the safety position. Thus, scouts fear that Elam will struggle in the NFL covering tight-ends and larger receivers. Also, there is some concern that Elam may struggle conforming to the NFL’s strict tackling rules.

      In the end, Elam should be able to adjust to the NFL’s rules, and from there, it will be up to him to prove to us that his size won’t hinder him from becoming the great NFL player that he has the potential to be.  

Matt Elam Highlights: 

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Filed under: NFL Packers draft football sports Matt Elam 
April 14, 2013
Kobe Bryant tearing his achilles exhibits Mike D’Antoni’s lack of control

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       Today, even two days removed, it still doesn’t seem real. The things Kobe Bryant was doing on the basketball court this year gave us all the sense he was not human, that he was invincible. Unlike past stars, father time had, and would not catch up with him. He was vino, he got better with age. And over the past two weeks, with the Lakers desperate for wins and a playoff berth, because he was the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant could, and would, play all 48 minutes game in and game out without any damage to his body. He was not our kind. This perception was further validated after Bryant went down with not one but two serious looking injuries in a must win game on Sunday against the Warriors, but both times stayed in the game. Down 9 heading into the fourth quarter, with Bryant yet to go off, we were all once again preparing our selves for a KB24 fourth quarter take over, and another win to keep the playoff hopes alive. And after Bryant nailed two consecutive threes to tie the game at 107 with 4 minutes to play, it seemed like the script was playing out once again. 

       After the Warriors hit a deuce to go up 109-107, the ball was in Bryant’s hands at the top of the key, looking to give his team the tie, or possibly the lead. Kobe then preceded to make a move he’s made “a million times,” but this time something went wrong. Kobe went down with seemingly no contact, and immediately grabbed for his left foot. After a few nervous moments on the ground, Bryant gingerly got up and walked back to the bench to prepare himself to known down two free throws. Phew. However, this time something was different. Unlike the past two injuries in the game, Kobe was an obvious pain, pain that did not go away after trying to walk it off. After hitting two free throws with just his arms, the Lakers fouled Stephen Curry, and in a tie game with 3 minutes to go and the playoffs on the line, Kobe took him self out. This was serious. Staples Center stood and applauded for their superstar, but it was a light applause spiked by the fear of the unknown for what was next for their beloved Lakers, and champion, Kobe Bryant. Without Bryant, the Lakers were able to go on to get a crucial victory, but after all eyes were on diagnosis of the injury, and the fate of Lakers. 10 to 15 minutes went by before the seismic shift in la-la land, and the basketball world was confirmed, Kobe Bryant had teared his achilles. Utter disbelief. Utter,disappointment. Who wanted it more, worked harder than anyone else, and who was seemingly invincible, was wounded. Olympus had fallen. 

       It could not have had happen to any one less deserving. 34 years in the league and with 5 championships, Kobe Bryant was not satisfied. He wanted more, and it was this ambition for greatness that drove Kobe to work harder than he had ever before this offseason to ensure that this year in the league, his 17th, was one of his best. After a coaching change and rough first half of the season, Bryant’s greatness was not reflected by the Lakers performance. But at age 34, Bryant played him self into third in the league in scoring, earning him the nickname Vino.

       However, after tearing his Achilles on Friday, for the first time it seemed as if Bryant’s drive for success, something that had always been a blessing to him and the team’s he had played for, had become a curse. It was the perfect storm. You had a wildly competitive guy in a Kobe Bryant, and a coach in Mike D’Antoni who lacked control and over his team as a result of his offense being thrown in the trash because it was unsuitable with this Lakers team’s personal. And after struggling in the 1st half of the season, going into the stretch run with a playoff berth, it seemed as if D’Antoni became desperate to win over not only Lakers fans, but his own team as well.

       As a result when Kobe approached D’Antonti about not wanting to sit out and play as close to all 48 minutes as possible for these last 5 games, D’antoni conquered. Was this smart? Obviously not. Close to every star in this league wants to play every minute of every game because they all carry a desire and drive do all they can for their team and themselves to perform at a high level night in and night out. Does every star in this league play all game every game? No. These stars are stopped from doing such feats not by themselves, but by their coaches. Notice how this is the first time Kobe Bryant has ever in his career tried and successfully played close to every minute of multiple games in a row. Is this because this year this is a new Kobe Bryant with an even greater hunger for success? Obviously not, as it has been this craving for personal and team success that has allowed Kobe to make it to 7 NBA championships, winning 5 of them, and an MVP award. The difference from then to now is the coach. When Bryant was playing for Phil Jackson, his competitiveness was still at an all-time high, expect it was controlled. During his 5th championship year, the 2010-11 season, Bryant averaged 33 minutes a game, compared to a 38.6 average this year, and a 45.2 minutes a game in the month of april. Jackson was able to find a find a balance between when to play and not play Kobe, while at the same time maintaining respect from Bryant. Sure, many say that a torn Achilles can happen at any time, to any one, no matter the condition of their body, but you have to believe, after seeing Bryant struggle to stay on his feet through the first three quarters of Warriors game, and finally going down for good in the fourth, that there had to be some correlation.

Twitter Reaction:

Video Reacion:

Kobe Reaction:

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Filed under: Lakers Kobe Bryant nba basketball Sports 
April 9, 2013
NFL Draft Packers Prospect Profile: Eddie Lacy

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       Quite possibly the Packers most glaring weakness is their running game. The emergence of Dujuan Harris towards the end of last year’s season improved the team’s ground attack, but the need for stability in the backfield remains. After missing out on Steven Jackson in free agency, Green Bay has a chance to swoop up a similar player, Eddie Lacy, with their first round pick. As a part of the National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide, Lacy lead a solid Bama rushing attack with 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season. Lacy combines power and size, 231 lbs, with underrated explosiveness, 4.44 40-time. He open-filed shiftiness allows him the ability the break off big runs. Lacy also thrives in the passing game, something the Packers and Aaron Rodgers are very comfortable with. 

       Lacy’s outstanding year was aided by a very impressive Alabama offensive line. However, his build and unique talent are certainly enough for Lacy to be a very solid running back in this league. 

 

Highlights: 

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Filed under: Packers NFL football Eddie Lacy Draft 
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