Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

[meh]

Game Settings:

Game - NBA 2K8 (w/latest patch)
System - XBOX 360
Rosters - 2KSports 11/12 update

Gameplay:

Difficulty - PRO
Sliders - Modified (based on Papernut)
Quarter Length - 8
Sim Length - 12
NBA Rules - On

In-House:

Games Played - Home games only, and all Post Season games
Games Simmed - Road games only, no Post Season games

[highheatkingsb]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Yes!!! My Lakers have a Dynasty on the Forums. I'll be following. So, you're only playing the home games? May I ask why?

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Setting Up For Another Run:

Los Angeles; The stories surrounding the Lakers in the off-season mainly concerned the happy, yet unhappy star 'Kobe Bryant. From Sacramento to Chicago, NBA General Managers were forming a queue as to package a deal together to snare the leagues star name.

The Lakers found themselves as the bait in a pond they once dominated. Kobe still had a 2 year deal to play through, though recent grumblings suggest that he wants to be part of a Championship run and not the rebuilding project currently facing the Laker organisation.

With less than a month until opening night, things appeared to be set in stone, the future of Kobe was not in Laker yellow..



KOBE:"Number 4 will not happen in LA"

(AP) Lakers star man Kobe Bryant has today spoken about his desire to win at least one more NBA Championship, as the trade rumours take a turn for the worst for LA fans.

Bryant quoted "Shaq moved on and he managed to get number 4, whilst still keeping up the standards. It hurts to see guys out there getting their rings, whilst im part of a rebuild during my peak"

On the Lakers he said "I would love to stay if the circumstances were right, however the promises made are being broken. The new guys all have a future in the league, but i dont want to be carrying a team for 82 games, to then lose in the first round"

These comments will invigorate the already intriging situation with those suitors interested in Kobe. A move to the East Coast may be closer than first thought.

to continue.....

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Yes!!! My Lakers have a Dynasty on the Forums. I'll be following. So, you're only playing the home games? May I ask why?

Hope you enjoy

As for home games only, its two-fold;

1 - I want to progress this dynasty, 41 games + playoffs is more acheivable in my circumstances.

2 - I love the atmosphere of home games in 2K8. Playing at the Staples Center gives me a buzz, plus should i make the playoffs, it will increase pressure on me to perform in road situations.

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Kobe Stays – Lakers Ready to Compete

(AP) Los Angeles Laker’ GM Mitch Kupchak responded to recent comments in the press that Kobe Bryant is unhappy and pushing for a trade away from L.A.

Kupchak said “Kobe or his agent have not been in here to see me asking for a move away. As far as I am aware, Kobe has 2 years and an option on his current deal and that is something we would like to honour and then improve on at the end”

He continued “Kobe is a big part of this organisation; we want to start another dynasty here and to do that we have to keep Kobe and put the pieces together around him”

On the seemingly recent rebuilding Kupchak added “Maybe we have made mistakes in our approach to recent seasons. There is a good nucleus of young players here, but when you look at the Spurs and Suns in the West, they have stars out there with playing time, where as we have relied on the younger players coming through quicker”

“I have got a few irons in the fire here, we are lucky to have some stuff that we can shift around to try and get in the players we need to compliment and enhance what we have” Kupchak finished.

Laker fans are likely to be somewhat re-assured with the positive comments coming out of the front office, however things can never be set in stone in the NBA.

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty


Above: Antoine Walker (left) and Gary Payton join the Lakers in a reshuffle

Lakers Add Vets’

(AP) The day started with some minor, yet significant news as the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that they have moved to sign Gary Payton on a 1 year deal for the upcoming season. 39 year old Payton did spend time with the Lakers previously and was part of the team that lost in the Championship to Detroit.

The signing of Payton however was just a forerunner in a day that may shape the future of the team. As rumours of the Payton deal surfaced, the harsh reality for Sasha Vujacic was the waiving of his contract by the Lakers.

Following this and just before a team press conference, the Lakers managed to swing a 3-player trade with Minnesota, which saw them acquire Forward Antoine Walker, giving up Brian Cook and Luke Walton in the process.

At the press conference, team GM Mitch Kupchak said “We have made a couple of solid additions today. Everyone knows what Payton can do, he wanted to come here for one more shot at a championship and I convinced him that we will have the team that can do that”

“When talking about Antoine, well we had to say yes when the T’Wolves approached us. He still has gas in the tank and will give us more aggression out there. Moving forward, this gives Phil more options in his roster, that is our focus and I hope we can add something more to that picture”

The outlook of the Lakers team after today’s moves is more of a ‘Win now’ mentality. However, the moves for Walker and Payton are not championship winning moves. Neither player has the edge to send this team over the top, it could be a high price to pay for mediocrity if the Lakers fail to twist on this hand.

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty


Above: A 3 team swing, see’s ‘The Diesel’ and ‘Ron Ron’ join the Laker revolution

Look Whose Back!

(AP) With opening night upon us, the Lakers have shaken the basketball world by announcing a 3 team swap, that see’s them re-acquire Shaq from the Heat, whilst also adding Ron Artest and John Salmons from Sacramento.

After leaving the Lakers to join Miami on what appeared to be bad terms, especially with Kobe Bryant, the news of O’Neal returning to the Staples Center as a Laker will send shockwaves through the organisation.

Shaq’s return is certainly the superstar signing that the team needed and with the apparent fued with Kobe now settled, the dream team that ‘three-peated’ in the early 2000s is back together. The wildcard in this news is the equally shock trade that brings ‘Ron-Ron’ Artest to L.A.

Artest noted for his 70+ game suspension after fighting with fans in a game vs Detroit, is still seen as a unpredictable character for any locker room. What cannot be denied is the talent that Artest can bring to a team; this is what the Lakers will be looking at following this deal, though they now have one of the most volatile starting 5s in the game today.

Recap of the Deal that see’s Shaq return:

Lakers send:
Kwame Brown, Vlad Radmanovic & Chris Mihm
Heat send:
Shaq O’Neal & Earl Barron
-----
Lakers send/flip:
Lamar Odom & flip Earl Barron
Kings send:
Ron Artest & John Salmons

Los Angeles have announced a press conference tomorrow, with both O’Neal and Artest being available for questions.

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Los Angeles Lakers Press Conference – Staples Center 1400PST

Attendees (left to right): Mitch Kupchak (GM), Shaq O’Neal, Ron Artest, Phil Jackson (HC)

Kupchak “Welcome members of the press, as you are aware, we are all here to introduce to you the new members of the Lakers team. Please note that John Salmons has been unable to attend today due to personal circumstances, but we will continue”

“Firstly, to my immediate left we have Shaq O’Neal, to his left is Ron Artest and to the far left we have Head Coach Phil Jackson. To get things in order, if we can ask one question at the time, stating who the question is for”

----
Reporter “To you Mitch, how did these deals come about? Did you plan to make this dual move and what was the motivation on bringing Shaq back to L.A.?

Kupchak “Theres a few questions in that one, so ill break it down. Firstly I initiated things with both teams, I knew Miami had an eye on re-tooling around Wade, so we talked about a few things and Shaq’s name obviously came up. We talked some more, I put 4 or 5 names up for a deal, and we worked something out that benefits us both”

“With regards to Ron, well the Kings fancied Odom. I was happy to make a move to bring in a talented guy, Artest can be a star, he is a star, it made sense. Salmons became part of the deal to even out the money, whilst we flipped Barron’s contract straight across to Sacramento as they needed a big guy”

“As for Shaq, you need no motivation to get him in. When a guy like Shaq is available, you make the deal. Its that simple. Shaq was part of a great era for the Lakers, its time we had that back again, so its makes sense to bring in the premier center in the league”
----

Reporter “Shaq, obviously the bust up with Kobe appears to be settled. However are you excited to be playing in L.A. again, can you help this team get through the recent slump?”

Shaq “Me and Kobe are good, when I got the call to say ‘Shaq your going back to L.A.’ I said yeah, that’s good for me. I have got history with the Lakers, good history and this is a chance to write another chapter in that history”

“The big guy wants a championship, which is my focus as a player in this team. I have four and I am still hungry, that’s why I can add this season and going forward”

“When people talk about winning championships and great players, I want to be in the next brethera. Guys look around the hall, they see Shaq and say ‘Shaq was great he had 4 rings. But they see Michael he’s got 6’. When I talk about brethera, its like, who has 6 rings, well Shaq’s got 6, Michael also has 6. I want to be on that level of greatness, so I have come here to win 5,6 even number 7 before I give up the game”
----

Reporter “Ron Artest please, Ron, this must have been a shock for you? Are you happy to be a Laker and do you think this team can get a championship?”

Ron “I’m not shocked, I am talented enough to play on any team, the Kings probably did not have enough about them to put together a winning package, so its good to go somewhere that matches your ambition”

“Well this team is pretty loaded for a championship. People talk about big 3s, well I think we are a big 5. Coach will obviously have the last decision on things, but the team looks ready to go”
----

Reporter “Shaq, I know you said you are hungry, but what can you add, what can you give on the court to this team?”

Shaq “Experience, presence, the quality to make players around me reach that next level. I can bring guys in and make them better players, guys like Fisher and Bynum will pick things up and they will be better for it”

“We also have 3 or 4 shooters out there. I play well with shooters, you know guys got their eye on Shaq, well I can just dish it out for 2s/3s, we got guys that can play to that. I will keep my numbers up and we can go places as a team, I’m the center-piece in this jigsaw, its incomplete if I’m not there”
----

Reporter “Coach Jackson, with just over 2 weeks to go until opening night, how will you get these new guys to play together as a team?”

Jackson “Well, I have worked with these guys, watched them play my entire career. Its not like we have added unknown talent here, these players are all NBA experienced pros’. They all know the game inside out, I’m not here to teach them, they know what’s to do every night, im just here to get the guys gelled, working as a team and playing the percentages”

“If the attitude is right and the hunger is there, then this team can go places, im happy to be a part of that”
----

Reporter “Ron, you have been the biggest personality in locker rooms at your previous teams, can you fit into this team right away?”

Ron “I’ve got no problems with the guys here; it seems like you want there to be, but we all know what we can bring to the court and that’s what counts”

“Ron does what Ron does, ill put up the numbers that the team needs, if everyone else can add to that then things will be fine”
----

Kupchak “Final question then guys…”

Reporter “Mitch, for you then, you have pulled the trigger on some big deals here, what happens if it goes wrong? Do the Lakers have a contingency?

Kupchak “We don’t look at things that way. I made these deals to get the team competitive, I think its done that. I have every faith in Coach Jackson and the players to perform to the standard required and I hope that we get our fair share of luck to help us reach that championship level”

“Contingency… well theres always next year”

“Thanks for that ladies and gentlemen, if the photographers want to come forward to take photos, we have the shirts here…Shaq, Ron… welcome to L.A.

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty


Above: New York shift Balkman out West, as he joins the Laker revolution

Farmar Out, Balkman In

The Lakers made yet another change to their roster before the season starts, as the Knicks made a move to snare Jordan Farmar from the depth of guards in the Laker roster.

Renaldo Balkman was offered to L.A., who decided to take the move, giving them another Forward to offer an option down the stretch.

Balkman was quoted “It’s a good move for me, I wont see much time out there right now, but for guys like me, Bynum and Javaris, we can only learn from the stars that L.A. have. I’m excited, ill do my bit and hope to be part of a championship winning team”

The Lakers have now added 6 new faces before the start of the 2007/2008 campaign. It may take time to gel, patience could be the biggest key in L.A.s season.

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Roster & Starting Five:

Guard:

Kobe Bryant

Guard:

Derek Fisher

Center:

Shaq O’Neal

Forward:

Ron Artest

Forward:

Antoine Walker

Bench:
Andrew Bynum
Gary Payton
John Salmons
Renaldo Balkman
Javaris Crittenton
Maurice Evans
Ronny Turiaf

Coach:
Phil Jackson

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Kobe: “I Love L.A.”

(AP) With the Lakers preparing to open up their season with the visit of Houston to the Staples Center, Kobe Bryant allayed any remaining fears that he would be forcing a trade away from L.A., by declaring his relief at the recent additions.

Kobe grinned “I’ve wanted this ambition for a while now. Its hard carrying kids through disappointment, now I have a team around me that can play at the highest level every night”

Kobe on Shaq “It’s good to have the big guy back. Shaq brings you into plays you never thought existed, he can create that extra second, that will allow you to take a high percentage shot rather than gambling with a risky 3 or fade away J’”

“We’ve talked since he came back, everything’s cool, there’s nothing waiting to happen so you guys can keep digging for that story of yours. Seriously though, having those new players gives us so much momentum to take into the season. Antoine and Ron, they are ballers too, people may just be looking at Shaq that little too much when they play us”

With Kobe settled and the threat that the new players will possess, Houston will have their work cut out to avoid a defeat in the Lakers backyard. Kobe v T’Mac, Shaq v Yao - get excited, this is the NBA!

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 1: October 30th 2007

vs Houston Rockets

Rockets Soar!
Houston dish out 20 point beating on the new boys

Houston came to town without fear and boasting their own lineup of premiere talent in the NBA, as T'Mac and Yao turned in solid performances at both ends of the court, to help the Rockets soar away from a rusty Lakers team.

A searing 1st quarter saw Houston set a 12pt lead for the Lakers to chase, however L.A. rarely got under single digits and soon found themselves with a 20pt mountain to climb, as Houston extended their lead with a 14pt positive haul in the 3rd.

The Lakers rallied a little in the 4th, but a measly 67pts was not the start the team expected, as Kobe mustered just 10 points in a off day at the Staples Center.

Things need to improve from this, Houston take it 88-67 with Tracy McGrady's (25pts / 4R / 5A) line making him the player of the game.

Houston 88 Los Angeles 67


Post Game Cuts:

Phil Jackson: "It will take time for us to gel out there, you've got a bunch of guys who just came together over the past few weeks, playing a team that is settled and playoff hardened. Hey, I don't like losing, but this team can take its licks and bounce back stronger"

Shaq: "Its hard work out there, I know the fans want us to be great from the get go, and we will strive to do that. We will go to Phoenix and come back here 1-1 its that simple for us"


Stats:

Laker Notables:
S. O'Neal - 23pts / 9R
R. Artest - 13pts
K. Bryant - 10pts / 5A
A. Walker - 6pts / 8R

Rocket Notables:
T. McGrady - 25pts / 4R / 5A
S. Battier - 13pts / 5R
M. Yao - 13pts / 5R
R. Alston - 5pts / 6A

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 2: November 1st 2007

@ Phoenix Suns

Lakers Prove Clutch
Kobe's 'double-double' helps the Lakers earn the W'

The Suns let slip an 8pt lead through the first half, to watch a dominant Kobe snare his 10th rebound and register his 25th point with a game clinching lay-up with seconds left in the game.

Steve Nash had led the Suns from the off, as he put up solid numbers in a confident first half performance. The Lakers once again looked off the pace as Nash, Marion and Barbosa all took pots at a rocky Lakers defense.

However things turned around quickly early in the 3rd quarter, as Kobe and Shaq bought back the memories to stun Phoenix with 10 quick points, a haul that put them back in touch to snatch the game win.

With the score at 108-107 Lakers going into the final 30 seconds, it was down to Marion to add to his 27pts and give Phoenix a crucial lead. Alas he was forced into a risky shot in traffic, that clipped the rim and allowed Bryant to take the ball 'hoop to hoop' for the game sealing duece.

Los Angeles 110 Phoenix 107


Post Game Cuts:

Kobe: "Coach told us to get playing, it was that simple. We had played 6 bad quarters going into the second half, so he told us to control the ball and make them take the bad decisions"

Steve Nash: "We let that slip there, if you look at our numbers we should have added another 50% on to them. Credit to the Lakers for making us look at ourselves tonight, its not nice losing like that on your home court"


Stats:

Laker Notables:
S. O'Neal - 28pts / 5R
K. Bryant - 25pts / 10R
R. Artest - 16pts / 6R
D. Fisher - 10pts / 5A

Sun Notables:
S. Marion - 27pts / 16R
L. Barbosa - 22pts
S. Nash - 17pts / 14A
A. Stoudemire - 9pts / 6R

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 3: November 4th 2007

vs Utah Jazz

Jazz Give Lakers the Blues!
Lakers sleep through 3, lose 2nd straight at home

Fans at the Staples Center saw their team slump to a 2nd straight loss at home, as Utah hold a comfortable lead through 3 quarters, in a game that the Lakers watched go by.

Williams, Millsap and Kirilenko all added solid points totals in the 10pt victory margin for the Jazz, however Williams stood out for his ‘double-double’ effort. Whilst Boozer grabbed a game high 9 boards.

To their credit, the Lakers bench raised their game to reduce the deficit from 23 to 10pts in the 4th quarter; however it proved to be another too little, too late performance by a team with high expectations.

Utah 103 Los Angeles 93


Post Game Cuts:

Phil Jackson: “I’m not here to make excuses, we know that our game was below par out there. Credit to the Jazz for playing us out of the game early, ill take the positives from the 4th quarter and use that as a base for us to move forward”

Ron Artest: “Its 3 games in, we now we are better than this, you guys know it. Talk about a crisis is just crazy right now, this team has more character than any in the NBA, we have winners coming off the bench, it will pick up”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 17pts / 7R
R. Artest – 15pts
R. Balkman – 11pts
D. Fisher – 4pts / 8A

Jazz Notables:
D. Williams – 21pts / 11A
P. Millsap – 14pts
A. Kirilenko – 13pts
C. Boozer – 6pts / 9R

[meh]

Re: Look Whose Back - Lakers, The Next Dynasty

Game 4: November 6th 2007

vs New Orleans Hornets

Laker Time!
Kobe leads scoring, as Lakers break duck

Finally something to celebrate for the Lakers at home as Kobe Bryant sank a season high 37pts, to lead the Lakers to a 8 point win against a buzzing Hornets team.

New Orleans ‘Paul appeared to be the main man in the 1st quarter, sinking 10 pts as the Hornets shot out early to a slender lead. However his dominance was soon taken away, as the Hornets failed to take advantage of the regular double team efforts made on Paul.

This respite gave the Lakers a chance to make their own run, and a couple of 7-0 runs in the 3rd and 4th quarters, put them in charge as Kobe was backed up by a 28pt tally from Ron-Ron, as well as 15pts and 8 boards from the Diesel.

Phil Jackson will be happy with the turnaround in fortunes, and will hope to be proved right as the team comes together with more games under their belt.

New Orleans 91 Los Angeles 99


Post Game Cuts:

Kobe: “People like to get on our backs early, we are the team to be shot at, so we have to put that to the back of our minds and play our game the way Coach wants it”

Chris Paul: “We took our foot off the gas, things got a little easy for us at times and we let them get their key men involved again.”


Stats:

Laker Notables:
K. Bryant – 37pts
R. Artest – 28pts
S. O’Neal – 15pts / 8R
D. Fisher – 4pts / 5A

Hornet Notables:
C. Paul – 29pts / 9A
D. West – 14pts
P. Stojakovic – 13pts / 4R
T. Chandler – 11pts / 5R