Smush Parker guarantees a Lakers series victory

[F-Dog]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/14407744.htm

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Leave it to one of the Lakers' babes, 24-year-old Smush Parker, to have a guarantee tumble out of his mouth.

"The Lakers will beat Phoenix," Parker said Saturday of the first-round series between the seventh-seeded Lakers and second-seeded Suns.

Parker never has played an NBA playoff game. His official bio lists his favorite player "growing up" to be Kevin Garnett. Yet one day after Coach Phil Jackson said of his young players, "We're not at all doubting ourselves," Parker took it further.

"There's definitely going to be an upset," Parker said.

Didn't Ron Artest guarantee that the Kings would beat the Spurs, too? Looks like somebody didn't learn his lesson from that one...

 

[D-Dogg]

LOL, I was just about to post this...I thought you guys would get a kick out of it.

Smush is a freaking idiot...the guy who legitimately might be the main reason we lose with his inability to guard Nash is running his mouth.

Smush has been a nice pickup for us, but I swear to God his head is about 4 sizes too big for his body. I've never seen someone so fortunate so cocky...he's lucky to be starting in the NBA, and just because he is doesn't mean he's the GOAT. He's a real moron.

Good thing the Suns have bigger fish to fry than Smush Parker.

 

[elindholm]

Too bad the Lakers don't have a more seasonsed PG who wouldn't be so prone to shoot his mouth off. Oh, but wait, I keep forgetting -- this is all part of how wonderful the Lakers are, because they have so much youth.

Good to see it's all according to plan, then.

 

[D-Dogg]

Oh, but wait, I keep forgetting -- this is all part of how wonderful the Lakers are, because they have so much youth.

Their youth isn't why they are great. Their youth is why they lose a lot of games they should win. I don't understand why you think I'm touting it as a positive...it's one of the Lakers most glaring weaknesses.

 

[Goldfield]

The NBA is just touting the Lakers as haveing a real good chance to win so the rating are alot higher.

Its all part of the master plan called "Money"...

The Lakers are way overmatched IMO in the series. If the Suns come to play, its all over.

 

[Goldfield]

if Smoosh, or the Lakers were smart. They wouldnt give the Suns any locker room motivation.

 

[elindholm]

Their youth is why they lose a lot of games they should win. I don't understand why you think I'm touting it as a positive.

Because you imply that the Lakers are destined for greatness, sooner rather than later, on account of their youth. My point is that young mediocre players aren't really assets in terms of building a contender. Parker is a weakness on this team, and most likely the Lakers will need an older PG to get to the next level. So what's the big deal about how young they are right now?

Also, it's cute, I guess, that you consider Brown to be part of the intermediate-term core of this team, but I don't see it. Even with his improved play, he hasn't reached the level of his second season in Washington. If he's the big man that you're counting on to lead you to the promised land, good luck.

 

[D-Dogg]

I love Kwame...he's one of my favorite players on the team, working his tail off every day in practice, staying late, etc. He locks down bigs in the post. Anything else he does with offense and boards is gravy...his post defense is worth the price of admission. I wanted the Lakers to pick him up last January..just needed a change of scenery. He's putting up 13-9 over the last months...I'll take that any day. The triangle doesn't require a dominant center...it was adjusted for Shaq and Tex hated the adjustment. The way it's running now is similar to the Bulls years, and they didn't have dominant bigs. Cartwright? Longley?

Kwame is a fantastic fit in the triangle with strong defense and a growing offensive game. It's much more than "cute."

I'm not implying the Lakers are bound for greatness on account of their youth...I'm saying they are a better team than their record reflects, but because of their youth and dumb mistakes they lost a lot of games they should have won. That will change with time, but the key to the Lakers is aquiring one strong veteran leader at either PG or PF positions. I don't know why you continue to misunderstand where I'm coming from. They are where they are despite their youth and bursts of on-court idiocy.

The Lakers are the second youngest team in the league...look where the youngest team is...the Hawks. Despite their youth and mistakes, the Lakers are a playoff team. I find that pretty impressive, even if I have wanted to tear my hair out during some games this season.

 

[HooverDam]

I'm saying they are a better team than their record reflects

I hate comments like this. No one is better or worse than their record reflects, especially over a long season like the NBA has. That sort of logic is how UofA fans can say "oh we are WAYYY better than 3-8, we SWEAR!" Bah- you're record is your record for a reason.

 

[KloD]

"There's definitely going to be an upset," Parker said.

Damn right there will be an upset.
Fact is, there will be lots of upset.
All them Laker fans who got their
hopes up thinking their team stood
a chance will be very upset when
the Lakers lose the series.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Too bad the Lakers don't have a more seasonsed PG who wouldn't be so prone to shoot his mouth off. Oh, but wait, I keep forgetting -- this is all part of how wonderful the Lakers are, because they have so much youth.

Good to see it's all according to plan, then.

I remember thinking before last years draft how great Chris Paul would be for the Lakers when i heard speculation they may try to trade up in the draft. Turns out that was a move they really should have made as a dependable PG like Paul who could shouldere the load would make this Laker team VERY dangerous.

 

[elindholm]

That will change with time, but the key to the Lakers is aquiring one strong veteran leader at either PG or PF positions.

I hear Stephon Marbury might be available.

But seriously, I understand where you're coming from. It just doesn't make that much sense to say "Our team loses because of these reasons," when every team in the league has its own reasons for losing. The Suns "are where they are" in spite of the fact that 2/3 of their projected starting front line is injured and they can't guard a chair. So sure, if we wanted to talk about improving the Suns, we could, just as we can talk about improving the Lakers.

The point is, knowing what your weaknesses are and how they might theoretically be addressed is a lot different from being on the verge of greatness.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Players on any team, in any sport, making guarantees is just in my opinion.

 

[tobiazz]

Players on any team, in any sport, making guarantees is just in my opinion.

Especially, when it isn't the team's star. For example, If Pat Burke had guaranteed a win, the starters should have slapped him.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Especially, when it isn't the team's star. For example, If Pat Burke had guaranteed a win, the starters should have slapped him.

It'd be like Wes Matthews guaranteeing a Lakers' repeat rather than Pat Riley back in the day.

 

[D-Dogg]

That will change with time, but the key to the Lakers is aquiring one strong veteran leader at either PG or PF positions.

I hear Stephon Marbury might be available.

Hush your mouth!

I like watching Stephon, but I don't want him anti-leading my team.

 

[Assface]

Good job, Smush.

 

[D-Dogg]

Smush is a freaking idiot...the guy who legitimately might be the main reason we lose with his inability to guard Nash is running his mouth.

I forgot to add in his terrible shooting.

 

[tlim]

What? Smush Parker is a Laker? I thought he was playing for the Suns the entire series.

Hmmm... How did that happen?

 

[thirty-two]

ah yes, what a glorious day it is!

3-1 sucked

but man this feels good!!

 

[DeAnna]

Kwame is a fantastic fit in the triangle with strong defense and a growing offensive game. It's much more than "cute." .

I guess the Kwame Brown experiment was cute after all.

 

[Nash]

youth? Average age of the Suns who got decent playing time thi series (8 of them) = 27.125

Average age of the Lakers who got decent playing time this series (8 of them) = 25

Wow! what a difference! The Lakers should be crawling around in diapers, eh?

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Well, that is a cumulative 17 years of NBA experience that we had on them (2.125 * 8), which really is quite a bit. F*ck the Fakers anyways....

 

[devilalum]

Smush appears to have the IQ of a walnut.

 

[D-Dogg]

I guess the Kwame Brown experiment was cute after all.

Not even close. He was 8-9 in Game 6, and melted down in game 7, missing very makeable shots. Oh well, sh happens.

I'm supremely happy with Kwame and his development. He's still barely hatched from the egg.