LandOLakers.com | Web Site of Andy and Brian Kamenetzky | The Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, and Anything

Less than one month remaining until Dwight Howard can officially begin talking to teams, which in turn will theoretically trigger his eventual decision regarding free agency, which will in turn trigger every other purple and gold domino still awaiting gravity’s pull. Until then, Lakers fans are left to play the waiting game, enjoy the wildly unpredictable Heat-Spurs Finals and revel in the excitement that is PuigMania (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/9341). And, of course, listen to the latest edition of ear candy. Among the talking points… * ESPN The Magazine crunched some numbers (http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/9357657/alex-rodriguez-paul-george-oklahoma-city-thunder-all-questionable-contracts-espn-magazine), and concluded the Lakers didn’t get much bang for the buck this season. Not sure math was even necessary to reach this conclusion. * What’s the commonality between the Lakers’ current roster and a proposed sequel to Top Gun nearly 30 years after the original? * We discuss BK’s post this week about the need to trade Pau Gasol (http://landolakers.com/2013/06/10/why-the-lakers-have-to-trade-pau-gasol/), regardless of what Howard’s eventually decides. Do the Lakers really have no other choice? What’s the endgame should they opt to say “adios” to El Spaniard? * Now that Kobe has settled his lawsuit (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9360162/kobe-bryant-memorabilia-lawsuit-settled-parents-apologize) (and thoroughly “sonned” his own parents in the process), which of the remaining Mambarabilia items eligible for auction would we personally want most? * How do we feel about increased signage and on-court sponsorship in future NBA games (http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/06/10/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBA-floor.aspx)? * This young lady (http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/woman-valerie-midwest-bares-all-at-lincoln-nebraska-catholic-school-faces-charges/-/9674510/20460854/-/1493equ/-/index.html) has an unusual method of exacting revenge on ex-high school classmates. Probably not the world’s greatest lawyer, either. Click above to play, or just download the show here. Hope you enjoy it. To subscribe to the show via iTunes, click here. You can also find us on TuneIn.com by heading here (http://tunein.com/radio/Kamenetzky-Brothers-Land-OLakers-Podcast-p493529/). The post Podcast: Pau Gasol’s future with the Lakers, Kobe’s lawsuit resolved, Top Gun 2 (http://landolakers.com/2013/06/12/podcast-pau-gasols-future-with-the-lakers-top-gun-2/) appeared first on LandOLakers.com | Web Site of Andy and Brian Kamenetzky | The Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, and Anything Else That Comes to Mind (http://landolakers.com).

Podcast! There is stuff out there requiring a little conversating. Which we do, because a podcast in which nobody talks is too avant garde. Among the big talking points: * Dwight Howard hasn’t announced his intentions in free agency, but that hasn’t stopped the season ticket office of the Atlanta Hawks from engaging in a little power of positive thinking. A little too positive, the NBA might decide.  * On the other hand, Howard is engaging with the media, agreeing to participate in a column/gimmick/charitable donation with T.J. Simers of the L.A. Times. He doesn’t reveal much of anything about his thought process… which is really the point. Forget nice, if he’s not going to say anything, why is he saying anything at all? * Kobe Bryant speaks to ESPNLA.com, covering all sorts of topics. What stuck out? Did he reveal anything about his confidence (http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/36713/kobe-bryant-interview-the-best-of-the-rest) in getting one more ring before hanging it up? * Mike D’Antoni’s coaching staff is going to be brand new next season (http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_23390557/lakers-assistant-coach-darvin-ham-will-talk-atlanta). Why this is a good thing. * Finally, the guy has done a lot of monumentally annoying things of late, but Justin Bieber has finally pushed Andy over the edge. A stirring final installment of our continuing coverage of Mally the Capuchin monkey. Click above to play, or just download the show here. Hope you enjoy it. To subscribe to the show via iTunes, click here. You can also find us on TuneIn.com by heading here (http://tunein.com/radio/Kamenetzky-Brothers-Land-OLakers-Podcast-p493529/). The post Podcast! Dwight Howard speaks (sort of), Kobe Bryant reflects, Bieber goes too far (http://landolakers.com/2013/06/05/podcast-dwight-howard-speaks-sort-of-kobe-bryant-reflects-bieber-goes-too-far/) appeared first on LandOLakers.com | Web Site of Andy and Brian Kamenetzky | The Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, and Anything Else That Comes to Mind (http://landolakers.com).

It’s still early in the process, but the Dwight Howard News Machine is already heating up. First, Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports the Lakers are hardly a lock to re-sign Howard (http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-berger/22270956/howard-no-lock-to-return-to-lakers-to-explore-fa-options-intrigued-by-rockets), and that sources indicate Houston is an intriguing possibility. Meanwhile, ESPNLA’s Dave McMenamin reports Howard expressed frustration regarding Mike D’Antoni at his exit interview meeting with GM Mitch Kupchak, saying D’Antoni didn’t take seriously Howard’s attempts at leadership. And it’s there where we start the newest edition of the Kamenetzky Brothers Land O’Lakers Podcast. Among the high points: * What do this week’s reports on Howard mean? When you put the Lakers and Rockets side-by-side, which franchise makes more sense for Howard?  * The Lakers, and Los Angeles as well, have always been perceived as a team/city no player could walk away from, especially factoring the potential for a bigger paycheck. Is that still true? * Phil Jackson’s “11 Rings” dropped (as the kids say) Tuesday. We look at the more publicized talking points — Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan, for example — along with Kobe’s response to Phil’s words. * Andy takes a deeper look at what he felt was the most under-reported revelation in Jackson’s last book, “The Last Season,” and how P-Jax brought more clarity to his position in the new screed. * CELEBRITY MONKEY UPDATE: We know you’ve been waiting for a conclusion to the gripping tale of Mally, Justin Bieber’s capuchin monkey who has, kind of like a tiny, simian version of Tom Hanks in The Terminal, spent the last six weeks in the custody of German customs officials. We bring you the latest. * Finally, Vin Diesel is saying stupid things (http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/celeb-news/vin-diesel-hollywood-harder-men-women-comes-body-192431316.html), leading to a conversation about the most craptastic movies of all time. Does the “Fast and the Furious” franchise qualify? Click above to play, or just download the show here. Hope you enjoy it. To subscribe to the show via iTunes, click here. You can also find us on TuneIn.com by heading here (http://tunein.com/radio/Kamenetzky-Brothers-Land-OLakers-Podcast-p493529/). The post Podcast: Is L.A. what’s best for Dwight Howard? Phil Jackson’s book, plus an update on Bieber’s monkey! (http://landolakers.com/2013/05/22/podcast-is-l-a-whats-best-for-dwight-howard-phil-jacksons-book-plus-more-bieber-monkey/) appeared first on LandOLakers.com | Web Site of Andy and Brian Kamenetzky | The Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, and Anything Else That Comes to Mind (http://landolakers.com).

  Similar to how this Lakers offseason will be dominated by Dwight Howard chatter, so is the new podcast. Among the talking points: * Throughout this season, we've consistently stated the opinion Howard will ultimately re-sign with the Lakers. One rumor (http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20130512-sefko-dwight-howard-or-bust-lakers-hold-financial-advantage-but-mavericks-can-offer-power.ece)-swirled (http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2013/05/dwight-howard-watch-could-he-stay-in-l-a-as-a-clipper/#more-18030) month removed from his exit interview, has anything shifted? What criteria would swing Howard's decision one way or the other? * While Howard struggles to make up his mind are a running punchline, it doesn't change the fact that, in my opinion, the guy genuinely has no idea, beyond the purely conceptual, what he wants. And while Lakers fans may consider indecisiveness towards wearing purple and gold to be basketball sacrilege, there are legitimate reasons Howard wouldn't consider staying in L.A. a no-brainer. * On the flip side, is locking up Howard an automatic no-brainer for the Lakers? Can Howard serve as a franchise cornerstone? * How badly would the Lakers be damaged if Dwight packed up his Superman cape and left town? We share the hidden upside to a straight rebuild, were the Lakers to begin construction ASAP. * We can all agree the Richie Rich-folks perpetrating this Disney World scheme (http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/disney-world-scheme--entitled-families-hire-disabled-guide-to-bypass-lines-194555620.html) are terrible, terrible people. * Our man Trevor Runyon had himself one helluva party while illegally camped out overnight in a convenience store (http://m.wave3.com/autojuice?targetUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wave3.com%2fstory%2f22240730%2fpolice-man-drank-beer-smoked-cooked-while-in-grocery). Were the K Bros to replicate this crime, what locale would each choose?  

What's more entertaining than an offseason podcast from the Kamenetzky Brothers? The second round of the playoffs, which have been awesome so far! But besides that, dare I say, "nothing." And with that truth now established, here is a list of talking points for the newest show: * How to put the Bernie Bickerstaff era in perspective (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9249295/sources-los-angeles-lakers-dismiss-bernie-bickerstaff-chuck-person)? We look back at "Weekend at Bernie's," along with the less successful tenure for another member of the coaching staff. * Mike D'Antoni's job appears safe, but if the front office replaced Pringles with an untested (but potentially great) commodity (http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/57826/whos-ready-to-be-an-nba-head-coach), would fans accept it? More importantly, would the franchise even be open to such an approach? * Does Vinny Del Negro stand any chance at being retained by the Clippers? * As someone who still has some childhood items in our parents' basement and once during high school was mobbed by an adoring public, I can totally relate to the weird lawsuit between Kobe Bryant and his mom over Mambaorabilia (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/kobe-bryant-involved-lawsuit-mom-over-planned-auction-194941552.html). * ESPN The Magazine's Sam Alipour enlisted a bunch of Hollywood writers to script a fictitious movie about Kobe's life. (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/Mag15kobethemovie/hollywood-talent-writes-movie-kobe-bryant-life-espn-magazine)With that in mind, we debate potential candidates to direct a fictitious movie about the Lakers' 2012-2013 season. * What's the best say to say "I'm sorry" for shooting your wife with a harpoon?

The Lakers’ season has officially ended, but as always, the show must go on for the Kamenetzky Brothers. Plenty to discuss with the offseason officially underway. Among the talking points: * Before breaking down what lies ahead for the Lakers, we pay tribute to the dancing machine that is Andrew Bynum. As always, dude remains completely indifferent towards public perception. * During his exit interview Tuesday, Kobe Bryant emphatically stated his preference that this year’s core four return (http://sulia.com/kambrothers/f/557c50bb-fc7e-47de-b3d7-44297bb4f2f3/), believing the Lakers figured it out over the second half, and that continuity would serve them well. He also believes said intact roster, if healthy, is absolutely capable of winning a title. Is Kobe’s logic sound?Is he correctly assessing this group’s potential? And if so, is keeping the band together even financially doable? * What are the biggest priorities as the front office decides whatever moves to make? * Kobe also lobbied on behalf of Mike D’Antoni, who continues to publicly receive front office support. At the moment, all signs point to him being retained. Is this the right decision? * Dan D’Antoni appears completely secure with a career working underneath his older brother, who’s also made a boatload more money. Could the K Bros function within similar parameters? * Who’s dumber? The Knicks wearing “funeral black” (http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/woodson_furious_that_knicks_wore_agm1f5zjWGFVI6Oz0iytWL) to commemorate the burial of an opponent not yet dead or Jordan Crawford for pissing off Carmelo Anthony (http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/5/2/4293144/jordan-crawford-carmelo-anthony-trash-talk) by revisiting Honey Nut Cheerios-Gate (http://www.ibtimes.com/doc-rivers-defends-kevin-garnett-denies-honey-nut-cheerios-comments-carmelo-anthony-about-lala#)? Or is it a push? Click above to play, or just download the show here. Hope you enjoy it. To subscribe to the show via iTunes, click here. You can also find us on TuneIn.com by heading here (http://tunein.com/radio/Kamenetzky-Brothers-Land-OLakers-Podcast-p493529/). The post Podcast: Summer choices for the Lakers, Kobe endorses D’Antoni, Bynum’s dancing, Knicks-Celtics stupidity (http://landolakers.com/2013/05/03/podcast-summer-priorites-for-the-lakers-mike-dantoni-andrew-bynums-dancing-knicks-celtics/) appeared first on LandOLakers.com | Web Site of Andy and Brian Kamenetzky | The Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, and Anything Else That Comes to Mind (http://landolakers.com).

How bad have things become for L.A.? They’re now down 0-2 to the Spurs after Wednesday’s 102-91 Game 2 loss in San Antonio (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400459788), and compared to the aftermath (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9211677/steve-blake-los-angeles-lakers-indefinitely), that’s the good news. Lakers injuries are piling up like cars on the 110 during rush hour. Thursday, they announced an in-game hamstring pull suffered by Steve Blake will leave him indefinitely sidelined. Additionally, Steve Nash, after re-aggravating his recent hamstring problem is doubtful for Friday’s Game 3. Ditto Jodie Meeks, whose Game 1 ankle sprain prevented him from participating Wednesday. As we joked in a previous podcast, this is been the basketball version of ”Final Destination.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD_MAz96L70)  Scarily — or perhaps mercifully — we’re running out of characters to maim. But even with bodies dropping left and right, the show must go on. Among the talking points: * With the guard tandem now down to Darius Morris, Andrew Goudelock and perhaps a converted-on-the-fly Robert Sacre, is there any possible way for the Lakers to remain competitive? * As bad as things have gotten, can the season at least be appreciated for the team-wide grit displayed down the stretch? * Armed with new information, we revisit a subject bandied about before (http://landolakers.com/2013/03/29/metta-world-peace-out-lakers-fading-thick-beards-and-first-world-problems/): Would it have been better to simply miss the playoffs altogether? * With Mike Brown back for a second tour as the Cavs’ head coach (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9206907/cleveland-cavaliers-officially-rehire-mike-brown-new-coach), the Lakers now owe him less money, making it (for many fans, at least) more financially feasible to can Mike D’Antoni and rehire Phil Jackson. But on a few levels, is The Zen Master a realistic option? * If that’s not doable, what about a different coach, but PJ joining Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak in the front office? * Applications are being taken for one-way tickets to Mars in 2022 (http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/22/world/mars-one-way-ticket/index.html). Who is the prime demographic applying for  the expedition? Click above to play, or just download the show here. Hope you enjoy it. To subscribe to the show via iTunes, click here. You can also find us on TuneIn.com by heading here (http://tunein.com/radio/Kamenetzky-Brothers-Land-OLakers-Podcast-p493529/). The post Podcast: Lakers injuries pile up, the future for Mike D’Antoni and Phil Jackson, Trips to Mars (http://landolakers.com/2013/04/26/podcast-lakers-injuries-pile-up-the-future-for-mike-dantoni-and-phil-jackson-trips-to-mars/) appeared first on LandOLakers.com | Web Site of Andy and Brian Kamenetzky | The Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, and Anything Else That Comes to Mind (http://landolakers.com).

Three games into their Mamba-less era, a few factors for the Lakers have been reliable enough to gain a Swiss watch’s admiration. On the positive side, the Lakers are newly recommitted to the defensive side of the floor, and for the time being have been very effective. Opponents have been held to under 38 percent in each, and in Sunday’s Game 1 against the Spurs in San Antonio, Steve Blake in particular was phenomenal while checking Tony Parker. Unfortunately, the other steady trend is the struggle to score, something the Lakers couldn’t overcome Sunday. The outside shooting was especially dreadful, mitigating the size advantage of Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard. The Lakers fell 91-79 to the Spurs, and time at the drawing board remains necessary in order to pull an upset. We reacted to the loss and other emerging storylines, and looked ahead to Wednesday’s Game 2. Among the talking points: * Before we even discuss Game 1, what’s with Kasa de Kobe suddenly becoming the place to be? Derek Fisher spent a decade-plus as Kobe’s teammates without ever stepping foot inside Chateau Bryant, and now the place is Grand Central Station. Brian offers a theory as to why The Mamba is suddenly okay with guests popping by. Also, to paraphrase MTV Diary, you think you know how buried Devin Ebanks is, but you have no idea. * With the Lakers now down 0-1 to San Antonio, what are the big takeaways? Are the Lakers failing to milk their size advantage? Can Steve Nash improve on a disappointing Game 1? Is there anything that can be done to even up the series heading back to L.A.? * The game’s biggest storyline, however, might have been the Great Kobe Bryant Twitter Controversy. Mike D’Antoni didn’t appreciate 24′s in-game commentary (or at the very least, having to be asked about it) and his on-podium response rubbed many the wrong way, sparking debate over whether Bryant overstepped his boundaries in 140 characters or less, or the media was simply chumming the waters. Is #Vinospeare making the right decision not to Tweet during Game 2 (https://twitter.com/kobebryant/status/326411855054643200)? * Speaking of D’Antoni, everyone questions whether his system makes him a bad fit in L.A., but is there a bigger problem flying under the radar? The post Podcast: Lakers vs. Spurs, Kobe Bryant Twitter controversies, Mike D’Antoni’s fit in L.A. (http://landolakers.com/2013/04/24/podcast-lakers-vs-spurs-kobe-bryant-twitter-controversy-mike-dantonis-fit/) appeared first on LandOLakers.com | Web Site of Andy and Brian Kamenetzky | The Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, and Anything Else That Comes to Mind (http://landolakers.com).

  After 82 games' worth of drama -- and if we're being honest with ourselves, a fair amount of doubt -- the Lakers are officially in the playoffs. And as a seven-seed no less, pitting them against a banged up, slumping San Antonio Spurs rather than an Oklahoma City Thunder squad easily capable of a sweep. Finally, this snake-bitten squad catches something of a break! Who'da thunk it? Not to say everything is a second helping of peaches and cream, of course. Kobe Bryant is still out (http://landolakers.com/2013/04/15/podcast-kobe-bryant-achilles-edition/). Steve Nash's availability isn't set in stone (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9191264/2013-nba-playoffs-steve-nash-eyes-return-los-angeles-lakers-lineup-playoff-opener), and even if he can take the court, his effectiveness is a looming question. And recent skid acknowledged, there's no denying the Spurs have been a far superior team all season. So how will Lakers vs. Spurs shake out? These and other issues are chopped up. Among the talking points: * What are the key matchups and issues in a series against the Spurs? Does San Antonio have any weaknesses L.A. can exploit? How problematic is Kobe's absence? How dangerous is Gregg Popovich armed with a whiteboard and time to plan? * Who advances to the second round? * We break down two more especially intriguing series: Nuggets-Warriors and Clippers-Grizzlies. * The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just celebrated its newest class (http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/18/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-induction-arrivals/2095417/). Do we take any issue with Lou Adler, Heart, Quincy Jones, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Rush or Donna Summer as inductees? Plus, cases for and against a few currently snubbed bands. Click above to play, or just download the show here. Hope you enjoy it. To subscribe to the show via iTunes, click here. You can also find us on TuneIn.com by heading here (http://tunein.com/radio/Kamenetzky-Brothers-Land-OLakers-Podcast-p493529/).  

After 82 games’ worth of drama — and if we’re being honest with ourselves, a fair amount of doubt — the Lakers are officially in the playoffs. And as a seven-seed no less, pitting them against a banged up, slumping San Antonio Spurs rather than an Oklahoma City Thunder squad easily capable of a sweep. Finally, this snake-bitten squad catches something of a break! Who’da thunk it? Not to say everything is a second helping of peaches and cream, of course. Kobe Bryant is still out (http://landolakers.com/2013/04/15/podcast-kobe-bryant-achilles-edition/). Steve Nash’s availability isn’t set in stone (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9191264/2013-nba-playoffs-steve-nash-eyes-return-los-angeles-lakers-lineup-playoff-opener), and even if he can take the court, his effectiveness is a looming question. And recent skid acknowledged, there’s no denying the Spurs have been a far superior team all season. So how will Lakers vs. Spurs shake out? These and other issues are chopped up. Among the talking points: * What are the key matchups and issues in a series against the Spurs? Does San Antonio have any weaknesses L.A. can exploit? How problematic is Kobe’s absence? How dangerous is Gregg Popovich armed with a whiteboard and time to plan? * Who advances to the second round? * We break down two more especially intriguing series: Nuggets-Warriors and Clippers-Grizzlies. * The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just celebrated its newest class (http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/18/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-induction-arrivals/2095417/). Do we take any issue with Lou Adler, Heart, Quincy Jones, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Rush or Donna Summer as inductees? Plus, cases for and against a few currently snubbed bands. Click above to play, or just download the show here. Hope you enjoy it. To subscribe to the show via iTunes, click here. You can also find us on TuneIn.com by heading here (http://tunein.com/radio/Kamenetzky-Brothers-Land-OLakers-Podcast-p493529/). The post Playoff Preview Podcast: Lakers vs. Spurs, other first round series, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (http://landolakers.com/2013/04/20/playoff-preview-podcast-lakers-vs-spurs-gasol-vs-duncan-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-vs-journey/) appeared first on LandOLakers.com | Web Site of Andy and Brian Kamenetzky | The Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, and Anything Else That Comes to Mind (http://landolakers.com).