Summer Pro League: Day 2

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:29 pm

Thanks to help from a friend, I got the nerve to conduct my first ever one-on-one interview (it was with Coach Brian Shaw), unless you count my conversation last year with Peter Holt, then this would be my 2nd interview. Regardless, I was proud of myself. 
 
Coming soon! I've got lots of stuff to post. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/banner-clutch.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 12:08 am

Final Box Score from yesterday's game: 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/LALMEM04.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/LALDAL01.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<hr /> 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/LALDAL02.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<hr /> 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/LALDAL03.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<hr /> 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/LALDAL04.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<hr /> 
 
Game pictures: 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers04.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Ronny Tariaf before the game 
 
 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers05.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Dr. Buss arrives 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers06.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Dr. Buss sitting in the 2nd row 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers08.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Players before the game 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers09.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Players before the game 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers11.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Jumpball to start the game, Lakers control the tip 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers02.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Smush Parker 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers03.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Coach Rambus talks with a ref 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers07.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Andrew Bynum 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers10.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
During a timeout 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers12.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Coach Shaw talking with Sasha Vujacic 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers13.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers14.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Coach Stan Van Gundy 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers15.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
James Worthy 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers18.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Worthy accepts his plaque from Mitch Kupchak 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers20.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Worthy talks to the crowd about the Lakers returning to glory 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers16.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers17.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Bynum 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers19.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Ronny Tariaf 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers21.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Eric Sandrin 
 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spl/07-09_lakers01.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
Marcus Douhit watching the game after being ejected 
<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/banner-clutch.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

Blondie · by **Blondie** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 12:12 am

Excellent photos Misti! <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/smile.gif ALT=":)"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

Bigdizave · by **Bigdizave** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 12:28 am

It's funny because these "talented" players represent the Lakers' "future." The Los Angeles Lakers will be our b****es for years. 
 
Go Spurs! 
<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/spur.gif ALT=":spur">

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:07 am

Another sell-out crowd fills the Long Beach Pyramid to get another chance to cheer for their purple and gold. Dr. Buss arrives and takes pictures with a couple kids and signs a lot of autographs before taking a seat in the 2nd row, admist the fans. 
 
Opening tip and the Lakers control the ball. Sasha Vujacic began the game very active, with a steal, assist, scoring and then picked up 2 fouls. He ended the night with 3 turnovers and just the 1 assist so his burst of energy was reserved for the opening moments. 
 
Andrew Bynum was a completely different player today. He got the nerves out and set out to show the player that he can be, even making his first 2 free-throws (he ended 4 of 8 from the charity stripe). Coach Rambus said of Bynum after the game, "We’re very please with his progress, he still has an awful lot to learn but the best part about him is that he brings a terrific attitude, incredible work ethic in practice and to the game. The potential is there, the body is there, the mind is there. We expect him to make improvements every day and he has so he’s done nothing but put smiles on our face." 
 
Bynum's performance put smiles on a lot of Laker's fans faces today. He called for the ball, worked in the post and went strong to the basket. He ended with 16 points but only 2 rebounds, though they were both offensive. 
 
Once again Ronny Tariaf found himself as the fan favorite, he just has so much energy you can't not like him. His 26 points off the bench on 9 of 11 shooting helped too. A lot of his shots were putbacks, showing his hussle, and he did a lot better with not picking up offensive fouls. 
 
"Yesterday I was kind of nervous and worried about what was going to happen so I was kind of taken away from my physicality that I always play with," Tariaf said. "Today, with Red Bull, I felt great. I think I can let that nervousness go away so now I’m just playing basketball and having fun." 
 
Tariaf on Red Bull should have everyone concerned, he's the last guy to need it. But he said that it is Bynum's habit to drink one before the game so he joined him in that ritual today then said, with a smile, "If I drink too much I’ll probably go crazy so I think I’ll have to be careful about that." 
 
The combination of Tariaf and Bynum under the basket is a great one, the two played very well off each other and had good communication on the court. This is not even counting Marcus Douhit, who started the game off strong but ended with a quiet 5 points after being ejected in the 3rd quarter, along with Dallas' Derek Hood. 
 
I asked Douhit after the game why he was ejected and he said he didn't know, he and Hood were jawing back and forth a little then the ref just tossed them. Coach Rambus remarked, "When you have guys in a situation where guys have to stick up for themselves, that’s kinda what he did. Hopefully he won’t be suspended from Summer League." That last part was a joke. 
 
Highlight of the night goes to Smush Parker, WHOW. Here's how he described it, "You know, the lane opened up and I got a great pass," Parker said, "I got a backdoor step and he tossed it to me and my man got caught up in the screen and the lane opened up and I took off. I think they thought I was going to lay it up because I’m a guard and they underestimated me, I just went up and dunked it. I showed a little New York City attitude." It was a sweet 2-handed jam that got everyone pumped up. Besides that, he also contributed 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting including hitting 2 of 3 from behind the arc. 
 
At half-time, they inducted James Worthy into the SPL Hall of Fame. The award was presented by Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, who was boo'd by the fans as usual. Worthy talked about the honor and about the Lakers road to returning to glory. He said he's excited about the upcoming season and the fans should be as well. 
 
People sightings: Joey Crawford, James Worthy (for the HT special), Mitch Kupchak, Dr. Buss and Coach Stan Van Gundy. Van Gundy had 3 kids with him, one of whom wore a Miami #32 jersey. There was one other person in a Shaq jersey, someone taking pictures on the sidelines. Almost every other jersey in the building were for #8. 
 
The Lake Show won in a blow out, they were up by 20 at halftime and ended 118-89. Tariaf had a double-double with 26 points and 11 boards, Devon Green contributed with 5 steals and 5 offensive rebounds, Will Conroy lead in assists with 6. Tony Bobbit didn't play until the final 3 minutes of the game. 
 
More quotes from the players: 
Coach Rambus 
On what has surprised him about Bynum: 
Probably moreso than anything else, his willingness to learn and how quick he picks up things. We don’t have to show him things a whole bunch of times, we go through it a couple of times and he’s got it. He’s a quick study and that always makes coaching a lot easier. 
 
On the triangle: 
All the time that we have to put in is just the basic, rudimentary aspects of it. I told the players in there that playing in the NBA, guys running the triangle don’t start to feel comfortable in it until their second year running it and really feel comfortable in their third year of running it. We’ve had 5 practices and 2 games, we’ve been doing it for a week so what they’ve been able to do out there on the court, executing the offense and all the stuff that we’ve put in to them, they’ve done a terrific job. All of them. We don’t have anybody on this team that has ever run it before, it’s all completely new to everybody. 
 
On Ronny Tariaf 
We all appreciate athletes who go out and play hard and he has tremendous enthusiasm and love for the game whether he’s out there on the court or on the bench rooting for his teammates. He brings a work ethic that is going to carry him to a very successful NBA career and I think he’s going to be a fan favorite here in LA. 
 
Smush Parker 
On his chances of making the Lakers team 
You know what, they haven’t told me anything up to this point, I know coming into this situation with the Lakers they don’t have a backup point guard right now. They have Chucky Atkins but they pretty much don’t have any back-up and I’m just trying to get a job, fill a spot. 
I’m just trying to find a home, find someplace where I can fit and play, play some basketball 
 
Ronny Tariaf 
Why he's so energetic 
I don’t know, you tell me, I have no idea. Today I tried to have a Red Bull with Andrew Bynum, I had a Red Bull before the game. 
 
On Tony Parker (I asked him this question) 
I don’t know, pretty good, he’s one of my best friends, that’s about it. 
 
2 Championships is pretty good... 
It’s alright, you know. He doesn’t play good sometimes, he plays good sometimes. (laughs) Tony’s a good guy, we talk very often, he’s been there my whole career supporting me, trying to keep me going. I’m very proud to just have him by my side on a daily basis. 
 
On his chances to play with TP in the NBA (I did not ask this question) 
What kind of question is that? I play for LA. That is the craziest question I ever heard in my life. 
 
About the Red Bull before the game 
Andrew Bynum, his routine is to drink Red Bull before the game. I said, ‘Hey rook,’ I’m a rook too but I was like, ‘Hey rook, can I have a Red Bull?’ And after that we had a good game so ... 
 
On why he's a fan favorite 
I don’t know, I’m just trying to help the team. I think they understand that, I’m not a selfish player, I’m not a guy who’s going to come out here and say, ‘that’s my team.’ I’m the guy that’s going to come out and enjoy the work and I think they appreciate that. I’m very grateful that I get the love of the fans because this helps me a lot to make the transition between college basketball and here in summer league and hopefully in the pros. I definitely feel good about it. 
 
On the biggest transition 
Adapting to the triangle offense and adapting to the physicality of play. Yesterday I was kind of nervous and worried about what was going to happen so I was kind of taken away from my physicality that I always play with. Today, with Red Bull, I felt great. I think I can let that nervousness go away so now I’m just playing basketball and having fun. 
 
Would he want an endorsement deal 
No, I don’t want that. Actually, yes, why not? 
 
 
Also, I asked Coach Brian Shaw a couple questions but didn't have the nerve to use my recorder so I didn't capture his responses exactly. 
I asked him when we would see him as a coach in the NBA and he said, "Hopefully sooner rather than later." I asked if he was only interested in the Lakers or if he would look to other teams. He said that the Lakers have given him a lot of opportunities and that is his preference but he would consider another team if a good opportunity came up. 
 
Watching Coach Shaw the last couple of games he seems to be more coaching the players rather than coaching the game, I asked if that was his role here. He said yes, he really wants to help the guys and teach them what he can. 
 
That was my first one-on-one interview and I was proud of myself for asking good questions, next time I'll use the recorder so I can remember what the answers were. <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/smile.gif ALT=":)"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/banner-clutch.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

Blondie · by **Blondie** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:33 am

<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/rock.gif ALT=":rock"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

by **Clipperfan44** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 6:23 am

the lakers will be everyones B******....hahahahha Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=missmyzte>missmyzte</A> at: 7/10/05 11:05 am

Bigdizave · by **Bigdizave** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:19 am

^ Best. First post. Ever.

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 12:07 pm

You know what's really amazing? I spend all day at the SPL, taking notes and taking pictures and all I get is some stupid comments about the Lakers. I do this to share info for those that aren't in So Cal that maybe want to hear about the competition. I even got Ronny Turiaf to talk about Tony Parker a bit. You guys seriously make me not want to do this anymore. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/banner-clutch.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

Bigdizave · by **Bigdizave** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:12 pm

Sorry. But what do you expect by posting Laker propaganda on a website of one of the Laker's biggest rivals? I don't see how anyone can expect this backlash on the Fakers to NOT happen. 
 
And don't say it's not a rivalry. Just because the Lakers suck now doesn't mean they can retract the rivalry and then declare it to be a rivalry again when (if) the Lakers become competitive again. 
 
<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/spur.gif ALT=":spur">

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:35 pm

Bigdizave, I'm doing this on behalf of SpursCentral, I was asked to do this. Don't think I don't know that it is still a rivalry but my goodness, your comments are just sad. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/banner-clutch.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

ryno · by **ryno** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 6:20 pm

Thanks for the info Misti. 
 
It is interesting to see how Tariaf and Bynum are progressing even if they are Lakers. <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/pokestick.gif ALT=":pokestick"> 
 
Looking forward to seeing more information on other rookies on other teams as well. <div style="text-align:center">Silver and Black Baby</div> 
<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://img32.echo.cx/img32/4910/banner9aa.jpg"/></div>

Blondie · by **Blondie** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 7:09 pm

We went to a GREAT deal of trouble to get press passes for the SPL and RMR- it is a big step for us in terms of our recognition factor. 
 
Misti will be reporting on all the games and just happened to be at a Laker game last time. She has done this on our behalf and given her very valuable time to contribute to this site. 
 
I assumed our knowledgeable people would appreciate hearing about all the teams, not just ours. Please refrain from making trollish remarks...........<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/frown.gif ALT=":("> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

Bigdizave · by **Bigdizave** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:52 pm

I am not being trollish. You can expect backlash on a New York Yankees spring training report posted on a Red Sox Central website. You can expect some jabs on a collage of Washington Redskin training camp photos posted on a Dallas Cowboy discussion forum. 
You can certainly expect some ridicule of a Los Angeles Laker summer league report on a Spurs Central forum. Sorry, it's just how it is. 
<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/shrug.gif ALT=":shrug"> 
 
I would absolutely love to hear about all the teams, not just ours, and not just the Lakers. I'd like to see a couple of dozen pics and analysis of the other teams involved in the summer league like the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks, not just one sided reporting of our most hated rival.

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:57 pm

Did you read my Day 1 game report? I won't only be covering the Lakers but yesterday, they were my focus. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/banner-clutch.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

Summer Pro League: Day 2