Contract Status: Player option
What was supposed to be a comeback season ended up much the same way the previous one did for Chris—with him sitting on the bench in street clothes. Mihm only played in 23 games this season, averaging 3.8 points in 12 minutes of play. After attempting several mini comebacks throughout the year, the center finally conceded to yet another foot surgery around the mid-way point of the season. Luckily for Chris, his recovery went well and he was able to play a few spot minutes in the playoffs, pain free too.
With Mihm expected to exercise his player option and return to the team next year, his role for now appears to be as a key backup center to Bynum, barring any free agent signings or trades that bring in other big men. However, in order to receive bigger minutes, Chris will have to show more rhythm and tenacity around the hoop after appearing tentative and out of place within the Lakers’ offense in his limited playoff minutes.
In his exit interview Center Chris Mihm expressed an intent to exercise his player option, giving the Lakers ten players under contract.
Those ten players are:
Kobe Bryant
Andrew Bynum
Pau Gasol
Derek Fisher
Jordan Farmar
Luke Walton
Lamar Odom
Vladimir Radmanovic
Trevor Ariza (exercised player option to stay with the team)
Chris Mihm (when he exercises his option)
They also have two restricted free agents in Ronny Turiaf and Sasha Vujacic.
When talking to the media last week General Manager Mitch Kupchak took a “they’re ours to lose” approach to the pair.
“Both players are restricted free agents, so we can’t lose either player. Ultimately it will be our choice if a player did not return,” said Kupchak.
Under NBA rules a restricted free agent’s original team has the right to match any offer extended to him during the free agency period. The Lakers will also have to look at luxury cap considerations when deciding who to bring back. The team is projected to be over next season’s luxury tax threshold and would have to pay a dollar-to-dollar penalty for money spent over the limit.
The following players from the 2007-2008 playoff roster are unrestricted free agents:
Ira Newble
DJ Mbenga
The Lakers hold the option with Coby Karl and he is expected to play for the team’s entry in the Las Vegas Summer League.
Chris Mihm–who announced that he will exercise his payer option for next season–enters the summer with good reason for optimism as he’s finally healthy after more than a year of battling through troublesome foot injuries that threatened to prematurely end his career.
According to the center, he’s finally regained the explosion that he had two years ago for the Lakers when he averaged 10 points and seven rebounds as the starter at the five spot. “The last two years have been a big learning experience in a lot of ways,” said the center.
With a clean bill of health, Mihm said he is finally able to resume his normal training regimen–something that will doubt help him in 2008-09. Specifically, Chris said he will look to focus on his hook shot and timing.
Injury Update: Before tonight’s pivotal game against the Hornets, Coach Jackson said that Trevor Ariza will be re-examined in 2 weeks to check on the progress of his broken foot, after receiving word today that the fracture has yet to fully heal. With regards to injured center Andrew Bynum, Jackson said that he was justifiably disappointed after learning this weekend that he has not been cleared to play yet.
Jackson also discussed Chris Mihm’s ongoing return from injury, revealing that, “Right now, D.J. (Mbenga) is probably a little more active, a little more in condition in game shape than Chris is right now. But we’re still bringing Chris along in hopes that he’ll be there to help shore up our front court.”
Jackson compared this season’s final push to 15 years ago when his Chicago Bulls faced off against the New York Knicks in the final game of the season with the conference record yet to be decided and Scottie Pippen in the thick of the Most Valuable Player debate.
When asked about the team’s game plan tonight against point guard Chris Paul, Jackson said, “The thought process is to stop his penetration. What happens after that, try and close down on the shooters, yes. Try and limit the amount of lobs and dunks, of course. If that means he has got to take shots, that’ll be part of it, but not to let him score or really let him do anything hopefully.”
After losing consecutive games to two of the worst teams in the league, Coach Jackson said that the losses have begun to take their toll on team morale.
“It caused some erratic sleep for two or three nights this week. You think that you really have everything going for you…we have home court advantage, we have most of the games at home…we have a home stand and we can’t take advantage of it.”
However, according to Jackson, all is not lost just yet for L.A.
“…We still have destiny in our hands,” Jackson said. “Basically, we play San Antonio and New Orleans, teams we need to play at home. If we beat those teams, we still have the ability to finish ahead of all these teams. We have to put a streak together…”
Jackson said that he expects his team to come out against the Wizards with a greater sense of urgency, although he has yet to see a shift in attitude from some players.
“Losing hurts and when you’re a competitor, there’s no ands if about it, you suffer because of it,” said Jackson. “And if you don’t, you shouldn’t be in this business because this is what it’s about. It’s about wins and losses and how you do it as a group.”
Continue reading ‘Lakers vs. Wizards Pre-Game’
For the second game in a row, the Lakers lost to one of the league’s worst teams, falling 114-111 to the Grizzlies. Kobe Bryant had his best scoring night of the season, totaling 53 points, including 34 in the first half alone. However, Rudy Gay (28 points, 7 rebounds) and the rest of a scrappy Memphis bunch proved too much for the Lakers in the end, with L.A. botching a chance to launch a potential game-tying three pointer with 0.9 seconds left in the game.
After the game, Jackson said, “Well that was an unusual night from us. A lot of threes out there, a lot of raining shots. We came out with a purpose tonight, obviously, and I think it kind of dinted some of the other guy’s effort in the process, but it was good to see him attack, at least early.”
The Lakers launched 45 three pointers, making 15 of them, compared to two for 12 for Memphis. Although Sasha Vujacic was second to Bryant in scoring, it took him 14 three point attempts to reach the total.
Continue reading ‘Lakers vs. Grizzlies Post-Game’
Before tonight’s game against the crosstown rival Clippers, Coach Jackson was asked to ponder the current Western Conference playoff race, particularly in regards to teams like Dallas and Phoenix who have slid in the standings since making impact trades. Jackson said that while it’s not time to scoreboard watch yet, he does think it’s important for the Lakers to pay close attention to the two to three teams immediately on their schedule, noting that “We have a couple of games here before we head out on a very tough road trip.”
Jackson also discussed the potential impact of Andrew Bynum once he hopefully returns from injury later this season. Jackson said that any talk of the center’s return is still premature, revealing that Bynum is at least a month away from returning to the court. According to Jackson, Andrew will come off the bench when he does return, with his eventual return to the starting lineup contingent on his conditioning and adjustments to the team’s recent roster changes. In the likely event that Bynum is forced to adapt on the fly as the playoffs near, Jackson said that his re-acclimation to the team “will have to be handled just the right way.”
While #17’s injury status is still somewhat up in the air, the Lakers coach said that Chris Mihm may end up beating both Bynum and injured forward Trevor Ariza back to the court. “We’re very optimistic with Chris,” said Jackson. “We feel like this last procedure is really working out well.”
Published in Andrew Bynum,
Chris Mihm,
Coby Karl,
DJ Mbenga,
Derek Fisher,
Injury News,
Jordan Farmar,
Kobe Bryant,
Lamar Odom,
Luke Walton,
Ronny Turiaf,
Sasha Vujacic,
Trevor Ariza and
Vladimir Radmanovic .
Here’s a quick look at every Lakers’ health status as the team heads to Detroit to start the longest road trip in team history.
In alphabetical order…
Trevor Ariza
Still recovering from fracturing the fourth metatarsal in his right foot after landing on teammate Derek Fisher’s foot in practice on January 20th. Expected to miss another 6-7 more weeks. Did not travel with the team.
Kwame Brown
As healthy as he’s going to be during the course of an 82-game season.
Kobe Bryant
As healthy as he’s going to be during the course of an 82-game season.
Andrew Bynum
Still recovering from a subluxation of the patella and a bone bruise of his left knee that he suffered in the January 13th game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Expected to miss approximately 6 more weeks. Did not travel with the team.
Continue reading ‘Road Trip Injury Roundup’
Before today’s showdown against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Coach Phil Jackson finally had some good news to share on the injury front; injured forward Vladimir Radmanovic will suit up for today’s game. Jackson also said that Chris Mihm will travel with the team on their upcoming nine game road trip and will hopefully return to the floor sometime around the middle of that stretch.
Jackson said that the team has yet to sit down and decide whether or not they will renew replacement center DJ Mbenga’s 10 day contract that expires after this Tuesday’s game against the Knicks, but did praise Mbenga for his attentiveness in the limited time he’s been with the Lakers.
Looking ahead to today’s game and the always exciting battle between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, Jackson said that no matter how many years a player has been in the league, it’s still difficult at times to resist the urge to go mano-a-mano against certain players. However, Jackson said that while Kobe is still baited at times, his individual play comes with more of a team mindset now.
As the injuries continue to pile up for the Lakers–Trevor Ariza the latest casualty–Coach Jackson said that certain players’ roles are bound to change. “It’s going to be one of those things,” said Jackson. “We’re just going to have to work our way through this. Unfortunately for Trevor, he was playing really well.” In Ariza’s absence, Jackson said the team will likely have to rely on Lamar Odom more at small forward.
However, Jackson did supply some rare positive news on the injury front, revealing that Vladimir Radmanovic has been able to participate in more exercises on the floor in recent days. While he has not begun running yet, Jackson said he is making solid progress. Injured center Chris Mihm has also begun more strenuous exercises and may be ready to return when the Lakers embark on their nine game road trip starting in Detroit.
In looking ahead to tonight’s game, Jackson said, “This is a game that is absolutely needed because this is a small team.” With the undersized Najera playing behind Marcus Camby, the coach said that tonight would likely present a “situation in which Ronny can play some center and probably well.”
Jackson also said he expects Kwame Brown to recover from being booed throughout the Lakers’ loss to Phoenix last Thursday. According to Jackson, there will no doubt be a certain amount of anxiety for Kwame, but the team’s willingness to look for him inside will not change.
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