Asides

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@ the Game

I was actually at the Laker game against the Hornets. It sucks that they lost but it was still a pretty surreal experience. For one, it's the first time that I have been to Staples since they went with the whole light's out thing. I must admit, it's not as dark in there as it seems on TV but the contrast truly does make the court look amazing. I felt like I was watching the game in HD. If that makes any kind of sense.

But not only that, I was sitting in section 106, row 4. So I was pretty close. Here are a few observations from a Laker fan, about as close to courtside as he probably will ever get.

+ Bynum is a freak. Seriously, if he hot glued some bed sheets to his arms, he'd fly.

+ The game is fast. I've seen a lot of basketball played at a lot of different levels. But watching these guys play up close, I was almost cringing the whole game. It seems as if they are all out of control. I felt like at any moment, someone was going to go flying into the crowd or some sort of nasty collision was going to happen. On TV, everything looks so smooth. Near the court, it looks violent.

+ I'm really starting to get tired of Brian Cook. The above bullet does not apply to him.

+ I noticed Brandy sitting behind the Hornet's bench. She was cheering all crazy for Kobe. Then I remembered. Kobe hit that on prom night.

+ Fuckin Peja. Jesus. But the weird thing is how we had no idea he had made 10 3s. Or that Chris Paul had 21 assists. Not until they flashed it on the screen. Being at the game can be disorienting.

+ Bruce Willis looks like he weighs about 140 pounds. That's with a 100 pound body and a 40 pound head. He also started his own "BRUUUUUUUUUUUCE" cheer as he walked by.

+ There was one possession in the second half where Farmar was isolated on Chris Paul at the top. Paul did about 4-5 juke moves. One after another, one setting up the other. He was relentless. I mean, he really wanted to break Farmar off on this play. But Farmar stayed in front of him and he had to pass. It was a great example of using your feet and focusing on the dribbler's trunk rather than his head and the ball. Picture perfect on-ball defense. Too bad this was probably the only time we stopped Chris Paul all night.
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Congrats to Big Russ

Russell Martin is the National League's Gold Glove winner for catcher.

I have always felt like there's something special about watching a player make a name for himself in your favorite team's jersey. As a fan, you develop a certain sense of propriety for that player and it serves to bolster even further your sense of homerism and pride.

Eddie Jones. Vlade Divac. Adrian Beltre. Paul Lo Duca. Mike Piazza. Magic. Kobe.

And now, Russell Martin. Congratulations.

Hopefully, we won't trade you to the Marlins. After which you will end up on the Mets.
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Imports

Some Asian pitcher news via Dodger Thoughts:

The Dodgers plan to bid for 32-year-old Japanese free agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, "a control pitcher with a fastball in the 95-mph range who projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter," according to Tony Jackson of the Daily News:

Kuroda considered coming to America a year ago before ultimately signing a four-year, 1.2 billion yen contract (about $10 million U.S.) to remain with the Carp. But that deal included an escape clause after the first year, which Kuroda chose to exercise.

...

Kuroda is 103-89 with a 3.69 ERA in 11 seasons, all with the Carp, and he has a remarkable 74 complete games in 244 career starts. He is said to favor Seattle because pitching to countryman Kenji Johjima, the Mariners' primary catcher, would make for an easier transition. But the Dodgers also have a prominent Japanese player in closer Takashi Saito, who is said to have a close friendship with Kuroda. Saito also is an Octagon client.

Cool. The Dodgers could use another staffer and they have definitely had their luck with their Japanese imports. This guy sounds pretty interesting. But not as interesting as:

Filling the Wilson Alvarez/Jose Lima/Scott Erickson/Aaron Sele veteran shot-in-the-dark slot at Dodger Spring Training next season could be an old friend.

Other sites are linking to the Kim Tong-hyung/Korea Times news that Chan Ho Park is saying he has signed a contract with the Dodgers to give him a chance to try out for the team in Spring Training.

"The terms of the contract are similar to a rookie on the start, but the important thing is that I will be able to play for a team that I always missed," Park said.

Park debuted for the Dodgers at the age of 21 in 1994. At his best, in 2000, he had a 133 ERA+ and 217 strikeouts in 226 innings for Los Angeles. But he has been below average since 2002, and made it into only one major league game last season.

Update: According to public relations director Josh Rawitch, Park hasn't signed, but it's heading that direction. It would be for a minor league deal with an invite to camp, but it's not a done deal.

Wow. Chan Ho. Talk about memory lane. I wonder if Nomo is available.

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