Taking Down Utah (10.25)
Andrew Bynum was officially, finally in the house.
He's turning 18 on Friday, but got an early gift tonight, at long lost cleared to play after suffering an abdominal strain during camp. The verdict: Not half bad. It's a little early to declare him an all-star in the making, but he did a lot more than simply avoid embarrassing himself. Perhaps he was simply following the good example set for him, as this was probably the Lakers' best effort the entire preseason, especially during the first half. Granted, they were battling the Jazz, a bad team even without the injured Carlos Boozer. But this kind of effort, especially on defense, could spark some W's even against some heavy hitters.
Anyway, some highlights:
First Half Observations:
Just a question - Is Mehmet Okur trying to grow out a mullet, or was it 80's night at Arrowhead and none of the other players got the flyer?
Rookie Deron Williams started the action by hitting one of the highest teardrop shot in recent memory. The ball must have taken a lucky bounce off the rafters.
It only takes a couple possessions to quit marveling at Smush's beautiful dish to Kobe for a jumper in the paint. A terrible, intercepted lob pass to Mihm tends to do that. But it didn't take long for Smush to get back in everyone's good graces. He hit 3 treys in the first half, finishing with 15 points and 4 dimes. Very solid night.
During the TV broadcast, the fan poll question was, "Which Laker will have the biggest impact this season: Aaron McKie, Kwame Brown, or Smush Parker?" With all due respect to McKie, Parker, Temple U., Fordham, and any other person or institution remotely associated with either guard, the answer to that question better be Kwame Brown. He's getting paid more than both players combined (and doubled), he's younger than either, we traded Butler and Atkins for him, and he was a freaking #1 overall pick! If it's not Kwame Brown, we're in a LOT of trouble. Incidentally, he got 57% of the voting.
Mihm was really on fire, getting some early buckets without the fouls to match. In fact, he went the entire first half without getting even one. Whatever he drank before the game, order a case of it. Doesn't matter if it was Gatorade, a McFlurry, or Jack Daniels. Don't change a thing, Chris.
The D in general was really good. Steal upon steal. Players swarming whichever Utah player had the ball. Actually, they took care of business on both ends. Again, this was a good effort.
And with 1:37 left in the 1st... ANDREW BYNUM! As noted earlier, the kid looked comfortable and confident. His first basket came in traffic, with Oster-fat bodying him up and Kirilenko, a human flyswatter, right behind him. Bynum stood his ground, battled, and banked it in. Good stuff. He also put a sweet spin on Ostertag, used his left hand and almost sank it. (Cook got the put back) Later on, his immediate pass of a rebound helped set up Slava for a transition bucket. Good instincts on display. Wouldn't start retiring his #17 just quite yet, but you can understand why the front office saw potential.
Second Half Observations:
Kwame hurts his wrist. It doesn't seem too bad, and he actually went back into the game. But keep an eye out for any further developments.
7:54 in the third. Mihm finally picks up a foul. And you thought Kevin Spacey turning out to be Keyser Soze was a surprising development.
Sick play of the night: Kobe picks Keith McCleod's pocket, then, while heading to the rack, dribbles backwards between his legs to avoid a pursuing McCleod for the score. Even Kobe looked a little impressed by that display.
When the scrubs came on the floor, the lead temporarily looked like it would join the bench with the starters. Team Slava-Bynum-Profit-Green-Bobbitt led the lead dwindle down to six before eventually rebuilding the gap. On the surface, it's not a huge deal if your third string (assuming all five make the team) can't play huge minutes together. But it does make you nervous about who's minding the store if Kobe, Odom or another key player goes down for any significant time. Then again, we knew we're screwed if that happens anyway, so there's no use sweating what you can't change.
1:24 left in the contest, Adam Parada checks in. Approximately 1:14 left in the contest, Parada gets the boot in a double ejection. He gave rookie center Robert Whaley a nice elbow to the chops. Whaley wasn't thrilled about it, and quickly responded with a pretty blantant punch. Not sure if this helps Parada make the team or not. As he walked out, he got a five from Walton, who actually starting cracking up as the rook passed him by. It's always funny when it's not you.
Your box score: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2005102513
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I for one am very pleased with the way these guys played tonight. If we see this from here on out were in for a good year. Bynum can defintly make a difference in the lane on D. Our point guard is fearless and I love that. Plus he can defintly hit the 3. Kobe is Kobe and he is playing within the offense. Lamar WILL get more aggressive as the defense improves. I like how tall we are upfront, a Phil Trademark. Our Power Forward needs some work at the free throw line. But I liked his D tonight and his aggressiveness on the boards. Overall I think this team can shock the NBA this year as long as Phil can keep them all healthy......HMMMMM and Happy?
Posted by: GMan | October 26, 2005 at 01:24 AM
With all the appropriate pieces in place (Kobe, Odom, Kwame, Mihm, Walton and Cook), the Lakers will surprise the league. Out west outside of San Antonio who has gotten noticeably better?
Posted by: Carlton Francis | October 26, 2005 at 05:32 PM
Team D looked awesome last night. It was so good I didn't really notice the offense; Kobe didn't score a lot in the first half either, but because of the tenacious D it didn't matter. The beginning of our schedule this year is brutal (my prediction is we'll go 5-8 out of the gate), so I can understand why it's more important THIS YEAR for Phil to get them a winning record in pre-season. With D like last night (and only that good), we could actually beat some good teams. Wouldn't it be great (a miracle) to hold teams to around 40% shooting for the night? That's what the great San Antonio teams did. By the way, LOVE that drop-step by Bynum. Great attitude, too. Would love to see Kupcheck redeem his tattered rep with this developing talent.
Posted by: Bob from Long Beach, CA | October 26, 2005 at 05:45 PM
I have been a Laker fan for over 40 years,this time I thank the Lakers can fly under the radar of the league because nobody is going to take us serious.
Posted by: Freddie Carter | October 26, 2005 at 10:48 PM
1.The lakers are going to be a better team than what everyone is saying:
a.Kobe Bryant is no dummy; he will recognize that this is once chance in a lifetime to reallign himself with Jackson,the team, and build up his slowly ever-shrinking reputation as a winner.He is at a stage in his career where he knows raining down 30 buckets a game playing without your coach and teamates being on the same page is not really hall-of-fame material. Furthermore, where Kobe will hurt the most is in his wallet with the already dried-up endorsment offers.
2.Phil Jackson: Mr. Zen master is really good. I have been observing him during the preseason and that is the very image that he is alluding to Kobe. Phil's genious lies in the fact that it is being done in a well thought-out manner.
a: He has sprnikled into his coaching staff with excelent assests. He brought in Kareem with his intelligence, age, and the past mistakes in his dealings with the press will not only be for the tutoring of young A. Bynum;but hopefully Kobe can see the tremendous benefit from this.Kobe who doesn't have the benefit of growing in a family with older brothers . Brian Shaw will also be a key, not as older as Kareem, but he can have a calming effect on Kobe.I see him as an interplay between Kobe and Phil.
C: Lamar oddom has no confident in running the offense now. I see that as not because he is not talented; but because he is afraid of Kobe.The only way this team can be a contender is devlopment of not a basketball but a personal relationship between the two.Kobe needs to care about Oddom in a way that makes him want to win the championship for lammar and the converse is also true.
D: lastly, the cog/oil for the Lakers machinery is believe or not Luke Walton; What a perfect fit for this wonderful person full of intelligence (not just BB IQ) who can not only understand the role of role palyers in intricate complex system; but Luke will also have discerment in how the team acts in the club house.
Posted by: aphan | October 27, 2005 at 06:49 AM
you people are dilusional and what kind of comment is that about walton. the guy sucks and so does this team. i love the lakers as much as anyone but lets be realistic here. this team SUCKS! i really dont care that they suck as i will supports regardless, but if any of you think this year will be much different then last year, you are crazy. sorry but that is the truth. this team cannot comepete with any of the top teams. they just dont have the all around talent level to do it. face it, we are at a rebuilding level and will be for years to come thanks to dumb trades and big egos. like i said, i love the lakers but its time for most of you to face reality. THIS TEAM IS GARBAGE!!!
Posted by: done | October 27, 2005 at 01:08 PM