... and so are the Kamenetzky Brothers. We're both gonna take a couple days to chill and relax, as we've been posting a few times daily since the blog's inception. Thus, you're looking at the last new post until 2006. We will, however, update comments (although not as frequently), so if folks wanna keep yapping, feel free to fire away. And obviously, if something big breaks (for example, the Lakers trade for a certain psychopathic forward), one of us will put down the beer and put up a new entry. But otherwise, enjoy the rest of 2005!

And with that, I leave y'all with a topic. It's that time of year when everyone makes their New Year's Resolutions. Presumably, at least a few Lakers will be making a list of their own. If you could add an item to one (or more) player's plans, what would it be? And just to make things easier, here's the entire roster:

Kwame, Kobe, Bynum, Cook, George, Green, Mihm, McKie, Slava, LO, Smush, Profit, Turiaf (it's still up in the air, but what the hell) Sasha, Wafer, and Walton.  And just for giggles, let's throw Phil Jackson into the mix.

Take care,

AK

After Wednesday's OT loss to Memphis, there was much to talk about.  Defensive breakdowns, poor shot selection and third quarter struggles to name a few.  The mood after last night's game was one of shock.  Players were ticked and the fans seemed stunned.  But Jackson, though disappointed, was calm in his post game press conference.  It's interesting to look at his answers here and the ones he gave before the tip, in light of how the Lakers managed to hand Memphis an overtime win in a game that never should have reached that point. 

"Well, that was a diappointing loss for us.  We just couldn't carry the finish of that game to completion.  Stoudamire hit a great shot.  Kobe had a really good look, but couldn't finish the game.  And in overtime they really rode that momentum that got them into the tie to send it to overtime.  The first three minutes of that overtime we had to stumble back, and find our way back to the opportunity we had.  And it was a great opportunity we muffed."

As you're watching the Lakers on most given nights, do you ever get the sense that Chris Mihm is growing frustrated with the refs? Well, that's only because he is. And he doesn't quite know what to do about it. I imagine Mihm would be the first to admit, there are many nights where he's matched against a big with more pure skill than him. But in his mind, that's nothing compared to challenge provided by the whistle blowers, who often make his life hell. No doubt, Mihm's productivity is more directly related to his foul count than any other single factor. And unless Odom feels like working the post, L.A. has basically no inside scoring when Mihm's parked on the pine. Thus, his whistle tally is a legit issue for the team as well.

I talked briefly with Mihm after Wednesday's loss to Memphis, a night where he nonetheless played very well (15 and 11, plus 2 blocks). Coincidence that he also didn't rack up much (relatively speaking) in the foul department (only 4, in an OT game)? Not likely. We didn't speak much about the game itself, as I figured the game would be analyzed plenty on the blog as it was. Instead, I focused the conversation mostly on the refs and his relationship with them, a situation that will remain relevant as the Lakers look to make a playoff push. Here's what he had to say.

While the Laker Nation was jittery after the purple and gold dropped two games they could (should?) have won in Miami and Washington, Phil Jackson was not hitting the panic button before Wednesday's game against Memphis (nor did he hit it afterwards).  In fact, Phil was pretty loose with the media in the pre-game coach chat.  Of course, that was before the Lakers devised another creative way to lose, dropping the ball against the Grizzlies in their 100-99 OT loss.

Here's what Phil had to say, with a little commentary (in italics) thrown in.  Post game thoughts to follow.

BK

Once again the Lakers had a team on the ropes, and couldn't put them on the mat.  The result?  A frustrating 100-99 OT loss Wednesday night to Memphis, continuing the Lakers' struggles at Staples Center.  While much of the post-game talk was on Kobe Bryant's domination of the offense, especially in the 2nd half, Phil Jackson pointed to other breakdowns as well.  As the Lakers roll into the new year, every game will be a struggle, and none can be taken for granted. 

Jackson wants more balance, and thinks the team could learn from his old Bulls squads.  As for Lamar Odom, Jackson says it may be time to abandon the crunch time three pointer in favor of something with a higher percentage of success (considering their collective percentage from beyond the arc, the same could be said for most of the roster...).

A frustrated Kobe smashed a tv monitor outside the Lakers locker room Monday in Washington (unlike many of you, who probably smashed a tv monitor inside your living rooms).  Those of you who still have televisions might be seeing Ronny Turiaf on it soon.  While the Lakers say he needs a couple more games, Turiaf's agent expects him to sign a three year deal with the purple and gold. 

ESPN's Mark Stein hands out his "First Trimester" awards, and gives Kobe a little love. 

And, as always, your box score.  Your sad, heartbreaking boxscore.  Try not to replay this game too many times in your head.  It'll ruin what's left of your holiday season. 

As one would expect after a loss like last night's, the mood in the Lakers locker room was a touch... how shall we put it... miffed.  A three game skid was not the way the team wanted to close out 2005 (although at 15-14, they're still playing above preseason expectations). As always, Kobe attracted a slew of microphones, and while clearly disappointed, he gave some pretty candid thoughts on remaining optimistic, his flagrant foul on Mike Miller, and the need to toughen up while playing in the 213. Here are some of the highlights from a short Q & A.

On giving up 3's at the end of the game
We really focus on winning games on the defensive end... When we make mistakes offensively, we come down and get stops defensively and not give them easy looks. We didn't do a good job of that tonight. We gave them too many open looks down the stretch and they knocked them down.

On the final Lakers possession (Kobe drives, miss, Mihm misses the put back)
I definitely got fouled. That's why I never go to the basket. They're just going to swallow the whistle.

On Phil Jackson stating that he wasn't worried about the losing streak, and not taking it hard
I feel the same way he does. As frustrating as it is to lose these games, I feel exactly the same way he does. We're not soft. We just have to do a better job of finishing off quarters and starting the third quarter right away. Those little mental lapses that we may have, man, it just comes with inexperience... They have some savvy veterans over there. They knew how to exploit us.

On needing to do a better job protecting their home court
That's how we have to play. We have to be aggressive here. This is our home court. We can't just allow people to drive down the lane... dunk on us. That just can't happen. We have to stop that. We have to be more physical, especially at Staples Center. We have to establish that.

On the elbow he gave Mike Miller, which drew a flagrant.
I hit him, yeah... Any player that was going to come down the lane at that particular point and time, I was going to let him know that they just can't walk through there. I think we as a team have to do a better job of establishing that and me as a leader of the ball club, I have to take initiative to do that. And hopefully, everybody else will see that, especially with this being our home court. People come in here... It's Hollywood and all that stuff. They're gonna come down here and look pretty. Shoot jump shots. Dunk the ball. Finger roll the ball and all that cute stuff. We gotta stop that.

On the elbow to Miller being as much a message to Kobe's teammates as Lakers opponents
Yeah, we can't allow people to come down here and play Globetrotter ball. We gotta make a stand.

On never having the lead in OT
It sucks. It's as simple as that.

1st quarter:  Kobe 2-5, 2 assists, 6 pts.  Lakers score 35 on 73.7% shooting (sure, that's because everyone was knocking down jumpers with uncanny accuracy... but also because the other guys on the floor touched the ball). 

3-9 in the 3rd, Lakers score 13.   3-10 in the 4th, Lakers score 21.  At one point at the end of the 3rd into the 4th, he took shots on something in the neighborhood of 13 of 15 possessions, I think (it's late, so the math could be off, but you get the point).  It was an ugly game all around, but in the 2nd half, Kobe shot them out of the offense and out of the game. 

Monumentally disappointing loss for the Lakers.

BK 

The last few day's worth of comments have revolved heavily around Lamar Odom and his showing (or lack thereof) as the team's #2 scoring option. Odom has tantalized fans with 20+ nights on several occasions, only to frustrate them with single digit shot attempt follow ups. In particular, a comment from John Teo Marte caught my eye:

"Funny, Lamar didn't have any problem getting his touches or scoring points when he played with Dwayne Wade, Caron Butler, and Eddie Jones in Miami.  But when paired with Kobe Beane Bryant -- perhaps the "ball-hogging-est" player of the modern era -- he struggles.  I wonder why . . . ?"

What struck me about Marte's smack isn't the "Kobe = ballhog" angle, but the idea that Odom flourished as a scorer in Miami, or that he's lagging this season. In truth, Odom's doing, more or less, what's been typical for his entire career, points-wise. If you don't believe me, check out his career stats.

Going into tonight's game, he's averaging 14.7 ppg, a mere 1.3 off his career average (16). That's a difference of less than a bucket. His career high? Only 17.2. Not much higher, either. If Lamar Odom's scoring career was a golf course, he's currently on pace to shoot about a stroke over par, if that. Perhaps not a fantasy day on the links, but nothing worth tossing his clubs around in disgust, either. Frankly, it's exactly the score card he'd expect to fill out.

When it comes to purple and gold scoring, there's something of a drop off between Kobe and the other dudes. In fact, the discrepancy between the top pair of Lakers point producers (Ocho and Odom) is the biggest in exactly 40 seasons. And with Lamar's numbers tumbling lately, the schism could grow even further. Of course, if Kobe keeps scoring at the same clip that earned him a second straight Western Conference Player of the Week, the gap might widen even if Odom goes on a tear.

The Lakers want to end 2005 on a high note, and for what it's worth, history at home is way on L.A.'s side.  The match up to watch is always Kobe v. Eddie, with the old friends will be enjoying themselves as much as the fans.

They always say the sequel never does as well as the original.  Guess that's true in hoops, too, since Christmas Day II was not the ratings hit of last year's version. 

Ronny Turiaf helped Yakima sell another 2,000 tix in his SunKings home debut (that's massive for a CBA game).  Playing close to Gonzaga helps.  Oh yeah, he played well, too.

Tom Knott of the Washington Times says that Wizards star Gilbert Arenas is no Kobe... and is thankful for it.   

The Shaq and Butler deals have kept trades on the collective brains of Lakers fans for two years or so.  And with fans looking for help (is it out there?), that begs the question: 

What is the best trade in Lakers history? 

The worst? 

As always, justify your answer.