The Week That Was, The Week That Will Be (1.21-1.27)
A week that started with a bang- a big win against Golden State and a bigger win against Miami- ended with a thud- losses at Sacramento (the horror, the horror) and Phoenix. So one game away from the season's halfway point, the Lakers stand two games over .500. Maybe not where they'd like to be, but currently good enough for 7th in the conference with a chance to move as high as 5th (although 6th is more realistic), and two very winnable games this week.
On the flip side, they're only 2 1/2 games out of 12th and pulling food out of garbage cans with the Sonics, Blazers, and Rockets. So maybe it's early to put down non-refundable deposits for playoff tickets.
This week is one of rest for the purple and gold before they hit the road for a 7 game, nearly two week road odyssey that will have them traveling more than those dudes in the Paris to Dakar Rally. Here's what's on tap.
Sunday, January 22 vs. Toronto (6:30, Fox Sports West)-
A couple months ago, this would have been a laugher. Not anymore. After a 1-15 start, the purple dinosaurs have gone 13-11. Not exactly setting the world on fire, but it's a hell of a lot better than 1-15. Chris Bosh has been sick, sick, sick over his last five, averaging 26/9/54% FG, including a 29 point, 13 rebound effort Friday in Seattle that included a Kobe-esque 17-17 from the free throw line. No wonder Phil is so fond of him. Point guard Mike James has quietly put up near All Star numbers, averaging nearly 17 points and over 5 assists per game. Toss in Mo Peterson and Jalen Rose, and Jose Calderon (9 assists per 48 minutes) and the Raptors may not be champs, but they're not so crappy, either. A game the Lakers should win, but they'd better show up ready to play.
Friday, Jan. 27 vs. Golden State (7:30, Fox Sports West)-
For a month or so, the Warriors seemed to overcome the natural gravity that annually yanks Golden State towards the bottom of the conference. Not so much anymore. A 2-6 January has them at .500 going into a home and home against the Clippers (didn't this look like a marquee matchup in November?), and a home game against Dallas before they travel to Staples. They're no different than the team the Lakers beat last Saturday in Oakland, except perhaps more desperate. Word is the Ron Artest to Golden State rumor mill is heating up.
If they don't go 2-0, let's just throw in the towel.
-Kevin
Posted by: Crazy 8 | January 21, 2006 at 02:56 PM
This is out of the topic but the biggest difference between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan is Jordan's defense. Michael Jordan was unbelievable on the defensive end. I hate the way Kobe plays defense, he's only an okay defender when he's defending superstars. Other than that, I don't see the defense in Kobe.
Posted by: Crazy 8 | January 21, 2006 at 03:09 PM
Kobe's expending a lot of energy on the offensive end this year, and his defense has suffered a little bit, but he can lock down almost any guard in the league if he wants, but then someone else would have to pick up the scoring for the Lakers... not to many options there.
As far as the week goes, I think we can pull 2-0 with all the time off between games, we just need a good consistent effort vs. Toronto tomorrow, then ride the positive streak into Thursday for an easier win than last time over Golden State.
Posted by: Kevin McK | January 21, 2006 at 04:23 PM
Micheal did both. Scoring and playing defense even before Scottie became a great defender. In 87/88, he averaged 35 points a game against physical defense, unlike what we see today, won the MVP and also the defensive player of the year award. So Kobe has to improve his defense no question about that. Other than that, he is a stud. Not sure, if not being allowed to hip check is deterring Kobe from being aggressive, but guys like Artest and Bowen are doing fine.
Posted by: kslf | January 21, 2006 at 05:14 PM
A number 6th seed should be the goal. In fact it would be even better than a four or five because it would mean that they would end up playing either Denver, Utah, or Minn. And my guess is that it'll be Denver who the Lakers match up well with.
But to achieve that goal the Lakers shouldn't feel pressured to make any big move. Because even if they make the playoffs they wouldn't get farther than the second round. I would trade Odom (even though I still think he is a good player and has really helped the Lakers) only if they could get a power forward or center like Chris Bosh or Dwight Howard.
Wouldn't it be nice if they figured out a way to get a high pick in 2007 (a way other than losing a bunch of games)? That draft should be loaded. I think Greg Oden would look great in Purple and Gold.
Posted by: Jtrincad | January 21, 2006 at 05:25 PM
We've suffered more close games than any team in the league. With the exception of Phoenix and Detroit, I think we can compete and beat any team on any given night, including San Antonio which is banged up and starting to look their age. We don't need to trade to beat any of the other teams, and even if we got Garnette in Feb. we couldn't take Phoenix or Detroit by May, but I'd like to see the vet Kobe was referring to come in sooner than later just to save some wear and tear on his legs.
Artest to Golden State is bad for both parties. They won't win and he won't stay.
Can't wait for the trade deadline so we can stop speculating about trades for this year and focus on what really matters... speculation about trades for next year.
Posted by: Vman | January 21, 2006 at 06:05 PM
hey crazy 8 I noticed you said the J's defense was better then kobes well actually Jordan rarely defended the other teams #1 scorer(cuz pippen did that). And you know who does defend the # 1 scorer of the other team night in and night out.....................
Kobe. Jordan was great but until he got Pippen he was just another T-mac. really if Artest wasnt a freakin lunatic and the lakers recieved him via trade that would be the only way we could compare jordan to kobe. because all the years the bulls won Pippen was defending the other teams best perimiter player. Could you imagine us playing the rockets with Tracy being shut down by Artest and kobe excerting all his energy on the offensive end we could beat 2/3 of the teams in the NBA easily. Spurs, Pistons and Suns would be our only compitition so get out of here with doubting kobes defense. Cuz kobes sticks wade, or Leborn or Pierce and still finds ways to put up fourty pts easily
Lance.P
Posted by: Lance P | January 21, 2006 at 06:08 PM
Yeah Lance,
Not to mention the fact that Jordan was defended by guys like Craig Ehlo while Kobe's up against T Prince and Artest.
Posted by: Vman | January 21, 2006 at 09:31 PM
Too many bonehead plays the last 2 games...well the whole season actually. These guys get paid millions of dollars to play a game yet they cant even do it right. Basketball is such an easy concept. Play defense, hustle, run your offense, make shots. It's that easy. If you play/practice everyday and collect a check for 150 thousand dollars a week/month then there is no reason to make bonehead plays like the Lakers have in the Sacto game. Lamar Odom what in the world were you thinking..HOLD THE BALL!! Kwame Brown what in the world were you thinking trying to plug the lane instead of guarding 3 point line. I'm frustrated as hell watching this team...So much potential yet so dumb.
I'm a big Laker fan and Kobe fan, however Steve Nash proved that he is the MVP in the league. Such a smart player. If only the lakers had half his intelligence. Anyway, go Lakers.
Posted by: joe | January 21, 2006 at 09:59 PM
Devean George is our best perimeter defensive player. He's very agressive on the defensive end. I don't understand why he doesn't play more minutes. Phil only plays Devean for 22.2 MPG. It's ridiculous. Sometimes, I ask myself, what is Phil doing? Devean could help Kobe a lot because Kobe exerts so much offense, that he doesn't have enough energy on the defensive end. When Kobe starts firing ridiculous three pointers, that's when he's running out of gas and getting desperate. That's why we need a 2nd scoring option. a guy that can average 16 to 17 PPG and plays defense well enough to stop people. We're missing a lot of pieces to a puzzle. Until all the pieces fit perfectly, that's when the damage will be done. The Lakers might be one or two players away from really being effective on both ends. I'm expecting Ronny Turiaf to make an impact. Phil thinks he's a Mark Madsen type of player, but I highly disagree. I saw Ronny Turiaf play at Cal State Long Beach last summer. He's very agressive inside. I keep hearing about how Caron Butler's trade for Kwame was stupid. Personally, looking at the trade, we lost offense and exchanged it for defense. I like Caron a lot but Kwame is what the Lakers need more in a player. This year, Kwame's presence inside allowed us to improve our defense a lot. As oppose to last year, when teams would just come in the lane and we couldn't do a damn thing about it. Kwame's effectiveness on the defensive end shouldn't be degraded because of his offensive inconsistency.
Posted by: Crazy 8 | January 21, 2006 at 10:06 PM
how many of you still think Lamar is UNTOUCHABLE? (ofcourse beside the guy whose screen name is Lamar show) I think he needs to change that to Lame Show!
Posted by: khan | January 21, 2006 at 10:41 PM
lakers should sign Big Ben. trade bynum for artest and sign Ben next year and maybe a 3pt shooter off the bench and we can win a championship. ben can also teach kwame a thing or 2.
lineup:
ben
lamar
artest
kobe
smush
without artest, we'll still be good. kwame at pf
Posted by: the Lamar Show | January 22, 2006 at 12:54 AM
Only three teams in the league right now that are very tough for the lakers to beat. Pistons, Spurs and Phoenix. But I am not saying they're unbeatable. If LAL will just play together as a team especially on defense, then they can beat these teams. I just hate it when it seems that the Lakers are losing focus sometimes as if they don't care if they win or lose. They're like kids playing another backyard game. Smiling after committing errors.
FOCUS, GUYS. FOCUS!!!
And Luke Walton, are you afraid to shoot? You are looking very awkward taking those wide open perimeter shots. Have some extended sessions with Craig Hodges and learn how to shoot.
I thought you are a very smart player when I was watching you during you rookie days. But how can you make a lot of bad decisions which lead to costly turn overs? If you continue to be like this, I don't think you deserve sharing playing time with Devean George ( are you listening, PJ?). Wake up Luke, I know you are one of the guys out there who has a better understanding of the triangle. I can not forget TV commentators before saying that you "are a smart rookie. It's in the genes", or stuff like that. Now you are on your 3rd season. You must be a smarter player now.
Put Bynum in, Phil. Let the kid play. He can give you some quality minutes.
And yeah, to re establish his rythm and get his teammates involved, Kobe should pass the ball when doule or triple teamed.
GO LAKERS!!! FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS!
OOOHH YEEAAHHH!!!! MANNY PACQUIAO TKO'd ERIK MORALES
Posted by: Pinoy Laker Lover | January 22, 2006 at 01:41 AM
I've been reading a lot of comments about Kobe's supposed "lack of defense". what games have you guys been watching. The way the league is calling fouls- Kobe would get his 3rd foul midway through the 2nd quarter, and he would have to get benched. If anyone watched the heat game the commentators were talking about how the league changed the hand checking rules, and that Pat Riley wasn't too happy with the changes- claiming that this lends its self to making this league a "guards league". The Phoenix game was ridiculous and honestly I wasn't mad when Kobe started jacking up threes, because A) He was CLEARLy tired B) He had his hands full with Bell, while his teammates allowed people like "House" to light us up and C)It seemed like the team gave up at the end of the 3rd quarter.
So get off Kobe, as Laker fans we have to defend our star, Kobe's defense is purely based on energy and confidence, and if he has to drop 40 AND shut down the other teams top player, we can expect an injury, cuz its coming w/ that kind of play.PHIL I NEED TO SEE BYNUM MORE, this guy clearly can play adn has the energy that we need on the defensive, I know Phil doesn't play Bynum because he wants to instill confidence in KB, but dammit man, if Mehmet okur can start so can Bynum. before I go lemme say this, Has anyone else noticed to sudden fashion change among our top players i.e Lebron James and Michael Redd wearing "black tights", hmmmmmmmmm. If these guys were wering those at the beginning of the season, let me know- but I'm pretty sure they're bitin'
Posted by: JagzGB | January 22, 2006 at 01:52 AM
Consecutive impressive wins then consective pathetic losses. This is the definitely a young team.
Posted by: hardcorelaker | January 22, 2006 at 09:21 AM
Come to think of it, wouldn't the other teams in the west attempt to clinch the 6th spot?
If so... I can see a lot of teams try to LOSE their way to the 6th seed... which will be kinda funny to watch.
Posted by: KB8TH WONDER | January 22, 2006 at 12:35 PM
Stop spraining ankles trying to jump off the bandwagon!
The Lakers are doing fine. They will get better.You guys thought they will never lose another game the rest of the way? For your informations, they will lose many more before the season is over.
Steve nash is a good player but his assist does not mean that he makes his teammates better! It means that they are hitting their shots! Anassist is a 2 part stat!remember that! But another important stat is that the Suns can't make it to the championship game...their game is perfect for the regular season. During the playoffs where Refs let players play and are a bit more lenient on the defenders, I'm confident that the Lakers can take them!
I RATHER HAVE KOBE THAN STEVE NASH IN THE PLAYOFFS ANY DAY AND TWICE ON SUNDAYS!
Anybody that says differently is propably lying!
Posted by: chosen#23 | January 22, 2006 at 01:47 PM
I know the Lakers can go 2-0 this week, as long as they don't overlook the Raptors. They were a joke earlier in the season, but there getting good minutes from their starters, and off their bench (Jalen Rose would be a nice addition to the Lake Show).
Crazy 8 you must really be crazy if you think Devean George is our best perimeter defender!! Did you forget this is the guy that let Tracy Mcgrady walk down the lane for a layup!? Devean's not a terrible defender, but Kobe is the best defender we have. If you don't believe me, go check out how many all defensive teams he's made
Posted by: Asaad Weaver | January 22, 2006 at 05:50 PM
Uhh guys...
I'm looking at a crazy guy who has already scored 67pts in the game... and still has around 5minutes to score more...
Posted by: KB8TH WONDER | January 22, 2006 at 08:51 PM
Please.
Michael Jordan didn't have HALF the challenge Kobe has night in and night out on the defensive end. Back in those days, the NBA was a big man league. I'd love to see Jordan try defending the following murder's row array of guards/small forwards on a nightly basis. There are more good wing players than you can shake a stick at in the NBA right now.
Lebron James
Tracy McGrady
Gilbert Arenas
Allen Iverson
Dwayne Wade
Ray Allen
Michael Redd
Jason Richardson/Baron Davis
etc.
etc.
etc.
I'm sorry, but Michael, as great as he was, never had to deal with either remotely the same level of defensive sophistication that today's schemes have nor the same caliber of athletic players on a regular basis.
Posted by: Jimbo | January 22, 2006 at 09:30 PM
Watch! Other players are going to start going for 60 points and whatnot. None will achieve it.
Kobe has already started winning games before they've happened. The intimidation factor is alive and well.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | January 23, 2006 at 07:59 AM