Live From Staples- Lakers vs. Hornets
Yes, it's what you've all been waiting for, the consolation round of the Staples Shootout! We'll get cranking in a moment, but in the meantime, comment away!
BK
Okay, minor technical issues out of the way, Smush hits a three for a seven point Laker lead. Both Smush and Devin Green have come out of the gate much stronger tonight than they did yesterday. Especially for Green, that wasn't exactly a hard one to top.
There was the bad pass in the lane to Bynum, but overall, S.P. seems a little more focused.
5:36- Timeout on the floor. They're showing a package of the wierd and wacky on the Jumbotron. I'm waiting for that great clip where a tiger mauls the second baseman.
Smush to the line... and because he's a Laker, he missed. There ain't nothin' free about free throws when the Lakers take them. Something that needs to get fixed before the playoffs. Good play by Smush to knock it away... and it doesn't matter as West hits the jumper off the inbound.
4:40- Pinnock picks up right where he left off last night, making bad plays. He's just trying way too hard, not that I can blame him, considering the odds he's facing.
Late rotation there by Bynum on the and 1. That whole defensive sequence was off. Turiaf in.
3:45- Turiaf is being guarded by Cedric Simmons, NO/OKC's #1 (one of them, at least). Serious size mismatch in Turiaf's favor. Let's see if he can do anything with it.
Smush misses an open three off the kickout from L.O. in the post.
There are kids in the section over from us yelling KOBE! KOBE!! KOBEEEE!!!! I kind of wish 24 would acknowledge them, just so they'd shut up. Too loud!
Considering who they have on the floor- I'm not sure this is the active roster Mitch and Co. had in mind a month ago- the Lakers are doing a decent job. Brian Cook and Walton look like they're ready to enter the game. Maybe if Luke plays a little worse, he might get to start (see tonight's pregame audio if you don't get it....)
Also, Farmar into the game. That sound you heard was LakerTom screaming in joy.
2:00- Simmons stuffs Pinnock on the dunk attempt. Dude just can't catch a break.
Nice cut to the hoop by Farmar, just missed the lay in.
:04- Farmar passes to the photographers. Looked like he thought someone was going to zig, and they zagged. Hate it when that happens. Overall, 26-23 at the end of the first? Not to bad (if you need an explination as to why, check out the starting lineup.)
AK to take the second quarter.
This will be a nice test for Farmar. Between Paul, Jannero Pargo (Ex-Laker in the house!), Bobby Jackson and even Desmond Mason (who's been on him one possession), he'll be challenged on both sides of the ball, I think. A lot more defenders on him, and certainly a couple tougher guys to guard.
Cedric Simmons put the monster swap on Farmar's floater. That's exactly why NO/OKC drafted him.
They just showed Kobe on the jumbotron during that time out. You're not gonna believe this, but the crowd cheered rather enthusiastically.
Walton with the fadeaway jumper. I like how much he's grown on the offensive end. Lot more sure of himself than the way he started last season.
Farmar drills the three. That may help him get started up in the scoring department. Sometimes that first basket can get a guy rolling.
Smush back in after the time out. He's being guarded by Pargo. Two dudes who both made the Lakers via training camp. Six degress of Mitch Kupchak.
Mo Evans beating the buzzer. I think it was because the guy to my left yelled, "Shoot it."
I'm trying to concentrate on the game, but BK keeps asking me who I'd start from his fantasy football roster. Tell him to stop bugging me.
Great job by Smush forcing that turnover on Paul. That's the kind of D he plays well. Poking balls away. it's not the same (nor enough) as strong on the ball D, but it comes in handy from time to time.
Smush draws the and-one. He looks much more in the zone today, for whatever reason. Much more dialed in.
Mo Evans with the bucket, scoring his 10th point. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I think that trade is going to be a much bigger impact than the ink it's getting. Maybe even more than Vlad.
Nice that Bynum got to the line, but he's gotta have his hands up. He could have converted that bucket were he ready for that pass from Smush.
DUDE! They just showed the cat who played Urkel on the jumbotron. Big applause. Seriously, people really clapped.
And with that airballed trey attempt by David West (not really his shot, I suspect), haltime commences. Lakers up 60-46. See y'all in about 11 minutes.
THIRD QUARTER
BK here.
That Peja guy can shoot!
10:02- Smush got away with one, there. Nice aggressive move to the hoop, but then he got stuck before West bailed him out. By the way, if I miss something, it's because Jack Haley just sat down in front of me, and his head takes up about a third of the court.
9:33- Green with the and one. Good for him. He's played much better tonight than yesterday.
8:12- Nice pullup by Linton Johnson on Evans. Then he fouls L.O. on the other end. Love it when LO goes to teh hoop.
Good play by LO down low there. Fought off about three Hornets to get the bucket.
Peja misses a jumper with Green sort of in his face. Not sure if it affected the shot, but man alive, Green can jump. If I'm drafting a team for my Jumping Fantasy League, he's a first rounder.
6:46- A ticky tack foul brings Farmar back into the game for Smush. Smush didn't like that call, and this time I agree with him. At least he didn't get T'd up. Farmar got beat off the pick there on Paul's hoop...
5:43- Great play by Green on the putback. By the way, you think teams will give Bynum that jumper from the elbow any time he wants it? I do.
FYI- Fantasy Jumping League? Not sure how exciting that one is. I'm just taking Green, that's all.
Two nice plays in a row by Evans. In the end, he could very well have a bigger impact on the season than Radmanovic. Great pickup.
I can hear you guys saying, "But he gave up Chiek Samb!" I know. That's how good I think Evans will be! You'll forget Chiek Samb!
3:10- C'mon Ronny! How do you expect to get some PT if you can't stick with Chris Paul on the perimeter! MOve those feet! Seriously, though, that was a bit of a mismatch on the switch there. I doubt Ronny liked looking at that.
3:00- Farmar turns the ball over to Paul. The ROY is giving Farmar a tough go, not that you wouldn't expect that. Then he gets an 8 second violation. Occasionally, he's gonna look like rookie. Timeout on the floor.
2:41- These are the sort of games I wish Wafer were available to play in. What's the over/under on the number of shots he'd have taken by now? 46? 52?
2:31- Farmar and Paul jump ball. Hops for the little people! Farmar ought to win that one, given his performance at the combine... and he does.
1:35- Nice play by Pinnock to cut to the hoop when Farmar needed a lil' rescue. Would have been better if he made the shot, though. Still, on this team, it's nic e to see anyone remember to cut to the basket.
:40.5- Okay, nearly three quarters through, turns out this Chris Paul guy wasn't a flash in the pan. Great move to the hoop for the and one.
Pinnock finally gets a bucket on the other end. Good thing, too. As AK said after he missed his last shot, "Pinnock's gonna shank someone if he doesn't get a bucket soon." And with that segue, here's AK for the fourth!
Farmar scores inside immedately to start the quarter. There's a big difference between being matched up against Chris Paul and Jannero Pargo. Pargo's a good defender, but just knowing you don't have to defend Paul makes a difference.
Pinnock drives to beat the shot clock, misses the layup. If you run into the guy on the street, give him a hug. Dude could probably use it.
Now that's why everyone loves Ronny Turiaf. He swats the living crap out of Cedric Simmons' shot to the point of knocking the dude over, then immediately helps the guy up. Dude could run for office.
Spectacular job by Farmar floating that shot in to beat the block attempt by Simmons. Absolutely terrific. And Walton's pass was nothing to sneeze at.
One good turn deserves another. Farmar sets up Luke for the trey. Pac-10 at work.
LO sort of shoved Brandon Bass down picking up second foul. Here's the thought bubble I just pictured: "Eh, I got five more of these babies. Screw it! I'm pushing someone."
Such a great pass by Odom to set up Evans for that three. Just pretty.
Bynum misses working under the basket, but I liked that he used the left. That's the only way he's gonna get that shot working. He does, however, need to pick it up under the glass. While I like his 4 assists, they shouldn't outnumber his boards (3).
Mo Evans hits another basket. You guys are always looking for nicknames. Since the characters on "Good Times" were the Evans family, what do you guys think about nicknaming Maurice Evans "Kid Dyno-mite?" Thumbs up? Thumbs down? Or are we sticking with "Mo" (which a lotta folks seem to call him)? Just getting a consensus.
And there you have it. 113-106 Lakers. Evans leads all scorers with 27. No Lakers hurts himself. Solid evening all around. Thanks for dropping by.
AK
Damn we really have a good team...
i think the starters should be:
Kobe
Maurice
Luke
any center
Jordan
Posted by: Zealot | October 20, 2006 at 11:16 PM
mti,
no fee. it's a feed into Asia, so you have Asian channels, but there's also Al Jazeera, Italian News, FOX, NBC, ABC.
Posted by: go lakers! | October 20, 2006 at 11:23 PM
K Brothers,
You've done a good job with this blog (except when BK suggested that it be possibly okay to boo Kwame Brown last year). You two deserve a significant raise from the L.A. Times.
GO LAKERS!
LAKERIZE THEM!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 20, 2006 at 11:31 PM
Bynum's post moves are looking better and better as his time increases. Someone has to tell Andrew that you treat every jump shot like it's going to miss. Andrew NEVER fought for position on a rebound on the offense end, and doesn't do it a whole lot on defense - hence the 3 boards. He simply watches while his man boxes him out. Earl Boykins could box him out. Looks like Chris Mihm is going to get a long time to heal that ankle for whatever team he's playing with next year, because Drew is earning himself some minutes.
Posted by: Yannis Koutroupis | October 20, 2006 at 11:46 PM
Rayray--
I don't really have a beef with you and your CAPS, but let me play FREUD for a minute.
You happen to capitolize the words EX-PLAYER, KNOWLEDGE, and ATTITUDE when describing your thoughts about Stu and his on air attributes...
Stu is an EX-PLAYER who has more KNOWLEDGE in ONE of his fingers (which have eight rings accompanying them during his Laker tenure) than most "color" guys have in their brain...
And furthermore, as one who paid to get Direct TV a few years back, therefore hearing every other hometown broadcast that was offered, I can tell you it's Stu's ATTITUDE which makes him a step above everyone else. He learned how not to be a homer from the best there ever was...All the other team broadcasts are filled with bogus chit-chat about how good their players are or how their team got jobbed. Stu says it how it is. As Jack so eliquently stated, mabey you just can't handle the truth...
Posted by: tajluck | October 21, 2006 at 12:58 AM
Stu is the best color commentator hands down. period.
good to see odom bounce back, but instead of odom getting barely a triple double, why cant he get a real triple double more often??
Posted by: ajax | October 21, 2006 at 01:50 AM
OK, off the preseason here is my starting lineup for the 31 OCT Phoenix game. Maybe this should change for other teams and injuries, but I think it could be a winning combination for PHX, both offensively and defensively.
1) Farmar, backed up by Smush
2) Mo Evans, backed up by Sasha
3) Kobe, backed up by Walton
4) LO, backed up by Rad
5) Turiaf, backed up by Cook/Mihm
We could have a killer perimeter defense, allowing the 4 & 5 to reduce their tendency to foul penetrating players.
Posted by: Craig W | October 21, 2006 at 07:16 AM
I honestly think this collective blog needs to begin a "Give the K Brothers a Raise!" Campaign.
I'm serious.
You guys have completely brought back life to the L.A. Times sports section.
It's been getting dull for a while now.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 21, 2006 at 07:45 AM
Bynum's only 18 (going on 19). How fricken amazing is that?
It is so incredibly awesome that he is being personally tutored by the second greatest (after Wilt Chamberlein) center of all time: Kareem Abdul-Jabaar.
Kareem is a much better center than Shaq. Shaq is a gifted genetic freak, but he is in no way as skilled and intelligent a player as Kareem.
Kareem is teaching Socks how to play center. I am just amazed. Bynum, who has a build somewhere between Shaq and Kareem (and an intelligence somewhere between Kareem and Magic) is being taught by the Master.
This is so great.
Bynum is the next historic great center.
This is why we need Kwame, Mihm, or Turiaf to play power forward (sharing big minutes with Rad Vlad who will play PF and small forward depending upon what we're up against).
Seriously,
Bynum
Kwame/Vlad/Turiaf/Luke
Kobe
Lamar/Vlad/Luke
Farmar/Evans
Coach: Phil Jackson and team
THAT is a championship team!
Next year: Championship.
This year: Western Conference Finals.
My prediction.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 21, 2006 at 07:51 AM
Clipper talk: Wow. Yaroslav Korolev put up 25 points last night. The kid's 18 or 19 too. I'm surprised.
He might not be a bust after all.
Good news for Los Angeles.
A strong Clippers team is good for L.A.
What is good for L.A. is good for the Lakers.
Go Clippers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 21, 2006 at 07:53 AM
RayRay,
SOmetimes Stu's timing is poor, and does detract from the flow of the broadcast. But he also has some pretty accurate insights, too.
I agree, though, that Steve Kerr is very good.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 21, 2006 at 08:11 AM
Right Now I am thinking that Mo Evans was a MUCH better off-season pick up than Vlad. I'd like to see more of him at the 2 with Kobe at the 3 during the season, or maybe both in the backcourt.
Posted by: Jay Jay | October 21, 2006 at 08:27 AM
Read in this Sat. morning LA Times Lakers footnotes that Jerry Buss will be honored at Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 30th. Normally, this honor is reserved only for actors, actresses, broadcasters like Chick that contributed fame and honor in film and media. If JB's getting it as an owner of the Lakers then Donald Sterling should also get one, so with the O'Malleys etc. Well, maybe they've given credits to his role with PJ and O'Neal feuds 2 years ago which was superb in acting that Nicholson would be pale to compare. Haha, diehards will get mad at me, that's OK, that'll your role to get mad in the Hollywood Blog of Fame.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 21, 2006 at 08:55 AM
Farmar continues to impress me EACH and EVERY single game. I firmly stand behind my first post about him...he will definitely start some games after the all star break, and he will be our starting PG next season. I dont care if you have that stupid coach mentality like Phil or Larry Brown has about not playing rookie simply because they are rookies. You just cannot deny that this kid is definitely special. Not since Kobe have I seen a Laker that seems to have been put on this earth to play basketball (REAL TALK). Odom can occasionally be put into this theory also, but KB24 and Farmar are definites.
By the way, sad to say that because of their injuries and because of the strong play from Green as of late, Pinnock and Mckie are gone. I think our last spot is Greens (if we even have any space available after guaranteeing Smush and Turiaf's contracts)
In the future, Phil should consider having Smush as Kobe's sub cause he's more of a SG than PG, and maybe having Evans come off the bench for vlad or even Luke as a SF.
Notice every game we've lost so far we've lost by a few points and thats WITHOUT half our starters! We'll be ok guys....GO LA!
Posted by: blaze1bx | October 21, 2006 at 09:00 AM
RayRay,
Seriously speaking this time, perhaps you were too young when Stu Lantz was playing for the Lakers. He was really a star during the infancy of the Lakers in LA. Please listen to what he's saying as a color commentator not treat the words as mere opinions. There is basketball wisdom behind those words for he played the game. Steve Kerr is a specialist on perimeter shots only, taking the last resort shots when MJ is doubled or tripled-teamed. In the case of Stu, he's an all around player and proven his worth during his playing days. If you are going to ask me personally, after the tenure of PJ as a Laker coach, I will consider Stu Lantz to be the next coach. Of course, I will not know how good he is in motivating players but this guy is a better player than anybody seating on that bench including PJ (or even Riles,)during their days. Should you want more info. about Stu ask the oldtimers.
With regards to other Laker broadcasters except Stu and Mychal, I would venture on somebody who is young and as sharp as Chick both on TV and radio. All of the diehard listeners grew from the Chick era who is the voice of the Lakers for more than 3,000 games, it's hard to replace an icon and tradition but at least get or audition somebody who is capable to duplicate that feat. First of all, there is humor and humility as a broadcaster in Chick; Secondly, the knowledge of the game and the guts to call a spade a spade in going against the coach, the referee and even the owner; Thirdly, the integrity of the broadcaster to succeed on all causes, not only for the purpose of ratings games against TNT or ABC. During the time of Chick, the networks are blocked out in LA when it comes to audio! Today, we really don't care on who's talking.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 21, 2006 at 09:29 AM
tajluck-
Maybe you should reconsider that these are the LAKERS. Just go ahead and listen to te KNICKS broadcast (with CLYDE FRAIZER) or NJ or CHICAGO so you'll see what BIG market teams are doing. He is not GOOD and he'll be ADDRESSED within a COUPLE of season. SOONER but not LATER. He is the REASON Sunderlands contract wasn't RENEWED.
Posted by: rayray | October 21, 2006 at 09:37 AM
Jon Kavulic,
Man, I love your spirit. I could use a bottle of whatever positive pills you take.
Having said that, I understand how having two good NBA franchises in LA is good for the city. I understand how one could be a fan of said franchises. I'm having trouble grasping how a great Clipper team is welcome news for die hard, daily blogging, bleedin' purple and gold LAKER FANS.
Just wondering.
BTW. how 'bout LAKERIZE the workout video? You could mix some of your martial arts moves with driblling drills... mo money, mo money, mo money
GO LAKERS
Posted by: Vman | October 21, 2006 at 10:05 AM
Kerr's good but Stu isn't going anywhere. On the other hand, the Joel role could use a facelift.
Edwin, you got it right. Chick's knowledge, humility , and humor is a rare combo platter. His humor was never based on insults, he was inviting, he was Laker through and through but loved all the players. Hard to find that combination in todays crop maybe, but the search might want to continue.
Chick had to have had his offers over the years. He liked where he was. That's another rarity. Today's broadcasters want to keep trading up.
Posted by: Vman | October 21, 2006 at 10:14 AM
RAYRAY - I think I'm biased because Kerr ended his career as a Spur, but I did get to watch some of his games this past year and didn't find him half bad. His written articles leave something to be desired, though. Having said that, I do have a soft spot for Stu (and Chick, RIP). Maybe it *Is* just nostalgia, but I also find Stu to be fair, insightful, and entertaining. I particularly liked his rapport with Chick, but he seems to be doing fine with Joel. I don't understand what Stu had to do with Sunderland's departure?
I also like Bill Walton's commentary but I seem to be the only person on earth of that opinion, haha.
Posted by: Emma | October 21, 2006 at 11:05 AM
edwin,
"Steve Kerr is a specialist on perimeter shots only, taking the last resort shots when MJ is doubled or tripled-teamed"
That has no bearing on someone's quality as an announcer. Playing with greats like MJ and Pippen, RObinson and Duncan, for great coaches like Olson, Jackson, and Popovich gives someone a tremendous opportunity to learn the game, whether they sit on the bench or play 48 minutes a night.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 21, 2006 at 12:10 PM
Edwin:
I remember Stu well during his playing days and I could hardly call him a star (only played parts of 2 seasons with LA- never averaged in double figures as a Laker). Also the two seasons he played with the Lakers ('74-'75 and '75-'76) were the only 2 seasons they didn't make the playoffs since coming to LA (until '94 and '05).
Despite some wrong facts, I agree with you that Stu is a knowledgable basketball mind and knows his stuff. I just don't think he was that great as a player. I personally would pick Brian Shaw as the next Lakers coach. He seems to connect with the players well, especially Kobe.
Posted by: rdlee | October 21, 2006 at 12:40 PM
rayray:
I actually was surprised to hear that you didn’t like Stu Lantz, the Lakers’ color coordinator for TV broadcasts. Maybe I am prejudiced because of his long term relationship with Chick, but I love the way that Stu sees the game and like his overall analysis. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I would hire him as a head coach, but I do find his comments are usually right on.
It was my understanding that it was Joel Myers and not Stu Lantz who had some role in the firing of Paul Sunderland, who I actually liked better than Joel. I was disappointed that the Lakers fired Paul. It was my understanding that Chick had looked at Paul as the guy who would take over the play-by-play when he was gone. I always thought he was a class guy.
I cannot remember if it was you or another poster, but someone brought up the subject of the other NBA teams’ broadcasters, including the Knicks, where Walt Frazier is the color coordinator. No way that Clyde is in Stu’s class. In fact, I cannot think of a single other team’s broadcasters that I think are as professional and enjoyable to listen to as the Lakers. And that is even with Joel Myers.
One of the things that I love and hate about NBA League Pass is that they always present the TV feed from the home team. When the Lakers play at home, we get Joel and Stu, which is great. When we are on the road, we get the TV feed of the other team, which always sucks. In fact, one of the worst set of broadcasters that I have ever heard are the guys doing the Kings game. You guys with NBA League Pass know what I am saying. It may not be Chick, but thank God it is not New York, Boston, or Sacramento, who have horrible broadcasters.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 21, 2006 at 05:55 PM
Rdlee,
I respect your views about Stu Lantz but here are some statistics to back my facts. Of course, you were more accurate since you are an eyewitness while my facts are just based on statistics. This is a comparison between Stu Lantz and Phil Jackson on their NBA career.
Stu Lantz/Phil Jackson
9 years/12 years
3 San Diego/ 10 years Knicks
1 Houston/ 2 years Nets
1 NO Jazz
2 Lakers
FT% 81%/ 73%
FG% 43%/45%
AVE Per Game 12PTS./ 6.7 PTS
ASSIST AVE. 2.8/1.1
Methodology:
Just get their total games, total points bases on their statistics as a player. When you saw Stu Lantz with the Lakers in 75-76 season, that's tail ender of his career. Perhaps, he was no longer as impressive as he spent with San Diego Rockets and Detroit. Phil Jackson is always known as a role player during his time, same with Riley but anyway, as I said perhaps, those facts do not back up your personal experience as a basketball fan at that time. I based my opinion with what Chick always said about his color commentator during playing days.
Nonetheless, we both agree that there is a good basketball mind from that color comentator. He may have limited broadcasting talents but if the Laker players will implement 75% of what he is saying there will be tremendous improvement in their game.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 21, 2006 at 06:21 PM
Exhelodrvr,
In a way you are right, everything we say here are based on opinions - the beauty of the beholder or the broadcaster. I just disdained Steve Kerr when he was thrashing Kobe during his low points. Many writers and broadcasters could not wait the court decisions in Colorado and they already have judgements for Kobe as well as the demise of the Lakers. However, when the Lakers were riding high from '00 to '02, Steve Kerr was the authority on PJ coaching prowess. I find it another "fair weather" broadcasting, going where the wind blows. Just my opinion on Steve.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 21, 2006 at 06:29 PM
V'man,
If Chick were alive, I'm sure he will appreciate the existence of this blog. I think half of the Laker fans today who are not even part of this blog learned their basketball through Chick Hearns words-eye-view. He was gone for almost four years now, they still could not find a replacement of Chick. Many PRETEND to be like Chick but the fans don't accept them nor pay their due respects like they rendered to Chick cuz' these cynical pretenders always present themselves as "know-all" and "I mentality" so basketball fans would be afraid to ask a stupid question. And also if Chick was alive today and interviewed by AK and told him that there were Laker fans who BELIEVED that this roster could win 55 games this year, he would not call his listeners as "whack jobs", he would humor it in a nice way perhaps, agree or disagree give his own opinion but never insult other people's point of views.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 21, 2006 at 11:41 PM
82-82. 4 minutes to go.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 22, 2006 at 08:43 PM
Lamar commits teams 30th turnover. Layup for Barbosa. Bynum in for Turiaf. Suns 84-82.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 22, 2006 at 08:44 PM
Personal foul by Lamar. Technical by Lamar. 3:40 left. Suns 85-82. Odom fouls 3 point shooter. Jermaine Jones to the line. Now 87-82. Time to put Farmar back in. 3:31 left.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 22, 2006 at 08:46 PM
Parker assist. Bynum 2 handed dunk.
Suns 87-84. Time out. Foul by Suns. Lakers going to the line down by 3 after break.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 22, 2006 at 08:47 PM