A Note About This Weekend's Games
November 10, 2006 | 5:28
pm
BK and I have to leave town for a family obligation this weekend, meaning we won't be attending either tonight's game against Detroit and Sunday's against Memphis. Unfortunately, our general availability during both will also be limited, so we won't be able to keep as close an eye on the comments. There's nothing we can do about it. We'll do our best to keep everything running smooth (and we'll definitely have Extra! threads Saturday and Sunday), but if you're posting comments during games and they're not appearing right away, that would be why.
Thanks for your understanding. Bring us home two winners for our return on Monday.
—AK
AK/BK
Wow, we have a thread for AK/BK going away. You two deserved a break, you've been working too hard on these unruly laker fans. I also noticed you've been creating threads for every 20 postings. So for the next two days and one night, we'll just put Mike T., LakerTom and AZ on a leash the blog will be peaceful, win or lose.
On the other hand, since the authors are away, the laker fans are going to have a party on the blog. haha!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 10, 2006 at 05:44 PM
Can I have your media pass so I can get into Staples Center? I'll manage the blog for you and all! Haha
JF
Posted by: JF | November 10, 2006 at 05:55 PM
No problem guys I think we'll survive. Besides family comes first. Hope things are okay for you guys and your family.
Go Lakers.
Peter
Posted by: Peter | November 10, 2006 at 06:04 PM
this sounds like a perfect time to get into Kwame-Mihm, Smush-Farmar-Sasha arguments...without moderators LOL.
Seriously you know we appreciate all that you guys do...and since it's thanksgiving, we're thankful for u guys...have a good trip ;-)
Posted by: Faith | November 10, 2006 at 06:14 PM
Ah, that sucks.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | November 10, 2006 at 06:31 PM
this sounds like a perfect time to get into Kwame-Mihm, Smush-Farmar-Sasha arguments...without moderators LOL.
Seriously you know we appreciate all that you guys do...and since it's thanksgiving, we're thankful for u guys...have a good trip ;-)
Posted by: Faith | November 10, 2006 at 06:38 PM
Wow, Lakers pregame show says Minm is going to have surgery on the ankle and be out 8-9 months.
Posted by: Laker Larry | November 10, 2006 at 07:09 PM
AK - BK
Family stuff is important, have a great weekend.
Posted by: Laker Larry | November 10, 2006 at 07:12 PM
I'm a little nervous about the Kwame shoulder injury. I had the same basketball injury when I was 20. I didn't have surgery and it never did heal 100%. It caused problems when I went up to block shots, not always, but sometimes. Then it would take a couple weeks for the pain to subside. My point is Kwame should have the surgery if the shoulder continues to be a problem. I think the injury is far worse than the Lakers are reporting.
Posted by: Laker Larry | November 10, 2006 at 07:20 PM
does the mean we're not blogging tonight???
Posted by: bob | November 10, 2006 at 07:25 PM
Damn. Mihm is out for the season. I'm sure Michael T. is ecstatic, but we just lost incredible depth at center.
Sucks.
Best wishes, Chris.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | November 10, 2006 at 07:39 PM
Ah Ha!
They're gone. Someone break out the good stuff.
Posted by: sonnybelfast | November 10, 2006 at 07:54 PM
mihm out for the season...
Posted by: flyl03 | November 10, 2006 at 08:04 PM
JUSTIN, looks like, gonna have a BREAK OUT today.
Posted by: rayray | November 10, 2006 at 08:12 PM
Kobe is too over generous with that ball to Smush. Smush just kept on missing shot after shots. This guy should sit down, he's plain liability in every ball possession of the Lakers. Gosh, I want to Smush to excel but watching him play is frustrating, waste of running the ball and miss the shot miserably. Why don't Lakers play the post, kobe, Lamar and Bynum forget the other role players if they keep one missing shots.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 10, 2006 at 08:29 PM
Kobe is not playing first half. What is going on?
Posted by: LAL_Fan | November 10, 2006 at 08:32 PM
AK/BK,
You got us on a very important game, no postings for two quarters. We are bored watching Smush play while Kobe try too much in getting everybody involve. Goodluck Lakers for the second half!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 10, 2006 at 08:53 PM
Kobe needs come off from this game. It's no use, no offense, no defense. What is going on with him?
Posted by: LAL_Fan | November 10, 2006 at 09:11 PM
7 games into the season, and Smush Parker has been very ineffective so far this season ....
Tonight Chauncey really exposed.
I give smush 10 games and he will probably lose his starting job...
the count down is on... we need better play!
Posted by: Korey | November 10, 2006 at 09:45 PM
Now who can give me a legitimate excuse for a pathetic performance tonight by the Lakers against a Piston team without Rip Hamilton in the lineup?!!! This team is not even as good as they were last year and gave no effort for 3 and a half quarters. Lamar and Kobe decided to make a run with 5 minutes left in the freakin game, their defense was horrible again, Phil doesn't seem to know what lineup to stay with, he takes out Bynum who's 3 for 3 from the field and keeps him on the bench, the Lakers seem to don't want to pass the ball into Bynum in the post and when they do they make bad passes to him or turn it over!!! This team is starting to make me sick!!! They need to stop being so sloppy with the ball and pound the ball into Bynum so he can build up his confidence and get people into foul trouble. So what if he makes mistakes, that's the only way he'll learn and be effective. This team is more flawed than I thought. You mean to tell me that Sacramento is better than us?!!! Sac whupped Detroit the other day without Brad Miller!!! You've got to be freakin kidding me!!! Please no one give me the "young" excuse or "it's early in the season" excuse or that Kobe is still isn't at full strength yet because others just need to step up, namely Lamar. Even Jon Barry said why didn't the Lakers play the entire game the way they played the last 5 minutes because it might have been a different game. The Lakers also made Tayshaun Prince, a below average offensive player look like George Gervin tonight. The Lakers were lethargic and a step slow all night and I was glad to hear the home crowd booing them because they deserved it for their sloppy, erratic and uninspired play. For all of Phil's genius is substitutions are lackluster. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. I wouldn't be surprised if the Phoenix Suns catch the Lakers before the end of November. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. Don't give me any bull crap that Detroit is better or that they wanted it more because the Lakers have lost all three games by double digit margins which is unexcusable. Good teams don't lose by double digit each time, especially at home. Very frustrated Laker fan here. Elite or contender in the Western Conference? I don't think so. Last year's playoff series was an aberration as the Lakers show that they're wannabe's at this time.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | November 10, 2006 at 10:18 PM
Kobe should shoot more
Smush should sit more
Evans should play more
Posted by: Zealot | November 10, 2006 at 10:32 PM
why does kobe always lick his lips? Doesn't josh smith of the hawks look like that rapper the game?
Posted by: one1cakobe | November 10, 2006 at 10:42 PM
Still no postings after the game. I thought it will be delayed on postings done after the game but not during the game.
Lakers played bad today and I blame the coach, bad bad coaching. The teamwork envisioned does not work, the role players like Smush, Walton and Cookie became BALLHOGS. Ball should be in the hands of Kobe and Lamar and go for the layups and fish for a foul but this godda*n ball is turned into a BRICK does not go back, they kept on shooting threes.
Maybe, the personal coach of Luke which is his loquacious Dad told him to keep on shooting that's the way to get you to stardom. Before the game on ESPN 2, Bill was prodding his son's good game on a special interview. I like Luke but he's no James Worthy, he should recognize that the offense should flow from Kobe and Lamar, and he's not a go-to-guy. His game is like Devean George which is one step forward and two steps backward.
NO DEFENSE in the post, why does PJ kept on using Cookie as 5, he could hardly be a 4 or a 3 in fact, he should be TRADED a long time ago, he can't guard anybody except his own shadow! If Smush was playing bad, why not try Sasha or Shammond, I thought we have a very deep bench, I think we have a deep benchwarmers.
Hey Phil, do you realize that you're 1 - 3, if you lose like that at home, who would be happy paying you $126,582 per game i.e after deducting the first three games that you missed. No contest man, on a national TV, that's embarassing to Xodus, Weave-man, lakersdoordie, bronxlakerfan, this is their only chance to watch Laker games and other out of town fans. Whoa, you're a pathetic coach still experimenting on a preseason mode.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 10, 2006 at 10:54 PM
SERGIO
Good for u K BROS that u didn't attend the lakers-pistons game 'cuz it was a DAMN BAD LOSS!!!
THOSE GUYS ARE GETTIN' BIG BUCKS TO PLAY...and tonight no one was workin'his butt off to get the W against detroit!
WHAT A POOR DISPLAY
NOTHING MORE TO SAY, I'M ALMOST SPEECHLESS
Posted by: sergio | November 10, 2006 at 11:38 PM
I was ready tonight. Showed up right when the Staples Center doors opened at 6pm. Brought my girlfriend's son (6) with me for good luck since I brought him to last year's home game against the Pistons which the Lakers won. Took him to a booth where he got his hair painted purple and gold and the Lakers logo airbrushed on his arm. Went to Top Dawgs and got my customary Texas Dog (no bacon or cheese). Grabbed the kid some peanuts and headed to our seats to watch shootaround. Fired up.
Nothing much to report there other than Sheed chatted up Shammond who was doing to rehab exercises with a trainer and some resistance bands.
Where things starting going downhil was after everyone finished shootaround, Odom came back on the court with Craig Hodges and worked on his jump shooting. Not good. At each spot he missed the first couple attempts consistently, then made one or two and miss another one or two.
After that, a fellow STH came up to me and said "Kwame ain't playing and Mihm's getting surgery." "Sweet" I think was my reply.
The "Lights Out" video was different. They changed the music and edited in a bunch of clips from the first set of games. The crowd barely reacted to it. Once again, the crowd was pretty flat to start out the game, except for...
The Detroit fans who came to the game. There are always a bunch in my area each year. A couple of sections over, there was a group of girls in Pistons jerseys constantly yelling "Deee-troit Basketballll". Unfortunately, the only people that could've shut them up were the Lakers. Oh well.
I have been saying for the last couple of games that the Lakers offensive execution just isn't there but, after watching the Detroit-Sacramento game, I was expecting the Pistons would struggle too. Which they did but not nearly as much as the Lakers.
The big struggle in the first half seemed to be post-entry passes which took Bynum out of the game. Then the Lakers just started settling for jump shots which they couldn't hit. To their credit, the team did try to battle back in the second half. It seemed like Odom got pretty determined to regain his aggression...
A funny moment in the middle of that came when a notoriously loud fan (he yells "DEEEEFEENNN" and "LLLET'S GO LAKERRRR" from the upper deck randomly so the whole arena could hear it) decided to change it up and yell "DRIIIIIIIVE" when Odom got the ball. Well, Lamar did. He drove on Sheed and missed the shot and Cook missed the put back.
Regardless of Kobe's last ditch effort to will the team back into the game, it's clear that the 4 days of practice next week can't get here too soon because the team's execution on both ends of the floor is getting noticably worse with each game.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 10, 2006 at 11:48 PM
terrible game, bynum definately should have played more. I wonder what Phil is doing sometimes. I don't know if Kobe still doesn't feel 100% or he's just trying to hard to get others involved. again if KB is going to take so little shots and try passing more, there's no reason why Odom shouldn't have a bigger game. Rip was out and Prince had a career night.
I do'nt know how much more I can take, I fell asleep on this game. they will lose games, but these games sholud be wins, expecially since Rip was out and it was a home game.
May still be to early but if this keeps up, they definately need to make a trade.
Posted by: VI Lakerfan | November 11, 2006 at 01:42 AM
(A+B)K,
I've always been curious about how the moderation works. Normally when a thread is up, do one of you have to actually sit in front of a computer to approve all the comments that come in? (Doesn't that get tedious?) Or are there minions at the LA Times office that do that? If someone uses bad words, are they automatically censored? Like for example, if I want to say: "I ____ing hate that ____er Rasheed Wallace."
E
Posted by: Emma | November 11, 2006 at 02:44 AM
24
Too early to get too concerned, young team, long way to go bla bla bla.
True, all that. If Detroit can look as bad as they did against Sac, we can turn things around. But there are other, more permanent issues.
This has officially become an epidemic. Mihm gone with our depth at center while Vlad and Kwame won't be at full strength this season.
But the question is will Kobe get back to Kobe? As our main attraction he looked a lot better at 1/3 his new number. He said he hurt last year as he was dominating. That's encouraging 'cause it looks like he may have to do it again. I sure hope he can, 'cause none of the bandwagoners 'round here were counting on 1/2 a Mamba.
Posted by: Vman | November 11, 2006 at 02:49 AM
That sucked last night. The only one who shouldn't be embarrassed is Farmar. I don't even care that he got burned a few times, at least he was trying.
The other day somebody posted a question about depth - whether we were too deep at certain positions. Well, the news about Mihm answers that question. Making it even worse is Kwame's latest flare-up. Don't get me wrong, I love Bynum but he's not able to play heavy minutes. We're going to need some big man help if Kwame doesn't come back strong. Management better start looking around for a veteran unsigned banger that they can bring in for minimum salary, prorated for the remainder of the season.
Dave M
Posted by: dave m | November 11, 2006 at 07:24 AM
Sheesh! You get to see them a few times on national t.v. and they suck!
I am starting to conclude that Kobe and Lamar will never meld. Most of the times in the first 3 quarters, both were on top of the perimeter instead of being at the back for the boards (since both are our best rebounders).
Kobe was pathetic! No defense at all. He should not have come back yet. MJ would not have allowed himself to have this humiliation. Tysun Prince made Kobe look bad. Real, truly, totally bad.
I don't know if Phil Jackson at his age is still capable of changing his "let them sort it out themselves" tactic. He should understand that this is not the Championship Lakers of 2000.
Overall, lousy and pathetic effort. It ruined my weekend.
Posted by: Lysander | November 11, 2006 at 07:43 AM
This is what to expect from a team that is rebuilding.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 11, 2006 at 08:12 AM
With Mihm and Kwame down, and Kobe still recovering, it is clear Lakers are still rebuilding. They have put together a nice young nucleus, but they are not contenders.
Point: Smush is not an NBA caliber point guard, Farmar is probably the PG of the future, but he is a 19 year old rookie. Neither at this point is a starter on a contending team. Position is in transition, Farmar will take this job at some point.
Shooting guard: Obviously Kobe, but Kobe is finding his way. Not explosive at all. Shot is flat. Sometimes disappears, sometimes forces the action, does not look in the flow at all. Will find his way, of course.
Small forward: Luke is growing into a solid NBA player as he becomes more aggressive in a good way. He can hold down this job. But he is still learning. Still thinking, not instinctive yet. Mistake prone. Maybe by mid year will be at the level a contending team needs?
Power forward: Lamar has as much skills as anyone in the league but has not developed the killer instinct and is not likely to anytime soon. When he focuses, an all star. When he doesn't, disappears.
Center: Bynum has promise galore, but should not be starting yet for a contender. Lakers planned to be big, with 3 7 footers, but lack Mihm for the year and Kwame for ???
Bench: Erratic. Farmar, Sasha, Turiaf bring energy but not much experience. Evans looks solid. Cook actually looks pretty good this year.
A solid core for the future and a fun team to watch, but the Lakers depend too much on raw kids(Bynum, Farmar, Turaif), developing vets who show promise but aren;t there yet (Walton, Kwame), players recovering from injuries (Kobe, Kwame) and the enigma of Lamar to contend.
There is a best case scenario where all this comes together, but it is the outside case. They struggled so that last 2 games just to run anything that resembles the offense.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | November 11, 2006 at 08:39 AM
PATHETIC GAME!!
Where's the passion??
Where's the pride??
Where's the hustle??
How friggin' embarrassing!!!
Afraid to even watch tomorrow.
Here's a thought - why don't they change the players saleries... instead of all these over priced players playing when they want to, let's make it something like - "the more games you win, the more money you make"! I'd bet it would be a much more competitive league.
Posted by: keifo | November 11, 2006 at 09:07 AM
"We played terrible," Bryant said. "We kind of ran around like a chicken with our head cut off."
Posted by: Zealot | November 11, 2006 at 09:16 AM
Edwin,
Last night's game was definitely infuriating. I've never been one to say it looked like Phil was throwing a game but that's what it looked like. Why were Cook and Rad Man in at the 5 and 4 from midway through the 3rd to mid way through the 4th, when we still had a chance to come back?
Why did Bynum and Turiaf play so few minutes? Why was Kobe out until about 5 minutes left in the 4th? And you can't even say it's because Phil wants to play veterans because Jordan Farmar played nearly the whole 4th quarter.
That game made absolutely no sense. I still don't believe it. I'm not saying he threw the game. But that was definitely terrible coaching.
Posted by: Xodus | November 11, 2006 at 09:20 AM
What an ugly game last night. We looked like a college team.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | November 11, 2006 at 09:27 AM
After watching last night's game I'm totally convinced that Smush should be parked in the garage and it's time to start up our young convertible in Farmar. I mean Smush is so athletic, but he settles for shooting that ugly three point shot. As far as distributing the rock, Farmar plays have his minutes and doubles Smush's production in the assist department within the few minutes he gets to play each night. On another note Kobe needs to go back to being Kobe and that means hoisting up around 25 per game and let Luke Walton resume being a playmaker in the triangle offense and not trying to make the all-star team with his scoring. Other bloggers please let me know if any of you are feeling the same way as I am.
Posted by: KillerMiller | November 11, 2006 at 09:42 AM
Well, okay! It was an ugly loss, no way around it. What did you expect? Our Lakers are led by a super star recovering from knee surgery, a timid second option scorer playing out of position at the 4, some role players and a bunch of kids. They are not a team yet. They need more time to practice and play together, which was easy to see last night.
After the game was over and everyone had left the Staples Center, you could look across the parking lot and see the now abandoned 60 win bandwagon parked under a dim street light. The 55 win bandwagon had already been towed to a repair shop because it was spitting and sputtering. Some of the fans who had been on those bandwagons simply walked home, but I'm pretty sure most of them got on the more dependable 50 win bandwagon. Welcome aboard!
Yes, it was time for a reality check. I think we all got a little carried away because we want a winner so desperately. We still have the nucleus of a really great team. Our young guys have great potential, but it was evident last night that we still have a long way to go. Phil is trying to fit the pieces of this puzzle together and all the while teach the new guys how to play the triangle and team defense at the same time. It was evident that Andrew Bynum is going to have a hard time in the middle against big front lines this year. He also must work harder on help defense by shutting the middle down. We've had a couple glimpses into the future and we know what AB is going to grow into, we just need patience to allow him to grow.
Last nights game let us know just how much we need Kwame Brown and how much we are going to miss Chris Mihm this year. Hopefully Kawme’s shoulder isn’t going to be something that lingers all year long. If it does, we’re in serious trouble. We might even be forced to go to the small ball many other teams are playing. We don’t have another viable option at the 5 to play with Bynum. Phil didn’t play Ronny Turiaf at the 5 last night because that isn’t his position. Ronny is a 4, and a bit small at that. Cookie has tried, and he could actually be the best emergency third center option, if he can work on moving his feet when playing defense in the low post and develop just a little bit of mean. Cookie needs to stop trying to jump and block shots down low. With his 6” vertical leap he isn’t going to stuff many big guys anyway and when he jumps he usually fouls. We might be forced to release or trade someone just to get a temp project center from somewhere, be it Europe, D-league, or a trade. While there isn’t much out there, we are going to need another big body for interior defense.
Posted by: Laker Larry | November 11, 2006 at 10:24 AM
I managed to catch some of the rebroadcast on ESPN late last night, and all I can say is my condolences to anyone who actually had to sit through it.
Ugly, ugly, ugly.
The Thin Front Line is starting to crack, not that it was the only problem Friday.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 11, 2006 at 11:27 AM
WOW, the game last night was terrible. All we did for 3 quarters was shoot the J that wasn't working. Lamar didn't attack the basket, Smush, although he drew some charges, played totally out of synch and kept forcing up shots. Kobe didn't even touch the ball excpet for turning it over in the first 3 quarters. it was just a terrible game.
Posted by: greek dude | November 11, 2006 at 11:36 AM
Hey, Laker Larry. I'm amazed that anybody calling themselves a laker fan can say that this team will win anything less than 65 games. Seriously, what are you even doing posting here?
;-)
Posted by: Michael A | November 11, 2006 at 01:09 PM
Although I agree with Laker Larry in regards to having patience with Andrew Bynum, I still think they need to get him the ball more in the post. It's not completely accurate that he struggles with bigger front lines when he rarely touches the ball and has 1 FG attempt in one game and 4 attempts last night of which he made 3. He's going to take his lumps, but that's the only way he'll build confidence and stay in any kind of a rhythm offensively. This is his baptism by fire so the Lakers need to get as much as they can out of him every night. Especially with Mihm gone for the year and Kwame's status uncertain. I don't understand how last year they went a lot inside to Kwame who probably set a record for most fumbled or lost passes and Mihm who was slightly better than Kwame in hanging on to passes to barely passing it to Bynum who hardly ever loses a pass and has a very high FG percentage. A lot of the fouls called against him in Portland were bad calls and because the refs are far from giving him his due. What I couldn't believe is that he had only shot in that game, ONE!!! Laker guards need to penetrate more and dish it to him for easy baskets.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | November 11, 2006 at 03:01 PM
Hey everyone,
Did you see the Warriors rolling the Pistons by 30 points in the 3rd quarter?!!! I mean they're kickin the Pistons butts all over the gym and the Warriors are more undersized than the Lakers!!! Someone please explain how the Pistons can only beat the Lakers on their 4 game road trip?!!! This magnifies the Lakers deficiencies and lack of hustle and effort even more. Surely, if Detroit is that good with their experience, length and defense they should pound the "smallish" Warriors at will. Hmmm...maybe the Lakers should watch tape of how the Jazz, Kings and the Warriors thumped the Pistons so maybe they can be at least competitive with the Pistons next time they play. This is embarrassing and makes me sick to my stomach. Maybe the Pistons thought that of the 4 games the Lakers were the weakest and their best chance of getting a win on the road was against L.A., pathetic!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | November 11, 2006 at 09:23 PM
Edwin Gueco...
Thanks for your concern about some of us out of town Laker fans catching the team on the tube, but in my case it isn't necessary...this is my 4th year following the Lakers on League Pass. I simply love the team too much not to see every game possible. Actually I really dislike when the Lakers are shown on national TV because invariably they are featured in the second game of a doubleheader on ESPN or TNT and we viewers are subject to losing some of the first quarter of the second game if the first game goes long or into overtime. I've missed almost the first half of some Laker games because that. Now, that really sucks!!!LOL!
KillerMiller....
I agree with you that Kobe needs to be more agressive with his offense. On another thread I also questioned the wisdom of Luke Walton having more FGA's than Kobe on Friday night. Kobe is the engine for this team. He has got to be more involved.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | November 12, 2006 at 06:34 AM