Finally, Some Good News (and the Question of the Day)
March 16, 2007 | 4:39
pm
The Lakers have lost seven in a row, and generally haven't given fans much to smile about over the last two months or so. But here, finally, is some good news. The eggheads over at www.coolstandings.com have crunched the numbers, and think the Lakers are a virtual lock to make the postseason. 98.4% likely, to be exact. So smile, purple and gold fans. Mathemagicians are never wrong, right?
But it does lead me to my question: Now that we've shown the Lakers will stay in the top eight, what will their record be? Clearly my preseason forecast (47, I think- somebody remind me) doesn't look promising right now... will they make me look smart in the end? (It's hard to do, I know.)
BK
You know I had them down for 47W as well... And I think it will happen, the way this season has gone I wont be suprised at all... Back to the Lakers
I also predicted that they willl end up going to the WCF, we shall see... The only setback we may have is our big Shemales ( Kwame, Bynum, Cook, Smush, Sascha....bunch of jokes
Someone light a fire under these guys there making me sick.... But than again I believe.....
Posted by: Gino | March 16, 2007 at 04:53 PM
BK,
we'll be 43-39 at the end.
a 7th seed rematch against Phoenix.
Posted by: eighties lakers | March 16, 2007 at 04:57 PM
BK,
Actually, you predicted 46, which still doesn't look great at the moment. But on the bright side, it's more likely than my 48, which looks like a ridiculous long shot with 17 games remaining.
Unless...
PJ can play some mind games with Avery Johnson and bait him into a "If you're such a great coach, let's switch squads and see who closes out stronger" challenge. It's a scheme just hare-brained enough to work. C'mon, Phil! Work that Jedi hoodoo that you do so well. haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | March 16, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Never was one for the 55 Bandwagon, but since pre-season and until recently, my money was on 48.
Now I'll be happy with a forty. literally.
dan
Posted by: dan the man aka anyone want to buy a used smushcalade?? | March 16, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Lakers will have a quick first round appearance in the playoff and then get eliminated in four or five games. This team lacks the competitive spirits of the Lakers of yesteryears. If there's one thing that intolerable is a team that quit. One can see it in their mannerism and body language. It's about character and integrity -- qualities that totally devoid in this team. First strategic move: It's time remove the current brass and pass the baton to NBA savvy front office personnel.
Posted by: Rollo Tomassi | March 16, 2007 at 05:30 PM
is good that we are making the playoffs, but what good does it makes with we get slaughtered there?
I hope we make pass the first round.
Next season we need major changes to be a contender for a championship.
Just make noise at the playoffs is not good enough.
Posted by: gugy | March 16, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Since when it is "good" news that the Lakers just make the playoff and the very button??
So what they will make it, the way they are playing they will be out in 4 games!!!
Posted by: Ed | March 16, 2007 at 05:52 PM
FORMULA OF DEFENDING THE 7th SEED
We cannot afford to lose against teams below us like Blazers and Minny especially when Lakers are playing at home. If Phil has to use 7 players, so be it but we have to win especially against rookies who are good shooters but they lack experience.
Second I noticed, Lakers get confused on double teaming. I think they should stick to their man or go on fast switch and everyone should go for rebounds from guards, forwards to centers. What I notice with guards Kobe, Farmar, Sasha and Smush they're always on a fastbreak mode, they don't bother to follow those missed shots' trajectory. They missed getting the rebound because they want to step ahead of the flock. If you have Magic and AC Green, you can afford that luxury but with Bynum and Smush, got to anticipate the mistakes.
Third one I noticed, they are in hurry with those blind passes that leads to T/O, then they just stand around waiting for the ball, they should cut and keep on moving until they get a vantage position. Bynum and Kwame are often victim of these stance. God, they are tall, why not use their height advantage. Problems with these young professionals, they don't study the art of improving their game by copying and practicing what has been effective in the past. With all the videos and libraries available at their disposal, they should act professionals and perfect their trade.
Fourth one Kobe sometimes goes for low percentage shots, TOO FAR MAN he may be a good three pointer but having no reliable help from teammates, he has to go on midranged shots with high percentage or try to go inside w/o the need of dribbling exhibitions.
Fifth, Bynum should avoid those guys who will bump him for layups, he lacks the presence of mind in anticipating shots. Another maker of professionalism, before the game study your opponents, their moves and your counter move. The best way to to fool a shooter is to put him in a very uncomfortable position that the imaginary wall disappear as they come to you so jump on the side not in front of him. Another way is for the forward of guard follow the layup then avoid the guy, while Bynum appear as the second defender blocking the shot without body contact with opposing player. In order to implement this strategy, has has to be nimble in the post, keep on moving and avoid being stationary. Do you notice Amare just standing around?
Lastly, play 48 minutes not two quarters, not last quarter but four quarters as though Lakers pay you by the hour based on nos. of shots, based on total runs made, based on jumps in the posts, think like a blue collar rather a Laker Hollywood star!. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 16, 2007 at 06:12 PM
The key to wining is CONFIDENCE!!! How can you get this without wining? They need to start wining NOW!!!!!
Posted by: johnny | March 16, 2007 at 06:26 PM
I have been a long time PJ fan and have always enjoyed watching him put together championship teams; I also grew up cheering for the Lakers. But the critizism (by Red Auerbach) about PJ is that he has always had veteran laden teams and never had to "develop" young players.
Well here we are in his second term coaching the Lakers and PJ has no other choice but to develop a young squad, so I guess it isn't that easy. Believe me I want the Lake Show to go deep in the playoffs, but at this juncture it's starting to look like a first round sweep.
In fact, the frustration is mounting so much so, that the Lakers are working on the wrong kind of streak, losing streak. Let's not forget about Smush and Kobe with their technicals, flagrants and suspensions. PJ is not acustomed to working with such youth. I hope PJ proves Red wrong because he has a year and a half left and PJ's already looking for veteran help.
Who's going to win this argument, Red or PJ? Last year Lakers went up 3-1, this year, well......We'll have to see.
Posted by: Jess | March 16, 2007 at 06:40 PM
who cares what Red said.
He was dam jealous that another coach was sharing the spotlight with him as the most championships ever.
By the way, PJ will surpass him, sooner than later.
Posted by: gugy | March 16, 2007 at 07:07 PM
SO FAR THE TEAM IS PLAYING DEFENSE, AND WOW THEY ARE WINNING I GUESS DEFENSE DOES WIN GAMES. I have been hard on kobe but he is playing good defense tonight
Posted by: JON JON | March 16, 2007 at 09:08 PM