Live From Staples- Lakers vs. Rockets

10:35 left in the first, and it's 2-2. Tacos are still an option.

7:04- The Lakers are doing what they can to make it hard for Yao to get a clean look underneath. If he catches clean and close, there isn't much of anything anyone can do. But Kwame is playing aggressively, and is doing what he can to deny the entry pass. Still, four of five from the line means Yao already has 8 points.

5:48- Timeout on the floor. 17-12 Rockets. Not a good opening pace in terms of keeping Houston off the board. Remember, the Rockets defend and play mucky, grinding basketball. 30 point quarters are bad enough against the Golden States of the world. Against Houston? That's real ugly.

ar3:55- Someone must have said something unkind to Kwame today, because he's been all sorts of aggressive. First he anticipates and then stuffs the offensve rebound, then makes a hard post move on Yao to the hole and draws the foul. I wonder if PJ was using one of those cat synonyms he likes so much in the locker room today. Or maybe he's just feeling better.

There it is again- Kwame dives on the Smush drive, and makes himself available for the dish. Then converts with the left hand, no less. Timeout Houston, 23-20 Rockets.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER- Ladies and gentlemen, the Lakers have officially given up 31 to the Rockets in the first quarter. There are halves when they don't score that much, I think. People just looking at a quick score on the web must think they fired Jeff Van Gundy. Needless to say, that is not a good defensive effort. And it's the big guns doing it for Houston. Yao with 12, T-Mac with 10. And as usual, it's too easy to get into the lane on the purple and gold.

Offensively, the Lakers are struggling like you think they would against a team like Houston, who make you work for every point. It'll likely pick up a little, but if they don't get some stops, it wont' matter.

SECOND QUARTER-

9:45- Lucky sequence there for the Lakers. Shammond gets stuck on T-Mac, who misses a jumper over him (that's the same as me taking a jumper over a six year old). Then Ronny gets the rebound, and throws it away- though it looked almost like Kobe thought the ball was going to someone else and short armed it- but the Houston turned the ball right back over.

Kobe hits a sick baseline turnaround. He's shooting the ball really well, but he's also being forced into some tough shots. Should he go cold, there's not a lot else going on in the offense. Not a good sign. The Lakers are going to have to get some of that back, if for no other reason than to take the pressure of 24 tonight.

7:47- Kwame picks up his third foul, after very little time back on the court. He'll have to sit for th erest of the half. Big blow to the Lakers. Wow. Bynum just did an air ball on the same sort of shot Kwame was working on before the game. Except he missed everything- clearly didn't use the glass.

7:04- Bynum picks up his third on Yao. In a few minutes, Shammond will be guarding him.

Timeout on the floor.

6:29- Two consecutive trips where other guys on the floor penetrate and cut, not Kobe. They need that. Both to keep themselves moving, and to prevent the Rockets from cheating too much on 24. They need to have sequences where other guys are the focal point. Otherwise, it turns into an exhibition in how many difficult jumpers Kobe can take. It makes it harder for him to get into the lane, too.

3:34- Timeout Houston. The Lakers have gone on a big run to erase Houston's lead, and Ronny Turiaf has been a major part of it. Despite a major mismatch with Yao, he's blocked a shot, has played aggressively on offense (making him work), and provided his usual dose of energy. A couple bits of penetration from L.O., Smush, Walton, etc., and it has helped free up Kobe to get a little closer to the hoop. Much better second 12 minutes for the Lakers. Houston is missing some shots, for sure, but the D has tightened up (last easy Alston layup aside).

1:25- Ronny just did something that the Lakers generally don't: he thought he was fouled on the offensive rebound, but instead of whinging to the ref, didn't give up on the play and made the block. Huge. And it's something the rest of the team needs to emulate. Whine after the next whistle, not before.

HALFTIME- The Lakers closed the gap a little, but finish the half down by five. More importnatly, they have some serious foul issues on the frontline. Kwame has three, Odom three, Bynum three, Turiaf four. No Cook tonight, either. His ankle is again a problem, and he didn't dress. 53-48. See you in a few.

THIRD QUARTER-

Nice start. Three from Smush, block from Kwame. 53-51 Rockets.

8:04- Great rebound and put back from Walton. This has been a very good quarter for the Lakers. Houston started the half with 53 points, and four minutes into the quarter have managed two points. Solid D, and meanwhile, even though the Lakers are on pace for a 21 point quarter, there's been some good ball movement, aggressive play, and at least the attempt to try and get in the lane. You get the feeling they think they can win this one tonight. If they can get through the third without their foul laden front court picking up more dings, they'll have a chance.

6:38- Smush picks up a reach on Yao, but L.O. clearly thought the whistle was on him. He walked away with the ball over his head like the Statue of Liberty, then bounced it hard on the floor. A chippier ref (your Joey Crawford types) might have t'd him up.

On the other end, L.O. attacks the rim and draws the foul on Hayes. Since the first quarter, the Lakers have been far more aggressive on the offensive end, and it's making a huge difference. More points for them, fewer transition run outs for the Rockets.

4:07- Two consecutive steals in the lane for L.O. The effort is there, not just for L.O., but for the team tonight. Win or lose, this is how you like to see them play. Lots of intensity, guys really working hard on both ends. Still too many breakdowns (easy backdoor conversion just made it 68-65 Houston), but the work effort is there. Coming off the Memphis game, you wonder if they took that one a little personally. They should have. That's for sure.

END OF THE THIRD-

It's a shame. The Lakers let a strong quarter slip away from them in the last minute or two, and end up losing ground on Houston going into the fourth. That's the thing about playing quality teams- give them any sort of opening, and they'll make you pay. Houston is especially good at that, and would be even better with a touch more offensive skill (or a guy like Luther Head in the lineup).

START OF THE FOURTH

11:16- Bynum picks up his fourth personal, but it was actually on a great, or at the very least encouraging, play. He contested and blocked a drive from Kirk Snyder, then recovered to contest Yao's shot. Bynum definitely fouled him, but it was good to see him not give up on the play, or concede the shot to Yao.

9:42- Turiaf and Kwame both in the game with Odom, as Kobe takes his fourth quarter break. This is a big sretch, to be sure. If the Lakers can shave a couple points off their current eight point deficit, they'll have a shot. L.O. draws a foul on Mutombo, again driving to the hole. He's been WAY more aggressive tonight. Somebody can check his shot chart, but I'm not sure he's taken more than a jumper or two all night.

8:45- It's officially a game. Sasha has picked up a foul 24 feet away from the basket.

6:07- Kobe back in, Lakers down by nine. Seven, after Kwame cleans up a Kobe miss. This is as well as he's played in a long time. Plus (knock on wood) he's managed to avoid picking up a foul in the second half, after getting tagged for three in the first half. But he's made up for it by doing some good stuff on both ends this half.

L.O. comes off the floor limping in the timeout at 5:10. Not good.

Stays in the game, though. That's good. Rockets by 10, with less than five to go. This game really gives an indication of how much better the Lakers need to get if they're going to compete in the playoffs with the big boys. There's still a long way to go, and this is coming in a game where I think they've actually played pretty well, if not very hard, at the very least.

2:52- Timeout on the floor, Lakers down 88-81. It looked like the Rockets might put them away, but L.A. has come back strong, and two shots from Kobe can shrink the lead to five. He gets the first, and the second. I can't decide if this is encouraging- they're playing hard and tight against a good team- or discouraging- they're playing hard and tight against a good team, at home, and might not win.

Although that looked-- forget it. Kobe hit a three to cut the lead to three, then Rafer Alston buries a wide open 3 of his own. 91-85 Rockets. Lakers need points, and they REALLY need stops.

There are the points. Three pointer from Kobe off the Kwame screen.

:31.5- Kobe misses the fallaway three, and it's still a three point Houston lead with half a minute to go and a full 24 for the Rockets. They don't need a foul. Just a stop.

And the get it. A quick turnover for Houston, and Kobe gets fouled on the other end. One point Rockets lead. Lakers foul, put Alston on the line.

He makes the first, then the second. 16.1 left. Think Smush will take two game tying shots in a row?

11.8- Damn. Kwame misses two off a great bit of strategy from Van Gundy, but fortunately misses the second so badly that Kobe tracked down the rebound, and took what might have been the single most poorly timed, rushed three pointer in the history of basketball, and buries it.

Rockets ball...

T-Mac misses the jumper, and we're going to overtime. This would be a massive game if the Lakers can pull it out.

OT-

Another huge steal in the lane by L.O. Kobe has 49, but you can make an argument that Odom has been the best player on the floor tonight.

Massive play in the lane by Kwame to deny the ball to McGrady, and lead to a Chuck Hayes foul on the other end. That's his sixth, which means the Laker Girls do their little Ray Charles dance, which is the best part of any game.

1:26- Kobe makes a jumper to put the Lakers ahead by three. That's about the seven billionth time they've run that high screen with Kwame, and Kobe turns the corner and pulls up for the jump shot. Need a stop.

22.3- Lakers get the initial stop they need, nursing a one point lead... then lose the offensive rebound to Howard. He feeds Yao for an easy layup (they're all easy when you're seven six or whatever). Now the Lakers are down by one, and need a bucket to avoid what could, in some ways, be the most disappointing loss of the season (they've played very well, on their home floor against a good team- they need to win)

Kobe turns the ball over on a travel. I can honestly say that's not what I thought would happen. Alston makes two freebies on the other end, Kobe misses his three, and it's over. Final: 107-104, Houston.

Thisi s a tough one to swallow, for sure. The Lakers played well, they played hard... and they lost.

More on the game to come. Thanks for following along.

Comments

GO LAKERS!

MAKE THEM OBEY!

mike

Posted by: Michael Teniente | March 30, 2007 at 07:46 PM

Great play by Kwame stepping in front of the pass. It's a foul risk, but the Lakers can't let Yao catch the ball clean under the hoop.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 07:49 PM

BK, seriously man, take the night off the play by play lol.

Smush blows! right now.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 07:57 PM

Nice the Kwam, nice!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:01 PM

Faith-

I have to at least try to multitask (haha).

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 08:03 PM

KWAMEEEEE!!!!!

And does anyone else realize that the Rockets played the clips the other night and the lakers tonight....that means they've had a few days to get comfortable in LA....same goes for the Queens...that's not fair!!!!

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 08:04 PM

LOL. Like I said, playiing through pain lol.

Goooo Ronny!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:08 PM

Ugly way to close a quarter. Pick it up Lake show!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:10 PM

What? Britney Spears with Hair?

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:15 PM

So some people want to trade Kwame huh! Where will the Lakers be tonight w/o Kwame? Go Lakers

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:15 PM

31 points to the Rockets in a quarter to Houston? That's like letting in 50 in a period to a normal team.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 08:15 PM

Man...single coverage, that dde is money! Well double too most of the time, just as long as he's not as "fatigued" lol.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:16 PM

Like I said, single coverage is the bees knees! lol.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:17 PM

Nice Bynum hustle.

Posted by: Michael Teniente | March 30, 2007 at 08:17 PM

Play smart, play physical.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:19 PM

Let "Kobe" ring! Or is it, Let Kobe roar!?

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:21 PM

THE more i watch this laker team i`am convinced that they have one of the lowest IQ`S in the nba, mud parker will be gone after this season ,NO bb IQ........................THE lakers play better with shammond....will phil finally learn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: FAKERS | March 30, 2007 at 08:21 PM

Shammond, try to make those cheapy shots, Ronny careful on passing, Andrew, don't be discouraged on fouls. At least this five are doing positive things.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:22 PM

Hustle play Sasha!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:26 PM

Foul. Trouble.

Anyone know a seven footer not doing anything tonight?

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 08:27 PM

This is like mountain climbing for the Lakers with Yao, Battier and Howard. Motumbo, How come we don't have that many stars in our team? Salary cap according to Cupcake!

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:28 PM

Mihm but he's injured lol.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:29 PM

Good jon Ronny!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:31 PM

Who is this douche on the ESPN feed who keeps harping on Kobe? He was talking about him taking too many shots while he was in the game (where he shot 7 for 12)... and compared him to Kevin "the black hole" McHale who would go into the post and never give the ball back up. ...then when he comes out and the offense stalls he tells the audience that the Lakers can't score because Kobe took too many shots when he was in, and the other players don't know how to respond.

Did this lame-ass ever play ball?

Posted by: J Mike | March 30, 2007 at 08:31 PM

Juwan Howard looks like he got plastic surgery

HAHA

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 08:31 PM

nice pass luke, c'mon lamar we need points from you.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:32 PM

2 things I wish LO would do more...go right, and camp on the paint. But at least he was aggressive on that last play.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:32 PM

Ronny has no chance, b'ball is a tall man's game.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:33 PM

Alright. The other fouls were legit, but now Yao is just getting superstar calls

Posted by: DTC | March 30, 2007 at 08:34 PM

Lakers need a point guard that can bust a zone defense like that kid out of oregon arron brooks i hope he slide`s down the draft board.............kobe needs to get hot if he does we can win.

Posted by: FAKERS | March 30, 2007 at 08:37 PM

Ronny gets no love :-(

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:37 PM

Nice Lakers D! Turiaf! Well, that and Kobe 'amazing' Bryant.

Posted by: Michael Teniente | March 30, 2007 at 08:38 PM

J-Mike, that is Tom Tolbert on espn and yes, he played in the nba, and I agree with what he is saying.

Posted by: Alex | March 30, 2007 at 08:38 PM

Turiaf = Energy
Gotta love the hustle this guy brings! Hope it is contagious tonight!~

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 08:39 PM

Heart always gives you a chance Edwin.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:40 PM

Lakers can win this game provided they dictate the tempo, don't lose hope on those skyscrapers just burn them.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:40 PM

They're attacking the rim instead of settling fo jumpers. Much better.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 08:40 PM

nice block but wasted by Lamar argh!

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:42 PM

Bad non-call on Yao, then bad made call on Odom. That's his third.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 08:43 PM

No quit by RONNY!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:44 PM

turaif is a sick beast

Posted by: papasteves | March 30, 2007 at 08:45 PM

Good block Ronny....LO and Ronny should be ready for offensive rebound when Kobe is shooting.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:46 PM

Love that Ronny didn't give up on the play, even though he thought he was fouled on the offensive rebound. Most of the players on this team would have been too busy bitching at the ref to recover and make the next play.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 08:46 PM

Down by five, 3 fouls on many of our tall players. Well, the good news Lakers are competitive with this good team.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:49 PM

"too busy bitchin" AIn't that the truth. It's one thing if you're the captain (like Kobe and LO are) it's another thing constantly.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 08:49 PM

Rox in the game pretty much because of free throws... 21-22!!! Not to say the refs are screwing the Lakers - Houston is just so much more balanced in their inside-outside attack. If Kobe would just attack the hoop he'd get 20 fts easy.

Although he IS getting fouled on those jumpshots quite a bit, but refs seem hesitant to call them

Posted by: DTC | March 30, 2007 at 08:50 PM

Speaking of Britney, I wonder what Luke the Loverboy thinks of her new look.....haha if I remember correctly he boldly stated in the media during his rookie year that he had a "crush" on her....HAHAHAHA

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 08:51 PM

I'm sorry- i agree with tolbert. Kobe is literally shooting EVERY single time he touches the ball. EVERY TIME. If you were to watch the first half i think you would see 3 maybe 4 passes by Kobe the entire game. Its really ridiculous.

Posted by: Gabe | March 30, 2007 at 08:53 PM

I see opportunities on those missed shots by the Lakers i.e. if we can get those rebounds. That Kwame's dunk should be the poster shot for tonight if they want to conquer the 7'6" behemoth. Kwame and Turiaf should sustain the energy and effort on the second half. Careful with fouls we need both on the floor.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:54 PM

You are right, Faith....we need heart and faith to win this game. This time we cannot afford those careless turnovers, every possession should be TLC make it happen rather than waste it.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 08:56 PM

Can you imagine if Bynum, or no wait... Kwame played inspired like Ronny?

We would win the title!

Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 30, 2007 at 09:00 PM

Kobe is all about Kobe and lets pray PJ can get him to do a little more driving and dishing. Tolbert is right on, he knows how great Kobe is and even claimed him as the MVP last year. K24 needs to get some of the others a few easy baskets. The fouls called in favor of the Rockets sure makes me think we are in Houston. Lamar is hurting for sure but he is doing the right thing by going to the hole, only if he could make those damn free throws! Can we see a little bit of Farmar please? Especially while Alston is playing.
It feels like Kobe is just done trusting and ready to take it all on himself.
Tough fouls on Turiaf, he is so huge in showing relentless pursuit of the ball and his ENERGY is Awesome!
Faith and LakerTom thanks for the empathy ~ it has been a frustrating season...and it isn't over. God let us gel and get back to the form we were showing in our early season wins- please.
EX – D League that was hilarious.

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 09:01 PM

AK/BK, I cannot keep up with the live blog, they kept on asking me those eerie codes, I could hardly see my typing but another have to undergo the struggle on those foggiest nos. and letters LOL, Tell the system I already passed kindergarden.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 09:01 PM

No flow to this game.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 09:09 PM

Alex,

Thanks for letting me know who he is.

-D

Posted by: J Mike | March 30, 2007 at 09:12 PM

You too Edwin? bot checks lol

Good recognition LO!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 09:13 PM

Sorry for the bots. I've been bot free tonight, but maybe they know I'm doing a lot of things at once. (haha)

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 09:14 PM

LUKE!

Posted by: Michael Teniente | March 30, 2007 at 09:15 PM

Alex -

You don't think it's the responsibility of these "professional" basketball players to pick up when Kobe is sitting? You think it's Kobe's fault that no one on the team takes the reigns of the game and becomes assertive when Kobe is sitting?

Posted by: J Mike | March 30, 2007 at 09:16 PM

That's how you run the triangle!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 09:21 PM

Looks like the Lakers got a call there. On the replay, it looked like Yao got all ball. But they're owed a couple, so it's okay.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 09:24 PM

J Mike, Tolbert was talking about the fact that Kobe was not passing the ball AT ALL the first half, to the detriment of his team.

Posted by: Alex | March 30, 2007 at 09:26 PM

Kobe is playing differently this second half...Phil must have taken him to the wood shed at halftime.

Posted by: Alex | March 30, 2007 at 09:28 PM

The movement on both ends has been much better this quarter. Guys are really active. Cuts to the basket, etc. hands active on defense. As a group, they're working really hard tonight. Trying to wipe the stink of Memphis off, I think.

Assuming they don't stop moving without the ball on offense, it shouldn't be hard for them to score. If guys don't stand still, they can manufacture their own shots, and in terms of Kobe, he can find them when he's doubled, or get clean looks off screens, etc. And if they ever stop doubling, I'll take Kobe one-on-one against most defenders.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 09:30 PM

Bad play by Kobe.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 09:32 PM

Pete Maguire

Stop Hatin' on Kobe!

Kobe needs better teammates!

Why don't you focus on Luke Walton........why the hell is he in the game?

What is he doing?

Posted by: pfunk36 | March 30, 2007 at 09:32 PM

I THINK THATS ENOUGH OF KOBE SHOOTING

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 09:34 PM

A little inspirational rah rah from Zen is what Kobe needs and whatever he said at half is not working. Damn we need this game, if anyone could tell me what Ronny did to not play at all in the 3rd? Maybe we are saving him for the end of the game. We need that guy in the game.

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 09:38 PM

SOCKS! Finish the play!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 09:39 PM

Whatever happened to Bynum? It doesn't seem he has a single shred of confidence out there

Posted by: DTC | March 30, 2007 at 09:41 PM

Man, Yao Ming was tired.

Posted by: Michael Teniente | March 30, 2007 at 09:42 PM

Yes! Kobe needed to sit

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 09:43 PM

Fast break...run guys run!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 09:44 PM

All ball ref, all ball!

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 09:45 PM

Kwame is really laboring up and down the court. You can tell the ankle is an issue.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 09:47 PM

Kobe is out of the game with 9 min left- who is going to lead us now
Well, thank god, A Turiaf sighting!
Kobe hating- damn he was Mr. Inspirational for 75% of the season and now he has to win it all or we don't win. Everyone knows a team plays better when someone can drive and dish. It is essential to get the others involved. No hating from me, rational team ball and making others around you better got us a lot of wins this year.

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 09:49 PM

That's why it's so important for Kwame to convert those easy opportunities, as he's done very well tonight. Nobody picks him up off pick and rolls, screens, etc. When he dives to the basket, there's almost always an opening. Leads to a lot of good chances. He's playing well tonight.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 09:50 PM

Props to Kwame...he's working his ass off out there.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 09:51 PM

ya Kwame is working pretty hard and so is LO....right now though, Kobe is trying to do way too much and its costing us the game

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 09:56 PM

I sense tension between Kobe and LO and i understand why LO would be upset when Kobe wont pass the damnnn ballll!!!!

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:00 PM

Bobi
Kobe Pass? haha

Posted by: lkrs | March 30, 2007 at 10:04 PM

Playoff atmosphere in here. The whole crowd is on its feet. And that was before Turiaf's put in on what was surely a pass from Kobe (haha).

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 10:06 PM

Turiaf is already an influence on the court! - wow he just brings it.

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 10:07 PM

Wow that was a solid brick! get the ball inside, they are expecting the outside shot.

Posted by: lkrs | March 30, 2007 at 10:10 PM

lkrs -

ya , like remember at the begining of the year?

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:11 PM

oh boy - does Kobe get the last shot? hahhaahaha

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 10:14 PM

We can't even OT, everyone is in foul trouble :(

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:14 PM

Hack-a-Kwame?

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 10:15 PM

Great call by JVG. Bad play by PJ to even let Kwame touch the ball in that situation.

It's the Hack-a-Kwame.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 10:15 PM

Bricklayer bailed out by KOBE!!!!!!

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 10:15 PM

OMG@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU KWAME FOR MISSING THOSE SHOTSSSS!!!!

I LVOE YOU KOBE I TAKE EVERYTHING BACK SORRRYYYY

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:16 PM

CLUTCH.

Posted by: J Mike | March 30, 2007 at 10:17 PM

11.8

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 10:17 PM

I think my lil brother brings good luck to the Lakers.... he went to kobe's 65 point game against the blazers and he went to the game tonight....how he gets to see the great games???? I dont know!

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:18 PM

Why is Kobe Bryant the best player in the game?

Game tying...and one-on-one on the game defense. Nuff said.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 10:18 PM

AK/BK,

Finally, I'm back. I had a problem on my end which I fixed today. Lets go Lakers!

Posted by: Ron | March 30, 2007 at 10:19 PM

Brown should be kissing Kobes shoes right now.

Posted by: lkrs | March 30, 2007 at 10:19 PM

ooooh McGrady gets the look and We are in OT!
Time to let them know its our house. Cmon LAKERS!

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 10:19 PM

Wow!

Posted by: Michael Teniente | March 30, 2007 at 10:19 PM

YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A SHOT!!!
WHAT A 4TH QUARTER!!!!
PETE MAGUIRE, DID KOBE TAKE TOO MANY SHOTS IN THE 4TH QUARTER?
GO LAKERSSSS!!!!!

Posted by: mitchell | March 30, 2007 at 10:19 PM

Whatever happens tonight, the Lakers' effort was great against a great team. Kwame and Smush, great effort.

KOBE --as exciting as it gets!

Colorado loves the LAKERS!

Posted by: Hugo Boss | March 30, 2007 at 10:20 PM

Just saw the replay of the second Kwame miss... Walton did an incredible job of screening off his man to keep the ball from being rebounded.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 10:21 PM

Very good overall game from everybody so far....and i mean EVERYONE

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:24 PM

FG pct. don't mean Jack Squat...It's when you make them!

Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 30, 2007 at 10:24 PM

Can anyone besides Kobe score?

Can you imagine this team without Kobe?

Posted by: pfunk36 | March 30, 2007 at 10:25 PM

bronxlakerfan,

FG% does mean a lot. They ALL count. Perhaps the Lakers wouldn't have had to tie it up at the end of regulation if Kobe had had a higher FG% throughout the game.

Posted by: Alex | March 30, 2007 at 10:27 PM

Kwame has played some outstanding defense in the second half...especially considering that he had 3 fouls so early.

Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 30, 2007 at 10:27 PM

KOBE OVER YAOOOOOOOOOOOO

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:27 PM

Are you people watching the screens that Kwame is setting for Kobe? They are solid.

Posted by: Michael Teniente | March 30, 2007 at 10:28 PM

This dude is a BEAST!!!
We absolutely can't give up this game now!!!!!

Lemar

Posted by: lknight | March 30, 2007 at 10:29 PM

That's about the nine millionth time they've run Kobe off a Kwame screen for the pull up jumper.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 10:29 PM

Kobe is something special...no matter how the game is going, he is always trying and there at the end. He has scored 25 of the Lakers' last 27. Un-freaking-believeable!!!

Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 30, 2007 at 10:30 PM

PLASTICCC FACEEE WALKKKEDD WITH THE BALLLL!!!!

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:30 PM

Lamar and Kwame have really played some gutsy ball tonight...you can see they are both struggling physically.

Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 30, 2007 at 10:33 PM

Kobe attempts a shot over 3 men instead of looking for an open teammate...bad ball.

Posted by: Alex | March 30, 2007 at 10:33 PM

That was a hell of a bad break on that foul causing Tracy to shoot 3. Kobe got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 30, 2007 at 10:34 PM

Rashard Lewis is a free agent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: lkrs | March 30, 2007 at 10:35 PM

Now if they managed to make that call, how come nobody picked up on the play in the Georgetown-Vandy game that would have put my guys in the Elite Eight?

Ticky tack, but it looked like a legit call on the replay.

Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 30, 2007 at 10:36 PM

Tolbert is a Kobe hating fool, always has been. that call was a joke!!!

Posted by: mitchell | March 30, 2007 at 10:36 PM

Ball game Kobe cost them this time!!

Posted by: lkrs | March 30, 2007 at 10:38 PM

GREATEST - LOSS - EVER!!! OMG!!! I'm SO pumped!!

I trust you Kobe-1. Don't stop shooting, no matter what!

FOUR TIMES the FGA of your next closest teammate are by no means enough. Just keep jacking 'em up there.

M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!

Wait, the guy you were guarding had how many more assists than you?

You mean we lost? So what... Don't expect me to be rational...

Your assists-to-turnover ratio was less than 1? Again? Awww, don't nitpick...

Kobe, you are my hero. I am SO thankful my franchise is in your hands. Now all we need to do is have the schedule makers get us POR 82 games a year and we'll be on our way to winning titles with you scoring 50 a game in now time!!

Thank you, Kobe!

fakerz is SOOOOO wrong about you! What a moron he and the rest of the 'fake' fans are, huh? But me and the rest of the 'true' Lakers fans know better. You just keep proving us right, again and again.

So we lost, so what? Damn, it was exciting! Who wants to win in a boring, team-oriented fashion anyway?

I *heart* you, Kobe!

40 FGA/night, or bust!

Yao Ming had 39 pts on 18 FGA? What a chump; that's not how it's done! That's WAY too few FGA! No wonder his team's doing so well! Don't want that!

Damn that was a GREAT and EXCITING loss! Yes!!!! All right!!! Keep 'em coming; I'll be in line for tickets tomorrow. Thank you, Doc Buss!

1 exciting loss = 3 boring wins. That's what they taught me over at the 'And-1' tour. It's ALL about the show. Sizzle over steak. Yep-yep! Kobe da man!!!

This might be my favorite loss ever!!!! M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!!

I WILL NOT be satisfied unless my lead guy has half the team's FGA and less than TWENTY TIMES the number of assists than he does FGA. This is team basketball at its finest! What is fakerz talking about? TWENTY TIMES LE

Posted by: fakerz | March 30, 2007 at 10:38 PM

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: bobie | March 30, 2007 at 10:39 PM

thanks refs, effin @44OOOOOOO

Posted by: vi lakerfan | March 30, 2007 at 10:39 PM

A lot of sound and fury signifying nothing...bottom line is a 2 game losing streak.

Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 30, 2007 at 10:39 PM

That is a horrible way to lose. We had our chances and free throws along with simple screening out lost us the game. Hard to beleive Kobe traveled, harder to believe they called it in the Staples Center. There was no home court advantage as far as the refs go. Bummer.
I do love watching the spectacular performances though! We are witnessing history, unreal how good this guy is. I sure think Ronny deserved more playing time tonight.

Posted by: Pete Maguire | March 30, 2007 at 10:42 PM

Sorry to say Mitchell
That was a good call. He steped then hopped. then drug his pivot foot again. I agree with the call

Posted by: lkrs | March 30, 2007 at 10:43 PM

NBA is a piece of garbage I'm done with that !

Posted by: Gill | March 30, 2007 at 10:43 PM

Kobe is the only superstar that ever played in the NBA that never gets sujperstar calls, but without that foul called on him we would have won. THe NBA don't like kobe at alllllllllllllllllllllllll....

Posted by: wow | March 30, 2007 at 10:43 PM

F*akers WIN!
F*akers WIN!
F*akers WIN!
F*akers WIN!
F*akers WIN!

LOL!

Posted by: DaxxMD | March 30, 2007 at 10:45 PM

Yeah Fakerz, I bet it feels good to kick people down when they're down.

Game-tying.

Posted by: Faith | March 30, 2007 at 10:47 PM

you know what- for once, fakerz kind of makes sense.

Posted by: Gabe | March 30, 2007 at 10:47 PM

Fakerz,
Yawn, yawn, yawn. You are so freakin boring.

Laker fans,
What a wasted effort! How can you call traveling? Like jackass Tolbert said, it better be an "egregious" travel to call it in that situation. It obviously wasn't. We got robbed on this one.

Posted by: mitchell | March 30, 2007 at 10:48 PM

:'(

Posted by: Grady | March 30, 2007 at 10:48 PM

They should have called foul on kobe for runnig through the pick, plus yao moved at the end of the pick too, but no way they should have called the 3 point shot a foul taken by Tracy...

Posted by: wow | March 30, 2007 at 10:49 PM

First, I think th travel call was ridiculous. Bryant and many many other players do that all the time. That old guy just decided to be the star for one night. Good for him. Having said that, Bryant is too much for this team and I am not sure it is something that can be fixed. Brown played great defense and Odom gave all it had, but the different btw No. 24 and the rest of the group is just gigantic. I wish Jackson could express his honest view about this.

Posted by: d | March 30, 2007 at 10:49 PM

Watch out Laker fans!

FAkers is on the loose!

Posted by: DaxxMD | March 30, 2007 at 10:49 PM

Alex...you don't like Kobe. I do. Case closed.

Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 30, 2007 at 10:53 PM

44 Shots. 2 Assists. Another loss. You morons who apologize for Kobe should - for kicks - run some tapes of Dominque Wilkins from the 1980's. Cause that all these Lakers are -- the Atlanta Hawks of the '80's. Did they ever win anything? Of course not! They were led by a self-serving, shoot first and never pass BALL-HOG who couldn't care less about his teammates.

44 shots. 2 assists. Oh yeah, the "new, mature" Kobe is here.

By the way, I was just popuring milk on my Count Chockula and noticed Bynum's face on my milk carton. That explains it.

Posted by: Yanks0001 | March 30, 2007 at 10:53 PM

fakerz

I LOVE being a real laker fan, especially knowing that you are the prototypical "LA fan" If the lakers win tonight - you disappear. They lose - and you're all over it.

Worst fan ever.

Good effort tonight against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Keep pushing Lakers!!

Keep the faith peeps.

Fakerz - sukamuhdicoff.

Posted by: J Mike | March 30, 2007 at 10:54 PM

sarcasm isn't very becoming.

Posted by: shakerz | March 30, 2007 at 10:56 PM

I think this clearly shows that we DO NOT need Kobe shooting and scoring for us to win vs. good teams.

We need to get Kobe in line, once and for all.

He needs to finally start working within a team context or we will never win. We will just be a travelling circus, a freak show, like the "And 1 tour"...not a real team.

Kobe is holding this team back.

Posted by: Stanley | March 30, 2007 at 11:04 PM

Kobe shoots alot. How can any other player on this team get in a rythym if he is the only guy shooting. People forget how good we looked without Kobe on this team early on. He takes a unheard of 44 shots with a great two assists. While Tracy Mcgrady is slow and can't jump is looking like Magic. How many easy layups does tmac get his team? I counted at least 8 assists on easy layups plus the amount of free throws he got for Yao on great passes. I love that Kobe wants to win but I question his strategy.

Posted by: JON JON | March 30, 2007 at 11:15 PM

TOM TOLBERT played in the NBA and he was so damn right. Kobe is either hot or cold and everything we do is to get him a good shot. Everyone else has to take the leftovers. Kind of crazy but at least Kobe gets his 50 pts. And another month over 40. BTW have you read what Tex Winter said about Kobe's defense, not good. Pretty much what I have been writing.

Posted by: JON JON | March 30, 2007 at 11:22 PM

You people make me sick man.

Had that BS not happened, every idiot and their mother would be nut hugging Kobe.

MY GOD, how I wish Kboe could be traded to another team. Then you coudl all see just how inept the rest of the team is.

Posted by: Alex2 | March 30, 2007 at 11:25 PM

I'm back, I didn't pass kinder like Kobe tonite. Well, it was a good game Kobe story tonight turned from hero into Goat. However, I will not, repeat, we will not trade Kobe, export Kobe, exchange Kobe no matter how many posts we will read in this blog. For heaven's sake could you all just stop blaming Kobe or compare him to MJ, go to ESPN, go to Bulls, go to Heat but please don't annoy this blog with your criticisms on Mamba. This team is NOTHING without Kobe, not even close. Props to Kwame, Ronny and Lamar the effort was there but the shooting needs to be improved.

Can you imagine if VladMan had been effective as planned, so with Bynum as a great difference in the post, boy we could have been a threat in the West. Unfortunately, they're not ready for the big show? We need another accurate gunner besides Kobe. Luke is average, Smush is average, Sasha is below average, LO is still hurting that's the reason why we depend too much on Kobe. Yes, Kobe shots are too difficult but to him they're all look the same inside or outside Kobe needs a view of the hoop in order to make them. So Mr. Jim Buss and GM Mitch Kupchak whatever your mathematicians will tell you on how to create a cap space for Kobe DO IT OR ELSE GET OUT OF LAKERS. We need talents here not mediocrity and excuses. Sorry to pester you with angry statements but fans like me and many more are fed up with the big waste we're making for not surrounding Kobe with reliable players. We are just tired of reading all kinds of excuses and positive spins out of nothing. If Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas these are small markets compared to LA can go around their stars and manage to get good players why not Los Angeles. We need the best not 1st round playoff contender!

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 11:25 PM

Kobe is most certainly not a great basketball player. Any of us old guys have seen his kind before. He is just a gunner. He shoots over triple teams for gods sake. Heard of team ball? Passing to an open teammate maybe?

Gervin, Domonique, pure scorers who weren't great team players. Add Kobe to that list.

53 points.....ON 44 FRICKIN SHOTS!!! Not impressive in the least. Worse yet, only 2 assists.

Shame on you Kobe. The Lakers deserve better than you.

Posted by: Bob | March 30, 2007 at 11:25 PM

You see, Faith. That's you and the rest of the "Kobe's Crew's" problem - I was saying the same thing when we were on our winning streak against crap teams, said the same thing last year. This isn't a new refrain from me. I'm only hoping you and your "Kobe Blind Spot" brethren can see the light, and apparently it takes repetitive instruction to break through the blinders.

This isn't fun for me, it's a pain in the @ss. I'm only doing it because, as I've said, I don't know, about 1000 TIMES BEFORE -

you cannot - CAN NOT - win like this at any consistently high level.

I want my team to win, for real, to really contend again.

That's why I keep saying it. If more nights like tonight wake people up to reality, great. It makes things easier for me.

Peace.

Posted by: fakerz | March 30, 2007 at 11:29 PM

I'm a huge Kobe fan. Here's my fair opinion. Kobe has a reason in his head for not passing the ball. Who knows what it is? I counted three times that he should have passed the ball. I counted 7 times when he did and it resulted in a turnover. I understand why he thinks he can make every shot, but we need him to still pass the ball. He is chasing down the ball too much on offense. He also complains waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy toooooooo much. It wasn't a good game for Kobe and he cost the team at the end. That being said, he's still the best. You have to take the bad with the good. If you're going to cheer when he saves the team after 7 straight losses (he was passing during those losses), then you have to encourage him to do better after a night like tonight. We're not even in overtime w/o Kobe.

Posted by: kbsince99 | March 30, 2007 at 11:32 PM

LAkers are good and kobe is amazing but the rockets showed what team basketball can do. howard made a great rebound, battier made kobe travel, tmac made all 3 foul shots, and yao made some amazing plays all through game coming back from a broken leg. 2 assists for kobe? what happened to the tri offense? lakers are far from the elite teams without shaq....

Posted by: ken | March 30, 2007 at 11:34 PM

Bob,

You are an idiot. We do not need people like you on this blog. Why talk trash about the only guy that brings it night in night out. What do you know about basketball to voice such a stupid opinion. Shame on you as well Bob, you need to go to bed, you're obviously drunk

Posted by: AA LOS | March 30, 2007 at 11:36 PM

Well, this should end all of those MJ comparisons for a while.......hah

Posted by: Raley the Wonk | March 30, 2007 at 11:36 PM

Wow what a difference a shot makes. If he makes the 3 at the end, the board would be completely different. Those of you that are mad about the 40 shots wouldn't mention it.

Posted by: kbsince99 | March 30, 2007 at 11:38 PM

Terrible game by Kobe. Since the entire offensive focus of the Lakers is on him, nobody else can get a rhythm, a flow, as Tolbert pointed out.

Kobe is holding this team back and needs to either be a team player or leave.

We wouldn't stand for anyone else doing this and we shouldn't stand for it from Kobe either.

All he does is jack up shots. He is regressing badly. So much for being MJ huh? MJ was a MUCH smarter player, much more of a team player.

Kobe: 44 shots, half of the team's shots. Only made 19.

Anyone can score 50 a night if they are allowed to take 44 shots.

Kobe is not an all time great player, he is just an all time great gunner.

Posted by: Alex | March 30, 2007 at 11:40 PM

You guys make me sick. Kobe has the green light to shoot it from the coaching staff you morons. He's had the green light since their 7 game losing streak. Did you already forget about how bad we were playing than? Did you already forget that Kobe has been fascilitating the offense for most of the year? With Lamar's shoulder (he obviously cannot make an outside shot becaue of it), and Luke coming back to health, Kobe shooting is our best chance to win at this time. Everyone knows, nicluding the coaching staff, that this strategy is only temporary, So stop blaming Kobe and calling him selfish because he had an off-night, except when the game mattered most. He is obviously just trying to win every single game at all cost. Stop the hating!!!

Posted by: mitchell | March 30, 2007 at 11:40 PM

Mitchell, cry me a river, fake fan. You can pick up the 'The league hates Kobe' BS Wow started.

That and a quarter will get you the morning paper.

Wake up, whiners. This is what we are. Sure, it looks great against the GSW of the world. Real teams like HOU? Not so much.

You don't like the truth? Too bleeping bad. I want to win, I'm not in the 'just look good in a loss' crowd.

This is what we are people. Ain't a DAMN thing changed. Hope we're turning a corner here, cuz this re-run's getting old, fast.

Reality is not what you want it to be, it's what it is. Some of us get that concept faster than others, and make adjustments accordingly.

"But I want Kobe to win HIS way, so bad!"

No one cares. The league doesn't care. The HOU's of the world don't care. Wake up. Grow up. This isn't a 'choose your own adventure' book. The facts are right in front of you, like us REAL FANS have been trying to tell you apologists.

Posted by: fakerz | March 30, 2007 at 11:41 PM

Fakerz, Bob, Alex, Jon Jon, Stanley....your names have been marked as HATERS in the Lakers Blog. Whatever are your opinions, can you just move on and leave us alone. I think that is a decent request because I don't think you will ever get any respect here for you don't show any kind consideration or sincerity as a Laker fan. We already heard your gripes, your stand on Kobe but PLEASSSSSSSEEEEE leave this blog.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 30, 2007 at 11:42 PM

The wins and losses at this point are irrelevant. I wouldn't care if we lost our way into the lottery. We don't have the horses to win this race.

Lamar is a great talent but he has trouble putting the ball in the basket consistently even when healthy. Ronny has a better mid range game. You can't ask a perimeter player to shott 50% from range every night while scoring 50. Kobe needs a "go to" guy of any kind to get this to the next level. This is the Lakers, we don't care about 6th seeds or second round exists, we only count championships.

Posted by: Vman | March 30, 2007 at 11:47 PM

Alex 2 - you don't seem to understand...

...it DID happen, and it KEEPS happening. That's what us REAL fans keep trying to tell the 'Kobe over the Lakers' fake fans.

It will keep happening, and people will keep muttering incoherent things like "NBA hates Kobe," "But...but...but," "Get KG," etc.

This is what's known as a "trend."

Stanley, etc. - Thank God intelligent life exists on this board. Sometimes with all the Lakers Haters (read: Kobe Lovers), it's hard to tell.

Posted by: fakerz | March 30, 2007 at 11:48 PM

AA LOS,

The only thing Kobe brings night in night out are inconsistency, gunning 40 shots a night, and selfish anti-team ball.

That is NOT Lakers ball, get the bum out of here!

Posted by: Bob | March 30, 2007 at 11:51 PM

Edwin, F you!!! We are every bit as much Lakers fans as you are, probably more! We don't give a crap how Kobe does, we just want to win. All you seem to care about is Kobe's stats, just like him.

Grow up, learn basketball, and quit trying to repress free speech!

Posted by: Bob | March 30, 2007 at 11:55 PM

Another game down the tube thanks to Kobe,

Kobe is playing a way that I can't ever remember another player playing on a consistent basis.

This is so antithetical to team basketball that it's almost laughable.

We are just a travelling freak show, and Kobe has free reign to try to break records and put up as many shots as is humanly possible.

He has regressed so badly it makes me sick.

THIS is our leader? This is the horse we are supposed to get behind? Give me a break! Give me a TEAM, give me a real leader who is part of it, and not out on his own just gunning for personal glory!

Posted by: Judith | March 30, 2007 at 11:58 PM

Kobe has had more games with 38 shots or more this year than MJ had his last 9 years in the league. I think Kobe has 4 this year and even if he has 3 he would still win. WOW

Posted by: JON JON | March 31, 2007 at 12:07 AM

It's a shame that the Lakers lost this game. Those 2 plays that Kobe was involved with at the end really hurt the team at a bad time of the game. The three point foul of McGrady really gave the Rockets life just when it looked like the game was swinging in the Lakers' favor. And Kobe did travel on that play. It took a lot of guts by Louis Grillo to make that call. I"ve got to give props to Ronny, Lamar and Kwame for hanging in there with the Great Wall. Houston has a pretty good team, especially defensively. And they have just enough offensive versatility to be truly dangerous as the playoffs roll around. The Lakers hopefully can build on this effort and finish the season strong. GO LAKERS!!!!

Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 31, 2007 at 12:40 AM

One-man team's LOSE! The Lakers are little more than a one-man freak show!

Posted by: Luigi | March 31, 2007 at 12:43 AM

Kobe has now taken 39 shots or more 3 times this year. That beats MJ's last 9 years in the league. Wow that is a stat.

Posted by: JON JON | March 31, 2007 at 01:08 AM

Fakerz
Since you are such a devoted fan tell us : When was the last time you went to Staples to support your team ?
How many times a year would you spend your hard earned money to buy a Lakers ticket ?
You always pride yourself to be a True Fan ?
Let us all know .

Posted by: albert | March 31, 2007 at 01:18 AM

Alex,
Just when I thought you were going to step up and continue to provide well rounded and well informed posts, you destroy your credibility with your comment that Kobe is not one of the all time greats. Kobe definitely did not play intelligently tonight. He should have given up the rock much more than he did, especially when he went cold in the 3rd quarter. But quite frankly, at this point he obviously does not have much faith in his supporting cast. It is easy to see why. These same teammates played a huge role in 2 long losing streaks when Kobe was trying to get them involved. He finally saw the writing on the wall and took matters in to his own hands, putting on a scoring display unlike anyone has ever seen from a perimeter player. The result was a 5 game winning streak that stopped the bleeding for this flawed squad. The problem is that we all know that it is impossible to continuously win in this fashion,especially against well coached teams that have far more talent. Kobe is screwed either way. If he plays the way he played tonight, everyone says he is selfish and the main problem. But come on who are we kidding. This really is a very flawed team. They do not make shots consistently when Kobe passes to them. Even worse, they rarely have the guts to take any big shots. They get rid of the ball like it is a hot potato. Lamar has talent but wants no part of taking the big shot and cannot even consistently make free throws. Luke, Smush, Kwame are very inconsistent and are often afraid to step up. They will freeze and throw it back to Kobe with no time on the shot clock all too often. Bynum is not even remotely close to being a factor and in fact is more often a negative during his growing pains. He may never really become a threat, we will see. Turiaf is true warrior but not a consistent threat on offense. Vujacic, Shammond, Mckie... please dont get me started. The bottom line is that this really is a mediocre squad at best. When Kobe is on his game and keeps the other team honest by passing the rock more consistently (unlike tonight ) the Lakers will win at times. If Kobe is off his game offensively, in most cases this team will lose because nobody else can or will consistently step up and that has become painfully obvious. Kobe is in a no win situation until this organization surrounds him with better talent, period. For you to say that he is not one of the all time greats destroys any credibility you have. For you to make that statement shows that you are either biased against Kobe or hopefully just frustrated after a tough loss. If you stand by your statement than you are flat out ignorant and should stop posting immediately. Restore my faith in you and admit that your statement was over the top and not your true opinion.

Posted by: Mitch R | March 31, 2007 at 03:56 AM

Everyone that loves to bash Kobe. Wake up. This team is mediocre at best with him. When he is on , they may win. When he is off, they will lose. Without Kobe on this team, it is easily the worst in the league. Until this organization surrounds him with a decent supporting cast and he is able to rely on his teammates consistently, this team is going nowhere. Kobe will give up the rock if he has faith that it will result in more wins, but this group he is surrounded with is woefully inadequate, and they have demonstrated that most of the year especially before Kobe took matters in to his own hands and willed these underachievers to a few wins. It is obvious to all of us that this new strategy is flawed, but it should be painfully obvious that this team was sinking faster than the Titanic before Kobe started taking most of the shots. It is easy to make Kobe the scapegoat, but your ire should be directed at Buss, Kupchak , and Kobes underachieving teammates.

Posted by: Mitch R | March 31, 2007 at 04:15 AM

This game showed why the Rockets are 20+ games over .500. Unlike the Kobe Show, Houston relies heavily on solid defense and TEAM play. Yao Ming AND T-Mac both had 30+ points and Alston had 20+. Not one other Laker scored over 20pts, which I find disturbing. T-mac has 11 assists, compared to Kobe's 2. Sorry to say this fans, but the Lakers will be lucky to even play seven games in the first round, let alone win a series. I personally think that Kobe is a ball hog, who likes to take all of the credit. I think the Laker's should get rid of him ASAP. I don't even buy any of that bullshit about Jackson giving Kobe the primary scoring job. What a weak excuse for a weak team who lacks a real team player. Kobe doesn't deserve MVP, solely because of his selfishness on the court.

Posted by: Rocket_Nation07 | March 31, 2007 at 04:22 AM

It's too bad we didn't win after an amazing game from Kobe and great efforts from the team down the stretch. The officiating was questionable.

Posted by: gdchild | March 31, 2007 at 06:52 AM

RANDOM THOUGHTS AFTER A DESERVED LAKERS LOSS

* Kobe Bryant is not to blame. The problem is that no one else on the Lakers can be relied upon to win games. Thus, all the effort and attention has to go to him. K. Garnett on the Wolves has the same problem. Iverson during his days on the 76'sers was in the same predicament.

* Both Smush and Luke made very dumb plays this game. I suspect Luke will get passes for his mistakes, while Smush will get scapegoated

* If they had any morals, Kwame "The Bust" Brown and Andrew "Projects" Bynum would tender their resignations from the NBA instead of stealing millions from Buss

* Lamar Odom missed too many layups. We just can't have that from the number 2 player.

* Why do the Lakers insist on pumping their hopes and dreams into the likes of the Brown/Bynum debacle. They have a competent center tandem in Roni Turiaff/and Chris Mihm.

* All of the competitive teams have at least to bonofide all-stars. The Lakers, very simply, need that one extra allstar player to help Kobe

* Everyone's entitled to their opinions. My opinion is that blogger who thinks the Lakers should trade Kobe either a) has no common sense, but thinks they do b) posts their blogs because they need negative attention since they're lonely c) is biased against him because he was involved with that white woman in Denver

* The Lakers will retain the 6th spot, win the first two games against the Spurs, get everyone excited, have a key player suffer an injury, and then lose the next 4 games.

Posted by: troy | March 31, 2007 at 07:58 AM

lakers could have had this one...

lakers must focus on centers.

GO LAKERS!!!

Posted by: apujac | March 31, 2007 at 08:49 AM

Mitch, I used to be impressed with Kobe...no more. He has regressed to being nothing more than a gunner, jacking up shots at a rate that is really unheard of. Add onto that the fact that he really isn't contributing in any other fashion other than scoring, and it goes to show that perhaps he is not a great player, but just a gunner. I am very disappointed in Kobe and expected more out of him.

Posted by: Alex | March 31, 2007 at 09:49 AM

Mitch,

Your logic is flawed about the 5 game winning streak.

Do not mistake co-incidence, or correlation, with causation.

The Lakers didn't win because Kobe was jacking up a ton of shots, they were winning in spite of it.

Perhaps if Kobe had been more of a team player, the lakers actually would have been beating those poor teams by more than a couple points!

Kobe needs to learn how to be a team player again or he and the lakers are doomed to perpetual failure, and his reputation will go down the tubes.

Posted by: Alex | March 31, 2007 at 09:51 AM

Etits, Bob,

Your name calling will not give you any kind of credibility. You only come to this blog when the Lakers lose, annoy the Lakerville and hide from your anonymity. Please Laker Blog regulars, please don't entertain these posters who have been identified.

I believe in free speech and never advocated any kind of censorship to anyone but for people who disrespect others and show immaturity through continuous annoyance should also be ostracized. Free speech accompanies with it moral responsibility to be considerate on the welfare of the fans you've been attacking. You have abused the geniality and leniency of the Lakers Blog.

PS. "Etitskomalaki" this is a slang word coming from Philippine street thugs which means my pooh is big. These are malicious names same with Beluga and Tarugo. I'm sorry that they destroy the credibility of a Filipinos who loves basketball. You can refer this to our Philippine bloggers like: Albert, Jaworski and Brylle. IMO, it's about time we should isolate the germs in this blog.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 31, 2007 at 10:32 AM

Edwin, I have to chime in...you are showing a great level of hypocrisy. Having read your posts, you seem to continually annoy and disrespect a certain segment of our posting community, just as you claim they do for you and others.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Please cease the hypocrisy.

Please cease attempting to stifle free speech, just let people make their arguments without calling them names, ok?

By the way, Beluga is a whale, it has nothing to do with the phillipnes.

Perhaps you are paranoid?

Posted by: David | March 31, 2007 at 11:11 AM

Kobe AKA THE BLACK WHOLE, is just gunning at a pace not seen since Wilt. The team has a winning record when he is out yet you fake fans say no one can score. The game of basketball is a team game, Kobe plays it as if it were a one on one game. Kobe can shoot but he can't pass, lead, defend, or just plain get it. Pass the damn ball, make a effort to get a good shot for someone other than yourself. We will make the playoffs at this point no matter what, so why is Kobe still gunning instead of trying to help his teammates score? Kobe fans don't know basketball. I want my team to actually do something in the playoffs. Not long ago I thought we could actually make alot of noise in the playoffs. Unless Kobe is super hot than I don't see it.

Posted by: JON JON | March 31, 2007 at 12:07 PM

David,

I know I will be target by haters but I really don't care. You are entitled to your own opinion. Free speech carries with it responsibility in respecting the people you are attacking at. Time and again, there has been numerous posts already annoyed by the segment you were protecting and describing. There is always free speech in the AK/BK blog but it's just time for us to step up against your segment that you cannot continue coming here and intimidate this blog. Our campaign of ostracism should continue.

If you claim to be responsible and fair, I think you should also exert efforts in telling your segment to be considerate and responsible in their posting in the same way that you labeled me as paranoid. Prove to us that your concerns as laker fans are legitimate and not annoyances and we'll have a congenial discussions with your segment.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 31, 2007 at 12:11 PM

Alex,
Kobe has demonstrated throughout his career that he will share the ball. He did it consistently last year ( including the playoffs where the two faced critics said he should have shot more ). He did it this year earlier when people would actually occasionally knock down a shot. In fact he would have had far more assists if he had more talent around him. Phil finally told him to take over when it became obvious that the others were not getting it done and the team was in danger of dropping out of playoff contention. Granted Kobe is now going overboard and shooting too much. He definitely needs to find the right ratio of scoring and assisting. Kobe cannot win either way. This team is just not that good. When the Lakers give him more to work with, his assists and the Lakers victories will increase dramatically. Kobe is without a doubt one of the best of all time but he doesnt have a prayer with this underachieving supporting cast. Kobe is not blameless, but he is the least of this teams problems. If you think MJ could do anything significant with this squad, you are hallucinating and in denial. Give Kobe more talent to work with and he and the Lakers will contend again. Keep things status quo and this team is doomed to mediocrity.

Posted by: Mitch R | March 31, 2007 at 03:12 PM

troy,

I agree with u 100%, that piece about Kwame and Bynum havin morals was unny, but very,very true. Odom is ok but comes up short o many times as a#2 option and no one ever bashes him. the truth is other teams players definately " bring it"at crucial times than most on th lakers except KB24. Ex last night it seems like people didn't realize T-Mac had an off night 7/24, similar to KObe's off night in memphis. However Yao gave 39, and alsto 20, in this game and Memphis who else stepped up for LA. This is very possible with this team because when Kobe scored 43 in the previous game Lamar finally had a decent 24. Then when Kobe scores 20 less the next game with an off night, Lamar also scores 20 less (3 points) and they lose. It's amazing how people miss things that are right in front of them.

If Kobe and Shaq co-existed for so long without scoring being a problem, If nyone other than Kobe on this team we reliable it shoud,nt be a problem.Defense is definately necessary but it needs more than 1 player to put the ball in the hoop on a regular basis.

Posted by: vi lakerfan | March 31, 2007 at 04:31 PM

Posted by: vi lakerfan | March 31, 2007 at 04:32 PM

I like to see there are more people relize Kobi is a gunner. As far as the traval call. Anyone out there that does not think that was the right call is nuts. come on he stopped hopped forward than set his left foot slid his right foot then moved the left foot forward again. I watched the game and I was yelling before the official even called it, it was so obvious.

Posted by: Rob | March 31, 2007 at 09:15 PM