Live from the game- Lakers vs. Bulls
BK here. This just in, Kobe will start at the two. In other news, Brian Cook again gets the start in place of an injured Ronny Turiaf. I'm full of tostada (like I said, it was a modified taco night) and ready to roll.
Luke Walton just wished everyone in the crowd a happy Thanksgiving. I assume he wouldn't mind if I extend those good wishes to those watching at home. So there you go.
FIRST QUARTER:
LO starts things off hitting a shot over Nocioni. That's something he needs to take advantage of all night. On the other end, Ben Wallace gives the Bulls an early second opportunity, tipping a ball away from Kwame. This is the Wallace that was there last night against the Clippers, so Kwame (and everyone else for that matter) is going to have to be aware.
BTW, there are four big Bulls fans sitting behind me.
10:01- Better play by Kwame going aggressively at the board. Looks like that first trip made an impact. On the other end, Kobe draws a foul and goes to the line. Makes 'em both. Lakers by three early.
9:30- Fish gets wiped on a massive pick from Big Ben. Gordon converts coming around on the jumper. That was a serious collision- and to give you an idea of how strong Fish is, he actually was able to take Wallace down to the floor.
8:38- Good play by Kwame to draw the charge on Hinrich. Kobe then gets one on the other end running through Wallace, but in the midst of it, Kwame goes down hard, grabbing his left knee. Looked like on the replay that he fell over Wallace underneath. He wasn't able to walk off under his own power, which is not a good sign, and went straight to the locker room. We'll pass along news as soon as we have it.
Bynum in.
7:31- Lakers get a shot clock violation that really gets chalked up to Cook, who passed up a couple looks when Drew got him the ball out of the post. He ended up having to force the ball down low to LO, who never really had a chance to get a good look at the hoop.
5:53- Drew shows some nice hands inside, going up to catch the ball in traffic, then fighting hard fro a shot. He draws the foul, and gets to the line. They've done a nice job giving him his looks down low. But regardless of how you feel about Kwame, losing him if he's indeed out for any stretch will hurt the Lakers. Bynum had developed a great rhythm with the second unit, so if he has to start, that makes an impact. If Mihm slides in there, obviously he's not the defensive presence Brown is.
Walton in for Cook.
3:44- Timeout on the floor, Lakers down by one, 13-12. This is playing out about how you'd expect a Chicago game to go. Lots of grinding, good defense, not a ton of offense. It'll be interesting to see how the second unit does trying to push the pace (Farmar is now in the game) against a team that does a great job at controlling the pace.
2:04- The Lakers have some serious mismatches to exploit on the offensive end, with Joe Smith on Bynum and Nocioni on Odom. They need to take advantage.
END OF THE FIRST- Chicago 21, LAL 16. Looks like the Lakers are in their "second and third quarter vs. Detroit" mode offensively. They finished the quarter shooting 38%, and, in a more distubing blast from the all too recent past, turned the ball over eight times. Eight. That, people, is bad. All things considered, it's actually pretty impressive they held Chicago to 21 points. The Bulls were able to hoist nine more shots, aided by the P and G.
AK will have Q2.
Second Quarter
11:18 - Bynum snags a great rebound in traffic off Vlad Rad's missed layup, but fails on the attempt to put it back. Luckily, the Nocioni rebounded ball ends up in Farmar's hands (theft on Thabo), which eventually leads to a Mo Evans converted and one.
10:07 - Another missed layup by Drew, but this time upon snagging the board, he stuffs in with force, despite the presence of Ben Wallace in his vicinity.
MEDICAL UPDATE!!! A mild to moderate sprain of Kwame's ankle and knee. Quite the crappy double whammy. With any luck, both will fall closer to the "mild" side of things.
6:54 - Great patience by Drew working down low against Big Ben with the clock winding down from four. Didn't panic to put up a bad shot. Instead, works a sweet spin move to the basket for the dunk.
6:16 - Luke dribbles straight into the paint, then dishes out to Vlad at the top of the circle. Three ball converted. Luke's already got a triple of his own and a couple assists. Hopefully, this is an early sign of him calming down a bit after a rough stretch of games since him moving back to the bench. He had a nice outing against Detriot, but some extended proof of some stability would be nice.
4:28 - Gordon gets to the line as Kobe, Mihm and Fish all look around trying to figure out who apparently touched Little Ben. As it turns out, it was Fish, but upon looking at the replay, that remains news to all of them. Terrible call.
3:38 - Little Ben is absolutely having his way with Fish, putting a little floater up to score his 14th of the half. You don't want this guy getting hotter than he already is.
3:25 - For those convinced that he's going to the movies during the game, Sasha just checked into the game.
1:55 - LO snags a defensive board, then strides like a gazelle downcourt, gracefully hitting Mihm in stride. Mihm gets draped by Nocioni and earns two chances at the line. Both converted. Next possesion, LO sparks another fast break, this time after swiping the ball from Thabo. One of two converted. Lakers now down by two. 44-42.
The final seconds wind down with Kobe working his way into the paint, unsuccessfully drawing a foul, but successfully laying the ball up and in. 46-45 Lakers. Considering they lost their starting center, they've turned the ball over 13 times and are shooting 40% if you round up, the Lakers are lucky to be right in the thick of things. We'll see if they can make a better effort of it in the second half. BK will have the third.
THIRD QUARTER-
Fish starts off hitting a jumper, which is nice to see.
8:23- Lakers have put the clamps on Chicago early in the period. The Bulls are still sitting on two points for the quarter, almost four minutes in. Meanwhile, on the other end, it's still not exactly a work of art, but certainly enough to get the job done. The Bulls aren't a dynamic offensive team, especially down Deng, so if the Lakers can put a little space in between themselves and Chicago, that's a good sign.
7:15- Bynum puts up a nice little baby hook over Big Ben. Given Drew's length, it's a shot he ought to be able to get off over anyone if he sets it up well enough with his body. 56-48 LAL.
6:33- Kobe hits a jumper, and the lead is up to 10. Even BC is doing good work on the glass, as he fights for a ball down low off a missed Chicago jumper. Then does it again on the next trip. Talk about your positive omens. Chicago still stuck on two points for the quarter. Combination of solid work on the defensive end, and playing a team that can't really put the ball in the hole anyway.
5:10- Cook draws the charge on Joe Smith. That's the one thing he does consistently well defensively.
Finally, Gordon hits a three and the Bulls get off that sorry two point mark for the quarter.
3:05- Timeout, Lakers, after Ben Gordon again beats Fish on the perimeter, then floats the ball nicely up and off the glass over Drew rotating over. That's a situation where you just have to give it up for a solid offensive play. Fish kept his body on him fairly well, and Drew made Gordon work to get the shot over his arm. Gordon just got it done. The Lakers need to make sure, coming out of the timeout, they keep the pressure on.
Instead, they let Tyrus Thomas have at the basket, and Mihm picks up a cheap foul, then they almost give it away on the other end b/f forcing a re-turnover (they took it away, the Lakers took it back) and got the foul on Kobe. Kobe misses the first, hits the second. 63-58 Lakers.
:35- Lakers get another late surge, courtesy of Jordan Farmar and the second unit. Good plays on both ends by Farmar, nice ball movement from Luke, a couple good boards from Mihm (though he's still having some issues on the defensive end, and other than hitting some FTs hasn't done much on offense, either). Mo in there putting pressure on them.
END OF THE THIRD: Lead goes from 6 to 15 quick fast, thanks to good pressure defensively and execution offensively. Given that the Bulls scored all of 14 points in the third, it's reasonable to believe the Lakers can hold on to a 75-60 lead over the final 12. If they don't, blame AK.
FOURTH QUARTER:
10:55 - Fantastic sequence, with LO taking a rebound to halfcourt and passing off to Luke, who bounce passes to a cutting Farmar, who shuffles the rock to Mihm for the forceful dunk over a posterized Nocioni. Keep the ball moving and nice things happen. That's a formula juist crazy enough to work.
9:44 - Luke streaks into the paint to cut off Gordon's penetration to the rack and forces him to change his shot.
7:38 - Good recognition between Walton (low post) and Farmar (at the arc), passing the ball back and forth between them. Realizing that Luke had the size advantage on Chrus Duhon guarding him, the two patiently allowed Walton to get better position, which eventually set up Luke for the easy nine footer.
5:52 - Big Ben may be a four-time defensive player of the year, but that doesn't stop Bynum from going right at him, backing him down, then spinning for the turnaround from five feet out.
3:37 - Some nice D by LO forces Thabo to force up a wild shot, which Bynum quickly scoops up for a 9th rebound. One more board and he's got a double double going, hopefully a good omen for the work he'll do in whatever amount of time Kwame misses.
3:31 - Out of the timeout, Vlad and Sasha enter the mix. I believe we've officially hit the cruise control phase of the game for the Lakers. The only reason Bynum is likely still out there is he can always use the practice (whatever inexperience rook center Aaron Gray has, he's still a load at 7'0"/270) and Mihm's health needs to be preserved.
2:14 - Vlad Rad's wasting no time. He's been in the game about 30 seconds and he's already buried a pair of triples.
1:29 - Sasha buries a trey. He ain't nervous when his team's up 22.
.51 - And if he wasn't nervous with his team up by 22, you better believe Sasha's blood was running ice cold with them up 25. Another three ball buried! I think I've figured out the key to getting the most out of Sasha. Don't ever let him watch the game as it's progressing (I'm thinking blindfold on the bench) or let him look up at the scoreboard. Just tell him the Lakers are way up at all times. He'll have no reason to freak or rush his shot. Money!
Who likes a 106-78 Lakers win? Me, for starters! And I'm sure y'all feel the same way. Nice job taking a third quarter lead and absolutely burying an opponent with that advantage. The Bulls only scored 14 in the third and 18 in the fourth. That, as they say, will get it done. Thanks for dropping by. More to come later.
AK
We are the Team to be reckoned with.. Who's next?
Posted by: trio | November 18, 2007 at 08:50 PM
This game now is in the refrigerator, Kobe & LO should come out before they get hurt. Let Vlad & MO do the finishing touch of the garbage time.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 18, 2007 at 08:51 PM
that star i think is lamars hair, cut it like that cuz hes gonna have an all star season...but it dont look like an all star night for him tonight though.....but hey whatever, lakers still putting the beat down on the bulls
Posted by: andand | November 18, 2007 at 08:51 PM
Sasha looks like a rock star about to hold a concert.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 18, 2007 at 08:55 PM
Vlad is as good this year as he was bad last year. Dude can flat shoot.
Posted by: Vman | November 18, 2007 at 08:55 PM
After this game, shall we stop bashing our own Players and hitting our fellow bloggers? We have to be united, if Bryant and the Lakers play great Teamwork and managed to forget the past then we the bloggers should do the same. Go Lakers!! Go Bloggers!! Go AK/BK!!
The Truth Shall Prevail... The Glory is near..
Posted by: trio | November 18, 2007 at 08:57 PM
another beatdown....
Posted by: man | November 18, 2007 at 08:57 PM
LOL...has anyone noticed andrew really getting upset with not getting rebounds?
Posted by: Bonez | November 18, 2007 at 08:58 PM
what an awesome game by th lakers!!!
Posted by: the WOLF | November 18, 2007 at 08:58 PM
28 point win with Kwam out? I guess he really does hold the Lakers defense solid...
Posted by: socalife | November 18, 2007 at 08:59 PM
BanG!!!!
3 straight winning streak!!!!
Posted by: darkhangelsk | November 18, 2007 at 08:59 PM
The Bench Mob gave the bulls a pre-Thanksgiving massacre. They go back to the windy city as a bunch of turkeys ready to roasting. haha!
Good D and free throws as well. Can't say anything bad except for Kwame's absence against Bogut and KG
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 18, 2007 at 09:03 PM
The Bench Mob is incredible! Who ever heard of a team defined by its bench play the way the Lakers are, all of a sudden.
Farmar's smile during his interview after the game said even more than the interview.
Kwame being able to travel with the team on the road trip is encouraging. Ronny should be back in the starting line-up.
A decisive win this early in the season is a really positive sign.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | November 18, 2007 at 09:05 PM
socalife,
they offer this game for Kwame as their inspiration. he reawakened them before getting a recess. haha!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 18, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Xodus:
Jordan is playing sooooooooo gooooooood! He just might end up starting before the end of the season but he is doing a great job driving the second unit. And he is turning into one of the best 3-point shooters on the team.
Can’t wait to see the Bruins finally win the NCAA now that your gators are gutted. Kevin Love this year and the #1 recruiting class in the nation mark the start of the Bruins dynasty.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 18, 2007 at 09:07 PM
Has anyone noticed how useless Ben Wallece is? The Bulls could switch him for Kwame and won't notice the difference. I mean he's averaging PPG 4.4 RPG 6.50 and he gets paid what? $15,500,000 ???
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!??
At the end of the year i would resign Kwame to the mid level :)
GO LAKERS!!!!! ANDREW "BOARDS" BYNUM!!!
Posted by: Gilly | November 18, 2007 at 09:08 PM
WOW.
Posted by: sixonezero | November 18, 2007 at 09:10 PM
Vman,
COOK!
anyways.. dude our bench is playing like their lives are on the line... WOW.. maybe they should start for us haha...they are playin well.. wow.... i'm loving it...
i think Phil put cookie there just so that he won't mess with the bench mob rotation... sasha was out there in the final quarter trying to get some more PT with them shots haha... man this was a good game -- granted the Bulls are suckin @$$ right now... still... a 20+ point win -- this is incredible...
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: David Whang | November 18, 2007 at 09:13 PM
Celtics got their first loss today. next loss will be on Friday.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 18, 2007 at 09:16 PM
socalife,
I'm still waiting for the quote, unquote, layup line we were supposed to be seeing once Kwame got hurt.
I hated seeing Kwame go down, but let's not forget who he is. A good man defender and a good pick and roll defender. The reason we've played well defensively as of late of is because of solid team defense. Our rotations have improved dramatically since the San Antonio game.
One big man no matter who it is, isn't the difference between a good and bad defensive team, they're just one piece of the puzzle. The Pistons for example lost Ben Wallace and replaced him with Chris Webber the majority of the season and we still one of the better defensive teams in the league.
Were they as good w/o Ben? But they weren't a sieve. We'll miss Kwame's man D, but I think we'll survive as long as Turiaf comes back quickly and everyone else can stay healthy.
Posted by: Xodus | November 18, 2007 at 09:16 PM
BELIEVE!!!
Posted by: pos1t1v3 | November 18, 2007 at 09:23 PM
Everyone on the team was a (+XX), well, everyone with the exception of Kwame Brown (-1)
Posted by: socalife | November 18, 2007 at 09:23 PM
Lakersville, INTERNATIONAL…
By Michael C. Teniente
The Chicago Bulls: Half-Court Offense: Eastern Bubble Team
As you know I like to study the game. This is what I know about the Chicago Bulls. It seems, every year, at the start of the season they’re on the road for a little stretch. I remember this from last year. I remember, last year, that the Bulls started slow. What people are saying about the Bulls, early in this season, is exactly what they were saying last season. That I remember clearly.
Last season the Bulls came to Staples Center at almost this exact time and we handed them their butts. Nothing has changed from last season to this season.
Then towards mid-season to the end of the season they were a pretty good team. To me they look pretty short but that’s to our advantage.
Jordan Farmar played really well last night. In the 3rd quarter he played under control and opportunities came for him so that he can use his talents and make impact plays. Those impact plays allowed the Lakers to turn a close game to a blowout. Good job, Jordan.
I don’t know if it was the Lakers’ defense or Chicago’s reckless play, but the Bulls were shooting a lot of 3s and couldn’t buy a thing. That’s good for us! Those misses allowed the Lakers to blow the game wide open.
Here, I’m watching, in the 4th quarter, and the Lakers are playing scrappy defense. The game is over with the Lakers leading 92-75. It’s over!
As for the Kwame injury…I hope it’s not serious! But even if it’s not, Lakers management should hold Kwame out for the next 5 games. This is the perfect time to see what Bynum is all about. Not just for one game but for a 5 game stretch.
Here’s my theory. Last night’s game was like Magic’s game 6 against the 76ers when Magic put on a show. That was inspired ball. Inspiration is great! But that was the last game of that season. And I also remember the Willis Reed inspired game 7 against the Lakers.
I’m not trying to say that this game has that type of impact. My point is simply inspiration. But unfortunately games that involve inspiration usually last only one game. Well there is the exception of the ’88 Dodgers. The Dodgers won on Kurt Gibson 9th inning, 2 out, 3 balls, and 2 strikes homerun! That Kurt Gibson inspired win lead the Dodgers to roll over the A’s in the World Series.
Again, unfortunately, this is the NBA and it has an 82 game schedule. I’m dying to see if my evaluations are correct.
This is my evaluation:
Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm can’t guard the lane. This is their weakness. They’re not strong enough to hold their ground in and around the paint. What that means is that in the low post their one on one defense, they get backed down pretty easily. But that’s not the problem. The problem is that when their man doesn’t have the ball they get screened out pretty easily. What that means is that lanes are created for easy lay-ups.
From what I’ve seen this happens around the middle of the 2nd quarter. The games will start normal but then they start to break down as the game progresses. Now if this is true, then the Lakers are 50-50 to win or lose. When they win it’ll be because they’re hitting their shots. And normally that would mean a lot of Kobe Bryant.
Now when they’re not hitting the Lakers will be giving close to 110-pts. a game. I hope it’s not that way this season.
But I think Lakers' management owes it to themselves to keep Kwame out to see how the Lakers do with Bynum as the starter for an extended period of time. I’m saying we’re nothing but a 500 team with Bynum. The Lakers need to let Bynum start to see if what they think about him is true. I say he’s fool’s gold! I say he can’t protect the rim over an extended period of time. I say that Bynum will be a double-double guy but the oppenant’s will break the Lakers’ defense down over an extended period of time.
The Lakers are potentially going to invest a lot of money and hopes into Andrew Bynum. I think they should they should start Bynum and take a good for themselves to see what he’s all about going big minutes against other team’s starters.
I say he’ll start out inspired and have a couple of good games. But then I say that the physicality of the game will come in and bite him on the ass.
Even if Kwame’s injury isn’t that serious…keep him out! Lets see what Bynum is all about!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 18, 2007 at 09:23 PM
Kwame Brown is as soft as a twinkie...lol
Posted by: bobie | November 18, 2007 at 09:24 PM
This is good, we beat a team we were supposed to beat after beating a team no one thought we would beat. No letdown.
E
Posted by: Emma | November 18, 2007 at 09:25 PM
No! I didn't say sit Kwame for a game. I said sit Kwame for a 5 game stretch. I want to see what Bynum is all about!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 18, 2007 at 09:27 PM
Kwame will be out a while. The Lakers always downplay injuries at first.
I'm pretty sure he's out a couple months or more. We will be able to see if the Lakers can in without Kwame. Can someone pass the kleenex to Mike T?
Posted by: zen | November 18, 2007 at 09:28 PM
I'll tell you the honest to goodness truth. I did want Kwame out for an extended period of time. I'm hoping it's only for 5 games. But if it's 10 games...so be it! I want to see Bynum in an extended period of time.
I'll tell you a little secret. When I want something it usually happens. It's the power of the mind.
Here's the old saying that I've been developing over the last 20 years.
Should it be according to thy mind? he (the spirit) will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
Awwwh, you're barking up the wrong tree people! I will prove my point with the power of my mind.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 18, 2007 at 09:33 PM
Mike T,
78 points hows that for defense, i guess kwame not being there didnt really make that much difference. And more that that if you look at the shot chart their point were outside the paint for the most part.
Posted by: ose | November 18, 2007 at 09:35 PM
Anyone catch what Patrick ONeil said after the Jordan Farmar interview at the end of the game.......
"The BENCH MOB RULES"!!!!!!!..........Ya BABY!!!!!
ALL of the second team scored in double figures. I know it was only Chicago, but you gotta give them credit for a great job when they were in the game. Laker rosters of the past few years team didn't have this kind of team mentality, or this kind of talent. I'm telling all of you this team can win 55 games IF, they stay healthy. This up and coming road trip will be a good barometer because the last game will be with the Celtics one day after a second back to back game. Should you be getting excite? HELL YAH! You better be. Damn if we pull one out at Boston you can throw out the kitchen sink because it's going to get hot in here and I won't put out the fire until we hit 55!!
GO LAKERS!
All together!!! Come on jump on the Bandwagon....
BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB! BENCH MOB!!!!!!!!........COME ON JUMP ON THE WAGON!!!
Come on MAMBA tell it like it is..." The Bench Mob RULES!! "
The Bench Mob President,
Nes
Have a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXOwKgvJuDk
Posted by: NestrosBistro | November 18, 2007 at 09:37 PM
"From what I'm watching this is why: Both Bynum and Mihm are easy to push around. In other words they get screened out pretty easy to create lanes to the basket. There's nothing these two guys can do about that because that's about strength. Another thing to watch is how both Bynum and Mihm are weak on their offensive pic's and how on defense they don't show and stop the action like Kwame does. By stopping the action I mean blocking penetration.
What does it all mean?
LAY-UP PARADE!"
Hmm. In the first 44 and a half minutes without Kwame, the Lakers held the Bulls to 71 points - while scoring 100. Not exactly a lay-up parade - even though you obviously were hoping that would be the case. Not that the Bulls are great inside - although Big Ben is sort of what Kwame hopes his career can achieve.
Not that I'm happy that Kwame is injured - the Lakers need him on this roadtrip. But the claim that inside defense would collapse without Kwame just were not true. Kwame's good inside - but Bynum survived well, AND played much better offensively than Kwame has this season.
Posted by: akrasian | November 18, 2007 at 09:37 PM
His injury isn't going to be for that long. Maybe 10 games at the most. Kwame was going up when Ben fell on him. If Kwame was planted on the floor when Ben fell on him it would be serious.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 18, 2007 at 09:38 PM
"Kurt Gibson"
Kirk Gibson. I know he's white, but you can still spell his name correctly, especially since he won a poll for doing the most memorable thing in LA sports history.
Posted by: akrasian | November 18, 2007 at 09:43 PM
hey AK/BK
Love the new blog look
Posted by: bob | November 18, 2007 at 09:46 PM
You will see that lay-up parade coming over an extended period of time. Just kick back and watch. If I'm wrong I'm wrong. But wait for a few games.
I'm mean look at the 2nd quarter. The Bulls started hitting the lane and making lay-ups. Remember last year? The Lakers beat the Bulls almost the same way as they did last night? Remember Bynum had a big game against Ben Wallace? Remember the Bulls, in that game, played with a lot of 3-pt shots, missed, and lost?
Don't you remember all this stuff?
The Bulls don't match well with the Lakers.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 18, 2007 at 09:47 PM
The STH Report - 11/18 against Chicago
The ticket reads: "On July 9, 1968 the Lakers acquire Wilt Chamberlain from Philadelphia"
And so started the era of a great Los Angeles Lakers big man...As soon as Kwame went down I pretty much just started doing shots in the Platinum Lounge since I knew the game was in the bag. On a personal level - no one wants to see someone go down like that and it looked pretty brutal from where I was sitting. I was drunk the rest of the game. Streamers flew. Randy sang. They handed out coupons for free tacos.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 18, 2007 at 09:48 PM
Hope they suit Java now that the Kwam is down.
Posted by: Vman | November 18, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Kwame is garbage. I know he's a good defensive body, but a guy who's built like kwame is should almost never get injured, and here he is out almost as often as he's in. Let's just hope we can get him a few minutes of playing time and then ship his A%$ out before the trade deadline (god bless the value of expiring contracts).
Posted by: kyle | November 18, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Tom,
>>>Is it just me or is it that everytime Mihm comes into a game Lakers are
>>>minus in points category.
Before this game, that was true.
Tonight the Lakers were +7 with Chris on the floor.
Of course they were +22 while Bynum was on the floor and +23 when
Farmar was on the floor!!!!
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 18, 2007 at 09:55 PM
Mike T
Come on Mike!! The Bulls were firing away from the outside because there was nothing there for them in the paint. They tried but had to kick out. Dude your better then that!!
I really dont know how we will do without Kwame. But for this game Andrew and Mihm did a pretty good job. Very few layups, contested a lot of shots. I just wish you would admit it when these guys do well. It would make your critisim more real when they dont. I mean 78 points allowed in the NBA is a good job no matter who you are playing.
MH
Posted by: michael h | November 18, 2007 at 09:58 PM
What's great is how the team is winning.... HOW
Like the Laker FAITH-ful have been preaching, DEFENSE!
They haven't produced a lackluster effort yet, that includes NO & SAS. Those games they were simply beat, but the effort was there. Last year it wasn't so.
I hope Kwame is okay, that was a brutal play. I was not pleased that Ben Wallace felt he had to throw himself across the lane like that to pick up the foul. There's no way Kobe hit him THAT hard, Ben Wallace is no feather weight, but he made Kwame a bowling pin. Ouch, double ouch.
We need Kwame, especially against the teams with larger big men.
Bonez, I also noticed Socks getting PO'd when he couldn't grab the rebounds. Even when his own team wound up getting it, if he felt that he could have contributed more to the rebound, he was upset.
That is FIRE. That is PASSION. Those are the things that make great players!
As mentioned above, Kwame unfortunately had another negative lenovo.
Meanwhile Bynum's Lenovo was +22.
The only guy higher? Well, as I always say,
Like a Jordan Farmar 42 inch vertical, the Lakers are on the RISE!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | November 18, 2007 at 10:00 PM
"You will see that lay-up parade coming over an extended period of time. Just kick back and watch. If I'm wrong I'm wrong. But wait for a few games."
i.e. you were wrong tonight. Give it a few games, and maybe we will forget your prediction.
Look, I've said that Kwame is good defensively - but don't pretend that he's a defensive god. Without him in the lineup the Lakers will lose some things. They will also gain some things - especially in terms of rebounding, shot blocking, and offense. Will the Lakers be worse off without their second best center? Of course. But they won't be crippled. The worst hit is in terms of depth - if Mihm or Bynum get injured, or get into early foul trouble, the Lakers would have issues - particularly if Turiaf isn't back yet.
Posted by: akrasian | November 18, 2007 at 10:01 PM
Great game Lakerfans! They (chicago) were who we thought they were (lol) this is how u beat a bottom feeder. Yes Chicago started out slow last year..but guess what?? This aint last year..im seeing a lot from Jordan..I always knew he could be a good point..Kobe looks very healthy..he's conserving energy from not hving to shoot so much..and Lamar..well..he was Lamar. ..put up a Quarter friday against a better team then slumps tonight(weird). Bench Mob?? haha sweet name!
Posted by: Lakeraholic | November 18, 2007 at 10:03 PM
"but a guy who's built like kwame is should almost never get injured"
Now that's about the sillies thing I've ever heard. Watch how Ben Wallace fell on him. How isn't he supposed to be hurt no matter how big he is.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 18, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Everyone, I think we should remember that with Kwame in, the Bulls were held to only 9 points. The moment he went down, the Bulls went on a spree, scoring a whopping 69 points!
Which would you rather have, a guy who holds the opposition to 9 points, or a guy that allows a team to score 69?
The answer is pretty simple.
Like a Jordan Farmar 42 inch vertical, the Lakers are on the RISE!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | November 18, 2007 at 10:07 PM
Yeah, agree Kwame is just garbage.
I dont think his worth even $1 Million.
Posted by: ogurat | November 18, 2007 at 10:08 PM
mike,
if you really want something and it usually happens, how about wanting the lakers to win the championship this season. let's put your power of the mind to the test
Posted by: Levy | November 18, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Vman
>>>Too bad Critt can't play garbage time.
Yep. When they're up 20 or more with a couple of minutes left, it would be
nice to see him get some PT. With Kwame injured, maybe they'll suit the
Critter for the next few games.
>>>Vlad is as good this year as he was bad last year. Dude can flat shoot.
No kidding. I was really perturbed that the Lakers didn't cancel his contract
when he violated it and got injured, but If he can keep up this level of
shooting for the whole year, he'll be worth every penny he's paid.
And you didn't give props to the teams other marksman... Sasha was two
for two from three point land tonight. I don't expect him to get a ton of run
this season, but it's good to know that if someone gets injured that he can
step in and contribute some scoring off the bench.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 18, 2007 at 10:12 PM
"Yeah, agree Kwame is just garbage.
I dont think his worth even $1 Million."
A guy who can do an important thing very well is worth more than $1 million in the NBA. Kwame's not as good as one or two posters claim he is - but he is a worthwhile player. Role players in the NBA sometimes get the mid-level exemption, if their skills are needed enough. And it's nice to have a guy who is above average at man to man against top big men. He's just not good enough to be a worth starter once Bynum matures - possibly this season, certainly by next season.
Posted by: akrasian | November 18, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Lakers victory was a good game psychologically for Kobe. It proves that Bulls are mo greener pasture than the Lakers. They may have no Jim Buss around but the team that was put up by Paxton are all NCAA calibers. Their games are basically playground basketball just shoot and run either on the outside but inconsistent too, then they kicked into lay ups & power dunks but they don't take care of D and also poor in foul management. After running hard for the first two quarters, they were not conditioned to go for 48 minutes, they got tired when lakers started to run, the bulls lost the competitive spirit. It is like a boxer aggressive in the opening rounds but come the 10th about to call a night and let all the defenses down. Great coaching from the Lakers in pacing their players and kept the energy high in the last Q.
Therefore, this will convince Kobe to scratch Chicago as a destination in the future. He's better off to go to Orlando in 2011. haha! With the bulls they need a good Center than a shooting guard to make this team competititve. Secondly, change the coach go for Larry Brown.
The next game will be the Pacers. This time it is for LO and Bynum to step up and prove to everyone that the decision not to go for JO trade was the correct one. Again this is all part of the motivation to play doubly hard on the road. There will always be growing pains in every player and getting out to the shell of maturity is always challenging. It needs a lot of timing and poise like what Bynum is doing. He is improving yet continue to be humble in his demeanor. LO is coming off from injury, he carved a star haircut on his head to remind him of his mission but as I said it takes a lot of challenge to get off that former old self, it requires time and perseverance to do again and again until you reach that objective.
I hope they don't take a lot of turkeys against the Pacers, Bucks and Celtics. We want it all their turkeys not ours, but being greedy a Celtics win will always memorable for good times sake.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 18, 2007 at 10:20 PM