Ain't no Fish story here
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No, you're not hearing tales of urban legend material such as Bigfoot, the chupacabra or an adorable water horse. This is a true story. The Lakers definitely beat the Grizzlies 117-101 last night. And Derek Fisher absolutely put Memphis behind the 8-Ball from moment one with a hotter than Georgia asphault. 10-11 from the field and 5-5 from distance, Fish thrilled his family and friends from nearby Little Rock with his Memphis-based shooting clinic. And according to his buddy Kobe Bryant, the point guard's stats should bear a perfect night no matter where the ball was launched. You can quibble about the performance of this pro's pro. You could also quibble that the Laker win was slightly blemished by the team's inability to absolutely stomp Memphis into the ground, as opposed to merely shutting down each rally their opponent staged. Then again, the box score's point spread was still a sugary-sweet 16, so why get caught up in the negativity? Especially when positive vibes will be needed for...
... tonight's showdown in New Orleans against the Hornets (5:00 PM PST, KCAL), who present a decidedly tougher task than Memphis. Their sting is often brought on by scary good floor general Chris Paul, who's providing a blueprint change when it comes to young lead guard style. CP3 is stat guru John Hollinger's pick to start at the point for the Western Conference All-Star squad, an honor that would team him up with, shock of all shocks, Kobe Bryant. The inevitable nod in this year's shindig will undoubtedly make Kobe happy (but won't likely touch him in the same way as his work with the Make-A-Wish foundation).
N'Awlin's center Tyson Chandler is a rebounding machine, one more reason Phil Jackson prefers playing Lamar Odom closer to the basket. But even beyond tonight's action, PJ feels it brings out the best in LO's game when he's working down low. The 4-spot isn't LO's first choice, but he won't raise any issues over the matter.
Go Fish!!!
Posted by: Charles | January 09, 2008 at 09:34 AM
ak, bk, about time you guys post! don't u know you guys have lots of readers waiting for your blog? :) great game last night, tonight is going to be tough.
gerry
Posted by: gerry | January 09, 2008 at 09:53 AM
NO next and it'll be a tough game to win
Posted by: LAL_Fan | January 09, 2008 at 09:54 AM
A couple of reposts that I just posted to a previous blog:
Laker Lover,
>>>By going with a combo of Ariza and Luke, the lakers are saying neither is good enough to play
>>>starters minutes at the SF position.
>>>
>>>Thats not the recipe for a championship team as I have suggested many times because a team
>>>will not get consistent production without consistent minutes.
Tell that to Michael Finley, Manu Ginobili, and the Spurs.
-----------------------------------------------------------
hariyahu and Laker Lover,
On the defense thing. I think the Lakers are playing good defense (4th best opponent shooting % is
a key stat - also point differential is one of the highest in the league). Mike T gets all flustered about
the number of points they give up. I'm making the point that the number of points given up isn't the
key stat for indicating how good your defense is, nor is a pure indicator that you're going to win games.
Since you mentioned that you think the Lakers would have a better chance at a championship if they
gave up closer to 90 points per game than 100 points per game, let me quote you a few numbers:
104.0, 105.3, 106.9, 106.4, 107.3, 104.9, and 101.8
Those are the average points given up by the Lakers teams that won the championships in 1980,
1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2001, and 2002.
There's only one Laker team in the last 30 years who gave up less than 100 ppg for a season, and
that was the 1999-2000 championship team. They gave up 98.4 points, which isn't that far under 100.
This season the Lakers are giving up 101.4 points per game, and I think they are perfectly capable
of going pretty far giving up that many points. As long as they keep scoring 107.5 themselves, they
should do just fine.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | January 09, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Haha, AK/BK got into urban legend, next time Lochness will be discovered in this blog.
Many in this blog were not convinced of D' Fish and he was called OLD when he was shipped out in '05. A big blunder!!! If Fish were the PG, da' glove was not traded to Boston's, Lakers could have continued competing for the finals if not the league, here in the West.
Frankly, I did not watch the game last night, I was glued on the thrilling horse race of come back girl. I know the Lakers would win and they would duplicate that against the Hornets just go with my suggestions in the previous thread: slow down Chris Paul, push Tyson out of the paint and shadow box Peja
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 09, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Mark Heisler still hates Kobe Bryant!
"Chris Paul leads changing of the guards". Why didn't he just call it "Chris Paul great, Kobe sucks!".
While every newspaper in the country is writing articles about Kobe's MVP season. While all the radio and TV announcers are calling Kobe the best player in basketball today. While the fans in the opponents arena chant Kobe MVP! Heisler writes a lengthy article describing how the new era of NBA guards "dominate games". Heisler names Paul, Nash, Parker, Iverson, Davis... just about every NBA guard young and old. How is that possible he does not include Kobe on this list?
Please, editors at the LA Times stop the madness! There are plenty of sports writers all across the country that are not delusional or have some axe to grind, that can write an unbiased piece about the NBA. Can you send Heisler to New Orleans where he can write fluff pieces on Chris Paul. Even the editors in NO would not stand for his hatred of Kobe Bryant.
Posted by: Tiki 90036 | January 09, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Edwin Gueco,
>>>Is it by coincidence when Sasha, Vlad, Luke and Chris were not playing, Lakers were winning
>>>big w/ less T/O's?
If you're talking about the Philadelphia game, it's the coincidence of playing against one of the worst
teams in the league. If you look at stats per minute played, Crittenton is the biggest turnover
machine on the Lakers, followed by Coby Karl, then Kobe, then Kwame, then Farmar, then Walton.
So if you think reducing turnovers is what the Lakers need, then they should bench Critter, Coby,
Kobe, Kwame, and Farmar before they bench Walton. Oh, and Sasha has the second LEAST turnover
ratio on the team (only Ariza turns the ball over less).
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | January 09, 2008 at 10:05 AM
The Lakers have won 13 of their last 16 with Bynum as the starting center. Yea we should bench that big stiff
Posted by: zen | January 09, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Just throwing the Curry and Lee for any combo of Odom, Mihm, Brown, Rad and Crit trade out for comments again. Kobe's work with kids never gets the national highlight it should, the guy genuinely cares about kids and gets along great with them. He doesn't get along with adults i think because he doesn't trust them but you can generally trust a kid and the funny thing is i think kids can sense when someone is genuine better than adults. So maybe Kobe is not such a bad person after all.
Posted by: max | January 09, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Jesus-Freaking-Christ. That Make-A-Wish story is just a heart-breaker.
Posted by: mel | January 09, 2008 at 10:18 AM
K' Bros!
Thanks for the post. Can you tell us how many hits you will have on this blog when you post a new column in the blog? I am very curious as this might be the fastest growing blog..
Posted by: Disgruntled,Frustrated Laker Fan | January 09, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Tiki 90036
He was referring to point guards. Kobe is a shooting guard. Take a deep breath........and release.
Posted by: Lakalova | January 09, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Tiki 90036,
I believe Heisler was commenting about PG's not Sg's. (From the way I interpreted the article) Though Iverson and Davis are of the SG mentality, but he was in reference to players that play the point.
Have a good one sir!!!!
Posted by: Charles | January 09, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I think the Lakers should apply the same defensive philosophy to CP that they do to Nash. Make him a scorer. Take away all his passing options. Even though Paul is more comfortable in that roll, his teammates will still feel the effects of being taken out of the offense.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 09, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Look at the standings...
Lakers out of first place in the Western Conference by only one game in the loss column?
Who would have thought? Amazing.
Posted by: lone star laker fan | January 09, 2008 at 10:36 AM
LTLF,
Don't dispute your point at all - the number of possessions absolutely has an impact on the ppg we are giving up. But I also watch the games, and the difference I see between the top 3 (Spurs, Pistons, Celtics) and us is quite a bit. We have a ways to go before we get as consistent as them. What I see is usually spurts of good defense, players rotating to cover each other and generally making it tough for the opponent to drive on us. But then all too frequently, we revert back to so-so defense. Prolly has a lot to do with youth, and so no reason to believe we can't get better.
As to your point, on stats from years past, the game has changed! Our offense is good, but the day we get our defense consistent is the day we take that next leap, to the elite.
Posted by: hariyahu | January 09, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I hope the Lakers win tonight's ball game which I think they will. I would try and predict, but I think they come out with a win if they make CP 3 a scorer rather than the prolific passer he is. I just finished reading the article of the Make-A-Wish foundation and it literally made me tearful. It would be nice for one day Kobe be mentioned for all of his non-basketball related charity instead of bashing him for being selfish. Some argue that him being selfish is a reflection of the person he is. Since when are these media reporters psychologists that they can interpret who Kobe is. Kobe is a phenomenal player, but what makes him stand out is his appreciation for life and willing to make a wish come true. Many people don't care outside of their lives, but someone who works hard at what he does and still takes the time to visit teh children who are ill is simply remarkable. Don't judge a book by its cover.
Posted by: David | January 09, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Lakers_sth,
"I think the Lakers should apply the same defensive philosophy to CP that they do to Nash. Make him a scorer. Take away all his passing options. Even though Paul is more comfortable in that roll, his teammates will still feel the effects of being taken out of the offense."
Amen Brother. Plus Ariza hopefully won't leave Peja open, the way Vlad left him open scoring 9-10 three's?
Peace sir!!!
Posted by: Charles | January 09, 2008 at 10:52 AM
At least we did what we needed to do! Last year you never knew what Lakers team would show up.
I know it doesn't mean much, but the lenovo last night:
Kwame Brown -1, Andrew Bynum +17
Regarding point differential and points given up... I think a great stat to evaluate would be a derivative. Look at the point differential as a percentage of points scored or given up. Or just look at points per possession on offense & defense.
I concur that we are NOT on the level of Spurs, Pistons, or Celts. Though, I do believe we have some chance at beating Spurs & Pistons in a series, I see no way we ever win a series against Boston.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | January 09, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Please get the Idiot Knick fans who keep wanting to dump Eddy Curry's sorry @$$ to our beloved Lakers out of this blog. It's starting to get really annoying now. Nobody wants his non rebounding, non defense playing, no heart having @$$ on our team. GARBAGE GARBAGE GARBAGE.
well now that I got that out of my system, big thumbs up to Mamba for his work in Make-a-Wish foundation.
Posted by: sixonezero | January 09, 2008 at 10:58 AM
"Hey AK/BK....you guys should avoid posting things that Kobe does in the community like Make-a-wish foundation...you should know the rules since 1996...KOBE BRYANT MUS BE HATED AT ALL COSTS! Not even the CIA could conspire a better plot against John F Kennedy than the biased pundits in the sports world (especially LA TIMES) are doing against Kobe. You must never post should a good deed again, Kobe Bryant must continue to be hated and looked upon as the selfish ball hogging prima donna who got away with rape. We have to make sure that the sports world continues to preach the message of hatred towards Kobe...make him look like a Clinton!"---
Ok, seriously. Kobe Bryant is having a fabulous season, he doesn't have to shoot as much anymore, he's sang the chorus for defense through his plays on and off the ball, and his teammates have bought in and are now signing along with him. Kobe right now, has to be the most rested of the elite players...even T-Mac who is more often injured is putting in more work Kobe at this point. It keeps him fresh, and this young team will develop throughout the season and then come playoffs, they will have a chance of making the spurs grow gray throughout the series (granted we meet them), Phoenix will need prosthetic legs if the Lakers improve and they meet...The Lakers match up extremely well with anyone in the league.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed...go Lakers!
Posted by: rhon.salmon | January 09, 2008 at 10:59 AM
610,
Lol!!!! (Knicks Fan)
Yes the make a wish article is great for us fans....
Posted by: Charles | January 09, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I'm actually most scared of the Pistons. They've got a great starting 5 and a good bench - Flip Murray actually is not getting minutes even in the second unit! The weakest link on that team is the coach!
Good news is that who (Pistons/Celts) ever gets to the Finals will be banged up after getting past the other. Not that it is any easier in the WCF.
Posted by: hariyahu | January 09, 2008 at 11:07 AM
LTLF,
Vman, Here comes the stat man, I casually mentioned the phrase he quoted me on the previous threads, he dragged the same issue on this thread. Wow, LTLF, I thought you followed the criticisms of Staple24 after the Sixers game that you ate the crow, now you're again in rampage against Critt who played last night for few minutes who made one T/O, one steal, one assist and one PF and no points for 6 minutes. I defended Critt but I did not discover him, it was Cupcake who discovered and was first mentioned here by Korey. I just admire his game if given some time not during garbage time with Kwame for two minutes. With regards to observation you quoted of other players like Sasha, Vlad, Chris and Luke, I will stick to my point, Lakers will win even if they are not playing.
Again LTLF, what is said in the previous thread, post your comment in that thread and if you're not convinced that's OK. As I have said before, it is OK to be disagreeable, everyone here have their own opinions. I have expressed mine, you have expressed yours, and if we disagree, why don't we end it there?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 09, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Cavs are also a match-up nightmare. They've got 5 scorers in the starting 5 and Coach Brown has made sure they defend.
Look at their starting lineup - Z,Gooden,LBJ,Pavlovic and Larry Hughes. They are all 6'5" and above (moving Larry to PG has made him and consequently the team more effective - he doesn't become a jump shooter ). They don't need a pure PG as such since LBJ will take care of distributing the rock. Because of the height advantage they have, they consistently outrebound the opposition. And they have Varjeao and Boobie off the bench. If they get Bibby or Miller without giving up too much, they can give the Celts/Pistons a run for their money.
Posted by: hariyahu | January 09, 2008 at 11:13 AM
aw K Bros, I would call...but I just lost the number!
Posted by: Faith | January 09, 2008 at 11:16 AM
After 10 years of people saying he was Kobe "ballhog" Bryant, I think I've figured out why Kobe sometimes forces the issue and takes crappy shots. I've realized that it's more than just not trusting his teammates or trying to get a scoring title.
1) He is trying to disrupt the rhythm of certain players out on the floor.
2) He is trying to get certain players in foul trouble.
Kobe was clearly doing weird shots and off balance drives yesterday to try and get Miller out of the game because he knows if Miller goes off, Memphis does.
I just wanted to point out that it's not always about Kobe like some Kobe haters believe. Kobe sometimes takes ill-advised shots for other reasons.
Posted by: zen | January 09, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Charles - If anything is written on the wipeboard in the locker room, it should be "Peja" plain and simple.
Even though CP3 is an assist machine (3rd in the league), the Hornets are 21st in the league in assists per game AS A TEAM, while the Lakers are 3rd. NO's offense is built around CP setting up his teammates but not much else. Since he accounts for half his team's assists, shutting down his passing should be very effective. Don't get me wrong. If I were Byron Scott, I'd build my offense around CP also. But his inflated assists numbers are just a reflection of how their offense is set up and should give the key as to how to take them down.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 09, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Hey, Pat Riley said he may step down after the season LOL!!
Did you guys see that? Amazing, well, he did get them the championship so its has been worthwhile to have him around but that is hilarious. When they are good he coaches, when they suck, he goes to the front office.
Posted by: The Original Ken | January 09, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Faith,
The number is (310) 984-7600, if you're still hankering to call.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | January 09, 2008 at 11:35 AM
lakers_sth,
Ditto to my ditto, to your ditto.
Posted by: Charles | January 09, 2008 at 11:35 AM
lakers_sth,
I completely agree with you. Run Fish, Farmar, and Critt at CP all game and have everyone else try and "stay home" on their guys as much as possible.
Posted by: Andrew Z | January 09, 2008 at 11:38 AM
The Original Ken,
Pat Riley always does this...When the going gets tough and he has no chance of winning, he quits. Doesn't want to hurt his precious win/loss record I guess.
Posted by: zen | January 09, 2008 at 11:41 AM
KBros,
I wish you guys would go back to the 12 noon slot. I'd be calling every week...
Posted by: Charles | January 09, 2008 at 11:49 AM
The Original Ken,
We miss the original Ken of '06, who is this other Ken?
Anyway, you are right with Riles, he always like the limelight since he catapulted to coaching career in '82. He got used to success with the Showtime Lakers and when he's not in competition for the finals, he moves on to another team. He failed to bring Championship to the Knicks, he moved to the Heat. He got one with D'Wave and at the tail end of Shaq, Zo and Payton's careers he was aggressive in getting the job from Van Gundy, now that they are struggling and soon to be developing team, he wants to be in the limelight of being the President of the Heat to vie for Kevin Love.
Unfortunately, the law of nature works - what goes around, comes around. If there is prosperity today, somehow there will be depression in the future. Leadership is exercised not only when you're on the top but also when you're at the bottom.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 09, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Hey Tiki -
I agree with what the rest of the guys said about Heisler's article. It sounded like he was referring to point guards. And Kobe is obviously not a point guard. I agree with Charles' assessment that Iverson and Baron Davis have more of a shooting guard type of mentality - in fact, I believe Iverson is playing the shooting guard position right now. However, they have played the majority of their careers in the point guard position.
So you may be looking too far into Heisler's article. Which is pretty ironic, because your argument kind of exposed you as Heisler-esque in your distaste for Heisler with his apparent distaste for Kobe. You've become what you despise. Go figure.
Posted by: ahlayn | January 09, 2008 at 11:50 AM
AK and BK and Eric:
First time I have listened in to the live radio. Great discussion on where to play Lamar Odom and what to do with Kwame. Enjoyed Eric's comments as always. I agree that with Bynum and Odom as our front court, we are the best rebounding force in the league. I also agree that Lamar is best as a power forward. We need to keep him around the basket. Great discussion about Kwame.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | January 09, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Where's the lakers chat room link guys?
Posted by: Charles | January 09, 2008 at 11:55 AM
lol AK...I thought it was 984310...
ok, I'll be sure to.
By the way, JUST SAY NO TO KURT THOMAS!
Just say yes to the Kwam at 6 mil a year!
Posted by: Faith | January 09, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I say 3-5 mill for kwame.... thats it...
Posted by: Charles | January 09, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I just read the Riley article..What a load of cr**! He had no problem doing both jobs when we was winning a championship..What it boils down to is that he doesn't want to coach unless they have the talent to win.
Posted by: zen | January 09, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I actually predicted this on the blog weeks ago...I'm psychic Zen
Posted by: zen | January 09, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Long Laker fan gave some of the best stats i have seen outside of around the horn sometimes on the show. also there is nothing wrong with having to prominent small forwards i applaud Coach for his football like subs he uses from time to time. Adjusting to each match up .
Posted by: | January 09, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Thomas does average more rebounds and has a higher eff, in Seattle at least, but does his smaller size and weight mean that he won't be able to defend the duncans and garnetts of the world?
Posted by: ajax | January 09, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Ajax,
Thomas did a pretty solid job bodying Duncan last year during the Suns-Spurs series. Dude is a good defender. He might not be able to body TD as well as Kwame, but in the meantime, he can rebound and shoot, meaning it opens up more options on the floor, not to mention makes it harder to double team Kobe or Drew. Thomas can hit 15 footers all day if you leave him alone. And Kurt is more durable.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | January 09, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Edwin Gueco,
Well since I saw someone else posting as Ken I thought I'd add a different flavour to my name. :) I'm the one that everyone jumped all over about Bynum a few years ago LOL! Remember Bynum V Kaman.
Posted by: The Original Ken | January 09, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Lakers_sth,
We missed your description of the crowd, the players and fans at Staples after Lakers games. Have you not been attending games lately?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 09, 2008 at 12:06 PM
AK,
"Thomas did a pretty good job bodying Duncan last year during the Suns-Spurs series"
Not good enough! Duncan still dominated the series and the Spurs won..I think Kwame can do just as good a job or better and he's younger.
Posted by: zen | January 09, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Faith, Ak
I say we keep Kwame' and trade Vlade and that trade exception to Seattle for Kurt Thomas. What do you guys think about that?
Posted by: The Original Ken | January 09, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Original Ken,
Vlad and the Sonics didn't part on the greatest of terms when they traded him to the Clips. I seriously doubt they're gonna take him back, especially with a long term deal attached and not playing well. That wouldn't make much sense for a rebuilding team.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | January 09, 2008 at 12:10 PM