Maybe not with a bullet, but they're No. 1
Given their current circumstances, it's hard to figure on it lasting all that long, but this morning at least, the Lakers wake up as the best team in the Western Conference, courtesy of a 123-121 OT win over the Sonics in Seattle Monday night. It was hardly easy, and if the game was any indication of what life without Andrew Bynum is going to look like, folks might want to make sure their home defibrillator is charged and encourage Kobe to get all the rest he can between games.
The former because for the second night in a row, the Lakers found themselves in a close game against a less than spectacular opponent, and the latter because for one night at least, the L.A. offense was W.K.O.B.E. Radio: All Kobe, All the Time. 48 points on 21-44 from the floor, including huge points down the stretch and the game winner in OT, a patented Kobe pull up jumper from 18 feet. It was a night where 24 felt he needed to be more assertive, considering the mood of the squad. It was a night of offense as the Sonics attack, not exactly robust of late, found room to roam on the Lakers D- particularly Nick Collison (24/18) inside.
The young Sonics did their best to keep up with Kobe, but the box shows it just wasn't enough. Kobe was just too much... though if this is the only way for the Lakers to win in Bynum's absence, it's going to be tough going for 24 for the next two months. It 's a matter of holding down the fort until a healthy Bynum can return, which (unfortunately for their rivals) could be in enough time for the Lakers to return to their form of, well, about three days ago. Meanwhile, speculation about everything from how the team will fare to how it will impact the previously dormant "Kobe Situation" begins.
That, and where exactly the Lakers, desperately short on the front line, might find a big to tide them over (Webber? Brown? Mbenga? Other?). Webber says he'll be back soon... but not with the Pistons. Hmmm....
Not all the news is bad. Marc Stein's Power Rankings, for example, remind fans the Lakers do have some depth.
It was good that they got the "W". I was very dissappointed with Kwame's defense and Lamar's easy misses. I hope they do a better job on Thursday.
AK/BK,
How long before we get "The Machine" back in action.
Posted by: Island_Gamer | January 15, 2008 at 09:20 AM
It was good that they got the "W". I was very dissappointed with Kwame's defense and Lamar's easy misses. I hope they do a better job on Thursday.
AK/BK,
How long before we get "The Machine" back in action.
Posted by: Island_Gamer | January 15, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Hey guys,
Can anyone post the Thorpe article about Bynum ( ESPN Insider pass required.)?
Also, if the Suns were to beat us, we can say that they beat us without Bynum. I hope that we come out with Guns Blazing. I want our bench to score 40 on them and make them pay for each second they have their bench in.
Bynum is a warrier. This kid is going to get us to the promised land with Kobe. Did you hear the props that Kobe gave him? "We are a CHAMPION CALIBER TEAM WITH BYNUM IN THE MIDDLE".
I BELIEVE!
janaya
Posted by: janaya | January 15, 2008 at 09:24 AM
LAKERS ARE 1-0 IN GAMES GENERIC_ONE ATTENDS
Awesome game last night, people. I was reppin the Purple & Gold hardcore in the Emerald City.
Posted by: generic_one | January 15, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Are you listening Mike T? Kobe said last night that Bynum was a "Phenominal player. We are a championship caliber team with him in the lineup."
He never has said that with Kwame Brown!
I think last nights game was pretty obvious how important Bynum is to this team.
Posted by: zen | January 15, 2008 at 09:30 AM
If I have to hear or read about Kwame's defensive prowess for the next two months all I have to say is, Nick Collison!!!!
Posted by: Mitch | January 15, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Last nights game was a perfect example of why Bynum is overvalued.
Sure, Bynum may have the best fg% in the league, but that is only because other people are setting him up for dunks. He can't make moves on his own as we all know. And the only reason Bynum gets all those rebounds is because he is out of position on defense and stays close to the basket. And the only reason Bynum gets all those blocks is because he can't move his feet like the GOD Kwame Brown.
Yes Lakers fans, if there is anything that Kwame Brown's magnificent performance showed us last night it is that Andrew Bynum is FOOL'S GOLD. Don't believe the Bynum hype--he is a joke and unreliable.
Kwame Brown, as you witness last night, is a double double MACHINE. And more important, Kwame Brown is a defensive GOD. Did you see how Kwame shut down the Sonic penetration and how he basically dominiated the paint defensively?
Kwame Brown is the REAL DEAL. Andrew Bynum is FOOL'S GOLD.
With Kwame Brown back starting you will see the Lakers start to win games again.
Posted by: Stranger in the Night | January 15, 2008 at 09:30 AM
I know that a lot of bloggers will be critical of Kobe taking too many shots, but I didn't have a major problem with it. By far, the majority of his shots were easy by his standards - very few really forced attempts. And we still had about five people in double figures and the team scored over it's season average. Not saying that I would like to see this as an every night occurrence, just that I was ok with it as far as last night. Some of the other Lakers were not hitting their shots - especially Lamar. I didn't feel that his team mates were deferring to him although once he had the ball good luck getting it back.
Also, while not a Kwame fan, I thought he did a reasonable job considering the pressure that he must be feeling.
Roger
Posted by: Roger B | January 15, 2008 at 09:32 AM
I don't think kobecentrism is the answer. he needs to get everybody else involved now more than ever. Before Bynum evolved into the beast we were beating teams because of contributions from everyone else. Our bench unit made a nice run the first time kobe went to the bench. The problem is then preventing a counter-run. When kobe shoots 40 times nobody else gets into rhythm, their confidence wanes and we suffer on both ends of the floor. PJ needs to sit this team down and tell them not to panic. We're still good. Bynum wasn't the only thing standing between us giving up 120 ppg.
Posted by: James Hastings | January 15, 2008 at 09:33 AM
"Enviable depth" (from Stein's rankings)??
Like Vlad, Sasha, and Mihm? Or an obscenely one-dimensional Kwame?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | January 15, 2008 at 09:33 AM
The Lakers Suns game will be tough to watch without Drew in the middle cause thats when he's been most dominant.
Since last game kobe sensed the team was not ready to play he was aggressive, but we all know we need lamar and luke in the post to win the phoenix game.
go to the post lamar!!!
Posted by: greek dude | January 15, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Is it true that Chris Mihm is coming back in two weeks?
but man, looking ahead, the upcoming tough games on the calendar aren't going to be forgiving....
Posted by: JusmanX | January 15, 2008 at 09:34 AM
With 27 games before Drew gets back... looks like Kobe will win his third straight scoring title if he keeps this up
Posted by: Imanuel David | January 15, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Where does Kevin Ding get off making a supposition like this:
"...but now Brown will get a chance at increased playing time to earn a better contract, too. Brown will take a substantial pay cut from his current $9.1 million salary wherever he lands."
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 15, 2008 at 09:37 AM
In the LA Times articles, PJ echoes the concerns that I and other bloggers expressed yesterday:
"Along the way, the core big men -- Kwame Brown, Ronny Turiaf and Odom -- will accrue more and more minutes, a prospect that didn't excite Lakers Coach Phil Jackson.
"This is how the dominoes start to fall on teams," he said. "Guys get overworked and worn and get in trouble physically.""
This is why they'll probably rush Radmanovic back and maybe sign a 14th player just to have another big body to give some relief.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 15, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Janaya,
I was vey impressed with Kobe's glowing comment of being "championship caliber" with Andrew!! It's the most telling sign this year that Kobe is ready and willing to stick it out!
With all the search for a center talk, I have to say I'm on the Webber bandwagon. Based on his passing skill and his experience of defending the triangle with the Queens. I see him as a nice "stop gap" to hold down the fort until Bynum comes back!!
One More thing,
Until the move is made to get a center does anybody see a starting front line with Kwame, Turiaf, and Lamar working? It's just a thought I had cause Turiaf seems to have an offensive feel, he'd play at his natural position (4 spot), and Lamar gets to play at the 3 (which he prefers).
Posted by: Mitch | January 15, 2008 at 09:40 AM
hey, didnt catch the game last night because i was on a plane, but it didnt look pretty. i think we cant resort to kobe shooting 44 times, way too much. we should look for more offense from farmar. he should try to drive more and get fouled. he seems overly comfortable from behind the arc lately.
something tells me thursday isnt going to be anything good. our defense sucks now. oh well. hopefully we can put up a fight and and prove me wrong.
i think we can play above .500 ball while bynum is out. the next 5 games are hard but that road trip in february is mostly against crappy eastern conference teams. we just cant get too depressed and let those teams beat us.
i also think bynum will return sooner than 8 weeks. he has the same drive as kobe lately and will do whatever it takes to make the speediest recovery. im calling for out 6 weeks.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | January 15, 2008 at 09:41 AM
I agree with Jalen Rose's sentiments here:
"While Bynum is out, I think the Lakers will find a way to play .500. Look for Kobe to find a way to stay afloat, just as the Lakers did against the Sonics.
And when the playoffs roll around, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the top five in the West seedings. One of the effects of losing Bynum could be hurting their chance at homecourt advantage by getting one of the top four playoffs seeds. Even if they don't get the homecourt advantage, this could end up being a team that nobody wants to play, having Kobe and Phil Jackson on the bench. And a promising center in the middle."
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 15, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Stranger in the Night,
Mike T. is that you? If not someone has infected this man with the Mike T. virus!! Mike T. is the I Am Legend infection of this blog!! He even hides during the day time!!! Haaaaa
Posted by: Mitch | January 15, 2008 at 09:43 AM
The adjustments will have to come on the defensive end period. The Lakers are running the triangle so smoothly this season, smoother than I've ever seen them run it. Losing Drew isn't going to hinder that too much. If anything, our offense is going to have to carry us through the next two months. Its on the defensive end where it'll get interesting. Case in point these last two games.
Posted by: Imanuel David | January 15, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Ak/BK:
I think that would be K.K.O.B.E Radio. The "W" prefix is reserved for stations East of the Mississippi River, I believe.
Cheers.
Posted by: gman | January 15, 2008 at 09:44 AM
lakers_sth,
The choice word there is "chance".
Kwame will certainly get his opportunity to prove his value, it's just every Laker fan except one knows he will prove his value to be significantly LESS than what he makes now.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | January 15, 2008 at 09:45 AM
well said stranger in the night
Posted by: greek dude | January 15, 2008 at 09:46 AM
I'm glad Heisler printed this b/c I forgot Kobe's exact words:
"As Bryant said after Monday night's win in Seattle, in a concession he hadn't come close to making before, "We're a championship-caliber team with him [Bynum] in the lineup."
From "ship his ass out" to making a comment reserved only for our resident clown to make about his basketball man-crush. Talk about extremes.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 15, 2008 at 09:48 AM
I think the points that we loose with Bynum are easy to get because he have many other options,rebounds could be taken by Lamar but what i am afraid of the defensive presence!!!!!!!
I m scared from the fact that we might suffer from the same fate against the suns and other teams with a quick point,easy lay ups!
Posted by: Purple and gold | January 15, 2008 at 09:50 AM
"With Kwame Brown back starting you will see the Lakers start to win games again. "
what the hell are you talking about? AGAIN? they've been winning just fine with his ass in street clothes
Posted by: samski | January 15, 2008 at 09:50 AM
(Repost due to the bots make it hard to read. This is addressed to those who have been criticizing Kobe for seizing the offensive thrust of the first unit.)
You expect Kobe to pass the ball for an assist, you must be kidding - that's the formula for Turnover. I would rather see him dribble around and look for Fish or shoot it himself.
In the first string, he and fish are carrying three heavy baggages, one is Lamar who kept of shooting on the perimeter when he's badly needed on the inside and get some fouls. If you bait fouls on Centers of the opposing team, you discrupt their strategies in the later stages of the game. Odom could do it only if he has enough courage. I guess he's avoiding to get hurt and that's a psychological happenstance at the back of his head.
The same is true with Walton, he opts to pass to Kobe than create shots in the post or make way towards the basket. There players who goes for lay up to attract guards and there are players who has no athleticism as ball player in the post so he looks ACKWARD so he would rather pass the ball at all times, that's Walton. Again, it needs courage to learn new things and be a multi-dimentional players. He was trained by a great coach of the Wildcats, I don't why he never became a slasher or courageous like his Dad to look for shots rather avoiding them.
The heaviest baggage of them all is Kwame, all he knows is seal a slashing player that results to a foul. He moves his body faster than his feet so there is not much movement at all on the post. He is LAZIER than a python in hibernation that he won't jump or stretch his hands in impeding a shot from fellow Centers, or maybe his body is just too heavy for the feet to lift it up, so he'd prefer standing and let his hip do the blocking. When the ball is on imbound, It takes time for him to get down for defense, again that's court awareness, opponents will not adjust to your tempo, in fact they would take advantage of your SLOWNESS and TIMIDITY. That's how Durant, Szerbiak and those speedy PG's made some headway by outfoxing these three baggages..
How heavy are the baggages carried by Kobe & Fish at the start of 1st and 3rd of any ball game? This why he gets him into frustration and rants, any ball player get pissed when teammates are not active. When a person has a cold, tired and has been doing all the shooting, would you not be frustrated to be carrying all these baggages. After the game, here we are on the blog, blaming him for making 44 shots, he coud made 30 shots and distribute the other 14 to be wasted by Kwame and Walton.
Now if you have an alternative for Kobe, tell us to whom will he pass the ball to get a sure ASSIST
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 15, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Laker's leading the Pacific: Terrific!
Bynum out 8-weeks: Horrible!
Kobe going for 40+ shots to beat lowly Sonics in OT: Not good!
Next 8 weeks: Fun to watch!
Posted by: Larry | January 15, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Come on yall LAKER FANS, Remember this is like last year or 2 years ago.. If Kwame would not have got hurt Bynam would still be on the bench.. Now Kwame is playing at 75% and we hope he can get back into shape...
But Now all yall Bynam folks, I love this guy, but How will he come back??? Look Kwame got hurt in Washington and he has never fully recoved because this is a business not a game.. The Lakers better be thankfull they have Kwame the original start back and Bynam can take the time to get to 100% because if they rush him back like they did Kwame... The Laker will be back where they were last year and the years before exiting early.
For a team to Win the Title you must have 2 Good Big men to complete againt the Duncans, in this league... So Be just as hard or fair to Bynam when he returns because trust me He will pick up weight like Kwame and it will take him about a month or so to get back into basketball shape.. so be nice because now we Kwame fans and Bynam fans are now on even playing grounds...
The good thang is Kwame will get back into shape faster now he is starting and hopefully we will be where we were before the Bulls game.....
Good Luck Bynam on your recovery.......
Posted by: Kevin G | January 15, 2008 at 09:52 AM
I'm seeing all this stuff in the press about C-Webb and have to admit that in the past I've advocated beefing up our bigs with a vet, maybe a Dale Davis or Webb or P.J. Brown. Right now though, I'm not so sure. The youth thing's been working out pretty well. Obviously we need help with Andrew down but what about bringing in a D-League big instead of a pre-programmed vet?
I don't want to come off all pollyana-zen but I have higher hopes for the next 8 weeks than a lot of people, especially irritable hacks like Heisler.
Kobe will probably get pretty centric for a while but we're going to need that in the short term - look for some mind-boggling scoring barrages. Look for pundits and beat-writers to try and find something negative to say ("see, we TOLD you he wasn't a team player").
Kwame - everybody's favorite whipping boy (except for MT) and certainly not my favorite center in the universe, but I'm hoping he plays to the best of his ability and helps us in this tough stretch. I think he will.
Let's hope our euro streak-shooters will find their way out of the infirmary and onto the court.
I'm actually excited about the coming weeks. We're #1 in the west for good reason and it's not just one player, as awesome as Bynum is. I hope we crush Phoenix and send a message to the league.
Posted by: dave m | January 15, 2008 at 09:55 AM
We literally Kobe'd our way to that win.
If Nick Collision can do that to our interior defense, what are the likes of SAS, DAL, PHO going to do in there?
Posted by: The D | January 15, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Tim-4-Show,
My post was being a little sarcastic, aimed at Ding suggesting that Kwame would have to take a pay cut and that he wouldn't be a Laker.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 15, 2008 at 09:58 AM
I really respect the ability of Kobe Bryant. I admire him since i was in the grade
school. However, in his prime, I really feel that he needs to step up his game
to another level especially when bynum is out. If Jordan can do it with Luc Longley and Scottie,
I do believe he can do it with Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom. If he can do that, he can be the league mvp
Posted by: ShazLakers | January 15, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Purple and Gold,
"because he have many other options"
No offense, but really this isn't anywhere near the truth. Andrew in the middle keeps the defense honest, and when the defense is honest, they're at a disadvantage. It's not about replacing stats, it's more about the functioning of our offense against their defensive strategy.
Lamar can rarely create his own shot in a half-court set. This is why he's not yet a viable #2... he won't force teams to keep their defense honest.
Whoever said we need Farmar to penetrate more, I agree. You can see, it's not so easy for Fish to get open looks anymore without Socks in the middle.
When you have Kwame, Lamar, and Luke in the game... it's really 2 good players against a defense of 5. And on defense, it's like having three guys trying to guard 5... against Seattle, we could get away with it, but against Phoenix, it's a recipe for an easy LOSS.
Let's hope next time Kobe takes this many shots that he shoots better than 47% and/or draws a lot more fouls. When Kobe takes 44 shots, I want to see a 70pt outburst... I know, I'm finicky...
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | January 15, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I really hope the Lakers don't panic in this situation. We still have Kobe, who trusts his teammates more than before. We have Fisher and Odom. Kwame, though still not fully recovered from injury, will at least rise to his 2006 playoff form. We still have Farmar leading the bench crew. Turiaf still brings a spark, plus we have Ariza, who's developing an outside shot to go along with his tough defense.
In other words, we still have a team. Sure, we're weaker than before, but these last two games show how we'll play in a knee-jerk reaction. I think, once the dust settles and we go back to having confidence, and beat down on everybody (provided we don't have more injuries). And then, when Bynum returns, he'll be frosting on the cake.
That's the best case scenario, anyway.
Posted by: Marty | January 15, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Oh, and let's make sure Generic-One gets a free pass to all future games. The magic must last.
Posted by: Marty | January 15, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Can we just stop about "everybody else involved" thing? Kobe involves people who can actually shoot the ball. Before Drew went down we did not hear all this crap, because any given night we've seen how people got involved with Lakers being one of the leaders in assists. You can not make some one involved if he is shooting 3 of 15. And we're talking about Lamar, who supposedly can take anyone to the hoop for layup or dunk. Well, yesterday was a perfect opportunity. Instead it was jump shot after jump shot sometimes mixed failed layup. Defense was even more laborious, Collison having night of ALL-Star consideration. Maybe it's time to look into this 3+ years of experiment and say what we already know long time ago, it's failed experiment and time to move on. Maybe it’s system or lack of fire, I don't know...
Posted by: LAL_Fan | January 15, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Anyone see this article yesterday comparing Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant? The author offers what he claims to be irrefutable evidence that McGrady is and always has been the better player. Its pretty funny.
http://dberri.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/t-mac-and-kobe/
Kobe took a ton of shots last night and, while I don't think you want that over the long haul, I think it was a temporary thing. Thats true crunch time play though, if you can take that many shots and score that many without getting any help from the refs (only seven free throws; that's crazy) and still hit the game winner AND lock down the other teams best scorer when necessary.
Here's to Kwame getting off the ground to block some shots. Let's focus on the good for a bit though: first place in the big kids' league. Freaking awesome :)
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Happydaze | January 15, 2008 at 10:13 AM
M.T
you dared us to say something stupid
ok here it goes YOU ARE ALWAYS RIGHTAND NEVER WRONG
KWAME MAKES US A N ELITE TEAM
KWAME CLOGGS UP THE LANE
KWAME CAN CATCH A BALL
KWAME CAN DUNK
KOBE WOULD RATHER PLAY KWAME RATHER THAN BYNUM
there you go 5 stupid AS@ THINGS I SAID
Posted by: fonzuhrelli | January 15, 2008 at 10:14 AM
so basically we have the same team we did last year at this point of the season with even a few upgrades like Fish and Trev. i don't know if you guys remember but we were rolling along pretty good last year before Odom went down. I love Drew and all,he's got a great future but this team can still freaking compete.
Posted by: samski | January 15, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Kwame does well against physical center not finess ones. And can anyone tell me when we are gettin vlade and rad back these guys have been missing for awhile. Well Kobe's scoring average will most deffenitly go up during these next two months. Does anyone know how many of kobe's assits goto bynum.
Posted by: K2DAX | January 15, 2008 at 10:15 AM
So what other guard-big man combinations are there that are better than Kobe-Bynum?
At the moment I think only Duncan-Parker and Garnett-Allen, and both of those are arguable. Did I miss any? Nash - Stoudamire on offense, but they aren't as good defensively.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | January 15, 2008 at 10:16 AM
If you read between the lines of PJ last night. Its obvious what he is telling Mitch.
"Do something, and do it now!"
My prediction: 'Do it now' translates to Weber signing with the Lakers.
Ok Laker FO, its your turn now, Prove you are worthy to get that ring.
Posted by: AN1 | January 15, 2008 at 10:16 AM
got to find the oz coz we need
courage for walton
heart for odom
brain for kwame
way home for kobe
darn what a tease!!!!!
Posted by: siva | January 15, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Did anyone notice the collective team love at the final buzzer last night?
We haven't seen that in a mid season game since Magic hugged Kareem in SAn Diego a hundred years ago.
That attitude wins.
Posted by: Vman | January 15, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Last nights game was a perfect example of why Bynum is overvalued.
Sure, Bynum may have the best fg% in the league, but that is only because other people are setting him up for dunks. He can't make moves on his own as we all know. And the only reason Bynum gets all those rebounds is because he is out of position on defense and stays close to the basket. And the only reason Bynum gets all those blocks is because he can't move his feet like the GOD Kwame Brown.
Yes Lakers fans, if there is anything that Kwame Brown's magnificent performance showed us last night it is that Andrew Bynum is FOOL'S GOLD. Don't believe the Bynum hype--he is a joke and unreliable.
Kwame Brown, as you witness last night, is a double double MACHINE. And more important, Kwame Brown is a defensive GOD. Did you see how Kwame shut down the Sonic penetration and how he basically dominiated the paint defensively?
Kwame Brown is the REAL DEAL. Andrew Bynum is FOOL'S GOLD.
With Kwame Brown back starting you will see the Lakers start to win games again.
Posted by: Stranger in the Night | January 15, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Damn, I just stepped on some serious bullsh*t!!! LOL!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 15, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Barkley said the Lakers are the most overrated team in the West and that we are a "one and done team." With Bynum out, he may be right on the latter.
Posted by: never | January 15, 2008 at 10:24 AM
May not with a bullet?
The Suns would beg to differ.
Posted by: Faith | January 15, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Marty,
"Oh, and let's make sure Generic-One gets a free pass to all future games. The magic must last."
I don't think he was even at the game; he just made that up to try and get some free tickets.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | January 15, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Another quick point dont you all think that Drew is starting to sound a little like Kobe in his interviews.
Posted by: | January 15, 2008 at 10:25 AM