Lulling them into submission
To say the least, not the most dynamic of Laker contests we've seen this season. Upon first glance, a 110-105 Laker win over the Bucks would appear like a tightly-knit, back and forth, high scoring affair. Filled with chills, spills and thrills. And that's exactly the way things went down. Or at least how they would have, had either team played in a gear higher than neutral during most of the game. The first half in particular, save the efforts of Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, featured Lakers playing like they were covered in that goo Bill Murray got slimed with during "Ghostbusters." Once the third quarter commenced, the purple and gold soldiers slowly began shaking off the cobwebs, eventually turning on the jets to create an energetic and winning box score.
No harm, no foul. Except for the bad dreams I had all three times I nodded off.
The breakdown and audio are below the jump.
-AK
The Good
Kobe Bryant: Between that ridiculous no-look to Trevor Ariza for the reverse jam, the up-and-under to wind down the Lakers first half scoring, the barrage of triples in the opening frame, or the sixteen fourth quarter points, Kobe would have likely landed in this column as it is. 37/5/7 games (with five trey balls for good measure) tend to net praise. But Kobe especially earned mention for gutting it out under two sets of tough circumstances. First, foul trouble. Three in the first half, followed by a fast fourth. They hurt him on D from time to time, but Bryant managed to make it work. Second, and even more impressive, he played one hell of a game while battling a viral upper respiratory infection. Despite feeling what one suspects resembled "crap," he showed more energy than the majority of his teammates (save two, who'll be revealed later) during the opening three frames. I hope he gets some well earned rest tonight.
Andrew Bynum: Here's one of the other fellas who didn't go half speed during the opening half. Save Kobe, nobody else did as much to help weather the lethargy storm than Drew. Like Bryant, he represented the bulk of early scoring (15), along with his increasingly typical glass-clean effort (9). Things continued well from there. Bynum wound down the night racking 25 points, 3 blocks and a career high 17 rebounds. Even more eye opening, six of them were offensive. For those worried the recent success will turn the kid complacent, you'll be pleased to know Drew said after the game that he's champing at the bit to join the "20/20" Club. At this rate, his membership card should be arriving in the mail soon.
Jordan Farmar's block late in the fourth: Charlie Bell beats him off the dribble heading to the rack for what's essentially a meaningless two points, tacos issues aside. But Farmar's competitive spirit just wouldn't allow him to concede the hoop. Or he just wanted to show off those oft-underrated hops. Either way, the sky was literally the limit. For that matter, Farmar's second half (eight points, plus a pair of dimes and distance balls) wasn't all that bad, either.
Ironically, Bell ended up scoring the basket that killed taco possibilities, but you know what, get over it people! I mostly say this because the media never get those coupons, anyway.
The Bad
The energy during the opening three quarters: Had he played at molasses speed, I'd have given Kobe a pass, since the guy was legitimately under the weather. As for just about everyone else, not sure why it took three quarters to appear like they didn't head to Staples after embarking on a field trip to an opium den. They may be the Milwaukee Bucks, but you still need to treat them like a legit opponent.
Kwame Brown: Of all dudes guilty of poppy-addled play, #54 was arguably the poppiest. Kwame seemed completely out of it and indifferent during his time on the court, not even offering much energy on D. The team doesn't expect much O from Brown, which works out great, because they got nada. Two attempts (including a tepid layup attempt that should have been dunked). Two misses. Two turnovers. Only one board. Zero minutes in the fourth (and less then eleven overall), which didn't surprise me one bit. Phil admitted after the game, in so many words, that Bynum's big minutes came in large part by not being able to preserve a lead with the kid on the pine.
Javaris Crittenton: I'll give The Critter this much. Along with Kobe and Drew, he was definitely the other Laker who appeared to have abstained from the pre-game barbiturates. Unfortunately, he also appeared hopped up on goofballs. From the moment he entered the second quarter, Crittenton played like a frantic kid trying to impress and continue siphoning minutes in Sasha Vujacic's absence. And like often the case when rookies attempt such missions, they often endanger their PT. In five minutes, The Critter missed two one shots (one absurdly frantic), turned the ball over twice, and was generally out of control. I'll go out on a limb and say Phil agreed, considering after Kobe picked up his third foul, Coach opted to go with Coby Karl as a replacement.
Me declaring early in the live blog that Derek Fisher sinking his first attempt was perhaps the sign of another scorching night: I'll take the hit for Fish's 3-13 finish. Superstitious as I am, I REALLY should have known better.
The turning point
The fourth quarter, when the Lakers either switched from Gatorade to Red Bull or remembered that a sweat does in fact need to be broken in order to win the overwhelming majority of NBA games. In any event, they took a four point lead and kicked it up another ten points. From there, some baskets were traded, but the Bucks did most of their damage in garbage time with the game in hand.
-AK
AUDIO: Lots of good stuff, including me accidentally asking Kobe if he's had sex before (listen to the audio, and it makes more sense...). After politely ignoring my verbal fumble, Kobe talked a lot about what it requires to play sick. Given all the success he's had in similar situations, I don't think it would be a bad idea for him to hang out with as many coughing preschoolers as possible if the Lakers face a Game 7 at some point this year.
Phil, as you might expect, pointed to the huge efforts from Bryant and Bynum. As for Drew, it's fun to hear his confidence growing with each game. You can tell some light bulbs have gone off on both ends, and he likes it. And when he talks about how badly he wants his first 20/20 game, it's like watching a kid staring at his presents before Christmas. He knows it's coming... but really can't wait.
- Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_1.11 postMIL.mp3
- Andrew Bynum: Download andrew_bynum_1.11 postMIL.mp3
- Lamar Odom: Download lamar_odom_1.11 postMIL.mp3
- Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_1.11 postMIL.mp3
BK
We are a game up on the freeking Spurs tonight!
Somewhere Mamba24 is screaming
WE ARE THE FREEKING LAKERS!!!
t-wOODY
Posted by: T-Woody | January 11, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I wonder if Kwame has aspirations of a 20/20 game?
Posted by: Eric M | January 11, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Just think how good Bynum will be someday when he finally gets his "Base".
Posted by: Eric M | January 11, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Did you notice that Kobe Bryant has made some amazing passes lately? How good can he be?? 11 seasons and he still surprises me...
Posted by: Tsiry | January 12, 2008 at 12:00 AM
now sing with me...
olayyyyy olayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy olayyyyyyyyyyyyyy olayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Posted by: Yoda Speaks | January 12, 2008 at 12:04 AM
First to post from Afghanistan!!
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: | January 12, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Am I the first to post?
Anyway, good game today although I feel the Lakers could have ended the game at the end of the third quarter. I'm starting to feel a little cautious when PJ fills the floor with his bench. We have no rhythm during these stretches and are often caught deep into the shot clock.
I hope Javaris is not bummed by today's performance. I know he is trying really hard to contribute and I can only implore him to be patient. I appreciate his game and look forward to seeing him play often. I think PJ should try him as the point guard more than a shooting guard. He just looks uncomfortable at that position.
Posted by: never | January 12, 2008 at 12:27 AM
I know basketball!
I know when you play like Phoenix, running up and down, that's "fun" basketball. It doesn't take a lot of energy...just sprints. It doesn't take a lot of thought.
The type of structured basketball that the Celtics, Spurs, and Pistons play, that takes a lot of mental energy. It is draining!
My message to James Worthy and Norm Nixon is this: Go and get a tape and watch the games between the Celtics and the Pistons. And then watch the Spurs and the Pistons.
Watch how the Spurs rotate. The Lakers are nothing close to that right now. Watch how the Celtics and the Pistons play structured ball against each other. And that's for 4 quarters. That's not like the Bucks who did it for the first half.
Now you watch those teams play each other and you tell me that Andrew Bynum has the wind and the mental energy, and we're not even talking about the strength, for that and I'll call you a liar!
Heck, it's not even Bynum I'm concerned about to tell you the truth. It's the Lakers whole philosophy of ball. The Lakers are barely getting to the point where they are playing structured ball. The Spurs and Pistons have a minimum of 4 years of playing structured ball together. The Spurs are flawless in their rotations.
The Pistons are a serioiusly experienced team. And the Celtics have a player weighing 280 in the middle and you're going to tell me that Andrew Bynum has the wind, mental energy, and strength to play intense basketball at that level in a 7 game series?
To James Worthy and Norm Nixon. Take a tape out of the Bucks game and watch Andrew's face and body language in the first half. He was tired to the point he was making faces.
But before you get to the point of seeing that, look at the reasons why. Look at the Bucks defense and offense, how they played Andrew. That's a poor man's version of what the Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons do. I was watching that because my perdiction is that Andrew is going to lose his wind.
I was watching the structured game the Bucks were playing just so to see if they would contain Bynum. I was watching it because of my theory. And I swear to you...I caught a glimpse of Bynum's body language and facial experssion at about the 5 minute mark of the 2nd quarter and said to myself...it can't be! Not that I don't expect it but that it's come this soon?
Now do you math! If Bynum is getting bodied up by the likes of the Bucks what's going to happen when he meets the experts?
My advice to both James Worthy and Norm Nixon is to ease up on your selling points because if what I saw is true...this is going to lead to nothing but a serious letdown.
Heck, my message to Kobe Bryant is this: Watch a tape of the game against the Bucks and tell me it's not true. Better yet, Kobe, get some tapes of the Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons playing each other. And then watch some tapes of your own team. Watch the rotations of this game against the Bucks. And watch the rotations of the Spurs and the Pistons from a few days ago.
I'll tell you this right now. You are light years behind them when it comes to playng structured basketball. If you're thinking about a championship this year, Kobe...you better get your guys on the same page. As a team, break out a tape of the Pistons and Spurs from the other day. Watch how the Pistons are beating them pretty good but watch how the Spurs never, NEVER! give up on their rotations. That is discipline!
Then as a team watch the games between the Celtics and the Pistons. There is no running back and forth. That is structured basketball against structured basketball.
If you really want to get into it...get tape of the championship series when the Spurs beat the Pistons in 7 games. That was a whole series of structured basketball vs. structured basketball and it wasn't decided until very late in the 4th quarter of game 7.
That is sophisticated basketball! You people better work on your rotations because that's what it's going to come down to if you think you're going to win a championship this year.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 12, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Good win. I'm really glad to see that Drew didn't follow his lathargic team mates, but instead followed Kobe's lead. Looks like maybe he's turned that corner.
25/17 is pretty amazing. Plus, did you can't in his interview that he already believes the Lakers can be in the Finals this year?
Way to go, Drew!
Kobe was pretty good today, too. :)
--FearlessWhackJob
Posted by: FearlessWhackJob | January 12, 2008 at 12:39 AM
How funny was Bynums fbomb slip during his interview on the court right after the game?! Probably the funniest laker nation foul up I have ever seen!
Ryan
Posted by: ryan | January 12, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Say what you will about that win - it was a win, and no one got hurt. For a minute in the first quarter I thought that Kobe had decided to try to break 81 just for the hell of it (don't pretend you didn't think the same thing, just for a moment).
I have a sneaking suspicion that this whole Critter experiment is a deliberate tactic by Phil - earlier in the season, he always had the look on his face like he couldn't understand why he wasn't out there more. I think Phil decided to give him a taste of what NBA action is really like - maybe to shut him up, maybe to get him to realize he needs to work more and has more room for improvement.
Posted by: SBPimp | January 12, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Javaris Crittenton is #1 in turnovers per 48 minutes (6.25). Don't let that dishearten you Critter!
Posted by: never | January 12, 2008 at 12:46 AM
AK/BK,
I would love to know the format of these post game interviews. How many people are present? It seems that it's first come first serve when it comes to asking questions, whoever speaks quickest gets their question answered. Is that the case?
At the end of the Bynum audio clip theres an intelligent question which provokes an insightful response from Andrew about his new found offensive confidence. It then seems like the reporter attempts to follow up to their question but is interrputed with a useless question about being a championship caliber team. Who's allowed to ask questions in these interviews?
Posted by: BynumBeliever | January 12, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Java reminds me very much of a young Kobe. It's like he knows he's got all the talent in the world, and is eager to show it...but can't as of yet.
It is after all a work in process, and speaking of work...it needs summers of working hard.
Meanwhile he's showing some promise and some frustration. Keep your head up kid, and learn from your mistakes.
Meanwhile, speaking as an impartial person on the Kwame versus Drew being winded thing lol...I actually think it's great to have Kwame in this team. He gives Drew time to rest, he gives us a defender when Drew gets in foul trouble. For the first time in like years, we have legit centers (starter-backup) and all we're doing is tearing them down. Let them play, let them season. It's going to be a some year, but we're gonna need them both.
Outside of tonight's game Kwame has actually been playing well. While Drew is reaping the rewards of having a backup. Crazy? Well keep in mind that when Kwame was down, it really screwed up our rotation in that we had to play Ronny (whom we all love) back to C and we struggled a bit...but with Kwame as a backup, Drew can play aggressive D, like he's shown.
Nevertheless, Drew deserves all the praise going his way. To me it's like going back in time when Shaq dominated night in and night out and all everyone wanted to talk about was a young Kobe (Jordan in the making back then remember?). If this keeps up, deja vu will be oh so sweet.
Posted by: Faith | January 12, 2008 at 01:04 AM
P.S. Major props for Kobe for playing with an URI. That's tough.
Posted by: Faith | January 12, 2008 at 01:07 AM
My head says the Lakers can't win a title this year...but this is the most fun I've had watching the Lakers since 99-00. Don't stop believing!
Posted by: Andres Garcia | January 12, 2008 at 01:34 AM
Mike T......Some really good points in that post.......
1...4 years of playing structured ball together......
2..Pistons are a seriously experienced team....very true...so are the spurs..
3..games between the pistons and the celtics....no running back and forth...
A couple of questions ......I know that alot of people are excited by our play, me included...Why didnt you mention the age of our squad and the amount or rookies being used?
...Why didnt you mention how crap Kwame played tonight and by him being so inept not allowing Bynum a decent break?....You never hammer him for poor play but yet you harp on Bynum and the faces he makes and how much wind he has......You make alot of really good points but dont speak about alot of the other good things going on with this team...The Teams you spoke about are all full of vets...Vets dont come out of college or high school...This team is a project in the making ..just like the others you mentioned were once apon a time .....Playing structured ball takes time...go watch kids play soccer ..the whole team chases the ball around for 90 mins...untill they learn how to play to a structure and were they need to be...
Good things take time
Posted by: Thirty2 | January 12, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Early indicators are that Java and Critt play the same position and neither looks as good with the other on the floor so far. They're a bit undersized as a duo and Java seems less confident in his role which is understandable.
Nice to have the luxury of shuffling combinations and still win.
Posted by: Vman | January 12, 2008 at 02:05 AM
mike t... is the one who said that we'll see in 10 games if we can still win with bynum as our CENTER... and now after 20 games we're 16-4.. so i guess he's TOTALY WRONG!!!! we dont need to hear him anymore.. he just a HATER.. the only thing that he's intrested is KWAME UGLY BROWN which is a FAKE CENTER.. 0 Pts, 2 Reb, 2 TO.. yeah that's KWAME BROWN is all about.
Posted by: kobe_24 | January 12, 2008 at 02:19 AM
ANYBODY-
i was watching espn when bynum slipped the f-bomb on tv. what did he say???
Posted by: greek dude | January 12, 2008 at 02:35 AM
Tim,
" actually agree with you wholeheartedly on this one. There are very few teams out there right now playing an intense defensive scheme. The Celtics actually have the defensive WEAPONS to use against us. Almost all of these teams, including the Suns, do NOT.
Our half court offense isn't strong enough yet for the likes of a Celts."
OK, this is what I've been seeing in these teams that play structured ball. I'm talking about the Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons. First, you're right there are only about 3 teams that actually play structured basketball. The rest are just playing what I call "random" basketball.
What I mean by that is that they live off of each others inability to play proper or effective defense. That's why you saw Bynum getting a lot of "garbage" points earlier in the season. With the lack of defensive structure Andrew was able to use those long arms to dunk the ball with his elbows at the rim. All of that is based on poor defense by the other team.
Recently, over the last 3 games, Andrew has been working out of the set offense a bit more. And he's been converting. But it's no longer that easy stuff. He is actually having to work for position against teams that have him bodied up. And with that Bynum is also having to take on a lot more responsibilty on the defensive end, too. He's playing a lot more one on one defense in the post, which is just draining. He's getting worked over pretty good on both ends of the court.
And to tell you the truth it's not even the physical aspect of the game that is getting to Andrew. It's the mental concentration that he's having to assert that is draining him.
But as for the structured type of ball I'm referring to, it goes like this:
I was watching the Celtics and the Sonics a few weeks ago. And I saw something very interesting. At first I thought it was a tight game. I thought the Sonics were hanging with the Celtics. But midway through the 3rd quarter it dawned on me that the Celtics could have put the Sonics away at any time. But they didn't because they were practicing their philosophy of ball on the Sonics as if the Sonics were guinea pigs.
The Celtics would set up their offense. They wouldn't make any rash moves. They would set the structure up and then operate. I swear that when they set up their offense they were literally making the Sonics defense position themselves to where the Celtics wanted them to be. Then they would run their play.
Kevin Garnett was missing shot after shot but they still wouldn't do anything outside of what their offensive philosophy called for. It dawned on me that they were practicing on the weak team.
I saw the Spurs do the same thing against the Clippers.
This is what the Lakers are not doing. The Lakers are not setting up the opposing defense's to execute their offense. The Lakers are looking for defensive lapses to expolit. Or relying heavly on the outside shot. There's a huge difference in philosophies.
What the Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons are doing right now is like what a good boxer does with a lesser opponent. They carry the bum for a few rounds. The Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons are carrying the weak teams so that they can get their "reps" in.
The Lakers are just going for the kill and in doing so are neglecting the precsion of exectuing their offense, which is going to cost them.
And there's the added fact that Boston does have the defensive weapons to beat the Lakers.
If the Lakers are going to win a championship this year it's going to be because of their defensive rotations and getting stops. The Boston rotations are good and strong enough to stop Bynum's points in the paint. And the Lakers rotations aren't nearly as good. That's why Bynum fouled out of the last Celtics game.
Putting priority on Bynum's offensive game is a mistake because Boston is going to stop it cold in it's tracks. Like I said earlier in the year, the only thing we're going to have then is Bynum's defensive rotations. And that by far is the weakest part of his game. Bynum has three weaknesses.
1. Playing the high screen and roll.
2. Holding defensive position in the post.
3. Rotations.
Right now the Lakers are compensating for that by having the guards and the three spot play high pressure on the priimeter. And the trapping defense to slow the ball down at the other end of the court? All these things are smoke and mirrors because in the playoffs the game slows down so much and gets so physical that these gimmics are going to be exposed.
The playoffs against the Spurs and the Celtics it's going to be 100% physical. That's how the Spurs beat the Suns and the Cavs. The Lakers will win 60 games this season, I believe...but as of right now, with their philosophy...a championship is out of the question.
Simply put. They are not making the weaker opponents play structured ball like the Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons make their opponents play. The Lakers don't make the weaker opponents play structured ball because they're babes in the philosophy.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 12, 2008 at 02:52 AM
mike...as much as i appreciate your concern (not much actually), i choose to just say your theory might only be true for spurs & detroit (they have run for championship)
anyhow, boston and detroit are definitely helped by the fact that they are in the LEASTERN Conf. let's compare it with Western Conf., it has 9 teams with more than 19 win games....that's DEEP.
Ok now, look at OUR LAKERS...they are only 0.5 game behind the leader, DALLAS & PHX...
Lastly, if you don't notice...Lakers are actually now playing withing a system...check Thorpe's True Hoop Analysis on how Lakers use Bynum in offense.
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: 1331 | January 12, 2008 at 02:57 AM
the laker bench really needs vlad and sasha back
they are older and have better punch
Posted by: Haha | January 12, 2008 at 03:27 AM
Hey Mike T, buddy,
Tell me, when you take a crap do words come out your bum? Because every time you talk s#!* comes out your mouth!
Sorry. That was uncalled for. But with sentences like these, I couldn't help myself:
"I know basketball! I know when you play like Phoenix, running up and down, that's "fun" basketball. It doesn't take a lot of energy...just sprints"
I think I understand Shaq better now. It's not that he's old, tired and out of shape, but that he's playing smart, structured basketball.
Was that a form of structure Kwame was displaying last night? Because we would have lost that game going away if Kwame would have played Bynum's minutes.
Did you see Kwame last night? He's a living, breathing single single waiting to happen.
Let's face it, Kwame's potential has been spotted, apprehended, booked and locked down (woops, that's dirty-talk in Mike's world, didn't mean to get you excited buddy, I hope channel 5 isn't showing a rerun of "Doc Savage" or you may really go over the edge).
Anyways...
Wes
Posted by: | January 12, 2008 at 05:12 AM
A few thoughts...
- Van Gundy is so brutally honest that I like him. "That's the difference between Kwame Brown and Bynum. Bynum finishes those plays" Man Kwame was bad last night. Settle down and make a lay-up or dunk. You are bigger than you think. What are we gonna do with this guy after the season?
- If KG couldn't shoot, he'd Lamar Odom. People praise Lamar for his versatility, and I still pull for the man, but the Lakers will be at the next level if he can hit open 15 footers. Fact that he's under 70% freethrow shooter is an embarrassment.
- Ariza is such a pleasure to watch. It's like finding the perfect tool to scratch that one spot I couldn't reach. Lakers really needed that type of a player. It makes a nice contrast between him and Walton which keeps the other team adjusting.
- Fisher is a greatly improved shooter from the first part of his career when he shot around 40%. But more often than not bad things happen when he goes to the basket. He hasn't improved in that area. I love that he's with us though.
Posted by: Steve L | January 12, 2008 at 06:10 AM
"Me declaring early in the live blog that Derek Fisher sinking his first attempt was perhaps the sign of another scorching night: I'll take the hit for Fish's 3-13 finish. Superstitious as I am, I REALLY should have known better."
LOL!
Posted by: Faith | January 12, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Good teams win games when they have bad nights.
Mission accomplished.
Posted by: Andrew Z | January 12, 2008 at 06:20 AM
"I know basketball!" - Uncle Mike
hahahaha, crap that was funny. That was a good one. I didn't read anything you wrote after that - sorry, just don't anymore.
I know basketball?! Keep 'em coming, at least you are always entertaining.
Posted by: Laker for Life | January 12, 2008 at 06:44 AM
mike t,
still at it hunhh .... well co-captain kobe will be the first to tell you we need to keep working hard, so yeah we're not the spurs, pistons and celtics right now but we're a younger team and show more promise than all 3, a major part of this promise being due to bynum's leap in production this year.
So the sportscaster ain't saying we can take the spurs, pistons or celtics in a 7 game series, they're saying woah this team seems to keep improving each day and if they continue at this pace, they just might be a force to recon with come june.
The fact that you can even be talking about structured ball and how we'll need it to win championships otherwiswe we'll be the suns just go to show that even you don't consider it on d same level as calling warriors championship contenders ... we definately better than a 7 seed right now which is where we've been the past 2 years ... we're improving dawg ... take a chill pill, like van gundy said kwame is never starting again so why even bother trying to do d bynum/kwame thing ... and dawgy if bynum keeps improving at this rate then u're gonna have to eat ya heart out when he plays in da playoffs
Lastly, really do you know how ridiculous it is for you to worry about us becoming the suns. We've got 9 rings on the sidelines and not even his harshest critics will argue agains da given enough talent he knows how to win. Every game is another hint that chief triangle just might have enough talent to start another dynasty
Posted by: taliq1 | January 12, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Mike T. -
Your posts just get dumber and dumber. Are you really a Kings or Suns fan trying to piss off Laker fans?
Posted by: golal | January 12, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Mike T,
You write:
"I know basketball!"
"My message to James Worthy and Norm Nixon is this: "
"Heck, my message to Kobe Bryant is this:"
A simple question:
How many rings do they have? How many rings do you have?
It is offensive enough that you talk down to AK, BK, and your fellow bloggers. It is even more outrageous that you would presume to advise Norm Nixon, James Worthy, and Kobe Bryant.
The Britney comparison becomes more striking every time you post.
Britney to cops: "Don't cover me up! I'm f***ing HOT!
Mike to James Worthy and Kobe Bryant: "I know basketball."
How about a little humility and civility? It will cost you nothing. It will help others to consider your points more seriously.
Until you tone it down, many readers will look at you the same way the paparazzi look at Britney: Just a train wreck here for public amusement.
Is that what you want? I hope not.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | January 12, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Mike T,
I was wondering where you were!
Earlier during the season you mentioned that Bynum would not be
doing well as a starter. That seems to have been proven false. I
say *seems* because the season is early.
Of the teams that play *structured* basketball, we have been
clocked twice by the Celtics. As I recall, twice Pierce has gone
nuts. The 1st time was before Ariza showed up. The 2nd time,
Ariza was still new.
I *really* look forward to watching the Lakers vs. the Spurs &
the Lakers vs. the Pistons as true tests for this team.
Posted by: hobbitmage | January 12, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Mike T. claims to know basketball and yet thinks Kwame is a great player because he has nice calves. Mike - everyone on this board is dumber after reading your posts. Go back to Sacramento and root for the Queens.
Posted by: golal | January 12, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Honorable mention for Turiaf.
I'm in love with the predator...
Posted by: Bret | January 12, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Mike T.
We've defeated Detroit in the only game we played them this year. We've split with San Antonio this year. Boston has, quite definitively, spanked dat azz in two games. While I think we have a lot more room to grow in this young season, the gap between us and those three teams is no where near what you propose. If we make the next evolutionary leap by April, no one will want to play us in the post season. Not SA, not Dallas, not PHX.
Also, Drew puts up 25 and 17, blocks three shots and makes 10 out of 13 baskets and you talk about his facial expressions in the second quarter? C'mon man, you're just being excessive.
Lastly, I think Phil knows how to craft and how to inject a philosophy to win championships. So, please excuse me if I don't believe that Doc Rivers has the key to what it takes for us to get over the hump. Now, that doesn't mean we're at a Championship level yet, but it does mean that if Phil is cool with where we are, then I'm cool.
Posted by: Willie Fatpockets | January 12, 2008 at 09:05 AM
I think it's about time to invest in an Andrew Bynum #17 Mitchell & Ness jersey. My only hang up is which color. I have the white Kobe #8, decided not to get the #24 yet...I'm waiting for a championship for that one.
I think I'm leaning towards the home gold Bynum #17.
Isn't it nice to be able to get another Laker jersey now besides Kobe? I sure as heck wasn't going to be sporting no Lamar or Kwame jersey. I'd be a laughingstock if I paid money for the Kwame#??. What is Kwame's # anyway's?
Posted by: Rocky | January 12, 2008 at 09:08 AM
The first Piston game may not have been an accurate indicator but it looked like starting LO at the 3 forced them into putting Prince on him, leaving Kobe to be guarded by Hamilton. That made a difference. That lineup looks like it's been abandoned in favor of him rebounding.
Has LO and his 13 million been reduced to the role of rebounder? Will it be enough against the NEXT level? He's had a couple of good midrange nights, why is he always at the top of the key where he's no threat whatsoever? In the big games, as LO goes, so goes the Lakers.
Villanueva looked very good last night.
Posted by: Vman | January 12, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Am I the first to post?
Anyway, good game today although I feel the Lakers could have ended the game at the end of the third quarter. I'm starting to feel a little cautious when PJ fills the floor with his bench. We have no rhythm during these stretches and are often caught deep into the shot clock.
I hope Javaris is not bummed by today's performance. I know he is trying really hard to contribute and I can only implore him to be patient. I appreciate his game and look forward to seeing him play often. I think PJ should try him as the point guard more than a shooting guard. He just looks uncomfortable at that position.
Posted by: never | January 12, 2008 at 12:27 AM
I know basketball!
I know when you play like Phoenix, running up and down, that's "fun" basketball. It doesn't take a lot of energy...just sprints. It doesn't take a lot of thought.
The type of structured basketball that the Celtics, Spurs, and Pistons play, that takes a lot of mental energy. It is draining!
My message to James Worthy and Norm Nixon is this: Go and get a tape and watch the games between the Celtics and the Pistons. And then watch the Spurs and the Pistons.
Watch how the Spurs rotate. The Lakers are nothing close to that right now. Watch how the Celtics and the Pistons play structured ball against each other. And that's for 4 quarters. That's not like the Bucks who did it for the first half.
Now you watch those teams play each other and you tell me that Andrew Bynum has the wind and the mental energy, and we're not even talking about the strength, for that and I'll call you a liar!
Heck, it's not even Bynum I'm concerned about to tell you the truth. It's the Lakers whole philosophy of ball. The Lakers are barely getting to the point where they are playing structured ball. The Spurs and Pistons have a minimum of 4 years of playing structured ball together. The Spurs are flawless in their rotations.
The Pistons are a serioiusly experienced team. And the Celtics have a player weighing 280 in the middle and you're going to tell me that Andrew Bynum has the wind, mental energy, and strength to play intense basketball at that level in a 7 game series?
To James Worthy and Norm Nixon. Take a tape out of the Bucks game and watch Andrew's face and body language in the first half. He was tired to the point he was making faces.
But before you get to the point of seeing that, look at the reasons why. Look at the Bucks defense and offense, how they played Andrew. That's a poor man's version of what the Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons do. I was watching that because my perdiction is that Andrew is going to lose his wind.
I was watching the structured game the Bucks were playing just so to see if they would contain Bynum. I was watching it because of my theory. And I swear to you...I caught a glimpse of Bynum's body language and facial experssion at about the 5 minute mark of the 2nd quarter and said to myself...it can't be! Not that I don't expect it but that it's come this soon?
Now do you math! If Bynum is getting bodied up by the likes of the Bucks what's going to happen when he meets the experts?
My advice to both James Worthy and Norm Nixon is to ease up on your selling points because if what I saw is true...this is going to lead to nothing but a serious letdown.
Heck, my message to Kobe Bryant is this: Watch a tape of the game against the Bucks and tell me it's not true. Better yet, Kobe, get some tapes of the Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons playing each other. And then watch some tapes of your own team. Watch the rotations of this game against the Bucks. And watch the rotations of the Spurs and the Pistons from a few days ago.
I'll tell you this right now. You are light years behind them when it comes to playng structured basketball. If you're thinking about a championship this year, Kobe...you better get your guys on the same page. As a team, break out a tape of the Pistons and Spurs from the other day. Watch how the Pistons are beating them pretty good but watch how the Spurs never, NEVER! give up on their rotations. That is discipline!
Then as a team watch the games between the Celtics and the Pistons. There is no running back and forth. That is structured basketball against structured basketball.
If you really want to get into it...get tape of the championship series when the Spurs beat the Pistons in 7 games. That was a whole series of structured basketball vs. structured basketball and it wasn't decided until very late in the 4th quarter of game 7.
That is sophisticated basketball! You people better work on your rotations because that's what it's going to come down to if you think you're going to win a championship this year.
mike----
Mike, for some time I have been reading your pro-Kwame/anti-Bynum posts. At first they were interesting, but now they seem more repetitive and with all due respect sort of stale. They make you look like a president who has a Congress in overwhelming control of the opposite party---irrelevant.
4 years of structured ball? When Pistons beat us in 2004, they did not have all that experience under thier belt...in fact, they had a forward (Rasheed) that had only been playing with the team for three months....It wasn't structured ball that beat us, it was youth, speed, and athleticism.
The Spurs? How do you explain them losing to Dallas in 2006...all those teams you mentioned with the expection of the celtics, they all have something working against them...Their age and other thing called the use of their starters, It was evident last year when Flip worked his starting unit into the ground, and the year before that.
These teams are getting old, its not about structured ball, is about making the other team play your game by controlling the way they play theirs.
And whats with this whole body language thing? With all due respect, you read too many sports articles of writers who believe they are psychologists of some kind. I will now return to my world were I usually ignore you, because what would this board be without the lone voice of opposition...at least I don't have to read the garbage that comes from gunner 24 and kobeleast...thank God they're not around.
Continue to do what you do, it seems to be your hobby...don't let my two cents hinder that.
Posted by: Rhon Salmon | January 12, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Hey everyone,
What an awsome game. It's good to see us win the ugly one. We would have dropped that one last year. This year, I hope that we get ALL games that are close at the end.
I noticed that some people question why the coach has the bench cleared and lets them figure out how to control the game. One reason and I will give you an example: Can you say the SUNS.
They have three starters out right now and they are not even competitive. They only scored around 60 points the other night with no NASH, MARION or HILL. They looked out of sinc and outright horrible. Like they have NEVER played together.
That's why Phil lets them struggle and work it out. Because of that, the Critter and Cobe 2 will be ready for action and CONFIDENT in their play without thinking "ok...if I miss, will I be benched?"
I have to admit, I am as nervous as anyone watching a good lead wasted, but the playing time and experience is key for our benches mojo.
YO MAMBA! I AM ON THE 55 WIN WAGON, RIGHT?? We are looking better and better.
LET'S GO LAKES!!
janaya
Posted by: janaya | January 12, 2008 at 09:27 AM
The only reason Andrew hasn't had a 20/20 game is that when he is doing well, the result is usually a blow out and the reserves get more playing time. Last night, the game was close, so they still need him on the floor, and he gets a 25/17 game. One factor in his improvement - he now gets a few calls in his favor which he never got before. Anyone notice that when Bogut shoved him in the back a foul was called - a call that he wasn't getting in the past.
Roger
Posted by: Roger B | January 12, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Mike T. needs love and he is not getting any break, it shows from his structured posts. His structured observations is a full admission that Kwame has been left behind by the surging Bynum, now he is against any establishment praising Socks. He is now Rambo hiding from reality and waiting to be rescued from the thick foliage of those contrarian thoughts. lol!
For the Lakers, whether it is structured or no structure, whether Kobe ois well or sick, whether some players are performing well or not, as long as they win, that's OK. Before the season, nobody expected to win.
Just win, Baby! So Mike T. are you getting out of that jungle and join us cheering this team all the way to Western Conference domination or stay contrarian and just keep on praising Celtics and Pistons?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 12, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Regarding Mike T's "structured ball" observations. Yes, those top teams play structured ball (as the Shaq-Kobe teams did too). And in a 2-3 years, this Laker team may be there too. But if an INEXPERIENCED, young team (like this year's Lakers) tries to place that way against an experienced team, it's going to lose. Period.
The only way we're going to beat those teams (and by the way, Mike, in case your TIVO was broken then, we already have beaten all of them, except for the Celtics) is with the STRENGTHS we have this year: athleticism, team movement, crisp passing, Kobe sharing, and Baby flying. One thing about structured teams, they get tired when they have to run more than they're used to. And when they get tired, their structure breaks down. Their defenses get cracks in them and they also start bricking their shots.
And the combination that can do that is: Kobe, Farmar, Bynum, Ariza, Odom. That's the longest, fastest, quickest hands, highest flying, bucket crashing team in the NBA. And put me down as saying this team can and WILL beat the Celtics in the Finals.
Posted by: CornerJ | January 12, 2008 at 09:41 AM
It's hilarious how "people" are searching for things to complain about Bynum about. When Kwame went down the story was that Bynum couldn't handle starting and we'd see the results of this over the next 10-15 games, and said "basketball genius" would report on this . Instead Bynum has gotten stronger as the season has gone on and we're 16-4 in our last 20 games.
And we still have yet to see this not highly anticipated "report."
Then the story that Bynum didn't score out of offensive sets, but on lobs and put backs. And we're all "eagerly" anticipating his report on how teams would adjust to this and Bynum would be rendered obsolete. Instead, Bynum's stats are steadily rising and he's scoring out of the post.
And we still have yet to see this not highly anticipated "report."
Now the story is Bynum is doing great! But he looked tired while he was out there scoring 25 points, grabbing 17 rebounds and blocking three shots in 37 minutes! Now we're being warned that Bynum will wear down and we'll be in trouble if/when we play San Antonio, Dallas or Detroit. As if losing to one of the 3 best and most experienced teams is something to be ashamed of when you're the 3rd youngest team in the league. If we're in that position in May or June, I'd say we've had a successful season. And we'll be much better for it in the 08-09 season.
And I'm just hoping we don't see a report.
Posted by: Xodus | January 12, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Van Gundy said last night that there is no way Bynum comes off the bench now! He says only an injury would make that happen! I've been saying this for weeks.
15 out of 18 with Bynum as the starting center.
If Bynum continues to improve, we just might get out of the West.
Posted by: zen | January 12, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Suddenly, Javaris Crittenton became so tentative. He is not operating the way he was doing in the first few games or when he was in the Summer Pro League. He is losing his confidence, avoiding to make mistakes and in so doing he gets turnovers. Well, PJ recognized and benched the whole game. I think he's getting a lot of instructions from everyone on how to perform best and thereby loses his own creativity but pattern himself to those instructions. That's dangerous learning curve for a rookie searching for your identity, we need his skills, court creativity as well adjusting with the flow.
Another possibility, he used to be a PG who distributes the ball and determines what offense to undertake, now he is #2 a shooting guard but opting to pass first, than create an opening, that has been his modus operandi in many games looking for Farmar or Ariza and when they are sealed, then he decides to move but it's already too late. This kid needs a little baby sitting from Kobe and Fisher by mixing them in the line up when he is playing, to remove his rookie jitters.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 12, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Why is Milwaukee not better than they are?
Redd, Williams, Villanueva and Yi are as good as most NBA teams have.
Bogut is serviceable, especially in the East. They match up with the Lakers well, and we all know the Lakers are the class of the league. Could it be they're better than their record?
I'd love to steal Villanueva for an expiring Kwame contract and pieces but it doesn't look like any GM wants Kwame and pieces. His offensive outburst last night could be part of the reason.
Posted by: Vman | January 12, 2008 at 09:53 AM
The next five games will another test for the Lakers if they can seize control of the Western Conference. Tomorrow, it will be the Grizz' here at home but it will be a back-to-back game against an old nemesis, Sonics. In the past, they have a hard time winning in Seattle but that was the time when Lewis and Allen were still there. By Thursday of next week, they meet the premier teams namely: Suns, Nuggets and Spurs, by this time, these team will be on target of the scouting report of the full bloom Bynum. All strategies will be geared toward stopping Bynum at the post, I hope LO, Fish and Kobe as well as the bench mob, will explode exponentially to counteract the rugged defense. Anyway, they need these kinds of tests to see if they are real or still one man lacking.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 12, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Go away Mike T.!!!
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | January 12, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Hey guys......I can watch this vid over and over and it just gets me pumped up to whoop on the "Phoenix Nones"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJGXpOV9DA&feature=related
For those that question why we have Brown. Watch the take down that he does with the intimidation stand over after his man is on the ground.
Also, check out Lamar defending Walton. It's easy to see why we hate eachother.
janaya
Posted by: janaya | January 12, 2008 at 10:14 AM
I think some bloggers are correct in suggesting that this team is still not an elite team. I agree 100% with that.
But what I don't agree with is the assertion that the road to true contention somehow goes thru Kwame and not Bynum.
Hey mike, we've been saying for 2 years that the reason we can’t win is the center position and you've fought that contention tooth and nail, always at the ready to heroically defend lady Kame’s righteous name.
So now, now that the position has been fixed by exchanging Kwame for Bynum, you see it as deficient? A bit late, no?
I just wish Kwame would defend the basket as well as you defend him.
Heck, I bet you haven't been that protective of another man since that time they shanked Rico in cell block D.
Badaboom!
Someone needs to not wear his beefcake-tinted glasses while indoors. Very dangerous.
Love always,
Wes
Posted by: | January 12, 2008 at 10:15 AM