Quick Sunday update
Game 2 of L.A.'s tour of the NBA's middling-to-simply-bad squads (a stretch, by the way, that precedes a tough end o' January and a brutally long roadie to kick off next month) takes place tonight at Staples against the Pacers (6:30, FSN). The numbers, as it were, look good. Indiana is 16-18 overall, compared to L.A.'s 20-11. Indy has lost six of their last ten, while L.A. is 7-3. The Lakers are superior in nearly every statistical category you can find, and Indiana has been absolutely dismal historically when visiting L.A. Toss in the fact that the home team just finished a game where they shot a zillion percent from the floor, got major contributions from the top and bottom of the roster, seem to have found the athletic, role-playing three they need, and get L.O. back, and it's fair to say that this is a game that L.A. should win, preferably going away.
So the kicker will come in seeing if they actually do it, and can one of those ludicrously frustrating losses to teams they should beat. It's always fun to knock off good teams, something the Lakers have managed to do over their first 31 games, but given how top heavy the Western Conference has become- seven teams have 20 or more wins- these games against inferior competition become even more important in terms of determining where everyone will finish in April. Remember, one mark of a good team is how consistently they beat the teams they should.
Keep an eye on Mike Dunleavy Jr., who comes into the game as hot as he's ever been over the course of his often frustrating NBA career, and the Pacers bench, which tends to be pretty productive, thanks to guys like Shawne Williams and Marques Daniels.
BK
"Reposted from prior thread"
What a Joke, Andrew Z,
"Is there a "Shun Mike T." Bandwagon?"
Posted by What a Joke
I've been "Lurking" on this blog since the beginning of the season. Been a die hard laker fan for 30+ years. I enjoy "MOST" of the analysis even when I think they are completely wrong.
This is my first post because I can't stand Mike T. and his stupidity. Personally I think he just does it to be the center of attention, but he TOTALLY brings the blog down. This is the first and last time I will ever address him or his comments.
I just wanted to be the third member of WhatAJoke's "Shun MikeT bankwagon"
So far:
What a Joke
Andrew Z
Eric M
COME ON ALL! Jump on and let's get rid of this delusional fool. It may take a week or month or 6 months, but eventually he will get tired of talking to himself. And if he doesn't, it will be amusing watching him talk to himself. We all know he is a card or two short of a full deck anyway.
Mamba24,
We could use your talents on this one.
Posted by: Eric M | January 06, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Before the brutal road trip I think we face Denver, Phoenix, San Antonio and Dallas, too, so we'll be tested after this soft spot. But after the all star game, I think we have a pretty favorable schedule the rest of the way.
Posted by: j. d. hastings | January 06, 2008 at 11:51 AM
REPOST
Two interesting headlines today:
1. Bill Bradley endorses Obama. If you remember Phil Jackson backed Bradley's unsuccessful campaign in 2000 (just in the Knick of time, we might have been tempted to say if it had been successful). Does that mean he'll back Obama? And what is the basketball world's take on the possibility -- looking stronger every day -- of having our first black president? If a black could become president of the US, could the same thing happen in the NBA? One of these days Stern has got to go!
2. Floridians want to get rid of the Stephen Foster tune, Old Folks at Home (better known as "Way down upon the Swanee River") as the state anthem. Is that because of the poor performance and persistent injuries of old folks like Shaq and Mourning in their once lucky championship BB team?
Posted by: Tsphere | January 06, 2008 at 11:53 AM
I just have one question: When do the '08 NBA Playoff tickets go on sale? Put me down for 4. I even like our chances against the Celtics...if THEY get that far. Otherwise, we'll just have to make do with Detroit (although it won't be quite as sweet).
I'll even throw in a comp for Mike T. But Mike, you can't pick it up unless Kwame can dress to play.
Posted by: CornerJ | January 06, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Tsphere, I have a feeling politics is a slippery slope on any blog, but question for y'all -- Which NBA player would make the best U.S. President?
E
Posted by: Emma | January 06, 2008 at 12:25 PM
The blog has been hysterical lately. Mike is at the top of his game. C'mon, sports fans, this is about outrageous. It's a car wreck, with a point here and there. Enjoy. You're not compelled to read. Unless your last name is Zell or Kamenetsky you can't make it disappear.
It's shouting "fire". AK / BK know their responses feed the frenzy and drive up the drama. They're not trying to talk the guy off the ledge. It's preaching naked to be noticed. Scroll on or enjoy but it's just a font on the screen. The real world remains unaffected.
Posted by: Vman | January 06, 2008 at 12:41 PM
The New Orlean Hornets have been just as surprising as the Lakers.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | January 06, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Vman,
If you consider personal attacks on the K Bros, and wishing Bynum would get injured, to be "top of his game" then I can only say we differ in our opinion of "Game".
Posted by: Eric M | January 06, 2008 at 01:17 PM
I don't want Uncle Mike to go anywhere. I like the Kwame Brown is really Bill Russell Analaysis. He will tell you Smush is just as good as MJ but we just don't see it. You gotta love it. Everything you do in life there is always that idiot. Just so happens MikeT is the Laker Blog Idiot and he is proud of it. It's clear Mike didn't get the attention he needed while he was younger but if this provides that I am ok with it. I actually like some of the responses he gets from his BS. My worry is what will happen to Mike when he wakes up one day and finds out Kwame was traded or released. Mentally I don't think he will be able to handle it.
BD
Posted by: BD | January 06, 2008 at 01:20 PM
You can't sign me up for the "Shun Mike T." bandwagon fast enough.
Posted by: PhxLkrFan | January 06, 2008 at 01:32 PM
The "Shun MikeT bankwagon" IS GROWING
So far:
What a Joke
Andrew Z
Eric M
PhxLkrFan
I am hoping to have 30 members by the end of the Indy game tonight.
Posted by: Eric M | January 06, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Everyone talks about Mike T and Kwame more than they do about the Lakers. That's ridiculous. Just live and let live, you know?
Posted by: Ben Goldberg | January 06, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Please put me on the Shun Mike T bandwagon.
Thanks.
Posted by: KWAME SUCKS | January 06, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Well I'm pissed at MikeT because he is preventing everybody from discussing the Indiana game. I need to know who is going to win that game tonight.
Posted by: Guity | January 06, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Hey guys. I'd like to be a member of the Shum Mike T bandwagon.
Posted by: Bynum Fan | January 06, 2008 at 02:02 PM
yeah, but if you're making a bandwagon, you're not really shunning him, are you?
Posted by: jef | January 06, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Uncle Mike T is just repeating major points that we already know.
-defense wins championships
-Lakers won't win the title this year
he just likes to exaggerate his points so to make sure that he sounds like an expert.
no need for the "Shun Mike T" bandwagon. if you don't like what he has to say then don't respond. this blog wouldn't be fun if everybody came in here and shared the same opinion. day in and day out.
Posted by: sixonezero | January 06, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Looking forward to the game tonight. I'll stick with major difference between this team and the one the past two years that struggled to beat struggling teams to the fact that PJ has made changes and are personnel has improved its play from last year to this year so far. We didn't have the same type of experience(Fisher at PG), athleticism(Ariza) and improvement by our young players(Bynum, Farmar, Sasha, Turiaf) last year as we do now. This group just needs to stay focused on the task at hand and stay hungry. Pacers are still a pretty good team despite their record. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 06, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I don't want Uncle Mike to go anywhere. I like the Kwame Brown is really Bill Russell Analaysis. He will tell you Smush is just as good as MJ but we just don't see it. You gotta love it. Everything you do in life there is always that idiot. Just so happens MikeT is the Laker Blog Idiot and he is proud of it. It's clear Mike didn't get the attention he needed while he was younger but if this provides that I am ok with it. I actually like some of the responses he gets from his BS. My worry is what will happen to Mike when he wakes up one day and finds out Kwame was traded or released. Mentally I don't think he will be able to handle it.
BD
Posted by: BD | January 06, 2008 at 01:20 PM
BD,
You're ruthless!!! LOL. Good one.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 06, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Because I am not delusional I AM NOT saying that the Lakers management read my posts this summer and have made their personnel changes accordingly.
However they have done exactly what I insisted needed to be done. Inject some heart into a heartless team. After last season before Kobe's rants I agreed (like most here) that the roster was deficient, if not in talent, certainly in heart and passion for the game.
I felt we had only two NBA starters:
Kobe
Lamar
Nba backups:
Walton
Mo evans
And a few up and coming projects with potential but no experience to truly contribute:
Farmar
Bynum
Turiaf
The rest were either unable to contribute or more importantly UNWILLING!
Vlad the snowboarder, Williams--ehh, Mckie--too old, Mihm--no comment.
then there was the triumvarte of marginally talented players we all hoped would start producing to some level to help the team but their attitudes became increasingly poor and their heart was in question more by the minute:
Smush
Cook
Kwame.
Kobe was mad because his teammates were either too young or didn't care enough about winning to help him. HE WAS RIGHT. They were too young and some didn't care about anything but money and cakes.
The appalling lack of fire, passion and pride last season was infuriating to me as a Laker fan. I know this is a bit much, but I feel a team represents its city, its fans, its supporters, and when they fail to do so with heart it actually makes me physically angry (See Team USA--World cup 2006). Our lakers roster last year was just poor by competitions standards.
Now Smush was let go immediately. Thank god.
Then we lost a backup along with one of the clowns in cook for a clear upgrade in not only talent and athleticism but also is passion and heart for Ariza. (Sucks to lose mo, but it had to be done).
Now Kwame Brown, He will either shape up and play his a## off because those around him are, or he'll be gone next.
Actually this blog has called it out step by step, SMUSH first, too easy to see how he hurt us. Next Cook's weaknesses became too clear once smush no longer obstructed our view. Now luke and kwame. They may survive, because they may just fall to the bench because of outstanding play of Ariza and bynum.
HEART HEART HEART
Kobe knows this. As long as the lakers leave it all out there on the on court, who cares who wins. If the suns swept us every year, but our boys gave all their blood sweat and tears (year round) to do everything they can for their teammates, their fans, their supporters, then I would stand and cheer the loss. (I wouldn't be happy losing, but I could at least be proud of our soldiers)
This is the attitude that was sorely lacking last year. You could see it coming in game 5. Lamar and Walton got pulled from the game (maybe fouled out--I forget) but they gave all their heart and soul in that series. If you remember they didn't go directly to the bench, they walked over to kobe and embraced. Almost like children looking to a parent with their heads down after falling short of success. It was as if they knew Kobe was fed up with the lack of heart. The inadequacy of complacency and apathy that filled the locker room and spilled out onto the court.
Well after a summer of madness...
Add some WARRIORS, some MEN, some SOLDIERS, and regardless of W's we can fight and be proud.
Smush out FISHER in (i shouldn't need to say anything)
ARIZA for cook (two birds one stone, because walton can move to the bench because although his heart is there, his speed and D simply is not)
Also,
Bynum not only puts up numbers but GENUINELY LOOKS LIKE HE CARES.
Farmar and turiaf a year older and wiser (their heart should NEVER be questioned, only their experience)
Now we have some soldiers, now we have some heart, now we can be proud of our boys win or lose. And with that much heart and determination, that much passion and pride, we will win much more often than lose. That's all Kobe ever wanted--some soldiers to go to war with.
Thank you mitch/jim for not shaking with the pressure, thank you fish for your class, thank you lamar for your heart and your soul, thank you andrew, ronny, and jordon for growing up faster than any thought, keep proving them wrong guys. And most of all THANK YOU KOBE--for accepting no less than everything, like every true laker fan expects.
Go lakers!
Posted by: jandro | January 06, 2008 at 02:15 PM
I just wanted to be the 5th member of WhatAJoke's "Shun MikeT bankwagon"
So far:
What a Joke
Andrew Z
Eric M
PhxLkrFan
sign me up ...
Posted by: Albert Philippines | January 06, 2008 at 02:21 PM
No offense but why would anyone want to discuss the Lakers/Pacer game?
The Lakers should kill them. That's boring! What makes interesting conversation is how the Lakers do against good teams. What makes good conversation is why the Lakers lose to the Pacers if that should happen.
The Pacers are nothing compared to the Lakers. But if the Lakers lose...we can all say: Hey, what the hell happened.
Until then why discuss what should be an easy Lakers win?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 06, 2008 at 02:21 PM
REPOST:
Thirty2 says to me:
"Mike T...I could have sworn that you mentioned Chandler and Bynum as the same type of defender"
My response:
They are! You would want to watch the Hornets because of how they would play against the Lakers. That could spell trouble for the Lakers.
When I say watch the Hornets I kinda meant that they resemble the Suns in a way. By that I mean Chris Paul and Steve Nash. They operate a bit differently but they have the effect on the game.
What makes them different is that have Chandler in the middle, while the Suns have Amare. Now that is interesting!
Check out the last 2 Hornets games against the Warriors and the Suns.
Check out the Warriors game first:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=Ats0TzrjVsja4mqFy8RP8WSQvLYF?gid=2008010409
Check out the numbers for Chandler and Biedrins. Both score 20 points but look at the rebounds.
But then check the Warriors shooting percentage. It's like over 500 from the field. Then check out their 3 point shooting. It's 304.
The field goal percentage verses the 3 points percent tells you that the Warriors were getting a lot of points in the paint.
Then look at the Hornets shooting percentage. It's 483. That's not bad at all. But then look at the 3 point shooting percentage. 444...that's not a bad 3 point shooting percentage.
What it all means is that both team were allowing points in the paint. You know the Hornets with Chris Paul were killng Biedrins and the Warriors middle.
But the Warriors were killing Chandler in the middle, too.
This is what I mean by the idea of having no defensive philosophy. What they do is just go up and down and whoever is hot will win the game. That's a weak philosophy. What makes the Hornets interesting is where they were last season compared to where they are this season.
The Hornet are a 2nd tier team, in my opinion. They resemble the Lakers in philosophy.
Now check the Hornets next game against the Suns:
Look at the numbers for Chandler and Amare.
Chandler got the best of Amare for the same reasons why Bynum gets the best of Amare. Amare is really a power forward and not a center.
But Chandler wasn't able to stop the Suns from playing their philosophy of ball. Again, look at the shooting percentage of the Suns from the field. 532...that's excellent.
Then check out the Suns shooting percentage from the 3 point line. 333...that's where they lost the game.
Again, check out the Hornets shooting percentage from the field and the 3 point line. It's almost the same as it was against the Warriors.
What does it all mean? That Chandler isn't able to control the pace of the game just like Bynum can't.
In both of those games the Hornets scored very high or else they would have lost.
Again the reason to watch the Hornets is because they are practically the same as the Lakers. The difference between the Hornets and the Lakers is that the Hornets have a low post scorer in David West. The Hornets have what many are saying is the best point guard in the league right now.
But with all that I didn't say that the Hornets are an elite team. Just a team to watch.
Interesting enough is how the Hornets are 23-11 and the Lakers are 20-11. They play almost the same style of ball because their centers aren't able to control the pace of the game.
What's interesting about the Hornets is that their defense is the 4th best in the league but when it came down to it against the 2 best run and gun teams, the Suns and the Warriors...they couldn't control the pace of the game.
The difference between the Celtics, Pistons, Spurs and the Hornets is this:
The Celtics, Pistons, and the Spurs can impliment their defense to control the pace of the game against the likes of the Suns, Warriors, and the Lakers.
The Hornets who average 97 points a game had to score 116 and 118 points against the Warrior and the Suns. They weren't able to set their defensive pace that would allow them to win with 97 points in those games.
But look at the Hornets from Dec. 9th to Dec. 29th.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3930/gamelog;_ylt=AkKCHqOGaYVP8U5dT9qggcmkvLYF
Look at the solid wins. Look at the scores. Then look at who they played. Then go further down and look at the scores against Detriot and San Antonio.
Detroit beat them 91-76.
San Antonio beat them 97-85.
In the Detroit game look at Chandlers' numbers. Not bad! Not bad! But look at the shooting percentage of the Hornets from the field and the 3 point line. 347 and 267.
That's Detroit's defense. But then look at the Pistons shooting percentage. 412 from the field and get this 286 from the 3 point line.
What does that mean? It means that the Piston rely on their defense to win games. And their offense is based on pure execution. Chanlder can get his number but what good is that against a team that plays defense first.
Chanlder's rebounds in that game were 22. But the Hornets only outrebounded the the Pistons by 1 rebound 48-47.
But look at how the Pistons got their rebounds. Their starters all came away with decent rebounding numbers. The Hornets had to rely on Chanlder's 22 rebounds to keep pace. The Pistons' bench outrebounded the Hornets 9-8.
What does all that mean? The configuration of the Pistons' team defense serves the whole, while the Hornets' configuration serves Chandlers' stat line.
Just like the Lakers the Hornets will beat the weak teams and the likes of the Suns and the Warriors. But against true defensive teams. No chance!
Watch the Hornets...they play similar to the Lakers. Watch what happens when the play the Lakers. Is that better?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 06, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Jef, SixOneZero,
I've been waiting months for everyone to IGNORE this person. It hasn't happened. I was hoping that by "Making it official", we could finally banish him to his own little leper colony. And as I said earlier, "Laugh as we all watch him talk to himself.
The "Shun MikeT bankwagon" continues to gain momentum:
So far:
What a Joke
Andrew Z
Eric M
PhxLkrFan
Kwame Sucks
Bynum Fan
Posted by: Eric M | January 06, 2008 at 02:27 PM
mike t,
absolutely right, why should laker fans worry about this game
unless sasha and odom play. . . hahaha just kidding
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | January 06, 2008 at 02:34 PM
By shunning someone...you're not supposed to even use my name and completely ignore my post.
It's too late for that. And in a crazy way...the idea of creating a "shun mike t. bandwagon" only makes my celebrity stronger.
The question for the new reader would be: Who is mike t.?
The the new reader would read what I have to say out of curiosity, which only would make me stronger.
Nothing you guys do can stop this snowball that been gaining momentum from the day I first posted. All you can do is get out of the way.
You guys can't figure out something as easy as that....but when it comes to basketball you know what you're talking about?
I don't think so!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 06, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Jandro,
Good post. The thing that has me excited is that Farmer, Critter, Ariza, Turief, and Bynum are all 22 or younger. (Turief might be a couple years older). Over the next 5 years if only 2 or 3 of these guys continue their growth, there is a CHANCE that we could be looking at 2 or 3 more championship banners in LA.
Kobe needs at least 2 so he has more than the "Siezed up" diesel.
Posted by: Eric M | January 06, 2008 at 02:43 PM
No offense but why discuss the play of one player after we stomped the Sixers by 31 points?
The Lakers killed them as they should so why start a conversation about one player's game if it's so boring?
The Sixers were nothing compared to the Lakers so why discuss what the hell happened?
Until then why discuss one player's game when Lakers win easily?
Nemaia
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 06, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Michael Teniente,
I don't think that you understand whats going on.
You say that this is "your blog" and in a way your right, a significant amount of comments on this blog are responses to you or something that you've said.
The thing you seem to be misunderstanding is the fact that most people don't appreciate those comments at all. Can't you see how many people flame you in response to your comments? I'm sure that there are many (like myself) that consider them a complete waste. Honestly I used to like some of the stuff you would put up, the Jackson Journals and such, but recently you've gone off the deep end. Now I've literally been wondering about the plausibility of somehow filtering out all Mike T related comments from this blog (I'm a computer engineer).
Its now almost as if there are two sides to this blog. There's the awesome posts by the Kamenetzky brothers & the rational Lakers discussions (which, to be honest, you occasionally participate in) and then there's the Mike T soap opera; your baseless claims, biased analysis, logical fallacies, anti-Lakers comments (wishing Bynum got injured so that you would win an argument? not cool), personal attacks on the K bros (wtf?!?), deslusional declarations of self-importance, and all out rants that usually end up with a sidetrack into your bizzare personal life.
Man, your worse than those damn spambots.
I hope that you do make your own blog. Then you will really see how many "fans" you've got. Also, the people who appreciate this blog for what it is will be left free of your nonsense. I might even stop by if I am looking for a good laugh.
Andrew and Brian, I just want to let you guys know that your doing a fantastic job. I'm sure you guys realize that and understand that Mike is nothing more than a clown. Keep up the great work, your the reason that I (and I'm sure nearly all others) visit this blog so frequently.
-MO
Posted by: BynumBeliever | January 06, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Awwwh! Now I'm more convinced about my comparison between Kwame and Bynum is correct.
Is anyone watching the Clippers/Spurs game? The score is 85-80. The game was close up until about the 5 minute mark of the 4th quarter. Then this is what happened.
On 3 plays the Spurs set up their offense by doing an entry pass into Tim Duncan. It was pretty, as far as execution goes.
It went like this: Tim recieved the enty pass and didn't dribble or make a fake or anything. He waited holding the ball. He let his teammates get into their position. You know...spread the floor.
Then when they had set themselves up Tim started to back Kaman down. As soon as Tim started to back Chris down the Clippers collapsed on Tim. A little from the weakside and the Clipper running towards Tim from the top of the key,
When the collapse comes Tim shoots a pass to the top of the key. The guy at the top of the key shoots a pass to the guy at the wing. The guy at the wing shoots a pass to the guy in the corner who hits a 3 pointer.
The Spurs did this 3 times to put the Clippers away. It was all based on the Clippers need to collapse to help Kaman. (not three 3 pointers but 3 executions of the same set up)
The difference between Kaman, Bynum, and Kwame is that Kwame doesn't need the collapsing help. When the Spurs can't get the collapse they can't move the ball around without having the other players having a man on them.
It's configuration.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 06, 2008 at 03:04 PM
m.t actually has a point on the team not being a defensive known team and that will hurt them maybe not now when there playin teams in a one game series -the regular season- but wut happens wen they meet in a 5 or 7 game series-the playoffs_ and they cant go on there offense alone wut then? I MEAN IF U GUYS MEMBER THE GAME AGAINST UTAH ,YES THE LAKERS WERE ON FIRE ON OFFENSE HITTIN EVERYTHING AND MY WIFE AND BROTHER WERE SUPER HAPPY OUR TEAM WAS BEATIN DOWN A VERY GOOD ,BUT I TOLD THEM TO CALM DOWN LOOK CLOSER BROTHER AND WIFE, UTAH ACTUALLY IS GETTING AVERY SHOT THAY WANT BUT THERE NOT FALLING NOW LOOK AT SIXER GAME IN THE FIRST HALF THEY TOO WERE GETTIN EVERY SHOT THAY WANTED PRETTY MUCH TRADING BASKETS BUT SINCE THERE A WEAK TEAM THEY FELL OFF IN THE SECOND HALF so yes i agree with ,dang hate to say it ,i agree with mike t BUUUUUUUUUUT TO SAY THAT KWAME IS THE KEY TO TAKE US TO CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL THAT I DONT AGREE WITH ,M.T WHY YOU MUST PICK ON BYNUM ONLY AND SAY HE IS THE REASON WERE NOT A ELITE TEAM IS WUT I DONT UNDERSTAND.
I THINK YOU SHOULD ALSO PICK ON FISH,AND FARMAR
Posted by: fonzuhrelli | January 06, 2008 at 03:11 PM
That's why the Spurs bombed us from the three point line when they beat us in the game we played in SA. In fact Bowen went 6 for 6 from beyond the arc along with Finley, Ginobili, Barry and Bonner. Anyone who watched that game remembers that and the stats don't lie. They swung the ball to the open man all night and they hit 3's which was the big difference in the game. Those are the facts.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 06, 2008 at 03:14 PM
"Can't you see how many people flame you"
Why would you "flame" me over a basketball post? If what I say didn't hold water you could just ignore it easily. But I break it down so scientifically and it contradicts everything you believe that it gets you hot. Hence: "the flame."
Are you "flaming" at me because I'm lying or telling the truth?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 06, 2008 at 03:15 PM
fonzuhrelli,
It's because the key is always the play of the defensive center. What Kwame allows the Lakers to do is not have to collapse. That is strong.
When we collapse...we'll lose to teams that rely on execution for points.
Only 3 teams right now are relying on offensive execution for points. The Celtics, Spurs, and the Pistons. They do that because they have a strong defensive philosophy.
These 3 teams are playing fundamental basketball all the way. And their defense proves it. And their record proves it.
The Lakers are nothing close to that. And that's because Bynum, as good as he is, hasn't established anything near a shot from an entry pass that would allow for a kick out and breaking down the opponent's defense.
Kwame doesn't have that either. So, when it comes to doing the next best thing, establishing a defensive philosopy...Kwame is way better.
And on offense Kwame's big body, against these good defensive teams, can push their bigs out of their confort position and change the configuration of those defensive teams. That's the small opening for Kobe and Lamar to attack the lane, while Kwame defensive configuration stays in tact on the defensive end of the game.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 06, 2008 at 03:22 PM
It sure would be great to see Kwame play half of this season to know what all the hype is about. The guy is softer than the cake he threw on the ground way back when. At least Mihm TRIES to play.
Posted by: Maleke | January 06, 2008 at 03:27 PM
In case anyone has amnesia or a short memory, here are the facts and stats to our first game against the Spurs which we lost:
Spurs made 13 of 27 three point shots for 48%.
Duncan played 30 minutes, was 2 of 13 for 5 points and had 5 boards.
Mihm started the game, played 6 minutes, 0-3 for 0 points and 1 board.
Kwame played 15 minutes, was 3 of 6 for 7 points and 1 board.
Andrew played 27 minutes, was 4 of 5 and finished with 11 points and 12 boards.
Spurs bombed us from with wide open threes the entire game. Facts and stats. Plain and simple.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 06, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Plz add me as a member of WhatAJoke's "Shun MikeT bankwagon". He's an idiot!
So far:
What a Joke
Andrew Z
Eric M
PhxLkrFan
Kwame Sucks
Bynum Fan
mikekaz
Posted by: mikekaz | January 06, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Side note. Bowen hit all six of his threes from the corners off of passes from the post or his mate at the top of the key. Much of this happened while the Lakers were collapsing to help against penetration or with Duncan in the post. This left shooters, Bowen in particular to be wide open in the corner for three. Every Laker fan was angry because no one was on Bowen or didn't jump out in time to disrupt him. Again the Spurs were 13 of 27 from beyond the arc against us.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 06, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Man...
If you guys don't agree, leave it at that. No need to "shun" someone. That's not what we're hopefully about here. This is Lakerville, it's like a family. Just think of Mike T as that eccentric uncle lol, jk Mike T.
At this point, some just won't be convinced, and others just don't have an open mind. Agree to disagree. Let's leave it at that.
Posted by: Faith | January 06, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Nemaia,
OK....Those are the facts. I'm not sure what your point is?
Remember that this is a YOUNG team. Defense takes time. The spurs have been together for years and Duncan is a hall of fame player.
Bynum is getting better by the day. We didn't have Ariza to put on Genobli. This team is far better now than it was even the middle of November when we lost to the Spurs. If the team keeps learning each other, by May I think it can be a seven game series. Which most of us would be happy with....Win or lose.
Next 5 years, look out.
Posted by: Eric M | January 06, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Yeah, there's no need to shun. But there's also no need for one person here to say the same thing several times a day everyday. It gets really old.
Posted by: what a joke | January 06, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Why discuss the Spurs and Clippers when it should be an easy win for the Spurs. The Clippers have 10 wins compared to 16 for the Pacers, so why discuss a boring game the Spurs should've won easily?
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 06, 2008 at 04:00 PM
why would you guys want to ignore Mike T? Isn't he like... half the blog? either in responses to him or about him? LOL!
The dude's harmless, he's got this wacky fixation on Kwame... whoa... can anyone name any other person on this planet who has a Kwame fixation? There can be only ONE! and... he's right here, telling us Bynum is "fool's gold", meanwhile... I remember not too long ago, there were people posting on here that we should trade Bynum for Dalembert and trash, a guy who has been dominated TWICE by Bynum now...
Mike T really believes mgt is reading his posts and acting accordingly... what else needs to be said on that one?
Kwame... when he is playing... which is... not often... is very good at bodying up on big guys. Bynum who just turned 20 doesn't have that base yet... well... duh! The operating word here is "yet"... I'm sure no other team in the league wants Bynum because of this "flaw" Mike T thinks he and only he has discovered...
C'mon now, how long until Mike T starts taking credit for the Ariza trade? Why does Mitch pull that trade? Because he was contemplating one of Mike T's posts about Luke Walton, right? LOL!
Anyway... how about that drive and slam by Bynum from the top of the key??? Ohhhhhh! Dude is going to be a MONSTER! There was also a replay of Crittenton going up, up and UP! Are people still going to fight me on the "Javaris has another gear vs Farmar" thing? Hey, I like both guys but Javaris is off the charts, he'll just need some time to develop. I like playing both guys at the same time! I like Javaris taking Kobe's slot on the 2nd team! I love it! For once we have too much talent! What's to complain about?
Posted by: TaosHum | January 06, 2008 at 04:13 PM
BEFORE I ENJOYING READING POSTS ON THIS BLOG SINCE THIS WAS STARTED A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK,
NOW IS NO LONGER THE SAME, TOO MUCH BICKERING AND THIS ENDLESS DEBATE ON BYNUM AND KWAME STARTED TO COME ON MY NERVE.. AND IT BECOME TOO BORING..
BEFORE KWAME CAME TO LAKERS.. AS FAR AS I KNOW, LAKERS EVEN NOT MAKE IT TO THE PLAYOFF.. THAT IS INCLUDING BUTLER IN THE LAKERS LINE-UP..
SO THE INCLUSION OF KWAME IS STILL AN UPGRADE OF OLD LAKERS.. YEAHH BUTLER PLAYED BETTER IN WIZARDS, BUT THAT IS NOT THE SAME IN LAKERS..
SO THOSE WHO SAID THAT WE CANNOT EVEN PASS THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFF FOR THOSE TIMES KWAME WAS IN THE LAKERS.. WHY NOT PUT IT IN THE REST.. THAT IS NOT ENTIRELY KWAME'S FAULT.. WE HAVE A VERY BAD POINT GUARD ON THAT TIME WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO SET-UP A PLAY.. WHAT SMUSH JUST SIMPLY KNOW IS TO GRAB FOR THE STILL A MAKE A THOSE HIGHLIGHT DUNKS..
SHOOTING THREES WHICH MOST OF THEM ARE BRICKS.. BRICKS.. SMUSH IS OUR PLAYMAKER AND HE IS THE WORST ON THAT POSITION.. NOW THAT WE HAVE FISHER, FARMAR AND CRIT.. THAT IS A HUGE UPGRADE..
LAKERS DOMINATED THE SUNS FOR THIS YEARS, WHICH WE ARE NOT EXPECTING AT THE START OF THE YEAR.. WE THE CURRENT LINE-UP OF BOTH SQUAD, BY CHANCE WE MEET SUNS IN THE PLAYOFF.. I DO BELIEVE THAT FOR NOW LAKERS WILL BE WIN IN THE SERIES AGAINST THE SUN..
SO PLEASE STOP THIS HATING TO KWAME.. IT IS NOT HIS FAULT TO RECIEVE 9MIL.. THE IS THE MANAGEMENT FAULT.. AND THAT IS NOT YOUR MONEY..
LET THIS BLOGS MORE INTERESTING TO READ LIKE WHEN THEY STARTED THIS BLOG.
Posted by: Arnold | January 06, 2008 at 04:14 PM
My goodness! what's up yo bloggers? after KL, now you want to shun mike T? I don't get it.. Can we just voice out freely our own opinion on this blog? If you are annoyed some other opinion then don't read what he/she wrote.
mike T, I'm cool to you. I respect your opinion about Bynum and Kwame.. But please don't attacked other bloggers personally and vice versa. Show some respect to AK/BK too..
"I'd rather let someone hit me with the truth than mislead me with a lie. "
Posted by: trio | January 06, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Nemaia,
OK....Those are the facts. I'm not sure what your point is?
Remember that this is a YOUNG team. Defense takes time. The spurs have been together for years and Duncan is a hall of fame player.
Bynum is getting better by the day. We didn't have Ariza to put on Genobli. This team is far better now than it was even the middle of November when we lost to the Spurs. If the team keeps learning each other, by May I think it can be a seven game series. Which most of us would be happy with....Win or lose.
Next 5 years, look out.
Posted by: Eric M | January 06, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Eric,
My sentiments exactly!!! I just wanted to clarify for certain people on here who continue to harp about Kwame or Andrew. If you read the posts above, you'll see where I'm coming from. Somebody pointed out that the Clippers lost today to the Spurs because they collapsed on Duncan thus leaving the perimeter shooters free. It was also said that with Kwame defending Duncan, there will be no such open shooters because Kwame's defense on Duncan keeps us from collapsing leaving open shooters. I don't know the person who said it, but I just wanted to point out the Spurs beat us earlier because we were collapsing even with Kwame on Duncan leaving their shooters to smoke us from beyond the arc to the tune of 13 of 27.
If you my posts carefully, you'll see that I usually respond to others posts without naming them. I've been saying all along that I love the changes we made in our lineup and that all that matters is that we continue to grow and improve. Every true Laker fan wants that. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | January 06, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Just read the Yahoo Sports NBA headline:
HOLLYWOOD STORY!
Dang...the guy beat me to the punch. Not that Kenny Smith is saying something against the Lakers. I don't know because I didn't listen to the video.
But I'm starting to think that Lakers ownership is pure Hollywood. Well, I'm not starting to think that. I've been thinking that for at least a year now.
If you look at Boston, Detroit, and San Antonio...those city are more like blue collar type of cities. Well, Boston I'm not sure. But Boston sure isn't Hollywood.
Cities like Boston, Detroit, and San Antonio play with a blue collar approach to the game. The Lakers are trying to "star" their way though their season. Sure the Celtics and the Spurs have stars, too. But those stars are committed to the fundamentals of the game. The Pistons are pure fundamental. No real big stars there.
If the Spurs, Celtics, and the Pistons had Bynum and they saw that he compromised their defensive philosophy...he would be coming off the bench no matter how many points and rebounds he got. They would do that because they base their basketball approach on the fundamentals of the game.
The Lakers ownership and coaching staff seem to be lost in media hype and are ignoring the defensive fundamentals of the game.
That's why in the off-season management was like a laughing stock of the league. Not because they didn't trade Bynum for Kidd, which would have been a mistake. But because they signed Luke Walton to that ridiculous contract. Why did they do that? Because they saw that Luke was popular in this Hollywood city.
The Lakers are pure Hollywood.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 06, 2008 at 04:22 PM
the next time we play the spurs, the questions will be,
can fisher and farmer slow down parker defensively or by putting him in foul trouble,
will the lakers use their power forward to guard Ducan or will Bynum take him,
how effective will Ariza be in stopping ginobili,
and if kobe plays more help defensive off bowen, and bowen hits all the shots, can kobe learn from the previous game and adapt to the situation quickly before bowen ends up going 6 for 6 3's. Good man to man defense will be key, a zone is tricky because of parkers ability to quickly drive into the lane and collapse the defense. A full court press might be useful to wear down parker especially if surprised on them in the 3rd or 4th.
On the offensive side of the ball, all Lakers on the floor needs to play within the triangle, get penetration pass the 3 point line, make the cuts, make the passes and have good player and ball movement. A kobe vs spurs slugfest isn't healthy for kobe or the lakers.
Posted by: Haha | January 06, 2008 at 04:30 PM
"I'd rather let someone hit me with the truth than mislead me with a lie."
LOL!
Now that is Philosophy 101!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 06, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Shaq's on his way down and Bynum is on his way up. Obviously Shaq is not what he used to be. But it's just interesting to see one center get old and one young center develop. Will this be the year that Bynum starts to average more than the current Shaq? If not this year, than it will be next year. Here are their totals for this season so far:
Shaquille O'Neal
PPG 14.0
RPG 7.8
APG 1.3
SPG 0.7
BPG 1.7
FG% 0.589
FT% 0.481
3P% 0.000
MPG 28.4
EFF + 15.76
Lenovo+/- -68
Andrew Bynum
PPG 12.4
RPG 10.0
APG 1.6
SPG 0.4
BPG 2.0
FG% 0.624
FT% 0.691
3P% 0.000
MPG 28.7
EFF + 20.80
Lenovo+/- +162
Posted by: ajax | January 06, 2008 at 04:31 PM