Long-time reader, first-time poster ...

Okay, for all the doomsayers out there, relax. Sometimes when I read this, I have to recheck the scores to make sure we're not on a 10-game losing streak.

We're seeing something historic here, people. No one has EVER done what this team is doing on a 9-game or more continuous road trip. There's a reason for that, folks. There's also a reason the NBA doesn't like to schedule these monster roadies anymore. That's because it's HARD on the road team. Even in today's insulated, pampered NBA world, it's still hard to travel that far, that much and play that many games.

Sometimes I think some of you forget, these aren't just players, and this isn't PlayStation. These are human beings. They have bad days, just like we do. They get colds, just like we do. Are they doing something they love? Most of them, yes; but it's still a job, at the end of the day, and none of us does our very best every day at work. Cut them some slack already. What they've accomplished just to this point is extraordinary.

No one has ever gone 82-0, and no one ever will. You all know that, intellectually. But somehow, THIS game, tonight's game, they just shouldn't lose. If they won every game you think they SHOULD win, they'd be 82-0. Ain't gonna happen. So I repeat: RELAX.

Also, let's get rid of one myth, please: the "championship" mind-set we supposedly lack, the "killer instinct." Hate to break it to you, but it doesn't exist. Remember our three-peat? Yeah. Now remember, THEY TOOK THE FREAKING REGULAR SEASON OFF. Championship? All they cared about was being healthy and peaking at the right time. Killer mind-set? Don't make me laugh. Quite often, especially in the first half of the regular season, they only thing they were looking to kill was time.

Don't believe me? Check out San Antonio's first halves. Check out Detroit. Both teams couldn't care less about the regular season. It's all about positioning and bringing it when it counts. Anybody remember that there was talk in Dallas last year about besting Chicago's 72-10 mark? Uh-huh. And then we crowned the Mavs champs ... oh, wait, that's right. Oops. That's what the regular season means, folks. In the end, it's not about "championship mentality." It's about being the best team and playing the best ball when it counts.

And that's why, despite their flaws, I think the Lakers have a better chance to win it all this year than anyone else. They have the best team (NO ONE can match up with a front line of 7-0, 7-0 and 6-10 that's athletic, skilled and nasty, not to mention arguably the best player in the game -- LBJ fans, I'll give it up to you, but I'd back Kobe right now). IF they can get healthy and gel, they should be playing their best ball when it counts -- in the playoffs. In the meantime, enjoy the ride for what it is -- just a nice taste of things to come.

Sorry for the long-winded post! If I post again, I'll try to keep it shorter, I promise. Peace out!

Xodus,
"You're forgetting how much better Bynum is as a rebounder and defender"

No, not forgetting that. Bynum's interior defense also makes our perimeter defenders (the weak point on the team) noticeably better. I just think that the offense is running so much more smoothly now with Gasol. I don't think that the team had really figured out the best way to use Bynum on offense yet.

Nemaia,
"We could go deeper in the playoffs with only Gasol, but I don't think we can win a ring with just Gasol and no Andrew because of the difference defensively."

You just agreed with my point there.

I don't think, at this point, the Lakers are real contenders without either Gasol or Bynum. (Or Kobe obviously.) And in a couple of years Bynum and Kobe might be enough, assuming Bynum's improvement continues.

Great road trip. I thought they'd go 4-5, but that was before they acquired Gasol.

They need to suck it up and get one more win out of Minnesota.

Wow, do we have some troubled bloggerheads. Do You See What I See thinks PJ is a hack, but apparently fails to remember that the Lake Show team of 98-99 had as much if not more talent than the 99-00 Champs. The difference was between Del Harris and PJ. You all remember Del, of the teams who always over achieved in the regular season and then imploded in the playoffs. Then he took his playoff skills down to Texas where he showed them how to choke and lose to clearly the worst championship team of the last 40 years, the Miami Meek. Frankly, I like what I am seeing, epecially because there is so much room for improvement and even more importantly, the players on this team are capable of that improvement and have a coach who actually knows what it takes to get a ring. Happy days are here and could get a whole lot happier. After watching this team for 45 years, I'll take that and cheer.

Lifetime Laker

Took care of business last night. The box scores are looking nice with two consistent scorers, and Lamar focusing on the boards.

I've been paying attention to the Bobcats this season and I must say, what in the hell are they doing over there? Micheal Jordan has to be one of the worst GM's this league has seen. And Sam Vincent has to be the worst coach in the league. Why they continue to play marginal players 40+ minutes a night while solid players wither away on the bench makes me sick as a basketball enthusiast. I'd be pissed if I were a Bobcat fan. Why did they trade away a lottery pick for J Richardson, right after signing Matt Carroll? Why did they sign Varejao to an offer that had no chance of going through? Hello? MJ? Get a new coach who'll involve the whole team, not just 4 players. And don't trade lottery picks for salary cap hell with no championship hopes.

Boy am I glad to be a Lakerfan. And I'm glad Phil Jackson is our coach. He's the best coach in the league hands down. And Mitch Kupchak is doing an excellent job. As a matter of fact, Mitch should get on the phone with MJ right now and try to pull a Lamar for Gerald Wallace deal. That Bobcat lottery pick is enticing as well. Maybe a Lamar/Vladimir for G Wallace/1st rounder. Matt Carroll is a nice piece as well, probably could be had.

Take MJ to school Mitch! haha

I noticed in the game a couple times, Ronny was shouting instruction at DJ and I noticed the same to be true with Lamar as far as yelling at Luke.I dig that fire and on court leadership by those guys...Why it can look like a negative to the average spectator/fan, I saw it as motivation and a way to boost those guys to play better or rather up to their potential and be where they are supposed to be on the court/ make sure they are on top of their assignments..Good to see!

Yep and imagine the Lakers could actually be going for a 9 and Oh. and what would Charles Barkley say then?? That we are STILL not for REAL??? I know, I get it, Charles always wanted to be a Laker but never was......

Hahahahahahahahahhaa,

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE and LAGUNERRO havent a clue what they are talking about. Oh and btw its ETC, not ECT.

My cat know more about basketball than either of you two!

Ex,

I think we agree for the most part, but Bynum's offense had become nearly if not as effective as Gasol's. And since he was scoring off an assortment of dunks, put backs, lobs and jump hooks he was also shooting at a higher percentage (Leading the league in FG%).

We're climbing in Hollinger's rankings

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerranking

Can anybody tell me if he is any good? how about his predictions last year?

Let's beat Minnie and relax

Baywood

exhelodrvr-

SA's trip was not continuous. They got some home cooking, so this would be a record

Hey guys, there are no doomsday prophesies here. People are just giving their views on what is needed. We liked what happened on the coming of Pau at 6-2 record on the road but for the role players, don't just sit on those laurels and leave it to Pau and Kobe. It is still the work of the 12-man team to provide defensive stops, sustain the lead and give rest to the tired starters who are getting older every game. Every player has a role to play. You can't continue playing like rookies or an inconsistent scrub, that was yesteryears' journey. As far as we're concerned they've been shipped out, so up-the-tempo, improved your game and don't be a weakest link. Now that Pau is here and Kobe & Bynum can seal the deal, the role players should join and blend with progress. It's better to point out the symptoms now than when it becomes a full blown disease.

Lastly, to other bloggers who forget their manners and love to call names, hates to read criticisms, we share the same optimism as any excited Laker fan but with a different take of injecting realistic expectations on the path to a common objective. That's what makes this blog interesting, it is a forum where we can engage in civilized talk and respect one's point of views. Can you imagine what the lakerville would be if there is no blog reading only Mark Heisler, Bill Plaschke and T.J Simmers viewpoints, it's really that narrow and myopic, isn't it?

Welcome to the blog, JeffSN :)

LOL you're so right about the doomsaying that goes on here. Sometimes if i read a full thread after a win, I'm convinced that we lost by 15, and that all the players are saying that Bynum will only make it worse.

Got to remember we won by 9! Not a bad margin of victory in the NBA. Pau is playing great just following his instincts while he learns the offense -- him and Kobe already seem to have a great rapport, and it will only get better with Bynum.

And trust me, Pau is not that bad on D if he doesn't have to be the primary defender protecting the hoop. He's actually pretty good at helping from the weak side. When Drew comes back Pau won't have to worry so much about low post defense and can concentrate on helping where needed, which I think he'll be very good at with his basketball IQ, which is almost Walton-ish.

exhedodrvr,

As far as not having yet found the best way to use Bynum goes, I think having him roll to the hoop for alley-oops, giving him the ball down low when not double teamed, and having him mostly concentrate on defense and rebounding was working out pretty well.

This year, we CAN get to the championship. And I think we WILL.

Have agreat day guys. Get well, Chris Mihm, so we can squeeze at least a couple games out of you before you retire.

Happydaze

This from TMZ:

"Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be blogging it up for the L.A. Times, yakking online on pretty much everything from sports to history"

If so, I hope the "big unapproachable" is prepared to answer for refusing to sign my autograph in Nagasaki in 1997. Yes, he punked me big time; not only refusing my request, but immediately turning his back on me while his friend looked on regretfully.

He's still a big punk in my mind, even if I appreciate his intellect, his writing, his place in American culture and his work with Bynum.

Wes

Ajax,

That joke was hilarious. That was a joke, right?

One of the articles in today's extra, extra should have a blurb about Ronnie twisting his ankle. Everyone was asking about Ronnie in the last couple of threads. Came across it last night.

BTW. Ronnie might night be jumping and dancing because he's not at the end of the bench anymore. It may be sinking in that he's a key cog in the Laker Playoff Destiny Machine and not a Laker Dancer. I'm sure he's still a joy in the clubhouse, though.

I notice Pau has already developed a LAKER SWAGGER -- on a couple of the dunks he kinda just stands there afterwards and is sort of like, "What?

Nice!

MH

Thanks for the sched. posting.

We all know winning the Pacific Bannner doesn't mean a lot to Lakers Fans. Its the big One that really counts. The One the Suns have only seen at other arenas.

But I must admit, taking that away from the Suns, will definately not be a source of discouragement.

Lakers' fans: Don't be afraid to feel good about this team. I like how the recent addition of Gasol and the previous re-addition of Fisher have made teams have to start guessing where the dagger is coming from. The Lakers really get the most from Kobe's game this way.

If LO keeps up the strong play and Bynum is close to his pre-injury form, the only question will be if we can gel and play to our abilities well enough. I feel good that we can do both. Players will continue to be focused on execution, but as fans, we can start thinking in terms of it all coming down to winning four games in the '08 Finals.

One Question: What the heck is Luke Walton still doing in the starting line-up? He hits a couple shots a game, if lucky, and somehow gets heralded for his puciny efforts. He is the slowest Laker out there and still moves like a mediocre college player. He's got to go because the Laker's roster is a caliber above his talent level. The Finals.....Go Lakers!

A new philosophy for the Suns.

In the past, the Suns have made moves to make them a better regular season team. That didn't translate to the playoffs. Example: Not being able to beat a quality team in playoffs.

Two moves for playoffs.

1. Grant Hill - for experience
2. Shaq - Inside presence with Title experience

Not saying these are great moves, but a new attitude finally admitting, their regular season team wasn't good enough to go all the way.

Their own haughtiness (D'antoni) prevented them from progressing as necessary. With this new, enforced attitude, they will become a more dangerous team.

Most teams are completely focusing on playoffs. In the West, we are in for a real treat come playoff time.

Tom,

That link is bad. Have another?

Also, that is exactly the kind of article we dont ever get from the times (ok, never from Simers or Plashke).

And keep an eye out for an extremely divisive Lakers article from the Times the first week of the NBA playoffs. They do it every year. Can't wait.

Wes

805Lakerlove,

"Ha ha... Shaq's 1st practice and he's missing his "chippies" with both hands"

In Shaq's defense, he was being guarded by Sean Marks, who many consider the best one-on-one post defender this side of Kwame Brown.

Andrew Z,

Agreed... you have me worried now. With New Zealand's finest to match up against every day, he's going to be more than prepared to tackle the WC bigs!

LOL

Fire32,

You havent got a clue, show me one team, ONE that has won a championship without stars on it??????

Im waiting...............

Lets break it down.

Spurs: Duncan, Ginobli, Parker

Heat: Shaq, Wade

Spurs: See above

Pistons: Rasheed, Big Ben, Hamilton, Billups

Old Pistons: Zeke, Dumars, Rodman

Lakers: SHaq Kobe

Old Lakers: Kareem, Magic, Worthy

Old Celtics: Bird, Parish, Mchale

I could go on but you see my point? Going back through NBA history you will see that all NBA champs had great rosters, so your point that Phil cant win without stars is ignorant because EVERY COACH that won has had stars on the team.

Try again, your point is meritless.