Bob and weave
For the second day in a row, the Lakers controlled the flow of a game, only to allow the opponent to add some dramatic tension in the fourth quarter. But with a good push in the last 3+ minutes, the Lakers came away with a solid 106-97 win over the Bobcats in Charlotte. The Lakers generally controlled things throughout, led by Pau Gasol, who was particularly effective in the first half and finished with 26 points on 9/11 from the floor, and Kobe Bryant's 31 on 9-17 from the floor and 9-9 from the line. Still, even beyond the the late Charlotte run, it wasn't a game without flaws. The Lakers were far too turnover prone early on, and generally struggled to keep the Bobcats off the offensive boards. On the other hand, they stole the ball from the Bobcats 13 times, shot 50% from the floor, notched a perfectly solid 24 dimes on 35 FGs, and totally dominated the FT battle, doubling the number of trips the Bobcats took to the stripe (34 to 17).
Like Sunday's win in Miami, it wasn't one for the time capsule, but it was more than enough to get the job done. 6-2 on the roadie.
BK
topher,
You do know that this is like the third youngest team in the nba, right ?
Posted by: purplehaemoglobin | February 12, 2008 at 10:49 AM
"michael h,
Good point, and you're right. The Lakers SOS (strength of schedule) is one of the toughest in the league right now at .525. Only Memphis has had a tougher schedule with a SOS of .526. Of course, Memphis hasn't quite had the success as the Lakers, but hey, at least they have Kwame. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Anyway, of the elite teams, the Lake show does have the most favorable schedule after the all-star break.
Posted by: long live chick | February 11, 2008 at 10:42 PM"
How much of Memphis's SOS of .526 is due to the fact that their opponents got to play, well, Memphis? In other words, their opponents have a winning record partially due to the fact that they got to play Memphis.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are not an easy win by any stretch. So their opponents do really well already AND would have a higher winning percentage if you take the Lakers out of the equation.
I'm just saying that the Lakers have played well, have had a hard schedule and have a couple of key guys missing.
I'll take it.
Lakers
Posted by: akr_68 | February 12, 2008 at 11:04 AM
>>>but come one. why was this guy resigned in the first place.
It's a very simple equation of the NBA:
7 ft. = contract.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 12, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Rocky,
>>>Why did they trade away a lottery pick for J
>>>Richardson, right after signing Matt Carroll?
And to make matters worse, they took that trade instead of
trading the pick to the Lakers for Lamar. The Lakers would
have sent the pick to Minnesota as part of a KG deal.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 12, 2008 at 11:15 AM
exhelodrvr,
All right, i'll give you 12-14 shots a game but I think between his instincts and the Lakers' passing mentality and ability of late they'll get him the ball just fine. Besides, I love how he doesn't worry too much about touches. I use to hate hearing shaq complaining when he didn't get 25-30 shots (even when he was right, it's still annoying).
Also, your name makes me feel dyslexic. I though it was ex hedo lover when I first saw it and was wondering why you don't like Turkoglu anymore. ROFL.
Got it right now though.
Have a good one.
Happydaze
Posted by: Happydaze | February 12, 2008 at 11:25 AM
wesjoenixon,
>>>What I like about the Gasol trade is that it gives us a
>>>second player who can create his own shot. The
>>>Pistons have 4.
I think you're underestimating some of the other Lakers.
Farmar can create his own shot.
Fisher can create his own shot.
Lamar can create his own shot, as long as it involves
moving to the left.
Luke has a few moves, though he's more likely to pass
than actually take the shot.
Even Sasha, Rad, and Ariza can drive to the hoop.
None of them is as good or has as wide a variety of moves
as Kobe or Gasol, but any of those guys can get themselves
a shot against an average defender.
Bynum, Turiaf, and MBenga are about the only 3 who
can't do anything to create a shot. And Bynum's post
moves were just starting to come out when he got injured.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 12, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Lester,
>>>One Question: What the heck is Luke Walton still
>>>doing in the starting line-up?
What game are you watching? Luke didn't start. It was
Fish, Kobe, Lamar, Rad, and Gasol.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 12, 2008 at 11:27 AM
I really like Pau Gasol and am quite excited about what his addition means to the Lakers and their championship aspirations. However, I think that working out with weights and targeting his upper body and core muscles would benefit him immensely, especially with regards to his back problems. From what I've seen of him so far, I don't think his fitness level matches his skill level. Just some mild constructive criticism. I think Pau has been great so far and it goes without saying that he is a tremendous improvement over Kwame.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | February 12, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Posted by: Champion
PJ has never been known to coach for wins in the regular season. ...
He coaches for wins in the playoffs.Also notice that he doesn't even care about wins or losses early in the season and he only judges his team by the type of basketball that they play.....
Watch the game for what it is...a game. Stop typing in caps to accentuate your obsession and shut up.
GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT CHUMPION
1989/90---57-25
1990/91---61-21
1991/92---67-15
1992/93---57-35
1993/94---55-27
1995/96---72-10
1996/97---69-13
1997/98---62-20
NO, PHIL NOT INTERESTED IN WINS IN THE REGULAR SEASON
YOU PREPARE FOR THE THE PLAYOFFS THROUGH THE REGULAR SEASON
THE REGULAR SEASON TENDS TO BE A MICROCOSM OF WHAT YOU DID IN THE REGULAR SEASON, ALL FLAWS ARE ACCENTUATED.. INCLUDING COACHING. SO BEFORE YOU START TELLING PEOPLE TO SHUT UP FOR VOICING THEIR OPINION..MAKE SURE YOUR RESPONSE HAS SOME FACTUAL BASIS TO IT
p.s. the CAPS are just for you in case you didn't feel me
DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE
Posted by: DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE | February 12, 2008 at 01:27 PM
no charles says the lakers are "fooooos goad"
Posted by: bret | February 12, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Lakers are looking good,but i still see a couple of weaknesses. Gasol is a little soft with his low post defense and on the boards. Also the Lakers go through stretches where they take a lot of quick bad shots in transition.
I think this can easily be addressed with the return of Bynum and simply being more disciplined on offense and not taking quick jump shots without running the offense 1st.
Posted by: kelly | February 12, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Looks like someone's butt hurt because their lack of basketball knowledge was exposed. I suppose I could have went on a web surfing barrage and displayed for you PJ's record in the playoffs as well as the many times he calls timeouts in them vs. the reg. season. I however don't have the passion or the time...so why don't you just read this nice little article. It will allow you to devote yourself to the other things in life. Lest you enjoy spending countless hours behind a computer researching pointless facts that try and fit your deboggled logic. Why don't you just read what your favorite coach says about the whole issue.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=philjackson
just in case you don't feel me enough, you can't go and feel J.A. Adande.
DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE
Posted by: Champion | February 12, 2008 at 07:49 PM
-------------------------MUST MUST READ
Poor Poor Champion
As I said before, you should make sure your response has some factual basis to it.
Apparently through your web surfing you came up with a JJ ADANDE article congratulating PJ on his introduction into the NBA HOF. HA. This article has no direct quotes from PJ that even remotely backs up your claim about meaningless regular season games or the number of timeouts in the playoffs, which was the crux of your argument. In fact it has no quotes from PJ at all. So it is a little difficult to read what my favorite coach has to say about the whole issue when he says nothing at all. LOL, oops did you forget to read the article or did you just think by posting a link to any article would make your case?
Listen Champ, you started this, I just voiced my opinion and you got all bent out of shape. You made it personal, but thats OK because as you said, you neither have the passion or time. It's OK to agree to disagree. You prefer a more sophomoric approach. It's all good though.
Again I will state my main points
THE REGULAR SEASON TENDS TO BE A MICROCOSM OF WHAT YOU DID IN THE REGULAR SEASON, ALL FLAWS ARE ACCENTUATED.. INCLUDING COACHING. SO BEFORE YOU START TELLING PEOPLE TO SHUT UP FOR VOICING THEIR OPINION..............
And by the way I like PJ, but this is no time to rest on one's laurels.
Also, my butt is fine but thanks for inquiring.
DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE
Posted by: DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE | February 12, 2008 at 10:46 PM