KCAL Game Thread - Lakers at Hawks
February 6, 2008 | 5:37
pm
Is anyone else as sick of this roadie purely because of the delayed feeds?
Oh well. You know the protocol.
AK
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Not to trash everyone's savior, but Pau is not a true center. He's soft, actually. He's too easily pushed out of position and not active in the rebounding category. He almost seems a bit effeminate...
Posted by: troy | February 06, 2008 at 07:03 PM
THIS GAME WAS LOSS BECAUSE OF ONE INDIVIDUAL.
KOBIATCH
4 FOR 16 SHOOTING!
I SAID IT THIS MORNING AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN AS LONG AS KOBE CONTINUES TO SHOOT LIKE THAT, THERE'S NO WAY THE LAKERS ARE GOING TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
HE IS CRIPPLING THIS TEAM WITH HIS SELFISHNESS.
Posted by: Gunner | February 06, 2008 at 07:42 PM
AND PLEASE TELL ME WHO WAS HOLDING JOE JOHNSON.
LOOKS LIKE FIBA AMERICAS TOURNAMENT TAUGHT OLD MAN KOBE NOTHING!
HE GOT TORCH TONITE FOR 28 POINTS! SO, OBVIOUSLY KOBE STILL HASN'T WORKED ON HIS DEFENSE. TORCH AGAIN LEBRON AND NOW TORCH AGAIN JOE JOHNSON.
I'M OUT!
Posted by: Gunner | February 06, 2008 at 07:44 PM
NOW WE GOT SOMEONE ON THE BLOG TALKING SOME SENSE!
jf
"Two nights in a row being outplayed by Vince Carter and Joe Johnson is just not acceptable for someone who is called MVP and The Best In The World.If Kobe was injured he should of sat out.I personally am not so sure Kobe can the lead the Lakers to the championship as the go to guy"
THIS IS WHY GIVEN KOBIATCH THE 1ST TEAM DEFENSE AWARD LAST YEAR WAS SHAM! AND ALL THAT STUFF ABOUT HIM WORKING ON HIS DEFENSE AT THE FIBA TOURNAMENT. HE WAS ONLY LOOKING GOOD BECAUSE HE WAS SURROUNDED BY ALLSTARS WHO HAD HIS BACK.
NOW WITH HIS OWN TEAM TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW THIS LOSER GET TORCHED BY VINCE CARTER AND NOW JOE JOHNSON.
YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND BELIEVE THE HYPE BUT KOBE IS NOTHING BUT A BIG FAT JOKE!
KOBIATCH ARE A LOSER! AND I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOU OPT OUT OF YOUR CONTRACT IN 2 YEARS BECAUSE IF IT ISN'T FOR BYNUM'S GROWTH AND GASOL, WE HAVE NO CHANCE WITH YOU GETTING OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND.
MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST SHIP YOU OUT TO MIAMI THEN LET PAT RILEY TRADE YOU OFF TO THE SUNS. JUST MAYBE YOU MIGHT SEE A RING AGAIN BEING NASH STEPCHILD!!!
Posted by: Gunner | February 06, 2008 at 07:50 PM
THERE ARE BLOGGERS WHO ACTUALLY WATCH THE GAME WITHOUT THE KOBIATCH BLINDERS ON.
70slakerfan,
"The loss is not on Sasha, Kobe is the team leader and should have made sure everyone knew the situation. That is what the leader does. Kobe's behind the back dribble turn over lost it."
jf,
"Two nights in a row being outplayed by Vince Carter and Joe Johnson is just not acceptable for someone who is called MVP and The Best In The World.If Kobe was injured he should of sat out.I personally am not so sure Kobe can the lead the Lakers to the championship as the go to guy.His supporting cast is as good as it gets but Kobe's bad shooting can kill any great team's title hopes.If you think I'm wrong go back and look at the Detroit series."
THE BIG DIVA
THE BIG FINGA POINTER
THE BIG PINKY EXCUSE
THE BIG IRRELEVANT
THE BIG MALCONTENT
THE BIG OPT OUT IN 2 YEARS.
KOBE YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A LOSER!!!
Posted by: Gunner | February 06, 2008 at 07:55 PM
geeez... looks like someone had a bad day.
Posted by: LurkeR | February 06, 2008 at 07:58 PM
One thing I did like very much: Kobe's reaction after Sasha's brain cramp. Very calm. Very understated. The look on his face was very much "what the #@^% were you thinking, dude?" And I'm sure he asked Sasha something along those lines. But he didn't getting visibly agitated or tear into him. In the past, Kobe might have. Very good leadership on his part. Sasha knew immediately that he effed up and the last thing he needs is to be reminded in harsh terms.
Good showing by 24 under frustrating circumstances.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 06, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Kobe will go down in history as having two of the greatest ever seasons for taking the Lakers to the playoffs with two of the worst starters in the history of the NBA (Smush and Kwame) and Luke isn't too hot either. Now that they're gone we realize how Kobe and PJ did elevate their games. How did we get as far as we did?
Posted by: rdlee | February 06, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Wow you guys killed this one.... maybe you should just stay here
Posted by: Bret | February 06, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Look out folks, we have the Herpes Crew out. Gunner's the leader. Ever time you think you're in the clear, you get a flare up.
Consider yourself on my ignore list.
Posted by: #4 | February 06, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Sorry, Coach. I know I've been slamming PJ after a road loss, but he's making himself an easy target. Kobe is injured. His shot is not falling. I know he's still valuable for assists and rebounds.
But when the game is on the line, only Helen Keller couldn't see that he's more of a liability than an asset. He can't hold the basketball. He'd like to. But he can't.
Didn't you see it coming? I know I'm not alone on this. Yes, Kobe would like to be Kobe right now. He isn't. He's injured. How hard is this?
Kobe shouldn't have been on the floor at the end of the game. Maybe we would have won and maybe we wouldn't. But five able-bodied Lakers are better than four. Go ahead. Challenge me on this.
Coach Jackson's personnel decisions at the end of a game totally mystify me. We all have heard the adage that coaches don't lose games; players do. Maybe that's true if the coach isn't Phil Jackson. But the last five Laker losses are all on him in my book.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | February 06, 2008 at 08:08 PM
I love that Kobe plays hurt.
BUT
Kobe has got to recognize his limitations.
When healthy those limitations are pretty high, so much so that you can't blame him for pushing the boundaries. But when his finger is affecting his shot, he has to adjust accordingly. He can still be pretty effective playing within himself. Just as any other player will get in trouble doing things he can't do, the same applies for Kobe, especially when he's injured (because when healthy there's pretty much nothing he can't do).
Don't try to do too much. That's a tall order when Kobe's healthy, but when injured he has to put himself in the mindset of a lesser player so that he can be effective.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | February 06, 2008 at 08:09 PM
The offense got so stagnant that it was painful to watch.
Frustrating loss to a very mediocre/bad team.
And since Gunner didn't watch the game.... Vladi was guarding Joe Johnson for a good portion of the game.
Posted by: socalife | February 06, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Unfortunately, I haven't watched the past couple of games but I wonder, what is going on with Kobe as far as shooting wise. I see he built up 18 assist in the past couple of games which is good, but I really can't remember seeing Kobe score under 10 points in quite sometime (New Jersey Game).
Pau Gasol from what I understand isn't a natural Center. Sort of like the Suns and Amare. I think Pau will contribute very well once he gets in sink with the triangle offense. It will even be more interesting once Bynum comes back. That I can't wait for.
Well, this was a game we shouldn't have lost but it is what it is. Road trip is almost over, then we have the all-star break and by that time, hopefully, we will have a better look at when Bynum will be coming back.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Ron | February 06, 2008 at 08:25 PM
i'm watching the game as an archived game on nba.com and the announcers for the hawks sounds a lot like Vin Scully, or some other broadcaster that is regarded very highly, but i think he's pretty good.
just wish we could find an announcer that actually called the plays as they were happening and not drift off into side conversation. i think thats what hearn was best at among other things. he actually called the game.
andand
Posted by: andand | February 06, 2008 at 08:31 PM
AK,
I also noticed that Kobe seemed restrained after Sasha's mental mistake at the end of the game. I hope its a product of good leadership but think it was mainly because he had such a terrible night. He was in no position to go off on Sasha at the time.
I wonder if Kobe would have been more vocal if he had been having a better night...
Posted by: BynumBeliever | February 06, 2008 at 08:32 PM
AK, I agree with your assessment of Kobe's reaction. I also like Sasha's reaction....he knew it was bone headed.
I hope that as a professional, Sasha keeps his head up, and learns from this.
Does anyone feel as though this is like an extended training camp? I know people are gonna come back and say that every game counts, but not when Phil is coaching. Its all in preparation for the playoffs, so 1 game now isn't so bad.
Posted by: #4 | February 06, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Whew! Just finished listening to the Suns' double overtime loss to the Bees. It was exciting. Suns hitting 3 after 3 to tie up the game. Peja hit the game winning shot at the buzzer, but Kobe & the boys should text Jannero Pargo. He was huge, hitting all his free throws late in the game. He kept them in it when it was raining 3's on the other end.
Posted by: mel | February 06, 2008 at 09:04 PM
It is only one road loss, so no big deal. However, another game they had in hand and clearly could have and should have won. Just a guess, but isn't that like the 5th game like that this year? Too many when competing in the Western Conference.
There is still something about this team that bugs me. I like the make up and the personalities a great deal. Something missing. Killer instinct. Hopefully their youth plays a part and they will get tougher with age, but in looking at the team I'm wondering who might mature into the tough leader they need to compliment Kobe.
Tonight, I saw it coming. Settling for jump shots all game long. No one taking it to the basket. No real inside game. No real sustained defensive effort. The Lakers could have put it away early, but never stepped on the gas.
I'm not big on this continuous trade talk, but I still wish we had a McNasty on this squad. I'm tired of seeing us miss free throws in the final two minutes while the opposing squad does what it has to do. Tired of second shots that lead to game winning baskets. Last second plays that lead to airballs or the Lakers don't get a shot off. That is not necessarily a talent issue. Get the rebound, make the free throw, execute the out of bounds play. It is about mental toughness and there's something clearly missing with some of these guys. Too many softies on this squad or no one who is currently willing them to win. How does Laker cast off Tyrone Lue single handedly beat the Lakers down the stretch? That was painful to watch - come on Fish, dig in - and Fish is one of our tough guys. Lamar again - choke. Kobe, if you're hurt, either you and or Phil should know better - give up the rock.
Someone else wrote in talking about Gasol as soft. He was soft tonight, but fortunately he will be side by side with Bynum once the Lakers are healthy. The tough guy - is a role for Turiaf. I think he needs to realize that despite the front line talent ahead of him, he can lead with toughness. Somebodys got to be willing to get mean and nasty on this Laker team or this very talented squad won't get too far.
Someone else wrote in a couple days ago saying that Gasol should be playing 4 now with Turiaf at the 5, so he'd be adjusted when Bynum comes back. I think this is a great idea. Plus I believe Turiaf should be on the floor. Consistently, this year the Lakers have played better when he is in the lineup.
This team is very good just as they are and can beat any team in the league on any given night. However, in a seven game series if they don't find a core of guys who will refuse to lose and are willing to knock some guys on to the floor if they have to, they won't be winning a titles.
Posted by: Darryll White | February 06, 2008 at 09:17 PM
KOBIATCH REACTION TO SASHA WAS SELFISH!!!!!!! INSTEAD OF BEING PATIENT WITH SASHA KOBIATCH SHOULD HAVE GLARED AND YELLED AT HIM!!!!!
HOW DARE HE TREAT SASHA WITH UNDERSTANDING!!!!!!! THAT'S TYPICAL KOBIATCH!!!!!! VERY SELFISH!!!!!!!
Posted by: DUMBER | February 06, 2008 at 09:17 PM
O.K
The good news is that the suns lost as well so we didnt lose any ground. And I have a feeling after the Shaq trade that their 2 1/2 game lead isnt exactly safe.
As far as Sasha goes. If he didnt like his look he did the right thing taking it to the hole and getting the 2. We had a time out and plenty of time. If the other team misses a free throw, now you only need a 2 pointer. If they miss both you can win with a 2 pointer. Fish got a decent look on that last shot so, really I wouldnt hang the loss on him.
MH
Posted by: michael h | February 06, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Bynumbeliever,
According to Tex, this isn't something that's new. Kobe's had a more level head, and better leadership overall as it regards his teammates. Whether or not he plays well himself.
Coz in reality even if he does do bad...he's still got the right to talk, to whip some butt, coz he's the captain.
Posted by: Faith | February 06, 2008 at 09:26 PM
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!!!
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!
BLAH!!!
Posted by: sixonezero | February 06, 2008 at 10:07 PM
funny, ABC has Lakers-Heat game this Sunday, of course because of Kobe-Shaq matchup...only Shaq is not there anymore!
Posted by: tim | February 06, 2008 at 10:14 PM
By GREG COTE
gcote@MiamiHerald.com
Pat Riley has pulled off such a steal here that this trade should be dusted for fingerprints.
The Heat sending Shaquille O'Neal to Phoenix and getting in return blue-chip small forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks makes you wonder if the Suns' first-year general manager, Steve Kerr, might have been suffering from sunstroke out there in the desert.
No disrespect meant, Shaq. You are an all-time great. In three-plus years in Miami, you earned a forever-place in our sporting hearts, not just for being indispensable in the 2006 NBA championship run, but for your humor and force of personality, for the twinkle in your eye. We've never seen anybody else like you down here.
Thank you.
PLODDING GHOST
The thing is, reality stinks, doesn't it? Shaq got old, fast: The Diesel, on fumes. O'Neal turns 36 in a month and has become a plodding ghost of his once-dominant self. Incessant foul trouble limits his minutes. Horrible free-throw shooting limits his minutes when they matter most. And that is when he is on the court at all and not relegated to sitting on the bench in one of his giant, tailor-made suits on account of an increasing proneness to injuries.
Shaq's productivity for points and rebounds have sank to career lows, mortal numbers now no longer commensurate with a stature and aura both running away from The Big Fella in his career's early winter.
And for all of this steep, increasing decline the Heat was going to spend $40 million over the next two seasons?
The surprise isn't that Riley wanted to cut his losses by dumping Shaq's salary. The surprise is he could find a taker willing to not only pay for a used-jalopy Shaq at new-star prices, but also willing to give up major talent in return.
Shawn Marion, ''The Matrix,'' can play. At 29, he is in his prime. His four All-Star appearances included three in a row before this season. Consider that, even as Phoenix's third option behind Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, Marion averages more points and more rebounds than Shaq this season.
Marion is an excellent, versatile defender, can start and finish fast breaks and welcomes an open three-point shot -- all areas of need for the Heat.
Yes, Marion has the right to opt out of his contract after this season, but either way, the Heat wins in this deal.
If he elects to stay, Miami has in superstar Dwyane Wade and Marion a duo Riley has auspiciously likened to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Should Marion opt to leave, the salary-cap space gained would allow Riley to cast a big line into a ripe free agent pool that will include the likes of Elton Brand, Gilbert Arena, Allen Iverson and others.
Those options, plus a likely top-three draft pick, mean the Heat could be a contender again quickly.
Riley's motivation in this trade was plain, the need for it underlined by the horrid 9-38 record Miami has after losing at Detroit on Wednesday night.
''We're rebuilding,'' he admitted.
WHY PHOENIX?
Phoenix's willingness to be a party to this is harder to fathom. The Suns have the best record in the Western Conference, but just got older and slower by this trade.
Shaq with the run-run Suns invites the image of an aging, lumbering rhinoceros trying to keep pace with a herd of sprinting gazelles.
O'Neal reportedly phoned Nash and pledged, ''I won't let you down.'' In 2008, though, you get the sense Shaq's fierce pride is writing checks his beaten-down body can no longer cash.
This seismic trade is telling for the directions teams are aiming.
Phoenix is looking backward, hoping for a last hurrah from yesterday.
Miami is looking forward, saying thanks for the memories, and moving on.
Posted by: BD | February 06, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Kerr said he thought the Suns had a “puncher’s chance” in the postseason.
To which D’Antoni replied, “I thought we were going to win anyway. This just makes it easier.”
Posted by: BD | February 06, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Gasol tired after a wild ride and the whole team running a little out of gas in the 4th. no big deal, just something to learn from.
Posted by: man | February 06, 2008 at 10:28 PM
KOBIATCH IS SELFISH!!!!!!!!! THAT'S WHY THE HEAT HAD TO TRADE SHAQ TO THE SUNS!!!!!!!! KOBIATCH DEMANDED THAT RILEY TRADE SHAQ!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: DUMBER | February 06, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Keep an eye on Utah. They have won 10 straight games and now have the highest point differential in the West. They match up with the new Laker lineup better than any team.
Okur and Boozer vs. Bynum and Gasol: Slight advantage Lakers, assuming Bynum comes back at former level by playoff time. Okur can hit the outside shot and will lure Drew away from the paint. Boozer can overpower Gasol. Drew should guard Boozer and Pau guards Okur.
Kirilenko vs. Odom: AK is better defender. Odom is better rebounder and passer. About equal in offense. Both are inconsistent. Ak is more moody and emotional but Odom is weaker mentally. Slight advantage Jazz.
Brewer/Korver vs. Kobe: Huge advantage Lakers.
Deron Williams vs. Fisher/Farmar: Huge advantage Jazz.
Bench: if Lakers come back to former chemistry of bench, slight advantage Lakers.
Coaching: Sloan is one of the best defensive coaches in the NBA and is tougher than PJ. Phil may be a bit more creative in offense. PJ may be having more "senior moments" these days in high pressure end game situations. Even.
Intangibles: Jazz were in WCF last year and have more playing time together than Lakers. Advantage Jazz.
Posted by: LakerinBC | February 06, 2008 at 10:49 PM
SHAQ, HILL and NASH = WORN OUT READY FOR SUNSET!
BYNUM, GASOL, and KOBE = NEW DYNASTY!
Starting five for Lakers when they play the Suns should be: Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Ariza and Kobe!
Ariza defends Steve Nash. Without Marion every critical rebound will be LAKERS!
Odom plays point forward and brings the ball up court.
Nash will be forced to guard ARIZA or KOBE! Tough job for Nash!
Posted by: Staples 24 | February 06, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Rick F.,
I agree, Kobe should nothave played that much with his two fingers heavily taped. It should have been Farmar. The problem is D against Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. Well, PJ experimented the new bench mob farmar, sasha, ron, luke and vlad at the start of 4th Q. We gave a lot of points that were made. We can afford to lose Kobe, we have no D out there.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 06, 2008 at 10:56 PM
'Big Daddy' Shaq Goes to Phoenix: Did Riley Con the Suns?
From Bleacher Report
Let me just state for the record.
Pat Riley is a genius.
Pat Riley is a salesman.
And Pat Riley is also The Flim-Flam man.
If you combine all three into one, you have the making of one of the finest GM’s the NBA has ever seen.
First Riley, The Genius:
He just traded Shaq O’Neal, "The Big Waste of a 20 Million Dollar Contract" to the Phoenix Suns for the All Star Shawn Marion, the ‘Matrix’, as well as Marcus Banks
Miami Fans were in agreement: We traded our soul to the Devil for one Title.
But since the NBA Title, Shaq was in decline. Shaq had lost more then a step since he first came to the Heat. He had lost everything: his quickness, his shooting touch, his rebounding, his blocking ability, I mean everything. The only thing he had gained was weight and a boatload of injuries. With three years left on his contract, at 20 million per, Miami and Riley were doomed.
Nobody would take Shaq. You couldn’t give him away. You couldn’t pay any team to take him off Miami's hands.
Or so we thought...
Riley: Salesman and The Flim-Flam Man
As the Flim-Flam Man, (a gifted con artist), 'Riley could sell ice to the Eskimos', or in this case, an aging, hurt center, barely able to put on a uniform, 20 million a year player, to an unsuspecting NBA team.
Now most NBA GM’s confronted with such a daunting problem play the Old Soldier routine. Old GM’s never die; they just fade away, disappear, and leave all the problems they created for the next poor sucker. I’m sure Riley thought of that, but the old Willie Lohman of the NBA, felt he might have one more sale or trade up his sleeve.
Scanning the Elite of the NBA, looking for his mark, or victim, Riley saw an opportunity. The Lakers just signed Pau Gasol, perhaps tipping the balance of power in the NBA’s Western Conference to the Lakers and away from the Phoenix Suns.
The Phoenix Suns were doubting themselves. Although they had the best record in the West, they were worried the Lakers might deny them the NBA Title they covet so much.
Riley, the salesman calls Steve Kerr, GM of the Phoenix Suns. Steve being a new and inexperienced GM, would be easy prey for Rile’s slick way.
The conversation probably went something like this.
Riley: “Steve, I just heard that Memphis gave Pau to the Lakers. That’s not fair, there ought to be a law against that stuff. You guys were on the brink of winning your first title and some schmo just took it away from you. We’ll I’m here to remedy it. I can change all of that for you.”
Kerr: “How, Pat? Is Wade available?”
Riley: “Oh, this is way better than Wade. We are talking title for at least three years for the Suns. We, the Heat are willing to part, are you sitting down Steve? With the greatest player of all time, 14 times an All Star, Regular Season MVP, and MVP three times in the finals, that’s Finals Steve.”
Kerr: “Shaq?!”
Riley: “That’s right. You’re probably thinking, why would Rile’s part with such a Super Star, and how could YOU, afford such a valuable piece like Shaq? Don't worry Steve, that’s the easy part. What’s important is, you reclaiming the lead in the West and bringing that Trophy home.”
Kerr: “But I heard Shaq was hurting?”
Riley: “Don’t believe all that stuff you read in the papers and NBA injury reports. Shaq was just playing possum so we can get a lottery pick. He’s in the best shape of his career.
Steve, you hate the Lakers don’t you? You want to win the title don’t you? Shaq is what you need, right?
You can trust me Steve, give us that malcontent, Marion, and we’ll take Banks lousy contract off your hands, then Rile’s will make it alright for Stevie.”
Kerr: “I don’t know Pat, It sounds good, but I’ve got to talk to the owner.”
Riley: “Steve, this deal won’t last. Dallas is trying to get him right now as we speak. You delay, and you might miss an opportunity of a lifetime. Its only because you’re my friend that I’m willing to give my buddy, Steve Kerr, such a smoking deal. What do you say Steve, we got a deal?"
Kerr: “Yeah, let's do it! Send the papers over for me to sign”
Riley: “That's my boy Steve, you won’t regret it. Guaranteed Championship! And can we say, Exec of the year?!”
You must admit, this guy is slick. He just took the Phoenix Franchise to the cleaners.
You are a legend in your own time. Pat Riley, I salute you.
Posted by: BD | February 06, 2008 at 10:57 PM
the team looked a little road-weary today. They had good effort, but Atlanta clearly had more energy. I was hoping they would find a way to keep it going, but when the 4th quarter came, they kind of fell apart. It's only the third time this season they lost to a sub-500 team (GS, Mil). It happens some times.
Phoenix lost also, so no harm done. I'm certain they'll pull it back together for Orlando and Miami.
Man, I REALLY wish they would play Phoenix AFTER Bynum returns. He's going to wear Snaq out simply with his activity. Plus, he owes him for that cheap shot a couple of years ago.
Posted by: brewnz | February 06, 2008 at 11:27 PM
I don't understand why Pau isn't playing power forward. Seems to me that they should be starting Ronny at center and substituting DJ in... We don't lose any D that way and only gain offense. It must be that that position is too complicated within the offense to stick Pau there yet, but personally I'd rather see him benched more often and brought in then stuck at center and be deflated. Too much opportunity for other teams to figure out Pau's weaknesses with the team so early....
Posted by: logan | February 07, 2008 at 01:30 AM
Your a Genius BD!!! Same as Pat Riley!!!
STEVE KERR as the lousiest GM ever in History!!!
Posted by: Kobi Bryan | February 07, 2008 at 02:32 AM
Can someone please tell me whether there is an idiot convention in LA with the goal of ruining this blog with idiodic posts?
First KL Yeast is going crazy and gets himself booted. Of course, once that happens Mike T decides to go crazy and start many fantasy arguments and were even far fetched for him and also wishing injury on our own players. Then Queen Quame is trade so Mike T looks like a fool and leaves the blog forever. But guess what, the great Gunner returns in full force just in the nick of time.
I think these clowns have a club where they get together and plot anger and hatred on Laker fans.
Gunner, I wish you the best and I hope you get well soon.
Posted by: Stranger in the Night | February 07, 2008 at 05:55 AM
with Kobe's injury......it's only logical to make Gasol the Primary player from the post up and on pick and rolls......that's his speciality. With radmonovich and walton playiing soo much minutues.......agaings an athletic team.....i'm not suprised.
Turiaf should be getting big minutes at the four, and going into the low post to Gasol and on pick and rolls should be common place, especially when things get stagnant..............
Posted by: Dion | February 07, 2008 at 05:59 AM
Long time laker fan, I am glade you care. All players are going to make mistakes need to be coaches need to manage the game as we go not in hind sight.
I disagree. If we say PLUKE"S play was good, then that what we are to get from PLuke? Not good enough for me needs lots of improvement.
Why do you think the other team go after PLUKE and get a lift from the man slow footed PLUKE is guarding?
I am not blaming PLuke for this lose. PLUKE IS PLUKE, soft, slow footed with a questable IQ in my book. At least shasha took a shout at the end of the game.
"This loss is totally on Phil, no rotation, just kill your own team’s moment ion and flow with a second unit when the game is on the line. Then put your starters back in cold and under pressure. Why not put the second unit in at garbage time, BB 101.
Pluke was Pluke he must follow Brown out of town or suffer the consequences. \
Phil and Pluke there is no where to hide now. Phil I hope you are enjoying the game you are playing with Pluke and koby Carl at the expense of team chemistry. Do you really think the other team members are not affected? Do you think the other team members have the energy and focus to over come your B.S. and lop sided head games every game.
Fans want to win NOW."
A well coach team would never give away its momentum willing. How hard is it to sub in one or two fresh players while keeping the core in tact?
To me, Phil is looking to get the win in the last few minutes of the game after he has made his miss-steps. The team should never be put in this type of pressure situation of who lost\won the game for us.
A win is more import ion than any single players playing time, to me that is.
I wish PLUKE WALTON'S mama would stop lobbing for PLUKE IQ and good play. Is this a way of saying that all of the other players are dumb? What did PLUKE do that was so intelligent?
The Team WINS or the Team loses, stop the separation.
We have a TEAM let’s play all out hard for 48 minutes maximum effort and usage of every man on the team according to his best use every game.
Stop the waite in 08!
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: fisheye | February 07, 2008 at 06:16 AM
Trap game. Move on. Tough back to back.
The NBA - Where tough schedules happen.
Kobe forced some shots. Atlanta played with alot of energy. Vlad went cold. Gasol looked tentative. Ronny played out of whack. Farmar was non existent.
Joe Johnson pushed off. That was not a foul on Fisher.
How can the refs make that call with such little time remaining. JJ was not even shooting. Let 'em play!
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | February 07, 2008 at 06:40 AM
"It helps," he said with a laugh. "It does help when you have guys on the team that are perennial All-Stars or can go out there and produce every night and you know what you're going to get."
LeBron James on the Shaq trade. Is this not a slam to his team? If Kobe were to make this statement he would get crushed in the media.
Posted by: MJCMAN32 | February 07, 2008 at 06:43 AM
AK- I didnt see the game but if Kobe did that with Sasha at the end of the game good for him, thats a sign of leadership.
I read some comments that fatigue may have been a factor in the game. Go watch the 4th quarter of the Nets game when the lakers were up by plenty and booster boy brought back the starters in garbage time.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 07, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Gunner:
I see you've managed to deactivate the filters on your middle school computer lab. Congratulations. Now I'm sure the cool kids will stop picking on you at recess.
Actual Lakers fans:
This is was a disappointing loss, but it's far from a sky-is-falling situation. I'm sure we're all aware of several reasons why a loss to a lesser team was not unexpected under the circumstances. This type of loss would be worrying only if it were "typical" of this Lakers team. It wasn't.
Posted by: The D | February 07, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Shaq + Hill + Nash. Looks like they're really primed for the Finals. Too bad its the 2002 Finals.
Posted by: #4 | February 07, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Gasol looked a bit lost in the office tonight. Seems as though he is still unsure about where his shots will come from which led to him making a couple of akward plays.
Thus far, many of Gasol's points come from the creation of other Laker players or put backs.
As he becomes more acclimated in the offense, we will hopefully see him creating more plays for himself.
Posted by: Lakafo0 | February 07, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Why wasn't Vlad in the game for the final shot again? He's 6'10" with a high arc jumper at least he can shoot over people. He was part of the reason why they were even in the game in the second have, although he didnt score he was running the offense and was part of the group that put the Lakers up by 8 before they were replaced with the no flow group that went stagnet, yeah maybe he was tired but they also stopped going to him when Kobe was on the floor after the 1st quarter. He was on a high in the 1st then nothing, yeah he went 0-4 after that but 2 of those were to beat the shot clock and it's hard to get in a flow shooting when your being ignored. He played decent defense as well, Kobe and Lamar were off on defense also. I'm getting tired off Phil's strange sub patterns that hurt the team.
Posted by: Ken | February 07, 2008 at 08:31 AM
the team was a little weary last night,and it cost them.
Now it's time to move on get ready for the next one. What dose anyone think about the Shaqy trade to the Suns?
Posted by: LakerFan | February 07, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Bynum update!!!!!!!
According to chris broussard bynum is ahead of schedule and should have no problems coming back according to the 8 week timeline. he also went on to say he does 4 hour leg strength training, and has been watching alot of film or some of the great bigs the game has had.
Posted by: ose | February 07, 2008 at 09:02 AM
everyone here rippin Pau about being soft in the middle is thinkin too much, we didnt get him to be the defensive shot blocker, we got him for offense and boards.
Bynum is the wall in the middle and this will all change once Bynum returns.
Relax!!!!
Posted by: Stars_R_Aligned | February 07, 2008 at 09:06 AM
I was watching the Shaq-Bynum duel on MLK day when Bynum went right at Shaq after being posterized
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPRqhNK6g6g
That was 2 years ago, now Bynum is maturing and Shaq is aging. Cant wait to see this matchup in the playoffs.
Posted by: Stars_R_Aligned | February 07, 2008 at 09:09 AM
ose,
Where did you get this information?
Posted by: Xodus | February 07, 2008 at 09:16 AM