Well, we’ve been through this before. The Lakers have been up and down all year, and fortunately mostly up. It’s been a long year and the Lakers are again tired and hurt.
Hopefully they will be able to switch it back on in when the playoffs start.

Still it’s painful to watch. Losing 3 of 4 to teams who are very athletic gives us pause, no doubt.
When are the Lakers going to realize these teams are going to bring it against us? The defensive intensity from the Bobcats and Grizzles was night and day compared to the Lakers. You could tell we were going to lose this game after the 1st quarter. There is no excuse to lose 3 in a row at home against this competition. The Lakers only interest seems to be attempting outscore a more athletic opponent with no thought to defense. To be content to put up constant 3 pointers borders on laziness.

Where is the pride? Where is win # 50?

Time to get back to work boys…

AK

What is this energy BS Phil keeps talking about? Phil never takes responsibility for anything and he is very slick at how he implies that Kobe had something to do with why his teammates can't shoot the ball.

Kobe carries the team literally in the first half and that's what Phil comes up with.....he may have taken energy from the other guys...........What about the lack of energy against Charlotte Phil? Who the f was responsible for that?

The bottom line is Phil does a terrible job at preparing his teams......do they even practice defense and pick and roll situations? Do they even practice rotations?

The Lakers problems do not happen on the offensive end of the floor, it happens on the defensive end.

Why did they sign Ira Newble if Phil isn't going to play him.......especially since they need Defense

Kobe played a great game.......shooting when he should shoot and passing when he should pass.............other guys have to knock down shots.......it's that simple

pfunk36, I am glad that there is at least one other Laker fan out there that understands the real problem with the Lakers, it is PHIL J. You are right, once again he takes no responsibility for the loss. The so called hall of fame coach allowed his team to give up 114 points to Memphis (Memphis, not Phoenix). It was sad watching the Lakers down by 10 late in the game, while Phil is eating on the bench and sitting back comfortable, like he is enjoying a good movie. None of the Laker teams since he has been coach have defended the pick and roll well. They woudl always blame Shaq for not being able to rotate, but now what is the excuse? Wake up Laker nation, as long as Phil is coach we are in trouble. He no longer has the heroics of Kobe/Shaq and Jordan/Pippen to bail him out. I'm waiting now for the so called hall of fame coach to do some real coaching.

B. Bryant

kobe didn't "carry" the team the 1st quarter, he hogged the ball the 1st quarter. he didn't set up his teammates as he's done in the past. he just did his own thing. he kept calling for the ball, and what can his teamates do but give him the ball or he's gonna bitch about or clap at them. how can they possibly deny the best player of the game? if he asks for it, he's gon get it.

they're def. gonna lose in the playoffs if they play like this. if kobe doesn't get his teammates involved and set them up, then they are def. gonna lose. we only need kobe to dominate when the game is on the line and when we're in overtime. other than that, he just needs to attract all the attention and dish it out to his teammates.

don't they know by now? goodnesssss.

if it's an energy thing, why don't they play more energetic music before the game? they should play some trance/techno to get the players going.

also.. mbenga was horrible. why is he on the good section? he keeps fouling people after they dunk. he did this like 3 times. he's using all the fouls to give, and gets them in foul trouble. ronny too. don't they know they only need to alter shots and not necessarily block them?

horrible.

kobe should move to the center position... he'll be the inside presence. and then he can dish it out and the lakers can all shoot those damn 3's that they like. or ronny can go backdoor and dunk it for once.

AK/BK
I see weekly updates about Bynum and Pau but I really want to know what is up with Ariza.. is he coming back soon? Ariza is someone we DEFINITELY need out there to win this thing... Of course Bynum and Pau are needed but Ariza is our hidden wild card that does so many little things for us. I WANT ARIZA BACK!!!

GO LAKERS!!!

Lose to a 6-28 road team. Lose to a 5-30 road team (1-20 Western Conference).

Where is the MVP when you need him? 2 points in the 4th quarter. Took his own teammates out of rhythm by taking so many shots in the beginning. If Kobe's going to do that, then he has to make sure that he follows through since it was apparent his teammates were deferring to him because of his propensity to shoot during the early stages of the game.

I noted after the loss to the Bobcats. What exactly can Kobe do these days to affect the outcome of the game other than scoring? He doesn't play defense particularly well anymore and the Lakers were actually fortunate that Bryant's shots were falling; considering most of them were jump shots.

The leader sets the tone for the team. Kobe started to shoot a lot of 3's. Guess what the rest of the team does. Follow suit.

Bryant's game is beginning to resemble Jordan's stint on the Wizards. Nothing but jumpshots. Can't blow by anybody. Rarely creates open looks for teammates. Either his legs are really hurting but I do hope the Lakers don't give Kobe the maximum.

He's clearly on the decline. The decline of a player is usually evident in his shot selection. Kobe's game is relegated to being a volume jump shooter. Remember, he couldn't even get enough lift and had his jumpshot blocked twice.

If the Lakers really do have the "best player in the league", why are the Lakers losing to two of the worst of the worst road teams in the league? If Kobe is truly #1 out of 300+ players, why isn't this fact showing up more in the W-L column? Instead, the Lakers are only a .500 team with Gasol out of the lineup.

It's excuses after excuses for Bryant pundits. W-L is the bottom line. Where is the "MVP" when the team needs him? Isn't it during these tough times that the MVP should rise up and carry the team? Yeah, you might argue that he scored 53 points.

Obviously that's not the formula for winning with this roster. From what I remember, Bryant's scored 40+ this season around 5-6 (possibly even 4) times. The Lakers have obviously done well without needing him to score in bunches. What this roster needs is somebody to lead by example by PLAYING THE RIGHT WAY. Team ball offense predicated on solid defense.

If the team sees it's leader, having made up his mind before the game to jack up shots, then the teammates are not going to commit themselves on the defensive end since their leader isn't leading by example. He talks the talk (barks a lot) but rarely walks the walk (doesn't bite).

As alluded to in previous entry, Bryant's decision making process is obviously skewed. Since Bryant was still fuming about the technicals, what does he decide to do?

Bingo. You guessed correctly if you said that Bryant was going to come out and be very very aggressive on the offensive end. It's like he's trying to "show" up nonexistent entities. Is that how he psyches himself up before a game? It was downhill once Bryant jacks up 3 consecutive shots on the Lakers first 3 possessions.

MVP? Seriously? The best of the best losing to 6-28 and 5-30 road teams? Honestly? Bryant's teammates are at fault? So when the Lakers win, Bryant's the MVP. But when the Lakers lose, the onus is on the team?

That sure makes sense.

-Jeffs Aho

One word...DENIAL.

The answer to our teams problems is not Sasha trying to practice his 3 point shot.....or Luke Walton for some reason remaining in the NBA when their are so many more deserving players......
The Lakers need to slow it down and drive and draw fouls and just really go back to the basics. Might be boring but its what will work.
Kobe is just so rad....He is a true Los Angeles Laker. I like too that Lamar has put his heart into the team.
Seeing Crittenton last night I really wished we had seen Walton go for a long long bus ride out of LA and that Crittenton would have stayed in our city.
Anyway the team will pull through.
Its like all of theese people come to the games and just expect the Lakers to win win win and when they dont they start to cry.
Its kind of funny, most of these people have lived in LA a short time. And then they just expect the world.
Like they pay the $5000 for their courtside seat or box and then start to complain.
Los Angeles is the best and so is our team.
So leave if you dont like it.
We for sure do not need more people in LA.
Thanks

Good morning Laker Nation,

Do not despair. This team can still go all the way. What? you say. Yes, I still believe. From the cloud of vodka I consumed to lessen my pain from the loss has come clarity I wish to share with you this morning.

1. Remember, back in the summer, when the 50-win bandwagon was a statement of audacity? It is still possible for the members of the 55-win bandwagon can find fulfillment.

2. The team has been playing with only 3 of its true starters. That means that 40% of the starting five lately are really bench players.

3. That also means that 100% of the team's true starters were playing hurt on Friday night: Lamar, Fish, and Kobe. Despite the pinkie, the ankle, and the cut under his eye, Kobe still jacked up 53 points.

4. For all the screaming and cursing at the bench players, we forget one thing: They're supposed to come in and maintain the flow as the starters go in and out to get some rest. That's the system. If the starters can't get the game under control at the outset, it is very difficult for the bench to rotate in and be effective once the other team gets hot and sees a hoop the size of a swimming pool every time they take a shot. Worse, even our bench is depleted.

5. For all the clamoring to see Ira Newble and Coby Karl get minutes, we must remember that this is the time of year PJ normally starts to tighten his rotation. We're already seeing guys on the floor with more minutes than they might otherwise be getting. The Lakers were fortunate to get what they got from Mbenga and Mihm.

The only issue is, can this team get healthy enough by crunch time? That means more than just getting Gasol, Bynum and Ariza back in action. It has to happen in time for the Lakers to re-establish their identity as a team.

The lack of Defense and the propensity to keep shooting wild 3's are symptoms of a team playing without its key ingredients. This late in the season, the Laker opponents have had plenty of time to identify the team's weaknesses, which are magnified by all the injuries.

There is still time to restore order in the Universe. Go Lakers!

As the game was coming to an end, the camera caught Sasha messing around with his hair.
Stu Lance then state, "go ahead, Sasha, fit your hair."
I know this might sound stupid (and come off as being ticky tack), but Sasha's beauty moment symbolizes the Lakers: a bunch of L.A. pretty boys who are not 100 per cent focused (Luke was seen spraying on colonge during his post game interview after the Bobcat lose).
And when I see TMZ.COM clips of them going out partying this late into the season, I really feel this team just is not there mentally.
And for those who think we will be o.k. when Andrew, Pau, Trevor and Chris returs, keep dreaming (see how off Chris looked in just 5 minutes of play; there will not be enough time to incorporate our returning players, especially if they return at play-off time).
If the Lakers are emliminated in the first round, this will be the most painful play-off in Lakers history.
And I can guarantee you this: Kobe will speak to management about certain player not deserving to benefit from a healthy Andrew and Pau and Trevor if they are not willing to play when they are hurt (trust me: behind closed doors, Kobe will push for the trading of Luke and Vladimir and the release of Jordan and Sasha; he will not want those four players to enjoy the return of our bigs since they all played horribly when our bigs were hurt).
The good thing about our injuries: certain players are being exposed (and that's a good thing).

AK or BK,
With all the problems we've been having covering the 3 spot(Wallace & Gay) lately, why hasn't Phil played Newble. I've watched him so i know he's a better on ball defender than Luke. Luke simply is to slow and not physical enough for those guys. Newble would bring some energy. I'm troubled by Fish's injury b/c Farmar seems to be an one way player, so does Sasha.

I want to know why Vlad didnt play at all in the fourth? Again bad coaching by Phil, they were up when he left and he had the second most points on the team up to that point, and he was playing decent D no matter what any one syas compared to what happened after that. He hashad a couple of big shots at the end of games also why wasnt he in for the last second shot or for the last couple of plays, instead each play resulted in an Odom 3 pointer, Phil Jackson needs to show confidence in Vlad.

We are seeing a breakdown in team morale. The primary culprit is the rash of injuries, most recently Fish. But another cause of the current malaise has been the mental aspect of the game. The complacency and laissez faire attitude that were apparent on-court is disappointing and quite destructive at this juncture of the season when the team instead should be peaking as they head into the playoffs. The laziness on defense is the most glaring deficiency. Offense may not be there some nights, but there's no excuse for the lack of effort on defense. Second chance scoring, points in the paint, put backs off offensive rebounds all by the opposing teams are common traits found in many Laker losses and close wins. As emphasized a few weeks previously my main concern was how well the team maintains its focus and energy. Apparently not much, judging by losses to cellar dwellers and non-playoff teams. Injuries is valid excuse but the laziness is not.

No D, no intensity, no focus, no inside play, nobody running the offense, NO WIN.

Unacceptable effort from a team that should have put this game away early, and there can be no excuses about being tired or undermanned against the Memphises and Charlottes of the league if we expect to go anyhwhere in the playoffs.

Better get it in gear quickly, guys or we're gomma be talking about next year way too soon!

The panic in the Laker blogger folks shows real weakness the minute something goes wrong with your beloved team the cannibals start eating each others remains castigating each other and the Laker players for not coming up and meeting the challenge.This is why your ilk the ~Laker Nation~ is so hated and despised around the world is because of your spoiled and impediment nature towards your team ,it borders on the ridiculous and ludicroius.Maybe it is the year round heat or basking in the liberal bastion of Los Angele's that makes the laker ilk so weak. I will pass you on a tip instead of cannibalising your players like Walton Sasha,Vlade,Lamar the whole Laker team rally around instead of crucifying.

I think you're being too harsh expecting the Lakers to win these games, especially last night's contest.

These teams are doing what they're supposed to, coming in and taking advantage of a SEVERELY depleted squad by working us over in the paint and shutting down everyone but Kobe.

Granted, these are bad teams, but we're playing with our 3rd stringers as starters and a guy in Mbenga who wasn't even on a team at all until a month or so ago. I don't really expect to be able to beat anybody with our current "lineup" (if you can call it that), especially with all the injuries and illness they're going through. Not when the teams you're playing are close to 100% healthy and have several large bodies to put on the court.

Of couse Kobe didnt look frustrated after the game...he had a good game.If he's the leader how come he didnt post up and tell his supporting cast to stop jacking up 3's???

Energy was definitely a problem in each of the past two games. We've seen this team rotate and show hard on pick and rolls in the past. Heck, we only have to go back a week to our wins over Utah, Dallas and Monday against Golden State. In the first two games we executed on both sides of the ball.

Okay, before some person tries to press my easily pressed buttons and calls me a Troll (Rick Friedman--By the way, when I get back to L.A., I am personally coming to your front door and having words with you!), let me make some things clear.

1. We are making the playoffs.
2. This is still my favorite team since Showtime.
3. We will reach AT LEAST the Western Conference Finals this year.
4. The sky isn't falling.

That much said, if I was Phil Jackson and the Lakers coashing staff, I'd be PISSED right now. Laker Nation has a right to be angry right now.

Why? Two STUPID losses. Just stupid.

People call Kobe arrogant. Well for the past couple games Sasha and Farmar have been arrogant. Hucking up threes like they're about to be banned. Just stupid.

Yeah, I know, if you're a shooter you think you're going to make every shot, but the truth of the matter is that you won't! If you're shot's aren't falling, personally, I don't find much valor in constantly forcing the issue when you have other players on your team who you could the pass the ball to for a higher percentage shot.

Think about it. Other teams are picking up on this.

In about six, maybe seven losses this year, the other team simply did not guard the perimeter, but guarded the paint. As a result, we just hucked up threes like we were Indiana during the Reggie Miller era. (WE ARE NOT INDIANA DURING THE REGGIE MILLER ERA!)

And the other team attacked the rim.

We lost everyone of those games.

That's the game strategy against the Lakers.

Attack the rim. Defend the paint. Let them have the easy outside shot.

You leave Farmar, Fisher, Sasha, Rad Vlad, even Lamar wide open on the perimeter and they'll immediately huck up a three, even if we need to use up the clock. I don't get it.

Do these guys have so kind of post-practice HORSE competition going on, so it's become ingrained in them that they have to take the difficult shot to win? It seems like it.

Because they're not thinking.

That's like seven games we've lost this year because our "shooters" are being arrogant and stupid and not using their teammates.

The last two losses were inexcusable. Everyone except Koby, Braveheart, and The Banger should apologize to Laker Nation because they've let us down. We're in a tight run for the playoffs (a historically tight run) and they've let their arrogance lose two easy victories. Just plain stupid.

{Angry.}

The good...

It is GREAT that Chris Mihm has back because the other side of the coin is that we have been beaten in the paint (as well as beating ourselves on their perimeter). Mihm's not the greatest defender, but he can block shots. As soon as Kung-Pau is back, having three centers and being able to push Braveheart back to power forward makes a huge difference. That'll be enough for us to win games even when our shooters arrogance tells them "I know if missed six in a row and we're down by five BUT I CAN MAKE THIS SHOT!"

[PASS THE BALL OR ATTACK THE RIM YOU HYPNOTIZED MORON! URGH!]

As ironic as it seems, Kobe needs to have a talk with these guys. Truth be told, Kobe could have had 70 points last night (and we would have won the game), but he chose to be a model instead and distributed the ball more in the second half. Farmar and Sasha need to follow that model.

You can't be taking that many three point shots, especially when the game is not flowing your way.

Last night was like watching the pathetic gambler at the roulette table in Vegas.

"If I just take one more three, I'll get it all back. Just one more three!"

Tablemaster: "Green! Zero! Everybody loses!"

"NOOOO!!!!"

Exactly, Sasha.

That's just what I was feeling last night.

You and Farmar need to get ahold of yourselves.

GO LAKERS!

LTLF,
Excellent post.

Where all all of the fans who stated " the Rockets won 22 in a row, but they were not playing good teams?" Silence speaks volumes.

steve nash,

Shut up wall-eyed Canuck!

We just lost to Memphis at home!

It's not a matter of losing faith in our team, it's a matter of disgust at a momentary lapse of sanity in our team play.

By the way, I cannot wait to play the Suns in the playoffs.

GO LAKERS!

Good Morning Charles--Good Morning Everyone....

Well that game stunk up my living room.....

Our offense is looking so predicatible--one pass and shoot a three.....what happened to the crisp movement offense we used against Utah last week?????? We had no inside game what so ever---and even though our centers are out or so that's really no excuse.....

WE RAN 1 PICK AND ROLL LAST NIGHT--!!! Has Jackson ever heard of that play????? Someone send him some video / coaching book that shows how it is done---could be a play that might help us not shoot so many three's and break done a defense or two.....

I guess I didn't realize that the Grizzlies were the defensive jaugernaut of the league.....

Our defense is non existent at best----WTF??? Where is the effort????

Puke--you with the "high basketball IQ"---CALL THE FRICKIN' TIME OUT!!!---Can we please NEVER refer to Puke as having that elusive attribute ever again please?

and that stack play AGAIN???? Come on Jackson I refuse to watch that "play" ever again.....

Positives For Puke--he made a couple shots---only 36 years left on his contract.....

It's too bad to see this team return to last year's habit of losing to the bottom feeders of the league---thought that was behind us---definitly a bad time of the year to revisit last year's glories....

As much as it pains to say it, those jerks from Boston are probably going to win it all this year which will rip away some more of my heart and soul---they look good---too good---I hate Herman Munster and hope he is tarred and feathered by Timberwolf fans (if there are indeed any left).....

DESPITE THIS LOW POINT IN THE SEASON---IT IS STILL A GREAT DAY TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!

GO LAKERS !!!

Korey,

Read my response to your ridiculous request for an apology above.

One note to add...

>>>The Bench Mob/Role Mob is just not that good when
>>>Bynum or Gasol is out.

No. Properly, the Bench Mob is not that good when Bynum
AND Gasol are out AND Odom and Turiaf don't pick up any
of the slack. The last two games were not "Bynum OR
Gasol out". They were "Bynum AND Gasol out and Odom
and Turiaf shooting a combined 15 for 37 with a lot of
bricked layups and dunks.

Compare these last two games to the Dallas and Utah
games. It's not Farmar and Vujacic and Luke who let
the team down. It's Odom shooting 1 for 7 and Ronny
bricking layups and dunks and going 3 for 10.

So if you want to rephrase your statement that the Bench
mob aren't that good when EVERY LAKER POST PLAYER
EITHER DOESN'T PLAY OR SUCKS, then yes, I'll agree with
you. Add effective play by any two of Gasol, Bynum, Odom,
or Turiaf, and the bench mob play the roles they are
supposed to play and are very good at it.

Steve Nash -

Hey gramps, Rondo broke your ankles the other night. Haha!