Another game, another team looking for a record
Seems like everywhere the Lakers go these days, there up against some team looking to set a record. Tonight, it's the Jazz in Utah (7:30, TNT), who will take the floor looking for a franchise best 20th straight home win. Pair the streak with a 29-3 home record, and it's fair to say they've build up some confidence playing in their own building, one that perhaps gives them a psychological edge. It also means they're looking to do anything they can to preserve home court in the playoffs for as long as possible- making Thursday's game with a Lakers team 1.5 games above them on the W.C. playoff ladder that much more important. Gotta stay in the Beehive State.
Meanwhile, L.A. hopes to build on any momentum created by Tuesday's win in Dallas. To break even, without Pau Gasol, on a brutal four game road stretch against teams with no fewer (now) than 44 wins would be a huge boost. But everyone knows they're stepping into a rough environment to win. Just ask Derek Fisher, who was booed in his last visit to Salt Lake, something that comes with the jersey he now wears. How Jazz fans will react tonight is anyone's guess.
Lakers fans got a little good news, too, as Phil Jackson said it's possible Andrew Bynum could- could- return before the playoffs.
He'll still need to get into game shape, but obviously the earlier he can get back into uniform, the better. We suggest holding off any champagne pops until you see him practicing at full speed. It's just easier that way. As for Pau Gasol, he was on the floor shooting jumpers Wednesday, but doesn't seem likely to play until after the home and home against Golden State Sunday and Monday.
If any of you are still annoyed at the manner in which LA beat the Mavs Tuesday, perhaps knowing that it got Mark Cuban all pissy will make you feel better.
IMPORTANT GAMES LAST NIGHT IN THE W.C.:
-Phoenix won their sixth straight, defeating the Sonics in Seattle.
-Houston now has a losing streak, as New Orleans spanked them bad in the Big Easy.
-Golden State mauled the Clippers.
Tonight, the Mavs host the Celtics, while San Antonio plays in Chicago.
Bill Simmons has campaigned to be the Bucks GM for a while. Now there's a job opening.
Mike Dunleavy says choosing between an NBDL guard and Smush Parker was a no-brainer. Apparently, Pat Riley disagreed...
If you get a chance to look at the highlights of A.I.'s return to Philly, it's worth it. Very candid comments from a very candid player.
What?
Did bynum sniff some dit a jow or what?
Posted by: Fire32 | March 20, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Good Morning Mamba24, Good Morning Charles, Good Morning Laker Nation!
GAME DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
48 minutes of intensity, focus and "D" and we stop another streak!
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | March 20, 2008 at 08:50 AM
By the way, ROTFLMFAO last night as I watched AI go out on the court and kiss the Sixers ESS!
Posted by: toad | March 20, 2008 at 08:52 AM
good morning lakers blog its gameday. time to stay atop the west.
Posted by: DS | March 20, 2008 at 08:57 AM
I still like the idea of Bynum rejoining the bench mob for the
playoffs. Clearly, he should be the starter when he's back
up to full strength next year, but between regaining full NBA
speed and integrating with a new player (Gasol), throwing
Drewski into the starting lineup in just a handful of games
sounds like a recipe for disaster.
As the kambros pointed out in the last thread, remember how
great the bench mob was at the start of the season with Drew?
Lately the reason the bench mob isn't looking quite so hot is
that half of what were once the "bench mob" are either now
starters or are injured. Jordan and Luke may try to throw
an alley-oop to Congolian Beef, but he just isn't as likely to
catch it and throw it down.
With Bynum & Turiaf anchoring the bench mob, you won't
have to worry as much about fast guards beating Farmar
and Sasha, `cause Socks will be there with the swat.
For the playoffs:
Starters: Fish, Kobe, Rad, Lamar, Gasol
big minutes bench: Bynum, Farmar, Sasha, Turiaf
deep bench: Luke, Ariza, Mihm
(or Karl &/or Mbenga if either Ariza or Mihm isn't back)
Actually, kambros: do you know for sure what the playoff
roster status is? Do you only get 12? Or do you get to have
15 and have 3 inactive every night?
Posted by: | March 20, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I still like the idea of Bynum rejoining the bench mob for the
playoffs. Clearly, he should be the starter when he's back
up to full strength next year, but between regaining full NBA
speed and integrating with a new player (Gasol), throwing
Drewski into the starting lineup in just a handful of games
sounds like a recipe for disaster.
As the kambros pointed out in the last thread, remember how
great the bench mob was at the start of the season with Drew?
Lately the reason the bench mob isn't looking quite so hot is
that half of what were once the "bench mob" are either now
starters or are injured. Jordan and Luke may try to throw
an alley-oop to Congolian Beef, but he just isn't as likely to
catch it and throw it down.
With Bynum & Turiaf anchoring the bench mob, you won't
have to worry as much about fast guards beating Farmar
and Sasha, `cause Socks will be there with the swat.
For the playoffs:
Starters: Fish, Kobe, Rad, Lamar, Gasol
big minutes bench: Bynum, Farmar, Sasha, Turiaf
deep bench: Luke, Ariza, Mihm
(or Karl &/or Mbenga if either Ariza or Mihm isn't back)
Actually, kambros: do you know for sure what the playoff
roster status is? Do you only get 12? Or do you get to have
15 and have 3 inactive every night?
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 20, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Good Morning See previous Thread!!!
Posted by: Charles | March 20, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Good morning to all.
Game day and hoping for win tonight.
A throw back to Mavs game and the blog situation there is nothing I would love better than to ban Dallss bloggers and media from Laker locker room. Since the Laker blog is from a major media outlet it should be considered for media pass.
So block to Dallas media or at best keep them out of the locker room and let them get their notes from a media pool. They would deserve that treatment at least.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 20, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Good morning, Laker Nation!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 20, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Has there been a more interesting year in the NBA in recent memory? Looking at the current playoff matchups as the standings are today the West is absolutely insane. Currently New Orleans plays Golden State, the Lakers take on Dallas, Phoenix gets it on with Utah, and the Spurs have Houston. I don’t know if there is a clear winner that can be called in any of these series. Of course with 14-16 games left for each team it isn’t clear that these will be the final matchups come playoff time but still, a mere 6.5 games separate first and ninth place. I can’t remember a year like this in my twenty-two years of following basketball closely. Every game in the West matters from here until the end of the season. No teams will be resting their superstars the last five to ten games because it could make the difference between home court advantage and the freakin’ lottery. Think about that…a five game losing streak could take you from home court advantage through the conference finals to rubbing a rabbit’s foot at the end of June.
The East is still the East so I’ll leave it at that. The team that comes out of the west will likely have a solid (and probably rested) challenger in Boston, Detroit, the Cavs, or the Magic. If only the East were as competitive as the West.
Moving into the home stretch the Lakers really need to just concentrate on one game at a time. If they can get healthy, relatively, with a few games to gel before the playoffs start I think there isn’t a team in this league that wants to meet the Lakers in the playoffs. That being said there are a lot of teams that scare me out there right now with how well they are playing.
Moving to the top of that list right now is Phoenix. Amare is playing all-star caliber ball and Shaq isn’t the M.S.E. (Most Sloth-like Ever) he was in Miami last year (which has got to tick a few Floridians off) considering he is putting in an effort we haven’t seen since Miami won the championship. New Orleans is another team that gives me the chills because of how well they run the pick and roll and how poorly the Lakers defend it. Plus defending the 3 point line has been a hallmark weakness of Phil’s Laker teams. I think Houston is coming back down to earth which ought to bring out all the ol’ Nasa clichés from sportswriters around the nation should their current 2 game losing streak turn into a 4 or 5 game losing streak.
A healthy Gasol and Bynum come playoff time, the best clutch player in the game, and a solid bench should be enough to get the Lakers over the hump but considering how crazy the West is I would have to say that this year, possibly more than any other that I can recall, nothing is a sure thing. Stern must be thanking his lucky stars because the home stretch and playoffs promise to be spectacular.
Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: thedropper | March 20, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Considering how PJ throws cold water on many things, just the fact that he said AB "could" return in two weeks tells me AB looks good ---- I'm getting giddy.
Posted by: HmrHed | March 20, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Go Bynum
Posted by: Laker Fan | March 20, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Go Bynum
Posted by: Laker Fan | March 20, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Happy New Year!
With a full-ish roster, the Lakers are the story. No one knows the ending. It's un-rankable, unpredictable.
Great day to be a Laker fan.
On a sadder note:
Tinkerbell was in anguish last night in Seattle. We don't wish injuries on the opposition, we're above that. We're above twinges of glee and comments like "you're lucky it wasn't a clothesline" are beneath us.
Posted by: Vman | March 20, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Here was Jackson's take Wednesday: "I threw that out there (Tuesday night about being out until the playoffs) to kind of take everything off the table, like, 'OK ... the reality is that if he comes back and plays a Sunday game and a Tuesday game before the (regular) season's over, great. It's still not going to get our rotation and what we want (set); it's just going to be an exercise in kind of getting him back on the court to whatever. We're going to have to figure out how to play still at that time.
"That's something we'll have to wait and measure — see how active he is, see what his rehab is going to bring him as a player. So there are so many other things that are in the making that we just have to wait and see and be patient."
Here is my take Andrew Bynum is a bright light bulb and he will take quickly to reintegrating into the Lakers offense Phil is very conservative but he is the coach and he doesnt want to throw all his cards out.....My morning is made with the triple tower of mess. Gasol, Bynum and Odom,hang another NBA banner in the rafters of stables ...Hell ya
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA 24 | March 20, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Good morning all!
Good news all around - beating the Mavs on their home floor and now, surprising news re The Beast's return. It's a good day to beat some team up.
Go Lakers! Shut up the Jazz fans!!!
Posted by: SamII | March 20, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Regarding the East, Philly appears to be raising the stakes as far as being one of the lower echelon Teams in the East to come out, I would think they would be quite a challenge to Detroit and or the Cleveland, and Orlando..I think Boston would handle them without much of a problem. But still, I am getting impressed with their level of play lately..Go Mo Cheeks!!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 20, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Ditto! Great post!
Posted by: Charles | March 20, 2008 at 09:44 AM
As I stated in the previous thread, I am way excited with the Bynum news as well as it being game day and of course, 1 day left in the work week!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 20, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Good Morning Gameday.
We are all Lakers.
Mamba24, where are you?
Funny how Gunner didn't show after the win over the Mavs. It'll be really great after the next title. Titles are impervious to trolls. They become armor in defense of troll attacks.
Oink Oink
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 20, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Good Morning
Laker Land!
Game day!
Get your game face on!
Without Pau, Socks, Ariza and Mihm,
we'll be lucky to escape salt lake with a win
win or lose today's not the thing
getting healthy for playoffs will bring us a ring
keep your eyes on the prize
stay focused and keen
2008 Lakers
are the real deal dream team
Posted by: Lakers4Life | March 20, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Toad in the house!
Posted by: Charles | March 20, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Ah, Phil. The zen master pulling the rope-a-dope. LOVE it. Random act of kindness, actually gave millions of people hope for a day.
Posted by: mel | March 20, 2008 at 10:03 AM
We have Jon K. to thank for pelting Bynum with Dit Da Jow and mixing liquid sea minerals into his drinks.
Posted by: Xodus | March 20, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Actually, "Pig" Miller, Gunner did post after the Mav game. He basically said the reason the Lakers won was because Kobe didn't Play Hog the Ball.
Posted by: DAN_T_MAN | March 20, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Good morning Mamba24, good morning Charles, good morning Laker Nation!
I have to say that when you read this blog, the comments, level of sophistication & knowledge of the fans, not to mention how funny you guys can be, really shows how great it is to be a Laker fan! (Also, this blog really seems to bring out the best of the worst trolls - but it's all good - more dinner for Toad).
I LOVE GAME DAY!!
Let's go LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 20, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Good new as far as Bynum..im ready for his return. Gezzz man can you just image the reaction in Staples when Bynum and Pau take the floor together for the 1st time Yikes!!!! In My heart I knew The Org was holding all the cards as far as Bynums return. I bet Bynum has been wit Cap working on his post moves in secret..Yeah.
Thank goodness no role call yet..all is well!!
Posted by: lakeraholic | March 20, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Jon's Simple, Direct Thoughts of the Day:
1. The Lakers training staff must be a bunch of imbeciles to take so long to heal our wounded warriors.
2. I'll get some Dit Da Jow, liquid sea minerals and vitamin D, Charles'll get some Dit Da Wan and we'll have this whole Sysisphian torture over in a week.
3. I hope the Jazz don't boo Derek Fisher. If they do, I hope the team makes Utah pay.
4. The Jazz and the Hornets should exchange names. Utah Hornets (Beehive State) and New Orleans Jazz (obvious). It just makes sense. There is no Jazz in Utah.
5. I heard another salacious story about LeBron James last night, but this one sounds more like a rumor, so I won't share it. Still, more evidence about why you don't want your daughter spending the night at the guy's house.
6. The Clippers looked horrible last night. Injuries and everything, I can't believe they're that terrible.
7. Smush Parker's first minute as a Clipper, he received a technical foul. Sums it all up, don't you think?
8. It may not seem like such a big deal, but Chris Mihm coming back early means that the Lakers can get used to Pau Gasol playing power forward, making The Beast's return easier.
9. I like Chris Mihm as a player, but because he's not an acrobat, I expect the Trolls to scream at him like they do Luke Walton.
10. Wound the Troll. Starve the Troll.
11. I don't like this whole Phoenix Suns winning thing. Is The Big Mistake playing some ruse in order to better break the hearts of Suns fans?
12. Another big game tonight. Perhaps we can break Utah's streak as a means of making up for the Rockets loss. I think we'll play better tonight. All the factors (Fisher's emotions, team better acclimated to playing without Gasol, etc.) support that, methinks.
13. I hope everyone at Laker Nation has a good day.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 20, 2008 at 10:22 AM
TROLL MAN IS OUR COURT JESTER.
WE WILL TAKE TURNS WITH YOUR POSTS, AND "FEED" YOU FOR OUR AMUSEMENT. IT IS WE WHO LAUGH AT OUR EATING CLOWN.
MAKE US LAUGH, CLOWN.
MAKE US LAUGH, CLOWN.
MAKE US LAUGH, CLOWN - NOW!
PIG OUT FOR THE AMUSEMENT OF THE COURT OF LAKERSBLOG.
FEED IT MORE, MORE, MORE!
DO OUR BIDDING, CLOWN!
Posted by: | March 20, 2008 at 10:27 AM
justanothermambafan
Dude........what'd I do? I know i need to lose a few pounds for the beach this summer, but I ain't no troll! Been a die hard laker fan siince the early 70's when I got to see them play the Braves in Buffalo. Loved it when they got my guy McAdoo.
Posted by: toad | March 20, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Jon K,
Try as you will, you'll never be Mike T.
Posted by: Laker Troll | March 20, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Ooops - forgot to say trolls provide more dinner for Pig too - sorry about that man!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 20, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Jon K - I hope you have a good day too. I hope things work out well for Delilah....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 20, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Toad - you misunderstand me, man! You're one great Laker Fan FEEDING on trolls....lol!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 20, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I will partially rescind the comment about Gunner's lack of appearance. He made on comment after the win, then has not been heard from since. His absence post win is still interesting. A quick blurb, then he's out. Why not discuss some things with us in a civil manner after a win? We shall see. I'm not willing to relinquish his troll status as of yet.
Jon K,
I don't like the Funs winning either. I feel that will change soon enough when they start playing good teams again.
THE BEAST is coming.
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 20, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Ditto! Great post!
Posted by: Charles
Was meant for Long Time Laker Fan
Posted by: Charles | March 20, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Good Morning Charles, Mamba24 and all Laker Fans!!!
Another glorious day in LA LA Land!!!
As predicted, Houston has now lost two in a row and they look TIRED. The NBA demands teams peak at the right time to achieve long term success and Phil is a master of this. Congratulations to Houston, but their streak was a freak show of sorts, not reflective of where they really stand in the West hierarchy, especially without Yao down low to bang with the other trees. I predicted two more losses in a row for Houston, we'll see how they handle the tough road ahead. And T-Mac for MVP? I don't think so.
But more importantly, GAME NIGHT! This one will again be tough, a challenge for the Lake Show. How do we guard Boozer, Okur and Kirilenko at the same time without our big guys? Who will grab boards? That will cause us real trouble, so we have to take the game to them, be aggressive and try to make them play catch up. Not to mention who is strong enough to stop Deron Williams? Hopefully Fish is eating his Wheaties as we speak, because Farmar may get bounced around like a pinball.
Still, a good test for the Lakers. Come out strong, don't let the crowd get into it, run on every opportunity, drive and kick and hope the 3s are falling.
DIT DA PAU!!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 20, 2008 at 10:37 AM
LakerTom & Jon K,
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/20/obama-
picks-north-carolina-to-go-all-the-way/
There goes your O'bum'er picking North Carolina over UCLA in winner takes all. We're just starting the March Madness. Does it resonate with the coming primary in NC or another dash in series of audacities of hope?
I wonder who he will pick in the NBA.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 20, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Isn't Kirilenko a no-go with that Dirk inflicted bruised hip??
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 20, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Justanothermambafan.........LOL!
As Jon K says, identify the troll, wound the troll, starve the troll!
GAME DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: toad | March 20, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Good morning fellow Laker fans!!! Lakers all day, everyday!!! Go Bynum!!! Soon we'll have Gasol, Bynum and Mihm back for the real battle. Go Lakers!!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 20, 2008 at 10:44 AM
That Salt Lake City Tribune piece about their home streak was poorly edited. In the body the say the Bulls set a record with 37 straight home wins from March 30, 1995-April 4, 1996. Then in the graphics they say the 37 came between November 1995 to April 1996. THEN in the home streak records for the 4 major sports they say the Bulls' record was 44 straight.
If print papers are this bad, I'd hate to see how a lowly blogger would have mangled their stats...
Posted by: J.D. Hastings | March 20, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Jon K.
It may not seem like such a big deal, but Chris Mihm coming back early means that the Lakers can get used to Pau Gasol playing power forward, making The Beast's return easier.
Yes i agree with your hypotheses.
I like Chris Mihm as a player, but because he's not an acrobat, I expect the Trolls to scream at him like they do Luke Walton.
Chris milm has some offinsive skills and if anything he has 6 fouls to give up.The trolls will be trolls but its to bad how some of the regs here will denigrate a Laker player if he is not the most physically gifted.
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA 24 | March 20, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Edwin Gueco,
Obama's being a politician. The North Carolina primary is coming up. Still, it doesn't change the fact that his recent speech on race was arguably the most remarkable speech of this generation (and has been put on par with some of Abraham Lincoln's greatest speeches) AND that Hillary Clinton is desperate, power-hungry hag who seethes with the energies of Lucifer.
Kareem supports Obama! 'Nuff said!
UCLA is a lock for the Final Four.
Pig,
I still can't believe we haven't seen Kung-Pau and The Beast on the floor together. IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN! IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN!
When the Four Wounded Horsemen of the NBA Apocalypse get healthy, basketball world watch out! IT'S OVER!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 20, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Dpk! Dpk!
Posted by: Charles | March 20, 2008 at 11:03 AM
J.D. Hastings WHITE MAMBA 24,
Where have you guys been? Glad to see you guys post.
Posted by: Charles | March 20, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Jon K, I am way curious about the possible salacious BronBron rumor?? Hey, you brought it up..share, share, whydontcha?? lol
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 20, 2008 at 11:07 AM
So Obama picking the consensus best team in the country to win the tournament has to be a political choice? Could it just be the smart choice, exercising the kind of judgment we need from our leaders. lol.
I prefer we leave politics out of the blog, but I don't think you have to be a Dem or Repub to appreciate just how brave and unprecedented (at least in modern political history) his speech was the other day. That took serious COJONES and the fact that he wrote it entirely himself...just WOW. Considering the tepid ans safe rhetoric we are accustomed to hearing in the political arena, it was truly a moment to watch. For non-Obama supporters, I'd say it's like a Celtics fan watching Kobe go for 81....even if you hate him, you gotta appreciate the man pulling off something no one else could. See I brought it back to the Lakers!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 20, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Still, it doesn't change the fact that his recent speech on race was arguably the most remarkable speech of this generation (and has been put on par with some of Abraham Lincoln's greatest speeches) AND that Hillary Clinton is desperate, power-hungry hag who seethes with the energies of Lucifer. - Jon K.
Wow, that is too much of a stretch. Abe Lincoln(ish)? Read the article on LA Times (Obama Blew It). And be respectful towards women. Oh I almost forgot, you blew up on poor Elle (now she even stopped posting). Shame.
Posted by: Lakergurl. | March 20, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Hello Charles
Iam here every day but i need to post more often.I want to start spear chucking the trolls every day .Sometimes i will go into the Arizona republic and troll on the Fun fans and disrupt their love fest!!!
Posted by: WHITE MAMBA 24 | March 20, 2008 at 12:03 PM