I think the key turning point in last nights game was when Vlad came in off the bench and brought some new energy to the team. He didnt have any kind of stat line to speak of and he seemed a little out of sorts but you could tell he wanted to be out there and even called of Odom so he could guard Artest a couple of time and had a big offensive rebound, plus he spread the floor and Kobe and Gasol started taking it down the middle of the lane. Everyone else picked up there energy and started feeding of this and Kobe started going off once he was able to get some lay ups. You can talk about stats Walton vs. Vlad but look at the intagibles and look at the turning points in the game. Vlad was +4 in the game with limited minutes but in an important stretch of the game everyone else was negative off the bench and if he had gotten 13 shots in the game I dont think he would have gone 3-13.

Good Morning Laker Family!

On this positive note, that was another grind it out win for the Lakers. Thanks to the starters and the will of Kobe Bryant. (Fish 17pts, Odom 19pts and Gasol 31pts) Kobe is definitely energized and I saw him pulling the front of his jersey and talking to the Fans. I love it! I have never seen him tug his jersey and show his team pride in the last 3-4 years like that. If anybody was blasting their Los Angeles Kcal 9 TV, you may have caught him screaming "I got a team now, I got some players now! You see this s#*t!" (and then pulls the front of his jersey as if he and KG drank from the same can of Red bull) What about the last 6 minutes of defense by the Lakers!

Definitely a Good Morning to you all!

PS Anybody listen to the Game on AM570 with Both Spero and Matt Money? I would love to hear them do play by play together. Who was playing color guy? I would appreciate the input.

Mornin' Mamba,
Mornin' Charles,
GOOOOOD Mornin' Lakerland!!!

Pau is starting to scowl... I like it.

Got swagger?

What a great game -- much of it thanks to Kobe.
If Kobe continues his current level of performance, there will be no denying him the MVP.

Nice, if not ugly, win. The King/Queen fan sitting next to me was talking ess all night like he'd never seen a bball game before. Shut right on up in the 4th, tho!!

What's up Charles!!! Good Morning Mamba!!! Good Morning Laker Fans!!!

(I'll even say Good Morning to the trolls - you know who you are!!!)

It' is another glorious day in LA LA LAND, another W to celebrate, another PERFORMANCE FOR THE AGES from the BEST PLAYER ON THE PLANET.

What's not to LOVE????

Do you all realize how lucky we are to have KB24 on our side?? To get to watch his inspirational WILL TO WIN. He is truly a FORCE OF NATURE.

Love him or hate him, everyone in the league, including the fans, is getting an up close look at one of the FIERCEST COMPETITORS we have ever had in the world of sports. Do you all understand how rare this privilege is??

If we all worked as hard at being the best at what we do as Kobe does, WOW what a world this would be!!

Let the haters hate. They are blind and we should pity them, not revile them. How sad to be unable to appreciate artistry like this.

SO, KB24 I SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE JOY YOU BRING TO LAKER NATION!!!

SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT PROUD!!!

KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!

LakerTom,

If the Lakers get Ron Artest, it won't be through a trade, it will be through free agency this summer. Ron has the ability to opt out of his contract, and I'd put the odds of that happening at around 98%. The next part would be to convince him to forego other slightly more lucrative offers elsewhere and a much more lucrative offer from SacTown. Sacramento may try to do a sign and trade which would help both Artest and the Kings, but it isn't a requirement. If Artest is willing to take the MLE, then he can have his choice of teams, including the Lakers.

I do think Artest was more valuable than Lamar last night. Lamar played very well as you pointed out, but you ommitted that Ron was playing a tougher defensive assignment in Kobe; and Kobe did have an off night from the field. I know they aren't totally related, but Ron did play Kobe really well. Secondly, and this has nothing really to do with Ron, but Lamar missed a lot of open cuts off the ball and these resulted in a handful of turnovers. It's okay, he will learn (we all hope). Thirdly, Ron Artest scored mostly as a primary option whereas Lamar had a lot of garbage points (open cuts, rebound put backs, etc). Therefore, the shooting percentages aren't really a fair comparison.

I agree with you wholeheartedly that the Lakers won't trade Lamar for Artest. If Sacramento would do a sign and trade, I don't think they do it for the Lakers and I don't think they do it for an expiring contract in Odom. They will try to get a young talent instead. But, if Dr. Buss is willing to pay the MLE to Ron + the MLE to the NBA (luxury tax) and Ron is willing to take a $2+ million pay cut, he could wind up on the Lakers next season. I think what you saw from him tonight is a prime example of why he would fit in nicely. His defense is as lockdown as they get, his offensive capabilities are surprisingly good, and his intensity is ALWAYS there. BTW, he is not a guy that requires to be the first option, he just does that because it's what his team needs. The guy isn't Gary Payton. When Lamar "shut down" Artest, it was really Lamar's solid defense, plus just a little "show" by the team. Artest got whatever he wanted against Lamar straight up, but the minute the Lakers began to double him, he did the right thing and passed out of the double (thus, everyone saying that Lamar shut him down). If you put him on a team with Kobe, Pau, and Drew, there's no way he'll ever get doubled, and if he did, he's either passing it out for a three, or passing it inside for a DUNK).

To SonnyBelfast & all Sacramento Fans:

The Kings are a CLASS organization. I'm not sure why I didn't know it before, but I sure do now. Yes, I heard the fan who said "remind you of Colorado" and I hit rewind on my DVR... I did think that was a bit of a cheap shot by a fan, but understandable none the less. The Kings team, the Kings management... all very upright and CLASSY. They are a team worthy of cheering for, and I can see myself cheering for them (of course when they're not playing the Lakers).

The announcers last night were some of the BEST in the business. Since I do not reside in L.A., I got to listen to the King's feed... while I don't quite understand why the NBA doesn't just pick up KCAL everytime (they at least broadcast in HD), if I had to listen to another team's announcers, it would be the Kings. It was a PLEASURE listening to them call the game. They, of course, were excited and giddy all throughout the game as the Kings were handing it to the Lakers, but they continually were balanced in their takes.

I hold the team and organization responisble for this.

That is why I'll go out on a limb and just say Portland is a classless franchise. These announcers are the FACE and are the VOICE of the team. The Kings conduct themselves with such high class, that even Kobe went over and shook the Maloof's hands (and then the announcers said "I wonder if they can get him to put on a Kings jersey, that would really be great". The only negative was stuff WE ALREADY SAY HERE, stuff like how our team (specifically Kobe) complains on every single call... spot on.

I'll listen to the Kings announcers any day of the week & I feel like maybe they are our little brother and not the Clipps...

Hearing the MVP chants (while the game was still in question) was like music to my ears. Amazing.

Good morning Laker family! (it's 7:20 PM here, haha!)

It's good to see Radman back. Go Vlady!

AK/Bk Thanks for the Warning on the TJ link.

Its appreciated. I am assuming its more crap-ola. HaHa

LakerTom,

Question...

I just checked out draftexpress and it says Kevin Love went to Lake Oswego High...
is that Lake Oswego Oregon??

Because if it is, LakerTom, you'll be happy to know, that high school is known as the Lake Oswego Lakers.

No kidding, it looks like the guy is a Laker through and through.

Last night was the type of game that the Lakers lose in years past. The team has so much confidence that you get the feeling they'll win every time. What more can be said about Kobe. The guys is MJ reincarnate.

Nice try by the LA Times to move the Simers article to the top of the Times online Lakers coverage. But guess what -- I'm still not interested. Nothing will get me to click one of his articles again unless it's an unqualified apology for belittling Lakers fanatics.

why is it that no one takes into account, how Kobe is thoroughly dominating the stats, for shooting guards when it comes to the MVP race. The difference between him and 2nd on a lot of those stats is unheard of . . .

Add to that, the fact that he is playing on borrowed time, with only 8.5 fingers . . . then realize how amazing this season is going for him.

Someone said yesterday to that Kelly Dwyer article that " the media makes the people " . Now with all this negativities and bad promotions toward Kobe Bryant, I don't know what is it that certain reporters are affraid of.

To me it is obvious.... Kelly Dwyer probably works for Jay-Z and LeBron, he is probably trying to screw his journalistic career for just a couple of dollars he's getting from either Jay or LeBron.. You know... trying to dish out a player as good as Kobe is so to make more money than they are already making.

I read an article on Yahoo the other day where it was saying that certain people and the media itself are starting to take off with that promotion of LeBron James knowing that he has bond with Jay-z would easily make him the first billionaire active athlete by 2012 as long as the promotions and marketing are well done.

Guess who wins with all of this?? Y'all know.

In my opinion, is like I said before, the media is now trying to make people forget about Bryant and are starting to want to promote players like Lebron so that they can continually sell thanks to certain players or individual.

Shaq "poor" O'Neal still has some games left on his sleeves but certain people and the media got to point where they are making people pay more attention to his horrendous play... and you know what has been happening... Shaq has been in declining more faster than a "Saturn vehicle" plus he doesn't help also with his big mouth.

I am just glad Kobe has been quiet lately because if he just runs his mouth... will be a huge mistake just like he did last summer.

At the end of the day, you already know that there will always be someone just like T.J Simer with stupid analises that will never make sense. Perhaps it does to his wife and his kids because other than that, he is just a guy that earns a couple of dollars to feed his family .

I tell ya... he close to extintion because he works for a company that is in the business world to sell news etc and with all his jealousity toward Bryant who in my opinion is another guy who you want to have as a partner when you want to promote something... TJ is definitely not just destroying his image but also making bad decisions to the company he works for. It may stop to sell as it has been because people will avoid read things that are not pleasing 'em.

He doesn't know what the rules of business are...

Does he know.. that people jump in the business of selling not to just sell but to please customer??? If customers are not pleased, then you don't sell period.

Yet another TJ simers article I won't click on or read! If you guys hate TJ simers so much, why do you give him hits and click and read them? That is why he stays on at L.A times, because you guys cant stop reading what idiotic thing he says next. Dont click them or read them, and then we will fade away!

Good Morning All.............
1..Ken good point about Vlad...We need him to spread the floor ..It makes life easier for Pau and Kobe...I love seeing him catch on fire...

2..Play of the game...Kobe from the top of the key..Straight down the gutts for the jam...Loved it

3..Ak/Bk....The game day thread had 511 posts..If Mark Cuban sees that the next time we play them he might try to sign you guys to 10 day contracts if your not careful...lol

someone knows when Drew will be ready to play? We need him! Gasol is a great player but can't defend.

I like a few others on this blog have been a long time LA LAKERS FAN, the only team in the NBA as far I'm concerned. First off, I would like to be added to the roll call and the CHAMPIONSHIP BANDWAGON, I'll buy a first-class ticket if needed.

Second, I have watched the LAKERS since I was 10, and I am now 30. I went through SHOWTIME and I went through LOWTIMES with Nick the Quick and Ced if you remember them. I was also there for the 3-Peat and the downtimes after.

Point blank, I have NEVER seen a player as good as KB24 in a LAKERS uniform before, and I have never seen him play with the PASSION and DETERMINATION TO WIN as I have seen him play with this season. There is not another player in THE LEAGUE that can raise the level of there game when it counts like KB can.

I also think this should make clear the fact that Kobe never really wanted to leave the LAKERS, he simply wanted them to have the same PASSION and DETERMINATION TO WIN that he has and he did not feel the players currently on his roster had that. He tried to work with them and he tried for TWO to THREE years to be POLITE and POLITICALLY CORRECT about it, it's just when these methods don't work at some point you have to act out of character and make it known that there is a serious problem.

He did just that and you have seen the results, PLAYERS have stepped up and the ones who couldn't have been SHIPPED out to where they belong and have been replaced by BETTER players.

Let's not forget, MJ once slapped his own teammate in the FACE during PRACTICE. WINNERS always find a way to make people around them understand LOSING is not an option. For KB24, LOSING is not an option and if you don't feel that way he doesn't want you on his team.

The last two games were PERFECT examples of not letting yourselves LOSE, and that is why KB24 has done everything in his power to get the kind of players he NEEDS around him.

DON'T HATE, SIMPLY APPRECIATE THE GREATNESS YOU'RE SEEING BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES!

KB24-- THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME AS FAR I'M CONCERNED, AND WHEN HE GETS A COUPLE MORE RINGS, I BELIEVE OTHERS WILL FEEL THAT WAY AS WELL.

Thanks for listening to my rant, I promise at least one post a day for the rest of my natural life if you will just add me to the rollcall and the bandwagon baby! ........Please!?!

John Hollinger chat yesterday a lot of Kobe/Lebron stuff---and he thinks it's not even close, Lebron should be MVP and is far and away the best player in the NBA:

here are the excerpts:

Jason (Upland): Who is your MVP for this season? Last week you said Lebron, CP3, then Kobe, despite Lebron only having a subpar 34-26 record (8 games over .500) in the WEAK East (who's team won't even be in the playoffs if they were in the West), while both CP3 and Kobe have their teams a whopping 20+ games over .500 on the TOUGH West.

John Hollinger: First of all, a lesson on schedules -- 58 of the 82 games are identical regardless of which league you're in, so in terms of individual performance and team win-loss records they rarely make a large impact.

John Hollinger: Second, as far as MVP -- LeBron James's performance has been so far beyond that of any other player that, even with his team mired in fourth in the East, he HAS TO be the choice. Apologies to Kobe and CP3 and everyone else, but the guy is head and shoulders above the rest of the league right now.

Kobe : I am the best player on the planet, but some doubt my MVP acknowledgement. WHY?

John Hollinger: Because you're only the second-best player on this planet. Hey, I'm just the messenger.

LeBron: Why does everyone think Kobe is better than me when in head to head matchups this season my team has won both, I have had better numbers, and even shut Kobe down in the forth (1-6 shooting + forcing a no-shot at the buzzer) while scoring 14 on Kobe?

John Hollinger: Yes, everyone seems to have forgotten about that. Unfortunately, Kobe scored 52 on national TV yesterday, so he's got a lot of MVP momentum right now.

John Hollinger: Two days ago, I mean.

Doug (NJ): LeBron's performance has been that far beyond everyone else? What about Kobe's historical 05-06 season? By the way, who did you vote for the last three seasons? Dirk and Nash did NOT perform head and shoulders above everyone.

John Hollinger: My last three MVP choices were Garnett (05), LeBron (06) and Nowitzki (07). The margin between LeBron, Kobe, Dirk and Wade in '06 was infinitessimal, but they were clearly the top four players in the league; I really don't understand how the vote that year turned out how it did.

Audel Del Toro, Los Angeles: So if you say Lebronis better than Kobe than if the game was on the line and you could pick Lebron or Kobe to take the game winner you would take Lebron???? (no way!)

John Hollinger: Do you mean to take the shot ... or to do all the other stuff that leads to go a good shot for himself or a teammate? Kobe is a better pure scorer, but LBJ is the better playmaker.

Repost of expanded post…

SO, DO YOU STILL LIKE RON ARTEST BETTER THAN LAMAR ODOM?

This game gave Laker fans the opportunity to see how Lamar Odom, our current starting small forward, stacks up against Ron Artest, whom many Laker fans wish was our small forward. The head-to-head result? Odom clearly outplayed Artest and showed why he is a far better player and fit for the Los Angeles Lakers.

First, the stats. Lamar played 40 minutes and scored 19 points on 8 for 10 shooting from the field, including 1 for 1 from 3-point land, pulled down 12 boards, dished out 3 dimes, and made 1 steal and 1 block and 4 turnovers. Ron played 40 minutes also and scored 23 points on 10 of 23 shooting from the field, including 0 for 4 from 3-point land, pulled down 5 boards, dished out 2 dimes, and made 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover.

In summary, I think Lamar’s stats were significantly better overall than Ron’s, especially his offensive efficiency, shooting 80% compared to Artest’s 43%. While Ron outscored Lamar 23 to 19 and beat him 2 to 1 in blocks, and 1 to 4 in turnovers, Lamar beat Ron on the boards 12 to 5 and in assists 3 to 2. Not a dominant edge but decisive proof that Lamar contributes to the Lakers success in a multitude of ways more than Artest would.

Aside from the stats, anybody who watched the 4th quarter would have no question as to who had the better game. Lamar picked up his defense and forced Ron into bad shot after forced shot to go 1 for 9 in the 4th quarter. Lamar played a far better defensive game than Artest did. In fact, this was the second straight outstanding defensive game by Lamar as he once again defends the other team’s best player.

Finally, think back as to how each of these guys got their shots and made their points. Every single point scored by Artest was the result of 1-on-1 basketball where Artest was isolated on Odom. Several shots displayed poor shot selection and were lucky to go in. Lamar’s shots, on the other hand, all came in the flow of the offense, even the clutch 3 from the top of the key, which was lofted after nobody was open and shot clock ticking.

Lamar battled hard on the boards for some of his points. Artest was never heard from on the boards. Lamar cut to the hoop in traffic to slam down several of his points. Artest just stood behind the 3-point line or tried to isolate Lamar 1-on-1. Every time Artest touched the ball, the Kings’ offense came to a screeching halt. Lamar in the meantime was filling the stat sheet with assists and moving aggressively without the ball.

I wouldn’t mind adding Ron Artest’s defensive prowess and toughness to the Lakers roster but in no way are we trading Lamar Odom, who is a far better player and fit at small forward for the Lakers, especially the way that Lamar is playing defense.

Tom

Who's Dr. Nick Laker Legacy?

Luke Watlon is the new Smush Parker!!!

The guy is a non factor in the games.

It is really that simple.

The guy has to go back to the bench.

I'm glad that RADMAN is back.

We now need Ariza and Bynum and we are taking this one home.

in MLB/Dodgers, do you remember how Gagne enters the ninth inning?
maybe the LAker organization can do that for the laker howe games' especially when KOBE enters the fourth quarter.
it's the ultimate closer of the game.
GAME_OVER..............
I' myself always shout it loud everytime #24 comes in for the final minutes of the 4th quarter.
whoahhhhhh, i luv this game.
4th qtr, it's KOBE time.........and it's GAME OVER. GO KOBRA#24.......yahoooooooooooooh

T.J. Simers column should seriously be replaced by a column by Kareem Abdul-Jabaar.

T.J. Simers' popularity in Los Angeles is lower than that of George W. Bush. The L.A. Times management has to be aware of that.

Maybe they're as blind as the Knicks ownership. Who knows?

GO LAKERS!

Kobe's play is great exept that it seems to me like the last two games he hasn't created as many plays for his team mates like he's been doing. He's the best player in the league, he needs to exploit this by continuing to do what has been working lately. He's starting to be too aggressive offensively. The Lakers need to go back to what was working. Kobe needs to focus on creating plays. Penetrate and look to pass to the open guy. He's going to see more double teams. If he's passing the ball it will become easier for him later in the game because they won't focus on him as much. I just think Kobe is trying to take on too much. Although it's great to see now. TRUST ME THEY WON'T GO FAR IN THE PLAYOFFS LIKE THAT. He needs to engage his team mates throughout the game and then do his thing when the game winds down. Easy formula. Very hard to follow this formula when you are the best player in the world I would imagine. Kobe needs to believe in his team mates. Belief is a very powerful force in the universe. When a human being believes in something ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. So those mistakes that the team is making will all be cleaned up for the playoffs. We all have to also believe that Andrew Bynum will be back in time. WE ALL NEED TO START TO BELIEVE. SO START TO REALLY LIVE AND BELIEVE NOW!!!

Jon- I understand your desire for Kobe to win MVP but saying fans should riot is just wrong. In case you forgot the last time there was a riot in LA, it didnt turn out so good.

I dont hear any Spurs fans saying they should start a riot if Duncan doesnt win MVP.

Its just wrong on many levels.