Sage advice
Whether through Frank Hamblen kicking it 80's style with a "Frankie Says Relax!" t-shirt, a singing PJ, or the players themselves staying loose, the Lakers are sending signals that nobody is panicking after two straight losses dropped them from the top spot in the Western Conference. Perhaps it's because they had a quality day of practice, and even the night before, were working on their games. Kobe, who wasn't pleased with the lack of arc on his shot in Sunday's loss to Houston, led a group of backcourt mates (and one small forward) to the Mavs practice facility for an informal shooting workout. They'll still take the floor tonight in Dallas without Pau Gasol, who was moving without crutches on Monday, but still fighting some swelling in the injured ankle. As for the rest of the injury brigade, Chris Mihm could be back on the practice court next week, while Andrew Bynum comes along slowly but surely.
Just as it's a big stretch for the Lakers, who will finish up in Utah on Thursday, then play back to back against Golden State Sunday and Monday, it's an important time for Dallas, who will see Boston and San Antonio when LA is gone. The key tonight might be Josh Howard, who didn't have a good game when the Mavs last visited LA. Avery Johnson wants to keep Kobe off the stripe.
Are the Lakers that much better with Pau Gasol? One study (feel free to poke holes) questions if the results have been there.
In the big "Believe it when you see it" rumor of the day, the Lakers apparently- and I stress "apparently"- have interest in Washington's Gilbert Arenas if he opts out as expected this summer. The Clippers? That's very possible. But LAL? Makes a lot less sense.
Around the WC (meaningful games only):
Chris Paul was unstoppable down the stretch, as New Orleans came back to beat Chicago.
The Spurs blew a 20 point first half lead, as both Rajon Rondo and Sam Cassell played big as Boston beat San Antonio in Texas. Manu says SA's problems are mental, not physical.
Utah spanked the Raptors at home.
Who do the Lakers want in the first round? Try the Suns.
Apologies MrBarneyDangles.& DOC4daLakeShow
ROLLLLLLL CALLLLLLLLL LAKER NATION SOUND OFF: JON K., DELILAH
*
(1) FAITH, JC, KEIFO, THA_SHOW, VMAN. JJ., CHARLES, BOB, EDWIN GUECO
TALIQ, WESJOENIXON, MIKE T, ZAKEE, CLEON, SBPIMP, TAOSHUM, TSIRY
DOC4daLakeShow, LAKERLEGACY, LAKER_TOM EXHELODRVR, #4
NEMIA FALETOGO, David Whang, COMPTONS_FINEST, TIM-4-SHOW,
RICK FRIEDMAN, KIWI, FLAGRANT FOWL, JON KAVULIC, WEAVEMAN,
SIXONEZERO, FearlessWHACKJOB, HMRHED, MrBarneyDangles.............
Posted by: MAMBA24 | March 18, 2008 at 11:22 AM
PK-in-the-mesa...
Dude, that's a weird post. I get the idea you're trying to get across, but if you're going to bash Lamar, you might think about striving for clarity. Or don't. Lamar isn't going anywhere this season, so give him a break.
Come on, man. You're better than that.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | March 18, 2008 at 11:22 AM
That is interesting, DOC4, we don't see Lamar setting the high screen for Kobe too often, maybe the Lakers should try that as a little wrinkle in the offense!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | March 18, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Pk,
?
Lamar is not a dummy, despite what people think. He's a smart basketball player, with a different personality than Kobe and some others on the is team. PJ really challenged him after that last game, and I expect him to be having a game tonight alot like the one he had against the Suns in the 5th game of the first round last year. I believe the line for that game was
33 pts and 10 rebounds
He might make a bonehead move like kicking a ball in frustration, but he's a solid ball player with a ton of skill. If the Lakers do trade him, I'll be sad to see him go.
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 18, 2008 at 11:25 AM
man.. i'm worry. everyone is injured. hope everyone is back soon... only 1 mth left.
Posted by: khang | March 18, 2008 at 11:26 AM
What's up Lakerville!
It's a great day today. Make Cuban cry!!!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: SamII | March 18, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Well lets see if this guy can do it, and i am not bashing him i am just commenting on what i see. As i said before if Majic was kobe this guy would either wake up or be traded
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | March 18, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Laker Lover,
>>>The Lakers will not win a championship with Fisher as
>>>the starting point guard.
Wow, you really are out of touch with reality, aren't you.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 18, 2008 at 12:04 PM
>>>>If I have to watch ET grabbing his crotch with the
>>>>Celtics in the finals, I'm gonna throw up.
Ouuuuuuuuch.
Gertie? C'mere Gertie.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 18, 2008 at 12:07 PM
>>>Four years ago, Kobe wants to go out and make some
>>>late night shots, you think anyone's going with him?
>>>Nope. Not happening.
Jon K.
I totally agree. Last year or two years ago, if Kobe had asked
if any of his teammates wanted to go put in some extra shooting
practice, it would have been like this:
Lamar: I'd like to, but I'm injured
Bynum: You can do extra practice? I didn't know that.
Kwame: EXTRA practice? Yeah, right.
Smush: I have to go cruise chicks in the smushcalade
Walton: I would like to, but I'm injured
Sasha: Okay! (but it won't help in the real games)
Aaron McKie,
Jim Jackson,
Vlade Divac,
and Shammond Williams: Love to, but we have an AARP
meeting to go to.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 18, 2008 at 12:14 PM
J.W. Weatherman,
>>>By his logic, Vlad Radman should be on there too,
>>>since he held McGrady to 4-16. In fact, since they both
>>>play the same position, Vlad looks like the better
>>>defender to me since his man's shooting percentage
>>>was even lower.
Actually, Kobe guarded McGrady most of the night. And
I assure you, KB will be on the all defensive team this year.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 18, 2008 at 12:16 PM
LONGTIMELAKERFAN:"Aaron McKie,
Jim Jackson,
Vlade Divac,
and Shammond Williams: Love to, but we have an AARP
meeting to go to."
LOL! POST OF THE DAY!
Posted by: mamba24 | March 18, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Actually Vlad held McGrady to 1 basket thru 3 quarters and then didnt even play again until junk time, which makes me wonder why Vlad cant get anytime in the 4th? If he's good enough to start why isnt he good enough too finish? He was part of that terrific run they had in the 3rd, then nothing???????????????????????? Somebody please ask Phil why?
Posted by: Ken | March 18, 2008 at 12:22 PM
There are actually four games of consequence to the Lakers
tonight.
Lakers vs Dallas, of course. But also...
Boston vs. Houston. Now that Boston is more or less a lock
to be the top team in the East, I'm cheering for them against
EVERY Western Conference opponent. C'mon Celts! Knock
Houston back to earth a bit.
----------------------------------
Phoenix at Portland. Phoenix should be able to beat a
35-32 team, but Portland is 23-9 at home, and Phoenix
is only 19-12 on the road. Portland could really help the
Lakers cause by winning this. If Phoenix loses, then
they can't pass the Lakers this week, even if the Lakers
lose both games.
OTOH, Portland may have thrown in the towel by now
and may be tanking to get as good a draft seeding as
possible. Lately, they've only managed to beat bad teams,
and not even all of them. Let's hope they try harder tonight.
----------------------------------
Denver vs Detroit. This is a crucial stretch for Denver. Three
of their next four games are against good East teams on the
road (Detroit, Philly, and Toronto). After that, they have a
bunch of games against the bottom 3 teams in the WC playoffs
(Dallas, Golden State, and Phoenix).
This road trip will make or break Denver. If they do well,
they could then beat those other teams to claw and scratch
their way into a playoff spot. But if they lose 3 of 5 on this
road trip, they're basically done.
Why that matters to the Lakers is that if Denver gives up,
then they'll be giving away games to Phoenix and Houston
and Golden State and Utah and Dallas, but NOT the Lakers.
We need Denver to stay afloat and to think they can still
make the playoffs, so that they'll knock off a few of those
teams, thus helping improve the Lakers seeding.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 18, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Give Battier his props but also acknowledge who started that...
DOUG CHRISTIE....
Eventually, Kobe figured out how to foil that tactic and Christie was rendered useless.
I've seen games where Battier couldnt stay on the floor against Kobe cuz he was fouling so much.
No big deal, give Shane his props.
McGrady acknowledged who the best scorer in the leage is (Kobe).
I'll bet $100 Kobe drops 30 on him next time he sees him.
IT'S what Kobe does...
Posted by: Korey | March 18, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Marc Stein says
"But Boston did survive, so it's onto Stop 2 for the giddy Celtics on one of the most difficult road trips in league history. This is only the second time, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, a team has been forced to play four straight opponents on the road that are at least 20 games over .500."
What about the Lakers on this trip? Does it make us the first team to play 4 straight on road against those teams?
Posted by: moko | March 18, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Shane Battier shut down bryant better than anyone I've ever seen, except maybe Tayshaun in the Finals.
Look for a thumpin tonite...Dallas is hot and they are looking for blood after losing that last match in LA.
mamba24 - hey, we've been missing you on azcentral. You were on all the time it seems, when your team was on a roll. You kept saying that the parade route was already planned for downtown LA. C'mon back! Don't you know you've helped attract suns fans to this board?
Posted by: BUTLER | March 18, 2008 at 02:22 PM
I told Hamblen to wear that shirt!
Hahaha...
As Frankie used to say, R-E-L-A-X!
Take a step back and look at the big picture, the Lakers ARE going to make the playoffs. Until then, there's NO need to panic. It'll be a whole other season once it comes.
Let's see how the team plays with a complete lineup.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: knowing is half the battle | March 17, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Posted by: knowing is half the battle | March 18, 2008 at 02:27 PM
"I just felt like shooting and the (other guys) wanted to come along." - Kobe Bryant
WHO ARE YOU KIDDING? KOBE YOU LIKE TO SHOOT 90% OF THE TIME!
Posted by: Gunner | March 18, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Mamba24.......uh, it's HoustonLaker on the roll call...not HoustionLaker. Thanks, dude!!
Posted by: HoustonLaker | March 18, 2008 at 03:04 PM
One good game versus Kobe doesn't make Battier an all-star. Prior to that game Kobe was averaging like 30something I think or more against that team! Battier was guarding him...While Battier may be a decent defender, he is no Bruce Bowen/Ron Artest/Kobe type defender, top echelon defender..Kobe had an off game...
Case closed.
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 18, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I agree and Battier had to resort to arm/wrist grabbing the prior game to stay with Kobe. He got away with it but Kobe complained and the next time down Yao did the same thing and was called. So much for complaining does not help.
lakersrydeordie:
Those who are offering up D-Fish in that Agent Zero thing forget why Fish is here in the first place..........Fish will finish his career out with the Lakers, no one else. He's going nowhere.
Besides, would there be enough balls on the court at one time for Pau, KB, Drew, AND Agent Zero? Don't think so!
Posted by: toad | March 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Toad
If the Lakers pay like the Olympic team of all-stars and share the ball it would work.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 18, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Mamba24,
what is this all about... on the last blog BUTLER said you were the reason that these Suns fans are coming to the Laker Blog... You've been poking around at azcentral.com huh?
Hmmmm... I'm not sure how I feel about one of my Laker brethren trolling to a degree, bothering the Suns folks, and in effect subjecting us to Suns fans invading our blog...
Defend your honor Mamba24! I hope you werent over there trolling and you kept it in good natured fun...
Posted by: Korey | March 18, 2008 at 04:23 PM
The Pre-Pau and Post-Pau stats don't take into account Ariza being out the entire Post-Pau period.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 18, 2008 at 05:30 PM