Interesting things I learned about the Warriors from Sunday's game notes

Thanks for the facts B to K!

JUST RELAX AND ENJOY THE RIDE…

Despite the team playing its worst half of basketball all year, losing a close game to the Warriors, and dropping to 2nd in the ultra-competitive Western Conference standings, the Lakers are still in the favorite not only to win top seed in the Western Conference for the coming playoffs but also to be the dominant team in the NBA over the next decade. That is reason for Lakers fans to celebrate. Yet, it’s as if an epidemic of frustration and negativity has overtaken the blog. Laker fans need to relax and just enjoy the ride.

Remember last summer when it looked as if the entire Lakers franchise might implode? Laker fans need to jump up and down with glee and be grateful for where we are now. After a miraculous perfect storm of good luck, the Lakers are now the unbridled envy of every other team in the NBA, all of whom are dreading the moment when the Lakers get Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol back, knowing that the Lakers are suddenly back again as the most dominant team in the league, embarking upon another championship dynasty. Let’s not allow petty worries and needless anxiety destroy that bliss.

I am surprised by all of the doomsayers who believe they saw something in last night’s game that surely tells them the Lakers are not going to win a championship this year. Yes, the players did come out flat and play their worst half game of the year, but they showed great heart in coming back. And give the Warriors and Stephen Jackson credit, he matched Kobe’s long-range bombs dagger for dagger. It was just one game on a day where maybe the Laker players’ attentions weren’t focused properly but considering how short-handed we are, it’s just one loss among many wins. Time to move on.

It’s really astonishing to see the range of team and player hate washing over the blog after the 4-point loss last night against the Warriors. Yes, Luke and Jordan had bad games, but to throw them under the bus as if they were Smush or Kwame is not fair and does not make sense. Both guys are Lakers who have contributed and are part of the team. Criticize them, no problem. But let’s remember where we are not let the frustration and anger ruin what should be the time of our lives as die-hard Lakers fans. This is a Lakers team to love not to hate.

We are only percentage points away from having the best record in the West, We have the easiest schedule remaining of all the playoff contenders. We have shown that we can don’t even need Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol to dominate other top teams such as Dallas and Utah but both guys, as well as Chris Mihm, are on their way back and will be ready to play soon. I know it’s tough seeing our Lakers lose, but help is on the way and when it arrives we will avenge every single loss with prejudice as we roll through the playoffs and win another NBA championship. No time for half-empty glasses.

Tom

BK,
"Golden State is 9-2 in games decided by three points or less. "

If I counted correctly, the Lakers are 3-8 in that category. What does that indicate? Probably some combination of inability to make a stop "when they have to" and inability to make a basket "when they have to." Which will need to change if they want to get far in the playoffs.

BK,
The TV analysts always talk about being careful not to try and get into a scoring contest with the Warriors; just curious if you happen to know what the Warriors record is when they score more than their opponents?

Ex,

The winning close games thing is something I've been debating in my head for weeks. On one hand I think that a large point differential is indicative of how good a team is. I was sold last season when the Spurs had the highest differential in the league and in the playoffs looked to be head and shoulders the best team in the league.

But if you believe that to a certain extent you have to believe that blowing a lot of teams out is more indicative of success than being able to grind out close games. While I do think being able to blow a lot of teams out shows how good you are, being able to grind out tight games is important as well. John Hollinger believes, for example that winning a lot of close games takes a lot of luck. And I do agree to an extent that you need some breaks down the stretch in a lot of close games, good teams generally put themselves in position to get those breaks.

It's an interesting dilemma.

Laker Lover simple question

How many assists per game and shots per game should Kobe do not to be called a selfish player by you, self proclaimed basketball expert!!!!

I suppose he should not have taken those 2 3pt shots at the end of the game, that's Kobe being selfish again.

Shame on you Kobe, you are better than that!!!

Angry_Laker

DONT BE SO SURE THAT WE GONNA BEAT THE WARRIORS TONITE. REMEMBER THAT EVERYBODY PLAYED TOO MUCH MINUTES LAST NITE. SO, LETS HOPE THAT WE CAN GET THIS ONE AND HOPE THE PHOENIX LOST TONITE (CLOSE GAME)..

I expect to see less Luke and more patience in half court sets offensively. To see defensive adjustments made by our HOF coach and Jim Cleamons. BTW I think Ira Newble and Mbenga should be used in this game as well as Coby Karl. No more Luke experiments, leave his sorry a$$ on the bench so that he can heal!

Ex: "...just curious if you happen to know what the Warriors record is when they score more than their opponents?"

Oh, oh, I know this one!...

Purple/Gold colored glasses at it's finest:
"Yes, Luke and Jordan had bad games, but to throw them under the bus as if they were Smush or Kwame is not fair and does not make sense. Both guys are Lakers who have contributed and are part of the team. Criticize them, no problem. But let’s remember where we are not let the frustration and anger ruin what should be the time of our lives as die-hard Lakers fans. This is a Lakers team to love not to hate."

Laker fans are tired of repeated inept sequences of basketball. Luke is a "vet" and if Farmar wants to pound his chest and speak up he must start holding some weight.

This Luke season has been a disaster and Laker fans dont want to see Jordan Farmar become a Smush-like disaster.

Unfortunately, after seeiing Jordan brick 3s, pull 4 TO first-halves on all full-court passes and then seeing him put and mouth off at teammates Jordan will now learn no one is immune from Laker scrutiny unless you have a championship to your name.

Let's hope Jordan gets his act together, but his recent stretch of inconsistent baskeball combined with Luke's ineptitude have been as big a reason as any for the Lakers' struggles.

Farmar needs to channel his fire appropriately or he'll start getting the Smush/Kwame/Luke treatment.

Stand up and be accountable young man, we are not going to pamper and love your every move just cuz you are a Laker!

REPOST FROM PREVIOUS THREAD

My take on Luke and just my opinion.

Ed

JustaLakerfan,

"Give Luke a rest and let him heal."

That's a great idea and let's petition that to the Coaching Staff, there is Ira or Coby on the bench to replace Vlad or Sasha. To replace Ronnie, go back to DJ, somehow this 7 footer can block shots and rebound. That's what Kobe, lamar and Fish need, somebody act like Ronnie Turiaf in the post when he's in the bench. For Luke, put him in the injury list and let him recover from bad plays. That is the best PJ mind games can do to help him.

Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 23, 2008 at 10:02 PM
========================
Thanks for the response and I will take this time to give my take on Luke.

I have read both the Luke Sucks comments and he has high basketball IQ and has talent. I think the truth lies in between.

I have watched both and come to the conclusion Luke does suck. But wait I want to qualify that. Yes he sucks this year and has brutally been called out for it this year.

But the key is this year. I have watched Luke improve every year he has been in the League up to his contact year and he did deserve what he worked for. He has consistently tried to improve. I do believe Luke has talent and can play very good BB.

Now if he dess suck this year then the question is why?

It comes to 2 things or both which are a mental block or physical block.

Mental block because he can't improve on his drives to the basket in traffic which usually results in a turn over and has lost faith in his shot.

Or he still has lingering injuries which is not letting him do what he does best and play to his skillset and is trying to do too much and failing to do so. Maybe he is trying to emulate Kobe and trying to play through pain and injury.

Well Kobe is an incredible human being with an unbelieveable constitution to heal and play through injury and block out pain.

As Kobe has shown he has consistently played great through pain and injury/illness. He came back a couple of days after a shoulder injury when the estimate was 4-6 weeks. Most players could play through does conditions and still excel including Luke. So now with the help until Ariza went down but now with Ira let Luke rest and heal. I would rather have a rested and healed Luke for the playoffs than a lingering injured player doing what he has no control over.

Let Luke rest and heal.

Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 24, 2008 at 06:02 PM

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT STRATEGY by the Pistons in foiling the Suns just now...

Suns like running a isolated P&R on the wing with Amare and Nash. If you over play Amare slips the screen and dunks. If you under play Nash comes off the pick and forces help defense giving open 3 looks.

SOLUTION? Play 3 on 2 defense when they iso P & R. Zone behind Amare on the pick and play Nash straight up. That way the court spacing forces the Suns to go away from the Pick and Roll and force Nash to either go one on one or give it up to Amare to high to do anything with it.

That's the 1st good decision I've ever seen Flip Saunders make... lol

ANOTHER INTERESTING STAT....

OVER THE PAST 5-6 WINS WE HAVEN'T NEEDED KOBE TO TAKE 30 - SHOT ATTEMPTS.

SO, IF KOBE PLAYS THE BALL HOG STYLE LIKE HE DID LAST NIGHT, EXPECT WE COULD END UP WITH ANOTHER LOSS.

IF KOBE LEAD MORE FROM THE DEFENSIVE SIDE AND LESS ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE, WE WILL END UP WITH THE #1 SEED.

LETS SEE WHAT SIDE HE FOCUS ON TONIGHT!

Korey,

Re: Jordan Farmar...

Let's deal with the facts and not your distorted perception.

In the last three games, Jordan has scored 11, 14, 10 pts. That's all above his season average of 9.4 per game.

In each of the last three games, Jordan has had only one turnover.

Of all the players in the NBA, he ranks #40 in 3-point field goals made. If you factor in that he only plays limited minutes, he ranks #11.

I'd say those a pretty good stats for a 2nd year player coming off the bench.

Detroit does in PHX...

Now all we need to do is win to keep the division lead set.

Luke Walton turn in all Laker property to supply office and turn in all keys and acess codes and all bobble head give away certificates. ESPN will be pairing you with your dad for remainder of season. So long and by all means get well!!!

Keys to the Game:

1) Don't play the Warriors game.

2) Proper perimeter defense.

3) Ronny dunk the ball!

4) No wide open threes!

5) The Bench Mob playing as a solid unit.

6) Rebounding by everyone, not just Lamar Odom.

7) Competitive fire.

GO LAKERS!

Suns fall to the Pistons and the Celtics lose to the Sixers at home. It goes to show that even the best team in the league can lose to an inferior team. Sixers wouldn't be in the playoff picture here in the West and the Lakers blew them out at Staples earlier this year. I think Denver will sneak in and the Mavs will fall out when all is said and done. Go Lakers!!!

Farmar went a bit nuts last night. But, you know what? The team was stagnant. Someone had to attack the basket. He was trying to spark energy. He has been told that is his job.

Unfortunately, as Korey noted, he was playing outside the offense and is not the star of this team. Also, unbeknownst to himself, he was playing into the Warriors' style. Had he done it within the offense, though, he might have woken us from our dogmatic slumber.

Rick,
I think you should deal with Facts.

The Lakers dont need Farmar to be bombs away every game.

His game is not 3 PT shooting and it's a bad habit. Thus, we are inconsistent cuz now we have 2/3 guys that shoot 3s like drinking water (Vujacic, Farmar, Fisher).

That's bad basketball. Farmar's role is to play solid D, create for other and take OPEN 3s not constantly fire away.

He has to get his head together or he'll find hisself on the bench like he was last nite vs. GS.