Live from New Orleans- Lakers vs. Hornets
Sorry. Tech problems. I had to move, then restart my computer twice, but we're rolling now. Sometimes the technology doesn't cooperate. But at least I have a chair.
I have news, 4:00 left in the first- Pau Gasol is getting x-rays on his left ankle, and won't return. Not good. More news as that comes in.
3:27- Lakers up 16-14.
2:41- Timeout on the floor. The Lakers are doing a solid job on the Hornets defensively, holding them to 35.3% from the floor, and contesting just about everything that goes up. New Orleans hasn't had a whole lot of clean looks. Coming out of the TO, they bring in some of the seconds, with Bonzi Wells and Melvin Ely coming on. Lakers stick with the staters.
2:00- Peja gets open for a three, as Vlad is late in closing. Brings NO to within two, at 19-17. Farmar and Walton in for LA for Fish and Rad. Jordan comes out gunning, but misses his first three. Before the game, it was interesting to watch him watch film with Jim Cleamons. They looked a lot at where Paul sets up to initiate the offense, and Cleamons emphasized picking him up earlier, to minimize the penetration he gets, and make Paul work harder for space.
1:00- David West hits a little jumper over LO. Walton comes back on the other end with a layup, but Ely gets an offensive board and scores. That's three straight possessions where the Hornets have been able to get the ball down low for easy points. A lob to Wells, the shot for Wells, and the Ely shot. That gives them six points quick, enough to finish the first quarter with a 23-21 lead.
END OF THE FIRST- LA down by two. What was a good defensive effort early in the quarter turned south over the last five or six minutes. The Hornets pushed a sub 35% FG percentage up into the forties, and on the other end, the Lakers didn't do much. A 14-7 early lead went away pretty fast.
SECOND QUARTER-
LO starts things off with a good jumper. I should mention we're right behind the scorer's table, which provides an interesting perspective. Especially of Joey Crawford. Not a handsome man.
NEWS ON PAU- X Rays are negative. So that's good news.
10:00- Big minutes with the seconds versus the seconds. Right now, the Hornets are getting the most of that battle.
27 up after a Walton layup on a nice feed along the baseline from Farmar.
8:40- Two bad shots in one possession for LA. First Farmar goes for a jumper early in the clock without really working the O, then after LO got the rebound, Luke bricked a turnaround off the glass. On the next trip down, LO bails out the Lakers again, getting the board off a Turiaf shot and taking it back to the hole, and drawing the foul.
29-27, NO.
Great little timout program. The Hornets bee has these three little kids trailing him, in matching Hornets bee costumes. One takes out a little wand and spanks the ref with it. Thankfully, Zach Zarba plays along, rather than smacking the little girl. Adorable.
LO makes both FTs, and at the eight minute mark the Lakers are tied at 29.
6:32- I might be too short to sit courtside.
Great move by Ronny, up and under, doesn't pay off as the ball rattles in and out. Still, he made a great move on an excellent defender with the shot clock running down. Good to see him play with confidence down low. On the next trip down, after blocking a shot, Luke makes a great feed to Vladdy, who draws the foul for the and one. It's been another pretty strong game for Walton, who has made some buckets, and also moved the ball.
5:40- Vlad collects a loose ball, then buries a triple. Lakers up by one, 37-36.
Lakers need to secure the boards. Chandler slips away from and puts the ball back in. Too easy. Six offensive boards for the Hornets thus far.
Timeout on the floor. Lakers up 37-36. The Lakers are getting a lot of contributions from secondary sources tonight with Gasol out of the game. Eight for Rad, six for Walton. LO currently leads the way with 10 points, to go along with six boards. They're going to have to continue to move the all well and create good looks... which they do out of the TO, as Kobe hits a cutting Vlad from the post, but Vlad blows the layup.
Kobe and Fish back in the game.
3:30- Walton called for a foul against Chandler in the post, which has Phil off the bench and pissed. Can't say I blame him, since I wasn't sure where the foul was, either.
3:11- Kobe's on the line after a penetrating and-one (three times in a row the Lakers have moved the ball/themselves well to get clean looks. Kobe continues to work Peterson in the post.
2:40- Timeout on the floor, and they're playing human tic-tac-toe on the court. Guys run, make a bucket, get an x or an o, then leave it on a big grid at halfcourt. This is not a game for the litigious, as the guys have each fallen and also run into each other.
Phil continued to work the officials over the Walton call about a minute ago. He didn't like that one at all.
Every time Paul scores, they play a "Wooo!" clip, and the crowd responds with a "woo!" of their own. Fun stuff.
2:00- Tough assignment for Luke defensively, as he's on Chandler,who is going to be tough for Walton to keep off the glass. With LO on West, though, there's not much else the Lakers can do. Vlad can't guard him either.
1:15- LA 46, NO 43.
:50- Paul picks off a Fish entry pass, then starts the break. The Lakers catch a break when Peja misses the three in the corner. Paul is a very underappreciated and tenacious defender (and player generally). He's very active, generates steals, and does it without taking a lot of chances to do it. On the other end, draws two fouls on Fish in about 15 seconds. The first a block and a foul on the floor, the second an and-one in the lane. That's three on Fish.
:06- Fish comes back with a triple on the far end, hopefully cracking a shooting slump for the evening (he's now 2-8).
HALFTIME- Lakers up 49-46. Very fast paced game without a lot of stoppages. Fun stuff. The Lakers are playing solid defensively, and are starting to do a better job moving the ball around. They've planted Kobe in the high post to let him operate, and are also getting a lot of mileage out of Walton moving the basketball. They've missed some chippies, but then again, so have the Hornets. But the Lakers are doing a decent job. Paul has 10/8 and has made some great plays, but they've kept some pressure on Stojakovic (2-11), and haven't let West hurt them (2-7, four points overall. More importantly, they're not giving the Hornets anything from the line. No cheap fouls. NO has only taken two FTs over the first 24.
Overall, given the circumstances (road game against elite team, Gasol injury) things are going well.
More to come.
THIRD QUARTER:
Turiaf starts for the injured Gasol.
A Mo Pete layup and a Paul triple give the Hornets a two point lead a minute into the half. That shot was worth three woos! from the Hornets crowd.
9:57- Vlad gets hung up on a screen in front of Peja, who drills the three. Phil calls a timeout, Lakers down by five. He can't be happy with the D early in the quarter. Nothing but open looks for the Hornets.
I'm sure they're really nice girls, but the Hornets Dance Team is not among the league's more impressive. They really shouldn't win the Dance Team playoffs they're running on NBA.com right now.
Crawford calls Paul for a block on Fish coming out of the backcourt. I can tell you with certainty that LA is not the only city where Joey Crawford is unloved.
7:10- Hornets up four after a Kobe three. 60-56.
6:58- Double T called on both Chandler and Turiaf, who tangled it up after a Chandler dunk. The Lakers are starting to lose control of this one, giving Paul a lot of space to work, and letting the secondary players get into the flow.
6:31- Crowd all over Crawford, who makes a late call on a Kobe triple, saying Bonzi hit him on the hand. Bonzi handled it well, smiling and saying, "I don't know," over and over. Good for him, since he's not going to win that argument. Kobe makes all three, and it's 62-59 NO.
5:38- Fish ends up on Wells, after he was very likely mugged coming off the defensive glass with the ball, giving the rock back to the Hornets. Then, he pokes the ball away after Paul finds the mismatch and Wells is working to the hoop. Foul. That's four on Fish.
Wells misses the second but the Hornets get another offensive board.
Farmar in for Fish.
5:20- Great decision by LO to slow the play down off a NO turnover. He had Turiaf in the lane as he was working in from the wing, but wisely chose to slow it up and feed a trailing Kobe, who hit a wide open three. Ties the game at 65. Good work from Lamar, who is having a very solid game.
3:29- Joey Crawford is going to need an escort out of here tonight. But you could the say the same most nights. Pargo in for Wells, who picks up his fourth. Sasha gets up to check in, likely for Turiaf or Vlad, but he's a little late.
3:18- Kobe whistled for a reaching foul on Paul, and does something you rarely see- agrees with the ref. 71-69 New Orleans.
2:16- Timeout Hornets, up 73-70. The Lakers are hanging in, but momentum has definitely swung the other way. They're having more and more trouble containing Paul, and keeping the Hornets from getting easy looks. A Paul to Wells lob, a great feed off a screen, attention drawn in the lane that when he missed a shot, there was nobody there to box out Chandler, who had about eleven chances to put the ball in.
Walton in off the TO, with Farmar, Sasha, Kobe, and LO.
Big offensive rebound for Walton, giving the Lakers another chance, which they turn into two after a Farmar teardrop in the lane. Walton on Chandler again, which is a tough matchup. But it's looking like the ankle is feeling better, because he's elevating.
Paul hits a three. Three woos! from the Hornets crowd. I kinda like that thing they do. Then Paul picks up a loose ball foul on Kobe, putting them over the limit and the Hornets at the line.
He makes one of two, and with :50 to go, the Hornets are back up to a six point lead, 78-72.
Chandler just drilled LO after his dunk, no call from Crawford. Clearly Odom isn't happy about it.
END OF THE THIRD, Hornets up 80-72. Definitely a Hornets quarter, as they outscored the Lakers 34-23. Paul really exerted his influence on that 12 minute stretch. 10 points, five dimes, two steals. That's pretty good. The Lakers are going to have to figure out a way to slow him down again, and keep the clamps on West, who had a much better quarter, and Chandler, who is very active around the offensive glass.
The crowd is extremely loud right now.
FOURTH QUARTER:
Walton pokes the ball away from West, and Farmar converts on the other end. Lakers get the first points of the quarter, then force another TO, and Sasha buries a three. Five straight for the Lakers to start the quarter. Wait, I think that was a two.
Julian Wright hits a three of his own, and the Hornets are back up by seven.
10:26- 83-76 NO. Lakers turn the ball over, and Walton fouls Paul in the backcourt to prevent the fast break.
8:51- Lakers back to within eight after a Farmar three, but the Hornets get it right back on the other end, as Pargo is wide open. The Lakers have no cohesion defensively right now.
Sasha hits a three, and then Wright responds with one of his own. Kobe again left him open.
7:47- Paul gets out on the break, and the Hornets finish with an easy lob to Ely. You could see that coming from a mile away. I think it was a three on one. Nobody home for the Lakers in transition. They're going to be on the wrong end of this one if they can't get some stops... and right now, it doesn't look like they're gonna get any stops. That bee at center court is pretty damn peppy right now. OVerall, they're really in to Bee related puns here. Un-bee-levable. Bee-fense. That sort of thing.
Bad shot from Sasha, who tried to force a three with a hand in his face, almost resulted in an easy runout for Pargo.
The Lakers also need to try and generate better looks on the offensive end. If they start bombing away to try and get the lead shrunken down, they're gonna get run outo f the building. There's still time to run the O.
Hornets up 94-82, and the place is really, really loud. LO back in on the TO, with Turiaf, Vlad, Farmar, Sasha.
5:14- Timeout on the floor, Hornets up by 15 after a Peja three on a tap out from the Hornets after a Wright miss. Phil puts Kobe back on the floor coming out of the TO, along with Fish. He's out there with Farmar, to counter Pargo and Paul. Sasha wasn't doing much.
4:22- Farmar makes the extra pass on the perimeter, to Fish who buries the three. Not a particularly noteworthy play, except that he hasn't been doing that enough lately. JF's been a little shot happy as of late. A Kobe deuce makes it a ten point game.
Fish is obliterated by a Chandler back pick, then rolls in for an easy layup. Same thing the next time down, as this time Kobe gets killed on the back screen from Chandler as Paul spins away. He draws a foul on Rad, and will shoot two.
The MVP chants for CP3 are loooooooouuuuud. Interesting to hear them for another player.
2:31- 104-93 NOH. Doesn't look good. The Lakers need points, but more improtantly, they need stops. They're having a lot of trouble getting them, although in NO's first trip after the TO, they get one.
2:00- same score.
Great pass from Kobe, drawing the double and hitting Vlad underneath for the easy bucket.
1:26- Lakers down by nine, 104-95. Pargo at the line, makes one of two, now a ten point lead.
Kobe blows by Wright in the lane to cut it to eight, but Crawford calls a reach on Kobe trying to get the turnover off Pargo on the inbound. That's five, and sends Pargo back to the line. If he makes these- and he makes the first- it's pretty much a done deal. Four possession game. And he does.
:22.6- Vlad fouls Paul on his way up the court, why, I'm not sure. But it does give the crowd a chance to get into more MVP chants, and some dude in the upper deck to unfurl his "Chris Paul #3 MVP" sign. So that's nice.
FINAL SCORE: 108-98 Hornets. The Lakers were simply overwhelmed in the second half. The Hornets killed them on the boards, killed them in transition, and shut down the Lakers offense. 28-20 on the boards. More to come in a few...
BK
Good first half...
Posted by: Tsiry | March 14, 2008 at 07:32 PM
LAKERS EXPOSED
No defense, no coaching, no heart.
3 more to go to 0-4
I AM THE ALL-POWERFUL TROLL MAN
GET IN MY BELLY
FEED THE TROLLS
I can see all the usual excuses coming a mile away
Dessert anyone?
Posted by: Troll Man | March 14, 2008 at 07:35 PM
John Ireland just reported that Gasol will FLY with the team to Houston. Why? It is not that long of a trip. Rent a limo so his ankle doesn't have to endure the cabin pressure which will make it swell. This is madness.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 14, 2008 at 07:37 PM
NICE GAME FROM THE LAKERS... THEY NEED TO REGROUP AND MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENT FOR SUNDAY GAME SINCE PAU IS GONE. PHIL NEED TO UNLEASHE MBENGA.. THEY NEED SOME BODIES RIGHT NOW ( U CAN SEE HOW CHANDLER DOMINATE THE BOARD TONITE) . MIHM I THINK WILL COME SOON BUT FOR SURE NO IMPACT FOR THE REST FOR THE SEASON. ANYWAY, I LIKE HOW KOBE PLAY THE GAME.. HE WAS SO PATIENCE TO HIS TEAMMATES... LOT OF OPEN LOOKS THAT THEY MISSED OR DIDNT TAKE ... HOPE 2ND UNIT GONNA STEP UP ON NEXT GAME OR THEY GONNA BE IN DANGER OF GETTING 0-4 ON THIS ROAD TRIP... SO FRUSTRATING THAT CP3 BURNED US.. HOPE IM THERE TO AT LEAST SMACK HIS ASS.. HE PLAYED A BIT STREET (PHYSICAL DIRTY) BALL TONITE. LETS SEE HOW HE GONNA PLAY ON APRIL 11 WHICH FOR SURE BYNUM WOULD BE ACTIVATE...
Posted by: joetoronto | March 14, 2008 at 07:39 PM
AK/BK,
Is there anything new about the seriousness of the injury?
Posted by: laker hopeful | March 14, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Let's see here. Your starting center goes down. And your third string center, DJ Mbenga, plays zero minutes and never gets off the bench. That's nuts.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 14, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Tough night Laker Fans...
Name another team in the NBA with TWO STARTING 7 FOOTERS out to injury, plus another rotation 7 FOOTER and their BEST SWING DEFENDER out at the same time?
Honestly, I don't even understand how the Lakers stayed in the game that long, especially considering they shot under 40% from outside. Should have been over in the third quarter really.
The good news is Houston doesn't run a lot of tall trees out there. The bad news is they are one of the best rebounding and best defensive teams in the L, something that makes us very vulnerable without our size.
Doubt Pau is coming back on this trip. He's down at least a week. I'm guessing from how he had to be helped off, minimum 2 weeks, maybe 3-4.
This ain't gonna be fun, let's hope the Lakers pull together. They will need to to survive.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Gasol was running into the lane looking for a potential offensive rebound when he appeared to step on teammate Vladimir Radmanovic's foot.
Posted by: joetoronto | March 14, 2008 at 07:46 PM
I love CP3's game, but he really is much dirtier than Kobe. Kobe doesn't punch people in the crotch, he just plays hard.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 07:47 PM
I think tonight showed if the Lakers were never given Gasol they probably wouldn't have been able to keep up with the rest of the West without Bynum.Gotta hope Pau gets back quick because 5 of the next 6 are against playoff teams.
Posted by: jf | March 14, 2008 at 07:47 PM
For whoever asked,
Gasol reportedly came down on Radmanovich's foot when he twisted it.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 07:48 PM
There we are our loss No. 1. What we lacked in this team is CHARACTER? Adversities should be turned into opportunities for the bench to step up but they get outplayed as PJ is also outcoached. He won't use Mbenga for Tyson and Coby for Chris Paul. What do we got to lose, Turiaf and Vlad are no match for the Hornets Center, while Farmar and Fish are no match to Paul and Pargo.
These are the type of games Lakers will stand to lose on the road. We wasted losses in the home games with Sacto and let that Blazers game got away, so we didn't put enough savings in the W column. As a dynasty team being forecasted by GHF people, this team cannot be compared to the Showtime Lakers...way, way out of the comparison, this team cannot afford to lose Kobe or Pau/Drew, they suddenly become a bunch of parasites out there.
Anyway, that's only one game, they can beat Houston with this line up but there has to be headstrong in doing the fundamentals, rebounds and focus on high percentage shots.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Rick,
Mbenga would have been run off the floor, he cannot keep up with that kind of pace. Now in Sunday against Motumbo you will see him I think.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Rick Friedman,
Isn't Pau going to Houston a good sign? Cause if the injury was that serious, wouldn't they just fly him back to LA? If he's going with the team for the rest of the trip, then maybe that means that there's a chance that he could be cleared to play sometime in the next three games.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: gokobego | March 14, 2008 at 07:50 PM
AK/BK,
Why do you let "Troll-Man" 's posts get through. They add absolutely nothing to the blog, and are more like spam than anything else. It's annoying to have to move past to see things that are worthile. It is not because these posts say negative things about the Lakers, it is because they are just worthless. If it was actually someone posting an argument for why the Lakers are bad or whatever, then I would be fine with it. But there is no intelligence involved in "Troll-Man" 's posts.
Posted by: laker hopeful | March 14, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Is this the curse of Mike T?? :P
anyway, we still have our no 1 seed, we only played houston twice right (1 W, 1L), so it's tied if Houston win, which they'll win..
That's too bad tho, but get all those injuries bug out of the system, it's better to play in playoff from no 5-6 seed with all our players back, rather than start at 1-2 seed, just to see Pau and Bynum (if he comes back) go out in the first round due to injuries...let's be optimistic, for now..it's a good effort, there's no way you can ask PF to compete with centre of TChandler calibre. WHen bynum went out, we still have a center, albeit not so good..lol
Posted by: moko | March 14, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Trollman, if you have the balls, you should have accepted the challenge of Tim-4-Show and got $ 10K, now you are down by $ 10K opportunity lost, you can only blog and nag. Haha j/k only ok.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Another poorly officiated game by the NBA referees (against the Lakers). CP3 and Chandler got away with a lot of shoving and pushing during the game.
CP3 wasn't even called for an offensive when he extended his left arm and grabbed Odom's jersey during a lay-up in the first half. Then, he wasn't penalized for that "unnatural basketball motion" on Radman during the 4th. If it was Kobe, the NBA would issue a statement suspending him immediately. Three blind referees!
It's really disappointing to watch games where real fouls aren't called and where the slightest touch equate to a trip to the line. =(
Posted by: Ken Ngo | March 14, 2008 at 07:55 PM
The Lakers have been exposed as a soft team.
It started with the Portland game at Staples.
Since that game, 2 things stick in my mind:
The Lakers are soft and the Lakers do not play defense.
So what they have been winning.
I saw the cracks.
James Worthy stated, "even though you are missing a player, that still no excuse to not play defense."
Lakers allow too many lay-ups.
Lakers allow too many offensive rebounds.
Lakers allow too many open 3s.
Lakers allow too many open shots.
Tracy McGrady is playing with 13 no-name players.
They play defense.
I'm sick of the Lakers were "stunned" when Pau went down.
Focus on the game instead of feeling sorry for yourself.
Tracy McGrady has not played "stunned" since losing Yao Ming.
Tracy has manned up!
The game turned when Lamar turned the ball over and his turn over led to a 3.
He was seen on camera laughing.
I hope we go 0 and 4 on this road trip.
I hope Andrew and Pau miss the rest of the season.
Only then will Luke/Lamar/Vladimir/Farmar/Sasha will
be exposed as player who do not play defense.
I hope Kobe is pissed at his players during this trip.
We need players like Houston who play with heart.
Luke/Lamar/Vladimir/Farmar/Sasha have no heart.
Laker fans, remember this:
Watch the no-name Rockets and watch how they play defense.
Yes, it hurts that we have injuries.
Yet that is no excuse for not playing defense.
I guarantee you this: Trevor will be our starting small forward because he plays defense.
Andrew at center plays defense.
Lamar is not a power forward who can play
physical defense.
Jordan Farmar needs to check his so-call Ego at the door and play the defense he played at UCLA.
And The Machine is garbage; what can he do besides shoot the 3?
Boston plays Defense; Houston plays Defense; Detroit plays Defense; the Lakers DO NOT PLAY DEFENSE.
Sorry for the long post.
I'm just pissed.
In closing: PLAY DEFENSE!!!
Houston 21 game winning streak = being focused whether you have injuries or not.
Lakers lost tonight = not being focused the past 2 weeks finally catching up with them.
LAKERS FRONT OFFICE: PLEASE DUMP LO/LUKE/VLADIMIR/FARMAR/SASHA BECAUSE THEY PLAY NO DEFENSE
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 14, 2008 at 07:57 PM
I feel like I stepped into a time machine and went back two years. Sigh.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | March 14, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Edwin,
C'mon man - Mbenga against Chandler? Coby Karl guarding Chris Paul? And you are saying PJ got out coached cause he didn't go with those matchups?
You are making me laugh and making yourself look very silly.
I agree with you, this team is not the Showtime Lakers. You win the "Mr. Obvious Award" for that one. Although, if you took Kareem, Green and Worthy off that team, they might have had trouble too (not saying our current guys are as good, that's just their roles)
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 08:02 PM
I love my Lakers and KB24
However, if the Rockets win Sunday when the whole world is watching, he will be the leading MVP canidate.
When T-Mac goes to the basket, his team will hit the shots.
When Kobe goes to the basket, will we make our shots?
Please, please, please:
Drew and Pau, do not play the rest of the season so that our soft players are exposed and traded the way Kwame was exposed and traded.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 14, 2008 at 08:05 PM
MATT MONEY SMITH ON LAKER RADIO SAYS PAU WILL BE GONE FOR ATLEAST 2 WEEKS.
NOT A GOOD OUTLOOK FOR LAKERS.
There is something seriously wrong with the way lakers prepare for the Game. How come we are the Only team that is getting hurt by our own guys? OWN GUYS? OUR GUYS NEED SOME COMMEN SENSE TRAINING ON HOW TO NOT INJURE OUR OWN PLAYERS.
Posted by: Disgruntled,Frustrated Laker Fan | March 14, 2008 at 08:07 PM
I guarantee you this: Trevor will be our starting small forward because he plays defense.
passionate Lakers fan
Check that, not as long as Phil is the coach of the lakers.
Thats where your problem is, the coaching.
Posted by: Fire32 | March 14, 2008 at 08:08 PM
In a way, Passionate Laker is right with his observation, he lacks "tact" in criticizing the lakers weakness and won't turn it into a constructive criticism. There are times when these players mentioned saved the game when they're hot with their offense, perhaps he was attacking their inconsistencies which is an old Laker scrub nemesis. They are young, lacked some foundations in strong fortitude to correct flaws and act superior against a better player. They easily succumb and surrender without a fight.
I hope Passional Laker, join us in improving the team rather than destroying them with your unfair criticism. You can't trade the player you mentioned at this time, so make the most out of it by making suggestions.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:12 PM
James Worthy stated, "even though you are missing a player, that still no excuse to not play defense."
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 14, 2008 at 07:57 PM
And when you are missing THREE CENTERS and you BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD?
Then would be ok to drop the defense a little bit against one of the top 5 records of the league?
Posted by: Allan - Brazil | March 14, 2008 at 08:13 PM
DrewPauKobe,
As I said what do we get to lose, you may think MBenga is weak but he's 7 footer that may have match against Chandler's height. Turiaf is small against Chandler, he has to outjump him by 3 feet just beat him in rebounds. I guess those are experiments you have to try when things won't work out as you pleased.
On Coby Karl for Chris Paul, nothing to lose also Coby Karl is much taller than Fisher and Farmar much younger and eager beaver in guarding. We never know the outcome until you try. We can just speculate.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Fire32,
I'll give you a pass cause you probably weren't paying attention but PJ was working Ariza into the starting lineup right when he went down. He was taking Vlad's place, especially against more athletic teams.
And I'm glad you know how to coach better than PJ - now you can go out and get that $10 million a year NBA job. Congrats.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 08:17 PM
James Worthy stated, "even though you are missing a player, that still no excuse to not play defense."
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 14, 2008 at 07:57 PM
And when you are missing THREE CENTERS and you BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD?
Then would be ok to drop the defense a little bit against one of the top 5 records of the league?
Posted by: Allan - Brazil | March 14, 2008 at 08:13 PM
Allan:
There is no excuse for no playing defense.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 14, 2008 at 08:20 PM
"I hope Passional Laker, join us in improving the team rather than destroying them with your unfair criticism. You can't trade the player you mentioned at this time, so make the most out of it by making suggestions."
Posted by: Edwin Gueco
------------------------------------
Yeah, like suggest Mbenga and Coby Karl as our defensive stoppers.
LMAO - nice one Edwin
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Indeed!
Just like i said earlier today... the Lakers were going to lose and on Sunday against the Rockets they'll dispute the first place now that both are holding a 45-20 record.
About the defense well what else is there to say? Its not about Bynum or Ariza it's about all of 'em. The Lakers got the bad habit of playing to outscore opponents something that is similar to that team (Suns).
For a team that is claiming for homecourt throughout the playoffs it certainly has a long way to go.
Finally, I am the first to say that this team will go 2-2 in this road trip and they'll probably end 2nd before the playoffs.
Posted by: Maxximo | March 14, 2008 at 08:22 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
I have to admit that the Lakers have not been playing very good defense as of late, but you can't compare Mcgrady's situation to the Laker's at least for tonight. The Rockets are a defensive-minded team, that's their style, so losing Yao, while hurtful was not devastating. Yao is there more for the offense, than the defense, so when he went down, it does not hurt them that much. They still have Mutombo, who manages to rebound and play very good defense, and while his offensive output is poor he compensates alot with what he does on the other end. The Lakers, on the other hand, need to play defense but sometimes they are not too committed because of they are so offensively talented they can usually outscore opponents. So losing Gasol, while not having Bynum (good at both defense and offense) and Trevor Ariza (a valuable defender), is much bigger than losing Yao for the Rockets. I hope that this show the Lakers that they will have to start to play defense, but at least for this game, I knew the transition would not be smooth. I think they all have the ability to play defense, even players that are not naturally talented at it (Luke, Sasha, Radmanovic), if they just play smart. They thing is, that playing defense is a mentality that you have to have, and to expect them to change their offensive mindset in the course of a game, and do it effeciently is not too realistic. To prove my point I'll bring up the Sacramento game in Arco. For that whole game, the Lakers were just playing awful defense but were able to stay afloat with their offense, and then in the fourth since they are so proficient offensively (especially with Kobe and Gasol) they were able to win. A part of it too, in that fourth quarter is that they began to play defense. It wasn't great defense, but it was a better effort than for the first 40 or so minutes. Against New Orleans, the Lakers had the same scenerio, down by 10 or so, with six minutes left. They tried to tighten up the defense, and while it improved, their wasn't enough offensive fluidity and therefore output to put them over the top, because Gasol was out. I think that this game is a good wake-up call for the Lakers not to take things for granted, and start, as you vehemtly asked to play defense. I think they'll do it, and once we have everyone healthy and (hopefully) committed to defense, the Lakers will be a scary team.
Posted by: laker hopeful | March 14, 2008 at 08:24 PM
gokobego,
<<< Isn't Pau going to Houston a good sign?
I'm happy Pau is going to Houston. I am not happy that they plan to put him on an airplane, where the cabin pressure will affect the swelling on his ankle.
Rent the guy a limo. I think the drive to Houston is about 4 hours. Better than putting him on a plane.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 14, 2008 at 08:24 PM
LAKERS HAVE TO USE MBENGA AND CHRIS MIHM NOW...
Posted by: Disgruntled,Frustrated Laker Fan | March 14, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Allan-Brazil,
Even if we lose all those Centers and PF, if Kobe the superstar is playing we have a chance. Unfortunately , he is also hurt and bothered by that pinky. In 1979-80 Championship, kareem was out of commission, Magic played all positions that why he was called "magic". The same thing with MJ, as long as they're playing there is always hope out there.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Edwin G,
"Pau will be back by Sunday, X-rays were negative so that's mild sprain."
Good call there buddy. Wishful thinking, perhaps?
Anyway, there is a real opportunity here for Kobe in the MVP race.
No Pau, no Yao. Let's see who gets it done on Sunday.
Go, Lakers!
Posted by: hoping | March 14, 2008 at 08:27 PM
DrewPauKobe,
You laugh on the suggestions of MBenga or Coby Karl, why did we get them if we will not play them? Are they only decorations for blow out or garbage games. They are experimental players like the use of fire extinguishers.
Well, you may mock me at your heart's content but if we did not try, then I cannot give you a definitive answer, my haunch may have a chance while sticking with Turiaf and Fisher did not win the game.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Edwin Gueco,
here is why he got Magic nickname.. nice try
from wikipedia
As a 15-year-old sophomore playing for Lansing Everett High School, Johnson had a game with a triple-double 36 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists. After this, Fred Stabley Jr., a sports writer for the Lansing State Journal, nicknamed him "Magic".[7]
Posted by: Disgruntled,Frustrated Laker Fan | March 14, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Hoping,
Well, I thought that ankle injury by similar to Melo Anthony when he stepped on Kobe's foot. After few games, he was back on the line up. Well, if it's two weeks, my bad for saying that he will be back by Sunday. Again this is an opportunity for Turiaf to play more minutes, adversity to Pau but a good fortune for Ronnie.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Stop replying to passionate Laker fan. He's clearly an idiot. LO has stopped Dirk and Artest i-- twice -- recently. AK/BK take that monkey's keyboard away.
Posted by: BigGameJames | March 14, 2008 at 08:39 PM
I hope Passional Laker, join us in improving the team rather than destroying them with your unfair criticism. You can't trade the player you mentioned at this time, so make the most out of it by making suggestions.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Use LO's last year of his contract (the way we used the last year of Kwame's contract) and find a real powerful who will play some serious defense, block shots, hit an open jump shot, and hit the offensive boards when teams double down on Andrew.
Somehow-and it will be a miracle-move Vladimir (he who is only good for the jump shot and nothing else) and Luke (I stated from the jump that a non-athletic small forward who can not defend or go to the hole was not worth 30 mil) for a back-up 3 to Trevor who can shoot and play defense (hopefully this current road trip will convince the Lakers front office that Trevor should start).
And find a "sucker" who will take Farmar (he refuses to lift weights which leads to being manhandled by a small yet stronger point guard like CP3) and try to find a stronger point guard (i.e.: Miller who starts for Philly).
Derek Fisher will become old eventually; thus we will need a new starting point guard (and Jordan-who weighs less than 170-is strong in the mind but weak in the body).
Is that enough critical points to go with my negativity?
I love the Lakers.
I hate the lack of defense.
Offense=talent.
Defense=effort.
Where was the effort.
Question: when was the last time the Lakers had 3 defensive stops in a row in one game?
My point has been proven.
If the Lakers do not stand in front of the mirror, look at themselves and realize the season is on the brink, I guarantee all of you will be pissed.
Just think: if they go 0 for 4, they could be looking at the 9th seed.
And if that happens as a result of lack of effort, KB24 anger will make my "criticism" sound like the most soothing words on earth (remember: his summer time rant was a result of being surrounded by players-Smush/Cookie/Kwame-who did not give 100 per cent and he will feel the same way about this group if they decide to quit and wait for the return of Andrew and Trevor and Pau to "rescue" them).
This yound team needs to grow up-and do it fast.
Tracy-who lost Yao-could care less about our injuries and low self-esteem issues.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 14, 2008 at 08:40 PM
And I'm glad you know how to coach better than PJ - now you can go out and get that $10 million a year NBA job. Congrats.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe
oh god her we go again, dude I was on your guys side today(again).... anyway.
Is that what you call coaching, the same ole routine, same changes at the same times in the game, no matter how well or bad a player is doing. Never any different looks for different teams, thats what you call coaching?
DPK, I don't know if you saw the SUNS game last night, but SHAQ didn't play much in the second half, and I know your smart enough to why.
Yes thats D'atoni playing chess(coaching), something your coach fails to do almost every game.
Oh and yes I didn't know Phil was going to put Ariza in starting line up, but let me ask you this
was vlad or luke hurt during that time, maybe forcing Phil to make a move like that?
Posted by: Fire32 | March 14, 2008 at 08:40 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
I have to admit that the Lakers have not been playing very good defense as of late, but you can't compare Mcgrady's situation to the Laker's at least for tonight. The Rockets are a defensive-minded team, that's their style
Posted by: laker hopeful | March 14, 2008 at 08:24 PM
And you just proved my point (sorry for the screaming):
WE MUST BECOME A DEFENSIVE-MINDED TEAM OR WE WILL NEVER WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
Again: sorry for the screaming (I'm just so angry with the Lakers-and the Lakers' fan-who just don't register in their minds that defense is the key).
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 14, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Disgruntled Laker Fan,
"1979-80: Magic led the Lakers to the NBA Finals. In Game 6 against Philadelphia, Magic played center, filling in for an Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and led the Lakers to victory with 42 pts, 15 reb, 7 ast, and 3 steals. The Lakers won the series 4-2." - that's Laker's Magic
What you mentioned was high school magic. If you have named Magic and play like fluke, you think people of Los Angeles would admire you and maintain that name. We have the Magic Kingdom here, there are so many magicians in town but that game, that started the Magic Johnson era.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 14, 2008 at 08:45 PM
I DON'T SEE ANY FIRE IN KOBE LAST FEW GAMES.
Posted by: | March 14, 2008 at 08:53 PM
If they say 2 weeks for Gasol you might as well make it at least 4 weeks until he returns knowing our crack medical staff.
TROLLS ONCE AGAIN ADDING NOTHING TO THIS BLOG
FEED ME
FEED THE TROLLS
Posted by: Troll Man | March 14, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Edwin,
Yes we didn't try Turiaf guarding Chris Paul or Kobe on David West either. Maybe we should have had Brian Shaw sign a 10 day contract and suit up to play against Pargo? (that's sarcasm jik)
Just because something wasn't tried doesn't make the suggestion defensible.
Mbenga is SLOW and can't jump. Chandler is FAST and jumps like a pogo stick. It's got nothing to do with
Coby Karl is about the same speed as Luke....do you think Luke on arguably the fastest player in the league Chris Paul is a good idea?
Honestly use your brain. Just because they lost is no reason to suggest ridiculous match-ups and denigrate PJ based on those suggestions.
And I am not mocking you, I am mocking your basketball ideas. Mocking you would be personal, and I said nothing personal.
And then you have the nerve to tell other people not to make unfair criticisms, yet you yourself make criticisms of PJ based on ridiculousness.
As I said, you make me laugh bro.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 08:55 PM
To all the Laker fans griping about the injuries, they are a part of the game. We know. Last year we lost Peja for 69 games, D West for 30 games and CP3 for about 20 in one season. This was a good team last year, would have been playoffs if not for injuries. We also lost D West tonight again, he probably wont play on Sunday for us agains the Pistons.
Bottom line .. a game between 2 elite teams, someone had to lose. We outplayed you this time, just like you outplayed us at Staples the last time. But thats one thing I see about Laker fans..they are like my teenagers, NOTHING is ever their fault..its always the refs, the injuries, bad calls, never just that the team was outplayed on a given night.
Good luck the rest of the year.. the Western Conference is the best, and whomever wins the West will have surely earned it.
Posted by: HornetsFan | March 14, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Fire32,
Shaq had 5 fouls, that's why he came out.. He didn't go back in because all of a sudden the Suns started hitting their shots. In fact, if you saw the interview before the 4th quarter, D'Antoni insisted Shaq was going back in, he was just surprised how it worked out..
As for PJ, he does not just hand starting jobs to 22 year olds that the team just traded for. They earn it. Trevor had started 3 games, all right before he got injured, though not in a row if I remember, because of match ups. I mean, even comparing D'Antoni to PJ, come on brother, that's just ridiculous. And I like D'Antoni as a coach, I think he's good, but let's not get crazy here, he's been outcoached about 20 times by PJ and almost got knocked out of the playoffs against a team that starter Cook, Kwame and Smush!!! Now that was coaching to get the best out of a team.
Phil has only 8 players now (not including Karl and Mbenga who were matchup nightmares for this game), how many looks is he supposed to throw at the Hornets tonight? Maybe you agree with Edwin that Coby Karl should have guarded CP3?
And I will say it again, how can you compare your knowledge of coaching to PJ and think you know better how to get a team mentally ready for battle over the course of 8 months? It's just funny.
But I still think you're alright. For a troll. LOL
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 09:04 PM
so Troll Man,
I usually don't respond, but you said "our crack medical team" not "your crack medical team."
So if you're a troll, how can you be on "our" team...
Guess you're actually a Laker Fan, which makes you the lowest kind of troll, one who can't even admit who he is and doesn't have the courage to hope for good things, only the cowardice to root for bad. Pathetic.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 14, 2008 at 09:09 PM