Live from Staples- Lakers vs. Warriors
One thing about playing the Warriors, it's never boring. There could be enough excitement in this one to help the body digest all that ham*.
BK
*Ham, in this case, is used as a catch all for anything anyone happened to eat today. I do believe, though, it's a red letter day in the ham industry.
FIRST QUARTER:
Lakers win the tip. I assume that means they win the game. Maybe, maybe not, but if they get inside as they did with Turiaf on Biedrins on their first possession of the game, they've got a good chance. Good way to start.
10:00- LO drives the left baseline, and feeds Ronny with a very, very nifty behind the back pass through very tight quarters. Turiaf made the layup, but nearly blew it, in part because I don't think he realized the ball could get to him.
9:16- Kobe draws a foul on Davis, getting into the post, then kissing a turnaround off the glass. That's two for Baron, who then draws a T from the officials. I'm assuming he said something more than "How was your Easter?" Don Nelson leaves him in, though. Pretty big gamble.
8:25- 13-11 LAL.
Side note, there is a woman behind me with the most piercing voice I've ever heard. It's absolutely shocking, and a little annoying. There are likely dogs wailing outside Staples right now, the tone is so high pitched. I can't imagine paying $100 for killer seats... only to be seated next to the likes of her.
Ugly.
6:58- Timeout on the floor, Lakers. 15 up, after a D Fish pull up J. Thus far, the Warriors are getting and converting some clean looks. 6-10 from the floor, thought the Lakers have forced two straight TOs. Or, if you prefer, have been the beneficiary of two straight TOs. The latter is probably more accurate, really.
6:40- Turiaf hits the 17 footer, and the lakers have a two point lead. He comes back on the next trip to run it to four, hitting the same mid-range shot. That's a massively important aspect of his game for the Lakers. As long as he's on the floor and can make that shot, he'll force opposing centers to move out on him, and it'll open up the floor.
4:54- 19-17 LAL.
4:13- Lakers turn the ball over, and the Warriors turn it into a Stephen Jackson triple. On the trip previous, the Lakers were burned, as Vlad threw a lob pass to nobody in particular,
and the Warriors cashed in on the other end. They'll get plenty of good looks on their own. If the Lakers make it easier, it'll be a long night.
3:33- Turiaf picks up his second foul, hitting Harrington on a three. Not a good foul, and it'll send him to the bench. 23-19.
3:05- No excuse for the Lakers- Coming off a Kobe miss, Baron Davis gets the entry pass, takes a few dribbles, then feeds a wide open Ellis for an easy layup in transition. It's one thing for the Lakers to give up a bucket off a broken play, but off a make? That ain't good.
2:21- Timeout on the floor, tied at 26.
Farmar in off the TO.
Jackson is hurting Vlad on the defensive end...
1:00- Nice little flip from Walton to Odom for an easy dunk.
:30- Kobe doesn't even try to close on Jackson, and he buries a three in front of him. Had he made a hard run, I'm sure Jax would have pumped and penetrated, but it's better than the alternative. Not a good defensive play, there.
END OF THE FIRST: Lakers down 34-30, and while GSW is hitting a lot of shots, the Lakers aren't making it tough. Seven TOs, which accounts for the score at this point. The Lakers also need to do a better job closing on shooters. Give 'em an inch, and they'll take it. The good news is at some point the Warriors will go cold, and for the most part when they get into the O without turning it over, the Lakers are doing what they want. 10 dimes on 13 FGs, which is an outstanding percentage. They need to tighten up on both ends, though. More care with the ball, more attention to transition D, etc.
AK with the second.
SECOND QUARTER
10:52 - Luke Walton will undoubtedly throw a lot of inbound passes pver the course of his career. And they will be better than the one ended up a turnover in such bizarre fashion, BK and I are debating how it happened. If anyone can help describe it, we're all ears.
10:16 - Another turnover, this time from Ronny. He tried to do a two-handed overhead crosscourt to Sasha. Assuming Vujacic was allowed an extra 15-20 feet of real estate and nobody was seated in the first five rows or courtside, it was the perfect pass. Otherwise, not so hot.
8:56 - Monta Ellis racks his third layup of the frame and we're barely three minutes in. To say the least, the speedster (who's already notched 12 points) ain't meeting nearly enough resistance while heading into the paint.
8:17 - Kobe bricks a 26-footer from behind the arc, one posession after Sasha misses a long two. The Lakers are spending way too much time bombing from outside, not connecting nearly enough, and giving the Warriors too many opporunities to run the gun they're into. They need to slow it down, work the ball inside and take advantage of the fact that Golden State has nobody who can man the post. The feed Kobe dishes to set up Walton's layup? Exactly what I had in mind. As it is, they're playing right into what Golden State wants.
6:19 - Walton taps out Farmar's second miss at the stripe, helping set up a three ball for Jordan in immediate fashion.
4:45 - Horrible shot by Sasha in transition. Barely five seconds had passed after Davis' layup before Sasha jacked that one up. He recovered his miss, drove the lane and drew the foul, but that's almost beside the point. Plays like that are exactly what Nellie wants from his opponent. The Lakers are getting way too caught up in G.S.'s tempo right now.
4:19 - Vlad may have shaken, by in large, Phil's "space cadet" label. But if he lets another rebound go off his hands again like the one he just let roll away off Harrington's miss, he'll regain the moniker all the same.
3:17 - Absolutely no resistance as Davis head to the rack. He spends about 3 seconds a little bit inside the circle working on Walton, but there's no way Luke's gonna be able to stay with him forever. Once the eventual move comes, LO gets beat easily offering the help (of sorts) and Vlad's protection of the rack offers none.
2:35 - Back to back bad turnovers by Walton, the second a REALLY lazy pass. I don't think that sound you hear right now is the crowd yelling, "LUUUUUUKE."
The quarter winds down with the Warriors up 72-49 and the fans really letting the Lakers have it. And they should. They've spent this half doing actually what Golden State wants. Jacking up a lot of 3's to match style (and making a paltry 3-13), rarely slowing down and looking inside to take advantage of Golden State's lack of interior and generally allowing themselves to get both frustrated and taken out of the game. These decisions have also played no small part in the Lakers having already turned the ball over a ridiculous 14 times. I'm not sure they can dig themselves out of a hole this size, but I'm willing to guarantee it ain't happening if they don't make a few adjustments. Basically, everything. We'll see what happens. BK in the third.
THIRD QUARTER:
More of the same to start. Kobe picks up his third, Harrington drills a three. Lead up to 26.
9:37- Lakers pick up a three second violation, and it goes on Ronny. He was set up with a great look inside, and passed off. By the time the Lakers worked the ball around again, they had picked up the violation. Overall, they're running the offense better early in the third and making better decisions, except now they're missing some easy looks.
I love how Ronny has played in Gasol's absence, bu the still defers offensively too often. If you have an open shot, take it.
9:00- GSW 77, LAL 52.
7:09- Kobe hits a three off a broken play, as Fish hit the deck to avoid a turnover of his own making. That cuts the lead to 20, and Nelson calls a timeout. Overall, the Lakers seem to be making better decisions right now, and are limiting the Warriors to more of a halfcourt game. Shame they didn't adopt this strategy back before the Warriors built up the 25 point lead.
The goal here has to be to get the lead down to 10 before the end of the quarter. Give themselves a shot to win over the final twelve.
5:30- Odom hits a jumper, and the lead is down to 18. Kobe isoed on Baron up to, took a hard dribble left, then as the defense came over quickly passed off to LO for the J.
Fish hits a three, adn the lead is down to 16. GSW has gone cold, taking a lot of shots from the perimeter without much movement. The one time they managed to pass the ball around, Biedrins ended up with an easy layup. As much as the Warriors can shoot a team out of a game, they can shoot a team back into one, too. If they continue to settle, the Lakers could be in luck.
4:15- Davis drives and is met by a crew of Lakers on the rotation, and I believe Ronny gets credited with the block.
4:00- LO hits a pair of FTs on the other end, and it's 79-67 GSW. The big difference between this half and the last, aside from the score, is turnovers. The Lakers have one, and it came on a three second call. No easy run outs and break opps for the Warriors in the third. Combine that with a little calm on the offensive end, and it's easy to see why the Lakers have been able to cut the lead.
3:16- Bad shot from Kobe, early in the clock without trying to get the ball down low, he launches from outside on Davis, and misses. Ronny goes up for the board, and draws the loose ball foul. That's his fourth, and he'll have to sit.
2:34- Fish hits a three, and the building is going nuts. The Warriors' lead is down to seven. Catch and shoot in rhythm. Timeout, Golden State, up 81-74. Lakers have outscored Golden State 25-9 in the third, aided in part by horrible decision making from the Warriors, who have no concept of game management (which is why they're dangerous for one round, but no threat to go deep into the playoffs). But the Lakers still have only one TO in the quarter, and have done a good job getting the ball down low.
The Warriors have missed a lot of shots they were making before, but the big thing is the Lakers aren't playing into their hands anymore.
2:15- Rad gambles, trying to poke the ball away from the guy on the post, and pays for it as the ball is kicked back out to Baron for an open three. He drills it. Can't get caught up in the fever- guys need to stay disciplined.
1:55- Kobe draws the fourth foul on Ellis. They're starting to pile up for GS.
1:24- Fish hits an open three from the corner off a Walton block, a quick outlet, and nice feed, and the Lakers are down only five.
:19.5- Horrible foul from Vlad, 55 feet away from the bucket gives the Warriors a pair of FTs. Barnes makes one of two, so it could have been worse. He then follows up with the air ball on the tear drop for the last shot of the quarter, which catches nothing but nothing. Air ball. Which is strange, since he's known for that little floater driving in the lane. It's the shot that made him famous.
END OF THE THIRD:
Vlad Rad's mental breakdown aside, the Lakers had a fantastic quarter, and we officially have a game on our hands. Lakers took care of the ball (I believe two TOs, maybe just the one) slowed the Warriors down by getting the ball inside, and generally didn't give anything away to the Warriors, who helped them out immensely with some shoddy shot selection.
Quarter ends 87-81, GSW.
I'll keep typing for the fourth, since the last time it was AK's turn, the Warriors went freakin' nuts and shot, like, a billion percent from the floor.
FOURTH QUARTER:
10:42- Lakers down seven (92-85) after Odom cleans up a Kobe airball. Or was it a pass? Well, they didn't give him the dime....
10:01- Great sequence from the Lakers. Walton outlets to Farmar, who makes a great pass to LO on the wing for a trip to the basket. He goes hard at the hole, and Jackson is late getting over (barely), and the Lakers get the and-one, and the fourth foul on Jackson in the process.
9:35- 93-88 GSW.
9:03- Davis picks up his third, on an offensive foul coming into the lane out of control. Great play by Farmar to slide in and absorb the contact. The Warriors are really coming apart at the seams, while the Lakers continue to gain confidence. By turning the game into a halfcourt affair, they're eliminating a major strength of the Warriors.
Some Q3 stats:
GSW shoots 3-19 from the floor (15.8%), and turned the ball over five times. LA was 10-21 from the floor, still a little three happy (3-9 overall), but got to the line. 9-10 from the stripe in the third. Why? They got the ball near the hoop.
8:42- Ronny back in, as Ellis goes to the line with a chance to put the Warriors up five. He makes both. 95-90 Golden State. There will not be tacos tonight.
7:14- Luke ends up on Ellis, and brings him inside on the mismatch. During the postup, Ellis picks up his fifth foul. Personals are becoming a major factor for the Warriors.
Ronny loses the ball on the way to the hole, off a great p and r feed from Kobe- that happens a little too often to him. Got to grip that ball a little harder!
6:48- There you go! Turiaf converts with a strong dunk and-one, off a spectacular feed from Kobe, who went behind the back, then spun, then still managed to know where he was well enough to find Ronny for the easy dunk. That was pretty freakin' impressive. Very likely to end up on YouTube by the time we all go to bed tonight. To get through the lane with that sort of control (as a reminder, he went behind the back on the dribble, then spun... in case you forgot) without losing the ball was impressive enough. To find the open man? Damn.
With the FT, the Lakers have come all the way back, and the game is tied at 95.
6:12- Again, Ronny passes up an open look, this time deep in the clock, which had there not been a three second violation would have forced Fish to hoist a rushed three. He's got to take those shots when they're available. His teammates are expecting it, which is where the three sec calls come from.
3:53- Jackson to the line, with a chance to tie after drawing the foul on Walton w/ penetration. He makes the first, then the second. Tied at 99, but momentum has clearly gone back with the Lakers. They need to keep running the offense, get guys in the post, and move the ball.
Kobe gets into the post, but the double (and a triple on the way) come. He misses the turnaround- not a bad shot for him- and LO gets the loose ball foul going after the rebound at the 3:35 mark. 100-99 Golden State after Jax makes the first. Timeout on the floor.
By the way, if we judge blogging on +/-, I'm killing AK tonight.
3:35- Jackson back to the line, and makes the second. Big possessions for the Lakers coming up here. They need to get clean looks.
3:17- Luke forces a post up along the baseline- it wasn't there and he needed to kick the ball out- but LO bails him out with a tip in. Tied at 101...
2:00- Fantastic block by Odom on Davis at the bucket. He had Kobe on the wing, and after a few tries, found space baseline and got past him. Odom came over at the last possible moment, and blocked the shot clean. On the other end, Kobe draws a foul heading to the basket, and makes both. That's a four point swing, and fi the Lakers win this, could be a play to look back on.
Kobe still on Baron.
1:25: 107-105 GSW.
1:03- Tough break for the Lakers. Warriors three is an airball, and Azubuike is right there for the put back, forcing LO to hack him. Easy call, easy FTs for the Warriors.
Kobe comes back on the other end with a three, and it's a one point game. The crowd is up.
:38.5- Confusion between Walton and Fish on the pick and roll. Both went with Ellis, leaving Jackson all alone for the three on the pop. I have no idea who screwed up there, but someone did. Walton tried to close, but it was too late. Easy look for Jackson,and he converts.
Four point lead for GS, 112- 108.
Kobe hits the three, and brings the Lakers back to within a point, then the Lakers give it right back as Fish gives up way too much space to Jackson, who drills another three. As Charles Barkley would say, that was trruble. At least the last terrible play came with a screen to deal with. This one? Nothing there but space on the rotation and ball movement around the perimeter.
FINAL SCORE: GSW 115, Lakers 111. LA gave themselves a chance to take the game, but in the end, had two critical breakdowns defensively gave the Warriors the opportunity to take it back, and they did. Miscommunication on the pick and roll again rears it's ugly head. But as bad as the finish was, they really lost the game in the first half, letting the Warriors end the first two quarters with a 23 point lead. You can't let that happen, and expect a decent team to give it up at the end. Golden State tried in the third, but didn't waffle enough for the Lakers.
Overall, they played a very good second half. Unfortunately, both count.
More to come in a jiffy. Thanks for following along.
BK
Any team that allows a potential play-off foe to go up by 26 points on your court is not worthy of being an NBA
champion.
Period.
Any team that allows back to back 3s in the closing minutes of a close game is not worthy of being an NBA champion.
Period.
Any team that does not understand that teams will always play their best against you (which means you must always-no matter how mentally tough it might be-prepare to face a tough game each and every night) is not worthy of being an NBA champion.
Period.
And Phoenix is tied in the lost column.
Period.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 23, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Hey Mr. Pessimistic,
If your post were true, that would be true of EVERY champion or contender past or present which shows how RIDICULOUS your post really is. Here's my challenge Mr. Negativity, give me one championship team or contending team in ANY era that didn't down by 20 on their homecourt at all during the season or playoffs and or didn't have a single mental lapse against a weaker team or gave up a wide open jump shot(not every era had a 3 point shot). If any team accomplished this every game, they would go undefeated in a season. You may get away with the Lakers team that lost only 13 games or the Bulls that lost 10, but even they didn't fulfill the criteria every game that you laid out in your post. Right now record wise only two other teams are executing better than we are(Hornets are right there with us), the Celtics and the Pistons. Perhaps you would rather cheer for the Heat, Sonics, TWolves or Knicks.
If anything, you are not worthy to be a "passionate Lakers fan." Period.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 23, 2008 at 10:05 PM
He may be a dumb man, but I'm sold on Lamar. He's becoming one of my favorite players.
Posted by: troy | March 23, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Tomorrow there will be Revenge.
Period.
-Ajax
Posted by: ajax | March 23, 2008 at 09:47 PM
The Lakers will get their a$$ kick Monday night.
And it will serve them right for playing so cocky Sunday.
PS: Ronny went off on Jordan for his weak a$$ defense.
They entire team should vent on each other; maybe a couple of fights in the locker room will toughen up this soft a$$ team which also would make them a focus team.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 23, 2008 at 10:07 PM
A comment on Jordan Farmar:
He was not like when he played for the Bruins.
I'm glad to see Ronny is calling him out on defense.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 23, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Lakers are just letting Golden State win to make sure the Mavs fall out of the playoffs. jk.
GS is a one dimensional team. Did you see how LO was just controlling the boards and the inside lane in this game?
Imagine LO + Gasol + Bynum.
It'll be like a sixth grade team playing a bunch of height challenged third graders.
We'll meet GS in the 1st round and it'll be Four O.
Posted by: LakerinBC | March 23, 2008 at 10:10 PM
The sky is not falling.
Yes, we should have won tonight.
Yes, Laker Nation has a right to be disappointed.
And some mistakes were made. It's okay.
I guarantee a win in Oakland.
I guarantee it.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 23, 2008 at 10:16 PM
A lot of anger on the blog tonight. Hard to avoid when the team is playing with its head up its a**. They couldn't get it together because there was no shoot-around, this morning? Puh-leeeze.
While there's plenty of blame to go around, I have to side with the bloggers who've called out Phil Jackson.
Too slow to call time outs. Too set in the way he rotates players. Too reluctant to put guys like Mbenga and Newble in for just a few minutes to disrupt the other team's momentum.
I also thought Phil calling out the 2nd Unit was kind of lame. The starters are the starters because they're supposed to establish the rhythm of the game. In the first half, the 2nd Unit was barely worse than the starters.
I have a lot of respect for what Phil has accomplished in his career. But when the players are having a bad night, he rarely comes through with anything to change the game until the half time locker room session.
And when the game is on the line at the end, he rarely puts a line-up on the floor that can maximize any opportunity remaining.
Nine rings and an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame speak volumes about Phil's greatness. But his flaws can't be hushed up, either.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 23, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Passionate Laker Fan-
"The return of Drew and Pau has nothing to do with:
Turnovers.
Giving up points off turnovers.
Giving up offensive rebounds.
Not defending the pick and roll.
Leaving the 3 point shoot wide open.
Not playing within the flow of the offense.
I could go on and on."
Really, Passionate Laker? Nothing to do with? Really?
Posted by: ajax | March 23, 2008 at 09:49 PM
ajax,
Good response to the self proclaimed "passionate Lakers fan."
He fails to see or understand that having bigs(like Andrew and Pau)that can score, pass, defend, post up, rebound and block shots can change the complexion of the game completely. The Warriors got away with the small ball against the Mavs because Dampier and Diop are limited in what they can do and Nowitzki is soft as Charmin. Dampier and Diop are not as skilled offensively in the post as Gasol and Bynum. Gasol and Bynum would not hesitate to shoot or finish at the basket when they receive the ball in the paint the way Turiaf did tonight on several occasions. The Warriors would be powerless to stop either Pau or Andrew and wouldn't get as many easy layups. To say that they wouldn't change the game in the categories mentioned above is ridiculous. Everyone will see the difference once we get our big men back. Nuff said!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 23, 2008 at 10:19 PM
i'm glad they made a game of it.
we'll get em next time.
imagine if they played the whole game.....
Posted by: man | March 23, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Come on you guys,
lets not get to down on Luke, don't you remember the great 4th quarter he had in that blow-out game against Seattle. I am sure that that Luke is the real Luke, and the Luke that PJ sees.
All the other questionalble games he has had this season don't really show what a great basketball mind he has, let alone the natural skills. Lets support him, otherwise the new kid in town, Ira Newble, who is just a 10 day contract player might take advantage of Luke's poor play.
We can't let that happen because PJ would not look good in playing Luke all those minutes. Then the inconcievable would happen, PJ would also have to play Mbenga.
Now we can't let this happen, so please support Luke and PJ and don't argue with other. It is bad Karma. Mbenga, Karl, and Newble are bench warmers and should not be allowed to play unless there's is a blowout,
But if everybody keeps arguing for these players to get some PT it would be devastaing to the rest of the team. Especially Luke. PJ's credibility could also come into question, his 9 rings should be enough to silence any and all critics. Thats why we should all be nice to the players, coaches, and fellow bloggers. Do not point out anything negative only the positives and you will see how peace and harmony will bring wins and satisfaction
I love you guys
Posted by: Evil Cartman | March 23, 2008 at 10:21 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
Please, dude. Fix the double posting.
Posted by: mel | March 23, 2008 at 10:45 PM
If anything, you are not worthy to be a "passionate Lakers fan." Period.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 23, 2008 at 10:05 PM
When the Lakers get their a$$ kick tommorrow, I wonder how hard will you shake your Pink Laker pom poms when you look back on how we as a team did not show up Sunday night which allowed Golden State the momentum they need for a back to back victory?
Golden State took the game serious because they understand to lose back to back to the Lakers (after a Denver victory) means the 9th seed; the Lakers should have seen a back to back victory as a means of knocking this team potentially out of the play-offs.
Think about that Mr. or Ms. "Positivity."
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 23, 2008 at 10:49 PM
When the Lakers play like garbage (especially when the number one seed is on the line) I'm going to call it.
And if New Orleans wins the number one seed, Chris Paul will win the MVP trophy (which will be ashame being that the best player over the last 2 3/4 seasons has never won one).
And what will Lakers fans say if New Orleans wins the number one seed and we do not (afterall, they are a very young and in-experienced team).
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 23, 2008 at 10:55 PM
One good thing that happened tonight despite the loss was no one in the team was injured like Dirk Nowitzky who will be out for two weeks. Then, Mavericks lost the game after the physical beating of Ginobli. Lakers was chivalrous by giving an opponent a space to shoot twice. They prefer to lose one game to GS than promote the Nuggets in the 8th seed.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 23, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Just got back from the game at Staples.
Many things become clearer when you see the game live.
1) Lamar is a stud on defense. He helps like crazy. That's why he picks up those 3 second in the key defensive calls.
2)The reason Lamar has to help so much on defense is that the following players are HUGE liabilities on defense, in order or biggest to smallest liability: Radmanovic, Walton, Fish, Vujacic, Farmar. There is just NO way those guys can guard guys like Ellis and Davis, and the Lakers know it, too. They have to be helped on ANY possession where they are isolated with a quicker offensive player. I think teams like Detroit and Boston don't have such glaring weak links to attack on defense. Donnie Nelson just iso'd those guys, and watched the Lakers pick their poison.
3)Kobe is amazing on offense, and competent on defense. Not sure why he gets All-Defensive team honors when he gambles and floats for most of the game. By the way, this may be a result of the defensive liabilities mentioned above. He didn't float so much on Team USA, so it's not something he does all the time.
4) The high pick-and-roll with Kobe and Turiaf was pretty much unstoppable tonight.
5) Lamar misses a lot of close shots that aren't gimmes, but other players of his size routinely hit those 5 footers.
6) It's fun to be at a game when the home team comes back from a 26 point deficit. My voice is hoarse.
KOBE FOR MVP!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | March 23, 2008 at 11:10 PM
if the lakers loose tomorrow
houston @ home w/sacramento
lakers on 5TH place
it's oooopsy daisy time
Posted by: ZIn Master | March 23, 2008 at 11:21 PM
I like to think of myself as an optimist realist.
After all I have faith, but expects a lot from my team.
Posted by: Faith | March 23, 2008 at 11:40 PM
passionate laker fan
"KB24 still ball hogs.
When the game was still on the line, he did not trust
his team mates (during the last 4 minutes, D-Fish was wide open for the 3 and he was hitting the 3 in the 3rd and 4th quarters)."
IT'S LIKE THIS EVERY GAME WE LOSE. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO WATCH THE GAME. IF IT'S A LOSS, YOU CAN BET IT WAS TIED IN TO KOBE BALL HOGGING. THAT'S THE SAD THING THAT DUMB HEADED KOBE JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.
ONCE AGAIN KOBE, IF WE LOSE, JUST GO BACK AND LOOK AT YOUR SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR THE GAME!
Posted by: Gunner | March 23, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Pick and roll defense. they might as well start practicing it, because any team they play will run. We defend it really badly, and it will hurt us in the end.
What a weak game. Give up a huge lead playing like crap, play much better (and GS has a couple of brain cramps) and then we get killed by the pick and roll again.
And then that wide open shot at the end. No reason anybody should have been covering Jackson, it's not like he was hot or anything.
Posted by: Michael A | March 23, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Classic,
"Gunner are you there!?
Did you see what the leader just did?? In stead of going for two, tried to shoot three and the lead went from 4 to 6, thanx to mr: 24 let me shoot 3 to make the crowd happy!"
THERE WAS ONLY ONE WORD TO EXPLAIN THAT MOVE BY KOBE: SELFISH!
Posted by: Gunner | March 23, 2008 at 11:57 PM
This is the NBA guys. The warriors did to us what we did to Dallas in their home court the other day.
You cannot expect a lakers victory all the time, especially without their bigs. They made the adjustments in the 2nd half, but it was a little bit too late. I expect a victory tomorrow because they would study the tape tomorrow and make the necessary adjustments.
The only thing that got me upset in this game was the coaching. PJ continues to allow this team to get beat by a 3 point shooter at crucial times in games. The lackluster performance from the bench, especially Luke walton who the coach continues to give big minutes to. We need to also play more zone defense if we cant stop penetrating guards. We need to get healthy, fast, because we may drop to the 5th or 6th spots.
All said, I really think we have nothing to worry about because of the passionate play of KB 24 and the much improved Lamar. I expect a win tomorrow because the lakers are going to come out fired up. The key will be defense and limiting stupid turnovers.
Go lakers !!!!
Posted by: A A LOS | March 23, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Its nice to exercise your demons! I think the Lake Show would be tough to beat in a playoff match-up, but the Lake Show would certainly like to see someone other than the Dubz, just as any team likely would. The series would go along way to tiring the Lake Show and making a championship run that much more difficult. Hope you all get a good sleep tonight, cause tomorrow's gonna be another tough loss in LA LA Land.
OakFoSho
Posted by: OakFoSho | March 24, 2008 at 01:09 AM
Gunner,
I totally agree with you.
Posted by: Albert Philippines | March 24, 2008 at 06:09 AM
Gunner,
am i right to think youre supposed to be shouting when your words are all n caps ?
Posted by: Albert Philippines | March 24, 2008 at 06:10 AM
Gunner,
Where do you live ?
Posted by: Albert Philippines | March 24, 2008 at 06:11 AM
I stopped watching at Halftime..They pissed me off with such POOR effort and one on one play in the first half!
I wasn't gonna watch any highlights assuming we lost by 50 so I was surprise to see we actually had made a game of it..Nonetheless a LOSS is a LOSS no matter how you cut it..They didnt deserve to win, so ISH happens..What I will say is that we ARE extremely DEEP with exceptional scoring ability beyond imagineable. To put up the points that we can, and be without 3/4 top players is amazing in itself. I still think there is reason for the LEAGUE to be concerned with the Lakers.Phukk all the naysayers especially those of you who only come blog to talk ISH about the team or Kobe when we drop a GAME. MOFOs in case you haven't noticed, we still are a TOP team but dangerous and very capable down the LINE of TRULY dominating teams when our boys come back. So recognize the REAL In the meantime, we play shorthanded and are never out of games and still able to hold it down..Golden State may have got us last night, but trust and believe, the Lakers will be there at the end and if we happen to play them again in the Playoffs, we are gonna serve notice..
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 24, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Simone,
>>>Luke Walton and Derek Fisher lost that game, with
>>>their inept defense of Stephen Jackson.
Oh, I see. And Jordan Farmar shooting 3-for-10, Sasha shooting
0-for-5, Lamar shooting 6-for-19, and Kobe shooting 13-30 had
nothing to do with the loss.
Luke hit 2 of his 3 shots and had 6 assists. Derek hit 6 of
his 10 shots including 3 of 4 3-pointers.
Once again, there is plenty of blame to go around, as in any
loss. And once again, lots of posters here want to throw rocks
at Luke.
Ultimately, the maximum amount of blame for this loss goes
to EVERY LAKER WHO PLAYED IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
Every one of them. They all played terrible defense, repeatedly
tried to thread the needle with passes in the lane, which
Golden State repeatedly picked off and started fast breaks on.
So here's who's to blame for the loss:
Kobe Bryant
Ronny Turiaf
Sasha Vujacic
Jordan Farmar
Lamar Odom
Vlad Radmanovic
Derek Fisher
And Luke Walton
They almost made up for it in the third quarter, but not
quite.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 24, 2008 at 08:47 AM
LTLF,
"Once again, there is plenty of blame to go around, as in any loss."
Sorry, that doesn't fit the "after-a-loss-template-for-the-post" that is generally used here.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 24, 2008 at 09:11 AM
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