Pau Watch 2008!
Whenever there's the threat of rain in L.A., our local weather folk never fail to work themselves into a lather under some Storm Watch! screen icon, following clouds as if tracking the arrival of a nuclear warhead. It's really one of the great pleasures of living in L.A., I think. Well, after an ankle injury ended Pau Gasol's night less than three minutes into the Lakers' 108-98 loss to the Hornets Friday night, the Laker Nation and the Lakers themselves are joined in tracking some serious roundball storm clouds of their own. Gasol went to a Houston hospital Saturday afternoon for an MRI, the results of which haven't yet been released (obviously, when we know, you'll know).
In the meantime, the Lakers did what they could to try and carry on, though it wasn't easy. A scheduling snafu meant the team couldn't use the floor at Toyota Center for practice, and were relegated to using the court at a health club attached to the team hotel. A swank health club, for sure, but one maybe 25 or 30 feet short of the regulation 94. That had PJ a little hacked off. Can't say I blame him. This thing was teeny. All they needed was a stage at one end and the outline of a volleyball court, and it could have been your average junior high gym.
Most of the conversation centered around what Houston's 21 game win streak, but in terms of life without Pau, it was much of the same as we heard last night. The Lakers can't get jumper happy simply because they're short on bigs. They have to move and continue to run the offense, and as they've done throughout the year, make teams pay for doubling Kobe. Look for more of 24 in the post, for the Lakers to try and get LO down low, and for the Lakers to try and get more penetration. Still, they'll have to make jumpers, because teams will likely continue to pack the middle and try to cut off the lane, daring them to shoot. Make some shots, and it'll spread the floor. (Call it a Catch-22.)
What they can't do is stand and watch Kobe, who in turn has to work to help make sure it doesn't happen. It won't be easy, since under the best of circumstances, Houston is tough to score on.
Some interesting moments:
- Had a chance to talk with Jonathan Feigen, the Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, and he gave me some insight as to why the Rockets have been able to win so much. No magic formula, he told me. Essentially, the Rockets have outworked everyone they've played. The foundation is based on hustle, and incredibly tight defense. Over the course of the streak, the Rockets have held teams to under 40% from the floor eight times, and only twice has a team been 47.5% or better. That's locking down. Beyond that, the ball movement has been incredible for the Rockets, reflected in juiced assist totals. And the Rockets hit the glass hard. Guys like Rafer Alston and Carl Landry, along with Luis Scola, have stepped up in a big way. Fortunately for the Lakers, Landry will miss Sunday's game with a knee injury.
- After practice, a few players and even Brian Shaw were attempting what would be one of the great HORSE shots of all time. About eight feet from the wall, probably 15 feet off the floor, a long bar of light fixtures ran from one end of the gym to the other. They were trying to make a shot that passed between the wall and the bar, which required an incredible amount of arc. Rainbows that would make Vlad Rad blush. Well, as Phil was commenting that nobody could make that shot because the angle was too tight... swish. Sasha (who else?) buried the trick shot and literally proved Phil wrong in mid-sentence. Later, Ronny would repeat the feat, and cap it with a hoot-laden victory lap around the small court. My guess is he won a bet.
- Kobe didn't downplay the Rockets' streak, despite the criticism from some that they haven't played anyone good. (Seriously, that's what people mean when they say the media is too negative. 21 straight NBA games? How can you possibly find fault in that?) "People who say that are the same people that said me scoring 81 points was nothing because we played against the Toronto Raptors. It's b.s. Anytime you beat an NBA team, and go on a 21 game winning streak, it's amazing. If it was easy, there would be more teams that have done it." He did say, though, that the Lakers could learn from the tenacity Houston shows on the floor. Going for loose balls, taking charges, getting that little edge on every play. As for the streak, "It's cool, but I really don't care." Meaning, this game isn't any more important to 24 simply because it could break Houston's run.
- As Kobe points out in the audio, there was a huge media contingent on hand for practice, by practice standards. The place was already small, without all of us notebook 'n' camera toters.
- Caught sight of John Ireland on the elliptical machine. It's not just players looking to stay fit for the stretch run.
- Phil said this run is something the Rockets did last year, so he's not surprised to see them get hot again. 21 in a row is surprising, but not the solid play. As for working without Pau, "At least we got a chance to run a little bit with some of our other centers." Kobe, Jackson said, has to make the biggest adjustment without Pau. "Attention can be focused on him, and stopping him. Everybody else has to step up and contribute scoring wise."
AUDIO:
- Kobe Bryant: Download kobe_bryant_3.15 Houston Practice.mp3
- Phil Jackson: Download phil_jackson_3.15 Houston Practice.mp3
BK
update on pau, drew, mihm and ariza pls
Posted by: Botsoy | March 15, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Folks recognize that the scorer in waiting is Jordan Farmar. Its going to come sooner or later, the Farmar that dominated at Taft high school. He was a beast. Jordan will be among the best guards in the NBA including Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Steve Nash.
J Kidd for J Farmar straight up? I take Farmar for the present and future.
Posted by: Todd | March 15, 2008 at 05:04 PM
I just feel like %&#(*$&%*#$&*.
Come on health gods!
Posted by: Faith | March 15, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Did the Rockets beat writer happen to mention making opponents practice in closets and changing game times by 7 hours a few days prior to the match as strategies the Rockets employ?
Jeez, could the Lakers get more cards stacked against them right now?
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | March 15, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Keep the faith, Faith. It wouldn't be the Lakers without some serious drama. Plus, it'll make the parade that much sweeter. Nothing motivates Kobe more than doubters, and I predict that the troll-factor will be a lot lower on this blog after tomorrow.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | March 15, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Well said Faith! My sentiments exactly.
While all is not lost, a few guys need to step up. Vlad Rad could show up and do something other than what he has been doing (and I'm not exactly sure what it is that he has been doing these last few games). Farmar needs to get back to running the offense, driving to the hoop and playing defense. When he is aggressive in that way, his shot starts to fall. I really like him, but he has been in a bit of a slump lately; just off his game a bit. He's smart and will figure it out.
My big concern is Odom: not the best that we are back to him as our second option. Yikes!
Nothing like a few injuries to focus the team's mind: play lock-down defense, make more hustle plays, and better shot selection (way too many 3 pt attempts).
We'll be ok- go lakers!
Posted by: Jesse | March 15, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Do not re-sign Jordan or Sasha.
Give me Andre Miller.
Do not extend Lamar's contract.
Find a real power forward.
If it is humanly possible, trad Vladimir and Luke.
Trevor needs a fellow athletic small forward.
Problems solved.
That is all.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 15, 2008 at 05:53 PM
I know some of you are concerned about the health of our wounded warriors.
There is an answer...
More support for Dit Da Jow:
http://www.tianxingjianwushu.com/doc/dittajow.pdf
http://www.dekungfu.com/hl.html
http://www.ironpalm.com/thesisonjow2.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ir4pjveQk
Okay, is that enough information?
Somebody get the training staff some Dit Da Jow immediately!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 15, 2008 at 05:57 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
Dude, you're getting pretty negative considering that we are at the top of the Western Conference with four of our best players injured.
What the hell?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 15, 2008 at 05:58 PM
well, i'm not checking into the sky is falling brigade yet. lots of time yet before the playoffs for drew and gasol to get back. this doom and gloom crap is embarassing. we're the lakers. it'll get better.
jp weatherman, you're a funny guy and or person. never let anyone tell you differently
somebody tell mitch to get his *(^% out of his office, passionate lakers fan is now the new GM by general consensus. as per is brilliant suggestion to drop five players and bring in andre miller. genius. andre miller? man, if we're just dreaming, lets bring in someone really good, like antonio daniels, or earl watson. maybe even steve blake. yeesh.
Posted by: phred | March 15, 2008 at 06:07 PM
It's O.K. girls. Relax and don't worry. You don't have to admit it. You don't have to admit anything. I know who you are rooting for tonight and I won't tell. It's O.K. I'm rooting for them too.
Go Sacramento Kings of Basketball!!!
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: sonnybelfast | March 15, 2008 at 06:09 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
try to be patient, if the lakers can't win the NBA title this year, i assure you that they will win the NBA title five more times before Kobe retires.
Andre Miller is 28 as compared to Farmar who is 21. Farmar will be our point guard of the future. The only problem that the Lakers has is their lack of toughness.
Remember the past Lakers team(champions)? They have Michael Cooper, Horace Grant, AC Green, Rick Fox. Those type of players that the present Lakers in dire need of.
Posted by: Botsoy | March 15, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Jon K,
Was that story about LBJ true?
If so, it's unfathomable.... meaning, astonishing that a guy would be THAT inconsiderate. You'd think he'd say "I'll take care of the damages later" or something to that effect, not "Whatcha gonna do bout it?"
He can't be that much of a jerk. I just can't believe it, there's no way that story is true.
Please confirm Jon. Please confirm. Hey, your Clips are beating up on the Wiz.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 15, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Sonny,
I feel like the Kings are our little brothers of the NBA.
You root for a really classy organization. I'd like to see the Kings fans have some memorable moments, just as long as it does not come at our expense!
Go Kings!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 15, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Glad to see some other elite teams are struggling. The Sixers just finished off the Spurs who, incidentally, have lost 5 of their last six games and three in a row. Might be four after their next game. They play Boston.
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 15, 2008 at 06:33 PM
San Antonio loses to Sixers......pray that the Suns lose too!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Botsoy | March 15, 2008 at 06:34 PM
sonnybelfast,
You're too much.
By the way, are you Northern Irish?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 15, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I just think that this team is not playing harder! It seems like all of its players are more interested in the box score or their personal stats and, I am talking about all of them.
There are little things that win games and championships and they are hustler plays etc. Every single laker seems to be protecting their bodies like they're women who trying to get attention and as result, they're being disrespected like strippers on the defensive end.
Although it is the playoffs that counts, its time for those Lakers to start to play harder and out hustler every single opponents so that it can carry it to the playoffs since we're about four weeks away from it.
Maxx
Posted by: Maxximo | March 15, 2008 at 06:59 PM
passionate laker fan
you do ralize we already have a real power, his name is pau gasol. remember the plan? andrew comes back and pau moves to pf. as for another small forward, i think lamar fills that slot nicely. geez exactly how passionate can you be if you dont know the plan? its not exactly a secret, its speculated all over this blog and the media.
MH
Posted by: michael h | March 15, 2008 at 07:00 PM
I heard he hurt his ankle running away from men's grooming products.
Posted by: Melanie Sansom | March 15, 2008 at 07:02 PM
Do not re-sign Jordan or Sasha.
Give me Andre Miller.
Do not extend Lamar's contract.
Find a real power forward.
If it is humanly possible, trad Vladimir and Luke.
Trevor needs a fellow athletic small forward.
Problems solved.
That is all.
Or even simpler, just sell the franchise, and then you'll be happy with rooting for the other L.A. team, PASSIONATELY, right??!!
Other options, trade sasha for tony parker or steve nash, odom for tim duncan or amare stoudamire, who else, oh ya, Luke for Bowen, Vladimir for joe johson, does that float your boat? :P
now, THAT is all...
Posted by: moko | March 15, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Pau out 4 games!
http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2008/03/14/pau-ankle-injury/
Posted by: Matt Riggins | March 15, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Silver lining? Somewhere? Gotta be. Hmm... Okay, here goes: Gasol, Bynum and Ariza will be pulling it all together right about as we enter the playoffs, and they'll all be fresh as daisies.
Seriously, if we're a 7th or 8th seed by then, you've gotta think the teams that face us will be worried. We'll be a huge question mark.
Posted by: Marty | March 15, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Message to Mbenga and Mihm, this would be a great time for one of you two to step forward and make a significant contribution.
Get well first, Chris! DJ, you've got a black belt in karate and you're huge, you got to have something more you can show us!
May the antigravity G-Trainer treadmill bring Drew B (the truth) back sooner than later!
Love your blog!
Love the Lakers!
Posted by: James Rothaar | March 15, 2008 at 07:20 PM
HOPEFULLY IT's only two weeks
http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakerep16mar16,1,7104658.story
Posted by: lakersgameboi | March 15, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Nice losses by San Antonio and Utah today. Maybe they're feeling sorry for us. Like the guy in the swashbuckler movies who would kick the saber up to the guy who dropped it, because how sporting is it to skewer an unarmed man?
Thanks, Spurs and Jazz. You guys are all right.
Posted by: Marty | March 15, 2008 at 07:31 PM
San Antonio and Utah both lost tonight, so there's some good news. Looks like Phoenix is gonna win though. They're leading Sacto by like 30 at the half....
HOW did we lose to this team at home?
Ugh.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: gokobego | March 15, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Jon K..Is Mihm and Ariza really 2 of our best players???If they are we are in deeper trouble than I thought... Alot of fans are making Ariza out to be a better player than he really is..If his defense is so great why has he already been traded twice in his career..we know coaches love guys that play D...
Posted by: neil | March 15, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Kobe will drop a 60 spot the T-Mac and the Rockets.......
..........streak over !
Posted by: LALAKERLOVER | March 15, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Sonny, Do you mean the kings that are down thirty something at the half. The ones that gave up 81 points in a half? Just checking. Keep rooting for your Queens.
Posted by: joedub | March 15, 2008 at 08:34 PM
The injuries are a concern right now. Long term, I feel we have an even greater concern. It is going to be very difficult to win in the playoffs with the weak defense of Fish and Farmar. They are getting scorched consistently. Neither one has displayed the ability to stop any decent point guard from penetrating and breaking down our interior defense which is also suspect when Bynum is out. We can score but defense wins championships and we cannot seem to stop anybody. Even 2nd tier point guards like Udrih and Steve Blake make us look bad. I wish that we would have considered picking up Lue. He knows the offense, is a decent shooter and is definitely a better defender than fish or Farmar. Oh well, water under the bridge. To make matters worse, Fish and Farmar have been shooting very poorly all too often lately and their decision making has been just as bad. I hate to say it but I think that is going to be our downfall this year. I am hoping for the best but feeling very uneasy with what I have been seeing lately. Speaking of defense being the key, Houston is clearly proving that theory. If we played that kind of D, we would be unbeatable.
Posted by: Mitch R | March 15, 2008 at 08:39 PM
It is not that bad!
We ARE playoff bound. We're the top in the West. To panic about not making the playoffs is a sign of waaaaay tooo much nervousness and way too little faith.
Beyond that, Bynum and Gasol are coming back in time for the playoffs. Oh I can't wait. Its gonna be fun!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 15, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Spurs lose again... thank you Spurs.
Sonny's warriors aren't puttin' up much of a battle against Shaqtus & the Suns.
WIth our depleted roster, I should quit scoreboard watching but my kids have the remote tonight.
Posted by: Vman | March 15, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Go to espn.com.
click podcast.
listen to Gail Goodrich.
He states Houston is winning as a result of team defense.
To the bloggers who call me negative:
We will never win a championship with
Lamar/Luke/Vladimir/Jordan/Sasha.
Why?
They do not play defense.
If you feel the truth is negative, then I'm negative.
Lamar will not produce as a 2nd option.
Luke will not produce with an un-athletic body.
Jordan will not produce as a result of fatigue (too skinny).
Sasha will not produce when teams take away the 3.
Vladimir will not produce when teams take away the 3.
And don't give me the, "Drew and Trevor will shore up the defense talk."
Why do these players have to wait for help?
Yao is out; yet the Rockets play the 2nd best defense in the entire league (2nd to the Celtics).
"passionate Lakers fan, look at Lamar's stats."
What are his stats when he is the 2nd option?
"passionate Lakers fan, Lamar is not a 2nd option."
Then do not extend his contract and find a player who can handle scoring pressure in case of injuries.
Question: What has Luke done for us since signing that 30 mil contract?
Answer: do that stupid spin move under the basket (which is traveling) which leads to a brick or turnover.
And he plays no defense.
Vladimir is garbage on defense and useless when not hitting the 3.
Sasha is garbage on defense and useless when not hitting the 3.
Jordan Farmer needs to learn from Chris Paul: when you are short, compensate with weight lifting (he brags on the video at Lakers.com that he nevers gets hurt; well, I would stay healthy all season long too if all I did was shoot 3s and fear taking the ball to the rack).
Give me Andrea Miller (6'2", strong, plays D, penetrates, will rebound, 10 dimes a game, makes his teamates better, and at 31 years of age with no wear and tear on his legs from long play-off series, he would be the perfect fit for Kobe's remaining prime years).
Fisher-who is my favorite Laker-needs to come off the bench next season.
Do you want Jordan as your starter?
If your answer is yes, I feel sorry for the pain you will feel next season or the season after next if your answer comes true.
The point guard is your leader both on the court on off the court.
Do you see a pouting, ball hogging Farmar as your leader both on and off the court?
And going against CP3/Deron Williams/Brandon Roy?
Please.
If the Lakers-so how by a miracle-play defense these next 3 games, I will be the first to come to this blog, and say the Lakers manned up and I was wrong.
Please: prove me wrong.
In closing: when the Lakers where at their zennith (a healthy Drew and Trevor), I was smart enough to see that those 2 player compensated for a liabilities on Defense.
In the back of my mind I would think: "man, if Drew or Trevor went down, we will have defensive issues (if you remember: when Drew, Trevor and Kobe were on the court together, we were such a defensive force that the other 2 players on the court with them could overcompensate and the latter 3 would rescue them from their mistakes).
And that is why I want Lamar/Luke/Sash/Jordan/Vladimir gone.
They can not do for Kobe/Andrew/Trevor what those 3 will do for team: recuse them defensively when they make mistakes or they are hurt.
When the Pistons won the championship in 2004 they had the following 5 players on the floor together:
Rasheed/Ben/Teshawn/Rip/Chauncey.
Question: were is the defensive weak link?
Answer: they did not have a defensive weak link (which mean if one or two players when down, the remaining three would play D and hold the ship together even if the two replacements were not good defensively).
Defense/Defense/Defensive/Defense.
I will preach Defense with my last Lakers breathe.
I love Drew.
Not because the dunks.
Because of his defense.
I love Trevor.
Not because of the dunk on Grant Hill Xmas day.
Because of his defense.
I love Kobe.
Not because of the 81 points.
Because he is-not not pissed off at his teamates or management-the best defensive player in the league.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 15, 2008 at 09:13 PM
somebody tell mitch to get his *(^% out of his office, passionate lakers fan is now the new GM by general consensus. as per is brilliant suggestion to drop five players and bring in andre miller. genius. andre miller? man, if we're just dreaming, lets bring in someone really good, like antonio daniels, or earl watson. maybe even steve blake. yeesh.
Posted by: phred | March 15, 2008 at 06:07 PM
If you took the time to read my post, I proposed replacements for the players I would liked shipped out
Andre Miller for Jordan and Sasha: I do that trade in a heart beat (unlike the Jason Kidd deal: he is 36 and on his way down; Miller is 31 and in his prime).
A real power forward for an over paid 4th option who can't handle pressure when we need him?
No need for me to respond.
And last: if the basketball Gods could answer my prayers of dumping the 60 mil payroll of Luke and Vladimir, I will cry like a woman who just married the man of her dreams.
Those 2 signing will go down in NBA history as 2 of the worst ever (Vladimir played great for the Sonics and the Clippers; what has he done in 2 years with the Lakers besides sit on the side line with injuries?)
And Luke: even you can't defend this NBA Silver spoon baby (and rest your broke down body instead of making reality tv shows).
Ship these two cats out for a decent small forward who is athletic and will play defense.
That is all.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 15, 2008 at 09:21 PM
I notice my blog was cut short.
I make this short.
When Drew and Pau and Trevor and Chris come back:
We will be the 9th seed.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 15, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Tim-4-Show,
I have every confidence that the story is true and I reconfirmed it with my friend, Kevin, again today.
It happened about a year a half ago.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 15, 2008 at 09:47 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
You should change your moniker to "negative lakers fan".
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 15, 2008 at 09:55 PM
neil,
I think Chris Mihm and Trevor Ariza are highly underrated players.
Are they our best? I guess it depends how one defines "best", but you may have a valid point.
Still, with them healthy, they make this team a significantly better team.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 15, 2008 at 09:59 PM
passionate Lakers fan
i second you on your rant. but,
i will add ronny to that list also. i know that he is a fan favorite, but as Alexinho17 mentioned a few months ago, i always believed he is just a CLOWN. he really impersonates that saying " dogs that bark do not bite" ... well, no sense of space (last night he was "under" the rim many times while the hornets were taking down the rebounds and tipping in loose balls. he is stiff and slow, but yes, he knows to put exclamation marks on dunks when he is all by himself. no penetration, no post up game, except some outside shots that most of the time (0-7) don't go in. some of them r really off.
i agree with his post because as we know, most of those players are spot up shooters, who know one thing. shoot the ball with no jump shot, no pump fake, and mostly with no imagination.
the triangle brings out the worst in people who do not know how to move without the ball, or when they don't make their shots.
a good offensive player that wants to play defense, will be a better defender because they know how to anticipate some moves, because they know some moves also. shooters do not know anything about movement–without the ball- or as defensive task.
and yes, mitch it is the one who hired all these slow players. i'm always surprised how other teams have roll players who are not very good or great, or interesting, but at least they are athletic and they know how to jump and to hustle. (unfortunately, stern extended the league, and there are many players who maybe 20 years ago will not fit on any team's bench)
and last but not least:
a mentioned for weeks that we do not have a point guard. Farmar is mediocre and will never be a Future. and fish is old. both are short, farmar is a feather that get blown away just being on the court. and neither know how to penetrate and make a layup. or at lest in the last 2 months.
except KoBe at this moment, no other available injury free player knows how to create their own shot.
because of gasol's injury, a young team like this will MAYBE learn, how important it is to beat sacto and portland and other -.0500 teams.
i hope it is a blessing in disguise.
a WIN tomorrow is imperious, for the tie break with HOU and to keep the suns in check. later the schedule is favorable with
april 4th....dallas
april 11 ...NO
april 13 ... san antonio
so the lakers will have time to heal and be back in full force.
but march 23,24 we have the last back to back with the warriors (here and there)
go Lakers
Posted by: ZIn Master | March 15, 2008 at 10:23 PM
The SUNS continue to improve under SHACK'S leadership, following his stellar example as the hardest working SUN on the team. The kings were as nothing under AMARE and SHACK'S attack.
Houston is gonna be hungry..
Posted by: BUTLER | March 15, 2008 at 10:29 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
You are an example of a poster (poser?) who doesn't know what he is talking about ( like T.J. Simers?).
Farmar is developing into a top point guard who does play defense, like making steals? Sasha is a good bench player who can score,and hounds other players with his defense. Watch how he gets under their skin.Luke is a smart player with a high basketball IQ (unlike you) who makes the right plays, but has been dogged by injuries. Lamar was not a consistently good 2nd option who has excelled as the 3rd option, averaging a double double.
So, take your head out of your butt, unless you like the taste and enjoy this Laker team which is young, developing and a future championship team who might even do it this year if everyone gets healthy and can get a chance to play together!
Go Lakers, beat the Rockets, and win another tie breaker.
East Coast Laker fan
Posted by: East Coast Laker fan | March 16, 2008 at 09:20 AM
The Rockets didn't make the Lakers practice in a small gym, Phil Jackson (in his infinite wisdom) decided to to make use of this "slight" to try and fire up his team. The Rockets offered the Lakers use of either of two full sized courts and gyms, including one five minutes from their hotel, and the other at a division one university about eight minutes away.
Here's the quote from the Houston Chronicle:
"With the Lakers' practice completed on the tiny court at the Houston Center Club on Saturday, L.A. coach Phil Jackson lamented that he was there at all, charging the Rockets with a trick that kept his team from using the Toyota Center practice court.
Jackson saw a pack of Houston media attending the Lakers' practice and wondered openly why the media were not still around the corner at the Rockets' practice.
"Did they finish? You guys are back from their practice?" Jackson said. "They lied to us, those guys. They really lied to us. They said we couldn't have (the practice court)."
Jackson said the Rockets claimed they would be using the practice court until 4 p.m. The Rockets' practice ended around 2:10 p.m.
The Rockets did, however, use the court long after practice was over to work out rookie forward Carl Landry, who needed a more demanding test of his sore right knee than Saturday's light team walkthrough could provide.
The Rockets set up the Lakers with time at The Met Business and Sports Club and also the University of Houston. The Lakers instead chose to use the miniature court next door to the Four Seasons."
Posted by: The Real Story From Houston | March 16, 2008 at 08:39 PM