The road to matching Houston's win streak begins tonight
Which would be pretty cool, since it would actually mean the Lakers won out their final 19 games (and while we're at it, congrats to the Rockets to a seriously impressive ride still in motion). If that is the Laker mission, should they choose to accept it, tonight's contest against Toronto (7:30 pm PST, FSN) represents the kickoff effort. If yesterday's practice vibe serves as any serious indicator, the team certainly seems more open to the idea of creating a one-game winning streak than enduring consecutive losses. Nobody is up for a headless chicken panic, mind you. As far as the Lakers are concerned, the deficiencies during Sunday's loss were fairly obvious (focus, manning the paint, getting too upset with the refs, etc.). Thus, quit doing that nonsense and everything should be just fine. Like the friendship between Sasha Vujacic and Pau Gasol, even if the latter is a card shark.
Similar to Kobe with Darfur, Greg Oden isn't afraid to get political.
Like Nelson Mandela, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and Daniel Day Lewis' character from "In the Name of the Father," Smush Parker has finally been set free. According to the newspapers, he's expected to sign with another NBA team, although he wouldn't be eligible to help a team in the postseason. Which means, ironically, he'd be the perfect guy for the Heat to sign.
O.J. Mayo may have done enough to entice NBA scouts, but has he done enough to make his mark on USC's history?
Every few months or so, Mark Cuban feels the innate need to grab attention. It's about that time. Cuban has declared bloggers verboten in the Mavs locker room. The Mavs owner claims its a matter of conserving space in the locker room, a pressing issue that may have come to a boil right around the time of a critical article on a Dallas blog. Cuban explains his "logic" on own blog (irony alert!). He's already been taken to task by folks such as KCAL's John Ireland, with more sentiment along these lines expected to come. Quite likely on this site. To be continued.
*====================================
====*
March 11, 2008 The Force is in balance
The Lakers are in 1st Place - All’s right in Laker Nation
Good Morning Charles Good PsychedLakerGirl
Good Morning FAITH GOOD MORNING LAKER NATION
Good Morning David Stern NO MVP NO PEACE
IF KOBE BRYANT DOES NOT WIN THE MVP JAIL 2 U!
*===================================
=======*
COMING ATTRACTION SUNDAY LAKERS vs. ROCKETS
KOBE vs., TRACY (OH MY BACK) McGRADY
=====================================
========*
Story of the week - DWAYNE (Flash in the Pan) WADE
Out for the season. How can you tell the difference?
*====================================
=========*
MAMBA24 PREDICTION – THE Lakers will beat the Rockets
By at least 10 points and Kobe will shut TMAC down
=====================================
=========*
{AND NOW INTRODUCING THE BENCHMOB :
(3) TREVOR ARIZA (5) JORDAN FARMAR (28) DIDIER ILUNGA-MBENGA
(11) COBY KARL (10) VALDAMIR RADMANOVIC
(21) RONNY TURIAF (8) SASHA VUJACIC -(4) LUKE WALTON}
*
{Now The Starting Lineup For The 14 TIME WORLD CHAMPION LA LAKERS:
At center number 17 ANDREW BYNUMMMMMMMMM
At forward number 16 PAU GASOLLLLLLLLL
At forward number 7 LAMAR ODOMMMMMMMMMM
At guard number 2 DEREK FISHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
At guard number 24 KOOOBEEEEE BRYYYANTTTTTT}
*
{ROLL CALLLLL: (1) FAITH, BOB, KEIFO, THA_SHOW, VMAN. JJ., CHARLES
TALIQ, EDWIN GUECO, MIKE T, ZAKEE, CLEON, SBPIMP, TAOSHUM, TSIRY
LAKERLEGACY, WOLF, EXHELODRVR, ELLE, NEMIA FALETOGO, David WHANG
Comptons_FINEST, TIM-4-SHOW, RICK FRIEDMAN, KIWI, BOZZ , LAKER TOM
JON KAVULIC, WeaveMan SixONEZero, FearlessWhackJOB, DICE8UP, TSPHERE
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, Happy GILMORE, JANAYA, LakerTRUTH, RDLEE
GREEN_PAZ, PETE MAGUIRE, ANDREW Z, TEEJ, FIRE32, TOAD, HMRHED
JESTERGURU, ANGRY LAKER, DREWPAUKOBE, WESJOENIXON, TRIO
GIANTSQUID JMAN, JCOOL,LAKERGURL, PSYCHED LAKER GIRL, HUGOBOSS
THE_D. FKILLAH, GENRIC ONE, Complex BROTHA, HobbitMAGE, DREWPAUKOBE
Mamba24Fan4Life, FanofMamba, WhiteMamba24, BlackMamba24, BrownMamba24
Just-AnotherMambaFan, Just-A-LakerFan VI LakerFan, LAL_FAN, TP, WondahBap,
YOU EVER NOTICE ? TAOSHUM, AKR68, PW, FIRE32, LAKERFAN , MAMBA#5
TellITLikeItIs PSLAKERLOVER, EastCoastJessie, The Dropper, DOC4daLakeShow
10MILLION DOLLAR ZEN AFROJOE, SMOOTH D, LAKER NORTH, HAPPY DAZE
JeffGROTKE,KOBESBAD, KOREY, Lakers4REALZ, GINO, GABE, DC, SIGH # 4
IDIOT, LAKERDAWG, DK, MOB_WAGONEER, DOC, JANDRO, NIK KANNAN, WOW
AdamKiley, LakersryDeordie, The CAT, DarkAngelSK, JUSTIN, CHRIS H, ANDO
THE_LAKESHOW, BAYWOOD, CaliKing, Thirty2, The OUTLAW, AIME WILLIAMS
CBUCK, GDChild, ZEN, DION, Centralk, FATTY, Greek Dude, Staples24, FRANKY J.
TWOODY, Ajax, MITCHELL, BZAR, PJ_DOUBTER, Occupant-Cell-186, GUY, ANDO,
NEVER, LakaLover, Bynumite, LakerDogerDieHardInUpStateNY, Chucky.L.Ohnio, ,
CAMERON, NEVITT, LakerHOPEFUL, CHUCK23, LakerSMR, TRUE_LAKER_FAN,
DARRYL WHITE, CLASSIC, AMAZING_HAPPENS, LAKER/KOBE_FAN, GILLY,
BENJAMIN, LEBRON_LOVER, DREW, Han_Soul_Food, Purple&Gold_4EVA
LOOK_LONELY, MEL, HAN_SOUL_FOOD, HMMMM, DAXMDD, 40YEAR_FAN,
Sead94, JOREMA, Xtro, MCGarnagle, Gugy, Laker4Life, KEN, LAKERFAZE, KYLE
BLKTHGHT06, CYRUS(Ventrilquist), PIG MILLER , TROY, KOBE_ROCKS, CS
PhxLkrFAN, Pince Akrasian, TexasLaker, EagleBoy, JR., KOBES T., FlagrantFOWL
Purple & Gold, t_Sensei, Tully Moxness, Brandon C. LakerHOLIIC, SWETTUAL,
Kinglakernidas, HUBBIT, BronxLakerFan, RespectMyAuthorith, Hariyahu, LakerLass
Michael J, Michael H, Michael A., ALEXINH017, VIOLATER, KIKOS_DAD, Marty,
LAKERGURL, LEELO, CriticalBeatDown, BLAZE1BX, SIMONE, Paul Lee, MAXXIMO
Tajluck, , BerkleyLaker,CRAIG, B4Hoops, RYAN, CALIPHILOSOPHER, HeWhoHoops
JR, Dascilla, tellitlikeitis, Nik Kannan, Sean P. HollywoodJack, Rico Tico, NestrossBistro,
SocalSpider,AA LOS, LAKOBER, Slo GAL, Linda Pineda, SAMLL, ALLANSY8, Sead94
ChiTownLaker, RealityCheckTime, CORNER J., WiZo, MagicShaq, RealityBites,
LakerLarry, Jay Jay, LakerLifer, Tripgame3, Houstion Laker, Todd Battles, SHIVA
JoninJAPAN(INCANADA), LT Laker Fan, Mainor, East Nyboer, Long Live Chick,
JEFF, Andy B. SwanWorld, , Benny Blanca, HAL9000, Tim in Sydney,
LakerBake, AnyOneMouse, GHOSTofHAWKEYE, PHIL JACKSON, TEX WINTER}
*
{ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY
THE HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, THE LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY,
COACHED BY THE 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON
AND NO ONE WILL EVER CONQUER OR DIVIDE US}
Posted by: MAMBA24 | March 11, 2008 at 09:36 AM
guys, did you know that today is Kobe Blog Day!
Posted by: rv | March 11, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Anyone else feel bad for AI, who moved to a better team, but now his old team may make the playoffs while Denver stays steady in 9th.
Posted by: Wasabi | March 11, 2008 at 09:39 AM
[*__________________________________________*]
DAVID STERN IF KOBE BRYANT DOES NOT WIN
_________THE MVP JAIL 2 U BANDWAGON
[*__________________________________________*]
(1) NIK KANNAN –Owner & Driver_(18) DREW PAU KOBE
(2) MAMBA24_________________(19) LARRY
(3) VIOLATER_________________(20) CBUCK
(4) OUTSIDERGUA_____________(21) EAST COAST JESSIE
(5) LAKERTRUTH ______________(22) WHITEMAMBA24
(6) ALEXINH017________________(23) BLACKMAMBA24
(7) DREREK___________________(24) TIM-4-SHOW
(8) SHAQFAN__________________(25) TSIRY
(9) JANAYA____________________(26) CHUCK.L.OHNIO
(10) JON K_____________________(27) JUST-ANOTHER-MAMBAFAN
(11) IVI8KRS___________________(28) SBPIMP
(12) JOE DUBB_________________(29) PSYCHED LAKER GIRL
(13) FEARLESS WHACK JOB______(30) JEFF
(14) TSPHERE__________________(31) JESTER GURU
(15) ANDO____________________(32) BZAR
(16) HAPPY GILMORE___________(33) DOC4daLakeShow
(17) CHRIS H.__________________(34) HMRHED
Posted by: mamba24 | March 11, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Good Morning My Fam!!!
Posted by: Charles | March 11, 2008 at 09:41 AM
{Repost}
Okay, guys... so I was thinking about how else we could help our wounded warriors get back onto the court.
And then it came to me... DIT DA JOW!
Dit da jow is a Chinese herbal liniment used primarily by martial artists to heal from injuries. When one does bone hardening exercises, the idea is to literally create microfractures in your hands and shins and whatnot by punching walls and other hard objects.
Afterwards, you put Dit Da Jow over the area and it facilitates the rapid healing and strengthening of the bone and ligaments. It works.
A master of mine broke a bone in his foot and he put Dit Da Jow on it multiple times a day. It was healed in a little over a week. It's crazy.
Here's some links I found on the Internet for it: http://reviews.ebay.com/Dit-Da-Jow-Herbal-Liniment-for-
Pain-and-Trauma_W0QQugidZ10000000001007749?ss
PageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dit_Da_Jow
http://www.imperialliniments.com.au/
But you can get it easily in Chinatown on any the herb shops on Spring Street or Broadway.
SO! In addition to the liquid sea minerals and vitamin D, somebody needs to get a couple cheap bottles of Dit Da Jow (there are varying grades of quality, if someone knows an old-school master, he can probably hook up the very top grade stuff) to Gary Vitti, so we can get our wounded warriors back on the court immediately.
The stuff works.
Seriously, it will make a huge difference with Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum, even Kobe.
Okay, you guys, got it? Dit Da Jow for our warriors!
BREAK!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 11, 2008 at 09:43 AM
AK/BK,
I believe the correct term is "Card sharp" not shark.
Sharks reside around the pool tables. I should know, with the time I've spent around one in particular that used to race me around the table without a second thought.
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 11, 2008 at 09:43 AM
John Ireland has a blog?
When does that guy sleep?
Posted by: J. Walter Weatherman | March 11, 2008 at 09:51 AM
BK
Sonny Belfast, ace reporter, broke the Cuban story yesterday. From a guy that made his billion in the ones and zeroes market, it is ironic that he'd attempt that kind of separation of church and state.
When you're that rich, you can have it both ways.
Posted by: Vman | March 11, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Mamba..........thanks for the ROLL CALLLLLLL!
Toad present and ready for tacos!
Charles, chest pound!
The D...........LOL! Nothin' personal, we just gotta clamp it down tonight.
Posted by: toad | March 11, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Good morning all,
Mamba, please add me to the MVP band wagon.
Something tells me the Lakers have gotten their head out of their a** and are ready to play basketball tonight.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 11, 2008 at 09:58 AM
AK/BK
I withdraw my earlier comment, as card shark is an accepted form of the term. However, sharp is the defined form, with shark as an alternate usage. I'm a writer also, and have the fortunate circumstance of a copy editor or two lying around. Usually they just have their feet on the desk, but lying isn't too uncommon.
Yesterday was kind of a sad day for me. I thought about how nice it would've been for Drew to return for maybe tonight's game or the Hornets game on Friday. Eight weeks has become 12, and we all wait. I'm getting a Bynum jersey in the offseason.
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 11, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Jon's Simple Direct Thoughts of the Day:
1. I wish the Toronto Raptors' mascot travelled with them, so Ronny Turiaf could slam into him during the game and send that ridiculous dinosaur flying into the upper rows.
2. Why does Mark Cuban have to be such a jerk? That's guys beadly black eyes unnerve me.
3. I wish I would have thought about the Dit Da Jow thing a lot sooner. I mean, that'll help significantly more (or at least faster) than liquid sea minerals and vitamin D.
4. I expect not only a win tonight, but a big win to erase the memories of the disappointing loss to the Queens.
5. The Rockets win streak is just amazing, especially with Yao out.
6. Smush Parker needs to go play in the Phillipines or some place like that.
7. O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love should both play another year before they go pro. They're good enough to go pro, but they have little weaknesses in their games that another year would beneficially assist.
8. I love the chemistry on this team. It sure is refreshing.
9. I'm going to begin paying a lot more attention to Rad Vlad and Luke Walton's game. They're development is crucial to this being a dominating team.
10. I wonder if there's a way we could seriously get Trevor Ariza some quality Dit Da Jow.
11. It's fantastic that Kobe is speaking out about Darfur. They say that all that evil needs to exist is for good men to do nothing.
12. If "I Care More About Endorsements Than Genocide In Darfur" LeBron James is given the MVP, then David Stern should be dropped out of a cargo plane into the middle of Darfur. NBA Cares, right?
13. I hope a lot of NBA players speak out against China's role in Darfur during the Olympics.
14. Charles sure is popular on this blog.
15. I'm so looking forward to upcoming Rockets game.
16. Why hasn't T.J. Simers been fired yet?
NO MVP? NO PEACE!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 11, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Lakers need to start focusing more on the defensive end and start doing it tonight. And that includes Kobe.
Stop gambling and going for steals and just play straight up defense.
Posted by: kelly | March 11, 2008 at 10:06 AM
[*__________________________________________*]
DAVID STERN IF KOBE BRYANT DOES NOT WIN
THE MVP JAIL 2 U BANDWAGON
[*__________________________________________*]
(1) NIK KANNAN –Owner & Driver_(19) DREW PAU KOBE
(2) MAMBA24_________________(20) LARRY
(3) VIOLATER_________________(21) CBUCK
(4) OUTSIDERGUA_____________(22) EAST COAST JESSIE
(5) LAKERTRUTH ______________(23) WHITEMAMBA24
(6) ALEXINH017________________(24) TIM-4-SHOW
(7) DREREK___________________(25) BLACKMAMB24
(8) SHAQFAN__________________(26) TSIRY
(9) JANAYA____________________(27) CHUCK.L.OHNIO
(10) JON K_____________________(28) JUST-ANOTHER-MAMBAFAN
(11) IVI8KRS___________________(29) SBPIMP
(12) JOE DUBB_________________(30) PSYCHED LAKER GIRL
(13) FEARLESS WHACK JOB______(31) JEFF
(14) TSPHERE__________________(32) JESTER GURU
(15) ANDO____________________(33) BZAR
(16) HAPPY GILMORE___________(34) DOC4daLakeShow
(17) CHRIS H.__________________(35) HMRHED
(18) DREW PAU KOBE ___________(36) RICK FRIEDMAN
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 11, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Taco Tuesday!!!
LET'S GO LAKERS clap clap CLAP CLAP CLAP!!
Posted by: #4 | March 11, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Good morning, Lakers Family.
I love the roll call! Hell yeah, it must be Lakers game day!
Rick, I thought you were going to go off the deep end after the Lakers loss to Sac... but I can see that you're feeling better. I agree with you: it hurts to see the Lakers play so poorly, especially when you know what they're capable of doing on the court. But, hey, every team loses now and then. Except Houston, apparently. That is, until Sunday!
Kobe comes out focused, Pau is ready to dominate the paint, Lamar goes crazy on the boards, and Jordan has a classic make-up game. Let's get the starters some bench time in the fourth. Lakers by 18.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | March 11, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Thanks Mamba24 with the high tiered hello! I am feeling very good about today.
I said it in the other thread. My Toreros upset Gonzaga last night. So, for sure turiaf will be readdy to take it out on some poor raptor.
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | March 11, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Good Morning Charles! Good morning MAMBA24! Good morning Laker Blog Fam!!!
Another Glorious Day here in LA LA LAND!!!
What a wonderful gift we have in this team!! What a shift from the last couple of years, to wake up and BELIEVE our team has got what it takes to GET THE JOB DONE!!!
Sure we are frustrated at times because we demand the best. But we must remember to HAVE FAITH!! (right Faith? lol)
Enjoy the wins, but appreciate the journey even when it is not exactly what we would like. Growth comes from setbacks as well as triumphs. And we are young. We will learn and grow and triumph!!! But first we must BELIEVE!!! DO YOU BELIEVE?!?!?
SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT PROUD!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 11, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Dit Da Jow!!!!
Dit Da Jow!!!!
Dit Da Jow!!!!
Damn that's just fun to say!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 11, 2008 at 10:25 AM
DPK! I believe!
Posted by: Charles | March 11, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Dit Da Jow!!!, it means White Warrior!
Posted by: darock | March 11, 2008 at 10:34 AM
DREWPAUKOBE:” KOBE FOR MVP!!! KOBE FOR MVP!!
Dit Da Jow!!!! Dit Da Jow!!!! Damn that's just fun to say!
D@MN THEY ARE BOTH FUN TO SAY DPK
KOBE FOR MVP!! KOBE FOR MVP!! KOBE FOR MVP
DIT DA JOW!! DIT DA JOW!! DIT DA DOW!!
JON K:"Jon's Simple Direct Thoughts of the Day:
I LIKE IT, I LIKE IT!
KEIFO:” Okay Mamba... prediction for tonight... LAKERS by 12!!!!! Count on it!!”
Keifoooo! I not only count on it I bet on it. LOL!
JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN:”Thanks for putting me back on the bandwagons, Mamba24”
My mistake MambaFan sorry about that
PSYCHEDLAKERGIRL:” Thanks Mamba24 with the high tiered hello! I am feeling very good about today.”
NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!
THE OUTLAW: “Good morning, Lakers Family. I love the roll call! Hell yeah, it must be Lakers game day!
Good Morning The Outlaw. Well it looks like this is going to be one of those Enthusiasm is
Contagious days.
KELLY:”Stop gambling and going for steals and just play straight up defense.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself thanks!
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 11, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Jon,
Thanks for the thought. You still the man though!
Posted by: Charles | March 11, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Houston really deserves a lot of credit for the job they have done with and without Yao. On NBA-TV the other day, it was noted that 6 of the Rockets' players have D-League experience. That goes a long way towards explaining the collective team hunger and strong defense that they are becoming known for. Theirs is a team that doesn't take anything for granted.
Sounds like Mark Cuban is setting himself up for an upbraiding from the league office once again. I'm sure that bloggers such as the Kbros., who have a legitimate affiliation with a major news service, have to be treated differently than some kid with a Myspace page. This sounds like Cuban has a beef with a specific blogger in Dallas and is trying to resolve it in an underhanded way. Nice to see that John Ireland has the Kbros.' back.
Even though Chris Bosh is not supposed to play tonight, The Show can't afford another letdown. They need to come out strong and bring more intensity than the Raptors. Beat 'em down, Lakers!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 11, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Houston really deserves a lot of credit for the job they have done with and without Yao. On NBA-TV the other day, it was noted that 6 of the Rockets' players have D-League experience. That goes a long way towards explaining the collective team hunger and strong defense that they are becoming known for. Theirs is a team that doesn't take anything for granted.
Sounds like Mark Cuban is setting himself up for an upbraiding from the league office once again. I'm sure that bloggers such as the Kbros., who have a legitimate affiliation with a major news service, have to be treated differently than some kid with a Myspace page. This sounds like Cuban has a beef with a specific blogger in Dallas and is trying to resolve it in an underhanded way. Nice to see that John Ireland has the Kbros.' back.
Even though Chris Bosh is not supposed to play tonight, The Show can't afford another letdown. They need to come out strong and bring more intensity than the Raptors. Beat 'em down, Lakers!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 11, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Yeeeaaah, boieee! What up y'all! It's game day, time to bring the heat to our neighbors to the great white north. Lakers win baby: 114-93!
On a serious note, it's great to see someone, anyone, step up and bring the focus on the biggest humanitarian nightmare we've seen in years. Darfur is a real problem, and it needs a real solution. Once can only hope that more high profile personas will stand up and do something about it.
Posted by: bozz | March 11, 2008 at 10:47 AM
For those of you interested in Sun Yue, here is a pretty detailed analysis.
http://hoopsaddict.com/2007/04/23/sun-yue-prospect-or-suspect/
Posted by: | March 11, 2008 at 10:48 AM
DPK,
I Believe! I believe!
Goooo Lakers!!
Posted by: Rose | March 11, 2008 at 10:51 AM
*_________________________*
DIT DA JOW BANDWAGON
*_________________________*
(01) JON K- Driver – Owner
(02) MAMBA24 – Busy Drinking the Rum Variety
*______________________________________*
*MARK CUBAN IF YOU DON'T LET THE KBROS.
*IN SOMEBODIES GOING TO JAIL
*______________________________________*
(01) BRONXLAKERFAN - Owner & Driverf
(02) Mamba24 - Jailer
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 11, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Sorry about the double post before, Lakerville!! I hate when that happens!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 11, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Yes. Perfect time to bring the roll call back Larry. The team needs a quality win tonight and if it takes a little fan-generated karma, then lets make it baby!
We need a quality win tonight, and wouldn't an improved defensive effort fit the bill?
And please, we can't start losing games to teams out of the playoffs, not with that big 4 game playoff-team road trip coming up, not with Houston playing lights out and not with a slender half game lead in the WC.
Ouch. That Sactown game still hurts. They really spanked us hard in that one. Slam after slam after slam. They looked like one of the best teams in the league with tough, consistent play from what seemed like all of their players.
And we need to have some passing from Kobe in last shot situations. No reason really to take a poor positioned fade away jumper as the last shot, especially with a great shooter like Sasha on the floor. Wasn't that the perfect moment to introduce Sasha as a late game hero? He has the makings for it, just needs the chance.
Anyways,
Go Lakers. We need a tough win tonight. We need to show some brawn. Maybe we play Ronny more. He's a tough guy. Let’s put him at center some and play Pau at PF. Anything, but let’s show some physicality.
OK? No?
The positive thing is that we do have exactly what we need. We need defense and tough interior rebounding and shot blocking and we have Bynum maybe 4 weeks from a return. If we can just get him back (Ariza is looking less and less like a viable option. I know when I had a mild case of plantar fasciitis it took a half year before I could run again.)But if we can get Bynum back and stop the layup parade and getting so outrebounded so consistently, then we have a great shot at our ultimate goal.
But will the Gods comply?
Do we get Bynum back this year?
Wes
Posted by: | March 11, 2008 at 10:56 AM
If this Dit Da Jow is for real, I don't understand how the Lakers Medical Staff haven't been using it. Is it illegal, or not approved by the US or something like that? If it's not, use it right away.
Posted by: laker hopeful | March 11, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Has anyone else noticed this two edged sword?
Gasol has his quietist games against poorer teams.
Which is bad but leads to the other edge of the sword:
Gasol always has big games against quality teams.
Always.
He plays great on the road, too.
Wes
Posted by: | March 11, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Dit Da Jow-bomp bomp
Where is Mr. Rooney when ya need him
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | March 11, 2008 at 11:03 AM
all i want to know is: What is John Ireland doing on St. Patrick's Day???
Posted by: ajax | March 11, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Outlaw, Eric M., and others who commented...
Yes, Sunday's game against the Kings sent me into a tailspin. I can handle a narrow loss to a top tier team if the Lakers played well and their opponent played better. That's the sport of the game and why we watch.
It didn't take a rocket scientist to anticipate that the Kings would play their heart out after the Lakers beat them in their house. If only one Laker player had a bad game, I would have been able to write it off. But the whole team? No way.
It's a new day and I believe the Lakers have a new attitude. Despite the lack of public contrition, something tells me the coaches and players were humbled and won't slack off from here on in.
For one thing, I think the great Houston run has them paying attention. No way Kobe wants to cede the MVP to T-Mac. The wild, wild West is a dangerous place right now. That's gotta get the Laker juices flowing. GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 11, 2008 at 11:09 AM
mamba,
Is there a "Mark Cuban is a tool" bandwagon? If so, please sign me up.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | March 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM
PJ's comment about the post All Star ref standard is interesting. Houston is flourishing in the new no harm no foul system.
The Lakers are long and lean, built for speed and versatility. "If you can't beat 'em, beat 'em up", will work if that's the way they call it.
Without Andrew, the Lakers will have to deal with this on this road trip. With their new #1 label, maybe they are getting fouled in ways that they haven't all year with no call. Maybe there's no maybe about it.
Posted by: Vman | March 11, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Mamba24,
definitely put me down for the *MARK CUBAN IF YOU DON'T LET THE KBROS.
*IN SOMEBODIES GOING TO JAIL bandwagon. (If you have time bro!) Thanks.
Posted by: bozz | March 11, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Hey, everyone knows it's kobe bryant blog day as inspired by Hardwood Paroxysm right?
http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/2008/03/kobe-bryant-blog-day-running-thread.html
Posted by: Elyse | March 11, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Charles and Rose,
That's it!!!!
I BELIEVE!!!
MAMBA24 - YEAH BABY!!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Dit Da PAU!!! (Laker blog speak for "Spanish Warrior")
Dit Da PAU!!!
Dit Da PAU!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 11, 2008 at 11:22 AM
A couple of other points I found while looking around.
The Lakers are the best in the west in the following catagories:
1) Points per game +/- at +7.5.
2) Best road record at 22-11.
3) Best record within the western conference at 26-10.
Not too bad for our boys! There isn't any sure things, but we have as good a shot at a title as anyone.
I would guess our chances at winning the west at 50/50 which is better than anyone else considering there are 8 good teams.
Then 50/50 again against either the Celts or Pistons.
So that makes it about 25% chance we bring home the hardware this season. It's going to be FUN to watch it play out.
Posted by: Eric M | March 11, 2008 at 11:27 AM
laker hopeful,
There's nothing illegal about it.
It's been used for thousands of years and easily accessible in Chinatown herb shops. (Though the best quality stuff is made by master Chinese herbalists, not the mass produced stuff.)
Sports therapists are not master Chinese herbalists. It's probably foreign territory for them.
All I know is that in the martial arts community, Dit Da Jow is accepted as the primary treatment for muscle, tendon, ligament and bone damage. And it works well enough that people will purposefully damage the bones in their hands and put Dit Da Jow on afterwards because the bone heals in a denser form. All these guys you see on television breaking bricks with their hands? ALL of them have use Dit Da Jow to get their hands that hard. It's basic component of iron palm work.
And I am completely honest when I say that my 60+ year old kung fu master healed his broken foot in 9 days using a high quality Dit Da Jow. I was there when he broke his foot and I was there when he began kicking bags again, 9 days later. He specifically told me it was because he was applying Dit Da Jow multiple times a day.
And the Dit Da Jow he used was from a master herbalist.
So, I'm just saying... sounds like a perfect fit for Trevor Ariza. In addition, since it disipates inflammation and heals tendons, it would probably be a tremendous help for Andrew Bynum as well.
If anyone works Downtown, drive to Chinatown on Spring Street or Broadway and ask an herbalist about Dit Da Jow. They'll tell you exactly what I've told you, but probably in broken English.
Also do research online.
The stuff works.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
hey KBros, you guys hit the big time...lol. KB24.com quoted you on one of your threads.
Posted by: SEMPER FIDELIS | March 11, 2008 at 11:30 AM
hey KBros, you guys hit the big time...lol. KB24.com quoted you on one of your threads. Good "shout-out"..lol
Posted by: SEMPER FIDELIS | March 11, 2008 at 11:30 AM
*_________________________________________*
MARK CUBAN IF YOU DON’T LET THE KBROS. IN
SOMEBODY IS GOING TO JAIL BANDWAGON
*_________________________________________*
(01) BRONXLAKERFAN - Owner & Driver
(02) MAMBA24 – Jailer
(03) EXHELODRVR – Enforcer
(04) BOZZ - sECURITY
Posted by: mamba24 | March 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM
AK/BK
Mark Cuban's take on bloggers in nonsensical. He says that certain bloggers shouldn't get preferential treatment because they write for a major media outlet, and as a result they aren't allowed in the locker room, but will still receive credentials to cover games, practices and press conferences.
If this were really about leveling the playing field between "major" bloggers and "small-time" bloggers, then NO access should be given. Cuban knows that he can't do this so he's deciding to take one thing away and he's making up a stupid excuse.
And the whole "a blogger is a blogger" thing is nonsensical. Just because he's used his blog in the past as a way to rip David Stern doesn't mean that every blogger posts 100-300 word rants. Some of the best analysis and commentary comes from blogosphere.
I generally like Mark Cuban, but he's being dumb about this. I want to see what happens when Henry Abbott is barred from entering the Mavs locker room. ESPN has as much clout as anyone in this industry and turning down coverage from ESPN makes no sense.
Posted by: Xodus | March 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM
DREWPAUKOBE RIGHT BACK AT YOU
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Dit Da PAU!!! (Laker blog speak for "Spanish Warrior")
Dit Da PAU!!!
Dit Da PAU!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | March 11, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Dit Da Jow; isn't that what Barry used
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | March 11, 2008 at 11:38 AM