That Kobe Bryant fella: He'll probably stick in the league

Great win yesterday. GO LAKERS

"Octet" -- I like. What are you doing tonight? Oh ... just going down to the pool hall to shoot a game of Octet Ball.

I thought yesterday’s game was interesting from two perspectives:

First, notice in the first quarter, Gasol was getting loose for dunks on the split screen. The Mavs effectively defended this after the Lakers built a 10 point lead. The Lakers have been living on this play (whether it was Bynum or now Gasol) against weaker competition who don’t have the skill or the will to defend the play. In the playoffs, the split screen will be a non-factor because playoff teams, especially the Spurs can defend this play very well.

Second, given the above ... I completely disagree that Kobe taking over the game hurts the team in any way. The rotation will be much tighter in the playoffs in any regard, and I don’t care if the 7th, 8th and 9th off the bench are getting offensive touches. When your set plays are well defended the only variable left is to hand the ball to your best player and ride him. Sometimes, that loosens up the defense and you can go back to your set plays to Luke Walton, or whatever. The intangible is offensive rebounding — when Kobe is off having Bynum, Gasol and Lamar getting second and third shot opportunities is the key, because not even the Spurs can survive being outrebounded by 10 every game of a seven game series.

Look for Kobe to take over more an more games in the playoffs, that’s what MVPs do. When the shots are off you need putbacks and re-sets from your bigs. Bynum is critical to beating a team like the Spurs.

Good morning, my Laker Blog family. Yesterday's game was another
good test for this team. I don't think we'll have that poor of a shooting
effort again any time soon. We just gotta continue playing hard on the
defensive side and hopefully we'll get more of our injured players back.
With Kobe on our team we'll always have a shot if the game is close.

The next 4 games should all be victories (Kings-2, Clippers, Raptors) and
hopefully PJ will be able to get Kobe and Lamar more rest in preparation for
the following 4 games which will be tough (Hornets, Rockets, Mavericks,
and Jazz, all on the road, but thankfully no back-to-backs).

If we have Vlade back, I think we'll go 3-1, if he is still out, then I
see us going 2-2 over that stretch.

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March 3, 2008 The FORCE is in Balance The Lakers are Number 1 and all is right with Laker Nation
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Good Morning CHARLES - Good Morning A.K. & B.K’S MOM – Good Morning LAKER NATION!
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WOE UNTO ANYONE NOT NAMED KOBE BEAN BRYANT WHO WINS THE MVP THIS YEAR
IF KOBE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR A.K & B.K.’S MOM THEN GODD@MNIT HE SHOULD BE GOOD
ENOUGH FOR EVERYBODY ELSE!!! NO MVP NO PEACE! NO MVP NO PEACE
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AND NOW YOUR STARTING LINEUP FOR THE 14 TIME WORLD CHAMPION LA LAKERS:
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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

ROLLLLLLLLL CALLLLLLLLLLLLL:
(1) FAITH, (2) BOB, MIKE T. TALIQ, EDWIN GUECO, KEIFO, WOLF, CLEON,
COMPTONS_FINEST, VMAN, TIM-4-SHOW, LAKERTOM, RICK FRIEDMAN,
JON KAVULIC, WEAVE MAN, SIXONEZERO, FEARLESSWHACKJOB, DICE8UP
tha_SHOW, JCOOL, WOW, THE_D., FKILLAH, CHARLES, GENERIC_ONE
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, EXHELODRVR, ) JANAYA, JESTERGURU,
Mamba24Fan4Life, FanofMamba, WhiteMamba24 HMRHED, VI LAKERFAN, JUSTIN
TellITLikeItIs PSLAKERLOVER, EASTCOASTJESSIE, The DROPPER, NEMIA_FALETOGO
BlackMamba24, AfroJoe, LakerTRUTH, Kiwi, Peace, DAVID WHANG, ELLE, J.J., FLOYD
805LAKERLOVER, JEFFGROTKE,KOBESBAD,CHUCK23, LAKERS4REALZ, SEAD94
HOBBITMAGE, idiot, LAKERDAWG, GINO . YOU EVER NOTICE?, PsychedLakerGirl
AdamKiley, LakersryDeordie, ANGRYLAKER, The CAT, TSIRY, Darkhangelsk, GUY
TheLakeShow, WESsJoeNixon, BAYWOOD, SBPIMP, CaliKing, Thirty2, DaxMDD, DOC
CBUCK, GDChild, ZEN, DION, Centralk, FATTY, Greek Dude, Staples24, FRANKY J.K.
TWOODY, Ajax, MITCHELL, BZAR, PJ_DOUBTER, Occupant-Cell-186, hmmmm
NEVER, LakaLover, Bynumite, LakerDogerDieHardInUpStateNY, Chucky.L.Ohnio,
Sead94, LeftField, JOREMA, Korey, Xtro, MCGarnagle, Gugy, Laker4Life, LAKERFAZE
BLKTHGHT06, WONDAHBAB, WhatsthesoundofKwameClapping? JANDRO, GABE
PhxLkrFAN, Pince Akrasian, TexasLaker, EagleBoy, JR., KOBES T., KobeRocks
Purple & Gold, TSPHERE, t_Sensei, Tully Moxness, Zakee, David Peterson, ALLANSY8
CYRUS(Ventrilquist), Swettual, Andrew Z, LAL Fan, Brandon C., DC, SMOOTH D
Kinglakernidas, HUBBIT, BronxLakerFan, RespectMyAuthorith, Hariyahu, LakerLass
Laker_Sth, KobeFromManilas, Ray Ray, StrangerintheNight, BONEZ, SarcoCop,
Bobby, MIGUELINHO, MAN, HYP117, TUKLAW, CDUB0512, AMAZING HAPPENS
MrBarneyDangles, BENJAMIN, MJCMAN32, PFUNK36, SOCALIFE, DICE8UP
Michael J, Michael H, Michael A., ALEXINH017, VIOLATER, KIKOS_DAD, Marty
LAKERGURL, LEELO, CriticalBeatDown, BLAZE1BX, SIMONE, Paul Lee, MAXXIMO
Tajluck, , Caesar, BerkleyLaker,CRAIG, B4Hoops, RYAN, CALIPHILOSOPHER
JustAnotherMambaFan, 40YEARFAN, HAPPYDAZE, DREWPAULKOBE, SAMLL
JR, Dascilla, tellitlikeitis, Nik Kannan, Sean P. HollywoodJack, Rico Tico, NestrossBistro,
LAKERAHOLIC, SocalSpider,AA LOS, LAKOBER, SLO GAL, Linda Pineda, TaosHum,
ChiTownLaker, RealityCheckTime, CORNER J., WiZo, MagicShaq, HugoBoss, RDLEE,
RealityBites, LakerLarry, Jay Jay, LakerLifer, Tripgame3, Houstion Laker, Todd Battles, ,
JoninJAPAN(INCANADA), LT Laker Fan, Mainor, East Nyboer, Long Live Chick,
JEFF, Andy B. SwanWorld, Purple&Gold_4EVA, Benny Blanca, HAL9000, THE OUTLAW
Tim in Sydney, LakerBake, JMan, AnyOneMouse, 10milliondollarZen, SHIVA, Troy,
PHIL JACKSON, , Sun Yue, Ronny Turiaf, V. RADMANOVIC, Jordan Farmar, LUKE WALTON,
ANDREW BYNUM, COBY KARL, Trevor Ariza, Chris MihmJ, Larry Fulcher, Sasha Vujacic, 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 DIVIDE OR CONQUER US

Hi guys, exciting game yesterday. Besides the obvious stellar performance by Kobe, two other less obvious observations:

1-Our offense was off, thanks to Pau being contained; and Fish, Farmar and Sasha being cold. Credit to Luke for helping out in the first two Q's. I agree that Pau isn't as physical a center as we'd hoped for.

2-Our defense deserves a lot of credit. Everybody on the floor contributed: Kobe, Lamar, Sasha and Pau (in that order?). As others have said before, great teams like Celtic, Pistons, and Spurs win by defending even when they're off offensively. Yes our rebounding wasn't great during the first 3 Q's or so, but overall we showed a great level of D effort.

Overall, this was a good game to remind us not to get ahead of ourselves in the championship race; there is no clear favorite as of now. If anything, Spurs, Pistons and Celtics are the slight favorites given their experience (as a team and individuals).

Nevertheless, I still consider the Lakers a contender, if not the team to beat yet.

Present .... Good to have you in Mamba.

Mamba,

May I have you add "Laker Legacy" to the roll call? He has been contributing and has been a reader since the early days of the blog...

Thanks Sir...

Hit 'em big, demoralize 'em early! That s/b be the cheer for the Sac game tmrw. Get those cow bells silenced.

I wish I watched the game. I missed his 81 point game too. I seem to be busy whenever Kobe goes off.

Way to go Lakers!!! Nice to know the nitrisoxide boosters still work, but the key for these guys is TEAM.

Bynum might have done a good job of putting Dampier in his place in yesterday's game, and Ariza definitely would have caused some problems for Dirk and Howard. Hopefully these two will be back soon.

Repost from other thread...
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Nice to see you MAMBA - Glad to have Roll Call back!

Good morning everyone! Good morning Charles!

Don't worry, the team will not shoot 18-60 again the rest of the season...and after the worst shooting performance of the year, KB24 still swoops in and saves the day.

The difference between this year and last year:

LAST YEAR: Kobe took over games because he couldn't figure out what else to do to win. DEFAULT

THIS YEAR: Kobe takes over games when he has tried everything else and it's not working. NECESSITY

BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT PROUD!!!

KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!

Charles, I have to apologize for yesterday. I've been fighting a bad ear infection and landed in the ER on Sat night for the second time in three weeks. In order to manage the pain they gave me some pretty strong pain killers and they knocked me out all day yesterday :(

Message to Sasha, Jordan, et all...

Last 2 games, the team (minus Kobe) is 6 for 39 from 3-point...15%...

We want you to remain AGGRESSIVE...

Even when your shot is not falling, we applaud your continued CONFIDENCE...

But sometimes you need to put the ball on the floor and DRIVE...

This will get you a few extra inches of space when you shoot as the defense will have to RESPECT...

And you will improve your shooting by seeing the ball go in from closer RANGE...

Leading to a higher percentage of makes from behind the LINE...

Don't just play hard...

PLAY SMART!!!

KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!

Elle - I'm sure I speak for us all when I say feel better soon.....you were missed.....

I'm surprised that Dirk has some heartin him after all.

They ought to have a penalty for signing with the same team after 30 days, or a team you have played for that season. I'm not saying make it illiegal, just make some sore of disincentive so that collusion is not advantageous.

Mamba24,

The heart and soul of the blog!

Regards

"It's amazing how many haters who usually asleep, comes around during the game..."

Only occasionally am I around the blog during a game. I find it difficult to fully appreciate a game while reading and responding to posts.

I suspect that folks who participate here while the game is on do so for many of the same reasons, whether they are Laker fans or not. In lieu of actually being at the game, participation here offers an affordable way to be in the mix.

Sonnybelfast

Tim,
This situation has as much to do with the players as with Stern - guaranteed contracts, inability to renegotiate, etc.

Best comment off the Mavs Blog (Dallas Morning News)

>>>I hated the Kidd trade from the begining. All of you who wished for it please tell me why. At least they could have traded that looser Howard instead of Devin. Howard is an over rated joke.<<<

Time to get to it ... later Nation...

TIM-4-SHOW: "Why don't they just get rid of these B.S. rules and allow the
teams to do what they need to do."

NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
POST OF THE DAY.!! KUDOS T4SHOW

LAKER LEGACY: " Thank you Mamba24 and Charles. Good day all!
Its good to be a Laker fan!!

AND IT'S GOOD HAVING YOU AS A LAKER BLOGGER LAKER LEGACY.

HMERHED THANKS FOR THE MAVS UPDATE! YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY! LOL!

HmrHed,

Excellent point about the easy dunks we have been getting when Pau or Drew “slip” the screen and receive a quick pass from the guard. Because the Pau or Drew are basically faking setting a screen, the player responsible for rotating and picking them up is often caught off guard and late arriving, leaving a clear path for Pau or Drew to dunk the ball.

You are right that San Antonio does a good job defending slip screens because they have two big men, allowing them to rotate Duncan or Oberto to pick up Pau or Drew rolling to the basket. It’s that combination of size and smart defensive rotations that make the Spurs tough on slip screens. Most non-elite NBA teams don’t have either.

While San Antonio defends the slip screen well, the fact still remains that once the Spurs defense rotates, the Lakers should have a big man all alone under the hoop. And once Drew returns, that big man will be either Pau or Drew. What I predict we will see then is the Lakers version of big-man-keep-away. Look for the second pass to be lob for a dunk from Pau to Drew or vice versa.

The minute teams are forced to switch and rotate, whether responding to a Lakers pick and roll or trying to double up on a Lakers isolation in the post, the Lakers have the edge and our interior size will dominate. And the key is having two big men who are equally adept at slipping or setting the screen and rolling and passing and finishing with a dunk. Once we get Drew and Pau on the floor together, the dunks we are getting will double.

I also agree with your assessment that Kobe will take over more games once we get into the playoffs. As you say, that is the nature of the playoffs and whether it be because of playoff pressure, the level of competition, or competitive juices. Kobe will step it up in the playoffs as all genuine superstars do. Doesn’t mean he won’t be playing great team ball, but he also will not be content to play decoy. Kobe will be playing to win it all.

Tom

You gotta feel for the Rockets... they roll off 15 wins in a row (and they
were 4 games over .500 when their streak started) AND STILL..
they're only in the 6th spot in the West. That, right there, says volumes
about how tough it is in the West this season.

Mob Wagoneer: " Mamba24 How come I'm not on the roll call?

Early signs of senility Mob Wagoneer. My apologies
check back tomorrow and It will fly high.

Floyd,

Right back at cha'

If Luke keeps playing games where he asserts himself, then we should be ok while the rest of the bench mob is hitting the wall. I loved the time that they left a smaller and weaker J-Kidd to guard him in the post - he just bullied his way to the rim and put in a nice baby hook.

Luke actually might start a game or two down the stretch once everyone gets back - which means that we'll be even more formidable. Keep working on your game, guys - the playoffs are a much different beast than is the regular season.