The Los Angeles Lakers: Mired in a severe slump
Well, by recent standards, at least. When you've gone 13-2 for the month of February and entered the Rose Garden on a ten-game roll, a 119-111 loss to Portland feels like a funk deeper than the combined efforts of James Brown, George Clinton and The Ohio Players. Brandon Roy's return to the Blazer lineup made an immediate night and day difference, with his 20 points/12 assists setting a tone for an aggressive squad looking looking to score at will. Of course, that mission becomes considerably easier when you're being allowed it. As a collective, the exhausted Laker D could barely lock down an exercise bike, with most of the scrappy limited to ill will between Kobe Bryant and Joel Przybilla. Throw in the ice cold mark from downtown (only 5-27, but they kept on firing) and it's actually impressive in its own right that things went down to the wire. But as the saying (and the box score) goes, they can't all be winners, nor does the loss detract from the overriding positives coming as a whole.
For example, Jordan Farmar's night, whether judged by his 0-3 showing from behind the arc or his struggles contain Jarrett Jack, wouldn't rank among his finest efforts. But all in all, the quality of his play remains high (and improved) as ever.
In Marc Stein's four-way MVP race, Kobe's ahead by Cyrano-sized nose.
The Smushcalade may be closer to pulling out of South Beach.
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AK/BK
Are you sure about the 12-3?
My records show 13-2.
Posted by: Eric M | March 01, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Morning guys...dang, guess we had to lose one at some point. On to the next streak!
Happydaze
Posted by: Happydaze | March 01, 2008 at 10:19 AM
As I was driving to work this morning, I heard on the radio that Tyron Lue was waived by Sacramento. Do you guys think we should pick him up? just in case something happens to Farmar or Fish? Right now, we only have 4 guards (not including Coby). Lue knows the offense and could be a nice insurance policy. Also, if we get him, that means that one of the other West teams (Denver, Dallas, Phoenix), who need a backup point guard, doesn't.
Posted by: Freddy | March 01, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Jesterguru,
I did hear a slight MVP chant in the first quarter... but it was feint and was swiftly drowned out. I didn't hear much after that, but then again, the sound quality I got from the satellite was horrible.
Kudos for your support.
I think the blog here now realizes what we were saying, Portland's hate is greater than that of Sacramento, Phoenix, or even Boston (they've had a long time to get over the "rivalry")....
Last night, we lost the superbowl of basketball... it's just, we forgot that we were in the Superbowl, ha ha ha.
The Blazers deserve credit for bringing their effort. Even though their fans actually think it's the pinnacle of basketball to play the Lakers, the resultant effort is what's important, and Portland did their part: they competed very hard.
Those kinds of games are what make a team better.
Thank you Portland. & Thank you Jester!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 01, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Can't win 'em all, but I think you got their february record wrong. At least give them credit for only losing 2 out of 15 games, not 3.
Posted by: J. Walter Weatherman | March 01, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Blazers live only to play the Lakers.
Posted by: never | March 01, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I write this from the perspective of being Jordan Farmar's biggest fan on this blog. His joy, enthusiasm and determination make him almost as fun to watch as Kobe.
That said, Friday night Jordan was involved in a three car collision of confidence, cockiness, and lack of experience (as only a 2nd year NBA player). You could almost see it coming, after his career high game against the Heat the night before. Too much praise resulted in a game of reckless poor decision making.
The great thing about Farmar is that he will learn from what happened in Portland. He's one player who makes up in IQ what he lacks in raw talent. He truly believes, if he works hard he can be the best PG in the NBA.
In a sense, Ronny and Jordan suffered from the same thing on Friday night. They're just not at the point where it's in the cards to put together consecutive great games. They show flashes, but occasionally will sputter. They are still role players. But the day is coming quickly when they will deliver consistently. They are two of many reasons why the Lakers have a bright future.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 01, 2008 at 10:54 AM
The sky is not falling people...let's keep Chicken Little in his cage.
Everyone complaining about the Lakers effort after winning 10 in a row and 13 of 14, I hope you are not too tired to sit a computer and type out your anger....that takes a lot of effort. Jeez.
RELAX.
As I said in the other thread, it's not the loss, it's how they RESPOND. We get to see them play a good team on Sunday, let's see the effort that day.
Blazers shot lights out, but they didn't get into the paint until the second half, and that was mostly (sorry to say but it's true) Derek and Jordan's fault.
Some of the comments amaze me though and I think indicate who the real fans are and who is here simply to spew NEGATIVES in whatever format they can.
I won't mention names but it's crazy how you never see POSITIVE POSTS from certain posters. I suggest people take notice of this and regard these people in their proper perspective. These are not true fans and they usually don't really understand the game, so they spout LOUDLY instead of INTELLIGENTLY or even just PASSIONATELY.
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
KOBE FOR MVP!!!
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 01, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Conversation in PHOENIX:
The Lakers were in a 10 game winning streak thanx to those -500 teams that they played throughout the month of February.
According to their point of view: Reality is coming up... Portland, Dallas, Artest & Martin, ..... NO, Houston, Dallas!
Somehow I have to agree with that last paragraph.
If Fisher continues to manipulate game the way he's been doing it.... Well... I think Lakers official should start looking to sign a free agent point guard to somehow substitue Farmar and make Fisher the third PG coming off the bench.
Well it is great to be a Laker... and there is definitely NO NEED to cry over a well deserved loss for the Lakers and Well deserved win for the Blazers.
I predict 'til the playoffs: Lakers will go 18-5
Posted by: classic | March 01, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Also, BIG UPS to AK and BK for this blog and all the work that goes into it.
I am consistently AMAZED at how calm and even handedly they handle themselves and the blog.
THANK YOU!!!!
(fist pound)
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 01, 2008 at 11:01 AM
The best is yet to come fellow Laker fans, we haven't seen anything yet!!! Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 01, 2008 at 11:07 AM
This is something off topic, is Jon K banned, AK/BK?
Back to topic, I agree with Troy's comment yesterday about Kobe being, IMHO, cocky lately. I know he is a competitive guy, however, he's been arguing and looking down on referees and opponent players quite a bit recently.
This might jeopardize his pursue for MVP and even worse, he might stop getting the call from the officials. For players like Kobe, Lebron and Dwade, not getting a call might severely reduced their chance on the paint.
Hopefully Fish understands that this is a wake up call to get him out of his slump.
Posted by: moko | March 01, 2008 at 11:07 AM
AK/BK,
Do I get the "Editor of the day" award?
Also, Don't take the Trojan putdowns too hard, most Bruins only go there because they can't afford USC. ;-)
Posted by: Eric M | March 01, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Another reason you do not want to use your full name on the blog. The potential for violence.
With the Web, its easy for someone to find your address and telephone.
Would you want Mike T. or Jon K to show up at your door?
"Honey, there is someone at the door who wants to talk with you. He said he's a Lakers Fan and he's carrying a crowbar"
Posted by: AN 1 | March 01, 2008 at 11:09 AM
looking at the remaining schedule, i predict the lakers go 19-4, and finish with a nice, round 60-22 record.
Posted by: 10milliondollarzen | March 01, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Conversation in PHOENIX:
The Lakers were in a 10 game winning streak thanx to those -500 teams that they played throughout the month of February.
According to their point of view: Reality is coming up... Portland, Dallas, Artest & Martin, ..... NO, Houston, Dallas!
Somehow I have to agree with that last paragraph.
If Fisher continues to manipulate game the way he's been doing it.... Well... I think Lakers official should start looking to sign a free agent point guard to somehow substitue Farmar and make Fisher the third PG coming off the bench.
Well it is great to be a Laker... and there is definitely NO NEED to cry over a well deserved loss for the Lakers and Well deserved win for the Blazers.
I predict 'til the playoffs: Lakers will go 18-5
Posted by: classic | March 01, 2008 at 11:00 AM
classic,
Good post. I'm not concerned at all about the Lakers remaining schedule. The Lakers will stand their ground and continue to win and besides, all the teams in the West are playing each other during this final stretch of game with Phoenix having the toughest remaining schedule. Phoenix still has games back East against the Celtics and Pistons so we'll see who survives. Lakers will prove that ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE(Rockets seem to have this mentality right now without Yao). Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 01, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Lue would be a nice pick up and the Sixers have released Giricek who will most likely sign with the Suns. Isn't Giricek suppose to be a decent defender and three point shooter? Would he fit in our system? Nice to see two former Laker guards doing well for their respective teams, Jannero Pargo and Kareem Rush. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 01, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I've been saying all week that I'd like to see the Lakers sign Ty Lue for the stretch run. But the deadline is approaching quickly.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 01, 2008 at 11:30 AM
AN 1
LOL
wait...is that funny?
Yeah it is.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 01, 2008 at 11:52 AM
We were lucky to win the first contest against portland with our newly revamped squad. We ended up taking that one with a good fourth quarter. we could have done the same last night, but came short. the blazers are underrated and would be a dangerous team in the playoffs if they can miracle their way in, like golden state circa last year.
Good luck to the blazers; they are an exciting team with an owner that can keep up amongst the booming west.
One loss is one loss, keep it in perspective. I bet we run off another 10 without blinking.
Posted by: Furn-Daddy | March 01, 2008 at 12:10 PM
AN1,
Funny and sad at the same time. It was bad enough when we had to deal with fire drills as kids. Now every school and college in the country has "Emergency Lockdown Drills".
There are some sick puppies out there.
Posted by: Eric M | March 01, 2008 at 12:29 PM
athletic small forwards are killing us right now. We need ariza back...
Posted by: greek dude | March 01, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Hopefully we learn to win in Portland soon because the next 7-10 years they will definitly be one of the teams that will challange us in the west....
I think the main difference in the game was that basically they hit their shots and we didn't--but they are normally shots we make so no worries....
Enough can't be said about how lame and annoying their broadcasters are---I would be ashamed to call myself a Blazer fan if for nothing else...
Positives for Puke: he had a 60-40 game (at least) of good verses bad---keep improving buddy--with each improvemnet made, a trade becomes more feasible.....
Phil play Ronny more please....
Another big game coming Sunday--hopefully we bring the intensity and can hit our shots.....
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Floyd | March 01, 2008 at 12:43 PM
I forgot to say Good Afternoon to Charles and everyone--sorry---Good Afternoon bloggers!
Also all this Pau verses Bynum debate is really stupid---we have them both--and will be able to play them together or each seperately---all three combinations are a win win and give the Lakers a lot of flexibility and match up problems for the other team......auguments about who is better or picking one over the other is insiginificant......
I am still hoping to see the 15th spot filled with exactly who we may need---and you can call me Captain Obvious.....
GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Posted by: Floyd | March 01, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Rick,
sign Ty Lue? Why? What for? to do what?
Posted by: wondahbap | March 01, 2008 at 01:10 PM
lol at the "slump."
Coming in we've been winning winnable games on talent alone. But through it all our holes have been glaring.
The good news is those holes can be readily filled with some return to health. The bad news is we'll continue with those problems for some time still.
Da Fish is suffering some major bout of slump. He's either injured or what..but regardless, I believe in you Da Fish. You're a Laker.
The combination of Luke-LO-Ronny for our front line has weakened us. Not because they're bad players, but that they're all missing something. LO needs to be a better defender imo. If he wants to stay in this team and win a championship he needs to take on the Fox persona, defensive mentality. Outlaw owned him last night. Then again Outlaw owned Luke, and everyone else he got in front of him. All in all we're missing Trevor's defense, Vlad's shot, etc. With those two, I see our frontline as strengthened and far more dangerous.
I have to wonder, out loud lol, why PJ sat out Jordan at the latter part of the game. While he was blowing defensive assignments here and there, he has been key to our wins of late (esp late in the games).
In any case, let's just chalk it up to a learning experience. We knew we weren't going to go 24-0 (I think we got 24 games left lol). I actually don't feel too bad about the streak ending.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | March 01, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Lue would be invaluable in guarding PGs (remember him against AI). But that said, I like our rotation, and chemistry. I'd be a bit cautious with messing with that.
Posted by: Faith | March 01, 2008 at 01:13 PM
One more thing on last night's game and the lst few in general....
It seems as if the Lakers have gone away from the pick and roll---Kobe and Pau (or Kobe and Ronny / etc.) should run that right down the other team's throat ala Stockton/Malone....
That is a weapon that we have only seen glimpses of that this team could really utitilize effectively....
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Floyd | March 01, 2008 at 01:16 PM
SERIOUSLY, IT’S ALL ABOUT ANDREW…
The Lakers frustrating loss to the Trailblazers last night showed again how much the Lakers need Andrew Bynum back in order to genuinely be the dominant team in the NBA. As great an addition as Pau Gasol has been and as well as Kobe, Lamar, Jordan, Sasha, and Ronny have played, the Lakers still seriously miss the interior defense, dominating rebounding, and low post offensive power that only Drew can provide.
We don’t need useless debates and senseless arguments about whether Drew or Pau is more valuable or whether Drew should start or come off the bench. We point blank just need to get Drew (and Vlade and Trevor) back on our active roster and integrated into our rotation as quickly as possible. Without Andrew, the Lakers are still an elite team. With Andrew, they will almost become invincible. Without Andrew, the Lakers would struggle to get past the Spurs. With Andrew, they will win the championship.
While the Lakers came up short last night, you still have to love the way the team competed, if not they way they defended. Reverse a couple of bad calls – especially the offensive foul on Kobe that should have been a 3-point play – and the Lakers might have actually won the game. As for Phil’s game, I would have liked to have seen the Lakers run a lot more pick and rolls with Kobe and Pau and Farmar play more minutes than Fish, whose mini-slump continues. Bottom line, when you lose the turnover, rebounding, and 3-point shooting battles as the Lakers did, you usually end up losing the game.
We also have to give the Portland Trailblazers credit for playing a gritty and gusty game, especially Brandon “ROY” Roy, Steve “Laker Killer” Blake, and Travis “Not Bo” Outlaw. The Portland guards totally outplayed the Lakers guards. Both Roy and Jack had double-doubles in points and assists. Aldridge and Outlaw played superbly. No disrespect to the Spurs, who are our only real competition in the West this year, but the future battles for supremacy in the West will be between Bynum and Oden and the Lakers and Blazers.
Sunday’s game against the Mavs will give the Lakers the opportunity to start another winning streak. I am sure there will be a big focus on team defense against penetrating point guards considering our problems last night, although Jason Kidd is not Brandon Roy. LOL but true. We will need to stay at home with the 3-point shooters on the wings and not help defend penetration with wing defenders. Pau and Lamar need to be our help defense on penetration. Let Kidd shoot all he wants from mid-range or beyond the arc. We should be able to start March out with another winning streak. Go, Lakers!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 01, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Rick,
sign Ty Lue? Why? What for? to do what?
Posted by: wondahbap | March 01, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Wondahbap,
>>> sign Ty Lue? Why? What for? to do what?
Insurance. We are only 2 deep at PG and SG. When any of Fish, Farmar, or Sasha have an off-night (even a bad night for Kobe doesn't qualify as such), a third option would be nice. What if one of them get injured? With all due respect to Coby Karl, he's not going to be a strong contributor this year. Lue knows the Lakers system and he can pick up five minutes here and there when we need it.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 01, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Tom, yep.
Now, just imagine if, instead of trading down and selecting Webster, the Blazers had drafted Chris Paul!
(Actually, that might be better for us since we so clearly have no answer for Steve Blake.)
Posted by: Jesterguru | March 01, 2008 at 01:38 PM
I know it's out of the topic...but does anyone know if Pau has found a house yet?
Posted by: LakerGirl4KobePau | March 01, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Rick....
"We are only 2 deep at PG and SG. When any of Fish, Farmar, or Sasha have an off-night (even a bad night for Kobe doesn't qualify as such), a third option would be nice"
what the??? Cmon. Be serious. Off-nights do happen, but it will be few and far between that all 3 will be off. Only 2 deep? with the Lakers versatility, we're a little bit better than "only 2 deep". Only 2 deep on the deepest team in the league. why does a loss send everyone panicking. We' re fine.
Posted by: wondahbap | March 01, 2008 at 01:53 PM
BLOG THINK-SYNC,
Another couple of great example of blog think-sync, where two different posters almost simultaneously post the same comment or observation. Proof that the there are lots of smart posters out there or that the blog makes Laker fans smarter?
---------------
LakerTom: “I would have liked to have seen the Lakers run a lot more pick and rolls with Kobe and Pau.”
Floyd: “It seems as if the Lakers have gone away from the pick and roll---Kobe and Pau (or Kobe and Ronny / etc.) should run that right down the other team's throat ala Stockton/Malone....”
---------------
LakerTom: “I would have liked to have seen… Farmar play more minutes than Fish, whose mini-slump continues.”
Faith: “have to wonder, out loud lol, why PJ sat out Jordan at the latter part of the game. While he was blowing defensive assignments here and there, he has been key to our wins of late (esp late in the games).”
---------------
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 01, 2008 at 01:59 PM
From the previous thread:
Some people need to grow up. When you root for a team, you root for them WIN OR LOSE! Appreciate your team's effort and that of their opponents.
For those who followed the game last night, it was a hard fought game. The Lakers were in it 'til the last few minutes. And besides, the Blazers played an excellent team effort, check their box scores. Five guys scored in double figures!
Sometimes, immaturity gets the better of some people. I, too, can get a bit hot-headed but it's how you take control of your emotions that count. Take Kobe for example. He's in danger of being suspended for his techs, so keep an eye out on how he responds. The pressure's mounting so we'll see how the team and Kobe respond. Isn't it wonderful to watch this Laker team again!
Remember, this is a forum for ALL. Not just for a few.
Posted by: so now you know | March 01, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Boy I hope we beat Dallas. I shudder to think what this blog will read like if we have a two-game losing streak.
Posted by: Marty | March 01, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Jesterguru,
We should take one of our guards and just glue him to Blake the entire game. And tell that guard not to leave him to double anybody under any circumstances. If Blake played against the Lakers every game, he would triple or quadruple his NBA value and salary. Hell, I would even tell the player that each 3-point shot that Blake tries would cost him $1,000 and each one he makes $10,000. That’ll keep somebody on Blake at last. LOL.
By the way, thanks for giving Tim’s megaphone MVP campaign a try. Can’t be a tougher place in the U.S.A. to be a Lakers fan. The Rose Garden is like an East coast arena stuck in the middle of Oregon. LOL. Don’t worry, though, I have a hunch that supremacy in the West is going to be a constant battle between Bynum and Oden and the Lakers and the Trailblazers. I also think the Lakers will prevail as we did in the last Oregon wars.
What Brandon Roy and Jarrett Jack did to our guards last night was almost criminal – I mean, having TWO point guards post double-doubles in points and assists. Our point defenders were more than a step slow and a beat behind, which led to our other wing defenders leaving 3-point shooters to help, which led to the Steve Blake show. We just need to get Drew and Ariza back so we can leave help defense on penetration to the front court players and stay will all 3-point shooters, as Tex constantly stresses.
It’s going to be an interesting decade in the Western Conference. It will be Bynum versus Oden, the West’s great point guards versus the Triangle Offense, the Lakers Triple Towers versus small ball. While I love Fisher and Farmar, I still salivate as a former point guard when I see a player like Brandon Roy or Derek Williams or Chris Paul totally take over the game the way that a true point guard can. It’s a weapon that I wish we had. But then, as we all know, I am a very greedy Lakers fan. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 01, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Jester & Never,
I just got a phone call from my brother. He attended the game last night. He told me the MVP stuff was going on all game but it would get drowned out...
But, he told me some horror stories about the fans... guys threatening him. More than one person went up to him and his wife and told him "F*** You!" Several people gave dirty looks, yelled at them, said disparaging remarks, people shouted from their cars...
There's probably only three other cities that would have this level of contempt: Phoenix, Sacramento, and Boston.
Of those, if you were to turn back the clock 3 or 4 seasons ago, you wouldn't have that level of hate in Phoenix, and if you turned back the clock 9 years, you would not have that level of hate in Sacramento.
That means the hatred only runs this deep in Boston and in Portland... and what's funny is that almost no Laker fans (other than the ones who read this blog or live in the area) know about this "rivalry"... it is laughable.
Since 1995 when the Rose Garden opened, the Lakers have only won 1 regular season game. You'll remember that one because it was in 2004 when Kobe hit two last second threes to clinch the Pacific. This is a reflection of how Portland treats Laker games as the superbowl while the Lakers view it as a regular season game. When both teams bring that playoff ferver to the game, the results dramatically shift to our favor.
Portland: a great warm-up for the playoffs and for playoff bound teams.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | March 01, 2008 at 02:39 PM
AK or BK,
Can you guys tell me why you have non-sports links on the side of this page? Every other sports page you click on in the LATIMES SPORTS section shows the sports links. It is annoying to click twice to get back to the Lakers section.
If every other page in the LA Times sports section shows all the sports links, why doesn't this one?
Posted by: zen | March 01, 2008 at 02:50 PM
FROM a Blazer Fan:
I want to clarify a few misconceptions that seem to be spewed by a lot of Laker fans. First, its very pompous and idiotic to think the Blazers only live to play the Lakers, especially since they have beaten them 18 out of the last 22 games in Portland. Doesnt seem like much of a challenge to be considered the only reason to lace them up.
Second, ha ha to you all that purchased League Pass and have to listen to the Blazer homer announcers. Your beef is NOT with the Blazers, or even the announcers, but with League Pass. Of course they are HOMERS, its what they are PAID to do. How clueless can people be to think there wouldn't be homerism? Also, how clueless do you have to be not to MUTE the sound and turn on your home radio announcers? Every Blazer fan I know who cannot stand your announcers do this very thing. Seems pretty obvious.
Lastly, I really like the improvements the Lakers have made, but I have to say, Gasol seems to be overmatched by Lamarcus, which bodes well for the Blazers. If Oden lives up to his hype, he should out-class Bynum, too. Oden has put on almost 50 lbs of muscle, weighs 290 and has only 7% body fat.
Throw in Roy and Outlaw, and I really like our chances in the West for years to come. The Lakers better win this year, or maybe next, because their window is shut after that, barring a trade for Lebron.
Blazer's GM has structured all of our contracts to allow for double digit cap room in 2009, he says he has a player in mind. Guess who comes off their contract that year? Derron Williams AND Chris Paul. Its unlikely, but if the Blazers land one of those PGs, its all over. Paul Allen won't care about luxury taxes. He can afford to max the whole team if he chooses.
Good luck this year. This is definitely a Laker team I enjoy more than any other in many years, since Showtime for that matter. Now that was a great team!
Posted by: lance | March 01, 2008 at 03:05 PM
BRING BACK TY LUE!!!
We need someone to shut down brandon roy, chris paul, steve nash, and tony parker and his arch nemesis Allen Iverson. he already knows the triangle. I think it would be fun to see him back.. can i get an amen?
Posted by: joeycchchchang | March 01, 2008 at 03:12 PM
sign Ty Lue? Why? What for? to do what?
Posted by: wondahbap | March 01, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Because one of the remaining weak points of Laker D is dribble penetration from the quick waterbug guards of the NBA. Tony Parker being Exhibit 1.
Lue made his name guarding Iverson during the 2000 Finals. He has a championship ring with the Lakers and knows the triangle and will be a seamless addition.
He won't be getting much minutes behind Fisher and Farmar but his prorated salary for the rest of the season shouldn't be that much money. Fish and Gordy, good as they are, don't have the speed to stay in front of Parker or Iverson or Barbosa or Monta Ellis.
We have 14 guys on the roster (4 currently out w/injuries) with room for one more.
Mbenga and Coby won't be in the 12 man playoff roster. Mihm may or may not, depending on his recovery so that c/d leave an open spot.
Posted by: LakerinBC | March 01, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Last night ref job was absolutely horrid. Not only against the Lakers but also against Trailblazers. I really do hope that crew will NEVER work the playoffs.
Posted by: Teej | March 01, 2008 at 03:18 PM
I'm depressed.
Very winnable game, except they couldnt get a stop.
The worst part was trying to hustle and drive back to watch the end of the game and listening to Spero cheering as Lamarcus Aldridge drain mid-ranges. God I hate that guy.
Either way, the Lakers seem tired as I said they would after holding a winning streak. Luckily, they come home for Dallas and the other games before they face that last big road trip.
Yeah our defense is going to struggle against a team with bigs. The thing is that there's not another team with a lot of bigs. Yao just went down, and we already know we can beat the Suns. Portland is a bad match-up for us because when Frye or Pryzbilla play well alongside Aldridge, they have a strong team.
It does make you wonder how good Portland can be once Greg Oden comes to play. They are the one team that will be competing with the Lakers for the titles in the next 5 years.
Posted by: The Lake Show | March 01, 2008 at 03:21 PM
You have to be realistic, the Lakers team is still a long way to go on becoming a championship team. The team may have the men needed but they need to jeal. Defense must improve and offence execution as well. Also, I noticed that their excitement to win must have faded slightly hence the urge to go for the win was not there. They're seem nervous of losing and all rattled taking 3 pts shots instead of playing cool.
Posted by: ogur | March 01, 2008 at 03:21 PM
"looking at the remaining schedule, i predict the lakers go 19-4, and finish with a nice, round 60-22 record."
Does this include tomorrows loss to the Mavs?
Posted by: MavsFan4Life | March 01, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Laker Tom,
I owe you an apology. I actually have been misunderstood for borderline sarcasm and challenging people at least 2-3 times. Classic example was when I referred to Cook-Smush-Kwame for being E league players to Frank Rizzo. I meant it as an in between sarcastic and sardonic compliment to his post. I had to mention to FR that it was a joke. I really need to use LOL more often to emphasize congruency and friendliness.
After reading your post and my reaction, I realized I was way too heated in tone.
I don’t know how to react in being nominated with Mamba for helping the K-Bros. A little overwhelming; especially coming from you with a concurring Edwin Gueco. (Including a previous suggestion by Jon K and thank you guys.)
But in an indirect reply from AK when I wanted to check if there were multiple posters from the same IP address, he said he wouldn’t have given me the keys to the “Millennium Falcon.” LOL. Besides, I think they are doing just fine…
Just so you know; I see: you as one of the seniors of the Roundtable.
Best,
Charles
Posted by: Charles | March 01, 2008 at 03:44 PM
BLOG THINK-SYNC,
Another couple of great example of blog think-sync, where two different posters almost simultaneously post the same comment or observation. Proof that the there are lots of smart posters out there or that the blog makes Laker fans smarter?
---------------
LakerTom: “I would have liked to have seen the Lakers run a lot more pick and rolls with Kobe and Pau.”
Floyd: “It seems as if the Lakers have gone away from the pick and roll---Kobe and Pau (or Kobe and Ronny / etc.) should run that right down the other team's throat ala Stockton/Malone....”
---------------
LakerTom: “I would have liked to have seen… Farmar play more minutes than Fish, whose mini-slump continues.”
Faith: “have to wonder, out loud lol, why PJ sat out Jordan at the latter part of the game. While he was blowing defensive assignments here and there, he has been key to our wins of late (esp late in the games).”
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Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 01, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Also be sure to add in this Blog Think Sync that somehow this wasn't a problem or a discussion till we loss (pick and rolls during our 10gm run).
Example: Streak win 1-10
*Yay..were winning..were beating the crud out of teams..were going to the finals..were hard to beat*
then.....
After 1 loss:
*Darn..we can't beat the upper echelon teams playing this way (but yet were 41-18 I suppose by playing sub .500 teams the whole time..lets forget about us having the hardest schedule in the NBA)
The think sync runs deep..especially when we lose
Posted by: lakeraholic | March 01, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Blog Crue
I just got back from ice fishing here in the CO. Tough loss last night, but let's begin a new winning streak. Dallas is a better team, so lets get the Lakers to come out and aim for the throat. The rest of the week should be easier. Focus on Sunday.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | March 01, 2008 at 04:02 PM