The schedule's "soft underbelly section" became a little more, well, stout
Perhaps Friday's game against Memphis will prove the cupcake widely predicted after a treacherous four game roadie and back-to-backs vs. Golden State. But last night's contest against the Bobcats was considered by most to be a breather opportunity (complete with home court "advantage") and the result was a 108-95 loss. The Lakers kicked off the affair in a rather flat fashion (particularly on the defensive end), a mindset that continued for roughly 96.3% of the duration. Similar to the split against the Warriors, the Lakers spent the first half launching a fair amount of questionable shots and not concentrating nearly enough on stoppage, with the three point line left especially vulnerable. The arc was also the site of the night's more eventful and controversial proceedings. Not even two minutes removed from a technical pocketed, Kobe was whistled for a foul on Matt Carroll's converted three ball.
None too pleased with the call, Kobe returned the ball in "Pele style" and was immediately run.
Don't ask either Bryant or Phil Jackson for their take on the situation, as both bolted before offering much, if any, explanation. For the time being, it will remain a mystery, kinda like the ETA for Pau Gasol's return to action. Next Wednesday is the hopeful date for now, but the ankle remains troublesome. The wait has left the Spaniard disappointed, but given last night's box score, that's just the mood en vogue for all things and people "Laker."
Guess you can cross Shaq off Ricky Davis and Chris Quinn's Christmas card list. The Big Bridge Burner had some less than kind words to say about his old mates and franchise in South Beach, remarks Riles classified as decidedly of the "sad" variety. No word yet as to whether Shaq plans to hypocritically pop by a Heat game for some applause and a quick exit.
Catch a pair of Lakers associated with the #21 review the flick "21."
He's likely trailing Kobe and CP3 at the moment, but KG's MVP bid ain't quite dead yet. Unless you ask Shaq (he's everywhere today), who says it's Kobe, giving him a chance to cap on Garnett.
SI's Jack McCallum takes his guess at how the West could shake out. Bill Simmons also offers his prediction (which include Sasha taking one in the chops).
GOOD MORNING CHARLES
ROLL CALL WILL RESUME TOMORROW
AS WILL THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS WINNING. OUT!
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 27, 2008 at 10:31 AM
LAKER NATION – Gargle that taste out of your mouths. We are “THE FRIKIN’ LA LAKERS” – to quote one notable snake. One set back will not deter or divide us. Our goal is on the horizon and we will snatch it.
I’d like to address the Troll People –although it’s against my better judgment:
Troll people, I’m sure you all predicted that he Lakers would be in the mix for the #1 seed in the West when the season started and that you would be happy when the Lakers dropped one on the verge of winning their fiftieth with 10 games left.
Answer me this Troll people – are you concerned that your teams are playing at peak level and yet the Lakers are still in the mix without their three seven footers? Who is coming to your teams in April to make your teams better?
Think before you post on this site or the wrath of Laker Nation will decent upon you like locust.
And no, not every person that likes another team is a Troll – Troll People have a distinct stink about them … Like walking into a high school bathroom.
50 on Friday Laker Nation … the drive for 55 is alive!
Posted by: HmrHed | March 27, 2008 at 10:35 AM
We lost to the Bobcats! The freaking Bobcats? That loss actually hurt. As far as the Shaq thing goes his comments have shown the kind of person that he is and it's not pretty. Shame on him for slamming the Heat after he won a ring with them and after they traded him to a team like the Suns to help him get a shot at another ring. I wonder what he'll say about The Suns after he is done with them? And after this is there any question left in anybodys mind that Shaq brings the teams that he is on down after things start heading south?
Posted by: Elle | March 27, 2008 at 10:38 AM
i hope all you irrational shaq fans read the article on ESPN's site today. the big baby rips everybody in Miami. HIs feelings got hurt so he tears down the world with expletives and verbal grenades. Classy, real classy. Maybe it wasn't so much Kobe's fault after all. Who am I kidding, Haters will hate will hate will hate, so I guess ignore the trends, the facts and reality in general and just keep on hating
Posted by: jandro | March 27, 2008 at 10:38 AM
BLOG FAMILY FORGIVE ME I HAVE SINNED.
I WAS WRONG. SHAQ YOU NO CLASS MF
SHAME ON YOU FOR SLAMMING RILEY &
THE HEAT. NO SHAQ DAY FOR YOU AT
STAPLES TILLYOU REPENT.
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 27, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Mourning today...I'm with Mamba...no posts 'till tomorrow when we win. (cringe...I hope Im not jinxing it!)
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | March 27, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Losses like that are why Kobe won't win the MVP. This isn't to say he doesn't deserve it, but losses like this will convince enough voters to go with CP3 or LeBron, especially this late in the season.
Posted by: PC | March 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM
*____________________________________*
RIDING THE CHAMPIONSHIP WAGON
TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF! BANDWAGON
*___________________________________*
(01) FLAGRANT FOWL - Driver & Owner
(02) MAMBA24 - Director of Wheel checking
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 27, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Bobacats game shows that Lakers needs to have one of their centers back, Lakers got pounded in the paint. the patch up, as you go job, no longer works. Lakers just struggles with no interior defense The have done a good job with the wide open offense but when they are off as evident by last night lost, every comes to a halt.
bobcat game was ugly, so was the Golden State games.
Posted by: alohaland | March 27, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough... [thinks hard] ...the tough get goin'! Who's with me? Let's go!
[runs out, alone; then returns]
What the [bleep] happened to the Laker fans I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? "Ooh, we're afraid to go with you G1, we might get in trouble." Well just kiss my [bleep] from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. The Suns, they're dead men! Spurs, dead! Celtics...
Posted by: generic_one | March 27, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I just hope that the NowLive "Purple, Gold and Blue" broadcast goes off next week without any problems, otherwise the game that night against Portland could be in serious jeopardy.
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | March 27, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Wow. Shaq threw his former teammates and coaches under the bus?!?! I just can't believe it. He's always had so much class and respect for other people. Wow. I just have to sit down for a second. What a shock. Can someone get me a glass of water? I'm feeling dizzy.
Posted by: DrewPauKobe | March 27, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Houston Radio is reporting that Pau Gasol injury might be serious as the Soreness increased after 1 week of the injury, which raises a red flag.
Posted by: Disgruntled, Frustrated Laker Fan | March 27, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Can we all agree now that Shaq was the true cancer on those bickering Lakers teams?
Phil should not give the players days off any more. Just makes them look rusty.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | March 27, 2008 at 11:03 AM
generic_one
I believe that ended with a senseless gesture... we were all kinda hopin' for a championship.... but I'm with ya as always.
Posted by: Vman | March 27, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Shaq has always had his own style I can understand it to a certain extent. I wasnt against it when the Lakers traded him, though. Its nice to see him back in the west, I think he's going to slow down the Suns and they wont be the same team they were last year.
Posted by: DS | March 27, 2008 at 11:07 AM
What a clunker of a game. Looks like the boys were spent from back-to-back small ball games with the Dubs. Just an all around stinker at the worst time at home against a lottery bound team. With PHX going down hard and NO squeeking out a W on the road we drop to 3 instead of 1. Definitely not championship caliber play. The upside is we are still right in the mix with a soft schedule and someday we'll get our bigs back and the style of play will change. Right now its all outside play and if your shooting cools off it's a struggle. I can't wait to see the 21 foot tall front line of Pau, Lamar, Drew. I just hope they all get healthy in time to establish some continuity together. Go Lakers.
Posted by: HawaiiD | March 27, 2008 at 11:07 AM
EASTCOASTJESSIE:Mourning today...I'm with Mamba.."
Good Morning EAST COAST JESSIE. You are always
with me in my heart. LOL.
GENERIC_ONE"Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough... [thinks hard] ...the tough get goin'! Who's with me? Let's go!
BY GOD I'M WITH YOU! CHAARGGGGGGGGGE
Posted by: mamba24 | March 27, 2008 at 11:08 AM
its not a good sign with your teams so-called leader ducks out after a loss , and after being kicked out of the game with 2 Ts. Thats Kobaby exemplified. I would expect more from a leader, you wouldnt see Fisher or Odom pulling that.
Iits only one loss and the lakers have a favorable schedule down the stretch.
There is a very good chance he will get another T before the season is over and hopefully that one game wont cost the lakers home court in the playoffs.
The bigger issue is how the lakers are playing- and they are not playing championship basketball, especially in 1st halves. This team definately is over-confident, as seen by Sasha's chest thumping in a game the lakers are trailing. He thinks he is way better than he really is, and thats going to hurt the lakers.
Getting gasol back will help in some ways but it wont change the lakers mentality, which seems to be they can walk onto the court and beat any team.
Thats where leadership and coaching comes into play. Can Phil get the guys to come out ready to play at tipoff?
Time will tell.
Posted by: Laker Lover | March 27, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Shaq has officially become a joke and a parody of himself.
I love this quote:
""I'm going to use what I call my bridge general manager skills. A lot of general managers try to do it themselves. I build bridges. I'll have teammates. All this is in a perfect world. That's my dream, anyway."
HA! Building bridges Big Fella? Not so much after you've left a team.
It is a dream, 'cause in reality, all you do is blow 'em up or burn 'em down.
I can't wait for Shaq to retire.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 27, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Just like Edwin Geuco mentioned in an earlier thread, there are some unsettleing undertones between PJ - VLAD RAD relationship, which is certainly affecting his Vlade's play.
Why doesn't PJ understand that Vlade has the potentional to be even better than Stojakovic, if he could just be little bit more sensitive to his psyche..
Im not trying to be a therapist, or even overstimate some of our role players, but a mentally/physically healthy Vlade with some positive reenforcement will do wonders for our offense. He has the best pure shot on the team, plus, with his size he can rebound and post up down below. Exactly what the doctor ordered for our triangle offense.
Regardless of his perfomance, PJ, please keep Vlade consistently on the floor for longer stretches, even the closing stretches, while we play these inferior teams without Bynum/Gasol, because the confidence you invest in him now will pay off HUGE come playoff time.
Seacrest, out.
Posted by: Adam | March 27, 2008 at 11:13 AM
"Well, I may look like I'm here to explain something, but I have nothing to explain," the Lakers' coach said. "I can't explain it, so don't ask me any questions. It just looked like we were out of character, tremendously out of character, in more ways than one. Irrational play at times, inconsistent at best, but some just poor judgments, poor decisions."
He then walked off.
The above states how I have felt about the Lakers since they completed their 9 game road trip.
With the exception of beautiful wins against Dallas and Utah on the road, this team has not played focused.
And now (like Phil) I must walk off.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 27, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Damn it, see what you guys did. All this spoiled talk about your team and acting like champs already, see what you did, you guys jinxed your team now we wont be able to meat in the playoffs.
You know what Fridays game is to you guys now, a statement game
can you believe that, against memphis.
Posted by: Fire32 | March 27, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Please no more bad news, it's bad enough that Baby has been out so long, we really need Pau back at least to try and stay on top of the west until Drew and Ariza come back. God, I hope Pau is back sooner rather than later.
Posted by: Elle | March 27, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Elle,
I have a feeling that it is going to be later than sooner.
Posted by: Charles | March 27, 2008 at 11:24 AM
>> I'll guarantee a win for the next game. Its not a statement game. I'm going to be listeining to the radio and I have a feeling VTB or MT will guarantee a win also. Go Lakers!
Posted by: DS | March 27, 2008 at 11:28 AM
generic_one
Man, I got your back and am with you all the way but...........
just when did the Germans invent a plane to fly halfway around the world and bomb Pearl Harbor? {:>)
Posted by: toad | March 27, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Come on Fire32 -- come clean -- a couple of weeks back the Suns would have taken a statement game against the Sisters of Mercy. Don't under estimate he Sixers.
How long before Shaq starts talking junk about your franchise?
Posted by: HmrHed | March 27, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Lakergurl,
Don't front on me ma... You are corny to the bone with movie quotes... Fess up.
lol
Posted by: Charles | March 27, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Charles, please don't say that. I actually feel sick about last nights game, can happyness be linked to Laker wins? I hope Kobe knows better than to get another T any time soon tho I think we should get used to the idea of missing him for at least one game.
And Fire are you here just to see if you can upset Laker fans? I think you should be worried about your team who just happened to get spanked last night, sucks to be a Suns fan right about now,hu?
Anyone wanna place bets on how long it will take Fatty (aka Shaq) to bring the Suns down?
Posted by: Elle | March 27, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Elle:
The wheels are already in motion for the Phuns/Shaqtus meltdown. When they can't get out of the first round, he'll let everyone know it wasn't his fault he got brought in too late to "mold" the rest of the team to his liking.
Posted by: toad | March 27, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Elle,
I'll take you up on that. I say as soon as they get their a$$es bounced out of the first round.
Posted by: bozz | March 27, 2008 at 11:48 AM
ELLE:"I actually feel sick about last nights game, can happyness be linked to Laker wins? I"
ELLE WHAT THE HELL IS THIS A SOAP OPERA? LOL!
Come on Elle you're better than that! The Sun will shine
again tomorrow. The lakers will win the championship,
Kobe will win the MVP and Charles will stop saying
those things. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 27, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Fire32:
Phoenix: I see you have many beautiful championships in the storeroom, each of them filled with little suprises.
Los Lakers: Many championships?
Phoenix: Oh yes, many!
Los Lakers: Would you say I have a plethora of championships?
Phoenix: A what?
Los Lakers: A *plethora*.
Phoenix: Oh yes, you have a plethora.
Los Lakers: Phoenix, what is a plethora?
Phoenix: Why, Los Lakers?
Los Lakers: Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora.
Phoenix: Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Phoenix, do not have your superior intellect and education.
Posted by: generic_one | March 27, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Elle -- I say 22 months.
Posted by: HmrHed | March 27, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Elle,
In my heavy asian immigrant tone "i bet you five monies."
Posted by: Charles | March 27, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Elle
Yeah we got spanked last night by the best team in the league right now, at their house, on the other hand you guys embarrassed yourselves and got spanked by one of the weakest teams in the league, on your own court might I add.
No, I'm not hear just to try to piss you off, you guys should be ticked off already your HOF coach is letting you guys down big time.
Posted by: Fire32 | March 27, 2008 at 11:54 AM
This is smart plan of Phil, he canceled Sunday morning shoot around, Lakers lost to Golden St, Tuesday, he lets players take one day off, Lamar is very pleased, next game, Lakers lost to Charlotte, it will happen over and over again, enjoy guys, this guy got paid 12 mil a year to win one game and loose another game, i'm not surprise any more, remeber he is not Lakers coach, he is member of the Buss family, who is going to fire him ?Nobody.
Posted by: steve | March 27, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Don’t blame Shaq for forgetting anyone who ever supported his fat ass:
"A large belly is a bigger risk than family history in increasing the chances of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's, research suggests." LA Times
Posted by: HmrHed | March 27, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Fire32
Yeah. Right. Frriday night is a statement game for the Lakers. Right.
Like last night was a statement game for your Phuns? Lose to the Celtics by 20 with your savior Shaqtus getting so pi$$y he gets a "T"? The only statement your Phuns are making is that they are championship pretenders, not contenders.
Careful, Fire! We here in the Laker Naiton may have the great pleasure to personally show you Phuns Phans four statement games...........and it'll definitely be great to hear Shaqtus deflect all the reponsibility from himself.
Posted by: toad | March 27, 2008 at 12:15 PM
=== When Will Bloggers See The Light about the "Role MoB" ===
No more Bench Mob,
We should call them the "bench mob" at all when Pau and Bynum are out.
I am going to include Fisher in this mix and call it the "Role Mob".
See, this is a collection of guys who get too full of themselves when they make a few 3ptrs. We end out blowing out the current opponent and then the next 2/3 games struggle because all they do is jack up 3s trying to catch fire.
This isnt a game of NBA Jam yet Farmar, Fisher, Sasha, Luke, & Vlad get on the court and act like the only goal is to shoot 3 after 3 after 3. Quick shot after quick shot.
Hey guys, HOW ABOUT FORCE FEED LAMAR IN THE POST? HOW ABOUT FORCE FEED KOBE IN THE POST?
This Laker team as currently constructed wont win at any high clip because we rely on the Role Mob to come in and provide positive play. Problem is, this is a 50/50 chance. None of them really play D and their each will take about 3 threes if given the opportunity.
Want evidence, OK... well last nite we lost and lookie here, the Role Mob was a combined 6-21 from 3pt land.
GSW we won... Role Mob 11-31 from 3pt. land. Reason why we struggled to win the game? Hmmmm
GSW at home ... Role Mob 5-18 from 3pt. land... loss
I mean, NEED I SAY MORE?!!!
We are losing because we have way too many guys who want to shoot these damn 3ptrs.
I cant wait for Pau and Bynum to come back not only cuz they are great, but because it will limit the playing time of the Role Mob and hopefully get the Lakers away from shooting a ridiculous 20-25 3ptrs a game.
This is crazy and why we are losing...
Now, who wants to disagree with that? You cant. So dont.
Posted by: Korey | March 27, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I just want our players to get healthy....this whole "playing with half a team" thing is getting really tiresome. I'm frankly amazed that the Lake Show is still @ the top of the conference with how beat-up our lineup is. Major props to Kobe and Odom for keeping our heads above water, but damn man, can't we get a break from the injury bug?
Posted by: Luke | March 27, 2008 at 12:23 PM
generic_one
Oh gosh her we go again with the- we have sooooo many championships and you have zero- card
TOMORROW , thats where you need to be focused.
BTW, Charles used something similar to your Phoenix los lakers thing on me awhile back. Sorry, but his (Charles) BETTER is better than your better.
Posted by: Fire32 | March 27, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Charles,
In my best mexican accent (which is not that great even tho i am mexican *hangs head in shame*)
Un dollar, un dollar!
Mamba, I'm just down, I feel bad that our guys are hurt and I fear that at some point someone is going to blame everything on my poor Sasha :( also I'm afraid Kobe will get a T on Friday and that he wont play Sunday which would suck because that's the game I'm going to. Sigh.
Fire I recall a few other games your team would have won had they not had Shaq, face it your team is not what it used to be and I can't wait for a match up between drew and Shaq.
Posted by: Elle | March 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Fire32,
Who was talking about the Suns? I've never seen a team's fans lose the season series 3-1 to another team and lose nearly every other big game against conference opponents and talk more trash.
Worry about yourself when the Suns are featuring 4 guys on the downside of their career in the starting lineup, Shaq decides it's no longer necessary to keep himself in shape or hustle and they're struggling to make the playoffs in the west. It will happen, ask the Lakers and Heat fans who all despise him now.
Lakers are imploding? We're 49-23, playing w/o two of oue 3 best players and we're imploding because we coasted in a game against the Bobcats? Please.
Posted by: Xodus | March 27, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Adam.
With regards to Vlad, I am just speculating. We really don't know if there is really a mini crisis between the two. Perhaps, we can ask AK/BK if they sense anything. They being professionals, nobody will admit if there is really one, and being professionals too, Vlad has to give way to the Coach who has a bigger responsibility for the team, PJ could lose his cool at any given time because of pressures of the game and due to time constraints forgets to address other factors. It is not good to have grievances while competing for Championship, bad rapport is reserve for bad teams occupying the cellar dweller and they are ready part ways by the end of the season. And yet, we see the Clippers or Kings as good example are just happy go lucky compared to the contending teams. We should expect Vlad to show up his best in the succeeding games.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 27, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Since the Grizzlies aren't using Kwame Brown, do you think they'd mind if we borrowed him back for a while? Until Bynum returns?
Posted by: emc | March 27, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I can't wait for a match up between drew and Shaq.
Posted by: Elle
I cant wait either, lets just hope our teams can get out of the first round.
Posted by: Fire32 | March 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM
ELLE:"Mamba, I'm just down, I feel bad that our guys are hurt and I fear that
at some point someone is going to blame everything on my poor Sasha
:( also I'm afraid Kobe will get a T on Friday and that he wont play Sunday which would s
uck because that's the game I'm going to. Sigh."
I know and my lame attempt at humor didn't help. Sorry.
But Elle this I guarantee. The Lakers not only will win
tomorrow, but it will be a win so thorough that it will
send quivers of fear into the heart of all other NBA teams
and once again Mamba & all the Laker nation will
once again rejoice at how lucky they are to Live in a time
that we have not only the Best player on the planet,
Not only the Best team on the planet, Not only the Best
Team Owner and Coach on the Planet but also
such wonderful, caring, loyal fans as ELLE.
Posted by: Mamba24 | March 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Fire32:
What we've got here is... failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach, so you get what we have right here. Obviously, you've missed the fact that the Lakers are going to be pretty darn good the next several seasons, unlike the Suns. So, I ask you, how dost thou liketh yonder apples?
Posted by: generic_one | March 27, 2008 at 12:44 PM