Thoughts on Dallas
It's worth noting that for an NBA team in need of a recalibration of its offensive attack, the Rockets aren't exactly the ideal opponent. As this really cool link (via Forum Blue and Gold) shows, Houston is rock solid defensively, and can present serious problems to even the best of teams. They're a model just about every team in the league- certainly including the Lakers- can emulate, in terms of rotations, help, and precision movement on that side of the floor. Dallas is a decent defensive squad, but they're not the Rockets (especially the version we're seeing now). Hopefully, that means the work they put in Monday in practice pays off in a few hours.
That said, Dallas has won five in a row (against five Eastern Conference teams), and despite myriad of issues on the road are 29-4 at American Airlines Center. Hardly a freebie.
Some thoughts on the game:
- The Lakers got killed Sunday when their guards kept going under picks and Rafer Alston shot over them. Tonight, if faced with the choice of going under and giving up a shot to Jason Kidd or going over and giving Kidd better access to the lane, give Kidd the shot. Of course, better support from the other defender- there were times on Sunday when Farmar/Fisher were picked off, but the screener's man didn't offer any help to disrupt Alston- wouldn't hurt, either.
- With a team featuring Kidd, Josh Howard, Jason Terry and that Dirk guy, it seems silly to make a note about Erick Dampier, but seriously, the Lakers need to stop Erick Dampier. In LA's OT win earlier this month, Dampier went for 16/17, including six offensive boards. That can't happen again.
- LO on Dirk: In that March 2nd game, Nowitzki got hot late, but overall, Odom did a good job on the big German. Missing the services of Pau Gasol, it's even more important for Odom to make Dirk's life more difficult, and it won't be easy. With less support inside, there will be that much more space for the Mavs to operate off penetration and entry passes. That means more need for help D, which can pull everyone, including Odom, off his man.Yikes.
- Generally speaking, the Lakers have been caught too often of late in defensive No Man's Land. Kind of helping, but not really, kinda staying with their guy, but not really. The Lakers are not a bad defensive team. They're not the best, but they're pretty good (it's a big league, people, and it's all relative). The Lakers are hurt right now by a lack of continuity on that end, but given how tightly packed the WC is, they have to figure it out and get back to where they were earlier in the season.
- Does anyone know any bail bondsmen in Dallas, in case AK runs into some trouble with Mark Cuban?
- The Lakers have been thinned out, so the power of the bench is
diluted, but overall they need more. More consistency from Sasha,
Luke, and Farmar in particular.
- The Mavs will likely pack things in on penetration, and challenge the Lakers to shoot. Rather than give in and settle for bombing away, the Lakers will need to move the ball and themselves. Follow the Ronny Turiaf model, and attack the hoop without the ball. Move, move, move. Get active, people!
BK
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So how is Cuban going to keep AK out of the locker room. Is a big B going to be drawn on his head. Kinda like Mark Cuban's version of the Scarlett Letter?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: Xodus | March 18, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Anybody feel better about our chances for this game?
Posted by: Charles | March 18, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Nice assessment, BK. Time to hire you as an official consultant for the Lakers.
Will you let AK know that I'll give him five bucks if knocks Mark Cuban out?
Two bucks for just a black eye or a bloody nose.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 18, 2008 at 03:36 PM
I posted this over at Forum Blue and Gold under the moniker "This Little Pinky":
The current blogging controversy strikes me as very similar to the modeling industry. There are tons of beautiful people (and some not so beautiful) who claim to be models. And some of them are "models", by virtue of having been hired. But that's why they (the public/media) came up with the "supermodel" tag, to differentiate the "real" models from the second tier ones, and ones in name only.
Therefore, I now pronunce "True Hoop", "Forum Blue and Gold" and "The L.A. Times Lakers Blog" as SUPERBLOGS. The rest are just ordinary blogs.
SUPERBLOGS are allowed into any arena, just as supermodels get into any nightclub they wish!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | March 18, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Let's go Lake Show!!!
Posted by: Luke | March 18, 2008 at 03:49 PM
I want to honestly apologize to the blog and the laker organization.
These past two games are the first of the season i have participated in the live blog. So i have come to the conclusion that the reason we have dropped two in a row is entirely my fault.
Today i go back to recording the game and watching it at night for the sake of our team. Hopefully i haven't ruined the season for all of us.
Go Lakers
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | March 18, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Woooohoooo!!!
It's almost GAME TIME!!!
Let's go Lakers, let's go! CLAP CLAP CLAP
A little more D, a little more hustle & we'll be 1-2. Dallas isn't going to be a cake-walk, but it's definitely do-able - as in "The LAKERS do DALLAS" - tomorrow's headlines!
Hopefully Cuban will realize the error of his ways and let AK into the inner sanctum....wait a second - I forgot who I was talking about.....never mind! SOMEONE - get AK/BK a bail bondsman's phone # ASAP or we'll really be feeling guilty tomorrow if anything goes wrong tonight.
GO LAKERS!
The BEAN for MVP or NO PEACE!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 18, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Cuban's a tool - GO LAKERS!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 18, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Go Lakers!!! Make Cuban cry!!!
Posted by: SamII | March 18, 2008 at 03:52 PM
here you are AK:
http://bail.dallasjustice.com/bail-arrested.htm
I won't tell you why I needed a bail bondsman in texas just know I'm not a blogger and it had nothing to do with Mark Cuban or his girlfriend.
Go Lakers and stay out of jail AK...but I won't blame you if you punch Cuban in the face.
Posted by: thedropper | March 18, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Jon K.,
Normally I do not condone violence. But in this case I'll match your reward offers. The pot sweetens!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 18, 2008 at 03:52 PM
If the Warriors can beat the Mavs with the "midgets" they have, the Lakers can surely do the same. They just have to work hard and play smart.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: SamII | March 18, 2008 at 03:55 PM
THE LAKERS HAVE ABSOLUTELY 0% CHANCE OF WINNING THIS GAME. 00000000%
Posted by: KARL MALONE | March 18, 2008 at 03:56 PM
And Charles, yes, I think the Lakers have better chances for this game. But most of that is dependent on my insane optimism about the Lakers (which gets less insane as Gasol, Ariza, and Bynum come back).
The realist in me, however, keeps waiting for the Lakers to "get it" about defense. Even the "easier" teams after the Clippers scored way too many points way too easily. We plan on winning a shoot out. The trouble starts when the other team plays good D. Then it is our bottled offense versus their free offense.
I hope we awaken and play solid and aggressive team d tonight. It may be the case, however, that we just have to wait for our naturally better defenders (Bynum and Ariza) to get back.
GO LAKERS!!! ON TO THE PLAYOFFS!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 18, 2008 at 04:00 PM
One leftover thought from yesterday...
You forgot to pay proper homage to Smush Parker.
0 for 4 in 10 minutes in helping the Clips lose to the mighty
mighty Minnesota Tibmerwolvses
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 18, 2008 at 04:11 PM
From the looks of what I just saw on TV, the Lakers will have more than the Mavericks to contend with tonight. 550 flights canceled out of DFW, due to heavy rains, flooding, and high winds. Guess that makes Mark Cuban all wet!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 18, 2008 at 04:19 PM
good stuff BK,
yea, i think we should go under screens on kidd let him throw up 3s, he may make a few but itll be a good game plan.
either, fish, farmar, or sasha needs to step up, its been a while since one of them has had a really good game, we dont need all three to be brilliant every night but one having a really good game and the other two having mediocre (just not super bad games) would go a long way with us winning.
Mbenga will throw down a facial on someone tonight, i can feel it.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | March 18, 2008 at 04:21 PM
JohnnyP,
You don't stop boi!!!
Posted by: Charles | March 18, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Charles,
Monday was dreadful.... Tuesday is hopeful! Let's get this win!
By the way, I suggest AK should try and get an interview with M. Cuban... you know ...a few questions...like "Tell me Mr. Cuban, how did you manage to get that big head of yours up your a@* so easily?"
I am just saying.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rose | March 18, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Exactly how many rings did Karl Malone get? He tried to get one on the Lakers band wagon. But now he just sits around and heckles the Lakers for not getting his old butt over the line. Sad : (
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 18, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Holy Crap! February was an awesome month of basketball for the Lakers eh?
Tonight:
LO off the dribble, off the dribble, face up in the post, off the dribble.
Kobe use the screens, stop with the crossovers, use the screens, dunk on Dirk
Fish make it rain
Ronny pull Damp away from the hoop, take some unfortunate fan's head off with a swatted shot, pull Damp away from the hoop
Rad get your head out, make it rain
Everybody on the bench 100% effort, tenacity, run 'em ragged, and Jordan make it rain
EVERYBODY GET YOUR MAN ON D AND DON'T LEAVE THE MAN BEHIND YOU HANGIN'
NOW LET"S GO GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pig
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | March 18, 2008 at 04:35 PM
BTW, Karl Malone,
Your wife liked Kobe better!!!!
Sorry, but you should not count the Lakers out on this blog EVER!!!! If you want to say we have 0.0% chance on this blog, don't expect a happy reaction.
GO LAKERS!! Lets KICK SOME!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 18, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Questions, Questions
Why is Rony Turiaf keep on shooting mid range jumpers?
Why is Jordan Farmar keep on shooting 3's than taking it to the hoop?
Why is Derek Fisher on a slump?
Why is Kobe keep on shooting than taking to the hoop for a foul?
Why is Lamar Odom can't score over 20's consistently?
Is Farmar and Vujacic not on a speaking terms? They don't seem to enjoy playing together
Posted by: Botsoy | March 18, 2008 at 04:55 PM
LET'S GO LAKERS clap clap CLAP CLAP CLAP
Posted by: #4 | March 18, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Pig,
Thanks for your response on the other board. NEJay sends his condolences for the injuries.
So, yeah, I was a little facetious when suggesting Nash for MV3. But let's not forget that he still leads the league in assists and courage.
As for tonite, it's gonna be tough. Dalice is getting it going with Jkidd and they have a lethal assortment of shooters. And they will be only too happy to lock down bryant without another scorer to worry about. I expect the mavs will be putting pressure on the perimeter D of the lakers which we all know is awful. Sasha and Farmer are like a green light to shooters.
Good luck lakers, Meanwhile, the SUNS are in Portland to take care of a lil bizness. Go T-MAC and BATTIER!!
Posted by: BUTLER | March 18, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Botsoy,
Excellent questions. I would like to think that they doing it to lull their competitors into a false sense of security. But all us Lakers fans have to worry about the same basic things. If PJ could work through Kobe / Shaq, I'd hope he could settle Farmar / Vujacic.
Why is it all Lakers keep on shooting 3's rather than taking it to the hoop? In B-Ball, you feed the hot man. Conversely, you should note the b-ball meaning of the word "cold."
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 18, 2008 at 05:08 PM
AK
I live 5 minutes from American Airlines Arena while being held captive in Dallas, so not only will I bail you out, I will represent you as well!
And this thunderstorm we're having is pretty epic, It is the mighty wind that is the Los Angeles Lakers getting ready to rain down some justice on Dirk and Co.
GO LAKERS! Let's do this thing...
Posted by: HappyCamper | March 18, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Got to go watch game on KCAL. Will be back after game!
Go Lakers hoping for gut check win!
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 18, 2008 at 05:27 PM
GAME TIME
farmar and sasha for 35!
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | March 18, 2008 at 05:30 PM
No new comments? Okay then,
Happy Camper, would you do us all a favor? Some night when you've drunk enough, would you walk - not drive - over to that American Airlines Arena and urinate on some part of it for us?
Thanks!!!
GO LAKERS FANS EVERYWHERE!!!!!
PS The makers of this post implore you to Pee Responsibly.
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 18, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Okay Game Time,
NOW KOBE PLAY WITHIN THE TEAM CONCEPT AND YOU WILL WIN.
PLEASE REPEAT THAT 5 TIMES BEFORE STEPPING ON THE COURT!
Posted by: Gunner | March 18, 2008 at 05:40 PM
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: Tsiry | March 18, 2008 at 05:43 PM
JohnnyP
Done, and done!
Posted by: HappyCamper | March 18, 2008 at 06:16 PM
if the entire laker players show up with intensity as kobe, we have no problem with the rest of schedules.
kobe can be a pain in the rear off court, but has never carried bad attitude come game time.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: apujac | March 20, 2008 at 08:57 AM