Back to work
The Lakers were back on the floor in El Segundo Friday afternoon after taking two days off to rest and recoup after an end to the regular season that was played, by necessity, at playoff intensity. Phil Jackson had his scout team getting up and down the floor to try and simulate the Sonic the Hedgehog pace of the Nuggets- make no mistake, Denver plans on trying to pile up enough points to short circuit the Staples jumbotron- but there isn't really anything a team can do to simulate Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. Jordan Farmar did his best to imitate the former on Friday, and Vlad Radmanovic prepared to guard the latter. However you frame the debate, defense is going to be a question mark for the Lakers heading into the playoffs, whether it's Denver or (knock on wood) whatever teams they see down the road. Of course, consistent effort on that end has hurt the Nuggets as well. For that matter, a lack of consistency in just about anything has hurt the Nuggets this year.
Beyond AI and Melo, many observers call JR Smith the X Factor for Denver. For the Lakers, it's likely Lamar Odom, who has blown up since the arrival of Pau Gasol, and is playing the best basketball of his tenure in LA, perhaps in his career.
Are we the only ones sensing a little sarcasm in this prediction of "Nuggets in six?" Maybe, but with Anthony, Iverson, and 50 wins under their belt, it's hard to discount the Nuggets completely. Even with the massive star power Denver has, dudes like Anthony Carter could play a key role in the outcome.
Michael Ventre of MSNBC thinks Kobe has done all the work he can do on the court. It's the stuff that comes off it where he falls short.
LAT Lakers beat writer Mike Bresnahan answers questions about Andrew Bynum: His view? Don't look for Drew until the WCF (knock on wood)... at the earliest. For Denver, Nene is likely out, at least for Game 1, with a groin strain.
An WC advance scout takes a look at LA vs. Denver.
You do not want to play this guy in a game of HORSE.
UPDATE: Here's some video from Thursday that we shot. Hopefully we'll get the process of posting to the blog (as opposed to just the larger site) ironed out ASAP. Just a couple technical and procedural hurdles to jump, but at least it's up there somewhere.
Good Morning Charles, Good Morning All
Hangovers SUCK!! but its ALWAYS a good thing to wake up to playoff Baskerball !!! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE ON THE BLOG AWARDS...... If you havent placed a vote for the KBros blog.. PLEASE take a few mins and do so, if you have already, PLEASE take a few mins to do so again lol Ok my PSA is over, I now return you to Cavs/Wiz - Suns/Spurs Enjoy... Gets some rest today Charles my Brova, we'll need the energy tommorrow heh
http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/2008/04/nba-blogger-season-awards-2008.html
Posted by: complex brotha | April 19, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Well if anything it will be entertaining!!
*off topic*
While sitting back watching this Cle/Was game...im sure everybody seen the scuffle between Lebron and (whoever that was)..ok now check this out..Illgalskus (sp?) runs in..then Antwaan..but Lebron gets a tech..along with 2 Wizards????? Then when antwaan asked why he got a tech and not Illgalskus (sp?) I couldn't believe that lame-azz excuse given by the ref. He said "well..you ran into the pile helped instigate the fight"..uhh that's exactly what Illgalskus did. Geezz man..cmon ref!
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 19, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Kobe Bryant: "Look into my Eyes"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h0Q-LMKBsvA&feature=related
Kobe Bryant: "Who you were Born to be"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CZbhF9LcGLE&feature=related
I posted these yesterday, but don't know if anyone saw them. They're great clips.
Posted by: Xodus | April 19, 2008 at 11:32 AM
OK – here are all the entrants – including last minute. 23 in all. The polls are closed. Suns/Spurs starts soon.
Last minute formula tinkering. 2 points for the correct team. 4 points (not 5) for the correct number of games (since the choices are 4, 5, 6, or 7) – subtracted by one point for each game you are off. Of course, you have to guess the winning team to get points on the game differential.
Good Luck All. Funny, no one picked Denver -- hahaha
j.d. Hastings:
LAL over DEN (6)
DAL over NOH (7)
PHX over SAS (7)
UTAH over HOU (5)
***
Pimp:
Lakers over Nuggets 4-1
Mavericks over Hornets 4-3
Suns over Spurs 4-3
Jazz over Rockets 4-2
***
Xodus:
Lakers over Nuggets in 5
Jazz over Rockets in 5
Mavericks over Hornets in 6
Suns over Spurs in 6
***
Mamba24:
Lakers over Nuggets in 4
Rockets over Jazz in 7
Mavericks over Hornets in 6
Spurs over Suns in 6
***
d:
Lakers in 4
Mavs in 7
Spurs in 7
Jazz in 6
***
HmrHed:
LA over Denv in 6
Rockets over Jazz in 7
Spurs over Phx in 7
NO over Dallas in 7
***
Jon K:
Lakers over Nuggets in 5
Jazz over Rockets in 6
Mavericks over Hornets in 7
Suns over Spurs in 7
***
Juno:
LAKERS VS. DENVER
LAKERS in 5
HORNETS VS. MAVS
MAVS IN 6
UTAH VS ROCKETS
UTAH IN 5
SPURS VS SUNS
SUNS IN 7
***
bozz:
LA in 5
NO in 6
Utah in 5
Suns (ugh) in 7
***
Greek Dude:
LAKERS VS. DENVER
LAKERS in 5
HORNETS VS. MAVS
MAVS IN 7
UTAH VS ROCKETS
UTAH IN 6
SPURS VS SUNS
SUNS IN 7
***
Markythearky:
Lakers sweep Denver anyway. 4-0
Suns over Spurs in 7
Utah over Houston in 7
NO over Dallas in 6
***
LakerTom:
LAKERS VS. DENVER
LAKERS in 4
HORNETS VS. MAVS
MAVS IN 6
UTAH VS ROCKETS
UTAH IN 7
SPURS VS SUNS
SUNS IN 7
***
FatSam:
Lakers over Nuggets in six.
Mavs over Hornets in six.
Suns over Spurs in six.
Utah over Houston in 7.
***
justanothermambafan:
Lakers vs Denver
Lakers in 5
Hornets vs Mavs
Hornets in 7
Utah vs Rockets
Rockets in 6
Spurs vs Suns
Spurs in 6
***
complex brotha:
LAKERS VS. DENVER -LAKERS in 5
HORNETS VS. MAVS- MAVS IN 6
UTAH VS ROCKETS- JAZZ IN 6
SPURS VS SUNS- SUNS IN 7
***
jf:
Lakers in 7
Dallas in 6
Phoenix in 6
Utah in 5
***
The Outlaw:
Lakers over Nuggets (4-1)
Jazz over Houston (4-2)
Spurs over Suns (4-3)
Dallas over NO (4-3)
***
gugy:
Lakers in 5
Spurs in 6
Dallas in 5
Utah in 6
***
Happy Gilmore:
LAL v DEN, LAL in 5
HOU v UTA, UTA in 6
NOH v DAL, NOH in 7
SAS v PHX, PHX in 6
***
MiloRambaldi
Lakers over Nuggets in 6.
Hornets over Mavs in 6.
Jazz over Rockets in 7.
Suns over Spurs in (gulp).....4.
***
Jay Jay:
LAKERS over Nuggets in 5
JAZZ over Rockets in 6
HORNETS over Mavs in 7
SUNS over Spurs in 6
***
Benjamin:
Lakers over Nuggets (5)
Spurs over Suns (6)
Jazz over Rockets (7)
Hornets over Mavericks (5)
***
rdlee:
Lakers over Denver in 5
Spurs over Suns in 7
Mavs over Hornets in 6
Utah over Rockets in 6
Posted by: HmrHed | April 19, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Mike Bresnahan also seems to imply that Andrew Bynum can take his time because of the bracket that the Lakers are in and who the Lakers are matched up against. Lakers are banking that Pau can handle Marcus Camby and whoever the winner of Utah/Houston(no Yao and Okur in Utah).
Which ever team gets more stops will win the series. I think the Lakers will get more stops than the Nuggets. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 19, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I played that dude in game of HORSE once and he beat me HORSE to H --- I got the H on him by shooting a free throw.
Posted by: HmrHed | April 19, 2008 at 11:42 AM
OK, this HAS to be the speech PJ gives to the Lakers and us bloggers about not looking ahead and past the Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Lhw4M-GTg
Like I said before.
After watching it, I stood up, clapped my hands, ran out the door and down the street.
Let's Go Lakers! Stay focused!
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 19, 2008 at 11:44 AM
AK/BK,
I am amazed by your activity in updating us about the happenstance in the Lakarville, faster than ESPN or FSN. What we posted an hour ago becomes history by the super charge. I am also amazed of LakerTom's analysis, he's makes Mark Heisler pale in comparison who could not decide what to write. Is it possible if you put up less threads in a day by combining the four threads into two, people could converse more effectively as we comment on each other's post and the trails of thoughts are not broken. However, if there is a breaking news like Bynum will play or Mike T will post go ahead introduce another thread at any minute of the day. haha I doubt.
Laker need to dominate the first two games in LA to utilize the home court advantage. I also hope Mihm and MBenga could contribute even for 7 minutes each in case Pau and Turiaf gets into foul trouble. Unleash the space cadet and the machine to counteract the production of Kleisa and J. R. Smith. It is not only AI who is foxy in this team, also Anthony Carter, he can also inflict damage with his 3 pt shooting. I noticed in some activities in the post, Ronnie Turiaf is reluctant to dunk those under the hoop, it leads to 3 secs. He should go for it or mix it up. sometimes he passes it to Pau because it is too near, it's a T/O. Just dunk it and then do the Turiaf's dance. haha!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 19, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Hello you beggars my name is Mr.Nugget and I now command you to bow down to my greatness. Melo and Mr,Iverson wll send a spear through your hearts.So I command every low creature in this blog to lay down your arms. We come to pillage and rob and take your women folk.Bow down to your new LORD AND MASTER, the DENVER NUGGETTS.You no good laker vermin.
Posted by: Mr. Nugget | April 19, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I sure hope Phil does not keep Vlad on Carmelo for more than the 1st possession of defense. Holy crap. Carmelo will proceed to use, abuse, punish and pummel Vlad. That match-up is downright disturbing.
Posted by: PurpleHeart | April 19, 2008 at 12:27 PM
The fact that Phil is using a Christopher Guest movie for his game-tape splicing just made my day. I will be posting memorable quotes from "Best In Show" as I remember them, and if anyone hasn't seen the movie, go rent it immediately and prepare to laugh yourself silly. Then rent "Waiting For Guffman" cuz that's really the best of the bunch.
Today's quote:
"Don't look at the fat ass losers or freaks, look at me!."
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 19, 2008 at 12:44 PM
I dont often agree with what Barkley says but the Wizards are really dumb.I will enjoy Lebron crushing that team game by game....
Mr Nugget....Your team has a combined IQ of a bucket of KFC..Who in there right mind gets caught for DUI a week before the playoffs.?..Isnt it an important enough time of the year to just lay low and prepare for the playoffs..BTW...Look out for the troll hunters on this blog...THEY KNOW HOW TO HUNT....................................
Posted by: Thirty2 | April 19, 2008 at 12:58 PM
JWWeatherman~
Here's one for you:
"He went for her like she's made outta ham."
Damn right, we need to go after those Nuggets like they're made outta ham! Or chicken. haha
Posted by: Happy Camper | April 19, 2008 at 12:59 PM
BLOG CRUE
Don't you like how all these trolls come in here start yakking? Welcome trolls from the Rockies.
COLORADO LOVES THE LAKERS!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | April 19, 2008 at 03:35 PM
I sent this email to the Daily News yesterday which is maybe where the L.O. story came from today. :)
"Hi, Steven
Hope you're having a good day. Enjoyed your column on Kobe, the MVP "race", and the Lakers on Wednesday. Good points. One thing though is why is it everyone mostly forgets to mention the contributions of Lamar Odom to the Lakers' success? He's playing great and without him this level of success would be impossible. He contributes enormously. Here's a column at FoxSports.com
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8048146/Lakers'-postseason-hopes-rest-with-L.O.
When the Lakers were playing New Orleans a week ago and the lead shrunk to 1 point, and then they built it back to 15, as soon as Phil pulled L.O. for a few minutes it went right back down to 5 points. Something to think about. Hope people will remember to give him his due. He's had a tough time with the loss of his son. But he's come out strong.
Have a great weekend.
Best,
Bruce in Santa Barbara
Posted by: Bruce | April 19, 2008 at 04:08 PM
@ Mr. Nugget
I'm surprised you can type after that white water ride this morning. Sorry, but I had to flush, you know, cause of the smell.
Posted by: Pustoolio | April 19, 2008 at 04:44 PM