Good work with the opening act
The Lakers weren't necessarily inspired in their 106-78 win over the Clippers Thursday night over the Clippers at Staples, but once they erased an early 11 point deficit, LAL controlled the pace and generally didn't have to work all that hard to dispose of the red, white, and blue. It was a balanced effort offensively for the Lakers, generally the case when Luke Walton leads the squad in scoring (he had 18), who saw six guys hit double figures. While only two were in the second unit, the reserves found a touch of redemption after failing to hold on to a big fourth quarter lead Sunday in Sacramento, forcing the starters to re-enter the game. Thursday, the reserves took a 12 point lead heading into the final quarter and quickly pushed it out of reach, allowing the starters to kick it on the pine. That extra rest could come in handy during Friday night's marquee matchup against the Western Conference leading Hornets (7:30, FSN).
The notebook news centered around Andrew Bynum, who, as you know by now, was not cleared to play after a visit to one of those fancy New York MD's. Dr. David Altcheck said Bynum isn't ready for contact- though it shouldn't be seen as a setback- and the Lakers aren't making any projections on his return.
Trevor Ariza feels better, and will be getting some diagnostic work done today.
Tonight's game is seen by many as perhaps the last big match in the MVP battle between CP3 and 24. If Allen Iverson had a vote, he'd take Paul. Those PGs stick together. Iverson, though, is on the wrong side of Vegas. That's just not where you want to be!
The Warriors couldn't beat Denver at home, and now are likely out of the playoffs. Not surprisingly, Don Nelson would love to see some adjustments made in the playoff setup.
OJ Mayo is turning pro. Big shock there.
What a shock! Bynum is not ready for the playoffs...Of course the Lakers give you hope, raise playoff ticket prices, sellout all tickets, and then announce "False Alarm!".
I don't know about you, but it's tiring for me hearing he's coming back and then not coming back every week.
Amazingly, they said there was no chance of Ariza coming back at all and now he may be back before Bynum!
Does this medical staff know anything about what they are doing?
It seems like they are wrong about everything.
Posted by: zen | April 11, 2008 at 11:23 AM
LTLF
I know you are all about stats. Please tell me this. I am in the boat that says I don't want to see Phoenix in the 1st round at all cost if we don't have Bynum. To avoid Phoenix do I root for Houston or Phoenix tonight?? Thx!
BD
Posted by: BD | April 11, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Thank you Mamba24 for considering us as your elders that came all the way. If I may add some few names who went before us but not had been recognized on your honorees, it would be Jon K, VMan, Troy and Korey. I have seen their names during the inception of this blog, they patronized even during the dark days when this team has no iota of chance at all, they cheered up tor the last hurrah but sometimes they are accused of being disloyal for speaking off their minds. They went through with all kinds of bloggers still stick with their strong opinions, they too are worthy of respect and honor.
I would again summon another set of '06 bloggers who are no longer posting to come home and report to Mamba24.
1. Hariyahu
2. AZ
3. Nyla
4. KB8wonder
5. Michael H.
6. Michael A.
7. Kev
8. Lamar Show
9. Neal
10. Gdchild
11 Albert
12. Kevin Mck
13. Laker Larry
14. Dan the Man
15. lakofan
16. purplengold
17 jimbo
18 sean
19 emman
20 Mike T.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Lakers Legacy,
You guys coolin at the crib for the game?
Posted by: Charles | April 11, 2008 at 11:32 AM
So you wan't Kobe to win MVP!!?
I know I do.
But I will say that he won't win it unless he wins tonight.
I still believe the Lakers need to be #1 in the west in order for Kobe to be MVP.
If not, the media has their excuse and the media is looking for excuses for not making Kobe MVP
It's been wonderful seeing Kobe not complaining to the refs!!!!
I wish he did that all the time! He would get better treatment all around.
Posted by: zen | April 11, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I see post all the time stating they are off to another slow start tonight. This isn't rocket science guys when you don't start your best players this will happen and will continue to happen every game. 2 players who should not be starting is Rad and Fish. We all know we are better when Sasha is at the 2 Farmar at the 1 and 24 at the 3 spot. Till Phil gets tired of always being down by 10 or more at the start of the game, we the fans have to get used to it. We all know about the stories on why he gave Kwame so much time, this again is most likely an EGO thing , he likes to come back from 10 to 14 down to prove something.
Fact not a Prediction--Lakers will be down 10 or more in the 1st quarter. It's a lock!!!
Go Lakers and Kobe put on a MVP show tonight!!
BD
Posted by: BD | April 11, 2008 at 11:40 AM
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!
GO LAKE SHOW!!
LIGHTS OUT!!!
Posted by: keifo | April 11, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Charles, I will be.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 11, 2008 at 11:42 AM
BD: it's all about the positive today. If AK/BK hear anything negative, they are not going to spoil our feel good day. And all the Trolls should do the same.
Zen - don't you get it.......of course this is what the LAL brass does: they suck you in and make you pay. It's all about the benjamins and the need to somehow pay for that pending luxury tax bill.
LET's GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Zen,
I have to give you credit, the day the injury happened and shortly afterwards you stated several times that mgt is good at stringing the fans along , that they have done this in the past due to ticket sales You stated at that time that you wouldn't be surprised if he was done for the year but mgt would never let us know that.
Great call Zen. You nailed it.
BD
Posted by: BD | April 11, 2008 at 11:46 AM
PsychedLakerGirl
sorry, my bad, not ESPN, poetic license.
Here's to an ESPN Kobe MVP highlight package from hell.
GO Lakers!
Posted by: Vman | April 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
BD,
"pay Phil 10 billion"
BD, maybe that was a typo but if you meant it, well PJ is willing to clean your house, car and everything with that amount of money. Actually, his contract this year is $12M excluding the fringe of having Jeannie and free parking. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 11, 2008 at 11:50 AM
This is not being professional and accountable to Laker organization and Laker Fans on Kobe's part:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIWeEFV59d4
What if he sprains his ankle or worst yet break something in his body, all the hard work goes to hell..
Besides whats up with this homey body language from Kobe who supposedly grew up in Italy..
Lastly, Kobe may be the best player but I always doubted his lack of intelligence on his part..and thus will never win MVP..this is not an MVP type move on his part!!
Not thrilled by his act of jumping over the car..its like Radmonovich going snow boarding and getting hurt..
What a nut!!
The Ladies Man
Posted by: The Ladies Man | April 11, 2008 at 11:51 AM
KEIFO SAID:"LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!"
KEIFOOO! WHAT'S THE PREDICTION?
Posted by: MAMBA24 | April 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Edwin,
Don't forget me!
Posted by: Xodus | April 11, 2008 at 12:02 PM
LADIES MAN, WHAT A NUT.
Posted by: MAMBA24 | April 11, 2008 at 12:03 PM
PLG,
The Andrew news just really got me down. I am done being negative. Go Lakers!!!
BD
Posted by: BD | April 11, 2008 at 12:06 PM
The Ladies Man,
I don't think he actually jumps over it. I think he's jumping to the side, but it looks like it's right over the top of it. I find it very hard to believe that Kobe would risk getting hit by a car to promote his new shoes. My guess is that he jumps a couple of feet to the side of the car or it's just a green screen or something.
Posted by: gokobego | April 11, 2008 at 12:10 PM
BD - now you're talking. I like it.
Anyone else feeling down or bummed? Let it go for today - we need all the positives we can get!
Trolls be gone!
LET's GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 11, 2008 at 12:14 PM
LTLF,
"As one of the early adopters of the 55 win bandwagon, I'd
like to take this moment to say...
ahem hem...
54 down.
1 to go."
Ahem...weren't you on the 55win banwagon for the past three seasons?
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 11, 2008 at 12:43 PM
LAKERTRUTH:"Ahem...weren't you on the 55win banwagon for the past
three seasons?"
LOL!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | April 11, 2008 at 12:50 PM
The Flood has been completely absent today. Thank goodness. I think that when we win tonight and Sunday, they Flood will be destroyed, at least until playoff time. The Flood always comes back, until the banner is hung for the year, in which case they are annihilated.
I have the feeling the strategy tonight will be to let CP3 get off for a ton of points, but keep the Hornets bigs off the boards and Peja inside the line. The Hornets really don't have a bench, save Bonzi Wells, so really keeping the starters under wraps is the key. Tough to do, but we showed the recipe in the second matchup this year.
Lakers by 8.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 11, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Nobody has noticed some of the barbs Phil is sending out in regards to the Medical Staff?? The comment a couple of weeks ago about Vitti trying to get players ready and then yesterday stating our Crack Medical Staff. There is a hint there that this might be getting under his skin a little bit. My question is how could it not.
I am almost afraid to hear the report today. Is it really to much to ask for a positive medical report for a change?
BD
Posted by: BD | April 11, 2008 at 11:18 AM
BD,
Great post mate. PJ also appeared miffed when asked if they should shut Andrew down for the season to which he replied not a chance. I interpret that to mean that he expects Andrew back soon. PJ also clarified that it was Andrew's people that advised him to see a Specialist on Wednesday while PJ and the staff wanted Andrew to wait until this coming Tuesday after the swelling goes down to see the Specialist, but PJ said that Andrew's people wanted to get it checked early which is probably why Andrew wasn't cleared to practice. I expect Andrew to be back before the first round begins which will be a big boost for our team to start the playoffs.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
In case anybody wanted to be sad again today:
Trevor still not healed.
http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2008/04/11/ariza-still-healing/
Must've been a really bad break, or this dude isn't taking a calcium supplement like he should. I broke my right wrist with a 75lb dumbbell last Sep as was out of the hard cast in 6 weeks and back to working out full strength by Dec. 12 weeks total recovery time. How far along is Trev? He's at 12 weeks and 5 days. Most likely the guy's just a slow healer. It's unfortunate that the timing stinks.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 11, 2008 at 01:09 PM
PJ states that there's absolutely no chance of shutting Andrew down for the rest of the year. I think PJ and the staff firmly believe that Andrew will be back soon, maybe right before the playoffs begin. PJ said that Andrew will play if he can contribute. He sounded very optimistic and confident that Andrew will play and contribute. It sounds as if they're willing to let Andrew sit out the last three games, get clearance and be ready for the first round of the playoffs. PJ sounded disappointed and upset that Andrew's people(that's what PJ called them)pushed for Andrew to be seen by a Specialist instead of allowing the swelling in the knee to subside and then be seen by the Specialist. The result was Andrew not being cleared for practice. I expect Andrew to be back for the start of the first round to give the team a huge lift and fear in the rest of the West.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | April 11, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Pig: shame, shame - only good news today.
Positive thoughts only..... go, fight win!
And this isn't really official - its a blog post from an unrealiable source. I will hold out until I see something official. But AK/BK know not to dampen our spirits today either.
LET's GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 11, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Okay... feel good about this one...
LAKERS WIN BY 12!!
GO LAKE SHOW!!
LIGHTS OUT!!
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!
Keep the faith!!
Posted by: keifo | April 11, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Mamba24 you are too kind. It is always a pleasure. Besides, my wifes eyes glaze over as soon as I start talking LAKERS. I need to vent sometimnes. She got to meet Luke Walton and all she wanted was to see the tattoo on his upper arm of his family.
Even though last night was a serious blow out, there were way to many defensive breakdowns in the first half. If we expect to go out and play like that against CP3 and co, we may not fair as well. I do get a little tired of our guys coming out slow in the opening quarter and hoping to close the deal in the 2nd half of the 3rd Q. It won't always work.
Until summer vacation starts, our guys need to play defense starting at the morning shootaround and stop when PJ gives his end of the game press confrence and not a minute soonner.
T-Woody
Posted by: T-Woody | April 11, 2008 at 01:43 PM
OK, now I have to give props to my daughter Ashley who watches all the games with me up until bedtime, gladly. As many of you know Ashley is the head of the 6
year olds for Kobe, Luke and Lamar Foundation.
T-Woody
Posted by: T-Woody | April 11, 2008 at 02:38 PM
AK/BK,
Here is my question, do we have to submit 12 names of players that Lakers have to play during the playoffs or we can pick up anytime from the pool of 15?
I asked that question because Bynum/Ariza are still in the injured list but could join later. Mbenga/Newble can contribute on D for short minutes so a pool of 15 will be a great advantage for the Lakers.
If there is anything that Lakers lost in the deal with Pau was the opportunity of seeing Critt and Marc in the future. At the end of the day, I will still take Pau from the gamble. If Pau did not join the Lakers, maybe we're out of the playoffs. Next season, we have two promising PG's Coby Karl and Sun Yue. I hope PJ will give them a break. Look at Al Thornton of the Clips, if he were with the Lakers, he will just play sparingly. In the last few games of the Clips, he has been the regular go-to-guy.
Next year, watch the Grizzlies and Blazers, they have been growing by leaps and bounds with these best draft picks, a good strategist Coach will make them a real threat like the Hornets who were not even a playoff contender last year. Lakers will also be there but we need a lot of tweaking to improve our D, we are too soft in the perimeter and also in the post.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 11, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Edwin,
For AB/BK
I believe this was answered before when someone posted the Rules. The team can carry 15 players but activate any twelve prior to a game. Cannot change until prior to next game. So basically you can add and subtract player(s) prior to any playoff game.
They submit gametime roster and can't change until next prior to game roster.
Hope tjhat helps answer your question.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 11, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Nobody has noticed some of the barbs Phil is sending out in regards to the Medical Staff?? The comment a couple of weeks ago about Vitti trying to get players ready and then yesterday stating our Crack Medical Staff. There is a hint there that this might be getting under his skin a little bit. My question is how could it not.
I am almost afraid to hear the report today. Is it really to much to ask for a positive medical report for a change?
BD
Posted by: BD | April 11, 2008 at 11:18 AM
BD
This is a case of is it or isn't it.
Is he criticising medical staff to deflect criticism off him in regards to substitutions and bench use or non bench use? Overall poor coaching deflection off him?
Or is it legitimate frustration on medical staff?
I think a bit of both ,but more likely, more of is it deflection.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 11, 2008 at 02:45 PM
*___________________________________*
KOBE BRYANT DOES NOT
WIN THE MVP BECAUSE WHEN HAS THE LAST
MVP, WON THE CHAMPIONSHP THE SAME YEAR?
*___________________________________*
IT'S A CURSE. FOOLS GOLD.
LAST 4 YEARS.
2006-07 - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
2005-06 - Steve Nash, Phoenix
2004-05 - Steve Nash, Phoenix
2003-04 - Kevin Garnett, Minnesota
NO KOBE. NO MVP. WASTE OF TIME LIKE THESE BANDWAGON SHOUT OUTS!
Posted by: Gunner | April 11, 2008 at 03:07 PM