Ommmmm....
After a few days of discord- losses to the Bobcats and Grizzlies, injury to D-Fish, lingering pain for Pau, an upper respiratory bug for L.O.- it's no surprise to see the Lakers drop a couple spots in the Power Rankings of ESPN.com. All the P.W.'s actually. Just one of the many things on which the Lakers likely meditated before Sunday's game in an effort to regain lost center. The Lakers got the win (whew!) and also a day off Monday to rest, their first day without a game or practice in over two weeks. They'll be back at it today, looking an uncertain April in the face before the playoffs begin. (By the way, can anyone else believe that it's April already? This season has flown by...) In other Lakers news, and it's a tumbleweeds day for sure, Gasol is still likely a longshot to play tomorrow against Portland, but they'll know more after today's practice. Ira Newble has been signed for the rest of the season, and Coby Karl could see the D-League again.
As for Wednesday's game, the Lakers will see a struggling Blazers squad without Brandon Roy, one that Nate McMillan is trying to keep focused through the rest of the year. They're not a great road team, or even a good one, but by now the Lakers should know that doesn't necessarily matter.
Ric Bucher breaks down his personal MVP race, and it's still Kobe by a nose. As for Coach of the Year, there's some chatter on that bit of hardware, too, and at least in this particular article, not a whisper for PJ.
So it turns out Mark Cuban doesn't think all bloggers are the same, and deserve the same access. Big shock there.
BIG GAMES AROUND THE W.C.:
Down 22 at one point, Phoenix came back to beat Denver by 15. The Suns outscored the Nuggets 81-47 in the second half. Seriously.
The Mavs barely held on to beat a decimated (even by Clippers standards) Clippers squad.
Utah rebounded from a bad loss to the Wolves Sunday night to crush Washington in Salt Lake.
The only thing that REVIVED ShaqFatty is being traded to a winning team! I doubt it had anything to do with the Sun's training staff. Hmmm. I saw Grant (Hill) sitting on the pine last night, quite familiar territory for him...
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | April 01, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Long Time Laker Fan,
Go Denver! (For tonight.)
Always...
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 01, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Cant remember who said it before, but maybe the laker players are pansies, other than Kobe ofcourse. You guys might be blaming your med staff for something thats out of their control.
-Fire32-
Yea..well..someone didn't need to say it for you to think it...and good thing someone did say it or else you wouldn't have anything to parrot. Good job!
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 01, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Shaq has officially achieved "Bum" status at this point in his career. And the Lakers are certainly not soft, but undermanned due to injuries. We'll see how soft the Lakers are with the return of their best wing defender and rim defender back in the lineup and healthy for a deep playoff run.
Snort
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 01, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Laker Legacy,
Thanks for the roster rules post.
Any more in depth rulings as far as roster changes per game in the playoffs? (Why is it still just 12 active?)
For example: If the 3 on the inactive list are Mbenga, Karl and Ariza. Newble goes down (as if he was playing), & the Coaches want to activate Karl and put Newble of IL list. What are the parameters?
Posted by: Charles | April 01, 2008 at 01:31 PM
The playoff active roster was changed over a year ago when they also changed the playoff seeding.
http://www.nba.com/news/rulechanges_060802.html
ncrease in Playoff Roster Size:
Playoff roster size will be expanded from 13 to 15 players, with each team designating 12 active players and up to three inactive players prior to each game.
Have a good one all!
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 01, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Charles
The answer lies with Lakers Legacy's post.
The player can be put on non actve and another called up prior to next game if injury was during game. If injury was in practice list can be submitted before game with injured player substituted out.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | April 01, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Shaq has officially achieved "Bum" status at this point in his career. And the Lakers are certainly not soft, but undermanned due to injuries. We'll see how soft the Lakers are with the return of their best wing defender and rim defender back in the lineup and healthy for a deep playoff run.
Snort
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 01, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Best wing defender...
Kobe's not out, is he?
Posted by: Benjamin | April 02, 2008 at 03:53 AM