LO summed it all up in pretty neat fashion
"We got our (butts) whipped tonight."
I paraphrased Lamar Odom's quote to make it a little more PG-13, but I think that version of his capsule review for the Lakers' 112-103 loss to the Trailblazers works just as well. Yet another "L" in the growing pile of defeats going down in the Northwest neck of the woods. After the game, Phil Jackson joked again about negative effects the area's rain causes his squad ("They were raining pretty good out there, I'll tell you that"). Soaked weather may or may not be the true culprit, but it's nonetheless clear that drops of water falling from the sky doesn't bring out the best this purple and gold crew has to offer. The Lakers got behind the eight ball during the first quarter, allowing Portland to shoot a... wait for it... blazing 57%, setting a tone for a night where Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Channing Frye (subbing for an injured Joel Przybilla) scored 20+ each. The second quarter ended with a ten point spread that could have been even bigger. The Lakers came to life some down the stretch, making a game of it during sections of the third and especially the fourth quarters. But by the time any box score became official, the Lakers were looking at the bum end of a decision.
The breakdown is below.
The Good
The fourth quarter (relatively speaking): I wouldn't go so far as to suggest each Laker player order copies of that frame's stat sheet and pin it to their respective fridges. Mistakes were made down the stretch, opportunities missed and momentum went unsustained in more than fitful periods. But this quarter did feature the lowest Blazer FG clip (44%). It was also the only quarter where the Lakers won a board battle (12-5) and the good guys outscored the hosts. A little more from the outset of what we saw down the stretch and the Lakers might have taken this one.
Kobe Bryant's second half: 24's opening twenty-four minutes of 4-12 shooting, one board and no dimes didn't do much for me. But after some halftime Gatorade and orange slices, The Mamba played a little more like what we've come to expect from him. 23 points on 7-14 shooting. 10 trips to the line (reminiscent of more time spent attacking the rim). Five assists. Four rebounds. And a nice job getting between an angry Vlad Rad and the official drawing his ire after the former was called for a foul. Bryant's calm handling of the situation may have left Radmanovic's wallet a little heavier.
Pau Gasol and Vlad Rad's offense: Note, I emphasized "offense," because both were as guilty as anyone on the roster when it came to not locking down their opponent. But points are an essential part of any winning formula and the pair combined for 38. Vlad went 5-9 from downtown, including a couple biggies to make the last quarter interesting. Gasol also deserves props for his 13 boards.
The Bad
Pick a stat, just about any stat: Seriously, just go down the line if you're looking for an explanation for this loss. Portland's FG%: 51. Lakers: 44. Portland's 3P%: 46 (10-22). Lakers: 37. Portland's percentage at the stripe: 83. Lakers: 79. Portland rebounds: 40. Lakers: 37. Blazer dimes: 25. Lakers:21. The steals also came out 6-4 in favor of the home squad. Save two fewer turnovers than the baker's dozen coughed up by Portland, the Lakers pretty much fell short in every major offering. Difficult to win when that happens.
Derek Fisher: 1-4 from the field for just 3 points, a tally that actually tripled his combined assists and rebounds while equaling his foul total. Yikes. His play on the other side of the ball didn't do much to make up for it, either. Fish got subbed out in favor of Farmar with about five minutes left in the third and never reentered the contest. Farmar had his own issues (2-8 shooting and a few bad decisions), but at least racked a "6" in the assist and rebound slots. It may have not have been the Bruin's best outing, but bottom line, he outplayed his starter by a pretty sizable margin.
Lamar Odom: The knock on LO has always been his aggressiveness, a charge that's gone mostly silent over the last few months, especially as Odom's done terrific work stepping up while Pau Gasol went down. Tonight wasn't one of those nights. He's had past games with only eight field goal attempts where I may have wished he hoisted a few more, but I didn't necessarily feel like he wasn't part of the action. Seeing Odom only grab five boards, however, clinches the notion for me.
Energy: Phil Jackson and Odom cited their disappointment in the purple and gold pulse on display throughout the evening. I'm not about to debate them. "We didn't come out and play hard," lamented PJ. "We gave up easy baskets in situations where we didn't have to."
Put it this way. I wish the Lakers showed as much scrap over 48 minutes as they did during the 48 seconds or so when everyone got chesty after Odom's flagrant on Roy.
AK
Download lamar_odom_blazer_postgame.mp3 (Lamar Odom)
Download pau_gasol_blazer_postgame.mp3 (Pau Gasol)
Download phil_jackson_blazer_postgame.mp3 (Phil Jackson)
Long Time Laker Fan,
If you want to continue to slurp Farmar just because he outplayed Fish, that's up to you. Farmar's one of my favorite guys on the team. I love his talent and confidence. But that doesn't change the fact that on the whole he didn't play well last night. It's not about the threes that he missed, it's that no one on the team seems more reluctant to give the ball up than Farmar(except maybe Sasha, but he's our designated shooter anyway). Korey already mentioned two key times when we could have taken a bit more momentum that were screwed up by Farmar's insistence that he shoot every time he touches the ball.
Obviously, Jordan isn't the only reason we lost this game, but it didn't help. We need him to play smarter in the playoffs. And this is continuing a disturbing trend that we've seen since the time Farmar stole the loose ball away from Sasha and went for the uncontested score himself. I laughed about it at the time, but he's continued his unwillingness to give up the ball.
Posted by: Xodus | April 09, 2008 at 08:20 AM
wesjoenixon,
The person we should be upset with is Gary Vitti. Three fricken months for Trevor Ariza's broken foot and he's STILL not close to returning?
Bynum was supposed to be back a month ago.
What the hell is going on with this training staff?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 09, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Mamba24,
Damn is right. Otherwise Good Morning to my Fam. Stay up!
Posted by: Charles | April 09, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Folks:
This team doesn't understand team defense-- at all!
They will be lucky to beat Phoenix, or any other first round opponent. Just not tough enough. Too much a "pretty boy" team.
Cheers.
Posted by: gman | April 09, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Lets forget about the Lakers for one day. Lets go Sparks!!!!
Hopefully, they will draft Candice Parker today and team up with her former friend Sidney Spencer.
Posted by: Botsoy | April 09, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Well, that sucks.
Portland announcers, worst ever, sighted by Stern as the worst Homerism has to offer, had an interesting observation of note.
Comparing the Lakers to the Spurs, who they played on Sunday, said this:
"The Spurs, on D, play EVERY possession like it was the final game to a playoff series. Always communicating, crisp rotations, challenging shots, flat out all hustle for the rebounds, and loose balls."
"The Lakers at times can play that way, but don't do it consistently, for whatever reason."
The Spurs shot horribly on Sunday, scoring only 72 pts, but won easily, because of the D.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 09, 2008 at 08:29 AM
TOAD SAID:"There can be only one word to say today, and for the remainder of the
season and playoffs, and that is:DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>
Good Morning TOAD. You are absolutely right, but can I say the other word first,
D@MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMN!!!!!
PsychedLakerGirl Said:Thanks Rick F. - the vodka last night was incredible"
HEY NO FAIR! WHERE'S MY GLASS RICK? SHARE & SHARE ALIKE! LOL
Posted by: | April 09, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Jon-
Your premise is flawed. Bynum was not "supposed to return" a month ago. When he was injured, the projections given, which are, by the way, just guesses, said it would be a minimum of eight weeks. That means he would return no sooner than two months. There were also scenarios in which he wouldn't return until the playoffs, or even the season. The kid dislocated his kneecap. You don't just roll out of bed and come back on the floor after that.
Ariza's foot is broken. Gary Vitti isn't a healer. He can't lay his hand on Ariza's foot and make it better.
I'm not saying Vitti and his staff are the best in the NBA or the worst. My guess is they're certainly quite competent. But look around the league at the number of teams who have lost players to injury. It happens everywhere.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 09, 2008 at 08:36 AM
"Dear Pig Miller
Oh how i love the fragrance and aroma of PIG meat as i wake up in the Valley of the SUN. Let me state some facts Morons.
1.I dont like Hollywood and its Liberal agenda.
2.The great Laker Legends cant shake a stick at amare and Stevie Nash.
3.The BIG CACTUS will steamroll pau.
4.Laker Bloggers suck.
5.And the SUN train will hang a NBA banner.
Posted by: Fire 3 | April 09, 2008 at 06:04 AM"
I shall honor you once heathen. After that, consider any response you make to this post as purely for your own enjoyment.
I really enjoy you calling us Morons, and talking about the liberal Hollywood agenda, but you failed to mention anything basketball related in your juvenile post. Where was the cutting edge Funs fan analysis that makes the fan base HERE in Phoenix so savvy? So being from Phoenix, I have an intricate knowledge of your sleazy, grimy, putrid smelling Funs loving kind. I'll do you the honor of replying to the garbage that you dumped on our board point for point. Feel free to come back that will make you look stupider than you already do (although I find that might be difficult).
1.I dont like Hollywood and its Liberal agenda. (Great. Don't go there, live there, or pay it any mind. I'm sure the residents of Hollywood won't bat an eyelash.)
2.The great Laker Legends cant shake a stick at amare and Stevie Nash. (I almost spit my coffee out at my computer screen reading this one. That's a joke right?)
3.The BIG CACTUS will steamroll pau. (He won't get the chance to. He'll be too busy trying unsuccessfully to contain THE BEAST, who will be dunking on his old arse repeatedly.)
4.Laker Bloggers suck. (If all we have to live up to are posts like this one, we've got you Funs fans licked before the competition even starts. I also had no idea we were competing. But we still win.)
5.And the SUN train will hang a NBA banner. (This is laughable as well. Another joke? I've never been on the Lakers championship bandwagon this season, but the Funs aren't close to winning one either. We can all kiss the O'Brien bye bye this season, cause the Celts are going to win it. Damn Leprechaun.)
I hope you've enjoyed this lesson. As I'm sure your lowly IQ will permit, you'll respond to this post in kind, yet also in vain (was that sentence to complex for you follow? Let me simplify for you in troll speak. Duh Duh Duh DUh Um UM DUH Funs Suck). It's been fun little fella. Now run along and study up on your grammar and mathematics, and when you grow up you can come back and talk with the rest of the adults.
Tasty.
Snort
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 09, 2008 at 08:38 AM
TOAD SAID:"In a regrettable and most tragic but clearly avoidable incident, the
"57 WIN" and "TIME TO WIN OUT" bandwagons crashed head on into each other
last evening. Riders were all reported to be faring as well as could be expected
after such an incredible and disappointing occurrence. Official spokesmen were
at a complete loss to explain the atmosphere which allowed this incident to occur."
OH MY GOD! NO, NO, NO, THE HUMANITY! Please consult my
atorneys DEWE CHEATEM and HOW! LOL! Good Job Toad!
POST OF THE DAY!
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 09, 2008 at 08:38 AM
*___________________________*
57 WIN BANDWAGON
*___________________________*
(01) Driver - In a bar getting drunk
(02) Owner – Fled across the Border
*_______________________*
WIN OUT BANDWAGON
*_______________________*
(01) DRIVER – Arrested for driving DWI
(02) OWNER - Is being foreclosed on.
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 09, 2008 at 08:44 AM
LakerinBC,
"The Lakers are simply a different team during the playoffs versus the regular season."
You can say that about the three-peat teams, or Showtime. You can't say that about this team, because there is nothing to base it on. The last two years that hasn't been the case at all. And this year's team HAS NOT PLAYED A SINGLE GAME TOGETHER YET, not even in the regular season, let alone in the playoffs. We have no way of knowing how they will play in the playoffs.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 09, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Lets see 2 healthy shot blockers and 1 player who's all about defense, yet they don't see one second of PT. I'm telling you guys I love that 8 man rotation, BRILLIANT.
BTW that technical foul phil got last night looked so fake, almost like shaw or someone told phil to get up and complain.
Oh also I agree with everything you guys are saying about your team right now, plus more. So does that make you guys trolls?
Question- Who do you guys want in the second round?
Posted by: Fire32 | April 09, 2008 at 08:51 AM
I actually thought Vlad was playing with some intensity and had a decent defensive game. He had a lapse like everyone at the end of the third but for the most part he was jumping to the next guy and picking up full court. They've been using Vlad as the player that shoots to the top of the key when the fast break is coming down to stop the quick 3 point shots, he also switches well with Odom but Odom doesnt switch back quite as well, one play last nighty Odom directed Vlad to go out to the top and cover someone I'm not sure who but Odom didnt go out to cover Vlads man and he left him open for the 3. Kobe kept switching off of Roy with Vlad and Roy never penetrated against him, but on Kobe he tore him up. Then Jack was killing Famar, our guards have to do a better job of stopping penetration. We dont have natural shot blockers out there right now, we have good position defenders in Vlad and Odom, but if the guards let their man go then they have to rotate in to stop the penetration which leaves their man open. It all starts with the Guard at the top of the key, if he forces his man in too trouble to start then the rest of the play will break down, but if he gets beat off the dribble then everyone rotates and last night Portland was finding that open guy and lets face it, how many teams have centers and forwards busting outside shots all night at a high percentage. They kept finding that 3rd, 4th or 5th option and hit some shots. Going to have nights like that. You can't guard a 7 footer shooting from outside, not going to block his shot very often. I think they were more tentative than anything for most of the game.
Posted by: Ken | April 09, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Mamba, you're absolutely correct, and I need to get it out as well.........
D@MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMN!!!!!
That feels better! Thanks!
Posted by: toad | April 09, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Zin Master,
>>>how come Farmar never makes it in the BAD department
>>>but always mentioned when he has a 10 point game as
>>>GREAT. or bad, but with accolades and touches of brilliance.
Actually, you could list Farmar's 3-point shooting in the BAD
department from last night's game, but the rest of his game pulled
him into at least the neutral territory.
If you're not obsessing on the fact that Farmar missed a couple of
3's in the fourth, which hurt some Laker rallys, you would notice
that Derek Fisher handed over the keys to Farmar with a
16 point deficit with 4 minutes left in the 3rd.
Do you really think Jordan's performance was BAD because he
wasn't quite good enough to make the team overcome a 16 point
deficit in a quarter and a half? Your standards must be awful
high. Do you consider yourself a loser if you don't run a marathon
before breakfast?
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | April 09, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Caliphilosopher Toad,
Right back atcha!
Posted by: Charles | April 09, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Its time to unleash the Beast!
- Fatty, Un-official public relations man to the Beast
Lamar Odom was asked by Sac post game reporter, "It will be hard to integrate AB when he comes back", mentioning the adjustment period.
Lamar acting surprised, Why would that be hard, AB will do what he was doing before he got hurt. There's no adjusting for him. He knows how to play in the middle.
Odoms point in my mind, is AB knows how to play the center position. Although very important to the team, AB's position on offense and D, is not that difficult for him nor the team for adjustment.
Its Bynum's rythym, game speed, game shape will be the hard part for AB. And with Pau having the ability to play the 4/5, the re- growing period for By will not be detrimental to the team.
Just my thoughts.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | April 09, 2008 at 08:58 AM
BK,
I'm obviously frustrated.
Is it so much to ask that maybe, just maybe a Laker could return earlier than expected from injury? We've got a pattern here of players returning longer-than-expected from injury. Something's wrong here if there's a pattern. Or, at least give me the concession that "maybe something could be wrong" with our training staff because there's a pattern of players not returning within the originally estimated period of time for recovery.
Of course injuries are a part of the game. Of course. But, dude, why over the last few years is it ALWAYS taking longer than expected for Lakers to return from injury? Something smells rotten in the Lakers training room, methinks, and it ain't the jockstraps.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 09, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Dear Pig Miller
Oh how i love the fragrance and aroma of PIG meat as i wake up in the Valley of the SUN. Let me state some facts Morons.
1.I dont like Hollywood and its Liberal agenda.
2.The great Laker Legends cant shake a stick at amare and Stevie Nash.
3.The BIG CACTUS will steamroll pau.
4.Laker Bloggers suck.
5.And the SUN train will hang a NBA banner.
Posted by: Fire 3 | April 09, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Posted by: Fire 3 | April 09, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Laker Tom
If I'm reading what you're saying correctly, Andrew would have made the difference last night, (definitely) but the Lakers better win it all this year because next year Portland will counter Bynum with Oden and their guards will still blow by ours at will.
Portland hates LA with an understandable passion. If they played all their games with that intensity, last night's game might have meant something besides bragging rights. They'll have health and salary cap issues like everyone else, but the Blazers future is blazin'.
Posted by: Vman | April 09, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Xodus,
Once again, someone with an unfounded argument has to
turn it into a veiled personal attack, which I will leave out.
>>>Farmar's one of my favorite guys on the team. I love his talent
>>>and confidence. But that doesn't change the fact that on the
>>>whole he didn't play well last night. It's not about the threes
>>>that he missed, it's that no one on the team seems more
>>>reluctant to give the ball up than Farmar(except maybe
>>>Sasha, but he's our designated shooter anyway).
10:03 in the 2nd - Sasha 3-pointer - Farmar assists
7:09 in the 2nd - Turiaf alley-oop - Farmar assists
0:30 int the 2nd - Gasol layup - Farmar assists
4:26 in the 3rd - Bryant 21-footer - Farmar assists
3:57 in the 3rd - Bryant 3-pointers - Farmar assists
4:46 in the 4th - Pau Gasol short jumper - Farmar assists
Seems pretty reluctant to give up the ball to me.
6 assists led the Lakers.
Do you really want to argue that Farmar is reluctant to give up
the ball? You're welcome to have that opinion, but what actually
happened in the game doesn't support it.
He also got 6 rebounds, which was 2nd best on the team for the
night. Jordan got as many rebounds as Lamar Odom and Ronny
Turiaf COMBINED.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | April 09, 2008 at 09:09 AM
BK,
As far as Gary Vitti not being a healer...
Then, damnit, the Lakers need to hire some mad Pentacostal preacher who heals via drawing the demons out! Something! Anything!
Soaking each Laker in a bath of Dit Da Jow for an hour before every game! I don't care! Just get it done! Desperate times call for desperate measures!
It drives me nuts when lose to non-playoff bound teams so close to the playoffs. Our best defensive player and strongest inside presence have simply been hobbled too long. Something needs to be done!
(BK, if I sound like a blithering idiot right now, remember, that's what they said about Son of Sam! Anyhow, I'll mellow out eventually. Urgh.)
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 09, 2008 at 09:10 AM
All these predictions of doom and gloom just make me laugh. The
playoffs are not the regular season. Make that your mantra. Repeat
it to yourself until you come down. Step back from the ledge and
climb back in the window.
I'll stick with my original predictions from before the season ever
started:
55 wins.
Western Conference Finals.
And if the Lakers manage to beat New Orleans HO's on Friday,
then I'll throw in an MVP for Kobe.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | April 09, 2008 at 09:12 AM
BK - you are on it this a.m.!
Rick F. - we both awakened with the same hangover thought process. It's all about the psychology.
Robyn: totally agreed - PJ is the best at mind games and everything will all be played out starting 4/19!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 09, 2008 at 09:14 AM
BK,
Maybe Gary Vitti can get Trevor Ariza a glass of milk? How about that? Is that so much to ask?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 09, 2008 at 09:16 AM
We lost a game so what do you say
So What! We got 4 more games to play
Look at your Glass, Half empty, half full?
We’re in the playoffs, now that’s no Bull
We still have a chance to be number one
We will go to the playoffs and destroy the Suns
The beast is about to be unleashed on the West
Then these idiot writers will see who’s the best
We will meet the Spurs and Big shot Rob
And when the dust clears he’ll need a new job
If you want to see how bad things could be
Just look and see what Shaq did to Miami
So instead of being sad and pitching a Biatch
Thank God for your team and also thank Mitch
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 09, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Rick:
Excellent post as usual. I agree wholeheartedly. Imagine what the Showtime Lakers of Magic, Kareem and Big Game James would have been if they had not had the "killer" attitude that they were going to squeeze the life out of every team they played in the first quarter. Get 'em down, then step on their throats! This team can't even find a way to come out with intensity and desire and commit to playing some defense. We seem to think the first quarter is part of the shootaround. The talent level difference in the NBA is so slim that it is key for teams to come out with a winning attitude, and the Lakers have not been doing that. If we don't get our intensity and focus levels up and develop that killer instinct, we very well may be 2-2 over the next four, and in for quite a bit of trouble in the first round.
Posted by: toad | April 09, 2008 at 09:26 AM
LONGTIMELAKERFAN SAID:"All these predictions of doom and gloom just make me laugh. The playoffs are not the regular season. Make that your mantra. Repeat it to yourself until you come down. Step back from the ledge and climb back in the window."
GOD@MNIT!!! NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!
PREACH LONGTIME, PREACH! OUT FREAKIN STANDIN
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 09, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Fairweather Fatty,
Odom's game did not mesh that well with Bynum's. Gasol and Bynum have never played together. Bynum has very limited experience overall, and is still figuring out his own game. The team has played a significantly different style of game without Bynum.
Bringing Bynum back in to playing a signficant role this season is not going to be a seamless transition, and it will be happening in the playoffs, to make things harder.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | April 09, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Sad sad game but it exposed our underlying weakness. I hate to make sweeping generalizations about a class of players, but name me ONE Euro known for stellar defense. With Gasol (who I love by the way), Radman, and Sasha on the floor how can we expect to stop scoring machines like New Orleans when we can't even stop the Blazers without TWO of their centers??? Sasha and Rad may shoot 3's decently but Euro's shooting 3's do NOT win championships - ask Dallas! Its defense Defense, DEFENSE that wins titles! Ask the Pistons or Spurs who have done pretty well the last few years winning ugly.
We have two great defensive players on the injured list in Drew and Trevor, so I'm hoping we can turn it around when they return. But team defense takes time to build and we may be running out this year. I'll leave you with this Kenny Smith quote from yahoo - "If the Lakers don't survive the first round they won’t need to spend the summer to overhaul their roster as much they’ll just need the time to heal. "
But I'm still hoping........
Posted by: Jay Jay | April 09, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Unleash the Beast. I don't think the West is ready for the Lakers at 100%.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | April 09, 2008 at 09:35 AM
LIKE A CREW WITHOUT A CAUSE!
man, who wants to get on the "motivate the lakers bandwagon". If we can not provide them with a phoenix challenge every night, then we need another way for them to beat sub 500 teams like sacramento or portland on the road.
Posted by: che | April 09, 2008 at 09:37 AM
"PIG" MILLER SAID:"I hope you've enjoyed this lesson. As I'm sure your lowly IQ
will permit, you'll respond to this post in kind, yet also in vain (was that sentence t
o complex for you follow? Let me simplify for you in troll speak. Duh Duh Duh DUh Um
UM DUH Funs Suck). It's been fun little fella. Now run along and study up on your grammar
and mathematics, and when you grow up you can come back and talk with the rest of the adults."
HAHAHA LMAO!!
AND WINNER BY A KO IN 1 MINUTE OF THE FIRST ROUND....PIG
YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 09, 2008 at 09:37 AM
*______________________________________*
9RINGS ON SUNDAY UNLEASH THE BEAST
& WELCOME BACK BYNUM BANDWAGON
*______________________________________*
(00) LAKER TOM – CEO
(01) PIG MILLER – Owner
(02) JON K. Driver
(03) DELILAH – Riding shotgun
(04) MAMBA – Johnny come Lately
(05) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN – Playmaker
(06) SAMLL – Director of Enforcement
(07) TOAD – Director of Security
(08) THA SHOW - Just keeping us real
(09) TSPHERE – SuperDelegate - Got My vote!
(10) MARKYTHEARKY – Director of Mirrors and reflections of teams behind
(11) MILO RAMBALDI- --Team Prophet. – Predicts Bynum greatness
(12) HMRHED – Director of determining when to unleash
(13) FATTY – Director of P.R.
(14) MRBARNEYDANGLES – Taught the Skyhook to the Beast
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 09, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Stop crying folks. A lost is a lost and YES we blew it. It won't make a huge difference if we place 1st or third... The team has to focus and stop thinking teams will lay down, we aren't sending chills of fear through anyone at this time. Injuries has hurt the teams dynamics and its going to be tough to regain that while reinserting anyone in the line-up. I can't wait to see if Bynum gets some run but, that alone won't do it, the team is simply not playing great basketball right now though I hope they can turn it up as the playoffs are staring at us!
LAKERS 4 LIFE
Posted by: lakerfaze | April 09, 2008 at 09:45 AM
I don't like the effect of the "dangling T" on Kobe. Refs are human and come to the game expecting a certain amount of give and take with superstars. The ability of Magic, Bird, Jordan, Barkley, Malone, Shaq, Iverson and Kobe to "intimidate" refs is part of each star's game, just as much as his "will to win" or his "passion" or his "inspiration to his teammates." One of things you know is there, but cannot point out or measure.
With Kobe silenced, the Refs don't know how to "look the Lakers in the eye." I believe this blunts the team's ability to affect game momentum.
Stupid rule!
Posted by: The D | April 09, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Good morning Pig!
Great job.............Troll wounded.
Let's starve the sucker, I'll get the Weber going with the mesquite coals!
Posted by: toad | April 09, 2008 at 09:47 AM
MARK HEISLER IS A PANSY
by J-Luv LeMac
Anyone who received the Times today should take a look (probably against your better judgement) at Mark Heisler's column on the MVP race. Now, anyone who is familiar with his "work" knows to expect some type of anti-Kobe sentiment will be expressed - usually a veiled low-blow or two, which is why I call him a pansy. So I jumped right into the article with this in mind. He states he has asked the opinion of sports journalists regarding the MVP race, and the verdict is about even with Kobe having a slight edge over Chris Paul in his "poll." Excellent. He then states that two of the journalists will change their vote from Kobe to CP3 if the Hornets win the West. Fine. So far, I am amazed with the restraint he is showing. Can he make it through the full article without a sucker-punch?? No. The last two paragraphs are quotes from over a week ago by Steve Nash saying he thinks CP3 should get the award. And that is the end of the article. The quote is completely out of context considering the article is based on the views of PEOPLE WHO MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE A VOTE AND DON'T PLAY IN THE LAKERS DIVISION. Did he use Shaq's quotre saying Kobe should be MVP? How about the reigning MVP's suggestion that it should go to Kobe? No, he pulls a dated quote from a guy who used to be the MVP two years ago who also happens to be the leader of the team that Laker fans hate the most. What a professional....
Posted by: J_Luv | April 09, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Long Time Laker Fan,
What veiled attack? You attacked me and Korey yesterday when all we said is that Farmar needs to clean up his play. All I said it's your choice if you choose to justify his play by outplaying Fish who played a horrific game. I'm talking about observations made throughout the game, Farmar doesn't LOOK to pass, he passes when he has no other option. Stephon Marbury has averaged over 7 assists and he's a shoot-first PG.
And do Farmar's 6 assists make up for the bad shots he took and the two fast breaks he screwed up when we could've grabbed some more momentum? Like I said, he didn't cost us the game by himself, but his poor decision-making at key moments didn't help.
Posted by: Xodus | April 09, 2008 at 09:54 AM
JON K SAID:Maybe Gary Vitti can get Trevor Ariza a glass of milk?
How about that? Is that so much to ask?"
STOP THAT! STOP THAT RIGHT NOW! You've just condemned poor
Trevor to an extra 2 weeks on the disabled list. LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | April 09, 2008 at 09:55 AM
i think the lakers are positioning themselves for the no.3 seed and hopefully play the Yao Ming-less Rockets.
And hopefully the Spurs will win tonight against the Suns
Posted by: Botsoy | April 09, 2008 at 09:55 AM
And his rebounding numbers just prove that he outhustled Odom and Turiaf for loose balls, which isn't what I was saying. I'm talking about decision-making, we've seen LO grab 12 boards but make dumb decision after dumb decision.
Posted by: Xodus | April 09, 2008 at 09:56 AM
BOTSOY,
I agree with you.
Posted by: Robyn | April 09, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Last night's game was sad and pathetic. At this rate, the Lakers'll finish as the 4th seed. They've never needed Bynum or Ariza as much as they do now because the Lakers are seriously laking a strong defense, especially in the paint. As AK noted above, Pau and Radman may be good for points, but they can't get the job done on the other end of the floor. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to follow the lead of the former Spurs and feature two 7 footers.
Posted by: Linda | April 09, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Ex,
LO has played better in general since the Pau trade happened. He maintained his level of play even when Pau was out. Saying Pau is making LO better is just like the people who say Shaq is making Amare better.
Amare was playing out of his skull from the moment Marion was traded (and put up 28 and 12 last night with Shaq out) and Shaq didn't play a game until after the all-star break. LO's level of play is based upon his own aggressiveness and confidence, not Pau's presence. He just reverted back to the old LO last night with Pau on the floor.
Posted by: Xodus | April 09, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Jon K. - we all hear the frustration but .....we have to chill.
Your talking about the new franchise player who is 20 years old. And this is obviously an injury that if it continues to happen could likely be career-ending. You can't mess with the knees - that's it.
I think to err on the side of caution and continue to get AB in a position where his court time will be maximized is prudent.
Putting him out there in the last week when opponents are out to win at all costs is a huge risk. Yes, he needs the time to re-acclimate but I don't think any of us wants to see him crumpled up because he "needed the PT". That's ludicrous and not how you risk manage your balance sheet.
The team is in a good position - obviously better than what Dr. Buss predicted in October so we have to go along with their decisions. Look, at this point, we have all been wrong as to management's moves this year so why question it now. Bringing back AB17 isn't a Vitti or PJ decision - its Mitch & Dr. Buss protecting their future.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | April 09, 2008 at 10:09 AM
One huge piece of good news for us: No matter where we are seeded in the playoffs, we won't have to face the Trailblazers.
Posted by: Marty | April 09, 2008 at 10:11 AM
LONGTIMELAKERFAN SAID:"All these predictions of doom and gloom just make me laugh. The playoffs are not the regular season
The game only gets more physical and tough in the post-season, when most pundits will tell you defense wins.
The bigges issue is the Lakers are what they are a scoring team- not a defensive team. Thats not going to change just because the playoffs start. Bynum will help if healthy but he cant run back in transition for other guys or stop guys from jacking up 3s. Ariza cant get Gasofts man from getting offensive rebounds. Bynum cant keep guard quick PGs. Ariza cant prevent Kobe from going for suicidal steals etc etc Those are just a few examples.
The getting everyone back thinking will not solve all the lakers defensive challenges so fans shouldnt put all their eggs into that basket.
The Lakers will go as far as their role players take them- guys like Sasha Vlad Fisher Farmar and Turiaf will be key since you can pretty much count on Kobe Gasol and Odom to play well. If a few of the role players shoot well (usually 3s) the lakers can make a run.
Posted by: Laker Lover | April 09, 2008 at 10:11 AM
MAMBA24
can you let all the release the beast folk know who headed the whole BYNUM Bandwagon... before the season started! thx~
FAZE
Posted by: lakerfaze | April 09, 2008 at 10:13 AM