There's gold in them thar hills!
Team USA's mission was to bring a gilded medallion from China home to the States. Said mission was accomplished last night (this morning, if you're watching on American TV) with a 118-107 victory over Spain. It was considered a foregone destiny by many heading into tourney that the Redeem Team (meh, but everyone else seems to find the name catchy) would bring closure to the Americans' 2004 disappointment. Fate indeed went fulfilled, but not without a fight and some enemy scare tactics. Credit Spain--playing without starting point guard Jose Calderon (of Raptors fame)--for hanging tough with the U.S. They were ultimately outmatched, but not by such a margin that they couldn't make things uncomfortably interesting down the stretch.
I was at a party last night and got home with about two minutes left in the first half and haven't had a chance to watch the DVR recording this morning (fantasy football draft!!!). But even without having seeing the footage, I'm willing to report as iron clad fact that Dwyane Wade's 21 first half points seriously helped the U.S. box score, especially with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in foul trouble (on a side note, I'm glad to see a great player healthy again, which only makes the NBA that much better). As for the second half I did see, lots of exciting, fun stuff. Up and down action a-plenty, with either squad putting up shots incredible and ill-advised, coming up with key steals and playing a little more O than D. Back and forth pushes where alternately sloppy and frenetic play was offset by non-stop energy and determination.
It was also a particularly fun day for patriotic Lakers fans, who saw
the gold secured in large part due to a fourth quarter absolutely owned by
Kobe. His 13 points/2 dime final frame highlights included a skying block of
Juan Carlos Navarro's layup, being directly involved in six American points via setup or shot during a 69 second stretch
(helping bump a four point lead back to nine), and a pair of triples,
the latter a four point play after some contact by Rudy Fernandez, whose strong play and dunk on Dwight Howard likely had Blazers fans all giddy. That sequence also allowed Kobe a moment of
entertaining showmanship; a finger pressed to his lips, reminding the
rowdy Spaniard crowd that a duller roar might be in order. It was also cool to see the excitement plastered all over Kobe's face, having accomplished a goal that clearly meant tons to him and his mates. As a bonus, Pau Gasol enjoyed a commendable 20/6/1 performance in an ultimately losing effort.
With basketball's natural order now restored (until 2012, at the very least), we can go back to worrying about other pressing issues. Like whether the Lakers can take that next step from "Finals runner up" to "Finals champions" in 2009. Or whether Jamal Lewis can serve as a low-end #1 running back option, providing a third punch for an already explosive Randy Moss-Terrell Owens receiving tandem.
Did I mention my fantasy football draft was this morning?
AK
game was played to an NBA pace that team USA forgot how to play at, one of the reasons that Spain was able to stay so close a perfect ending to cap off the "redemption" of USA basketball.
Posted by: bobabocker | August 24, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Great game. Kobe came up huge in the biggest of moments where he had struggled with his shot throughout the game. I'm glad he came up the way he did so he could silence the harsh criticisms he's received so far.
Pau played well in this tournament. I hope he takes away the desire to be a champion after finishing 2nd two times in a row now and the hunger for a bit of revenge on the USA all-stars many of whom he will play against in the playoffs next season.
All in all a tremendous way to end the awesome 2008 Olympics and now I'm ready for NBA season!
Posted by: Justin N. | August 24, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Summer is usually painfully agonizing for sports fans. But the Sumer Games sure did lift that grey cloud. It is now getting time for fall...the fall classic, the NFL/NCAA football, and NBA right after Halloween. Are we done in terms of manipulating our roster? I do believe with AB we are a much much better team, and that is very scary considering we were a couple of quarters away from the NBA title, but I can't help but feel we need more front court depth and aquire that tough guy that we so desperatley needed at the end of last season. I would also like to see another point guard in the mold of a Pargo. To top it off I know we have some salary cap issues, with Lamar comming off of the books this summer, decisions will Have to be made. How does everyone feel about the upcomming season? Do we need to make some more moves? Is their any thoughts on Lamar future and what moves need to be made to trully put us over the top? Lakers
Posted by: nik kannan | August 24, 2008 at 03:18 PM
If they were that good with Kobe, think how good they would have been if Pierce was on the team instead of Bryant!!
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 24, 2008 at 03:19 PM
When is Kobe having surgery?
Posted by: Nik | August 24, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Great photo, great link to a summary of Team USA's performance Beijing.
http://tinyurl.com/goldenarmor
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | August 24, 2008 at 03:20 PM
dude nothing us above basketball LOL. Catch Kobe be the man. The Renaissance man!
"m-v-p!"
Spain played better than the us, but they didn't have Kobe and Kobe was what it came down to.
Posted by: Faith | August 24, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Nope AK, who did you draft on your Fantasy Football? Last year Brady was in my opinion the MVP of Fantasy in most leagues.
Nice seeing Pau getting those stats. An interesting fact AK though is that we have 3 players on the Lakers who has won all 3 types of medals in basketball. Kobe Bryant winning the gold medal at Beijing 2008, Pau Gasol winning the silver medal at Beijing 2008, and Lamar Odom winning the bronze at Athens 2004.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 03:47 PM
The constant travelling violations of the USA players should give Spain some more possesions. You know something wrong is going with the referees when the China attendants, people who love for Koby and rooted for Team USA in every game start booing and cheering for their rivals. I didn't watch USA playing better than Spain.
Congratulations anyway, team Apollo Creed.
Posted by: Viru | August 24, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Let's all take off our hat to the true redeemer of USA basketball, MIKE D'ANTONI!
D'ANTONI knew just what was needed to succeed in the international game, having earned titles in Italy as both playa and coach before the eyes of impressionable young kobee. D'ANTONI has of course schooled kobee in the NBA playoffs "every time", but in Beijing used this opportunity to teach kobee how to win at the next level beyond what PJ could teach.
We offer MIKE D'ANTONI thanks and praise - and Jerry Colangelo - for bringing home the gold!
Posted by: BUTLER | August 24, 2008 at 03:54 PM
KobeBryantBlitz,
I picked 10th in a 12 team draft. By then, Brady was (as you would expect) gone. My first round pick was Randy Moss and then when the second round quickly swung back to me, I was shocked to see the guy ahead of me not take T.O. Thus, I grabbed him and have, on paper, the best WR tandem possible. My starting QB is Roethlisberger and best two RB's are Lewis and Fred Taylor. If just one of them can be a low end #1 quality guy, I feel reasonably good about my team.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 24, 2008 at 03:57 PM
"An interesting fact AK though is that we have 3 players on the Lakers who has won all 3 types of medals in basketball. Kobe Bryant winning the gold medal at Beijing 2008, Pau Gasol winning the silver medal at Beijing 2008, and Lamar Odom winning the bronze at Athens 2004."
They'll have to content themselves with the medals, seeing as how the SUNS and Cetlics keep busting them in the NBA playoffs.
Posted by: BUTLER | August 24, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Pau doesn't look to happy here...
http://tinyurl.com/477ndo
lol
Posted by: Xodus | August 24, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Whoa, Pargo is on Dynamo Moscow. I knew that quite a few NBA players went over seas but I didnt realize the breavity. I know that Garbajosa was a target of ours only to have him sign with a Euro team...wonder if Lebron or Kobe are serious about exploring international ball??
Posted by: nik | August 24, 2008 at 04:15 PM
nice AK
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Well, after watching the game, I think the critics of Gasol being soft must really need to rethink their positions. Gasol was beating up Howard and Bosh with his shoot. Kobe was not really good early on with his foul trouble (and the refs were really on crack; they blew their whistles at everything), but he turned it on when the team needed the most.
Go Kobe!!!!
Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Kelvin | August 24, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Edwin,
Rudy Fernandez wasn't with the Blazers last year. They just owned his draft rights. You're thinking of Sergio Rodriguez.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 24, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Nik,
Good you found out about Jennero Pargo going to Euro League. He was my choice also asLaker PG, who was fast and good shooter as well. We can't afford an expensive PG at this time. Sun Yue will be a good addition. How about this 17 years old kid Ricky Rubio? How can we get this Pistola Spaniola ala' Maravich? Both Deron Williams and Chris Paul had hard time containing this kid. He will be a future star in NBA, an incarnation of legendary Pete who are very entertaining on the ball court.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 24, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Oh yeah, that was my bad. You're right AK!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | August 24, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Sheridan looks for grey clouds. Forget "comparisons to the Dream Team" because Spain played well? There were no Spains in 92. The older you get the better it was. 92 was spectacle, a victory lap. Anyone on Spain asking for USA player's autographs during last night's game?
And if Doug Collins appreciated how Coach K decided to put the ball in Kobe's hands when most eyes on the bench were frozen in one of the most clutch basketball moments ever, how'd Sheridan miss it?
It's just Sheridan, never mind, back to happy...
Posted by: Vman | August 24, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Vman,
Sheridan definitely has been the dampest of wet blankets throughout these Olympics. Even when we won by 30, he'd be like "watch out, it won't be so easy against Spain." We went on to beat Spain by 30 and he was like "watch out, Australia won't be so easy." and we beat them by 20.
I'm not saying he should go homer, he can't he's a journalist. But it's been clear since at least the first Spain win that the U.S. was a step above the field.
Posted by: Xodus | August 24, 2008 at 05:10 PM
KOBE AND THE YOUNG GUNS…
That’s the image I came away with after watching Team USA win the Gold this morning. Despite Dwayne Wade’s 27 points and Nike’s and NBC’s patronizing campaign to position LeBron James as the leader of the Redeem Team, no doubt was left that Kobe Bryant is not only the team’s acknowledged leader but also it’s Most Valuable Player. One day past his 30th birthday, Kobe’s clutch 4th quarter performance solidified his position as the greatest basketball player as well as emerging as one of the greatest sports celebrities in the world.
Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, AKA the Young Guns, played their supporting roles to perfection, but make no mistake, they were merely supporting actors in the drama that went down in Beijing. They are both great players and showed that there will come a day when they will have their opportunities to take over the crown that currently held by Kobe Bryant. For now, however, they must be contented with being role players on Kobe’s team.
Kudos to Pau Gasol and the Spanish team for giving Team USA a competitive game. Pau was especially aggressive, physical, and vocal all game long as his team’s leader. Playing his true power forward position, Lakers fans had to be thrilled with the Spaniard’s superb performance. You cannot help but feel that Gasol is going to become even better once he has Andrew Bynum at his side at the center position. These two superb passing big men and going to play volleyball dunk with opposing front lines next year.
And speaking of Andrew Bynum, he is exactly what Team USA needed at the center position instead of the bust Dwight Howard, who was consistently outclassed by Spain’s big men and played terrible defense. With 8 points, 5 boards, 0 blocks, and a woeful 2 of 6 from the line, Howard was the weak link on both defense and offense. Howard may well have peaked as a player. With Yao’s age and physical issues, Andrew Bynum has a chance next year to come out, work hard, and very possibly emerge as the #1 center in the NBA at 21 years old.
Watching Kobe and the Young Guns get their Gold Medals was truly inspiring and sent goose bumps running down my spine in a brief but stirring moment of nationalistic pride. Congratulations to China for an Olympics I will never forget. As the son of Chinese man, I loved to see the joy and pride in the eyes of the Chinese people in the wonderful photos and videos that captured these Olympics. As an Asian-American, I was prouder to see our team finally prevail and bring back the basketball Gold that has eluded us these last 8 years.
Congratulations to Kobe and the Young Guns and all the Team USA players and staff.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 24, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Coach K knows more than anyone the value of having a "Kobe" in the team. So he told him to unleash the Mamba. Unforunately journalists stateside chooses to not see it like he did.
But those of us who saw the game, who can look beyond the stats know, when it counted, when it was needed Kobe came through.
Offense aside the dude took on a hot Navarro in the late stages if the game and changed the momentum. Can the same be said for the hyped media darlings they keep in shoving down our throats? No.
Posted by: Faith | August 24, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Hmm AK, what running backs were available (good ones) when at your 1st and 2nd rounds? Usually for Fantasy unless your QB is Tom Brady Running backs should be chosen first before recievers.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Well i´ve posted in the past strain just to find everybody is in the new one lol.
Only one thing to say that i didn´t in the past tread. Gasol ended olympics being 1# in total tornament points and 1# in PPG with 19.6. averaging a 67.8% FG
Posted by: HugoSpain | August 24, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Butler I respect your opinion of GNASH being all time greatest point guard because you are a Suns fan. But he is not the greatest point guard ever (he is number 8 on my list). GNASH is nothing compared to Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, Isiah Thomas, or even Walt Frazier. GNASH would get killed playing in Jordan's era. Big O averaged a triple double his second season (something GNASH hasn't done!). Magic has 5 titles compared to ZERO for GNASH. Big O has 2, Isaiah has 2 along with a Finals MVP, and Walt Frazier has 2 as well. Even Gary Patyton has one! Gnash is a showboat artist and had his ankles broken by Rondo! GNASH is going to be 34, the same age SHACK began to break down. Without D'Antoni GNASH is going to be forced to play defense and will get his ankles broke again and again!
Like Let's go C's! says: SHACK is OLD! HAHA
Cheers and "C" you SUN "L(osers)" later!
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 05:54 PM
Happy B-day Kob,and congrats on winning the gold a day
after your B-day.
Posted by: Laker Fan | August 24, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Quite impressive numbers from Pau in the Olympics, granted its the Olympics and they play some not so good teams like Angola and Germany, but its' still a very good number especially with that FG percentage. Nearly 70% of the shots are being made (an example would be Pau having 20 shots attempted about 13 shots would be made and thats 26 points and thats without fouls!). Very good chance that Pau can get 60% shots made again for the Lakers (He shot 59.9% when he was traded to the Lakers). With Spain against Team USA, he averaged 17ppg on 56.3% FG which is very good. And with Pau playing the more natural position of Power Forward, his defense will be more solid since he won't have to guard against centers who has more bulk than him. He said after the Olympics he will gain more strength before training camp. I'm hoping LO stays healthy so the Small Forward position will stay solid defensively (going against less bigger guys helps him defensively and healthy as well). This Laker season should be interesting with the return of Bynum strengthening our Post defense and the bench having better defenders (Ariza and Sasha), and more weapons at scoring other than Sasha and Jordan (Radman, Powell, and once in a while Luke).
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I´ve posted this in last thread but to ensure you read it here it comes.
Congratulations U.S for your gold medal. You deserved it. we (spaniards) will do our best to make sure next time you congratulate us.
prepare for a bunch of NBA seasons of Lakers Domination. If Bynum and Pau go trough it without injuries and bynum regain his later level of play nobody is going to stop us.
Go Lakers
Posted by: HugoSpain | August 24, 2008 at 06:22 PM
HugoSpain
As I recall, you said several months ago that Spain would give the USA a run for the Gold. They did and you were right after all. Kudos to Hugo.
That was a great game and its too bad Calderon couldn't play.
Pau Gasol really got into the head of D Howard. I would view Howards elbow to Pau as a compliment of respect on how good Pau was playing. lol
Now that the game is over and we all have grown in mutual admiration for each other. Maybe we can all be friends again and concentrate on the upcoming season. lol
Go Pau and Kobe! Go Lakers!
Posted by: Fatty | August 24, 2008 at 06:28 PM
great game.
i had those conflicting moments when i saw pau getting inside the paint. Here are my thoughts in order:
#1PG put him on on his ass
#2 PG but not too hard please
#3 PG don't wuss out, but don't go super-Pau
extra thought:
Marc Gasol kinda doesn't look great, good, but not great...he'll be an excellent 6th man/bench guy or serviceable starter, but i'm not positive that he'll be an all star at his position.
lol....
Posted by: socalife | August 24, 2008 at 06:46 PM
It was worth staying up till 2:30 in the morning just to see Kobe Bryant's joy at the Gold Medal ceremony. Priceless.
For all the chatter about LeBron James, he never really was able to pick up his game after getting those early fouls. But in the 4th quarter when Kobe reached inside for the Mamba, the Spaniards were toast. So much for all the comparisons. Kobe stands alone at the head of the class. Yes, Laker Tom, the Young Guns' day will come, but 2008 is unquestionably the Year of Kobe.
As for Pau Gasol, where was the heart and the intensity he displayed in Beijing during the NBA Finals? We're told that European players prize the Gold Medal more than the NBA championship ring. I guess that's what we saw. But the Lakers have every right to demand that passion and purposefulness, now that Gasol has displayed he has that in him. Had he played with the same determination against the Celtics, the Lakers would have dominated Boston and won the Championship.
I'm glad Gasol only has a silver medal for all his Olympic efforts. It is time for the Lakers to attain their own Redeem Team mentality. Sorry, but only by attaining an NBA Championship as a Laker will Gasol become gold medal worthy. Pau, you must emulate the Mamba. Purple & Gold, baby. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | August 24, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Fatty
I agree with you. He shown a lot of respect for Pau lol. Anyway if there is no damage there is no need of further punishment. It was an olympic final, I didn´t expect anybody to be polite, on both roosters.
Calderon´s injury was a bad luck strike. none of us know what would happen if he had played. maybe he could had been a masterpiece in the game or maybe the game would have been different and his role negative to our team. who knows? logic says we would have played better but you know basketball doesn´t fit logic.
Let the DOMINATION begins. Go Lakers
Posted by: HugoSpain | August 24, 2008 at 07:06 PM
kobebryantblitz,
I know you're a big proponent of LO playing the 3 next year, I was wondering if you were expecting him to improve his three-point shooting enough for him to spread the floor for Bynum, Pau and Kobe to have room to operate?
I think we can be good defensively with LO and all the length we'd have, but I'm not sure he'll hit jumpers consistently enough to open up the paint.
Posted by: Xodus | August 24, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Rick Friedman
I think your analisis is wrong. It´s true that maybe he was more motivated, as he was fighting for his country pride (And I know you north americans know country pride as well as I do) , but thats not what made the difference.
It was two points:
-Positioning.
-Stamina.
Gasol played in his natural position where he plays better and with a supporting cast of pivots that allows him to be separated from rim so he usually makes a run leaving behind his defender and ending with alley oops. Or penetrating which gave you the illusion he was playing more energy-filled. So more this is the first time gasol get to the playoffs so he get more exhauted each round, plus his back problems all over the season. To finish he had time to rest before olympics, and that counts. I´m sure you´ll be pleased with his perfomances during 2008-2009.
See you tomorrow.
Posted by: HugoSpain | August 24, 2008 at 07:20 PM
HugoSpain,
I had to delete that comment. Can't use that kind of language on the blog.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 24, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Hugo Spain,
First, thanks for the great posts from a Spanish point of view. Second, congratulations to Spain for playing such a great game. They are going to be even tougher in 2012. I was really impressed with 17-year old point guard Ricky Rubio, AKA the Spanish Pistol Pete. Wish there was some way for the Lakers to somehow grab this kid. He is going to be a superstar in the NBA in a few years.
I thought your points about Pau, especially that this was the first time he played beyond the first round and that combined with playing out of position was why he appeared tired and more passive in the NBA Finals. I don’t remember anybody else bringing up this point but it definitely makes sense and explains why his effectiveness diminished. You could see from his outstanding performance in the Olympics that he can play pretty tough inside. Playing power forward with Drew handling the heavy lifting inside, I foresee Pau having a great second year with the Lakers. He and Drew will dominate above the rim.
There is a big difference between playing 6 to 8 games in the Olympics to win a gold medal versus playing four tough 7-game series to win an NBA championship. In a way, it mirrors the much shorter seasons that pro-basketball teams play in Europe versus the USA. Frankly, I prefer the chance to see my team in more games. Hell, I would even like to see them play all year around. Nothing but back-to-back-to-back Lakers basketball.
Anyway, thanks again for your insights. Viva Spain! Viva Lakers!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 24, 2008 at 07:42 PM
AK,
who is your fantasy football squad this year?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Posted by: Korey | August 24, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Xodus & blitz,
>>>>>I know you're a big proponent of LO playing the 3 next year, I was wondering if
>>>>>were expecting him to improve his three-point shooting enough for him to spread
>>>>>the floor for Bynum, Pau and Kobe to have room to operate?
I wanted to chime in Karl’s question to blitz about Lamar. I am of the opinion that Lamar may not start at small forward or at best, only play half of the time there. The reason is that we will need him to back up Pau at power forward since Pau will back up Drew at center. Having Lamar come off the bench as a 6th man with he, Drew, and Pau sharing the 96 minutes per game at center and power forward gives the Lakers a much stronger lineup for all 48 minutes rather than having Chris Mihm and Josh Powell backing up Drew and Pau.
If the Lakers do start Lamar at small forward or if he plays important minutes there, I don’t necessarily think he will be standing behind the 3-point line casting off shots. That is not his game and not the only way to open up the floor for Drew and Pau inside. Lamar is at his best cutting and driving to the hoop or taking a short mid-range jumper. Even if he plays small forward, the answer is not for him to be shooting 3-point shots but to be constantly on the move creating mismatches down low on smaller players he can dominate.
Finally, I think the guy to start at small forward is Trevor Ariza for his defense and slashing ability. All of the points I made above about 3-point shooting regarding Lamar obviously also apply to Trevor, although he may not be a bad shooter beyond the arc, especially from the corners. I also think it not unreasonable to expect Radmanovic and Walton to have great years. Vlade’s outside stroke shot 40% on 3’s and Luke, if healthy, could replay his start of the season two years ago when he was playing and shooting 3’s with confidence.
Anyway, small forward is the key position around which the Lakers strategy will hover all year long. There is a part of me that actually thinks we might be best rotating the starter at small forward depending on the opponent. It is probably better to have a fixed starting lineup but since we don’t have one player who can do everything, then maybe the best way to approach the problem is to change starters to get the best mismatch at small forward for each individual game. It might be the best solution to our small forward dilemma.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | August 24, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Yo HugoSpain,
Como Esta? I would continue speaking Spanish but then some people wouldn't understand lol. Anyways just for a tip, Pau is a perfectly good fit for center in the international game since it is more finesse than power (having power in Athens was one of the reasons the USA lost in Athens since it got them into foul trouble). The Power Forward slot in the NBA is perfectly suited for Pau since it's not just pure power unlike the center position. Having Pau in the 4 will have him guard Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett as usual (Tim is the greatest power forward in NBA history, I rank KG as 8th or 7th), and both in the Western Conference Finals and the NBA Finals Pau limited Duncan to 42.6% FG (though Tim's greatness managed to get himself a triple double in game 5), and Pau also caused KG to shoot less than 44% after averaging 52.6% FG against Rasheed must bleed Wallace who people don't doubt is a solid defender. (In other words Pau did a much better job against KG than Rasheed must bleed Wallace did). Like you said, having Pau play his natural position of Power Forward (NBA wise, international wise he is a center), will be good for him defensively since he can focus on personal defense more since Bynum will be guarding the post. I don't think that Pau got tired because he never advanced far in the playoffs, I think rather because he had to guard KG and was guarded by Kendrick Perkins who was able to hold him enough so KG wouldn't expend too much energy for defense, since he had the more easier task of guarding Lamar Odom whose game style KG is able to guard better. This made Pau more tired out than KG would be since KG didn't have to expend so much energy compared to Pau. Next year it will be interesting between Pau vs Kevin since Drew will be guarded by Perkins and that will force Kevin to guard Pau and expend his energy more than he did against Lamar Odom.
I dunno if you are Hugo Boss or related to him somehow but....
COLORADO LOVES THE LAKERS!
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 08:14 PM
LakerTom,
I agree with your take on the SF position. I think the ideal situation is splitting those 96 minutes between Pau, Bynum and LO and using either LO or Trevor as slashers. I do think that whomever starts at the 3 is going to have to be able to hit the corner 3 to help us spread the floor a bit. Trevor appeared to improve his stroke a bit when he returned from injury and LO's best spot for threes has been corner 3's as well.
Posted by: Xodus | August 24, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Faith,
Can you put the link in tiny URL form, please? We're trying to make that the standard. tinyurl.com, if you aren't familiar with the site.
Thanks,
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 24, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Re: 3.
I think you'll see even more of Kobe at the 3, Sasha at the 4. Especially with his big contract haha. I'm a proponent of LO coming off the bench as sixth man (though I also think you have to go out there with the best 5 you have, and he's certainly one of them. But I think it'll depend on the matchups)
I think if anything that leaves out Luke and Vlad. Shame haha, jk.
Also don't overlook Trevor's game. He's a good slasher, and he's developing range. I think we'll find we won't need the scoring so much as the D from the 3. And the rebounds of course. Which of course puts the onus on LO to be a better defender. He's got the speed and the length, does he have the desire?
Posted by: Faith | August 24, 2008 at 08:33 PM
But it would not have been possible without Bryant's spectacular, 13-point effort in the fourth quarter. For that he credited Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who had urged him to set aside the caution he had adopted after he got two personal fouls early in the first quarter.
"He told me to let that mamba loose," Bryant said, "and that's what I was able to do."
Not that it's a novelty for Bryant to step in and take over a game.
http://tinyurl.com/598eax
Go Kobe! Koubie MVP! lol. Go Team USA!
Posted by: Faith | August 24, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Laker Tom and Xodus,
First Xodus since you were first one to post I'll answer your question first. I expect Lamar to average around 35% for 3 point shooting. I do not expect his game to largely change except a few more jumpers. He will still rebound, and score near the paint and will hit a few mid range along 3 point shooting. It is not necessary though to have him get a decent 3 point shooting. During the Bulls championships, Scottie Pippen who was playing Small Forward averaged 30.9% on 3 point shooting and still won championships. In fact Pippen's highest average was 37.4% 3pt shooting, less than 0.2% than Lamar's best 3 point shooting average (37.2% in 2005-2006 season when he played Small Forward) and Scottie shot almost 200 more 3 pointers than Odom did in 05-06. Lamar's best attribute at Small Forward is defense and he has a better jumper than Ariza does plus Odom can take it to the basket better than Ariza can (Ariza is still kinda raw in my opinion). Teams already have to be concerned about Pau (who can score from the high post easily and drive to the lane along with back to back post moves), Drew (who is a best at the post and like the 76er game showed he can drive into the lane and slam it home.). Not to mention they have to always be concerned about Kobe and Fish is the outside shooter that spreads the floor. (Smush was not a good fit really since he didn't have a good jump shot like a point guard really must have plus he drove in the lane too much and made teams clog it due to 3 guys who prefer to drive in the lane--Smush, Kobe, Lamar-- and two guys who can't really score inside (Kwa-may and Mihm) which forced Kobe to really shoot more jumpers). Now with an even better point guard plus the next twin towers (Bynum and Pau, Robinson and Duncan were the first)., I feel Lamar can play Small Forward a bit better offensively as well than he did in 05-06.
And to provide a simple answer, yes Lamar when open can hit a 3 pointer. Lamar's best 3 point shooting year (05-06) he averaged 37.2% FG on 3 pointers but after the all star game in 2006, he averaged 43.0% 3 point shooting (when he knew the offense better and his shoulder was feeling better). So yes Lamar if he decides to stay on the perimeter and left wide open can hit the 3 point shot and spread the floor like Fish can.
Laker Tom,
One of the reasons I felt we lost the Finals was because the lack of our bench. Other than Sasha (who was inconsistent) and Jordan we had no other weapons offensively off the bench. Mihm is a solid backup (yes at backup he should be solid if not Powell and Pau can do the backing up at center) and Powell may have more skills than Ronny did (except for the dancing and cheering part, that goes to Ronny hands down). If Powell and Mihm plays well during the preseason, I would say they are decent backups and it would help Pau/Lamar/Andrew not average more minutes in the game and thus make them less tired when it counts. Ariza has yet to prove to me at least he's starter material. His defense is solid though Lamar's is better. I already showed Stats that Lamar defended well against Small Forward and Ariza still is unproven largely. Having Ariza off the bench gives the Lakers bench much needed defense for their bench which I also think was the biggest factor in the Celtics comebacks in Game 4 and 5 (the lack of defense on the bench). Having Ariza and Sashsa defend the perimeter players like Posey used to do for the Celtics helps that problem out and if Mihm is back to his shot blocking ways and Josh Powell is doing his job and preventing other 4's from dominiting at least, then the bench would be awesome. Simply put Laker Tom, I feel that LO is best suited at Small Forward and taking some time in Power Forward (though he will play Small Forward about 75% of the time), well really help the Lakers rather him just stay on the bench as a 6th man. For now, until the Lakers play again, I would support Lamar being our starting Small Forward.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Must throw in my two centsm but that was a great Olympic basketball tourney and a great final. i dont know about you guys but Spain played tremendous and it was great to see such a great game. i was happy that Spain made the US sweat so much. I also think that this game might have had a chance to go differently had Jose Calderon been playing. Calderon was the second best PG in terms of ability in this tourney. Calderon is a notch below Chris Paul but probably near Deron Williams in terms of being a TRUE PG. Dont anybody overlook that.
Definitely solid to see Kobe play so well and also Pau. For those of you who keep clowning on PAU and saying he has no CHAMPIONSHIP HEART, I HOPE YOU GUYS LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT OUR PLAYER. Pau played OUT OF POSITION FOR FOUR MONTHS as a Laker, but playing for Spain he score about 20 points a game and led Spain in a near upset of the US.
Anyways, great Olympics for basketball.
Posted by: The Lake Show | August 24, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Oh and before you guys get hyped into thinking how great this team is....
The Dream Team would still beat this squad any day.
Clyde Drexler > D Whistle (Clyde was coming off his great season and the NBA FInals with Portland)
MJ> Kobe...MJ was playing amazing and was playing at a higher level DURING the Olympics.
Karl Malone, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing > Howard, Bosh, Boozer...
Charles Barkley would PUNISH Carmelo Anthony
Magic would pass over the top of Paul and DWILL's head
Posted by: The Lake Show | August 24, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Faith, lol. I really like Sasha a lot but him at the 4 and defending Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett makes me squirm like a worm. Kobe at the 3 no doubt and Sasha on the 2 is more reasonable (if Lamar is resting or is in foul trouble), but putting Sasha on the best Power Forward in NBA history (Tim Duncan) and the 7th/8th Best Power Forward in NBA history (Kevin Garnett), is pushing it lol. I would rather have Kobe guarding them then Sasha (to be honest the few times Kobe was defending them on switches he didn't do too bad, especially considering the greatness of Tim and Kevin).
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 08:52 PM
lol typo. That was supposed to be Sasha at the 2 lol.
Hasn't been said...but am I the only one breathing a sigh of relief that two of our best came through injury free? I mean ones that they didn't come in with lol.
Always good. I always hold my breath whenever they play internationally, or in all star games for that matter.
Posted by: Faith | August 24, 2008 at 09:03 PM
oops I apologize.
this may have been repeated (since I accidently pressed enter doh!) but I apologize because I made a mistake on one of my posts. The First twin towers were Ralph Sampson and Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets. The 2nd one was The Admiral David Robinson and The Big Fundamental Tim Duncan. The A-Train Andrew Bynum and Senor Pau Gasol will be the 3rd probably.
I apologize for that mistake.
Posted by: thekobebryantblitz | August 24, 2008 at 09:07 PM