Eric M,

you said this to blitz: I feel better about our friendly disagreement, now that I see you think you know more than even KB who played on the team. lol

Kind of puts you in Mike T. territory doesn't it?

my response:

Hello Laker family!

It's games like last night's that truly show the heart of the team. I was pleasantly surprised that no one seemed flustered by the deficit (other than me, of course).

Interestingly, I found myself yelling at PJ (the TV really) to bring out the second unit. I kept thinking...how could I possibly be asking for bench players over Kobe, Fish and the rest of the gang? It was all about the speed of the game. Our bench has amazing speed and scoring power that's unmatcheable in this league. In the past, we would have given up a little in a deficit like that and the also during the Rockets game but we kept our composure. I can't say enough.

I, like Glenn, also feel confident that we'll be 7-0 tonight against NOH. However, our defens cannot be sporadic like it was last night. We've got to buckle down and shut these guys down early.

Great game AGAIN...Let's do it again tonight!
GO LAKERS!!!

A few observations from last night:

1) The Lakers are a much better team with Farmar and Ariza on the floor instead of Fisher and Radmanovic. Fisher's inability to create any offense on his own led to 3 consecutive stagnant possessions where the Lakers look like they'd never played offense before. Plus, you know he's always going to pull up for a jumper because he's the worst finisher in the league around the rim. As far as Radman goes, Ariza is just waaaay better than Vlade.

2) Even though Kobe started the 4th hot, he didn't score for the last 6 minutes and the Lakers still won. Someone give Ariza the game ball (Pau gets honorable mention) because he was the key on both ends down the stretch. Nice to see that the Lakers don't need Kobe to totally dominate anymore if they hope to pull out a close one.

3) Andrew still looks rusty as heck and needs to just let the game come to him. He seems to be rushing a lot more than he was last year.

4) The Lakers are WAY more flat on the road than at home and this is most obvious in their defensive effort. They only decided to play hard the last 12 minutes. They can't afford to do that tonight or we'll be 6-1.

Good to see them grit out a win, but I prefer the blowouts. Now let's end CP's 20+pts/10+ast streak at 6 tonight!

That game was nerve wracking!!

It seems they nearly beat us via running and 3 pt shots. They had many lay ups where they stole the ball and just plain beat all of us down the court. When we got into set defense, our perimeter was too open.

We'll we survived the exploitation of two weaknesses and will only get better.

GOooooOOOO LAKERS!!!!

NOV. 12, 2008 – Lakers vs. New Orleans - MVP Mamba vs. MVP Lite CP3
Will You Be There? The NBA, Where Laker Dynasties Happen
Los Angeles Lakers is our name, A Legacy of Dynastiies is our game
The Force is in “PERFECT as in 6-0” Balance
*
Good Morning: Sir CHARLES (Without whom the day is not complete)
Good Morning: JustAnotherMambaFan ( Head of the Mamba Clan)
Good Morning: MORNING CRUE (Heart & Soul of Laker Nation)
Good Morning Laker Blog!, Laker Nation (Love Ya All!)
Welcome: EMACKANDNBOLIO, ANNA in BONDI (Glad to have you aboard)
Semper Fi to Naja aka BONUS our Laker Blogger in IRAQ. (May your new
commander-in-chief bring you home soon bro. GOD BLESS.)
All Praises to :The 2 Time Blog Trophy Winning & winner of the world
famous FATTY Award – KAMBROTHERS, Andrew & Brian Kamenetzky
*
THE BEST
Two men go in one man comes out is how the saying goes.
Well tonight, you just might be right, depends on what CP3 Shows.
They say he’s the one, who should have won, the MVP last year
And who is they, don’t look this way, I won’t shed not 1 tear.
CP3 is good as we knew he would, but good is not enough
When you play, The Mamba let’s say, Baby you better know your stuff
Some people say, And try to play, The MJ is the King of the Hill
From my view, Their sights askew, because Kobe fills that bill.
His determination, and their dedication, indeed may be the same
But not to put a hex, but even Tex, says the Mamba has a lil more game.
And then you know, it’s even so, When asked who’s the best he’s seen
Even 9Rings had to say, When both came to play, It would have to be Kobe Bean
And so tonight, Some folks just might, Compare Chris Paul to # 24
But as I’ve just said, don’t lose your head, take that weak #$#@ out the door
*
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YOU_EVER_NOTICE-------------------------HOLDING The Line Against CHAOS
*
ALL TOGETHER NOW
*
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES.
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY.
THE ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
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& THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER

CHAPLAIN ! THE GAME DAY PRAYER PLEASE!!!! BOW DOWN PLEASE.
NO, NO, NEW ORLEANS, DON’T BOW TO US, TO THE PRAYER IDIOTS!

Good morning.
Passionate Lakers fan (remember me?)
Lately, I have not posted (the pain of games 4 and 6).
During the summer, I wanted the following players moved:
Pau (soft)
Lamar (soft)
Luke (garbage)
VladRad (mental)
Pau: I apologize.
Since being moved to the 4 position, you are a beast.
Lamar: I apologize.
Since being moved to the bench, you are a beast.
VladRad: I apologize.
I am shocked at your committment to defense.
Luke: I feel your pain.
The growth of Trevor has relegated you to the bench.
I mentioned to a co-worker that the Lakers needed to do
4 things to wash away the pain of games 4 and 6:
Committ to defense
Committ to rebounding
Start the seasosn 10-0
Crush the Cs in the finals in 5.
If this current team stays healthy, they will sweep the Cs.
It is truly a joy to see this team play defense.
It is truly a joy to see this team block shots.
It is truly a joy to see this team rebound.
Never mind scoring.
They could always do that.
Watching them lock down their opponents (especially in the 2nd half) is something to see.
This team (if kept together and with good health) will go down with the great 80s teams.
They are that good.
In closing:
Do not worry, Laker fans, about the re-signing of LO and Ghost (my new nick name for Trevor).
LO's 14 mil plus Lukes 4 mil (trust me: he will be moved) equals 19 mil (more than enough for both LO and Ghost).
Man, I have not been excited about a Lakers team since my teenage years during the 80s (although the Lake Show won 3 rings during 00-02, I never fell in love with that team due the the Kobe v Shaq in-fighting).
This team, I love (you can tell the enjoy being around each other).
Man, I'm going to enjoy this journey (and just think: not only will we win the ring; we will win it against the hated Green team!)
I'm out!
PS: Trevor will add 10 to 15 pounds and will become the 21st century Micheal Cooper who will guard players like LeBron.

Does anyone here think that Bynum will ever consistently have games where he is as good as Gasol? Does anyone think he'll eventually be better?

Why? His age? If so, when do you think he'll get better?

We're already scary good, but Bynum being as good as Gasol would make us dominant.

GOOoooOOOO LAKERS!!

i love KG but i hope Zaza Pachulia drives an elbow in his rib for old time's sake tonite.

In the atl vs celts game, I kind of feel like we win either way. We either get to be happy that the greenies got beat, or the Lakers will be the ONLY undefeated team left. Kind of a win/win.Posted by: Eric M. | November 12, 2008 at 09:54 AM

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT

We're already scary good, but Bynum being as good as Gasol would make us dominant.
Posted by: JohnnyP | November 12, 2008 at 10:13 AM

SAY IT AGAIN JOHNNY P.!

Johnny P:

dont worry about Socks. There's enough weapons on the squad that all he really needs to do is consistently rebound and play D like a beast. That's pretty much all we need from him at this point. When Mamba is sitting around playing pick up ball in Italy... Socks will be the head honcho on the team for another decade.

JohnnyP, you've got to give Bynum some time. He has to make the mistakes, then watch the tape and see what happened and adjust. He's got so many things he needs to adjust to right now that he probably just needs to pick one thing, like that little jump hook and focus on that for awhile.

His defense has been awesome. He really does change the entire look of the game when he comes in, guys are having to change the arc on their shot, he's forcing other teams to make bad passes because they have to gamble more to get the ball in the middle and on offense, he's not like Kwame, you HAVE to have someone on him or he'll roll to the basket. I think Bynum has been fantastic so far and he'll get better as he gets more games in his system and gets used to doing this or that in a certain way.

GAME ON! A critical and crucial game. Tonight's game will answer a multitude of questions of whether or not we're "for real." A 20+ point differential will shut a lot of mouths.

Anyhoo...LET US PRAY!

DEAR LORD, we thank You for guiding our Lakers to great success this early in the season. We thank You for a renewed commitment to defense, an ever-abounding amount of CHEMISTRY amongst our guys, and, most of all, for keeping everyone healthy!

We pray, first and foremost, that the spirit of good health would remain with our guys. Every member of this team is a crucial part of our success (yes, even Luke Walton!) and we ask for Your hand of protection as our guys face one of their toughest challenges of this very young season.

We pray that You guide our guys, Phil & the coaching staff to read and discern every offensive/defensive set, every trap, every zone, every inch of New Orleans' playbook. Use each Laker individually and collectively as a unit to exert their dominance against Brother Byron Scott and his Hornets. Remind him, Chris Paul and the whole NO squad, once again, that it' ain't nothing personal. Destiny is calling - we must answer the bell.

We pray that shots will fall. We pray that toughness will remain. We pray for 48 minutes of focused basketball which will lead us into a 7-0 record.

We also pray for humility. We pray that the confidence in our guys does not become foolish swagger, for we remember that, as we celebrate our regular season success, we still have one more enemy to vanquish in June 2009 - the biggest enemy of them all. Allow our guys to lay down that swagger and to get down to business - 48 minutes of intensely focused basketball for this game and the remaining 77 games that will follow.

We Thank You in advance for Answered Prayer and for all Your many blessings...AMEN!

Charles:

sup bro!

i hope that this squad is still intact when i move back to LA. i love PI but it's just way to hot and humid up in this piece.

chances are tho...LO walks and signs with another squad. Ariza just too good.. too young... and will be much cheaper.

stay easy

GO LAKES!

ECJessie,
I am with you on which would be my "First choice". I just wanted a reason to be happy either way.

Puddle,
Nice post. I think TA will be starting before long. It will be funny to watch all the "TA is better as a bench player" people twist their logic to explain why it is all of a sudden a "Good" move.

Damn Mamba 24! Damn! Posted by: Charles | November 12, 2008 at 10:24 AM

CHARLES, D@AMN, D@AMN, D@AMN!!!
Well we moving on up!, Moving on up!. To the East side
Moving on up! To a deluxe Apartment in the sky.
M00000viing on up. Moving on up . to the East Side Moving on up.
THE LAKERS WILL FINALLY HAVE A PIECE OF THE PIIIIIIE YEAAAAHH

Mamba24 - I want on the "ONE TEAM - ONE MISSION" Bandwagon please. We are going all the way this year. No questions. Few problems. Take it to the bank.

GO LAKERS!

Mamba24,

"Semper Fi to Naja aka BONUS our Laker Blogger in IRAQ. (May your new commander-in-chief bring you home soon bro"

There you go again!

Did you know that soldiers OVERWHELMINGLY DID NOT support the president-elect? Wonder why that is?

Also, while 95% of Blacks voted for the President-elect, only 75% of black soldiers supported him. Wonder why that is?

Mamba24 - Chest Pound and finger Point at Cha!

Puddle and Rick F - Howdy sirs? I like the current rotation. The starting lineup just needs more hustle.

Floyd - Mornin to ya padna.

610 - I really hope your wrong. I want to keep this team and play with Buss' money like Monopoly... Ingat pare!

Taliq - I agree that maybe it should be more positive spin on Ding's article. He is a good writer though. Like my post to 610, I hope we keep this team intact.

There are a number of obvious things to look at in tonight's match-up. How do the Lakers minimize CP3s impact? How will Posey fare in containing Kobe? Who will get the better of the front court match-up - Drew/Pau or Chandler/West?

In terms of stuff that isn't so apparent (and I could be reaching here) I think there's a real opportunity for Vlade to take advantage of just how much Peja is horrible on defense. Maybe run a few more plays where Vlade fakes the 3, drives to the hole and draws defenders, leading to perhaps some nice opportunities for Pau and Drew.

The other thing to look at is, what's better defensively - having individual defensive stoppers or a disciplined team defensive philosophy? CP3 is a steal machine. Posey is considered a stopper. Chandler is a great help-defender. And even though the Lakers do have some nice defensive minded individuals to offset that, I think the mentality of playing great team defense is what gives them the advantage in this matchup.

Also, on the Lakers website, Mike Trudell has been taking a page from the K Bros book and doing interviews with the guys who write for the opposition's websites. The interview up now with the guy from hornets.com isn't the greatest. Some awkward attempts at humor and they don't really get into the nitty-gritty of the match-up.

THE BETTER POWER FORWARD?

Any question whether Pau Gasol is a better power forward than Dirk at this point?
Here are the results of their one-on-one matchup:

Points: Pau 22-14
Shooting %: Pau 53%-29%
Boards: Pau 11-8
Assists: Pau 2-1

This is not counting Pau out-positioning Dirk to grab Fisher’s air ball for a quick game-clinching 3-point play.

Of course, just my personal opinion based as always.

Tom

Interesting scheduling note: Last season the Lakes played the Hornets twice on the second night of a back-to-back, while the Hornets always had at least a day of rest before each of their four games against the Lakers. Same deal this year.

Mamba,

Way to rock, Larry. Love the roll-call. It gets my game juices flowing. Even in the morning before the game. Just went outside and screamed GOLAKERS! A guy drving by almost had an accident. LOL.

Tom

Passionate Lakers Fan,

>>>>> Pau: I apologize.
>>>>>Since being moved to the 4 position, you are a beast.
>>>>>Lamar: I apologize.
>>>>>Since being moved to the bench, you are a beast.
>>>>>VladRad: I apologize.
>>>>>I am shocked at your committment to defense.
>>>>>Luke: I feel your pain.
>>>>>The growth of Trevor has relegated you to the bench.

Welcome back, PLF. This team has posted a second straight summer of great growth.
I agree with your prediction. Nothing would be sweeter than winning home court and then sweeping the Celtics and celebrating after Game 4 on their freaking parquet floor.

Tom

Johnny,

>>>>>Does anyone here think that Bynum will ever consistently have games
>>>>>where he is as good as Gasol?
>>>>>Does anyone think he'll eventually be better?
>>>>>Why? His age? If so, when do you think he'll get better?

I think Drew is still probably a month away from playing at the level he was playing before getting injured. Despite what I thought was a subpar game by him last night, he still scored 11 points, grabbed 10 boards, dished out 3 dimes, blocked 3 shots, and had 1 steal with 0 turnovers. Give him a month and he and Pau will both be playing at the same level. Give him a year or two and he will be the top center in the league in my opinion.

What is really great news for the Lakers is that now Pau is playing his natural position, he is showing that he is even better than what we thought.

Who would you rather have now as your power forward? Pau Gasol or Dirk Nowitzki or Josh Howard or Carlos Boozer? I think the answer is becoming pretty clear. Not to mention that none of those other guys can also play almost as well at center. Pau is far more versatile and valuable than any of those other supposedly elite power forwards.

At least, that is what I believe. Just my not so humble opinion. LOL.

Tom