Big D Defeated
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Don't forget about Purple, Gold, and Blue today at 11 am. Our guest (hopefully) will be John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, beat writer for the Hornets. Watch on the window at the side of the page, or join the chat by clicking here.
With the Lakers off to a hot start, there have been a lot of "what/when's" tossed about, as in "What happens when _______?" One popular version ends with, "when the Lakers are forced to grind out a game down the stretch?" Well, the answer Tuesday night in LA's 106-99 victory over the Mavericks in Big D was the same as the other five games the Lakers had played coming in: They win. After shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers and breakdowns for much of the game, the Lakers turned up the intensity on both ends to pull and stay ahead. No surprise that the metaphorical rally caps (basketball being a hatless endeavor) were supplied by a Lakers bench that has helped key the team's hot start. The key play late was Trevor Ariza's block on a Jerry Stackhouse three that, had it dropped, would have given the Mavs a one-point lead.
But thanks to Ariza, who continues to flash an ever growing array of skills that (writes Kevin Ding) makes LO expendable next season, unless they moved the rim to the fifth row, that wasn't going to happen. Yet again, the fourth quarter is a cold and forbidding place for the Mavs.
The box shows strong games from Kobe and Pau Gasol, who did impressive work on Dirk Nowitzki down the stretch. For that matter, LA executed as a group, where the Mavs did not.
Phil Jackson hedged on Jerry Buss' proclamation that the Zen Master would coach until he's a "very old" man. He's still going season to season, and next season is no guarantee.
You'll never guess who heads Ball Don't Lie's first Power Ranking of the season.
TONIGHT'S GAME: The Lakers play the back end of their first road back-to-back in New Orleans Wednesday. The Hornets could be without guard Mo Peterson, who is battling a knee injury. For a groovetastic preview, check out this one at Hornets247.com.
Expect James Posey to spend a lot of time marking 24 tonight.
In other news:
- Starbury in San Antonio?
- Mike Dunleavy denies reports that the Clippers are trying to move Chris Kaman. In fact, they're not likely to do much until they really see what they have around Baron Davis.
- Another look at KG vs. Calderon.
i think LO not resigning with the Lakers will have more to do with him not wanting to take a pay cut. it really won't have much to do with who is better suited for the squad..LO or Ariza. They both bring different chips to the table. Our bench is much better because of Odom. I personally have no qualms about LO. Say what you will but he is the soul of this team. MHO.
peace up
GO LAKES!!!
Posted by: sixonezero | November 12, 2008 at 11:38 AM
The blog's blisterin' today - must be in 7th gear!
Tom - I agree that Pau outplayed Dirk but to be honest, I don't think it's just Pau.... Dirk just doesn't seem to be the same player he once was.
That of course is taking nothing away from Kung-Pau!
Posted by: dave m | November 12, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Utz,
Welcome back. The big question is whether this team needs any prayers. LOL. As we often find out as we get older, it's smart to cover your bets. On with the game day prayer. Why take any chances.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 12, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Also, while 95% of Blacks voted for the President-elect, only 75% of black
soldiers supported him. Wonder why that is? Posted by: Eric M. |
November 12, 2008 at 10:57 AM
My Bad Eric and I do indeed respecfully apologize my brother. Sorry again. Peace!
Posted by: MAMBA | November 12, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Kobe moved past Larry Bird on the all-time scorers list last night, and will probably jump 2 more spots by the end of the week!
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe Town | November 12, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Mamba, so I was off by a single point in my perdiction last night... sorry!!
Going to be a tough one tonight! GO LAKE SHOW!!! Posted by: keifo
| November 12, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Being in Laker Nation means never having to say you are sorry. I don't know
about that tough stuff,. I actuallly believe this game will be a blowout. I think
9Rings has BScotts number.
Posted by: Mamba24 | November 12, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Dave m,
"Dirk just doesn't seem to be the same player he once was."
I agree - I think that the loss to Miami took a lot out of him emotionally, and he hasn't gotten it back yet.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 12, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Mamba24,
I thought the Kevin Ding article made some good points, and wasn't a knock on Odom at all. I think it's safe to say that Lamar and his future with the Lakers is a hot topic and rightfully so. When you look at Gasol and Bynum in the frontcourt, the ideal small forward there isn't someone like Lamar Odom, but someone like Trevor Ariza. The fact that he's progressed so much has added just another weapon to this Laker team.
I would have no objection to the Lakers riding this season out with the roster they have, including Lamar, but I would also have no objection to them dealing LO for a couple expirings and a young, talented front court player with a couple years left on his rookie deal (someone like Joakim Noah).
Anyway, it's nice to be in this position :)
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 12, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Mamba,
Peace back at you!
Just trying to keep the Political free zone intact.
Looks like the KBros missed both our posts. LOL
Regards,
Posted by: Eric M. | November 12, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Estimado puddle,
Re your 10:06AM, I was thinking the same thing, but propose defending the Laker's decision, in your words, to only play defense in the final quarter as a wise allocation of finite, bodily resources to a tiring, four-day battle playing three strong teams. On the other hand: defensive breakdowns result not only from conscious decisions but - to use Rick Friedman's words in his 10:29AM concurring response to you - the game's natural ebbs and flows. Dallas played very, very well at first and then ebbed
Juan
Posted by: Juan | November 12, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I only have one thought about tonight's game...
You know the Hornets would love to be the one that ruins our perfect record.
It's up to us to stop them. And by stop I mean defensively. CP3 has had career numbers against us. It matters what those and where in the game those numbers are. Let him have his 40. Stop him from having 15 assists. Then we win.
Posted by: Faith | November 12, 2008 at 12:21 PM
*------[BEAT BOSTON BANDWGON]-----*
(01) TALIQ - Owner - Until we avenge our loss to Boston, I don't think we
should yearn for any regular season accolades (ala an exaggerated 82 wins) ..
(02) LAKERTOM - Nobody hates Boston like a Lakers-Yankees fan!
(03) VMAN - Riding ShotGun - KILL BOSTON
(04) KEIFO – Hid KG’s headband in the Finals.
(05) MAMBA24 - Kicked back to security by VMAN lol!
(06) EASTCOASTJESSIE – Will make a Lie out of The Truth
(07) LONGTIMELAKERLOVER - Right behind Mamba - "cue the music! I LOVELA!!!!"
(08) MAGICMAN -Will provide the secret that was missing
(09) Lakersrydeordie - official hater of anyting green team" ....
(10) KOBEBLITZ – Even hates green beans
(11) JON K.--Will personally beat down Paul Pierce while Jerry Buss
watches--smiling, clapping, and smoking a cigar.
(12) EDWIN GUECO – Judge Jury & Executioner of anything Green
(13) LAKER TOM – Made Tom Heinson change his name to Bill.
(14) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN - The ugly green meanie weenies need to be beat down,
stomped on, run over by a mac truck and urinated on (well that might be a bit too much
(15) BADFINGER – Will injure The Tuths good Finger
(16) utzworld – THE BANNER HOLDER - AND YE SHALL KNOW MY NAME IS THE LORD
WHEN I LAY MY VENGEANCE UPON THEE!!
(17) JAMIE SWEET - I hate Boston so much that I often wish that when the Yankees and
The Red Sox are playing each other, a large meteorite destroys the stadium, completely wiping
both teams from the face of the earth.
(18) FATTY – Almost Convinced Bill Russell to join The Lakers
(19) CHRIS H. - You can give me any title you want, I just friggin hate Boston with a passion
(20) #4 – I remember hearing this week that Dr. Buss has been on that bandwagon since
well before he bought the team. Maybe he should be an honorary passenger?
(21) DR. JERRY BUSS – HONORARY SECURITY – And He will Kick @ss if you mess up!
(22) VMAN - HATE BOSTON, LOATHE BOSTON, KILL BOSTON
(23) JEFF - Boston Sports in general (Red sox, Celtics, Patriots) can go suck it.
***ONE TEAM ONE MISSION - 2008- 2009 NBA TITLE
(01) CHARLES DRIVER - I for one do not want to make any roster changes
For me, I'm gonna roll with this team!
(02) MAMAB24 - RIDING SHOTGUN - Rolling, Rolling, Rolling!
(03) JAMIE SWEET - Asteroid Tracker.
(04) DAVE- ALONG FOR THE RIDE OF HIS LIFE
(05) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN - We are going all the way this year.
No questions. Few problems. Take it to the bank.
Kobe moved past Larry Bird on the all-time scorers list last night, and will probably
jump 2 more spots by the end of the week! Posted by: Mayor of Kobe Town |
November 12, 2008 at 11:48 AM
THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT
Posted by: | November 12, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Am I the only one looking for someone to lay out CP3 in the paint when he drives for a layup? I mean not maliciously of course but enough to make him think about it?
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | November 12, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Chicken Big (AKA Daddy)
But LakerTom says Bynum is an allstar. one of the greatest laker centers ever.
But LakerTom says Bynum is an allstar. one of the greatest laker centers ever.
he is crazy.
Posted by: Chicken Little | November 12, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Mamba24,
"My Bad Eric and I do indeed respecfully apologize my brother. Sorry again. Peace! "
Sigh, must I fight all your battles ....
Eric M,
Dude you gotta be kidding me, this is what got you upset this time around ... "May your new commander-in-chief bring you home soon bro" ... mamba didn't even say something like i know he-who-must-not-be-named WILL bring you home safely, he was simply sending good wishes towards another blogger ... what you don't want the dude to ever come back home or you don't want him to come home safe ...
you really need to check yourself before you wreck yourself because at this point all you're doing is painting yourself as an extremely sour grape ... fine we get it, you don't like your new president-elect but that doesn't mean if someone says something like mamba said or something like "may the lakers get to meet the new president next june" that you should pop a vein ... to call comments like that being "political on the blog" just brings attention to how anal you are on the topic and will only create more discussion on the very issue that's keeping you up at night ...
in my humble opinion your anal comments about he-who-must-not-be-named are this point are no different from some of mike t's comments on kwame brown ... both border on being ridiculously irrational
AK/BK,
I promise I wont respond to w/e eric m says ... i.e. you ain't gotta worry about back and forth ... they say a word is enough for the wise ... I've said several here and some in the past before ... hopefully the dude gets the point that he's commiting the very crime that he thinks is being commited on the blog ...
Mamba24,
Ala my promise to AK/BK above ... I'll have to ask for your email and personally chew you out next time I see such an apology ... that more than eric's initial comment is what ticked me off ... laker fans are way too soft :)
Posted by: Taliq | November 12, 2008 at 12:31 PM
utzworld,
Amen.
Mamba24,
As always, thanks for the roll call.
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 12, 2008 at 12:31 PM
FROM PALM BEACH, FL
HI GUYS,
LUMIERE! CAMARA! ACTION! = OUR TEAM IS IN MISSION POSSIBLE FOR JUNE= COMMIT TO FIND ALWAYS A WAY TO WIN EVERY NIGHT.
LIGHTENING UP, EVERYBODY ! LIGHTENING UP EVERYBODY!
HERE COME THE LAKERS, THE UNDENIABLE NUMBER 1 TEAM IN THE NBA.
AS I SAID ON MONDAY, WE WILL HAVE 8 WINS BY SUNDAY.
LOVE TO OUR TEAM AND TO ALL
SHEKOBE FOREVER
Posted by: SHEKOBE | November 12, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I agree that Bynum's legs are just not there. I'm very hopeful that he gets his hops and enthusiasm back. When he's the most athletic big man on the floor, he's a beast and his confidence goes sky high. We'll just have to wait and see if and when and to what extent this improves.
Tough game tonight...I have confidence in my Lakers.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Cameron | November 12, 2008 at 12:39 PM
here's to Socks clowning on Chandler today. That dude has been getting on my nerves since his Chicago days. You and your false bravado. C'mon, Socks. bring the effin heat!
GO LAKES!
Posted by: sixonezero | November 12, 2008 at 12:45 PM
This year and the seond half of last year feel like 1980's redux with the Celtics and Lakers. I remember how Bird and Magic use to keep track of each other's box scores and how the only games that really mattered to them during the regular season were the two Celtics/Lakers games that they would circle on their calendar when the schedules came out. It feels like that all over again. Yes the Hawks are 6-0 like the Lakers right now but does anyone think they can beat Boston or Cleveland in a 7 game series. No! So the only undefeated team that matters is the Lakers and the Celtics are 6-1 right now and you know both of these teams are keeping an eye on the other, Pierce watching Kobe, Gasol watching KG, Doc watching PJ, etc, etc. The players will of course deny it and talk that tired cliche talk of taking it game by game, day by day, but as long as both these teams stay healthy and focused who cares what Houston, NO, Detroit or Cleveland does! Everyone knows its Boston and LA just like the 80's.
Posted by: Lakers85 | November 12, 2008 at 12:47 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
Nice to see you being positive. There's a lot to be positive about!
Now let's smash us some Hornets!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 12, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Mayor of Kobe Town,
Thanks for that info. I'm surprised that didn't make a blip in the media.
Posted by: Xodus | November 12, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Mamba,
Come on bro, you know better than to leave me off a "beat the celtics" bandwagon.
Take care of this atrocity.
Thanks.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | November 12, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Chicken Little,
>>>>>But LakerTom says Bynum is an allstar. one of the greatest laker centers ever.
>>>>>he is crazy.
LOL. Insert “will be” and you are right. When you grow a bigger one, maybe you’ll post under your real blog name. In the meantime, hang on to what little you have.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 12, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Chicken Little,
Wing or Leg? Don't tell me thigh or breast coz that's Big's piece.
Ok Ok. Tom is "El Pollo Loco?"
Posted by: Chicken Big | November 12, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Eric M -
Thanks for the kind words. Yeah, I don't care really whether Ariza starts or not (I don't think he does either at this point), but I do care that he takes more and more of Vlade's minutes. I've been advocating this all thoughout the summer - I'd like to see Ariza up to 25 MPG.
Rick F & Charles -
I agree with you guys and I didn't mean to suggest necessarily that the rotations need tweaking. Obviously we can't play Ariza and Farmar the whole game and they're best used for spurts of controlled chaos anyway. But Phil's insistence at having Fisher in at the end of the game confused me a little bit. I know he's the better defender, but as much as I love Fish, he was killing us on the offensive end. Everyone KNEW the ball was going to Kobe and so each possession we spent 20 seconds trying to somehow force feed it to him because no one else could create. How did that end up? Turnover, turnover, awkward Fisher pull-up airball that luckily ended up in Pau's hands. Ugh.
I'd also like to see Bynum return to the basics. He's obviously getting a wider repetoire of moves, but he doesn't need to show them all off every game. Last year it was dunk, dunk, dunk, drop step, dunk. This year it's cutesy fallaway, shimmy shake turnaround, foot shuffle off-balanced hook shot, jumper.... Wtf? He needs to get back to being the Beast and start flushing on people's heads again.
I know it's nitpicking but we're Laker fans and we demand the best. If I was going to be satisfied with less than perfection, I'd go be a Kings or Suns fan.
Posted by: puddle | November 12, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Its great that we haven't seen BUTLER in awhile. He always seems to cower when the Lakers dominate....and gets brave when the Lakers have a speed bump.
He's been cowering in his spiderhole out in the desert since the beginning of the season.
Posted by: Chicken Little | November 12, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Juan -
True. However, I just always figure that since they're going to have to be out on the court the other 36 minutes anyway, they may as well play them hard.
Posted by: puddle | November 12, 2008 at 01:31 PM
greenpaz said:
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.
We beat Hornets' @ss last year anyway.
Those 2 losses happened because we weren't aware of them early last season,
and then the injury to Gasol.
This year, everyone knows about Hornets and CP3.
And we've got Bynum and Ariza.
As much as other elite teams are hyped up against us,
Lakers are more ready against those teams to make a statement.
Lakers by 22!!!!
Posted by: coolhair | November 12, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Laker Tom,
I will take him to Hot Wings tonight don't worry...
Or do you think A Rib Joint might be better. A Pig in feathers?
Posted by: Chicken Big | November 12, 2008 at 01:32 PM
It hurts doesn't it BUTLER.
Posted by: Chicken Little | November 12, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Trade Nash.
Posted by: Chicken Little | November 12, 2008 at 01:34 PM
This is not the look of a championship team. These guys
look a lot like the Shaq lakers before 2000, in as much as they don't have a stabilizing force that begins each game as they ended the last one. During the glory eras, the lakes looked like the championship lakers during the pre-season. These lakers look like they're playing in Rucker Park - lot's of razzle-dazzle and lots of mistakes. Where's that bar? I need a double. Good luck tonight.
Posted by: Otis | November 12, 2008 at 01:40 PM
LakerTom;
You aren't crazy, you're just enthusiastically over-the-top. Remember that when you slam your fellow bloggers.
Posted by: Otis | November 12, 2008 at 01:42 PM
exhelodrvr - much agreed - that series stepped on dirk's neck, hard...
mambamania - thanks for putting me on charlsey's one-love, unification express!
Posted by: dave m | November 12, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Puddle,
Thanks for the reply! Have a good one sir.
Posted by: Charles | November 12, 2008 at 01:45 PM
chicken little imposter
Its great that we haven't seen BUTLER in awhile. He always seems to cower when the Lakers dominate....and gets brave when the Lakers have a speed bump.He's been cowering in his spiderhole out in the desert since the beginning of the season.
Posted by: Chicken Little | November 12, 2008 at 01:30 PM
STOP USING MY NAME.
Posted by: the real chicken little | November 12, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Johnny P,
>>>Does anyone here think that Bynum will ever
>>>consistently have games where he is as good as Gasol?
Right before he went down last season, Bynum was playing much
much better than he is right now. Last season he shot 63%. Right
now he's bricking along at 42%. As the season goes on, he'll get back
his timing and that shooting % will go back up over 50% and he'll
be averaging a double double. Add in the 3 blocks and countless
altered shots and he'll be playing as well as Gasol.
>>>Does anyone think he'll eventually be better?
I don't. I think Bynum could be a solid starter and maybe even
an All-Star once or twice. I think in a good situation (like he's
in now), Gasol could become a perennial All-Star player and maybe
even a potential hall of famer.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 12, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Just spoke with a friend that had a recent lunch with Coach John Wooden.
2 things to report: I was seriously jealous, and Coach said Kobe will be remembered as the best to ever play the game.
THE man has spoken.
Posted by: Vman | November 12, 2008 at 01:57 PM
ajax -
Holy crap I had to watch that like 5 times. That was hilarious.
Posted by: puddle | November 12, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Ajax,
Can you put it in tiny URL form?
Thanks
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 12, 2008 at 02:02 PM
>>>I'd hate on Kevin Ding for his odom article but the blog is even more
>>>guilty of the crime I'm accusing him off. It's amazing how ariza's
>>>brilliance is now a knock on odom,
I don't think Ding (or anyone here for that matter) is saying that Odom
sucks. It's just a cost to value ratio. Next summer the price tag on
Trevor will be 1/3 less than the price tag on Lamar, and you have to
admit, Trevor contributes more. On his best night, Lamar is better, but
Trevor is producing almost identical stats to Lamar in 4 less minutes
per night, and unlike Odom, Ariza brings the energy EVERY night.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 12, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Puddle,
You know what I wish PJ would try is Sasha in with Kobe, TA, and 2 of the bigs to close out games.
I loved having TA out there to close out the game, but I was wishing like several others (Faith and others) that Machine was also on the floor.
Sasha was a point guard before and is a much better shooter than either farmar or Fish. I think that lineup might rock. In Chicago, PJ went without a true point guard.
Of course it depends on match ups, but Machine is looking pretty quick out there and I think he could guard MOST point guards. Or Kobe could guard the point.
Anyway...It would be an interesting experiment.
Posted by: Eric M. | November 12, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Dave M - You are the man! Respect.
Chicken Big - Have you been to Kyo-Chon? It's on 6th and Kingsley. Laker Legacy took me there. Excellent Wings, but had the whole chicken chopped because they ran out of wings first time I ate there. Go Figure.
Mamba24 Didn't realize you started a band wagon with me as the driver. Well make it a front row a million deep, coz we gotta share that with the family.
Ajax - Thanks for the link. Basket ball blooper galore!!!
Posted by: Charles | November 12, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Posted by: Eric M. | November 12, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Excellent post!!!
Posted by: Charles | November 12, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Laker Tom,
>>>Nothing would be sweeter than winning home court and
>>>then sweeping the Celtics and celebrating after Game 4 on
>>>their freaking parquet floor.
Well, just a tiny bit better...
celebrating on the parquet floor while there are still 4 minutes left
in the game as Mihm and Walton and MBenga and Farmar and
Vujacic are running up the 20 point lead to 30 points in the decisive
game 4.
I think that would be a bit better, but maybe it's just my deep
irrational hatred of the Celtics.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 12, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Did you guys see Sasha's failed chest bump last night?
http://tinyurl.com/5v8v44
Posted by: ajax | November 12, 2008 at 02:12 PM
STOP USING MY NAME.
Posted by: the real chicken little | November 12, 2008 at 01:50 PM
NO.
Posted by: Chicken Little | November 12, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Eric M. -
I love Sasha as well (I just adopted a 4 week old kitten yesterday and named it after Sasha), but that doesn't quite solve the problem of shot creation. Farmar solves that problem.
Even still, as much as I've been a fan of Fish, I agree that it'd still be better to have Sasha out there at the end of games instead, or at least to give it a try.
Posted by: puddle | November 12, 2008 at 02:18 PM
It's getting close to game time!
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE...!!!!!!
GO LAKE SHOW!!
Posted by: keifo | November 12, 2008 at 02:20 PM