At this point, everyone could probably use a fresh game to discuss
Our good friend Ross Siler, who used to cover the Lakers for the Daily News and now is on the Jazz beat (very John Coltrane) once said covering the Lakers is like experiencing 82 Super Bowls a year, where rationality occasionally goes the way of these technologies. With the deservedly high expectations for the '08-'09 purple and gold, this year won't be any different, but since our local hardwood heroes had to attend a mandatory Player's Association meeting after practice Monday afternoon in El Segundo, there wasn't a whole lot of fresh dish served this afternoon. That meant more talk of Detroit. How can the Lakers bounce back from the loss? What they can learn? What went wrong? Where do they go from here?
I get the impression that the team finds this "What now?" breathlessness a little silly. "That's what you guys do," Kobe said with a smile, referencing the assembled talking/writing heads. "That's what makes the season exciting. You have these runs where it looks like you're unbeatable, you might go 82-0, then you lose one and you're fighting for the eighth seed."
As for the Lakers, they take it Bonnie Franklin style.
Not that there isn't work to be done. Kobe mentioned more than once the challenges LA will face defensively against teams (like Detroit) with bigs who can step away from the basket and spread the floor, a sentiment echoed by Phil Jackson: "We really have to stay in front of the penetration. That's our big key, and we worked on that a little today. About not getting spread out, not getting the penetration that teams want. Recovering back the players that we have to man-cover. This has been a perennial problem for us as a team, and we're going to have two guards who do that very well in (Derrick) Rose and (Steve) Nash here in the next two games."
Most strategies in sports are a series of trade offs, and defense in basketball is no exception. No scheme is free of weaknesses. The goal for the Lakers is to keep the other team as far away from the bucket as possible, even if that means conceding more shots from outside.
"The biggest thing is to stop penetration. That's the key in this game as it is in most sports game. You're trying to get to a goal, and the closer that ball gets to the goal the worse you are defensively," he said, presumably lumping in hockey's puck with other ball/goal sports. "So if you can keep that ball out and make guys shoot (from distance), that's always a positive," Jackson said.
Meanwhile, in reaction to the Q and A with Shaq posted a few days back on the Sacramento Bee Kings Blog, a particularly zealous young newsie peppered the available personnel about their reaction to the news that Shaq wouldn't rule out a return to LA in 2010, Kobe just smiled, and said nothing. Pressed, he kept smiling and saying nothing. "I'm going Tiger Woods, totally vanilla." No way he was going to say anything that might feed the tabloids, so to speak.
Phil's reaction was equally whimsical. "He's keeping his options open, huh?" As for the notion that all the drama was fun, as Shaq proposed, PJ didn't disagree... though I doubt he'd choose today to be totally candid and forthcoming with the media on this issue (i.e. "fun" may not totally be the right word to describe what was going on in the Threepeat era). "We were having a lot of fun as a team. I think that was just a laugh and a goof. That part of it was fun. 2004 got a little tense. That was a tighter time for us."
For his part, Fish LOL'd and used the question as a way to hustle into the training room ahead of the meeting.
OTHER NOTES:
- Vlad Rad, who suffered a thigh contusion Sunday, practiced today and should be good for tomorrow.
- On PT: PJ said LO understands there will be nights, such as Friday's game, where he won't get what seems to be his standard 30-ish minutes of run. "Ballplayers understand. When teams are going well, they want to be part of it, but they know that you don't want to slow down something that's positive. For Luke Walton, who has essentially vanished from the rotation, Jackson acknowledged that it's been a tough adjustment for him. "I think he understands mentally, but emotionally I think it's real tough. You want to be out there on the floor. That's the hard part."
- Pete Newell, legendary educator of bigs and former Lakers GM, passed away today. Dr. Buss released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pete Newell earlier today,” said Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss. “Pete was one of the most brilliant teachers and coaches the game has ever known, and was also an exceptional front office man as the Lakers General Manager from 1972-76. He was a great help to me when I first purchased the Lakers and he was very generous with his time and counsel. In addition to his great contributions to the basketball world, Pete was also one of the finest gentlemen we’ve known. Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to the Newell family.”
Audio and video to follow later (UPDATE: The video is below).
BK
Pete Newell taught a lot of technique to a lot of "bigs" at his camp. Hos association with the Lakers is anothe reason why they are the greatest organization in the history of the NBA.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 17, 2008 at 03:29 PM
For those who feel the loss against the Piston is no big deal:
I'm telling you, that lost is a troubling sign.
We are weak against the East top 3 teams.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | November 17, 2008 at 03:32 PM
UTZ,
"Don't worry guys...we'll beat the Bulls and Phoenix this week, roll onto another streak and we won't hear from the Kwame Stalker for another couple of months. By then we'll be 25-2 and he'll still be in his strait-jacket talking about how soft Gasol is."
UTZ:
The 25 "wins" means nothing if the 2 "loses" are at the hands of Detroit and Boston.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | November 17, 2008 at 03:38 PM
passionate Laker fan,
We get it, you think the team is in trouble. Can we move on, you've been talking about the same thing for three days now.
Posted by: Xodus | November 17, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Passionate Lakers fan:
Is it irritating that the Lakers can't seem to get it together against the top dogs of the East? Yes. However, it's still a relatively small sample size. If we go 0-6 against the Pistons, Cavs and Celtics again this year, then I'll begin to worry.
You can worry if you want, but I don't see the point in trying to make everyone else freak out. Thankfully, most people aren't taking the bait.
Posted by: puddle | November 17, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Even if the Lakers were amenable to Shaq's return, it would be depended upon his willingness to come off the bench. I don't see that happening here, or anywhere else for that matter.
The only thing bigger than Shaq is Shaq's ego.
Posted by: Brandon @ BB | November 17, 2008 at 03:55 PM
"passionate Laker fan,
We get it, you think the team is in trouble. Can we move on, you've been talking about the same thing for three days now."
X,
I don't think I've ever seen a post by him that didn't have something to do with:
The Lakers not having any heart
Vlad Rad being soft
Pau Being Soft
PJ being a bad coach
Luke being soft
(Insert Laker Player Name Here) being soft
Did I mention the heart thing?
At least it isn't in all caps.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | November 17, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I still can't believe there are people who live in fear of the Eastern Conference.
Shouldn't we be talking about how we're going to kick the Suns ass on Wednesday and how Shaq is crazy?
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 17, 2008 at 03:58 PM
"Most strategies in sports are a series of trade offs, and defense in basketball is no exception. No scheme is free of weaknesses. The goal for the Lakers is to keep the other team as far away from the bucket as possible, even if that means conceding more shots from outside. "
BK said it best:
No defense is perfect. The Pistons shot few baskets in the paint. Most were perimeter and mid range shots.
Can't do much if the Pistons are shooting red hot.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 17, 2008 at 04:05 PM
So the NBA police does have some standards!
KG suspended one game for his antics in the Bucks game.
Now if they'll just clean up Boston's clawing grabbing pushing shoving defense, everything will be rectified.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | November 17, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Lets see we've been talking about the same thing for 3 days now...but we can't stop talking about the Lakers beating up on weak teams.
Clippers weak = 2 wins
Denver weak back then = 1 win
Portland young team = 1 win
Dallas sorry team = 1 win
That's 5 wins.
And the lakers are supposed to get excited about that?
Oh yeah! Oh yeah! We're going to break records and win a Championship...NOT!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | November 17, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Maybe the COPPERFIELD CREW can let the rest of the blog know when to be happy about our team winning and the conditions of our happiness.....
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 17, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Just watched the interviews from today's practice. Seems like the one thing you can count on with preparing for Chicago is that Derrick Rose is going to try and penetrate - and given that AIs dribble penetration really exposed some laziness in the Lakers defensive rotations, that seemed to be a focus in today's practice.
I thought that PJs comment was interesting when presented with Drew's self-criticism regarding his ineffectiveness on the low block. He basically said that Drew hasn't gotten many touches down there. He's found more success in plays where he's off the ball and finishes or on tip ins and offensive rebounds. Whereas you can look at this and say it's a lack of aggression, what I see is a sign of maturity not to force continual bad shots in the low post if its not proving effective yet. There are enough other options to go to while Drew continues to work on how he CAN be a force and really punish teams down there. However, where I think Drew needs to be more aggressive is in getting better rebounding position. Too often, he allows himself to be boxed out. The Detroit game was an anomaly where he was literally behind players and was able to reach over top of them to snag o-boards.
btw - Here's a link (I believe) to the interview PJ did with Cowherd this morning where he addressed Shaq's recent comments:
http://tinyurl.com/5t59ah
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 17, 2008 at 04:15 PM
:"UTZ:
The 25 "wins" means nothing if the 2 "loses" are at the hands of Detroit and Boston.:
Yep...he's scared. Moving on.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | November 17, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Man, can it get any worse for Dallas? Maybe they should just take this year off. As if they weren't already.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 17, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Don't worry.
Be happy.
NOW LET'S GO BEAT US DOWN SOME BULLS!
WHAT DO WE PLAY FOR? RINGS!!!!!!!
Lakers Today... Laker Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 17, 2008 at 04:30 PM
lakers_sth,
"Man, can it get any worse for Dallas?"
God, I hope so. I hate the Mark Cubans.
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 17, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Anyone know if Ajax got out from the fire's?
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 17, 2008 at 04:39 PM
I've watched a couple of Bulls games and they remind me of the Knicks teams of the recent past that have a lot of great pieces but don't know how they fit together yet. Here are a couple things to look at:
Derrick Rose - Like I said before, dude loves to penetrate. But he's looking to score or draw fouls a lot more often than looking for teammates. He gets himself into as much trouble as he completes spectacular plays. As long as the Lakers play disciplined defense on him I think he'll negate whatever positives he brings to the game and thus be a wash.
Nocioni and Gordon - These are two guys that can either be blistering hot or ice cold. If they're allowed to get on fire from the outside then the Lakers will have a tough one tomorrow night.
Thomas/Noah/Gooden - Undersized but each of them makes up for that in a different way. Thomas has freakishly long arms and is really working on his mid-range game. Gooden is a hard-hat type of PF. A poor man's Boozer. Hasn't really proven to be any kind of game-changer but works hard. Noah is like Nocioni. Dude runs off of passion and hustle. When his energy is up, he always seems to be able to find the ball and get his team second chances. Pau/Drew/LO should be able to impose their will on them as long as they bring the effort.
Deng - Meh. He'll get his but I'm not really worried about him hurting the Lakers. (Which will probably mean he does)
Here's my basic conclusion about the match-up. The Lakers SHOULD be able to frustrate Chicago into having a bad game on both ends of the floor without much problem. Unless the Bulls find something to rally around, I'm counting on a W.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 17, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Why is everybody arguing with Mike T?
This guy LITERALLY can't spell MARSHMALLOW.
Posted by: Xodus
THANK YOU X!!
SHUN MIKE T. ONLY A FOOL ARGUES WITH A FOOL
If we ignore the President of the ambulance chasers. he will eventually go away. It may take a while, cause well, he is a fool.
He has re-posted the EXACT same post at least 20 times in the last 3 days and some are still responding.
STOP...I BEG YOU. lol
Posted by: Eric M. | November 17, 2008 at 04:47 PM
I don't think we're a bad dribble penetration defensive team...I think we were lax on the last game.
Think of it this way, apart from last game...the averages we've given up for the "stars" in the opponents team (check out BK's stat)...is below their normal averages.
Our 1-2-2 zone works. Provided we do it well, or at all.
Posted by: Faith | November 17, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Gasol - gets us to Finals, loses 1 game to Pistons, silly looking hair.
Kwame - throws cake, has no opposable thumbs.
Kwame may have the calves of God himself, but God couldn't let the physique named Kwame Brown dominate both sides of the court.
Posted by: Chicken Little | November 17, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Last week it was one game in eihht days. Now it's one game in five days.
Good luck getting this season finished on time.
That Pistons game was big--a big buzz kill.
I hate, hate, hate losing in any form to the Pistons. Heck, I lost my virinity in Detroit and regret that too.
Ba da boom!
We should not have lost that game.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | November 17, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Faith - I think what we'll see that is different from what they've been doing is, trying to stay in front of penetrators rather than always "funneling" them a certain direction. What I've seen a lot of, when the defense first gets set up, is rarely will the Lakers guards face up on their man. Usually, what they'll do is set up favoring one direction, almost allowing the ball-handler to go a certain direction and relying on the defense behind them to rotate based on the signals they give. Whereas CP3 struggled with it (for 3 quarters at least) AI picked it apart. That just goes to show that the philosophy isn't a universally successful one. I like the CP3 strategy against guys like Nash but not necessarily D-Will or Tony Parker. We'll see how they choose to play Rose and whomever back him up (Hunter?).
I also think that what they definitely don't want to allow is penetration from the SF/SG position (ie LeBron, Wade, Pierce) b/c those are guys looking to score or get fouled in the paint and usually do.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 17, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Eric M,
The thing is I wouldn't even mind so much if he came back to gloat about Kwame's finest hour since he's been trying to prove the unprovable (that Kwame Brown alone makes a team a defensive force and a contender) and he's finally gotten the chance to gloat.
It's no surprise whatsoever that his two returns to the blog have been after the Finals and on Saturday where he can say "if we had Kwame Brown this wouldn't have happened."
I expected this, it's the sheer volume of his posts and the arrogance he spews that gets me. I don't see how anyone can halfway through his post without throwing up, much less formulating a response to it.
Truthfully, I'd prefer to have BUTLER and his clever misspellings than this.
Posted by: Xodus | November 17, 2008 at 05:19 PM
I'm not convinced in today's NBA you can guard a player in the perimeter one-on-one. I mean certain players. You can't guard CP3 that way, or Tony Parker imo.
I'm also not convinced we have the personnel to do that...esp with Fish's ribs being bruised.
That said, I'm looking forward to how this new strategy will work. It's certainly better than seeing Jordan Farmar shade a player to nowhere.
Posted by: Faith | November 17, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Here's the analysis we need. I may love Xs and Os more than the next guy but I believe critiques like this about what's difficult for LA vs Bos and Det more than people who talk about something as ambiguous as "toughness".
Kobe from today's practice: "One point he did return to twice was that L.A. needs to do better against teams like Boston and Detroit that have a shooting big man that stretches the floor from the center position when those teams go small (e.g. Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett)."
That is a specific situation that actually plays out on the floor against Detroit and Boston and one that the Lakers are working to address. It may not be the only thing but at least it's specific.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 17, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Faith - I hear you. I remember a comment during the game against NO where someone on here mentioned that the game looked like it was being played in slow motion. In their half court sets, I see PGs like CP3 and Nash as being probers who float around and try to attract defenders rather than guys who are trying to blow by you like AI and Parker. I think Rose falls into the latter category. We'll see what the philosophy is tomorrow and how effective it is.
Posted by: lakers_sth | November 17, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Hobbit,
from reverse order:
I'm not too concerned. I'm just stating the possible alternatives if Radman keep shooting like crap and Drew doesn't get his head straight and try to be more aggressive. He himself said he needed to be aggressive. If he does that fine and I wouldn't mind not changing the lineup. I just want him to get things offensively going.
About Drew getting slack,
When he was getting aggressive sure, I cut him tons of slack. But the fact he hasn't created any true offense since Jan. He has solved our problem in post defense but offensively we have struggled. I'm not concerned about Drew's defense it's already there. What I'm really bagging about him is his lack of aggressiveness on the floor. He needs to get his game going and post up instead of trying to finesse kind of things, let Pau do that instead of trying to set Drew up.
If Drew is the go to guy of the future, he NEEDS to get going. Kobe at his age was becoming a 2nd option like crazy.
re: Kaman was never an elite center. Last year he was getting touches in the post because Brand was injured. But 45% is not what you want from your center unless he is the Mehmet Okur or Brad Miller shooting type. Drew's main strength is near the post yet he is only getting 44% near there. His shots are so close yet he misses them?? That's why I'm hard because with his talent and his strengths he should be more aggressive and start acting like he's the franchise leader after Kobe.
re: Starting lineup. Right now Radman has been shooting like crap. At least Derek had that one good game against New Orleans. I want Radman to stay in the starting lineup because he is the shooter that neither Lamar nor Trevor is. If he keep shooting like crap though he will get replaced because basically the floor is getting less and less spread and more congested with the way he is shooting.
re: What I concede is that Drew didn't get the exp in college. If this was his rookie year then I would without a doubt defend him. That being said this is his 4th year. It doesn't matter if he got injured. If he was hungry then he should be getting to the basket at will. Sure he won't probably be as good as the Deisel was and while I think his ceiling is the Admiral, he is not there. He settles too much for baby jumpers instead of driving dunking it like he did against Philadelphia last year. Did he get not as much exp as he should in college? Yes. But at this time, he has had 1 full year of exp, at least 1/2 of PT as well. He should be dominating and with Pau should really flourish. It hasn't happened yet. At least Lamar flourished when Pau came, Drew hasn't done so and is too dependent on Pau and Kobe.
I want him to create his offense not simply be passive and be spoon fed by Gasol and Bryant. He admittted just now he needs to be more aggressive and until he does, he has a monkey on his back about not being aggressive.
Don't take it as a knock on him, defensively he is doing awesome.
re: Lamar could start in the starting 5 on most teams. Having him on the bench is a luxury not many teams can afford. He could play SF/PF real well. I'm not wanting him to be on the starting 5 unless someone is struggling. Otherwise he is fine on the bench.
To be honest with you, if Trevor learns how to run the point I want him to start. I would really reccommend PJ to teach him how to run the point and to let Derek and Kobe focus more on offense. Trevor has the tools to become a Juggernaut Defender like Pippen (though not the complete package like offense). Maybe that would let Derek shoot even more effecient not worrying about running the offense.
If he learns to run the point, then heck more power to him in the starting 5!
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 17, 2008 at 05:51 PM
I'm really appreciating this new, more mature Kobe, who seems to finally understand that in order to avoid fanning the flames you deprive them of oxygen. He did a great job of it over the break when the "shaq rap" came out and did a great job today.
Anna
Posted by: Anna in Bondi | November 17, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Fresh from the ESPN ticker:
Shaq wants to play for the Lakers in 2010. Says that he looked back and realized how "fun it was to be the 1-2 punch" with Kobe. And that the conflict between he and Kobe was PJ's doing.
Someone please confirm this because I still can't believe this..
Posted by: T_MELT | November 17, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Well Friday night game was a dissapointing lost,but you move on from it,and get ready for the next game.
Posted by: Laker Fan | November 17, 2008 at 06:36 PM
If Shaq is blaming PJ then...PJ might be out the door at the end of this season.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | November 17, 2008 at 06:42 PM
I mean, PJ has lost it anyway. Shaq must be talking to someone. Maybe behind closed doors PJ has worn out his welcome with his nutty decisions.
I mean the Lakers managment must be angry to have Luke Walton on the books for so long. I blame PJ for that one. He set Walton up for the big contract when Walton was as terrible as they come.
Then there's the Mihm contract.
The guy has got to go.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | November 17, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Yeah, I'm sure PJ is going to get fired after this season.
I mean, you've been right every other time you've said he was getting fired, right?
When will the insanity end?
Posted by: Xodus | November 17, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I caught up on reading the threads and like to throw my opinions in.
First it is only 8 games into the season and every team has a bullseye on the Lakers. So this loss is not a big thing in the overall picture.
But as in all things you can point to certain things you can learn from to improve.
As for AB progress or lack of it I put that on PJ's shoulders. PJ told AB to forget about his offense and to concentrate on defense primarily shot blocking and rebounding. He said any points out of AB would just be a bonus.
That is were PJ is wrong. He needs to integrate AB into the offense and let him unleash his dominence in the paint without sacrificing his defensive intensity.
People complain AB is not being agressive and not making post moves. Well that is what he was told to do by PJ. He needs to play agressive on both ends of floor.
Otherwise his heart is not going to be in it. Just think when Stu always said you reward your bigs for running hard and being aggresive. If rest of team is not going to reward you for hustle you tend not to hustle.
PJ has made improvements for which I am appreciative for the effort and hope it carries through. For example he has set a goal for winning best record for home court advantage in finals. Before he would throw games to let players figure things out and waste early games. But not this year. He also has not berated players in the media and actually praised TA for being stealth like.
Which by the way my nickname would be F22 or Raptor since he is like the stealth fighter. Flies high and strikes quick and unseen.
But PJ has still more to go so jury is still out. Hopefully he uses bench more and adjusts for physical teams. I think when playing physical teams he should deactivate Mihm and activate Mbenga. Mbenga can then give hard fouls and even if he fouls out during the game his presence would be felt.
He also could have used Powell a little bit too to see if he could have brought intensity to the game.
The Lakers need to play their triangle defense a little more consistently as they seemed a bit slow in the Det game.
http://tinyurl.com/6gv58y
Hope the adjustments are made.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | November 17, 2008 at 06:57 PM
I didn't know head coaches were the people responsible for signing players.
I always thought that was the GM and that the owner signed off on it.
What do I know, though?
Posted by: Xodus | November 17, 2008 at 07:02 PM
"When will the insanity end?"
He went to prison X. He actually believes the stuff he's saying, so it will never end.
Never.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | November 17, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Xodus,
"When will the insanity end?"
Ours, or his?
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 17, 2008 at 07:04 PM
I could use a new game. BUT THEN AGAIN, I am enjoying having won the FIRST SEVEN OUT OF EIGHT, BABY, YEAH YEAH YEAAAAAAAHHHHH
GOOoooOOOO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | November 17, 2008 at 07:15 PM
LAKER POWER RANKINGS
0-1 vs the BIG EAST (DETROIT, BOSTON, CLEVELAND)
Last yr 1-5 vs the BIG EAST.
8 game scouting report:
Can the Lakers continue to extend their pressure defense?
Can the Lakers utilize Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol as the offensive focal points by dumping the ball down to them at least 2 of 3 trips down the court?
Can the Lakers use Kobe Bryant as a counter puncher and closer exclusively as they try to get Bynum and Gasol off as a primary option?
Posted by: Lakerbake | November 17, 2008 at 07:17 PM
lakers_sth,
That was a good observation about distributive PGs v. scoring-first PGs. I think the strategy should be to make the distributive PGs like CP3 and Nash primarily scorers, and make the scoring-first PGs like Tony Parker into passers.
BTW, I was the one who made the slow-mo comment during the NO game. It was really strange watching what appeared to be players moving in slow motion throughout the game.
Posted by: EJK | November 17, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Thanks EX and BK for recognizing a great Laker GM - Pete Newell.
In his story on LAT, it says that at age 89 he was coaching Drew who was17 at Big Man's Camp. What a fan, a real dedicated coach and contemporaries of the Wizzard of Westwood and the late Chickie-baby.
Some of our Laker fans here who continue debating like small children on a trite issue, don't even have the temerity of respect to mentioning a Laker elder in their posts.
"Oh yeah, he was a GM back in 1970, I really don't care and besides I was not born yet at that time." Unfortunately, their world stops with Kobe, Drew and Pau, Kwame, LBJ, Dwayne.....ad infinitum!
Just plain irresponsible!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 17, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Pig,
From Bynum himself:
""I haven't really been attacking, so I'm going to start attacking on the block," Bynum, a 7-foot center, explained after the Lakers' practice Sunday. "I haven't scored much off the block. ... I'm just not being aggressive. I need to assert myself on the block. I haven't done anything like that.
"I don't think I've scored on a post move this season. I think everything's been off screen-and-rolls and catching it high and finishing high (off lob passes), so I'm going to be more aggressive."
Are you so stupid that you can't hear what he's saying?
He's saying he has scored one basket off of set play. Everything he's scored is coming from the other team's weak defense.
Don't believe me...believe your own eyes. Or better yet, quit being stupid and believe Bynum himself.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | November 17, 2008 at 07:26 PM
RIP Pete Newell. You will be remembered.
Posted by: Faith | November 17, 2008 at 07:41 PM
You getting this K bros?
Apparently I'm stupid.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | November 17, 2008 at 07:41 PM
I don't think anyone has said Bynum is scoring on his own post moves.
You're arguing with yourself. Which isn't surprising considering the source.
Posted by: Xodus | November 17, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Friday nights loss was a catastrophe. I wonder what will happen if the Lakers lose tomorrow? Maybe call the season off and everyone will just retire? Maybe we just won't make the playoffs? We can always trade Bynum AND Pau for Shaq....
Thank god for us we won't lose tomorrow...
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | November 17, 2008 at 07:54 PM
I'm stupid AND I'm a trite child lacking the "temerity of respect" (whatever that means).
Bad day to be me.
Posted by: puddle | November 17, 2008 at 08:00 PM
T-Melt,
Can you do us a favor and put the link in tiny URL form? It's the standard we're trying to have for all readers. Go to tinyurl.com. It's very easy.
Thanks,
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | November 17, 2008 at 08:08 PM