Last night's video, which hopefully left the radio star unscathed
It was interesting to hear Mike Dunleavy talk after the game about how his team looked to attack the Lakers the second time around, and the success they had in the first half:
"Two things for us. The first time we played them we took quick shots. That falls right into (what they want). They're trying to zone you up. It's a defense that if you have patience against it, you can find seams and get easy shots. In the first half, we did that. We moved the ball, we did it. Second half, whether it's fatigue or whatever, we started settling... If you go back and watch the film, we'll be able to find lots of holes where had we thrown the ball into the middle of the zone, if we had stretched it, if we had the right spacing- in the second half there had to be four or five times where we had two guys standing next to one, which allows one defender to guard two guys until they get their rotations back. We'll be able to pick out examples where we did it exactly the right, got great spacing, and we hurt them."
The Clips threw some effective skip passes early, and also had possessions where they quickly moved the rock before the Lakers could bring the help. As we discuss in the recap, teams will start to adjust to what the Lakers are doing defensively, and it'll be up to LA to a) stay disciplined and b) vary their looks.
Additionally, there's vid from Kobe (on defense), LO (on the manner in which LAL is going about their business), and Dunleavy, on why the Lakers should be favored in the W.C.
Click below for the goods.
BK
BK,
Next time you interview Lamar Odom, please ask him, "Lamar, how would you recommend that I could learn from your panache?"
Please. It's for the good of the blog.
We've got a reputation to maintain here.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 11:33 AM
EJK,
We cannot afford Lebron. In order to get Lebron we will have to give up Kobe and Pau even if we let Lamar walk. Because of the salary cap rules and how free agency works, unless we have so much money underneath the cap, it is very unlikely to get Lebron.
What I liked most from Drew last night was the defense and rebounding, the things the Lakers want from him at this moment. He has rebounded well plus his blocks went up to 2.8 per game and he has altered so many shots near the basket. The things I didn't like was when he was close the basket he only executed a few post moves and wasn't that much of an offensive force and I think Pau tried too much to get Drew involved. I say let Drew find his own method to post up instead of always getting assisted lobs near the basket. That way he will get more used to using the moves that will be required from him in the future when we do need his scoring.
Kobe and Pau should be the top two guys on offense not to mention the minute men. For the moment Drew should continue to keep what he is doing well and when the time comes he can score when he needs to.
Otherwise okay game last night. I didn't mind too much the 3 point shooting in the 1st half, almost everyone will hit a dry spell and look what happened to Baron when he shot ice cold from the perimeter in the 2nd half. What I didn't like was that sometimes we just let some people wide open and even Jordan and Radman gambled for steals and let a wide open 3 point shot.
I hope we can get out of our offensive funk. Drew should not be shooting below 50% as a center.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 11:42 AM
all the video's start and then stop.
anyone having this issue?
Posted by: steven v | November 06, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Didn't take long for teams to figure out how to attack our new fangled defense huh? That's okay. I'm confident in our coaching staff and our players. I'm sure we'll keep the league guessing! Suckerssssssss
A win is a win. I'll take it. We're winning and winning big now... Just wait until this team gels together. Wait until that mental telepathy develops from being on the court together for a number of games set in. Guy will know where the other guy is gonna be before he gets there... Just wait. It's going to be a thing of beauty.
Who let Buttler out of his cage!??!?! Definitely, definitely Amare... Best ever. Uh ohhhhh, FUNS game on at 7:30. GNASH is a good driver. Uh ohhh. I buy my underwear at KMART. Put him back in his cage!!!!! Up the meds. Whatever you gotta do, just do it!
Posted by: magicman | November 06, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Jon K...
Did you make a bet with someone that you could use the word panache on the blog by the end of the week?
If so, you win!!!! ha ha
Panache... Now there's a 25 cent word you don't get to hear every day. Nicely done my man.
LOL
Posted by: magicman | November 06, 2008 at 12:31 PM
kobeblitz,
I wouldn't even want LeBron James on our team. I'd far rather have Chris Paul as a Laker.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 12:36 PM
anyone having this issue?
Posted by: steven v |
Yes sir. I even updated my flash player...
Posted by: Charles | November 06, 2008 at 12:38 PM
magicman,
"Who let Buttler out of his cage!??!?! Definitely, definitely Amare... Best ever. Uh ohhhhh, FUNS game on at 7:30. GNASH is a good driver. Uh ohhh. I buy my underwear at KMART. Put him back in his cage!!!!! Up the meds. Whatever you gotta do, just do it!"
Nice.
I say, "Let the idiot troll spew out his madness!"
We'll do our talking on the court.
He's climbing up a ladder thinking he's ascending into the Heavens. And when he's high enough, we'll just kick the ladder out from underneath him.
The Suns can run, but they can't hide. We're coming from them.
The Curse of The Big Mistake continues.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 12:40 PM
magicman,
No, I've been focused on the chronic panache deficiency amongst our esteemed leaders--the Kamenetsky Brothers--for a couple weeks now.
After watching some of their videos, I could just tell something was missing. I wracked my brain. "What is missing? What is missing?"
I could only come to one conclusion: Panache.
The Kamenetsky Brothers lack panache.
These guys are running the Rolls Royce of professional basketball sports blogs and they dress like they just came back from a rummage store!
These two (BK especially) need to represent! As our leaders they need to start dress accordingly!
I suggested capes and a fedora, but my cries fell on deaf ears. So sad.
But I shall not give up my cause!
Laker Nation! We have an image to maintain and a reputation to keep!
NO PANACHE? NO PEACE! NO PANACHE? NO PEACE!
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 12:48 PM
mamba24,
" THIINK I'M GONNA CRY! THANKS: }"
Dude lucky for you it's a busy week at work ... u know if I'd been blogging when eric m. made a stance I'd have emptied my clip before realising you guys had made peace
And we wonder y they call the lakers soft ... lakernation y'all need to grow a tough skin ... all this goody two shoes apologizing to each other blah blah blah ... patting ak/bk on the back for being good natured ... enough of all that crap ... i say vote them off the island for all those years of laughing at the 55 win band waggon ... skin the next blog admin alive cuz his last name aint kamenetzky ... and show up at the staples center during the nba finals with a sign that reads, i'm thirsty for boston blood and i'll be waiting outiside once the game is done ...
Posted by: Taliq | November 06, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Charles,
In all seriousness, when win the Championship, we've got to arrange for a group blog celebration in person as some bar or on Figuero or something.
I'll fricken fly out if I have to.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Hey all!
Last night's game was good for about a quarter or so. Otherwise the guys looked like they had too many days off...! It's all good though.
This team is DEEP - REALLY deep. I don't see how any team can hang with us for a full 48 minutes.
This season is going to be one HECK of a ride!!!!
GO LAKERS!
PANACHE - the blog word of the month.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 06, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Jon K,
I would too want CP3 over Lebron though they both are good players. It to EJK's wondering why we aren't trying to get into the Lebron sweepstakes. To even be in the bid for Lebron we would have to give up Kobe and Pau and lose now.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 01:11 PM
And Jon K,
Lebron may have missed some shots during the stretch for the Celtics game but that doesn't mean he isn't a clutch player.
In fact according to 82games.com Lebron led the league in it's clutch rating just above Kobe. Not a knock on Kobe who is very clutch and while I think it was more that Lebron had to carry his team because they were losing more and Kobe had more talented team that didn't require to be carried as much, it doesn't mean LBJ is an "average" player.
Jon K, I know you are a die hard Laker fan and it probably is annoying there in Cleveland to hear about Lebron this or Lebron that. But simply Lebron is one of the best players in the NBA and while you have a right to your opinion, sometimes I think that your dislike of several players makes it seem that you degrade their skills.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 01:17 PM
blitz,
I understand that we can't afford to straight-up sign LeBron as a free agent. That's why I suggested doing a sign-and-trade deal involving Pau. I could see Pau's expiring contract be appealing to the Cavs should they wish to rebuild after LeBron leaves.
Posted by: EJK | November 06, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Jon K,
I agree with you about Buttler and the Funs. Except for one thing:
"The Suns can run, but they can't hide. We're coming from them."
The Suns don't run anymore... They've got a seven foot tall, 350 pound (give or take a cheeseburger or twelve), anchor tied around their necks that slows them down...
Also, I recall your cries for the cape and fedora.. But the guys work in downtown LA. Not in West Hollywood. hee hee. I'm jus' sayin'.
Perhaps we could get Momma Kamenetzky to work on the boys appearance. (Reminds me... AK/BK we are SERIOUSLY overdue for some of Mom's thoughts on our boys!!!!).
justanothermambafan.. Forget 48 minutes.. Try hanging with us for a seven game series!!!!
Yeahhhhh mannnnnnn
Posted by: magicman | November 06, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Watching Drew out there gives me the same feeling that blowing up random Southeast Asian extras gave Rambo. Did you see the play when Drew blocked the shot, got the rebound, and fired the outlet pass up half the court?? I swear I got something in my eye right about then.
I like the fact that we're so deep. I think it will go a long way to preventing boredom during the regular season. Guys will be so starved for minutes that they will run wild over whoever we line them up against - like starving your attack dog so he's that much more pissed on when you sic him on someone.
Lakers - Regulatin' the League since 1949...
Posted by: SBPimp | November 06, 2008 at 01:31 PM
EJK,
again you mis understand. We cannot even do a sign and trade because the salary cap rules for a free agent still applies. Even with Kobe's contract and Lamar's contract off the books, LBJ would want a contract around Kobe's current salary and even with a sign and trade we cannot go over 10% of the salary cap.
I know how much you want LBJ to be in Laker land but it is unrealistic to be in the LBJ's race unless you want us to lose now.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 01:36 PM
magicman,
"The Suns don't run anymore... They've got a seven foot tall, 350 pound (give or take a cheeseburger or twelve), anchor tied around their necks that slows them down..."
I literally burst into mad giggling laughter upon reading that.
Thanks.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 01:46 PM
kobeblitz,
I respect your opinion and your balanced use of statistics to support your point, but I am subject to more Cavs games than probably anyone else on this blog.
Is LeBron one of the most important players in the league? Absolutely. And he's a phenomenal athelete as well.
He just, in my humble opinion, lacks a lot of the intangibles and competitive drive which I feel is essential in making a player truly Great. Statistically LeBron is amazing, but I just don't see him being a player who retires with a closet full of Championship tropies and a fist covered in rings.
He's not that guy. He just isn't.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Charles,
In all seriousness, when win the Championship, we've got to arrange for a group blog celebration in person as some bar or on Figuero or something.
I'll fricken fly out if I have to.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I'd love that man,,,
Posted by: Charles | November 06, 2008 at 01:53 PM
blitz,
Thanks for crushing my dreams, buddy. LOL. I'm admittedly not famiilar with the salary cap rules, but we wouldn't be able to afford Kobe, LeBron, and Bynum? I see Kobe and LeBron each getting about $20M a year and Bynum getting around $15M a year. With Boston paying their 3 stars, I'd think it's possible.
LTLF, we need you to find a way to get it done. You are our resident trade scenario expert.
Posted by: EJK | November 06, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Jon K,
I'm only here to help ma brotha. If I can supply one of my Laker loving brethren with a good quality laugh,(especially one at the Suns expense!) my work here is done. lol
Posted by: magicman | November 06, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Jon K,
I know you are in Cleveland and being a Laker fan especially up in the midwest (I got family in Chicago) makes it really hard especially with all the Jordan mania and the Lebron mania that goes up on there.
But give credit where it is due please even if you disagree with me. Remember back on that game where he hit a Game sealer in front of Kobe? Or how he put up 48 points on the Detroit Pistons and Tayshaun Prince's defense?
Lebron is a great player and while I don't see him being in Jordan territory he will make his mark as one of the legends.
The only thing I would say is his weakness is his jump shots and to a degree his defense (which has improved since he came into the league).
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 02:07 PM
kobeblitz,
LeBron's a phenomenal athlete who does great things. He's just not a Great player.
I think we're getting a little too much into the "Spider-Man could lift a tank versus 'No, he couldn't!'" debate.
We'll see. I'll let you have your admiration for LeBron and I'll keep my skepticism. History will prove one of us right.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Laker Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 02:16 PM
AK and others,
Michael Jordan himself called Lebron an "average" NBA basketball player. He has never said that about Kobe.
Without a doubt, Lebron is gifted. Athletically, and as a passer.
Let's imagine Lebron could only jump like Bird. Where is he now as a basketball player? Would he be like Magic?
He can't shoot consistently. He certainly should be a way better defensive player. The same could be said about Magic.
But what made Magic different? Was it because he was more unselfish? For some reason I cannot explain, Magic knew how to pump his teamates up and make everyone better.. I cannot say that for Lebron.
You take away his jumping ability and what does he have?
1) No post presence
2) No consistent outside shot.
3) No in-between game at all.
4) Average defense.
If he wasn't a freak of nature, why would we be talking about him?
Posted by: zen | November 06, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Everyone needs to forget about Lebron's "greatness" for a moment...What can he really do well? Pass. Jump over people. Dunk hard. He can run like there is no tomorrow.
But from a basketball fundamental standpoint, what is he so great at? If he had Bird's jumping ability, would he be in the league? Tell me I'm ignorant! Teach me what his skills are. I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong...
Posted by: zen | November 06, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Well last night Lamar looked like a 6th man of the year candidate.
But then again, 1 out of 4 games, he looked like an all-star last year.
Lamar = 3rd place finisher in 6th Man of the Year voting
Posted by: htj | November 06, 2008 at 02:39 PM
"Thanks for crushing my dreams, buddy. LOL. I'm admittedly not famiilar with the salary cap rules, but we wouldn't be able to afford Kobe, LeBron, and Bynum? I see Kobe and LeBron each getting about $20M a year and Bynum getting around $15M a year. With Boston paying their 3 stars, I'd think it's possible.
LTLF, we need you to find a way to get it done. You are our resident trade scenario expert."
I take no pleasure in crushing your dream of a Bryant-James-Bynum lineup but I'm afraid there is more.
True KG, Ray Ray, and Pierce make 24, 18, 18 million respectively but guess what the other Celtics makes?
The most paid Celtic after the Big 3 is Kendrick Perkins at roughly 4 million. None of the other Celtics makes more than that, in fact beyond Rondo, Perkins, the big 3 and possibly Powe the rest of the Celtics seem to be really bad and only because of the Big 3 are the Celtics are a good team at all.
The Lakers have several players who make more than all of them like Vlad Rad, Luke and Sasha. With they way they are playing Trevor and Jordan by 2010 will also have big increases in pay around 5 million. They will not settle for playing less than a million.
Cleveland is winning their games. Why on earth would they want they want to give up their star to rebuild? Don't try Minnesota and KG example. Unlike Cleveland, Minnesota was rebuilding for 3 years despite having KG and decided to give him up for more rebuilding. Had Cleveland have a losing record then the possibly of trading for Lebron may increase. But with the way the Cavs are playing, the Front office of the Cavaliers would be idiots to trade away Lebron when they are winning. It would be like trading away Kobe when we are winning; why do that?
We got Pau since he was on a bad team in Memphis and they wanted to rebuild. Plus the pieces we gave away save for Marc perhaps was probably once in a lifetime deal, almost nobody would have agreed to it.
Sorry but while not impossible to get Lebron, it is very highly UNLIKELY.
And where are the people who is saying "OH MARC GASOL IS SO GOOD BETTER THAN PAU?". Yeah Marc is a good player and is doing well for a rookie. That Golden State game made him look good because Golden State's weakness is inside plus they shoot alot (and miss alot) so rebounds come more quickly. 5 points and 6 rebounds against Sacramento, where are those people now? Don't believe that players can get some good stats against Golden State (big men). Try Lamar Odom getting two 20point 20 rebounds games against Golden State when he switched between Power Forward and Center.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 02:40 PM
LTLF,
As much as it is possible not to mention awesome that Lebron could come to LA, it still very highly unlikely. I mean it would take Cleveland to not win the title and do bad in the playoffs for the next two years which is at best 50/50.
Remember we gave Drew an extension and even with LO leaving because of the extension we would at best gain 2 million in the salary cap. Lebron will most likely opt out of his contract in 2010 so to do a sign and trade will have to follow the Free Agent rules. Even with Pau's salary and giving up several players we will still have to be about 20 million (around LBJ money) under neath the cap. While we can go over the cap a little bit in a sign and trade it will take almost cost quite a ton of players that we have to not only trade away before 2010 but also have to sign for less than the minimum around $ 1 million which with Jordan doesn't seem like doing nor Trevor will either.
Simply a Kobe-James-Bynum trio in LA won't work unless 1) Cleveland is losing big time and 2) Lebron has to have an incentive beyond being the league's billionaire to come to LA.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 02:57 PM
>>>...we wouldn't be able to afford Kobe, LeBron, and
>>>Bynum?
>>>
>>>LTLF, we need you to find a way to get it done. You are
>>>our resident trade scenario expert.
Okay. Let's try that scenario on for size. If LeBron opts out in 2010,
presumably he won't go anywhere for less than a max contract. For
LeBron in 2010, that would be 30% of the salary cap for 2010-2011.
The way it's been trending, let's predict the cap to be 64 million for
that year. That would put LeBron's first year salary at 19.2 million.
Problem #1: Since the raise LeBron would be getting woud be
greater than 20%, he would be considered Base Year Compensated.
That means that LeBron's salary for trade purposes would
be his previous year's salary, or about 15.8 million going out,
but the full 19.2 million coming in. With that big a numbers,
it isn't hard to include a player or two to get the numbers to match up.
Problem #2: who else would Cleveland have under contract at the time?
As of now, it would be Maurice Williams, Delonte West, Boobie Gibson,
and JJ Hickson. That's it. So they'd probably be okay on guards, and
would want quality front court players (several of them) back for
LeBron.
But there are almost two years between now and then, so we have
no idea what positions they'd have filled and where they'd have
needs.
Problem #3: Who is still with the Lakers by then?
Probably not Lamar. I can't see him taking 5 million and I can't see the
Lakers paying him 10. Maybe Ariza. Probably not Mihm. At least one
draftee. Maybe Sun Yue if he has shown progress. Presumably
Kobe, Gasol, Rad, Vujacic, Walton, Bynum, and Farmar.
Problem #4: Why would they want an expiring contract?
If LeBron is walking out on them, why would they want someone who
would stay for 1 year and then walk out. If I was in a "forced to trade
my superstar" situation, I'd want at least 1 very good player, a couple
of young players with potential, and some cap relief.
Based on all that, it's hard to even start to project the details of a trade
for LeBron. There are just too many factors that will change in two
years.
But let me go all wild-ass and cook up a wacky scenario anyway.
Let's start by having the Lakers make some fiscally prudent
moves prior to then.
I. Future Luxury reductions at the trade deadline -
I'll go with small change. Let's say the Lakers trade Chris Mihm to
Chicago for Joakim Noah. They get a post player. Lakers get a backup
C/PF for less than Mihm will want next summer. That puts the
Lakers at 77.8 million next season. Let's say Lamar relents and
agrees to re-sign for 2 years at 8 million each and Trevor gets a full
MLE. That puts the Lakers at about 92 million for the 2009-10
season (plus a couple million more for Powell & Mbenga or their
replacements).
I'm going to have to guess that Cleveland would not want to give up
LeBron for Gasol with only 1 year left on his contract. So here's the
package that might work:
LeBron + (not sure who to balance salaries)
for
Bynum, Ariza, Noah, Radmanovic or Vujacic + 2 first round picks.
That's assuming that Bynum, Ariza, and Noah all continue to improve
as players and Bynum has made the All-Star game at least once between
now and then.
That would leave the Lakers with Kobe, LeBron, Pau, Lamar,
Vlad or Sasha, Luke, and Jordan (plus possibly Sun, Powell,
& Mbenga). That's a very solid start to a core of players.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 06, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Zen,
Lebron James stats for 2007-2008
30ppg 7.9rpg, 7.2apg.
Only 3 players in NBA HIstory has done that.
Oscar Robertson (5 times)
Michael Jordan (1988-1989 season)
Lebron James (2007-2008 season).
Now his jumper may be not the best nor his defense is always the lock down defense like Kobe's is. But that doesn't take away the other stuff he's good at (attacking the rim, rebounding, being a playmaker though the offense is suited for him which lets him increase his average over Kobe).
LBJ is one of the best in the NBA, don't deny that.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 03:04 PM
kobeblitz,
>>>Cleveland is winning their games. Why on earth would
>>>they want they want to give up their star to rebuild?
The theory isn't that Cleveland will want to give up LeBron, but that
LeBron will FORCE them into it.
In 2010, LeBron can opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted
free agent. The theory is that if Cleveland hasn't made it up to
championship level by then, LeBron will leave for a big city team
(New York or Los Angeles most likely). The reason he'd do that is
either to go to a team with a better chance at a championship,
to increase his exposure and chance of revenues outside of basketball,
or both.
Of all the teams in New York and LA, currently the Lakers are
the only one of the four that would give him a chance to do both:
win a championship and move to a big city.
So LeBron could give Cleveland an ultimatium. Let's say that
the Knicks, the Nets, and 3 other teams all have enough cap space
to offer LeBron a max contract. LeBron could tell them that he's
definitely gone, but if they wanted to do a sign and trade, he'd agree
to go to the Lakers if they were willing to work out a deal.
Think of this like Kobe last summer wanting to go to the Bulls. Except
Kobe was still two years away from being able to opt out, so the Lakers
weren't FORCED to make the trade.
So if you're Cleveland and you're given a choice of nothing
or a package including Bynum or Gasol plus a couple of other good
players with lots of playoff experience (Ariza? Vujacic? Rad? Farmar?
Lamar?), which would you take?
But there are a TON of variables between now and then. Lakers would
have to win at least 1 championship. Cleveland would have to not
make it back to the finals. Lakers would have to have enough good
players that Cleveland would agree to the deal, etc.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | November 06, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Biiiiiiiiig win, the tough ones are the ones you remember. Great game by Lamar, OK game by Kobe and Pau, and I think that Bynum gave the coaching staff exactly what they were hoping to see. Cleaning the glass and altering/blocking shots. Dunleavey wouldn't admit it, or didn't pick up on it, but the reason that the Clips stopped going to the hole was AB 17. He intimidated the heck out of their guards and made Kaman rush every time he touched the rock. Awesome!
I have to say, this team looks really focused, not only on the defensive end, but all over the court. Fewer bad passes, fewer bad shots. All the hallmarks of the Lakers of old.
Farmar must've heard the bashing of his game because he is also playing at an elevated level. His defense is really stepping up. He did make a couple of questionable plays last night, but all in all a big improvement over the last 1/3 of the season in 07-08.
Sasha is trying way too hard. He's playing as fast as he did two years ago, way too fast. He needs to keep the offence moving and then shoot the wide open look. He does not need to make plays off the dribble. He does not need to shoot contested J's and he doesn't need to bomb tre's in transition. Way too much of that action.
O where O where is Luke Walton? Buried behind Ariza, Vlad Rad and Kobe. Maybe they are looking to move him and letting him heal up all the way. Only the Shadow knows.
Looking forward to a REAL challenge on Sunday in the Rockets.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 06, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Jon K and zen,
"LeBron's a phenomenal athlete who does great things. He's just not a Great player."
If someone does great things on the field/court, does it really matter if they do those great things because of skill or because of physical capabilities? I would take Shaq at his peak over Kareem at his peak, even though Kareem was much more skillful.
Today, Steve Nash is more skillful than Chris Paul or Deron Williams. But Paul and Williams are superior basketball players.
It's silly to say that LeBron is not a great player.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 06, 2008 at 03:28 PM
zen,
"If he wasn't a freak of nature, why would we be talking about him?"
We wouldn't.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 03:29 PM
LTLF,
Like I said to EJK, not impossible for us to get Lebron. Highly unlikely? Very much so.
Besides, I'm so far leading in our fantasy league :P
Rick Friedman, please trade me Kobe I'll give you some of my good players.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | November 06, 2008 at 03:37 PM
LTLF,
Thanks for the analysis and trade scenarios. I think another incentive for Cleveland to do a sign-and-trade with the Lakers would be to keep LeBron out of the East. Cleveland would probably much rather have LeBron go West than to stay in the East where he would continue to torment them.
Posted by: EJK | November 06, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Jon K
Sorry I have not been around lately. Now that the campaign is over and the Secret Service has released me from my obligations, I'm free to post again.
A Post Parade group rally sounds like a great idea, but we would have a few problems to overcome.
1. To converse freely we would need our laptops and the ability to post our conversations on the LA Times Lakers Blog. (Greetings could take hours if the K's are busy) And possibly many of them being censored as we start to drink and talk about old debates.
2. For some here, they would need multiple name badges to I.D. themselves. From what I could tell, maybe up to a dozen for some.
Visualizing some from their blogging names could become interesting. Just imagine what some of our Lakers friends would really look like. (I will save my descriptions for another day)
Still, these problems should be easily managed. If the Lakers can learn how to play defense to win the Title, then it would be a small thing for us Lakers Blog 'Compadres' to overcome.
Fatty
Posted by: Fatty | November 06, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Ex,
I agree that it's a waste of time to say Lebron isn't a great player. And we should all hope he doesn't develop things like a consistent midrange game, a post game and consistenly great defense because if he does it's over. He would not only be the best player today he'd be the best ever.
Posted by: Xodus | November 06, 2008 at 03:48 PM
ex,
"I would take Shaq at his peak over Kareem at his peak, even though Kareem was much more skillful."
I would have to agree. Shaq's 2000 season was the most dominant I have ever seen, MJ included. If you could post the league's best record and win a championship with AC Green as your starting power forward, you know that you are incredibly awesome. It's too bad the guy got lazy and complacent after that year and declined so quickly. He should've had at least 3 MVPs.
Posted by: EJK | November 06, 2008 at 03:50 PM
AK and Jon K
Missed the earlier "Is LeBron clutch" debate. However, after looking at the stats, the player I'm most impressed with is Ginobili. LeBron and Kobe both average a little over 1.5 pts per shot during the last 5 minutes of close games. Ginobili averages over 2.1 pts per shot. That's absolutely incredible.
Posted by: giantsquid | November 06, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Lebron is a good player. No one is denying that. But me and Jon K are saying it's because of his freakish athleticism. Shaq had skill and was a freakish athlete..Shaq was also 7'1" 360 pounds in his prime but he also had a decent post game and knew how to make people around him better using his presence..
I can't say the same about Lebron either. If the dude couldn't run and jump like he does, he would be average like most in the NBA.
A 6'8" guy (brick wall I might add) who can jump out of the building and can beat everyone down the floor with his speed is not my idea of the best basketball player.
You guys can honestly say, that if he was built more like Kobe that he would be more then an average player in this league? I'm not quite so sure...
Posted by: zen | November 06, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Shaq in his prime was incredible for his size. A very big and mobile man with skills in the post. He should have won 6 championships at least.
Posted by: zen | November 06, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Long Time & Blitz,
Who really among us wants LeBron to be a Laker? I will say it now. NO WAY. And I don’t care what crazy stats anybody comes up with, if you ask NBA players and coaches who they would trust most to take a clutch end-of-the-game shot, we all know what the answer is.
The bloggers who are pining for LeBron ought to just trade places with Jon. This team has all that it needs. We should enjoy what we have instead of wishing for what we don’t need. I wouldn’t trade either Drew or Pau for LeBron. Those trades only work in fantasy NBA.
I say no to LeBron ever or any changes this year. This will be one of the greatest Lakers teams of all time by the end of the year. Of course, this is just my own personal opinion.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 06, 2008 at 04:07 PM
I wouldn't even compare Shaq to Lebron James. Shaq was even more gifted athletically then Lebron is and Shaq didn't have to have all the guard skills..He was so big he could just stand there and dominate. I bet Lebron wished he could be so lucky!
Posted by: zen | November 06, 2008 at 04:09 PM
exheldovr,
"If someone does great things on the field/court, does it really matter if they do those great things because of skill or because of physical capabilities?"
That's the best rhetorical counter-argument I've heard yet to my point.
Good point.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Fatty,
I think a post-Championship L.A. Times Lakers blog real world celebration party would be the most wonderful, bizarre, fun, curious and shocking thing.
We could meet somewhere with a huge table, sit down with our laptops, and communicate--fingers ablaze across our keyboards--with our eyes firmly afixed to the computer screen.
GOOD TIMES!
Actually, it would be fun and probably pretty damned good for the blog long term. Less flame wars. It's a little harder to scream at someone through the screen after you've actually shook their hand.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 04:30 PM
giantsquid,
Ginobili averages over 2.1 pts per shot?
Wow. That is pretty impressive.
Him being out is going to really hurt the Spurs.
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 04:31 PM
exheldovr,
Still, if given the choice, I would take Kareem in his prime over Shaq in his prime.
1. Skyhook.
2. Freethrows.
Need I say more?
Lakers Today. Lakers Tomorrow. Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 06, 2008 at 04:34 PM