Game thread - Lakers at Pacers
December 2, 2008 | 4:05
pm
If you ask the Lakers nicely, they'll bring you a souvenir from Indianapolis. Hopefully, it's a win, not a "My Rich Athlete Friend went to Indiana and all I got was this stupid T-Shirt."
AK
Go Lakers!
Run the offense.
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | December 02, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Run the offense and PLAY SOME D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Feel like smackin' the bahoobie outta them. Kobe made up for it a little at the end of the second but then Granger hit that shot. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some D please. PLEASE.
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | December 02, 2008 at 05:17 PM
The Lakers' defense is TERRIBLE! Every journeyman guard in the league is shredding our guards with uncontested drives (or drive and dish). Every single one of our guards (and Farmar is the worst) overplays their man to one side, and their man waits until our big underneath gets out of position to just blow by our guards. It's ridiculous. Any high school guard who did this would be riding the bench the rest of the season if he/she played defense like this.
I guess those first few games when they were so committed to squared-up-and-in-your-face defense was just a temporary experiment ("Yeah. OK. We now know we can do it. So the heck with it until we really, really, really need it some day.")
Baaad, bad attitude to have. The Celtics are going to embarrass them again if they keep this up.
Posted by: CornerJ | December 02, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Where the HELL is the D-fense they've been preaching all year??? I mean really. Do they think they can just turn IT on and OFF??? Waltz up into some teams arena with this ho-hum, cavalier-like, nonchalant, lethargic attitude and they can just get it done?? Thats where the separation is if you ask me as far as being a championship team....You have to take an inferior opponent out of the game early and not give them hope. Let them know whats REALLY good from jump..But no, we prefer to toy with the opponent and then think we can just take the game or whatever...So far we have been fortunate..I just would like to see a more determined attitude out there from the jump ball on.....
Any ole wayz..That's my two cents.
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | December 02, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Lakers just dont play good enough D to be a 70-win team.
You let teams hang around, they will beat you ESPECIALLY on the road.
This is embarassing, but hopefully teaches them a lesson.
Posted by: Korey | December 02, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Lakers are always talking. Talking about their D, talking about them not complacent. Well guess what.
You have no D, and you played complacent.
How do you allow Indiana to stick around like that? How do you let them shoot that many uncontested shots, get so many freakin offensive rebounds. Freakin unacceptable
Where is the freakin rotation? Where is the movement? Where is the freakin effort!
You have to challenge shots, you have to defend! What the hell are you doing?
This is freakin unacceptable. I am freakin pissed!
Posted by: Faith | December 02, 2008 at 06:35 PM
it hurts!! it really hurts!!!! :~(
LA-117 IND-118
Posted by: darkhangelsk | December 02, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Lakers deserved this lost. Right now you know they cannot compete with the Celtics.
Garnett will absolutely out physical Gasol. Gasol is as soft as last year. Gasol is horrendous on help defense.
Vlad can't play defense.
Posted by: Tom | December 02, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Enough said.
Posted by: VMan | December 02, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Lakers keep proving they cant compete with Eastern teams, even bad ones, its a toughness issue, a tough foward like Miamis Haslem could help. Odom as trade bait, hes wasted here on the bench.
Posted by: kevin garnett | December 02, 2008 at 06:37 PM
There's just no way the lakers can beat the Celtics. We saw it all tionight, dumb plays, bunch of TO's, complete lack of D, no hustle, terrible coaching, a bunch of missed FT's. Just a pathetic effort overall. It's almost like they weren't even on the court.
Posted by: Brazilian Laker | December 02, 2008 at 06:38 PM
farmar is not a leader and cannot be a starting point guard or backup to a championship team. have you seen another player who complains and slumps his shoulders with his negative body language as much as him.
O WAIT yeah i found one GASOL
all gasol does is whines whines whines and then provide no help defense at all
celtics take charges lakers don't lakers win championshiop lakers don't simple as that.
Posted by: Tom | December 02, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Man I'm telling ya'll we still aint ready for the Celtics yet...very, very poor job tonight. This was worst than the Detroit loss.
Posted by: RFS | December 02, 2008 at 06:39 PM
oh well.
new game tomorrow.
Posted by: mud | December 02, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Oh that was bad. How in the world we lose that game? No D
Posted by: wow | December 02, 2008 at 06:40 PM
The LAKERS losing to INDIANA is a bust...
They are again the FAKERS! Blowing a good lead
after the 3rd showed how poor our mentality are.
If the lakers want full home court during play-offs, they
should be thinking of winning all game...
It good to lose with a high caliber team and not INDIANA..
Posted by: shaggy | December 02, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Just hope they learn a lesson from this. Stop starting slow and don't let opponents hang around specially in the fourth. LEARN YOUR LESSON WELL boys.
Posted by: Lakergurl | December 02, 2008 at 06:42 PM
I thought the Lakers have something to prove this year. I guess not. Bull sh** effort tonight. I don't know what defense they are working on but it better change. Garnett leads the Celtics with his solid d. Kobe leads the lakers with gambles.
Horrible lost tonight.
Posted by: Tom | December 02, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Lakers DESERVED to lose this game. I knew that when farmar caused 3 turn overs..this game was o-v-e-r. oh well. sucks but the Lakers will get revenge hopefully. oh and phil should have put bynum in sooner...wow...
Posted by: Drew | December 02, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I guess the Lakers do not grasp the notion that they need home court throughout the playoffs in order to win it all. Celtics will finish with a better record and beat the Lakers again if they can even get there. Their much hyped defense is overrated when you have softy , WNBA physical player in Gasol in the middle and revolving door Vlad guarding opposing small forwards.
Posted by: Tom | December 02, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Oh well,
At least there's a game tomorrow night so we'll only have to wade
through mountains of bullstuff from Mike T for one day.
Lots of blame to go around in this one. Missed free throws by
Pau and Drew. Bad defense by Rad. Terrible rebounding.
Four turnovers apiece for Rad and Lamar.
And of course, they only scored 16 points in the fourth quarter.
And I'll give Phil some blame as well. When they started off
the fourth quarter with the Pacers starters vs the Bench Mob and
the Lakers made several stupid turnovers in a row. Phil called timeout
and put in all five starters. Rad should not have gone back in
at that point.
I pity Philadelphia tomorrow night.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 02, 2008 at 06:47 PM
HOW THE HELL DO YOU LOSE A GAME ON AN OFFENSIVE TIP IN BY RASHO NESTEROVIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: never | December 02, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Sermon tomorrow @ 0900. That is all.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | December 02, 2008 at 06:48 PM
I knwo the shaq kobe teams always lost to bad teams but that was after they won a title already. Do that first.
Farmars body lanugage is ridiculous to watch you are the point guard stop being upset over every single mistake you make just play
the type of defense the lakers they need to take charges or they will not be successful even if the help is there they are afraid to take the contact and either reach or get out of the way
Posted by: Tom | December 02, 2008 at 06:49 PM
That game was similar to the performance of the Stock Market a couple of days ago, roller coaster and helter skelter kind of basketball UGLY. One big reason why Farmar is not ready to be the PG starter. Lack of hustle in the end when we were leading by 6 or 4 lost the ball game. Missed free throws came to haunt them in the end. That's the job of young players, all about agility no stability just run, run, run and fancy passing. They lacked lead management when they were leading double digits. Lakers beat themselves.
Anyway, it's history & a good loss that will bring their heads back to earth. Same way here in the blog, we have been arrogant lately with our strings of victories, nobody can't criticize the Lakers anymore.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 02, 2008 at 06:51 PM
i can't sleep with this kind of loss.... damn!!!!
Posted by: darkhangelsk | December 02, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Gasol will fit perfectly onto the sparks. plays like a girl.
Posted by: Tom | December 02, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Why was Ariza taken out? Why was Vlad playing?
Same questions we were asking when Vlad and Walton were playing and guarding Pierce in the Finals. THEY SUCK
Posted by: Tom | December 02, 2008 at 06:55 PM
That fourth quarter was one to forget.
On to Philly.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | December 02, 2008 at 06:56 PM
you can't enter the FOURTH quarter up by 15 pts and still lose a game
yes, our standards are higher so every single loss should suck...but this one is even more inexcusable for the lack of end-game execution against an inferior opponent. just a terrible effort
Posted by: CBuck | December 02, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Actually it was Troy Murphy with the tip-in. I blame the loss on Pau Gasol. Hit your damn free throws...
Posted by: never | December 02, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Great teams have bad nights and great teams lose games. Its not that the Lakers lost tonight - its how they lost. On the road, you have to make free throws, get defensive rebounds and get get in front of shooters. In the third quarter the Lakers didn't get between a Pacer and a shot until 1 minute left. Ariza's steals will cause people to overlook that, but I see that as cause for concern.
This loss has been coming for several games. The focus on defense has been less and less each game and the Lakers have been living off offensive talent and home cooking.
This team has greatness in its potential and great personnel, but they don't focus on defense and don't have enough shut down guys to not focus. I see a lot of those little bad signs as well. Too many guys don't finish at the rim and the free throws - really an issue. This team has great shooters. Missed free throws is a mental thing with them and I think it is the mental edge and the mental toughness that they still miss. How does this team with their size, depth and inside talent give up so many offensive rebounds? Once again, focus and mental toughness. I still don't think they can beat Boston as much as I hate to say that.
At this point I can only hope that it is their overall youth that causes their mental softness. I hope in time they can obtain the greatness that would equal their potential.
Posted by: 1969 | December 02, 2008 at 06:56 PM
BLöG CRüE
I had my daughter's basketball practice to attend and saw more defense from 10 and 11 year olds. I missed the entire game but the last 12 seconds.
This is a great loss for us, hopefully we'll learn something from this. Dissappointed but...
Colorado still loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | December 02, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Kobe is bringing me back a t-shirt that says "My Rich Athlete Friend went to Indiana and all I got was this stupid 4th quarter collapse."
Posted by: brentm8 | December 02, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I really can't sleep tonight. I'm worried right now and I know I should be. We blew a 15 point lead. We keep blowing leads!!!
Posted by: never | December 02, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Lakers have gotten used to going on a big run, and then just cruising home.
It didn't bite them in NO, but the snake finally bit them in Indiana. Hopefully they learn this lesson well.
Not all opponents are going to be like Denver or Phoenix who just give up.
Some opponents, especially when playing at home will fight back.
Posted by: LakerinBC | December 02, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Calm down everybody. It was one freakin' game - that's all. They are on pace to win 71 games - they will learn from this.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | December 02, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Don't play D, you won't win games.
How hard is that to understand? Don't make me go all Mike T on you!
Posted by: Faith | December 02, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Is it Sunday because I felt like I was watching a Charger game? They should have one but decided to give it away on the last play.
Posted by: brentm8 | December 02, 2008 at 07:08 PM
OK, time to crank up the trade machine, fire Phil, and start the rebuilding process. Maybe we can be like the Knicks and clear out cap space for 2010.
Posted by: EJK | December 02, 2008 at 07:08 PM
So, should we thank our "improved D" this season to the soft early schedule? It sure seems like they padded their stats against some pretty bad teams.
Posted by: Brazilian Laker | December 02, 2008 at 07:11 PM
exhel,
It was one fricking game we should have won!!! We should have won!!!! We should have won!! We should have won!! My vocal chords are a little strained right now... I don't care if we are on pace to win 71 games...we should have won this game and we blew it...how the hell do you blow a 15 point lead in the 4th quarter. Kobe should have driven it..for crying out loud Rasho Nesterovic ws in front of him??? Are you kidding me?? Are you kidding me??? Are you kidding me?? asdfasdfaksghewakhlg. I'm predicting the Lakers to lose two out of the next three because they are weak right now..yes they are weak right now......!!askjdnaskjdfhaklsfphl
Posted by: never | December 02, 2008 at 07:12 PM
My day was already hard today. Thanks Lakers for making it suck now. I won't be able to go to sleep, and I have to go and hear all these Lebron fans talk my ears off at work. Its so bad that we lost to the Pacers off all team. I have no excuse.
The Lakers first unit were lacking some major energy. Fix it Phil. By the way Phil can you fix the pick and roll defense for the one billionth time.
Posted by: wow | December 02, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Vlad had some productive minutes with Granger, of course Ariza has to be in the court in the 4th Q with Kobe, I think if PJ played for match-ups LO should have been out and Vlad in. Missed free throws of Gasol and Drew killed us.
Lakers should learn not only howto run but to hustle that's why we have a beast out there who will earn $58M but the beast sometimes acts like an elephant just standing around waiting for the ball to come to him. Yeah, that's a good description for Drew, the elephant and Gasol, the ostrich. The Ostrich and the Elephant couldn't control the jungle. LOL!
Don't tell me Lakers can't handle Sixers and Wizzards.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 02, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Get ready for the Loss Boys to show up.
The season is 82 games + the playoffs. Let's not get wrapped up in the national media hype about 72 wins, and all of that other crap.
The team that started 16 - 1 promptly lost 5 of their next 9 games.
It's not about now. It's about June.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | December 02, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Boy am I glad I missed this game. Blowing a 15 point lead, wow.
This is a loss the Lakers likely needed. They have a habit of coasting, especially on the defensive end of the floor and trying to get by with pretty offensive plays. You want to guarantee you have homecourt throughout? Play like every game is your last like the Celts last year. We're more talented than those Celts, if we play that hard no one can touch the Lakers.
Posted by: Xodus | December 02, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Ex,
I agree, the hysteria on the blog is a little over the top considering we're 14-2. I think the loss will help the team too. They've gotten into the habit of playing 1 or 2 good quarters and putting teams away. They should learn that they can't coast to a title.
Posted by: Xodus | December 02, 2008 at 07:19 PM
I'm still a little frustrated...man this is a game that we won...I knew when Kobe missed that final shot we would lose. It just wasn't meant to be..There goes our chance of going on a 10 game winning streak.....
Posted by: never | December 02, 2008 at 07:19 PM
I wish we still have our blogger Stargazer who will remind this team:
DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE.
Lamar are you listening?
Gasol are you listening?
Radman are you listening?
Farmar oh shucks....I forgot you are our future PG!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | December 02, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Corner J/ lakersrydeordie
I'm shocked that our Lakers could not keep the lead in this game. End result: 1 point LOSS. Very uncharacteristic of this Lakers team. Time for a second mirror check (first being a loss to Detroit)!
Overall, I'm sensing that their team defense is not reacting well to the ball right now (slow rotations defensively, not blocking out for rebounds). It's been happening the last several games actually. It's all about a mindset! Holiday season distractions maybe?
Andrew Bynum's loose bone spur in his foot is not looking good. It shows! Look at his play on defensive rotations on guard penetration/pick and roll...not reacting well in terms of consistency. No doubt his injury is affecting his play defensively around and about the rim and painted area.
AB is the KEY to their overall defensive scheme PERIOD! If not healthy, we know what the end result is going to be, don't we? Hmmm...Time to rest him for a couple of weeks.
It's time for Phil to SHOW them Game #6 tape of the 2008 Finals as well as Game #4 AGAIN! CONSISTENCY on DEFENSE and EFFORT must coexist!
Thank goodness it's early in the season. Lots to improve on without question, especially STOPPING dribble penetration.
Laker pride through adversity.
Posted by: Let's go L's! | December 02, 2008 at 07:23 PM