Everyone on the bus!!!
In the NBA world, a roadie is often considered a fresh and new chance to see, as the saying goes, "what a team is made of." In particular, treks that require Mapquesting entirely within the Eastern Conference can garner such a label. Some, however, might see the Lakers' three-game swing away from Staples- which begins tonight against the Pacers (4:00 pm PT)- as more vakay than stepping stone, what with the combined 15-32 record for the hosting trio. But even against three teams the Lakers would be favored to conquer, specific challenges do in fact exist. For example, the Lakers are looking to bury an opponent from the opening tip more often, creating a deficit for the second unit to help maintain. Such goals are typically considered lofty in enemy territory, where most benches tend to struggle. It would help mightily if Trevor Ariza can maintain what's been a steady upward trajectory since joining the Lakers.
OTHER NOTES
- A look at NBA trends ranging from the Pistons' defensive struggles to the Lakers' lockdown improvement. In the case of the former, a Chauncey-free existence doesn't appear to be favorable.
- We hear this move worked out pretty well for Kareem.
- Joe Crawford would rather play for the Lakers, but is thriving with the D-Fenders.
- J.J. Redick simultaneously gets and loses his shot in Orlando's rotation.
- Even PETA wouldn't protest Jason Terry's latest donation.
- The Knicks-Starbury buyout talks end after 15 frustrated minutes. But at least Steph will have plenty of free time to contemplate his next move.
- After helping put the WNBA on the map ("map adjacent, if nothing else), the Houston Comets are folding.
- The Bull's donut quandary.
Great to see that Crawford is thriving in the D-League. I hope to see him in a Laker uni someday but if not, I definitely hope he makes it with another team. Seems like a class guy.
We'd better be careful with this highly underrated Indiana team tonight. Don't let their 6-10 record fool you. On the season, they have a positive point differential and have beaten the Rockets on the road and the Celtics at home. This is not going to be a cakewalk.
Mamba24 - I'd join the new bandwagon except I don't really care that much about our record going into the game with the Celtics, to be honest. I just care that we obliterate the Greenie Weenies from Beanie!
Posted by: puddle | December 02, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Floyd,
"maybe we should get together when I go up in May for my daughter's graduation..."
Absolutely! It's on my calendar.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Lakers will still be playing in May, so we can hit the local sports bar to watch a playoff game. That would be SWEET!
Posted by: Eric M. | December 02, 2008 at 11:01 AM
>>>I'm a little worried..This incredible great start by Lakers
>>>is in the forefront and Boston is only 1 game behind!
Don't be scared.
Your record in November and December means very little.
It's who has the best record in June that counts.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | December 02, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Mamba24, please put me on that "All I want for Christmas" Bandwagon.
If you guys go to that game, could you guys start a "YOU'RE NOT KOBE clap clap CLAP CLAP CLAP" chant everytime Paul Pierce touches the ball? EVERYTIME, please.
Just like the "You're not Michael" chant they derisively shot out at Kobe.
Posted by: #4 | December 02, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Charles, Jon. K,
Like Eddie Murphey said " Wuddin Me"
Posted by: Magia32 | December 02, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Call me crazy, but I have to give some of the credit to Kpbe for Ariza's improved shooting because Kobe is who Ariza is imitating when he shoots, or at least when he aggressively attacks and shoots.
I noticed the similarity during the third quarter in Sunday's win against the Raptors. Trevor was a cold blooded killer, launching up (most) shots with no fear. He had this swagger that was totally Kobe-esque. Even my girl noticed. When he made a basket and I yelled 'ARIZA!" she said that she thought for a second that it was Kobe that made the shot.
Wow, what a complement!
Posted by: canibus hog | December 02, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Jon K.
"I've heard that Unversity of Idaho is located in a very nice area. Unfortunately, between getting pounded by Washington State or by Boise State there's not much room for hope"
You are correct on both. Very beautiful area and UI is truly a gorgeous campus, but their sports teams suck. But with WSU only 5 miles away it's nice to be able to see USC/UCLA when they come to town.
Regarding being "Vandals"...No the college kids don't rape and pillage, but as with most college kids, they do get into the "drunken debauchery part". lol
Posted by: Eric M. | December 02, 2008 at 11:15 AM
>>I'm a little worried..This incredible great start by Lakers
>>is in the forefront and Boston is only 1 game behind!
Let's not forget, they are playing their starters an average of 3 extra game minutes per game. That's alot. If it carries through the year, that 5 extra 48 minute games they'll have played.
They are playing an average of 3 extra minutes a game, and they are only keeping up with us. I think we'll be just fine.
Posted by: #4 | December 02, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Look at the opponents that Boston has played and then think about our opponents.
The teams that they have played have way more losses than than the Lakers opponents have.
Posted by: onetime | December 02, 2008 at 11:18 AM
The only TRUTH that we can truly rely on is the magic of the golden calves:
Kwame Brown. Kwame Brown = improved defense. It is a universal
law--universal to relativity, mechanics, and quantum mechanics. It cannot be
changed. It cannot be destroyed.Thus...The Detroit Pistons are a stronger
defensive team... as long as Kwame Brown is on the team. He doesn't even
need to play, just as long as he is on that team. ! Posted by: Jon K. | December 02, 2008
JON K. LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY, IF YOU SAY GOLDEN CALVES 3 TIMES
YOU INVOKE THE SPIRIT OF MIKE THE T. PLEASE JON K. DON'T DABBLE
IN SORCERY.
Posted by: | December 02, 2008 at 11:20 AM
The Lakers need to remember that teams circle their calendars when they come to town. I predict the Lakers to lose. The Lakers need to stay focused and stop getting to these really slow starts.
Posted by: never | December 02, 2008 at 11:22 AM
the problem with lakers fans is they got too spoiled with those championships. they think they can win any given year. but this is different. your future franchise center is too fragile and you must admit it. kobe will leave or he just has another 4 or 5 years left. then what do you have? nothing nada. have fun till the injuries arrive. then we'll see who's so confident. lakers will not return to the finals. if im thinking right, it's an odd year this year. so, the spurs will take it. trust me on this one
Posted by: fire32 | December 02, 2008 at 11:29 AM
[ All I want for Christmas is to Destroy boston Chrismas Day & be 28 -1 BANDWAGON]
(01) TIM-4-SHOW - OWNER - Tim wants a 28-1 Lakers record on Christmas day.
(02) MAMBA24 - Driver
(03) LAKERMAN_420 - SMOKE SIGNAL MAN There shall be no more capitalization of
the words 'boston' or 'celtic'. They are not worthy!
(04) # 4 If you guys go to that game, could you guys start a "YOU'RE NOT KOBE clap
clap CLAP CLAP CLAP" chant everytime Paul Pierce touches the ball? EVERYTIME,
.Just like the "You're not Michael" chant they derisively shot out at Kobe
Posted by: mamba24 | December 02, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Unnamed poster,
JON K. LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY, IF YOU SAY GOLDEN CALVES 3 TIMES YOU INVOKE THE SPIRIT OF MIKE THE T. PLEASE JON K. DON'T DABBLE IN SORCERY.
That is freeking hilarious.
Posted by: Eric M. | December 02, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Look at the opponents that Boston has played and then think about our opponents.
The teams that they have played have way more losses than than the Lakers opponents
have. Posted by: onetime | December 02, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Frack boston We are The Freakin LA LAKERS! GO LAKESHOW!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | December 02, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Good Morning Charles....Good Morning Everyone...
Hope to see focus and desire this entire road trip---Lakers should strive for dominance and accept nothing less....
Eric M.,
Very cool---yeah hopefully there will be a game on to watch...I will let you know my plans and itenerary as I figure it out etc.
AS ALWAYS, AS EVER, YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY (AND SEASON) TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | December 02, 2008 at 11:32 AM
AR,
You guys are gonna be scary in a few years(if Donnie Walsh doesn't screw everything up), but right now you guys are hurting. It doesn't look like Starbury is gonna budge from his stance on the buyout and it's gonna be a long season in the Big Apple.
The Lakers ARE better than Boston and Christmas Day will prove it!
I hope that the Knicks can get Lebron and take over the East. Another Knicks-Lakers Finals is LONG over due!
Go Lakers!
Go Knicks!
Posted by: warren with butterknives | December 02, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Mike Teniente, where you at? Aren't you happy that OUR team is winning? I thought you'd be happy, but we only heard from you on the night of our ONLY loss. Whats wrong?
Posted by: The Big Fence Defense | December 02, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Thank God for an Eastern road trip. I may be able to actually watch this game, it not starting at 10:30 and what not.
Those Celtics are looking real good. I noticed last night that all their players can create their own shots and shutting them down is going to be a tough task. You might need an unusually constructed team to beat these guys (Gasol, Bynum anyone?).
I still think we're just a blip behind the Celtics when it comes to being Championship favorites and this timny gulf may not be bridged this year. I still think we're one guard away from overtaking the Celtics; one Michael Redd player away from beating these guys.
But we'll see. Having Lamar on Pierce instead of Garnett may be what the doctor ordered. But who’s gonna stop Rondo?
Look how Perkins, for example, did against Dwight Howard, the seemingly every game 30/20 guy.
Howard: 14 pts (5-12), 15 rebounds
Perkins: 8pts (4-7), 13 rebounds
I guess my point is that these guys are really good, and the sooner we play them the better, so we can see where we stand today.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | December 02, 2008 at 11:43 AM
justanothermambafan,
E-mail the K-Bros and they will give you my e-mail address. I am not supposed to put it on the blog. However I sometimes have tickets that I cannot use and do not sell online. If you can use them on short notice (3 hrs.) then you can have them. Just send me an e-mail (preferably with a phone number) so I can reach you on short notice.
Charles, thanks for the shoutout.
pslakerfan
Posted by: pslakerfan | December 02, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Long Time Laker Fan,
Yea the record in June is obvious..But not when your trying to get in the other team's head which is what Boston is trying to do.. "Yea you got better, but so did we" kind of psychological point here. It's important to look at the big picture, but I really believe the Lakers need to stay ahead of the Celtics all year long in order to have that mental edge. I don't want there to be doubt.
Posted by: zen | December 02, 2008 at 11:49 AM
The Big Fence Defense,
Mike T made is point. He says only Boston and Detroit can beat the Lakers and he's probably right about that one.
Posted by: zen | December 02, 2008 at 11:51 AM
more thoughts.....
I too will love to see the look on Larry Bird's bird beak as he realizes what a mistake he made by not trading for either Bynum or Lamar....one thing is for sure I am glad he was such a lame ass and that Mitch stuck to his guns...could you imagine giving up both Bynum and Lamar for Jermaine, when trading either one wouild have been an uneven trade in itself.....
I have also figured out why I root against a number of teams in the NBA---their connection with the frickin' Celtics...
this list is probably incomplete--please help expand etc.
Minnesota -- GM Herman Munster
Indiana--GM The Bird Turd
Dallas--coach Rick Carl how ever you spell his Celtic lovin' ass name
whatever team Scott Skyles is coaching ...New Jersey (?)
Toronto -- it seems Sam Mitchell was Celtic---if not I'll take that one back
Golden State--coach Lucky shot Nelson
any team that Greg Kite has anything to do with
I know there must be others, hopefully someone smarter than me can complete this list of teams polluted by the stench of Celtic slime...
"...trying to make a dove-tail joint..."
"Dinsdale !! "
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | December 02, 2008 at 11:53 AM
PsLakerFan
A Deserving shout out to you!
Floyd,
What it do brotha?
Posted by: Charles | December 02, 2008 at 11:59 AM
EJK and those who love draft analysis,
Isn't it amazing that 16 players went ahead of Granger in 2005? The Magic took Fran Vazquez no. 11. Fran Vazquez? Really? Nice one.
Still, that may not even be as bad as three teams passing on Chris Paul. Not that Marvin Williams is Fran Vazquez, but he's no Chris Paul. Atlanta.
No, I think we did OK getting Socks one pick later than Ike Diogu and nine picks after Andrew Bogut. Which Drew would you rather have?
That 2005 draft was a classic. It's the one where the Knicks got David Lee 30th -- is that their only decent draft pick of the decade? -- and the second round brought the Lakers blog lots to talk about for years to come in the combo of Vonny Waferiaf.
God I love draft analysis three years after the fact. Fun!
Go Lakers. Let's set the "pace" early and deflate the Pacers' tires tonight in Q no. 1!
Posted by: Jesterguru | December 02, 2008 at 12:03 PM
zen,
"He says only Boston and Detroit can beat the Lakers and he's probably right about that one"
I'll bet he meant if both of them were playing at the same time against the Lakers, so I guess he would be right.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | December 02, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Mamba24,
---Look at the opponents that Boston has played and then think about our opponents.
The teams that they have played have way more losses than than the Lakers opponents
have. Posted by: onetime | December 02, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Frack boston We are The Freakin LA LAKERS! GO LAKESHOW!!!
Posted by: mamba24 | December 02, 2008 at 11:32 AM---
HA, I think you misinterpreted the point that I was making: The Celtics have been playing weak teams and THATS why their record is so close to ours.
I could see how you could read that as being a pro-Boston post, but let me reassure you that I am a Lakers fan for Life!
Frack the Celtics!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: onetime | December 02, 2008 at 12:09 PM
WJN: "But we'll see. Having Lamar on Pierce instead of Garnett may be what the doctor ordered. But who’s gonna stop Rondo?"
I'm interested to see what the coaching staff has prepared for Boston in terms of match-ups. My guess is we'll see the same starting line-up but I wonder who will be out there when the game is on the line.
Rondo has been their main playmaker during the course of the game - taking over the role that Ray Allen had for them a lot last year - a lot of pick-n-roll, dribble penetration and dishing. But if the game is tight in the 4th, Pierce has been the guy with the ball in his hands possession after possession daring the opposition to try and stop him without fouling.
Let's assume it's Rondo, Ray Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Perkins down the stretch. The line-up I'd like to see the Lakers throw at them is Kobe, Ariza, LO, Pau and Drew. Chances are, the fourth quarter will be about who can beat who in the half court so I'm not worried so much about having to run with them (unless the Lakers commit silly turnovers or take ill-advised shots). I like the length and being able to switch. PJ has talked about Ariza being a guy to stop guards like Jason Terry so I'd hope he'd be effective on Rondo or Allen. Even if he had to chase around picks, he still has the length to bother shots. I'd like to see if LO could strap it up and take on the challenge of stopping Pierce. I don't trust Vlad on him and he might be too strong for Ariza (although I wouldn't mind it). Lastly, the fourth quarter is possession basketball - rebounding and being in the right place at the right time will be key. That would be the Lakers best rebounding lineup - keeping Boston at one and done and creating second chance opportunities for themselves. It's a stronger-longer line-up that Boston would really have no match for.
Truthfully, the guy who is going to be key if the Lakers are going to be successful against Boston is Rambis. The Celtics are one of the 3 teams he's been assigned to scout and that's not by chance. He will be responsible to prepare a solid gameplan on how to defend them.
Posted by: lakers_sth | December 02, 2008 at 12:17 PM
YOWZAAAHHH!!!
pslakerfan - it's in the works.
Thanks a lot, man - can't tell you how much I appreciate knowing I actually MIGHT get to a game sometime this season. WOW - it's been about 4 years or so....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | December 02, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Pls start Trevor Ariza. Lakers need some energy in the starting line-up
Posted by: gabby | December 02, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Mike T made is point. He says only Boston and Detroit can beat the Lakers and he's probably right about that one. Posted by: zen | December 02, 2008 at 11:51 AM
___________________
Zen - I'm confused. Did you mean Mike T was right about boston & detroit being able to beat us out for the championship?
OR - did you say that to placate Mike T in the hopes he wont' come back?
OR - did you say that to rile up the dander of Laker Nation so they turn on you??
Just wondering.....!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | December 02, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Zen,
I wasn't asking about Detroit or Boston. I'm asking Mike T if he's happy that the Lakers (who he supposedly is a fan of) are 14-1 and obviously having a great early season.
I don't think Detroit is better. I think any team that gets that hot will have a chance. They were banking 3's for goodness sake, c'mon. There was talk of it on ESPN and other networks, the question was do you REALLY think Detroit has physical players that made us look soft, lets get real.
I would talk more about Boston, but we havn't played them yet, so everything until this poin is only speculation.
Posted by: The Big Fence Defense | December 02, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Floyd - if you hate ALL teams "polluted with the stench of Celtic slime" - we're in trouble....
Our very own Rick "I've got 3 rings with the Lakers" Fox was once a celtic......
*just threw up a little in my mouth thinking of that*
OK - maybe the WINNING part of that dilutes the stench!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | December 02, 2008 at 12:49 PM
"Ronny is a good backup center and no more. I'm happy for him that he got well paid, as he's a likable guy, but if he was still in purple and gold, he would be getting Josh Powell's minutes."
Agreed LTLF,
I think some of us did over rate Ronny's defense. Blocking shots? He's good at that but nothing more. As a post defender is was very poor at denying penetration and while he did block shots he went for the blocks itself rather than also trying to alter the shots.
He was also overwhelmed so much by KG and Tim. I still dunno why we think he is a good defender.
Make no mistake I love Ronny and his presence in the locker room and bench is well missed. But I have to say it is still amazing we managed to get to the finals with Ronny as a backup center. Hell he's better off as a backup Power Forward really.
If I had to say the Defensive teams as of now this where it would be:
C: Dwight Howard
F: Tim Duncan
F: Kevin Garnett
G: Kobe Bryant
G/F: Bruce Bowen
2nd Team
C: Marcus Camby
F: Shane Battier
F: Ron Artest
G: Chris Paul
G: Dwyane Wade
Sorry LT but Drew would have 3rd team center defensive team. Camby is still an elite defender. Though Andrew does have a good chance at making the All-Star team and Pau Gasol as well.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | December 02, 2008 at 12:50 PM
A little 10 on 5 basketball never hurt anyone
Posted by: rl | December 02, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Game day!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel the need to apoligize. You see, I left my goodie jar (Gods Gift kush) out this morning. and now it's gone. I guess the little troll,stole it, smoked it, then posted. I will keep a much better eye on the good stuff for now on...;)
p.s. lakerman420 here's to blowing smoke at the screen :)
Posted by: Sean714 | December 02, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Jesterguru,
Could you imagine an Atlanta backcourt of Chris Paul and Joe Johnson? They would be the class of the East along with Boston and Cleveland.
I think Joe Johnson would be perfect for the Triangle. He could play both guard positions and SF. He's athletic, a good shooter, and can create his own shot. Overall, a perfect backcourt mate for Kobe.
Granger also would've excelled playing with Kobe. I could see Granger as a viable 2nd or 3rd option eventually on a championship contender. If the 2005 draft were held today, no doubt that Drew would be the No. 1 pick followed by Granger.
Posted by: EJK | December 02, 2008 at 01:02 PM
blitz - you're putting Camby before Socks? Why? Why? Dear lord, why?
Posted by: justanothermambafan | December 02, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Lakers_sth,
For the matchup in the 4th quarter lets put what you said into effect.
So
Rondo-Derek
RayRay-Trevor
Paul-Kobe
Garnett-Pau
Perkins-Andrew
I would say Trevor and Kobe could keep switching per say on Ray Allen. Last year's playoffs when Kobe was guarding RayRay many times Ray did the Reggie Miller moving without the ball thing and got so much open looks. I would say RayRay would probably do the same thing and keep running to the 3 point line and have Kobe or Trevor run through a gauntlet of screens set by Perkins, Garnett, and even Pierce. To counter Ray Ray's moves, whoever is guarding Pierce could switch on to Ray Ray while the previous person on Ray Ray guards Pierce instead now. That way Ray Ray won't get as much open looks plus Pierce will alway have a defender on him as well.
Pau did a good job against KG mostly in last year's playoffs so as long as Pau again forces Garnett to shoot mid range jumpers that would be great.
Pierce is the key no doubt and whoever is guarding him whether it be Kobe or Trevor will have their hands full. Probably best thing is again limit him to jumpers.
Rondo will have harder looks at the basket due to Andrew's presence. Again make him shoot jumpers.
Perkins as long as we rebound and box him out we shouldn't be too concerned from him.
That's my analysis for you Lakers_sth. Love your honest analysis.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | December 02, 2008 at 01:02 PM
blitz,
>>>>>Sorry LT but Drew would have 3rd team center defensive team.
>>>>>Camby is still an elite defender.
Sorry to completely disagree with you on Camby. He is really not a great or even good man-to-man defender. His forte was blocking shots as a help defender as a power forward and his overall shot blocking numbers have diminished by 50% off his last three years with the Nuggets. He never guards the other team’s centers. Just cherry picks.
Bottom line, Andrew Bynum is a better one-on-one and help defender in my opinion.
>>>>>Though Andrew does have a good chance at making the
>>>>>All-Star team and Pau Gasol as well.
I agree. I think there is NO way that Kobe, Drew, and Pau do NOT make the West All-Star team this year. Especially when the Lakers are en route to setting a new record for number of wins in a season.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | December 02, 2008 at 01:13 PM
EJK/Jesterguru,
The most ridiculous part of the whole "Atlanta passing on CP3" thing was that, if memory serves, the Hawks decided to handle their glaring need for a point guard by paying the admittedly versatile Joe Johnson 70 mil to learn how to play it. I know I'm not a professional GM, but wouldn't it be simpler to draft Paul/D.Will AND bring in JJ to play the position that actually made you want to pay him 70 mil? Maybe I'm kooky, but that approach strikes me as just crazy enough to work.
AK
Posted by: kambrothers | December 02, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Camby better defensively than Drew cmon. Even Mutumbo is better at shot blocking and one on one defense than camby.
Posted by: Magia32 | December 02, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Justanothermambafan,
yeah but Rick Fox grew up hating the Celtics and as soon as he could he came to the Lakers (turning down $22 million for one million --underpaid 2 seasons at a mill each) so with that sacrifice and his contribution to those three rings he is definitly a Laker....most of us have something to be ashamed of and I suspect Rick's tenure with the frickin' Celtics is his--with every shower he takes he tries to scrup off that Celtic stench I am sure...
other teams i strongly dislike for various reasons:
Piss-tons, knicks, Jazz, Kings, Suns, Nets, 76ers, trailblazers, fuggetts, Heat...
the rest of the leaugue I could care less about---I don't even have a second favorite team---there can be only one...
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | December 02, 2008 at 01:23 PM
LAKERS' BYNUM STARTING TO RISE UP, ASSERT HIMSELF
By Mark Whicker for the OC Register
http://tinyurl.com/6bq73z
Excellent article by Mark Whicker about Andrew Bynum’s defensive abilities.
Here are some excerpts:
>>>>>
Chris Bosh's MVP campaign ran into a major roadblock, and Andrew Bynum's presence might mean slow going for the Celtics on Dec. 25, too.
>>>>>
But if Sunday night meant anything, Chris Bosh's MVP campaign died in downtown L.A., and the Celtics, particularly Kevin Garnett, will learn that Andrew Bynum's absence from the '08 Finals wasn't just a fine-print footnote.
Bosh was averaging 27.7 points and 10.5 rebounds, and nearly 10 free throw attempts per game. He had scored 40 on Orlando (which employs Dwight Howard) and 42 on New Jersey.
Here, Bynum bumped him off the lane, and held a very long arm in Bosh's face during jump shots, and got quick relief every time the nimble, 6-foot-10 Bosh tried to get a driving step.
>>>>>
And although Bosh isn't Garnett, he's the sparring partner you'd call in if you were going to fight Garnett, as the Lakers will do in 24 days.
With Bynum and Pau Gasol starting down low, and with Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza (another virtual absentee from the Finals) coming in later, the Lakers have a chance to throw any Boston game into the perimeter, the personal Serengeti Plain for the prowling Kobe Bryant.
>>>>>
Yes, it's the regular season. You get ahead of yourself. King James and the Celtics should worry about each other first. The Lakers aren't going anywhere. Except up.
>>>>>
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | December 02, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Another request on Dec 25: No freakin gimmicks this year. Game time is game time. No cute stuff, short-shorts, headbands. Only things that make you feel like you're going to work, or better yet, into battle.
Posted by: #4 | December 02, 2008 at 01:30 PM
The Lakers should definitely not underestimate the Pacers.
According to a lot of statistical measures, they are a top ten team this season.
Indiana SRS 10th
Indiana Hollinger Rank 10th
Indiana Sagarin Rating 16th
Indiana Scoring Margin against "good" teams 6th
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | December 02, 2008 at 01:36 PM
#4 - I agree - no gimmicks.
Although I wouldn't be opposed to shovels to smack 'em upside the head & then bury them all under our floor....
Posted by: justanothermambafan | December 02, 2008 at 01:39 PM
#4 - have I mentioned how much I hate boston?
Posted by: justanothermambafan | December 02, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Gabby,
"Pls start Trevor Ariza. Lakers need some energy in the starting line-up"
Yes they do. We get off to crappy starts just about EVERY game.
Also I'm not sure I like playing "A slow team" and a "fast team". Why not more balance? JMO
Posted by: Eric M. | December 02, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Is it game time yet? I'm bored.
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe Town | December 02, 2008 at 01:53 PM