It looks like the masses are restless and thats after a victory. LOL

Somebody had mentioned Lamar to the bench was brilliant. I agree with that assessment because he doesn't belong on the starting unit. You could say at 14 million a year he is rotting on the bench and a poor investment. Lets face it, Ariza is the 6th man, not Odom.

My guess is he gets traded by the deadline. Per Pincus he indicates Odom people want 10 million a year and he thought Lakers wouldn't take that road. Maybe they will just let it expire if so they must really think they will win it this year with him. I would hate to lose that chip and just let it expire but if they think he will help and bring the Title home so be it.

BD

Mike T.,

You love to post your pseudo-prophetic predictions:

"A trade is coming."

Then, if it happens, you'll puff up and crow about how right you were, that you knew it all along.

How about this: Who will be traded, and for whom? Then, if you end up being right, you'll have actually staked a claim with specificity, instead of simply postulating about something that, in basketball, is always a possibility.

Go Lake Show!

The Outlaw,

I asked the same question to Michael T. I didn't get an answer.

Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.

GO LAKERS!

Clippers is a cursed team.

* they paid a ton of Bill Walton who didn't play much with the Clippers but got well with the Celtics

* they got Larry Brown to bring them to the playoffs for the first time and left the following year

*Got a couple of first round picks the Candyman, Chandler, Livingston, etc all of them used Clippers as stepping stone.

*Salvaged the oldie players like Cassell w/ more pay than the Lakers, pay his rehab and play only when he wants to, then trashed the Clippers as soon he becomes a Celt.

* Brand stayed on injury list for almost a year, encouraged Baron to come to Clippers as he departed for Sixers

*Baylor a legend who followed whatever the instruction of a wishy washy owner, Sterling didn't even had the courtesy of exit interview.

*Today, they got good players from Baron, Kaman, Camby, Davis, Randolf, Thornton, Gordon and yet a dismal record of 3-15 lost the last 2 out of 3 games with Randolf in the line up.

Dunleavy, the Coach and acting GM is about to be fired anytime now....just watch it, I think what they need is a Sorcerer to keep up with the weird Don Sterling treating this team as wrap-around multiple units washed out.
deals.

Jon K, he might need you, the Chrono-Bio man as his future coach!

Don't feel insulted lakeraholic, we will put an asterisk that you don't belong to that group.

Jon K,

All of his potential in Livingston. Dunno about you but I'd rather have Sun Yue with his potential who is not hurt than a guy who is rotting on the Miami bench who is even more expensive than Sun. Livingston's career is done.

Also Mihm and Powell I like but they aren't as good as they seem to be. Just like us who over rate Ronny Turiaf. Mihm is a solid backup but he is not an intimidating post player and goes mostly for blocks and a foul prone center. I remember the 2005-2006, many times Mihm got foul trouble because he went for the block way too early. Both Drew and Pau are smart enough not to do that and use their length instead to alter/block shots.

Same with Powell. I like him in fact I think he's an upgrade over Ronny in most ways save for blocking shots and being cheerful to the Lakers. That being said Powell's main strengths is his rebounding and hustle and has a better jump shot. He is not exactly the guy to really be *feared* on the defensive end. Plus neither are true post defenders like Drew is. Pau included but Pau did a much better job and PJ is smart enough to leave Pau at center who is much better at the offensive end and is actually under rated defensively (handling Shaq and Dwight Howard last year was huge).

Mostly (not all the time) I do my analysis based on 1) Previous experience and 2) Current Experiences.

-blitz

forgot to mention department....

trying to time an orgasm with that buzzer beater at the end of the game has only been successful a few times...after all it is only a 48 minute game and a 2 and a half hour telecast...not to mention hitting that G chord / spot at just the right time....

"Pearly? say no more ..Pearly!"

GO LAKERS !!!

"substitute GOOD players who can provide energy and defensive urgency in the short minutes they play."

Yeah and most of the blog does not like Luke Walton playing when we have Trevor and Sasha though if Sasha continues to struggle (he let Iguodala go on baseline cuts too many times) I wouldn't object Trevor being SG and Walton as backup SF.

And btw Jon K. I don't have a problem with the Clips yet they are a team that is wasting valuable Staple Center waste and clearly should have stayed in San Diego.

-blitz

kobeblitz,

I'm just saying they should get some minutes. I'm not saying they should start.

I like to see maximum effort. Some players aren't giving that right now. So, I say we give some other players a few more minutes, let's those starting players get some additional rest and see if they can put more effort into the minutes they do play. That's all.

Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.

GO LAKERS!

I get that tone can be somewhat ambiguous in written text so let me clarify something...

I'm concerned with this team being able to win a Championship this year and will continue to point out things that they do that, I believe, will stand in the way of that instead of wondering about it after it happens and its too late. I'm not crying or saying the team sucks. I'm not on any bandwagon.

Any fan who is happy that the team is loaded with talent and playing well enough to have a great record and can't stand that there are Lakers fans who dare to be critical is doing what PHX Suns fans have done during the Nash era - choosing to be in denial about the fundamental flaws that kept them from winning a Championship. I'm not saying they're the same flaws. I'm not saying they're as big as the problems PHX faced. I'm just saying it should be okay to point them out when we see them without having our fandom put into question.

Michael C. Teniente,

Thanks for asking mine and The Outlaw's question.

But I'm a bit confused by your answer. Do you think that the Lakers are going to make a trade in panic mode for a player(s) that don't meet their specific needs?

Why make a trade at all then?

Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.

GO LAKERS!

Mike T,

Just answer this: Why is there a sense of urgency for a trade? Whether it's Bynum (yea right) or Lamar, why is there a sense of urgency for the Lakers to make a trade? So Kobe doesn't get mad and leave? Nobody in the league can afford Kobe next year so Kobe ain't going anywhere! New York is obviously waiting for someone else. :)

The fact is, there is no pressure for the Laker front office to do anything right now.

"These offenses are geared to handle the type of defense we're running and we're just a little bit late,"

Exactly. The zone defense will always be weak against transition especially big men. That's why TJ Ford seemed to get to the post early on and so did Andre Miller. Teams will increase the tempo. That's one of the ways to attack zone defense. Always will be a problem and will unless we switch back to man to man defense totally. And many people sure don't want that to happen this time.

Have to realize Boston's greatest strength is against Half Court. When they faced against Golden State. Guess what they nearly got torched and the Warriors LIT the supposedly UNSTOPPABLE PHYSICAL Boston's defense. Only the shooting of Ray Allen bailed them for a 119-111 victory.

Same thing with the Lakers except the Lakers have more offense and that allows more possessions for the other team. Having two big men leaves the defense more exposed against small lineups which both the Pacers and the 76ers did. Hence why Andrew wasn't in the game because they had 2 Small Forwards really instead of SF and PF.

That's the biggest weakness of our defense. Not because the other team is "physical" the Lakers lit the Pacers and the 76ers as well. But because teams are getting more offensive players in rather than defensive players. Which is why Odom is inserted to counter the small lineup rather than letting Drew and Pau be on the floor at the same time at the 3rd.

Don't let this crap talk of us being soft fool us. Simply teams are gunning for the Lakers and they would rather have fast offense to counter it the defensive schemes of the Lakers which EMBARRASSED Portland when they went into a half court set.

-blitz

"Some players aren't giving that right now."

Like Sasha and to smaller degree Jordan Farmar? Lamar is giving it all (though he should shoot the ball a bit more), Trevor is giving it all and the starters too as well. Only Jordan and Sasha could I single out as "not playing their maximum effort".

"He said that he and Trevor probably wouldn't be as effective guarding players like CP3 and Deron Williams as they would playing free safety b/c the primary defender is usually put behind the play when run through picks."

Lakers_sth I really like your analysis. I think you really are one unbiased fan (who likes the Lakers no doubt) who accurately tell the flaws and positives and tell the truth/facts without distorting them and hitting the panic button (there are quite a few of them in this blog).

CP3 and D-Will will always be hard to guard. Derek though is a much better defender against D-Will since 1) He knows D-Will and 2) Unlike other point guards, D-Will is more power and strength which matches up to Derek a ton.

And yes there is no one "true" way to defend pick and rolls. Always have to give them different looks so not for them to counter with moves. Hedging the pick and rolls too much will always give a big man a lane to dive in.

And like KB24 says: We are tough enough to win a championship.

-blitz

it seems to me, everyone knows what Detroit's going to do...yet they can't seem to counteract it.

Why? Coz they actually do it. We do sometimes, sometimes not. There in lies the problem.

"Nobody in the league can afford Kobe next year so Kobe ain't going anywhere!"

This comment is flawed in its philosophical make-up. Right now Kobe is more concerned with winning another championship. Kobe will walk if we don't win it this year.

Kobe can go play for San Antonio for less money. Now that's a team that plays great team defense. Add Kobe to that mix and they'll walk to a Championship.

With Kobe, at this point of career and legacy, it's about how he's going to be remembered. He has enough money and the difference between what another team can offer him and what the Lakers can pay....it's not so great that he'll wind up in the poor house.

Kobe has an ego and that ego is now based on his legacy. At first it was based on how much money he can make. Now that he's made plenty of money his legacy is what drives his ego these days.

My psychoanalysis of Kobe Bryant is final! It's almost as good as a DNA, if not better.

mike t.

I'm a stats geek and have gone through the schedules of the Lakers and Celtics to find out: a) How many back-to-backs both teams play (the Lakers play 19, the Celtics play 17), and b) How many times they play a team that played the night before (19 teams play the second night of a back-to-back against the Celtics, only 10 against the Lakers).

I want to find this out for every other team. Does anybody know if these stats exist somewhere?

Lakersrydeordie,

>>>>> Andrew and Sasha need to DEAD that crying everytime a foul is called,
>>>>>( ONE of the VETs, COACHEs, LEADERS, hell, whoEVER, needs to jump
>>>>>in their asses about that) And the body language, throwing a tantrum,
>>>>>flinging their arms, dropping their heads, incredulous facial expressions
>>>>>when a basket is scored on them or near them, a turnover, whatever.
>>>>>Leave the play where it ended, get back on D-fense and continue to play.

Excellent point. Only problem is that many of our vets do the same thing. What happened to just accepting the call, courteously handing the ball to the ref, and winning some favor that may help with the next call – rather than showing up the refs, who are only human.

All of the Lakers players need to act like pros and play through the bad calls. I am embarrassed for Drew, Sasha, Lamar, Pau, and all of the Lakers. It is all part of what old timers like me would consider the lack of respect for the game and elevation of the individual over the team. Unfortunately, it is probably only going to get worse.

>>>>> I do believe WE need a next guard -- maybe someone like Thabo
>>>>>Sefolosha from the Bulls.

I loved Thabo and had even pondered trading to get him when he was coming out. He would really be the perfect point guard for the Lakers, aggressive and a great defender.

Tom

blitz,

I agree with 90% of what you post and truly respect your basketball IQ and knowledge. You are one of the most insightful and intelligent posters on the blog. What I do not understand is why you continue to think that Trevor Ariza can play PG or SG at this point in his career. He is a very poor ball handler and even worse passer. His defensive energy and offensive slashing are sensational and he will at some point be a starting small forward on this team but he does not have the guard skills to play either back court position. Of course, this is just my own opinion but it is from a guy who just loves how Ariza plays.

Tom

you guys are nuts... LOL!

First, Radmanovic is a disaster on defense and right behind him on the disaster scale is Fisher. Hey, I love Fish, I love the stability he brought to the PG slot but man... guys are just blowing around him at will. So of our starting 5, 2 are absolute disasters and EVERY TEAM does the same thing, they find out or set up where Radmanovic and Fisher are going to be close together and they go right through them.

Second... annnnnd... I'm outta time for now...

FROM PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

BONSOIR GUYS,

THIS SEASON, OUR DESTINY IS ALREADY WROTE:
LOS ANGELES LAKERS: NBA CHAMPION 2008-2009
KOBE BEAN BRYANT: FINAL MVP.

I PREDICT THAT WE WILL HAVE 70 AND PLUS GAMES BECAUSE THAT #7 IS WALKING WITH US.
WE WIN 5 CLOSE GAMES DIFFERENCES 7, WE LOST TWO STREAKS AFTER 7 GAMES WON.

THE ROAD TO GET THERE WON'T BE EASY BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE OTHER LOSSES THAT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT AND CONTINUE ENCOURAGING OUR TEAM TO FOCUS AND TO DEFEND BETTER AND BETTER. THEREFORE, WE NEED TO SPREAD THE POSITIVE ENERGY LIKE MAMBA 24 IN THE BLOG.

IT'S HARD TO SWALLOW A LOST BUT WE HAVE TO ENJOY THE JOURNEY TO SAVORE A CREAMED CHEESE AT THE END.

WE ARE THE LAKERS FANS=CLASS, GLAMOUR AND KNOWING WHAT WE REALLY WANT= CHAMPIONSHIP.

LOVE TO ALL

PS: LAST YEAR AT THE FINAL, WE LOST GAME #4 UNEXPECTEDLY AND BOSTON HAD ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN ALL. IT WAS THEIR DESTINY.

SHEKOBE FOREVER

"The Lakers were missing two key pieces last year, as we've all discussed at length."

This is flawed logic. In theory the Lakers were missing two key pieces last year. But this year we have those two key players and we see with our eyes that the defensive problem remains.

Now, my theory implies that we're missing a physical big body who can control position in the low post on offense and defense. What that does on defense is create an on court configuration that doesn't allow constant penetration by the opponent.

The big strong body is able to hold position and that allows the big body to "clog the lane." That means less penetration.

The Lakers problem, as reported by many including Rick Fox, is the lack of a physical presence. That physical presence is exactly what I just described.

Now there may be bigger problems than just a big body. What problem? Phil Jackson is not a defensive coach! He admitted, earlier this year, that coming into this season he had to impliment some defensive philosophies into his thinking. But as we see, those philosophies aren't the core of the Lakers identity. The Lakers are still a triangle first team.

PJ's defensive philosophies are cosmetic. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, just look at Boston. They are not a cosmetic defensive team. Defensive is their identity.

Right now I would say that Detroit is getting away from a defensive identity. But they have two big men who can deal with the Lakers big men...so it doesn't matter. But Boston, come hell or high water...defense is their calling card.

They will dismantle the Lakers despite the Lakers having their 2 key players back. Look at what Detroit did to the Lakers with the Lakers having their 2 key players back.

I mean, PJ said it already. We are what we are: A good offensive team.

mike t.

Mike T,

Kobe is not going to opt out to make less money! Unfortunately going to a good team doesn't not guarantee a championship so the players ALWAYS think money first.

Shaq did it, but instead of 120 million he took 100..Oh man that's a big sacrifice for an aging center!

No winning team can even give him 50% of what he is getting with the Lakers.

Kobe is a stud in the prime oh his career. He is opting out to get a max contract and the Lakers are his best option right now for even being able to pay him and have any chance of winning.

There is no urgency for the Lakers to do anything right now and Kobe is not leaving after this year..

Mike T,

Also I'm not convinced the Lakers have major defensive problems. The teams have adjusted in a game of chess..It's now the Lakers turn to adjust. We will get a better read at the all-star break.

Jon K,

Clippers Coach? Well, lots of coaches can help the Clippers but they don't want to become a lame coach if the owner keeps of changing personnel often. Here are my choices as good athletes from Los Angeles, capable of coaching in NBA:

1. Brian Shaw
2. Michael Cooper
3. Reggie Miller
4 Doug Collins
5. Kurt Rambis
6. Stu Lantz

I'm sure any of those guys can guide the Clippers. Give them a renewable contract good for three years.