Okay, so now Cleveland (or at least LeBron) is whining about
the refs on a Cavs loss. I've watched the video several times,
and LeBron CLEARLY takes 3 steps after he picks up the ball.
Clearly. As in, there is no doubt.

I know Kobe gets the star treatment and even Radmanovic
gets away with a ridiculous extra step every once in awhile,
but to get all whiny when you get called for a clear violation
is pretty soft.

I'm not positive, but I don't remember any Lakers whining about
calls when they lost to Indiana or Detroit or Miami or Orlando.
They manned up and said they just weren't quite good enough
those nights. The Cavs and Celtics think that they couldn't possibly
break any of the rules. They're going to melt like butter in the finals
(if they make it that far)

Eric M,

Hmm taking this a little too personally?

"I REALLY DON't KNOW."

Yeah so despite what I say or whatever people why don't you wait before taking offense to other people's opinions?

"Your trying to say it is NOT a possibility, is what I take issue with. Anyone that has had a bad knee injury knows what I'm talking about."

Just taking into account what *two* people, especially the ones who are closer to the situation are saying. If not take what they are saying, who else do you need to say from, Mitch? And yes I do know what you are talking about and while my 2 knee injuries weren't as bad as Bynum's, the first few games back I had a small fear too but in less than a month of solid practices/games I was back.

Listen to the words again. If it was training camp and in the early weeks it's understandable to be a little scared. But by nearing the All-Star break and a little fear? That only shows how much he is still too scared.

And his production defensively wise didn't show anything that he was "scared" about his knee. In fact once he became active he really fight for position against Greg Oden and grabbing boards also.

The biggest thing last year is that he had more open looks last year but now has the 1-2 punch of Kobe and Pau. If he wants to be open more have to be active not to mention have better moves.

-blitz

Next!

--Fearless

People need to lay off Drew. He's doing fine. Plus, most young players have a dip in production during their sophomore years. Especially the really young ones.

Also, he is getting fewer "quality" touches in the offense because Gasol is just so freakishly good and consistent. He can't possibly be human.

And, that knee has got to be in the back of his sub-conscious. He simply isn't jumping as high as he used to.

These things will work themselves out, or they won't. But, in the meantime he's bringing to the table exactly what the Lakers need on a nightly basis. Boards, blocks, and altered shots. Too bad there isn't a stat for altered shots.

The Lakers are facing more teardrops, floaters, and rainmakers now the we have the big fella down low. On some nights he takes the other team completely out of their normal comfort levels around the rim.

Plus, he isn't the foul magnet he was last season (the recent two-game foul-plagued stint notwithstanding).

I would also like to give props, once again, to those who sang Ariza's praises during the summer. I could not see what they saw, but they were all absolutely correct. When Ariza, Kobe, and Bynum are on the floor and dedicated, the Lakers defense has been stifling. Add a motivated Odom and Wiley Fish, and its those stretches of a game that the Lakers have been typically pulling away from teams.

Drew, just do what you do and collect your ring at the end of the season!

--Fearless

LTLF,

You are correct. The Lakers rarely if ever complain to the media about missed calls. Although, they still suffer from whiny-ness during games. Kobe, Drew, and Sasha being the biggest culprits on the court.

But, they've never blamed a loss (or at least rarely do) on the dudes in striped shirts.

--Fearless

Jon K,

For libel reasons, we can't put through that comment about LeBron.

AK

The thing about Drew is that it's all mental about the offensive touches.

The knee isn't bothering him. It's physically fine. Greg Oden's knee is fine and so is his ankle and look at him.

Drew simply does not get the ball as much into the block down low. Like Stu says, they don't get confidence if they don't get touches. So it's understandable in that sense.

That shouldn't mean though he should not be active defensively. Ben Wallace almost got zero touches but was a major rebounder and a shot blocker.

Same thing with Marcus Camby. Camby receives few touches (more than Wallace no doubt) but is a major rebounder and a great shot blocker even at age 34. Defensive player of the year too like Wallace is.

Drew simply has to be more active. And look what happened when he was: He fronted Oden after making sure there was backside help possible. As a result Oden couldn't receive the pass. Plus Drew grabbed 10 boards.

There is no "fear", simply Bynum's energy level has to be there at a *consistent* level. Fight for position, being active on the defensive end and deny the ball by fronting your man (after making sure you have backside help). Even if Oden or other men re-established position, he will be farther away from the basket and more time for help defense could arrive if needed.

Jackson even was impressed with Bynum fronting Oden more. It denied any post play and forced Portland to become a perimeter team.

And Radman is probably in the doghouse. My guess is that the poor passing that Radman does. Starting Trevor does make sense because at the very least he won't make the dumb mistakes. But knowing the offense, Luke will probably come back once healthy.

-blitz

Jon,

I love hearing your LeBron stories.... is there a way to water it down to avoid libel so that I can hear the juicy gossip? ha ha ha

KBros, did the LAT bust you up for this sort of thing? Seems a little abrupt to me.

Anyone like the thought of trading Odom for Brad Miller and Bobby Brown? Miller brings toughness and good interior passing that would be a great fit backing up Bynum/Gasol, and Brown is a good young pg that can provide some quality minutes while Farmar is out.

Even though the Lakers have the fewest losses of any team, they're still technically a half game back of Boston b/c the Celtics have played more games.

It does seem bit odd that PJ wouldn't go back to his Vlad (starting) with Ariza coming off the bench rotation that he used even when Luke was available before. I watched the post-game videos and PJ was fairly curt about not wanting to discuss the reasoning. That it was an internal matter. I guess they're having issues with the space cadet or maybe (hopefully?) he's on the block.

Somehow, Boston has gotten off the same page with each other. There's more getting in each other's faces than the opponents' faces these days. I wonder if it had anything to do with losing to the Lakers? Or maybe just the natural aftermath of having a lengthy streak broken? Or the fact that they're being called out on their bs "tough" act. Whatever the case, it's a great thing to see.

Someone in LeBron's camp needs to talk to him about the whining on that call b/c he looks like a fool who is losing touch with reality. When everyone around you is afraid to say "no" to you, it can create a prima donna personality, especially in a guy like him, but you have to be careful not to slip over to the "crazy" side (see KG). You see it a lot in Hollywood (see Tom Cruise). If LeBron wants to be a billion dollar athlete, he's going to need to keep that "crazy" in check.

Eric M,

I think Bynum is recovered physically with the knee..2 things are impacting Bynum right now:

1) The team is not getting him the ball enough in crucial areas on the post because Gasol is taking up space down there and is more efficient and finishing..In other words, his teamates are not looking for him as much.

2) Bynum is not being as aggressive as last year and I think it's related to him worrying about the knee. Physically I think he is ok, but he is worried about making the wrong step and injuring himself again..All you have to do is watch him when getting rebounds..If another teammates is there, he concedes the rebound and doesn't bother trying to get it..When he was aggressive last year with Lamar under there, he hurt his knee on Lamar's foot.. He is being extra cautious in my option.

Drew doesn't get into deep enough position and or isn't aggressive enough to demand the ball in the area on the court where he can be more effective. I think his confidence is a little down and maybe he's pressing and trying to do more than he is capable of, when he should simply, PLAY THE GAME. He is playing a Big Man's Soft Game -- wanting and or settling for jumpers at the top of the key -- , throwing soft crap up on our around the basket, when he could be SMASHING the rim down. Imo, that's Pau's game, not his, he needs to better concentrate on what HE does well and focus more on refining that, then as he becomes more rounded in the post he can expand his game to the free throw line area if he chooses..Defensively, I think he was more active especially in terms of guarding his man and help defending against Portland so he can take the positives away from that and continue to build on that...

>>>1) The Lakers offense was out of synch without
>>> Luke. As a result the offense became reliant on Kobe
>>> penetration who was the one who bailed the Lakers
>>> out which eventually turned into a rally.

Let's use the last two games as a side by side comparison,
shall we?

Lakers vs Utah - Luke starting:
Lakers get 37 points, 9 assists, and 1 turnover in the first quarter.

Lakers vs Portland - Ariza starting:
Lakers get 19 points, 1 assist, and 8 turnovers in the first quarter.

Which offense would you say was out of synch?

kobeblitz,

>>>Might have been different in Portland. Just like the Knicks
>>>who defeated the Celtics in Madison Square Garden.

Oh, maybe nobody told you, but the Lakers already played Portland
in Portland this season... And Kobe did his terrible terrible driving
into the lane thing you're so critical of... and the Lakers won by
20 points. Portland scored 10 LESS points in that game than
they did last night.