Lakers basketball: Like Mardi Gras without the beads
Yes, things have been that much fun in the last 10 days for the Lakers, who have won six straight and ascended to the top spot in the NBA, whether by win percentage or power ranking. Sure, the ranks are a
little thinner, with Jordan Farmar joined on the shelf by Luke Walton, but LA seems to have rediscovered their rhythm, especially on the defensive end. Over the course of the win streak, only the shot-happy Golden State Warriors have cracked the 100 point barrier... and since GSW practically hemorrhage points themselves it didn't matter in the slightest.
Tuesday night, the Lakers face a good test in the New Orleans Hornets. At least in theory. In practice, the Lakers have dominated CP3 and his mates. Pau Gasol has done good work on Tyson Chandler and David West. In their last clash, Trevor Ariza hassled Paul. Overall, the long arm(s) of the Lakers have made things tough on the Hornets, says Peja Stojakovic:
"With the addition of (center) Andrew Bynum, they have the length; they (don't have to) really rely on the man-to-man defense," Stojakovic said. "They can always zone up, because with their length they cover so much space, and they always every time you try to go iso (isolation), which they showed against us and a couple of other teams, they're going to shrink the floor. They're going to use their length and just take stuff away from you."
Certainly LA was effective in limiting the New Orleans attack when the teams met on December 23, holding the Hornets to 37 points in the first half. But before Lakers fans get all cocky, it's worth noting that Stojakovic didn't play because of back stiffness. He's healthy again, and the Hornets are a vastly different team with him on the floor.
IN OTHER NEWS...
- Kobe or no Kobe?
- If Sasha wants out of his technical four from Sunday's game- see his impassioned plea here- perhaps he should enlist help from Joel Przybilla's grandmother.
- Kenny Thomas gets off the bench for Sacramento. Is he being showcased? BTW, read this one carefully and you'll see DJ Mbenga's name on a rather unfortunate list.
- T-Mac isn't pleased with his level of play, and isn't making excuses.
- Cheikh Samb was part of a very busy day for the LAC.
- The Blazers hope to get Brandon Roy back this weekend, but won't push him.
- If you've been waiting for just the right time to make a bid on Shaq's Miami mansion, today could be your lucky day!
- 'Melo may have fractured his hand in Denver's win Monday night.



Tue. Jan 06 2009 Lakers vs. Hornets
The Force is Balanced & Laker Nation’s swagger is back
Good Morning: Sir Charles
Good Morning: JustAnotherMambaFan(Head of the Mamba Clan)
Good Morning: Morning Crue
Good Morning Laker Blog!, Laker Nation (Rulers of the NBA!)
Welcome: Vor, The Snake, Chris The Laker Dude
KUDOS to :The 2 Time Blog Trophy Winning – KamBrothers
Beware: The Cobra & The Mamba
*
*What do we play for? RINGS!! @ Jon K
*.
And the blog keeps runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and
runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and runnin' runnin', and
runnin' runnin'
Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.Get it started, get it started, get it started.
let's get it started in here. Because it’s gameday today(ha),
let's get it started in here. Because it’s gameday today(ha),
We’re Number 1 – Chorus: in the Division
We’re Number 1 – Chorus: in the Conference
We’re Number 1 – Chorus: in the NBA
*http://tinyurl.com/9jdq85
*
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
CALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
*
FAITH, LakerTom, Keifo, Charles, Edwin_ Gueco, Fatty, TP, Jon K., BD, #4, Taliq, Pig Miller
WESJoeNixon, Xodus, SBPimp, EastCoastJessie, DICE8up, RDLee, VMan,BD, JAY_JAY
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YOU_EVER_NOTICE.…Holding The Line Against CHAOS
*
* ALL TOGETHER NOW
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES.
BEGINNING THEIR 4TH DYNASTY 2 MORE THAN ANY OTHER TEAM
THE TEAM WITH THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN NBA HISTORY.
THE ONLY TEAM WITH 2 HOF COACHES. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST
PLAYERS ON THE 50 GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME LIST(9). The
HOME OF REIGNING AND FUTURE MVP – KOBE BRYANT. The HOME
OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, ELGIN BAYLOR,
The LOGO(JERRY WEST), PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, BOB MCADOO,
GAIL GOODRICH ,MAILMAN, Sportscaster CHICK HEARN The LEGEND,
COACHED by 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL(9RINGS)JACKSON & OWNED
BY The WINNINGEST & BEST OWNER IN SPORTS DR. JERRY BUSS
& THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN EVER DEFEAT OR DIVIDE US IS US
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Love to hear anyone say we "shrink the floor" and "take things away from you." I LOVE IT!!!
The day we got Pau was the day we really became an elite team. We were playing great, but after Drew went down and we got Pau things really changed for the Lakers. His length, his smarts, his shooting ability and quickness, his willingness to run the floor - I love Pau. Playing at the 4 makes all the difference for him and I'm SO glad we got him. I still laugh hysterically every time I think we got him for Kwame. Every single time!!! Of course we had to give up Marc Gasol, but who cares? Seriously. Pau. He's tearing it up and I'm loving it.
Gameday people. Let's kick some ugly teal butt!!!!
I LOVE LA!!!
WE LOVE IT!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | January 06, 2009 at 09:42 AM
I love the smell of roll call in the morning....
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | January 06, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I love the smell of roll call in the morning....Posted by: longtimelakerlover
| January 06, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Does it smell anything like napalm? Lol!
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Here's what they think about us.....
The title of the LA newpapers are really annoying. The smugness is flat out ridiculous. A Dec. game against the Lakers is not going to mess up the reigning champions. Deluded is the LA media and the Laker fans.
by NoraG1 on Jan 6, 2009 12:01 PM EST
Nashua Telegraph : C's Might come up short in 2009
Hey Nashua Telegraph, you know what? Lakers might come up short in 2009, next
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 6, 2009 12:06 PM EST
Also gotta love how Lakers fans/.media gush about how noone on our bench could crack their rotation and Lamar Odom would start for us…LOL, how delusional can you get? Our starting 5 is better, period, would Derek Fisher or Luke Walton/Radmanovic start for us? um no…. are Vujacic, Farmar Ariza and company extremly overrated? yes
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 6, 2009 12:08 PM EST
Posted by: lakeraholic | January 06, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Ariza needs to be in Peja's jersey tonight. No help off of him. Force him to put the ball on the floor. We don't need a repeat of Peja's first visit to Staples last year where he drained something like 5 wide open 3s.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 06, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Shaq's house down to $25 mil? Great...I'll take two...
http://tinyurl.com/5br7qj
Posted by: christopher blake | January 06, 2009 at 10:09 AM
We own NO ever since last season and even before Pau.
Let's keep it up tonight, neutralize Chandler and West and I think CP3 will be kept in check again.
I want Tacos.
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | January 06, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Thank you Mamba24!
Posted by: Charles | January 06, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Shaq's house down to $25 mil? Great...I'll take two...
http://tinyurl.com/5br7qjPosted by: christopher blake | January 06, 2009 at 10:11 AM
You are a cold, cold man Chritopher Blake. Lol!
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Portland got a lot of open looks from 3. Blake missed but Peja won't.
STH: wasn't it like 9 threes?
Trevor on CP3 in the 4th, guard the line, Lakers by 12.
Posted by: VMan | January 06, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Here's what they think about us.....The title of the LA newpapers are really
annoying. The smugness is flat out ridiculous. by TheAncientRivalry on
Jan 6, 2009 12:08 PM ESTPosted by: lakeraholic | January 06, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Lakerholic talk like that can drive a guy to drink! Oh the poor Celtics. F* The Celtics
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 10:31 AM
ah, there"s the roll call! yeah, i'm psyched now! go Lakers!
Posted by: leonardbast | January 06, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I have a gut feeling that Blitz guru guy is going to be one of the next 4 posters. hehe
Posted by: PUHLEASE!!! | January 06, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Great roll call this morning, Mamba24.
As always, when you play the Hornets you've gotta make Paul a scorer rather than an assist guy. Let him get 25 points, but keep him from having a lob-fest with Chandler or kicking to a wide-open Peja. If the Lakers play with energy and passion, we get the W.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | January 06, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I love seeing Boston fans frustrated about our smugness, because that's exactly what we had to endure from them last year. Every time I think of Pierce in a wheelchair there are no words to describe how angry I feel. Still. That's just ridiculous.
Truth is, we're going to have to fight to win, because Boston as a team does not suck, and neither does Cleveland. You never know how things are going to work out. We also have to worry about injuries and all of that. So a certain amount of "luck" or what have you will enter into the final equasion as well. As a basketball lover and as a person living in reality that's just how you have to look at it.
That said, I hate Boston enough to shout it as loud as the next Laker fan - "Boston Sucks!" just because I love our rivalry and think we are the better team. So to all the Boston lovers - I don't care what you think, I hate your team, and you can kiss that trophy goodbye because there's no way you repeat.
Ahhh the fine line between fandom and reality -
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | January 06, 2009 at 10:43 AM
ah, there"s the roll call! yeah, i'm psyched now! go Lakers!
Posted by: leonardbast | January 06, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Ah, there"s Leonard Bastll! yeah, i'm psyched now! go Lakers! LOL!
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 10:45 AM
LAKERS BY 12
Posted by: MAMBA24 | January 06, 2009 at 10:49 AM
For What Charles
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Mamba24,
Glad to have you back. Did you have to take a trip back to the Windy to discuss plea bargains? lol ;)
Posted by: Eric M. | January 06, 2009 at 10:56 AM
***HATE, HATE, HATE REALLY HATE BOSTON - BANDWAGON***
*
(00) FLOYD – CEO - I don’t hate but if I did I would hate Boston.
(01) TALIQ - Owner - Until we avenge our loss to Boston, I don't think we should yearn
for any regular season accolades (ala an exaggerated 82 wins) ..Left to me, I'd have us
play them like 30 times during the season just so we can beat them every week.
F*&K all things Celtic especially K.G
(02) LAKERTOM - Nobody hates Boston like a Lakers-Yankees fan!
(03) LONG_TIMELAKER_LOVER – HATE DRIVER - Stupid Boston. I hate 'em.
I hate Boston enough to shout it as loud as the next Laker fan - "Boston Sucks!" just
because I love our rivalry and think we are the better team. So to all the Boston lovers -
I don't care what you think, I hate your team, and you can kiss that trophy goodbye
because there's no way you repeat. And I don't hate them for this Past year as much
as I hate them for the Parrish/McHale/ratface years have hatred, loathing, strong dislike
of, disgust for , aversion to, hostility, ill will, malevolence, objection to, rancor for, have
repulsion, revulsion, resentment towards, scorn for, and abhor the Boston Celtics
(04) VMAN - Riding ShotGun - KILL BOSTON
(05) KEIFO – Hid KG’s headband in the Finals.
(06) MAMBA24 – F*&K the Celtics. But Doc is from my home town so he is cool.
(07) EASTCOASTJESSIE – Will make a Lie out of The Truth
(08) LONGTIMELAKERLOVER - Right behind Mamba - "cue the music! I LOVELA!!!!"
Just as much as I hate the Celtics
(09) MAGICMAN - I will disappear those mothers forever
(10) Lakersrydeordie - official hater of anyting green team" ....
(11) KOBEBLITZ – Even hates green beans
(12) JON K.--Will personally beat down Paul Pierce while Jerry Buss
watches--smiling, clapping, and smoking a cigar.
(13) EDWIN GUECO – Judge Jury & Executioner of anything Green
(13) LAKER TOM – Made Tom Heinson change his name to Bill.
(14) JUSTANOTHERMAMBAFAN - Hate The Celtics. I Hate Everything GREEN.
(15) BADFINGER – Will injure The Tuths good Finger
(16) utzworld – THE BANNER HOLDER - And Ye Shall Know My Name Is The Lord
WHEN I LAY MY VENGEANCE UPON THEE!!
(17) JAMIE SWEET - I hate Boston so much that I often wish that when the Yankees and
The Red Sox are playing each other, a large meteorite destroys the stadium, completely wiping
both teams from the face of the earth.
(18) FATTY – Almost Convinced Bill Russell to join The Lakers
(19) CHRIS H. - You can give me any title you want, I just friggin hate Boston with a passion
(20) #4 – I remember hearing this week that Dr. Buss has been on that bandwagon since
well before he bought the team. Maybe he should be an honorary passenger?
(21) DR. JERRY BUSS – HONORARY SECURITY – And He will Kick @ss if you mess up!
(22) VMAN - HATE BOSTON, LOATHE BOSTON, KILL BOSTON
(23) JEFF - Boston Sports in general (Red sox, Celtics, Patriots) can go suck it.
(24) TIM-4-SHOW - Take care of this atrocity.
(25) LONG_TIMELAKER_LOVER - Stupid Boston. I hate 'em. And I don't hate them for this
Past year as much as I hate them for the Parrish/McHale/ratface years
(26) HUGO BOSS - Add me as number Twenty-SiXX to the hate Boston bandwagon
please Because I hate Boston 26 times more than the other 25 bloggers.
(28) JOHNNY P. - I think we should finish polluting New England to the gills
and then cede it to Canada to make them take care of it for us.
(29) THE D. - I actually really LOVE BOSTON. Roasted, toasted or skewered!!
(30) MR. NANO - From 6000 miles away, my hate reaches the Celtiks loud & clear!!!
(31) PUDDLE - If forced to either eviscerate my own intestines with a hot poker
OR be forced to root for the Celtics, I'd have to take the self-disemboweling.
(32) LAKER HOPEFUL - I despise Boston's smugness from Paul Pierce, Perkins
& Eddie House. I hate that KG gets away with so much crap. I hate Ray Allen for
that stupid little drive at the end of game 4 last year, & you know the Machine will
Not forget. Rondo is just weird looking, Sam Cassel in an alien,
(33) LG - Wow, KG is rapidly becoming my most hated athlete.
I mean I REALLY hated him before, but this is disgusting
(34) BOBIE - I'm seriously starting to hate KG with a passionI would
love to see him try taunting one of our guys on X-Mas
(35) ISSANG - kevin garnett punks smaller people. what a loser. he has ring, but it
is not an excuse to taunt people.come xt-mas.. come! let us see who gets punk'd!
(35) KIWI – HATE EM- 'These Celtics are acting like new money'
(36) LEONARD BAST - i even have a "middle finger" to Boston t-shirt i'll wear
(37) DAVE M - the ride down's gonna be a lot faster than the ride up"
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 10:58 AM
For posting the roll call Mamba24!
Posted by: Charles | January 06, 2009 at 11:07 AM
VMan, you're correct. NINE of them. I took the girlfriend to her first Laker game that night. When they introduced Peja I called him by his old queens name. Stoyakobeeyach. She asked me why I called him that. Over the next couple hours, he showed her why.
Thank you for the roll call señor Mamba! We need to come out intense from the beginning of this one. We can't fall behind and then wake up and expect to get things going. The HOnets are pretty good front runners and it will be tough to climb out of a hole. Especially in their house. Not impossible. But pretty darn tough.
Posted by: magicman | January 06, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Jon K/Dave M,
Paul Davis' contract would have become fully guaranteed tomorrow. Thus, if they cut him now, they're not on the hook for the money. They can, and still might, bring him back. It was basically a business decision that came at a time when they needed roster space to bring in healthy bodies (like Samb) because of the injuries.
AK
Posted by: kambrothers | January 06, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Jon K.'s Early Thoughts That He Has Not Put Too Much Thought Into Yet:
1. Has Mike Dunleavy lost his firggen mind? I overlooked the injuries. I overlooked the 30+ different starting lineups on a team struggling to find chemistry. (A carosell of starting lineups is bound to build on court chemistry, right?) Now he's dumped Paul Davis (who just recently scored 18 points in a game and plays major minutes.... sometimes--nothing is consistent with Dunleavy) for Samb who never plays anywhere. Dunleavy is drinking crazy juice. What the hell?!?!?!
2. I don't think we'll be eating tacos tonight, but I do think we'll win.
3. I'd love to know what's going on behind the scenes in Lakerworld. I love Phil Jackson, but his big ego will really get in the way of bringing out the best in Andrew Bynum and Vladimir Radmanovich if he continues to use indirect communication and bully tactics. Those aren't good for The Beast and Rad Vlad.
4. As crazy as this sounds, I sure hope Luke is better soon.
5. Start Rad Vlad!
6. When are we going to see Fisher-Bryant-Odom-Gasol-Bynum on the court together?
7. Winning is the best Troll-B-Gone anyone could ever manufacture.
8. Nice to see the roll call back. It really isn't game day without a roll call.
9. Playing with tonsillitis. My appreciation of The Machine has increased.
10. If Lamar Odom was a super-hero he'd be Mister Panache.
11. Kambrothers! We want to see Laker girls in your video summary after the game! Laker girls! Okay?
12. The Hornets are a very good team, but they were a scary good team last year. I've heard that the players just aren't listening to Byron Scott like they used to. I heard the same thing happened in New Jersey. I wonder what it is about Byron Scott's coaching style that players eventually tune him out.
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 06, 2009 at 11:10 AM
http://tinyurl.com/8raskj
http://tinyurl.com/9bsx7p
interesting reading.
Posted by: hobbitmage | January 06, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Let's not be complacent guys. The Lakers tend to drop one for every six or seven games they win. I predict the Lakers to lose. CP3 was able to lead a huge run in the 4th quarter against Portland without Tyson Chandler who by the way should still be suspended.
Posted by: never | January 06, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Just a quick random thought...
Do you guys think Rondo came from the same planet as Sam Cassell? Or do you thing Rondo was created by Cassell in a lab deep in the bowels of that hellhole they call Boston?
These things keep me up late at night......
Posted by: magicman | January 06, 2009 at 11:12 AM
http://tinyurl.com/8raskj
http://tinyurl.com/9bsx7p
interesting reading.
Posted by: hobbitmage | January 06, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Mamba24,Glad to have you back. Did you have to take a trip back to the Windy to discuss plea
bargains? lol ;) Posted by: Eric M. | January 06, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Vicious Eric, Simply Vicious! Lol! Let Blago be Blago.
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 11:14 AM
ex,
>>>>>Sorry, I thought that was normal for the blog. LakerTom is always apologizing
>>>>>for predictions he makes that obviously come to him when he isn't fully conscious.
Wait a minute. I don’t remember ever apologizing for a prediction. That would mean that my prediction was not right which never happens. What happens is that I just extend my prediction to another year. That way I am never “finally” wrong. I learned that from Mike.
LOL! Thanks for the support re Drew. You are the protector of truth and reason.
************************************
Anna,
>>>>>I'm obviously not as hard on myself as Laker Tom! Although, perhaps I was
>>>>>forecasting further out, to Feb 5??? I retract my apology until the end of the Finals!!
You got it, Girl. Just extend your forecast. Then you are never wrong. JK.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | January 06, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Mamba,
>>>>>The Way the Celtics Were – To the Tune The way we were by Streisand
Sweet, Larry. I can see Paul Pierce playing the role of Robert Redford, secretly in love with Streisand and worried about what Kevin Garnett and the rest of the guys are going to say when he finally brings her to a game. LMAO.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | January 06, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Guity,
>>>>>Anyway, this Rondo situation is kind of like your long-time girlfriend telling you
>>>>>that she is thinking about dating Laker Tom -- it would be pretty tough to >>>>>perform well under conditions like that...
LOL. What would be even tougher would be to perform after Mrs. LakerTom found out.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | January 06, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Charles Stop that! Lol!
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Eric,
>>>>>Yep...That was me. And you have my permission to "Blog Slap" me if I ever
>>>>>start sounding like God Almighty, I mean Blitz. It's amazing how an "I think"
>>>>>or "IMO" makes even the most strident comment tolerable.
LOL. No problem, Eric. I wrote it off to election panic. Blitz, pay attention, my man.
As Eric says above, “It's amazing how an "I think" or "IMO" makes even the most strident comment tolerable.
>>>>>Yea...I find it hard to believe that we can think so alike about the Lakers yet
>>>>>be so opposite in politics. That is why I refuse to even drive through San Fran.
>>>>>I'm afraid I'll catch whatever it is you got. lol I hear you're looking at increased
>>>>>contributions(taxes) down there to try and keep the socialist utopia afloat.
>>>>>Say it ain't so. LOL
What, you find the fact that the City of San Francisco has declared itself as a sanctuary for terrorists from Central and South America? I would have to agree with you. I am a pretty liberal and tolerant guy in general but I would agree that the City of San Francisco is way out there with crazy ideas designed to give conservatives head aches. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | January 06, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Larry. I can see Paul Pierce playing the role of Robert Redford, secretly in love
with Streisand and worried about what Kevin Garnett and the rest of the guys
are going to say when he finally brings her to a game. LMAO.
Tom Posted by: LakerTom | January 06, 2009 at 11:19 AM
ROFLMAO!! STOP IT TIOM STOP IT NOW. HAHAHHAHAHAHA
Posted by: MAMBA24 | January 06, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Let's not be complacent guys. The Lakers tend to drop one for every six or seven games
they win. I predict the Lakers to lose. CP3 was able to lead a huge run in the 4th quarter
against Portland without Tyson Chandler who by the way should still be suspended
. Posted by: never | January 06, 2009 at 11:12 AM
STOP IT NEVER!!! WE WILL WIN BY AT LEAST 12 DO YOU HEAR ME!!
LET IT BE WRITTEN LET IT BE DONE
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Vman - Just looked it up. It was one of the first games of last season. Peja had 10 3-pointers and CP3 had 21 assists. All I remember was Tanter's grumbling annoyed tone every time he had to say "3 pointer...Peja Stojakovic". I think I screamed "Peja!" a couple of times just to try and help the team recognize when he was wide open. Didn't help.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 06, 2009 at 11:35 AM
KAMBROTHERS WE BLOGGERS SALUTE YOU AS WE BLOG AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Do you guys think Rondo came from the same planet as Sam Cassell? Or do you think
Rondo was created by Cassell in a lab deep in the bowels of that hellhole they call Boston?
These things keep me up late at night......
ROFLMFAO., hahahahhahahahahahahahaha stop hahahhahahahhaha stop
I say !! Awwwww shhhhhhhiiiii ROFLMFAO!!!!!
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 06, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Glad we are getting more gentle than more heated.
Lets get back on track b4 the game and your trip Hobbit.
"So. You've just agreed with my interpretation what
the Celtics did to Kobe in the Finals."
No at most I agreed with 1/2 with what you said. True the Celtics forced Kobe to shoot jumpers but remember there is a difference between a "forced' jumper and a "not as much contested" jumper. KB's penetration into the paint ran into a ton of green and when the passing lanes were closed and the rim as well he was forced into jumpers that were heavily contested. This Christmas though Kobe did shoot jumpers as well but only Ray Allen on him most of the time. Who would you rather have? 1 person contesting your jumper or 2? Had Kobe penetrated he would have 2 or more. Kobe is doing a smarter job and penetrating to the rim on the principles of the triangle offense. He's also taking smarter, more efficient jumpers. And KB's production helped a ton against the Celtics when they were forced to double on the perimeter.
"1. He didn't get into early foul trouble." Thank Kobe more for guarding Rondo and Derek more for keeping Ray Allen off track after a hot start. Not to take anything away from Bynum though.
2. 2. He protected the rim. Mostly true.
3. Gasol was able to play PF against KG. KG shot a very efficient 11-14 only missing his last two shots (his last shot was more of a desperation 3 pointer). Is that what you call defense? A better interpretation would be lowering someone's FG%.
4. Our bigs played well and we won the game. Only because the Celtics began to double Kobe and Kobe found Gasol more.
"Do you believe that we can win a
championship if the trio"
Yes but Gasol and Kobe has to play well. Why? Because I won't mind Bynum get 8ppg or Lamar 6ppg as long as they play defense and other guys like Sasha step up. Again you are so *defense wins champions* crap. Tell that to the Showtime Lakers who were giving up 100+ points per game or the the Chicago Bulls (particularly the first 3) who beat the "defensive Pistons" with a thing called the Triangle offense. Really I think we could have won the finals. I think that our inexperience beyond Kobe and Fish combined with the young team could not get past the experienced Celtics. Oh true that only one of them won a title (Sam Cassell) but lets see Ray Allen schooling Sasha with a layup instead of a 3 pointer that basically put Game 4 out of our reach.
Experience>Youth.
"my response: And everyone and their mother said that
Dirk was soft. Take a quick trip thru the roster of the
2006-2007 team and name one player who's hard/an
assassin."
Like Pau is soft? (Kidding I'm not Mike T.) Remember that team had Devin Harris who is tearing it up without Avery Johnson holding him back. Calling them soft when they won 67 games not to mention BLOWING out the Lakers back in 2006-2007 by 30+ points at Staples Center. They were not soft they simply choked. And what about Golden State versus Boston. Boston should have owned the Warriors and yet they lost against a Monta Ellis-less team. In fact the Celtics were nearly beaten on their home court against the same Warriors only for the hot hand of Ray Allen bailing them out. I'm willing to bet that in a 7 game series the Celtics would get upset by the Golden State Warriors just like the Mavs would have.
"My response: Here's the thing. It's actually not your JOB
to point out their flaws. It's actually not your JOB to run
the team. It is my recollection that you have advocated
a number of trades instead of actually letting the young
players grow"
Well here's my response: It is not your JOB to say to back off a blogger gives his opinion. It is not your JOB to say there should not be trades of the young guys. Around KB's trade demands there were some credit to actually trading him had PJ not calmed him down. Was it good that he stayed? Heck yes. Why did Kobe complain? Because he did not want to rebuild when in fact we were. It was only Bynum's small development (actually the Pau Gasol trade) that we managed to become a contender. We did not let Javaris Crittenton (who had tons more potential than Farmar) develop into a Steve Francis guard, we traded him to get Pau. If we could get a better player like TP for Farmar (I know it's not possible just using an example) would you do the trade? This is the best time to win a championship. Why? KB's still in his prime and Pau is in too. When we won the first title with KB and Shaq who were the only two Lakers to be developed? KB and Fish. Nick Van Exel was traded away and so was Eddie Jones for an accomplished shooter in Glen Rice. You do trades to strengthen yourself and minimize the weaknesses. That's what the Celtics did with KG. They did not want to wait to develop Al Jefferson (20 and 10), they traded their youth away and got KG and look what happens? 18th title at our expense.
"You're more than welcome to believe
that I am overrating Trevor. Unfortunately, you haven't
paid attention to what the coaches said based on your
interpretations of stats. [ ref. this past summer. ]
Maybe you should go tell Phil & Mitch that they're
overrating Trevor too."
Again you are so wrong. Jackson's words were:
"It's (Trevor's jumper) keeps opponents honest but it isn't enough to spread the floor"
Yet you go and say
"Trevor worked hard on his jumper and he can now spread the floor"
Yet Jackson said otherwise and I believed him while you kept yakking away about how hard Trevor worked hard on his jumper in the summer. The results?
28.3% from 3 point land.
Lamar by comparison (and he's no Sasha/Vlad/Derek)
35.3% from 3 point land.
If 28.3% is "spreading the floor" by your definition, then consider Lamar Odom to be a Glen Rice shooter.
Hence why *you* overrate Trevor not me, not Phil, and certainly not Mitch.
"1. uptempo is good.
2. the first unit is "pedantic"
3. you're getting careless with the ball. run sets."
No he got frustrated at Jackson pulling him out. Jackson said he did not want to stop Farmar's creativity but wanted him to run the triangle. Farmar specialty is fast break or why else would he run it? He is so much into the Baron Davis/Steve Nash fastbreak guys. In half court he like Nash and Davis was EXPOSED and his passes were careless. He did not ask for clarification he *barged* into Jackson's office like a kid would go into a principal's office (Jackson's own words) frustrated at Jackson for not playing him as much especially as much as last year (17 minutes this year compared to 22 minutes last year). Jackson would not have limited Farmar's minutes if he was doing well but since Farmar's weakness is being exposed he got benched more (did you remember 6 free points to Nate Robinson). When Farmar swallowed his ego and ran the damn offense he did well before his injury. Difference between Lamar and him? Lamar said it more in a nice way (he was still shocked and frustrated at being benched) rather than "barging (Jackson's own words) in the office and it was reported that Farmar wasn't speaking in a nice tone.
I would rather have a nicer conversation with any player who is struggling if I was a coach but "banging his head" is much more tolerable than some kid barging into the office (much less without an appointment) and trying to act all tough to say the style he wants to play. Fortunately for you, Jackson was understanding of Farmar and managed to cool him down and convinced him to play the triangle instead of the face pace, no defense Farmar wants to play.
"Jordan as a pg. I believe it was *YOU* who argued
that the triangle offense doesn't need a true pg. That
was part of your argument for Lamar in the starting 5.
He could be a point-forward. So picking on Jordan
because he's not playing more like a traditional pg
seems like you're just looking for an excuse to say
something bad about him."
True but didn't Farmar want to play high octane offense? He had to be the floor general to do that which he did good last year but got cocky and played worst so far this year. And there still has to be a floor general in the triangle offense just not necessarily the point guard (it can be the point guard) Heck if necessary Pau can run the point in the triangle offense. With the Bulls it was Pip, with the Kobe-Shaq Lakers it was Kobe, today it is Derek Fisher. If Farmar wants to run the offense as a PG that is no problem but he has to stay within that offense and that means less stats for himself and more stats for the Lakers especially on defense where his penchant for steals more than playing true defense hurts the Lakers.
"Thanks for the well wishes on my travels. I APPRECIATE
that."
Anytime Hobbit, tell me when you leave so I can wish you a safe trip.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | January 06, 2009 at 11:43 AM
AK - thanks for the Davis explanation... per usual, logic snuffs indignation.
p.s., the mardi-gras beads mention sends my mind off to pleasant hilly daydreams. um, what??
Posted by: dave m | January 06, 2009 at 11:57 AM
LOL lakers_sth. I remember that game and yes it was 10 freaking 3 pointers he hit and each Peja 3 sounded like it aged Tanter 3 years. It was after that game that the Lakers strategy for defending this team changed drastically. We've only dropped one game to them since, and that game we had neither Pau nor Bynum, if I remember correctly.
I always look forward to L.A. - N.O. games for a number of reasons, among them, the Peja-Vlade Yugo rivalry that seems to be brewing. The last few times they've faced each other, I believe, Vlade has held his own.
Posted by: puddle | January 06, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Believe me Laker Tom, I've done more than express opinions. Just because you disagree with me on Farmar and Bynum doesn't mean they I said they are facts. You just gotta calm yourself when criticisms come their way. Sure they are great players but like all professional players going to get criticized. I mean you kept making fun of LBJ and labelling him as "Lebronze". And LBJ will be a force in this league and that is no opinion for once, that is fact.
Just like D-Wade commercials. "Of course he got a gold in China, what else does he have a bad back". Things will come that way and there will be people who get mad. I find it that you get a little over the top when I criticize Bynum and Jordan. I've never said "it's a fact" yet when I continue criticisms regardless of opinion I find that you overreact. Make no mistake I like you a ton and give you big hugs but have to accept criticisms regardless of whether it's fair or not. You are free to disagree of course but don't accuse the other dude of saying "it's a fact". Believe me Laker Tom there are more guys like the LGC who call Bynum "Andrew Olowokandi" that are worst than me. I'm just saying what I see and from what I see Bynum is not being active as much and did a great job at the boards on the Portland game. That rebounds that he got is a good example of how he is not really affected from his knee and have those nights when he is 1) More active and 2) Play with better energy.
Also, you said "you (meaning me) say Bynum's year was a mirage" I have NEVER said that. I said it was a breakout year and this year he is not finding the same opportunities as last year and it is true, Pau Gasol is erasing those opportunities. When Bynum played without Gasol, he had way better production with 13points 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. And like you agree that with Pau this year Bynum isn't a 20ppg guy. And Pau's skills are light years ahead of Bynum. Do I think Bynum will be a 20 and 10 guy? Of course but much later in the future. And no not Shaq, Dwight Howard isn't touching Shaq's heel even though Dwight is dominating the boards better than Shaq. That is like comparing Shaq to Russell. Laker Tom.
I'm more than willing to tolerate the "you put things as facts" Laker Tom since i know you are a very good blogger here but please try not to be too passionate at times, you were doing the same towards me and other people who felt Bynum should not be given a huge contract extension and was saying he would feel insulted and accept the qualifying offer and then bail. (Yeah Shades of Animal Farm). I mean will you do the same to Rick because he agreed with me that Bynum is simply not bringing enough energy and hustle to games?
Eric M,
Same thing. I like you too as a blogger too. Just don't be too passionate when my opinion is that Bynum's knee according to Bynum himself is not affecting him mentally. If it is, then he knows that it's something he should overcome himself.
Pulease,
Want to post a response? I only did 2 so far so feel free to offer an opinion.
-blitz
Posted by: kobeblitz | January 06, 2009 at 12:04 PM
blitz/hobbit: Your back-and-forth reminds me of something that came to light on Christmas Day. Even though Drew was moderately productive, he changes the match-ups and the way Boston is able to defend the Lakers. Pau at C and LO at PF is a lot different than Pau at PF and Drew at C. Just having to stay home on Drew opened up things a lot for Kobe early in the game and Pau late. There was one play in particular, the floater Pau put up over a defender late in the game. KG was on Drew and couldn't rotate over. It was either going to be Pau or Drew on that play.
Posted by: lakers_sth | January 06, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Good Point:
"Here's one reason it's easier for Ariza not to live with regret: The Lakers were right in preventing Ariza from returning sooner from his broken right foot.
Ariza insisted he was free of pain and ready to come back after a four-month layoff, even though bone scans still showed a hairline where the fracture occurred.
There was a lot of discussion about whether the foot was fully healed but the hairline would always remain. It turns out that when Ariza was examined over the summer, the hairline was gone.
Perhaps the Lakers' caution with him — refusing to take the easy way out and bring him back prematurely, even though he wanted to return and could've helped in the title chase — is something Ariza will keep in mind when he decides about re-signing with the Lakers this summer."
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | January 06, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Typical Laker fan : "I hate Boston!!"
Typical Celtic fan : "I probably would hate LA...if I ever gave them any thought."
Bynum hit his career peak one year ago this month. He has no heart, no eye of the tiger, nor fire in his belly. These are things you are either born with or not. He was not.
What did you honestly expect from a guy who was drafted by a "basketball genius" like Jim Buss?
Posted by: RED`S LOVE CHILD | January 06, 2009 at 02:05 PM
K-Brothers, I sent a comment on Bynum for posting on the last thread, but it's somewhere in outerspace. If you find it, can you please put it up on the current thread. Thanks.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | January 06, 2009 at 02:05 PM
LOL. What would be even tougher would be to perform after Mrs. LakerTom found out.
Tom
Well hopefully Mrs. Laker Tom wouldn't find out, unless Rondo spilled the beans....
Posted by: guity | January 06, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Mamba24 - outstanding song & roll call - a GREAT start to the new year and the rise of the new dynasty!!!
Glad to see the holiday thong is back in mothballs & you're back at work.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | January 06, 2009 at 02:05 PM