Game Chat- Lakers vs. Jazz
What was supposed to be a marquee matchup of two Western Conference titans instead pits one elite squad (that would be your Lakers) against a Jazz squad so battered by injuries that they're battling for a playoff spot. Still, they're very good at home (20-6), and Deron Williams has been a bad, bad man over the last 10 days or so. Tonight, Utah is without AK47 and Carlos Boozer, more lack of continuity that has contributed to subpar-by-Jazz-standards defense this season.
The Jazz still play fundamentally strong ball, move well, and pass the rock, so the Lakers will have to mind their p's and q's. If they do, LA's superior fire power combined with Utah's limited frontcourt scoring ought to get them into the All Star break on a high note.
Chat box below.
BK
Greetings Lakeshow Fans,
Change of scenery does a player GOOD! True?
It must be, especially for Vladimir Rad...21 pts today for Charlotte (8-13 + 5-10 from three) in a win.
In two games thus far, he is averaging 17 pts a game and is 8-15
from three. PRETTY GOOD numbers! Hmmm...Did he ever post back to back double figure scoring games when starting with LA? (I can't seem to REMEMBER..)
The question then becomes, WHY didn't he have the same MOJO on a championship aspiring team? I guess Phil REALLY affected his PSYCHE to the point that he just coudn't perform in LA...very SAD indeed.
Despite his obvious perimeter shooting PROWESS, he really lacks discipline DEFENSIVELY which is quite unfortunate and a LIABILITY (given his 6'10 height advantage at the SF position).
In my opinion, this was the MAIN reason why Phil simply put him in the doghouse...He just didn't have IT in HIM to do it from game to game...
Furthermore, it didn't help that Vlad had the case of "diarrhea" of the mouth towards Phil concerning the SYSTEM and PLAYING TIME...Phil, although unorthodox in his motivational techniques, is a man who has won 9 RINGS!!! Why question him! I'm sure Vlad has learned his lesson about this...I sure hope he doesn't have verbal "diahrrhea with Larry Brown...You're talking INACTIVE LIST if it EVER happens!
Besides, Vlad should have known BETTER and been a little bit more PROFESSIONAL about his situation in LA and when dealing with the coach...Oh well, I guess that's just the way life goes sometimes...You can't please someone ALL of the TIME!
At least in Charlotte, he is only asked to SHOOT, not to play D...Looks like the PRESSURE is FINALLY off him to perform. I wish Vlad all the best.
In retrospect, I hope that AM and SB's change of scenery helps the Lakers as well. We shall see...
Laker pride through CHANGE and ADVERSITY!
Posted by: Let's go L's! | February 11, 2009 at 07:12 PM
This really isn't game related but I thought I'd share.
I talk a lot about the "media" bias against Kobe. This is totally not it. Good for the LA Times!
http://tinyurl.com/cby9d6
Posted by: Faith | February 11, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Kobe did the balls dance..I knew then this game would be a loss.
Posted by: Drew | February 11, 2009 at 08:42 PM
What a letdown in Salt Lake.Hopefully Lakers will have a very good second half of the season.GO LAKERS!! Purple and Gold all the way.
Posted by: col.steveaustin | February 11, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Thought they had a chance right through till the end. Probably because they did!!! I'm not horribly disappointed with the loss considering their stellar play and current wins. And I REALLY hope Pau and Kobe aren't injured during the All Star game. That would royally suck.
LAKERS -STILL THE BEST TEAM IN THE NBA
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | February 11, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Why not get a timeout down three before the last shot? We had rebounders on the floor, why not at least get Vujacic out there to space the floor?
And how are we not keeping tabs on Okur for three? How many times do we have to get burned to learn that?
Our #1 problem is our coaching. Players are fine.
Posted by: Jman449 | February 11, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Crap. Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap I take my post back. We're tied with the Celtics for the best record in the league!!!! CRAP.
&*#$^^*#^Q( dangit.
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | February 11, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Utah is a fraud. I have no respect for a team that is a lion at home and a gerbil on the road.
Oh yeah, they also lose big home games, too (see: Game Six, 2008 West Semifinals).
Gutless.
Posted by: Jman449 | February 11, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Actually, the Lakers still have the best record
Posted by: vvvveinz | February 11, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Did Kobe do that dance after he made the 3 in their loss at San Anotonio? I wasn't sure if it was that game or the Houston game, but I was afraid that it was the San Antonio game and that they were going to lose because Kobe did that Sam Cassal move. Did you see Okur do that after he made his 3? It wasn't as obvious, but he did do it. I don't think you should ever show up your opponent, and I was afraid that the Lakers would lose after that too.
And how come the Lakers never call time outs like every other team in the league to set up a play? It's frustrating to see Fisher or Kobe jacking up 3s as their best shot.
Another frustrating close loss. They've got to be at least 2-7 in close games since they only really got blown out 3 times.
Posted by: DT | February 11, 2009 at 09:06 PM
The Lakers still continue to leave open shooters and it came back to bite them in the @ss tonight. Why would you leave Okur, Pau gasol. Just not smart basketball. To give up 2 points is ok but you can't afford to give up 3 point shots in those situations. The lakers have done this time after time this year and had to learn a lesson the hard way tonight. Until the lakers solve their defensive mysteries they won't be champions. Champions don't have defensive lapses like that. The Spurs and Celtics don't give up key 3 point shots at big moments in the game but the lakers do and that could be the difference in getting out of the west against the Spurs or winning the championship against the Celtics.
Posted by: 70slakersfan | February 11, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Terrible game management...we don't get the post game up here in Portland, but I'd be willing to bet anything that, once again, Phil will take NO responsibilty for the loss...never does...
Last time I will post this...beating a dead horse...Luke in the starting five allows teams to play us 5 on 4 at both ends...no one is worried about him at our offensive end, they sag off and use his man to double/cut the passing lanes all the time...on our defensive end, players go by him like his feet are nailed to the floor, which causes all of our players to cheat in his direction...they wind up out of position...
I know our record with him in the starting line-up...Vlade's was, I believe, 17-3...which would make Luke 24-6...
It could easily be argued that both were a hinderance to their respective group, however...teams had to at least respect Vlade's deep threat...he wasI believe, when he left, in the top ten% in three point shooting in the league...
Am I saying we should have kepy Vlade? No...he had done damage to himself here with some unprofessional moves...and Phil obviously didn't want him...but...
Do you really believe that Luke is the best we can do? Really? SOme of you have argued that Luke would start at the three for a good number of teams...I can't think of a single one, including the cellar dwellers...
I think it would be far more beneficial to this team to have someone starting at the three that wasn't a handicap...and a coach, who although he has won nine rings; who obviously feels he is personally responsible for each one...and bares NO responsibilty for the two championships lost...accept some of the blame for games lost...and players wasted...
I'm proud of my team, even in defeat...they fought hard...This wasn't the best example of officiating I've ever seen either...I'm glad for the All Star break...I bet they can use the rest...
Posted by: christopher blake | February 11, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Drew,
The San Antonio Game I thought we won for sure (At San Antonio) He did the Big Balls Dance there too. I think he should stop doing that dance. We always end up with a L...
Posted by: Charles | February 11, 2009 at 09:18 PM
I DIDNT REALIZE THE JAZZ WERE THIS GOOD. THEY BEAT THE BEST TEAM IN THE NBA WITHOUT 2 OF THEIR STARS!
PLEASE DONT FORGET TO WISH BILL RUSSELL A HAPPY BDAY!
Posted by: 131-92 | February 11, 2009 at 09:20 PM
I'd do everything I could, even if it meant giving up a seed, to NOT face the Jazz at full strength in the playoffs. They did this without AK-47 AND Boozer. And although Milsap had been playing well at the beginning of the season for Boozer, he hasn't been playing well recently.
Kobe has been playing some suspect defense recently.
Sasha, after one reasonably good game, is back to his crappy antics. DON'T FOUL AWAY FROM THE BALL. DON'T FOUL AWAY FROM THE BALL. DON'T FOUL AWAY FROM THE BALL. DON'T DRIBBLE INTO THE PAINT WITHOUT A PLAN. CUT YOUR HAIR. I think they should have traded Sasha, not Vlade. Maybe Vlade would have tied the game tonight.
Walton does not belong in the NBA. Only a team of the Lakers caliber can hide his deficiencies. On any other team, he would be playing in their D-League.
Posted by: DT | February 11, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Gimmie a break, two (2) non calls in the last minute (Kobe hits rim, but NO reset of the game clock, etc...) and, yeah, SLC barely pulls it off (who woulda' thunk it, at home my golly gosh)... See you in LA, we'll remember this.
p.s. if you want to be considered a contender SLC stop the FREAKISH home record vs. the road, looks a little fishy...
Posted by: bobo | February 11, 2009 at 09:24 PM
The problem I had tonight was Fisher not taking the timeout after he missed the first one and LO hustled it to him. We had 4 or 5 ticks at that time to set up a good play and instead Fisher forced a horrible shot to end the game.
Poor poor decision by our captain Fish.
Posted by: Long Live Chick | February 11, 2009 at 09:26 PM
I will combine what JMan said and the post of Let's go L. JMan said lacked players that will spread the floor and Let's go L mentioned Vlad shoot out another 21 pts to produce two consecutive W's to his new team. Defensively, review the previous game with Jazz at the start of the year when he did a good job on Okur. Can Adam Morrison fill that void? Listen to Jon K, ain't nothing wrong why fix it now?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 11, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Vlad would have been a good option! But then again Phil would have sat him on the bench! Tonight Vlad scores 21 in a victory over the Wizards. Luke gave us 18 useless minutes
and 2pts! AK/BK, kobeblitz, LTLF, Luke groupie club! Sometimes you have to be careful of what yoou ask for!
Posted by: chuck23 | February 11, 2009 at 09:32 PM
I told you guys this team would lose. The Lakers can't win any more than 7 games before dropping one. I think we'll never get a double digit winning streak. Horrible decision by Fisher.
Posted by: never | February 11, 2009 at 09:36 PM
BOBO,
"Gimmie a break, two (2) non calls in the last minute (Kobe hits rim, but NO reset of the game clock, etc...) and, yeah, SLC barely pulls it off (who woulda' thunk it, at home my golly gosh)... See you in LA, we'll remember this.
p.s. if you want to be considered a contender SLC stop the FREAKISH home record vs. the road, looks a little fishy..."
Posted by: bobo | February 11, 2009 at 09:24 PM
YOU SOUND LIKE A CELTIC FAN ... WHINING ABOUT THE REFS ... I DIDNT KNOW LAKER FAN DID THAT ... NEXT IM GONNA HEAR PJ COMPLAINING LIKE DOC!
Posted by: 131-92 | February 11, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Can anyone remember how many close wins we have had this year? I remember close calls @ Washington, at home against Indiana & the Knicks, @ Boston and that's about it. In almost all of our wins, we have had big leads.
Out of 10 losses, three have been solid. Detroit, New Orleans and @ Sac. The other 7: @Utah, @SA, Charlotte, Orlando (x2), @Miami and @indiana. All games that went down to the wire that we could have won or tied with our last shot.
Seems to me we've not done really well in the close ones. Why not? Isn't that where superior coaching is supposed to make a difference? At least in 2-3 of those?
Posted by: Jman449 | February 11, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Vlade was 8-14 and 5-10 from the 3. Morrison better be the 2nd coming of Larry Bird!!! This is definitely one game where they could have used Vlade to stretch out the defense since Utah just packed the paint and cut off the interior passing lanes causing a lot of turnovers.
Now I have to deal with feeling lousy for a week before they play again.
I never watch the All Star game. Boring, meaningless. But I like the week off for Walton, since he plays much better on 4-5 days rest.
Posted by: DT | February 11, 2009 at 09:43 PM
gasol needed more touches late in the game; thats how we are going to be successful in post-season...getting it into gasol....
jumpshots are a tough way to win close games....
thats what hurts me about this game--is gasol...is such a weapon...we need to give him more chances to setup his teammates or himself
Posted by: laker32 | February 11, 2009 at 09:46 PM
Chris Blake,
"I'm proud of my team, even in defeat...they fought hard."
I second the motion to that stand, Lakers showed some character tonite, the shots just didn't just sink in. With regards to refs, breaks of the game, they goofed and gifted on both teams. Utah's power comes from Deron and Okur. That's where we missed Drew's presence in the middle, he could have put Okur in foul trouble. Evidently, that should have been the strategy of any coach to take out of Okur, by driving through Okur, by turning him nuts! If Okur is gone, Utah would have no scope on their long range guns and would rely on purely brawny and brawl tactics.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 11, 2009 at 09:51 PM
People talk about CP3 being the best guard int he league, but I'd much rather have Deron Williams. Maybe he just plays like this against the Lakers? He reminds me of Jason Kidd at this prime, but a much better shooter. He put some dagger in the Lakers tonight. It could be because he's really fresh having been injured for many games this season. I hope the Jazz have salary problems because of the economy and they have to end up trading him or giving him up so the Lakers can have him replace Fisher someday.
Posted by: DT | February 11, 2009 at 09:57 PM
LOL 131-92,
Thank you for pointing out the obvious.
Posted by: Long Live Chick | February 11, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Ha! The trolls are coming out. Of course we knew they would. Hello 131. Lose any games to the Lakers lately? Oh right - ALL TWO THIS REGULAR SEASON.
Ok, so we're tied in the W L column with the cloverleafs.
*yawn* I'm going to bed.
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | February 11, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Greetings Lakeshow Fans,
Certainly, there is a lot left to be desired in this loss at SLC...But hey, considering the Lakers played on a back-to-back deal and still picking up their pieces of ENERGY they expended on the 6 game roadie (with an interesting HOME game vs a spry and running Thunder team last night), I kind of expected a close game that could go either way. Well, it just wasn't a Lakers night tonight. Here are a few glaring factors for this OFF night...
First of all, the matchup between Gasol and Okur was bad from the get go. Gasol, playing center, was NOT going to venture out too often outside the paint for the purpose of denying penetration. Thi is where Okur has the advantage OFFENSIVELY. When Gasol or any of the Laker bigs came out to meet him, they were burned both ways! Well, Okur's shooting from the perimeter was MONEY and, as a result, was a factor in the outcome.
Second, KB24 WAY took too many shots (33) that ultimately hurt his energy down the stretch...It was bad enough that he was being DOUBLE and TRIPLE TEAMED practically ALL NIGHT! Even his ENERGY on defense throughout was out of kilter. He just wasn't himself and I felt he HELD the ball TOO LONG on a number of possessions. It happens to the best of them...Let the man rest!
Remember, MVP24 is not a SPRING CHICKEN anymore in terms of career minutes played in both regular season and playoff games including international play. He's REALLY UP THERE! You might want to add Fish to that category as well...
Speaking of Fish, thirdly, Deron Williams ABSOLUTELY was a bad matchup as for him at the PG position (at least ONLY for today)...Williams ability to PENETRATE for good stretches and get his OWN shots hurt Fish on both ends, as he was outscored 31-13. Now THAT is an astounding stat to note! Factor INDEED! Let this man rest as well...
Everything considered, the Lakers had a chance to STEAL this game. Odom played pretty well and rebounded like CRAZY! The bench was OK, but not spectacular...
However, the lack of scoring from Walton also contributed to the outcome (as all five Utah starters scored in DOUBLE FIGURES). Walton was the only Lakers starter to NOT score over double figures...Therefore, he is somewhat SUSPECT in this regard.
Well, like they say, basketball is a game of ENERGY and MATCHUPS! Although Boozer and Kirilenko did not play, it was the STYLE of play and rotations that caught the Lakers offguard at times. When a team plays Sloan's Jazz, expect it to be PHYSICAL and GRINDING REGARDLESS of the score...Hmmm...One coudn't really tell from the HIGH score in this one...113-109!
In retrospect, if the Lakers had Bynum, then Utah would be forced to guard MULTIPLE positions on the court without cheating defensively (that is the center, power forward and shooting guard positions with NO help D from teammates for LONG stretches, meaning more MAN to MAN D), which would then allow the Lakers to space the floor and OPERATE for the IN and OUT game, including pick-and roll and cuts to the basket...
Like I said, basketball is a game of strategy and is predicated on WHO makes the MOST shots and POINTS...More D would be helpful as well...
No problem Lakers...STILL THE BEST in the NBA! Enjoy the All-Star break!
Laker pride through ALL and ANY ADVERSITY!
Posted by: Let's go L's! | February 11, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Edwin Gueco...
I agree with you completely...if I remeber right, Okur picked up his fifth foul with a lot of time left...but we never seemed to go at him after that...would have made a big difference...
Posted by: christopher blake | February 11, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Welcome to 6 days break of no laker games. I wish Lakers will use this break to sharpen their F/T shooting and another wish from one player. Luke should read all game chats and be inspired in the 2nd half of the season - prove them wrong. The subject matter of every game chat is all Luke s*k, all about luke.
Prove them wrong Luke - First thing to do, hire a track coach at Santa Monica Track, do a lot of running, high jump, broad jump, steeplechase, 500 shots a day for 6 days. I tell ya, I hate hearin' & readin' Luke is that bad, got to change your image. You are in the lineage of the HOF Waltons not Smush-type su*ks in '07. For the sake of Laker fans * your critics aspiring for a parade, please change for the better.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 11, 2009 at 10:53 PM