Lakers vs. Thunder: Mind the gap
The Lakers are 41-9. They just beat Boston and Cleveland on the road, capping a perfect 6-0 trip. They currently rule the NBA like Bill Cosby once did Thursdays. The Oklahoma City Thunder are 13-38. That's a .255 batting average, lower than all but three teams across the NBA. And did I mention OKC's 3-20 road mark? The Lakers should, and very likely will, win tonight's game at Staples, but as
it was when the Lakers hosted Charlotte back on Jan. 17- we all know how that turned out- the records don't tell the whole story here. A few things to keep in mind:
- Including their win over Golden State on New Year's Eve, the Thunder are 10-9 over their last 19, including wins over Portland, Utah, and Detroit, and a one point loss to Denver. 10-9 isn't championship material, but it's not .255, either.
- Since Scott Brooks shifted him back to small forward, Kevin Durant has been awesome. He still lacks the strength to defend one-on-one, but his scoring has skyrocketed, and his splits show consistent improvement in FG%, rebounding, and assists.
- Jeff Green has also made a major leap in production this season, and has become an increasingly tough cover. With Russell Westbrook's 15/5 tossed in, OKC has a talented core.
- For the season, the Thunder are among the league's lowest scoring, least efficient teams, but over their last nine games have scored 108 points a night. On the other hand, they're incredibly turnover prone (no surprise, given the youth and lack of depth) and can't defend.
None of this forecasts an upset, but this could be the Webster's definition of a trap game: First homer in a while after a long, emotional trip (frosted with two HUGE wins), against a weak team not quite as craptastic as their record would suggest before a visit Wednesday to a tough conference rival, all with visions of the All Star break dancing around in the gray matter. The imagination need not run wild to conjure images of a letdown. It shouldn't require a Herculean effort to get the W, but the sort of clock-punching apathy I used to show a decade or so ago working at the Warehouse at Beverly Connection (Note: that's a lot of apathy) may not suffice.
BK
The only thing I have to say about tonight is I wish Chris Wilcox was a Laker. I love the ferocity that kid plays with. (Now watch he'll disappear or not play at all tonight)
Posted by: lakers_sth | February 10, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Be afraid of Kevin Durant...be very afraid. OKC is going to be very good, very soon. Sam Presti is an excellent GM, and in KD, Jeff Green and Westbrook, they have the horses.
Sure I hate Clay Bennett, but this time is a good trade and a good coach (they'll prolly have another top 5 pick this year) away from making serious noise.
Posted by: hariyahu | February 10, 2009 at 04:22 PM
BK
thanks for the sign. it is exactly what i proposed.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 04:25 PM
yoooooooo
check out this video with the Top 10 all stars game plays
there is a magic one and the kobe one that i never seen before and more surprises and after that many, many dunks
http://tinyurl.com/brmaa4
enjoy
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 04:27 PM
ouch-
You're welcome, but like I mentioned, I make no promises towards consistency. But you (or other readers) could make note of new threads when they happen. We're like a team here, you know.
BK
Posted by: kambrothers | February 10, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Trade Mihm,Yue,Mbenga,Luke for Kevin Durant.
Posted by: Drew | February 10, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Drew,
Or just AmMo. Ha ha
Posted by: hariyahu | February 10, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Hariyahu,
Nice to hear from you again. They have the horses but there are no jockeys to run the horses. Good as Sonics but wild as Thunder. I think Tornado is more appropriate name.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | February 10, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Yipee!! Game day!
Posted by: Anna in Bondi | February 10, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Anna
i envy u living in Speedo land. nude beaches?
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 04:48 PM
BK
i will do it, but usually i'm the one left "in the basement" wondering were r the new entries, or how come there is no one posting.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 04:50 PM
beat LA, beat LA
oh nooooooooo, we r back home
LGL, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP
LGL, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 04:53 PM
@Blitz - Just read your last post, on Phil on Mike vs Kobe.
We actually agree! I think the only thing is that your conclusion out of Phil's take is "Kobe doesn't compare to Mike", but mine is that "Kobe is pretty comparable to Mike".
But I think we mean the same thing, funny enough. Kind of the glass half empty, half full deal.
Still don't think the average player in the 80s is nearly as good as today's average player, though!
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | February 10, 2009 at 05:04 PM
dave,
>>> Has Laker Tom posted since this happened? He's probably holed
>>> up with Nepalese temple ball worry beads... don't worry buddy -
>>> the Beast WILL be back!
LOL! Actually, I have been posting rather prolifically lately. Where have you been? The Beast will surely be back since it us only rehab and no surgery. From what I read, it appears that the Lakers have issued a very conservative return prognosis to avoid the criticism and disappointment of last year. Look for the Beast to return by April Fools Day. Only it will be for real and not an April Fools Joke. Only fools will be on those Eastern Conference teams who are praying Drew will not make it back for another year. Only question now is whether Drew will return before the Republicans decide to help fix the mess they left us. Maybe Eric has the answer. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 10, 2009 at 05:08 PM
Mamba,
Here is a comment for the Drew Get Well Bandwagon:
Drew will return for April 3rd home game against Yao and the Rockets as the Lakers return from a 7-game road trip.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 10, 2009 at 05:11 PM
thanks for the link ouchhhhhhhhh. i believe that one of kobe was his first all-star game appearance. he also had a nice two hand jam in that game, i got a poster of it in my room. that's also the game where he waved off a karl malone pick. pissed off malone to no end.
Posted by: LakersFan24/7 | February 10, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Yep, one not far from Bondi- around at Lady Bay....a couple more on the north shore of Sydney...
Posted by: Anna in Bondi | February 10, 2009 at 05:18 PM
exhelo - i have it on pretty good authority that ak's connecting pools are actually stocked with fancy-tail guppies. and supposedly, one of ben's jobs is to go around seperating the momma guppies from the babies? crazy what a little power will do.
sooo... do we think brown/morrison will be activated tonight?
Posted by: dave m | February 10, 2009 at 05:21 PM
hariyahu,
"Be afraid of Kevin Durant...be very afraid... and in KD, Jeff Green and Westbrook, they have the horses."
*Add Kyle Weaver to the mix... the guy is starving for PT and wants to make a statement.
So LAKERS, please remember we need to stop making other teams' players better. We need to stop them from having a career high scoring game.
Smart D and Aggressive O= W
GOOOOOOLAKERS!!!
Posted by: Carlos DeeP | February 10, 2009 at 05:22 PM
What I always pray for are no more injuries (especially Kobe) until we get this season's (and successively at least five more thereafter) O'Brien Trophy secured in LA.. I can take the result of the game today as whatever.
Posted by: Lakergurl | February 10, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Something is telling me tonight's going to be a let down game. Hopefully not. Reserves have to bring it. Morrison better get some PT and not screw up.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | February 10, 2009 at 05:50 PM
All you doubters piss off!! Today is Luke's break out day. Look for him to score over 20 points and snag at least 8 rebounds.
GOOoooOOO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | February 10, 2009 at 05:52 PM
hariyahu,
I love Durant, but I dont like Jeff Green.
Ever since I saw him take 2 SHOTS in the Final Four game then I just dont trust that type of player. Too "Lamar Odom, I dont want the big shot, so I'll disapper" for me. Except that Odom has other skills that complement that personality.
I really dont see why Jeff Green is good at all.
Maybe that's just me.
Posted by: Korey | February 10, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Lakers vs. Seattle 1987 Playoffs Overview w/ Chick
http://tinyurl.com/dehnop
Posted by: ajax | February 10, 2009 at 06:06 PM
I hate watching the non-Sonics. The only time I will watch them is versus the Lakers.
That was the crappiest sports move ever. And just as the Sonics started to get interesting again, too. Seattle didn't pony up for an over-priced real estate scheme at the height of the real estate bubble (looking pretty smart in the process, I might add) and pays with their team and its history?
Sorry, I just can't get excited about anything having to do with that team. They embody the ugliest of sports.
Posted by: busterjonez | February 10, 2009 at 06:18 PM
indiana beat the cavs. weird finish
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 06:27 PM
Anyone just watch the indy cleve game? Stupid calls by ref at end of the game, thought they were gonna give the game away to the crabs calling a foul on a lob with 0.8 .... but oh wait they call the exact same foul on the crabs with 0.4 to go
Posted by: kene_slow | February 10, 2009 at 06:28 PM
I miss chick. joel is ok. At least he doesn't force me to press the mute button like the first guy who replaced chick. I think it was paul sunderland. he gave me actual headaches.
Posted by: LakersFan24/7 | February 10, 2009 at 06:28 PM
blitz,
Glad to see you a little more reasoned and logical in your expanded explanation of your position vis-à-vis Kobe vs. Mike. I will take that as your admission that your “Mike Jordy is and will always be great than your KB” comments were just more secret Bulls fan smack. Were you even a Lakers fan during MJ’s six rings? Smacks a little of Jon’s weird fandom for the Clippers. How do you feel about the fact that the Bulls now suck? JK you, blitz.
I think without a doubt Mike has set the bar and it is unfair really to compare Kobe to him until Kobe has completed his career. Whether Kobe will surpass Mike by the time he is done is open to opinion and argument. That he won’t is just your personal opinion and nothing more. Just as mine that he will surpass MJ by the time he is done is. :)
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 10, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Oh my. Did anyone watch the last ..8 seconds of the Cleveland-Pacers game? Wow, that was so weird. Pacers up by 2, .8 on the clock. Cleveland Inbounds to James who's going for the dunk, and the Refs call a foul. James makes the 2 baskets, and ties the game. .4 left on the clock, Pacers do something similar, and James gets called for a foul!!! .2 left on the clock, and Pacers make the basket and win the game.
That is one of the the craziest endings I've ever seen!
Posted by: DTM | February 10, 2009 at 06:30 PM
LakersFan24/7
thanks for the comments. i never seen it. kinda did not watch too many all star games, or i was just busy with some projects. when i've seen the move i remembered some plays in the rocker park on Utube. that was street ball at its best.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 06:31 PM
Wow!
Did anyone else see the King Crab scuttle off down the tunnel after that loss to the Pacers?
Posted by: Laker Larry | February 10, 2009 at 06:35 PM
Korey,
I didn't think Green was that good last year either but he's definitely made strides this season. He's a much better player this time around.
Posted by: Xodus | February 10, 2009 at 06:35 PM
Did any of you watch the end of the pacer crab game? I thought it was disgusting how they bailed out Lebrawn with .8 seconds left to tie it but then pleasantly surprised that they made up for it on basically the same call with .4 seconds left for Granger. Nice ending.
There is absolutely no way King Crab can complain about that though. If he does, he is talking out of his A**. They gave the exact same call to him less than a second earlier. HAHA. I love it.
He'll still complain though.
Posted by: Long Live Chick | February 10, 2009 at 06:37 PM
the zebras wanted to give the game to lebrick after he complained that granger did foul him with 0.8 sec remaining on an alley up. all the indiana was booing. i expected them to invade the court. james tide with 2 FT.
with 0.4 remaining, same play on the other side but this time james really fouls granger. the same call. james was fumigating. i was raising my finger to the computer screen and screaming: take that MOFO.
granger swished the first one and of course intentionally missed the second
le brick walked like hitler out of the arena. he had like 47 points?!!!!!!!!!!
POETIC justice
indiana beat celts, lakers, orlando and cavs.
caves have their first 2 consecutive loses of the season
it is really disgusting how all the league is sucking his jock strap. it is so obvious. how come no writer really writes about it. not even MJ was getting this type of calls.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | February 10, 2009 at 06:37 PM
Sorry Morrison fans...the kid is highly unlikely to get any PT for this game and maybe not even for the rest of the year.
Lakers have 15 on their roster and only 12 can be in their game day lineup. With Bynum out that means 2 players will be styling in their power suits on the bench. Its highly likely those 2 will be Morrison and Brown not Mbenga and Sun.
Look for ferocious debates on the Laker blog in the future over whether Morrison and Brown s/d be 11th and 12th men rather than Mbenga and Sun. LOL
Posted by: LakerinBC | February 10, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Seen the news? At least they're not playing in OKC. I'd hate for the team to get wisked off to Oz, then LO's inability to tell a Celtic from a Munchkin cause an international incident...
Posted by: Scott | February 10, 2009 at 06:45 PM
Crabs Lose!
With 0.8 left the refs call a foul on Danny Granger on a lob to the King sending him to the line for two to tie the game with 0.6 left on the clock. Amazingly, he makes both to tie the game, but turn about is fair play. After a timeout, the Pacers lob the ball to Granger and the King is called for the same foul against Granger with 0.1 left on the clock. Granger makes the first and misses the second on purpose, game over. Pacers defeat King Crab's army. King Crab scuttles down the tunnel in the most PO'd run you've ever seen, all 8 legs churning in unison.
You ever noticed; when the Lakers whip a team, they usually stay whipped for a while. Oh my!
Posted by: Laker Larry | February 10, 2009 at 06:45 PM
Tom -
Hey buddy. Yeah, I wrote that in the aftermath of Drew going down... seemed like you were conspicuously absent and a few of us got worried (I personally wondered if you had taken a sabbatical to Prattville, lol). At any rate, you've been making up for it lately - you've been in good form with your posts. As for moi, as you know, my posts are sporadic and usually off on some odd tangent... at best!
Posted by: dave m | February 10, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Ben,
I wanted to chime in on your recent irreverent and disrespectful post that subconsciously encourages Lakers fans to contend the Lakers are a better team without Andrew Bynum. For a moment there, I thought AK and BK had fired you and hired Mike T. JK.
Here is the reality from my viewpoint. Like most clouds, there is rain and there is a silver lining. In this case, the rain is that had Andrew not been injured, he would have dominated the NBA for rest of the season and might even have challenged Kobe to win Finals MVP. Now, he will lose another two to three months of court time and will be lucky to return to his pre-injury form until next season, which could cost the Lakers the championship.
The silver lining is that Drew’s injury did force Pau and Lamar to step up and provide that toughness that they lacked in last year’s Finals, which undoubtedly will make them better players going forward, not only just for this year but most likely for the rest of their careers. Will that compensate for not having Drew the Beast for the Finals? I think so but you never know. Everybody thought last year was the Lakers year until the Finals.
I do know that not having Drew the Beast will make it harder for the Lakers to win the championship this year. After this year, maybe the silver lining will pay off. In the end, though, a major injury to your next franchise player can’t be anything but bad.
JMNSHBO!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | February 10, 2009 at 06:52 PM
To steal a phrase that I'm certain would have been Chick's "The pliers are on the table, the water is steaming, the butter is melted and the Lemon is on ice. Let's enjoy some crab legs!
Posted by: Laker Larry | February 10, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Nice all-star highlights:)
Jordan's jumper over Marion remind anyone of anything we've seen lately?
Amazing (not really) how many Lakers are involved in the greatest moments in NBA history...
NO LETDOWNS!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Cameron | February 10, 2009 at 07:01 PM
Thanks Edwin G.
Yep, OKC isn't all that great this year, but another year of development with a draft pick or trade will get them to Portland status. Except that I think Kevin Durant is twice the player Roy is - dude's wired like Kobe. If we get (cough! steal) him somehow, we are favorites for the next 10 years...
Korey,
Yep, Green isn't all that great - he's a tweener - but with the right coaching/guidance/mentoring, he can get to Paul Pierce land. Westbrook is an absolute demon though!
Posted by: hariyahu | February 10, 2009 at 07:11 PM
LT,
That comment was nothing more than to get back at oucchh for the foolish line that Jordan Farmar couldn't pass the ball. While I was on Farmar earlier on the year for trying to play his way instead of the Lakers way he really went back to the running the proper offense and like I said I always give credit and defend any Lakers from unfair criticism.
No I was a Laker fan during the days of Eddie Jones and Nick Van Excellent and even Vlade Divac but I watched MJ a ton. I liked all 3 Lakers but they never really got me as "guys you can build around". Even the Detroit Pistons of 2004 HAD a franchise player in Chauncey Billups.
-KB Blitz
Posted by: Kobeblitz | February 10, 2009 at 07:12 PM