5-0 would be peachy: Lakers at Hawks Game Chat
When the Lakers met the Hawks back on February 17th at Staples, it was a romp for the home team. The Lakers were up by 27 thirty seconds into the fourth, and 26 with 4:24 to go before a meaningless 
late run from the Hawks set the final margin at Lakers +13. Pau Gasol was outstanding (12/13/10, zero turnovers), as was Lamar Odom (15 points, 20 boards), and as we mentioned in the postgame report, LA thrashed Atlanta on the boards, outrebounding them 67-39. Some of that is because the Hawks couldn't hit a shot to save their lives (36.9% shooting), but also because the Lakers were big on the offensive glass, rolling up 28 offensive rebounds on 54 misses. That's good.
With Kobe Bryant a game time decision- my bet is that he'll play- thanks to the ankle he gunked up in Friday's win over the Nets, this afternoon LA will need more of the same inside against a Hawks team that thrives in the open court and on mistakes. That means the Lakers will have to take better care of the ball than they did in February, when the Hawks were unable to take full advantage of 23 LA giveaways (it should be noted that the number was inflated by garbage time sloppiness, but overall the Lakers were too careless).
It'll also be a test for the still slumping reserves to generate good shots and minimize easy run outs for the Hawks. Concern is growing, among fans, coaches, and as noted here from Odom (scroll past all the nice stuff about Pau.)
More thoughts: Forum Blue and Gold's game preview, Peachtree Hoops. No Marvin Williams for Atlanta, and Acie Law could miss the game as well.
Chat box below! See you at game time.
BK
BK: I like the "blogging with the enemy" section of Peachtree hoops. Nice to know...
Can't wait for the game - still hoping the Mavs can hold it together for 24 more and sneak a "W" against the Crabs.
LGL!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | March 29, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I love Magic's new role as spot interviewer on ABC.
Perfect fit. Magic has a relaxed way that brings out the best in players.
Talk show, no. Interviewing stars on ABC, yes.
Wes
Posted by: | March 29, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Poll question
Who has the largest dumbo goofy looking ears ?
Jordan Farmar
Luke Walton
DJ Mbenga
Posted by: Ted Best | March 29, 2009 at 11:25 AM
It would be very considerate and polite of the Bench Mob to allow Kobe some rest. Playing with reckless abandon at this point would show a total lack of team consciousness.
Were I PJ, I would not use Kobe at all in order to test the Bench Mob. Fortunately, and unfortunately, I doubt Kobe would let this happen!!
GOOOoooOOO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 29, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Poll answer: Stan Laurel
Posted by: Otis | March 29, 2009 at 12:34 PM
BLöG CRüE
Off day, not the end of the world. However, I say the best record is most likely out of reach.
Time to rest the starters and groom the PINE CRüE for some minutes.
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | March 29, 2009 at 03:02 PM
I´ts time to let Pau rest and play the bench. He should, from now, on play less than 30 min a game so we can have him rested during playoffs. We can´t risk a tired Gasol not even think injured.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: HugoSpain | March 29, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Wow, we sucked today. I didn't make my predictions for the game today by the way. I think the most critical play came when the Lakers had a 3 on 1 fast break led by Smush Farmar. He had Kobe and Powell and decides to throw a lob past J. Smith. Smith fumbles the pass and Bibby makes a three while Farmar is called for a foul. Those plays were a 6 point swing. Seriously Farmar, you stupid UCLA reject. Sasha you suck too.
Posted by: never | March 29, 2009 at 03:04 PM
This loss could be a good thing if PJ has any brains (yeah, I know, but work with me here), because we aren't going to catch Cavs for best record, so let's rest Kobe and Pau and Fish. Let's get them fully healed and rested for the Playoffs! Doesn't matter if we lose a game or three more.
Unfortunately, the Bench Mob showed up again today! If you take out Fluke, they were just awful as usual! They were 2 for 11! And even though Kobe didn't shoot well 7 for 19, Odumb, Fish and Ariza were a combined 9 for 36! The more I watch this team, the more I see a really good Gasol and a great, but worn out and beat up KB24! Let's just concentrate on getting them healthy.
And is there any reason now not to give Morrison and Brown legitimate playing time? Oh, and your so-called point guards (Fish and FarmarworsethanIimagined) had 1 stinking assist. We need a point guard so bad next year!
Posted by: DJ | March 29, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Game 6: 39 point lost to Boston.
Players in tears after the game.
Players promise to play with focus to make sure games 6 and 7 are played on their home court.
9 months later: Cleveland will host games 6 and 7.
Losing to Boston did not motivate the Lakers enough to stay focus.
Cleveland is focused (one home lost).
Lakers home loses:
Pistonst/Hornets/Magic/Bob Cats/Sixers.
Lack of focus equals no home court.
And possibly, no rings.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 29, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Game 6: 39 point lost to Boston.
Players in tears after the game.
Players promise to play with focus to make sure games 6 and 7 are played on their home court.
9 months later: Cleveland will host games 6 and 7.
Losing to Boston did not motivate the Lakers enough to stay focus.
Cleveland is focused (one home lost).
Lakers home loses:
Pistonst/Hornets/Magic/Bob Cats/Sixers.
Lack of focus equals no home court.
And possibly, no rings.
Posted by: passionate Lakers fan | March 29, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Yeah, but you forgot to point out the one loss for Cleveland is against the LAKERS.
Posted by: Rob | March 29, 2009 at 03:12 PM
please relax, I don't think the cavs are a legitimate threat, the only real threat is the celtics, and, i'm pretty sure were ahead of them right?
Posted by: me | March 29, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Seriously, lack of focus isn't from Kobe, Fish or Pau. As it turns out, you are asking the others to do what they really aren't capable of doing. A real shame, cause I fear KB24 will be playing elsewhere next year. I would if I were him, I would. He would have a much better chance of rings with LJ or Tim and Tony. After all, he doesn't need money and could go a year at a time. I would be so tired of playing with most of his loser teammates I would say bye, bye!
Posted by: DJ | March 29, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Hugo Spain
Pensamos igual!
Colorado ama a Los Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | March 29, 2009 at 03:19 PM
The Lakers will not be able to go on a double digit winning streak. Wow.
Posted by: never | March 29, 2009 at 03:23 PM
And another thing, Passionate Lakers Fan....
I don't think Cleveland is AS focused as they appear to be. Will they have homecourt advantage? Yes. Are they pretty much killing every team they play? Yes.
But I don't know, something doesn't seem right about them winning a championship. (Obviously I'm a little subjective on this matter) Howeva, when was the last time you saw a championship team taking PRETEND pictures at a club with each other before a game, making it a new ritual?
Some of you may be laughing, but think about it. All champs in this decade are perfect examples. The Lakers, Spurs, Pistons, and (gulp) the Celtics all had the tenacity and professionalism to be champs.
All I have been seeing this season with Cleveland is them just having a whole bunch of fun, almost goofing off in a sense. What's going to happen when they face adversity? Have they had their own game 7 39 point loss yet? No. The point is, they won't know how to deal with pressure situations because they haven't come across many, if any at all.
To be honest, I'm more concerned with facing the Celtics in the finals than the Cavs due to the experience and dedication they have.
Posted by: Rob | March 29, 2009 at 03:25 PM
Mike Bresnahan reports that along with KB's banged up finger and ankle, he had a touch of the flu as well. Not at all surprising he played. But it's the rest that made me sick (other than Pau)!
Posted by: DJ | March 29, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Kobe really looks worn down.....his shot has be really off the last couple of weeks......the lakers have got to find a way to get Pau more than 10 shots especially when Kobe starts off the game in foul trouble......until they get Bynum back the Lakers should look to get Pau 15-17 shot per game .....he would get an avg of 25pts per.....He is a ton of minutes and not getting enough shots...........Right now he is playing the most efficient basketball for the Lakers........Hopefully when the Lakers return home with a 6-1 trip they will get a chance to catch up on some rest ....In order to win it all the Lakers are going to need an effect Bynum.......Boston will be there again b/c they will be rested.........
PL
Posted by: PL | March 29, 2009 at 03:29 PM
5-0 is still pretty good I'm not to disappointed in the lose to the Hawks.
Posted by: Laker Fan | March 29, 2009 at 03:30 PM
passionate Lakers fan,
Several months ago, Jeanie Buss said on the radio,last season, she couldn't make a trip to Boston in game 6. Phil told her that Lakers would win game 6 in Boston. Phil already is a famous fortune teller.
The first goal of this season is to get home-field avantage, forget it. Kupchak and Phil got credit to screw up this team badly, we helped Charlotte to make the playoff by getting 2 players sitting on the bench.
Kupchak wants to show to us, he is a genius with all the guys he drafted, Sahsa, Luke, Farmar.
Posted by: bluesky | March 29, 2009 at 03:35 PM
The closer it gets, the less I think the Lakers have what it takes to win the title this year.
Posted by: Pig Miller | March 29, 2009 at 03:39 PM
Atlanta is the best team the Lakers faced on this road trip. Bring it home, by winning the last two, and a 6-1 trip record won't be bad at all, and can be considered a big success
Need to win in Charlotte. Larry Brown is PJ's kryptonite. Would like to see Ariza shut down Vlad Rad. Would be nice to see Shannon and Morrison score double digits vs. their former team.
Time for PJ to decide about resting Kobe, Pau and Fish for the playoff run.
I think he s/d especially since PJ always says that the playoffs are the real games and regular season is just practice.
Lakers will win Finals even if Crabs have home court. Crabs will probably face Hawks. Lakers might even end up facing the Hawks again - in the Finals!
Posted by: LakerinBC | March 29, 2009 at 03:44 PM
Very frustrating game to watch. I knew they lost this in the 1st period when they were not hustling, moving without the ball, etc. The usual way they play when they think they're going to get a 30 point blowout.
I watched the Cavs, and had several observations:
LBJ is MVP this year. The biggest difference in his game with Kobe's is his passing skills are far superior.
2nd, is that the Cavs move much better without the ball and their defense is much better and more consistent. Even when they are not shooting well, it's rare that they let the game get too out of hand. And they play well in the 3rd and 4th, which are when Championship teams excel. The Lakers better hope that they don't face the Cavs or the Magic, or even the Heat. In fact, the way the Lakers are playing now, they wouldn't beat the Celtics.
Best record is out the door now. No point in burning out the players before the playoffs.
Posted by: DT | March 29, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 28, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Rick,
In answer to your question on the previous post, the only Lakers players on Twitter are Fish and Sasha. There's an official Lakers.com and a D-fenders as well.
Anna
Posted by: Anna in Bondi | March 29, 2009 at 04:02 PM
Everyone looked tired, except Pau...maybe time for some rest before the playoffs...not more than one day off between games from now on, with two more back to backs...I think we need fresher legs coming into the playoffs...
I was telling my wife that the one thing that this and last years teams don't have, that our previous champs had is...
veteran bench play...hurt us last year in the finals...seems to be hurting us now...
Perhaps picking up a Robert Horry might not be such a bad thing?
Also...hate to nag...I just don't understand Phil's reluctance to use a timeout or two to stop another team's run...but, as has been pointed out to me numerous times on this blog...
Who am I, and what do I know?
Posted by: christopher blake | March 29, 2009 at 04:15 PM
One last thing...
Bench scoring:
Atlanta:29
Lakers:14
Which means, of course, that as poorly as we played...the starters outscored theirs
62 to 57
Posted by: christopher blake | March 29, 2009 at 04:24 PM
DJ, which other team is better than the lakers? wthell are you smoking. just cause they lose a few games and are about to get 60 games doesn't mean they suck, wake up man. This team will surprise everyone come playoff time, just wait, maybe it's PJ's master plan haha When there is no focus, there is no drive to play well and win, so just wait till that focus to come back come playoff time.
Posted by: WADA | March 29, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Greetings Lakeshow Fans,
Interesting loss today to a good, decent Hawks team...A much youthful and athletic team across the board. The Lakers were just a "step" behind all game long. The energy was just not there, especially offensively...As a result, the Hawks took it to them like a home team should. This is why it is so difficult to win on the road in the NBA...Appreciate the fact that the Lakers have been one of the best road teams this season considering ALL the circumstances surrounding the team (NO Bynum, INCONSISTENT benchplay, EXTENDED minutes by Gasol, Fish and Bryant)
It sure as heck didn't help matters with an ailing KB24 (banged up knees, ankle, fingers, you name it!), inconsistent shooting by the rest of the starters except Gasol (who just has been the most CONSISTENT all year), and of course, bad play all around by the bench mob...Whew! Again, look at where the stand now...ATOP the Western Conference.
There has been a lot of discussion on the blog about possibly resting Kobe, Fish and Gasol in preparation for the upcoming playoff grind. I agree!
Looking at the upcoming schedule, there is no question that Cleveland has the advantage based on the number of home games they have left. The Lakers, now who trail by two games in claiming the homecourt stakes to the Cavs, have to consider resting their vets.
Understand that the Lakers are a different team compared to the Cavs, who are just a bit younger and spry at this point (even with veterans like Ilgauskas and Smith, who have not played a whole lot over the years due to injuries).
When it comes to both teams respective leaders, LeBron is still a young, healthy star player reaching great heights compared to a grizzled veteran star in Bryant who has "been" there and "done" that for 10+ years. Remember when Kobe was about his age? We all know what happened as a result...CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Just imagine when LeBron reaches 30, which he will eventually...As the years go on, he's going to ultimately lose a bit of his high flying game, just as players such as TMac, Vinsanity, and even Kobe have in their games as well...They become jumpshooters and look to pick their spots when it comes to their individual skill sets. Veteran players have learned how to PACE themselves to compensate for their worn out bodies as well as their minds...An 82 game season is LONG indeed!
Kobe, I feel, is one of the best players in the association that understands the importance of keeping the body and mind sound both physically and mentally. AGE and HEALTH means EVERYTHING!
I expect Phil and the staff to limit starters minutes from here on out understanding that full homecourt advantage is pretty much a foregone conclusion...
Besides, the Lakers have to get the benchmob GOING! Nothing like game pressure minutes to get it done. Guys like Vujacic and Farmar are just TOO talented to be in an extended funk (they are still young as well)...Again, it's going to be interesting to see if EXTENDED minutes help the benchmob as a unit coming down the homestretch...It's might be worth the RISK at this point.
The Lakers can't count on Bynum to walk through the door any time soon. That's REALITY! EVERYTHING the Lakers do rest not only in the starters, but also the consistent play of the BENCH! Trust me, the bench is well aware of their surprisingly flat play all year...It's all about improving their games INDIVIDUALLY and COLLECTIVELY...I expect them to be gym rats working on their games and watching a lot of film in the training room.
Therefore, the question is going to be, "What is going to be their COLLECTIVE mindset come playoff time UNDERSTANDING what's at stake?" I have no doubt that Zen Phil is going to be a HUGE part of improving their psyche in that regard. He's not a nine time Champion coach for nothing!
Let's face it folks, the benchmob is just a young STUBBORN group that needs guidance and a whole lot of minutes...Well, looks like they are going to get the minutes...Let's hope that the GREEN light comes ON soon by being PRODUCTIVE on a consistent basis! I'm confident that they will get through this in time for the "money" season ahead. They are a KEY to the championship as well besides Bynum.
Laker pride through ALL and ANY ADVERSITY!
Posted by: Let's Go L's! | March 29, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Problems I observed:
1. Gasol has been the thread to hold the team down for all these wins -BUT HIS DEFENSE IS TOOO WEAK, perhaps strength training in the offense could do him some good.
2. Kobe needs a rest...He will always come thru when called upon but damn give the man a break already.
3.Farmer really needs to improve NOW or get ready to be traded during the off season--he rarely makes the RIGHT play.
4.Luke--we love him like a lil brother but he is: USELESS
5.Powell needs to improve or pack his bags during the off season--seems to lack MOTIVATION
6.Odom, needs to play more under control.
7. FISH needs to be more assertive towards getting his shot.. but not out of control trying to do things he no longer can do like drive in the lane and score and 1's.
8. Boy does PJ have some pride or what.. This no-time out thing during trouble time is really overrated.
9. Sasha too needs to improve or prepare his multi-colored bags for the exist. INCONSISTENT!
10.Trevor is just trying to hard--needs to relax and play his role ---he not Tonto...
Posted by: kobemoney | March 29, 2009 at 04:50 PM
We failed to achieve our stated goal at the beginning of the season. We will not have the best record in the NBA.
Our goals for the last two weeks of the season should be: 1.) Beat out Boston 2.) Freshen up our starters (Kobe, Pau & Fish more than others) 3.) Get the bench in order by making it open competition, nobody is guaranteed PT come the Playoffs.
Time for guys like Farmar and Vujacic to battle for their jobs. They have been coddled all year, both of them have been just north of awful. Maybe putting their playing time up for grabs will motivate them, and if it doesn't, it's better to find out now.
When you go on the road in the Playoffs, big runs are fatal and when we put this bench group in, they are getting trashed. We have two weeks to try to do something.
Posted by: Jman449 | March 29, 2009 at 05:01 PM
The Lakers will get the best record in the NBA so they may as well forget it and give Kobe and Pau some rest to get ready for the playoffs. They have already proved they can beat everyone in the east and could get home court from cleveland by beating them, if cleveland makes it to the finals. I don't think Orlando could beat the Lakers in 7 even though they beat the lakers both times this year.
Posted by: 70slakersfan | March 29, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Bob says: "All I have been seeing this season with Cleveland is them just having a whole bunch of fun, almost goofing off in a sense. What's going to happen when they face adversity? Have they had their own game 7 39 point loss yet? No. The point is, they won't know how to deal with pressure situations because they haven't come across many, if any at all."
Muahahahaha!!!! Since when has losing an elimination game by 39 (and it was game 6, not 7) been a sign of a championship team??? Cavs played the Celtics harder than anyone last year and lost due to a bad break in game 5 and a down-to-the-wire game 7 when Paul Pierce had a career game. Lakers lost to the Celtics due to getting blown out on their court and being completely unable to hold big leads on their own court. Umm...which one do you think showed more playoff mettle?
Posted by: Jonathan | March 29, 2009 at 08:04 PM
>>> Oh, and your so-called point guards (Fish and
>>>FarmarworsethanIimagined) had 1 stinking assist. We
>>>need a point guard so bad next year!
And as I pointed out, when Farmar was on the floor, his teammates
shot 2 for 12 and turned the ball over 5 times (in 11 minutes).
You can't get assists if your teammates play like retards.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 29, 2009 at 08:46 PM
I'll remind everybody of something. In the first round of last
season's playoffs, this Hawks team took Boston to 7 games.
In fact, that was one of the reasons that most of the "experts"
were predicting that the Lakers would beat the Celtics in the
finals, because the Lakers dominated in the first three rounds
of the playoffs while the Celtics got taken to 7 games by 3 straight
teams. Just as some of you "experts" are predicting that some
other team is going to beat the Lakers because they're playing
better right now.
Listen up...
THIS. IS. NOT. THE. FINALS.
Remember. It doesn't matter how well you play in March.
What matters is how well you play in May and June.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | March 29, 2009 at 08:56 PM