Derek Fisher, on the Lakers' recent funk
Whether you're talking fans, media, coaches or the players themselves, there's been obvious concern over the current stretch of substandard play from the purple and gold. Granted, there's hardly a need to strap on a hardhat for fear of falling skies, since the inconsistencies have rarely translated into losses and against better opponents, the Lakers generally play their best ball. But it's nonetheless about that time of year where you'd like to develop an "at your best" groove. Along those lines, mission far from accomplished. What the dillio, one might ask? And specifically, one might ask Derek Fisher, since he's the most reliable Laker when it comes to straightforward shop talk.
After last night's win over the Warriors, Fish spent a fair amount of time fielding reporter questions about this topic and the upcoming roadie.
If there's a theme from his comments, it's that human nature- whether in the form of lapses in concentration, frustration, slumps, etc.- will inevitably provide obstacles over the course of a long season. Doesn't matter how many "killer instinct," "eyes on the prize," or "hungry team" cliches get tossed about. It's to be expected. Which, mind you, isn't the same thing as being accepted.
The key is being able recognize the signs, then work through them without coming apart.
Despite the recent finals run, it's important to remember that only
Fish and Kobe Bryant, and to a lesser degree, Luke Walton (as a rook on
the Kobe-Shaq-Malone-Payton team) have any frame of reference for
playing an entire season as a favorite. There are certain skills experienced players pick up. How to strike a balance
between conserving your best for when it counts most while still
developing good habits. How to take on those expectations without
letting them grow overwhelming.
Q: What needs to be done to sharpen the play?
It's
a long season and you go through the ups and downs. Those are things
you can't necessarily avoid or assume they aren't going to happen to
you as a team. But there are some things that even during the ups and
downs you can eliminate, or at least minimize. We're just letting a
few things slip. We're giving up extra possessions, which, against any
team (can hurt you). Those other guys are in the NBA, too. You give
them an opportunity to put points on the board, eventually, they're
going to do it. That's one thing that could help us a lot. I think
defensively, we're doing a decent job, but second shots and free
throws. We're giving up a lot of every points.
Q: Is the road trip be coming at a good time?
Possibly so. At this
point in the season, a two week road trip is
definitely a tough one, because it takes a lot of energy to get things
done on the road. But the way we've played at home, I don't know if
we've played with a certain level of comfort on our home floor, that
maybe getting into the foxhole with just your group, sometimes that
strengthens things a little bit. Every time other than Oklahoma City
has a
shot at the playoffs and playoff positioning in the East, so it's not
going to be easy at all.
Hopefully, we can get ourselves together in a
way that will allow us to be successful and give ourselves a chance to
win every game.
Q: Could this road trip potentially serve as a defining point of the season?
It's possible, in terms of the overall goal, to become NBA champions
and position ourselves to have that shot again. We'd love to have the
best record in the league and in the West. This trip can really help
put us in position to do both things. It could be a defining moment in
terms of the things that we're going to need to do to finish the season
the way that we want to.
The most important thing is that we just
continue to stay together as
a team and understand that things are going to happen. No matter what,
you have to remain together and unified and I think we'll be okay."
AK: Has this period been testing, along those lines?
It has been. You can see that as a group, we've been frustrated at
times. This is real. It's not a soap opera. When you're part of a
group and part of a team, I think you have to respect the fact that
guys are going to have different, I don't want to say "agendas," but
just different things that they go through at times that it's tough to
keep things perfectly balanced the way you need to for that many games
in a season. That's just a tough thing to do. We know that we've had
a great season so far, but we want so much more. I think that's where
the frustration is coming from. There's probably not any other team
that is frustrated with 54-14, but we know what the end goal is and the
endgame.
Q: Is this (meaning the criticisms of media, of guys on the team) nitpicking, asking about the leads, etc. peaks and valleys, given that you're the best in the west?
I think it's all based on an expectation level we've set for ourselves. I don't think that anybody that is asking questions about the team is asking anything that we aren't asking of ourselves. We haven't overreacted to it all season, and we're not going to overreact to it now. What we feel like is that the difference between last year and this year is that we've grown in our level of how we hold each other accountable to a higher standard.
So I think that's where at times, you see as a group, "Man, they look like they aren't as together or they aren't as focused," or this guy is frustrated. And it's all because we want very badly to be NBA champions, and as a group we feel like we know there's a certain formula to achieving that goal, and at times it is frustrating when we feel like we're- not really by choice- but choosing not to at times stick with that formula. But like I said, it's not an easy thing to do, as bad as I want to do it. (Note: He had spoken earlier about the challenge of getting everyone on the same page and working in unison over a long season, even if the end goal is the same for all.)
Realistically, to accomplish what we want to accomplish, we still have four months, almost. We have to finish up this month, we have to finish up April, we have to go into May, we have to go into June. So there's still a lot of basketball left to play, in terms of our minds.
I think it's allowed us not to let one loss turn into two or three, and not have too much of a struggle (in terms of win/loss record). We realize we're a work in progress, and we don't claim to know it all. But we feel like we've grown a lot from last year. We're three wins from our entire season total from last year, so we definitely have gotten better in our ability to focus night in and night out, and do what it takes to be the best every time you step on the floor. We're much closer to that, and want to keep getting closer.
Q: It's just that the margin for error has changed.
A: Yeah, but we set that bar, though. We've talked about from September 30th to now. That's what we want to do, and we're measuring ourselves by it.
Fish talks about why it can be easier to focus on the road
AK
Fish is the linchpin of this team. He plays solid night in and night out. Thank God for Fish, or this team's concentration would be even worse!
Posted by: Laker Justice | March 20, 2009 at 06:56 PM
One of the games on this road trip that I am looking forward to see is the one against Charlotte. No doubt that Vlad has already circled March 31st on his calendar. He will probably arrive at the arena 2 hours earlier for extra shooting practice. How many 3 pointers will a highly motivated Vlad make? Probably, 5 out of 10. I just hope (for our sakes) he doesn't have another game like this one:
http://tinyurl.com/dzhvbc
Posted by: The Snake | March 20, 2009 at 07:07 PM
I think people are seriously, seriously overreacting on this issue. It's understandable why, given that the Lakers haven't had too much to be worried about this season (personally, I think Boston and Cleveland have to worry about "how are we gonna beat the Lakers?"). When something goes wrong, it's inevitable that people dwell on it.
You can count on the team's focus and energy to get much better when it really counts: in the playoffs. It's understandably hard to bring that "killer instinct" night in and night out when you are almost a shoe-in for the number one seed in your conference. Sure the Cavs are playing pretty consistently, but they are not 8 games ahead of the #2 seed in the east. I think Poppovich is correct in how he coaches for the postseason: seed doesn't matter if you build a team capable of winning the O'Brien.
Homecourt advantage is not everything in the playoffs; when was the last time a team won the championship without winning at least a couple road games? The Lakers have proven that they're capable of winning against the best of them on their own courts. We're still the best away team in the NBA. Would you rather go into the playoffs as the best home team or the best road team? Quite frankly, even if I was given the option of having the #1 seed and homecourt advantage throughout, I'd want to be the best away team.
Posted by: Justin N. | March 20, 2009 at 07:24 PM
I would love for Fish to eventually transition to the backup PG position after this season. He'd be perfect as the backup PG - a savvy vet with rings and the know-how to mentor a younger PG. That way, he'd also get more rest in the regular season and be fresher for the playoffs.
The only problem is, Farmar isn't ready to take over the spot, and like others on this blog, I don't believe he ever will be. We really need backcourt help...someone who can take some of the playmaking burden off of Kobe. John Salmons would've been an excellent addition. Perhaps we can snag some KryptoNate in the future.
Posted by: EJK | March 20, 2009 at 07:25 PM
LOL!
Spurs miss 6 STRAIGHT Free-Throws all the while down 76-74.
Michael Finley-2 Miss Free Throws
Tony Parker- 2 Miss Free Throws
Tony Parker- 2 Miss Free Throws.
For you Laker (if you can be called that) fans who lost their mojo just be glad you weren't part of this choke job!
-KB Blitz
Posted by: Kobeblitz | March 20, 2009 at 07:46 PM
The Cavs are refusing to lose because LeBron is refusing to lose.
KG brings a level of intensity beyond his physical play. The Cs are really struggling without him.
Both are the captains of their team. Who is the captain of the Lakers? Kobe.
If the Lakers are lacking in intensity, then Kobe needs to fire them up, get everyone on the same page, get Farmar to be more disciplined, etc.
I wonder if Kobe is getting tired, feeling like he has to carry this team every night. Is this influencing the team?
While fans may hate it, lack of intensity isn't totally unreasonable if you're a tired Lakers player at the end of the season. No one is challenging you in the West, you have a cushion against injury-plagued Boston, you've beaten the Cavs in Cleveland with no Bynum & a flu-ridden Kobe... Maybe the Lakers really are okay with the #2 seed.
If so, get ready for more heartburn the rest of the season, and maybe even the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs. Ack.
Posted by: Scott | March 20, 2009 at 08:08 PM
THE STRETCH RUN…
I almost understand the Lakers current stretch of lackadaisical games because it’s really exactly how I feel down deep as a fan. What’s the big deal? When the games count, we have already proved we are the best and that was even without Andrew and on the road. That’s why I am not really worried. I am confident Drew will be back and the Lakers will dominate through the playoffs, possibly not even losing a game. That’s how they feel.
Of course, the reason I say almost is because letting their heads get too big was one of reasons they were “upset” by the Boston Celtics. We need to remember that we not only lost the Finals to Boston but we were also the favorite that let the betters and fans down. Hopefully, the players are as antsy as the bloggers are to put their game together.
Count me among those who think this two week road trip couldn’t have come at a better time, giving the Lakers a perfect opportunity to decide that loss to Philly was the bottom and now put the pedal to the metal and pull off their second straight undefeated road trip. Judging from how this team has reacted in the past, look for them to play dominating basketball throughout this trip and send another message to the rest of the NBA.
While Phil publicly complain, I think inside he is smiling like the cat that ate the canary, knowing that he has a team that is probably the best in the NBA right now and once he gets Andrew Bynum back – even if he is not 100% - should be enough to put the Lakers over the top and allow them to mow through the Finals like the last Three-Peat team. And if Andrew is a Beast, it is not impossible that the team may sweep the playoffs.
One thing that I have noticed every time we talk about the Lakers defensive plans for Team A or Team B is how vital Lamar Odom’s versatility has become to our defense. In many ways, the team’s mini-slump was as much due to Lamar subpar play as the bench. I still find it fascinating how Phil has managed to smooth over the issue of Lamar going back to the bench when Drew returns by replacing Luke with Trevor, who has been playing better since becoming a starter. I just hope Lamar plays as well off the bench.
It was good to see Sasha shoot the ball well and show some patience. It was nice to see Jordan focus more on playmaking than scoring although he needs to do both. They just need to relax and let the game come to them. If they don’t, there is no chance either guy will ever be more than a role player. There only chance to ever start on the Lakers would only be if the team had zero dollars left to pay a point guard with all the superstars.
Could we have used Vlade’s outside shooting during the slump? I don’t think so. Our problem was not getting the ball inside to Pau enough. To me, Pau has to demand that he get the ball more. One way to do it is the way that Kobe does, by working extremely hard to get great position and by playing big to take up room to make yourself an easy target for a pass. That is something that Drew was starting to do that Pau needs to do. That is a sure way to get the rest of the Lakers to feed him the ball inside.
JMNSHBO!
DNFTT!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 20, 2009 at 08:16 PM
I thought that was a terrific interview - none of that typical correct-talk, just honest observations from Fish.
Blitz - that was a really interesting game. The Spurs should have won it, those missed free throws were so odd. And what about that foul call with no time left on the clock? What was the point with that??
Posted by: dave m | March 20, 2009 at 09:42 PM
You need to sign the post.
AK
Posted by: kambrothers | March 20, 2009 at 10:34 PM
You know, I've been thinking about it, and the Cavs are looking pretty good right now, but when you look at championship teams of the past, one thing that almost every team has in common is at least one of those invaluable-veteran kind of guys. Obviously they have LeBron, but they lack veteran leadership that you need to win, and until they fill that void, I just can't see them winning it all. Even with home court advantage in the finals.
To me, that's what Fish is to us. He may be slowing down and a step behind the point guards of the West, but he could very well be the difference between a championship and no championship.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: gokobego | March 20, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Kobe in the last two games or so looked very tired. And one observation, maybe it's just me but he really needs to stop posting up and starts slashing to the basket MORE because he hasn't been very successful down there due to double-team and triple-team used against their opponents.
As for this long road-trip, i truly believe they can come out getting at least 5-6 wins. As long as they get their act together and toughen up their D, they'll have great chance on winning each game on this trip.
Posted by: Jr. | March 21, 2009 at 12:16 AM
The finals format of 2/3/2....could play to the Lakers advantage....here's my prediction.....Lakers vs Crabs in the finals.....Lakers have proven they can be the Crabs in that beautiful city of Cleveland. Lakers, playoff experienced.....take the first 2 IN Cleveland, and we either sweep them or take 2 our of 3 at Staples (I didn't like the name when it was first annointed, if they dare change it, EVERYONE has to shop at OfficeMax and use paper clips, no 2 waays about it).
Basically we use the defense that Boston used on us last year, 3 men on the star, and their young star (LBJ), well, I don't think he has the mental experience to finger it out and adjust his entire team on the fly. We will need Bynum back at at least 70% to provide lane/rim protection. Gasol will be 30 feet with Ilgauskus out talking about Boston while the game goes on. Mo Williams will be blinded by the lights, any playoff experience??? I don't think much.....Bench Mob will come to life because it really is alot of work to move (to a new city after you've been traded)......
Posted by: humanomaly | March 21, 2009 at 12:39 AM
the snake:
"One of the games on this road trip that I am looking forward to see is the one against Charlotte. No doubt that Vlad has already circled March 31st on his calendar."
VansRad....
No, he did not circle the date, he drew a triangle over it and it does not matter when he arrives at the arena to warm up...Phil will say hello, and that will be the "Jedi mind trick".....and he'll shoot 2 for 10......There's no fear about him tipping off the current Charlotte team about the Laker gameplan because he was clueless as a Laker anyway. I wonder how long before he becomes soulmates with the non-activated players, because he's going to fall out of their rotatation. Well at least he's set for life financially.
Posted by: humanomaly | March 21, 2009 at 01:05 AM
Tough roadtrip starts tonight.
This is going to be a very interesting trip, very telling I think. I don't feel great about it for some reason. I think 5-2 would be fantastic, but 4-3 would not surprise me. There's not a team we play, besides OKC, that isn't playing for something. I'm concerned our opponents desperation for victory is going to out weigh our own urgency to get back in top form. We're only playing for home court against Cleveland at this point, will that be enough to rally the troops out of their funk? I sure hope so. Home court against Boston is still not a lock. That, more than anything should be enough motivation to get 5-6 wins on this trip. We need to lock that home court up for sure.
Posted by: mikefloss | March 21, 2009 at 01:39 AM
RoadTrip!!!!!!!
7-0!!!!!!!!
Momentum going into the playofffs, knock the rust off the nails....I think Jackson Laker teams don't limp into the playoffs....Time to instill fear into home teams. (More than there already is....the only teams that don't fear the Lakers are flake teams.
Sasha, stop playing with your hair, you're starting to look like you want to be the star of the Anaheim Clippers (Just my dream)......the Clippers, not Sasha....
We need invisible refs, not refs that are egging on coaches and players.....Stern, you corrupt bastard you....got your monopoly board all bought up.....
I think the Lakers have to watch out for the obvious, and one more, the "Hornets"....Stern wouldn't mind a team in a wiped out city, with an almost MVP player....gotta plan for the future.
How's the guy that Ariza tried to "kill" doing?
That was a great quote from fish when he said Kobe would not be good jury duty material because of his attitutee, he said something like "kill, kill, kill".....made me laugh....
Posted by: humanomaly | March 21, 2009 at 03:47 AM
My bibest fear going into this stretch on the road, as well as the end of the season, is if they can't "fix" their habit of building big leads and holding on to them. The bench needs to get back to its "glory days" of what three months ago?
Despite all that is being sadi about the Lakers going all the way, I remember the team with the best record in the West - Dallas Mavericks, going down in flames in the first round to the pucky little Golden State Warriors. And while it is another psort, and I don't remember the exact year, but probably before you were born - my Philadelphia Phillies, changed their pitching ortation and blew the entire season and missed everything in the last month of the regular season after having been touted as the"team" during that baseball season.
So, we need to be on guard, nd the Laekrs need to reach deep inside themselves and put their "hidden agendas" away and focus on going all the wat as a team.
Fish, and Kobe understand that, and they need to impose their will on this team now during this road trip.
Jackson, and the coaching staff, especially Shaw understand this as well.
I would personally like to see the Lakers ride to the top again, and i also would like to see Phil become the winnest coach in the NBA !
Posted by: George Creed | March 21, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Happy Saturday!
Count me among those who believe this road trip will be the defining part of the season. Fifteen more games to tune up for the Playoffs is also perfect.
The Lakers recent slump won't matter at all if the team uses the trip as an opportunity to change the trajectory to a Championship glide path. And even so for the guys who have been the subject of so much blog ire. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | March 21, 2009 at 08:20 AM
AK,
Awesome. Just awesome.
THAT'S why this blog is the best part of the L.A. Times Sports Section.
I all seriousness, compare the depth of that interview with Derek Fisher to ANY other article in today's L.A. Times Sports Section. No other article explains a subject so completely, so intimately.
Top notch, AK! Top notch!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 21, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Nice post LakerTom, I agree with everything.
Lamar = Finals MVP
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | March 21, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Jon-
Thanks. That's nice of you to say. What I think it really speaks to, though, is less about how brilliant the blog is (it IS brilliant, though, tell all your friends and click it endlessly- haha) but the value of endless space on the Internet. After the game Thursday, Fish spoke for a while and gave a series of very thoughtful answers to some thoughtful questions from a small group of reporters (we all had more, I'm sure, but the guy wanted to get home and give the wife and kids a kiss before the road trip. Fair enough.)
What we can do, of course, is print every word we have from the exchange, no matter how long the answers, which is really cool. What "sports page" pages don't always seem to understand is that they can do essentially the same thing. Not everything that appears on the sports page online need be in a format that mimics what it would look like in print. Fish's answers (or similar things) could have easily been part of the main page.
It's something that newspapers are going to have to adjust to generally to remake themselves in a web based world. Right now, there's still too much delineation between a "regular" story and a "blog" story and a "web" story. They're all just stories. The key is presentation.
I'll get off my soapbox now. (ha)
BK
Posted by: kambrothers | March 21, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Defense = Victory
Posted by: Laker Fan 24 | March 21, 2009 at 10:13 AM
TO : The "decent" Laker Fans
Get to work immediately in seeing to it that the following four {4} mutants {Laker trolls} stay off the Celtic blogs :
1} Cannibus Hog{Pig}
2} Saul
3} Nick Van Exel
4} OPK3
You have one week. Do whatever you have to do.
Otherwise, my self-imposed cease fire will come to swift end, and I`ll be "setting up shop" here for the next three months!
It will not be pretty.
Now, is there any part of this that you do not understand?
Posted by: RED`S LOVE CHILD | March 21, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Record or not, lost leads or not, the Cleveland wins were convincing enough to leave doubt in their minds.
Get healthy and back to dominating.
Posted by: VMan | March 21, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I enjoyed the fish interview very much as well.
I have a feeling that the next few weeks will be a rollercoaster. It will be tough to round into playoff form and get guys rested and focused while playing on the road against scrub teams that are just good enough to beat you if you're not paying attention.
Even if they go .500 on the trip they could still be OK. (Although their fans may go crazy,)
As long as they stay healthy and get some rest, and get some focus and get Drew back and play defense and... and... and...
Fasten your seat belts and
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: olf | March 21, 2009 at 11:06 AM
So from what I've been reading in all the press, the Lakers are done. No chance of winning it this year. 1 game back from the best record in the league. 40 games above .500. Kobe. Pau. Phil Jackson. 14 losses for the year.
Maybe next year Laker fans. If we were only like Golden State and Phoenix, we'd have it made.
See you guys next year!
Posted by: jq | March 21, 2009 at 11:26 AM
We need to get on a roll, so we can roll in the playoffs.. Its not always the team with the best overall record buy the team playing its best at the end of the year heading into the playoffs.. We still are playing for Home Field advantage through out and need to pick up the intensity for the whole game in moving forward! Also we need Andrew back...
Posted by: Andrew Andrekopoulos | March 21, 2009 at 11:42 AM
One of the games on this road trip that I am looking forward to see is the one against Charlotte. No doubt that Vlad has already circled March 31st on his calendar. He will probably arrive at the arena 2 hours earlier for extra shooting practice. How many 3 pointers will a highly motivated Vlad make? Probably, 5 out of 10. I just hope (for our sakes) he doesn't have another game like this one:
http://tinyurl.com/dzhvbc
Posted by: The Snake | March 20, 2009 at 07:07 PM ==============
Snake I think the Lakers miss Radman and too bad he was given away for nothing (yet, or maybe ever).
I think SB isgood for future but jury still out for AmMo.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 21, 2009 at 11:42 AM
LakerTom,
[I usually agree with you but I gotta differ with you on some of your post]
THE STRETCH RUN…
I almost understand the Lakers current stretch of lackadaisical games because it’s really exactly how I feel down deep as a fan. What’s the big deal? When the games count, we have already proved we are the best and that was even without Andrew and on the road. That’s why I am not really worried. I am confident Drew will be back and the Lakers will dominate through the playoffs, possibly not even losing a game. That’s how they feel.
[ I think Drew will be back but how effective he will be will depend on PJ who will determine his use and contribution]
Of course, the reason I say almost is because letting their heads get too big was one of reasons they were “upset” by the Boston Celtics. We need to remember that we not only lost the Finals to Boston but we were also the favorite that let the betters and fans down. Hopefully, the players are as antsy as the bloggers are to put their game together.
[ I guess that is how the NBA gets away with cheating is by creating a myth and making everyone buy into the lie. Truth is the Bets let the Celtics be physical and no calls.Then called touch fouls or non fouls as fouls.
That is why we lost. Can't play on equal terms if playing field is lopsided.]
Count me among those who think this two week road trip couldn’t have come at a better time, giving the Lakers a perfect opportunity to decide that loss to Philly was the bottom and now put the pedal to the metal and pull off their second straight undefeated road trip. Judging from how this team has reacted in the past, look for them to play dominating basketball throughout this trip and send another message to the rest of the NBA.
[I can see that]
While Phil publicly complain, I think inside he is smiling like the cat that ate the canary, knowing that he has a team that is probably the best in the NBA right now and once he gets Andrew Bynum back – even if he is not 100% - should be enough to put the Lakers over the top and allow them to mow through the Finals like the last Three-Peat team. And if Andrew is a Beast, it is not impossible that the team may sweep the playoffs.
[I think PJ is hoping team bails him out]
One thing that I have noticed every time we talk about the Lakers defensive plans for Team A or Team B is how vital Lamar Odom’s versatility has become to our defense. In many ways, the team’s mini-slump was as much due to Lamar subpar play as the bench. I still find it fascinating how Phil has managed to smooth over the issue of Lamar going back to the bench when Drew returns by replacing Luke with Trevor, who has been playing better since becoming a starter. I just hope Lamar plays as well off the bench.
[Actually LO was holding the mob squad together and facilitating or the younger players. When he was moved to starting the bench took a hit and further hit with TA going to starters. The worst hit was the departure of Vlade. Bench is weaker especially with Luke and then they are being overly criticized.]
It was good to see Sasha shoot the ball well and show some patience. It was nice to see Jordan focus more on playmaking than scoring although he needs to do both. They just need to relax and let the game come to them. If they don’t, there is no chance either guy will ever be more than a role player. There only chance to ever start on the Lakers would only be if the team had zero dollars left to pay a point guard with all the superstars.
[ no problem here]
Could we have used Vlade’s outside shooting during the slump? I don’t think so. Our problem was not getting the ball inside to Pau enough. To me, Pau has to demand that he get the ball more. One way to do it is the way that Kobe does, by working extremely hard to get great position and by playing big to take up room to make yourself an easy target for a pass. That is something that Drew was starting to do that Pau needs to do. That is a sure way to get the rest of the Lakers to feed him the ball inside.
[Sorry no agreement here. Once the loss of Vlade's outside shot teams have packed the middle with little fear of Lakers outside shooting. To pound it inside you need effective outside shooting so paint can't be packed in and crowded. Speading the defense helps pound the ball inside.]
JMNSHBO!
DNFTT!
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | March 20, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 21, 2009 at 11:59 AM
TO : The "decent" Laker Fans
Get to work immediately in seeing to it that the following four {4} mutants {Laker trolls} stay off the Celtic blogs :
1} Cannibus Hog{Pig}
2} Saul
3} Nick Van Exel
4} OPK3
You have one week. Do whatever you have to do.
Otherwise, my self-imposed cease fire will come to swift end, and I`ll be "setting up shop" here for the next three months!
It will not be pretty.
Now, is there any part of this that you do not understand?
Posted by: RED`S LOVE CHILD | March 21, 2009 at 10:35 AM
==============================
Troll,
We are all decent Laker fans. You and your kind have already been here spreading your vile venom.
Since you trolls took up shop here I congratulate those laker fans who have returned the favor.
For me I for the most part do not want to infect my computer with (ooch I must spell it) CELTIC (forgive me lord) words or vibes.
Your puny threat is meaningless so go away and make everyone happy. Or come here and make yourself an idiot as we really don't care. Only a fool takes another fool seriously. Remember that. You are not taken seriously.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | March 21, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I Like the general feeling of calm. But remember when the Lakers had Shaq? They would peak coming into the playoffs. It would be like ten game streak that would go several rounds into the playoffs. I would be happier if we ramped up as we saw it coming. But, perhaps this team's idea of intensity is more paced.
GOOoooOOOO LAKERS!!!!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | March 21, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Johnny P,
you wrote:
I Like the general feeling of calm. But remember when the Lakers had Shaq? They would peak coming into the playoffs. It would be like ten game streak that would go several rounds into the playoffs. I would be happier if we ramped up as we saw it coming. But, perhaps this team's idea of intensity is more paced.
my response:
We are missing our C with Bynum out.
The lack of a defensive C breaks
everything. Also, Shaq didn't begin to
hustle until we got close to the playoffs.
Per his own comments. [ that was for
blitz, because I know he's going to say
something. ]
If Bynum was due back this week, the
feeling of intensity would be going thru
the roof. *not* because of his offense,
but because he defense would address
the rotation pattern. [ again, I put this in
for blitz, because all he sees is the
triangle "offense". ]
So what do we have heading into the
playoffs:
1. 2nd best record in the league and
challenging for the best record.
2. Two all-stars.
3. A defensive minded SF.
4. a veteran PG.
5. a semi-interested LO
6. A bench that's trying to recover it's
"mojo".
7. A tired Gasol
8. an MVP candidate who does not want
to go 0-2 in back to back finals.
9. a long road trip
10. Convincing victories over 3 of the
5 best teams in the league. [ We
can't play ourselves. 0-2 vs. Magic. ]
11. Bynum will be back for the playoffs.
The glass looks 3/4 full to me.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: hobbitmage | March 21, 2009 at 01:06 PM
bulls game will not be easy
Posted by: omega | March 21, 2009 at 01:13 PM
KILL KILL KILL....English, Baby!
Posted by: humanomaly | March 21, 2009 at 01:19 PM
JohnnyP,
For all of Shaq's lazy doings during his time with the Lakers Shaq ALWAYS saved his best for the playoffs. His stats was most times better in the playoffs than they were in the regular season.
For those Bynum and Pau supporters (sorry Laker Tom but you are so bashing Pau on not demanding the ball) who always say inside out game why don't you point the finger most times at Kobe Bryant? I know he's "untouchable" per say but as much as Kobe is my favorite player there are times in his career especially in the playoffs where he took VERY questionable shots.
Case #1: 2003 Playoffs. Shaq averaged 27ppg with 53% and required only 18 shot attempts while Kobe had 32 points but required 27 attempts with a mediocre 43%.
Case#2: 2004 NBA Finals. Shaq was torching Ben Wallace and the "defensive" Detroit Pistons for 26ppg on an outstanding 62.2% yet only got 17 attempts per game while Kobe shot only 22ppg on a pathetic 38% from the field and fired over 23 shots a game!
Point is (this one goes for you Laker Tom): If you want to see Bynum/Pau get more touches than tell Kobe to do it! Only once in his career has Kobe improved his play in the finals from the regular season (last season!). And if Shaq couldn't get the ball out of Kobe's hands what makes you think Bynum/Pau will?
And look at the incredible shot selections Kobe does:
http://tinyurl.com/c8duw7
Incredible Hobbit you posted while I was just finishing and you are right about one thing: Shaq ALWAYS kept rolling once the playoffs started (during his time with the Lakers no doubt) while Kobe's couldn't improve his numbers save for last year. And did you like Iggy just hit a game winner over "defensive minded" Trevor Ariza (I didn't since it cost the Lakers the game)? I suggest you see my vid as well to show "Mr. Works on his game" working on his Game!
-KB Blitz
Posted by: Kobeblitz | March 21, 2009 at 01:24 PM
todays game might be fixed because DAVID STERN wants chicago to be in the playoffs.
Posted by: omega | March 21, 2009 at 05:09 PM