Sun sweep?
Regardless of who is or isn't on the floor this afternoon in Phoenix, I doubt Sunday's game against the Suns will repeat the Globetrotters vs. Generals theme in LA's 132-106 beatdown of Phoenix Thursday night at Staples. The Lakers may be looking to rebound after a nearly historical effort (the bad kind of history) in losing to the Nuggets Friday and nothing cures an even temporarily ailing O like a chance to run and gun with Phoenix, but it's hard to figure that the Suns will play as poorly as they did the other night, especially at home. If Steve Nash plays, he's listed as questionable, the odds of a better showing from the Suns increase exponentially, if for no other reason than Nash won't pick up his dribble at the first sign of defensive pressure looking doe-eyed for help. Yes, that is a reference to Goran Dragic.
Even in their revamped lineup, Nash is the engine that makes Phoenix go. Writes Kurt at Forum Blue and Gold:
He sort of reminds me in ways of Wayne Gretzky, who used to do things that would seem counter intuitive with and without the puck, until the play fully developed and suddenly you realized he was five seconds ahead of everyone else in his mind and was already in the right spot to make the play/pass.
Shaq is coming off a 45 point effort against the Raptors Friday night, but there's no question the Lakers are more effective up front than Toronto. LA limited is impact Thursday night, in part because without Nash Phoenix seemed unable to find ways to get the Big Fella the ball.
What was particularly impressive to me the other night was how LA performed when Alvin Gentry went small. You really got a great idea of both how long the Lakers are, but how well that length moves. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell, Trevor Ariza. Kobe Bryant taking advantage of mismatches down low, and so on and so forth. All the while showing the mobility to stick with the Suns defensively.
The lack of success he had trying to force the Lakers to adjust to his team's speed might encourage Gentry to make some rotation changes. But even with Nash in the lineup, the Lakers are a horrible matchup for Phoenix, and clearly the better team. Assuming 30% isn't the new norm for field goal percentage, LA ought to leave the arena with a win.
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Phil Jackson wasn't pleased with his squad's interior effort against the Nuggets.
- Kobe is working hard to reshape his image to something he says more closely matches his real personality.
- Drew Gooden could be bought out in Sacramento. The deadline for guys to be bought out and still eligible to sign play in the postseason with new teams is 9 pm tonight.
- Joe Smith is inching towards a buyout, and if it happens Cleveland seems his most likely destination. Adonal Foyle could be gone in Memphis, too.
- Bob McAdoo's time with the Lakers could provide a template for Stephon Marbury in Boston.
BK
Drew Gooden would be the perfect pickup for the Lakers if he's able to play and contribute. He would add interior toughness and can hit the 12-15 ft jumper which is essential in the triangle offense. This would be a great chance for the Lakers to go after another veteran who could help off the bench. The Lakers should seriously look at both Gooden and Joe Smith because the Cavs are looking to bolster and the Celtics have already added pieces. Adding a Gooden or Smith could really help us down the stretch and in the postseason.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 01, 2009 at 11:29 AM
As a cautious fellow, I will not predict a sweep until the fat player sits down. This is their last game with the Lakers, Suns are trying to enter the magic 8 of the West, they were toasted at the Staples, Nash is back while Lakers are still fresh from a double digit loss in Denver,. With all this a s background, Lakers have work doubly hard in Phoenix, this is not Staples. Teams work harder in front of their fans. I'm still worried of the bench mob performance lately, like Ariza, Farmar and Sasha. this is supposed to be a home stretch stage but they are playing funky basketball with too much hurried shots and too many t/o's. We are not getting any productive minutes from Morrison and Brown, they should fill up the void in pts. that Vlad left out which is 8 pts. it seems we got 2 players treated as rookies. Based on that perspective, do Lakers have enough strenght outside of first four players: Kobe, Pau, LO and Fish. Walton is a distributor not a producer. Ariza, rise up to the occasion and lead the bench mob.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 01, 2009 at 11:41 AM
BK/AK,
Do you know if Mitch is looking to add another body before the deadline tonight for the stretch run? Are the Lakers really confident with their bench even if and when Andrew returns? Although we knew that Morrison and Brown would give us very little this year in terms of contribution, the Lakers bench seems to be in need of a boost which could happen by adding a Gooden or Smith.
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | March 01, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Gotta keep an eye out for Drew Gooden ...If he gets released he would be a nice late season pick up.I would rather him than Joe Smith.
Posted by: Thirty2 | March 01, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Its a sweep. Only if they dont send Sun to get the broom. He may get lost.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: ChicNstu | March 01, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Watching the Boston game, can't help but notice that Glen Davis travels every time he drives, and half the time when he's spotting up and shooting.
Posted by: Mob Wagoneer | March 01, 2009 at 12:14 PM
where can i see the gam on internet?
Someone responds me pleaseeee i wanna see my kobe
Posted by: kobe4ever | March 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM
where can i see the gam on internet?
Someone responds me pleaseeee i wanna see my kobe
Posted by: kobe4ever | March 01, 2009 at 12:33 PM
K Bros - What was your prediction for this game?
Any day that the Celtics lose is a good day. Couple that with a Lakers win and it'll be a fantastic day.
Posted by: lakers_sth | March 01, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Looks like the Green Slime is going down in Boston.
DEEE-TROIT BASKETBALL!! HaHa! Hope The Show takes advantage.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | March 01, 2009 at 12:37 PM
No Nash, No Amare - yet SUNS playing well so far.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 01, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Hope Phil sticks with Mbenga.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 01, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Can someone tell Mitch to trade Vuyacic to WNBA?
Posted by: yogi | March 01, 2009 at 01:28 PM
What the hell is with the Lakers mental state? They are all playing like kittens?
Posted by: yogi | March 01, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Some laker fan on azcentral named "theCHAMPisHERE" guaranteed the lakers would be leading at the half.
You ought to rein in your strays. They don't reflect well.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 01, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Are these the conference leading Lakers?
Posted by: yogi | March 01, 2009 at 01:39 PM
This is the discipline problem the Lakers are known for that is on display. I predict and mark my words, the Lakers won't even get out of the conference finals because they are just not tough enough. Who wants to bet $1million dollars on it? I'll have a cashier's check ready.
Posted by: yogi | March 01, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Butler, you ought to reign in yourself. Your Suns will be lucky to come out 50/50 in the next six upcoming games.
Posted by: yogi | March 01, 2009 at 01:47 PM
I nominate sasha for a Oscar winning performance, in the leading role of " SLUMP Dog Millionaire " LOL
Posted by: ChicNstu | March 01, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Stick a fork in it, this game is over. The Lakers once again show their discipline problem. Who wants to bet $100 on it?
Posted by: yogi | March 01, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Why do you even put Sasha in?
Posted by: yogi | March 01, 2009 at 02:29 PM
SHACK is making me proud.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 01, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Put away the broom my friends, and make some room for me here. Finally a complete game from the SUNS, and without two all star starters...I want to see the lakers in the playoffs.
And let's put Mbenga in more, and let ariza shoot the 3's in crunch time.
SHACK IS STILL THE BEST!
GO SUNS!
Posted by: BUTLER | March 01, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Lakers have no answer for Shack, who just keeps getting better.
I want to thank all of you personally, for doubting and criticizing Shack when he came to PHX. You have fueled his renaissance.
And let's see,, the K Bros said,
"But even with Nash in the lineup, the Lakers are a horrible matchup for Phoenix, and clearly the better team. Assuming 30% isn't the new norm for field goal percentage, LA ought to leave the arena with a win. "
I'd say the prediction turned out false. The best team won today, regardless of what Jon Barry alleges.
Posted by: BUTLER | March 01, 2009 at 03:39 PM
My last complaint of the day. How can firing a coach on team that was falling apart turn them into contenders? This is the same style that has gotten pheonix nowhere in the play-offs. Why al of the sudden are they playing so good. This was a team two weekd ago that was going to treade Amare and shack and break it up. I can't beleive the change in such a short period. Just unbeleivable. Either way I look at it, the Lakers are going to have a tought 1st round in the play-offs. Hope it's not like Dallas's 1 st rd. a couple of years ago.
CrzyFan
Posted by: CrzyFan | March 01, 2009 at 05:45 PM
I hope we get Shaq back in LA. It can happen.
Posted by: troy | March 01, 2009 at 06:50 PM