Lakers vs. Jazz Game 4 Game Chat, plus a few observations
April 25, 2009 | 4:15
pm
Reminder: The chat box is below the jump!
Reflective of my boundless dedication to the purple and gold, I watched Thursday's Lakers-Jazz Game 3 again, hoping a second viewing would produce a win. As it turns out, the good guys still lose, but I did notice a few things I'll be keeping an eye on during tonight's rematch in SLC.
- Our blogging buddy Pau Gasol may have racked 20 points, but they were hardly of the "butter" variety. El Spaniard and el rim weren't always simpatico. From my vantage point, he appeared to be rushing shots, particularly early on. I don't know if this was an attempt to get the ball up before Carlos Boozer's defense could bug him or the Laker power forward was simply too amped, but either way, I'm hoping Gasol takes his time.
- Kobe Bryant made a conscious decision to sag way the hell off Ronnie Brewer and dare him to take jumpers. I'm pretty sure I saw Mamba in the fourth row talking on a cell as RB launched a trey. It's happened all three games and I doubt much changes tonight, but Bryant needs to remember there's a difference between "sagging" and "ignoring." I counted at least two instances where Kobe completely lost track of him and both times, it led to very easy back door cuts and points for Brewer.
- I could do with fewer drives to the cup from Derek Fisher.
- Everyone from Kobe to Fish to Trevor Ariza (whose attempt at a postup/fadeaway is best left as a "one and done") was guilty of going "dribble-happy iso" too often. Beyond the lack of ball movement, the rock often remained on the same side of the court for entire possessions. As they've demonstrated time and time again (like during the third quarter rally/run), this Laker team is exceptionally hard to stop when they whip that ball around. It's their strength and it should be played towards.
- As long as everyone is moving the ball around, let's take it one step further and try and direct that Spalding closer to the cup. None of the Utah bigs can stop Pau Gasol or Lamar Odom consistently down low and Kobe can post up Brewer or Ashton Kucher all day. Inside-out action will pay off, but it take patience.
- Speaking of patience, the Lakers need to exhibit some. As the game progressed, I thought Utah grew more patient, and the Lakers just the opposite. After the loss, Ariza mentioned how the Lakers "started getting lazy," which some took to mean they went into fat and happy "we got this" mode. I wasn't there to hear the entire context, but given how the team never seemed to be phoning it in and played some reasonably good defense, I'm guessing Ariza was referring to the Lakers settling for bad shots, as opposed to working methodically for a better percentage option. That's certainly where they looked most lazy to me, at any rate.
- We'll see how Mehmet Okur's availability affects Andrew Bynum's place in the starting lineup, but no matter when Drew checks into the game, the Lakers need more than seven minutes of poor roundball from him. As for Okur's effect on the Jazz, I have my doubts about how big a difference he'll make. He's liable to be rusty, and in the meantime, all things being equal, the Jazz need more help defensively than in the scoring column, and that's hardly the sharp shooter's bread and butter.
- Save foul trouble or poor play dictating the circumstances, I'm expecting another DNP-CD for Jordan Farmar.
The jabber box is below. And as a shameless reminder, BK and I are doing pre and post game chatter on 710 ESPN.com. We'd love to snag your ears.
AK
Thanks for the recapped recap, AK. It was good.
Not surprised Jordy gets the DNPCD. We didn't even miss him last game. Shannon is the bigger guard Phil likes and has done really well.
Stick a fork in the Spurs they're done. Just finished watching it and Dallas is making them look oooollllllddddd and creaky, man.
Miami currently torching ATL. I feel meh about that whole thing.
Let's KILL Utah tonight!
Posted by: longtimelakerlover | April 25, 2009 at 04:22 PM
On Kobe sagging off Brewer, he REALLY sags off of him. He dares him to take that shot which is a good strategy, considering Brewer really is NOT hitting those wide open looks he gets. But this does become problematic in cases tries to help a teammate or REALLY loses track of Brewer. In a couple of cases Brewer cut to the rim while Kobe was playing safety and either got a wide open lay-up or forced another Laker to leave his man, forcing an easy shot.
As long as he doesn't let Brewer cut to the rim for an easy shot, Kobe not defending his jump shot is fine, at least until he starts hitting them.
If Brown isn't in the game and in late-game situations, I'd like to see either Trevor or Kobe on Deron. Trevor, while not a 'lock-down' defender, has the speed and length to bother Deron. Kobe is our best defender and, aside from the fact that he could help slow Williams, I love watching him play lock-down D. Sometimes I think the challenge fires him up, which in turn makes him even better on the other end of the floor.
As for the starting line-up.... This is a tough one for me. While Bynum has struggled so far in this series, I still think we need Odom to come off the bench. Either way, though, the starting line-up doesn't really matter.
LG
Posted by: LG | April 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
AK,
I agree with you the Okur is not likely to make a difference tonight. For sure, I would not start Lamar Odom over Andrew Bynum for many reasons. First, as ex brought up earlier, you don’t want to mess with rotations right now, especially ones that affect the bench when you’re on the road. Second, we need Drew to get untracked, especially with the problems that Pau is suddenly having with Boozer. Third, we need to get somebody else to guard Boozer more than somebody to handle Okur. Pau should guard Okur and Drew Boozer.
I expect Phil to have a short leash with this team tonight. Obviously, they’ve not completely mastered the art of not blowing a lead and this is no longer January or February. Time to realize this team needs some much more hands on management and leave the longer term character building to next season. Right now, Phil needs to yank the leash whenever this team starts to forget how to run the triangle. Move the ball, make the extra pass, cut hard, be aggressive, take the ball to the hoop, play inside-outside basketball, pound the rock into Drew, Pau, and Lamar in the paint. Take advantage of our size. Play smart.
Win one for Tex tonight by running the Triangle to perfection and crushing the Jazz.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 25, 2009 at 04:38 PM
AK,
I agree with you the Okur is not likely to make a difference tonight. For sure, I would not start Lamar Odom over Andrew Bynum for many reasons. First, as ex brought up earlier, you don’t want to mess with rotations right now, especially ones that affect the bench when you’re on the road. Second, we need Drew to get untracked, especially with the problems that Pau is suddenly having with Boozer. Third, we need to get somebody else to guard Boozer more than somebody to handle Okur. Pau should guard Okur and Drew Boozer.
I expect Phil to have a short leash with this team tonight. Obviously, they’ve not completely mastered the art of not blowing a lead and this is no longer January or February. Time to realize this team needs some much more hands on management and leave the longer term character building to next season. Right now, Phil needs to yank the leash whenever this team starts to forget how to run the triangle. Move the ball, make the extra pass, cut hard, be aggressive, take the ball to the hoop, play inside-outside basketball, pound the rock into Drew, Pau, and Lamar in the paint. Take advantage of our size. Play smart.
Win one for Tex tonight by running the Triangle to perfection and crushing the Jazz.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | April 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
I'm so sick of the NBA robbin the lakers for just another game for more money.Come on NBA stop calling cheap fouls on our lakers they are busting their butts out there.I guess it's all entertainment! Lakers keep up the good work.
Posted by: Cliff | April 25, 2009 at 04:41 PM
AK,
Are you sure we lost again? I thought the 3rd time I watched we won. Maybe I was dreaming......
Posted by: Laker Larry | April 25, 2009 at 04:43 PM
FROM PALM BEACH, FL
GAME 4 = WIN = SET AND DONE
GAME 5 = WIN = SET AND DONE
WHOEVER HAS PREDICTED THE LAKERS IN 5 WAS RIGHT.
Kobe knows best...
LOVE TO ALL
SHEKOBE FOREVER
Posted by: SHEKOBE | April 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Do we have set rotations? Luke, Trevor, Andrew, LO... follow the bouncing starter. Start whoever works best against their starters. If they start AK we should counter with LO.
Law of averages suggests that Kobe, and Fish will shoot better. Don't know if that law applies to Andrew, too early in his career to have averages.
Posted by: Vman | April 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
If Okur made his debut at Staples, it would be a whole different story. At the trash company arena, any little positive thing the guy does is going to fuel the crowd and feed the momentum for the Jazz - that will shake off the rust really fast.
During the 3rd quarter of game 3, the Lakers played very deliberately, offensively. LO walked the ball up the floor and they ran their sets. It was probably one of the only quarters so far this series that the Lakers really controlled (vs just outscoring Utah during a frantic mess).
I agree that I don't want to see Fish trying any lay-ups or tear drops or anything else in the paint. Make it rain Fish. That's your game.
More than anything, I'd like to see the Lakers shut Utah down and demoralize them in their own house. Is that too much to ask?
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 05:22 PM
AK, you do know that "simpatico" means "nice" and not "sympathetic" right? Of course, "nice" applies in this sense too, but just making sure you're not making a little language mistake here.
White boys trying to speak Spanish. Love it. I can even hear you with that American accent too.
Posted by: Cactus Berry | April 25, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Just watched the videos from shootaround with Kobe and PJ. PJ said that Okur starting or not would determine if LO gets inserted into the starting line-up. Strictly a match-up thing versus a demotion/promotion thing. Kobe was laughing and talking about trying to stay relaxed. I picture him laying on the floor of the locker room on a rug that really ties the room together, listening to a cassette of the Utah fans screaming at him.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Sagging Off
What is with the sagging off anyway? I assumed after last year's failure in the finals we were going to rededicate ourselves to defense. And then watching Kobe play in the Olympics I was sure of it. Watching Kobe ask to guard the opponents best man and then smothering them the whole game made me think Kobe would take the same tack once the season started. So what is with the sagging off defense?
You put Kobe on the weakest guy instead of the best, then let him play off him to help out on everyone else, or to zone up, thereby helping everyone else? Is this something PJ has Kobe doing, or is it something Kobe has the leeway to do on his own? Is this the defense that is drawn up? Everyone else stick to your guy, Kobe you play off such-and such so you can help out on everyone else?
I don't remember that being the defense in Chicago with MJ and PJ. I remember MJ always guarding the best guy of the opponent.
With Kobe these last few years I assumed he was doing that to save his energy for offense because we needed him to score 30 to win games.
What am I missing here?
I for one, loved the D I saw from Kobe in the Olympics and was looking forward t seeing it this season from him in the NBA. But night in and night out except for a few games where he matched up with another superstar he's taking the weaker wing man and playing off him in some sort of basketball free safety role.
John
Posted by: john_in_houston | April 25, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Cactus Berry - Can't simpatico mean both? I've always thought it meant that you're on the same wavelength. I looked it up and it's both a Spanish and Italian word that's derived from a Latin word meaning sympathy.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Come to think of it, the Lakers-Jazz series is the only one in the current playoffs where you have two HOF coaches going at each other. The playoff series is all about adjustments and these two HOFers trying to outmaneuver each other is like watching two chess grandmasters.
Jerry made his adjustment in game 3 by moving AK47 to the starting lineup. Tonight PJ makes his move by shifting LO to the starting lineup. Mate in two (games).
Posted by: The Snake | April 25, 2009 at 05:41 PM
john_in_houston - As much as I hate it, conceding long jumpers is part of the Lakers defensive gameplan. They want to bait the opposition into taking "low percentage" looks. I think what they don't realize is that the percentages improve if those looks are wide open.
If I were someone on the coaching staff, I'd break down film with Kobe with a focus on how much good is being done by virtue of his freelancing. The K Bros pointed out a couple of way to easy lay-ups Brewer got as a result of Kobe losing track of him. How many great defensive possessions were gained as a result of him playing center field? Stop with the theory and look at the actual results of the action.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 05:49 PM
During halftime of the Heat-Hawks game, Kenny and Charles were clowning Atlanta's offense as being "dribble dribble dribble dribble... shoot with a hand in your face". Like the K Bros, I don't want to see that from the Lakers either. If Kobe ISOs against a defender, he better OWN THEM. Otherwise, it's a bad possession.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Ireland's hair is reporting that Okur and LO will start tonight.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 05:56 PM
it's already 6:04pm, where's this live blog thing?
Posted by: socalife | April 25, 2009 at 06:04 PM
I want you all to thank TIME WARNER, my cable tv and internet provider who went down at 3 this afternoon and guess what. I won't be able to watch the game or my Formula One car race at midnight!!!!
FFFFFFFFF to TIME WARNER!!!!!!!!
TIME WARNER SUCKS !!!!!!! They screwed me over royal, I am MAD as HELL..... They should get a rock in their window, in the business complex of Diamond Bar, but I'm not that type of person, wish I was!!!!!!!!
Posted by: humanomaly | April 25, 2009 at 06:41 PM
That's it!!!!! I give up I quit!!!!!!!!!!! No more!!!!!!!!
Posted by: humanomaly | April 25, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Walton has to be one of the biggest tools I've ever seen. I've never seen any player make as many bad plays at the end of quarters as Walton does.
Posted by: Mark | April 25, 2009 at 07:21 PM
Trevor Ariza getting injured in pre-game ritual with Josh Powell. What was that. Kobe was on fire in the first half trying to proove a point to all the haters.
Posted by: JC Garcia | April 25, 2009 at 07:32 PM
The Bench Mob? Do you realize how unoriginal that is? The Sacramento Kings named their bench, The Bench Mob in 2000. Just another pathetic attempt by the Fakers and their ignorant fans to try and get under the skin of Sacramento Kings Fans!
Posted by: Chase | April 25, 2009 at 08:09 PM
LOL you guys moderate your comments? awww do you not want to hear anything bad about your team or fans on your little message board? You guys come to our Sacramento Kings boards and leave all kinds of rude and ignorant comments smashing our team while they are down and gloating about how good the fakers are, but you wont post comments on your blogs, that figures, it's just like you "Fans" to do that!
Posted by: Chase | April 25, 2009 at 08:15 PM
FROM PALM BEACH, FL
LIKE I SAID, WE ARE TAKING CARE BUSINESS LEADING BY OUR CAPTAIN, KOBE.
MONDAY= CONCLUSION FOR UTAH AND ADIOS.
BONNE NUIT
A COMPLETE HAPPY DAY FOR ME
BISOUS GUYS
SHEKOBE FOREVER
Posted by: SHEKOBE | April 25, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Refs you suck!
Refs you suck!
Those were the words of the Utah Jazz back in game 6 of the 2008 Series LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz.
Well this time the refs were actually decent.
This game represents the STANS losing.
STANLIES, come out and play!!
STANLIES, come out and play!!
Who decided to say "we won't win" this will be a 7/6 game series!!
THAT'S RIGHT TRUE FANS SAID THE LAKERS WOULD WIN GAME 4!! STANS SAID "NAY"!!!
LAKER TOM, STANS ARE BANDWAGON FANS WHO ARE WORST.
(THE TERM CAME FROM EMINEM'S SONG "STAN")
NO MBENGA, 20 SECONDS OF POWELL!! ANY STANS WANT TO COMPLAIN NOW??
KUDOS TO LAKER TOM'S 49ERS TEAM IN GETTING A STEAL WITH MIKE CRABTREE!! RAIDERS JUST PLAIN SUCK AT DRAFTING!!
KUDOS TO MARK SANCHEZ (AS MUCH AS HE'S A ARGH TROJAN HE'S STILL A SOCAL BOY SO GOOD LUCK TO HIM IN NEW YORK (JETS))
KUDOS TO TRONSOCO FOR PITCHING 4 INNINGS AND GETTING THE SAVE!! THINK BLUE ROCKS!!
AND KUDOS TO THE LAKERS. KOBE WAS HOT AND DIDN'T SETTLE SO MUCH FOR JUMP SHOTS. HE ATTACKED.
HOW ABOUT THE "OO-TAHH" JAZZ FANS SAY INSTEAD:
"STANS YOU SUCK"
"STANS YOU SUCK!"
This was for you Tex Winter!
Posted by: Kobeblitz | April 25, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Shannon Brown.
What a steal.
Bye Farmar.
Posted by: imani.rasifu@sbcglobal.net | April 25, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Chase...Go lay an egg some place else......If you are a kings fan then go get a shovel and dig a hole......Or go play your game boy....
Posted by: Thirty2 | April 25, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Shannon Brown is now my favorite Laker.
Enjoy your one ring in June, Jordy.
Let's hope Houston/Portland go 7.
Posted by: imani.rasifu@sbcglobal.net | April 25, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Thank you Lakers, Tex may not be willing well tonight but surely he was relieved by the good news. Now that we won the game, hopefully we could control our euphoria and be graceful in victory. You fans have been tearing each other with all your side comments....listen to a fan since West era, not good man! got to be happy and tolerant with other Laker fans.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 25, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Erratum: I mean Tex is not feeling well...boo to me (:(
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 25, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Hey,
To everyone who said Kobe would come back with a vengence.... Take a BOW!
Kobe did, "AND", he proved so many nay-sayers wrong. Kobe is still the "alpha-male dog in the NBA. Can't wait until we see King Crabie in the finals. He'll roll over and pee on himself when the "Big Dog" looks him in the eye.
Posted by: Laker Larry | April 25, 2009 at 09:17 PM
A nice win tonight for Tex.
I missed most of the game, but the final score made up for it. Lets put the JAZZ out of their misery.
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: ChicNstu | April 25, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Jazz played their best in game 3 and it just so happened to coincide with the Lakers worst possible game. Monday night, series over. AB will be more of a factor next series.
Does that Sac Town fan really think anyone even cares about the Kings or their fans right now?
Posted by: Bruzer | April 25, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Good Evening Charles....Good Evening Everyone....
well...that was much better---i think I like 3-1 a lot better than 2-2, as it were, seemingly...
I did get fairly annoyed (and some not so funny screaming was involved) at some of the bone head plays for which there is no real excuse---come on men, concenfrickingtrate for the love of all that's round and holy...
film sessions should just include these lame ass plays over and over until someone finally stands up and says "got it, looks like the O-need-ders"...
smart basketball is good basketball (some genius must have said that once upon a time)...
at least we did a better job closing out the third quad...
hope shooting practice (including free throwing) is on somebodys menus for tomorrow...
glad to see Mbenga dressed again, Phil must be reaeding the blog seemingly...
hope to see Bynum come out on Monday on a fricking mission (along with everyone else)...
AS ALWAYS, AS EVER, YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY 9AND SEASON) TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | April 25, 2009 at 09:25 PM
Happy.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 25, 2009 at 09:28 PM
"More than anything, I'd like to see the Lakers shut Utah down and demoralize them in their own house. Is that too much to ask?"
Of course not Lakers_sth. Would a 14 point victory in their own house suite you? I can't tell because there were people who weren't happy about 12 point victories LOL!
"I don't remember that being the defense in Chicago with MJ and PJ. I remember MJ always guarding the best guy of the opponent."
After the first title Scottie began to guard the best perimeter player on the other team and Michael at the end. When Harper came along Harper did similarly for quick guards. In the 1991 Finals, while Michael did start guarding Magic, Scottie was the one who did the most damage against Magic defensively.
And remember that era was more tougher than this era (though not as tough as Showtime). You could still handcheck and put pressure on the ball handler. Nowadays defense is harder to do and you can't be a high powered offensive team and a great defensive team at the same time.
And it is Kobe really who decided to sagg off or not. If it is someone that he doesn't respect (especially if they can't shoot) then he wlll sag off like he did against Brewer and when he is against Rondo. This is all Kobe there, if you want him to guard closer then YOU TELL HIM TO.
Until then it works out fine...
And Shannon Brown is a steal so much that he looks to be the Point Guard that will succeed Derek Fisher in the starting lineup.
And who says that Fish is washed up??
Posted by: Kobeblitz | April 25, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Not a bad game for a guy many of you just about called over the hill after game 3.......Mamba is the best player of this era and he/Lakers are not done winning titles......I expect an even better performance from him to close out things out on monday........He will look to stay aggressive in game 5 and go for a playoff career high......I really didn't like Phils substitutions this game.....when the Lakers were up 20pts he should have gotten Drew extra minutes......as good a Kobe is going to be the rest of the playoffs ....Drew is a necessity for this years championship run.... hopefully Phil moves him back into the starting lineup in game 5 and plays him as many minutes as possible......Drews confidence is vital.....If he stays out of foul trouble Phil should play him 35+ minutes...Another minor concern is how aggressive play throws Pau off his game ......he mishandles the ball, misses easy shots and shows signs of weakness when under duress......hopefully he'll make some mental adjustments and get back on track going into the 2nd round........Houston is going to play The Lake show very physical next series ....The Lakers will beat them in 5 games as well.....
Lakers 2009 NBA CHAMPS
PL
Posted by: PL | April 25, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Sorry I missed the chat. For some reason, my comments weren't going through. I'm glad that the Lakers gave me my wish and punched Utah in the mouth and let them know that this thing will probably end on Monday.
There were two things defensively that I noticed:
First, the Lakers tried to create a lot of congestion when the Jazz got the ball into the low post. If the player (most likely Boozer) made a move into the paint, there were a lot of Lakers bodies there. This shouldn't be confused with all the times that Jazz players got into the paint by moving off the ball and then receiving a pass for an easy lay-up.
Secondly, Fish and Shannon had some solid lateral footwork defensively. They played D with their feet, not their hands. This effectively negated D-Will's ability to penetrate (without help from a screen). The "funnelling" that has led to so much penetration has been a pet peeve of mine all year. This is actually a pretty significant shift in the Lakers' defensive scheme. I'm encouraged that they can actually stay in front of their man when instructed to.
Other than that, I'm glad that Kobe's shots went in. I thought Shannon played with passion and was fearless during a big game. Drew has always played horrible off the bench (see his time relieving Kwame Brown). He just has no feel for the game. That being said, until his size is needed or until his play improves, LO is playing better basketball and should be getting the bulk of the minutes. It's nice to have options. These playoffs are going to be long (hopefully) and Drew should keep that in mind.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 09:40 PM
BK/AK,
i didn't know you guys were doing pre/post game on 710...i guess my suggestion worked, right? i mean it was because of me, obviously.
is it just the 2 of you? maybe i'll listen next time...are you guys any good? be honest!!
i hope you guys are in for the pre/post when the lakers move to that station...i can't stand the rest of the people there. i wish money would move, but he won't.
like i said before, after money, you 2 are the best option. you guys are honest and do a good job.
Posted by: lakofan | April 25, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Chase: aren't you that wanker on House?
Posted by: watching from home | April 25, 2009 at 09:57 PM
"Secondly, Fish and Shannon had some solid lateral footwork defensively. They played D with their feet, not their hands. This effectively negated D-Will's ability to penetrate (without help from a screen). The "funnelling" that has led to so much penetration has been a pet peeve of mine all year. This is actually a pretty significant shift in the Lakers' defensive scheme."
The funneling scheme was an attempt to run the penetrator into help defense similar to the Celtics and what they did against Kobe Bryant. It works against some people but not a crossover dude who prefers to not use the screen (he's good when he doesn't use the screen).
Fish and Shannon has very good footwork which enables them to handle their man better. Farmar and Vujacic and to a certain degree Trevor use their hands first before their feet which bothers me a ton. Farmar's horrid defense is caused by the lack of good lateral movement and footwork and his penchant for steals hence why in the games in Utah he sat on the pine for the majority of the time.
"Drew has always played horrible off the bench (see his time relieving Kwame Brown)"
Not necessarily. In 2007-2008 before Kwamay (remember Lakers_sth it is Kwamay!) Brown had his knee injury Bynum played off the bench and did well. He can play great off the bench he just needs to have a energy (and awareness) and he can be just as effective. He just needs to have more passion in his play hence one of the reasons why I don't tag him yet as a 2nd option compared to Pau who plays his heart out and with great skill and effectiveness (all 3 are required to be go to guys).
Posted by: Kobeblitz | April 25, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Lakofan,
Thanks for the nice words. I don't know how often we'll be doing entire shows on 710, since it's much harder for us to be in studio for large chunks when they're in town. But hopefully, we'll be doing more during roadies. As for when the Lakers' move is final next fall? Who knows, but we're gonna keep working to stay in the mix.
Are we good? I tend to be very tough on myself, so I'm the wrong guy to ask. I'd like to think we're reasonably good, although we undoubtedly can grow with more experience. Radio ain't easy. But it's fun and we enjoy working with Beto Duran, who's been hosting the road game shows thus far.
Again, thanks for the nice words. Appreciate it.
AK
Posted by: Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky | April 25, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Very nice game from everyone...I was glad that Phil got ticked with them for getting sloppy at the end...his choice of LO over Drw was also dead on...
Mainly, their was much more passion and energy early...
Oh, and...
I gues it didn't hurt that Kobe didn't suck tonight...quite a performance...let's make sure we keep Shannon...I really like that young man so far...great attitude!
Posted by: christopher blake | April 25, 2009 at 10:21 PM
KCAL News messed up their coverage after the Lakers game. I'm sure a lot of fans were waiting for Worthy or any sportscaster to provide a video feed, they could not produce one and kept on showing a weeping lady. It killed 10 minutes of air time, that's important b/c I'm sure others switched to ESPN and got the game recap.
Hamanomaly, well were you able get the cable feed? Were you aware that it was also televised on KCAL?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 25, 2009 at 10:25 PM
blitz: "The funneling scheme was an attempt to run the penetrator into help defense similar to the Celtics and what they did against Kobe Bryant. It works against some people but not a crossover dude who prefers to not use the screen (he's good when he doesn't use the screen)."
I get the theory behind it and there have been times when the ballhandler cooperates and falls into the trap. However, b/c of bad angles about half the time, it has led to dribble penetration that puts the defense at serious risk. And Boston did a better job of going with them to the help whereas the Lakers have let the ballhandler go by and end up trailing the play to the help. The differences are subtle but there's a reason why Boston's D last year was more effective than what the Lakers have been trying to do this year.
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 10:28 PM
AK,
i'll be listening next time, if you could please announce it here, so i can listen.
i'm sure you are good, i was just joking about you being honest about it. like i said, you guys do a great job and this job won't be any different.
Good luck on getting that job next season when the lakers move.
Posted by: lakofan | April 25, 2009 at 10:32 PM
The only thing troubling about tonight was that some of Gasol's softness is coming back. Here's what I mean:
Boozer may be smaller but the guy is savvy and strong. In beating Pau up on both ends he made Gasol tentative. That's been the big knock on him (highlighted by what Perkins and Garnett did to him last year). It hasn't been the case this year. Pau has been the "big consistency" and we can count the number of "bad" games he's had on one hand. I don't want it to come back. Bring that SPANISH FIRE!
Posted by: lakers_sth | April 25, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Laker Larry,
Who is King Crab.... I only know Queen Crab, he plays for an Eastern Conf team called Cavaliers!!
Posted by: Kobefan in Cupertino | April 25, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Edwin Gueco,
No I wasn't able to watch the game, Cable for tv and internet totally down still, using my computer USB internet Modem....They say they'll be out from 10 to 12 tomorrow (Sunday....)....I bet I missed a great game....got a chance to do some house and garage cleaning though, although it was "under the influence...." of prescribed good stuff....I have to be drug testing clean because of my job, they don't ever do it, but if busted once I could lose my license and the rest of my career....
"Queen Crab"...oh my gawd, I'm getting sick of thinking of their choregraphed antics...this is what NBA ball should be about, play, win, win playoffs, accept trophy, and try to do it again each year...Simon Cowell may be a fan of the Crabs....
Posted by: humanomaly | April 26, 2009 at 03:45 AM