DJ's Numbers are Howard-esque

In the 7 games that he started, Howard is averaging 30.4 min per game, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.

In the 2 games that DJ started, he is averaging 30.0 min per game, 12.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks!!!

Just to reinforce how much time Kobe is spending in the post this season, I mentioned it during last night's game summary, but for those who didn't catch the number: Know how many three balls Kobe has launched after seven games?

Thirteen.

Know how many he's averaging this season?

2.2 (as opposed to 3.7 on a career and 5.1 just two seasons ago).

He's always been an effective post player, but good lord, he's taking it to another level/focus this season. Dude is absolutely destroying whoever guards him (typically a wing player not used to defending that situation) and as we saw during the MEM game, when a bigger player (Gay) got switched onto him, that means a smaller guy (Mayo) would be put on someone like Luke Walton... who proceeded to post the smaller player and create plays from the paint as well. Those mismatches begin with Kobe playing so close to the cup.

AK

P Ang,

Without question, Artest also makes a difference. Like Kobe, he's typically bigger than the fella guarding him, too. Thus, you're choosing between a bigger guy on Kobe and a WAY smaller guy on Ron, or a smaller guy on Kobe. Neither option is very appealing.

AK

"Post play isn't bubble gum and moon pies. There's plenty of pushing and shoving, but Kobe is extremely strong for a two guard (anyone, really), "

I don't think he could post with us!!

BK,
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Great points on how posting up has allowed Kobe to increase his shot attempts, points per game, and field goal percentage while expending less effort and energy shooting and driving from the perimeter. I think you’re right that a stronger less fatigued Kobe may pay dividends for the Lakers in the playoffs. While we have only played 7 games without all our bigs, Kobe is already in full throttle mode.
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What I think is interesting is the window into Kobe’s mind that this sudden change in strategy reveals. While Kobe would probably deny it, I think we’re watching nothing short of Kobe Bryant re-inventing himself and cunningly modifying his game to make him a more potent weapon in the Lakers arsenal and catapult his personal aspirations to be the greatest basketball player ever to new heights.
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You cannot tell me that Kobe Bryant does not constantly monitor all of his key performance statistics. I am sure he knows exactly what his scoring averages, shooting percentages, and other important stats are as well as those for the team and his teammates. I also think he realizes how his stats compare to those of MJ and LeBron. And I think he decided that he needed to take his game to another level.
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With Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum shooting such high percentages and having such strong favorable matchups, basketball fans and analysts all expected that Kobe would have to take fewer shots, score fewer points, and focus more on defense and play making. LOL! I think Kobe decided instead that he was going to shoot and score even more this year and justify it by becoming more efficient.
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As Phil alluded, the Triangle is the perfect offense for a team with multiple post up players because it can easily accommodate any of the five players posting their man up. That is one reason why Phil has always wanted the Lakers to be play tall and long because then you could post up everybody and even keep teams from switching because the Lakers were bigger and longer at every position.
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Once Drew and Pau return, I think you will still see Kobe posting up and calling for the ball, especially on the weak side ala MJ. Realistically, it is going to lead to a lot of easy hoops for the Lakers 7-footers as well as our spot up shooters behind the arc. And like you pointed out, Kobe doesn’t have to drive through rush hour traffic to get into the paint to do the damage. Instead, he just gets an entry pass.
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When Kobe used to post up, he often paid a price by having a Bruce Bowen or Raja Bell battering him from the backside. The days of the alleged Kobe-stoppers is long gone now. Just look what Kobe did to Battier in the Houston game. 41-points against Battier! This is not his daddy’s post up game. Kobe never abused Battier like this before. It’s the Dream and the new smoother smarter Kobe Bryant.

I think Kobe has his eyes set on winning his second regular season MVP award and clearly showing everybody how foolish it is to even talk about LeBron or Wade or any other player in the NBA today. I also think he has his eyes set on winning another NBA scoring title, all the better to matchup with MJ. Finally, I think Kobe has his eyes set on showing the world that he is still incredibly getting better, that there is NOBODY in the world that compares with him. He wants to be the G.O.A.T. Period.
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Tom

BK
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All the talk about posting up and what happens when you force the other team to start switching brings us full circle to the discussion of the Big 5 lineup. Had Drew and Pau been available, think what playing the Big 5 lineup would have done to the Hornets last night. You know who would have ended up guarding Kobe? None other than Chris Paul, who sure could not guard Drew, Pau, Lamar, or Ron. The Lakers Big 5 lineup would have had the Hornets scrambling like chickens without heads.
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I am loving what I am seeing out of the Lakers. Kobe has tacitly legitimized the team’s newfound inside out focus by changing his game to better mirror the efficiency of Drew’s and Pau’s games. I am hoping this portends no more of those nights when Drew and Pau shoot 60% to 70% but go through long droughts where the team just casts away long jumpers and 3-point shots. What is great about the Lakers Big 5 lineup is that all 5 players know how to play with their backs to the basket.
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Another aspect of Kobe shooting those soft fade away jumpers is that Drew and Pau are going to see a lot of shots turned into passes at the last minute as Kobe dissects the opposition’s defense. Those step through and drop step moves of Kobe’s to penetrate into the paint are going to result in lots of dunks. Having Kobe posting up is going to turbo-charge the Lakers interior passing game and assists.
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Tom

AK

"and as we saw during the MEM game, when a bigger player (Gay) got switched onto him, that means a smaller guy (Mayo) would be put on someone like Luke Walton... who proceeded to post the smaller player and create plays from the paint as well."

........HEAVY SIGH..........I just knew AK would find some way to work Luke Walton into his salvo.

BK

There is no need to address the "concern" of the Kobe haters. These are the same people who in one breath said Kobe was in decline but now feign concern that Kobe is performing at a level that is superhuman and he may not be able to sustain it.

You see BK, these are the same people who demand that the ball should go inside to Gasol for a higher percentage shot but now that Kobe is in the post they are either silent or suggesting Kobe should get others involved.

I even heard Jim Cleamons at half-time of last nights game respond to the question of Kobe's great half in which he scored 26 points. The brilliant Jimmy Cleamons said "we need to move the ball to get others involved and not just look for Kobe and risk the ball getting stagnant"..........WTF????

Hey Jimmy why not just continue to go to Kobe in the post UNTIL THE HORNETS FIND A WAY TO STOP HIM OR DOUBLE HIM.................When they double him Kobe will move the ball AND THEN WE WILL GET OPEN SHOTS FOR OTHERS!

Is it me?

Tim4show

I agree - the AI situation is so disapointing..I've always given him the benefit of the doubt but this is ridiculous...has a player ever fallen out with his team after three games before?

I can't understand why Iverson and the griz didn't come to a clear understanding of what his role would/could be after what happened last season...they should be able to say we're paying you and the coach makes the decisions but in reality it doesn't work like that - playing Iverson off the bench was red rag to a bull - seriously why wouldn't you broach these issues before paying him 3 million bucks? no wonder that franchise is in tatters.At least we know the Gasol trade wasn't rigged by the NBA...the Memphis brass really are just stupid.

It amazes me sometimes the hate and the lack of love for Luke. Am I the only one who's noticed that if you give Luke 15-20 min per game or more, he plays more steady and at a higher level then he does on a 5-8 minute game? Then again the same goes for Mbenga, Powell, and the others. Luke is saddly underrated. He can post up, in a rhythm he can hit shots. His defense could use some work but his passing work in the past has dissected teams defense. Granted he can make some boneheaded passes but who hasn't?

I think there's a real chance that Mbenga makes this team better than Bynum does. I think Mbenga's defensive focus and shot blocking fits better with what Kobe and Phil like to do.

I hope Andrew's watching and learning. Or we may have to throw a Bynum/Farmar/pick package at the Hornets for Chris Paul.

Wes

Shatner never met the Borg. NOH did and listened.

"Resistance is futile"

So they quit.

"It amazes me sometimes the hate and the lack of love for Luke. Am I the only one who's noticed that if you give Luke 15-20 min per game or more, he plays more steady and at a higher level then he does on a 5-8 minute game?"

J-Dizzle

You're the only one

It is quite clear to me that DJ is a far far more useful defensive presence than Bynum. For every block, he probably takes 1.4 shot altering swipes at that ball. His defensive rebounding and boxing out are pretty decent as well.

You know what's another good sign about DJ's effort? How many times he gets posterized. That means he's contesting even when guys are going hard at the rim.

His offense leaves a lot to be desired and if he had better hands he could have 4 dunks a game guaranteed.

DJ certainly deserves over a million dollars a year for his work (and skill) and next to Shannon, he is one of my favorites hustle guys on the team.

A few things...

1) This talk of Mbenga being better for this team than Bynum is bordering on insanity. It's a 2 game sample folks! He did it against the Grizz and the artists formerly known as the New Orleans Hornets! I'll admit that I would like it if Bynum's activity on the defensive end mimicked that of Mbenga's, but Bynum is so much more gifted offensively than Mbenga can ever dream to be. Mbenga has done an admirable job in Drew's stead, but let's not get crazy here.

2) Luke haters conveniently ignore any and all instances where Luke plays well, as he has last few games. Luke will never be a starting-quality SF. But he's a pretty good backup who plays well in this system and works hard on the court. I just don't understand the hate.

3) Kobe Bryant is really good. The end.

um, before trading bynum for um, allen iverson or something, try to remember that DJ played one great game against a pretty weak NOH team. I like DJ, i think that he has the potential to be a very solid center, and I am glad we are deep enough to have somebody of his quality at that position. But let's not get carried away.

Guys what's the deal with the suns ? 4-1 road trip. Are these guys for real? Is this the same thing it was in years past, win alot of games during the regular season and loose in the playoffs or are they going to be a pain in the ass And cause problems in the west?

crzyFan

pfunk,
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>>> I can see the Michael Jordan comparison but to suggest Kobe monitors
>>> LeBron is ridiculous. Remember Kobe is smarter than all the media hype.
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Relax, pfunk. I agree with your analogy of Kobe as an artist but he is also a scientist, always looking for that extra edge, perfecting his craft. I don’t see that at all inconsistent with a guy who knows what stats show as well as what they do not show. To imagine that a guy who has a difficult time letting his daughters win at CandyLand does NOT know how his main competition for the title of greatest player is doing is a little naïve in my opinion. Kobe is too smart not to stay on top of everything. You can bet he knows he is the #1 scorer in the NBA right now. I doubt he would let it get in the way of the team but by the same token upping his ability and efficiency to score is Kobe’s way of having his cake and eating it, too. Like we both agree, the greatest competitor and dedicated professional in the sport.
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>>> Posting up has been used by several players and guess what..........
>>> the triangle has nothing to do with it.
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The Triangle Offense is of course not the only offense that makes it easy for any player to post up but conversely there are many offensive systems where guards don’t post up. What is more important than the system is the fact that EVERY one of our BIG 5 players – Drew, Pau, Lamar, Ron, & Kobe – are great post up players who are very comfortable working with their back to the basket. Look around the league. There are a lot of teams who don’t have even 1 good post up player while we have 5. Ironically, note also that none of the other Lakers players other than the Big 5 are post up players.
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If there is an NBA play that is more generic and more disruptive to the defense than the pick and roll, it is the post up. And in this day of the everybody-wants-to-face-the-basket and dribble between their legs and dunk the ball, playing with your back to the basket has become a lost art. Make no mistake, however, it is the ultimate mismatch punisher. Not only does it result in high percentage shooting but it also puts the other team under severe foul pressure. I still remember how effective Bonzi Wells was when as a younger Trailblazer he would post up Kobe and put him in jeopardy.
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>>> There have never been any "Kobe Stoppers".......
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I agree and use the term facetiously. But it does seem as if the number of defensive players who really make Kobe work for his points seem to have declined. Maybe it is just Bruce Bowen getting old fast as well as Raja Bell. Part of it is also the rep and leeway that the refs seem to want to give certain players to just beat Kobe up. Bowen was the perfect example. He fouled Kobe on almost every single play. So while there were and are no Kobe-stoppers, there seem to be a lot fewer players who can bother him.
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Tom

Did someone tell all the teams playing Monday night that defense was cancelled for the evening. Look at the scores...if you imagine some disco lights and platform shoes, a few Afros and big hair, and we're back to the 70s.

We're going to need Drew versus the Suns to stop some Nash penetration. DFish has always played Stevie very well though since he knows how to use his strength vs. Nash and Nash can't just outquick him like an Aaron Brooks.

Of all the current NBA teams, the Suns play the most similar offense to Showtime. The big difference is Showtime also played excellent defense and could play the half-court game, neither of w/c the Suns have. So I expect the Lakers to slow down the tempo.

The other Laker players need to a little bit of time to adjust to the new opportunities created for them by KB's new emphasis on post play. But once they do, watch out. KB's first pass out of the double team may not result in an assist, but if the team makes the extra second pass or a third pass, it will mean a dunk from Drew or Pau, or an open 3 pointer from LO, Ron, or DFish, not to mention Shannon or even Josh Powell. Luke understood this concept before the others.

The back to back, flying to Denver, losing an hour, then playing in high altitude, not to mention that the Nugs are a pretty good team means Friday's game is going to be the toughest test of the regular season so far for the Lakers. It c/d be a chippy game as we've seen just in the pre-season. The Noogies have self-styled themselves as Laker rivals so we'll see.

AK,
[Know how many three balls Kobe has launched after seven games?
Thirteen.
Know how many he's averaging this season?
2.2 (as opposed to 3.7 on a career and 5.1 just two seasons ago).]

Hmm thriteen 3balls in 7 games seems like < 2.0 average, so how'd you end up with 2.2? Am I missing something.

Phred,
[Todd- So, if I’m reading you right, you love Jordan Farmar and dislike Kobe? Well, it takes all kinds, I guess. It is all about the love, so I really hope you do recover from whatever is afflicting you.]

LMAO ... definately in the running for slam of the year.

IF HE CAN KEEP IT UP, IF THE FADEAWAY IS GOING IN, AND IF HE CAN DO IT VS BOSTON AND GET THE POSITION HE WANTS QUICKLY, THIS MEANS THE NEW KOBE OF 2010. THE KEY THO IS ONLY TO POST ON THE LOW BLOCK WHEN ONLY GASOL OR BYNUM IS IN NOT WHEN THERE BOTH IN. HE CAN TRY WHEN THERE BOTH IN BUT DOUBLE TEAMS WILL COME FASTER PLUS WHY WOULD HE DO THAT WHEN HE CAN GO TO THEM AND HE CAN SHOOT THE THREE.

IN OTHER NEWS I HEARD T-MAC IS COMING BACK SOON MAYBE AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK. THAT GOT ME THINKING IF HE PLAYS LIKE 07-08 AND IF ROCKETS STILL HAVE HIM AT THE END OF THE YEAR, LAKERS CAN GIVE HIM A DEAL, A SMALL ONE IF HE WOULD LIKE TO PLAY WITH KOBE. I THINK THIS WOULD BE GRATE. I WOULD HAVE LAMAR BE THE POINT, KOBE AT THE SHOOTING GUARD, TRACY AT SMALL FORWARD, RON ARTEST AT POWAR FORWARD AND GASOL AS THE CENTER. BUT U CAN HAVE TRACY AND LO SWITCH WHEN THEY WANT TO. THIS WOULD BE THE CLOSING TEAM AND ON DEFENSE KOBE WOULD BE GAURDING THE POINT GUARD. THE STARTERS WOULD BE THE SAME ONLY LO AND FISH WOULD COME OF THE BENCH. AND IF WE ARE PLAYING VS VERY SMALL QUICK AND SMALL POINT GAURDS WE WOULD START FISH INSTEAD OF TRACY. I KNOW THAT WOULD BE CRAZY BUT ITS WORTH THINKING ABOUT IT IF WE GET LUCKY AND GET TRACY WHEN HE IS BACK TO SHAPE I DONT THINK ROCKETS WOULD WANT HIM NEXT YEAR.

LakerinBC......

Really good point about the way Fish plays Nash....But.....I really want to see Shannon Brown have a good shot at playing Nash...

Same size,but Brown is way quicker than Nash at this point in his playing days...

Slow the pace of the game....I expect us to allow Kobe to take Jrich and Hill into the post and abuse them really badly...Those guys play D as well as me...

Artest takes Jrich and Kobe gets Hill...If Artest can make Joe Johnson vanish,them imagine what will happen to Jrich.....

Amare is the worry if we dont have at least one big back for the game...I dont rate Channing Fyre...The guy is built like a car antenna..

***KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR ‘s statistics are UNBELIEVABLE**
http://tinyurl.com/yaxq3xc
2 time NCAA PLAYER YEAR
3 TIME ALL AMERICAN COLLEGE
****
Presented Presidential Award by President Clinton
0ne of 50 Greatest of all time
Hall of Fame 1995
6 NBA TITLES ----2 FINALS MVP’S
6 MVP’S ---- 2 TIME SCORING LEADER
19 TIME ALL-STAR----11 TIME ALL-DEFENSIVE-TEAM
MOST POINTS---MOST BLOCKED SHOTS---MOST MVP’S
MOST ALL-STAR-GAMES – ROOKIE OF YEAR
8 PLAYOFF RECORDS
7 ALL RECORDS

I was pleasantly surprised when I read Phil Jackson's "positive" comments regarding Josh Powell. It seems, whenever PJ is asked about a player's performance, he always leads with comments about what the player didn't do.

Wouldn't it be refreshing if he would make a positive statement about a player first and then go into his negative assessment of performance? Maybe he could save the criticisms for the practice sessions.

I know he is a perfectionist and he is a great coach but positive reinforcement seems to be in order some of the time.

Wow, sad news to read something about the Cap...

http://tinyurl.com/ye6zxhs

Perhaps, this is the reason why he is no longer with the Bynum Express. If I were Socks (which I'm not), I will support wholeheartedly and be active in his campaign for awareness of this disease. I will be forever grateful to Kareem for he was partly responsible of what I'm now.