Lakers 114, Memphis 98: Kobe Bryant dominates the post
Gave myself a nice shave of the dome before heading to the arena tonight. With a machete and some Barbasol, far as you know.
More breakdown below.
I talked about Kobe's performance above, and will have more on it tomorrow. I'm not kidding when I say it was among the more remarkable I've seen from him. This on a night where he became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 24,000 points, moved into 16th place on the all-time scoring list, and notched his 99th game of his career with 40 or more points. Dude's been prolific, but there was something particularly evolved about what he did to the Grizzlies Friday evening.
The stat was in the video, but it's worth repeating: Six times Kobe has scored 40-plus without making a three. This is the first time Kobe has ever cleared 40 without attempting a three pointer. Nor did he live at the line, making only three from the stripe in four tries.
I asked Ron Artest, who has seen and defended a player or two, if there's a guard that can go to the post with the effectiveness of Kobe. "Not that I know of. Maybe a few, but they don't the fundamentals. He's got all the fundamentals. Fundamentals and focus." To say the least. And they give him a decided advantage against opponents over that part of the floor. "A lot of (guards) don't really know how to guard the post," Bryant said after the game. They don't get much practice, either. "I might be pretty much the only guard right now in the league right now that posts that much."
Don't expect Kobe to leave the post anytime soon.
More good stuff:
-Ron Artest: 19 points, six boards, seven assists. He hit three of his five three pointers. Again, Phil Jackson gave him time with the reserves, putting Artest in a position where he had to both be aggressive as a scorer but also as a facilitator. He was particularly effective working at the elbow, making crisp and purposeful passes that helped push the bench to its best game of the season.
-DJ Mbenga: Nine rebounds in the first nine minutes of the game, 13 overall, along with four blocks. Sure, he was 2-7 from the floor, but overall Mbenga was a force over his 29:39 of burn. In the absence of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, he gave the Lakers a lift.
-Other guys: 13 points for Josh Powell, who has officially extended his range beyond the three point line, along with five boards. He struggled at times to match up with Zach Randolph, but that is to a large degree to be expected. Powell, like Mbenga, has his limitations (though shooting isn't one of them in the early stages of the season), but like Mbenga is as solid a player for his spot in the rotation as you're likely to find across the league. He's a nice luxury for a top shelf team like the Lakers. Luke Walton finished with seven boards and seven assists. Jordan Farmar hit two of his three triples, Derek Fisher four of his seven shots to go with seven assists. Overall the Lakers had 35 helps on 48 makes, a great ratio, especially when combined with only eight turnovers. That's some slick passing. Granted, the Grizzlies are among the worst defensive teams I've ever seen, but that's not really the point. Overall, on a night where the Lakers needed other players to contribute, they got all that and more.
VIDEO:
Kobe, on his night, working in the post, and the career achievements that came with it:
Artest, on fitting in, Kobe's game, and the win:
Phil Jackson, on Kobe's game, Josh Powell, DJ Mbenga, and Andrew Bynum:
More to come tomorrow.
BK
Phil smart to have Artest play with second unit, so he can be his bad skf and nit wiry about Kobe kicking him off the team for showboating
what do we play for? We don't. We're couch potato fans.
Posted by: DorkElvis | November 07, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Does Ron have a Problem with Kobe?
Posted by: cjw | November 07, 2009 at 01:01 AM
Really solid post and excellent questions. Great job Lakers Blog and thanks.
Posted by: thehammer | November 07, 2009 at 01:08 AM
Agreed about Artest and the bench. He's an excellent baby sitter for the mob. Man he is a way better passer than I had realized.
Posted by: Mark | November 07, 2009 at 01:46 AM
Very candid from Kobe about being the only guard in league who posts as much as he and also saying nothing in his repertoire is original. I thought that was interesting.
I'm glad Artest is thinking about and visualizing playing at full strength with Gasol and getting in sync with everyone. That was also pretty funny when he mentioned the Lakers were like the "Bourne Ultimatum" by having no identity, yet. Good stuff.
BK, at the beginning of the Kobe video, is he referring to the post when he said, "Yeah, they know I eat first and they get seconds." I thought that was hilarious if thats what he meant.
Great game tonight, even if it was against the grizzlies.
Posted by: Rob | November 07, 2009 at 02:21 AM
I talked to a person who knows Artest. He described him as slightly autistic.
Hey Kupcake, I guess they didn't offer any psychology classes during your UCLA extension days.
The theme music for Artest should be Lithium by Nirvana.
The best way to handle the situation is to double Gary Vitti's salary and keep this lunatic on some heavy meds.
Posted by: waus | November 07, 2009 at 04:12 AM
I can't understand why Brown's not getting much burn, or the organization showcasing farmar and Luke for trade possibilities. Sasha has like value to any team at this time, but I feel a trade coming. A win against the Grizzs don't mean much, they suppose to beat them, beating Boston, the Magics and the Cav's that's the goal. I know we have a bench of nice polite players, but drop the hammer Mitch and add some toughness and fire power, the talents out there.
Posted by: 2 PHATT | November 07, 2009 at 06:10 AM
Good Night Everyone....
Its 2.am over here..Just got home from the wedding...
Can you spell MBENGA.......Yeah baby....
KOBE KOBE KOBE KOBE.....The best...then the rest....
I have had a lot to drink,but how about them suns beating that team in green...
.............KOBE KOBE KOBE KOBE.........
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 07, 2009 at 06:46 AM
Great win without the 2 bigs!
How 'bout Powell...???
Quote from Thriller... I'm like, 'I do a lot of good things. I've been with my wife since I was like 15 years old. What can you say about that?' I'm still with my high school sweetheart in the NBA doing videos with pretty women. I'm an entertainer. I'm not going anywhere. I think that's successful. I think kids can learn from that."
Good for you Artest...!!!!
Posted by: keifo | November 07, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Great win last night given how short handed they were up front.
I know The Sun-Celtic score received a positive reaction at Staples, but do we have a legit challenger for the division in Phoenix ? Quite a statement winning in Boston.
Posted by: OhioVic | November 07, 2009 at 07:36 AM
MBenga with 4 blocks and 13 rebounds!! What's not to like about that! I was looking for something to pull me into this season, turned out it was MBenga rising up with monster blocks that finally did it!
Posted by: Doug | November 07, 2009 at 07:50 AM
OK, whiners. Are you happy now? Admittedly the Grizzlies aren't the Celtics, but the Lakers are definitely looking like the Lakers. No Bynum, no Pau, no problem. Pretty much everybody got to contribute in balanced minutes. Kobe was Kobe. Artest was more comfortable than ever. Mbenga and Powell showed that even when the team goes deep into the roster that we have guys who can deliver. Jordan Farmar earned all of his 21 minutes of burn.
Lamar, not so much, but hey, it was the guy's 30th birthday. If you've passed that milestone, you know that's a tough one to deal with.
Let's lighten up on the negativity here. We're Lakers fans. It's not like they're the 0-6 New Jersey Nets. The season is just beginning and we have a lot to look forward to. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | November 07, 2009 at 07:50 AM
Tell Charles (sir Chuck) to keep his pie hole shut.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | November 07, 2009 at 08:53 AM
The first good game for the 2nd unit. They provided a good support to the starters. Kobe doing lots of points and minutes are needed for a win but a bad habit for the 76 games. Pau and Drew must c ome back and help the Lakers spread the playing time.
Next game is not a gimmie, NO are hungry for a win just like the Mavs. Let's take care of business first for the last game for the week, make it a great 5-0 run without Pau.
Giant Bald Head Lunatic, based on your previous post addressed to me I guess you want to be respected in this blog for your posts and wants to join the conversation. If so, is it possible to focus on our team and stop comparing with the Celtics initial achievements? This is a Lakers Blog. When we get to the Celtics game, perhaps that is the time to discuss more posts between two teams. If Larry Bird and Magic Johnson can be friends, why can we not accommodate you here and include you in our conversation. Of course, like in any community you will be receiving extreme views and cold responses, it takes a while to know someone, all you have to do is exert patience and maturity to withstand such criticisms like our fellow fan, KL, eventually you will be one of us too.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 07, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Here is an observation that my good friend Lakertom would not agree.
It appears that Drew is a good offensive Center but Mbenga is a better rebounder and shot blocker. The latter may not be successful in all his defense but because of his consciousness in stopping anybody that comes into his way, he get more blocks, more defensive stops and get the long rebounds.
Well, $1M vs. $ 12M it means a lot when converted into dollars and the rate of return on investment. Of course, we can also be fair to Drew that Grizzlies great differs from Rockets.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 07, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Does Ron have a Problem with Kobe?
Posted by: cjw | November 07, 2009 at 01:01 AM
CJW,
Not at all. If anything Artest has a man crush/divinity complex when it comes to Kobe. Artest is like the young, 90 pound pit bull that calls the old Rottweiler boss. The two could spend their time dueling to the death, but instead team up and form the biggest, meanest kick-butt combo on the block.
Artest is the perfect teammate, and he may in fact be the biggest reason Kobe looks like he's overtaken LeBron as the NBA's best and most dynamic player.
Right now, hands down, Kobe is playing at a higher level than Lebron. And I mean on both sides of the ball. Artest's toughness has let Kobe be the gambling defender he likes to be, and the results so far are pretty good. so Barkley, keep your mouth shut and let Artest funnel his energies into these harmless off-the-court activities. This is good for Artest. He finally seems happy and the fans love him. Leave him alone. And did you see the caboose on that model he was working with last week?
Let the man live.
Wes
How about some Alien/Shapshifters in the media?
Posted by: wesjoenixon | November 07, 2009 at 09:36 AM
I guess the internet gods don't want me post my alien/shapeshifters video because it sent my message through right as I was going to lay the evidence bare. You can't the truth. Watch at your own risk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj8741m2jLc
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | November 07, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Good Morning Charles....Good Morning Everyone...
good game indeed...
Mbenga and Powell responded well, I thought they both played pretty well...
I dig that Kobe guy in the post--what a weapon seemingly, something a lot of bloggers (including a dude named Floyd, as it were) have wished to see for quite some time...Kobe's career is entering a new faze, and will be extended as well...
saw some good sub patterns last night, Kobe and Artest with three bench dudes seemed to work just fine---did have Artest out there again with 4 bench guys and they did play better than of late...
Fisher flamers should be squelched a little today, but there's always tomorrow or so...
Artest is quickly converting the un washed masses en mass...
really wish Lamar could make lay ups once in a while...
would like to see Powell learn how to explode up to the rim, sometimes it seems he is going up in x-mo, like his effort and play, always have, just like to see some quicker hoppin'
my wife saud that Carrol dude (aka mop head) looks like Little Richard fresh off a vacation from Jamaca...I think he looks more like that ugly woman character that Jamie FOx played on In Living Color or so...
the Griz's coach is just moonlighting as an NBA coach...any black dude name Lionel is really in a cool jazz band...guess he has some time between gigs...
still wish Rudy was a Laker...
the Grizzlies new uni's are very shiney, can't see the sweat as readily, kinda like 'em though...
Mark Gasol went on the Subway diet, what's next you ask, a visit to Camp Pendleton's resident barber maybe...I actually wish we had both the Gasol bros--and throw in their mom fer good measure, they say she has the sky hook down cold...
"I told you about the fool on the hill, I tell you man he's living there still"
AS ALWAYS, AS EVER, YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY (AND CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON) TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | November 07, 2009 at 09:48 AM
JORDAN, SHANNON, AND SASHA
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I agreed with most of BK’s excellent assessment of the relative values and basketball skills of Jordan, Shannon, and Sasha. The only insight I questioned was BK’s opinion that Shannon is most likely to win the job as the first guard of the bench even though Jordan is getting more playing time. I don’t buy the concept that Phil is not playing Shannon because he wants to see what Jordan can do.
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To me, it is more logical that Jordan is getting more minutes because he is the best option to backup Fisher, who plays significantly fewer minutes than Kobe, for whom Brown is the best backup option. While there may be situations where Shannon plays point guard because of the defensive matchup, I think Jordan will get most of the backup point guard minutes because he is the better point guard.
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Maybe BK has some inside information that made him come to that conclusion because I don’t read the situation that way at all. To begin with, I think the decision of which guard comes off the bench first will depend upon whether it is Kobe or Fisher who is being replaced. The competition is to determine who will be the backup at point guard and who will be the backup at shooting guard.
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Maybe I am blinded by my long-time support for Jordan, but I still think the job of first guard off the bench to backup Fisher is his to lose, just as I think that the job of first guard off the bench to backup Kobe is Shannon’s to lose. Unfortunately, that means that Sasha Vujacic will be the man left out because he is not as good a point guard backup as Jordan or shooting guard backup as Shannon.
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What it comes down to in my mind is that the Lakers play best with a point guard to manage the floor, run the offense, control the pace, feed the post, and push the ball in transition. Right now, I think that point guard is still going to be Derek Fisher. His play making ability, clutch shooting, veteran savvy, defensive toughness, and leadership skills are a big part of why we are the NBA champions.
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What Jordan’s critics fail to appreciate is the value a true point guard can give the Lakers as a team. To think that Shannon can develop enough point guard skills at this point in his career and become the Lakers starting point guard is pure fantasy in my mind. Don’t get me wrong. I love Shannon and think he will be a valuable bench player for the Lakers for years but he is NOT a point guard.
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Triangle Offense or not, the Lakers still need a starting and backup point guard who have solid point guard skills. The issue is not whether they could win without point guards but how much better they would be with point guards. That tells me that Jordan Farmar is still the leading candidate to back up Derek Fisher at point guard. Now he just needs to go out and play well enough to win the job.
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Tom
Posted by: tomw@jbanda.com | November 07, 2009 at 10:02 AM
more thoughts or so....
was in a rush and forgot my daily Python (Monty) quote...
"you bastard!"
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | November 07, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Kobe has been my favorite Laker since 1996, and as big of a fan as I am, I accepted that he was on the "decline", that we'd seen the best of him athletically, and that we could at best hope for another 4 seasons of peak play while our team progressively makes up the difference as we enjoy the top of our reign.
Well, I underestimated Mr. Bean.
2 hours with Hakeem, and this guy's post play is right up there with the best ever. His new step away fallaway is indefensable; his pivot and footwork are unmatched in history; and the guy's overall skill level has one upped even the 2006 version.
What we're seeing right now is spectacular. Make no mistake about it, and my favorite part is that it sets an example for everyone else - including one Mr. Socks.
Kobe will be this year's MVP - except this time, he'll get all three of them, saving the best (the third one) for last!
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | November 07, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Nice game I enjoyed it wow no Gasol andBynum still in control, bench is starting to fined legs. Whats up with Iverson dude is so stupid Memphis only team that give him a try, and know this he will never help them starting. He needs to understand his role that guy coming off bench brings so much, get over punk.
Kobe getting that coaching from Hakeem is starting to show no 3s and still 40 says a lot, who wiping ass now Shaq.
Posted by: pk-in-the-mesa | November 07, 2009 at 10:11 AM
AWESOME game - let's hope THE MOB is back!
As has been said already, BRILLIANT with Thriller on the court with the bench. He's looking more confident every game. I can't wait to see how this team clicks on all cylanders when our 7 footers get back.
Thriller is fast becoming my favourite Laker. He cracks me up - talking about how this team still doesn't have an identity yet so it's kind of like driving without a license - or like The Bourne Ultimatum LOL! I never want the love affair to end. I was against him being here before, but now? No way - he brings much to the game and to the fans. He's a keeper and my humble pie tastes great.
And what can you say about The Black Mamba - the Bean - the Kobester?? He is UNBELIEVABLE. I have never seen him surgically slice & dice like that. Never. And yah it was the Grizzlies, but COME ON!!! OJ Mayo is a pretty good player and he was taken to SCHOOL. Like Kobe says - nothing can stop the Dream Shake! More of that please!
Looking forward to the Baby Bees on Sunday night. That punk Paul and the rest of those guys just don't know what's in store for them. Man I can't stand that kid. He needs to be taken to the rack and then have a nice meeting with Mr. Floor a couple of times. I think Congo Cash may just accommodate my wish. Of course not to hurt him - just to show him you can't be all up in the paint with no safety gear. That's all.
Anyone want to change their opinion about Jordy yet? Just asking....
GO LAKERS!!!
Nothing but another title will suffice.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 07, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Celtics lost to the "mighty" Suns at home
Celtics played some real nice D - 110pts 50% shooting for the Suns
ouch...
Garnett looked good though
Posted by: zach from san diego | November 07, 2009 at 10:28 AM
BK - did you buff the dome as well? Cuz - you know - the glare. I need my sunglasses.... :)
Just messin... Seriously, though - GREAT work. Thanks for all you & AK do.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | November 07, 2009 at 10:30 AM
tomw-
Excellent points, and you may well be right in the end. I don't think my reading is based on anything particularly insider-y, other than an understanding that Shannon is a pretty popular guy among players and coaches, and that Farmar's personality has in the past grated. None of this, though, is particularly newsy- we all have known it for a while. Basically, what I was saying is that the basic thing that holds Brown back is his depth of understanding how to organize the offense. Where to go, how to initiate that first pass, which read to make, and so on. He's not as decisive and quick as Fish and Farmar. With Jordan, it's such a tough read because he'll often push the envelope in ways that seem to go outside of what the Lakers look to do. Sometimes the results are creative and good, sometimes they result in a TO or a really bad shot choice.
When he stays under control and sticks to the script, he often looks the most natural (Farmar I mean) of the options PJ has... except it doesn't happen enough and, quite frankly, I don't think Jordan likes the script. So we'll see, but you could be absolutely correct in the end. As long as someone steps up and adds stability to the position for the Lakers, though, it's all good.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 07, 2009 at 10:43 AM
THE 81-1 BANDWAGON
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As every long-time Lakers fan knows, Kobe Bryant is one smart dude riding a championship wave that seems destined to catapult him past MJ to the ultimate goal for which is striving – to be the G.O.A.T. How smart? How about this? Not content with having just won his 4th NBA championship, I think Kobe spent his time off this summer weighing various strategies to make himself and his team better. And I think we are now starting to see the products of Kobe’s grand plan coming to fruition.
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What better way to enhance his legend and help his team win than to become a more efficient player? What better way to justify taking even more shots per game than to become a more efficient shooter? What better way to improve his field goal percentage than to move closer to the hoop by posting up? And what better way to exert dominance by scoring more points per game than LeBron and Wade?
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What we are watching is the evolution of the next G.O.A.T. While the stats will change some once Pau returns to the lineup, I still expect Kobe to average over 30 points per game. He is currently averaging 34.5 points per game and shooting over 48% from the field, the result of more shot attempts in the post and fewer from beyond the arc. Now we know why Kobe sought out Dream for low post help.
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Funny how before the season there was talk about Kobe taking fewer shots and focusing more on his defense or playmaking as those seemed to be the logical moves for a superstar player over 30-years old and considered by many to have already been passed by as the best player by a younger LeBron. In hindsight, it was probably naïve to think that Kobe’s competitive juices would give in so easily.
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We can never forget that Kobe wants to be the G.O.A.T. Nor can we forget how much he loves the game. This is not a player who is going to leave the game early. Despite the fact that very few NBA guards can play at a high level beyond their late 30’s, it would not surprise me at all to see Kobe Bryant wearing purple and gold and playing efficiently and even spectacularly at 40-years old.
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As Kobe ev0lves into more of a post-up guard, the Lakers are evolving into more of a post-up team. Combine a healthy Andrew Bynum with a tougher Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom and then throw in a muscular enforcer like Ron Artest and the Lakers are suddenly this season’s version of Beasty Boys, a team that is going to batter you in the paint on both ends of the court with their size and length.
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Last night’s game was a reminder to the rest of the NBA why the Lakers are the champs and the team to beat for this year’s title. It was also a reminder to the out-of-touch ESPN dominated and East Coast biased sports media of which team is the best and which player is the greatest player on the planet. Wake up and smell the roses. With Kobe, the Lakers still have a chance to finish the season 81-1.
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Tom
Posted by: tomw@jbanda.com | November 07, 2009 at 11:16 AM
tomw,
While I do not agree with you, I thoroughly enjoyed your post.
Well written.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 07, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I find it to be absolutely interesting that since Thriller is a Laker, I feel incredibly protective of him.
I would totally run into the stands in Detroit to defend the guy.
But, then again, I would probably run into the stands in Detroit anyhow, if I could, because Detroit sucks.
In any case, Thriller is now a part of the Laker family. He IS purple and gold. And no no-Championship-winning-pumpkinhead-chump like Chuck Barkley can talk smack on him while I'm around.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 07, 2009 at 11:24 AM
AK/BK Brothers are just MAAAAVELLOUS!!
Thank you AK/BK brothers for doing a wonderful job of running the Laker blog show and keeping us up to date on behind the laker scene.
you brothers are just maaaavellous..
Fernando Lamas
Posted by: Fernando Lamas | November 07, 2009 at 11:24 AM
waus,
Your comments are worthless.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 07, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Kametskies,
What is up with trying to start bad blood between Mbenga and Bynum. "PJ, will you use Mbenga to humiliate Bynum?" "Uhhhh." I don't think Bynum would go down as easily as Chris Mimh. You could start some serious (bad) blood spillage with that line of questioning!
Please don't as if Farmar's play will be used to show Fisher what a guard is supposed to do : )
GOOoooOOOO LAKERS !!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | November 07, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Hello All,
haven't posted in a while, just wanted to make 2 observations:
1.) notice if you will, after the Celtics lost to Phoenix, the trolls suddenly got quiet (at least for now)....hmmm, methinks they decided to get away before we started ripping on them for a change....ON OUR BLOG!!!!
2.) as mentioned before in the article - Kobe scored 41 points.....and none of those were from 3's....the man is like Rembrandt with a basketball
well, lets see the bench step up again against NO, keep it rolling guys
Posted by: Cap's Goggles | November 07, 2009 at 11:42 AM
BK,
"I don't think my reading is based on anything particularly insider-y, other than an understanding that Shannon is a pretty popular guy among players and coaches, and that Farmar's personality has in the past grated"
Nice to see you actually complimenting a blogger (though Tomw obviously deserves the compliment) as opposed to bristling at the opinions of others.
However, your "insider" view is rather telling.
Attitude is worth its (conceptual) weight in gold.
I, personally, believe that Farmar has a limited life as a Laker, purely based upon his personality. Is Farmar talented? Of course. But there are MANY talented players in the NBA who could fulfill his role, who do not have the attitude issues Farmar has.
What I love about the Triangle is that it is a perfect system for team play. Farmar simply does not have the attitude to thrive within such a system.
Would the Triangle be ramped up by actually (FINALLY) being run by a TRUE point guard? (In my not so humble opinion) Absolutely. However, Farmar is just not that guy.
I'm a Bruin for life and Laker fan for life. Farmar is both, but he needs an essential personality adjustment to realize his talent. Right now his ego is wasting what he can do. I can see it in his body language and the way he plays. He has athleticism, intelligence, creativity... but it's all being distracted by the "fact" that it is not natural for him to put the team first.
He wants to shine more than he wants the team to shine... and that's not good.
I still remember a clip after a game when he played well and Luke Walton only got three minutes with no production and as Luke walked by Farmar made some sarcastic, arrogant comment about how Luke received no playing time. 1) As a team player, I would NEVER be capable of that. 2) If a teammate talked smack like that to me, I would shove his face in a locker and slam the door shut.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 07, 2009 at 11:42 AM
What's up with the Suns?
Also, what's going on with the Spurs?
There's a lot of things happening with this season that are unexpected.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 07, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Kobe learning the Dream Shake looks like it will pay dividens.
This is going to be an awesome season.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 07, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Am I the only one here? Why am I the only one here? Has the reptilian race of aliens finally reached the earth with the giant planetoid they're flying our way? Bad news. The end is near, one guesses.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | November 07, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Good comments by PJ on the mechanics of DJ vs Drew. Mbenga is a Ninja Master when it comes to shot blocking and rebounds. It's a skill that comes with hard work. Maybe Mbenga should take Caps role in teaching AB.
Posted by: ChicNstu | November 07, 2009 at 11:56 AM
BK/ Tom
In regards to Farmar, I thought last night was his best game of the season and best in recent memory. Played fine defense, made shots, didn't gobble up the 24 with dribbling and fruitless penetration. Interesting take as well that he is still the best option. Although I feel Brown's defense and athleticism make up for his lack of triangle intuition, it does seem like the offense slows when in the half court set and he's the lead guard. This will most likely play out until the last 1/4 of the season when Phil will start deploying his playoff rotation.
When Gasol gets back, what happen to Powell? Homie has been lighting it up! He and Mbenga are playing their way into a decent contract down the road on this team and if they want bigger minutes and money as opposed to championship potential on this team it will be waiting for them at some point, Powell getting a talent edge of DJ, but DJ seems like he's actually slowing down and letting the flow of the game come to him. Fewer fouls caused by over-aggressive D, fewer rushed shots (although his 15 foot, head back jumper is a thing to behold, no style points DJ but they go in) and Powell has his glass work game going and his jumper is falling. Plus it looks like he's developed a little mid-range hook shot. Nice.
A word on Kobe Bryant: Amazing. He really does look well-rested and fresh and looks like he's not willing to concede yearly MVPs to Le Bron yet. He just might lead the league in scoring again, although I expect that his production will decline with the return of Bynum and Gasol. But it's nice to know that he can still step it up to this level if ever it's needed. He's scoring so much more efficiently and still not getting any whistles. He threw the ball in bewteen two guys all over his arms and no whistle. He got hit on the arm on his turn-around, no whistle, someone brought out a zamboni, ran him over as he hit a fall away, no whistle. What's it take for a fellah to get to the stripe.
I loved when PJ put most of the starters in near the end of the fourth. The look in his eyes was 40 points. That's what'll out this game out of reach. Nit Lamar getting to 10 or Ron getting to 20, 40 points and this game will be chillin on ice. Just like the blood in his veins.
We are in the presence of basketball greatness, folks, I hope you all have cable.
OJ Mayo is for realsies, we should go for that young gun when his contract is up (in about three years, I think). He has a great jump shot, now he needs to learn how to get it going towards the rim, operate in the post and play NBA D. This team could be scary if AI was into it, but thankfully he's a self serving mercenary who will probably flame out in Graceland. Too bad. They've got a great young core just begging for any veteran guidance. On second thought, maybe their better off with AI pouting than teaching
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 07, 2009 at 11:56 AM
What's interesting is that Kobe is going into the post now. It's not as if he didn't have a post game before. What's different now is that, with the addition of Ron Artest, the Lakers have another reliable ball handler who can create offense with the pass, passing the ball from the outside to Kobe in the post.
And, most importantly, who can relieve Kobe from the responsibility for being the primary ball handler, protecting the ball, initiating the offense and setting up his teammates.
Derek Fisher can't do that. (Probably the only "point guard" in history who cannot properly set up a teammate with a pass.) Trevor Ariza couldn't do that. Lamar Odom---very talented, and an able passer, but his name will never appear in the same sentence as "reliable."
Without another reliable ball handler, Kobe had no choice but to stay outside most of the time. With Artest, he now has the freedom to move inside and show us the post game he has always had. (It was Scottie Pippen's ability as a primary ball handler that have MJ the freedom to play inside, and now Ron Artest gives Kobe the same freedom.)
And, somewhat ironically, I think this will give Pau Gasol the freedom to move outside and play the high post more: If his man doubles Kobe down low, Kobe can get him the ball at the foul line, where Pau is money. And if Bynum's man doubles Kobe, that's a dunk.
This Lakers team will be sooooo much better offensively than in years past. Finally, they will have a clearly defined point of attack in the post (Kobe), and everything else will flow from there, with passes inside to the other big men when their men leave them to double Kobe, and outside to the wingmen if their defenders double down.
As Artest says, they will finally have an identity, and be in a position to dictate terms to opponents.
Posted by: jimjoyce | November 07, 2009 at 12:03 PM
BK,
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Thanks for your response to tomw, whose post was really mine. I must have somehow put my work email address where my blog name should have gone. Anyway, I appreciate your taking the time to post back. We pretty much agree on the Jordan and Shannon. What they both need to do to become more valuable to the team is make better decisions. They both have talents that the team desperately needs off the bench and both could be great players off the bench if they would just play smarter.
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Tom
Posted by: tomw@jbanda.com | November 07, 2009 at 12:05 PM
JORDAN, SHANNON, AND SASHA
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I agreed with most of BK’s excellent assessment of the relative values and basketball skills of Jordan, Shannon, and Sasha. The only insight I questioned was BK’s opinion that Shannon is most likely to win the job as the first guard of the bench even though Jordan is getting more playing time. I don’t buy the concept that Phil is not playing Shannon because he wants to see what Jordan can do.
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To me, it is more logical that Jordan is getting more minutes because he is the best option to backup Fisher, who plays significantly fewer minutes than Kobe, for whom Brown is the best backup option. While there may be situations where Shannon plays point guard because of the defensive matchup, I think Jordan will get most of the backup point guard minutes because he is the better point guard.
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Maybe BK has some inside information that made him come to that conclusion because I don’t read the situation that way at all. To begin with, I think the decision of which guard comes off the bench first will depend upon whether it is Kobe or Fisher who is being replaced. The competition is to determine who will be the backup at point guard and who will be the backup at shooting guard.
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Maybe I am blinded by my long-time support for Jordan, but I still think the job of first guard off the bench to backup Fisher is his to lose, just as I think that the job of first guard off the bench to backup Kobe is Shannon’s to lose. Unfortunately, that means that Sasha Vujacic will be the man left out because he is not as good a point guard backup as Jordan or shooting guard backup as Shannon.
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What it comes down to in my mind is that the Lakers play best with a point guard to manage the floor, run the offense, control the pace, feed the post, and push the ball in transition. Right now, I think that point guard is still going to be Derek Fisher. His play making ability, clutch shooting, veteran savvy, defensive toughness, and leadership skills are a big part of why we are the NBA champions.
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What Jordan’s critics fail to appreciate is the value a true point guard can give the Lakers as a team. To think that Shannon can develop enough point guard skills at this point in his career and become the Lakers starting point guard is pure fantasy in my mind. Don’t get me wrong. I love Shannon and think he will be a valuable bench player for the Lakers for years but he is NOT a point guard.
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Triangle Offense or not, the Lakers still need a starting and backup point guard who have solid point guard skills. The issue is not whether they could win without point guards but how much better they would be with point guards. That tells me that Jordan Farmar is still the leading candidate to back up Derek Fisher at point guard. Now he just needs to go out and play well enough to win the job.
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Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 07, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Wes,
The video utterly disturbed me. A lot.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 07, 2009 at 12:18 PM
THE 81-1 BANDWAGON
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As every long-time Lakers fan knows, Kobe Bryant is one smart dude riding a championship wave that seems destined to catapult him past MJ to the ultimate goal for which is striving – to be the G.O.A.T. How smart? How about this? Not content with having just won his 4th NBA championship, I think Kobe spent his time off this summer weighing various strategies to make himself and his team better. And I think we are now starting to see the products of Kobe’s grand plan coming to fruition.
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What better way to enhance his legend and help his team win than to become a more efficient player? What better way to justify taking even more shots per game than to become a more efficient shooter? What better way to improve his field goal percentage than to move closer to the hoop by posting up? And what better way to exert dominance by scoring more points per game than LeBron and Wade?
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What we are watching is the evolution of the next G.O.A.T. While the stats will change some once Pau returns to the lineup, I still expect Kobe to average over 30 points per game. He is currently averaging 34.5 points per game and shooting over 48% from the field, the result of more shot attempts in the post and fewer from beyond the arc. Now we know why Kobe sought out Dream for low post help.
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Funny how before the season there was talk about Kobe taking fewer shots and focusing more on his defense or playmaking as those seemed to be the logical moves for a superstar player over 30-years old and considered by many to have already been passed by as the best player by a younger LeBron. In hindsight, it was probably naïve to think that Kobe’s competitive juices would give in so easily.
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We can never forget that Kobe wants to be the G.O.A.T. Nor can we forget how much he loves the game. This is not a player who is going to leave the game early. Despite the fact that very few NBA guards can play at a high level beyond their late 30’s, it would not surprise me at all to see Kobe Bryant wearing purple and gold and playing efficiently and even spectacularly at 40-years old.
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As Kobe ev0lves into more of a post-up guard, the Lakers are evolving into more of a post-up team. Combine a healthy Andrew Bynum with a tougher Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom and then throw in a muscular enforcer like Ron Artest and the Lakers are suddenly this season’s version of Beasty Boys, a team that is going to batter you in the paint on both ends of the court with their size and length.
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Last night’s game was a reminder to the rest of the NBA why the Lakers are the champs and the team to beat for this year’s title. It was also a reminder to the out-of-touch ESPN dominated and East Coast biased sports media of which team is the best and which player is the greatest player on the planet. Wake up and smell the roses. With Kobe, the Lakers still have a chance to finish the season 81-1.
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Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 07, 2009 at 12:22 PM
waus,
WTF... you should apologize to the blog by calling whoever is autistic is lunatic and should be kept on meds!!
Posted by: Kobefan in Cupertino | November 07, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Edwin - thanks for responding. I really think you have me confused with someone else. I have shown nothing but respect for your team since I started blogging on here. You won last year, you were the best team. You would have won even if we had KG. It was your year. Just like 2008 was our year, and we would have won regardless of who you had.
You need to understand 3 things:
1. I only respond when someone makes a wise crack about MY team first (Celtics are old - no they aren't ; Marquis Daniels is a dud - no, he not; lakers bench is deepest in the league - no, it isn't), or proposes a ridiculous trade like Farmar and Morrison for Hinrich. It is not the job of other teams to help the lakers.
2. As a coach, I know part of coaching is developing players. I do not like Phil Jackson, and I never have. He was given a free pass from MJ, and he has taken advantage of it. Part of coaching is developing players (does he get the job done, YES he does - he has 10 rings!), and PJ has not done this in either Chicago or LA. Bynum gets a pass, because he has yet to play a full season. When/if he does, I will retract that statement. And, just for the record, I mean players DRAFTED while PJ was Head Coach, that he developed. Think about it!!
3. I loathe hypocrisy. I can't stand it when someone "labels" all trolls as bad people, but won't even respond to them. ( I am a very nice person, who just happens to be a Celtics fan - is that possible? I am only in my third year here, and I am one of the most popular and respected teachers at my school). I can't stand it when someone tells me to "go flame" myself, then, an hour later, he is writing a prayer to "help" the lakers win. And I will continue to fight hypocrisy whenever I read it.
Edwin, I can be very reasonable, try me. But some people on here cannot take an objective, outside opinion of the lakers. I don't hate the lakers, I wish Boston and LA played in the Finals every year, it is great for basketball.
Finally, I don't really care if you respect me or not - it's my TEAM that needs respect. John Wooden (who I have met, and is my coaching IDOL) said, "we respect all opponents and fear none." Believe me, Celtics fans ( the real ones) respect the heck out of the lakers. I truly believe that the hate is from a generation ago, the Magic/Bird era (notice I didn't say Bird/Magic). There are 30 teams in the league, and it seems to me laker fans don't respect any of them. You can TRY to convince me otherwise, but some of your posts are like - "yeah, we are great, no worries here, Boston is old, Cleveland is slow....". I can assure you, on Boston.com, we follow every move the lakers make. We know you have great ownership and management - I'm just looking for a little respect for my team - say what you want about me - I know the kind of person I am!!!
Have a nice weekend!!
Posted by: Giant Green Bald Headed Lunatic | November 07, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Good Morning Everyone...
Its become very clear why Iverson had the summer he did..I cant see him lasting to much longer...His brand has been tarnished for a while...
I cant see Powell signing for 800 grand next season..I would be happy to see some Amo money get spent on him..His range seems to be expanding game by game...He will need a better deal for us to keep him..
Mbenga ....Bargain basement steal...Better shot selection would help his game a heap...
Kevin Martin from the Kings has to be one of the unluckiest players out there..I really feel for him..He seems grounded and his ego is in check and yet he gets hurt again for another 8 weeks..What a shame...
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 07, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Agreed regarding Artest and his ability to actually get the ball into Kobe/the post. Fish is okay at it. Lamar is okay at it. Artest I trust, Walton I trust - but there's not very many guys even on this Laker team that can actually make an entry pass without getting picked off. Kobe, Walton, and Artest are the best ones - it's one reason why Puke gets so much burn.
But, let's not dismiss what you're seeing here. When MJ came back from baseball, he took his game to the post and went to the fadeaway - and he was unstoppable once again. It saves the legs and it extends the career. Kobe, younger than MJ was at that time, had a little post game that was like MJ's but slightly less effective - until now. What you're seeing now has not been seen by a guard. No one person has possessed these sets of skills in one person.
Kobe was right that his game is all ripped off from the past and that there's little innovation in it. Well, not entirely true, the innovation is being able to blend it.
It would be like Miles Davis telling us that the notes aren't new. Yes, but the composition is unequaled.
Hey, I was always willing to admit that Kobe was the "most skilled" in history but not "the best" offensive player in history. My mind may soon change.
Simply put, what you're seeing this season (from preseason to now) has not been done and no one in the history of the game has embodied the skill set that Kobe now possesses. And he's only 31.
I'm wondering what will happen next season after he consults Moses Malone on how to clean the windows - or if Magic Johnson is going to turn him into a swiss army knife sharper at every blade than everyone before him...
This is mind boggling
And we're only 6 games in with a TON of upside on our team game!!!
This is going to be SICK
4-Show
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | November 07, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Jamie,
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You raised an excellent point about what will happen to Josh Powell when Drew and Pau return. While I have been a critic of Josh’s defense and toughness inside, I have always thought the guy was a great shooter. If he can expand his shooting range beyond the arc, I think Josh may earn some valuable minutes when we need instant offense off the bench. In a way, he may become what we had hoped that Vlade Radmanovic or Brian Cook would become – a dead eye outside shooter to help spread the floor and open up the inside for our post up players. No doubt, josh has a sweet stroke.
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As for DJ, what’s not to like. There is not a better backup center in the league other than Pau Gasol. Funny how the prospects of the Bench Mob changed like day to night after a big win and big bench contribution. I think it is way too early to condemn or crown our bench. Once Pau and Drew are back and Lamar is coming off the bench, then we will start to see how good or poor these guys are. One thing to keep in mind is that we do NOT need as much scoring from the bench as we did last year or the year before. The Big 3 of Kobe, Drew, and Pau are all going to average 20+ points per game, with Ron and Lamar filling in whatever area of the box score needs filling in to complement the Big 3.
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Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | November 07, 2009 at 12:46 PM
LT-
If I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have been so nice :). It'll be an interesting situation to watch for sure. In theory, Farmar should have the leg up, though Shannon's profile certainly fits with the type of guard PJ has favored in the offense over the years.
I still think you're off base on the whole Ben Howland conversation we had yesterday, though (haha).
Jon-
I agree that attitude matters, for sure, and your reading of Farmar has a lot of merit (I also agree with your appreciation of the offense- when it's run right, it's a ton of fun to watch). What I meant by that was the information I was talking about has been well reported and isn't based on knowledge I have that others who don't cover the team don't. Maybe some nuances or off the record conversations, but the nuts and bolts of it are well known.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | November 07, 2009 at 12:50 PM