Lakers beat Bulls: Tapas for all the people!
Hamstring!
It sounds like a bad musical, but really, it was just the major running subplot for the Lakers over their first 11 games as they waited for Pau Gasol's balky hammy to heal up. Thursday night, the curtain finally rose on Gasol's '09-'10 season, and the reviews (I'm already sick of this metaphor, but it's too late to turn back) were sterling. Tony Award quality, even. (Wow, that last one made me cringe... hackneyed, thy name is me.) 24 points, 13 boards, 35 minutes as the Lakers knocked off the Bulls 108-93.
Gasol didn't expect so many minutes, or to be quite so effective, while taking advantage of an undersized Chicago frontcourt around the basket on both sides of the floor. He seemed to have plenty of polish for a guy having played less full court hoops than most rec warriors over the last six weeks.
Nor was he the only positive from Thursday's easy win. With 21 points, Kobe Bryant passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (yes, the actor) and moved into second place on the list of all-time Lakers scoring leaders, trailing only Jerry West (yes, the actor) on one of the most impressive lists in basketball, given the talent the franchise has seen (Kobe talks about it here). The box score also notes four other Lakers in double figures, including a perfect shooting night for Derek Fisher. The only real negative was a jammed right ankle for Andrew Bynum, suffered in the second half. He's listed as day-to-day, and we'll learn more about his condition today at practice.
With Gasol, the Lakers look like the Lakers, creating matchup problems all over the floor. "They have a lot of weapons. And talent," said Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro. "It's one thing to be tall, but there's also being tall and talented, and they got both. So that helps."
More Lakers news, notes, and thoughts below...
-The Gasol-laden Lakers still need to get used to each other- it's Pau's fault the Lakers have to practice today instead of having the afternoon off- writes ESPN.com's J.A. Adande. His impact was profound and varied, but as noted by Forum Blue and Gold's Zephid, it doesn't mean the team is now perfect:
"...No question that Gasol makes the Lakers a much, much better team. While Gasol’s return hides some of the Lakers numerous mistakes, he also tends to magnify some of their outstanding flaws: Bynum needs to work on his vision and passing out of the post, Kobe needs to move better off the ball and stop holding the ball on the wing, and the Lakers as a whole really need to work on their three-point shooting. Maybe Kobe needs to recover the shooting regimen he gave to Ariza and take his own advice..."
-I accept the various declarations from the LAT's Bill Plaschke about the quality of Gasol as a player and his impact/importance to the team, but totally reject the notion fans haven't noticed.
-The fifth anniversary of the Palace Brawl came and went Thursday, and naturally Ron Artest was asked about it. A few weeks back I wrote about Artest's self-awareness, a quality he has to a much higher degree than most athletes I've met. At the same time, reading his words about what happened that night, his role, and the fallout, there's a certain detachment.
One thing to note: I wasn't in the room when he spoke to the media about it, and one thing I've learned about Artest, and reading his tea leaves: It helps to be there, see his face, understand the context in which questions and answers come, and so on. More than most guys, for sure. But even if he hasn't reconciled the event with himself in a way many would prefer, I'll repeat what I've written since Artest arrived- I don't expect this sort unstable outburst to be an issue for Artest with the Lakers. His on-court fit can still be questioned, but I'm not waiting around for RA to fly off the handle.
-Via Ramona Shelburne of the Daily News, Luke Walton underwent a procedure on his back called a facet rhizotomy, the goal of which is to "shut off" the pain signals joints in the area send to the brain. Click the link, since it explains it far better than I can.
-Allen Iverson will not be playing with the Knicks. That he might land in Miami, at least according to this report, is mere rumor at this point. The Heat are denying it.
-The relationship between Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets appears to be disintegrating fast. He wants to play, the Rockets are being cautious.
-A peek into Andre Miller's Iron Man streak.
-Stan Van Gundy accepts Dwight Howard's advice to chillax. And why not smile a little? Even the Celts are conceding how good the Magic are.
-DeShawn Stevenson got inside LeBron James' head during their matchup on Wednesday. Enough that the King will plays DS's game and get a George Washington neck tat? Time will tell.
BK
Shannon Brown should Represent the Lakers in 09-10 Dunk Competition Band Wagon
Jamie Sweet - Originasticator
Jon K - Often inspired by the lucky bar stool
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 20, 2009 at 09:47 AM
What about Hamfisted Hamstring: The Untold Story of Hammy the Hamster who performs Hamlet?
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 20, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Plaschke is one of the main reasons that the Times is a fishwrap.
Posted by: fly0nwall | November 20, 2009 at 09:53 AM
PAU, PAU, PAU
so nice, gotta say it thrice
Posted by: VMan | November 20, 2009 at 10:05 AM
wow you guys are the best (lakers) my brother loves you guys like wow we have to watch it all the time when you guys are playing
Posted by: destiny | November 20, 2009 at 10:16 AM
I'm worried when do we get Luke back?
BD
Posted by: BD | November 20, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I reject the existence of Bill Plaschke.
Posted by: Imperabo | November 20, 2009 at 10:44 AM
After last night's game with Fish hitting all his shots this might be a good time for him to hang up the sneakers and call it a career.
Is Sasha still on the team?
Pau makes it look so easy and guess who really looked comfortable last night...Mr. Artest...I loved his game last night.
BD
Posted by: BD | November 20, 2009 at 10:45 AM
The game was pretty easy with Gasol back, so easy it was boring actually. I fell asleep at half time.
Posted by: magia32 | November 20, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Great win...Gasol..Like grease in a bearing these are the days of our lives.....
That jump shot from Noah is the ugliest thing on planet earth...DAMM DAMM YOU UGLY...
Time until Sasha starts complaining ...T minus 100 hours and counting..
Posted by: Thirty2 | November 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM
EMOTIONAL FANS VIEW POINT VERSUS PALYERS VIEW POINT, who do you trust?
Fans have a love hate view of the players, they tend to be biased and their opinions are based on emotions instead of real knowledge. Just like there are Drew fans and Luke haters and they just can’t seem to embrace the views of those who KNOW.
The opinions that SPAWN from peers and coaches are the ones fans should listen to. JUST KNOW KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
Kobe on Pau and Luke:
"It feels great. We have our squad now," Bryant said. "Obviously, we can't wait to get Luke back, but having Pau back is huge. We didn't miss a beat, either. We have a bunch of guys that can post. We have the advantage."
Kobe on Pau:
“Having Pau back is huge,” said Kobe. “The game is so easy for him. It’s not like he’s in Memphis where he’s getting double- and triple-teamed. We spread the floor out for him extremely well and give him the ball in positions where he can be effective quickly, and with his talent, with this squad, it’s lights out for him.”
Lamar Odum on Pau:
“He’s incredible,” added Lamar Odom, who went back to being arguably the league’s best bench player with Gasol’s return. “Incredible scorer, incredible touch, his size. The pressure he puts on the defense is incredible.”
Jordan Farmer on Pau:
“He’s really good,” said Jordan Farmar, glad to have yet another seven-foot option to feed. “Everybody knows it. He was kind of hesitant to do too much, but he did a great job. His touch is right there. He just has to get his wind back.”
Posted by: LAKERFAN | November 20, 2009 at 11:07 AM
That was a great game! I just love how Gasol anchors the team in so many different ways. It reminds me of Kareem back in the 80's. Ball flying around the perimeter, settles into the Captain's big mitts and is quickly released either in the form of a shot or of a kick out pass to an open shooter.
There were several multiple offensive rebounds in one possesssion trips (what grammar, Mr. Sweet!) that really seemed to take the steam out of the Bulls early on. My favorite was a Kobe rebound and missed turn-around followed by an Andrew board and missed put back followed by a Gasol tip-in. Awesome.
Lamar looked very Lamar-ish that behind the back wrap-around pass was just awesome. I do get worried when Artest and Odom shoot 3's better than any single guard (or all the guards combined). Artest looked great. Really active. He was a wall on one fast break where Rose (I think) was coming down the floor, Artest planted and Rose just bounced off him and fell down as Artest looked at him. Priceless.
Sasha always looks so rushed in Nationally televised games, even in garbage time. He has been pretty good this year, not great, but not detrimental, I just want to see him play well on the bigger stages. Hopefully getting his big buddy back will help him get his shooting touch back.
33% for Kobe is low, but everything else about his game was superb. I'd like to see him work off his teammates a little more, but that's so nit-picky it's barely worth mentioning.
Hopefully Andrew isn't seriously injured. That would be no good. He really needs the court time with Gasol otherwise he'll be relegated to "figure-head starter" again like he was in last year's playoffs/finals with Lamar and Gasol ruling the 4th quarter. Not what he or any of us wants unless that's the decision PJ makes. Then I'm fine with it, provided we're winning.
I started watching the 85 Finals series between Boston and the Lakers last night. I sat through all of Game 1 (what was provided which, thankfully, didn't include much of the 1st half). I hadn't seen it since I saw it as an impressionable 11 year old, but I was struck by how familiar even the cutaway shots were; I remembered everything despite my resin caked brain. Funny how I remembered the sailboat on the lake cutting to the L-train pulling up to the Garden. The announcers were pro as pro-Boston as I remember them and the Lakers looked awful. Can't wait to get game 2 on Monday. I was struck by how quickly, even in a disheartening loss and regardless of who was on the floor, the ball moved in the Lakers half court set. It would often zip around the perimeter a couple of times before moving inside and nobody ever stopped moving. But those frickin' Celtics played superb prevent and transition defense. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Another thing that I found curious was the sheer volume of open looks the Lakers would pass up to try and work the ball inside. Not like today's NBA at all. Nor was, evidently, the media policy as the Celtics as a team were allowed to blow off the media after a playoff game (unheard of today) and RObert Parish didn't speak to the media at all (behavior that would come with a hefty fine in today's NBA). This was according to the announcers. The funny thing is that a very young and nerdy looking Bill Gates was in attendance. Jack Nicholson, too.
After watching that game, I feel that the league should go back to their old illegal defense rules, it really helped the flow of the game. The warning before shooting techs was cool, too, although a smart coach could wait to employ an illegal scheme until the final minutes just to throw the opposition into a tizzy and see if the refs notice. The reason I bring this up is I counted three times we should have been called for illegal D when Bynum camped out in the key for sometimes almost an entire possession and nothing was ever called. Blame it on Vinny for not harping about it and worrying about Kobe's elbows.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | November 20, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I wish I could get this message to Luke Walton: he should ride a bicycle! It will eliminate the back problems without surgery.
The problem is that the nerves are woven through the sinew and muscles of the back -- it has NOTHING to do with the spine. When the muscles and sinew squeeze and irritate the nerve, pain results.
We evolved over hundreds of millions of years in a cheifly horizontal body orientation. We've only been walking upright for a million years or so. So problems result from upright living and activity.
Riding a bicycle puts you back to the physical orientation we mostly evolved within: the back is mostly horizontal. The work those legs. It just lets the body get back to normal, easing the stress on those nerves.
Ride a bike to and from practice. Leave the car in the garage!
Posted by: LO Fan | November 20, 2009 at 11:20 AM
- It's great to have Pau back. The team to Pau "You complete me". I don't ever want to hear nonsense that Luke is the glue for this team. As someone mentioned earlier, Pau is the glue for this team.
- This team is so frickin versatile:
- All speed lineup - Farmar, Shannon, Kobe, Artest, Lamar
- All strength lineup - Kobe, Artest, Lamar, Gasol, Bynum
- It looked like Bynum was intent on getting his points, regardless of the double teams, which led to forced shots and poor decisions. He should have been more concerned about giving up offensive boards to Noah. Once he gets more accustomed to playing alongside Gasol, his decision making should improve.
- I'm guessing that, just like last season, the main unit to finish games will include Pau and Lamar, leaving Bynum as the odd man out. Will Bynum whine like a baby or will he accept this role? We shall find out.
- Yesterday was the first time this season that Shannon was the first guard off the bench, and it happened to coincide with Gasol's return (coincidence?). I wonder if Phil did this because he thought Shannon was a better matchup for Derrick Rose, or if this is the start of a new trend. With Gasol and his playmaking skills back, Phil finally seems willing to implement his plan to reduce Fish's minutes, which means that somebody will be getting additional minutes with the first unit at PG. At least based on one game, that somebody seems to be Shannon. Hallelujah!
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | November 20, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Giant Squid,
Thank you for the links on Pau Gasol's Brazilian girl friend in several threads. By choosing a South American, a lot Spanish senoritas are surely heart broken. Well, if Pau is taken, well Baby Bynum is available or the chosen one Belgian-Congo, DJ Mbenga. hehe.
As we speak, Sasha, the machine is becoming a forgotten fixture. What happened to those staccato of shots and annoying defense? Ahh too much time for dating Maria Sharapova that's why? Sasha, get to the gym and go for 500 shots daily, train those muscles and conquer your fears from the Twilight Saga, Phil Jackson. Tune up that machine or else it will be featured in the Craigslist.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 20, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Now that is Lakers Basketball! I almost forgot how good Gasol is and how much his absence affected the team.
Posted by: Dr. Funkbot | November 20, 2009 at 11:27 AM
My 2 favorite teams Lakers and whoever is playing the Celtics.
GO MAGIC!
BD
Posted by: BD | November 20, 2009 at 11:36 AM
This is low and LakerTom may hunt me down, but Bynum is fragile. Maybe since this maybe the only moment he will be close to being all there we should trade him while we can. Bynum for Noah???
Posted by: woolridge | November 20, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Ankle last night made it moot, but the question of the season might be: With Pau, LO, and Bynum, who will be on the floor during crunch time?
First, I think most agree that both the offense and defense run much more smoothly with Pau on the floor.
So between LO and Bynum, I would say it depends on the match-ups and going bigger or smaller. Also quite frankly, it depends on LO. He's a critical part of the team and could be an All-Star, but some nights he plays like he just got a new basketball video game and hasn't quite figured out the controls yet.
"Pau, LO, or Bynum" is a problem every other team would love to have, and one of the potential big advantages of this squad is they can throw a lot of quality combinations out there to best match their opponent.
Posted by: Scott | November 20, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Bulls aren't very good. Before the Lakers go anointing Pau the Staples easy button, hopefully they remember that it was solid team defense and rebounding that got them an easy win. Artest was impressive shutting down Luol Deng, their 2nd best scorer.
Posted by: KobeMVP | November 20, 2009 at 12:17 PM
@ woolridge
The Bynum injury conversation has been a consistent topic. I wrestle with the notion all the time. It's the way that Bynum's body responds to injury that worries me.
But you have to step back this season and watch how he last's this season.
Keep in mind brotha, when healthy this team is the most indestructible force in the universe.
Posted by: Charles | November 20, 2009 at 12:20 PM
With a very comfortable lead in the fourth quarter, he comes the bench, and though we held on to must of the lead more due the Bulls ineptness, there were more bricks thrown up than at a construction site. How come this squad has One play, dribble, one pass, and throw up a long jumper. It never seems like this group has any set plays, almost like they have hardly know each other. Just give the starters a breather, and hold a big lead. Is that really too much to ask. And the female fans here, please no more posting while fixing dinner.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 20, 2009 at 12:27 PM
oh my god, it's TRUE!!! The NY Knicks still owe Utah their 1st round pick in next year's draft... UNPROTECTED!!! Oh... my... god... can you imagine if Utah wins the lotto and gets the #1 pick?
- LOL! the legacy of Isaiah Thomas continues...
Posted by: Baba ORiley | November 20, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Shannon Brown should absolutely be in the dunk competition this all-star weekend.
Absolutely.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 20, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Imperabo,
"I reject the existence of Bill Plaschke."
I, too, reject the existence of Bill Plaschke.
Do we have a bandwagon brewing here?
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 20, 2009 at 12:40 PM
BD,
"Is Sasha still on the team?"
Yeah, but you'd never know it.
I miss Luke.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 20, 2009 at 12:41 PM
woolridge,
"Bynum for Noah???"
{Grimace.}
No.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | November 20, 2009 at 12:43 PM
The best game of our season so far. We dominated in all aspects of the game.
Pau is undoubtedly our #2 man (#1 is NOT Bynum, Btw :-) ), as soon as he came into the line-up, things started falling in their place, and Lakers were back to their menacing best.
He did not show any amount of rustiness, and fit in perfectly. 9/15 FGs, no missed FTs, 13 Rebs - more than one could ask from a guy coming in after a month-long layoff.
Ron Artest has become the ideal defender?? :-) As the commentators say - "play D without fouling". Dude has played 34 min yesterday and ZERO fouls, whereas all other starters have got at least 3 fouls.
However, there are areas of improvements - one is offensive Rebs, we give a lot of those to the opposition, whoever it may be. Another is 3-pt shooting. Going to the bigs inside is good, however, say when we are catching up in a game where we are behind by 8 with a min and half to go, back-to-back 3s do a lot more damage than back-to-back 2s. So, gotta improve that - Brown, Farmar and Sasha were a combined 0-for-7 y'day. Not good :-)
Posted by: Kobefan in Cupertino | November 20, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Hobbit,
Sorry. This stuff is often hard to catch.
AK
Posted by: Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky | November 20, 2009 at 01:39 PM
woolridge,
You must be doing weed?? Bynum for Noah?? Bynum is a very good offense player, and plays decent D. Jaokim Noah is primarily a rebounder and a hustler. The guy does not have a shot (seen his ugly J??) and is a poor FT shooter.
If you say Bynum for Howard (Dwight), or Bynum for Al Horford - it would be good trades. Bynum for Noah is just plain crap!!
Posted by: Kobefan in Cupertino | November 20, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 20, 2009 at 12:27 PM with regards to women posting while preparing dinner
AK/BK,
If they can use my name to log in which is an unusual name for American standards, then nobody is safe in your blog. What's the use of asking our email address if you could not protect us, your regulars since you started this blog. You see we cannot police your blog if we are not moderating it.
What makes the post deceiving is that it was dissing female Laker fans on preparing dinner which is outright prejudice to womanhood. Fixing dinners is no longer relegated to women alone.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 20, 2009 at 05:00 PM