Caught in the Web: Lakers inspired by trip to the White House
Entering Tuesday's game against the Washington Wizards having lost two of their last three road games, the Lakers shared many reasons why their eight-game trip didn't get off to the best of starts.
The Riverside Press Enterprise's Jeff Eisenberg noted that "Kobe Bryant called it a malaise. Lamar Odom blamed it on cockiness. Phil Jackson attributed it to a lack of intensity." For all the reasons that contributed to the Lakers' poor start, there only seemed to be one reason why the Lakers responded with a 115-103 victory Tuesday over the Washington Wizards.
The Lakers played as if inspired after their White House visit Monday with President Obama, who honored the team's 2009 NBA championship season. In addition to giving players a chance to hobnob with the president, the ceremony was a nice way to break up the trip and stirred nostalgia for their championship season. That championship required teamwork, something Jackson also thought was key in Tuesday's victory.
The Lakers' opponents also deserve some credit for their Tuesday win. The Wizards (15-29) are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and are facing all types of drama this season. It's gotten to the point, says the Washington Post's Michael Wilbon, that fans show up at Verizon Center not to see the Wizards but whoever the Wizards are playing.
Nonetheless, Silver Screen and Roll gives the Lakers credit for at least playing inspired basketball and providing a good blueprint in team balance, with solid production by Bryant, Pau Gasol and the bench.
More Lakers links (after the jump)
-- Lakers backup guard Jordan Farmar blogs about his White House experience. The highlight? "As an animal lover, I just had to go play with the First Family’s dog Bo when I saw him near the Rose Garden."
-- Lakers forward Ron Artest felt so sick with the flu on Monday that he didn't even watch the White House ceremony on TV. It's probably just as well he didn't watch it. The Times' Mike Bresnahan reports that Artest had told teammates before the event that he'd feel left out since he wasn't part of last season's championship team.
--The Daily Herald's Mike McGraw reports that the Bulls have talked to the Lakers about trading Kirk Hinrich, likely for Adam Morrison and Sasha Vujacic, but he says nothing is imminent.
-- It's nearly two years since the Lakers acquired Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. NBA.com's Shaun Powell notes that Gasol's recent contract extension may have been surprising to some because of the current economy, but he says the deal really speaks to the chemistry between Gasol and Bryant. The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding says that chemistry beats any bond Bryant had with Odom.
-- Kurt Rambis will be forever remembered for his scrappy play for the Lakers during the "Showtime" era, but he reflects with the New York Times' Howard Beck about getting drafted with the New York Knicks before getting cut in training camp.Tweet of the Day: "Kobe's next visit with Obama might be on the court: 'We talked about it a little bit, over the summer playing a little pick-up basketball.' ... Not sure the leader of the free world has much of a chance against Kobe." -- Mike_Bresnahan (L.A. Times Lakers beat writer Mike Bresnahan).
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: The Lakers hit 58.7% of their shots Tuesday against the Wizards, one of their best shooting efforts this season. Kobe Bryant made eight of 15 during the 115-103 victory. Credit: Harry E. Walker / MCT
That guys my brother (Shannon Brown), did i post this on the right thread? Oh well.
Posted by: Magia32 | January 27, 2010 at 11:46 AM
I'd love to see Kobe average 8 assists for the rest of the road trip. If he does that, we come home 6-2.
Mamba24, you're on fire today.
To the rest of the Lakers Blog faithful: Damn, I love it here.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | January 27, 2010 at 11:47 AM
@KEVIN DING - Man you got mad skills. it's time the major publications recognized it. hint, hint LA Times.
@THE OUTLAW, Hey Big brother, how'd Baby Outlaw like the game last night. That is one lucky kid, born at the start of Laker Dynasty 4 with one heck of a Father. Kudo's Big Brother & one day I expect to hear: "And starting for the 30 time world Champion Los Angeles Lakers...BABY OUTLAW!!" yessssss!!
MAMBA24
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 27, 2010 at 12:04 PM
I love these quick info bites.
Thank you MM (thank you also for sharing the link on Twitter about the LandOLaker's twitter feed... I included it in my "Basket Heaven" list :)).
Hoping to be able to join you during the chat tonight (Pierce has answered me in a very efficacious and fast way, I already thank hm for that), I just want to enlighten one of the tidbits you've posted above:
" It's nearly two years since the Lakers acquired Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. NBA.com's Shaun Powell notes that Gasol's recent contract extension may have been surprising to some because of the current economy, but he says the deal really speaks to the chemistry between Gasol and Bryant. The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding says that chemistry beats any bond Bryant had with Odom. "
The other day someone was asking why Bryant yells in a very rumbling way against Pau and Lamar, but never does it against Derek or Drew.
Well, Kobe addresses so Pau and Lamar cos he CARES about them in a deep, deep way. They are his babies. The way he yells at them is actually flattering for those players (and both Lamar and Pau reckon that).
He doesn't yell at Derek cos he considers him his future coach and has for him a sort of reverence about the role and the leadership (I find that so cute and actually a further demonsttation that Kobe is a great teammate... when he finds great teammates).
About why he doesn't yell at Drew... that way... I guess it's because he intimately knows Drew would take it the wrong way. Not as a power pump, but as a power plump.
I am sure all of our future glories stay in the way the triade Kobe has created with Pau and Lamar works.
When the triade will become a quadruple bond, we will be blessed with even more that we could guess and ask ourselves for.
The day I will see Kobe yell vigorously at Drew, I will know baby's ready for greatness.
Hope to see that soon.
Have all a great gap time before game starts.
PS: I know I might be alone in there, but I am absolutely ecstatic about iPad.
I was following Steve Jobs as I was eating dinner and I couldn't even swallow food down cos I was like "Whooaaa!" all the time.
Anything that comes off from Apple is my tech wish.
And there you go... I am a hopeless geek. Complete nerd about Apple stuff. Complete.
Thank God I'm hot enough to carry it along without being tipped as a freak.
;)
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 27, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Guys - In case you were wondering, I didn't link the Greg Oden story for obvious reasons. Trying to keep it clean lol
MM
Posted by: MM | January 27, 2010 at 12:12 PM
Ops, I forgot in the previous post: @Ganapia!!!
It's three posts that I forget to thank you for sharing my Milan pain the other day.
Cute you... :)
Ronaldinho isn't definitely what he used to be but he still enjoyable to watch.
When he was in Barcelona, he was beyond any doubt the best player on Earth, and definitely one of the best players EVER gracing a field.
This year Inter is simply stronger than us and anybody else in Italian League.
I wish it weren't so, but I am objective enough to see the truth also when it hurts my heart and pride.
:)
(sorry for the no basketball and no Lakers related post... I owed this to Ganapia :))
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 27, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Zaira - Were you able to get everything fixed from Tony's end for today's chat? Let me know. Sorry it didn't work out for whatever reason yesterday.
MM
Posted by: Mark Medina | January 27, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Oh, MM... Oden.
LOL.
A dear friend of mine living in LA sent me that video and asked for *judgement*.
He's proportioned.
It's all I can say.
Nothing shocking though.
I guess with an apt PG rate and all, you could have linked it.
It's definitely a hot topic.
And with this tacky calembour, I salute you for real.
Gotta wake up again at 1 am, you know ;)
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 27, 2010 at 12:21 PM
@ Edwin Gueco, to be honest, I couldn't tell whether my post annoyed you, or you were just writing tongue in cheek. My comment was meant more as encouragement for MM than anything else. It certainly wasn't a shot at you or your comment.
Of course since I believe in not sweating the "small !@%$," I'm not that all that worried about it.
Posted by: Mark G | January 27, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Last night was another example that Pau runnin' around screens and standin' at the 3 point line is beyond his skill set.
Posted by: VMan | January 27, 2010 at 12:25 PM
What was up with the Wizzards lack of sleeves???
Am I the only one who noticed that?
One sleeve-shirts and unregistered guns is the new trend for them I see. That team cracked me up last night! LOL
Excited to see the team play tonight!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: laker_girl | January 27, 2010 at 12:27 PM
And there you go... I am a hopeless geek. Complete nerd about Apple stuff. Complete. Thank God I'm hot enough to carry it along without being tipped as a freak. ;) Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 27, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Zaira you're no geek, just a supersmart young lady. Incidently half the people on the Blog are probably secretly reading this on their IPhone or IPod Touch. So now you are not only ZairaAmaterasu Goddess of The Blog, but ZairaAmaterasu Goddess of Technology and I am one of your obediant fans my Goddess.
Mamab24
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 27, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Of course since I believe in not sweating the "small !@%$," I'm not that all that worried about it. Posted by: Mark G | January 27, 2010 at 12:24 PM
LOL well said my friend, well said. Haha!
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 27, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Read that the Bulls might want to move Henrich and take Vuya and Ammo. Is that possible? Thinking that might be a good move. What do you all think?
Posted by: DJ | January 27, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Opps, I mean Hinrich. Oh, just saw the salaries of the Bulls and if they trade Hinrich their at $31 Mil for next year. What if, and I really mean what if the Bulls signed LBJ and KB24 for $25 Mil apiece? They wouldn't be too far off the cap and would have this lineup:
PG-Rose
SG-Kobe
C- Noah
SF-Deng
PF-LBJ
YIKES!!
Posted by: DJ | January 27, 2010 at 01:03 PM
Good Afternoon Charles...Good Afternoon Everyone...
even though it was just against the Wizards amid their current slide into the abiss, it was still good to see us play fairly well and get the W, as it were...
dug the play where Pau scored on a triple team with players draped all over him...soft? I think not, and not just from that play or last night's game...
trade rumours have started in earnest around the league--makes for some tantilizing reading indeed, and though I am usually one to just wait and see what transpires instead of debating the what ifs, I will say if the Lakers can indeed pull off the Heindrich trade and get John Salmons as well I would be pretty happy...
I do feel a move is coming, but knowing Mitch it will probably be something no one has the slightest hint about...
can Mitch do it again? these next three and a half weeks will seem really long until something happens (or doesn't)...
tonite in the Indiana, a place where we have of late played pretty crappy---need to buck that trend seemingly...need energy and focus tonight men...
"everybody's laughing, everybody's happy"
"speak to me Mr. Stokes, speak to me!"
AS ALWAYS, AS EVER, YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY (AND CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON) TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | January 27, 2010 at 01:06 PM
laker_grl,
"What was up with the Wizzards lack of sleeves??? "
Think back to the Arenas-Crittenden incident.
There is obviously a lot of confusion in that locker room about the right to bare arms.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | January 27, 2010 at 01:09 PM
Read that rumor too DJ. I think that would be a good move financially, but I do not now about how that will affect us on the court. Especially since Brown and Farmar are playing better. Looks like one of them might be odd man out if we get Hinrich.
Posted by: Michael Matelyan | January 27, 2010 at 01:14 PM
nice to see ESPN get scooped by Yahoo on the Arenas story. Kinda tired of seeing ESPN being set up as the mouthpiece on stories THEN turning around and trying to gouge fans for a few more bucks, all because they promised to uphold the "positive" image for the NBA in a backroom deal... real journalists ASK REAL QUESTIONS... not fluff... including posting made up stories on hot button names to generate page views...
Posted by: Dallas Raines' Hair | January 27, 2010 at 01:33 PM
- DJ - Ammo and Sasha for Heinrich sounds too good to be true. We solve our biggest weakness at PG for peanuts. If this is a real offer, than it's a no brainer. I would imagine that the Bulls would ask for Farmar over Sasha, since Farmar's contract expires this year, and the fact that the Bulls just traded for another SG (Devin Brown). If you consider what Kobe did for Shannon and Trevor's game (bench players for most of their careers before joining the Lakers), imagine what Kobe could do for someone of Heinrich's caliber. This would be the first time Kobe would be teamed up with a real NBA starting PG since Nick Van Exel. The only issue would be the luxury tax for the next couple years, but based on the most recent financials, the team can easily afford it.
- Isn't this America? Why does Greg Oden need to apologize for sharing a private picture with his girlfriend? He didn't break any laws. The hypocrisy of the rules that our society has set are just mind boggling.
- Exhel - "bare arms" - haha
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | January 27, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Mark G:
A word of caution, Edwin is an ol timer as suggested by his every single post that he has been around the laker blog since inception. As an ol timer he demands respect and admiration from all bloggers. Didn't he scold MM earlier ? So my friend be careful as you will be subjected to same brow beating that young MM got from old timer. He carries a big whip on him...
Yuo wrote: "@ Edwin Gueco, to be honest, I couldn't tell whether my post annoyed you, or you were just writing tongue in cheek. My comment was meant more as encouragement for MM than anything else. It certainly wasn't a shot at you or your comment.
Of course since I believe in not sweating the "small !@%$," I'm not that all that worried about it."
Posted by: lakerfan | January 27, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Guys another post will be up soon.
MM
Posted by: MM | January 27, 2010 at 02:04 PM
Mark G., lakerfan,
No harm, no foul. It has nothing to do whether I'm O/T or not, that is not the point I was driving at. We pointed have some issues and it has been resolved so it ends there. However, in the case of laker fan, you often get introuble with other bloggers due to misunderstanding. You have a way of saying things that could be interpreted as mockery as experienced by Mamba24 and #4. I know it is just your way of saying it.
What I addressed to Vman and Ex has nothing to do with you because you were not posting yet during those time so you have no idea of what we are talking about. It is not newness, or the modernity of communication that we are talking about but interaction between bloggers. I can twit, share my facebook if I want to but I refuse due to personal reasons.
This is the 2nd time I will tell you, it is not about us bloggers why people come to this blog, it is because of the Lakers. I hope you refrain from using "us" to be the onus of your posts.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 27, 2010 at 02:21 PM
Laker Truth and other trade proponents,
Truth to be told, triangle as a system does not required "true" PG, so is Kobe. As long as we have Phil at the helm, we're going to run triangle and I hope run it to perfection, not when someone goes solo. They need at PG who can shoot 3s, be fast reliable defender against fast penetrating PGs, a la Parker. Do you think Hinrich fits the bill? Well, he is playing an average 31 min per game and shooting 36% from 3s. For example, Farmar shooting 37 % from 3s playing only 18 min per game. You can argue Hinrich is marginally better defender, and I'm not going argue, I have not seen Hinrich enough to pass a judgment. I know one thing for sure, he can not be so much better then Farmar to justify long term commitment in the area more than 10M per year, esp. bearing in mind in reality it's going to cost a double of this because of the penalty. Not to mention, giving away 2 expiring contracts in total of 9.5M Lakers should be able to pull much better trade, than long term commitment to Hinrich
Posted by: LAL_Fan | January 27, 2010 at 02:27 PM
The Hinrich trade does seem too good to be true, but if it were for Ammo and Jordy, then maybe the Bulls would go for it. All I know is, something needs to go down to shake off the midseason blues that the guys seem to be mired in.
Posted by: mclyne | January 27, 2010 at 02:29 PM
@ Zaira
"And there you go... I am a hopeless geek. Complete nerd about Apple stuff. Complete.
Thank God I'm hot enough to carry it along without being tipped as a freak.
;)
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 27, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Normally I wouldn't ask this question as it seems horribly sexist, but you did bring it up.
Just out of idle curiosity... How hot are you?
Posted by: Mark G | January 27, 2010 at 02:50 PM
This is the 2nd time I will tell you, it is not about us bloggers why people come to this blog, it is because of the Lakers. I hope you refrain from using "us" to be the onus of your posts. Posted by: Edwin Gueco | January 27, 2010 at 02:21 PM
BRAVO!! I second that Motion. Come on Laker Nation, a house divided against itself will not stand.
Mamba24
Posted by: MAMBA24 | January 27, 2010 at 03:25 PM
Just out of idle curiosity... How hot are you?
Posted by: Mark G | January 27, 2010 at 02:50 PM
DAMMMN!!! I'm glad you asked it and not me - although I wanted to. Lol!
Posted by: MAMBA24 | January 27, 2010 at 03:27 PM
Thank God I'm hot enough to carry it along without being tipped as a freak. Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 27, 2010 at 12:10 PM
*
Normally I wouldn't ask this question as it seems horribly sexist, but you did bring it up. Just out of idle curiosity... How hot are you? Posted by: Mark G | January 27, 2010 at 02:50 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwmgYEUr8
Posted by: SUNSHINE ON A CLOUDY DAY | January 27, 2010 at 03:36 PM
@MAMBA24
-I just couldn't help myself. The little Devil is always more convincing than the little Angel.
Posted by: Mark G | January 27, 2010 at 03:48 PM
@ Zaira "And there you go... I am a hopeless geek. Complete nerd about Apple stuff. Complete.
Thank God I'm hot enough to carry it along without being tipped as a freak.;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWPUespcblU
Posted by: RELIGHT MY FIRE | January 27, 2010 at 03:48 PM
Mark, Mamba... If you like the tall&skinny type of girl, long legs and toned, I am definitely hot.
If you like curvaceous girls, all chest&bootie prominent, then you probably wouldn't find me that spectacular.
And after all, variety is important, isn't it? I think it is one if the greatest things around.
But I am very happy of myself. Never lie about it. This is to' satisfy your curiosity: I rarely post pics online, but this one is a gift I got that I share happily cos it reminds me of a joyous day.
http://zairaamaterasu.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zaira_inflorence_jan2010.jpg
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 27, 2010 at 03:50 PM
I agree the Lkaers need a little shake up.
PG or SF will do.
Kirk or Corey Brewer will do.
Posted by: Staples 24 | January 27, 2010 at 04:06 PM
I just couldn't help myself. The little Devil is always more convincing than the little Angel. Posted by: Mark G | January 27, 2010 at 03:48 PM
ROFLMAO!!! I heard that brother Mark G!
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 27, 2010 at 04:07 PM
@ Zaira
OMG, Now I feel bad. My question was sincere, but I was also just kind of just teasing you. You def don't have to prove anything to me. Having said that I did take a peak at your picture, and yes you are hot/spectacular, both physically and intellectually. Again I apologize for my cheeky question, my only defense is that I'm a guy, and that obviously implies a certain amount of stupid behavior on my part.
Posted by: Mark G | January 27, 2010 at 04:13 PM
This is to' satisfy your curiosity: I rarely post pics online, but this one is a gift I got that I share happily cos it reminds me of a joyous day. http://zairaamaterasu.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/zaira_inflorence_jan2010.jpg Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 27, 2010 at 03:50 PM
MY GOD!!! A Goddess walks among us down here on earth. I must avert my gaze less I fear I will be blinded by thy beauty!! Now how can I concentrate on a mere Laker game after seeing the vision of a Goddess.
Mamba24
Posted by: Mamba24 | January 27, 2010 at 04:19 PM
Mark G, don't even say that.
You haven't forced me at all. I did choose to post that. Nobody ever forces me at doing things, and yes, I did see you were just teasing me.
Men are not silly. And yourt curiosity was having no disregard in it so it's all nice with me.
(and btw, the only compliments I am happy to receive are always those regarding my brain, if any. Beauty of whatever kind fades irrimediably. Brain contrariwise remains and gets - hopefully - better with time.)
:)
Mamba... oh, man... STOP it ;). There's NOTHING in me of a goddess. This even if I put in my nickname - being this pretentious person, you know - the Japanese name of the Sun's Goddess. That's me being ironic. ;) But you're always a cute gentleman. And I appreciate it a lot.
I guess next picture of me will surface not prior of 6 months.
I think one every six months is all I can take to post online.
I'm DEEPLY against the need kids of my generation have to fulfill another's life with their still shots.
Life is in motion, you know ;)
Posted by: ZairaAmaterasu | January 28, 2010 at 02:53 AM