Caught in the Web: Lakers take care of business against Sacramento
Game Stories
--The Times' Mike Bresnahan says he thinks the Lakers started out against Sacramento like they did against Golden State. This time, however, the Lakers didn't keep it close, finishing with a 106-99 victory over the Kings.
--The Sacramento Bee's Sam Amick notices the Lakers' outworking the Kings, even late in the game.
--The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding highlights how the Lakers managed to overcome a blown lead in the second quarter.
--The Daily News' Elliott Teaford says the Lakers got back on the right track with their win against Sacramento.
Notebooks
--The Times' Broderick Turner details how reserve guard Sasha Vujacic has been taking advantage of his playing time.
--Bresnahan and Turner note that Vujacic's increased playing time has come at the expense of Jordan Farmar's minutes.
--Considering the Lakers' 20-13 road record, Coach Phil Jackson acknowledges to Teaford that he doesn't know how the team would do in the playoffs without home-court advantage.
Columns
--Ding says Andrew Bynum's resurgence partly has to do with Derek Fisher's inspired halftime speech before an eventual win against the Toronto Raptors.
--NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper details why the Lakers feel it's not possible they'll lose the top spot in the Western Conference.
--The Sacramento Bee's Ailine Voisin explains why the Kings miss Lakers forward Ron Artest.
Blogs
--In the Times' Fabulous Forum blog, Ted Green worries that the Lakers lack the hunger to repeat as champions.
--Ball Don't Lie's Kelly Dwyer argues that Kobe Bryant still didn't feed the post enough against the Kings.
--ESPN Los Angeles' Andy Kamenetzky shows how the Lakers' reserves bounced back from a bad second quarter.
--Forum Blue and Gold documents how the Lakers' frontline imposed their will against Sacramento.
--Yeah, regarding the Lakers' inside presence? Sactown Royalty says the Kings didn't do enough to stop it.
--Silver Screen and Roll says the Lakers got just what they needed in their game against the Kings.
--Lakers.com's Mike Trudell has a running diary of all the action in the Lakers-Kings game.
More Lakers links
--Roland Lazenby at LakerNoise has more details on what it would take for LeBron James to go to the Lakers.
--Trudell has a very entertaining Q&A with D.J. Mbenga.
Tweet of the Day: "Late landing It's all good Day off tomorrow I'm sleeping all day." -- RONARTESTCOM (Ron Artest).
Reader Comment of the Day: "The wins will come if the Lakers execute correctly, this is a team that has experience and some veterans, so they just need to be healthy, somewhat rested and clicking come playoff time." -- CyberCosmiX
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Phil Jackson talks to a referee during Tuesday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Credit: Cary Edmondson / US Presswire
Here's what I like to see:
"I love playing point guard," Vujacic said. "I always say I can play different kinds of positions and I can switch it up. I've been in the triangle offense for a very long time and I know how to organize it. I don't look to score as much. I just want to win."
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-web-20100318,0,1287523.story
Looks like the collective sense of urgency is starting to build. If we can get Jordan on track...
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | March 17, 2010 at 10:36 AM
M/M, running the blog does not also mean chasing you from thread to thread. Your blogspeed is in Prius mode which is unflappable and unstoppable. (j/k only before you get confused again on my mixed-ups)
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 17, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Edwin - Don't worry this Prius doesn't have a problem with the accelerator. For your planning purposes, I'll probably have another post up in about 10 minutes lol j/k. Probably around 1
MM
Posted by: Mark Medina | March 17, 2010 at 10:43 AM
I think Roland Lazenby's chatters are speaking volume on the intention of James on being the heir of Kobe's fortress. Some people see it as a conflict in James coming the LA. That has been traditions of the Lakers the congregation of multiple stars. Lakers had that scenario since the sixties Baylor, West and Wilt. It happened again in the 80's Kareem, Magic and Worthy. In 1995, Kobe and Shaq came to the Lakers. There is always room for all stars in LA.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 17, 2010 at 10:50 AM
MM: Thanks for the reader comment of the day. Could it be great minds thinking alike? I would say that but would come across as pompous, so I'll strike it up to a simple coincidence. =)
BTW this souped-up Prius is on a GPS course towards its destination, it's not getting off at every sideshow and carnival on the way...
Posted by: CyberCosmiX | March 17, 2010 at 11:06 AM
CyberCosmix - You're welcome man. You earned it. It was an insightful comment.
MM
Posted by: Mark Medina | March 17, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Caliphilosopher,
I agree, I like seeing that from Vujacic as well. I'm also recalling what Phil said at the beginning of the season. The point guard position is not going to be resolved. As much as people want see this resolved, its not going to happen.
The best that we can hope for is that each of them is healthy and ready to play when called upon. All are worthy of playing and basically its up to Phil to decide what the best way to match up would be.
Posted by: #4 | March 17, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Ok, I mentioned before that I do not want LBJ to be a Laker. I have soften my stance on this issue, I will not mind LBJ joining the Lakers but not in the expense of Kobe. I know you will say LBJ >Kobe, age and whatnot. Kobe has earned the respect of Lakers and to give him up for LBJ is not good. Who knows I may like LBJ afterall once he becomes a Laker. I can't believe I said that.Please forgive me justa and Mamba24.
Posted by: Jeanette | March 17, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Roland Lazenby mentions his informed source says LeBron would only come to the Lakers if they both didn't make it to the Finals this year.
THat makes an odd kind of sense and that is not going to happen. Fun speculation though.
Posted by: VMan | March 17, 2010 at 12:01 PM
WUTTUP CRUE!!
I hate off days. HATE 'em... reminds me too much of the black hole that is the off season. BUT - the good news is there's an upcoming game on Friday, so I'll hold off on falling on my spork for now. Although my liquor stash may be somewhat depleted by then.... no promises.
Who's the idiot complaining about the format of the live chat and wants to edit who talks to who about what and for how long??? Seriously - there are a LOT of "people" out there who really need to get a life. I almost feel sorry for them.... ALMOST but not quite.
Have a great day Laker fam... we're rounding into form now!! Can you see it??? Can you feel it??? Can you smell it???? LOL - smells like a repeat if you ask me!!
GO LAKERS!!
Nothing but another title will suffice.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 17, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Jeanette -
No - I'm sorry. That is BLASPHEMY!!!!! Say 10 Hail Kobe's and 10 Our Phil's. REPENT in sackcloth and ashes.
DO IT NOW BEFORE IT"S TOO LATE!!!!!!!
Seriously - Mamba24 - can we PLEASE get the "Hell to the No to Princess Jimmy" bandwagon up and running again?????
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 17, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Hey Todd,
Care to back your evidence Farmar WILL become a future All-Star? I seriously doubt Farmar would win as much games as the Timberwolves are with Johnny Flynn if he was the starter. As I proved in my posts Farmar hasn't *consistently* proved to be starter material. You are just denying yourself this. I think you need help.
You also wrote about how Kobe did not win without Gasol. When did Shaq win most of his titles? With Kobe. Did Michael win without Pippen? Did Kareem win without Magic/Oscar? Did West win without Wilt? Stop being a revisionist just because you hate Kobe. This isn't ancient Egypt.
Posted by: KB Blitz | March 17, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Justa,
Why would we ever say no to LeBron? Doesn't make sense my man. We would say yes to LeBron were the question ever to be proposed, which it never will. But the answer is yes. Yes now, yes forever. That's like saying, "no, I don't need the calvary to stop the Comanche from burning my settlement." Of course we take on LeBron if he wants to come here. The team is bigger than any player. If LeBron wants to be a Laker, I see only crazy reasons for saying no to him.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | March 17, 2010 at 12:24 PM
blitz - you, my man, are on a Scourge the Troll ROLL!!!
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 17, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Fisher is basically a back-up now having to play starting minutes. This requires him to play against first rate guards in the league and even in his prime wasn't a 1st rate defender and after not being on the Lakers was a backup in Golden State and Utah. Both Shannon and Farmar in has not played well enough consistently to take the starting job. And Phil has played Farmar more minutes especially when Farmar played better so you can't make the argument that Farmar isn't getting minutes from Phil (well at the moment Sasha is stealing his time). When he had a hot hand and great energy Phil always left him there instead of Fish. In fact before Shannon came last year even when Jordan struggled for a few games Phil left him there to try to regain his confidence and failed big time thus making Shannon into the PG role. So no excuses for Jordan especially those who want to pick on Kobe and Fish more. Simply put Jordan hasn't played well consistently and for those who don't recognize that you don't know the games and have a strong bias against Fisher and Kobe.
And as far as Bynum goes, the jury is still out. He has been playing very good lately though I want to see his performance against Denver. The physical play is getting better. His defense is improving, just slightly especially on coming out to help and hedging (recovering still is a work in progress). If he can be a consistently good defensive player, enough to be considered a true defensive anchor down low, and then learn how to pass out of the post (or dunk the ball when he's close enough), he'll be earning his massive contract.
Posted by: KB Blitz | March 17, 2010 at 12:27 PM
il join the no LBJ bandwagon please Mamba24.LBJ is so ugly,would you like a monkey wearing a Lakers jersey please God no.Were in Holywood and our players are good looking.
Posted by: Adrian Palomar | March 17, 2010 at 12:28 PM
wes - i can't stand princess jimmy. The arrogance. The narcissism. Everything about her approach to the game just really pisses me off. She is the complete opposite of not only Kobe Bryant, but every single great Laker. IF she ever became a Laker, I really would fall on my spork. Seriously. That's why I am so very happy that it will never happen.
We can agree to disagree - no worries mate.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 17, 2010 at 12:29 PM
There is a saying: "Don't count your chickens until they are hatched". In the case of all these LeBron-to-the-Lakers chatter, the hen has not even met the rooster.
Posted by: The Snake | March 17, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Justa,
I already did that before I post :-) just like you I don't like LBJ. I don't hate him though. FORGIVE ME PLEASE.
Posted by: Jeanette | March 17, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Roland,
Thanks for adding momentum to the LBJ to LA bandwagon. Hopefully Mitch, Kobe and Buss can work together to make this dream into reality.
LBJ does have the utmost respect for Kobe, and I can see the two of them doing a very fine MJ-Pippen impersonation. Add Pau to the mix and you have a surefire dynasty.
Posted by: EJK | March 17, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Hey guys we got a new post up
MM
Posted by: Mark Medina | March 17, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Justa,
I with you brother. If there's a bandwagon for no Princess Jimmy on the Lakers put me on it. For all the reasons justamambafan stated and more.
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | March 17, 2010 at 01:10 PM
Justa,
Your reasons are also my reasons of not liking LBJ but if he will change his ways and humble himself then why not? Until that happens I cannot and will not cheer for him even if he becomes a Laker. I will stop being a Laker fan when I cannot cheer for their best player. The same reason why I am wondering why these so called Laker fans are still cheering for the Lakers when they hate Kobe so much. I will take a semi-retirement of my being Lakerholics. I need intervention when that happens, LOL
Posted by: Jeanette | March 17, 2010 at 01:12 PM
Sasha's ballhandling is way better than Shannon and maybe even Jordan's too. I said before under a previous blog heading, we get Sasha back, he provides energy and he plays more of a controlled game in terms of setting up the offense and such..I cannot believe I said Sasha and control in the same sentence, sayitaintso!! lol but its true...
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 17, 2010 at 01:14 PM
Looks like Phil recognizes that Sasha could play a very valuable role for us in the playoffs. Good thinking. I liked the lineup of Sasha, Kobe, Ron, LO and Pau on the floor. It gives us size and good defense.
As Fish, Farmar and Shannon continue to struggle with their shots, I see plenty of opportunities for Sasha to step up.
Posted by: EJK | March 17, 2010 at 01:17 PM
@ Adrian -- LeBron = MONKEY..NOT COOL!! I am African American and i will tell you that's not a very cool thing to write....even though Lamar called what his face that the other day -- the context was way diff -- I am usually not the sensitive type but as i am skimming through entries I came upon yours and it def stuck out..I'm just saying...Be mindful others may take offense more than I have..
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 17, 2010 at 01:18 PM
All the LeBron talk has me scratching my head. How could the Lakers possibly clear enough cap room to sign him? Answer: they can't. The only theoretical way would be through a sign and trade and we all know the Cavs wouldn't do it. So why does this keep coming up?
Posted by: dave m | March 17, 2010 at 04:14 PM
Hey MM,
thanks for the link to the Trudell interview w/ DJ 'Cash Congo' Mbenga. Enjoyed learning a little bit about his personal life and background. It's funny that he's 'automatic' from the field during practices. Would luv to see him and Josh get a few more minutes of PT. Maybe they'll get a chance to play some in these next 2 games if we can build and maintain a big lead.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: G in DC | March 17, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Hey Mamba, please, by all means add me to the "Hell to the No to Princess Jimmy" bandwagon.
The guy's to immature and classless to don a purple and gold jersey. The mere thought of it digusts and sickens me.
Posted by: G in DC | March 18, 2010 at 06:27 PM