Caught in the Web: Lakers hope to avoid a letdown game against Indiana Pacers
Lakers practice reports
--The Orange County Register's Janis Carr features in a number of blog posts the Lakers trying to move on past their victory over Denver, Kobe Bryant's work on his jumper and injury updates to Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton.
--The Daily News' Elliott Teaford details why Coach Phil Jackson is unsure of the team's identity, Kobe Bryant's one-on-one battle with a few kids and an injury update to Sasha Vujacic.
--Lakers.com's Mike Trudell analyzed Ron Artest's good defense against Carmelo Anthony.
--The Times' Broderick Turner highlights the Lakers effort to make sure tonight's contest against Indiana isn't a letdown game, Bryant's shooting woes and injury updates to Vujacic and Walton
--The Riverside Press Enterprise's Dan Weber focuses on the Lakers playing physical against Denver, a note on Indiana and an injury update on Walton.
Blogs
--Forum Blue and Gold dissects the Lakers offense.
--Silver Screen and Roll isn't excited for this game against Indiana. Not that they should be.
NBA Rankings
--Hoopsworld's Eric Pincus.
--Fox Sports' John Galinsky.
--ESPN's John Hollinger (insider subscription required).
--Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.
--ESPN's Marc Stein.
Other Lakers stories
--NBC Los Angeles' Kurt Helin argues that the Lakers' will need to reduce their inconsistency in order to make a playoff push.
--Roland Lazenby further explains his story detailing the possibility LeBron James would join the Lakers in a post at Lakernoise.
--ESPN Los Angeles' Doug Mann presents some Lakers statistics and does some number crunching
--Sports Illustrated has a photo gallery featuring the NBA's greatest rivalries. Of course, Lakers fans know that means lots of purple and gold mixed with green.
Indiana Pacers coverage
--The Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells explains why Indiana's leading scorer Danny Granger is having a frustrating season.
--Wells also highlights Reggie Miller's wish that more fans supported the Pacers.
--Wells reports that Indiana Coach Jim O'Brien expects rookie Tyler Hansbrough won't return to the lineup this season because of an inner ear infection.
Tweet of the Day: "Just finished talking to Ron Artest.. says he doesn't change his defense for anybody.. that's just the way he plays!" -- MEavesFSWEST (Fox Sports West's Michael Eaves)
Reader Comment of the Day: "My impression so far this season is that while Artest's defense isn't as situationally impressive as Ariza's frequently was... the lockdown, preventative style he plays is much more sound. Denying position as opposed to relying on quickness to create the steal." -- another dave.
--Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Pau Gasol gets a high-five from Kobe Bryant after making a basket during the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 118-96 victory over the Pacers in January. Credit: Darron Cummings / Associated Press.
Tweet of the Day: "Just finished talking to Ron Artest.. says he doesn't change his defense for anybody.. that's just the way he plays!" -- MEavesFSWEST (Fox Sports West's Michael Eaves)
Yes, Yes I think I would say Ron has his play-off face on.
Posted by: MAMAB24 | March 02, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Yo mamba
Keep doin yo thing.. Keep on keepin on.. And add me to any artest bandwagon 24/7/365
I will live and die by artest. He is the consummate teammate. Plays hard, fierce competitor, never backs down, extremely loyal, tough as nails and is one bad ass mutha f***... I would love to share a bunkerhole in battle with a guy like that
I don't think we realize how lucky we are to get him.. He will be the key to our championship run.
Posted by: yellofever | March 02, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Hi Lakerfans - here's a lineup I'ld like to see tried out aginst weaker teams like Indiana.
The only way Farmar will grow is with minutes with the first team. Sure let Fish start the first 5 minutes, but then how about putting in Farmar?
I say play farmar at the PG with kobe at the SG. Let farmar run around, drive and dish, and distribute ball. Let Kobe take jump shots. This allows Kobe to save his increasingly banged up body. ANybodyhere think Farmar will do a worse job than Fish?
For the second squad, I suggest playing Fish for leadership and Vuyacich (after he heals) together. Maybe Fish is the way to get Bynum his touches when Pau is resting.
Fish can run the offense through bigs Vuyacich is a shot taker. Odom will have the ball a lot anyway. Again Give Kobe a rest!
Bring in shannon for an energy guy, maybe he's not ready to get his points inside the offense.
Problems? Whom is the small forward backup for Artest anyway? Why not consistently give Powell 8 minutes per game, why keep Kobe in against weaker teams?
Your views?
Posted by: taino | March 02, 2010 at 11:18 AM
@YELLOW FEVER, I meant to add you to the bandwagon when I saw your comments on one of the threads. My fault bro, early signs of senility on my part. Lol! Oh, and thanks for the props.
Mamba24(Larry)
Posted by: MAMAB24 | March 02, 2010 at 11:24 AM
yeah, i actually went back to read the lazenby article. I got as far as 'tupping.'
I think that might have been a reference to 'Othello,' so i suspect it might be a clue that the whole article was full of sound and fury, signifying nothing, and written if not by an idiot, than at least idiotically.
And can i say it again? I am sure all things being equal, of course Lebron wants to be a Laker. And I would be happy to see lebron in a lakers uni, but not at the expense of trading anybody for him. If he wants to win titles, he can come sign at the minimum, i'm sure Buss will give him a raise for the next few years. Of course, anybody who thinks that this will happen has probably never actually followed any contract negotiation in any pro sport, ever.
let's say i can count the number of players who take less money to be on a better team on one hand and still have plenty of fingers left over, and every single one of them has probably regretted it. On the other hand, i can't count the number of players who signed with a worse team because they were offered a higher contract, and i imagine a lot fewer regretted that. Rings are nice, but they don't bring so much on ebay that you give up millions just to get one.
Posted by: phred | March 02, 2010 at 11:27 AM
I hadn't noticed the Nugs lost to the Suns on Monday. I guess that wraps up home court in the West.
Posted by: Mark G | March 02, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Good Morning Charles...Good Morning Everyone...
Wesjoenixon:
"Call me crazy, but I believe that in 4 years Kevin Durant will be a Laker. I see it as clear as day. Sorry OAK."
I ain't calling you crazy, you are preaching to the choir my friend--I have been really feeling the same thing for quite a while now...Durant will wear the Purple and Gold, just in time to take over for Kobe or so...
the Dynasty will continue, as it were, seemingly...
AS ALWAYS, AS EVER, YET ANOTHER GREAT DAY (AND CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON) TO BE A LAKER FAN !!!
GO LAKERS !!!
Posted by: Floyd | March 02, 2010 at 11:33 AM
"...Durant will wear the Purple and Gold, just in time to take over for Kobe or so..."
And every single time we play the Blazers, there will be lines of people in portland waiting to throw themselves off the morrison street bridge, thinking what could have been.
Posted by: phred | March 02, 2010 at 11:43 AM
"Call me crazy, but I believe that in 4 years Kevin Durant will be a Laker. I see it as clear as day. Sorry OAK." -Floyd
I will have to agree with you on this one. It seems waaaay more likely then LeBron ending up in the Purple and Gold.
Posted by: mclyne | March 02, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Good morning Mamba24 & the FABU CRUE!!!
GAME DAY BABY - YYYEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
First thing's first - utzworld - I truly am sorry for the situation you find yourself in with your beautiful little Banner Holderette. I am hoping and praying with all my heart that she will be fine and that she will waive the Laker banner proudly for many long, fruitful years to come. My sincerest best wishes - always.
Mamba24 - is the "Hell to the NO to princess jimmy" bandwagon rolling yet? And can I please be on it????
C U all on the chat tonight!! Best wishes Laker fam bam...
GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Nothing but another title will suffice.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 02, 2010 at 12:02 PM
60 wins for Lakers cinches the West.
15 more needed.
Can reduce to 14 with win tonite vs. Pacers.
Posted by: Todd | March 02, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Taino,
your post ...
" I say play farmar at the PG with kobe at the SG. Let farmar run around, drive and dish, and distribute ball. Let Kobe take jump shots. This allows Kobe to save his increasingly banged up body. ANybodyhere think Farmar will do a worse job than Fish? "
response ...
LA Times uber Lakers writer Mike Bresnahan says Phil will play D. Fish no matter what. There is no combination of D. Fish poor play and Farmar great play that would cause Phil to play Farmar ahead of D. Fish.
Bottomline is D. Fish is Phil's guy.
Posted by: Todd | March 02, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Mamba24 - is the "Hell to the NO to princess jimmy" bandwagon rolling yet? And can I please be on it????
Posted by: justanothermambafan | March 02, 2010 at 12:02 PM
LMAO! I'll have to get it rolling later on tonight or tomorrow, got a few errands to attend to.
Mamba24
Posted by: MAMAB24 | March 02, 2010 at 12:21 PM
first off i wanna start by saying @mamba24 .. HUGE fan of ur posts, poems..etc
2nd off: LAKERS TODAY, LAKERS tomorrow, LAKERS 4ever...
3rd: KOBE AND COMPANY R GONA CRUSH THE PACERS TODAY, TODAY IS A STATEMENT GAME..esp after the lakers-nuggets showdown, SHOW THE DAMN WORLD THAT WE ARE: THE L.A WORLD CHAMPS, AND THAT THEY R NOTHIN BUT HUD RATS!
Posted by: Los Angeles Kobes | March 02, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Informative post Mark!
Here is a post that you may have missed however........It is one of the 1st articles I've seen that discusses Phil Jackson's coaching tree. When you think of legacies you can see all of the influence of guys like Pat Riley, Larry Brown, and Greg Popovich..............but Phil Jackson hasn't produced anyone. There is Kurt Rambis trying to run the triangle in Minnesota......but it hasn't done him much good as they have already lost 47 games this year and counting. Kurt may be on the road to the very same destination as Bill Cartwright, and Jimmy Cleamons.........both of whom fared miserably trying to run the triangle offense in Chicago (post MJ) and Dallas.
As this article suggest.......I guess it's hard to run the triangle without MJ or KB
check it out
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/paul_forrester/02/24/jackson.notes/index.html
Posted by: pfunk36 | March 02, 2010 at 12:31 PM
pfunk - hah i beat you to it. i had that story linked in yesterday's post
MM
Posted by: Mark Medina | March 02, 2010 at 12:35 PM
I agree w/ the Durant speculation, I asked about it several days ago on the blog in terms of what has to happen to make it work. Still don't know the answer, I think he has two years left on his contract then free agent?
Mamba-add me the Utzworld prayer bandwagon, gotta LOVE this blog-It's the people-Amen
Posted by: billy in slo | March 02, 2010 at 12:37 PM
pfunk: There is another alternative to your suggestion that "it's hard to run the triangle without MJ or KB": It may just be easy to win when you have the best player in the league and the most talented team, regardless of what system you run.
Posted by: jimjoyce | March 02, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Utz -
Prayers and Positive waves to your daughter and family.
taino - Your plan looks good to me. It gets the bench guys the important minutes they'll need to have under their belts come playoffs and takes care of the banged up guys without really endangering home court. Will it happen? Probably not.
JR
Posted by: Jolly Rancher | March 02, 2010 at 01:11 PM
phred,
It always amazes me how many folks are willing to trade the financial hardships of others for their own entertainment pleasure. It's a tough choice to be sure, but we're all willing to sacrifice for the good of the team, as long as it doesn't hit us in our wallet...
Posted by: aztronut | March 02, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Taino,
Besides, PJ having trust in Fish, another part of the story - Farmar no better than Fish as of now. And on D, he probably has along way to go. He never takes any charges, all his D it a gambling for steal. Granted, Fish getting older by the day, but Farmar did not show us a lot flashes either to get a starting gig. Even most basic skill - FT shooting, Farmar's laughable for guard 67% against Fish solid 84%. and this can be a big difference in close game. I think, no matter of the ofseason Mitch will be busy, trying to upgrade Lakers with defensive-minded PG. As we all know, Lakers did not offer an extention to Farmar and I'm sure after this season he'll be gone.
Posted by: LAL_Fan | March 02, 2010 at 02:36 PM
pfunk36,
You are signing old tune – PJ not a coach, bad coach and so on. It’s old story!!! Can you come up with something knew before I smack you with the same question which no one able to answer so far – did Kobe or MJ won anything without Phil? Before Phil? So if you afraid to tell a truth – shut up!!! Phil already in the Hall of Fame, basketball world is spoken, end of story. Rambus running triangle with whatever leftover from McHale era left, as far a I know, no big difference compare to last season without trangle.
Posted by: LAL_Fan | March 02, 2010 at 02:45 PM
First off, even though i'm a budding entrepreneur strapped for resources thus need to invest time, time and more time in my business I'm definitely blocking some time off to read up on the Denver beat down. Yup still not getting to see the games, I miss my league pass but found out espn shows 1 game a week. Yup bspn is now an ally, at least until I get my paper stacks up and go buy a big dish I can point at LA.
Secondly if you've not gotten the purple and gold kobe shoes pls go cop them. The ad doesn't lie, the shoes are so hot somethings bound to catch fire. Shout out to Nike for finally getting it right, now they just need to plaster kobe's ugly mug in more of their stores. Same goes for you NBA store in nyc. Like seriously from nyc, to chitown, to lagos nigeria they've been staring at my feet and I don't have big feet. The shoes are fire.
Anyway shout out to the blog, I haven't forgotten y'all ... just been a bit busy that's all. What I'm going to do come playoff time idk, hopefully bspn carries more of the games then. They do that and past sins might even be forgiven. Anyway let me get to munching and reading.
Thank God for internet, albeit a slow connection. So denver got punked hunhh, lol, pls o pls tell me they had their full squad show up. lmao.
24 + 16 + [3|1]7 = The Purple Tinted Golden Age
Posted by: segeboy | March 02, 2010 at 02:57 PM
Thanks to Lal_fan and Todd for their perspectives regarding Farmar. Maybe Farmar is fools gold.
You see flashes of brilliance when he drives, and even Phil says the key to BB is penetration. I just think Farmar can be our Tony Parker, if given the chance.
Its been so long since we had 2 guards that can drive and dish. But maybe you only need one. Fish must give us the intangibles and leadership that I'm not seeing (other than taking a charge).
On the other hand I should have asked Luis Scola if we should play Fish or Farmer more minutes...
Go Lakers win it for Ronron!
LO...Just bring it!
Posted by: taino | March 02, 2010 at 04:51 PM
utzworld, you and your daughter have my prayers and best wishes for a swift and full recovery.
Posted by: G in DC | March 02, 2010 at 05:24 PM