Caught in the Web: Read all about the Lakers' 109-107 victory over Toronto Raptors
Game stories
The Times' Mike Bresnahan highlights many of the struggles the Lakers had in a 109-107 victory Tuesday over the Toronto Raptors.
The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding details how the Lakers barely averted their fourth consecutive loss.
The Toronto Sun's Mike Ganter said the Raptors had no answer to Bryant's clutchness.
The Riverside Press Enterprise's Dan Weber notes Bryant's game winner, but indicates team's issues still remain.
The Daily News' Elliott Teaford goes through another one of Kobe Bryant's game winners.
Notebooks
The Times' Mike Bresnahan documents Bryant's increased playing time.
The Daily News' Elliott Teaford mentions how the return of reserve guard Sasha Vujacic bolster's the team's depth.
The Riverside Press Enterprise's Dan Weber notes that Vujacic is back, but is far from being fully healthy.
Sidebars
The Times' Broderick Turner explains what left Lakers forward Lamar Odom upset with Toronto.
Columns
ESPN's J.A. Adande thinks these Bryant game winners are becoming not only tiresome, but unhealthy for a team this late in the season.
The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding shows why Derek Fisher's presence is valued. His halftime speech helped the team focus.
Fox Sports' Randy Hill advises not to overreact to the Lakers' struggles.
ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin explained why hardly anyone on the Lakers was happy with the victory.
Blogs
Ball Don't Lie's Kelly Dwyer dissects the Lakers.Andy and Brian Kamenetzky from ESPN Los Angeles has game analysis and video.
Forum Blue and Gold has become accustomed to Bryant's theatrics.
NBA Playbook has a frame-by-frame analysis of Bryant's game-winning shot.
Silver Screen and Roll's DexterFishmore says it's nice to have Bryant on your team.
More Lakers links
ESPN's Scoop Jackson thinks Ron Artest should've kept his dyed hair.
Lakers Nation interviews Roland Lazenby on his new book on Jerry West.
Tweet of the Day:"Morning yall up early w/ the babies watchn Dora. Seems Lamar can’t keep my name out his mouth maby I need 2 put my sons (poopy) diaper n it" -- Matt_Barnes22 (Orlando forward Matt Barnes)
Reader Comment of the Day: "It's going to be a tough slog the next month or so. I hope the Lakers can pull out a few quality, dominating wins to change the vibe around the team. I think it is possible, just a little harder than we had hoped for." -- teamn
--Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Kobe Bryant, right, finished with 32 points, none bigger than the two he got by nailing a shot with 1.9 seconds remaining to avoid overtime with the Raptors on Tuesday night. Credit: Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times.
mamba24
so u did not sell us the real stuff? just detergent? no bleach?
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | March 10, 2010 at 10:57 AM
so u did not sell us the real stuff? just detergent? no bleach? Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | March 10, 2010 at 10:57 AM
OUCHHH, OUCHHH! Touche Sir!
Mamba24(Larry)
Posted by: mamba24 | March 10, 2010 at 11:08 AM
By the way I have just one word to say; ECHELON!
Mamba24
Posted by: mamba24 | March 10, 2010 at 11:10 AM
One more time ECHELON, http://whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/ECHELON/echelon.html
Posted by: mamba24 | March 10, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Dear Matt Barnes
----
You are not a thug. We know real thugs. We have endured real thugs. 3 years from now when Kobe gets his 7th ring & you are playing on your umpteenth NBA team, no one will remember you. Least of all Lamar Odom.
----
Love,
The Good People of Laker Nation
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | March 10, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Mamba24,
you wrote: One other thing I don't know what kind of office you work in but if that is how your's is setup I suggest they fire the CIO.
my response: We'll that's an interesting stance. Cisco & Juniper certainly
disagree with you. As does just about every security personnel I've ever come across. As does Kaiser, as does Comcast, but Hey. By all means, use public
IP addresses on all of your office pc's.
Posted by: hobbitmage | March 10, 2010 at 12:08 PM
mamba24
Curry (The Last Season) was indoctrinated in Colorado. too much turmeric in his food. cuts down the sugar level and he can't have his sugar rush even when Kobe hits 11-20 and saves the TEAM/TOUCHES from a disaster (4 games loosing streak) with a buzzer beater.
next screen name from a different IP should be Cinnamon. same effect on the sugar level, same NO-enthusiasm for the Lakers. did i mentioned that Kobe is the Lakers. and some props to fill up the roster. mandatory to qualify as a team in the NBA.
some of these posters have to have very sad life. starts around 10:30 PM once the Sports-Center repeats every 30 minutes the same shot. and they also have specials to show all the shots during this season. sleepless nights. medication. bad day at the office or on the couch (ouchhhhhh that's bad because sports-center continues to re-play the shot/s). no more arguments on the blog. bringing up Colorado and outdated books. they can't chew gum because Kobe does. and they can't imitate Kobe.
and the Beat goes on. but so does the shots. another buzzer beater or game winner. rinse and repeat? no they can't. because they can't flush. and the effect of constipation takes over. properly and figuratively.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | March 10, 2010 at 12:10 PM
I was at the game last night and...WOW. I wound up writing about it on lakeshowlife.com if anyone cares to check it out.
What a game of ups and downs!
Posted by: Ryan Kane | March 10, 2010 at 12:12 PM
Seriously...it's time to start whipping @$$e$.
----------
It's time for Andrew to man up every night. It's time for Pau to stop whining and start TAKING HIS GAME. It's time for Lamar to channel that anger about trash talking to the court. It's time for Ron to remind the NBA why he's Ron. It's time for this team to rise up to the level we know is in them...
--------
...otherwise, it's a few more weeks of Kobeball before a 2nd round exit.
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | March 10, 2010 at 12:18 PM
That's the same way I feel Lamar. I'm telling you every team gets up to play the Lakers. They act like it's the playoffs when we're on the other side.
Matt Barnes,
You weren't even that good in UCLA.
Posted by: never | March 10, 2010 at 12:24 PM
***AN OPEN LETTER TO PHIL JACKSON***
I actually think you should re-assess this "pecking order", and assign Bynum to the number 2 slot, with Pau being number 3.
A true in and out game involves the center, not the power forward. If we can replicate the system we had with Shaq, and utilize Pau as more of a Dirk Nowinsky type of PF, whereas he can operate on the perimeter of the key and either take the 10-12 footer, or drive in, then this would accomplish many things.
First, it unclogs the key, so Bynum could have his own territory in there. Running the offense through him will bolster his confidence, and likely, his effectiveness.
Second, if Bynum is effective, teams would have to collapse in the key, which could free up Pau for the short range game, as well as Fisher/Farmar for the perimeter game.
In addition, Pau can be relieved from having to play a more physical game, which should take the mental pressure off of him, get him to relax more, and propel him to play the game he is capable of playing.
Lastly, we can use Kobe as the filler and the killer.
Posted by: troy | March 10, 2010 at 01:14 PM
troy,
Less than 2 months ago you were talking about how bad Bynum is now you talk about he's already the 2nd option just because he put up good numbers against a softie like Bargnani while Pau had to play more in the perimeter and against the more physical Chris Bosh.
Bynum was no where in the Orlando Game and Pau did the better job against Dwight. And besides Pau is not Dirk Nowitzki. He does not share Nowitzki's range or shooting ability. He's either a spot up shooter in Euroleague but does much better in the post. Pau is not like that. And it's not like he played totally soft...he got to the line 11 times! Though he did make bad bad decisions like on the screen and rolls.
Bynum played a wonderful offensive game against a big man he SHOULD have put good points against (anything else would have been a disappointment). Guess you forget the 1-5 against Orlando or even the 3-9 shooting from him huh?
And if you think Bynum can be the caliber of Shaq in the post what have you been smoking??
Posted by: KB Blitz | March 10, 2010 at 01:30 PM
Funny, it wasn't too long ago on the blog it was bash Bynum, trade Bynum, baby Bynum, lazy Bynum, no D Bynum, we can't win with Bynum.
Now on the blog, just substitute the name Gasol in place of Bynum. I have a feeling Laker Tom is going to be proven correct at some point and a whole lot of bloggers are going to owe him a major apology.
Maybe this years playoffs will belong to Bynum, wouldn't that just be a sight to behold.
Drew as MVP of the Finals.
Well, one of these years.
Posted by: Art -FL Laker Fan | March 10, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Well Art and Blitz, the blog is flip flopping with the Laker players inconsistency. Posters expressed what they see and ride along with it. If we try to gauge this team compared to past Laker Championship team, I'd say they are on the middle. There are lot of holes to patch up and we don't know whether PJ is doing this intentionally to deceive the scouts. There is a game strategy and season perception too, if they bloom to early and show what they are capable of, other teams would prepare their horses based on those match up. Because of the Laker showing, Nuggets and Mav's are confident of their chances. Cleveland becomes heavily favorites in the East for early coronation. At this moment, Lakers are playing not to lose in a lazy manner.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 10, 2010 at 02:44 PM
KB,
No, I am not being inconsistent here. My question to you, who should be our number 2 option? Pau Gasol? He's been the number 2 all year, and what has he accomplished? Derek Fisher? Has he shot better than 50% in any game this year? Ron Artest? He's our defensive specialist.
We have to have a number 2 on this team, and while Bynum isn't my top pick, he's a more viable option than the mentally weak Pau Gasol.
Posted by: troy | March 10, 2010 at 03:26 PM
Again, who would you guys have as your number 2 option? Most of you don't want Kobe shooting 30+ shots, okay, so who's our number 2 option? Pau Gasol? Name 3 games when Pau was a factor down the stretch in a close game. Name one game since Pau has been in LA where he's won a game?
Pau Gasol cannot be our number 2 option. At least Bynum has the guts to shoot the ball, where as Pau can't even do that.
In my opinion, we'd be better by shipping both Bynum and Pau out of Los Angeles, but since that isn't realistic, I'd say Pau had his chance at being our number 2, and blew it. Time for Bynum to rise up in the pecking order.
Posted by: troy | March 10, 2010 at 03:29 PM
Troy and Blitz,
If we are playing team ball there should be no No. 1 or 2 gunners, who ever is open should be the gunner. Unfortunately, we saw a lot of Laker bricks yesterday from all sides and they are wide open shots. It is really very demoralizing if you're a fan with high expectations. Bynum and Pau are playing one-on-one Kobe imitations, they are all in hurry to take those shots. They are in a hurry to solve their problems in so doing, it introduces another problems, loses the ball and slow in transitional defense.
Artest and Brown are going for perimeter shooting instead of going inside. Suddenly, the Lakers are totally at a lost, no play in sight, no team work and everybody depending on Kobe. Kobe is passing the ball to them but they are afraid to make shots so they give back the ball before the time expires. What can you expect from a hurried shot?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 10, 2010 at 03:53 PM
Well Art and Blitz, the blog is flip flopping with the Laker players inconsistency. Posters expressed what they see and ride along with it. If we try to gauge this team compared to past Laker Championship team, I'd say they are on the middle. There are lot of holes to patch up and we don't know whether PJ is doing this intentionally to deceive the scouts. There is a game strategy and season perception too, if they bloom to early and show what they are capable of, other teams would prepare their horses based on those match up. Because of the Laker showing, Nuggets and Mav's are confident of their chances. Cleveland becomes heavily favorites in the East for early coronation. At this moment, Lakers are playing not to lose in a lazy manner.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 10, 2010 at 02:44 PM
Edwin,
Yes, I know, flip flopping indeed.
Agree with the rest.
About that "playing not to lose", excellent point, but a bad strategy.
It just won't work.
Remember when Portland tried that in the 4th quarter, game 7, up by 15?
Posted by: Art -FL Laker Fan | March 10, 2010 at 04:02 PM
Look at Jordan's face. Looks like that kid that just saw something he still can't believe...
Yeah little J, it's the Mamba!
Posted by: Magic Phil | March 10, 2010 at 04:58 PM
"Our disposition as a team gives like some of these dudes, they feel like they have the right," Odom said about the Raptors. "The way we're playing as a unit, they got dudes on their team that are talking …. They are like .500.
"But our aura comes off like ‘soft'. This was the second game I almost got thrown out. So I see one coming. I'm just going to take one, like, ‘hold up?' Our energy, we are so laid back right now that these teams are like…
"That … that [Orlando's] Matt Barnes pulled, that ain't never going to happen again," Odom said. "He's lucky it was a close game."
anyone else think this is beautiful?
Posted by: raw | March 10, 2010 at 05:06 PM
utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER,
Dude, it is ALWAYS a pleasure to see you here.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 10, 2010 at 08:24 PM