Lakers Roundtable: The Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones breaks down the Lakers-Kings matchup
The only thing truly threatening the Lakers (33-13) when they host the Sacramento Kings (10-33) Friday night at Staples Center is that they meet a sub-.500 opponent just two days before their NBA Finals reunion with the Boston Celtics. They face a team they beat by double-digit margins in two previous games during the 2010-2011 regular season. And the issues surrounding the Lakers (quest to three-peat) are dramatically different than the ones for the Kings (youth, failure to execute, possibility the franchise will relocate).
This isn't exactly Game 7 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals we're going to see. Still, the teams need to play the game and there are a few storylines.
Among the highlights of my conversation with Jason Jones, the Sacramento Bee's Kings beat reporter:
--What the Kings would need to do to exploit any lack of focus from the Lakers.
--Why Sacramento has trouble closing out games.
--The team's reaction to Carl Landry's criticism of the Kings' system and personnel.
--The development of Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins.
--Whether the Kings will relocate the franchise and if Anaheim is an option.
You can follow more of Jones' work at the Sacramento Bee and on his Twitter account.
-- Mark Medina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
The real question is... are the Kings moving to Las Vegas?
I hope not. Sacramento isn't a bad town. I think the morale of that place would become Cleveland-like if the Kings left town.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | January 28, 2011 at 02:10 PM
@MM: Why did "it's the fact Jack" get banned? And, furthermore, I hope it isn't your policy to ban all trolls just for any and all anti-Laker comments. Surely our skins are not so thin.
And if they are, a lecture from Justa will toughen them right up. I know!
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | January 28, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Anaheim???
There is crazy and then there is Sacramento moving to Anaheim......
Posted by: Jerry Sloan | January 28, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Regarding KG's shoe: I said it before and I'll say it again. Boston needs this W 100000 times more than we do. My only question is "Which Lakers Team Will Show Up On Sunday"?
Posted by: utzworld - THE BANNER HOLDER | January 28, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Dude...you know!!! the one that's going to ROLLOVER with theTOWEL
Posted by: G.Money | January 28, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Dude...I think Abbotts story is spot on, regarding the BALLHOG. Man, what's up with Lakerholic and this KOOL AID? TOTAL DENIAL.
Posted by: G.Money | January 28, 2011 at 03:01 PM
The Celtics play the Lakers on my birthday! Let's hope the Lakers win!!!! January 30th!
Posted by: RamneetKB24 | January 28, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Dude...Your Birthday just turn into a NIGHTMARE....OOH the HORROR, beatdown #2.
Posted by: G.Money | January 28, 2011 at 03:05 PM
83-79,
Yes, some Laker fans will make excuses.
But its not nearly as pathetic as "Doc's" repeated insistence that his starting 5 has never been beaten in a playoff series.
That's just sad.
LOL
LA Lakers 20090-2010 Back-to-Back NBA Champions
Posted by: HBMatt | January 28, 2011 at 01:41 PM
====
Excuses for what? Being on the verge of a dynasty? I don't get it.
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | January 28, 2011 at 01:51 PM
Dude...I'll put my money on the SPIN MASTER 888, he can spin all type of CRAP.
Posted by: G.Money | January 28, 2011 at 03:11 PM
Sad how low the Kings have fallen. PJ won't even bother to insult their town.
Posted by: Tom Daniels | January 28, 2011 at 05:49 PM
The Kings moving to Anaheim makes perfect sense. I'm not sure if anyone who is stunned by this development has ever been to Sacramento, let alone Arco Arena. The market is much smaller than the OC market, has been hit hard in the recession, and the arena is horribly outdated. Personally, I think the Pond is a great place to watch hockey. I'd rather watch a game there over Staples any day. It's a much more intimate setting, and has less suites so even the upper deck seats offer a good view of the game. I don't think the Kings moving would affect the Lakers, but it would probably take a few fans away from the Clippers.
Posted by: Bill | February 20, 2011 at 01:00 AM