Jazz as dangerous as ever despite four-game losing streak, Lakers believe
The familiarity between the Lakers and Jazz runs so deep that L.A. guard Kobe Bryant remarked that the teams "could flip-flop jerseys and execute just as well." The familiarity runs so deep between the teams that Lakers assistant Frank Hamblen has joked that he knows Utah Coach Jerry Sloan so well he "knows what he ate for dinner." And the familiarity between the Lakers and Jazz run so deep that they're expecting anything could happen in Tuesday's game at Staples Center.
The two teams match up under circumstances that are far from usual, though. The Jazz (27-17) enter their meeting with the Lakers (32-13) on a four-game losing streak, the first time the team's gone through such a stretch since January 2009. It was only a few weeks ago that Utah stood among the top Western Conference teams, including the San Antonio Spurs (37-7), Oklahoma City (28-15), Dallas (28-25) and of course the Lakers. After going on a winless East Coast trip that included losses to sub-.500 opponents in the Washington Wizards (13-29), New Jersey Nets (12-32) and Philadelphia 76ers (18-25).
"I haven't seen those games," Bryant said. "Probably just it being a long season and everyone goes through tough stretches."
At least enough of a tough stretch for the Jazz to offer plenty of explanations on why the team has struggled, including the departures of Carlos Boozer, Wesley Mathews and Kyle Korver, team chemistry and effort. But don't consider the Lakers believing that Utah's sixth-place standing in the West means anything. Despite their 16-game home winning streak against Utah dating back to 2006, the Lakers contend that it doesn't signify any dominance against Utah.
"Most of the time it's just a game of will," Lakers guard Derek Fisher summed up.
The Lakers have plenty of reason to offer a respectful tone toward the Jazz. One, the Lakers have largely respected Utah's refusal to cave in to adversity. On Nov. 19, L.A. lost 102-96 in Utah. And they're very aware of how Dallas ended its six-game losing streak last week with a win over the Lakers, an outcome that led Coach Phil Jackson to argue, "We know [the Jazz] are capable of coming out of that real quick.
"We understand they're trying to snap out of that," Lakers forward Pau Gasol said. "They're going to be hungry and we have to be ready to play and compete. What better chance to do that against the Lakers on their home court."
-- Mark Medina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
The Lakers are just a bad matchup for Utah. The Jazz aren't overly athletic or physical, and their interior defense is mediocre. The average margin of victory over the last six regular season games (including the two in 07-08 before Pau) in LA is 15pts. No worries.
Posted by: LRob | January 24, 2011 at 03:27 PM
How are "Eric Wright's" comments allowed to post? They are just childish and have nothing intelligent whatsoever to add to this site.
Posted by: mclyne | January 24, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Kendrick Perkins will be a free agent this summer. I'm wondering how much he's worth on the market? I'm sure the C's will try to resign him if he bounces back from his injury okay.
Posted by: LRob | January 24, 2011 at 03:32 PM
@Magia32 – Regarding Nelly…I only have one question, is Drew working out in the Air Force Ones? Give me two pair…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfzsMQGqrt0&ob=av2el
@mclyne – Breaking out with Phil Lynott and those boys…sweet, but when I think of “Cold Sweat” there’s only one thing that comes to mind….(funky horns please)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvJ3cyx7MRY&feature=related
Posted by: LRob | January 24, 2011 at 03:33 PM
@ LROB...
Great question about Perkins. I am certain that Boston does not want to lose Glen Davis (also free agent this summer). Davis and Perkins make about $7 million combined. (Ironically, Shaq and Jermaine make about that much combined!) To keep both Davis and Perkins, my guess is that number would double to the $14 million range.
The cold hard facts are this... Boston's salary commitments next year to JUST THEIR FRONTCOURT could look like this...
--$21 million to Garnett (guaranteed)
--$15 million to Pierce (guaranteed)
--$ 6 million to Jermaine O'Neal (guaranteed)
--$ 1 million to Shaq (guaranteed)
--$ 1 million to Luke Harangody (guaranteed)
--$14 million to Perkins/Davis (projected)
That adds up to a whopping $58 million (way over the cap). They have an additional $25 million committed to their backcourt for next year, but that is for only THREE players. ($10-Allen, $10-Rondo, $5-Nate Robinson). So they have some difficult realities taking shape regarding how they balance their roster.
Their age and these financial realities are why I believe this is their last run at a championship with this core. And if they lose again this year, forever Doc Rivers will be able to chant at those infamous reunions in the future, "The Lakers never did beat our starting five." LOL
LakerMike
Posted by: LakerMike | January 24, 2011 at 03:51 PM
This reeks of "trap game". The Lakers seem to have a nasty habit of looking past the opponent on the floor in favor of the one waiting in the wings.
DBDH!
Posted by: Don't Blame Del Harris! | January 24, 2011 at 03:55 PM
@ LROB...
For comparison sakes, the Lakers salary commitments (guaranteed) to their frontcourt next year are about $55 million for five players (Gasol/Bynum/Odom/Artest/Walton).
Lakers salary commitments to their backcourt next year are about $35 for four players (Kobe/Fish/Blake/Brown).
LakerMike
Posted by: LakerMike | January 24, 2011 at 03:57 PM
@LakerMike,
That's why signing Jermaine this summer for 2yrs/12mil was a head scratcher. He stunk it up in the playoffs vs. BOSTONs (4pts/5eb 20%fg) I didn't hear of a lot of people clamoring to sign him, especially not for that kind of money. I know they needed someone to fill in for Perkins and it was prior to signing Shaq, but wow.
Posted by: LRob | January 24, 2011 at 04:28 PM
the road that the Celts are currently on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWtCittJyr0
Posted by: mclyne | January 24, 2011 at 04:36 PM
@ LROB...
I totally agree. When they signed Jermaine, I remember thinking how wrong I had been just a year or two earlier when I thought it might be a good idea to trade LO for Jermaine (when he was on the block with Indiana). Then when they went on to sign Shaq as well, , , WOW.
LakerMike
Posted by: LakerMike | January 24, 2011 at 04:37 PM