GRIZZLIES -at- LAKERS - 3/3 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

[DancingBarry]

Searching for the Killer Instinct... You picked the wrong seat on the train. The woman next to you will not take a hint and will not stop talking. She rattles on, "I'm tired, too. Sometimes I get so tired I just can't do anything, and the next thing you know I just can't think straight. And what happens?" You don't care. You lean back and close your eyes in response. She continues on. "I tell you what happens. I start to eat and then I step on the..." Her chatter melts into the monotonous voice of the train. "Step-on-the...step-on-the...step-on-the..."

Sleep sneaks up on you quickly. "Step on the necks...step on the necks...step on the necks..." Once again, you see Little Larry O'Brien standing on yellow bricks amid a raging battle, the wounded falling at his feet. Hands reach for him and are struck down. Bold rushes are made toward him and collapse just short. Behind Larry, a large number "16" is etched in the stone of an archway. Then, there's the blood on your shirt...on your hands. It's warm.

"Step on their necks..." It's Larry inside your head. He wants you to understand something. "Step on their necks..." Whose necks? You look around the battlefield at the carnage and understand. There must be no mercy.

"Sir...sir...your phone, sir," says the chatterbox next to you. You sit up, startled and fumble for your phone. A text message: "Wake up. This is your stop."

As the train groans and screeches to a halt, you look at the blank faces around you. Who could have sent that? Doesn't seem like anyone here. If they weren't here, how would they know? You step off the train and your phone buzzes, another text message: "Locker 16." In front of you stands a bank of lockers. You quickly spot No. 16. No one is using it. You open it up.

Inside is a lone manila envelope. You open it up to find a letter, but you're more surprised by the two photographs that accompany it. They are of you. Both were taken when you were knocked unconscious at different times in the recent past. Each has the words "The Association" written in red ink. In purple ink, someone also has written a message on one. It says, "Watch your back. Don't let them sneak up on you." You stare at it for second, then unfold the letter. DancingBarry:

Three of the Four Horsemen were here. On any given night, someone in The Association can dish out a beating. Tonight, was not that night. Not for the Horsemen, not for their opponent. This battle, however, was over before it started. Both sides seemed to know it, but no one did anything about it until late in the fight... The Horsemen would not fall three straight times.

I will continue to follow them...

The Memphis Grizzlies have just three wins on the road this season. There would not be a fourth at Staples Center against the Lakers. Although the Lakers never dominated, they had leads as high as 21 points and easily snapped out of their back-to-back beatings to take the 99-89 victory.

The only buzz in the game seemed to come in the fourth quarter when the second unit took care of business with some effectiveness and style. D.J. Mbenga got in on some swats on one end and jumpers on the other. The second-unit guards played more effectively with their bigmen. The bench held their own for the most part, keeping the starters' minutes reduced.

The Lakers could have crushed this team, but struggled to pull away. "We have to develop that killer instinct," BShaw said at halftime. This seems to be the final growth for this team before the playoffs. As the last quarter of the regular season chugs along, this is what they will look to develop -- that killer instinct with consitency on both ends of the court.

The Lakers remain a hair above the Cavs and Celtics despite their recent losses. While several players were released and gobbled up by contenders, the Lakers didn't fill that empty seat on their roster. "We like what we've got," Phil said. "We don't want to change the chemistry. We've got such great chemistry on this team. We can use a big guy, but we anticipate that Andrew's going to be back and he will give us some help for the last month of the season."



Kobe -- -- It seemed like Kobe was in cruise control in this game...on the defensive end, too, sometimes. The Grizzlies looked way overmatched from the start, but we struggled to impose our will on them as a team early on. Offensively, it seemed like he could take whatever he wanted. Although our execution wasn't precise, it was good enough against a much weaker opponent. On the defensive end, while he was making some rotations, he had several breakdowns where he didn't cover for others and that lead to easy hoops. Some of our bigger defensive breakdowns came from that. The Stats: He scored 31 points on 12-23 shooting (1-5 from three, 6-6 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 fouls in 30 minutes. He was a +12. The Action: He ball-watched and gave up a three. He sealed his man, spun and scored an easy layup. He was fouled on an elbow jumper, flashing to the ball, he made both FTs. He left Mayo on help D when he didn't need to and gave up another three. He pushed out a Laker steal and hit the FT jumper. He took the outlet and hit Pau while still in the air for a dunk. He hung in the air looking to pass and swished the wing jumper. Next time down, he pulled up and drained the wing three. He dove for a loose ball, but fouled (good effort). He missed a turnaround off the glass. He missed two straight threes. He lost a layup. He attacked and went glass over his man. He drew all kinds of contact with no call and still rattled in a jumper. He missed a wing jumper. He missed a long turnaround trying to beat the shotclock. He pushed out the break and drew FTs, he made both. He cut under the hoop, took the LO pass and reversed. He had 19 points on 7-14 shooting and 2 assists. Second Half: He didn't box out his man on a switch, dunk off the miss for the Grizzlies. He sank an elbow pull-up jumper. He got backdoored for a dunk. He sank a 20-footer off the dribble. He stepped past Mayo and reverse jammed. He didn't rotate and his man hit a three. He missed a difficult turnaround chuck from the wing (had to turn more than usual in the air and balance correct). He forced up a wing jumper and missed. He drew FTs in transition (just deadly anytime the D can't get set), he made both. He missed a turnaround with a man all over him. He missed a three. He sank a 22-footer on his next attempt.

Gasol -- -- Not a real pretty game from your Western Conference Player of the Month. He wasn't very effective on the defensive boards and he missed a few around the hoop. There were a number of sequences were passes were off the mark and he couldn't get the handle for some sure hoops. His minutes were held down, although it's a shame the second unit couldn't quite maintain the big lead that they had built up. Pau could have been icing himself down, but Phil had to bring him back late in the fourth for a few minutes to help hold down a run by the Grizzlies. Still, this week should get him some good rest. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 5-13 shooting (3-6 from the line) to go with 8 boards (3 offensive), 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers and 2 fouls in 29 minutes. He was a +9. The Action: He dropped a pass from LO on the break that would have been a sure dunk. He missed off the glass with his left. He faced up and drew FTs on the jumper, he made one. He deflected a pass and it resulted in a breakaway score. Great run out on the break and he dunked off the Kobe feed. He swished a baseline jumper on the LO kickout. He missed a wing jumper. He sank an elbow jumper off the pass from Trevor. He had 7 points on 3-5 shooting, 2 boards and 2 blocks. Second Half: Quick attack down the lane off the post entry, he yelled and scored the And-1 layup, he missed the FT. He airballed a turnaround. He sealed, took the corner entry and drew FTs, he made one. He attacked down the lane and hit the runner with his left. He threw down an And-1 dunk off the Luke bounce pass, he made the FT. He missed a few tips at the rim and was upset.

Lamar -- -- Some crazy stats from Lamar in just three quarters of ball. He went into Mr. Near Triple-Double mode, but swapped out points for blocked shots. He tallied 13 boards, 8 assists and 6 swats just stuffing the stat sheet. He couldn't get his jumper to drop, but he was the key to our uptempo play. He pushes out the boards and those blocks often translate into transition opportunities. We're missing some of those halfcourt slashes off the ball that were getting him points. And, again, the FT shooting has got to improve. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-8 shooting (0-2 from three, 0-2 from the line) to go with 13 boards, 8 assists, 1 steal, 6 blocks, 1 turnover and 2 fouls. He was a +17. The Action: He missed a pull-up jumper on iso. He pulled down a board, pushed it out, went to the post and hit the jumphook. He picked up his first foul a couple minutes into the game on the offensive glass. He attacked to his left and drew FTs, he missed both. He blocked Darko twice on one sequence on help D. He bricked a jumphook with his right. He fed Luke who filled the lane on the break. He attacked in transition and kicked to Pau for the baseline jumper. He picked up his second foul at the end of the first quarter on a weak charging call. He jump passed to Kobe cutting under the hoop for the reverse. He had 2 points on 1-3 shooting, 9 boards and 6 assists. Second Half: He swatted Darko on help D. He rejected another shot by Ross in transition D. He missed a 16-footer. He missed a three. He tried to pass off the glass to Ariza on the break, no score. He missed a three.

Luke -- -- Quality game from Luke. Our defensive schemes were clicking, and he does a great job with the funnel work. An athletic guy like Gay gets his game reduced quite a bit by our wing zones. (Gay had 14 points on 6-17 shooting.) Offensively, Luke was back to knocking down jumpers and setting up teammates for easy scores. Aside from home court advantage, Luke said our other goal is "getting to a level where every night we're consistent defensively and offensively, so we can win a championship and not have ups and downs like we did last year." The Stats: He scored 10 points on 4-6 shooting (2-2 from the line) to go with 4 boards (3 offensive), 4 assists, 2 turnovers and no fouls in 25 minutes. He was a +17. The Action: He ball-faked off the drive, hung in the air as the lane cleared and scored the layup. He drained a baseline jumper in transition. He attacked and kicked to DFish for a wide open three. He airballed an elbow jumper. He scored a layup, filling the lane with LO. He posted up and drew FTs, he made both. He had 8 points on 3 assists. Second Half: He missed a reverse after spinning around Gay in the post. He scored a layup off the baseline behind the back pass from DFish. He tapped out an offensive board with a good hustle. He attacked and bounced it to Pau for the And-1 dunk.

Fisher -- -- Fish seemed to be feeling from the perimeter. We probably could have set him up some more within the offense. Most of his points came when he had to look for some quick shots in open space by himself. Defensively, he kept dribble penetration down and the PG spot wasn't an issue. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 4-5 shooting (2-2 from three, 1-1 from the line) to go with 3 assists, 2 block and 2 fouls in 27 minutes. He was a +15. The Action: He canned a long wing jumper in early offense. He drained an open corner three off the Luke drive and dish. He sank a pull-up in early offense. He missed an off-balance heatcheck. Second Half: He made a tech FT. He swished an early offense three about a step behind the line. He went behind his back to Luke who cut in front of him for a layup.

Ariza -- -- Ariza was his active self on the defensive end, deflecting passes and stripping players. We could have used him on the glass a bit more as we were giving up too many second chances during some sequences. Still, good overall game on that end. Offensively, however, he settled for a lot of jumpers and ended up shooting blanks. We're missing those garbage points he was able to get with some hustle. He's also not getting as many of those bustouts as he was earlier in the season. The Stats: He scored 1 point son 0-6 shooting (0-4 from three, 1-1 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist, 4 steals, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 23 minutes. He was a -7. The Action: He drew FTs getting out quickly on the break, he made one. He stripped Ross with a great reach when Ross spun. He airballed a reverse (should have dumped it off to Powell). Horrible lob to Farmar that went high off the glas, Farmar took it off the rebound and scored. Second Half: He couldn't finish an off-the-backboard pass from LO. He missed a sideline three. He swiped a pass on the perimeter. He missed a three. Dumb three attempt with 18 on the shotclock and a minute to go, just run clock (he missed it).

Farmar -- -- Farmar seemed to be in more control in this game. Even though he didn't put up big numbers or make spectacular plays, his effort was more effective. The second unit played to their strengths more (a lot less one on one play, more using screens, setting up others for good looks). He's still struggling to impose himself on the game, however. Defensively, the Grizzlies aren't going to put our PGs to any kind of test. Farmar played extended minutes and that helps DFish stay fresh. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-7 shooting (2-2 from the line) to go with 1 board and 2 fouls in 21 minutes. He was a -5. The Action: He worked off the pinch post and reversed for a score. He choked a layup at the front of the rim. He waited for Ariza's horrible pass to bounce off the backboard, then he scored it on the lob play set up out of a timeout. Second Half: He missed a wing jumper and a baseline jumper. He drew FTs getting handchecked 35 feet from the hoop, he made both. He worked off the screen from the wing and finger rolled in a layup. He bricked a step-through trying to beat the shotclock.

Vujacic -- -- He and Powell did a very good job working with each other. Sasha set him up off the two-man game for open jumpers, and Powell returned the favor by finding Sasha off the ball. That is so much better than both of those guys trying to create something or jack up shots with their man on them. They played to their strengths and made that second unit much more productive. Defensively, Sasha had one of those foul-prone games, but he was also actively causing turnovers, as well. More minutes like these, please. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 5-9 shooting (1-3 from three) to go with 3 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, no turnovers and 5 fouls in 18 minutes. He was a -2. The Action: He missed a wing three, long again. He worked the two-man game with Powell and set him up for a baseline jumper. He missed a wing jumper off the screens. He hit a baseline jumper. Second Half: He set up Powell for a pick and pop. Slow drive in transition and he was swatted (needs to use his body and hips better to avoid that). He scored a layup cutting off the ball on the baseline. He grabbed the Ariza airball and scored a layup. He swished the midrange pull-up jumper straight away. He gambled on a steal, missed and his man scored a three. Weak attempt from three, wide left and short. He sank an open three in transition when Pau spotted him trailing the break. Nice lob to Powell on the other side of the court in transition for the throwdown.

Powell -- -- As mentioned above, he and Sasha showed some very good chemistry in this game. Sasha set him up for three scores, and Powell also found Sasha for a score. Again, when Powell plays off of teammates and gets into space for open jumpers, that's when he's effective in the halfcourt sets. When you dump it to him to create, you're asking for trouble. He's more effective as an off-the-ball guy, hitting open jumpers, working the glass for offensive boards and scores. That's his game. The second unit needs to understand that (Powell, too) and play to their strengths. Good job in that regard tonight. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 4-8 shooting to go with 8 boards (4 offensive), 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers and no fouls in 18 minutes. He was a -7. The Action: He drained the baseline jumper off the two-man game with Sasha. Sloppy inbounds pass, turnover. He kept an offensive board alive to get us an extra possession (it led to a hoop). He grabbed an offensive board, powered up and missed. Second Half: He swished the 20-footer off the two-man game with Sasha. He hit Sasha cutting baseline for the layup. He missed a baseline jumper. He tried to create off the dribble, turnover. He dunked off the Sasha lob in transition. He was hacked with no call under the hoop. He flashed weak to strong, took the pass from Pau and scored.

Mbenga -- -- "Tonight it looked like he had a feel for the game," Phil said. The Mbeast was on the loose. He had some crazy shotblock sequences that turned into scores with the jumper on the other end. A couple of those blocks were just outstanding athleticism. Asked what his best block was, he said he couldn't pick one. The blocked lob and the rejection of Rudy Gay on iso were both sensational. Phil brought Mbenga in for a couple of stints in the first half for Pau. The Lakers kept the ship afloat without any issues, and Pau got lots of rest. He needs to be mindful of some of the cheaper fouls he picks up. The ones he picks up challenging and denying easy hoops, no problems. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 2-5 shooting to go with 2 boards, 1 steal, 3 blocks and 4 fouls in 19 minutes. He was a +1. The Action: He tapped out an offensive board off a missed FT. He was blocked on a soft layup attempt (he should have powered up and dunked that, too easy). Second Half: He swatted Ross. After getting his shot block, he hustled back in transition and swatted a lob attempt. He swished an elbow jumper at teh other end. He stole an entry pass. He rejected Gay's drive badly on some great iso D on one end, then he swished an 18-footer on the other. He deflected another inbounds pass out of a timeout to create a turnover. He missed a jumphook.

Phil -- -- Nothing like a dose of the Grizzlies to right the ship... The Lakers pushed out with a 14-0 run midway through the first quarter. A lot of transition or early offense and the Lakers had a 29-17 lead... That run ended when the Lakers gave up three offensive boards on one stand to the Grizzlies... The Lakers held the Grizzlies to 29 percent to lead 32-19 after the first quarter... The Grizzlies had 9 offensive boards after 15 minutes... Very soft on both ends by the Lakers. They missed a number of easy ones and gave up second and third chances. They impose their will and execute, they would have led by 20. Instead, they led just 52-47 at halftime. They shot 50 percent to the Grizzlies 35 percent. They gave up 11 offensive boards in the half... The Lakers won the third quarter 26-20... Phil started the Mbenga, Powell, Ariza, Sasha, Farmar lineup. The second unit went on a 10-0 run to lead 84-67... They pushed out to a 20-point lead, then had it cut in half with some weak execution on both ends. Phil had to bring back Pau who should have been icing down... We missed a good opportunity to get Brown and Morrison some minutes. Morrison was sick, anyway, and wasn't available... He's giving the team a day off tomorrow. Good call...

Game Flow -- LINK -- Lakers controlled it most of the way. Good second unit start to the fourth for a 12-2 run. They then gave up a 12-2 run.

[McSassy]

_________________
LG -- We know drama.

[Ray_Gonzoles]

Thanks for the recap DB.
_________________
"Just show up ready to work, ready to play, Have your big boy pants on, leave your diaper at home." Kobe Bryant
Anything less than a championship is a failure. Period.

[dot3]

Cheers

[Mation]

Thanks DB!

Odom was a blur out there. Some of his ball-handling skills were really on display tonight. +17 shows his worth on the court, even though he only had 2 points. Mbenga instilling fear into the layup drills that the Grizz were accustomed to in the 2nd quarter. Get that stuff outta here! Dacos in the face!

Great to see our bench with the production. Seems like once Sasha got those two layups, his outside shots felt a bit better. Hope he rides this and turns it into consistency. His chemistry with Powell is great to see. Duplicate, duplicate in the games to come.

Wow, Pau with only 29 minutes. Felt like he played more. Rest up, cause we're gonna need you next week against Portland, Houston and San Antonio all on the road.

Find your game Ariza. We need you.

[MedRomLaker]

Thanks db this win was written in stone, another one bites the dust. Dj stepped it up hopefully he can get more time and improve and become a solid contributor on the road as well.
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11/9/12 the day the brown was flushed down!!!!!!

4/30/14 the day the ant left the building!!!!!!

[Laker7]

[SoCaLjAy]

Thanks DB. I enjoyed the storyline in this write-up. It was my favorite thus far. Keep up the great work bro.

[Tanlentueux]

thanks for the recap ! So we're not getting anyone to fill in that roster spot? Crazy !

[limchrc]

Thanks, nice to get back on the win column.

[Sage_10]

Thanks DB!
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"You Must Be Willing To Give Up That Which Can Be Lost In Order To Gain That Which Cannot Be Lost." - FORTUNE COOKIE

[Texas_Pete]

Thanks DB!

LO. Dominated without scoring. Rebounds? Yeah, we knew he can do that. Run the break and dish the rock to the open man? Ditto. But his swattery was nooooiiiicccceeee tonight. Being the greedy fan that I am, with LO's wingspan and quickness - he should be able to that more often. That was KG-esque. Good stuff from LO tonight.

[prisma8slg]

thanks DB.

it was great to see our bench active tonight. hopefully that's a trend in the right direction.
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"I define success by championships, by winning..." Kobe Bryant

"I've seen it all. Sasha dunked on somebody," Kobe Bryant said. "I'm ready to retire now."

[jeremysnowIII]

DAncingbarry:

Gramps says that Trevor was advised by his doctor to be carful when attacking the basket. So Trevor has changed his game espceilly since he gets fould very hard when trying to dunk.Trevor does not get as many offensive rebounds.The Lakers do not want Trevr to be like Brain Scalabrinne who has a lot of headaches and neckaches or Steve Young who used to be a quartrback.Gramps says that the Celtics physicl play last year has gottten all teams to play morre physicla and that is why there is so many injuries.And I guess what goes around comes around and physical play has hurt the Celtics.

Can I ask you a question?Do think the physicla play is more that before?

Thank you!

[targetman]

Mbenga had a standing ovation the same day Mihm went in for his latest ankle surgery. Simple twist of fate.
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Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.

[Mr. EiGhTy-OnE]

our defense is so pathetic, we gave up the first bucket of the Marko Jaric-Lima era.
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"When (Kobe) gets you on life support, he won't give you mouth to mouth. HE PULLS THE PLUG." -stu

[mefor3]

Saw Mbenga's interview after the game....his ears look even bigger up close, really nice guy though

[Klone_dd]

The bench production was better than it has been, but it's really tough to judge because of the quality of the opponent.

JoFar did seem more subdued, less frantic. Normally, "thinking" a game rather than "reacting" is a bad thing, but you could see him kinda thinking more about getting others shots and working the offense more.

It's a good thing LO did other things because his shooting from the field and the line was MIA.

Sasha's shot looks awfully flat. He has become a better playmaker of late.

[Mr. EiGhTy-OnE]

[DancingBarry]

[DancingBarry]

[TooMuchMajicBuss]

Thanks DB!

Good to see the storyline return, another Laker win, and the long-awaited return of our second unit.

It doesn't get much better! Unless, of course, we could get a legit bit of news on Drew's recovery...