BUCKS -at- LAKERS - 1/11 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

[froesel]

DB you are the best. I read your commentary and it was like I was at the game last nite. Regardless what I do, LG and DB is first on my list after a game.

Many thanks DB.
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Win or lose, for better or worse, always a Laker fan.

[20,000]

[oldschool32]

[JM]

[Rick12322]

Good work DB.

I suspected D-Fish was due for cold shooting hand. I'm glad Phil let Farmar finish the game. That's called, "knowing when to hold them," and knowing when to fold them."

Kobe had a great game, maybe we should hope he gets sick during the playoffs. I liked how he played in the second half, he mixed it up well.

I thought it was funny after Kwame made a brilliant move to the basket and missed when Stu said: "that was a million dollar move and a nickel finish." I like seeing Kwame loose, but man, when your that close to the basket with that much time, and your name is Kwame Brown, you've got slam it! If we really want to get to the next level we've got to be mentally tougher around the rim, too many missed layups.

We've got two starters each with the same two bad habits: Luke Walton and LO. Both of these guys have confidence issues with their outside shooting, and each of them consistently have moments where they'll pass up an open jumper, dribble into traffic and either commit a charge, turn the ball over, or get a shot blocked or pass to someone who isn't open. Somebody on the coaching staff needs to pound this point home to them. Maybe Phil should pin a note on their jersey's during practice, to remind them. They need to demonstrate they can learn from their mistakes. If their shot is really that suspect then they should get their lazy butts in the gym and work on it until it's automatic.

Kwame use to be our best help defender, but now it's AB by a landslide. He uses his freakishly long arms well.

Crittenton is trying too hard. The first thing he needs to do is to stop worrying about whether he gets any minutes or not. Take that pressure away and that will be one giant step forward in his development.

I was looking forward to payback this game, I wanted AB to pay back Andrew Bogut for the last game. I could of never imagined he would have come back this strong, this fast.

If Luke and LO ever learn how to break that bad habit they have, and if we get tougher around the rim, that will improve our defense as those mistakes by them generally lead to easy fast break points for the opposition. Breaking those bad habits and getting competent with the jumper will move us up another notch toward elite status, IMO.

[prisma8slg]

Thanks DB. who needs a big 3 when you have a 1-2 punch? especially one that can survive poor shooting nights from Lamar and Fish?
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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."

[targetman]

I actually was pleased with what LO was doing, for the most part. His shot wasn't falling (okay, his layup wasn't falling) but he was cleaning up on the glass and got some nice put backs and hustle plays.

Farmar cannot be shooting 65% at the FT line. If he is a gym rat then he needs to live at the line until he cleans that up.

Bynum was a monster. Take a look at the Bucks game threads and see how they compare their #1 pick in that draft to our 20 year old. Last night a poster there wondered if the Bucks had put as much patience, coaching, mentoring, and instruction into Bogut as we put into Bynum these past years if they would have seen the huge leap that we have. My guess is no. Whoever saw the potential in this kid to be what he is promising today needs to be appreciated for his eye for talent. I know Jim Buss was one of them but certainly others on the Lakers staff agreed to put the resources toward his development.

Was anyone else getting annoyed with Van Gundy implying that Kobe wasn't sick? Kobe's eyes looked crummy and he was sweating up a storm very early in the game. To be a commentator you should at least try to hide your disdain. Between him and the game thread on these boards it was hard to enjoy the game. Finally went back to Stu and Joel, who enjoyed what they watched.

Can someone make a sticky of Ariza's "spark of the game" moments? I swear he is providing something to talk about everytime he plays. LOVE that trade!
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Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.

[Tanlentueux]

[WSU WILLIE]

Living here in Ohio, it's tough to see the Lakers live...but your recaps are GREAT!

Just wanted to say THANKS!

30 posts in nearly 6 years and 2 of them today...oh well.

[Mr. EiGhTy-OnE]

why does john ireland and patrick oneil love interviewing L.O. before/after the game? am I the only one that feels uncomfortable watching those interviews? he sways back and forth, never looks at the camera or the reporter and just spews a bunch of cliches. he always seems like a guy on edge when being interviewed. Columbine L.O.
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"When (Kobe) gets you on life support, he won't give you mouth to mouth. HE PULLS THE PLUG." -stu

[toogyc]

db - i've been reading lg.net for a long time now and thanks on all your post game analysis.

this performance by bynum gives laker fans something to be more excited about his game. he mixed up his arsenal. the spin move was very shaqqy. it looks like he elevated his game a bit more.

[DancingBarry]

Thanks, toogyc (post more!). Sure looks like he's elevated his game. One of the more impressive things to me of late has been his working for low position. He seems to be coming weak to strong a little more and he's planting himself in front of the rim and making himself a target for the ball. Even the repost the other night where he fought for position after kicking it back out. He may have off and on games sometimes, but all of that stuff will give him more and better opportunities...and there is no reason for it disappear.

[20,000]

DB, it is too early to tell, but what do you think, based on what you have seen, Bynum needs to work on this off-season? Strength? Endurance? Skyhook? Of course those can always be improved, but is there any one facet of his game you think he really needs to concentrate on? If Mike wants to chime in as well, by all means please do.
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Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying...'I will try again tomorrow.'

[DancingBarry]

Continue to work on more power and more consistency to his finesse game.