SUNS -at- LAKERS - 12/10 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32768

While they can't practice on the road, there is no excuse for the half assed effort. Our eyes don't lie; these guys talk it up in the paper, but fail to take pride on their defense when the second the game begins. How could they possibly surrender 110 points to a dispirited Suns team lacking Shaq and JRich?
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We are stardust
Billion year old carbon
We are golden
Caught in the devil's bargain
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden

-Joni Mitchell

LAL4K3RS · Star Player Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 2750

I guarentee that the Suns will lose the next game big. They played over thier heads against us. Flat out played with all thier heart and they came up short. I tip my hat to the Suns for making the game close, but in the end, it was still a lock down win by the Lakers.

As for only having 8 players in the Suns rotation, that doesn't really matter because Shaq doesn't make the Suns a better team in my opinion. He slows them down way too much and he would have been a huge liability vs Bynum. We still owned the paint, but Shaq would have made this game look like the blow out everyone expected. They will suffer one last year with him and then he retires or moves over to Europe for a few more paychecks.

I also think getting Richardson cost the Suns WAY too much in player depth. It was another reason I am so very glad we have Mitch as our Trade machine. I would never have made that deal...not for one player.
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This Laker Organization has not yet hit bottom. It is moving there quickly, and I suspect this year we will see zero talent coming to the Lakers and we will trade away Kuz and BI for old vets in the hopes of giving LeBronze some scapegoats.

king255 · Star Player Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 1574

Well, considering I've trashed Fish all season, time to give him prop where prop is due. I think this was a game where if we started Farmar instead of Fish, we could have lost outright.

Addicus · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:34 am Post subject:

You're creative writing skills are very impressive DB.
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Kobe is in super duper cruise mode. He is beyond tired. It looks like he is very content to let Pau take over and carry this team. I don't expect a super aggressive Kobe except in big games until the playoffs. I fear that may ruin the team's rhythm as the guys stand and watch, not being used to it.
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Pau is the man. He really is putting his mark on every game. He could be meaner on the defensive end, but that's my only complaint.
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I agree the team looks to have chemistry issues. The bigs look tired of guarding the paint and covering for the non stop penetration. Instead of acting as if the paint is their home and it's being invaded; they seem to be owners of a bed and breakfast inviting the patronage.
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This team ignores Bynum a lot in the post in the 4th quarter. A lot! That's not good hen he is actually tracking down the boards aggressively and establishing great post position.
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Not playing Vlad was viscious. He didn't deserve the DNP. I don't see how this helps team chemistry.
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LO finished at the rim like he is suppose to. The way he dunked the ball in traffic gave the team a gigantic boost. Kind of.
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Sasha, Fish and Luke played well. Thank God.
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DB you're the greatest!

Rick12322 · Franchise Player Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 19164

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58380

Re: Ariza's struggles.

Part of the reason he is struggling now vs start of the year is the jumpshot. Start of the year he was getting 2-3 baskets around the rim, but also making 1-2 open looks. Teams have figured out that he loves to drive from the wings and corner/baesline and they've stayed off him, giving him the jumper. He's not making most of his jumpers, and then instead of moving the ball, he's driving into the paint and then trying to do something in there against 2-3 players.

Ariza has poor court vision at times. He'll put his head down and drive, shoot over 1-2 help defenders when another Laker is wide open inside or on the perimeter. Ariza has to recognize the dish part of the driving game. You can't be a pure driver in the Triangle offense and with the type of team LA has.

IMO Ariza's being a bit selfish out there and that is in part why he's also struggling (he seems too interested in taking his 7-8 shots per game above all else). His man D needs to improve too, way too much reaching that is getting him out of position.

I think he'll recover though. Ariza is a very good athlete and has some great abilities, but to become a bigger part of the team, he needs to develop better basketball fundamentals. Last night, I thought Walton outplayed him and had even hoped that Radmanovic would have been out there with the 2nd unit instead of him, in the 2nd half. Simply because although I love Ariza, right now his gambling on D and lack of jumpshot (and forcing shots) are on the main weak links on the 2nd unit.

h2omike · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 2811

Glad to see Sasha have his first really good game of the year, we really needd it tonight.

I feel bad for Vlade, he has played so well, but then Luke has had plenty of DNP too. Would like to have seen Lamar get more of the minutes.

Kobe, Farmar, Ariza are all playing like they got money of the other team right now.

But a win is a win. We really need to regroup with Sac-town coming in. They got our number, and know how to play us right now.

Mr. EiGhTy-OnE · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:23 am Post subject:

If Vlad is in the dog house, why not start Sasha? since Phil obviously wont start Ariza or LO? (i think LO should have started last night, he's just as good of a passer as Luke) As a defender I would rather leave Vlad open than Sasha.
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"When (Kobe) gets you on life support, he won't give you mouth to mouth. HE PULLS THE PLUG." -stu

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32768

Klone_dd · Star Player Joined: 11 Mar 2002 Posts: 7330

Kobe does indeed look tired or lazy. Haven't seen that before over a string of games. In Sunday's game vs the Bucks, he was incredible, blanketing and denying Redd. It really inspired the team to put out the defensive effort. If he's on cruise control, that is going to inspire the team in the wrong direction. He's normally able to pick his spots and "flame on", which helps the team more than being on cruise control for an entire game.

Pau is showing all facets of his game. Passing, midrange Js, low post, running the floor. MVP for the 1st quarter of the season.

Welcome back, Machine!

king255 · Star Player Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 1574

king255 · Star Player Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 1574

LakersMD · Star Player Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Posts: 8015

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58380

Rigged4fun · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:15 am Post subject:

Is China catching up to Kobe? His defense is not only lacking but almost non-existent. The whole defensive scheme sucks. They need to reevaluate the defensive scheme. There's no rotation because the trap man is totally taken out of play and that leave 2 guys to guard 4 in a poorly conceived zone.

Kobe is tired. His shot tragectory is almost flat. His explosiveness is almost gone. He needs some time to recouperate. He cannot carry the team right now, his shot grows from necessity rather than confidence.

DancingBarry

Rick12322 · Franchise Player Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 19164

Arizona · Star Player Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 3177 Location: PHX

Skate · Star Player Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 1899

Texas_Pete · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks DB!

Luke looked good out there offensively. He's no Vlad, but I fully expect our offensive efficiency to improve with him in the lineup. He fed Drew and Pau for some easy baskets that they probably wouldn't get if Vlad were in there. Of course he is still is a defensive liability...

10scott10