WARRIORS -at- LAKERS - 12/28 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

[DancingBarry]

Circus of the Damned... You double-check the address you wrote down. This is where she sent you, but why? A thick fog hovers at the end of the street as you approach. The place gives off a strange vibe. You disappear into the fog bank and reappear a few seconds later on the other side.

You don't know what to expect, but this is different. Gone is the intensity of the last battle. Gone is a lot more than that. You look at the street performers here. Yikes. What year is this?

A white-headed monkey sits limply at the feet of an organ grinder, who stares blankly past you as he cranks away at his out-of-tune music. A mime pretends he is trapped in an invisible box, in one way or another maybe he is. A pale-skinned thin man plays the saw, while his plump friend squeezes an accordion. There is a juggler with one ball, a puppeteer shaking a doll duct-taped to a stick, and a lone clown who makes balloon snakes.

It's like a New Orleans funeral march only in reverse -- no jazz or style, and you were the one moving past, not them. It's a circus of the damned. Staring at them, you realize now that they are all corpses, reanimated like zombies and sent on the road to play for the Four Horsemen.

An old man leaning on a cane approaches and stands next to you. He has one cloudy eye and squints at you with the other.

"This was no opponent. Just look at 'em," he says with a voice that sounds like a bag of gravel and makes you want to clear your own throat. "Days ago, they were vibrant, man. You should have seen them then. Different acts. They amused, they frightened...entertained. That was when they played on their home streets. Put these guys on the road and they are speed bumps on a sidewalk, man. Useless."

"Mister...sometimes I feel that way, too," you say.

He looks at you with his good eye and laughs. "We all have our days, man. We all have our days." He shakes his head and reaches into the pocket of his tattered coat. "This is for you." He hands you an unstamped postcard of a cable car going nowhere. It's from that street performer DancingBarry. You read it:

The Four Horsemen were here. Their attack was relentless, and there was no stopping them. Rested and tested, they carved up their opponent. It was no match...

I will continue to follow them...

The Lakers throttled Golden State 130-113. It was reminicent of one of those early NBA score-fests -- easy shots and lots of room on the floor to score. With no energy from their home crowd to rally around, the Warriors put up a little fight early but were gradually resigned to their fate.

"Golden State has not done well on the road," Phil said. "They are going to be a different team when we go back there and play them." No doubt.

The Lakers scored 65 points in each half. Every Laker that played got on the board, including Sun Yue. Not much to analyze here, the Lakers just took care of business.


Kobe -- -- Kobe's jumper has been looking very smooth lately. That spells trouble for defenders. You have no chance, Belinelli and SJax. As a result, Kobe put up some efficient numbers offensively. Good to see him watching an entire fourth quarter again from the bench. More of that, please. The Stats: He scored 31 points on 9-15 shooting (3-6 from three, 10-10 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls in 32 minutes. The Action: He swished a 21-footer off the high pinch post to start the game. He swished a long And-1 jumper from the wing, he made the FT. He swished an open wing jumper on a kickout from Pau. He missed a wing jumper and wanted the foul. He missed a three. He faced up and swung through on SJax to draw his second foul, he made both FTs. He then made a tech when SJax said something from the bench. He missed a 17-footer. He up-faked his man and drew more FTs, he made both. He attacked off the three line from the right, slithered down the lane to the left and back-handed in the layup. He stole the ball then hit Sasha for the three. He missed a three. He missed a fallaway from the wing. He scored what should have been an And-1 layup in early offense (ref totally missed the call). He fumbled the ball, kept dribbling toward the rim and drew FTs, he made both. He was clipped from behind on the pull-up elbow jumper, he made both FTs. He had 21 points on 5-10 shooting, 10-10 from the line, 3 assists and 3 steals. Second Half: He beat Belinelli with ease off the dribble and scored the short floater. He made a pull-up three next time down. He probed and hit DFish for the open jumper. He swished a catch-and-shoot J on the in-bounds pass. He missed a three. He swished a sideline three over the zone.

Gasol -- -- Weak first half from Pau on both ends. He was passing well, however, and ended up leading the team with assists. He had some very nice interior work with Bynum, which is always good to see them explore the chemistry there. Better second half from Pau. He worked the post a little more and also started securing the glass and approached triple-double numbers. "Toughness is not defined by how you look," DFish said in the L.A. Times yesterday. "It's defined by how you focus, and Pau has found that focus." Nicely put by DFish. Still, Pau has been hitting the weight rooms during the season for the first time in his career, working on the physical side of toughness. "This is not about me, it's about winning a championship, and whatever it takes, I will do it," Pau said. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 4-10 shooting (5-5 from the line) to go with 9 boards, 7 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers and 5 fouls in 30 minutes. The Action: He missed a short jumper. He tried to shoot using his right with the defender on his right shoulder and was blocked. He no-looked over his shoulder to Bynum in early offense for the dunk. He threw a pass away trying to force it to Kobe, layup the other way. He drew a double and kicked to Kobe for three. He hit Bynum over the top of the defenders for a dunk. He threw a pass away. He posted up and hit the short jumphook. He posted up and drew FTs on Biedrins, he made both. He threw a pass away at the buzzer (should have shot). He had 4 points on 1-4 shooting, 3 boards and 2 turnovers. Second Half: He posted up and drew FTs off a series of moves, he made both. He cleaned up DFish's dribble drive with a dunk. He missed a scooped layup, but didn't follow it. He took the high entry, pump-faked three Warriors then scored the And-1 dunk, he made the FT. He missed a 17-footer. He picked up his fourth foul and had to sit. He faked right and went left to swish a jumphook over Ronny. He fumbled away a sure dunk, pump-faked five times and got hit upside the head with no call. He kicked out to Sasha for a three.

Bynum -- -- The Lakers got a couple days off, but Bynum said he's going to slip in a couple workouts with his trainer. That's what I like to hear. He got the double-double tonight, something he should get every game. His teammates did a good job looking for him, but Drew also manufactured some points on his own. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 6-12 shooting (1-1 from the line) to go with 10 boards (4 offensive), 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 25 minutes. The Action: He blocked a shot under the rim and recovered it. He dunked on the no-look over-the-shoulder feed from Pau in early offense. He dunked off the high interior feed from Pau. He was slow to react to a screen-roll pass from Kobe and fumbled it away, should have been an easy dunk. He bricked a jumphook badly over Ronny. He grabbed the Kobe missed jumper after running the screen roll and dunked. He missed an elbow jumper. He pulled down an offensive board and it led to a Fish jumper. Second Half: He flashed to the FT line and hit the jumper. Nice drive to his right, but he totally bricked the layup. He up-faked to lose one man, then attacked, hung and scored the And-1 layup off the glass, he made the FT. Nice reaction to deflect an interior feed and force a turnover. He was swatted by Ronny at the front of the rim. He scored a layup off the Ariza corner entry.

Luke -- -- He was matched up with Stephen Jackson quite a bit and we held him down. Kobe also had a lot to do with that (SJax can't guard him and often ends up with foul issues). We did have a number of breakdowns while trying to trap Jackson, often letting him split the doubles. Still, serviceable game from Luke. We never really explored him in the post against smaller men. The Stats: He scored 9 points on 3-9 shooting (0-1 from three, 3-3 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 3 assists, 2 turnover and 4 fouls in 24 minutes. The Action: He missed a two-footer hanging in the air. He was fouled on the drive, he made both FTs. He missed an open elbow jumper. He missed an open three, should have made the extra pass to Fish. He blew past Belinelli and scored a layup. He challenged Belinelli's shot, leaked out and scored a layup. He missed an easy reverse on the baseline. He and Pau let their man split a double, led to a layup. Second Half: He was called for the push-off trying to seal the fronting defender. Again, another double and SJax splits it (this time Luke with Kobe). On the other end, he worked off Gasol in the high post, cut and scored the And-1 layup over Biedrins, he made the FT. He was called for a hook. He missed a floater.

Fisher -- -- DFish was lighting it up. Very efficient night from him against his former team. (How happy must he be to no longer be playing for the Warriors organization? They are a mess.) He suffered from foul trouble, which called for us to explore some of our other options and run Sasha a little longer. The Stats: He scored 19 points on 9-12 shooting (1-2 from three) to go with 3 boards, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls in 25 minutes. The Action: He pushed out the break and pulled up at the FT line for the jumper. He scored a layup on the break. He was called for a block on the break, looked like he drew the charge. He sank a baseline jumper off the pinch post. He sank a sideline jumper off the Bynum offensive board. He threw an outlet away. He picked up two quick fouls and had to sit with 7:44 left in the half. Second Half: He missed a layup, but Pau cleaned it up. He swished a toe-on-the-three-line jumper (the DFish Special). He swished a jumper from the top of the key (Crawford went back at him on both of those for scores). He drew his fourth foul with 4:11 in the third trying to draw a charge on the break (he had to sit). Watson hit a three on him, then stole the ball, so Fish took the ball up and swished a three on him. Nice read from the weakside to steal a pass. He airballed a long three, got it back, attacked and banked in a runner as the shotclock went off. He swished a corner three. He missed a floater.

Lamar -- -- Low minutes for Lamar. He essentially cruised tonight, but still managed the team-high +22, despite a weak statline. Another poor night at the freethrow line. He did, however, connect on another three. The Stats: He scored 6 points on 2-4 shooting (1-1 from three, 1-4 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block and 2 fouls in 22 minutes. The Action: He sank a wing jumper popping out behind the screen. He attacked off the Ariza steal and drew FTs, he made one. He had 3 points and 2 boards in 11 minutes. Second Half: Nice challenge on Crawford to force a tough shot and miss. He sank a sideline three after we biffed the breakaway. Sasha set him for FTs, Lamar missed both. He missed an elbow jumper. He swatted his man, recovered it and lobbed to Ariza for FTs.

Ariza -- -- Trevor stuffed the statsheet, nearly pulling off a double-double. His garbage plays and hustle are such an x-factor for the team, and he always seems to be in on one of the plays of the game. Tonight, no exception. He had a massive putback jam that had the crowd buzzing. Last game, of course, was the crazy save to Sasha for the And-1. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 3-6 shooting (1-3 from three, 4-5 from the line) to go with 9 boards (3 offensive), 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers and 4 fouls in 26 minutes. The Action: He swiped an in-bounds pass like a safety on the intercept, he then hit LO for FTs. He missed a corner three, probably should have pulled it out and ran down the clock for the last shot. He missed a heave from 60 feet at the end of the quarter. He drew FTs on the break with Sasha, he made one. He tapped out an offensive board, we missed, he went up high and hammered it back down with the putback jam. He missed a pull-up jumper. He scored an And-1 layup trailing the break, he made the FT. He had 6 points and 4 boards. Second Half: He swished a three on the swing pass from Sasha. He swatted Belinelli, recovering quickly to him. He traveled trying to attack off the three line on the next swing pass. He swatted a man from behind and recovered it. He was fouled on a lob dunk attempt, he made both FTs. He tracked down an outlet and flipped it behind him to Powell for the dunk.

Vujacic -- -- Big minutes for the Machine tonight. With DFish in foul trouble, Kobe needing rest, and the eventual garbage time, Sasha ended up with nearly a team-high in minutes. He answered the call, bringing the Sick Jumpers of Death, draining threes right and left, and setting up teammates. He and Pau make a good combo. Sasha helps give Pau room to work and Pau helps collapse the D and open space for Sasha. They teamed up a couple scores tonight. Without Farmar, that second unit has to run the offense well to create good looks for everyone. The Stats: He scored 17 points on 6-10 shooting (4-7 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls. The Action: He gave up an And-1 on a corner three, 4-point play. He sank the sideline jumper off the Bynum kickout on the pinch post. He swiped the ball, pushed out the break, waited until the last second and went behind his back to Ariza for FTs. He forced a lob pass, hitting the front of the rim. He missed a wing jumper. Wide open three off the Fish kickout and Sasha drained it. He missed a corner three, rushing it with a man closing. He pushed out the break and dropped a bounce pass to Ariza trailing for the And-1. He swished a wide open corner three in transition. He tracked down a long outlet and scored the layup. He drew FTs away from the ball in transition, he made one. He sagged off Belinelli to zone and gave up a three. He had 11 points on 4-6 shooting. Second Half: He clanked a wide open three (he probably could have moved in another 10 feet and shot, he was so open). He circled around the lane and set up Lamar for FTs. He drained an open three from Pau. Great effort to slap an airball by DFish back out and it led to a basket. He missed a wing three. He sank a three on the kickout from Pau. He snagged a loose ball and whipped it to Vlad for a layup.

Radmanovic -- -- Phil brought him in at PF and the Warriors went on a 10-0 run. Even though the Warriors play small, those are minutes that Lamar should be gobbling up at the PF spot. Not a great game from Vlad, but I'd rather see him at SF. At least he got some run. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 2-5 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 2 boards, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 11 minutes. The Action: Horrible pass, telegraphing it, then he fouled Biedrins on the break for the And-1. He missed a rainbow forced jumper. Second Half: He was rejected on a soft attempt under the hoop. He attacked from the elbow and scored off the glass. He scored a layup off the Sasha dish. He missed a corner three.

Powell -- -- Powell is currently our third string center. The other Laker C's are behind him on the depth chart. Mihm didn't get any action tonight, and I've got to think his tenure with the team is likely ending soon. And, while I miss Ronny and glad he's got a good paycheck with the Warriors, we get much better bang for the buck with Powell. Ronny would essentially have Powell's role and minutes this season, and that's a lot of money to have on the bench for most games. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-6 shooting (1-2 from the line) to go with 3 boards (2 offensive), 1 turnover and 1 foul in 7 minutes. The Action: Did not play in the half. Second Half: He trailed the break and threw down a slam off the Ariza pass. He missed a 20-footer. He hit a short one off the glass. He was pulled down from behind as he was about to go up strong, he made one FT. He missed a layup and then tied up the rebounder for a jumpball.

Sun Yue -- -- He started the second quarter at the point and ran for a couple minutes. Nothing big, but it did get DFish a little extra rest. He came back in with 4 minutes left of garbage time. He looked a lot less shaky than his first game. Good to see. Any minutes he can get will help his development. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-2 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 1 foul in 7 minutes. The Action: He nearly had a pass picked off. Second Half: He missed an open sideline three. He sank a baseline jumper to a huge cheer from Staples.

Phil -- -- The Lakers led 34-27 after the first quarter. A few too many open looks for the Warriors. Sasha giving up a 4-point play hurt, too... Phil started the second quarter with a Bynum, Odom, Ariza, Sasha, Sun lineup. (The early Sun appearance makes you think Phil knew the Warriors were going to get shelled)... The Lakers pulled out to a 15-point lead, then went soft. The lead was cut to 5 on an 10-0 run. Biedrins was killing the Lakers on the glass (15 rebounds in the half). Vlad was in at PF during this run... The Lakers led 65-58 at the half. Some odd lineups and some weak intensity on the D end allowed for the Golden State scoring... The Lakers jumped on them early in the third to extend the lead. The Lakers closed the quarter with threes from Trevor, Kobe and Lamar to lead 102-85 after three... After 34 and 31 in the first two quarters, the Lakers scored 37 in that quarter... Phil seemed to go a little long with Pau and a little late to bring in Sun in the fourth. Maybe he saw the fourth quarter the Warriors put together against the Celtics. Lots of garbage time, however, for us at home...

Game Flow -- LINK -- Very one-sided line graph. The Warriors had a couple small leads early on, but the Lakers pulled away. They eventually crushed them.

[bryants2hot2handle]

thx!

[AllorNothing]

Kind of worried about Vlade. I still think he's an integral part of this team but if he plays with that second unit, he seems even more lost considering there isn't really anybody that can create for him to catch and shoot.

[yanyon]

about time u DB came out with your thoughts on this game.
thanks.

[BLP711]

Thanks DB. Great recap.

[City_Dawg]

Thanks DB.

Pretty pedestrian game, I think the guys wanted to get it over quick so they get some holiday rest.
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*sighs*

!...

[Laker7]

With the next game not until Friday, I hope PJ has them work on defense cause there was not much played out there tonight. I also hope the rumored Mihm for Lue trade goes through. Fish does way better when he gets rest.

L7
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Darvin Ham is an idiot!

[PakaLOLO]

thxs

[Addicus]

I love your writing.
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Stop crying and start doing.

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/addicusbrown

[jack13]

[LakerSanity]

Thanks DB... great as usual.
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[Magic'sSon]

Thanks DB!

I love Sasha's tenacity on the defensive end...

[farkas]

thanks DB!

[limchrc]

Thanks

[Mation]

Thanks DB!

32 minutes and less for our starters.

[KobeJaws]

Thanks DB.

[Wolverine]

[VujacicFan]

The dancing tomato always brings a smile to my face. Great job DB.

[TooMuchMajicBuss]

[TooMuchMajicBuss]

Mihm for Lue is an interesting prospect with Farmar first struggling then injured, considering how healed and how expendable Mihm is right now. If it doesn't happen, I'm hoping The Machine is good for more lines like he had last night. I liked the assist total as well as the scoring efficiency. Now can he do this against teams that show energy on defense?

[IPK]

[Sage_10]

Good recap.
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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

[DancingBarry]

[Teamof2000]

DB, I wanna make a movie based on all your intros.

[DancingBarry]

^ Little Larry can play himself.