LAKERS -at- SONICS - 1/14 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

prisma8slg · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:38 am Post subject:

thanks DB. again, a very dramatic finish. I'm glad this game started a half-hour early, so I could get to bed before 1

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"I define success by championships, by winning..." Kobe Bryant

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8750 · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:13 am Post subject:

the other players not stepping up for kobe didn't share the responsability is one of the greatest nonsense ever... first of all, they always could step up defensively, but you saw how bad our d was... then, it's not that they "barely touched the ball": lamar took fifteen shots, and i'm definitely not one of the lamar bashers here, but last night -when we needed him on an higher level- he was embarassing... the problem is that no one -not lamar, not walton, not kwame, not someone else- has the character and the will power to step up with some consistency...
this season kobe showed plentifully that he can play the team game: if this time he took so many shots, it's because the team definitely needed his dominance...

LongtimeLakerLover · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:38 am Post subject:

I thought they looked like last years team. It was ridiculous. Hopefully they'll get into some sort of rythym soon. Kwame hasn't been seeing serious minutes, so he's working himself back, but oh my gosh, it was terrible to see him out there. I thought the second unit brought some movement and d for a while, and sure enough our lead expanded. I also thought they should have left Farmar in for the last quarter. Thought Phil yanked him too soon. It was ridiculous that Lamar just can't get it done. I'm not understanding what that's all about. Hopefully Mitch will be able to come up with a Big, a warm body that will help out until Drew and Chris are back.
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Prometheus8 · Star Player Joined: 15 Oct 2002 Posts: 1851

Texas_Pete · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:58 am Post subject:

Thanks for the write up DB!

Great game by Kobe although I think that 44 shots is too much against a bottom dweller like Seattle. I will give Kobe a pass on this one because it was the 2nd of a back-to-back, not having Kwame practice with the 1st team, and we got the W - so he took it upon himself to will us to a win. Otherwise, we are trying to develop trust in our young players - can't happen if Kobe shoots as much as he did.

I don't want this team to turn into the AI-lead 76ers until Drew returns.

targetman · Star Player Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 5503

Koeb was just recently saying that with Drew in the middle he no longer has to score 35 points a game, so I don't think he's delighted to have to go back to that. I also disagree with the notion that giving Kwame, Luke, Fish, and Lamar more bricklaying practice within a tight game is a good thing for the team. Let them get some practice with this "new" team before they get comfortable with their "new" offensive opportunities.

Yes, Kobe shot too much, but is the clutch or is he clutch? He's been making some superb plays at the end of games lately and all I hear is whining about how he is hurting the fragile egos of the other players. Well, as Bette would say, Fasten your seatbelts boys, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
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20,000 · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:23 am Post subject:

20,000 · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:37 am Post subject:

Hey, DB, last night on that regulation-tying 3-pointer by Durant, Ridnour obviously flailed his off arm and pushed Fisher away. I have been noticing that a lot this season, without any calls. Is Fish a good actor, or is that a more prevalent move this season among players?
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jodeke · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:49 am Post subject:

[quote="encina1"]

Mr. EiGhTy-OnE · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:09 am Post subject:

although im happy we won. im very uneasy about it. the way we struggled last night, might be a sign of things to come with AB out. I can't believe we made Collison look like an all-star. where was L.O.? doesnt he realize its time to step up and stop blowing easy layups? (and bricking 3's with the game on the line?

why did Phil keep taking Ariza out for Luke in the 4th and OT???

p.s. we are gonna miss the_shoes
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LakerLanny · Retired Number Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47594

That's going to be a looooong 5 years waiting for Luke Walton's contract to expire.

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RCS926 · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Posts: 16824

Thanks for the great write-up DB. Kobe was Kobe although I was very uncomfortable with him taking so many shots. I realize that he had to in order for the Lakers to pull out a win, but nothing good can come from Kobe gunning like that game-in and game-out. I hope Kobe at least tries to let his teammates help him offensively. If they can’t step up, then he needs to do his thing. However, I’m praying that Kobe’s teammates recognize the need to step up and do so accordingly. There’s no doubt in my mind that Fish, Luke and Farmar are going to step up their games. However, we really need at least 2 bigs amongst LO, Kwame, Ronny and Vlad to significantly increase their production. The problem is that none of those guys come even close matching Drew’s defensive impact, which is where we’re really going to miss Drew.

20,000 · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:56 am Post subject:

lakerican · Star Player Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 3793

Thanks DB. One thing I will say which I think was not mentioned: We all really look very tired the last 3 minutes of regulation & overtime. We looked like MJ and the living dead, in the Thriller Video

Laker's Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 12883

jodeke · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:14 am Post subject:

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CorkyTomjanovich · Star Player Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 3486

Wally was an all star at one time. He can get it going. I don't think Ariza or anyone would have made a difference on most of those shots.

Any idea why Fisher on back-to-back nights has overplayed a quick pg 40+ feet away from the basket? Both at crucial times. He was burned big time, giving each guard a clear path into the paint. Did I mention at a crucial time in the game?

jodeke · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:30 am Post subject:

Basketball is more mental than most think. Ever played golf and shot in the eighties? I'll bet you were tired. Played the same game and shot in the hundreds and not so tired. Concentration.
I'm always amazed at how much drain concentration causes. Great ones can call it up on a nightly basis. MJ, Magic, Kobe and Larry just to name a few. I hope we can get it on in the next contest. How much we really have is going to be showcased.
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maddprophet · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

man, the difference without a legit post presence was glaring.

i took for granted what drew was doin. just the ability to throw it in the post, and always have something positive and high % come of it.

now it's a roll of the dice each time we feed the post.

someone else must give us a post presence, even if only in spurts.

luke and lamar have the ability to have the offense run through them in the post for stretches. these 2 must step it up.
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Tanlentueux · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 7169

thanks for the recap. i was shocked that the game was a close one. i couldn't believe it!!!!!!

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

Aside from Kobe and the young uns (JoFar & Critt), the rest of the team played like they were in mourning over Bynum's fate. The starters (sans Kobe) basically sucked, but the young uns put together some nice minutes to hold us together so that Kobe could close the deal.

44 shots is way, way too many, but if Luke and LO are having a clankfest, I'd rather have Kobe firing away, especially when he's shooting a high %-age. I've said that if Kobe is efficient, the Lakers will be tough to beat.

Kwame had a better-than-normal Kwame game with a modest double/double. Can't really expect more out of him, but how long will it be before other teams adjust to the Lakers without Bynum and say 'ok, Kwame, we'll let you try to beat us.'

JoFar showed a lot of poise out there. He's providing some real impact. Props to him. Critt, too. Against fast paced teams, he's going to be a key. Not sure how he'll fare against deliberate, veteran teams.

Scherm · Star Player Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 4155

The game wasn't about who was taking shots -- it was about who had the mental toughness to refuse to allow the team to lose. That person was Kobe, who incidentally if people would watch him is working his ass off every single possession defensively too.

He wouldn't let them lose--it's going to help the whole team be stronger mentally than the team last year.

jodeke · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:27 am Post subject:

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Wolverine · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject: