i think sam mitchell did well as a players coach, in that as an ex player he knew how to talk to players... but i just dont think as a team coach, ie, setting plays up etc was that good. we could do with a proven coach with a track record of at least getting a lot from his players and knowing how to play on their strengths. unfortunately... there isnt many out there.
kool, I know i'm just stating my opinion.... i rate the lakers pretty highly but i dont think they're the team to beat... yet.
finally back on winning ways with a win over indy. kind of gives some confidence back that triano may nbot be so bad after all... but theres still time yet for him to make or break. i hope its make.
Lakers win
Didn't agree with Phil benching Rad when all the Lakers didn't play defense against the Kings. Strong game by Pau. Hopefully, Phil and Andrew can make piece and the gentle giant can be in the 4th down the stretch. He played well with another double double. Still giving up gobs of points and the guards keep getting beat. Lakers need to make adjustments fast. Boston here soon
I was scratching my head when i saw Walton in the starting line up but it was soon evident why he was in there. First thing he does is run a pick and roll with Bynum and gets him a dunk, he had 2 other beautiful passes to Drew for easy scores. That is where our advantage is and that is where our offense needs to start, the open shots will come when the defense collapses. Kobe just drives me mad with the decisions he makes sometimes, its almost like he has to remind everyone that he is still playing by forcing up a contested jumper when its obvious to everyone watching that Bynum and Gasol are working the opposition down low. Kobe attracts so much defensive attention that if he gave to ball up our bigs will have easy opportunities all night, im not saying that he should never shoot but work inside out and play the percentages. You would think that after so long in the league he would realise this, especially now he has the team he wanted.
I barely want to get into our defense, for all those watching the game Mark Jackson said everything i had said to myself during the game. We have all the talent to be the top defensive team in the league but not even close to the desire. I hope that changes because its such a waste to see these guys go through the motions and give up so many uncontested shots. There is no excuse for it, none.
It sounds crazy to be complaining about being 18-3 but we are getting by on talent alone and not the intangibles that it takes to win a title. If we dont change that real soon we will have a "Christmas day massacre" to go with the Memorial day one.
kool, do you think kobes finding the transition hard from being teh lakers for a couple of years, making teh plays scoring a high percentage of teh points, to being not the only focus on a team? I havent seen a lakers game this year (heaven forbid our nba coverage) but i from what I have seen hes not quite on the same mental page as the greats like magic, bird, jordan etc. skills wise, yes. it just seems that he needs to force himself to not take so many shots and let the game come to him.
theres no doubt they could win the title this year, I cant see denver keeping up all year, san antonio are always going to be a dangerous team, hornets also. blazers are still too young but will become one of the best teams out west. utah are borderline... always difficult to play against when their game is on but if one bit isnt working its hard for them. houston... I cant see them getting too far tbh.
east wise its a two horse race. cleveland and boston. these two are gonna be favourites to get to the eastern finals. i think boston has the edge with experience, but cleveland have made the finals and also have some experience. pistons are on a downward spiral and i rebuilding is already happening. orlando are one piece away from being a really good team. the way dwight is improving should be making people scared. toronto.... its looking hard up to make the playoffs. jermaine was a great get for us BUT hes gonna need a while to get back into playing, hes been out with injuries for a while.
who's making the finals for you guys? i'm going for a lakers boston rematch.
Originally posted by vandalworks
kool, do you think kobes finding the transition hard from being teh lakers for a couple of years, making teh plays scoring a high percentage of teh points, to being not the only focus on a team? I havent seen a lakers game this year (heaven forbid our nba coverage) but i from what I have seen hes not quite on the same mental page as the greats like magic, bird, jordan etc. skills wise, yes. it just seems that he needs to force himself to not take so many shots and let the game come to him.
No doubt man, Kobe skill wise is as good as MJ imo but its the intangibles that MJ brought to the table that elevates Jordan. Kobe has made major progress in trusting his teammates and after having to carry so much of the load it is still an adjustment period for him, but damn its so obvious that on most nights we have a huge advantage inside and he needs to milk that until the other team makes an adjustment. Thats just smart hoops, the Blazers for example (even though Oden is new in the lineup) make sure they get Oden the ball so he feels part of the offense and will be more active defensively. Lets be fair both Gasol and Bynum have a better and more productive post games than Oden, so you would think that would be a point of emphasis. Kobe has to make a conscious decision to not only get the ball inside but work off the ball, this is another area where Jordan was superior. Its damn near impossible to load up on Kobe when he works off the ball, it also leaves huge holes in the defense for other players with the attention he receives. I like to think im fair when talking about Kobe, even though he has been my favorite player for years he could make the game much easier for himself if he let the talented teammates he has play to their strengths. I still think he is the best player in the game (even though he isnt playing like it at the moment) but he could be even better imo.
Kobe can be. He does trust his teammates, but they can freeze and Kobe goes into I'll be the one taking all the shots
18-3 is awesome, but too many mistakes on defense. Luke is a good passer, but don't just pick on Rad when he's scoring, and his defense has improved. Phil should do the same with Jordan and Lamar
I don't like to compare Mike and Kobe because Kobe's career isn't done. 3-4 more years, then the comparsions can start
man i'll be honest, i am a huge fan of kobes game, how can you not be? you either love him, or love to hate him. hes got it all except the mentalilty. i think with oden, yes pau and bynum are better offensively oden has the potential to be better. i can see bynum and oden having an incredible rivalry in a couple of years. another thing for me is that i think they should trade lamar. hes a good all-round player, but i would prefer try to get two decent players for him would strenghten the bench and help them out more. I think what lets lamar down for me is his decision making. maybe hes improved that from last time i saw but i think get a couple of vets in there with experience and the lakers are even more on the up.
Jesus, this Blazer game may have been more heartbreaking than the Magic game. Steve Blake was 94% from the free throw line this year. In the final 30 seconds of the Blazer game, he went 1 for 5 from the free throw line. 1 more free throw make would have pretty much sealed the deal. But no, he doesn't so Baron Davis nails a 3 at the buzzer to send it to overtime, and then we lose in double overtime.
Only positives:
1. Roy was amazing. He was the only person doing anything to try to win the game and carried us to that 2nd overtime, but he has played 95 minutes in the last 2 nights when he only averages 36 per night and only ran out of gas in the 2nd OT.
2. Oden had 15 points and 15 rebounds, but more impressive for him was only having 2 fouls in 42 minutes.
Originally posted by Myth
Jesus, this Blazer game may have been more heartbreaking than the Magic game. Steve Blake was 94% from the free throw line this year. In the final 30 seconds of the Blazer game, he went 1 for 5 from the free throw line. 1 more free throw make would have pretty much sealed the deal. But no, he doesn't so Baron Davis nails a 3 at the buzzer to send it to overtime, and then we lose in double overtime.Only positives:
1. Roy was amazing. He was the only person doing anything to try to win the game and carried us to that 2nd overtime, but he has played 95 minutes in the last 2 nights when he only averages 36 per night and only ran out of gas in the 2nd OT.2. Oden had 15 points and 15 rebounds, but more impressive for him was only having 2 fouls in 42 minutes.
that'll teach him for hitting the game winner against us 😛
j-rich to the suns seems to be a good deal... always thought the guy was a great player. nice seeing grant hill hitting a game winner again. been too long.
boston are on fire. 14 straight. ouch to anyone who has to play them.