Win Streak Hits 11, Kobe's Finger Banged
by DexterFishmore on Dec 11, 2009 11:04 PM PST
in Game Recaps
Email
PrintLakerdom's lingua franca added a new medical term tonight: "avulsion fracture." That's what befell the precious right index finger of Kobe Bryant in the second quarter of a 104-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It happened while he was defending Ryan Gomes near the sideline, and it sent him to the halftime locker room early. He returned, with a splint courtesy of trainer Gary Vitti, to play about 18 minutes in the second half, looking more or less OK, but he admitted after the game that it felt "pretty painful." Please commence your candlelight vigils.
The Lakers' effort level was up and down tonight. After opening up an 11-point lead early in the quarter, they let point guard Ramon Sessions engineer a comeback that made it a two-point game at half. L.A. allowed Minnesota to score 1.10 points per possession over the first two quarters, which is just absurd. The Wolves average 0.97 PPP on the season. On the road against a team with the Lakers' length, they shouldn't even sniff the 1.00 mark.
In the third quarter, the Lake Show locked everything down. They forced the Timberwolves to do what they do best - turn the rock over to the other team - and built up an 18-point margin. A key contribution was made by Laker double agent Minnesota head coach Kurt Rambis, who sat Sessions for the first 10 minutes of the third. Sessions was 6-for-6 in the first half, so it was nice of Rambis to cool him off.
There wasn't a lot of flow in the Laker offense tonight. It was one of their worst shooting performances in a while. Pau Gasol, though, put in an evening of solid work: 17 points, seven assists and a career-high 20 boards. Ron Artest was quietly productive (16 points, five assists and three steals), and backcourt reserves Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown and Sasha Vujacic chipped in 22. Onward to Utah.
Before we go, however, a heartfelt plea to Stu Lantz, wherever he may be: come back soon. I AM BEGGING. Hot Rod Hundley filled in tonight, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say his performance was the most tragic event in American history. About 80% of the game he spent mumbling impenetrably. Dude, seriously... you need to speak up and enunciate. You sound like an 80-year-old Boomhauer up past his bedtime. The remaining 20% of the game, we realized how nice things were when we couldn't understand what Hot Rod was saying.
I need my Stu back. I swear, I'm never writing a bad word about him again.
|
|
Poss. |
TO% |
FTA/ |
FT% |
EFG% |
TS% |
Off Reb% |
Def Reb% |
PPP |
|
Minny |
96 |
18 |
0.18 |
75 |
45 |
48 |
32 |
71 |
0.96 |
|
L.A. |
96 |
15 |
0.14 |
77 |
49 |
52 |
29 |
68 |
1.08 |
18 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Lets not get crazy
Hot Rod is a play by play guy, and one of the best. He was awful tonight but hopefully he’ll adjust and come strong tomorrow.
It’ shouldn’t be that hard to eclipse Stu’s inane rants about fundamentals, flat angled passes, imaginary conversations between players and yelling “that was NOOOOIIIICCCE” before every commercial break.
Hell, even Luke was better than Stu. Lots of insight and he was actually funny, I ended up sitting in the car parked in the driveway after haing to go to the store during the game.
Promote Luke to Color Commentator on TV.
I love Stu's imaginary conversations! :P
But yes, I liked Luke, too. Especially when he commented on Sasha jacking up a shot, haha.
Dex - I think it's the index finger, not the ring
The ligament tore away from the bone at the first knuckle. This is going to be trickier than the pinky, because it affects the shot so much more.
Awesome title
And only Ol’ Hot Rod could confuse Artest and Bynum (Rod said that Artest made a nice pass to Gasol, when it was Bynum who did the assisting)
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
How many working digits does Kobe have left on his hand? 3? 2?
His fingers are, one by one, being picked off.
Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.
by PeanutButterSpread on Dec 12, 2009 1:58 AM PST reply actions
Ehhh, it seems like Kobe's surgery-required finger didn't matter that much last year
but I wonder if he would’ve played even better last year if he didn’t hurt his finger. But, if he doesn’t need surgery and he doesn’t miss any games(particularly the one against Cleveland) I doubt it will affct his playing ability
Shaquille O'Neal: "Tell him Shaq doesn’t respond to juvenile delinquents without a college degree. Tell him to get his degree, and we can talk. In the meantime, he should call me Dr. Shaq because I’m working on my PhD." (Referring to 17-year-old rookie Andrew Bynum, who compared himself to Shaq…except that he can make free throws.)
(courtesy of www.shaqquotes.com)
Brewer over Fisher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxfb3pTm2Hw
DJ’s been there before, so he seems to have the biggest reaction. Watch him on the bench after the dunk.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
