Lakers Firebombed by Melo-Less Nuggets
by DexterFishmore on Feb 5, 2010 11:22 PM PST
in Game Recaps
117 comments
I know what I'm going to see in my sleep tonight. It'll be Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith or maybe just a faceless player in a Denver Nuggets road jersey. They'll be jab-stepping, hopping behind the three-point line and swishing J's. One, then another, and then another. Why won't they stop? Someone make them stop!
The nightmare came to life at Staples Center this evening. Playing without Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggs took a flamethrower to the Lakers' building, hitting an insane 15 of 22 three-point shots on their merry way to a 126 to 113 win. Kobe Bryant was brilliant for a half to keep the Lakers in the game, but when he eventually fell off none of his teammates came to the rescue. It was a deeply embarrassing loss that drops the Lakers even further behind Cleveland in the battle for home-court advantage.
Those inclined to write off this loss as a fluke can make some legitimate points. Shooting nearly 70% from three-point range is obviously almost impossible to repeat. A few of those long bombs, such as Ty Lawson's 27-footer off the glass, were lucky punches.
Not that we Laker fans were complaining about luck when Kobe banked in a three to beat the Miami Heat two months ago.
And not all, or even most, of those threes were the result of good fortune. They were clean looks. Time and again the Lakers gave too much space to Denver shooters, and they exploited it. And you know what else is flukey? Denver playing without Carmelo. No, he wouldn't have made the Nuggets' offense any better tonight, because it really couldn't have been any better. But having Melo in the lineup means Denver wouldn't need to rely on off-the-charts accuracy from Billups and Smith.
More alarmingly, the game showed how dependent the Laker offense is on Kobe getting hot. When he was dropping in shots from all over in the first half, they rang up 1.31 points per possession. In the second half, when his shot faltered and he didn't get the whistles he wanted, the Lakers couldn't find enough points to keep up. Derek Fisher was a total zero, Andrew Bynum got owned on both ends by Nene, and although Pau Gasol worked hard especially on the offensive boards, shooting 8 for 17 doesn't cut it. Not helping matters was Phil Jackson's election to give 11 minutes to Sasha Vujacic, who shot 1 for 6.
Home-court advantage is now, definitively, Cleveland's to lose. The Cavs lead L.A. in the standings by two games and a tiebreaker. In the Western Conference, Denver is 3½ games back. And the Lakers tip off in Portland in less than 24 hours.
It's possible Mitch Kupchak really is satisfied with the roster as constituted. If so, I don't share his comfort level. The Lakers are still good enough to win the championship, but it's becoming increasingly clear that they're flawed enough to lose it as well.
|
|
Poss. |
TO% |
FTA/ |
FT% |
3FGA/FGA |
2PT% |
3PT% |
EFG |
TS% |
OReb Rate |
DReb Rate |
PPP |
|
Den. |
96 |
14 |
0.25 |
71 |
0.26 |
53 |
68 |
66 |
68 |
21 |
62 |
1.31 |
|
L.A. |
96 |
13 |
0.20 |
85 |
0.27 |
50 |
31 |
49 |
53 |
38 |
79 |
1.18 |
0 recs |
117 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Phil was right when he was interviewed during the game, and I think it was Doris Burke asked him what the Lakers had to do to stop the Nuggets run and he said “run them off the line” clearly the players didn’t listen. They got hot, the Lakers defense wasn’t as good as it has been throughout the season, but I agree with your sentiment that
The Lakers are still good enough to win the championship, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that they’re flawed enough to lose it as well.
By the way Dex do you know where Luke was? How come virtually no one has mentioned his absence. The K Brothers didn’t, Mike Trudell didn’t, no one did. It’s like he just disappeared and no one noticed.
Don't know any more than you do
As far as anyone knows, he’s healthy. I think Phil just chose not to play him.
Twitter feed: @dexterfishmore
by DexterFishmore on Feb 5, 2010 11:36 PM PST up reply actions
I really don’t understand the logic behind it if he just sat him. Its one thing to give him limited minutes, but to not play him entirely just doesn’t sound right.
L. Walton DNP – Coach’s Decision
Why has no one asked about not playing him. Gr.
Would it of made a difference in our loss?
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:44 PM PST up reply actions
Well
Sometimes when a player is hurt they aren’t on any sort of injured list, and the box score just reads “DNP- Coach’s Decision” even if, for example, the player has a sprained ankle or the flu. I have no idea what the case is with Walton, but I don’t think it would’ve made a difference in this game…
This is a perfect example on why we need a new Point Guard ! A younger quick PG! Every loss the Los Angeles Lakers have had was because of a quick PG that takes off on Derek Fisher. Just check out our losses and see the PG Derek plays against. Houston Rockets Brooks, Cleveland Cavs Mo Williams, Denver Nuggets Chauncy Billups, Utah Jazz Deron Williams, Phoniex Suns Steve Nash ect… We get shitted on by Point guards!
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:33 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Derek Fisher didn't lose you that game.
He did a fine job staying in front of Chauncey when he drove (which was sparingly, seeing as how his ankle bothers him). Chauncey was just lights-out. Artest couldn’t stop him. Kobe did a fine job in the 4th, but at that point Chauncey didn’t need to jack up any more 3s, Nuggs had the momentum.
The only reason you lost this game was because Chauncey just went off the charts. See you guys in 3 weeks.
You have a very good team.
It pains me to say that, because there is a lack of respect the Nuggs have when it comes to the Lakers. That lack of respect starts with the players, coaching staff, and ends with the fan base. It’s something we, the Almighty Gods of Basketball, don’t understand. Why do these mere mortals, these “Nuggets”, refuse to bow down to us?
That’s why you’re kicking our ass. There’s no other excuse. Nuggets have gone on a tear against us. I have to say I admire that.
Well said....
And it seems to ME that at this point being concerned with cleveland haveing homecourt advantage in the Finals should be the LAST THING ON YOUR GUYS’ MIND….
it’s shit like that that makes Laker Hater’s.
by SternfluffsKobe on Feb 6, 2010 9:22 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
We need to make a trade before the deadline! Please get us a Point Guard!
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:34 PM PST reply actions
sasha had no business in the game he's useless now
and we played D like some chumps, we need the next 2 against them, they’re coming for our heads seriously
"If your not first, then your last"
Ricky Bobby
Were not looking good, we better change this bs before the all star break
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:43 PM PST reply actions
During the playoffs would be fine
And not too late
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
I would like to see a new Laker state of mind after the All Star break, I think play offs are way to far to wait to start playing good. We need to bring it into the play offs, Mitch TRADE please
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:49 PM PST up reply actions
And that's why we're gonna get killed in the playoffs
We got lucky with him at the point last year…..
Time and again the Lakers gave too much space to Denver shooters, and they exploited it.
agreed they gave them way too much space, and wide open looks too as the game was winding down…especially to billups. plus the transition defense in the first half look awful.
and yes the offense looks very inept without Kobe especially when phil put the bench in during the 2nd and 3rd quarters. the bench once again relies too much on jumpshots and 3s. shannon and farmar are notorious for this. also the ball movement was poor. especially in the paint. we turned the ball over a couple of times in that area.
lakers look like they are out of it especially the bigs. tonight they let nene and co. push them around. they gotta man up and assert themselves. cant let teams like denver come into our own building and push us around like that. maybe kobe or someone should organize a team meeting and get them motivated and pumped up.
lastly sasha should never get minutes in a close game ever again. sorry but the guy sucks, and thats a huge understatement. defend him all you want he cant shoot or play any kind of defense without making an idiotic foul….i wish we can trade him but no one wants him cause he’s pure garbage.
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
If you must know
the bigs brought it tonight. Laker frontline – 53/31/10 vs Nuggets – 36/31/11
Its the Denver backcourt that won them the game.
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
Yup but the GUARDS just took off on Denvers part. On Derek Fishers behalf…
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:59 PM PST up reply actions
i think they did though let nene get good position and shots
not the main cause of the loss but certainly one of them
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
Drew was in foul trouble
early. He really couldn’t guard a center that fast, particularly with their give and go type of plays. Plus Pau, who only had two fouls and could have guarded Nene, sat out major minutes of the 4th qtr. I think he only went in at the 7 minute mark. Overall though, we can match up with this team at the front, even with Melo.
"E-Coaches are heavy in here tonight! Take E-Sasha and put him on the E-bench on your fantasy league, that’ll show him!" - Jevon O
Dont be sorry he is garbage, I hope we trade him
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 12:03 AM PST up reply actions
Sasha needs to get the heck outta this organization! D Fish, I rather have him come off the bench and start Shannon Brown over him
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:52 PM PST reply actions
I think we need a new guy like Heinrich not Brown or Farmar. They are not very great defensively.
The RaiderLaker
True I’d rather have anyone start over them but If no trade happens, Id rather have Shannon start over D Fish. He’s quicker and averaging more ppg than Derek.
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:57 PM PST up reply actions
i dont think shannon is ready imo
he doesnt pass the ball and settles too much for the 3.
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
Id rather have him over D Fish starting, Shannon could play SG/PG
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 12:04 AM PST up reply actions
i prefer farmar getting the nod for now
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
BTW Raiders? Must be and old school LA Raider fan right?
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 12:06 AM PST up reply actions
Nope, i just fell in luv with them in Oakland, just chose the closest team, screw the Chargers(poor history and tradition).
I became a fan in 2005 tru the losing seasons dont know why…
The RaiderLaker
I hope Mitch reads this blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 12:13 AM PST up reply actions
Yes, the stunning insight in the comments section might revolutionize the way Mitch does his job
Clearly he’s unaware of Fish’s subpar play. I heard he had a Deron Williams-for-Fish deal on the table, but passed it up. Hopefully we can enlighten him.
The Lakers rely on Kobe way too much, when he sat down thats when Denver got the spark and began scoring
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 5, 2010 11:54 PM PST reply actions
that was weird. i think we were up by 5 or 7 we he sat
and all hell broke loose after that
And Carmello Anthony didn’t play. Humiliation
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 12:01 AM PST reply actions
The comforting fact
should be that Melo didn’t play. They’re game really is different with him. As he would bring in someone else to share the ball with. He’s a driver more than a shooter, even tho he’s not bad at either. It would’ve slowed it down. They also stay off the line without him in, or at least don’t get to the line as much. He alone avgs 10 fts/game. Shootouts they win, but if they play more of our game, which they do with Melo, we’re more likely to win as the pace is slower and we don’t have nearly as many outside threats as they do.
Melo leads the league in FT att
he gets to the line almost 10 times a game…They would have won by 30 with melo in
Im just being honest...
They Kicked our ass with Melo….They kicked our ass without Melo…..2 straight double digit losses to them at completely different points of the season is unacceptable. And the Lakers are supposed to be a Championship caliber team? I dont see it now and havent seen it at all this season minus the Dallas game..which doent look too impressive anymore considering their struggles as of late….Im so tired of hearing They’ll turn it on in the playoffs….If i remember correctly they were kicking ass during the reg season the past 2 years and it was a question of would the D be strong enough in a 7 game series…..We werent getting our ass kicked against legit contenders like we are this year..Who Have we beaten worth anything to still feel confident about going to the Finals? When have the Lakers played well enough for any of us to seriously think we’re gonna make it back the Finals much less win it…..Im being a realist and basing my post on nothing but what ive seen this year and it doesnt look good.
Lakers need a spark.
They really need to make a move for Heinrich. I just see him as the right fit for this team.
I wonder if they practice whacking Gasol and Bynum in practice to toughen them up for games such as teams like these – Denver and Cleveland. If not, they better start doing it, cuz every time I see Gasol touch the ball, I can’t help but yell “p**sy” at the screen.
Magic made me a Laker fan.
Kobe, Fisher, and Bynum combined for a total of ZERO assists
just goes to show you how poor the ball movement was tonight
btw this is Fish’s 3rd consecutive game without an assist…trippy eh??
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
Seriously?
Fisher has gone three whole games without an assist?? I don’t even see how that’s possible…
Thank you
Now there’s a worthwhile criticism. I’m growing weary of the “DERK FSHER SUCKZ!!” We know that, you people aren’t really telling us anything new or adding anything to the discussion.
That’s a good #, shaqfor. It shows the general problem with the team – running the system. With the triangle, there should be an even balance of assists. None for Kobe is stunning, especially considering how many PnRs he runs.
I’ve felt for a while, watching Kobe run the PnR, that he doesn’t pass the ball soon enough. He comes off the screen slow, holds it for too long, and only passes when he’s absolutely cut off. It allows the defense to rotate to our rolling big, and we get nothing out of the PnR.
S-A-S-H-A ohhhhhhh yeahhhh…………….. haha
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 12:37 AM PST up reply actions
Hey intuitive,
I wish we had a better point guard too. And you usually seem reasonable so let me ask you. Do you really think that even if the Lakers did get Hinrich (or another PG) that they would be able to integrate him into the lineup well enough to make a championship run?
That seems very unlikely to me. Bringing in even the smartest new point guard won’t be near as easy as bring in Gasol was.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
by olf on Feb 6, 2010 9:57 AM PST up reply actions
I actually just said H-i-n-r-i-c-h to point out how to spell his name… :)
I don’t think Hinrich is necessarily the answer (I mean I’d love it if the Lakers got him, but I really doubt that the Lakers would be willing since they’re looking to shed salary not add on more) but the Lakers need someone with a reliable 3 point shot that can make them when he’s open. The Lakers are really missing that this year. Last year it was Fish, the year before it was Sasha, the Lakers 3 point percentage/offensive production has really dropped off and thats what worries me. Hinrich, this year, has not been very good and he’s overpaid for a point guard. He would be so so nice for the team, but to answer your question I really think it’d take longer to integrate Hinrich into the system than it did Gasol. I guess it’d depend on how willing Hinrich is at taking on the role of the point guard in the triangle offense, but the Lakers are already struggling to get that chemistry/rhythm going so I’m unsure how much or how little it’d disrupt them. The Lakers still haven’t found their niche and would Hinrich help/hurt that? Anyways, I really don’t think the Lakers will get Hinrich and I’m fine with that.
Oh sorry, I though you were really wanting to acquire him. Thanks for the reply. I too hope we find some reliable outside shooting soon.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
by olf on Feb 6, 2010 4:13 PM PST up reply actions
Oh make no mistake I would love if the Lakers would get him, but I’m not sure (contrary to popular belief) Hinrich would be the answer to all or even a majority of the Lakers problem. The Lakers are missing that “glue guy” this season it seems, whereas last year it was Ariza and the year before it was Turiaf. I guess you could say Shannon is one, but he’s too shot happy for me to consider him one. Lakers need that type of guy, and right now no ones stepped up and shown that they have the ability to do so. Obviously that glue guy would be the one to make the open shot, set up the triangle, etc. I think Luke could be that guy, but he hasn’t gotten much run this season and though he is great at setting up the triangle I wouldn’t call his 3 point shot reliable.
I think the K Brothers hit it on the head when they said this: (and usually I hate to post so much of an article but just this once I’ll make an exception for myself):
That mood didn’t improve after everyone cooled off with a postgame shower. Few players said much of anything to the media and by the time I got into the locker room after hearing Phil Jackson talk, the majority of the team was long gone. And I don’t think it was simply because they had to catch a plane to Portland.
Even more telling was PJ’s refusal to “berate” the team, as he put it, when it was mentioned he couldn’t be happy with the outcome. He noted positives like winning the rebounding battle 48-41 and limiting the turnovers to a reasonable dozen (although even Jackson conceded 19 points scored by Denver off those gaffes made them ultimately “costly”). He even wrote off Billups’ hot shooting as an All-Star in a zone, rather than the result of bad defense, which may not be entirely false- dude was in a flippin’ ZONE- but still didn’t have to be sugarcoated.
Over the years covering the Lakers, I’ve noticed a pattern with their coach. For all of PJ’s willingness to tweak players he thinks need prodding (Kwame Brown, Vlad Radmanovic, Andrew Bynum, etc.), when it comes to players both working hard and on the sensitive side (Sasha comes to mind), he often avoids needling them too much. Nothing if not a believer in the psychological side of basketball, Jackson picks and chooses spots for public criticism of players and is often the same for the team as a whole.
When the Lakers succeed, PJ is often inclined to downplay achievement and point out what he didn’t like, making sure everyone doesn’t get too high. Conversely, while I’m not naive enough to believe everything a coach says to the media is a verbatim Xerox of what he tells the team in private, I couldn’t help but think PJ wanted to prevent a squad already down in the mouth from getting any lower. Because by all indications, they took this loss very hard.
It’s no real secret the Lakers’ followup to their championship season hasn’t been particularly dominant. At times, it’s been flat out unimpressive. Brian and I have devoted many a PodKast and post towards the generally “meh” play, and I’ve been a consistent proponent of not making too much out of a regular season games, by and large. I still firmly subscribe to that belief and I’m in no way thinking this team is incapable of repeating.
But tonight was the first time a loss made me a little skittish. The Lakers didn’t just take it on the chin. They seemed to take it on the brain as well. I’m not quite sure what’s exactly wrong at the moment, and I’m not sure they do, either. Maybe it’s the product of not accompanying the Lakers on the recent roadie and witnessing firsthand reactions to that bout with inconsistency, but this reaction felt unique and I’m growing a little concerned.
ANSWER this question. When Pau Gasol holds the ball doesnt anyone get jitters because you dont know what to expect
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 12:33 AM PST reply actions
No
I’m more comfortable with the ball in Pau’s hands than almost anyone. It means we’re running the system. Does Pau throw up some soft shots when he should dunk? Absolutely.
But when Pau has the ball, if someone is open or cutting, you know he’ll find him. In other words, you know the offense is being run.
Lakers are missing cutters to the rim
Artest does it, but he was never very athletic in the first place. And with his plantar fashistias or whatever foot issues he’s even more grounded. He is good for at least 3 BA a game.
Nobody is driving down, or moving. We’ve got very static big men in the post without the option of hitting a cutter.
We are the underdogs, Denver has proven that.
Unless the Lakers aren't the top in the West
There’s no chance anyone will consider them an “underdog”. It appears to be physically impossible for anyone on ESPN (or any type of NBA broadcast) to go more than a few minutes without mentioning that the Lakers are defending champions, which means they’ll never be considered underdogs.
ESPN analysts have spent quite a lot of time saying that there aren’t any legitimate threats to the Lakers in the West. While anyone with more than 4 functioning neurons knows that isn’t true (as no team is ever guaranteed not to get injured or fall into a major slump), the consensus seemed to be that Denver would have the best shot at it but they wouldn’t be able to do it. Hopefully after last night’s game people start to wise up a bit and realize that, GASP! There ARE other teams in the West besides the Lakers. Who saw that one coming??
Even though I have faith in PJ
I am getting worried about this team. I don’t think anyone other than kobe wants to run the offense and the defense isn’t there. Major part of which is Fishers inability to gaurd anyone including Jack Nickalson!
PJ needs to straighten this ship before the playoffs begin, else we might not be able to turn it on.
id start phil jackson over sasha. anyone?
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 1:06 AM PST reply actions
Maybe Phil was trying to give Sasha a look just to see if he can get back to his old 2008 self. Having him able to be a reliable 3 point threat would have really helped last night.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
Maybe his “old 2008 self” was just a fluke… I remember when he first started having the occassional game where he hit a ton of 3’s and thinking he looked pretty good, but since then he’s gone way downhill. So maybe his good stretch was just a fluke in an otherwise mediocre player.
I think you're right
The 2008 Sasha was incredible to me. The way he would turn games single-handedly. But I think it’s become clear that 2008 was the exception to the rule. Sasha hasn’t had a year like that again in his career.
Hollinger called it. I laughed at him after 2008, but he said before the 08-09 season started that Sasha and Farmar would revert to the mean. He was right on.
Yeah I agree with both of you but at least Phil is trying something. If Sasha could come in when Kobe’s resting and hit a couple of 3’s or cause the defense to open up for Drew or Pau, it would help a lot.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
by olf on Feb 6, 2010 2:24 PM PST up reply actions
Definitely
I’ve been pushing for more PT for Sasha for a while. If he can just give us something – just something – our entire offense will run so much smoother. He got burn last night and gave us nothing. I’m starting to lose hope.
But there’s very little chance we make a trade, and I think that’s why Phil continues to try to jumpstart Sasha.
He got burn last night and gave us nothing.
Yeah man, I was thinking at the time if he could have just hit a couple of those open threes it would have really helped.
Although Denver never did cool off so perhaps it would not have changed to outcome.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
by olf on Feb 6, 2010 3:02 PM PST up reply actions
As much as the LA faithful want to believe otherwise,
The present team CANNOT win as constructed. They keep losing to good teams, and at the midpoint of the season, it is no longer just flukes, but a TREND.
Guess what, you only get to play good teams in the playoffs.
Mitch, pull the trigger on the PG. Please…
by Mike1204 on Feb 6, 2010 1:12 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
DISAGREE
The present team CAN win as constructed.
I believe the Lakers have a switch. It is currently in the “OFF” position. It will only be turned “ON” in the playoffs.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
Psssssht
The switch is in the “SUCK” position….Us being 38-13 is the most misleading record in the league..
Dude
It was a disappointing couple of losses (with more to come) to be sure. But it is February 6th not April 6th.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
Records can be so misleading. I wouldn’t call the Lakers the most misleading of the league, but they definitely have a handful of wins that came down to luck. Kobe-worshippers can disagree as much as they like, but in my opinion, a game-winning shot almost always comes down to luck. Not that the player taking the shot isn’t skilled, but luck is always a factor.
I think back to the two games against the Kings this year. The Kings should’ve won both of those games. One went to a second OT because the refs didn’t have the balls to call an offensive foul on Gasol that would’ve sealed the win for Sacramento. Then the Kings couldn’t get it done in 2OT. The other saw Udoka missing two free throws that, again, would’ve sealed it. Those two games (especially the second) came down to the Kings blowing it, not the Lakers winning it. There have been a handful of other games where the Lakers barely got past teams that, on paper, they should’ve destroyed.
As a Kings fan, I can tell you that records can be extremely misleading. The Kings have a really sh-tty record right now, yet they’re so improved from last year that it’s still going to be an OK season overall. The core is extremely young, and as the rest of the league ages we’ll be in better shape than a lot of teams. Last year, we lost most of our games by 10-20+ points. This year, while we are still losing, we’ve made several big comebacks (notably against Chicago after being down 35) and took both the Lakers and the Cavs to OT (and double OT). That’s pretty impressive from the worst team in the league last year. So while the record might not show a ton of improvement, it’s definitely happening.
Chauncey Billups is a pretty good shooter.
Just my opinion.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
that on switch is always off with winning teams but i understand, sometimes they just play lazy, anyone notice that
by 15xtimeNBAchamps on Feb 6, 2010 1:31 AM PST up reply actions
The switch is off with losing teams, too
It’s just sometimes they can still beat ’em
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
Two ass kickings by these guys now...
…not looking good right now.
The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.
by gee-roj on Feb 6, 2010 4:56 AM PST via mobile reply actions
As a Laker fan I’m offically worried. Terrible defense all the way around, no fire, no emotion. After the 1st qtr they really looked like they where going thru the motions and some players where giving zero effort, IMO. They rely way too much on Kobe, and that in itself is very concerning.
The only guy on the team who looks interested in winning another title is Kobe. Players like Sasha, and Farmar need to go, and I hate to say this but Bynum is a guy who shouldn’t be safe either. The scary part is that the Nuggets know they are the better team and are playing like it. They do not fear us at all. Either does Cleveland.
"It took twenty five years to get there, and they did it in championship style" - Van Miller 1/20/91.
Better fasten your seat belt because after Portland tonight we play the Spurs and then @Utah before the all-star break.
The whole team looks beat and in need of some rest and some good practice sessions. Hopefully the break will do them good.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
The Nuggets totally laid an egg
against Phoenix two nights before and almost lost to Sacramento the game before that. Two ways to look at that: 1) Denver just had a great game and that happens in an 82 game season, or 2) What the Nuggets really care about is beating the Lakers.
Ummmm Margabelle?....
Are you secretly a Laker fan that has been spying on the Nuggets site?
by SternfluffsKobe on Feb 6, 2010 9:33 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Ummm. STERNFLUFFSKOBE
your name deserves added attention here on this SB site.
My point of the comment was if we can survive until the playoffs (point #2) the Lakers might be in trouble
I would chalk this up to the Nuggets being extremely white hot from three.
I think most of those clean looks came in the first half. When the Lakers started challenging those three point shots sans Afflalo’s open looks, they were still making them. JR Smith stepped with the step jumpers that couldn’t miss in the fourth quarter after Nene pwned Bynum in the third quarter. Not much you can do here.
I am an advocate for making a trade. Its not because of Fisher; its the friggin’ guards off the bench. I can’t count how many times ill-advised shots went up when Bynum and/or Pau should be getting the ball in the post. Here are my suggestions:
Morrison, Vujacic, Farmar for Hinrich and Johnson
Morrison and Farmar for Ridnour and Alexander
Morrison and Powell for Jeffries and Tony Douglas
Those trades probably won’t happen, but that’s what I would do or at least try.
I'm sure Mitch has tried
The issue is money. If Chicago was willing to take back Sasha’s contract, I think the deal would be done. No one wants Sasha, and there’s absolutely no way Jerry Buss is taking on Jeffries’ contract for a borderline rookie PG.
The Milkwaukee deal makes the most sense. Ridnour plays some horrendous D, but I don’t think it’s possible to downgrade in that department. We could really use the shooting.
I wouldn't search for solutions to our woes by throwing around trade ideas
We’ve got a great team, no, sorry, we’ve got a great group of players. Right now they’re not on the same page. This is a team that should strike fear into the hearts of our opponents. We don’t. This is a team that should score effortlessly from the post out. We don’t. This is a team that has more skill per position than any other in the NBA. It doesn’t matter.
When you aren’t playing together then stuff isn’t going to work. We need hustle, we need to WANT to play defense. We need to look for cutters, and move off the ball. We need to not dump it down low and wait for Pau/Drew to take a shot. That’s not offense. We need to stop putting it in Kobe’s hand and waiting for magic, that’s not offense. He was on fire last night. Great game. We lost. Badly.
I don’t know, but we haven’t been dominant in quite a while. Time to have a sit down player only meeting and decide what’s up, make a commitment to winning it all.
We’ve been the hype team from the start. Sure look at our wins. It’s the losses that concern. A win against Portland will be a good start. Or maybe we’ll roll over again and take it.
Here's what I saw last night:
- Denver definitely put it to us especially at Staples & without Melo. Congrats to them on a good game.
- Denver seemed able to defend our bigs and a banged up Kobe without getting into foul trouble more than in the past.
- Pau shot 8 for 17, not horrible, but he still seems out of sorts to me. Not sure if it is mental or physical but he doesn’t seem right. He doesn’t worry me though.
- Haven’t really had time to rest or practice since returning from a brutal 8 games in 12 nights trip. Our 2nd unit’s offense sputters if there is no transition basket available. Needs practice getting ball inside (understatement).
- Poor Kobe is so banged up that he can’t have an explosive offensive night and save us these days.
- The other Lakers seem slow like they are just trying to make it through until the all-star break. Hope they can pick up the energy after that.
And regarding those reports last night that the Nuggets feel they have our number and are a better team than us, nothing I saw last night would prove that wrong.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
Pau really needs to make a “statement” while he’s in the game. Sometimes I forget that he’s even on the floor, and theres no reason for that, especially for someone who’s supposed to be the #2 in the so called 1-2 punch. He has been underwhelming the past few games.
Yeah, he’s definitively in a slump. Funny I think he was pissed losing to Memphis since he used to be their star, he got out played by his little brother, he is frustrated by his own bad performance recently. . .I would bet that is what caused him to say what he did about not getting the ball inside enough. (He’s right but he probably would not have chosen to say it on what was a big night for Kobe – passing Jerry West.)
He’ll pull it together soon. He worries me less than the rest of the team (Kobe only worries because of his injury problems.)
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
by olf on Feb 6, 2010 4:11 PM PST up reply actions
Pau will figure himself out, I hope so at least. I just don’t like that the Lakers extended him a year and a half before his contract was up. It just seems too early, and it locks him in for such a long period of time that I don’t necessarily like the move. Also, he plays overseas basically every summer, so I think if the Lakers had waited for his contract to be up, or even a year before his contract was up the Lakers might have had more leverage when re-signing him in order to make it so that Pau isn’t spending the majority of his off-season playing overseas. As we saw, playing too much just results in injuries (Kobe is a prime example, and Pau with his hamstrings earlier on in the season)
I get why the Laker did re-sign him though, since maybe Buss and Mitch felt as if they had to lock in Pau first in order to ensure Kobe would sign the contract extension. Just in my opinion, if I was Mitch I wouldn’t have re-signed Pau so early (then again I don’t know the incentives behind re-signing him so early, there might have been some different reasons,etc)
I feel like with the Lakers, so far into the season, there are more questions then there are answers while last season it was the opposite. We’ll just have to wait and see I guess.
underwhelming
After watching the Laker Nugget game, LA looks pretty underwhelming to me.
Looks to me like they are only the third best team in the conference, after Denver and Utah.
That being said, they do have a tendency to have a fire lit under their butt once the rubber meets the road in the playoffs.
expletive expletive expletive expletive
Suarav is right on, not harsh enough but right on…..The Lakers dont play any transition defense whatsoever…They dont run back, they dont stop the ball, they dont even pick up the open man…This is all shit you learn in Junior High and High School ball..It doesnt require anything special other than RUNNING back down the court, stopping the ball and picking up a man, ANY man..It’s really ridiculous…I dont wanna hear another big complain about touches…They dont do anything when they do get the ball besides them punk ass Lay-ups…Bigs in the WNBA go up harder than they do..How bout we make a trade for Lisa Leslie? Im sure she’ll show more heart than ANY of our bigs..
Derek Fisher needs to go, not just to the bench but be gone period. He has no usefulness at all..He cant shoot, cant defend what the hell is he still doin on the court?All he has to do is hit OPEN shots.Im sure there are a number of young guards in the league that would kill to be in his position…All they have to do is defend and hit some jumpers…….we’ll be lucky to get a win out of these next 3 games before the all star break…Championship? pssssshht yeah right, we’ll be lucky to make it out the 1st round
Can I just say a few things:
Denver shot 15/22 last night from 3 pt range – 30% higher than their season average. Billups went 9/13 from 3 pt range, or 27% higher than his season average.
In fact, Billups had a career game. It’s worth noting: the game before against Phoenix, he shot 36% from the field to get 11 points.
I’m not saying LA deserved to win, but some people on here are blowing this way out of proportion. Denver will, in all likelihood, never shoot that accurately again. The percentages dictate as much.
Upon further analysis, a certain parallel can be found with Game 3 vs Orlando in the Finals last year where they shot a finals record and won the game as a result.
Of course, LA is not there (yet) but I still think at 38-13, which is a good record and still 1st in the conference, we’re not nearly as bad as some on here would have you think.
It’s funny last year about this time the Lakers were hitting on all cylinders. After Drew went down, Kobe dropped 60 on the Knicks. Then we carved up the Celts and Cavs in their places. At the time the Lakers were playing with a fury & energy because of their loss in The Finals.
This year, poor Kobe’s so banged up he can barely stay on the court let alone drop 60 on some team. The rest of the squad seems like they are still celebrating from the parade more than they are concentrating on whopping on western competitors.
The Cavs are running smoothly again this year and Denver and other teams seem much more focused than us – at least when they play us.
I’m holding out hope we’ll start getting it together after the all-star break.
PS. The Blazers already have their war party started for tonight’s game. It’s gonna be another tough one.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
by olf on Feb 6, 2010 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Hope you’re right (obviously). The Blazer site is reporting Roy will be out tonight. I saw him on TV a day or two ago saying he expected to be back by tonight though.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
The Lakers being 38-13
is the most misleading record in the league….Dont deserve it, dont know how we even got it and it’s not gonna mean much at all when the playoffs come around…We’ll be lucky to even have the top seed in the West…Hell we might not even have it when the All-Star break comes around….Portland, Utah, and the Spurs coming up…maybe we go 3-1 maybe we go 0-4…the team sucks right now and that’s putting it nicely
Sorry to repeat myself from above but
It was a disappointing couple of losses (with more to come) to be sure. But it is February 6th not April 6th.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
And Denver is 3 1/2 behind us with only 3 to go until the break. So we will still be top seed in the West before the break if it makes you feel any better. :)
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
hopefully last night’s loss motivates this team to bounce back by ending a 5 year drought in portland. i think it will.
I've got a feeling ...
That tonight’s gonna be a good night.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
Ha, sure hope so. (Btw, if you decide to change your login again maybe you could use Gil.I.am?)
Wife got free tickets for the Spurs game. Unfortunately, it is for the Spurs@Clipps tonight. So I will have to suffer through that game instead of watching tonight’s Laker game up in Portland.
Which of these things is not like the others? 15 NBA Championships, most wins in NBA history, current NBA champions, lost by 20 to the F'ing Spurs.
i highly doubt it
we’ve been thinking that everytime we’ve gone up there the past couple times and its always turned to shit fast. Dont see how its gonna be any different. Plus, this team is just playin like a bunch on selfish punks right now, so how the fuck they gonna win there?
Oh desecrator
You’re so negative.
They won.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gil Meriken on Feb 6, 2010 10:36 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Silver Screen and Roll
Related FanShots on Silver Screen and Roll
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 © 2010 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.
