Ron Artest Is Picking Chunks of Danny Granger Out of His Teeth
by DexterFishmore on Mar 2, 2010 10:50 PM PST
in Game Recaps
55 comments
The data exhaust from tonight's Laker game, a routine but delightful 122 to 99 clubbing of the Indiana Pacers, is remarkable in many respects. My favorite among the numbers, though, is this: Dahntay Jones, 15 field goal attempts. That's the most fired up by any Pacer, and in case you didn't catch it the first time, it was Dahntay Jones. When the opponent is using Dahntay Jones as its primary offensive option, it's safe to say ownage has been achieved.
Plenty of Lakers deserve shiny gold stars tonight, none more so than Ron Artest. His defense suffocated yet another elite wing scorer in Danny Granger. With Ron's foot up his ass all night, Granger used 16 possessions to score only nine points. Even if he scored 30 the Pacers probably couldn't have won this game, but Ron's lockdown virtuosity took away Indiana's only hope to compete. If this keeps up, he could make a strong second-half charge for Defensive Player of the Year.
With Granger MIA the Pacers had to find scoring elsewhere, and of course they didn't because they're horrible. In the first quarter they made 5 of 10 three-point shots to stay in the game. That obviously wasn't going to keep up, and once the Lakers decided to close out on shooters, the blowout unfolded. Led by Ron's five steals, L.A. forced Indy into turning the ball over on 18% of their possessions. All those cough-ups generated both fast breaks of the usual sort and three-point looks off the secondary break. As a team the Lakers had a strong shooting night from all over the floor, making 55% of their twos, 44% of their threes and 92% of their free throws.
Kobe Bryant is still laboring from the field, making only five of 14 field-goal attempts on the night. He nonetheless managed to score with efficiency by getting to the line a ton and making 14 of 15 freebies. This wasn't a fluke, by the way: Indiana fouls more than almost any team in the league. Honestly, with their crappiness now fresh in my memory, I have no idea how they've won 20 games. Their roster isn't noticeably better than Minnesota's or New Jersey's.
Aside from Ron's greatness, this night was about Fun With the Taco Unit. Adam Morrison entered the game early in the second quarter, a sure sign that Phil Jackson felt assured of a big win. AMMO dropped in a couple buckets within a three-minute span, which he interpreted as a green light to hoist it up for the rest of the game. More power to him, I say. How many more chances is he going to get in a Laker uniform?
DJ Mbenga had his moments, pouring in six points. Shannon Brown had a great stretch in the third period as the Lakers were running up the score. Jordan Farmar scored 19 on 10 shots and, far more important, came up with a critical, Taco-saving steal with less than a minute to play to hold Indy under 100.
It was an evening when pretty much everything went right. The only sad thing is, the Lakers don't get to play the Pacers again until next season. They should really visit more often.
|
|
Poss. |
TO% |
FTA/ |
FT% |
3FGA/FGA |
2PT% |
3PT% |
EFG |
TS% |
OReb Rate |
DReb Rate |
PPP |
|
Ind. |
99 |
18 |
0.17 |
67 |
0.20 |
49 |
41 |
51 |
53 |
26 |
74 |
1.00 |
|
L.A. |
99 |
13 |
0.28 |
92 |
0.26 |
55 |
44 |
57 |
63 |
26 |
74 |
1.23 |
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if you feel like i do rec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM1Dswz2-8M
YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD YES!
www.reverbnation.com/czheckproductions
by Czheck on Mar 2, 2010 10:59 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
this is one of the funniest things I have seen...hilarious!
I love the face he makes when he says, “look and stare…look and stare” priceless..
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 3, 2010 12:06 AM PST up reply actions
omg what is that :0
i turned it off after about 5 secs xD
great article dex
but you failed to mention morrisons 6 mins and 12 seconds of hall of fame play. after the luck virus left him he didnt fare so well in the basketball contest. and you predicted this massive victory
YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD YES!
www.reverbnation.com/czheckproductions
i dont understand some stat numbers
or how you compute stuff. but i like the way they’ve played. this is my first time to watch a game with the “WE WANT TACOS” chant. i hope that these chants continue. btw, are there free tacos when they’re visiting? and whats the rules for a taco night? does it need to be a blow-out without the opposition reaching 100?
first time i also see morrison play. he looks like a bum.
grats to us.
welcome to the bandwagon
Taco requirements:
home game
Laker win
opponent scores less than 100
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
first time i also see morrison play. he looks like a bum.
by Julio Nievas on Mar 2, 2010 11:43 PM PST up reply actions
Ammo=greatness personified
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
by shaqfor3 on Mar 2, 2010 11:25 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Comical
“With Granger MIA the Pacers had to find scoring elsewhere, and of course they didn’t because they’re horrible.”
It may be the truth but did you have to say it like that? I love SS&R. Always a good laugh.
by LifetimeLaker on Mar 2, 2010 11:30 PM PST via mobile reply actions
amateur writing, really
would never get published
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
by Justin N. on Mar 2, 2010 11:31 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Indy is not as bad as you think, definitley not New Jersey standards.
A few more pieces on the wing and some growth in their young center and they could be a pretty decent team.
few more pieces on the wing?
more then granger rush dunleavy and jones?
this team has talent.. its just their talent will probably never be good enough
They really need a point guard
And that takes up needs one through ten before we get to wing depth.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
they need some height too
theyre kinda undersized in the frontcourt though they do have roy hibbert
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
so just to summarise
they need a new point guard, new wing players, and a new center/PF. tt’s a whole basketball team.
nice game by kobe 10 years ago against the same team
cant help but bring it up again, people always think shaq did all the work during those years:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Lp5aQq4zI&feature=related
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
i remember watching that game
and i asked my dad if kobe was the greatest of all time and my dad said yes lol
YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD YES!
www.reverbnation.com/czheckproductions
Artest has really stepped it up recently
The most recent wings he’s faced, in descending order:
(In order: FGM-A, 3PM-A, FTM-A, TO)
Danny Granger: 2-9, 1-2, 4-6, 4.
Carmelo Anthony: 7-19, 0-2, 7-8, 8.
Andre Iguodala: 5-15, 1-6, 2-2, 2.
Shawn Marion: 5-11, 0-0, 0-1, 5.
Rudy Gay: 7-17, 0-1, 3-4, 1.
Paul Pierce: 4-9, 1-4, 2-4, 1.
Corey Maggette: 4-13, 0-0, 9-12, 6.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
thats why we got him
he may not have have the speed or quickness of ariza but the guy is a much much better defender and can lock down another team’s best player like he did tonight…
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
dam has Artest always been this good on defense?
I guess his reputation kept him from getting more money. Oh well! he could be our Rodman!
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 3, 2010 12:08 AM PST reply actions
BTW great title
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 3, 2010 12:08 AM PST reply actions
I'd like to see THIS Artest...
…against LeBron. The injured slow Artest seems gone, and methinks if we see LBJ again, he’ll get abused. Especially in a 7 game series (Lakers in 5). :D
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
excellent point
I thought Artest would be unable to slow down Lebron based on our last 2 meetings, but really he’s a different kind of player over these last couple weeks. Could be a nice trump card for us down the stretch.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
lebrons a bit bipolar
As long as Lebron thinks he’s a jump shooter, I think Artest has him. But if Lebron starts going into truck mode, I don’t think Artest will fare very well, unless we get some efficient help defense from our bigs. Lebron can’t do that for an entire series right?
by heinzketchup on Mar 3, 2010 12:34 AM PST up reply actions
For Lebron to get into truck mode
He really needs to be on the break, or a receive a feed. He can create off the drive, but is not nearly as effective and usually goes “jump shot” when he doesn’t get a drive off a cut or screen.
there is no way anyone can stop Lebron going to the basket..
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 3, 2010 6:43 AM PST up reply actions
I think the biggest difference
Will be that Artest will be able to go through screens much more effectively. A lot of our problems with LeBron were created when Artest was fighting through person setting the screen and LeBron had already the ball on the cut and is gaining steam towards the basket. In that case, it’s too much to ask the big to help effectively without leaving his own man open to an easy pass from LeBron. If Artest can stay with LeBron through the screen better, it makes it easier on our bigs, and also helps in post defense in general, so you won’t have Hickson and Varajeo getting so many garbage points, which hurt us in both Cleveland games.
Honestly though, the big difference will be that Jamison will hurt Cleveland in a series against us. They basically have to play him 25-30 minutes, and Gasol or Odom is going to tear him apart on the offensive end in that period.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Also, Artest does not have to exert himself much on the offensive end.
With all the weapons we have on offense, all we need Artest to do is save his energy and shoot the occasional 3. In the playoffs, i see him getting very nasty on defense and annoying the crap out of Lebron, Melo, Durant, Butler, Carter…. Basically anybody we put him on.
I cant wait for his toughness and passion to come out in the playoffs and infect this team.
"I work my ass off every day in practice. How many other guys can say the same thing? Not many. I'm fighting against becoming soft. That's the worse thing you can say to a basketball player." - Dennis Rodman
Artest says that he still wants to lose a bit more weight,
He originally wanted to hit 280lbs but his feet started to hurt so he wants to get down to like 250. So far the results have been better with him at a lighter weight. I think he wanted to hit 280 to be able to push people around in the post (melo, bron, pp), but his feet couldnt handle the extra weight and it seemed to slow him down alot. Now he is lighter and can move quicker.
Lastnight he was asked if he wanted another DPOY, he said that award doesn’t matter he just wants to win. Team cancer my ASS!!
" I'm a human, not a sandwich"
by true_lakerfan on Mar 3, 2010 9:12 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah, and look at what the Celtics are going through...
I think Rasheed was a much bigger problem than Ron-Ron.
"I work my ass off every day in practice. How many other guys can say the same thing? Not many. I'm fighting against becoming soft. That's the worse thing you can say to a basketball player." - Dennis Rodman
Yup, they hoped and hoped he would bring us down
and talked a whole lot of mess how he was a bad signing.
I beg to differ..
" I'm a human, not a sandwich"
by true_lakerfan on Mar 3, 2010 2:36 PM PST up reply actions
imagine if the lakers were in the eastern conference
& this is the kind of opposition they’d meet on a regular basis. no wonder the cavs are in pole position. what a joke.
by givethemanabreak on Mar 3, 2010 2:30 AM PST reply actions
This whole best record thing is whack
Cavs get to play teams like the pacers, knicks , and nets 4 times each. While we only get to play them twice each. AND we have to play teams like the thunder, portland, hornets more than they do. What is this witchcraft?
i think its THE FIX.....
"I work my ass off every day in practice. How many other guys can say the same thing? Not many. I'm fighting against becoming soft. That's the worse thing you can say to a basketball player." - Dennis Rodman
It really hasn't changed
It is very annoying, but it’s always been like this… kinda. The eastern conference has always been week. At least this decade. I mean for the first half of the 2000’s, the Eastern Conference’s elite could not compete with the Western Conference elites. (Nets, 76ers, early 00’s Pacers) The only teams worth mentioning were probably the
Pistons
Miami with Shaq/Wade(2 years?)
maybe Pacers with O’Neal/Artest(2 years?).
The Nets were a good regular season team.
Meanwhile the West had:
the Lakers obviously
the Spurs
the Kings(5 years?)
the Trailblazers(3 years)
T’Wolves (2 years?)
and the Mavs (which probably is the 3rd best NBA team for the 00’s).
And the only reason most of these other West teams were not able to get over the hump were because of the Lakers or the Spurs. But if they had played in teh Western Conference… who knows?
Eastern Conference.... who knows?***
And Wow… I totally went off on a tangent. I made a point about elite teams. I meant to say that these Eastern conference teams have always had their records boosted by the fact they played in teh Eastern conference. And over the past few years, it has just been augmented with the top-end Eastern teams becoming more ‘elite’, while the rest still suck.
has always been weak**
I’m up late doing work. And I have come to the final conclusion that you need bigs to get it done, which is what those Nets, 76ers, and 00 Pacers lacked.
The L-east has always been the weaker conference since the 80's.
The thing is the L-east for some reason beyond my comprehension have had some of the all time great teams (eg Bill Russell’s Celtics, Jordan’s Bulls, and Bad Boy Pistons) which between them have TWENTY FIVE NBA TITLES!!!
The West since the 80’s has always been more competitive and was a LITERAL WAR to get out of. Check the 90’s where it was DOGFIGHT to get outta the West, BUT the L-east had the BULLS who were without a doubt the BEST team out there.
My point is despite the West being the better conference the L-east had the best team at the time which more often than not won the title and boosted the amount it has over the West.
In the L-east teams are able to make the playoffs with sub 500 records, but out West it’s a different story. I feel bad for teams such as Sacramento, Phoenix, KG’s Minnesota, Portland who never got to play in the NBA finals because they were in the West.
It was so hard that guys like KG, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Jason Kidd and Rasheed Wallace had to flee the West just to get the chance to play in the finals.
The past 3 seasons have been incredibly annoying to me because the top teams in the L-east have been able to pad their stats and record fairly automatic wins against the conference’s lesser lights, while in the West it’s basically a daily grind.
Cleveland having the best regular season record means nothing to me because they play new York, New Jersey, Indiana, Philadelphia, Washington, Milwaukee FOUR times a year!!. Imagine if we got that chance.
End Rant. ps if you didn’t realize it by now, I hate the L-eastern Conference
Anyway I didn’t even bother to watch last night’s game because in my opinion a Laker win was as certain as the sun rising this morning, and why waste energy watching something I already know the outcome of?
another awesome fun read :)
Just an ordinary 9th grade Lakers fan.
You crack me up Fishmore
I don’t hang around here to often, I should though, a lot of characters here, and on top of that, a lot great Laker info, but when I do come there isn’t day that I don’t chuckle reading your commentary.
“With Ron’s foot up his ass all night”
Cracked me up, funny, couldn’t hold my coffee, sprayed it all over my keyboard and monitor. Great writing here, and that goes for all.
No harm no foul
by Jello Is Jiggling on Mar 3, 2010 8:12 AM PST reply actions
you mean this amateurish writing that would never be published?
"I work my ass off every day in practice. How many other guys can say the same thing? Not many. I'm fighting against becoming soft. That's the worse thing you can say to a basketball player." - Dennis Rodman
That's us!
Twitter feed: @dexterfishmore
by DexterFishmore on Mar 3, 2010 1:10 PM PST up reply actions
19 points for Jordan Farmar
get this guy more minutes, may help take some of the offensive load off of Kobe.
The Airman of Westwood
his decision making is still questionable at times.
Is that you Dacos?
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