Lakers-Timberwolves Preview: Meet The Coach Who Got Away
by DexterFishmore on Jan 29, 2012 9:00 AM PST
in Game Previews
Email
PrintIt's strange to contemplate but nonetheless true: at this odd moment in history, the Minnesota Timberwolves might command more respect around the NBA than the Los Angeles Lakers. They might, is what I'm saying. At the very least, the trajectories of the two organizations are converging. Long handicapped by bad management and a location that makes them repellent to free agents, the Timberwolves have drafted and developed their way to apparent respectability. Perhaps that's just what happens when you're terrible and picking in the top six every year, but they've made some nice little roster moves to surround their lottery talent with quality role players, and they were (eventually) smart enough to ditch Kurt Rambis in favor of Rick Adelman. The man many Laker fans hoped would become the next coach of the purple and gold has the Wolves playing surprisingly adequate ball. We're none of us hearing or making so many David Kahn jokes these days.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are struggling to avoid an existential crisis. Their loss to the Milwaukee Bucks last night was a low point of the season, though one suspects it won't ultimately qualify as the low point. They've lost four straight on the road. The offense is bad, yes, but all the talk of their failing to hit 100 points has occluded how badly the defense has slipped. For a couple weeks now opponents have been taking apart the much-hyped Mike Brown D. A Bucks team on the tail end of a back-to-back and playing without Andrew Bogut had no problem whatsoever scoring on the Lake Show. The record is creeping down toward 0.500. You get the sense the Lakers need to stabilize things fast, or the season could spiral beyond the point of rescue.
The Wolves' 9-10 record is a bit misleading. Three of their losses came in December, when they lost to the Thunder, Bucks and Heat by nine points total. Since then they've blended a few embarrassing defeats (to the Cavaliers and Raptors, for instance) with victories over opponents both dreadful (the Wizards and Pistons) and not (the Spurs and Mavericks twice each). And they've done so despite injuries to guys they were counting on to be big contributors. Michael Beasley has played only eight games because of a sprained right foot. Jose Juan Barea, like Beasley an old friend of Andrew Bynum, is out indefinitely with a hurt hamstring.
The engine of the Timberwolves' surge is Kevin Love. Now in his fourth season, the UCLA product is as officially a franchise player as one can be. He's top five in the NBA in minutes played, points, rebounds and PER, and this past week he signed a four-year extension worth more than $60 million. Love has a bigger role in the Minnesota offense than he ever did under Rambis. Although his raw shooting percentage (44 percent) looks bad, his three-point game would be the envy of most shooting guards, and he gets to the free-throw line just an insane amount. Against a Pau Gasol who looked gassed last night in Milwaukee he could have his way physically.
Perhaps a bigger test for the Lakers will be Ricky Rubio. You can pretty much always say that about the opponent's point guard, but few of them are as much fun to watch as the young Spaniard. He'll test the Lakers' always-stout pick and roll defense and probably make us wish he were still back in Spain. At age 21 Rubio is already atop the league tables in assists and steals, and how is that even possible? I'm not sure but it's starting to feel like the Lakers are the only team in the NBA without an awesome point guard.
(Seriously, though. Are any of the Lakers' point guards even in the top 50 for the position? Can we at least bring Jordan Farmar back?)
Beyond the Love-Rubio core, Adelman likes to spread out the playing time. Luke Ridnour is putting up 12 points a game and has settled nicely into a productive mid-career phase. After Love he's the Wolves' main three-point threat. Rookie Derrick Williams is struggling with his shot but rebounds well and shows good all-around promise. In Darko Milicic and Anthony Tolliver Adelman has a couple big men who specialize in defending the paint. In Anthony Randolph he has a talented but bracingly erratic frontcourt reserve. In Nikola Pekovic he has a Montenegran who's shooting over 60 percent this season.
The Wolves' major weakness is at shooting guard. Wesley Johnson and Wayne Ellington are reasonably famous names but haven't come close to living up to their draft positions. Johnson is an especially curious case. The fourth overall pick in 2010, he's lugging around a sub-43 percent effective field-goal mark. His best game as a pro, however, came against the Lakers last March, when he scored 29 in a loss at Staples. For reasons I've never really understood Stu Lantz loooves Wesley Johnson, and I'm interested to see whether the kid's horrible season will keep Stu from raving about him endlessly.
At the moment the Lakers' issues are too numerous to list. The offense has no spacing or rhythm. They take way too long to get into their sets. They're getting nothing from the point-guard or small-forward positions. They've shot below 50 percent on twos in seven straight games, and let's not even mention the three-point shooting. But again, the defense is now just as much a problem. They're routinely getting ripped up at that end, and this is supposed to be Mike Brown's strength.
With Rick Adelman sitting on the opposite bench this afternoon, we'll get ourselves a glimpse at what could've been. It might not be too pleasant.
Follow Dex on Twitter @dexterfishmore.
143 comments
|
Add comment
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'm not sure Rubio is the real deal...
but in the one T-Wolves game I watched (against the Clippers), his shooting was an abortion up to the mid 4th (missed every shot), but he dribble penetrated very well in a lot of the late 4th period possessions going to the rim strong and getting fouled or setting up his teammates. He also made a big three to tie the game up near the end and then gave very good effort contesting a drive by one of the Clips to help the T-Wolves get to the point of Love knocking down the buzzer beater for the win. I’m not a big fan of KLove’s game, but to his credit, he gave Rubio the props for his play down the stretch. Rubio’s defense was shaky in the game at times, needs to bulk up some for one thing as some of the Clips guards were using their strength to their advantage. His game is fun to watch for sure.
(Martin Landau) Bela Lugosi: How dare that a****** bring up Karloff? You think it takes talent to do Frankenstein? It's all makeup and grunting.
--From the movie Ed Wood
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
He's the real deal...
Great vision and outside the one game you saw, he has shot the ball pretty well. Easily top 10 pg right now.
by Actuarially Sound on Jan 29, 2012 9:28 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I was impressed,
he did not get down on himself for one thing being 0 for whatever and did the right thing at the end of the game by putting pressure on the Clips.
(Martin Landau) Bela Lugosi: How dare that a****** bring up Karloff? You think it takes talent to do Frankenstein? It's all makeup and grunting.
--From the movie Ed Wood
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
This is something he has that a lot of NBA players don't,
a really good perspective on the game. Every time he talks about the game, I’m impressed with his mindset, helps make him a better player.
I am a Rubio hater
Or was, until I saw him play. I did watch a game where he passed up multiple open shots, but the rest of his game was great. I think he needs to develop that jumper and the sky will be the limit.
For me its the consistent inconsistency that concerns me - PAGFL
It's always AMMO Time, in spirit- DexterFishmore
lebron should just lock himself away and not talk for the rest of forever-LA32
I too was a hater,
more specifically AMMO hater. I saw the error of my ways.
how you doin'
Twitter: @bluefalcon916
Woah, dude
Hey bro, you really want to put that on the interwebs? You never know if he’s reading… lock your doors bro, lock them…
For me its the consistent inconsistency that concerns me - PAGFL
It's always AMMO Time, in spirit- DexterFishmore
lebron should just lock himself away and not talk for the rest of forever-LA32
Nah, he's too busy leading the Beşiktaş Milangaz to the promised land.
Cincy Jungle: Where the Rocky Mountains are in the Pacific Ocean
WHAT??????!!!!!!!!!???????????
AMMO carried the Lakers to back-2-back titles and we couldn't even get LEWIS MONROE for him...
by Q.Calloway25 on Jan 29, 2012 2:12 PM PST up reply actions
Same here, but I really like the guy now...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
The main thing about rubio,
Is that he’s the kind of player that guys love to have on their team. Someone who is looking to reward his teammates for being in the right spots and for their effort. He can make his team be worth more than the sum of its parts.
Maybe I'll just fade into Bolivian
My only problem is his tendency for the home run pass
and outside shooting. Rondo-lite he is
"These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we fucked up the end game." - Charlie Wilson
"I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence." -Lupe Fiasco
dude is the real deal
he’s still adjusting to the league but he’s made great strides so far. he’s not an aggressive slasher or scorer like d-will or cp3 but he can PASS the rock with the best of them and has high IQ.
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
I LOVE his passing
that dude is a baller. Member back in the day when everyone was laughing at Minn for waiting so long or Rubio? Who’s laughing now?
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
not fucking us
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
still laughing at Minny either way lol
"These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we fucked up the end game." - Charlie Wilson
"I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence." -Lupe Fiasco
He's good. His passing is amazing and his game is translating to the NBA much better than anyone expected.
His shooting isn’t all there yet but there is time to work on that as he is young.
Regarding his shooting: It was the first time I had seen him play and he was off,
but the mechanics were good—more of a set shot.
(Martin Landau) Bela Lugosi: How dare that a****** bring up Karloff? You think it takes talent to do Frankenstein? It's all makeup and grunting.
--From the movie Ed Wood
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
Rubio could be the new Steve Nash.
While Steve Nash definitely has a better shooting touch, Rubio is young and can work on his jumpers. But the way they penetrate, and pass with their wonderful floor vision as well as steals, and let us not forget a kinda weak defense. Will turn out to be a good PG who make his teammates better.
hes only 21
1st yr in the league…hes gonna be special…..look at the bright side…lakers have fisher and an out of control morris…goudelock is the real deal though
by paul wall 1962 on Jan 29, 2012 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
This is not the season we were all expceting...
I think when Blake returns things will get much better. Mike Brown may want to consider moving Kobe to SF and playing Blake and Goudelock in the backcourt when the other team has a smaller SF. The Lakers offense needs spacing. You can get away with two players who aren’t threats from deep, but you can’t play with 3 non shooters. It is just too easy for the defense to sag down and shut everything off inside. If Gasol and Bynum are on the floor, the rest of the players have to be three point threats.
by Actuarially Sound on Jan 29, 2012 9:26 AM PST via mobile reply actions
I agree, to an extent, with what you're saying. We definitely need better spacing, and Blake is gonna help with that.
But to his credit, Barnes is one of our few players who is consistently active without the ball in his hands, and I feel he plays well off of Pau.
Besides that, I really want to see Blake be aggressive, and Bynum get a little more court awareness. Bynum can still be doubled effectively if he’ll never find Blake/Glock when he does, or if Blake won’t move and create the angle needed for Bynum. To your point, though, Blake has been a lot better this season than last about opening up angles to get himself open for shots, but he still has moments where I feel he’s too passive.
The problem is that the Lakers have no two guard or SF.......
that can shoot the three with any reasonable accuracy. Goudelock, Blake, Fisher, and Morris are all point guards. Putting any two of those players on the floor together would compromise the defense. Thus, the Lakers need a two and/or three that can shoot. This would certainly help manage Kobe’s minutes, which was 42 mins last night. Mitch, come fix this.
by E-ROC on Jan 29, 2012 10:22 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
Blake actually isn't terrible at the 2 spot
He’d be outsized, but the Mavs take the same downside when they have Jet playing the 2… Sometimes you just gotta live with it…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
The Jet more often than not plays with Kidd.
The Lakers can’t simply bite the bullet and play with that samll backcourt because their margin for error is small.
by E-ROC on Jan 29, 2012 10:30 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
Love the optimism. I'm with you.
Now my hopes lie with Blake coming back and to see what Mitch does by March 15th.
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
I concur
getting Blake definitely takes the stress of controlling the ball and allows kobe to be a bit more effective drawing attention as Blake can run the offense fairly well under MB. He’s perhaps the only one who doesn’t seem lost since it’s clear he prefers this offense to his debacle under phil. also now that we have a glimpse of what Glock is capable of, he can run the 2nd unit and hopefully that brings some sort of order back to the bench and to the team overall.
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
Good points...
think when Blake returns things will get much better. Mike Brown may want to consider moving Kobe to SF and playing Blake and Goudelock in the backcourt when the other team has a smaller SF.
If Kobe is the SF with Bynum (or Gasol) on the floor that still gives the Lakers two good post play options. Kobe is very good in the post, in the Clippper game, I remember three times he got post position in the third and got to the rim/line twice and set up Fisher for a wide-open with the other one.
(Martin Landau) Bela Lugosi: How dare that a****** bring up Karloff? You think it takes talent to do Frankenstein? It's all makeup and grunting.
--From the movie Ed Wood
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
But Howaaaaaaaaaaaard
does. btw…there is a W in wing and in Howard and a Y in Bynum as in Y are you still here?
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
*win
lol..i must be hungry
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
lmao
that very thought ran right thru my mind
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
shit i was in class when I typed that.
I love my class but damn I can only take so much. 4 hours straight of class is crazy.
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
Hello #12
Andrew: BYe NUMber 17?
Tornadoes suck.
by st0rmchaser on Jan 29, 2012 12:26 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, today's game should be great. Just effing great.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @MNTimberwolves.
Tweetness
That;s the spirit!
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
Effen' spirits
(we may need ’em if we run out of 1800 and TV bricks).
"Please tell me some of these stories about Los Angeles being the basketball capital of the world." - Red Auerbach
"质量是我们的尊严。服务是我们的电梯。" ("Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.")
"make em eat your bubbles" - Cup Noodles
Pau' train of thought
“I’ll meet Rubio tonight.”
uhhh…
“He’s like family.”
uhhh
“That means I can lay back a bit and relax.”
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
That must mean he treats everyone like family
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
Es necessidad por la familia es importante hombre!
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
Seeing Adelman standing next to a coveted pg....
….i think my stomach just flipped inside out
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
Can we at least bring Jordan Farmar back?
You know it makes you wonder how effective Farmar would’ve been under MB’s offense. Also, believe it or not, I kinda wish we had Vujacic as well. He handled the ball fairly well and was feisty on defense. He prolly would’ve had more opportunities to get open looks behind the arc under this new offense.
Now we all got is Kapono who refuses to do what he does best.
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
all we got*
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
His speed would have been really cool
he got good velocity under those ears.
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
yeaaaaaaah
<blockquoteI’m not sure but it’s starting to feel like the Lakers are the only team in the NBA without an awesome point guard.>
that might be because it’s been the most glaringly obvious fact about the lakers since nick van exel was traded about 14 years ago.
Maybe I'll just fade into Bolivian
lol
"These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we fucked up the end game." - Charlie Wilson
"I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence." -Lupe Fiasco
Hey! What about Gary Payton, Chucky Atkins and Smush
AMMO carried the Lakers to back-2-back titles and we couldn't even get LEWIS MONROE for him...
by Q.Calloway25 on Jan 29, 2012 2:40 PM PST up reply actions
A Lil bit of Ricky for those still iffy
Ricky is Risky Business tonight
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
Has some flair to his game for sure...
lol at the opening scene with Tom pouring about eight to ten shots of Chivas Regal in the glass and topping it off with Coke.
(Martin Landau) Bela Lugosi: How dare that a****** bring up Karloff? You think it takes talent to do Frankenstein? It's all makeup and grunting.
--From the movie Ed Wood
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
We all said Minny would be better than expected this year when people applauded NO for getting their pick
"These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we fucked up the end game." - Charlie Wilson
"I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence." -Lupe Fiasco
The coach that got away
Oh snap smh
"Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard"-Norm Nixon
There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be committed against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the Limelight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.
I'm on it so let's tweet: @B_M_Bizness
by BrittneyM on Jan 29, 2012 11:07 AM PST via mobile reply actions
whats this is hear? Mitch might be leaving
http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-mitch-kupchak-may-be-leaving-lakers/2012/01/29/
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess." -Kobe Bryant
Maybe Isiah Thomas is avaliable
: )
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
this is the type of team that gives the lakers fits and me the mudbutt from watching.
a athletic pg with great vision who can get anywhere on the court, and young athletic wings who can finish of the pass and dribble.i hope gasol was lloking ahead to this matchup and that is why he played so horribly, because he was busy thinking of ways to score and defend love, but i doubt it. expect a few derrick william dunks from rubio lobs and love to stretch out our bigs and knock down 3’s, and. this team is hella fun to watch as long as they’re not playing us. i’m trying to stay optimistic but it’s really hard. it’s like this team was built by cyborgs and sent from the future specifically to beat up on the lakers.
Dare I ask what "mudbutt" is?
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @MNTimberwolves.
Tweetness
Use your imagination...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
My imagination is very vivid. I'm afraid to use it here.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @MNTimberwolves.
Tweetness
It's a common, uh, problem...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 12:06 PM PST up reply actions
Dave Chapelle reference!
lol mudbutt
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 11:50 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
Classic!
You get 2 thumbs up for slipping it in your post lol
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 12:14 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Lol Adelman would b going thru the same thing as Mike Brown.
Phil could be coaching and this team would still play like trash.
Last year wasnt an anomaly. Thats what they are. ANY Coach we brought in was getting the Downslide lakers. Old Slow Soft and inconsistent. There isnt a move we can make that will magically make things better. Pau has to go along with a host of other deadweight we have securing the bench and taking up space in the starting lineup.
I dont understand the logic behind keeping Kapono on the team. He is trash. Give a guy who has a modicum of talent a chance. MILSAP. If he can come up and give us 4 points and good D off the bench its a plus. Give Ebanks regular minutes. Hes young and while he has his lapses he still showed good D and a solid shot. Playing vets who’re not producing is useless. Metta needs to reside at the end of the bench and Barnes needs to come off the bench. Another double digit loss comin up lol The fun part is seeing how they’re gonna screw it up tonight.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 11:49 AM PST via Android app reply actions
I don't wanna keep harping on the Mike Brown thing,
but Rick Adelman is an incredibly good offensive coach, and Mike Brown isn’t. The Lakers offense is pretty terrible this year, and some of that (In my opinion, a lot of it, but whatever) comes back to the coach.
Offense doesn't matter,
Our guys can’t shoot make…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
I dont see any change Unless Adelmans offense created a layup line
Even that would disqualify Fisher. We have horriterrible shooters. That doesnt change with the coach.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 12:21 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
We have horrible shooters and two elite post players.
We should be getting better looks than we get. And, despite the Lakers’ post presence, we have the least amount of shots at the rim in the league, while the Wolves are an outside shooting team and still get to the rim 5 times more than us a game. This is with, in my opinion, less talent, less size, and less overall basketball IQ-All things that can help get you to the rim.
We have 2 post players but only 1 that actually plays in the post.
Outside of Kobe we dont have anybody else that gets into any sort of position to even draw fouls. Love gets to the line because he’s aggressive. Pau is not. Their pg gets into the lane and gets easy shots for their guys,which can result in fouls. Ours do not. They’re more athletic across the board and attack the rim. We arent and we do not. Its no secret why they get more freebies and shots at the rim.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 12:58 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
And, to go a step further;
Last season the Lakers were 6th in the league in offensive efficiency. This year we’re 16th. Losing Odom sucks, getting a year older sucks, but I don’t understand how we could possible drop that far with that little change in the roster. There has to be an explanation, and in my opinion it’s that Mike Brown doesn’t understand how to implement a quality offense on this team. The system is important, and this system is iffy at best.
We dropped because we shoot the ball terrible.
We dont get any easy shots. Every shot we get comes in the halfcourt which makes it even harder to score. Pau is in decline. Metta has declined. Fisher has declined even more. Barnes cant shoot worth a damn. We dont get any help from a sorry bench who cant score. Age + diminishing skills = What we see on the court every night
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 1:04 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
I think we just have different opinions on why the decline is there, which is cool.
I don’t just see Pau, Metta, and Fisher being older, I see them making dumb mistakes and not understanding their role. I see Kobe/Pau catching the ball at the wing/high post respectively, and the rest of the team watching, when they would previously they would have at least initiated the triangle and screened or made a basic flash into the lane. Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way, and I don’t exactly have tons of video to back up that theory. So it’s all based off of my impression and memory of the offense in each season, which is obviously not definitive.
unfortunately, this is true :(
Pau is in decline.
I really don’t understand how he has fallen off his game so badly! He’s just 31. Kobe..with a broken finger and a knee needing surgery (and more mileage) was Finals MVP at 31. And it’s not like Pau relied soley on his athleticism, so why the drop-off?
Yesterday, I watched clips from the 2009 Finals and it was so disheartening. The difference between him then and now is so visible. :( I miss that Pau!
by SmokeAndAshes on Jan 29, 2012 1:15 PM PST up reply actions
Phil could be coaching and they would probably get swept in the playo......oh wait!
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
Let's be perfectly clear here -- Mike Brown ISN'T the coach of the LA Lakers . . . Kobe is
Mike Brown is doing the same thing in LA that he did in Cleveland: he’s deferred to his “star” player. He’s not a coach, he’s a caretaker. An enabler. There’s no way in hades that Kobe should be taking as many shots as he is. But hey, that’s the Lakers’ problem. No bench, no PG, and no team speed. If they do somehow manage to make the playoffs, they’ll be one and done.
If the Celtics make the playoffs
It’s cause the East sucks…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 2:07 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, the East sucks. Miami and Orlando beat the brakes off the Lakers.
Indy, Chicago, and now the Bucks w/out Bogut and Jackson do the Lakers by double digits. Yet the “East sucks”. Keep tellin’ yourselves that if it makes you fell any better.
Well we aren't very good at the moment.
So your logic fails.
"In this league, you gotta learn to run on empty. Fuel level at zero, but still you run." -KB
you are ridiculous. btw enjoy your next 5 years as a lottery team after this season. at least we will reload and bounce back quicker than you guys can.
you’re right we aren’t going deep in the playoffs, about as deep as boston is going to go. you guys better keep kissing rondos ass too and make sure he doesn’t leave you guys in his rearview after the way danny treated him in the offseason. you guys are cellar dwellers next year and the only chance you have is to get rondo to stay and build around him for the next 3 years and maybe you’ll make the playoffs as a 6 or 7 seed by then.
That's grounded in fact? Or merely your wishful thinking?
Why are you so concerned about Rondo? Could it because watching your starting PG trying to guard the other team’s PG is more painful to watch than a three legged dog trying to chase a fast car?
Come back to us when you've beaten a good team...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 2:56 PM PST up reply actions
Well, we beat the Magic by 31 if you weren't paying attention.
Then beat them again a couple nights later. Then Indy on Friday night. I seem to recall those “good” teams handily beat the Lakers.
Like I said, call us when you beat a good team...
LOL, you realize I’m half kidding with you right? But seriuosly, you have had a terrible schedule and you’re only .500…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:02 PM PST up reply actions
Well
If history repeats itself itll b another 20+ years before the Celts return to relevance.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 3:00 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
That's a mighty big "IF".
More wishful thinking on your part. You instead ought to be wishing for a road “W”.
My statement is based in FACT
The celts were relevant. Then irrelevant for 20+ years In 09 yall were relevant. Then watched the Lakers win 2 titles since then. 3 years and counting.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 3:06 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Ah, so misery loves company.
Well, at least maybe the SSR meet-and-greet in Hawaii can take place in June then.
"Please tell me some of these stories about Los Angeles being the basketball capital of the world." - Red Auerbach
"质量是我们的尊严。服务是我们的电梯。" ("Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.")
"make em eat your bubbles" - Cup Noodles
Why do morons persist in visiting other teams's blogs just to make complete asses of themselves?
And you’re right about one thing.
But hey, that’s the Lakers’ problemSo leave us alone to deal with our problem.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @MNTimberwolves.
Tweetness
No worries. Be sure you circle Feb. 9th on your calendar.
WARNING: it’s a ROAD game for the Lakers. LOL!
Will the big 3 still be there by then?
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:03 PM PST up reply actions
Eh
i dnt think the Celts game qualifies as a date circler anymore. nothin to get excited about.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 3:04 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Heh, neither of us are going anywhere...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:07 PM PST up reply actions
Why even come here and do this?
Congratulations on talking shit about a team on a blog, for no reason. I’m very proud of you.
On behalf of fans of other teams, let me apologize.
Minnesota fan. It’s totally possible to visit each other’s sites and have an interesting conversation…. Or maybe that’s because my own team’s sucked so much that it has no real rivals, you know?
"First, I'd like to blame the Lord for causing us to lose today."
damn bro you are a fuckig loser. i guess i should expect nothing less from a classy east coast bawwston faaan though..
you do realize your team is on the brink of just giving away any player not named rondo in a fire sale, and you guys would squat in return. all in the hope of convincing a franchise player to come over there and join rondo. lmao, funny thing is you guys were trying like hell to unload rondo and convince paul to come over there, even though paul wanted nothing to do with your puke green franchise, because the whole time he was trying to get a deal done to come to laker town. now you have a disgruntled pg who you will have a difficult time resigning and will prbly be forced to trade at some point, and he will prbly have us on his list of teams he would agree to be traded to. because everyone wants to play for us, to the point that the nba needs to intervene and collude to stop them from coming over here, or else it wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the league. you definitely cannot say that about your horrible franchise. i hope you guys enjoyed the last few years of marginal success, because you will soon be looking up at teams like Charlotte, Washington, Bucks, and toronto. hoping you’re a little bit worse than them so you can get a few more balls for the lottery machine.
we might suck right now, but we will get better and quick. we might have to blow it up this season and build around kobe and dwight or dwill. but we can get back to the promise land alot quicker than your team ever can.
This makes so much sense I'm not even pissed that it came from a Celtic's fan
somehow the comments didn’t feel like you were taking a jab at the Lakers. I really don’t know if your comments on Brown are true. But I remember that when he was in Cleveland that I might have said the same about him. But there is just one thing that keeps me believing in him, well two things. first, he has proven that he is capable of taking a team to the Finals.
And most importantly, his track record for getting teams to play D isn’t or wasn’t a fluke in Cleveland. Mainly because he has the Lakers playing decent defense. Minus the rebounding of course.
we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon (January 22, 2012)
We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl (January 28th, 2012)
If we had a PF or C,
who had a vertical higher than 10 inches, we wouldnt have any problems with rebounds. our defense would be so much better if we had dwight……
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
Jose Calderon anyone?
I read that he’s available. Decent PG. Doesnt turn the ball over and makes good decisions with it. Can shoot the ball although his numbers are down a bit this year. I’m sure Gasol would love it and it might wake him up. He’s making $10.5 mil next year though. Thoughts?
We have nothing to offer
His salary is ridiculous lol
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 1:06 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
If he fit in the lo tpe i would try it.
but he doesnt.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 1:07 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
hit a recent rough patch in his shooting
but we have few things to offer outside of the picks we have plus our younger roster parts.
"These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we fucked up the end game." - Charlie Wilson
"I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence." -Lupe Fiasco
I'd do it if he wasn't 30...
Need to get younger…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 2:06 PM PST up reply actions
Man Mike Brown is a bad "coach". Has he even done any actualy coaching in CLE or here?
Seems like he lets the alpha male of the team run the show, which is kind of disappointing.
I was always a huge naysayer in terms of how great of a coach PJ was, but the fact that he was able to successfully coach a ton of divas is very impressive when you look at this team now. Yes, the players are older, but I don’t think that accounts entirely for the way things are ending up.
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
.
or you're wrong
CJ:
Geezer Bulter or John Entwistle?
"Please tell me some of these stories about Los Angeles being the basketball capital of the world." - Red Auerbach
"质量是我们的尊严。服务是我们的电梯。" ("Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.")
"make em eat your bubbles" - Cup Noodles
Victor Wooten.
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Jan 29, 2012 3:33 PM PST up reply actions
That genre works too.
"Please tell me some of these stories about Los Angeles being the basketball capital of the world." - Red Auerbach
"质量是我们的尊严。服务是我们的电梯。" ("Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.")
"make em eat your bubbles" - Cup Noodles
I don't get it?
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Jan 29, 2012 5:08 PM PST up reply actions
Oh my avi haha
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Jan 29, 2012 5:09 PM PST up reply actions
There ya go.
"Please tell me some of these stories about Los Angeles being the basketball capital of the world." - Red Auerbach
"质量是我们的尊严。服务是我们的电梯。" ("Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.")
"make em eat your bubbles" - Cup Noodles
Tell me how you feel Laker fans
I feel good today. How do you feel?
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @MNTimberwolves.
Tweetness
Yes,
Celtics fans can totally hold shit over us. The Celtics are in such a better position, with older superstars, a worse record on a worse strength of schedule in a weaker division. And even if they were, what’s the point of these posts? To antagonize people you don’t know? To argue about people you obviously disagree with, and again, don’t know? I’m glad to see neither of those things happened, but wow. This kinda crap makes no sense.
I don’t understand people.
Well, since they're rumors, and he was mentored by Jerry West,
we should have several more years of rumors and quality service by Mitch before he leaves / retires.
Maybe it’s a 孫武 thing.
"Please tell me some of these stories about Los Angeles being the basketball capital of the world." - Red Auerbach
"质量是我们的尊严。服务是我们的电梯。" ("Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.")
"make em eat your bubbles" - Cup Noodles
this confused me
We’re none of us hearing or making so many David Kahn jokes these days.
and
it won’t ultimately quality as the low point.
Roll Shaw
Follow @Geniespool
The first sentence makes sense. The second has been fixed.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @MNTimberwolves.
Tweetness
Anybody watching the Heat-Bulls game?
I swear there’s a Blake Griffin commercial every single break…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
Also, there's something wrong with Wade...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 2:49 PM PST up reply actions
Wow, check this out
Here’s the road record for each teams in the Pacific division:
Clippers: 1-4
Lakers: 1-7
Suns: 3-7
Warriors: 2-5
Kings: 2-10
Combined, that’s 9 wins and 33 losses.
Proud to be a brony.
The makings of champions right there...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
SW division has the 2nd worst road record
with a record of 15 wins and 31 losses.
Obviously, NW division is the most powerful division in the West.
Proud to be a brony.
lol well look at the full records of those teams
besides the clips nuttn to wrute home about
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Jan 29, 2012 3:02 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Yep, too bad it's not like football where the winner would be an auto qualifier for the playoffs...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:05 PM PST up reply actions
Not sure if this is the right place for this
But WHAT THE HELL, D ROSE?
Cincy Jungle: Where the Rocky Mountains are in the Pacific Ocean
James just missed both of his...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:08 PM PST up reply actions
Then the ref just mis-whistled...
So now they’re jumping at center court…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:09 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not sure if you're saying it's not a big deal, and I can see why you'd say that...
But you’d like to think that if the defending MVP goes to the line in a big game with less than 30 seconds left and his team down 1, he can hit at least one foul shot.
Cincy Jungle: Where the Rocky Mountains are in the Pacific Ocean
It's a big deal...
But it won’t matter if they hit a 3 here…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:12 PM PST up reply actions
Which they didn't, and Rose should have made a pass to an open Rip in the corner...
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:13 PM PST up reply actions
Well, either way, they didn't have Deng.
So, I’m fine with them losing close…
If you can't laugh at yourself... laugh at someone else
by x Nightwing x on Jan 29, 2012 3:14 PM PST up reply actions
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts 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.
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- David West hilariously denies each and every one of his young fans a high-five (VIDEO)
- Behind the Box Score, where the Miami Heat are moving on to the conference finals
- Kevin Durant is tired of hearing about the Spurs
- The 10-man rotation, starring your Indiana Pacers
- Blake Griffin highlights, ‘NBA Jam’-style (VIDEO)
