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Lakers 86, Hawks 78: Strong Second Half Keys Easy Laker Victory

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 14:  Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on February 14, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers used a strong 2nd half, including some rare and valuable bench contributions at the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th quarters, to turn a close and ugly halftime contest into a blowout that was never in doubt in the final 24 minutes. Credit some combination of strong Laker defense and terrible Hawks offense, as the Hawks shot 34% from the field, and 26% from three point range on 27 attempts. The Lakers built their double digit lead on the foundation of a 10 point Hawks third quarter.

The easy Laker victory came in spite of a rough night for Kobe Bryant, who was 5-18 from the field and scored just 10 points, his lowest output since 2010. He also turned the ball over 5 times. Pau Gasol was very aggressive in taking 22 shots and pulling down 13 boards, but he lacked the efficiency which is normally his calling card in scoring just 20 points with those attempts. Andrew Bynum was the only Laker star who played at his peak, with 15 points on 10 shots, and 15 boards.

Normally, a good game, a decent game, and a bad game from the Lakers stars, respectively, would be an automatic loss, but the core was picked up by a strong team-wide performance from bros 4-9 on the roster. Metta World Peace scored 10 points on two dunks and two threes, and I can't decide which is the more unlikely occurrence. Andrew Goudelock continues to look like the most explosive Laker not being paid in the tens of millions, scoring 10 points on six shots and hitting a couple more in his increasingly ridiculous array of floaters, and Steve Blake, Troy Murphy and Matt Barnes all played well off the pine as well.

Also of note, because of the lack of free throws from both squads (despite a rather physical contest), tonight's game was one of the quickest of the season, clocking in at just over two hours.

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what happened to D-Mo?

"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain

by SuperNerdToTheRescue on Feb 15, 2012 7:17 AM PST up reply actions  

I think his nickname says it all

D-mo (ted)

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 9:07 AM PST up reply actions   1 recs

LOL

Naughty, but noice.

"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."

by Zen and Tonic on Feb 15, 2012 12:41 PM PST up reply actions  

cuz he only had 19 mins....

id be happy if it was around 12.

maybe an agent 0 signing would force it to 0.

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 9:08 AM PST up reply actions  

We already have a 0, so Gil would have to choose a new #.

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 @Hawks.
Tweetness

by SoCalGal on Feb 15, 2012 9:10 AM PST up reply actions  

00?

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 9:12 AM PST up reply actions  

Dislike Fish so much

that even when he’s playing well you still want him off the court? Nice

by Grabmeone2 on Feb 15, 2012 9:23 AM PST up reply actions  

I never said I didnt liek Fish. I love Fish for what he has done for us.

but he isn’t a serviceable pg anymore. at least not in this offense.

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 10:18 AM PST up reply actions  

and, playing well??????

1-4 from the field, 1-2 from the charity stripe, with 3 rebounds, 3 assists & 2 TO’s.

thats sad for someone who plays 20 minutes.

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 10:22 AM PST up reply actions  

Sorry, I don't follow stat sheets

I made it a point to watch Fish on almost every possesion last night. His 2 TO’s I believe came from Pau getting pushed around on the block. I watch Fish bring the ball down the court and initiate the offense without any pressure of pesky defenders. I watched Fish consistently move around the arc to ensure proper spacing and passing lanes for his teammates. In other words, I watched.

by Grabmeone2 on Feb 15, 2012 11:55 AM PST up reply actions  

And I watched

him miss 3 wide open shots and a free throw…………

Anybody could move around out there to ensure proper spacing. Its time we move on from Fish.

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 12:16 PM PST up reply actions  

I watched him make a pathetic entry pass to Pau that got easily deflected.

I also watched the defense completely shade away from him because they can and he’s basically not a threat to score. He’s not maintaining “spacing” when the defense doesn’t give a rat’s ass whether he gets the ball since he’s barely a threat to be bothered with.

@brosales12

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu

by Ben R on Feb 15, 2012 7:42 PM PST up reply actions  

so, we have a "home-and-home" against Phoenix Fri/Sun...

hopefully this performance from the bench can carry over to this weekend.

"The true athlete should have character, not be a character."- John Wooden
"I never met a person from whom I did not learn something."- John Wooden
"If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me."- John Wooden
Main twitter
SBN twitter

by firstto100 on Feb 14, 2012 10:17 PM PST reply actions  

Wow

Only 10 points allowed in the 3rd quarter? That’s pretty amazing.

Proud to be a brony.

by yoshifan on Feb 14, 2012 10:20 PM PST reply actions  

held them without a FG for the last 8:34 of the quarter...

only 2 PTS came on FTs

"The true athlete should have character, not be a character."- John Wooden
"I never met a person from whom I did not learn something."- John Wooden
"If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me."- John Wooden
Main twitter
SBN twitter

by firstto100 on Feb 14, 2012 10:22 PM PST up reply actions  

I guess defense isn't our problem right now

so brown elects to have the shooter despite his poor defense.

by no stance on Feb 14, 2012 10:47 PM PST up reply actions  

if we arent going to play him,

i hope we can flip him for someone useful. we did use our entire mini-mle on him.

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 9:09 AM PST up reply actions  

Memphis tried to acquire him twice

Last time was for OJ Mayo

FUCK DAVID STERN for vetoing destiny.

by deadmuse on Feb 15, 2012 10:42 AM PST up reply actions  

I doubt they would go for that deal now.

Maybe McRoberts and a 2nd rounder for Mayo…..

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 11:07 AM PST up reply actions  

DMo?

"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."

by Zen and Tonic on Feb 15, 2012 12:33 PM PST up reply actions  

I'd easily agree to mcroberts and morris for mayo

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 2:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Play of the day

3 on 1 break for the Hawks, and Jeff Teague throws it off his own foot trying a behind the back pass…

That’s when you know it’s a good night for the Lakers…

Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.
"So what if we're boring?" says Tim Duncan before taking a nap.

by Paul Udani on Feb 14, 2012 10:52 PM PST reply actions  

Yeah, trying to go behind the back didn't work out so well for him.

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 @Hawks.
Tweetness

by SoCalGal on Feb 14, 2012 10:59 PM PST up reply actions  

When I checked my phone and noticed Kobe only had 2 points in the first half,

I was scared he injured himself. I’m glad to see he just had a crappy game.

http://twitter.com/lalnever

by never. on Feb 14, 2012 10:54 PM PST reply actions  

LOL, crap is definitely better than injury.

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 @Hawks.
Tweetness

by SoCalGal on Feb 14, 2012 11:00 PM PST up reply actions  

More comfortable in Mike Brown's system

More practice = more 3’s? But seriously, did the bench just start making 3’s or did they shoot from their spots. By the way, when are we going to see Ettore Messina’s European offensive system? Perhaps next year.

by statba on Feb 14, 2012 11:11 PM PST reply actions  

Whenever a guard sets a cross screen to give a big room to post-up with, thank Messina.

@brosales12

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu

by Ben R on Feb 14, 2012 11:54 PM PST up reply actions  

Pau Gasol

Is it a stretch to say Pau is more comfortable in Messina/European system? I guess they are trying to install an offense.

by statba on Feb 15, 2012 12:05 AM PST up reply actions  

Pau looks better in Europe because he has Jose Calderon and Ricky Rubio feeding him buckets.

And the level of competition is worse. The European “system” is basically more movement and a ton of pick-and-roll. A lot of bigs would look good if Rubio was feeding them passes on penetration or off pick-and-roll action.

@brosales12

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu

by Ben R on Feb 15, 2012 12:29 AM PST up reply actions  

Thanks

We almost had Chris Paul so they were looking more at that style offense. Where does Kobe fit into this? He doesnt seem to care about being the pick or the roll.

by statba on Feb 15, 2012 12:52 AM PST up reply actions  

Fisher & Blake >>>>>>>>>>> Calderon & Rubio

For realz

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 @Hawks.
Tweetness

by SoCalGal on Feb 15, 2012 8:53 AM PST up reply actions  

Didn't you hear?

Calderon changed his name to Caldemettaeuropeace.

FUCK DAVID STERN for vetoing destiny.

by deadmuse on Feb 15, 2012 10:45 AM PST up reply actions  

Truth. And a solid PG (or consistent solid play) will make the Lakers much more efficient on O.

"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."

by Zen and Tonic on Feb 15, 2012 12:35 PM PST up reply actions  

Nope, they finally grew a pair

and decided to shoot when open. Even though there were a few too many instances of Murphy passing open looks. He need to nut up and fire away when he’s open.

by Grabmeone2 on Feb 15, 2012 8:45 AM PST up reply actions  

Keep working Lakers.

"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."

by Zen and Tonic on Feb 14, 2012 11:14 PM PST reply actions  

Lamarcus is out..is Pau in?

"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."

by Zen and Tonic on Feb 14, 2012 11:58 PM PST reply actions  

Millsap would be more deserving, but it's possible.

@brosales12

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu

by Ben R on Feb 15, 2012 12:18 AM PST up reply actions  

ankle roll didnt look to bad.

i think he will be back before we play them on monday.

"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

by LakersFoEva on Feb 15, 2012 9:11 AM PST up reply actions  

How about we only have Fish play on Fridays?

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 @Hawks.
Tweetness

by SoCalGal on Feb 15, 2012 12:17 PM PST reply actions  

LOL

"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."

by Zen and Tonic on Feb 15, 2012 12:32 PM PST up reply actions  


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