Lakers Thread

[Dee.]

He just might be getting old.

[Jackal]

I don't doubt he is, I don't expect him to drive to the basket each time either, I do however wish he would then have faith in the triangle instead of trying to carry them on his shoulders and taking everyone out of the game.

By all means, age...

[Stress Fracture]

By all means, age...

Age is what?

[Andrew]

I believe Jackal is saying that Kobe getting older is inevitable - obviously - and that changing his game according to what he's physically capable of as age takes its toll is not a bad thing. However, he's not picking and choosing his spots as well as he could, settling for jumpers outside of the offense and taking some really ill-advised attempts in the process.

[Jackal]

Good on you to have the patience to take that one for me Andrew, I just rolled my eyes and went to bed.

[Jackal]

Kobe doing a nice job of playing within the offensive system. He's still lagging on the defensive end though.

Actually, the Lakers as a whole were not totally there defensively so can't really single out Bryant.

If Bryant plays like this and picks and chooses his shots instead of forcing it and letting Gasol and Bynum get in rythm, the Lakers are a really fun and exciting team to watch. Good win.

[Andrew]

On that subject, Wojnarowski's latest piece is worth a read. Usually I find him to be on the money but this time not so much, downplaying valid criticism and a fair point by Gasol.

[Jackal]

It's not only about passing to Gasol that's the point though. It's about playing the inside outside game. I don't care if it goes to Gasol or to Bynum, both are capable...I just believe Gasol is the better creater out of the two. Gasol wants touches not to score, we've established that much. He's a more than willing passer. Gasol is a winner..his whole character is like that. You see it in Marc Gasol too. They just have that in them.

I was thinking about it during the Suns game...in todays league there are a lot more guards and forwards that can guard Kobe Bryant than there are power forwards and centers that can handle Gasol and Bynum. Why not exploit that? Bryant could easily have 20-23 points per game with an easy 7-8 assists. And when they need him, and I mean really need the closer Bryant is, then he takes over. Not in the second quarter trying to be all Cirque d'u Soleil.

[benji]

Why not exploit that? Bryant could easily have 20-23 points per game with an easy 7-8 assists. And when they need him, and I mean really need the closer Bryant is, then he takes over. Not in the second quarter trying to be all Cirque d'u Soleil.

Isn't it obvious? Kobe runs the Lakers.

They were a better team than the Celtics in 2008 but they had none of the drive because it was all about Kobe winning one without Shaq. Last they were fantastic but nobody cared because again it was all about Kobe. And the Magic were drastically overmatched. (At least we were spared the LeBron vs. Kobe insanity. Although LeBron would've probably took that matchup in a losing effort, as Melo (in the greatest segment of defense in his career) did.)

This team has one of the greatest frontcourts of all time, but if you listened to the media you'd think it was Kobe and a bunch of losers. The Gasol-Bynum-Artest-Odom rotation dominates on both ends of the court forcing teams into submission, but yet all anyone can talk about is Kobe.

It's not that Kobe is a bad player, but like normal he will probably wind up being the one losing his team a title.

[NovU]

I understand how Gasol would want more touches. He's the second best player on the team. But I've seen him struggling against tougher interior defense like in the finals against the Celtics in 2008, so I think Wojnarowski has a point to some degrees. It always has been Kobe's team and it won't change this year. It worked last year, so I don't think they'll make a change in the system untill they get knocked out in the playoffs. Adjustment they're making and not a change. I can understand that.

[Jackal]

This team has one of the greatest frontcourts of all time, but if you listened to the media you'd think it was Kobe and a bunch of losers.

Someone who hasn't bought in to the OMFG KOBE BRYANTS IS THE LAKERZ!!!!

[Jackal]

What a horrible defensive display from the Lakers. They sucked so bad on the defensive end I felt like hitting something.

Kobe Bryant's play stunk. It was cringeworthy how bad a legitimate superstar and MVP cantidate played against an inferior team like the Warriors. Horrible display of "leadership". A horrible game for the Lakers, they have got to wake up already. I've kept telling myself they will eventually but come on now...the time to close out strong is now.

Stephan Curry outplayed Bryant and was the MVP of the game. Amazing performance by him and what an exciting player to watch. He also seems extremely humble. It's a real treat watching him play. A near perfect player I'd say. Can shoot, can handle, can pass, can defend and knows what to do and exactly when to do it. I hope he isn't riddled by injuries because he is really special.

I fuckin' love Lamar Odom. I wanted him to sock Watson for mouthing off, really Watson? Really?

[Andrew]

Kobe Bryant's play stunk. It was cringeworthy how bad a legitimate superstar and MVP cantidate played against an inferior team like the Warriors. Horrible display of "leadership".

Tell that to Wojnarowski.

[Jackal]

If 9 turnovers isn't enough for him to realize that, I don't know what is. Forcing it much?

[Stress Fracture]

If 9 turnovers isn't enough for him to realize that, I don't know what is. Forcing it much?

What? 9 turnovers by Kobe?

[NovU]

Stephan Curry outplayed Bryant and was the MVP of the game. Amazing performance by him and what an exciting player to watch. He also seems extremely humble. It's a real treat watching him play. A near perfect player I'd say. Can shoot, can handle, can pass, can defend and knows what to do and exactly when to do it. I hope he isn't riddled by injuries because he is really special.

GSW definitely has a great backcourt in Monta, Curry and Maggette. With a better frontcourt, I thought they'd become a good solid second round team. Ofc, Curry is still a rook so still needs to polish his game, but I think he'll be the cornerstone for GSW while they'll try to move Monta Ellis.

[Andrew]

Bynum out at least two weeks

Andrew Bynum’s left Achilles’ tendon is not torn, and the Los Angeles Lakers think their starting center will be out for at least two weeks.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Sunday he can’t predict a return timetable for Bynum, who strained his tendon early in the third quarter of Los Angeles’ win over Minnesota on Friday night.

Bynum was inactive for the Lakers’ home game against Washington on Sunday, and he isn’t expected to play on Los Angeles’ ensuing five-game road trip. Jackson hopes Bynum will return early next month.

Not the best news, but then losing Bynum for the latter part of the season has almost become a tradition for the Lakers yet they've finished atop the West, made the Finals two years running and won it all last year. As long as he's back for the Playoffs I'm sure they'll weather the storm.

[Stress Fracture]

Another injury for Bynum.

Is Bynum really a good investment for the Lakers?

[Andrew]

Certainly; injuries are just a part of the game and he's had some bad luck with them the past few years. From all accounts this latest injury is neither related to nor anywhere near as serious as his previous injuries.

[Jackal]

Another injury for Bynum.

Is Bynum really a good investment for the Lakers?

It's not Yao Ming we're talking about here. Bynum has been great all year long. He's a more than solid investment.

What a boring game against the Wizards.

[NovU]

This injury sucks... The other teams like CLE or ORL are getting into playoff gear and starting to play at serious level. I don't like this timing of injury as the LAL could have had momentum and good chemistry going into the playoffs.

[Andrew]

It's inopportune, but the Lakers have managed strong finishes to the past couple of seasons despite injuries to Bynum. With Gasol able to slide to over to centre and Odom available to be brought into the starting five, they are able to compensate a lot better than other teams would in the absence of a regular starter.

[NovU]

Oh yeah, they are more than a fine team without Bynum. Just that seeing how they lost in the finals against the Celtics, I just want them to be at full strength. Especially with the performance Bynum has been showing lately, him I think is the best inside presence on defense for the Lakers. Not that I'm a fan of LAL, but as a fan of basketball, I just want to see higher level of competition in the playoffs.

[Andrew]

The early prognosis suggests he'll be back in time for the Playoffs, or at least the later rounds if not Game 1, Round 1.

[Jackal]

Suffocating defense in the second half against the Spurs. Artest seems to like playing against players like Ginobili and Carmelo.

The only knock I have against Lamar Odom is that he married the ugliest Kardashian, for the rest...damn I love him.

As a Lakers fan it was a fun game to watch, as a Duncan fan however...not so much. Duncan of old would've schooled Pau Gasol. It's really tough seeing some of your favorite players succumb to old age and just not be at the level they once were. None the less, he's the greatest PF ever so I guess it's not that sad.