Lakers Thread

After 10 seasons as No. 8, Kobe Bryant will be No. 24 next season.

The Laker guard will return to the jersey number he wore early in high school at Lower Merion (Pa.). Bryant wore No. 33 as a senior in high school but will not do so with the Lakers because it was retired after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career.

Paperwork for the jersey change was sent to the NBA office six months ahead of the 2006-07 season, as per league guidelines. A league spokesman said the request would be granted. "He applied, it went through the appropriate channels and was approved," spokesman Tim Frank said.

If a player changes his number, he cannot change it again for three years. Jim Jackson currently wears No. 24.

Bryant's No. 8 jersey is the league's fourth-highest seller, according to sales figures released last week by the NBA.

- Smells like a plan to sell more jerseys?
- And good win today btw

lakers are looking good so far. this one's gonna be a fun series

Yeah Lakers tied it up at 1-1. Homecourt and the Series in the Lakers Favor.

GO LA KOBE"S

Since when does Vujacic score 11 points?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2 ... id=2421439

read what those ESPN chumps had to say...they were all wrong, hahah.

Personally, I like the 'team' concept is good! If LA can keep playing this style effectively like the last 2 games - play good d, move the ball around, getting the bigs involved and shots will come! They can keep putting pressure on the Suns!

Phil Jackson considers flexibility to be one of his defining characteristics, and his radical game plan for Game 1 of the Lakers-Suns series proved this to be true.

In reverting to his team-oriented philosophy, Jackson designed his offense to use Kobe as a decoy and to pound the ball inside to the likes of Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom, and even Luke Walton. Then, when the Lakers were still in touch in the end-game, Kobe was let loose.

And the strategy almost worked. Brown, Odom, and Walton combined to score 54 points—just about twice their collective points-per-game average during the regular season—and the Suns' vaunted running game was slowed to a crawl. Trouble was that Tim Thomas had the game of his life. Also that Kobe didn't deliver in the end-game; and that the refs, either through incompetence or bias, couldn't make a connection between Thomas' elbow and a lump on Bryant's forehead in a critical last-minute play.

Close, but no cigar.

Meanwhile, Jackson didn't seem too upset by the narrow loss. With Nash in the lineup, the Suns had downed the Lakers eight consecutive times, so PJ knew that radical adjustments had to be made. He also knew that the Lakers' task was to earn a split in Phoenix, and whether they won Game 1 or Game 2 was immaterial. Indeed, he called Game 1 a "feeling out process."

Prior to Game 2, and with two full days of practice sessions in the book, NBA-watchers were abuzz with questions: What would Jackson have up his sleeve this time? More of the same? Or a return to the Kobe-centric offense that had failed so miserably against Phoenix in the recent past? Perhaps something undreamed of by anybody except the Zen Meister?

Credit the Lakers stunning 99-93 victory to the Lakers executing Jackson's cunning game plan to perfection.

Let's go up and down the Lakers' line-up and see who did what.

As is usually the case, Kobe was The Man. His first two touches led to shots — ;a missed 19-footer, and a brilliant duck-under lefty layup. While he lifted several shots in the first half, his focus was to move the ball and make entry passes into the low-post. (Odom, Brown, Walton, and even Smush Parker took turns there.) Indeed, Kobe registered all of his five assists in the first half.

In the second-half, Kobe's role changed dramatically. He did his thing in numerous isolation situations from both the top of the circle and his favorite spot at the foul-line extended left. He also popped up off a down-screen after a time-out and rippled the net with a 17-foot jumper. But, for the most part, Kobe was involved with high screen/rolls.

Every time that Kobe ran his defender into one of these screen-and-rolls (S/Rs), the Suns abandoned the screener and aggressively doubled Bryant. Instead of trying to force his way around the corner, however, Kobe dribbled away from the double toward either the sideline or the time-line—and the two-timers hotly pursued him. If this defensive maneuver mostly prevented Kobe from taking relatively easy pot-shots at the basket, it also created a situation where the other three Suns were forced to guard the other four Lakers. Judicious passes from Kobe led to other quick reversal passes — and his teammates ended up with a bunch of uncontested shots. The assists were credited to others, but it was the Suns' attempts to quash Kobe that resulted in the Lakers shooting 50.7%, including 9-of-16 from downtown. This 4-on-3 overmatch, combined with the Suns' usual poor defense, also led to virtually all of the Lakers' weak-side to strong-side cutters being wide open.

In addition to keying the offense, Kobe was a monster on the glass — his 10 total rebounds were game-high.

Kobe also played yeoman's defense. And after being tooted for a pair of offensive fouls in the first half, a critical call went his way in the home stretch — a charge that was called a block on Steve Nash. One wonders if Tim Thomas made an egregious error by publicly announcing that, yes, he had fouled Kobe in the closing moments of Game 1. Why rile up the refs by pointing out their miscalls? Especially after only one game was done and won?

Kwame Brown made three of his field goals early — a couple of wheels and deals in the low-post, and a dunker on a successful S/Rs. Brown's other hoop came when he attacked the slow-footed Brian Grant, who was inserted into the game when Boris Diaw picked up his third foul. Otherwise, Brown had more minuses than pluses on the offensive end — mostly turnovers and bobbled passes. But his defensive hustle redeemed his overall performance. In addition to his two blocked shots, Brown repeatedly hustled to the outskirts to pressure several of the Suns' 3-point shooters. (Phoenix was only 9-27 from 3-point-land.)

Lamar Odom was quick to the basket, hit 3-of-5 valuable treys, had five assists, and a pair of steals — and he even drove right once and scored! On several occasions, Odom over-handled the ball, hence his four turnovers. On defense, Odom was quick enough (and long enough) to stymie Nash whenever a switch was called for on the Suns' numerous S/Rs. A good effort by Odom.

Luke Walton's most significant contribution was moving the ball and facilitating the offense, i.e., making the pass that enabled somebody else to make an assist pass. He took a few ill-advised shots, and two of his ugliest misses directly led to Phoenix fast breaks. His defense was earnest, but not especially effective. As ever, Walton demonstrated that intelligence came often make up for a lack of sheer athleticism.

One wonders if Walton could earn as much playing time in any other offense but the triangle.

Smush Parker had an up-and-down game. Give him three steals, three assists, and three damaging turnovers. On defense, he did a fair job of trying to force Nash right. (Why right, Nash's strong hand? To keep Nash from executing his devastating left-to-right crossover, and just to know where he was headed.) But Parker's poor decision-making caused Jackson to yank him in favor of Sasha Vujacic, who had a bang-up game.

In addition to knocking down 3-of-4 home runs, Vujacic's size gave Nash some difficulty in getting clean looks from beyond the arc. And Vujacic also successfully implemented Jackson's anti-Nash game plan: Force Nash to drive, then jump into his available passing lanes. While Nash did score 29 points and register nine assists, he also committed six turnovers.

Devean George rebounded, and played hearty defense on Shawn Marion.

Brian Cook buried 2-of-4 shots (including his only 3-ball), and made alert passes, but was too slow to adequately defend anybody.

Jim Jackson hit a shot (1-of-3) and played okay defense (although Raja Bell easily beat him on a baseline drive). JJ's major failing was to uncork a quick perimeter jumper that resulted in a long rebound, and an eventual fast-break bucket by the Suns.

Discipline and patience comprised the Lakers' recipe for victory. Except for a solitary fast-break opportunity (which they converted), they walked the ball into the attack-zone. With their 100 (plus or minus two or three) possessions, they stuffed the ball into the pivot 23 times. And, thanks to the aforementioned double-teaming of Kobe, the Lakers were able to bag 19 of the 29 mostly unguarded long-range shots they attempted.

On defense, the Lakers banged the undersized Suns at every opportunity. But they were able to thusly assault them only because their efficient offense forced the Suns to play more half-court offense than was their wont. With their running opportunities reduced (only 15 fast break points), Nash's passing angles squeezed, and their 3-point shots challenged, the Suns were frequently reduced to playing one-on-one basketball—a tactic that allowed the Lakers to load up their defense and force the prospective shooters into help spots.

Being physically harassed, having their running game hobbled, and being easily scored upon totally discombobulated the Suns. On one important fourth-quarter possession, Marion posted-up Kobe. Disregarding the fact that Kobe already had accumulated four fouls, Marion wound up taking an awkward spinning flipper instead of forcefully taking the ball to Kobe's body. A rookie move by a veteran All-Star!

For the Suns to prevail in L.A., Mike D'Antoni needs to take his entire game plan back to the drawing board. Or is it already too late for the Suns to make dramatic changes in their approach to the game?

Ah, sometimes one team's huge advantage in quickness and athleticism can be confounded by their opponents' flexibility. Score one (and maybe more) for Phil Jackson over the NBA's reigning Coach of the Year.

just watched the video highlights, quite a statement by kobe by dunking on nash... this series is as good as it gets

who would have thought that Nash's best defensive play is ruled a blocking foul didn't look like it, but hell the refs missed a blatant foul in Game 1.

who would have thought that Nash's best defensive play is ruled a blocking foul didn't look like it, but hell the refs missed a blatant foul in Game 1.

He was moving his feet. And I wonder how will Nash return Kobe the favor. He'll probably throw a power layup on him.

Watched the highlights and halftime report. Props to Kobe stepping in for Vujacic.

Lamar --> Kobe --> Killing Nash... brilliant.

I hope everyone realizes in this series what a bad defnder Sasha is. He's always reaching & never moves his feet... everytime someone drives on him they get slapped on the arm or wrist.

And I won't whine about the rest of the game, I have done that enough already... defending myself against every one of my friends... I hate living in L.A.

Damn cousin, if you live in LA i'll come bitchslap you myself for a fake ass fan you are.

I hope everyone realizes in this series what a bad defnder Sasha is. He's always reaching & never moves his feet... everytime someone drives on him they get slapped on the arm or wrist.

And I won't whine about the rest of the game, I have done that enough already... defending myself against every one of my friends... I hate living in L.A.

Damn cousin, if you live in LA i'll come bitchslap you myself for a fake ass fan you are.

Um.. cousin... why did you steal my avatar?

Nash got robbed

This is really funny from LakersTalk

"GET WELL SOON, STEVE NASH"

Dear Steve Nash,

We here at LakersTalk hope you are okay. We witnessed you being made into a mere foreground object in one of the most brutal works of art ever improvised. And although he doesn't appreciate you touching his Maurice Podoloff trophy, #24 forgives you and sends his well wishes. He also thanks you for trying to take that charge!

Please get well soon!
-LakersTalk

P.S. #24 Enclosed a napkin. You have something on your chin.

http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_c.htm ... rticleList

..A defensive player is not permitted to move into the path of an offensive player once he has started his shooting motion.

A defensive player must allow a moving player the distance to stop or change direction when the offensive player receives a pass outside the lower defensive box.

A defensive player must allow an alighted player the distance to land and then stop or change direction when the offensive player is outside the lower defensive box.

A defensive player is permitted to establish a legal guarding position in the path of an offensive player who receives a pass inside the lower defensive box regardless of his speed and distance...

Blocking foul straight from the rule book. Nash was not SET before Kobe took off. He undercut Kobe like the bitch he really is. This is how players get hurt. Nash is a bitch.

Please stop with the 'offensive foul' nonsense.



MVP = "Most Viciously Posterized"

I hate Nash more and more... Damn... Consecutive MVP...

damn, Kobe has some attitude on that dunk. Let's go Lakers.....if Lakers win give the MVP to Kobe & COY to Phil.

Playoffs is where real MVP's awake.

I think these are the most interesting series of all, cause if Lakers can continue to play like they did in the first two games, they can get past first round, probably even further.

Kobe is gonna smack the Suns and Nash. Showing he deserves the MVP more then Nash.

I am not happy with Kobe planning to change his # from 8 to 24. He won all 3 championships as 8 , he's been to all his all star games as 8 , and he should keep that number until he retires , when the number 8 will be retired at Staples. Why change your number now when everyone associates 8 with Byrant?

to raise the sales

If Nash doesn't get to the second round... how weird would it be because he and Diaw will get their awards in press conference instead of before a playoff game

Awesome dunk I loved that gif

Kobe looked like a daddy taking care of his babies. Sorry but I fucking hate Vujacic. He's the real littlle bitch.

if you would actually look at Nash instead of kobe, you'd see Nash is clearly posted. The guys at TNT(not to say they're credible.. ) even said it was a terrible call.

I'd say Kobe's switching numbers because he wants to see if the lakers will retire 2 numbers for him... jackass...

Vujacic is already one of the better defenders on the Lakers tho.
That said, I wont bet my money on the Lakers' D.
EDIT: I just figured out why Vujacic looked that bad defending on the perimeter in Gm2, cuz PJ asked him to let Nash drive and then block his passing lane, which leads to Nash's 6 TOs.

Personally, I like the 'team' concept is good! If LA can keep playing this style effectively like the last 2 games - play good d, move the ball around, getting the bigs involved and shots will come!

For the last couple weeks or so of the season they have really been performing well. I believe they finished the year 12-4.