The Official LA LAKERS thread!!

*Oz · Apr 22, 2009

ozballer23 said:
With Kobe playing more for the team, rather than himself, and with Bynum in the Centre, and Odom/Ariza providing some spark off the bench, the Lakers have a serious chance at upsetting the currents favs.. the cavs!

Yeah you're right. He's been in that mindset for a couple seasons now but even more so now, it's obvious what needs to be done to win. We're still in the first round and I always try not to think to far ahead but if we ended up matching up against the Cavs, not being the favorites will work in our favor. Definitely worked against us last season and I still don't know how we were the favorites in the first place. I hate Boston with a passion but they we're the dominant hungry team going into that series and we just thought it would all fall into place like destiny. They're on a mission now.

ozballer23 · Apr 22, 2009

*Oz said:
Yeah you're right. He's been in that mindset for a couple seasons now but even more so now, it's obvious what needs to be done to win. We're still in the first round and I always try not to think to far ahead but if we ended up matching up against the Cavs, not being the favorites will work in our favor. Definitely worked against us last season and I still don't know how we were the favorites in the first place. I hate Boston with a passion but they we're the dominant hungry team going into that series and we just thought it would all fall into place like destiny. They're on a mission now.

You serious? Why? lmao Don't let Chad hear you say that, he's "the man" this week

I still think the Lakers need another pg, someone like Harris/Rose/Nash. That would complete the puzzle!

*Oz · Apr 22, 2009

ozballer23 said:
You serious? Why? lmao Don't let Chad hear you say that, he's "the man" this week

I still think the Lakers need another pg, someone like Harris/Rose/Nash. That would complete the puzzle!

Oh he knows it, and the feeling is well reciprocated...

With Farmars minutes down and Shannon Brown stepping it up more than we expected I think there could be a change of Sash or Jordan going for another PG or SG. Hope it's not Farmar, and my gut tells me it's Sasha. I could live with that...

[EDIT] But someone like Harris, Rose or Nash is way out of the Cap Space reality, and If I were Mitch, I wouldn't be looking at breaking up the core unit a whole lot. Will all depend on what happens over the next Month and a half.

*Oz · Apr 22, 2009

Amazing. We've just about lost the last 2 quarters and led every quarter by 11. Got soft in that third but closed it out nicely in the end.

Shannon Brown back in the game and picking up where he left off in game 1, I'm liking this...

Time to close this out and go to Utah up 2 games. Won 10 straight against the Jazz in Staples, let's make it 11!!!

chaddy42 · Apr 22, 2009

A solid start to the series...taking a 2-0 lead into Utah. We match up well with Utah at the moment - Okur will present problems when he gets back as we don't defend 3s well (see Williams tonight), especially from the 4/5 spot.

The guys are playing as a team as the two Oz's have mentioned - nice to see wins with Kobe under his average. This team has a lot to prove in the second season and seem focused to fix the errors of last years finals series.

I am going to be on the Celts for an away win in Chi town - I want them to get through to the finals. IF we make it out of the West, they are the only team I want to face. Should the Lakers stumble, my allegiance shifts back to anyone playing the Celts.

Keep up the energy Lakers...let's put this series in the bag asap.

*Oz · Apr 22, 2009

chaddy42 said:
A solid start to the series...taking a 2-0 lead into Utah. We match up well with Utah at the moment - Okur will present problems when he gets back as we don't defend 3s well (see Williams tonight), especially from the 4/5 spot.

The guys are playing as a team as the two Oz's have mentioned - nice to see wins with Kobe under his average. This team has a lot to prove in the second season and seem focused to fix the errors of last years finals series.

I am going to be on the Celts for an away win in Chi town - I want them to get through to the finals. IF we make it out of the West, they are the only team I want to face. Should the Lakers stumble, my allegiance shifts back to anyone playing the Celts.

Keep up the energy Lakers...let's put this series in the bag asap.

Well Said!

I think with the current roster, the way they're playing and the lessons they've taken from last season that's what we all want.

What blew me away today was 7 Lakers in double figures, 6 half way through the third. That's what we need, everyone contributing and we don't have a weakness offensively. Ariza and Brown hit some big shots for us when we needed them, the big guys in Pau and Bynum we're too good and Odom is playing off the bench exactly the way we need him to, and he's taking that role seriously now.

Our defense on the other hand is something they really need to concentrate on but then again bad turnovers lead to easy buckets and second chance points so it's not always just blowing the lead. No way I'm going to completely diss it, we held a 10+ point lead every quarter but there's room for improvement and a bit more tenacity, was a 3 point ball game at one stage in the fourth but they managed to shut them down in the end. One thing I noticed was the rebounds, we should be destroying the boards with no Okur in the game.

Game 3 Live on One HD this Friday, mark it on the calendar!!!

jimboiitmac · Apr 22, 2009

*Oz said:
Well Said!

I think with the current roster, the way they're playing and the lessons they've taken from last season that's what we all want.

What blew me away today was 7 Lakers in double figures, 6 half way through the third. That's what we need, everyone contributing and we don't have a weakness offensively. Ariza and Brown hit some big shots for us when we needed them, the big guys in Pau and Bynum we're too good and Odom is playing off the bench exactly the way we need him to, and he's taking that role seriously now.

Our defense on the other hand is something they really need to concentrate on but then again bad turnovers lead to easy buckets and second chance points so it's not always just blowing the lead. No way I'm going to completely diss it, we held a 10+ point lead every quarter but there's room for improvement and a bit more tenacity, was a 3 point ball game at one stage in the fourth but they managed to shut them down in the end. One thing I noticed was the rebounds, we should be destroying the boards with no Okur in the game.

Game 3 Live on One HD this Friday, mark it on the calendar!!!

Ariza is already a terrific energy guy, his jumper is coming and he's great on defense. Shannon Brown - what a showing throughout the first two games, playing about 18 mpg and averaging around 11 ppg off the bench.

He's a superior athlete I used to love him when he played in HS hope he can keep it up!

But look at Bynum, Gasol and Odom's numbers from today.

The bottom line is - the Lakers are STACKED and if they are playing unselfishly and strong on defense no team will be able to beat them.

They could send a huge message to every other team (east or west) by sweeping Utah. Obviously they are expected to beat Utah but in my opinion Utah is one of 3 teams going into the playoffs that I thought could give the Lakers a challenge.

ozballer23 · Apr 22, 2009

Great to see such an even contribution from the whole team. Odom was nuts off the bench, and Kobe played a great all round game.

jimboiitmac · Apr 22, 2009

ozballer23 said:
Great to see such an even contribution from the whole team. Odom was nuts off the bench, and Kobe played a great all round game.

Who'd think Kobe would only score 24 and 29 in the two games of the series (first two) while the Lakers thump the Jazz in both.

The Jazz with 3 all-star calibre players.

ozballer23 · Apr 22, 2009

jimboiitmac said:
Who'd think Kobe would only score 24 and 29 in the two games of the series (first two) while the Lakers thump the Jazz in both.

The Jazz with 3 all-star calibre players.

A team of stars don't win championships!

jimboiitmac · Apr 22, 2009

ozballer23 said:
A team of stars don't win championships!

Of course!

I'm just saying that Utah team, on paper and in reality is no brushover!

In the past for the Lakers to win easily in double-digits Kobe would've tried to go for 40 in each game!

*Oz · Apr 22, 2009

jimboiitmac said:
Of course!

I'm just saying that Utah team, on paper and in reality is no brushover!

In the past for the Lakers to win easily in double-digits Kobe would've tried to go for 40 in each game!

And that's exactly what I'm worried about with game 3 on Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed that all the guys that pitched in today don't go soft cause they're not in their comfort zone no more, which would mean Kobe has to input more and force it like he did the second last time we faced them in the RS, and lost on their home court.

Always an interesting game when we play in Utah.

ozballer23 · Apr 22, 2009

*Oz said:
And that's exactly what I'm worried about with game 3 on Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed that all the guys that pitched in today don't go soft cause they're not in their comfort zone no more, which would mean Kobe has to input more and force it like he did the second last time we faced them in the RS, and lost on their home court.

Always an interesting game when we play in Utah.

Think that the Lakers have learn't from past games and won't fall into that "comfort zone"!

*Oz · Apr 24, 2009

Damn! Kobe 1 of 10 from the floor, Pau being shut down and Odom the only Laker out there scoring. They're killing us on the boards so no second chance points, Boozer with 16 rbs at the half and 13 points to go with it and we're only down 4??? This is just crazy, if we don''t sweep this team it's our own damn fault.

pennysdaman · Apr 24, 2009

*Oz said:
Damn! Kobe 1 of 10 from the floor, Pau being shut down and Odom the only Laker out there scoring. They're killing us on the boards so no second chance points, Boozer with 16 rbs at the half and 13 points to go with it and we're only down 4??? This is just crazy, if we don''t sweep this team it's our own damn fault.

I hear ya Brother!!But the 3RD is looking much much much better so far 3:35 to go in the 3RD!

*Oz · Apr 24, 2009

pennysdaman said:
I hear ya Brother!!But the 3RD is looking much much much better so far 3:35 to go in the 3RD!

Most definitely. Kobe's 'starting' to hit, Odom is still in the game and they're starting to hustle. Just PLEASE maintain this lead and close the quarter out, don't give this *%$#&^ crowd anything!

[EDIT] ARIZA!!!!!!!!!

ljandkg · Apr 24, 2009

...........tumbleweed................

ljandkg · Apr 24, 2009

Didn't see the end of the game but looks like the Jazz are gonna make something of this.....bout time Boozer showed up!

*Oz · Apr 24, 2009

ljandkg said:
Didn't see the end of the game but looks like the Jazz are gonna make something of this.....bout time Boozer showed up!

Hardly. But still that's heartbreaking.

We should have lost by 20+ points so we take more from this loss than Utah does from the win.

Kobe is unbelievable, why try and shoot yourself out of the slump? I love it when players don't give up and try to find their rhythm but this was one of those rare occaisions where he really stank it up from the floor, that aside credit due to Brewer for the coverage. Kobe get yourself to the line!!! Take it to the hole!!! That's where you'll find your rhythm in a game like this. All these fancy fadeaway's and what not and nothing was going. And we want him to shoot the rock but today was a discrace.

And what is it with Phill? Get Mbenga out there on the floor. That dude hustles majorly for us. Bynum with 5 fouls, we need to rest Pau, GET MBENGA IN THE GAME!!! He'd take the Boozer factor as a challenge and go to work. The late coverage from Lamar on the double team wasn't working, as much as Lamar's offensive game was there. Pau needs to man up. It's all good to run amok on Booze in Staples, but on the road you gotta be even more persistent, hopefully he knows that now and will come out harder in Game 4.

When we have a look at a 3 to win this game on the road when we played so bad and the shooting was that poor, worse from beyond the arch, average from the line, only 3 Lakers in double figures, getting nothing from our role players, so many turnovers, getting murdered on the boards...

I'd say Utah have way more to worry about than LA, even though this win boosts their confidence now and they have a chance to tie it up, it's a false sense of security if they think they're running things. They should have blown us out today and they did anything but that.

If we band together and grind it out on sunday, this series is over come next game in L.A. Everyone knows Booze goes fishing on the road.

Simple.

gemini0928 · Apr 24, 2009

I watched the replay and man it was a great 4th by the Jazz bench...

And what about One HD giving the spoiler in a commercial break in the first half "Williams win it for the Jazz"? I know its free to air but I have controlled myself from not checking the scoreboard on the net to see the replay then that ads!

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