Saturday, January 28, 2006
Golden State 105 - Lakers 106 OT
The most interesting stat of last night's game: Halftime Lakers 55, Golden State 47, Kobe 5 points, 4 assists.....
Friday, January 27, 2006
Big Fella teaches finer points to Lakers' young fellas
ESPN.com - NBA - Big Fella teaches finer points to Lakers' young fellas: "When young Andrew Bynum wheeled around Shaquille O'Neal and dunked in a recent game, the disbelieving fans at Staples Center went wild with joy."
Thursday, January 26, 2006
For the Bean Counters
The Lakers are 0 - 8 when Lamar Odom takes 15 shots or more. Read another way, when the de-facto number two option tries to be agressive, the Lakers have not won. Let's not kid ourselves, Lamar's numbers in a bubble are decent numbers: 14, 9 and 5. But it's his inefficiency and inconsistency that make him shaky as a number two.
We're 6-2 when Odom gets to the line 8 times or more. Unfortunately that only happened 8 out of 41 games so far. Why? Because he's so quick to either take a three pointer....or drive to the lane and do his infamous fadeway layups/oops call that a charge move.
I know a lot of fans are being hard on him but to be quite honest, he has to step up. Kobe can carry us but at what detriment to the team as a whole if someone else doesn't step up at least 2 times a week.....Right now, it's between Smush Parker and Chris Mihm as far as a number two is concerned....yeah Mihm and Parker are just as surprised as you are.....
We're 6-2 when Odom gets to the line 8 times or more. Unfortunately that only happened 8 out of 41 games so far. Why? Because he's so quick to either take a three pointer....or drive to the lane and do his infamous fadeway layups/oops call that a charge move.
I know a lot of fans are being hard on him but to be quite honest, he has to step up. Kobe can carry us but at what detriment to the team as a whole if someone else doesn't step up at least 2 times a week.....Right now, it's between Smush Parker and Chris Mihm as far as a number two is concerned....yeah Mihm and Parker are just as surprised as you are.....
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Carter warns kids: Don't be like Kobe
FOXSports.com - NBA- Carter warns kids: Don't be like Kobe: "The criticism comes from an interesting source.
Last season, Carter ranked just behind Bryant in shots attempted per game (Bryant took 20.1 shots per game, while Carter took 20.0). "
Team concept from the cat that literally quit on Toronto...just upped and quit. Hypocrite...
Last season, Carter ranked just behind Bryant in shots attempted per game (Bryant took 20.1 shots per game, while Carter took 20.0). "
Team concept from the cat that literally quit on Toronto...just upped and quit. Hypocrite...
FOXSports.com - NBA- Kobe may be despised, but still good for NBA
FOXSports.com - NBA- Kobe may be despised, but still good for NBA: "These knuckleheads have attempted to seize their upgraded basketball-knowledge certificates by reminding us that Jordan became a true champion after Phil convinced him to give up the ball more often.
Really?
Well, a review of the numbers reveals that in the three years preceding the Chicago's Bulls' first three-year title spree, MJ checked in with just over 1,900 field-goal attempts per season.
In the Bulls' first three championship campaigns, Jordan — averaging fewer minutes, by the way — still managed to squeeze off 1,886 shots per season. In Chicago's second, three-year title run, MJ launched another 1,880 per year.
What a difference."
Really?
Well, a review of the numbers reveals that in the three years preceding the Chicago's Bulls' first three-year title spree, MJ checked in with just over 1,900 field-goal attempts per season.
In the Bulls' first three championship campaigns, Jordan — averaging fewer minutes, by the way — still managed to squeeze off 1,886 shots per season. In Chicago's second, three-year title run, MJ launched another 1,880 per year.
What a difference."
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Not the best light on Kobe, not the worst either
The fallout begins
Of course, the 81 point effort will not be taken for what it was...nope...it's gotta be analyzed by experts and amateur experts alike. Each throwing their personal opinion of Kobe into their analysis almost more than the actual situation.
I was going to link to these folks but then I thought 'why give them press?' But there's the constant, Kobe's selfish. Well, Lamar Odom (the number two option, heehee) was working on an '0 for' midway through the third quarter. Not to mention his recent debacle in Sacramento. So I could understand a lack of confidence in giving him the ball. After all, he finished 1 for 7 from the field. Smush scored above his season average of 11.5 with 13 points on 5 of 11 shooting. Chris Mihm was 5 of 8 and you really can't ask for much more from Mihm. Kwame 'No hands' Brown was shooting a whopping 20%. And the bench? Combined for two field goals.....
In the long run, Kobe will have to make his team better. He knows that. But he also needs some help. I've stated for quite some time that Lamar is not the number 2 option that will bring glory back the Purple and Gold. In fact, he may represent our best chance to bring in some quality as trade bait.
The funny part about the hat...uh critics....out there is they act as if Kobe hadn't given his teammates a shot. We were down by 18 freaking points in the third quarter and he had 30 or so...he had done his part. Where was his help? It became clear to him that help in fact was not on the way so he took the game on his shoulders. He went for the 'W' through sheer will. Any of these folks stating things about hearing about the 81 on the radio and thinking 'he sure is selfish' should be ashamed of considering themselves sports fans.
If you saw the game, it wasn't an orchestrated effort like Wilt's 100, it was a necessary showing for the 'W'. Selfish is shooting and missing, and continuing to do so at the detriment of your team. If you're shooting, and making, then you are in fact helping your team. Are you helping the players around you become better. Probably not, but you are building a lead, which leads to a situation, where these other players can work on their skills without the pressure of the game being on their shoulders......
I was going to link to these folks but then I thought 'why give them press?' But there's the constant, Kobe's selfish. Well, Lamar Odom (the number two option, heehee) was working on an '0 for' midway through the third quarter. Not to mention his recent debacle in Sacramento. So I could understand a lack of confidence in giving him the ball. After all, he finished 1 for 7 from the field. Smush scored above his season average of 11.5 with 13 points on 5 of 11 shooting. Chris Mihm was 5 of 8 and you really can't ask for much more from Mihm. Kwame 'No hands' Brown was shooting a whopping 20%. And the bench? Combined for two field goals.....
In the long run, Kobe will have to make his team better. He knows that. But he also needs some help. I've stated for quite some time that Lamar is not the number 2 option that will bring glory back the Purple and Gold. In fact, he may represent our best chance to bring in some quality as trade bait.
The funny part about the hat...uh critics....out there is they act as if Kobe hadn't given his teammates a shot. We were down by 18 freaking points in the third quarter and he had 30 or so...he had done his part. Where was his help? It became clear to him that help in fact was not on the way so he took the game on his shoulders. He went for the 'W' through sheer will. Any of these folks stating things about hearing about the 81 on the radio and thinking 'he sure is selfish' should be ashamed of considering themselves sports fans.
If you saw the game, it wasn't an orchestrated effort like Wilt's 100, it was a necessary showing for the 'W'. Selfish is shooting and missing, and continuing to do so at the detriment of your team. If you're shooting, and making, then you are in fact helping your team. Are you helping the players around you become better. Probably not, but you are building a lead, which leads to a situation, where these other players can work on their skills without the pressure of the game being on their shoulders......
Monday, January 23, 2006
81
Sometimes in life, you get to witness something special. You get to be part of history...one of those 'where were you when...' moments. Last night was one of those moments.
Bean scored 81. Kobe Bean dropped 81 points on the Raptors. Not a meaningless 81 that so many reporters and 'experts' wanted but 81 points in a game that wasn't decided until the middle to end of the 4th quarter. So all 81 of these points were against a team thinking it had a chance to win.
28 of 46, 18 of 20 from the line, 7 of 13 from the arc. 81 of 122 points...doing the math, he shot 60.9% in scoring 66% of the team's total. For perspective, Wilt's 100 point effort was only 59% of his team's total. For even more perspective, teams have scored less than 81 points in a game 88 times this year. Yea, Kobe Bean is making a statement. Perhaps intentionally or unintentionally but something is being said.
Something is being said to the naysayers, critics, and the general haters. Something is being said to the media and their 'he shoots too much' mentality. 28 of 46 is a hot hand, not a ball hog. Most importantly, he's saying something to Lakers' fans. He's saying he can lead this team to bigger and better things if only through sheer willpower. That's the message that I'm hearing...
Bean scored 81. Kobe Bean dropped 81 points on the Raptors. Not a meaningless 81 that so many reporters and 'experts' wanted but 81 points in a game that wasn't decided until the middle to end of the 4th quarter. So all 81 of these points were against a team thinking it had a chance to win.
28 of 46, 18 of 20 from the line, 7 of 13 from the arc. 81 of 122 points...doing the math, he shot 60.9% in scoring 66% of the team's total. For perspective, Wilt's 100 point effort was only 59% of his team's total. For even more perspective, teams have scored less than 81 points in a game 88 times this year. Yea, Kobe Bean is making a statement. Perhaps intentionally or unintentionally but something is being said.
Something is being said to the naysayers, critics, and the general haters. Something is being said to the media and their 'he shoots too much' mentality. 28 of 46 is a hot hand, not a ball hog. Most importantly, he's saying something to Lakers' fans. He's saying he can lead this team to bigger and better things if only through sheer willpower. That's the message that I'm hearing...
Friday, January 20, 2006
and furthermore
Lamar not only did your ineptitude last night cost us the game, but you kept your loyal East Coast Lakers fans up to near 2 am, took precious energy from your teammates having to play an overtime period on the first of a back to back, and did nothing for the team's confidence heading to face one of the elite teams of the West on their home floor.....tell me again what you were thinking??
Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Francisco Garcia, Mike Bibby, National Basketball Association, Sacramento Kings - CBS SportsLine.com
Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Francisco Garcia, Mike Bibby, National Basketball Association, Sacramento Kings - CBS SportsLine.com: "I'll take the blame for that,' said Odom, who was called for a charging foul with 22 seconds left in regulation. 'I should have let the clock run down more. It was a flop call on a team that was dead. I gave them life. He drew the charge, that's what Mr. Crawford saw. It gave them momentum.'"
You're damn right you'll take the blame for that. 32 seconds left, four point lead and you decide to drive to the hoop. And it's not like you made any kind of crossover or move, just run straight. Lamar Odom, Mr. Inconsistency.....
You're damn right you'll take the blame for that. 32 seconds left, four point lead and you decide to drive to the hoop. And it's not like you made any kind of crossover or move, just run straight. Lamar Odom, Mr. Inconsistency.....
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
4th quarter
Not a good start...shot clock violation...giving up wide open 3.
Add a 3 second violation...
Where we were dominating the turnover ratio in the first half...now we can barely get a shot up. Lakers up by only 4 after being up 19....
Kind of got the feeling that we are hanging on to win instead of taking the game.
Kobe Bean may have to carry us. His mid-range is looking real sweet right now.
Big board George! THis game is entirely too close given the way we played for about 2 and 1/2 quarters. Bynum's BACK!!
Lamar that just about makes up for your dismal 2nd and 3rd. Great shot LO!
Lakers get the big win over Miami....great game! Lakers 100 - 92!
Add a 3 second violation...
Where we were dominating the turnover ratio in the first half...now we can barely get a shot up. Lakers up by only 4 after being up 19....
Kind of got the feeling that we are hanging on to win instead of taking the game.
Kobe Bean may have to carry us. His mid-range is looking real sweet right now.
Big board George! THis game is entirely too close given the way we played for about 2 and 1/2 quarters. Bynum's BACK!!
Lamar that just about makes up for your dismal 2nd and 3rd. Great shot LO!
Lakers get the big win over Miami....great game! Lakers 100 - 92!
3rd Quarter
Here's a stat you haven't heard from the Lakers in this millenia....Bench scoring: Lakers 15 - Opponent 3.....
Quick timeout as Shaquille picks up a questionable 3rd foul (yeah, I know me showing objectivity..who'da thunk it), Lakers up 19 with 10 and a half left in the 3rd....
Speaking of questionable calls...technical foul on Brian Cook who had both arms up...
4 on Shaquille as well as Mihm and Brown...a game without centers???
Joey Crawford is losing a lot of respect....ejecting a player for being upset a call? There's keeping control and then there's just power tripping....whatever is going in his personal life he needs to leave that at home...Cook's gone making us even thinner when it comes to size...
Momentum and adrenaline have left the building. Let's hope they just stepped out to grab some snacks. The intensity of the first half has deserted the Lakers, now it's going to come down to heart.
Miami finished the quarter strong...Lakers by 9 going into gametime...
Quick timeout as Shaquille picks up a questionable 3rd foul (yeah, I know me showing objectivity..who'da thunk it), Lakers up 19 with 10 and a half left in the 3rd....
Speaking of questionable calls...technical foul on Brian Cook who had both arms up...
4 on Shaquille as well as Mihm and Brown...a game without centers???
Joey Crawford is losing a lot of respect....ejecting a player for being upset a call? There's keeping control and then there's just power tripping....whatever is going in his personal life he needs to leave that at home...Cook's gone making us even thinner when it comes to size...
Momentum and adrenaline have left the building. Let's hope they just stepped out to grab some snacks. The intensity of the first half has deserted the Lakers, now it's going to come down to heart.
Miami finished the quarter strong...Lakers by 9 going into gametime...
Monday, January 16, 2006
2nd Quarter
Great start to the second quarter. Some quality contribution from Cook and Walton. George has been pretty active, if not awkward at times, but whatever works baby. Up 10 with 8:20 left...
The ball is getting spread around really well. Mihm is hustling along with every one else. Devean is a little short on shots but glad he's confident enough to shoot it. That's a bit of an issue with our second unit sometimes, a little timid on the offensive end.
5:22 left in the second and we're reaching a dangerous point in this quarter. You can feel the pre-game adrenaline slipping out of the crowd and that can sometimes cause the players to become a little lackadaisical (sp?).
Lamar is everywhere tonite. Excellent offensive rebound and he forced a foul on Shaquille. Andrew Bynum is gonna get some quality time here in the last 3 minutes of the half, let's see what he does against Shaquille.
Yeah, Bynum! Get in his face...Shaquille fighting 17 year olds now!! He should have been thrown out...
Way to drop the pretty rimmin' three!!!!!
The ball is getting spread around really well. Mihm is hustling along with every one else. Devean is a little short on shots but glad he's confident enough to shoot it. That's a bit of an issue with our second unit sometimes, a little timid on the offensive end.
5:22 left in the second and we're reaching a dangerous point in this quarter. You can feel the pre-game adrenaline slipping out of the crowd and that can sometimes cause the players to become a little lackadaisical (sp?).
Lamar is everywhere tonite. Excellent offensive rebound and he forced a foul on Shaquille. Andrew Bynum is gonna get some quality time here in the last 3 minutes of the half, let's see what he does against Shaquille.
Yeah, Bynum! Get in his face...Shaquille fighting 17 year olds now!! He should have been thrown out...
Way to drop the pretty rimmin' three!!!!!
Heat\Lakers Glog
Well, Shaquille O'Neal earned a little respect back with his pregame handshakes with Kobe Bean. I honestly didn't expect it.
With that said, Staples Center is abuzz with more excitement than I've seen for a home game in a long time. I mean, people were there on time, there's booing going on, gasps anytime one of the major players takes a shot. Got me a little more excited than I was earlier this evening.
Good signs with Lamar showing early and often in the first quarter. Two tre's, a mid range, and nice assist. OF course he would this after I mentioned Smush being our second option ;) (only two points in the first for Smush by the way).
Lakers lead at the end of the first and yet another amazing story, Kobe passed the ball for the final shot of the quarter....
With that said, Staples Center is abuzz with more excitement than I've seen for a home game in a long time. I mean, people were there on time, there's booing going on, gasps anytime one of the major players takes a shot. Got me a little more excited than I was earlier this evening.
Good signs with Lamar showing early and often in the first quarter. Two tre's, a mid range, and nice assist. OF course he would this after I mentioned Smush being our second option ;) (only two points in the first for Smush by the way).
Lakers lead at the end of the first and yet another amazing story, Kobe passed the ball for the final shot of the quarter....
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Smush
As far as I'm concerned, Smush Parker is the number 2 option on this team. Lamar doesn't have the consistency needed to be the secondary option. Smush has the right amount of aggresiveness, range, and athleticism to be Kobe's right hand man.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Like Jada, why?
Why does Kobe always end up hurt when he plays the Cavs? I'm not suggesting anything than pure irony here but it's happened the past three or four times the teams have met. He's either out with injury or gets hurt during the Cavs game....
ESPN.com - NBA - Recap - Cavaliers at Lakers
ESPN.com - NBA - Recap - Cavaliers at Lakers
Kobe overcomes wrist injury, sinks gamewinner
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Bill Simmons is an idiot
To understand Kobe's misguided choice, let's first retrace the
disappointing arc of his career. Once projected as MJ's successor, the
wheels came spinning off after Kobe's ego intervened. A power struggle
with Shaq, legal troubles, some memorably selfish play ... Kobe's
downward spiral was the basketball version of Tony Montana's in
Scarface. And using his contract leverage to orchestrate Shaq's
departure was his "Tony shot Manny!" moment. There was no going back. More
So here is another shining example of unfounded hatred on Kobe. In the first couple of stanzas, he remarks about some 'memorably selfish play'. But then he decides Kobe's defining moment has been missed because he didn't play after the third quarter in a 62 point effort. This is horse doo doo. He goes onto bring up Bird's game where he took the scoring title.
Once again, how do sports experts become experts when all they do is pass their personal opinion as fact.........
disappointing arc of his career. Once projected as MJ's successor, the
wheels came spinning off after Kobe's ego intervened. A power struggle
with Shaq, legal troubles, some memorably selfish play ... Kobe's
downward spiral was the basketball version of Tony Montana's in
Scarface. And using his contract leverage to orchestrate Shaq's
departure was his "Tony shot Manny!" moment. There was no going back. More
So here is another shining example of unfounded hatred on Kobe. In the first couple of stanzas, he remarks about some 'memorably selfish play'. But then he decides Kobe's defining moment has been missed because he didn't play after the third quarter in a 62 point effort. This is horse doo doo. He goes onto bring up Bird's game where he took the scoring title.
- Though that game 'is shown on ESPN classic', and in record books, it doesn't make it classy. I'd much rather have a 'legitimate' record. One where I wasn't being allowed to score, where teammates weren't fouling just so I could get the ball back and go for some record. That kills the point. Funny how when Bird does it, it's ESPN classic material. Just a couple of years ago, somebody padded their numbers (essentially what Bird and the other Celtics did) trying to get a triple double and was on the assend of jokes and criticism.
- If Kobe had 62 at the end of the third and the score was 75 -61, then he shouldn't leave the game. Records should come in the natural flow of the game, and this stands true of all sports. It shouldn't be helped along by people committing unintentional fouls, playing when they normally wouldn't play, etc..
- Funny how the media switches. If Kobe had played that quarter and gotten hurt....do you think journalistic hindsight would have said Kobe should be in the game? No, 'sports guy' (and I use this very loosely), no you wouldn't have. In fact, you would have questioned the decision for the entire time Kobe was out with injury.
- What in your head makes you think Kobe cares whether you think he's a good guy? Sports media would be a lot more respected if they could stop creating stories and just report them. 'Apparently, he thought that passing up a chance at immortality would prove he was a good guy.' Statement is shim sham, maybe he thought we've won the game. Showing up the Mavs or not, the game was over. He's a starter. When the game is in hand, you rest your starters. And you're right the Mavs may have killed themselves trying to stop him, in fact, they may have flagrantly tried to stop him....is that what you want? So you can label some more players 'thugs'?
- So people will remember that David Thompson (not even sure he has any rings) scored 53 in a half but they won't remember Kobe outscoring a team by himself after 3 quarters. Where does your freakin' hypocrisy end?
Once again, how do sports experts become experts when all they do is pass their personal opinion as fact.........
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
A good win
Playing one of the top teams in the Eastern conference, though somewhat distracted with the Artest demands, it was nice to defend our home court. Bynum came in and was productive in his time allotted. And despite Kobe's 45, it didn't seem like a normal 40+ point night for Kobe. I'm not referring to the milestone he reached becoming the third player in NBA history (Elgin and Wilt) to score 45 four straight games. I'm referring to how it didn't seem like he was throwing the ball up every time down court. Indeed, it almost seemed like a quiet 45, if there is such a thing....
Fire
Friday, January 06, 2006
Placing blame?
Just read some sportingnews.com messageboard where most of the posters were bashing Kobe even though he hasn't played in the past two games. The others were bashing the supporting cast. Here's an idea, how about we bash the single person truly responsible for the mediocrity that are My Lakers....
KUPCHAK.
Seriously, when was the last time the general manager made an intelligent roster move. Don't get me wrong, I was reasonably happy with our draft picks but we honestly haven't made a blockbuster move, positive blockbuster, since the Malone\Payton days. Trade deadline after trade deadline, and there are no moves.
Supposedly we are strapped for cash with the genius moves of Vlade Divacs and Brian Grants, but really, who orchestrated those nonsensical follies of ineptitude?
The word is we're gearing up for 2007. Well if that's the case, why don't we reduce ticket prices for the remainder of Lakers games this season. No point in charging your fans when you have no intention of producing this year, right? Let us save our duckets for 2007 as well.
KUPCHAK.
Seriously, when was the last time the general manager made an intelligent roster move. Don't get me wrong, I was reasonably happy with our draft picks but we honestly haven't made a blockbuster move, positive blockbuster, since the Malone\Payton days. Trade deadline after trade deadline, and there are no moves.
Supposedly we are strapped for cash with the genius moves of Vlade Divacs and Brian Grants, but really, who orchestrated those nonsensical follies of ineptitude?
The word is we're gearing up for 2007. Well if that's the case, why don't we reduce ticket prices for the remainder of Lakers games this season. No point in charging your fans when you have no intention of producing this year, right? Let us save our duckets for 2007 as well.
Kobe Bean's Rep
Los Angeles Lakers, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com
But time passes on all things, and so it has with Kobe Bean Bryant.
But time passes on all things, and so it has with Kobe Bean Bryant.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Without Kobe
The Lakers, without Bean, looked decent for 7 quarters against Utah. I just wish they could have played two different teams. I don't know how to evaluate a team against the same opponent twice. Was it favorable, or at least somewhat favorable matchups with Utah, were they really playing pretty well together, or was it something with Utah???
ESPN.com - NBA - Recap - Lakers at Jazz
ESPN.com - NBA - Recap - Lakers at Jazz: "George got a technical with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter for complaining too much about a backhand to his face by Utah's Keith McLeod. No foul was called."
And we wonder why Kobe is saying what he's saying. Kobe gets elbowed and they call the foul on him. George gets slapped and it's a 'no call'. Until referees stop with their predetermined whistle blowing and actually make calls based on what happened instead of what they anticipate happening, expect players to a) get more physical, and b) become more abusive. Still don't know why ex-players aren't used as referees.....it's not like the current referees don't have their favorites...
And we wonder why Kobe is saying what he's saying. Kobe gets elbowed and they call the foul on him. George gets slapped and it's a 'no call'. Until referees stop with their predetermined whistle blowing and actually make calls based on what happened instead of what they anticipate happening, expect players to a) get more physical, and b) become more abusive. Still don't know why ex-players aren't used as referees.....it's not like the current referees don't have their favorites...
