Whoa!!

The Lakers won in donminating fashion last night. Apparently Phil chewed their ass at the half and they decided to play. Going into the half they had a 2 point lead. They ended up winning the game by 27. Even with a bad shooting from Kobe, they took care of business.
Dallas on Friday.

Here we go again

The Lakers play the Nets tonight at home.  The Nets are a 500 club at best, but can really push the ball.  If the Lakers play like they did against the Kings it will be the second loss of the season.  The Lakers gave up 33 points to the Kings on turnovers alone.  They need to take care of the ball and control the tempo. Quick shots create fast break opportunities and I’ve noticed teams taking advantage of Gasol and Bynum struggling to get back on defense.  Pound the ball down low and let the bench run and gun.

-Keys to the game as always are rebounding and turnovers

Prediction:  Lakers get the wake up call from Jackson and blow the Nets out by 20+

Disappointed

I have to say that has a crappy game last night.  There is no way the Queens…errr Kings should have been close to winning that game.  Both of their star players are hurt and we played at home.  The fact that Jackson had to put the starters back in the final minutes of the game is ridiculous.  The bench should have been able to finish the game.  But its not only the bench that played bad, but the starters could only match baskets in the first quarter.  The Lakers allowed way too many easy layups and couldn’t defend the pick and roll.  Many they assumed this would be a cupcake game and didn’t come focused.  If that’s the case, this team is in for a rude awakening.  Yeah, we did come away with a win, but seriously, this team is trying to win a championship not just the play offs. 

 

Ugly Win

A win is a win but an ugly win.  The Lakers were outrebounded by a smaller team and allowed a lot of dribble penetration.  16 steals and 11 blocks shows the commitment on the defense, but they have room for improvement.  Gasol had a great game and it could have been better.  Gasol lit up Gooden in the post and for whatever reason, we went away from that.  The Bulls refused to double Gasol and he was making them pay.  I’ll give the Bulls credit for tough interior defense and the surprising play of the bench.    The Lakers missed as least 8 point blank shots under the basket and Kobe had 0 free throws.  Can’t remember the last time that happened.  Rose had a good game and managed to find the holes to the basket on several occasions.  I noticed that Rose is just as fast with the ball as without.  He’s a very dangerous player in that aspect.  The Bulls are a good team and will easily make the play-offs assuming they stay healthy.  As to my prediction, the Lakers were ahead at the half and never looked back but…wrong again.  Next game @ Phoenix

New Big Stick

In an effort to squeeze a few more yards out of my drives, I just bought a new driver. Should be here next week sometime.

Lakers vs. Bulls

Tonight should be a cake walk.  This Chicago team is very young and very inexperienced.  They play the typical small ball and will more that likely try to push the tempo and struggle when the game slows down.  If they can shoot like the Pistons did they should have a good chance of winning.  That’s assuming the whole Laker team shoots like crap.  I don’t see the Bulls having a chance of winning this game.  The Lakers are big inside, deep and versatile.  Ben Gordon is their leading scorer and typically he gets shut down by Kobe.  I’m interested in seeing Rose play.  I’ve watched his numbers in the past week or so and they are solid.  We’ll see what he can do against a much larger front court. 

Keys to the game:

As always, rebounding and turnovers

Limit the amount of penetration and help defense on the drive and kicks.

 

My bold and arrogant prediction:  Game over at the half.  Lakers by 20+ with bench playing close to half the game and putting up 40% of the points.

 

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

I couldn't think of a good poll to post this week so I posted a question .